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As filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on December 27, 2021

 

1933 Act File No. 033-11387

1940 Act File No. 811-04984

 

 

 UNITED STATES SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

 

FORM N-1A

 

  REGISTRATION STATEMENT UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933
  Pre-Effective Amendment No.
  Post-Effective Amendment No. 392
     

and/or

     
  REGISTRATION STATEMENT UNDER THE INVESTMENT COMPANY ACT OF 1940
  Amendment No. 393

(Check appropriate box or boxes.)

 

AMERICAN BEACON FUNDS

(Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in Charter)

 

220 East Las Colinas Boulevard, Suite 1200

Irving, Texas 75039

(Address of Principal Executive Offices) (Zip Code)

Registrant’s Telephone Number, including Area Code: (817) 391-6100

 

Gene L. Needles, Jr., President

220 East Las Colinas Boulevard

Suite 1200

Irving, Texas 75039

(Name and Address of Agent for Service)

 

With copies to:

Kathy K. Ingber, Esq.

K&L Gates LLP

1601 K Street, NW

Washington, D.C. 20006-1600

 

It is proposed that this filing will become effective (check appropriate box)

 

immediately upon filing pursuant to paragraph (b)
on January 1, 2022 pursuant to paragraph (b)
60 days after filing pursuant to paragraph (a)(1)
on (date) pursuant to paragraph (a)(1)
75 days after filing pursuant to paragraph (a)(2)
on (date) pursuant to paragraph (a)(2) of Rule 485

 

If appropriate, check the following box:

 

This post-effective amendment designates a new effective date for a previously filed post-effective amendment.

 

 
 

 

image 
American Beacon
PROSPECTUS
January 1, 2022
Share Class
A
C
Y
R6
R5
Investor
American Beacon SiM High Yield Opportunities Fund
SHOAX
SHOCX
SHOYX
SHOIX
SHYPX
American Beacon The London Company Income Equity Fund
ABCAX
ABECX
ABCYX
ABCRX
ABCIX
ABCVX
American Beacon Zebra Small Cap Equity Fund
AZSAX
AZSCX
AZSYX
AZSIX
AZSPX
As of January 1, 2021, as permitted by regulations adopted by the Securities and Exchange Commission, paper copies of a Fund’s annual/semi-annual shareholder reports are no longer sent by mail, unless you specifically request paper copies of the reports from a Fund or from your financial intermediary, such as a broker-dealer or bank. Instead, the reports are made available on a website, and you will be notified by mail each time a report is posted and provided with a website link to access the report.
If you already elected to receive annual/semi-annual shareholder reports electronically, you will not be affected by this change and you need not take any action. You may elect to receive annual/semi-annual shareholder reports and other communications from a Fund or your financial intermediary electronically by going to www.americanbeaconfunds.com and clicking on ‘‘Quick Links’’ and then ‘‘Register for E-Delivery.”
You may elect to receive all future reports in paper free of charge. You can inform a Fund that you wish to continue receiving paper copies of your annual/semi-annual shareholder reports by calling 1-866-345-5954 with the unique ID number that is provided in the notification you receive, or you may directly inform your financial intermediary of your wish. A notice that will be mailed to you each time a report is posted will also include instructions for informing a Fund that you wish to continue receiving paper copies of your shareholder reports. Your election to receive reports in paper will apply to all funds held with the American Beacon Funds Complex or your financial intermediary, as applicable.
This Prospectus contains important information you should know about investing, including information about risks. Please read it before you invest and keep it for future reference.
As with all mutual funds, the Securities and Exchange Commission has not approved or disapproved these securities or determined if this Prospectus is truthful or complete. Any representation to the contrary is a criminal offense.

 

 
Table of Contents
1
Back Cover

 

American Beacon SiM High Yield Opportunities FundSM
image 
Investment Objective
The Fund’s investment objectives are to seek high current income and, secondarily, capital appreciation.
Fees and Expenses of the Fund
This table describes the fees and expenses that you may pay if you buy, hold, and sell shares of the Fund. You may pay other fees, such as brokerage commissions and other fees to financial intermediaries, which are not reflected in the tables and examples below. You may qualify for sales discounts if you and your eligible family members invest, or agree to invest in the future, at least $50,000 in all classes of the American Beacon Funds on an aggregated basis. More information about these and other discounts is available from your financial professional and in “Choosing Your Share Class” on page 46 of the Prospectus and “Additional Purchase and Sale Information for A Class Shares” on page 66 of the Statement of Additional Information (“SAI”). With respect to purchases of shares through specific intermediaries, you may find additional information regarding sales charge discounts and waivers in Appendix A to the Fund’s Prospectus entitled “Intermediary Sales Charge Discounts, Waivers and Other Information.”
Shareholder Fees (fees paid directly from your investment)
Share Class
A
C
Y
R5
Investor
Maximum sales charge imposed on purchases (as a percentage of offering price)
4.75
%
None
None
None
None
Maximum deferred sales charge (as a percentage of the lower of original offering price or redemption proceeds)
0.50
%
1
1.00
%
None
None
None
Annual Fund Operating Expenses (Expenses that you pay each year as a percentage of the value of your investment)
Share Class
A
C
Y
R5
Investor
Management Fees
0.72
%
0.72
%
0.72
%
0.72
%
0.72
%
Distribution and/or Service (12b-1) Fees
0.25
%
1.00
%
0.00
%
0.00
%
0.00
%
Other Expenses
0.17
%
0.15
%
0.17
%
0.10
%
0.44
%
Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses
1.14
%
1.87
%
0.89
%
0.82
%
1.16
%
Fee Waiver and/or expense reimbursement2
(0.07
%)
(0.06
%)
(0.14
%)
(0.08
%)
(0.06
%)
Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses after fee waiver and/or expense reimbursement
1.07
%
1.81
%
0.75
%
0.74
%
1.10
%
1
A contingent deferred sales charge (‘‘CDSC’’) of 0.50% will be charged on certain purchases of $1,000,000 or more of A Class shares that are redeemed in whole or part within 18 months of purchase.
2 American Beacon Advisors, Inc. (the “Manager”) has contractually agreed to waive fees and/or reimburse expenses of the Fund’s A Class, C Class, Y Class, R5 Class, and Investor Class shares, as applicable, through December 31, 2022, to the extent that Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses exceed 1.07% for the A Class, 1.81% for the C Class, 0.75% for the Y Class, 0.74% for the R5 Class, and 1.10% for the Investor Class (excluding taxes, interest, brokerage commissions, acquired fund fees and expenses, securities lending fees, expenses associated with securities sold short, litigation, and other extraordinary expenses). The contractual expense reimbursement can be changed or terminated only in the discretion and with the approval of a majority of the Fund’s Board of Trustees (the “Board”). The Manager will itself waive fees and/or reimburse expenses of the Fund to maintain the contractual expense ratio caps for each applicable class of shares or make arrangements with other service providers to do so. The Manager may also, from time to time, voluntarily waive fees and/or reimburse expenses of the Fund. The Manager can be reimbursed by the Fund for any contractual or voluntary fee waivers or expense reimbursements if reimbursement to the Manager (a) occurs within three years from the date of the Manager’s waiver/reimbursement and (b) does not cause the Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses of a class to exceed the lesser of the contractual percentage limit in effect at the time of the waiver/reimbursement or the time of the recoupment.
Example
This Example is intended to help you compare the cost of investing in the Fund with the cost of investing in other mutual funds. The Example assumes that you invest $10,000 in the Fund for the time periods indicated and then redeem all of your shares at the end of those periods. The Example also assumes that your investment has a 5% return each year and that the Fund’s operating expenses remain the same, except that the Example reflects the fee waiver/expense reimbursement arrangement for each share class through December 31, 2022. Although your actual costs may be higher or lower, based on these assumptions, your costs would be:
Share Class
1 Year
3 Years
5 Years
10 Years
A
$579
$813
$1,066
$1,789
C
$284
$582
$1,005
$2,186
Y
$77
$270
$479
$1,083
R5
$76
$254
$447
$1,006
Investor
$112
$363
$633
$1,404
Assuming no redemption of shares:
Share Class
1 Year
3 Years
5 Years
10 Years
C
$184
$582
$1,005
$2,186
Portfolio Turnover
The Fund pays transaction costs, such as commissions, when it buys and sells securities (or ‘‘turns over’’ its portfolio). A higher portfolio turnover rate may indicate higher transaction costs and may result in higher taxes when Fund shares are held in a taxable account. These costs, which are not reflected in annual Fund operating expenses or in the Example, affect the Fund’s performance. During the most recent fiscal year, the Fund’s portfolio turnover rate was 62% of the average value of its portfolio.
Prospectus – Fund Summaries1 

 

Back To Table of Contents

Principal Investment Strategies
This Fund seeks to maximize current income by investing in a diversified portfolio of fixed income securities that are generally rated below investment grade (such as Ba or lower by Moody’s Investors Service, Inc. or BB or lower by S&P Global Ratings or Fitch, Inc.) or, if unrated, are deemed to be below investment grade by the Fund’s sub-advisor, Strategic Income Management, LLC (“SiM”). These types of securities are commonly referred to as “high yield” or “junk” bonds.
The Fund seeks to achieve its investment objective by investing, under normal circumstances, at least 80% of the Fund’s net assets (plus the amount of any borrowing for investment purposes) in non-investment grade securities and/or financial instruments that provide exposure to non-investment grade securities. These financial instruments include futures contracts, foreign currency forward contracts, warrants, swap agreements and structured notes whose underlying assets are rated below investment grade.
The non-investment grade securities in which the Fund may invest include: (1) corporate bonds, (2) convertible securities, including convertible preferred securities, (3) preferred stock, (4) bank and senior loans, (5) variable and floating rate loans, (6) municipal securities, and (7) asset-backed and mortgage-backed securities. The Fund may invest in securities of foreign issuers, including those in emerging markets. The Fund has no limitations regarding the maturities of the debt securities it can buy, the market capitalization of the issuers of those securities or whether the securities are rated. The Fund can invest in securities that are not registered and thus restricted in their ability to be traded.
The Fund’s investments in derivative instruments include futures contracts, foreign currency forward contracts, swap agreements (including equity swaps, interest rate swaps, total return swaps, credit default swaps and currency swaps), warrants and structured notes. The Fund may use these derivative instruments to enhance total return, to hedge against fluctuations in securities prices, interest rates or currency exchange rates, to manage the effective duration of its portfolio, and to manage certain investment risks or as a substitute for purchase or sale of the underlying currencies or securities.
The Fund may have exposure to non-U.S. currencies, including emerging market currencies, for investment or hedging purposes by purchasing or selling forward currency exchange contracts, including non-deliverable foreign currency forwards, and non-U.S. currency futures contracts. The Fund may also make direct investments in non-U.S. currencies and in securities denominated in non-U.S. currencies. Investments in currencies and currency hedging are established to extract value or reduce risk.
The remainder of the Fund’s assets may be invested in any other securities that SiM believes are consistent with the Fund’s objective, including investment grade fixed-income securities, U.S. government securities and securities of government-sponsored enterprises, Treasury futures, real estate investment trusts (“REITs”), loan participation interests, “covenant-lite” obligations, and income-producing equity securities, such as master limited partnerships (“MLPs”), and income trusts and income deposit securities (“IDSs”). The Fund may also hold certain equity securities, including common stock, American Depositary Receipts (“ADRs”), Global Depositary Receipts (“GDRs”), and dollar-denominated foreign stocks traded on U.S. exchanges, from time to time as a result of a restructuring transaction involving a fixed income security. The Fund may invest cash balances in other investment companies, including government money market funds, and exchange traded funds (“ETFs”) to gain exposure on cash balances.
In selecting investments for the Fund, SiM uses an approach that combines different aspects of top-down and bottom-up analysis. As part of its top-down analysis, SiM utilizes a core philosophy to identify positive long-term trends. SiM then invests in sectors, industries and companies that will benefit from these trends. Concurrent with this core philosophy, SiM’s management seeks to take advantage of market volatility by analyzing and potentially investing in sectors, industries and companies undergoing a change in dynamics that has not been fully recognized by the market. Market volatility continually provides opportunities to capture value from these types of situations. Once potential investment opportunities are identified, SiM utilizes bottom-up research to assess the fundamental strengths and weaknesses of each individual company and the best risk/reward security is chosen for inclusion in the portfolio. The Fund may have significant exposure to the Consumer Staples sector. However, as the sector composition of the Fund’s portfolio changes over time, the Fund’s exposure to the Consumer Staples sector may be lower at a future date, and the Fund’s exposure to other market sectors may be higher.
SiM may reduce or sell the Fund’s portfolio securities for a variety of reasons, including if, in SiM’s opinion, a security’s value becomes fully recognized or there is a reassessment of the fundamental attributes of the security.
Principal Risks
There is no assurance that the Fund will achieve its investment objectives and you could lose part or all of your investment in the Fund. The Fund is not designed for investors who need an assured level of current income, and is intended to be a long-term investment. The Fund is not a complete investment program and may not be appropriate for all investors. Investors should carefully consider their own investment goals and risk tolerance before investing in the Fund. The principal risks of investing in the Fund listed below are presented in alphabetical order and not in order of importance or potential exposure. Among other matters, this presentation is intended to facilitate your ability to find particular risks and compare them with the risks of other funds. Each risk summarized below is considered a “principal risk” of investing in the Fund, regardless of the order in which it appears.
Allocation Risk
The allocations among strategies, asset classes and market exposures may be less than optimal and may adversely affect the Fund’s performance. There can be no assurance, particularly during periods of market disruption and stress, that judgments about allocations will be correct. The Fund’s allocations may be invested in strategies, asset classes and market exposures during a period when such strategies, asset classes and market exposures underperform.
Asset-Backed and Mortgage-Related Securities Risk
Investments in asset-backed and mortgage-related securities are influenced by factors affecting the assets underlying the securities, including the broader market sector and individual markets, such as the auto and housing markets. These securities may be more sensitive to changes in interest rates than other types of debt securities. Investments in asset-backed and mortgage-related securities also are subject to risks for fixed-income securities, which include, but are not limited to, credit risk, interest rate risk, prepayment and extension risk, callable securities risk, valuation risk, liquidity risk, and restricted securities risk. A decline in the credit quality of the issuers of asset-backed and mortgage-related securities or instability in the markets for such securities may affect the value and liquidity of such securities, which could result in losses to the Fund. These securities are also subject to the risk of default on the underlying assets or mortgages, particularly during periods of market downturn, and an unexpectedly high rate of defaults on the underlying assets will adversely affect the security’s value. Additionally, these securities may be backed by pools of loans made to “subprime” borrowers or borrowers with blemished credit histories. The risk of defaults is generally higher for subprime loans, as compared to higher-quality prime loans.
Asset Selection Risk
Assets selected for the Fund may not perform to expectations. The investment models used to manage the Fund may rely in part on data derived from third parties and may not perform as intended. This could result in the Fund’s underperformance compared to other funds with similar investment objectives.
Callable Securities Risk
The Fund may invest in fixed-income securities with call features. A call feature allows the issuer of the security to redeem or call the security prior to its stated maturity date. In periods of falling interest rates, issuers may be more likely to call in securities that are paying higher coupon rates than prevailing interest
2Prospectus – Fund Summaries 

 

Back To Table of Contents

rates. In the event of a call, the Fund would lose the income that would have been earned to maturity on that security, and the proceeds received by the Fund may be invested in securities paying lower coupon rates and may not benefit from any increase in value that might otherwise result from declining interest rates.
Convertible Securities Risk
The value of a convertible security, including a convertible preferred security, typically increases or decreases with the price of the underlying common stock. In general, a convertible security is subject to the market risks of stocks when the underlying stock’s price is high relative to the conversion price and is subject to the market risks of debt securities when the underlying stock’s price is low relative to the conversion price. The general market risks of debt securities that are common to convertible securities include, but are not limited to, interest rate risk and credit risk. Many convertible securities have credit ratings that are below investment grade and are subject to the same risks as an investment in below investment grade debt securities (commonly known as “junk bonds”). Lower-rated debt securities may fluctuate more widely in price and yield than investment grade debt securities and may fall in price during times when the economy is weak or is expected to become weak. Convertible securities are subject to the risk that the credit standing of the issuer may have an effect on the convertible security‘s investment value. Convertible securities are sensitive to movement in interest rates.
Counterparty Risk
The Fund is subject to the risk that a party or participant to a transaction, such as a broker or a derivative counterparty, will be unwilling or unable to satisfy its obligation to make timely principal, interest or settlement payments or to otherwise honor its obligations to the Fund.
“Covenant-Lite” Obligations Risk
Certain investments, such as loans in which the Fund may invest directly or have exposure to through its investments in structured securities, may be “covenant-lite.” Covenant-lite obligations contain fewer maintenance covenants than other obligations, or no maintenance covenants at all, and may not include terms which allow the lender to monitor the financial performance of the borrower and declare a default if certain criteria are breached. The Fund’s exposure to losses on such investments may be increased, especially during a downturn in the credit cycle.
Credit Risk
The Fund is subject to the risk that the issuer, guarantor or insurer of an obligation, or the counterparty to a transaction may fail, or become less able or unwilling, to make timely payment of interest or principal or otherwise honor its obligations or default completely. Changes in the actual or perceived creditworthiness of an issuer, or a downgrade or default affecting any of the Fund’s securities, could affect the Fund’s performance. Generally, the longer the maturity and the lower the credit quality of a security, the more sensitive it is to credit risk.
Currency Risk
The Fund may have exposure to foreign currencies by using various instruments. Foreign currencies may fluctuate significantly over short periods of time, may be affected unpredictably by intervention, or the failure to intervene, of the U.S. or foreign governments or central banks, and may be affected by currency controls or political developments in the U.S. or abroad. Foreign currencies may also decline in value relative to the U.S. dollar and other currencies and thereby affect the Fund’s investments.
Cybersecurity and Operational Risk
Operational risks arising from, among other problems, human errors, systems and technology disruptions or failures, or cybersecurity incidents may negatively impact the Fund and its service providers as well as the ability of shareholders to transact with the Fund. Cybersecurity incidents may allow an unauthorized party to gain access to Fund assets, shareholder data, or proprietary information, or cause the Fund or its service providers, as well as securities trading venues and their service providers, to suffer data corruption or lose operational functionality. It is not possible for the Fund or its service providers to identify all of the operational risks that may affect the Fund or to develop processes and controls to completely eliminate or mitigate their occurrence or effects. Most issuers in which the Fund invests are heavily dependent on computers for data storage and operations, and require ready access to the internet to conduct their business. Thus, cybersecurity incidents could also affect issuers of securities in which the Fund invests, leading to significant loss of value.
Derivatives Risk
Derivatives may involve significant risk. The use of derivative instruments may expose the Fund to additional risks that it would not be subject to if it invested directly in the securities or other instruments underlying those derivatives, including the high degree of leverage often embedded in such instruments, and potential material and prolonged deviations between the theoretical value and realizable value of a derivative. Some derivatives have the potential for unlimited loss, regardless of the size of the Fund’s initial investment. The use of derivatives may also increase any adverse effects resulting from the underperformance of strategies, asset classes and market exposures to which the Fund has allocated its assets. Derivatives may at times be highly illiquid, and the Fund may not be able to close out or sell a derivative at a particular time or at an anticipated price. Certain derivatives may be difficult to value, and valuation may be more difficult in times of market turmoil. Derivatives may also be more volatile than other types of investments. The Fund may buy or sell derivatives not traded on an exchange, which may be subject to heightened liquidity and valuation risk. Derivative investments can increase portfolio turnover and transaction costs. Derivatives also are subject to counterparty risk and credit risk. As a result, the Fund may not recover its investment or may only obtain a limited recovery, and any recovery may be delayed. Not all derivative transactions require a counterparty to post collateral, which may expose the Fund to greater losses in the event of a default by a counterparty. There may be imperfect correlation between the behavior of a derivative and that of the reference instrument underlying the derivative. An abrupt change in the price of a reference instrument could render a derivative worthless. Derivatives may involve risks different from, and possibly greater than, the risks associated with investing directly in the reference instrument. Suitable derivatives may not be available in all circumstances, and there can be no assurance that the Fund will use derivatives to reduce exposure to other risks when that might have been beneficial. Ongoing changes to the regulation of the derivatives markets and potential changes in the regulation of funds using derivative instruments could limit the Fund’s ability to pursue its investment strategies. New regulation of derivatives may make them more costly, or may otherwise adversely affect their liquidity, value or performance. In addition, the Fund’s investments in derivatives are subject to the following risks:

 

Foreign Currency Forward Contracts Risk. Foreign currency forward contracts are derivative instruments pursuant to a contract where the parties agree to a fixed price for an agreed amount of foreign currency at an agreed date or to buy or sell a specific currency at a future date at a price set at the time of the contract and include the risks associated with fluctuations in currency. There are no limitations on daily price movements of forward contracts. There can be no assurance that any strategy used will succeed. Not all forward contracts, including NDFs, require a counterparty to post collateral, which may expose the Fund to greater losses in the event of a default by a counterparty. The use of foreign currency forward contracts may expose the Fund to additional risks, such as credit risk, liquidity risk, and counterparty risk, that it would not be subject to if it invested directly in the securities or currencies underlying the foreign currency forward contract.

 

Futures Contracts Risk. Futures contracts are derivative instruments pursuant to a contract where the parties agree to a fixed price for an agreed amount of securities or other underlying assets at an agreed date. The use of such derivative instruments may expose the Fund to additional risks, such as credit risk, liquidity risk, and counterparty risk, that it would not be subject to if it invested directly in the securities underlying those derivatives. There can be no assurance that any strategy used will succeed. There may at times be an imperfect correlation between the movement in the prices of futures contracts and the value of their underlying instruments or indexes. There also can be no assurance that, at all times, a liquid market will exist for offsetting a futures
 
Prospectus – Fund Summaries3 

 

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contract that the Fund has previously bought or sold, and this may result in the inability to close a futures contract when desired. Futures contracts may experience potentially dramatic price changes, which will increase the volatility of the Fund and may involve a small investment of cash (the amount of initial and variation margin) relative to the magnitude of the risk assumed (the potential increase or decrease in the price of the futures contract). Treasury futures contracts expose the Fund to price fluctuations resulting from changes in interest rates and to potential losses if interest rates do not move as expected.

 

Structured Notes Risk. Structured notes are derivative debt instruments with principal and/or interest payments linked to the value of a commodity, a foreign currency, an index of securities, an interest rate, or other financial indicators (“reference instruments”). The payments on a structured note may vary based on changes in one or more specified reference instruments, such as a floating interest rate compared to a fixed interest rate, the exchange rates between two currencies, one or more securities or a securities or commodities index. If the underlying investment or index does not perform as anticipated, the structured note might pay less interest than the stated coupon payment or repay less principal upon maturity. The movement of such factors may cause significant price fluctuations. A structured note may be positively or negatively indexed. Structured notes are subject to interest rate risk, market risk, liquidity risk and counterparty risk. They are also subject to credit risk with respect both to the issuer and, if applicable, to the underlying security or borrower. Structured notes may have a limited trading market, making it difficult to value them or sell them at an acceptable price.

 

Swap Agreements Risk. Swap agreements or “swaps” are transactions in which the Fund and a counterparty agree to pay or receive payments at specified dates based upon or calculated by reference to changes in specified prices or rates or the performance of specified securities, indices or other assets based on a specified amount (the “notional” amount). Swaps can involve greater risks than a direct investment in an underlying asset, because swaps typically include a certain amount of embedded leverage and as such are subject to leverage risk. If swaps are used as a hedging strategy, the Fund is subject to the risk that the hedging strategy may not eliminate the risk that it is intended to offset, due to, among other reasons, the occurrence of unexpected price movements or the non-occurrence of expected price movements. Swaps also may be difficult to value. Swaps may be subject to liquidity risk and counterparty risk, and swaps that are traded over-the-counter are not subject to standardized clearing requirements and may involve greater liquidity and counterparty risks. The Fund may invest in the following types of swaps:

 

    Credit default swaps, which may be subject to credit risk and the risks associated with the purchase and sale of credit protection.

 

    Cross-currency swaps, which may be subject to currency risk and credit risk.

 

    Equity swaps, which may be subject to equity investments risk.

 

    Interest rate swaps, which may be subject to interest rate risk and credit risk.

 

    Total return swaps, which may be subject to credit risk and, if the underlying securities are bonds or other debt obligations, market risk and interest rate risk.

 

Warrants Risk. Warrants are derivative securities that give the holder the right to purchase a specified amount of securities at a specified price. Warrants may be more speculative than certain other types of investments because warrants do not carry with them dividend or voting rights with respect to the underlying securities, or any rights in the assets of the issuer. In addition, the value of a warrant does not necessarily change with the value of the underlying securities, and a warrant ceases to have value if it is not exercised prior to its expiration date. The market for warrants may be very limited and there may at times not be a liquid secondary market for warrants.
 
Emerging Markets Risk
When investing in emerging markets, the risks of investing in foreign securities are heightened. Emerging markets are generally smaller, less developed, less liquid and more volatile than the securities markets of the U.S. and other developed markets. There are also risks of: greater political or economic uncertainties; an economy’s dependence on revenues from particular commodities or on international aid or development assistance; currency transfer restrictions; a limited number of potential buyers for such securities resulting in increased volatility and limited liquidity for emerging market securities; trading suspensions and other restrictions on investment; delays and disruptions in securities settlement procedures; and significant limitations on investor rights and recourse. The governments of emerging market countries may also be more unstable and more likely to impose capital controls, nationalize a company or industry, place restrictions on foreign ownership and on withdrawing sale proceeds of securities from the country, intervene in the financial markets, and/or impose burdensome taxes that could adversely affect security prices. In addition, there may be less publicly available information about issuers in emerging markets than would be available about issuers in more developed capital markets, and such issuers may not be subject to accounting, auditing, financial reporting and recordkeeping standards and requirements comparable to those to which U.S. companies are subject.
Equity Investments Risk
Equity securities are subject to investment risk and market risk. The Fund may invest in the following equity securities, which may expose the Fund to the following additional risks:

 

Common Stock Risk. The value of a company’s common stock may fall as a result of factors affecting the company, companies in the same industry or sector, or the financial markets overall. Common stock generally is subordinate to preferred stock upon the liquidation or bankruptcy of the issuing company.

 

Depositary Receipts and U.S. Dollar-Denominated Foreign Stocks Traded on U.S. Exchanges Risk. Depositary receipts and U.S. dollar-denominated foreign stocks traded on U.S. exchanges are subject to certain of the risks associated with investing directly in foreign securities, including, but not limited to, currency exchange rate fluctuations, political and financial instability in the home country of a particular depositary receipt or foreign stock, less liquidity, more volatility, less government regulation and supervision and delays in transaction settlement.

 

Income Deposit Securities Risk. Although income deposit securities (“IDSs”), which are units representing shares of common stock and subordinated notes issued by a company, trade on an exchange, there may be a thinner and less active market for IDSs than that available for other securities. The value of an IDS will be affected by factors generally affecting both common stock and subordinated debt securities. IDSs are subject to credit risk, interest rate risk and dividend risk.

 

Income Trust Risk. Securities of income trusts, which hold income producing assets and pass the income on to security holders, share many of the risks inherent in stock ownership. Income trusts may also lack diversification and potential growth may be sacrificed because revenue is passed on to security holders, rather than reinvested in the business. Income trusts are subject to credit risk, interest rate risk and dividend risk.

 

Master Limited Partnerships (“MLPs”) Risk. Investing in MLPs involves certain risks related to investing in the underlying assets of the MLPs and risks associated with pooled investment vehicles. Investments held by MLPs may be relatively illiquid, limiting the MLPs’ ability to change their portfolios promptly in response to changes in economic or other conditions. MLPs may have limited financial resources, their securities may trade infrequently and in limited volume, they may be difficult to value, and they may be subject to more abrupt or erratic price movements than securities of larger or more broadly based companies. Holders of units in MLPs have more limited rights to vote on matters affecting the partnership and may be required to sell their common units at an undesirable time or price. The Fund’s investments in MLPs will be limited to no more than 25% of its assets in order for the Fund to meet the requirements necessary to qualify as a “regulated investment company” under the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (“Internal Revenue Code”).
 
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Real Estate Investment Trusts (“REITs”) Risk. Investments in REITs are subject to the risks associated with investing in the real estate industry, including, among other risks: adverse developments affecting the real estate industry; declines in real property values; changes in interest rates; defaults by mortgagors or other borrowers and tenants; lack of availability of mortgage funds or financing; extended vacancies of properties, especially during economic downturns; casualty or condemnation losses; and governmental actions, such as changes to tax laws, zoning regulations or environmental regulations. REITs also are dependent upon the skills of their managers and are subject to heavy cash flow dependency or self-liquidation. Regardless of where a REIT is organized or traded, its performance may be affected significantly by events in the region where its properties are located. Domestic REITs could be adversely affected by failure to qualify for tax-free “pass-through” of distributed net income and net realized gains under the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (“Internal Revenue Code”), or to maintain their exemption from registration under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (“Investment Company Act”). REITs typically incur fees that are separate from those incurred by the Fund. Accordingly, the Fund’s investment in REITs will result in the layering of expenses such that shareholders will indirectly bear a proportionate share of the REITs’ operating expenses, in addition to paying Fund expenses. The value of REIT common stock may decline when interest rates rise. REITs tend to be small- to mid-capitalization securities and, as such, are subject to the risks of investing in small- to mid-capitalization securities.
 
Foreign Investing Risk
Non-U.S. investments carry potential risks not associated with U.S. investments. Such risks include, but are not limited to: (1) currency exchange rate fluctuations, (2) political and financial instability, (3) less liquidity, (4) lack of uniform accounting, auditing and financial reporting standards, (5) greater volatility, (6) different government regulation and supervision of foreign stock exchanges, brokers and listed companies, and (7) delays in transaction settlement in some foreign markets. The Fund’s investment in a foreign issuer may subject the Fund to regulatory, political, currency, security, economic and other risks associated with that country. Global economic and financial markets are becoming increasingly interconnected and conditions (including recent volatility and instability) and events (including natural disasters) in one country, region or financial market may adversely impact issuers in a different country, region or financial market.
Hedging Risk
If the Fund uses a hedging instrument at the wrong time or judges the market conditions incorrectly, or the hedged instrument does not correlate to the risk sought to be hedged, the hedge might be unsuccessful, reduce the Fund’s return, or create a loss. In addition, hedges, even when successful in mitigating risk, may not prevent the Fund from experiencing losses on its investments. Hedging instruments may also reduce or eliminate gains that may otherwise have been available had the Fund not used the hedging instruments.
High-Yield Securities Risk
Exposure to high-yield, below investment-grade securities (commonly referred to as “junk bonds”) generally involves significantly greater risks than an investment in investment grade securities. High-yield debt securities may fluctuate more widely in price and yield and may fall in price when the economy is weak or expected to become weak. These securities also may be difficult to sell at the time and price the Fund desires. High-yield securities are considered to be speculative with respect to an issuer’s ability to pay interest and principal and carry a greater risk that the issuers of lower-rated securities will default on the timely payment of principal and interest. High-yield securities may experience greater price volatility and less liquidity than investment grade securities. Issuers of securities that are in default or have defaulted may fail to resume principal or interest payments, in which case the Fund may lose its entire investment.
Interest Rate Risk
Generally, the value of investments with interest rate risk, such as fixed income securities or derivatives, will move in the opposite direction to movements in interest rates. Factors including central bank monetary policy, rising inflation rates, and changes in general economic conditions may cause interest rates to rise, which could cause the value of the Fund’s investments to decline. Interest rate changes may have a more pronounced effect on the market value of fixed-rate instruments than on floating-rate instruments. The prices of fixed income securities or derivatives are also affected by their durations. Fixed income securities or derivatives with longer durations generally have greater sensitivity to changes in interest rates. For example, if a bond has a duration of eight years, a 1% increase in interest rates could be expected to result in an 8% decrease in the value of the bond. An increase in interest rates can impact markets broadly as well. As of the date of this Prospectus, interest rates are at or near historic lows and some investments may have negative interest rates. To the extent the Fund holds an investment with a negative interest rate to maturity, the Fund may generate a negative return on that investment. Conversely, in the future, interest rates may rise, perhaps significantly and/or rapidly, potentially resulting in substantial losses to the Fund.
Investment Risk
An investment in the Fund is not a deposit with a bank and is not insured or guaranteed by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation or any other government agency. When you sell your shares of the Fund, they could be worth less than what you paid for them. Therefore, you may lose money by investing in the Fund.
Issuer Risk
The value of, and/or the return generated by, a security may decline for a number of reasons that directly relate to the issuer, such as management performance, financial leverage and reduced demand for the issuer’s goods or services, as well as the historical and prospective earnings of the issuer and the value of its assets.
Large-Capitalization Companies Risk
The securities of large market capitalization companies may underperform other segments of the market because such companies may be less responsive to competitive challenges and opportunities and, at times, such companies may be out of favor with investors. Many larger-capitalization companies also may be unable to attain the high growth rates of successful smaller companies, especially during periods of economic expansion.
Leverage Risk
The Fund’s use of derivative instruments may have the economic effect of financial leverage. Financial leverage magnifies the Fund’s exposure to the movements in prices of an asset or class of assets underlying a derivative instrument and may result in increased volatility, which means that the Fund will have the potential for greater losses than if the Fund does not use the derivative instruments that have a leveraging effect. Leverage may result in losses that exceed the amount originally invested and may accelerate the rate of losses. Leverage tends to magnify, sometimes significantly, the effect of any increase or decrease in the Fund’s exposure to an asset or class of assets and may cause the Fund’s net asset value (“NAV”) per share to be volatile. There can be no assurance that the Fund’s use of leverage will be successful.
Liquidity Risk
The Fund is susceptible to the risk that certain investments held by the Fund may have limited marketability, be subject to restrictions on sale, be difficult or impossible to purchase or sell at favorable times or prices or become less liquid in response to market developments or adverse credit events that may affect issuers or guarantors of a security. An inability to sell a portfolio position can adversely affect the Fund’s value or prevent the Fund from being able to take advantage of other investment opportunities. Market prices for such instruments may be volatile. During periods of substantial market volatility, an investment or even an entire market segment may become illiquid, sometimes abruptly, which can adversely affect the Fund’s ability to limit losses. The Fund could lose money if it is unable to dispose of an investment at a time that is most beneficial to the Fund. The Fund may be required to dispose of investments
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at unfavorable times or prices to satisfy obligations, which may result in losses or may be costly to the Fund. For example, liquidity risk may be magnified in rising interest rate environments in the event of higher than normal redemption rates. Unexpected redemptions may force the Fund to sell certain investments at unfavorable prices to meet redemption requests or other cash needs. Judgment plays a greater role in pricing illiquid investments than in investments with more active markets.
Loan Interests Risk
In making investments in bank loans or senior loans, the Fund will depend primarily on the creditworthiness of the borrower for payment of principal and interest and will also rely on the financial institution to make principal and interest payments to the Fund once it receives payment on the underlying loan. The Fund will also rely on the financial institution to pursue appropriate remedies against a borrower in the event that the borrower defaults. As such, the Fund may be exposed to the credit risk of both the financial institution that made the loan and the underlying borrower.
Unlike publicly traded common stocks, which trade on national exchanges, there is no central place or exchange for loans, including bank loans and senior loans, to trade. There is a risk that the value of any collateral securing a loan in which the Fund has an interest may decline and that the collateral may not be sufficient to cover the amount owed on the loan. In the event that the borrower defaults, the Fund’s access to the collateral may be limited or delayed by bankruptcy or other insolvency laws. Loans trade in an over-the-counter market, and confirmation and settlement, which are effected through standardized procedures and documentation, may take significantly longer than seven days to complete. Extended trade settlement periods may, in unusual market conditions with a high volume of shareholder redemptions, present a risk to shareholders with respect to the Fund’s ability to pay redemption proceeds within the allowable time periods stated in the Prospectus. The secondary market for loans also may be subject to irregular trading activity and wide bid/ask spreads. The lack of an active trading market for certain loans may impair the ability of the Fund to sell its loan interests at a time when it may otherwise be desirable to do so or may require the Fund to sell them at prices that are less than what the Fund regards as their fair market value and may make it difficult to value such loans. Accordingly, loan interests may at times be illiquid. Interests in loans made to finance highly leveraged companies or transactions, such as corporate acquisitions, may be especially vulnerable to adverse changes in economic or market conditions.
The Fund may acquire a loan interest by direct investment as a lender, by obtaining an assignment of all or a portion of the interests in a particular loan that are held by an original lender or a prior assignee or by participation in a loan interest that is held by another party. As an assignee, the Fund normally will succeed to all rights and obligations of its assignor with respect to the portion of the loan that is being assigned. However, the rights and obligations acquired by the purchaser of a loan assignment may differ from, and be more limited than, those held by the original lenders or the assignor. When the Fund’s loan interest is a participation, the Fund is subject to the risk that the party selling the participation interest will not remit the Fund’s pro rata share of loan payments to the Fund, and the Fund may have less control over the exercise of remedies against the borrower and/or the financial institution that made the loan than the party selling the participation interest.
Market Risk
The Fund is subject to the risk that the securities markets will move down, sometimes rapidly and unpredictably, based on overall economic conditions and other factors, which may negatively affect the Fund’s performance. Equity securities generally have greater price volatility than fixed income securities, although under certain market conditions fixed income securities may have comparable or greater price volatility. During a general downturn in the securities markets, multiple assets may decline in value simultaneously. Prices in many financial markets have increased significantly over the last decade, but there have also been periods of adverse market and financial developments and cyclical change during that timeframe, which have resulted in unusually high levels of volatility in domestic and foreign financial markets that has caused losses for investors and may occur again in the future. The value of a security may decline due to adverse issuer-specific conditions, general market conditions unrelated to a particular issuer, such as changes in interest or inflation rates, or factors that affect a particular industry or industries. Changes in the financial condition of a single issuer or market segment also can impact the market as a whole. Geopolitical and other events, including war, terrorism, economic uncertainty, trade disputes, pandemics, public health crises, natural disasters and related events have led, and in the future may continue to lead, to instability in world economies and markets generally and reduced liquidity in equity, credit and fixed-income markets, which may disrupt economies and markets and adversely affect the value of your investment. Changes in value may be temporary or may last for extended periods.
Policy changes by the U.S. government and/or Federal Reserve and political events within the U.S. and abroad, such as changes in the U.S. presidential administration and Congress, the U.S. government’s inability at times to agree on a long-term budget and deficit reduction plan, the threat of a federal government shutdown and threats not to increase the federal government’s debt limit, may affect investor and consumer confidence and may adversely impact financial markets and the broader economy, perhaps suddenly and to a significant degree.
Markets and market participants are increasingly reliant upon both publicly available and proprietary information data systems. Data imprecision, software or other technology malfunctions, programming inaccuracies, unauthorized use or access, and similar circumstances may impair the performance of these systems and may have an adverse impact upon a single issuer, a group of issuers, or the market at large. The financial markets generally move in cycles, with periods of rising prices followed by periods of declining prices. The value of your investment may reflect these fluctuations.

 

Recent Market Events. An outbreak of infectious respiratory illness caused by a novel coronavirus, known as COVID-19, was first detected in late 2019 and has subsequently spread globally. The transmission of COVID-19 and efforts to contain its spread have resulted, and may continue to result, in significant disruptions to business operations, widespread business closures and layoffs, travel restrictions and closed borders, prolonged quarantines and stay-at-home orders, disruption of and delays in healthcare service preparation and delivery, service and event changes, and lower consumer demand, as well as general concern and uncertainty that has negatively affected the global economy. The impact of the pandemic has negatively affected and may continue to affect the economies of many nations, individual companies and the global securities and commodities markets, including their liquidity, in ways that cannot necessarily be foreseen at the present time. The pandemic has accelerated trends toward working remotely and shopping on-line, which may negatively affect the value of office and commercial real estate and companies that have been slow to transition to an on-line business model and has disrupted the supply chains that many businesses depend on. The travel, hospitality and public transit industries may suffer long-term negative effects from the pandemic and resulting changes to public behavior. Both U.S. and international markets have experienced significant volatility in recent months and years. As a result of such volatility, investment returns may fluctuate significantly. Moreover, the risks discussed herein associated with an investment in the Fund may be increased.

 

  The Federal Reserve has spent hundreds of billions of dollars to keep credit flowing through the economy. However, the Federal Reserve recently began to reduce its interventions as the economy improved and inflation accelerated. Concerns about the markets’ dependence on the Federal Reserve’s provision of liquidity have grown as a result. High public debt in the U.S. and other countries creates ongoing systemic and market risks and policymaking uncertainty, and there may be a further increase in public debt due to the economic effects of the COVID-19 pandemic and ensuing economic relief and public health measures. Governments’ efforts to limit potential negative economic effects of the pandemic may be altered, delayed, or eliminated at inopportune times for political, policy or other reasons.

 

  Interest rates have been unusually low in recent years in the U.S. and abroad, and central banks reduced rates further in an effort to combat the economic effects of the COVID-19 pandemic. Because there is little precedent for this situation, it is difficult to predict the impact on various markets of a significant
 
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  rate increase or other significant policy changes. The U.S. Federal Reserve is anticipated to raise interest rates beginning in 2022, in part to address an increase in the annual inflation rate in the U.S. Over the longer term, rising interest rates may present a greater risk than has historically been the case due to the current period of relatively low rates and the effect of government fiscal and monetary policy initiatives and potential market reaction to those initiatives or their alteration or cessation.

 

  Slowing global economic growth, risks associated with the United Kingdom’s departure from the European Union on December 31, 2020, commonly referred to as “Brexit,” and a trade agreement between the United Kingdom and the European Union, the risks associated with ongoing trade negotiations with China, the possibility of changes to some international trade agreements, tensions or open conflict between nations, or political or economic dysfunction within some nations that are major producers of oil could affect the economies of many nations, including the United States, in ways that cannot necessarily be foreseen at the present time.

 

  Economists and others have expressed increasing concern about the potential effects of global climate change on property and security values. Certain issuers, industries and regions may be adversely affected by the impacts of climate change, including on the demand for and the development of goods and services and related production costs, and the impacts of legislation, regulation and international accords related to climate change, as well as any indirect consequences of regulation or business trends driven by climate change.
 
Market Timing Risk
The Fund is subject to the risk of market timing activities by investors due to the nature of the Fund’s investments, which requires the Fund, in certain instances, to fair value certain of its investments. Some investors may engage in frequent short-term trading in the Fund to take advantage of any price differentials that may be reflected in the net asset value (“NAV”) of the Fund’s shares. Frequent trading by Fund shareholders poses risks to other shareholders in the Fund, including (i) the dilution of the Fund’s NAV, (ii) an increase in the Fund’s expenses, and (iii) interference with the ability to execute efficient investment strategies.
Micro-Capitalization Companies Risk
Micro-capitalization companies are subject to substantially greater risks of loss and price fluctuations, sometimes rapidly and unpredictably, because their earnings and revenues tend to be less predictable. Since micro-capitalization companies may not have an operating history, product lines, or financial resources, their share prices tend to be more volatile and their markets less liquid than companies with larger market capitalizations, and they can be sensitive to changes in overall economic conditions, interest rates, borrowing costs and earnings. The shares of micro-capitalization companies tend to trade less frequently than those of larger, more established companies, which can adversely affect the pricing of these securities and the future ability to sell these securities.
Mid-Capitalization Companies Risk
Investing in the securities of mid-capitalization companies involves greater risk and the possibility of greater price volatility, which at times can be rapid and unpredictable, than investing in larger-capitalization and more established companies. Since mid-capitalization companies may have narrower commercial markets and more limited operating history, product lines, and managerial and financial resources than larger, more established companies, the securities of these companies may lack sufficient market liquidity, and they can be particularly sensitive to changes in overall economic conditions, interest rates, borrowing costs and earnings.
Municipal Securities Risk
Municipal securities could be affected by adverse political and legislative changes. Changes in the financial condition of a municipality may affect the ability of a municipal issuer to make interest and principal payments on a security as they become due. Changes in interest rates and market conditions may directly impact the liquidity and valuation of municipal securities, which may affect the yield and value of the Fund’s municipal securities investments. A downgrade in an issuer’s or security’s credit rating can reduce the market value of the security. At times, municipal issuers have defaulted on obligations or commenced insolvency proceedings. Financial difficulties of municipal issuers may continue or get worse in the future.
Other Investment Companies Risk
To the extent that the Fund invests in shares of other registered investment companies, the Fund will indirectly bear the fees and expenses charged by those investment companies in addition to the Fund’s direct fees and expenses. To the extent the Fund invests in other investment companies that invest in equity securities, fixed income securities and/or foreign securities, or that track an index, the Fund is subject to the risks associated with the underlying investments held by the investment company or the index fluctuations to which the investment company is subject. The Fund will be subject to the risks associated with investments in those companies, including but not limited to the following:

 

ETFs. Because exchange-traded funds (“ETFs”) are listed on an exchange, they may be subject to trading halts, may trade at a premium or discount to their net asset value (“NAV”) and may not be liquid. An ETF that tracks an index may not precisely replicate the returns of that index, and an actively-managed ETF’s performance will reflect its adviser’s ability to make investment decisions that are suited to achieving the ETF’s investment objectives. Future legislative or regulatory changes, including changes in taxation, could impact the operation of ETFs.

 

Government Money Market Funds. Investments in government money market funds are subject to interest rate risk, credit risk, and market risk.
 
Preferred Stock Risk
Preferred stocks are sensitive to movements in interest rates. Preferred stocks may be less liquid than common stocks and, unlike common stocks, participation in the growth of an issuer may be limited. Distributions on preferred stocks generally are payable at the discretion of an issuer and after required payments to bond holders. In certain situations, an issuer may call or redeem its preferred stock or convert it to common stock. The market prices of preferred stocks are generally more sensitive to actual or perceived changes in the issuer’s financial condition or prospects than are the prices of debt securities.
Prepayment and Extension Risk
Prepayment risk is the risk that the principal amount of a bond may be repaid prior to the bond’s maturity date. Due to a decline in interest rates or excess cash flow into the issuer, a debt security may be called or otherwise converted, prepaid or redeemed before maturity. If this occurs, no additional interest will be paid on the investment. The Fund may have to reinvest the proceeds in another investment at a lower rate, may not benefit from an increase in value that may result from declining interest rates, and may lose any premium it paid to acquire the security. The rate of prepayments tends to increase as interest rates fall, which could cause the average maturity of the portfolio to shorten. Variable and floating rate securities may be less sensitive to prepayment risk. Extension risk is the risk that a decrease in prepayments may, as a result of higher interest rates or other factors, result in the extension of a security’s effective maturity, increase the risk of default and delayed payment, heighten interest rate risk and increase the potential for a decline in its price. In addition, as a consequence of a decrease in prepayments, the amount of principal available to the Fund for investment would be reduced.
Redemption Risk
The Fund may experience periods of high levels of redemptions that could cause the Fund to sell assets at inopportune times or at a loss or depressed value. The sale of assets to meet redemption requests may create net capital gains, which could cause the Fund to have to distribute substantial capital gains. Redemption risk is greater to the extent that one or more investors or intermediaries control a large percentage of investments in the Fund. In addition,
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redemption risk is heightened during periods of declining or illiquid markets. During periods of heavy redemptions, the Fund may borrow funds through the interfund credit facility or from a bank line of credit, which may increase costs. A rise in interest rates or other market developments may cause investors to move out of fixed income securities on a large scale. Heavy redemptions could hurt the Fund’s performance.
Reliance on Corporate Management and Financial Reporting Risk
The sub-advisor may select investments for the Fund in part on the basis of information and data made directly available to the sub-advisor by the issuers of securities or through sources other than the issuers such as collateral pool servicers. The sub-advisor is dependent upon the integrity of the management of these issuers and of such servicers and the financial and collateral performance reporting processes in general.
Restricted Securities Risk
Securities not registered in the U.S. under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”), or in non-U.S. markets pursuant to similar regulations, including “Section 4(a)(2)” securities and “Rule 144A” securities, are restricted as to their resale. Such securities may not be listed on an exchange and may have no active trading market. The prices of these securities may be more difficult to determine than publicly traded securities and these securities may involve heightened risk as compared to investments in securities of publicly traded companies. They may be more difficult to purchase or sell at an advantageous time or price because such securities may not be readily marketable in broad public markets or may have to be held for a certain time period before they can be resold. The Fund may not be able to sell a restricted security when the sub-advisor considers it desirable to do so and/or may have to sell the security at a lower price than the Fund believes is its fair market value. In addition, transaction costs may be higher for restricted securities and the Fund may receive only limited information regarding the issuer of a restricted security. The Fund may have to bear the expense of registering restricted securities for resale and the risk of substantial delays in effecting the registration.
Sector Risk
When the Fund focuses its investments in certain sectors of the economy, its performance may be driven largely by sector performance and could fluctuate more widely than if the Fund were invested more evenly across sectors. Individual sectors may be more volatile, and may perform differently, than the broader market. As the Fund’s portfolio changes over time, the Fund’s exposure to a particular sector may become higher or lower.

 

Consumer Staples Sector Risk. The consumer staples sector generally consists of companies whose primary lines of business are food, beverage and other household items. This sector can be affected by, among other things, changes in price and availability of underlying commodities, changes in energy prices and global economic conditions. Unlike the consumer discretionary sector, companies in the consumer staples sector have historically been characterized as non-cyclical in nature and therefore less volatile in times of change. Companies in the consumer staples sector are subject to government regulation affecting the permissibility of using various food additives and production methods, which could affect company profitability. Tobacco companies may be adversely affected by the adoption of proposed legislation or regulations and/or by litigation.
 
Secured, Partially Secured and Unsecured Obligation Risk
Debt obligations may be secured, partially secured or unsecured. Interests in secured and partially-secured obligations have the benefit of collateral and, typically, of restrictive covenants limiting the ability of the borrower to further encumber its assets. However, there is no assurance that the liquidation of collateral from a secured or partially-secured obligation would satisfy the borrower’s obligation, or that the collateral can be liquidated. Furthermore, there is a risk that the value of any collateral securing an obligation in which the Fund has an interest may decline and that the collateral may not be sufficient to cover the amount owed on the obligation. In the event the borrower defaults, the Fund’s access to the collateral may be limited or delayed by bankruptcy or other insolvency laws. Unsecured debt, including senior unsecured and subordinated debt, will not be secured by any collateral and will be effectively subordinated to a borrower’s secured indebtedness (to the extent of the collateral securing such indebtedness). With respect to unsecured obligations, the Fund lacks any collateral on which to foreclose to satisfy its claim in whole or in part. Such instruments generally have greater price volatility than that of fully secured holdings and may be less liquid.
Securities Selection Risk
Securities selected for the Fund may not perform to expectations. This could result in the Fund’s underperformance compared to its benchmark index(es), or other funds with similar investment objectives or strategies.
Segregated Assets Risk
In connection with certain transactions that may give rise to future payment obligations, the Fund may be required to maintain a segregated amount of, or otherwise earmark, cash or liquid securities to cover the obligation. Segregated assets generally cannot be sold while the position they are covering is outstanding, unless they are replaced with other assets of equal value. The need to segregate cash or other liquid securities could limit the Fund’s ability to pursue other opportunities as they arise.
Small-Capitalization Companies Risk
Investing in the securities of small-capitalization companies involves greater risk and the possibility of greater price volatility, which at times can be rapid and unpredictable, than investing in larger-capitalization and more established companies. Since small-capitalization companies may have narrower commercial markets, and more limited operating history, product lines, and managerial and financial resources than larger, more established companies, the securities of these companies may lack sufficient market liquidity and they can be particularly sensitive to changes in overall economic conditions, interest rates, borrowing costs and earnings.
Unrated Securities Risk
Because the Fund may purchase securities that are not rated by any rating organization, the sub-advisor, after assessing their credit quality, may internally assign ratings to certain of those securities in categories similar to those of rating organizations. Unrated securities are subject to the risk that the sub-advisor may not accurately evaluate the security’s comparative credit rating. Some unrated securities may not have an active trading market or may be difficult to value, which means the Fund might have difficulty selling them promptly at an acceptable price. Unrated securities may be subject to greater liquidity risk and price volatility.
U.S. Government Securities and Government-Sponsored Enterprises Risk
A security backed by the U.S. Treasury or the full faith and credit of the United States is guaranteed only as to the timely payment of interest and principal when held to maturity. The market prices for such securities are not guaranteed and will fluctuate. Securities held by the Fund that are issued by government-sponsored enterprises, such as the Federal National Mortgage Association (‘‘Fannie Mae’’), Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation (‘‘Freddie Mac’’), Federal Home Loan Bank (‘‘FHLB’’), Federal Farm Credit Bank (“FFCB”), and the Tennessee Valley Authority, are not guaranteed by the U.S. Treasury and are not backed by the full faith and credit of the U.S. government, and no assurance can be given that the U.S. government will provide financial support if these organizations do not have the funds to meet future payment obligations. U.S. government securities and securities of government-sponsored entities are also subject to credit risk, interest rate risk and market risk. The rising U.S. national debt may lead to adverse impacts on the value of U.S. government securities due to potentially higher costs for the U.S. government to obtain new financing.
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Valuation Risk
The Fund may value certain assets at a price different from the price at which they can be sold. This risk may be especially pronounced for investments that are illiquid or may become illiquid, or securities that trade in relatively thin markets and/or markets that experience extreme volatility. The Fund’s ability to value its investments in an accurate and timely manner may be impacted by technological issues and/or errors by third party service providers, such as pricing services or accounting agents.
Variable and Floating Rate Securities Risk
The coupons on variable and floating-rate securities are not fixed and may fluctuate based upon changes in market rates. A variable rate security has a coupon that is adjusted at pre-designated periods in response to changes in the market rate of interest on which the coupon is based. The coupon on a floating rate security is generally based on an interest rate, such as a money-market index, LIBOR, or a Treasury bill rate. Variable and floating rate securities are subject to interest rate risk and credit risk. As short-term interest rates decline, the coupons on variable and floating-rate securities typically decrease. Alternatively, during periods of rising short-term interest rates, the coupons on variable and floating-rate securities typically increase. Changes in the coupons of variable and floating-rate securities may lag behind changes in market rates or may have limits on the maximum increases in the coupon rates. The value of variable and floating-rate securities may decline if their coupons do not rise as much, or as quickly, as interest rates in general. Conversely, variable and floating rate securities will not generally increase in value if interest rates decline. Certain types of variable and floating rate instruments may be subject to greater liquidity risk than other debt securities.
Fund Performance
The bar chart and table below provide an indication of risk by showing changes in the Fund’s performance over time. The bar chart shows how the Fund’s performance has varied from year to year. The table shows how the Fund’s performance compares to a broad-based market index, which is the Fund’s benchmark index, for the periods indicated.
You may obtain updated performance information on the Fund’s website at www.americanbeaconfunds.com. Past performance (before and after taxes) is not necessarily an indication of how the Fund will perform in the future.
Calendar year total returns for Investor Class Shares. Year Ended 12/31
image 
Highest Quarterly Return:
15.48%2nd Quarter 2020
01/01/2012 through 12/31/2020
Lowest Quarterly Return:
-19.50%1st Quarter 2020
01/01/2012 through 12/31/2020
The calendar year-to-date total return as of September 30, 2021 was 8.61%.
Average annual total returns for periods ended December 31, 2020
Inception Date of Class
1 Year
5 Years
Since Inception (02/14/2011)
Investor Class
02/14/2011
Returns Before Taxes
6.04
%
7.76
%
6.39
%
Returns After Taxes on Distributions
3.27
%
5.18
%
3.59
%
Returns After Taxes on Distributions and Sales of Fund Shares
3.41
%
4.82
%
3.68
%
Inception Date of Class
1 Year
5 Years
Since Inception (02/14/2011)
Share Class (Before Taxes)
A
02/14/2011
1.07
%
6.63
%
5.78
%
C
02/14/2011
4.40
%
6.97
%
5.58
%
Y
02/14/2011
6.44
%
8.06
%
6.69
%
R5
02/14/2011
6.51
%
8.11
%
6.78
%
1 Year
5 Years
Since Inception (02/14/2011)
Index (Reflects no deduction for fees, expenses, or taxes)
ICE BofA US High Yield Index
6.17
%
8.43
%
6.40
%
After-tax returns are calculated using the historical highest individual federal marginal income tax rates and do not reflect the impact of state and local income taxes. Actual after-tax returns depend on an investor’s tax situation and may differ from those shown. The return after taxes on distributions and sale of Fund shares may exceed the return before taxes due to an assumed tax benefit from any losses on a sale of Fund shares at the end of the measurement period. If you are a tax-exempt entity or hold your Fund shares through a tax-deferred arrangement, such as an individual retirement account (“IRA”) or a 401(k) plan, the after-tax returns do not apply to your situation. After-tax returns are shown only for the Fund’s Investor Class shares; after-tax returns for other share classes will vary.
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Management
The Manager
The Fund has retained American Beacon Advisors, Inc. to serve as its Manager.
Sub-Advisor
The Fund’s investment sub-advisor is Strategic Income Management, LLC.
Portfolio Managers
Strategic Income Management, LLC
Gary Pokrzywinski
President
Lead Portfolio Manager
Since Fund Inception (2011)
Ryan C. Larson
Portfolio Manager
Since 2018
Brian Placzek
Executive Vice President
Portfolio Manager, Director of Research
Since Fund Inception (2011)
Purchase and Sale of Fund Shares
You may buy or sell shares of the Fund through a retirement plan, an investment professional, a broker-dealer, or other financial intermediary. You may purchase or redeem shares of the Fund on any day the New York Stock Exchange (“NYSE”) is open, at the Fund’s net asset value (“NAV”) per share next calculated after your order is received in proper form, subject to any applicable sales charge. The Manager may, in its sole discretion, allow certain individuals to invest directly in the Fund. For more information regarding eligibility to invest directly please see “About Your Investment - Purchase and Redemption of Shares.” Direct mutual fund account shareholders may buy subsequent shares or sell shares in various ways:
Internet
www.americanbeaconfunds.com
Phone
To reach an American Beacon representative call 1-800-658-5811, option 1
Through the Automated Voice Response Service call 1-800-658-5811, option 2 (Investor Class only)
Mail
American Beacon Funds
P.O. Box 219643
Kansas City, MO 64121-9643
Overnight Delivery:
American Beacon Funds
c/o DST Asset Manager Solutions, Inc.
330 West 9th Street
Kansas City, MO 64105
New Account
Existing Account
Share Class
Minimum Initial Investment Amount
Purchase/Redemption Minimum by Check/ACH/Exchange
Purchase/Redemption Minimum by Wire
C
$1,000
$50
$250
A, Investor
$2,500
$50
$250
Y
$100,000
$50
None
R5
$250,000
$50
None
Tax Information
Dividends, capital gains distributions, and other distributions, if any, that you receive from the Fund are subject to federal income tax and may also be subject to state and local income taxes, unless you are a tax-exempt entity or your account is tax-deferred, such as an individual retirement account (“IRA”) or a 401(k) plan (in which case you may be taxed later, upon the withdrawal of your investment from such account or plan).
Payments to Broker-Dealers and Other Financial Intermediaries
If you purchase shares of the Fund through a broker-dealer or other financial intermediary (such as a bank), the Fund and the Fund’s distributor, Resolute Investment Distributors, Inc., or the Manager may pay the intermediary for the sale of Fund shares and related services. These payments may create a conflict of interest by influencing the broker-dealer or other intermediary and your individual financial professional to recommend the Fund over another investment. Ask your individual financial professional or visit your financial intermediary’s website for more information.
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American Beacon The London Company Income Equity FundSM
image 
Investment Objective
The Fund’s investment objective is current income, with a secondary objective of capital appreciation.
Fees and Expenses of the Fund
This table describes the fees and expenses that you may pay if you buy, hold, and sell shares of the Fund. You may pay other fees, such as brokerage commissions and other fees to financial intermediaries, which are not reflected in the tables and examples below. You may qualify for sales discounts if you and your eligible family members invest, or agree to invest in the future, at least $50,000 in all classes of the American Beacon Funds on an aggregated basis. More information about these and other discounts is available from your financial professional and in “Choosing Your Share Class” on page 46 of the Prospectus and “Additional Purchase and Sale Information for A Class Shares” on page 66 of the Statement of Additional Information (“SAI”). With respect to purchases of shares through specific intermediaries, you may find additional information regarding sales charge discounts and waivers in Appendix A to the Fund’s Prospectus entitled “Intermediary Sales Charge Discounts, Waivers and Other Information.”
Shareholder Fees (fees paid directly from your investment)
Share Class
A
C
Y
R6
R5
Investor
Maximum sales charge imposed on purchases (as a percentage of offering price)
5.75
%
None
None
None
None
None
Maximum deferred sales charge (as a percentage of the lower of original offering price or redemption proceeds)
0.50
%
1
1.00
%
None
None
None
None
Annual Fund Operating Expenses (Expenses that you pay each year as a percentage of the value of your investment)
Share Class
A
C
Y
R6
R5
Investor
Management Fees
0.66
%
0.66
%
0.66
%
0.66
%
0.66
%
0.66
%
Distribution and/or Service (12b-1) Fees
0.25
%
1.00
%
0.00
%
0.00
%
0.00
%
0.00
%
Other Expenses
0.14
%
0.13
%
0.15
%
0.09
%
0.08
%
0.41
%
Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses
1.05
%
1.79
%
0.81
%
0.75
%
0.74
%
1.07
%
Fee Waiver and/or expense reimbursement2
0.00
%
0.00
%
0.00
%
(0.04
%)
0.00
%
0.00
%
Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses after fee waiver and/or expense reimbursement
1.05
%
1.79
%
0.81
%
0.71
%
0.74
%
1.07
%
1
A contingent deferred sales charge (‘‘CDSC’’) of 0.50% will be charged on certain purchases of $1,000,000 or more of A Class shares that are redeemed in whole or part within 18 months of purchase.
2 American Beacon Advisors, Inc. (the “Manager”) has contractually agreed to waive fees and/or reimburse expenses of the Fund’s R6 Class shares, through December 31, 2022 to the extent that Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses exceed 0.71% for the R6 Class (excluding taxes, interest, brokerage commissions, acquired fund fees and expenses, securities lending fees, expenses associated with securities sold short, litigation, and other extraordinary expenses). The contractual expense reimbursement can be changed or terminated only in the discretion and with the approval of a majority of the Fund’s Board of Trustees. The Manager will itself waive fees and/or reimburse expenses of the Fund to maintain the contractual expense ratio caps for each applicable class of shares or make arrangements with other service providers to do so. The Manager may also, from time to time, voluntarily waive fees and/or reimburse expenses of the Fund. The Manager can be reimbursed by the Fund for any contractual or voluntary fee waivers or expense reimbursements if reimbursement to the Manager (a) occurs within three years from the date of the Manager’s waiver/reimbursement and (b) does not cause the Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses of a class to exceed the lesser of the contractual percentage limit in effect at the time of the waiver/reimbursement or the time of the recoupment.
Example
This Example is intended to help you compare the cost of investing in the Fund with the cost of investing in other mutual funds. The Example assumes that you invest $10,000 in the Fund for the time periods indicated and then redeem all of your shares at the end of those periods. The Example also assumes that your investment has a 5% return each year and that the Fund’s operating expenses remain the same, except that the Example reflects the fee waiver/expense reimbursement arrangement for the R6 Class shares through December 31, 2022. Although your actual costs may be higher or lower, based on these assumptions, your costs would be:
Share Class
1 Year
3 Years
5 Years
10 Years
A
$676
$890
$1,121
$1,784
C
$282
$563
$970
$2,105
Y
$83
$259
$450
$1,002
R6
$73
$236
$413
$927
R5
$76
$237
$411
$918
Investor
$109
$340
$590
$1,306
Assuming no redemption of shares:
Share Class
1 Year
3 Years
5 Years
10 Years
C
$182
$563
$970
$2,105
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Portfolio Turnover
The Fund pays transaction costs, such as commissions, when it buys and sells securities (or “turns over” its portfolio). A higher portfolio turnover rate may indicate higher transaction costs and may result in higher taxes when Fund shares are held in a taxable account. These costs, which are not reflected in annual Fund operating expenses or in the Example, affect the Fund’s performance. During the most recent fiscal year, the Fund’s portfolio turnover rate was 7% of the average value of its portfolio.
Principal Investment Strategies
Under normal market conditions, at least 80% of the Fund’s net assets (plus the amount of any borrowings for investment purposes) are invested in equity and equity-related investments. The Fund’s investments in equity and equity-related investments include U.S. common stocks, American Depositary Receipts (“ADRs”), U.S. dollar-denominated foreign stocks traded on U.S. exchanges, income trusts, master limited partnerships (“MLPs”), preferred stocks, and real estate investment trusts (“REITs”). The Fund may invest in large- and mid-capitalization companies and will typically hold 30 to 40 issuers.
The Fund’s investment sub-advisor, The London Company of Virginia, LLC (“The London Company”), emphasizes investments in profitable, financially stable, core companies that focus on generating high dividend income, are run by shareholder-oriented management with strong corporate governance practices and trade at reasonable valuations relative to their peers and market, which may include investments in growth companies. The London Company also seeks companies with high return on capital, consistent free cash flow generation, predictability and stability. The London Company employs an investment process with bottom-up, fundamental analysis and follows a strict sell discipline.
The Fund may invest cash balances in other investment companies, including government money market funds, and may purchase and sell equity index futures contracts to gain market exposure on cash balances or reduce market exposure in anticipation of liquidity needs. The Fund may seek to earn additional income by lending its securities to certain qualified broker-dealers and institutions.
Principal Risks
There is no assurance that the Fund will achieve its investment objectives and you could lose part or all of your investment in the Fund. The Fund is not designed for investors who need an assured level of current income and is intended to be a long-term investment. The Fund is not a complete investment program and may not be appropriate for all investors. Investors should carefully consider their own investment goals and risk tolerance before investing in the Fund. The principal risks of investing in the Fund listed below are presented in alphabetical order and not in order of importance or potential exposure. Among other matters, this presentation is intended to facilitate your ability to find particular risks and compare them with the risks of other funds. Each risk summarized below is considered a “principal risk” of investing in the Fund, regardless of the order in which it appears.
Cybersecurity and Operational Risk
Operational risks arising from, among other problems, human errors, systems and technology disruptions or failures, or cybersecurity incidents may negatively impact the Fund and its service providers as well as the ability of shareholders to transact with the Fund. Cybersecurity incidents may allow an unauthorized party to gain access to Fund assets, shareholder data, or proprietary information, or cause the Fund or its service providers, as well as securities trading venues and their service providers, to suffer data corruption or lose operational functionality. It is not possible for the Fund or its service providers to identify all of the operational risks that may affect the Fund or to develop processes and controls to completely eliminate or mitigate their occurrence or effects. Most issuers in which the Fund invests are heavily dependent on computers for data storage and operations, and require ready access to the internet to conduct their business. Thus, cybersecurity incidents could also affect issuers of securities in which the Fund invests, leading to significant loss of value.
Dividend Risk
An issuer of stock held by the Fund may choose not to declare a dividend or the dividend rate might not remain at current levels or increase over time. Dividend paying stocks might not experience the same level of earnings growth or capital appreciation as non-dividend paying stocks. Securities that pay dividends may be sensitive to changes in interest rates and, as interest rates rise or fall, the prices of such securities may fall.
Equity Investments Risk
Equity securities are subject to investment risk and market risk. The Fund may invest in the following equity securities, which may expose the Fund to the following additional risks:

 

Common Stock Risk. The value of a company’s common stock may fall as a result of factors affecting the company, companies in the same industry or sector, or the financial markets overall. Common stock generally is subordinate to preferred stock upon the liquidation or bankruptcy of the issuing company.

 

Depositary Receipts and U.S. Dollar-Denominated Foreign Stocks Traded on U.S. Exchanges Risk. Depositary receipts and U.S. dollar-denominated foreign stocks traded on U.S. exchanges are subject to certain of the risks associated with investing directly in foreign securities, including, but not limited to, currency exchange rate fluctuations, political and financial instability in the home country of a particular depositary receipt or foreign stock, less liquidity, more volatility, less government regulation and supervision and delays in transaction settlement.

 

Income Trust Risk. Securities of income trusts, which hold income producing assets and pass the income on to security holders, share many of the risks inherent in stock ownership. Income trusts may also lack diversification and potential growth may be sacrificed because revenue is passed on to security holders, rather than reinvested in the business. Income trusts are subject to credit risk, interest rate risk and dividend risk.

 

Master Limited Partnerships (“MLPs”) Risk. Investing in MLPs involves certain risks related to investing in the underlying assets of the MLPs and risks associated with pooled investment vehicles. Investments held by MLPs may be relatively illiquid, limiting the MLPs’ ability to change their portfolios promptly in response to changes in economic or other conditions. MLPs may have limited financial resources, their securities may trade infrequently and in limited volume, they may be difficult to value, and they may be subject to more abrupt or erratic price movements than securities of larger or more broadly based companies. Holders of units in MLPs have more limited rights to vote on matters affecting the partnership and may be required to sell their common units at an undesirable time or price. The Fund’s investments in MLPs will be limited to no more than 25% of its assets in order for the Fund to meet the requirements necessary to qualify as a “regulated investment company” under the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (“Internal Revenue Code”).

 

Real Estate Investment Trusts (“REITs”) Risk. Investments in REITs are subject to the risks associated with investing in the real estate industry, including, among other risks: adverse developments affecting the real estate industry; declines in real property values; changes in interest rates; defaults by mortgagors or other borrowers and tenants; lack of availability of mortgage funds or financing; extended vacancies of properties, especially during economic downturns; casualty or condemnation losses; and governmental actions, such as changes to tax laws, zoning regulations or environmental regulations. REITs also are dependent upon the skills of their managers and are subject to heavy cash flow dependency or self-liquidation. Regardless of where a REIT is organized or traded, its performance may be affected significantly by events in the region where its properties are located. Domestic REITs could be adversely affected by failure to qualify for tax-free “pass-through” of distributed net income and net realized gains under the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (“Internal Revenue Code”), or to maintain their exemption from registration under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (“Investment Company Act”). REITs typically incur fees that are separate from those incurred by the Fund. Accordingly, the Fund’s investment in
 
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REITs will result in the layering of expenses such that shareholders will indirectly bear a proportionate share of the REITs’ operating expenses, in addition to paying Fund expenses. The value of REIT common stock may decline when interest rates rise. REITs tend to be small- to mid-capitalization securities and, as such, are subject to the risks of investing in small- to mid-capitalization securities.
 
Focused Holdings Risk
Because the Fund may have a focused portfolio of fewer companies than other diversified funds, the increase or decrease of the value of a single investment may have a greater impact on the Fund’s net asset value (“NAV”) and total return when compared to other diversified funds.
Foreign Exposure Risk
Exposure to obligations of non-U.S. issuers carries potential risks not associated with investments in obligations of U.S. issuers. Such risks may include, but are not limited to: (1) currency exchange rate fluctuations, (2) political and financial instability, (3) less liquidity, (4) lack of uniform accounting, auditing and financial reporting standards, (5) greater volatility, (6) different government regulation and supervision of foreign stock exchanges, brokers and listed companies, and (7) delays in transaction settlement in some foreign markets. The Fund’s exposure to a foreign issuer may subject the Fund to regulatory, political, currency, security, economic and other risks associated with that country. Global economic and financial markets are becoming increasingly interconnected and conditions (including recent volatility and instability) and events (including natural disasters) in one country, region or financial market may adversely impact issuers in a different country, region or financial market.
Futures Contracts Risk
Futures contracts are derivative instruments pursuant to a contract where the parties agree to a fixed price for an agreed amount of securities or other underlying assets at an agreed date. The use of such derivative instruments may expose the Fund to additional risks, such as credit risk, liquidity risk, and counterparty risk, that it would not be subject to if it invested directly in the securities underlying those derivatives. There can be no assurance that any strategy used will succeed. There may at times be an imperfect correlation between the movement in the prices of futures contracts and the value of their underlying instruments or indexes. There also can be no assurance that, at all times, a liquid market will exist for offsetting a futures contract that the Fund has previously bought or sold, and this may result in the inability to close a futures contract when desired. Futures contracts may experience potentially dramatic price changes, which will increase the volatility of the Fund and may involve a small investment of cash (the amount of initial and variation margin) relative to the magnitude of the risk assumed (the potential increase or decrease in the price of the futures contract). Equity index futures contracts expose the Fund to volatility in an underlying securities index. Use of derivatives is a highly specialized activity that can involve investment techniques and risks different from, and in some respects greater than, those associated with investing in more traditional investments. Derivatives can be highly complex and highly volatile and may perform in unanticipated ways.
Growth Companies Risk
Growth companies are expected to increase their earnings at a certain rate. When these expectations are not met or decrease, the prices of these stocks may decline, sometimes sharply, even if earnings showed an absolute increase. The Fund’s investments in growth companies may be more sensitive to company earnings and more volatile than the market in general primarily because their stock prices are based heavily on future expectations. If an assessment of the prospects for a company’s growth is incorrect, then the price of the company’s stock may fall or not approach the value placed on it. Growth company stocks may also lack the dividend yield that can cushion stock price declines in market downturns.
Investment Risk
An investment in the Fund is not a deposit with a bank and is not insured or guaranteed by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation or any other government agency. When you sell your shares of the Fund, they could be worth less than what you paid for them. Therefore, you may lose money by investing in the Fund.
Issuer Risk
The value of, and/or the return generated by, a security may decline for a number of reasons that directly relate to the issuer, such as management performance, financial leverage and reduced demand for the issuer’s goods or services, as well as the historical and prospective earnings of the issuer and the value of its assets.
Large-Capitalization Companies Risk
The securities of large market capitalization companies may underperform other segments of the market because such companies may be less responsive to competitive challenges and opportunities and, at times, such companies may be out of favor with investors. Many larger-capitalization companies also may be unable to attain the high growth rates of successful smaller companies, especially during periods of economic expansion.
Market Risk
The Fund is subject to the risk that the securities markets will move down, sometimes rapidly and unpredictably, based on overall economic conditions and other factors, which may negatively affect the Fund’s performance. Equity securities generally have greater price volatility than fixed income securities, although under certain market conditions fixed income securities may have comparable or greater price volatility. During a general downturn in the securities markets, multiple assets may decline in value simultaneously. Prices in many financial markets have increased significantly over the last decade, but there have also been periods of adverse market and financial developments and cyclical change during that timeframe, which have resulted in unusually high levels of volatility in domestic and foreign financial markets that has caused losses for investors and may occur again in the future. The value of a security may decline due to adverse issuer-specific conditions, general market conditions unrelated to a particular issuer, such as changes in interest or inflation rates, or factors that affect a particular industry or industries. Changes in the financial condition of a single issuer or market segment also can impact the market as a whole. Geopolitical and other events, including war, terrorism, economic uncertainty, trade disputes, pandemics, public health crises, natural disasters and related events have led, and in the future may continue to lead, to instability in world economies and markets generally and reduced liquidity in equity, credit and fixed-income markets, which may disrupt economies and markets and adversely affect the value of your investment. Changes in value may be temporary or may last for extended periods.
Policy changes by the U.S. government and/or Federal Reserve and political events within the U.S. and abroad, such as changes in the U.S. presidential administration and Congress, the U.S. government’s inability at times to agree on a long-term budget and deficit reduction plan, the threat of a federal government shutdown and threats not to increase the federal government’s debt limit, may affect investor and consumer confidence and may adversely impact financial markets and the broader economy, perhaps suddenly and to a significant degree.
Markets and market participants are increasingly reliant upon both publicly available and proprietary information data systems. Data imprecision, software or other technology malfunctions, programming inaccuracies, unauthorized use or access, and similar circumstances may impair the performance of these systems and may have an adverse impact upon a single issuer, a group of issuers, or the market at large. The financial markets generally move in cycles, with periods of rising prices followed by periods of declining prices. The value of your investment may reflect these fluctuations.
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Recent Market Events. An outbreak of infectious respiratory illness caused by a novel coronavirus, known as COVID-19, was first detected in late 2019 and has subsequently spread globally. The transmission of COVID-19 and efforts to contain its spread have resulted, and may continue to result, in significant disruptions to business operations, widespread business closures and layoffs, travel restrictions and closed borders, prolonged quarantines and stay-at-home orders, disruption of and delays in healthcare service preparation and delivery, service and event changes, and lower consumer demand, as well as general concern and uncertainty that has negatively affected the global economy. The impact of the pandemic has negatively affected and may continue to affect the economies of many nations, individual companies and the global securities and commodities markets, including their liquidity, in ways that cannot necessarily be foreseen at the present time. The pandemic has accelerated trends toward working remotely and shopping on-line, which may negatively affect the value of office and commercial real estate and companies that have been slow to transition to an on-line business model and has disrupted the supply chains that many businesses depend on. The travel, hospitality and public transit industries may suffer long-term negative effects from the pandemic and resulting changes to public behavior. Both U.S. and international markets have experienced significant volatility in recent months and years. As a result of such volatility, investment returns may fluctuate significantly. Moreover, the risks discussed herein associated with an investment in the Fund may be increased.

 

  The Federal Reserve has spent hundreds of billions of dollars to keep credit flowing through the economy. However, the Federal Reserve recently began to reduce its interventions as the economy improved and inflation accelerated. Concerns about the markets’ dependence on the Federal Reserve’s provision of liquidity have grown as a result. High public debt in the U.S. and other countries creates ongoing systemic and market risks and policymaking uncertainty, and there may be a further increase in public debt due to the economic effects of the COVID-19 pandemic and ensuing economic relief and public health measures. Governments’ efforts to limit potential negative economic effects of the pandemic may be altered, delayed, or eliminated at inopportune times for political, policy or other reasons.

 

  Interest rates have been unusually low in recent years in the U.S. and abroad, and central banks reduced rates further in an effort to combat the economic effects of the COVID-19 pandemic. Because there is little precedent for this situation, it is difficult to predict the impact on various markets of a significant rate increase or other significant policy changes. The U.S. Federal Reserve is anticipated to raise interest rates beginning in 2022, in part to address an increase in the annual inflation rate in the U.S. Over the longer term, rising interest rates may present a greater risk than has historically been the case due to the current period of relatively low rates and the effect of government fiscal and monetary policy initiatives and potential market reaction to those initiatives or their alteration or cessation.

 

  Slowing global economic growth, risks associated with the United Kingdom’s departure from the European Union on December 31, 2020, commonly referred to as “Brexit,” and a trade agreement between the United Kingdom and the European Union, the risks associated with ongoing trade negotiations with China, the possibility of changes to some international trade agreements, tensions or open conflict between nations, or political or economic dysfunction within some nations that are major producers of oil could affect the economies of many nations, including the United States, in ways that cannot necessarily be foreseen at the present time.

 

  Economists and others have expressed increasing concern about the potential effects of global climate change on property and security values. Certain issuers, industries and regions may be adversely affected by the impacts of climate change, including on the demand for and the development of goods and services and related production costs, and the impacts of legislation, regulation and international accords related to climate change, as well as any indirect consequences of regulation or business trends driven by climate change.
 
Mid-Capitalization Companies Risk
Investing in the securities of mid-capitalization companies involves greater risk and the possibility of greater price volatility, which at times can be rapid and unpredictable, than investing in larger-capitalization and more established companies. Since mid-capitalization companies may have narrower commercial markets and more limited operating history, product lines, and managerial and financial resources than larger, more established companies, the securities of these companies may lack sufficient market liquidity, and they can be particularly sensitive to changes in overall economic conditions, interest rates, borrowing costs and earnings.
Other Investment Companies Risk
To the extent that the Fund invests in shares of other registered investment companies, the Fund will indirectly bear the fees and expenses charged by those investment companies in addition to the Fund’s direct fees and expenses. To the extent the Fund invests in other investment companies that invest in equity securities, fixed income securities and/or foreign securities, or that track an index, the Fund is subject to the risks associated with the underlying investments held by the investment company or the index fluctuations to which the investment company is subject. The Fund will be subject to the risks associated with investments in those companies, including but not limited to the following:

 

Government Money Market Funds. Investments in government money market funds are subject to interest rate risk, credit risk, and market risk.
 
Preferred Stock Risk
Preferred stocks are sensitive to movements in interest rates. Preferred stocks may be less liquid than common stocks and, unlike common stocks, participation in the growth of an issuer may be limited. Distributions on preferred stocks generally are payable at the discretion of an issuer and after required payments to bond holders. In certain situations, an issuer may call or redeem its preferred stock or convert it to common stock. The market prices of preferred stocks are generally more sensitive to actual or perceived changes in the issuer’s financial condition or prospects than are the prices of debt securities.
Securities Lending Risk
To the extent the Fund lends its securities, it may be subject to the following risks: i) the securities in which the Fund reinvests cash collateral may decrease in value, causing the Fund to incur a loss, or may not perform sufficiently to cover the Fund’s payment to the borrower of a pre-negotiated fee or “rebate” for the use of that cash collateral in connection with the loan; ii) non-cash collateral may decline in value, resulting in the Fund becoming under-secured; iii) delays may occur in the recovery of loaned securities from borrowers, which could result in the Fund being unable to vote proxies or settle transactions or cause the Fund to incur increased costs; and iv) if the borrower becomes subject to insolvency or similar proceedings, the Fund could incur delays in its ability to enforce its rights in its collateral.
Securities Selection Risk
Securities selected for the Fund may not perform to expectations. This could result in the Fund’s underperformance compared to its benchmark index(es), or other funds with similar investment objectives or strategies.
Value Stocks Risk
Value stocks are subject to the risk that their intrinsic or full value may never be realized by the market, that a stock judged to be undervalued may be appropriately priced, or that their prices may decline. Although value stocks tend to be inexpensive relative to their earnings, they can continue to be inexpensive for long periods of time. The Fund’s investments in value stocks seek to limit potential downside price risk over time; however, value stock prices still may decline substantially. In addition, the Fund may produce more modest gains as a trade-off for this potentially lower risk. The Fund’s investment in value stocks could cause the Fund to underperform funds that use a growth or non-value approach to investing or have a broader investment style.
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Fund Performance
The bar chart and table below provide an indication of risk by showing changes in the Fund’s performance over time. The bar chart shows how the Fund’s performance has varied from year to year. The table shows how the Fund’s average annual total returns compare to a broad-based market index, which is the Fund’s benchmark index, for the periods indicated.
In the table below, the performance of the R6 Class shares for periods prior to August 25, 2020 represents the performance of the R5 Class shares of the Fund. The R6 Class shares would have had similar annual returns to the R5 Class shares of the Fund because the shares of each class represent investments in the same portfolio securities. However, the R5 Class shares of the Fund had different expenses than the R6 Class shares, which would affect performance. The R6 Class performance shown in the table has not been adjusted for differences in operating expenses between the R6 Class and R5 Class shares.
You may obtain updated performance information on the Fund’s website at www.americanbeaconfunds.com. Past performance (before and after taxes) is not necessarily an indication of how the Fund will perform in the future.
Calendar year total returns for Investor Class Shares. Year Ended 12/31
image 
Highest Quarterly Return:
15.98%2nd Quarter 2020
01/01/2013 through 12/31/2020
Lowest Quarterly Return:
-21.10%1st Quarter 2020
01/01/2013 through 12/31/2020
The calendar year-to-date total return as of September 30, 2021 was 11.44%.
Average annual total returns for periods ended December 31, 2020
Inception Date of Class
1 Year
5 Years
Since Inception (05/29/2012)
Investor Class
05/29/2012
Returns Before Taxes
8.30
%
10.98
%
11.78
%
Returns After Taxes on Distributions
7.60
%
9.93
%
10.75
%
Returns After Taxes on Distributions and Sales of Fund Shares
5.34
%
8.51
%
9.34
%
Inception Date of Class
1 Year
5 Years
Since Inception (05/29/2012)
Share Class (Before Taxes)
A
05/29/2012
2.08
%
9.66
%
10.95
%
C
05/29/2012
6.48
%
10.13
%
10.88
%
Y
05/29/2012
8.59
%
11.26
%
12.07
%
R6
08/25/2020
8.67
%
11.34
%
12.15
%
R5
05/29/2012
8.66
%
11.33
%
12.15
%
1 Year
5 Years
Since Inception (05/29/2012)
Index (Reflects no deduction for fees, expenses, or taxes)
Russell 1000® Value Index
2.80
%
9.74
%
11.62
%
After-tax returns are calculated using the historical highest individual federal marginal income tax rates and do not reflect the impact of state and local income taxes. Actual after-tax returns depend on an investor’s tax situation and may differ from those shown. The return after taxes on distributions and sale of Fund shares may exceed the return before taxes due to an assumed tax benefit from any losses on a sale of Fund shares at the end of the measurement period. If you are a tax-exempt entity or hold your Fund shares through a tax-deferred arrangement, such as an individual retirement account (“IRA”) or a 401(k) plan, the after-tax returns do not apply to your situation. After-tax returns are shown only for the Fund’s Investor Class shares; after-tax returns for other share classes will vary.
Management
The Manager
The Fund has retained American Beacon Advisors, Inc. to serve as its Manager.
Sub-Advisor
The Fund’s investment sub-advisor is The London Company of Virginia, LLC.
Prospectus – Fund Summaries15 

 

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Portfolio Managers
The London Company of Virginia, LLC
Stephen M. Goddard
Managing Principal, Chief Investment Officer & Lead Portfolio Manager
Since Fund Inception (2012)
Jonathan T. Moody
Principal & Portfolio Manager
Since Fund Inception (2012)
Sam Hutchings
Principal & Portfolio Manager
Since 2020
J. Brian Campbell
Principal & Portfolio Manager
Since Fund Inception (2012)
Mark E. DeVaul
Principal & Portfolio Manager
Since Fund Inception (2012)
Purchase and Sale of Fund Shares
You may buy or sell shares of the Fund through a retirement plan, an investment professional, a broker-dealer, or other financial intermediary. You may purchase or redeem shares of the Fund on any day the New York Stock Exchange (“NYSE”) is open, at the Fund’s net asset value (“NAV”) per share next calculated after your order is received in proper form, subject to any applicable sales charge. The Manager may, in its sole discretion, allow certain individuals to invest directly in the Fund. For more information regarding eligibility to invest directly please see “About Your Investment - Purchase and Redemption of Shares.” Direct mutual fund account shareholders may buy subsequent shares or sell shares in various ways:
Internet
www.americanbeaconfunds.com
Phone
To reach an American Beacon representative call 1-800-658-5811, option 1
Through the Automated Voice Response Service call 1-800-658-5811, option 2 (Investor Class only)
Mail
American Beacon Funds
P.O. Box 219643
Kansas City, MO 64121-9643
Overnight Delivery:
American Beacon Funds
c/o DST Asset Manager Solutions, Inc.
330 West 9th Street
Kansas City, MO 64105
New Account
Existing Account
Share Class
Minimum Initial Investment Amount
Purchase/Redemption Minimum by Check/ACH/Exchange
Purchase/Redemption Minimum by Wire
C
$1,000
$50
$250
A, Investor
$2,500
$50
$250
Y
$100,000
$50
None
R6
None
$50
None
R5
$250,000
$50
None
Tax Information
Dividends, capital gains distributions, and other distributions, if any, that you receive from the Fund are subject to federal income tax and may also be subject to state and local income taxes, unless you are a tax-exempt entity or your account is tax-deferred, such as an individual retirement account (“IRA”) or a 401(k) plan (in which case you may be taxed later, upon the withdrawal of your investment from such account or plan).
Payments to Broker-Dealers and Other Financial Intermediaries
If you purchase shares of the Fund through a broker-dealer or other financial intermediary (such as a bank), the Fund and the Fund’s distributor, Resolute Investment Distributors, Inc., or the Manager may pay the intermediary for the sale of Fund shares and related services. These payments may create a conflict of interest by influencing the broker-dealer or other intermediary and your individual financial professional to recommend the Fund over another investment. Ask your individual financial professional or visit your financial intermediary’s website for more information.
16Prospectus – Fund Summaries 

 

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American Beacon Zebra Small Cap Equity FundSM
image 
Investment Objective
The Fund’s investment objective is long-term capital appreciation.
Fees and Expenses of the Fund
This table describes the fees and expenses that you may pay if you buy, hold, and sell shares of the Fund. You may pay other fees, such as brokerage commissions and other fees to financial intermediaries, which are not reflected in the tables and examples below. You may qualify for sales discounts if you and your eligible family members invest, or agree to invest in the future, at least $50,000 in all classes of the American Beacon Funds on an aggregated basis. More information about these and other discounts is available from your financial professional and in “Choosing Your Share Class” on page 46 of the Prospectus and “Additional Purchase and Sale Information for A Class Shares” on page 66 of the Statement of Additional Information (“SAI”). With respect to purchases of shares through specific intermediaries, you may find additional information regarding sales charge discounts and waivers in Appendix A to the Fund’s Prospectus entitled “Intermediary Sales Charge Discounts, Waivers and Other Information.”
Shareholder Fees (fees paid directly from your investment)
Share Class
A
C
Y
R5
Investor
Maximum sales charge imposed on purchases (as a percentage of offering price)
5.75
%
None
None
None
None
Maximum deferred sales charge (as a percentage of the lower of original offering price or redemption proceeds)
0.50
%
1
1.00
%
None
None
None
Annual Fund Operating Expenses (Expenses that you pay each year as a percentage of the value of your investment)
Share Class
A
C
Y
R5
Investor
Management Fees
0.90
%
0.90
%
0.90
%
0.90
%
0.90
%
Distribution and/or Service (12b-1) Fees
0.25
%
1.00
%
0.00
%
0.00
%
0.00
%
Other Expenses
0.39
%
0.40
%
0.38
%
0.28
%
0.66
%
Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses
1.54
%
2.30
%
1.28
%
1.18
%
1.56
%
Fee Waiver and/or expense reimbursement2
(0.33
%)
(0.29
%)
(0.29
%)
(0.29
%)
(0.29
%)
Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses after fee waiver and/or expense reimbursement
1.21
%
2.01
%
0.99
%
0.89
%
1.27
%
1
A contingent deferred sales charge (‘‘CDSC’’) of 0.50% will be charged on certain purchases of $1,000,000 or more of A Class shares that are redeemed in whole or part within 18 months of purchase.
2 American Beacon Advisors, Inc. (the “Manager”) has contractually agreed to waive fees and/or reimburse expenses of the Fund’s A Class, C Class, Y Class, R5 Class, and Investor Class shares, as applicable, through December 31, 2022 to the extent that Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses exceed 1.21% for the A Class, 2.01% for the C Class, 0.99% for the Y Class, 0.89% for the R5 Class, and 1.27% for the Investor Class (excluding taxes, interest, brokerage commissions, acquired fund fees and expenses, securities lending fees, expenses associated with securities sold short, litigation, and other extraordinary expenses). The contractual expense reimbursement can be changed or terminated only in the discretion and with the approval of a majority of the Fund’s Board of Trustees (“Board”). The Manager will itself waive fees and/or reimburse expenses of the Fund to maintain the contractual expense ratio caps for each applicable class of shares or make arrangements with other service providers to do so. The Manager may also, from time to time, voluntarily waive fees and/or reimburse expenses of the Fund. The Manager can be reimbursed by the Fund for any contractual or voluntary fee waivers or expense reimbursements if reimbursement to the Manager (a) occurs within three years from the date of the Manager’s waiver/reimbursement and (b) does not cause the Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses of a class to exceed the lesser of the contractual percentage limit in effect at the time of the waiver/reimbursement or the time of the recoupment.
Example
This Example is intended to help you compare the cost of investing in the Fund with the cost of investing in other mutual funds. The Example assumes that you invest $10,000 in the Fund for the time periods indicated and then redeem all of your shares at the end of those periods. The Example also assumes that your investment has a 5% return each year and that the Fund’s operating expenses remain the same, except that this Example reflects the fee waiver/expense reimbursement arrangement for each share class through December 31, 2022. Although your actual costs may be higher or lower, based on these assumptions, your costs would be:
Share Class
1 Year
3 Years
5 Years
10 Years
A
$691
$1,003
$1,337
$2,278
C
$304
$691
$1,204
$2,613
Y
$101
$377
$674
$1,520
R5
$91
$346
$621
$1,406
Investor
$129
$464
$823
$1,832
Assuming no redemption of shares:
Share Class
1 Year
3 Years
5 Years
10 Years
C
$204
$691
$1,204
$2,613
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Portfolio Turnover
The Fund pays transaction costs, such as commissions, when it buys and sells securities (or “turns over” its portfolio). A higher portfolio turnover rate may indicate higher transaction costs and may result in higher taxes when Fund shares are held in a taxable account. These costs, which are not reflected in annual Fund operating expenses or in the Example, affect the Fund’s performance. During the most recent fiscal year, the Fund’s portfolio turnover rate was 104% of the average value of its portfolio.
Principal Investment Strategies
Under normal market conditions, the Fund invests at least 80% of its net assets (plus the amount of any borrowings for investment purposes) in equity securities of small market capitalization U.S. companies. These companies have market capitalizations similar to the market capitalizations of the companies in the Russell 2000® Index at the time of investment.
The Russell 2000® Index is comprised of the 2000 smallest companies in the Russell 3000® Index based on total market capitalization. Within the Russell 2000® Index, the 1000 smallest companies are considered micro-capitalization companies. As of October 31, 2021, the market capitalizations of the companies in the Russell 2000® Index ranged from $106.7 million to $21.2 billion. In addition to common stocks, American Depositary Receipts (“ADRs”) and U.S. dollar-denominated foreign stocks traded on U.S. exchanges, the Fund may also invest in real estate investment trusts (“REITs”) and master limited partnerships (“MLPs”).
The Fund’s sub-advisor, Zebra Capital Management, LLC (“Zebra”), seeks to capture a liquidity premium among fundamentally strong, publicly-traded equities. A liquidity premium is the additional return that may be realized on the sales of securities that are less liquid at the time of purchase. A liquidity premium may exist in public equity markets, as more liquid stocks tend to be priced at a premium, while less liquid stocks tend to be priced at a discount, thus having higher expected appreciation. Despite producing similar levels of earnings and cash flows, less liquid stocks can typically be purchased at lower prices, offering higher expected appreciation. Frequently, a fundamentally sound stock is less traded because it has temporarily fallen out of favor. Over time, the market may recognize the inherent value of the stock again, where the Fund would stand to benefit from the liquidity premium as the stock’s trading activity and price rise. Zebra chooses the securities that comprise the Fund’s portfolio first by identifying stocks with strong fundamentals (i.e., earnings, book value, cash flows) that Zebra believes are undervalued in the market relative to their long-term appreciation potential. Zebra then applies the liquidity premium analysis using model and data analysis to identify the stocks that trade less frequently than stocks with comparable fundamentals. The Fund may also invest in growth companies.
Stocks are typically sold when fundamentals deteriorate, trading activity increases relative to changes in a stock’s fundamentals, or Zebra believes there are greater opportunities to capture liquidity premium in other stocks.
The Fund may invest cash balances in other investment companies, including government money market funds and may purchase and sell equity index futures contracts to gain market exposure on cash balances or reduce market exposure in anticipation of liquidity needs. The Fund may seek to earn additional income by lending its securities to certain qualified broker-dealers and institutions.
Principal Risks
There is no assurance that the Fund will achieve its investment objective and you could lose part or all of your investment in the Fund. The Fund is not designed for investors who need an assured level of current income and is intended to be a long-term investment. The Fund is not a complete investment program and may not be appropriate for all investors. Investors should carefully consider their own investment goals and risk tolerance before investing in the Fund. The principal risks of investing in the Fund listed below are presented in alphabetical order and not in order of importance or potential exposure. Among other matters, this presentation is intended to facilitate your ability to find particular risks and compare them with the risks of other funds. Each risk summarized below is considered a “principal risk” of investing in the Fund, regardless of the order in which it appears.
Cybersecurity and Operational Risk
Operational risks arising from, among other problems, human errors, systems and technology disruptions or failures, or cybersecurity incidents may negatively impact the Fund and its service providers as well as the ability of shareholders to transact with the Fund. Cybersecurity incidents may allow an unauthorized party to gain access to Fund assets, shareholder data, or proprietary information, or cause the Fund or its service providers, as well as securities trading venues and their service providers, to suffer data corruption or lose operational functionality. It is not possible for the Fund or its service providers to identify all of the operational risks that may affect the Fund or to develop processes and controls to completely eliminate or mitigate their occurrence or effects. Most issuers in which the Fund invests are heavily dependent on computers for data storage and operations, and require ready access to the internet to conduct their business. Thus, cybersecurity incidents could also affect issuers of securities in which the Fund invests, leading to significant loss of value.
Equity Investments Risk
Equity securities are subject to investment risk and market risk. The Fund may invest in the following equity securities, which may expose the Fund to the following additional risks:

 

Common Stock Risk. The value of a company’s common stock may fall as a result of factors affecting the company, companies in the same industry or sector, or the financial markets overall. Common stock generally is subordinate to preferred stock upon the liquidation or bankruptcy of the issuing company.

 

Depositary Receipts and U.S. Dollar-Denominated Foreign Stocks Traded on U.S. Exchanges Risk. Depositary receipts and U.S. dollar-denominated foreign stocks traded on U.S. exchanges are subject to certain of the risks associated with investing directly in foreign securities, including, but not limited to, currency exchange rate fluctuations, political and financial instability in the home country of a particular depositary receipt or foreign stock, less liquidity, more volatility, less government regulation and supervision and delays in transaction settlement.

 

Master Limited Partnerships (“MLPs”) Risk. Investing in MLPs involves certain risks related to investing in the underlying assets of the MLPs and risks associated with pooled investment vehicles. Investments held by MLPs may be relatively illiquid, limiting the MLPs’ ability to change their portfolios promptly in response to changes in economic or other conditions. MLPs may have limited financial resources, their securities may trade infrequently and in limited volume, they may be difficult to value, and they may be subject to more abrupt or erratic price movements than securities of larger or more broadly based companies. Holders of units in MLPs have more limited rights to vote on matters affecting the partnership and may be required to sell their common units at an undesirable time or price. The Fund’s investments in MLPs will be limited to no more than 25% of its assets in order for the Fund to meet the requirements necessary to qualify as a “regulated investment company” under the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (“Internal Revenue Code”).

 

Real Estate Investment Trusts (“REITs”) Risk. Investments in REITs are subject to the risks associated with investing in the real estate industry, including, among other risks: adverse developments affecting the real estate industry; declines in real property values; changes in interest rates; defaults by mortgagors or other borrowers and tenants; lack of availability of mortgage funds or financing; extended vacancies of properties, especially during economic downturns; casualty or condemnation losses; and governmental actions, such as changes to tax laws, zoning regulations or environmental regulations. REITs also are dependent upon the skills of their managers and are subject to heavy cash flow dependency or self-liquidation. Regardless of
 
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where a REIT is organized or traded, its performance may be affected significantly by events in the region where its properties are located. Domestic REITs could be adversely affected by failure to qualify for tax-free “pass-through” of distributed net income and net realized gains under the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (“Internal Revenue Code”), or to maintain their exemption from registration under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (“Investment Company Act”). REITs typically incur fees that are separate from those incurred by the Fund. Accordingly, the Fund’s investment in REITs will result in the layering of expenses such that shareholders will indirectly bear a proportionate share of the REITs’ operating expenses, in addition to paying Fund expenses. The value of REIT common stock may decline when interest rates rise. REITs tend to be small- to mid-capitalization securities and, as such, are subject to the risks of investing in small- to mid-capitalization securities.
 
Futures Contracts Risk
Futures contracts are derivative instruments pursuant to a contract where the parties agree to a fixed price for an agreed amount of securities or other underlying assets at an agreed date. The use of such derivative instruments may expose the Fund to additional risks, such as credit risk, liquidity risk, and counterparty risk, that it would not be subject to if it invested directly in the securities underlying those derivatives. There can be no assurance that any strategy used will succeed. There may at times be an imperfect correlation between the movement in the prices of futures contracts and the value of their underlying instruments or indexes. There also can be no assurance that, at all times, a liquid market will exist for offsetting a futures contract that the Fund has previously bought or sold, and this may result in the inability to close a futures contract when desired. Futures contracts may experience potentially dramatic price changes, which will increase the volatility of the Fund and may involve a small investment of cash (the amount of initial and variation margin) relative to the magnitude of the risk assumed (the potential increase or decrease in the price of the futures contract). Equity index futures contracts expose the Fund to volatility in an underlying securities index. Use of derivatives is a highly specialized activity that can involve investment techniques and risks different from, and in some respects greater than, those associated with investing in more traditional investments. Derivatives can be highly complex and highly volatile and may perform in unanticipated ways.
Growth Companies Risk
Growth companies are expected to increase their earnings at a certain rate. When these expectations are not met or decrease, the prices of these stocks may decline, sometimes sharply, even if earnings showed an absolute increase. The Fund’s investments in growth companies may be more sensitive to company earnings and more volatile than the market in general primarily because their stock prices are based heavily on future expectations. If an assessment of the prospects for a company’s growth is incorrect, then the price of the company’s stock may fall or not approach the value placed on it. Growth company stocks may also lack the dividend yield that can cushion stock price declines in market downturns.
Investment Risk
An investment in the Fund is not a deposit with a bank and is not insured or guaranteed by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation or any other government agency. When you sell your shares of the Fund, they could be worth less than what you paid for them. Therefore, you may lose money by investing in the Fund.
Issuer Risk
The value of, and/or the return generated by, a security may decline for a number of reasons that directly relate to the issuer, such as management performance, financial leverage and reduced demand for the issuer’s goods or services, as well as the historical and prospective earnings of the issuer and the value of its assets.
Liquidity Risk
The Fund is susceptible to the risk that certain investments held by the Fund may have limited marketability, be subject to restrictions on sale, be difficult or impossible to purchase or sell at favorable times or prices or become less liquid in response to market developments or adverse credit events that may affect issuers or guarantors of a security. An inability to sell a portfolio position can adversely affect the Fund’s value or prevent the Fund from being able to take advantage of other investment opportunities. Market prices for such instruments may be volatile. During periods of substantial market volatility, an investment or even an entire market segment may become illiquid, sometimes abruptly, which can adversely affect the Fund’s ability to limit losses. The Fund could lose money if it is unable to dispose of an investment at a time that is most beneficial to the Fund. The Fund may be required to dispose of investments at unfavorable times or prices to satisfy obligations, which may result in losses or may be costly to the Fund. Unexpected redemptions may force the Fund to sell certain investments at unfavorable prices to meet redemption requests or other cash needs. Judgment plays a greater role in pricing illiquid investments than in investments with more active markets.
Market Risk
The Fund is subject to the risk that the securities markets will move down, sometimes rapidly and unpredictably, based on overall economic conditions and other factors, which may negatively affect the Fund’s performance. Equity securities generally have greater price volatility than fixed income securities, although under certain market conditions fixed income securities may have comparable or greater price volatility. During a general downturn in the securities markets, multiple assets may decline in value simultaneously. Prices in many financial markets have increased significantly over the last decade, but there have also been periods of adverse market and financial developments and cyclical change during that timeframe, which have resulted in unusually high levels of volatility in domestic and foreign financial markets that has caused losses for investors and may occur again in the future. The value of a security may decline due to adverse issuer-specific conditions, general market conditions unrelated to a particular issuer, such as changes in interest or inflation rates, or factors that affect a particular industry or industries. Changes in the financial condition of a single issuer or market segment also can impact the market as a whole. Geopolitical and other events, including war, terrorism, economic uncertainty, trade disputes, pandemics, public health crises, natural disasters and related events have led, and in the future may continue to lead, to instability in world economies and markets generally and reduced liquidity in equity, credit and fixed-income markets, which may disrupt economies and markets and adversely affect the value of your investment. Changes in value may be temporary or may last for extended periods.
Policy changes by the U.S. government and/or Federal Reserve and political events within the U.S. and abroad, such as changes in the U.S. presidential administration and Congress, the U.S. government’s inability at times to agree on a long-term budget and deficit reduction plan, the threat of a federal government shutdown and threats not to increase the federal government’s debt limit, may affect investor and consumer confidence and may adversely impact financial markets and the broader economy, perhaps suddenly and to a significant degree.
Markets and market participants are increasingly reliant upon both publicly available and proprietary information data systems. Data imprecision, software or other technology malfunctions, programming inaccuracies, unauthorized use or access, and similar circumstances may impair the performance of these systems and may have an adverse impact upon a single issuer, a group of issuers, or the market at large. The financial markets generally move in cycles, with periods of rising prices followed by periods of declining prices. The value of your investment may reflect these fluctuations.

 

Recent Market Events. An outbreak of infectious respiratory illness caused by a novel coronavirus, known as COVID-19, was first detected in late 2019 and has subsequently spread globally. The transmission of COVID-19 and efforts to contain its spread have resulted, and may continue to result, in significant disruptions to business operations, widespread business closures and layoffs, travel restrictions and closed borders, prolonged quarantines and stay-at-home orders, disruption of and delays in healthcare service preparation and delivery, service and event changes, and lower consumer demand, as well as general
 
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concern and uncertainty that has negatively affected the global economy. The impact of the pandemic has negatively affected and may continue to affect the economies of many nations, individual companies and the global securities and commodities markets, including their liquidity, in ways that cannot necessarily be foreseen at the present time. The pandemic has accelerated trends toward working remotely and shopping on-line, which may negatively affect the value of office and commercial real estate and companies that have been slow to transition to an on-line business model and has disrupted the supply chains that many businesses depend on. The travel, hospitality and public transit industries may suffer long-term negative effects from the pandemic and resulting changes to public behavior. Both U.S. and international markets have experienced significant volatility in recent months and years. As a result of such volatility, investment returns may fluctuate significantly. Moreover, the risks discussed herein associated with an investment in the Fund may be increased.

 

  The Federal Reserve has spent hundreds of billions of dollars to keep credit flowing through the economy. However, the Federal Reserve recently began to reduce its interventions as the economy improved and inflation accelerated. Concerns about the markets’ dependence on the Federal Reserve’s provision of liquidity have grown as a result. High public debt in the U.S. and other countries creates ongoing systemic and market risks and policymaking uncertainty, and there may be a further increase in public debt due to the economic effects of the COVID-19 pandemic and ensuing economic relief and public health measures. Governments’ efforts to limit potential negative economic effects of the pandemic may be altered, delayed, or eliminated at inopportune times for political, policy or other reasons.

 

  Interest rates have been unusually low in recent years in the U.S. and abroad, and central banks reduced rates further in an effort to combat the economic effects of the COVID-19 pandemic. Because there is little precedent for this situation, it is difficult to predict the impact on various markets of a significant rate increase or other significant policy changes. The U.S. Federal Reserve is anticipated to raise interest rates beginning in 2022, in part to address an increase in the annual inflation rate in the U.S. Over the longer term, rising interest rates may present a greater risk than has historically been the case due to the current period of relatively low rates and the effect of government fiscal and monetary policy initiatives and potential market reaction to those initiatives or their alteration or cessation.

 

  Slowing global economic growth, risks associated with the United Kingdom’s departure from the European Union on December 31, 2020, commonly referred to as “Brexit,” and a trade agreement between the United Kingdom and the European Union, the risks associated with ongoing trade negotiations with China, the possibility of changes to some international trade agreements, tensions or open conflict between nations, or political or economic dysfunction within some nations that are major producers of oil could affect the economies of many nations, including the United States, in ways that cannot necessarily be foreseen at the present time.

 

  Economists and others have expressed increasing concern about the potential effects of global climate change on property and security values. Certain issuers, industries and regions may be adversely affected by the impacts of climate change, including on the demand for and the development of goods and services and related production costs, and the impacts of legislation, regulation and international accords related to climate change, as well as any indirect consequences of regulation or business trends driven by climate change.
 
Micro-Capitalization Companies Risk
Micro-capitalization companies are subject to substantially greater risks of loss and price fluctuations, sometimes rapidly and unpredictably, because their earnings and revenues tend to be less predictable. Since micro-capitalization companies may not have an operating history, product lines, or financial resources, their share prices tend to be more volatile and their markets less liquid than companies with larger market capitalizations, and they can be sensitive to changes in overall economic conditions, interest rates, borrowing costs and earnings. The shares of micro-capitalization companies tend to trade less frequently than those of larger, more established companies, which can adversely affect the pricing of these securities and the future ability to sell these securities.
Model and Data Risk
Models and data are used to screen potential investments for the Fund. When models or data prove to be incorrect or incomplete, any decisions made in reliance thereon expose the Fund to potential risks. Some of the models used by the sub-advisor are predictive in nature. The use of predictive models has inherent risks. Because predictive models are usually constructed based on historical data supplied by third parties, the success of relying on such models may depend heavily on the accuracy and reliability of the supplied historical data. There is no assurance that the models are complete or accurate, or representative of future market cycles, nor will they always be beneficial to the Fund if they are accurate. Additionally, programs may become outdated or experience malfunctions which may not be identified by the sub-advisor and therefore may also result in losses to the Fund. These models may negatively affect Fund performance for various other reasons, including human judgment, inaccuracy of historical data and non-quantitative factors (such as market or trading system dysfunctions, investor fear or overreaction).
Other Investment Companies Risk
To the extent that the Fund invests in shares of other registered investment companies, the Fund will indirectly bear the fees and expenses charged by those investment companies in addition to the Fund’s direct fees and expenses. To the extent the Fund invests in other investment companies that invest in equity securities, fixed income securities and/or foreign securities, or that track an index, the Fund is subject to the risks associated with the underlying investments held by the investment company or the index fluctuations to which the investment company is subject. The Fund will be subject to the risks associated with investments in those companies, including but not limited to the following:

 

Government Money Market Funds. Investments in government money market funds are subject to interest rate risk, credit risk, and market risk.
 
Quantitative Strategy Risk
The success of the Fund’s investment strategy may depend in part on the effectiveness of the sub-advisor’s quantitative tools for screening securities. These strategies may incorporate factors that are not predictive of a security’s value. The quantitative tools may not react as expected to market events, resulting in losses for the Fund. Additionally, a previously successful strategy may become outdated or inaccurate, which may not be identified by the sub-advisor and therefore may also result in losses.
Redemption Risk
The Fund may experience periods of high levels of redemptions that could cause the Fund to sell assets at inopportune times or at a loss or depressed value. The sale of assets to meet redemption requests may create net capital gains, which could cause the Fund to have to distribute substantial capital gains. Redemption risk is greater to the extent that one or more investors or intermediaries control a large percentage of investments in the Fund. In addition, redemption risk is heightened during periods of declining or illiquid markets. During periods of heavy redemptions, the Fund may borrow funds through the interfund credit facility or from a bank line of credit, which may increase costs. Heavy redemptions could hurt the Fund’s performance.
Securities Lending Risk
To the extent the Fund lends its securities, it may be subject to the following risks: i) the securities in which the Fund reinvests cash collateral may decrease in value, causing the Fund to incur a loss, or may not perform sufficiently to cover the Fund’s payment to the borrower of a pre-negotiated fee or “rebate” for the use of that cash collateral in connection with the loan; ii) non-cash collateral may decline in value, resulting in the Fund becoming under-secured; iii)
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delays may occur in the recovery of loaned securities from borrowers, which could result in the Fund being unable to vote proxies or settle transactions or cause the Fund to incur increased costs; and iv) if the borrower becomes subject to insolvency or similar proceedings, the Fund could incur delays in its ability to enforce its rights in its collateral.
Securities Selection Risk
Securities selected for the Fund may not perform to expectations. This could result in the Fund’s underperformance compared to its benchmark index(es), or other funds with similar investment objectives or strategies.
Small-Capitalization Companies Risk
Investing in the securities of small-capitalization companies involves greater risk and the possibility of greater price volatility, which at times can be rapid and unpredictable, than investing in larger-capitalization and more established companies. Since small-capitalization companies may have narrower commercial markets, and more limited operating history, product lines, and managerial and financial resources than larger, more established companies, the securities of these companies may lack sufficient market liquidity and they can be particularly sensitive to changes in overall economic conditions, interest rates, borrowing costs and earnings.
Small Fund Risk
Like other smaller funds, large inflows and outflows may impact the Fund’s market exposure for limited periods of time. Investment positions may also have a disproportionate impact, negative or positive, on performance, and Fund performance may be more volatile than that of a larger fund. The Fund’s shareholder fees and annual fund operating expenses also may be higher than those of a fund that has attracted sufficient assets to achieve investment and trading efficiencies. Shareholders of the Fund may incur higher expenses if the Fund fails to attract sufficient assets to realize economies of scale. Investors in the Fund also bear the risk that, without sufficient assets, the Fund may not be successful in implementing its investment strategy or may not employ a successful investment strategy.
Value Stocks Risk
Value stocks are subject to the risk that their intrinsic or full value may never be realized by the market, that a stock judged to be undervalued may be appropriately priced, or that their prices may decline. Although value stocks tend to be inexpensive relative to their earnings, they can continue to be inexpensive for long periods of time. The Fund’s investments in value stocks seek to limit potential downside price risk over time; however, value stock prices still may decline substantially. In addition, the Fund may produce more modest gains as a trade-off for this potentially lower risk. The Fund’s investment in value stocks could cause the Fund to underperform funds that use a growth or non-value approach to investing or have a broader investment style.
Fund Performance
The bar chart and table below provide an indication of risk of investing by showing changes in the Fund’s performance over time. The bar chart shows how the Fund’s performance has varied from year to year. The table shows how the Fund’s average annual total returns compare to a broad-based market index, which is the Fund’s benchmark index, as well as an additional broad-based market index, for the periods indicated.
You may obtain updated performance information on the Fund’s website at www.americanbeaconfunds.com. Past performance (before and after taxes) is not necessarily an indication of how the Fund will perform in the future.
Calendar year total returns for Investor Class Shares. Year Ended 12/31
image 
Highest Quarterly Return:
28.98%4th Quarter 2020
01/01/2011 through 12/31/2020
Lowest Quarterly Return:
-30.57%1st Quarter 2020
01/01/2011 through 12/31/2020
The calendar year-to-date total return as of September 30, 2021 was 17.31%.
Average annual total returns for periods ended December 31, 2020
Inception Date of Class
1 Year
5 Years
10 Years
Investor Class
06/01/2010
Returns Before Taxes
6.86
%
10.33
%
9.93
%
Returns After Taxes on Distributions
6.66
%
8.99
%
8.22
%
Returns After Taxes on Distributions and Sales of Fund Shares
4.21
%
7.76
%
7.54
%
Inception Date of Class
1 Year
5 Years
10 Years
Share Class (Before Taxes)
A
06/01/2010
0.63
%
9.01
%
9.23
%
C
09/01/2010
5.00
%
9.47
%
9.05
%
Y
06/01/2010
7.11
%
10.63
%
10.25
%
R5
06/01/2010
7.23
%
10.74
%
10.35
%
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1 Year
5 Years
10 Years
Index (Reflects no deduction for fees, expenses, or taxes)
Russell 2000® Index
19.96
%
13.26
%
11.20
%
Russell 2000® Value Index
4.63
%
9.65
%
8.66
%
After-tax returns are calculated using the historical highest individual federal marginal income tax rates and do not reflect the impact of state and local income taxes. Actual after-tax returns depend on an investor’s tax situation and may differ from those shown. The return after taxes on distributions and sale of Fund shares may exceed the return before taxes due to an assumed tax benefit from any losses on a sale of Fund shares at the end of the measurement period. If you are a tax-exempt entity or hold your Fund shares through a tax-deferred arrangement, such as an individual retirement account (“IRA”) or a 401(k) plan, the after-tax returns do not apply to your situation. After-tax returns are shown only for the Fund’s Investor Class shares; after-tax returns for other share classes will vary.
Management
The Manager
The Fund has retained American Beacon Advisors, Inc. to serve as its Manager.
Sub-Advisor
The Fund’s investment sub-advisor is Zebra Capital Management, LLC.
Portfolio Managers
Zebra Capital Management, LLC
Roger Ibbotson, Ph.D.
Chairman
Since Fund Inception (2010)
Mark Saldutti
Portfolio Quantitative Researcher and Portfolio Manager
Since 2020
Purchase and Sale of Fund Shares
You may buy or sell shares of the Fund through a retirement plan, an investment professional, a broker-dealer, or other financial intermediary. You may purchase or redeem shares of the Fund on any day the New York Stock Exchange (“NYSE”) is open, at the Fund’s net asset value (“NAV”) per share next calculated after your order is received in proper form, subject to any applicable sales charge. The Manager may, in its sole discretion, allow certain individuals to invest directly in the Fund. For more information regarding eligibility to invest directly please see “About Your Investment - Purchase and Redemption of Shares.” Direct mutual fund account shareholders may buy subsequent shares or sell shares in various ways:
Internet
www.americanbeaconfunds.com
Phone
To reach an American Beacon representative call 1-800-658-5811, option 1
Through the Automated Voice Response Service call 1-800-658-5811, option 2 (Investor Class only)
Mail
American Beacon Funds
P.O. Box 219643
Kansas City, MO 64121-9643
Overnight Delivery:
American Beacon Funds
c/o DST Asset Manager Solutions, Inc.
330 West 9th Street
Kansas City, MO 64105
New Account
Existing Account
Share Class
Minimum Initial Investment Amount
Purchase/Redemption Minimum by Check/ACH/Exchange
Purchase/Redemption Minimum by Wire
C
$1,000
$50
$250
A, Investor
$2,500
$50
$250
Y
$100,000
$50
None
R5
$250,000
$50
None
Tax Information
Dividends, capital gains distributions, and other distributions, if any, that you receive from the Fund are subject to federal income tax and may also be subject to state and local income taxes, unless you are a tax-exempt entity or your account is tax-deferred, such as an individual retirement account (“IRA”) or a 401(k) plan (in which case you may be taxed later, upon the withdrawal of your investment from such account or plan).
Payments to Broker-Dealers and Other Financial Intermediaries
If you purchase shares of the Fund through a broker-dealer or other financial intermediary (such as a bank), the Fund and the Fund’s distributor, Resolute Investment Distributors, Inc., or the Manager may pay the intermediary for the sale of Fund shares and related services. These payments may create a conflict of interest by influencing the broker-dealer or other intermediary and your individual financial professional to recommend the Fund over another investment. Ask your individual financial professional or visit your financial intermediary’s website for more information.
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Additional Information About the Funds
To help you better understand the Funds, this section provides a detailed discussion of the Funds’ investment policies, their principal strategies and principal risks and performance benchmarks; however, this Prospectus does not describe all of a Fund’s investment practices. Capitalized terms that are not otherwise defined are defined in Appendix B. For additional information, please see the Funds’ SAI, which is available at www.americanbeaconfunds.com or by contacting us via telephone at 1-800-658-5811, by U.S. mail at P.O. Box 219643, Kansas City, MO 64121-9643, or by e-mail at americanbeaconfunds@ambeacon.com.
Additional Information About Investment Policies and Strategies
Investment Objectives

 

The American Beacon SiM High Yield Opportunities Fund’s investment objectives are to seek high current income and, secondarily, capital appreciation.

 

The American Beacon The London Company Income Equity Fund’s investment objective is current income, with a secondary objective of capital appreciation.

 

The American Beacon Zebra Small Cap Equity Fund’s investment objective is long-term capital appreciation.
 
Each Fund’s investment objective(s) is ‘‘non-fundamental,’’ which means that it may be changed by the Funds’ Board without the approval of Fund shareholders.
80% Investment Policies

 

The American Beacon SiM High Yield Opportunities Fund has a non-fundamental policy to invest under normal circumstances at least 80% of its net assets, plus borrowings for investment purposes, in non-investment grade securities and/or financial instruments that provide exposure to non-investment grade securities.

 

The American Beacon The London Company Income Equity Fund has a non-fundamental policy to invest under normal market conditions at least 80% of its net assets (plus the amount of any borrowings for investment purposes) in equity and equity-related investments.

 

The American Beacon Zebra Small Cap Equity Fund has a non-fundamental policy to invest under normal market conditions at least 80% of its net assets, plus the amount of any borrowings for investment purposes, in equity securities of small market capitalization U.S. companies.
 
If a Fund changes its 80% investment policy, a notice will be sent to shareholders at least 60 days in advance of the change and this prospectus will be supplemented.
Temporary Defensive Policy
Each Fund may depart from its principal investment strategy by taking temporary defensive or interim positions in response to adverse market, economic, political or other conditions. During these times, a Fund may not achieve its investment objective.
Additional Information About the Management of the Funds
The Funds have retained American Beacon Advisors, Inc. to serve as their Manager. The Manager may allocate the assets of each Fund among different sub-advisors. The Manager provides or oversees the provision of all administrative, investment advisory and portfolio management services to the Funds. The Manager:

 

develops overall investment strategies for each Fund,

 

selects and changes sub-advisors,

 

allocates assets among sub-advisors,

 

monitors and evaluates the sub-advisors’ investment performance,

 

monitors the sub-advisors’ compliance with each Fund’s investment objectives, policies and restrictions,

 

oversees each Fund’s securities lending activities and actions taken by the securities lending agent to the extent applicable, and

 

directs the investment of the portion of Fund assets that the sub-advisors determine should be allocated to short-term investments.
 
Each Fund’s assets are currently allocated by the Manager to one respective sub-advisor. Each sub-advisor has full discretion to purchase and sell securities for its respective Fund’s assets in accordance with the Funds’ objectives, policies, restrictions and more specific strategies provided by the Manager. The Manager oversees the sub-advisors but does not reassess individual security selections made by the sub-advisors for the Funds.
Although the Manager has no current intention to do so, a Fund’s assets may be allocated among one or more additional sub-advisors in the future by the Manager. The Funds operate in a manager of managers structure. The Funds and the Manager have received an exemptive order from the SEC that permits the Funds, subject to certain conditions and approval by the Board, to hire and replace sub-advisors, and materially amend agreements with sub-advisors, that are unaffiliated with the Manager without approval of the shareholders. In the future, the Funds and the Manager may rely on an SEC staff no-action letter, dated July 9, 2019, that would permit the Funds to expand their exemptive relief to hire and replace sub-advisors that are affiliated and unaffiliated with the Manager without shareholder approval, subject to approval by the Board and other conditions. The Manager has ultimate responsibility, subject to oversight by the Board, to oversee sub-advisors and recommend their hiring, termination and replacement. The SEC order also exempts the Funds from disclosing the advisory fees paid by the Funds to individual sub-advisors in a multi-manager fund in various documents filed with the SEC and provided to shareholders. In the future, the Funds may rely on the SEC staff no-action letter to expand their exemptive relief to individual sub-advisors that are affiliated with the Manager. Under that no-action letter, the fees payable to sub-advisors unaffiliated with or partially-owned by the Manager or its parent company would be aggregated, and fees payable to sub-advisors that are wholly-owned by the Manager or its parent company, if any, would be aggregated with fees payable to the Manager. Whenever a sub-advisor change is proposed in reliance on the order, in order for the change to be implemented, the Board, including a majority of its “non-interested” trustees, must approve the change. In addition, the Funds are required to provide shareholders with certain information regarding any new sub-advisor within 90 days of the hiring of any new sub-advisor.
Each Fund’s sub-advisor is set forth below.
American Beacon SiM High Yield Opportunities Fund

 

Strategic Income Management, LLC
 
American Beacon The London Company Income Equity Fund

 

The London Company of Virginia, LLC
 
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American Beacon Zebra Small Cap Equity Fund

 

Zebra Capital Management, LLC
 
Additional Information About Investments
This section provides more detailed information regarding certain of the Funds’ principal investment strategies as well as information regarding the Funds’ strategy with respect to investment of cash balances.
Asset-Backed and Mortgage-Related Securities
Asset-backed securities are fractional interests in pools of loans, receivables or other assets. They are issued by trusts or other special purpose vehicles and are collateralized by the loans, receivables or other assets that make up the pool. The trust or other issuer passes the income from the underlying asset pool to the investor. A Fund, the Manager, and the sub-advisors do not select the loans or other assets that are included in the collateral backing those pools. A Fund may also invest in debt obligations of U.S. Government-sponsored enterprises, including Fannie Mae, Freddie Mac, FHLB, FFCB and the Tennessee Valley Authority. Although chartered or sponsored by Acts of Congress, these entities are not backed by the full faith and credit of the U.S. Government. Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac are supported by the issuers’ right to borrow from the U.S. Treasury, the discretionary authority of the U.S. Treasury to lend to the issuers. The types of mortgage related securities that a Fund may invest in include:

 

CMOs - CMOs and interests in REMICs are debt securities collateralized by mortgages or mortgage pass-through securities. CMOs divide the cash flow generated from the underlying mortgages or mortgage pass-through securities into different groups referred to as “tranches,” which are then retired sequentially over time in order of priority. The principal governmental issuers of such securities are Fannie Mae, a government sponsored corporation owned entirely by private stockholders, and Freddie Mac, a corporate instrumentality of the United States created pursuant to an act of Congress that is owned entirely by the Federal Home Loan Banks. The issuers of CMOs are structured as trusts or corporations established for the purpose of issuing such CMOs and often have no assets other than those underlying the securities and any credit support provided. A REMIC is a mortgage securities vehicle that holds residential or commercial mortgages and issues securities representing interests in those mortgages. A REMIC may be formed as a corporation, partnership, or segregated pool of assets. A REMIC itself is generally exempt from federal income tax, but the income from its mortgages is taxable to its investors. For investment purposes, interests in REMIC securities are virtually indistinguishable from CMOs.
 
There are a number of important differences among the agencies, instrumentalities and government-sponsored enterprises of the U.S. government that issue mortgage-related securities and among the securities that they issue. Such agencies and securities include:

 

GNMA Mortgage Pass-Through Certificates - The GNMA is a wholly owned U.S. Government corporation within the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. Ginnie Maes represent an undivided interest in a pool of mortgages that are insured by the Federal Housing Administration or the Farmers Home Administration or guaranteed by the Veterans Administration. Ginnie Maes entitle the holder to receive all payments (including prepayments) of principal and interest owed by the individual mortgagors, net of fees paid to the GNMA and to the issuer which assembles the mortgage pool and passes through the monthly mortgage payments to the certificate holders (typically, a mortgage banking firm), regardless of whether the individual mortgagor actually makes the payment. Because payments are made to certificate holders regardless of whether payments are actually received on the underlying mortgages, Ginnie Maes are of the “modified pass-through” mortgage certificate type. The GNMA is authorized to guarantee the timely payment of principal and interest on the Ginnie Maes. The GNMA guarantee is backed by the full faith and credit of the United States, and the GNMA has unlimited authority to borrow funds from the U.S. Treasury to make payments under the guarantee. The market for Ginnie Maes is highly liquid because of the size of the market and the active participation in the secondary market of security dealers and a variety of investors.

 

Mortgage-Related Securities Issued by Private Organizations - Pools created by non-governmental issuers generally offer a higher rate of interest than government and government-related pools because there are no direct or indirect government guarantees of payments in such pools. However, timely payment of interest and principal of these pools is often partially supported by various enhancements such as over-collateralization and senior/subordination structures and by various forms of insurance or guarantees, including individual loan, title, pool and hazard insurance. The insurance and guarantees are issued by government entities, private insurers or the mortgage poolers. Although the market for such securities is becoming increasingly liquid, securities issued by certain private organizations may not be readily marketable.

 

Freddie Mac Mortgage Participation Certificates - Freddie Macs represent interests in groups of specified first lien residential conventional mortgages underwritten and owned by Freddie Mac. Freddie Macs entitle the holder to timely payment of interest, which is guaranteed by Freddie Mac. Freddie Mac guarantees either ultimate collection or timely payment of all principal payments on the underlying mortgage loans. In cases where Freddie Mac has not guaranteed timely payment of principal, Freddie Mac may remit the amount due because of its guarantee of ultimate payment of principal at any time after default on an underlying mortgage, but in no event later than one year after it becomes payable. Freddie Macs are not guaranteed by the United States or by any of the Federal Home Loan Banks and do not constitute a debt or obligation of the United States or of any Federal Home Loan Bank.

 

Fannie Mae Guaranteed Mortgage Pass-Through Certificates - Fannie Maes represent an undivided interest in a pool of conventional mortgage loans secured by first mortgages or deeds of trust, on one family or two to four family, residential properties. Fannie Mae is obligated to distribute scheduled monthly installments of principal and interest on the mortgages in the pool, whether or not received, plus full principal of any foreclosed or otherwise liquidated mortgages. The obligation of Fannie Mae under its guarantee is solely its obligation and is not backed by, nor entitled to, the full faith and credit of the United States.
 
Cash Management Investments
A Fund may invest cash balances in government money market funds that are registered as investment companies under the Investment Company Act, including government money market funds that are advised by the Manager. If a Fund invests in government money market funds, a Fund becomes a shareholder of that investment company. As a result, Fund shareholders will bear their proportionate share of the expenses, including, for example, advisory and administrative fees, of the government money market funds in which a Fund invests, such as advisory fees charged by the Manager to any applicable government money market funds advised by the Manager, in addition to the fees and expenses Fund shareholders directly bear in connection with a Fund’s own operations. Shareholders also would be exposed to the risks associated with government money market funds and the portfolio investments of such government money market funds, including the risk that a government money market fund’s yield will be lower than the return that a Fund would have derived from other investments that provide liquidity.
A Fund may also purchase shares of ETFs. ETFs trade like a common stock and passive ETFs usually represent a fixed portfolio of securities designed to track the performance and dividend yield of a particular domestic or foreign market index. Typically, a Fund would purchase passive ETF shares to obtain exposure to all or a portion of the stock or bond market. As a shareholder of an ETF, a Fund would be subject to its ratable share of the ETF’s expenses, including its advisory and administration expenses.
To gain market exposure on cash balances held in anticipation of liquidity needs or reduce market exposure in anticipation of liquidity needs, a Fund also may purchase and sell non-commodity based futures contracts on a daily basis that relate to securities in which they may invest directly and indices comprised of such securities.
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A futures contract is a contract to purchase or sell a particular security, or the cash value of an index, at a specified future date at a price agreed upon when the contract is made. Under such contracts, no delivery of the actual securities is required. Rather, upon the expiration of the contract, settlement is made by exchanging cash in an amount equal to the difference between the contract price and the closing price of a security or index at expiration, net of the variation margin that was previously paid. As cash balances are invested in securities, a Fund may invest simultaneously those balances in futures contracts until the cash balances are delivered to settle the securities transactions. This exposes a Fund to the market risks associated with the underlying securities and indices. Because a Fund will have market exposure simultaneously in both the invested securities and futures contracts, a Fund may have more than 100% of its assets exposed to the markets. This can magnify gains and losses in a Fund. A Fund also may have to sell assets at inopportune times to satisfy its settlement or collateral obligations. The risks associated with the use of futures contracts also include that there may be an imperfect correlation between the changes in market value of the securities held by a Fund and the prices of futures contracts or the movement in the prices of futures contracts and the value of their underlying investment or indices and that there may not be a liquid secondary market for a futures contract.
Convertible Securities
Convertible securities, including convertible preferred securities, include corporate bonds, notes, preferred stock, convertible preferred securities or other securities that may be converted into or exchanged for a prescribed amount of common stock of the same or a different issuer within a particular period of time at a specified price or formula. While typically providing a fixed-income stream, a convertible security also gives an investor the opportunity, through its conversion feature, to participate in the capital appreciation of the issuing company depending upon a market price advance in the convertible security’s underlying common stock. A convertible security entitles the holder to receive interest paid or accrued on debt or dividends paid on preferred stock until the convertible security matures or is redeemed, converted or exchanged. While no securities investment is without some risk, investments in convertible securities generally entail less risk than the issuer’s common stock, although the extent to which such risk is reduced depends in large measure upon the degree to which the convertible security sells above its value as a fixed income security. The market value of convertible securities tends to decline as interest rates increase and, conversely, to increase as interest rates decline. While convertible securities generally offer lower interest or dividend yields than non-convertible debt securities of similar quality, they do enable the investor to benefit from increases in the market price of the underlying common stock. Holders of convertible securities have a claim on the assets of the issuer prior to the common stockholders, but may be subordinated to holders of similar non-convertible securities of the same issuer. Because of the conversion feature, certain convertible securities may be considered equity equivalents.
Currencies
A Fund may have exposure to non-U.S. currencies, including emerging market currencies, by investing in foreign currencies and foreign currency-denominated securities. A Fund may also purchase and sell foreign currency forward contracts, including non-deliverable foreign currency forwards, and foreign currency futures contracts (see “Derivative Investments”), and may engage in foreign currency transactions either on a spot (cash) basis at the rate prevailing in the currency exchange market at the time or through forward currency contracts (see ‘‘Forward Contracts”). A Fund may engage in these transactions in order to hedge or protect against uncertainty in the level of future foreign exchange rates in the purchase and sale of securities or other derivative positions. A Fund also may use foreign currency, foreign currency denominated instruments and foreign currency derivatives to increase exposure to a foreign currency or to shift exposure to foreign currency fluctuations from one country to another.
Derivative Investments
Derivatives are financial instruments that have a value that depends upon, or is derived from, a reference asset, such as one or more underlying securities, pools of securities, options, futures, indexes or currencies. A Fund may invest in the following derivative instruments:

 

Foreign Currency Forwards. A Fund may have exposure to foreign currencies for investment or hedging purposes by purchasing or selling forward currency exchange contracts in non-U.S. currencies and by purchasing securities denominated in non-U.S. currencies. Foreign currencies may decline in value relative to the U.S. dollar and affect a Fund’s investments in securities that trade in, and receive revenues in, or in derivatives that provide exposure to, foreign (non-U.S.) currencies. Not all forward contracts require a counterparty to post collateral, which may expose a Fund to greater losses in the event of a default by a counterparty.

 

Futures Contracts. A futures contract is a contract to purchase or sell a particular asset, or the cash value of an asset, such as securities, indices, or currencies, at a specified future date at a price agreed upon when the contract is made. Under many such contracts, no delivery of the actual underlying asset is required. Rather, upon the expiration of the contract, settlement is made by exchanging cash in an amount equal to the difference between the contract price and the closing price of the asset (e.g., a security or an index) at expiration, net of the initial and variation margin that was previously paid. A Treasury futures contract is a contract for the future delivery of a U.S. Treasury security. An equity index futures contract is based on the value of an underlying index. A Fund may, from time to time, use futures positions to equitize cash and expose its portfolio to changes in securities prices or index prices. This can magnify gains and losses in a Fund. A Fund also may have to sell assets at inopportune times to satisfy its settlement or collateral obligations. The risks associated with the use of futures contracts also include that there may be an imperfect correlation between the changes in market value of the futures contracts and the assets underlying such contracts and that there may not be a liquid secondary market for a futures contract.

 

Structured Notes. Structured notes are specially-designed derivative debt instruments that may be issued directly by the issuers or may be issued from special purpose vehicles. The terms of the instrument may be determined or structured by the purchaser and the issuer of the note. Payments of principal or interest on these notes may be linked to the value of an index (such as a currency or securities index), one or more securities, a commodity or the financial performance of one or more third-party borrowers. The value of these notes will normally rise or fall in response to the changes in the performance of the underlying security, index, currency, or commodity or the financial condition of such borrowers.

 

Swap Agreements. A swap is a transaction in which a Fund and a counterparty agree to pay or receive payments at specified dates based upon or calculated by reference to changes in specified prices or rates (e.g., interest rates in the case of interest rate swaps) or the performance of specified securities, indices or other assets based on a specified amount (the “notional” amount). The terms of the swap transaction are either negotiated by a sub-advisor and the swap counterparty or established based on terms generally available on an exchange or contract market. Nearly any type of derivative, including forward contracts can be structured as a swap. A Fund may enter into credit default swaps to attempt to hedge against a decline in the value of debt securities due to a credit event, such as an issuer’s failure to make timely payments of interest or principal, bankruptcy or restructuring. A credit default swap enables an investor to buy or sell protection against a credit event. A Fund may enter into an equity swap in order to invest in a market without owning or taking physical custody of securities. In an equity swap, a Fund and another party exchange the returns on one or more equity securities. A Fund may enter into an interest rate swap in order to protect against declines in the value of fixed income securities held by a Fund. In an interest rate swap, a Fund and another party exchange the right to receive interest payments on a security or other reference rate. A Fund may enter into total return swaps to obtain exposure to a security or market without owning or taking physical custody of such security or market. In a total return swap, one party agrees to pay the other party an amount equal to the total return on a defined underlying asset or a non-asset reference during a specified period of time. The underlying asset might be a security or basket of securities or a non-asset reference such as a securities index. In return, the other party would make periodic payments based on a fixed or variable interest rate or on a total return from a different underlying asset or non-asset reference. A Fund may enter
 
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into cross-currency swaps to hedge foreign currency exchange risk embedded in the funding agreements. A cross-currency swap involves the exchange of payments denominated in one currency for payments denominated in another. Payments are based on a notional principal amount the value of which is fixed in exchange rate terms at the swap’s inception.

 

Warrants. Warrants are derivative securities that give the holder the right to purchase a specified amount of securities at a specified price. Detachable warrants are often independently traded on a stock exchange. Non-detachable warrants cannot be traded independently from their reference bond. Warrants normally have a life that is measured in years and entitle the holder to buy securities at a price that is usually higher than the market price at the time the warrant is issued. Corporations often issue warrants to make the accompanying debt security more attractive. Warrants normally expire after a stated number of years.
 
Equity Investments
A Fund’s equity investments may include:

 

Common Stock. Common stock generally takes the form of shares in a corporation which represent an ownership interest. It ranks below preferred stock and debt securities in claims for dividends and for assets of the company in a liquidation or bankruptcy. Common stock may be traded via an exchange or over-the-counter. Over-the-counter stock may be less liquid than exchange-traded stock.

 

Depositary Receipts and U.S. Dollar-Denominated Foreign Stocks Traded on U.S. Exchanges. ADRs are U.S. dollar-denominated receipts issued generally by domestic banks and represent the deposit with the bank of a security of a foreign issuer. Depositary receipts may not be denominated in the same currency as the securities into which they may be converted. Investing in depositary receipts and U.S. dollar-denominated foreign stocks traded on U.S. exchanges entails substantially the same risks as direct investment in foreign securities. There is generally less publicly available information about foreign companies and there may be less governmental regulation and supervision of foreign stock exchanges, brokers and listed companies. In addition, such companies may use different accounting and financial standards (and certain currencies may become unavailable for transfer from a foreign currency), resulting in a Fund’s possible inability to convert immediately into U.S. currency proceeds realized upon the sale of portfolio securities of the affected foreign companies. In addition, a Fund may invest in unsponsored depositary receipts, the issuers of which are not obligated to disclose material information about the underlying securities to investors in the United States. Ownership of unsponsored depositary receipts may not entitle a Fund to the same benefits and rights as ownership of a sponsored depositary receipt or the underlying security.

 

REITs. REITs are pooled investment vehicles that own, and often operate, income producing real estate (known as “equity REITs”) or invest in mortgages secured by loans on such real estate (known as “mortgage REITs”) or both (known as “hybrid REITs”). REITs are susceptible to the risks associated with direct ownership of real estate, such as declines in property values, increase in property taxes, operating expenses, rising interest rates or overbuilding, zoning changes, and losses from casualty or condemnation. REITs typically are subject to management fees and other expenses that are separate from those of a Fund.
 
Fixed Income Instruments
A Fund’s investments in fixed income instruments may include:

 

Bank Loans and Senior Loans. Bank loans are fixed and floating rate loans arranged through private negotiations between a company or a non-U.S. government and one or more financial institutions (lenders). A Fund may invest in senior loans, which are floating rate loans, sometimes referred to as adjustable rate loans, that hold a senior position in the capital structure of U.S. and foreign corporations, partnerships or other business entities. Under normal circumstances, senior loans have priority of claim ahead of other obligations of a borrower in the event of liquidation. Bank loans and senior loans may be collateralized or uncollateralized. They pay interest at rates that float above, or are adjusted periodically based on, a benchmark that reflects current interest rates. A Fund may invest in such loans in the form of participations in loans and assignments of all or a portion of loans from third parties. The purchaser of an assignment typically succeeds to all the rights and obligations of the assigning institution and becomes a lender under the credit agreement with respect to the debt obligation; however, the purchaser’s rights can be more restricted than those of the assigning institution, and, in any event, a Fund may not be able to unilaterally enforce all rights and remedies under the loan and with regard to any associated collateral. A participation typically results in a contractual relationship only with the institution participating out the interest, not with the borrower. In connection with purchasing participations in such instruments, a Fund generally will have no right to enforce compliance by the borrower with the terms of the loan agreement, nor any rights of set-off against the borrower, and a Fund may not benefit directly from any collateral supporting the loan in which it has purchased the participation. As a result, a Fund will be exposed to the credit risk of both the borrower and the institution selling the participation. When a Fund purchases assignments from lenders, it will acquire direct rights against the borrower on the loan.

 

Corporate Debt and Other Fixed-Income Securities. Corporate debt securities are fixed-income securities issued by businesses to finance their operations. Corporate debt securities include bonds, notes, debentures and commercial paper issued by companies to investors with a promise to repay the principal amount invested at maturity, with the primary difference being their maturities and secured or unsecured status. The broad category of corporate debt securities includes debt issued by domestic or foreign companies of all kinds, including companies of all market capitalizations. Corporate debt may be rated investment grade or below investment grade and may carry fixed or floating rates of interest. Corporate bonds typically carry a set interest or coupon rate, while commercial paper is commonly issued at a discount to par with no coupon. The perceived ability of the company to meet its principal and interest payment obligations is referred to as its creditworthiness, and it may be supplemented by collateral securing the company’s obligations.

 

  Because of the wide range of types and maturities of corporate debt securities, as well as the range of creditworthiness of their issuers, corporate debt securities have widely varying potentials for return and risk profiles. For example, commercial paper issued by a large established domestic corporation that is rated investment grade may have a modest return on principal, but carries relatively limited risk. On the other hand, a long-term corporate note issued by a small foreign corporation from an emerging market country that has not been rated may have the potential for relatively large returns on principal, but carries a relatively high degree of risk. Typically, the values of fixed-income securities change inversely with prevailing interest rates. Therefore, a fundamental risk of fixed-income securities is interest rate risk, which is the risk that their value will generally decline as prevailing interest rates rise, which may cause a Fund’s net asset value to likewise decrease, and vice versa. How specific fixed-income securities may react to changes in interest rates will depend on the specific characteristics of each security. For example, while securities with longer maturities tend to produce higher yields, they also tend to be more sensitive to changes in prevailing interest rates and are therefore more volatile than shorter-term securities and are subject to greater market fluctuations as a result of changes in interest rates. The credit risk of a particular issuer’s debt security may vary based on its priority for repayment. For example, higher ranking (senior) debt securities have a higher priority than lower ranking (subordinated) securities. This means that the issuer might not make payments on subordinated securities while continuing to make payments on senior securities. In addition, in the event of bankruptcy, holders of higher-ranking senior securities may receive amounts otherwise payable to the holders of more junior securities.

 

Emerging Markets Debt. A Fund may invest a significant portion of its assets in debt securities associated with a particular geographic region or country, including emerging markets. A Fund may consider a country to be an emerging market country based on a number of factors including, but not limited to, if the country is classified as an emerging or developing economy by any supranational organization such as the World Bank, International Finance
 
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Corporation or the United Nations, or related entities, or if the country is considered an emerging market country for purposes of constructing emerging market indices. The countries that comprise emerging markets change from time to time.

 

Government-Sponsored Enterprises. A Fund may invest in debt obligations of U.S. Government-sponsored enterprises, including the Federal National Mortgage Association (“Fannie Mae’’), Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation (“Freddie Mac’’), Federal Home Loan Bank (“FHLB”), Federal Farm Credit Banks (“FFCB’’) and the Tennessee Valley Authority. Although chartered or sponsored by Acts of Congress, these entities are not backed by the full faith and credit of the U.S. Government. Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac are supported by the issuers’ right to borrow from the U.S. Treasury, the discretionary authority of the U.S. Treasury to lend to the issuers and the U.S. Treasury’s commitment to purchase stock to ensure the issuers’ positive net worth.

 

High Yield Bonds. High-yield, non-investment grade bonds (also known as “junk bonds”) are low-quality, high-risk corporate bonds that generally offer a high level of current income. These bonds are considered speculative by rating organizations. For example, Moody’s, S&P Global Ratings and Fitch, Inc. rate them below Baa 3, BBB- and BBB-, respectively. Please see “Appendix C Ratings Definitions” in the SAI for an explanation of the ratings applied to high-yield bonds. High-yield bonds are often issued as a result of corporate restructurings, such as leveraged buyouts, mergers, acquisitions, or other similar events. They may also be issued by smaller, less creditworthy companies or by highly leveraged firms, which are generally less able to make scheduled payments of interest and principal than more financially stable firms. Because of their low credit quality, high-yield bonds must pay higher interest to compensate investors for the substantial credit risk they assume. Lower-rated securities are subject to certain risks that may not be present with investments in higher-grade securities. Investors should consider carefully their ability to assume the risks associated with lower-rated securities before investing in a Fund. The lower rating of certain high-yielding corporate income securities reflects a greater possibility that the financial condition of the issuer or adverse changes in general economic conditions may impair the ability of the issuer to pay income and principal. Changes by rating agencies in their ratings of a fixed income security also may affect the value of these investments. However, allocating investments in a Fund among securities of different issuers should reduce the risks of owning any such securities separately. The prices of these high-yielding securities tend to be less sensitive to interest rate changes than higher-rated investments, but more sensitive to adverse economic changes or individual corporate developments. During economic downturns or periods of rising interest rates, highly leveraged issuers may experience financial stress that adversely affects their ability to service principal and interest payment obligations, to meet projected business goals or to obtain additional financing, and the markets for their securities may be more volatile. If an issuer defaults, a Fund may incur additional expenses to seek recovery. Additionally, accruals of interest income for a Fund may have to be adjusted in the event of default. In the event of an issuer’s default, a Fund may write off prior income accruals for that issuer, resulting in a reduction in a Fund’s current dividend payment. Frequently, the higher yields of high-yielding securities may not reflect the value of the income stream that holders of such securities may expect, but rather the risk that such securities may lose a substantial portion of their value as a result of their issuer’s financial restructuring or default. Additionally, an economic downturn or an increase in interest rates could have a negative effect on the high-yield securities market and on the market value of the high-yield securities held by a Fund, as well as on the ability of the issuers of such securities to repay principal and interest on their borrowings.

 

Investment Grade Securities. Investment grade securities that a Fund may purchase, either as part of its principal investment strategy or to implement its temporary defensive policy, include securities issued or guaranteed by the U.S. Government, its agencies and instrumentalities, as well as securities rated in one of the four highest rating categories by a rating organization rating that security (such as S&P Global Ratings, Moody’s Investors Service, Inc., or Fitch, Inc.) or comparably rated by a sub-advisor if unrated by a rating organization. A Fund, at the discretion of the applicable sub-advisor, may retain a security that has been downgraded below the initial investment criteria.

 

Municipal Securities. Municipal securities are debt obligations generally issued to obtain funds for various public purposes, including general financing for state and local governments, or financing for a specific project or public facility. Municipal securities may be fully or partially backed by the taxing authority of the local government, by the credit of a private issuer, by the current or anticipated revenues from a specific project or specific assets or by domestic or foreign entities providing credit support, such as letters of credit, guarantees or insurance, and are generally classified into general obligation bonds and special revenue obligations.

 

U.S. Government Securities. U.S. Government securities may include U.S. Treasury securities and securities backed by the full faith and credit of the United States, or debt obligations of U.S. Government-sponsored enterprises.
 
Illiquid and Restricted Securities
Generally, an illiquid asset is an asset that a Fund reasonably expects cannot be sold or disposed of in current market conditions in seven calendar days or less without the sale or disposition significantly changing the market value of the investment, as determined pursuant to Rule 22e-4 under the Investment Company Act or as otherwise permitted or required by SEC rules and interpretations. Historically, illiquid securities have included securities that have not been registered under the Securities Act, securities that are otherwise not readily marketable, and repurchase agreements having a remaining maturity of longer than seven calendar days. Securities that have not been registered under the Securities Act are referred to as private placements or restricted securities and are purchased directly from the issuer or in the secondary market. These securities may be sold only in a privately negotiated transaction or pursuant to an exemption from registration. A large institutional market exists for certain securities that are not registered under the Securities Act, including repurchase agreements, commercial paper, foreign securities, municipal securities and corporate bonds and notes. Institutional investors depend on an efficient institutional market in which the unregistered security can be readily resold or on an issuer’s ability to honor a demand for repayment. However, the fact that there are contractual or legal restrictions on resale of such investments to the general public or to certain institutions may not be indicative of their liquidity.
Limitations on resale may have an adverse effect on the marketability of portfolio securities, and a Fund might be unable to dispose of restricted or other illiquid securities promptly or at reasonable prices and might thereby experience difficulty satisfying redemptions within seven calendar days. In addition, a Fund may get only limited information about an issuer, so it may be less able to predict a loss. A Fund also might have to register such restricted securities in order to dispose of them resulting in additional expense and delay. Adverse market conditions could impede such a public offering of securities.
In recognition of the increased size and liquidity of the institutional market for unregistered securities and the importance of institutional investors in the formation of capital, the SEC adopted Rule 144A under the Securities Act. Rule 144A is designed to facilitate efficient trading among institutional investors by permitting the sale of certain unregistered securities to qualified institutional buyers. To the extent privately placed securities held by a Fund qualify under Rule 144A and an institutional market develops for those securities, the Fund likely will be able to dispose of the securities without registering them under the Securities Act. To the extent that institutional buyers become, for a time, uninterested in purchasing these securities, investing in Rule 144A securities could increase the level of a Fund’s illiquidity. The Manager or a sub-advisor, as applicable, may determine that certain securities qualified for trading under Rule 144A are liquid. Regulation S under the Securities Act permits the sale abroad of securities that are not registered for sale in the United States and includes a provision for U.S. investors, such as a Fund, to purchase such unregistered securities if certain conditions are met.
Securities sold in private placement offerings made in reliance on the “private placement” exemption from registration afforded by Section 4(a)(2) of the Securities Act and resold to qualified institutional buyers under Rule 144A under the Securities Act (“Section 4(a)(2) securities”) are restricted as to disposition under the federal securities laws, and generally are sold to institutional investors, such as a Fund, that agree they are purchasing the securities for investment
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and not with an intention to distribute to the public. Any resale by the purchaser must be pursuant to an exempt transaction and may be accomplished in accordance with Rule 144A. Section 4(a)(2) securities normally are resold to other institutional investors through or with the assistance of the issuer or dealers that make a market in the Section 4(a)(2) securities, thus providing liquidity.
The Manager and a sub-advisor will carefully monitor a Fund’s investments in Section 4(a)(2) securities offered and sold under Rule 144A, focusing on such important factors, among others, as valuation, liquidity, and availability of information. Investments in Section 4(a)(2) securities could have the effect of reducing a Fund’s liquidity to the extent that qualified institutional buyers no longer wish to purchase these restricted securities.
Income Producing Equity Securities
A Fund may invest in income producing equity securities, such as interests in income trusts, master limited partnerships (“MLPs”) and income deposit securities (“IDSs”).

 

Income Trusts. An income trust is an investment trust that holds income-producing assets and passes the income on to its security holders. The main attraction of an income trust is its ability to generate constant cash flows. Income trusts are structured to avoid taxes at the entity level. In a traditional corporate tax structure, net income is taxed at the corporate level and again when distributed as dividends to its shareholders. Under current law, an income trust, if properly structured, should not be subject to federal income tax. This flow-through structure means that the distributions to income trust investors are generally higher than dividends from an equivalent corporate entity. Income trusts have the potential to deliver higher yields than bonds. During periods of low interest rates, income trusts may achieve higher yields compared with cash investments. During periods of increasing rates, the opposite may be true. Income trusts may experience losses during periods of both low and high interest rates.

 

Master Limited Partnerships. MLPs are publicly traded partnerships. An MLP is an investment that combines the tax benefits of a limited partnership with the liquidity of publicly traded securities. A Fund’s investments in MLPs will be limited by tax considerations.

 

Income Deposit Securities. An IDS represents two separate securities, shares of common stock and subordinated notes issued by the same company, that are combined into one unit that trades like a stock on an exchange. Holders of IDSs receive dividends on the common shares and interest at a fixed rate on the subordinated notes to produce a blended yield. An IDS is typically listed on a stock exchange, but the underlying securities typically are not listed on the exchange until a period of time after the listing of the IDS or upon the occurrence of certain events (e.g., a change of control of the issuer of the IDS). When the underlying securities are listed, the holders of IDSs generally have the right to separate the components of the IDSs and trade them separately.
 
Other Investment Companies Securities
A Fund at times may invest in shares of other investment companies, including government money market funds and exchange-traded funds (“ETFs”). A Fund may invest in securities of an investment company advised by the Manager or a sub-advisor. Investments in the securities of other investment companies may involve duplication of advisory fees and certain other expenses. By investing in another investment company, a Fund becomes a shareholder of that investment company. As a result, Fund shareholders indirectly will bear a Fund’s proportionate share of the fees and expenses paid by shareholders of the other investment company, in addition to the fees and expenses Fund shareholders directly bear in connection with a Fund’s own operations. These other fees and expenses, if applicable, are reflected as Acquired Fund Fees and Expenses and are included in the Fees and Expenses Table for a Fund in this Prospectus. Investment in other investment companies may involve the payment of substantial premiums above the value of such issuer’s portfolio securities.
A Fund can invest free cash balances in registered open-end investment companies regulated as government money market funds under the Investment Company Act, to provide liquidity or for defensive purposes. A Fund could invest in government money market funds rather than purchasing individual short-term investments. If a Fund invests in government money market funds, shareholders will bear their proportionate share of the expenses, including for example, advisory and administrative fees, of the government money market funds in which a Fund invests, including advisory fees charged by the Manager to any applicable government money market funds advised by the Manager.
Although a government money market fund is designed to be a relatively low risk investment, it is not free of risk. Despite the short maturities and high credit quality of a government money market fund’s investments, increases in interest rates and deteriorations in the credit quality of the instruments the government money market fund has purchased may reduce the government money market fund’s yield and can cause the price of a government money market security to decrease. In addition, a government money market fund is subject to the risk that the value of an investment may be eroded over time by inflation.
A Fund may invest in ETFs. ETFs trade like a common stock and passively-managed ETFs usually represent a fixed portfolio of securities designed to track the performance and dividend yield of a particular domestic or foreign market index. ETF shares typically are purchased and redeemed through in-kind purchases and redemptions, and trade on a stock exchange at market prices, which may differ from an ETF’s NAV. Typically, a Fund would purchase passive ETF shares to obtain exposure to all or a portion of the stock or bond market. As a shareholder of an ETF, a Fund would be subject to its ratable share of the ETF’s expenses, including its advisory and administration expenses. An investment in an ETF generally presents the same primary risks as an investment in a conventional mutual fund (i.e., one that is not exchange traded) that has the same investment objective, strategies, and policies but also presents some additional risks due to being exchange traded. The price of an ETF can fluctuate within a wide range, and a Fund could lose money investing in an ETF. In addition, ETFs are subject to the following risks that do not apply to conventional funds: (1) the market price of an ETF’s shares may trade at a discount or premium to its NAV; (2) an active trading market for an ETF’s shares may not develop or be maintained; or (3) trading of an ETF’s shares may be halted if the listing exchange’s officials deem such action appropriate, the shares are delisted from the exchange, or the activation of market-wide “circuit breakers” (which are tied to large decreases in stock prices) halts stock trading generally.
Preferred Stock
Preferred stock blends the characteristics of a bond and common stock. It can offer the higher yield of a bond and has priority over common stock in equity ownership, but it does not have the seniority of a bond and its participation in the issuer’s growth may be limited. Preferred stock has preference over common stock in the receipt of dividends and in any residual assets after payment to creditors should the issuer be dissolved. Although the dividend is typically set at a fixed annual rate, in some circumstances it can be variable, changed or omitted by the issuer.
Variable and Floating Rate Securities
The coupons on certain fixed income securities in which a Fund may invest are not fixed and may fluctuate based upon changes in market rates. The coupon on a variable or floating rate security is generally based on an interest rate such as a money market index, LIBOR or a Treasury bill rate. Variable and floating rate obligations are less effective than fixed rate obligations at locking in a particular yield. Nevertheless, such obligations are subject to interest rate risk and may fluctuate in value in response to interest rate changes if there is a delay between changes in market interest rates and the interest reset date for the obligation, or for other reasons. As short-term interest rates decline, the coupons on variable and floating rate securities typically should decrease. Alternatively, during periods of increasing interest rates, changes in the coupons of variable and floating rate securities may lag behind changes in market rates or may have limits on the maximum increases in the coupon rates. The value of variable and floating rate securities may decline if their coupons do not rise as much, or as quickly, as interest rates in general. Variable and floating rate securities will not generally increase in value if interest rates decline.
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Additional Information About Risks
The greatest risk of investing in a mutual fund is that its returns will fluctuate and you could lose money. The following table identifies the risk factors of each Fund in light of each Fund’s respective principal investment strategies. These risk factors are explained following the table. References to “the Fund” and “a Fund” in the risk explanations are intended to refer the Fund(s) identified in the table as having that risk factor. The principal risks of investing in each Fund listed below are presented in alphabetical order and not in order of importance or potential exposure. Among other matters, this presentation is intended to facilitate your ability to find particular risks and compare them with the risks of other funds. Each risk summarized below is considered a “principal risk” of investing in a Fund, regardless of the order in which it appears.
Risk
American Beacon SiM High Yield Opportunities Fund
American Beacon The London Company Income Equity Fund
American Beacon Zebra Small Cap Equity Fund
Allocation Risk
X
Asset-Backed and Mortgage-Related Securities Risk
X
Asset Selection Risk
X
Callable Securities Risk
X
Convertible Securities Risk
X
Counterparty Risk
X
“Covenant-Lite” Obligations
X
Credit Risk
X
Currency Risk
X
Cybersecurity and Operational Risk
X
X
X
Derivatives Risk
X
Dividend Risk
X
Emerging Markets Risk
X
Equity Investments Risk
X
X
X
Focused Holdings Risk
X
Foreign Exposure Risk
X
Foreign Investing Risk
X
Futures Contracts Risk
X
X
Growth Companies Risk
X
X
Hedging Risk
X
High Yield Securities Risk
X
Interest Rate Risk
X
Investment Risk
X
X
X
Issuer Risk
X
X
X
Large-Capitalization Companies Risk
X
X
Leverage Risk
X
Liquidity Risk
X
X
Loan Interests Risk
X
Market Risk
X
X
X
Market Timing Risk
X
Micro-Capitalization Companies Risk
X
X
Mid-Capitalization Companies Risk
X
X
Model and Data Risk
X
Municipal Securities Risk
X
Other Investment Companies Risk
X
X
X
Preferred Stock Risk
X
X
Prepayment and Extension Risk
X
Quantitative Strategy Risk
X
Redemption Risk
X
X
Reliance on Corporate Management and Financial Reporting Risk
X
Restricted Securities Risk
X
Sector Risk
X
Secured, Partially Secured and Unsecured Obligation Risk
X
Securities Lending Risk
X
X
Securities Selection Risk
X
X
X
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Risk
American Beacon SiM High Yield Opportunities Fund
American Beacon The London Company Income Equity Fund
American Beacon Zebra Small Cap Equity Fund
Segregated Assets Risk
X
Small-Capitalization Companies Risk
X
X
Small Fund Risk
X
Unrated Securities Risk
X
U.S. Government Securities and Government-Sponsored Enterprises Risk
X
Valuation Risk
X
Value Stocks Risk
X
X
Variable and Floating Rate Securities Risk
X
Allocation Risk
This is the risk that allocations among strategies, asset classes and market exposures may be less than optimal and may adversely affect a Fund’s performance. There can be no assurance, particularly during periods of market disruption and stress, that judgments about asset allocation will be correct. Some broad asset categories and sub-classes may perform below expectations, or below the securities markets generally, over short and extended periods. A Fund may be negatively impacted if market correlations change abruptly or unexpectedly. A Fund’s allocations may be invested in strategies, asset classes and market exposures during a period when such strategies, asset classes and market exposures underperform.
Asset-Backed and Mortgage-Related Securities Risk
Investments in asset-backed and mortgage-related securities are influenced by the factors affecting the assets underlying the securities or the housing market in general. These securities tend to be more sensitive to changes in interest rates than other types of debt securities. Investments in asset-backed and mortgage-related securities are subject to market risks for fixed income securities which include, but are not limited to, credit risk, interest rate risk, prepayment and extension risk, callable securities risk, valuation risk, liquidity risk, and restricted securities risk. Small movements in interest rates (both increases and decreases) may quickly and significantly reduce the value of certain mortgage-backed and asset-backed securities. If interest rates fall, the rate of prepayments tends to increase as borrowers are motivated to pay off debt and refinance at new lower rates. When mortgages and other obligations are prepaid and when securities are called, a Fund may have to reinvest in securities with a lower yield or fail to recover additional amounts (i.e., premiums) paid for securities with higher interest rates, resulting in an unexpected capital loss and/or a decrease in the amount of dividends and yield. Because prepayments increase when interest rates fall, the prices of mortgage-backed and asset-backed securities do not increase as much as other fixed income securities when interest rates fall. When interest rates rise, borrowers are less likely to prepay their mortgage and other loans. A decreased rate of prepayments lengthens the expected maturity of mortgage-backed and asset-backed securities. Therefore, the prices of mortgage-backed and asset-backed securities may decrease more than prices of other fixed income securities when interest rates rise. Rising interest rates tend to extend the duration of these securities, making them more sensitive to changes in interest rates. Rising interest rates also may increase the risk of default by borrowers. As a result, in a period of rising interest rates, a Fund that holds these types of securities may experience additional volatility and losses. A decline in the credit quality of and defaults by the issuers of asset-backed and mortgage related securities or instability in the markets for such securities may affect the value and liquidity of such securities, which could result in losses to a Fund. In addition, certain asset-backed and mortgage related securities may include securities backed by pools of loans made to “subprime” borrowers or borrowers with blemished credit histories; the risk of defaults is generally higher in the case of mortgage pools that include such subprime mortgages.
Asset Selection Risk
Assets selected for a Fund may not perform to expectations. Judgments about the attractiveness, value and potential performance of a particular asset class or individual security may be incorrect, and there is no guarantee that individual securities will perform as anticipated. Additionally, asset classes tend to go through cycles of outperformance and underperformance in comparison to each other and to the general securities markets. The investment models used to manage a Fund may rely in part on data derived from third parties and may not perform as intended. This could result in a Fund’s underperformance compared to other funds with similar investment objectives.
Callable Securities Risk
A Fund may invest in fixed-income securities with call features. A call feature allows the issuer of the security to redeem or call the security prior to its stated maturity date. In periods of falling interest rates, issuers may be more likely to call in securities that are paying higher coupon rates than prevailing interest rates. In the event of a call, a Fund would lose the income that would have been earned to maturity on that security, the proceeds received by a Fund may be invested in securities paying lower coupon rates or other less favorable characteristics, and a Fund may not benefit from any increase in value that might otherwise result from declining interest rates. Thus, a Fund ‘s income could be reduced as a result of a call and this may reduce the amount of a Fund’s distributions. In addition, the market value of a callable security may decrease if it is perceived by the market as likely to be called, which could have a negative impact on a Fund ‘s total return.
Convertible Securities Risk
The conversion value of a convertible security, including a convertible preferred security, is the market value that would be received if the convertible were converted to its underlying common stock. The value of a convertible security typically increases or decreases with the price of the underlying common stock. When conversion value is substantially below investment value, the convertible’s price tends to be influenced more by its yield, so changes in the price of the underlying common stock may not have as much of an impact. Conversely, the convertible’s price tends to be influenced more by the price of the underlying common stock when conversion value is comparable to or exceeds investment value. In general, a convertible security is subject to the market risks of stocks, and its price may be as volatile as that of the underlying stock when the underlying stock’s price is high relative to the conversion price. A convertible security also is subject to the market risks of debt securities, and is particularly sensitive to changes in interest rates, when the underlying stock’s price is low relative to the conversion price. The investment value of a convertible is based on its yield and tends to decline as interest rates increase. The general market risks of debt securities that are common to convertible securities include, but are not limited to, interest rate risk and credit risk, and there is a risk that the credit standing of the issuer may have an effect on the convertible security’s investment value. Because their value can be influenced by many different factors, convertible securities generally have less potential for gain or loss than the underlying common stocks. Securities that are convertible other than at the option of the holder generally do not limit the potential for loss to the same extent as securities that are convertible at the option of the holder. Many convertible securities
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have credit ratings that are below investment grade (commonly known as “junk bonds”) and are subject to the same risks as an investment in lower-rated debt securities. Lower-rated debt securities may fluctuate more widely in price and yield than investment grade debt securities and may fall in price during times when the economy is weak or is expected to become weak. The credit rating of a company’s convertible securities is generally lower than that of its non-convertible debt securities. Convertible securities are normally considered “junior” securities — that is, the company usually must pay interest on its non-convertible debt securities before it can make payments on its convertible securities. If the issuer stops paying interest or principal, convertible securities may become worthless and a Fund could lose its entire investment. In addition, to the extent a Fund invests in convertible securities issued by small- or mid-capitalization companies, it will be subject to the risks of investing in such companies. The stocks of small- and mid-capitalization companies may fluctuate more widely in price than the market as a whole and there may also be less trading in small- or mid-capitalization stocks.
Counterparty Risk
A Fund is subject to the risk that a party or participant to a transaction, such as a broker or derivative counterparty, will be unwilling or unable to satisfy its obligation to make timely principal, interest or settlement payments or to otherwise honor its obligations to a Fund. As a result, a Fund may not recover its investment or may only obtain a limited recovery, and any recovery may be delayed. Not all derivative transactions require a counterparty to post collateral, which may expose a Fund to greater losses in the event of a default by a counterparty.
A Fund is also subject to the risk that an FCM would default on an obligation set forth in an agreement between a Fund and the FCM. This risk exists at and from the time that a Fund enters into derivatives transactions that are centrally cleared. In such cases, a clearing organization becomes a Fund’s counterparty and the principal counterparty risk is that the clearing organization itself will default. In addition, the FCM may hold margin posted in connection with those contracts and that margin may be re-hypothecated (or re-pledged) by the FCM, and lost, or its return delayed, due to a default by the FCM or other customer of the FCM. The FCM may itself file for bankruptcy, which would either delay the return of, or jeopardize altogether, the assets posted by the FCM as margin in response to margin calls relating to cleared positions. If a counterparty fails to meet its contractual obligations, goes bankrupt, or otherwise experiences a business interruption, a Fund could miss investment opportunities or otherwise hold investments it would prefer to sell, resulting in losses for a Fund.
“Covenant-Lite” Obligations Risk
Certain investments, such as loans in which a Fund may invest directly or have exposure to through its investments in structured securities, may be “covenant-lite.” Covenant-lite obligations contain fewer maintenance covenants than other obligations, or no maintenance covenants at all, and may not include terms which allow the lender to monitor the performance of the borrower and declare a default if certain criteria are breached, which would allow the lender to restructure the loan or take other action intended to help mitigate losses. This may expose a Fund to greater credit risk associated with the borrower and reduce a Fund’s ability to restructure a problematic loan and mitigate potential loss. As a result, a Fund’s exposure to losses on such investments may be increased, especially during a downturn in the credit cycle, and a Fund may experience relatively greater difficulty or delays in enforcing its rights on its holdings of covenant-lite obligations than its holdings of loans or securities with financial maintenance covenants.
Credit Risk
A Fund is subject to the risk that the issuer, guarantor or insurer of an obligation, or the counterparty to a transaction may fail, or become less able or unwilling, to make timely payment of interest or principal or otherwise honor its obligations or default completely. The strategies utilized by a sub-advisor require accurate and detailed credit analysis of issuers and there can be no assurance that its analysis will be accurate or complete. A Fund may be subject to substantial losses in the event of credit deterioration or bankruptcy of one or more issuers in its portfolio. Financial strength and solvency of an issuer are the primary factors influencing credit risk. In addition, inadequacy of collateral or credit enhancement for a debt instrument may affect its credit risk. Credit risk may change over the life of an instrument and debt obligations which are rated by rating agencies may be subject to downgrade. The credit ratings of debt instruments and investments represent the rating agencies’ opinions regarding their credit quality, are not a guarantee of future credit performance of such securities, are not a guarantee of quality and do not protect against a decline in the value of a security. Rating agencies attempt to evaluate the safety of the timely payment of principal and interest (or dividends) and do not evaluate the risks of fluctuations in market value. The ratings assigned to securities by rating agencies do not purport to fully reflect the true risks of an investment. Further, in recent years many highly-rated structured securities have been subject to substantial losses as the economic assumptions on which their ratings were based proved to be materially inaccurate. A decline in the credit rating of an individual security held by a Fund may have an adverse impact on its price and may make it difficult for a Fund to sell it. Rating agencies might not always change their credit rating on an issuer or security in a timely manner to reflect events that could affect the issuer’s ability to make timely payments on its obligations. Changes in the actual or perceived creditworthiness of an issuer, or a downgrade or default affecting any of a Fund’s securities, could affect a Fund’s performance. Generally, the longer the maturity and the lower the credit quality of a security, the more sensitive it is to credit risk.
Currency Risk
A Fund may have exposure to foreign currencies by using various instruments. Foreign currencies may fluctuate significantly over short periods of time for a number of reasons, including changes in interest rates, may be affected unpredictably by intervention, or the failure to intervene, of the U.S. or foreign governments, central banks, or supranational entities such as the International Monetary Fund, and may be affected by the imposition of currency controls or political developments in the U.S. or abroad. As a result, a Fund’s exposure to foreign currencies may reduce the returns of a Fund. Foreign currencies may decline in value relative to the U.S. dollar and other currencies and thereby affect a Fund’s investments. In addition, changes in currency exchange rates could adversely impact investment gains or add to investment losses.
Cybersecurity and Operational Risk
Operational risks arising from, among other problems, human errors, systems and technology disruptions or failures, or cybersecurity incidents may negatively impact a Fund, its service providers, and third-party fund distribution platforms, as well as the ability of shareholders to transact with a Fund. Cybersecurity incidents may allow an unauthorized party to gain access to Fund assets, shareholder data, or proprietary information, or cause a Fund or its service providers, as well as the securities trading venues and their service providers, to suffer data corruption or lose operational functionality. A cybersecurity incident could, among other things, result in the loss or theft of shareholder data or funds, shareholders or service providers being unable to access electronic systems (also known as “denial of services”), loss or theft of proprietary information or corporate data, the inability to process Fund transactions, interference with a Fund’s ability to calculate its NAV, impediments to trading, physical damage to a computer or network system, or remediation costs associated with system repairs. The occurrence of any of these problems could result in a loss of information, violations of applicable privacy and other laws, regulatory scrutiny, penalties, fines, reputational damage, additional compliance requirements, and other consequences, any of which could have a material adverse effect on a Fund or its shareholders. The Manager, through its monitoring and oversight of Fund service providers, endeavors to determine that service providers take appropriate precautions to avoid and mitigate risks that could lead to such problems. While the Manager has established business continuity plans and risk management systems seeking to address these problems, there are inherent limitations in such plans and systems, and it is not possible for the Manager, other Fund service providers, or third-party fund distribution platforms to identify all of the operational risks that may affect a Fund or to develop processes and controls to
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completely eliminate or mitigate their occurrence or effects. Most issuers in which a Fund invests are heavily dependent on computers for data storage and operations, and require ready access to the internet to conduct their business. Thus, cybersecurity incidents could also affect issuers of securities in which a Fund invests, leading to significant loss of value.
Derivatives Risk
Derivatives are financial instruments that have a value which depends upon, or is derived from, a reference asset, such as one or more underlying securities, pools of securities, options, futures, indexes or currencies. A Fund may use derivatives to enhance total return of its portfolio, to hedge against fluctuations in interest rates or currency exchange rates, to change the effective duration of its portfolio, or to manage certain investment risks or for exposure to a market as a substitute for the purchase or sale of the underlying currencies or securities. A Fund may also hold derivative instruments to obtain economic exposure to an issuer without directly holding its securities. Derivatives may involve significant risk. The use of derivative instruments may expose a Fund to additional risks that it would not be subject to if it invested directly in the securities or other instruments underlying those securities. Derivatives can be highly complex and their use within a management strategy can require specialized skills. There can be no assurance that any strategy used will succeed. If a sub-advisor incorrectly forecasts stock market values, or the direction of interest rates or currency exchange rates in utilizing a specific derivatives strategy for a Fund, a Fund could lose money. In addition, leverage embedded in a derivative instrument can expose a Fund to greater risk and increase its costs. Gains or losses in the value of a derivative instrument may be magnified and be much greater than the derivative’s original cost (generally the initial margin deposit). There may also be material and prolonged deviations between the theoretical value and realizable value of a derivative. Some derivatives have the potential for unlimited loss, regardless of the size of a Fund’s initial investment, for example, where a Fund may be called upon to deliver a security it does not own. As a result, a Fund could lose more than the amount it invests. The use of derivatives may also increase any adverse effects resulting from the underperformance of strategies, asset classes and market exposures to which a Fund has allocated its assets. Derivatives may at times be illiquid and may be more volatile than other types of investments. A Fund may not be able to close out or sell a derivative position at a particular time or at an anticipated price. Certain derivatives may also be difficult to value, and valuation may be more difficult in times of market turmoil.
A Fund may buy or sell derivatives not traded on organized exchanges. A Fund may also enter into transactions that are not cleared through clearing organizations. These types of transactions may be subject to heightened liquidity and valuation risk. Derivative investments can increase portfolio turnover and transaction costs. Derivatives also are subject to counterparty risk and credit risk. As a result, a Fund may not recover its investment or may only obtain a limited recovery, and any recovery may be delayed. Not all derivative transactions require a counterparty to post collateral, which may expose a Fund to greater losses in the event of a default by a counterparty. Certain derivatives require a Fund to post margin to secure its future obligation; if a Fund has insufficient cash, it may have to sell investments from its portfolio to meet daily variation margin requirements at a time when it may be disadvantageous to do so. A Fund’s use of derivatives also may create financial leverage, which may result in losses that exceed the amount originally invested and accelerate the rate of losses. There may be imperfect correlation between the behavior of a derivative and that of the reference instrument underlying the derivative. An abrupt change in the price of a reference instrument could render a derivative worthless. Derivatives may involve risks different from, and possibly greater than, the risks associated with investing directly in the reference instrument. Suitable derivatives may not be available in all circumstances, and there can be no assurance that a Fund will use derivatives to reduce exposure to other risks when that might have been beneficial. Because the markets for certain derivative instruments (including markets located in foreign countries) are relatively new and still developing, suitable derivatives transactions may not be available in all circumstances for risk management or other purposes. Upon the expiration of a particular contract, a sub-advisor may wish to retain a Fund’s position in the derivative instrument by entering into a similar contract, but may be unable to do so if the counterparty to the original contract is unwilling to enter into the new contract and no other suitable counterparty can be found. Although a Fund may attempt to hedge against certain risks, the hedging instruments may not perform as expected and could produce losses. Hedging instruments may also reduce or eliminate gains that may otherwise have been available had a Fund not used the hedging instruments. A Fund may not hedge certain risks in particular situations, even if suitable instruments are available.
A Fund’s ability to use derivatives may also be limited by certain regulatory and tax considerations. For example, the CFTC and the designated contract markets have established position limits for futures contracts that may restrict the ability of a Fund, or the Manager or sub-advisor entering trades on a Fund’s behalf, to make certain trading decisions. In addition, the SEC recently voted to adopt Rule 18f-4 under the Investment Company Act, which will regulate the use of derivatives for certain funds registered under the Investment Company Act (‘‘Rule 18f-4’’). Unless a Fund qualifies as a ‘‘limited derivatives user’’ as defined in Rule 18f-4, Rule 18f-4 would, among other things, require a Fund to establish a comprehensive derivatives risk management program, to comply with certain value-at-risk based leverage limits, to appoint a derivatives risk manager and to provide additional disclosure both publicly and to the SEC regarding its derivatives positions. For funds that qualify as limited derivatives users, Rule 18f-4 requires a fund to have policies and procedures to manage its aggregate derivatives risk. These requirements could have an impact on a Fund, including a potential increase in cost to enter into derivatives transactions. The full impact of Rule 18f-4 on a Fund remains uncertain, however, due to the compliance timeline within Rule 18f-4, it is unlikely that a Fund will be required to fully comply with the requirements until 2022. Ongoing changes to the regulation of the derivatives markets and potential changes in the regulation of funds using derivative instruments could limit a Fund’s ability to pursue its investment strategies. The extent and impact of the regulation is not yet fully known and may not be for some time. New regulation may make derivatives more costly, may limit their availability, may disrupt markets, or may otherwise adversely affect their value or performance. In addition to other changes, these rules provide for central clearing of derivatives that in the past were traded exclusively over-the-counter and may increase costs and margin requirements, but are expected to reduce certain counterparty risks. A Fund may be subject to the risks associated with investments in derivatives, including but not limited to the following:

 

Foreign Currency Forward Contracts Risk. Foreign currency forward contracts are derivative instruments pursuant to a contract where the parties agree to pay a fixed price for an agreed amount of foreign currency at an agreed date or to buy or sell a specific currency at a future date at a price set at the time of the contract. The use of foreign currency forward contracts may expose a Fund to additional risks, such as credit risk, liquidity risk, and counterparty risk, that it would not be subject to if it invested directly in the securities or currencies underlying the foreign currency forward contract. Foreign currency forward transactions include risks associated with fluctuations in foreign currency. There are no limitations on daily price movements of forward contracts. Not all forward contracts require a counterparty to post collateral, which may expose a Fund to greater losses in the event of a default by a counterparty.

 

Futures Contracts Risk. There may at times be an imperfect correlation between the movement in the prices of futures contracts and the value of their underlying instruments or index. Futures contracts may experience dramatic price changes (losses) and imperfect correlations between the price of the contract and the underlying security, index or currency, which may increase the volatility of a Fund. Futures contracts may involve a small investment of cash (the amount of initial and variation margin) relative to the magnitude of the risk assumed (the potential increase or decrease in the price of the futures contract). There can be no assurance that, at all times, a liquid market will exist for offsetting a futures contract that a Fund has previously bought or sold and this may result in the inability to close a futures contract when desired. When a Fund purchases or sells a futures contract, it is subject to daily variation margin calls that could be substantial. If a Fund has insufficient cash to meet daily variation margin requirements, it might need to sell securities at a time when such sales are disadvantageous. Equity index futures contracts expose the Fund to volatility in an underlying securities index. Treasury futures contracts expose a Fund to price fluctuations resulting from changes in interest rates and to potential losses if interest rates do not move as expected.
 
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Structured Notes Risk. Structured notes are derivative debt instruments with principal and/or interest payments linked to the value of a commodity, a foreign currency, an index of securities, an interest rate, or other financial indicators (“reference instruments”). The payments on a structured note may vary based on changes in one or more specified reference instruments, such as a floating interest rate compared to a fixed interest rate, the exchange rates between two currencies, one or more securities or a securities or commodities index. If the underlying investment or index does not perform as anticipated, the structured note might pay less interest than the stated coupon payment or repay less principal upon maturity. The movement of such factors may cause significant price fluctuations. A structured note may be positively or negatively indexed. For example, its principal amount and/or interest rate may increase or decrease if the value of the reference instrument increases, depending upon the terms of the instrument. Structured notes can have risks of both fixed income securities and derivatives transactions. Structured notes are subject to interest rate risk, market risk, liquidity risk and counterparty risk, and to all of the risks of their underlying securities and derivatives. They are also subject to credit risk with respect both to the issuer and, if applicable, to the underlying security or borrower. If the underlying investment or index does not perform as anticipated, the structured note might pay less interest than the stated coupon payment or repay less principal upon maturity. The price of structured notes may be very volatile and they may have a limited trading market, making it difficult to value them or sell them at an acceptable price. In some cases, a Fund may enter into agreements with an issuer of structured notes to purchase minimum amounts of those notes over time.

 

Swap Agreements Risk. Swap agreements or “swaps” are transactions in which a Fund and a counterparty agree to pay or receive payments at specified dates based upon or calculated by reference to changes in specified prices or rates (e.g., interest rates in the case of interest rate swaps) or the performance of specified securities, indices or other assets based on a specified amount (the “notional” amount). Swaps can involve greater risks than a direct investment in an underlying asset, because swaps typically include a certain amount of embedded leverage and as such are subject to leveraging risk. If swaps are used as a hedging strategy, a Fund is subject to the risk that the hedging strategy may not eliminate the risk that it is intended to offset, due to, among other reasons, a lack of correlation between the swaps and the portfolio of assets that the swaps are designed to hedge or replace. Swaps also may be difficult to value. Swaps may be subject to liquidity risk and counterparty risk. The value of swaps may be affected by changes in overall market movements and changes in interest rates and currency exchange rates. Some swaps are now executed through an organized exchange or regulated facility and cleared through a regulated clearing organization. A highly liquid secondary market may not exist for certain swaps, and there can be no assurance that one will develop. The use of an organized exchange or market for swap transactions may result in certain trading and valuation efficiencies for swaps, however, this may not always be the case. The absence of an organized exchange or market for swaps transactions may result in difficulties in trading and valuation, especially in the event of market disruptions. Swaps that are traded over-the-counter also are not subject to standardized clearing requirements and the direct oversight of self-regulatory organizations. Swaps may involve greater liquidity and counterparty risks, including settlement risk, as well as collateral risk (i.e., the risk that the swap will not be properly secured with sufficient collateral), legal risk (i.e., the risk that a swap will not be legally enforceable on all of its terms) and operational risk (i.e., the risk of processing and human errors, inadequate or failed internal or external processes, failures in systems and technology errors or malfunctions). A Fund may invest in the following types of swaps, which may be subject to the risks discussed above, as well as the additional risks as described below:

 

    Credit default swaps, which may be subject to credit risk and the risks associated with the purchase and sale of credit protection.

 

    Cross-currency swaps, which may be subject to foreign exchange currency market risk and credit risk.

 

    Equity swaps, which may be subject to equity investments risk, as well as market risk related to the underlying equities.

 

    Interest rate swaps, which may be subject to interest rate risk, market risk and credit risk.

 

    Total return swaps, which may be subject to credit risk and, if the underlying securities are bonds or other debt obligations, market risk and interest rate risk.

 

Warrants Risk. Warrants are derivative securities that give the holder the right to purchase a specified amount of securities at a specified price. Warrants may be more speculative than certain other types of investments because warrants do not carry with them dividend or voting rights with respect to the underlying securities, or any rights in the assets of the issuer. In addition, the value of a warrant does not necessarily change with the value of the underlying securities, and a warrant ceases to have value if it is not exercised prior to its expiration date. The price of a warrant may be more volatile than the price of its underlying security, and a warrant may offer greater potential for capital appreciation as well as capital loss. Detached warrants may be traded on a stock exchange; however, non-detached warrants can only be exercised by the investor. The market for warrants may be very limited and there may at times not be a liquid secondary market for warrants.
 
Dividend Risk
A Fund’s investments in dividend-paying stocks could cause a Fund to underperform funds that invest without consideration of a company’s track record of paying dividends. An issuer of stock held by a Fund may choose not to declare a dividend or the dividend rate might not remain at current levels or increase over time. Dividend paying stocks might not experience the same level of earnings growth or capital appreciation as non-dividend paying stocks. In addition, stocks of companies with a history of paying dividends may not participate in a broad market advance to the same degree as most other stocks, and a sharp rise in interest rates or an economic downturn could cause a company to unexpectedly reduce or eliminate its dividend. Securities that pay dividends may be sensitive to changes in interest rates, and as interest rates rise, the prices of such securities may fall. At times, a Fund may not be able to identify dividend-paying stocks that are attractive investments. The income received by a Fund will also fluctuate due to the amount of dividends that companies elect to pay.
Emerging Markets Risk
When investing in emerging markets, the risks of investing in foreign securities are heightened. Emerging markets have unique risks that are greater than, or in addition to, the risks associated with investing in developed markets because emerging markets are generally smaller, less developed, less liquid and more volatile than the securities markets of the U.S. and other developed markets. There are also risks of: greater political and economic uncertainties; an economy’s dependence on revenues from particular commodities or on international aid or development assistance; currency transfer restrictions; a limited number of potential buyers for such securities, resulting in increased volatility and limited liquidity for emerging market securities; trading suspensions and other restrictions on investment; delays and disruptions in securities settlement procedures; and significant limitations on investor rights and recourse. The economies and political environments of emerging market countries tend to be more unstable than those of developed countries, resulting in more volatile rates of return than the developed markets and substantially greater risk to investors. The governments of emerging market countries may also be more unstable and more likely to impose capital controls, nationalize a company or industry, place restrictions on foreign ownership and on withdrawing sale proceeds of securities from the country, intervene in the financial markets, and/or impose burdensome taxes that could adversely affect security prices. Emerging market countries often have less uniformity in accounting, auditing, financial reporting and recordkeeping requirements and less reliable clearance and settlement, registration, and custodial procedures. In addition, there may be less publicly available or less reliable information about issuers in emerging markets than would be available about issuers in more developed capital markets, which can impede a sub-advisor’s ability to accurately evaluate foreign securities. Such issuers may not be subject to accounting, auditing and financial reporting standards and requirements comparable to those to which U.S. companies are subject. In certain emerging market countries, fraud and corruption may be more prevalent than in developed market countries, and investor
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protections may be more limited than those in other countries. It may be difficult to obtain or enforce legal judgments against non-U.S. companies and non-U.S. persons in foreign jurisdictions, either through the foreign judicial system or through a private arbitration process. These matters have the potential to impact a Fund’s investment objective and performance.
Equity Investments Risk
Equity securities are subject to investment risk and market risk. A Fund may invest in the following equity securities, which may expose a Fund to the following additional risks:

 

Common Stock Risk. The value of a company’s common stock may fall as a result of factors directly relating to that company, such as decisions made by its management or decreased demand for the company’s products or services. A stock’s value may also decline because of factors affecting not just the company, but also companies in the same industry or sector. The price of a company’s stock may also be affected by changes in financial markets that are relatively unrelated to the company, such as changes in interest rates, exchange rates or industry regulation. Companies that pay dividends on their common stock generally only do so after they invest in their own business and make required payments to bondholders and on other debt and preferred stock. Therefore, the value of a company’s common stock will usually be more volatile than its bonds, other debt and preferred stock. Common stock generally is subordinate to preferred stock upon the liquidation or bankruptcy of the issuing company. In the event of an issuer’s bankruptcy, there is substantial risk that there will be nothing left to pay common stockholders after payments, if any, to bondholders and preferred stockholders have been made.

 

Depositary Receipts and U.S. Dollar-Denominated Foreign Stocks Traded on U. S. Exchanges Risk. A Fund may invest in securities issued by foreign companies through ADRs and U.S. dollar-denominated foreign stocks traded on U.S. exchanges. These securities are generally subject to many of the same risks of investing in the foreign securities that they evidence or into which they may be converted, including, but not limited to, currency exchange rate fluctuations, political and financial instability in the home country of a particular depositary receipt or foreign stock, less liquidity and more volatility, less government regulation and supervision and delays in transaction settlement. There may be an imperfect correlation between the market value of depositary receipts and the underlying foreign securities.

 

Income Deposit Securities Risk. Income deposit securities (“IDS”) are subject to credit risk, interest rate risk and dividend risk. Although IDSs, which are units representing shares of common stock and subordinated notes issued by a company, trade on an exchange, there may be a thinner and less active market for IDSs than that available for other securities. IDSs also are subject to the risk that regulatory changes could adversely affect the tax treatment of these instruments. The value of an IDS will be affected by factors generally affecting both common stock and subordinated debt securities.

 

Income Trust Risk. Securities of income trusts, which hold income producing assets and pass the income on to security holders, also are subject to the operating risk associated with their underlying investments and the risk that regulatory changes could reduce or eliminate any tax benefits and adversely affect the value of such securities. Income trust securities share many of the risks inherent in stock ownership. In addition, the potential growth of an income trust investment may be diminished because revenue is passed on to security holders, rather than reinvested in the trust. Income trust securities are subject to credit risk, interest rate risk and dividend risk.

 

MLPs Risk. Investing in MLPs involves certain risks related to investing in the underlying assets of the MLPs and risks associated with pooled investment vehicles. Investments held by MLPs may be relatively illiquid, limiting the MLPs’ ability to change their portfolios promptly in response to changes in economic or other conditions. MLPs may have limited financial resources, their securities may trade infrequently and in limited volume, they may be difficult to value, and they may be subject to more abrupt or erratic price movements than securities of larger or more broadly based companies. Holders of units in MLPs have more limited rights to vote on matters affecting the partnership and may be required to sell their common units at an undesirable time or price. A Fund invests as a limited partner, and normally would not be liable for the debts of an MLP beyond the amounts a Fund has contributed but it would not be shielded to the same extent that a shareholder of a corporation would be. In certain instances, creditors of an MLP would have the right to seek a return of capital that had been distributed to a limited partner. The right of an MLP’s creditors would continue even after a Fund had sold its investment in the partnership. MLPs typically invest in real estate, oil and gas equipment leasing assets, but they also finance entertainment, research and development, and other projects. A Fund’s investments in MLPs will be limited to no more than 25% of its assets in order for a Fund to meet the requirements necessary to qualify as a “regulated investment company” under the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended. Distributions from an MLP may consist in part of a return of the amount originally invested, which would not be taxable to the extent the distributions do not exceed the investor’s adjusted basis on its MLP interest. These reductions in a Fund’s adjusted tax basis in the MLP securities will increase the amount of gain (or decrease the amount of loss) recognized by a Fund on a subsequent sale of the securities. MLPs holding credit-related investments are subject to interest rate risk and the risk of default on payment obligations by debt issuers. MLPs that concentrate in a particular industry or a particular geographic region are subject to risks associated with such industry or region.

 

Real Estate Investment Trusts (“REITs”) Risk. REITs or other real estate-related securities are subject to the risks associated with direct ownership of real estate, including, among other risks: adverse developments affecting the real estate industry; declines in real property values; changes in interest rates; risks related to general and local economic conditions; defaults by mortgagors or other borrowers and tenants; lack of availability of mortgage funds or financing; increases in property taxes and other operating expenses; overbuilding in their sector of the real estate market; fluctuations in rental income; extended vacancies of properties, especially during economic downturns; casualty or condemnation losses; changes in tax and regulatory requirements; losses due to environmental liabilities; and governmental actions, such as changes to tax laws, zoning regulations or environmental regulations. All REITs are dependent on management skills, are subject to heavy cash flow dependency or self-liquidation and generally are not diversified. Regardless of where a REIT is organized or traded, its performance may be affected significantly by events in the region where its properties are located. Equity REITs are affected by the changes in the value of the properties owned by the trust. Mortgage REITs are affected by the quality of the credit extended. Equity, mortgage and hybrid REITs may not be diversified with regard to the types of tenants, may not be diversified with regard to the geographic locations of the properties, and are subject to cash flow dependency and defaults by borrowers, and any domestic REIT could fail to qualify for tax-free “pass-through” of distributed net income and net realized gains under the Internal Revenue Code, or to maintain its exemption from registration under the Investment Company Act. REITs typically incur fees that are separate from those incurred by a Fund. Accordingly, a Fund’s investment in REITs will result in the layering of expenses such that shareholders will indirectly bear a proportionate share of the REITs’ operating expenses, in addition to indirectly paying Fund expenses. The value of REIT common stock may decline when interest rates rise. REITs tend to be small- to mid-capitalization securities and, as such, are subject to the risks of investing in small- to mid-capitalization securities.
 
Focused Holdings Risk
Because a Fund may have a focused portfolio of fewer companies, the increase or decrease of the value of a single stock may have a greater impact on a Fund’s NAV and total return when compared to other funds. Although a focused portfolio has the potential to generate attractive returns over time, it also may increase a Fund’s volatility.
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Foreign Exposure Risk
Exposure to obligations of non-U.S. issuers carries potential risks not associated with investments in obligations of U.S. issuers. Such risks may include, but are not limited to: (1) currency exchange rate fluctuations, (2) political and financial instability, (3) less liquidity, (4) lack of uniform accounting, auditing and financial reporting standards, (5) greater volatility; (6) different government regulation and supervision of foreign banks, stock exchanges, brokers and listed companies, and (7) delays in transaction settlement in some foreign markets. There may be very limited oversight of certain foreign banks or securities depositories that hold foreign securities and currency, and the laws of certain countries may limit the ability to recover such assets if a foreign bank, depository, or their agents go bankrupt. To the extent a Fund exposes a significant portion of its assets in securities of a single country or region, it is more likely to be affected by events or conditions of that country or region. A Fund’s exposure to a foreign issuer may subject a Fund to regulatory, political, currency, security, economic and other risks associated with that country. Global economic and financial markets are becoming increasingly interconnected and conditions (including recent volatility and instability) and events (including natural disasters) in one country, region or financial market may adversely impact issuers in a different country, region or financial market.
Foreign Investing Risk
Non-U.S. investments carry potential risks not associated with U.S. investments. Such risks include, but are not limited to: (1) currency exchange rate fluctuations, (2) political and financial instability, (3) less liquidity, (4) lack of uniform accounting, auditing and financial reporting standards, (5) greater volatility; (6) different government regulation and supervision of foreign banks, stock exchanges, brokers and listed companies, and (7) delays in transaction settlement in some foreign markets. There may be very limited oversight of certain foreign banks or securities depositories that hold foreign securities and currency, and the laws of certain countries may limit the ability to recover such assets if a foreign bank, depository, or their agents goes bankrupt. To the extent a Fund invests a significant portion of its assets in securities of a single country or region, it is more likely to be affected by events or conditions of that country or region. A Fund’s investment in a foreign issuer may subject a Fund to regulatory, political, currency, security, economic and other risks associated with that country. Global economic and financial markets are becoming increasingly interconnected and conditions (including recent volatility and instability) and events (including natural disasters) in one country, region or financial market may adversely impact issuers in a different country, region or financial market.
Securities of issuers traded on foreign exchanges may be suspended, either by the issuers themselves, by an exchange or by governmental authorities. Trading suspensions may be applied from time to time to the securities of individual issuers for reasons specific to that issuer, or may be applied broadly by exchanges or governmental authorities in response to market events. In the event a Fund holds material positions in such suspended securities, a Fund’s ability to liquidate its positions or provide liquidity to investors may be compromised and a Fund could incur significant losses.
Futures Contracts Risk
Futures contracts are derivative instruments pursuant to a contract where the parties agree to a fixed price for an agreed amount of securities or other underlying assets at an agreed date. The use of futures contracts may expose a Fund to additional risks, such as credit risk, liquidity risk, and counterparty risk, that it would not be subject to if it invested directly in the securities underlying those futures contracts. There can be no assurance that any strategy used will succeed. There may at times be an imperfect correlation between the movement in the prices of futures contracts and the value of their underlying instruments or index. Futures contracts may experience potentially dramatic price changes and imperfect correlations between the price of the contract and the underlying security, index or currency, which may increase the volatility of a Fund. An abrupt change in the price of an underlying security could render the underlying derivative instrument worthless. Futures contracts may involve a small investment of cash (the amount of initial and variation margin) relative to the magnitude of the risk assumed (the potential increase or decrease in the price of the futures contract). There can be no assurance that, at all times, a liquid market will exist for offsetting a futures contract that a Fund has previously bought or sold and this may result in the inability to close a futures contract when desired. Futures contracts are subject to the risk that an exchange may impose price fluctuation limits, which may make it difficult or impossible for a Fund to close out a position when desired. When a Fund purchases or sells a futures contract, it is subject to daily variation margin calls that could be substantial. If a Fund has insufficient cash to meet daily variation margin requirements, it might need to sell securities at a time when such sales are disadvantageous. Equity index futures contracts expose a Fund to volatility in an underlying securities index. Use of derivatives is a highly specialized activity that can involve investment techniques and risks different from, and in some respects greater than, those associated with investing in more traditional investments. Derivatives can be highly complex and highly volatile and may perform in unanticipated ways.
Growth Companies Risk
Growth companies are those that are expected to have the potential for above-average or rapid growth. Growth companies are expected to increase their earnings at a certain rate. When these expectations are not met or decrease, the prices of these stocks may decline, sometimes sharply, even if earnings showed an absolute increase. A Fund’s investments in growth companies may be more sensitive to company earnings and more volatile than the market in general primarily because their stock prices are based heavily on future expectations. If an assessment of the prospects for a company’s growth is incorrect, then the price of the company’s stock may fall or not approach the value placed on it. Growth company stocks may lack the dividend yield that can cushion stock price declines in market downturns. Growth companies may have limited operating histories and greater business risks, and their potential for profitability may be dependent on regulatory approval of their products or regulatory developments affecting certain sectors, which could have an adverse impact upon growth companies’ future growth and profitability. Different investment styles tend to shift in and out of favor, depending on market conditions and investor sentiment. A Fund’s growth style could cause it to underperform funds that use a value or non-growth approach to investing or have a broader investment style.
Hedging Risk
A Fund may enter into hedging transactions with the intention of reducing or controlling risk. It is possible that hedging strategies will not be effective in controlling risk, due to unexpected non-correlation (or even positive correlation) between the hedging instrument and the position being hedged, increasing, rather than reducing, both risk and losses. To the extent that a Fund enters into hedging transactions, the hedges will not be static but rather will need to be continually adjusted based on a sub-advisor’s assessment of market conditions, as well as the expected degree of non-correlation between the hedges and the portfolio being hedged. The success of a Fund’s hedging strategies will depend on a sub-advisor’s ability to implement such strategies efficiently and cost-effectively, as well as on the accuracy of a sub-advisor’s judgments concerning the hedging positions to be acquired by a Fund. A counterparty to a hedging transaction may be unable to honor its financial obligation to a Fund. In addition, a sub-advisor may be unable to close the transaction at the time it would like or at the price it believes the security is currently worth. A Fund may not, in general, attempt to hedge all market or other risks inherent in a Fund’s investments, and may hedge certain risks only partially, if at all. Certain risks, either in respect of particular investments or in respect of a Fund’s overall portfolio, may not be hedged, particularly if doing so is economically unattractive. As a result, various directional market risks may remain unhedged. Gains or losses from positions in hedging instruments may be much greater than the instrument’s original cost. If a Fund uses a hedging instrument at the wrong time or judges the market conditions incorrectly, or the hedged instrument does not correlate to the risk sought to be hedged, the hedge might be unsuccessful. The use of hedges may fail to mitigate risks, reduce a Fund’s return, or create a loss. In addition, hedges, even when successful in mitigating risk, may not
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prevent a Fund from experiencing losses on its investments. Hedging instruments may also reduce or eliminate gains that may otherwise have been available had a Fund not used the hedging instruments. When hedging is combined with leverage, a Fund risks losses that are multiplied by the degree of leverage used.
High-Yield Securities Risk
Exposure to high-yield securities (commonly referred to as ‘’junk bonds’’) generally involves significantly greater risks of loss of your money than an investment in investment-grade securities. Compared with issuers of investment grade securities, issuers of high-yield securities are more likely to encounter financial difficulties and to be materially affected by these difficulties. High-yield debt securities may fluctuate more widely in price and yield and may fall in price when the economy is weak or expected to become weak. These securities also may be difficult to sell at the time and price a Fund desires. High-yield securities are considered to be speculative with respect to an issuer’s ability to pay interest and principal and carry a greater risk that issuers of lower-rated securities will default on the timely payment of principal or interest. Rising interest rates may compound these difficulties and reduce an issuer’s ability to repay principal and interest obligations. Issuers of lower-rated securities also have a greater risk of default or bankruptcy. Issuers of securities that are in default or have defaulted may fail to resume principal or interest payments, in which case a Fund may lose its entire investment. Below-investment-grade securities may experience greater price volatility and less liquidity than investment-grade securities.
Lower-rated securities are subject to certain risks that may not be present with investments in higher-grade securities. The lower rating of certain high-yielding corporate income securities reflects a greater possibility that the financial condition of the issuer or adverse changes in general economic conditions may impair the ability of the issuer to pay income and principal. Changes by credit rating agencies in their ratings of a fixed income security also may affect the value of these investments. However, allocating investments among securities of different issuers could reduce the risks of owning any such securities separately. The prices of these high-yield securities tend to be less sensitive to interest rate changes than investment-grade investments, but more sensitive to adverse economic changes or individual corporate developments. During economic downturns or periods of rising interest rates, highly leveraged issuers may experience financial stress that adversely affects their ability to service principal and interest payment obligations, to meet projected business goals or to obtain additional financing, and the markets for their securities may be more volatile. If an issuer defaults, a Fund may incur additional expenses to seek recovery. Additionally, accruals of interest income for a Fund may have to be adjusted in the event of default. In the event of an issuer’s default, a Fund may write off prior income accruals for that issuer, resulting in a reduction in a Fund’s current dividend payment. Frequently, the higher yields of high-yielding securities may not reflect the value of the income stream that holders of such securities may expect, but rather the risk that such securities may lose a substantial portion of their value as a result of their issuer’s financial restructuring or default.
The credit rating of a security may not accurately reflect the actual credit risk associated with such a security. The creditworthiness of issuers of these securities may be more complex to analyze than that of issuers of investment grade debt securities, and the overreliance on credit ratings may present additional risks.
Adverse publicity and investor perceptions, whether or not based on fundamental analysis, may decrease the values and liquidity of such securities, especially in a thinly traded or illiquid market. To the extent a Fund owns or may acquire illiquid or restricted high-yield securities or unrated securities of comparable quality, these securities may involve special registration responsibilities, liabilities, costs, and liquidity and valuation difficulties.
Interest Rate Risk
Investments in fixed income securities or derivatives that are influenced by interest rates are subject to interest rate risk. Generally, the value of investments with interest rate risk, such as fixed income securities or derivatives, will move in the opposite direction as movements in interest rates. For example, the value of a Fund’s fixed income investments or derivatives typically will fall when interest rates rise. Factors including central bank monetary policy, rising inflation rates, and changes in general economic conditions may cause interest rates to rise, which could cause the value of the Fund’s investments to decline. Interest rate changes generally have a more pronounced effect on the market value of fixed-rate instruments than they have on floating-rate instruments. Fixed income securities with longer durations tend to be more sensitive to changes in interest rates, usually making them more volatile than fixed income securities with shorter durations. A Fund may be particularly sensitive to changes in interest rates if it invests in fixed income securities with intermediate and long terms to maturity. For example, if a bond has a duration of eight years, a 1% increase in interest rates could be expected to result in an 8% decrease in the value of the bond. Yields of fixed income securities will fluctuate over time. As of the date of this Prospectus, interest rates are at or near historic lows. During periods of very low or negative interest rates, a Fund may be unable to maintain positive returns. Certain European countries and Japan have recently experienced negative interest rates on deposits and debt securities have traded at negative yields. Negative interest rates may become more prevalent among U.S. and foreign issuers. To the extent a Fund holds an investment with a negative interest rate to maturity, a Fund may generate a negative return on that investment. Changing interest rates, including rates that fall below zero, may have unpredictable effects on markets, may result in heightened market volatility and may detract from Fund performance to the extent a Fund is exposed to such interest rates. Conversely, in the future, interest rates may rise significantly and/or rapidly, potentially resulting in substantial losses to a Fund.
Investment Risk
An investment in a Fund is not a deposit with a bank and is not insured or guaranteed by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation or any other government agency. A Fund should not be relied upon as a complete investment program. The share price of a Fund fluctuates, which means that when you sell your shares of a Fund, they could be worth less than what you paid for them. Therefore, you may lose money by investing in a Fund.
Issuer Risk
The value of, and/or the return generated by, a security may decline for a number of reasons that directly relate to the issuer, such as management performance, financial leverage and reduced demand for the issuer’s goods or services, as well as the historical and prospective earnings of the issuer and the value of its assets. When the issuer of a security implements strategic initiatives, including mergers, acquisitions and dispositions, there is the risk that the market response to such initiatives will cause the share price of the issuer’s securities to fall. An individual security may be more volatile, and may perform differently, than the market as a whole.
Large-Capitalization Companies Risk
The securities of large market capitalization companies may underperform other segments of the market, in some cases for extended periods of time, because such companies may be less responsive to competitive challenges and opportunities, such as changes in technology and consumer tastes, and, at times, such companies may be out of favor with investors. Large market capitalization companies generally are expected to be less volatile than companies with smaller market capitalizations. However, large market capitalization companies may be unable to attain the high growth rates of successful smaller companies, especially during periods of economic expansion, and may instead focus their competitive efforts on maintaining or expanding their market share.
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Leverage Risk
A Fund’s use of derivative instruments may have the economic effect of financial leverage. Financial leverage magnifies the exposure to the movement in prices of an asset or class of assets underlying a derivative instrument and may result in increased volatility, which means that a Fund will have the potential for greater losses than if a Fund does not use the derivative instruments that have a leveraging effect. Leverage may result in losses that exceed the amount originally invested and may accelerate the rate of losses. Leverage tends to magnify, sometimes significantly, the effect of any increase or decrease in a Fund’s exposure to an asset or class of assets and may cause a Fund’s NAV per share to be volatile. The use of leverage may cause a Fund to liquidate portfolio positions when it may not be advantageous to do so to satisfy its obligations or to meet any required asset segregation requirements. In addition, the costs that a Fund pays to engage in these practices are additional costs borne by a Fund and could reduce or eliminate any net investment profits. There can be no assurance that a Fund’s use of leverage will be successful. A Fund may experience leverage risk in connection with investments in derivatives because its investments in derivatives may be purchased with a fraction of the assets that would be needed to purchase the securities directly, so that the remainder of the assets may be invested in other investments. Such investments may have the effect of leveraging a Fund because a Fund may experience gains or losses not only on its investments in derivatives, but also on the investments purchased with the remainder of the assets. If the value of a Fund’s investments in derivatives is increasing, this could be offset by declining values of a Fund’s other investments. Conversely, it is possible that the rise in the value of a Fund’s non-derivative investments could be offset by a decline in the value of a Fund’s investments in derivatives. In either scenario, a Fund may experience losses. In a market where the value of a Fund’s investments in derivatives is declining and the value of its other investments is declining, a Fund may experience substantial losses.
Liquidity Risk
A Fund is susceptible to the risk that certain investments held by a Fund may have limited marketability, be subject to restrictions on sale, be difficult or impossible to purchase or sell at favorable times or prices or become less liquid in response to market developments or adverse credit events that may affect issuers or guarantors of a security. Market prices for such instruments may be volatile. During periods of substantial market volatility, an investment or even an entire market segment may become illiquid, sometimes abruptly, which can adversely affect a Fund’s ability to limit losses. When there is little or no active trading market for specific types of securities, it can become more difficult to purchase or sell the securities at or near their perceived value. As a result, a Fund may have to lower the price on certain securities that it is trying to sell, sell other securities instead or forgo an investment opportunity, any of which could have a negative effect on Fund management or performance. An inability to sell a portfolio position can adversely affect a Fund’s NAV or prevent a Fund from being able to take advantage of other investment opportunities. A Fund could lose money if it is unable to dispose of an investment at a time that is most beneficial to a Fund. Unexpected redemptions or redemptions by a few large investors in a Fund may force a Fund to sell certain investments at unfavorable prices to meet redemption requests or other cash needs and may have a significant adverse effect on a Fund’s NAV per share and remaining Fund shareholders. This could negatively affect a Fund’s ability to buy or sell debt securities and increase the related volatility and trading costs. A Fund may lose money if it is forced to sell certain investments at unfavorable prices to meet redemption requests or other cash needs. For example, liquidity risk may be magnified in rising interest rate environments in the event of higher than normal redemption rates. Judgment plays a greater role in pricing illiquid investments than in investments with more active markets.
Loan Interests Risk
In making investments in loans that are made by banks or other financial intermediaries to borrowers, a Fund will depend primarily on the creditworthiness of the borrower for payment of principal and interest, and will also rely on the financial institution to make principal and interest payments to a Fund once it receives payment on the underlying loan or to pursue appropriate remedies against a borrower in the event that the borrower defaults, which may expose a Fund to the credit risk of both the financial institution that made the loan and the underlying borrower. The market for bank loans may not be highly liquid, and a Fund may have difficulty selling them. Unlike publicly traded common stocks which trade on national exchanges, there is no central place or exchange for loans, including bank loans and senior loans, to trade. Loans trade in an over-the-counter market, and confirmation and settlement, which are effected through standardized procedures and documentation, may take significantly longer than seven days to complete. Extended trade settlement periods may, in unusual market conditions with a high volume of shareholder redemptions, present a risk to shareholders regarding a Fund’s ability to pay redemption proceeds within the allowable time periods stated in its prospectus. The secondary market for floating rate loans also may be subject to irregular trading activity and wide bid/ask spreads. The lack of an active trading market for certain loans may impair the ability of a Fund to sell its loan interests at a time when it may otherwise be desirable to do so or may require a Fund to sell them at prices that are less than what a Fund regards as their fair market value, which would cause a material decline in a Fund’s NAV and may make it difficult to value such loans. Accordingly, loan interests may at times be illiquid. Restrictions on transfers in loan agreements, a lack of publicly available information and other factors may make bank loans more difficult to sell at an advantageous time or price than other types of securities or instruments. There may be less readily available information about loans. Interests in loans made to finance highly leveraged companies or transactions, such as corporate acquisitions, may be especially vulnerable to adverse changes in economic or market conditions. Interests in secured loans have the benefit of collateral and, typically, of restrictive covenants limiting the ability of the borrower to further encumber its assets, although many covenants may be waived or modified with the consent of a certain percentage of the holders of the loans even if a Fund does not consent. There is a risk that the value of any collateral securing a loan in which a Fund has an interest may decline and that the collateral may not be sufficient to cover the amount owed on the loan. In most loan agreements there is no formal requirement to pledge additional collateral. In the event the borrower defaults, a Fund’s access to the collateral may be limited or delayed by bankruptcy or other insolvency laws. Further, in the event of a default, second lien secured loans will generally be paid only if the value of the collateral exceeds the amount of the borrower’s obligations to the first lien secured lenders, and the remaining collateral may not be sufficient to cover the full amount owed on the loan in which a Fund has an interest. In addition, if a secured loan is foreclosed, a Fund would likely bear the costs and liabilities associated with owning and disposing of the collateral. The collateral may be difficult to sell and a Fund would bear the risk that the collateral may decline in value while a Fund is holding it. A Fund may acquire a loan interest by direct investment as a lender, by obtaining an assignment of all or a portion of the interests in a particular loan that are held by an original lender or a prior assignee or by participation in a loan interest that is held by another party. As an assignee, a Fund normally will succeed to all rights and obligations of its assignor with respect to the portion of the loan that is being assigned. However, the rights and obligations acquired by the purchaser of a loan assignment may differ from, and be more limited than, those held by the original lenders or the assignor. When a Fund’s loan interest is a participation, a Fund may have less control over the exercise of remedies than the party selling the participation interest, and it normally would not have any direct rights against the borrower. As a participant, a Fund also would be subject to the risk that the party selling the participation interest would not remit a Fund’s pro rata share of loan payments to a Fund. It may be difficult for a Fund to obtain an accurate picture of a lending bank’s financial condition. Loan interests may not be considered “securities,” and purchasers, such as a Fund, therefore may not be entitled to rely on the anti-fraud protections of the federal securities laws. A Fund also may be in possession of material non-public information about a borrower as a result of its ownership of a loan instrument of such borrower. Because of prohibitions on trading in securities of issuers while in possession of such information, a Fund might be unable to enter into a transaction in a security of that borrower when it would otherwise be advantageous to do so. Any steps taken to ensure that a Fund does not receive material non-public information about a security may have the effect of causing a Fund to have less information than other investors about certain interests in which it seeks to invest.
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Market Risk
A Fund is subject to the risk that the securities markets will move down, sometimes rapidly and unpredictably, based on overall economic conditions and other factors, which may negatively affect a Fund’s performance. Equity securities generally have greater price volatility than fixed income securities, although under certain market conditions fixed income securities may have comparable or greater price volatility. During a general downturn in the securities markets, multiple asset classes may decline in value simultaneously. In some cases, traditional market participants have been less willing to make a market in some types of debt instruments, which has affected the liquidity of those instruments. During times of market turmoil, investors tend to look to the safety of securities issued or backed by the U.S. Treasury, causing the prices of these securities to rise and the yields to decline. Reduced liquidity in fixed income and credit markets may negatively affect many issuers worldwide. Prices in many financial markets have increased significantly over the last decade, but there have also been periods of adverse market and financial developments and cyclical change during that timeframe, which have resulted in unusually high levels of volatility in domestic and foreign financial markets that has caused losses for investors and may occur again in the future, particularly if markets enter a period of uncertainty or economic weakness. Periods of unusually high volatility in the financial markets and restrictive credit conditions, sometimes limited to a particular sector or geographic region, continue to recur. The value of a security may decline due to adverse issuer-specific conditions or general market conditions unrelated to a particular issuer, such as real or perceived adverse geopolitical, regulatory, market, economic or other developments that may cause broad changes in market value, changes in the general outlook for corporate earnings, changes in interest, currency or inflation rates, lack of liquidity in the markets, public perceptions concerning these developments or adverse market sentiment generally. The value of a security may also decline due to factors that affect a particular industry or industries, such as tariffs, labor shortages or increased production costs and competitive conditions within an industry. Changes in the financial condition of a single issuer or market segment also can impact the market as a whole.
Geopolitical and other events, including war, terrorism, economic uncertainty, trade disputes, pandemics, public health crises, natural disasters and related events have led, and in the future may continue to lead, to instability in world economies and markets generally and reduced liquidity, which may adversely affect the value of your investment. Such market disruptions have caused, and may continue to cause, broad changes in market value, negative public perceptions concerning these developments, a reduction in the willingness and ability of some lenders to extend credit, difficulties for some borrowers in obtaining financing on attractive terms, if at all, and adverse investor sentiment or publicity. Changes in value may be temporary or may last for extended periods. Adverse market events may also lead to increased shareholder redemptions, which could cause a Fund to sell investments at an inopportune time to meet redemption requests by shareholders and may increase a Fund’s portfolio turnover, which could increase the costs that a Fund incurs and lower a Fund’s performance. Even when securities markets perform well, there is no assurance that the investments held by a Fund will increase in value along with the broader market.
Policy changes by the U.S. government and/or Federal Reserve and political events within the U.S. and abroad, such as changes in the U.S. presidential administration and Congress, the U.S. government’s inability at times to agree on a long-term budget and deficit reduction plan, the threat of a federal government shutdown and threats not to increase the federal government’s debt limit, may affect investor and consumer confidence and may adversely impact financial markets and the broader economy, perhaps suddenly and to a significant degree. The severity or duration of adverse economic conditions may also be affected by policy changes made by governments or quasi-governmental organizations. Global economies and financial markets are becoming increasingly interconnected, which increases the possibility of many markets being affected by events in a single country or events affecting a single or small number of issuers.
Markets and market participants are increasingly reliant upon both publicly available and proprietary information data systems. Data imprecision, software or other technology malfunctions, programming inaccuracies, unauthorized use or access, and similar circumstances may impair the performance of these systems and may have an adverse impact upon a single issuer, a group of issuers, or the market at large. In certain cases, an exchange or market may close or issue trading halts on either specific securities or even the entire market, which may result in a Fund being, among other things, unable to buy or sell certain securities or financial instruments or accurately price its investments. These fluctuations in securities prices could be a sustained trend or a drastic movement. The financial markets generally move in cycles, with periods of rising prices followed by periods of declining prices. The value of your investment may reflect these fluctuations.

 

Recent Market Events. An outbreak of infectious respiratory illness caused by a novel coronavirus, known as COVID-19, was first detected in December 2019 and has subsequently spread globally. The impact of the outbreak has been rapidly evolving, and the transmission of COVID-19 and efforts to contain its spread have resulted, and may continue to result, in significant disruptions to business operations, supply chains and customer activity, widespread business closures and layoffs, travel restrictions, closed international, national and local borders, enhanced health screenings at ports of entry and elsewhere, prolonged quarantines and stay-at-home orders, disruption of and delays in healthcare service preparation and delivery, service and event cancellations, reductions and other changes, and lower consumer demand, as well as general concern and uncertainty that has negatively affected the global economy. The current pandemic has accelerated trends toward working remotely and shopping on-line, which may negatively affect the value of office and commercial real estate and companies that have been slow to transition to an on-line business model. The travel, hospitality and public transit industries may suffer long-term negative effects from the pandemic and resulting changes to public behavior. Public health crises caused by the COVID-19 outbreak may exacerbate other pre-existing political, social and economic risks in certain countries or globally. The duration of the COVID-19 outbreak and its effects cannot be determined with certainty and further developments could result in additional disruptions and uncertainty. These impacts have caused significant volatility in global financial markets, which have caused and may continue to cause losses for investors. The impact of the COVID-19 pandemic may last for an extended period of time and may result in a sustained economic downturn or recession. Governments’ efforts to limit potential negative economic effects of the pandemic may be altered, delayed, or eliminated at inopportune times for political, policy or other reasons. Although promising vaccines have been released, it may be many months before vaccinations are sufficiently widespread in many countries to allow the restoration of full economic activity. Both U.S. and international markets have experienced significant volatility in recent months and years. As a result of such volatility, investment returns may fluctuate significantly. Moreover, the risks discussed herein associated with an investment in a Fund may be increased.

 

  The U.S. Federal Reserve has taken numerous measures to address the economic impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, such as the reduction of the federal funds target rate and the introduction of several credit and liquidity facilities, and the U.S. federal government has taken steps to stimulate the U.S. economy, including adopting stimulus packages targeted at large parts of the economy. The ultimate effects of these and other efforts that may be taken may not be known for some time, and it is not known whether and to what extent they will be successful. In addition, COVID-19 has caused and may continue to cause employees and vendors at various businesses, including the Manager and other service providers, to work at external locations, and could cause extensive medical absences. Not all events that could affect the business of the Manager, or other service providers can be determined and addressed in advance. The impact of COVID-19 and other infectious illness outbreaks that may arise in the future, could adversely affect the economies of many nations or the entire global economy, individual issuers and capital markets in ways that cannot necessarily be foreseen. Deteriorating economic fundamentals may in turn increase the risk of default or insolvency of particular issuers, negatively impact market value, increase market volatility, cause credit spreads to widen, and reduce liquidity. The impact of infectious illnesses in emerging market countries may be greater due to generally less established healthcare systems.

The Federal Reserve has spent hundreds of billions of dollars to keep credit flowing through short-term money markets.
However, the Federal Reserve recently began to reduce its interventions as the economy improved and inflation accelerated. Concerns about the markets’ dependence on the Federal Reserve’s provision of liquidity have grown as a result. Over the past several years, the United States has moved away from
 
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  tighter legislation and regulation impacting businesses and the financial services industry. There is a potential for materially increased regulation in the future, as well as higher taxes or taxes restructured to incentivize different activities. These changes, should they occur, may impose added costs on a Fund and its service providers, and affect the businesses of various portfolio companies, in ways that cannot necessarily be foreseen at the present time. Markets may react strongly to expectations about the changes in these policies, which could increase volatility, especially if the market’s expectations for changes in government policies are not borne out. High public debt in the U.S. and other countries creates ongoing systemic and market risks and policymaking uncertainty, and there may be an increase in public debt due to the economic effects of the COVID-19 pandemic and ensuing economic relief and public health measures. Governments’ efforts to limit potential negative economic effects of the pandemic may be altered, delayed, or eliminated at inopportune times for political, policy or other reasons. Interest rates have been unusually low in recent years in the U.S. and abroad, and central banks reduced rates further in an effort to combat the economic effects of the COVID-19 pandemic. Because there is little precedent for this situation, it is difficult to predict the impact on various markets of a significant rate increase or other significant policy changes. The U.S. Federal Reserve is anticipated to raise interest rates beginning in 2022, in part to address an increase in the annual inflation rate in the U.S. Over the longer term, rising interest rates may present a greater risk than has historically been the case due to the current period of relatively low rates and the effect of government fiscal and monetary policy initiatives and potential market reaction to those initiatives or their alteration or cessation. Slowing global economic growth, risks associated with the United Kingdom’s departure from the European Union on December 31, 2020, commonly referred to as “Brexit,” the risks associated with ongoing trade negotiations with China, the possibility of changes to some international trade agreements, tensions or open conflict between nations, or political or economic dysfunction within some nations that are global economic powers or major producers of oil could affect the economies of many nations, including the United States, in ways that cannot necessarily be foreseen at the present time. The full impact of Brexit and the nature of the future relationship between the United Kingdom and the European Union remains uncertain. The United Kingdom and the European Union reached a trade agreement on December 31, 2020, which became effective on May 1, 2021 after being ratified by all applicable United Kingdom and European Union governmental bodies. The period following the United Kingdom’s withdrawal from the European Union is expected to be one of significant political and economic uncertainty particularly until the United Kingdom government and European Union member states agree and implement the terms of the United Kingdom’s future relationship with the European Union. Brexit may create additional economic stresses for the United Kingdom, which may include causing a contraction of the United Kingdom economy and price volatility in United Kingdom stocks, decreased trade, capital outflows, devaluation of pounds sterling, and wider corporate bond spreads due to uncertainty and declines in business and consumer spending as well as foreign direct investment. A Fund may be negatively impacted by changes in law and tax treatment resulting from or following Brexit. Until the economic effects of Brexit become clearer, and while a period of political, regulatory, and commercial uncertainty continues, there remains a risk that Brexit may negatively impact the value of investments held by a Fund.

 

  Economists and others have expressed increasing concern about the potential effects of global climate change on property and security values. Impacts from climate change may include significant risks to global financial assets and economic growth. A rise in sea levels, an increase in powerful windstorms and/or a climate-driven increase in sea levels or flooding could cause coastal properties to lose value or become unmarketable altogether. Certain issuers, industries and regions may be adversely affected by the impacts of climate change, including on the demand for and the development of goods and services and related production costs, and the impacts of legislation, regulation and international accords related to climate change, as well as any indirect consequences of regulation or business trends driven by climate change. Regulatory changes and divestment movements tied to concerns about climate change could adversely affect the value of certain land and the viability of industries whose activities or products are seen as accelerating climate change. These losses could adversely affect, among others, corporate issuers and mortgage lenders, the value of mortgage-backed securities, the bonds of municipalities that depend on tax or other revenues and tourist dollars generated by affected properties, and insurers of the property and/or of corporate, municipal or mortgage-backed securities.
 
Market Timing Risk
A Fund is subject to the risk of market timing activities by investors due to the nature of its investments, which requires a Fund in certain instances to fair value certain of its investments. Some investors may engage in frequent short-term trading in a Fund to take advantage of any price differentials that may be reflected in the NAV of a Fund’s shares. Frequent trading by Fund shareholders poses risks to other shareholders in a Fund, including (i) the dilution of a Fund’s NAV, (ii) an increase in a Fund’s expenses, and (iii) interference with the ability to execute efficient investment strategies. While the Manager monitors trading in a Fund, there is no guarantee that it can detect all market timing activities.
Micro-Capitalization Companies Risk
Micro-capitalization companies are subject to substantially greater risks of loss and price fluctuations, sometimes rapidly and unpredictably, because their earnings and revenues tend to be less predictable. In addition, some companies may experience significant losses. Since micro-capitalization companies may not have an operating history, product lines, or financial resources, their share prices also tend to be more volatile and their markets less liquid than companies with larger market capitalizations, and they can be sensitive to changes in overall economic conditions, interest rates, borrowing costs and earnings. The shares of micro-capitalization companies tend to trade less frequently than those of larger, more established companies, which can adversely affect the pricing of these securities and the future ability to sell these securities. Micro-capitalization companies face greater risk of business failure, which could increase the volatility of a Fund’s portfolio.
Mid-Capitalization Companies Risk
Investments in mid-capitalization companies generally involve greater risks and the possibility of greater price volatility, which at times can be rapid and unpredictable, than investments in larger, more established companies. Mid-capitalization companies often have narrower commercial markets and more limited operating history, product lines, and managerial and financial resources than larger, more established companies. As a result, performance can be more volatile and they may face greater risk of business failure, which could increase the volatility of a Fund’s portfolio. Generally, the smaller the company size, the greater these risks. Additionally, mid-capitalization companies may have less market liquidity than large-capitalization companies, and they can be sensitive to changes in overall economic conditions, interest rates, borrowing costs and earnings.
Model and Data Risk
Models and data are used to screen potential investments for a Fund. When models or data prove to be incorrect or incomplete, any decisions made in reliance thereon expose a Fund to potential risks. Securities selected using models or data can react differently to issuer, political, market, and economic developments than the market as a whole or securities selected using only fundamental analysis, which could adversely affect value. Some of the models used by an applicable sub-advisor are predictive in nature. The use of predictive models has inherent risks. Because predictive models are usually constructed based on historical data supplied by third parties, the success of relying on such models may depend heavily on the accuracy and reliability of the supplied historical data. Data for some companies, particularly non-U.S. companies, may be less available and/or less current than data for other companies. In addition, factors that affect a security’s value can change over time and these changes may not be reflected in the quantitative model. There can be no assurance that the models are complete, accurate, or representative of future market cycles, nor that they will always be beneficial to a Fund if they are accurate. Additionally, programs may become outdated or experience malfunctions which may not be identified by a sub-advisor and therefore may also result in losses to a Fund. A sub-advisor’s security selection can be adversely affected if it relies on erroneous or outdated data, and there is a risk that the finished model may contain
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errors, one or more of which would adversely affect a Fund’s performance. These models may negatively affect Fund performance for various other reasons, including human judgment, inaccuracy of historical data and non-quantitative factors (such as market or trading system dysfunctions, investor fear or overreaction). The data used to build the model is extremely complex and involves financial, economic, econometric and statistical theories which are then translated into computer code to create the applicable program. Human judgment plays a role in building, utilizing, testing and modifying the financial algorithms and formulas used in these models. Additionally, the data, which is typically supplied by third parties, can be imprecise or become stale due to new events or changing circumstances. Market performance can be affected by non-quantitative factors (for example, investor fear, over-reaction or other emotional considerations) that are not easily integrated into modeling programs. There may also be errors in the code for the models or issues relating to the computer systems used to screen securities.
Municipal Securities Risk
Municipal securities could be affected by adverse political and legislative changes. Changes in the financial condition of a municipality may affect the ability of a municipal issuer to make interest and principal payments on a security as they become due. Changes in interest rates and market conditions may directly impact the liquidity and valuation of municipal securities, which may affect the yield and value of a Fund’s municipal securities investments. A downgrade in the issuer’s or security’s credit rating can reduce the market value of the security. At times, municipal issuers have defaulted on obligations or commenced insolvency proceedings. Financial difficulties of municipal issuers may continue or get worse in the future.
Other Investment Companies Risk
To the extent that a Fund invests in shares of other registered investment companies, a Fund will indirectly bear the fees and expenses, including, for example, advisory and administrative fees, charged by those investment companies in addition to a Fund’s direct fees and expenses. If a Fund invests in other investment companies, a Fund may receive distributions of taxable gains from portfolio transactions by that investment company and may recognize taxable gains from transactions in shares of that investment company, which could be taxable to a Fund’s shareholders when distributed to them. A Fund must rely on the investment company in which it invests to achieve its investment objective. If the investment company fails to achieve its investment objective, the value of a Fund’s investment may decline, adversely affecting a Fund’s performance. To the extent a Fund invests in other investment companies that invest in equity securities, fixed income securities and/or foreign securities, or that track an index, a Fund is subject to the risks associated with the underlying investments held by the investment company or the index fluctuations to which the investment company is subject. A Fund will be subject to the risks associated with investments in those companies, including but not limited to the following:

 

ETFs. Because ETFs are listed on an exchange, they may be subject to the following risks that do not apply to conventional funds: (1) the market price of an ETF’s shares may trade at a discount or premium to its NAV; (2) an active trading market for an ETF’s shares may not develop or be maintained; or (3) trading of an ETF’s shares may be halted if the listing exchange’s officials deem such action appropriate, the shares are delisted from the exchange, or the activation of market-wide “circuit breakers” (which are tied to large decreases in stock prices) halts stock trading generally. An ETF that tracks an index may not precisely replicate the returns of that index and may not be permitted to sell poorly performing stocks that are included in its index. An actively-managed ETF’s performance will reflect its adviser’s ability to make investment decisions that are suited to achieving the ETF’s investment objectives. Future legislative or regulatory changes, including changes in taxation, could impact the operation of ETFs.

 

Government Money Market Funds. Investments in government money market funds are subject to interest rate risk, credit risk, and market risk. Although a government money market fund seeks to preserve the value of a fund’s investment at $1.00 per share, at times, the share price of government money market funds may fall below the $1.00 share price, especially during periods of high redemption pressures, illiquid markets, and/or significant market volatility. Extremely low or negative interest rates may become more prevalent, which could make it difficult for a government money market fund to maintain a stable $1.00 per share net asset value without financial support from its sponsor or other persons.
 
Preferred Stock Risk
Preferred stocks, which are a form of hybrid security (i.e., a security with both debt and equity characteristics), may pay fixed or adjustable rates of return. If interest rates rise, the dividend on preferred stocks may be less attractive, causing the price of preferred stocks to decline. Preferred stocks may have mandatory sinking fund provisions, as well as provisions for their call or redemption prior to maturity, which can have a negative effect on their prices when interest rates decline. Preferred stocks may be less liquid than common stocks and, unlike common stocks, participation in the growth of an issuer may be limited. Distributions on preferred stocks generally are payable at the discretion of an issuer and after required payments to bond holders. In certain situations, an issuer may call or redeem its preferred stock or convert it to common stock. The market prices of preferred stocks are generally more sensitive to actual or perceived changes in the issuer’s financial condition or prospects than are the prices of debt securities. Issuers may threaten preferred stockholders with the cancellation of all dividends and liquidation preference rights in an attempt to force their conversion to less secure common stock. Certain preferred stocks are equity securities because they do not constitute a liability of the issuer and therefore do not offer the same degree of protection of capital or continuation of income as debt securities. The rights of preferred stock on distribution of a corporation ‘s assets in the event of its liquidation are generally subordinated to the rights associated with a corporation ‘s debt securities. Therefore, in the event of an issuer ‘s bankruptcy, there is substantial risk that there will be nothing left to pay preferred stockholders after payments, if any, to bondholders have been made. Preferred stocks may also be subject to credit risk.
Prepayment and Extension Risk
When interest rates fall, borrowers will generally repay the loans that underlie certain debt securities, especially mortgage-related and other types of asset backed securities, more quickly than expected, causing the issuer of the security to repay the principal prior to the security ‘s expected maturity date. This could also occur if a debt security is called or otherwise converted or redeemed before maturity. If this occurs, a Fund may need to reinvest the proceeds at a lower interest rate, reducing its income. Securities subject to prepayment risk generally offer less potential for gains when prevailing interest rates fall. If a Fund buys those securities at a premium, accelerated prepayments on those securities could cause a Fund to lose a portion of its principal investment. The impact of prepayments on the price of a security may be difficult to predict and may increase the security’s price volatility. The rate of prepayments tends to increase as interest rates fall, which could cause the average maturity of the portfolio to shorten. Prepayments could also create capital gains tax liability in some instances. Variable and floating rate securities may be less sensitive to prepayment risk. Extension risk is the risk that a decrease in prepayments may, as a result of higher interest rates or other factors, result in the extension of a security’s effective maturity, increase the risk of default and delayed payment, heighten interest rate risk and increase the potential for a decline in its price. In addition, as a consequence of a decrease in prepayments, the amount of principal available to a Fund for investment would be reduced. If a Fund’s investments are locked in at a lower interest rate for a longer period of time, a Fund may be unable to capitalize on securities with higher interest rates or wider spreads.
Quantitative Strategy Risk
The success of a Fund’s investment strategy may depend in part on the effectiveness of a sub-advisor’s quantitative tools for screening securities. Securities selected using quantitative analysis can react differently to issuer, political, market, and economic developments than the market as a whole or securities selected using only fundamental analysis, which could adversely affect their value. As a result, a portfolio of securities selected using quantitative analysis may underperform the market as a whole or a portfolio of securities selected using a different investment approach, such as fundamental analysis. A sub-advisor’s
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quantitative tools may use factors that may not be predictive of a security’s value, and any changes over time in the factors that affect a security’s value may not be reflected in the quantitative model. The quantitative tools may not react as expected to market events, resulting in losses for a Fund. Data for some companies, particularly for non-U.S. companies, may be less available and/or less current than data for other companies. There may also be errors in the computer code for the quantitative model or in the model itself, or issues relating to the computer systems used to screen securities. A sub-advisor’s stock selection can be adversely affected if it relies on insufficient, erroneous or outdated data or flawed models or computer systems. Additionally, a previously successful strategy may become outdated or inaccurate, which may not be identified by a sub-advisor and therefore may also result in losses.
Redemption Risk
A Fund may experience periods of heavy redemptions that could cause a Fund to sell assets at inopportune times or at a loss or a depressed value. Redemption risk is greater to the extent that one or more investors or intermediaries control a large percentage of investments in a Fund, have short investment horizons, or have unpredictable cash flow needs. The risk of loss is also greater if redemption requests are frequent, occur in times of overall market turmoil or declining prices for the securities sold, or when the securities a Fund wishes to sell are illiquid. Heavy redemptions, whether by a few large investors or many smaller investors, could hurt a Fund’s performance. The ability or willingness of dealers and other institutional investors to buy or hold fixed income securities or otherwise to “make a market” in debt securities has also been reduced. These factors, along with an inability to find a ready buyer, or legal restrictions on a security’s resale, may result in decreased liquidity and increased volatility in the fixed income markets, and heightened redemption risk. Certain securities that were liquid when purchased may later become illiquid, particularly in times of overall economic distress. During periods of heavy redemptions, a Fund may borrow funds through the interfund credit facility, or from a bank line of credit, which may increase costs. Redemption risk is heightened if a Fund invests in emerging market securities, which are generally less liquid than the securities of U.S. and other developed markets. The sale of assets to meet redemption requests may create net capital gains or losses, which could cause a Fund to have to distribute substantial capital gains.
Reliance on Corporate Management and Financial Reporting Risk
A sub-advisor may select investments for a Fund in part on the basis of information and data made directly available to a sub-advisor by the issuers of securities or through sources other than the issuers such as collateral pool servicers. A sub-advisor is dependent upon the integrity of the management of these issuers and of such servicers and the financial and collateral performance reporting processes in general. Recent events have demonstrated the material losses which investors, such as a Fund, can incur as a result of corporate mismanagement, fraud and accounting irregularities.
Restricted Securities Risk
Securities not registered in the U.S. under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”), or in non-U.S. markets pursuant to similar regulations, including “Section 4(a)(2)” securities and “Rule 144A” securities, are restricted as to their resale. Such securities may not be listed on an exchange and may have no active trading market. The prices of these securities may be more difficult to determine than publicly traded securities and these securities may involve heightened risk as compared to investments in securities of publicly traded companies. They may be more difficult to purchase or sell at an advantageous time or price because such securities may not be readily marketable in broad public markets, or may have to be held for a certain time period before they can be resold. A Fund may not be able to sell a restricted security when a sub-advisor considers it desirable to do so and/or may have to sell the security at a lower price than a Fund believes is its fair market value. A restricted security that was liquid at the time of purchase may subsequently become illiquid. In addition, transaction costs may be higher for restricted securities and a Fund may receive only limited information regarding the issuer of a restricted security. A Fund may have to bear the expense of registering restricted securities for resale and the risk of substantial delays in effecting the registration. If, during such a delay, adverse market conditions were to develop, a Fund might obtain a less favorable price than prevailed at the time it decided to seek registration of the security.
Sector Risk
Sector risk is the risk associated with a Fund holding a significant amount of investments in similar businesses, which would be similarly affected by particular economic or market events that may, in certain circumstances, cause the value of the equity and debt securities of companies in a particular sector of the market to change. To the extent a Fund has substantial holdings within a particular sector, the risks to a Fund associated with that sector increase. In addition, when a Fund focuses its investments in certain sectors of the economy, its performance may be driven largely by sector performance and could fluctuate more widely than if a Fund were invested more evenly across sectors. Individual sectors may be more volatile, and may perform differently, than the broader market. The businesses that constitute a sector may all react the same way to economic, political or regulatory events. A Fund’s performance could also be affected if the sectors do not perform as expected. The lack of exposure to one or more sectors may adversely affect performance. As a Fund’s portfolio changes over time, a Fund’s exposure to a particular sector may become higher or lower.

 

Consumer Staples Sector Risk. The consumer staples sector generally consists of companies whose primary lines of business are food, beverage and other household items. This sector can be affected by, among other things, changes in price and availability of underlying commodities, changes in energy prices and global economic conditions. Unlike the consumer discretionary sector, companies in the consumer staples sector have historically been characterized as non-cyclical in nature and therefore less volatile in times of change. Companies in the consumer staples sector are subject to government regulation affecting the permissibility of using various food additives and production methods, which could affect company profitability. Tobacco companies may be adversely affected by the adoption of proposed legislation or regulation and/or by litigation. Also, the success of food and soft drinks may be strongly affected by social trends, marketing campaigns and other factors affecting supply and demand.
 
Secured, Partially Secured and Unsecured Obligation Risk
Debt obligations may be secured, partially secured or unsecured. Debt obligations that are secured with specific collateral of the borrowing company provide the holder with a claim on that collateral in the event that the borrower does not pay scheduled interest or principal that is senior to that held by any unsecured creditors, subordinated debt holders and stockholders of the borrower. Obligations that are fully secured offer a Fund more protection than a partially secured or unsecured obligation in the event of such non-payment of scheduled interest or principal.
Interests in secured obligations have the benefit of collateral and, typically, of restrictive covenants limiting the ability of the borrower to further encumber its assets. However, there is no assurance that the liquidation of collateral from a secured obligation would satisfy the borrower’s obligation, or that the collateral can be liquidated. Furthermore, there is a risk that the value of any collateral securing an obligation in which a Fund has an interest may decline and that the collateral may not be sufficient to cover the amount owed on the obligation. In most loan agreements there is no formal requirement to pledge additional collateral. In the event the borrower defaults, a Fund’s access to the collateral may be limited or delayed by bankruptcy or other insolvency laws. In addition, the collateral securing the obligation may not be recognized for a variety of reasons, including the failure to make required filings by lenders, trustees or other responsible parties and, as a result, a Fund may not have priority over other creditors as anticipated. Further, in the event of a default, second lien secured loans will generally be paid only if the value of the collateral exceeds the amount of the borrower’s obligations to the first lien secured lenders, and the remaining collateral may not be sufficient to cover the full amount owed on the loan in which a Fund has an interest. In addition, if a secured loan is foreclosed, a Fund would likely bear the costs and liabilities associated with owning and disposing of the collateral. The collateral may be difficult to sell and a Fund would bear the risk that the collateral may decline in value while a Fund is holding it.
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If an obligation in which a Fund invests is foreclosed, a Fund could become owner, in whole or in part, of any collateral, which could include, among other assets, real estate or other real or personal property, and as a creditor would likely bear its pro rata costs and liabilities associated with owning and holding or disposing of the collateral. The collateral may be difficult to sell, and a Fund would bear the risk that the collateral may decline in value while a Fund is holding it.
Some obligations in which a Fund may invest are only partially-secured or are unsecured. Unsecured debt, including senior unsecured and subordinated debt, will not be secured by any collateral, and will be effectively subordinated to a borrower’s secured indebtedness (to the extent of the collateral securing such indebtedness). With respect to unsecured obligations, a Fund lacks any collateral on which to foreclose to satisfy its claim in whole or in part. Such instruments generally have greater price volatility than that of fully secured holdings and may be less liquid. There is a possibility that originators will not be able to sell participations in unsecured bank loans. Because loan participations typically represent direct participation, together with other parties, in a loan to a corporate borrower, through which a Fund would become a part lender, difficulty on the part of originators in selling participations could limit the number of parties participating and create greater credit risk exposure for the holders of such loans.
Securities Lending Risk
A Fund may lend its portfolio securities to brokers, dealers and financial institutions in order to obtain additional income. Borrowers of a Fund’s securities provide collateral either in the form of cash, which a Fund reinvests in securities or in the form of non-cash collateral consisting of securities issued or guaranteed by the U.S. government or one of its agencies or instrumentalities. A Fund will be responsible for the risks associated with the investment of cash collateral, including any collateral invested in an affiliated government money market fund. A Fund may lose money on its investment of cash collateral or may fail to earn sufficient income on its investment to cover its payment to the borrower of a pre-negotiated fee or “rebate” for the use of that cash collateral in connection with the loan. A Fund could also lose money due to a decline in the value of non-cash collateral. In addition, delays may occur in the recovery of securities from borrowers, which could interfere with a Fund’s ability to vote proxies or to settle transactions or could result in increased costs. Moreover, if the borrower becomes subject to insolvency or similar proceedings, a Fund could incur delays in its ability to enforce its rights in its collateral. There also is a risk that a borrower may default on its obligation to return loaned securities at a time when the value of a Fund’s collateral is inadequate. Although a Fund’s securities lending agent may indemnify a Fund against that risk, it is also possible that the securities lending agent will be unable to satisfy its indemnification obligations. In any case in which the loaned securities are not returned to a Fund before an ex-dividend date, whether or not due to a default by the borrower, the payment in lieu of the dividend that a Fund receives from the securities’ borrower would not be treated as a dividend for federal income tax purposes and thus would not qualify for treatment as “qualified dividend income” (as described under “Distributions and Taxes – Taxes” below).
Securities Selection Risk
Securities selected for a Fund may decline substantially in value or may not perform to expectations. Judgments about the attractiveness, value and anticipated price movements of a security or asset class may be incorrect, and there is no guarantee that securities will perform as anticipated. The value of a security can be more or less volatile than the market as a whole or a Fund ‘s relative value approach may fail to produce the intended results. The assessment of relative value may be wrong or even if the assessment of relative value is correct, it may take a long period of time before the price and intrinsic value of an investment converge. It may not be possible to predict, or to hedge against, a widening in the yield spread of the securities selected for a Fund. This could result in a Fund ‘s underperformance compared to other funds with similar investment objectives.
Segregated Assets Risk
In connection with certain transactions that may give rise to future payment obligations, a Fund may be required to maintain a segregated amount of, or otherwise earmark, cash or liquid securities to cover the position. Segregated or earmarked securities cannot be sold while the position or transaction they are covering is outstanding, unless they are replaced with other securities of equal value. There is the possibility that the segregation or earmarking of a large percentage of a Fund’s assets may, in some circumstances, limit a Fund’s ability to take advantage of investment opportunities or meet redemption requests. In addition, the need to segregate cash or other liquid securities could limit a Fund’s ability to pursue other opportunities as they arise.
Small-Capitalization Companies Risk
Investments in small-capitalization companies generally involve greater risks and the possibility of greater price volatility, which at times can be rapid and unpredictable, than investments in larger capitalization and more established companies. Small-capitalization companies often have narrower commercial markets and more limited operating history, product lines, and managerial and financial resources than larger, more established companies. As a result, performance of small-capitalization companies can be more volatile and these companies may face greater risk of business failure, which could increase the volatility of a Fund’s portfolio. Generally, the smaller the company size, the greater these risks. Additionally, small-capitalization companies may have less market liquidity than larger capitalization companies, and they can be sensitive to changes in overall economic conditions, interest rates, borrowing costs and earnings.
Small Fund Risk
Like other smaller funds, large inflows and outflows may impact a Fund’s market exposure for limited periods of time. This impact may be positive or negative, depending on the direction of market movement during the affected period. Investment positions may also have a disproportionate impact, negative or positive, on performance, and Fund performance may be more volatile than that of a larger fund. A Fund’s shareholder fees and annual fund operating expenses also may be higher than those of a fund that has attracted sufficient assets to achieve investment and trading efficiencies. Shareholders of a Fund may incur higher expenses if a Fund fails to attract sufficient assets to realize economies of scale. Investors in a Fund bear the risk that, without sufficient assets, a Fund may not be successful in implementing its investment strategy or may not employ a successful investment strategy. If a Fund does not attract sufficient assets, a Fund may not be viable, and any resulting liquidation could create elevated and negative transaction costs for a fund and adverse federal income tax consequences for investors, as well as causing shareholders to incur expenses of liquidation.
Unrated Securities Risk
Because a Fund may purchase securities that are not rated by any rating organization, a sub-advisor, after assessing their credit quality, may internally assign ratings to certain of those securities, in categories of those similar to those of rating organizations. Investing in unrated securities involves the risk that a sub-advisor may not accurately evaluate the security’s comparative credit rating. To the extent that a Fund invests in unrated securities, a Fund’s success in achieving its investment objective may depend more heavily on a sub-advisor’s credit analysis than if a Fund invested exclusively in rated securities. Less public information is typically available about unrated securities or issuers. Some unrated securities may not have an active trading market or may be difficult to value, which means a Fund might have difficulty selling them promptly at an acceptable price. Unrated securities may also be subject to greater liquidity risk and price volatility.
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U.S. Government Securities and Government-Sponsored Enterprises Risk
A security backed by the U.S. Treasury or the full faith and credit of the United States is guaranteed only as to the timely payment of interest and principal when held to maturity. The market prices for such securities are not guaranteed and will fluctuate. Additionally, circumstances could arise that would prevent the payment of interest or principal. This could result in losses to a Fund. Investments in securities issued by government-sponsored enterprises are debt obligations issued by agencies and instrumentalities of the U.S. government. These obligations vary in the level of support they receive from the U.S. government. They may be: (i) supported by the full faith and credit of the U.S. Treasury, such as those of GNMA; (ii) supported by the right of the issuer to borrow from the U.S. Treasury, such as those of the Federal Home Loan Bank, the Federal Farm Credit Banks, or the Tennessee Valley Authority; (iii) supported by the discretionary authority of the U.S. government to purchase the agency obligations, such as those of Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac; or (iv) supported only by the credit of the issuer, such as those of the Federal Farm Credit Bureau. The U.S. government may choose not to provide financial support to U.S. government-sponsored agencies or instrumentalities if it is not legally obligated to do so, in which case, if the issuer defaulted, to the extent a Fund holds securities of such issuer, it might not be able to recover its investment from the U.S. government. U.S. government securities and securities of government-sponsored entities are also subject to credit risk, interest rate risk and market risk. The rising U.S. national debt may lead to adverse impacts on the value of U.S. government securities due to potentially higher costs for the U.S. government to obtain new financing.
Valuation Risk
This is the risk that a Fund has valued a security at a price different from the price at which it can be sold. This risk may be especially pronounced for investments that may be illiquid or may become illiquid and for securities that trade in relatively thin markets and/or markets that experience extreme volatility. A Fund’s ability to value its investments in an accurate and timely manner may be impacted by technological issues and/or errors by third party service providers, such as pricing services or accounting agents. If market conditions make it difficult to value certain investments, SEC rules and applicable accounting protocols may require a Fund to value these investments using more subjective methods, such as fair-value methodologies. Using fair value methodologies to price investments may result in a value that is different from an investment’s most recent closing price and from the prices used by others for the same investment. Investors who purchase or redeem Fund shares on days when a Fund is holding fair-valued securities may receive fewer or more shares, or lower or higher redemption proceeds, than they would have received if a Fund had not fair-valued the securities or had used a different valuation methodology. The value of foreign securities, certain fixed income securities and currencies, as applicable, may be materially affected by events after the close of the markets on which they are traded, but before a Fund determines its NAV.
Value Stocks Risk
Investments in value stocks are subject to the risk that their intrinsic or full value may never be realized by the market, that a stock judged to be undervalued may be appropriately priced, or that their prices may decline. This may result in the value stocks’ prices remaining undervalued for extended periods of time and they may not ever realize their intrinsic or full value. While a Fund’s investments in value stocks seek to limit potential downside price risk over time, value stock prices still may decline substantially. In addition, a Fund may produce more modest gains as a trade-off for this potentially lower risk. Different investment styles tend to shift in and out of favor, depending on market conditions and investor sentiment. A Fund’s performance also may be affected adversely if value stocks become unpopular with, or lose favor among, investors. A Fund’s value style could cause it to underperform funds that use a growth or non-value approach to investing or have a broader investment style.
Variable and Floating Rate Securities Risk
The coupons on variable and floating rate securities in which a Fund may invest are not fixed and may fluctuate based upon changes in market rates. Variable and floating rate securities are subject to interest rate risk and may fluctuate in value in response to interest rate changes if there is a delay between changes in market interest rates and the interest reset date for the obligation, or for other reasons. As short-term interest rates decline, the coupons on variable and floating rate securities typically decrease. Alternatively, during periods of rising short-term interest rates, the coupons on variable and floating rate securities typically increase. Changes in the coupons of variable and floating rate securities may lag behind changes in market rates or may have limits on the maximum increases in the coupon rates. The value of variable and floating rate securities may decline if their coupons do not rise as much, or as quickly, as interest rates in general. Conversely, variable and floating rate securities will not generally increase in value if interest rates decline. Thus, investing in variable and floating rate instruments generally allows less opportunity for capital appreciation and depreciation than investing in instruments with a fixed interest rate. Variable and floating rate securities are less effective than fixed rate securities at locking in a particular yield and may be subject to credit risk. Certain types of floating rate instruments may also be subject to greater liquidity risk than other debt securities.
Additional Information About Performance Benchmarks
The annual total return of each Fund is compared to one or more broad-based market index(es). Set forth below is additional information regarding the index to which each Fund’s performance is compared.
American Beacon SiM High Yield Opportunities Fund
The Fund’s performance is compared to the ICE BofA US High Yield Index.

 

The ICE BofA US High Yield Index (the “Index”) is a commonly used benchmark index for high yield composite bonds. It is administered by ICE Data Services. The Index is a measure of the broad high yield market.
 
American Beacon The London Company Income Equity Fund
The Fund’s performance is compared to the Russell 1000® Value Index.

 

The Russell 1000® Value Index is a registered trademark of Frank Russell Company. The Russell 1000® Value Index measures the performance of the large cap value segment of the U.S. equity universe.
 
American Beacon Zebra Small Cap Equity Fund
The Fund’s performance is compared to the Russell 2000® Index and the Russell 2000® Value Index.

 

The Russell 2000® Index is a registered trademark of Frank Russell Company. The Russell 2000® Index measures the performance of the small-cap segment of the U.S. equity universe.

 

The Russell 2000® Value Index is a registered trademark of Frank Russell Company. The Russell 2000® Value Index measures the performance of Russell 2000 companies with lower price-to-book ratios and lower forecasted growth values.
 
Notices Regarding Index Data
Certain indices and index data included as a data reference are the property of ICE Data Indices, LLC (“ICE DATA”) and used under license. ICE DATA, ITS AFFILIATES AND THEIR RESPECTIVE THIRD PARTY SUPPLIERS DISCLAIM ANY AND ALL WARRANTIES AND REPRESENTATIONS, EXPRESS AND/OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING ANY WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY OR FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE OR USE, INCLUDING with regard to THE INDICES, INDEX
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DATA AND ANY DATA INCLUDED IN, RELATED TO, OR DERIVED THEREFROM. NEITHER ICE DATA, nor ITS AFFILIATES OR THEIR RESPECTIVE THIRD PARTY PROVIDERS SHALL BE SUBJECT TO ANY DAMAGES OR LIABILITY WITH RESPECT TO THE ADEQUACY, ACCURACY, TIMELINESS OR COMPLETENESS OF THE INDICES OR THE INDEX DATA OR ANY COMPONENT THEREOF. THE INDICES AND INDEX DATA AND ALL COMPONENTS THEREOF ARE PROVIDED ON AN “AS IS” BASIS AND YOUR USE IS AT YOUR OWN RISK. ICE DATA, ITS AFFILIATES AND THEIR RESPECTIVE THIRD PARTY SUPPLIERS DO NOT SPONSOR, ENDORSE, OR RECOMMEND AMERICAN BEACON FUNDS, OR ANY OF ITS PRODUCTS OR SERVICES.
American Beacon Funds is not promoted, sponsored or endorsed by, nor in any way affiliated with the London Stock Exchange Group plc and its group undertakings (collectively, the “LSE Group”). FTSE Russell is a trading name of certain of the LSE Group companies. LSE Group is not responsible for and has not reviewed the American Beacon The London Company Income Equity Fund and American Beacon Zebra Small Cap Equity Fund nor any associated literature or publications and LSE Group makes no representation or warranty, express or implied, as to their accuracy, or completeness, or otherwise.
All rights in the Russell 1000 Value Index, the Russell 2000 Index, and the Russell 2000 Value Index (the “Indexes”) vest in the relevant LSE Group company which owns the Indexes. Russell 1000® and Russell 2000® are trademarks of the relevant LSE Group company and are used by any other LSE Group company under license. The Indexes are calculated by or on behalf of FTSE International Limited or its affiliate, agent or partner. The LSE Group does not accept any liability whatsoever to any person arising out of (a) the use of, reliance on or any error in the Indexes or (b) investment in or operation of the Fund. The LSE Group makes no claim, prediction, warranty or representation either as to the results to be obtained from a Fund or the suitability of the Indexes for the purpose to which it is being put by the Manager.
Fund Management
The Manager
AMERICAN BEACON ADVISORS, INC. (the “Manager”) serves as the Manager and administrator of the Funds. The Manager, located at 220 East Las Colinas Boulevard, Suite 1200, Irving, Texas 75039, is an indirect wholly-owned subsidiary of Resolute Investment Holdings, LLC, which is owned primarily by Kelso Investment Associates VIII, L.P., KEP VI, LLC and Estancia Capital Partners L.P.
The Manager was organized in 1986 to provide investment management, advisory, and administrative services. The Manager is registered as an investment adviser under the Advisers Act. The Manager is not registered as a CPO with respect to the Funds in reliance on the delayed compliance date provided by No-Action Letter 12-38 of the Division of Swaps Dealer and Intermediary Oversight (“Division”) of the CFTC. Pursuant to this letter, the Manager is not required to register as a CPO, or rely on an exemption from registration, until six months from the date the Division issues revised guidance on the application of the calculation of the de minimis thresholds in the context of the CPO exclusion in CFTC Regulation 4.5. In addition, on behalf of the Funds, the Manager has also filed a notice claiming the CFTC Regulation 4.5 exclusion from CPO registration under the Commodity Exchange Act. The Manager is also exempt from registration as a commodity trading advisor under CFTC Regulation 4.14(a)(8) with respect to the Funds.
For the fiscal year ended August 31, 2021, each Fund identified below paid aggregate management fees to the Manager and investment advisory fees to its sub-advisor(s) as a percentage of each Fund’s average daily net assets, net of any waivers and recoupments of the management fees and sub-advisory fees, as follows:
Fund
Aggregate Management and Investment Advisory Fees
American Beacon SiM High Yield Opportunities
0.70%
American Beacon The London Company Income Equity
0.66%
American Beacon Zebra Small Cap Equity
0.72%
As compensation for services provided by the Manager in connection with securities lending activities conducted by a Fund, the lending Fund pays to the Manager, with respect to cash collateral posted by borrowers, a fee of 10% of the net monthly interest income (the gross interest income earned by the investment of cash collateral, less the amount paid to borrowers and related expenses) from such activities and, with respect to loan fees paid by borrowers when a borrower posts collateral other than cash, a fee up to 10% of such loan fees. The SEC has granted exemptive relief that permits a Fund to invest cash collateral received from securities lending transactions in shares of one or more private or registered investment companies managed by the Manager.
As of the date of this Prospectus, the American Beacon The London Company Income Equity Fund and the American Beacon Zebra Small Cap Equity Fund intend to engage in securities lending activities, and the American Beacon SiM High Yield Opportunities Fund does not intend to engage in securities lending activities.
A discussion of the Board’s consideration and approval of the Management Agreement between the Funds and the Manager and the Investment Advisory Agreements among the Trust, on behalf of the Funds, each sub-advisor and the Manager is available in the Funds’ Annual Report for the fiscal year ended August 31, 2021.
The Manager has contractually agreed to waive fees and/or reimburse expenses of the following Funds and share classes to the extent that Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses exceed a percentage of that class’s average daily net assets (excluding taxes, interest, brokerage commissions, acquired fund fees and expenses, securities lending fees, expenses associated with securities sold short, litigation, and other extraordinary expenses) through December 31, 2022 as follows:
Contractual Expense Limitations
American Beacon Fund
A Class
C Class
Y Class
R6 Class
R5 Class
Investor Class
American Beacon SiM High Yield Opportunities Fund
1.07%
1.81%
0.75%
N/A
0.74%
1.10%
American Beacon The London Company Income Equity Fund
N/A
N/A
N/A
0.71%
N/A
N/A
American Beacon Zebra Small Cap Equity Fund
1.21%
2.01%
0.99%
N/A
0.89%
1.27%
The contractual expense reimbursement can be changed or terminated only in the discretion and with the approval of a majority of a Fund’s Board. The Manager will itself waive fees and/or reimburse expenses of a Fund to maintain the contractual expense ratio caps for each applicable class of shares or make arrangements with other service providers to do so. The Manager may also, from time to time, voluntarily waive fees and/or reimburse expenses of a Fund. The Board has approved a policy whereby the Manager may seek repayment for any contractual or voluntary fee waivers or expense reimbursements if
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reimbursement to the Manager (a) occurs within three years from the date of the Manager’s waiver/reimbursement and (b) does not cause the Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses of a class to exceed the lesser of the contractual percentage limit in effect at the time of the waiver/reimbursement or the time of recoupment.
The Sub-Advisors
Set forth below is a brief description of the sub-advisors and the portfolio managers who are jointly and primarily responsible for the day-to-day management of a Fund. The SAI provides additional information about the portfolio managers, including other accounts they manage, their ownership in the Funds they manage and their compensation.
STRATEGIC INCOME MANAGEMENT, LLC (‘‘SiM’’), 1200 Westlake Ave N, Suite 713, Seattle, Washington 98109 was formed in October 2010 from certain key high yield and asset allocation investment management personnel at Edge Asset Management (formerly WM Advisors). As of October 31, 2021 SiM had assets under management totaling approximately $1.8 billion. SiM serves as sub-advisor to the American Beacon SiM High Yield Opportunities Fund.
Gary Pokrzywinski is the President and Lead Portfolio Manager for SiM. He managed the Principal High Yield Mutual Fund from its inception in April 1998 to May 2009. Before Co-Founding SiM in 2010, he was the CIO and a High Yield Portfolio Manager for Edge Asset Management (and its predecessor), an affiliate of Principal Financial Group. He worked for Edge and its predecessor from 1992 to 2009. Prior, Mr. Pokrzywinski was an investment officer/portfolio manager for Firstar Investment Services Co.
Brian Placzek is the Executive Vice President, Portfolio Manager and Director of Research for SiM. Prior to joining SiM in 2010, he worked from 1990 to 2010 for Edge Asset Management (and its predecessor), an affiliate of Principal Global Investors as Head of Fixed Income/Research. Mr. Placzek has 30+ years of experience in investment management and financial analysis. Prior to Edge, Mr. Placzek was a corporate bond analyst and trader at Washington Mutual Bank.
Ryan C. Larson, CFA, CAIA is a Portfolio Manager for the SiM High Yield Team. Mr. Larson is responsible for portfolio management, investment research and analytics. He has 11 years of experience in investments. Prior to joining SiM in 2010, Mr. Larson was a research analyst at Caelum Capital, a Los Angeles based equity long-short hedge fund, from 2009 to 2010. Mr. Larson earned the right to use the Chartered Financial Analyst designation in 2012 and is a member of the CFA Society of Seattle. Mr. Larson is also a member of the Chartered Alternative Investment Analyst Association (CAIA). Mr. Larson graduated with honors from Brown University with a bachelor’s degree in Commerce, Organizations and Entrepreneurship.
THE LONDON COMPANY OF VIRGINIA, LLC (‘‘The London Company’’), 1800 Bayberry Court, Suite 301, Richmond, VA 23226, is an investment advisory firm founded in 1994 and is majority employee owned. As of October 31, 2021, The London Company had assets under management totaling approximately $16.4 billion. The London Company serves as sub-advisor to the American Beacon The London Company Income Equity Fund.
Stephen M. Goddard CFA, Managing Principal, CIO and Lead Portfolio Manager, founded The London Company in 1994 and has served in this capacity since founding the company. Previously, he held Senior Portfolio Management positions at CFB Advisory and Flippin, Bruce & Porter. He has over 25 years of investment experience.
Jonathan T. Moody CFA, Principal and Portfolio Manager, joined The London Company in 2002. He has served as a Portfolio Manager since 2002 and has been a Principal since 2010. Previously, he founded Primary Research Group.
J. Brian Campbell CFA, Principal and Portfolio Manager. He has served as Portfolio Manager since he joined The London Company in 2010. Prior to joining The London Company, he was a Portfolio Manager and the Director of Research at Hilliard Lyons Capital Management from 2004 to 2010.
Mark E. DeVaul CFA, CPA, Principal and Portfolio Manager. He has served as Portfolio Manager since he joined The London Company in 2011. Previously he served as Portfolio Manager at Beacon Capital Management from 2010 to 2011 and Equity Research Analyst at Nuveen Investments from 2002 to 2009.
Sam Hutchings, CFA, Principal and Portfolio Manager, joined the London Company in 2015. He has served as a Portfolio Manager since 2018. Prior to joining The London Company, he was a Research Associate with Eaton Vance and a Senior Consultant at FactSet Research Systems. He has 10 years of investment experience.
ZEBRA CAPITAL MANAGEMENT, LLC (‘‘Zebra’’), 2187 Atlantic Street, 4th Floor, Stamford, CT 06902, is an asset manager specializing in managing both fundamentally based and quantitatively-driven equity strategies. Zebra was founded in 2001 and had approximately $105 million of assets under management and $4.2 billion of assets under advisement as of October 31, 2021. Zebra serves as sub-advisor to the American Beacon Zebra Small Cap Equity Fund.
Roger Ibbotson and Mark Saldutti serve as the Funds’ portfolio managers and share responsibilities for the day-to-day management of the Fund’s investment portfolio.
Roger Ibbotson Ph.D. has served as a member of the portfolio management team of the Fund since its inception. Dr. Ibbotson is the Chairman of Zebra, and a member of the Zebra portfolio management team, having served in these roles since the firm was founded in 2001. Prior to 2020, Dr. Ibbotson also served as Chief Investment Officer of Zebra. Dr. Ibbotson is also the Director of Research of Zebra, having served in that role since July 2018. Dr. Ibbotson was a Professor in Practice of Finance at Yale School of Management from 1984 to 2013 and is currently a Professor in Practice Emeritus of Finance at Yale School of Management, having served in that role since 2013. Dr. Ibbotson is the Founder and former Chairman of Ibbotson Associates, now a Morningstar Company. Dr. Ibbotson has served on numerous boards and currently serves on the board of the Dimensional Fund Advisors’ funds.
Mark Saldutti joined Zebra in December 2011 as Head Trader. Since joining the firm, his role has evolved into a quantitative researcher and portfolio manager. He is responsible for research and execution of the firm’s strategies and developing trading-based analytics. Prior to joining Zebra, Mr. Saldutti served as Head of Trading and Risk Manager for Chora Capital, a quantitative hedge fund trading in equities, futures and multi-asset volatility. Prior to that, Mr. Saldutti was a volatility trader for the New York and London-based hedge fund Vicis Capital, where he managed long/short equity, dispersion and volatility arbitrage portfolios. Mr. Saldutti also worked at Merrill Lynch and Ardent Research Partners. Mr. Saldutti holds a BBA with a focus in Finance from the Goizueta Business School at Emory University.
Valuation of Shares
The price of each Fund’s shares is based on its NAV. Each Fund’s NAV per share is computed by adding total assets, subtracting all of the Fund’s liabilities, and dividing the result by the total number of shares outstanding.
The NAV per share of each class of a Fund’s shares is determined based on a pro rata allocation of a Fund’s investment income, expenses and total capital gains and losses. A Fund’s NAV per share is determined each business day as of the regular close of trading on the New York Stock Exchange (“NYSE”), which is typically 4:00 p.m. Eastern Time. However, if trading on the NYSE closes at a time other than 4:00 p.m. Eastern Time, a Fund’s NAV per share typically would still be determined as of the regular close of trading on the NYSE. The Funds do not price their shares on days that the NYSE is closed. Foreign
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exchanges may permit trading in foreign securities on days when a Fund is not open for business, which may result in the value of a Fund’s portfolio investments being affected at a time when you are unable to buy or sell shares.
Equity securities and certain derivative instruments that are traded on an exchange are valued based on market value. Certain derivative instruments (other than short-term securities) usually are valued on the basis of prices provided by a pricing service. The price of debt securities generally is determined using pricing services or quotes obtained from broker/dealers who may consider a number of inputs and factors, such as comparable characteristics, yield curve, credit spreads, estimated default rates, coupon rates, underlying collateral and estimated cash flow. Investments in other mutual funds are valued at the closing NAV per share of the mutual funds on the day of valuation. Equity securities, including shares of closed-end funds and ETFs, are valued at the last sale price or official closing price.
The valuation of securities traded on foreign markets and certain fixed income securities will generally be based on prices determined as of the earlier closing time of the markets on which they primarily trade, unless a significant event has occurred. When a Fund holds securities or other assets that are denominated in a foreign currency, a Fund will normally use the currency exchange rates as of 4:00 p.m. Eastern Time.
Securities may be valued at fair value, as determined in good faith and pursuant to procedures approved by the Board, under certain limited circumstances. For example, fair value pricing will be used when market quotations are not readily available or reliable, as determined by the Manager, such as when: (i) trading for a security is restricted or stopped; (ii) a security’s trading market is closed (other than customary closings); or (iii) a security has been de-listed from a national exchange. A security with limited market liquidity may require fair value pricing if the Manager determines that the available price does not reflect the security’s true market value. In addition, if a significant event that the Manager determines to affect the value of one or more securities held by a Fund occurs after the close of a related exchange but before the determination of a Fund’s NAV per share, fair value pricing may be used on the affected security or securities. Securities of small capitalization companies are also more likely to require a fair value determination using these procedures because they are more thinly traded and less liquid than the securities of larger capitalization companies. The Funds may fair value securities as a result of significant events occurring after the close of the foreign markets in which a Fund invests. In addition, the Funds may invest in illiquid securities requiring these procedures.
Attempts to determine the fair value of securities introduce an element of subjectivity to the pricing of securities. As a result, the price of a security determined through fair valuation techniques may differ from the price quoted or published by other sources and may not accurately reflect the market value of the security when trading resumes. If a reliable market quotation becomes available for a security formerly valued through fair valuation techniques, the Manager compares the new market quotation to the fair value price to evaluate the effectiveness of the Funds’ fair valuation procedures. If any significant discrepancies are found, the Manager may adjust the Funds’ fair valuation procedures. You may view a Fund’s most recent NAV per share at www.americanbeaconfunds.com by clicking on ‘‘Quick Links’’ and then ‘‘Daily NAVs.’’
In December 2020, the SEC adopted Rule 2a-5 under the Investment Company Act, which establishes requirements for determining fair value in good faith for purposes of the Investment Company Act, including related oversight and reporting requirements. The rule also defines when market quotations are “readily available” for purposes of the Investment Company Act, the threshold for determining whether a Fund must fair value a security. A Fund will not be required to comply with this new rule until September 8, 2022. The Funds and the Manager are evaluating the impact of the rule on the Funds’ valuation policies.
About Your Investment
Choosing Your Share Class
Each Fund offers various classes of shares. Each share class of a Fund represents an investment in the same portfolio of securities for that Fund, but each class has its own expense structure and combination of purchase restrictions, sales charges, and ongoing fees, allowing you to choose the class that best fits your situation.
Factors you should consider when choosing a class of shares include:

 

How long you expect to own the shares;

 

How much you intend to invest;

 

Total expenses associated with owning shares of each class;

 

Whether you qualify for any reduction or waiver of sales charges;

 

Whether you plan to take any distributions in the near future; and

 

Availability of share classes.
 
Each investor’s financial considerations are different. You should speak with your financial professional to help you decide which share class is best for you.
A Class Charges and Waivers
The table below shows the amount of sales charges you will pay on purchases of A Class shares of the Funds both as a percentage of offering price and as a percentage of the amount you invest. The sales charge differs depending upon the amount you invest and may be reduced or eliminated for larger purchases as indicated below. If you invest more, the sales charge will be lower.
Any applicable sales charge will be deducted directly from your investment. Because of rounding of the calculation in determining the sales charges, you may pay more or less than what is shown in the table below. Shares acquired through reinvestment of dividends or other distributions are not subject to a front-end sales charge. You may qualify for a reduced sales charge or the sales charge may be waived as described below in ‘‘A Class Sales Charge Reductions and Waivers.’’
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American Beacon The London Company Income Equity Fund and American Beacon Zebra Small Cap Equity Fund
Amount of Sale/Account Value
As a % of Offering Price
As a % of Investment
Dealer Commission as a % of Offering Price
Less than $50,000
5.75%
6.10%
5.00%
$50,000 but less than $100,000
4.75%
4.99%
4.00%
$100,000 but less than $250,000
3.75%
3.90%
3.00%
$250,000 but less than $500,000
2.75%
2.83%
2.05%
$500,000 but less than $1 million
2.00%
2.04%
1.50%
$1 million and above
0.00%
0.00%
No initial sales charge applies on purchases of $1,000,000 or more. A CDSC of 0.50% of the offering price will be charged on purchases of $1,000,000 or more that are redeemed in whole or in part within eighteen (18) months of purchase.
See “Dealer Concessions on A Class Purchases Without a Front-End Sales Charge.”
American Beacon SiM High Yield Opportunities Fund
Amount of Sale/Account Value
As a % of Offering Price
As a % of Investment
Dealer Commission as a % of Offering Price
Less than $50,000
4.75%
4.99%
4.00%
$50,000 but less than $100,000
4.25%
4.44%
3.50%
$100,000 but less than $250,000
3.50%
3.63%
2.75%
$250,000 but less than $500,000
2.75%
2.83%
2.05%
$500,000 but less than $1 million
2.00%
2.04%
1.50%
$1 million and above
0.00%
0.00%
No initial sales charge applies on purchases of $1,000,000 or more. A CDSC of 0.50% of the offering price will be charged on purchases of $1,000,000 or more that are redeemed in whole or in part within eighteen (18) months of purchase.
See “Dealer Concessions on A Class Purchases Without a Front-End Sales Charge.”
The Distributor retains any portion of the commissions that are not paid to financial intermediaries to solely pay distribution-related expenses. This information is available, free of charge, on the Funds’ website. Please visit www.americanbeaconfunds.com. You may also call (800) 658-5811 or consult with your financial professional.
A Class Sales Charge Reductions and Waivers
A shareholder may qualify for a waiver or reduction in sales charges under certain circumstances. To receive a waiver or reduction in your A Class sales charge, you must advise the Funds’ transfer agent, your broker-dealer or other financial intermediary of your eligibility at the time of purchase. If you, or your financial intermediary, do not let the Funds’ transfer agent know that you are eligible for a reduction, you may not receive a sales charge discount to which you are otherwise entitled. This information is available, free of charge, on the Funds’ website. Please visit www.americanbeaconfunds.com. You may also call (800) 658-5811 or consult with your financial professional.
Waiver of Sales Charges
There is no sales charge if you invest $1 million or more in A Class shares of the Funds.
Sales charges also may be waived for certain shareholders or transactions, such as:

 

The Manager or its affiliates;

 

Present and former directors, trustees, officers, employees of the Manager, the Manager’s parent company, and the American Beacon Funds (and their ‘‘immediate family’’ as defined in the SAI), and retirement plans established by them for their employees;

 

Registered representatives or employees of intermediaries that have selling agreements with the Funds;

 

Shares acquired through merger or acquisition;

 

Insurance company separate accounts;

 

Employer-sponsored retirement plans;

 

Dividend reinvestment programs;

 

Purchases through certain fee-based programs under which investors pay advisory fees that may be offered through selected registered investment advisers, broker-dealers, and other financial intermediaries;

 

Shareholders that purchase a Fund through a financial intermediary that offers our A Class shares uniformly on a ‘‘no load’’ (or reduced load) basis to you and all similarly situated customers of the intermediary in accordance with the intermediary’s prescribed fee schedule for purchases of fund shares;

 

Mutual fund shares exchanged from an existing position in the same fund as part of a share class conversion instituted by an intermediary; and

 

Reinvestment of proceeds within 90 days of a redemption from A Class account (see Redemption Policies for more information).
 
The availability of A Class shares sales charge waivers may depend upon the policies, procedures, and trading platform of your financial intermediary.
Reduced Sales Charges
Under a ‘‘Rights of Accumulation Program,’’ a ‘‘Letter of Intent’’ or through ‘‘Concurrent Purchases’’ you may be eligible to buy A Class shares of the Funds at the reduced sales charge rates that would apply to a larger purchase. Each Fund reserves the right to modify or to cease offering these programs at any time.
This information is available, free of charge, on the Funds’ website. Please visit www.americanbeaconfunds.com. You may also call (800) 658-5811 or consult with your financial professional.
Dealer Concessions on A Class Purchases Without a Front-End Sales Charge
Brokers who initiate and are responsible for purchases of $1,000,000 or more of A Class shares of a Fund may receive a dealer concession from the Funds’ Distributor of 0.50% of the offering price. If a client or broker is unable to provide account verification on purchases of $1,000,000 or more, the dealer concession will be forfeited by the broker and front-end sales loads will apply. Dealer concessions will not be paid on shares purchased by exchange or shares
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that were previously subject to a front-end sales charge or dealer concession. Dealer concessions will be paid only on eligible purchases where the applicability of the CDSC can be monitored. Purchases eligible for sales charge waivers as described under ‘‘A Class Sales Charge Reductions and Waivers’’ are not eligible for dealer concessions on purchases of $1,000,000 or more.
Rights of Accumulation Program
Under the Rights of Accumulation Program, you may qualify for a reduced sales charge for A Class shares by aggregating all of your investments held in certain accounts (‘’Qualified Accounts’’). The following Qualified Accounts holding any share class of the American Beacon Funds may be grouped together to qualify for the reduced sales charge under the Rights of Accumulation Program or Letter of Intent:

 

Accounts owned by you, your spouse or your minor children under the age of 21, including trust or other fiduciary accounts in which you, your spouse or your minor children are the beneficiary;

 

UTMAs/UGMAs;

 

IRAs, including traditional, Roth, SEP and SIMPLE IRAs; and

 

Coverdell Education Savings Accounts or qualified 529 plans.
 
A fiduciary can apply a right of accumulation to all shares purchased for a trust, estate or other fiduciary account that has multiple accounts.
You must notify your financial intermediary, or the Funds’ transfer agent, in the case of shares held directly with the Funds, at the time of purchase that a purchase qualifies for a reduced sales charge under the Rights of Accumulation Program. In addition, you must provide either a list of account numbers or copies of account statements verifying your qualification. You may combine the historical cost or current market value, as of the day prior to your additional American Beacon Funds purchase (whichever is higher), of your existing American Beacon Funds mutual fund with the amount of your current purchase in order to take advantage of the reduced sales charge. Historical cost is the price you actually paid for the shares you own, plus your reinvested dividends and other distributions. If you are using historical cost to qualify for a reduced sales charge, you should retain any records to substantiate your historical costs since a Fund, its transfer agent or your financial intermediary may not maintain this information.
If your shares are held through financial intermediaries and/or in a retirement account (such as a 401(k) or employee benefit plan), you may combine the current market value of your existing American Beacon Funds mutual fund investment with the amount of your current purchase in order to take advantage of the reduced sales charge. You or your financial intermediary must notify the Funds’ transfer agent at the time of purchase that a purchase qualifies for a reduced sales charge and provide copies of account statements dated within three months of your current purchase verifying your qualification.
Upon receipt of the above referenced supporting documentation, the financial intermediary or the Funds’ transfer agent will calculate the combined value of all of your Qualified Accounts to determine if the current purchase is eligible for a reduced sales charge. Purchases made for nominee or street name accounts (securities held in the name of a dealer or another nominee such as a bank trust department instead of the customer) may not be aggregated with purchases for other accounts and may not be aggregated with other nominee or street name accounts unless otherwise qualified as described above.
Letter of Intent
If you plan to invest at least $50,000 (excluding any reinvestment of dividends and other distributions) during the next 13 months in any class of a Fund, you may qualify for a reduced sales charge for purchases of A Class shares by completing the Letter of Intent section of your account application.
A Letter of Intent indicates your intent to purchase at least $50,000 in any class of the American Beacon Funds over the next 13 months in exchange for a reduced A Class sales charge indicated on the above tables. The minimum initial investment under a Letter of Intent is $2,500. You are not obligated to purchase additional shares if you complete a Letter of Intent. However, if you do not buy enough shares to qualify for the projected level of sales charge by the end of the 13-month period (or when you sell your shares, if earlier), your sales charge will be recalculated to reflect your actual purchase level. During the term of the Letter of Intent, shares representing 5% of your intended purchase will be held in escrow. If you do not purchase enough shares during the 13-month period to qualify for the projected reduced sales charge, the additional sales charge will be deducted from your account. If you have purchased shares of any American Beacon mutual fund within 90 days prior to signing a Letter of Intent, they may be included as part of your intended purchase, however, previous purchase transactions will not be recalculated with the proposed new breakpoint. You must provide either a list of account numbers or copies of account statements verifying your purchases within the past 90 days.
Concurrent Purchases
You may combine simultaneous purchases in shares of any of the American Beacon Funds to qualify for a reduced charge.
CDSC — A Class Shares
Unless a waiver applies, investors who purchase $1,000,000 or more of A Class shares of a Fund (and, thus, pay no initial sales charge) will be subject to a 0.50% CDSC if those shares are redeemed within 18 months after they are purchased. The CDSC does not apply if you are otherwise eligible to purchase A Class shares without an initial sales charge or are eligible for one of the waivers described herein or in the SAI.
CDSC — C Class Shares
If you redeem C Class shares within 12 months of purchase, you may be charged a CDSC of 1%. The CDSC generally will be deducted from your redemption proceeds. In some circumstances, you may be eligible for one of the waivers described herein or in the SAI. You must advise the transfer agent of your eligibility for a waiver when you place your redemption request.
How CDSCs will be Calculated
The amount of the CDSC will be based on the market value of the redeemed shares at the time of the redemption or the original purchase price, whichever is lower. Because of the rounding of the calculation in determining the CDSC, you may pay more or less than the indicated rate. Your CDSC holding period is based upon the date of your purchase. The CDSCs will be deducted from the proceeds of your redemption, not from amounts remaining in your account. A CDSC is not imposed on any increase in NAV per share over the initial purchase price or shares you received through the reinvestment of dividends or other distributions.
To keep your CDSC as low as possible, each time you place a request to sell shares, the Funds will redeem your shares in the following order:

 

shares acquired by the reinvestment of dividends or other distributions;

 

other shares that are not subject to the CDSC;

 

shares held the longest during the holding period.
 
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Waiver of CDSCs — A and C Class Shares
A shareholder may qualify for a CDSC waiver under certain circumstances. To have your CDSC waived, you must advise the Funds’ transfer agent, your broker-dealer or other financial intermediary of your eligibility at the time of redemption. If you or your financial intermediary do not let the Funds’ transfer agent know that you are eligible for a waiver, you may not receive a waiver to which might otherwise be otherwise entitled.
The CDSC may be waived if:

 

The redemption is due to a shareholder’s death or post-purchase disability;

 

The redemption is from a systematic withdrawal plan and represents no more than 10% of your annual account value;

 

The redemption is a benefit payment made from a qualified retirement plan, unless the redemption is due to the termination of the plan or the transfer of the plan to another financial institution;

 

The redemption is for a “required minimum distribution” from a traditional IRA as determined by the Internal Revenue Service;

 

The redemption is due to involuntary redemptions by a Fund as a result of your account not meeting the minimum balance requirements, the termination and liquidation of a Fund, or other actions;

 

The redemption is from accounts for which the broker-dealer of record has entered into a written agreement with the Distributor (or Manager) allowing this waiver;

 

The redemption is to return excess contributions made to a retirement plan; or

 

The redemption is to return contributions made due to a mistake of fact.
 
The SAI contains further details about the CDSC and the conditions for waiving the CDSC.
Information regarding CDSC waivers for A and C Class shares is available, free of charge, on the Funds’ website. Please visit www.americanbeaconfunds.com. You may also call (800) 658-5811 or consult with your financial professional.
Sales Charge Waivers and Reductions Available Through Certain Financial Intermediaries
The availability of certain sales charge waivers and discounts will depend on whether you purchase your shares directly from a Fund or through a financial intermediary. Different intermediaries may impose different sales charges (including potential reductions in or waivers of sales charges). Such intermediary-specific sales charge variations are described in Appendix A to this Prospectus, entitled “Intermediary Sales Charge Discounts, Waivers and Other Information.” Appendix A is incorporated herein by reference (is legally a part of this Prospectus).
In all instances, it is the purchaser’s responsibility to notify the Funds or the purchaser’s financial intermediary at the time of purchase of any relationship or other facts qualifying the purchaser for sales charge waivers or discounts. For waivers and discounts not available through a particular intermediary, shareholders may have to purchase Fund shares through another intermediary to receive these waivers or discounts. This information is available, free of charge, on the Funds’ website. Please visit www.americanbeaconfunds.com. You may also call (800) 658-5811 or consult with your financial professional.
Conversion of C Class Shares to A Class Shares
C Class shares convert automatically into A Class shares ten (10) years after the initial date of purchase or, if you acquired your C Class shares through an exchange or conversion from another share class, ten (10) years after the date you acquired your C Class shares. Effective June 1, 2022, C Class shares will convert automatically into A Class shares eight (8) years after the initial date of purchase or, if you acquired your C Class shares through an exchange or conversion from another share class, eight (8) years after the date you acquired your C Class shares. When C Class shares that you acquired through a purchase or exchange convert, any other C Class shares that you purchased with reinvested dividends and distributions also will convert into A Class shares on a pro rata basis. A different holding period may also apply depending on your intermediary. Please see “Appendix A—Intermediary Sales Charge Discounts, Waivers and Other Information” in this Prospectus.
Purchase and Redemption of Shares
Eligibility
The A Class, C Class, Y Class, Investor Class, R6 and R5 Class shares offered in this Prospectus are available to eligible investors who meet the minimum initial investment. R6 Class shares are available only to participating 401(k) plans, 457 plans, employer-sponsored 403(b) plans, profit-sharing and money purchase pension plans, defined benefit plans, non-qualified deferred compensation plans, health savings plans, health savings accounts and funded welfare benefit plans (e.g., Voluntary Employees’ Beneficiary Association (VEBA) and Other Post-Employment Benefits (OPEB) plans). R6 Class shares generally are available only to retirement plans where plan level or omnibus accounts are held on the books of a Fund; however, a Fund reserves the right in its sole discretion to waive this requirement. Generally, R6 Class shares are not available to retail non-retirement accounts, Traditional and Roth IRAs, Coverdell Education Savings Accounts, SEPs, SARSEPs, SIMPLE IRAs and individual 403(b) plans. American Beacon Funds do not accept accounts registered to foreign individuals or entities, including foreign correspondent accounts. The Funds do not conduct operations and are not offered for purchase outside of the United States.
Subject to your eligibility, as described below, you may invest in a Fund through intermediary organizations, such as broker-dealers, insurance companies, plan sponsors, third party administrators and retirement plans. As described below, the Manager may allow certain individuals to invest directly in a Fund in its sole discretion.
If you are eligible and invest directly with a Fund, the fees and policies with respect to a Fund’s shares that are outlined in this Prospectus are set by each Fund. The Manager and the Funds are not responsible for determining the suitability of a Fund or share class for any investor.
Because in most cases it is more advantageous for investors using an intermediary to purchase A Class shares than C Class shares for amounts of $1,000,000 or more, the Funds will decline a request to purchase C Class shares for $1,000,000 or more.
If you invest through a financial intermediary, most of the information you will need for managing your investment will come from your financial intermediary. This includes information on how to buy, sell and exchange shares of the Funds. If you establish an account through a financial intermediary, the investment minimums described in this section may not apply. Investors investing in a Fund through a financial intermediary should consult with their financial intermediary to ensure they obtain any proper “breakpoint” discount and all information regarding the differences between available share classes. Your broker-dealer or financial intermediary also may charge fees that are in addition to those described in this Prospectus. Please contact your intermediary for information regarding investment minimums, how to purchase and redeem shares and applicable fees.
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Minimum Investment Amount by Share Class
New Account
Existing Account
Share Class
Minimum Initial Investment Amount
Purchase/Redemption Minimum by check/ACH/Exchange
Purchase/Redemption Minimum by Wire
C
$1,000
$50
$ 250
A, Investor
$2,500
$50
$ 250
Y
$100,000
$50
None
R6
None
$50
None
R5
$250,000
$50
None
The Manager may allow a reasonable period of time after opening an account for a Y Class or R5 Class investor to meet the initial investment requirement. In addition, for investors such as trust companies and financial advisors who make investments for a group of clients, the minimum initial investment can be met through aggregated purchase orders for more than one client.
R6 Class shares can only be purchased through a participating retirement plan. R6 Class shares are available only to participating 401(k) plans, 457 plans, employer-sponsored 403(b) plans, profit-sharing and money purchase pension plans, defined benefit plans, non-qualified deferred compensation plans, health savings plans, health savings accounts and funded welfare benefit plans (e.g., Voluntary Employees’ Beneficiary Association (VEBA) and Other Post-Employment Benefits (OPEB) plans). R6 Class shares generally are available only to retirement plans where plan level or omnibus accounts are held on the books of a Fund; however, a Fund reserves the right in its sole discretion to waive this requirement. Generally, R6 Class shares are not available to retail non-retirement accounts, Traditional and Roth IRAs, Coverdell Education Savings Accounts, SEPs, SARSEPs, SIMPLE IRAs and individual 403(b) plans.
Opening an Account
You may open an account through a retirement plan, an investment professional, a broker-dealer, or other financial intermediary. Please contact your financial intermediary for more information on how to open an account. Shares you purchase through your broker-dealer will normally be held in your account with that firm.
Direct mutual fund accounts are not available to new shareholders. Existing direct mutual fund account shareholders may continue to buy or sell shares through their existing direct mutual fund accounts, but will not be able to open new direct mutual fund accounts. The Manager may allow the following individuals or entities to open new direct mutual fund accounts in its sole discretion: (1) corporate accounts, (2) employees of the Manager, or its direct parent company, Resolute Investment Managers, Inc., and its affiliates and subsidiaries, (3) employees of a sub-advisor to a fund in the American Beacon Funds Complex, (4) members of the Board, (5) employees of Kelso & Company, L.P. or Estancia Capital Management, LLC, the Manager’s indirect parent companies, and (6) members of the Manager’s Board of Directors.
To help the government fight the funding of terrorism and money laundering activities, federal law requires all financial institutions to obtain, verify, and record information that identifies each person who opens an account. When you open an account, you will be asked for information that will allow the Funds or your financial institution to identify you. Non-public corporations and other entities may be required to provide articles of incorporation, trust or partnership agreements, and taxpayer identification numbers on the account or other documentation. The Funds are required by law to reject your new account application if the required identifying information is not provided.
A Fund reserves the right to liquidate a shareholder’s account at the current day’s NAV per share and remit proceeds via check if a Fund or a financial institution is unable to verify the shareholder’s identity within three days of account opening.
Purchase Policies
Shares of a Fund are offered and purchase orders are typically accepted until 4:00 p.m. Eastern Time or the close of the NYSE (whichever comes first) on each day on which the NYSE is open for business. If a purchase order is received by a Fund in good order prior to a Fund’s deadline, the purchase price will be the NAV per share next determined on that day, plus any applicable sales charges. A purchase order is considered to be received in good order when it complies with all of a Fund’s applicable policies. If a purchase order is received in good order after the applicable deadline, the purchase price will be the NAV per share of the following day that a Fund is open for business, plus any applicable sales charges. Shares of a Fund will only be issued against full payment, as described more fully in this Prospectus and SAI.
A Fund has authorized certain third-party financial intermediaries, such as broker-dealers, insurance companies, third-party administrators, and trust companies, to receive purchase and redemption orders on behalf of a Fund and to designate other intermediaries to receive purchase and redemption orders on behalf of a Fund. A Fund is deemed to have received such orders when they are received by the financial intermediaries or their designees. Thus, an order to purchase or sell Fund shares will be priced at a Fund’s next determined NAV per share after receipt by the financial intermediary or its designee. It is the responsibility of your broker-dealer or financial intermediary to transmit orders that will be received by a Fund in proper form and in a timely manner. A Fund is not responsible for the failure of a broker-dealer or financial intermediary to transmit a purchase order in proper form and in a timely manner.
Fund shares may be purchased only in U.S. States and Territories in which they can be legally sold. Prospective investors should inquire as to whether shares of a Fund are available for offer and sale in their jurisdiction. A Fund reserves the right to refuse purchases if, in the judgment of a Fund, the transaction would adversely affect a Fund and its shareholders. A Fund has the right to reject any purchase order or cease offering any or all classes of shares at any time. A Fund reserves the right to require payment by wire. Checks to purchase shares are accepted subject to collection at full face value in U.S. funds and must be drawn in U.S. dollars on a U.S. bank. A Fund will not accept ‘‘starter’’ checks, credit card checks, money orders, cashier’s checks, or third-party checks.
If your payment is not received and collected, your purchase may be canceled and you could be liable for any losses or fees a Fund or the Manager has incurred. Under applicable anti-money laundering regulations and other federal regulations, purchase orders may be suspended, restricted, or canceled and the monies may be withheld.
Please refer to the section titled ‘‘Frequent Trading and Market Timing’’ for information on a Fund’s policies regarding frequent purchases, redemptions, and exchanges.
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Redemption Policies
If you purchased shares of a Fund through your financial intermediary, please contact your broker-dealer or other financial intermediary to sell shares of a Fund. A sale or redemption of your shares is generally taxable to you. See “Distributions and Taxes - Taxes.”
The redemption price will be the NAV per share next determined after a redemption request is received in good order, minus any applicable CDSC. In order to receive the redemption price calculated on a particular business day, redemption requests must be received in good order by 4:00 p.m. Eastern Time or by the close of the NYSE (whichever comes first).
Wire proceeds from redemption requests received in good order by 4:00 p.m. Eastern Time or by the close of the NYSE (whichever comes first) generally are transmitted to shareholders on the next day the Funds are open for business. In any event, proceeds from a redemption request will typically be transmitted to a shareholder by no later than seven days after the receipt of a redemption request in good order. Delivery of proceeds from shares purchased by check, ACH, or pre-authorized automatic investment may be delayed until the funds have cleared, which may take up to ten days.
You may, within 90 days of redemption, reinvest all or part of the proceeds of your redemption of A or C Class shares of a Fund, without incurring any applicable additional sales charge, in the same class of another American Beacon Fund, by sending a written request and a check to your financial intermediary or directly to the Funds. Reinvestment must be into the same account from which you redeemed the shares or received the distribution. Proceeds from a redemption and all dividend payments and other distributions will be reinvested in the same share class from which the original redemption or distribution was made. Reinvestment will be at the NAV per share next calculated after the Funds receive your request. You must notify the Funds and your financial intermediary at the time of investment if you decide to exercise this privilege.
The Funds reserve the right to suspend redemptions or postpone the date of payment for more than seven days (i) when the NYSE is closed (other than for customary weekend and holiday closings); (ii) when trading on the NYSE is restricted; (iii) when the SEC determines that an emergency exists so that disposal of a Fund’s investments or determination of its NAV per share is not reasonably practicable; or (iv) by order of the SEC for protection of the Funds’ shareholders.
Although the Funds intend to redeem shares by paying out available cash, cash generated by selling portfolio holdings (including cash equivalent portfolio holdings), or funds borrowed through the interfund credit facility, or from a bank line of credit, in stressed market conditions and other appropriate circumstances, the Funds reserve the right to pay the redemption price in whole or in part by borrowing funds from external parties or distributing securities or other assets held by the Funds. To the extent that a Fund redeems its shares in this manner, the shareholder assumes the risk of a subsequent change in the market value of those securities, the cost of liquidating the securities and the possibility of a lack of a liquid market for those securities.
Please refer to the section titled ‘‘Frequent Trading and Market Timing’’ for information on the Funds’ policies regarding frequent purchases, redemptions, and exchanges.
Exchange Policies
If you purchased shares of a Fund through your financial intermediary, please contact your financial intermediary to determine if you may take advantage of the exchange policies described in this section and for its policies to effect an exchange.
Shares of any class of a Fund may be exchanged for shares of the same class of another American Beacon Fund under certain limited circumstances. Since an exchange involves a concurrent redemption and purchase, please review the sections titled ‘‘Redemption Policies’’ and ‘‘Purchase Policies’’ for additional limitations that apply to redemptions and purchases. There is no front-end sales charge on exchanges between A Class shares of a Fund for A Class shares of another fund. Shares otherwise subject to a CDSC will not be charged a CDSC in an exchange to shares of another fund that has a CDSC. However, shares exchanged between funds that impose a CDSC will be charged a CDSC if redeemed within 12 months or 18 months, as applicable, of the purchase of the initial shares.
Before exchanging shares, shareholders should consider how the exchange may affect any CDSC that might be imposed on the subsequent redemption of remaining shares.
If Fund shares were purchased by check, a shareholder must have owned those shares for at least ten days prior to exchanging out of a Fund and into another fund.
The eligibility and minimum investment requirement must be met for the class into which the shareholder is exchanging. Fund shares may be acquired through exchange only in U.S. states and Territories in which they can be legally sold. A Fund reserves the right to charge a fee and to modify or terminate the exchange privilege at any time. A Fund reserves the right to refuse exchange requests if, in the judgment of a Fund, the transaction would adversely affect a Fund and its shareholders. Please refer to the section titled “Frequent Trading and Market Timing” for information on a Fund’s policies regarding frequent purchases, redemptions, and exchanges.
Shares of any class of a Fund may be converted to shares of another class of the same Fund under certain limited circumstances. For federal income tax purposes, the conversion of shares of one share class of a Fund to shares of a different share class of the same Fund will not result in the realization of a capital gain or loss. However, an exchange of shares of one Fund for shares of a different American Beacon Fund generally is considered a redemption and a concurrent purchase, respectively, and thus may result in the realization of a capital gain or loss for those purposes.
How to Purchase, Redeem or Exchange Shares
If your account is through a broker-dealer or other financial intermediary, please contact them directly to purchase, redeem or exchange shares of a Fund. Your broker-dealer or financial intermediary can help you open a new account, review your financial needs and formulate long-term investment goals and objectives. Your broker dealer or financial intermediary will transmit your request to a Fund and may charge you a fee for this service. A Fund will not accept a purchase order of $1,000,000 or more for C Class shares if the purchase is known to be on behalf of a single investor (not including dealer “street name” or omnibus accounts). Dealers, other financial intermediaries or fiduciaries purchasing shares for their customers are responsible for determining the suitability of a particular share class for an investor.
You should include the following information with any order:
• Your name/account registration
• Your account number
• Type of transaction requested
• Fund name(s) and fund number(s)
• Dollar amount or number of shares
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Transactions for direct shareholders are conducted through:
Internet
www.americanbeaconfunds.com
Phone
To reach an American Beacon representative call 1-800-658-5811, option 1
Through the Automated Voice Response Service call 1-800-658-5811, option 2 (Investor Class Only)
Mail
American Beacon Funds
PO Box 219643
Kansas City, MO 64121-9643
Overnight Delivery:
American Beacon Funds
c/o DST Asset Manager Solutions, Inc.
330 West 9th Street
Kansas City, MO 64105
Purchases by Wire:
Send a bank wire to State Street Bank and Trust Co. with these instructions:

 

ABA# 0110-0002-8; AC-9905-342-3,

 

Attn: American Beacon Funds,

 

the fund name and fund number, and

 

shareholder account number and registration.
 
New Account
Existing Account
Share Class
Minimum Initial Investment Amount
Purchase/Redemption Minimum by Check/ACH/Exchange
Purchase/Redemption Minimum by Wire
C
$1,000
$50
$250
A, Investor
$2,500
$50
$250
Y
$100,000
$50
None
R6
None
$50
None
R5
$250,000
$50
None
Redemption proceeds will be mailed to the account of record or transmitted to commercial bank designated on the account application form.
Supporting documents may be required for redemptions by estates, trusts, guardianships, custodians, corporations, and welfare, pension and profit sharing plans. Redemption requests must also include authorized signature(s) of all persons required to sign for the account. Call 1-800-658-5811 for instructions.
To protect the Funds and your account from fraud, a Medallion signature guarantee is required for redemption orders:

 

with a request to send the proceeds to an address or commercial bank account other than the address or commercial bank account designated on the account application, or

 

for an account whose address has changed within the last 30 days if proceeds are sent by check.
 
The Funds only accept Medallion signature guarantees, which may be obtained at participating banks, broker-dealers and credit unions. A notary public cannot provide a signature guarantee. Call 1-800-658-5811 for instructions and further assistance.
Payments to Financial Intermediaries
For certain share classes, each Fund and/or the Manager (and/or the Manager’s affiliates), at their own expense, may pay compensation to financial intermediaries for shareholder-related services and, if applicable, distribution-related services, including administrative, sub-transfer agency type, recordkeeping and shareholder communication services. For example, compensation may be paid to make Fund shares available to sales representatives and/or customers of a fund supermarket platform or similar program sponsor or for services provided in connection with such fund supermarket platforms and programs.
The amount of compensation paid to different financial intermediaries may differ. The compensation paid to a financial intermediary may be based on a variety of factors, including average assets under management in accounts distributed and/or serviced by the financial intermediary, gross sales by the financial intermediary and/or the number of accounts serviced by the financial intermediary that invest in a Fund. To the extent that a Fund pays any such compensation, it is designed to compensate the financial intermediary for providing services that would otherwise be provided by the Manager, a Fund, or its transfer agent. To the extent the Manager or its affiliates pay such compensation, it would likely include amounts from that party’s own resources and constitute what is sometimes referred to as ‘‘revenue sharing.’’
Compensation received by a financial intermediary from a Fund, the Manager or an affiliate of the Manager may include payments for marketing and/or training expenses incurred by the financial intermediary, including expenses incurred by the financial intermediary in educating (itself and) its salespersons with respect to Fund shares. For example, such compensation may include reimbursements for expenses incurred in attending educational seminars regarding a Fund, including travel and lodging expenses. It may also cover costs incurred by financial intermediaries in connection with their efforts to sell Fund shares, including costs incurred compensating (registered) sales representatives and preparing, printing, and distributing sales literature.
Any compensation received by a financial intermediary, whether from a Fund or the Manager and/or its affiliates, and the prospect of receiving it may provide the financial intermediary with an incentive to recommend the shares of a Fund, or a certain class of shares of a Fund, over other potential investments. Similarly, the compensation may cause financial intermediaries to elevate the prominence of a Fund within its organization by, for example, placing it on a list of preferred funds. You can contact your financial intermediary for details about any such payments it receives from the Manager, its affiliates and/or the Funds, or any other fees, expenses, or commissions your financial intermediary may charge you in addition to those disclosed in this Prospectus.
A Fund will not make any of the payments described in this section with respect to its R6 Class shares.
Additional Payments with Respect to Y Class Shares
Y Class shares may also be available on brokerage platforms of firms that have agreements with a Fund’s distributor to offer such shares solely when acting as an agent for the investor. An investor transacting in Y Class shares in these programs may be required to pay a commission and/or other forms of compensation to the broker. Shares of a Fund are available in other share classes that have different fees and expenses.
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General Policies
If a shareholder’s account balance falls below the following minimum levels, the shareholder may be asked to increase the balance.
Share Class
Account Balance
C
$ 1,000
A, Investor
$ 2,500
Y
$25,000
R6
$0
R5
$75,000
If the account balance remains below the applicable minimum account balance after 45 days, each Fund reserves the right, upon 30 days’ advance written notice, to close the account and send the proceeds to the shareholder. Each Fund reserves the authority to modify minimum account balances in its discretion.
A traditional IRA or Roth IRA invested directly will be charged an annual maintenance fee of $15.00 by the Custodian.
An ACH privilege allows electronic transfer from a checking or savings account into a direct account with the Funds. The ACH privilege may not be used for initial purchases but may be used for subsequent purchases and redemptions. Purchases of Fund shares by ACH are subject to a limit of $2,000 per Fund per day. The Funds reserve the right to waive such limit in their sole discretion.
ACH privileges must be requested on the account application, or may be established on an existing account by submitting a request in writing to the Funds. Validated signatures from all shareholders of record for the account are required on the written request. See details below regarding signature validations. Such privileges apply unless and until the Funds receive written instructions from all shareholders of record canceling such privileges. Changes of bank account information must also be made in writing with validated signatures. The Funds reserve the right to amend, suspend or discontinue the ACH privilege at any time without prior notice. The ACH privilege does not apply to shares held in broker “street name” accounts or in other omnibus accounts.
When a signature validation is called for, a Medallion signature guarantee or SVP stamp may be required. A Medallion signature guarantee is intended to provide signature validation for transactions considered financial in nature, and an SVP stamp is intended to provide signature validation for transactions non-financial in nature. A Medallion signature guarantee or SVP stamp may be obtained from a domestic bank or trust company, broker, dealer, clearing agency, savings association or other financial institution which is participating in a Medallion program or SVP recognized by the Securities Transfer Association. The Funds may reject a Medallion signature guarantee or SVP stamp. Shareholders should call 800-658-5811 for additional details regarding a Fund’s signature guarantee requirements.
The following policies apply to instructions you may provide to the Funds by telephone:

 

The Funds, their officers, trustees, employees, or agents are not responsible for the authenticity of instructions provided by telephone, nor for any loss, liability, cost or expense incurred for acting on them.

 

The Funds employ procedures reasonably designed to confirm that instructions communicated by telephone are genuine.

 

Due to the volume of calls or other unusual circumstances, telephone redemptions may be difficult to implement during certain time periods.
 
The Funds reserve the right to:

 

liquidate a shareholder’s account at the current day’s NAV per share and remit proceeds via check if the Funds or a financial institution is unable to verify the shareholder’s identity within three business days of account opening,

 

seek reimbursement from the shareholder for any related loss incurred by a Fund if payment for the purchase of Fund shares by check does not clear the shareholder’s bank, and

 

reject a purchase order and seek reimbursement from the shareholder for any related loss incurred by a Fund if funds are not received by the applicable wire deadline.
 
A shareholder will not be required to pay a CDSC when the registration for A Class or C Class shares is transferred to the name of another person or entity. The transfer may occur by absolute assignment, gift or bequest, as long as it does not involve, directly or indirectly, a public sale of the shares. When A Class or C Class shares are transferred, any applicable CDSC will continue to apply to the transferred shares and will be calculated as if the transferee had acquired the shares in the same manner and at the same time as the transferring shareholder.
Escheatment
Please be advised that certain state escheatment laws may require a Fund to turn over your mutual fund account to the state listed in your account registration as abandoned property unless you contact the Funds. Many states have added ‘‘inactivity’’ or the absence of customer-initiated contact as a component of their rules and guidelines for the escheatment of unclaimed property. These states consider property to be abandoned when there is no shareholder-initiated activity on an account for at least three (3) to five (5) years.
Depending on the laws in your jurisdiction, customer-initiated contact might be achieved by one of the following methods:

 

Send a letter to American Beacon Funds via the United States Post Office.

 

Speak to a Customer Service Representative on the phone after you go through a security verification process. For residents of certain states, contact cannot be made by phone but must be in writing or through the Funds’ secure web application.

 

Access your account through the Funds’ secure web application.

 

Cashing checks that are received and are made payable to the owner of the account.
 
The Funds, the Manager, and the Transfer Agent will not be liable to shareholders or their representatives for good faith compliance with escheatment laws. To learn more about the escheatment rules for your particular state, please contact your attorney or State Treasurer’s and/or Controller’s Offices. Unless you hold your shares directly with a Fund, you should contact your broker-dealer, retirement plan, or other third party, intermediary regarding applicable state escheatment laws.
Shareholders that reside in the state of Texas may designate a representative to receive escheatment notifications by completing and submitting a designation form that can be found on the website of the Texas Comptroller. While the designated representative does not have any rights to claim or access the shareholder’s account or assets, the escheatment period will cease if the representative communicates knowledge of the shareholder’s location and confirms that the shareholder has not abandoned his or her property. If a shareholder designates a representative to receive escheatment notifications, any escheatment notices will be delivered both to the shareholder and the designated representative. The completed designation form may be mailed to the below address.
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Contact information:

 

  American Beacon Funds
P.O. Box 219643
Kansas City, MO 64121-9643
1-800-658-5811
www.americanbeaconfunds.com
 
Frequent Trading and Market Timing
Frequent trading by Fund shareholders poses risks to other shareholders in that Fund, including (i) the dilution of a Fund’s NAV per share, (ii) an increase in a Fund’s expenses, and (iii) interference with the portfolio manager’s ability to execute efficient investment strategies. Frequent, short-term trading of Fund shares in an attempt to profit from day-to-day fluctuations in a Fund’s NAV is known as market timing.
The Funds’ Board has adopted policies and procedures intended to discourage frequent trading and market timing. Shareholders may transact one ‘‘round trip’’ in a Fund in any rolling 90-day period. A ‘‘round trip’’ is defined as two transactions, each in an opposite direction. A round trip may involve either (i) a purchase or exchange into a Fund followed by a redemption or exchange out of a Fund or (ii) a redemption or exchange out of a Fund followed by a purchase or exchange into a Fund. If the Manager detects that a shareholder has exceeded one round trip in a Fund in any rolling 90-day period, the Manager, without prior notice to the shareholder, may prohibit the shareholder from making further purchases of that Fund. In general, each Fund reserves the right to reject any purchase order, terminate the exchange privilege, or liquidate the account of any shareholder that the Manager determines has engaged in frequent trading or market timing, regardless of whether the shareholder’s activity violates any policy stated in this Prospectus. Additionally, the Manager may in its discretion, reject any purchase or exchange into a Fund from any individual investor, institutional investor, or group whose trading activity could disrupt the management of a Fund or dilute the value of the Funds’ shares, including collective trading (e.g. following the advice of an investment newsletter). Such investors may be barred from future purchases of American Beacon Funds.
The round-trip limit does not apply to the following transaction types:

 

shares acquired through the reinvestment of dividends and other distributions;

 

systematic purchases and redemptions;

 

shares redeemed to return excess IRA contributions; or

 

certain transactions made within a retirement or employee benefit plan, such as payroll contributions, minimum required distributions, loans, and hardship withdrawals, or other transactions that are initiated by a party other than the plan participant.
 
Financial intermediaries that offer Fund shares, such as broker-dealers, third party administrators of retirement plans, and trust companies, will be asked to enforce the Funds’ policies to discourage frequent trading and market timing by investors. However, certain intermediaries that offer Fund shares have informed the Funds that they are currently unable to enforce the Funds’ policies on an automated basis. In those instances, the Manager will monitor trading activity of the intermediary in an attempt to detect patterns of activity that indicate frequent trading or market timing by underlying investors. In some cases, intermediaries that offer Fund shares have their own policies to deter frequent trading and market timing that differ from the Funds’ policies. A Fund may defer to an intermediary’s policies. For more information, please contact the financial intermediary through which you invest in the Funds.
The Manager monitors trading activity in the Funds to attempt to identify shareholders engaged in frequent trading or market timing. The Manager may exclude transactions below a certain dollar amount from monitoring and may change that dollar amount from time to time. The ability of the Manager to detect frequent trading and market timing activity by investors who own shares through an intermediary is dependent upon the intermediary’s provision of information necessary to identify transactions by the underlying investors. The Funds have entered into agreements with the intermediaries that service the Funds’ investors, pursuant to which the intermediaries agree to provide information on investor transactions to the Funds and to act on the Funds’ instructions to restrict transactions by investors who the Manager has identified as having violated the Funds’ policies and procedures to deter frequent trading and market timing.
Wrap programs offered by certain intermediaries may be designated ‘‘Qualified Wrap Programs’’ by a Fund based on specific criteria established by the Funds and a certification by the intermediary that the criteria have been met. A Qualified Wrap Program is a wrap program whose sponsoring intermediary: (i) certifies that it has investment discretion over $50 million or more in client assets invested in mutual funds at the time of the certification; (ii) certifies that it directs transactions in accounts participating in the wrap program(s) in concert with changes in a model portfolio; (iii) provides the Manager a description of the wrap program(s); and (iv) managed by an intermediary that agrees to provide the Manager sufficient information to identify individual accounts in the intermediary’s wrap program(s). For purposes of applying the round-trip limit, transactions initiated by clients invested in a Qualified Wrap Program will not be matched to transactions initiated by the intermediary sponsoring the Qualified Wrap Program. For example, a client’s purchase of a Fund followed within 90 days by the intermediary’s redemption of the same Fund would not be considered a round trip. However, transactions initiated by a Qualified Wrap Program client are subject to the round-trip limit and will be matched to determine if the client has exceeded the round-trip limit. In addition, the Manager will monitor transactions initiated by Qualified Wrap Program intermediaries to determine whether any intermediary has engaged in frequent trading or market timing. If the Manager determines that an intermediary has engaged in activity that is harmful to a Fund, the Manager will revoke the intermediary’s Qualified Wrap Program status. Upon termination of status as a Qualified Wrap Program, all account transactions will be matched for purposes of testing compliance with a Fund’s frequent trading and market timing policies, including any applicable redemption fees.
Each Fund reserves the right to modify the frequent trading and market timing policies and procedures and grant or eliminate waivers to such policies and procedures at any time without advance notice to shareholders. There can be no assurance that the Funds’ policies and procedures to deter frequent trading and market timing will have the intended effect or that the Manager will be able to detect frequent trading and market timing.
Distributions and Taxes
Each Fund distributes most or all of its net earnings and realized gains, if any, each taxable year in the form of dividends from net investment income (“dividends”), distributions of realized net capital gains (“capital gains distributions”) and net gains from foreign currency transactions (sometimes referred to below collectively as “other distributions”) (and dividends, capital gains distributions, and other distributions are sometimes referred to below collectively as “distributions”). Different tax treatment applies to different types of distributions (as described in the table below).
The Funds do not have a fixed dividend rate nor do they guarantee that they will pay any distributions in any particular period. Distributions paid by a Fund with respect to each class of shares are calculated in the same manner and at the same time, but dividends on different classes of shares may be different as a result of the services and/or fees applicable to certain classes of shares. Distributions are paid as follows:
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American Beacon Fund
Dividends Paid
Capital Gains Distributions and Other Distributions Paid
American Beacon SiM High Yield Opportunities Fund
Monthly
Annually
American Beacon The London Company Income Equity Fund
Monthly
Annually
American Beacon Zebra Small Cap Equity Fund
Annually
Annually
Options for Receiving Dividends and Other Distributions
When you open your Fund account, you can specify on your application how you want to receive distributions. To change that option, you must notify the transfer agent. Unless you instruct otherwise in your account application, distributions payable to you by a Fund will be reinvested in additional shares of the distributing class of that Fund. There are four payment options available:

 

Reinvest All Distributions. You can elect to reinvest all distributions by a Fund in additional shares of the distributing class of that Fund.

 

Reinvest Only Some Distributions. You can elect to reinvest some types of distributions by a Fund in additional shares of the distributing class of that Fund while receiving the other types of distributions by that Fund by check or having them sent directly to your bank account by ACH (“in cash”).

 

Receive All Distributions in Cash. You can elect to receive all distributions in cash.

 

Reinvest Your Distributions in shares of another American Beacon Fund. You can reinvest all of your distributions by a Fund on a particular class of shares in shares of the same class of another American Beacon Fund that is available for exchanges. You must have an existing account in the same share class of the selected fund.
 
Distributions of Fund income are generally taxable to you regardless of the manner in which received or reinvested.
If you invest directly with a Fund, any election to receive distributions payable by check will only apply to distributions totaling $10.00 or more. Any distribution by a Fund totaling less than $10.00 will be reinvested in shares of the distributing class of that Fund and will not be paid to you by check.
If you elect to receive a distribution by check and the U.S. Postal Service cannot deliver your check, or if your check remains uncashed for at least six months, a Fund reserves the right to reinvest the amount of your check, and to reinvest all subsequent distributions, in shares of the distributing class of that Fund at the NAV per share on the day of the reinvestment. Interest will not accrue on amounts represented by uncashed distribution or redemption checks.
Shareholders investing in a Fund through a financial intermediary should discuss their options for receiving distributions with the intermediary.
Taxes
Fund distributions are taxable to shareholders other than tax-qualified retirement plans and accounts and other tax-exempt investors. However, the portion of a Fund’s dividends derived from its investments in U.S. Government obligations, if any, is generally exempt from state and local income taxes. Fund dividends, except those that are “qualified dividend income” (as described below), are subject to federal income tax at the rates for ordinary income contained in the Internal Revenue Code. The following table outlines the typical status of transactions in taxable accounts:
Type of Transaction
Federal Tax Status
Dividends from net investment income*
Ordinary income**
Distributions of the excess of net short-term capital gain over net long-term capital loss*
Ordinary income
Distributions of net gains from certain foreign currency transactions*
Ordinary income
Distributions of the excess of net long-term capital gain over net short-term capital loss (“net capital gain’’)*
Long-term capital gains
Redemptions or exchanges of shares owned for more than one year
Long-term capital gains or losses
Redemptions or exchanges of shares owned for one year or less
Net gains are taxed at the same rate as ordinary income; net losses are subject to special rules
* Whether reinvested or taken in cash.
** Except for dividends that are attributable to ‘‘qualified dividend income,’’ if any.
To the extent distributions are attributable to net capital gain that a Fund recognizes, they are subject to a 15% maximum federal income tax rate for individual and certain other non-corporate shareholders (each, an ‘‘individual’’) (20% for individuals with taxable income exceeding certain thresholds, which are indexed for inflation annually), regardless of how long the shareholder held his or her Fund shares.
A portion of the dividends a Fund pays to individuals may be QDI and thus eligible for the preferential rates mentioned above that apply to net capital gain. QDI is the aggregate of dividends a Fund receives on shares of most domestic corporations (excluding most distributions from REITs) and certain foreign corporations with respect to which the Fund satisfies certain holding period and other restrictions. To be eligible for those rates, a shareholder must meet similar restrictions with respect to his or her Fund shares.
A portion of the dividends a Fund pays may also be eligible for the DRD allowed to corporations, subject to similar holding period and other restrictions, but the eligible portion may not exceed the aggregate dividends a Fund receives from domestic corporations only.
The American Beacon SiM High Yield Opportunities Fund does not expect a substantial part of its dividends to qualify as QDI or be eligible for the DRD.
A shareholder may realize a taxable gain or loss when redeeming or exchanging shares. That gain or loss is treated as a short-term or long-term capital gain or loss, depending on how long the redeemed or exchanged shares were held. Any capital gain an individual shareholder recognizes on a redemption or exchange of Fund shares that have been held for more than one year will qualify for the 15% and 20% tax rates mentioned above.
A shareholder who wants to use an acceptable basis determination method with respect to Fund shares other than the average basis method (each Fund’s default method), must elect to do so in writing, which may be electronic. Each Fund, or its administrative agent, must report to the Internal Revenue Service and furnish to its shareholders the basis information for dispositions of Fund shares. See “Tax Information” in the SAI for a description of the rules regarding that election and each Fund’s reporting obligation.
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An individual must pay a 3.8% tax on the lesser of (1) the individual’s ‘‘net investment income,’’ which generally includes distributions a Fund pays and net gains realized on a redemption or exchange of Fund shares, or (2) the excess of the individual’s ‘‘modified adjusted gross income’’ over a threshold amount ($250,000 for married persons filing jointly and $200,000 for single taxpayers). This tax is in addition to any other taxes due on that income. A similar tax applies to estates and trusts. Shareholders should consult their own tax advisers regarding the effect, if any, this tax may have on their investment in Fund shares.
Each year, each Fund’s shareholders will receive tax information regarding Fund distributions and dispositions of Fund shares to assist them in preparing their income tax returns.
Effective for taxable years beginning after December 31, 2017 and before January 1, 2026, the Internal Revenue Code generally allows individuals and certain other non-corporate entities a deduction for 20% of (1) “qualified REIT dividends” and (2) “qualified publicly traded partnership income” (such as income from MLPs). Treasury regulations permit a RIC to pass the character of its qualified REIT dividends through to its shareholders provided certain holding period requirements are met. As a result, a shareholder in a Fund will be eligible to receive the benefit of the same 20% deduction with respect to the Fund’s REIT-based dividends as is available to an investor who directly invests in REITs. There currently is no similar pass-through of the 20% deduction with respect to a RIC’s qualified publicly traded partnership income.
The foregoing is only a summary of some of the important federal income tax considerations that may affect Fund shareholders, who should consult their tax advisers regarding specific questions as to the effect of federal, state and local income taxes on an investment in a Fund.
Additional Information
The Funds’ Board oversees generally the operations of the Funds. The Trust enters into contractual arrangements with various parties, including among others, the Funds’ manager, sub-advisor(s), custodian, transfer agent, and accountants, who provide services to the Funds. Shareholders are not parties to any such contractual arrangements, and those contractual arrangements are not intended to create in any shareholder any right to enforce them directly against the service providers or to seek any remedy under them directly against the service providers.
This Prospectus provides information concerning the Funds that you should consider in determining whether to purchase Fund shares. Neither this Prospectus nor the SAI is intended, or should be read, to be or create an agreement or contract between the Trust or the Funds and any investor, or to create any rights in any shareholder or other person other than any rights under federal or state law that may not be waived. Nothing in this Prospectus, the SAI or the Funds’ reports to shareholders is intended to provide investment advice and should not be construed as investment advice.
Distribution and Service Plans
The Funds have adopted separate Distribution Plans for their A Class and C Class shares in accordance with Rule 12b-1 under the Investment Company Act, which allows the A Class and C Class shares to pay distribution and other fees for the sale of Fund shares and for other services provided to shareholders. Each Plan also authorizes the use of any fees received by the Manager in accordance with the Management Agreement, and any fees received by a sub-advisor pursuant to its Investment Advisory Agreement with the Manager, to be used for the sale and distribution of Fund shares. The Plans provide that the A Class shares of a Fund will pay up to 0.25% per annum of the average daily net assets attributable to the A Class and the C Class shares of the Funds will pay up to 1.00% per annum of the average daily net assets attributable to the C Class, to the Manager (or another entity approved by the Board). Because these fees are paid out of a Fund’s A Class and C Class assets on an ongoing basis, over time these fees will increase the cost of your investment and may cost you more than paying other types of sales charges.
The Funds have also adopted a shareholder services plan for their A Class, C Class and Investor Class shares for certain non-distribution shareholder services provided by financial intermediaries. The shareholder services plan authorizes annual payment of up to 0.25% of the average daily net assets attributable to the A Class shares, up to 0.25% of the average daily net assets attributable to the C Class shares and up to 0.375% of the average daily net assets attributable to the Investor Class shares. In addition, a Fund may reimburse the Manager for certain non-distribution shareholder services provided by financial intermediaries attributable to Y Class and R5 Class shares of a Fund. R6 Class shares will not reimburse the Manager for non-distribution shareholder services provided by financial intermediaries.
Portfolio Holdings
A complete list of holdings for the American Beacon SiM High Yield Opportunities Fund and the American Beacon The London Company Income Equity Fund is made available on the Funds’ website on a monthly basis approximately twenty days after the end of each month and remains available for six months thereafter. A complete list of holdings for the American Beacon Zebra Small Cap Equity Fund is made available on the Fund’s website on a quarterly basis. The holdings information is generally posted to the website approximately sixty days after the end of each calendar quarter and remains available for six months thereafter. A list of each Fund’s ten largest holdings is made available on the Funds’ website on a quarterly basis. The ten largest holdings of each Fund are generally posted to the website approximately fifteen days after the end of each calendar quarter and remain available until the next quarter. To access the holdings information, go to www.americanbeaconfunds.com. A Fund’s ten largest holdings may also be accessed by selecting a particular Fund’s fact sheet.
A description of the Funds’ policies and procedures regarding the disclosure of portfolio holdings is available in the Funds’ SAI, which you may access on a Fund’s website at www.americanbeaconfunds.com or call 1-800-658-5811 to request a free copy.
Delivery of Documents
Summary prospectuses and shareholder reports are available online at www.americanbeaconfunds.com/reports. If you are interested in electronic delivery of the Funds’ summary prospectuses, please go to www.americanbeaconfunds.com and click on ‘‘Quick Links’’ and then ‘‘Register for E-Delivery.’’ You can also request to receive paper Annual Shareholder Reports and Semi-Annual Shareholder Reports by calling 1-866-345-5954 with the unique ID number that is provided in the notification you receive, or you may directly inform your financial intermediary of your wish.
To reduce expenses, your financial institution may mail only one copy of the summary prospectus, Annual Shareholder Report and Semi-Annual Shareholder Report to those addresses shared by two or more accounts. If you wish to receive individual copies of these documents, please contact your financial institution. Delivery of individual copies will commence thirty days after receiving your request.
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Financial Highlights
The financial highlights tables are intended to help you understand each Fund’s financial performance for the past five fiscal years or, if shorter, the period of that Fund’s operations, as applicable. Certain information reflects financial results for a single Fund share. The total returns in each Fund’s tables represent the rate that an investor would have earned (or lost) on an investment in that Fund (assuming reinvestment of all dividends and other distributions). The information in the financial highlights has been derived from the Funds’ financial statements audited by Ernst & Young LLP, independent registered public accounting firm, whose report, along with the Funds’ financial statements, is included in the Funds’ Annual Shareholder Report, which you may obtain upon request.
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American Beacon SiM High Yield Opportunities Fund
A Class
For a share outstanding throughout the period:
Year Ended August 31, 2021
Year Ended August 31, 2020
Year Ended August 31, 2019
Year Ended August 31, 2018
Year Ended August 31, 2017
Net asset value, beginning of period
$9.02
$9.41
$9.53
$9.61
$9.49
Income (loss) from investment operations:
Net investment income
0.62
0.55
0.47
0.48
0.55
Net gains (losses) on investments (both realized and unrealized)
0.76
(0.39
)
(0.02
)
(0.01
)
0.11
Total income from investment operations
1.38
0.16
0.45
0.47
0.66
Less distributions:
Dividends from net investment income
(0.56
)
(0.55
)
(0.57
)
(0.53
)
(0.50
)
Tax return of capital
(0.00
)
A D
(0.02
)
A
(0.04
)
A
Total distributions
(0.56
)
(0.55
)
(0.57
)
(0.55
)
(0.54
)
Net asset value, end of period
$9.84
$9.02
$9.41
$9.53
$9.61
Total returnB
15.75
%
1.94
%
4.85
%
5.00
%
7.12
%
Ratios and supplemental data:
Net assets, end of period
$35,403,008
$23,945,109
$23,694,436
$37,998,012
$84,955,157
Ratios to average net assets:
Expenses, before reimbursements and/or recoupments
1.14
%
1.15
%
1.17
%
1.07
%
1.20
%
Expenses, net of reimbursements and/or recoupments
1.09
%
C
1.15
%
1.17
%
1.07
%
1.20
%
Net investment income, before expense reimbursements and/or recoupments
5.73
%
6.01
%
5.94
%
5.65
%
5.62
%
Net investment income, net of reimbursements and/or recoupments
5.78
%
6.01
%
5.94
%
5.65
%
5.62
%
Portfolio turnover rate
62
%
57
%
44
%
51
%
50
%
A
Tax return of capital is calculated based on outstanding shares at the time of distribution.
B
Based on net asset value, which does not reflect the sales charge, redemption fee, or contingent deferred sales charge, if applicable. May include adjustments in accordance with U.S. GAAP and as such, the net asset value for reporting purposes and the returns based upon those net asset values may differ from the net asset value and returns for shareholder transactions.
C
Expense ratios may exceed the stated expense caps in Note 2 in the Annual Shareholder Report due to the change in the contractual caps on December 31, 2020.
D
Amount represents less than $0.01 per share.
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American Beacon SiM High Yield Opportunities Fund
C Class
For a share outstanding throughout the period:
Year Ended August 31, 2021
Year Ended August 31, 2020
Year Ended August 31, 2019
Year Ended August 31, 2018
Year Ended August 31, 2017
Net asset value, beginning of period
$9.09
$9.48
$9.56
$9.65
$9.53
Income (loss) from investment operations:
Net investment income
0.48
0.46
0.49
0.48
0.47
Net gains (losses) on investments (both realized and unrealized)
0.85
(0.37
)
(0.07
)
(0.09
)
0.12
Total income from investment operations
1.33
0.09
0.42
0.39
0.59
Less distributions:
Dividends from net investment income
(0.50
)
(0.48
)
(0.50
)
(0.47
)
(0.43
)
Tax return of capital
(0.00
)
A D
(0.01
)
A
(0.04
)
A
Total distributions
(0.50
)
(0.48
)
(0.50
)
(0.48
)
(0.47
)
Net asset value, end of period
$9.92
$9.09
$9.48
$9.56
$9.65
Total returnB
14.94
%
1.22
%
4.54
%
4.08
%
6.33
%
Ratios and supplemental data:
Net assets, end of period
$42,191,091
$41,992,083
$55,699,475
$60,797,852
$69,698,961
Ratios to average net assets:
Expenses, before reimbursements and/or recoupments
1.87
%
1.89
%
1.89
%
1.85
%
1.94
%
Expenses, net of reimbursements and/or recoupments
1.83
%
C
1.89
%
1.89
%
1.85
%
1.94
%
Net investment income, before expense reimbursements and/or recoupments
5.08
%
5.26
%
5.24
%
4.93
%
4.90
%
Net investment income, net of reimbursements and/or recoupments
5.12
%
5.26
%
5.24
%
4.93
%
4.90
%
Portfolio turnover rate
62
%
57
%
44
%
51
%
50
%
A
Tax return of capital is calculated based on outstanding shares at the time of distribution.
B
Based on net asset value, which does not reflect the sales charge, redemption fee, or contingent deferred sales charge, if applicable. May include adjustments in accordance with U.S. GAAP and as such, the net asset value for reporting purposes and the returns based upon those net asset values may differ from the net asset value and returns for shareholder transactions.
C
Expense ratios may exceed the stated expense caps in Note 2 in the Annual Shareholder Report due to the change in contractual caps on December 31, 2020.
D
Amount represents less than $0.01 per share.
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American Beacon SiM High Yield Opportunities Fund
Y Class
For a share outstanding throughout the period:
Year Ended August 31, 2021
Year Ended August 31, 2020
Year Ended August 31, 2019
Year Ended August 31, 2018
Year Ended August 31, 2017
Net asset value, beginning of period
$9.05
$9.43
$9.51
$9.60
$9.48
Income (loss) from investment operations:
Net investment income
0.59
0.56
0.59
0.59
0.58
Net gains (losses) on investments (both realized and unrealized)
0.82
(0.37
)
(0.08
)
(0.11
)
0.11
Total income from investment operations
1.41
0.19
0.51
0.48
0.69
Less distributions:
Dividends from net investment income
(0.58
)
(0.57
)
(0.59
)
(0.55
)
(0.52
)
Tax return of capital
(0.01
)
A
(0.02
)
A
(0.05
)
A
Total distributions
(0.59
)
(0.57
)
(0.59
)
(0.57
)
(0.57
)
Net asset value, end of period
$9.87
$9.05
$9.43
$9.51
$9.60
Total returnB
16.06
%
2.33
%
5.58
%
5.09
%
7.46
%
Ratios and supplemental data:
Net assets, end of period
$833,189,237
$740,616,507
$661,486,121
$591,845,939
$577,349,417
Ratios to average net assets:
Expenses, before reimbursements and/or recoupments
0.89
%
0.90
%
0.91
%
0.88
%
0.89
%
Expenses, net of reimbursements and/or recoupments
0.80
%
C
0.90
%
0.91
%
0.88
%
0.89
%
Net investment income, before expense reimbursements and/or recoupments
6.01
%
6.29
%
6.23
%
5.90
%
5.93
%
Net investment income, net of reimbursements and/or recoupments
6.10
%
6.29
%
6.23
%
5.90
%
5.93
%
Portfolio turnover rate
62
%
57
%
44
%
51
%
50
%
A
Tax return of capital is calculated based on outstanding shares at the time of distribution.
B
Based on net asset value, which does not reflect the sales charge, redemption fee, or contingent deferred sales charge, if applicable. May include adjustments in accordance with U.S. GAAP and as such, the net asset value for reporting purposes and the returns based upon those net asset values may differ from the net asset value and returns for shareholder transactions.
C
Expense ratios may exceed the stated expense caps in Note 2 in the Annual Shareholder Report due to the change in the contractual caps on December 31, 2020.
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American Beacon SiM High Yield Opportunities Fund
R5 ClassA
For a share outstanding throughout the period:
Year Ended August 31, 2021
Year Ended August 31, 2020
Year Ended August 31, 2019
Year Ended August 31, 2018
Year Ended August 31, 2017
Net asset value, beginning of period
$9.06
$9.44
$9.52
$9.61
$9.49
Income (loss) from investment operations:
Net investment income
0.59
0.57
0.59
0.59
0.57
Net gains (losses) on investments (both realized and unrealized)
0.83
(0.37
)
(0.07
)
(0.11
)
0.13
Total income from investment operations
1.42
0.20
0.52
0.48
0.70
Less distributions:
Dividends from net investment income
(0.59
)
(0.58
)
(0.60
)
(0.55
)
(0.53
)
Tax return of capital
(0.01
)
B
(0.02
)
B
(0.05
)
B
Total distributions
(0.60
)
(0.58
)
(0.60
)
(0.57
)
(0.58
)
Net asset value, end of period
$9.88
$9.06
$9.44
$9.52
$9.61
Total returnC
16.08
%
2.39
%
5.65
%
5.13
%
7.51
%
Ratios and supplemental data:
Net assets, end of period
$472,951,383
$399,310,742
$396,916,950
$382,074,042
$355,492,590
Ratios to average net assets:
Expenses, before reimbursements and/or recoupments
0.82
%
0.86
%
0.83
%
0.87
%
0.85
%
Expenses, net of reimbursements and/or recoupments
0.77
%
D
0.85
%
0.84
%
0.84
%
0.84
%
Net investment income, before expense reimbursements and/or recoupments
6.09
%
6.33
%
6.31
%
5.91
%
6.00
%
Net investment income, net of reimbursements and/or recoupments
6.14
%
6.34
%
6.30
%
5.94
%
6.01
%
Portfolio turnover rate
62
%
57
%
44
%
51
%
50
%
A
Prior to February 28, 2020, the R5 Class was known as Institutional Class.
B
Tax return of capital is calculated based on outstanding shares at the time of distribution.
C
Based on net asset value, which does not reflect the sales charge, redemption fee, or contingent deferred sales charge, if applicable. May include adjustments in accordance with U.S. GAAP and as such, the net asset value for reporting purposes and the returns based upon those net asset values may differ from the net asset value and returns for shareholder transactions.
D
Expense ratios may exceed the stated expense caps in Note 2 in the Annual Shareholder Report due to the change in the contractual caps on December 31, 2020.
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American Beacon SiM High Yield Opportunities Fund
Investor Class
For a share outstanding throughout the period:
Year Ended August 31, 2021
Year Ended August 31, 2020
Year Ended August 31, 2019
Year Ended August 31, 2018
Year Ended August 31, 2017
Net asset value, beginning of period
$9.02
$9.41
$9.49
$9.58
$9.45
Income (loss) from investment operations:
Net investment income
0.64
0.32
0.54
0.51
0.53
Net gains (losses) on investments (both realized and unrealized)
0.74
(0.17
)
(0.05
)
(0.06
)
0.15
Total income from investment operations
1.38
0.15
0.49
0.45
0.68
Less distributions:
Dividends from net investment income
(0.56
)
(0.54
)
(0.57
)
(0.52
)
(0.51
)
Tax return of capital
(0.00
)
A D
(0.02
)
A
(0.04
)
A
Total distributions
(0.56
)
(0.54
)
(0.57
)
(0.54
)
(0.55
)
Net asset value, end of period
$9.84
$9.02
$9.41
$9.49
$9.58
Total returnB
15.73
%
1.91
%
5.32
%
4.81
%
7.31
%
Ratios and supplemental data:
Net assets, end of period
$53,412,551
$40,259,060
$78,700,798
$89,459,142
$115,679,739
Ratios to average net assets:
Expenses, before reimbursements and/or recoupments
1.16
%
1.18
%
1.15
%
1.14
%
1.13
%
Expenses, net of reimbursements and/or recoupments
1.12
%
C
1.18
%
1.15
%
1.14
%
1.13
%
Net investment income, before expense reimbursements and/or recoupments
5.72
%
5.91
%
5.98
%
5.62
%
5.70
%
Net investment income, net of reimbursements and/or recoupments
5.76
%
5.91
%
5.98
%
5.62
%
5.70
%
Portfolio turnover rate
62
%
57
%
44
%
51
%
50
%
A
Tax return of capital is calculated based on outstanding shares at the time of distribution.
B
Based on net asset value, which does not reflect the sales charge, redemption fee, or contingent deferred sales charge, if applicable. May include adjustments in accordance with U.S. GAAP and as such, the net asset value for reporting purposes and the returns based upon those net asset values may differ from the net asset value and returns for shareholder transactions.
C
Expense ratios may exceed the stated expense caps in Note 2 in the Annual Shareholder Report due to the change in the contractual caps on December 31, 2020.
D
Amount represents less than $0.01 per share.
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American Beacon The London Company Income Equity Fund
A Class
For a share outstanding throughout the period:
Year Ended August 31, 2021
Year Ended August 31, 2020
Year Ended August 31, 2019
Year Ended August 31, 2018
Year Ended August 31, 2017
Net asset value, beginning of period
$18.93
$18.08
$17.96
$15.98
$15.11
Income from investment operations:
Net investment income
0.28
0.30
0.31
0.31
0.27
Net gains on investments (both realized and unrealized)
4.19
2.05
0.42
1.96
0.96
Total income from investment operations
4.47
2.35
0.73
2.27
1.23
Less distributions:
Dividends from net investment income
(0.29
)
(0.33
)
(0.34
)
(0.29
)
(0.26
)
Distributions from net realized gains
(0.21
)
(1.17
)
(0.27
)
(0.10
)
Total distributions
(0.50
)
(1.50
)
(0.61
)
(0.29
)
(0.36
)
Net asset value, end of period
$22.90
$18.93
$18.08
$17.96
$15.98
Total returnA
24.04
%
13.44
%
4.43
%
14.41
%
8.24
%
Ratios and supplemental data:
Net assets, end of period
$143,875,366
$92,490,860
$60,146,845
$60,465,593
$95,206,378
Ratios to average net assets:
Expenses, before reimbursements and/or recoupments
1.05
%
1.04
%
1.05
%
1.03
%
1.12
%
Expenses, net of reimbursements and/or recoupments
1.05
%
1.04
%
1.05
%
1.03
%
1.12
%
Net investment income, before expense reimbursements and/or recoupments
1.36
%
1.71
%
1.77
%
1.75
%
1.73
%
Net investment income, net of reimbursements and/or recoupments
1.36
%
1.71
%
1.77
%
1.75
%
1.73
%
Portfolio turnover rate
7
%
21
%
23
%
16
%
14
%
A
Based on net asset value, which does not reflect the sales charge, redemption fee, or contingent deferred sales charge, if applicable. May include adjustments in accordance with U.S. GAAP and as such, the net asset value for reporting purposes and the returns based upon those net asset values may differ from the net asset value and returns for shareholder transactions.
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American Beacon The London Company Income Equity Fund
C Class
For a share outstanding throughout the period:
Year Ended August 31, 2021
Year Ended August 31, 2020
Year Ended August 31, 2019
Year Ended August 31, 2018
Year Ended August 31, 2017
Net asset value, beginning of period
$18.78
$17.94
$17.83
$15.87
$15.01
Income from investment operations:
Net investment income
0.10
0.14
0.17
0.16
0.15
Net gains on investments (both realized and unrealized)
4.19
2.06
0.42
1.97
0.96
Total income from investment operations
4.29
2.20
0.59
2.13
1.11
Less distributions:
Dividends from net investment income
(0.14
)
(0.19
)
(0.21
)
(0.17
)
(0.15
)
Distributions from net realized gains
(0.21
)
(1.17
)
(0.27
)
(0.10
)
Total distributions
(0.35
)
(1.36
)
(0.48
)
(0.17
)
(0.25
)
Net asset value, end of period
$22.72
$18.78
$17.94
$17.83
$15.87
Total returnA
23.14
%
12.59
%
3.64
%
13.53
%
7.42
%
Ratios and supplemental data:
Net assets, end of period
$85,083,300
$95,091,128
$126,444,587
$132,511,310
$149,848,432
Ratios to average net assets:
Expenses, before reimbursements and/or recoupments
1.79
%
1.81
%
1.82
%
1.81
%
1.86
%
Expenses, net of reimbursements and/or recoupments
1.79
%
1.81
%
1.82
%
1.81
%
1.86
%
Net investment income, before expense reimbursements and/or recoupments
0.62
%
0.94
%
1.01
%
0.98
%
0.97
%
Net investment income, net of reimbursements and/or recoupments
0.62
%
0.94
%
1.01
%
0.98
%
0.97
%
Portfolio turnover rate
7
%
21
%
23
%
16
%
14
%
A
Based on net asset value, which does not reflect the sales charge, redemption fee, or contingent deferred sales charge, if applicable. May include adjustments in accordance with U.S. GAAP and as such, the net asset value for reporting purposes and the returns based upon those net asset values may differ from the net asset value and returns for shareholder transactions.
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American Beacon The London Company Income Equity Fund
Y Class
For a share outstanding throughout the period:
Year Ended August 31, 2021
Year Ended August 31, 2020
Year Ended August 31, 2019
Year Ended August 31, 2018
Year Ended August 31, 2017
Net asset value, beginning of period
$19.02
$18.16
$18.04
$16.05
$15.17
Income from investment operations:
Net investment income
0.33
0.34
0.36
0.34
0.32
Net gains on investments (both realized and unrealized)
4.23
2.06
0.41
1.99
0.97
Total income from investment operations
4.56
2.40
0.77
2.33
1.29
Less distributions:
Dividends from net investment income
(0.34
)
(0.37
)
(0.38
)
(0.34
)
(0.31
)
Distributions from net realized gains
(0.21
)
(1.17
)
(0.27
)
(0.10
)
Total distributions
(0.55
)
(1.54
)
(0.65
)
(0.34
)
(0.41
)
Net asset value, end of period
$23.03
$19.02
$18.16
$18.04
$16.05
Total returnA
24.43
%
13.70
%
4.68
%
14.69
%
8.60
%
Ratios and supplemental data:
Net assets, end of period
$1,045,963,233
$783,186,967
$666,792,661
$572,315,652
$663,588,078
Ratios to average net assets:
Expenses, before reimbursements and/or recoupments
0.81
%
0.81
%
0.80
%
0.79
%
0.81
%
Expenses, net of reimbursements and/or recoupments
0.81
%
0.81
%
0.80
%
0.79
%
0.81
%
Net investment income, before expense reimbursements and/or recoupments
1.60
%
1.94
%
2.03
%
2.00
%
2.04
%
Net investment income, net of reimbursements and/or recoupments
1.60
%
1.94
%
2.03
%
2.00
%
2.04
%
Portfolio turnover rate
7
%
21
%
23
%
16
%
14
%
A
Based on net asset value, which does not reflect the sales charge, redemption fee, or contingent deferred sales charge, if applicable. May include adjustments in accordance with U.S. GAAP and as such, the net asset value for reporting purposes and the returns based upon those net asset values may differ from the net asset value and returns for shareholder transactions.
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American Beacon The London Company Income Equity Fund
R6 Class
For a share outstanding throughout the period:
Year Ended August 31, 2021
August 25, 2020A to August 31, 2020
Net asset value, beginning of period
$19.13
$18.99
Income from investment operations:
Net investment income (loss)
2.03
(0.01
)
Net gains on investments (both realized and unrealized)
2.59
0.15
Total income from investment operations
4.62
0.14
Less distributions:
Dividends from net investment income
(0.32
)
Distributions from net realized gains
(0.21
)
Total distributions
(0.53
)
Net asset value, end of period
$23.22
$19.13
Total returnB
24.62
%
0.74
%
C
Ratios and supplemental data:
Net assets, end of period
$169,279
$100,763
Ratios to average net assets:
Expenses, before reimbursements and/or recoupments
0.75
%
0.85
%
D
Expenses, net of reimbursements and/or recoupments
0.71
%
0.71
%
D
Net investment income (loss), before expense reimbursements and/or recoupments
1.64
%
(3.83
)%
D
Net investment income (loss), net of reimbursements and/or recoupments
1.68
%
(3.69
)%
D
Portfolio turnover rate
7
%
21
%
C
A
Effective date of class.
B
Based on net asset value, which does not reflect the sales charge, redemption fee, or contingent deferred sales charge, if applicable. May include adjustments in accordance with U.S. GAAP and as such, the net asset value for reporting purposes and the returns based upon those net asset values may differ from the net asset value and returns for shareholder transactions.
C
Not annualized.
D
Annualized.
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American Beacon The London Company Income Equity Fund
R5 ClassA
For a share outstanding throughout the period:
Year Ended August 31, 2021
Year Ended August 31, 2020
Year Ended August 31, 2019
Year Ended August 31, 2018
Year Ended August 31, 2017
Net asset value, beginning of period
$19.14
$18.26
$18.13
$16.13
$15.25
Income from investment operations:
Net investment income
0.35
0.36
0.37
0.35
0.33
Net gains on investments (both realized and unrealized)
4.23
2.07
0.42
2.00
0.97
Total income from investment operations
4.58
2.43
0.79
2.35
1.30
Less distributions:
Dividends from net investment income
(0.35
)
(0.38
)
(0.39
)
(0.35
)
(0.32
)
Distributions from net realized gains
(0.21
)
(1.17
)
(0.27
)
(0.10
)
Total distributions
(0.56
)
(1.55
)
(0.66
)
(0.35
)
(0.42
)
Net asset value, end of period
$23.16
$19.14
$18.26
$18.13
$16.13
Total returnB
24.40
%
13.81
%
4.78
%
14.75
%
8.64
%
Ratios and supplemental data:
Net assets, end of period
$415,873,245
$307,794,240
$236,601,692
$240,244,700
$222,730,033
Ratios to average net assets:
Expenses, before reimbursements and/or recoupments
0.74
%
0.75
%
0.73
%
0.73
%
0.74
%
Expenses, net of reimbursements and/or recoupments
0.74
%
0.75
%
0.73
%
0.73
%
0.74
%
Net investment income, before expense reimbursements and/or recoupments
1.66
%
1.99
%
2.09
%
2.08
%
2.12
%
Net investment income, net of reimbursements and/or recoupments
1.66
%
1.99
%
2.09
%
2.08
%
2.12
%
Portfolio turnover rate
7
%
21
%
23
%
16
%
14
%
A
Prior to February 28, 2020, the R5 Class was known as Institutional Class.
B
Based on net asset value, which does not reflect the sales charge, redemption fee, or contingent deferred sales charge, if applicable. May include adjustments in accordance with U.S. GAAP and as such, the net asset value for reporting purposes and the returns based upon those net asset values may differ from the net asset value and returns for shareholder transactions.
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American Beacon The London Company Income Equity Fund
Investor Class
For a share outstanding throughout the period:
Year Ended August 31, 2021
Year Ended August 31, 2020
Year Ended August 31, 2019
Year Ended August 31, 2018
Year Ended August 31, 2017
Net asset value, beginning of period
$19.05
$18.19
$18.06
$16.07
$15.19
Income from investment operations:
Net investment income
0.28
0.30
0.31
0.30
0.28
Net gains on investments (both realized and unrealized)
4.23
2.06
0.43
1.98
0.97
Total income from investment operations
4.51
2.36
0.74
2.28
1.25
Less distributions:
Dividends from net investment income
(0.29
)
(0.33
)
(0.34
)
(0.29
)
(0.27
)
Distributions from net realized gains
(0.21
)
(1.17
)
(0.27
)
(0.10
)
Total distributions
(0.50
)
(1.50
)
(0.61
)
(0.29
)
(0.37
)
Net asset value, end of period
$23.06
$19.05
$18.19
$18.06
$16.07
Total returnA
24.07
%
13.38
%
4.45
%
14.37
%
8.33
%
Ratios and supplemental data:
Net assets, end of period
$56,472,628
$41,904,048
$24,993,208
$28,343,428
$31,897,528
Ratios to average net assets:
Expenses, before reimbursements and/or recoupments
1.07
%
1.07
%
1.06
%
1.05
%
1.05
%
Expenses, net of reimbursements and/or recoupments
1.07
%
1.07
%
1.06
%
1.05
%
1.05
%
Net investment income, before expense reimbursements and/or recoupments
1.33
%
1.67
%
1.75
%
1.75
%
1.79
%
Net investment income, net of reimbursements and/or recoupments
1.33
%
1.67
%
1.75
%
1.75
%
1.79
%
Portfolio turnover rate
7
%
21
%
23
%
16
%
14
%
A
Based on net asset value, which does not reflect the sales charge, redemption fee, or contingent deferred sales charge, if applicable. May include adjustments in accordance with U.S. GAAP and as such, the net asset value for reporting purposes and the returns based upon those net asset values may differ from the net asset value and returns for shareholder transactions.
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American Beacon Zebra Small Cap Equity Fund
A Class
For a share outstanding throughout the period:
Year Ended August 31, 2021
Year Ended August 31, 2020
Year Ended August 31, 2019
Year Ended August 31, 2018
Year Ended August 31, 2017
Net asset value, beginning of period
$13.57
$14.05
$18.15
$15.96
$14.06
Income (loss) from investment operations:
Net investment income
0.05
AB
0.06
A
0.08
A
0.03
A
0.16
Net gains (losses) on investments (both realized and unrealized)
7.09
(0.49
)
(2.64
)
3.42
1.91
Total income (loss) from investment operations
7.14
(0.43
)
(2.56
)
3.45
2.07
Less distributions:
Dividends from net investment income
(0.13
)
(0.05
)
(0.06
)
(0.02
)
(0.17
)
Distributions from net realized gains
(1.48
)
(1.24
)
Total distributions
(0.13
)
(0.05
)
(1.54
)
(1.26
)
(0.17
)
Net asset value, end of period
$20.58
$13.57
$14.05
$18.15
$15.96
Total returnC
52.80
%
(3.10
)%
(13.26
)%
22.43
%
14.76
%
Ratios and supplemental data:
Net assets, end of period
$1,621,044
$1,187,137
$2,693,316
$5,063,046
$6,801,568
Ratios to average net assets:
Expenses, before reimbursements and/or recoupments
1.54
%
1.47
%
1.53
%
1.54
%
1.73
%
Expenses, net of reimbursements and/or recoupmentsD
1.23
%
E
1.29
%
1.29
%
1.29
%
1.29
%
Net investment income (loss), before expense reimbursements and/or recoupments
(0.05
)%
B
0.23
%
0.27
%
(0.04
)%
0.28
%
Net investment income, net of reimbursements and/or recoupments
0.26
%
B
0.41
%
0.51
%
0.20
%
0.71
%
Portfolio turnover rate
104
%
106
%
93
%
74
%
77
%
A
Per share amounts have been calculated using the average shares method.
B
Net investment income includes significant dividend payment from Tredegar Corp. amounting to $0.0439.
C
Based on net asset value, which does not reflect the sales charge, redemption fee, or contingent deferred sales charge, if applicable. May include adjustments in accordance with U.S. GAAP and as such, the net asset value for reporting purposes and the returns based upon those net asset values may differ from the net asset value and returns for shareholder transactions.
D
Expense ratios may exceed stated expense caps in Note 2 in the Annual Shareholder Report due to security lending expenses, which are not reimbursable under the agreement with the Manager.
E
Expense ratios may exceed stated expense caps in Note 2 in the Annual Shareholder Report due to the change in the contractual expense caps on December 31, 2020.
Prospectus – Additional Information69 

 

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American Beacon Zebra Small Cap Equity Fund
C Class
For a share outstanding throughout the period:
Year Ended August 31, 2021
Year Ended August 31, 2020
Year Ended August 31, 2019
Year Ended August 31, 2018
Year Ended August 31, 2017
Net asset value, beginning of period
$12.73
$13.23
$17.26
$15.32
$13.53
Income (loss) from investment operations:
Net investment income (loss)
(0.36
)
B
(0.30
)
(0.06
)
(0.09
)
A
0.03
Net gains (losses) on investments (both realized and unrealized)
6.93
(0.20
)
(2.49
)
3.27
1.86
Total income (loss) from investment operations
6.57
(0.50
)
(2.55
)
3.18
1.89
Less distributions:
Dividends from net investment income
(0.01
)
(0.10
)
Distributions from net realized gains
(1.48
)
(1.24
)
Total distributions
(0.01
)
(1.48
)
(1.24
)
(0.10
)
Net asset value, end of period
$19.29
$12.73
$13.23
$17.26
$15.32
Total returnC
51.59
%
(3.78
)%
(13.97
)%
21.55
%
13.97
%
Ratios and supplemental data:
Net assets, end of period
$1,716,403
$1,509,950
$2,370,089
$3,286,562
$2,207,090
Ratios to average net assets:
Expenses, before reimbursements and/or recoupments
2.30
%
2.28
%
2.29
%
2.29
%
2.47
%
Expenses, net of reimbursements and/or recoupmentsD
2.03
%
E
2.04
%
2.04
%
2.05
%
2.04
%
Net investment (loss), before expense reimbursements and/or recoupments
(0.79
)%
B
(0.57
)%
(0.49
)%
(0.78
)%
(0.42
)%
Net investment income (loss), net of reimbursements and/or recoupments
(0.52
)%
B
(0.33
)%
(0.24
)%
(0.53
)%
0.01
%
Portfolio turnover rate
104
%
106
%
93
%
74
%
77
%
A
Per share amounts have been calculated using the average shares method.
B
Net investment income includes significant dividend payment from Tredegar Corp. amounting to $0.0358.
C
Based on net asset value, which does not reflect the sales charge, redemption fee, or contingent deferred sales charge, if applicable. May include adjustments in accordance with U.S. GAAP and as such, the net asset value for reporting purposes and the returns based upon those net asset values may differ from the net asset value and returns for shareholder transactions.
D
Expense ratios may exceed stated expense caps in Note 2 in the Annual Shareholder Report due to security lending expenses, which are not reimbursable under the agreement with the Manager.
E
Expense ratios may exceed stated expense caps in Note 2 in the Annual Shareholder Report due to the change in the contractual expense caps on December 31, 2020.
70Prospectus – Additional Information 

 

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American Beacon Zebra Small Cap Equity Fund
Y Class
For a share outstanding throughout the period:
Year Ended August 31, 2021
Year Ended August 31, 2020
Year Ended August 31, 2019
Year Ended August 31, 2018
Year Ended August 31, 2017
Net asset value, beginning of period
$13.85
$14.32
$18.45
$16.17
$14.20
Income (loss) from investment operations:
Net investment income
0.12
A
0.11
0.13
0.08
0.15
Net gains (losses) on investments (both realized and unrealized)
7.22
(0.50
)
(2.69
)
3.47
1.99
Total income (loss) from investment operations
7.34
(0.39
)
(2.56
)
3.55
2.14
Less distributions:
Dividends from net investment income
(0.15
)
(0.08
)
(0.09
)
(0.03
)
(0.17
)
Distributions from net realized gains
(1.48
)
(1.24
)
Total distributions
(0.15
)
(0.08
)
(1.57
)
(1.27
)
(0.17
)
Net asset value, end of period
$21.04
$13.85
$14.32
$18.45
$16.17
Total returnB
53.22
%
(2.82
)%
(13.02
)%
22.79
%
15.11
%
Ratios and supplemental data:
Net assets, end of period
$42,440,351
$35,283,932
$40,575,598
$47,832,660
$18,631,514
Ratios to average net assets:
Expenses, before reimbursements and/or recoupments
1.28
%
1.26
%
1.24
%
1.27
%
1.41
%
Expenses, net of reimbursements and/or recoupmentsC
0.99
%
0.99
%
0.99
%
1.00
%
0.99
%
Net investment income, before expense reimbursements and/or recoupments
0.24
%
A
0.45
%
0.55
%
0.26
%
0.54
%
Net investment income, net of reimbursements and/or recoupments
0.53
%
A
0.72
%
0.80
%
0.54
%
0.96
%
Portfolio turnover rate
104
%
106
%
93
%
74
%
77
%
A
Net investment income includes significant dividend payment from Tredegar Corp. amounting to $0.0421.
B
Based on net asset value, which does not reflect the sales charge, redemption fee, or contingent deferred sales charge, if applicable. May include adjustments in accordance with U.S. GAAP and as such, the net asset value for reporting purposes and the returns based upon those net asset values may differ from the net asset value and returns for shareholder transactions.
C
Expense ratios may exceed stated expense caps in Note 2 in the Annual Shareholder Report due to security lending expenses, which are not reimbursable under the agreement with the Manager.
Prospectus – Additional Information71 

 

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American Beacon Zebra Small Cap Equity Fund
R5 ClassA
For a share outstanding throughout the period:
Year Ended August 31, 2021
Year Ended August 31, 2020
Year Ended August 31, 2019
Year Ended August 31, 2018
Year Ended August 31, 2017
Net asset value, beginning of period
$13.77
$14.22
$18.32
$16.04
$14.07
Income (loss) from investment operations:
Net investment income
0.12
B
0.14
0.09
0.11
0.24
Net gains (losses) on investments (both realized and unrealized)
7.19
(0.51
)
(2.62
)
3.44
1.90
Total income (loss) from investment operations
7.31
(0.37
)
(2.53
)
3.55
2.14
Less distributions:
Dividends from net investment income
(0.15
)
(0.08
)
(0.09
)
(0.03
)
(0.17
)
Distributions from net realized gains
(1.48
)
(1.24
)
Total distributions
(0.15
)
(0.08
)
(1.57
)
(1.27
)
(0.17
)
Net asset value, end of period
$20.93
$13.77
$14.22
$18.32
$16.04
Total returnC
53.31
%
(2.70
)%
(12.94
)%
22.98
%
15.25
%
Ratios and supplemental data:
Net assets, end of period
$24,213,159
$18,929,000
$24,989,951
$11,722,213
$4,122,461
Ratios to average net assets:
Expenses, before reimbursements and/or recoupments
1.18
%
1.17
%
1.22
%
1.23
%
1.36
%
Expenses, net of reimbursements and/or recoupmentsD
0.89
%
0.89
%
0.89
%
0.90
%
0.89
%
Net investment income, before expense reimbursements and/or recoupments
0.31
%
B
0.54
%
0.57
%
0.30
%
0.80
%
Net investment income, net of reimbursements and/or recoupments
0.60
%
B
0.82
%
0.90
%
0.64
%
1.26
%
Portfolio turnover rate
104
%
106
%
93
%
74
%
77
%
A
Prior to February 28, 2020, the R5 Class was known as Institutional Class.
B
Net investment income includes significant dividend payment from Tredegar Corp. amounting to $0.0381.
C
Based on net asset value, which does not reflect the sales charge, redemption fee, or contingent deferred sales charge, if applicable. May include adjustments in accordance with U.S. GAAP and as such, the net asset value for reporting purposes and the returns based upon those net asset values may differ from the net asset value and returns for shareholder transactions.
D
Expense ratios may exceed stated expense caps in Note 2 in the Annual Shareholder Report due to security lending expenses, which are not reimbursable under the agreement with the Manager.
72Prospectus – Additional Information 

 

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American Beacon Zebra Small Cap Equity Fund
Investor Class
For a share outstanding throughout the period:
Year Ended August 31, 2021
Year Ended August 31, 2020
Year Ended August 31, 2019
Year Ended August 31, 2018
Year Ended August 31, 2017
Net asset value, beginning of period
$13.54
$14.03
$18.14
$15.95
$14.05
Income (loss) from investment operations:
Net investment income
0.02
A
0.06
0.12
0.02
0.14
Net gains (losses) on investments (both realized and unrealized)
7.11
(0.49
)
(2.68
)
3.43
1.93
Total income (loss) from investment operations
7.13
(0.43
)
(2.56
)
3.45
2.07
Less distributions:
Dividends from net investment income
(0.14
)
(0.06
)
(0.07
)
(0.02
)
(0.17
)
Distributions from net realized gains
(1.48
)
(1.24
)
Total distributions
(0.14
)
(0.06
)
(1.55
)
(1.26
)
(0.17
)
Net asset value, end of period
$20.53
$13.54
$14.03
$18.14
$15.95
Total returnB
52.84
%
(3.12
)%
(13.26
)%
22.47
%
14.77
%
Ratios and supplemental data:
Net assets, end of period
$16,391,734
$11,690,371
$12,486,352
$10,398,506
$10,766,976
Ratios to average net assets:
Expenses, before reimbursements and/or recoupments
1.56
%
1.60
%
1.50
%
1.44
%
1.58
%
Expenses, net of reimbursements and/or recoupmentsC
1.27
%
1.27
%
1.27
%
1.28
%
1.27
%
Net investment income, before expense reimbursements and/or recoupments
(0.07
)%
A
0.11
%
0.27
%
0.08
%
0.41
%
Net investment income, net of reimbursements and/or recoupments
0.22
%
A
0.44
%
0.50
%
0.24
%
0.72
%
Portfolio turnover rate
104
%
106
%
93
%
74
%
77
%
A
Net investment income includes significant dividend payment from Tredegar Corp. amounting to $0.0411.
B
Based on net asset value, which does not reflect the sales charge, redemption fee, or contingent deferred sales charge, if applicable. May include adjustments in accordance with U.S. GAAP and as such, the net asset value for reporting purposes and the returns based upon those net asset values may differ from the net asset value and returns for shareholder transactions.
C
Expense ratios may exceed stated expense caps in Note 2 in the Annual Shareholder Report due to security lending expenses, which are not reimbursable under the agreement with the Manager.
Prospectus – Additional Information73 

 

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Additional Information
Additional information about the Funds is found in the documents listed below. Request a free copy of these documents by calling 1-800-658-5811 or you may access them on the Funds’ website at www.americanbeaconfunds.com.
Annual Shareholder Report/Semi-Annual Shareholder Report
The Funds’ Annual and Semi-Annual Shareholder Reports list each Fund’s actual investments as of the report’s date. They also include a discussion by the Manager of market conditions and investment strategies that significantly affected the Funds’ performance. The report of the Funds’ independent registered public accounting firm is included in the Annual Shareholder Report.
SAI
The SAI contains more details about the Funds and their investment policies. The SAI is incorporated in this Prospectus by reference (it is legally part of this Prospectus). A current SAI is on file with the SEC.
Appendix A to the Prospectus – Intermediary Sales Charge Discounts, Waivers and Other Information
Appendix A contains more information about specific sales charge discounts and waivers available for shareholders who purchase Fund shares through a specific financial intermediary. Appendix A is incorporated herein by reference (is legally a part of this Prospectus).
To obtain more information about the Funds or to request a copy of the documents listed above:
By Telephone:
Call
1-800-658-5811
By Mail:
American Beacon Funds
P.O. Box 219643
Kansas City, MO 64121-9643
By E-mail:
americanbeaconfunds@ambeacon.com
On the Internet:
Visit our website at www.americanbeaconfunds.com
Visit the SEC website at www.sec.gov
The SAI and other information about the Funds are available on the EDGAR Database on the SEC’s Internet site at www.sec.gov. Copies of this information may be obtained, after paying a duplicating fee, by electronic mail to publicinfo@sec.gov, or by writing to the SEC’s Public Reference Section, 100 F Street, NE, Washington, D.C. 20549-1520. The SAI and other information about the Funds may also be reviewed and copied at the SEC’s Public Reference Room. Information on the operation of the SEC’s Public Reference Room may be obtained by calling the SEC at (202) 551-8090.
American Beacon is a registered service mark of American Beacon Advisors, Inc. The American Beacon Funds, American Beacon SiM High Yield Opportunities Fund, American Beacon The London Company Income Equity Fund, and American Beacon Zebra Small Cap Equity Fund are service marks of American Beacon Advisors, Inc.
image 
SEC File Number 811-04984

 

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Appendix A
INTERMEDIARY SALES CHARGE DISCOUNTS, WAIVERS AND OTHER INFORMATION
The availability of certain sales charge waivers and discounts will depend on whether you purchase your shares directly from a Fund or through a financial intermediary. Specific intermediaries may have different policies and procedures regarding the availability of front-end sales load waivers or CDSC waivers, which are discussed below. In all instances, it is the purchaser’s responsibility to notify a Fund or the purchaser’s financial intermediary at the time of purchase of any relationship or other facts qualifying the purchaser for sales charge waivers or discounts. For waivers and discounts not available through a particular intermediary, shareholders will have to purchase Fund shares directly from a Fund or through another intermediary to receive any applicable waivers or discounts. Please see the section entitled “Choosing Your Share Class” for more information on sales charges and waivers available for different classes.
The information in this Appendix is part of, and incorporated into, the Funds’ prospectus.
Appendix A: Ameriprise Financial
Class A Shares Front-End Sales Charge Waivers Available at Ameriprise Financial:
The following information applies to Class A shares purchases if you have an account with or otherwise purchase Fund shares through Ameriprise Financial:
Shareholders purchasing Fund shares through an Ameriprise Financial brokerage account are eligible for the following front-end sales charge waivers, which may differ from those disclosed elsewhere in this Fund’s prospectus or SAI:

 

Employer-sponsored retirement plans (e.g., 401(k) plans, 457 plans, employer-sponsored 403(b) plans, profit sharing and money purchase pension plans and defined benefit plans). For purposes of this provision, employer-sponsored retirement plans do not include SEP IRAs, Simple IRAs or SAR-SEPs.

 

Shares purchased through reinvestment of capital gains distributions and dividend reinvestment when purchasing shares of the same Fund (but not any other fund within the same fund family).

 

Shares exchanged from Class C shares of the same fund in the month of or following the 7-year anniversary of the purchase date. To the extent that this prospectus elsewhere provides for a waiver with respect to exchanges of Class C shares or conversion of Class C shares following a shorter holding period, that waiver will apply.

 

Employees and registered representatives of Ameriprise Financial or its affiliates and their immediate family members.

 

Shares purchased by or through qualified accounts (including IRAs, Coverdell Education Savings Accounts, 401(k)s, 403(b) TSCAs subject to ERISA and defined benefit plans) that are held by a covered family member, defined as an Ameriprise financial advisor and/or the advisor’s spouse, advisor’s lineal ascendant (mother, father, grandmother, grandfather, great grandmother, great grandfather), advisor’s lineal descendant (son, step-son, daughter, step-daughter, grandson, granddaughter, great grandson, great granddaughter) or any spouse of a covered family member who is a lineal descendant.

 

Shares purchased from the proceeds of redemptions within the same fund family, provided (1) the repurchase occurs within 90 days following the redemption, (2) the redemption and purchase occur in the same account, and (3) redeemed shares were subject to a front-end or deferred sales load (i.e. Rights of Reinstatement).
 
Appendix A: Baird
Effective June 15, 2020, shareholders purchasing fund shares through a Baird platform or account will only be eligible for the following sales charge waivers (front-end sales charge waivers and CDSC waivers) and discounts, which may differ from those disclosed elsewhere in this prospectus or the SAI.
Front-End Sales Charge Waivers on Investors A-shares Available at Baird

 

Shares purchased through reinvestment of capital gains distributions and dividend reinvestment when purchasing share of the same fund

 

Shares purchased by employees and registers representatives of Baird or its affiliate and their family members as designated by Baird

 

Shares purchased from the proceeds of redemptions within the same fund family, provided (1) the repurchase occurs within 90 days following the redemption, (2) the redemption and purchase occur in the same accounts, and (3) redeemed shares were subject to a front-end or deferred sales charge (known as rights of reinstatement)

 

A shareholder in the Fund’s Investor C shares will have their share converted at net asset value to Investor A shares of the fund if the shares are no longer subject to CDSC and the conversion is in line with the policies and procedures of Baird

 

Employer-sponsored retirement plans or charitable accounts in a transactional brokerage account at Baird, including 401(k) plans, 457 plans, employer-sponsored 403(b) plans, profit sharing and money purchase pension plans and defined benefit plans. For purposes of this provision, employer-sponsored retirement plans do not include SEP IRAs, Simple IRAs or SAR-SEPs
 
CDSC Waivers on Investor A and C shares Available at Baird

 

Shares sold due to death or disability of the shareholder

 

Shares sold as part of a systematic withdrawal plan as described in the Fund’s Prospectus

 

Shares bought due to returns of excess contributions from an IRA Account

 

Shares sold as part of a required minimum distribution for IRA and retirement accounts due to the shareholder reaching age 72 as described in the Fund’s prospectus

 

Shares sold to pay Baird fees but only if the transaction is initiated by Baird

 

Shares acquired through a right of reinstatement
 
Front-End Sales Charge Discounts Available at Baird: Breakpoints and/or Rights of Accumulations

 

Breakpoints as described in this prospectus

 

Rights of accumulation which entitles shareholders to breakpoint discounts will be automatically calculated based on the aggregated holding of fund family assets held by accounts within the purchaser’s household at Baird. Eligible fund family assets not held at Baird may be included in the rights of accumulations calculation only if the shareholder notifies his or her financial advisor about such assets

 

Letters of Intent (LOI) allow for breakpoint discounts based on anticipated purchases within a fund family through Baird, over a 13-month period of time
 
Prospectus – AppendixA-1 

 

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Appendix A: Janney Montgomery Scott
Effective May 1, 2020, if you purchase fund shares through a Janney Montgomery Scott LLC (“Janney”) brokerage account, you will be eligible for the following load waivers (front-end sales charge waivers and contingent deferred sales charge (“CDSC”), or back-end sales charge, waivers) and discounts, which may differ from those disclosed elsewhere in this fund’s Prospectus or SAI.
Front-end sales charge* waivers on Class A shares available at Janney

 

Shares purchased through reinvestment of capital gains distributions and dividend reinvestment when purchasing shares of the same fund (but not any other fund within the fund family).

 

Shares purchased by employees and registered representatives of Janney or its affiliates and their family members as designated by Janney.

 

Shares purchased from the proceeds of redemptions within the same fund family, provided (1) the repurchase occurs within ninety (90) days following the redemption, (2) the redemption and purchase occur in the same account, and (3) redeemed shares were subject to a front-end or deferred sales load (i.e., right of reinstatement).

 

Employer-sponsored retirement plans (e.g., 401(k) plans, 457 plans, employer-sponsored 403(b) plans, profit sharing and money purchase pension plans and defined benefit plans). For purposes of this provision, employer-sponsored retirement plans do not include SEP IRAs, Simple IRAs, SAR-SEPs or Keogh plans.

 

Shares acquired through a right of reinstatement.

 

Class C shares that are no longer subject to a contingent deferred sales charge and are converted to Class A shares of the same fund pursuant to Janney’s policies and procedures.
 
CDSC waivers on Class A and C shares available at Janney

 

Shares sold upon the death or disability of the shareholder.

 

Shares sold as part of a systematic withdrawal plan as described in the fund’s Prospectus.

 

Shares purchased in connection with a return of excess contributions from an IRA account.

 

Shares sold as part of a required minimum distribution for IRA and other retirement accounts due to the shareholder reaching age 70½ as described in the fund’s Prospectus.

 

Shares sold to pay Janney fees but only if the transaction is initiated by Janney.

 

Shares acquired through a right of reinstatement.

 

Shares exchanged into the same share class of a different fund.
 
Front-end sales charge* discounts available at Janney: breakpoints, rights of accumulation, and/or letters of intent

 

Breakpoints as described in the fund’s Prospectus.

 

Rights of accumulation (“ROA”), which entitle shareholders to breakpoint discounts, will be automatically calculated based on the aggregated holding of fund family assets held by accounts within the purchaser’s household at Janney. Eligible fund family assets not held at Janney may be included in the ROA calculation only if the shareholder notifies his or her financial advisor about such assets.

 

Letters of intent which allow for breakpoint discounts based on anticipated purchases within a fund family, over a 13-month time period. Eligible fund family assets not held at Janney Montgomery Scott may be included in the calculation of letters of intent only if the shareholder notifies his or her financial advisor about such assets.
 
*Also referred to as an “initial sales charge.”
Appendix A: Merrill Lynch
A CLASS AND C CLASS PURCHASES THROUGH MERRILL LYNCH
Shareholders purchasing Fund shares through a Merrill Lynch platform or account will be eligible only for the following load waivers (front-end sales charge waivers and contingent deferred, or back-end sales charge waivers) and discounts, which may differ from those disclosed elsewhere in the Fund’s prospectus or SAI.
Front-end Sales Load Waivers on A Class Shares available at Merrill Lynch

 

Employer-sponsored retirement, deferred compensation and employee benefit plans (including health savings accounts) and trusts used to fund those plans, provided that the shares are not held in a commission- based brokerage account and shares are held for the benefit of the plan.

 

Shares purchased by a 529 Plan (does not include 529 Plan units or 529-specific share classes or equivalents)

 

Shares purchased through a Merrill Lynch affiliated investment advisory program.

 

Shares exchanged due to the holdings moving from a Merrill Lynch affiliated investment advisory program to a Merrill Lynch brokerage (non-advisory) account pursuant to Merrill Lynch’s policies relating to sales load discounts and waivers

 

Shares purchased by third party investment advisors on behalf of their advisory clients through Merrill Lynch’s platform.

 

Shares of funds purchased through the Merrill Edge Self-Directed platform (if applicable).

 

Shares purchased through reinvestment of capital gains distributions and dividend reinvestment when purchasing shares of the same fund (but not any other fund within the fund family).

 

Shares exchanged from C Class (i.e. level-load) shares of the same fund pursuant to Merrill Lynch’s policies relating to sales load discounts and waivers

 

Employees and registered representatives of Merrill Lynch or its affiliates and their family members.

 

Directors or Trustees of the Fund, and employees of the Fund’s investment adviser or any of its affiliates, as described in this Prospectus.

 

Eligible shares purchased from the proceeds of redemptions within the same fund family, provided (1) the repurchase occurs within 90 days following the redemption, (2) the redemption and purchase occur in the same account, and (3) redeemed shares were subject to a front-end or deferred sales load (known as Rights of Reinstatement). Automated transactions (i.e. systematic purchases and withdrawals) and purchases made after shares are automatically sold to pay Merrill Lynch’s account maintenance fees are not eligible for reinstatement
 
CDSC Waivers on A Class and C Class Shares available at Merrill Lynch

 

Death or disability of the shareholder

 

Shares sold as part of a systematic withdrawal plan as described in the Fund’s Prospectus
 
A-2Prospectus – Appendix 

 

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Return of excess contributions from an IRA Account

 

Shares sold as part of a required minimum distribution for IRA and retirement accounts pursuant to the Internal Revenue Code.

 

Shares sold to pay Merrill Lynch fees but only if the transaction is initiated by Merrill Lynch

 

Shares acquired through a right of reinstatement

 

Shares held in retirement brokerage accounts, that are exchanged for a lower cost share class due to transfer to certain fee based accounts or platforms (applicable to A Class and C Class shares only)

 

Shares received through an exchange due to the holdings moving from a Merrill Lynch affiliated investment advisory program to a Merrill Lynch brokerage (non-advisory) account pursuant to Merrill Lynch’s policies relating to sales load discounts and waivers
 
Front-end load Discounts Available at Merrill Lynch: Breakpoints, Rights of Accumulation & Letters of Intent

 

Breakpoints as described in this prospectus.

 

Rights of Accumulation (ROA) which entitle shareholders to breakpoint discounts as described in the Fund’s prospectus will be automatically calculated based on the aggregated holding of fund family assets held by accounts (including 529 program holdings, where applicable) within the purchaser’s household at Merrill Lynch. Eligible fund family assets not held at Merrill Lynch may be included in the ROA calculation only if the shareholder notifies his or her financial advisor about such assets.

 

Letters of Intent (LOI) which allow for breakpoint discounts based on anticipated purchases within a fund family, through Merrill Lynch, over a 13-month period of time (if applicable)
 
Appendix A: Morgan Stanley
Effective July 1, 2018, shareholders purchasing Fund shares through a Morgan Stanley Wealth Management transactional brokerage account will be eligible only for the following front-end sales charge waivers with respect to Class A shares, which may differ from and may be more limited than those disclosed elsewhere in the Fund’s Prospectus or SAI.
Front-end Sales Charge Waivers on Class A Shares available at Morgan Stanley Wealth Management

 

Employer-sponsored retirement plans (e.g., 401(k) plans, 457 plans, employer-sponsored 403(b) plans, profit sharing and money purchase pension plans and defined benefit plans). For purposes of this provision, employer-sponsored retirement plans do not include SEP IRAs, Simple IRAs, SAR-SEPs or Keogh plans

 

Morgan Stanley employee and employee-related accounts according to Morgan Stanley’s account linking rules

 

Shares purchased through reinvestment of dividends and capital gains distributions when purchasing shares of the same fund

 

Shares purchased through a Morgan Stanley self-directed brokerage account

 

Class C (i.e., level-load) shares that are no longer subject to a contingent deferred sales charge and are converted to Class A shares of the same fund pursuant to Morgan Stanley Wealth Management’s share class conversion program

 

Shares purchased from the proceeds of redemptions within the same fund family, provided (i) the repurchase occurs within 90 days following the redemption, (ii) the redemption and purchase occur in the same account, and (iii) redeemed shares were subject to a front-end or deferred sales charge.
 
Appendix A: Oppenheimer & Co. Inc. (“OPCO”)
Effective February 26, 2020, shareholders purchasing Fund shares through an OPCO platform or account are eligible only for the following load waivers (front-end sales charge waivers and contingent deferred, or back-end, sales charge waivers) and discounts, which may differ from those disclosed elsewhere in this Fund’s prospectus or SAI.
Front-end Sales Load Waivers on Class A Shares available at OPCO

 

Employer-sponsored retirement, deferred compensation and employee benefit plans (including health savings accounts) and trusts used to fund those plans, provided that the shares are not held in a commission-based brokerage account and shares are held for the benefit of the plan

 

Shares purchased by or through a 529 Plan

 

Shares purchased through an OPCO affiliated investment advisory program

 

Shares purchased through reinvestment of capital gains distributions and dividend reinvestment when purchasing shares of the same fund (but not any other fund within the fund family)

 

Shares purchased form the proceeds of redemptions within the same fund family, provided (1) the repurchase occurs within 90 days following the redemption, (2) the redemption and purchase occur in the same amount, and (3) redeemed shares were subject to a front-end or deferred sales load (known as Rights of Restatement).

 

A shareholder in the Fund’s Class C shares will have their shares converted at net asset value to Class A shares (or the appropriate share class) of the Fund if the shares are no longer subject to a CDSC and the conversion is in line with the policies and procedures of OPCO

 

Employees and registered representatives of OPCO or its affiliates and their family members

 

Directors or Trustees of the Fund, and employees of the Fund’s investment adviser or any of its affiliates, as described in this prospectus
 
CDSC Waivers on A, B and C Shares available at OPCO

 

Death or disability of the shareholder

 

Shares sold as part of a systematic withdrawal plan as described in the Fund’s prospectus

 

Return of excess contributions from an IRA Account

 

Shares sold as part of a required minimum distribution for IRA and retirement accounts due to the shareholder reaching age 70½ as described in the prospectus

 

Shares sold to pay OPCO fees but only if the transaction is initiated by OPCO

 

Shares acquired through a right of reinstatement
 
Front-end load Discounts Available at OPCO: Breakpoints, Rights of Accumulation & Letters of Intent

 

Breakpoints as described in this prospectus.
 
Prospectus – AppendixA-3 

 

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Rights of Accumulation (ROA) which entitle shareholders to breakpoint discounts will be automatically calculated based on the aggregated holding of fund family assets held by accounts within the purchaser’s household at OPCO. Eligible fund family assets not held at OPCO may be included in the ROA calculation only if the shareholder notifies his or her financial advisor about such assets.
 
Appendix A: Raymond James
Shareholders purchasing Fund shares through a Raymond James platform or account, or through an introducing broker-dealer or independent registered investment adviser for which Raymond James provides trade execution, clearance, and/or custody services, will be eligible only for the following load waivers (front-end sales charge waivers and contingent deferred, or back-end, sales charge waivers) and discounts, which may differ from those disclosed elsewhere in this Fund’s prospectus or SAI.
Front-end Sales Charge Waivers on Class A Shares available at Raymond James

 

Shares purchased in an investment advisory program.

 

Shares purchased within the same fund family through a systematic reinvestment of capital gains and dividend distributions.

 

Employees and registered representatives of Raymond James or its affiliates and their family members as designated by Raymond James.

 

Shares purchased from the proceeds of redemptions within the same fund family, provided (1) the repurchase occurs within 90 days following the redemption, (2) the redemption and purchase occur in the same account, and (3) redeemed shares were subject to a front-end or deferred sales load (known as Rights of Reinstatement).

 

A shareholder in the Fund’s Class C shares will have their shares converted at net asset value to Class A shares (or the appropriate share class) of the Fund if the shares are no longer subject to a CDSC and the conversion is in line with the policies and procedures of Raymond James.
 
CDSC Waivers on Classes A and C shares available at Raymond James

 

Death or disability of the shareholder.

 

Shares sold as part of a systematic withdrawal plan as described in the fund’s prospectus.

 

Return of excess contributions from an IRA Account.

 

Shares sold as part of a required minimum distribution for IRA and retirement accounts due to the shareholder reaching the qualified age based on applicable IRS regulations as described in the fund’s prospectus.

 

Shares sold to pay Raymond James fees but only if the transaction is initiated by Raymond James.

 

Shares acquired through a right of reinstatement.
 
Front-end load discounts available at Raymond James: breakpoints, rights of accumulation, and/or letters of intent

 

Breakpoints as described in this Prospectus.

 

Rights of accumulation which entitle shareholders to breakpoint discounts will be automatically calculated based on the aggregated holding of fund family assets held by accounts within the purchaser’s household at Raymond James. Eligible fund family assets not held at Raymond James may be included in the calculation of rights of accumulation only if the shareholder notifies his or her financial advisor about such assets.

 

Letters of intent which allow for breakpoint discounts based on anticipated purchases within a fund family, over a 13-month time period. Eligible fund family assets not held at Raymond James may be included in the calculation of letters of intent only if the shareholder notifies his or her financial advisor about such assets.
 
Appendix A: Wells Fargo
Effective June 30, 2020, C Class shares will convert automatically into A Class shares on the 25th day of the month (or, if the 25th is not a business day, the next business day thereafter) following the eighth anniversary of the month on which the purchase order was accepted, provided that the Fund or the financial intermediary through which a shareholder purchased C Class shares has records verifying that the C Class shares have been held for at least eight years. The first conversion of C Class to A Class shares under this new policy would take place on July 25, 2020 for all C Class shares that were held for more than eight years as of June 30, 2020.
A-4Prospectus – Appendix 

 

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Appendix B
GLOSSARY
ADRs
American Depositary Receipts
Advisers Act
Investment Advisers Act of 1940, as amended
American Beacon or Manager
American Beacon Advisors, Inc.
Beacon Funds or the Trust
American Beacon Funds
Board
Board of Trustees
Brexit
The United Kingdom’s departure from the European Union
CAIA
Chartered Alternative Investment Analyst Association
Capital Gains Distributions
Distributions of realized net capital gains
CDSC
Contingent Deferred Sales Charge
CFTC
Commodity Futures Trading Commission
Denial of Services
A cybersecurity incident that results in customers or employees being unable to access electronic systems
Dividends
Distributions of most or all of a Fund’s net investment income
DRD
Dividends-received deduction
ETF
Exchange-Traded Fund
EU
European Union
Fannie Mae
Federal National Mortgage Association
FFCB
Federal Farm Credit Banks
FHLB
Federal Home Loan Bank
Forwards
Forward Currency Contracts
Freddie Mac
Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation
GNMA
Government National Mortgage Association
IDS
Income Deposit Securities
Internal Revenue Code
Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended
Investment Company Act
Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended
IRA
Individual Retirement Account
Junk Bonds
High yield, non-investment grade bonds
LIBOR
ICE LIBOR
LOI
Letter of Intent
Management Agreement
The Fund’s Management Agreement with the Manager
MLP
Master Limited Partnership
Moody’s
Moody’s Investors Service, Inc.
NAV
Fund’s net asset value
NYSE
New York Stock Exchange
Other Distributions
Distributions of net gains from foreign currency transactions
QDI
Qualified Dividend Income
REIT
Real Estate Investment Trust
SAI
Statement of Additional Information
SEC
Securities and Exchange Commission
Securities Act
Securities Act of 1933, as amended
State Street
State Street Bank and Trust Company
SVP
Signature Validation Program
UGMA
Uniform gifts to minor
UTMA
Uniform transfers to minor
Prospectus – AppendixB-1 

 

image 
Statement of Additional Information
January 1, 2022
Ticker
Share Class
A
C
Y
R6
R5
Investor
American Beacon SiM High Yield Opportunities Fund
SHOAX
SHOCX
SHOYX
SHOIX
SHYPX
American Beacon The London Company Income Equity Fund
ABCAX
ABECX
ABCYX
ABCRX
ABCIX
ABCVX
American Beacon Zebra Small Cap Equity Fund
AZSAX
AZSCX
AZSYX
AZSIX
AZSPX
This Statement of Additional Information (“SAI”) should be read in conjunction with the prospectus dated January 1, 2022 (the “Prospectus”) for the American Beacon SiM High Yield Opportunities Fund, American Beacon The London Company Income Equity Fund and American Beacon Zebra Small Cap Equity Fund (each individually a “Fund,” and collectively the “Funds”), each a separate series of American Beacon Funds, a Massachusetts business trust. Copies of the Prospectus may be obtained without charge by calling (800) 658-5811. You also may obtain copies of the Prospectus without charge by visiting the Funds’ website at www.americanbeaconfunds.com. This SAI is incorporated by reference into the Funds’ Prospectus. In other words, it is legally a part of the Prospectus. This SAI is not a prospectus and is authorized for distribution to prospective investors only if preceded or accompanied by the current Prospectus. Capitalized terms in this SAI have the same definition as in the Prospectus, unless otherwise defined. Capitalized terms that are not otherwise defined in this SAI or the Prospectus are defined in Appendix D.
The Funds’ Annual Reports to shareholders for the fiscal year ended August 31, 2021 and the financial statements and accompanying notes appearing therein are incorporated by reference in this SAI. Copies of the Funds’ Annual and Semi-Annual Reports may be obtained, without charge, upon request by calling (800) 658-5811 or visiting www.americanbeaconfunds.com.

 

 
Table of Contents
1
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ORGANIZATION AND HISTORY OF THE FUNDS
Each Fund is a separate series of American Beacon Funds (the “Trust”), an open-end management investment company organized as a Massachusetts business trust on January 16, 1987. Each Fund constitutes a separate investment portfolio with a distinct investment objectives and distinct purpose and strategy. Each Fund is “diversified” as defined by the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the “Investment Company Act”). Each Fund is comprised of multiple classes of shares designed to meet the needs of different groups of investors. This SAI relates to the A Class, C Class, Y Class, R5 Class, and Investor Class shares of the Funds, as well as the R6 Class shares of the American Beacon The London Company Income Equity Fund. Prior to February 28, 2020, the R5 Class shares were known as the Institutional Class shares.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION ABOUT INVESTMENT STRATEGIES AND RISKS
The investment objectives and principal investment strategies and risks of each Fund are described in the Prospectus. This section contains additional information about the Funds’ investment policies and risks and types of investments a Fund may purchase. The composition of a Fund’s portfolio and the strategies that a Fund may use in selecting investments may vary over time. A Fund is not required to use all of the investment strategies described below in pursuing its investment objectives. It may use some of the investment strategies only at some times or it may not use them at all. Investors should carefully consider their own investment goals and risk tolerance before investing in a Fund. In the following table, Funds with an “X” in a particular strategy/risk are more likely to use or be subject to that strategy/risk than those without an “X”.
Strategy/Risk
American Beacon SiM High Yield Opportunities Fund
American Beacon The London Company Income Equity Fund
American Beacon Zebra Small Cap Equity Fund
Asset-Backed Securities
X
Borrowing Risk
X
X
X
Callable Securities
X
Cash Equivalents and Other Short Term Investments
X
X
X
Collateralized Bond Obligations, Collateralized Debt Obligations and Collateralized Loan Obligations
X
Commodity Instruments
X
Common Stock
X
X
X
Contingent Convertible Securities (“CoCos”)
X
Convertible Securities
X
X
Corporate Actions
X
“Covenant-Lite” Obligations Risk
X
Cover and Asset Segregation
X
X
X
Creditor Liability and Participation on Creditors’ Committees
X
Currencies Risk
X
Cybersecurity Risk
X
X
X
Debentures
X
Delayed Funding Loans and Revolving Credit Facilities
X
Depositary Receipts
X
X
X
Derivatives
X
X
X
Distressed Investment Risk
X
Eurodollar and Yankee CD Obligations
X
Event-Linked Exposure
X
Expense Risk
X
X
X
Fixed-Income Investments
X
X
Floaters and Inverse Floaters
X
Foreign Debt Securities
X
Foreign Securities
X
X
X
Forward Contracts
X
Forward Foreign Currency Contracts
X
Futures Contracts
X
X
X
Growth Companies
X
X
X
High-Yield Bonds
X
Illiquid and Restricted Securities
X
X
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Strategy/Risk
American Beacon SiM High Yield Opportunities Fund
American Beacon The London Company Income Equity Fund
American Beacon Zebra Small Cap Equity Fund
Income Deposit Securities
X
Income Trusts
X
X
Indebtedness, Loan Participations and Assignments
X
Inflation-Indexed Securities
X
Initial Public Offerings
X
Interfund Lending
X
X
X
Issuer Risk
X
X
X
Large Capitalization Companies Risk
X
X
Leverage Risk
X
LIBOR Risk
X
Master Demand Notes
X
Master Limited Partnerships
X
X
X
Micro-Capitalization Companies Risk
X
Mid-Capitalization Companies Risk
X
X
Model and Data Risk
X
Mortgage-Backed Securities
X
Municipal Securities
X
Other Investment Company Securities and Exchange-Traded Products
X
X
X
Pay-in-Kind Securities
X
Preferred Stock
X
X
Quantitative Strategy Risk
X
X
Real Estate Related Investments
X
X
X
Reliance on Corporate Management and Financial Reporting Risk
X
Repurchase Agreements
X
Senior Loans
X
Separately Traded Registered Interest and Principal Securities and Other Zero-Coupon Obligations
X
Short Sales
X
Small-Capitalization Companies Risk
X
X
X
Sovereign and Quasi-Sovereign Government and Supranational Debt
X
Structured Products
X
Supranational Risk
X
Swap Agreements
X
Time-Zone Arbitrage
X
Trust Preferred Securities
X
X
U.S. Government Agency Securities
X
U.S. Treasury Obligations
X
Unrated Securities Risk
X
Value Companies Risk
X
X
X
Variable or Floating Rate Obligations
X
Variable Rate Auction and Residual Interest Obligations
X
Warrants
X
When-Issued and Forward Commitment Transactions
X
Asset-Backed Securities — Asset-backed securities are securities issued by trusts and special purpose entities that represent direct or indirect participations in, or are secured by and payable from, pools of assets. These assets include automobile and credit-card receivables, home equity loans and student loans, which pass through the payments on the underlying obligations to the security holders (less servicing fees paid to the originator or fees for any credit enhancement). Typically, loans or accounts-receivable paper are transferred from the originator to a specially created trust, which repackages the trust’s interests as securities with a minimum denomination and a specific term. The securities are then privately placed or publicly
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offered. A Fund’s investments in asset-backed securities will be subject to its rating and quality requirements. Asset-backed securities may be backed by a single asset; however, asset-backed securities that represent an interest in a pool of assets provide greater credit diversification. The value of an asset-backed security can be affected by, among other things, changes in the market’s perception of the asset backing the security, the creditworthiness of the servicing agent for the loan pool, the originator of the loans and the financial institution providing any credit enhancement. In addition, payments of principal and interest passed through to holders of asset-backed securities are frequently supported by some form of credit enhancement, such as a letter of credit, surety bond, or limited guarantee by another entity, or by having a priority to certain of the borrower’s other assets. The degree of credit enhancement varies, and generally applies to only a portion of the asset-backed security’s par value. Value is also affected if any credit enhancement has been exhausted. Asset-backed securities may include securities backed by pools of loans made to “subprime” borrowers with blemished credit histories. The underwriting standards for subprime loans may be lower and more flexible than the standards generally used by lenders for borrowers with non-blemished credit histories with respect to the borrower’s credit standing and repayment history. Certain collateral may be difficult to locate in the event of a default, and recoveries of depreciated or damaged collateral may not fully recover payments due on such collateral. In addition, certain types of collateral, such as credit receivables, are unsecured, and the debtors are entitled to the protection of a number of state and federal consumer credit laws, many of which give such debtors the right to set off certain amounts owed on the credit cards, thereby reducing the balance due. In addition, if a Fund purchases asset-backed securities that are “subordinated” to other interests in the same pool of assets, a Fund may only receive payments after the pool’s obligations to other investors have been satisfied. Asset-backed securities may be subject to interest rate risk and prepayment risk.
Borrowing Risk — A Fund may borrow money in an amount up to one-third of its total assets (including the amount borrowed) from banks and other financial institutions. A Fund may borrow for temporary purposes. Borrowing may exaggerate changes in a Fund’s NAV and in its total return. Interest expense and other fees associated with borrowing may impact a Fund’s expenses and reduce its returns.
Callable Securities — A Fund may invest in fixed income securities with call features. A call feature allows the issuer of the security to redeem or call the security prior to its stated maturity date. In periods of falling interest rates, issuers may be more likely to call in securities that are paying higher coupon rates than prevailing interest rates. In the event of a call, a Fund would lose the income that would have been earned to maturity on that security, and the proceeds received by a Fund may be invested in securities paying lower coupon rates. Thus, a Fund’s income could be reduced as a result of a call. In addition, the market value of a callable security may decrease if it is perceived by the market as likely to be called, which could have a negative impact on a Fund’s total return.
Cash Equivalents and Other Short-Term Investments — Cash equivalents and other short-term investments in which a Fund may invest include the investments set forth below. Certain of these investments are issued by and provide exposure to banks. The activities of U.S. banks and most foreign banks are subject to comprehensive regulations. The enactment of new legislation or regulations, as well as changes in interpretation and enforcement of current laws, may affect the manner of operations and profitability of domestic and foreign banks. Significant developments in the U.S. banking industry have included increased competition from other types of financial institutions, increased acquisition activity and geographic expansion. Banks may be particularly susceptible to certain economic factors, such as interest rate changes and adverse developments in the market for real estate. Fiscal and monetary policy and general economic cycles can affect the availability and cost of funds, loan demand and asset quality and thereby impact the earnings and financial conditions of banks.

 

Bankers’ acceptances. Bankers’ acceptances are short-term credit instruments designed to enable businesses to obtain funds to finance commercial transactions. Generally, an acceptance is a time draft drawn on a bank by an exporter or an importer to obtain a stated amount of funds to pay for specific merchandise. The draft is then “accepted” by a bank that, in effect, unconditionally guarantees to pay the face value of the instrument on its maturity date. The acceptance may then be held by the accepting bank as an earning asset or it may be sold in the secondary market at the going rate of discount for a specific maturity. Most acceptances have maturities of six months or less. Bankers’ acceptances rank junior to domestic deposit liabilities of the bank and pari passu with other senior, unsecured obligations of the bank.

 

Bearer deposit notes. Bearer deposit notes, or bearer bonds, are bonds or debt securities that entitle the holder of the document to ownership or title in the deposit. Such notes are typically unregistered, and whoever physically holds the bond is presumed to be the owner of the instrument. Recovery of the value of a bearer bond in the event of its loss or destruction usually is impossible. Interest is typically paid upon presentment of an interest coupon for payment.

 

CDs. CDs are negotiable certificates issued against funds deposited in an eligible bank (including its domestic and foreign branches, subsidiaries and agencies) for a definite period of time and earning a specified rate of return. U.S. dollar denominated CDs issued by banks abroad are known as Eurodollar CDs. CDs issued by foreign branches of U.S. banks are known as Yankee CDs.

 

Commercial paper. Commercial paper is a short-term debt security issued by a corporation, bank, municipality, or other issuer, usually for purposes such as financing current operations. A Fund may invest in commercial paper that cannot be resold to the public without an effective registration statement under the Securities Act. While some restricted commercial paper normally is deemed illiquid, in certain cases it may be deemed liquid.

 

Government obligations. Government obligations may include U.S. Treasury securities, Treasury inflation-protected securities, and other debt instruments backed by the full faith and credit of the United States, or debt obligations of U.S. Government-sponsored entities.

 

Money market funds. A Fund may invest cash balances in money market funds that are registered as investment companies under the Investment Company Act, including money market funds that are advised by the Manager. Money market funds invest in highly-liquid, short-term instruments, which include cash and cash equivalents, and debt securities with high credit ratings and short-term maturities, such as U.S. Treasuries. If a Fund invests in money market funds, shareholders will bear their proportionate share of the expenses of the money market funds in which a Fund invests. These expenses may include, for example, advisory and administrative fees, including advisory fees charged by the Manager to any applicable money market funds advised by the Manager. Shareholders also would be exposed to the risks associated with money market funds and the portfolio investments of such money market funds, including that a money market fund’s yield will be lower than the return that a Fund would have derived from other investments that would provide liquidity.
 
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Repurchase agreements. Repurchase agreements are agreements pursuant to which a Fund purchases securities from a bank that is a member of the Federal Reserve System (or a foreign bank or U.S. branch or agency of a foreign bank), or from a securities dealer, that agrees to repurchase the securities from a Fund at a higher price on a designated future date. Repurchase agreements generally are for a short period of time, usually less than a week. Costs, delays, or losses could result if the selling party to a repurchase agreement becomes bankrupt or otherwise defaults.

 

Short-term corporate debt securities. Short-term corporate debt securities are securities and bonds issued by corporations with shorter terms to maturity. Corporate securities generally bear a higher risk than U.S. government bonds.

 

Time deposits. Time deposits, also referred to as “fixed time deposits,” are non-negotiable deposits maintained at a banking institution for a specified period of time at a specified interest rate. Time deposits may be withdrawn on demand by the investor, but may be subject to early withdrawal penalties which vary depending upon market conditions and the remaining maturity of the obligation. There are no contractual restrictions on the right to transfer a beneficial interest in a time deposit to a third party, although there is no market for such deposits.
 
Collateralized Bond Obligations, Collateralized Debt Obligations, and Collateralized Loan Obligations — A Fund may invest in each of CBOs, CLOs, other CDOs and other similarly structured securities. CBOs, CLOs and other CDOs are types of asset-backed securities. A CBO is ordinarily issued by a trust or other special purpose entity (“SPE”), and is often backed by a diversified pool of high risk, below-investment grade fixed income securities. The collateral can be from many different types of fixed income securities such as high yield debt, residential privately issued mortgage-related securities, commercial privately issued mortgage- related securities, trust preferred securities and emerging markets debt. A CLO is ordinarily issued by a trust or other SPE and is typically collateralized by a pool of loans, which may include, among others, domestic and foreign senior secured loans, senior unsecured loans, and subordinate corporate loans, including loans that may be rated below investment grade or equivalent unrated loans. The CLOs in which a Fund invests will be subject to Senior Loan Risk, Indebtedness, Loan Participation and Assignment Risk, and Illiquid and Restricted Securities Risk. Other CDOs are trusts backed by other types of assets representing obligations of various parties. Although certain CDOs may benefit from credit enhancement in the form of a senior-subordinate structure, overcollateralization or bond insurance, such enhancement may not always be present, and may fail to protect against the risk of loss upon default of the collateral. Certain CDO issuers may use derivatives contracts to create “synthetic” exposure to assets rather than holding such assets directly, which entails the risks of derivative instruments described elsewhere in this SAI. CBOs, CLOs and other CDOs may charge management fees and administrative expenses.
For CBOs, CLOs and other CDOs, the cash flows from the trust are split into two or more portions, called tranches, varying in risk and yield. The riskiest portion is the “equity” tranche which bears the bulk of defaults from the bonds or loans in the trust and serves to protect the other, more senior tranches from default in all but the most severe circumstances. Since they are partially protected from defaults, senior tranches from a CBO trust, CLO trust or trust of another CDO typically have higher ratings and lower yields than their underlying securities, and can be rated investment grade. Despite the protection from the equity tranche, CBO, CLO or other CDO mezzanine, junior or even more senior tranches can experience substantial losses due to actual defaults, downgrades of the underlying collateral by rating agencies, forced liquidation of the collateral pool due to a failure of coverage tests, increased sensitivity to defaults due to collateral default and disappearance of protecting tranches, market anticipation of defaults, as well as aversion to CBO, CLO or other CDO securities as a class. Interest on certain tranches of a CDO may be paid in kind or deferred and capitalized (paid in the form of obligations of the same type rather than cash), which involves continued exposure to default risk with respect to such payments.
The risks of an investment in a CBO, CLO or other CDO depend largely on the type of the collateral securities and the class, or tranche, of the instrument in which a Fund invests. Normally, CBOs, CLOs and other CDOs are privately offered and sold, and thus, are not registered under the securities laws. As a result, investments in CBOs, CLOs and other CDOs may be characterized by a Fund as illiquid securities; however, an active dealer market may exist for CBOs, CLOs and other CDOs allowing them to qualify as Rule 144A transactions. Please refer to “Illiquid and Restricted Securities” below for further discussion of regulatory considerations and constraints related to such securities. In addition to the normal risks associated with fixed income securities and asset-backed securities discussed elsewhere in this SAI and a Fund’s Prospectus (e.g., prepayments and extension risk, credit risk, liquidity risk, market risk, and interest rate risk), CBOs, CLOs and other CDOs carry additional risks including, but not limited to: (i) the possibility that distributions from collateral securities will not be adequate to make interest or other payments; (ii) the quality of the collateral may decline in value or default; (iii) the risk that a Fund may invest in CBOs, CLOs or other CDOs, or tranches thereof, that are subordinate to other classes; (iv) the complex structure of the security may not be fully understood at the time of investment and may produce disputes with the issuer or unexpected investment results (v) the investment return achieved could be significantly different from the return predicted by financial models; and (vi) the lack of a readily available secondary market for CDOs. In addition, interest rate risk may be exacerbated if the interest rate payable on a structured financing changes based on multiples of changes in interest rates or inversely to changes in interest rates.
CLO equity, mezzanine and other junior tranches are subordinated to more senior tranches of CLO debt. Subordinated tranches are subject to increased risks of default relative to the holders of senior and superior-priority interests in the same CLO. A Fund may be in a first loss or subordinated position with respect to realized losses on the assets of the CLOs in which it invests. In addition, at the time of issuance, CLO equity securities are typically under-collateralized in that the liabilities of a CLO at inception exceed its total assets. The failure by a CLO in which a Fund invests to satisfy financial covenants, including with respect to adequate collateralization and/or interest coverage tests, could lead to a reduction in the CLO’s payments to a Fund. In the event that a CLO fails certain tests, holders of CLO senior debt may be entitled to additional payments that would, in turn, reduce the payments the subordinated tranches would otherwise be entitled to receive.
Commodity InstrumentsExposure to physical commodities may subject a Fund to greater volatility than investments in traditional securities. The value of such investments may be affected by overall market movements, commodity index volatility, changes in interest rates, or factors affecting a particular industry or commodity, such as supply and demand, drought, floods, weather, embargoes, tariffs and international economic, political and regulatory developments. Their value may also respond to investor perception of instability in the national or international economy, whether or not justified by the facts. However, these investments may help to moderate fluctuations in the value of a Fund’s other holdings, because these investments may not correlate with investments in traditional securities. Economic and other events (whether real or perceived) can reduce the demand for commodities, which may reduce market prices and cause the value of a Fund’s shares to fall. The sub-advisor’s failure to anticipate these events may lead to a Fund losing money on its commodity investments.
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No active trading market may exist for certain commodities investments, which may impair the ability of a Fund to sell or realize the full value of such investments in the event of the need to liquidate such investments. Certain commodities are subject to limited pricing flexibility because of supply and demand factors. Others are subject to broad price fluctuations as a result of the volatility of the prices for certain raw materials and the instability of supplies of other materials. These additional variables may create additional investment risks and result in greater volatility than investments in traditional securities. Because physical commodities do not generate investment income, the return on such investments will be derived solely from the appreciation or depreciation on such investments. Certain types of commodities instruments (such as commodity-linked swaps and commodity-linked structured notes) are subject to the risk that the counterparty to the instrument will not perform or will be unable to perform in accordance with the terms of the instrument.
A Fund will not qualify as a “RIC “ under the Internal Revenue Code in any taxable year in which more than 10% of its annual gross income consists of certain “non-qualifying” income, which includes gains resulting from selling physical commodities (or options or futures contracts thereon unless the gain is realized from certain hedging transactions) and certain other non-passive income. See the section entitled “Tax Information.” A Fund’s investment in securities or derivatives backed by, or in certain entities (such as ETFs)) that invest in, physical commodities, generally would produce income that would be subject to this 10% limitation. To remain within this limitation, a Fund may hold such an investment or sell it at a loss, or sell other investments, when for investment reasons it would not otherwise do so. The availability of such measures does not guarantee that a Fund would be able to satisfy the requirements of the Internal Revenue Code to continue to qualify as a RIC.
Common Stock — Common stock generally takes the form of shares in a corporation which represent an ownership interest. It ranks below preferred stock and debt securities in claims for dividends and for assets of the company in a liquidation or bankruptcy. The value of a company’s common stock may fall as a result of factors directly relating to that company, such as decisions made by its management or decreased demand for the company’s products or services. A stock’s value may also decline because of factors affecting not just the company, but also companies in the same industry or sector. The price of a company’s stock may also be affected by changes in financial markets that are relatively unrelated to the company, such as changes in interest rates, currency exchange rates or industry regulation. Companies that elect to pay dividends on their common stock generally only do so after they invest in their own business and make required payments to bondholders and on other debt and preferred stock. Therefore, the value of a company’s common stock will usually be more volatile than its bonds, other debt and preferred stock. Common stock may be exchange-traded or traded over-the-counter. OTC stock may be less liquid than exchange-traded stock.
Contingent Convertible Securities (“CoCos”) — CoCos are a form of hybrid debt security issued by financial institutions. If an issuer experiences an event that causes its capital to fall below a predetermined “trigger” level, CoCos are either converted into equity securities of the issuer or undergo a full or partial write-down of their principal. The triggering events and conditions are specific to the issuing institution and its regulatory requirements and may be linked to regulatory capital thresholds or regulatory actions calling into question the issuing banking institution’s continued viability as a going concern. Triggering events might include, for instance, an issuer failing to maintain a minimum capital level, a regulator’s determination that the issuer should convert the security to maintain continued viability, or the issuer receiving high levels of public support. Market value will fluctuate based on unpredictable factors. The value of CoCos is unpredictable and will be influenced by many factors including, without limitation: (i) the creditworthiness of the issuer and/or fluctuations in such issuer’s applicable capital ratios; (ii) supply and demand for the CoCos; (iii) general market conditions and available liquidity; and (iv) economic, financial and political events that affect the issuer, its particular market or the financial markets in general.
CoCos have no stated maturity date, have discretionary interest payments and are usually subordinated debt instruments. Because CoCos are typically subordinated debt instruments, in the event the issuer liquidates, dissolves, or winds up before a triggering event, a Fund’s claims will generally be junior to those holding more senior debt obligations. If the CoCo converts to an equity security, a Fund’s investment would be even further subordinated because equity securities have the lowest priority in the capital structure of an issuer. As a result, an investment by a Fund in CoCos is subject to the risk that coupon (i.e., interest) payments may be cancelled by the issuer or a regulatory authority in order to help the issuer absorb losses. If the issuer converts the CoCo to an equity security, it is not required to pay a dividend, and a Fund would lose interest payments and potentially all income. Alternatively, if the issuer writes down the principal due on the CoCos, a Fund could lose some or all of its investment. Under some circumstances, the liquidation value of certain types of contingent convertible securities may be adjusted downward to below the original par value. The write-down of the par value would occur automatically and would not entitle the holders to seek bankruptcy of the company. Some CoCos have a set stock conversion rate that would cause an automatic write-down of capital if the price of the stock is below the conversion price on the conversion date. CoCos may be subject to redemption at the option of the issuer at a predetermined price. CoCos are often rated below investment grade and are subject to the risks of high-yield securities. Because CoCos are issued primarily by financial institutions, CoCos may present substantially increased risks at times of financial turmoil, which could affect financial institutions more than companies in other sectors and industries. CoCos carry the general risks applicable to other fixed income investments, including interest rate risk, credit risk, market risk and liquidity risk.
Convertible Securities — Convertible securities include corporate bonds, notes, debentures, preferred stock or other securities that may be converted into or exchanged for a prescribed amount of common stock of the same or a different issuer within a particular period of time at a specified price or formula. Convertible securities generally have features of, and risks associated with, both equity and fixed income instruments. As such, the value of most convertible securities will vary with changes in the price of, and will be subject to the risks associated with, the underlying common stock. Additionally, convertible securities are also subject to the risk that the issuer may not be able to pay principal or interest when due and the value of the convertible security may change based on the issuer’s credit rating.
A convertible security entitles the holder to receive interest paid or accrued on debt or dividends paid on preferred stock until the convertible security matures or is redeemed, converted or exchanged. Before conversion, such securities ordinarily provide a stream of income with generally higher yields than common stocks of the same or similar issuers, but lower than the yield on non-convertible debt. The value of a convertible security is a function of (1) its yield in comparison to the yields of other securities of comparable maturity and quality that do not have a conversion privilege and (2) its worth if converted to the underlying common stock. While no securities investment is without some risk, investments in convertible securities generally entail less risk than investments in the issuer’s common stock, although the extent to which such risk is reduced depends in large measure upon the degree
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to which the convertible security sells above its value as a fixed income security. Holders of convertible securities have a claim on the assets of the issuer senior to the common stockholders but may be subordinated to holders of similar non-convertible securities of the same issuer.
If the convertible security’s “conversion value,” which is the market value of the underlying common stock that would be obtained upon the conversion of the convertible security, is substantially below the “investment value,” which is the value of a convertible security viewed without regard to its conversion feature (i.e., strictly on the basis of its yield), the price of the convertible security is governed principally by its investment value. If the conversion value of a convertible security increases to a point that approximates or exceeds its investment value, the value of the security will be principally influenced by its conversion value. A convertible security will sell at a premium over its conversion value to the extent investors place value on the right to acquire the underlying common stock while holding an income-producing security.
The market value of convertible securities tends to decline as interest rates increase and, conversely, to increase as interest rates decline. While convertible securities generally offer lower interest or dividend yields than non-convertible debt securities of similar quality, they do enable the investor to benefit from increases in the market price of the underlying common stock. A convertible security may have a mandatory conversion feature or a call feature that subjects it to redemption at the option of the issuer at a price established in the security’s governing instrument. If a convertible security held by a Fund is called for redemption a Fund will be required to convert it into the underlying common stock, sell it to a third party or permit the issuer to redeem the security. Any of these actions could have an adverse effect on a Fund’s ability to achieve its investment objectives. Because of the conversion feature, certain convertible securities may be considered equity equivalents.
Corporate Actions — From time to time, a Fund may voluntarily participate in corporate actions (for example, rights offerings, conversion privileges, exchange offers, credit event settlements, etc.) where the issuer or counterparty offers securities or instruments to holders or counterparties, such as a Fund, and the acquisition is determined to be beneficial to Fund shareholders (“Corporate Actions”). Notwithstanding any percentage investment limitation listed under the “Investment Restrictions” section or any percentage investment limitation of the Investment Company Act or rules thereunder, if a Fund has the opportunity to acquire a permitted security or instrument through a Corporate Action, and by doing so, a Fund would exceed a percentage investment limitation following the acquisition, it will not constitute a violation if, prior to the receipt of the securities or instruments and after announcement of the Corporate Action, a Fund sells an offsetting amount of assets that are subject to the investment limitation in question at least equal to the value of the securities or instruments to be acquired.
“Covenant-Lite” Obligations Risk Certain investments, such as loans in which a Fund may invest directly or have exposure to through its investments in structured securities, may be “covenant-lite.” Covenant-lite obligations contain fewer maintenance covenants than other obligations, or no maintenance covenants at all, and may not include terms which allow the lender to monitor the performance of the borrower and declare a default if certain criteria are breached, which would allow the lender to restructure the obligation or take other action intended to help mitigate losses. This may expose a Fund to greater credit risk associated with the borrower and reduce a Fund’s ability to restructure a problematic obligation and mitigate potential loss. As a result, a Fund’s exposure to losses on such investments may be increased, especially during a downturn in the credit cycle, and a Fund may experience relatively greater difficulty or delays in enforcing its rights on its holdings of covenant-lite obligations than its holdings of obligations or securities with financial maintenance covenants.
Cover and Asset Segregation — A Fund may make investments or employ trading practices that obligate a Fund, on a fixed or contingent basis, to deliver an asset or make a cash payment to another party in the future. A Fund will comply with rules and guidance from the SEC with respect to coverage of certain investments and trading practices. Currently, applicable regulatory guidance requires segregation, either in a segregated account at the custodian or by earmarking on a Fund’s books and records, of cash or liquid assets to the extent a Fund’s obligations with respect to these strategies are not otherwise “covered” through ownership of the underlying security or financial instrument or by offsetting portfolio positions. For example, if a Fund enters into a currency forward contract to sell foreign currency on a future date, a Fund may cover its obligation to deliver the foreign currency by segregating cash or liquid assets having a value at least equal to the value of the deliverable currency on a marked-to-market basis. Alternatively, a Fund could cover its obligation by entering into an offsetting transaction to acquire, on or before the date such foreign currency must be delivered, an amount of foreign currency at least equal to the deliverable amount at a price at or below the sale price to be received by a Fund under the currency forward contract. A Fund’s approach to asset coverage may vary among different types of transactions. For example, if a Fund’s forward obligation on the transaction is only to make a cash payment equal to the amount, if any, by which the value of the Fund’s position is less than that of its counterparty, the Fund will segregate cash or liquid assets equal to that difference calculated on a daily marked-to-market basis (a “net amount”). Additionally, if a Fund is a protection seller in a credit default swap, the Fund, depending on how the credit default swap is settled, usually will segregate assets equal to the full notional value of the swap. If a Fund is a protection buyer in a credit default swap, depending on how the credit default swap is settled, it usually will cover the total amount of required premium payments plus the prepayment penalty. With respect to certain investments, a Fund calculates the obligations of the parties to the agreement on a “net basis” (i.e., the two payment streams are netted out with a Fund receiving or paying, as the case may be, only the net amount of the two payments). Under such circumstances, a Fund’s current obligations will generally be equal only to the net amount to be paid by a Fund based on the relative values of the positions held by each party to the agreement (the “net amount”). Inasmuch as a Fund covers its obligations under these transactions as described above, the Manager and a Fund believe such obligations do not constitute senior securities. Earmarking or otherwise segregating a large percentage of a Fund’s assets could impede the management of the Fund’s portfolio or a Fund’s ability to meet redemption requests or other current obligations. A Fund may be unable to promptly dispose of assets that are necessary to cover, or need to be segregated with respect to, an illiquid futures, options, forward, or swap position, which may result in a loss to a Fund. On October 28, 2020, the SEC adopted new Rule 18f-4 (the “Derivatives Rule”), replacing the asset segregation regime of Investment Company Act Release No. 10666 (“Release 10666”) with a new framework for the use of derivatives by registered funds. For a fund using a significant amount of derivatives, the Derivatives Rule mandates the fund adopt and/or implement: (i) value at risk limitations in lieu of asset segregation requirements; (ii) a written derivatives risk management program; (iii) new board oversight responsibilities; and (iv) new reporting and recordkeeping requirements. The Derivatives Rule provides an exception for a fund with derivatives exposure not exceeding 10% of its net assets, excluding certain currency and interest rate hedging transactions. Complying with the Derivatives Rule may increase the cost of a Fund’s investments and cost of doing business, which could adversely affect investors. The full impact of the Derivatives Rule on a Fund remains uncertain, but due to the
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compliance timeline within the Derivatives Rule, it is unlikely that a Fund will be required to fully comply with the requirements until August 19, 2022. A Fund reserves the right to modify its policies in the future to comply with any changes in the positions articulated by the SEC or its staff, such as the Derivatives Rule, regarding asset segregation.
Creditor Liability and Participation on Creditors’ CommitteesGenerally, when a Fund holds bonds or other similar fixed income securities of an issuer, a Fund becomes a creditor of the issuer. If a Fund is a creditor of an issuer it may be subject to challenges related to the securities that it holds, either in connection with the bankruptcy of the issuer or in connection with another action brought by other creditors of the issuer, shareholders of the issuer or the issuer itself. Although they are under no obligation to do so, a sub-advisor to a Fund may from time to time have an opportunity to consider, negotiating or otherwise participating in the restructuring of a Fund’s portfolio investment or the issuer of such investment. Accordingly, a Fund may from time to time participate on committees formed by creditors to negotiate with the management of financially troubled issuers of securities held by a Fund. Such participation may subject a Fund to expenses such as legal fees and may make a Fund an “insider” of the issuer for purposes of the federal securities laws, and therefore may restrict such Fund’s ability to trade in or acquire additional positions in a particular security when it might otherwise desire to do so. Participation on such committees also may expose a Fund to potential liabilities under the federal bankruptcy laws or other laws governing the rights of creditors and debtors. Similarly, a sub-advisor may actively participate in bankruptcy court and related proceedings on behalf of a Fund in order to protect a Fund’s interests in connection with a restructuring transaction, and a sub-advisor may cause a Fund to enter into an agreement reasonably indemnifying third parties or advancing from a Fund’s assets any legal fees or other costs to third parties, including parties involved in or assisting a Fund with a restructuring transaction, such as trustees, servicers and other third parties. Further, a sub-advisor may have the authority to represent the Trust, or any Fund(s) thereof, on creditors’ committees (or similar committees) or otherwise in connection with the restructuring of an issuer’s debt and generally with respect to challenges related to the securities held by a Fund relating to the bankruptcy of an issuer or in connection with another action brought by other creditors of the issuer, shareholders of the issuer or the issuer itself.
Currencies Risk — A Fund may have significant exposure to foreign currencies for investment or hedging purposes by making direct investments in non-U.S. currencies or in securities denominated in non-U.S. currencies (including emerging market currencies), or by purchasing or selling foreign currency forward contracts, non-U.S. currency futures contracts, options on non-U.S. currencies and non-U.S. currency futures and swaps for cross-currency investments. Foreign currencies will fluctuate, and may decline, in value relative to the U.S. dollar and affect a Fund’s investments in foreign (non-U.S.) currencies, securities that trade in, and receive revenues in, or in derivatives that provide exposure to, foreign (non-U.S.) currencies. For example, if the U.S. dollar appreciates against foreign currencies, the value of Fund holdings generally would depreciate and vice versa.
Cybersecurity Risk — With the increased use of technologies such as the Internet and the dependence on computer systems to perform necessary business functions, the Funds, and their service providers, may be prone to operational and information security risks resulting from cyber-attacks. In general, cyber incidents can result from deliberate attacks or unintentional events. Cyber-attacks include, but are not limited to, stealing or corrupting data maintained online or digitally (e.g., through “hacking” or malicious software coding), the theft and holding for ransom of proprietary or confidential information or data, denial of service attacks on websites, the unauthorized release of confidential information or various other forms of cybersecurity breaches. Cyber-attacks affecting the Funds or the Manager, a sub-advisor, the custodian, the transfer agent, intermediaries and other third-party service providers may adversely impact the Funds. For instance, cyber-attacks may interfere with the processing of shareholder transactions, result in the loss or theft of shareholder data or funds, impact a Fund’s ability to calculate NAV per share, cause the release of private shareholder information or confidential business information, impede trading, subject the Funds to regulatory fines or financial losses and/or cause reputational damage. A cyber-attack may also result in shareholders or service providers being unable to access electronic systems (“denial of services”), loss or theft of proprietary information or corporate data, physical damage to a computer or network system, or remediation costs associated with system repairs. The Funds may also incur additional costs for cybersecurity risk management purposes. Similar types of cybersecurity risks are also present for issuers or securities in which the Funds may invest, which could result in material adverse consequences for such issuers and may cause a Fund’s investment in such companies to lose value. Adverse consequences also could result from cybersecurity incidents affecting counterparties with which a Fund engages in transactions, governmental and other regulatory authorities, exchanges and other financial market operators, banks, brokers, dealers, insurance companies, other financial institutions and other parties. A Fund’s service providers also may be negatively impacted due to operational risks arising from factors such as processing errors and human errors, inadequate or failed internal or external processes, failures in systems and technology errors or malfunctions, changes in personnel, and errors caused by Fund service providers or counterparties.
Any of these results could have a substantial adverse impact on a Fund and its shareholders. For example, if a cybersecurity incident results in a denial of service, Fund shareholders could lose access to their electronic accounts and be unable to buy or sell Fund shares for an unknown period of time, and service providers could be unable to access electronic systems to perform critical duties for a Fund, such as trading, NAV calculation, shareholder accounting or fulfillment of Fund share purchases and redemptions. Cybersecurity incidents could cause a Fund or a service provider to incur regulatory penalties, reputational damage, additional compliance costs associated with corrective measures, or financial loss of a significant magnitude and could result in allegations that a Fund or Fund service provider violated privacy and other laws. There are inherent limitations in risk management systems that seek to reduce the risks associated with cybersecurity and business continuity plans in the event there is a cybersecurity breach, including the possibility that certain risks may not have been identified, in large part because different or unknown threats may emerge in the future. Furthermore, a Fund does not control the cybersecurity systems and plans of the issuers of securities in which a Fund invests, third party service providers, trading counterparties or any other service providers whose operations may affect a Fund or its shareholders.
Debentures — Debentures are unsecured, medium- to long-term debt securities protected only by the general creditworthiness of the corporate or government issuer, not by collateral, and documented by indentures. Governments often issue debentures because they generally cannot guarantee debt with assets due to the fact that government assets are public property. Debenture holders are unsecured creditors. In the event of default or bankruptcy by the issuer, debenture holders will not have a claim against any specific assets of the issuer and will therefore only be paid from the issuer’s assets after the secured creditors have been paid. The value of a debenture can fluctuate with changes in interest rates and the perceived ability of the issuer to make interest or principal payments on time.
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Delayed Funding Loans and Revolving Credit Facilities — A Fund may enter into, or acquire participations in, delayed funding loans and revolving credit facilities. Delayed funding loans and revolving credit facilities are borrowing arrangements in which the lender agrees to make loans up to a maximum amount upon demand by the borrower during a specified term. A revolving credit facility differs from a delayed funding loan in that as the borrower repays the loan, an amount equal to the repayment may be borrowed again during the term of the revolving credit facility. Delayed funding loans and revolving credit facilities usually provide for floating or variable rates of interest. These commitments may have the effect of requiring a Fund to increase its investment in a company at a time when it might not otherwise decide to do so (including at a time when the company’s financial condition makes it unlikely that such amounts will be repaid). To the extent that a Fund is committed to advance additional funds, it will at all times segregate or “earmark” assets determined to be liquid in an amount sufficient to meet such commitments.
A Fund may invest in delayed funding loans and revolving credit facilities with credit quality comparable to that of issuers of its securities investments. Delayed funding loans and revolving credit facilities may be subject to restrictions on transfer, and only limited opportunities may exist to resell such instruments. As a result, a Fund may be unable to sell such investments at an opportune time or may have to resell them at less than fair market value. The Funds currently intend to treat delayed funding loans and revolving credit facilities for which there is no readily available market as illiquid for purposes of a Fund’s limitation on illiquid investments. Delayed funding loans and revolving credit facilities are considered to be debt obligations for purposes of a Fund’s investment restriction relating to the lending of funds or assets.
Depositary ReceiptsA Fund may invest in depositary receipts, which represent ownership interests in securities of foreign companies (an “underlying issuer”) that have been deposited with a bank or trust and that trade on an exchange or OTC. Depositary receipts may not be denominated in the same currency as the securities into which they may be converted, and they are subject to the risk of fluctuation in the currency exchange rate. Investing in depositary receipts entails substantially the same risks as direct investment in foreign securities. There is generally less publicly available information about foreign companies and there may be less governmental regulation and supervision of foreign stock exchanges, brokers, and listed companies. In addition, such companies may use different accounting and financial standards (and certain currencies may become unavailable for transfer from a foreign currency), resulting in a Fund’s possible inability to convert immediately into U.S. currency proceeds realized upon the sale of portfolio securities of the affected foreign companies. In addition, the issuers of unsponsored depositary receipts are not obligated to disclose material information about the underlying securities to investors in the United States. Ownership of unsponsored depositary receipts may not entitle a Fund to the same benefits and rights as ownership of a sponsored depositary receipt or the underlying security. Please see “Foreign Securities” below for a description of the risks associated with investments in foreign securities. A Fund may invest in the following type of depositary receipts:

 

ADRs. ADRs are depositary receipts for foreign issuers in registered form, typically issued by a U.S. financial institution, traded in U.S. securities markets.

 

EDRs. EDRs, which are sometimes called Continental Depositary Receipts, are issued in Europe in bearer form and are traded in European securities markets.

 

GDRs. GDRs are in bearer form and traded in both the U.S. and European securities markets.

 

NVDRs. NVDRs represent financial interests in an issuer but the holder is not entitled to any voting rights.
 
Derivatives — Generally a derivative is a financial instrument the value of which is based on, or “derived” from, a traditional security, asset, currency, or market index (collectively referred to as “reference assets”). A Fund may use derivatives for hedging and efficient portfolio management purposes. Derivative instruments may allow for better management of exposure to certain asset classes, as well as more efficient access to asset classes. There are many different types of derivatives and many different ways to use them. Some forms of derivatives, such as exchange-traded futures and options on securities, commodities, or indices, are traded on regulated exchanges. These types of derivatives are standardized contracts that can easily be bought and sold, and whose market values are determined and published daily. Non-standardized derivatives, on the other hand, tend to be more specialized or complex, and may be harder to value. Certain derivative securities are described more accurately as index/structured securities. Index/structured securities are derivative securities whose value or performance is linked to other equity securities (such as depositary receipts), currencies, interest rates, indices or other financial indicators.
Derivatives may involve significant risk. Many derivative instruments often require little or no payment and therefore often create inherent economic leverage. Some derivatives have the potential for unlimited loss, regardless of the size of a Fund’s initial investment. Not all derivative transactions require a counterparty to post collateral, which may expose a Fund to greater losses in the event of a default by a counterparty.
Derivatives may be illiquid and may be more volatile than other types of investments. A Fund may buy and sell derivatives that are neither centrally cleared nor traded on an exchange. Such derivatives may be subject to heightened counterparty, liquidity and valuation risk. Transactions in derivatives may expose a Fund to an obligation to another party and, as a result, a Fund may need to “cover” the obligation or segregate liquid assets in compliance with current SEC guidelines, as discussed under “Cover and Asset Segregation.”
On October 28, 2020, the SEC adopted new Rule 18f-4 (the “Derivatives Rule”), replacing the asset segregation regime of Investment Company Act Release No. 10666 (“Release 10666”) with a new framework for the use of derivatives by registered funds. For a fund using a significant amount of derivatives, the Derivatives Rule mandates the fund adopt and/or implement: (i) value at risk limitations in lieu of asset segregation requirements; (ii) a written derivatives risk management program; (iii) new board oversight responsibilities; and (iv) new reporting and recordkeeping requirements. The Derivatives Rule provides an exception for a fund with derivatives exposure not exceeding 10% of its net assets, excluding certain currency and interest rate hedging transactions. Complying with the Derivatives Rule may increase the cost of a Fund’s investments and cost of doing business, which could adversely affect investors. The full impact of the Derivatives Rule on a Fund remains uncertain, but due to the compliance timeline within the Derivatives Rule, it is unlikely that a Fund will be required to fully comply with the requirements until August 19, 2022. A Fund reserves the right to modify its policies in the future to comply with any changes in the positions articulated by the SEC or its staff, such as the Derivatives Rule, regarding asset segregation.
The enactment of the Dodd-Frank Act resulted in historic and comprehensive reform relating to derivatives, including the manner in which they are entered into, reported, recorded, executed, and settled or cleared. Pursuant to the Dodd-Frank Act, the SEC and the CFTC have promulgated a broad range of regulations and promulgated guidance on the use of derivatives by registered investment companies. These include regulations with respect
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to security-based swaps (e.g., derivatives based on a single security or narrow-based securities index) that are regulated by the SEC, and other swaps that are regulated by the CFTC and the markets in which these instruments trade. In addition, regulations adopted by the banking regulators require certain banks to include in a range of financial contracts, including many derivatives contracts, terms delaying or restricting default, termination and other rights in the event that the bank and/or its affiliates become subject to certain types of resolution or insolvency proceedings. The regulations could limit a Fund’s ability to exercise a range of cross-default rights if its counterparty, or an affiliate of the counterparty, is subject to bankruptcy or similar proceeding. Such regulations could further negatively impact a Fund’s use of derivatives. Prior to 2012, advisers of registered investment companies like a Fund that trade commodity interests (such as futures contracts, options on futures contracts, non-deliverable forwards and swaps), were excluded from regulation as CPOs pursuant to CFTC Regulation 4.5. In 2012, the CFTC amended Regulation 4.5 to dramatically narrow this exclusion. Under the amended Regulation 4.5 exclusion, in order to rely on the exclusion, a Fund’s commodity interests, other than those used for bona fide hedging purposes (as defined by the CFTC), must be limited such that the aggregate initial margin and premiums required to establish the positions (after taking into account unrealized profits and unrealized losses on any such positions and excluding the amount by which options are “in-the-money” at the time of purchase) do not exceed 5% of a Fund’s NAV. Alternatively, the aggregate net notional value of the positions, determined at the time the most recent position was established, may not exceed 100% of a Fund’s NAV, after taking into account unrealized profits and unrealized losses on any such positions). Further, to qualify for the exclusion in amended Regulation 4.5, a Fund must satisfy a marketing test, which requires, among other things, that a Fund not hold itself out as a vehicle for trading commodity interests. A Fund’s ability to use these instruments also may be limited by federal income tax considerations. See the section entitled “Tax Information.”
The Manager is not registered as a CPO with respect to the Funds in reliance on the delayed compliance date provided by No-Action Letter 12-38 of the Division of Swap Dealer and Intermediary Oversight (“Division”) of the CFTC. Pursuant to this letter and the conditions set forth herein, the Manager is not required to register as a CPO, or rely on an exemption from registration, until six months from the date the Division issues revised guidance on the application of the calculation of the de minimis thresholds in the context of the CPO exemption in CFTC Regulation 4.5. In addition, the Manager has also filed a notice claiming the CFTC Regulation 4.5 exclusion from CPO registration with respect to the Funds. The Manager is also exempt from registration as a commodity trading advisor under CFTC Regulation 4.14(a)(8) with respect to the Funds.
Further information about the specific types of derivative instruments in which a Fund may invest, including the risks involved in their use, are contained under the description of each of these instruments in this SAI. A Fund may invest in various types of derivatives, including among others:

 

Forward contracts

 

Futures contracts

 

Warrants
 
Distressed Investment Risk — A Fund may invest in distressed investments, which are issued by companies that are, or might be, involved in reorganizations or financial restructurings, either out of court or in bankruptcy. A Fund may also invest in debt securities of issuers that are in default or in bankruptcy. Investments in financially stressed or distressed issuers are speculative and involve substantial risks. These investments may present a substantial risk of default or may be in default at the time of investment. In addition, these securities may fluctuate more in price, and are typically less liquid than other higher-rated debt securities. A Fund may incur additional expenses to the extent it is required to seek recovery upon a default in the payment of principal or interest on its portfolio holdings. A Fund is also subject to significant uncertainty as to when, in what manner, and for what value obligations evidenced by securities of financially stressed or distressed issuers will eventually be satisfied (e.g., through a liquidation of the issuer’s assets, an exchange offer or plan of reorganization, or a payment of some amount in satisfaction of the obligation). Even if an exchange offer is made or plan of reorganization is adopted with respect to stressed or distressed debt held by a Fund, there can be no assurance that the securities or other assets received by a Fund in connection with such exchange offer or plan of reorganization will not have a lower value or income potential than may have been anticipated when the investment was made or no value. Defaulted obligations might be repaid only after lengthy workout or bankruptcy proceedings during which the issuer might not make any interest or other payments. In any reorganization or liquidation proceeding relating to a defaulted obligation, a Fund may lose its entire investment or may be required to accept cash or securities with a value less than its original investment. Moreover, any securities received by a Fund upon completion of a workout or bankruptcy proceeding may be illiquid, speculative, or restricted as to resale. Similarly, if a Fund participates in negotiations with respect to any exchange offer or plan of reorganization with respect to the securities of a stressed or distressed issuer, a Fund may be restricted from disposing of such securities. To the extent that a Fund becomes involved in such proceedings, a Fund may have a more active participation in the affairs of the issuer than that assumed generally by an investor. Also among the risks inherent in investments in a troubled issuer is that it frequently may be difficult to obtain information as to the true financial condition of the issuer. Judgments about the credit quality of a financially stressed or distressed issuer and the relative value of its securities may prove to be wrong, and there is no assurance that the evaluation of the value of the assets collateralizing a Fund’s investments or the prospects for a successful reorganization or similar action in respect of any company will be correct. See “High-Yield Bonds” disclosure below for the risks associated with low-quality, high-risk corporate bonds, a type of fixed-income security.
Eurodollar and Yankee CD Obligations — Eurodollar obligations are U.S. dollar obligations issued outside the United States by domestic or foreign entities, while Yankee CDs are U.S. dollar obligations issued inside the United States by foreign entities. There is generally less publicly available information about foreign issuers and there may be less governmental regulation and supervision of foreign stock exchanges, brokers and listed companies. Foreign issuers may use different accounting and financial standards, and the addition of foreign governmental restrictions may affect adversely the payment of principal and interest on foreign investments. In addition, not all foreign branches of United States banks are supervised or examined by regulatory authorities as are United States banks, and such branches may not be subject to reserve requirements. Eurodollar (and, to a limited extent, Yankee dollar) obligations are subject to certain sovereign risks. One such risk is the possibility that a sovereign country might prevent capital, in the form of dollars, from flowing across its borders. Other risks include adverse political and economic developments; the extent and quality of government regulation of financial markets and institutions; the imposition of foreign withholding taxes; and the expropriation or nationalization of foreign issuers.
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Event-Linked Exposure — A Fund may obtain event-linked exposure by investing in “event-linked bonds” or “event-linked swaps,” or by implementing “event-linked strategies”. Event-linked exposure results in gains that typically are contingent on, or formulaically related to, the nonoccurrence of a specific “trigger” event. Examples of a trigger event include a hurricane, earthquake, or other physical or weather-related phenomena, or statistics related to such events. For some event-linked bonds, the trigger event or losses may be based on company-wide losses, index-portfolio losses, industry indices, or readings of scientific instruments rather than specified actual losses. Some event-linked bonds are commonly referred to as “catastrophe bonds.” They may be issued by government agencies, insurance companies, reinsurers, special purpose corporations or other on-shore or off-shore entities (such special purpose entities are created to accomplish a narrow and well-defined objective, such as the issuance of a note in connection with a reinsurance transaction). If a trigger event occurs, or causes losses exceeding a specific amount in the geographic region and time period specified in a bond, a Fund may lose a portion or its entire principal invested in the bond or the notional amount on a swap. If no trigger event occurs, a Fund will recover its principal plus interest. Often the event-linked bonds provide for extensions of maturity that are mandatory or optional at the discretion of the issuer, in order to process and audit loss claims in those cases where a trigger event has, or possibly has, occurred. An extension of maturity may increase volatility. In addition to the specified trigger events, event-linked bonds also may expose a Fund to certain unanticipated risks including, but not limited to, issuer risk, credit risk, counterparty risk, liquidity risk, adverse regulatory or jurisdictional interpretations, and adverse tax consequences.
There can be no assurance that there will be a liquid market in event-linked bonds. Lack of a liquid market may impose the risk of higher transaction costs and the possibility that a Fund may be forced to liquidate positions when it would not be advantageous to do so. Please refer to “Illiquid and Restricted Securities” below for further discussion of regulatory considerations and constraints related to such securities.
Expense Risk Fund expenses are subject to a variety of factors, including fluctuations in a Fund’s net assets. Accordingly, actual expenses may be greater or less than those indicated. For example, to the extent that a Fund’s net assets decrease due to market declines or redemptions, a Fund’s expenses will increase as a percentage of Fund net assets. During periods of high market volatility, these increases in a Fund’s expense ratio could be significant.
Fixed-Income Investments — A Fund may hold debt, including government and corporate debt, and other fixed income securities, including derivative instruments that have fixed income securities as reference assets. Typically, the values of fixed income securities change inversely with prevailing interest rates. Therefore, a fundamental risk of fixed income securities is interest rate risk, which is the risk that their value will generally decline as prevailing interest rates rise, which may cause a Fund’s NAV to likewise decrease, and vice versa. How specific fixed income securities may react to changes in interest rates will depend on the specific characteristics of each security. For example, while securities with longer maturities tend to produce higher yields, they also tend to be more sensitive to changes in prevailing interest rates and are therefore more volatile than shorter-term securities and are subject to greater market fluctuations as a result of changes in interest rates. However, calculations of maturity and duration may be based on estimates and may not reliably predict a security’s price sensitivity to changes in interest rates. In addition, different interest rate measures (such as short- and long-term interest rates and U.S. and non-U.S. interest rates), or interest rates on different types of securities or securities of different issuers, may not necessarily change in the same amount or in the same direction. Investments in fixed-income securities with very low or negative interest rates may diminish a Fund’s yield and performance. Conversely, if rising interest rates cause a Fund to lose value, a Fund could face increased shareholder redemptions, which may lead to increased portfolio turnover and transaction costs. An increase in shareholder redemptions could also force a Fund to liquidate investments at disadvantageous times or prices, therefore adversely affecting a Fund as well as the value of your investment. For fixed income securities with variable or floating rates, the interest rates reset when the specified index or reference rate changes. Fixed income securities are also subject to credit risk, which is the risk that the credit strength of an issuer of a fixed income security will weaken and/or that the issuer will be unable or unwilling to make timely principal and interest payments and that the security may go into default. In addition, there is prepayment risk, which is the risk that during periods of falling interest rates, certain fixed income securities with higher interest rates, such as mortgage- and asset-backed securities, may be prepaid by their issuers thereby reducing the amount of interest payments. This may result in a Fund having to reinvest its proceeds in lower yielding securities. Fixed-income securities may also be subject to valuation risk and liquidity risk. Valuation risk is the risk that one or more of the fixed-income securities in which a Fund invests are priced differently than the value realized upon such security’s sale. In times of market instability, valuation may be more difficult. Liquidity risk is the risk that fixed-income securities may be difficult or impossible to sell at the time that a Fund would like or at the price a sub-advisor believes the security is currently worth. To the extent a Fund invests in fixed-income securities in a particular industry or economic sector, its share values may fluctuate in response to events affecting that industry or sector.
Securities underlying mortgage- and asset-backed securities, which may include subprime mortgages, also may be subject to a higher degree of credit risk, valuation risk, and liquidity risk. To the extent that a Fund invests in derivatives tied to fixed-income securities, such Fund may be more substantially exposed to these risks than a portfolio that does not invest in such derivatives.
The market for certain fixed-income securities may become illiquid under adverse market or economic conditions independent of any specific adverse changes in the conditions of a particular issuer. Recent and potential future changes in government monetary policy may also affect the level of interest rates. A Fund may be subject to heightened interest rate risk in times of monetary policy change and uncertainty, such as when the Federal Reserve ends a quantitative easing program and/or raises interest rates. The end of quantitative easing and/or rising interest rates may expose fixed-income markets to increased volatility and may reduce the liquidity of certain investments. These developments could cause a Fund’s NAV to fluctuate or make it more difficult for a Fund to accurately value its securities. The amount of assets deemed illiquid remaining within a Fund may also increase, making it more difficult to meet shareholder redemptions and further adversely affecting the value of a Fund.
In addition, specific types of fixed income securities in which a Fund may invest are subject to the risks described elsewhere in this SAI. See “High-Yield Bonds” disclosure below for the risks associated with low-quality, high-risk corporate bonds, a type of fixed-income security.
Floaters and Inverse Floaters — Floaters and inverse floaters are fixed income securities with a floating or variable rate of interest, i.e., the rate of interest varies with changes in specified market rates or indices, such as the prime rate, or at specified intervals. Floaters and inverse floaters may be extremely sensitive to the rise and fall in interest rates. The interest rate on a floater resets periodically. Because of the interest rate reset feature, floaters provide a Fund with a certain degree of protection against rises in interest rates, but a Fund will participate in any declines in interest rates as
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well. Certain floaters may carry a demand feature that permits the holder to tender them back to the issuer of the underlying instrument, or to a third party, at par value prior to maturity. When the demand feature of certain floaters represents an obligation of a foreign entity, the demand feature will be subject to certain risks discussed under “Foreign Securities.”
In addition, a Fund may invest in inverse floating rate obligations, which are fixed income securities that have coupon rates that vary inversely at a multiple of a designated floating rate, such as LIBOR or an alternative reference rate. To the extent an applicable interest rate is based on LIBOR, a Fund may be exposed to certain additional risks. See “Interest Rates and Portfolio Maturity” for more information on the phasing out of LIBOR. Any rise in the reference rate of an inverse floater (as a consequence of an increase in interest rates) causes a drop in the coupon rate while any drop in the reference rate of an inverse floater causes an increase in the coupon rate. Inverse floaters may exhibit substantially greater price volatility than fixed rate obligations having similar credit quality, redemption provisions and maturity, and inverse floater collateralized mortgage obligations (“CMOs”) may exhibit greater price volatility than the majority of mortgage-related securities. The yield to maturity of an inverse floater CMO is sensitive not only to changes in interest rates but also to changes in prepayment rates on the related underlying mortgage assets. Some floaters and inverse floaters have floors below which the interest rate cannot be reset and/or ceilings above which the interest rate cannot be reset.
Foreign Debt Securities — A Fund may invest in foreign fixed and floating rate income securities, all or a portion of which may be non-U.S. dollar denominated and which include: (a) debt obligations issued or guaranteed by foreign national, provincial, state, municipal or other governments with taxing authority or by their agencies or instrumentalities, including Brady Bonds; (b) debt obligations of supranational entities; (c) debt obligations of the U.S. Government issued in non-dollar securities; (d) debt obligations and other fixed income securities of foreign corporate issuers (both dollar and non-dollar denominated); and (e) U.S. corporate issuers (both Eurodollar and non-dollar denominated). Foreign debt securities may be structured as fixed-, variable- or floating-rate obligations, or as zero-coupon, pay-in-kind and step-coupon securities. There is no minimum rating criteria for a Fund’s investments in such securities. Investing in the securities of foreign issuers involves special considerations that are not typically associated with investing in the securities of U.S. issuers and the risks similar to those of foreign securities. See “Foreign Securities” and “Fixed Income Investments” for a further discussion of those risks. In addition, emerging markets are markets that have risks that are different and higher than those in more developed markets. See “Emerging Market Securities” for a further discussion of those risks. See “Eurodollar and Yankee CD Obligations” for a further discussion of risks associated with those investments.
Foreign Securities — A Fund may invest in U.S. dollar-denominated and non-U.S. dollar-denominated equity and debt securities of foreign issuers and foreign branches of U.S. banks, including negotiable CDs, bankers’ acceptances, and commercial paper. Foreign issuers are issuers organized and doing business principally outside the United States and include corporations, banks, non-U.S. governments, and quasi-governmental organizations. While investments in foreign securities are intended to reduce risk by providing further diversification, such investments involve sovereign and other risks, in addition to the credit and market risks normally associated with domestic securities. These additional risks include: the possibility of adverse political and economic developments (including political or social instability, nationalization, expropriation, or confiscatory taxation); the potentially adverse effects of unavailability of public information regarding issuers, less governmental supervision and regulation of financial markets, reduced liquidity of certain financial markets, and the lack of uniform accounting, auditing, and financial reporting standards or the application of standards that are different or less stringent than those applied in the United States; different laws and customs governing securities tracking; the difficulty of predicting international trade patterns and the possibility of exchange controls or limitations on the removal of funds or assets; and possibly more limited legal remedies and access to the courts available to enforce a Fund’s rights as an investor. The prices of such securities may be more volatile than those of domestic securities. Equity securities may trade at price/earnings multiples higher than comparable U.S. securities, and such levels may not be sustainable. The economies of certain foreign markets often do not compare favorably with that of the U.S. with respect to such issues as growth of gross national product, reinvestment of capital, resources, and balance of payments position. Certain such economies may rely heavily on particular industries or foreign capital and are more vulnerable to diplomatic developments, the imposition of economic sanctions against a particular country or countries, changes in international trading patterns, trade barriers, and other protectionist or retaliatory measures.
Foreign stock markets are generally not as developed or efficient as, and may be more volatile than, those in the United States. While growing in volume, they usually have substantially less trading volume than U.S. markets. As a result, foreign securities may trade with less frequency and in less volume than domestic securities and therefore may exhibit greater or lower price volatility. A Fund may be exposed to risks in the process of clearing and settling trades and the holding of securities by foreign banks, agents and depositories. Additional costs associated with an investment in foreign securities may include higher custodial fees than apply to domestic custody arrangements and transaction costs of foreign currency conversions. Investments in emerging markets may be subject to greater custody risks than investments in more developed markets. Foreign markets also have different clearance and settlement procedures. In certain markets, there have been times when settlements have been unable to keep pace with the volume of securities transactions, making it difficult to conduct such transactions. Delays in settlement could result in temporary periods when a portion of the assets of a Fund is not invested and no return is earned thereon. The inability of a Fund to make intended security purchases due to settlement problems could cause a Fund to miss attractive investment opportunities. Inability to dispose of portfolio securities due to settlement problems could result in losses to a Fund due to subsequent declines in value of the securities or, if a Fund has entered into a contract to sell the securities, could result in possible liability to the purchaser. Interest rates prevailing in other countries may affect the prices of foreign securities and exchange rates for foreign currencies. Local factors, including the strength of the local economy, the demand for borrowing, the government’s fiscal and monetary policies, and the international balance of payments, often affect interest rates in other countries. Individual foreign economies may differ favorably or unfavorably from the U.S. economy in such respects as growth of gross national product, rate of inflation, capital reinvestment, resource self-sufficiency, and balance of payments position.
Investing in foreign currency denominated securities involves not only the special risks associated with investing in non-U.S. issuers, as described above, but also the additional risks of adverse changes in foreign exchange rates and investment or exchange control regulations, which could prevent cash from being brought back to the United States. Additionally, dividends and interest payable on foreign securities (and gains realized on disposition thereof) may be subject to foreign taxes, including taxes withheld from those payments. Commissions on foreign securities exchanges are often at fixed rates and are generally higher than those negotiated commissions on U.S. exchanges, although a sub-advisor endeavors to achieve the most favorable net results on portfolio transactions.
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A Fund may also invest in foreign “market access” investments, such as participatory notes, low-exercise price options or warrants, equity-linked notes, or equity swaps. These investments may provide economic exposure to an issuer without directly holding its securities. For example, market access investments may be used where regulatory or exchange restrictions make it difficult or undesirable for a Fund to invest directly in an issuer’s common stock. Use of market access investments may involve risks associated with derivative investments, which are discussed in “Derivatives.” Market access investments can be either exchange-traded or over-the-counter. Certain market access investments can be subject to the credit risk of both the underlying issuer and a counterparty. Holders of certain market access investments might not have voting, dividend, or other rights associated with shareholders of the referenced securities. Holders of market access investments might not have any right to make a claim against an issuer or counterparty in the event of their bankruptcy or other restructuring. It may be more difficult or time consuming to dispose of certain market access investments than the referenced security.
A Fund may be subject to the risk that its share price may be exposed to arbitrage attempts by investors seeking to capitalize on differences in the values of foreign securities trading on foreign exchanges that may close before the time a Fund’s net asset value is determined. If such arbitrage attempts are successful, a Fund’s net asset value might be diluted.
A Fund’s use of fair value pricing in certain circumstances may help deter such arbitrage activities. The effect of such fair value pricing is that foreign securities may not be priced on the basis of quotations from the primary foreign securities market in which they are traded, but rather may be fair valued. As such, fair value pricing is based on subjective judgment and it is possible that fair value may differ materially from the value realized on a sale of a foreign security. It is also possible that use of fair value pricing will limit an investment adviser’s ability to implement a Fund’s investment strategy (e.g., reducing the volatility of a Fund’s share price) or achieve its investment objective. Redemption fees and the Funds’ market timing and frequent trading policies and procedures also are intended to help deter arbitrage activities.

 

  Brexit Risk. The risk of investing in Europe may be heightened due to the 2016 referendum in which the United Kingdom voted to exit the European Union, commonly referred to as “Brexit.” The United Kingdom and the European Union reached a trade agreement which applied provisionally as of January 1, 2021 and became effective on May 1, 2021 after being ratified by all applicable United Kingdom and European Union governmental bodies. This agreement sets out the foundation of the economic and legal framework for trade between the UK and the EU. In addition, at the end of March 2021, the UK and the European Union concluded technical discussions on the content of a Memorandum of Understanding on financial services, setting out how the UK and EU financial services regulators will cooperate and share information. The implementation of this legal framework and basis of cooperation remains to be seen. Therefore, the period following the United Kingdom’s withdrawal from the European Union is expected to be one of significant political and economic uncertainty, particularly until the United Kingdom government and EU member states agree and implement the terms of the United Kingdom’s future relationship with the European Union. Brexit may create additional economic stresses for the United Kingdom, which may include causing a contraction of the United Kingdom economy and price volatility in United Kingdom stocks, decreased trade, capital outflows, devaluation of pounds sterling, and wider corporate bond spreads due to uncertainty and declines in business and consumer spending as well as foreign direct investment. A Fund may be negatively impacted by changes in law and tax treatment resulting from or following Brexit. Until the economic effects of Brexit become clearer, and while a period of political, regulatory and commercial uncertainty continues, there remains a risk that Brexit may negatively impact the value of investments held by a Fund. Brexit may also have a destabilizing impact on the EU or the EMU to the extent that other member states similarly seek to withdraw from the EU or the EMU. Any further exits from the EU or the EMU would likely cause additional market disruptions globally, impact the market values of EU and various other securities and currencies, cause redenomination of certain securities into less valuable local currencies, create more volatile and illiquid markets, and introduce new legal and regulatory uncertainties.

 

  Chinese Company Securities. Investing in China, Hong Kong and Taiwan involves a high degree of risk and special considerations not typically associated with investing in other more established economies or securities markets. Such risks may include: (a) the risk of nationalization or expropriation of assets, or confiscatory taxation; (b) greater social, economic and political uncertainty (including the risk of war); (c) dependency on exports and the corresponding importance of international trade; (d) the increasing competition from Asia’s other low-cost emerging economies; (e) greater price volatility, substantially less liquidity and significantly smaller market capitalization of securities markets, particularly in China; (f) currency exchange rate fluctuations and the lack of available currency hedging instruments; (g) higher rates of inflation; (h) controls on foreign investment and limitations on repatriation of invested capital and on a Fund’s ability to exchange local currencies for U.S. dollars; (i) greater governmental involvement in and control over the economy, and greater intervention in the Chinese financial markets, such as the imposition of trading restrictions; (j) the risk that the Chinese government may decide not to continue to support economic reform programs currently in place and could return to the completely centrally planned economy that was in place prior to 1978; (k) the fact that Chinese companies, particularly those located in China, may be smaller, less seasoned and newly-organized; (l) the difference in, or lack of, auditing and financial reporting standards that may result in unavailability of material information about issuers, particularly in China; (m) the fact that statistical information regarding the Chinese economy may be inaccurate or not comparable to statistical information regarding the U.S. or other economies; (n) the less extensive, and still developing, regulation of the securities markets, business entities and commercial transactions; (o) the fact that the settlement period of securities transactions in foreign markets may be longer; (p) uncertainty surrounding the willingness and ability of the Chinese government to support the Chinese and Hong Kong economies and markets; (q) the risk that it may be more difficult or impossible, to obtain and/or enforce a judgment than in other countries; (r) the rapidity and erratic nature of growth, particularly in China, resulting in inefficiencies and dislocations; and (s) the risk that, because of the degree of interconnectivity between the economies and financial markets of China, Hong Kong and Taiwan, any sizable reduction in the demand for goods from China, or an economic downturn in China could negatively affect the economies and financial markets of Hong Kong and Taiwan, as well.

 

  There has been increased attention from the SEC and the PCAOB with regard to international auditing standards of U.S.-listed companies with operations in China as well as PCAOB-registered auditing firms in China. Currently, the SEC and PCAOB are only able to get limited information about these auditing firms and are restricted from inspecting the audit work and practices of registered accountants in China. In addition, certain China-based issuers, even if listed on a U.S. exchange, may qualify as “foreign private issuers,” which are exempt from certain U.S. corporate governance requirements including board independence and various SEC reporting and certification requirements. Investment in China, Hong Kong and Taiwan is subject to certain political risks. China’s economy has transitioned from a rigidly central-planned state-run economy to one that has
 
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  been only partially reformed by more market-oriented policies. Although the Chinese government has implemented economic reform measures, reduced state ownership of companies and established better corporate governance practices, a substantial portion of productive assets in China are still owned by the Chinese government. The government continues to exercise significant control in regulating industrial development and, ultimately, control over China’s economic growth through the allocation of resources, controlling payment of foreign currency-denominated obligations, setting monetary policy and providing preferential treatment to particular industries or companies. China continues to limit direct foreign investments generally in industries deemed important to national interests. Foreign investment in domestic securities are also subject to substantial restrictions.

 

  Some believe that China’s currency is undervalued. Currency fluctuations could significantly affect China and its trading partners. China continues to exercise control over the value of its currency, rather than allowing the value of the currency to be determined by market forces. This type of currency regime may experience sudden and significant currency adjustments, which may adversely impact investment returns.

 

  For decades, a state of hostility has existed between Taiwan and the People’s Republic of China. Beijing has long deemed Taiwan a part of the “one China” and has made a nationalist cause of recovering it. This situation poses a threat to Taiwan’s economy and could negatively affect its stock market. By treaty, China has committed to preserve Hong Kong’s autonomy and its economic, political and social freedoms until 2047. However, if China would exert its authority so as to alter the economic, political or legal structures or the existing social policy of Hong Kong, investor and business confidence in Hong Kong could be negatively affected, which in turn could negatively affect markets and business performance. As demonstrated by protests in Hong Kong in 2019 and 2020 over political, economic, and legal freedoms, and the Chinese government’s response to the protests, there continues to be a great deal of political unrest, which may result in economic disruption. China could be affected by military events on the Korean peninsula or internal instability within North Korea. North Korea and South Korea each have substantial military capabilities, and historical tensions between the two countries present the risk of war. Any outbreak of hostilities between the two countries could have a severe adverse effect on the South Korean economy and securities market. These situations may cause uncertainty in the Chinese market and may adversely affect performance of the Chinese economy.

 

  The current political climate has intensified concerns about trade tariffs and a potential trade war between China and the United States, despite the United States signing a partial trade agreement with China that reduced some U.S. tariffs on Chinese goods while boosting Chinese purchases of American goods. However, this agreement left in place a number of existing tariffs, and it is unclear whether further trade agreements may be reached in the future. The ability and willingness of China to comply with the trade deal may determine to some degree the extent to which its economy will be adversely affected, which cannot be predicted at the present time. Future tariffs imposed by China and the United States on the other country’s products, or other escalating actions, may trigger a significant reduction in international trade, the oversupply of certain manufactured goods, substantial price reductions of goods and possible failure of individual companies and/or large segments of China’s export industry with a potentially negative impact to a Fund.

 

  On June 3, 2021, President Biden issued an executive order prohibiting U.S. persons from entering into transactions in publicly traded securities, as well as derivatives and securities designed to provide investment exposure to, any securities of any issuers designated “Chinese Military-Industrial Complex Companies,” as designated by the Department of the Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control. This executive order superseded a prior similar order from then-President Trump. Continued ownership of such securities by U.S. persons is prohibited after June 3, 2022, following a one-year divestment period. A number of Chinese issuers have been designated under this program and more could be added. Certain implementation matters related to the scope of, and compliance with, the executive order have not yet been resolved, and the ultimate application and enforcement of the executive order may change. Under current guidance, U.S. investors may purchase interests in an investment fund that does not make any new purchases of designated securities and is “seeking to” divest its holdings of such securities during the divestment period. As a result, the executive order and related guidance may significantly reduce the liquidity of such securities, force a Fund to sell certain positions at inopportune times or for unfavorable prices, and restrict future investments by a Fund. U.S. investment advisers are permitted to advise non-U.S. funds and non-U.S. persons that purchase and sell such prohibited securities, provided this activity does not indirectly expose U.S. persons to such companies.

 

  Emerging Market Securities. A Fund may invest in emerging market securities. A Fund may consider a country to be an emerging market country based on a number of factors including, but not limited to, if the country is classified as an emerging or developing economy by any supranational organization such as the World Bank, International Finance Corporation or the United Nations, or related entities, or if the country is considered an emerging market country for purposes of constructing emerging markets indices. Investments in emerging market country securities involve special risks. The economies, markets and political structures of a number of the emerging market countries in which a Fund can invest do not compare favorably with the United States and other mature economies in terms of wealth and stability. Therefore, investments in these countries may be riskier, and will be subject to erratic and abrupt price movements. These risks are discussed below.

 

  Economies: The economies of emerging market countries may differ favorably or unfavorably from the U.S. economy in such respects as growth of gross domestic product, rate of inflation, currency depreciation, reliable access to capital, capital reinvestment, resource self-sufficiency, balance of payments and trade difficulties. Some economies are less well developed and less diverse (for example, Latin America, Eastern Europe and certain Asian countries), and may be heavily dependent upon international trade, as well as the economic conditions in the countries with which they trade. Such economies accordingly have been, and may continue to be, adversely affected by trade barriers, exchange controls, managed adjustments in relative currency values and other protectionist or retaliatory measures imposed or negotiated by the countries with which they trade. Similarly, many of these countries have historically experienced, and may continue to experience, high rates of inflation, high interest rates, exchange rate fluctuations, large amounts of national and external debt, severe recession, and extreme poverty and unemployment. The economies of emerging market countries may be based predominately on only a few industries or may be dependent on revenues from participating commodities or on international aid or developmental assistance. Emerging market economies may develop unevenly or may never fully develop. Investments in countries that have recently begun moving away from central planning and state-owned industries toward free markets, such as the Eastern European, Russian or Chinese economies, should be regarded as speculative.
 
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  Governments: Emerging markets may have uncertain national policies and social, political and economic instability. While government involvement in the private sector varies in degree among emerging market countries, such involvement may in some cases include government ownership of companies in certain sectors, wage and price controls or imposition of trade barriers and other protectionist measures. In the past, governments of such nations have expropriated substantial amounts of private property, and most claims of the property owners have never been fully settled. There is no assurance that such expropriations will not reoccur. In addition, there is no guarantee that some future economic or political crisis will not lead to price controls, forced mergers of companies, confiscatory taxation or creation of government monopolies to the possible detriment of a Fund’s investments. In such event, it is possible that a Fund could lose the entire value of its investments in the affected markets.

 

  Emerging market countries may have national policies that limit a Fund’s investment opportunities such as restrictions on investment in issuers or industries deemed sensitive to national interests. Repatriation of investment income, capital and the proceeds of sales by foreign investors may require governmental registration and/or approval in some emerging market countries. In addition, if a Fund invests in a market where restrictions are considered acceptable, a country could impose new or additional repatriation restrictions after investment that are unacceptable. This might require, among other things, applying to the appropriate authorities for a waiver of the restrictions or engaging in transactions in other markets designed to offset the risks of decline in that country. Further, some attractive securities may not be available, or may require a premium for purchase, due to foreign shareholders already holding the maximum amount legally permissible. In addition to withholding taxes on investment income, some countries with emerging capital markets may impose differential capital gain taxes on foreign investors.

 

  An issuer or governmental authority that controls the repayment of an emerging market country’s debt may not be able or willing to repay the principal and/or interest when due in accordance with the terms of such debt. A debtor’s willingness or ability to repay principal and interest due in a timely manner may be affected by, among other factors, its cash flow situation, and, in the case of a government debtor, the extent of its foreign reserves, the availability of sufficient foreign exchange on the date a payment is due, the relative size of the debt service burden to the economy as a whole and the political constraints to which a government debtor may be subject. Government debtors may default on their debt and may also be dependent on expected disbursements from foreign governments, multilateral agencies and others abroad to reduce principal and interest arrearages on their debt. Holders of government debt may be requested to participate in the rescheduling of such debt and to extend further loans to government debtors. There may be limited legal recourse against the issuer and/or guarantor. Remedies must, in some cases, be pursued in the courts of the defaulting party itself, and the ability of the holder of foreign government fixed income securities to obtain recourse may be subject to the political climate in the relevant country. In addition, no assurance can be given that the holders of commercial bank debt will not contest payments to the holders of other foreign government debt obligations in the event of default under their commercial bank loan agreements.

 

  Capital Markets: The capital markets in emerging market countries may be underdeveloped. They may have low or non-existent trading volume, resulting in a lack of liquidity and increased volatility in prices for such securities, as compared to securities from more developed capital markets. Emerging market securities may be substantially less liquid and more volatile than those of mature markets, and securities may be held by a limited number of investors. This may adversely affect the timing and pricing of a Fund’s acquisition or disposal of securities. There may be less publicly available information about emerging markets than would be available in more developed capital markets, and such issuers may not be subject to accounting, auditing and financial reporting standards and requirements comparable to those to which U.S. companies are subject. In certain countries with emerging capital markets, reporting standards vary widely. As a result, traditional investment measurements used in the U.S., may not be applicable. Investing in certain countries with emerging capital markets may entail purchasing securities issued by or on behalf of entities that are insolvent, bankrupt, in default or otherwise engaged in an attempt to reorganize or reschedule their obligations, and in entities that have little or no proven credit rating or credit history. In any such case, the issuer’s poor or deteriorating financial condition may increase the likelihood that the investing Fund will experience losses or diminution in available gains due to bankruptcy, insolvency or fraud. There may also be custodial restrictions or other non-U.S. or U.S. governmental laws or restrictions applicable to investments in emerging market countries.

 

  Practices in relation to settlement of securities transactions in emerging markets involve higher risks than those in developed markets, in part because a Fund may use brokers and counterparties that are less well capitalized, and custody and registration of assets in some countries may be unreliable. Supervisory authorities also may be unable to apply standards comparable to those in developed markets. Thus, there may be risks that settlement may be delayed and that cash or securities belonging to a Fund may be in jeopardy because of failures of or defects in the systems. In particular, market practice may require that payment be made before receipt of the security being purchased or that delivery of a security be made before payment is received. In such cases, default by a broker or bank (the “counterparty”) through whom the transaction is effected might cause a Fund to suffer a loss. There can be no certainty that a Fund will be successful in eliminating counterparty risk, particularly as counterparties operating in emerging market countries frequently lack the substance or financial resources of those in developed countries. There may also be a danger that, because of uncertainties in the operation of settlement systems in individual markets, competing claims may arise with respect to securities held by or to be transferred to a Fund.

 

  Regulatory authorities in some emerging markets currently do not provide the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board with the ability to inspect public accounting firms as required by U.S. law, including sufficient access to inspect audit work papers and practices, or otherwise do not cooperate with U.S. regulators, which potentially could expose investors to significant risks.

 

  Legal Systems: Investments in emerging market countries may be affected by the lack, or relatively early development, of legal structures governing private and foreign investments and private property. Such capital markets are emerging in a dynamic political and economic environment brought about by events over recent years that have reshaped political boundaries and traditional ideologies. Many emerging market countries have little experience with the corporate form of business organization and may not have well-developed corporation and business laws or concepts of fiduciary duty in the business context. The organizational structures of certain issuers in emerging markets may limit investor rights and recourse.

 

  A Fund may encounter substantial difficulties in obtaining and enforcing judgments against individuals and companies located in certain emerging market countries, either individually or in combination with other shareholders. It may be difficult or impossible to obtain or enforce legislation or remedies against governments, their agencies and sponsored entities. Additionally, in certain emerging market countries, fraud, corruption and
 
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  attempts at market manipulation may be more prevalent than in developed market countries. Shareholder claims that are common in the U.S. and are generally viewed as determining misconduct, including class action securities law and fraud claims, generally are difficult or impossible to pursue as a matter of law or practicality in many emerging markets.

 

  The laws in certain countries with emerging capital markets may be based upon or be highly influenced by religious codes or rules. The interpretation of how these laws apply to certain investments may change over time, which could have a negative impact on those investments and a Fund.

 

  European Securities. A Fund’s performance may be affected by political, social and economic conditions in Europe, such as growth of economic output (the gross national product), the rate of inflation, the rate at which capital is reinvested into European economies, the success of governmental actions to reduce budget deficits and the resource self-sufficiency of European countries. The Economic and Monetary Union (“EMU”) of the EU is comprised of EU members that have adopted the euro currency. Member states relinquish control of their own monetary policies and are subject to fiscal and monetary controls. The EMU requires eurozone countries to comply with restrictions on interest rates, deficits, debt levels, and inflation rates, fiscal and monetary controls, and other factors, each of which may significantly impact every European country and their economic partners, including those countries that are not members of the EMU. Changes in imports or exports, changes in governmental or EU regulations on trade, changes in the exchange rate of the euro (the common currency of the EU), the threat of default or actual default by one or more EU member states on its sovereign debt, and/or an economic recession in one or more EU member states may have a significant adverse effect on the economies of other EU member states and their trading partners.

 

  The European financial markets have experienced and may continue to experience volatility and adverse trends due to concerns relating to economic downturns, rising government debt levels and the possible default of government debt, and national unemployment in several European countries, including, but not limited to, Austria, Belgium, Cyprus, France, Greece, Ireland, Italy, Portugal, Spain and Ukraine, and most recently the COVID-19 pandemic. These events have adversely affected the exchange rate of the euro and may continue to significantly affect European countries. In the past decade, several countries including Greece, Ireland and Portugal agreed to multi-year bailout loans from the European Central Bank, International Monetary Fund, and other institutions. Responses to financial problems by European governments, central banks, and others, including austerity measures and reforms, may not produce the desired results, may result in social unrest and may limit future growth and economic recovery or have unintended consequences. A default or debt restructuring by any European country can adversely impact holders of that country’s debt and sellers of credit default swaps linked to that country’s creditworthiness, which may be located in other countries and can affect exposures to other EU countries and their financial companies as well. Further defaults or restructurings by governments or other entities of their debt could have additional adverse effects on economies, financial markets and asset valuations around the world. In addition, issuers have faced difficulties obtaining credit or refinancing existing obligations; financial institutions have in many cases required government or central bank support, have needed to raise capital, and/or have been impaired in their ability to extend credit; and financial markets in Europe and elsewhere have experienced extreme volatility and declines in asset values and liquidity.

 

  Secessionist movements, such as the Catalan movement in Spain, the independence movement in Scotland and the Flemish movement in Belgium, as well as government or other responses to such movements, may also create instability and uncertainty in the region. In addition, the national politics of countries in the EU have been unpredictable and subject to influence by disruptive political groups and ideologies. The governments of EU countries may be subject to change and such countries may experience social and political unrest. Unanticipated or sudden political or social developments may result in sudden and significant investment losses. The occurrence of terrorist incidents throughout Europe also could impact financial markets. The impact of these events is not clear but could be significant and far-reaching and materially impact the value and liquidity of a Fund’s investments.

 

  Latin American Securities. Investments in securities of Latin American issuers involve risks that are specific to Latin America, including certain legal, regulatory, political and economic risks. Most Latin American countries have experienced, at one time or another, severe and persistent levels of inflation, including, in some cases, hyperinflation, as well as high interest rates. This has at time led to extreme government measures to keep inflation in check, and a generally debilitating effect on economic growth. Although inflation in many countries has lessened, there is no guarantee it will remain at lower levels. Latin American economies generally are heavily dependent upon foreign credit and loans, and may be more vulnerable to diplomatic developments, the imposition of economic sanctions against a particular country or countries, changes in international trading patterns, trade barriers, and other protectionist or retaliatory measures. In addition to risk of default, debt repayment may be restructured or rescheduled, which may impair economic activity. Moreover, the debt may be susceptible to high interest rates and may reach levels that would adversely affect Latin American economies. In addition, certain Latin American economies have been influenced by changing supply and demand for a particular currency, monetary policies of governments (including exchange control programs, restrictions on local exchanges or markets and limitations on foreign investment in a country or on investment by residents of a country in other countries), and currency devaluations and revaluations. A relatively small number of Latin American companies represents a large portion of Latin America’s total market and thus may be more sensitive to adverse political or economic circumstances and market movements.

 

  Certain Latin American countries have historically suffered from social, political, and economic instability and volatility, currency devaluations, government defaults and high unemployment rates. For investors, this has meant additional risk caused by periods of regional conflict, political corruption, totalitarianism, protectionist measures, nationalization, hyperinflation, debt crises, sudden and large currency devaluation, and intervention by the military in civilian and economic spheres. However, in some Latin American countries, a move to sustainable democracy and a more mature and accountable political environment is under way. Domestic economies have been deregulated, privatization of state-owned companies is almost completed and foreign trade restrictions have been relaxed. Nonetheless, there can be no guarantee that such trends will continue or that the desired outcomes of these developments will be successful. In addition, to the extent that events such as those listed above continue in the future, they could reverse favorable trends toward market and economic reform, privatization, and removal of trade barriers, and result in significant disruption in securities markets in the region. Investors in the region continue to face a number of potential risks. Governments of many Latin American countries have exercised and continue to exercise substantial influence over many aspects of the private sector. Governmental actions in the future could have a significant effect on economic conditions in Latin American countries, which could affect the
 
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  companies in which a Fund invests and, therefore, the value of Fund shares. Additionally, an investment in Latin America is subject to certain risks stemming from political and economic corruption, which may negatively affect the country or the reputation of companies domiciled in a certain country. For certain countries in Latin America, political risks have created significant uncertainty in the financial markets and may further limit the economic recovery in the region.

 

  Certain Latin American countries depend heavily on exports to the U.S., investments from a small number of countries, and trading relationships with key trading partners, including the U.S., Europe, Asia and other Latin American countries. Accordingly, these countries may be sensitive to fluctuations in demand, protectionist trade policies, exchange rates and changes in market conditions associated with those countries. Additionally, in Mexico, the long-term implications of the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement, the 2020 successor to NAFTA, are yet to be determined. This uncertainty may have an adverse impact on Mexico’s economic outlook and the value of Fund investments in Mexico. The economic growth of most Latin American countries is highly dependent on commodity exports and the economies of certain Latin American countries, particularly Mexico and Venezuela, are highly dependent on oil exports. As a result, these economies are particularly susceptible to fluctuations in the price of oil and other commodities and currency fluctuations.

 

  The prices of oil and other commodities experienced volatility driven, in part, by a continued slowdown of growth in China and the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic. If growth in China remains slow, or if global economic conditions worsen, prices for Latin American commodities may experience increased volatility and demand may continue to decrease. Although certain of these countries have recently shown signs of recovery, such recovery, if sustained, may be gradual. In addition, prolonged economic difficulties may have negative effects on the transition to a more stable democracy in some Latin American countries.

 

  A number of Latin American countries are among the largest debtors of developing countries and have a history of reliance on foreign debt and default. The majority of the region’s economies have become dependent upon foreign credit and loans from external sources to fund government economic plans. Historically, these plans have frequently resulted in little benefit accruing to the economy. Most countries have been forced to restructure their loans or risk default on their debt obligations. In addition, interest on the debt is subject to market conditions and may reach levels that would impair economic activity and create a difficult and costly environment for borrowers. Accordingly, these governments may be forced to reschedule or freeze their debt repayment, which could negatively affect local markets. Because of their dependence on foreign credit and loans, a number of Latin American economies may benefit from the U.S. Federal Reserve’s recent lowering of interest rates; however the impact of such interest rate cuts remains to be seen. While the region has recently had mixed levels of economic growth, recovery from past economic downturns in Latin America has historically been slow, and such growth, if sustained, may be gradual. The ongoing effects of the European debt crisis, the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic, and persistent low growth in the global economy may reduce demand for exports from Latin America and limit the availability of foreign credit for some countries in the region. As a result, a Fund’s investments in Latin American securities could be harmed if economic recovery in the region is limited.

 

  Middle East Securities. Middle East Securities. Many Middle Eastern countries are prone to political turbulence, and the political and legal systems in such countries may have an adverse impact on a Fund. Certain economies in the Middle East are highly reliant on income from the exports of primary commodities such as oil or trade with countries involved in the sale of oil, and their economies are therefore vulnerable to changes in the market for oil and foreign currency values. As global demand for oil fluctuates, many Middle Eastern economies may be significantly impacted. Additionally, the economies of many Middle Eastern countries are largely dependent on, and linked together by, certain commodities (such as gold, silver, copper, diamonds, and oil). As a result, Middle Eastern economies are vulnerable to changes in commodity prices, and fluctuations in demand for these commodities could significantly impact economies in these regions. A downturn in one country’s economy could have a disproportionally large effect on others in the region.

 

  Many Middle Eastern governments have exercised and continue to exercise substantial influence over many aspects of the private sector. In certain cases, a Middle Eastern country’s government may own or control many companies, including some of the largest companies in the country. Accordingly, governmental actions in the future could have a significant effect on economic conditions in middle eastern countries, and a country’s government may act in a detrimental or hostile manner toward private enterprise or foreign investment. This could affect private sector companies and a Fund, as well as the value of securities in a Fund’s portfolio.

 

  Certain Middle Eastern markets are in the earliest stages of development and may be considered “frontier markets.” Financial markets in the Middle East generally are less liquid and more volatile than other markets, including markets in developed and other emerging economies. As a result, there may be a high concentration of market capitalization and trading volume in a small number of issuers representing a limited number of industries, as well as a high concentration of investors and financial intermediaries. Brokers in Middle Eastern countries typically are fewer in number and less well capitalized than brokers in the United States. In addition, securities may have limited marketability and be subject to erratic price movements.

 

  The legal systems in certain Middle Eastern countries also may have an adverse impact on a Fund. For example, the potential liability of a shareholder in a U.S. corporation with respect to acts of the corporation generally is limited to the amount of the shareholder’s investment. However, the concept of limited liability is less clear in certain Middle Eastern countries. A Fund therefore may be liable in certain Middle Eastern countries for the acts of a corporation in which it invests for an amount greater than its actual investment in that corporation. Similarly, the rights of investors in Middle Eastern issuers may be more limited than those of shareholders of a U.S. corporation. It may be difficult or impossible to obtain or enforce a legal judgment in a Middle Eastern country. Some Middle Eastern countries prohibit or impose substantial restrictions on investments in their capital markets, particularly their equity markets, by foreign entities such as a Fund. For example, certain countries may require governmental approval prior to investment by foreign persons or limit the amount of investment by foreign persons in a particular issuer. Certain Middle Eastern countries may also limit the investment by foreign persons to a specific class of securities of an issuer that may have less advantageous terms (including price) than securities of the issuer available for purchase by nationals of the relevant Middle Eastern country.

 

  The manner in which foreign investors may invest in issuers in certain Middle Eastern countries, as well as limitations on those investments, may have an adverse impact on the operations of a Fund. For example, in certain of these countries, a Fund may be required to invest initially through a local broker or other entity and then have the shares that were purchased re-registered in the name of a Fund. Re-registration in some instances may not
 
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  be possible on a timely basis. This may result in a delay during which a Fund may be denied certain of its rights as an investor, including rights as to dividends or to be made aware of certain corporate actions. There also may be instances where a Fund places a purchase order but is subsequently informed, at the time of re-registration, that the permissible allocation of the investment to foreign investors has been filled and, consequently, a Fund may not be able to invest in the relevant company.

 

  Substantial limitations may exist in certain Middle Eastern countries with respect to a Fund’s ability to repatriate investment income or capital gains. A Fund could be adversely affected by delays in, or a refusal to grant, any required governmental approval for repatriation of capital, as well as by the application to a Fund of any restrictions on investment. Certain Middle Eastern countries may be heavily dependent upon international trade and, consequently, have been and may continue to be negatively affected by trade barriers, exchange controls, managed adjustments in relative currency values and other protectionist measures imposed or negotiated by the countries with which they trade. These countries also have been and may continue to be adversely impacted by economic conditions in the countries with which they trade. In addition, certain issuers located in Middle Eastern countries in which a Fund invests may operate in, or have dealings with, countries subject to sanctions and/or embargoes imposed by the U.S. government and the United Nations, and/or countries identified by the U.S. government as state sponsors of terrorism. As a result, an issuer may sustain damage to its reputation if it is identified as an issuer which operates in, or has dealings with, such countries. A Fund, as an investor in such issuers, will be indirectly subject to those risks.

 

  Certain Middle Eastern countries have strained relations with other Middle Eastern countries due to territorial and sovereignty disputes, historical animosities, international alliances, religious tensions or defense concerns, which may periodically become violent and may adversely affect the economies of these countries. Certain Middle Eastern countries experience significant unemployment as well as widespread underemployment. Many Middle Eastern countries periodically have experienced political, economic and social unrest as protestors have called for widespread reform. Some of these protests have resulted in a governmental regime change, internal conflict or civil war. In some instances where pro-democracy movements successfully toppled regimes, the stability of successor regimes has at times proven weak, as evidenced, for example, in Egypt. In other instances, these changes have devolved into armed conflict involving local factions, regional allies or international forces, and even protracted civil wars. If further regime change were to occur, internal conflicts were to intensify, or a civil war were to continue in any of these countries, such instability could adversely affect the economies of these Middle Eastern countries in which a Fund invests and could decrease the value of a Fund’s investments.

 

  Middle Eastern economies may be subject to acts of terrorism, political strife, religious, ethnic or socioeconomic unrest, conflict and violence and sudden outbreaks of hostilities with neighboring countries. There has been a recent increase in recruitment efforts and an aggressive push for territorial control by terrorist groups in the region, which has led to an outbreak of warfare and hostilities. The protracted civil war in Syria has spread to surrounding areas, including many portions of Iraq and Turkey, given rise to numerous militias, terrorist groups, and most notably, the proto-state of ISIS. The conflict has disrupted oil production across Syria and Iraq, adversely affecting the economic value of large portions of the region, and caused an exodus of refugees into neighboring states, which further threatens government infrastructure of the refuge countries. Such hostilities may continue into the future or may escalate at any time due to ethnic, racial, political, religious or ideological tensions between groups in the region or foreign intervention or lack of intervention, among other factors. There is a risk of the conflict expanding as the civil wars draw in more regional states and ISIS spreads an extremist ideology.

 

  Pacific Basin Securities. Many Asian countries may be subject to a greater degree of social, political and economic instability than is the case in the U.S. and Western European countries. Such instability may result from, among other things, (i) authoritarian governments or military involvement in political and economic decision-making, including changes in government through extra-constitutional means; (ii) popular unrest associated with demands for improved political, economic and social conditions; (iii) internal insurgencies; (iv) hostile relations with neighboring countries; and (v) ethnic, religious and racial disaffection. In addition, the Asia Pacific geographic region has historically been prone to natural disasters. The occurrence of a natural disaster in the region, including the subsequent recovery, could negatively impact the economy of any country in the region. The existence of overburdened infrastructure and obsolete financial systems also presents risks in certain Asian countries, as do environmental problems.

 

  The economies of most of the Asian countries are heavily dependent on international trade and are accordingly affected by protective trade barriers and the economic conditions of their trading partners, principally, the U.S., Japan, China and the EU. The enactment by the U.S. or other principal trading partners of protectionist trade legislation, reduction of foreign investment in the local economies and general declines in the international securities markets could have a significant adverse effect upon the securities markets of the Asian countries. The economies of certain Asian countries may depend to a significant degree upon only a few industries and/or exports of primary commodities and, therefore, are vulnerable to changes in commodity prices that, in turn, may be affected by a variety of factors. In addition, certain developing Asian countries, such as the Philippines and India, are especially large debtors to commercial banks and foreign governments. Many of the Pacific Basin economies may be intertwined, so an economic downturn in one country may result in, or be accompanied by, an economic downturn in other countries in the region. Furthermore, many of the Pacific Basin economies are characterized by high inflation, underdeveloped financial services sectors, heavy reliance on international trade, frequent currency fluctuations, devaluations, or restrictions, political and social instability, and less efficient markets.

 

  The securities markets in Asia are substantially smaller, less liquid and more volatile than the major securities markets in the U.S., and some of the stock exchanges in the region are in the early stages of their development, as compared to the stock exchanges in the U.S. Equity securities of many companies in the region may be less liquid and more volatile than equity securities of U.S. companies of comparable size. Additionally, many companies traded on stock exchanges in the region are smaller and less seasoned than companies whose securities are traded on stock exchanges in the U.S. A high proportion of the shares of many issuers may be held by a limited number of persons and financial institutions, which may limit the number of shares available for investment by a Fund. In some countries, there is no established secondary market for securities. Therefore, liquidity of securities may be generally low and transaction costs generally high. Similarly, volume and liquidity in the bond markets in Asia are less than in the U.S. and, at times, price volatility can be greater than in the U.S. A limited number of issuers in Asian securities markets may represent a disproportionately large percentage of market capitalization and trading value. The limited liquidity of securities markets in Asia may also affect a Fund’s ability to acquire or dispose of securities at the price and time it wishes to do so. In addition, the Asian securities markets are susceptible to being influenced by large investors trading significant blocks of securities.
 
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  Many stock markets are undergoing a period of growth and change which may result in trading volatility and difficulties in the settlement and recording of transactions, and in interpreting and applying the relevant law and regulations. With respect to investments in the currencies of Asian countries, changes in the value of those currencies against the U.S. dollar will result in corresponding changes in the U.S. dollar value of a Fund’s assets denominated in those currencies. Certain developing economies in the Asia Pacific region have experienced currency fluctuations, devaluations, and restrictions; unstable employment rates; rapid fluctuation in, among other things, inflation and reliance on exports; and less efficient markets. Currency fluctuations or devaluations in any one country can have a significant effect on the entire Asia Pacific region. Holding securities in currencies that are devalued (or in companies whose revenues are substantially in currencies that are devalued) will likely decrease the value of a Fund’s investments. Some developing Asian countries prohibit or impose substantial restrictions on investments in their capital markets, particularly their equity markets, by foreign entities such as a Fund. For example, certain countries may require governmental approval prior to investments by foreign persons or limit the amount of investment by foreign persons in a particular company or limit the investment by foreign persons to only a specific class of securities of a company which may have less advantageous terms (including price and shareholder rights) than securities of the company available for purchase by nationals of the relevant country. There can be no assurance that a Fund will be able to obtain required governmental approvals in a timely manner. In addition, changes to restrictions on foreign ownership of securities subsequent to a Fund’s purchase of such securities may have an adverse effect on the value of such shares. Certain countries may restrict investment opportunities in issuers or industries deemed important to national interests.
 
Forward Contracts — A Fund may enter into forward contracts. Forward contracts are a type of derivative instrument that obligate the purchaser to take delivery of, or cash settle a specific amount of, a commodity, security or obligation underlying the contract at a specified time in the future for a specified price. Likewise, the seller incurs an obligation to deliver the specified amount of the underlying asset against receipt of the specified price. Forward contracts are typically traded over-the-counter, as distinguished from futures contracts, which are traded on both U.S. and foreign commodities exchanges. A forward is a private agreement between two parties and is not traded on an exchange.
Forward contracts are often negotiated on an individual basis and are not standardized. The market for forward contracts is substantially unregulated, as there is no limit on daily price movements and speculative position limits are not applicable. The principals who deal in certain forward contract markets are not required to continue to make markets in the underlying reference assets in which they trade and these markets can experience periods of illiquidity, sometimes of significant duration. There have been periods during which certain participants in forward contract markets have refused to quote prices for certain underlying references or have quoted prices with an unusually wide spread between the price at which they were prepared to buy and that at which they were prepared to sell. At or prior to maturity of a forward contract, a Fund may enter into an offsetting contract and may incur a loss to the extent there has been adverse movement in forward contract prices. The liquidity of the markets for forward contracts depends on participants entering into offsetting transactions rather than making or taking delivery. To the extent participants make or take delivery, liquidity in the market for forwards could be reduced. A relatively small price movement in a forward contract may result in substantial losses to a Fund, exceeding the amount of the margin paid. Forward contracts can increase a Fund’s risk exposure to underlying reference assets and their attendant risks.
A Fund bears the risk of loss of the amount expected to be received under a forward contract in the event of the default or bankruptcy of a counterparty. If such a default occurs, a Fund may have contractual remedies pursuant to the forward contract, but such remedies may be subject to bankruptcy and insolvency laws which could affect a Fund’s rights as a creditor.
Forward Foreign Currency Contracts — A Fund may enter into forward foreign currency contracts (“forward currency contracts”), which are a type of derivative instrument, for a variety of reasons. A forward currency contract involves an obligation to purchase or sell a specified currency at a future date, which may be any fixed number of days from the date of the contract agreed upon by the parties at a price set at the time of the contract. Because these forward currency contracts normally are settled through an exchange of currencies, they are traded in the interbank market directly between currency traders (usually large commercial banks) and their customers.
Forward currency contracts may serve as long hedges. For example, a Fund may purchase a forward currency contract to lock in the U.S. dollar price of a security denominated in a foreign currency that it intends to acquire. Forward currency contract transactions also may serve as short hedges. For example, a Fund may sell a forward currency contract to lock in the U.S. dollar equivalent of the proceeds from the anticipated sale of a security or from a dividend or interest payment on a security denominated in a foreign currency.
A Fund may enter into forward currency contracts to sell a foreign currency for a fixed U.S. dollar amount approximating the value of some or all of its respective portfolio securities denominated in such foreign currency. In addition, a Fund may use forward currency contracts when a sub-advisor wishes to “lock in” the U.S. dollar price of a security when a Fund is purchasing or selling a security denominated in a foreign currency or anticipates receiving a dividend or interest payment denominated in a foreign currency.
A Fund may enter into forward currency contracts for the purchase or sale of a specified currency at a specified future date either with respect to specific transactions or with respect to portfolio positions in order to minimize the risk to a Fund from adverse changes in the relationship between the U.S. dollar and foreign currencies.
A Fund may use forward currency contracts to seek to hedge against, or profit from, changes in the value of a particular currency by using forward currency contracts on another foreign currency or a basket of currencies, the value of which a sub-advisor believes will have a positive correlation to the values of the currency being hedged. When hedging, use of a different foreign currency magnifies the risk that movements in the price of the forward contract will not correlate or will correlate unfavorably with the foreign currency being hedged.
In addition, a Fund may use forward currency contracts to shift exposure to foreign currency fluctuations from one country to another. For example, if a Fund owned securities denominated in a foreign currency that a sub-advisor believed would decline relative to another currency, it might enter into a forward currency contract to sell an appropriate amount of the first foreign currency, with payment to be made in the second currency. Transactions that involve two foreign currencies are sometimes referred to as “cross hedging.” Use of a different foreign currency magnifies a Fund’s exposure to foreign currency exchange rate fluctuations.
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A Fund also may enter into forward currency contracts for non-hedging purposes if a foreign currency is anticipated to appreciate or depreciate in value, but securities denominated in that currency do not present attractive investment opportunities and are not held in a Fund’s investment portfolio.
The cost to a Fund of engaging in forward currency contracts varies with factors such as the currency involved, the length of the contract period and the market conditions then prevailing. Because forward currency contracts usually are entered into on a principal basis, no fees or commissions are involved. When a Fund enters into a forward currency contract, it relies on the counterparty to make or take delivery of the underlying currency at the maturity of the contract. Failure by the counterparty to do so would result in the loss of any expected benefit of the transaction.
Sellers or purchasers of forward currency contracts can enter into offsetting closing transactions, similar to closing transactions on futures, by purchasing or selling, respectively, an instrument identical to the instrument sold or bought, respectively. Secondary markets generally do not exist for forward currency contracts, however, with the result that closing transactions generally can be made for forward currency contracts only by negotiating directly with the counterparty. Thus, there can be no assurance that a Fund will in fact be able to close out a forward currency contract at a favorable price prior to maturity. In addition, in the event of insolvency of the counterparty, a Fund might be unable to close out a forward currency contract at any time prior to maturity. In either event, a Fund would continue to be subject to market risk with respect to the position, and would continue to be required to maintain a position in the securities or currencies that are the subject of the hedge or to maintain cash or securities.
The precise matching of forward currency contract amounts and the value of securities whose U.S. dollar value is being hedged by those contracts involved generally will not be possible because the value of such securities, measured in the foreign currency, will change after the forward currency contract has been established. Thus, a Fund might need to purchase or sell foreign currencies in the spot (cash) market to the extent such foreign currencies are not covered by forward contracts. The projection of short-term currency market movements is extremely difficult, and the successful execution of a short-term hedging strategy is highly uncertain.
A Fund bears the risk of loss of the amount expected to be received under a forward currency contract in the event of the default or bankruptcy of a counterparty. If such a default occurs, a Fund may have contractual remedies pursuant to the forward currency contract, but such remedies may be subject to bankruptcy and insolvency laws which could affect a Fund’s rights as a creditor.
At the maturity of a forward contract, a Fund may sell the portfolio security and make delivery of the foreign currency, or it may retain the security and either extend the maturity of the forward contract (by “rolling” that contract forward) or may initiate a new forward contract. If a Fund retains the portfolio security and engages in an offsetting transaction, a Fund will incur a gain or a loss (as described below) to the extent that there has been movement in forward contract prices. If a Fund engages in an offsetting transaction, it may subsequently enter into a new forward contract to sell the foreign currency.
Should forward prices decline during the period between a Fund’s entering into a forward contract for the sale of a foreign currency and the date it enters into an offsetting contract for the purchase of the foreign currency, a Fund will realize a gain to the extent the price of the currency it has agreed to sell exceeds the price of the currency it has agreed to purchase. Should forward prices increase, a Fund will suffer a loss to the extent the price of the currency it has agreed to purchase exceeds the price of the currency it has agreed to sell.
Forward currency contracts in which a Fund may engage include foreign exchange forwards. The consummation of a foreign exchange forward requires the actual exchange of the principal amounts of the two currencies in the contract (i.e., settlement on a physical basis). Because foreign exchange forwards are physically settled through an exchange of currencies, they are traded in the interbank market directly between currency traders (usually large commercial banks) and their customers. A foreign exchange forward generally has no deposit requirement, and no commissions are charged at any stage for trades; foreign exchange dealers realize a profit based on the difference (the spread) between the prices at which they are buying and the prices at which they are selling various currencies. When a Fund enters into a foreign exchange forward, it relies on the counterparty to make or take delivery of the underlying currency at the maturity of the contract. Failure by the counterparty to do so would result in the loss of any expected benefit of the transaction.
A Fund may be required to obtain the currency that it must deliver under the foreign exchange forward through the sale of portfolio securities denominated in such currency or through conversion of other assets of a Fund into such currency. When a Fund engages in foreign currency transactions for hedging purposes, it will not enter into foreign exchange forwards to sell currency or maintain a net exposure to such contracts if their consummation would obligate a Fund to deliver an amount of foreign currency materially in excess of the value of its portfolio securities or other assets denominated in that currency.

 

Non-Deliverable Currency Forwards. A Fund also may enter into NDFs. NDFs are cash-settled, short-term forward contracts on foreign currencies (each a “Reference Currency”), generally on currencies that are non-convertible, and may be thinly traded or illiquid. NDFs involve an obligation to pay a U. S. dollar amount (the “Settlement Amount”) equal to the difference between the prevailing market exchange rate for the Reference Currency and the agreed upon exchange rate (the “NDF Rate”), with respect to an agreed notional amount. NDFs have a fixing date and a settlement (delivery) date. The fixing date is the date and time at which the difference between the prevailing market exchange rate and the agreed upon exchange rate is calculated. The settlement (delivery) date is the date by which the payment of the Settlement Amount is due to the party receiving payment.

 

  Although NDFs are similar to other forward currency contracts, NDFs do not require physical delivery of a Reference Currency on the settlement date. Rather, on the settlement date, one counterparty pays the Settlement Amount. NDFs typically may have terms from one month up to two years and are settled in U.S. dollars. A Fund will typically use NDFs for hedging purposes or for direct investment in a foreign country for income or gain. The use of NDFs for hedging or to increase income or gain may not be successful, resulting in losses to a Fund, and the cost of such strategies may reduce a Fund’s returns.

 

  NDFs are subject to many of the risks associated with derivatives in general and forward currency transactions including risks associated with fluctuations in foreign currency and the risk that the counterparty will fail to fulfill its obligations. In addition, pursuant to the Dodd-Frank Act and regulations adopted by the CFTC in connection with implementing the Dodd-Frank Act, NDFs are deemed to be swaps, and consequently commodity interests for purposes of amended Regulation 4.5. Although NDFs have historically been traded OTC, some are now exchange-traded
 
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  pursuant to the Dodd-Frank Act. Under such circumstances, they will be centrally cleared and a secondary market for them will exist. All NDFs are subject to counterparty risk, which is the risk that the counterparty will not perform as contractually required under the NDF. With respect to NDFs that are centrally-cleared, a Fund could lose margin payments it has deposited with the clearing organization as well as the net amount of gains not yet paid by the clearing organization if it breaches its obligations under the NDF, becomes insolvent or goes into bankruptcy. In the event of bankruptcy of the clearing organization, the investor may be entitled to the net amount of gains the investor is entitled to receive plus the return of margin owed to it only in proportion to the amount received by the clearing organization’s other customers, potentially resulting in losses to the investor. NDFs that remain traded OTC will be subject to margin requirements for uncleared swaps and counterparty risk common to other swaps.
 
Futures Contracts — A Fund may enter into futures contracts. Futures contracts are a type of derivative instrument that obligate the purchaser to take delivery of, or cash settle a specific amount of, a commodity, security or other obligation underlying the contract at a specified time in the future for a specified price. Likewise, the seller incurs an obligation to deliver the specified amount of the underlying obligation against receipt of the specified price. Futures are traded on both U.S. and foreign commodities exchanges, as distinguished from forward contracts, which are traded over-the-counter. The purchase of futures can serve as a long hedge, and the sale of futures can serve as a short hedge.
No price is paid upon entering into a futures contract. Instead, at the inception of a futures contract a Fund is required to deposit “initial margin” consisting of cash, U.S. Government securities, suitable money market instruments, or liquid, high-grade debt securities in an amount set by the exchange on which the contract is traded and varying based on the volatility of the underlying asset. Margin must also be deposited when writing a call or put option on a futures contract, in accordance with applicable exchange rules. Unlike margin in securities transactions, initial margin on futures contracts does not represent a borrowing, but rather is in the nature of a performance bond or good-faith deposit that is returned to a Fund at the termination of the transaction if all contractual obligations have been satisfied. Under certain circumstances, such as periods of high volatility, a Fund may be required by a futures exchange to increase the level of its initial margin payment, and initial margin requirements might be increased generally in the future by regulatory action. Subsequent “variation margin” payments (sometimes referred to as “maintenance margin” payments) are made to and from the futures broker daily as the value of the futures position varies, a process known as “marking-to-market.” Variation margin does not involve borrowing, but rather represents a daily settlement of a Fund’s obligations to or from a futures broker. When a Fund purchases or sells a futures contract, it is subject to daily, or even intraday, variation margin calls that could be substantial in the event of adverse price movements. If a Fund has insufficient cash to meet daily or intraday variation margin requirements, it might need to sell securities at a time when such sales are disadvantageous.
Purchasers and sellers of futures contracts can enter into offsetting closing transactions, by selling or purchasing, respectively, an instrument identical to the instrument purchased or sold. Positions in futures contracts may be closed only on a futures exchange or board of trade that trades that contract. A Fund intends to enter into futures contracts only on exchanges or boards of trade where there appears to be a liquid secondary market. However, there can be no assurance that such a market will exist for a particular contract at a particular time. In such event, it may not be possible to close a futures contract.
Although many futures contracts by their terms call for the actual delivery or acquisition of the underlying asset, in most cases the contractual obligation is fulfilled before the date of the contract without having to make or take delivery of the securities or currency. The offsetting of a contractual obligation is accomplished by buying (or selling, as appropriate) on a commodities exchange an identical futures contract calling for delivery in the same month. Such a transaction, which is effected through a member of an exchange, cancels the obligation to make or take delivery of the securities or currency. Since all transactions in the futures market are made, offset or fulfilled through a clearinghouse associated with the exchange on which the contracts are traded, a Fund will incur brokerage fees when it purchases or sells futures contracts. If an offsetting purchase price is less than the original sale price, a Fund realizes a capital gain, or if it is more, a Fund realizes a capital loss. Conversely, if an offsetting sell price is more than the original purchase price, a Fund realizes a capital gain, or if it is less, a Fund realizes a capital loss. The Funds have no current intent to accept physical delivery in connection with the settlement of futures contracts.
Under certain circumstances, futures exchanges may establish daily limits on the amount that the price of a futures contract can vary from the previous day’s settlement price; once that limit is reached, no trades may be made that day at a price beyond the limit. Daily price limits do not limit potential losses because prices could move to the daily limit for several consecutive days with little or no trading, thereby preventing liquidation of unfavorable positions. If a Fund were unable to liquidate a futures contract due to the absence of a liquid secondary market or the imposition of price limits, it could incur substantial losses. A Fund would continue to be subject to market risk with respect to the position. In addition, a Fund would continue to be required to make daily variation margin payments and might be required to maintain the position being hedged by the futures contract or option thereon or to maintain cash or securities in a segregated account.
The ordinary spreads between prices in the cash and futures markets, due to differences in the nature of those markets, are subject to distortions. First, all participants in the futures market are subject to initial deposit and variation margin requirements. Rather than meeting additional variation margin deposit requirements, investors may close futures contracts through offsetting transactions that could distort the normal relationship between the cash and futures markets. Second, the liquidity of the futures market depends on participants entering into offsetting transactions rather than making or taking delivery. To the extent participants decide to make or take delivery, liquidity in the futures market could be reduced, thus producing distortion. Third, from the point of view of speculators, the margin deposit requirements in the futures market are less onerous than margin requirements in the securities market. Therefore, increased participation by speculators in the futures market may cause temporary price distortions. Due to the possibility of distortion, a correct forecast of securities price or currency exchange rate trends by a sub-advisor may still not result in a successful transaction.
Futures contracts also entail other risks. Although the use of such contracts may benefit a Fund, if investment judgment about the general direction of, for example, an index is incorrect, a Fund’s overall performance would be worse than if it had not entered into any such contract. There are differences between the securities and futures markets that could result in an imperfect correlation between the markets, causing a given transaction not to achieve its objectives. The degree of imperfection of correlation depends on circumstances such as variations in speculative market demand for futures, including technical influences in futures trading, and differences between the financial instruments being hedged and the instruments underlying the
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standard contracts available for trading in such respects as interest rate levels, maturities, and creditworthiness of issuers. A decision as to whether, when and how to hedge involves the exercise of skill and judgment, and even a well-conceived hedge may be unsuccessful to some degree because of market behavior or unexpected interest rate trends.

 

Futures Contracts on Stock Indices. A Fund may enter into contracts providing for the making and acceptance of a cash settlement based upon changes in the value of an index of securities (“Index Futures Contracts”). This technique may be used to hedge against anticipated future changes in general market prices that otherwise might either adversely affect the value of securities held by a Fund or adversely affect the prices of securities that are intended to be purchased for a Fund at a later date. Additionally, through the use of Index Futures Contracts, a Fund may maintain a pool of assets with diversified risk without incurring the substantial brokerage costs that may be associated with investment in multiple issuers. This may permit a Fund to avoid potential market and liquidity problems (e.g., driving up or forcing down the price by quickly purchasing or selling shares of a portfolio security) that may result from increases or decreases in positions already held by a Fund. In general, each hedging transaction in Index Futures Contracts involves the establishment of a position that will move in a direction opposite to that of the investment being hedged. If these hedging transactions are successful, the futures positions taken for a Fund will rise in value by an amount that approximately offsets the decline in value of the portion of a Fund’s investments that are being hedged. Should general market prices move in an unexpected manner, the full anticipated benefits of Index Futures Contracts may not be achieved or a loss may be realized. Transactions in Index Futures Contracts involve certain risks. These risks could include a lack of correlation between the Index Futures Contract and the equity market, a potential lack of liquidity in the market and incorrect assessments of market trends, which may result in worse overall performance than if an Index Futures Contract had not been entered into. Brokerage costs will be incurred and “margin” will be required to be posted and maintained as a good-faith deposit against performance of obligations under Futures Contracts written into by a Fund.
 
Growth Companies — Growth companies are those that are expected to have the potential for above-average or rapid growth. Growth companies are expected to increase their earnings at a certain rate. When these expectations are not met or earnings decrease, the prices of these securities may decline, sometimes sharply, even if earnings showed an absolute increase. A Fund’s investments in growth companies may be more sensitive to company earnings and more volatile than the market in general primarily because their stock prices are based heavily on future expectations. If an assessment of the prospects for a company’s growth is incorrect, then the price of the company’s stock may fall or not approach the value placed on it. Growth company securities may lack the dividend yield that can cushion prices in market downturns. Growth companies may have limited operating histories and greater business risks, and their potential for profitability may be dependent on regulatory approval of their products or regulatory developments affecting certain sectors, which could have an adverse impact upon growth companies’ future growth and profitability. Different investment styles tend to shift in and out of favor, depending on market conditions and investor sentiment. A Fund’s growth style could cause it to underperform funds that use a value or non-growth approach to investing or have a broader investment style.
High-Yield Bonds — High-yield, non-investment grade bonds (also known as “junk bonds”) are low-quality, high-risk corporate bonds that generally offer a high level of current income. These bonds are considered speculative with respect to the issuer’s ability to pay interest and repay principal by rating organizations. For example, Moody’s, S&P Global, and Fitch, Inc. currently rate them below Baa3, BBB- and BBB-, respectively. Please see “Appendix C: Ratings Definitions” below for an explanation of the ratings applied to high-yield bonds. High-yield bonds are often issued as a result of corporate restructurings, such as leveraged buyouts, mergers, acquisitions, or other similar events. They may also be issued by smaller, less creditworthy companies or by highly leveraged firms, which are generally less able to make scheduled payments of interest and principal than more financially stable firms. Because of their lower credit quality, high-yield bonds must pay higher interest to compensate investors for the substantial credit risk they assume. Lower-rated securities are subject to certain risks that may not be present with investments in higher-grade securities. Investors should consider carefully their ability to assume the risks associated with lower-rated securities before investing in a Fund. The lower rating of certain high-yield corporate income securities reflects a greater possibility that the financial condition of the issuer or adverse changes in general economic conditions may impair the ability of the issuer to pay income and principal. Changes by rating agencies in their ratings of a fixed income security also may affect the value of these investments; however, allocating investments in a Fund among securities of different issuers should reduce the risks of owning any such securities separately. The prices of these high-yield securities tend to be less sensitive to interest rate changes than higher-rated investments, but more sensitive to adverse economic changes or individual corporate developments. During economic downturns, periods of rising interest rates, or when inflation or deflation occurs, highly leveraged issuers may experience financial stress that adversely affects their ability to service principal and interest payment obligations, to meet projected business goals or to obtain additional financing, and the markets for their securities may be more volatile. They may also not have more traditional methods of financing available to them and may be unable to repay debt at maturity by refinancing. In addition, lower-rated securities may experience substantial price declines when there is an expectation that issuers of such securities might experience financial difficulties. As a result, the yields on lower-rated securities can rise dramatically. However, the higher yields of high-yield securities may not reflect the value of the income stream that holders of such securities may expect, but rather the risk that such securities may lose a substantial portion of their value as a result of their issuer’s financial restructuring or default. If an issuer defaults, a Fund may incur additional expenses to seek recovery. Additionally, accruals of interest income for a Fund may have to be adjusted in the event of default. In the event of an issuer’s default, a Fund may write off prior income accruals for that issuer, resulting in a reduction in a Fund’s current dividend payment. In the event of an in court or out of court restructuring of high-yield bond in which a Fund invests, a Fund may acquire (and subsequently sell) equity securities or exercise warrants that it receives. In addition, the market for high-yield securities generally is less robust and active than that for higher-rated securities, which may limit a Fund’s ability to sell such securities at fair value in response to changes in the economy or financial markets and could make the valuation of these portfolio securities more difficult.
Illiquid and Restricted Securities — Generally, an illiquid asset is an asset that a Fund reasonably expects cannot be sold or disposed of in current market conditions in seven calendar days or less without the sale or disposition significantly changing the market value of the investment. Historically, illiquid securities have included securities that have not been registered under the Securities Act, securities that are otherwise not readily marketable, and repurchase agreements having a remaining maturity of longer than seven calendar days.
Securities that have not been registered under the Securities Act are referred to as private placements or restricted securities and are purchased directly from the issuer or in the secondary market. Such securities include those sold in private placement offerings made in reliance on the “private
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placement” exemption from registration afforded by Section 4(a)(2) of the Securities Act, and resold to qualified institutional buyers pursuant to Rule 144A under the Securities Act (“Section 4(a)(2) securities”). Such securities are restricted as to disposition under the federal securities laws, and generally are sold to institutional investors, such as a Fund, that agree they are purchasing the securities for investment and not with an intention to distribute to the public. These securities may be sold only in a privately negotiated transaction or pursuant to an exemption from registration.
A large institutional market exists for certain securities that are not registered under the Securities Act, including repurchase agreements, commercial paper, foreign securities, municipal securities and corporate bonds and notes. Section 4(a)(2) securities normally are resold to other institutional investors through or with the assistance of the issuer or dealers that make a market in the Section 4(a)(2) securities, thus providing liquidity. Institutional investors depend on an efficient institutional market in which the unregistered security can be readily resold or on an issuer’s ability to honor a demand for repayment. Rule 144A under the Securities Act is designed to facilitate efficient trading among institutional investors by permitting the sale of certain unregistered securities to qualified institutional buyers. To the extent privately placed securities held by a Fund qualify under Rule 144A and an institutional market develops for those securities, a Fund likely will be able to dispose of the securities without registering them under the Securities Act. To the extent that institutional buyers are uninterested in purchasing restricted securities, a Fund’s investment in such securities could have the effect of reducing a Fund’s liquidity. A determination could be made that certain securities qualified for trading under Rule 144A are liquid. In addition to Rule 144A, Regulation S under the Securities Act permits the sale abroad of securities that are not registered for sale in the United States and includes a provision for U.S. investors, such as a Fund, to purchase such unregistered securities if certain conditions are met.
Limitations on resale may have an adverse effect on the marketability of portfolio securities, and a Fund might be unable to dispose of restricted or other illiquid securities promptly or at reasonable prices and might thereby experience difficulty satisfying redemptions within seven calendar days. However, the fact that there are contractual or legal restrictions on resale of such investments to the general public or to certain institutions may not be indicative of their liquidity. In addition, a Fund may get only limited information about an issuer of such a security, so it may be less able to predict a loss. A Fund also might have to register such restricted securities in order to dispose of them, resulting in additional expense and delay. Adverse market conditions could impede such a public offering of securities. The illiquidity of the market, as well as the lack of publicly available information regarding these securities, also may make it difficult to determine a fair value for certain securities for purposes of computing a Fund’s NAV.
Income Deposit Securities — A Fund may purchase IDSs. Each IDS represents two separate securities, shares of common stock and subordinated notes issued by the same company, that are combined into one unit that trades like a stock on an exchange. Holders of IDSs receive dividends on the common shares and interest at a fixed rate on the subordinated notes to produce a blended yield. An IDS is typically listed on a stock exchange, but the underlying securities typically are not listed on the exchange until a period of time after the listing of the IDS or upon the occurrence of certain events (e.g., a change of control of the issuer of the IDS). When the underlying securities are listed, the holders of IDSs generally have the right to separate the components of the IDSs and trade them separately.
There may be a thinner and less active market for IDSs than that available for other securities. The value of an IDS will be affected by factors generally affecting common stock and subordinated debt securities, including the issuer’s actual or perceived ability to pay interest and principal on the notes and pay dividends on the stock.
The federal income tax treatment of IDSs is not entirely clear and there is no authority that directly addresses the tax treatment of securities with terms substantially similar to IDSs. Among other things, although it is expected that the subordinated notes portion of an IDS will be treated as debt, if it is characterized as equity rather than debt, then interest paid on the notes could be treated as dividends (to the extent paid out of the issuer’s earnings and profits).
Income Trusts — A Fund may invest in shares of income trusts, including Canadian royalty trusts. An income trust is an investment trust which holds income-producing assets and generally distributes the income generated by such assets on to its security holders. Income trusts also may include royalty trusts, a particular type of income trust whose securities are listed on a stock exchange and which controls an underlying company whose business relates to, without limitation, the acquisition, exploitation, production and sale of oil and natural gas. The main attraction of an income trust is its ability to generate constant cash flows. Income trusts have the potential to deliver higher yields than bonds. During periods of low interest rates, income trusts may achieve higher yields compared with cash investments. During periods of increasing rates, the opposite may be true. Income trusts may experience losses during periods of both low and high interest rates.
Income trusts generally are structured to avoid income taxes at the entity level. In a traditional corporate tax structure, net income is taxed at the corporate level and again when distributed as dividends to its shareholders. Under current law, an income trust, if properly structured, should not be subject to federal income tax. This flow-through structure means that the distributions to income trust investors are generally higher than dividends from an equivalent corporate entity.
Despite the potential for attractive regular payments, income trusts are equity investments, not fixed-income securities, and they share many of the risks inherent in stock ownership, including operating risk based on the income trusts’ underlying assets and their respective businesses. Such risks may include lack of, or limited, operating histories. In addition, an income trust may lack diversification and potential growth may be sacrificed because revenue is passed on to security holders, rather than reinvested in the business. Because income trusts may pay out more than their net income, the unitholder equity (capital) may decline over time. Income trusts often grow through acquisition of additional assets, funded through the issuance of additional equity or, where the trust is able, additional debt. Income trusts do not guarantee minimum distributions or even return of capital; therefore, if the business of a trust starts to lose money, the trust can reduce or even eliminate distributions. The tax structure of income trusts described above, which would allow income to flow through to investors and be taxed only at the investor level, could be challenged under existing law, or the tax laws could change. Royalty trusts and income trusts frequently are found in Canada, and an investment in a Canadian trust will be subject to certain additional risks of investing in foreign securities.
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Indebtedness, Loan Participations and Assignments — Floating rate securities, including loans, provide for automatic adjustment of the interest rate at fixed intervals (e.g., daily, weekly, monthly, or semi-annually) or automatic adjustment of the interest rate whenever a specified interest rate or index changes. The interest rate on floating rate securities ordinarily is determined by reference to LIBOR, a particular bank’s prime rate, the 90-day U.S. Treasury Bill rate, the rate of return on commercial paper or bank CDs, an index of short-term tax-exempt rates or some other objective measure.
Loan interests are a form of direct debt instrument in which a Fund may invest by taking an assignment of all or a portion of an interest in a loan previously held by another institution or by acquiring a participation in an interest in a loan that continues to be held by another institution. A Fund may invest in secured and unsecured loans. Loans are subject to the same risks as other direct debt instruments discussed above and carry additional risks described in this section.
A Fund’s ability to receive payments in connection with loans depends on the financial condition of the borrower. The Manager or the sub-advisor will not rely solely on another lending institution’s credit analysis of the borrower, but will perform its own investment analysis of the borrower. The Manager’s or the sub-advisor’s analysis may include consideration of the borrower’s financial strength, managerial experience, debt coverage, additional borrowing requirements or debt maturity schedules, changing financial conditions, and responsiveness to changes in business conditions and interest rates. Indebtedness of borrowers whose creditworthiness is poor involves substantially greater risks and may be highly speculative. Borrowers that are in bankruptcy or restructuring may never pay off their indebtedness, or may pay only a small fraction of the amount owed. In connection with the restructuring of a loan or other direct debt instrument outside of bankruptcy court in a negotiated work-out or in the context of bankruptcy proceedings, equity securities or junior debt securities may be received in exchange for all or a portion of an interest in the security.
Loans are typically administered by a bank, insurance company, finance company or other financial institution (the “agent”) for a lending syndicate of financial institutions. In a typical loan, the agent administers the terms of the loan agreement and is responsible for the collection of principal and interest and fee payments from the borrower and the apportionment of these payments to all lenders that are parties to the loan agreement. In addition, an institution (which may be the agent) may hold collateral on behalf of the lenders. Typically, under loan agreements, the agent is given broad authority in monitoring the borrower’s performance and is obligated to use the same care it would use in the management of its own property. In asserting rights against a borrower, a Fund normally will be dependent on the willingness of the lead bank to assert these rights, or upon a vote of all the lenders to authorize the action. If an agent becomes insolvent, or has a receiver, conservator, or similar official appointed for it by the appropriate regulatory authority, or becomes a debtor in a bankruptcy proceeding, the agent’s appointment may be terminated and a successor agent would be appointed. If an appropriate regulator or court determines that assets held by the agent for the benefit of purchasers of loans are subject to the claims of the agent’s general or secured creditors, a Fund might incur certain costs and delays in realizing payment on a loan or suffer a loss of principal and/or interest. A Fund may be subject to similar risks when it buys a participation interest or an assignment from an intermediary, as discussed below.
A number of judicial decisions in the United States have upheld the right of borrowers to sue lenders or bondholders on the basis of various evolving legal theories (commonly referred to as “lender liability”). Generally, lender liability is founded upon the premise that an institutional lender or bondholder has violated a duty (whether implied or contractual) of good faith, commercial reasonableness and fair dealing owed to the borrower or issuer or has assumed a degree of control over the borrower or issuer resulting in the creation of a fiduciary duty owed to the borrower or issuer or its other creditors or stockholders. Because of the nature of its investments, a Fund may be subject to allegations of lender liability. In addition, under common law principles that in some cases form the basis for lender liability claims, if a lender or bondholder: (i) intentionally takes an action that results in the undercapitalization of a borrower to the detriment of other creditors of such borrower, (ii) engages in other inequitable conduct to the detriment of such other creditors, (iii) engages in fraud with respect to, or makes misrepresentations to, such other creditors or (iv) uses its influence as a stockholder to dominate or control a borrower to the detriment of other creditors of such borrower, a court may elect to subordinate the claim of the offending lender or bondholder to the claims of the disadvantaged creditor or creditors, a remedy called “equitable subordination.” A Fund does not intend to engage in conduct that would form the basis for a successful cause of action based upon the equitable subordination doctrine; however, because of the nature of the debt obligations, a Fund may be subject to claims from creditors of an obligor that debt obligations of such obligor which are held by a Fund should be equitably subordinated. Because affiliates of, or persons related to, the Manager and/or the sub-advisor may hold equity or other interests in obligors of a Fund, a Fund could be exposed to claims for equitable subordination or lender liability or both based on such equity or other holdings.
Loans that are fully secured offer a Fund more protection than an unsecured loan in the event of non-payment of scheduled interest or principal. However, there is no assurance that the collateral from a secured loan in which a Fund invests can be promptly liquidated, or that its liquidation value will be equal to the value of the debt. In most loan agreements, there is no formal requirement to pledge additional collateral if the value of the initial collateral declines. As a result, a loan may not always be fully collateralized and can decline significantly in value. If a borrower becomes insolvent, access to collateral may be limited by bankruptcy and other laws. Borrowers that are in bankruptcy may pay only a small portion of the amount owed, if they are able to pay at all. If a secured loan is foreclosed, a Fund will likely be required to bear the costs and liabilities associated with owning and disposing of the collateral. There is also a possibility that a Fund will become the owner of its pro rata share of the collateral, which may carry additional risks and liabilities. In addition, under legal theories of lender liability, a Fund potentially might be held liable as a co-lender. In the event of a borrower’s bankruptcy or insolvency, the borrower’s obligation to repay the loan may be subject to certain defenses that the borrower can assert as a result of improper conduct by the agent. Some loans are unsecured. If the borrower defaults on an unsecured loan, a Fund will be a general creditor and will not have rights to any specific assets of the borrower.
Loans may be subject to legal or contractual restrictions on resale. Loans are not currently listed on any securities exchange or automatic quotation system, and there may not be an active trading market for some loans. As a result, a Fund may be unable to sell such investments at an opportune time or may have to resell them at less than fair market value. The lack of a liquid secondary market may have an adverse impact on a Fund’s ability to dispose of particular assignments or participations when necessary to meet redemptions of a Fund’s shares, to meet a Fund’s liquidity needs or when necessary in response to a specific economic event, such as deterioration in the creditworthiness of the borrower. In addition, transactions in loan investments may take a significant amount of time to settle (i.e., more than seven days and up to several weeks or longer). Accordingly, the proceeds from the sale of a loan investment may not be available to make additional investments or to meet redemption obligations until potentially a
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substantial period after the sale of the loan. The extended trade settlement periods could force a Fund to liquidate other securities to meet redemptions and may present a risk that a Fund may incur losses in order to timely honor redemptions. To the extent that the sub-advisor determines that any such investments are illiquid, they will be subject to a Fund‘s restrictions on investments in illiquid securities.
The borrower in a loan arrangement may, either at its own election or pursuant to the terms of the loan documentation, prepay amounts of the loan from time to time. Due to prepayment, the actual maturity of loans is typically shorter than their stated final maturity calculated solely on the basis of the stated life and payment schedule. The degree to which borrowers prepay loans, whether as a contractual requirement or at their election, may be affected by general business conditions, market interest rates, the borrower’s financial condition and competitive conditions among lenders. Such prepayments may require a Fund to replace an investment with a lower yielding security which may have an adverse effect on a Fund’s share price. Prepayments cannot be predicted with accuracy. Floating rate loans can be less sensitive to prepayment risk, but a Fund’s NAV may still fluctuate in response to interest rate changes because variable interest rates may reset only periodically and may not rise or decline as much as interest rates in general.
A borrower must comply with various restrictive covenants in a loan agreement such as restrictions on dividend payments and limits on total debt. The loan agreement may also contain a covenant requiring the borrower to prepay the loan with any free cash flow. A breach of a covenant is normally an event of default, which provides the agent or the lenders the right to call the outstanding loan.
Loans normally are not registered with the SEC or any state securities commission or listed on any securities exchange. As a result, the amount of public information available about a specific loan historically has been less extensive than if the loan were registered or exchange-traded. They may also not be considered “securities,” and purchasers, such as a Fund, therefore may not be entitled to rely on the strong anti-fraud protections of the federal securities laws. In the absence of definitive regulatory guidance, a Fund relies on the sub-advisor’s research in an attempt to avoid situations where fraud and misrepresentation could adversely affect a Fund. In addition, loan interests may not be rated by independent rating agencies and therefore, investments in a particular loan participation may depend almost exclusively on the credit analysis of the borrower performed by the Manager or the sub-advisor.

 

  Assignments. When a Fund purchases a loan by assignment, a Fund typically succeeds to the rights of the assigning lender under the loan agreement and becomes a lender under the loan agreement. Subject to the terms of the loan agreement, a Fund typically succeeds to all the rights and obligations under the loan agreement of the assigning lender. However, assignments may be arranged through private negotiations between potential assignees and potential assignors, and the rights and obligations acquired by the purchaser of an assignment may differ from, and be more limited than, those held by the assigning lender.

 

  Participation Interests. In purchasing a loan participation, a Fund acquires some or all of the interest of a bank or other lending institution in a loan to a borrower. The contractual arrangement with the bank transfers the cash stream of the underlying bank loan to the participating investor. A Fund’s rights under a participation interest with respect to a particular loan may be more limited than the rights of original lenders or of investors who acquire an assignment of that loan. In purchasing participation interests, a Fund will have the right to receive payments of principal, interest and any fees to which it is entitled only from the lender selling the participation interest (the “participating lender”) and only when the participating lender receives the payments from the borrower.

 

  In a participation interest, a Fund will usually have a contractual relationship only with the selling institution and not the underlying borrower. A Fund normally will have to rely on the participating lender to demand and receive payments in respect of the loans, and to pay those amounts on to a Fund; thus, a Fund will be subject to the risk that the lender may be unwilling or unable to do so. In such a case, a Fund would not likely have any rights against the borrower directly. In addition, the issuing bank does not guarantee the participations. As a result, a Fund will assume the credit risk of both the borrower and the lender that is selling the participation. In addition, a Fund generally will have no right to object to certain changes to the loan agreement agreed to by the participating lender.

 

  In buying a participation interest, a Fund might not directly benefit from the collateral supporting the related loan and may be subject to any rights of set off the borrower has against the selling institution. In the event of bankruptcy or insolvency of the borrower, the obligation of the borrower to repay the loan may be subject to certain defenses that can be asserted by the borrower as a result of any improper conduct of the participating lender. As a result, a Fund may be subject to delays, expenses and risks that are greater than those that exist when a Fund is an original lender or assignee.

 

  If the participating lender fails to perform its obligations under the participation agreement, a Fund might incur costs delays and risks in realizing payment that are greater than those that would have been involved if purchasing a direct obligation of such borrower. A Fund may suffer a loss of principal and/or interest. If a participating lender becomes insolvent, a Fund may be treated as a general creditor of that lender. As a general creditor, a Fund may not benefit from a right of set off that the lender has against the borrower. Further, in the event of the bankruptcy or insolvency of the corporate borrower, the loan participation may be subject to certain defenses that can be asserted by such borrower as a result of improper conduct by the issuing bank. The secondary market, if any, for these loan participations is extremely limited and any such participations purchased by a Fund may be regarded as illiquid. A Fund will acquire a participation interest only if the Manager or the sub-advisor determines that the participating lender or other intermediary participant selling the participation interest is creditworthy.

 

  Fees. A Fund may be required to pay and may receive various commissions and fees in the process of purchasing, holding and selling loans. The fee component may include any, or a combination of, the following elements: assignment fees, arrangement fees, nonuse fees, facility fees, letter of credit fees, and ticking fees. Arrangement fees are paid at the commencement of a loan as compensation for the initiation of the transaction. A non-use fee is paid based upon the amount committed but not used under the loan. Facility fees are on-going annual fees paid in connection with a loan. Letter of credit fees are paid if a loan involves a letter of credit. Ticking fees are paid from the initial commitment indication until loan closing if for an extended period. The amount of fees is negotiated at the time of closing. In addition, a Fund may incur expenses associated with researching and analyzing potential loan investments, including legal fees.
 
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Inflation-Indexed Securities — Inflation-indexed securities, also known as “inflation-protected securities,” are fixed income instruments structured such that their interest payments and principal amounts are adjusted to keep up with inflation. Two structures are common. The U.S. Treasury and some other issuers use a structure that accrues inflation into the principal value of the bond. Other issuers pay out the index-based accruals as part of its coupon. The U.S. Treasury is obligated to repay at least the greater of the original principal value or accrued principal value at maturity for inflation-indexed securities issued directly by the U.S. Government, which are referred to as “U.S. Treasury Inflation Protected Securities,” or “TIPS,” and are backed by the full faith and credit of the U.S. Government. However, inflation-indexed securities of other issuers may or may not have the same principal guarantee and may repay an amount less than the original principal value at maturity. If inflation is lower than expected during the period a Fund holds the security, a Fund may earn less on it than on a conventional bond. Inflation-indexed securities are expected to react primarily to changes in the “real” interest rate (i.e., the nominal, or stated, rate less the rate of inflation), while a typical bond reacts to changes in the nominal interest rate. Accordingly, inflation-indexed securities have characteristics of fixed-rate U.S. Treasury securities having a shorter duration. Changes in market interest rates from causes other than inflation will likely affect the market prices of inflation-indexed securities in the same manner as conventional bonds. Any increase in the principal amount of an inflation-indexed debt security will be considered ordinary income, even though a Fund will not receive the principal until maturity. Thus, a Fund could be required, at times, to liquidate other investments in order to satisfy its distribution requirements.
There can be no assurance that the inflation index used will accurately measure the real rate of inflation in the prices of goods and services. A Fund’s investments in inflation-indexed securities may lose value in the event that the actual rate of inflation is different than the rate of the inflation index. In addition, inflation-indexed securities are subject to risks related to the discontinuation, substitution or fundamental alteration of the Consumer Price Index for All Urban Consumers (the index used for U.S. TIPS) or other relevant pricing indices. Such alteration, which could be effected by legislation or Executive Order, could be materially adverse to the interests of an investor in the securities or substituted with an alternative index. In periods of deflation when the inflation rate is declining, the principal value of an inflation-indexed security will be adjusted downward. This will result in a decrease in the interest payments thereon, but holders at maturity receive no less than par value. However, if a Fund purchases inflation-indexed securities in the secondary market whose principal values have been adjusted upward due to inflation since issuance, a Fund may experience a loss if there is a subsequent period of deflation.
Initial Public Offerings — A Fund can invest in IPOs. By definition, securities issued in IPOs have not traded publicly until the time of their offerings. Special risks associated with IPOs may include, among others, the fact that there may only be a limited number of shares available for trading. The market for those securities may be unseasoned. The issuer may have a limited operating history. These factors may contribute to price volatility. The limited number of shares available for trading in some IPOs may also make it more difficult for a Fund to buy or sell significant amounts of shares without an unfavorable impact on prevailing prices. In addition, some companies initially offering their shares publicly are involved in relatively new industries or lines of business, which may not be widely understood by investors. Some of the companies involved in new industries may be regarded as developmental state companies, without revenues or operating income, or the near-term prospects of them. Many IPOs are by small- or micro-cap companies that are undercapitalized. IPOs may adversely impact a Fund’s performance. However, the impact of IPOs on a Fund’s performance will likely decrease as a Fund’s asset size increases.
Interfund Lending — Pursuant to an order issued by the SEC, the Funds may participate in a credit facility whereby each Fund, under certain conditions, is permitted to lend money directly to and borrow directly from other Funds for temporary purposes. The credit facility is administered by a credit facility team consisting of professionals from the Manager’s asset management, compliance, and accounting departments, who report on credit facility activities to the Board. The credit facility can provide a borrowing fund with savings at times when the cash position of a Fund is insufficient to meet temporary cash requirements. This situation could arise when shareholder redemptions exceed anticipated volumes and a Fund has insufficient cash on hand to satisfy such redemptions, or when sales of securities do not settle as expected, resulting in a cash shortfall for a Fund. When a Fund liquidates portfolio securities to meet redemption requests, it often does not receive payment in settlement for up to two days (or longer for certain foreign transactions). However, redemption requests normally are satisfied the next business day. The credit facility provides a source of immediate, short-term liquidity pending settlement of the sale of portfolio securities. Although the credit facility may reduce a Fund’s need to borrow from banks, a Fund remains free to establish and utilize lines of credit or other borrowing arrangements with banks.
Issuer Risk — The value of an investment may decline for a number of reasons which directly relate to the issuer, such as management performance, financial leverage and reduced demand for the issuer’s goods or services, as well as the historical and prospective earnings of the issuer and the value of its assets.
Large-Capitalization Companies Risk — The securities of large market capitalization companies may underperform other segments of the market, in some cases for extended periods of time. Such companies may be less responsive to competitive challenges and opportunities, such as changes in technology and consumer tastes, and, at times, such companies may be out of favor with investors. Large market capitalization companies generally are expected to be less volatile than companies with smaller market capitalizations. However, large market capitalization companies may be unable to attain the high growth rates of successful smaller companies, especially during periods of economic expansion, and may instead focus their competitive efforts on maintaining or expanding their market share.
Leverage Risk — Borrowing transactions, reverse repurchase agreements, certain derivatives transactions, securities lending transactions and other investment transactions such as when-issued, delayed-delivery, or forward commitment transactions may create investment leverage. When a Fund engages in transactions that have a leveraging effect on a Fund’s investment, the value of a Fund will be potentially more volatile and all other risks will tend to be compounded. This is because leverage generally creates investment risk with respect to a larger base of assets than a Fund would otherwise have and so magnifies the effect of any increase or decrease in the value of a Fund’s underlying assets. The use of leverage is considered to be a speculative investment practice and may result in losses to a Fund. Certain derivatives have the potential for unlimited loss, regardless of the size of the initial investment. The use of leverage may cause a Fund to liquidate positions when it may not be advantageous to do so to satisfy repayment, interest payment, or margin obligations or to meet asset segregation or coverage requirements.
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LIBOR Risk — Certain of the instruments in which a Fund may invest have variable or floating coupon rates that are based on LIBOR, the Secured Overnight Financing Rate (“SOFR”), Euro Interbank Offered Rate and other similar types of reference rates (each, a “Reference Rate”). These Reference Rates are generally intended to represent the rate at which contributing banks may obtain short-term borrowings from each other within certain financial markets. LIBOR is produced daily by averaging the rates reported by a number of banks and may be a significant factor in determining the cost of financing to a Fund, or an investment’s value or return to a Fund, and may be used in other ways that affect a Fund’s performance. Current plans call for most maturities and currencies of LIBOR to be phased out at the end of 2021, with the remaining ones to be phased out on June 30, 2023. These arrangements and any additional regulatory or market changes may have an adverse impact on a Fund or its investments, including increased volatility or illiquidity in markets for instruments that rely on LIBOR.
Regulators and market participants are working together to identify or develop successor Reference Rates. SOFR has been selected by a committee established by the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System and the Federal Reserve Bank of New York to replace LIBOR as a Reference Rate in the United States. Other countries have undertaken similar initiatives to identify replacement Reference Rates for LIBOR in their respective markets. However, there are obstacles to converting certain existing investments and transactions to a new Reference Rate, as well as risks associated with using a new Reference Rate with respect to new investments and transactions. It is expected that market participants will focus on the transition mechanisms by which the Reference Rates in existing contracts or instruments may be amended, whether through marketwide protocols, fallback contractual provisions, bespoke negotiations or amendments or otherwise. Nonetheless, there remains uncertainty regarding the nature of any replacement rate and the impact of the transition from LIBOR on a Fund and the financial markets generally, and the termination of certain Reference Rates presents risks to a Fund. Financial industry groups have begun planning for a transition to the use of a different Reference Rate or benchmark rate, but there are obstacles to converting certain securities and transactions to a new Reference Rate or benchmark rate. The transition process, or the failure of an industry to transition, could lead to increased volatility and illiquidity in markets for instruments that currently rely on LIBOR to determine interest rates and a reduction in the values of some LIBOR-based investments, all of which would impact a Fund. Various complexities brought about by significant changes to operational processes and IT systems could take a long time to complete, and coordination with other market participants may become severely impacted, which may negatively impact a Fund. Since the usefulness of LIBOR as a benchmark could deteriorate during the transition period, these effects could occur prior to the end of 2021. While some LIBOR-based instruments may contemplate a scenario where LIBOR becomes unavailable by providing for an alternative rate-setting methodology, not all may have such provisions and there may be significant uncertainty regarding the effectiveness of any such methodologies. Further, U.S. issuers are currently not obligated to include any particular fallback language in transaction documents for new issuances of LIBOR-linked securities. In addition, the alternative reference or benchmark rate may be an ineffective substitute, potentially resulting in prolonged adverse market conditions for a Fund. The elimination of a Reference Rate or any other changes or reforms to the determination or supervision of Reference Rates could have an adverse impact on the market for or value of any securities or payments linked to those Reference Rates and other financial obligations held by a Fund or on its overall financial condition or results of operations. Any substitute Reference Rate and any pricing adjustments imposed by a regulator or by counterparties or otherwise may adversely affect a Fund’s performance and/or NAV. At this time, it is not possible to completely identify or predict the effect of any such changes, any establishment of alternative Reference Rates or any other reforms to Reference Rates that may be enacted in the UK or elsewhere.
Master Demand Notes — Master demand notes are direct arrangements, between a lender and a corporate borrower, that permit the investment of fluctuating amounts of money at varying rates of interest. They permit daily changes in the amounts borrowed. The lender has the right to increase or decrease the amount it lends under the note at any time, up to the full amount provided by the note agreement. The borrower may prepay up to the full amount of the note without penalty. These notes may or may not be backed by bank letters of credit.
These notes are direct lending arrangements between the lender and borrower, and there is no secondary market for them. The principal plus accrued interest is redeemable at any time, however. This right to redeem the notes depends on the ability of the borrower to make the specified payment on demand. The sub-advisors will consider the earning power, cash flow and other liquidity ratios of an issuer, and its ability to pay principal and interest on demand, including a situation in which all holders of such notes make demand simultaneously. Investments in master demand notes are subject to the limitation on investments in illiquid securities.
Master Limited Partnerships — A Fund may invest in publicly traded partnerships such as MLPs. MLPs issue units that are registered with the SEC and are freely tradable on a securities exchange or in the OTC market. An MLP may have one or more general partners, who conduct the business, and one or more limited partners, who contribute capital. The general partner or partners are jointly and severally responsible for the liabilities of the MLP. An MLP also may be an entity similar to a limited partnership, such as an LLC, which has one or more managers or managing members and non-managing members (who are like limited partners). A Fund will invest in an MLP as a limited partner, and normally would not be liable for the debts of an MLP beyond the amount that a Fund has invested therein. However, as a limited partner, a Fund would not be shielded to the same extent that a stockholder of a corporation would be. In certain instances, creditors of an MLP would have the right to seek a return of capital that had been distributed to a limited partner. This right of an MLP’s creditors would continue even after a Fund had sold its investment in the partnership. Holders of MLP units have more limited rights to vote on matters affecting the partnership than owners of common stock. MLPs typically invest in real estate and oil and gas equipment leasing assets, but they also finance entertainment, research and development, and other projects.
Micro-Capitalization Companies Risk — Micro-capitalization companies are subject to substantially greater risks of loss and price fluctuations, sometimes rapidly and unpredictably, because their earnings and revenues tend to be less predictable. In addition, some companies may experience significant losses. Since micro-capitalization companies may not have an operating history, product lines, or financial resources, their share prices also tend to be more volatile and their markets less liquid than companies with larger market capitalizations, and they can be sensitive to changes in overall economic conditions, interest rates, borrowing costs and earnings. The shares of micro-capitalization companies tend to trade less frequently than those of larger, more established companies, which can adversely affect the pricing of these securities and the future ability to sell these securities. Micro-capitalization companies face greater risk of business failure, which could increase the volatility of a Fund’s portfolio.
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Mid-Capitalization Companies Risk — Investing in the securities of mid-capitalization companies involves greater risk and the possibility of greater price volatility than investing in more established companies with larger capitalization. Since mid-capitalization companies may have limited operating history, product lines and financial resources, the securities of these companies may lack sufficient market liquidity and can be sensitive to expected changes in interest rates, borrowing costs and earnings.
Model and Data Risk — The sub-advisor relies heavily on proprietary mathematical quantitative models (each, a “Model”) and data developed both by the sub-advisor and those supplied by third parties (collectively, “Data”) rather than granting trade-by-trade discretion to the sub-advisor’s investment professionals. In combination, Models and Data are used to construct investment decisions, to value both current and potential investments (including, without limitation, for trading purposes, and for the purposes of determining the NAV of a Fund), to provide risk management insights and to assist in hedging a Fund’s positions and investments. Models and Data are known to have errors, omissions, imperfections and malfunctions (collectively, “System Events”).
The sub-advisor seeks to reduce the incidence and impact of System Events, to the extent feasible, through a combination of internal testing, simulation, real-time monitoring, use of independent safeguards in the overall portfolio management process and often in the software code itself. Despite such testing, monitoring and independent safeguards, System Events will result in, among other things, the execution of unanticipated trades, the failure to execute anticipated trades, delays in the execution of anticipated trades, the failure to properly allocate trades, the failure to properly gather and organize available data, the failure to take certain hedging or risk reducing actions and/or the taking of actions which increase certain risk(s) - all of which may have materially adverse effects on a Fund. System Events in third-party provided Data are generally entirely outside of the control of the sub-advisor. The research and modeling processes engaged in by the sub-advisor on behalf of a Fund are extremely complex and involve the use of financial, economic, econometric and statistical theories, research and modeling; the results of this investment approach must then be translated into computer code. Although the sub-advisor seeks to hire individuals skilled in each of these functions and to provide appropriate levels of oversight and employ other mitigating measures and processes, the complexity of the individual tasks, the difficulty of integrating such tasks, and the limited ability to perform “real world” testing of the end product, even with simulations and similar methodologies, raise the chances that Model code may contain one or more coding errors, thus potentially resulting in a System Event and further, one or more of such coding errors could adversely affect investment performance.
The investment strategies of the sub-advisor are highly reliant on the gathering, cleaning, culling and performing of analysis of large amounts of Data. Accordingly, Models rely heavily on appropriate Data inputs. However, it is impossible and impracticable to factor all relevant, available Data into forecasts, investment decisions and other parameters of the Models. The sub-advisor will use its discretion to determine what Data to gather with respect to each investment strategy and what subset of that Data the Models take into account to produce forecasts which may have an impact on ultimate investment decisions. In addition, due to the automated nature of Data gathering, the volume and depth of Data available, the complexity and often manual nature of Data cleaning, and the fact that the substantial majority of Data comes from third-party sources, it is inevitable that not all desired and/or relevant Data will be available to, or processed by, the sub-advisor at all times. Irrespective of the merit, value and/or strength of a particular Model, it will not perform as designed if incorrect Data is fed into it which may lead to a System Event potentially subjecting a Fund to a loss. Further, even if Data is input correctly, “model prices” anticipated by the Data through the Models may differ substantially from market prices, especially for financial instruments with complex characteristics, such as derivatives, in which a Fund may invest. Where incorrect or incomplete Data is available, the sub-advisor may, and often will, continue to generate forecasts and make investment decisions based on the Data available to it. Additionally, the sub-advisor may determine that certain available Data, while potentially useful in generating forecasts and/or making investment decisions, is not cost effective to gather due to, among other factors, the technology costs or third-party vendor costs and, in such cases, the sub-advisor will not utilize such Data. The sub-advisor has full discretion to select the Data it utilizes. The sub-advisor may elect to use or may refrain from using any specific Data or type of Data in generating forecasts or making trading decisions with respect to the Models. The Data utilized in generating forecasts or making trading decisions underlying the Models may not be (i) the most accurate data available or (ii) free of errors. The Data set used in connection with the Models is limited. The foregoing risks associated with gathering, cleaning, culling and analysis of large amounts of Data are an inherent part of investing with a quantitative, process-driven, systematic adviser such as the sub-advisor.
When Models and Data prove to be incorrect, misleading or incomplete, any decisions made in reliance thereon expose a Fund to potential losses and such losses may be compounded over time. For example, by relying on Models and Data, the sub-advisor may be induced to buy certain investments at prices that are too high, to sell certain other investments at prices that are too low, or to miss favorable opportunities altogether. Similarly, any hedging based on faulty Models and Data may prove to be unsuccessful and when determining the NAV of a Fund, any valuations of a Fund’s investments that are based on valuation Models may prove to be incorrect. In addition, Models may incorrectly forecast future behavior, leading to potential losses on a cash flow and/or a mark-to-market basis. Furthermore, in unforeseen or certain low-probability scenarios (often involving a market event or disruption of some kind), Models may produce unexpected results which may or may not be System Events. Errors in Models and Data are often extremely difficult to detect, and, in the case of Models, the difficulty of detecting System Events may be exacerbated by the lack of design documents or specifications. Regardless of how difficult their detection appears in retrospect, some System Events may go undetected for long periods of time and some may never be detected. When a System Event is detected, a review and analysis of the circumstances that may have caused a reported System Event will be completed and is overseen by an escalation committee made up of appropriate senior personnel. Following this review, the sub-advisor in its sole discretion may choose not to address or fix such System Event, and the third party software will lead to System Events known to the sub-advisor that it chooses, in its sole discretion, not to address or fix. The degradation or impact caused by these System Events can compound over time. When a System Event is detected, the sub-advisor generally will not, as part of the review of circumstances leading to the System Event, perform a materiality analysis on the potential impact of a System Event. The sub-advisor believes that the testing and monitoring performed on Models and the controls adopted to ensure processes are undertaken with care will enable the sub-advisor to identify and address those System Events that a prudent person managing a quantitative, systematic and computerized investment program would identify and address by correcting the underlying issue(s) giving rise to the System Events, but there is no guarantee of the success of such processes. Fund shareholders should assume that System Events and their ensuing risks and impact are an inherent part of investing with a process-driven, systematic sub-advisor such as the sub-advisor.
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Mortgage-Backed Securities — Mortgage-backed securities may be more volatile or less liquid than more traditional debt securities. Mortgage-backed securities include both collateralized mortgage obligations and mortgage pass-through certificates.

 

CMO Residuals. CMO residuals are mortgage securities issued by agencies or instrumentalities of the U.S. Government or by private originators of, or investors in, mortgage loans, including savings and loan associations, homebuilders, mortgage banks, commercial banks, investment banks and special purpose entities of the foregoing. The cash flow generated by the mortgage assets underlying a series of CMOs is applied first to make required payments of principal and interest on the CMOs and second to pay the related administrative expenses and any management fee of the issuer. The residual in a CMO structure generally represents the interest in any excess cash flow remaining after making the foregoing payments. Each payment of such excess cash flow to a holder of the related CMO residual represents income and/or a return of capital. The amount of residual cash flow resulting from a CMO will depend on, among other things, the characteristics of the mortgage assets, the coupon rate of each class of CMO, prevailing interest rates, the amount of administrative expenses and the pre-payment experience on the mortgage assets. In particular, the yield to maturity on CMO residuals is extremely sensitive to pre-payments on the related underlying mortgage assets, in the same manner as an interest-only (“IO”) class of stripped mortgage-backed securities. See “Other Mortgage-Related Securities” and “Stripped Mortgage-Backed Securities.” In addition, if a series of a CMO includes a class that bears interest at an adjustable rate, the yield to maturity on the related CMO residual will also be extremely sensitive to changes in the level of the index upon which interest rate adjustments are based. As described below with respect to stripped mortgage-backed securities, in certain circumstances a Fund may fail to recoup fully its initial investment in a CMO residual.

 

  CMO residuals are generally purchased and sold by institutional investors through several investment banking firms acting as brokers or dealers. Transactions in CMO residuals are generally completed only after careful review of the characteristics of the securities in question. In addition, CMO residuals may, or pursuant to an exemption therefrom, may not have been registered under the Securities Act. CMO residuals, whether or not registered under the Securities Act, may be subject to certain restrictions on transferability, and may be deemed “illiquid” and subject to a Fund’s limitations on investment in illiquid securities.

 

Collateralized Mortgage Obligations. A CMO is a debt obligation of a legal entity that is collateralized by mortgages or mortgage-related assets. CMOs divide the cash flow generated from the underlying mortgages or mortgage pass-through securities into different groups referred to as “tranches,” which are then retired sequentially over time in order of priority. Similar to a bond, interest and prepaid principal is paid, in most cases, on a monthly basis. CMOs may be collateralized by whole mortgage loans or private mortgage bonds, but are more typically collateralized by portfolios of mortgage pass-through securities guaranteed by GNMA; FHLMC and FNMA (each a government-sponsored enterprise owned entirely by private shareholders); and their income streams.

 

  The issuers of CMOs are structured as trusts or corporations established for the purpose of issuing such CMOs and often have no assets other than those underlying the securities and any credit support provided. Although payment of the principal of, and interest on, the underlying collateral securing privately issued CMOs may be guaranteed by the U.S. Government or government-sponsored enterprises, these CMOs represent obligations solely of the private issuer and are not insured or guaranteed by the U.S. Government, any government-sponsored enterprise, or any other person or entity. Prepayments could cause early retirement of CMOs. Payment of interest or principal on some classes or series of CMOs may be subject to contingencies or some classes or series may bear some or all of the risk of default on the underlying mortgages. CMOs of different classes or series are generally retired in sequence as the underlying mortgage loans in the mortgage pool are repaid. If enough mortgages are repaid ahead of schedule, the classes or series of a CMO with the earliest maturities generally will be retired prior to their maturities. Thus, the early retirement of particular classes or series of a CMO held by a Fund would have the same effect as the prepayment of mortgages underlying other MBS. Conversely, slower than anticipated prepayments can extend the effective maturities of CMOs, subjecting them to a greater risk of decline in market value in response to rising interest rates than traditional debt securities, and, therefore, potentially increasing the volatility of a Fund investing in CMOs.

 

  As CMOs have evolved, some classes of CMO bonds have become more common. For example, a Fund may invest in parallel-pay and planned amortization class (“PAC”) CMOs and multi-class pass through certificates. Parallel-pay CMOs and multi-class pass-through certificates are structured to provide payments of principal on each payment date to more than one class. These simultaneous payments are taken into account in calculating the stated maturity date or final distribution date of each class, which, as with other CMO and multi-class pass-through structures, must be retired by its stated maturity date or final distribution date but may be retired earlier. PACs generally require payments of a specified amount of principal on each payment date. PACs are parallel-pay CMOs with the required principal amount on such securities having the highest priority after interest has been paid to all classes. Any CMO or multi-class pass through structure that includes PAC securities must also have support tranches—known as support bonds, companion bonds or non-PAC bonds—which lend or absorb principal cash flows to allow the PAC securities to maintain their stated maturities and final distribution dates within a range of actual prepayment experience. These support tranches are subject to a higher level of maturity risk compared to other mortgage-related securities, and usually provide a higher yield to compensate investors. If principal cash flows are received in amounts outside a pre-determined range such that the support bonds cannot lend or absorb sufficient cash flows to the PAC securities as intended, the PAC securities are subject to heightened maturity risk. Consistent with a Fund’s investment objectives and policies, it may invest in various tranches of CMO bonds, including support bonds.

 

  A REMIC is a mortgage securities vehicle that holds residential or commercial mortgages and issues securities representing interests in those mortgages. A REMIC may be formed as a corporation, partnership, or segregated pool of assets. A REMIC itself is generally exempt from federal income tax, but the income from its mortgages is taxable to its investors. For investment purposes, interests in REMIC securities are virtually indistinguishable from CMOs. See “Tax Information - Taxation of Certain Investments and Strategies.”

 

CMO Residuals. CMO residuals are mortgage securities issued by agencies or instrumentalities of the U.S. Government or by private originators of, or investors in, mortgage loans, including savings and loan associations, homebuilders, mortgage banks, commercial banks, investment banks and special purpose entities of the foregoing. The cash flow generated by the mortgage assets underlying a series of CMOs is applied first to make required payments of principal and interest on the CMOs and second to pay the related administrative expenses and any management fee of the issuer. The residual in a CMO structure generally represents the interest in any excess cash flow remaining after making the foregoing payments. Each payment of such excess cash flow to a holder of the related CMO residual represents income and/or a return of capital. The amount of residual
 
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cash flow resulting from a CMO will depend on, among other things, the characteristics of the mortgage assets, the coupon rate of each class of CMO, prevailing interest rates, the amount of administrative expenses and the pre-payment experience on the mortgage assets. In particular, the yield to maturity on CMO residuals is extremely sensitive to pre-payments on the related underlying mortgage assets, in the same manner as an interest-only (“IO”) class of stripped mortgage-backed securities. See “Other Mortgage-Related Securities” and “Stripped Mortgage-Backed Securities.” In addition, if a series of a CMO includes a class that bears interest at an adjustable rate, the yield to maturity on the related CMO residual will also be extremely sensitive to changes in the level of the index upon which interest rate adjustments are based. As described below with respect to stripped mortgage-backed securities, in certain circumstances a Fund may fail to recoup fully its initial investment in a CMO residual.

 

  CMO residuals are generally purchased and sold by institutional investors through several investment banking firms acting as brokers or dealers. Transactions in CMO residuals are generally completed only after careful review of the characteristics of the securities in question. In addition, CMO residuals may, or pursuant to an exemption therefrom, may not have been registered under the Securities Act. CMO residuals, whether or not registered under the Securities Act, may be subject to certain restrictions on transferability, and may be deemed “illiquid” and subject to a Fund’s limitations on investment in illiquid securities.

 

Commercial Mortgage-Backed Securities. CMBS include securities that reflect an interest in, and are secured by, mortgage loans on commercial real estate property. CMBS are generally multi-class or pass-through securities backed by a mortgage loan or a pool of mortgage loans secured by commercial property, such as industrial and warehouse properties, office buildings, retail space and shopping malls, multifamily properties and cooperative apartments. The commercial mortgage loans that underlie CMBS are generally not amortizing or not fully amortizing. That is, at their maturity date, repayment of the remaining principal balance or “balloon” is due and is repaid through the attainment of an additional loan or sale of the property. Many of the risks of investing in CMBS reflect the risk of investing in the real estate securing the underlying mortgage loans. These risks reflect the effects of local and other economic conditions on real estate markets, the ability of tenants to make loan payments, and the ability of a property to attract and retain tenants. CMBS may be less liquid and exhibit greater price volatility than other types of mortgage- or asset-backed securities.

 

Mortgage Dollar Rolls. A Fund may enter into mortgage dollar rolls in which a Fund sells mortgage-backed securities for delivery in the current month and simultaneously contracts with the same counterparty to repurchase fungible securities (e.g., same type, coupon, and maturity) on a specified future date at a pre-determined price. During the roll period, a Fund would lose the right to receive principal (including prepayments of principal) and interest paid on the securities sold. However, a Fund would benefit to the extent of any difference between the price received for the securities sold and the lower forward price for the future purchase (often referred to as the “drop”) or fee income plus the interest earned on the cash proceeds of the securities sold until the settlement date of the forward purchase. Unless such benefits exceed the income, capital appreciation and gain or loss due to mortgage prepayments that would have been realized on the securities sold as part of the mortgage dollar roll, the use of this technique will diminish the investment performance of a Fund compared with what such performance would have been without the use of mortgage dollar rolls. A Fund will earmark cash or liquid securities to secure its obligation for the forward commitment to buy mortgage-backed securities plus any accrued interest, marked-to-market daily. Mortgage dollar roll transactions may be considered a borrowing under certain circumstances. The mortgage dollar rolls entered into by a Fund may be used as arbitrage transactions in which a Fund will maintain an offsetting position in investment grade debt obligations or repurchase agreements that mature on or before the settlement date of the related mortgage dollar roll. Since a Fund will receive interest on the securities or repurchase agreements in which it invests the transaction proceeds, the transactions may involve leverage.

 

Mortgage Pass-Through Securities. Mortgage pass-through securities are securities representing interests in “pools” of mortgages in which payments of both interest and principal on the securities are generally made monthly, in effect “passing through” monthly payments made by the individual borrowers on the residential mortgage loans that underlie the securities (net of fees paid to the issuer or guarantor of the securities). They are issued by governmental, government-related and private organizations which are backed by pools of mortgage loans.

 

  Payment of principal and interest on some mortgage pass-through securities (but not the market value of the securities themselves) may be guaranteed by the full faith and credit of the U.S. Government, as in the case of securities guaranteed by GNMA, or guaranteed by government-sponsored enterprises, as in the case of securities guaranteed by FNMA or FHLMC, which are supported only by the discretionary authority of the U.S. Government to purchase the agency’s obligations.

 

  Mortgage pass-through securities created by nongovernmental issuers (such as commercial banks, savings and loan institutions, private mortgage insurance companies, mortgage bankers and other secondary market issuers) may be supported by various forms of insurance or guarantees, including individual loan, title, pool and hazard insurance and letters of credit, which may be issued by governmental entities, private insurers or the mortgage poolers.

 

  There are a number of important differences among the agencies of the U.S. government and government-sponsored enterprises that issue mortgage-related securities and among the securities that they issue. Such agencies and securities include:

 

  (1) GNMA Mortgage Pass-Through Certificates (“Ginnie Maes”) — GNMA is a wholly owned U.S. Government corporation within the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. Ginnie Maes represent an undivided interest in a pool of mortgages that are insured by the Federal Housing Administration or the Farmers Home Administration or guaranteed by the Veterans Administration. Ginnie Maes entitle the holder to receive all payments (including prepayments) of principal and interest owed by the individual mortgagors, net of fees paid to GNMA and to the issuer that assembles the mortgage pool and passes through the monthly mortgage payments to the certificate holders (typically, a mortgage banking firm), regardless of whether the individual mortgagor actually makes the payment. Because payments are made to certificate holders regardless of whether payments are actually received on the underlying mortgages, Ginnie Maes are of the “modified pass-through” mortgage certificate type. GNMA guarantees the timely payment of principal and interest on the Ginnie Maes. GNMA guarantee is backed by the full faith and credit of the United States, and GNMA has unlimited authority to borrow funds from the U.S. Treasury to make payments under the guarantee. The market for Ginnie Maes is highly liquid because of the government guarantee, the size of the market, and the active participation in the secondary market of security dealers and a variety of investors.
 
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  (2) Mortgage-Related Securities Issued by Private Organizations — Pools created by non-governmental issuers generally offer a higher rate of interest than government and government-related pools because there are no direct or indirect government guarantees of payments in such pools. However, timely payment of interest and principal of these pools is often partially supported by various enhancements such as over-collateralization and senior/subordination structures and by various forms of insurance or guarantees, including individual loan, title, pool and hazard insurance. The insurance and guarantees are issued by government entities, private insurers or the mortgage poolers. Although the market for such securities is becoming increasingly liquid, securities issued by certain private organizations may not be readily marketable.

 

  (3) FHLMC Mortgage Participation Certificates (“Freddie Macs”) — FHLMC is a government-sponsored enterprise owned by stockholders; it is similar to Fannie Mae. FHLMC issues participation certificates that represent interests in mortgages from its national portfolio. Freddie Macs are not guaranteed by the United States and do not constitute a debt or obligation of the United States. Freddie Macs represent interests in groups of specified first lien residential conventional mortgages underwritten and owned by FHLMC. Freddie Macs entitle the holder to timely payment of interest, which is guaranteed by FHLMC. FHLMC guarantees either ultimate collection or timely payment of all principal payments on the underlying mortgage loans. In cases where FHLMC has not guaranteed timely payment of principal, FHLMC may remit the amount due because of its guarantee of ultimate payment of principal at any time after default on an underlying mortgage, but in no event later than one year after it becomes payable.

 

  (4) FNMA Guaranteed Mortgage Pass-Through Certificates (“Fannie Maes”) — FNMA is a government-sponsored enterprise owned by stockholders; it is similar to Freddie Mac. It is subject to general regulation by the Federal Housing Finance Authority (“FHFA”). Fannie Maes entitle the holder to timely payment of interest, which is guaranteed by FNMA. FNMA guarantees either ultimate collection or timely payment of all principal payments on the underlying mortgage loans. In cases where FNMA has not guaranteed timely payment of principal, FNMA may remit the amount due because of its guarantee of ultimate payment of principal at any time after default on an underlying mortgage, but in no event later than one year after it becomes payable. Fannie Maes represent an undivided interest in a pool of conventional mortgage loans secured by first mortgages or deeds of trust, on one family or two to four family, residential properties. FNMA is obligated to distribute scheduled monthly installments of principal and interest on the mortgages in the pool, whether or not received, plus full principal of any foreclosed or otherwise liquidated mortgages.

 

  The U.S. Treasury has historically had the authority to purchase obligations of Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac. However, in 2008, due to capitalization concerns, Congress provided the Treasury with additional authority to lend Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac emergency funds and to purchase their stock. In September 2008, the Treasury and the FHFA announced that FNMA and FHLMC had been placed in conservatorship. Since that time, FNMA and FHLMC have received significant capital support through Treasury preferred stock purchases, as well as Treasury and Federal Reserve purchases of their mortgage -backed securities. The FHFA and the U.S. Treasury (through its agreement to purchase FNMA and FHLMC preferred stock) have imposed strict limits on the size of their mortgage portfolios. While the mortgage-backed securities purchase programs ended in 2010, the Treasury continued its support for the entities’ capital as necessary to prevent a negative net worth. When a credit rating agency downgraded long-term U.S. Government debt in August 2011, the agency also downgraded FNMA and FHLMC’s bond ratings, from AAA to AA+, based on their direct reliance on the U.S. Government (although that rating did not directly relate to their mortgage-backed securities). In August 2012, the Treasury amended its preferred stock purchase agreements to provide that FNMA’s and FHLMC’s portfolios will be wound down at an annual rate of 15 percent (up from the previously agreed annual rate of 10 percent), requiring them to reach the $250 billion target by December 31, 2018. FNMA and FHLMC were below the $250 billion cap for year-end 2018.

 

  On December 21, 2017, a letter agreement between the Treasury and Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac changed the terms of the senior preferred stock certificates issued to the Treasury to permit the GSEs each to retain a $3 billion capital reserve, quarterly. Under the 2017 letter, each GSE paid a dividend to Treasury equal to the amount that its net worth exceeded $3 billion at the end of each quarter. On September 30, 2019, the Treasury and the FHFA, acting as conservator to Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac, announced amendments to the respective senior preferred stock certificates that will permit the GSEs to retain earnings beyond the $3 billion capital reserves previously allowed through the 2017 letter agreements. Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac are now permitted to maintain capital reserves of $25 billion and $20 billion, respectively. In late 2020, the FHFA issued a new capital rule requiring Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac to hold $283 billion in unadjusted total capital as of June 30, 2020, based on their assets at the time. In January 2021, the FHFA and the U.S. Treasury agreed to amend the preferred stock purchase agreements for the shares in Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac that the federal government continues to hold. The amendments permit Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac to retain all earnings until they have reached the requirements set by the 2020 capital rule.

 

  The problems faced by FNMA and FHLMC, resulting from their being placed into federal conservatorship and receiving significant U.S. Government support, sparked serious debate among federal policymakers regarding the continued role of the U.S. Government in providing liquidity for mortgage loans. In December 2011, Congress enacted the Temporary Payroll Tax Cut Continuation Act of 2011 which, among other provisions, requires that FNMA and FHLMC increase their single-family guaranty fees by at least 10 basis points and remit this increase to the Treasury with respect to all loans acquired by FNMA or FHLMC on or after April 1, 2012 and before January 1, 2022. There have been discussions among policymakers, however, as to whether FNMA and FHLMC should be nationalized, privatized, restructured or eliminated altogether. FNMA and FHLMC also are the subject of several continuing legal actions and investigations over certain accounting, disclosure or corporate governance matters, which (along with any resulting financial restatements) may continue to have an adverse effect on the guaranteeing entities.

 

  Under the direction of the FHFA, FNMA and FHLMC jointly developed a common securitization platform for the issuance of a uniform mortgage-backed security (“UMBS”) (the “Single Security Initiative”) that aligns the characteristics of FNMA and FHLMC certificates. In June 2019, under the Single Security Initiative, FNMA and FHLMC started issuing UMBS in place of their prior offerings of TBA-eligible securities. The Single Security Initiative seeks to support the overall liquidity of the TBA market by aligning the characteristics of FNMA and FHLMC certificates. The effects that the Single Security Initiative may have on the market for TBA and other mortgage-backed securities are uncertain.

 

Stripped Mortgage-Backed Securities. SMBS are derivative multi-class mortgage securities. SMBS are created when a U.S. government agency or a financial institution separates the interest and principal components of a MBS and sells them as individual securities. SMBS may be issued by agencies or instrumentalities of the U.S. Government, or by private originators of, or investors in, mortgage loans, including savings and loan associations, mortgage banks, commercial banks, investment banks and special purpose entities of the foregoing. SMBS are usually structured with two classes that receive different proportions of the interest and principal distributions on a pool of mortgage assets. A common type of SMBS will
 
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have one class receiving some of the interest and most of the principal from the mortgage assets, while the other class will receive most of the interest and the remainder of the principal. In the most extreme case, one class will receive all of the interest (the interest-only or “IO” class), while the other class will receive the entire principal (the principal-only or “PO” class). a Fund may invest in both the IO class and the PO class. The prices of stripped MBS may be particularly affected by changes in interest rates. As interest rates fall, prepayment rates tend to increase, which tends to reduce prices of IOs and increase prices of POs. Rising interest rates can have the opposite effect. The yield to maturity on an IO class is extremely sensitive to the rate of principal payments (including pre-payments) on the related underlying mortgage assets, and a rapid rate of principal payments may have a material adverse effect on a Fund’s yield to maturity from these securities. If the underlying mortgage assets experience greater than anticipated pre-payments of principal, a Fund may fail to recoup some or all of its initial investment in these securities even if the security is in one of the highest rating categories. The secondary market for stripped MBS may be more volatile and less liquid than that for other MBS, potentially limiting a Fund’s ability to buy or sell those securities at any particular time.
 
Municipal SecuritiesA Fund may invest in municipal securities the interest on which is excludable from gross income for federal income tax purposes (“tax-exempt”), as well as municipal securities the interest on which is taxable. Municipal bonds are issued for a wide variety of reasons, including to construct public facilities, to obtain funds for operating expenses, to refund outstanding municipal obligations, and to loan funds to various public institutions and facilities. Municipal securities are subject to credit risk where a municipal issuer of a security might not make interest or principal payments on a security as they become due. An issuer’s actual or perceived credit quality can be affected by, among other things, the financial condition of the issuer, the issuer’s future borrowing plans and sources of revenue, the economic feasibility of a project or general borrowing purpose, and political or economic developments in the region where the instrument is issued. Local and national market forces, such as declines in real estate prices or general business activity, shifting demographics or political gridlock may result in decreasing tax bases, growing entitlement budgets, and increasing construction and/or maintenance costs and could reduce the ability of certain issuers of municipal securities to repay their obligations. The COVID-19 pandemic has significantly stressed the financial resources of many municipal issuers. A number of municipalities may face severe financial hardship making the possibility of their defaulting on obligations, and/or declaring bankruptcy where allowable, a risk to the value of municipal securities held by a Fund. Difficulties in the municipal securities markets could result in increased illiquidity, volatility and credit risk, and a decrease in the number of municipal securities investment opportunities. In addition, the amount of publicly available information for municipal issuers is generally less than for corporate issuers. Municipal securities are also subject to interest rate risk. The municipal securities in which a Fund may invest may include:

 

Anticipation notes. Tax, revenue or bond anticipation notes are issued by municipalities in expectation of future tax or other revenues that are payable from those taxes or revenues. Bond anticipation notes usually provide interim financing in advance of an issue of bonds or notes, the proceeds of which are used to repay the anticipation notes.

 

Commercial paper. Commercial paper, the interest on which is exempt from federal income tax, is issued by municipalities to help finance short-term capital or operating needs in anticipation of future tax or other revenue.

 

General obligation bonds. General obligation bonds are secured by the pledge of the issuer’s full faith, credit, and usually, taxing power. The taxing power may be an unlimited ad valorem tax or a limited tax, usually on real estate and personal property. Most states do not tax real estate, but leave that power to local units of government.

 

Municipal lease obligations. Municipal lease obligations are issued by state and local governments and authorities to acquire land and a wide variety of equipment and facilities. These obligations typically are not fully backed by the municipality’s credit and thus interest thereon may become taxable if the lease is assigned. If funds are not appropriated for the following year’s lease payments, a lease may terminate with the possibility of default on the lease obligation.

 

Municipal warrants. Municipal warrants are essentially call options on municipal bonds. In exchange for a premium, municipal warrants give the purchaser the right, but not the obligation, to purchase a municipal bond in the future. A Fund may purchase a warrant to lock in forward supply in an environment where the current issuance of bonds is sharply reduced. Like options, warrants may expire worthless and they may have reduced liquidity.

 

Private activity bonds. Private activity bonds are issued to finance, among other things, privately operated housing facilities, pollution control facilities, convention or trade show facilities, mass transit, airport, port or parking facilities and certain facilities for water supply, gas, electricity, sewage or solid waste disposal. Private activity bonds are also issued to privately held or publicly owned corporations in the financing of commercial or industrial facilities. The principal and interest on these obligations may be payable from the general revenues of the users of such facilities.

 

Resource recovery obligations. Resource recovery obligations are a type of municipal revenue obligation issued to build facilities such as solid waste incinerators or waste-to-energy plants. Usually, a private corporation will be involved and the revenue cash flow will be supported by fees or units paid by municipalities for use of the facilities. The viability of a resource recovery project, environmental protection regulations and project operator tax incentives may affect the value and credit quality of these obligations.

 

Revenue obligations. Revenue obligations are backed by the revenue cash flow of a project or facility. The interest on such obligations is payable only from the revenues derived from a particular project, facility, specific excise tax or other revenue source. Revenue obligations are not a debt or liability of the local or state government and do not obligate that government to levy or pledge any form of taxation or to make any appropriation for payment.
 
Other Investment Company Securities and Exchange-Traded Products — Investments in the securities of other investment companies may involve duplication of advisory fees and certain other expenses. By investing in another investment company, a Fund becomes a shareholder of that investment company. As a result, Fund shareholders indirectly will bear a Fund’s proportionate share of the fees and expenses paid by shareholders of the other investment company, in addition to the fees and expenses Fund shareholders directly bear in connection with a Fund’s own operations. These other fees and expenses are reflected as Acquired Fund Fees and Expenses and are included in the Fees and Expenses Table for a Fund in its Prospectus, if applicable. A Fund may invest in investment company securities advised by the Manager, and shareholders could pay fees charged by the Manager to such investment company. Investment in other investment companies may involve the payment of substantial premiums above the value of such issuer’s portfolio securities. A Fund’s investment in securities of other investment companies, except for money market funds, is generally limited to (i)
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3% of the total voting stock of any one investment company, (ii) 5% of a Fund’s total assets with respect to any one investment company and (iii) 10% of a Fund’s total assets in all investment companies in the aggregate. However, currently a Fund may exceed these limits when investing in shares of an ETF or other investment company subject to a statutory exemption or to the terms and conditions of an exemptive order from the SEC obtained by the ETF or other investment company that permits an investing fund, such as a Fund, to invest in the ETF or other investment company in excess of the limits described above. The SEC recently adopted new Rule 12d1-4 under the Investment Company Act and revisions to other rules permitting funds to invest in other investment companies, in order to streamline and enhance the regulatory framework applicable to fund of funds arrangements. While Rule 12d1-4 will permit more types of fund of fund arrangements without an exemptive order, and will supersede many existing exemptive orders, it imposes new conditions, including limits on control and voting of acquired funds’ shares, evaluations and findings by investment advisers, fund investment agreements, and limits on most three-tier fund structures.
A Fund at times may invest in shares of other investment companies and exchange-traded products, which, in addition to the general risks of investments in other investment companies described above, include the following risks:

 

ETFs. A Fund may purchase shares of ETFs. ETFs trade like a common stock and passive ETFs usually represent a fixed portfolio of securities designed to track the performance and dividend yield of a particular domestic or foreign market index. Typically, a Fund would purchase passive ETF shares to obtain exposure to all or a portion of the stock or bond market. As a shareholder of an ETF, a Fund would be subject to its ratable share of the ETF’s expenses, including its advisory and administration expenses. An investment in an ETF generally presents the same primary risks as an investment in a conventional mutual fund (i.e., one that is not exchange traded) that has the same investment objective, strategies, and policies. The price of an ETF can fluctuate within a wide range, and a Fund could lose money investing in an ETF if the prices of the securities owned by the ETF decline in value. In addition, ETFs are subject to the following risks that do not apply to conventional mutual funds: (1) the market price of the ETF’s shares may trade at a discount or premium to their NAV per share; (2) an active trading market for an ETF’s shares may not develop or be maintained; or (3) trading of an ETF’s shares may be halted if the listing exchange’s officials deem such action appropriate, the shares are de-listed from the exchange, or the activation of market-wide “circuit breakers” (which are tied to large decreases in stock prices) halts stock trading generally.

 

Money Market Funds. A Fund can invest free cash balances in registered open-end investment companies regulated as money market funds under the Investment Company Act, to provide liquidity or for defensive purposes. A Fund would invest in money market funds rather than purchasing individual short-term investments. Although a money market fund is designed to be a relatively low risk investment, it is not free of risk. Despite the short maturities and high credit quality of a money market fund’s investments, increases in interest rates and deteriorations in the credit quality of the instruments the money market fund has purchased may reduce the money market fund’s yield and can cause the price of a money market security to decrease. In addition, a money market fund is subject to the risk that the value of an investment may be eroded over time by inflation. If the liquidity of a money market fund’s portfolio deteriorates below certain levels, the money market fund may suspend redemptions (i.e., impose a redemption gate) and thereby prevent a Fund from selling its investment in the money market fund, or impose a fee of up to 2% on amounts redeemed from the money market fund.

 

Open-end funds. A Fund may invest in the shares of other open-end funds. Unlike ETFs and most closed-end funds, mutual fund shares do not trade on an exchange but, instead, are purchased and redeemed directly from the issuer. In addition, Rule 22c-1 under the Investment Company Act requires that securities of open-end funds be purchased and redeemed at the net asset value next computed. As a result, changes that occur between the time when a Fund places its order and the mutual fund’s shares are priced could result in gains or losses to a Fund. A Fund also is not able to dispose of such shares intraday.
 
Pay-in-Kind Securities — Pay-in-kind securities are debt securities that may pay interest through the issuance of additional securities or in cash. Because these securities may not pay current cash income, their price can be volatile when interest rates fluctuate. Federal income tax law requires a holder of pay-in-kind securities to include in gross income each taxable year the portion of the non-cash income on those securities (i.e., the additional securities issued as interest thereon) accrued during that year.
In order to continue to qualify for treatment as a “regulated investment company” under the Internal Revenue Code and avoid federal excise tax, a Fund may be required to distribute a portion of such non-cash income and may be required to dispose of other portfolio securities in order to generate cash to meet these distribution requirements, including during periods of adverse market prices for those portfolio securities. See the section entitled “Tax Information.”
Preferred Stock — A preferred stock blends the characteristics of a bond and common stock. It can offer the higher yield of a bond and has priority over common stock in equity ownership but does not have the seniority of a bond, and its participation in the issuer’s growth may be limited. Preferred stock generally has preference over common stock in the receipt of dividends and in any residual assets after payment to creditors should the issuer be dissolved. Because preferred stock is subordinate to bonds in the issuer’s capital structure, the value of preferred stock will usually react more strongly than bonds and other debt to actual or perceived changes in the company’s financial condition or prospects. Although the dividend is set at a fixed or variable rate, in some circumstances it can be changed or omitted by the issuer. Preferred stockholders may have certain rights if dividends are not paid but generally have no legal recourse against the issuer, and may suffer a loss of value as a result. Preferred stocks are subject to the risks associated with other types of equity securities, as well as additional risks, such as credit risk, interest rate risk, potentially greater volatility and risks related to the deferral of dividend payments, the non-cumulative payment of dividends (in which omitted or deferred dividends are not subsequently paid), subordination, liquidity, limited voting rights, and special redemption rights. The market prices of preferred stock are generally more sensitive to changes in the issuer’s creditworthiness than are the prices of debt securities. Preferred stock also may be subject to optional or mandatory redemption provisions.
Quantitative Strategy RiskThe success of a Fund’s investment strategy may depend in part on the effectiveness of a sub-advisor’s quantitative tools for screening securities. Securities selected using quantitative analysis can react differently to issuer, political, market, and economic developments than the market as a whole or securities selected using only fundamental analysis, which could adversely affect their value. A sub-advisor’s quantitative tools may use factors that may not be predictive of a security’s value, and any changes over time in the factors that affect a security’s value may not be
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reflected in the quantitative model. A sub-advisor’s stock selection can be adversely affected if it relies on insufficient, erroneous or outdated data or flawed models or computer systems. Data for some companies, particularly non-U.S. companies, may be less available and/or less current than data for other companies.
Real Estate Related Investments — A Fund may gain exposure to the real estate sector by investing in real estate-linked derivatives, REITs, and common, preferred and convertible securities of issuers in real estate-related industries. Adverse economic, business or political developments affecting real estate could have a major effect on the value of a Fund’s investments. Investing in securities issued by real estate and real estate-related companies may subject a Fund to risks associated with the direct ownership of real estate. Changes in interest rates, debt leverage ratios, debt maturity schedules, and the availability of credit to real estate companies may also affect the value of a Fund’s investment in real estate securities. Real estate securities are dependent upon specialized management skills at the operating company level. Such securities also have limited diversification and are, therefore, subject to risks inherent in operating and financing a limited number of properties. Real estate securities are subject to heavy cash flow dependency and defaults by borrowers. The real estate industry tends to be cyclical. Such cycles may adversely affect the value of a Fund’s portfolio.
Reliance on Corporate Management and Financial Reporting Risk — A sub-advisor may select investments for a Fund in part on the basis of information and data made directly available to a sub-advisor by the issuers of securities or through sources other than the issuers such as collateral pool servicers. A sub-advisor is dependent upon the integrity of the management of these issuers and of such servicers and the financial and collateral performance reporting processes in general. Investors, including a Fund, can incur material losses as a result of corporate mismanagement and fraud resulting in accounting irregularities.
Repurchase Agreements — A repurchase agreement is an agreement between a Fund as purchaser and an approved counterparty as seller. The agreement is backed by collateral in the form of securities and/or cash transferred by the seller to the buyer, sometimes to be held by an eligible third-party custodian. Under the agreement, a Fund acquires securities from the seller and the seller simultaneously commits to repurchase the securities at an agreed upon price and date, normally within a week or on demand. The price for the seller to repurchase the securities is greater than a Fund’s purchase price, reflecting an agreed upon rate that is the equivalent of interest. During the term of the repurchase agreement, a Fund monitors on a daily basis the market value of the collateral subject to the agreement and, if the market value of the securities falls below the seller’s repurchase amount provided under the repurchase agreement, the seller is required to transfer additional securities or cash collateral equal to the amount by which the market value of the securities falls below the repurchase amount. Because a repurchase agreement permits a Fund to invest temporarily available cash on a fully-collateralized basis, repurchase agreements permit a Fund to earn income while retaining flexibility in pursuit of longer-term investments. Repurchase agreements may exhibit the economic characteristics of loans by a Fund.
The obligation of the seller under the repurchase agreement is not guaranteed, and there is a risk that the seller may fail to repurchase the underlying securities, whether because of the seller’s bankruptcy or otherwise. In such event, a Fund would attempt to exercise its rights with respect to the underlying collateral, including possible sale of the securities. A Fund may incur various expenses in the connection with the exercise of its rights and may be subject to various delays and risks of loss, including (a) possible declines in the value of the underlying collateral, (b) possible reduction in levels of income and (c) lack of access to the securities (if they are held through a third-party custodian) and possible inability to enforce a Fund’s rights. The Board has established procedures pursuant to which a sub-advisor monitors the creditworthiness of the counterparties with which a Fund enters into repurchase agreement transactions.
A Fund may enter into repurchase agreements with member banks of the Federal Reserve System or registered broker-dealers who, in the opinion of a sub-advisor, present a minimal risk of default during the term of the agreement. The underlying securities which serve as collateral for repurchase agreements may include fixed income and equity securities such as U.S. Government and agency securities, municipal obligations, asset-backed securities, mortgage-backed securities, common and preferred stock, depositary receipts, ETFs, municipal obligations, corporate obligations and convertible securities.
Senior Loans — A Fund may invest in senior loans, which generally include variable or floating rate loans that hold a senior position in the capital structure of U.S. and foreign corporations, partnerships or other business entities. Under normal circumstances, senior loans have priority of claim ahead of other obligations of a borrower in the event of liquidation. Senior loans may be collateralized or uncollateralized. They pay interest at rates that float above, or are adjusted periodically based on, a benchmark that reflects current interest rates. In addition to the risks typically associated with debt securities, such as credit and interest rate risk, senior loans are also subject to the risk that a court could subordinate a senior loan, which typically holds a senior position in the capital structure of a borrower, to presently existing or future indebtedness or take other action detrimental to the holders of senior loans. In the event of an in court or out of court restructuring of a senior loan in which a Fund invests, a Fund may acquire (and subsequently sell) equity securities or exercise warrants that it receives. Senior loans usually have mandatory and optional prepayment provisions. If a borrower prepays a senior loan, a Fund will have to reinvest the proceeds in other senior loans or securities that may pay lower interest rates.
Separately Traded Registered Interest and Principal Securities and Other Zero-Coupon Obligations — Separately traded registered interest and principal securities or “STRIPS” and other zero-coupon obligations are securities that do not make regular interest payments. Instead they are sold at a discount from their face value, and accrue interest over the life of the bond. A Fund will take into account as income a portion of the difference between these obligations’ purchase prices and their face values. Because they do not pay coupon income, the prices of STRIPS and zero-coupon obligations can be very volatile when interest rates change, and their values may fluctuate more than the value of similar securities that pay interest periodically. STRIPS are zero-coupon bonds issued by the U.S. Treasury.
Short Sales — In connection with the use of certain instruments based upon or consisting of one or more baskets of securities, a sub-advisor may sell a security a Fund does not own, or in an amount greater than a Fund owns (“short sales”). Generally, to complete a short sale transaction, a Fund or its broker will borrow the security to make delivery to the buyer. A Fund is then obligated to replace the security borrowed. If the price at the time of replacement is more than the price at which the security was sold by a Fund, a Fund will incur a loss. In addition, a lender may request, or market conditions may dictate, that securities sold short be returned to the lender on short notice, and a Fund may have to buy the securities sold short at an unfavorable price and/or may have to sell related long positions before it had intended to do so. Conversely, a Fund will realize a gain if the price of the security decreases between selling short and replacement. Although a Fund’s gain is limited to the price at which it sold the security short, its potential
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loss is theoretically unlimited. Until the security is replaced, a Fund is required to pay fees or any interest that accrues during the period of the loan. To borrow the security, a Fund may be required to pay a premium, which would increase the cost of the security sold. The proceeds of the short sale may be retained by the broker and a Fund will pledge additional collateral to the extent necessary to meet margin requirements until the short position is closed out. Until a Fund replaces the borrowed security, it will (a) maintain in a segregated account or earmark with its custodian cash or liquid securities at such a level that the amount deposited in the account plus the amount deposited with the broker as collateral will equal the current market value of the security sold short or (b) otherwise cover its short position in accordance with applicable regulatory requirements. A Fund’s policies and procedures regarding segregating such assets are described more fully under “Cover and Asset Segregation” in this SAI. A Fund may experience leverage risk in connection with selling securities short if it invests the proceeds of a short sale, which amplifies changes in net asset value since it provides a Fund with greater exposure to the market than it otherwise would have achieved.
Short sales “against the box” are transactions in which a Fund sells a security short, but it also owns an equal amount of the securities sold short or owns securities that are convertible or exchangeable, without payment of further consideration, into an equal amount of such security. A Fund may make a short sale against the box when a sub-advisor believes the price of the stock may decline and when a sub-advisor does not currently want to sell the stock or convertible security it owns. In this case, any decline in the value of a Fund’s portfolio securities would be reduced by a gain in the short sale transaction. Conversely, any increase in the value of Fund’s portfolio securities would be reduced by a loss in the short sale transaction.
The SEC has recently adopted Rule 18f-4 that, among other matters, places limits on the use of “derivatives transactions”, which includes short sales, by registered investment companies, such as a Fund. Under Rule 18f-4, a Fund’s use of short sales may be subject to additional oversight and regulatory requirements.
Small-Capitalization Companies Risk — Investing in the securities of small-capitalization companies involves greater risk and the possibility of greater price volatility, which at times can be rapid and unpredictable, than investing in larger capitalization and more established companies, since smaller companies may have limited operating history, product lines, and financial resources. The securities of these companies may lack sufficient market liquidity and they can be particularly sensitive to expected changes in overall economic conditions, interest rates, borrowing costs and earnings.
Sovereign and Quasi-Sovereign Government and Supranational Debt — Sovereign debt securities may include: debt securities issued or guaranteed by governments, governmental agencies or instrumentalities and political subdivisions located in emerging market countries; debt securities issued by government owned, controlled or sponsored entities located in emerging market countries; interests in entities organized and operated for the purpose of restructuring the investment characteristics of instruments issued by any of the above issuers; participations in loans between emerging market governments and financial institutions; and Brady Bonds, which are debt securities issued under the framework of the Brady Plan as a means for debtor nations to restructure their outstanding external indebtedness.
Investments in debt securities issued or guaranteed by foreign governments and their political subdivisions or agencies involve special risks not present in corporate debt obligations. Sovereign debt is subject to risks in addition to those relating to non-U.S. investments generally. The issuer of the debt or the governmental authorities that control the repayment of the debt may be unable or unwilling to repay principal and/or interest when due in accordance with the terms of such debt, and a Fund may have limited legal recourse in the event of a default. As a sovereign entity, the issuing government may be immune from lawsuits in the event of its failure or refusal to pay the obligations when due.
Sovereign debt differs from debt obligations issued by private entities in that, generally, remedies for defaults must be pursued in the courts of the defaulting party. Legal recourse is therefore somewhat diminished when the issuer is a foreign government or its political subdivisions or agencies. Political conditions, especially a sovereign entity’s willingness to meet the terms of its debt obligations, are of considerable significance. Also, holders of commercial bank debt issued by the same sovereign entity may contest payments to the holders of sovereign debt in the event of default under commercial bank loan agreements.
A sovereign debtor’s willingness or ability to repay principal and interest due in a timely manner may be affected by, among other factors, its cash flow situation, insufficient foreign currency reserves, the availability of sufficient non-U.S. exchange on the date a payment is due, the relative size of the debt service burden to the economy as a whole, the sovereign debtor’s policy toward principal international lenders, the failure to implement economic reforms required by the International Monetary Fund or other multilateral agencies and the political constraints to which a sovereign debtor may be subject. Increased protectionism on the part of a country’s trading partners or political changes in those countries could also adversely affect its exports. Such events could diminish a country’s trade account surplus, if any, or the credit standing of a particular local government or agency.
Sovereign debtors’ ability to repay their obligations may also be dependent on disbursements or assistance from foreign governments or multinational agencies, the country’s access to trade and other international credits, and the country’s balance of trade. The receipt of assistance from other governments or multinational agencies is not assured. Assistance may be dependent on a country’s implementation of austerity measures and reforms, which may be politically difficult to implement. These measures may limit or be perceived to limit economic growth and recovery. In the past, some sovereign debtors have rescheduled their debt payments, declared moratoria on payments or restructured their debt to effectively eliminate portions of it, and similar occurrences may happen in the future. There is no bankruptcy proceeding by which sovereign debt on which governmental entities have defaulted may be collected in whole or in part.
The occurrence of political, social or diplomatic changes in one or more of the countries issuing sovereign debt could adversely affect a Fund’s investments. Political changes or a deterioration of a country’s domestic economy or balance of trade may affect the willingness of countries to service their sovereign debt. While the Manager and sub-advisors endeavor to manage investments in a manner that will minimize the exposure to such risks, there can be no assurance that adverse political changes will not cause a Fund to suffer a loss of interest or principal on any of its holdings.
Brady Bonds. Brady Bonds may be collateralized or uncollateralized and issued in various currencies (although most are dollar-denominated), and they are actively traded in the over-the-counter secondary market. U.S. dollar-denominated, collateralized Brady Bonds, which may be fixed rate par bonds or floating rate discount bonds, are generally collateralized in full as to principal by U.S. Treasury zero coupon bonds having the same maturity as the Brady Bonds. Brady Bonds are not, however, considered to be U.S. Government Securities. Interest payments on Brady Bonds are often collateralized by cash or securities in an amount that, in the case of fixed rate bonds, is equal to at least one year of rolling interest payments or, in the case of floating
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rate bonds, initially is equal to at least one year’s rolling interest payments based on the applicable interest rate at that time and is adjusted at regular intervals thereafter. Certain Brady Bonds are entitled to “value recovery payments” in certain circumstances, which in effect constitute supplemental interest payments, but generally are not collateralized. Brady Bonds are often viewed as having three or four valuation components: (i) collateralized repayment of principal at final maturity; (ii) collateralized interest payments; (iii) uncollateralized interest payments; and (iv) any uncollateralized repayment of principal at maturity (these uncollateralized amounts constitute the “residual risk”). In the event of a default with respect to Collateralized Brady Bonds as a result of which the payment obligations of the issuer are accelerated, the U.S. Treasury zero coupon obligations held as collateral for the payment of principal will not be distributed to investors, nor will such obligations be sold and the proceeds distributed. The collateral will be held by the collateral agent to the scheduled maturity of the defaulted Brady Bonds, which will continue to be outstanding, at which time the face amount of the collateral will equal the principal payments which would have been due on the Brady Bonds in the normal course. Brady Bonds involve various risk factors including residual risk and the history of defaults with respect to commercial bank loans by public and private entities of countries issuing Brady Bonds. There can be no assurance that Brady Bonds in which a Fund may invest will not be subject to restructuring arrangements or to requests for new credit, which may cause a Fund to suffer a loss of interest or principal on any of its holdings.
Supranational entities may also issue debt securities. Supranational organizations are entities designated or supported by a government or governmental group to promote economic development. Included among these organizations are the Asian Development Bank, the European Investment Bank, the Inter-American Development Bank, the International Monetary Fund, the United Nations, the World Bank and the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development. Supranational organizations have no taxing authority and are dependent on their members for payments of interest and principal to the extent their assets are insufficient. Further, the lending activities of such entities are limited to a percentage of their total capital, reserves and net income. Obligations of supranational entities are subject to the risk that the governments on whose support the entity depends for its financial backing or repayment may be unable or unwilling to provide that support. Obligations of a supranational entity that are denominated in foreign currencies will also be subject to the risks associated with investments in foreign currencies, as described above in the section “Currencies Risk.”
Structured Products — A Fund may invest in structured products, including instruments such as credit-linked securities, commodity-linked notes and structured notes, which are potentially high-risk derivatives. For example, a structured product may combine a traditional stock or bond with an option or forward contract. Generally, the principal amount, amount payable upon maturity or redemption, or interest rate of a structured product is tied (positively or negatively) to the price of some currency or securities index or another interest rate or some other economic factor (each, a “benchmark”). The interest rate or (unlike most fixed income securities) the principal amount payable at maturity of a structured product may be increased or decreased, depending on changes in the value of the benchmark.
Structured products can be used as an efficient means of pursuing a variety of investment goals, including currency hedging, duration management, and increased total return. Structured products may not bear interest or pay dividends. The value of a structured product or its interest rate may be a multiple of a benchmark and, as a result, may be leveraged and move (up or down) more steeply and rapidly than the benchmark. These benchmarks may be sensitive to economic and political events, such as commodity shortages and currency devaluations, which cannot be readily foreseen by the purchaser of a structured product. Under certain conditions, the redemption value of a structured product could be zero. Thus, an investment in a structured product may entail significant market risks that are not associated with a similar investment in a traditional, U.S. dollar-denominated bond that has a fixed principal amount and pays a fixed rate or floating rate of interest. The purchase of structured products also exposes a Fund to the credit risk of the issuer of the structured product. These risks may cause significant fluctuations in the NAV of a Fund.

 

Credit-Linked Notes. CLNs are derivative debt obligations that are issued by limited purpose entities or by financial firms, such as banks, securities firms or their affiliates, and that are structured so that their performance is linked to that of an underlying bond or other debt obligation (a “reference asset”), normally by means of an embedded or underlying credit default swap. The issuer of a CLN in turns enters into a credit protection agreement or invests in a derivative instrument or basket of derivative instruments, such as credit default swaps or interest rate swaps, to obtain exposure to certain fixed-income markets or to remain fully invested when more traditional income producing securities are not available.

 

  The reference assets for the CLNs in which a Fund may invest will be limited to sovereign or quasi-sovereign debt instruments or other investments in which a Fund’s investment policies permit it to invest directly. A Fund may invest in CLNs when a Fund’s sub-advisor believes that doing so is more efficient than investing in the reference assets directly or when such direct investment by a Fund is not feasible due to legal or other restrictions.

 

  The issuer or one of the affiliates of the issuer of the CLNs in which a Fund will invest, normally will purchase the reference asset underlying the CLN directly, but in some cases it may gain exposure to the reference asset through a credit default swap or other derivative. Under the terms of a CLN, a Fund will receive a fixed or variable rate of interest on the outstanding principal amount of the CLN, which in turn will be subject to reduction (potentially down to zero) if a “credit event” occurs with respect to the underlying reference asset or its issuer. Such credit events will include payment defaults on the reference asset, and normally will also include events that do not involve an actual default, such as actual or potential insolvencies, repudiations of indebtedness, moratoria on payments, reference asset restructurings, limits on the convertibility or repatriation of currencies, and the imposition of ownership restrictions. If a credit event occurs, payments on the CLN would terminate, and a Fund normally would receive delivery of the underlying reference asset (or, in some cases, a comparable “deliverable” asset) in lieu of the repayment of principal. In some cases, however, including but not limited to instances where there has been a market disruption or in which it is or has become illegal, impossible or impracticable for a Fund to purchase, hold or receive the reference assets, a Fund may receive a cash settlement based on the value of the reference asset or a comparable instrument, less fees charged and certain expenses incurred by the CLN issuer.

 

  CLNs are debt obligations of the CLN issuers, and a Fund would have no ownership or other property interest in the reference assets (other than following a credit event that results in the reference assets being delivered to a Fund) or any direct recourse to the issuers of those reference assets. Thus, a Fund will be exposed to the credit risk of the issuers of the reference assets that underlie its CLNs, as well as to the credit risk of the issuers of the CLNs themselves. CLNs will also be subject to currency risk, liquidity risk, valuation risks, and the other risks of a credit default swap. Various determinations that may need to be made with respect to the CLNs, including the occurrence of a credit event, the selection of deliverable assets (where applicable) and the valuation of the reference asset for purposes of determining any cash settlement amount, normally will be made by the
 
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  issuer or sponsor of the CLN. The interests of such issuer or sponsor may not be aligned with those of a Fund or other investors in the CLN. Accordingly, CLNs may also be subject to potential conflicts of interest. There may be no established trading market for a Fund’s CLNs, in which event they may constitute illiquid investments.

 

Structured Notes. A Fund may invest in structured notes, which are derivative debt instruments with principal and/or interest payments linked to the value of a reference instrument (for example, a commodity, a foreign currency, an index of securities, an interest rate or other financial indicators). The payments on a structured note may vary based on changes in one or more specified reference instruments, such as a floating interest rate compared to a fixed interest rate, the exchange rates between two currencies, one or more securities or a securities or commodities index. A structured note may be positively or negatively indexed. For example, its principal amount and/or interest rate may increase or decrease if the value of the reference instrument increases, depending upon the terms of the instrument. The change in the principal amount payable with respect to, or the interest rate of, a structured note may be a multiple of the percentage change (positive or negative) in the value of the underlying reference instrument or instruments, which can make the value of such securities volatile. This type of note increases the potential for income but at a greater risk of loss than a typical debt security of the same maturity and credit quality. Structured notes can be used to increase a Fund’s exposure to changes in the value of assets or to hedge the risks of other investments that a Fund holds.

 

  Structured notes are subject to interest rate risk. They are also subject to credit risk with respect both to the issuer and, if applicable, to the underlying security or borrower. If the underlying investment or index does not perform as anticipated, the structured note might pay less interest than the stated coupon payment or repay less principal upon maturity. The price of structured notes may be very volatile and they may have a limited trading market, making it difficult to value them or sell them at an acceptable price. In some cases, a Fund may enter into agreements with an issuer of structured notes to purchase minimum amounts of those notes over time. Certain issuers of structured products may be deemed to be investment companies as defined in the Investment Company Act. As a result, a Fund’s investments in these structured products may be subject to limits applicable to investments in other investment companies.
 
Supranational Risk — Supranational organizations are entities designated or supported by a government or governmental group to promote economic development. Supranational organizations have no taxing authority and are dependent on their members for initial and ongoing payments of interest and principal to the extent their assets are insufficient. Further, the lending activities of such entities are limited to a percentage of their total capital, reserves and net income. Obligations of supranational entities are subject to the risk that the governments on whose support the entity depends for its financial backing or repayment may be unable or unwilling to provide that support. Obligations of a supranational entity that are denominated in foreign currencies will also be subject to the risks associated with investments in foreign currencies, as described above in the section “Currencies Risk.”
Swap Agreements — A swap is a transaction in which a Fund and a counterparty agree to pay or receive payments at specified dates based upon or calculated by reference to changes in specified prices or rates (e.g., interest rates in the case of interest rate swaps) or the performance of specified securities or indices based on a specified amount (the “notional” amount). Nearly any type of derivative, including forward contracts, can be structured as a swap. See “Derivatives” for a further discussion of derivatives risks. Swap agreements can be structured to provide exposure to a variety of different types of investments or market factors. For example, in an interest rate swap, fixed-rate payments may be exchanged for floating rate payments; in a currency swap, U.S. dollar-denominated payments may be exchanged for payments denominated in a foreign currency; and in a total return swap, payments tied to the investment return on a particular asset, group of assets or index may be exchanged for payments that are effectively equivalent to interest payments or for payments tied to the return on another asset, group of assets, or index. Swaps may have a leverage component, and adverse changes in the value or level of the underlying asset, reference rate or index can result in gains or losses that are substantially greater than the amount invested in the swap itself. Some swaps currently are, and more in the future will be, centrally cleared. Swaps that are centrally-cleared are exposed to the creditworthiness of the clearing organizations (and, consequently, that of their members - generally, banks and broker-dealers) involved in the transaction. For example, an investor could lose margin payments it has deposited with the clearing organization as well as the net amount of gains not yet paid by the clearing organization if it breaches its agreement with the investor or becomes insolvent or goes into bankruptcy. In the event of bankruptcy of the clearing organization, the investor may be able to recover only a portion of the net amount of gains on its transactions and of the margin owed to it, potentially resulting in losses to the investor. Swaps that are not centrally cleared involve the risk that a loss may be sustained as a result of the insolvency or bankruptcy of the counterparty or the failure of the counterparty to make required payments or otherwise comply with the terms of the agreement. If a counterparty’s creditworthiness declines, the value of the swap might decline, potentially resulting in losses to a Fund. Changing conditions in a particular market area, whether or not directly related to the referenced assets that underlie the swap agreement, may have an adverse impact on the creditworthiness of a counterparty. To mitigate this risk, a Fund will only enter into swap agreements with counterparties considered by a sub-advisor to present minimum risk of default, and a Fund normally obtains collateral to secure its exposure. Swaps involve the risk that, if the swap declines in value, additional margin would be required to maintain the margin level. The seller may require a Fund to deposit additional sums to cover this, and this may be at short notice. If additional margin is not provided in time, the seller may liquidate the positions at a loss, which may cause a Fund to owe money to the seller.
The centrally cleared and OTC swap agreements into which a Fund enters normally provide for the obligations of a Fund and its counterparty in the event of a default or other early termination to be determined on a net basis. Similarly, periodic payments on a swap transaction that are due by each party on the same day normally are netted. To the extent that a swap agreement is subject to netting, a Fund’s current cover and asset segregation responsibilities will normally be with respect to the net amount owed by a Fund. See “Cover and Asset Segregation” for additional discussion of these matters. However, a Fund may be required to segregate liquid assets equal to the full notional amount of certain swaps, such as written credit default swaps on physically settled forwards or written options. The amount that a Fund must segregate may be reduced by the value of any collateral that it has pledged to secure its own obligations under the swap. The use of swap agreements requires special skills, knowledge and investment techniques that differ from those required for normal portfolio management. Swaps may be considered illiquid investments, and a Fund may be unable to sell a swap agreement to a third party at a favorable price; see “Illiquid and Restricted Securities” for a description of liquidity risk. The income tax treatment of swap agreements is unsettled and may be subject to future legislation, regulations or administrative pronouncements issued by the IRS. If such future guidance limits a Fund’s ability to use derivatives, a Fund may have to find other ways of achieving its investment objective. The swaps market
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was largely unregulated prior to the enactment of the Dodd-Frank Act on July 21, 2010. It is possible that developments in the swaps market, including the issuance of final implementing regulations under the Dodd-Frank Act, could adversely affect a Fund’s ability to enter into swaps in the OTC market (or require that certain of such instruments be exchange-traded and centrally-cleared), or require that a Fund support those trades with collateral, terminate new or existing swap agreements, or realize amounts to be received under such instruments. As discussed below, regulations have been adopted by the CFTC and banking regulators that will require a Fund to post margin on OTC swaps, and these regulations are currently being phased in and clearing organizations and exchanges will set minimum margin requirements for exchange-traded and cleared swaps. Due to these regulations, a Fund could be required to engage in greater documentation and recordkeeping with respect to swap agreements.
In late October of 2015, the Federal Reserve, the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation, the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency, the Farm Credit Administration and the Federal Housing Financing Authority issued final rules that require banks subject to their supervision to post and collect variation and initial margin in respect of their obligations arising under uncleared swap agreements. The CFTC soon after issued similar rules that apply to CFTC registered swap dealers and major swap participants that are not banks. Such rules, which became effective on March 1, 2017, generally require a Fund to segregate additional assets in order to meet the variation margin requirements when they enter into uncleared swap agreements. The European Supervisory Authorities (“ESA”), various national regulators in Europe, the Australian Securities & Investment Commission, the Japanese Financial Services Agency and the Canadian Office of the Superintendent of Financial Institutions adopted rules and regulations that are similar to that of the Federal Reserve.
Separately, the CFTC also provided no-action relief allowing investment advisers for registered investment companies and other institutional investors to apply a minimum transfer amount (“MTA”) of variation margin based upon the separately managed investment account or sleeve (“Sleeve”) that the adviser is responsible for, rather than having to calculate the MTA across all accounts of the investor. This relief is not time limited, and provides that the CFTC staff will not recommend an enforcement action against a swap dealer that does not comply with the MTA requirements in the CFTC’s regulations with respect to one or more swaps with any legal entity that is the owner of more than one Sleeve, subject to the following conditions: (1) any such swaps are entered into with the swap dealer by an asset manager on behalf of a Sleeve owned by the legal entity pursuant to authority granted under an investment management agreement; (2) the swaps of such Sleeve are subject to a master netting agreement that does not permit netting of initial or variation margin obligations across Sleeves of the legal entity that have swaps outstanding with the swap dealer; and (3) the swap dealer applies an MTA no greater than $50,000 to the initial and variation margin collection and posting obligations required of such Sleeve. The banking regulators have not provided similar relief, although swaps dealers subject to a banking regulator are expected to act in a manner consistent with the relief provided by the CFTC.

 

Caps, Floors and Collars. A Fund may also enter caps, floors and collars, which are types of interest rate swap agreements. The purchaser of an interest rate cap agrees to pay a premium to the seller in return for the seller paying interest on a specified principal amount to the purchaser based on the extent to which a specified interest rate exceeds a predetermined level. Conversely, the seller of an interest rate floor agrees to pay interest on a specified principal amount to the purchaser based on the extent to which a specified interest rate falls below a predetermined level. A collar combines a cap and selling a floor, establishing a predetermined range of interest rates within which each party agrees to make payments. Caps, floors and collars may be less liquid than swaps. In addition, the value of interest rate transactions will fluctuate based on changes in interest rates.

 

Credit Default Swaps. In a credit default swap, one party (the seller) agrees to make a payment to the other party (the buyer) in the event that a “credit event,” such as a default or issuer insolvency, occurs with respect to one or more underlying or “reference” bonds or other debt securities. A Fund may be either a seller or a buyer of credit protection under a credit default swap. The purchaser pays a fee during the life of the swap. If there is a credit event with respect to a referenced debt security, the seller under a credit default swap may be required to pay the buyer the par amount (or a specified percentage of the par amount) of that security in exchange for receiving the referenced security (or a specified alternative security) from the buyer. Credit default swaps may be on a single security, a basket of securities or on a securities index. Alternatively, the credit default swap may be cash settled, meaning that the seller will pay the buyer the difference between the par value and the market value of the defaulted bonds. If the swap is on a basket of securities (such as the CDX indices), the notional amount of the swap is reduced by the par amount of the defaulted bond, and the fixed payments are then made on the reduced notional amount.

 

  Taking a long position in (i.e., acting as the seller under) a credit default swap increases the exposure to the specific issuers, and the seller could experience a loss if a credit event occurs and the credit of the reference entity or underlying asset has deteriorated. As a seller, a Fund would effectively add leverage because, in addition to its total net assets, a Fund would be subject to investment exposure on the notional amount of the swap. The risks of being the buyer of credit default swaps include the cost of paying for credit protection if there are no credit events, pricing transparency when assessing the cost of a credit default swap, counterparty risk, and the need to fund any delivery obligation, particularly in the event of adverse pricing when purchasing bonds to satisfy a delivery obligation. Credit default swap buyers are also subject to counterparty risk since the ability of the seller to make required payments is dependent on its creditworthiness. Taking a short position in (i.e., acting as the buyer under) a credit default swap results in opposite exposures for a Fund.

 

Currency Swaps. A currency swap involves the exchange of payments denominated in one currency for payments denominated in another. Payments are based on a notional principal amount, the value of which is fixed in exchange rate terms at the swap’s inception. Currency swap agreements may be entered into on a net basis or may involve the delivery of the entire principal value of one designated currency in exchange for the entire principal value of another designated currency. In such cases, the entire principal value of a currency swap is subject to the risk that the counterparty will default on its contractual delivery obligations. Currency swaps are subject to currency risk.

 

Equity Swaps. Equity swaps are contracts that allow one party to exchange the returns, including any dividend income, on an equity security or group of equity securities for another payment stream. Under an equity swap, payments may be made at the conclusion of the equity swap or periodically during its term. An equity swap may be used to invest in a market without owning or taking physical custody of securities in circumstances in which direct investment may be restricted for legal reasons or is otherwise deemed impractical or disadvantageous. To the extent that there is an imperfect correlation between the return on a Fund’s obligation to its counterparty under the equity swap and the return on related assets in its portfolio, the equity swap transaction may increase a Fund’s financial risk.

 

Forward Swaps — A forward swap is created through the use of two swaps with different durations to meet the investment time period desired by
 
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a sub-advisor. Forward swaps are typically interest rate swaps in which the accrual and exchange of cash flows commences at a later date rather than the current date, thereby affording the opportunity to lock in rates today while accruals begin in the future. While forward swaps often allow rates to be locked in, the rates will be determined via the forward rate curve, which is not the same as the yield curve.

 

Interest Rate and Inflation Swaps. In an interest rate swap, the parties exchange payments based on fixed or floating interest rates multiplied by a hypothetical or “notional” amount. For example, one party might agree to pay the other a specified fixed rate on the notional amount in exchange for recovering a floating rate on that notional amount. Interest rate swap agreements entail both interest rate risk and counterparty risk. The purchase of an interest rate cap entitles the purchaser, to the extent that a specified index exceeds a predetermined interest rate, to receive payments of interest on a notional principal amount from the party selling such interest rate cap. The purchase of an interest rate floor entitles the purchaser, to the extent that a specified index falls below a predetermined interest rate, to receive payments of interest on a notional principal amount from the party selling such interest rate floor. There is a risk that based on movements of interest rates, the payments made under a swap agreement will be greater than the payments received. A Fund may also invest in inflation swaps, where an inflation rate index is used in place of an interest rate index.

 

Swaptions. Swaptions are options to enter into a swap agreement. The purchaser of a swaption pays a premium for the option and obtains the right, but not the obligation, to enter into an underlying swap on predetermined terms at a future date. The seller of a swaption, in exchange for the premium, becomes obligated (if the option is exercised) to enter into an underlying swap on agreed-upon terms. Depending on the terms of the particular option agreement, a Fund generally will incur a greater degree of risk when it writes a swaption than when it purchases a swaption. When a Fund purchases a swaption, it risks losing only the amount of the premium it has paid should it decide to let the option expire unexercised.

 

Total Return Swaps. In a total return swap transaction, one party agrees to pay the other party an amount equal to the total return on a defined underlying asset such as a security or basket of securities or on a referenced index during a specified period of time. In return, the other party would make periodic payments based on a fixed or variable interest rate or on the total return from a different underlying asset or index. Total return swap agreements may be used to gain exposure to price changes in an overall market or an asset. Total return swaps may effectively add leverage to a Fund’s portfolio because, in addition to its net assets, a Fund would be subject to investment exposure on the notional amount of the swap, which may exceed a Fund’s net assets. If a Fund is the total return receiver in a total return swap, then the credit risk for an underlying asset is transferred to a Fund in exchange for its receipt of the return (appreciation) on that asset or index. If a Fund is the total return payer, it is hedging the downside risk of an underlying asset or index but it is obligated to pay the amount of any appreciation on that asset or index. Total return swaps could result in losses if the underlying asset or index does not perform as anticipated. Written total return swaps can have the potential for unlimited losses.

 

Volatility Swaps. A volatility swap is a forward contract under which the payments to be received are dependent on the future realized volatility of an underlying asset, such as a stock. A volatility swap involves exposure to volatility, not on whether the value of the underlying asset goes up or down. Volatility swaps can be used to speculate on future volatility or as a hedge against volatility. A volatility swap is subject to the risk that the future volatility of the underlying asset is higher or lower than a sub-advisor anticipated.
 
Time-Zone Arbitrage — Investing in foreign securities may involve a greater risk for excessive trading due to “time-zone arbitrage.” If an event occurring after the close of a foreign market, but before the time a Fund computes its current NAV per share, causes a change in the price of the foreign securities and such price is not reflected in a Fund’s current NAV per share, investors may attempt to take advantage of anticipated price movements in securities held by a Fund based on such pricing discrepancies.
Trust Preferred Securities — A Fund may invest in trust preferred securities. Trust preferred securities have the characteristics of both subordinated debt and preferred stock. Generally, trust preferred securities are issued by a trust that is wholly owned by a financial institution or other corporate entity, typically a bank holding company. The financial institution creates the trust and owns the trust’s common securities. The trust uses the sale proceeds of its common securities to purchase subordinated debt issued by the financial institution. The financial institution uses the proceeds from the subordinated debt sale to increase its capital while the trust receives periodic interest payments from the financial institution for holding the subordinated debt. The trust uses the funds received to make dividend payments to the holders of the trust preferred securities. The primary advantage of this structure is that the trust preferred securities are treated by the financial institution as debt securities for tax purposes and as equity for the calculation of capital requirements.
Trust preferred securities typically bear a market rate coupon comparable to interest rates available on debt of a similarly rated issuer. Typical characteristics include long-term maturities, early redemption by the issuer, periodic fixed or variable interest payments, and maturities at face value. Holders of trust preferred securities have limited voting rights to control the activities of the trust and no voting rights with respect to the financial institution. The market value of trust preferred securities may be more volatile than those of conventional debt securities. Trust preferred securities may be thinly traded and a Fund may not be able to dispose of them at a favorable price. Trust preferred securities may be issued in reliance on Rule 144A under the Securities Act and subject to restrictions on resale. There can be no assurance as to the liquidity of trust preferred securities and the ability of holders, such as a Fund, to sell their holdings. Please refer to “Illiquid and Restricted Securities” above for further discussion of regulatory considerations and constraints related to such securities. As the trust typically has no business operations other than to issue the trust preferred securities, the condition of the financial institution could have an impact on a Fund. If the financial institution defaults on interest payments to the trust, the trust will not be able to make dividend payments to holders of its securities, such as a Fund.
U.S. Government Agency Securities — U.S. Government agency securities are issued or guaranteed by the U.S. Government or its agencies or instrumentalities. Some obligations issued by U.S. Government agencies and instrumentalities are supported by the full faith and credit of the U.S. Treasury; others by the right of the issuer to borrow from the U.S. Treasury; others by discretionary authority of the U.S. Government to purchase certain obligations of the agency or instrumentality; and others only by the credit of the agency or instrumentality. U.S. Government securities bear fixed, floating or variable rates of interest. The market prices of U.S. Government agency securities are not guaranteed by the U.S. Government. While the U.S. Government currently provides financial support to certain U.S. Government-sponsored agencies or instrumentalities, no assurance can be given that it will always do so, since it is not so obligated by law. U.S. Government securities include U.S. Treasury bills, notes and bonds, Federal Home Loan Bank obligations, Federal Intermediate Credit Bank obligations, U.S. Government agency obligations and repurchase agreements secured thereby. U.S. Government agency securities are subject to credit risk and interest rate risk.
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U.S. Treasury Obligations — U.S. Treasury obligations include bills (initial maturities of one year or less), notes (initial maturities between two and ten years), and bonds (initial maturities over ten years) issued by the U.S. Treasury, separately traded registered interest and principal component parts of such obligations (known as “STRIPS”) and inflation-indexed securities. The prices of these securities (like all debt securities) change between issuance and maturity in response to fluctuating market interest rates and credit ratings. U.S. Treasury obligations are subject to credit risk and interest rate risk. Treasury inflation-indexed securities (formerly known as inflation-protected securities or “TIPS”) are U.S. Government Securities whose principal value is periodically adjusted according to the rate of inflation (by reference to the Consumer Price Index for All Urban Consumers (“CPI-U”), which is calculated by the Bureau of Labor Statistics a part of the Department of Labor). The CPI-U is a measurement of changes in the cost of living, made up of components such as housing, food, transportation and energy. There can be no assurance that the CPI-U or any non-U.S. inflation index will accurately measure the real rate of inflation in the prices of goods and services. The three-month lag in calculating the CPI-U for purposes of adjusting the principal value of U.S. TIPS may give rise to risks under certain circumstances.
The interest rate on TIPS is fixed at issuance, but over the life of the security this interest may be paid on an increasing or decreasing principal value that has been adjusted for inflation (but not below par value). Although repayment of the original principal upon maturity is guaranteed, the market value of TIPS is not guaranteed and will fluctuate. The values of TIPS generally fluctuate in response to changes in real interest rates, which are in turn tied to the relationship between nominal interest rates and the rate of inflation. If inflation were to rise at a faster rate than nominal interest rates, real interest rates might decline, leading to an increase in the value of TIPS. In contrast, if nominal interest rates were to increase at a faster rate than inflation, real interest rates might rise, leading to a decrease in the value of TIPS. If inflation is lower than expected during the period a Fund holds TIPS, a Fund may earn less on the TIPS than on a conventional bond. Because the coupon rate on TIPS is lower than fixed-rate Treasury Department securities, the CPI-U would have to rise at least to the amount of the difference between the coupon rate of the fixed-rate Treasury Department issues and the coupon rate of the TIPS, assuming all other factors are equal, in order for such securities to match the performance of the fixed-rate Treasury Department securities. If interest rates rise due to reasons other than inflation, (for example, due to changes in the currency exchange rates), investors in TIPS may not be protected to the extent that the increase is not reflected in the bonds’ inflation measure. In periods of deflation when the inflation rate is declining, the principal value of an inflation-indexed security will be adjusted downward. This will result in a decrease in the interest payments thereon, but holders at maturity receive no less than par value. However, if a Fund purchases inflation-indexed securities in the secondary market whose principal values have been adjusted upward due to inflation since issuance, a Fund may experience a loss if there is a subsequent period of deflation.
Any increase in principal value of TIPS caused by an increase in the CPI is taxable in the year the increase occurs, even though the holder will not receive cash representing the increase at that time. As a result, a Fund could be required at times to liquidate other investments, including when it is not advantageous to do so, in order to satisfy its distribution requirements as a “regulated investment company.” See “Tax Information.” If a Fund invests in TIPS, it will be required to treat as original issue discount (“OID”) any increase in the principal amount of the securities that occurs during the course of its taxable year. If a Fund purchases such securities that are issued in stripped form either as stripped bonds or coupons, it will be treated as if it had purchased a newly issued debt instrument having OID. Because a Fund is required to distribute substantially all of its net investment income (including accrued OID), its investment in either zero coupon bonds or TIPS may require it to distribute to shareholders an amount greater than the total cash income it actually receives. Accordingly, in order to make the required distributions, a Fund may be required to borrow or liquidate securities.
Unrated Securities Risk — Because a Fund may purchase securities that are not rated by any rating organization, a sub-advisor, after assessing their credit quality, may internally assign ratings to certain of those securities, in categories of those similar to those of rating organizations. Investing in unrated securities involves the risk that a sub-advisor may not accurately evaluate the security’s comparative credit rating. To the extent that a Fund invests in unrated securities, a Fund’s success in achieving its investment objectives may depend more heavily on a sub-advisor’s credit analysis than if a Fund invested exclusively in rated securities. Less public information is typically available about unrated securities or issuers. Some unrated securities may not have an active trading market or may be difficult to value, which means a Fund might have difficulty selling them promptly at an acceptable price. Unrated securities may also be subject to greater liquidity risk and price volatility.
Value Companies Risk — Value companies are subject to the risk that their intrinsic or full value may never be realized by the market, that a stock judged to be undervalued may be appropriately priced, or that their prices may go down. While a Fund’s investments in value stocks may limit its downside risk over time, a Fund may produce more modest gains than riskier stock funds as a trade-off for this potentially lower risk. Different investment styles tend to shift in and out of favor, depending on market conditions and investor sentiment. A Fund’s investments in value stocks may underperform growth or non-value stocks that have a broader investment style.
Variable or Floating Rate ObligationsVariable and floating rate securities provide for a periodic adjustment in the interest rate paid on the obligations. A variable rate obligation has a coupon rate which is adjusted at predesignated periods in response to changes in the market rate of interest on which the coupon is based. The adjustment intervals may be regular, and range from daily up to annually, or may be event based, such as based on a change in the prime rate. Variable and floating rate obligations are less effective than fixed rate instruments at locking in a particular yield. Nevertheless, such obligations may fluctuate in value in response to interest rate changes if there is a delay between changes in market interest rates and the interest reset date for the obligation, or for other reasons.
A Fund may invest in floaters and engage in credit spread trades. The interest rate on a floater is a variable rate which is tied to another interest rate, such as a money-market index or U.S. Treasury bill rate. The interest rate on a floater resets periodically, typically every one or three months. While, because of the interest rate reset feature, floaters provide a Fund with a certain degree of protection against rises in interest rates, a Fund will participate in any declines in interest rates as well. A credit spread trade is an investment position relating to a difference in the prices or interest rates of two securities or currencies, where the value of the investment position is determined by movements in the difference between the prices or interest rates, as the case may be, of the respective securities or currencies.
Variable Rate Auction and Residual Interest Obligations — Variable rate auction and residual interest obligations are created when an issuer or dealer separates the principal portion of a long-term, fixed-rate municipal bond into two long-term, variable-rate instruments. The interest rate on one portion reflects short-term interest rates, while the interest rate on the other portion is typically higher than the rate available on the original fixed-rate bond.
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Warrants — Warrants are options to purchase an issuer’s securities at a stated price during a stated term. If the market price of the underlying common stock does not exceed the warrant’s exercise price during the life of the warrant, the warrant will expire worthless. Warrants usually have no voting rights, pay no dividends and have no rights with respect to the assets of the corporation issuing them. The percentage increase or decrease in the value of a warrant may be greater than the percentage increase or decrease in the value of the underlying common stock. Warrants may be purchased with values that vary depending on the change in value of one or more specified indices (“index warrants”). Index warrants are generally issued by banks or other financial institutions and give the holder the right, at any time during the term of the warrant, to receive upon exercise of the warrant a cash payment from the issuer based on the value of the underlying index at the time of the exercise. Warrants may also be linked to the performance of oil and/or the GDP of specific frontier and emerging markets. The market for warrants or rights may be very limited and it may be difficult to sell them promptly at an acceptable price. Rights are short-term warrants issued in conjunction with new stock or bond issues. There is no specific limit on the percentage of assets a Fund may invest in rights and warrants.
When-Issued and Forward Commitment Transactions — These transactions involve a commitment by a Fund to purchase or sell securities with payment and delivery to take place at a future date, typically one to two months after the date of the transaction. The payment obligations and interest rate are fixed at the time the buyer enters into the transaction. These transactions enable a Fund to “lock-in” what the Manager or a sub-advisor, as applicable, believes to be an attractive price or yield on a particular security for a period of time, regardless of future changes in interest rates. For instance, in periods of rising interest rates and falling prices, a Fund might sell securities it owns on a forward commitment basis to limit its exposure to falling prices. In periods of falling interest rates and rising prices, a Fund might purchase a security on a when-issued or forward commitment basis and sell a similar security to settle such purchase, thereby obtaining the benefit of currently higher yields. Forward commitment transactions are executed for existing obligations, whereas in a when-issued transaction, the obligations have not yet been issued.
The value of securities purchased on a when-issued or forward commitment basis and any subsequent fluctuations in their value are reflected in the computation of a Fund’s NAV starting on the date of the agreement to purchase the securities. Because a Fund has not yet paid for the securities, this produces an effect similar to leverage. A Fund does not earn interest on securities it has committed to purchase until the securities are paid for and delivered on the settlement date. When a Fund makes a forward commitment to sell securities it owns, the proceeds to be received upon settlement are included in its assets. Fluctuations in the market value of the underlying securities are not reflected in a Fund’s NAV as long as the commitment to sell remains in effect.
If the other party fails to complete the trade, a Fund may lose the opportunity to obtain a favorable price. For purchases on a when-issued basis, the price of the security is fixed at the date of purchase, but delivery of and payment for the securities is not set until after the securities are issued. The value of when-issued securities is subject to market fluctuation during the interim period and no income accrues to a Fund until settlement takes place. Such transactions therefore involve a risk of loss if the value of the security to be purchased declines prior to the settlement date or if the value of the security to be sold increases prior to the settlement date. A sale of a when-issued security also involves the risk that the other party will be unable to settle the transaction. When-issued, delayed-delivery and forward commitment transactions may cause a Fund to liquidate positions when it may not be advantageous to do so in order to satisfy its purchase or sale obligations.
A Fund currently maintains with its custodian segregated (or earmarked) liquid securities in an amount at least equal to the when-issued or forward commitment transaction. When entering into a when-issued or forward commitment transaction, a Fund will rely on the other party to consummate the transaction; if the other party fails to do so, a Fund may be disadvantaged. Inasmuch as a Fund covers its obligations under these transactions, the Manager and a Fund believe such obligations do not constitute senior securities. Earmarking or otherwise segregating a large percentage of a Fund’s assets could impede a sub-advisor’s ability to manage a Fund’s portfolio.
OTHER INVESTMENT STRATEGIES AND RISKS
In addition to the investment strategies and risks described in the Prospectus:
Each Fund may (except where otherwise indicated):

 

1 Engage in dollar rolls or purchase or sell securities on a when-issued or forward commitment basis. The purchase or sale of when-issued securities enables an investor to hedge against anticipated changes in interest rates and prices by locking in an attractive price or yield. The price of when-issued securities is fixed at the time the commitment to purchase or sell is made, but delivery and payment for the when-issued securities takes place at a later date, normally one to two months after the date of purchase. During the period between purchase and settlement, no payment is made by the purchaser to the issuer and no interest accrues to the purchaser. Such transactions therefore involve a risk of loss if the value of the security to be purchased declines prior to the settlement date or if the value of the security to be sold increases prior to the settlement date. A sale of a when-issued security also involves the risk that the other party will be unable to settle the transaction. Dollar rolls are a type of forward commitment transaction. Purchases and sales of securities on a forward commitment basis involve a commitment to purchase or sell securities with payment and delivery to take place at some future date, normally one to two months after the date of the transaction. As with when-issued securities, these transactions involve certain risks, but they also enable an investor to hedge against anticipated changes in interest rates and prices. Forward commitment transactions are executed for existing obligations, whereas in a when-issued transaction, the obligations have not yet been issued. When purchasing securities on a when-issued or forward commitment basis, a segregated amount of liquid assets at least equal to the value of purchase commitments for such securities will be maintained until the settlement date.

 

2 Invest in other investment companies (including affiliated investment companies) to the extent permitted by the Investment Company Act, or exemptive relief granted by the SEC.

 

3 Loan securities to broker-dealers or other institutional investors. Securities loans will not be made if, as a result, the aggregate amount of all outstanding securities loans by a Fund exceeds 33¹/3% of its total assets (including the market value of collateral received). For purposes of complying with a Fund’s investment policies and restrictions, collateral received in connection with securities loans is deemed an asset of a Fund to the extent required by law.

 

4 Enter into repurchase agreements. A repurchase agreement is an agreement under which securities are acquired by a Fund from a securities dealer
 
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or bank subject to resale at an agreed upon price on a later date. The acquiring Fund bears a risk of loss in the event that the other party to a repurchase agreement defaults on its obligations and a Fund is delayed or prevented from exercising its rights to dispose of the collateral securities. However, the Manager or the sub-advisors, as applicable, attempt to minimize this risk by entering into repurchase agreements only with financial institutions that are deemed to be of good financial standing.

 

5 Purchase securities sold in private placement offerings made in reliance on the “private placement” exemption from registration afforded by Section 4(a)(2) of the Securities Act and resold to qualified institutional buyers under Rule 144A under the Securities Act. A Fund will not invest more than 15% of its net assets in Section 4(a)(2) securities and illiquid securities unless the Manager or the sub-advisor, as applicable, determines that any Section 4(a)(2) securities held by such Fund in excess of this level are liquid.
 
INVESTMENT RESTRICTIONS
Fundamental Policies. Each Fund has the following fundamental investment policy that enables it to invest in another investment company or series thereof that has substantially similar investment objectives and policies:
Notwithstanding any other limitation, a Fund may invest all of its investable assets in an open-end management investment company with substantially the same investment objectives, policies and limitations as a Fund. For this purpose, “all of a Fund’s investable assets” means that the only investment securities that will be held by a Fund will be a Fund’s interest in the investment company.
The Funds have no current intention to convert to a master-feeder structure, as permitted by the foregoing policy.
Fundamental Investment Restrictions. The following discusses the investment policies of each Fund.
The following restrictions have been adopted by each Fund and may be changed with respect to any such Fund only by the majority vote of that Fund’s outstanding voting securities. “Majority of the outstanding voting securities” under the Investment Company Act and as used herein means, with respect to each Fund, the lesser of (a) 67% of the shares of a Fund present at the meeting if the holders of more than 50% of the shares are present and represented at the shareholders’ meeting or (b) more than 50% of the shares of a Fund.
No Fund may (unless otherwise indicated):

 

1 Purchase or sell real estate or real estate limited partnership interests, provided, however, that a Fund may invest in securities secured by real estate or interests therein or issued by companies which invest in real estate or interests therein when consistent with the other policies and limitations described in the Prospectus.

 

2 Invest in physical commodities unless acquired as a result of ownership of securities or other instruments (but this shall not prevent a Fund from purchasing or selling foreign currency, options, futures contracts, options on futures contracts, forward contracts, swaps, caps, floors, collars, securities on a forward-commitment or delayed-delivery basis, and other similar financial instruments).

 

3 Engage in the business of underwriting securities issued by others, except to the extent that, in connection with the disposition of securities, a Fund may be deemed an underwriter under federal securities law.

 

4 Lend any security or make any other loan except (i) as otherwise permitted under the Investment Company Act, (ii) pursuant to a rule, order or interpretation issued by the SEC or its staff, (iii) through the purchase of a portion of an issue of debt securities in accordance with a Fund’s investment objective, policies and limitations, or (iv) by engaging in repurchase agreements with respect to portfolio securities.

 

5 Issue any senior security except as otherwise permitted (i) under the Investment Company Act or (ii) pursuant to a rule, order or interpretation issued by the SEC or its staff.

 

6 Borrow money, except as otherwise permitted under the Investment Company Act or pursuant to a rule, order or interpretation issued by the SEC or its staff, including (i) as a temporary measure, (ii) by entering into reverse repurchase agreements, and (iii) by lending portfolio securities as collateral. For purposes of this investment limitation, the purchase or sale of options, futures contracts, options on futures contracts, forward contracts, swaps, caps, floors, collars and other similar financial instruments shall not constitute borrowing.

 

7 Invest more than 5% of its total assets (taken at market value) in securities of any one issuer, other than obligations issued by the U.S. Government, its agencies and instrumentalities, or purchase more than 10% of the voting securities of any one issuer, with respect to 75% of a Fund’s total assets.

 

8 Invest more than 25% of its total assets in the securities of companies primarily engaged in any one industry provided that: (i) this limitation does not apply to obligations issued or guaranteed by the U.S. Government, its agencies and instrumentalities; and (ii) municipalities and their agencies and authorities are not deemed to be industries. For purposes of this restriction, the Fund will regard only tax-exempt securities issued by municipalities and their agencies not to be an industry.
 
The above percentage limits (except the limitation to borrowings) are based upon asset values at the time of the applicable transaction; accordingly, a subsequent change in asset values will not affect a transaction that was in compliance with the investment restrictions at the time such transaction was effected. For purposes of each Fund’s policy relating to making loans set forth in number (4) above, securities loans will not be made if, as a result, the aggregate amount of all outstanding securities loans by a Fund exceeds 33¹/3% of its total assets (including the market value of collateral received).
For purposes of each Fund’s policy relating to issuing senior securities set forth above, “senior securities” are defined as Fund obligations that have a priority over the Funds’ shares with respect to the payment of dividends or the distribution of Fund assets. The Investment Company Act prohibits the Funds from issuing any class of senior securities or selling any senior securities of which it is the issuer, except that the Funds are permitted to borrow from a bank so long as, immediately after such borrowings, there is an asset coverage of at least 300% for all borrowings of each Fund (not including borrowings for temporary purposes in an amount not exceeding 5% of the value of the Fund’s total assets). In the event that such asset coverage falls below this percentage, each Fund is required to reduce the amount of its borrowings within three days (not including Sundays and holidays) so that the asset coverage is restored to at least 300%. Consistent with guidance issued by the SEC and its staff, the requisite asset coverage may vary among
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different types of instruments. The policy above will be interpreted not to prevent collateral arrangements with respect to swaps, options, forward or futures contracts or other derivatives, or the posting of initial or variation margin.
For purposes of each Fund’s industry concentration policy set forth above, the Manager may analyze the characteristics of a particular issuer and instrument and may assign an industry classification consistent with those characteristics. The Manager may, but need not, consider industry classifications provided by third parties, and the classifications applied to Fund investments will be informed by applicable law. A large economic or market sector shall not be construed as a single industry or group of industries. The Manager currently considers securities issued by a foreign government (but not the U.S. Government or its agencies or instrumentalities) to be an “industry” subject to the 25% limitation. Thus, not more than 25% of a Fund’s total assets will be invested in securities issued by any one foreign government or supranational organization. A Fund might invest in certain securities issued by companies in a particular industry whose obligations are guaranteed by a foreign government. The Manager could consider such a company to be within the particular industry and, therefore, a Fund will invest in the securities of such a company only if it can do so under its industry concentration policy.
Non-Fundamental Investment Restrictions. The following non-fundamental investment restrictions apply to each Fund (except where noted otherwise) and may be changed with respect to each Fund by a vote of a majority of the Board. Each Fund may not (except where noted otherwise):

 

1 Invest more than 15% of its net assets in illiquid securities, including time deposits and repurchase agreements that mature in more than seven days; or

 

2 Purchase securities on margin or effect short sales, except that a Fund may obtain such short term credits as may be necessary for the clearance of purchases or sales of securities.
 
All percentage limitations on investments will apply at the time of the making of an investment and shall not be considered violated unless an excess or deficiency occurs or exists immediately after and as a result of such investment. Except for the investment restrictions listed above as fundamental or to the extent designated as such in the Prospectus with respect to each Fund, the other investment policies described in this SAI are not fundamental and may be changed by approval of the Trustees.
TEMPORARY OR DEFENSIVE INVESTMENTS
In times of unstable or adverse market, economic, political or other conditions, where the Manager or a sub-advisor believes it is appropriate and in a Fund’s best interest, a Fund can invest up to 100% in cash and other types of securities for defensive or temporary purposes. It can also hold cash or purchase these types of securities for liquidity purposes to meet cash needs due to redemptions of Fund shares, or to hold while waiting to invest cash received from purchases of Fund shares or the sale of other portfolio securities.
These temporary investments can include: (i) obligations issued or guaranteed by the U.S. Government, its agencies or instrumentalities; (ii) commercial paper rated in the highest short term category by a rating organization; (iii) domestic, Yankee and Eurodollar certificates of deposit or bankers’ acceptances of banks rated in the highest short term category by a rating organization; (iv) any of the foregoing securities that mature in one year or less (generally known as “cash equivalents”); (v) other short-term corporate debt obligations; (vi) repurchase agreements; (vii) futures or (viii) shares of money market funds, including funds advised by the Manager or a sub-advisor.
PORTFOLIO TURNOVER
Portfolio turnover is a measure of trading activity in a portfolio of securities, usually calculated over a period of one year. The rate is calculated by dividing the lesser amount of purchases or sales of securities by the average amount of securities held over the period. A portfolio turnover rate of 100% would indicate that a Fund sold and replaced the entire value of its securities holdings during the period. High portfolio turnover can increase a Fund’s transaction costs and generate additional capital gains or losses.
DISCLOSURE OF PORTFOLIO HOLDINGS
Each Fund publicly discloses portfolio holdings information as follows:

 

1 a complete list of holdings for each Fund on an annual and semi-annual basis in the reports to shareholders within sixty days of the end of each fiscal semi-annual period and in publicly available filings of Form N-CSR with the SEC within ten days thereafter (available on the SEC’s website at www.sec.gov);

 

2 a complete list of holdings for each Fund as of the end of each fiscal quarter in publicly available filings of Form N-PORT with the SEC within sixty days of the end of the fiscal quarter (available on the SEC’s website at www.sec.gov);

 

3 a complete list of holdings for the American Beacon Zebra Small Cap Equity Fund as of the end of each calendar quarter on the Fund’s website (www.americanbeaconfunds.com) approximately sixty days after the end of the calendar quarter;

 

4 a complete list of holdings for the American Beacon SiM High Yield Opportunities Fund and American Beacon The London Company Income Equity Fund as of the end of each month on the Funds’ website (www.americanbeaconfunds.com) approximately twenty days after the end of the month; and

 

5 ten largest holdings for each Fund as of the end of each calendar quarter on the Funds’ website (www.americanbeaconfunds.com) and in sales materials approximately fifteen days after the end of the calendar quarter.
 
Public disclosure of a Fund’s holdings on the website and in sales materials may be delayed when an investment manager informs a Fund that such disclosure could be harmful to the Fund. In addition, individual holdings may be omitted from website and sales material disclosure, when such omission is deemed to be in a Fund’s best interest. Disclosure of a Fund’s ten largest holdings may exclude U.S. Treasury securities and cash equivalent assets, although such holdings will be included in each Fund’s complete list of holdings.
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Disclosure of Nonpublic Holdings. Occasionally, certain interested parties - including individual investors, institutional investors, intermediaries that distribute shares of the Funds, third-party service providers, rating and ranking organizations, and others - may request portfolio holdings information that has not yet been publicly disclosed by the Funds. The Funds’ policy is to control the disclosure of nonpublic portfolio holdings information in an attempt to prevent parties from utilizing such information to engage in trading activity harmful to Fund shareholders. To this end, the Board has adopted the Holdings Policy. The purpose of the Holdings Policy is to define those interested parties who are authorized to receive nonpublic portfolio holdings information on a selective basis and to set forth conditions upon which such information may be provided. In general, nonpublic portfolio holdings may be disclosed on a selective basis only when it is determined that (i) there is a legitimate business purpose for the information; (ii) recipients are subject to a duty of confidentiality, including a duty not to trade on the nonpublic information; and (iii) disclosure is in the best interests of Fund shareholders. The Holdings Policy does not restrict a Fund from disclosing that a particular security is not a holding of the Fund. The Holdings Policy is summarized below.
A variety of third party service providers require access to Fund holdings to provide services to the Funds or to assist the Manager and a sub-advisor in managing the Funds (“service providers”). The service providers have a duty to keep the Funds’ nonpublic information confidential either through written contractual arrangements with the Funds (or another Fund service provider) or by the nature of their role with respect to the Funds (or the service provider). The Funds have determined that disclosure of nonpublic holdings information to service providers fulfills a legitimate business purpose and is in the best interest of shareholders. In addition, the Funds have determined that disclosure of nonpublic holdings information to members of the Board fulfills a legitimate business purpose, is in the best interest of Fund shareholders, and each Trustee is subject to a duty of confidentiality.
The Funds have ongoing arrangements to provide nonpublic holdings information to the following service providers:
Service Provider
Service
Holdings Access
Manager
Investment management and administrator
Complete list on intraday basis with no lag
Sub-Advisors
Investment management
Holdings under a sub-advisor’s management on intraday basis with no lag
Abel Noser
Trade execution cost analysis
Complete list on intraday basis with no lag
Bloomberg, L.P.
Performance and portfolio analytics reporting
Complete list on intraday basis with no lag
Broadridge Financial Solutions, Inc.
Proxy voting research provider to sub-advisor
Complete list on daily basis with no lag
Empaxsis Data Management LLC
Account reconciliation for Strategic Income Management, LLC
Complete list on daily basis with no lag
FactSet Research Systems, Inc.
Performance and portfolio analytics reporting for the Manager and sub-advisors
Complete list on intraday basis with no lag
Glass, Lewis & Co., LLC
Proxy voting research provider to sub-advisor
Complete list on intraday basis with no lag
Institutional Shareholder Services (“ISS”)
Proxy voting research provider to sub-advisors and share recall services provider to the Manager
Complete list on intraday basis with no lag
KPMG International
Service provider to State Street
Complete list on annual basis with lag
Portfolio BI
Order management software vendor for Strategic Income Management, LLC
Complete list on as needed basis with no lag
Ernst & Young LLP
Funds’ independent registered public accounting firm
Complete list on intraday basis with no lag
State Street Bank and Trust Co. (“State Street”) and its designated foreign sub-custodians
Funds’ custodian and foreign custody manager, foreign sub-custodians, and securities lending agent for Funds that participate in securities lending
Complete list on intraday basis with no lag
VIRTU Financial Inc. (formerly Investment Technology Group, Inc.)
Fair valuation of portfolio securities for Funds with significant foreign securities holdings; transaction cost analysis for sub-advisor
Complete list on daily basis with no lag and more frequently when the Manager seeks advice with respect to certain holdings
WealthTechs
Custodial data reconciliation for The London Company of Virginia, LLC
Complete list on daily basis with no lag
Certain third parties are provided with nonpublic holdings information (either complete or partial lists) by the Manager or another service provider on an ad hoc basis. These third parties include broker-dealers, prospective sub-advisors, borrowers of the Funds’ portfolio securities, pricing services, legal counsel, and issuers (or their agents). Broker-dealers utilized by the Funds in the process of purchasing and selling portfolio securities or providing market quotations receive limited holdings information on a current basis with no lag. The Manager provides current holdings to investment managers being considered for appointment as a sub-advisor to the Funds. If the Funds participate in securities lending activities, potential borrowers of the Funds’ securities receive information pertaining to the Funds’ securities available for loan. Such information is provided on a current basis with no lag. The Funds utilize various pricing services to supply market quotations and evaluated prices to State Street. State Street and the Manager may disclose current nonpublic holdings to those pricing services. An investment manager may provide holdings information to legal counsel when seeking advice regarding those holdings. From time to time, an issuer (or its agent) may contact the Funds requesting confirmation of ownership of the issuer’s securities. Such holdings information is provided to the issuer (or its agent) as of the date requested. The Funds do not have written contractual arrangements with these third parties regarding the confidentiality of the holdings information. However, the Funds would not continue to utilize a third party that the Manager determined to have misused nonpublic holdings information.
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The Funds have ongoing arrangements to provide periodic holdings information to certain organizations that publish ratings and/or rankings for the Funds or that redistribute the Funds’ holdings to financial intermediaries to facilitate their analysis of the Funds. The Funds have determined that disclosure of holdings information to such organizations fulfills a legitimate business purpose and is in the best interest of shareholders, as it provides existing and potential shareholders with an independent basis for evaluating the Funds in comparison to other mutual funds. As of the date of this SAI, all such organizations receive holdings information after it has been made public on the Funds’ website.
No compensation or other consideration may be paid to the Funds, the Funds’ service providers, or any other party in connection with the disclosure of portfolio holdings information.
Under the Holdings Policy, disclosure of nonpublic portfolio holdings information to parties other than those discussed above must meet all of the following conditions:

 

1 Recipients of portfolio holdings information must agree in writing to keep the information confidential until it has been posted to the Funds’ website and not to trade based on the information;

 

2 Holdings may only be disclosed as of a month-end date;

 

3 No compensation may be paid to the Funds, the Manager or any other party in connection with the disclosure of information about portfolio securities; and

 

4 A member of the Manager’s Compliance staff must approve requests for nonpublic holdings information.
 
In determining whether to approve a request for portfolio holdings disclosure by the Manager, Compliance staff generally considers the type of requestor and its relationship to the Funds, the stated reason for the request, any historical pattern of requests from that same individual or entity, the style and strategy of the Fund for which holdings have been requested (e.g., passive versus active management), whether a Fund is managed by one or multiple investment managers, and any other factors it deems relevant. Any potential conflicts between shareholders and affiliated persons of the Funds that arise as a result of a request for portfolio holdings information shall be decided by the Manager in the best interests of shareholders.
However, if a conflict exists between the interests of shareholders and the Manager, the Manager may present the details of the request to the Board for a determination to either approve or deny the request. On a quarterly basis, the Manager will prepare a report for the Board outlining any instances of disclosures of nonpublic holdings during the period that did not comply with the Holdings Policy.
The Compliance staff generally determines whether a historical pattern of requests by the same individual or entity constitutes an “ongoing arrangement” and should be disclosed in the Funds’ SAI.
The Manager and sub-advisors to the Funds may manage substantially similar portfolios for clients other than the Funds. Those other clients may receive and publicly disclose their portfolio holdings information prior to public disclosure by the Funds. The Holdings Policy is not intended to limit the Manager or the sub-advisors from making such disclosures to their clients.
LENDING OF PORTFOLIO SECURITIES
A Fund may lend securities from its portfolio to brokers, dealers and other financial institutions needing to borrow securities to complete certain transactions. In connection with such loans, a Fund remains the beneficial owner of the loaned securities and continues to be entitled to payments in amounts approximately equal to the interest, dividends or other distributions payable on the loaned securities. A Fund also has the right to terminate a loan at any time. A Fund does not have the right to vote on securities while they are on loan. However, it is the Funds’ policy to attempt to terminate loans in time to vote those proxies that a Fund determines are material to its interests. Loans of portfolio securities may not exceed 33¹/3% of the value of a Fund’s total assets (including the value of all assets received as collateral for the loan). The Funds will receive collateral consisting of cash in the form of cash or cash equivalents, securities of the U.S. Government and its agencies and instrumentalities, approved bank letters of credit, or other forms of collateral that are permitted by the SEC for registered investment companies, which will be maintained at all times in an amount equal to at least 100% of the current market value of the loaned securities. If the collateral consists of cash, a Fund will reinvest the cash and may pay the borrower a pre-negotiated fee or “rebate” for the use of that cash collateral. Under the terms of the securities loan agreement between the Funds and State Street, their securities lending agent, State Street indemnifies the Funds for certain losses resulting from a borrower default. However, should the borrower of the securities fail financially, a Fund may experience delays in recovering the loaned securities or exercising its rights in the collateral. In a loan transaction, a Fund will also bear the risk of any decline in value of securities acquired with cash collateral. A Fund seeks to minimize this risk by normally limiting the investment of cash collateral to registered money market funds, including money market funds advised by the Manager that invest in U.S. Government and agency securities.
For all funds that engage in securities lending, the Manager receives compensation for administrative and oversight functions with respect to securities lending, including oversight of the securities lending agent. The amount of such compensation depends on the income generated by the loan of the securities.
As of the date of this SAI, the American Beacon The London Company Income Equity Fund and the American Beacon Zebra Small Cap Equity Fund intend to engage in securities lending activities, and the American Beacon SiM High Yield Opportunities Fund does not intend to engage in securities lending activities.
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TRUSTEES AND OFFICERS OF THE TRUST
The Board of Trustees
The Trust is governed by its Board of Trustees. The Board is responsible for and oversees the overall management and operations of the Trust and the Funds, which includes the general oversight and review of the Funds’ investment activities, in accordance with federal law and the law of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts as well as the stated policies of the Funds. The Board oversees the Trust’s officers and service providers, including American Beacon, which is responsible for the management of the day-to-day operations of the Funds based on policies and agreements reviewed and approved by the Board. In carrying out these responsibilities, the Board regularly interacts with and receives reports from senior personnel of service providers, including American Beacon’s investment personnel and the Trust’s CCO. The Board also is assisted by the Trust’s independent registered public accounting firm (which reports directly to the Trust’s Audit and Compliance Committee), independent counsel and other experts as appropriate, all of whom are selected by the Board.
Risk Oversight
Consistent with its responsibility for oversight of the Trust and the Funds, the Board oversees the management of risks relating to the administration and operation of the Trust and the Funds. American Beacon, as part of its responsibilities for the day-to-day operations of the Funds, is responsible for day-to-day risk management for the Funds. The Board, in the exercise of its reasonable business judgment, also separately considers potential risks that may impact the Funds. The Board performs this risk management oversight directly and, as to certain matters, through its committees (described below) and through the Board members who are not “interested persons” of the Trust as defined in Section 2(a)(19) of the Investment Company Act (“Independent Trustees”). The following provides an overview of the principal, but not all, aspects of the Board’s oversight of risk management for the Trust and the Funds.
In general, a Fund’s risks include, among others, investment risk, credit risk, liquidity risk, securities selection risk and valuation risk. The Board has adopted, and periodically reviews, policies and procedures designed to address these and other risks to the Trust and the Funds. In addition, under the general oversight of the Board, American Beacon, each Fund’s investment adviser, and other service providers to the Funds have themselves adopted a variety of policies, procedures and controls designed to address particular risks to the Funds. Different processes, procedures and controls are employed with respect to different types of risks. Further, American Beacon as manager of the Funds oversees and regularly monitors the investments, operations and compliance of the Funds’ investment advisers.
The Board also oversees risk management for the Trust and the Funds through review of regular reports, presentations and other information from officers of the Trust and other persons. Senior officers of the Trust, and senior officers of American Beacon, and the Funds’ CCO regularly report to the Board on a range of matters, including those relating to risk management. The Board and the Investment Committee also regularly receive reports from American Beacon with respect to the investments, securities trading and securities lending activities of the Funds. In addition to regular reports from American Beacon, the Board also receives reports regarding other service providers to the Trust, either directly or through American Beacon or the Funds’ CCO, on a periodic or regular basis. At least annually, the Board receives a report from the Funds’ CCO regarding the effectiveness of the Funds’ compliance program. Also, typically on an annual basis, the Board receives reports, presentations and other information from American Beacon in connection with the Board’s consideration of the renewal of each of the Trust’s agreements with American Beacon and the Trust’s distribution plans under Rule 12b-1 under the Investment Company Act.
Senior officers of the Trust and American Beacon also report regularly to the Audit and Compliance Committee on Fund valuation matters and on the Trust’s internal controls and accounting and financial reporting policies and practices. In addition, the Audit and Compliance Committee receives regular reports from the Trust’s independent registered public accounting firm on internal control and financial reporting matters. On at least a quarterly basis, the Audit and Compliance Committee meets with the Funds’ CCO to discuss matters relating to the Funds’ compliance program.
Board Structure and Related Matters
Independent Trustees constitute at least three-quarters of the Board. Brenda A. Cline, an Independent Trustee, serves as Independent Chair of the Board. The Independent Chair’s responsibilities include: setting an agenda for each meeting of the Board; presiding at all meetings of the Board and Independent Trustees; and serving as a liaison with other Trustees, the Trust’s officers and other management personnel, and counsel to the Funds. The Independent Chair shall perform such other duties as the Board may from time to time determine.
The Trustees discharge their responsibilities collectively as a Board, as well as through Board committees, each of which operates pursuant to a charter approved by the Board that delineates the responsibilities of that committee. The Board has established three standing committees: the Audit and Compliance Committee, the Investment Committee and the Nominating and Governance Committee. For example, the Investment Committee is responsible for oversight of the process, typically performed annually, by which the Board considers and approves each Fund’s investment advisory agreement with American Beacon, while specific matters related to oversight of the Funds’ independent auditors have been delegated by the Board to its Audit and Compliance Committee, subject to approval of the Audit and Compliance Committee’s recommendations by the Board. The members and responsibilities of each Board committee are summarized below.
The Board periodically evaluates its structure and composition as well as various aspects of its operations. The Board believes that its leadership structure, including its Independent Chair position and its committees, is appropriate for the Trust in light of, among other factors, the asset size and nature of the funds in the Trust, the number of series of the American Beacon Funds Complex overseen by the Board, the arrangements for the conduct of the Funds’ operations, the number of Trustees, and the Board’s responsibilities. On an annual basis, the Board conducts a self-evaluation that considers, among other matters, whether the Board and its committees are functioning effectively and whether, given the size and composition of the Board and each of its committees, the Trustees are able to oversee effectively the number of Funds in the complex.
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The Trust is part of the American Beacon Funds Complex, which is comprised of 28 series within the American Beacon Funds, 1 series within the American Beacon Institutional Funds Trust and 1 series within the American Beacon Select Funds. The same persons who constitute the Board of the Trust also constitute the Board of the American Beacon Institutional Funds Trust and the American Beacon Select Funds and each Trustee oversees the Trusts’ combined 30 series.
The Board holds five (5) regularly scheduled meetings each year. The Board may hold special meetings, as needed, either in person or by telephone, to address matters arising between regular meetings. The Independent Trustees also hold at least one in-person meeting each year during a portion of which management is not present and may hold special meetings, as needed, either in person or by telephone.
The Trustees of the Trust are identified in the tables below, which provide information as to their principal business occupations and directorships held during the last five years and certain other information. Subject to the Trustee Retirement Plan described below, a Trustee serves until his or her successor is elected and qualified or until his or her earlier death, resignation or removal. The address of each Trustee listed below is 220 East Las Colinas Boulevard, Suite 1200, Irving, Texas 75039. Each Trustee serves for an indefinite term or until his or her removal, resignation, or retirement.*
Name (Age)*
Position and Length of Time Served on the American Beacon Funds and American Beacon Select Funds
Position and Length of Time Served on the American Beacon Institutional Funds Trust
Principal Occupation(s) and Directorships During Past 5 Years
INTERESTED TRUSTEE
Eugene J. Duffy (67)**
Trustee since 2008
Trustee since 2017
Managing Director, Global Investment Management Distribution, Mesirow Financial Administrative Corporation (2016-Present); Managing Director, Institutional Services, Intercontinental Real Estate Corporation (2014-2016) Trustee, American Beacon Sound Point Enhanced Income Fund (2018-2021); Trustee, American Beacon Apollo Total Return Fund (2018-2021).
NON-INTERESTED TRUSTEES
Gilbert G. Alvarado (52)
Trustee since 2015
Trustee since 2017
President, SJVIIF, LLC, Impact Investment Fund (2018-Present); Director, Kura MD, Inc. (local telehealth organization) (2015-2017); Senior Vice President & CFO, Sierra Health Foundation (health conversion private foundation) (2006-Present); Senior Vice President & CFO, Sierra Health Foundation: Center for Health Program Management (California public benefit corporation) (2012-Present); Director, Sacramento Regional Technology Alliance (2011-2016); Director, Valley Healthcare Staffing (2017–2018); Trustee, American Beacon Sound Point Enhanced Income Fund (2018-2021); Trustee, American Beacon Apollo Total Return Fund (2018-2021).
Joseph B. Armes (59)
Trustee since 2015
Trustee since 2017
Director, Switchback Energy Acquisition (2019-2021); Chairman & CEO, CSW Industrials f/k/a Capital Southwest Corporation (investment company) (2015-Present); Chairman of the Board of Capital Southwest Corporation, predecessor to CSW Industrials, Inc. (2014-2017) (investment company); President & CEO, JBA Investment Partners (family investment vehicle) (2010-Present); Director and Chair of Audit Committee, RSP Permian (oil and gas producer) (2013-2018); Trustee, American Beacon Sound Point Enhanced Income Fund (2018-2021); Trustee, American Beacon Apollo Total Return Fund (2018-2021).
Gerard J. Arpey (63)
Trustee since 2012
Trustee since 2017
Partner, Emerald Creek Group (private equity firm) (2011-Present); Director, S.C. Johnson & Son, Inc. (privately held company) (2008-Present); Director, The Home Depot, Inc. (NYSE: HD) (2015-Present); Trustee, American Beacon Sound Point Enhanced Income Fund (2018-2021); Trustee, American Beacon Apollo Total Return Fund (2018-2021);
Brenda A. Cline (61)
Chair since 2019
Vice Chair 2018
Trustee since 2004
Chair since 2019
Vice Chair 2018
Trustee since 2017
Chief Financial Officer, Treasurer and Secretary, Kimbell Art Foundation (1993-Present); Director, Tyler Technologies, Inc. (public sector software solutions company) (2014-Present); Director, Range Resources Corporation (oil and natural gas company) (2015-Present); Trustee, Cushing Closed-End (2) and Open-End Funds (3) (2017-Present); Chair (2019-2021), Vice Chair (2018), Trustee (2018-2021), American Beacon Sound Point Enhanced Income Fund; Chair (2019-2021), Vice Chair (2018), Trustee (2018-2021), American Beacon Apollo Total Return Fund.
Claudia A. Holz (64)
Trustee since 2018
Trustee since 2018
Independent Director, Blue Owl Capital, Inc. (May 2021-Present); Partner, KPMG LLP (1990-2017); Trustee, American Beacon Sound Point Enhanced Income Fund (2018-2021); Trustee, American Beacon Apollo Total Return Fund (2018-2021).
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Name (Age)*
Position and Length of Time Served on the American Beacon Funds and American Beacon Select Funds
Position and Length of Time Served on the American Beacon Institutional Funds Trust
Principal Occupation(s) and Directorships During Past 5 Years
Douglas A. Lindgren (60)
Trustee since 2018
Trustee since 2018
CEO North America, Carne Global Financial Services (2016-2017); Consultant, Carne Financial Services (2017-2019); Managing Director, IPS Investment Management and Global Head, Content Management, UBS Wealth Management (2010-2016); Trustee, American Beacon Sound Point Enhanced Income Fund (2018-2021); Trustee, American Beacon Apollo Total Return Fund (2018-2021).
Barbara J. McKenna (58)
Trustee since 2012
Trustee since 2017
President/Managing Principal, Longfellow Investment Management Company (2005-Present); Trustee, American Beacon Sound Point Enhanced Income Fund (2018-2021); Trustee, American Beacon Apollo Total Return Fund (2018-2021).
* The Board has adopted a retirement policy that requires Trustees to retire no later than the last day of the calendar year in which they reach the age of 75.
** Mr. Duffy is deemed to be an “interested person” of the Trust, as defined by the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended, by virtue of his position with Mesirow Financial, Inc., a broker-dealer.
In addition to the information set forth in the tables above and other relevant qualifications, experience, attributes or skills applicable to a particular Trustee, the following provides further information about the qualifications and experience of each Trustee.
Gilbert G. Alvarado: Mr. Alvarado has extensive organizational management and financial experience as senior vice president and chief financial officer in public charities and private foundations, service as director of private companies and non-profit organizations, service as president of non-profit institutional investment fund, an adjunct professor for a non-profit school of management at University of San Francisco, and multiple years of service as a Trustee.
Joseph B. Armes: Mr. Armes has extensive financial, investment and organizational management experience as chairman of the board of directors, president and chief executive officer of an investment company listed on NASDAQ, president and chief executive officer of a private family investment vehicle, chief operating officer of a private holding company for a family office, president, chief executive officer, chief financial officer and director of a special purpose acquisition company listed on the American Stock Exchange, a director and audit committee chair of an oil and gas exploration and production company listed on the New York Stock Exchange and as an officer of public companies and as a director and officer of private companies, and multiple years of service as a Trustee.
Gerard J. Arpey: Mr. Arpey has extensive organizational management, financial and international experience serving as chairman, chief executive officer, and chief financial officer of one of the largest global airlines, service as a director of public and private companies, service to several charitable organizations, and multiple years of service as a Trustee.
Brenda A. Cline: Ms. Cline has extensive organizational management, financial and investment experience as executive vice president, chief financial officer, secretary and treasurer to a private foundation, service as a director, trustee, audit committee chair, and member of the nominating and governance committees of various publicly held companies and mutual funds, service as a trustee to a private university, and several charitable boards, including acting as a member of their investment and/or audit committees, extensive experience as an audit senior manager with a large public accounting firm, and multiple years of service as a Trustee.
Eugene J. Duffy: Mr. Duffy has extensive experience in the investment management business and organizational management experience as a member of senior management, service as a director of a bank, service as a chairman of a charitable fund and as a trustee to an association, service on the board of a private university and non-profit organization, service as chair to a financial services industry association, and multiple years of service as a Trustee.
Claudia A. Holz: Ms. Holz has extensive financial audit and organizational management experience obtained as an audit partner with a major public accounting firm for over 27 years. Prior to her retirement, she led audits of large public investment company complexes and held several management roles in the firm’s New York and national offices.
Douglas A. Lindgren: Mr. Lindgren has extensive senior management experience in the asset management industry, having overseen several organizations and numerous fund structures and having served as an Adjunct Professor of Finance at Columbia Business School.
Barbara J. McKenna: Ms. McKenna has extensive experience in the investment management industry, organizational management experience as a member of senior management, service as a director of an investment manager, member of numerous financial services industry associations, and multiple years of service as a Trustee.
Committees of the Board
The Trust has an Audit and Compliance Committee (“Audit Committee”). The Audit Committee consists of Ms. Holz, and Messrs. Duffy, Armes and Alvarado (Chair). Ms. Cline, as Chair of the Board, serves on the Audit Committee in an ex-officio non-voting capacity. As set forth in its charter, the primary duties of the Trust’s Audit Committee are: (a) to oversee the accounting and financial reporting processes of the Trust and the Funds and their internal controls and, as the Committee deems appropriate, to inquire into the internal controls of certain third-party service providers; (b) to oversee the quality and integrity of the Trust’s financial statements and the independent audit thereof; (c) to approve, prior to appointment, the engagement of the Trust’s independent auditors and, in connection therewith, to review and evaluate the qualifications, independence and performance of the Trust’s independent auditors; (d) to oversee the Trust’s compliance with all regulatory obligations arising under applicable federal securities laws, rules and regulations and oversee management’s implementation and enforcement of the Trust’s compliance policies and procedures (“Compliance Program”);
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and (e) to coordinate the Board’s oversight of the Trust’s CCO in connection with his or her implementation of the Trust’s Compliance Program. The Audit Committee met four (4) times during the fiscal year ended August 31, 2021.
The Trust has a Nominating and Governance Committee (“Nominating Committee”) that is comprised of Messrs. Lindgren and Armes (Chair), and Mses. Holz and Cline. As set forth in its charter, the Nominating Committee’s primary duties are: (a) to make recommendations regarding the nomination of non-interested Trustees to the Board; (b) to make recommendations regarding the appointment of an Independent Trustee as Chair of the Board; (c) to evaluate qualifications of potential “interested” members of the Board and Trust officers; (d) to review shareholder recommendations for nominations to fill vacancies on the Board; (e) to make recommendations to the Board for nomination for membership on all committees of the Board; (f) to consider and evaluate the structure, composition and operation of the Board; (g) to review shareholder recommendations for proposals to be submitted for consideration during a meeting of Fund shareholders; and (h) to consider and make recommendations relating to the compensation of Independent Trustees and of those officers as to whom the Board is charged with approving compensation. Shareholder recommendations for Trustee candidates may be mailed in writing, including a comprehensive resume and any supporting documentation, to the Nominating Committee in care of the Secretary of the Funds, and must otherwise comply with the Declaration of Trust and By-Laws of the Trust. The Nominating and Governance Committee met four (4) times during the fiscal year ended August 31, 2021. Effective January 1, 2022, the Nominating Committee will be comprised of Messrs. Armes (Chair), Arpey and Duffy, and Ms. Cline.
The Trust has an Investment Committee that is comprised of Ms. McKenna (Chair) and Messrs. Arpey and Lindgren. Ms. Cline, as Chair of the Board, serves on the Investment Committee in an ex-officio non-voting capacity. As set forth in its charter, the Investment Committee’s primary duties are: (a) to review and evaluate the short- and long-term investment performance of the Manager and each of the designated sub-advisors to the Funds; (b) to evaluate recommendations by the Manager regarding the hiring or removal of designated sub-advisors to the Funds; (c) to review material changes recommended by the Manager to the allocation of Fund assets to a sub-advisor; (d) to review proposed changes recommended by the Manager to the investment objectives or principal investment strategies of the Funds; and (e) to review proposed changes recommended by the Manager to the material provisions of the advisory agreement with a sub-advisor, including, but not limited to, changes to the provision regarding compensation. The Investment Committee met four (4) times during the fiscal year ended August 31, 2021.
Trustee Ownership in the Funds
The following tables show the amount of equity securities owned in the Funds and all series of the American Beacon Funds Complex by the Trustees as of the calendar year ended December 31, 2020.
INTERESTED TRUSTEE
American Beacon Fund
Duffy
American Beacon SiM High Yield Opportunities Fund
None
American Beacon The London Company Income Equity Fund
None
American Beacon Zebra Small Cap Equity Fund
None
Aggregate Dollar Range of Equity Securities in all Trusts (32 Funds as of December 31, 2020)
None
NON-INTERESTED TRUSTEES
American Beacon Fund
Alvarado
Armes
Arpey
Cline
Holz
Lindgren
McKenna
American Beacon SiM High Yield Opportunities Fund
$10,001- $50,000
None
None
None
None
None
None
American Beacon The London Company Income Equity Fund
$10,001- $50,000
None
None
None
None
Over $100,000
$50,001- $100,000
American Beacon Zebra Small Cap Equity Fund
$10,001- $50,000
None
None
None
$10,001- $50,000
None
None
Aggregate Dollar Range of Equity Securities in all Trusts (32 Funds as of December 31, 2020)
Over $100,000
Over $100,000
Over $100,000
Over $100,000
Over $100,000
Over $100,000
Over $100,000
Trustee Compensation
As compensation for their service to the American Beacon Funds Complex, including the Trust (collectively, the “Trusts”), each Trustee is compensated from the Trusts as follows: (1) an annual retainer of $120,000; (2) meeting attendance fee (for attendance in person or via teleconference) of (a) $12,000 for in-person attendance, or $5,000 for telephonic attendance, by Board members for each regularly scheduled or special Board meeting, (b) $2,500 for attendance by Committee members at meetings of the Audit Committee and the Investment Committee, (c) $1,000 for attendance by Committee members at meetings of the Nominating and Governance Committee; and (d) $2,500 for attendance by Board members for each special telephonic Board meeting; and (3) reimbursement of reasonable expenses incurred in attending Board meetings, Committee meetings, and relevant educational seminars. For this purpose, the Board considers attendance at regular meetings held by videoconference to constitute in-person attendance at a Board meeting. The Trustees also may be compensated for attendance at special Board and/or Committee meetings from time to time. Beginning January 1, 2022, the Trustees’ annual retainer will be $130,000.
For her service as Board Chair, Ms. Cline receives an additional annual retainer of $50,000. Although she attends several committee meetings at each quarterly Board meeting, she receives a single $2,500 fee each quarter for her attendance at the Audit Committee and Investment Committee meetings. The chairpersons of the Audit Committee and the Investment Committee each receive an additional annual retainer of $25,000 and the Chair of the Nominating and Governance Committee receives an additional annual retainer of $10,000.
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The following table shows total compensation (excluding reimbursements) paid by the Trusts to each Trustee for the fiscal year ended August 31, 2021.
Name of Trustee
Aggregate Compensation from the Trust
Total Compensation from the Trusts
INTERESTED TRUSTEE
Eugene J. Duffy
$185,709
$190,000
NON-INTERESTED TRUSTEES
Gilbert G. Alvarado
$215,032
$220,000
Joseph B. Armes
$199,882
$204,500
Gerard J. Arpey
$190,597
$195,000
Brenda A. Cline1
$239,467
$245,000
Claudia A. Holz
$191,085
$195,500
Douglas A. Lindgren
$193,529
$198,000
Barbara J. McKenna
$215,032
$220,000
R. Gerald Turner1,2
$46,183
$47,250
1 Upon retirement from the Board, each of these current and former Trustees is eligible for flight benefits afforded to Trustees who served on the Boards prior to September 12, 2008 as described below.
2 Dr. Turner received compensation from the Trust prior to and up to his retirement from the Board on December 31, 2020.
The Boards adopted a Trustee Retirement Plan. The Trustee Retirement Plan provides that a Trustee who has served on the Boards prior to September 12, 2008, and who has reached a mandatory retirement age established by the Board (currently 75) is eligible to elect Trustee Emeritus status (“Eligible Trustees”). Ms. Cline is the only Eligible Trustee. Eligible Trustees who have served on the Board of one or more Trusts for at least five years may elect to retire from the Board at an earlier age and immediately assume Trustee Emeritus status. The Board has determined that, other than the Trustee Retirement Plan established for Eligible Trustees, no other retirement benefits will accrue for current or future Trustees.
Each Eligible Trustee and his or her spouse (or designated companion) may receive annual flight benefits from the Trusts of up to $40,000 combined, on a tax-grossed up basis, on American Airlines (a subsidiary of the Manager’s former parent company) for a maximum period of 10 years, depending upon length of service prior to September 12, 2008. Eligible Trustees may opt to receive instead an annual retainer of $20,000 from the Trusts in lieu of flight benefits. No retirement benefits are accrued for Board service after September 12, 2008.
A Trustee Emeritus must be reasonably available to provide advice, counseling and assistance to the Trustees and American Beacon as needed, as agreed to from time to time by the parties involved; however, a Trustee Emeritus does not have any voting rights at Board meetings and is not subject to election by shareholders of the Funds. Currently, three individuals who retired from the Board and accrued retirement benefits for periods prior to September 12, 2008, have assumed Trustee Emeritus status. Two individuals and their spouses receive annual flight benefits of up to $40,000 combined, on a tax-grossed up basis, on American Airlines. The other individual receives an annual retainer of $20,000 from the Trusts in lieu of flight benefits.
Principal Officers of the Trust
The Officers of the Trust conduct and supervise its daily business. As of the date of this SAI, the Officers of the Trust, their ages, their business address and their principal occupations and directorships during the past five years are as set forth below. The address of each Officer is 220 East Las Colinas Boulevard, Suite 1200, Irving, Texas 75039. Each Officer serves for a term of one year or until his or her resignation, retirement, or removal. Each Officer has and continues to hold the same position with the American Beacon Funds, the American Beacon Select Funds, and the American Beacon Institutional Funds Trust.
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Name (Age)
Position and Length of Time Served on the American Beacon Funds and American Beacon Select Funds
Position and Length of Time Served on the American Beacon Institutional Funds Trust
Principal Occupation(s) and Directorships During Past 5 Years
OFFICERS
Gene L. Needles, Jr. (67)
President since 2009
President since 2017
President (2009-2018), CEO and Director (2009-Present), Chairman (2018-Present), American Beacon Advisors, Inc.; President (2015-2018), Director and CEO (2015-Present), Chairman (2018-Present), Resolute Investment Holdings, LLC; President (2015-2018), Director and CEO (2015-Present), Chairman (2018-Present), Resolute Topco, Inc.; President (2015-2018); Director and CEO (2015-Present), Chairman (2018-Present), Resolute Acquisition, Inc.; President (2015-2018), Director and CEO (2015-Present), Chairman (2018-Present), Resolute Investment Managers, Inc.; Director, Chairman, President and CEO, Resolute Investment Distributors, Inc. (2017-Present); Director, Chairman, President and CEO (2017-Present), Resolute Investment Services, Inc.; Manager and President and CEO, American Private Equity Management, LLC (2012-Present); Director, Chairman and President and CEO Alpha Quant Advisors, LLC (2016-2020); Director, ARK Investment Management LLC (2016-2020); Director, Shapiro Capital Management LLC (2017-Present); Director and Chairman and CEO, Continuous Capital, LLC (2018-Present); Director, Green Harvest Asset Management, LLC (2019-2021); Director, National Investment Services of America, LLC (2019-Present); Director, RSW Investments Holdings LLC, (2019-Present); Manager, SSI Investment Management, LLC (2019-Present); President, American Beacon Cayman Managed Futures Strategy Fund, Ltd. (2014-Present); Director and President, American Beacon Cayman Transformational Innovation Company, Ltd., (2017-2018); President, American Beacon Delaware Transformational Innovation Corporation (2017-2018); Director and President, American Beacon Cayman TargetRisk Company, Ltd. (2018-Present); Member, Investment Advisory Committee, Employees Retirement System of Texas (2017-Present); Trustee, American Beacon NextShares Trust (2015-2020); President, American Beacon Sound Point Enhanced Income Fund (2018-2021); President, American Beacon Apollo Total Return Fund (2018-2021).
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Name (Age)
Position and Length of Time Served on the American Beacon Funds and American Beacon Select Funds
Position and Length of Time Served on the American Beacon Institutional Funds Trust
Principal Occupation(s) and Directorships During Past 5 Years
Jeffrey K. Ringdahl (46)
Vice President since 2010
Vice President since 2017
Director (2015-Present), President (2018-Present), Chief Operating Officer (2010-Present), Senior Vice President (2013-2018), American Beacon Advisors, Inc.; Director (2015-Present), President (2018-Present), Senior Vice President (2015-2018), Resolute Investment Holdings, LLC; Director (2015-Present), President (2018-Present), Senior Vice President (2015-2018), Resolute Topco, Inc.; Director (2015-Present), President (2018-Present), Senior Vice President (2015-2018), Resolute Acquisition, Inc.; Director (2015-Present), President and COO (2018-Present), Senior Vice President (2015-2018), Resolute Investment Managers, Inc.; Director and Executive Vice President (2017-Present), Resolute Investment Distributors, Inc.; Director (2017-Present), President and COO (2018-Present), Executive Vice President (2017-2018), Resolute Investment Services, Inc.; Senior Vice President (2017-Present), Vice President (2012-2017), Manager (2015-Present), American Private Equity Management, LLC; Trustee, American Beacon NextShares Trust (2015-2020); Director and Executive Vice President & COO, Alpha Quant Advisors, LLC (2016-2020); Director, Shapiro Capital Management, LLC (2017-Present); Director and Executive Vice President & COO, Continuous Capital, LLC (2018-Present); Director, RSW Investments Holdings, LLC (2019-Present); Manager, SSI Investment Management, LLC (2019-Present); Director, National Investment Services of America, LLC (2019-Present); Director and Vice President, American Beacon Cayman Transformational Innovation Company, Ltd., (2017-2018); Vice President, American Beacon Delaware Transformational Innovation Corporation (2017-2018); Director and Vice President, American Beacon Cayman Managed Futures Strategy Fund, Ltd. (2014-Present); Director and Vice President, American Beacon Cayman TargetRisk Company, Ltd. (2018-Present); Vice President, American Beacon Sound Point Enhanced Income Fund (2018-2021); Vice President, American Beacon Apollo Total Return Fund (2018-2021).
Rosemary K. Behan (62)
Vice President, Secretary and Chief Legal Officer since 2006
Vice President, Secretary and Chief Legal Officer since 2017
Senior Vice President (2021-Present), Vice President (2006-2021), Secretary and General Counsel (2006-Present), American Beacon Advisors, Inc.; Secretary, Resolute Investment Holdings, LLC (2015-Present); Secretary, Resolute Topco, Inc. (2015-Present).; Secretary, Resolute Acquisition, Inc. (2015-Present); Senior Vice President (2021-Present), Vice President (2015-2021), Secretary and General Counsel (2015-Present), Resolute Investment Managers, Inc.; Secretary, Resolute Investment Distributors, Inc. (2017-Present); Senior Vice President (2021-Present), Vice President (2017-2021), Secretary and General Counsel (2017-Present), Resolute Investment Services, Inc.; Secretary, American Private Equity Management, LLC (2008-Present); Secretary and General Counsel, Alpha Quant Advisors, LLC (2016-2020); Vice President and Secretary, Continuous Capital, LLC (2018-Present); Secretary, Green Harvest Asset Management, LLC (2019-2021); Secretary, American Beacon Delaware Transformational Innovation Corporation (2017-2018); Secretary, American Beacon Cayman Transformational Innovation Company, Ltd. (2017-2018); Secretary, American Beacon Cayman Managed Futures Strategy Fund, Ltd. (2014-Present); Secretary, American Beacon Cayman TargetRisk Company, Ltd (2018-Present); Vice President, Secretary and Chief Legal Officer, American Beacon Sound Point Enhanced Income Fund (2018-2021); Vice President, Secretary and Chief Legal Officer, American Beacon Apollo Total Return Fund (2018-2021).
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Name (Age)
Position and Length of Time Served on the American Beacon Funds and American Beacon Select Funds
Position and Length of Time Served on the American Beacon Institutional Funds Trust
Principal Occupation(s) and Directorships During Past 5 Years
Brian E. Brett (61)
Vice President since 2004
Vice President since 2017
Senior Vice President, Head of Distribution (2012-Present), American Beacon Advisors, Inc.; Senior Vice President (2017-Present), Resolute Investment Managers, Inc.; Senior Vice President (2018-Present), Resolute Investment Distributors, Inc.; Vice President (2017-2018), Senior Vice President (2018-Present), Resolute Investment Services, Inc.; Vice President, American Beacon Sound Point Enhanced Income Fund (2018-2021); Vice President, American Beacon Apollo Total Return Fund (2018-2021).
Paul B. Cavazos (52)
Vice President since 2016
Vice President since 2017
Chief Investment Officer and Senior Vice President, American Beacon Advisors, Inc. (2016-Present); Chief Investment Officer, DTE Energy (2007-2016); Vice President, American Private Equity Management, LLC (2017-Present); Vice President, American Beacon Sound Point Enhanced Income Fund (2018-2021); Vice President, American Beacon Apollo Total Return Fund (2018-2021).
Erica B. Duncan (51)
Vice President since 2011
Vice President since 2017
Vice President, American Beacon Advisors, Inc. (2011-Present); Vice President, Resolute Investment Managers, Inc. (2018-Present); Vice President, Resolute Investment Services, Inc. (2018-Present); Vice President, American Beacon Sound Point Enhanced Income Fund (2018-2021); Vice President, American Beacon Apollo Total Return Fund (2018-2021).
Terri L. McKinney (58)
Vice President since 2010
Vice President since 2017
Senior Vice President, (2021-Present) Vice President, (2009-2021), American Beacon Advisors, Inc.; Senior Vice President (2021-Present), Vice President (2017-2021), Resolute Investment Managers, Inc.; Senior Vice President (2021-Present), Vice President (2018-2021), Resolute Investment Services, Inc.; Vice President, Alpha Quant Advisors, LLC (2016-2020); Vice President, Continuous Capital, LLC (2018-Present); Vice President, American Beacon Sound Point Enhanced Income Fund (2018-2021); Vice President, American Beacon Apollo Total Return Fund (2018-2021).
Samuel J. Silver (58)
Vice President since 2011
Vice President since 2017
Vice President (2011-Present), Chief Fixed Income Officer (2016-Present), American Beacon Advisors, Inc.; Vice President, American Beacon Sound Point Enhanced Income Fund (2018-2021); Vice President, American Beacon Apollo Total Return Fund (2018-2021).
Melinda G. Heika (60)
Vice President since 2021
Vice President since 2021
Senior Vice President, (2021-Present) Treasurer and CFO (2010-Present), American Beacon Advisors, Inc.; Treasurer, Resolute Topco, Inc. (2015-Present); Treasurer, Resolute Investment Holdings, LLC (2015-Present); Treasurer, Resolute Acquisition, Inc. (2015-Present); Senior Vice President (2021-Present), Treasurer and CFO (2017-Present), Resolute Investment Managers, Inc.; Treasurer, Resolute Investment Distributors, Inc. (2017-2017); Senior Vice President (2021-Present), Treasurer and CFO (2017-Present), Resolute Investment Services, Inc.; Treasurer, American Private Equity Management, LLC (2012-Present); Treasurer and CFO, Alpha Quant Advisors, LLC (2016-2020); Treasurer and CFO, Continuous Capital, LLC (2018-Present); Treasurer, American Beacon Cayman Transformational Innovation, Ltd. (2017-2018); Treasurer, American Beacon Delaware Transformational Innovation Corporation (2017-2018); Director and Treasurer, American Beacon Cayman Managed Futures Strategy Fund, Ltd. (2014-Present); Treasurer, American Beacon Cayman TargetRisk Company, Ltd. (2018-Present); Vice President, American Beacon Sound Point Enhanced Income Fund (2018-2021); Vice President, American Beacon Apollo Total Return Fund (2018-2021).
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Name (Age)
Position and Length of Time Served on the American Beacon Funds and American Beacon Select Funds
Position and Length of Time Served on the American Beacon Institutional Funds Trust
Principal Occupation(s) and Directorships During Past 5 Years
Sonia L. Bates (65)
Principal Accounting Officer and Treasurer since 2021
Principal Accounting Officer and Treasurer since 2021
Assistant Treasurer, American Beacon Advisors, Inc. (2011-2018); Assistant Treasurer, American Private Equity Management, LLC (2012-Present); Assistant Treasurer, American Beacon Cayman Transformational Innovation Company, Ltd. (2017-2018); Assistant Treasurer, American Beacon Cayman TargetRisk Company, Ltd. (2018-Present); Director, Fund and Tax Reporting (2011-Present), Resolute Investment Services, Inc.; Principal Accounting Officer and Treasurer, American Beacon Sound Point Enhanced Income Fund (2021); Principal Accounting Officer and Treasurer, American Beacon Apollo Total Return Fund (2021).
Christina E. Sears (50)
Chief Compliance Officer since 2004 and Assistant Secretary since 1999
Chief Compliance Officer and Assistant Secretary since 2017
Chief Compliance Officer, (2004-Present) Vice President (2019-Present), American Beacon Advisors, Inc.; Vice President, Resolute Investment Managers, Inc. (2017-Present); Vice President, Resolute Investment Distributors, Inc. (2017-Present); Vice President, Resolute Investment Services, Inc. (2019-Present); Chief Compliance Officer, American Private Equity Management, LLC (2012-Present); Chief Compliance Officer, Green Harvest Asset Management, LLC (2019-2021); Chief Compliance Officer, RSW Investments Holdings, LLC (2019-Present); Chief Compliance Officer (2016-2019) and Vice President (2016-2020), Alpha Quant Advisors, LLC; Chief Compliance Officer (2018-2019) and Vice President (2018-Present), Continuous Capital, LLC.; Chief Compliance Officer and Assistant Secretary, American Beacon Sound Point Enhanced Income Fund (2018-2021); Chief Compliance Officer and Assistant Secretary, American Beacon Apollo Total Return Fund (2018-2021).
Shelley L. Dyson (52)
Assistant Treasurer since 2021
Assistant Treasurer since 2021
Manager, Tax (2014-2020); Fund Tax Manager (2020-Present), Resolute Investment Services, Inc.; Assistant Treasurer (2021), American Beacon Sound Point Enhanced Income Fund; Assistant Treasurer (2021), American Beacon Apollo Total Return Fund.
Shelley D. Abrahams (47)
Assistant Secretary since 2008
Assistant Secretary since 2017
Senior Corporate Governance & Regulatory Specialist (2020-Present), Corporate Governance & Regulatory Specialist (2017-2020), Resolute Investment Services, Inc.; Assistant Secretary, American Beacon Sound Point Enhanced Income Fund (2018-2021); Assistant Secretary, American Beacon Apollo Total Return Fund (2018-2021).
Rebecca L. Harris (55)
Assistant Secretary since 2010
Assistant Secretary since 2017
Senior Vice President (2021-Present), Vice President (2011-2021), American Beacon Advisors, Inc.; Senior Vice President (2021-Present), Vice President (2017-2021), Resolute Investment Managers, Inc.; Senior Vice President (2021-Present), Vice President (2015-2021), Resolute Investment Services, Inc.; Vice President, Alpha Quant Advisors, LLC (2016-2020); Vice President, Continuous Capital, LLC (2018-Present); Assistant Secretary, American Beacon Sound Point Enhanced Income Fund (2018-2021); Assistant Secretary, American Beacon Apollo Total Return Fund (2018-2021).
Michael D. Jiang (37)
Assistant Secretary since 2021
Assistant Secretary since 2021
Assistant Secretary (2021-Present), Resolute Investment Distributors, Inc.; Associate General Counsel (2021-Present), Resolute Investment Services, Inc.; Vice President (2018-2021), Second Vice President (2015-2018), The Northern Trust Company; Assistant Secretary, American Beacon Sound Point Enhanced Income Fund (2021); Assistant Secretary, American Beacon Apollo Total Return Fund (2021).
Teresa A. Oxford (63)
Assistant Secretary since 2015
Assistant Secretary since 2017
Assistant Secretary (2015-Present), American Beacon Advisors, Inc.; Assistant Secretary (2018-2021), Resolute Investment Distributors, Inc.; Assistant Secretary (2017-Present), Resolute Investment Managers, Inc.; Assistant Secretary and Associate General Counsel (2018-Present), Resolute Investment Services, Inc.; Assistant Secretary (2016-2020), Alpha Quant Advisors, LLC; Assistant Secretary (2020-Present), Continuous Capital, LLC.; Assistant Secretary, American Beacon Sound Point Enhanced Income Fund (2018-2021); Assistant Secretary, American Beacon Apollo Total Return Fund (2018-2021).
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CODE OF ETHICS
The Manager, the Trust, the Distributor, and the sub-advisors each have adopted a Code of Ethics under Rule 17j-1 of the Investment Company Act. Each Code of Ethics significantly restricts the personal trading of all employees with access to non-public portfolio information. For example, each Code of Ethics generally requires pre-clearance of all personal securities trades (with limited exceptions) and prohibits employees from purchasing or selling a security that is being purchased or sold or being considered for purchase (with limited exceptions) or sale by any Fund. In addition, the Manager’s and the Trust’s Code of Ethics requires employees to report trades in shares of the Trusts. Each Code of Ethics is on public file with, and may be obtained from, the SEC.
PROXY VOTING POLICIES
From time to time, a Fund may own a security whose issuer solicits a proxy vote on certain matters. The Board seeks to ensure that proxies are voted in the best interests of each Fund’s shareholders and has delegated proxy voting authority to the Manager. The Manager in turn has delegated proxy voting authority to each sub-advisor with respect to a Fund’s assets under the sub-advisor’s management. The Trust has adopted a Proxy Policy that governs proxy voting by the Manager and sub-advisors, including procedures to address potential conflicts of interest between a Fund’s shareholders and the Manager, the sub-advisors or their affiliates. The Board has approved the Manager’s proxy voting policies and procedures with respect to Fund assets under the Manager’s management. Please see Appendix A for a copy of the Proxy Policy. The sub-advisors’ proxy voting policy and procedures are summarized (or included in their entirety) in Appendix B. The Funds’ proxy voting record for the most recent year ended June 30 is available as of August 31 of each year upon request and without charge by calling 1-800-967-9009 or by visiting the SEC’s website at http://www.sec.gov. The proxy voting record can be found in Form N-PX on the SEC’s website.
CONTROL PERSONS AND 5% SHAREHOLDERS
A principal shareholder is any person who owns of record or beneficially 5% or more of any class of a Fund’s outstanding shares. A control person is a shareholder that owns beneficially or through controlled companies more than 25% of the voting securities of a company or acknowledges the existence of control. Shareholders owning voting securities in excess of 25% may determine the outcome of any matter affecting and voted on by shareholders of a Fund. The actions of an entity or person that controls a Fund could have an effect on other shareholders. For instance, a control person may have effective voting control over a Fund or large redemptions by a control person could cause a Fund’s other shareholders to pay a higher pro rata portion of a Fund’s expenses.
Set forth below are entities or persons that own 5% or more of the outstanding shares of a Class of the Funds as of December 3, 2021. The Trustees and officers of the Trusts, as a group, own less than 1% of all classes of the Funds’ shares outstanding.
American Beacon SiM High Yield Opportunities Fund
Shareholder Address
Fund Percentage
(listed if over 25%)
A CLASS
C CLASS
Y CLASS
R5 CLASS
INVESTOR CLASS
AMERICAN ENTERPRISE INV SVCS*
9.15%
6.22%
707 2ND AVE S
MINNEAPOLIS MN 55402-2405
CHARLES SCHWAB & CO INC*
9.38%
40.95%
SPECIAL CUST A/C
EXCLUSIVE BENEFIT OF CUSTOMERS
ATTN MUTUAL FUNDS
211 MAIN ST
SAN FRANCISCO CA 94105-1905
J.P. MORGAN SECURITIES LLC OMNIBUS*
6.35%
ACCT FOR THE EXCLUSIVE BEN OF CUST
4 CHASE METROTECH CTR FL 3RD
BROOKLYN NY 11245-0003
LPL FINANCIAL*
33.86%
14.73%
13.19%
53.37%
2.41%
1.59%
4707 EXECUTIVE DR
SAN DIEGO CA 92121-3091
MERRILL LYNCH PIERCE FENNER & SMITH INC*
9.66%
8.39%
THE AMERICAN BEACON FUNDS
4800 DEER LAKE DR EAST
JACKSONVILLE FL 32246-6484
MORGAN STANLEY SMITH BARNEY LLC*
4.95%
10.88%
FOR THE EXCLUSIVE BENE OF ITS CUST
1 NEW YORK PLZ FL 12
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Shareholder Address
Fund Percentage
(listed if over 25%)
A CLASS
C CLASS
Y CLASS
R5 CLASS
INVESTOR CLASS
NEW YORK NY 10004-1932
NATIONAL FINANCIAL SERVICES LLC*
11.30%
5.92%
47.04%
31.18%
FOR EXCLUSIVE BENEFIT OF OUR CUSTOMERS
OUR CUSTOMERS
ATTN MUTUAL FUNDS DEPT 4TH FLOOR
499 WASHINGTON BLVD
JERSEY CITY NJ 07310-1995
PERSHING LLC*
9.67%
8.19%
1 PERSHING PLZ
JERSEY CITY NJ 07399-0001
RAYMOND JAMES*
8.73%
5.27%
OMNIBUS FOR MUTUAL FUNDS
ATTN COURTNEY WALLER
880 CARILLON PKWY
ST PETERSBURG FL 33716-1100
UBS WM USA*
9.51%
21.89%
9.44%
9.76%
OMNI ACCOUNT M/F
1000 HARBOR BLVD
WEEHAWKEN NJ 07086-6761
WELLS FARGO CLEARING SERVICES LLC*
9.91%
17.76%
5.62%
SPECIAL CUSTODY ACCT FOR THE
EXCLUSIVE BENEFIT OF CUSTOMERS
2801 MARKET ST
ST LOUIS MO 63103-2523
SEI PRIVATE TRUST COMPANY
5.83%
ATTN: MUTUAL FUND ADMINISTRATOR
ONE FREEDOM VALLEY DRIVE
OAKS PA 19456-9989
* Denotes record owner of Fund shares only
American Beacon The London Company Income Equity Fund
Shareholder Address
Fund Percentage
(listed if over 25%)
A CLASS
C CLASS
Y CLASS
R6 CLASS
R5 CLASS
INVESTOR CLASS
AMERICAN ENTERPRISE INV SVCS*
10.13%
707 2ND AVE S
MINNEAPOLIS MN 55402-2405
CHARLES SCHWAB & CO INC*
5.64%
9.62%
SPECIAL CUST A/C
EXCLUSIVE BENEFIT OF CUSTOMERS
ATTN MUTUAL FUNDS
211 MAIN ST
SAN FRANCISCO CA 94105-1905
CHARLES SCHWAB & CO INC*
5.28%
8.64%
SPECIAL CUSTODY A/C FBO CUSTOMERS
ATTN MUTUAL FUNDS
211 MAIN STREET
SAN FRANCISCO CA 94105-1905
LPL FINANCIAL*
7.06%
4707 EXECUTIVE DR
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Shareholder Address
Fund Percentage
(listed if over 25%)
A CLASS
C CLASS
Y CLASS
R6 CLASS
R5 CLASS
INVESTOR CLASS
SAN DIEGO CA 92121-3091
MERRILL LYNCH PIERCE FENNER &*
61.35%
26.12%
30.77%
2.60%
SMITH INC (HOUSE ACCOUNT)
THE AMERICAN BEACON FUNDS
4800 DEER LAKE DR EAST
JACKSONVILLE FL 32246-6484
MORGAN STANLEY SMITH BARNEY LLC*
6.93%
10.57%
8.08%
FOR THE EXCLUSIVE BENE OF ITS CUST
1 NEW YORK PLZ FL 12
NEW YORK NY 10004-1932
NATIONAL FINANCIAL SERVICES LLC*
12.53%
64.48%
26.33%
FOR EXCLUSIVE BENEFIT OF
OUR CUSTOMERS
ATTN MUTUAL FUNDS DEPT 4TH FLOOR
499 WASHINGTON BLVD
JERSEY CITY NJ 07310-1995
PERSHING LLC*
28.52%
1 PERSHING PLZ
JERSEY CITY NJ 07399-0001
RAYMOND JAMES*
9.58%
OMNIBUS FOR MUTUAL FUNDS
ATTN COURTNEY WALLER
880 CARILLON PKWY
ST PETERSBURG FL 33716-1100
TD AMERITRADE INC FOR THE*
4.95%
EXCLUSIVE BENEFIT OF OUR CLIENTS
PO BOX 2226
OMAHA NE 68103-2226
UBS WM USA*
6.51%
10.48%
15.42%
OMNI ACCOUNT M/F
1000 HARBOR BLVD
WEEHAWKEN NJ 07086-6761
WELLS FARGO CLEARING SERVICES LLC*
5.72%
10.28%
SPECIAL CUSTODY ACCT FOR THE
EXCLUSIVE BENEFIT OF CUSTOMERS
2801 MARKET ST
ST LOUIS MO 63103-2523
AMERICAN BEACON ADVISORS
71.63%
220 LAS COLINAS BLVD E STE 1200
IRVING TX 75039-5500
MATRIX TRUST COMPANY AS AGENT FOR
28.37%
NEWPORT TRUST COMPANY
QHN, LLC 401(K) PROFIT SHARING
PLAN
35 IRON POINT CIRCLE
FOLSOM CA 95630-8587
NATIONWIDE LIFE
9.66%
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Shareholder Address
Fund Percentage
(listed if over 25%)
A CLASS
C CLASS
Y CLASS
R6 CLASS
R5 CLASS
INVESTOR CLASS
INSURANCE COMPANY (NACO)
C/O IPO PORTFOLIO ACCOUNTING
PO BOX 182029
COLUMBUS OH 43218-2029
PIMS/PRUDENTIAL RETIREMENT
6.09%
AS NOMINEE FOR THE TTEE/CUST PL 740
IBEW LOCAL NO. 269 ANNUITY FUND
C/O I.E. SHAFFER & CO.
830 BEAR TAVERN ROAD
WEST TRENTON NJ 08628-1020
* Denotes record owner of Fund shares only
American Beacon Zebra Small Cap Equity Fund
Shareholder Address
Fund Percentage
(listed if over 25%)
A CLASS
C CLASS
Y CLASS
R5 CLASS
INVESTOR CLASS
AMERICAN ENTERPRISE INV SVCS*
22.08%
16.48%
10.51%
707 2ND AVE S
MINNEAPOLIS MN 55402-2405
CHARLES SCHWAB & CO INC*
49.98%
SPECIAL CUST A/C
EXCLUSIVE BENEFIT OF CUSTOMERS
ATTN MUTUAL FUNDS
211 MAIN ST
SAN FRANCISCO CA 94105-1905
CHARLES SCHWAB & CO INC*
21.91%
17.80%
15.34%
SPECIAL CUSTODY A/C FBO CUSTOMERS
ATTN MUTUAL FUNDS
211 MAIN STREET
SAN FRANCISCO CA 94105-1905
LPL FINANCIAL*
6.28%
5.92%
20.74%
12.81%
4707 EXECUTIVE DR
SAN DIEGO CA 92121-3091
MORGAN STANLEY SMITH BARNEY LLC*
15.93%
11.47%
13.75%
FOR THE EXCLUSIVE BENE OF ITS CUST
1 NEW YORK PLZ FL 12
NEW YORK NY 10004-1932
NATIONAL FINANCIAL SERVICES LLC*
22.18%
30.88%
FOR EXCLUSIVE BENEFIT OF
OUR CUSTOMERS
ATTN MUTUAL FUNDS DEPT 4TH FLOOR
499 WASHINGTON BLVD
JERSEY CITY NJ 07310-1995
PERSHING LLC*
5.77%
1 PERSHING PLZ
JERSEY CITY NJ 07399-0001
RAYMOND JAMES*
18.74%
OMNIBUS FOR MUTUAL FUNDS
ATTN COURTNEY WALLER
880 CARILLON PKWY
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Shareholder Address
Fund Percentage
(listed if over 25%)
A CLASS
C CLASS
Y CLASS
R5 CLASS
INVESTOR CLASS
ST PETERSBURG FL 33716-1100
TD AMERITRADE INC FOR THE EXCLUSIVE*
8.90%
BENEFIT OF OUR CLIENT
PO BOX 2226
OMAHA NE 68103-2226
UBS WM USA*
17.22%
17.96%
13.60%
OMNI ACCOUNT M/F
1000 HARBOR BLVD
WEEHAWKEN NJ 07086-6761
CHARLES SCHWAB & CO INC*
7.81%
SPECIAL CUST A/C
EXCLUSIVE BENEFIT OF CUSTOMERS
ATTN MUTUAL FUNDS
211 MAIN ST
SAN FRANCISCO CA 94105-1905
CHARLES SCHWAB & CO., INC.*
13.57%
ATTN: MUTUAL FUND OPS
211 MAIN ST.
SAN FRANCISCO CA 94105-1905
SECTRUS1 CASH*
56.66%
OLD SECOND NATIONAL BANK
C/O TRUST OPERATIONS
37 S. RIVER ST
AURORA IL 60506-4173
* Denotes record owner of Fund shares only
INVESTMENT SUB-ADVISORY AGREEMENTS
The Funds’ sub-advisors are listed below with information regarding their controlling persons or entities. According to the Investment Company Act, a person or entity with control with respect to an investment advisor has “the power to exercise a controlling influence over the management or policies of a company, unless such power is solely the result of an official position with such company.” Persons and entities affiliated with a sub-advisor may be considered affiliates of a Fund for which the sub-advisor manages a portion of the Fund’s assets.
Strategic Income Management, LLC (“SiM”)
Controlling Person/Entity
Basis of Control
Nature of Controlling Person/Entity’s Business
Gary Pokrzywinski
Majority Owner
Financial Services
The London Company of Virginia, LLC (“The London Company”)
Controlling Person/Entity
Basis of Control
Nature of Controlling Person/Entity Business
Stephen M. Goddard
Indirect Majority Owner
Financial Services
TLC Holdings, LLC
Majority Owner
Financial Services
Zebra Capital Management, LLC (“Zebra”)
Controlling Person/Entity
Basis of Control
Nature of Controlling Person/Entity Business
Roger Ibbotson
Majority Owner
Financial Services
The Trust, on behalf of each Fund, and the Manager have entered into an Investment Advisory Agreement with each sub-advisor pursuant to which a Fund has agreed to pay its sub-advisor an annualized sub-advisory fee that is calculated and accrued daily based on a percentage of the applicable Fund’s average daily net assets. Each Investment Advisory Agreement will automatically terminate if assigned, and may be terminated without penalty at any time by the Manager, by a vote of a majority of the Trustees or by a vote of a majority of the outstanding voting securities of the applicable Fund on no less than thirty (30) days’ nor more than sixty (60) days’ written notice to the sub-advisor, or by the sub-advisor upon sixty (60) days’ written notice to the Trust. The Investment Advisory Agreements will continue in effect from year to year provided that annually such continuance is specifically
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approved by a vote of the Trustees, including the affirmative votes of a majority of the Trustees who are not parties to the Investment Advisory Agreement or “interested persons” (as defined in the Investment Company Act) of any such party, cast in person at a meeting called for the purpose of considering such approval, or by the vote of shareholders.
MANAGEMENT, ADMINISTRATIVE, SECURITIES LENDING, AND DISTRIBUTION SERVICES
The Manager
The Manager, located at 220 East Las Colinas Boulevard, Suite 1200, Irving, Texas 75039 is a Delaware corporation and a wholly-owned subsidiary of Resolute Investment Managers, Inc. (“RIM”). RIM is, in turn, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Resolute Acquisition, Inc., which is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Resolute Topco, Inc., a wholly-owned subsidiary of Resolute Investment Holdings, LLC (“RIH”). RIH is owned primarily by Kelso Investment Associates VIII, L.P., KEP VI, LLC and Estancia Capital Partners L.P., investment funds affiliated with Kelso & Company, L.P. (“Kelso”) or Estancia Capital Management, LLC (“Estancia”), which are private equity firms. The address of Kelso and its investment funds is 320 Park Avenue, 24th Floor, New York, NY 10022. The address of Estancia and its investment fund is 20865 N 90th Place, Suite 200, Scottsdale, AZ 85255. The address of RIH is 220 East Las Colinas Boulevard, Suite 1200, Irving, TX 75039.

Listed below are individuals and entities that may be deemed control persons of the Manager.
Controlling Person/Entity
Basis of Control
Nature of Controlling Person/Entity’s Business
Resolute Investment Holdings, LLC
Parent Company
Holding Company - Founded in 2015
Kelso Investment Associates VIII
Ownership in Parent Company
Investment Fund
The Manager is paid a management fee as compensation for providing each Fund with management and administrative services. The expenses are allocated daily to each class of shares of a Fund based upon the relative proportion of net assets represented by such class. The Management Agreement provides for the Manager to receive an annualized management fee based on a percentage of a Fund’s average daily net assets that is calculated and accrued daily according to the following schedule:
First $5 billion
0.35%
Next $5 billion
0.325%
Next $10 billion
0.30%
Over $20 billion
0.275%
Operating expenses directly attributable to a specific class are charged against the assets of that class. Pursuant to the Management Agreement, the Manager provides the Trust with office space, office equipment and personnel necessary to manage and administer the Trust’s operations. This includes:

 

complying with reporting requirements;

 

corresponding with shareholders;

 

maintaining internal bookkeeping, accounting and auditing services and records;

 

supervising the provision of services to the Trust by third parties; and

 

administering the interfund lending facility and lines of credit, if applicable.
 
In addition to its oversight of the sub-advisors, the Manager may invest the portion of a Fund’s assets that a sub-advisor determines to be allocated to short-term investments.

The Funds are responsible for expenses not otherwise assumed by the Manager, including the following: audits by independent auditors; transfer agency, custodian, dividend disbursing agent and shareholder recordkeeping services; taxes, if any, and the preparation of a Fund’s tax returns; interest; costs of Trustee and shareholder meetings; preparing, printing and mailing prospectuses and reports to existing shareholders; fees for filing reports with regulatory bodies and the maintenance of a Fund’s existence; legal fees; fees to federal and state authorities for the registration of shares; fees and expenses of Trustees; insurance and fidelity bond premiums; fees paid to service providers providing reports regarding adherence by sub-advisors to the investment style of a Fund; fees paid for brokerage commission analysis for the purpose of monitoring best execution practices of the sub-advisors; and any extraordinary expenses of a nonrecurring nature.
The Manager has contractually agreed from time to time to waive fees and/or reimburse expenses for each Fund in order to maintain competitive expense ratios for each Fund. The contractual expense reimbursement can be changed or terminated only in the discretion and with the approval of a majority of a Fund’s Board of Trustees. The Manager will itself waive fees and/or reimburse expenses of a Fund to maintain the contractual expense ratio caps for each applicable class of shares or make arrangements with other service providers to do so. The Manager may also, from time to time, voluntarily waive fees and/or reimburse expenses of a Fund. The Board approved a policy whereby the Manager may seek repayment for such fee waivers and expense reimbursements. Under the policy, the Manager can be reimbursed by a Fund for any contractual or voluntary fee waivers or expense reimbursements if reimbursement to the Manager (a) occurs within three years from the date of the Manager’s waiver/reimbursement and (b) does not cause the Fund’s Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses to exceed the lesser of the contractual percentage limit in effect at the time of the waiver/reimbursement or the time of recoupment.
The following tables show the total management fees paid to the Manager for management and administrative services and the investment advisory fees paid to each sub-advisor based on each Fund’s average daily net assets for the three most recent fiscal years ended August 31. The following
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tables also show the fees waived or recouped by the Manager and the fees waived by the sub-advisor, if applicable. The fees paid to the Manager were equal to 0.35% of each Fund’s average daily net assets. In the tables below, the fees paid to the sub-advisor are expressed both as a dollar amount and percentage of a Fund’s average daily net assets.
Management Fees Paid to American Beacon Advisors, Inc. (Gross)
Fund
2019
2020
2021
American Beacon SiM High Yield Opportunities Fund
$4,048,131
$4,273,611
$4,419,760
American Beacon The London Company Income Equity Fund
$3,611,714
$3,974,736
$5,420,513
American Beacon Zebra Small Cap Equity Fund
$256,381
$272,979
$292,097
Sub-Advisor Fees (Gross)
Fund
2019
2020
2021
American Beacon SiM High Yield Opportunities Fund
$4,344,214
$4,539,090
$4,667,015
0.37%
0.37%
0.37%
American Beacon The London Company Income Equity Fund
$3,187,570
$3,487,876
$4,699,157
0.30%
0.31%
0.31%
American Beacon Zebra Small Cap Equity Fund
$397,084
$420,564
$451,950
0.55%
0.54%
0.55%
Management Fees (Waived)/Recouped
Fund
2019
2020
2021
American Beacon SiM High Yield Opportunities Fund
$0
$0
$0
American Beacon The London Company Income Equity Fund
$0
$(1)
$(71)
American Beacon Zebra Small Cap Equity Fund
$(113,597)
$(120,108)
$(144,621)
Management Fees (Waived)/Recouped for periods prior to 2020 reflect a revision to the order in which management fees waived and expenses reimbursed are deducted from the total fees waived and expense reimbursement amounts reported in the Funds’ annual report to shareholders. The revision was implemented in 2020.
Sub-Advisor Fees (Waived)
Fund
2019
2020
2021
American Beacon SiM High Yield Opportunities Fund
$0
$0
$(189,569)
American Beacon The London Company Income Equity Fund
$0
$0
$0
American Beacon Zebra Small Cap Equity Fund
$0
$0
$0
Distribution Fees
The Manager (or another entity approved by the Board) under a distribution plan adopted pursuant to Rule 12b-1 under the Investment Company Act, is paid up to 0.25% per annum of the average daily net assets of the A Class shares and up to 1.00% per annum of the average daily net assets of the C Class shares of the Funds for distribution and shareholder servicing related services, including expenses relating to selling efforts of various broker-dealers, shareholder servicing fees and the preparation and distribution of A Class and C Class shares advertising material and sales literature. The Manager will receive Rule 12b-1 fees from the A Class and C Class shares regardless of the amount of the Manager’s actual expenses related to distribution and shareholder servicing efforts on behalf of each Class. Thus, the Manager may realize a profit or a loss based upon its actual distribution and shareholder servicing related expenditures for the A Class and C Class shares. The Manager anticipates that the Rule 12b-1 plan will benefit shareholders by providing broader access to a Fund through broker-dealers and other financial intermediaries who require compensation for their expenses in order to offer shares of a Fund. The Board has not authorized Y Class, R5 Class, R6 Class, or Investor Class shares of a Fund to pay any fees pursuant to a distribution plan. Distribution fees pursuant to Rule 12b-1 under the Investment Company Act for the fiscal year ended August 31, 2021 were:
A Class
Fund
Distribution Fee
American Beacon SiM High Yield Opportunities Fund
$72,622
American Beacon The London Company Income Equity Fund
$289,482
American Beacon Zebra Small Cap Equity Fund
$3,592
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C Class
Fund
Distribution Fee
American Beacon SiM High Yield Opportunities Fund
$421,700
American Beacon The London Company Income Equity Fund
$894,359
American Beacon Zebra Small Cap Equity Fund
$17,464
Certain sub-advisors of the Funds or other series of the American Beacon Funds contribute to the Manager to support the Funds’ distribution activities.
Service Plan Fees
The A Class, C Class, and Investor Class have each adopted a Service Plan (collectively, the “Service Plans”). The Service Plans authorize the payment to the Manager (or another entity approved by the Board) of up to 0.375% per annum of the average daily net assets of the Investor Class shares, up to 0.25% per annum of the average daily net assets of the A Class shares and up to 0.25% per annum of the average daily net assets of the C Class shares. In addition, a Fund may reimburse the Manager for certain non-distribution shareholder services provided by financial intermediaries attributable to Y Class and R5 Class shares. R6 Class shares will not reimburse the Manager for non-distribution shareholder services provided by financial intermediaries. The Manager or other approved entities may spend such amounts on any activities or expenses primarily intended to result in or relate to the servicing of A Class, C Class, Y Class, R5 Class, and Investor Class shares including, but not limited to, payment of shareholder service fees and transfer agency or sub-transfer agency expenses. The fees, which are included as part of each Fund’s “Other Expenses” in the Table of Fees and Expenses in the Prospectus, will be payable monthly in arrears. The primary non-distribution shareholder fees paid to financial intermediaries, such as plan sponsors and broker-dealers, generally include shareholder servicing, record keeping and servicing fees. Service Plan fees paid by the A Class, C Class, and Investor Class shares of each Fund pursuant to the applicable Service Plan for the three most recent fiscal years ended August 31 are set forth below.
A Class
Fund
2019
2020
2021
American Beacon SiM High Yield Opportunities Fund
$29,091
$20,510
$25,686
American Beacon The London Company Income Equity Fund
$49,672
$44,519
$96,748
American Beacon Zebra Small Cap Equity Fund
$3,692
$1,052
$1,396
C Class
Fund
2019
2020
2021
American Beacon SiM High Yield Opportunities Fund
$51,906
$41,649
$30,103
American Beacon The London Company Income Equity Fund
$127,094
$103,906
$71,543
American Beacon Zebra Small Cap Equity Fund
$2,704
$2,032
$1,714
Investor Class
Fund
2019
2020
2021
American Beacon SiM High Yield Opportunities Fund
$292,672
$220,222
$161,699
American Beacon The London Company Income Equity Fund
$83,677
$95,325
$186,004
American Beacon Zebra Small Cap Equity Fund
$32,782
$53,368
$56,344
Securities Lending Fees
As compensation for services provided by the Manager in connection with securities lending activities conducted by a Fund, the lending Fund pays to the Manager, with respect to cash collateral posted by borrowers, a fee of 10% of the net monthly interest income (the gross interest income earned by the investment of cash collateral, less the amount paid to borrowers and related expenses) from such activities and, with respect to loan fees paid by borrowers when a borrower posts collateral other than cash, a fee up to 10% of such loan fees.
Securities lending income is generated from the demand premium (if any) paid by the borrower to borrow a specific security and from the return on investment of cash collateral, reduced by negotiated rebate fees paid to the borrower and transaction costs. To the extent that a loan is secured by non-cash collateral, securities lending income is generated as a demand premium reduced by transaction costs. As of the date of this SAI, the American Beacon SiM High Yield Opportunities Fund does not intend to engage in securities lending activities.
Fees received by the Manager from securities lending for the last three fiscal years ended August 31 were approximately as follows:
Fund
2019
2020
2021
American Beacon SiM High Yield Opportunities Fund
N/A
N/A
N/A
American Beacon The London Company Income Equity Fund
$0
$1,730
$1,262
American Beacon Zebra Small Cap Equity Fund
$195
$1,129
$736
State Street serves as securities lending agent for each Fund that engages in securities lending and, in that role, administers each Fund’s securities lending program pursuant to the terms of a securities lending authorization agreement entered into between each Fund and State Street (“Securities Lending Agreement”).
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As securities lending agent, State Street is responsible for the implementation and administration of each Fund’s securities lending program. State Street’s responsibilities include: (1) lending available securities to approved borrowers; (2) continually monitoring the creditworthiness of approved borrowers and potential borrowers; (3) determining whether a loan shall be made and negotiating the terms and conditions of the loan with the borrower, provided that such terms and conditions are consistent with the terms and conditions of the Securities Lending Agreement; (4) receiving and holding, on the Fund’s behalf, or transferring to a fund account, upon instruction by the Fund, collateral from borrowers to secure obligations of borrowers with respect to any loan of available securities; (5) marking loaned securities and collateral to their market value each business day; (6) obtaining additional collateral, as needed, to maintain the value of the collateral relative to the market value of the loaned securities at the levels required by the Securities Lending Agreement; (7) returning the collateral to the borrower, at the termination of the loan, upon the return of the loaned securities; (8) investing cash collateral in permitted investments, including the American Beacon U.S. Government Money Market Select Fund; and (9) establishing and maintaining records related to the Fund’s securities lending activities. Additionally, State Street has indemnified each Fund for borrower default as it relates to the securities lending program administered by State Street.
State Street is compensated for the above-described services from its securities lending revenue split, as provided in the Securities Lending Agreement. The table below shows the income each Fund earned and the fees and compensation it paid to service providers (including fees paid to State Street as securities lending agent and the Manager for administrative and oversight functions) in connection with its securities lending activities during its most recent fiscal year.
The American Beacon SiM High Yield Opportunities Fund did not earn any income and did not pay any fees or other compensation to service providers (including State Street as securities lending agent and the Manager for administrative and oversight functions) in connection with securities lending activities during its most recent fiscal year.
American Beacon SiM High Yield Opportunities Fund
American Beacon The London Company Income Equity Fund
American Beacon Zebra Small Cap Equity Fund
Gross income earned by the fund from securities lending activities
N/A
$ 16,016
$ 8,396
Fees and/or compensation paid by the fund for securities lending activities and related services
Fees paid to securities lending agent from a revenue split
N/A
$ 1,262
$ 736
Fees paid for any cash collateral management service (including fees deducted from a pooled cash collateral reinvestment vehicle) that are not included in the revenue split
N/A
$ 1,392
$ 527
Administrative fees not included in revenue split
N/A
-
-
Indemnification fee not included in revenue split
N/A
-
-
Rebate (paid to borrower)
N/A
-
-
Other fees not included in revenue split (administrative and oversight functions provided by the Manager)
N/A
$ 1,262
$ 736
Aggregate fees/compensation paid by the fund for securities lending activities
N/A
$ 3,916
$ 1,999
Net income from securities lending activities
N/A
$ 12,100
$ 6,397
The SEC has granted exemptive relief that permits each Fund to invest cash collateral received from securities lending transactions in shares of one or more private or registered investment companies managed by the Manager.
The Distributor
Resolute Investment Distributors, Inc. (“RID” or “Distributor”) is the Funds’ distributor and principal underwriter of the Funds’ shares.
RID, located at 220 East Las Colinas Blvd., Suite 1200, Irving, Texas 75039, is a registered broker-dealer and is a member of FINRA. The Distributor is affiliated with the Manager through common ownership. Under a Distribution Agreement with the Trust, the Distributor acts as the distributor and principal underwriter of the Trust in connection with the continuous offering of shares of the Funds. The Distributor continually distributes shares of the Funds on a best efforts basis. The Distributor has no obligation to sell any specific quantity of the Funds’ shares. Pursuant to the Distribution Agreement, to the extent applicable, the Distributor receives, and may re-allow to broker-dealers, all or a portion of the sales charge paid by the purchasers of A Class and C Class shares. For A Class and C Class shares, the Distributor receives commission revenue consisting of the portion of the A Class and C Class sales charge remaining after the allowances by the Distributor to the broker dealers. The Distributor retains any portion of the commission fees that are not paid to the broker-dealers for use solely to pay distribution related expenses.
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The aggregate sales charges paid to, or retained by, the Distributor from the sale of shares and the CDSC retained by the Distributor on the redemption of shares during the three most recent fiscal years ended August 31 are shown in the table below:
American Beacon Fund
Sales Charge Revenue
Deferred Sales Charge Revenue
Fiscal Year
Amount Paid to Distributor
Amount Retained by Distributor
Amount Paid to Distributor
Amount Retained by Distributor
American Beacon SiM High Yield Opportunities Fund
2021
$135,894
$21,103
$1,610
$0
2020
$24,381
$1,399
$6,503
$0
2019
$148,772
$17,938
$7,190
$0
American Beacon The London Company Income Equity Fund
2021
$218,758
$32,577
$5,658
$0
2020
$59,773
$6,617
$7,364
$0
2019
$284,643
$31,601
$6,413
$0
American Beacon Zebra Small Cap Equity Fund
2021
$586
$27
$73
$0
2020
$84
$0
$990
$0
2019
$23,656
$3,909
$160
$0
RID does not receive compensation on redemptions and repurchases, brokerage commissions, or other compensation. However, as shown in a separate chart, RID may receive distribution fees (i.e., Rule 12b-1 fees) from certain share classes of a Fund.
OTHER SERVICE PROVIDERS
State Street, located at One Lincoln Street, Boston, Massachusetts 02111, serves as custodian for the Funds. State Street also serves as the Funds’ Foreign Custody Manager pursuant to rules adopted under the Investment Company Act, whereby it selects and monitors eligible foreign sub-custodians. The Manager also has entered into a sub-administration agreement with State Street. Under the sub-administration agreement, State Street provides each Fund with certain financial reporting and tax services.
Pursuant to an administrative services agreement among the Manager, the Trust, American Beacon Institutional Funds Trust and Parametric Portfolio Associates LLC (“Parametric”), located at 800 Fifth Avenue, Suite 2800, Seattle, Washington 98104, Parametric provides certain administrative services related to the equitization of cash balances for certain Funds.
DST Asset Manager Solutions, Inc., located at 2000 Crown Colony Drive, Quincy, Massachusetts 02169, is the transfer agent and dividend paying agent for the Trust and provides these services to Fund shareholders.
The Funds’ independent registered public accounting firm is Ernst & Young LLP, which is located at 2323 Victory Avenue, Suite 2000, Dallas, Texas 75219.
K&L Gates LLP, 1601 K Street, NW, Washington, D.C. 20006, serves as legal counsel to the Funds.
PORTFOLIO MANAGERS
The portfolio managers to each Fund (the “Portfolio Managers”) have responsibility for the day-to-day management of accounts other than the respective Fund. Information regarding these other accounts has been provided by each sub-advisor and is set forth below. The number of accounts and assets is shown as of August 31, 2021.
Number of Other Accounts Managed and Assets by Account Type
Number of Accounts and Assets for Which Advisory Fee is Performance-Based
Name of Investment Advisor and Portfolio Manager
Registered Investment Companies
Other Pooled Investment Vehicles
Other Accounts
Registered Investment Companies
Other Pooled Investment Vehicles
Other Accounts
Strategic Income Management, LLC
Brian Placzek
None
1($125.13 mil)
3($205.24 mil)
None
None
None
Gary Pokrzywinski
None
1($125.13 mil)
3($205.24 mil)
None
None
None
Ryan Larson
None
1($125.13 mil)
3($205.24 mil)
None
None
None
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Number of Other Accounts Managed and Assets by Account Type
Number of Accounts and Assets for Which Advisory Fee is Performance-Based
Name of Investment Advisor and Portfolio Manager
Registered Investment Companies
Other Pooled Investment Vehicles
Other Accounts
Registered Investment Companies
Other Pooled Investment Vehicles
Other Accounts
The London Company of Virginia, LLC
Stephen M. Goddard
4($5.74 bil)
None
632($9.20 bil)
None
None
2($7.8 mil)
Jonathan T. Moody
4($5.74 bil)
None
632($9.20 bil)
None
None
None
J. Brian Campbell
4($5.74 bil)
None
632($9.20 bil)
None
None
None
Mark E. DeVaul
4($5.74 bil)
None
632($9.20 bil)
None
None
None
Sam Hutchings
4($5.74 bil)
None
632($9.20 bil)
None
None
None
Number of Other Accounts Managed and Assets by Account Type
Number of Accounts and Assets for Which Advisory Fee is Performance-Based
Name of Investment Advisor and Portfolio Manager
Registered Investment Companies
Other Pooled Investment Vehicles
Other Accounts
Registered Investment Companies
Other Pooled Investment Vehicles
Other Accounts
Zebra Capital Management, LLC
Roger Ibbotson
None
1($4.7 mil)
1($14.5 mil)
None
None
1($14.5 mil)
Mark Saldutti
None
1($4.7 mil)
1($14.5 mil)
None
None
1($14.5 mil)
Conflicts of Interest
As noted in the table above, the Portfolio Managers manage accounts other than the Funds. This side-by-side management may present potential conflicts between a Portfolio Manager’s management of the Funds’ investments, on the one hand, and the investments of the other accounts, on the other hand. Set forth below is a description by each sub-advisor of any foreseeable material conflicts of interest that may arise from the concurrent management of a Fund and other accounts. The information regarding potential conflicts of interest of a sub-advisor was provided by the sub-advisors as of August 31, 2021.
Strategic Income Management, LLC. (“SiM”) SiM’s portfolio managers are responsible for managing the Fund and other accounts, including separate accounts and other mutual funds. SiM assigns accounts with similar investment strategies to the same Portfolio Manager to mitigate the potentially conflicting investment strategies of accounts.
The side-by-side management of both the Fund and other accounts may raise potential conflicts of interest due to certain trading practices used by SiM’s Portfolio Managers (e.g., cross trades between a Fund and another account and allocation of aggregated trades). SiM has developed policies and procedures reasonably designed to mitigate those conflicts, including policies limiting the ability of Portfolio Managers to cross securities between a Fund and a separate account and policies designed to ensure the fair allocation of securities purchased on an aggregated basis.
The London Company of Virginia, LLC. (“The London Company”) Actual or potential conflicts of interest may arise when the portfolio manager has management responsibilities for more than one client account including and not limited to the execution and allocation of investment opportunities, use of soft dollars and other brokerage practices, and personal securities trading. TLC has adopted policies and procedures it believes are reasonably designed to address such conflicts.
Zebra Capital Management, LLC. (“Zebra”) Certain of Zebra’s portfolio managers have business commitments in addition to those of Zebra. However, they regard Zebra’s business a priority business activity. Zebra believes that the potential for a conflict of interest is mitigated by Zebra’s team approach to the investment process and the fact that at least one of the Firm’s principals devotes all of his time to the Zebra business.
Zebra’s portfolio managers or investment analysts who serve the Fund also perform services for other accounts, including private investment funds and separate accounts, and allocate their time and resources across all products. Zebra had adopted policies and procedures it believes are reasonably designed to address conflicts of interest which may arise as a result thereof, including policies and procedures relating to the allocation of securities purchased on an aggregated basis.
Zebra exercises independent oversight of the investment process via compliance and risk monitoring to prevent taking undue risk.
Compensation
The following is a description provided by each investment sub-advisor regarding the structure of and criteria for determining the compensation of each Portfolio Manager as of August 31, 2021.
SiM SiM does not use formulas to determine portfolio manager compensation. SiM believes in the team approach to portfolio management and thus believes in the team approach to compensation. The compensation of portfolio managers is not directly tied to fund performance or growth in assets for any fund or other account managed by a portfolio manager and portfolio managers are not compensated for bringing in new business. Of course, growth in assets from the appreciation of existing assets and/or growth in new assets will increase revenues and profit. The consistent, long-term growth in assets at any investment firm is to a great extent, dependent upon the success of the portfolio management team. All of the Portfolio Managers are owners the Firm and as such, are compensated with market rate salaries and ownership profits. Junior investment team members are compensated with a salary and performance bonus based on 1, 3 and 5-year relative ranking of the Fund’s performance in the Morningstar High Yield Mutual Fund Peer group.
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The London Company Portfolio managers are compensated through salary and bonus. In addition to base salaries, portfolio managers are eligible to receive bonus compensation based on their individual contribution to the research effort as well as client retention, sales and overall firm performance. They also have a potential for ownership after a reasonable tenure with the firm. There are no specific incentive arrangements for performance attached to this fund. A substantial portion of the portfolio manager’s compensation is not tied to performance of the accounts he or she manages.
Zebra Zebra’s portfolio managers receive a fixed salary and bonus.
Ownership of the Funds
A Portfolio Manager’s beneficial ownership of a Fund is defined as the Portfolio Manager having the opportunity to share in any profit from transactions in the Fund, either directly or indirectly, as the result of any contract, understanding, arrangement, relationship or otherwise. Therefore, ownership of Fund shares by members of the Portfolio Manager’s immediate family or by a trust of which the Portfolio Manager is a trustee could be considered ownership by the Portfolio Manager. The tables below set forth each Portfolio Manager’s beneficial ownership of a Fund under that Portfolio Manager’s management as of August 31, 2021 as provided by the Funds’ sub-advisors.
Name of Investment Advisor and Portfolio Manager
American Beacon SiM High Yield Opportunities Fund
Strategic Income Management, LLC
Brian Placzek
None
Gary Pokrzywinski
Over $1,000,000
Ryan Larson
None
Name of Investment Advisor and Portfolio Manager
American Beacon The London Company Income Equity Fund
The London Company of Virginia, LLC
Stephen M Goddard
Over $1,000,000
Jonathan T. Moody
None
J. Brian Campbell
None
Mark E. DeVaul
None
Sam Hutchings
None
Name of Investment Advisor and Portfolio Manager
American Beacon Zebra Small Cap Equity Fund
Zebra Capital Management, LLC
Roger Ibbotson
None
Mark Saldutti
None
PORTFOLIO SECURITIES TRANSACTIONS
In selecting brokers or dealers to execute particular transactions, the Manager and the sub-advisors are authorized to consider “brokerage and research services” (as those terms are defined in Section 28(e) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended), provision of statistical quotations (including the quotations necessary to determine a Fund’s NAV), and other information provided to the applicable Fund, to the Manager and/or to the sub-advisors (or their affiliates), provided, however, that the Manager or a sub-advisor must always seek best execution. Research and brokerage services may include information on portfolio companies, economic analyses, and other investment research services. The Trust does not allow the Manager or sub-advisors to enter arrangements to direct transactions to broker-dealers as compensation for the promotion or sale of Trust shares by those broker-dealers. The Manager and the sub-advisors are also authorized to cause a Fund to pay a commission (as defined in SEC interpretations) to a broker or dealer who provides such brokerage and research services for executing a portfolio transaction which is in excess of the amount of the commission another broker or dealer would have charged for effecting that transaction. The Manager or the sub-advisors, as appropriate, must determine in good faith, however, that such commission was reasonable in relation to the value of the brokerage and research services provided, viewed in terms of that particular transaction or in terms of all the accounts over which the Manager or a sub-advisor exercises investment discretion. The fees of the sub-advisors are not reduced by reason of receipt of such brokerage and research services. However, with disclosure to and pursuant to written guidelines approved by the Board, as applicable, the Manager, or the sub-advisors (or a broker-dealer affiliated with them) may execute portfolio transactions and receive usual and customary brokerage commissions (within the meaning of Rule 17e-1 under the Investment Company Act) for doing so. Brokerage and research services obtained with Fund commissions might be used by the Manager and/or the sub-advisors, as applicable, to benefit their other accounts under management.
The Manager and each sub-advisor will place its own orders to execute securities transactions that are designed to implement the applicable Fund’s investment objective and policies. In placing such orders, each sub-advisor will seek best execution. The full range and quality of services offered by the executing broker or dealer will be considered when making these determinations. Pursuant to written guidelines approved by the Board, as appropriate, a sub-advisor of a Fund, or its affiliated broker-dealer, may execute portfolio transactions and receive usual and customary brokerage commissions (within the meaning of Rule 17e-1 of the Investment Company Act) for doing so. A Fund’s turnover rate, or the frequency of portfolio transactions, will vary from year to year depending on market conditions and a Fund’s cash flows. High portfolio turnover increases a Fund’s transaction costs, including brokerage commissions, and may result in a greater amount of recognized capital gains.
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The Investment Advisory Agreements provide, in substance, that in executing portfolio transactions and selecting brokers or dealers, the principal objective of each sub-advisor is to seek best execution. In assessing available execution venues, each sub-advisor shall consider all factors it deems relevant, including the breadth of the market in the security, the price of the security, the value of any eligible research, the financial condition and execution capability of the broker or dealer and the reasonableness of the commission, if any, for the specific transaction and on a continuing basis. Transactions with respect to the securities of small and emerging growth companies in which a Fund may invest may involve specialized services on the part of the broker or dealer and thereby may entail higher commissions or spreads than would be the case with transactions involving more widely traded securities.
Each Fund may establish brokerage commission recapture arrangements with certain brokers or dealers. If a sub-advisor chooses to execute a transaction through a participating broker, the broker rebates a portion of the commission back to a Fund. Any collateral benefit received through participation in the commission recapture program is directed exclusively to the Fund. Neither the Manager nor any of the sub-advisors receive any benefits from the commission recapture program. A sub-advisor’s participation in the brokerage commission recapture program is optional. Each sub-advisor retains full discretion in selecting brokerage firms for securities transactions and is instructed to use the commission recapture program for a transaction only if it is consistent with the sub-advisor’s obligation to seek the best execution available.
Commission Recapture
For the fiscal year ended August 31, 2021, each Fund received $0 as a result of participation in the commission recapture program.
Affiliated Broker Commissions
For the three most recent fiscal years ended August 31, no brokerage commissions were paid to affiliated brokers by any of the Funds.
Brokerage Commissions
For the three most recent fiscal years ended August 31, the following brokerage commissions were paid by the Funds. Fluctuations in brokerage commissions from year to year were primarily due to increases or decreases in Fund assets resulting in increased trading. Shareholders of these Funds bear only their pro-rata portion of such expenses.
American Beacon Fund
2019
2020
2021
American Beacon SiM High Yield Opportunities Fund
$38,019
$15,815
$21,301
American Beacon The London Company Income Equity Fund
$165,922
$229,724
$114,050
American Beacon Zebra Small Cap Equity Fund
$116,955
$239,712
$211,759
Soft Dollars
The table below reflects the amount of transactions each Fund directed to brokers in part because of research services provided and the amount paid in commissions on such transactions for the fiscal year ended August 31, 2021.
American Beacon Fund
Amounts Directed
Amounts Paid in Commissions
American Beacon SiM High Yield Opportunities Fund
$0
$0
American Beacon The London Company Income Equity Fund
$149,343,105
$34,071
American Beacon Zebra Small Cap Equity Fund
$0
$0
Securities Issued by Top 10 Brokers
For the fiscal year ended August 31, 2021, the Funds did not hold securities issued by a broker-dealer (or by its parent) that was one of the top ten brokers or dealers through which a Fund executed transactions or sold shares.
ADDITIONAL PURCHASE AND SALE INFORMATION FOR A CLASS SHARES
Sales Charge Reductions and Waivers
As described in the Prospectus, there are various ways to reduce your sales charge when purchasing A Class shares. Additional information about A Class sales charge reductions is provided below.
LOI. The LOI may be revised upward at any time during the 13-month period of the LOI (“LOI Period”), and such a revision will be treated as a new LOI, except that the LOI Period during which the purchases must be made will remain unchanged. Purchases made from the date of revision will receive the reduced sales charge, if any, resulting from the revised LOI. The LOI will be considered completed if the shareholder dies within the 13-month LOI Period. Commissions to dealers will not be adjusted or paid on the difference between the LOI amount and the amount invested before the shareholder’s death.
All dividends and other distributions on shares held in escrow will be credited to the shareholder’s account in shares (or paid in cash, if requested). If the intended investment is not completed within the specified LOI Period, the purchaser may be required to remit to the transfer agent the difference between the sales charge actually paid and the sales charge which would have been paid if the total of such purchases had been made at a single time. Any dealers assigned to the shareholder’s account at the time a purchase was made during the LOI Period will receive a corresponding commission adjustment if appropriate. If the difference is not paid by the close of the LOI Period, the appropriate number of shares held in escrow will be redeemed to pay such difference. If the proceeds from this redemption are inadequate, the purchaser may be liable to the Funds for the balance still outstanding.
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Rights of Accumulation. Subject to the limitations described in the aggregation policy, you may take into account your accumulated holdings in any class of the American Beacon Funds to determine your sales charge for A Class shares on investments in accounts eligible to be aggregated. If you make a gift of A Class shares, upon your request, you may purchase the shares at the sales charge discount allowed under rights of accumulation of all of your investments in any class of the American Beacon Funds.
Aggregation. Qualifying investments for aggregation include those made by you and your “immediate family” as defined in the Prospectus, if all parties are purchasing shares for their own accounts and/or:

 

individual-type employee benefit plans, such as an IRA, individual 403(b) plan or single-participant Keogh-type plan;

 

business accounts solely controlled by you or your immediate family (for example, you own the entire business);

 

trust accounts established by you or your immediate family (for trusts with only one primary beneficiary, upon the trustor’s death the trust account may be aggregated with such beneficiary’s own accounts; for trusts with multiple primary beneficiaries, upon the trustor’s death the trustees of the trust may instruct a Fund’s transfer agent to establish separate trust accounts for each primary beneficiary; each primary beneficiary’s separate trust account may then be aggregated with such beneficiary’s own accounts);

 

endowments or foundations established and controlled by you or your immediate family; or

 

529 accounts, which will be aggregated at the account owner level (Class 529-E accounts may only be aggregated with an eligible employer plan).
 
Individual purchases by a trustee(s) or other fiduciary(ies) may also be aggregated if the investments are:

 

for a single trust estate or fiduciary account, including employee benefit plans other than the individual-type employee benefit plans described above;

 

made for two or more employee benefit plans of a single employer or of affiliated employers as defined in the Investment Company Act, excluding the individual-type employee benefit plans described above;

 

for nonprofit, charitable or educational organizations, or any endowments or foundations established and controlled by such organizations, or any employer-sponsored retirement plans established for the benefit of the employees of such organizations, their endowments, or their foundations; or

 

for individually established participant accounts of a 403(b) plan that is treated similarly to an employer-sponsored plan for sales charge purposes (see “Purchases by certain 403(b) plans” under “Sales Charges” above), or made for two or more such 403(b) plans that are treated similarly to employer-sponsored plans for sales charge purposes, in each case of a single employer or affiliated employers as defined in the Investment Company Act. Purchases made for nominee or street name accounts (securities held in the name of a broker-dealer or another nominee such as a bank trust department instead of the customer) may not be aggregated with those made for other accounts and may not be aggregated with other nominee or street name accounts unless otherwise qualified as described above.
 
Concurrent Purchases. As described in the Prospectus, you may reduce your A Class sales charge by combining simultaneous purchases in any of the American Beacon Funds.
Other Purchases. Pursuant to a determination of eligibility by the Manager, A Class shares of a Fund may be sold at NAV per share (without the imposition of a front-end sales charge) to:

 

1 current or retired trustees, and officers of the American Beacon Funds family, current or retired employees and directors of the Manager and its affiliated companies, certain family members and employees of the above persons, and trusts or plans primarily for such persons;

 

2 currently registered representatives and assistants directly employed by such representatives, retired registered representatives with respect to accounts established while active, or full-time employees (collectively, “Eligible Persons”) (and their spouses, and children, including children in step and adoptive relationships, sons-in-law and daughters-in-law, if the Eligible Persons or the spouses or children of the Eligible Persons are listed in the account registration with the spouse or parent) of broker-dealers who have sales agreements with the Distributor (or who clear transactions through such dealers), plans for the dealers, and plans that include as participants only the Eligible Persons, their spouses and/or children;

 

3 companies exchanging securities with the Funds through a merger, acquisition or exchange offer;

 

4 insurance company separate accounts;

 

5 accounts managed by the Manager, a sub-advisor to the Funds and their affiliated companies;

 

6 the Manager or a sub-advisor to the Funds and their affiliated companies;

 

7 an individual or entity with a substantial business relationship with, which may include the officers and employees of the Funds’ custodian or transfer agent, the Manager or a sub-advisor to the Funds and their affiliated companies, or an individual or entity related or relating to such individual or entity;

 

8 full-time employees of banks that have sales agreements with the Distributor, who are solely dedicated to directly supporting the sale of mutual funds;

 

9 directors, officers and employees of financial institutions that have a selling group agreement with the Distributor;

 

10 banks, broker-dealers and other financial institutions (including registered investment advisors and financial planners) that have entered into an agreement with the Distributor or one of its affiliates, purchasing shares on behalf of clients participating in a Fund supermarket or in a wrap program, asset allocation program or other program in which the clients pay an asset-based fee;

 

11 clients of authorized dealers purchasing shares in fixed or flat fee brokerage accounts;

 

12 Employer-sponsored defined contribution - type plans, including 401(k) plans, 457 plans, employer sponsored 403(b) plans, profit-sharing and money purchase pension plans, defined benefit plans and non-qualified deferred compensation plans, and IRA rollovers involving retirement plan assets invested in a Fund in the American Beacon Funds fund family; and

 

13 Employee benefit and retirement plans for the Manager and its affiliates.
 
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Shares are offered at NAV per share to these persons and organizations due to anticipated economies in sales effort and expense. Once an account is established under this NAV per share privilege, additional investments can be made at NAV per share for the life of the account.
It is possible that a broker-dealer may not be able to offer one or more of these waiver categories. If this situation occurs, it is possible that the investor would need to invest through another broker-dealer in order to take advantage of these waiver categories. The Funds may terminate or amend the terms of these sales charge waivers at any time.
Moving Between Accounts. Investments in certain account types may be moved to other account types without incurring additional A Class sales charges. These transactions include, for example:

 

redemption proceeds from a non-retirement account (for example, a joint tenant account) used to purchase Fund shares in an IRA or other individual-type retirement account;

 

“required minimum distributions” (as described in Section 401(a)(9) of the Internal Revenue Code) from an IRA or other individual-type retirement account used to purchase Fund shares in a non-retirement account; and

 

death distributions paid to a beneficiary’s account that are used by the beneficiary to purchase Fund shares in a different account.
 
It is possible that a broker-dealer may not be able to offer the ability to move between accounts. If this situation occurs, it is possible that the investor would need to invest through another broker-dealer in order to take advantage of this privilege. Please contact your financial intermediary for additional information.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION REGARDING CONTINGENT DEFERRED SALES CHARGES
As discussed in the Prospectus, the redemption of C Class shares may be subject to a CDSC if you redeem your shares within 12 months of purchase. If you purchased $1,000,000 or more of A Class shares of a Fund (and therefore paid no initial sales charges) and subsequently redeem your shares within 18 months of your purchase, you may be charged a CDSC upon redemption. In determining whether the CDSC is payable, it is assumed that shares not subject to the CDSC are the first redeemed followed by other shares held for the longest period of time. The CDSC will not be imposed upon shares representing reinvested dividends or other distributions, or upon amounts representing share appreciation. As described in the Prospectus, there are various circumstances under which the CDSC will be waived. Additional information about CDSC waivers is provided below.
The CDSC is waived under the following circumstances:

 

Any partial or complete redemption following death or “disability” (as defined in the Internal Revenue Code) of a shareholder (including one who owns the shares with his or her spouse as a joint tenant with rights of survivorship) from an account in which the deceased or disabled is named. The Manager or a Fund’s transfer agent may require documentation prior to waiver of the charge, including death certificates, physicians’ certificates, etc.

 

Redemptions from a systematic withdrawal plan. If the systematic withdrawal plan is based on a fixed dollar amount or number of shares, systematic withdrawal redemptions are limited to no more than 10% of your account value or number of shares per year, as of the date the Manager or a Fund’s transfer agent receives your request. If the systematic withdrawal plan is based on a fixed percentage of your account value, each redemption is limited to an amount that would not exceed 10% of your annual account value at the time of withdrawal.

 

Redemptions from retirement plans qualified under Section 401 of the Internal Revenue Code. The CDSC will be waived for benefit payments made by American Beacon Funds directly to plan participants. Benefit payments include, but are not limited to, payments resulting from death, “disability,” “retirement,” “separation from service” (each as defined in the Internal Revenue Code), “required minimum distributions” (as described in Section 401(a)(9) of the Internal Revenue Code), in-service distributions, hardships, loans and qualified domestic relations orders. The CDSC waiver will not apply in the event of termination of the plan or transfer of the plan to another financial institution.

 

Redemptions that are required minimum distributions from a traditional IRA as required by the Internal Revenue Service.

 

Involuntary redemptions as a result of your account not meeting the minimum balance requirements, the termination and liquidation of the Fund, or other actions by the Fund.

 

Distributions from accounts for which the broker-dealer of record has entered into a written agreement with the Distributor (or Manager) allowing this waiver.

 

To return excess contributions made to a retirement plan.

 

To return contributions made due to a mistake of fact.
 
The following example illustrates the operation of the CDSC. Assume that you open an account and purchase 1,000 shares at $10 per share and that six months later the NAV per share is $12 and, during such time, you have acquired 50 additional shares through reinvestment of distributions. If at such time you should redeem 450 shares (proceeds of $5,400), 50 shares will not be subject to the charge because of dividend reinvestment. With respect to the remaining 400 shares, the charge is applied only to the original cost of $10 per share and not to the increase in NAV of $2 per share. Therefore, $4,000 of the $5,400 redemption proceeds will pay the charge. At the rate of 1.00%, the CDSC would be $40 for redemptions of C Class shares. In determining whether an amount is available for redemption without incurring a deferred sales charge, the purchase payments made for all shares in your account are aggregated.
REDEMPTIONS IN KIND
Although each Fund intends to redeem shares in cash, each Fund reserves the right to pay the redemption price in whole or in part by a distribution of securities or other assets. However, shareholders always will be entitled to redeem shares for cash up to the lesser of $250,000 or 1% of the applicable Fund’s net asset value during any 90-day period. Redemption in kind is not as liquid as a cash redemption. In addition, to the extent a Fund redeems its shares in this manner, the shareholder assumes the risk of a subsequent change in the market value of those securities, the cost of liquidating the securities and the possibility of a lack of a liquid market for those securities.
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TAX INFORMATION
The tax information in the Prospectus and in this section relates solely to the federal income tax law and assumes that each Fund will continue to qualify each taxable year as a “regulated investment company” (“RIC”) under the Internal Revenue Code (as discussed below). The tax information in this section is only a summary of certain key federal tax considerations affecting the Funds and their shareholders and is in addition to the tax information provided in the Prospectus. No attempt has been made to present a complete explanation of the federal income tax treatment of the Funds or the tax implications to its shareholders. The discussions here and in the Prospectus are not intended as substitutes for careful tax planning. The tax information is based on the Internal Revenue Code and applicable regulations in effect, and administrative pronouncements and judicial decisions publicly available, on the date of this SAI. Future legislative, regulatory or administrative changes or court decisions may significantly change the tax rules applicable to the Funds and their shareholders. Any of these changes or court decisions may have a retroactive effect.
Taxation of the Funds
Each Fund intends to continue to qualify each taxable year for treatment as a RIC under Subchapter M of Chapter 1 of Subtitle A of the Internal Revenue Code. To so qualify, each Fund (which is treated as a separate corporation for these purposes) must, among other requirements:

 

Derive at least 90% of its gross income each taxable year from (1) dividends, interest, payments with respect to securities loans and gains from the sale or other disposition of securities or foreign currencies (together with Qualifying Other Income (as defined below), “Qualifying Income”), or other income, including gains from options, futures or forward contracts, derived with respect to its business of investing in securities or those currencies (“Qualifying Other Income”) and (2) net income derived from an interest in a “qualified publicly traded partnership” (“QPTP”) (“Gross Income Requirement”). A QPTP is a “publicly traded partnership” (that is, a partnership the interests in which are “traded on an established securities market” or “readily tradable on a secondary market (or the substantial equivalent thereof)” (a “PTP”)) that meets certain qualifying income requirements other than a partnership at least 90% of the gross income of which is Qualifying Income;

 

Diversify its investments so that, at the close of each quarter of its taxable year, (1) at least 50% of the value of its total assets is represented by cash and cash items, Government securities, securities of other RICs, and other securities, with those other securities limited, in respect of any one issuer, to an amount that does not exceed 5% of the value of the Fund’s total assets and that does not represent more than 10% of the issuer’s outstanding voting securities (equity securities of QPTPs being considered voting securities for these purposes), and (2) not more than 25% of the value of its total assets is invested in (a) the securities (other than Government securities or securities of other RICs) of any one issuer, (b) the securities (other than securities of other RICs) of two or more issuers the Fund controls (by owning 20% or more of their voting power) that are determined to be engaged in the same, similar or related trades or businesses, or (c) the securities of one or more QPTPs (“Diversification Requirements”); and

 

Distribute annually to its shareholders at least the sum of 90% of its investment company taxable income (generally, net investment income, the excess (if any) of net short-term capital gain over net long-term capital loss, and net gains and losses (if any) from certain foreign currency transactions, all determined without regard to any deduction for dividends paid) and 90% of its net exempt interest income (“Distribution Requirement”).
 
By qualifying for treatment as a RIC, a Fund (but not its shareholders) will be relieved of federal income tax on the part of its investment company taxable income and net capital gain (i.e., the excess of net long-term capital gain over net short-term capital loss) that it distributes to its shareholders. If for any taxable year a Fund does not qualify for that treatment - either (1) by failing to satisfy the Distribution Requirement, even if it satisfies the Gross Income and Diversification Requirements (“Other Requirements”), or (2) by failing to satisfy any of the Other Requirements and is unable to, or determines not to, avail itself of Internal Revenue Code provisions that enable a RIC to cure a failure to satisfy any of the Other Requirements as long as the failure “is due to reasonable cause and not due to willful neglect” and the RIC pays a deductible tax calculated in accordance with those provisions and meets certain other requirements - then for federal tax purposes, all of its taxable income (including its net capital gain) would be subject to tax at the regular corporate rate without any deduction for dividends paid to its shareholders, and the dividends it pays would be taxable to its shareholders as ordinary income (or possibly, (a) for individual and certain other non-corporate shareholders (each, an “individual”), as “qualified dividend income” (as described in the Prospectus) (“QDI”), and/or (b) in the case of corporate shareholders that meet certain holding period and other requirements regarding their Fund shares, as eligible for the dividends-received deduction (“DRD”)) to the extent of the Fund’s current and accumulated earnings and profits. Failure to qualify for RIC treatment would therefore have a negative impact on a Fund’s income and performance. Furthermore, a Fund could be required to recognize unrealized gains, pay substantial taxes and interest, and make substantial distributions before requalifying for RIC treatment. It is possible that a Fund will not qualify as a RIC in any given taxable year.
Each Fund will be subject to a nondeductible 4% federal excise tax (“Excise Tax”) to the extent it fails to distribute by the end of any calendar year substantially all of its ordinary income for that year and substantially all of its “capital gain net income” for the one-year period ending on October 31 of that year, plus certain other amounts. Each Fund intends to make sufficient distributions by the end of each calendar year to avoid liability for the Excise Tax.
Taxation of Certain Investments and Strategies
Hedging strategies, such as entering into forward contracts and selling (writing) and purchasing options and futures contracts, involve complex rules that will determine for federal income tax purposes the amount, character and timing of recognition of gains and losses a Fund may realize in connection therewith. In general, a Fund’s (1) gains from the disposition of foreign currencies and (2) gains from such contracts will be treated as Qualifying Income under the Gross Income Requirement.
Dividends and interest a Fund receives, and gains it realizes, on foreign securities may be subject to income, withholding or other taxes imposed by foreign countries and U.S. possessions (collectively, “foreign taxes”) that would reduce the yield and/or total return on its securities. Tax treaties between certain countries and the United States may reduce or eliminate foreign taxes, however, and many foreign countries do not impose taxes on capital gains realized on investments by foreign investors. It is impossible to determine the effective rate of any Fund’s foreign tax in advance, since the amount of its assets to be invested in various countries is not known.
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Each Fund may invest in the stock of “passive foreign investment companies” (“PFICs”). A PFIC is any foreign corporation (with certain exceptions) that, in general, meets either of the following tests for a taxable year: (1) at least 75% of its gross income is passive; or (2) an average of at least 50% of the value (or adjusted tax basis, if elected) of its assets produce, or are held for the production of, passive income. Under certain circumstances, a Fund will be subject to federal income tax on a portion of any “excess distribution” it receives on the PFIC stock and of any gain on its disposition of that stock (collectively, “PFIC income”), plus interest thereon, even if the Fund distributes the PFIC income as a dividend to its shareholders. The balance of the PFIC income will be included in a Fund’s investment company taxable income and, accordingly, will not be taxable to it to the extent it distributes that income to its shareholders. Fund distributions thereof will not be eligible to be treated as QDI or for the DRD.
If a Fund invests in a PFIC and elects to treat the PFIC as a “qualified electing fund” (“QEF”), then in lieu of incurring the foregoing tax and interest obligation, the Fund would be required to include in income each taxable year its pro rata share of the QEF’s annual ordinary earnings and net capital gain — which the Fund likely would have to distribute to satisfy the Distribution Requirement and avoid imposition of the Excise Tax — even if the QEF did not distribute those earnings and gain to the Fund. In most instances, however, it will be very difficult, if not impossible, to make this election because of certain requirements thereof.
Alternatively, each Fund may elect to “mark to market” any stock in a PFIC it owns at the end of its taxable year, in which event it likely would be required to distribute to its shareholders any resulting gains to satisfy the Distribution Requirement and avoid imposition of the Excise Tax. “Marking-to-market,” in this context, means including in gross income each taxable year (and treating as ordinary income) the excess, if any, of the fair market value of the stock over a Fund’s adjusted basis therein (including any net mark-to-market gain or loss for each prior taxable year for which an election was in effect) as of the end of that year. Pursuant to the election, a Fund also would be allowed to deduct (as an ordinary, not a capital, loss) the excess, if any, of its adjusted basis in PFIC stock over the fair market value thereof as of the taxable year-end, but only to the extent of any net mark-to-market gains with respect to that stock the Fund included in income for prior taxable years under the election. A Fund’s adjusted basis in each PFIC’s stock subject to the election would be adjusted to reflect the amounts of income included and deductions taken thereunder.
Investors should be aware that determining whether a foreign corporation is a PFIC is a fact-intensive determination that is based on various facts and circumstances and thus is subject to change, and the principles and methodology used therein are subject to interpretation. As a result, a Fund may not be able, at the time it acquires a foreign corporation’s stock, to ascertain whether the corporation is a PFIC and a foreign corporation may become a PFIC after the Fund acquires stock therein. While each Fund generally will seek to minimize its investment in PFIC stock, and to make appropriate elections when they are available, to lessen the adverse tax consequences detailed above, there are no guarantees that it will be able to do so, and each Fund reserves the right to make those investments as a matter of its investment policy.
A Fund may invest in one or more LLCs and limited partnerships (“LPs”) that will be classified for federal tax purposes as partnerships (and, except as expressly stated below, this discussion assumes that classification). LLCs and LPs in which a Fund may invest may include a “publicly traded partnership” (that is, a partnership the interests in which are “traded on an established securities market” or “readily tradable on a secondary market (or the substantial equivalent thereof)”) (a “PTP”), which may be a QPTP, which satisfies certain qualifying income requirements as describe above, or a non-QPTP, which does not satisfy those income requirements.
If an LLC or LP in which a Fund invests is a QPTP, all its net income (regardless of source) will be Qualifying Income for the Fund under the Gross Income Requirement. A Fund’s investment in QPTPs, together with certain other investments, however, may not exceed 25% of the value of its total assets at the end of each quarter of its taxable year in order to satisfy one of the Diversification Requirements.
With respect to non-QPTPs, (1) if an LLC or LP (including a PTP) is treated for federal tax purposes as a corporation, distributions from it to a Fund might be treated as QDI and eligible for the DRD and disposition of the Fund’s interest therein would generate gain or loss from the disposition of a security, or (2) if such an LLC or LP is not treated for those purposes as a corporation, the Fund would be treated as having earned its proportionate share of each item of income the LLC or LP earned. In the latter case, the Fund would be able to treat its share of the entity’s income as Qualifying Income under the Gross Income Requirement only to the extent that income would be such if realized directly by the Fund in the same manner as realized by the LLC or LP. Certain LLCs and LPs (e.g., private funds) in which a Fund may invest may generate income and gains that are not such Qualifying Income. Each Fund will monitor its investments in LLCs and LPs to assure its compliance with the requirements for continued qualification as a RIC.
Some futures contracts, foreign currency contracts, and “non-equity” options (i.e., certain listed options, such as those on a “broad-based” securities index) - except any “securities futures contract” that is not a “dealer securities futures contract” (both as defined in the Internal Revenue Code) and any interest rate swap, currency swap, basis swap, interest rate cap, interest rate floor, commodity swap, equity swap, equity index swap, credit default swap, or similar agreement - in which a Fund invests may be subject to Internal Revenue Code section 1256 (collectively, “Section 1256 contracts”). Any Section 1256 contract a Fund holds at the end of its taxable year must be “marked-to-market” (that is, treated as having been sold at that time for its fair market value) for federal income tax purposes, with the result that unrealized gains or losses will be treated as though they were realized. Sixty percent of any net gain or loss realized on these deemed sales, and 60% of any net realized gain or loss from any actual sales of Section 1256 contracts, will be treated as long-term capital gain or loss, and the balance will be treated as short-term capital gain or loss. Section 1256 contracts also may be marked-to-market for purposes of the Excise Tax. These rules may operate to increase the amount that a Fund must distribute to satisfy the Distribution Requirement (i.e., with respect to the portion treated as short-term capital gain), which will be taxable to its shareholders as ordinary income when distributed to them, and to increase the net capital gain a Fund recognizes, without in either case increasing the cash available to it.
Under Internal Revenue Code section 988, a gain or loss (1) from the disposition of foreign currencies, (2) except in certain circumstances, from options, futures, and forward contracts on foreign currencies (and on financial instruments involving foreign currencies) and from notional principal contracts (e.g., swaps, caps, floors, and collars) involving payments denominated in foreign currencies, (3) on the disposition of each foreign-currency-denominated debt security that is attributable to fluctuations in the value of the foreign currency between the dates of acquisition and disposition of the security, and (4) that is attributable to exchange rate fluctuations between the time a Fund accrues interest, dividends, or other receivables or expenses or other liabilities denominated in a foreign currency and the time it actually collects the receivables or pays the liabilities generally will be treated as ordinary income or loss. These gains or losses will increase or decrease the amount of a Fund’s investment company taxable
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income to be distributed to its shareholders as ordinary income, rather than affecting the amount of its net capital gain. If a Fund’s section 988 losses exceed its other investment company taxable income for a taxable year, the Fund would not be able to distribute any dividends, and any distributions made during that year (including those made before the losses were realized) would be characterized as a non-taxable “return of capital” to shareholders, rather than as a dividend, thereby reducing each shareholder’s basis in his or her Fund shares and treating any part of such distribution exceeding that basis as gain from the disposition of those shares.
Offsetting positions a Fund enters into or holds in any actively traded option, futures or forward contract may constitute a “straddle” for federal income tax purposes. Straddles are subject to certain rules that may affect the amount, character and timing of recognition of a Fund’s gains and losses with respect to positions of the straddle by requiring, among other things, that (1) losses realized on disposition of one position of a straddle be deferred to the extent of any unrealized gain in an offsetting position until the latter position is disposed of, (2) a Fund’s holding period in certain straddle positions not begin until the straddle is terminated (possibly resulting in gain being treated as short-term rather than long-term capital gain), and (3) losses recognized with respect to certain straddle positions, that otherwise would constitute short-term capital losses, be treated as long-term capital losses. Applicable regulations also provide certain “wash sale” rules, which apply to transactions where a position is sold at a loss and a new offsetting position is acquired within a prescribed period, and “short sale” rules applicable to straddles. Different elections are available, which may mitigate the effects of the straddle rules, particularly with respect to a “mixed straddle” (i.e., a straddle at least one, but not all, positions of which are Section 1256 contracts).
When a covered call option written (sold) by a Fund expires, it will realize a short-term capital gain equal to the amount of the premium it received for writing the option. When a Fund terminates its obligations under such an option by entering into a closing transaction, it will realize a short-term capital gain (or loss), depending on whether the cost of the closing transaction is less (or more) than the premium it received when it wrote the option. When a covered call option written by a Fund is exercised, it will be treated as having sold the underlying security, producing long-term or short-term capital gain or loss, depending on the holding period of the underlying security and whether the sum of the option price received on the exercise plus the premium received when it wrote the option is more or less than the underlying security’s basis.
If a Fund has an “appreciated financial position” — generally, any position (including an interest through an option, futures or forward contract or short sale) with respect to any stock, debt instrument (other than “straight debt”) or partnership interest the fair market value of which exceeds its adjusted basis — and enters into a “constructive sale” of the position, the Fund will be treated as having made an actual sale thereof, with the result that it will recognize gain at that time. A constructive sale generally consists of a short sale, an offsetting notional principal contract or a futures or forward contract a Fund or a related person enters into with respect to the same or substantially identical property. In addition, if the appreciated financial position is itself a short sale or such a contract, acquisition of the underlying property or substantially identical property will be deemed a constructive sale. The foregoing will not apply, however, to any transaction of a Fund during any taxable year that otherwise would be treated as a constructive sale if the transaction is closed within 30 days after the end of that year and the Fund holds the appreciated financial position unhedged for 60 days after that closing (i.e., at no time during that 60-day period is the Fund’s risk of loss regarding that position reduced by reason of certain specified transactions with respect to substantially identical or related property, such as having an option to sell, being contractually obligated to sell, making a short sale or granting an option to buy substantially identical stock or securities).
Certain aspects of the tax treatment of derivative instruments are currently unclear and may be affected by changes in legislation, regulations, administrative rules, and/or other legally binding authority that could affect the treatment of income from those instruments and the character, timing of recognition and amount of a Fund’s taxable income or net realized gains and distributions. If the Internal Revenue Service (“IRS”) were to assert successfully that income a Fund derives from those investments does not constitute Qualifying Income, the Fund might cease to qualify as a RIC (with the consequences described above under “Taxation of the Funds”) or might be required to reduce its exposure to such investments.
A Fund may acquire zero coupon or other securities issued with original issue discount (“OID”) (such as STRIPS). As a holder of those securities, a Fund must include in its gross income the OID that accrues on them during the taxable year, even if it receives no corresponding payment on them during the year. Similarly, a Fund must include in its gross income each taxable year securities it receives as interest on pay-in-kind securities. Because each Fund annually must distribute substantially all of its investment company taxable income, including any accrued OID and other non-cash income (such as that interest), to satisfy the Distribution Requirement and avoid imposition of the Excise Tax, it may be required in a particular taxable year to distribute as a dividend an amount that is greater than the total amount of cash it actually receives. Those distributions will be made from a Fund’s cash assets or from the proceeds of sales of its portfolio securities, if necessary. A Fund may realize capital gains or losses from those sales, which would increase or decrease its investment company taxable income and/or net capital gain.
Taxation of a Fund’s Shareholders
General - Dividends and other distributions a Fund declares in the last quarter of any calendar year that are payable to shareholders of record on a date in that quarter will be deemed to have been paid by the Fund and received by those shareholders on December 31 of that year if the Fund pays the distributions during the following January. Accordingly, those distributions will be reportable by, and taxed to, those shareholders for the taxable year in which that December 31 falls.
If Fund shares are redeemed at a loss after being held for six months or less, the loss will be treated as long-term, instead of short-term, capital loss to the extent of any capital gain distributions received on those shares. In addition, any loss a shareholder realizes on a redemption of Fund shares will be disallowed to the extent the shares are replaced within a 61-day period beginning 30 days before and ending 30 days after the redemption; in that case, the basis in the acquired shares will be adjusted to reflect the disallowed loss. Investors also should be aware that the price of Fund shares at any time may reflect the amount of a forthcoming dividend or other distribution, so if they purchase Fund shares shortly before the record date for a distribution, they will pay full price for the shares and receive some part of the price back as a taxable distribution, even though it represents a partial return of invested capital.
If more than 50% of the value of a Fund’s total assets at the close of any taxable year consists of securities of foreign corporations, it will be eligible to file an election for that year with the IRS that would enable its shareholders to benefit from any foreign tax credit or deduction available with respect to
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any foreign taxes it pays. Pursuant to the election, a Fund would treat those taxes as dividends paid to its shareholders and each shareholder (1) would be required to include in gross income, and treat as paid by the shareholder, the shareholder’s proportionate share of those taxes, (2) would be required to treat that share of those taxes and of any dividend a Fund paid that represents income from foreign or U.S. possessions sources (“foreign-source income”) as the shareholder’s own income from those sources, and (3) could either use the foregoing information in calculating the foreign tax credit against the shareholder’s federal income tax or, alternatively, deduct the foreign taxes deemed paid by the shareholder in computing taxable income. If a Fund makes this election for a taxable year, it will report to its shareholders shortly after that year their respective shares of the foreign taxes it paid and its foreign-source income for that year.
An individual shareholder of a Fund who, for a taxable year, has no more than $300 ($600 for married persons filing jointly) of creditable foreign taxes included on IRS Forms 1099 and all of whose foreign-source income is “qualified passive income” may elect for that year to be exempt from the extremely complicated foreign tax credit limitation for federal income tax purposes (about which shareholders may wish to consult their tax advisers), in which event the shareholder would be able to claim a foreign tax credit without having to file the detailed Form 1116 that otherwise is required. A shareholder will not be entitled to credit or deduct its portion of foreign taxes a Fund paid that is allocable to Fund shares the shareholder has not held for at least 16 days during the 31-day period beginning 15 days before the ex-distribution date for those shares. The minimum holding period will be extended if the shareholder’s risk of loss with respect to those shares is reduced by reason of holding an offsetting position. No deduction for foreign taxes may be claimed by a shareholder who does not itemize deductions. A foreign shareholder may not deduct or claim a credit for foreign taxes in determining its federal income tax liability unless the Fund dividends paid to it are effectively connected with the shareholder’s conduct of a U.S. trade or business.
Backup Withholding - A Fund is required to withhold and remit to the U.S. Treasury 24% of dividends, capital gain distributions, and redemption proceeds (regardless of the extent to which gain or loss may be realized) otherwise payable to any individual who fails to certify that the taxpayer identification number furnished to the Fund is correct or who furnishes an incorrect number (together with the withholding described in the next sentence, “backup withholding”). Withholding at that rate also is required from each Fund’s dividends and capital gain distributions otherwise payable to such a shareholder who (1) is subject to backup withholding for failure to report the receipt of interest or dividend income properly or (2) fails to certify to the Fund that he or she is not subject to backup withholding or that it is a corporation or other “exempt recipient.” Backup withholding is not an additional tax; rather, any amounts so withheld may be credited against the shareholder’s federal income tax liability or refunded if proper documentation is submitted to the IRS.
Non-U.S. Shareholders - Dividends a Fund pays to a shareholder who is a nonresident alien individual or foreign entity (each a “non-U.S. shareholder”) - other than (1) dividends paid to a non-U.S. shareholder whose ownership of the Fund’s shares is “effectively connected” with a trade or business within the United States the shareholder conducts and (2) capital gain distributions paid to a nonresident alien individual who is physically present in the United States for no more than 182 days during the taxable year - generally are subject to 30% federal withholding tax (unless a reduced rate of withholding or a withholding exemption is provided under an applicable treaty). However, two categories of dividends a Fund might pay, “short-term capital gain dividends” and “interest-related dividends,” to non-U.S. shareholders (with certain exceptions) and reported by it in writing to its shareholders are exempt from that tax. “Short-term capital gain dividends” are dividends that are attributable to net short-term gain, computed with certain adjustments. “Interest-related dividends” are dividends that are attributable to “qualified net interest income” (i.e., “qualified interest income,” which generally consists of certain OID, interest on obligations “in registered form,” and interest on deposits, less allocable deductions) from sources within the United States. Non-U.S. shareholders are urged to consult their own tax advisers concerning the applicability of that withholding tax.
Foreign Account Tax Compliance Act (“FATCA”) - Under FATCA, “foreign financial institutions” (“FFIs”) and “non-financial foreign entities” (“NFFEs”) that are Fund shareholders may be subject to a generally nonrefundable 30% withholding tax on income dividends a Fund pays. As discussed more fully below, the FATCA withholding tax generally can be avoided (a) by an FFI, if it reports certain information regarding direct and indirect ownership of financial accounts U.S. persons hold with the FFI, and (b) by an NFFE that certifies its status as such and, in certain circumstances, information regarding substantial U.S. owners. Proposed regulations (effective while pending) have been issued to eliminate certain FATCA withholding taxes, including the withholding tax on investment sale proceeds that was scheduled to begin in 2019, and to defer the effective date of other taxes.
The U.S. Treasury has negotiated intergovernmental agreements (“IGAs”) with certain countries and is in various stages of negotiations with other foreign countries with respect to alternative approaches to implement FATCA. An entity in one of those countries may be required to comply with the terms of the IGA instead of U.S. Treasury regulations. An FFI resident in a country that has entered into a Model I IGA with the United States must report to that country’s government (pursuant to the terms of the applicable IGA and applicable law), which will, in turn, report to the IRS. An FFI resident in a Model II IGA country generally must comply with U.S. regulatory requirements, with certain exceptions, including the treatment of recalcitrant accountholders. An FFI resident in one of those countries that complies with whichever of the foregoing applies will be exempt from FATCA withholding.
An FFI can avoid FATCA withholding by becoming a “participating FFI,” which requires the FFI to enter into a tax compliance agreement with the IRS under the Internal Revenue Code. Under such an agreement, a participating FFI agrees to (1) verify and document whether it has U.S. accountholders, (2) report certain information regarding their accounts to the IRS, and (3) meet certain other specified requirements.
An NFFE that is the beneficial owner of a payment from a Fund can avoid FATCA withholding generally by certifying its status as such and, in certain circumstances, either that (1) it does not have any substantial U.S. owners or (2) it does have one or more such owners and reports the name, address, and taxpayer identification number of each such owner. The NFFE will report to the Fund or other applicable withholding agent, which may, in turn, report information to the IRS.
Those foreign shareholders also may fall into certain exempt, excepted, or deemed compliant categories established by U.S. Treasury regulations, IGAs, and other guidance regarding FATCA. An FFI or NFFE that invests in a Fund will need to provide it with documentation properly certifying the entity’s status under FATCA to avoid FATCA withholding. The requirements imposed by FATCA are different from, and in addition to, the tax certification rules
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to avoid backup withholding described above. Foreign investors are urged to consult their tax advisers regarding the application of these requirements to their own situation and the impact thereof on their investment in a Fund.
Income From Investments in REITs and MLPs - A Fund may invest in the equity securities of corporations or other entities that invest in U.S. real property, including REITs. The sale of a U.S. real property interest by a REIT or “United States real property holding corporation” (as defined in the Internal Revenue Code) in which a Fund invests may trigger special tax consequences to the Fund’s non-U.S. shareholders, who are urged to consult their tax advisers regarding those consequences.
Each Fund may invest in REITs, that (1) hold residual interests in “real estate mortgage investment conduits” (“REMICs”) or (2) engage in mortgage securitization transactions that cause the REITs to be taxable mortgage pools (“TMPs”) or have a qualified REIT subsidiary that is a TMP. A part of the net income allocable to REMIC residual interest holders may be an “excess inclusion.” The Internal Revenue Code authorizes the issuance of regulations dealing with the taxation and reporting of excess inclusion income of REITs and RICs that hold residual REMIC interests and of REITs, or qualified REIT subsidiaries, that are TMPs. Although those regulations have not yet been issued, the U.S. Treasury and the IRS issued a notice in 2006 (“Notice”) announcing that, pending the issuance of further guidance (which has not yet been issued), the IRS would apply the principles in the following paragraphs to all excess inclusion income, whether from REMIC residual interests or TMPs.
The Notice provides that a REIT must (1) determine whether it or its qualified REIT subsidiary (or a part of either) is a TMP and, if so, calculate the TMP’s excess inclusion income under a “reasonable method,” (2) allocate its excess inclusion income to its shareholders generally in proportion to dividends paid, (3) inform shareholders that are not “disqualified organizations” (i.e., governmental units and tax-exempt entities that are not subject to tax on their “unrelated business taxable income” (“UBTI”)) of the amount and character of the excess inclusion income allocated thereto, (4) pay tax (at the highest federal income tax rate imposed on corporations, currently 21%) on the excess inclusion income allocable to its shareholders that are disqualified organizations, and (5) apply the withholding tax provisions with respect to the excess inclusion part of dividends paid to foreign persons without regard to any treaty exception or reduction in tax rate. Excess inclusion income allocated to certain tax-exempt entities (including qualified retirement plans, IRAs, and public charities) constitutes UBTI to them.
A RIC with excess inclusion income is subject to rules identical to those in clauses (2) through (5) above (substituting “that are nominees” for “that are not ‘disqualified organizations’” in clause (3) and inserting “record” after “its” in clause (4)). The Notice further provides that a RIC is not required to report the amount and character of the excess inclusion income allocated to its shareholders that are not nominees, except that (1) a RIC with excess inclusion income from all sources that exceeds 1% of its gross income must do so and (2) any other RIC must do so by taking into account only excess inclusion income allocated to the RIC from REITs the excess inclusion income of which exceeded 3% of its dividends. No Fund will invest directly in REMIC residual interests or intends to invest in REITs that, to its knowledge, invest in those interests or are TMPs or have a qualified REIT subsidiary that is a TMP.
After calendar year-end, REITs can and often do change the category (e.g., ordinary income dividend, capital gain distribution, or “return of capital”) of one or more of the distributions they have made during that year, which would result at that time in the Fund, if it held shares in such a REIT during that year, also having to re-categorize some of the distributions it made to its shareholders. These changes would be reflected in annual Forms 1099 sent to the Fund’s shareholders, together with other tax information. Those forms generally will be distributed to shareholders in February of each year, although a Fund may, in one or more years, request from the IRS an extension of time to distribute those forms until mid-March to enable it to receive the latest information it can from the REITs in which it invests and thereby accurately report that information to its shareholders on a single form (rather than having to send shareholders amended forms).
Effective for taxable years beginning after December 31, 2017 and before January 1, 2026, the Internal Revenue Code generally allows individuals and certain non-corporate entities a deduction for 20% of (1) “qualified REIT dividends” and (2) “qualified publicly traded partnership income” (such as income from MLPs). Treasury regulations permit a RIC to pass the character of its qualified REIT dividends through to its shareholders provided certain holding period requirements are met. As a result, a shareholder in a Fund that invests in REITs will be eligible to receive the benefit of the same 20% deduction with respect to the Fund’s REIT-based dividends as is available to an investor who directly invests in REITs. There currently is no similar pass-through of the 20% deduction with respect to a RIC’s qualified publicly traded partnership income.
Basis Election and Reporting - A Fund shareholder who wants to use an acceptable method for basis determination with respect to Fund shares that the shareholder acquired or acquires after 2011 (“Covered Shares”), other than the average basis method (the Funds’ default method) must elect to do so in writing, which may be electronic. The basis determination method a Fund shareholder elects may not be changed with respect to a redemption (including a redemption that is part of an exchange) of Covered Shares after the settlement date of the redemption.
In addition to the requirement to report the gross proceeds from redemptions of Fund shares, each Fund (or its administrative agent) must report to the IRS and furnish to its shareholders the basis information for Fund shares that are redeemed or exchanged and indicate whether they had a short-term (one year or less) or long-term (more than one year) holding period. Fund shareholders should consult with their tax advisers to determine the best IRS-accepted basis determination method for their tax situation and to obtain more information about how the basis reporting law applies to them. Fund shareholders who acquire and hold Fund shares through a financial intermediary should contact their financial intermediary for information related to the basis election and reporting.
Other Taxes - Statutory rules and regulations regarding state and local taxation of ordinary income dividends, QDI dividends and net capital and foreign currency gain distributions may differ from the federal income taxation rules described above. Distributions may also be subject to additional state, local and foreign taxes depending on each shareholder’s situation.
Investors should consult their own tax advisors with respect to the tax consequences to them of an investment in the Fund based on their particular circumstances. The Fund does not expect to receive a ruling from any tax authority or an opinion of tax counsel with respect to its treatment of any tax positions. Tax consequences of transactions are not the primary consideration of the Fund in implementing its investment strategy.
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DESCRIPTION OF THE TRUST
The Trust is an entity of the type commonly known as a “Massachusetts business trust.” Under Massachusetts law, shareholders of such a trust may, under certain circumstances, be held personally liable for its obligations. However, the Trust’s Declaration of Trust contains an express disclaimer of shareholder liability for acts or obligations of the Trust and provides for indemnification and reimbursement of expenses out of Trust property for any shareholder held personally liable for the obligations of the Trust. The Declaration of Trust also provides that the Trust may maintain appropriate insurance (e.g., fidelity bonding) for the protection of the Trust, its shareholders, Trustees, officers, employees and agents to cover possible tort and other liabilities. Thus, the risk of a shareholder incurring financial loss due to shareholder liability is limited to circumstances in which both inadequate insurance existed and the Trust itself was unable to meet its obligations. The Trust has not engaged in any other business.
The Trust was originally created to manage money for large institutional investors. The following individuals (and members of that individual’s “immediate family”), are eligible to purchase shares of the R5 Class with an initial investment of less than $250,000: (i) employees of the Manager, or its parent company, Resolute Investment Managers, Inc., (ii) employees of a sub-advisor for Funds where it serves as sub-advisor, (iii) members of the Board, (iv) employees of Kelso/Estancia, and (v) members of the Manager’s Board of Directors. The term “immediate family” refers to one’s spouse, children, grandchildren, grandparents, parents, parents-in-law, brothers and sisters, sons- and daughters-in-law, a sibling’s spouse, a spouse’s sibling, aunts, uncles, nieces and nephews; relatives by virtue of remarriage (step-children, step-parents, etc.) are included. Any shareholders that the Manager transfers to the R5 Class upon termination of the class of shares in which the shareholders were originally invested is also eligible for purchasing shares of the R5 Class with an initial investment of less than $250,000.
The Investor Class was created to give individuals and other smaller investors an opportunity to invest in the American Beacon Funds. The R5 and Y Classes were created to manage money for large institutional investors, including pension and 401(k) plans. The A Class and C Class were created for investors investing in the American Beacon Funds through their broker-dealers or other financial intermediaries. The R6 Class was created to provide third party intermediaries an investment option for the large 401(k) plans that does not charge 12b-1 or sub-transfer agency fees.
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
The Funds’ independent registered public accounting firm, Ernst & Young LLP, audits and reports on the Funds’ annual financial statements. The audited financial statements include the schedule of investments, statement of assets and liabilities, statement of operations, statements of changes in net assets, financial highlights, notes and report of independent registered public accounting firm.
The audited financial statements are incorporated by reference to the American Beacon Funds’ Annual Reports to Shareholders of the American Beacon SiM High Yield Opportunities Fund, American Beacon The London Company Income Equity Fund, and American Beacon Zebra Small Cap Equity Fund for the fiscal year ended August 31, 2021.
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APPENDIX A
AMERICAN BEACON ADVISORS, INC.

SUMMARY OF PROXY VOTING POLICY AND PROCEDURES
Proxy voting is an important component of investment management and must be performed in a dutiful and purposeful fashion in order to secure the best long-term interests of the advisory clients of American Beacon Advisors, Inc. (“AmBeacon”). AmBeacon’s proxy voting policies and procedures are designed to implement AmBeacon’s duty to vote proxies in clients’ best interests. Given that AmBeacon manages portfolios that invest solely in fixed-income securities, the only securities for which we expect to receive proxies are money market mutual funds. As such, the proxy voting policies and procedures set forth voting guidelines for the proxy issues and proposals common to money market funds.
For routine proposals that will not change the structure, bylaws or operations of the money market fund, AmBeacon’s policy is to support management; however, each proposal will be considered individually focusing on the financial interests of the client portfolio. Non-routine proposals, such as board elections, advisory contract and distribution plan approvals, investment objective changes, and mergers, will generally be reviewed on a case-by-case basis with AmBeacon first and foremost considering the effect of the proposal on the portfolio.
Items to be evaluated on a case-by-case basis and proposals not contemplated in the policies set forth above will be assessed by AmBeacon. In these situations, AmBeacon will use its judgment to vote in the best interest of the client portfolio. For all proposals, especially controversial or case-by-case evaluations, AmBeacon will be responsible for individually identifying significant issues that could impact the investment performance of the portfolio.
AmBeacon manages portfolios for the American Beacon Funds, the American Beacon Select Funds, the American Beacon Institutional Funds Trust, the American Beacon Sound Point Enhanced Income Fund, and the American Beacon Apollo Total Return Fund (collectively, the “Funds”). AmBeacon may invest a Fund in shares of the American Beacon U.S. Government Money Market Select Fund. If the American Beacon U.S. Government Money Market Select Fund solicits a proxy for which another Fund is entitled to vote, AmBeacon’s interests as manager of the American Beacon U.S. Government Money Market Select Fund might appear to conflict with the interests of the shareholders of the other Fund. In these cases, AmBeacon will vote the Fund’s shares in accordance with the Select Funds’ Board of Trustees’ recommendations in the proxy statement.
AMERICAN BEACON FUNDS
AMERICAN BEACON SELECT FUNDS
AMERICAN BEACON INSTITUTIONAL FUNDS TRUST
AMERICAN BEACON SOUND POINT ENHANCED INCOME FUND
AMERICAN BEACON APOLLO TOTAL RETURN FUND
PROXY VOTING POLICY AND PROCEDURES
Last Amended February 28, 2018
Preface
Proxy voting is an important component of investment management and must be performed in a dutiful and purposeful fashion to secure the best long-term interests of shareholders of the American Beacon Funds (“Beacon Funds”), the American Beacon Select Funds (“Select Funds”), the American Beacon Institutional Funds Trust (“Institutional Funds”), the American Beacon Sound Point Enhanced Income Fund, and the American Beacon Apollo Total Return Fund (collectively, the “Funds”). Therefore, this Proxy Voting Policy and Procedures (the “Policy”) have been adopted by the Funds.
The Funds are managed by American Beacon Advisors, Inc. (the “Manager”). The Manager may allocate discrete portions of the Funds among sub-advisors, and the Manager may directly manage all or a portion of the assets of certain Funds. The Funds’ respective Boards of Trustees have delegated proxy voting authority to the Manager. The Manager has in turn delegated proxy voting authority to each sub-advisor with respect to the sub-advisor’s respective portion of the Fund(s) under management, but the Manager has retained the authority to override a proposed proxy voting decision by a sub-advisor. For the securities held in their respective portion of each Fund, the Manager and the sub-advisors make voting decisions pursuant to their own proxy voting policies and procedures, which have been adopted by the applicable Fund and approved by the applicable Fund’s Board of Trustees.
Conflicts of Interest
The Board of Trustees seeks to ensure that proxies are voted in the best interests of Fund shareholders. For certain proxy proposals, the interests of the Manager, the sub-advisors and/or their affiliates may differ from Fund shareholders’ interests. To avoid the appearance of impropriety and to fulfill their fiduciary responsibility to shareholders in these circumstances, the Manager and the sub-advisors are required to establish procedures that are reasonably designed to address material conflicts between their interests and those of the Funds.
When a sub-advisor deems that it is conflicted with respect to a voting matter, its policy may call for it to seek voting instructions from the client. The Manager is authorized by the Boards of Trustees to consider any such matters and provide voting instructions to the sub-advisor, unless the Manager has determined that its interests are conflicted with Fund shareholders with respect to the voting matter. In those instances, the Manager will instruct the sub-advisor to vote in accordance with the recommendation of a third-party proxy voting advisory service.
Each Fund can invest in the shares of the American Beacon U.S. Government Money Market Select Fund. If the American Beacon U.S. Government Money Market Select Fund issues a proxy for which another Fund is entitled to vote, the Manager’s interests regarding the American Beacon U.S. Government Money Market Select Fund might appear to conflict with the interests of the shareholders of the other Fund. In these cases, the Manager will vote in accordance with the Select Funds’ Board of Trustees’ recommendations in the proxy statement.
If the methods for addressing conflicts of interest, as described above, are deemed by the Manager to be unreasonable due to cost, timing or other factors, then the Manager may decline to vote in those instances.
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Securities on Loan
With respect to the Funds that engage in securities lending, the Manager shall engage a proxy voting service to notify the Manager before the record date about the occurrence of future shareholder meetings, as feasible. The Manager will determine whether or not to recall shares of the applicable security that are on loan with the intent of the Manager or the sub-advisor, as applicable, voting such shares. The Manager’s determination shall be based on factors which may include the nature of the meeting (i.e., annual or special), the percentage of the proxy issuer’s outstanding securities on loan, any other information regarding the proxy proposals of which the Manager may be aware, and the loss of securities lending income to a Fund as a result of recalling the shares on loan.
Recordkeeping
The Manager and the sub-advisors shall maintain records of all votes cast on behalf of the Funds. Such documentation will include the firm’s proxy voting policies and procedures, company reports provided by proxy voting advisory services, additional information gathered by the Manager or sub-advisor that was material to reaching a voting decision, and communications to the Manager regarding any identified conflicts. The Manager and the sub-advisors shall maintain voting records in a manner to facilitate the Funds’ production of the Form N-PX filing on an annual basis.
Disclosure
The Manager will coordinate the compilation of the Funds’ proxy voting record for each year ended June 30 and file the required information with the SEC via Form N-PX by August 31. The Manager will include a summary of the Policy and the proxy voting policies and procedures of the Manager and the sub-advisors, as applicable, in each Fund’s Statement of Additional Information (“SAI”). In each Fund’s annual and semi-annual reports to shareholders, the Manager will disclose that a description of the Policy and the proxy voting policies and procedures of the Manager and the sub-advisors, as applicable, is a) available upon request, without charge, by toll-free telephone request, b) on the Funds’ website (if applicable), and c) on the SEC’s website in the SAI. The SAI and shareholder reports will also disclose that the Funds’ proxy voting record is available by toll-free telephone request (or on the Funds’ website) and on the SEC’s website by way of the Form N-PX. Within three business days of receiving a request, the Manager will send a copy of the policy description or voting record by first-class mail.
Manager Oversight
The Manager shall review a sub-advisor’s proxy voting policies and procedures for compliance with this Policy and applicable laws and regulations prior to initial delegation of proxy voting authority and on at least an annual basis thereafter.
Board Reporting
On at least an annual basis, the Manager will present a summary of the voting records of the Funds to the Boards of Trustees for their review. The Manager will notify the Boards of Trustees of any material changes to its proxy voting policies and procedures.
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APPENDIX B
PROXY VOTING POLICIES — FUND SUB-ADVISORS
STRATEGIC INCOME MANAGEMENT, LLC
PROXY VOTING POLICY
Proxy Voting Procedures
As SiM will acquire the right to vote proxies with respect to the securities in which the Funds invest, SiM will exercise such voting authority in accordance with the following policies and procedures, which are reasonably designed to ensure that proxies are voted in the best interest of SiM’s clients, and in accordance with the Firm’s fiduciary duties and applicable regulations.
Unless the power to vote proxies for a Client is reserved to that Client (or in the case of an employee benefit plan subject to ERISA, the plan’s trustee or other fiduciaries), SiM would then be responsible for voting the proxies related to that Client’s account.
A. Duty to Vote Proxies
Proxies are an asset of a Client account, which should be treated by SiM with the same care, diligence and loyalty as any asset belonging to a Client. Accordingly, proxy voting must be conducted with the same degree of prudence and loyalty accorded any fiduciary or other obligation of SiM.
Each Client should clearly specify whether the Client has retained the power to vote proxies or whether this power has been delegated to SiM. SiM has the authority to vote all proxies on behalf of the Funds it advises. In every case in which a Client has delegated the power to vote proxies to SiM, every reasonable effort should be made to vote proxies. It is the policy of SiM to review or to direct its agent to review each proxy statement on an individual basis and to vote with the goal to best serve the financial interests of its clients.
If a Client has not delegated the power to vote proxies to SiM, that Client may direct SiM to vote in a particular manner at any time upon written notice to SiM. In those circumstances, SiM will comply with specific Client directions to vote proxies, whether or not such Client directions specify voting proxies in a manner that is different from these policies and procedures. In instances where SiM does not have authority to vote Client proxies, it is the responsibility of the Client to instruct the relevant custodian bank or banks or prime broker to mail proxy material directly to such Client.
SiM may abstain from voting a Client proxy if SiM believes that abstaining from voting is in the applicable Client’s best interest.
B. Guidelines for Voting Proxies
If a Client has delegated the power to vote proxies to SiM, SiM generally will vote proxies so as to promote the long-term economic value of the underlying securities held by SiM’s clients, and generally will follow the guidelines provided below. Each proxy proposal should be considered on its own merits, and an independent determination should be made whether to support or oppose management’s position. SiM believes that the recommendation of management should be given substantial weight, but SiM will not support management proposals that SiM believes may be detrimental to the underlying value of Client positions.
The Chief Compliance Officer is responsible for administering and overseeing the proxy voting process.
The guidelines set forth below deal with various categories of proxy proposals, particularly in the area of corporate governance. While they are not exhaustive, they do provide a good indication of SiM’s general approach to a wide range of issues. On occasion, SiM may vote a proxy otherwise than suggested by the guidelines, but departures from the guidelines are expected to be rare, and SiM will maintain a record supporting such a vote. If a matter is not specifically covered by these guidelines, the Chief Compliance Officer will vote the proxy consistent with the general principles of these guidelines and in the Client’s best interest.
SiM generally characterizes proxy voting issues into two levels (each a “Level”). The Level of proposal will determine the depth of research required by the Chief Compliance Officer when deciding how to vote each proxy.
Provided below are guidelines for certain types of proxy proposals SiM employs to develop its position in its proxy voting procedures within each Level of proposal. This section also provides examples of categories and issues as a guide for SiM and is not intended to be a comprehensive list of all possible issues within each Level.
C. General Guidelines
Proxies are voted in what is believed to be the Client’s (or fund shareholders’, members’ or partners’) best interest and not necessarily always with management. Each situation is considered individually within the general guidelines. SiM generally categorizes proxies in two Levels. Level I matters normally are voted based on the recommendation of the issuer’s management. Level II matters are those that could meaningfully impact the position of existing equity holders and are thus given special consideration. The Chief Compliance Officer will be responsible for determining the Level of each proposal.
D. Level I Proposals
Level I proposals are those that do not propose to change the structure, bylaws, or operations of the issuer to the detriment of the equity holders. Given the routine nature of these proposals, proxies will generally be voted with management. However, the Chief Compliance Officer will research the issue before making a conclusion as to how a vote would be in the best interest of the Client. Traditionally, Level I issues include:

 

Approval of auditors

 

Name changes

 

Declaring stock splits

 

Changing the date and/or the location of the annual meeting
 
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Minor amendments to the articles of incorporation

 

Automatic dividend reinvestment plans

 

Retirement plans, pensions plans and profit sharing plans, creation of and amendments to the same

 

Any other issues that do not adversely affect investors
 
E. Level II Proposals
Issues in this category are more likely to affect the structure and operations of the issuer and, therefore, will have a greater impact on the value of a Client’s investment. The Chief Compliance Officer will review each issue in this category on a case-by-case basis and perform diligent research to make a decision based on the best interest of the Client. As stated previously, voting decisions will be made based on the perceived best interest of the clients. Level II proposals include:

 

Mergers and acquisitions

 

Restructuring

 

Re-incorporation or formation

 

Incentive compensation plans

 

Changes in capitalization

 

Increase or decrease in number of directors

 

Increase or decrease in preferred stock

 

Increase or decrease in common stock or other equity securities

 

Stock option plans or other compensation plans

 

Poison pills

 

Golden parachutes
 
F. Voting Process
SiM will receive and forward the proxy statement for each individual meeting to the Chief Compliance Officer to review. The Chief Compliance Officer will examine the materials and then decide on how to vote based on the guidelines and will then arrange for the votes to be entered. The Chief Compliance Officer may employ a third party or utilize specialized software to record and transmit proxy votes electronically. After votes are cast, the Chief Compliance Officer or designee will periodically perform a review to ensure that all proxies received, and for which a voting obligation exists, have been voted.
G. Conflicts of Interest
On occasion, a conflict of interest may exist between SiM and its clients regarding the outcome of certain proxy votes. In such cases, SiM is committed to resolving the conflict in the best interest of its clients before voting the proxy in question.
If the proxy proposal in question is a Level I Proposal, SiM will typically follow the principles and guidelines described herein in deciding how to vote. Alternatively, SiM may (i) disclose the conflict to affected clients and obtain their consent before voting or (ii) seek the recommendation of an independent third party in deciding how to vote.
If the proxy proposal is a Level II Proposal, SiM will take any of the following courses of action to resolve the conflict:

 

1. Disclose the conflict to affected clients and obtain their consent before voting;

 

2. Suggest that affected client engage an independent third party to determine how the proxy should be voted; or

 

3. Vote according to the recommendation of an independent third party, such as a: proxy consultant; research analyst; proxy voting department of a mutual fund or pension fund; or compliance consultant.
 
H. Recordkeeping and Reporting
In addition, if SiM exercises voting authority with respect to its clients, it must make and retain the following:

 

1. a copy of these policies and procedures;

 

2. a copy of each proxy statement that SiM receives regarding Client securities (SiM may satisfy this requirement by relying on a third party to make and retain, on SiM’s behalf, a copy of a proxy statement (provided that SiM has obtained an undertaking from the third party to provide a copy of the proxy statement promptly upon request) or may rely on obtaining a copy of a proxy statement from the SEC’s Electronic Data Gathering Analysis, and Retrieval (EDGAR) system);

 

3. a record of each vote cast by SiM on behalf of a Client (SiM may satisfy this requirement by relying on a third party to make and retain, on SiM’s behalf, a record of the vote cast (provided that SiM has obtained an undertaking from the third party to provide a copy of the record promptly upon request));

 

4. a copy of any document created by SiM that was material to making a decision how to vote proxies on behalf of a Client or that memorializes the basis for that decision; and

 

5. a copy of each written Client request for information on how SiM voted proxies on behalf of the Client, and a copy of any written response by SiM to any (written or oral) Client request for information on how SiM voted proxies on behalf of the requesting Client. All books and records required to be made and described above generally must be maintained and preserved in an easily accessible place for a period of not less than six years from the end of the fiscal year during which the last entry was made on such record, the first two years in an appropriate office of SiM.
 
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THE LONDON COMPANY
PROXY VOTING POLICIES & PROCEDURES
I. POLICY
The London Company of Virginia (the “Adviser”) acts as discretionary investment adviser for various clients, including clients governed by the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 (“ERISA”) and registered open-end investment companies (“mutual funds”). The Adviser’s authority to vote proxies is established through the delegation of discretionary authority under its investment advisory contracts. Therefore, unless a client (including a “named fiduciary” under ERISA) specifically reserves the right, in writing, to vote its own proxies, the Adviser will vote all proxies in a timely manner as part of its full discretionary authority over client assets in accordance with these Policies and Procedures.
When voting proxies, the Adviser’s utmost concern is that all decisions be made solely in the best interest of the client (and for ERISA accounts, plan beneficiaries and participants, in accordance with the letter and spirit of ERISA). The Adviser will act in a prudent and diligent manner intended to enhance the economic value of the assets of the client’s account.
The Proxy Voting Committee meets periodically to monitor the firm’s overall adherence to the current policies and procedures, as well as provide advice for the revisions thereof. The Committee also reviews the rationale for proxy votes not covered by the policies and procedures, or that present a potential conflict of interest. As such, a periodic review of the Proxy Advisor Firm will be conducted and presented to the Proxy Voting Committee for consideration.
II. PURPOSE
The purpose of these Policies and Procedures is to memorialize the procedures and policies adopted by the Adviser to enable it to comply with its fiduciary responsibilities to clients and the requirements of Rule 206(4)-6 under the Investment Advisers Act of 1940, as amended (“Advisers Act”). These Policies and Procedures also reflect the fiduciary standards and responsibilities set forth by the Department of Labor for ERISA accounts.
III. PROCEDURES
The Adviser is ultimately responsible for ensuring that all proxies received by the Adviser are voted in a timely manner and in a manner consistent with the Adviser’s determination of the client’s best interests. The Adviser recognizes that some proposals require special consideration which may dictate that the Adviser makes an exception to the Guidelines. The Adviser will vote the recommendation of the proxy voting service* on all proxy votes, unless otherwise directed by the Portfolio Managers.

 

1. Conflicts of Interest
Where a proxy proposal raises a material conflict between the Adviser’s interests and a client’s interest, including a mutual fund client, the Adviser will resolve the matter on a case-by-case basis by abstaining from the vote, voting in accordance with the guidelines set forth by the proxy voting service, or vote the way London feels is in the best interest of the client.

 

2. Limitations
In certain circumstances, in accordance with a client’s investment advisory contract (or other written directive), or where the Adviser has determined that it is in the client’s best interest, the Adviser will not vote proxies received. The following are certain circumstances where the Adviser will limit its role in voting proxies:

 

A. Client Maintains Proxy Voting Authority: Where client specifies in writing that it will maintain the authority to vote proxies itself or that it has delegated the right to vote proxies to a third party, the Adviser will not vote the securities and will direct the relevant custodian to send the proxy material directly to the client. If any proxy material is received by the Adviser, it will promptly be forwarded to the client or specified third party.

 

B. Terminated Account: Once a client account has been terminated with the Adviser, in accordance with its investment advisory agreement, the Adviser will not vote any proxies received after the termination. However, the client may choose to specify, in writing, that proxies should be directed to the client (or a specified third party) for action. There may be occurrences in which a proxy may be voted by the Adviser, for a terminated account (i.e., the record date of a proxy vote occurs prior to termination).

 

C. Limited Value: If the Adviser determines that the value of a client’s economic interest, or portfolio holding is indeterminable or insignificant, the Adviser may abstain from voting proxies.

 

D. Securities Lending Programs: When securities are out on loan, they are transferred into the borrower’s name and are voted by the borrower, in its discretion. However, where the Adviser determines that a proxy vote (or other shareholder action) is materially important to the client’s account, the Adviser may recall the security for purposes of voting.

 

E. Unjustifiable Costs: In certain circumstances, after doing a cost-benefit analysis, the Adviser may abstain from voting where the cost of voting a client’s proxy would exceed any anticipated benefits to the client of the proxy proposal.

 

F. Paper ballot does not arrive in the mail: On occasion, a paper ballot will not arrive in the mail until after the voting deadline. In this circumstance, Adviser is unable to vote the client’s proxy.

 

3. Procedures

 

    A. During the onboarding process for a new account, the Portfolio Administrator will confirm, with certain custodians, as required, the address to which proxy ballots will be mailed. The Portfolio Administrator sends all new account information to the proxy voting service for accounts that elect to have the Adviser vote proxies on their behalf. The Adviser, in conjunction with the proxy voting service, contacts custodians to set up electronic voting.

B. When a ballot is received by US mail, the Portfolio Administrator will send ISS/ProxyExchange notification to establish electronic voting.
C. Each proxy statement, sample ballot and copies of any ballots voted by US mail will be available. (ProxyExchange retains voting history for those voted electronically, which is accessible through their web portal.)
 
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IV. RECORDKEEPING
In accordance with Rule 204-2 under the Advisers Act, the Adviser will maintain for the time periods set forth in the Rule (i) these proxy voting procedures and policies, and all amendments thereto; (ii) all proxy statements received regarding client securities (provided however, that the Adviser may rely on the proxy statement filed on EDGAR as its records); (iii) a record of all votes cast on behalf of clients; (iv) records of all client requests for proxy voting information; (v) any documents prepared by the Adviser that were material to making a decision how to vote or that memorialized the basis for the decision; and (vi) all records relating to requests made to clients regarding conflicts of interest in voting the proxy.
The Adviser will describe in its Part 2A of Form ADV (or other brochure fulfilling the requirement of Rule 204-3) its proxy voting policies and procedures and will inform clients how they may obtain information on how the Adviser voted proxies with respect to the clients’ portfolio securities. Clients may obtain information on how their securities were voted or a copy of the Adviser’s Policies and Procedures by written request addressed to the Adviser. The Adviser will coordinate with all mutual fund clients to assist in the provision of all information required to be filed by such mutual funds on Form N-PX.
Please refer to the Proxy Voting Policy for further information.
* London moved from ISS, utilizing Institutional Shareholder Services (ISS) and its proxy voting guidelines, to Broadridge and Glass Lewis guidelines, in April, 2009. In February, 2014, London upgraded from utilizing Glass Lewis Investment Management to Glass Lewis Full Service. In March, 2017, London completed a transition back to ISS, in order to better align with the firm’s voting preferences.
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ZEBRA CAPITAL MANAGEMENT, LLC
PROXY VOTING POLICIES
Proxy Voting

Policy
Zebra Capital, as a matter of policy and as a fiduciary to its clients, has responsibility for voting proxies for portfolio securities consistent with the best economic interests of its clients. Zebra Capital maintains these written policies and procedures as to the handling, research, voting and reporting of proxy voting and makes appropriate disclosures about Zebra Capital’s proxy policies and practices. Zebra Capital’s policy and practice includes the responsibility to monitor corporate actions, receive and vote client proxies and disclose any potential conflicts of interest as well as to make information available to clients about the voting of proxies for their portfolio securities and to maintain relevant and required records.
Zebra Capital has established a Proxy Voting Committee which meets periodically to review and approve Zebra Capital’s Proxy Voting Policy and oversee the services provided by Zebra Capital’s proxy service provider, Broadridge Financial Solutions, Inc., a recognized proxy service firm (“Broadridge”). Zebra Capital has retained Broadridge for proxy services, including research, recommendations, proxy voting and recordkeeping.
Background
Proxy voting is an important right of shareholders and reasonable care and diligence must be undertaken to ensure that such rights are properly and timely exercised.
Investment advisers registered with the SEC, and which exercise voting authority with respect to client securities, are required by Rule 206(4)-6 of the Advisers Act to (a) adopt and implement written policies and procedures that are reasonably designed to ensure that client securities are voted in the best interests of clients, which must include how an adviser addresses material conflicts that may arise between an adviser’s interests and those of its clients; (b) to disclose to clients how they may obtain information from the adviser with respect to the voting of proxies for their securities; (c) to describe to clients a summary of its proxy voting policies and procedures and, upon request, furnish a copy to its clients; and (d) maintain certain records relating to the adviser’s proxy voting activities when the adviser does have proxy voting authority.
Staff Legal Bulletin No. 20 was jointly published by the SEC’s Division of Investment Management and Division of Corporation Finance on June 30, 2014. The Division of Investment Management provided guidance about investment advisers’ responsibilities in voting client proxies and retaining proxy advisory firms, while the Division of Corporation Finance addressed the availability and requirements of two exemptions to the federal proxy rules that are often relied upon by proxy advisory firms.
Proxy Voting Advice as a Solicitation Under the Exchange Act
On July 22, 2020, the SEC adopted amendments to its rules governing proxy solicitations. The amendments specify that proxy voting advice generally constitutes a solicitation within the meaning of Section 14(a) of the Exchange Act.
The Commission noted several factors that indicate proxy voting advice businesses generally engage in solicitations when they provide proxy voting advice to their clients, including:
• The proxy voting advice generally describes the specific proposals that will be presented at the registrant’s upcoming meeting and presents a “vote recommendation” for each proposal that indicates how the client should vote;
• Proxy voting advice businesses market their expertise in researching and analyzing matters that are subject to a proxy vote for the purpose of assisting their clients in making voting decisions;
• Many clients of proxy voting advice businesses retain and pay a fee to these firms to provide detailed analyses of various issues, including advice regarding how the clients should vote through their proxies on the proposals to be considered at the registrant’s upcoming meeting or on matters for which shareholder approval is sought; and
• Proxy voting advice businesses typically provide their recommendations shortly before a shareholder meeting or authorization vote, enhancing the likelihood that their recommendations will influence their clients’ voting determinations.
The SEC observed that where these or other significant factors are present, the proxy voting advice businesses’ voting advice generally would constitute a solicitation subject to the SEC’s proxy rules because such advice would be “a communication to security holders under circumstances reasonably calculated to result in the procurement, withholding or revocation of a proxy.”
Exemptions
The SEC recognizes two exemptions to the solicitation rule:
• When a business that provides proxy voting services does not provide any voting recommendations and is instead exercising delegated voting authority on behalf of its clients; and
• Any proxy voting advice provided by a person who furnishes such advice only in response to an unprompted request.
However, the persons who provide proxy voting advice in reliance on the exemptions must include in their voting advice to clients the conflicts of interest disclosure specified in new Rule 14a-2(b)(9)(i). Such persons must include in their voting advice (or in any electronic medium used to deliver the advice) prominent disclosure of:
• Any information regarding an interest, transaction, or relationship of the proxy voting advice business (or its affiliates) that is material to assessing the objectivity of the proxy voting advice in light of the circumstances of the particular interest, transaction, or relationship; and
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• Any policies and procedures used to identify, as well as the steps taken to address, any such material conflicts of interest arising from such interest, transaction, or relationship.
New Rule 14a-2(b)(9)(ii) requires, as a separate condition to the availability of the exemptions, that a proxy voting advice business adopt and publicly disclose written policies and procedures reasonably designed to ensure that:
• Registrants that are the subject of proxy voting advice have such advice made available to them at or prior to the time when such advice is disseminated to the proxy voting advice business’s clients; and
• The proxy voting advice business provides its clients with a mechanism by which they can reasonably be expected to become aware of any written statements regarding its proxy voting advice by registrants that are the subject of such advice, in a timely manner before the shareholder meeting (or, if no meeting, before the votes, consents, or authorizations may be used to effect the proposed action).
A proxy voting advice business will be deemed to satisfy this rule if it has written policies and procedures that are reasonably designed to provide registrants with a copy of its proxy voting advice, at no charge, no later than the time it is disseminated to the business’s clients.
Proxy voting advice businesses need not comply with Rule 14a-2(b)(9)(ii) in order to rely on either exemption (i) to the extent that their proxy voting advice is based on a custom policy or (ii) if they provide proxy voting advice as to non-exempt solicitations regarding certain mergers and acquisitions or contested matters.
The amendments are effective beginning September 3, 2020 but affected proxy voting advice businesses subject to the final rules are not required to comply with the Rule 14a-2(b)(9) amendments until December 1, 2021.
Responsibility
Zebra Capital’s Proxy Voting Committee has the overall responsibility for the implementation and monitoring of Zebra Capital’s proxy voting policy, practices, disclosures and recordkeeping.
Procedure
Zebra Capital has adopted procedures to implement its policy and conducts reviews to monitor and ensure that its policy is observed, implemented properly and amended or updated, as appropriate, which include the following:
Delegation of Proxy Voting Authority and Voting Obligations
Terms and conditions defining and/or limiting the scope of Zebra Capital’s proxy voting authority and voting obligations, as agreed upon with the client, may be documented as part of the investment policies and objectives of such client(s).
Voting Policies and Procedures
• In the unlikely event that proxy materials are received by Zebra Capital, the employee who receives such proxy materials is to forward such proxy materials to Zebra Capital’s Office Manager for handling and electronic voting and record keeping;
• Typically, Broadridge will determine which client, Zebra / non-Zebra Fund account holds the security to which the proxy relates;
• Absent material conflicts, Zebra Capital / Broadridge will determine how Zebra Capital / Broadridge should vote the proxy in accordance with applicable voting guidelines, complete the proxy and vote the proxy in a timely and appropriate manner.
Disclosure
• Zebra Capital will provide required disclosures in response to Item 17 of Form ADV Part 2A summarizing its Proxy Voting Policy and Procedures, including a statement that clients may request information regarding how Zebra Capital voted a client’s proxies.
Client Requests for Information
• All client requests for information regarding proxy votes, or policies and procedures, received by any employee should be forwarded to Zebra Capital’s Office Manager; and
• In response to any request, Zebra Capital’s Office Manager will request relevant proxy reports from Broadridge, if necessary, and prepare a written response to the client with the information requested and, as applicable will include the name of the issuer, the proposal voted upon, and how Zebra Capital / Broadridge voted the proxy with respect to each proposal about which the client inquired.
Voting Guidelines
• In the absence of specific voting guidelines from the client, Zebra Capital / Broadridge will vote proxies in the best interests of each particular client and Zebra / non-Zebra Fund, as the case may be. Generally, clients are permitted to place reasonable restrictions on Zebra Capital’s voting authority in the same manner that they may place such restrictions on the actual selection of account securities;
• Zebra Capital / Broadridge will generally vote in favor of routine corporate housekeeping proposals such as the election of directors and selection of auditors absent conflicts of interest raised by auditors’ non-audit services;
• Zebra Capital / Broadridge will generally vote against proposals that cause board members to become entrenched or cause unequal voting rights; and
• In the event Zebra Capital reviews any proxy proposals (e.g., in the event of a potential conflict of interest), Zebra Capital’s Proxy Voting Committee may further consider the opinion of management and the effect on management, and the effect on shareholder value and the issuer’s business practices.
Conflicts of Interest
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• Zebra Capital will seek to identify any conflicts that exist between the interests of the adviser and any fund / client by reviewing the relationship of Zebra Capital with the issuer of each security to determine if Zebra Capital or any of its employees has any financial, business or personal relationship with the issuer.
• If a material conflict of interest exists, Zebra Capital’s CCO and/or Proxy Voting Committee will determine whether it is appropriate to disclose the conflict to the affected clients, to give the clients an opportunity to vote the proxies themselves, or to address the voting issue through other objective means such as voting in a manner consistent with a predetermined voting policy or receiving an independent third party voting recommendation; and
• Zebra Capital’s CCO, or designee, will maintain a record of the voting resolution regarding any conflict of interest.
Recordkeeping
Zebra Capital’s Office Manager will retain the following proxy records either through the Broadridge recordkeeping processes, EDGAR electronic filings or Zebra Capital’s records in accordance with the SEC’s five-year retention requirement:
• These policies and procedures and any amendments thereto;
• Each proxy statement that Zebra Capital / Broadridge receives;
• A record of each vote that Zebra Capital / Broadridge casts;
• Any document Zebra Capital / Broadridge creates that is material to making a decision how to vote proxies, or that memorializes that decision, including periodic reports to Zebra Capital’s CCO or Proxy Voting Committee; and
• A copy of each written request from a client for information on how Zebra Capital / Broadridge voted such client’s proxies, and a copy of any written response.
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APPENDIX C
Ratings Definitions
Below are summaries of the ratings definitions used by some of the rating organizations. Those ratings represent the opinion of the rating organizations as to the credit quality of the issues that they rate. The summaries are based upon publicly available information provided by the rating organizations.
Ratings of Long-Term Obligations and Preferred StocksA Fund utilizes ratings provided by rating organizations in order to determine eligibility of long-term obligations. The ratings described in this section may also be used for evaluating the credit quality for preferred stocks.
Credit ratings typically evaluate the safety of principal and interest payments, not the market value risk of bonds. The rating organizations may fail to update a credit rating on a timely basis to reflect changes in economic or financial conditions that may affect the market value of the security. For these reasons, credit ratings may not be an accurate indicator of the market value of a bond.
The four highest Moody’s ratings for long-term obligations (or issuers thereof) are Aaa, Aa, A and Baa. Obligations rated Aaa are judged to be of the highest quality and subject to the lowest level of credit risk. Obligations rated Aa are judged to be of high quality and subject to very low credit risk. Obligations rated A are judged to be upper-medium grade and subject to low credit risk. Obligations rated Baa are judged to be medium-grade and subject to moderate credit risk and, as such, may possess certain speculative characteristics.
Moody’s ratings of Ba, B, Caa, Ca and C are considered below investment grade. Obligations rated Ba are judged to be speculative and subject to substantial credit risk. Obligations rated B are considered speculative and subject to high credit risk. Obligations rated Caa are judged to be of poor standing and subject to very high credit risk. Obligations rated Ca are highly speculative and are likely in, or very near, default, with some prospect of recovery of principal and interest. Obligations rated C are the lowest rated and are typically in default, with little prospect for recovery of principal or interest. Moody’s also appends numerical modifiers 1, 2, and 3 to each generic rating classification from Aa through Caa. The modifier 1 indicates that the obligation ranks in the higher end of its generic rating category; the modifier 2 indicates a mid-range ranking; and the modifier 3 indicates a ranking in the lower end of that generic rating category. Additionally, a “(hyb)” indicator is appended to all ratings of hybrid securities issued by banks, insurers, finance companies, and securities firms.
The four highest S&P Global ratings for long-term obligations are AAA, AA, A and BBB. An obligation rated AAA has the highest rating assigned by S&P Global and indicates that the obligor’s capacity to meet its financial commitments on the obligation is extremely strong. An obligation rated AA differs from the highest-rated obligations only to a small degree. The obligor’s capacity to meet its financial commitments on the obligation is very strong. An obligation rated A is somewhat more susceptible to the adverse effects of changes in circumstances and economic conditions than obligations in higher-rated categories. However, the obligor’s capacity to meet its financial commitments on the obligation is still strong. An obligation rated BBB exhibits adequate protection parameters; however, adverse economic conditions or changing circumstances are more likely to weaken the obligor’s capacity to meet its financial commitment on the obligation.
S&P Global ratings of BB, B, CCC, CC, C, SD, and D are regarded as having significant speculative characteristics. BB indicates the least degree of speculation and C the highest. While such obligations will likely have some quality and protective characteristics, these may be outweighed by large uncertainties or major exposures to adverse conditions. An obligation rated BB is less vulnerable to nonpayment than other speculative issues. However, it faces major ongoing uncertainties or exposure to adverse business, financial, or economic conditions which could lead to the obligor’s inadequate capacity to meet its financial commitment on the obligation. An obligation rated B is more vulnerable to nonpayment than obligations rated BB, but the obligor currently has the capacity to meet its financial commitment on the obligation. Adverse business, financial, or economic conditions will likely impair the obligor’s capacity or willingness to meet its financial commitment on the obligation. An obligation rated CCC is currently vulnerable to nonpayment, and is dependent upon favorable business, financial, and economic conditions for the obligor to meet its financial commitment on the obligation. In the event of adverse business, financial, or economic conditions, the obligor is not likely to have the capacity to meet its financial commitment on the obligation. An obligation rated CC is currently highly vulnerable to nonpayment. The CC rating is used when a default has not yet occurred, but S&P Global expects default to be a virtual certainty, regardless of the anticipated time to default. An obligation rated C is currently highly vulnerable to nonpayment, and the obligation is expected to have lower relative seniority or lower ultimate recovery compared to obligations that are rated higher. An obligation rated SD (selective default) and D is in default or in breach of an imputed promise. For non-hybrid capital instruments, the D rating category is used when payments on an obligation are not made on the date due unless S&P Global believes that such payments will be made within five business days in the absence of a stated grace period or within the earlier of the stated grace period or 30 calendar days. The D rating also is used upon the filing of a bankruptcy petition or the taking of similar action and where default on an obligation is a virtual certainty, for example due to automatic stay provisions. An obligation’s rating is lowered to D if it is subject to a distressed exchange offer. An SD rating is assigned when S&P Global believes that the obligor has selectively defaulted on a specific issue or class of obligations but it will continue to meet its payment obligations on other issues or classes of obligations in a timely manner. The ratings from AA to CCC may be modified by the addition of a plus (+) or minus (-) sign to show relative standing within the major rating categories.
The four highest ratings for long-term obligations by Fitch Ratings are AAA, AA, A and BBB. Obligations rated AAA are deemed to be of the highest credit quality. AAA ratings denote the lowest expectation of default risk. They are assigned only in case of exceptionally strong capacity for payment of financial commitments. This capacity is highly unlikely to be adversely affected by foreseeable events. Obligations rated AA are deemed to be of very high credit quality. AA ratings denote expectations of very low default risk. They indicate very strong capacity for payment of financial commitments. This capacity is not significantly vulnerable to foreseeable events. Obligations rated A are deemed to be of high credit quality. An A rating denotes expectations of low default risk. The capacity for payment of financial commitments is considered strong. This capacity may, nevertheless, be more vulnerable to changes in circumstances or in economic conditions than is the case for higher ratings. Obligations rated BBB are deemed to be of good credit quality. BBB ratings indicate that expectations of default risk are currently low. The capacity for payment of financial commitments is considered adequate but adverse business and economic conditions are more likely to impair this capacity. This is the lowest investment grade category.
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Fitch’s ratings of BB, B, CCC, CC, C, RD and D are considered below investment grade or speculative grade. Obligations rated BB are deemed to be speculative. BB ratings indicate an elevated vulnerability to default risk, particularly in the event of adverse changes in business or economic conditions over time; however, business or financial flexibility exists, which can be utilized to help service financial commitments. Obligations rated B are deemed to be highly speculative. B ratings indicate that material default risk is present, but a limited margin of safety remains. Financial commitments are currently being met; however, the capacity for continued payment is vulnerable to deterioration in the business and economic environment. Obligations rated CCC indicate, for issuers and performing obligations, default is a real possibility. Obligations rated CC indicate, for issuers and performing obligations, default of some kind appears probable. Obligations rated C indicate exceptionally high levels of credit risk. Default is imminent or inevitable, or the issuer is in standstill. Conditions that are indicative of a C category rating for an issuer include: (a) the issuer has entered into a grace or cure period following non-payment of a material financial obligation; (b) the issuer has entered into a temporary negotiated waiver or standstill agreement following a payment default on a material financial obligation; (c) the formal announcement by the issuer or their agent of a distressed debt exchange; or (d) a closed financing vehicle where payment capacity is irrevocably impaired such that it is not expected to pay interest and/or principal in full during the life of the transaction, but where no payment default is imminent. Obligations rated RD indicate an issuer that, in Fitch Ratings’ opinion, has experienced an uncured payment default on a bond, loan or other material financial obligation but which has not entered into bankruptcy filings, administration, receivership, liquidation or other formal winding-up procedure, and which has not otherwise ceased operating. This would include: (a) the selective payment default on a specific class or currency of debt; (b) the uncured expiry of any applicable grace period, cure period or default forbearance period following a payment default on a bank loan, capital markets security or other material financial obligation; (c) the extension of multiple waivers or forbearance periods upon a payment default on one or more material financial obligations, either in series or in parallel; or (d) execution of a distressed debt exchange on one or more material financial obligations. Obligations rated D indicate an issuer that, in Fitch Ratings’ opinion, has entered into bankruptcy filings, administration, receivership, liquidation or other formal winding-up procedure, or which has otherwise ceased business. Default ratings are not assigned prospectively to entities or their obligations; within this context, non-payment on an instrument that contains a deferral feature or grace period will generally not be considered a default until after the expiration of the deferral or grace period unless a default is otherwise driven by bankruptcy or other similar circumstance, or by a distressed debt exchange. “Imminent” default typically refers to the occasion where a payment default has been intimated by the issuer, and is all but inevitable. This may, for example, be where an issuer has missed a scheduled payment, but (as is typical) has a grace period during which it may cure the payment default. Another alternative would be where an issuer has formally announced a distressed debt exchange, but the date of the exchange still lies several days or weeks in the immediate future. In all cases, the assignment of a default rating reflects the agency’s opinion as to the most appropriate rating category consistent with the rest of its universe of ratings, and may differ from the definition of default under the terms of an issuer’s financial obligations or local commercial practice. The modifiers “+” or “-” may be appended to a rating to denote relative status within major rating categories. Such suffixes are not added to the AAA Long-Term IDR category, or to Long-Term IDR categories below B.
Ratings of Municipal Obligations — Moody’s ratings for short-term investment-grade municipal obligations are designated Municipal Investment Grade (MIG or VMIG in the case of variable rate demand obligations) and are divided into three levels — MIG/VMIG 1, MIG/VMIG 2, MIG/VMIG 3, and SG. The MIG/VMIG 1 rating denotes superior credit quality, providing excellent protection through established cash flows, highly reliable liquidity support, or demonstrated broad-based access to the market for refinancing. The MIG/VMIG 2 rating denotes strong credit quality. Generally, MIG/VMIG 2 indicates that the margins of protection are ample, although not as large as in the preceding group. The MIG/VMIG 3 rating denotes acceptable credit quality. Liquidity and cash-flow protection may be narrow, and market access for refinancing is likely to be less well-established. An SG rating denotes speculative-grade credit quality. Debt instruments in this category may lack sufficient margins of protection.
S&P Global uses SP-1, SP-2, SP-3, and D to rate short-term municipal obligations. A rating of SP-1 denotes a strong capacity to pay principal and interest. An obligor determined to possess a very strong capacity to pay the debt service is given a plus (+) designation. A rating of SP-2 denotes a satisfactory capacity to pay principal and interest, with some vulnerability to adverse financial and economic changes over the term of the notes. A rating of SP-3 denotes a speculative capacity to pay principal and interest. A rating of D is assigned upon failure to pay the note when due, completion of a distressed exchange offer, or the filing of a bankruptcy petition or the taking of similar action and where default on an obligation is a virtual certainty, for example due to automatic stay provisions.
Ratings of Short-Term Obligations — Moody’s short-term ratings, designated as P-1, P-2, P-3, or NP, are opinions of the ability of issuers to honor short-term financial obligations that generally have an original maturity not exceeding thirteen months. The rating P-1 (Prime-1) is the highest short-term rating assigned by Moody’s and it denotes an issuer (or supporting institution) that has a superior ability to repay short-term debt obligations. The rating P-2 (Prime-2) denotes an issuer (or supporting institution) that has a strong ability to repay short-term debt obligations. The rating P-3 (Prime-3) denotes an issuer (or supporting institution) that has an acceptable ability for repayment of senior short-term policyholder claims and obligations. The rating NP (Not Prime) denotes an issuer (or supporting institution) that does not fall within any of the Prime rating categories.
S&P Global short-term ratings are generally assigned to those obligations considered short-term in the relevant market. In the U.S., for example, that means obligations with an original maturity of no more than 365 days, including commercial paper. A short-term obligation rated A-1 is rated in the highest category by S&P Global and indicates that the obligor’s capacity to meet its financial commitment on the obligation is strong. Within this category, certain obligations are designated with a plus sign (+). This indicates that the obligor’s capacity to meet its financial commitment on these obligations is extremely strong. A short-term obligation rated A-2 is somewhat more susceptible to the adverse effects of changes in circumstances and economic conditions than obligations in higher rating categories. However, the obligor’s capacity to meet its financial commitment on the obligation is satisfactory. A short-term obligation rated A-3 exhibits adequate protection parameters. However, adverse economic conditions or changing circumstances are more likely to lead to a weakened capacity of the obligor to meet its financial commitment on the obligation. A short-term obligation rated B is regarded as vulnerable and has significant speculative characteristics. The obligor currently has the capacity to meet its financial commitment; however, it faces major ongoing uncertainties which could lead to the obligor’s inadequate capacity to meet its financial commitment on the obligation. A short-term obligation rated C is currently vulnerable to nonpayment and is dependent upon favorable business, financial, and economic conditions for the obligor to meet its financial commitment on the obligation. A short-term obligation rated SD and D is in default or in breach of an imputed promise. For non-hybrid capital instruments, the D rating category is used when payments on an obligation are not made on the date due, unless S&P Global believes that such payments will be made within any stated grace period. However, any stated grace period longer than
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five business days will be treated as five business days. The D rating also will be used upon the filing of a bankruptcy petition or the taking of a similar action and where default on an obligation is a virtual certainty, for example due to automatic stay provisions. An obligation’s rating is lowered to D if it is subject to a distressed exchange offer. An SD rating is assigned when the obligor has selectively defaulted on a specific issue or class of obligations but it will continue to meet its payment obligations on other issues or classes of obligations in a timely manner.
Fitch Ratings’ short-term ratings have a time horizon of less than 13 months for most obligations, or up to three years for US public finance markets. Short-term ratings thus place greater emphasis on the liquidity necessary to meet financial commitments in a timely manner. A rating of F1 denotes an obligation of the highest short-term credit quality. It indicates the strongest intrinsic capacity for timely payment of financial commitments and may have an added “+” to denote any exceptionally strong credit feature. A rating of F2 denotes good short-term credit quality. It indicates a good intrinsic capacity for timely payment of financial commitments. A rating of F3 denotes fair short-term credit quality. The intrinsic capacity for timely payment of financial commitments is adequate. A rating of B denotes an obligation that is of speculative short-term credit quality, indicating minimal capacity for timely payment of financial commitments as well as heightened vulnerability to near term adverse changes in financial and economic conditions. A rating of C denotes a high short-term default risk. Default is a real possibility. A rating of RD indicates an entity that has defaulted on one or more of its financial commitments, although it continues to meet other financial obligations. Typically applicable to entity ratings only, a rating of D indicates a broad-based default event for an entity or the default of a short-term obligation.
Fitch’s ratings of BB, B, CCC, CC, C, RD and D are considered below investment grade or speculative grade. Obligations rated BB are deemed to be speculative. BB ratings indicate an elevated vulnerability to default risk, particularly in the event of adverse changes in business or economic conditions over time; however, business or financial flexibility exists which supports the servicing of financial commitments. Obligations rated B are deemed to be highly speculative. B ratings indicate that material default risk is present, but a limited margin of safety remains. Financial commitments are currently being met; however, capacity for continued payment is vulnerable to deterioration in the business and economic environment. Obligations rated CCC indicate, for issuers and performing obligations, default is a real possibility. Obligations rated CC indicate, for issuers and performing obligations, default of some kind appears probable. Obligations rated C indicate exceptionally high levels of credit risk. Default is imminent or inevitable, or the issuer is in standstill. Conditions that are indicative of a ‘C’ category rating for an issuer include: (a) the issuer has entered into a grace or cure period following non-payment of a material financial obligation; (b) the issuer has entered into a temporary negotiated waiver or standstill agreement following a payment default on a material financial obligation; (c) the formal announcement by the issuer or their agent of a distressed debt exchange; or (d) a closed financing vehicle where payment capacity is irrevocably impaired such that it is not expected to pay interest and/or principal in full during the life of the transaction, but where no payment default is imminent. Obligations rated RD indicate an issuer that in Fitch Ratings’ opinion has experienced an uncured payment default on a bond, loan or other material financial obligation but which has not entered into bankruptcy filings, administration, receivership, liquidation or other formal winding-up procedure, and which has not otherwise ceased operating. This would include: (a) the selective payment default on a specific class or currency of debt; (b) the uncured expiry of any applicable grace period, cure period or default forbearance period following a payment default on a bank loan, capital markets security or other material financial obligation; (c) the extension of multiple waivers or forbearance periods upon a payment default on one or more material financial obligations, either in series or in parallel; or (d) execution of a distressed debt exchange on one or more material financial obligations. Obligations rated D indicate an issuer that in Fitch Ratings’ opinion has entered into bankruptcy filings, administration, receivership, liquidation or other formal winding-up procedure, or which has otherwise ceased business. Default ratings are not assigned prospectively to entities or their obligations; within this context, non-payment on an instrument that contains a deferral feature or grace period will generally not be considered a default until after the expiration of the deferral or grace period unless a default is otherwise driven by bankruptcy or other similar circumstance, or by a distressed debt exchange. “Imminent” default typically refers to the occasion where a payment default has been intimated by the issuer, and is all but inevitable. This may, for example, be where an issuer has missed a scheduled payment, but (as is typical) has a grace period during which it may cure the payment default. Another alternative would be where an issuer has formally announced a distressed debt exchange, but the date of the exchange still lies several days or weeks in the immediate future. In all cases, the assignment of a default rating reflects the agency’s opinion as to the most appropriate rating category consistent with the rest of its universe of ratings, and may differ from the definition of default under the terms of an issuer’s financial obligations or local commercial practice. The modifiers “+” or “-” may be appended to a rating to denote relative status within major rating categories. Such suffixes are not added to the ‘AAA’ Long-Term IDR category, or to Long-Term IDR categories below ‘B’.
Ratings of Municipal Obligations — Moody’s ratings for short-term investment-grade municipal obligations are designated Municipal Investment Grade (MIG or VMIG in the case of variable rate demand obligations) and are divided into three levels — MIG/VMIG 1, MIG/VMIG 2, MIG/VMIG 3, and SG. The MIG/VMIG 1 rating denotes superior credit quality. Excellent protection is afforded by established cash flows, highly reliable liquidity support, or demonstrated broad-based access to the market for refinancing. The MIG/VMIG 2 rating denotes strong credit quality. Margins of protection are ample, although not as large as in the preceding group. The MIG/VMIG 3 rating denotes acceptable credit quality. Liquidity and cash-flow protection may be narrow, and market access for refinancing is likely to be less well-established. An SG rating denotes speculative-grade credit quality. Debt instruments in this category may lack sufficient margins of protection.
S&P Global uses SP-1, SP-2, SP-3, and D to rate short-term municipal obligations. A rating of SP-1 denotes a strong capacity to pay principal and interest. An issue determined to possess a very strong capacity to pay debt service is given a plus (+) designation. A rating of SP-2 denotes a satisfactory capacity to pay principal and interest, with some vulnerability to adverse financial and economic changes over the term of the notes. A rating of SP-3 denotes a speculative capacity to pay principal and interest. A rating of D is assigned upon failure to pay the note when due, completion of a distressed exchange offer, or the filing of a bankruptcy petition or the taking of similar action and where default on an obligation is a virtual certainty, for example due to automatic stay provisions.
Ratings of Short-Term Obligations — Moody’s short-term ratings, designated as P-1, P-2, P-3, or NP, are opinions of the ability of issuers to honor short-term financial obligations that generally have an original maturity not exceeding thirteen months. The rating P-1 is the highest short-term rating assigned by Moody’s and it denotes an issuer (or supporting institution) that has a superior ability to repay short-term debt obligations. The rating P-2 denotes an issuer (or supporting institution) that has a strong ability to repay short-term debt obligations. The rating P-3 denotes an issuer (or
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supporting institution) that has an acceptable ability for repayment of senior short-term policyholder claims and obligations. The rating NP (Not Prime) denotes an issuer (or supporting institutions) that does not fall within any of the Prime rating categories.
S&P Global short-term ratings are generally assigned to those obligations considered short-term in the relevant market. A short-term obligation rated A-1 is rated in the highest category by S&P Global. The obligor’s capacity to meet its financial commitment on the obligation is strong. Within this category, certain obligations are designated with a plus sign (+). This indicates that the obligor’s capacity to meet its financial commitment on these obligations is extremely strong. A short-term obligation rated A-2 is somewhat more susceptible to the adverse effects of changes in circumstances and economic conditions than obligations in higher rating categories. However, the obligor’s capacity to meet its financial commitment on the obligation is satisfactory. A short-term obligation rated A-3 exhibits adequate protection parameters. However, adverse economic conditions or changing circumstances are more likely to lead to a weakened capacity of the obligor to meet its financial commitment on the obligation. A short-term obligation rated B is regarded as vulnerable and has significant speculative characteristics. The obligor currently has the capacity to meet its financial commitment; however, it faces major ongoing uncertainties which could lead to the obligor’s inadequate capacity to meet its financial commitment on the obligation. A short-term obligation rated C is currently vulnerable to nonpayment and is dependent upon favorable business, financial, and economic conditions for the obligor to meet its financial commitment on the obligation. A short-term obligation rated SD and D is in default or in breach of an imputed promise. For non-hybrid capital instruments, the “D” rating category is used when payments on an obligation are not made on the date due, unless S&P Global believes that such payments will be made within any stated grace period. However, any stated grace period longer than five business days will be treated as five business days. The ‘D’ rating also will be used upon the filing of a bankruptcy petition or the taking of a similar action and where default on an obligation is a virtual certainty, for example due to automatic stay provisions. An obligation’s rating is lowered to ‘D’ if it is subject to a distressed exchange offer. An ‘SD’ rating is assigned when the obligor has selectively defaulted on a specific issue or class of obligations but it will continue to meet its payment obligations on other issues or classes of obligations in a timely manner.
Fitch Ratings’ short-term ratings have a time horizon of less than 13 months for most obligations, or up to three years for US public finance markets. Short-term ratings thus place greater emphasis on the liquidity necessary to meet financial commitments in a timely manner. A rating of F1 denotes an obligation of the highest short-term credit quality. It indicates the strongest intrinsic capacity for timely payment of financial commitments and may have an added “+” to denote any exceptionally strong credit feature. A rating of F2 denotes good short-term credit quality. It indicates a good intrinsic capacity for timely payment of financial commitments. A rating of F3 denotes fair short-term credit quality. The intrinsic capacity for timely payment of financial commitments is adequate. A rating of B denotes an obligation that is of speculative short-term credit quality. Minimal capacity for timely payment of financial commitments, plus heightened vulnerability to near term adverse changes in financial and economic conditions. A rating of C denotes a high short-term default risk. Default is a real possibility. A rating of RD indicates an entity that has defaulted on one or more of its financial commitments, although it continues to meet other financial obligations. Typically applicable to entity ratings only, a rating of D indicates a broad-based default event for an entity or the default of a short-term obligation.
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APPENDIX D
GLOSSARY
Act
Tax Cuts and Jobs Act enacted in December 2017
ADRs
American Depositary Receipts
Advisers Act
Investment Advisers Act of 1940, as amended
American Beacon or the Manager
American Beacon Advisors, Inc.
Beacon Funds or Trust
American Beacon Funds
Board
Board of Trustees
Brexit
The United Kingdom’s departure from the European Union
CBO
Collateralized Bond Obligations
CCO
Chief Compliance Officer
CD
Certificate of Deposit
CDO
Collateralized Debt Obligations
CDSC
Contingent Deferred Sales Charge
CFTC
U.S. Commodity Futures Trading Commission
CLO
Collateralized Loan Obligation
CLS
Credit-Linked Securities
CMO
Collateralized Mortgage Obligation
CPO
Commodity Pool Operator
Denial of Services
A cybersecurity incident that results in customers or employees being unable to access electronic systems
Dividends
Distributions of most or all of a Fund’s net investment income
Dodd-Frank Act
Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act
EDR
European Depositary Receipt
ETF
Exchange-Traded Fund
EU
European Union
Fannie Mae
Federal National Mortgage Association
FHFA
Federal Housing Finance Agency
FHLB
Federal Home Loan Bank
FHLMC
Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation
FINRA
Financial Industry Regulatory Authority, Inc.
Floaters
Floating rate debt instruments
FNMA
Federal National Mortgage Association
Forwards
Forward Currency Contracts
Freddie Mac
Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation
GDR
Global Depositary Receipt
Ginnie Mae
Government National Mortgage Association
GNMA
Government National Mortgage Association
Holdings Policy
Policies and Procedures for Disclosure of Portfolio Holdings
IDS
Income Deposit Securities
Internal Revenue Code
Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended
Investment Company Act
Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended
IPO
Initial Public Offering
IRA
Individual Retirement Account
IRS
Internal Revenue Service
ISS
Institutional Shareholder Services
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Junk Bonds
High yield, non-investment grade bonds
LIBOR
ICE LIBOR
LOI
Letter of Intent
LSEG
London Stock Exchange Group
Management Agreement
The Fund’s Management Agreement with the Manager
MLP
Master Limited Partnership
Moody’s
Moody’s Investors Service, Inc.
NAV
Net asset value
NDF
Non-deliverable foreign currency forward contracts
NDO
Non-deliverable Option
NVDR
Non-voting Depository Receipt
NYSE
New York Stock Exchange
OTC
Over-the-Counter
Proxy Policy
Proxy Voting Policy and Procedures
QDI
Qualified Dividend Income
REIT
Real Estate Investment Trust
REMICs
Real Estate Mortgage Investment Conduits
RIC
Regulated Investment Company
S&P Global
S&P Global Ratings
SAI
Statement of Additional Information
SEC
Securities and Exchange Commission
Securities Act
Securities Act of 1933, as amended
SMBS
Stripped Mortgage-Backed Securities
State Street
State Street Bank and Trust Co.
STRIPS
Separately traded registered interest and principal securities
Trustee Retirement Plan
Trustee Retirement and Trustee Emeritus and Retirement Plan
UK
United Kingdom
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American Beacon
PROSPECTUS
January 1, 2022
Share Class
A
C
Y
R5
Investor
SP
American Beacon Sound Point Floating Rate Income Fund
SOUAX
SOUCX
SPFYX
SPFLX
SPFPX
SPFRX
As of January 1, 2021, as permitted by regulations adopted by the Securities and Exchange Commission, paper copies of the Fund’s annual/semi-annual shareholder reports are no longer sent by mail, unless you specifically request paper copies of the reports from the Fund or from your financial intermediary, such as a broker-dealer or bank. Instead, the reports are made available on a website, and you will be notified by mail each time a report is posted and provided with a website link to access the report.
If you already elected to receive annual/semi-annual shareholder reports electronically, you will not be affected by this change and you need not take any action. You may elect to receive annual/semi-annual shareholder reports and other communications from the Fund or your financial intermediary electronically by going to www.americanbeaconfunds.com and clicking on ‘‘Quick Links’’ and then ‘‘Register for E-Delivery.”
You may elect to receive all future reports in paper free of charge. You can inform the Fund that you wish to continue receiving paper copies of your annual/semi-annual shareholder reports by calling 1-866-345-5954 with the unique ID number that is provided in the notification you receive, or you may directly inform your financial intermediary of your wish. A notice that will be mailed to you each time a report is posted will also include instructions for informing the Fund that you wish to continue receiving paper copies of your shareholder reports. Your election to receive reports in paper will apply to all funds held with the American Beacon Funds Complex or your financial intermediary, as applicable.
This Prospectus contains important information you should know about investing, including information about risks. Please read it before you invest and keep it for future reference.
As with all mutual funds, the Securities and Exchange Commission has not approved or disapproved these securities or determined if this Prospectus is truthful or complete. Any representation to the contrary is a criminal offense.

 

 
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8
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American Beacon Sound Point Floating Rate Income FundSM
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Investment Objective
The Fund’s investment objective is to seek to provide a high level of current income consistent with strong risk-adjusted returns.
Fees and Expenses of the Fund
This table describes the fees and expenses that you may pay if you buy, hold, and sell shares of the Fund. You may pay other fees, such as brokerage commissions and other fees to financial intermediaries, which are not reflected in the tables and examples below. You may qualify for sales discounts if you and your eligible family members invest, or agree to invest in the future, at least $50,000 in all classes of the American Beacon Funds on an aggregated basis. More information about these and other discounts is available from your financial professional and in “Choosing Your Share Class” on page 21 of the Prospectus and “Additional Purchase and Sale Information for A Class Shares” on page 39 of the Statement of Additional Information (“SAI”). With respect to purchases of shares through specific intermediaries, you may find additional information regarding sales charge discounts and waivers in Appendix A to the Fund’s Prospectus entitled “Intermediary Sales Charge Discounts, Waivers and Other Information.”
Shareholder Fees (fees paid directly from your investment)
Share Class
A
C
Y
R5
Investor
SP
Maximum sales charge imposed on purchases (as a percentage of offering price)
2.50
%
None
None
None
None
None
Maximum deferred sales charge (as a percentage of the lower of original offering price or redemption proceeds)
0.50
%
1
1.00
%
None
None
None
None
Annual Fund Operating Expenses (Expenses that you pay each year as a percentage of the value of your investment)
Share Class
A
C
Y
R5
Investor
SP
Management Fees
0.70
%
0.70
%
0.70
%
0.70
%
0.70
%
0.70
%
Distribution and/or Service (12b-1) Fees
0.25
%
1.00
%
0.00
%
0.00
%
0.00
%
0.25
%
Other Expenses2
0.22
%
0.24
%
0.25
%
0.18
%
0.52
%
0.22
%
Acquired Fund Fees and Expenses
0.01
%
0.01
%
0.01
%
0.01
%
0.01
%
0.01
%
Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses3
1.18
%
1.95
%
0.96
%
0.89
%
1.23
%
1.18
%
Fee Waiver and/or expense reimbursement4
(0.08
%)
(0.08
%)
(0.07
%)
(0.06
%)
(0.06
%)
(0.09
%)
Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses after fee waiver and/or expense reimbursement
1.10
%
1.87
%
0.89
%
0.83
%
1.17
%
1.09
%
1
A contingent deferred sales charge (‘’CDSC’’) of 0.50% will be charged on certain purchases of $250,000 or more of A Class shares that are redeemed in whole or part within 18 months of purchase.
2 During the fiscal year ended August 31, 2021, the Fund paid amounts to American Beacon Advisors, Inc. (the “Manager”) that were previously waived and/or reimbursed under a contractual fee waiver/expense reimbursement agreement for the Fund’s R5 Class and SP Class shares in the amount of 0.02% for the R5 Class shares and 0.01% for the SP Class shares.
3 The Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses do not correlate to the ratio of expenses to average net assets provided in the Fund’s Financial Highlights table, which reflects the operating expenses of the Fund and does not include Acquired Fund Fees and Expenses.
4 The Manager has contractually agreed to waive fees and/or reimburse expenses of the Fund’s A Class, C Class, Y Class, R5 Class, Investor Class and SP Class shares, as applicable, through December 31, 2022 to the extent that Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses exceed 1.09% for the A Class, 1.86% for the C Class, 0.88% for the Y Class, 0.82% for the R5 Class, 1.16% for the Investor Class and 1.08% for the SP Class (excluding taxes, interest, brokerage commissions, acquired fund fees and expenses, securities lending fees, expenses associated with securities sold short, litigation, and other extraordinary expenses). The Manager will itself waive fees and/or reimburse expenses of the Fund to maintain the contractual expense ratio caps for each applicable class of shares. In addition, Sound Point Capital Management, LP (the “sub-advisor”) has contractually agreed to waive a portion of its management fee equal to 0.03% of the Fund’s average daily net assets through December 31, 2022. The contractual expense reimbursement and fee waiver by the Manager and the contractual fee waiver by the sub-advisor can be changed or terminated only in the discretion and with the approval of a majority of the Fund’s Board of Trustees (“Board”). The Manager may also, from time to time, voluntarily waive fees and/or reimburse expenses of the Fund. The Manager (but not the sub-advisor) can be reimbursed by the Fund for any contractual or voluntary fee waivers or expense reimbursements if reimbursement to the Manager (a) occurs within three years from the date of the Manager’s waiver/reimbursement and (b) does not cause the Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses of a class to exceed the lesser of the contractual percentage limit in effect at the time of the waiver/reimbursement or the time of the recoupment.
Example
This Example is intended to help you compare the cost of investing in the Fund with the cost of investing in other mutual funds. The Example assumes that you invest $10,000 in the Fund for the time periods indicated and then redeem all of your shares at the end of those periods. The Example also assumes that your investment has a 5% return each year and that the Fund’s operating expenses remain the same, except that the Example reflects the fee waiver/expense reimbursement arrangement for each share class through December 31, 2022. Although your actual costs may be higher or lower, based on these assumptions, your costs would be:
Share Class
1 Year
3 Years
5 Years
10 Years
A
$359
$608
$875
$1,639
C
$290
$605
$1,045
$2,268
Y
$91
$299
$524
$1,172
R5
$85
$278
$487
$1,091
Investor
$119
$384
$670
$1,483
SP
$111
$366
$640
$1,424
Prospectus – Fund Summary1 

 

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Assuming no redemption of shares:
Share Class
1 Year
3 Years
5 Years
10 Years
C
$190
$605
$1,045
$2,268
Portfolio Turnover
The Fund pays transaction costs, such as commissions, when it buys and sells securities (or “turns over” its portfolio). A higher portfolio turnover rate may indicate higher transaction costs and may result in higher taxes when Fund shares are held in a taxable account. These costs, which are not reflected in annual Fund operating expenses or in the Example, affect the Fund’s performance. During the most recent fiscal year, the Fund’s portfolio turnover rate was 75% of the average value of its portfolio.
Principal Investment Strategies
Under normal circumstances, the Fund invests at least 80% of its net assets (plus any borrowings for investment purposes) in income-producing floating-rate loans and other floating-rate debt securities, which may include bonds, notes and debentures issued by corporations, and debt securities issued or guaranteed by the U.S. government or one of its agencies or instrumentalities. The Fund invests primarily in senior floating-rate loans (“Floating Rate Loans”) which are made by banks and other large financial institutions to various domestic and foreign companies and are senior in the borrowing companies’ capital structures. Floating Rate Loans typically are of below investment grade quality (commonly referred to as “high yield” or “junk” bonds) and have below investment grade credit ratings, high risk or speculative characteristics or may be unrated but deemed by the sub-advisor to be of equivalent quality. A significant portion of the Fund’s investments are unregistered and trade in decentralized markets and thus may be restricted as to their resale. Certain Floating Rate Loan holdings in the Fund may be considered “covenant-lite” based on the types of lender protections and borrower obligations in the loan agreements.
The sub-advisor utilizes a bottom-up, fundamental, research-intensive approach to achieve the Fund’s objective by identifying fundamentally attractive Floating Rate Loans or variable-rate investments, which it considers undervalued, which pay interest at variable-rates based on a lending rate, such as ICE LIBOR (“LIBOR”) or the Secured Overnight Financing Rate (“SOFR”), with or without a floor plus a fixed spread and other investments, including senior secured and unsecured bonds, and by creating a portfolio with an optimal blend of these securities. The sub-advisor’s investment process incorporates the sub-advisor’s environmental, social, and governance (“ESG”) analysis as a consideration in the assessment of all potential portfolio investments. However, as ESG information is just one investment consideration, ESG considerations are not solely determinative in any investment decision made by the sub-advisor. In addition, the sub-advisor does not use ESG considerations to limit, restrict or otherwise exclude companies or sectors from the Fund’s investment universe. In managing the Fund, the sub-advisor seeks to invest in a portfolio of Floating Rate Loans that it believes will be less volatile over time than the general loan market. The sub-advisor considers preservation of capital when consistent with the Fund’s investment objective. The Fund invests in securities without regard to maturity or duration and may invest in obligations of companies of all sizes, although the Fund typically will invest in small and mid-capitalization companies. The sub-advisor focuses on relative value across industries, within industries and within individual capital structures. Given the focus on relative value, the Fund has a target investment life cycle of 3 to 12 months and does not employ a “buy-and-hold” strategy. The sub-advisor generally sells a security when it believes its projected future return becomes unattractive relative to the rest of the portfolio or the investable universe.
The interest rates payable on Floating Rate Loans and other floating-rate debt securities are not fixed and may fluctuate based upon changes in market rates. The Floating Rate Loans in which the Fund invests typically have multiple reset periods during the year. As short-term interest rates decline, interest payable to the Fund typically decreases. Alternatively, during periods of increasing interest rates, changes in the interest rates of floating-rate securities may lag behind changes in market rates or may have limits on the maximum increases in interest rates. The amount of time that will pass before the Fund experiences the effects of changing short-term interest rates will depend on the dollar-weighted-average time until the next interest rate adjustment on the Fund’s portfolio of loans. Loans typically have mandatory and optional prepayment provisions. Because of prepayments, the actual remaining maturity of a loan may be considerably less than its stated maturity. If a loan is prepaid, the Fund will have to reinvest the proceeds in other loans or securities, which may have a lower spread over its base rate. In such a case, the amount of interest paid to the Fund would likely decrease.
The Fund may invest a portion of its assets in high quality fixed-income securities, money market instruments, government money market mutual funds, exchange-traded funds, or hold cash or cash equivalents in such amounts as the sub-advisor deems appropriate under certain circumstances, including when the sub-advisor believes the Fund needs to retain cash. Any such instruments held by the Fund for cash management or defensive investing purposes can fluctuate in value.
Principal Risks
There is no assurance that the Fund will achieve its investment objective and you could lose part or all of your investment in the Fund. The Fund is not designed for investors who need an assured level of current income and is intended to be a long-term investment. The Fund is not a complete investment program and may not be appropriate for all investors. Investors should carefully consider their own investment goals and risk tolerance before investing in the Fund. The principal risks of investing in the Fund listed below are presented in alphabetical order and not in order of importance or potential exposure. Among other matters, this presentation is intended to facilitate your ability to find particular risks and compare them with the risks of other funds. Each risk summarized below is considered a “principal risk” of investing in the Fund, regardless of the order in which it appears.
Counterparty Risk
The Fund is subject to the risk that a party or participant to a transaction, such as a broker, will be unwilling or unable to satisfy its obligation to make timely principal, interest or settlement payments or to otherwise honor its obligations to the Fund.
“Covenant-Lite” Obligations Risk
Certain investments, such as loans in which the Fund may invest directly or have exposure to through its investments in structured securities, may be “covenant-lite.” Covenant-lite obligations contain fewer maintenance covenants than other obligations, or no maintenance covenants at all, and may not include terms which allow the lender to monitor the financial performance of the borrower and declare a default if certain criteria are breached. The Fund’s exposure to losses on such investments may be increased, especially during a downturn in the credit cycle.
Credit Risk
The Fund is subject to the risk that the issuer, guarantor or insurer of an obligation, or the counterparty to a transaction may fail, or become less able or unwilling, to make timely payment of interest or principal or otherwise honor its obligations or default completely. Changes in the actual or perceived creditworthiness of an issuer, or a downgrade or default affecting any of the Fund’s securities, could affect the Fund’s performance. Generally, the longer the maturity and the lower the credit quality of a security, the more sensitive it is to credit risk.
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Cybersecurity and Operational Risk
Operational risks arising from, among other problems, human errors, systems and technology disruptions or failures, or cybersecurity incidents may negatively impact the Fund and its service providers as well as the ability of shareholders to transact with the Fund. Cybersecurity incidents may allow an unauthorized party to gain access to Fund assets, shareholder data, or proprietary information, or cause the Fund or its service providers, as well as securities trading venues and their service providers, to suffer data corruption or lose operational functionality. It is not possible for the Fund or its service providers to identify all of the operational risks that may affect the Fund or to develop processes and controls to completely eliminate or mitigate their occurrence or effects. Most issuers in which the Fund invests are heavily dependent on computers for data storage and operations, and require ready access to the internet to conduct their business. Thus, cybersecurity incidents could also affect issuers of securities in which the Fund invests, leading to significant loss of value.
Debentures Risk
Debentures are unsecured debt securities. The holder of a debenture is protected only by the general creditworthiness of the issuer. The Fund may invest in both corporate and government debentures.
Environmental, Social, and/or Governance Investing Risk
The Fund’s incorporation of environmental, social and/or governance (“ESG”) considerations in its investment strategy may cause it to make different investments than funds that do not incorporate such considerations in their strategy. As with the use of any investment considerations involved in investment decisions, there is no guarantee that the ESG investment considerations used by the Fund will result in the selection of issuers that will outperform other issuers or help reduce risk in the Fund. The Fund may underperform funds that do not incorporate these considerations.
Foreign Exposure Risk
Exposure to obligations of non-U.S. issuers carries potential risks not associated with investments in obligations of U.S. issuers. Such risks may include, but are not limited to: (1) currency exchange rate fluctuations, (2) political and financial instability, (3) less liquidity, (4) lack of uniform accounting, auditing and financial reporting standards, (5) greater volatility, (6) different government regulation and supervision of foreign stock exchanges, brokers and listed companies, and (7) delays in transaction settlement in some foreign markets. The Fund’s exposure to a foreign issuer may subject the Fund to regulatory, political, currency, security, economic and other risks associated with that country. Global economic and financial markets are becoming increasingly interconnected and conditions (including recent volatility and instability) and events (including natural disasters) in one country, region or financial market may adversely impact issuers in a different country, region or financial market.
High-Yield Securities Risk
Exposure to high-yield, below investment-grade securities (commonly referred to as “junk bonds”) generally involves significantly greater risks than an investment in investment grade securities. High-yield debt securities may fluctuate more widely in price and yield and may fall in price when the economy is weak or expected to become weak. These securities also may be difficult to sell at the time and price the Fund desires. High-yield securities are considered to be speculative with respect to an issuer’s ability to pay interest and principal and carry a greater risk that the issuers of lower-rated securities will default on the timely payment of principal and interest. High-yield securities may experience greater price volatility and less liquidity than investment grade securities. Issuers of securities that are in default or have defaulted may fail to resume principal or interest payments, in which case the Fund may lose its entire investment.
Interest Rate Risk
Generally, the value of investments with interest rate risk, such as fixed income securities, will move in the opposite direction to movements in interest rates. Factors including central bank monetary policy, rising inflation rates, and changes in general economic conditions may cause interest rates to rise, which could cause the value of the Fund’s investments to decline. Interest rate changes may have a more pronounced effect on the market value of fixed-rate instruments than on floating-rate instruments. The prices of fixed income securities are also affected by their durations. Fixed income securities with longer durations generally have greater sensitivity to changes in interest rates. For example, if a bond has a duration of two years, a 1% increase in interest rates could be expected to result in a 2% decrease in the value of the bond. An increase in interest rates can impact markets broadly as well. As of the date of this Prospectus, interest rates are at or near historic lows and some investments may have negative interest rates. To the extent the Fund holds an investment with a negative interest rate to maturity, the Fund may generate a negative return on that investment. Conversely, in the future, interest rates may rise, perhaps significantly and/or rapidly, potentially resulting in substantial losses to the Fund.
Investment Risk
An investment in the Fund is not a deposit with a bank and is not insured or guaranteed by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation or any other government agency. When you sell your shares of the Fund, they could be worth less than what you paid for them. Therefore, you may lose money by investing in the Fund.
Issuer Risk
The value of, and/or the return generated by, a security may decline for a number of reasons that directly relate to the issuer, such as management performance, financial leverage and reduced demand for the issuer’s goods or services, as well as the historical and prospective earnings of the issuer and the value of its assets.
Large-Capitalization Companies Risk
The securities of large market capitalization companies may underperform other segments of the market because such companies may be less responsive to competitive challenges and opportunities and, at times, such companies may be out of favor with investors. Many larger-capitalization companies also may be unable to attain the high growth rates of successful smaller companies, especially during periods of economic expansion.
LIBOR Risk
Certain of the instruments identified in the Fund’s principal investment strategies have variable or floating coupon rates that are based on the ICE LIBOR (“LIBOR”), the Secured Overnight Funding Rate (“SOFR”), Euro Interbank Offered Rate and other similar types of reference rates (each, a “Reference Rate”). These Reference Rates are generally intended to represent the rate at which contributing banks may obtain short-term borrowings from each other within certain financial markets. Current plans call for most maturities and currencies of LIBOR to be phased out by the end of 2021, with the remaining ones to be phased out on June 30, 2023. These arrangements and any additional regulatory or market changes may have an adverse impact on the Fund or its investments, including increased volatility or illiquidity in markets for instruments that rely on LIBOR. There remains uncertainty regarding the nature of any replacement rate and the impact of the transition from LIBOR on the Fund and the financial markets generally. SOFR has been selected by a committee established by the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System and the Federal Reserve Bank of New York to replace LIBOR as a Reference Rate in the United States. Other countries have undertaken similar initiatives to identify replacement Reference Rates for LIBOR in their respective markets. However, there are obstacles to converting certain existing investments and transactions to a new Reference Rate, as well as risks associated with using a new Reference Rate with respect to new investments and transactions. The transition process, or the failure of an industry to transition, could lead to increased volatility and illiquidity in markets for instruments that currently rely on LIBOR to determine interest rates and a reduction in the values of some LIBOR-based investments, all of which would impact the Fund. Since the usefulness of LIBOR as a benchmark could deteriorate during the transition period, these effects could occur prior to the end of 2021. At this time, it is not possible to completely identify or predict the effect of any transition, establishment of alternative Reference
Prospectus – Fund Summary3 

 

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Rates or other reforms to Reference Rates that may be enacted in the UK or elsewhere. In addition, any substitute Reference Rate and any pricing adjustments imposed by a regulator or by counterparties or otherwise may adversely affect the Fund’s performance and/or NAV.
Liquidity Risk
The Fund is susceptible to the risk that certain investments held by the Fund may have limited marketability, be subject to restrictions on sale, be difficult or impossible to purchase or sell at favorable times or prices or become less liquid in response to market developments or adverse credit events that may affect issuers or guarantors of a security. An inability to sell a portfolio position can adversely affect the Fund’s value or prevent the Fund from being able to take advantage of other investment opportunities. Market prices for such instruments may be volatile. During periods of substantial market volatility, an investment or even an entire market segment may become illiquid, sometimes abruptly, which can adversely affect the Fund’s ability to limit losses. The Fund could lose money if it is unable to dispose of an investment at a time that is most beneficial to the Fund. The Fund may be required to dispose of investments at unfavorable times or prices to satisfy obligations, which may result in losses or may be costly to the Fund. For example, liquidity risk may be magnified in rising interest rate environments in the event of higher than normal redemption rates. Unexpected redemptions may force the Fund to sell certain investments at unfavorable prices to meet redemption requests or other cash needs. Judgment plays a greater role in pricing illiquid investments than in investments with more active markets.
Loan Interests Risk
In making investments in bank loans or senior loans, the Fund will depend primarily on the creditworthiness of the borrower for payment of principal and interest, and will also rely on the financial institution to make principal and interest payments to the Fund once it receives payment on the underlying loan. The Fund will also rely on the financial institution to pursue appropriate remedies against a borrower in the event that the borrower defaults. As such, the Fund may be exposed to the credit risk of both the financial institution that made the loan and the underlying borrower.
Unlike publicly traded common stocks, which trade on national exchanges, there is no central place or exchange for loans, including bank loans and senior loans, to trade. There is a risk that the value of any collateral securing a loan in which the Fund has an interest may decline and that the collateral may not be sufficient to cover the amount owed on the loan. In the event that the borrower defaults, the Fund’s access to the collateral may be limited or delayed by bankruptcy or other insolvency laws. Loans trade in an over-the-counter market, and confirmation and settlement, which are effected through standardized procedures and documentation, may take significantly longer than seven days to complete. Extended trade settlement periods may, in unusual market conditions with a high volume of shareholder redemptions, present a risk to shareholders with respect to the Fund’s ability to pay redemption proceeds within the allowable time periods stated in the Prospectus. The secondary market for loans also may be subject to irregular trading activity and wide bid/ask spreads. The lack of an active trading market for certain loans may impair the ability of the Fund to sell its loan interests at a time when it may otherwise be desirable to do so or may require the Fund to sell them at prices that are less than what the Fund regards as their fair market value and may make it difficult to value such loans. Accordingly, loan interests may at times be illiquid. Interests in loans made to finance highly leveraged companies or transactions, such as corporate acquisitions, may be especially vulnerable to adverse changes in economic or market conditions.
The Fund may acquire a loan interest by direct investment as a lender, by obtaining an assignment of all or a portion of the interests in a particular loan that are held by an original lender or a prior assignee or by participation in a loan interest that is held by another party. As an assignee, the Fund normally will succeed to all rights and obligations of its assignor with respect to the portion of the loan that is being assigned. However, the rights and obligations acquired by the purchaser of a loan assignment may differ from, and be more limited than, those held by the original lenders or the assignor. When the Fund’s loan interest is a participation, the Fund is subject to the risk that the party selling the participation interest will not remit the Fund’s pro rata share of loan payments to the Fund, and the Fund may have less control over the exercise of remedies against the borrower and/or the financial institution that made the loan than the party selling the participation interest.
Market Risk
The Fund is subject to the risk that the securities markets will move down, sometimes rapidly and unpredictably, based on overall economic conditions and other factors, which may negatively affect the Fund’s performance. Equity securities generally have greater price volatility than fixed income securities, although under certain market conditions fixed income securities may have comparable or greater price volatility. During a general downturn in the securities markets, multiple assets may decline in value simultaneously. Prices in many financial markets have increased significantly over the last decade, but there have also been periods of adverse market and financial developments and cyclical change during that timeframe, which have resulted in unusually high levels of volatility in domestic and foreign financial markets that has caused losses for investors and may occur again in the future. The value of a security may decline due to adverse issuer-specific conditions, general market conditions unrelated to a particular issuer, such as changes in interest or inflation rates, or factors that affect a particular industry or industries. Changes in the financial condition of a single issuer or market segment also can impact the market as a whole. Geopolitical and other events, including war, terrorism, economic uncertainty, trade disputes, pandemics, public health crises, natural disasters and related events have led, and in the future may continue to lead, to instability in world economies and markets generally and reduced liquidity in equity, credit and fixed-income markets, which may disrupt economies and markets and adversely affect the value of your investment. Changes in value may be temporary or may last for extended periods.
Policy changes by the U.S. government and/or Federal Reserve and political events within the U.S. and abroad, such as changes in the U.S. presidential administration and Congress, the U.S. government’s inability at times to agree on a long-term budget and deficit reduction plan, the threat of a federal government shutdown and threats not to increase the federal government’s debt limit, may affect investor and consumer confidence and may adversely impact financial markets and the broader economy, perhaps suddenly and to a significant degree.
Markets and market participants are increasingly reliant upon both publicly available and proprietary information data systems. Data imprecision, software or other technology malfunctions, programming inaccuracies, unauthorized use or access, and similar circumstances may impair the performance of these systems and may have an adverse impact upon a single issuer, a group of issuers, or the market at large. The financial markets generally move in cycles, with periods of rising prices followed by periods of declining prices. The value of your investment may reflect these fluctuations.

 

Recent Market Events. An outbreak of infectious respiratory illness caused by a novel coronavirus, known as COVID-19, was first detected in late 2019 and has subsequently spread globally. The transmission of COVID-19 and efforts to contain its spread have resulted, and may continue to result, in significant disruptions to business operations, widespread business closures and layoffs, travel restrictions and closed borders, prolonged quarantines and stay-at-home orders, disruption of and delays in healthcare service preparation and delivery, service and event changes, and lower consumer demand, as well as general concern and uncertainty that has negatively affected the global economy. The impact of the pandemic has negatively affected and may continue to affect the economies of many nations, individual companies and the global securities and commodities markets, including their liquidity, in ways that cannot necessarily be foreseen at the present time. The pandemic has accelerated trends toward working remotely and shopping on-line, which may negatively affect the value of office and commercial real estate and companies that have been slow to transition to an on-line business model and has disrupted the supply chains that many businesses depend on. The travel, hospitality and public transit industries may suffer long-term negative effects from the pandemic
 
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and resulting changes to public behavior. Both U.S. and international markets have experienced significant volatility in recent months and years. As a result of such volatility, investment returns may fluctuate significantly. Moreover, the risks discussed herein associated with an investment in the Fund may be increased.

 

  The Federal Reserve has spent hundreds of billions of dollars to keep credit flowing through the economy. However, the Federal Reserve recently began to reduce its interventions as the economy improved and inflation accelerated. Concerns about the markets’ dependence on the Federal Reserve’s provision of liquidity have grown as a result. High public debt in the U.S. and other countries creates ongoing systemic and market risks and policymaking uncertainty, and there may be a further increase in public debt due to the economic effects of the COVID-19 pandemic and ensuing economic relief and public health measures. Governments’ efforts to limit potential negative economic effects of the pandemic may be altered, delayed, or eliminated at inopportune times for political, policy or other reasons.

 

  Interest rates have been unusually low in recent years in the U.S. and abroad, and central banks reduced rates further in an effort to combat the economic effects of the COVID-19 pandemic. Because there is little precedent for this situation, it is difficult to predict the impact on various markets of a significant rate increase or other significant policy changes. The U.S. Federal Reserve is anticipated to raise interest rates beginning in 2022, in part to address an increase in the annual inflation rate in the U.S. Over the longer term, rising interest rates may present a greater risk than has historically been the case due to the current period of relatively low rates and the effect of government fiscal and monetary policy initiatives and potential market reaction to those initiatives or their alteration or cessation.

 

  Slowing global economic growth, risks associated with the United Kingdom’s departure from the European Union on December 31, 2020, commonly referred to as “Brexit,” and a trade agreement between the United Kingdom and the European Union, the risks associated with ongoing trade negotiations with China, the possibility of changes to some international trade agreements, tensions or open conflict between nations, or political or economic dysfunction within some nations that are major producers of oil could affect the economies of many nations, including the United States, in ways that cannot necessarily be foreseen at the present time.

 

  Economists and others have expressed increasing concern about the potential effects of global climate change on property and security values. Certain issuers, industries and regions may be adversely affected by the impacts of climate change, including on the demand for and the development of goods and services and related production costs, and the impacts of legislation, regulation and international accords related to climate change, as well as any indirect consequences of regulation or business trends driven by climate change.
 
Market Timing Risk
The Fund is subject to the risk of market timing activities by investors due to the nature of the Fund’s investments, which requires the Fund, in certain instances, to fair value certain of its investments. Some investors may engage in frequent short-term trading in the Fund to take advantage of any price differentials that may be reflected in the net asset value (“NAV”) of the Fund’s shares. Frequent trading by Fund shareholders poses risks to other shareholders in the Fund, including (i) the dilution of the Fund’s NAV, (ii) an increase in the Fund’s expenses, and (iii) interference with the ability to execute efficient investment strategies.
Mid-Capitalization Companies Risk
Investing in the securities of mid-capitalization companies involves greater risk and the possibility of greater price volatility, which at times can be rapid and unpredictable, than investing in larger-capitalization and more established companies. Since mid-capitalization companies may have narrower commercial markets and more limited operating history, product lines, and managerial and financial resources than larger, more established companies, the securities of these companies may lack sufficient market liquidity, and they can be particularly sensitive to changes in overall economic conditions, interest rates, borrowing costs and earnings.
Other Investment Companies Risk
To the extent that the Fund invests in shares of other registered investment companies, the Fund will indirectly bear the fees and expenses charged by those investment companies in addition to the Fund’s direct fees and expenses. To the extent the Fund invests in other investment companies that invest in equity securities, fixed income securities and/or foreign securities, or that track an index, the Fund is subject to the risks associated with the underlying investments held by the investment company or the index fluctuations to which the investment company is subject. The Fund will be subject to the risks associated with investments in those companies, including but not limited to the following:

 

ETFs. Because exchange-traded funds (“ETFs”) are listed on an exchange, they may be subject to trading halts, may trade at a premium or discount to their net asset value (“NAV”) and may not be liquid. An ETF that tracks an index may not precisely replicate the returns of that index, and an actively-managed ETF’s performance will reflect its adviser’s ability to make investment decisions that are suited to achieving the ETF’s investment objectives. Future legislative or regulatory changes, including changes in taxation, could impact the operation of ETFs.

 

Government Money Market Funds. Investments in government money market funds are subject to interest rate risk, credit risk, and market risk.
 
Prepayment and Extension Risk
Prepayment risk is the risk that the principal amount of a bond may be repaid prior to the bond’s maturity date. Due to a decline in interest rates or excess cash flow into the issuer, a debt security may be called or otherwise converted, prepaid or redeemed before maturity. If this occurs, no additional interest will be paid on the investment. The Fund may have to reinvest the proceeds in another investment at a lower rate, may not benefit from an increase in value that may result from declining interest rates, and may lose any premium it paid to acquire the security. The rate of prepayments tends to increase as interest rates fall, which could cause the average maturity of the portfolio to shorten. Variable and floating rate securities may be less sensitive to prepayment risk. Extension risk is the risk that a decrease in prepayments may, as a result of higher interest rates or other factors, result in the extension of a security’s effective maturity, increase the risk of default and delayed payment, heighten interest rate risk and increase the potential for a decline in its price. In addition, as a consequence of a decrease in prepayments, the amount of principal available to the Fund for investment would be reduced.
Redemption Risk
The Fund may experience periods of high levels of redemptions that could cause the Fund to sell assets at inopportune times or at a loss or depressed value. The sale of assets to meet redemption requests may create net capital gains, which could cause the Fund to have to distribute substantial capital gains. Redemption risk is greater to the extent that one or more investors or intermediaries control a large percentage of investments in the Fund. In addition, redemption risk is heightened during periods of declining or illiquid markets. During periods of heavy redemptions, the Fund may borrow funds through the interfund credit facility or from a bank line of credit, which may increase costs. A rise in interest rates or other market developments may cause investors to move out of fixed income securities on a large scale. Heavy redemptions could hurt the Fund’s performance.
Reliance on Corporate Management and Financial Reporting Risk
The sub-advisor may select investments for the Fund in part on the basis of information and data made directly available to the sub-advisor by the issuers of securities or through sources other than the issuers such as collateral pool servicers. The sub-advisor is dependent upon the integrity of the management of these issuers and of such servicers and the financial and collateral performance reporting processes in general.
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Restricted Securities Risk
Securities not registered in the U.S. under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”), or in non-U.S. markets pursuant to similar regulations, including “Section 4(a)(2)” securities and “Rule 144A” securities, are restricted as to their resale. Such securities may not be listed on an exchange and may have no active trading market. The prices of these securities may be more difficult to determine than publicly traded securities and these securities may involve heightened risk as compared to investments in securities of publicly traded companies. They may be more difficult to purchase or sell at an advantageous time or price because such securities may not be readily marketable in broad public markets or may have to be held for a certain time period before they can be resold. The Fund may not be able to sell a restricted security when the sub-advisor considers it desirable to do so and/or may have to sell the security at a lower price than the Fund believes is its fair market value. In addition, transaction costs may be higher for restricted securities and the Fund may receive only limited information regarding the issuer of a restricted security. The Fund may have to bear the expense of registering restricted securities for resale and the risk of substantial delays in effecting the registration.
Secured, Partially Secured and Unsecured Obligation Risk
Debt obligations may be secured, partially secured or unsecured. Interests in secured and partially-secured obligations have the benefit of collateral and, typically, of restrictive covenants limiting the ability of the borrower to further encumber its assets. However, there is no assurance that the liquidation of collateral from a secured or partially-secured obligation would satisfy the borrower’s obligation, or that the collateral can be liquidated. Furthermore, there is a risk that the value of any collateral securing an obligation in which the Fund has an interest may decline and that the collateral may not be sufficient to cover the amount owed on the obligation. In the event the borrower defaults, the Fund’s access to the collateral may be limited or delayed by bankruptcy or other insolvency laws. Unsecured debt, including senior unsecured and subordinated debt, will not be secured by any collateral and will be effectively subordinated to a borrower’s secured indebtedness (to the extent of the collateral securing such indebtedness). With respect to unsecured obligations, the Fund lacks any collateral on which to foreclose to satisfy its claim in whole or in part. Such instruments generally have greater price volatility than that of fully secured holdings and may be less liquid.
Securities Selection Risk
Securities selected for the Fund may not perform to expectations. This could result in the Fund’s underperformance compared to its benchmark index(es), or other funds with similar investment objectives or strategies.
Small-Capitalization Companies Risk
Investing in the securities of small-capitalization companies involves greater risk and the possibility of greater price volatility, which at times can be rapid and unpredictable, than investing in larger-capitalization and more established companies. Since small-capitalization companies may have narrower commercial markets, and more limited operating history, product lines, and managerial and financial resources than larger, more established companies, the securities of these companies may lack sufficient market liquidity and they can be particularly sensitive to changes in overall economic conditions, interest rates, borrowing costs and earnings.
Unrated Securities Risk
Because the Fund may purchase securities that are not rated by any rating organization, the sub-advisor, after assessing their credit quality, may internally assign ratings to certain of those securities in categories similar to those of rating organizations. Unrated securities are subject to the risk that the sub-advisor may not accurately evaluate the security’s comparative credit rating. Some unrated securities may not have an active trading market or may be difficult to value, which means the Fund might have difficulty selling them promptly at an acceptable price. Unrated securities may be subject to greater liquidity risk and price volatility.
U.S. Government Securities and Government-Sponsored Enterprises Risk
A security backed by the U.S. Treasury or the full faith and credit of the United States is guaranteed only as to the timely payment of interest and principal when held to maturity. The market prices for such securities are not guaranteed and will fluctuate. Securities held by the Fund that are issued by government-sponsored enterprises, such as the Federal National Mortgage Association (‘‘Fannie Mae’’), Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation (‘‘Freddie Mac’’), Federal Home Loan Bank (‘‘FHLB’’), Federal Farm Credit Bank (“FFCB”), and the Tennessee Valley Authority, are not guaranteed by the U.S. Treasury and are not backed by the full faith and credit of the U.S. government, and no assurance can be given that the U.S. government will provide financial support if these organizations do not have the funds to meet future payment obligations. U.S. government securities and securities of government-sponsored entities are also subject to credit risk, interest rate risk and market risk. The rising U.S. national debt may lead to adverse impacts on the value of U.S. government securities due to potentially higher costs for the U.S. government to obtain new financing.
Valuation Risk
The Fund may value certain assets at a price different from the price at which they can be sold. This risk may be especially pronounced for investments that are illiquid or may become illiquid, or securities that trade in relatively thin markets and/or markets that experience extreme volatility. The Fund’s ability to value its investments in an accurate and timely manner may be impacted by technological issues and/or errors by third party service providers, such as pricing services or accounting agents.
Variable and Floating Rate Securities Risk
The coupons on variable and floating-rate securities are not fixed and may fluctuate based upon changes in market rates. A variable rate security has a coupon that is adjusted at pre-designated periods in response to changes in the market rate of interest on which the coupon is based. The coupon on a floating rate security is generally based on an interest rate, such as a money-market index, LIBOR, or a Treasury bill rate. Variable and floating rate securities are subject to interest rate risk and credit risk. As short-term interest rates decline, the coupons on variable and floating-rate securities typically decrease. Alternatively, during periods of rising short-term interest rates, the coupons on variable and floating-rate securities typically increase. Changes in the coupons of variable and floating-rate securities may lag behind changes in market rates or may have limits on the maximum increases in the coupon rates. The value of variable and floating-rate securities may decline if their coupons do not rise as much, or as quickly, as interest rates in general. Conversely, variable and floating rate securities will not generally increase in value if interest rates decline. Certain types of variable and floating rate instruments may be subject to greater liquidity risk than other debt securities.
Fund Performance
The bar chart and table below provide an indication of risk by showing changes in the Fund’s performance over time. The bar chart shows how the Fund’s performance has varied from year to year. The table shows how the Fund’s average annual total returns compare to a broad-based market index, which is the Fund’s benchmark index and was the benchmark index of the Fund’s predecessor, for the periods indicated.
Each of the Fund’s share classes commenced operations on December 11, 2015. On that date, the Fund acquired all the assets and assumed all the liabilities of the Fund’s predecessor. The SP Class shares and R5 Class shares of the Fund have adopted the performance history and financial statements of the Investor Class shares and Institutional Class shares, respectively, of the Fund’s predecessor. In the bar chart and table below, the performance of the Fund’s R5 Class shares for periods prior to December 11, 2015 is the performance of the Institutional Class shares of the Fund’s predecessor. In the table below, the
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performance of the Fund’s SP Class shares for periods prior to December 11, 2015 represents the performance of the predecessor fund’s Institutional Class shares from December 3, 2012 through May 29, 2014, and the performance of the predecessor fund’s Investor Class shares from May 30, 2014 through December 10, 2015. With respect to the period from December 3, 2012 through May 29, 2014, the Investor Class shares of the Fund’s predecessor would have had similar annual returns to the Institutional Class shares of the Fund’s predecessor because the shares of each class represent investments in the same portfolio securities. However, the Institutional Class shares of the Fund’s predecessor had different expenses than the Investor Class shares of the Fund’s predecessor, which would affect performance. The SP Class performance shown in the table has not been adjusted for differences in operating expenses between the predecessor fund’s Investor Class and Institutional Class shares.
In the table below, the performance of the Investor Class, A Class, C Class, and Y Class shares for periods prior to December 11, 2015 represents the returns of the Institutional Class shares of the Fund’s predecessor from December 3, 2012 through December 10, 2015. In each case, the Investor Class, A Class, C Class, and Y Class shares would have had similar annual returns to the Institutional Class shares of the Fund’s predecessor because the shares of each class represent investments in the same portfolio securities. However, the Institutional Class shares of the Fund’s predecessor had different expenses than the Investor Class, A Class, C Class and Y Class shares, which would affect performance. The Investor Class, A Class, C Class, and Y Class performance shown in the table has not been adjusted for differences in operating expenses between those share classes and the predecessor fund’s Institutional Class shares, but the A Class and C Class shares performance has been adjusted for the impact of the maximum applicable sales charge.
You may obtain updated performance information on the Fund’s website at www.americanbeaconfunds.com. Past performance (before and after taxes) is not necessarily an indication of how the Fund will perform in the future.
Calendar year total returns for R5 Class Shares. Year Ended 12/31
image 
Highest Quarterly Return:
9.70%2nd Quarter 2020
1/1/2013 through 12/31/2020
Lowest Quarterly Return:
-15.87%1st Quarter 2020
1/1/2013 through 12/31/2020
The calendar year-to-date total return as of September 30, 2021 was 5.69%.
Average annual total returns for periods ended December 31, 2020
Inception Date of Class
1 Year
5 Years
Since Inception (12/03/2012)
R5 Class
12/03/2012
Returns Before Taxes
0.42
%
3.70
%
4.58
%
Returns After Taxes on Distributions
-1.91
%
1.31
%
2.14
%
Returns After Taxes on Distributions and Sales of Fund Shares
0.16
%
1.79
%
2.42
%
Inception Date of Class
1 Year
5 Years
Since Inception (12/03/2012)
Share Class (Before Taxes)
A
12/11/2015
-2.47
%
2.78
%
3.98
%
C
12/11/2015
-1.60
%
2.56
%
3.84
%
Y
12/11/2015
0.26
%
3.59
%
4.49
%
Investor
12/11/2015
0.08
%
3.35
%
4.34
%
SP
05/30/2014
0.06
%
3.38
%
4.32
%
1 Year
5 Years
Since Inception (12/03/2012)
Index (Reflects no deduction for fees, expenses, or taxes)
Credit Suisse Leveraged Loan Index
2.78
%
5.19
%
4.25
%
After-tax returns are calculated using the historical highest individual federal marginal income tax rates and do not reflect the impact of state and local income taxes. Actual after-tax returns depend on an investor’s tax situation and may differ from those shown. The return after taxes on distributions and sale of Fund shares may exceed the return before taxes due to an assumed tax benefit from any losses on a sale of Fund shares at the end of the measurement period. If you are a tax-exempt entity or hold your Fund shares through a tax-deferred arrangement, such as an individual retirement account (“IRA”) or a 401(k) plan, the after-tax returns do not apply to your situation. After-tax returns are shown only for the Fund’s R5 Class shares; after-tax returns for other share classes will vary.
Management
The Manager
The Fund has retained American Beacon Advisors, Inc. to serve as its Manager.
Sub-Advisor
The Fund’s investment sub-advisor is Sound Point Capital Management, LP.
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Portfolio Managers
Sound Point Capital Management, LP
Stephen Ketchum*
Chief Investment Officer, Managing Partner and Principal Owner
Since Fund Inception (2012)
Rick Richert*
CFA, Head of U.S. Par Loans and Portfolio Manager
Since Fund Inception (2012)
Joe Xu
Portfolio Manager and Senior Credit Analyst
Since 2019
Brian McHugh
Portfolio Manager
Since 2020
* Includes Predecessor Fund.
Purchase and Sale of Fund Shares
You may buy or sell shares of the Fund through a retirement plan, an investment professional, a broker-dealer, or other financial intermediary. You may purchase or redeem shares of the Fund on any day the New York Stock Exchange (“NYSE”) is open, at the Fund’s net asset value (“NAV”) per share next calculated after your order is received in proper form, subject to any applicable sales charge. The Manager may, in its sole discretion, allow certain individuals to invest directly in the Fund. For more information regarding eligibility to invest directly please see “About Your Investment - Purchase and Redemption of Shares.” Direct mutual fund account shareholders may buy subsequent shares or sell shares in various ways:
Internet
www.americanbeaconfunds.com
Phone
To reach an American Beacon representative call 1-800-658-5811, option 1
Through the Automated Voice Response Service call 1-800-658-5811, option 2 (Investor Class only)
Mail
American Beacon Funds
P.O. Box 219643
Kansas City, MO 64121-9643
Overnight Delivery:
American Beacon Funds
c/o DST Asset Manager Solutions, Inc.
330 West 9th Street
Kansas City, MO 64105
New Account
Existing Account
Share Class
Minimum Initial Investment Amount
Purchase/Redemption Minimum by Check/ACH/Exchange
Purchase/Redemption Minimum by Wire
C
$1,000
$50
$250
SP*
$1,000
$50
None
A, Investor
$2,500
$50
$250
Y
$100,000
$50
None
R5
$250,000
$50
None
* SP Class shares are offered to retail investors who invest directly through a financial intermediary, such as a broker, or through employee directed benefit plans and were formerly shareholders of the Investor Class shares of the Sound Point Floating Rate Income Fund prior to its reorganization into the American Beacon Sound Point Floating Rate Income Fund.
Tax Information
Dividends, capital gains distributions, and other distributions, if any, that you receive from the Fund are subject to federal income tax and may also be subject to state and local income taxes, unless you are a tax-exempt entity or your account is tax-deferred, such as an individual retirement account (“IRA”) or a 401(k) plan (in which case you may be taxed later, upon the withdrawal of your investment from such account or plan).
Payments to Broker-Dealers and Other Financial Intermediaries
If you purchase shares of the Fund through a broker-dealer or other financial intermediary (such as a bank), the Fund and the Fund’s distributor, Resolute Investment Distributors, Inc., or the Manager may pay the intermediary for the sale of Fund shares and related services. These payments may create a conflict of interest by influencing the broker-dealer or other intermediary and your individual financial professional to recommend the Fund over another investment. Ask your individual financial professional or visit your financial intermediary’s website for more information.
Additional Information About the Fund
To help you better understand the Fund, this section provides a detailed discussion of the Fund’s investment policies, its principal strategies and principal risks and performance benchmark. However, this Prospectus does not describe all of the Fund’s investment practices. Capitalized terms that are not otherwise defined are defined in Appendix B. For additional information, please see the Fund’s SAI, which is available at www.americanbeaconfunds.com or by contacting us via telephone at 1-800-658-5811, by U.S. mail at P.O. Box 219643, Kansas City, MO 64121-9643, or by e-mail at americanbeaconfunds@ambeacon.com.
Additional Information About Investment Policies and Strategies
Investment Objective
The Fund’s investment objective is to seek to provide a high level of current income consistent with strong risk-adjusted returns.
The Fund’s investment objective is “non-fundamental,” which means that it may be changed by the Fund’s Board without the approval of Fund shareholders.
80% Investment Policy
The Fund has a non-fundamental policy to invest under normal circumstances at least 80% of its net assets, plus borrowings for investment purposes, in income-producing floating-rate loans and other floating-rate debt securities, which may include bonds, notes and debentures issued by corporations, and debt securities issued or guaranteed by the U.S. government or one of its agencies or instrumentalities.
If the Fund changes this policy, a notice will be sent to shareholders at least 60 days in advance of the change and this Prospectus will be supplemented.
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Temporary Defensive Policy
The Fund may depart from its principal investment strategy by taking temporary defensive or interim positions in response to adverse market, economic, political or other conditions. During these times, the Fund may not achieve its investment objective.
Additional Information About the Management of the Fund
The Fund has retained American Beacon Advisors, Inc. to serve as its Manager. The Manager provides or oversees the provision of all administrative, investment advisory and portfolio management services to the Fund. The Manager:

 

develops overall investment strategies for the Fund,

 

selects and changes sub-advisors,

 

allocates assets among sub-advisors,

 

monitors and evaluates the sub-advisor’s investment performance,

 

monitors the sub-advisor’s compliance with the Fund’s investment objective, policies and restrictions,

 

oversees the Fund’s securities lending activities and actions taken by the securities lending agent to the extent applicable, and

 

directs the investment of the portion of Fund assets that the sub-advisor determines should be allocated to short-term investments.
 
The assets of the Fund are currently allocated by the Manager to one sub-advisor, Sound Point Capital Management, L.P. (“Sound Point”). Sound Point has full discretion to purchase and sell securities for the Fund in accordance with the Fund’s objective, policies, restrictions and more specific strategies provided by the Manager. The Manager oversees the sub-advisor but does not reassess individual security selections made by the sub-advisor for the Fund.
Although the Manager has no current intention to do so, the Fund’s assets may be allocated among one or more additional sub-advisors in the future by the Manager. The Fund operates in a manager-of-managers structure. The Fund and the Manager have received an exemptive order from the SEC that permits the Fund, subject to certain conditions and approval by the Board, to hire and replace sub-advisors, and materially amend agreements with sub-advisors, that are unaffiliated with the Manager without approval of the shareholders. In the future, the Fund and the Manager may rely on an SEC staff no-action letter, dated July 9, 2019, that would permit the Fund to expand its exemptive relief to hire and replace sub-advisors that are affiliated and unaffiliated with the Manager without shareholder approval, subject to approval by the Board and other conditions. The Manager has ultimate responsibility, subject to oversight by the Board, to oversee sub-advisors and recommend their hiring, termination and replacement. The SEC order also exempts the Fund from disclosing the advisory fees paid by the Fund to individual sub-advisors in a multi-manager fund in various documents filed with the SEC and provided to shareholders. In the future, the Fund may rely on the SEC staff no-action letter to expand its exemptive relief to individual sub-advisors that are affiliated with the Manager. Under that no-action letter, the fees payable to sub-advisors unaffiliated with or partially-owned by the Manager or its parent company would be aggregated, and fees payable to sub-advisors that are wholly-owned by the Manager or its parent company, if any, would be aggregated with fees payable to the Manager. Whenever a sub-advisor change is proposed in reliance on the order, in order for the change to be implemented, the Board, including a majority of its “non-interested” trustees, must approve the change. In addition, the Fund is required to provide shareholders with certain information regarding any new sub-advisor within 90 days of the hiring of any new sub-advisor.
Additional Information About Investments
This section provides more detailed information regarding certain of the Fund’s principal investment strategies as well as information regarding the Fund’s strategy with respect to investment of cash balances.
Bank Loans and Senior Loans
Bank loans are fixed and floating rate loans arranged through private negotiations between a company or a non-U.S. government and one or more financial institutions (lenders). The Fund may invest in senior loans, which are floating rate loans, sometimes referred to as adjustable rate loans that hold a senior position in the capital structure of U.S. and foreign corporations, partnerships or other business entities. Under normal circumstances, senior loans have priority of claim ahead of other obligations of a borrower in the event of liquidation. Bank loans and senior loans may be collateralized or uncollateralized. They pay interest at rates that float above, or are adjusted periodically based on, a benchmark that reflects current interest rates. The Fund may invest in such loans in the form of participations in loans and assignments of all or a portion of loans from third parties. The purchaser of an assignment typically succeeds to all the rights and obligations of the assigning institution and becomes a lender under the credit agreement with respect to the debt obligation; however, the purchaser’s rights can be more restricted than those of the assigning institution, and, in any event, the Fund may not be able to unilaterally enforce all rights and remedies under the loan and with regard to any associated collateral. A participation typically results in a contractual relationship only with the institution participating out the interest, not with the borrower. In connection with purchasing participations in such instruments, the Fund generally will have no right to enforce compliance by the borrower with the terms of the loan agreement, nor any rights of set-off against the borrower, and the Fund may not benefit directly from any collateral supporting the loan in which it has purchased the participation. As a result, the Fund will be exposed to the credit risk of both the borrower and the institution selling the participation. When the Fund purchases assignments from lenders, it will acquire direct rights against the borrower on the loan.
Cash Equivalents
The Fund may invest in cash equivalents including among others, time deposits, certificates of deposit, government obligations, commercial paper, short-term corporate debt securities and repurchase agreements.
Time deposits are non-negotiable deposits maintained at a banking institution for a specified period of time at a specified interest rate. Certificates of deposit are issued against funds deposited in an eligible bank (including its domestic and foreign branches, subsidiaries and agencies), are for a definite period of time, earn a specified rate of return and are normally negotiable.
Commercial Paper is a short-term, unsecured promissory note issued by finance companies, banks, and corporations generally used as a source of working capital and other short-term financing. Commercial Paper has maturities ranging from 1 to 270 days.
Cash Management Investments
The Fund may invest cash balances in government money market funds that are registered as investment companies under the Investment Company Act, including government money market funds that are advised by the Manager. If the Fund invests in government money market funds, the Fund becomes a shareholder of that investment company. As a result, Fund shareholders will bear their proportionate share of the expenses, including, for example, advisory and administrative fees, of the government money market funds in which the Fund invests, such as advisory fees charged by the Manager to any applicable government money market funds advised by the Manager, in addition to the fees and expenses Fund shareholders directly bear in connection with the Fund’s own operations. Shareholders also would be exposed to the risks associated with government money market funds and the portfolio investments of such government money market funds, including the risk that a government money market fund’s yield will be lower than the return that the Fund would have
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derived from other investments that provide liquidity. The Fund may also purchase shares of ETFs. ETFs trade like a common stock and passive ETFs usually represent a fixed portfolio of securities designed to track the performance and dividend yield of a particular domestic or foreign market index. Typically, the Fund would purchase passive ETF shares to obtain exposure to all or a portion of the stock or bond market. As a shareholder of an ETF, the Fund would be subject to its ratable share of the ETF’s expenses, including its advisory and administration expenses.
Fixed-Income Investments
The Fund’s investments in fixed income instruments may include:

 

Corporate Debt and Other Fixed-Income Securities. Corporate debt securities are fixed-income securities issued by businesses to finance their operations. Corporate debt securities include bonds, notes, debentures and commercial paper issued by companies to investors with a promise to repay the principal amount invested at maturity, with the primary difference being their maturities and secured or unsecured status. The broad category of corporate debt securities includes debt issued by domestic or foreign companies of all kinds, including companies of all market capitalizations. Corporate debt may be rated investment grade or below investment grade and may carry fixed or floating rates of interest. Corporate bonds typically carry a set interest or coupon rate, while commercial paper is commonly issued at a discount to par with no coupon. The perceived ability of the company to meet its principal and interest payment obligations is referred to as its creditworthiness, and it may be supplemented by collateral securing the company’s obligations.

 

  Because of the wide range of types and maturities of corporate debt securities, as well as the range of creditworthiness of their issuers, corporate debt securities have widely varying potentials for return and risk profiles. For example, commercial paper issued by a large established domestic corporation that is rated investment grade may have a modest return on principal, but carries relatively limited risk. On the other hand, a long-term corporate note issued by a small foreign corporation from an emerging market country that has not been rated may have the potential for relatively large returns on principal, but carries a relatively high degree of risk. Typically, the values of fixed-income securities change inversely with prevailing interest rates. Therefore, a fundamental risk of fixed-income securities is interest rate risk, which is the risk that their value will generally decline as prevailing interest rates rise, which may cause the Fund’s NAV to likewise decrease, and vice versa. How specific fixed-income securities may react to changes in interest rates will depend on the specific characteristics of each security. For example, while securities with longer maturities tend to produce higher yields, they also tend to be more sensitive to changes in prevailing interest rates and are therefore more volatile than shorter-term securities and are subject to greater market fluctuations as a result of changes in interest rates. The credit risk of a particular issuer’s debt security may vary based on its priority for repayment. For example, higher ranking (senior) debt securities have a higher priority than lower ranking (subordinated) securities. This means that the issuer might not make payments on subordinated securities while continuing to make payments on senior securities. In addition, in the event of bankruptcy, holders of higher-ranking senior securities may receive amounts otherwise payable to the holders of more junior securities.

 

Government-Sponsored Enterprises. The Fund may invest in debt obligations of U.S. Government-sponsored enterprises, including Fannie Mae, Freddie Mac, FFCB, FHLB and the Tennessee Valley Authority. Although chartered or sponsored by Acts of Congress, these entities are not backed by the full faith and credit of the U.S. Government. Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac are supported by the issuers’ right to borrow from the U.S. Treasury, the discretionary authority of the U.S. Treasury to lend to the issuers and the U.S. Treasury’s commitment to purchase stock to ensure the issuers’ positive net worth.

 

High-Yield Bonds. High-yield, non-investment grade bonds (also known as “junk bonds”) are low-quality, high-risk corporate bonds that generally offer a high level of current income. These bonds are considered speculative by rating organizations. For example, Moody’s, S&P Global and Fitch rate them below Baa3, BBB- and BBB-, respectively. Please see the SAI for an explanation of the ratings applied to high-yield bonds. High-yield bonds are often issued as a result of corporate restructurings, such as leveraged buyouts, mergers, acquisitions, or other similar events. They may also be issued by smaller, less creditworthy companies or by highly leveraged firms, which are generally less able to make scheduled payments of interest and principal than more financially stable firms. Because of their low credit quality, high-yield bonds must pay higher interest to compensate investors for the substantial credit risk they assume. Lower-rated securities are subject to certain risks that may not be present with investments in higher-grade securities. Investors should consider carefully their ability to assume the risks associated with lower-rated securities before investing in the Fund. The lower rating of certain high-yielding corporate income securities reflects a greater possibility that the financial condition of the issuer or adverse changes in general economic conditions may impair the ability of the issuer to pay income and principal. Changes by rating agencies in their ratings of a fixed income security also may affect the value of these investments. However, allocating investments in the Fund among securities of different issuers should reduce the risks of owning any such securities separately. The prices of these high-yielding securities tend to be less sensitive to interest rate changes than higher-rated investments, but more sensitive to adverse economic changes or individual corporate developments. During economic downturns or periods of rising interest rates, highly leveraged issuers may experience financial stress that adversely affects their ability to service principal and interest payment obligations, to meet projected business goals or to obtain additional financing, and the markets for their securities may be more volatile. If an issuer defaults, the Fund may incur additional expenses to seek recovery. Additionally, accruals of interest income for the Fund may have to be adjusted in the event of default. In the event of an issuer’s default, the Fund may write off prior income accruals for that issuer, resulting in a reduction in the Fund’s current dividend payment. Frequently, the higher yields of high-yielding securities may not reflect the value of the income stream that holders of such securities may expect, but rather the risk that such securities may lose a substantial portion of their value as a result of their issuer’s financial restructuring or default. Additionally, an economic downturn or an increase in interest rates could have a negative effect on the high-yield securities market and on the market value of the high-yield securities held by the Fund, as well as on the ability of the issuers of such securities to repay principal and interest on their borrowings.

 

U.S. Government Securities. U.S. Government securities may include U.S. Treasury securities and securities backed by the full faith and credit of the United States, or debt obligations of U.S. Government-sponsored enterprises.
 
Illiquid and Restricted Securities
Generally, an illiquid asset is an asset that the Fund reasonably expects cannot be sold or disposed of in current market conditions in seven calendar days or less without the sale or disposition significantly changing the market value of the investment, as determined pursuant to Rule 22e-4 under the Investment Company Act or as otherwise permitted or required by SEC rules and interpretations. Historically, illiquid securities have included securities that have not been registered under the Securities Act, securities that are otherwise not readily marketable, and repurchase agreements having a remaining maturity of longer than seven calendar days. Securities that have not been registered under the Securities Act are referred to as private placements or restricted securities and are purchased directly from the issuer or in the secondary market. These securities may be sold only in a privately negotiated transaction or pursuant to an exemption from registration. A large institutional market exists for certain securities that are not registered under the Securities Act, including repurchase agreements, commercial paper, foreign securities, municipal securities and corporate bonds and notes. Institutional investors depend on an efficient institutional market in which the unregistered security can be readily resold or on an issuer’s ability to honor a demand for repayment. However, the fact that there are contractual or legal restrictions on resale of such investments to the general public or to certain institutions may not be indicative of their liquidity.
Limitations on resale may have an adverse effect on the marketability of portfolio securities, and the Fund might be unable to dispose of restricted or other illiquid securities promptly or at reasonable prices and might thereby experience difficulty satisfying redemptions within seven calendar days. In addition, the Fund may get only limited information about an issuer, so it may be less able to predict a loss. The Fund also might have to register such restricted securities in order to dispose of them resulting in additional expense and delay. Adverse market conditions could impede such a public offering of securities.
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In recognition of the increased size and liquidity of the institutional market for unregistered securities and the importance of institutional investors in the formation of capital, the SEC adopted Rule 144A under the Securities Act. Rule 144A is designed to facilitate efficient trading among institutional investors by permitting the sale of certain unregistered securities to qualified institutional buyers. To the extent privately placed securities held by the Fund qualify under Rule 144A and an institutional market develops for those securities, the Fund likely will be able to dispose of the securities without registering them under the Securities Act. To the extent that institutional buyers become, for a time, uninterested in purchasing these securities, investing in Rule 144A securities could increase the level of the Fund’s illiquidity. The Manager or the sub-advisor, as applicable, may determine that certain securities qualified for trading under Rule 144A are liquid. Regulation S under the Securities Act permits the sale abroad of securities that are not registered for sale in the United States and includes a provision for U.S. investors, such as the Fund, to purchase such unregistered securities if certain conditions are met.
Securities sold in private placement offerings made in reliance on the “private placement” exemption from registration afforded by Section 4(a)(2) of the Securities Act and resold to qualified institutional buyers under Rule 144A under the Securities Act (“Section 4(a)(2) securities”) are restricted as to disposition under the federal securities laws, and generally are sold to institutional investors, such as the Fund, that agree they are purchasing the securities for investment and not with an intention to distribute to the public. Any resale by the purchaser must be pursuant to an exempt transaction and may be accomplished in accordance with Rule 144A. Section 4(a)(2) securities normally are resold to other institutional investors through or with the assistance of the issuer or dealers that make a market in the Section 4(a)(2) securities, thus providing liquidity.
The Manager and the sub-advisor will carefully monitor the Fund’s investments in Section 4(a)(2) securities offered and sold under Rule 144A, focusing on such important factors, among others, as valuation, liquidity, and availability of information. Investments in Section 4(a)(2) securities could have the effect of reducing the Fund’s liquidity to the extent that qualified institutional buyers no longer wish to purchase these restricted securities.
Other Investment Companies Securities
The Fund at times may invest in shares of other investment companies, including government money market funds and ETFs. The Fund may invest in securities of an investment company advised by the Manager or the sub-advisor. Investments in the securities of other investment companies may involve duplication of advisory fees and certain other expenses. By investing in another investment company, the Fund becomes a shareholder of that investment company. As a result, Fund shareholders indirectly will bear the Fund’s proportionate share of the fees and expenses paid by shareholders of the other investment company, in addition to the fees and expenses Fund shareholders directly bear in connection with the Fund’s own operations. These other fees and expenses, if applicable, are reflected as Acquired Fund Fees and Expenses and are included in the Fees and Expenses Table for the Fund in this Prospectus. Investment in other investment companies may involve the payment of substantial premiums above the value of such issuer’s portfolio securities.
The Fund can invest free cash balances in registered open-end investment companies regulated as government money market funds under the Investment Company Act to provide liquidity or for defensive purposes. The Fund could invest in government money market funds rather than purchasing individual short-term investments. If the Fund invests in government money market funds, shareholders will bear their proportionate share of the expenses, including for example, advisory and administrative fees, of the government money market funds in which the Fund invests, including advisory fees charged by the Manager to any applicable government money market funds advised by the Manager.
Although a government money market fund is designed to be a relatively low risk investment, it is not free of risk. Despite the short maturities and high credit quality of a government money market fund’s investments, increases in interest rates and deteriorations in the credit quality of the instruments the government money market fund has purchased may reduce the government money market fund’s yield and can cause the price of a government money market security to decrease. In addition, a government money market fund is subject to the risk that the value of an investment may be eroded over time by inflation.
The Fund may invest in ETFs. ETFs trade like a common stock, and passively-managed ETFs usually represent a fixed portfolio of securities designed to track the performance and dividend yield of a particular domestic or foreign market index. ETF shares typically are purchased and redeemed through in-kind purchases and redemptions, and trade on a stock exchange at market prices, which may differ from an ETF’s NAV. Typically, the Fund would purchase passive ETF shares to obtain exposure to all or a portion of the stock or bond market. As a shareholder of an ETF, the Fund would be subject to its ratable share of the ETF’s expenses, including its advisory and administration expenses.
An investment in an ETF generally presents the same primary risks as an investment in a conventional mutual fund (i.e., one that is not exchange traded) that has the same investment objective, strategies, and policies but also presents some additional risks due to being exchange traded. The price of an ETF can fluctuate within a wide range, and the Fund could lose money investing in an ETF. In addition, ETFs are subject to the following risks that do not apply to conventional funds: (1) the market price of an ETF’s shares may trade at a discount or premium to its NAV; (2) an active trading market for an ETF’s shares may not develop or be maintained; or (3) trading of an ETF’s shares may be halted if the listing exchange’s officials deem such action appropriate, the shares are de-listed from the exchange, or the activation of market-wide “circuit breakers” (which are tied to large decreases in stock prices) halts stock trading generally.
Variable and Floating Rate Securities
The coupons on certain fixed income securities in which the Fund may invest are not fixed and may fluctuate based upon changes in market rates. The coupon on a variable or floating rate security is generally based on an interest rate such as a money market index, LIBOR or a Treasury bill rate. Variable and floating rate obligations are less effective than fixed rate obligations at locking in a particular yield. Nevertheless, such obligations are subject to interest rate risk and may fluctuate in value in response to interest rate changes if there is a delay between changes in market interest rates and the interest reset date for the obligation, or for other reasons. As short-term interest rates decline, the coupons on variable and floating rate securities typically should decrease. Alternatively, during periods of increasing interest rates, changes in the coupons of variable and floating rate securities may lag behind changes in market rates or may have limits on the maximum increases in the coupon rates. The value of variable and floating rate securities may decline if their coupons do not rise as much, or as quickly, as interest rates in general. Variable and floating rate securities will not generally increase in value if interest rates decline.
Additional Information About Risks
The greatest risk of investing in a mutual fund is that its returns will fluctuate and you could lose money. The following section provides additional information regarding the Fund’s principal risk factors in light of its principal investment strategies. The principal risks of investing in the Fund listed below are presented in alphabetical order and not in order of importance or potential exposure. Among other matters, this presentation is intended to facilitate your ability to find particular risks and compare them with the risks of other funds. Each risk summarized below is considered a “principal risk” of investing in the Fund, regardless of the order in which it appears.
Counterparty Risk
The Fund is subject to the risk that a party or participant to a transaction, such as a broker, will be unwilling or unable to satisfy its obligation to make timely principal, interest or settlement payments or to otherwise honor its obligations to the Fund. As a result, the Fund may not recover its investment or may only obtain a limited recovery, and any recovery may be delayed.
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“Covenant-Lite” Obligations Risk
Certain investments, such as loans in which the Fund may invest directly or have exposure to through its investments in structured securities, may be “covenant-lite.” Covenant-lite obligations contain fewer maintenance covenants than other obligations, or no maintenance covenants at all, and may not include terms which allow the lender to monitor the performance of the borrower and declare a default if certain criteria are breached, which would allow the lender to restructure the loan or take other action intended to help mitigate losses. This may expose the Fund to greater credit risk associated with the borrower and reduce the Fund’s ability to restructure a problematic loan and mitigate potential loss. As a result, the Fund’s exposure to losses on such investments may be increased, especially during a downturn in the credit cycle, and the Fund may experience relatively greater difficulty or delays in enforcing its rights on its holdings of covenant-lite obligations than its holdings of loans or securities with financial maintenance covenants.
Credit Risk
The Fund is subject to the risk that the issuer, guarantor or insurer of an obligation, or the counterparty to a transaction may fail, or become less able or unwilling, to make timely payment of interest or principal or otherwise honor its obligations or default completely. The strategies utilized by the sub-advisor require accurate and detailed credit analysis of issuers and there can be no assurance that its analysis will be accurate or complete. The Fund may be subject to substantial losses in the event of credit deterioration or bankruptcy of one or more issuers in its portfolio. Financial strength and solvency of an issuer are the primary factors influencing credit risk. In addition, inadequacy of collateral or credit enhancement for a debt instrument may affect its credit risk. Credit risk may change over the life of an instrument and debt obligations which are rated by rating agencies may be subject to downgrade. The credit ratings of debt instruments and investments represent the rating agencies’ opinions regarding their credit quality, are not a guarantee of future credit performance of such securities, are not a guarantee of quality and do not protect against a decline in the value of a security. Rating agencies attempt to evaluate the safety of the timely payment of principal and interest (or dividends) and do not evaluate the risks of fluctuations in market value. The ratings assigned to securities by rating agencies do not purport to fully reflect the true risks of an investment. Further, in recent years many highly-rated structured securities have been subject to substantial losses as the economic assumptions on which their ratings were based proved to be materially inaccurate. A decline in the credit rating of an individual security held by the Fund may have an adverse impact on its price and may make it difficult for the Fund to sell it. Rating agencies might not always change their credit rating on an issuer or security in a timely manner to reflect events that could affect the issuer’s ability to make timely payments on its obligations. Changes in the actual or perceived creditworthiness of an issuer, or a downgrade or default affecting any of the Fund’s securities, could affect the Fund’s performance. Generally, the longer the maturity and the lower the credit quality of a security, the more sensitive it is to credit risk.
Cybersecurity and Operational Risk
Operational risks arising from, among other problems, human errors, systems and technology disruptions or failures, or cybersecurity incidents may negatively impact the Fund, its service providers, and third-party fund distribution platforms, as well as the ability of shareholders to transact with the Fund. Cybersecurity incidents may allow an unauthorized party to gain access to Fund assets, shareholder data, or proprietary information, or cause the Fund or its service providers, as well as the securities trading venues and their service providers, to suffer data corruption or lose operational functionality. A cybersecurity incident could, among other things, result in the loss or theft of shareholder data or funds, shareholders or service providers being unable to access electronic systems (also known as “denial of services”), loss or theft of proprietary information or corporate data, the inability to process Fund transactions, interference with the Fund’s ability to calculate its NAV, impediments to trading, physical damage to a computer or network system, or remediation costs associated with system repairs. The occurrence of any of these problems could result in a loss of information, violations of applicable privacy and other laws, regulatory scrutiny, penalties, fines, reputational damage, additional compliance requirements, and other consequences, any of which could have a material adverse effect on the Fund or its shareholders. The Manager, through its monitoring and oversight of Fund service providers, endeavors to determine that service providers take appropriate precautions to avoid and mitigate risks that could lead to such problems. While the Manager has established business continuity plans and risk management systems seeking to address these problems, there are inherent limitations in such plans and systems, and it is not possible for the Manager, other Fund service providers, or third-party fund distribution platforms to identify all of the operational risks that may affect the Fund or to develop processes and controls to completely eliminate or mitigate their occurrence or effects. Most issuers in which the Fund invests are heavily dependent on computers for data storage and operations, and require ready access to the internet to conduct their business. Thus, cybersecurity incidents could also affect issuers of securities in which the Fund invests, leading to significant loss of value.
Debentures Risk
Debentures are unsecured, medium- to long-term debt securities protected only by the general creditworthiness of the issuer, not by collateral. In the event of a default or bankruptcy by the issuer, as unsecured creditors, debenture holders will not have a claim against any specific assets of the issuer and will therefore only be paid from the issuer’s assets after the secured creditors have been paid. The Fund is subject to the risk that the value of a debenture will fluctuate with changes in interest rates and the perceived ability of the issuer to make interest or principal payments on time. The Fund may invest in both corporate and government debentures.
Environmental, Social, and/or Governance Investing Risk
The Fund’s incorporation of environmental, social and/or governance (“ESG”) considerations in its investment strategy may cause it to make different investments than funds that do not incorporate such considerations in their strategy. As with the use of any investment considerations involved in investment decisions, there is no guarantee that the ESG investment considerations used by the Fund will result in the selection of issuers that will outperform other issuers or help reduce risk in the Fund. The Fund’s ESG investment considerations may also affect the Fund’s exposure to certain types of investments, which may impact the Fund’s relative investment performance depending on the performance of those issuers.
Foreign Exposure Risk
Exposure to obligations of non-U.S. issuers carries potential risks not associated with investments in obligations of U.S. issuers. Such risks may include, but are not limited to: (1) currency exchange rate fluctuations, (2) political and financial instability, (3) less liquidity, (4) lack of uniform accounting, auditing and financial reporting standards, (5) greater volatility; (6) different government regulation and supervision of foreign banks, stock exchanges, brokers and listed companies, and (7) delays in transaction settlement in some foreign markets. There may be very limited oversight of certain foreign banks or securities depositories that hold foreign securities and currency, and the laws of certain countries may limit the ability to recover such assets if a foreign bank, depository, or their agents go bankrupt. To the extent the Fund exposes a significant portion of its assets in securities of a single country or region, it is more likely to be affected by events or conditions of that country or region. The Fund’s exposure to a foreign issuer may subject the Fund to regulatory, political, currency, security, economic and other risks associated with that country. Global economic and financial markets are becoming increasingly interconnected and conditions (including recent volatility and instability) and events (including natural disasters) in one country, region or financial market may adversely impact issuers in a different country, region or financial market.
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High-Yield Securities Risk
Exposure to high-yield securities (commonly referred to as ‘’junk bonds’’) generally involves significantly greater risks of loss of your money than an investment in investment-grade securities. Compared with issuers of investment grade securities, issuers of high-yield securities are more likely to encounter financial difficulties and to be materially affected by these difficulties. High-yield debt securities may fluctuate more widely in price and yield and may fall in price when the economy is weak or expected to become weak. These securities also may be difficult to sell at the time and price the Fund desires. High-yield securities are considered to be speculative with respect to an issuer’s ability to pay interest and principal and carry a greater risk that issuers of lower-rated securities will default on the timely payment of principal or interest. Rising interest rates may compound these difficulties and reduce an issuer’s ability to repay principal and interest obligations. Issuers of lower-rated securities also have a greater risk of default or bankruptcy. Issuers of securities that are in default or have defaulted may fail to resume principal or interest payments, in which case the Fund may lose its entire investment. Below-investment-grade securities may experience greater price volatility and less liquidity than investment-grade securities.
Lower-rated securities are subject to certain risks that may not be present with investments in higher-grade securities. The lower rating of certain high-yielding corporate income securities reflects a greater possibility that the financial condition of the issuer or adverse changes in general economic conditions may impair the ability of the issuer to pay income and principal. Changes by credit rating agencies in their ratings of a fixed income security also may affect the value of these investments. However, allocating investments among securities of different issuers could reduce the risks of owning any such securities separately. The prices of these high-yield securities tend to be less sensitive to interest rate changes than investment-grade investments, but more sensitive to adverse economic changes or individual corporate developments. During economic downturns or periods of rising interest rates, highly leveraged issuers may experience financial stress that adversely affects their ability to service principal and interest payment obligations, to meet projected business goals or to obtain additional financing, and the markets for their securities may be more volatile. If an issuer defaults, the Fund may incur additional expenses to seek recovery. Additionally, accruals of interest income for the Fund may have to be adjusted in the event of default. In the event of an issuer’s default, the Fund may write off prior income accruals for that issuer, resulting in a reduction in the Fund’s current dividend payment. Frequently, the higher yields of high-yielding securities may not reflect the value of the income stream that holders of such securities may expect, but rather the risk that such securities may lose a substantial portion of their value as a result of their issuer’s financial restructuring or default.
The credit rating of a security may not accurately reflect the actual credit risk associated with such a security. The creditworthiness of issuers of these securities may be more complex to analyze than that of issuers of investment grade debt securities, and the overreliance on credit ratings may present additional risks.
Adverse publicity and investor perceptions, whether or not based on fundamental analysis, may decrease the values and liquidity of such securities, especially in a thinly traded or illiquid market. To the extent the Fund owns or may acquire illiquid or restricted high-yield securities or unrated securities of comparable quality, these securities may involve special registration responsibilities, liabilities, costs, and liquidity and valuation difficulties.
Interest Rate Risk
Investments in fixed income securities that are influenced by interest rates are subject to interest rate risk. Generally, the value of investments with interest rate risk, such as fixed income securities, will move in the opposite direction as movements in interest rates. For example, the value of the Fund’s fixed income investments typically will fall when interest rates rise. Factors including central bank monetary policy, rising inflation rates, and changes in general economic conditions may cause interest rates to rise, which could cause the value of the Fund’s investments to decline. Interest rate changes generally have a more pronounced effect on the market value of fixed-rate instruments than they have on floating-rate instruments. Fixed income securities with longer durations tend to be more sensitive to changes in interest rates, usually making them more volatile than fixed income securities with shorter durations. The Fund may be particularly sensitive to changes in interest rates if it invests in fixed income securities with intermediate and long terms to maturity. For example, if a bond has a duration of two years, a 1% increase in interest rates could be expected to result in a 2% decrease in the value of the bond. Yields of fixed income securities will fluctuate over time. As of the date of this Prospectus, interest rates are at or near historic lows. During periods of very low or negative interest rates, the Fund may be unable to maintain positive returns. Certain European countries and Japan have recently experienced negative interest rates on deposits and debt securities have traded at negative yields. Negative interest rates may become more prevalent among U.S. and foreign issuers. To the extent the Fund holds an investment with a negative interest rate to maturity, the Fund may generate a negative return on that investment. Changing interest rates, including rates that fall below zero, may have unpredictable effects on markets, may result in heightened market volatility and may detract from Fund performance to the extent the Fund is exposed to such interest rates. Conversely, in the future, interest rates may rise significantly and/or rapidly, potentially resulting in substantial losses to the Fund.
Investment Risk
An investment in the Fund is not a deposit with a bank and is not insured or guaranteed by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation or any other government agency. The Fund should not be relied upon as a complete investment program. The share price of the Fund fluctuates, which means that when you sell your shares of the Fund, they could be worth less than what you paid for them. Therefore, you may lose money by investing in the Fund.
Issuer Risk
The value of, and/or the return generated by, a security may decline for a number of reasons that directly relate to the issuer, such as management performance, financial leverage and reduced demand for the issuer’s goods or services, as well as the historical and prospective earnings of the issuer and the value of its assets. When the issuer of a security implements strategic initiatives, including mergers, acquisitions and dispositions, there is the risk that the market response to such initiatives will cause the share price of the issuer’s securities to fall. An individual security may be more volatile, and may perform differently, than the market as a whole.
Large-Capitalization Companies Risk
The securities of large market capitalization companies may underperform other segments of the market, in some cases for extended periods of time, because such companies may be less responsive to competitive challenges and opportunities, such as changes in technology and consumer tastes, and, at times, such companies may be out of favor with investors. Large market capitalization companies generally are expected to be less volatile than companies with smaller market capitalizations. However, large market capitalization companies may be unable to attain the high growth rates of successful smaller companies, especially during periods of economic expansion, and may instead focus their competitive efforts on maintaining or expanding their market share.
LIBOR Risk
Certain of the instruments identified in the Fund’s principal investment strategies have variable or floating coupon rates that are based on LIBOR, the Secured Overnight Financing Rate (“SOFR”), Euro Interbank Offered Rate and other similar types of reference rates (each, a “Reference Rate”). These Reference Rates are generally intended to represent the rate at which contributing banks may obtain short-term borrowings from each other within certain financial markets. LIBOR is produced daily by averaging the rates reported by a number of banks and may be a significant factor in determining the cost of financing to the Fund, or an investment’s value or return to the Fund, and may be used in other ways that affect the Fund’s performance. Current plans call for most maturities
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and currencies of LIBOR to be phased out at the end of 2021, with the remaining ones to be phased out on June 30, 2023. These arrangements and any additional regulatory or market changes may have an adverse impact on the Fund or its investments, including increased volatility or illiquidity in markets for instruments that rely on LIBOR.
Regulators and market participants are working together to identify or develop successor Reference Rates. SOFR has been selected by a committee established by the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System and the Federal Reserve Bank of New York to replace LIBOR as a Reference Rate in the United States. Other countries have undertaken similar initiatives to identify replacement Reference Rates for LIBOR in their respective markets. However, there are obstacles to converting certain existing investments and transactions to a new Reference Rate, as well as risks associated with using a new Reference Rate with respect to new investments and transactions. It is expected that market participants will focus on the transition mechanisms by which the Reference Rates in existing contracts or instruments may be amended, whether through marketwide protocols, fallback contractual provisions, bespoke negotiations or amendments or otherwise. Nonetheless, there remains uncertainty regarding the nature of any replacement rate and the impact of the transition from LIBOR on the Fund and the financial markets generally, and the termination of certain Reference Rates presents risks to the Fund. Financial industry groups have begun planning for a transition to the use of a different Reference Rate or benchmark rate, but there are obstacles to converting certain securities and transactions to a new Reference Rate or benchmark rate. The transition process, or the failure of an industry to transition, could lead to increased volatility and illiquidity in markets for instruments that currently rely on LIBOR to determine interest rates and a reduction in the values of some LIBOR-based investments, all of which would impact the Fund. Various complexities brought about by significant changes to operational processes and IT systems could take a long time to complete, and coordination with other market participants may become severely impacted, which may negatively impact the Fund. Since the usefulness of LIBOR as a benchmark could deteriorate during the transition period, these effects could occur prior to the end of 2021. While some LIBOR-based instruments may contemplate a scenario where LIBOR becomes unavailable by providing for an alternative rate-setting methodology, not all may have such provisions and there may be significant uncertainty regarding the effectiveness of any such methodologies. Further, U.S. issuers are currently not obligated to include any particular fallback language in transaction documents for new issuances of LIBOR-linked securities. In addition, the alternative reference or benchmark rate may be an ineffective substitute, potentially resulting in prolonged adverse market conditions for the Fund. The elimination of a Reference Rate or any other changes or reforms to the determination or supervision of Reference Rates could have an adverse impact on the market for or value of any securities or payments linked to those Reference Rates and other financial obligations held by the Fund or on its overall financial condition or results of operations. Any substitute Reference Rate and any pricing adjustments imposed by a regulator or by counterparties or otherwise may adversely affect the Fund’s performance and/or NAV. At this time, it is not possible to completely identify or predict the effect of any such changes, any establishment of alternative Reference Rates or any other reforms to Reference Rates that may be enacted in the UK or elsewhere.
Liquidity Risk
The Fund is susceptible to the risk that certain investments held by the Fund may have limited marketability, be subject to restrictions on sale, be difficult or impossible to purchase or sell at favorable times or prices or become less liquid in response to market developments or adverse credit events that may affect issuers or guarantors of a security. Market prices for such instruments may be volatile. During periods of substantial market volatility, an investment or even an entire market segment may become illiquid, sometimes abruptly, which can adversely affect the Fund’s ability to limit losses. When there is little or no active trading market for specific types of securities, it can become more difficult to purchase or sell the securities at or near their perceived value. As a result, the Fund may have to lower the price on certain securities that it is trying to sell, sell other securities instead or forgo an investment opportunity, any of which could have a negative effect on Fund management or performance. An inability to sell a portfolio position can adversely affect the Fund’s NAV or prevent the Fund from being able to take advantage of other investment opportunities. The Fund could lose money if it is unable to dispose of an investment at a time that is most beneficial to the Fund. Unexpected redemptions or redemptions by a few large investors in the Fund may force the Fund to sell certain investments at unfavorable prices to meet redemption requests or other cash needs and may have a significant adverse effect on the Fund’s NAV per share and remaining Fund shareholders. This could negatively affect the Fund’s ability to buy or sell debt securities and increase the related volatility and trading costs. The Fund may lose money if it is forced to sell certain investments at unfavorable prices to meet redemption requests or other cash needs. For example, liquidity risk may be magnified in rising interest rate environments in the event of higher than normal redemption rates. Judgment plays a greater role in pricing illiquid investments than in investments with more active markets.
Loan Interests Risk
In making investments in loans that are made by banks or other financial intermediaries to borrowers, the Fund will depend primarily on the creditworthiness of the borrower for payment of principal and interest, and will also rely on the financial institution to make principal and interest payments to the Fund once it receives payment on the underlying loan or to pursue appropriate remedies against a borrower in the event that the borrower defaults, which may expose the Fund to the credit risk of both the financial institution that made the loan and the underlying borrower. The market for bank loans may not be highly liquid, and the Fund may have difficulty selling them. Unlike publicly traded common stocks which trade on national exchanges, there is no central place or exchange for loans, including bank loans and senior loans, to trade. Loans trade in an over-the-counter market, and confirmation and settlement, which are effected through standardized procedures and documentation, may take significantly longer than seven days to complete. Extended trade settlement periods may, in unusual market conditions with a high volume of shareholder redemptions, present a risk to shareholders regarding the Fund’s ability to pay redemption proceeds within the allowable time periods stated in its prospectus. The secondary market for floating rate loans also may be subject to irregular trading activity and wide bid/ask spreads. The lack of an active trading market for certain loans may impair the ability of the Fund to sell its loan interests at a time when it may otherwise be desirable to do so or may require the Fund to sell them at prices that are less than what the Fund regards as their fair market value, which would cause a material decline in the Fund’s NAV and may make it difficult to value such loans. Accordingly, loan interests may at times be illiquid. Restrictions on transfers in loan agreements, a lack of publicly available information and other factors may make bank loans more difficult to sell at an advantageous time or price than other types of securities or instruments. There may be less readily available information about loans. Interests in loans made to finance highly leveraged companies or transactions, such as corporate acquisitions, may be especially vulnerable to adverse changes in economic or market conditions. Interests in secured loans have the benefit of collateral and, typically, of restrictive covenants limiting the ability of the borrower to further encumber its assets, although many covenants may be waived or modified with the consent of a certain percentage of the holders of the loans even if the Fund does not consent. There is a risk that the value of any collateral securing a loan in which the Fund has an interest may decline and that the collateral may not be sufficient to cover the amount owed on the loan. In most loan agreements there is no formal requirement to pledge additional collateral. In the event the borrower defaults, the Fund’s access to the collateral may be limited or delayed by bankruptcy or other insolvency laws. Further, in the event of a default, second lien secured loans will generally be paid only if the value of the collateral exceeds the amount of the borrower’s obligations to the first lien secured lenders, and the remaining collateral may not be sufficient to cover the full amount owed on the loan in which the Fund has an interest. In addition, if a secured loan is foreclosed, the Fund would likely bear the costs and liabilities associated with owning and disposing of the collateral. The collateral may be difficult to sell and the Fund would bear the risk that the collateral may decline in value while the Fund is holding it. The Fund may acquire a loan interest by direct investment as a lender, by obtaining an assignment of all or a portion of the interests in a particular loan that are held by an original lender or a prior assignee or by participation in a loan interest that is held by another party. As an assignee, the Fund normally will succeed to all rights and obligations of its assignor with respect to the portion of the loan that is being assigned. However, the rights and obligations acquired by the purchaser of a loan assignment
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may differ from, and be more limited than, those held by the original lenders or the assignor. When the Fund’s loan interest is a participation, the Fund may have less control over the exercise of remedies than the party selling the participation interest, and it normally would not have any direct rights against the borrower. As a participant, the Fund also would be subject to the risk that the party selling the participation interest would not remit the Fund’s pro rata share of loan payments to the Fund. It may be difficult for the Fund to obtain an accurate picture of a lending bank’s financial condition. Loan interests may not be considered “securities,” and purchasers, such as the Fund, therefore may not be entitled to rely on the anti-fraud protections of the federal securities laws. The Fund also may be in possession of material non-public information about a borrower as a result of its ownership of a loan instrument of such borrower. Because of prohibitions on trading in securities of issuers while in possession of such information, the Fund might be unable to enter into a transaction in a security of that borrower when it would otherwise be advantageous to do so. Any steps taken to ensure that the Fund does not receive material non-public information about a security may have the effect of causing the Fund to have less information than other investors about certain interests in which it seeks to invest.
Market Risk
The Fund is subject to the risk that the securities markets will move down, sometimes rapidly and unpredictably, based on overall economic conditions and other factors, which may negatively affect the Fund’s performance. Equity securities generally have greater price volatility than fixed income securities, although under certain market conditions fixed income securities may have comparable or greater price volatility. During a general downturn in the securities markets, multiple asset classes may decline in value simultaneously. In some cases, traditional market participants have been less willing to make a market in some types of debt instruments, which has affected the liquidity of those instruments. During times of market turmoil, investors tend to look to the safety of securities issued or backed by the U.S. Treasury, causing the prices of these securities to rise and the yields to decline. Reduced liquidity in fixed income and credit markets may negatively affect many issuers worldwide. Prices in many financial markets have increased significantly over the last decade, but there have also been periods of adverse market and financial developments and cyclical change during that timeframe, which have resulted in unusually high levels of volatility in domestic and foreign financial markets that has caused losses for investors and may occur again in the future, particularly if markets enter a period of uncertainty or economic weakness. Periods of unusually high volatility in the financial markets and restrictive credit conditions, sometimes limited to a particular sector or geographic region, continue to recur. The value of a security may decline due to adverse issuer-specific conditions or general market conditions unrelated to a particular issuer, such as real or perceived adverse geopolitical, regulatory, market, economic or other developments that may cause broad changes in market value, changes in the general outlook for corporate earnings, changes in interest, currency or inflation rates, lack of liquidity in the markets, public perceptions concerning these developments or adverse market sentiment generally. The value of a security may also decline due to factors that affect a particular industry or industries, such as tariffs, labor shortages or increased production costs and competitive conditions within an industry. Changes in the financial condition of a single issuer or market segment also can impact the market as a whole.
Geopolitical and other events, including war, terrorism, economic uncertainty, trade disputes, pandemics, public health crises, natural disasters and related events have led, and in the future may continue to lead, to instability in world economies and markets generally and reduced liquidity, which may adversely affect the value of your investment. Such market disruptions have caused, and may continue to cause, broad changes in market value, negative public perceptions concerning these developments, a reduction in the willingness and ability of some lenders to extend credit, difficulties for some borrowers in obtaining financing on attractive terms, if at all, and adverse investor sentiment or publicity. Changes in value may be temporary or may last for extended periods. Adverse market events may also lead to increased shareholder redemptions, which could cause the Fund to sell investments at an inopportune time to meet redemption requests by shareholders and may increase the Fund’s portfolio turnover, which could increase the costs that the Fund incurs and lower the Fund’s performance. Even when securities markets perform well, there is no assurance that the investments held by the Fund will increase in value along with the broader market.
Policy changes by the U.S. government and/or Federal Reserve and political events within the U.S. and abroad, such as changes in the U.S. presidential administration and Congress, the U.S. government’s inability at times to agree on a long-term budget and deficit reduction plan, the threat of a federal government shutdown and threats not to increase the federal government’s debt limit, may affect investor and consumer confidence and may adversely impact financial markets and the broader economy, perhaps suddenly and to a significant degree. The severity or duration of adverse economic conditions may also be affected by policy changes made by governments or quasi-governmental organizations. Global economies and financial markets are becoming increasingly interconnected, which increases the possibility of many markets being affected by events in a single country or events affecting a single or small number of issuers.
Markets and market participants are increasingly reliant upon both publicly available and proprietary information data systems. Data imprecision, software or other technology malfunctions, programming inaccuracies, unauthorized use or access, and similar circumstances may impair the performance of these systems and may have an adverse impact upon a single issuer, a group of issuers, or the market at large. In certain cases, an exchange or market may close or issue trading halts on either specific securities or even the entire market, which may result in the Fund being, among other things, unable to buy or sell certain securities or financial instruments or accurately price its investments. These fluctuations in securities prices could be a sustained trend or a drastic movement. The financial markets generally move in cycles, with periods of rising prices followed by periods of declining prices. The value of your investment may reflect these fluctuations.

 

Recent Market Events. An outbreak of infectious respiratory illness caused by a novel coronavirus, known as COVID-19, was first detected in December 2019 and has subsequently spread globally. The impact of the outbreak has been rapidly evolving, and the transmission of COVID-19 and efforts to contain its spread have resulted, and may continue to result, in significant disruptions to business operations, supply chains and customer activity, widespread business closures and layoffs, travel restrictions, closed international, national and local borders, enhanced health screenings at ports of entry and elsewhere, prolonged quarantines and stay-at-home orders, disruption of and delays in healthcare service preparation and delivery, service and event cancellations, reductions and other changes, and lower consumer demand, as well as general concern and uncertainty that has negatively affected the global economy. The current pandemic has accelerated trends toward working remotely and shopping on-line, which may negatively affect the value of office and commercial real estate and companies that have been slow to transition to an on-line business model. The travel, hospitality and public transit industries may suffer long-term negative effects from the pandemic and resulting changes to public behavior. Public health crises caused by the COVID-19 outbreak may exacerbate other pre-existing political, social and economic risks in certain countries or globally. The duration of the COVID-19 outbreak and its effects cannot be determined with certainty and further developments could result in additional disruptions and uncertainty. These impacts have caused significant volatility in global financial markets, which have caused and may continue to cause losses for investors. The impact of the COVID-19 pandemic may last for an extended period of time and may result in a sustained economic downturn or recession. Governments’ efforts to limit potential negative economic effects of the pandemic may be altered, delayed, or eliminated at inopportune times for political, policy or other reasons. Although promising vaccines have been released, it may be many months before vaccinations are sufficiently widespread in many countries to allow the restoration of full economic activity. Both U.S. and international markets have experienced significant volatility in recent months and years. As a result of such volatility, investment returns may fluctuate significantly. Moreover, the risks discussed herein associated with an investment in the Fund may be increased.

 

  The U.S. Federal Reserve has taken numerous measures to address the economic impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, such as the reduction of the federal funds target rate and the introduction of several credit and liquidity facilities, and the U.S. federal government has taken steps to stimulate the U.S.
 
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  economy, including adopting stimulus packages targeted at large parts of the economy. The ultimate effects of these and other efforts that may be taken may not be known for some time, and it is not known whether and to what extent they will be successful. In addition, COVID-19 has caused and may continue to cause employees and vendors at various businesses, including the Manager and other service providers, to work at external locations, and could cause extensive medical absences. Not all events that could affect the business of the Manager, or other service providers can be determined and addressed in advance. The impact of COVID-19 and other infectious illness outbreaks that may arise in the future, could adversely affect the economies of many nations or the entire global economy, individual issuers and capital markets in ways that cannot necessarily be foreseen. Deteriorating economic fundamentals may in turn increase the risk of default or insolvency of particular issuers, negatively impact market value, increase market volatility, cause credit spreads to widen, and reduce liquidity. The impact of infectious illnesses in emerging market countries may be greater due to generally less established healthcare systems.

The Federal Reserve has spent hundreds of billions of dollars to keep credit flowing through short-term money markets.
However, the Federal Reserve recently began to reduce its interventions as the economy improved and inflation accelerated. Concerns about the markets’ dependence on the Federal Reserve’s provision of liquidity have grown as a result. Over the past several years, the United States has moved away from tighter legislation and regulation impacting businesses and the financial services industry. There is a potential for materially increased regulation in the future, as well as higher taxes or taxes restructured to incentivize different activities. These changes, should they occur, may impose added costs on the Fund and its service providers, and affect the businesses of various portfolio companies, in ways that cannot necessarily be foreseen at the present time. Markets may react strongly to expectations about the changes in these policies, which could increase volatility, especially if the market’s expectations for changes in government policies are not borne out. High public debt in the U.S. and other countries creates ongoing systemic and market risks and policymaking uncertainty, and there may be an increase in public debt due to the economic effects of the COVID-19 pandemic and ensuing economic relief and public health measures. Governments’ efforts to limit potential negative economic effects of the pandemic may be altered, delayed, or eliminated at inopportune times for political, policy or other reasons. Interest rates have been unusually low in recent years in the U.S. and abroad, and central banks reduced rates further in an effort to combat the economic effects of the COVID-19 pandemic. Because there is little precedent for this situation, it is difficult to predict the impact on various markets of a significant rate increase or other significant policy changes. The U.S. Federal Reserve is anticipated to raise interest rates beginning in 2022, in part to address an increase in the annual inflation rate in the U.S. Over the longer term, rising interest rates may present a greater risk than has historically been the case due to the current period of relatively low rates and the effect of government fiscal and monetary policy initiatives and potential market reaction to those initiatives or their alteration or cessation. Slowing global economic growth, risks associated with the United Kingdom’s departure from the European Union on December 31, 2020, commonly referred to as “Brexit,” the risks associated with ongoing trade negotiations with China, the possibility of changes to some international trade agreements, tensions or open conflict between nations, or political or economic dysfunction within some nations that are global economic powers or major producers of oil could affect the economies of many nations, including the United States, in ways that cannot necessarily be foreseen at the present time. The full impact of Brexit and the nature of the future relationship between the United Kingdom and the European Union remains uncertain. The United Kingdom and the European Union reached a trade agreement on December 31, 2020, which became effective on May 1, 2021 after being ratified by all applicable United Kingdom and European Union governmental bodies. The period following the United Kingdom’s withdrawal from the European Union is expected to be one of significant political and economic uncertainty particularly until the United Kingdom government and European Union member states agree and implement the terms of the United Kingdom’s future relationship with the European Union. Brexit may create additional economic stresses for the United Kingdom, which may include causing a contraction of the United Kingdom economy and price volatility in United Kingdom stocks, decreased trade, capital outflows, devaluation of pounds sterling, and wider corporate bond spreads due to uncertainty and declines in business and consumer spending as well as foreign direct investment. The Fund may be negatively impacted by changes in law and tax treatment resulting from or following Brexit. Until the economic effects of Brexit become clearer, and while a period of political, regulatory, and commercial uncertainty continues, there remains a risk that Brexit may negatively impact the value of investments held by the Fund.

 

  Economists and others have expressed increasing concern about the potential effects of global climate change on property and security values. Impacts from climate change may include significant risks to global financial assets and economic growth. A rise in sea levels, an increase in powerful windstorms and/or a climate-driven increase in sea levels or flooding could cause coastal properties to lose value or become unmarketable altogether. Certain issuers, industries and regions may be adversely affected by the impacts of climate change, including on the demand for and the development of goods and services and related production costs, and the impacts of legislation, regulation and international accords related to climate change, as well as any indirect consequences of regulation or business trends driven by climate change. Regulatory changes and divestment movements tied to concerns about climate change could adversely affect the value of certain land and the viability of industries whose activities or products are seen as accelerating climate change. These losses could adversely affect, among others, corporate issuers and mortgage lenders, the value of mortgage-backed securities, the bonds of municipalities that depend on tax or other revenues and tourist dollars generated by affected properties, and insurers of the property and/or of corporate, municipal or mortgage-backed securities.
 
Market Timing Risk
The Fund is subject to the risk of market timing activities by investors due to the nature of its investments, which requires the Fund in certain instances to fair value certain of its investments. Some investors may engage in frequent short-term trading in the Fund to take advantage of any price differentials that may be reflected in the NAV of the Fund’s shares. Frequent trading by Fund shareholders poses risks to other shareholders in the Fund, including (i) the dilution of the Fund’s NAV, (ii) an increase in the Fund’s expenses, and (iii) interference with the ability to execute efficient investment strategies. While the Manager monitors trading in the Fund, there is no guarantee that it can detect all market timing activities.
Mid-Capitalization Companies Risk
Investments in mid-capitalization companies generally involve greater risks and the possibility of greater price volatility, which at times can be rapid and unpredictable, than investments in larger, more established companies. Mid-capitalization companies often have narrower commercial markets and more limited operating history, product lines, and managerial and financial resources than larger, more established companies. As a result, performance can be more volatile and they may face greater risk of business failure, which could increase the volatility of the Fund’s portfolio. Generally, the smaller the company size, the greater these risks. Additionally, mid-capitalization companies may have less market liquidity than large-capitalization companies, and they can be sensitive to changes in overall economic conditions, interest rates, borrowing costs and earnings.
Other Investment Companies Risk
To the extent that the Fund invests in shares of other registered investment companies, the Fund will indirectly bear the fees and expenses, including, for example, advisory and administrative fees, charged by those investment companies in addition to the Fund’s direct fees and expenses. If the Fund invests in other investment companies, the Fund may receive distributions of taxable gains from portfolio transactions by that investment company and may recognize taxable gains from transactions in shares of that investment company, which could be taxable to the Fund’s shareholders when distributed to them. The Fund must rely on the investment company in which it invests to achieve its investment objective. If the investment company fails to achieve its investment objective, the value of the Fund’s investment may decline, adversely affecting the Fund’s performance. To the extent the Fund invests in other investment companies that invest in equity securities, fixed income securities and/or foreign securities, or that track an index, the Fund is subject to the risks associated
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with the underlying investments held by the investment company or the index fluctuations to which the investment company is subject. The Fund will be subject to the risks associated with investments in those companies, including but not limited to the following:

 

ETFs. Because ETFs are listed on an exchange, they may be subject to the following risks that do not apply to conventional funds: (1) the market price of an ETF’s shares may trade at a discount or premium to its NAV; (2) an active trading market for an ETF’s shares may not develop or be maintained; or (3) trading of an ETF’s shares may be halted if the listing exchange’s officials deem such action appropriate, the shares are delisted from the exchange, or the activation of market-wide “circuit breakers” (which are tied to large decreases in stock prices) halts stock trading generally. An ETF that tracks an index may not precisely replicate the returns of that index and may not be permitted to sell poorly performing stocks that are included in its index. An actively-managed ETF’s performance will reflect its adviser’s ability to make investment decisions that are suited to achieving the ETF’s investment objectives. Future legislative or regulatory changes, including changes in taxation, could impact the operation of ETFs.

 

Government Money Market Funds. Investments in government money market funds are subject to interest rate risk, credit risk, and market risk. Although a government money market fund seeks to preserve the value of the fund’s investment at $1.00 per share, at times, the share price of government money market funds may fall below the $1.00 share price, especially during periods of high redemption pressures, illiquid markets, and/or significant market volatility. Extremely low or negative interest rates may become more prevalent, which could make it difficult for a government money market fund to maintain a stable $1.00 per share net asset value without financial support from its sponsor or other persons.
 
Prepayment and Extension Risk
When interest rates fall, borrowers will generally repay the loans that underlie certain debt securities, especially mortgage-related and other types of asset backed securities, more quickly than expected, causing the issuer of the security to repay the principal prior to the security ‘s expected maturity date. This could also occur if a debt security is called or otherwise converted or redeemed before maturity. If this occurs, the Fund may need to reinvest the proceeds at a lower interest rate, reducing its income. Securities subject to prepayment risk generally offer less potential for gains when prevailing interest rates fall. If the Fund buys those securities at a premium, accelerated prepayments on those securities could cause the Fund to lose a portion of its principal investment. The impact of prepayments on the price of a security may be difficult to predict and may increase the security’s price volatility. The rate of prepayments tends to increase as interest rates fall, which could cause the average maturity of the portfolio to shorten. Prepayments could also create capital gains tax liability in some instances. Variable and floating rate securities may be less sensitive to prepayment risk. Extension risk is the risk that a decrease in prepayments may, as a result of higher interest rates or other factors, result in the extension of a security’s effective maturity, increase the risk of default and delayed payment, heighten interest rate risk and increase the potential for a decline in its price. In addition, as a consequence of a decrease in prepayments, the amount of principal available to the Fund for investment would be reduced. If the Fund’s investments are locked in at a lower interest rate for a longer period of time, the Fund may be unable to capitalize on securities with higher interest rates or wider spreads.
Redemption Risk
The Fund may experience periods of heavy redemptions that could cause the Fund to sell assets at inopportune times or at a loss or a depressed value. Redemption risk is greater to the extent that one or more investors or intermediaries control a large percentage of investments in the Fund, have short investment horizons, or have unpredictable cash flow needs. The risk of loss is also greater if redemption requests are frequent, occur in times of overall market turmoil or declining prices for the securities sold, or when the securities the Fund wishes to sell are illiquid. Heavy redemptions, whether by a few large investors or many smaller investors, could hurt the Fund’s performance. The ability or willingness of dealers and other institutional investors to buy or hold fixed income securities or otherwise to “make a market” in debt securities has also been reduced. These factors, along with an inability to find a ready buyer, or legal restrictions on a security’s resale, may result in decreased liquidity and increased volatility in the fixed income markets, and heightened redemption risk. Certain securities that were liquid when purchased may later become illiquid, particularly in times of overall economic distress. During periods of heavy redemptions, the Fund may borrow funds through the interfund credit facility, or from a bank line of credit, which may increase costs. The sale of assets to meet redemption requests may create net capital gains or losses, which could cause the Fund to have to distribute substantial capital gains.
Reliance on Corporate Management and Financial Reporting Risk
The sub-advisor may select investments for a Fund in part on the basis of information and data made directly available to the sub-advisor by the issuers of securities or through sources other than the issuers such as collateral pool servicers. The sub-advisor is dependent upon the integrity of the management of these issuers and of such servicers and the financial and collateral performance reporting processes in general. Recent events have demonstrated the material losses which investors, such as a Fund, can incur as a result of corporate mismanagement, fraud and accounting irregularities.
Restricted Securities Risk
Securities not registered in the U.S. under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”), or in non-U.S. markets pursuant to similar regulations, including “Section 4(a)(2)” securities and “Rule 144A” securities, are restricted as to their resale. Such securities may not be listed on an exchange and may have no active trading market. The prices of these securities may be more difficult to determine than publicly traded securities and these securities may involve heightened risk as compared to investments in securities of publicly traded companies. They may be more difficult to purchase or sell at an advantageous time or price because such securities may not be readily marketable in broad public markets, or may have to be held for a certain time period before they can be resold. The Fund may not be able to sell a restricted security when the sub-advisor considers it desirable to do so and/or may have to sell the security at a lower price than the Fund believes is its fair market value. A restricted security that was liquid at the time of purchase may subsequently become illiquid. In addition, transaction costs may be higher for restricted securities and the Fund may receive only limited information regarding the issuer of a restricted security. The Fund may have to bear the expense of registering restricted securities for resale and the risk of substantial delays in effecting the registration. If, during such a delay, adverse market conditions were to develop, the Fund might obtain a less favorable price than prevailed at the time it decided to seek registration of the security.
Secured, Partially Secured and Unsecured Obligation Risk
Debt obligations may be secured, partially secured or unsecured. Debt obligations that are secured with specific collateral of the borrowing company provide the holder with a claim on that collateral in the event that the borrower does not pay scheduled interest or principal that is senior to that held by any unsecured creditors, subordinated debt holders and stockholders of the borrower. Obligations that are fully secured offer the Fund more protection than a partially secured or unsecured obligation in the event of such non-payment of scheduled interest or principal.
Interests in secured obligations have the benefit of collateral and, typically, of restrictive covenants limiting the ability of the borrower to further encumber its assets. However, there is no assurance that the liquidation of collateral from a secured obligation would satisfy the borrower’s obligation, or that the collateral can be liquidated. Furthermore, there is a risk that the value of any collateral securing an obligation in which the Fund has an interest may decline and that the collateral may not be sufficient to cover the amount owed on the obligation. In most loan agreements there is no formal requirement to pledge additional collateral. In the event the borrower defaults, the Fund’s access to the collateral may be limited or delayed by bankruptcy or other insolvency laws. In addition, the collateral securing the obligation may not be recognized for a variety of reasons, including the failure to make required filings by lenders, trustees or other responsible parties and, as a result, the Fund may not have priority over other creditors as anticipated. Further, in the event of a default, second lien secured
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loans will generally be paid only if the value of the collateral exceeds the amount of the borrower’s obligations to the first lien secured lenders, and the remaining collateral may not be sufficient to cover the full amount owed on the loan in which the Fund has an interest. In addition, if a secured loan is foreclosed, the Fund would likely bear the costs and liabilities associated with owning and disposing of the collateral. The collateral may be difficult to sell and the Fund would bear the risk that the collateral may decline in value while the Fund is holding it.
If an obligation in which the Fund invests is foreclosed, the Fund could become owner, in whole or in part, of any collateral, which could include, among other assets, real estate or other real or personal property, and as a creditor would likely bear its pro rata costs and liabilities associated with owning and holding or disposing of the collateral. The collateral may be difficult to sell, and the Fund would bear the risk that the collateral may decline in value while the Fund is holding it.
Some obligations in which the Fund may invest are only partially-secured or are unsecured. Unsecured debt, including senior unsecured and subordinated debt, will not be secured by any collateral, and will be effectively subordinated to a borrower’s secured indebtedness (to the extent of the collateral securing such indebtedness). With respect to unsecured obligations, the Fund lacks any collateral on which to foreclose to satisfy its claim in whole or in part. Such instruments generally have greater price volatility than that of fully secured holdings and may be less liquid. There is a possibility that originators will not be able to sell participations in unsecured bank loans. Because loan participations typically represent direct participation, together with other parties, in a loan to a corporate borrower, through which the Fund would become a part lender, difficulty on the part of originators in selling participations could limit the number of parties participating and create greater credit risk exposure for the holders of such loans.
Securities Selection Risk
Securities selected for the Fund may decline substantially in value or may not perform to expectations. Judgments about the attractiveness, value and anticipated price movements of a security or asset class may be incorrect, and there is no guarantee that securities will perform as anticipated. The value of a security can be more or less volatile than the market as a whole or the Fund ‘s relative value approach may fail to produce the intended results. The assessment of relative value may be wrong or even if the assessment of relative value is correct, it may take a long period of time before the price and intrinsic value of an investment converge. It may not be possible to predict, or to hedge against, a widening in the yield spread of the securities selected for the Fund. This could result in the Fund ‘s underperformance compared to other funds with similar investment objectives.
Small-Capitalization Companies Risk
Investments in small-capitalization companies generally involve greater risks and the possibility of greater price volatility, which at times can be rapid and unpredictable, than investments in larger capitalization and more established companies. Small-capitalization companies often have narrower commercial markets and more limited operating history, product lines, and managerial and financial resources than larger, more established companies. As a result, performance of small-capitalization companies can be more volatile and these companies may face greater risk of business failure, which could increase the volatility of the Fund’s portfolio. Generally, the smaller the company size, the greater these risks. Additionally, small-capitalization companies may have less market liquidity than larger capitalization companies, and they can be sensitive to changes in overall economic conditions, interest rates, borrowing costs and earnings.
Unrated Securities Risk
Because the Fund may purchase securities that are not rated by any rating organization, the sub-advisor, after assessing their credit quality, may internally assign ratings to certain of those securities, in categories of those similar to those of rating organizations. Investing in unrated securities involves the risk that the sub-advisor may not accurately evaluate the security’s comparative credit rating. To the extent that the Fund invests in unrated securities, the Fund’s success in achieving its investment objective may depend more heavily on the sub-advisor’s credit analysis than if the Fund invested exclusively in rated securities. Less public information is typically available about unrated securities or issuers. Some unrated securities may not have an active trading market or may be difficult to value, which means the Fund might have difficulty selling them promptly at an acceptable price. Unrated securities may also be subject to greater liquidity risk and price volatility.
U.S. Government Securities and Government-Sponsored Enterprises Risk
A security backed by the U.S. Treasury or the full faith and credit of the United States is guaranteed only as to the timely payment of interest and principal when held to maturity. The market prices for such securities are not guaranteed and will fluctuate. Additionally, circumstances could arise that would prevent the payment of interest or principal. This could result in losses to the Fund. Investments in securities issued by government-sponsored enterprises are debt obligations issued by agencies and instrumentalities of the U.S. government. These obligations vary in the level of support they receive from the U.S. government. They may be: (i) supported by the full faith and credit of the U.S. Treasury, such as those of GNMA; (ii) supported by the right of the issuer to borrow from the U.S. Treasury, such as those of the Federal Home Loan Bank, the Federal Farm Credit Banks, or the Tennessee Valley Authority; (iii) supported by the discretionary authority of the U.S. government to purchase the agency obligations, such as those of Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac; or (iv) supported only by the credit of the issuer, such as those of the Federal Farm Credit Bureau. The U.S. government may choose not to provide financial support to U.S. government-sponsored agencies or instrumentalities if it is not legally obligated to do so, in which case, if the issuer defaulted, to the extent the Fund holds securities of such issuer, it might not be able to recover its investment from the U.S. government. U.S. government securities and securities of government-sponsored entities are also subject to credit risk, interest rate risk and market risk. The rising U.S. national debt may lead to adverse impacts on the value of U.S. government securities due to potentially higher costs for the U.S. government to obtain new financing.
Valuation Risk
This is the risk that the Fund has valued a security at a price different from the price at which it can be sold. This risk may be especially pronounced for investments that may be illiquid or may become illiquid and for securities that trade in relatively thin markets and/or markets that experience extreme volatility. The Fund’s ability to value its investments in an accurate and timely manner may be impacted by technological issues and/or errors by third party service providers, such as pricing services or accounting agents. If market conditions make it difficult to value certain investments, SEC rules and applicable accounting protocols may require the Fund to value these investments using more subjective methods, such as fair-value methodologies. Using fair value methodologies to price investments may result in a value that is different from an investment’s most recent closing price and from the prices used by others for the same investment. Investors who purchase or redeem Fund shares on days when the Fund is holding fair-valued securities may receive fewer or more shares, or lower or higher redemption proceeds, than they would have received if the Fund had not fair-valued the securities or had used a different valuation methodology. The value of foreign securities, certain fixed income securities and currencies, as applicable, may be materially affected by events after the close of the markets on which they are traded, but before the Fund determines its NAV.
Variable and Floating Rate Securities Risk
The coupons on variable and floating rate securities in which the Fund may invest are not fixed and may fluctuate based upon changes in market rates. Variable and floating rate securities are subject to interest rate risk and may fluctuate in value in response to interest rate changes if there is a delay between changes in market interest rates and the interest reset date for the obligation, or for other reasons. As short-term interest rates decline, the coupons on
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variable and floating rate securities typically decrease. Alternatively, during periods of rising short-term interest rates, the coupons on variable and floating rate securities typically increase. Changes in the coupons of variable and floating rate securities may lag behind changes in market rates or may have limits on the maximum increases in the coupon rates. The value of variable and floating rate securities may decline if their coupons do not rise as much, or as quickly, as interest rates in general. Conversely, variable and floating rate securities will not generally increase in value if interest rates decline. Thus, investing in variable and floating rate instruments generally allows less opportunity for capital appreciation and depreciation than investing in instruments with a fixed interest rate. Variable and floating rate securities are less effective than fixed rate securities at locking in a particular yield and may be subject to credit risk. Certain types of floating rate instruments may also be subject to greater liquidity risk than other debt securities.
Additional Information About Performance Benchmark
The Fund’s annual total return is compared to the Credit Suisse Leveraged Loan Index. Set forth below is additional information regarding the index to which the Fund’s performance is compared.

 

The Credit Suisse Leveraged Loan Index is an index designed to mirror the investable universe of the US dollar-denominated leveraged loan market. New loans are added to the index on their effective date if they qualify according to the following criteria: Loans must be rated “5B” or lower; only fully- funded term loans are included; the tenor must be at least one year; and the Issuers must be domiciled in developed countries (Issuers from developing countries are excluded). Fallen angels are added to the index subject to the new loan criteria. Loans are removed from the index when they are upgraded to investment grade, or when they exit the market (for example, at maturity, refinancing or bankruptcy workout). Note that issuers remain in the index following default. Total return of the index is the sum of three components: principal, interest, and reinvestment return. The cumulative return assumes that coupon payments are reinvested into the index at the beginning of each period.
 
Fund Management
The Manager
AMERICAN BEACON ADVISORS, INC. (the “Manager”) serves as the Manager and administrator of the Fund. The Manager, located at 220 East Las Colinas Boulevard, Suite 1200, Irving, Texas 75039, is an indirect wholly-owned subsidiary of Resolute Investment Holdings, LLC, which is owned primarily by Kelso Investment Associates VIII, L.P., KEP VI, LLC and Estancia Capital Partners L.P.
The Manager was organized in 1986 to provide investment management, advisory, and administrative services. The Manager is registered as an investment adviser under the Advisers Act. The Manager, on behalf of the Fund, has filed a notice claiming the CFTC Regulation 4.5 exclusion from registration as a CPO under the Commodity Exchange Act, and the Manager is also exempt from registration as a commodity trading advisor under CFTC Regulation 4.14(a)(8) with respect to the Fund.
For the fiscal year ended August 31, 2021, the Fund paid aggregate management fees to the Manager and investment advisory fees to its sub-advisor of 0.67% of the Fund’s average daily net assets, net of any waivers and recoupments of management fees and sub-advisory fees.
As compensation for services provided by the Manager in connection with securities lending activities conducted by the Fund, the lending Fund would pay to the Manager, with respect to cash collateral posted by borrowers, a fee of 10% of the net monthly interest income (the gross interest income earned by the investment of cash collateral, less the amount paid to borrowers and related expenses) from such activities and, with respect to loan fees paid by borrowers when a borrower posts collateral other than cash, a fee up to 10% of such loan fees. The SEC has granted exemptive relief that permits the Fund to invest cash collateral received from securities lending transactions in shares of one or more private or registered investment companies managed by the Manager.
As of the date of this Prospectus, the Fund does not intend to engage in securities lending activities.
A discussion of the Board’s consideration and approval of the Management Agreement between the Fund and the Manager and the Investment Advisory Agreement among the Trust, on behalf of the Fund, the sub-advisor and the Manager is available in the Fund’s Annual Report for the fiscal year ended August 31, 2021.
The Manager has contractually agreed to waive fees and/or reimburse expenses of each share class of the Fund to the extent that Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses exceed a percentage of that class’ average daily net assets (excluding taxes, interest, brokerage commissions, acquired fund fees and expenses, securities lending fees, expenses associated with securities sold short, litigation, and other extraordinary expenses) through December 31, 2022 as follows:
Contractual Expense Limitations
American Beacon Fund
A Class
C Class
Y Class
R5 Class
Investor Class
SP Class
American Beacon Sound Point Floating Rate Income Fund
1.09%
1.86%
0.88%
0.82%
1.16%
1.08%
The Manager will itself waive fees and/or reimburse expenses of the Fund to maintain the contractual expense ratio caps for each applicable class of shares. In addition, Sound Point Capital Management, LP (the “sub-advisor”) has contractually agreed to waive a portion of its management fees equal to 0.03% of the average daily net assets of the Fund through December 31, 2022. The contractual expense reimbursement and fee waiver by the Manager and the contractual fee waiver by the sub-advisor can be changed or terminated only in the discretion and with the approval of a majority of the Fund’s Board. The Manager may also, from time to time, voluntarily waive fees and/or reimburse expenses of the Fund. The Board has approved a policy whereby the Manager (but not the sub-advisor) may seek repayment for any contractual or voluntary fee waivers or expense reimbursements if reimbursement to the Manager (a) occurs within three years from the date of the Manager’s waiver/reimbursement and (b) does not cause the Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses of a class to exceed the lesser of the contractual percentage limit in effect at the time of the waiver/reimbursement or the time of recoupment.
The Sub-Advisor
Set forth below is a brief description of the sub-advisor and the portfolio managers with joint and primary responsibility for the day-to-day management of the Fund. The SAI provides additional information about the portfolio managers, including other accounts they manage, their ownership in the Fund and their compensation.
SOUND POINT CAPITAL MANAGEMENT, LP (‘‘Sound Point’’), Sound Point, a Delaware limited partnership, serves as investment sub-advisor to the Fund. The Advisor has been registered as an investment adviser with the SEC since July 2011. The address of Sound Point is 375 Park Ave, 33rd Floor, New York, NY 10152. As of October 31, 2021, Sound Point had approximately $28.9 billion assets under management.
Stephen Ketchum is Managing Partner and Chief Investment Officer. Mr. Ketchum is the principal owner of Sound Point Capital Management, LP, which he founded in 2008. Mr. Ketchum is a Co-Portfolio Manager of the Fund.
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Rick Richert joined Sound Point in 2011 and is currently Head of U.S. Par Loans and a Portfolio Manager on the Par Loan platform, overseeing all U.S. CLOs and floating rate vehicles at the firm. Additionally, Mr. Richert serves on the firm’s Management Committee and is a member on most risk, investment, and valuation committees at the firm. Prior to joining Sound Point, Mr. Richert was a Principal in the CLO group at American Capital (“ACAS”), having helped launch their CLO group in early 2006. Prior to ACAS, Mr. Richert was a Senior Credit Analyst at Sanno Point Capital Management, a credit-focused hedge fund, where he served as a generalist investing in bank loans, high-yield bonds and CDS. Previously, he was a Director in the Bank Loan Unit at MetLife, where he worked for 10 years. At MetLife, Mr. Richert helped grow the bank loan asset class to over $3.0 billion and directly covered several industry sectors.
Mr. Richert earned a B.B.A. in Accounting from Southern College and an M.B.A. in Finance from the University of Michigan. He is a Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) charter holder and a Certified Public Accountant (CPA).
Joe Xu is Portfolio Manager and Senior Credit Analyst. Mr. Xu joined Sound Point in 2014 as a credit analyst. He currently serves as Portfolio Manager on the firm’s U.S. Floating Rate Fund Investment Committee and Senior Credit Analyst covering the Technology sector. Prior to joining Sound Point, Mr. Xu spent over 3 years as a credit analyst with Ares Management, where he evaluated leveraged loan opportunities in the Business Services, Consumer, Industrial, Media and Technology sectors. Prior to Ares, Mr. Xu evaluated, structured and executed private equity and mezzanine debt investments for Veronis Suhler Stevenson, a middle market private equity and specialty finance firm. Mr. Xu began his career as an investment banking analyst with William Blair & Company and graduated cum laude from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign with a B.S. in Accounting.
Brian McHugh joined Sound Point in 2018 and is a Portfolio Manager for several U.S. CLOs and a Co-Portfolio Manager for the Fund, while also covering the Healthcare sector. Additionally, Mr. McHugh serves on the firm’s U.S. Floating Rate Fund Investment Committee, Risk Committee and CLO Risk Committee. Mr. McHugh has 21 years of loan market experience, including 15 years of credit research experience, covering Healthcare for the duration, while at times having also covered the Gaming, Consumer Products, Retail, Business Services and Aerospace & Defense sectors. Prior to joining Sound Point, Mr. McHugh spent 12 years at Halcyon Capital Management, where he managed over $5 billion in CLO portfolios and focused primarily on investments in the Healthcare sector. Prior to Halcyon, Mr. McHugh spent approximately seven years at Prudential Financial, where he was a Credit Analyst. Mr. McHugh earned a B.S. in Finance from the University of Delaware.
Valuation of Shares
The price of the Fund’s shares is based on its NAV. The Fund’s NAV per share is computed by adding total assets, subtracting all of the Fund’s liabilities, and dividing the result by the total number of shares outstanding.
The NAV per share of each class of the Fund’s shares is determined based on a pro rata allocation of the Fund’s investment income, expenses and total capital gains and losses. The Fund’s NAV per share is determined each business day as of the regular close of trading on the NYSE, which is typically 4:00 p.m. Eastern Time. However, if trading on the NYSE closes at a time other than 4:00 p.m. Eastern Time, the Fund’s NAV per share typically would still be determined as of the regular close of trading on the NYSE. The Fund does not price its shares on days that the NYSE is closed. Foreign exchanges may permit trading in foreign securities on days when the Fund is not open for business, which may result in the value of the Fund’s portfolio investments being affected at a time when you are unable to buy or sell shares.
Equity securities and certain derivative instruments that are traded on an exchange are valued based on market value. Certain derivative instruments (other than short-term securities) usually are valued on the basis of prices provided by a pricing service. The price of debt securities generally is determined using pricing services or quotes obtained from broker/dealers who may consider a number of inputs and factors, such as comparable characteristics, yield curve, credit spreads, estimated default rates, coupon rates, underlying collateral and estimated cash flow. Investments in other mutual funds are valued at the closing NAV per share of the mutual funds on the day of valuation. Equity securities, including shares of closed-end funds and ETFs, are valued at the last sale price or official closing price.
The valuation of securities traded on foreign markets and certain fixed income securities will generally be based on prices determined as of the earlier closing time of the markets on which they primarily trade, unless a significant event has occurred. When the Fund holds securities or other assets that are denominated in a foreign currency, the Fund will normally use the currency exchange rates as of 4:00 p.m. Eastern Time.
Securities may be valued at fair value, as determined in good faith and pursuant to procedures approved by the Board, under certain limited circumstances. For example, fair value pricing will be used when market quotations are not readily available or reliable, as determined by the Manager, such as when: (i) trading for a security is restricted or stopped; (ii) a security’s trading market is closed (other than customary closings); or (iii) a security has been de-listed from a national exchange. A security with limited market liquidity may require fair value pricing if the Manager determines that the available price does not reflect the security’s true market value. In addition, if a significant event that the Manager determines to affect the value of one or more securities held by the Fund occurs after the close of a related exchange but before the determination of the Fund’s NAV per share, fair value pricing may be used on the affected security or securities. Securities of small-capitalization companies are also more likely to require a fair value determination using these procedures because they are more thinly traded and less liquid than the securities of larger capitalization companies. The Fund may fair value securities as a result of significant events occurring after the close of the foreign markets in which it invests. In addition, the Fund may invest in illiquid securities requiring these procedures.
Attempts to determine the fair value of securities introduce an element of subjectivity to the pricing of securities. As a result, the price of a security determined through fair valuation techniques may differ from the price quoted or published by other sources and may not accurately reflect the market value of the security when trading resumes. If a reliable market quotation becomes available for a security formerly valued through fair valuation techniques, the Manager compares the new market quotation to the fair value price to evaluate the effectiveness of the Fund’s fair valuation procedures. If any significant discrepancies are found, the Manager may adjust the Fund’s fair valuation procedures. You may view the Fund’s most recent NAV per share at www.americanbeaconfunds.com by clicking on ‘‘Quick Links’’ and then ‘‘Daily NAVs.’’
In December 2020, the SEC adopted Rule 2a-5 under the Investment Company Act, which establishes requirements for determining fair value in good faith for purposes of the Investment Company Act, including related oversight and reporting requirements. The rule also defines when market quotations are “readily available” for purposes of the Investment Company Act, the threshold for determining whether the Fund must fair value a security. The Fund will not be required to comply with this new rule until September 8, 2022. The Fund and the Manager are evaluating the impact of the rule on the Fund’s valuation policies.
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About Your Investment
Choosing Your Share Class
The Fund offers various classes of shares. Each share class of the Fund represents an investment in the same portfolio of securities for the Fund, but each class has its own expense structure and combination of purchase restrictions, sales charges and ongoing fees, allowing you to choose the class that best fits your situation.
Factors you should consider when choosing a class of shares include:

 

How long you expect to own the shares;

 

How much you intend to invest;

 

Total expenses associated with owning shares of each class;

 

Whether you qualify for any reduction or waiver of sales charges;

 

Whether you plan to take any distributions in the near future; and

 

Availability of share classes.
 
Each investor’s financial considerations are different. You should speak with your financial professional to help you decide which share class is best for you.
A Class Charges and Waivers
The table below shows the amount of sales charges you will pay on purchases of A Class shares of the Fund both as a percentage of offering price and as a percentage of the amount you invest. The sales charge differs depending upon the amount you invest and may be reduced or eliminated for larger purchases as indicated below. If you invest more, the sales charge will be lower.
Any applicable sales charge will be deducted directly from your investment. Because of rounding of the calculation in determining the sales charges, you may pay more or less than what is shown in the table below. Shares acquired through reinvestment of dividends or other distributions are not subject to a front-end sales charge. You may qualify for a reduced sales charge or the sales charge may be waived as described below in ‘‘A Class Sales Charge Reductions and Waivers.’’
Amount of Sale/Account Value
As a % of Offering Price
As a % of Investment
Dealer Commission as a % of Offering Price
Less than $100,000
2.50%
2.56%
1.75%
$100,000 but less than $250,000
1.50%
1.52%
1.00%
$250,000 and above
0.00%
0.00%
††
No initial sales charge applies on purchases of $250,000 or more. A CDSC of 0.50% of the offering price will be charged on purchases of $250,000 or more that are redeemed in whole or in part within eighteen (18) months of purchase.
†† See “Dealer Concessions on A Class Purchases Without a Front-End Sales Charge.”
The Distributor retains any portion of the commissions that are not paid to financial intermediaries to solely pay distribution-related expenses. This information is available, free of charge, on the Fund’s website. Please visit www.americanbeaconfunds.com. You may also call (800) 658-5811 or consult with your financial professional.
A Class Sales Charge Reductions and Waivers
A shareholder may qualify for a waiver or reduction in sales charges under certain circumstances. To receive a waiver or reduction in your A Class sales charge, you must advise the Fund’s transfer agent, your broker-dealer or other financial intermediary of your eligibility at the time of purchase. If you, or your financial intermediary, do not let the Fund’s transfer agent know that you are eligible for a reduction, you may not receive a sales charge discount to which you are otherwise entitled. This information is available, free of charge, on the Fund’s website. Please visit www.americanbeaconfunds.com. You may also call (800) 658-5811 or consult with your financial professional.
Waiver of Sales Charges
There is no sales charge if you invest $250,000 or more in A Class shares of the Fund.
Sales charges also may be waived for certain shareholders or transactions, such as:

 

The Manager or its affiliates;

 

Present and former directors, trustees, officers, employees of the Manager, the Manager’s parent company, and the American Beacon Funds (and their ‘‘immediate family’’ as defined in the SAI), and retirement plans established by them for their employees;

 

Registered representatives or employees of intermediaries that have selling agreements with the Fund;

 

Shares acquired through merger or acquisition;

 

Insurance company separate accounts;

 

Employer-sponsored retirement plans;

 

Dividend reinvestment programs;

 

Purchases through certain fee-based programs under which investors pay advisory fees that may be offered through selected registered investment advisers, broker-dealers, and other financial intermediaries;

 

Shareholders that purchase the Fund through a financial intermediary that offers our A Class shares uniformly on a ‘‘no load’’ (or reduced load) basis to you and all similarly situated customers of the intermediary in accordance with the intermediary’s prescribed fee schedule for purchases of fund shares;

 

Mutual fund shares exchanged from an existing position in the same fund as part of a share class conversion instituted by an intermediary; and

 

Reinvestment of proceeds within 90 days of a redemption from A Class account (see Redemption Policies for more information).
 
The availability of A Class shares sales charge waivers may depend upon the policies, procedures, and trading platform of your financial intermediary.
Reduced Sales Charges
Under a ‘‘Rights of Accumulation Program,’’ a ‘‘Letter of Intent’’ or through ‘‘Concurrent Purchases’’ you may be eligible to buy A Class shares of the Fund at the reduced sales charge rates that would apply to a larger purchase. The Fund reserves the right to modify or to cease offering these programs at any time.
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This information is available, free of charge, on the Fund’s website. Please visit www.americanbeaconfunds.com. You may also call (800) 658-5811 or consult with your financial professional.
Dealer Concessions on A Class Purchases Without a Front-End Sales Charge
Brokers who initiate and are responsible for purchases of $250,000 or more of A Class shares of the Fund may receive a dealer concession from the Fund’s Distributor of 0.50% of the offering price. If a client or broker is unable to provide account verification on purchases of $250,000 or more, the dealer concession will be forfeited by the broker and front-end sales loads will apply. Dealer concessions will not be paid on shares purchased by exchange or shares that were previously subject to a front-end sales charge or dealer concession. Dealer concessions will be paid only on eligible purchases where the applicability of the CDSC can be monitored. Purchases eligible for sales charge waivers as described under ‘‘A Class Sales Charge Reductions and Waivers’’ are not eligible for dealer concessions on purchases of $250,000 or more.
Rights of Accumulation Program
Under the Rights of Accumulation Program, you may qualify for a reduced sales charge for A Class shares by aggregating all of your investments held in certain accounts (‘’Qualified Accounts’’). The following Qualified Accounts holding any share class of the American Beacon Funds may be grouped together to qualify for the reduced sales charge under the Rights of Accumulation Program or Letter of Intent:

 

Accounts owned by you, your spouse or your minor children under the age of 21, including trust or other fiduciary accounts in which you, your spouse or your minor children are the beneficiary;

 

UTMAs/UGMAs;

 

IRAs, including traditional, Roth, SEP and SIMPLE IRAs; and

 

Coverdell Education Savings Accounts or qualified 529 plans.
 
A fiduciary can apply a right of accumulation to all shares purchased for a trust, estate or other fiduciary account that has multiple accounts.
You must notify your financial intermediary or the Fund’s transfer agent, in the case of shares held directly with the Fund, at the time of purchase that a purchase qualifies for a reduced sales charge under the Rights of Accumulation Program. In addition, you must provide either a list of account numbers or copies of account statements verifying your qualification. You may combine the historical cost or current market value, as of the day prior to your additional American Beacon Funds’ purchase (whichever is higher) of your existing American Beacon Funds’ mutual fund with the amount of your current purchase in order to take advantage of the reduced sales charge. Historical cost is the price you actually paid for the shares you own, plus your reinvested dividends and other distributions. If you are using historical cost to qualify for a reduced sales charge, you should retain any records to substantiate your historical costs since the Fund, its transfer agent or your financial intermediary may not maintain this information.
If your shares are held through financial intermediaries and/or in a retirement account (such as a 401(k) or employee benefit plan), you may combine the current market value of your existing American Beacon Funds mutual fund investment with the amount of your current purchase in order to take advantage of the reduced sales charge. You or your financial intermediary must notify the Fund’s transfer agent at the time of purchase that a purchase qualifies for a reduced sales charge and provide copies of account statements dated within three months of your current purchase verifying your qualification.
Upon receipt of the above referenced supporting documentation, the financial intermediary or the Fund’s transfer agent will calculate the combined value of all of your Qualified Accounts to determine if the current purchase is eligible for a reduced sales charge. Purchases made for nominee or street name accounts (securities held in the name of a dealer or another nominee such as a bank trust department instead of the customer) may not be aggregated with purchases for other accounts and may not be aggregated with other nominee or street name accounts unless otherwise qualified as described above.
Letter of Intent
If you plan to invest at least $50,000 (excluding any reinvestment of dividends and other distributions) during the next 13 months in any class of the Fund, you may qualify for a reduced sales charge for purchases of A Class shares by completing the Letter of Intent section of your account application.
A Letter of Intent indicates your intent to purchase at least $50,000 in any class of the American Beacon Funds over the next 13 months in exchange for a reduced A Class sales charge indicated on the above tables. The minimum initial investment under a Letter of Intent is $2,500. You are not obligated to purchase additional shares if you complete a Letter of Intent. However, if you do not buy enough shares to qualify for the projected level of sales charge by the end of the 13-month period (or when you sell your shares, if earlier), your sales charge will be recalculated to reflect your actual purchase level. During the term of the Letter of Intent, shares representing 5% of your intended purchase will be held in escrow. If you do not purchase enough shares during the 13-month period to qualify for the projected reduced sales charge, the additional sales charge will be deducted from your account. If you have purchased shares of any American Beacon mutual fund within 90 days prior to signing a Letter of Intent, they may be included as part of your intended purchase, however, previous purchase transactions will not be recalculated with the proposed new breakpoint. You must provide either a list of account numbers or copies of account statements verifying your purchases within the past 90 days.
Concurrent Purchases
You may combine simultaneous purchases in shares of any of the American Beacon Funds to qualify for a reduced charge.
CDSC — A Class Shares
Unless a waiver applies, investors who purchase $250,000 or more of A Class shares of the Fund (and, thus, pay no initial sales charge) will be subject to a 0.50% CDSC if those shares are redeemed within 18 months after they are purchased. The CDSC does not apply if you are otherwise eligible to purchase A Class shares without an initial sales charge or are eligible for one of the waivers described herein or in the SAI.
CDSC — C Class Shares
If you redeem C Class shares within 12 months of purchase, you may be charged a CDSC of 1%. The CDSC generally will be deducted from your redemption proceeds. In some circumstances, you may be eligible for one of the waivers described herein or in the SAI. You must advise the transfer agent of your eligibility for a waiver when you place your redemption request.
How CDSCs will be Calculated
The amount of the CDSC will be based on the market value of the redeemed shares at the time of the redemption or the original purchase price, whichever is lower. Because of the rounding of the calculation in determining the CDSC, you may pay more or less than the indicated rate. Your CDSC holding period is based upon the date of your purchase. The CDSCs will be deducted from the proceeds of your redemption, not from amounts remaining in your account. A CDSC is not imposed on any increase in NAV per share over the initial purchase price or shares you received through the reinvestment of dividends or other distributions.
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To keep your CDSC as low as possible, each time you place a request to sell shares, the Fund(s) will redeem your shares in the following order:

 

shares acquired by the reinvestment of dividends or other distributions;

 

other shares that are not subject to the CDSC;

 

shares held the longest during the holding period.
 
Waiver of CDSCs — A and C Class Shares
A shareholder may qualify for a CDSC waiver under certain circumstances. To have your CDSC waived, you must advise the Fund’s transfer agent, your broker-dealer or other financial intermediary of your eligibility at the time of redemption. If you or your financial intermediary do not let the Fund’s transfer agent know that you are eligible for a waiver, you may not receive a waiver to which might otherwise be otherwise entitled.
The CDSC may be waived if:

 

The redemption is due to a shareholder’s death or post-purchase disability;

 

The redemption is from a systematic withdrawal plan and represents no more than 10% of your annual account value;

 

The redemption is a benefit payment made from a qualified retirement plan, unless the redemption is due to the termination of the plan or the transfer of the plan to another financial institution;

 

The redemption is for a “required minimum distribution” from a traditional IRA as determined by the Internal Revenue Service;

 

The redemption is due to involuntary redemptions by the Fund as a result of your account not meeting the minimum balance requirements, the termination and liquidation of the Fund, or other actions;

 

The redemption is from accounts for which the broker-dealer of record has entered into a written agreement with the Distributor (or Manager) allowing this waiver;

 

The redemption is to return excess contributions made to a retirement plan; or

 

The redemption is to return contributions made due to a mistake of fact.
 
The SAI contains further details about the CDSC and the conditions for waiving the CDSC.
Information regarding CDSC waivers for A and C Class shares is available, free of charge, on the Fund’s website. Please visit www.americanbeaconfunds.com. You may also call (800) 658-5811 or consult with your financial professional.
Sales Charge Waivers and Reductions Available Through Certain Financial Intermediaries
The availability of certain sales charge waivers and discounts will depend on whether you purchase your shares directly from the Fund or through a financial intermediary. Different intermediaries may impose different sales charges (including potential reductions in or waivers of sales charges). Such intermediary-specific sales charge variations are described in Appendix A to this Prospectus, entitled “Intermediary Sales Charge Discounts, Waivers and Other Information.” Appendix A is incorporated herein by reference (is legally a part of this Prospectus).
In all instances, it is the purchaser’s responsibility to notify the Fund or the purchaser’s financial intermediary at the time of purchase of any relationship or other facts qualifying the purchaser for sales charge waivers or discounts. For waivers and discounts not available through a particular intermediary, shareholders may have to purchase Fund shares through another intermediary to receive these waivers or discounts. This information is available, free of charge, on the Fund’s website. Please visit www.americanbeaconfunds.com. You may also call (800) 658-5811 or consult with your financial professional.
Conversion of C Class Shares to A Class Shares
C Class shares convert automatically into A Class shares ten (10) years after the initial date of purchase or, if you acquired your C Class shares through an exchange or conversion from another share class, ten (10) years after the date you acquired your C Class shares. Effective June 1, 2022, C Class shares will convert automatically into A Class shares eight (8) years after the initial date of purchase or, if you acquired your C Class shares through an exchange or conversion from another share class, eight (8) years after the date you acquired your C Class shares. When C Class shares that you acquired through a purchase or exchange convert, any other C Class shares that you purchased with reinvested dividends and distributions also will convert into A Class shares on a pro rata basis. A different holding period may also apply depending on your intermediary. Please see “Appendix A—Intermediary Sales Charge Discounts, Waivers and Other Information” in this Prospectus.
Purchase and Redemption of Shares
Eligibility
The A Class, C Class, Y Class, R5 Class, Investor Class, and SP Class shares offered in this Prospectus are available to eligible investors who meet the minimum initial investment. American Beacon Funds do not accept accounts registered to foreign individuals or entities, including foreign correspondent accounts. The Fund does not conduct operations and is not offered for purchase outside of the United States.
Subject to your eligibility, as described below, you may invest in the Fund through intermediary organizations, such as broker-dealers, insurance companies, plan sponsors, third party administrators, and retirement plans. As described below, the Manager may allow certain individuals to invest directly in the Fund in its sole discretion.
If you are eligible and invest directly with the Fund, the fees and policies with respect to the Fund’s shares that are outlined in this Prospectus are set by the Fund. The Manager and the Fund are not responsible for determining the suitability of the Fund or a share class for any investor.
Because in most cases it is more advantageous for investors using an intermediary to purchase A Class shares than C Class shares for amounts of $250,000 or more, the Fund will decline a request to purchase C Class shares for $250,000 or more.
If you invest through a financial intermediary, most of the information you will need for managing your investment will come from your financial intermediary. This includes information on how to buy, sell and exchange shares of the Fund. If you establish an account through a financial intermediary, the investment minimums described in this section may not apply. Investors investing in the Fund through a financial intermediary should consult with their financial intermediary to ensure they obtain any proper ‘‘breakpoint’’ discount and all information regarding the differences between available share classes. Your broker-dealer or financial intermediary also may charge fees that are in addition to those described in this Prospectus. Please contact your intermediary for information regarding investment minimums, how to purchase and redeem shares and applicable fees.
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Minimum Investment Amount by Share Class
New Account
Existing Account
Share Class
Minimum Initial Investment Amount
Purchase/Redemption Minimum by Check/ACH/Exchange
Purchase/Redemption Minimum by Wire
C
$1,000
$50
$ 250
SP
$1,000
$50
None
A, Investor
$2,500
$50
$ 250
Y
$100,000
$50
None
R5
$250,000
$50
None
SP Class shares are offered to retail investors who invest directly through a financial intermediary, such as a broker, or through employee directed benefit plans and were formerly shareholders of the Investor Class shares of the Sound Point Floating Rate Income Fund prior to its reorganization into the American Beacon Sound Point Floating Rate Income Fund.
The Manager may allow a reasonable period of time after opening an account for a Y Class or R5 Class investor to meet the initial investment requirement. In addition, for investors such as trust companies and financial professionals who make investments for a group of clients, the minimum initial investment can be met through aggregated purchase orders for more than one client.
Opening an Account
You may open an account through a retirement plan, an investment professional, a broker-dealer, or other financial intermediary. Please contact your financial intermediary for more information on how to open an account. Shares you purchase through your broker-dealer will normally be held in your account with that firm.
Direct mutual fund accounts are not available to new shareholders. Existing direct mutual fund account shareholders may continue to buy or sell shares through their existing direct mutual fund accounts, but will not be able to open new direct mutual fund accounts. The Manager may allow the following individuals or entities to open new direct mutual fund accounts in its sole discretion: (i) corporate accounts, (ii) employees of the Manager, or its direct parent company, Resolute Investment Managers, Inc., and its affiliates and subsidiaries, (iii) employees of a sub-advisor to a fund in the American Beacon Funds Complex, (iv) members of the Board, (v) employees of Kelso & Company, L.P. or Estancia Capital Management, LLC, the Manager’s indirect parent companies, and (vi) members of the Manager’s Board of Directors.
To help the government fight the funding of terrorism and money laundering activities, federal law requires all financial institutions to obtain, verify, and record information that identifies each person who opens an account. When you open an account, you will be asked for information that will allow the Fund or your financial institution to identify you. Non-public corporations and other entities may be required to provide articles of incorporation, trust or partnership agreements, and taxpayer identification numbers on the account or other documentation. The Fund is required by law to reject your new account application if the required identifying information is not provided.
The Fund reserves the right to liquidate a shareholder’s account at the current day’s NAV per share and remit proceeds via check if the Fund or a financial institution is unable to verify the shareholder’s identity within three days of account opening.
Purchase Policies
Shares of the Fund are offered and purchase orders are typically accepted until 4:00 p.m. Eastern Time or the close of the NYSE (whichever comes first) on each day on which the NYSE is open for business. If a purchase order is received by the Fund in good order prior to the Fund’s deadline, the purchase price will be the NAV per share next determined on that day, plus any applicable sales charges. A purchase order is considered to be received in good order when it complies with all of the Fund’s applicable policies. If a purchase order is received in good order after the applicable deadline, the purchase price will be the NAV per share of the following day that the Fund is open for business, plus any applicable sales charges. Shares of the Fund will only be issued against full payment, as described more fully in this Prospectus and SAI.
The Fund has authorized certain third-party financial intermediaries, such as broker-dealers, insurance companies, third-party administrators, and trust companies, to receive purchase and redemption orders on behalf of the Fund and to designate other intermediaries to receive purchase and redemption orders on behalf of the Fund. The Fund is deemed to have received such orders when they are received by the financial intermediaries or their designees. Thus, an order to purchase or sell Fund shares will be priced at the Fund’s next determined NAV per share after receipt by the financial intermediary or its designee. It is the responsibility of your broker-dealer or financial intermediary to transmit orders that will be received by the Fund in proper form and in a timely manner. The Fund is not responsible for the failure of a broker-dealer or financial intermediary to transmit a purchase order in proper form and in a timely manner.
Fund shares may be purchased only in U.S. States and Territories in which they can be legally sold. Prospective investors should inquire as to whether shares of the Fund are available for offer and sale in their jurisdiction. The Fund reserves the right to refuse purchases if, in the judgment of the Fund, the transaction would adversely affect the Fund and its shareholders. The Fund has the right to reject any purchase order or cease offering any or all classes of shares at any time. The Fund reserves the right to require payment by wire. Checks to purchase shares are accepted subject to collection at full face value in U.S. funds and must be drawn in U.S. dollars on a U.S. bank. The Fund will not accept ‘‘starter’’ checks, credit card checks, money orders, cashier’s checks, or third-party checks.
If your payment is not received and collected, your purchase may be canceled and you could be liable for any losses or fees the Fund or the Manager has incurred. Under applicable anti-money laundering regulations and other federal regulations, purchase orders may be suspended, restricted, or canceled and the monies may be withheld.
Please refer to the section titled ‘‘Frequent Trading and Market Timing’’ for information on the Fund’s policies regarding frequent purchases, redemptions, and exchanges.
Redemption Policies
If you purchased shares of the Fund through your financial intermediary, please contact your broker-dealer or other financial intermediary to sell shares of the Fund. A sale or redemption of your shares is generally taxable to you. See “Distributions and Taxes Taxes.”
The redemption price will be the NAV per share next determined after a redemption request is received in good order, minus any applicable CDSC. In order to receive the redemption price calculated on a particular business day, redemption requests must be received in good order by 4:00 p.m. Eastern Time or by the close of the NYSE (whichever comes first).
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Wire proceeds from redemption requests received in good order by 4:00 p.m. Eastern Time or by the close of the NYSE (whichever comes first) generally are transmitted to shareholders on the next day the Fund is open for business. In any event, proceeds from a redemption request will typically be transmitted to a shareholder by no later than seven days after the receipt of a redemption request in good order. Delivery of proceeds from shares purchased by check, ACH, or pre-authorized automatic investment may be delayed until the funds have cleared, which may take up to ten days.
You may, within 90 days of redemption, reinvest all or part of the proceeds of your redemption of A or C Class shares of the Fund, without incurring any applicable additional sales charge, in the same class of another American Beacon Fund, by sending a written request and a check to your financial intermediary or directly to the Fund. Reinvestment must be into the same account from which you redeemed the shares or received the distribution. Proceeds from a redemption and all dividend payments and other distributions will be reinvested in the same share class from which the original redemption or distribution was made. Reinvestment will be at the NAV per share next calculated after the Fund receives your request. You must notify the Fund and your financial intermediary at the time of investment if you decide to exercise this privilege.
The Fund reserves the right to suspend redemptions or postpone the date of payment for more than seven days (i) when the NYSE is closed (other than for customary weekend and holiday closings); (ii) when trading on the NYSE is restricted; (iii) when the SEC determines that an emergency exists so that disposal of the Fund’s investments or determination of its NAV per share is not reasonably practicable; or (iv) by order of the SEC for protection of the Fund’s shareholders.
Although the Fund intends to redeem shares by paying out available cash, cash generated by selling portfolio holdings (including cash equivalent portfolio holdings), or funds borrowed through the interfund credit facility, or from a bank line of credit, in stressed market conditions and other appropriate circumstances, the Fund reserves the right to pay the redemption price in whole or in part by borrowing funds from external parties or distributing securities or other assets held by the Fund. To the extent that the Fund redeems its shares in this manner, the shareholder assumes the risk of a subsequent change in the market value of those securities, the cost of liquidating the securities and the possibility of a lack of a liquid market for those securities.
Please refer to the section titled ‘‘Frequent Trading and Market Timing’’ for information on the Fund’s policies regarding frequent purchases, redemptions, and exchanges.
Exchange Policies
If you purchased shares of the Fund through your financial intermediary, please contact your financial intermediary to determine if you may take advantage of the exchange policies described in this section and for the intermediary’s policies to effect an exchange.
Shares of any class of the Fund may be exchanged for shares of the same class of another American Beacon Fund under certain limited circumstances. Since an exchange involves a concurrent redemption and purchase, please review the sections titled ‘‘Redemption Policies’’ and ‘‘Purchase Policies’’ for additional limitations that apply to redemptions and purchases. There is no front-end sales charge on exchanges between A Class shares of the Fund for A Class shares of another fund. Shares otherwise subject to a CDSC will not be charged a CDSC in an exchange to shares of another fund that has a CDSC. However, shares exchanged between funds that impose a CDSC will be charged a CDSC if redeemed within 12 months or 18 months, as applicable, of the purchase of the initial shares.
Before exchanging shares, shareholders should consider how the exchange may affect any CDSC that might be imposed on the subsequent redemption of remaining shares.
If Fund shares were purchased by check, a shareholder must have owned those shares for at least ten days prior to exchanging out of the Fund and into another fund.
The eligibility and minimum investment requirement must be met for the class into which the shareholder is exchanging. Fund shares may be acquired through exchange only in U.S. states and Territories in which they can be legally sold. The Fund reserves the right to charge a fee and to modify or terminate the exchange privilege at any time. The Fund reserves the right to refuse exchange requests if, in the judgment of the Fund, the transaction would adversely affect the Fund and its shareholders. Please refer to the section titled “Frequent Trading and Market Timing” for information on the Fund’s policies regarding frequent purchases, redemptions, and exchanges.
Shares of any class of the Fund may be converted to shares of another class of the Fund under certain limited circumstances. For federal income tax purposes, the conversion of shares of one share class of the Fund to shares of a different share class of the Fund will not result in the realization of a capital gain or loss. However, an exchange of shares of the Fund for shares of a different American Beacon Fund generally is considered a redemption and a concurrent purchase, respectively, and thus may result in the realization of a capital gain or loss for those purposes.
How to Purchase, Redeem or Exchange Shares
If your account is through a broker-dealer or other financial intermediary, please contact them directly to purchase, redeem or exchange shares of the Fund. Your broker-dealer or financial intermediary can help you open a new account, review your financial needs and formulate long-term investment goals and objectives. Your broker-dealer or financial intermediary will transmit your request to the Fund and may charge you a fee for this service. The Fund will not accept a purchase order of $250,000 or more for C Class shares if the purchase is known to be on behalf of a single investor (not including dealer “street name” or omnibus accounts). Dealers, other financial intermediaries or fiduciaries purchasing shares for their customers are responsible for determining the suitability of a particular share class for an investor. You should include the following information with any order:

 

  • Your name/account registration

 

  • Your account number

 

  • Type of transaction requested

 

  • Fund name(s) and fund numbers

 

  • Dollar amount or number of shares
 
Transactions for direct shareholders are conducted through:
Internet
www.americanbeaconfunds.com
Phone
To reach an American Beacon representative call 1-800-658-5811, option 1
Through the Automated Voice Response Service call 1-800-658-5811, option 2 (Investor Class Only)
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Mail
American Beacon Funds
PO Box 219643
Kansas City, MO 64121-9643
Overnight Delivery:
American Beacon Funds
c/o DST Asset Manager Solutions, Inc.
330 West 9th Street
Kansas City, MO 64105
Purchases by Wire:
Send a bank wire to State Street Bank and Trust Co. with these instructions:

 

ABA# 0110-0002-8; AC-9905-342-3,

 

Attn: American Beacon Funds,

 

the fund name and fund number, and

 

shareholder account number and registration.
 
New Account
Existing Account
Share Class
Minimum Initial Investment Amount
Purchase/Redemption Minimum by Check/ACH/Exchange
Purchase/Redemption Minimum by Wire
C
$1,000
$50
$250
SP
$1,000
$50
None
A, Investor
$2,500
$50
$250
Y
$100,000
$50
None
R5
$250,000
$50
None
Redemption proceeds will be mailed to the account of record or transmitted to commercial bank designated on the account application form.
Supporting documents may be required for redemptions by estates, trusts, guardianships, custodians, corporations, and welfare, pension and profit sharing plans. Redemption requests must also include authorized signature(s) of all persons required to sign for the account. Call 1-800-658-5811 for instructions.
To protect the Fund and your account from fraud, a Medallion signature guarantee is required for redemption orders:

 

with a request to send the proceeds to an address or commercial bank account other than the address or commercial bank account designated on the account application, or

 

for an account whose address has changed within the last 30 days if proceeds are sent by check.
 
The Fund only accepts Medallion signature guarantees, which may be obtained at participating banks, broker-dealers and credit unions. A notary public cannot provide a signature guarantee. Call 1-800-658-5811 for instructions and further assistance.
Payments to Financial Intermediaries
For certain share classes, the Fund and/or the Manager (and/or the Manager’s affiliates), at their own expense, may pay compensation to financial intermediaries for shareholder-related services and, if applicable, distribution-related services, including administrative, sub-transfer agency type, recordkeeping and shareholder communication services. For example, compensation may be paid to make Fund shares available to sales representatives and/or customers of a fund supermarket platform or similar program sponsor or for services provided in connection with such fund supermarket platforms and programs.
The amount of compensation paid to different financial intermediaries may differ. The compensation paid to a financial intermediary may be based on a variety of factors, including average assets under management in accounts distributed and/or serviced by the financial intermediary, gross sales by the financial intermediary and/or the number of accounts serviced by the financial intermediary that invest in the Fund. To the extent that the Fund pays any such compensation, it is designed to compensate the financial intermediary for providing services that would otherwise be provided by the Manager, the Fund or its transfer agent. To the extent the Manager or its affiliates pay such compensation, it would likely include amounts from that party’s own resources and constitute what is sometimes referred to as ‘‘revenue sharing’’.
Compensation received by a financial intermediary from the Fund, the Manager or an affiliate of the Manager may include payments for marketing and/or training expenses incurred by the financial intermediary, including expenses incurred by the financial intermediary in educating (itself and) its salespersons with respect to Fund shares. For example, such compensation may include reimbursements for expenses incurred in attending educational seminars regarding the Fund, including travel and lodging expenses. It may also cover costs incurred by financial intermediaries in connection with their efforts to sell Fund shares, including costs incurred compensating (registered) sales representatives and preparing, printing and distributing sales literature.
Any compensation received by a financial intermediary, whether from the Fund or the Manager and/or its affiliates, and the prospect of receiving it may provide the financial intermediary with an incentive to recommend the shares of the Fund, or a certain class of shares of the Fund, over other potential investments. Similarly, the compensation may cause financial intermediaries to elevate the prominence of the Fund within its organization by, for example, placing it on a list of preferred funds. You can contact your financial intermediary for details about any such payments it receives from the Manager, its affiliates and/or the Fund, or any other fees, expenses, or commissions your financial intermediary may charge you in addition to those disclosed in this Prospectus.
Additional Payments with Respect to Y Class Shares
Y Class shares may also be available on brokerage platforms of firms that have agreements with the Fund’s distributor to offer such shares solely when acting as an agent for the investor. An investor transacting in Y Class shares in these programs may be required to pay a commission and/or other forms of compensation to the broker. Shares of the Fund are available in other share classes that have different fees and expenses.
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General Policies
If a shareholder’s account balance falls below the following minimum levels, the shareholder may be asked to increase the balance.
Share Class
Account Balance
A
$ 2,500
C
$ 1,000
SP
$ 1,000
Share Class
Account Balance
Investor
$ 2,500
Y
$25,000
R5
$75,000
If the account balance remains below the applicable minimum account balance after 45 days, the Fund reserves the right, upon 30 days’ advance written notice, to close the account and send the proceeds to the shareholder. The Fund reserves the authority to modify minimum account balances in its discretion.
A traditional IRA or Roth IRA invested directly will be charged an annual maintenance fee of $15.00 by the Custodian.
An ACH privilege allows electronic transfer from a checking or savings account into a direct account with the Fund. The ACH privilege may not be used for initial purchases but may be used for subsequent purchases and redemptions. Purchases of Fund shares by ACH are subject to a limit of $2,000 per day. The Fund reserves the right to waive such limit in its sole discretion.
ACH privileges must be requested on the account application, or may be established on an existing account by submitting a request in writing to the Fund. Validated signatures from all shareholders of record for the account are required on the written request. See details below regarding signature validations. Such privileges apply unless and until the Fund receives written instructions from all shareholders of record canceling such privileges. Changes of bank account information must also be made in writing with validated signatures. The Fund reserves the right to amend, suspend or discontinue the ACH privilege at any time without prior notice. The ACH privilege does not apply to shares held in broker “street name” accounts or in other omnibus accounts.
When a signature validation is called for, a Medallion signature guarantee or Signature Validation Program (“SVP”) stamp may be required. A Medallion signature guarantee is intended to provide signature validation for transactions considered financial in nature, and an SVP stamp is intended to provide signature validation for transactions non-financial in nature. A Medallion signature guarantee or SVP stamp may be obtained from a domestic bank or trust company, broker, dealer, clearing agency, savings association or other financial institution which is participating in a Medallion program or SVP recognized by the Securities Transfer Association. The Fund may reject a Medallion signature guarantee or SVP stamp. Shareholders should call 800-658-5811 for additional details regarding the Fund’s signature guarantee requirements.
The following policies apply to instructions you may provide to the Fund by telephone:

 

The Fund, its officers, trustees, employees, or agents are not responsible for the authenticity of instructions provided by telephone, nor for any loss, liability, cost or expense incurred for acting on them.

 

The Fund employs procedures reasonably designed to confirm that instructions communicated by telephone are genuine.

 

Due to the volume of calls or other unusual circumstances, telephone redemptions may be difficult to implement during certain time periods.
 
The Fund reserves the right to:

 

liquidate a shareholder’s account at the current day’s NAV per share and remit proceeds via check if the Fund or a financial institution is unable to verify the shareholder’s identity within three business days of account opening,

 

seek reimbursement from the shareholder for any related loss incurred by the Fund if payment for the purchase of Fund shares by check does not clear the shareholder’s bank, and

 

reject a purchase order and seek reimbursement from the shareholder for any related loss incurred by the Fund if funds are not received by the applicable wire deadline.
 
A shareholder will not be required to pay a CDSC when the registration for A Class or C Class shares is transferred to the name of another person or entity. The transfer may occur by absolute assignment, gift or bequest, as long as it does not involve, directly or indirectly, a public sale of the shares. When A Class or C Class shares are transferred, any applicable CDSC will continue to apply to the transferred shares and will be calculated as if the transferee had acquired the shares in the same manner and at the same time as the transferring shareholder.
Escheatment
Please be advised that certain state escheatment laws may require the Fund to turn over your mutual fund account to the state listed in your account registration as abandoned property unless you contact the Fund. Many states have added ‘‘inactivity’’ or the absence of customer-initiated contact as a component of their rules and guidelines for the escheatment of unclaimed property. These states consider property to be abandoned when there is no shareholder-initiated activity on an account for at least three (3) to five (5) years.
Depending on the laws in your jurisdiction, customer-initiated contact might be achieved by one of the following methods:

 

Send a letter to American Beacon Funds via the United States Post Office.

 

Speak to a Customer Service Representative on the phone after you go through a security verification process. For residents of certain states, contact cannot be made by phone but must be in writing or through the Fund’s secure web application.

 

Access your account through the Fund’s secure web application.

 

Cashing checks that are received and are made payable to the owner of the account.
 
The Fund, the Manager, and the Transfer Agent will not be liable to shareholders or their representatives for good faith compliance with escheatment laws. To learn more about the escheatment rules for your particular state, please contact your attorney or State Treasurer’s and/or Controller’s Offices. Unless you hold your shares directly with the Fund, you should contact your broker-dealer, retirement plan, or other third-party intermediary regarding applicable state escheatment laws.
Shareholders that reside in the state of Texas may designate a representative to receive escheatment notifications by completing and submitting a designation form that can be found on the website of the Texas Comptroller. While the designated representative does not have any rights to claim or access the shareholder’s account or assets, the escheatment period will cease if the representative communicates knowledge of the shareholder’s location and confirms that the shareholder has not abandoned his or her property. If a shareholder designates a representative to receive escheatment notifications, any escheatment notices will be delivered both to the shareholder and the designated representative. The completed designation form may be mailed to the below address.
Contact information:
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  American Beacon Funds
P.O. Box 219643
Kansas City, MO 64121-9643
1-800-658-5811
www.americanbeaconfunds.com
 
Frequent Trading and Market Timing
Frequent trading by Fund shareholders poses risks to other shareholders in the Fund, including: (i) the dilution of the Fund’s NAV per share, (ii) an increase in the Fund’s expenses, and (iii) interference with the portfolio manager’s ability to execute efficient investment strategies. Frequent, short-term trading of Fund shares in an attempt to profit from day-to-day fluctuations in the Fund’s NAV per share is known as market timing.
The Fund’s Board of Trustees has adopted policies and procedures intended to discourage frequent trading and market timing. Shareholders may transact one ‘‘round trip’’ in the Fund in any rolling 90-day period. A ‘‘round trip’’ is defined as two transactions, each in an opposite direction. A round trip may involve either (i) a purchase or exchange into the Fund followed by a redemption or exchange out of the Fund or (ii) a redemption or exchange out of the Fund followed by a purchase or exchange into the Fund. If the Manager detects that a shareholder has exceeded one round trip in the Fund in any rolling 90-day period, the Manager, without prior notice to the shareholder, may prohibit the shareholder from making further purchases of the Fund. In general, the Fund reserves the right to reject any purchase order, terminate the exchange privilege, or liquidate the account of any shareholder that the Manager determines has engaged in frequent trading or market timing, regardless of whether the shareholder’s activity violates any policy stated in this Prospectus. Additionally, the Manager may in its discretion, reject any purchase or exchange into the Fund from any individual investor, institutional investor, or group whose trading activity could disrupt the management of the Fund or dilute the value of the Fund’s shares, including collective trading (e.g., following the advice of an investment newsletter). Such investors may be barred from future purchases of American Beacon Funds.
The round-trip limit does not apply to the following transaction types:

 

shares acquired through the reinvestment of dividends and other distributions;

 

systematic purchases and redemptions;

 

shares redeemed to return excess IRA contributions; or

 

certain transactions made within a retirement or employee benefit plan, such as payroll contributions, minimum required distributions, loans, and hardship withdrawals, or other transactions that are initiated by a party other than the plan participant.
 
Financial intermediaries that offer Fund shares, such as broker-dealers, third-party administrators of retirement plans, and trust companies, will be asked to enforce the Fund’s policies to discourage frequent trading and market timing by investors. However, certain intermediaries that offer Fund shares have informed the Fund that they are currently unable to enforce the Fund’s policies on an automated basis. In those instances, the Manager will monitor trading activity of the intermediary in an attempt to detect patterns of activity that indicate frequent trading or market timing by underlying investors. In some cases, intermediaries that offer Fund shares have their own policies to deter frequent trading and market timing that differ from the Fund’s policies. The Fund may defer to an intermediary’s policies. For more information, please contact the financial intermediary through which you invest in the Fund.
The Manager monitors trading activity in the Fund to attempt to identify shareholders engaged in frequent trading or market timing. The Manager may exclude transactions below a certain dollar amount from monitoring and may change that dollar amount from time to time. The ability of the Manager to detect frequent trading and market timing activity by investors who own shares through an intermediary is dependent upon the intermediary’s provision of information necessary to identify transactions by the underlying investors. The Fund has entered into agreements with the intermediaries that service the Fund’s investors, pursuant to which the intermediaries agree to provide information on investor transactions to the Fund and to act on the Fund’s instructions to restrict transactions by investors who the Manager has identified as having violated the Fund’s policies and procedures to deter frequent trading and market timing.
Wrap programs offered by certain intermediaries may be designated ‘‘Qualified Wrap Programs’’ by the Fund based on specific criteria established by the Fund and a certification by the intermediary that the criteria have been met. A Qualified Wrap Program is a wrap program whose sponsoring intermediary: (i) certifies that it has investment discretion over $50 million or more in client assets invested in mutual funds at the time of the certification, (ii) certifies that it directs transactions in accounts participating in the wrap program(s) in concert with changes in a model portfolio, (iii) provides the Manager a description of the wrap program(s), and (iv) managed by an intermediary that agrees to provide the Manager sufficient information to identify individual accounts in the intermediary’s wrap program(s). For purposes of applying the round-trip limit, transactions initiated by clients invested in a Qualified Wrap Program will not be matched to transactions initiated by the intermediary sponsoring the Qualified Wrap Program. For example, a client’s purchase of the Fund followed within 90 days by the intermediary’s redemption of the Fund would not be considered a round trip. However, transactions initiated by a Qualified Wrap Program client are subject to the round-trip limit and will be matched to determine if the client has exceeded the round-trip limit. In addition, the Manager will monitor transactions initiated by Qualified Wrap Program intermediaries to determine whether any intermediary has engaged in frequent trading or market timing. If the Manager determines that an intermediary has engaged in activity that is harmful to the Fund, the Manager will revoke the intermediary’s Qualified Wrap Program status. Upon termination of status as a Qualified Wrap Program, all account transactions will be matched for purposes of testing compliance with the Fund’s frequent trading and market timing policies.
The Fund reserves the right to modify the frequent trading and market timing policies and procedures and grant or eliminate waivers to such policies and procedures at any time without advance notice to shareholders. There can be no assurance that the Fund’s policies and procedures to deter frequent trading and market timing will have the intended effect or that the Manager will be able to detect frequent trading and market timing.
Distributions and Taxes
The Fund distributes most or all of its net earnings and realized gains, if any, each taxable year in the form of dividends from net investment income (“dividends”) and distributions of realized net capital gains (“capital gains distributions”) and net gains from foreign currency transactions (sometimes referred to below collectively as “other distributions” (and dividends and other distributions are sometimes referred to below collectively as “distributions”). Different tax treatment applies to different types of distributions. The Fund does not have a fixed dividend rate nor does it guarantee that it will pay any distributions in any particular period. Distributions paid by the Fund with respect to each class of shares are calculated in the same manner and at the same time, but dividends on different classes of shares may be different as a result of the services and/or fees applicable to certain classes of shares. Any dividends are paid monthly, and any other distributions are paid annually.
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Options for Receiving Dividends and Other Distributions
When you open your Fund account, you can specify on your application how you want to receive distributions. To change that option, you must notify the transfer agent. Unless you instruct otherwise in your account application, distributions payable to you by the Fund will be reinvested in additional shares of the distributing class of the Fund. There are four payment options available:

 

Reinvest All Distributions. You can elect to reinvest all distributions by the Fund in additional shares of the distributing class of the Fund.

 

Reinvest Only Some Distributions. You can elect to reinvest some types of distributions by the Fund in additional shares of the distributing class of the Fund while receiving the other types of distributions by the Fund by check or having them sent directly to your bank account by ACH (“in cash”).

 

Receive All Distributions in Cash. You can elect to receive all distributions in cash.

 

Reinvest Your Distributions in shares of another American Beacon Fund. You can reinvest all of your distributions by the Fund on a particular class of shares in shares of the same class of another American Beacon Fund that is available for exchanges. You must have an existing account in the same share class of the selected fund.
 
Distributions of Fund income are generally taxable to you regardless of the manner in which received or reinvested.
If you invest directly with the Fund, any election to receive distributions payable by check will only apply to distributions totaling $10.00 or more. Any distribution by the Fund totaling less than $10.00 will be reinvested in shares of the distributing class of the Fund and will not be paid to you by check.
If you elect to receive a distribution by check and the U.S. Postal Service cannot deliver your check, or if your check remains uncashed for at least six months, the Fund reserves the right to reinvest the amount of your check, and to reinvest all subsequent distributions, in shares of the distributing class of the Fund at the NAV per share on the day of the reinvestment. Interest will not accrue on amounts represented by uncashed distribution or redemption checks.
Shareholders investing in the Fund through a financial intermediary should discuss their options for receiving distributions with the intermediary.
Taxes
Fund distributions are taxable to shareholders other than tax-qualified retirement plans and accounts and other tax-exempt investors. However, the portion of the Fund’s dividends derived from its investments in U.S. Government obligations, if any, is generally exempt from state and local income taxes. Fund dividends, except those that are “qualified dividend income” (as described below), are subject to federal income tax at the rates for ordinary income contained in the Internal Revenue Code. The following table outlines the typical status of transactions in taxable accounts:
Type of Transaction
Federal Tax Status
Dividends from net investment income*
Ordinary income**
Distributions of the excess of net short-term capital gain over net long-term capital loss*
Ordinary income
Distributions of net gains from certain foreign currency transactions*
Ordinary income
Distributions of the excess of net long-term capital gain over net short-term capital loss (“net capital gain’’)*
Long-term capital gains
Redemptions or exchanges of shares owned for more than one year
Long-term capital gains or losses
Redemptions or exchanges of shares owned for one year or less
Net gains are taxed at the same rate as ordinary income; net losses are subject to special rules
* Whether reinvested or taken in cash.
** Except for dividends that are attributable to ‘‘qualified dividend income,’’ if any.
To the extent distributions are attributable to net capital gain that the Fund recognizes they are subject to a 15% maximum federal income tax rate for individual and certain other non-corporate shareholders (each, an ‘‘individual’’) (20% for individuals with taxable income exceeding certain thresholds, which are indexed for inflation annually), regardless of how long the shareholder held his or her Fund shares. A portion of the dividends the Fund pays to individuals may be ‘‘qualified dividend income’’ (‘‘QDI’’) and thus eligible for the preferential rates, mentioned above, that apply to net capital gain. QDI is the aggregate of dividends the Fund receives on shares of most domestic corporations and certain foreign corporations with respect to which the Fund satisfies certain holding period and other restrictions. To be eligible for those rates, a shareholder must meet similar restrictions with respect to his or her Fund shares.
A portion of the dividends the Fund pays may also be eligible for the dividends-received deduction allowed to corporations (“DRD”), subject to similar holding period and other restrictions, but the eligible portion may not exceed the aggregate dividends the Fund receives from domestic corporations only.
The Fund does not expect a substantial part of its dividends to qualify as QDI or be eligible for the DRD.
A shareholder may realize a taxable gain or loss when redeeming or exchanging shares. That gain or loss is treated as a short-term or long-term capital gain or loss, depending on how long the redeemed or exchanged shares were held. Any capital gain an individual shareholder recognizes on a redemption or exchange of Fund shares that have been held for more than one year will qualify for the 15% and 20% tax rates mentioned above.
A shareholder who wants to use an acceptable basis determination method with respect to Fund shares other than the average basis method (the Fund’s default method) must elect to do so in writing, which may be electronic. The Fund, or its administrative agent, must report to the IRS and furnish to its shareholders the basis information for dispositions of Fund shares. See “Tax Information” in the SAI for a description of the rules regarding that election and the Fund’s reporting obligation.
An individual must pay a 3.8% tax on the lesser of (1) the individual’s ‘‘net investment income,’’ which generally includes distributions the Fund pays and net gains realized on the redemption or exchange of Fund shares, or (2) the excess of the individual’s ‘‘modified adjusted gross income’’ over a threshold amount ($250,000 for married persons filing jointly and $200,000 for single taxpayers). This tax is in addition to any other taxes due on that income. A similar tax applies to estates and trusts. Shareholders should consult their own tax advisers regarding the effect, if any, this tax may have on their investment in Fund shares.
Each year, the Fund’s shareholders will receive tax information regarding Fund distributions and dispositions of Fund shares to assist them in preparing their income tax returns.
The foregoing is only a summary of some of the important federal income tax considerations that may affect Fund shareholders, who should consult their tax advisers regarding specific questions as to the effect of federal, state and local income taxes on an investment in the Fund.
Prospectus – About Your Investment29 

 

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Additional Information
The Fund’s Board oversees generally the operations of the Fund. The Trust enters into contractual arrangements with various parties, including among others, the Fund’s manager, sub-advisor(s), custodian, transfer agent, and accountants, who provide services to the Fund. Shareholders are not parties to any such contractual arrangements, and those contractual arrangements are not intended to create in any shareholder any right to enforce them directly against the service providers or to seek any remedy under them directly against the service providers.
This Prospectus provides information concerning the Fund that you should consider in determining whether to purchase Fund shares. Neither this Prospectus nor the SAI is intended, or should be read, to be or create an agreement or contract between the Trust or the Fund and any investor, or to create any rights in any shareholder or other person other than any rights under federal or state law that may not be waived. Nothing in this Prospectus, the SAI or the Fund’s reports to shareholders is intended to provide investment advice and should not be construed as investment advice.
Distribution and Service Plans
The Fund has adopted separate Distribution Plans for its A Class, C Class and SP Class shares in accordance with Rule 12b-1 under the Investment Company Act, which allows the A Class, C Class and SP Class shares to pay distribution and other fees for the sale of Fund shares and for other services provided to shareholders. Each Plan also authorizes the use of any fees received by the Manager in accordance with the Management Agreement, and any fees received by the sub-advisor pursuant to its Investment Advisory Agreement with the Manager, to be used for the sale and distribution of Fund shares. The Plans provide that the A Class and SP Class shares of the Fund will pay up to 0.25% per annum of the average daily net assets attributable to the A Class and SP Class shares, respectively, and the C Class shares of the Fund will pay up to 1.00% per annum of the average daily net assets attributable to the C Class, to the Manager (or another entity approved by the Board). Because these fees are paid out of the Fund’s A Class, C Class and SP Class assets on an ongoing basis, over time these fees will increase the cost of your investment and may cost you more than paying other types of sales charges.
The Fund has also adopted a shareholder services plan for its A Class, C Class, and Investor Class shares for certain non-distribution shareholder services provided by financial intermediaries. The shareholder services plan authorizes annual payment of up to 0.25% of the average daily net assets attributable to the A Class shares, up to 0.25% of the average daily net assets attributable to the C Class shares, and up to 0.375% of the average daily net assets attributable to the Investor Class shares. In addition, the Fund may reimburse the Manager for certain non-distribution shareholder services provided by financial intermediaries attributable to Y Class and R5 Class shares of the Fund.
Portfolio Holdings
A complete list of the Fund’s holdings is made available on the Fund’s website on a quarterly basis approximately sixty days after the end of each calendar quarter and remains available for six months thereafter. A list of the Fund’s ten largest holdings is made available on the Fund’s website on a quarterly basis. The ten largest holdings of the Fund are generally posted to the website approximately fifteen days after the end of each calendar quarter and remain available until the next quarter. To access the holdings information, go to www.americanbeaconfunds.com. The Fund’s ten largest holdings may also be accessed by selecting the Fund’s fact sheet.
A description of the Fund’s policies and procedures regarding the disclosure of portfolio holdings is available in the SAI, which you may access on the Fund’s website at www.americanbeaconfunds.com or call 1-800-658-5811 to request a free copy.
Delivery of Documents
The summary prospectus and shareholder reports are available online at www.americanbeaconfunds.com/reports. If you are interested in electronic delivery of the Fund’s summary prospectus, please go to www.americanbeaconfunds.com and click on ‘‘Quick Links’’ and then ‘‘Register for E-Delivery.’’ You can also request to receive paper Annual Shareholder Reports and Semi-Annual Shareholder Reports by calling 1-866-345-5954 with the unique ID number that is provided in the notification you receive, or you may directly inform your financial intermediary of your wish.
To reduce expenses, your financial institution may mail only one copy of the summary prospectus, Annual Shareholder Report and Semi-Annual Shareholder Report to those addresses shared by two or more accounts. If you wish to receive individual copies of these documents, please contact your financial institution. Delivery of individual copies will commence thirty days after receiving your request.
Financial Highlights
The financial highlights tables are intended to help you understand the Fund’s financial performance for the past five fiscal years. Certain information reflects financial results for a single Fund share. The total returns in the Fund’s table represent the rate that an investor would have earned (or lost) on an investment in the Fund (assuming reinvestment of all dividends and other distributions).
The information in the financial highlights has been derived from the Fund’s financial statements audited by Ernst & Young LLP, independent registered public accounting firm, whose report, along with the Fund’s financial statements, is included in the Fund’s Annual Report, which you may obtain upon request.
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American Beacon Sound Point Floating Rate Income Fund
A Class
For a share outstanding throughout the period:
Year Ended August 31, 2021
Year Ended August 31, 2020
Year Ended August 31, 2019
Year Ended August 31, 2018
Year Ended August 31, 2017
Net asset value, beginning of period
$8.83
$9.82
$10.28
$10.35
$10.20
Income (loss) from investment operations:
Net investment income
0.34
0.51
0.56
0.49
0.42
Net gains (losses) on investments (both realized and unrealized)
0.56
(0.97
)
(0.44
)
(0.04
)
0.17
Total income (loss) from investment operations
0.90
(0.46
)
0.12
0.45
0.59
Less distributions:
Dividends from net investment income
(0.42
)
(0.53
)
(0.58
)
(0.49
)
(0.42
)
Distributions from net realized gains
(0.03
)
(0.02
)
Total distributions
(0.42
)
(0.53
)
(0.58
)
(0.52
)
(0.44
)
Net asset value, end of period
$9.31
$8.83
$9.82
$10.28
$10.35
Total returnA
10.36
%
(4.53
)%
1.53
%
4.39
%
5.92
%
Ratios and supplemental data:
Net assets, end of period
$29,551,551
$29,739,876
$45,602,098
$58,987,550
$32,450,342
Ratios to average net assets:
Expenses, before reimbursements and/or recoupments
1.17
%
1.17
%
1.13
%
1.13
%
1.22
%
Expenses, net of reimbursements and/or recoupments
1.12
%
B
1.17
%
1.13
%
1.14
%
1.24
%
Net investment income, before expense reimbursements and/or recoupments
3.73
%
5.95
%
5.80
%
4.85
%
4.07
%
Net investment income, net of reimbursements and/or recoupments
3.78
%
5.95
%
5.80
%
4.84
%
4.04
%
Portfolio turnover rate
75
%
56
%
58
%
69
%
86
%
A
Based on net asset value, which does not reflect the sales charge, redemption fee, or contingent deferred sales charge, if applicable. May include adjustments in accordance with U.S. GAAP and as such, the net asset value for reporting purposes and the returns based upon those net asset values may differ from the net asset value and returns for shareholder transactions.
B
Expense ratios may exceed the stated expense caps in Note 2 in the Annual Shareholder Report due to the change in the contractual caps on December 31, 2020.
Prospectus – Additional Information31 

 

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American Beacon Sound Point Floating Rate Income Fund
C Class
For a share outstanding throughout the period:
Year Ended August 31, 2021
Year Ended August 31, 2020
Year Ended August 31, 2019
Year Ended August 31, 2018
Year Ended August 31, 2017
Net asset value, beginning of period
$8.86
$9.85
$10.29
$10.35
$10.21
Income (loss) from investment operations:
Net investment income
0.27
0.45
0.51
0.42
0.35
Net gains (losses) on investments (both realized and unrealized)
0.57
(0.98
)
(0.44
)
(0.04
)
0.16
Total income (loss) from investment operations
0.84
(0.53
)
0.07
0.38
0.51
Less distributions:
Dividends from net investment income
(0.35
)
(0.46
)
(0.51
)
(0.41
)
(0.35
)
Distributions from net realized gains
(0.03
)
(0.02
)
Total distributions
(0.35
)
(0.46
)
(0.51
)
(0.44
)
(0.37
)
Net asset value, end of period
$9.35
$8.86
$9.85
$10.29
$10.35
Total returnA
9.61
%
(5.25
)%
0.67
%
3.73
%
5.03
%
Ratios and supplemental data:
Net assets, end of period
$25,638,104
$31,330,022
$58,653,731
$59,792,915
$31,434,098
Ratios to average net assets:
Expenses, before reimbursements and/or recoupments
1.94
%
1.94
%
1.90
%
1.88
%
1.97
%
Expenses, net of reimbursements and/or recoupments
1.89
%
B
1.94
%
1.90
%
1.88
%
1.99
%
Net investment income, before expense reimbursements and/or recoupments
2.96
%
5.19
%
5.07
%
4.10
%
3.31
%
Net investment income, net of reimbursements and/or recoupments
3.01
%
5.19
%
5.07
%
4.10
%
3.29
%
Portfolio turnover rate
75
%
56
%
58
%
69
%
86
%
A
Based on net asset value, which does not reflect the sales charge, redemption fee, or contingent deferred sales charge, if applicable. May include adjustments in accordance with U.S. GAAP and as such, the net asset value for reporting purposes and the returns based upon those net asset values may differ from the net asset value and returns for shareholder transactions.
B
Expense ratios may exceed the stated expense caps in Note 2 in the Annual Shareholder Report due to the change in the contractual caps on December 31, 2020.
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American Beacon Sound Point Floating Rate Income Fund
Y Class
For a share outstanding throughout the period:
Year Ended August 31, 2021
Year Ended August 31, 2020
Year Ended August 31, 2019
Year Ended August 31, 2018
Year Ended August 31, 2017
Net asset value, beginning of period
$8.82
$9.80
$10.29
$10.36
$10.21
Income (loss) from investment operations:
Net investment income
0.38
0.46
0.54
0.52
0.46
Net gains (losses) on investments (both realized and unrealized)
0.54
(0.89
)
(0.42
)
(0.04
)
0.17
Total income (loss) from investment operations
0.92
(0.43
)
0.12
0.48
0.63
Less distributions:
Dividends from net investment income
(0.44
)
(0.55
)
(0.61
)
(0.52
)
(0.46
)
Distributions from net realized gains
(0.03
)
(0.02
)
Total distributions
(0.44
)
(0.55
)
(0.61
)
(0.55
)
(0.48
)
Net asset value, end of period
$9.30
$8.82
$9.80
$10.29
$10.36
Total returnA
10.60
%
(4.24
)%
1.68
%
4.68
%
6.27
%
Ratios and supplemental data:
Net assets, end of period
$356,429,827
$323,133,710
$786,638,267
$1,260,705,246
$507,077,617
Ratios to average net assets:
Expenses, before reimbursements and/or recoupments
0.95
%
0.96
%
0.90
%
0.88
%
0.92
%
Expenses, net of reimbursements and/or recoupments
0.91
%
B
0.96
%
0.90
%
0.88
%
0.93
%
Net investment income, before expense reimbursements and/or recoupments
3.95
%
6.21
%
5.99
%
5.13
%
4.43
%
Net investment income, net of reimbursements and/or recoupments
3.99
%
6.21
%
5.99
%
5.13
%
4.42
%
Portfolio turnover rate
75
%
56
%
58
%
69
%
86
%
A
Based on net asset value, which does not reflect the sales charge, redemption fee, or contingent deferred sales charge, if applicable. May include adjustments in accordance with U.S. GAAP and as such, the net asset value for reporting purposes and the returns based upon those net asset values may differ from the net asset value and returns for shareholder transactions.
B
Expense ratios may exceed the stated expense caps in Note 2 in the Annual Shareholder Report due to the change in the contractual caps on December 31, 2020.
Prospectus – Additional Information33 

 

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American Beacon Sound Point Floating Rate Income Fund
R5 ClassA
For a share outstanding throughout the period:
Year Ended August 31, 2021
Year Ended August 31, 2020
Year Ended August 31, 2019
Year Ended August 31, 2018
Year Ended August 31, 2017
Net asset value, beginning of period
$8.82
$9.79
$10.28
$10.35
$10.20
Income (loss) from investment operations:
Net investment income
0.38
0.50
0.56
0.53
0.46
Net gains (losses) on investments (both realized and unrealized)
0.55
(0.92
)
(0.44
)
(0.05
)
0.18
Total income (loss) from investment operations
0.93
(0.42
)
0.12
0.48
0.64
Less distributions:
Dividends from net investment income
(0.45
)
(0.55
)
(0.61
)
(0.52
)
(0.47
)
Distributions from net realized gains
(0.03
)
(0.02
)
Total distributions
(0.45
)
(0.55
)
(0.61
)
(0.55
)
(0.49
)
Net asset value, end of period
$9.30
$8.82
$9.79
$10.28
$10.35
Total returnB
10.68
%
(4.08
)%
1.77
%
4.71
%
6.37
%
Ratios and supplemental data:
Net assets, end of period
$179,069,561
$160,767,886
$343,916,230
$391,526,212
$231,445,512
Ratios to average net assets:
Expenses, before reimbursements and/or recoupments
0.88
%
0.90
%
0.84
%
0.82
%
0.85
%
Expenses, net of reimbursements and/or recoupments
0.84
%
C
0.90
%
0.84
%
0.84
%
0.84
%
Net investment income, before expense reimbursements and/or recoupments
4.02
%
6.29
%
6.10
%
5.16
%
4.51
%
Net investment income, net of reimbursements and/or recoupments
4.06
%
6.29
%
6.10
%
5.14
%
4.52
%
Portfolio turnover rate
75
%
56
%
58
%
69
%
86
%
A
Prior to February 28, 2020, the R5 Class was known as Institutional Class.
B
Based on net asset value, which does not reflect the sales charge, redemption fee, or contingent deferred sales charge, if applicable. May include adjustments in accordance with U.S. GAAP and as such, the net asset value for reporting purposes and the returns based upon those net asset values may differ from the net asset value and returns for shareholder transactions.
C
Expense ratios may exceed the stated expense caps in Note 2 in the Annual Shareholder Report due to the change in the contractual caps on December 31, 2020.
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American Beacon Sound Point Floating Rate Income Fund
Investor Class
For a share outstanding throughout the period:
Year Ended August 31, 2021
Year Ended August 31, 2020
Year Ended August 31, 2019
Year Ended August 31, 2018
Year Ended August 31, 2017
Net asset value, beginning of period
$8.80
$9.78
$10.26
$10.33
$10.18
Income (loss) from investment operations:
Net investment income
0.29
0.30
0.49
0.50
0.46
Net gains (losses) on investments (both realized and unrealized)
0.60
(0.76
)
(0.40
)
(0.04
)
0.15
Total income (loss) from investment operations
0.89
(0.46
)
0.09
0.46
0.61
Less distributions:
Dividends from net investment income
(0.41
)
(0.52
)
(0.57
)
(0.50
)
(0.44
)
Distributions from net realized gains
(0.03
)
(0.02
)
Total distributions
(0.41
)
(0.52
)
(0.57
)
(0.53
)
(0.46
)
Net asset value, end of period
$9.28
$8.80
$9.78
$10.26
$10.33
Total returnA
10.31
%
(4.53
)%
1.38
%
4.51
%
6.12
%
Ratios and supplemental data:
Net assets, end of period
$52,900,976
$57,117,869
$214,702,538
$538,668,514
$129,817,379
Ratios to average net assets:
Expenses, before reimbursements and/or recoupments
1.22
%
1.24
%
1.22
%
1.04
%
1.07
%
Expenses, net of reimbursements and/or recoupments
1.18
%
B
1.24
%
1.22
%
1.04
%
1.09
%
Net investment income, before expense reimbursements and/or recoupments
3.68
%
5.99
%
5.60
%
5.02
%
4.24
%
Net investment income, net of reimbursements and/or recoupments
3.72
%
5.99
%
5.60
%
5.02
%
4.22
%
Portfolio turnover rate
75
%
56
%
58
%
69
%
86
%
A
Based on net asset value, which does not reflect the sales charge, redemption fee, or contingent deferred sales charge, if applicable. May include adjustments in accordance with U.S. GAAP and as such, the net asset value for reporting purposes and the returns based upon those net asset values may differ from the net asset value and returns for shareholder transactions.
B
Expense ratios may exceed stated expense caps in Note 2 in the Annual Shareholder Report due to the change in the contractual expense caps on December 31, 2020.
Prospectus – Additional Information35 

 

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American Beacon Sound Point Floating Rate Income Fund
SP Class
For a share outstanding throughout the period:
Year Ended August 31, 2021
Year Ended August 31, 2020
Year Ended August 31, 2019
Year Ended August 31, 2018
Year Ended August 31, 2017
Net asset value, beginning of period
$8.86
$9.84
$10.30
$10.36
$10.19
Income from investment operations:
Net investment income
0.35
A
0.56
A
0.58
A
0.49
0.25
A
Net gains (losses) on investments (both realized and unrealized)
0.80
(1.02
)
(0.46
)
(0.03
)
0.37
Total income (loss) from investment operations
1.15
(0.46
)
0.12
0.46
0.62
Less distributions:
Dividends from net investment income
(0.42
)
(0.52
)
(0.58
)
(0.49
)
(0.43
)
Distributions from net realized gains
(0.03
)
(0.02
)
Total distributions
(0.42
)
(0.52
)
(0.58
)
(0.52
)
(0.45
)
Net asset value, end of period
$9.59
$8.86
$9.84
$10.30
$10.36
Total returnB
13.27
%
(4.51
)%
1.40
%
4.49
%
6.13
%
Ratios and supplemental data:
Net assets, end of period
$59,037
$113,010
$282,847
$705,984
$785,649
Ratios to average net assets:
Expenses, before reimbursements and/or recoupments
1.17
%
1.16
%
1.06
%
1.04
%
1.08
%
Expenses, net of reimbursements and/or recoupments
1.12
%
C
1.16
%
1.15
%
1.15
%
1.12
%
Net investment income, before expense reimbursements and/or recoupments
3.73
%
6.08
%
5.83
%
4.86
%
4.25
%
Net investment income, net of reimbursements and/or recoupments
3.78
%
6.08
%
5.74
%
4.75
%
4.21
%
Portfolio turnover rate
75
%
56
%
58
%
69
%
86
%
A
Per share amounts have been calculated using the average shares method.
B
Based on net asset value, which does not reflect the sales charge, redemption fee, or contingent deferred sales charge, if applicable. May include adjustments in accordance with U.S. GAAP and as such, the net asset value for reporting purposes and the returns based upon those net asset values may differ from the net asset value and returns for shareholder transactions.
C
Expense ratios may exceed stated expense caps in Note 2 in the Annual Shareholder Report due to the change in the contractual expense caps on December 31, 2020.
36Prospectus – Additional Information 

 

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Additional Information
Additional information about the Fund is found in the documents listed below. Request a free copy of these documents by calling 1-800-658-5811 or you may access them on the Fund’s website at www.americanbeaconfunds.com.
Annual Shareholder Report/Semi-Annual Shareholder Report
The Fund’s Annual and Semi-Annual Shareholder Reports list the Fund’s actual investments as of the report’s date. They also include a discussion by the Manager of market conditions and investment strategies that significantly affected the Fund’s performance. The report of the Fund’s independent registered public accounting firm is included in the Annual Shareholder Report.
SAI
The SAI contains more details about the Fund and its investment policies. The SAI is incorporated in this Prospectus by reference (it is legally part of this Prospectus). A current SAI is on file with the SEC.
Appendix A to the Prospectus – Intermediary Sales Charge Discounts, Waivers and Other Information
Appendix A contains more information about specific sales charge discounts and waivers available for shareholders who purchase Fund shares through a specific financial intermediary. Appendix A is incorporated herein by reference (is legally a part of this Prospectus).
To obtain more information about the Fund or to request a copy of the documents listed above:
By Telephone:
Call
1-800-658-5811
By Mail:
American Beacon Funds
P.O. Box 219643
Kansas City, MO 64121-9643
By E-mail:
americanbeaconfunds@ambeacon.com
On the Internet:
Visit our website at www.americanbeaconfunds.com
Visit the SEC website at www.sec.gov
The SAI and other information about the Fund are available on the EDGAR Database on the SEC’s Internet site at www.sec.gov. Copies of this information may be obtained, after paying a duplicating fee, by electronic mail to publicinfo@sec.gov, or by writing to the SEC’s Public Reference Section, 100 F Street, NE, Washington, D.C. 20549-1520. The SAI and other information about the Fund may also be reviewed and copied at the SEC’s Public Reference Room. Information on the operation of the SEC’s Public Reference Room may be obtained by calling the SEC at (202) 551-8090.
American Beacon is a registered service mark of American Beacon Advisors, Inc. The American Beacon Funds and the American Beacon Sound Point Floating Rate Income Fund are service marks of American Beacon Advisors, Inc.
image 
SEC File Number 811-04984

 

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Appendix A
INTERMEDIARY SALES CHARGE DISCOUNTS, WAIVERS AND OTHER INFORMATION
The availability of certain sales charge waivers and discounts will depend on whether you purchase your shares directly from the Fund or through a financial intermediary. Specific intermediaries may have different policies and procedures regarding the availability of front-end sales load waivers or CDSC waivers, which are discussed below. In all instances, it is the purchaser’s responsibility to notify the Fund or the purchaser’s financial intermediary at the time of purchase of any relationship or other facts qualifying the purchaser for sales charge waivers or discounts. For waivers and discounts not available through a particular intermediary, shareholders will have to purchase Fund shares directly from the Fund or through another intermediary to receive any applicable waivers or discounts. Please see the section entitled “Choosing Your Share Class” for more information on sales charges and waivers available for different classes.
The information in this Appendix is part of, and incorporated into, the Fund’s prospectus.
Appendix A: Ameriprise Financial
Class A Shares Front-End Sales Charge Waivers Available at Ameriprise Financial:
The following information applies to Class A shares purchases if you have an account with or otherwise purchase Fund shares through Ameriprise Financial:
Shareholders purchasing Fund shares through an Ameriprise Financial brokerage account are eligible for the following front-end sales charge waivers, which may differ from those disclosed elsewhere in this Fund’s prospectus or SAI:

 

Employer-sponsored retirement plans (e.g., 401(k) plans, 457 plans, employer-sponsored 403(b) plans, profit sharing and money purchase pension plans and defined benefit plans). For purposes of this provision, employer-sponsored retirement plans do not include SEP IRAs, Simple IRAs or SAR-SEPs.

 

Shares purchased through reinvestment of capital gains distributions and dividend reinvestment when purchasing shares of the same Fund (but not any other fund within the same fund family).

 

Shares exchanged from Class C shares of the same fund in the month of or following the 7-year anniversary of the purchase date. To the extent that this prospectus elsewhere provides for a waiver with respect to exchanges of Class C shares or conversion of Class C shares following a shorter holding period, that waiver will apply.

 

Employees and registered representatives of Ameriprise Financial or its affiliates and their immediate family members.

 

Shares purchased by or through qualified accounts (including IRAs, Coverdell Education Savings Accounts, 401(k)s, 403(b) TSCAs subject to ERISA and defined benefit plans) that are held by a covered family member, defined as an Ameriprise financial advisor and/or the advisor’s spouse, advisor’s lineal ascendant (mother, father, grandmother, grandfather, great grandmother, great grandfather), advisor’s lineal descendant (son, step-son, daughter, step-daughter, grandson, granddaughter, great grandson, great granddaughter) or any spouse of a covered family member who is a lineal descendant.

 

Shares purchased from the proceeds of redemptions within the same fund family, provided (1) the repurchase occurs within 90 days following the redemption, (2) the redemption and purchase occur in the same account, and (3) redeemed shares were subject to a front-end or deferred sales load (i.e. Rights of Reinstatement).
 
Appendix A: Baird
Effective June 15, 2020, shareholders purchasing fund shares through a Baird platform or account will only be eligible for the following sales charge waivers (front-end sales charge waivers and CDSC waivers) and discounts, which may differ from those disclosed elsewhere in this prospectus or the SAI.
Front-End Sales Charge Waivers on Investors A-shares Available at Baird

 

Shares purchased through reinvestment of capital gains distributions and dividend reinvestment when purchasing share of the same fund

 

Shares purchased by employees and registers representatives of Baird or its affiliate and their family members as designated by Baird

 

Shares purchased from the proceeds of redemptions within the same fund family, provided (1) the repurchase occurs within 90 days following the redemption, (2) the redemption and purchase occur in the same accounts, and (3) redeemed shares were subject to a front-end or deferred sales charge (known as rights of reinstatement)

 

A shareholder in the Fund’s Investor C shares will have their share converted at net asset value to Investor A shares of the fund if the shares are no longer subject to CDSC and the conversion is in line with the policies and procedures of Baird

 

Employer-sponsored retirement plans or charitable accounts in a transactional brokerage account at Baird, including 401(k) plans, 457 plans, employer-sponsored 403(b) plans, profit sharing and money purchase pension plans and defined benefit plans. For purposes of this provision, employer-sponsored retirement plans do not include SEP IRAs, Simple IRAs or SAR-SEPs
 
CDSC Waivers on Investor A and C shares Available at Baird

 

Shares sold due to death or disability of the shareholder

 

Shares sold as part of a systematic withdrawal plan as described in the Fund’s Prospectus

 

Shares bought due to returns of excess contributions from an IRA Account

 

Shares sold as part of a required minimum distribution for IRA and retirement accounts due to the shareholder reaching age 72 as described in the Fund’s prospectus

 

Shares sold to pay Baird fees but only if the transaction is initiated by Baird

 

Shares acquired through a right of reinstatement
 
Front-End Sales Charge Discounts Available at Baird: Breakpoints and/or Rights of Accumulations

 

Breakpoints as described in this prospectus

 

Rights of accumulation which entitles shareholders to breakpoint discounts will be automatically calculated based on the aggregated holding of fund family assets held by accounts within the purchaser’s household at Baird. Eligible fund family assets not held at Baird may be included in the rights of accumulations calculation only if the shareholder notifies his or her financial advisor about such assets

 

Letters of Intent (LOI) allow for breakpoint discounts based on anticipated purchases within a fund family through Baird, over a 13-month period of time
 
Prospectus – AppendixA-1 

 

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Appendix A: Janney Montgomery Scott
Effective May 1, 2020, if you purchase fund shares through a Janney Montgomery Scott LLC (“Janney”) brokerage account, you will be eligible for the following load waivers (front-end sales charge waivers and contingent deferred sales charge (“CDSC”), or back-end sales charge, waivers) and discounts, which may differ from those disclosed elsewhere in this fund’s Prospectus or SAI.
Front-end sales charge* waivers on Class A shares available at Janney

 

Shares purchased through reinvestment of capital gains distributions and dividend reinvestment when purchasing shares of the same fund (but not any other fund within the fund family).

 

Shares purchased by employees and registered representatives of Janney or its affiliates and their family members as designated by Janney.

 

Shares purchased from the proceeds of redemptions within the same fund family, provided (1) the repurchase occurs within ninety (90) days following the redemption, (2) the redemption and purchase occur in the same account, and (3) redeemed shares were subject to a front-end or deferred sales load (i.e., right of reinstatement).

 

Employer-sponsored retirement plans (e.g., 401(k) plans, 457 plans, employer-sponsored 403(b) plans, profit sharing and money purchase pension plans and defined benefit plans). For purposes of this provision, employer-sponsored retirement plans do not include SEP IRAs, Simple IRAs, SAR-SEPs or Keogh plans.

 

Shares acquired through a right of reinstatement.

 

Class C shares that are no longer subject to a contingent deferred sales charge and are converted to Class A shares of the same fund pursuant to Janney’s policies and procedures.
 
CDSC waivers on Class A and C shares available at Janney

 

Shares sold upon the death or disability of the shareholder.

 

Shares sold as part of a systematic withdrawal plan as described in the fund’s Prospectus.

 

Shares purchased in connection with a return of excess contributions from an IRA account.

 

Shares sold as part of a required minimum distribution for IRA and other retirement accounts due to the shareholder reaching age 70½ as described in the fund’s Prospectus.

 

Shares sold to pay Janney fees but only if the transaction is initiated by Janney.

 

Shares acquired through a right of reinstatement.

 

Shares exchanged into the same share class of a different fund.
 
Front-end sales charge* discounts available at Janney: breakpoints, rights of accumulation, and/or letters of intent

 

Breakpoints as described in the fund’s Prospectus.

 

Rights of accumulation (“ROA”), which entitle shareholders to breakpoint discounts, will be automatically calculated based on the aggregated holding of fund family assets held by accounts within the purchaser’s household at Janney. Eligible fund family assets not held at Janney may be included in the ROA calculation only if the shareholder notifies his or her financial advisor about such assets.

 

Letters of intent which allow for breakpoint discounts based on anticipated purchases within a fund family, over a 13-month time period. Eligible fund family assets not held at Janney Montgomery Scott may be included in the calculation of letters of intent only if the shareholder notifies his or her financial advisor about such assets.
 
*Also referred to as an “initial sales charge.”
Appendix A: Merrill Lynch
A CLASS AND C CLASS PURCHASES THROUGH MERRILL LYNCH
Shareholders purchasing Fund shares through a Merrill Lynch platform or account will be eligible only for the following load waivers (front-end sales charge waivers and contingent deferred, or back-end sales charge waivers) and discounts, which may differ from those disclosed elsewhere in the Fund’s prospectus or SAI.
Front-end Sales Load Waivers on A Class Shares available at Merrill Lynch

 

Employer-sponsored retirement, deferred compensation and employee benefit plans (including health savings accounts) and trusts used to fund those plans, provided that the shares are not held in a commission- based brokerage account and shares are held for the benefit of the plan.

 

Shares purchased by a 529 Plan (does not include 529 Plan units or 529-specific share classes or equivalents)

 

Shares purchased through a Merrill Lynch affiliated investment advisory program.

 

Shares exchanged due to the holdings moving from a Merrill Lynch affiliated investment advisory program to a Merrill Lynch brokerage (non-advisory) account pursuant to Merrill Lynch’s policies relating to sales load discounts and waivers

 

Shares purchased by third party investment advisors on behalf of their advisory clients through Merrill Lynch’s platform.

 

Shares of funds purchased through the Merrill Edge Self-Directed platform (if applicable).

 

Shares purchased through reinvestment of capital gains distributions and dividend reinvestment when purchasing shares of the same fund (but not any other fund within the fund family).

 

Shares exchanged from C Class (i.e. level-load) shares of the same fund pursuant to Merrill Lynch’s policies relating to sales load discounts and waivers

 

Employees and registered representatives of Merrill Lynch or its affiliates and their family members.

 

Directors or Trustees of the Fund, and employees of the Fund’s investment adviser or any of its affiliates, as described in this Prospectus.

 

Eligible shares purchased from the proceeds of redemptions within the same fund family, provided (1) the repurchase occurs within 90 days following the redemption, (2) the redemption and purchase occur in the same account, and (3) redeemed shares were subject to a front-end or deferred sales load (known as Rights of Reinstatement). Automated transactions (i.e. systematic purchases and withdrawals) and purchases made after shares are automatically sold to pay Merrill Lynch’s account maintenance fees are not eligible for reinstatement
 
CDSC Waivers on A Class and C Class Shares available at Merrill Lynch

 

Death or disability of the shareholder

 

Shares sold as part of a systematic withdrawal plan as described in the Fund’s Prospectus
 
A-2Prospectus – Appendix 

 

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Return of excess contributions from an IRA Account

 

Shares sold as part of a required minimum distribution for IRA and retirement accounts pursuant to the Internal Revenue Code.

 

Shares sold to pay Merrill Lynch fees but only if the transaction is initiated by Merrill Lynch

 

Shares acquired through a right of reinstatement

 

Shares held in retirement brokerage accounts, that are exchanged for a lower cost share class due to transfer to certain fee based accounts or platforms (applicable to A Class and C Class shares only)

 

Shares received through an exchange due to the holdings moving from a Merrill Lynch affiliated investment advisory program to a Merrill Lynch brokerage (non-advisory) account pursuant to Merrill Lynch’s policies relating to sales load discounts and waivers
 
Front-end load Discounts Available at Merrill Lynch: Breakpoints, Rights of Accumulation & Letters of Intent

 

Breakpoints as described in this prospectus.

 

Rights of Accumulation (ROA) which entitle shareholders to breakpoint discounts as described in the Fund’s prospectus will be automatically calculated based on the aggregated holding of fund family assets held by accounts (including 529 program holdings, where applicable) within the purchaser’s household at Merrill Lynch. Eligible fund family assets not held at Merrill Lynch may be included in the ROA calculation only if the shareholder notifies his or her financial advisor about such assets.

 

Letters of Intent (LOI) which allow for breakpoint discounts based on anticipated purchases within a fund family, through Merrill Lynch, over a 13-month period of time (if applicable)
 
Appendix A: Morgan Stanley
Effective July 1, 2018, shareholders purchasing Fund shares through a Morgan Stanley Wealth Management transactional brokerage account will be eligible only for the following front-end sales charge waivers with respect to Class A shares, which may differ from and may be more limited than those disclosed elsewhere in the Fund’s Prospectus or SAI.
Front-end Sales Charge Waivers on Class A Shares available at Morgan Stanley Wealth Management

 

Employer-sponsored retirement plans (e.g., 401(k) plans, 457 plans, employer-sponsored 403(b) plans, profit sharing and money purchase pension plans and defined benefit plans). For purposes of this provision, employer-sponsored retirement plans do not include SEP IRAs, Simple IRAs, SAR-SEPs or Keogh plans

 

Morgan Stanley employee and employee-related accounts according to Morgan Stanley’s account linking rules

 

Shares purchased through reinvestment of dividends and capital gains distributions when purchasing shares of the same fund

 

Shares purchased through a Morgan Stanley self-directed brokerage account

 

Class C (i.e., level-load) shares that are no longer subject to a contingent deferred sales charge and are converted to Class A shares of the same fund pursuant to Morgan Stanley Wealth Management’s share class conversion program

 

Shares purchased from the proceeds of redemptions within the same fund family, provided (i) the repurchase occurs within 90 days following the redemption, (ii) the redemption and purchase occur in the same account, and (iii) redeemed shares were subject to a front-end or deferred sales charge.
 
Appendix A: Oppenheimer & Co. Inc. (“OPCO”)
Effective February 26, 2020, shareholders purchasing Fund shares through an OPCO platform or account are eligible only for the following load waivers (front-end sales charge waivers and contingent deferred, or back-end, sales charge waivers) and discounts, which may differ from those disclosed elsewhere in this Fund’s prospectus or SAI.
Front-end Sales Load Waivers on Class A Shares available at OPCO

 

Employer-sponsored retirement, deferred compensation and employee benefit plans (including health savings accounts) and trusts used to fund those plans, provided that the shares are not held in a commission-based brokerage account and shares are held for the benefit of the plan

 

Shares purchased by or through a 529 Plan

 

Shares purchased through an OPCO affiliated investment advisory program

 

Shares purchased through reinvestment of capital gains distributions and dividend reinvestment when purchasing shares of the same fund (but not any other fund within the fund family)

 

Shares purchased form the proceeds of redemptions within the same fund family, provided (1) the repurchase occurs within 90 days following the redemption, (2) the redemption and purchase occur in the same amount, and (3) redeemed shares were subject to a front-end or deferred sales load (known as Rights of Restatement).

 

A shareholder in the Fund’s Class C shares will have their shares converted at net asset value to Class A shares (or the appropriate share class) of the Fund if the shares are no longer subject to a CDSC and the conversion is in line with the policies and procedures of OPCO

 

Employees and registered representatives of OPCO or its affiliates and their family members

 

Directors or Trustees of the Fund, and employees of the Fund’s investment adviser or any of its affiliates, as described in this prospectus
 
CDSC Waivers on A, B and C Shares available at OPCO

 

Death or disability of the shareholder

 

Shares sold as part of a systematic withdrawal plan as described in the Fund’s prospectus

 

Return of excess contributions from an IRA Account

 

Shares sold as part of a required minimum distribution for IRA and retirement accounts due to the shareholder reaching age 70½ as described in the prospectus

 

Shares sold to pay OPCO fees but only if the transaction is initiated by OPCO

 

Shares acquired through a right of reinstatement
 
Front-end load Discounts Available at OPCO: Breakpoints, Rights of Accumulation & Letters of Intent

 

Breakpoints as described in this prospectus.
 
Prospectus – AppendixA-3 

 

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Rights of Accumulation (ROA) which entitle shareholders to breakpoint discounts will be automatically calculated based on the aggregated holding of fund family assets held by accounts within the purchaser’s household at OPCO. Eligible fund family assets not held at OPCO may be included in the ROA calculation only if the shareholder notifies his or her financial advisor about such assets.
 
Appendix A: Raymond James
Shareholders purchasing Fund shares through a Raymond James platform or account, or through an introducing broker-dealer or independent registered investment adviser for which Raymond James provides trade execution, clearance, and/or custody services, will be eligible only for the following load waivers (front-end sales charge waivers and contingent deferred, or back-end, sales charge waivers) and discounts, which may differ from those disclosed elsewhere in this Fund’s prospectus or SAI.
Front-end Sales Charge Waivers on Class A Shares available at Raymond James

 

Shares purchased in an investment advisory program.

 

Shares purchased within the same fund family through a systematic reinvestment of capital gains and dividend distributions.

 

Employees and registered representatives of Raymond James or its affiliates and their family members as designated by Raymond James.

 

Shares purchased from the proceeds of redemptions within the same fund family, provided (1) the repurchase occurs within 90 days following the redemption, (2) the redemption and purchase occur in the same account, and (3) redeemed shares were subject to a front-end or deferred sales load (known as Rights of Reinstatement).

 

A shareholder in the Fund’s Class C shares will have their shares converted at net asset value to Class A shares (or the appropriate share class) of the Fund if the shares are no longer subject to a CDSC and the conversion is in line with the policies and procedures of Raymond James.
 
CDSC Waivers on Classes A and C shares available at Raymond James

 

Death or disability of the shareholder.

 

Shares sold as part of a systematic withdrawal plan as described in the fund’s prospectus.

 

Return of excess contributions from an IRA Account.

 

Shares sold as part of a required minimum distribution for IRA and retirement accounts due to the shareholder reaching the qualified age based on applicable IRS regulations as described in the fund’s prospectus.

 

Shares sold to pay Raymond James fees but only if the transaction is initiated by Raymond James.

 

Shares acquired through a right of reinstatement.
 
Front-end load discounts available at Raymond James: breakpoints, rights of accumulation, and/or letters of intent

 

Breakpoints as described in this Prospectus.

 

Rights of accumulation which entitle shareholders to breakpoint discounts will be automatically calculated based on the aggregated holding of fund family assets held by accounts within the purchaser’s household at Raymond James. Eligible fund family assets not held at Raymond James may be included in the calculation of rights of accumulation only if the shareholder notifies his or her financial advisor about such assets.

 

Letters of intent which allow for breakpoint discounts based on anticipated purchases within a fund family, over a 13-month time period. Eligible fund family assets not held at Raymond James may be included in the calculation of letters of intent only if the shareholder notifies his or her financial advisor about such assets.
 
Appendix A: Wells Fargo
Effective June 30, 2020, C Class shares will convert automatically into A Class shares on the 25th day of the month (or, if the 25th is not a business day, the next business day thereafter) following the eighth anniversary of the month on which the purchase order was accepted, provided that the Fund or the financial intermediary through which a shareholder purchased C Class shares has records verifying that the C Class shares have been held for at least eight years. The first conversion of C Class to A Class shares under this new policy would take place on July 25, 2020 for all C Class shares that were held for more than eight years as of June 30, 2020.
A-4Prospectus – Appendix 

 

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Appendix B
GLOSSARY
Act
Tax Cuts and Jobs Act enacted in December 2017
Advisers Act
Investment Advisers Act of 1940, as amended
American Beacon or Manager
American Beacon Advisors, Inc.
Beacon Funds or the Trust
American Beacon Funds
Board
Board of Trustees
Brexit
The United Kingdom’s departure from the European Union
Capital Gains Distributions
Distributions of realized net capital gains
CDSC
Contingent Deferred Sales Charge
CFTC
Commodity Futures Trading Commission
CLO
Collateralized Loan Obligation
CPO
Commodity Pool Operator
Denial of Services
A cybersecurity incident that results in customers or employees being unable to access electronic systems
Dividends
Distributions of most or all of the Fund’s net investment income
DRD
Dividends-received deduction
ETF
Exchange-Traded Fund
EU
European Union
Fannie Mae
Federal National Mortgage Association
FFCB
Federal Farm Credit Banks
FHLB
Federal Home Loan Bank
FNMA
Federal National Mortgage Association
Freddie Mac
Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation
GNMA
Government National Mortgage Association
Internal Revenue Code
Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended
Investment Company Act
Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended
IRA
Individual Retirement Account
IRS
Internal Revenue Service
Junk Bonds
High yield, non-investment grade bonds
LIBOR
ICE LIBOR
LOI
Letter of Intent
Management Agreement
The Fund’s Management Agreement with the Manager
NAV
Fund’s net asset value
NYSE
New York Stock Exchange
Other Distributions
Distributions of net gains from foreign currency transactions
OTC
Over-the-Counter
QDI
Qualified Dividend Income
SAI
Statement of Additional Information
SEC
Securities and Exchange Commission
State Street
State Street Bank and Trust Company
SVP
Signature Validation Program
UGMA
Uniform gifts to minor
UK
United Kingdom
UTMA
Uniform transfers to minor
Prospectus – AppendixB-1 

 

image 
Statement of Additional Information
January 1, 2022
Ticker
Share Class
A
C
Y
R5
Investor
SP
American Beacon Sound Point Floating Rate Income Fund
SOUAX
SOUCX
SPFYX
SPFLX
SPFPX
SPFRX
This Statement of Additional Information (“SAI”) should be read in conjunction with the prospectus dated January 1, 2022 (the “Prospectus”) for the American Beacon Sound Point Floating Rate Income Fund (the “Fund”), a separate series of American Beacon Funds, a Massachusetts business trust. Copies of the Prospectus may be obtained without charge by calling (800) 658-5811. You also may obtain copies of the Prospectus without charge by visiting the Fund’s website at www.americanbeaconfunds.com. This SAI is incorporated by reference into the Fund’s Prospectus. In other words, it is legally a part of the Prospectus. This SAI is not a prospectus and is authorized for distribution to prospective investors only if preceded or accompanied by the current Prospectus. Capitalized terms in this SAI have the same definition as in the Prospectus, unless otherwise defined. Capitalized terms that are not otherwise defined in this SAI or the Prospectus are defined in Appendix D.
The Fund’s Annual Report to shareholders for the fiscal year ended August 31, 2021 and the financial statements and accompanying notes appearing therein are incorporated by reference into this SAI. Copies of the Fund’s Annual and Semi-Annual Shareholder Reports may be obtained, without charge, upon request by calling (800) 658-5811 or visiting www.americanbeaconfunds.com.

 

 
Table of Contents
1
1

 

ORGANIZATION AND HISTORY OF THE FUND
The Fund is a separate series of American Beacon Funds (the “Trust”), an open-end management investment company organized as a Massachusetts business trust on January 16, 1987. The Fund constitutes a separate investment portfolio with a distinct investment objective and a distinct purpose and strategy. The Fund is “diversified” as that term is defined by the Investment Company Act. The Fund is comprised of multiple classes of shares designed to meet the needs of different groups of investors. This SAI relates to the A Class, C Class, Y Class, R5 Class, Investor Class and SP Class shares of the Fund. Prior to February 28, 2020, the R5 Class shares were known as the Institutional Class shares.
On December 11, 2015, the Fund acquired all the assets and assumed all the liabilities of the Sound Point Floating Rate Income Fund (the “Acquired Sound Point Fund”), a series of Trust for Advised Portfolios. Since the Acquired Sound Point Fund’s objective and policies are the same in all material respects as the Fund, and since the Fund has engaged the investment advisor that previously provided services to the Acquired Sound Point Fund, Sound Point Capital Management, LP., as sub-advisor, the Fund has adopted the prior performance and financial history of the Acquired Sound Point Fund.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION ABOUT INVESTMENT STRATEGIES AND RISKS
The investment objective and principal investment strategies and risks of the Fund are described in the Prospectus. This section contains additional information about the Fund’s investment policies and risks and types of investments the Fund may purchase. The composition of the Fund’s portfolio and the strategies that the Fund may use in selecting investments may vary over time. The Fund is not required to use all of the investment strategies described below in pursuing its investment objective. It may use some of the investment strategies only at some times or it may not use them at all. Investors should carefully consider their own investment goals and risk tolerance before investing in the Fund.
Asset-Backed Securities — Asset-backed securities are securities issued by trusts and special purpose entities that represent direct or indirect participations in, or are secured by and payable from, pools of assets. These assets include automobile and credit-card receivables, home equity loans and student loans, which pass through the payments on the underlying obligations to the security holders (less servicing fees paid to the originator or fees for any credit enhancement). Typically, loans or accounts-receivable paper are transferred from the originator to a specially created trust, which repackages the trust’s interests as securities with a minimum denomination and a specific term. The securities are then privately placed or publicly offered. The Fund’s investments in asset-backed securities will be subject to its rating and quality requirements. Asset-backed securities may be backed by a single asset; however, asset-backed securities that represent an interest in a pool of assets provide greater credit diversification. The value of an asset-backed security can be affected by, among other things, changes in the market’s perception of the asset backing the security, the creditworthiness of the servicing agent for the loan pool, the originator of the loans and the financial institution providing any credit enhancement. In addition, payments of principal and interest passed through to holders of asset-backed securities are frequently supported by some form of credit enhancement, such as a letter of credit, surety bond, or limited guarantee by another entity, or by having a priority to certain of the borrower’s other assets. The degree of credit enhancement varies, and generally applies to only a portion of the asset-backed security’s par value. Value is also affected if any credit enhancement has been exhausted. Asset-backed securities may include securities backed by pools of loans made to “subprime” borrowers with blemished credit histories. The underwriting standards for subprime loans may be lower and more flexible than the standards generally used by lenders for borrowers with non-blemished credit histories with respect to the borrower’s credit standing and repayment history. Certain collateral may be difficult to locate in the event of a default, and recoveries of depreciated or damaged collateral may not fully recover payments due on such collateral. In addition, certain types of collateral, such as credit receivables, are unsecured, and the debtors are entitled to the protection of a number of state and federal consumer credit laws, many of which give such debtors the right to set off certain amounts owed on the credit cards, thereby reducing the balance due. In addition, if the Fund purchases asset-backed securities that are “subordinated” to other interests in the same pool of assets, the Fund may only receive payments after the pool’s obligations to other investors have been satisfied. Asset-backed securities may be subject to interest rate risk and prepayment risk.
Borrowing Risk — The Fund may borrow money in an amount up to one-third of its total assets (including the amount borrowed) from banks and other financial institutions. The Fund may borrow for temporary purposes. Borrowing may exaggerate changes in the Fund’s NAV and in its total return. Interest expense and other fees associated with borrowing may impact the Fund’s expenses and reduce its returns.
Cash Equivalents and Other Short-Term InvestmentsCash equivalents and other short-term investments in which the Fund may invest include the investments set forth below.

 

Bankers’ acceptances. Bankers’ acceptances are short-term credit instruments designed to enable businesses to obtain funds to finance commercial transactions. Generally, an acceptance is a time draft drawn on a bank by an exporter or an importer to obtain a stated amount of funds to pay for specific merchandise. The draft is then “accepted” by a bank that, in effect, unconditionally guarantees to pay the face value of the instrument on its maturity date. The acceptance may then be held by the accepting bank as an earning asset or it may be sold in the secondary market at the going rate of discount for a specific maturity. Most acceptances have maturities of six months or less. Bankers’ acceptances rank junior to domestic deposit liabilities of the bank and pari passu with other senior, unsecured obligations of the bank.

 

Bearer deposit notes. Bearer deposit notes, or bearer bonds, are bonds or debt securities that entitle the holder of the document to ownership or title in the deposit. Such notes are typically unregistered, and whoever physically holds the bond is presumed to be the owner of the instrument. Recovery of the value of a bearer bond in the event of its loss or destruction usually is impossible. Interest is typically paid upon presentment of an interest coupon for payment.

 

CDs. CDs are negotiable certificates issued against funds deposited in an eligible bank (including its domestic and foreign branches, subsidiaries and agencies) for a definite period of time and earning a specified rate of return. U.S. dollar denominated CDs issued by banks abroad are known as Eurodollar CDs. CDs issued by foreign branches of U.S. banks are known as Yankee CDs.

 

Commercial paper. Commercial paper is a short-term debt security issued by a corporation, bank, municipality, or other issuer, usually for purposes such as financing current operations. The Fund may invest in commercial paper that cannot be resold to the public without an effective registration statement under the Securities Act. While some restricted commercial paper normally is deemed illiquid, in certain cases it may be deemed liquid.
 
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Government obligations. Government obligations may include U.S. Treasury securities, Treasury inflation-protected securities, and other debt instruments backed by the full faith and credit of the United States, or debt obligations of U.S. Government-sponsored entities.

 

Money market funds. The Fund may invest cash balances in money market funds that are registered as investment companies under the Investment Company Act, including money market funds that are advised by the Manager. Money market funds invest in highly-liquid, short-term instruments, which include cash and cash equivalents, and debt securities with high credit ratings and short-term maturities, such as U.S. Treasuries. If the Fund invests in money market funds, shareholders will bear their proportionate share of the expenses of the money market funds in which the Fund invests. These expenses may include, for example, advisory and administrative fees, including advisory fees charged by the Manager to any applicable money market funds advised by the Manager. Shareholders also would be exposed to the risks associated with money market funds and the portfolio investments of such money market funds, including that a money market fund’s yield will be lower than the return that the Fund would have derived from other investments that would provide liquidity.

 

Repurchase agreements. Repurchase agreements are agreements pursuant to which the Fund purchases securities from a bank that is a member of the Federal Reserve System (or a foreign bank or U.S. branch or agency of a foreign bank), or from a securities dealer, that agrees to repurchase the securities from the Fund at a higher price on a designated future date. Repurchase agreements generally are for a short period of time, usually less than a week. Costs, delays, or losses could result if the selling party to a repurchase agreement becomes bankrupt or otherwise defaults.

 

Short-term corporate debt securities. Short-term corporate debt securities are securities and bonds issued by corporations with shorter terms to maturity. Corporate securities generally bear a higher risk than U.S. government bonds.

 

Time deposits. Time deposits, also referred to as “fixed time deposits,” are non-negotiable deposits maintained at a banking institution for a specified period of time at a specified interest rate. Time deposits may be withdrawn on demand by the investor, but may be subject to early withdrawal penalties which vary depending upon market conditions and the remaining maturity of the obligation. There are no contractual restrictions on the right to transfer a beneficial interest in a time deposit to a third party, although there is no market for such deposits.
 
Collateralized Loan Obligations (“CLOs”) — The Fund may invest in CLOs. CLOs are a type of asset-backed security. A CLO is ordinarily issued by a trust or other special purpose entity (“SPE”) and is typically collateralized by a pool of loans, which may include, among others, domestic and foreign senior secured loans, senior unsecured loans, and subordinate corporate loans, including loans that may be rated below investment grade or equivalent unrated loans. CLOs are subject to Senior Loan Risk, Indebtedness, Loan Participation and Assignment Risk, and Illiquid and Restricted Securities Risk. CLOs may charge management fees and administrative expenses.
For CLOs, the cash flows from the trust are split into two or more portions, called tranches, varying in risk and yield. The riskiest portion is the “equity” tranche which bears the bulk of defaults from the bonds or loans in the trust and serves to protect the other, more senior tranches from default in all but the most severe circumstances. Since they are partially protected from defaults, senior tranches from a CLO trust typically have higher ratings and lower yields than their underlying securities, and can be rated investment grade. Despite the protection from the equity tranche, CLO mezzanine, junior or even more senior tranches can experience substantial losses due to actual defaults, downgrades of the underlying collateral by rating agencies, forced liquidation of the collateral pool due to a failure of coverage tests, increased sensitivity to defaults due to collateral default and disappearance of protecting tranches, market anticipation of defaults, as well as aversion to CLO securities as a class.
The risks of an investment in a CLO depend largely on the type of the collateral securities and the class, or tranche, of the instrument in which the Fund invests. Normally, CLOs are privately offered and sold and, thus, are not registered under the securities laws. As a result, investments in CLOs may be characterized by the Fund as illiquid securities; however, an active dealer market may exist for CLOs allowing them to qualify as Rule 144A transactions. Please refer to “Illiquid and Restricted Securities” below for further discussion of regulatory considerations and constraints related to such securities. In addition to the normal risks associated with fixed income securities and asset-backed securities discussed elsewhere in this SAI and the Fund’s Prospectus (e.g., prepayments and extension risk, credit risk, liquidity risk, market risk, and interest rate risk), CLOs carry additional risks including, but not limited to: (i) the possibility that distributions from collateral securities will not be adequate to make interest or other payments on the CLO; (ii) the quality of the collateral may decline in value or default; (iii) the risk that the Fund may invest in CLOs, or tranches thereof, that are subordinate to other tranches thereof; (iv) the complex structure of the security may not be fully understood at the time of investment and may produce disputes with the issuer or unexpected investment results; (v) the investment return achieved could be significantly different from the return predicted by financial models; and (vi) the lack of a readily available secondary market.
CLO equity, mezzanine and other junior tranches are subordinated to more senior tranches of CLO debt. Subordinated tranches are subject to increased risks of default relative to the holders of senior and superior-priority interests in the same CLO. The Fund may be in a first loss or subordinated position with respect to realized losses on the assets of the CLOs in which it invests. In addition, at the time of issuance, CLO equity securities are typically under-collateralized in that the liabilities of a CLO at inception exceed its total assets. The failure by a CLO in which the Fund invests to satisfy financial covenants, including with respect to adequate collateralization and/or interest coverage tests, could lead to a reduction in the CLO’s payments to the Fund. In the event that a CLO fails certain tests, holders of CLO senior debt may be entitled to additional payments that would, in turn, reduce the payments the subordinated tranches would otherwise be entitled to receive.
Common Stock — Common stock generally takes the form of shares in a corporation which represent an ownership interest. It ranks below preferred stock and debt securities in claims for dividends and for assets of the company in a liquidation or bankruptcy. The value of a company’s common stock may fall as a result of factors directly relating to that company, such as decisions made by its management or decreased demand for the company’s products or services. A stock’s value may also decline because of factors affecting not just the company, but also companies in the same industry or sector. The price of a company’s stock may also be affected by changes in financial markets that are relatively unrelated to the company, such as changes in interest rates, currency exchange rates or industry regulation. Companies that elect to pay dividends on their common stock generally only do so after they invest in their own business and make required payments to bondholders and on other debt and preferred stock. Therefore, the value of a company’s common stock will usually be more volatile than its bonds, other debt and preferred stock. Common stock may be exchange-traded or traded over-the-counter. OTC stock may be less liquid than exchange-traded stock.
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Convertible Securities — Convertible securities include corporate bonds, notes, debentures, preferred stock or other securities that may be converted into or exchanged for a prescribed amount of common stock of the same or a different issuer within a particular period of time at a specified price or formula. Convertible securities generally have features of, and risks associated with, both equity and fixed income instruments. As such, the value of most convertible securities will vary with changes in the price of, and will be subject to the risks associated with, the underlying common stock. Additionally, convertible securities are also subject to the risk that the issuer may not be able to pay principal or interest when due and the value of the convertible security may change based on the issuer’s credit rating.
A convertible security entitles the holder to receive interest paid or accrued on debt or dividends paid on preferred stock until the convertible security matures or is redeemed, converted or exchanged. Before conversion, such securities ordinarily provide a stream of income with generally higher yields than common stocks of the same or similar issuers, but lower than the yield on non-convertible debt. The value of a convertible security is a function of (1) its yield in comparison to the yields of other securities of comparable maturity and quality that do not have a conversion privilege and (2) its worth if converted to the underlying common stock. While no securities investment is without some risk, investments in convertible securities generally entail less risk than investments in the issuer’s common stock, although the extent to which such risk is reduced depends in large measure upon the degree to which the convertible security sells above its value as a fixed income security. Holders of convertible securities have a claim on the assets of the issuer senior to the common stockholders but may be subordinated to holders of similar non-convertible securities of the same issuer.
If the convertible security’s “conversion value,” which is the market value of the underlying common stock that would be obtained upon the conversion of the convertible security, is substantially below the “investment value,” which is the value of a convertible security viewed without regard to its conversion feature (i.e., strictly on the basis of its yield), the price of the convertible security is governed principally by its investment value. If the conversion value of a convertible security increases to a point that approximates or exceeds its investment value, the value of the security will be principally influenced by its conversion value. A convertible security will sell at a premium over its conversion value to the extent investors place value on the right to acquire the underlying common stock while holding an income-producing security.
The market value of convertible securities tends to decline as interest rates increase and, conversely, to increase as interest rates decline. While convertible securities generally offer lower interest or dividend yields than non-convertible debt securities of similar quality, they do enable the investor to benefit from increases in the market price of the underlying common stock. A convertible security may have a mandatory conversion feature or a call feature that subjects it to redemption at the option of the issuer at a price established in the security’s governing instrument. If a convertible security held by the Fund is called for redemption the Fund will be required to convert it into the underlying common stock, sell it to a third party or permit the issuer to redeem the security. Any of these actions could have an adverse effect on the Fund’s ability to achieve its investment objectives. Because of the conversion feature, certain convertible securities may be considered equity equivalents.
Corporate Actions — From time to time, the Fund may voluntarily participate in corporate actions (for example, rights offerings, conversion privileges, exchange offers, credit event settlements, etc.) where the issuer or counterparty offers securities or instruments to holders or counterparties, such as the Fund, and the acquisition is determined to be beneficial to Fund shareholders (“Corporate Actions”). Notwithstanding any percentage investment limitation listed under the “Investment Restrictions” section or any percentage investment limitation of the Investment Company Act or rules thereunder, if the Fund has the opportunity to acquire a permitted security or instrument through a Corporate Action, and by doing so, the Fund would exceed a percentage investment limitation following the acquisition, it will not constitute a violation if, prior to the receipt of the securities or instruments and after announcement of the Corporate Action, the Fund sells an offsetting amount of assets that are subject to the investment limitation in question at least equal to the value of the securities or instruments to be acquired.
“Covenant-Lite” Obligations Risk — Certain investments, such as loans in which the Fund may invest directly or have exposure to through its investments in structured securities, may be “covenant-lite.” Covenant-lite obligations contain fewer maintenance covenants than other obligations, or no maintenance covenants at all, and may not include terms which allow the lender to monitor the performance of the borrower and declare a default if certain criteria are breached, which would allow the lender to restructure the obligation or take other action intended to help mitigate losses. This may expose the Fund to greater credit risk associated with the borrower and reduce the Fund’s ability to restructure a problematic obligation and mitigate potential loss. As a result, the Fund’s exposure to losses on such investments may be increased, especially during a downturn in the credit cycle, and the Fund may experience relatively greater difficulty or delays in enforcing its rights on its holdings of covenant-lite obligations than its holdings of obligations or securities with financial maintenance covenants.
Cover and Asset Segregation — The Fund may make investments or employ trading practices that obligate the Fund, on a fixed or contingent basis, to deliver an asset or make a cash payment to another party in the future. The Fund will comply with rules and guidance from the SEC with respect to coverage of certain investments and trading practices. Currently, applicable regulatory guidance requires segregation, either in a segregated account at the custodian or by earmarking on the Fund’s books and records, of cash or liquid assets to the extent the Fund’s obligations with respect to these strategies are not otherwise “covered” through ownership of the underlying security or financial instrument or by offsetting portfolio positions. For example, if the Fund enters into a currency forward contract to sell foreign currency on a future date, the Fund may cover its obligation to deliver the foreign currency by segregating cash or liquid assets having a value at least equal to the value of the deliverable currency on a marked-to-market basis. Alternatively, the Fund could cover its obligation by entering into an offsetting transaction to acquire, on or before the date such foreign currency must be delivered, an amount of foreign currency at least equal to the deliverable amount at a price at or below the sale price to be received by the Fund under the currency forward contract. The Fund’s approach to asset coverage may vary among different types of transactions. For example, if the Fund’s forward obligation on the transaction is only to make a cash payment equal to the amount, if any, by which the value of the Fund’s position is less than that of its counterparty, the Fund will segregate cash or liquid assets equal to that difference calculated on a daily marked-to-market basis (a “net amount”). Additionally, if the Fund is a protection seller in a credit default swap, the Fund, depending on how the credit default swap is settled, usually will segregate assets equal to the full notional value of the swap. If the Fund is a protection buyer in a credit default swap, depending on how the credit default swap is settled, it usually will cover the total amount of required premium payments plus the prepayment penalty. With respect to certain investments, the Fund calculates the obligations of the parties to the agreement on a “net basis” (i.e., the two payment streams are netted out with the Fund receiving or paying, as the case may be, only the net amount of the two payments). Under such circumstances, the Fund’s current obligations will generally be equal only to the net amount to be paid by the Fund based on the relative values of the positions held by each party to the
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agreement (the “net amount”). Inasmuch as the Fund covers its obligations under these transactions as described above, the Manager and the Fund believe such obligations do not constitute senior securities. Earmarking or otherwise segregating a large percentage of the Fund’s assets could impede the management of the Fund’s portfolio or the Fund’s ability to meet redemption requests or other current obligations. The Fund may be unable to promptly dispose of assets that are necessary to cover, or need to be segregated with respect to, an illiquid futures, options, forward, or swap position, which may result in a loss to the Fund. On October 28, 2020, the SEC adopted new Rule 18f-4 (the “Derivatives Rule”), replacing the asset segregation regime of Investment Company Act Release No. 10666 (“Release 10666”) with a new framework for the use of derivatives by registered funds. For a fund using a significant amount of derivatives, the Derivatives Rule mandates the fund adopt and/or implement: (i) value at risk limitations in lieu of asset segregation requirements; (ii) a written derivatives risk management program; (iii) new board oversight responsibilities; and (iv) new reporting and recordkeeping requirements. The Derivatives Rule provides an exception for a fund with derivatives exposure not exceeding 10% of its net assets, excluding certain currency and interest rate hedging transactions. Complying with the Derivatives Rule may increase the cost of the Fund’s investments and cost of doing business, which could adversely affect investors. The full impact of the Derivatives Rule on the Fund remains uncertain, but due to the compliance timeline within the Derivatives Rule, it is unlikely that the Fund will be required to fully comply with the requirements until August 19, 2022. The Fund reserves the right to modify its policies in the future to comply with any changes in the positions articulated by the SEC or its staff, such as the Derivatives Rule, regarding asset segregation.
Creditor Liability and Participation on Creditors’ CommitteesGenerally, when the Fund holds bonds or other similar fixed income securities of an issuer, the Fund becomes a creditor of the issuer. If the Fund is a creditor of an issuer it may be subject to challenges related to the securities that it holds, either in connection with the bankruptcy of the issuer or in connection with another action brought by other creditors of the issuer, shareholders of the issuer or the issuer itself. Although it is under no obligation to do so, the sub-advisor to the Fund may from time to time have an opportunity to consider, negotiating or otherwise participating in the restructuring of the Fund’s portfolio investment or the issuer of such investment. Accordingly, the Fund may from time to time participate on committees formed by creditors to negotiate with the management of financially troubled issuers of securities held by the Fund. Such participation may subject the Fund to expenses such as legal fees and may make the Fund an “insider” of the issuer for purposes of the federal securities laws, and therefore may restrict such Fund’s ability to trade in or acquire additional positions in a particular security when it might otherwise desire to do so. Participation on such committees also may expose the Fund to potential liabilities under the federal bankruptcy laws or other laws governing the rights of creditors and debtors. Similarly, the sub-advisor may actively participate in bankruptcy court and related proceedings on behalf of the Fund in order to protect the Fund’s interests in connection with a restructuring transaction, and the sub-advisor may cause the Fund to enter into an agreement reasonably indemnifying third parties or advancing from the Fund’s assets any legal fees or other costs to third parties, including parties involved in or assisting the Fund with a restructuring transaction, such as trustees, servicers and other third parties. Further, the sub-advisor may have the authority to represent the Trust, or any Fund(s) thereof, on creditors’ committees (or similar committees) or otherwise in connection with the restructuring of an issuer’s debt and generally with respect to challenges related to the securities held by the Fund relating to the bankruptcy of an issuer or in connection with another action brought by other creditors of the issuer, shareholders of the issuer or the issuer itself.
Cybersecurity Risk — With the increased use of technologies such as the Internet and the dependence on computer systems to perform necessary business functions, the Fund, and its service providers, may be prone to operational and information security risks resulting from cyber-attacks. In general, cyber incidents can result from deliberate attacks or unintentional events. Cyber-attacks include, but are not limited to, stealing or corrupting data maintained online or digitally (e.g., through “hacking” or malicious software coding), the theft and holding for ransom of proprietary or confidential information or data, denial of service attacks on websites, the unauthorized release of confidential information or various other forms of cybersecurity breaches. Cyber-attacks affecting the Fund or the Manager, the sub-advisor, the custodian, the transfer agent, intermediaries and other third-party service providers may adversely impact the Fund. For instance, cyber-attacks may interfere with the processing of shareholder transactions, result in the loss or theft of shareholder data or funds, impact the Fund’s ability to calculate NAV per share, cause the release of private shareholder information or confidential business information, impede trading, subject the Fund to regulatory fines or financial losses and/or cause reputational damage. A cyber-attack may also result in shareholders or service providers being unable to access electronic systems (“denial of services”), loss or theft of proprietary information or corporate data, physical damage to a computer or network system, or remediation costs associated with system repairs. The Fund may also incur additional costs for cybersecurity risk management purposes. Similar types of cybersecurity risks are also present for issuers or securities in which the Fund may invest, which could result in material adverse consequences for such issuers and may cause the Fund’s investment in such companies to lose value. Adverse consequences also could result from cybersecurity incidents affecting counterparties with which the Fund engages in transactions, governmental and other regulatory authorities, exchanges and other financial market operators, banks, brokers, dealers, insurance companies, other financial institutions and other parties. The Fund’s service providers also may be negatively impacted due to operational risks arising from factors such as processing errors and human errors, inadequate or failed internal or external processes, failures in systems and technology errors or malfunctions, changes in personnel, and errors caused by Fund service providers or counterparties.
Any of these results could have a substantial adverse impact on the Fund and its shareholders. For example, if a cybersecurity incident results in a denial of service, Fund shareholders could lose access to their electronic accounts and be unable to buy or sell Fund shares for an unknown period of time, and service providers could be unable to access electronic systems to perform critical duties for the Fund, such as trading, NAV calculation, shareholder accounting or fulfillment of Fund share purchases and redemptions. Cybersecurity incidents could cause the Fund or a service provider to incur regulatory penalties, reputational damage, additional compliance costs associated with corrective measures, or financial loss of a significant magnitude and could result in allegations that the Fund or Fund service provider violated privacy and other laws. There are inherent limitations in risk management systems that seek to reduce the risks associated with cybersecurity and business continuity plans in the event there is a cybersecurity breach, including the possibility that certain risks may not have been identified, in large part because different or unknown threats may emerge in the future. Furthermore, the Fund does not control the cybersecurity systems and plans of the issuers of securities in which the Fund invests, third party service providers, trading counterparties or any other service providers whose operations may affect the Fund or its shareholders.
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Debentures — Debentures are unsecured, medium- to long-term debt securities protected only by the general creditworthiness of the corporate or government issuer, not by collateral, and documented by indentures. Governments often issue debentures because they generally cannot guarantee debt with assets due to the fact that government assets are public property. Debenture holders are unsecured creditors. In the event of default or bankruptcy by the issuer, debenture holders will not have a claim against any specific assets of the issuer and will therefore only be paid from the issuer’s assets after the secured creditors have been paid. The value of a debenture can fluctuate with changes in interest rates and the perceived ability of the issuer to make interest or principal payments on time.
Delayed Funding Loans and Revolving Credit Facilities — The Fund may enter into, or acquire participations in, delayed funding loans and revolving credit facilities. Delayed funding loans and revolving credit facilities are borrowing arrangements in which the lender agrees to make loans up to a maximum amount upon demand by the borrower during a specified term. A revolving credit facility differs from a delayed funding loan in that as the borrower repays the loan, an amount equal to the repayment may be borrowed again during the term of the revolving credit facility. Delayed funding loans and revolving credit facilities usually provide for floating or variable rates of interest. These commitments may have the effect of requiring the Fund to increase its investment in a company at a time when it might not otherwise decide to do so (including at a time when the company’s financial condition makes it unlikely that such amounts will be repaid). To the extent that the Fund is committed to advance additional funds, it will at all times segregate or “earmark” assets determined to be liquid in an amount sufficient to meet such commitments.
The Fund may invest in delayed funding loans and revolving credit facilities with credit quality comparable to that of issuers of its securities investments. Delayed funding loans and revolving credit facilities may be subject to restrictions on transfer, and only limited opportunities may exist to resell such instruments. As a result, the Fund may be unable to sell such investments at an opportune time or may have to resell them at less than fair market value. The Fund currently intends to treat delayed funding loans and revolving credit facilities for which there is no readily available market as illiquid for purposes of the Fund’s limitation on illiquid investments. Delayed funding loans and revolving credit facilities are considered to be debt obligations for purposes of the Fund’s investment restriction relating to the lending of funds or assets.
DerivativesGenerally a derivative is a financial instrument the value of which is based on, or “derived” from, a traditional security, asset, currency, or market index (collectively referred to as “reference assets”). The Fund may use derivatives for hedging and efficient portfolio management purposes. Derivative instruments may allow for better management of exposure to certain asset classes, as well as more efficient access to asset classes. There are many different types of derivatives and many different ways to use them. Some forms of derivatives, such as exchange-traded futures and options on securities, commodities, or indices, are traded on regulated exchanges. These types of derivatives are standardized contracts that can easily be bought and sold, and whose market values are determined and published daily. Non-standardized derivatives, on the other hand, tend to be more specialized or complex, and may be harder to value. Certain derivative securities are described more accurately as index/structured securities. Index/structured securities are derivative securities whose value or performance is linked to other equity securities (such as depositary receipts), currencies, interest rates, indices or other financial indicators.
Derivatives may involve significant risk. Many derivative instruments often require little or no payment and therefore often create inherent economic leverage. Some derivatives have the potential for unlimited loss, regardless of the size of the Fund’s initial investment. Not all derivative transactions require a counterparty to post collateral, which may expose the Fund to greater losses in the event of a default by a counterparty.
Derivatives may be illiquid and may be more volatile than other types of investments. The Fund may buy and sell derivatives that are neither centrally cleared nor traded on an exchange. Such derivatives may be subject to heightened counterparty, liquidity and valuation risk. Transactions in derivatives may expose the Fund to an obligation to another party and, as a result, the Fund may need to “cover” the obligation or segregate liquid assets in compliance with current SEC guidelines, as discussed under “Cover and Asset Segregation.”
On October 28, 2020, the SEC adopted new Rule 18f-4 (the “Derivatives Rule”), replacing the asset segregation regime of Investment Company Act Release No. 10666 (“Release 10666”) with a new framework for the use of derivatives by registered funds. For a fund using a significant amount of derivatives, the Derivatives Rule mandates the fund adopt and/or implement: (i) value at risk limitations in lieu of asset segregation requirements; (ii) a written derivatives risk management program; (iii) new board oversight responsibilities; and (iv) new reporting and recordkeeping requirements. The Derivatives Rule provides an exception for a fund with derivatives exposure not exceeding 10% of its net assets, excluding certain currency and interest rate hedging transactions. Complying with the Derivatives Rule may increase the cost of the Fund’s investments and cost of doing business, which could adversely affect investors. The full impact of the Derivatives Rule on the Fund remains uncertain, but due to the compliance timeline within the Derivatives Rule, it is unlikely that the Fund will be required to fully comply with the requirements until August 19, 2022. The Fund reserves the right to modify its policies in the future to comply with any changes in the positions articulated by the SEC or its staff, such as the Derivatives Rule, regarding asset segregation.
The enactment of the Dodd-Frank Act resulted in historic and comprehensive reform relating to derivatives, including the manner in which they are entered into, reported, recorded, executed, and settled or cleared. Pursuant to the Dodd-Frank Act, the SEC and the CFTC have promulgated a broad range of regulations and promulgated guidance on the use of derivatives by registered investment companies. These include regulations with respect to security-based swaps (e.g., derivatives based on a single security or narrow-based securities index) that are regulated by the SEC, and other swaps that are regulated by the CFTC and the markets in which these instruments trade. In addition, regulations adopted by the banking regulators require certain banks to include in a range of financial contracts, including many derivatives contracts, terms delaying or restricting default, termination and other rights in the event that the bank and/or its affiliates become subject to certain types of resolution or insolvency proceedings. The regulations could limit the Fund’s ability to exercise a range of cross-default rights if its counterparty, or an affiliate of the counterparty, is subject to bankruptcy or similar proceeding. Such regulations could further negatively impact the Fund’s use of derivatives. Prior to 2012, advisers of registered investment companies like the Fund that trade commodity interests (such as futures contracts, options on futures contracts, non-deliverable forwards and swaps), were excluded from regulation as CPOs pursuant to CFTC Regulation 4.5. In 2012, the CFTC amended Regulation 4.5 to dramatically narrow this exclusion. Under the amended Regulation 4.5 exclusion, in order to rely on the exclusion, the Fund’s commodity interests, other than those used for bona fide hedging purposes (as defined by the CFTC), must be limited such that the aggregate initial margin and premiums required to establish the positions (after taking into account unrealized profits and unrealized losses on any such positions and excluding the amount by which options are
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“in-the-money” at the time of purchase) do not exceed 5% of the Fund’s NAV. Alternatively, the aggregate net notional value of the positions, determined at the time the most recent position was established, may not exceed 100% of the Fund’s NAV, after taking into account unrealized profits and unrealized losses on any such positions). Further, to qualify for the exclusion in amended Regulation 4.5, the Fund must satisfy a marketing test, which requires, among other things, that the Fund not hold itself out as a vehicle for trading commodity interests. The Fund’s ability to use these instruments also may be limited by federal income tax considerations. See the section entitled “Tax Information.”
The Manager, on behalf of the Fund, has filed a notice claiming the CFTC Regulation 4.5 exclusion from CPO registration with respect to the Fund. The Manager is also exempt from registration as a commodity trading advisor under CFTC Regulation 4.14(a)(8) with respect to the Fund.
Further information about the specific types of derivative instruments in which the Fund may invest, including the risks involved in their use, are contained under the description of each of these instruments in this SAI. The Fund may invest in various types of derivatives, including among others:

 

Forward contracts

 

Futures contracts

 

Interest rate and inflation swaps

 

Options (including non-deliverable options)

 

Structured products (including credit-linked and structured notes)
 
Distressed Investment Risk — The Fund may invest in distressed investments, which are issued by companies that are, or might be, involved in reorganizations or financial restructurings, either out of court or in bankruptcy. The Fund may also invest in debt securities of issuers that are in default or in bankruptcy. Investments in financially stressed or distressed issuers are speculative and involve substantial risks. These investments may present a substantial risk of default or may be in default at the time of investment. In addition, these securities may fluctuate more in price, and are typically less liquid than other higher-rated debt securities. The Fund may incur additional expenses to the extent it is required to seek recovery upon a default in the payment of principal or interest on its portfolio holdings. The Fund is also subject to significant uncertainty as to when, in what manner, and for what value obligations evidenced by securities of financially stressed or distressed issuers will eventually be satisfied (e.g., through a liquidation of the issuer’s assets, an exchange offer or plan of reorganization, or a payment of some amount in satisfaction of the obligation). Even if an exchange offer is made or plan of reorganization is adopted with respect to stressed or distressed debt held by the Fund, there can be no assurance that the securities or other assets received by the Fund in connection with such exchange offer or plan of reorganization will not have a lower value or income potential than may have been anticipated when the investment was made or no value. Defaulted obligations might be repaid only after lengthy workout or bankruptcy proceedings during which the issuer might not make any interest or other payments. In any reorganization or liquidation proceeding relating to a defaulted obligation, the Fund may lose its entire investment or may be required to accept cash or securities with a value less than its original investment. Moreover, any securities received by the Fund upon completion of a workout or bankruptcy proceeding may be illiquid, speculative, or restricted as to resale. Similarly, if the Fund participates in negotiations with respect to any exchange offer or plan of reorganization with respect to the securities of a stressed or distressed issuer, the Fund may be restricted from disposing of such securities. To the extent that the Fund becomes involved in such proceedings, the Fund may have a more active participation in the affairs of the issuer than that assumed generally by an investor. Also among the risks inherent in investments in a troubled issuer is that it frequently may be difficult to obtain information as to the true financial condition of the issuer. Judgments about the credit quality of a financially stressed or distressed issuer and the relative value of its securities may prove to be wrong, and there is no assurance that the evaluation of the value of the assets collateralizing the Fund’s investments or the prospects for a successful reorganization or similar action in respect of any company will be correct. See “High-Yield Bonds” disclosure below for the risks associated with low-quality, high-risk corporate bonds, a type of fixed-income security.
ESG ConsiderationsEnvironmental, social and governance (“ESG”) considerations, either quantitative or qualitative, may be utilized as a component of the Fund’s investment process to implement its investment strategies. Since ESG considerations are not the only component that may be evaluated by the sub-advisor, the issuers in which the Fund invests may not be considered ESG issuers or have good ESG ratings. To the extent that the Fund utilizes ESG considerations as a component of the Fund’s investment process, the Fund’s performance may be affected depending on whether such considerations are in or out of favor and relative to similar funds that do not include such considerations in the investment process. Additionally, there is no guarantee that the utilization of ESG considerations will be additive to the Fund’s performance. ESG considerations may vary across types of investments and issuers, and not every ESG consideration may be identified, evaluated, or evaluated in the same manner. ESG norms also differ by country and region, and an issuer’s ESG practices or the sub-advisor’s assessment process of ESG considerations may change over time. There are significant differences in interpretations of what it means for a company to have good ESG characteristics, and the Fund may underperform other funds that use different considerations and/or a different methodology in evaluating such considerations. Information used by the Fund to evaluate ESG considerations, including the use of third-party research, if any, may not be readily available, complete or accurate, and may vary across third-party research providers and issuers, which could negatively impact the Fund’s ability to accurately assess an issuer. As investors can differ in their views regarding the meaning of ESG considerations, the Fund may invest in companies that do not reflect the beliefs and values of any particular investor. The regulatory landscape with respect to ESG investing in the United States is still developing, and future rules and regulations may require the Fund to modify or alter its investment process with respect to the use of ESG considerations.
Expense Risk — Fund expenses are subject to a variety of factors, including fluctuations in the Fund’s net assets. Accordingly, actual expenses may be greater or less than those indicated. For example, to the extent that the Fund’s net assets decrease due to market declines or redemptions, the Fund’s expenses will increase as a percentage of Fund net assets. During periods of high market volatility, these increases in the Fund’s expense ratio could be significant.
Foreign Debt Securities — The Fund may invest in foreign fixed and floating rate income securities, all or a portion of which may be non-U.S. dollar denominated and which include: (a) debt obligations issued or guaranteed by foreign national, provincial, state, municipal or other governments with taxing authority or by their agencies or instrumentalities, including Brady Bonds; (b) debt obligations of supranational entities; (c) debt obligations of the U.S. Government issued in non-dollar securities; (d) debt obligations and other fixed income securities of foreign corporate issuers (both dollar and non-dollar denominated); and (e) U.S. corporate issuers (both Eurodollar and non-dollar denominated). Foreign debt securities may be structured as
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fixed-, variable- or floating-rate obligations, or as zero-coupon, pay-in-kind and step-coupon securities. There is no minimum rating criteria for the Fund’s investments in such securities. Investing in the securities of foreign issuers involves special considerations that are not typically associated with investing in the securities of U.S. issuers and the risks similar to those of foreign securities. See “Foreign Securities” and “Fixed Income Investments” for a further discussion of those risks.
Foreign Securities — The Fund may invest in U.S. dollar-denominated and non-U.S. dollar-denominated equity and debt securities of foreign issuers and foreign branches of U.S. banks, including negotiable CDs, bankers’ acceptances, and commercial paper. Foreign issuers are issuers organized and doing business principally outside the United States and include corporations, banks, non-U.S. governments, and quasi-governmental organizations. While investments in foreign securities are intended to reduce risk by providing further diversification, such investments involve sovereign and other risks, in addition to the credit and market risks normally associated with domestic securities. These additional risks include: the possibility of adverse political and economic developments (including political or social instability, nationalization, expropriation, or confiscatory taxation); the potentially adverse effects of unavailability of public information regarding issuers, less governmental supervision and regulation of financial markets, reduced liquidity of certain financial markets, and the lack of uniform accounting, auditing, and financial reporting standards or the application of standards that are different or less stringent than those applied in the United States; different laws and customs governing securities tracking; the difficulty of predicting international trade patterns and the possibility of exchange controls or limitations on the removal of funds or assets; and possibly more limited legal remedies and access to the courts available to enforce the Fund’s rights as an investor. The prices of such securities may be more volatile than those of domestic securities. Equity securities may trade at price/earnings multiples higher than comparable U.S. securities, and such levels may not be sustainable. The economies of certain foreign markets often do not compare favorably with that of the U.S. with respect to such issues as growth of gross national product, reinvestment of capital, resources, and balance of payments position. Certain such economies may rely heavily on particular industries or foreign capital and are more vulnerable to diplomatic developments, the imposition of economic sanctions against a particular country or countries, changes in international trading patterns, trade barriers, and other protectionist or retaliatory measures.
Foreign stock markets are generally not as developed or efficient as, and may be more volatile than, those in the United States. While growing in volume, they usually have substantially less trading volume than U.S. markets. As a result, foreign securities may trade with less frequency and in less volume than domestic securities and therefore may exhibit greater or lower price volatility. The Fund may be exposed to risks in the process of clearing and settling trades and the holding of securities by foreign banks, agents and depositories. Additional costs associated with an investment in foreign securities may include higher custodial fees than apply to domestic custody arrangements and transaction costs of foreign currency conversions. Foreign markets also have different clearance and settlement procedures. In certain markets, there have been times when settlements have been unable to keep pace with the volume of securities transactions, making it difficult to conduct such transactions. Delays in settlement could result in temporary periods when a portion of the assets of the Fund is not invested and no return is earned thereon. The inability of the Fund to make intended security purchases due to settlement problems could cause the Fund to miss attractive investment opportunities. Inability to dispose of portfolio securities due to settlement problems could result in losses to the Fund due to subsequent declines in value of the securities or, if the Fund has entered into a contract to sell the securities, could result in possible liability to the purchaser. Interest rates prevailing in other countries may affect the prices of foreign securities and exchange rates for foreign currencies. Local factors, including the strength of the local economy, the demand for borrowing, the government’s fiscal and monetary policies, and the international balance of payments, often affect interest rates in other countries. Individual foreign economies may differ favorably or unfavorably from the U.S. economy in such respects as growth of gross national product, rate of inflation, capital reinvestment, resource self-sufficiency, and balance of payments position.
Forward Contracts — The Fund may enter into forward contracts. Forward contracts are a type of derivative instrument that obligate the purchaser to take delivery of, or cash settle a specific amount of, a commodity, security or obligation underlying the contract at a specified time in the future for a specified price. Likewise, the seller incurs an obligation to deliver the specified amount of the underlying asset against receipt of the specified price. Forward contracts are typically traded over-the-counter, as distinguished from futures contracts, which are traded on both U.S. and foreign commodities exchanges. A forward is a private agreement between two parties and is not traded on an exchange.
Forward contracts are often negotiated on an individual basis and are not standardized. The market for forward contracts is substantially unregulated, as there is no limit on daily price movements and speculative position limits are not applicable. The principals who deal in certain forward contract markets are not required to continue to make markets in the underlying reference assets in which they trade and these markets can experience periods of illiquidity, sometimes of significant duration. There have been periods during which certain participants in forward contract markets have refused to quote prices for certain underlying references or have quoted prices with an unusually wide spread between the price at which they were prepared to buy and that at which they were prepared to sell. At or prior to maturity of a forward contract, the Fund may enter into an offsetting contract and may incur a loss to the extent there has been adverse movement in forward contract prices. The liquidity of the markets for forward contracts depends on participants entering into offsetting transactions rather than making or taking delivery. To the extent participants make or take delivery, liquidity in the market for forwards could be reduced. A relatively small price movement in a forward contract may result in substantial losses to the Fund, exceeding the amount of the margin paid. Forward contracts can increase the Fund’s risk exposure to underlying reference assets and their attendant risks.
The Fund bears the risk of loss of the amount expected to be received under a forward contract in the event of the default or bankruptcy of a counterparty. If such a default occurs, the Fund may have contractual remedies pursuant to the forward contract, but such remedies may be subject to bankruptcy and insolvency laws which could affect the Fund’s rights as a creditor.
Futures ContractsThe Fund may enter into futures contracts. Futures contracts are a type of derivative instrument that obligate the purchaser to take delivery of, or cash settle a specific amount of, a commodity, security or other obligation underlying the contract at a specified time in the future for a specified price. Likewise, the seller incurs an obligation to deliver the specified amount of the underlying obligation against receipt of the specified price. Futures are traded on both U.S. and foreign commodities exchanges, as distinguished from forward contracts, which are traded over-the-counter. The purchase of futures can serve as a long hedge, and the sale of futures can serve as a short hedge.
No price is paid upon entering into a futures contract. Instead, at the inception of a futures contract the Fund is required to deposit “initial margin” consisting of cash, U.S. Government securities, suitable money market instruments, or liquid, high-grade debt securities in an amount set by the
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exchange on which the contract is traded and varying based on the volatility of the underlying asset. Margin must also be deposited when writing a call or put option on a futures contract, in accordance with applicable exchange rules. Unlike margin in securities transactions, initial margin on futures contracts does not represent a borrowing, but rather is in the nature of a performance bond or good-faith deposit that is returned to the Fund at the termination of the transaction if all contractual obligations have been satisfied. Under certain circumstances, such as periods of high volatility, the Fund may be required by a futures exchange to increase the level of its initial margin payment, and initial margin requirements might be increased generally in the future by regulatory action. Subsequent “variation margin” payments (sometimes referred to as “maintenance margin” payments) are made to and from the futures broker daily as the value of the futures position varies, a process known as “marking-to-market.” Variation margin does not involve borrowing, but rather represents a daily settlement of the Fund’s obligations to or from a futures broker. When the Fund purchases or sells a futures contract, it is subject to daily, or even intraday, variation margin calls that could be substantial in the event of adverse price movements. If the Fund has insufficient cash to meet daily or intraday variation margin requirements, it might need to sell securities at a time when such sales are disadvantageous.
Purchasers and sellers of futures contracts can enter into offsetting closing transactions, by selling or purchasing, respectively, an instrument identical to the instrument purchased or sold. Positions in futures contracts may be closed only on a futures exchange or board of trade that trades that contract. The Fund intends to enter into futures contracts only on exchanges or boards of trade where there appears to be a liquid secondary market. However, there can be no assurance that such a market will exist for a particular contract at a particular time. In such event, it may not be possible to close a futures contract.
Although many futures contracts by their terms call for the actual delivery or acquisition of the underlying asset, in most cases the contractual obligation is fulfilled before the date of the contract without having to make or take delivery of the securities or currency. The offsetting of a contractual obligation is accomplished by buying (or selling, as appropriate) on a commodities exchange an identical futures contract calling for delivery in the same month. Such a transaction, which is effected through a member of an exchange, cancels the obligation to make or take delivery of the securities or currency. Since all transactions in the futures market are made, offset or fulfilled through a clearinghouse associated with the exchange on which the contracts are traded, the Fund will incur brokerage fees when it purchases or sells futures contracts. If an offsetting purchase price is less than the original sale price, the Fund realizes a capital gain, or if it is more, the Fund realizes a capital loss. Conversely, if an offsetting sell price is more than the original purchase price, the Fund realizes a capital gain, or if it is less, the Fund realizes a capital loss. The Fund has no current intent to accept physical delivery in connection with the settlement of futures contracts.
Under certain circumstances, futures exchanges may establish daily limits on the amount that the price of a futures contract can vary from the previous day’s settlement price; once that limit is reached, no trades may be made that day at a price beyond the limit. Daily price limits do not limit potential losses because prices could move to the daily limit for several consecutive days with little or no trading, thereby preventing liquidation of unfavorable positions. If the Fund were unable to liquidate a futures contract due to the absence of a liquid secondary market or the imposition of price limits, it could incur substantial losses. The Fund would continue to be subject to market risk with respect to the position. In addition, the Fund would continue to be required to make daily variation margin payments and might be required to maintain the position being hedged by the futures contract or option thereon or to maintain cash or securities in a segregated account.
The ordinary spreads between prices in the cash and futures markets, due to differences in the nature of those markets, are subject to distortions. First, all participants in the futures market are subject to initial deposit and variation margin requirements. Rather than meeting additional variation margin deposit requirements, investors may close futures contracts through offsetting transactions that could distort the normal relationship between the cash and futures markets. Second, the liquidity of the futures market depends on participants entering into offsetting transactions rather than making or taking delivery. To the extent participants decide to make or take delivery, liquidity in the futures market could be reduced, thus producing distortion. Third, from the point of view of speculators, the margin deposit requirements in the futures market are less onerous than margin requirements in the securities market. Therefore, increased participation by speculators in the futures market may cause temporary price distortions. Due to the possibility of distortion, a correct forecast of securities price or currency exchange rate trends by the sub-advisor may still not result in a successful transaction.
Futures contracts also entail other risks. Although the use of such contracts may benefit the Fund, if investment judgment about the general direction of, for example, an index is incorrect, the Fund’s overall performance would be worse than if it had not entered into any such contract. There are differences between the securities and futures markets that could result in an imperfect correlation between the markets, causing a given transaction not to achieve its objectives. The degree of imperfection of correlation depends on circumstances such as variations in speculative market demand for futures, including technical influences in futures trading, and differences between the financial instruments being hedged and the instruments underlying the standard contracts available for trading in such respects as interest rate levels, maturities, and creditworthiness of issuers. A decision as to whether, when and how to hedge involves the exercise of skill and judgment, and even a well-conceived hedge may be unsuccessful to some degree because of market behavior or unexpected interest rate trends.
High-Yield Bonds — High-yield, non-investment grade bonds (also known as “junk bonds”) are low-quality, high-risk corporate bonds that generally offer a high level of current income. These bonds are considered speculative with respect to the issuer’s ability to pay interest and repay principal by rating organizations. For example, Moody’s, S&P Global, and Fitch, Inc. currently rate them below Baa3, BBB- and BBB-, respectively. Please see “Appendix C: Ratings Definitions” below for an explanation of the ratings applied to high-yield bonds. High-yield bonds are often issued as a result of corporate restructurings, such as leveraged buyouts, mergers, acquisitions, or other similar events. They may also be issued by smaller, less creditworthy companies or by highly leveraged firms, which are generally less able to make scheduled payments of interest and principal than more financially stable firms. Because of their lower credit quality, high-yield bonds must pay higher interest to compensate investors for the substantial credit risk they assume. Lower-rated securities are subject to certain risks that may not be present with investments in higher-grade securities. Investors should consider carefully their ability to assume the risks associated with lower-rated securities before investing in the Fund. The lower rating of certain high-yield corporate income securities reflects a greater possibility that the financial condition of the issuer or adverse changes in general economic conditions may impair the ability of the issuer to pay income and principal. Changes by rating agencies in their ratings of a fixed income security also may affect the value of these investments; however, allocating investments in the Fund among securities of different issuers should reduce the risks of owning any such securities separately. The prices of these high-yield securities tend to be less sensitive to interest rate changes than higher-rated
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investments, but more sensitive to adverse economic changes or individual corporate developments. During economic downturns, periods of rising interest rates, or when inflation or deflation occurs, highly leveraged issuers may experience financial stress that adversely affects their ability to service principal and interest payment obligations, to meet projected business goals or to obtain additional financing, and the markets for their securities may be more volatile. They may also not have more traditional methods of financing available to them and may be unable to repay debt at maturity by refinancing. In addition, lower-rated securities may experience substantial price declines when there is an expectation that issuers of such securities might experience financial difficulties. As a result, the yields on lower-rated securities can rise dramatically. However, the higher yields of high-yield securities may not reflect the value of the income stream that holders of such securities may expect, but rather the risk that such securities may lose a substantial portion of their value as a result of their issuer’s financial restructuring or default. If an issuer defaults, the Fund may incur additional expenses to seek recovery. Additionally, accruals of interest income for the Fund may have to be adjusted in the event of default. In the event of an issuer’s default, the Fund may write off prior income accruals for that issuer, resulting in a reduction in the Fund’s current dividend payment. In the event of an in court or out of court restructuring of high-yield bond in which the Fund invests, the Fund may acquire (and subsequently sell) equity securities or exercise warrants that it receives. In addition, the market for high-yield securities generally is less robust and active than that for higher-rated securities, which may limit the Fund’s ability to sell such securities at fair value in response to changes in the economy or financial markets and could make the valuation of these portfolio securities more difficult.
Illiquid and Restricted Securities — Generally, an illiquid asset is an asset that the Fund reasonably expects cannot be sold or disposed of in current market conditions in seven calendar days or less without the sale or disposition significantly changing the market value of the investment. Historically, illiquid securities have included securities that have not been registered under the Securities Act, securities that are otherwise not readily marketable, and repurchase agreements having a remaining maturity of longer than seven calendar days.
Securities that have not been registered under the Securities Act are referred to as private placements or restricted securities and are purchased directly from the issuer or in the secondary market. Such securities include those sold in private placement offerings made in reliance on the “private placement” exemption from registration afforded by Section 4(a)(2) of the Securities Act, and resold to qualified institutional buyers pursuant to Rule 144A under the Securities Act (“Section 4(a)(2) securities”). Such securities are restricted as to disposition under the federal securities laws, and generally are sold to institutional investors, such as the Fund, that agree they are purchasing the securities for investment and not with an intention to distribute to the public. These securities may be sold only in a privately negotiated transaction or pursuant to an exemption from registration.
A large institutional market exists for certain securities that are not registered under the Securities Act, including repurchase agreements, commercial paper, foreign securities, municipal securities and corporate bonds and notes. Section 4(a)(2) securities normally are resold to other institutional investors through or with the assistance of the issuer or dealers that make a market in the Section 4(a)(2) securities, thus providing liquidity. Institutional investors depend on an efficient institutional market in which the unregistered security can be readily resold or on an issuer’s ability to honor a demand for repayment. Rule 144A under the Securities Act is designed to facilitate efficient trading among institutional investors by permitting the sale of certain unregistered securities to qualified institutional buyers. To the extent privately placed securities held by the Fund qualify under Rule 144A and an institutional market develops for those securities, the Fund likely will be able to dispose of the securities without registering them under the Securities Act. To the extent that institutional buyers are uninterested in purchasing restricted securities, the Fund’s investment in such securities could have the effect of reducing the Fund’s liquidity. A determination could be made that certain securities qualified for trading under Rule 144A are liquid. In addition to Rule 144A, Regulation S under the Securities Act permits the sale abroad of securities that are not registered for sale in the United States and includes a provision for U.S. investors, such as the Fund, to purchase such unregistered securities if certain conditions are met.
Limitations on resale may have an adverse effect on the marketability of portfolio securities, and the Fund might be unable to dispose of restricted or other illiquid securities promptly or at reasonable prices and might thereby experience difficulty satisfying redemptions within seven calendar days. However, the fact that there are contractual or legal restrictions on resale of such investments to the general public or to certain institutions may not be indicative of their liquidity. In addition, the Fund may get only limited information about an issuer of such a security, so it may be less able to predict a loss. The Fund also might have to register such restricted securities in order to dispose of them, resulting in additional expense and delay. Adverse market conditions could impede such a public offering of securities. The illiquidity of the market, as well as the lack of publicly available information regarding these securities, also may make it difficult to determine a fair value for certain securities for purposes of computing the Fund’s NAV.
Indebtedness, Loan Participations and Assignments — Floating rate securities, including loans, provide for automatic adjustment of the interest rate at fixed intervals (e.g., daily, weekly, monthly, or semi-annually) or automatic adjustment of the interest rate whenever a specified interest rate or index changes. The interest rate on floating rate securities ordinarily is determined by reference to LIBOR, a particular bank’s prime rate, the 90-day U.S. Treasury Bill rate, the rate of return on commercial paper or bank CDs, an index of short-term tax-exempt rates or some other objective measure.
Loan interests are a form of direct debt instrument in which the Fund may invest by taking an assignment of all or a portion of an interest in a loan previously held by another institution or by acquiring a participation in an interest in a loan that continues to be held by another institution. The Fund may invest in secured and unsecured loans. Loans are subject to the same risks as other direct debt instruments discussed above and carry additional risks described in this section.
The Fund’s ability to receive payments in connection with loans depends on the financial condition of the borrower. The Manager or the sub-advisor will not rely solely on another lending institution’s credit analysis of the borrower, but will perform its own investment analysis of the borrower. The Manager’s or the sub-advisor’s analysis may include consideration of the borrower’s financial strength, managerial experience, debt coverage, additional borrowing requirements or debt maturity schedules, changing financial conditions, and responsiveness to changes in business conditions and interest rates. Indebtedness of borrowers whose creditworthiness is poor involves substantially greater risks and may be highly speculative. Borrowers that are in bankruptcy or restructuring may never pay off their indebtedness, or may pay only a small fraction of the amount owed. In connection with the restructuring of a loan or other direct debt instrument outside of bankruptcy court in a negotiated work-out or in the context of bankruptcy proceedings, equity securities or junior debt securities may be received in exchange for all or a portion of an interest in the security.
Loans are typically administered by a bank, insurance company, finance company or other financial institution (the “agent”) for a lending syndicate of financial institutions. In a typical loan, the agent administers the terms of the loan agreement and is responsible for the collection of principal and
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interest and fee payments from the borrower and the apportionment of these payments to all lenders that are parties to the loan agreement. In addition, an institution (which may be the agent) may hold collateral on behalf of the lenders. Typically, under loan agreements, the agent is given broad authority in monitoring the borrower’s performance and is obligated to use the same care it would use in the management of its own property. In asserting rights against a borrower, the Fund normally will be dependent on the willingness of the lead bank to assert these rights, or upon a vote of all the lenders to authorize the action. If an agent becomes insolvent, or has a receiver, conservator, or similar official appointed for it by the appropriate regulatory authority, or becomes a debtor in a bankruptcy proceeding, the agent’s appointment may be terminated and a successor agent would be appointed. If an appropriate regulator or court determines that assets held by the agent for the benefit of purchasers of loans are subject to the claims of the agent’s general or secured creditors, the Fund might incur certain costs and delays in realizing payment on a loan or suffer a loss of principal and/or interest. The Fund may be subject to similar risks when it buys a participation interest or an assignment from an intermediary, as discussed below.
A number of judicial decisions in the United States have upheld the right of borrowers to sue lenders or bondholders on the basis of various evolving legal theories (commonly referred to as “lender liability”). Generally, lender liability is founded upon the premise that an institutional lender or bondholder has violated a duty (whether implied or contractual) of good faith, commercial reasonableness and fair dealing owed to the borrower or issuer or has assumed a degree of control over the borrower or issuer resulting in the creation of a fiduciary duty owed to the borrower or issuer or its other creditors or stockholders. Because of the nature of its investments, the Fund may be subject to allegations of lender liability. In addition, under common law principles that in some cases form the basis for lender liability claims, if a lender or bondholder: (i) intentionally takes an action that results in the undercapitalization of a borrower to the detriment of other creditors of such borrower, (ii) engages in other inequitable conduct to the detriment of such other creditors, (iii) engages in fraud with respect to, or makes misrepresentations to, such other creditors or (iv) uses its influence as a stockholder to dominate or control a borrower to the detriment of other creditors of such borrower, a court may elect to subordinate the claim of the offending lender or bondholder to the claims of the disadvantaged creditor or creditors, a remedy called “equitable subordination.” The Fund does not intend to engage in conduct that would form the basis for a successful cause of action based upon the equitable subordination doctrine; however, because of the nature of the debt obligations, the Fund may be subject to claims from creditors of an obligor that debt obligations of such obligor which are held by the Fund should be equitably subordinated. Because affiliates of, or persons related to, the Manager and/or the sub-advisor may hold equity or other interests in obligors of the Fund, the Fund could be exposed to claims for equitable subordination or lender liability or both based on such equity or other holdings.
Loans that are fully secured offer the Fund more protection than an unsecured loan in the event of non-payment of scheduled interest or principal. However, there is no assurance that the collateral from a secured loan in which the Fund invests can be promptly liquidated, or that its liquidation value will be equal to the value of the debt. In most loan agreements, there is no formal requirement to pledge additional collateral if the value of the initial collateral declines. As a result, a loan may not always be fully collateralized and can decline significantly in value. If a borrower becomes insolvent, access to collateral may be limited by bankruptcy and other laws. Borrowers that are in bankruptcy may pay only a small portion of the amount owed, if they are able to pay at all. If a secured loan is foreclosed, the Fund will likely be required to bear the costs and liabilities associated with owning and disposing of the collateral. There is also a possibility that the Fund will become the owner of its pro rata share of the collateral, which may carry additional risks and liabilities. In addition, under legal theories of lender liability, the Fund potentially might be held liable as a co-lender. In the event of a borrower’s bankruptcy or insolvency, the borrower’s obligation to repay the loan may be subject to certain defenses that the borrower can assert as a result of improper conduct by the agent. Some loans are unsecured. If the borrower defaults on an unsecured loan, the Fund will be a general creditor and will not have rights to any specific assets of the borrower.
Loans may be subject to legal or contractual restrictions on resale. Loans are not currently listed on any securities exchange or automatic quotation system, and there may not be an active trading market for some loans. As a result, the Fund may be unable to sell such investments at an opportune time or may have to resell them at less than fair market value. The lack of a liquid secondary market may have an adverse impact on the Fund’s ability to dispose of particular assignments or participations when necessary to meet redemptions of the Fund’s shares, to meet the Fund’s liquidity needs or when necessary in response to a specific economic event, such as deterioration in the creditworthiness of the borrower. In addition, transactions in loan investments may take a significant amount of time to settle (i.e., more than seven days and up to several weeks or longer). Accordingly, the proceeds from the sale of a loan investment may not be available to make additional investments or to meet redemption obligations until potentially a substantial period after the sale of the loan. The extended trade settlement periods could force the Fund to liquidate other securities to meet redemptions and may present a risk that the Fund may incur losses in order to timely honor redemptions. To the extent that the sub-advisor determines that any such investments are illiquid, they will be subject to the Fund‘s restrictions on investments in illiquid securities.
The borrower in a loan arrangement may, either at its own election or pursuant to the terms of the loan documentation, prepay amounts of the loan from time to time. Due to prepayment, the actual maturity of loans is typically shorter than their stated final maturity calculated solely on the basis of the stated life and payment schedule. The degree to which borrowers prepay loans, whether as a contractual requirement or at their election, may be affected by general business conditions, market interest rates, the borrower’s financial condition and competitive conditions among lenders. Such prepayments may require the Fund to replace an investment with a lower yielding security which may have an adverse effect on the Fund’s share price. Prepayments cannot be predicted with accuracy. Floating rate loans can be less sensitive to prepayment risk, but the Fund’s NAV may still fluctuate in response to interest rate changes because variable interest rates may reset only periodically and may not rise or decline as much as interest rates in general.
A borrower must comply with various restrictive covenants in a loan agreement such as restrictions on dividend payments and limits on total debt. The loan agreement may also contain a covenant requiring the borrower to prepay the loan with any free cash flow. A breach of a covenant is normally an event of default, which provides the agent or the lenders the right to call the outstanding loan.
Loans normally are not registered with the SEC or any state securities commission or listed on any securities exchange. As a result, the amount of public information available about a specific loan historically has been less extensive than if the loan were registered or exchange-traded. They may also not be considered “securities,” and purchasers, such as the Fund, therefore may not be entitled to rely on the strong anti-fraud protections of the federal securities laws. In the absence of definitive regulatory guidance, the Fund relies on the sub-advisor’s research in an attempt to avoid situations
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where fraud and misrepresentation could adversely affect the Fund. In addition, loan interests may not be rated by independent rating agencies and therefore, investments in a particular loan participation may depend almost exclusively on the credit analysis of the borrower performed by the Manager or the sub-advisor.

 

  Assignments. When the Fund purchases a loan by assignment, the Fund typically succeeds to the rights of the assigning lender under the loan agreement and becomes a lender under the loan agreement. Subject to the terms of the loan agreement, the Fund typically succeeds to all the rights and obligations under the loan agreement of the assigning lender. However, assignments may be arranged through private negotiations between potential assignees and potential assignors, and the rights and obligations acquired by the purchaser of an assignment may differ from, and be more limited than, those held by the assigning lender.

 

  Participation Interests. In purchasing a loan participation, the Fund acquires some or all of the interest of a bank or other lending institution in a loan to a borrower. The contractual arrangement with the bank transfers the cash stream of the underlying bank loan to the participating investor. The Fund’s rights under a participation interest with respect to a particular loan may be more limited than the rights of original lenders or of investors who acquire an assignment of that loan. In purchasing participation interests, the Fund will have the right to receive payments of principal, interest and any fees to which it is entitled only from the lender selling the participation interest (the “participating lender”) and only when the participating lender receives the payments from the borrower.

 

  In a participation interest, the Fund will usually have a contractual relationship only with the selling institution and not the underlying borrower. The Fund normally will have to rely on the participating lender to demand and receive payments in respect of the loans, and to pay those amounts on to the Fund; thus, the Fund will be subject to the risk that the lender may be unwilling or unable to do so. In such a case, the Fund would not likely have any rights against the borrower directly. In addition, the issuing bank does not guarantee the participations. As a result, the Fund will assume the credit risk of both the borrower and the lender that is selling the participation. In addition, the Fund generally will have no right to object to certain changes to the loan agreement agreed to by the participating lender.

 

  In buying a participation interest, the Fund might not directly benefit from the collateral supporting the related loan and may be subject to any rights of set off the borrower has against the selling institution. In the event of bankruptcy or insolvency of the borrower, the obligation of the borrower to repay the loan may be subject to certain defenses that can be asserted by the borrower as a result of any improper conduct of the participating lender. As a result, the Fund may be subject to delays, expenses and risks that are greater than those that exist when the Fund is an original lender or assignee.

 

  If the participating lender fails to perform its obligations under the participation agreement, the Fund might incur costs delays and risks in realizing payment that are greater than those that would have been involved if purchasing a direct obligation of such borrower. The Fund may suffer a loss of principal and/or interest. If a participating lender becomes insolvent, the Fund may be treated as a general creditor of that lender. As a general creditor, the Fund may not benefit from a right of set off that the lender has against the borrower. Further, in the event of the bankruptcy or insolvency of the corporate borrower, the loan participation may be subject to certain defenses that can be asserted by such borrower as a result of improper conduct by the issuing bank. The secondary market, if any, for these loan participations is extremely limited and any such participations purchased by the Fund may be regarded as illiquid. The Fund will acquire a participation interest only if the Manager or the sub-advisor determines that the participating lender or other intermediary participant selling the participation interest is creditworthy.

 

  Fees. The Fund may be required to pay and may receive various commissions and fees in the process of purchasing, holding and selling loans. The fee component may include any, or a combination of, the following elements: assignment fees, arrangement fees, nonuse fees, facility fees, letter of credit fees, and ticking fees. Arrangement fees are paid at the commencement of a loan as compensation for the initiation of the transaction. A non-use fee is paid based upon the amount committed but not used under the loan. Facility fees are on-going annual fees paid in connection with a loan. Letter of credit fees are paid if a loan involves a letter of credit. Ticking fees are paid from the initial commitment indication until loan closing if for an extended period. The amount of fees is negotiated at the time of closing. In addition, the Fund may incur expenses associated with researching and analyzing potential loan investments, including legal fees.
 
Inflation Risk — Stocks, bonds and other securities may fall in value due to higher actual or anticipated inflation. Further, a rapid increase in prices for goods and services may have an adverse effect on corporate profits and consumer spending, which also may result in lower values for stocks, bonds and other securities. Inflation risk also may result from the variation in the value of cash flows from a security due to inflation, as measured in terms of purchasing power. For example, if the Fund purchases a 5-year bond in which it can realize a coupon rate of five percent (5%), but the rate of inflation is six percent (6%), then the purchasing power of the cash flow has declined. Fixed income securities, other than inflation-linked bonds, adjustable bonds and floating rate bonds, generally expose the Fund to inflation risk because the interest rate the issuer promises to make is fixed for the life of the security. To the extent that interest rates reflect the expected inflation rate, floating rate bonds have a lower level of inflation risk.
Interfund Lending — Pursuant to an order issued by the SEC, the Funds may participate in a credit facility whereby each Fund, under certain conditions, is permitted to lend money directly to and borrow directly from other Funds for temporary purposes. The credit facility is administered by a credit facility team consisting of professionals from the Manager’s asset management, compliance, and accounting departments, who report on credit facility activities to the Board. The credit facility can provide a borrowing fund with savings at times when the cash position of the Fund is insufficient to meet temporary cash requirements. This situation could arise when shareholder redemptions exceed anticipated volumes and the Fund has insufficient cash on hand to satisfy such redemptions, or when sales of securities do not settle as expected, resulting in a cash shortfall for the Fund. When the Fund liquidates portfolio securities to meet redemption requests, it often does not receive payment in settlement for up to two days (or longer for certain foreign transactions). However, redemption requests normally are satisfied the next business day. The credit facility provides a source of immediate, short-term liquidity pending settlement of the sale of portfolio securities. Although the credit facility may reduce the Fund’s need to borrow from banks, the Fund remains free to establish and utilize lines of credit or other borrowing arrangements with banks.
Investment Grade Securities — Investment grade securities that the Fund may purchase, either as part of its principal investment strategy or to implement its temporary defensive policy, include securities issued or guaranteed by the U.S. Government, its agencies and instrumentalities, as well as
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securities rated in one of the four highest rating categories by at least two rating organizations rating that security (such as S&P Global, Fitch, or Moody’s) or rated in one of the four highest rating categories by one rating organization if it is the only organization rating that security. The Fund, at the discretion of the Manager or the sub-advisor, may retain a security that has been downgraded below the initial investment criteria. Please see “Appendix C Ratings Definitions” for an explanation of rating categories.
Leverage Risk — Borrowing transactions, reverse repurchase agreements, certain derivatives transactions, securities lending transactions and other investment transactions such as when-issued, delayed-delivery, or forward commitment transactions may create investment leverage. When the Fund engages in transactions that have a leveraging effect on the Fund’s investment, the value of the Fund will be potentially more volatile and all other risks will tend to be compounded. This is because leverage generally creates investment risk with respect to a larger base of assets than the Fund would otherwise have and so magnifies the effect of any increase or decrease in the value of the Fund’s underlying assets. The use of leverage is considered to be a speculative investment practice and may result in losses to the Fund. Certain derivatives have the potential for unlimited loss, regardless of the size of the initial investment. The use of leverage may cause the Fund to liquidate positions when it may not be advantageous to do so to satisfy repayment, interest payment, or margin obligations or to meet asset segregation or coverage requirements.
Mid-Capitalization Companies Risk — Investing in the securities of mid-capitalization companies involves greater risk and the possibility of greater price volatility than investing in more established companies with larger capitalization. Since mid-capitalization companies may have limited operating history, product lines and financial resources, the securities of these companies may lack sufficient market liquidity and can be sensitive to expected changes in interest rates, borrowing costs and earnings.
Options — The Fund may purchase and sell put options and call options, each a type of derivative instrument, on securities and foreign currencies in standardized contracts traded on recognized securities exchanges, boards of trade, or similar entities, or quoted on the NASDAQ National Market System. The Fund will only write (sell) covered call and put options. A call option is “covered” if the Fund simultaneously holds an equivalent position in the security underlying the option. For a further description, see “Cover and Asset Segregation.”
An option is a contract that gives the purchaser (holder) of the option, in return for a premium, the right to buy from (call) or sell to (put) the seller (writer) of the option the security or currency underlying the option at a specified exercise price at any time during the term of the option (normally not exceeding nine months). The writer of an option has the obligation upon exercise of the option to deliver or pay the value of the underlying security or currency upon payment of the exercise price or to pay the exercise price upon delivery of the underlying security or currency.
When the Fund writes a call option, it is obligated to sell a security to a purchaser at a specified price at any time until a certain date if the purchaser decides to exercise the option. The Fund will receive a premium for writing a call option. So long as the obligation of the call option continues, the Fund may be assigned an exercise notice, requiring it to deliver the underlying security against payment of the exercise price. The Fund may be obligated to deliver securities underlying an option at less than the market price. By writing a covered call option, the Fund forgoes, in exchange for the premium less the commission (“net premium”), the opportunity to profit during the option period from an increase in the market value of the underlying security or currency above the exercise price. If a call option that the Fund has written expires unexercised, the Fund will realize a gain in the amount of the premium; however, that gain may be offset by a decline in the market value of the underlying security during the option period. If a call option is exercised, the Fund will realize a gain or loss from the sale of the underlying security.
When the Fund writes a put option, it is obligated to acquire a security at a certain price at any time until a certain date if the purchaser decides to exercise the option. The Fund will receive a premium for writing a put option. By writing a put option, the Fund, in exchange for the net premium received, accepts the risk of a decline in the market value of the underlying security or currency below the exercise price. The Fund may terminate its obligation as the writer of a call or put option by purchasing a corresponding option with the same exercise price and expiration date as the option previously written. If a put option that the Fund has written expires unexercised, the Fund will realize a gain in the amount of the premium. When the Fund writes an option, an amount equal to the net premium received by the Fund is included in the liability section of the Fund’s Statement of Assets and Liabilities as a deferred credit. The amount of the deferred credit will be subsequently marked to market to reflect the current market value of the option written. The current market value of a traded option is the last sale price or, in the absence of a sale, the mean between the closing bid and asked price. If an option expires unexercised on its stipulated expiration date or if the Fund enters into a closing purchase transaction, the Fund will realize a gain (or loss if the cost of a closing purchase transaction exceeds the premium received when the option was sold), and the deferred credit related to such option will be eliminated.
A closing purchase transaction for exchange-traded options may be made only on a national securities exchange. It is impossible to predict the volume of trading that may exist in such options, and there can be no assurance that viable exchange markets will develop or continue. There is no assurance that a liquid secondary market on an exchange will exist for a particular option, or at any particular time, and for some options, such as OTC options, no secondary market on an exchange may exist. The hours of trading for options may not conform to the hours during which the underlying securities are traded. To the extent that the option markets close before the markets for the underlying securities, significant price and rate movements can take place in the underlying securities markets that cannot be reflected in the option markets. The Fund may use NDOs which are foreign exchange products designed to assist in reducing the foreign exchange risk, in particular situations when physical delivery of the underlying currencies is not required or not possible.
The Fund may write (sell) and purchase covered call and put options on foreign currencies for hedging or non-hedging purposes. The Fund may use options on foreign currencies to protect against decreases in the U.S. dollar value of securities held or increases in the U.S. dollar cost of securities to be acquired by the Fund or to protect the U.S. dollar equivalent of dividends, interest, or other payments on those securities. In addition, the Fund may write and purchase covered call and put options on foreign currencies for non-hedging purposes (e.g., when the Manager or sub-advisor anticipates that a foreign currency will appreciate or depreciate in value, but securities denominated in that currency do not present attractive investment opportunities and are not held in the Fund’s investment portfolio). The Fund may write covered call and put options on any currency in order to realize greater income than would be realized on portfolio securities alone. Currency options have characteristics and risks similar to those of securities options, as discussed herein. Certain options on foreign currencies are traded on the OTC market and involve liquidity and credit risks that may not be present in the case of exchange-traded currency options.
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Other Investment Company Securities and Exchange-Traded Products — Investments in the securities of other investment companies may involve duplication of advisory fees and certain other expenses. By investing in another investment company, the Fund becomes a shareholder of that investment company. As a result, Fund shareholders indirectly will bear the Fund’s proportionate share of the fees and expenses paid by shareholders of the other investment company, in addition to the fees and expenses Fund shareholders directly bear in connection with the Fund’s own operations. These other fees and expenses are reflected as Acquired Fund Fees and Expenses and are included in the Fees and Expenses Table for the Fund in its Prospectus, if applicable. The Fund may invest in investment company securities advised by the Manager, and shareholders could pay fees charged by the Manager to such investment company. Investment in other investment companies may involve the payment of substantial premiums above the value of such issuer’s portfolio securities. The Fund’s investment in securities of other investment companies, except for money market funds, is generally limited to (i) 3% of the total voting stock of any one investment company, (ii) 5% of the Fund’s total assets with respect to any one investment company and (iii) 10% of the Fund’s total assets in all investment companies in the aggregate. However, currently the Fund may exceed these limits when investing in shares of an ETF or other investment company subject to a statutory exemption or to the terms and conditions of an exemptive order from the SEC obtained by the ETF or other investment company that permits an investing fund, such as the Fund, to invest in the ETF or other investment company in excess of the limits described above. The SEC recently adopted new Rule 12d1-4 under the Investment Company Act and revisions to other rules permitting funds to invest in other investment companies, in order to streamline and enhance the regulatory framework applicable to fund of funds arrangements. While Rule 12d1-4 will permit more types of fund of fund arrangements without an exemptive order, and will supersede many existing exemptive orders, it imposes new conditions, including limits on control and voting of acquired funds’ shares, evaluations and findings by investment advisers, fund investment agreements, and limits on most three-tier fund structures.
The Fund at times may invest in shares of other investment companies and exchange-traded products, which, in addition to the general risks of investments in other investment companies described above, include the following risks:

 

ETFs. The Fund may purchase shares of ETFs. ETFs trade like a common stock and passive ETFs usually represent a fixed portfolio of securities designed to track the performance and dividend yield of a particular domestic or foreign market index. Typically, the Fund would purchase passive ETF shares to obtain exposure to all or a portion of the stock or bond market. As a shareholder of an ETF, the Fund would be subject to its ratable share of the ETF’s expenses, including its advisory and administration expenses. An investment in an ETF generally presents the same primary risks as an investment in a conventional mutual fund (i.e., one that is not exchange traded) that has the same investment objective, strategies, and policies. The price of an ETF can fluctuate within a wide range, and the Fund could lose money investing in an ETF if the prices of the securities owned by the ETF decline in value. In addition, ETFs are subject to the following risks that do not apply to conventional mutual funds: (1) the market price of the ETF’s shares may trade at a discount or premium to their NAV per share; (2) an active trading market for an ETF’s shares may not develop or be maintained; or (3) trading of an ETF’s shares may be halted if the listing exchange’s officials deem such action appropriate, the shares are de-listed from the exchange, or the activation of market-wide “circuit breakers” (which are tied to large decreases in stock prices) halts stock trading generally.

 

Money Market Funds. The Fund can invest free cash balances in registered open-end investment companies regulated as money market funds under the Investment Company Act, to provide liquidity or for defensive purposes. The Fund would invest in money market funds rather than purchasing individual short-term investments. Although a money market fund is designed to be a relatively low risk investment, it is not free of risk. Despite the short maturities and high credit quality of a money market fund’s investments, increases in interest rates and deteriorations in the credit quality of the instruments the money market fund has purchased may reduce the money market fund’s yield and can cause the price of a money market security to decrease. In addition, a money market fund is subject to the risk that the value of an investment may be eroded over time by inflation. If the liquidity of a money market fund’s portfolio deteriorates below certain levels, the money market fund may suspend redemptions (i.e., impose a redemption gate) and thereby prevent the Fund from selling its investment in the money market fund, or impose a fee of up to 2% on amounts redeemed from the money market fund.
 
Pay-in-Kind Securities — Pay-in-kind securities are debt securities that may pay interest through the issuance of additional securities or in cash. Because these securities may not pay current cash income, their price can be volatile when interest rates fluctuate. Federal income tax law requires a holder of pay-in-kind securities to include in gross income each taxable year the portion of the non-cash income on those securities (i.e., the additional securities issued as interest thereon) accrued during that year.
In order to continue to qualify for treatment as a “regulated investment company” under the Internal Revenue Code and avoid federal excise tax, the Fund may be required to distribute a portion of such non-cash income and may be required to dispose of other portfolio securities in order to generate cash to meet these distribution requirements, including during periods of adverse market prices for those portfolio securities. See the section entitled “Tax Information.”
Preferred Stock — A preferred stock blends the characteristics of a bond and common stock. It can offer the higher yield of a bond and has priority over common stock in equity ownership but does not have the seniority of a bond, and its participation in the issuer’s growth may be limited. Preferred stock generally has preference over common stock in the receipt of dividends and in any residual assets after payment to creditors should the issuer be dissolved. Because preferred stock is subordinate to bonds in the issuer’s capital structure, the value of preferred stock will usually react more strongly than bonds and other debt to actual or perceived changes in the company’s financial condition or prospects. Although the dividend is set at a fixed or variable rate, in some circumstances it can be changed or omitted by the issuer. Preferred stockholders may have certain rights if dividends are not paid but generally have no legal recourse against the issuer, and may suffer a loss of value as a result. Preferred stocks are subject to the risks associated with other types of equity securities, as well as additional risks, such as credit risk, interest rate risk, potentially greater volatility and risks related to the deferral of dividend payments, the non-cumulative payment of dividends (in which omitted or deferred dividends are not subsequently paid), subordination, liquidity, limited voting rights, and special redemption rights. The market prices of preferred stock are generally more sensitive to changes in the issuer’s creditworthiness than are the prices of debt securities. Preferred stock also may be subject to optional or mandatory redemption provisions.
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Redemption Risk — The Fund may experience periods of heavy redemptions that could cause the Fund to sell assets at inopportune times at a loss or depressed value. The risk of loss is greater if redemption requests are frequent, occur in times of overall market turmoil or declining prices for the securities sold, or when the securities the Fund wishes to sell are illiquid. The sale of assets to meet redemption requests may create capital gains, which the Fund would then be required to distribute to shareholders. Redemption risk is greater to the extent that one or more investors or intermediaries control a large percentage of investments in the Fund, have short investment horizons, or have unpredictable cash flow needs. Additionally, during periods of heavy redemptions, the Fund may borrow funds from the interfund credit facility, or from a bank line of credit, which may increase costs. The ability or willingness of dealers and other institutional investors to buy or hold fixed income securities or otherwise to “make a market” in debt securities has also been reduced. Heavy redemptions, whether by a few large investors or many smaller investors, could hurt the Fund’s performance.
Reliance on Corporate Management and Financial Reporting Risk — The sub-advisor may select investments for the Fund in part on the basis of information and data made directly available to the sub-advisor by the issuers of securities or through sources other than the issuers such as collateral pool servicers. The sub-advisor is dependent upon the integrity of the management of these issuers and of such servicers and the financial and collateral performance reporting processes in general. Investors, including the Fund, can incur material losses as a result of corporate mismanagement and fraud resulting in accounting irregularities.
Repurchase Agreements — A repurchase agreement is an agreement between the Fund as purchaser and an approved counterparty as seller. The agreement is backed by collateral in the form of securities and/or cash transferred by the seller to the buyer, sometimes to be held by an eligible third-party custodian. Under the agreement, the Fund acquires securities from the seller and the seller simultaneously commits to repurchase the securities at an agreed upon price and date, normally within a week or on demand. The price for the seller to repurchase the securities is greater than the Fund’s purchase price, reflecting an agreed upon rate that is the equivalent of interest. During the term of the repurchase agreement, the Fund monitors on a daily basis the market value of the collateral subject to the agreement and, if the market value of the securities falls below the seller’s repurchase amount provided under the repurchase agreement, the seller is required to transfer additional securities or cash collateral equal to the amount by which the market value of the securities falls below the repurchase amount. Because a repurchase agreement permits the Fund to invest temporarily available cash on a fully-collateralized basis, repurchase agreements permit the Fund to earn income while retaining flexibility in pursuit of longer-term investments. Repurchase agreements may exhibit the economic characteristics of loans by the Fund.
The obligation of the seller under the repurchase agreement is not guaranteed, and there is a risk that the seller may fail to repurchase the underlying securities, whether because of the seller’s bankruptcy or otherwise. In such event, the Fund would attempt to exercise its rights with respect to the underlying collateral, including possible sale of the securities. The Fund may incur various expenses in the connection with the exercise of its rights and may be subject to various delays and risks of loss, including (a) possible declines in the value of the underlying collateral, (b) possible reduction in levels of income and (c) lack of access to the securities (if they are held through a third-party custodian) and possible inability to enforce the Fund’s rights. The Board has established procedures pursuant to which the sub-advisor monitors the creditworthiness of the counterparties with which the Fund enters into repurchase agreement transactions.
The Fund may enter into repurchase agreements with member banks of the Federal Reserve System or registered broker-dealers who, in the opinion of the sub-advisor, present a minimal risk of default during the term of the agreement. The underlying securities which serve as collateral for repurchase agreements may include fixed income and equity securities such as U.S. Government and agency securities, municipal obligations, asset-backed securities, mortgage-backed securities, common and preferred stock, depositary receipts, ETFs, municipal obligations, corporate obligations and convertible securities.
Reverse Repurchase Agreements — The Fund may borrow funds by entering into reverse repurchase agreements. Pursuant to such agreements, the Fund sells portfolio securities to financial institutions such as banks and broker/dealers and agrees to repurchase them at a mutually agreed-upon date and price. At the time the Fund enters into a reverse repurchase agreement, it will place, in a segregated custodial account, assets such as liquid high quality debt securities having a value not less than 100% of the repurchase price (including accrued interest), and will subsequently monitor the account to ensure that such required value is maintained. The assets maintained in the segregated accounts or earmarked will be marked-to-market daily and additional assets will be placed in such account or earmarked, as applicable, on any day in which the assets fall below the repurchase price (plus accrued interest). Reverse repurchase agreements involve the risk that the market value of the securities sold by the Fund may decline below the price at which the Fund is obligated to repurchase the securities. Reverse repurchase agreements also involve the risk that the buyer of the securities sold by the Fund might be unable or unwilling to deliver them when the Fund seeks to repurchase, which may result in losses to the Fund. Reverse repurchase agreements are considered to be borrowings by an investment company under the Investment Company Act.
Senior Loans — The Fund may invest in senior loans, which generally include variable or floating rate loans that hold a senior position in the capital structure of U.S. and foreign corporations, partnerships or other business entities. Under normal circumstances, senior loans have priority of claim ahead of other obligations of a borrower in the event of liquidation. Senior loans may be collateralized or uncollateralized. They pay interest at rates that float above, or are adjusted periodically based on, a benchmark that reflects current interest rates. In addition to the risks typically associated with debt securities, such as credit and interest rate risk, senior loans are also subject to the risk that a court could subordinate a senior loan, which typically holds a senior position in the capital structure of a borrower, to presently existing or future indebtedness or take other action detrimental to the holders of senior loans. In the event of an in court or out of court restructuring of a senior loan in which the Fund invests, the Fund may acquire (and subsequently sell) equity securities or exercise warrants that it receives. Senior loans usually have mandatory and optional prepayment provisions. If a borrower prepays a senior loan, the Fund will have to reinvest the proceeds in other senior loans or securities that may pay lower interest rates.
Small-Capitalization Companies Risk — Investing in the securities of small-capitalization companies involves greater risk and the possibility of greater price volatility, which at times can be rapid and unpredictable, than investing in larger capitalization and more established companies, since smaller companies may have limited operating history, product lines, and financial resources. The securities of these companies may lack sufficient market liquidity and they can be particularly sensitive to expected changes in overall economic conditions, interest rates, borrowing costs and earnings.
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Structured Products — The Fund may invest in structured products, including instruments such as credit-linked securities, commodity-linked notes and structured notes, which are potentially high-risk derivatives. For example, a structured product may combine a traditional stock or bond with an option or forward contract. Generally, the principal amount, amount payable upon maturity or redemption, or interest rate of a structured product is tied (positively or negatively) to the price of some currency or securities index or another interest rate or some other economic factor (each, a “benchmark”). The interest rate or (unlike most fixed income securities) the principal amount payable at maturity of a structured product may be increased or decreased, depending on changes in the value of the benchmark.
Structured products can be used as an efficient means of pursuing a variety of investment goals, including currency hedging, duration management, and increased total return. Structured products may not bear interest or pay dividends. The value of a structured product or its interest rate may be a multiple of a benchmark and, as a result, may be leveraged and move (up or down) more steeply and rapidly than the benchmark. These benchmarks may be sensitive to economic and political events, such as commodity shortages and currency devaluations, which cannot be readily foreseen by the purchaser of a structured product. Under certain conditions, the redemption value of a structured product could be zero. Thus, an investment in a structured product may entail significant market risks that are not associated with a similar investment in a traditional, U.S. dollar-denominated bond that has a fixed principal amount and pays a fixed rate or floating rate of interest. The purchase of structured products also exposes the Fund to the credit risk of the issuer of the structured product. These risks may cause significant fluctuations in the NAV of the Fund.

 

Credit-Linked Notes. CLNs are derivative debt obligations that are issued by limited purpose entities or by financial firms, such as banks, securities firms or their affiliates, and that are structured so that their performance is linked to that of an underlying bond or other debt obligation (a “reference asset”), normally by means of an embedded or underlying credit default swap. The issuer of a CLN in turns enters into a credit protection agreement or invests in a derivative instrument or basket of derivative instruments, such as credit default swaps or interest rate swaps, to obtain exposure to certain fixed-income markets or to remain fully invested when more traditional income producing securities are not available.

 

  The reference assets for the CLNs in which the Fund may invest will be limited to sovereign or quasi-sovereign debt instruments or other investments in which the Fund’s investment policies permit it to invest directly. The Fund may invest in CLNs when the Fund’s sub-advisor believes that doing so is more efficient than investing in the reference assets directly or when such direct investment by the Fund is not feasible due to legal or other restrictions.

 

  The issuer or one of the affiliates of the issuer of the CLNs in which the Fund will invest, normally will purchase the reference asset underlying the CLN directly, but in some cases it may gain exposure to the reference asset through a credit default swap or other derivative. Under the terms of a CLN, the Fund will receive a fixed or variable rate of interest on the outstanding principal amount of the CLN, which in turn will be subject to reduction (potentially down to zero) if a “credit event” occurs with respect to the underlying reference asset or its issuer. Such credit events will include payment defaults on the reference asset, and normally will also include events that do not involve an actual default, such as actual or potential insolvencies, repudiations of indebtedness, moratoria on payments, reference asset restructurings, limits on the convertibility or repatriation of currencies, and the imposition of ownership restrictions. If a credit event occurs, payments on the CLN would terminate, and the Fund normally would receive delivery of the underlying reference asset (or, in some cases, a comparable “deliverable” asset) in lieu of the repayment of principal. In some cases, however, including but not limited to instances where there has been a market disruption or in which it is or has become illegal, impossible or impracticable for the Fund to purchase, hold or receive the reference assets, the Fund may receive a cash settlement based on the value of the reference asset or a comparable instrument, less fees charged and certain expenses incurred by the CLN issuer.

 

  CLNs are debt obligations of the CLN issuers, and the Fund would have no ownership or other property interest in the reference assets (other than following a credit event that results in the reference assets being delivered to the Fund) or any direct recourse to the issuers of those reference assets. Thus, the Fund will be exposed to the credit risk of the issuers of the reference assets that underlie its CLNs, as well as to the credit risk of the issuers of the CLNs themselves. CLNs will also be subject to currency risk, liquidity risk, valuation risks, and the other risks of a credit default swap. Various determinations that may need to be made with respect to the CLNs, including the occurrence of a credit event, the selection of deliverable assets (where applicable) and the valuation of the reference asset for purposes of determining any cash settlement amount, normally will be made by the issuer or sponsor of the CLN. The interests of such issuer or sponsor may not be aligned with those of the Fund or other investors in the CLN. Accordingly, CLNs may also be subject to potential conflicts of interest. There may be no established trading market for the Fund’s CLNs, in which event they may constitute illiquid investments.

 

Structured Notes. The Fund may invest in structured notes, which are derivative debt instruments with principal and/or interest payments linked to the value of a reference instrument (for example, a commodity, a foreign currency, an index of securities, an interest rate or other financial indicators). The payments on a structured note may vary based on changes in one or more specified reference instruments, such as a floating interest rate compared to a fixed interest rate, the exchange rates between two currencies, one or more securities or a securities or commodities index. A structured note may be positively or negatively indexed. For example, its principal amount and/or interest rate may increase or decrease if the value of the reference instrument increases, depending upon the terms of the instrument. The change in the principal amount payable with respect to, or the interest rate of, a structured note may be a multiple of the percentage change (positive or negative) in the value of the underlying reference instrument or instruments, which can make the value of such securities volatile. This type of note increases the potential for income but at a greater risk of loss than a typical debt security of the same maturity and credit quality. Structured notes can be used to increase the Fund’s exposure to changes in the value of assets or to hedge the risks of other investments that the Fund holds.

 

  Structured notes are subject to interest rate risk. They are also subject to credit risk with respect both to the issuer and, if applicable, to the underlying security or borrower. If the underlying investment or index does not perform as anticipated, the structured note might pay less interest than the stated coupon payment or repay less principal upon maturity. The price of structured notes may be very volatile and they may have a limited trading market, making it difficult to value them or sell them at an acceptable price. In some cases, the Fund may enter into agreements with an issuer of structured notes to purchase minimum amounts of those notes over time. Certain issuers of structured products may be deemed to be investment companies as defined in the Investment Company Act. As a result, the Fund’s investments in these structured products may be subject to limits applicable to investments in other investment companies.
 
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Swap Agreements — A swap is a transaction in which the Fund and a counterparty agree to pay or receive payments at specified dates based upon or calculated by reference to changes in specified prices or rates (e.g., interest rates in the case of interest rate swaps) or the performance of specified securities or indices based on a specified amount (the “notional” amount). Nearly any type of derivative, including forward contracts, can be structured as a swap. See “Derivatives” for a further discussion of derivatives risks. Swap agreements can be structured to provide exposure to a variety of different types of investments or market factors. For example, in an interest rate swap, fixed-rate payments may be exchanged for floating rate payments; in a currency swap, U.S. dollar-denominated payments may be exchanged for payments denominated in a foreign currency; and in a total return swap, payments tied to the investment return on a particular asset, group of assets or index may be exchanged for payments that are effectively equivalent to interest payments or for payments tied to the return on another asset, group of assets, or index. Swaps may have a leverage component, and adverse changes in the value or level of the underlying asset, reference rate or index can result in gains or losses that are substantially greater than the amount invested in the swap itself. Some swaps currently are, and more in the future will be, centrally cleared. Swaps that are centrally-cleared are exposed to the creditworthiness of the clearing organizations (and, consequently, that of their members - generally, banks and broker-dealers) involved in the transaction. For example, an investor could lose margin payments it has deposited with the clearing organization as well as the net amount of gains not yet paid by the clearing organization if it breaches its agreement with the investor or becomes insolvent or goes into bankruptcy. In the event of bankruptcy of the clearing organization, the investor may be able to recover only a portion of the net amount of gains on its transactions and of the margin owed to it, potentially resulting in losses to the investor. Swaps that are not centrally cleared involve the risk that a loss may be sustained as a result of the insolvency or bankruptcy of the counterparty or the failure of the counterparty to make required payments or otherwise comply with the terms of the agreement. If a counterparty’s creditworthiness declines, the value of the swap might decline, potentially resulting in losses to the Fund. Changing conditions in a particular market area, whether or not directly related to the referenced assets that underlie the swap agreement, may have an adverse impact on the creditworthiness of a counterparty. To mitigate this risk, the Fund will only enter into swap agreements with counterparties considered by the sub-advisor to present minimum risk of default, and the Fund normally obtains collateral to secure its exposure. Swaps involve the risk that, if the swap declines in value, additional margin would be required to maintain the margin level. The seller may require the Fund to deposit additional sums to cover this, and this may be at short notice. If additional margin is not provided in time, the seller may liquidate the positions at a loss, which may cause the Fund to owe money to the seller.
The centrally cleared and OTC swap agreements into which the Fund enters normally provide for the obligations of the Fund and its counterparty in the event of a default or other early termination to be determined on a net basis. Similarly, periodic payments on a swap transaction that are due by each party on the same day normally are netted. To the extent that a swap agreement is subject to netting, the Fund’s current cover and asset segregation responsibilities will normally be with respect to the net amount owed by the Fund. See “Cover and Asset Segregation” for additional discussion of these matters. However, the Fund may be required to segregate liquid assets equal to the full notional amount of certain swaps, such as written credit default swaps on physically settled forwards or written options. The amount that the Fund must segregate may be reduced by the value of any collateral that it has pledged to secure its own obligations under the swap. The use of swap agreements requires special skills, knowledge and investment techniques that differ from those required for normal portfolio management. Swaps may be considered illiquid investments, and the Fund may be unable to sell a swap agreement to a third party at a favorable price; see “Illiquid and Restricted Securities” for a description of liquidity risk. The income tax treatment of swap agreements is unsettled and may be subject to future legislation, regulations or administrative pronouncements issued by the IRS. If such future guidance limits the Fund’s ability to use derivatives, the Fund may have to find other ways of achieving its investment objective. The swaps market was largely unregulated prior to the enactment of the Dodd-Frank Act on July 21, 2010. It is possible that developments in the swaps market, including the issuance of final implementing regulations under the Dodd-Frank Act, could adversely affect the Fund’s ability to enter into swaps in the OTC market (or require that certain of such instruments be exchange-traded and centrally-cleared), or require that the Fund support those trades with collateral, terminate new or existing swap agreements, or realize amounts to be received under such instruments. As discussed below, regulations have been adopted by the CFTC and banking regulators that will require the Fund to post margin on OTC swaps, and these regulations are currently being phased in and clearing organizations and exchanges will set minimum margin requirements for exchange-traded and cleared swaps. Due to these regulations, the Fund could be required to engage in greater documentation and recordkeeping with respect to swap agreements.
In late October of 2015, the Federal Reserve, the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation, the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency, the Farm Credit Administration and the Federal Housing Financing Authority issued final rules that require banks subject to their supervision to post and collect variation and initial margin in respect of their obligations arising under uncleared swap agreements. The CFTC soon after issued similar rules that apply to CFTC registered swap dealers and major swap participants that are not banks. Such rules, which became effective on March 1, 2017, generally require the Fund to segregate additional assets in order to meet the variation margin requirements when they enter into uncleared swap agreements. The European Supervisory Authorities (“ESA”), various national regulators in Europe, the Australian Securities & Investment Commission, the Japanese Financial Services Agency and the Canadian Office of the Superintendent of Financial Institutions adopted rules and regulations that are similar to that of the Federal Reserve.
Separately, the CFTC also provided no-action relief allowing investment advisers for registered investment companies and other institutional investors to apply a minimum transfer amount (“MTA”) of variation margin based upon the separately managed investment account or sleeve (“Sleeve”) that the adviser is responsible for, rather than having to calculate the MTA across all accounts of the investor. This relief is not time limited, and provides that the CFTC staff will not recommend an enforcement action against a swap dealer that does not comply with the MTA requirements in the CFTC’s regulations with respect to one or more swaps with any legal entity that is the owner of more than one Sleeve, subject to the following conditions: (1) any such swaps are entered into with the swap dealer by an asset manager on behalf of a Sleeve owned by the legal entity pursuant to authority granted under an investment management agreement; (2) the swaps of such Sleeve are subject to a master netting agreement that does not permit netting of initial or variation margin obligations across Sleeves of the legal entity that have swaps outstanding with the swap dealer; and (3) the swap dealer applies an MTA no greater than $50,000 to the initial and variation margin collection and posting obligations required of such Sleeve. The banking regulators have not provided similar relief, although swaps dealers subject to a banking regulator are expected to act in a manner consistent with the relief provided by the CFTC.
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Credit Default Swaps. In a credit default swap, one party (the seller) agrees to make a payment to the other party (the buyer) in the event that a “credit event,” such as a default or issuer insolvency, occurs with respect to one or more underlying or “reference” bonds or other debt securities. The Fund may be either a seller or a buyer of credit protection under a credit default swap. The purchaser pays a fee during the life of the swap. If there is a credit event with respect to a referenced debt security, the seller under a credit default swap may be required to pay the buyer the par amount (or a specified percentage of the par amount) of that security in exchange for receiving the referenced security (or a specified alternative security) from the buyer. Credit default swaps may be on a single security, a basket of securities or on a securities index. Alternatively, the credit default swap may be cash settled, meaning that the seller will pay the buyer the difference between the par value and the market value of the defaulted bonds. If the swap is on a basket of securities (such as the CDX indices), the notional amount of the swap is reduced by the par amount of the defaulted bond, and the fixed payments are then made on the reduced notional amount.

 

  Taking a long position in (i.e., acting as the seller under) a credit default swap increases the exposure to the specific issuers, and the seller could experience a loss if a credit event occurs and the credit of the reference entity or underlying asset has deteriorated. As a seller, the Fund would effectively add leverage because, in addition to its total net assets, the Fund would be subject to investment exposure on the notional amount of the swap. The risks of being the buyer of credit default swaps include the cost of paying for credit protection if there are no credit events, pricing transparency when assessing the cost of a credit default swap, counterparty risk, and the need to fund any delivery obligation, particularly in the event of adverse pricing when purchasing bonds to satisfy a delivery obligation. Credit default swap buyers are also subject to counterparty risk since the ability of the seller to make required payments is dependent on its creditworthiness. Taking a short position in (i.e., acting as the buyer under) a credit default swap results in opposite exposures for the Fund.

 

Interest Rate and Inflation Swaps. In an interest rate swap, the parties exchange payments based on fixed or floating interest rates multiplied by a hypothetical or “notional” amount. For example, one party might agree to pay the other a specified fixed rate on the notional amount in exchange for recovering a floating rate on that notional amount. Interest rate swap agreements entail both interest rate risk and counterparty risk. The purchase of an interest rate cap entitles the purchaser, to the extent that a specified index exceeds a predetermined interest rate, to receive payments of interest on a notional principal amount from the party selling such interest rate cap. The purchase of an interest rate floor entitles the purchaser, to the extent that a specified index falls below a predetermined interest rate, to receive payments of interest on a notional principal amount from the party selling such interest rate floor. There is a risk that based on movements of interest rates, the payments made under a swap agreement will be greater than the payments received. The Fund may also invest in inflation swaps, where an inflation rate index is used in place of an interest rate index.

 

Total Return Swaps. In a total return swap transaction, one party agrees to pay the other party an amount equal to the total return on a defined underlying asset such as a security or basket of securities or on a referenced index during a specified period of time. In return, the other party would make periodic payments based on a fixed or variable interest rate or on the total return from a different underlying asset or index. Total return swap agreements may be used to gain exposure to price changes in an overall market or an asset. Total return swaps may effectively add leverage to the Fund’s portfolio because, in addition to its net assets, the Fund would be subject to investment exposure on the notional amount of the swap, which may exceed the Fund’s net assets. If the Fund is the total return receiver in a total return swap, then the credit risk for an underlying asset is transferred to the Fund in exchange for its receipt of the return (appreciation) on that asset or index. If the Fund is the total return payer, it is hedging the downside risk of an underlying asset or index but it is obligated to pay the amount of any appreciation on that asset or index. Total return swaps could result in losses if the underlying asset or index does not perform as anticipated. Written total return swaps can have the potential for unlimited losses.
 
Trade Claims — The Fund may purchase trade claims and similar obligations or claims against companies in bankruptcy proceedings. Trade claims are nonsecuritized rights of payment arising from obligations that typically arise when vendors and suppliers extend credit to a company by offering payment terms for products and services. If the company files for bankruptcy, payments on these trade claims stop and the claims are subject to compromise along with the other debts of the company. Trade claims may be purchased directly from the creditor or through brokers. There is no guarantee that a debtor will ever be able to satisfy its trade claim obligations. Trade claims are subject to the risks associated with low-quality obligations. Trade claims are not backed by collateral or other forms of credit support. There is usually a substantial delay between purchasing a trade claim and receiving any return. Trade claims are not regulated by federal securities laws or the SEC, so the Fund’s investment will not receive the same investor protections as with regulated securities. Currently, trade claims are regulated primarily by bankruptcy laws. Because trade claims are unsecured, holders of trade claims may have a lower priority in terms of payment than most other creditors in a bankruptcy proceeding.
Unrated Securities Risk — Because the Fund may purchase securities that are not rated by any rating organization, the sub-advisor, after assessing their credit quality, may internally assign ratings to certain of those securities, in categories of those similar to those of rating organizations. Investing in unrated securities involves the risk that the sub-advisor may not accurately evaluate the security’s comparative credit rating. To the extent that the Fund invests in unrated securities, the Fund’s success in achieving its investment objective may depend more heavily on the sub-advisor’s credit analysis than if the Fund invested exclusively in rated securities. Less public information is typically available about unrated securities or issuers. Some unrated securities may not have an active trading market or may be difficult to value, which means the Fund might have difficulty selling them promptly at an acceptable price. Unrated securities may also be subject to greater liquidity risk and price volatility.
U.S. Government Agency Securities — U.S. Government agency securities are issued or guaranteed by the U.S. Government or its agencies or instrumentalities. Some obligations issued by U.S. Government agencies and instrumentalities are supported by the full faith and credit of the U.S. Treasury; others by the right of the issuer to borrow from the U.S. Treasury; others by discretionary authority of the U.S. Government to purchase certain obligations of the agency or instrumentality; and others only by the credit of the agency or instrumentality. U.S. Government securities bear fixed, floating or variable rates of interest. The market prices of U.S. Government agency securities are not guaranteed by the U.S. Government. While the U.S. Government currently provides financial support to certain U.S. Government-sponsored agencies or instrumentalities, no assurance can be given that it will always do so, since it is not so obligated by law. U.S. Government securities include U.S. Treasury bills, notes and bonds, Federal Home Loan Bank obligations, Federal Intermediate Credit Bank obligations, U.S. Government agency obligations and repurchase agreements secured thereby. U.S. Government agency securities are subject to credit risk and interest rate risk.
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U.S. Treasury Obligations — U.S. Treasury obligations include bills (initial maturities of one year or less), notes (initial maturities between two and ten years), and bonds (initial maturities over ten years) issued by the U.S. Treasury, separately traded registered interest and principal component parts of such obligations (known as “STRIPS”) and inflation-indexed securities. The prices of these securities (like all debt securities) change between issuance and maturity in response to fluctuating market interest rates and credit ratings. U.S. Treasury obligations are subject to credit risk and interest rate risk. Treasury inflation-indexed securities (formerly known as inflation-protected securities or “TIPS”) are U.S. Government Securities whose principal value is periodically adjusted according to the rate of inflation (by reference to the Consumer Price Index for All Urban Consumers (“CPI-U”), which is calculated by the Bureau of Labor Statistics a part of the Department of Labor). The CPI-U is a measurement of changes in the cost of living, made up of components such as housing, food, transportation and energy. There can be no assurance that the CPI-U or any non-U.S. inflation index will accurately measure the real rate of inflation in the prices of goods and services. The three-month lag in calculating the CPI-U for purposes of adjusting the principal value of U.S. TIPS may give rise to risks under certain circumstances.
The interest rate on TIPS is fixed at issuance, but over the life of the security this interest may be paid on an increasing or decreasing principal value that has been adjusted for inflation (but not below par value). Although repayment of the original principal upon maturity is guaranteed, the market value of TIPS is not guaranteed and will fluctuate. The values of TIPS generally fluctuate in response to changes in real interest rates, which are in turn tied to the relationship between nominal interest rates and the rate of inflation. If inflation were to rise at a faster rate than nominal interest rates, real interest rates might decline, leading to an increase in the value of TIPS. In contrast, if nominal interest rates were to increase at a faster rate than inflation, real interest rates might rise, leading to a decrease in the value of TIPS. If inflation is lower than expected during the period the Fund holds TIPS, the Fund may earn less on the TIPS than on a conventional bond. Because the coupon rate on TIPS is lower than fixed-rate Treasury Department securities, the CPI-U would have to rise at least to the amount of the difference between the coupon rate of the fixed-rate Treasury Department issues and the coupon rate of the TIPS, assuming all other factors are equal, in order for such securities to match the performance of the fixed-rate Treasury Department securities. If interest rates rise due to reasons other than inflation, (for example, due to changes in the currency exchange rates), investors in TIPS may not be protected to the extent that the increase is not reflected in the bonds’ inflation measure. In periods of deflation when the inflation rate is declining, the principal value of an inflation-indexed security will be adjusted downward. This will result in a decrease in the interest payments thereon, but holders at maturity receive no less than par value. However, if the Fund purchases inflation-indexed securities in the secondary market whose principal values have been adjusted upward due to inflation since issuance, the Fund may experience a loss if there is a subsequent period of deflation.
Any increase in principal value of TIPS caused by an increase in the CPI is taxable in the year the increase occurs, even though the holder will not receive cash representing the increase at that time. As a result, the Fund could be required at times to liquidate other investments, including when it is not advantageous to do so, in order to satisfy its distribution requirements as a “regulated investment company.” See “Tax Information.” If the Fund invests in TIPS, it will be required to treat as original issue discount (“OID”) any increase in the principal amount of the securities that occurs during the course of its taxable year. If the Fund purchases such securities that are issued in stripped form either as stripped bonds or coupons, it will be treated as if it had purchased a newly issued debt instrument having OID. Because the Fund is required to distribute substantially all of its net investment income (including accrued OID), its investment in either zero coupon bonds or TIPS may require it to distribute to shareholders an amount greater than the total cash income it actually receives. Accordingly, in order to make the required distributions, the Fund may be required to borrow or liquidate securities.
Valuation Risk — This is the risk that the Fund has valued certain securities at a price different from the price at which they can be sold. This risk may be especially pronounced for investments, such as certain credit-linked notes and other derivatives, which may be illiquid or which may become illiquid, and for securities that trade in relatively thin markets and/or markets that experience extreme volatility. The Fund’s ability to value its investments in an accurate and timely manner may be impacted by technological issues and/or errors by third party service providers, such as pricing services or accounting agents. If market or other conditions make it difficult to value certain investments, SEC rules and applicable accounting protocols may require the Fund to value these investments using more subjective methods, such as fair-value methodologies. Using fair value methodologies to price investments may result in a value that is different from an investment’s most recent closing price and from the prices used by others for the same investment. No assurance can be given that such prices accurately reflect the price the Fund would receive upon sale of a security. An investment’s valuation may differ depending on the method used for determining value. Investors who purchase or redeem Fund shares on days when the Fund is holding fair-valued securities may receive fewer or more shares, or lower or higher redemption proceeds, than they would have received if the Fund had not fair-valued the securities or had used a different valuation methodology. The value of foreign securities, certain fixed income securities and currencies, as applicable, may be materially affected by events after the close of the markets on which they are traded, but before the Fund determines its NAV.
Variable or Floating Rate ObligationsVariable and floating rate securities provide for a periodic adjustment in the interest rate paid on the obligations. A variable rate obligation has a coupon rate which is adjusted at predesignated periods in response to changes in the market rate of interest on which the coupon is based. The adjustment intervals may be regular, and range from daily up to annually, or may be event based, such as based on a change in the prime rate. Variable and floating rate obligations are less effective than fixed rate instruments at locking in a particular yield. Nevertheless, such obligations may fluctuate in value in response to interest rate changes if there is a delay between changes in market interest rates and the interest reset date for the obligation, or for other reasons.
The Fund may invest in floaters and engage in credit spread trades. The interest rate on a floater is a variable rate which is tied to another interest rate, such as a money-market index or U.S. Treasury bill rate. The interest rate on a floater resets periodically, typically every one or three months. While, because of the interest rate reset feature, floaters provide the Fund with a certain degree of protection against rises in interest rates, the Fund will participate in any declines in interest rates as well. A credit spread trade is an investment position relating to a difference in the prices or interest rates of two securities or currencies, where the value of the investment position is determined by movements in the difference between the prices or interest rates, as the case may be, of the respective securities or currencies.
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Warrants — Warrants are options to purchase an issuer’s securities at a stated price during a stated term. If the market price of the underlying common stock does not exceed the warrant’s exercise price during the life of the warrant, the warrant will expire worthless. Warrants usually have no voting rights, pay no dividends and have no rights with respect to the assets of the corporation issuing them. The percentage increase or decrease in the value of a warrant may be greater than the percentage increase or decrease in the value of the underlying common stock. Warrants may be purchased with values that vary depending on the change in value of one or more specified indices (“index warrants”). Index warrants are generally issued by banks or other financial institutions and give the holder the right, at any time during the term of the warrant, to receive upon exercise of the warrant a cash payment from the issuer based on the value of the underlying index at the time of the exercise. The market for warrants or rights may be very limited and it may be difficult to sell them promptly at an acceptable price. Rights are short-term warrants issued in conjunction with new stock or bond issues. There is no specific limit on the percentage of assets the Fund may invest in rights and warrants.
When-Issued and Forward Commitment Transactions — These transactions involve a commitment by the Fund to purchase or sell securities with payment and delivery to take place at a future date, typically one to two months after the date of the transaction. The payment obligations and interest rate are fixed at the time the buyer enters into the transaction. These transactions enable the Fund to “lock-in” what the Manager or the sub-advisor, as applicable, believes to be an attractive price or yield on a particular security for a period of time, regardless of future changes in interest rates. For instance, in periods of rising interest rates and falling prices, the Fund might sell securities it owns on a forward commitment basis to limit its exposure to falling prices. In periods of falling interest rates and rising prices, the Fund might purchase a security on a when-issued or forward commitment basis and sell a similar security to settle such purchase, thereby obtaining the benefit of currently higher yields. Forward commitment transactions are executed for existing obligations, whereas in a when-issued transaction, the obligations have not yet been issued.
The value of securities purchased on a when-issued or forward commitment basis and any subsequent fluctuations in their value are reflected in the computation of the Fund’s NAV starting on the date of the agreement to purchase the securities. Because the Fund has not yet paid for the securities, this produces an effect similar to leverage. The Fund does not earn interest on securities it has committed to purchase until the securities are paid for and delivered on the settlement date. When the Fund makes a forward commitment to sell securities it owns, the proceeds to be received upon settlement are included in its assets. Fluctuations in the market value of the underlying securities are not reflected in the Fund’s NAV as long as the commitment to sell remains in effect.
If the other party fails to complete the trade, the Fund may lose the opportunity to obtain a favorable price. For purchases on a when-issued basis, the price of the security is fixed at the date of purchase, but delivery of and payment for the securities is not set until after the securities are issued. The value of when-issued securities is subject to market fluctuation during the interim period and no income accrues to the Fund until settlement takes place. Such transactions therefore involve a risk of loss if the value of the security to be purchased declines prior to the settlement date or if the value of the security to be sold increases prior to the settlement date. A sale of a when-issued security also involves the risk that the other party will be unable to settle the transaction. When-issued, delayed-delivery and forward commitment transactions may cause the Fund to liquidate positions when it may not be advantageous to do so in order to satisfy its purchase or sale obligations.
The Fund currently maintains with its custodian segregated (or earmarked) liquid securities in an amount at least equal to the when-issued or forward commitment transaction. When entering into a when-issued or forward commitment transaction, the Fund will rely on the other party to consummate the transaction; if the other party fails to do so, the Fund may be disadvantaged. Inasmuch as the Fund covers its obligations under these transactions, the Manager and the Fund believe such obligations do not constitute senior securities. Earmarking or otherwise segregating a large percentage of the Fund’s assets could impede the sub-advisor’s ability to manage the Fund’s portfolio.
OTHER INVESTMENT STRATEGIES AND RISKS
In addition to the investment strategies and risks described in the Prospectus, the Fund may (except where otherwise indicated):

 

1 Engage in dollar rolls or purchase or sell securities on a when-issued or forward commitment basis. The purchase or sale of when-issued securities enables an investor to hedge against anticipated changes in interest rates and prices by locking in an attractive price or yield. The price of when-issued securities is fixed at the time the commitment to purchase or sell is made, but delivery and payment for the when-issued securities takes place at a later date, normally one to two months after the date of purchase. During the period between purchase and settlement, no payment is made by the purchaser to the issuer and no interest accrues to the purchaser. Such transactions therefore involve a risk of loss if the value of the security to be purchased declines prior to the settlement date or if the value of the security to be sold increases prior to the settlement date. A sale of a when-issued security also involves the risk that the other party will be unable to settle the transaction. Dollar rolls are a type of forward commitment transaction. Purchases and sales of securities on a forward commitment basis involve a commitment to purchase or sell securities with payment and delivery to take place at some future date, normally one to two months after the date of the transaction. As with when-issued securities, these transactions involve certain risks, but they also enable an investor to hedge against anticipated changes in interest rates and prices. Forward commitment transactions are executed for existing obligations, whereas in a when-issued transaction, the obligations have not yet been issued. When purchasing securities on a when-issued or forward commitment basis, a segregated amount of liquid assets at least equal to the value of purchase commitments for such securities will be maintained until the settlement date.

 

2 Invest in other investment companies (including affiliated investment companies) to the extent permitted by the Investment Company Act, or exemptive relief granted by the SEC.

 

3 Loan securities to broker-dealers or other institutional investors. Securities loans will not be made if, as a result, the aggregate amount of all outstanding securities loans by the Fund exceeds 33¹/3% of its total assets (including the market value of collateral received). For purposes of complying with the Fund’s investment policies and restrictions, collateral received in connection with securities loans is deemed an asset of the Fund to the extent required by law.

 

4 Enter into repurchase agreements. A repurchase agreement is an agreement under which securities are acquired by the Fund from a securities dealer or bank subject to resale at an agreed upon price on a later date. The acquiring Fund bears a risk of loss in the event that the other party to
 
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a repurchase agreement defaults on its obligations and the Fund is delayed or prevented from exercising its rights to dispose of the collateral securities. However, the Manager or the sub-advisor, as applicable, attempts to minimize this risk by entering into repurchase agreements only with financial institutions that are deemed to be of good financial standing.

 

5 Purchase securities sold in private placement offerings made in reliance on the “private placement” exemption from registration afforded by Section 4(a)(2) of the Securities Act and resold to qualified institutional buyers under Rule 144A under the Securities Act. The Fund will not invest more than 15% of its net assets in Section 4(a)(2) securities and illiquid securities unless the Manager or the sub-advisor, as applicable, determines that any Section 4(a)(2) securities held by the Fund in excess of this level are liquid.
 
INVESTMENT RESTRICTIONS
Fundamental Policies. The Fund has the following fundamental investment policy that enables it to invest in another investment company or series thereof that has substantially similar investment objectives and policies:
Notwithstanding any other limitation, the Fund may invest all of its investable assets in an open-end management investment company with substantially the same investment objectives, policies and limitations as the Fund. For this purpose, “all of the Fund’s investable assets” means that the only investment securities that will be held by the Fund will be the Fund’s interest in the investment company.
The Fund has no current intention to convert to a master-feeder structure, as permitted by the foregoing policy.
Fundamental Investment Restrictions. The following discusses the investment policies of the Fund.
The following restrictions have been adopted by the Fund and may be changed with respect to the Fund only by the majority vote of the Fund’s outstanding voting securities. “Majority of the outstanding voting securities” under the Investment Company Act and as used herein means, with respect to the Fund, the lesser of (a) 67% of the shares of the Fund present at the meeting if the holders of more than 50% of the shares are present and represented at the shareholders’ meeting or (b) more than 50% of the shares of the Fund.
The Fund may not:

 

1 Purchase or sell real estate or real estate limited partnership interests, provided, however, that the Fund may dispose of real estate acquired as a result of the ownership of securities or other instruments and invest in securities secured by real estate or interests therein or issued by companies which invest in real estate or interests therein when consistent with the other policies and limitations described in the Prospectus.

 

2 Invest in physical commodities unless acquired as a result of ownership of securities or other instruments (but this shall not prevent the Fund from purchasing or selling foreign currency, options, futures contracts, options on futures contracts, forward contracts, swaps, caps, floors, collars, securities on a forward-commitment or delayed-delivery basis, and other similar financial instruments).

 

3 Engage in the business of underwriting securities issued by others, except to the extent that, in connection with the disposition of securities, the Fund may be deemed an underwriter under federal securities law.

 

4 Lend any security or make any other loan except (i) as otherwise permitted under the Investment Company Act, (ii) pursuant to a rule, order or interpretation issued by the SEC or its staff, (iii) through the purchase of a portion of an issue of debt securities in accordance with the Fund’s investment objective, policies and limitations, or (iv) by engaging in repurchase agreements with respect to portfolio securities.

 

5 Issue any senior security except as otherwise permitted (i) under the Investment Company Act or (ii) pursuant to a rule, order or interpretation issued by the SEC or its staff.

 

6 Borrow money, except as otherwise permitted under the Investment Company Act or pursuant to a rule, order or interpretation issued by the SEC or its staff, including (i) as a temporary measure, (ii) by entering into reverse repurchase agreements, and (iii) by lending portfolio securities as collateral. For purposes of this investment limitation, the purchase or sale of options, futures contracts, options on futures contracts, forward contracts, swaps, caps, floors, collars and other similar financial instruments shall not constitute borrowing.

 

7 Invest more than 5% of its total assets (taken at market value) in securities of any one issuer, other than obligations issued by the U.S. Government, its agencies and instrumentalities, or purchase more than 10% of the voting securities of any one issuer, with respect to 75% of the Fund’s total assets.

 

8 Invest more than 25% of its assets in the securities of companies primarily engaged in any particular industry or group of industries provided that this limitation does not apply to: (i) obligations issued or guaranteed by the U.S. Government, its agencies or instrumentalities; and (ii) tax-exempt securities issued by municipalities or their agencies and authorities.
 
The above percentage limits (except the limitation to borrowings) are based upon asset values at the time of the applicable transaction; accordingly, a subsequent change in asset values will not affect a transaction that was in compliance with the investment restrictions at the time such transaction was effected. With respect to the fundamental investment restriction relating to making loans set forth in number 4 above, securities loans will not be made if, as a result, the aggregate amount of all outstanding securities loans by the Fund exceeds 33¹/3% of its total assets (including the market value of collateral received).
For purposes of the Fund’s policy relating to issuing senior securities set forth in (5) above, “senior securities” are defined as Fund obligations that have a priority over the Fund’s shares with respect to the payment of dividends or the distribution of Fund assets. The Investment Company Act prohibits the Fund from issuing any class of senior securities or selling any senior securities of which it is the issuer, except that the Fund is permitted to borrow from a bank so long as, immediately after such borrowings, there is an asset coverage of at least 300% for all borrowings of the Fund (not including borrowings for temporary purposes in an amount not exceeding 5% of the value of the Fund’s total assets). In the event that such asset coverage falls below this percentage, the Fund is required to reduce the amount of its borrowings within three days (not including Sundays and holidays) so that the asset coverage is restored to at least 300%. Consistent with guidance issued by the SEC and its staff, the requisite asset coverage may vary among different types of instruments. The policy in (5) above will be interpreted not to prevent collateral arrangements with respect to swaps, options, forward or futures contracts or other derivatives, or the posting of initial or variation margin.
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For purposes of the Fund’s industry concentration policy set forth in (8) above, the Manager may analyze the characteristics of a particular issuer and instrument and may assign an industry classification consistent with those characteristics. The Manager may, but need not, consider industry classifications provided by third parties, and the classifications applied to Fund investments will be informed by applicable law. A large economic or market sector shall not be construed as a single industry or group of industries. The Manager currently considers securities issued by a foreign government (but not the U.S. Government or its agencies or instrumentalities) to be an “industry” subject to the 25% limitation. Thus, not more than 25% of the Fund’s assets will be invested in securities issued by any one foreign government or supranational organization. The Fund might invest in certain securities issued by companies in a particular industry whose obligations are guaranteed by a foreign government. The Manager could consider such a company to be within the particular industry and, therefore, the Fund will invest in the securities of such a company only if it can do so under its policy of not being concentrated in any particular industry or group of industries.
Non-Fundamental Investment Restrictions. The following non-fundamental investment restrictions apply to the Fund (except where noted otherwise) and may be changed with respect to the Fund by a vote of a majority of the Board. The Fund may not:

 

1 Invest more than 15% of its net assets in illiquid securities, including time deposits and repurchase agreements that mature in more than seven days; or

 

2 Purchase securities on margin, except that (1) the Fund may obtain such short-term credits as necessary for the clearance of transactions, and (2) the Fund may make margin payments in connection with foreign currency, futures contracts, options, forward contracts, swaps, caps, floors, collars, securities purchased or sold on a forward-commitment or delayed-delivery basis or other financial instruments.
 
All percentage limitations on investments will apply at the time of the making of an investment and shall not be considered violated unless an excess or deficiency occurs or exists immediately after and as a result of such investment. Except for the investment restrictions listed above as fundamental or to the extent designated as such in the Prospectus, the other investment policies described in this SAI are not fundamental and may be changed by approval of the Trustees.
TEMPORARY OR DEFENSIVE INVESTMENTS
In times of unstable or adverse market, economic, political or other conditions, where the Manager or the sub-advisor believes it is appropriate and in the Fund’s best interest, the Fund can invest up to 100% in cash and other types of securities for defensive or temporary purposes. It can also hold cash or purchase these types of securities for liquidity purposes to meet cash needs due to redemptions of Fund shares, or to hold while waiting to invest cash received from purchases of Fund shares or the sale of other portfolio securities.
These temporary investments can include: (i) obligations issued or guaranteed by the U.S. Government, its agencies or instrumentalities; (ii) commercial paper rated in the highest short-term category by a rating organization; (iii) domestic, Yankee and Eurodollar certificates of deposit or bankers’ acceptances of banks rated in the highest short-term category by a rating organization; (iv) any of the foregoing securities that mature in one year or less (generally known as “cash equivalents”); (v) other short-term corporate debt obligations; (vi) repurchase agreements; (vii) futures; or (viii) shares of money market funds, including funds advised by the Manager or the sub-advisor.
PORTFOLIO TURNOVER
Portfolio turnover is a measure of trading activity in a portfolio of securities, usually calculated over a period of one year. The rate is calculated by dividing the lesser amount of purchases or sales of securities by the average amount of securities held over the period. A portfolio turnover rate of 100% would indicate that the Fund sold and replaced the entire value of its securities holdings during the period. High portfolio turnover can increase the Fund’s transaction costs and generate additional capital gains or losses.
DISCLOSURE OF PORTFOLIO HOLDINGS
The Fund publicly discloses portfolio holdings information as follows:

 

1 a complete list of holdings for the Fund on an annual and semi-annual basis in the reports to shareholders within sixty days of the end of each fiscal semi-annual period and in publicly available filings of Form N-CSR with the SEC within ten days thereafter (available on the SEC’s website at www.sec.gov);

 

2 a complete list of holdings for the Fund as of the end of each fiscal quarter in publicly available filings of Form N-PORT with the SEC within sixty days of the end of the fiscal quarter (available on the SEC’s website at www.sec.gov);

 

3 a complete list of holdings for the Fund as of the end of each calendar quarter on the Fund’s website (www.americanbeaconfunds.com) approximately sixty days after the end of the calendar quarter; and

 

4 ten largest holdings for the Fund as of the end of each calendar quarter on the Fund’s website (www.americanbeaconfunds.com) and in sales materials approximately fifteen days after the end of the calendar quarter.
 
Public disclosure of the Fund’s holdings on the website and in sales materials may be delayed when an investment manager informs the Fund that such disclosure could be harmful to the Fund. In addition, individual holdings may be omitted from website and sales material disclosure, when such omission is deemed to be in the Fund’s best interest. Disclosure of the Fund’s ten largest holdings may exclude U.S. Treasury securities and cash equivalent assets, although such holdings will be included in the Fund’s complete list of holdings.
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Disclosure of Nonpublic Holdings
Occasionally, certain interested parties — including individual investors, institutional investors, intermediaries that distribute shares of the Fund, third-party service providers, rating and ranking organizations, and others — may request portfolio holdings information that has not yet been publicly disclosed by the Fund. The Fund’s policy is to control the disclosure of nonpublic portfolio holdings information in an attempt to prevent parties from utilizing such information to engage in trading activity harmful to Fund shareholders. To this end, the Board has adopted a Holdings Policy. The purpose of the Holdings Policy is to define those interested parties who are authorized to receive nonpublic portfolio holdings information on a selective basis and to set forth conditions upon which such information may be provided. In general, nonpublic portfolio holdings may be disclosed on a selective basis only when it is determined that: (i) there is a legitimate business purpose for the information; (ii) recipients are subject to a duty of confidentiality, including a duty not to trade on the nonpublic information; and (iii) disclosure is in the best interests of Fund shareholders. The Holdings Policy does not restrict the Fund from disclosing that a particular security is not a holding of the Fund. The Holdings Policy is summarized below.
A variety of third-party service providers require access to Fund holdings to provide services to the Fund or to assist the Manager and the sub-advisor in managing the Fund (“service providers”). The service providers have a duty to keep the Fund’s nonpublic information confidential either through written contractual arrangements with the Fund (or another Fund service provider) or by the nature of their role with respect to the Fund (or the service provider). The Fund has determined that disclosure of nonpublic holdings information to service providers fulfills a legitimate business purpose and is in the best interest of shareholders. In addition, the Fund has determined that disclosure of nonpublic holdings information to members of the Board fulfills a legitimate business purpose, is in the best interest of Fund shareholders, and each Trustee is subject to a duty of confidentiality.
The Fund has ongoing arrangements to provide nonpublic holdings information to the following service providers:
Service Provider
Service
Holdings Access
Manager
Investment management and administrator
Complete list on intraday basis with no lag
Sub-Advisor
Investment management
Holdings under sub-advisor’s management on intraday basis with no lag
State Street Bank and Trust Co. (“State Street”) and its designated foreign sub-custodians
Fund’s custodian and foreign custody manager, foreign sub-custodians, and securities lending agent for Funds that participate in securities lending
Complete list on intraday basis with no lag
KPMG International
Service provider to State Street
Complete list on annual basis with lag
Ernst & Young LLP
Fund’s independent registered public accounting firm
Complete list on annual basis with no lag
FactSet Research Systems, Inc.
Performance and portfolio analytics reporting for the Manager
Complete list on daily basis with no lag
Bloomberg, L.P.
Performance and portfolio analytics reporting
Complete list on daily basis with no lag
Broadridge/ProxyEdge
Proxy voting services for sub-advisor
Partial list on a periodic basis with lag
Certain third parties are provided with nonpublic holdings information (either complete or partial lists) by the Manager or another service provider on an ad hoc basis. These third parties include: broker-dealers, prospective sub-advisors, borrowers of the Fund’s portfolio securities, pricing services, legal counsel, and issuers (or their agents). Broker-dealers utilized by the Fund in the process of purchasing and selling portfolio securities or providing market quotations receive limited holdings information on a current basis with no lag. The Manager provides current holdings to investment managers being considered for appointment as a sub-advisor to the Fund. If the Fund participates in securities lending activities, potential borrowers of the Fund’s securities receive information pertaining to the Fund’s securities available for loan. Such information is provided on a current basis with no lag. The Fund utilizes various pricing services to supply market quotations and evaluated prices to State Street. State Street and the Manager may disclose current nonpublic holdings to those pricing services. An investment manager may provide holdings information to legal counsel when seeking advice regarding those holdings. From time to time, an issuer (or its agent) may contact the Fund requesting confirmation of ownership of the issuer’s securities. Such holdings information is provided to the issuer (or its agent) as of the date requested. The Fund does not have written contractual arrangements with these third parties regarding the confidentiality of the holdings information. However, the Fund would not continue to utilize a third party that the Manager determined to have misused nonpublic holdings information.
The Fund has ongoing arrangements to provide periodic holdings information to certain organizations that publish ratings and/or rankings for the Fund or that redistribute the Fund’s holdings to financial intermediaries to facilitate their analysis of the Fund. The Fund has determined that disclosure of holdings information to such organizations fulfills a legitimate business purpose and is in the best interest of shareholders, as it provides existing and potential shareholders with an independent basis for evaluating the Fund in comparison to other mutual funds. As of the date of this SAI, all such organizations receive holdings information after it has been made public on the Fund’s website.
No compensation or other consideration may be paid to the Fund, the Fund’s service providers, or any other party in connection with the disclosure of portfolio holdings information.
Under the Holdings Policy, disclosure of nonpublic portfolio holdings information to parties other than those discussed above must meet all of the following conditions:

 

1 Recipients of portfolio holdings information must agree in writing to keep the information confidential until it has been posted to the Fund’s website and not to trade based on the information;

 

2 Holdings may only be disclosed as of a month-end date;
 
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3 No compensation may be paid to the Fund, the Manager or any other party in connection with the disclosure of information about portfolio securities; and

 

4 A member of the Manager’s Compliance staff must approve requests for nonpublic holdings information.
 
In determining whether to approve a request for portfolio holdings disclosure by the Manager, Compliance staff generally considers the type of requestor and its relationship to the Fund, the stated reason for the request, any historical pattern of requests from that same individual or entity, the style and strategy of the Fund for which holdings have been requested (e.g., passive versus active management), whether the Fund is managed by one or multiple investment managers, and any other factors it deems relevant. Any potential conflicts between shareholders and affiliated persons of the Fund that arise as a result of a request for portfolio holdings information shall be decided by the Manager in the best interests of shareholders. However, if a conflict exists between the interests of shareholders and the Manager, the Manager may present the details of the request to the Board for a determination to either approve or deny the request. On a quarterly basis, the Manager will prepare a report for the Board outlining any instances of disclosures of nonpublic holdings during the period that did not comply with the Holdings Policy. The Compliance staff generally determines whether a historical pattern of requests by the same individual or entity constitutes an “ongoing arrangement” and should be disclosed in the Fund’s SAI.
The Manager and the sub-advisor(s) to the Fund may manage substantially similar portfolios for clients other than the Fund. Those other clients may receive and publicly disclose their portfolio holdings information prior to public disclosure by the Fund. The Holdings Policy is not intended to limit the Manager or the sub-advisor(s) from making such disclosures to their clients.
LENDING OF PORTFOLIO SECURITIES
The Fund may lend securities from its portfolio to brokers, dealers and other financial institutions needing to borrow securities to complete certain transactions. In connection with such loans, the Fund remains the beneficial owner of the loaned securities and continues to be entitled to payments in amounts approximately equal to the interest, dividends or other distributions payable on the loaned securities. The Fund also has the right to terminate a loan at any time. The Fund does not have the right to vote on securities while they are on loan. However, it is the Fund’s policy to attempt to terminate loans in time to vote those proxies that the Fund determines are material to its interests. Loans of portfolio securities may not exceed 33¹/3% of the value of the Fund’s total assets (including the value of all assets received as collateral for the loan). The Fund will receive collateral consisting of cash in the form of cash or cash equivalents, securities of the U.S. Government and its agencies and instrumentalities, approved bank letters of credit, or other forms of collateral that are permitted by the SEC for registered investment companies, which will be maintained at all times in an amount equal to at least 100% of the current market value of the loaned securities. If the collateral consists of cash, the Fund will reinvest the cash and may pay the borrower a pre-negotiated fee or “rebate” for the use of that cash collateral. Under the terms of the securities loan agreement between the Fund and State Street, its securities lending agent, State Street indemnifies the Fund for certain losses resulting from a borrower default. However, should the borrower of the securities fail financially, the Fund may experience delays in recovering the loaned securities or exercising its rights in the collateral. In a loan transaction, the Fund will also bear the risk of any decline in value of securities acquired with cash collateral. The Fund seeks to minimize this risk by normally limiting the investment of cash collateral to registered money market funds, including money market funds advised by the Manager that invest in U.S. Government and agency securities.
For all funds that engage in securities lending, the Manager receives compensation for administrative and oversight functions with respect to securities lending, including oversight of the securities lending agent. The amount of such compensation depends on the income generated by the loan of the securities.
As of the date of this SAI, the Fund does not intend to engage in securities lending activities.
TRUSTEES AND OFFICERS OF THE TRUST
The Board of Trustees
The Trust is governed by its Board of Trustees. The Board is responsible for and oversees the overall management and operations of the Trust and the Fund, which includes the general oversight and review of the Fund’s investment activities, in accordance with federal law and the law of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts as well as the stated policies of the Fund. The Board oversees the Trust’s officers and service providers, including American Beacon, which is responsible for the management of the day-to-day operations of the Fund based on policies and agreements reviewed and approved by the Board. In carrying out these responsibilities, the Board regularly interacts with and receives reports from senior personnel of service providers, including American Beacon’s investment personnel and the Trust’s CCO. The Board also is assisted by the Trust’s independent registered public accounting firm (which reports directly to the Trust’s Audit and Compliance Committee), independent counsel and other experts as appropriate, all of whom are selected by the Board.
Risk Oversight
Consistent with its responsibility for oversight of the Trust and the Fund, the Board oversees the management of risks relating to the administration and operation of the Trust and the Fund. American Beacon, as part of its responsibilities for the day-to-day operations of the Fund, is responsible for day-to-day risk management for the Fund. The Board, in the exercise of its reasonable business judgment, also separately considers potential risks that may impact the Fund. The Board performs this risk management oversight directly and, as to certain matters, through its committees (described below) and through the Board members who are not “interested persons” of the Trust as defined in Section 2(a)(19) of the Investment Company Act (“Independent Trustees”). The following provides an overview of the principal, but not all, aspects of the Board’s oversight of risk management for the Trust and the Fund.
In general, the Fund’s risks include, among others, investment risk, credit risk, liquidity risk, securities selection risk and valuation risk. The Board has adopted, and periodically reviews, policies and procedures designed to address these and other risks to the Trust and the Fund. In addition, under the
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general oversight of the Board, American Beacon, the Fund’s investment adviser, and other service providers to the Fund have themselves adopted a variety of policies, procedures and controls designed to address particular risks to the Fund. Different processes, procedures and controls are employed with respect to different types of risks. Further, American Beacon as manager of the Fund oversees and regularly monitors the investments, operations and compliance of the Fund’s investment advisers.
The Board also oversees risk management for the Trust and the Fund through review of regular reports, presentations and other information from officers of the Trust and other persons. Senior officers of the Trust, and senior officers of American Beacon, and the Fund’s CCO regularly report to the Board on a range of matters, including those relating to risk management. The Board and the Investment Committee also regularly receive reports from American Beacon with respect to the investments, securities trading and securities lending activities of the Fund. In addition to regular reports from American Beacon, the Board also receives reports regarding other service providers to the Trust, either directly or through American Beacon or the Fund’s CCO, on a periodic or regular basis. At least annually, the Board receives a report from the Fund’s CCO regarding the effectiveness of the Fund’s compliance program. Also, typically on an annual basis, the Board receives reports, presentations and other information from American Beacon in connection with the Board’s consideration of the renewal of each of the Trust’s agreements with American Beacon and the Trust’s distribution plans under Rule 12b-1 under the Investment Company Act.
Senior officers of the Trust and American Beacon also report regularly to the Audit and Compliance Committee on Fund valuation matters and on the Trust’s internal controls and accounting and financial reporting policies and practices. In addition, the Audit and Compliance Committee receives regular reports from the Trust’s independent registered public accounting firm on internal control and financial reporting matters. On at least a quarterly basis, the Audit and Compliance Committee meets with the Fund’s CCO to discuss matters relating to the Fund’s compliance program.
Board Structure and Related Matters
Independent Trustees constitute at least three-quarters of the Board. Brenda A. Cline, an Independent Trustee, serves as Independent Chair of the Board. The Independent Chair’s responsibilities include: setting an agenda for each meeting of the Board; presiding at all meetings of the Board and Independent Trustees; and serving as a liaison with other Trustees, the Trust’s officers and other management personnel, and counsel to the Fund. The Independent Chair shall perform such other duties as the Board may from time to time determine.
The Trustees discharge their responsibilities collectively as a Board, as well as through Board committees, each of which operates pursuant to a charter approved by the Board that delineates the responsibilities of that committee. The Board has established three standing committees: the Audit and Compliance Committee, the Investment Committee and the Nominating and Governance Committee. For example, the Investment Committee is responsible for oversight of the process, typically performed annually, by which the Board considers and approves the Fund’s investment advisory agreement with American Beacon, while specific matters related to oversight of the Fund’s independent auditors have been delegated by the Board to its Audit and Compliance Committee, subject to approval of the Audit and Compliance Committee’s recommendations by the Board. The members and responsibilities of each Board committee are summarized below.
The Board periodically evaluates its structure and composition as well as various aspects of its operations. The Board believes that its leadership structure, including its Independent Chair position and its committees, is appropriate for the Trust in light of, among other factors, the asset size and nature of the funds in the Trust, the number of series of the American Beacon Funds Complex overseen by the Board, the arrangements for the conduct of the Fund’s operations, the number of Trustees, and the Board’s responsibilities. On an annual basis, the Board conducts a self-evaluation that considers, among other matters, whether the Board and its committees are functioning effectively and whether, given the size and composition of the Board and each of its committees, the Trustees are able to oversee effectively the number of Funds in the complex.
The Trust is part of the American Beacon Funds Complex, which is comprised of 28 series within the American Beacon Funds, 1 series within the American Beacon Institutional Funds Trust, and 1 series within the American Beacon Select Funds. The same persons who constitute the Board of the Trust also constitute the Board of the American Beacon Institutional Funds Trust and the American Beacon Select Funds and each Trustee oversees the Trusts’ combined 30 series.
The Board holds five (5) regularly scheduled meetings each year. The Board may hold special meetings, as needed, either in person or by telephone, to address matters arising between regular meetings. The Independent Trustees also hold at least one in-person meeting each year during a portion of which management is not present and may hold special meetings, as needed, either in person or by telephone.
The Trustees of the Trust are identified in the tables below, which provide information as to their principal business occupations and directorships held during the last five years and certain other information. Subject to the Trustee Retirement Plan described below, a Trustee serves until his or her successor is elected and qualified or until his or her earlier death, resignation or removal. The address of each Trustee listed below is 220 East Las Colinas Boulevard, Suite 1200, Irving, Texas 75039. Each Trustee serves for an indefinite term or until his or her removal, resignation, or retirement.*
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Name (Age)*
Position and Length of Time Served on the American Beacon Funds and American Beacon Select Funds
Position and Length of Time Served on the American Beacon Institutional Funds Trust
Principal Occupation(s) and Directorships During Past 5 Years
INTERESTED TRUSTEE
Eugene J. Duffy (67)**
Trustee since 2008
Trustee since 2017
Managing Director, Global Investment Management Distribution, Mesirow Financial Administrative Corporation (2016-Present); Managing Director, Institutional Services, Intercontinental Real Estate Corporation (2014-2016) Trustee, American Beacon Sound Point Enhanced Income Fund (2018-2021); Trustee, American Beacon Apollo Total Return Fund (2018-2021).
NON-INTERESTED TRUSTEES
Gilbert G. Alvarado (52)
Trustee since 2015
Trustee since 2017
President, SJVIIF, LLC, Impact Investment Fund (2018-Present); Director, Kura MD, Inc. (local telehealth organization) (2015-2017); Senior Vice President & CFO, Sierra Health Foundation (health conversion private foundation) (2006-Present); Senior Vice President & CFO, Sierra Health Foundation: Center for Health Program Management (California public benefit corporation) (2012-Present); Director, Sacramento Regional Technology Alliance (2011-2016); Director, Valley Healthcare Staffing (2017–2018); Trustee, American Beacon Sound Point Enhanced Income Fund (2018-2021); Trustee, American Beacon Apollo Total Return Fund (2018-2021).
Joseph B. Armes (59)
Trustee since 2015
Trustee since 2017
Director, Switchback Energy Acquisition (2019-2021); Chairman & CEO, CSW Industrials f/k/a Capital Southwest Corporation (investment company) (2015-Present); Chairman of the Board of Capital Southwest Corporation, predecessor to CSW Industrials, Inc. (2014-2017) (investment company); President & CEO, JBA Investment Partners (family investment vehicle) (2010-Present); Director and Chair of Audit Committee, RSP Permian (oil and gas producer) (2013-2018); Trustee, American Beacon Sound Point Enhanced Income Fund (2018-2021); Trustee, American Beacon Apollo Total Return Fund (2018-2021).
Gerard J. Arpey (63)
Trustee since 2012
Trustee since 2017
Partner, Emerald Creek Group (private equity firm) (2011-Present); Director, S.C. Johnson & Son, Inc. (privately held company) (2008-Present); Director, The Home Depot, Inc. (NYSE: HD) (2015-Present); Trustee, American Beacon Sound Point Enhanced Income Fund (2018-2021); Trustee, American Beacon Apollo Total Return Fund (2018-2021);
Brenda A. Cline (61)
Chair since 2019
Vice Chair 2018
Trustee since 2004
Chair since 2019
Vice Chair 2018
Trustee since 2017
Chief Financial Officer, Treasurer and Secretary, Kimbell Art Foundation (1993-Present); Director, Tyler Technologies, Inc. (public sector software solutions company) (2014-Present); Director, Range Resources Corporation (oil and natural gas company) (2015-Present); Trustee, Cushing Closed-End (2) and Open-End Funds (3) (2017-Present); Chair (2019-2021), Vice Chair (2018), Trustee (2018-2021), American Beacon Sound Point Enhanced Income Fund; Chair (2019-2021), Vice Chair (2018), Trustee (2018-2021), American Beacon Apollo Total Return Fund.
Claudia A. Holz (64)
Trustee since 2018
Trustee since 2018
Independent Director, Blue Owl Capital, Inc. (May 2021-Present); Partner, KPMG LLP (1990-2017); Trustee, American Beacon Sound Point Enhanced Income Fund (2018-2021); Trustee, American Beacon Apollo Total Return Fund (2018-2021).
Douglas A. Lindgren (60)
Trustee since 2018
Trustee since 2018
CEO North America, Carne Global Financial Services (2016-2017); Consultant, Carne Financial Services (2017-2019); Managing Director, IPS Investment Management and Global Head, Content Management, UBS Wealth Management (2010-2016); Trustee, American Beacon Sound Point Enhanced Income Fund (2018-2021); Trustee, American Beacon Apollo Total Return Fund (2018-2021).
Barbara J. McKenna (58)
Trustee since 2012
Trustee since 2017
President/Managing Principal, Longfellow Investment Management Company (2005-Present); Trustee, American Beacon Sound Point Enhanced Income Fund (2018-2021); Trustee, American Beacon Apollo Total Return Fund (2018-2021).
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* The Board has adopted a retirement policy that requires Trustees to retire no later than the last day of the calendar year in which they reach the age of 75.
** Mr. Duffy is deemed to be an “interested person” of the Trust, as defined by the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended, by virtue of his position with Mesirow Financial, Inc., a broker-dealer.
In addition to the information set forth in the tables above and other relevant qualifications, experience, attributes or skills applicable to a particular Trustee, the following provides further information about the qualifications and experience of each Trustee.
Gilbert G. Alvarado: Mr. Alvarado has extensive organizational management and financial experience as senior vice president and chief financial officer in public charities and private foundations, service as director of private companies and non-profit organizations, service as president of non-profit institutional investment fund, an adjunct professor for a non-profit school of management at University of San Francisco, and multiple years of service as a Trustee.
Joseph B. Armes: Mr. Armes has extensive financial, investment and organizational management experience as chairman of the board of directors, president and chief executive officer of an investment company listed on NASDAQ, president and chief executive officer of a private family investment vehicle, chief operating officer of a private holding company for a family office, president, chief executive officer, chief financial officer and director of a special purpose acquisition company listed on the American Stock Exchange, a director and audit committee chair of an oil and gas exploration and production company listed on the New York Stock Exchange and as an officer of public companies and as a director and officer of private companies, and multiple years of service as a Trustee.
Gerard J. Arpey: Mr. Arpey has extensive organizational management, financial and international experience serving as chairman, chief executive officer, and chief financial officer of one of the largest global airlines, service as a director of public and private companies, service to several charitable organizations, and multiple years of service as a Trustee.
Brenda A. Cline: Ms. Cline has extensive organizational management, financial and investment experience as executive vice president, chief financial officer, secretary and treasurer to a private foundation, service as a director, trustee, audit committee chair, and member of the nominating and governance committees of various publicly held companies and mutual funds, service as a trustee to a private university, and several charitable boards, including acting as a member of their investment and/or audit committees, extensive experience as an audit senior manager with a large public accounting firm, and multiple years of service as a Trustee.
Eugene J. Duffy: Mr. Duffy has extensive experience in the investment management business and organizational management experience as a member of senior management, service as a director of a bank, service as a chairman of a charitable fund and as a trustee to an association, service on the board of a private university and non-profit organization, service as chair to a financial services industry association, and multiple years of service as a Trustee.
Claudia A. Holz: Ms. Holz has extensive financial audit and organizational management experience obtained as an audit partner with a major public accounting firm for over 27 years. Prior to her retirement, she led audits of large public investment company complexes and held several management roles in the firm’s New York and national offices.
Douglas A. Lindgren: Mr. Lindgren has extensive senior management experience in the asset management industry, having overseen several organizations and numerous fund structures and having served as an Adjunct Professor of Finance at Columbia Business School.
Barbara J. McKenna: Ms. McKenna has extensive experience in the investment management industry, organizational management experience as a member of senior management, service as a director of an investment manager, member of numerous financial services industry associations, and multiple years of service as a Trustee.
Committees of the Board
The Trust has an Audit and Compliance Committee (“Audit Committee”). The Audit Committee consists of Ms. Holz, and Messrs. Duffy, Armes and Alvarado (Chair). Ms. Cline, as Chair of the Board, serves on the Audit Committee in an ex-officio non-voting capacity. As set forth in its charter, the primary duties of the Trust’s Audit Committee are: (a) to oversee the accounting and financial reporting processes of the Trust and the Fund and their internal controls and, as the Committee deems appropriate, to inquire into the internal controls of certain third-party service providers; (b) to oversee the quality and integrity of the Trust’s financial statements and the independent audit thereof; (c) to approve, prior to appointment, the engagement of the Trust’s independent auditors and, in connection therewith, to review and evaluate the qualifications, independence and performance of the Trust’s independent auditors; (d) to oversee the Trust’s compliance with all regulatory obligations arising under applicable federal securities laws, rules and regulations and oversee management’s implementation and enforcement of the Trust’s compliance policies and procedures (“Compliance Program”); and (e) to coordinate the Board’s oversight of the Trust’s CCO in connection with his or her implementation of the Trust’s Compliance Program. The Audit Committee met four (4) times during the fiscal year ended August 31, 2021.
The Trust has a Nominating and Governance Committee (“Nominating Committee”) that is comprised of Messrs. Lindgren and Armes (Chair), and Mses. Holz and Cline. As set forth in its charter, the Nominating Committee’s primary duties are: (a) to make recommendations regarding the nomination of non-interested Trustees to the Board; (b) to make recommendations regarding the appointment of an Independent Trustee as Chair of the Board; (c) to evaluate qualifications of potential “interested” members of the Board and Trust officers; (d) to review shareholder recommendations for nominations to fill vacancies on the Board; (e) to make recommendations to the Board for nomination for membership on all committees of the Board; (f) to consider and evaluate the structure, composition and operation of the Board; (g) to review shareholder recommendations for proposals to be submitted for consideration during a meeting of Fund shareholders; and (h) to consider and make recommendations relating to the compensation of Independent Trustees and of those officers as to whom the Board is charged with approving compensation. Shareholder recommendations for Trustee candidates may be mailed in writing, including a comprehensive resume and any supporting documentation, to the Nominating Committee in care of the Secretary of the Fund, and must otherwise comply with the Declaration of Trust and By-Laws of the Trust. The Nominating and Governance Committee met four (4) times during the fiscal year ended August 31, 2021. Effective January 1, 2022, the Nominating Committee will be comprised of Messrs. Armes (Chair), Arpey and Duffy, and Ms. Cline.
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The Trust has an Investment Committee that is comprised of Ms. McKenna (Chair), and Messrs. Arpey and Lindgren. Ms. Cline, as Chair of the Board, serves on the Investment Committee in an ex-officio non-voting capacity. As set forth in its charter, the Investment Committee’s primary duties are: (a) to review and evaluate the short- and long-term investment performance of the Manager and each of the designated sub-advisors to the Fund; (b) to evaluate recommendations by the Manager regarding the hiring or removal of designated sub-advisors to the Fund; (c) to review material changes recommended by the Manager to the allocation of Fund assets to a sub-advisor; (d) to review proposed changes recommended by the Manager to the investment objectives or principal investment strategies of the Fund; and (e) to review proposed changes recommended by the Manager to the material provisions of the advisory agreement with a sub-advisor, including, but not limited to, changes to the provision regarding compensation. The Investment Committee met four (4) times during the fiscal year ended August 31, 2021.
Trustee Ownership in the Fund
The following tables show the amount of equity securities owned in the Fund and all series of the American Beacon Funds Complex by the Trustees as of the calendar year ended December 31, 2020.
INTERESTED TRUSTEE
Duffy
American Beacon Sound Point Floating Rate Income Fund
None
Aggregate Dollar Range of Equity Securities in all Trusts (32 Funds as of December 31, 2020)
None
NON-INTERESTED TRUSTEES
Alvarado
Armes
Arpey
Cline
Holz
Lindgren
McKenna
American Beacon Sound Point Floating Rate Income Fund
None
None
None
None
None
None
None
Aggregate Dollar Range of Equity Securities in all Trusts (32 Funds as of December 31, 2020)
$50,001 - $100,000
Over $100,000
Over $100,000
Over $100,000
Over $100,000
Over $100,000
Over $100,000
Trustee Compensation
As compensation for their service to the American Beacon Funds Complex, including the Trust (collectively, the “Trusts”), each Trustee is compensated from the Trusts as follows: (1) an annual retainer of $120,000; (2) meeting attendance fee (for attendance in person or via teleconference) of (a) $12,000 for in-person attendance, or $5,000 for telephonic attendance, by Board members for each regularly scheduled or special Board meeting, (b) $2,500 for attendance by Committee members at meetings of the Audit Committee and the Investment Committee, (c) $1,000 for attendance by Committee members at meetings of the Nominating and Governance Committee; and (d) $2,500 for attendance by Board members for each special telephonic Board meeting; and (3) reimbursement of reasonable expenses incurred in attending Board meetings, Committee meetings, and relevant educational seminars. For this purpose, the Board considers attendance at regular meetings held by videoconference to constitute in-person attendance at a Board meeting. The Trustees also may be compensated for attendance at special Board and/or Committee meetings from time to time. Beginning January 1, 2022, the Trustees’ annual retainer will be $130,000.
For her service as Board Chair, Ms. Cline receives an additional annual retainer of $50,000. Although she attends several committee meetings at each quarterly Board meeting, she receives a single $2,500 fee each quarter for her attendance at the Audit Committee and Investment Committee meetings. The chairpersons of the Audit Committee and the Investment Committee each receive an additional annual retainer of $25,000 and the Chair of the Nominating and Governance Committee receives an additional annual retainer of $10,000.
The following table shows total compensation (excluding reimbursements) paid by the Trusts to each Trustee for the fiscal year ended August 31, 2021.
Name of Trustee
Aggregate Compensation from the Trust
Total Compensation from the Trusts
INTERESTED TRUSTEE
Eugene J. Duffy
$185,709
$190,000
NON-INTERESTED TRUSTEES
Gilbert G. Alvarado
$215,032
$220,000
Joseph B. Armes
$199,882
$204,500
Gerard J. Arpey
$190,597
$195,000
Brenda A. Cline1
$239,467
$245,000
Claudia A. Holz
$191,085
$195,500
Douglas A. Lindgren
$193,529
$198,000
Barbara J. McKenna
$215,032
$220,000
R. Gerald Turner1,2
$46,183
$47,250
1 Upon retirement from the Board, each of these current and former Trustees is eligible for flight benefits afforded to Trustees who served on the Boards prior to September 12, 2008 as described below.
2 Dr. Turner received compensation from the Trust prior to and up to his retirement from the Board on December 31, 2020.
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The Boards adopted a Trustee Retirement Plan. The Trustee Retirement Plan provides that a Trustee who has served on the Boards prior to September 12, 2008, and who has reached a mandatory retirement age established by the Board (currently 75) is eligible to elect Trustee Emeritus status (“Eligible Trustees”). Ms. Cline is the only Eligible Trustee. Eligible Trustees who have served on the Board of one or more Trusts for at least five years may elect to retire from the Board at an earlier age and immediately assume Trustee Emeritus status. The Board has determined that, other than the Trustee Retirement Plan established for Eligible Trustees, no other retirement benefits will accrue for current or future Trustees.
Each Eligible Trustee and his or her spouse (or designated companion) may receive annual flight benefits from the Trusts of up to $40,000 combined, on a tax-grossed up basis, on American Airlines (a subsidiary of the Manager’s former parent company) for a maximum period of 10 years, depending upon length of service prior to September 12, 2008. Eligible Trustees may opt to receive instead an annual retainer of $20,000 from the Trusts in lieu of flight benefits. No retirement benefits are accrued for Board service after September 12, 2008.
A Trustee Emeritus must be reasonably available to provide advice, counseling and assistance to the Trustees and American Beacon as needed, as agreed to from time to time by the parties involved; however, a Trustee Emeritus does not have any voting rights at Board meetings and is not subject to election by shareholders of the Fund. Currently, three individuals who retired from the Board and accrued retirement benefits for periods prior to September 12, 2008, have assumed Trustee Emeritus status. Two individuals and their spouses receive annual flight benefits of up to $40,000 combined, on a tax-grossed up basis, on American Airlines. The other individual receives an annual retainer of $20,000 from the Trusts in lieu of flight benefits.
Principal Officers of the Trust
The Officers of the Trust conduct and supervise its daily business. As of the date of this SAI, the Officers of the Trust, their ages, their business address and their principal occupations and directorships during the past five years are as set forth below. The address of each Officer is 220 East Las Colinas Boulevard, Suite 1200, Irving, Texas 75039. Each Officer serves for a term of one year or until his or her resignation, retirement, or removal. Each Officer has and continues to hold the same position with the American Beacon Funds, the American Beacon Select Funds, and the American Beacon Institutional Funds Trust.
Name (Age)
Position and Length of Time Served on the American Beacon Funds and American Beacon Select Funds
Position and Length of Time Served on the American Beacon Institutional Funds Trust
Principal Occupation(s) and Directorships During Past 5 Years
OFFICERS
Gene L. Needles, Jr. (67)
President since 2009
President since 2017
President (2009-2018), CEO and Director (2009-Present), Chairman (2018-Present), American Beacon Advisors, Inc.; President (2015-2018), Director and CEO (2015-Present), Chairman (2018-Present), Resolute Investment Holdings, LLC; President (2015-2018), Director and CEO (2015-Present), Chairman (2018-Present), Resolute Topco, Inc.; President (2015-2018); Director and CEO (2015-Present), Chairman (2018-Present), Resolute Acquisition, Inc.; President (2015-2018), Director and CEO (2015-Present), Chairman (2018-Present), Resolute Investment Managers, Inc.; Director, Chairman, President and CEO, Resolute Investment Distributors, Inc. (2017-Present); Director, Chairman, President and CEO (2017-Present), Resolute Investment Services, Inc.; Manager and President and CEO, American Private Equity Management, LLC (2012-Present); Director, Chairman and President and CEO Alpha Quant Advisors, LLC (2016-2020); Director, ARK Investment Management LLC (2016-2020); Director, Shapiro Capital Management LLC (2017-Present); Director and Chairman and CEO, Continuous Capital, LLC (2018-Present); Director, Green Harvest Asset Management, LLC (2019-2021); Director, National Investment Services of America, LLC (2019-Present); Director, RSW Investments Holdings LLC, (2019-Present); Manager, SSI Investment Management, LLC (2019-Present); President, American Beacon Cayman Managed Futures Strategy Fund, Ltd. (2014-Present); Director and President, American Beacon Cayman Transformational Innovation Company, Ltd., (2017-2018); President, American Beacon Delaware Transformational Innovation Corporation (2017-2018); Director and President, American Beacon Cayman TargetRisk Company, Ltd. (2018-Present); Member, Investment Advisory Committee, Employees Retirement System of Texas (2017-Present); Trustee, American Beacon NextShares Trust (2015-2020); President, American Beacon Sound Point Enhanced Income Fund (2018-2021); President, American Beacon Apollo Total Return Fund (2018-2021).
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Name (Age)
Position and Length of Time Served on the American Beacon Funds and American Beacon Select Funds
Position and Length of Time Served on the American Beacon Institutional Funds Trust
Principal Occupation(s) and Directorships During Past 5 Years
Jeffrey K. Ringdahl (46)
Vice President since 2010
Vice President since 2017
Director (2015-Present), President (2018-Present), Chief Operating Officer (2010-Present), Senior Vice President (2013-2018), American Beacon Advisors, Inc.; Director (2015-Present), President (2018-Present), Senior Vice President (2015-2018), Resolute Investment Holdings, LLC; Director (2015-Present), President (2018-Present), Senior Vice President (2015-2018), Resolute Topco, Inc.; Director (2015-Present), President (2018-Present), Senior Vice President (2015-2018), Resolute Acquisition, Inc.; Director (2015-Present), President and COO (2018-Present), Senior Vice President (2015-2018), Resolute Investment Managers, Inc.; Director and Executive Vice President (2017-Present), Resolute Investment Distributors, Inc.; Director (2017-Present), President and COO (2018-Present), Executive Vice President (2017-2018), Resolute Investment Services, Inc.; Senior Vice President (2017-Present), Vice President (2012-2017), Manager (2015-Present), American Private Equity Management, LLC; Trustee, American Beacon NextShares Trust (2015-2020); Director and Executive Vice President & COO, Alpha Quant Advisors, LLC (2016-2020); Director, Shapiro Capital Management, LLC (2017-Present); Director and Executive Vice President & COO, Continuous Capital, LLC (2018-Present); Director, RSW Investments Holdings, LLC (2019-Present); Manager, SSI Investment Management, LLC (2019-Present); Director, National Investment Services of America, LLC (2019-Present); Director and Vice President, American Beacon Cayman Transformational Innovation Company, Ltd., (2017-2018); Vice President, American Beacon Delaware Transformational Innovation Corporation (2017-2018); Director and Vice President, American Beacon Cayman Managed Futures Strategy Fund, Ltd. (2014-Present); Director and Vice President, American Beacon Cayman TargetRisk Company, Ltd. (2018-Present); Vice President, American Beacon Sound Point Enhanced Income Fund (2018-2021); Vice President, American Beacon Apollo Total Return Fund (2018-2021).
Rosemary K. Behan (62)
Vice President, Secretary and Chief Legal Officer since 2006
Vice President, Secretary and Chief Legal Officer since 2017
Senior Vice President (2021-Present), Vice President (2006-2021), Secretary and General Counsel (2006-Present), American Beacon Advisors, Inc.; Secretary, Resolute Investment Holdings, LLC (2015-Present); Secretary, Resolute Topco, Inc. (2015-Present).; Secretary, Resolute Acquisition, Inc. (2015-Present); Senior Vice President (2021-Present), Vice President (2015-2021), Secretary and General Counsel (2015-Present), Resolute Investment Managers, Inc.; Secretary, Resolute Investment Distributors, Inc. (2017-Present); Senior Vice President (2021-Present), Vice President (2017-2021), Secretary and General Counsel (2017-Present), Resolute Investment Services, Inc.; Secretary, American Private Equity Management, LLC (2008-Present); Secretary and General Counsel, Alpha Quant Advisors, LLC (2016-2020); Vice President and Secretary, Continuous Capital, LLC (2018-Present); Secretary, Green Harvest Asset Management, LLC (2019-2021); Secretary, American Beacon Delaware Transformational Innovation Corporation (2017-2018); Secretary, American Beacon Cayman Transformational Innovation Company, Ltd. (2017-2018); Secretary, American Beacon Cayman Managed Futures Strategy Fund, Ltd. (2014-Present); Secretary, American Beacon Cayman TargetRisk Company, Ltd (2018-Present); Vice President, Secretary and Chief Legal Officer, American Beacon Sound Point Enhanced Income Fund (2018-2021); Vice President, Secretary and Chief Legal Officer, American Beacon Apollo Total Return Fund (2018-2021).
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Name (Age)
Position and Length of Time Served on the American Beacon Funds and American Beacon Select Funds
Position and Length of Time Served on the American Beacon Institutional Funds Trust
Principal Occupation(s) and Directorships During Past 5 Years
Brian E. Brett (61)
Vice President since 2004
Vice President since 2017
Senior Vice President, Head of Distribution (2012-Present), American Beacon Advisors, Inc.; Senior Vice President (2017-Present), Resolute Investment Managers, Inc.; Senior Vice President (2018-Present), Resolute Investment Distributors, Inc.; Vice President (2017-2018), Senior Vice President (2018-Present), Resolute Investment Services, Inc.; Vice President, American Beacon Sound Point Enhanced Income Fund (2018-2021); Vice President, American Beacon Apollo Total Return Fund (2018-2021).
Paul B. Cavazos (52)
Vice President since 2016
Vice President since 2017
Chief Investment Officer and Senior Vice President, American Beacon Advisors, Inc. (2016-Present); Chief Investment Officer, DTE Energy (2007-2016); Vice President, American Private Equity Management, LLC (2017-Present); Vice President, American Beacon Sound Point Enhanced Income Fund (2018-2021); Vice President, American Beacon Apollo Total Return Fund (2018-2021).
Erica B. Duncan (51)
Vice President since 2011
Vice President since 2017
Vice President, American Beacon Advisors, Inc. (2011-Present); Vice President, Resolute Investment Managers, Inc. (2018-Present); Vice President, Resolute Investment Services, Inc. (2018-Present); Vice President, American Beacon Sound Point Enhanced Income Fund (2018-2021); Vice President, American Beacon Apollo Total Return Fund (2018-2021).
Terri L. McKinney (58)
Vice President since 2010
Vice President since 2017
Senior Vice President, (2021-Present) Vice President, (2009-2021), American Beacon Advisors, Inc.; Senior Vice President (2021-Present), Vice President (2017-2021), Resolute Investment Managers, Inc.; Senior Vice President (2021-Present), Vice President (2018-2021), Resolute Investment Services, Inc.; Vice President, Alpha Quant Advisors, LLC (2016-2020); Vice President, Continuous Capital, LLC (2018-Present); Vice President, American Beacon Sound Point Enhanced Income Fund (2018-2021); Vice President, American Beacon Apollo Total Return Fund (2018-2021).
Samuel J. Silver (58)
Vice President since 2011
Vice President since 2017
Vice President (2011-Present), Chief Fixed Income Officer (2016-Present), American Beacon Advisors, Inc.; Vice President, American Beacon Sound Point Enhanced Income Fund (2018-2021); Vice President, American Beacon Apollo Total Return Fund (2018-2021).
Melinda G. Heika (60)
Vice President since 2021
Vice President since 2021
Senior Vice President, (2021-Present) Treasurer and CFO (2010-Present), American Beacon Advisors, Inc.; Treasurer, Resolute Topco, Inc. (2015-Present); Treasurer, Resolute Investment Holdings, LLC (2015-Present); Treasurer, Resolute Acquisition, Inc. (2015-Present); Senior Vice President (2021-Present), Treasurer and CFO (2017-Present), Resolute Investment Managers, Inc.; Treasurer, Resolute Investment Distributors, Inc. (2017-2017); Senior Vice President (2021-Present), Treasurer and CFO (2017-Present), Resolute Investment Services, Inc.; Treasurer, American Private Equity Management, LLC (2012-Present); Treasurer and CFO, Alpha Quant Advisors, LLC (2016-2020); Treasurer and CFO, Continuous Capital, LLC (2018-Present); Treasurer, American Beacon Cayman Transformational Innovation, Ltd. (2017-2018); Treasurer, American Beacon Delaware Transformational Innovation Corporation (2017-2018); Director and Treasurer, American Beacon Cayman Managed Futures Strategy Fund, Ltd. (2014-Present); Treasurer, American Beacon Cayman TargetRisk Company, Ltd. (2018-Present); Vice President, American Beacon Sound Point Enhanced Income Fund (2018-2021); Vice President, American Beacon Apollo Total Return Fund (2018-2021).
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Name (Age)
Position and Length of Time Served on the American Beacon Funds and American Beacon Select Funds
Position and Length of Time Served on the American Beacon Institutional Funds Trust
Principal Occupation(s) and Directorships During Past 5 Years
Sonia L. Bates (65)
Principal Accounting Officer and Treasurer since 2021
Principal Accounting Officer and Treasurer since 2021
Assistant Treasurer, American Beacon Advisors, Inc. (2011-2018); Assistant Treasurer, American Private Equity Management, LLC (2012-Present); Assistant Treasurer, American Beacon Cayman Transformational Innovation Company, Ltd. (2017-2018); Assistant Treasurer, American Beacon Cayman TargetRisk Company, Ltd. (2018-Present); Director, Fund and Tax Reporting (2011-Present), Resolute Investment Services, Inc.; Principal Accounting Officer and Treasurer, American Beacon Sound Point Enhanced Income Fund (2021); Principal Accounting Officer and Treasurer, American Beacon Apollo Total Return Fund (2021).
Christina E. Sears (50)
Chief Compliance Officer since 2004 and Assistant Secretary since 1999
Chief Compliance Officer and Assistant Secretary since 2017
Chief Compliance Officer, (2004-Present) Vice President (2019-Present), American Beacon Advisors, Inc.; Vice President, Resolute Investment Managers, Inc. (2017-Present); Vice President, Resolute Investment Distributors, Inc. (2017-Present); Vice President, Resolute Investment Services, Inc. (2019-Present); Chief Compliance Officer, American Private Equity Management, LLC (2012-Present); Chief Compliance Officer, Green Harvest Asset Management, LLC (2019-2021); Chief Compliance Officer, RSW Investments Holdings, LLC (2019-Present); Chief Compliance Officer (2016-2019) and Vice President (2016-2020), Alpha Quant Advisors, LLC; Chief Compliance Officer (2018-2019) and Vice President (2018-Present), Continuous Capital, LLC.; Chief Compliance Officer and Assistant Secretary, American Beacon Sound Point Enhanced Income Fund (2018-2021); Chief Compliance Officer and Assistant Secretary, American Beacon Apollo Total Return Fund (2018-2021).
Shelley L. Dyson (52)
Assistant Treasurer since 2021
Assistant Treasurer since 2021
Manager, Tax (2014-2020); Fund Tax Manager (2020-Present), Resolute Investment Services, Inc.; Assistant Treasurer (2021), American Beacon Sound Point Enhanced Income Fund; Assistant Treasurer (2021), American Beacon Apollo Total Return Fund.
Shelley D. Abrahams (47)
Assistant Secretary since 2008
Assistant Secretary since 2017
Senior Corporate Governance & Regulatory Specialist (2020-Present), Corporate Governance & Regulatory Specialist (2017-2020), Resolute Investment Services, Inc.; Assistant Secretary, American Beacon Sound Point Enhanced Income Fund (2018-2021); Assistant Secretary, American Beacon Apollo Total Return Fund (2018-2021).
Rebecca L. Harris (55)
Assistant Secretary since 2010
Assistant Secretary since 2017
Senior Vice President (2021-Present), Vice President (2011-2021), American Beacon Advisors, Inc.; Senior Vice President (2021-Present), Vice President (2017-2021), Resolute Investment Managers, Inc.; Senior Vice President (2021-Present), Vice President (2015-2021), Resolute Investment Services, Inc.; Vice President, Alpha Quant Advisors, LLC (2016-2020); Vice President, Continuous Capital, LLC (2018-Present); Assistant Secretary, American Beacon Sound Point Enhanced Income Fund (2018-2021); Assistant Secretary, American Beacon Apollo Total Return Fund (2018-2021).
Michael D. Jiang (37)
Assistant Secretary since 2021
Assistant Secretary since 2021
Assistant Secretary (2021-Present), Resolute Investment Distributors, Inc.; Associate General Counsel (2021-Present), Resolute Investment Services, Inc.; Vice President (2018-2021), Second Vice President (2015-2018), The Northern Trust Company; Assistant Secretary, American Beacon Sound Point Enhanced Income Fund (2021); Assistant Secretary, American Beacon Apollo Total Return Fund (2021).
Teresa A. Oxford (63)
Assistant Secretary since 2015
Assistant Secretary since 2017
Assistant Secretary (2015-Present), American Beacon Advisors, Inc.; Assistant Secretary (2018-2021), Resolute Investment Distributors, Inc.; Assistant Secretary (2017-Present), Resolute Investment Managers, Inc.; Assistant Secretary and Associate General Counsel (2018-Present), Resolute Investment Services, Inc.; Assistant Secretary (2016-2020), Alpha Quant Advisors, LLC; Assistant Secretary (2020-Present), Continuous Capital, LLC.; Assistant Secretary, American Beacon Sound Point Enhanced Income Fund (2018-2021); Assistant Secretary, American Beacon Apollo Total Return Fund (2018-2021).
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CODE OF ETHICS
The Manager, the Trust, the Distributor, and the sub-advisor each have adopted a Code of Ethics under Rule 17j-1 of the Investment Company Act. Each Code of Ethics significantly restricts the personal trading of all employees with access to non-public portfolio information. For example, each Code of Ethics generally requires pre-clearance of all personal securities trades (with limited exceptions) and prohibits employees from purchasing or selling a security that is being purchased or sold or being considered for purchase (with limited exceptions) or sale by any Fund. In addition, the Manager’s and the Trust’s Code of Ethics requires employees to report trades in shares of the Trusts. Each Code of Ethics is on public file with, and may be obtained from, the SEC.
PROXY VOTING POLICIES
From time to time, the Fund may own a security whose issuer solicits a proxy vote on certain matters. The Board seeks to ensure that proxies are voted in the best interests of the Fund’s shareholders and has delegated proxy voting authority to the Manager. The Manager in turn has delegated proxy voting authority to the sub-advisor with respect to the Fund’s assets under the sub-advisor’s management. The Trust has adopted a Proxy Policy that governs proxy voting by the Manager and sub-advisor, including procedures to address potential conflicts of interest between the Fund’s shareholders and the Manager, the sub-advisor or their affiliates. The Board has approved the Manager’s proxy voting policies and procedures with respect to Fund assets under the Manager’s management. Please see Appendix A for a copy of the Proxy Policy. The sub-advisor’s proxy voting policy and procedures are summarized (or included in their entirety) in Appendix B. The Fund’s proxy voting record for the most recent year ended June 30 will be available as of August 31 of each year upon request and without charge by calling 1-800-967-9009 or by visiting the SEC’s website at http://www.sec.gov. The proxy voting record can be found in Form N-PX on the SEC’s website.
CONTROL PERSONS AND 5% SHAREHOLDERS
A principal shareholder is any person who owns of record or beneficially 5% or more of any class of the Fund’s outstanding shares. A control person is a shareholder that owns beneficially or through controlled companies more than 25% of the voting securities of a company or acknowledges the existence of control. Shareholders owning voting securities in excess of 25% may determine the outcome of any matter affecting and voted on by shareholders of the Fund. The actions of an entity or person that controls the Fund could have an effect on other shareholders. For instance, a control person may have effective voting control over the Fund or large redemptions by a control person could cause the Fund’s other shareholders to pay a higher pro rata portion of the Fund’s expenses.
Set forth below are entities or persons that own 5% or more of the outstanding shares of a class of the Fund as of December 3, 2021. The Trustees and officers of the Trusts, as a group, own less than 1% of all classes of the Fund’s shares outstanding.
Shareholder Address
Fund Percentage
(listed if over 25%)
A CLASS
C CLASS
Y CLASS
R5 CLASS
INVESTOR CLASS
SP CLASS
CHARLES SCHWAB & CO INC*
14.50%
29.94%
20.18%
67.93%
SPECIAL CUST A/C
EXCLUSIVE BENEFIT OF CUSTOMERS
ATTN MUTUAL FUNDS
211 MAIN ST
SAN FRANCISCO CA 94105-1905
CHARLES SCHWAB & CO INC*
22.94%
18.49%
15.39%
SPECIAL CUSTODY A/C FBO CUSTOMERS
ATTN MUTUAL FUNDS
211 MAIN STREET
SAN FRANCISCO CA 94105-1905
LPL FINANCIAL*
6.50%
8.74%
6.24%
4707 EXECUTIVE DR
SAN DIEGO CA 92121-3091
MERRILL LYNCH PIERCE FENNER &*
8.48%
SMITH INC (HOUSE ACCOUNT)
THE AMERICAN BEACON FUNDS
4800 DEER LAKE DR EAST
JACKSONVILLE FL 32246-6484
MORGAN STANLEY SMITH BARNEY LLC*
14.15%
22.11%
9.65%
FOR THE EXCLUSIVE BENE OF ITS CUST
1 NEW YORK PLZ FL 12
NEW YORK NY 10004-1932
NATIONAL FINANCIAL SERVICES LLC*
7.00%
18.13%
43.56%
62.15%
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Shareholder Address
Fund Percentage
(listed if over 25%)
A CLASS
C CLASS
Y CLASS
R5 CLASS
INVESTOR CLASS
SP CLASS
FOR EXCLUSIVE BENEFIT OF
OUR CUSTOMERS
ATTN MUTUAL FUNDS DEPT 4TH FLOOR
499 WASHINGTON BLVD
JERSEY CITY NJ 07310-1995
PERSHING LLC*
6.01%
16.67%
9.46%
29.36%
1 PERSHING PLZ
JERSEY CITY NJ 07399-0001
RAYMOND JAMES*
21.53%
6.75%
OMNIBUS FOR MUTUAL FUNDS
ATTN COURTNEY WALLER
880 CARILLON PKWY
ST PETERSBURG FL 33716-1100
TD AMERITRADE INC FOR THE*
7.80%
EXCLUSIVE BENEFIT OF OUR CLIENTS
PO BOX 2226
OMAHA NE 68103-2226
UBS WM USA*
20.49%
7.73%
5.98%
OMNI ACCOUNT M/F
1000 HARBOR BLVD
WEEHAWKEN NJ 07086-6761
MEG & COMPANY R/R
5.25%
C/O AMERISERV TRUST & FINANCIAL
SERVICES COMPANY
216 FRANKLIN STREET
JOHNSTOWN PA 15901-1911
* Denotes record owner of Fund shares only
INVESTMENT SUB-ADVISORY AGREEMENT
The Fund’s sub-advisor is listed below with information regarding its controlling persons or entities. According to the Investment Company Act, a person or entity with control with respect to an investment advisor has “the power to exercise a controlling influence over the management or policies of a company, unless such power is solely the result of an official position with such company.” Persons and entities affiliated with the sub-advisor may be considered affiliates of the Fund.
Sound Point Capital Management, LP (“Sound Point”)
Controlling Person/Entity
Basis of Control
Nature of Controlling Person/Entity’s Business
SPC Consolidator, LLC
Managing Partner
Financial Services
The Trust, on behalf of the American Beacon Sound Point Floating Rate Income Fund, and the Manager have entered into an Investment Advisory Agreement with Sound Point pursuant to which the Fund has agreed to pay Sound Point an annualized sub-advisory fee that is calculated and accrued daily equal to 0.35% of the Fund’s average daily net assets.
The Investment Advisory Agreement will automatically terminate if assigned, and may be terminated without penalty at any time by the Manager, by a vote of a majority of the Trustees or by a vote of a majority of the outstanding voting securities of the Fund on no less than thirty (30) days’ nor more than sixty (60) days’ written notice to the sub-advisor, or by the sub-advisor upon sixty (60) days’ written notice to the Trust. The Investment Advisory Agreement will continue in effect from year to year provided that annually such continuance is specifically approved by a vote of the Trustees, including the affirmative votes of a majority of the Trustees who are not parties to the Agreement or “interested persons” (as defined in the Investment Company Act) of any such party, cast in person at a meeting called for the purpose of considering such approval, or by the vote of shareholders.
MANAGEMENT, ADMINISTRATIVE, SECURITIES LENDING, AND DISTRIBUTION SERVICES
The Manager
The Manager, located at 220 East Las Colinas Boulevard, Suite 1200, Irving, Texas 75039, is a Delaware corporation and a wholly owned subsidiary of Resolute Investment Managers, Inc. (“RIM”). RIM is, in turn, a wholly owned subsidiary of Resolute Acquisition, Inc., which is a wholly owned
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subsidiary of Resolute Topco, Inc., which is a wholly owned subsidiary of Resolute Investment Holdings, LLC (“RIH”). RIH is owned primarily by Kelso Investment Associates VIII, L.P., KEP VI, LLC and Estancia Capital Partners L.P., investment funds affiliated with Kelso & Company, L.P. (“Kelso”) or Estancia Capital Management, LLC (“Estancia”), which are private equity firms. The address of Kelso and its investment funds is 320 Park Avenue, 24th Floor, New York, NY 10022. The address of Estancia and its investment fund is 20865 N 90th Place, Suite 200, Scottsdale, AZ 85255. The address of RIH is 220 East Las Colinas Boulevard, Suite 1200, Irving, TX 75039.
Listed below are individuals and entities that may be deemed control persons of the Manager.
Controlling Person/Entity
Basis of Control
Nature of Controlling Person/Entity’s Business
Resolute Investment Holdings, LLC
Parent Company
Holding Company - Founded in 2015
Kelso Investment Associates VIII
Ownership in Parent Company
Investment Fund
The Manager is paid a management fee as compensation for providing the Fund with management and administrative services. The expenses are allocated daily to each class of shares of the Fund based upon the relative proportion of net assets represented by such class. The Management Agreement provides for the Manager to receive an annualized management fee based on a percentage of the Fund’s average daily net assets that is calculated and accrued daily according to the following schedule:
First $5 billion
0.35%
Next $5 billion
0.325%
Next $10 billion
0.30%
Over $20 billion
0.275%
Operating expenses directly attributable to a specific class are charged against the assets of that class. Pursuant to the Management Agreement, the Manager provides the Trust with office space, office equipment and personnel necessary to manage and administer the Trust’s operations. This includes:

 

complying with reporting requirements;

 

corresponding with shareholders;

 

maintaining internal bookkeeping, accounting and auditing services and records;

 

supervising the provision of services to the Trust by third parties; and

 

administering the interfund lending facility and lines of credit, if applicable.
 
In addition to its oversight of the sub-advisor, the Manager may invest the portion of the Fund’s assets that the sub-advisor determines to be allocated to short-term investments.

The Fund is responsible for expenses not otherwise assumed by the Manager, including the following: audits by independent auditors; transfer agency, custodian, dividend disbursing agent and shareholder recordkeeping services; taxes, if any, and the preparation of the Fund’s tax returns; interest; costs of Trustee and shareholder meetings; preparing, printing and mailing prospectuses and reports to existing shareholders; fees for filing reports with regulatory bodies and the maintenance of the Fund’s existence; legal fees; fees to federal and state authorities for the registration of shares; fees and expenses of Trustees; insurance and fidelity bond premiums; fees paid to service providers providing reports regarding adherence by the sub-advisor to the investment style of the Fund; fees paid for brokerage commission analysis for the purpose of monitoring best execution practices of the sub-advisor; and any extraordinary expenses of a nonrecurring nature.
The Manager has contractually agreed from time to time to waive fees and/or reimburse expenses for the Fund in order to maintain competitive expense ratios for the Fund. The contractual expense reimbursement can be changed or terminated only in the discretion and with the approval of a majority of the Fund’s Board of Trustees. The Manager will itself waive fees and/or reimburse expenses of the Fund to maintain the contractual expense ratio caps for each applicable class of shares or make arrangements with other service providers to do so. The Manager may also, from time to time, voluntarily waive fees and/or reimburse expenses of the Fund. The Board approved a policy whereby the Manager may seek repayment for such fee waivers and expense reimbursements. Under the policy, the Manager can be reimbursed by the Fund for any contractual or voluntary fee waivers or expense reimbursements if reimbursement to the Manager (a) occurs within three years from the date of the Manager’s waiver/reimbursement and (b) does not cause the Fund’s Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses to exceed the lesser of the contractual percentage limit in effect at the time of the waiver/reimbursement or the time of recoupment.
The following tables show the total management fees paid to the Manager for management and administrative services and the investment advisory fees paid to the sub-advisor based on the Fund’s average daily net assets for the Fund’s three most recent fiscal years ended August 31. The following tables also show the fees waived or recouped by the Manager and the fees waived by the sub-advisor, if applicable. The fees paid to the Manager were equal to 0.35% of the Fund’s average daily net assets. In the tables below, the fees paid to the sub-advisor are expressed both as a dollar amount and percentage of the Fund’s average daily net assets.
Management Fees Paid to American Beacon Advisors, Inc. (Gross)
2019
2020
2021
American Beacon Sound Point Floating Rate Income Fund
$6,871,161
$3,237,835
$2,102,218
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Sub-Advisor Fees (Gross)
2019
2020
2021
American Beacon Sound Point Floating Rate Income Fund
$6,870,877
$3,225,484
$2,092,287
0.35%
0.35%
0.35%
Management Fees (Waived)/Recouped
2019
2020
2021
American Beacon Sound Point Floating Rate Income Fund
$0
$0
$0
Management Fees (Waived)/Recouped for periods prior to 2020 reflect a revision to the order in which management fees waived and expenses reimbursed are deducted from the total fees waived and expense reimbursement amounts reported in the Funds’ annual report to shareholders. The revision was implemented in 2020.
Sub-Advisor Fees (Waived)
2019
2020
2021
$0
$0
$(164,411)
Distribution Fees
The Manager (or another entity approved by the Board) under a distribution plan adopted pursuant to Rule 12b-1 under the Investment Company Act, is paid up to 0.25% per annum of the average daily net assets of the A Class and SP Class shares and up to 1.00% per annum of the average daily net assets of the C Class shares of the Fund for distribution and shareholder servicing related services, including expenses relating to selling efforts of various broker-dealers, shareholder servicing fees and the preparation and distribution of A Class, C Class and SP Class shares advertising material and sales literature. The Manager will receive Rule 12b-1 fees from the A Class, C Class and SP Class shares regardless of the amount of the Manager’s actual expenses related to distribution and shareholder servicing efforts on behalf of each Class. Thus, the Manager may realize a profit or a loss based upon its actual distribution and shareholder servicing related expenditures for the A Class, C Class and SP Class. With respect to the A Class and C Class shares of the Fund, the Manager anticipates that the Rule 12b-1 plan will benefit shareholders by providing broader access to the Fund through broker-dealers and other financial intermediaries who require compensation for their expenses in order to offer shares of the Fund. With respect to the SP Class shares of the Fund, the Manager anticipates that the Rule 12b-1 plan will benefit shareholders by attracting new investments from, retaining, and servicing existing shareholders. The Board has not authorized Y Class, R5 Class, or Investor Class shares of the Fund to pay any fees pursuant to a distribution plan. Distribution fees pursuant to Rule 12b-1 under the Investment Company Act for the fiscal year ended August 31, 2021 were:
Distribution Fees
A Class
$73,966
C Class
$285,450
SP Class
$178
Certain sub-advisors of the Fund or other series of the American Beacon Funds contribute to the Manager to support the American Beacon Funds’ distribution activities.
Service Plan Fees
The A Class, C Class, and Investor Class have each adopted a Service Plan (collectively, the “Service Plans”). The Service Plans authorize the payment to the Manager (or another entity approved by the Board) of up to 0.375% per annum of the average daily net assets of the Investor Class shares, up to 0.25% per annum of the average daily net assets of the A Class shares and up to 0.25% per annum of the average daily net assets of the C Class shares. In addition, the Fund may reimburse the Manager for certain non-distribution shareholder services provided by financial intermediaries attributable to Y Class and R5 Class shares. The Manager or other approved entities may spend such amounts on any activities or expenses primarily intended to result in or relate to the servicing of A Class, C Class, Y Class, R5 Class, and Investor Class shares including, but not limited to, payment of shareholder service fees and transfer agency or sub-transfer agency expenses. The fees, which are included as part of the Fund’s “Other Expenses” in the Table of Fees and Expenses in the Prospectus, will be payable monthly in arrears. The primary non-distribution shareholder fees paid to financial intermediaries, such as plan sponsors and broker-dealers, generally include shareholder servicing, record keeping and servicing fees. Service Plan fees paid by the A Class, C Class, and Investor Class shares of the Fund pursuant to the applicable Service Plan for the three most recent fiscal years ended August 31 are set forth below.
2019
2020
2021
A Class
$34,098
$18,348
$18,206
C Class
$55,181
$28,916
$22,016
Investor Class
$1,609,680
$408,484
$197,370
Securities Lending Fees
As compensation for services provided by the Manager in connection with securities lending activities conducted by the Fund, the lending Fund would pay to the Manager, with respect to cash collateral posted by borrowers, a fee of 10% of the net monthly interest income (the gross interest income
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earned by the investment of cash collateral, less the amount paid to borrowers and related expenses) from such activities and, with respect to loan fees paid by borrowers when a borrower posts collateral other than cash, a fee up to 10% of such loan fees.
Securities lending income is generated from the demand premium (if any) paid by the borrower to borrow a specific security and from the return on investment of cash collateral, reduced by negotiated rebate fees paid to the borrower and transaction costs. To the extent that a loan is secured by non-cash collateral, securities lending income is generated as a demand premium reduced by transaction costs.
The Manager has not received any fees from securities lending activities of the Fund within the last three fiscal years.
As of the date of this SAI, the Fund does not intend to engage in securities lending activities.
The SEC has granted exemptive relief that permits the Fund to invest cash collateral received from securities lending transactions in shares of one or more private or registered investment companies managed by the Manager.
The Distributor
Resolute Investment Distributors, Inc. (“RID” or “Distributor”) is the Fund’s distributor and principal underwriter of the Fund’s shares.
RID, located at 220 East Las Colinas Blvd., Suite 1200, Irving, Texas 75039, is a registered broker-dealer and is a member of FINRA. The Distributor is affiliated with the Manager through common ownership. Under a Distribution Agreement with the Trust, the Distributor acts as the distributor and principal underwriter of the Trust in connection with the continuous offering of shares of the Fund. The Distributor continually distributes shares of the Fund on a best efforts basis. The Distributor has no obligation to sell any specific quantity of the Fund’s shares. Pursuant to the Distribution Agreement, to the extent applicable, the Distributor receives, and may re-allow to broker-dealers, all or a portion of the sales charge paid by the purchasers of A Class and C Class shares. For A Class and C Class shares, the Distributor receives commission revenue consisting of the portion of the A Class and C Class sales charge remaining after the allowances by the Distributor to the broker-dealers. The Distributor retains any portion of the commission fees that are not paid to the broker-dealers for use solely to pay distribution related expenses.
The aggregate sales charges paid to, or retained by, the Distributor from the sale of shares and the CDSC retained by the Distributor on the redemption of shares during the three most recent fiscal years ended August 31 are shown in the table below:
American Beacon Fund
Sales Charge Revenue
Deferred Sales Charge Revenue
American Beacon Sound Point Floating Rate Income Fund
Fiscal Year
Amount Paid to Distributor
Amount Retained by Distributor
Amount Paid to Distributor
Amount Retained by Distributor
2021
$29,678
$1,783
$3,154
$0
2020
$11,368
$1,744
$20,285
$0
2019
$294,102
$27,269
$50,896
$0
RID does not receive compensation on redemptions and repurchases, brokerage commissions, or other compensation. However, as shown in a separate chart, RID may receive distribution fees (i.e., Rule 12b-1 fees) from certain share classes of the Fund.
OTHER SERVICE PROVIDERS
State Street, located at One Lincoln Street, Boston, Massachusetts 02111, serves as custodian for the Fund. State Street also serves as the Fund’s Foreign Custody Manager pursuant to rules adopted under the Investment Company Act, whereby it selects and monitors eligible foreign sub-custodians. The Manager also has entered into a sub-administration agreement with State Street. Under the sub-administration agreement, State Street provides the Fund with certain financial reporting and tax services.
Pursuant to an administrative services agreement among the Manager, the Trust, American Beacon Institutional Funds Trust and Parametric Portfolio Associates LLC (“Parametric”), located at 800 Fifth Avenue, Suite 2800, Seattle, Washington 98104, Parametric provides certain administrative services related to the equitization of the cash balances for certain Funds.
DST Asset Manager Solutions, Inc., (“DST”), located at 2000 Crown Colony Drive, Quincy, Massachusetts 02169 is the transfer agent and dividend paying agent for the Trust and provides these services to Fund shareholders.
The Fund’s independent registered public accounting firm is Ernst & Young LLP, which is located at 2323 Victory Avenue, Suite 2000, Dallas, Texas 75219.
K&L Gates LLP, 1601 K Street, NW, Washington, D.C. 20006, serves as legal counsel to the Fund.
PORTFOLIO MANAGERS
The portfolio managers to the Fund (the “Portfolio Managers”) have responsibility for the day-to-day management of accounts other than the Fund. Information regarding these other accounts has been provided by the sub-advisor and is set forth below. The number of accounts and assets is shown as of August 31, 2021.
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Number of Other Accounts Managed
and Assets by Account Type
Number of Accounts and Assets for Which
Advisory Fee is Performance-Based
Name of Investment Advisor and Portfolio Manager
Registered Investment Companies
Other Pooled Investment Vehicles
Other Accounts
Registered Investment Companies
Other Pooled Investment Vehicles
Other Accounts
Sound Point
Stephen Ketchum
1($5.1 mil)
56($23.3 bil)
8($1.5 bil)
None
48($21.3 bil)
1($200 mil)
Rick Richert
None
13($6.3 bil)
2($156 mil)
None
12($5.3 bil)
None
Brian McHugh
None
13($8.2 bil)
None
None
12($7.2 bil)
None
Joe Xu
None
1($1.04 bil)
None
None
None
None
Conflicts of Interest
As noted in the table above, the Portfolio Managers manage accounts other than the Fund. This side-by-side management may present potential conflicts between a Portfolio Manager’s management of the Fund’s investments, on the one hand, and the investments of the other accounts, on the other hand. Set forth below is a description by the sub-advisor of any foreseeable material conflicts of interest that may arise from the concurrent management of the Fund and other accounts. The information regarding potential conflicts of interest was provided by the sub-advisor as of August 31, 2021.
The portfolio managers have interests which may conflict with the interests of the Fund. There is no guarantee that the policies and procedures adopted by Sound Point and the Fund will be able to identify or mitigate these conflicts of interest.
While Sound Point will seek to manage potential conflicts of interest in good faith, the portfolio strategies employed by the portfolio managers and Sound Point in managing its respective Other Accounts could conflict with the transactions and strategies employed by the portfolio managers in managing the Fund and may affect the prices and availability of the securities and instruments in which the Fund invests. Conversely, participation in specific investment opportunities may be appropriate, at times, for both the Fund and Other Accounts. It is the policy of Sound Point to generally share appropriate investment opportunities (and sale opportunities) with the Other Accounts. In general and except as provided below, this means that such opportunities will be allocated pro rata among the Fund and the Other Accounts based on available capacity for such investment in each fund, taking into account available cash and the relative capital of the respective funds. Nevertheless, investment and/or opportunities may be allocated other than on a pro rata basis, if Sound Point deems in good faith that a different allocation among the Fund and the Other Accounts is appropriate, taking into account, among other considerations (a) risk-return profile of the proposed investment; (b) the Fund’s or the Other Accounts’ objectives, whether such objectives are considered solely in light of the specific investment under consideration or in the context of the portfolio’s overall holdings; (c) the potential for the proposed investment to create an imbalance in the Fund’s and the Other Accounts’ portfolios; (d) liquidity requirements of the Fund and Other Accounts; (e) tax consequences; (f) regulatory restrictions; (g) the need to re-size risk in the Fund’s or Other Accounts’ portfolios; (h) redemption/withdrawal requests from Other Accounts and anticipated future contributions into the Fund and Other Accounts; and (i) proximity of an Other Account to the end of its specified term/commitment period. Orders may be combined for all such accounts, and if any order is not filled at the same price, they may be allocated on an average price basis.
Similarly, if an order on behalf of more than one account cannot be fully executed under prevailing market conditions, securities may be allocated among the different accounts on a basis which the Advisor or its affiliates consider equitable. From time to time, the Fund and the Other Accounts may make investments at different levels of an issuer’s capital structure or otherwise in different classes of an issuer’s securities. Such investments may inherently give rise to conflicts of interest or perceived conflicts of interest between or among the various classes of securities that may be held by such entities. While these conflicts cannot be eliminated, Sound Point, when practicable, will cause the Fund and the Other Accounts to hold investments in the same levels of an issuer’s capital structure in the same proportion at each level; provided, however, that neither the Fund nor any Other Account will be required to hold an investment if holding such investment would result in a violation of the provisions of the organizational documents of the Fund or the Other Account, as applicable, or constitute a breach of, or default or debt repayment event with respect to, any credit facility or other debt instrument or obligation.
Compensation
The following is a description provided by the investment sub-advisor regarding the structure of and criteria for determining the compensation of the Portfolio Managers as of August 31, 2021.
Sound Point’s financial arrangements with its portfolio managers, its competitive compensation and its career path emphasis at all levels reflect the value senior management places on key resources. Compensation may include a variety of components and may vary from year to year based on a number of factors. The principal components of compensation include a base salary and a discretionary bonus.
Generally, portfolio managers receive base compensation and employee benefits based on their individual seniority and/or their position with the firm. In addition to base compensation, portfolio managers may receive discretionary compensation. Discretionary compensation is based on individual seniority, contributions to the sub-advisor and performance of certain accounts that the portfolio manager has primary responsibility for. Certain portfolio managers receive part of a performance-based fee that is based on performance of certain accounts other than the Fund. These compensation guidelines are structured to closely align the interests of employees with those of Sound Point and its clients.
Ownership of the Fund
A Portfolio Manager’s beneficial ownership of the Fund is defined as the Portfolio Manager having the opportunity to share in any profit from transactions in the Fund, either directly or indirectly, as the result of any contract, understanding, arrangement, relationship or otherwise. Therefore,
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ownership of Fund shares by members of the Portfolio Manager’s immediate family or by a trust of which the Portfolio Manager is a trustee could be considered ownership by the Portfolio Manager. The table below sets forth each Portfolio Manager’s beneficial ownership of the Fund as of August 31, 2021 as provided by the sub-advisor.
Name of Investment Advisor and Portfolio Manager
American Beacon Sound Point Floating Rate Income Fund
Sound Point Capital Management, LP.
Stephen Ketchum
None
Rick Richert
$100,001-$500,000
Brian McHugh
None
Joe Xu
None
PORTFOLIO SECURITIES TRANSACTIONS
In selecting brokers or dealers to execute particular transactions, the Manager and the sub-advisor are authorized to consider “brokerage and research services” (as those terms are defined in Section 28(e) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended), provision of statistical quotations (including the quotations necessary to determine the Fund’s NAV), and other information provided to the Fund, to the Manager and/or to the sub-advisor (or their affiliates), provided, however, that the Manager or the sub-advisor must always seek best execution. Research and brokerage services may include information on portfolio companies, economic analyses, and other investment research services. The Trust does not allow the Manager or sub-advisor to enter arrangements to direct transactions to broker-dealers as compensation for the promotion or sale of Trust shares by those broker-dealers. The Manager and the sub-advisor are also authorized to cause the Fund to pay a commission (as defined in SEC interpretations) to a broker or dealer who provides such brokerage and research services for executing a portfolio transaction which is in excess of the amount of the commission another broker or dealer would have charged for effecting that transaction. The Manager or the sub-advisor, as appropriate, must determine in good faith, however, that such commission was reasonable in relation to the value of the brokerage and research services provided, viewed in terms of that particular transaction or in terms of all the accounts over which the Manager or the sub-advisor exercises investment discretion. The fees of the sub-advisor are not reduced by reason of receipt of such brokerage and research services. However, with disclosure to and pursuant to written guidelines approved by the Board, as applicable, the Manager, or the sub-advisor (or a broker-dealer affiliated with them) may execute portfolio transactions and receive usual and customary brokerage commissions (within the meaning of Rule 17e-1 under the Investment Company Act) for doing so. Brokerage and research services obtained with Fund commissions might be used by the Manager and/or the sub-advisor, as applicable, to benefit their other accounts under management.
The Manager and the sub-advisor will place their own orders to execute securities transactions that are designed to implement the Fund’s investment objective and policies. In placing such orders, the sub-advisor will seek best execution. The full range and quality of services offered by the executing broker or dealer will be considered when making these determinations. Pursuant to written guidelines approved by the Board, as appropriate, the sub-advisor of the Fund, or its affiliated broker-dealer, may execute portfolio transactions and receive usual and customary brokerage commissions (within the meaning of Rule 17e-1 of the Investment Company Act) for doing so. The Fund’s turnover rate, or the frequency of portfolio transactions, will vary from year to year depending on market conditions and the Fund’s cash flows. High portfolio turnover increases the Fund’s transaction costs, including brokerage commissions, and may result in a greater amount of recognized capital gains.
The Investment Advisory Agreement provides, in substance, that in executing portfolio transactions and selecting brokers or dealers, the principal objective of the sub-advisor is to seek best execution. In assessing available execution venues, the sub-advisor shall consider all factors it deems relevant, including the breadth of the market in the security, the price of the security, the value of any eligible research, the financial condition and execution capability of the broker or dealer and the reasonableness of the commission, if any, for the specific transaction and on a continuing basis. Transactions with respect to the securities of small and emerging growth companies in which the Fund may invest may involve specialized services on the part of the broker or dealer and thereby may entail higher commissions or spreads than would be the case with transactions involving more widely traded securities.
The Fund may establish brokerage commission recapture arrangements with certain brokers or dealers. If the sub-advisor chooses to execute a transaction through a participating broker, the broker rebates a portion of the commission back to the Fund. Any collateral benefit received through participation in the commission recapture program is directed exclusively to the Fund. Neither the Manager nor the sub-advisor receives any benefits from the commission recapture program. The sub-advisor’s participation in the brokerage commission recapture program is optional. The sub-advisor retains full discretion in selecting brokerage firms for securities transactions and is instructed to use the commission recapture program for a transaction only if it is consistent with the sub-advisor’s obligation to seek the best execution available.
Commission Recapture
For the fiscal year ended August 31, 2021, the Fund did not receive any compensation as a result of participation in a commission recapture program.
Affiliated Broker Commissions
For the three most recent fiscal years ended August 31, no brokerage commissions were paid to affiliated brokers by the Fund.
Brokerage Commissions
For the three most recent fiscal years ended August 31, no brokerage commissions were paid by the Fund.
Soft Dollars
For the fiscal year ended August 31, 2021, the Fund did not direct any transactions to brokers for research services.
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Securities Issued by Top 10 Brokers
For the fiscal year ended August 31, 2021, the Fund did not hold securities issued by a broker-dealer (or by its parent) that was one of the top ten brokers or dealers through which the Fund executed transactions or sold shares.
ADDITIONAL PURCHASE AND SALE INFORMATION FOR A CLASS SHARES
Sales Charge Reductions and Waivers
As described in the Prospectus, there are various ways to reduce your sales charge when purchasing A Class shares. Additional information about A Class sales charge reductions is provided below.
LOI. The LOI may be revised upward at any time during the 13-month period of the LOI (“LOI Period”), and such a revision will be treated as a new LOI, except that the LOI Period during which the purchases must be made will remain unchanged. Purchases made from the date of revision will receive the reduced sales charge, if any, resulting from the revised LOI. The LOI will be considered completed if the shareholder dies within the 13-month LOI Period. Commissions to dealers will not be adjusted or paid on the difference between the LOI amount and the amount invested before the shareholder’s death.
All dividends and other distributions on shares held in escrow will be credited to the shareholder’s account in shares (or paid in cash, if requested). If the intended investment is not completed within the specified LOI Period, the purchaser may be required to remit to the transfer agent the difference between the sales charge actually paid and the sales charge which would have been paid if the total of such purchases had been made at a single time. Any dealers assigned to the shareholder’s account at the time a purchase was made during the LOI Period will receive a corresponding commission adjustment if appropriate. If the difference is not paid by the close of the LOI Period, the appropriate number of shares held in escrow will be redeemed to pay such difference. If the proceeds from this redemption are inadequate, the purchaser may be liable to the Fund for the balance still outstanding.
Rights of Accumulation. Subject to the limitations described in the aggregation policy, you may take into account your accumulated holdings in any class of the American Beacon Funds to determine your sales charge for A Class shares on investments in accounts eligible to be aggregated. If you make a gift of A Class shares, upon your request, you may purchase the shares at the sales charge discount allowed under rights of accumulation of all of your investments in any class of the American Beacon Funds.
Aggregation. Qualifying investments for aggregation include those made by you and your “immediate family” as defined in the Prospectus, if all parties are purchasing shares for their own accounts and/or:

 

individual-type employee benefit plans, such as an IRA, individual 403(b) plan or single-participant Keogh-type plan;

 

business accounts solely controlled by you or your immediate family (for example, you own the entire business);

 

trust accounts established by you or your immediate family (for trusts with only one primary beneficiary, upon the trustor’s death the trust account may be aggregated with such beneficiary’s own accounts; for trusts with multiple primary beneficiaries, upon the trustor’s death the trustees of the trust may instruct the Fund’s transfer agent to establish separate trust accounts for each primary beneficiary; each primary beneficiary’s separate trust account may then be aggregated with such beneficiary’s own accounts);

 

endowments or foundations established and controlled by you or your immediate family; or

 

529 accounts, which will be aggregated at the account owner level (Class 529-E accounts may only be aggregated with an eligible employer plan).
 
Individual purchases by a trustee(s) or other fiduciary(ies) may also be aggregated if the investments are:

 

for a single trust estate or fiduciary account, including employee benefit plans other than the individual-type employee benefit plans described above;

 

made for two or more employee benefit plans of a single employer or of affiliated employers as defined in the Investment Company Act, excluding the individual-type employee benefit plans described above;

 

for nonprofit, charitable or educational organizations, or any endowments or foundations established and controlled by such organizations, or any employer-sponsored retirement plans established for the benefit of the employees of such organizations, their endowments, or their foundations; or

 

for individually established participant accounts of a 403(b) plan that is treated similarly to an employer-sponsored plan for sales charge purposes (see “Purchases by certain 403(b) plans” under “Sales Charges” above), or made for two or more such 403(b) plans that are treated similarly to employer-sponsored plans for sales charge purposes, in each case of a single employer or affiliated employers as defined in the Investment Company Act. Purchases made for nominee or street name accounts (securities held in the name of a broker-dealer or another nominee such as a bank trust department instead of the customer) may not be aggregated with those made for other accounts and may not be aggregated with other nominee or street name accounts unless otherwise qualified as described above.
 
Concurrent Purchases. As described in the Prospectus, you may reduce your A Class sales charge by combining simultaneous purchases in any of the American Beacon Funds.
Other Purchases. Pursuant to a determination of eligibility by the Manager, A Class shares of the Fund may be sold at NAV (without the imposition of a front-end sales charge) to:

 

1 current or retired trustees, and officers of the American Beacon Funds family, current or retired employees and directors of the Manager and its affiliated companies, certain family members and employees of the above persons, and trusts or plans primarily for such persons;

 

2 currently registered representatives and assistants directly employed by such representatives, retired registered representatives with respect to accounts established while active, or full-time employees (collectively, “Eligible Persons”) (and their spouses, and children, including children in step and adoptive relationships, sons-in-law and daughters-in-law, if the Eligible Persons or the spouses or children of the Eligible Persons are listed in
 
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the account registration with the spouse or parent) of broker-dealers who have sales agreements with the Distributor (or who clear transactions through such dealers), plans for the dealers, and plans that include as participants only the Eligible Persons, their spouses and/or children;

 

3 companies exchanging securities with the Fund through a merger, acquisition or exchange offer;

 

4 insurance company separate accounts;

 

5 accounts managed by the Manager, a sub-advisor to the Fund and its affiliated companies;

 

6 the Manager or a sub-advisor to the Fund and its affiliated companies;

 

7 an individual or entity with a substantial business relationship with, which may include the officers and employees of the Fund’s custodian or transfer agent, the Manager or a sub-advisor to the Fund and its affiliated companies, or an individual or entity related or relating to such individual or entity;

 

8 full-time employees of banks that have sales agreements with the Distributor, who are solely dedicated to directly supporting the sale of mutual funds;

 

9 directors, officers and employees of financial institutions that have a selling group agreement with the Distributor;

 

10 banks, broker-dealers and other financial institutions (including registered investment advisors and financial planners) that have entered into an agreement with the Distributor or one of its affiliates, purchasing shares on behalf of clients participating in the Fund supermarket or in a wrap program, asset allocation program or other program in which the clients pay an asset-based fee;

 

11 clients of authorized dealers purchasing shares in fixed or flat fee brokerage accounts;

 

12 Employer-sponsored defined contribution - type plans, including 401(k) plans, 457 plans, employer sponsored 403(b) plans, profit-sharing and money purchase pension plans, defined benefit plans and non-qualified deferred compensation plans, and IRA rollovers involving retirement plan assets invested in the Fund in the American Beacon Funds fund family; and

 

13 Employee benefit and retirement plans for the Manager and its affiliates.
 
Shares are offered at NAV per share to these persons and organizations due to anticipated economies in sales effort and expense. Once an account is established under this NAV per share privilege, additional investments can be made at NAV per share for the life of the account.
It is possible that a broker-dealer may not be able to offer one or more of these waiver categories. If this situation occurs, it is possible that the investor would need to invest through another broker-dealer in order to take advantage of these waiver categories. The Fund may terminate or amend the terms of these sales charge waivers at any time.
Moving Between Accounts. Investments in certain account types may be moved to other account types without incurring additional A Class sales charges. These transactions include, for example:

 

redemption proceeds from a non-retirement account (for example, a joint tenant account) used to purchase Fund shares in an IRA or other individual-type retirement account;

 

“required minimum distributions” (as described in Section 401(a)(9) of the Internal Revenue Code) from an IRA or other individual-type retirement account used to purchase Fund shares in a non-retirement account; and

 

death distributions paid to a beneficiary’s account that are used by the beneficiary to purchase Fund shares in a different account.
 
It is possible that a broker-dealer may not be able to offer the ability to move between accounts. If this situation occurs, it is possible that the investor would need to invest through another broker-dealer in order to take advantage of this privilege. Please contact your financial intermediary for additional information.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION REGARDING CONTINGENT DEFERRED SALES CHARGES
As discussed in the Prospectus, the redemption of C Class shares may be subject to a CDSC if you redeem your shares within 12 months of purchase. If you purchased $250,000 or more of A Class shares of the Fund (and therefore paid no initial sales charges) and subsequently redeem your shares within 18 months of your purchase, you may be charged a CDSC upon redemption. In determining whether the CDSC is payable, it is assumed that shares not subject to the CDSC are the first redeemed followed by other shares held for the longest period of time. The CDSC will not be imposed upon shares representing reinvested dividends or other distributions, or upon amounts representing share appreciation. As described in the Prospectus, there are various circumstances under which the CDSC will be waived. Additional information about CDSC waivers is provided below.
The CDSC is waived under the following circumstances:

 

Any partial or complete redemption following death or “disability” (as defined in the Internal Revenue Code) of a shareholder (including one who owns the shares with his or her spouse as a joint tenant with rights of survivorship) from an account in which the deceased or disabled is named. The Manager or the Fund’s transfer agent may require documentation prior to waiver of the charge, including death certificates, physicians’ certificates, etc.

 

Redemptions from a systematic withdrawal plan. If the systematic withdrawal plan is based on a fixed dollar amount or number of shares, systematic withdrawal redemptions are limited to no more than 10% of your account value or number of shares per year, as of the date the Manager or the Fund’s transfer agent receives your request. If the systematic withdrawal plan is based on a fixed percentage of your account value, each redemption is limited to an amount that would not exceed 10% of your annual account value at the time of withdrawal.

 

Redemptions from retirement plans qualified under Section 401 of the Internal Revenue Code. The CDSC will be waived for benefit payments made by American Beacon Funds directly to plan participants. Benefit payments include, but are not limited to, payments resulting from death, “disability”, “retirement”, “separation from service”, (each as defined in the Internal Revenue Code)”required minimum distributions” (as described in Section 401(a)(9) of the Internal Revenue Code), in-service distributions, hardships, loans and qualified domestic relations orders. The CDSC waiver will not apply in the event of termination of the plan or transfer of the plan to another financial institution.
 
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Redemptions that are required minimum distributions from a traditional IRA as required by the Internal Revenue Service.

 

Involuntary redemptions as a result of your account not meeting the minimum balance requirements, the termination and liquidation of the Fund, or other actions by the Fund.

 

Distributions from accounts for which the broker-dealer of record has entered into a written agreement with the Distributor (or Manager) allowing this waiver.

 

To return excess contributions made to a retirement plan.

 

To return contributions made due to a mistake of fact.
 
The following example illustrates the operation of the CDSC. Assume that you open an account and purchase 1,000 shares at $10 per share and that six months later the NAV per share is $12 and, during such time, you have acquired 50 additional shares through reinvestment of distributions. If at such time you should redeem 450 shares (proceeds of $5,400), 50 shares will not be subject to the charge because of dividend reinvestment. With respect to the remaining 400 shares, the charge is applied only to the original cost of $10 per share and not to the increase in NAV of $2 per share. Therefore, $4,000 of the $5,400 redemption proceeds will pay the charge. At the rate of 1.00%, the CDSC would be $40 for redemptions of C Class shares. In determining whether an amount is available for redemption without incurring a deferred sales charge, the purchase payments made for all shares in your account are aggregated.
REDEMPTIONS IN KIND
Although the Fund intends to redeem shares in cash, the Fund reserves the right to pay the redemption price in whole or in part by a distribution of securities or other assets. However, shareholders always will be entitled to redeem shares for cash up to the lesser of $250,000 or 1% of the Fund’s net asset value during any 90-day period. Redemption in kind is not as liquid as a cash redemption. In addition, to the extent the Fund redeems its shares in this manner, the shareholder assumes the risk of a subsequent change in the market value of those securities, the cost of liquidating the securities and the possibility of a lack of a liquid market for those securities.
TAX INFORMATION
The tax information in the Prospectus and in this section relates solely to the federal income tax law and assumes that the Fund will continue to qualify each taxable year as a RIC under the Internal Revenue Code (as discussed below). The tax information in this section is only a summary of certain key federal tax considerations affecting the Fund and its shareholders and is in addition to the tax information provided in the Prospectus. No attempt has been made to present a complete explanation of the federal income tax treatment of the Fund or the tax implications to its shareholders. The discussions here and in the Prospectus are not intended as substitutes for careful tax planning. The tax information is based on the Internal Revenue Code and applicable regulations in effect, and administrative pronouncements and judicial decisions publicly available, on the date of this SAI. Future legislative, regulatory or administrative changes or court decisions may significantly change the tax rules applicable to the Fund and its shareholders. Any of these changes or court decisions may have a retroactive effect.
Taxation of the Fund
The Fund intends to continue to qualify each taxable year for treatment as a RIC under Subchapter M of Chapter 1 of Subtitle A of the Internal Revenue Code. To so qualify, the Fund (which is treated as a separate corporation for these purposes) must, among other requirements:

 

Derive at least 90% of its gross income each taxable year from (1) dividends, interest, payments with respect to securities loans and gains from the sale or other disposition of securities or foreign currencies (together with Qualifying Other Income (as defined below), “Qualifying Income”), or other income, including gains from options, futures or forward contracts, derived with respect to its business of investing in securities or those currencies (“Qualifying Other Income”) and (2) net income derived from an interest in a “qualified publicly traded partnership” (“QPTP”) (“Gross Income Requirement”). A QPTP is a “publicly traded partnership” (that is, a partnership the interests in which are “traded on an established securities market” or “readily tradable on a secondary market (or the substantial equivalent thereof”) (a “PTP”)) that meets certain qualifying income requirements other than a partnership at least 90% of the gross income of which is Qualifying Income;

 

Diversify its investments so that, at the close of each quarter of its taxable year, (1) at least 50% of the value of its total assets is represented by cash and cash items, Government securities, securities of other RICs, and other securities, with those other securities limited, in respect of any one issuer, to an amount that does not exceed 5% of the value of the Fund’s total assets and that does not represent more than 10% of the issuer’s outstanding voting securities (equity securities of QPTPs being considered voting securities for these purposes), and (2) not more than 25% of the value of its total assets is invested in (a) the securities (other than Government securities or securities of other RICs) of any one issuer, (b) the securities (other than securities of other RICs) of two or more issuers the Fund controls (by owning 20% or more of their voting power) that are determined to be engaged in the same, similar or related trades or businesses, or (c) the securities of one or more QPTPs (“Diversification Requirements”); and

 

Distribute annually to its shareholders at least the sum of 90% of its investment company taxable income (generally, net investment income, the excess (if any) of net short-term capital gain over net long-term capital loss, and net gains (if any) from certain foreign currency transactions, all determined without regard to any deduction for dividends paid) and 90% of its net exempt interest income (“Distribution Requirement”).
 
By qualifying for treatment as a RIC, the Fund (but not its shareholders) will be relieved of federal income tax on the part of its investment company taxable income and net capital gain (i.e., the excess of net long-term capital gain over net short-term capital loss) that it distributes to its shareholders. If for any taxable year the Fund does not qualify for that treatment — either (1) by failing to satisfy the Distribution Requirement, even if it satisfies the Gross Income and Diversification Requirements (“Other Requirements”), or (2) by failing to satisfy any of the Other Requirements and is unable to, or determines not to, avail itself of Internal Revenue Code provisions that enable a RIC to cure a failure to satisfy any of the Other Requirements as long as the failure “is due to reasonable cause and not due to willful neglect” and the RIC pays a deductible tax calculated in accordance with those provisions and meets certain other requirements — then for federal tax purposes, all of its taxable income (including its net capital gain) would be subject to tax
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at the regular corporate rate without any deduction for dividends paid to its shareholders, and the dividends it pays would be taxable to its shareholders as ordinary income (or possibly, (a) for individual and certain other non-corporate shareholders (each an “individual”), as “qualified dividend income” (as described in the Prospectus) (“QDI”), and/or (b) in the case of corporate shareholders that meet certain holding period and other requirements regarding their Fund shares, as eligible for the dividends-received deduction (“DRD”)) to the extent of the Fund’s current and accumulated earnings and profits. Failure to qualify for RIC treatment would therefore have a negative impact on the Fund’s income and performance. Furthermore, the Fund could be required to recognize unrealized gains, pay substantial taxes and interest, and make substantial distributions before re-qualifying for RIC treatment. It is possible that the Fund will not qualify as a RIC in any given taxable year.
The Fund will be subject to a nondeductible 4% federal excise tax (“Excise Tax”) to the extent it fails to distribute by the end of any calendar year substantially all of its ordinary income for that year and substantially all of its “capital gain net income” for the one-year period ending on October 31 of that year, plus certain other amounts. The Fund intends to make sufficient distributions by the end of each calendar year to avoid liability for the Excise Tax.
Taxation of Certain Investments and Strategies
Hedging strategies, such as entering into forward contracts and selling (writing) and purchasing options and futures contracts, involve complex rules that will determine for federal income tax purposes the amount, character and timing of recognition of gains and losses the Fund may realize in connection therewith. In general, the Fund’s (1) gains from the disposition of foreign currencies and (2) gains from such contracts will be treated as Qualifying Income under the Gross Income Requirement.
Dividends and interest the Fund receives, and gains it realizes, on foreign securities may be subject to income, withholding or other taxes imposed by foreign countries and U.S. possessions (collectively, “foreign taxes”) that would reduce the yield and/or total return on its securities. Tax treaties between certain countries and the United States may reduce or eliminate foreign taxes, however, and many foreign countries do not impose taxes on capital gains realized on investments by foreign investors. It is impossible to determine the effective rate of the Fund’s foreign tax in advance, since the amount of its assets to be invested in various countries is not known.
Some futures contracts, foreign currency contracts, and “non-equity” options (i.e., certain listed options, such as those on a “broad-based” securities index) - except any “securities futures contract” that is not a “dealer securities futures contract” (both as defined in the Internal Revenue Code) and any interest rate swap, currency swap, basis swap, interest rate cap, interest rate floor, commodity swap, equity swap, equity index swap, credit default swap, or similar agreement - in which the Fund invests may be subject to Internal Revenue Code section 1256 (collectively, “Section 1256 contracts”). Any Section 1256 contract the Fund holds at the end of its taxable year must be “marked-to-market” (that is, treated as having been sold at that time for its fair market value) for federal income tax purposes, with the result that unrealized gains or losses will be treated as though they were realized. Sixty percent of any net gain or loss realized on these deemed sales, and 60% of any net realized gain or loss from any actual sales of Section 1256 contracts, will be treated as long-term capital gain or loss, and the balance will be treated as short-term capital gain or loss. Section 1256 contracts also may be marked-to-market for purposes of the Excise Tax. These rules may operate to increase the amount that the Fund must distribute to satisfy the Distribution Requirement (i.e., with respect to the portion treated as short-term capital gain), which will be taxable to its shareholders as ordinary income when distributed to them, and to increase the net capital gain the Fund recognizes, without in either case increasing the cash available to it.
Under Internal Revenue Code section 988, a gain or loss (1) from the disposition of foreign currencies, (2) except in certain circumstances, from options, futures, and forward contracts on foreign currencies (and on financial instruments involving foreign currencies) and from notional principal contracts (e.g., swaps, caps, floors, and collars) involving payments denominated in foreign currencies, (3) on the disposition of each foreign-currency-denominated debt security that is attributable to fluctuations in the value of the foreign currency between the dates of acquisition and disposition of the security, and (4) that is attributable to exchange rate fluctuations between the time the Fund accrues interest, dividends, or other receivables or expenses or other liabilities denominated in a foreign currency and the time it actually collects the receivables or pays the liabilities generally will be treated as ordinary income or loss. These gains or losses will increase or decrease the amount of the Fund’s investment company taxable income to be distributed to its shareholders as ordinary income, rather than affecting the amount of its net capital gain. If the Fund’s section 988 losses exceed its other investment company taxable income for a taxable year, the Fund would not be able to distribute any dividends, and any distributions made during that year (including those made before the losses were realized) would be characterized as a non-taxable “return of capital” to shareholders, rather than as a dividend, thereby reducing each shareholder’s basis in his or her Fund shares and treating any part of such distribution exceeding that basis as gain from the disposition of those shares.
Offsetting positions the Fund enters into or holds in any actively traded option, futures or forward contract may constitute a “straddle” for federal income tax purposes. Straddles are subject to certain rules that may affect the amount, character and timing of recognition of the Fund’s gains and losses with respect to positions of the straddle by requiring, among other things, that (1) losses realized on disposition of one position of a straddle be deferred to the extent of any unrealized gain in an offsetting position until the latter position is disposed of, (2) the Fund’s holding period in certain straddle positions not begin until the straddle is terminated (possibly resulting in gain being treated as short-term rather than long-term capital gain), and (3) losses recognized with respect to certain straddle positions, that otherwise would constitute short-term capital losses, be treated as long-term capital losses. Applicable regulations also provide certain “wash sale” rules, which apply to transactions where a position is sold at a loss and a new offsetting position is acquired within a prescribed period, and “short sale” rules applicable to straddles. Different elections are available, which may mitigate the effects of the straddle rules, particularly with respect to a “mixed straddle” (i.e., a straddle at least one, but not all, positions of which are Section 1256 contracts).
When a covered call option written (sold) by the Fund expires, the Fund will realize a short-term capital gain equal to the amount of the premium it received for writing the option. When the Fund terminates its obligations under such an option by entering into a closing transaction, it will realize a short-term capital gain (or loss), depending on whether the cost of the closing transaction is less (or more) than the premium it received when it wrote the option. When a covered call option written by the Fund is exercised, it will be treated as having sold the underlying security, producing long-term or short-term capital gain or loss, depending on the holding period of the underlying security and whether the sum of the option price received on the exercise plus the premium received when it wrote the option is more or less than the underlying security’s basis.
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If the Fund has an “appreciated financial position” - generally, any position (including an interest through an option, futures or forward contract or short sale) with respect to any stock, debt instrument (other than “straight debt”) or partnership interest the fair market value of which exceeds its adjusted basis—and enters into a “constructive sale” of the position, the Fund will be treated as having made an actual sale thereof, with the result that it will recognize gain at that time. A constructive sale generally consists of a short sale, an offsetting notional principal contract or a futures or forward contract the Fund or a related person enters into with respect to the same or substantially identical property. In addition, if the appreciated financial position is itself a short sale or such a contract, acquisition of the underlying property or substantially identical property will be deemed a constructive sale. The foregoing will not apply, however, to any transaction of the Fund during any taxable year that otherwise would be treated as a constructive sale if the transaction is closed within 30 days after the end of that year and the Fund holds the appreciated financial position unhedged for 60 days after that closing (i.e., at no time during that 60-day period is the Fund’s risk of loss regarding that position reduced by reason of certain specified transactions with respect to substantially identical or related property, such as having an option to sell, being contractually obligated to sell, making a short sale or granting an option to buy substantially identical stock or securities).
Certain aspects of the tax treatment of derivative instruments are currently unclear and may be affected by changes in legislation, regulations, administrative rules, and/or other legally binding authority that could affect the treatment of income from those instruments and the character, timing of recognition and amount of the Fund’s taxable income or net realized gains and distributions. If the IRS were to assert successfully that income the Fund derives from those investments does not constitute Qualifying Other Income, the Fund might cease to qualify as a RIC (with the consequences described above under “Taxation of the Fund”) or might be required to reduce its exposure to such investments.
The Fund must include in its gross income each taxable year securities it receives as interest on pay-in-kind securities. Because the Fund annually must distribute substantially all of its investment company taxable income, including any accrued OID and other non-cash income (such as that interest), to satisfy the Distribution Requirement and avoid imposition of the Excise Tax, it may be required in a particular taxable year to distribute as a dividend an amount that is greater than the total amount of cash it actually receives. Those distributions will be made from the Fund’s cash assets or from the proceeds of sales of its portfolio securities, if necessary. The Fund may realize capital gains or losses from those sales, which would increase or decrease its investment company taxable income and/or net capital gain.
Taxation of the Fund’s Shareholders
General - Dividends and other distributions the Fund declares in the last quarter of any calendar year that are payable to shareholders of record on a date in that quarter will be deemed to have been paid by the Fund and received by those shareholders on December 31 of that year if the Fund pays the distributions during the following January. Accordingly, those distributions will be reportable by, and taxed to, those shareholders for the taxable year in which that December 31 falls.
If Fund shares are redeemed at a loss after being held for six months or less, the loss will be treated as long-term, instead of short-term, capital loss to the extent of any capital gain distributions received on those shares. In addition, any loss a shareholder realizes on a redemption of Fund shares will be disallowed to the extent the shares are replaced within a 61-day period beginning 30 days before and ending 30 days after the redemption; in that case, the basis in the acquired shares will be adjusted to reflect the disallowed loss. Investors also should be aware that the price of Fund shares at any time may reflect the amount of a forthcoming dividend or other distribution, so if they purchase Fund shares shortly before the record date for a distribution, they will pay full price for the shares and receive some part of the price back as a taxable distribution, even though it represents a partial return of invested capital.
Basis Election and Reporting - A Fund shareholder who wants to use an acceptable method for basis determination with respect to Fund shares other than the average basis method (the Fund’s default method) must elect to do so in writing, which may be electronic. The basis determination method a Fund shareholder elects may not be changed with respect to a redemption (including a redemption that is part of an exchange) of Fund shares after the settlement date of the redemption.
In addition to the requirement to report the gross proceeds from redemptions of Fund shares, the Fund (or its administrative agent) must report to the IRS and furnish to its shareholders the basis information for Fund shares that are redeemed or exchanged and indicate whether they had a short-term (one year or less) or long-term (more than one year) holding period. Fund shareholders should consult with their tax advisers to determine the best IRS-accepted basis determination method for their tax situation and to obtain more information about how the basis reporting law applies to them. Fund shareholders who acquire and hold Fund shares through a financial intermediary should contact their financial intermediary for information related to the basis election and reporting.
Backup Withholding - The Fund is required to withhold and remit to the U.S. Treasury 24% of dividends, capital gain distributions, and redemption proceeds (regardless of the extent to which gain or loss may be realized) otherwise payable to any individual who fails to certify that the taxpayer identification number furnished to the Fund is correct or who furnishes an incorrect number (together with the withholding described in the next sentence, “backup withholding”). Withholding at that rate also is required from the Fund’s dividends and capital gain distributions otherwise payable to such a shareholder who (1) is subject to backup withholding for failure to report the receipt of interest or dividend income properly or (2) fails to certify to the Fund that he or she is not subject to backup withholding or that it is a corporation or other “exempt recipient”. Backup withholding is not an additional tax; rather, any amounts so withheld may be credited against the shareholder’s federal income tax liability or refunded if proper documentation is submitted to the IRS.
Non-U.S. Shareholders - Dividends the Fund pays to a shareholder who is a non-resident alien individual or foreign entity (each a “non-U.S. shareholder”) - other than (1) dividends paid to a non-U.S. shareholder whose ownership of the Fund’s shares is “effectively connected” with a trade or business within the United States the shareholder conducts and (2) capital gain distributions paid to a nonresident alien individual who is physically present in the United States for no more than 182 days during the taxable year - generally are subject to 30% federal withholding tax (unless a reduced rate of withholding or a withholding exemption is provided under an applicable treaty). However, two categories of dividends the Fund might pay, “short-term capital gain dividends,” and “interest-related dividends,” to non-U.S. shareholders (with certain exceptions) and reported by it in writing to its shareholders are exempt from that tax. “Short-term capital gain dividends” are dividends that are attributable to net short-term gain,
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computed with certain adjustments. “Interest-related dividends” are dividends that are attributable to “qualified net interest income” (i.e., “qualified interest income,” which generally consists of certain OID, interest on obligations “in registered form,” and interest on deposits, less allocable deductions) from sources within the United States. Non-U.S. shareholders are urged to consult their own tax advisers concerning the applicability of that withholding tax.
Foreign Account Tax Compliance Act (“FATCA”) - Under FATCA, “foreign financial institutions” (“FFIs”) and “non-financial foreign entities” (“NFFEs”) that are Fund shareholders may be subject to a generally nonrefundable 30% withholding tax on income dividends the Fund pays. As discussed more fully below, the FATCA withholding tax generally can be avoided (a) by an FFI, if it reports certain information regarding direct and indirect ownership of financial accounts U.S. persons hold with the FFI, and (b) by an NFFE that certifies its status as such and, in certain circumstances, information regarding substantial U.S. owners. Proposed regulations (effective while pending) have been issued to eliminate certain FATCA withholding taxes, including the withholding tax on investment sale proceeds that was scheduled to begin in 2019, and to defer the effective date of other taxes.
The U.S. Treasury has negotiated intergovernmental agreements (“IGAs”) with certain countries and is in various stages of negotiations with other foreign countries with respect to alternative approaches to implement FATCA. An entity in one of those countries may be required to comply with the terms of the IGA instead of U.S. Treasury regulations. An FFI resident in a country that has entered into a Model I IGA with the United States must report to that country’s government (pursuant to the terms of the applicable IGA and applicable law), which will, in turn, report to the IRS. An FFI resident in a Model II IGA country generally must comply with U.S. regulatory requirements, with certain exceptions, including the treatment of recalcitrant accountholders. An FFI resident in one of those countries that complies with whichever of the foregoing applies will be exempt from FATCA withholding.
An FFI can avoid FATCA withholding by becoming a “participating FFI,” which requires the FFI to enter into a tax compliance agreement with the IRS under the Internal Revenue Code. Under such an agreement, a participating FFI agrees to (1) verify and document whether it has U.S. accountholders, (2) report certain information regarding their accounts to the IRS, and (3) meet certain other specified requirements.
An NFFE that is the beneficial owner of a payment from the Fund can avoid FATCA withholding generally by certifying its status as such and, in certain circumstances, either that (1) it does not have any substantial U.S. owners or (2) it does have one or more such owners and reports the name, address, and taxpayer identification number of each such owner. The NFFE will report to the Fund or other applicable withholding agent, which may, in turn, report information to the IRS.
Those foreign shareholders also may fall into certain exempt, excepted, or deemed compliant categories established by U.S. Treasury regulations, IGAs, and other guidance regarding FATCA. An FFI or NFFE that invests in the Fund will need to provide it with documentation properly certifying the entity’s status under FATCA to avoid FATCA withholding. The requirements imposed by FATCA are different from, and in addition to, the tax certification rules to avoid backup withholding described above. Foreign investors are urged to consult their tax advisers regarding the application of these requirements to their own situation and the impact thereof on their investment in the Fund.
Other Taxes - Statutory rules and regulations regarding state and local taxation of ordinary income dividends, QDI dividends and net capital and foreign currency gain distributions may differ from the federal income taxation rules described above. Distributions may also be subject to additional state, local and foreign taxes depending on each shareholder’s situation.
Investors should consult their own tax advisors with respect to the tax consequences to them of an investment in the Fund based on their particular circumstances. The Fund does not expect to receive a ruling from any tax authority or an opinion of tax counsel with respect to its treatment of any tax positions. Tax consequences of transactions are not the primary consideration of the Fund in implementing its investment strategy.
DESCRIPTION OF THE TRUST
The Trust is an entity of the type commonly known as a “Massachusetts business trust.” Under Massachusetts law, shareholders of such a trust may, under certain circumstances, be held personally liable for its obligations. However, the Trust’s Declaration of Trust contains an express disclaimer of shareholder liability for acts or obligations of the Trust and provides for indemnification and reimbursement of expenses out of Trust property for any shareholder held personally liable for the obligations of the Trust. The Declaration of Trust also provides that the Trust may maintain appropriate insurance (e.g., fidelity bonding) for the protection of the Trust, its shareholders, Trustees, officers, employees and agents to cover possible tort and other liabilities. Thus, the risk of a shareholder incurring financial loss due to shareholder liability is limited to circumstances in which both inadequate insurance existed and the Trust itself was unable to meet its obligations. The Trust has not engaged in any other business.
The Trust was originally created to manage money for large institutional investors. The following individuals (and members of that individual’s “immediate family”), are eligible to purchase shares of the R5 Class with an initial investment of less than $250,000: (i) employees of the Manager, or its parent company RIM (ii) employees of a sub-advisor for Funds where it serves as sub-advisor, (iii) members of the Board, (iv) employees of Kelso/Estancia, and (v) members of the Manager’s Board of Directors. The term “immediate family” refers to one’s spouse, children, grandchildren, grandparents, parents, parents-in-law, brothers and sisters, sons- and daughters-in-law, a sibling’s spouse, a spouse’s sibling, aunts, uncles, nieces and nephews; relatives by virtue of remarriage (step-children, step-parents, etc.) are included. Any shareholders that the Manager transfers to the R5 Class upon termination of the class of shares in which the shareholders were originally invested is also eligible for purchasing shares of the R5 Class with an initial investment of less than $250,000.
The Investor Class was created to give individuals and other smaller investors an opportunity to invest in the American Beacon Funds. The R5 and Y Classes were created to manage money for large institutional investors, including pension and 401(k) plans. The A Class and C Class were created for investors investing in the American Beacon Funds through their broker-dealers or other financial intermediaries. The SP Class was created to provide holders of the Investor Class shares of the Acquired Sound Point Fund with a comparable share class after the reorganization of the Acquired Sound Point Fund into the Fund.
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FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
The Fund’s independent registered public accounting firm, Ernst & Young LLP, audits and reports on the Fund’s annual financial statements. The audited financial statements include the schedule of investments, statement of assets and liabilities, statement of operations, statements of changes in net assets, financial highlights, notes and report of independent registered public accounting firm. The audited financial statements are incorporated by reference to the American Beacon Funds’ Annual Report to Shareholders of the Fund for the fiscal year ended August 31, 2021.
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APPENDIX A
AMERICAN BEACON ADVISORS, INC.

SUMMARY OF PROXY VOTING POLICY AND PROCEDURES
Proxy voting is an important component of investment management and must be performed in a dutiful and purposeful fashion in order to secure the best long-term interests of the advisory clients of American Beacon Advisors, Inc. (“AmBeacon”). AmBeacon’s proxy voting policies and procedures are designed to implement AmBeacon’s duty to vote proxies in clients’ best interests. Given that AmBeacon manages portfolios that invest solely in fixed-income securities, the only securities for which we expect to receive proxies are money market mutual funds. As such, the proxy voting policies and procedures set forth voting guidelines for the proxy issues and proposals common to money market funds.
For routine proposals that will not change the structure, bylaws or operations of the money market fund, AmBeacon’s policy is to support management; however, each proposal will be considered individually focusing on the financial interests of the client portfolio. Non-routine proposals, such as board elections, advisory contract and distribution plan approvals, investment objective changes, and mergers, will generally be reviewed on a case-by-case basis with AmBeacon first and foremost considering the effect of the proposal on the portfolio.
Items to be evaluated on a case-by-case basis and proposals not contemplated in the policies set forth above will be assessed by AmBeacon. In these situations, AmBeacon will use its judgment to vote in the best interest of the client portfolio. For all proposals, especially controversial or case-by-case evaluations, AmBeacon will be responsible for individually identifying significant issues that could impact the investment performance of the portfolio.
AmBeacon manages portfolios for the American Beacon Funds, the American Beacon Select Funds, the American Beacon Institutional Funds Trust, the American Beacon Sound Point Enhanced Income Fund, and the American Beacon Apollo Total Return Fund (collectively, the “Funds”). AmBeacon may invest a Fund in shares of the American Beacon U.S. Government Money Market Select Fund. If the American Beacon U.S. Government Money Market Select Fund solicits a proxy for which another Fund is entitled to vote, AmBeacon’s interests as manager of the American Beacon U.S. Government Money Market Select Fund might appear to conflict with the interests of the shareholders of the other Fund. In these cases, AmBeacon will vote the Fund’s shares in accordance with the Select Funds’ Board of Trustees’ recommendations in the proxy statement.
AMERICAN BEACON FUNDS
AMERICAN BEACON SELECT FUNDS
AMERICAN BEACON INSTITUTIONAL FUNDS TRUST
AMERICAN BEACON SOUND POINT ENHANCED INCOME FUND
AMERICAN BEACON APOLLO TOTAL RETURN FUND
PROXY VOTING POLICY AND PROCEDURES
Last Amended February 28, 2018
Preface
Proxy voting is an important component of investment management and must be performed in a dutiful and purposeful fashion to secure the best long-term interests of shareholders of the American Beacon Funds (“Beacon Funds”), the American Beacon Select Funds (“Select Funds”), the American Beacon Institutional Funds Trust (“Institutional Funds”), the American Beacon Sound Point Enhanced Income Fund, and the American Beacon Apollo Total Return Fund (collectively, the “Funds”). Therefore, this Proxy Voting Policy and Procedures (the “Policy”) have been adopted by the Funds.
The Funds are managed by American Beacon Advisors, Inc. (the “Manager”). The Manager may allocate discrete portions of the Funds among sub-advisors, and the Manager may directly manage all or a portion of the assets of certain Funds. The Funds’ respective Boards of Trustees have delegated proxy voting authority to the Manager. The Manager has in turn delegated proxy voting authority to each sub-advisor with respect to the sub-advisor’s respective portion of the Fund(s) under management, but the Manager has retained the authority to override a proposed proxy voting decision by a sub-advisor. For the securities held in their respective portion of each Fund, the Manager and the sub-advisors make voting decisions pursuant to their own proxy voting policies and procedures, which have been adopted by the applicable Fund and approved by the applicable Fund’s Board of Trustees.
Conflicts of Interest
The Board of Trustees seeks to ensure that proxies are voted in the best interests of Fund shareholders. For certain proxy proposals, the interests of the Manager, the sub-advisors and/or their affiliates may differ from Fund shareholders’ interests. To avoid the appearance of impropriety and to fulfill their fiduciary responsibility to shareholders in these circumstances, the Manager and the sub-advisors are required to establish procedures that are reasonably designed to address material conflicts between their interests and those of the Funds.
When a sub-advisor deems that it is conflicted with respect to a voting matter, its policy may call for it to seek voting instructions from the client. The Manager is authorized by the Boards of Trustees to consider any such matters and provide voting instructions to the sub-advisor, unless the Manager has determined that its interests are conflicted with Fund shareholders with respect to the voting matter. In those instances, the Manager will instruct the sub-advisor to vote in accordance with the recommendation of a third-party proxy voting advisory service.
Each Fund can invest in the shares of the American Beacon U.S. Government Money Market Select Fund. If the American Beacon U.S. Government Money Market Select Fund issues a proxy for which another Fund is entitled to vote, the Manager’s interests regarding the American Beacon U.S. Government Money Market Select Fund might appear to conflict with the interests of the shareholders of the other Fund. In these cases, the Manager will vote in accordance with the Select Funds’ Board of Trustees’ recommendations in the proxy statement.
If the methods for addressing conflicts of interest, as described above, are deemed by the Manager to be unreasonable due to cost, timing or other factors, then the Manager may decline to vote in those instances.
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Securities on Loan
With respect to the Funds that engage in securities lending, the Manager shall engage a proxy voting service to notify the Manager before the record date about the occurrence of future shareholder meetings, as feasible. The Manager will determine whether or not to recall shares of the applicable security that are on loan with the intent of the Manager or the sub-advisor, as applicable, voting such shares. The Manager’s determination shall be based on factors which may include the nature of the meeting (i.e., annual or special), the percentage of the proxy issuer’s outstanding securities on loan, any other information regarding the proxy proposals of which the Manager may be aware, and the loss of securities lending income to a Fund as a result of recalling the shares on loan.
Recordkeeping
The Manager and the sub-advisors shall maintain records of all votes cast on behalf of the Funds. Such documentation will include the firm’s proxy voting policies and procedures, company reports provided by proxy voting advisory services, additional information gathered by the Manager or sub-advisor that was material to reaching a voting decision, and communications to the Manager regarding any identified conflicts. The Manager and the sub-advisors shall maintain voting records in a manner to facilitate the Funds’ production of the Form N-PX filing on an annual basis.
Disclosure
The Manager will coordinate the compilation of the Funds’ proxy voting record for each year ended June 30 and file the required information with the SEC via Form N-PX by August 31. The Manager will include a summary of the Policy and the proxy voting policies and procedures of the Manager and the sub-advisors, as applicable, in each Fund’s Statement of Additional Information (“SAI”). In each Fund’s annual and semi-annual reports to shareholders, the Manager will disclose that a description of the Policy and the proxy voting policies and procedures of the Manager and the sub-advisors, as applicable, is a) available upon request, without charge, by toll-free telephone request, b) on the Funds’ website (if applicable), and c) on the SEC’s website in the SAI. The SAI and shareholder reports will also disclose that the Funds’ proxy voting record is available by toll-free telephone request (or on the Funds’ website) and on the SEC’s website by way of the Form N-PX. Within three business days of receiving a request, the Manager will send a copy of the policy description or voting record by first-class mail.
Manager Oversight
The Manager shall review a sub-advisor’s proxy voting policies and procedures for compliance with this Policy and applicable laws and regulations prior to initial delegation of proxy voting authority and on at least an annual basis thereafter.
Board Reporting
On at least an annual basis, the Manager will present a summary of the voting records of the Funds to the Boards of Trustees for their review. The Manager will notify the Boards of Trustees of any material changes to its proxy voting policies and procedures.
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APPENDIX B
SOUND POINT CAPITAL MANAGEMENT, L.P.
PROXY VOTING POLICY
POLICY REGARDING PROXY VOTING
Purpose and Scope
The purpose of this policy and its related procedures regarding voting proxies for securities held in Client accounts and for which Sound Point has been delegated proxy voting authority (“Client Proxies”) is to establish guidelines regarding Client Proxies that are reasonably designed to conform with the requirements of applicable law (this “Policy”).
General Policy
Rule 206(4)-6 of the Advisers Act requires a registered investment adviser that exercises proxy voting authority over client securities to: (i) adopt and implement written policies and procedures that are reasonably designed to ensure that the investment adviser votes proxies related to client securities in the best interest of its Clients; (ii) ensure that the written policies and procedures address material conflicts that may arise between the interests of the investment adviser and those of its Clients; (iii) describe its proxy voting procedures to clients, and provide copies of such procedures upon request by such clients; and (iv) disclose to clients how they may obtain information from the investment adviser about how the adviser voted with respect to their securities. Sound Point is committed to implementing policies and procedures that conform to the requirements of the Advisers Act. To that end, it has implemented this Policy to facilitate Sound Point’s compliance with Rule 206(4)-6 and to ensure that proxies related to Client Securities are voted (or not voted) in a manner consistent with the best interest of its Clients.
Proxy Voting Policy
Rule 206(4)-6 of the Advisers Act requires a registered investment adviser that exercises its authority to vote Client Proxies to: (i) adopt and implement written policies and procedures that are reasonably designed to ensure that the investment adviser votes Client Proxies in the best interest of its Clients; (ii) ensure that the written policies and procedures address material conflicts that may arise between the interests of the investment adviser and those of its Clients; (iii) describe its proxy voting procedures to clients, and provide copies of such procedures upon request by such clients; and (iv) disclose to clients how they may obtain information from the investment adviser about how the adviser voted their proxies.
Sound Point generally has proxy voting authority over securities held in Client accounts for which it has discretionary investment management responsibility. Proxy voting, however, is not an integral component of Sound Point’s investment strategy, which focuses primarily on investments and trading in fixed income, credit and credit-linked securities (collectively referred to herein as “credit positions”). These types of securities do not typically convey voting rights to the holder. To the extent Clients holds equity securities, it will generally be for the purpose of hedging credit positions or for short-term trading strategies. In the absence of a specific duty, if Sound Point does not believe the exercise of a proxy vote right will have a material economic impact on the client account, Sound Point may not exercise its voting authority with respect to a proxy. In addition, Sound Point may elect to not vote a proxy if the cost of voting, or time commitment required to vote a proxy outweighs the expected benefits of voting the proxy.
These policies and procedures do not mandate that Sound Point vote every Client Proxy that it receives. There may be circumstances when refraining from voting a proxy is in a Client’s best interest, such as when and if Sound Point determines that the cost of voting the proxy exceeds the expected benefit to the Client. Further, Sound Point will not vote proxies for which a Client has not delegated voting authority to Sound Point. Sound Point shall vote all proxies related to Client Accounts where such account has mandated such practice (e.g. 40 Act Clients, Client accounts that specifically instructed Sound Point to vote proxies). With respect to ERISA clients, Sound Point will act prudently and solely in the interest of the participants and beneficiaries of such ERISA client.
Proxy Voting Procedures
Procedures
The CCO or their designee is responsible for determining whether a particular proxy vote may have a material economic impact on an underlying Client position or trading strategy and, if so, instructing the custodian to act in the manner which the CCO believes will increase the value of the underlying credit position or short-term trading strategy. In make any such determination, the CCO shall consider any potential conflicts of interest which may exist and shall at all times act in the manner in which he believes will further the economic interests of the clients. The CCO shall document the rationale for any decision to vote or not to vote a proxy.

Sound Point has retained BroadRidge/ProxyEdge to assist it in coordinating and voting Client Proxies. The CCO or his designee will monitor the third-party to assure that all proxies are being properly voted and appropriate records are being retained.

Any employee, officer or director of Sound Point receiving an inquiry directly from a company holding a proxy contest must promptly notify the CCO.
Conflicts of Interest
Sound Point will not put its own interests ahead of a Client’s interest at any time, and will resolve any potential conflicts between its interests and those of its Clients in favor of its Clients. The CCO will be primarily responsible for determining whether a conflict of interest exists in connection with any Client Proxy vote. The CCO will presume a conflict of interest to exist whenever Sound Point or any partner, member, affiliate, subsidiary or employee of Sound Point has a personal or business interest in the outcome of a particular matter before shareholders. The following conflicts of interest are monitored and the results are presented to the Conflicts Committee as they arise or on a quarterly basis if there are no conflicts identified; director candidates related to Sound Point, shareholder proposals from Sound Point, its affiliates or clients; votes by portfolio managers where securities are also held in their personal accounts; and votes in securities where Sound Point has a material position.
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Limitations on Proxy Voting
Sound Point will not be obliged to vote a Client Proxy if Sound Point reasonably determines that the cost of voting such Securities would exceed the expected benefit to the Client.
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APPENDIX C
Ratings Definitions
Below are summaries of the ratings definitions used by some of the rating organizations. Those ratings represent the opinion of the rating organizations as to the credit quality of the issues that they rate. The summaries are based upon publicly available information provided by the rating organizations.
Ratings of Long-Term Obligations and Preferred Stocks — The Fund utilizes ratings provided by rating organizations in order to determine eligibility of long-term obligations. The ratings described in this section may also be used for evaluating the credit quality for preferred stocks.
Credit ratings typically evaluate the safety of principal and interest payments, not the market value risk of bonds. The rating organizations may fail to update a credit rating on a timely basis to reflect changes in economic or financial conditions that may affect the market value of the security. For these reasons, credit ratings may not be an accurate indicator of the market value of a bond.
The four highest Moody’s ratings for long-term obligations (or issuers thereof) are Aaa, Aa, A and Baa. Obligations rated Aaa are judged to be of the highest quality and subject to the lowest level of credit risk. Obligations rated Aa are judged to be of high quality and subject to very low credit risk. Obligations rated A are judged to be upper-medium grade and subject to low credit risk. Obligations rated Baa are judged to be medium-grade and subject to moderate credit risk and, as such, may possess certain speculative characteristics.
Moody’s ratings of Ba, B, Caa, Ca and C are considered below investment grade. Obligations rated Ba are judged to be speculative and subject to substantial credit risk. Obligations rated B are considered speculative and subject to high credit risk. Obligations rated Caa are judged to be of poor standing and subject to very high credit risk. Obligations rated Ca are highly speculative and are likely in, or very near, default, with some prospect of recovery of principal and interest. Obligations rated C are the lowest rated and are typically in default, with little prospect for recovery of principal or interest. Moody’s also appends numerical modifiers 1, 2, and 3 to each generic rating classification from Aa through Caa. The modifier 1 indicates that the obligation ranks in the higher end of its generic rating category; the modifier 2 indicates a mid-range ranking; and the modifier 3 indicates a ranking in the lower end of that generic rating category. Additionally, a “(hyb)” indicator is appended to all ratings of hybrid securities issued by banks, insurers, finance companies, and securities firms.
The four highest S&P Global ratings for long-term obligations are AAA, AA, A and BBB. An obligation rated AAA has the highest rating assigned by S&P Global and indicates that the obligor’s capacity to meet its financial commitments on the obligation is extremely strong. An obligation rated AA differs from the highest-rated obligations only to a small degree. The obligor’s capacity to meet its financial commitments on the obligation is very strong. An obligation rated A is somewhat more susceptible to the adverse effects of changes in circumstances and economic conditions than obligations in higher-rated categories. However, the obligor’s capacity to meet its financial commitments on the obligation is still strong. An obligation rated BBB exhibits adequate protection parameters; however, adverse economic conditions or changing circumstances are more likely to weaken the obligor’s capacity to meet its financial commitment on the obligation.
S&P Global ratings of BB, B, CCC, CC, C, SD, and D are regarded as having significant speculative characteristics. BB indicates the least degree of speculation and C the highest. While such obligations will likely have some quality and protective characteristics, these may be outweighed by large uncertainties or major exposures to adverse conditions. An obligation rated BB is less vulnerable to nonpayment than other speculative issues. However, it faces major ongoing uncertainties or exposure to adverse business, financial, or economic conditions which could lead to the obligor’s inadequate capacity to meet its financial commitment on the obligation. An obligation rated B is more vulnerable to nonpayment than obligations rated BB, but the obligor currently has the capacity to meet its financial commitment on the obligation. Adverse business, financial, or economic conditions will likely impair the obligor’s capacity or willingness to meet its financial commitment on the obligation. An obligation rated CCC is currently vulnerable to nonpayment, and is dependent upon favorable business, financial, and economic conditions for the obligor to meet its financial commitment on the obligation. In the event of adverse business, financial, or economic conditions, the obligor is not likely to have the capacity to meet its financial commitment on the obligation. An obligation rated CC is currently highly vulnerable to nonpayment. The CC rating is used when a default has not yet occurred, but S&P Global expects default to be a virtual certainty, regardless of the anticipated time to default. An obligation rated C is currently highly vulnerable to nonpayment, and the obligation is expected to have lower relative seniority or lower ultimate recovery compared to obligations that are rated higher. An obligation rated SD (selective default) and D is in default or in breach of an imputed promise. For non-hybrid capital instruments, the D rating category is used when payments on an obligation are not made on the date due unless S&P Global believes that such payments will be made within five business days in the absence of a stated grace period or within the earlier of the stated grace period or 30 calendar days. The D rating also is used upon the filing of a bankruptcy petition or the taking of similar action and where default on an obligation is a virtual certainty, for example due to automatic stay provisions. An obligation’s rating is lowered to D if it is subject to a distressed exchange offer. An SD rating is assigned when S&P Global believes that the obligor has selectively defaulted on a specific issue or class of obligations but it will continue to meet its payment obligations on other issues or classes of obligations in a timely manner. The ratings from AA to CCC may be modified by the addition of a plus (+) or minus (-) sign to show relative standing within the major rating categories.
The four highest ratings for long-term obligations by Fitch Ratings are AAA, AA, A and BBB. Obligations rated AAA are deemed to be of the highest credit quality. AAA ratings denote the lowest expectation of default risk. They are assigned only in case of exceptionally strong capacity for payment of financial commitments. This capacity is highly unlikely to be adversely affected by foreseeable events. Obligations rated AA are deemed to be of very high credit quality. AA ratings denote expectations of very low default risk. They indicate very strong capacity for payment of financial commitments. This capacity is not significantly vulnerable to foreseeable events. Obligations rated A are deemed to be of high credit quality. An A rating denotes expectations of low default risk. The capacity for payment of financial commitments is considered strong. This capacity may, nevertheless, be more vulnerable to changes in circumstances or in economic conditions than is the case for higher ratings. Obligations rated BBB are deemed to be of good credit quality. BBB ratings indicate that expectations of default risk are currently low. The capacity for payment of financial commitments is considered adequate but adverse business and economic conditions are more likely to impair this capacity. This is the lowest investment grade category.
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Fitch’s ratings of BB, B, CCC, CC, C, RD and D are considered below investment grade or speculative grade. Obligations rated BB are deemed to be speculative. BB ratings indicate an elevated vulnerability to default risk, particularly in the event of adverse changes in business or economic conditions over time; however, business or financial flexibility exists, which can be utilized to help service financial commitments. Obligations rated B are deemed to be highly speculative. B ratings indicate that material default risk is present, but a limited margin of safety remains. Financial commitments are currently being met; however, the capacity for continued payment is vulnerable to deterioration in the business and economic environment. Obligations rated CCC indicate, for issuers and performing obligations, default is a real possibility. Obligations rated CC indicate, for issuers and performing obligations, default of some kind appears probable. Obligations rated C indicate exceptionally high levels of credit risk. Default is imminent or inevitable, or the issuer is in standstill. Conditions that are indicative of a C category rating for an issuer include: (a) the issuer has entered into a grace or cure period following non-payment of a material financial obligation; (b) the issuer has entered into a temporary negotiated waiver or standstill agreement following a payment default on a material financial obligation; (c) the formal announcement by the issuer or their agent of a distressed debt exchange; or (d) a closed financing vehicle where payment capacity is irrevocably impaired such that it is not expected to pay interest and/or principal in full during the life of the transaction, but where no payment default is imminent. Obligations rated RD indicate an issuer that, in Fitch Ratings’ opinion, has experienced an uncured payment default on a bond, loan or other material financial obligation but which has not entered into bankruptcy filings, administration, receivership, liquidation or other formal winding-up procedure, and which has not otherwise ceased operating. This would include: (a) the selective payment default on a specific class or currency of debt; (b) the uncured expiry of any applicable grace period, cure period or default forbearance period following a payment default on a bank loan, capital markets security or other material financial obligation; (c) the extension of multiple waivers or forbearance periods upon a payment default on one or more material financial obligations, either in series or in parallel; or (d) execution of a distressed debt exchange on one or more material financial obligations. Obligations rated D indicate an issuer that, in Fitch Ratings’ opinion, has entered into bankruptcy filings, administration, receivership, liquidation or other formal winding-up procedure, or which has otherwise ceased business. Default ratings are not assigned prospectively to entities or their obligations; within this context, non-payment on an instrument that contains a deferral feature or grace period will generally not be considered a default until after the expiration of the deferral or grace period unless a default is otherwise driven by bankruptcy or other similar circumstance, or by a distressed debt exchange. “Imminent” default typically refers to the occasion where a payment default has been intimated by the issuer, and is all but inevitable. This may, for example, be where an issuer has missed a scheduled payment, but (as is typical) has a grace period during which it may cure the payment default. Another alternative would be where an issuer has formally announced a distressed debt exchange, but the date of the exchange still lies several days or weeks in the immediate future. In all cases, the assignment of a default rating reflects the agency’s opinion as to the most appropriate rating category consistent with the rest of its universe of ratings, and may differ from the definition of default under the terms of an issuer’s financial obligations or local commercial practice. The modifiers “+” or “-” may be appended to a rating to denote relative status within major rating categories. Such suffixes are not added to the AAA Long-Term IDR category, or to Long-Term IDR categories below B.
Ratings of Municipal Obligations — Moody’s ratings for short-term investment-grade municipal obligations are designated Municipal Investment Grade (MIG or VMIG in the case of variable rate demand obligations) and are divided into three levels — MIG/VMIG 1, MIG/VMIG 2, MIG/VMIG 3, and SG. The MIG/VMIG 1 rating denotes superior credit quality, providing excellent protection through established cash flows, highly reliable liquidity support, or demonstrated broad-based access to the market for refinancing. The MIG/VMIG 2 rating denotes strong credit quality. Generally, MIG/VMIG 2 indicates that the margins of protection are ample, although not as large as in the preceding group. The MIG/VMIG 3 rating denotes acceptable credit quality. Liquidity and cash-flow protection may be narrow, and market access for refinancing is likely to be less well-established. An SG rating denotes speculative-grade credit quality. Debt instruments in this category may lack sufficient margins of protection.
S&P Global uses SP-1, SP-2, SP-3, and D to rate short-term municipal obligations. A rating of SP-1 denotes a strong capacity to pay principal and interest. An obligor determined to possess a very strong capacity to pay the debt service is given a plus (+) designation. A rating of SP-2 denotes a satisfactory capacity to pay principal and interest, with some vulnerability to adverse financial and economic changes over the term of the notes. A rating of SP-3 denotes a speculative capacity to pay principal and interest. A rating of D is assigned upon failure to pay the note when due, completion of a distressed exchange offer, or the filing of a bankruptcy petition or the taking of similar action and where default on an obligation is a virtual certainty, for example due to automatic stay provisions.
Ratings of Short-Term Obligations — Moody’s short-term ratings, designated as P-1, P-2, P-3, or NP, are opinions of the ability of issuers to honor short-term financial obligations that generally have an original maturity not exceeding thirteen months. The rating P-1 (Prime-1) is the highest short-term rating assigned by Moody’s and it denotes an issuer (or supporting institution) that has a superior ability to repay short-term debt obligations. The rating P-2 (Prime-2) denotes an issuer (or supporting institution) that has a strong ability to repay short-term debt obligations. The rating P-3 (Prime-3) denotes an issuer (or supporting institution) that has an acceptable ability for repayment of senior short-term policyholder claims and obligations. The rating NP (Not Prime) denotes an issuer (or supporting institution) that does not fall within any of the Prime rating categories.
S&P Global short-term ratings are generally assigned to those obligations considered short-term in the relevant market. In the U.S., for example, that means obligations with an original maturity of no more than 365 days, including commercial paper. A short-term obligation rated A-1 is rated in the highest category by S&P Global and indicates that the obligor’s capacity to meet its financial commitment on the obligation is strong. Within this category, certain obligations are designated with a plus sign (+). This indicates that the obligor’s capacity to meet its financial commitment on these obligations is extremely strong. A short-term obligation rated A-2 is somewhat more susceptible to the adverse effects of changes in circumstances and economic conditions than obligations in higher rating categories. However, the obligor’s capacity to meet its financial commitment on the obligation is satisfactory. A short-term obligation rated A-3 exhibits adequate protection parameters. However, adverse economic conditions or changing circumstances are more likely to lead to a weakened capacity of the obligor to meet its financial commitment on the obligation. A short-term obligation rated B is regarded as vulnerable and has significant speculative characteristics. The obligor currently has the capacity to meet its financial commitment; however, it faces major ongoing uncertainties which could lead to the obligor’s inadequate capacity to meet its financial commitment on the obligation. A short-term obligation rated C is currently vulnerable to nonpayment and is dependent upon favorable business, financial, and economic conditions for the obligor to meet its financial commitment on the obligation. A short-term obligation rated SD and D is in default or in breach of an imputed promise. For non-hybrid capital instruments, the D rating category is used when payments on an obligation are not made on the date due, unless S&P Global believes that such payments will be made within any stated grace period. However, any stated grace period longer than
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five business days will be treated as five business days. The D rating also will be used upon the filing of a bankruptcy petition or the taking of a similar action and where default on an obligation is a virtual certainty, for example due to automatic stay provisions. An obligation’s rating is lowered to D if it is subject to a distressed exchange offer. An SD rating is assigned when the obligor has selectively defaulted on a specific issue or class of obligations but it will continue to meet its payment obligations on other issues or classes of obligations in a timely manner.
Fitch Ratings’ short-term ratings have a time horizon of less than 13 months for most obligations, or up to three years for US public finance markets. Short-term ratings thus place greater emphasis on the liquidity necessary to meet financial commitments in a timely manner. A rating of F1 denotes an obligation of the highest short-term credit quality. It indicates the strongest intrinsic capacity for timely payment of financial commitments and may have an added “+” to denote any exceptionally strong credit feature. A rating of F2 denotes good short-term credit quality. It indicates a good intrinsic capacity for timely payment of financial commitments. A rating of F3 denotes fair short-term credit quality. The intrinsic capacity for timely payment of financial commitments is adequate. A rating of B denotes an obligation that is of speculative short-term credit quality, indicating minimal capacity for timely payment of financial commitments as well as heightened vulnerability to near term adverse changes in financial and economic conditions. A rating of C denotes a high short-term default risk. Default is a real possibility. A rating of RD indicates an entity that has defaulted on one or more of its financial commitments, although it continues to meet other financial obligations. Typically applicable to entity ratings only, a rating of D indicates a broad-based default event for an entity or the default of a short-term obligation.
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APPENDIX D
GLOSSARY
American Beacon or the Manager
American Beacon Advisors, Inc.
Beacon Funds or the Trust
American Beacon Funds
Board
Board of Trustees
Brexit
The United Kingdom’s departure from the European Union
CCO
Chief Compliance Officer
CD
Certificate of Deposit
CDSC
Contingent Deferred Sales Charge
CFTC
Commodity Futures Trading Commission
CLO
Collateralized Loan Obligation
CPO
Commodity Pool Operator
Denial of Services
A cybersecurity incident that results in customers or employees being unable to access electronic systems
Dividends
Distributions of most or all of the Fund’s net investment income
Dodd-Frank Act
Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act
DRD
Dividends-received deduction
ETF
Exchange-Traded Fund
EU
European Union
FINRA
Financial Industry Regulatory Authority, Inc.
Floaters
Floating rate debt instruments
Forwards
Forward Currency Contracts
Holdings Policy
Policies and Procedures for Disclosure of Portfolio Holdings
Internal Revenue Code
Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended
Investment Company Act
Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended
IRA
Individual Retirement Account
IRS
Internal Revenue Service
Junk Bonds
High yield, non-investment grade bonds
LIBOR
ICE LIBOR
LOI
Letter of Intent
Management Agreement
The Fund’s Management Agreement with the Manager
Moody’s
Moody’s Investors Service, Inc.
NAV
Net asset value
NYSE
New York Stock Exchange
OTC
Over-the-Counter
Proxy Policy
Proxy Voting Policy and Procedures
QDI
Qualified Dividend Income
RIC
Regulated Investment Company
S&P Global
S&P Global Ratings
SAI
Statement of Additional Information
SEC
Securities and Exchange Commission
Securities Act
Securities Act of 1933, as amended
State Street
State Street Bank and Trust Co.
Trustee Retirement Plan
Trustee Retirement and Trustee Emeritus and Retirement Plan
UK
United Kingdom
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PART C
OTHER INFORMATION

Item 28. Exhibits

Number

Exhibit Description

(a)

(1)

Amended and Restated Declaration of Trust, dated August 20, 2019, is incorporated by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 355, filed October 25, 2019 (“PEA No. 355”)

(2)

Certificates of Designation for American Beacon AHL Managed Futures Strategy Fund, American Beacon Bahl & Gaynor Small Cap Growth Fund, and American Beacon Global Evolution Frontier Markets Income Fund are incorporated by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 208, filed December 19, 2014

(3)

Certificates of Designation for American Beacon Bridgeway Large Cap Growth Fund and American Beacon Sound Point Floating Rate Income Fund, are incorporated by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 239, filed December 23, 2015

(4)

Certificate of Designation for American Beacon Garcia Hamilton Quality Bond Fund, is incorporated by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 253, filed April 1, 2016

(5)

Certificate of Designation for American Beacon ARK Disruptive Innovation Fund, is incorporated by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 266, filed November 9, 2016

(6)

Certificate of Designation for American Beacon TwentyFour Strategic Income Fund, is incorporated by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 286, filed March 30, 2017

(7)

Certificate of Designation for American Beacon ARK Transformational Innovation Fund, is incorporated by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 291, filed May 26, 2017

(8)

Certificate of Designation for American Beacon Shapiro Equity Opportunities Fund and American Beacon Shapiro SMID Cap Equity Fund, is incorporated by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 297, filed September 11, 2017 (“PEA No. 297”)

(9)(i)

Certificate of Designation for American Beacon Continuous Capital Emerging Markets Value Fund, dated June 6, 2018, is incorporated by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 317, filed July 31, 2018 (“PEA No. 317”)

(9)(ii)

Certificate of Designation for American Beacon Continuous Capital Emerging Markets Fund, dated November 5, 2018, is incorporated by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 329, filed December 17, 2018 (“PEA No. 329”)

(10)

Certificate of Designation for American Beacon Frontier Markets Income Fund, is incorporated by reference to PEA No. 317

(11)

Certificate of Designation for American Beacon AHL TargetRisk Fund, dated June 6, 2018, is incorporated by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 348, filed April 30, 2019 (“PEA No. 348”)

(12)

Certificate of Designation for American Beacon Tocqueville International Value Fund and American Beacon AHL TargetRisk Fund, dated September 10, 2018, is incorporated by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 321, filed October 17, 2018

(13)

Certificate of Designation for American Beacon SSI Alternative Income Fund, dated March 5, 2019, is incorporated by reference to PEA No. 348

(14)(i)

Certificate of Designation for American Beacon TwentyFour Short Term Bond Fund, dated December 2, 2019, is incorporated by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 358, filed December 23, 2019

(14)(ii)

Amended Certificate of Designation for American Beacon TwentyFour Sustainable Short Term Bond Fund, dated October 7, 2021, is incorporated by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 391, filed October 28, 2021 (“PEA No. 391”)

(15)

Certificate of Designation for American Beacon NIS Core Plus Bond Fund and American Beacon AHL TargetRisk Core Fund, dated August 17, 2020, is incorporated by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 377, filed September 10, 2020 (“PEA No. 377”)

(b)

Amended and Restated By-Laws, effective as of August 20, 2019, is incorporated by reference to PEA No. 355

(c)

Rights of holders of the securities being registered are contained in Articles III, VIII, X, XI and XII of the Registrant’s Amended and Restated Declaration of Trust and Articles II, III, VI, VII and VIII of the Registrant’s Amended and Restated By-Laws

(d)

(1)(A)

Management Agreement by and among American Beacon Funds, American Beacon Select Funds and American Beacon Advisors, Inc., dated April 4, 2016, is incorporated by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 258, filed May 19, 2016 (“PEA No. 258”)

(1)(B)

Amendment to Management Agreement by and among American Beacon Funds, American Beacon Select Funds and American Beacon Advisors, Inc., dated June 23, 2016, is incorporated by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 269, filed December 23, 2016 (“PEA No. 269”)

(1)(C)

Nineteenth Amendment to Management Agreement by and among American Beacon Funds, American Beacon Select Funds and American Beacon Advisors, Inc., dated August 2, 2021, is incorporated by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 389, filed August 27, 2021 (“PEA No. 389”)

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Number

Exhibit Description

(1)(D)

Management Agreement between American Beacon Cayman Managed Futures Strategy Fund, Ltd. and American Beacon Advisors, Inc., dated April 30, 2015, is incorporated by reference to PEA No. 269

(1)(E)

Management Agreement between American Beacon Cayman TargetRisk Company, Ltd. and American Beacon Advisors, Inc., dated December 31, 2018, is incorporated by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 341, filed January 18, 2019 (“PEA No. 341”)

(2)(A)

Investment Advisory Agreement among American Beacon Funds, American Beacon Advisors, Inc., and Barrow, Hanley, Mewhinney & Strauss, LLC, dated November 17, 2020, is incorporated by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 384, filed December 29, 2020

(2)(B)

Investment Advisory Agreement among American Beacon Funds, American Beacon Advisors, Inc., and Brandywine Global Investment Management, LLC, with respect to the American Beacon Small Cap Value Fund, dated July 31, 2020 - (filed herewith)

(2)(C)(i)

Investment Advisory Agreement among American Beacon Funds, American Beacon Advisors, Inc., and Causeway Capital Management LLC, dated April 30, 2015, is incorporated by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 231, filed October 1, 2015 (“PEA No. 231”)

(2)(C)(ii)

First Amendment to Investment Advisory Agreement among American Beacon Funds, American Beacon Advisors, Inc., and Causeway Capital Management LLC, dated January 1, 2016, is incorporated by reference to PEA No. 355

(2)(D)(i)

Investment Advisory Agreement among American Beacon Funds, American Beacon Advisors, Inc., and Foundry Partners, LLC, dated June 20, 2016, is incorporated by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 262, filed August 16, 2016

(2)(D)(ii)

Amendment to Investment Advisory Agreement among American Beacon Funds, American Beacon Advisors, Inc., and Foundry Partners, LLC, dated January 1, 2018, is incorporated by reference to PEA No. 355

(2)(E)(i)

Investment Advisory Agreement among American Beacon Funds, American Beacon Advisors, Inc., and Hotchkis and Wiley Capital Management LLC, dated April 30, 2015, is incorporated by reference to PEA No. 231

(2)(E)(ii)

Amendment to Investment Advisory Agreement among American Beacon Funds, American Beacon Advisors, Inc., and Hotchkis and Wiley Capital Management LLC, dated September 13, 2017, is incorporated by reference to PEA No. 355

(2)(F)

Investment Advisory Agreement among American Beacon Funds, American Beacon Advisors, Inc., and Lazard Asset Management LLC, dated April 30, 2015, is incorporated by reference to PEA No. 231

(2)(G)

Investment Advisory Agreement among American Beacon Funds, American Beacon Advisors, Inc., and Pzena Investment Management, LLC, dated April 30, 2015, is incorporated by reference to PEA No. 231

(2)(H)

Investment Advisory Agreement among American Beacon Funds, American Beacon Advisors, Inc., and Zebra Capital Management, LLC, dated April 30, 2015, is incorporated by reference to PEA No. 231

(2)(I)

Investment Advisory Agreement among American Beacon Funds, American Beacon Advisors, Inc., and Strategic Income Management, LLC, dated August 31, 2015, is incorporated by reference to PEA No. 355

(2)(J)

Investment Advisory Agreement among American Beacon Funds, American Beacon Advisors, Inc., and Massachusetts Financial Services Company, dated April 30, 2015, is incorporated by reference to PEA No. 231

(2)(K)(i)

Investment Advisory Agreement among American Beacon Funds, American Beacon Advisors, Inc., and Stephens Investment Management Group, LLC, dated April 30, 2015, is incorporated by reference to PEA No. 231

(2)(K)(ii)

First Amendment to Investment Advisory Agreement among American Beacon Funds, American Beacon Advisors, Inc., and Stephens Investment Management Group, LLC, dated July 1, 2018, is incorporated by reference to PEA No. 355

(2)(K)(iii)

Second Amendment to Investment Advisory Agreement among American Beacon Funds, American Beacon Advisors, Inc., and Stephens Investment Management Group, LLC, dated September 1, 2019, is incorporated by reference to PEA No. 355

(2)(L)(i)

Investment Advisory Agreement among American Beacon Funds, American Beacon Advisors, Inc., and Bridgeway Capital Management, Inc., dated April 30, 2015, is incorporated by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 228, filed August 28, 2015

(2)(L)(ii)

First Amendment to Investment Advisory Agreement among American Beacon Funds, American Beacon Advisors, Inc., and Bridgeway Capital Management, Inc., dated January 28, 2016, is incorporated by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 245, filed February 4, 2016

(2)(M)

Investment Advisory Agreement among American Beacon Funds, American Beacon Advisors, Inc., and The London Company of Virginia, LLC, dated April 30, 2015, is incorporated by reference to PEA No. 231

(2)(N)

Investment Advisory Agreement among American Beacon Funds, American Beacon Advisors, Inc., and Global Evolution USA, LLC, dated June 28, 2018, is incorporated by reference to PEA No. 317

(2)(O)(i)

Investment Advisory Agreement among American Beacon Funds, American Beacon Advisors, Inc., and AHL Partners LLP, dated April 30, 2015, is incorporated by reference to PEA No. 231

3  


 

Number

Exhibit Description

(2)(O)(ii)

First Amendment to Investment Advisory Agreement among American Beacon Funds, American Beacon Advisors, Inc. and AHL Partners LLP, dated November 7, 2018, is incorporated by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 331, filed December 21, 2018 (“PEA No. 331”)

(2)(O)(iii)

Second Amendment to Investment Advisory Agreement among American Beacon Funds, American Beacon Advisors, Inc. and AHL Partners LLP, dated November 3, 2020, is incorporated by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 383, filed December 14, 2020 (“PEA No. 383”)

(2)(P)

Investment Advisory Agreement among American Beacon Funds, American Beacon Advisors, Inc., and Bahl & Gaynor, Inc., dated April 30, 2015, is incorporated by reference to PEA No. 231

(2)(Q)(i)

Investment Advisory Agreement among American Beacon Cayman Managed Futures Strategy Fund, Ltd., American Beacon Advisors, Inc., and AHL Partners LLP, dated April 30, 2015, is incorporated by reference to PEA No. 231

(2)(Q)(ii)

First Amendment to Investment Advisory Agreement among American Beacon Cayman Managed Futures Strategy Fund, Ltd., American Beacon Advisors, Inc., and AHL Partners LLP, dated November 7, 2018, is incorporated by reference to PEA No. 331

(2)(R)

Investment Advisory Agreement among American Beacon Funds, American Beacon Advisors, Inc., and Hillcrest Asset Management, LLC, dated April 30, 2015, is incorporated by reference to PEA No. 231

(2)(S)

Investment Advisory Agreement among American Beacon Funds, American Beacon Advisors, Inc., and Sound Point Capital Management, LP, dated December 9, 2015, is incorporated by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 237, filed December 9, 2015

(2)(T)

Investment Advisory Agreement among American Beacon Funds, American Beacon Advisors, Inc., and WEDGE Capital Management, L.L.P., dated April 30, 2015, is incorporated by reference to PEA No. 231

(2)(U)

Investment Advisory Agreement among American Beacon Funds, American Beacon Advisors, Inc., and Garcia Hamilton & Associates, L.P., dated March 29, 2016, is incorporated by reference to PEA No. 258

(2)(V)

Investment Advisory Agreement among American Beacon Funds, American Beacon Advisors, Inc., and ARK Investment Management LLC, dated January 23, 2017, is incorporated by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 275, filed January 25, 2017

(2)(W)

Investment Advisory Agreement among American Beacon Funds, American Beacon Advisors, Inc., and TwentyFour Asset Management (US) LP, dated August 24, 2021, is incorporated by reference to PEA No. 389

(2)(X)

Investment Advisory Agreement among American Beacon Funds, American Beacon Advisors, Inc., and Shapiro Capital Management, LLC, dated September 5, 2017, is incorporated by reference to PEA No. 297

(2)(Y)

Investment Advisory Agreement among American Beacon Funds, American Beacon Advisors, Inc., and Newton Investment Management North America, LLC, dated August 31, 2021, is incorporated by reference to PEA No. 391

(2)(Z)

Investment Advisory Agreement among American Beacon Funds, American Beacon Advisors, Inc. and Aberdeen Asset Managers Limited, dated June 14, 2018, is incorporated by reference to PEA No. 317

(2)(AA)(i)

Investment Advisory Agreement among American Beacon Funds, American Beacon Advisors, Inc. and Continuous Capital, LLC, dated September 25, 2018, is incorporated by reference to PEA No. 329

(2)(AA)(ii)

First Amendment to Investment Advisory Agreement among American Beacon Funds, American Beacon Advisors, Inc. and Continuous Capital, LLC, dated November 13, 2018, is incorporated by reference to PEA No. 355

(2)(AA)(iii)

Second Amendment to Investment Advisory Agreement among American Beacon Funds, American Beacon Advisors, Inc. and Continuous Capital, LLC, dated June 10, 2019, is incorporated by reference to PEA No. 355

(2)(BB)

Investment Advisory Agreement among American Beacon Funds, American Beacon Advisors, Inc. and Tocqueville Asset Management, L.P., dated September 13, 2018, is incorporated by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 322, filed October 22, 2018

(2)(CC)

Investment Advisory Agreement among American Beacon Cayman TargetRisk Company, Ltd., American Beacon Advisors, Inc., and AHL Partners LLP, dated November 7, 2018, is incorporated by reference to PEA No. 331

(2)(DD)

Investment Advisory Agreement among American Beacon Funds, American Beacon Advisors, Inc. and SSI Investment Management LLC, dated May 31, 2019, is incorporated by reference to PEA No. 355

(2)(EE)

Investment Advisory Agreement among American Beacon Funds, American Beacon Advisors, Inc. and American Century Investment Management, Inc., dated January 7, 2020, is incorporated by reference to PEA No. 362, filed February 14, 2020 (“PEA No. 362”)

(2)(FF)

Investment Advisory Agreement among American Beacon Funds, American Beacon Advisors, Inc. and National Investment Services of America, LLC, dated August 21, 2020, is incorporated by reference to PEA No. 377

(e)

(1)

Distribution Agreement among American Beacon Funds, American Beacon Select Funds and Resolute Investment Distributors, Inc., dated March 1, 2018, is incorporated by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 312, filed March 28, 2018 (“PEA No. 312”)

(2)

First Amendment to the Distribution Agreement among American Beacon Funds, American Beacon Select Funds and Resolute Investment Distributors, Inc., dated March 1, 2018, is incorporated by reference to PEA No. 312

4 


 

Number

Exhibit Description

(3)

Second Amendment to the Distribution Agreement among American Beacon Funds, American Beacon Select Funds and Resolute Investment Distributors, Inc., dated June 15, 2018, is incorporated by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 319, filed September 14, 2018 (“PEA No. 319”)

(4)

Third Amendment to the Distribution Agreement among American Beacon Funds, American Beacon Select Funds and Resolute Investment Distributors, Inc., dated December 6, 2018, is incorporated by reference to PEA No. 329

(5)

Fourth Amendment to the Distribution Agreement among American Beacon Funds, American Beacon Select Funds and Resolute Investment Distributors, Inc., dated April 22, 2019, is incorporated by reference to PEA No. 348

(6)

Fifth Amendment to the Distribution Agreement among American Beacon Funds, American Beacon Select Funds and Resolute Investment Distributors, Inc., dated May 17, 2019, is incorporated by reference to PEA No. 355

(7)

Sixth Amendment to the Distribution Agreement among American Beacon Funds, American Beacon Select Funds and Resolute Investment Distributors, Inc., dated August 20, 2019, is incorporated by reference to PEA No. 355

(8)

Seventh Amendment to the Distribution Agreement among American Beacon Funds, American Beacon Select Funds and Resolute Investment Distributors, Inc., dated October 15, 2019, is incorporated by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 357, filed November 22, 2019 (“PEA No. 357”)

(9)

Eighth Amendment to the Distribution Agreement among American Beacon Funds, American Beacon Select Funds and Resolute Investment Distributors, Inc., dated January 13, 2020, is incorporated by reference to PEA No. 362

(10)

Ninth Amendment to the Distribution Agreement among American Beacon Funds, American Beacon Select Funds and Resolute Investment Distributors, Inc., dated April 30, 2020, is incorporated by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 368, filed May 28, 2020 (“PEA No. 368”)

(11)

Tenth Amendment to the Distribution Agreement among American Beacon Funds, American Beacon Select Funds and Resolute Investment Distributors, Inc., dated July 31, 2020, is incorporated by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 374, filed on August 28, 2020 (“PEA No. 374”)

(12)

Eleventh Amendment to the Distribution Agreement among American Beacon Funds, American Beacon Select Funds and Resolute Investment Distributors, Inc., dated September 10, 2020, is incorporated by reference to PEA No. 377

(13)

Twelfth Amendment to the Distribution Agreement among American Beacon Funds, American Beacon Select Funds and Resolute Investment Distributors, Inc., dated November 2, 2020, is incorporated by reference to PEA No. 383

(14)

Thirteenth Amendment to the Distribution Agreement among American Beacon Funds, American Beacon Select Funds and Resolute Investment Distributors, Inc., dated February 1, 2021, is incorporated by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 386, filed February 25, 2021 (“PEA No. 386”)

(15)

Fourteenth Amendment to the Distribution Agreement among American Beacon Funds, American Beacon Select Funds and Resolute Investment Distributors, Inc., dated July 16, 2021, is incorporated by reference to PEA No. 389

(16)

Fifteenth Amendment to the Distribution Agreement among American Beacon Funds, American Beacon Select Funds and Resolute Investment Distributors, Inc., dated October 11, 2021, is incorporated by reference to PEA No. 391

(f)

Bonus, profit sharing or pension plans – (none)

(g)

(1)

Custodian Agreement between Registrant and State Street Bank and Trust Company, dated December 1, 1997, is incorporated by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 24, filed February 27, 1998 (“PEA No. 24”)

(2)

Amendment to Custodian Agreement between Registrant and State Street Bank and Trust Company, dated May 9, 2019, is incorporated by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 353, filed May 30, 2019

(3)

Amendment to Custodian Agreement between Registrant and State Street Bank and Trust Company, dated May 13, 2019, is incorporated by reference to PEA No. 355

(4)

Amendment to Custodian Agreement between Registrant and State Street Bank and Trust Company, dated October 15, 2019, is incorporated by reference to PEA No. 357

(5)

Amendment to Custodian Agreement between Registrant and State Street Bank and Trust Company, effective January 22, 2020, is incorporated by reference to PEA No. 362

(6)

Amendment to Custodian Agreement between Registrant and State Street Bank and Trust Company, dated April 15, 2020, is incorporated by reference to PEA No. 368

(7)

Amendment to Custodian Agreement between Registrant and State Street Bank and Trust Company, dated July 31, 2020, is incorporated by reference to PEA No. 374

(8)

Amendment to Custodian Agreement between Registrant and State Street Bank and Trust Company, dated August 27, 2020, is incorporated by reference to PEA No. 377

(9)

Amendment to Custodian Agreement between Registrant and State Street Bank and Trust Company, dated October 8, 2020, is incorporated by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 381, filed October 28, 2020 (“PEA No. 381”)

(10)

Amendment to Custodian Agreement between Registrant and State Street Bank and Trust Company, effective November 2, 2020, is incorporated by reference to PEA No. 383

5  


 

Number

Exhibit Description

(11)

Amendment to Custodian Agreement between Registrant and State Street Bank and Trust Company, effective August 3, 2021, is incorporated by reference to PEA No. 389

(h)

(1)(A)

Transfer Agency and Service Agreement between Registrant and State Street Bank and Trust Company, dated January 1, 1998, is incorporated by reference to PEA No. 24

(1)(B)

Amendment to Transfer Agency and Service Agreement regarding anti-money laundering procedures, dated September 24, 2002, is incorporated by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 42, filed February 28, 2003

(1)(C)

Amendment to Transfer Agency and Service Agreement to replace fee schedule, dated March 26, 2004, is incorporated by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 64, filed March 1, 2007

(1)(D)

Amendment to Transfer Agency and Service Agreement, dated January 17, 2017, is incorporated by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 278, filed February 28, 2017

(1)(E)

Amendment to Transfer Agency and Service Agreement, dated September 11, 2017, is incorporated by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 298, filed September 15, 2017

(1)(F)

Amendment to Transfer Agency and Service Agreement, dated October 16, 2017, is incorporated by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 303, filed November 14, 2017

(1)(G)

Amendment to and Assignment of Transfer Agency and Service Agreement from State Street Bank and Trust Company to Boston Financial Data Services, Inc., dated September 5, 2017, is incorporated by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 313, filed April 25, 2018

(1)(H)

Amendment to Transfer Agency and Service Agreement, dated July 30, 2018, is incorporated by reference to PEA No. 319

(1)(I)

Amendment to Transfer Agency and Service Agreement, dated November 16, 2018, is incorporated by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 330, filed December 21, 2018

(1)(J)

Amendment to Transfer Agency and Service Agreement, dated February 25, 2019, is incorporated by reference to PEA No. 348

(1)(K)

Amendment to Transfer Agency and Service Agreement, dated October 31, 2019, is incorporated by reference to PEA No. 357

(1)(L)

Amendment to Transfer Agency and Service Agreement, dated January 13, 2020, is incorporated by reference to PEA No. 362

(1)(M)

Amendment to Transfer Agency and Service Agreement, dated February 18, 2020, is incorporated by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 364, filed February 28, 2020

(1)(N)

Amendment to Transfer Agency and Service Agreement, dated April 30, 2020, is incorporated by reference to PEA No. 368

(1)(O)

Amendment to Transfer Agency and Service Agreement, dated June 30, 2020, is incorporated by reference to PEA No. 374

(1)(P)

Amendment to Transfer Agency and Service Agreement, dated August 25, 2020, is incorporated by reference to PEA No. 377

(1)(Q)

Amendment to Transfer Agency and Service Agreement, dated October 27, 2020, is incorporated by reference to PEA No. 381

(1)(R)

Amendment to Transfer Agency and Service Agreement, dated October 30, 2020, is incorporated by reference to PEA No. 383

(1)(S)

Amendment to Transfer Agency and Service Agreement, dated January 11, 2021, is incorporated by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 385, filed January 29, 2021 (“PEA No. 385”)

(1)(T)

Amendment to Transfer Agency and Service Agreement, dated July 12, 2021, is incorporated by reference to PEA No. 389

(1)(U)

Amendment to Transfer Agency and Service Agreement, dated September 27, 2021, is incorporated by reference to PEA No. 391

(2)(A)

Sub-Administrative Services Fee Agreement between American Beacon Funds, American Beacon Select Funds, American Beacon Institutional Funds Trust, American Beacon Sound Point Enhanced Income Fund, American Beacon Apollo Total Return Fund, and American Beacon Advisors, Inc., dated April 30, 2017, is incorporated by reference to PEA No. 381

(2)(B)

First Amendment to the Sub-Administrative Services Fee Agreement between American Beacon Funds, American Beacon Select Funds, American Beacon Institutional Funds Trust, American Beacon Sound Point Enhanced Income Fund, American Beacon Apollo Total Return Fund, and American Beacon Advisors, Inc., dated May 8, 2018, is incorporated by reference to PEA No. 381

(2)(C)

Second Amendment to the Sub-Administrative Services Fee Agreement between American Beacon Funds, American Beacon Select Funds, American Beacon Institutional Funds Trust, American Beacon Sound Point Enhanced Income Fund, American Beacon Apollo Total Return Fund, and American Beacon Advisors, Inc., dated August 26, 2018, is incorporated by reference to PEA No. 381

6 


 

Number

Exhibit Description

(2)(D)

Third Amendment to the Sub-Administrative Services Fee Agreement between American Beacon Funds, American Beacon Select Funds, American Beacon Institutional Funds Trust, American Beacon Sound Point Enhanced Income Fund, American Beacon Apollo Total Return Fund and American Beacon Advisors, Inc., dated March 26, 2019, is incorporated by reference to PEA No. 381

(2)(E)

Fourth Amendment to the Sub-Administrative Services Fee Agreement between American Beacon Funds, American Beacon Select Funds, American Beacon Institutional Funds Trust, American Beacon Sound Point Enhanced Income Fund, American Beacon Apollo Total Return Fund and American Beacon Advisors, Inc., dated October 15, 2019, is incorporated by reference to PEA No. 381

(2)(F)

Fifth Amendment to the Sub-Administrative Services Fee Agreement between American Beacon Funds, American Beacon Select Funds, American Beacon Institutional Funds Trust, American Beacon Sound Point Enhanced Income Fund, American Beacon Apollo Total Return Fund and American Beacon Advisors, Inc., dated January 13, 2020, is incorporated by reference to PEA No. 381

(2)(G)

Sixth Amendment to the Sub-Administrative Services Fee Agreement between American Beacon Funds, American Beacon Select Funds, American Beacon Institutional Funds Trust, American Beacon Sound Point Enhanced Income Fund, American Beacon Apollo Total Return Fund and American Beacon Advisors, Inc., effective April 30, 2020, is incorporated by reference to PEA No. 381

(2)(H)

Seventh Amendment to the Sub-Administrative Services Fee Agreement between American Beacon Funds, American Beacon Select Funds, American Beacon Institutional Funds Trust, American Beacon Sound Point Enhanced Income Fund, American Beacon Apollo Total Return Fund and American Beacon Advisors, Inc., effective July 31, 2020, is incorporated by reference to PEA No. 381

(2)(I)

Eighth Amendment to the Sub-Administrative Services Fee Agreement between American Beacon Funds, American Beacon Select Funds, American Beacon Institutional Funds Trust, American Beacon Sound Point Enhanced Income Fund, American Beacon Apollo Total Return Fund and American Beacon Advisors, Inc., effective September 10, 2020, is incorporated by reference to PEA No. 381

(2)(J)

Ninth Amendment to the Sub-Administrative Services Fee Agreement between American Beacon Funds, American Beacon Select Funds, American Beacon Institutional Funds Trust, American Beacon Sound Point Enhanced Income Fund, American Beacon Apollo Total Return Fund and American Beacon Advisors, Inc., effective September 30, 2020, is incorporated by reference to PEA No. 381

(2)(K)

Tenth Amendment to the Sub-Administrative Services Fee Agreement between American Beacon Funds, American Beacon Select Funds, American Beacon Institutional Funds Trust, American Beacon Sound Point Enhanced Income Fund, American Beacon Apollo Total Return Fund and American Beacon Advisors, Inc., effective November 2, 2020, is incorporated by reference to PEA No. 383

(2)(L)

Eleventh Amendment to the Sub-Administrative Services Fee Agreement between American Beacon Funds, American Beacon Select Funds, American Beacon Institutional Funds Trust, American Beacon Sound Point Enhanced Income Fund, American Beacon Apollo Total Return Fund and American Beacon Advisors, Inc., effective August 2, 2021, is incorporated by reference to PEA No. 389

(3)(A)

Securities Lending Authorization Agreement between the American Beacon Funds and State Street Bank and Trust Company, dated February 16, 2017, is incorporated by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 300, filed October 23, 2017 (“PEA No. 300”)

(3)(B)

Joinder and First Amendment to Securities Lending Authorization Agreement between the American Beacon Funds and State Street Bank and Trust Company, dated June 21, 2017, is incorporated by reference to PEA No. 300

(3)(C)

Second Amendment to Securities Lending Authorization Agreement between the American Beacon Funds and State Street Bank and Trust Company, dated September 18, 2017, is incorporated by reference to PEA No. 300

(3)(D)

Third Amendment to Securities Lending Authorization Agreement between the American Beacon Funds and State Street Bank and Trust Company, dated December 31, 2018, is incorporated by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 351, filed May 15, 2019

(3)(E)

Fourth Amendment to Securities Lending Authorization Agreement between the American Beacon Funds and State Street Bank and Trust Company, dated September 6, 2019, is incorporated by reference to PEA No. 374

(3)(F)

Fifth Amendment to Securities Lending Authorization Agreement between the American Beacon Funds and State Street Bank and Trust Company, dated May 12, 2020, is incorporated by reference to PEA No. 368

(3)(G)

Sixth Amendment to Securities Lending Authorization Agreement between the American Beacon Funds and State Street Bank and Trust Company, dated May 27, 2020, is incorporated by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 370, filed June 18, 2020

(4)

Administration Agreement between American Beacon Cayman Managed Futures Strategy Fund, Ltd. and American Beacon Advisors, Inc., dated April 30, 2015, is incorporated by reference to PEA No. 269

(5)(A)

Administrative Services Agreement by and among American Beacon Funds, American Beacon Institutional Funds Trust, American Beacon Advisors, Inc. and Parametric Portfolio Associates LLC, dated June 10, 2019, is incorporated by reference to PEA No. 357

7  


 

Number

Exhibit Description

(5)(B)

First Amendment to Administrative Services Agreement by and among American Beacon Funds, American Beacon Institutional Funds Trust, American Beacon Advisors, Inc. and Parametric Portfolio Associates LLC, effective April 30, 2020, is incorporated by reference to PEA No. 368

(6)

Service Plan Agreement for the American Beacon Funds Investor Class, dated March 6, 2009, is incorporated by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 77, filed August 3, 2009

(7)

Service Plan Agreement for the American Beacon Funds Advisor Class (formerly known as the AAdvantage Funds Service Class), dated May 1, 2003, is incorporated by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 45, filed May 1, 2003 (“PEA No. 45”)

(8)(A)

Service Plan Agreement for the American Beacon Funds A Class, dated February 16, 2010, is incorporated by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 84, filed March 16, 2010

(8)(B)

Amended and Restated Schedule A to the Service Plan Agreement for the American Beacon Funds A Class, effective October 11, 2021, is incorporated by reference to PEA No. 391

(9)(A)

Service Plan Agreement for the American Beacon Funds C Class, dated May 25, 2010, is incorporated by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 90, filed June 15, 2010 (“PEA No. 90”)

(9)(B)

Amended and Restated Schedule A to the Service Plan Agreement for the American Beacon Funds C Class, effective October 11, 2021, is incorporated by reference to PEA No. 391

(10)(A)

Fee Waiver/Expense Reimbursement Agreement for American Beacon Continuous Capital Emerging Markets Fund, R5, Y and Investor Class Shares, dated April 30, 2021, is incorporated by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 388, filed May 27, 2021 (“PEA No. 388”)

(10)(B)

Fee Waiver/Expense Reimbursement Agreement for American Beacon Continuous Capital Emerging Markets Fund, A and C Share Classes, dated January 22, 2021, is incorporated by reference to PEA No. 385

(10)(C)

Fee Waiver/Expense Reimbursement Agreement for American Beacon NIS Core Plus Bond Fund, dated August 18, 2020, is incorporated by reference to PEA No. 377

(10)(D)

Fee Waiver/Expense Reimbursement Agreement for American Beacon ARK Transformational Innovation Fund A and C Class Shares, dated August 18, 2020, is incorporated by reference to PEA No. 381

(10)(E)

Fee Waiver/Expense Reimbursement Agreement for American Beacon SiM High Yield Opportunities Fund, American Beacon Sound Point Floating Rate Income Fund, American Beacon The London Company Income Equity Fund and American Beacon Zebra Small Cap Equity Fund, dated November 10, 2021 - (filed herewith)

(10)(F)

Fee Waiver/Expense Reimbursement Agreement for American Beacon Garcia Hamilton Quality Bond Fund, American Beacon International Equity Fund, American Beacon Large Cap Value Fund, American Beacon Mid-Cap Value Fund and American Beacon Tocqueville International Value Fund, dated January 22, 2021, is incorporated by reference to PEA No. 386

(10)(G)

Fee Waiver/Expense Reimbursement Agreement for American Beacon Tocqueville International Value Fund, dated November 6, 2018, is incorporated by reference to PEA No. 341

(10)(H)

Fee Waiver/Expense Reimbursement Agreement for American Beacon AHL Managed Futures Strategy Fund, American Beacon AHL TargetRisk Fund, American Beacon Bahl & Gaynor Small Cap Growth Fund, American Beacon Bridgeway Large Cap Growth Fund, American Beacon Stephens Mid-Cap Growth Fund and American Beacon Stephens Small Cap Growth Fund, dated March 4, 2021, is incorporated by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 387, filed April 29, 2021 (“PEA No. 387”)

(10)(I)

Fee Waiver/Expense Reimbursement Agreement for American Beacon AHL TargetRisk Core Fund, dated August 18, 2020, is incorporated by reference to PEA No. 383

(10)(J)

Fee Waiver Agreement for American Beacon Bridgeway Large Cap Value Fund, dated April 30, 2021, is incorporated by reference to PEA No. 387

(10)(K)

Fee Waiver/Expense Reimbursement Agreement for American Beacon ARK Transformational Innovation Fund, American Beacon Shapiro Equity Opportunities Fund Y Class, R5 Class and Investor Class Shares, American Beacon Shapiro SMID Cap Equity Fund, American Beacon SSI Alternative Income Fund, American Beacon TwentyFour Strategic Income Fund and American Beacon TwentyFour Sustainable Short Term Bond Fund, dated August 24, 2021, is incorporated by reference to PEA No. 391

(10)(L)

Fee Waiver/Expense Reimbursement Agreement for American Beacon Shapiro Equity Opportunities Fund A Class and C Class Shares, dated August 24, 2021, is incorporated by reference to PEA No. 391

(10)(M)

Fee Waiver Agreement for American Beacon Sound Point Floating Rate Income Fund, dated January 1, 2022 — (filed herewith)

(i)

Opinion and consent of counsel — (filed herewith)

(j)

Consent of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm — (filed herewith)

(k)

Financial statements omitted from prospectus — (none)

(l)

Letter of Investment Intent, is incorporated by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 23, filed December 18, 1997

8 


 

Number

Exhibit Description

(m)

(1)

Distribution Plan pursuant to Rule 12b-1 for the Advisor Class (formerly known as the Service Class), dated May 1, 2003, is incorporated by reference to PEA No. 45

(2)(A)

Distribution Plan pursuant to Rule 12b-1 for the A Class, dated February 16, 2010, is incorporated by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 88, filed May 17, 2010

(2)(B)

Amended and Restated Schedule A to the Distribution Plan pursuant to Rule 12b-1 for the A Class, effective October 11, 2021, is incorporated by reference to PEA No. 391

(3)(A)

Distribution Plan pursuant to Rule 12b-1 for the C Class, dated May 25, 2010, is incorporated by reference to PEA No. 90

(3)(B)

Amended and Restated Schedule A to the Distribution Plan pursuant to Rule 12b-1 for the C Class, effective October 11, 2021, is incorporated by reference to PEA No. 391

(n)

Amended and Restated Plan Pursuant to Rule 18f-3, dated November 12, 2019, is incorporated by reference to PEA No. 391

(p)

(1)

Code of Ethics of American Beacon Advisors, Inc., American Beacon Funds, American Beacon Select Funds, American Beacon Institutional Funds Trust, American Beacon Sound Point Enhanced Income Fund, American Beacon Apollo Total Return Fund, and Resolute Investment Distributors, Inc., dated April 1, 2021, is incorporated by reference to PEA No. 388

(2)

Code of Ethics of Barrow, Hanley, Mewhinney & Strauss, Inc., dated December 31, 2018, as revised December 31, 2019, is incorporated by reference to PEA No. 386

(3)

Code of Ethics of Brandywine Global Investment Management, LLC, dated October 2020, is incorporated by reference to PEA No. 386

(4)

Code of Ethics of Causeway Capital Management LLC, dated April 25, 2005, as revised October 1, 2020, is incorporated by reference to PEA No. 386

(5)

Code of Ethics of Foundry Partners, LLC, is incorporated by reference to PEA No. 386

(6)

Code of Ethics of Hotchkis and Wiley Capital Management, LLC, dated August 15, 2017, as revised, is incorporated by reference to PEA No. 386

(7)

Code of Ethics and Personal Investment Policy of Lazard Asset Management LLC, dated September 2018, is incorporated by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 344, filed February 28, 2019 (“PEA No. 344”)

(8)

Code of Business Conduct and Ethics of Pzena Investment Management, LLC, as revised June 2020, is incorporated by reference to PEA No. 386

(9)

Code of Conduct for The Bank of New York Mellon Corporation, parent company of Newton Investment Management North America, LLC, dated November 2020, is incorporated by reference to PEA No. 391

(10)

Code of Ethics of Zebra Capital Management, LLC, effective as of September 1, 2021 - (filed herewith)

(11)

Code of Ethics of Strategic Income Management, LLC, dated September 2021 - (filed herewith)

(12)

Code of Ethics of Massachusetts Financial Services Co., dated December 16, 2019, is incorporated by reference to PEA No. 386

(13)

Code of Ethics for Stephens Investment Management Group, LLC, dated February 2020, is incorporated by reference to PEA No. 387

(14)

Code of Ethics for Bridgeway Capital Management, Inc., dated September 23, 2019, is incorporated by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 366, filed April 28, 2020

(15)

Code of Ethics for The London Company of Virginia, LLC - (filed herewith)

(16)

Code of Ethics for Global Evolution USA, LLC, dated January 2021, is incorporated by reference to PEA No. 388

(17)

Code of Ethics for AHL Partners LLP, dated May 2020, is incorporated by reference to PEA No. 387

(18)

Code of Ethics for Bahl & Gaynor, Inc., dated 2021, is incorporated by reference to PEA No. 387

(19)

Code of Ethics for Hillcrest Asset Management, LLC, dated December 15, 2017, is incorporated by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 310, filed February 28, 2018 (“PEA No. 310”)

(20)

Code of Ethics for Sound Point Capital Management, LP - (filed herewith)

(21)

Code of Ethics for Garcia Hamilton & Associates, L.P., dated January 2018, is incorporated by reference to PEA No. 344

(22)

Code of Ethics for ARK Investment Management LLC, as amended June 1, 2021, is incorporated by reference to PEA No. 391

(23)

Code of Ethics for TwentyFour Asset Management (US) LP, is incorporated by reference to PEA No. 391

(24)

Code of Ethics for WEDGE Capital Management L.L.P., dated February 21, 2017, is incorporated by reference to PEA No. 310

(25)

Code of Ethics for Shapiro Capital Management, LLC, is incorporated by reference to PEA No. 391

(26)

Code of Ethics for Aberdeen Asset Managers Limited, dated 2019, is incorporated by reference to PEA No. 368

9  


 

Number

Exhibit Description

(27)

Code of Ethics for Continuous Capital, LLC, dated April 30, 2018, is incorporated by reference to PEA No. 317

(28)

Code of Ethics for Tocqueville Asset Management, L.P., adopted November 11, 1986, as revised January 15, 2017, is incorporated by reference to PEA No. 386

(29)

Code of Ethics for SSI Investment Management LLC, dated June 18, 2021, is incorporated by reference to PEA No. 391

(30)

Code of Ethics for American Century Investment Management, Inc., dated October 29, 1999, as revised January 1, 2021, is incorporated by reference to PEA No. 386

(31)

Code of Ethics for National Investment Services of America, LLC, dated April 2021, is incorporated by reference to PEA No. 388

Other Exhibits

Powers of Attorney for Trustees of American Beacon Funds, American Beacon Select Funds and American Beacon Institutional Funds Trust, effective as of April 22, 2021, is incorporated by reference to PEA No. 388

Item 29. Persons Controlled by or under Common Control with Registrant

The Trust through the American Beacon AHL Managed Futures Strategy Fund, a separate series of the Trust, wholly owns and controls the American Beacon Cayman Managed Futures Strategy Fund, Ltd. (“Managed Futures Subsidiary”), a company organized under the laws of the Cayman Islands. The Managed Futures Subsidiary’s financial statements will be included, on a consolidated basis, in the American Beacon AHL Managed Futures Strategy Fund’s annual and semi-annual reports to shareholders.

The Trust through the American Beacon AHL TargetRisk Fund, a separate series of the Trust, wholly owns and controls the American Beacon Cayman TargetRisk Company, Ltd. (“TargetRisk Subsidiary”), a company organized under the laws of the Cayman Islands. The TargetRisk Subsidiary’s financial statements will be included, on a consolidated basis, in the American Beacon AHL TargetRisk Fund’s annual and semi-annual reports to shareholders.

Item 30. Indemnification

Article XI of the Amended and Restated Declaration of Trust of the Trust provides that:

Limitation of Liability

Section 1. Provided they have exercised reasonable care and have acted under the reasonable belief that their actions are in the best interest of the Trust, the Trustees and officers of the Trust shall not be responsible for or liable in any event for neglect or wrongdoing of them or any officer, agent, employee or investment adviser of the Trust, and shall not be liable for errors of judgment or mistakes of fact or law, but nothing contained herein shall protect any Trustee or officer against any liability to which he or she would otherwise be subject by reason of willful misfeasance, bad faith, gross negligence or reckless disregard of the duties involved in the conduct of his or her office.

Indemnification

Section 2.

 

  (a) Subject to the exceptions and limitations contained in paragraph (b) below:

 

    (i) every person who is, or has been, a Trustee or officer or employee of the Trust or is or was serving at the request of the Trust as a trustee, director, officer, employee or agent of another organization in which the Trust has an interest as a shareholder, creditor or otherwise (“Covered Person”) shall be indemnified by the Trust and each series to the fullest extent permitted by law, including the 1940 Act and the rules and regulations thereunder as amended from time to time and interpretations thereunder, against liability and against all expenses reasonably incurred or paid by him or her in connection with any claim, action, suit or proceeding in which he or she becomes involved as a party or otherwise by virtue of his or her being or having been a Covered Person and against amounts paid or incurred by him or her in the settlement thereof;

 

    (ii) subject to the provisions of this Section 2, each Covered Person shall, in the performance of his or her duties, be fully and completely justified and protected with regard to any act or any failure to act resulting from reliance in good faith upon the records, books and accounts of the Trust or, as applicable, any Series, upon an opinion or other advice of legal counsel, or upon reports made or advice given to the Trust or, as applicable, any Series, by any Trustee or any of its officers, employees, or a service provider selected with reasonable care by the Trustees or officers of the Trust, regardless of whether the person rendering such report or advice may also be a Trustee, officer or employee of the Trust or, as applicable, any Series.

 

    (iii) as used herein, the words “claim,” “action,” “suit,” or “proceeding” shall apply to all claims, actions, suits or proceedings (civil, criminal, investigative or other, including appeals), actual or threatened, and the words “liability” and “expenses” shall include, without limitation, attorneys’ fees, costs, judgments, amounts paid in settlement, fines, penalties and other liabilities whatsoever.

 

  (b) To the extent required under the 1940 Act and the rules and regulations thereunder as amended from time to time and interpretations thereunder, but only to such extent no indemnification shall be provided hereunder to a Covered Person:

 

    (i) who shall have been adjudicated by a court or body before which the proceeding was brought to be liable to the Trust or its Shareholders by reason of willful misfeasance, bad faith, gross negligence or reckless disregard of the duties involved in the conduct of his or her office; or

 

    (ii) in the event of a settlement, unless there has been a determination that such Covered Person did not engage in willful misfeasance, bad faith, gross negligence or reckless disregard of the duties involved in the conduct of his or her office: (A) by the court or other body approving the
 

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    settlement; (B) by at least a majority of those Trustees who are neither interested persons of the Trust nor are parties to the matter based upon a review of readily available facts (as opposed to a full trial type inquiry); or (C) by written opinion of independent legal counsel based upon a review of readily available facts (as opposed to a full trial type inquiry).

 

  (c) The rights of indemnification herein provided may be insured against by policies maintained by the Trust, shall be severable, shall not be exclusive of or affect any other rights to which any Covered Person may now or hereafter be entitled, shall continue as to a person who has ceased to be such Covered Person and shall inure to the benefit of the heirs, executors and administrators of such Covered Person. Nothing contained herein shall affect any rights to indemnification to which any Covered Person or other person may be entitled by contract or otherwise under law or prevent the Trust from entering into any contract to provide indemnification to any Covered Person or other Person.

 

  (d) To the extent that any determination is required to be made as to whether a Covered Person engaged in conduct for which indemnification is not provided as described herein, or as to whether there is reason to believe that a Covered Person ultimately will be found entitled to indemnification, the Person or Persons making the determination shall afford the Covered Person a rebuttable presumption that the Covered Person has not engaged in such conduct and that there is reason to believe that the Covered Person ultimately will be found entitled to indemnification.

 

  (e) To the maximum extent permitted by applicable law, including Section 17(h) of the 1940 Act and the rules and regulations thereunder as amended from time to time and interpretations thereunder, expenses in connection with the preparation and presentation of a defense to any claim, action, suit or proceeding of the character described in paragraph (a) of this Section 2 shall be paid by the Trust or the applicable Series from time to time prior to final disposition thereof upon receipt of an undertaking by or on behalf of such Covered Person that such amount will be paid over by him or her to the Trust or a Series, as applicable, if it is ultimately determined that he or she is not entitled to indemnification under this Section 2; provided, however, that any such advancement will be made in accordance with any conditions required by the Commission.
 

According to Article XII, Section 1 of the Amended and Restated Declaration of Trust, nothing in the Amended and Restated Declaration of Trust shall be construed to make the Shareholders, either by themselves or with the Trustees, partners or members of a joint stock association. Trustees are not liable personally to any person extending credit to, contracting with or having any claim against the Trust, a particular Portfolio or the Trustees. A Trustee, however, is not protected from liability due to willful misfeasance, bad faith, gross negligence or reckless disregard of the duties involved in the conduct of his or her office.

Article V, Section 5 provides that, subject to the provisions of Article XI, the Trustees shall not be liable for any act or omission in accordance with certain advice of counsel or other experts or for failing to follow such advice. Article XI, Section 1 provides that the Trustees are not liable for errors of judgment or mistakes of fact or law, but a Trustee is not protected from liability due to willful misfeasance, bad faith, gross negligence or reckless disregard of the duties involved in the conduct of his or her office, for any act or omission in accordance with advice of counsel or other experts or for failing to follow such advice.

Numbered Paragraph 10 of the Management Agreement provides that:

10. Limitation of Liability of the Manager. The Manager shall not be liable for any error of judgment or mistake of law or for any loss suffered by a Trust or any Fund in connection with the matters to which this Agreement relate except a loss resulting from the willful misfeasance, bad faith or gross negligence on its part in the performance of its duties or from reckless disregard by it of its obligations and duties under this Agreement. Any person, even though also an officer, partner, employee, or agent of the Manager, who may be or become an officer, Board member, employee or agent of a Trust shall be deemed, when rendering services to a Trust or acting in any business of a Trust, to be rendering such services to or acting solely for a Trust and not as an officer, partner, employee, or agent or one under the control or direction of the Manager even though paid by it. The U.S. federal and state securities laws impose liabilities on persons who act in good faith, and, therefore, nothing in this Agreement is intended to limit the obligations of the Manager under such laws. This Paragraph 10 does not in any manner preempt any separate written indemnification commitments made by the Manager with respect to any matters encompassed by this Agreement.

Numbered Paragraph 9 of the Investment Advisory Agreement with Aberdeen Asset Managers Limited provides that:

9. Liability of Adviser. The Adviser shall have no liability to the Trust, its shareholders or any third party arising out of or related to this Agreement, provided however, the Adviser agrees to indemnify and hold harmless, the Manager, any affiliated person within the meaning of Section 2(a)(3) of the Investment Company Act, and each person, if any, who, within the meaning of Section 15 of the Securities Act, controls the Manager, against any and all losses, claims, damages, liabilities or litigation (including reasonable legal and other expenses), to which the Manager or such affiliated person or controlling person may become subject under the securities laws, any other federal or state law, at common law or otherwise, arising out of and to the extent of the Adviser’s responsibilities to the Trust which may be based upon any willful misfeasance, bad faith, gross negligence, or reckless disregard of, the Adviser’s obligations and/or duties under this Agreement by the Adviser or by any of its directors, officers, employees, agents, or any affiliate acting on behalf of the Adviser. The indemnification in this Section shall survive the termination of this Agreement.

Numbered Paragraph 9 of the Investment Advisory Agreement with AHL Partners LLP provides, in relevant part, that:

9. Liability. The Adviser shall have no liability to the Trust, its shareholders, the Manager or any third party arising out of or related to this Agreement, provided however, the Adviser agrees to indemnify and hold harmless, the Manager, any affiliated person within the meaning of Section 2(a)(3) of the Investment Company Act, and each person, if any, who, within the meaning of Section 15 of the Securities Act, controls the Manager, against any and all losses, claims, damages, liabilities or litigation (including reasonable legal and other expenses), to which the Manager or such affiliated person or controlling person may become subject under the securities or commodities laws, any other federal or state law, at common law or otherwise, arising out of the Adviser’s responsibilities to the Trust which may be based upon any willful misfeasance, bad faith, gross negligence, or reckless disregard of, the Adviser’s obligations and/or duties under this Agreement, relating to its trading activities or information provided to the Manager regarding the Adviser, by the Adviser or by any of its directors, officers, employees, agents, or any affiliate acting on behalf of the Adviser. The U.S. federal and state securities laws impose liabilities on persons who act in good faith, and therefore, nothing in this Agreement is intended to limit the obligations of the Adviser under such laws.

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Numbered Paragraph 9 of the Investment Advisory Agreement with American Century Investment Management, Inc. provides, in relevant part, that:

9. Liability of Adviser. The Adviser shall have no liability to the Trust, its shareholders or any third party arising out of or related to this Agreement, provided however, the Adviser agrees to indemnify and hold harmless, the Manager, any affiliated person within the meaning of Section 2(a)(3) of the Investment Company Act, and each person, if any, who, within the meaning of Section 15 of the Securities Act, controls the Manager, against any and all losses, claims, damages, liabilities or litigation (including reasonable legal and other expenses), to which the Manager or such affiliated person or controlling person may become subject under the securities laws, any other federal or state law, at common law or otherwise, arising out of the Adviser’s responsibilities to the Trust which may be based upon any willful misfeasance, bad faith, gross negligence, or reckless disregard of, the Adviser’s obligations and/or duties under this Agreement by the Adviser or by any of its directors, officers, employees, agents, or any affiliate acting on behalf of the Adviser. The indemnification in this Section shall survive the termination of this Agreement.

Numbered Paragraph 9 of the Investment Advisory Agreement with ARK Investment Management LLC provides, in relevant part, that:

9. Liability of the Parties. The Adviser shall have no liability to the Trust, its shareholders or any third party arising out of or related to this Agreement, provided however, the Adviser agrees to indemnify and hold harmless, the Manager, any affiliated person of the Adviser within the meaning of Section 2(a)(3) of the Investment Company Act (“Affiliated Person”), and each person, if any, who, within the meaning of Section 15 of the Securities Act, controls the Manager (“Controlling Person”), against any and all losses, claims, damages, liabilities or litigation (including reasonable legal and other expenses), to which the Manager or such Affiliated Person or Controlling Person may become subject under the securities laws, any other federal or state law, at common law or otherwise, arising out of the Adviser’s responsibilities to the Trust or the Funds that may be based upon any willful misfeasance, bad faith, gross negligence, or reckless disregard of the Adviser’s obligations and/or duties under this Agreement by the Adviser or by any of its directors, officers, employees, agents, or any Affiliate Person acting on behalf of the Adviser. The indemnification in this Section shall survive the termination of this Agreement.

The Manager agrees to indemnify and hold harmless, the Adviser, any Affiliated Person of the Adviser, and each Controlling Person of the Adviser, against any and all losses, claims, damages, liabilities or litigation (including reasonable legal and other expenses), to which the Adviser or its Affiliated Persons or Controlling Person may become subject under the securities laws, any other federal or state law, at common law or otherwise, arising out of the Manager’s responsibilities to the Trust or the Funds that may be based upon any willful misfeasance, bad faith, gross negligence, or reckless disregard by the Manager or by any of its directors, officers, employees, agents, or any Affiliated Person acting on behalf of the Manager of the Manager’s obligations and/or duties under its agreements with the Trust or the Funds. The indemnification in this Section shall survive the termination of this Agreement.

Numbered Paragraph 9 of the Investment Advisory Agreement with Bahl & Gaynor, Inc. provides that:

9. Liability of Adviser. The Adviser shall have no liability to the Trust, its shareholders or any third party arising out of or related to this Agreement, provided however, the Adviser agrees to indemnify and hold harmless, the Manager, any affiliated person within the meaning of Section 2(a)(3) of the Investment Company Act, and each person, if any, who, within the meaning of Section 15 of the Securities Act, controls the Manager, against any and all losses, claims, damages, liabilities or litigation (including reasonable legal and other expenses), to which the Manager or such affiliated person or controlling person may become subject under the securities laws, any other federal or state law, at common law or otherwise, arising out of the Adviser’s responsibilities to the Trust which may be based upon any willful misfeasance, bad faith, gross negligence, or reckless disregard of, the Adviser’s obligations and/or duties under this Agreement by the Adviser or by any of its directors, officers, employees, agents, or any affiliate acting on behalf of the Adviser. The indemnification in this Section shall survive the termination of this Agreement.

Numbered Paragraph 9 of the Investment Advisory Agreement with Barrow, Hanley, Mewhinney & Straus, Inc. provides that:

9. Liability of Adviser. The Adviser shall have no liability to the Trust, its shareholders or any third party arising out of or related to this Agreement except with respect to claims which occur due to any willful misfeasance, bad faith, or gross negligence in the performance of its duties or the reckless disregard of its obligations under this Agreement.

Numbered Paragraph 11 of the Investment Advisory Agreement with Brandywine Global Investment Management, LLC provides that:

11. Liability of Adviser. The Adviser shall have no liability to the Trust, its shareholders or any third party arising out of or related to this Agreement except with respect to claims which occur due to any willful misfeasance, bad faith, or gross negligence in the performance of its duties or the reckless disregard of its obligations under this Agreement.

Numbered Paragraph 9 of the Investment Advisory Agreement with Bridgeway Capital Management, Inc. provides that:

9. Liability of Adviser. The Adviser shall have no liability to the Trust, its shareholders, the Manager or any third party arising out of or related to this Agreement except with respect to claims which occur due to any willful misfeasance, bad faith, or gross negligence in the performance of its duties or the reckless disregard of its obligations under this Agreement.

Manager shall indemnify the Adviser, its officers, directors and employees, and each person, if any, who, within the meaning of the Securities Act of 1933, controls the Adviser, for any liability and expenses, including without limitation, reasonable attorneys’ fees and expenses, which may be sustained as a result of the Manager’s willful misfeasance, bad faith, gross negligence, reckless disregard of its duties hereunder.

Numbered Paragraph 8 of the Investment Advisory Agreement with Causeway Capital Management LLC provides that:

8. Liability of Adviser. No provision of this Agreement shall be deemed to protect the Adviser against any liability to the Trust or its shareholders to which it might otherwise be subject by reason of any willful misfeasance, bad faith, or gross negligence in the performance of its duties or the reckless disregard of its obligations under this Agreement.

Numbered Paragraph 9 of the Investment Advisory Agreement with Continuous Capital, LLC provides that:

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9. Liability of Adviser. The Adviser shall have no liability to the Trust, its shareholders or any third party arising out of or related to this Agreement, provided however, the Adviser agrees to indemnify and hold harmless, the Manager, any affiliated person within the meaning of Section 2(a)(3) of the Investment Company Act, and each person, if any, who, within the meaning of Section 15 of the Securities Act, controls the Manager, against any and all losses, claims, damages, liabilities or litigation (including reasonable legal and other expenses), to which the Manager or such affiliated person or controlling person may become subject under the securities laws, any other federal or state law, at common law or otherwise, arising out of the Adviser’s responsibilities to the Trust which may be based upon any willful misfeasance, bad faith, gross negligence, or reckless disregard of, the Adviser’s obligations and/or duties under this Agreement by the Adviser or by any of its directors, officers, employees, agents, or any affiliate acting on behalf of the Adviser. The indemnification in this Section shall survive the termination of this Agreement.

Numbered Paragraph 9 of the Investment Advisory Agreement with Foundry Partners, LLC provides that:

9. Liability of Adviser. No provision of this Agreement shall be deemed to protect the Adviser against any liability to the Trust or its shareholders to which it might otherwise be subject by reason of any willful misfeasance, bad faith, or gross negligence in the performance of its duties or the reckless disregard of its obligations under this Agreement.

Numbered Paragraph 9 of the Investment Advisory Agreement with Garcia Hamilton & Associates, L.P. provides that:

9. Liability of Adviser. The Adviser shall have no liability to the Trust, its shareholders or any third party arising out of or related to this Agreement, provided however, the Adviser agrees to indemnify and hold harmless, the Manager, any affiliated person within the meaning of Section 2(a)(3) of the Investment Company Act, and each person, if any, who, within the meaning of Section 15 of the Securities Act, controls the Manager, against any and all losses, claims, damages, liabilities or litigation (including reasonable legal and other expenses), to which the Manager or such affiliated person or controlling person may become subject under the securities laws, any other federal or state law, at common law or otherwise, arising out of the Adviser’s responsibilities to the Trust which may be based upon any willful misfeasance, bad faith, gross negligence, or reckless disregard of, the Adviser’s obligations and/or duties under this Agreement by the Adviser or by any of its directors, officers, employees, agents, or any affiliate acting on behalf of the Adviser. The indemnification in this Section shall survive the termination of this Agreement.

Numbered Paragraph 9 of the Investment Advisory Agreement with Global Evolution USA, LLC provides that:

9. Liability of Adviser. The Adviser shall have no liability to the Trust, its shareholders or any third party arising out of or related to this Agreement, provided however, the Adviser agrees to indemnify and hold harmless, the Manager, any affiliated person within the meaning of Section 2(a)(3) of the Investment Company Act, and each person, if any, who, within the meaning of Section 15 of the Securities Act, controls the Manager, against any and all losses, claims, damages, liabilities or litigation (including reasonable legal and other expenses), to which the Manager or such affiliated person or controlling person may become subject under the securities laws, any other federal or state law, at common law or otherwise, arising out of the Adviser’s responsibilities to the Trust which may be based upon any willful misfeasance, bad faith, gross negligence, or reckless disregard of, the Adviser’s obligations and/or duties under this Agreement by the Adviser or by any of its directors, officers, employees, agents, or any affiliate acting on behalf of the Adviser. The indemnification in this Section shall survive the termination of this Agreement.

Numbered Paragraph 9 of the Investment Advisory Agreement with Hillcrest Asset Management, LLC provides that:

9. Liability of Adviser. The Adviser shall have no liability to the Trust, its shareholders or any third party arising out of or related to this Agreement, provided however, the Adviser agrees to indemnify and hold harmless, the Manager, any affiliated person within the meaning of Section 2(a)(3) of the Investment Company Act, and each person, if any, who, within the meaning of Section 15 of the Securities Act, controls the Manager, against any and all losses, claims, damages, liabilities or litigation (including reasonable legal and other expenses), to which the Manager or such affiliated person or controlling person may become subject under the securities laws, any other federal or state law, at common law or otherwise, arising out of the Adviser’s responsibilities to the Trust which may be based upon any willful misfeasance, bad faith, gross negligence, or reckless disregard of, the Adviser’s obligations and/or duties under this Agreement by the Adviser or by any of its directors, officers, employees, agents, or any affiliate acting on behalf of the Adviser. The indemnification in this Section shall survive the termination of this Agreement.

Numbered Paragraph 9 of the Investment Advisory Agreement with Hotchkis and Wiley Capital Management, LLC provides that:

9. Liability of Adviser. No provision of this Agreement shall be deemed to protect the Adviser against any liability to the Trust or its shareholders to which it might otherwise be subject by reason of any willful misfeasance, bad faith, or gross negligence in the performance of its duties or the reckless disregard of its obligations under this Agreement.

Numbered Paragraph 8 of the Investment Advisory Agreement with Lazard Asset Management LLC provides that:

8. Liability of Adviser. No provision of this Agreement shall be deemed to protect the Adviser against any liability to the Trust or its shareholders to which it might otherwise be subject by reason of any willful misfeasance, bad faith, or gross negligence in the performance of its duties or the reckless disregard of its obligations under this Agreement.

Numbered Paragraph 9 of the Investment Advisory Agreement with Massachusetts Financial Services Co. provides that:

9. Liability of Adviser. The Adviser shall have no liability to the Trust, its shareholders or any other third party arising out of or related to this Agreement except with respect to claims which occur due to any willful misfeasance, bad faith, or gross negligence in the performance of its duties or the reckless disregard of its obligations under this Agreement.

Numbered Paragraph 9 of the Investment Advisory Agreement with National Investment Services of America, LLC provides that

9. (a) Liability of Adviser and Indemnification by Adviser. The Adviser shall have no liability to the Trust, its shareholders or any third party arising out of or related to this Agreement, provided however, the Adviser agrees to indemnify and hold harmless, the Trust and its shareholders, the Manager, any affiliated person thereof within the meaning of Section 2(a)(3) of the Investment Company Act, and any controlling person thereof as described in Section 15 of the Securities Act, from and against any and all losses, claims, damages, liabilities or litigation (including reasonable legal and other

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expenses), to which the Trust and its shareholders, the Manager or such affiliated person or controlling person may become subject under the securities laws, any other federal or state law, at common law or otherwise, however arising out of or in connection with the performance of the Adviser’s responsibilities to the Trust which may be based upon: (i) any willful misfeasance, bad faith, gross negligence, or reckless disregard of, the Adviser’s obligations and/or duties under this Agreement by the Adviser or by any of its directors, officers, employees, agents, or any affiliate acting on behalf of the Adviser, or (ii) any untrue statement of a material fact contained in the Trust’s prospectus and statement of additional information applicable to a Fund, or any other Trust filings, proxy materials, reports, advertisements, sales literature or other materials pertaining to a Fund, the Trust or the Manager, or the omission to state therein a material fact known to the Adviser which was required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein not misleading, if such statement or omission was made in reliance upon information furnished to the Manager or the Trust by the Adviser for use therein. The indemnification in this Section shall survive the termination of this Agreement.

Numbered Paragraph 9 of the Investment Advisory Agreement with Newton Investment Management North America, LLC provides that:

9. Liability of Adviser. No provision of this Agreement shall be deemed to protect the Adviser against any liability to the Trust or its shareholders to which it might otherwise be subject by reason of any willful misfeasance, bad faith, or gross negligence in the performance of its duties or the reckless disregard of its obligations under this Agreement.

Numbered Paragraph 9 of the Investment Advisory Agreement with Pzena Investment Management, LLC provides that:

9. Liability of Adviser. The Adviser shall not be liable for any action taken or omitted to be taken by it in its reasonable judgment, in good faith and believed by it to be authorized or within the discretion or rights or powers conferred upon it by this Agreement, or in accordance with (or in the absence of) specific directions or instructions from the Manager. No provision of this Agreement shall be deemed to protect the Adviser against any liability to the Trust or its shareholders to which it might otherwise be subject by reason of any willful misfeasance, bad faith, or gross negligence in the performance of its duties or the reckless disregard of its obligations under this Agreement.

Numbered Paragraph 9 of the Investment Advisory Agreement with Shapiro Capital Management, LLC provides that:

9. Liability of Adviser. The Adviser shall have no liability to the Trust, its shareholders or any third party arising out of or related to this Agreement, provided however, the Adviser agrees to indemnify and hold harmless, the Manager, any affiliated person within the meaning of Section 2(a)(3) of the Investment Company Act, and each person, if any, who, within the meaning of Section 15 of the Securities Act, controls the Manager, against any and all losses, claims, damages, liabilities or litigation (including reasonable legal and other expenses), to which the Manager or such affiliated person or controlling person may become subject under the securities laws, any other federal or state law, at common law or otherwise, arising out of the Adviser’s responsibilities to the Trust which may be based upon any willful misfeasance, bad faith, gross negligence, or reckless disregard of, the Adviser’s obligations and/or duties under this Agreement by the Adviser or by any of its directors, officers, employees, agents, or any affiliate acting on behalf of the Adviser. The indemnification in this Section shall survive the termination of this Agreement.

Numbered Paragraph 9 of the Investment Advisory Agreement with Sound Point Capital Management, LP provides that:

9. Liability of Adviser. The Adviser shall have no liability to the Trust, its shareholders or any third party arising out of or related to this Agreement, provided however, the Adviser agrees to indemnify and hold harmless, the Manager, any affiliated person within the meaning of Section 2(a)(3) of the Investment Company Act, and each person, if any, who, within the meaning of Section 15 of the Securities Act, controls the Manager, against any and all losses, claims, damages, liabilities or litigation (including reasonable legal and other expenses), to which the Manager or such affiliated person or controlling person may become subject under the securities laws, any other federal or state law, at common law or otherwise, arising out of the Adviser’s responsibilities to the Trust which may be based upon any willful misfeasance, bad faith, gross negligence, or reckless disregard of, the Adviser’s obligations and/or duties under this Agreement by the Adviser or by any of its directors, officers, employees, agents, or any affiliate acting on behalf of the Adviser. The indemnification in this Section shall survive the termination of this Agreement.

Numbered Paragraph 9 of the Form of Investment Advisory Agreement with SSI Investment Management LLC provides that:

9. Liability of Adviser and Manager. The Adviser shall have no liability to the Trust, its shareholders or any third party arising out of or related to this Agreement. Each of the Adviser and the Manager agrees to indemnify and hold harmless, the other party, any affiliated person within the meaning of Section 2(a)(3) of the Investment Company Act, and each person, if any, who, within the meaning of Section 15 of the Securities Act, controls the other party, against any and all losses, claims, damages, liabilities or litigation (including reasonable legal and other expenses), to which the other party or such affiliated person or controlling person may become subject under the securities laws, any other federal or state law, at common law or otherwise, arising out of the indemnifying party’s responsibilities to the Trust based upon any willful misfeasance, bad faith, gross negligence, or reckless disregard of, the indemnifying party’s obligations and/or duties under this Agreement by the indemnifying party or by any of its directors, officers, employees, agents, or any affiliate acting on behalf of the indemnifying party. The indemnification in this Section shall survive the termination of this Agreement.

Numbered Paragraph 9 of the Investment Advisory Agreement with Stephens Investment Management Group, LLC provides that:

9. Liability of Adviser. The Adviser shall have no liability to the Trust, its shareholders or any third party arising out of or related to this Agreement except with respect to claims which occur due to any willful misfeasance, bad faith, or gross negligence in the performance of its duties or the reckless disregard of its obligations under this Agreement.

Numbered Paragraph 9 of the Investment Advisory Agreement with Strategic Income Management, LLC provides that:

9. Liability of Adviser. The Adviser shall have no liability to the Trust, its shareholders or any other third party arising out of or related to this Agreement except with respect to claims which occur due to any willful misfeasance, bad faith, or gross negligence in the performance of its duties or the reckless disregard of its obligations under this Agreement.

Numbered Paragraph 9 of the Investment Advisory Agreement with The London Company of Virginia, LLC provides that:

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9. Liability of Adviser. The Adviser shall have no liability to the Trust, its shareholders or any third party arising out of or related to this Agreement except with respect to claims which occur due to any willful misfeasance, bad faith, or gross negligence in the performance of its duties or the reckless disregard of its obligations under this Agreement.

Numbered Paragraph 9 of the Investment Advisory Agreement with Tocqueville Asset Management, L.P. provides that:

9. Liability of Adviser. The Adviser shall have no liability to the Trust, its shareholders or any third party arising out of or related to this Agreement, provided however, the Adviser agrees to indemnify and hold harmless, the Manager, any affiliated person within the meaning of Section 2(a)(3) of the Investment Company Act, and each person, if any, who, within the meaning of Section 15 of the Securities Act, controls the Manager, against any and all losses, claims, damages, liabilities or litigation (including reasonable legal and other expenses), to which the Manager or such affiliated person or controlling person may become subject under the securities laws, any other federal or state law, at common law or otherwise, arising out of the Adviser’s responsibilities to the Trust which may be based upon any willful misfeasance, bad faith, gross negligence, or reckless disregard of, the Adviser’s obligations and/or duties under this Agreement by the Adviser or by any of its directors, officers, employees, agents, or any affiliate acting on behalf of the Adviser. The indemnification in this Section shall survive the termination of this Agreement.

Numbered Paragraph 9 of the Investment Advisory Agreement with TwentyFour Asset Management (US) LP provides that:

9. Liability. The Adviser, including its officers, directors, employees and agents shall have no liability to the Trust, its shareholders or any third party arising out of or related to this Agreement, provided however, the Adviser agrees to indemnify and hold harmless, the Manager, its officers, directors, employees and agents (each such person, a “Manager Indemnified Persons”) against any and all losses, claims, damages, liabilities or litigation (including reasonable legal and related expenses) (“Losses”), to which a Manager Indemnified Persons may become subject under the securities laws, any other federal or state law, at common law or otherwise, arising out of the Adviser’s responsibilities to the Trust which may be based upon any willful misfeasance, bad faith, gross negligence, or reckless disregard of, the Adviser’s obligations and/or duties under this Agreement by the Adviser or by any of its directors, officers, employees, agents, or any affiliate acting on behalf of the Adviser, provided, however that the Manager’s obligation under this paragraph 9 shall be reduced to the extent that the Losses experienced by a Manager Indemnified Person are caused by or are otherwise directly related to a Manager Indemnified Person’s own willful misfeasance, bad faith, gross negligence, or reckless disregard of its obligations and duties under this Agreement.

The Manager, including its officers, directors, employees and agents shall have no liability to the Adviser, its shareholders or any third party arising out of or related to this Agreement, provided however, the Manager agrees to indemnify and hold harmless, the Adviser, its officers, directors, employees and agents (each such person, an “Adviser Indemnified Persons”) against any and all Losses, to which an Adviser Indemnified Persons may become subject under the securities laws, any other federal or state law, at common law or otherwise, arising out of the Manager’s responsibilities to the Trust, its shareholders or any third party, provided, however that the Manager’s obligation under this paragraph 9 shall be reduced to the extent that the Losses experienced by an Adviser Indemnified Person are caused by or are otherwise directly related to an Adviser Indemnified Person’s own willful misfeasance, bad faith, gross negligence, or reckless disregard of its obligations and duties under this Agreement.

Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, neither the Adviser nor the Manager will be liable for any indirect, special, incidental or consequential damage.

The indemnification in this Section shall survive the termination of this Agreement.

Numbered Paragraph 9 of the Investment Advisory Agreement with WEDGE Capital Management L.L.P. provides that:

9. Liability of Adviser. The Adviser shall have no liability to the Trust, its shareholders or any third party arising out of or related to this Agreement, provided however, the Adviser agrees to indemnify and hold harmless, the Manager, any affiliated person within the meaning of Section 2(a)(3) of the Investment Company Act, and each person, if any, who, within the meaning of Section 15 of the Securities Act, controls the Manager, against any and all losses, claims, damages, liabilities or litigation (including reasonable legal and other expenses), to which the Manager or such affiliated person or controlling person may become subject under the securities laws, any other federal or state law, at common law or otherwise, arising out of the Adviser’s responsibilities to the Trust which may be based upon any willful misfeasance, bad faith, gross negligence, or reckless disregard of, the Adviser’s obligations and/or duties under this Agreement by the Adviser or by any of its directors, officers, employees, agents, or any affiliate acting on behalf of the Adviser. The indemnification in this Section shall survive the termination of this Agreement.

Numbered Paragraph 9 of the Investment Advisory Agreement with Zebra Capital Management, LLC provides that:

9. Liability of Adviser. The Adviser shall have no liability to the Trust, its shareholders or any other third party arising out of or related to this Agreement except with respect to claims which occur due to any willful misfeasance, bad faith, or gross negligence in the performance of its duties or the reckless disregard of its obligations under this Agreement.

Section 4.2 of the Distribution Agreement provides that:

 

  (a) Notwithstanding anything in this Agreement to the contrary, Resolute shall not be responsible for, and the Client shall on behalf of each applicable Fund or Class thereof, indemnify and hold harmless Resolute, its employees, directors, officers and managers and any person who controls Resolute within the meaning of section 15 of the Securities Act or section 20 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, (for purposes of this Section 4.2(a), “Resolute Indemnitees”) from and against, any and all losses, damages, costs, charges, reasonable counsel fees, payments, liabilities and other expenses of every nature and character (including, but not limited to, direct and indirect reasonable reprocessing costs) arising out of or attributable to all and any of the following (for purposes of this Section 4.2(a), a “Resolute Claim”)

 

    (i) any material action (or omission to act) of Resolute or its agents taken in connection with this Agreement; provided, that such action (or omission to act) is taken in good faith and without willful misfeasance, negligence or reckless disregard by Resolute, or its affiliates, of its duties and obligations under this Agreement;
 

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    (ii) any untrue statement of a material fact contained in the Registration Statement or arising out of or based upon any alleged omission to state a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein not misleading, unless such statement or omission was made in reliance upon, and in conformity with, information furnished to the Client in connection with the preparation of the Registration Statement or exhibits to the Registration Statement by or on behalf of Resolute;

 

    (iii) any material breach of the Clients’ agreements, representations, warranties, and covenants in Sections 2.9 and 5.2 of this Agreement; or

 

    (iv) the reliance on or use by Resolute or its agents or subcontractors of information, records, documents or services which have been prepared, maintained or performed by the Client or any agent of the Client, including but not limited to any Predecessor Records provided pursuant to Section 2.9(b).

 

  (b) Resolute will indemnify, defend and hold the Client and their several officers and members of their Governing Bodies and any person who controls the Client within the meaning of section 15 of the Securities Act or section 20 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, (collectively, the “Client Indemnitees” and, with the Resolute Indemnitees, an “Indemnitee”), free and harmless from and against any and all claims, demands, actions, suits, judgments, liabilities, losses, damages, costs, charges, reasonable counsel fees and other expenses of every nature and character (including the cost of investigating or defending such claims, demands, actions, suits or liabilities and any reasonable counsel fees incurred in connection therewith), but only to the extent that such claims, demands, actions, suits, judgments, liabilities, losses, damages, costs, charges, reasonable counsel fees and other expenses result from, arise out of or are based upon all and any of the following (for purposes of this Section 4.2(c), a “Client Claim” and, with a Resolute Claim, a “Claim”):

 

    (i) any material action (or omission to act) of Resolute or its agents taken in connection with this Agreement, provided that such action (or omission to act) is taken in good faith and without willful misfeasance, negligence or reckless disregard by Resolute, or its affiliates, of its duties and obligations under this Agreement.

 

    (ii) any untrue statement of a material fact contained in the Registration Statement or any alleged omission of a material fact required to be stated or necessary to make the statements therein not misleading, if such statement or omission was made in reliance upon, and in conformity with, information furnished to the Client in writing in connection with the preparation of the Registration Statement by or on behalf of Resolute; or

 

    (iii) any material breach of Resolute’s agreements, representations, warranties and covenants set forth in Section 2.4 and 5.1 hereof.

 

  (c) The Client or Resolute (for purpose of this Section 4.2(d), an “Indemnifying Party”) may assume the defense of any suit brought to enforce any Resolute Claim or Client Claim, respectively, and may retain counsel chosen by the Indemnifying Party and approved by the other Party, which approval shall not be unreasonably withheld or delayed. The Indemnifying Party shall advise the other Party that it will assume the defense of the suit and retain counsel within ten (10) days of receipt of the notice of the claim. If the Indemnifying Party assumes the defense of any such suit and retains counsel, the other Party shall bear the fees and expenses of any additional counsel that they retain. If the Indemnifying Party does not assume the defense of any such suit, or if other Party does not approve of counsel chosen by the Indemnifying Party, or if the other Party has been advised that it may have available defenses or claims that are not available to or conflict with those available to the Indemnifying Party, the Indemnifying Party will reimburse any Indemnitee named as defendant in such suit for the reasonable fees and expenses of any counsel that the Indemnitee retains. An Indemnitee shall not settle or confess any claim without the prior written consent of the applicable Client, which consent shall not be unreasonably withheld or delayed.

 

  (d) An Indemnifying Party’s obligation to provide indemnification under this section is conditioned upon the Indemnifying Party receiving notice of any action brought against an Indemnitee within twenty (20) days after the summons or other first legal process is served. Such notice shall refer to the Person or Persons against whom the action is brought. The failure to provide such notice shall not relieve the Indemnifying Party of any liability that it may have to any Indemnitee except to the extent that the ability of the party entitled to such notice to defend such action has been materially adversely affected by the failure to provide notice.

 

  (e) The provisions of this section and the parties’ representations and warranties in this Agreement shall remain operative and in full force and effect regardless of any investigation made by or on behalf of any Indemnitee and shall survive the sale and redemption of any Shares made pursuant to subscriptions obtained by Resolute. The indemnification provisions of this section will inure exclusively to the benefit of each person that may be an Indemnitee at any time and their respective successors and assigns (it being intended that such persons be deemed to be third party beneficiaries under this Agreement).
 

Section 4.3 of the Distribution Agreement provides that:

Notwithstanding anything in this Agreement to the contrary, except as specifically set forth below:

 

  (a) Neither Party shall be liable for losses, delays, failure, errors, interruption or loss of data occurring directly or indirectly by reason of circumstances beyond its reasonable control, including, without limitation, acts of God; action or inaction of civil or military authority; public enemy; war; terrorism; riot; fire; flood; sabotage; epidemics; labor disputes; civil commotion; interruption, loss or malfunction of utilities, transportation, computer or communications capabilities; insurrection; or elements of nature;

 

  (b) Neither Party shall be liable for any consequential, special or indirect losses or damages suffered by the other Party, whether or not the likelihood of such losses or damages was known by the Party;

 

  (c) No affiliate, director, officer, employee, manager, shareholder, partner, agent, counsel or consultant of either Party shall be liable at law or in equity for the obligations of such Party under this Agreement or for any damages suffered by the other Party related to this Agreement;

 

  (d) There are no third-party beneficiaries of this Agreement;

 

  (e) Each Party shall have a duty to mitigate damages for which the other Party may become responsible;
 

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  (f) The assets and liabilities of each Fund are separate and distinct from the assets and liabilities of each other Fund, and no Fund shall be liable or shall be charged for any debt, obligation or liability of any other Fund, whether arising under this Agreement or otherwise; and in asserting any rights or claims under this Agreement, Resolute shall look only to the assets and property of the Fund to which Resolute’s rights or claims relate in settlement of such rights or claims; and

 

  (g) Each Party agrees promptly to notify the other party of the commencement of any litigation or proceeding of which it becomes aware arising out of or in any way connected with the issuance or sale of Shares.
 

Insofar as indemnification for liability arising under the Securities Act of 1933 may be permitted to trustees, officers and controlling persons of the Registrant pursuant to the foregoing or otherwise, the Registrant has been advised that in the opinion of the Securities and Exchange Commission such indemnification is against public policy as expressed in the Act and is, therefore, unenforceable. In the event that a claim for indemnification against such liabilities (other than the payment by the Registrant of expenses incurred or paid by a trustee, officer or controlling person of the Registrant in the successful defense of any action, suit or proceeding) is asserted by such trustee, officer or controlling person in connection with the securities being registered, the Registrant will, unless in the opinion of its counsel the matter has been settled by controlling precedent, submit to a court of appropriate jurisdiction the question whether such indemnification by it is against public policy as expressed in the Act and will be governed by the final adjudication of such issue.

Supplemental Limited Indemnification from the Manager

ABA shall indemnify and hold harmless Indemnitee, in his or her individual capacity, from and against any cost, asserted claim, liability or expense, including reasonable legal fees (collectively, “Liability”) based upon or arising out of (i) any duty of ABA under the Management Agreement (including ABA’s failure or omission to perform such duty), and (ii) any liability or claim against Indemnitee arising pursuant to Section 11 of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, Rule 10b-5 under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and any similar or related federal, state or common law statutes, rules or interpretations. ABA’s indemnification obligations under this Letter Agreement shall be limited to civil and administrative claims or proceedings.

Item 31.I. Business and Other Connections of Investment Manager

American Beacon Advisors, Inc. (the “Manager”) offers investment management and administrative services to the Registrant. It acts in the same capacity to other investment companies, including those listed below.

Set forth below is information as to any other business, profession, vocation or employment of a substantial nature in which each officer and director of American Beacon Advisors, Inc. is, or at any time during the past two fiscal years has been, engaged for his/her own account or in the capacity of director, officer, employee, partner or trustee.

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Name; Current Position with American Beacon Advisors, Inc.

Other Substantial Business and Connections

Rosemary K. Behan; Senior Vice President, Secretary and General Counsel

Vice President, Secretary and Chief Legal Officer, American Beacon Funds Complex; Secretary, Resolute Investment Holdings, LLC; Secretary, Resolute Topco, Inc.; Secretary, Resolute Acquisition, Inc.; Senior Vice President, Secretary and General Counsel, Resolute Investment Managers, Inc.; Secretary, Resolute Investment Distributors, Inc.; Senior Vice President. Secretary and General Counsel, Resolute Investment Services, Inc.; Secretary, American Private Equity Management, L.L.C.; Vice President and Secretary, Continuous Capital, LLC; Secretary, American Beacon Cayman Managed Futures Strategy Fund, Ltd.; Secretary, American Beacon Cayman TargetRisk Company, Ltd.

Melinda S. Blackwill, Assistant Treasurer and Controller

Assistant Treasurer and Controller, Resolute Investment Managers, Inc.; Assistant Treasurer and Controller, Resolute Investment Services, Inc.; Assistant Treasurer, Continuous Capital, LLC

Brian E. Brett, Senior Vice President, Distribution

Vice President, American Beacon Funds Complex; Senior Vice President, Distribution, Resolute Investment Managers, Inc.; Senior Vice President, Resolute Investment Distributors, Inc.; Senior Vice President, Distribution, Resolute Investment Services, Inc,

Paul B. Cavazos, Senior Vice President and Chief Investment Officer

Vice President, American Beacon Funds Complex; Vice President, American Private Equity Management, L.L.C.

Christopher L. Collins; Director

Director and Vice President, Resolute Investment Holdings, LLC; Director and Vice President, Resolute Topco, Inc.; Director and Vice President, Resolute Acquisition, Inc.; Director and Vice President, Resolute Investment Managers, Inc.; Director, Resolute Investment Services, Inc.; Manager, American Private Equity Management, L.L.C.

Erica B. Duncan, Vice President, Marketing

Vice President, American Beacon Funds Complex; Vice President, Marketing, Resolute Investment Managers, Inc.; Vice President, Marketing, Resolute Investment Services, Inc.;

Stephen C. Dutton; Director

Director and Vice President, Resolute Investment Holdings, LLC; Director and Vice President, Resolute Topco, Inc.; Director and Vice President, Resolute Acquisition, Inc.; Director and Vice President, Resolute Investment Managers, Inc.; Director, Resolute Investment Services, Inc.; Manager, American Private Equity Management, L.L.C.

Rebecca L. Harris, Senior Vice President, Product Management and Corporate Development

Assistant Secretary, American Beacon Funds Complex; Senior Vice President, Product Management and Corporate Development, Resolute Investment Managers, Inc.; Senior Vice President, Product Management and Corporate Development, Resolute Investment Services, Inc.; Vice President, Continuous Capital, LLC

Melinda G. Heika; Senior Vice President, Treasurer and Chief Financial Officer

Vice President, American Beacon Funds Complex; Treasurer, Resolute Investment Holdings, LLC; Treasurer, Resolute Topco, Inc.; Treasurer, Resolute Acquisition, Inc.; Senior Vice President and Treasurer, Resolute Investment Managers, Inc.; Senior Vice President and Treasurer, Resolute Investment Services, Inc.; Treasurer, American Private Equity Management, L.L.C.; Treasurer, Continuous Capital, LLC; Director and Treasurer, American Beacon Cayman Managed Futures Strategy Fund, Ltd.; Treasurer, American Beacon Cayman TargetRisk Company, Ltd.

Terri L. McKinney, Senior Vice President, Enterprise Services

Vice President, American Beacon Funds Complex; Senior Vice President, Enterprise Services, Resolute Investment Managers, Inc.; Senior Vice President, Enterprise Services, Resolute Investment Services, Inc.; Vice President, Continuous Capital, LLC

Takashi B. Moriuchi; Director

Director, Resolute Investment Holdings, LLC; Director, Resolute Topco, Inc.; Director, Resolute Acquisition, Inc.; Director, Resolute Investment Managers, Inc.; Director, Resolute Investment Services, Inc.; Manager, American Private Equity Management, L.L.C.

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Name; Current Position with American Beacon Advisors, Inc.

Other Substantial Business and Connections

Gene L. Needles, Jr.; Director, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer

President, American Beacon Funds Complex; Director and Chairman, Resolute Investment Holdings, LLC; Director and Chairman, Resolute Topco, Inc.; Director and Chairman, Resolute Acquisition, Inc.; Director, Chairman and CEO, Resolute Investment Managers, Inc.; Director, Chairman, President and CEO, Resolute Investment Distributors, Inc.; Director, Chairman and CEO, Resolute Investment Services, Inc.; Manager and President, American Private Equity Management, L.L.C.; Director, Shapiro Capital Management LLC; Director and Chairman , Continuous Capital, LLC; Trustee, American Beacon NextShares Trust; President, American Beacon Cayman Managed Futures Strategy Fund, Ltd.; Director and President, American Beacon Cayman TargetRisk Company, Ltd.; Director, RSW Investment Holdings LLC; Manager, SSI Investment Management LLC; Director, National Investment Services of America, LLC

Teresa A. Oxford, Assistant Secretary and Assistant General Counsel

Assistant Secretary, American Beacon Funds Complex; Assistant Secretary and Assistant General Counsel, Resolute Investment Managers, Inc.; Assistant Secretary and Assistant General Counsel, Resolute Investment Services, Inc.; Assistant Secretary, Continuous Capital, LLC

Bo Ragsdale, Vice President, Information Technology

Vice President, Information Technology, Resolute Investment Managers, Inc,; Vice President, Information Technology, Resolute Investment Services, Inc.

Jeffrey K. Ringdahl; Director, President and Chief Operating Officer

Vice President, American Beacon Funds Complex; Director and President, Resolute Investment Holdings, LLC; President, Resolute Topco, Inc.; Director and President, Resolute Acquisition, Inc.; Director, President and COO, Resolute Investment Managers, Inc.; Director and Executive Vice President, Resolute Investment Distributors, Inc.; Director, President and COO, Resolute Investment Services, Inc.; Manager and Senior Vice President, American Private Equity Management, L.L.C.; Director, Shapiro Capital Management LLC; Director and, Executive Vice President, Continuous Capital, LLC; Trustee, American Beacon NextShares Trust; Director and Vice President, American Beacon Cayman Managed Futures Strategy Fund, Ltd.; Director and Vice President, American Beacon Cayman TargetRisk Company, Ltd.; Director, RSW Investment Holdings LLC; Manager, SSI Investment Management LLC; Director, National Investment Services of America, LLC

Christina E. Sears, Vice President and Chief Compliance Officer

Chief Compliance Officer and Assistant Secretary, American Beacon Funds Complex; Vice President and Chief Compliance Officer, Resolute Investment Managers, Inc.; Vice President, Resolute Investment Distributors, Inc.; Vice President and Chief Compliance Officer, Resolute Investment Services, Inc.; Chief Compliance Officer, American Private Equity Management, L.L.C.; Vice President, Continuous Capital, LLC; Chief Compliance Officer, RSW Investments Holdings LLC

Samuel J. Silver, Vice President and Chief Fixed Income Officer

Vice President, American Beacon Funds Complex

Claire L. Stervinou, Assistant Treasurer and Corporate Tax Manager

Assistant Treasurer, Resolute Investment Managers, Inc.; Assistant Treasurer, Resolute Investment Services, Inc.; Assistant Treasurer, American Private Equity Management, L.L.C.

The principal address of each of the entities referenced above, other than RSW Investment Holdings LLC, Shapiro Capital Management LLC, SSI Investment Management LLC, and National Investment Services of America, LLC is 220 East Las Colinas Blvd., Suite 1200, Irving, Texas 75039. The principal address of RSW Investment Holdings LLC is 47 Maple Street, Suite 304, Summit, New Jersey 07901. The principal address of Shapiro Capital Management LLC is 3060 Peachtree Road NW #1555, Atlanta, Georgia 30305. The principal address of SSI Investment Management LLC is 9440 Santa Monica Blvd, 8th Floor, Beverly Hills, California 90210. The principal address of National Investment Services of America, LLC is 777 E. Wisconsin Avenue, Suite 2350, Milwaukee, WI, 53202.

II. Business and Other Connections of Investment Advisers

The investment advisers listed below provide investment advisory services to the Trust.

American Beacon Advisors, Inc., 220 East Las Colinas Blvd., Suite 1200, Irving, Texas 75039.

Aberdeen Asset Managers Limited (“Aberdeen”) is a registered investment adviser and is an investment sub-adviser for the American Beacon Frontier Markets Income Fund. The principal address of Aberdeen is 10 Queens Terrace, Aberdeen, United Kingdom, AB10 1XL. Information as to the officers and directors of Aberdeen is included in its Form ADV, as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (CRD number 162309), and is incorporated herein by reference.

AHL Partners LLP (“AHL”) is a registered investment adviser and is an investment sub-advisor for the American Beacon AHL Managed Futures Strategy Fund, American Beacon AHL TargetRisk Fund and American Beacon AHL TargetRisk Core Fund. The principal address of AHL is 2 Swan Lane, London, United Kingdom EC4R 3AD. Information as to the officers and directors of AHL is included in its Form ADV, as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (CRD number 167882), and is incorporated herein by reference.

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American Century Investment Management, Inc. (“American Century”) is a registered investment adviser and is an investment sub-advisor for the American Beacon International Equity Fund. The principal address for American Century is 4500 Main Street, Kansas City, Missouri 64111. Information as to the Officers and Directors of American Century is included in its Form ADV, as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (CRD number 105778), and is incorporated herein by reference.

ARK Investment Management LLC (“ARK”) is a registered investment adviser and is an investment sub-advisor for the American Beacon ARK Transformational Innovation Fund. The principal address for ARK is 3 East 28th Street, Seventh Floor, New York, New York 10016. ARK was formed in June 2013 and registered as an investment adviser with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission in January 2014. Information as to the Officers and Directors of ARK is included in its Form ADV, as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (CRD number 169525), and is incorporated herein by reference.

Bahl & Gaynor, Inc. (“Bahl & Gaynor”) is a registered investment adviser and is an investment sub-advisor for the American Beacon Bahl & Gaynor Small Cap Growth Fund. The principal address of Bahl & Gaynor is 255 East Fifth Street, Suite 2700, Cincinnati, OH 45202. Information as to the officers and directors of Bahl & Gaynor is included in its Form ADV, as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (CRD number 106139), and is incorporated herein by reference.

Barrow, Hanley, Mewhinney & Strauss, LLC (“Barrow”) is a registered investment adviser and is an investment sub-advisor for the American Beacon Balanced Fund, American Beacon Large Cap Value Fund, American Beacon Mid-Cap Value Fund and American Beacon Small Cap Value Fund. The principal business address of Barrow is 2200 Ross Avenue, 31st Floor, Dallas, TX 75201-2761. Information as to the officers and directors of Barrow is included in its Form ADV, as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (CRD number 105519), and is incorporated herein by reference.

Brandywine Global Investment Management, LLC (“Brandywine”) is a registered investment adviser and is an investment sub-advisor for the American Beacon Small Cap Value Fund. The principal address of Brandywine is 1735 Market Street, Suite 1800, Philadelphia, PA 19103. Information as to the officers and directors of Brandywine is included in its Form ADV, as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (CRD number 110783), and is incorporated herein by reference.

Bridgeway Capital Management, LLC (“Bridgeway”) is a registered investment adviser and is an investment sub-advisor for the American Beacon Bridgeway Large Cap Value Fund and the American Beacon Bridgeway Large Cap Growth Fund. The principal address of Bridgeway is 20 Greenway Plaza, Suite 450, Houston, Texas 77046. Information as to the officers and directors of Bridgeway is included in its Form ADV, as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (CRD number 111441), and is incorporated herein by reference.

Causeway Capital Management LLC (“Causeway”), a Delaware limited liability company, is a registered investment adviser and is an investment sub-advisor for the American Beacon International Equity Fund. The principal address of Causeway is 11111 Santa Monica Boulevard, 15th Floor, Los Angeles, CA 90025. Information as to the officers and directors of Causeway is included in its Form ADV, as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (CRD number 113308), and is incorporated herein by reference.

Continuous Capital, LLC (“Continuous Capital”) is a registered investment adviser and is the investment sub-advisor for the American Beacon Continuous Capital Emerging Markets Fund. The principal office of Continuous Capital is 220 E. Las Colinas Blvd, STE 1200, Irving, TX 75039. Continuous Capital is a majority-owned subsidiary of Resolute Investment Managers, Inc., which is a subsidiary of Resolute Investment Holdings, LLC. Resolute Investment Holdings, LLC is owned primarily by Kelso Investment Associates VIII, L.P., KEP VI, LLC and Estancia Capital Partners L.P. Information as to the officers and directors of Continuous Capital is included in its Form ADV, as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (CRD number 292774), and is incorporated herein by reference.

Foundry Partners, LLC (“Foundry”) is a registered investment adviser and is an investment sub-advisor for the American Beacon Small Cap Value Fund. The principal address of Foundry is 323 Washington Avenue N., Suite 360, Minneapolis, MN 55401. Information as to the officers and directors of Foundry is included in its Form ADV, as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (CRD number 164863), and is incorporated herein by reference.

Garcia Hamilton & Associates, L.P. (“Garcia Hamilton”) is a registered investment adviser and is the investment sub-adviser for the American Beacon Garcia Hamilton Quality Bond Fund. The principal address of Garcia Hamilton is 1401 McKinney Street, Suite 1600, Houston, Texas 77010. Information as to the officers and directors of Garcia Hamilton is included in its Form ADV, as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (CRD number 108017), and is incorporated herein by reference.

Global Evolution USA, LLC (“Global Evolution”) is a registered investment adviser and is an investment sub-advisor for the American Beacon Frontier Markets Income Fund. The principal address of Global Evolution is 250 Park Avenue, 19th floor, New York, NY 10177, United States. Global Evolution’s parent company is Global Evolution Fondsmaeglerselskab A/S and is located at Kokholm 3A, DK-6000 Kolding, Denmark. Information as to the officers and directors of Global Evolution is included in its Form ADV, as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (CRD number 161677), and is incorporated herein by reference.

Hillcrest Asset Management, LLC (“Hillcrest”) is a registered investment adviser and is an investment sub-advisor for the American Beacon Small Cap Value Fund. The principal address of Hillcrest is 2805 Dallas Parkway, Suite 260, Plano, Texas 75093. Information as to the officers and directors of Hillcrest is included in its Form ADV, as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (CRD number 145078), and is incorporated herein by reference.

Hotchkis and Wiley Capital Management LLC (“Hotchkis”) is a registered investment adviser and is an investment sub-advisor for the American Beacon Balanced Fund, American Beacon Large Cap Value Fund, and American Beacon Small Cap Value Fund. The principal address of Hotchkis is 601 South Figueroa Street, 39th Floor, Los Angeles, CA 90017-5439. Information as to the officers and directors of Hotchkis is included in its Form ADV, as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (CRD number 114649), and is incorporated herein by reference.

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Lazard Asset Management LLC (“Lazard”) is a registered investment adviser and is an investment sub-advisor for the American Beacon International Equity Fund. The principal address of Lazard is 30 Rockefeller Plaza, 55th Floor, New York, NY 10112. Information as to the officers and directors of Lazard is included in its Form ADV, as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (CRD number 122836), and is incorporated herein by reference.

Massachusetts Financial Services Company (“MFS”) is a registered investment adviser and is an investment sub-adviser for the American Beacon Large Cap Value Fund. The principal address of MFS is 111 Huntington Avenue, Boston, MA 02199. MFS is a subsidiary of Sun Life of Canada (U.S.) Financial Services Holdings Inc., which in turn is an indirect majority-owned subsidiary of Sun Life Financial, Inc. (a diversified financial services company), located at Sun Life Financial Centre, 150 King Street West, Toronto, Ontario, Canada. Information as to the officers and directors of MFS is included in its Form ADV, as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (CRD number 110045), and is incorporated herein by reference.

National Investment Services of America, LLC (“NIS”) is a registered investment adviser and is an investment sub-advisor for the American Beacon NIS Core Plus Bond Fund. The principal address of NIS is 777 E. Wisconsin Avenue, Suite 2350, Milwaukee, WI, 53202. NIS is a majority-owned subsidiary of Resolute Investment Managers, Inc., which is a subsidiary of Resolute Investment Holdings, LLC. Resolute Investment Holdings, LLC is owned primarily by Kelso Investment Associates VIII, L.P., KEP VI, LLC and Estancia Capital Partners L.P. Information as to the officers and directors of NIS is included in its Form ADV, as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (CRD number 307169), and is incorporated herein by reference.

Newton Investment Management North America, LLC (“NIMNA”) is a registered investment adviser and is an investment sub-advisor for the American Beacon Small Cap Value Fund. NIMNA is an indirect wholly-owned subsidiary of The Bank of New York Mellon Corporation (“BNY Mellon Corp”). The principal address of NIMNA is BNY Mellon Center, 201 Washington Street, Boston, Massachusetts 02108. Information as to the officers and directors of NIMNA is included in its Form ADV, as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (CRD number 312937), and is incorporated herein by reference.

Pzena Investment Management, LLC (“Pzena”) is a registered investment adviser and is an investment sub-advisor for the American Beacon Mid-Cap Value Fund. The principal address of Pzena is 320 Park Avenue, 8th Floor, New York, NY 10022. Information as to the officers and directors of Pzena is included in its Form ADV, as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (CRD number 106847), and is incorporated herein by reference.

Shapiro Capital Management LLC (“Shapiro”) is a registered investment adviser and is an investment subadvisor for the American Beacon Shapiro SMID Cap Equity Fund and American Beacon Shapiro Equity Opportunities Fund. The principal address of Shapiro is 3060 Peachtree Road NW #1555, Atlanta, GA 30305. Shapiro is a majority-owned subsidiary of Resolute Investment Managers, Inc., which is a subsidiary of Resolute Investment Holdings, LLC. Resolute Investment Holdings, LLC is owned primarily by Kelso Investment Associates VIII, L.P., KEP VI, LLC and Estancia Capital Partners L.P. Shapiro was founded in 1990. Information as to the Officers and Directors of Shapiro is included in its Form ADV, as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (CRD number 105581), and is incorporated herein by reference.

Sound Point Capital Management, LP (“Sound Point”) is a registered investment adviser and is the investment sub-advisor for the American Beacon Sound Point Floating Rate Income Fund. The principal address of Sound Point is 375 Park Avenue, 33rd Floor, New York, NY 10152. Information as to the officers and directors of Sound Point is included in its Form ADV, as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (CRD number 157479), and is incorporated herein by reference.

SSI Investment Management LLC (“SSI”) is a registered investment adviser and is the investment sub-advisor for the American Beacon SSI Alternative Income Fund. The principal address of SSI is 9440 Santa Monica Boulevard, 8th Floor, Beverly Hills, CA 90210. SSI is a majority-owned subsidiary of Resolute Investment Managers, Inc., which is a subsidiary of Resolute Investment Holdings, LLC. Resolute Investment Holdings, LLC is owned primarily by Kelso Investment Associates VIII, L.P., KEP VI, LLC and Estancia Capital Partners L.P. Information as to the officers and directors of SSI is included in its Form ADV, as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (CRD number 104889), and is incorporated herein by reference.

Stephens Investment Management Group, LLC (“SIMG”) is a registered investment adviser and is the investment sub-advisor for the American Beacon Stephens Mid-Cap Growth Fund and American Beacon Stephens Small Cap Growth Fund. The principal address of SIMG and Stephens Inc. is 111 Center Street, Little Rock, Arkansas 72201. Information as to the officers and directors of SIMG is included in its Form ADV, as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (CRD number 136369), and is incorporated herein by reference.

Strategic Income Management, LLC (“SiM”) is a registered investment adviser and is the investment sub-advisor for the American Beacon SiM High Yield Opportunities Fund. The principal address of SiM is 1200 Westlake Avenue North, Suite 713, Seattle, WA 98109. Information as to the officers and directors of SiM is included in its Form ADV, as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (CRD number 151956), and is incorporated herein by reference.

The London Company Of Virginia, LLC (“London Company”) is a registered investment adviser and is the investment sub-adviser for the American Beacon London Company Income Equity Fund. The principal place of business address of London Company is 1800 Bayberry Court, Suite 301, Richmond, Virginia 23226. Information as to the officers and directors of London Company is included in its Form ADV, as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (CRD number 106654), and is incorporated herein by reference.

Tocqueville Asset Management L.P. (“Tocqueville”) is a registered investment adviser and is an investment sub-advisor for the American Beacon Tocqueville International Value Fund. The principal address of Tocqueville is 40 West 57th Street, 19th Floor, New York, NY 10019. Information as to the officers and directors of Tocqueville is included in its Form ADV, as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (CRD number 105690), and is incorporated herein by reference.

TwentyFour Asset Management (US) LP (“TwentyFour”) is a registered investment adviser and an indirect wholly owned subsidiary of Vontobel Holding AG and is the investment sub-advisor for the American Beacon TwentyFour Strategic Income Fund and the American Beacon TwentyFour

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Sustainable Short Term Bond Fund. The principal address of TwentyFour is 1540 Broadway, 38th Floor, New York, New York 10036. Information as to the officers and directors of TwentyFour is included in its Form ADV, as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (CRD number 285791), and is incorporated herein by reference.

WEDGE Capital Management L.L.P. (“WEDGE”) is a registered investment adviser and is the investment sub-advisor for the American Beacon Mid-Cap Value Fund. The principal address of WEDGE is 301 South College Street, Suite 3800, Charlotte, NC 28202. Information as to the officers and directors of WEDGE is included in its Form ADV, as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (CRD number 106234), and is incorporated herein by reference.

Zebra Capital Management, LLC (“Zebra”) is a registered investment adviser and is the investment sub-advisor for the American Beacon Zebra Small Cap Equity Fund. The principal address of Zebra is 2187 Atlantic Street, 4th Floor, Stamford, CT 06902. Information as to the officers and directors of Zebra is included in its Form ADV, as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (CRD number 126285), and is incorporated herein by reference.

Item 32. Principal Underwriter

(a) Resolute Investment Distributors, Inc. (the “Distributor”) serves as principal underwriter for the following investment companies registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended:

 

1 American Beacon Funds

 

2 American Beacon Select Funds
 

(b) The following are the Officers and Managers of the Distributor, the Registrant’s underwriter. The Distributor’s main business address is 220 E. Las Colinas Blvd, STE 1200, Irving, TX 75039.

Name

Address

Position with Underwriter

Position with Registrant

Gene L. Needles, Jr.

220 E. Las Colinas Blvd, STE 1200, Irving, TX 75039

Director, Chairman, President, and CEO

President

Jeffrey K. Ringdahl

220 E. Las Colinas Blvd, STE 1200, Irving, TX 75039

Director, Executive Vice President

Vice President

Rosemary K. Behan

220 E. Las Colinas Blvd, STE 1200, Irving, TX 75039

Secretary and General Counsel

Vice President, Chief Legal Officer and Secretary

Brian E. Brett

220 E. Las Colinas Blvd, STE 1200, Irving, TX 75039

Senior Vice President

Vice President

Christina E. Sears

220 E. Las Colinas Blvd, STE 1200, Irving, TX 75039

Vice President

Chief Compliance Officer and Assistant Secretary

Michael D. Jiang

220 E. Las Colinas Blvd, STE 1200, Irving, TX 75039

Assistant Secretary and Assistant General Counsel

Assistant Secretary

(c) Not applicable.

Item 33. Location of Accounts and Records

The books and other documents required by Section 31(a) under the Investment Company Act of 1940 are maintained in the physical possession of 1) the Trust’s custodian and fund accounting agent at State Street Bank and Trust Company, 225 Franklin Street, Boston, Massachusetts 02110; 2) the Manager at American Beacon Advisors, Inc., 220 East Las Colinas Blvd., Suite 1200, Irving, Texas 75039; 3) the Trust’s transfer agent, DST Asset Manager Solutions, Inc., 330 West 9th St., Kansas City, Missouri 64105; 4) Mastercraft, 3021 Wichita Court, Fort Worth, Texas 76140; or 5) the Trust’s investment advisers at the addresses listed in Item 31 above.

Item 34. Management Services

Not applicable.

Item 35. Undertakings

Not applicable.

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SIGNATURES

 

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (“1933 Act”), and the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended, the Registrant represents that this Amendment meets all the requirements for effectiveness pursuant to Rule 485(b) under the 1933 Act and has duly caused this Post-Effective Amendment No. 392 to its Registration Statement on Form N-1A to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized, in the City of Irving and the State of Texas, on December 27, 2021.

 

AMERICAN BEACON FUNDS

 

By: /s/ Gene L. Needles, Jr.      
  Gene L. Needles, Jr.      
  President      

 

Pursuant to the requirements of the 1933 Act, this Post-Effective Amendment No. 392 to the Registration Statement has been signed below by the following persons in the capacities and on the dates indicated.

 

Signature Title Date
     
/s/ Gene L. Needles, Jr. President (Principal Executive Officer) December 27, 2021
Gene L. Needles, Jr.    
     
/s/ Sonia L. Bates Treasurer (Principal Financial Officer and December 27, 2021
Sonia L. Bates Principal Accounting Officer)  
     
Gilbert G. Alvarado* Trustee December 27, 2021
Gilbert G. Alvarado    
     
Joseph B. Armes* Trustee December 27, 2021
Joseph B. Armes    
     
Gerard J. Arpey* Trustee December 27, 2021
Gerard J. Arpey    
     
Brenda A. Cline* Chair and Trustee December 27, 2021
Brenda A. Cline    
     
Eugene J. Duffy* Trustee December 27, 2021
Eugene J. Duffy    
     
Claudia A. Holz* Trustee December 27, 2021
Claudia A. Holz    
     
Douglas A. Lindgren* Trustee December 27, 2021
Douglas A. Lindgren    
     
Barbara J. McKenna* Trustee December 27, 2021
Barbara J. McKenna    

 

*By: 

/s/ Rosemary K. Behan

 
 

Rosemary K. Behan

Attorney-In-Fact

 

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EXHIBIT INDEX

Type

Description

99.(d)(2)(B)

Investment Advisory Agreement among American Beacon Funds, American Beacon Advisors, Inc., and Brandywine Global Investment Management, LLC, with respect to the American Beacon Small Cap Value Fund, dated July 31, 2020

99.(h)(10)(E)

Fee Waiver/Expense Reimbursement Agreement for American Beacon SiM High Yield Opportunities Fund, American Beacon Sound Point Floating Rate Income Fund, American Beacon The London Company Income Equity Fund and American Beacon Zebra Small Cap Equity Fund, dated November 10, 2021

99.(h)(10)(M)

Fee Waiver Agreement for American Beacon Sound Point Floating Rate Income Fund, dated January 1, 2022

99.(i)

Opinion and consent of counsel

99.(j)

Consent of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

99.(p)(10)

Code of Ethics of Zebra Capital Management, LLC, effective as of September 1, 2021

99.(p)(11)

Code of Ethics of Strategic Income Management, LLC, dated September 2021

99.(p)(15)

Code of Ethics for The London Company of Virginia, LLC

99.(p)(20)

Code of Ethics for Sound Point Capital Management, LP

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