485APOS 1 abahlmaf-html6514_485apos.htm AMERICAN BEACON AHL MULTI-ALTERNATIVES FUND - 485APOS

As filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on June 1, 2023

 

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. 405
     
  and/or  
     
  REGISTRATION STATEMENT UNDER THE INVESTMENT COMPANY ACT OF 1940
  Amendment No. 406

(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

Jeffrey K. Ringdahl, 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 (date) 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 August 15, 2023 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.

 

 

 


 

The information in this Prospectus is not complete and may be changed. We may not sell these securities until the registration statement filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission is effective. This Prospectus is not an offer to sell these securities and it is not soliciting an offer to buy these securities in any state where the offer or sale is not permitted.

 

American Beacon

PROSPECTUS

XX XX, 20XX

 

Share Class

 

A

C

Y

R6

American Beacon AHL Multi-Alternatives Fund

XXXXX

XXXXX

XXXXX

XXXXX

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 and the Commodity Futures Trading Commission have not approved or disapproved these securities or determined if this Prospectus is truthful or complete. Any representation to the contrary is a criminal offense.


 


 

American Beacon
AHL Multi-Alternatives FundSM

 

Investment Objective

The Fund’s investment objective is capital growth.

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  XX of the Prospectus and “Additional Purchase and Sale Information for A Class Shares” on page  XX  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

Maximum sales charge imposed on purchases (as a percentage of offering price)

5.75
%
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

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

Management Fees

1.13
%
1.13
%
1.13
%
1.13
%

Distribution and/or Service (12b-1) Fees

0.25
%
1.00
%
0.00
%
0.00
%

Other Expenses2

0.64
%
0.64
%
0.64
%
0.54
%

Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses

2.02
%
2.77
%
1.77
%
1.67
%

Fee Waiver and/or expense reimbursement3

(0.46
%)
(0.46
%)
(0.44
%)
(0.44
%)

Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses after fee waiver and/or expense reimbursement

1.56
%
2.31
%
1.33
%
1.23
%
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 Other Expenses are based on estimated expenses for the current fiscal year.
3 The Manager has contractually agreed to waive fees and/or reimburse expenses of the Fund’s A Class, C Class, Y Class, and R6 Class shares, as applicable, through April 30, 2025 to the extent that Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses exceed 1.56% for the A Class, 2.31% for the C Class, 1.33% for the Y Class, and 1.23% 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 each share class through  April 30, 2025.  Although your actual costs may be higher or lower, based on these assumptions your costs would be:

Share Class

1 Year

3 Years

A

$ 725

$ 1,095

C

$ 334

$ 780

Y

$ 137

$ 482

R6

$ 125

$ 448

Assuming no redemption of shares:

Share Class

1 Year

3 Years

C

$ 234

$ 780

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. The Fund’s portfolio turnover rate for the Fund’s most recent fiscal year is not provided because the Fund had not commenced operations prior to the date of this Prospectus.

Prospectus – Fund Summary1 


 

Principal Investment Strategies

The Fund seeks to achieve its investment objective by implementing two investment strategies, a “Managed Futures Strategy” and a “TargetRisk Strategy.” The Fund intends to allocate approximately 50% of its portfolio to each strategy.

 

  (1) Managed Futures Strategy. The sub-advisor’s investment philosophy is that the financial markets exhibit trends and other inefficiencies. Trends are a manifestation of serial correlation in financial markets — the phenomenon whereby past price movements influence price behavior. Although price trends vary in intensity, duration, and frequency, they typically recur across sectors and markets. Trends are an attractive focus for active trading styles applied across a range of global markets. The sub-advisor implements a quantitative trading strategy and systematic investment process designed to capitalize on price trends (up and/or down) in a broad range of over 80 global markets including stock indices, bonds and bond futures, currencies and currency futures, and interest rates by utilizing derivative instruments. The sub-advisor employs computerized processes to identify investment opportunities across a wide range of markets around the world. Investment decisions are executed via the sub-advisor’s proprietary execution strategy.  The investment decision process is quantitative and primarily directional in nature, meaning that investment decisions are driven by mathematical models based on market trends and other historical relationships. It is underpinned by risk control, ongoing research, diversification, and the quest for efficiency. As the owner of a “long” position in a derivative instrument, the Fund may benefit from an increase in the price of the underlying investment, and as the owner of a “short” position, the Fund may benefit from a decrease in the price of the underlying investment.

 

  The Managed Futures Strategy is designed to provide an excess return with a targeted level of volatility regardless of market conditions. The sub-advisor seeks to do this by using systematic algorithms (mathematical models) to scale positions based on the net asset value (“NAV”) of the portfolio. An algorithm measures the degree of volatility in a particular market. If the market is turbulent, and returns are volatile, the algorithm will reduce exposure. Conversely, it will increase exposure, subject to risk limits, if the market is calm and volatilities are decreasing. This technique is called ‘volatility scaling’ and can be applied at various levels to achieve a balanced risk exposure through time, and across different asset classes. Volatility scaling aims to achieve a certain target level of volatility which is stable through time. The Managed Futures Strategy has set an annualized volatility target of 10% of the Fund’s NAV invested in the strategy. Volatility is defined as the annualized standard deviation of returns. It is important to note that both the short and long term realized volatility of the Fund can and will differ from the targeted volatility and can be dependent on prevailing market conditions.

 

  (2) TargetRisk Strategy.  The sub-advisor allocates the Fund’s assets invested in the TargetRisk  Strategy across equities, bonds (including inflation index-linked bonds), interest rates, corporate credit, and commodities primarily through derivative instruments utilizing a proprietary quantitative model. The TargetRisk Strategy is designed to provide an excess return with a targeted level of volatility regardless of market conditions. The sub-advisor seeks to do this using volatility scaling as described above. The TargetRisk Strategy has set an annualized volatility target of 10% of NAV invested in the strategy. In addition to volatility scaling, the TargetRisk Strategy utilizes additional systematic overlays to control downside risk. The first of these is a momentum overlay, which uses past price behavior to identify periods when a market is in a downtrend. The strategy uses this information to scale down positions depending upon the strength of that trend, thereby reducing risk in falling markets. The second overlay is a volatility switching mechanism, which reacts quickly to spikes in volatility by using a formula that is designed to minimize market transactions during periods of low volatility and increase market transactions during periods of heightened market volatility in order to maintain the TargetRisk Strategy’s targeted level of volatility. Volatility switching is used to react more dynamically to market events. The third overlay uses intraday data to identify dangerous environments in which fixed income assets no longer act as a hedge to equities and other assets. The combination of these overlays aims to reduce losses and improve risk-adjusted returns.
 

The Fund invests primarily in derivatives, including futures contracts (including equity index futures, bond futures, bond index futures, government bond futures, such as treasury futures, interest rate futures, and non-U.S. currency futures), foreign currency forward contracts and non-deliverable forwards (“NDFs”), and swaps (including commodity swaps, credit default swaps, and total return swaps), but also may invest in other types of derivative instruments, including derivative instruments linked to stock indices, currencies, bonds, interest rates and commodity instruments. The Fund uses derivative instruments to enhance total return, to manage certain investment risks, to substitute for the purchase or sale of the underlying securities, and for hedging purposes. The Fund expects that, under normal market conditions, the notional value of its derivatives exposure generally will exceed that of its net assets. The Fund may hold significant amounts of U.S. government securities, including U.S. Treasury securities and other foreign developed market sovereign short-term bonds issued by countries such as France, Germany, Japan, and the United Kingdom, or short-term investments, including a government money market fund advised by the Manager, with respect to which the Manager also receives a management fee, cash, cash equivalents, and time deposits in order to collateralize its derivatives investments, for liquidity purposes, or to earn income. The Fund’s investments in government securities may be zero coupon securities. The Fund may invest in derivatives instruments that provide exposure to below investment grade securities, which are commonly referred to as “junk bonds” and to issuers in the U.S. and foreign developed and emerging markets, including sovereign debt. The Fund may invest in U.S. and non-U.S. currencies and instruments denominated in non-U.S. currencies. The Fund also may invest in government obligations. The Fund’s investments are generally made without restriction as to issuer market capitalization, country, currency, or maturity. The Fund may hold significant cash positions from time to time. Accordingly, the sub-advisor will make investment decisions for cash management purposes.

The Fund seeks to gain exposure to the commodity futures markets by investing up to 25% of its total assets in a wholly owned subsidiary, which is organized under the laws of the Cayman Islands (the “Subsidiary”). Generally, the Subsidiary invests primarily in commodity futures and commodity swaps, but it may also invest in financial futures and forwards and other types of swap contracts, fixed income securities, pooled investment vehicles, including open-end investment companies, and other investments intended to serve as margin or collateral for the Subsidiary’s derivative positions. The Fund invests in the Subsidiary in order to gain exposure to the commodities markets within the limitations of the federal tax law, rules and regulations that apply to “regulated investment companies.” Unlike the Fund, the Subsidiary may invest without limitation in commodity-linked derivatives, however, the Subsidiary and the Fund, in the aggregate, will comply with applicable requirements for derivatives transactions set forth in Rule 18f-4 under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the “Investment Company Act”). In addition, the Fund and the Subsidiary comply with the same fundamental investment restrictions on an aggregate basis and the Subsidiary follows the same compliance policies and procedures as the Fund to the extent those restrictions, policies and procedures are applicable to the investment activities of the Subsidiary. Unlike the Fund, the Subsidiary does not, and will not, seek to qualify as a “regulated investment company” under Subchapter M of Chapter 1 of Subtitle A of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (“Subchapter M”). The Fund is the sole shareholder of the Subsidiary and does not expect shares of the Subsidiary to be offered or sold to other investors.

The Fund’s holdings may be frequently adjusted to reflect the sub-advisor’s assessment of changing risks, which could result in high portfolio turnover. The Fund may have significant exposure to issuers located in, or with economic ties to, Europe. However, as the sector and geographic composition of the Fund’s portfolio changes over time, the Fund’s exposure to Europe may decline, and the Fund’s exposure to other geographic areas may increase.

The Fund is non-diversified, which means that it is not limited to a percentage of assets that it may invest in any one issuer.

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

2Prospectus – Fund Summary 


 

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. The principal risks of the Subsidiary are listed in this section of the Prospectus as principal risks of the Fund.

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 Selection Risk
Assets selected for the Fund may not perform to expectations. This could result in the Fund’s underperformance compared to other funds with similar investment objectives.

Commodities Risk
The Fund’s investments in commodity-linked derivative instruments may subject the Fund to greater volatility than investments in traditional securities. The value of commodity-linked derivative instruments may be affected by changes in overall market movements, commodity index volatility, commodity price volatility, changes in interest rates, or factors affecting a particular industry or commodity, such as changes in supply and demand, resource availability, speculation in the commodities markets, drought, floods, weather, livestock disease, pandemics, embargoes, tariffs, war, acts of terrorism and international economic, political and regulatory developments. The Fund may invest significantly in a particular sector of the commodities market (such as oil, metal or agricultural products). As a result, the Fund may be more susceptible to risks associated with those sectors. No active trading market may exist for certain commodities investments. The Fund’s investments in commodity-related instruments may lead to losses in excess of the Fund’s investment in such products, as some commodity-linked derivatives can have the potential for unlimited losses. Such losses can significantly and adversely affect the net asset value (“NAV”) per share of the Fund and, consequently, a shareholder’s interest in the Fund. Because the Fund’s performance is linked to the performance of potentially volatile commodities, investors should be willing to assume the risks of significant fluctuations in the value of the Fund’s shares.

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.

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.

Crowding/Convergence Risk
There is significant competition among quantitatively-focused managers, and the ability of the sub-advisor to outperform other funds is dependent on its ability to employ models that are simultaneously profitable and differentiated from those employed by other managers. To the extent that the sub-advisor is not able to develop sufficiently differentiated models, the Fund’s investment objective may not be met, irrespective of whether the models are profitable in an absolute sense.

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, and result in financial losses. 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. Cybersecurity incidents can result from deliberate attacks or unintentional events. 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. The Fund cannot control the cybersecurity plans and systems of its service providers, its counterparties or the issuers of securities in which the Fund invests. 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:

Prospectus – Fund Summary3 


 

 

Foreign Currency Forward Contracts Risk. Foreign currency forward contracts, including non-deliverable forwards (“NDFs”), 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 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). Government bond futures contracts, such as 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. Interest rate futures contracts expose  the  Fund to price fluctuations resulting from changes in interest rates. The Fund could suffer a loss if interest rates rise after the Fund has purchased an interest rate futures contract or fall after the Fund has sold an interest rate futures contract. Foreign currency futures contracts expose the Fund to risks associated with fluctuations in the value of foreign currencies. Foreign currency futures contracts are similar to foreign currency forward contracts, except that they are traded on exchanges (and may have margin requirements) and are standardized as to contract size and delivery date. The Fund may use foreign currency futures contracts for the same purposes as foreign currency forward contracts, subject to Commodity Futures Trading Commission (“CFTC”) regulations. Futures contracts on bond and equity indices expose the Fund to volatility in an underlying index.

 

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:

 

Commodities swaps, which may be subject to commodities risk.

 

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

 

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

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 clearing and 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.

Flexible Strategy Risk
The Fund uses a variety of investment strategies to achieve its investment objective. The sub-advisor does not attempt to keep the portfolio structure or the Fund’s performance consistent with any designated stock, bond or market index, and during times of market rallies, the Fund may not perform as well as other funds that seek to outperform an index. Over time, the investment performance of flexible strategies is typically substantially independent of longer term movements in the stock and bond market.

Foreign Exposure Risk
Exposure to obligations of non-U.S. issuers carries potential risks not associated with investments in, or exposure to, 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 or failures in transaction payment and 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 have become increasingly interconnected and conditions (including recent volatility, terrorism, war and political 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.

Geographic Concentration Risk
From time to time, based on market or economic conditions, the Fund may invest a significant portion of its assets in the securities of issuers located in, or with significant economic ties to, a single country or geographic region, which could increase the risk that economic, political, business, regulatory, diplomatic, social and environmental conditions in that particular country or geographic region may have a significant impact on the Fund’s performance. Investing in such a manner could cause the Fund’s performance to be more volatile than the performance of more geographically diverse funds.

 

European Securities Risk. The 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, the resource self-sufficiency of European countries and conflict between European countries. 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 on government debt; national unemployment in several European countries; and, most recently, the COVID-19
 

4Prospectus – Fund Summary 


 

 

pandemic and the Russian invasion of Ukraine. These events have adversely affected the exchange rate of the euro and may continue to significantly affect European countries. Responses to financial problems by European governments, central banks, and others, including austerity measures and other reforms, may not produce the desired results, may result in social unrest and may limit future growth and economic recovery or may have unintended consequences. In addition, one or more countries may abandon the euro and/or withdraw from the European Union (“EU”). The impact of these actions, especially if they occur in a disorderly fashion, could be significant and far-reaching.
Many EU nations are susceptible to economic risks associated with high levels of debt, and a default or debt restructuring by any European country could 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. Such a default or debt restructuring could affect exposures to other EU countries and their companies as well. In addition, issuers have faced difficulties obtaining credit or refinancing existing obligations, and financial markets have experienced extreme volatility and declines in asset values and liquidity. Russia’s war with Ukraine has negatively impacted European economic activity. The effects on the economies of European countries of the Russia/Ukraine war and Russia’s response to sanctions imposed by the U.S. and other countries are impossible to predict, but have been and could continue to be significant. For example, exports in Eastern Europe have been disrupted for certain key commodities, pushing commodity prices to record highs, and energy prices in Europe have increased significantly.
 

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 Portfolio Turnover Risk
Portfolio turnover is a measure of the Fund’s trading activity over a one-year 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. The Fund may engage in active and frequent trading and may have a high portfolio turnover rate, which could increase the Fund’s transaction costs, have a negative impact on performance, and generate higher capital gain distributions to shareholders than if the Fund had a lower portfolio turnover rate.

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.

Inflation Index-Linked Securities Risk
Unlike a conventional bond, whose issuer makes regular fixed interest payments and repays the face value of the bond at maturity, an inflation index-linked security provides principal payments and interest payments that vary as the principal and/or interest are adjusted over time to reflect a rise or a drop in the reference inflation-related index. However, there can be no assurance that the inflation index used will accurately measure the rate of inflation. For inflation index-linked debt securities for which repayment of the original principal upon maturity (as adjusted for inflation) is not guaranteed, the adjusted principal value of the securities repaid at maturity may be less than the original principal value. The value of inflation index-linked securities is expected to change in response to real interest rates. The price of an inflation index-linked security generally falls when real interest rates rise and rises when real interest rates fall. Because the interest and/or principal payments on an inflation index-linked security are adjusted periodically for changes in inflation, the income distributed by the Fund may be irregular. In periods of deflation, the Fund may have no income at all from such investments. The principal value of an investment in the Fund is not protected or otherwise guaranteed by the value of the Fund’s investments in inflation index-linked securities.

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 rates may rise, perhaps significantly and/or rapidly, potentially resulting in substantial losses to the Fund. 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. Rising interest rates may cause the value of the Fund’s investments with longer durations and terms to maturity to decline, which may adversely affect the value of the Fund. 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. 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.

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.

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 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

Prospectus – Fund Summary5 


 

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.

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 which could result in a default on the government’s obligations, 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 Risk. 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. 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 various variants of COVID-19, and efforts to contain their spread, have resulted, and may continue to result, in significant disruptions to business operations, travel restrictions and closed borders, and lower consumer demand, as well as general concern and uncertainty that has negatively affected the global economy. Any resurgence of COVID-19, a variant or other significant viruses could negatively impact the Fund and adversely impact 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.
Although interest rates were unusually low in recent years in the U.S. and abroad, in 2022, the Federal Reserve and certain foreign central banks began to raise interest rates as part of their efforts to address rising inflation. It is difficult to accurately predict the pace at which interest rates may continue to increase, or the timing, frequency or magnitude of any such increases. Additionally, various economic and political factors could cause the Federal Reserve or another foreign central bank to change their approach in the future and such actions may result in an economic slowdown in the U.S. and abroad. Unexpected increases in interest rates could lead to market volatility or reduce liquidity in certain sectors of the market. Deteriorating economic fundamentals may, in turn, increase the risk of default or insolvency of particular issuers, negatively impact market value, cause credit spreads to widen, and reduce bank balance sheets. Any of these could cause an increase in market volatility, reduce liquidity across various markets or decrease confidence in the markets. Additionally, high public debt in the U.S. and other countries creates ongoing systemic and market risks and policymaking uncertainty.
In March 2023, the shutdown of certain financial institutions in the U.S. and questions regarding the viability of other financial institutions raised economic concerns over disruption in the U.S. and global banking systems. There can be no certainty that the actions taken by the U.S. or foreign governments will be effective in mitigating the effects of financial institution failures on the economy and restoring public confidence in the U.S. and global banking systems.
Some countries, including the U.S., have in recent years adopted more protectionist trade policies. Slowing global economic growth; risks associated with 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, war, or open conflict between nations, such as between Russia and Ukraine or in eastern Asia; political or economic dysfunction within some nations, including major producers of oil; and dramatic changes in commodity and currency prices could affect the economies of many nations, including the United States, in ways that cannot necessarily be foreseen at the present time. Russia’s military invasion of Ukraine beginning in February 2022, the responses and sanctions by the United States and other countries, and the potential for wider conflict have had, and could continue to have, severe adverse effects on the performance and liquidity of global markets, and negatively affect the value of the Fund’s investments. The duration of ongoing hostilities and the vast array of sanctions and related events cannot be predicted. Those events present material uncertainty and risk with respect to markets globally and the performance of the Fund and its investments or operations could be negatively impacted.
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 Direction Risk
Since the Fund will typically hold both long and short positions, an investment in the Fund will involve market risks associated with different types of investment decisions than those made for a typical “long only” fund. The Fund’s results could suffer both when there is a general market advance and the Fund holds significant “short” positions, and when there is a general market decline and the Fund holds significant “long” positions.

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.

6Prospectus – Fund Summary 


 

Model and Data/Programming Error Risk
The success of the sub-advisor’s investment strategy depends largely on the effectiveness of its quantitative research models and investment programs. Models (including quantitative models), data, and investment programs 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 and programs may not react as expected to market events, resulting in losses for the Fund. 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 and programs 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).

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, and 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 the Fund. System Events in third-party provided Data are generally entirely outside the control of the sub-advisor.

New Fund Risk
The Fund had not commenced operations prior to the date of this Prospectus. The current performance and expenses of the Fund may not represent how it is expected to, or may, perform in the long term if and when it becomes larger and has fully implemented its investment strategies. Investment positions may have a disproportionate impact (negative or positive) on the Fund’s performance. The Fund’s shareholder fees and annual fund operating expenses may also be higher initially than after it has fully implemented its investment strategies and attracted sufficient assets to achieve investment and trading efficiencies. The Fund may also require a period of time before it is invested in securities that meet its investment objectives and policies and achieves a representative portfolio composition. Fund performance may be lower or higher during this “ramp-up” period, and may also be more volatile, than would be the case after the Fund is fully invested. Similarly, the Fund’s investment strategies may require a longer period of time to show returns that are representative of the strategies.

Non-Diversification Risk
The Fund is non-diversified, which means it may focus its investments in the securities of a comparatively small number of issuers. Investments in securities of a limited number of issuers exposes the Fund to greater market risk, price volatility and potential losses than if assets were diversified among the securities of a greater number of issuers.  

Obsolescence Risk
The Fund is unlikely to be successful in the deployment of its quantitative investment strategies unless the assumptions underlying the models are realistic and either remain realistic and relevant in the future or are adjusted to account for changes in the overall market environment. If such assumptions are inaccurate or become inaccurate and are not promptly adjusted, it is likely that profitable trading signals will not be generated. If and to the extent that the models do not reflect certain factors, and the sub-advisor does not successfully address such omission through its testing and evaluation and modify the models accordingly, major losses may result — all of which will be borne by the Fund.

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 Risk. 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. Heavy redemptions could hurt the Fund’s performance. 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. A rise in interest rates or other market developments may cause investors to move out of fixed-income securities on a large scale. 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.

Risk Management
Risk is an essential part of investing. No risk management program can eliminate the Fund’s exposure to adverse events; at best, it can only reduce the possibility that the Fund will be affected by such events, and especially those risks that are not intrinsic to the Fund’s investment program. Measures taken with the intention of decreasing exposure to identified risks might have the unintended effect of increasing exposure to other risks.

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.

Prospectus – Fund Summary7 


 

Short Position Risk
The Fund will incur a loss as a result of a short position if the price of the instrument sold short increases in value between the date of the short sale and the date on which an offsetting position is purchased. Short positions may be considered speculative transactions and involve special risks, including greater reliance on the sub-advisor’s ability to accurately anticipate the future value of a security or instrument. As there is potentially no limit on the amount that the security that the Fund is required to purchase may have appreciated, the Fund’s losses are potentially unlimited in a short position transaction, particularly in cases where the Fund is unable to close out its short position. The Fund may invest the proceeds of a short sale and, therefore, be subject to the effect of leverage, in that short selling may amplify changes in the Fund’s NAV since it may increase the exposure of the Fund to certain markets and may increase losses and the volatility of returns.

Sovereign Debt Risk
Sovereign debt securities are subject to risk of payment delays or defaults due to, among other things: (1) country cash flow problems, (2) insufficient foreign currency reserves, (3) political considerations, (4) large debt positions relative to the country’s economy, (5) policies toward foreign lenders or investors, (6) the failure to implement economic reforms required by the International Monetary Fund or other multilateral agencies, or (7) an inability or unwillingness to repay debts. A governmental entity that defaults on an obligation may request additional time in which to repay loans, may request further loans, or may seek to restructure its obligations to reduce interest rates or outstanding principal. There is no legal process for collecting sovereign debt that a government does not pay, nor are there bankruptcy proceedings through which all or part of the sovereign debt that a governmental entity has not repaid may be collected.

Subsidiary Risk
By investing in the Subsidiary, the Fund is indirectly exposed to the risks associated with the Subsidiary’s investments. The derivatives and other investments held by the Subsidiary are generally similar to those that are permitted to be held by the Fund and are subject to the same risks that apply to similar investments if held directly by the Fund. The principal risks of the Subsidiary are listed in this section of the Prospectus as principal risks of the Fund. There can be no assurance that the investment objective of the Subsidiary will be achieved or that, as a result, the investment objective of the Fund will be achieved. The Subsidiary is not registered under the Investment Company Act, and, unless otherwise noted in this Prospectus, is not subject to all the investor protections of the Investment Company Act. In addition, changes in the laws of the United States and/or the Cayman Islands could result in the inability of the Fund and/or the Subsidiary to operate as described in this Prospectus and the SAI and could adversely affect the Fund’s performance.

Tax Risk
To qualify as a “regulated investment company” under Subchapter M of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “Internal Revenue Code”) (“RIC”), the Fund must, among other requirements, derive at least 90% of its gross income for each taxable year from “qualifying income,” which is described in more detail in the “Tax Information” section of the SAI. Income from certain commodity-linked derivative instruments in which the Fund invests is not considered qualifying income. The Fund will therefore restrict its income from direct investments in those instruments, such as commodity-linked swaps, to a maximum of 10% of its gross income for each taxable year. The Fund’s investment in the Subsidiary is expected to provide the Fund with exposure to the commodities markets within the limitations of the federal tax requirements of Subchapter M. Treasury regulations provide that income inclusions of a RIC from a controlled foreign corporation (“CFC”), such as the Subsidiary, in which the RIC invests as part of its business of investing in stock and securities, are qualifying income for the RIC whether or not the CFC makes distributions to the RIC out of its associated earnings and profits for the applicable taxable year. See “Tax Information” in the SAI for further information regarding RIC’s federal income tax treatment of income from CFCs and commodity-linked instruments. The federal income tax treatment of the Fund’s commodity-linked investments and income from the Subsidiary may be materially adversely affected by future legislation, other Treasury regulations, and/or guidance issued by the IRS that could affect whether income from such investments is qualifying income under Subchapter M or otherwise materially affect the character, timing or recognition, and/or amount of the Fund’s taxable income and/or net capital gains and, therefore, the distributions the Fund makes.

Trading System and Execution of Orders Risk
The sub-advisor relies extensively on computer programs, systems, technology, data and models to implement its execution strategies and algorithms. The sub-advisor’s investment strategies, trading strategies and algorithms depend on its ability to establish and maintain an overall market position in a combination of financial instruments selected by the sub-advisor. There is a risk that the sub-advisor’s proprietary algorithmic trading systems may not be able to adequately react to a market event without serious disruption. Further, trading strategies and algorithms may malfunction, causing severe losses. The successful operation of the computer programs, systems, technology, data and models depends in part on the sub-advisor’s ability to ensure those systems remain operational and that appropriate disaster recovery procedures are in place. While the sub-advisor has employed tools to allow for human intervention to respond to significant system malfunctions, it cannot be guaranteed that losses will not occur in such circumstances as unforeseen market events, disruptions and execution system issues.

U.S. Government Securities 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. U.S. government securities 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.

U.S. Treasury Obligations Risk
The value of U.S. Treasury obligations may vary due to changes in interest rates. In addition, changes to the financial condition or credit rating of the U.S. government may cause the value of the Fund’s investments in obligations issued by the U.S. Treasury to decline. Certain political events in the U.S., such as a prolonged government shutdown or potential default on the national debt, may also cause investors to lose confidence in the U.S. government and may cause the value of U.S. Treasury obligations to decline.

Valuation Risk
Certain of the Fund’s assets may be valued 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 valuation of the Fund’s 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.

Volatility Risk
The Fund may have investments that appreciate or decrease significantly in value over short periods of time. This may cause the Fund’s NAV to experience significant increases or declines in value over short periods of time.

Zero Coupon Securities Risk
Zero coupon securities are securities that do not make periodic interest payments. Accordingly, zero coupon securities usually trade at a deep discount from their face or par value and will be subject to greater fluctuations in market value in response to changing interest rates than debt obligations of comparable maturities that make current distribution of interest in cash.

8Prospectus – Fund Summary 


 

Fund Performance

Performance information for the Fund is not provided because the Fund had not commenced operations prior to the date of this Prospectus. Performance information will be available in the Prospectus after the Fund has been in operation for one full calendar year. When available, performance for the Fund can be accessed 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.

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 AHL Partners LLP.

Portfolio Managers

AHL Partners LLP

Russell Korgaonkar
Chief Investment Officer
Since Fund Inception (2023)

Otto van Hemert
Director of Core Strategies
Since Fund Inception (2023)

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.”

 

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

$2,500

$50

$250

Y

$100,000

$50

None

R6

None

$50

None

Tax Information

Dividends, capital gains distributions, and other distributions, if any,  that you receive as a result of your investment in 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 index. 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 Objectives

The Fund’s investment objective is capital growth.

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.

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 may allocate the assets of the Fund among different sub-advisors. 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,  
 

Prospectus – Additional Information About the Fund9 


 

 

monitors the sub-advisor’s compliance with the Fund’s investment objectives, 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 the Fund’s assets that the sub-advisor determines should be allocated to short-term investments.
 

The Fund’s assets are currently allocated by the Manager to one sub-advisor, AHL Partners LLP (“AHL”).  AHL has full discretion to purchase and sell securities for the Fund in accordance with the Fund’s objectives, 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.

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.

Cash Management
To gain market exposure on cash balances held in anticipation of liquidity needs or to reduce market exposure in anticipation of liquidity needs, the Fund may utilize the following investments:

 

Cash-Equivalent Securities. The Fund may invest cash balances in cash-equivalent securities including, for example, short-term U.S. Treasury bills and notes, U.S. government agency issues, corporate obligations (including commercial paper), and asset-backed securities. Short-term U.S. Treasury bills and notes are discussed below, under “Fixed-Income Instruments.”

 

Government Money Market Funds. The Fund may invest cash balances in government money market funds that are registered as investment companies under the Investment Company Act, including a government money market fund advised by the Manager, with respect to which the Manager also receives a management fee. 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 received from other investments that provide liquidity. Investments in government money market funds are not insured or guaranteed by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) or any other government agency.
 

Currencies
The  Fund may have exposure to foreign currencies by using various instruments. The 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, or to shift exposure to foreign currency fluctuations from one country to another. The instruments in which the Fund may invest that provide exposure to foreign currencies include the following:

 

Foreign Currencies  

 

Foreign Currency-Denominated Securities

 

Foreign Currency Forward Contracts, including Non-Deliverable Forwards

 

Foreign Currency Futures Contracts
 

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, commodities, options, futures, interest rates, credit rating, volatility measures, indices or currencies. The Fund may invest in the following derivative instruments:

 

Foreign Currency Forward Contracts.  Foreign currency forward contracts are two-party contracts pursuant to which one party agrees to pay the counterparty a fixed price for an agreed-upon amount of foreign currency at an agreed-upon future date, which may be any fixed number of days from the date of the contract agreed upon by the parties. A foreign currency forward contract may be a non-deliverable forward contract (NDF), which is a forward contract where there is no physical settlement of the two currencies at maturity. Rather, on the contract settlement date, a net cash settlement will be made by one party to the other based on the difference between the contracted forward rate and the prevailing spot rate, on an agreed notional amount.

 

Foreign Currency Futures Contracts. A foreign currency futures contract is a contract to purchase or sell an agreed-upon amount of a foreign currency at a specified future date, at a price agreed upon when the contract is made. The Fund may have exposure to foreign currencies for investment or hedging purposes by purchasing or selling futures contracts in non-U.S. currencies. Foreign currencies may decline in value relative to the U.S. dollar and affect the Fund’s investments in securities or derivatives that provide exposure to foreign (non-U.S.) currencies. Positions in foreign currency futures contracts must be closed out through a registered U.S. exchange or foreign board of trade that provides a secondary market for such contracts. Such secondary markets may not exist or may not be accessible at a particular time, which may prevent the Fund from closing its foreign currency futures position and expose the Fund to greater losses.
 

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Forward Contracts. Forward contracts are two-party contracts pursuant to which one party agrees to pay the counterparty a fixed price for an agreed upon amount of commodities or securities, or the cash value of commodities, securities or a securities index, at an agreed upon future date. Not all forward contracts require a counterparty to post collateral, which may expose the 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 a security, commodity, currency or an index of such assets, 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 initial and variation margin that was previously paid. An index futures contract, such as an equity index futures contract or a bond index futures contract, is based on the value of an underlying index. An interest rate futures contract is a contract for the future delivery of an interest-bearing debt security. A government bond futures contract, such as a Treasury futures contract, is a contract for the future delivery of a government bond. The 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.

 

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, indices or other assets based on the nominal or face amount of a reference asset. Payments are usually made on a net basis so that, on any given day, the Fund would receive (or pay) only the amount by which its payment under the swap is less than (or exceeds) the amount of the other party’s payment. The terms of the swap transaction are either negotiated by the 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.

 

Commodities Swaps. In a commodities swap, the  Fund agrees to either pay or receive an amount equal to the change in the value of a specified, notional amount of a commodity index, basket of commodities or individual commodity to or from a counterparty in exchange for the payment of a fee or the equivalent of an interest rate.

 

Credit Default Swaps. In these transactions, the Fund is generally required to pay the par (or other agreed-upon) value of a referenced debt security to the counterparty in the event of a default on or downgrade of the debt security and/or a similar credit event. In return, the Fund receives from the counterparty a periodic stream of payments over the term of the swap. If no default occurs, the Fund keeps the stream of payments and has no payment obligations. As the seller, the Fund would effectively add leverage to its portfolio because, in addition to its net assets, the Fund would be subject to loss on the par (or other agreed-upon) value it had undertaken to pay. A credit default swap may also be entered by the Fund 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. As the buyer of protection against a credit event, the Fund pays the counterparty a stream of payments over the term of the swap, regardless of whether a credit event occurs.

 

Total Return Swaps. The 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; 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 the total return from a different underlying asset or non-asset reference.
 

Fixed-Income Instruments
The Fund’s investments in, or exposure to, 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 a developing 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. 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.

 

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. High yield bonds are considered speculative by rating organizations. For example, Moody’s, S&P Global Ratings and Fitch, Inc. rate them below Baa3, 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 additional 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.

 

Inflation Index-Linked Securities. Inflation-indexed securities, also known as inflation-protected securities, are fixed income instruments structured such that their interest and principal payments are adjusted to increase and decrease with changes in official inflation rates. 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.

 

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 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 the  sub-advisor if unrated by a rating organization. The Fund, at the discretion of the sub-advisor, may retain a security that has been downgraded below the initial investment criteria.
 

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Sovereign Debt. Sovereign debt securities are typically issued or guaranteed by national governments, in order to finance the issuing country’s growth and/or budget. Sovereign debt may be in the form of conventional securities or other types of debt instruments such as loans or loan participations. Investing in foreign sovereign debt securities will expose the Fund to the direct or indirect consequences of political, social or economic changes in the countries that issue the debt securities.

 

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, and securities issued by other U.S. government agencies and instrumentalities which have been established or sponsored by the U.S. government and that issue obligations which may not be backed by the full faith and credit of the U.S. government. U.S. Treasury obligations include Treasury Bills, Treasury Notes, and Treasury Bonds. Treasury Bills have initial maturities of one year or less; Treasury Notes have initial maturities of one to ten years; and Treasury Bonds generally have initial maturities of greater than ten years.

 

Zero Coupon Obligations. Zero-coupon securities are debt obligations that do not entitle the holder to any periodic payments of interest either for the entire life of the obligation or for an initial period after the issuance of the obligations; the holder generally is entitled to receive the par value of the security at maturity. These securities are issued and traded at a discount from their face amounts. The amount of the discount varies depending on such factors as the time remaining until maturity of the securities, prevailing interest rates, the liquidity of the security and the perceived credit quality of the issuer. The Fund’s investment in zero-coupon securities will require the Fund to accrue income without a corresponding receipt of cash. The Fund may be required to dispose of other portfolio securities (including when not otherwise advantageous to do so) in order to obtain sufficient cash to meet its distribution requirements for treatment as a “regulated investment company” under the Internal Revenue Code.
 

Other Investment Companies
The  Fund, at times, may invest in shares of other investment companies. The Fund may invest in securities of an investment company advised by the Manager, with respect to which the Manager also receives a management fee. 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.

 

Government Money Market Funds. 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.
 

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. The principal risks of the Fund’s Subsidiary are listed in this section of the Prospectus as principal risks of the Fund.

Allocation Risk
This is the risk that 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 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. The Fund may be negatively impacted if market correlations change abruptly or unexpectedly. 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 Selection Risk
Assets selected for the 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. This could result in the Fund’s underperformance compared to other funds with similar investment objectives.

Commodities Risk
The  Fund’s investments in commodity-linked derivative instruments may subject the Fund to greater volatility than investments in traditional securities. The value of commodity-linked derivative instruments may be affected by changes in overall market movements, commodity index volatility, commodity price volatility, changes in interest rates, or factors affecting a particular industry or commodity, such as changes in supply and demand, resource availability, speculation in the commodities markets, drought, floods, weather, livestock disease, pandemics, embargoes, tariffs, war, acts of terrorism and international economic, political and regulatory developments. These factors may have a larger impact on commodity prices and commodity-linked instruments, including futures contracts and swaps, than on traditional securities. Certain commodities are also 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 the supplies of other materials. In the commodity markets there are often costs of physical storage associated with purchasing the underlying commodity. The price of a commodity-linked derivative will reflect the storage costs of purchasing the physical commodity, including the time value of money invested in the physical commodity. To the extent that the storage costs for an underlying commodity change while the Fund holds a derivative on that commodity, the value of the derivative may change proportionately. In the commodity futures markets, producers of the underlying commodity may decide to hedge the price risk of selling the commodity by selling futures contracts to lock in the price of the commodity at delivery in the future. In order to induce speculators to purchase the other side of the same futures contract, the commodity producer generally must sell the futures contract at a lower price than the expected future spot price of the commodity. Conversely, if most hedgers in the futures market are purchasing futures contracts to hedge against a rise in prices, then speculators will only sell the other side of the futures contract at a higher futures price than the expected future spot price of the commodity. The changing nature of the hedgers and speculators in the commodities markets will influence whether the prices of commodity-linked derivatives are above or below the expected future spot price, which can have significant implications for the Fund. No active trading market may exist for certain commodities investments. The Fund’s

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investments in commodity-related instruments may lead to losses in excess of the Fund’s investment in such products, as some commodity-linked derivatives can have the potential for unlimited losses. Such losses can significantly and adversely affect the NAV per share of the Fund and, consequently, a shareholder’s interest in the Fund. Because the Fund’s performance is linked to the performance of potentially volatile commodities, investors should be willing to assume the risks of significant fluctuations in the value of the Fund’s shares. Additionally, rulemaking by the CFTC may affect the Fund’s use of commodities to pursue its investment strategies or result in an increase in the Fund’s expenses. The  Fund may invest significantly in a particular sector of the commodities market (such as oil, metal or agricultural products). As a result, the Fund may be more susceptible to risks associated with those sectors.

Counterparty Risk
The  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 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. 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.

Some of the markets in which the  Fund may effect derivative transactions are OTC or “interdealer” markets. The participants in such markets are typically not subject to credit evaluation and regulatory oversight to the same extent as are members of a clearing organization. This exposes the  Fund to the risk that a counterparty will not settle a transaction in accordance with its terms and conditions because of a credit or liquidity problem with the counterparty. Recent turbulence in the financial markets could exacerbate counterparty risk resulting from OTC derivative transactions.

The  Fund is also subject to the risk that an FCM would default on an obligation set forth in an agreement between the  Fund and the FCM. This risk exists at and from the time that the  Fund enters into derivatives transactions that are centrally cleared. In such cases, a clearing organization becomes the  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, the  Fund could miss investment opportunities or otherwise hold investments it would prefer to sell, resulting in losses for the  Fund.

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. There are varying degrees of credit risk, depending on the financial condition of an issuer, guarantor, or counterparty, as well as the terms of an obligation, which may be reflected in the credit rating of the issuer, guarantor, or counterparty. 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. 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.

Crowding/Convergence Risk
There is significant competition among quantitatively-focused managers, and the ability of the  sub-advisor to deliver returns that outperform other funds is dependent on its ability to employ models that are simultaneously profitable and differentiated from those employed by other managers. To the extent that the  sub-advisor is not able to develop sufficiently differentiated models, the  Fund’s investment objective may not be met, irrespective of whether the models are profitable in an absolute sense. In addition, to the extent that the models come to resemble those employed by other managers, there is an increased risk that a market disruption may negatively affect predictive models such as those employed by the  Fund, as such a disruption could accelerate reductions in liquidity or rapid re-pricing due to simultaneous trading across a number of funds utilizing models (or similar quantitatively-focused investment strategies) in the marketplace.

Currency Risk
The  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, the  Fund’s exposure to foreign currencies may reduce the returns of the  Fund. Foreign currencies may decline in value relative to the U.S. dollar and other currencies and thereby affect the  Fund’s investments. In addition, changes in currency exchange rates could adversely impact investment gains or add to investment losses.  Currency derivatives may not always work as intended, and in specific cases, the Fund may be worse off than if it had not used such instrument(s). In the case of hedging positions, the U.S. dollar or other currency may decline in value relative to the foreign currency that is being hedged and thereby affect the Fund’s investments. There may not always be suitable hedging instruments available. Even where suitable hedging instruments are available, the Fund may choose to not hedge its currency risks.

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 and result in financial losses. 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. Cybersecurity incidents can result from deliberate attacks or unintentional events. 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

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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. Recent geopolitical tensions may increase the scale and sophistication of deliberate attacks, particularly those from nation-states or from entities with nation-state backing. The  Fund cannot control the cybersecurity plans and systems of its service providers, its counterparties or the issuers of securities in which the Fund invests. 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 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. The 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. The 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 the 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 the sub-advisor incorrectly forecasts stock market values, or the direction of interest rates or currency exchange rates in utilizing a specific derivatives strategy for the Fund, the Fund could lose money. In addition, leverage embedded in a derivative instrument can expose the 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 the Fund’s initial investment, for example, where the Fund may be called upon to deliver a security it does not own. As a result, the 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 the Fund has allocated its assets. Derivatives may at times be illiquid and may be more volatile than other types of investments. The  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.

The Fund may buy or sell derivatives not traded on organized exchanges. The 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, 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. Certain derivatives require the Fund to post margin to secure its future obligation; if the 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. The 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 the 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, the sub-advisor may wish to retain the 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 the 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 the Fund not used the hedging instruments. The Fund may not hedge certain risks in particular situations, even if suitable instruments are available.

The 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 certain futures contracts, which may restrict the ability of the Fund, or the Manager or sub-advisor entering trades on the Fund’s behalf, to make certain trading decisions. Rule 18f-4 places limits on the use of derivatives by registered investment companies, such as the Fund. A fund that relies on Rule 18f-4 is required to comply with limits on the amount of leverage-related risk that the fund may obtain, and may also be required to adopt and implement a derivatives risk management program and designate a derivatives risk manager or adopt policies and procedures designed to manage a fund’s derivatives risks.

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. The extent and impact of such 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. The 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, including NDFs, 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 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. Foreign currency forward transactions, including NDFs, and forward currency contracts include risks associated with fluctuations in currency, and other risks inherent in trading derivatives. There are no limitations on daily price movements of forward contracts. 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. There may at times be an imperfect correlation between the price of a forward contract and the underlying currency, which may increase the volatility of the Fund. 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 will 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. There can be no assurance that any strategy used will succeed.  

 

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 instruments underlying those derivatives. There can be no
 

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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 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 the  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 the  Fund has previously bought or sold and this may result in the inability to close a futures contract when desired. When the  Fund purchases or sells a futures contract, it is subject to daily variation margin calls that could be substantial. If the  Fund has insufficient cash to meet daily variation margin requirements, it might need to sell securities at a time when such sales are disadvantageous. Interest rate and government bond futures contracts, such as treasury futures contracts, expose the  Fund to price fluctuations resulting from changes in interest rates. The Fund could suffer a loss if interest rates rise after the Fund has purchased an interest rate futures contract or fall after the Fund has sold an interest rate futures contract. Similarly, government bond futures contracts, such as treasury futures contracts, expose the Fund to potential losses if interest rates do not move as expected. Futures contracts on bond and equity indices expose the Fund to volatility in the underlying index.  Foreign currency futures contracts expose the Fund to risks associated with fluctuations in the value of foreign currencies.

 

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 (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, 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, 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). The 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:

 

Commodities swaps, which may be subject to commodities risk, including market risk based on the supply and demand of the underlying commodity.

 

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

 

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

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 clearing and 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 the 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 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 the Fund’s investment objective and performance.

Flexible Strategy Risk
The  Fund may use a variety of investment strategies to achieve its investment objective. There is no attempt to keep the portfolio structure or the  Fund’s performance consistent with any designated stock, bond or market index, and during times of market rallies, the  Fund may not perform as well as other funds that seek to outperform an index. Over time, the investment performance of flexible strategies is typically substantially independent of longer term movements in the stock and bond market. Interest rate levels and currency valuations will not always respond as expected and portfolio securities may remain over- or under-valued.

Foreign Exposure Risk
Exposure to obligations of non-U.S. issuers carries potential risks not associated with investments in, or exposure to, 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 goes bankrupt. Additionally, in certain markets, the Fund may not receive timely payment for securities or other instruments it has delivered or receive delivery of securities paid for and may be subject to increased risk that the counterparty will fail to make payments or delivery when due or default completely. 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,

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security, economic and other risks associated with that country. There may be restrictions on the flow of international capital, including the possible seizure or nationalization of the securities issued by non-U.S. issuers held by the Fund. In addition, the repatriation of investment income, capital or the proceeds of sales of securities from certain of the countries may require advance government notification or authority, and if a deterioration occurs in a country’s balance of payments, the country could impose temporary restrictions on foreign capital remittances. The Fund also could be adversely affected by delays in, or a refusal to grant, any required governmental approval for repatriation, as well as by the application to it of other restrictions on investment. Global economic and financial markets have become increasingly interconnected and conditions (including recent volatility, terrorism, war and political 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.

Geographic Concentration Risk
From time to time, based on market or economic conditions, the Fund may invest a significant portion of its assets in the securities of issuers located in, or with significant economic ties to, a single country or geographic region, which could increase the risk that economic, political, business, regulatory, diplomatic, social and environmental conditions in that particular country or geographic region may have a significant impact on the Fund’s performance. Investing in such a manner could cause the  Fund’s performance to be more volatile than the performance of more geographically diverse funds. The economies and financial markets of certain countries or regions can be highly interdependent. Therefore, a decline in the economies or financial markets of one country or region may adversely affect the economies or financial markets of another.

 

European Securities Risk. The 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, the resource self-sufficiency of European countries and conflict between European countries. Most developed countries in Western Europe are members of the European Union (“EU”). 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, including non-EU European countries.
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 on government debt; national unemployment in several European countries; and, most recently, the COVID-19 pandemic and the Russian invasion of Ukraine. These events have adversely affected the exchange rate of the euro and may continue to significantly affect European countries. Responses to financial problems by European governments, central banks, and others, including austerity measures and other reforms, may not produce the desired results, may result in social unrest and may limit future growth and economic recovery or may have unintended consequences. In addition, one or more countries may abandon the euro and/or withdraw from the EU. The impact of these actions, especially if they occur in a disorderly fashion, could be significant and far-reaching.
Many EU nations are susceptible to economic risks associated with high levels of debt. Non-governmental issuers, and even certain governments, have defaulted on, or been forced to restructure, their debts, and other issuers have faced difficulties obtaining credit or refinancing existing obligations. A default or debt restructuring by any European country could 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. Such a default or debt restructuring could affect exposures to other EU countries and their companies as well. In addition, issuers have faced difficulties obtaining credit or refinancing existing obligations, and financial markets have experienced extreme volatility and declines in asset values and liquidity. Furthermore, certain European countries have had to accept assistance from supranational agencies such as the International Monetary Fund, the European Stability Mechanism or others. There can be no assurance that any creditors or supranational agencies will continue to intervene or provide further assistance, and markets may react adversely to any expected reduction in the financial support provided by these creditors.
The national politics of European countries have been unpredictable and subject to influence by disruptive political groups and ideologies. European governments 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. Russia’s war with Ukraine has negatively impacted European economic activity. The effects on the economies of European countries of the Russia/Ukraine war and Russia’s response to sanctions imposed by the U.S. and other countries are impossible to predict but have been and could continue to be significant. For example, exports in Eastern Europe have been disrupted for certain key commodities, pushing commodity prices to record highs, and energy prices in Europe have increased significantly.
 

Hedging Risk
The  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 the  Fund enters into hedging transactions, the hedges will not be static but rather will need to be continually adjusted based on the  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 the  Fund’s hedging strategies will depend on the  sub-advisor’s ability to implement such strategies efficiently and cost-effectively, as well as on the accuracy of the  sub-advisor’s judgments concerning the hedging positions to be acquired by the  Fund. A counterparty to a hedging transaction may be unable to honor its financial obligation to the  Fund. In addition, the  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. The Fund may not, in general, attempt to hedge all market or other risks inherent in the  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 the  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 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. The use of hedges may fail to mitigate risks, 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. When hedging is combined with leverage, the Fund risks losses that are multiplied by the degree of leverage used.

High Portfolio Turnover Risk
Portfolio turnover is a measure of the  Fund’s trading activity over a one-year 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. The  Fund may engage in active and frequent trading and may have a high portfolio turnover rate, which could increase the  Fund’s transaction costs because of increased broker commissions resulting from such transactions. These costs are not reflected in the  Fund’s annual operating expenses or in the expense example, but they can have a negative impact on performance and generate higher capital gain distributions to shareholders than if the  Fund had a low portfolio turnover rate. Frequent trading by the  Fund could also result in increased realized net capital gains, distributions of which are taxable to the  Fund’s shareholders when Fund shares are held in a taxable account (including net short-term capital gain distributions, which are taxable to them as ordinary income).

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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.

Inflation Index-Linked Securities Risk
Unlike a conventional bond, whose issuer makes regular fixed interest payments and repays the face value of the bond at maturity, an inflation index-linked security provides principal payments and interest payments that vary as the principal and/or interest are adjusted over time to reflect a rise or a drop in the reference inflation-related index. For inflation index-linked debt securities for which repayment of the original principal upon maturity (as adjusted for inflation) is not guaranteed, the adjusted principal value of the securities repaid at maturity may be less than the original principal value. The value of inflation index-linked securities is expected to change in response to real interest rates. However, there can be no assurance that the inflation index used will accurately measure the real rate of inflation. The price of an inflation index-linked security generally falls when real interest rates rise and rises when real interest rates fall. In periods of deflation, the  Fund may have no income at all from such investments. Interest payments on such securities are unpredictable and will fluctuate as the principal and interest are adjusted to reflect movements in the inflation-related index. Any increase in the principal amount of an inflation index-linked security will be taxable as ordinary income, even though the  Fund will not receive the increased principal until maturity.

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 the 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 rates may rise, perhaps significantly and/or rapidly, potentially resulting in substantial losses to the Fund. 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. Rising interest rates may cause the value of the Fund’s investments in investments with longer durations and terms to maturity to decline, which may adversely affect the value of the Fund. 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. 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.

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.

Leverage Risk
The 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 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 NAV per share to be volatile. The use of leverage may cause the 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 the Fund pays to engage in these practices are additional costs borne by the Fund and could reduce or eliminate any net investment profits. There can be no assurance that the Fund’s use of leverage will be successful. The 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 the Fund because the 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 the Fund’s investments in derivatives is increasing, this could be offset by declining values of the Fund’s other investments. Conversely, it is possible that the

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rise in the value of the Fund’s non-derivative investments could be offset by a decline in the value of the Fund’s investments in derivatives. In either scenario, the Fund may experience losses. In a market where the value of the Fund’s investments in derivatives is declining and the value of its other investments is declining, the Fund may experience substantial losses.

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.

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 which could result in a default on the government’s obligations, 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 Risk. 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. 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 various variants of COVID-19, as well as the efforts to contain their spread, have resulted, and may continue to result, in significant disruptions to business operations, supply chains and customer activity, including lower consumer demand, travel restrictions and closed borders, as well as general concern and uncertainty that has negatively affected the global economy. Any resurgence of COVID-19, a variant or other significant viruses could negatively impact the Fund and may exacerbate other pre-existing political, social and economic risks in certain countries or globally. This has caused, and could cause in the future, significant volatility in global financial markets. These events may last for an extended period of time and could adversely affect the economies of many nations or the entire global economy, individual issuers, and global capital, securities and capital markets in ways that cannot necessarily be foreseen, including through a sustained economic downturn or recession, or the reduction of liquidity. Deteriorating economic fundamentals may, in turn, increase the risk of default or insolvency of particular issuers,
 

18Prospectus – Additional Information About the Fund 


 

 

negatively impact market value, increase market volatility, cause credit spreads to widen, reduce bank balance sheets and cause unexpected changes in interest rates. Any of these could cause an increase in market volatility, reduce liquidity across various sectors or markets or decrease confidence in the markets.
Although interest rates were unusually low in recent years in the U.S. and abroad, in 2022, the U.S. Federal Reserve and certain foreign central banks began to raise interest rates as part of their efforts to address rising inflation. In addition, ongoing inflation pressures from tight labor markets and supply chain disruptions could continue to cause an increase in interest rates and/or negatively impact companies. It is difficult to accurately predict the pace at which interest rates may increase, or the timing, frequency or magnitude of any such increases in interest rates. Additionally, various economic and political factors, such as rising inflation rates, could cause the Federal Reserve or other foreign banks to change their approach in the future as such actions may result in an economic slowdown both in the U.S. and abroad. Unexpected increases in interest rates could lead to market volatility or reduce liquidity in certain sectors of the market. Also, regulators have expressed concern that rate increases may cause investors to sell fixed income securities faster than the market can absorb them, contributing to price volatility. Over the longer term, rising interest rates may present a greater risk than has historically been the case due to the prior 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. However, because there is little precedent for this situation, it is difficult to predict the impact on various markets of significant rate increases or other significant policy changes.
In March 2023, the shutdown of certain financial institutions in the U.S. and questions regarding the viability of other financial institutions raised economic concerns over disruption in the U.S. and global banking systems. There can be no certainty that the actions taken by the U.S. or foreign governments will be effective in mitigating the effects of financial institution failures on the economy and restoring public confidence in the U.S. and global banking systems.
Some countries, including the U.S., have in recent years adopted more protectionist trade policies. Slowing global economic growth; risks associated with the aftermath of the United Kingdom’s departure from the European Union and the 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, war, or open conflict between nations, such as between Russia and Ukraine or in eastern Asia; political or economic dysfunction within some nations, including major producers of oil; and dramatic changes in commodity and currency prices could affect the economies of many nations, including the United States, in ways that cannot necessarily be foreseen at the present time.
Russia’s military invasion of Ukraine beginning in February 2022, the responses and sanctions by the United States and other countries, and the potential for wider conflict have had, and could continue to have, severe adverse effects on regional and global economies and could further increase volatility and uncertainty in the financial markets and the prices of various commodities. The United States and other countries have imposed, and continue to impose, broad-ranging economic sanctions on Russia and certain Russian individuals, banking entities and corporations as a response to its invasion of Ukraine. The United States and other countries have also imposed economic sanctions on Belarus and may impose sanctions on other countries that provide military or economic support to Russia. These sanctions, as well as any other economic consequences related to the invasion, such as additional sanctions, boycotts or changes in consumer or purchaser preferences, or cyberattacks on governments, companies or individuals, have substantially decreased the value and liquidity of most Russian securities and could impact securities of issuers in other countries that are subject to economic sanctions related to the invasion. To the extent that the Fund has exposure to Russian investments or investments in other countries affected by the invasion, the Fund’s ability to price, buy, sell, receive or deliver such investments may be impaired. In addition, any exposure that the Fund may have to counterparties in Russia or in countries affected by the invasion could negatively impact the Fund’s investments. The extent and duration of military actions and the repercussions of such actions (including any retaliatory actions or countermeasures that may be taken by those subject to sanctions) are impossible to predict. These events have resulted, and could continue to result, in significant market disruptions, including in certain industries or sectors such as the oil and natural gas markets, and may further strain global supply chains and negatively affect inflation and global growth. These and any related events could significantly impact the Fund’s performance and the value of an investment in the Fund beyond any direct exposure the Fund may have to Russian issuers or issuers in other countries affected by the invasion. High public debt in the U.S. and other countries creates ongoing systemic and market risks and policymaking uncertainty. There is no assurance that the U.S. Congress will act to raise the nation’s debt ceiling; a failure to do so could cause market turmoil and substantial investment risks that cannot now be fully predicted. Unexpected political, regulatory and diplomatic events within the U.S. and abroad may affect investor and consumer confidence and may adversely impact financial markets and the broader economy.
China’s economy, which has been sustained in recent years largely through a debt-financed housing boom, may be approaching the limits of that strategy and may experience a significant slowdown as a result of debt that cannot be repaid. Due to the size of China’s economy, such a slowdown could impact a number of other countries.  
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 Direction Risk
Since the  Fund will typically hold both long and short positions, an investment in the  Fund will involve market risks associated with different types of investment decisions than those made for a typical “long only” fund. The  Fund’s results could suffer both when there is a general market advance and the  Fund holds significant “short” positions, and when there is a general market decline and the  Fund holds significant “long” positions. In recent years, markets have shown considerable volatility from day to day and even in intra-day trading.

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.

Model and Data/Programming Error Risk
The  sub-advisor relies heavily on proprietary mathematical quantitative models (each, a “Model” and collectively “Models”) 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 investments or potential investments (including, without

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limitation, for trading purposes), to provide risk management insights and to assist in hedging the  Fund’s investments. Models and Data are known to have errors, omissions, imperfections and malfunctions (collectively, “System Events”). System Events in third-party Data are generally entirely outside of the control of the  sub-advisor. 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, and 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 may result in, among other things, the execution of unanticipated trades, the failure to execute anticipated trades, delays to 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 negatively impact the Fund and/or its returns. The Fund will bear the risks associated with the reliance on Models and Data including that the  Fund will bear all losses related to System Events unless otherwise determined by  the  sub-advisor in accordance with its internal policies or as may be required by applicable law.

 

Data Risk. The investment strategies of the Fund are highly reliant on the gathering, cleaning, culling, and performance of analysis of large amounts of Data. Accordingly, Models rely heavily on appropriate Data inputs. However, it is not possible or practicable to factor all relevant, available Data into forecasts and/or trading decisions of the Models, particularly with regard to the more newly established financial instruments in which the Fund may invest. 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 will take into account to produce forecasts that 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 a 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 the 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 securities with complex characteristics, such as derivatives. 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 decisions underlying the Models may not be (i) the most accurate data available or (ii) free of errors. Shareholders should assume that the Data set used in connection with the Models is limited and should understand that the foregoing risks associated with gathering, cleaning, culling, and analyzing 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 the 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 any valuations of the Fund’s investments that are based on valuation Models may prove to be incorrect.

 

Error Detection Risk. 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. Finally, the sub-advisor may detect certain System Events that it chooses, in its sole discretion, not to address or fix, and the use of third-party software may also 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 perform a materiality analysis on the potential impact of a System Event. The sub-advisor believes that the testing and monitoring performed on its models may 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; however, there is no guarantee of the success of such processes. Shareholders should assume that the System Events and their ensuing risks and impact are an inherent part of investing with a process-driven, systematic investment manager such as the sub-advisor. Accordingly, the sub-advisor does not expect to disclose discovered System Events to the Fund or to shareholders.

 

Model Error Risk. 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.

 

Programming Risk. The research and modelling processes engaged in by the sub-advisor on behalf of the Fund are extremely complex and involve the use of financial, economic, econometric, and statistical theories, research, and modelling; 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 the Fund’s investment performance.
 

New Fund Risk
The Fund had not commenced operations prior to the date of this Prospectus. The current performance and expenses of the Fund may not represent how it is expected to, or may, perform in the long term if and when it becomes larger and has fully implemented its investment strategies. Investment positions may have a disproportionate impact (negative or positive) on the Fund’s performance. The Fund’s shareholder fees and annual fund operating expenses may also be higher initially than after it has fully implemented its investment strategies and attracted sufficient assets to achieve investment and trading efficiencies. The Fund may also require a period of time before it is invested in securities that meet its investment objectives and policies and achieve a representative portfolio composition. Fund performance may be lower or higher during this “ramp-up” period, and may also be more volatile, than would be the case after the Fund is fully invested. Similarly, the Fund’s investment strategies may require a longer period of time to show returns that are representative of the strategies. The Fund has a limited performance history for investors to evaluate and may not attract sufficient assets to achieve investment and trading efficiencies. If the Fund fails to successfully implement its investment strategies or achieve its investment objectives, performance may be negatively impacted, and any resulting liquidation could create transaction costs for the Fund and adverse federal income tax consequences for investors.

Non-Diversification Risk
Since the Fund is non-diversified, it may invest a high percentage of its assets in a limited number of issuers. When the  Fund invests in a relatively small number of issuers, it may be more susceptible to risks associated with a single economic, political or regulatory occurrence than a more diversified portfolio might be. Some of those issuers also may present substantial credit or other risks. When the  Fund is non-diversified, its NAV and total return may also fluctuate more or be subject to declines in weaker markets than a diversified mutual fund. Investments in securities of a limited number of issuers exposes the  Fund to greater market risk, price volatility and potential losses than if assets were diversified among the securities of a greater number of issuers.

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Obsolescence Risk
The  Fund is unlikely to be successful in its quantitative trading strategies unless the assumptions underlying the models are realistic and either remain realistic and relevant in the future or are adjusted to account for changes in the overall market environment. If such assumptions are inaccurate or become inaccurate and are not promptly adjusted, it is likely that profitable trading signals will not be generated. If and to the extent that the models do not reflect certain factors, and the  sub-advisor does not successfully address such omission through its testing and evaluation and modify the models accordingly, major losses may result — all of which will be borne by the  Fund.  

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 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 Risk. 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. The SEC has proposed rule amendments that, if adopted, among other changes, may require government money market funds to convert to a floating net asset value per share in a negative interest rate environment.
 

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. 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. The  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 reflected in the quantitative model. The quantitative tools may not react as expected to market events, resulting in losses for the 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. The  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 the sub-advisor and therefore may also result in losses.  

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. Heavy redemptions, whether by a few large investors or many smaller investors, could hurt the Fund’s performance. 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. 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 may also be 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. Redemption risk is heightened if the  Fund invests in developing market securities, which are generally less liquid than the securities of U.S. and other developed 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. 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.

Risk Management
The Fund’s sub-advisor undertakes certain analyses with the intention of identifying particular types of risks and reducing the  Fund’s exposure to them. However, risk is an essential part of investing, and the degree of return an investor might expect is often tied to the degree of risk the investor is willing to accept. By its very nature, risk involves exposure to the possibility of adverse events. Accordingly, no risk management program can eliminate the  Fund’s exposure to such events; at best, it can only reduce the possibility that the  Fund will be affected by adverse events, and especially those risks that are not intrinsic to the  Fund’s investment program. While the prospectus describes material risk factors associated with the  Fund’s investment program, there is no assurance that, as a particular situation unfolds in the markets, the portfolio managers will be able to identify all of the risks that might affect the  Fund, rate their probability or potential magnitude correctly, or take appropriate measures to reduce the  Fund’s exposure to them. Measures taken with the intention of decreasing exposure to identified risks might have the unintended effect of increasing exposure to other risks.

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 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 the  Fund’s assets may, in some circumstances, limit the  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 the  Fund’s ability to pursue other opportunities as they arise.

Short Position Risk
The  Fund’s short positions are speculative transactions and are subject to special risks. The  Fund may enter into a short position through  a forward commitment, a futures contract, or a swap agreement. If the price of the security or derivative has increased during the time the Fund holds the short position, then the Fund will incur a loss equal to the increase in price from the time that the short position was entered into plus any premiums and interest paid to the third party. Therefore, short positions involve the risk that losses may be exaggerated, and that the Fund may lose more money than the actual cost of the investment. The Fund ‘s losses are potentially unlimited in a short position, particularly in cases where the Fund is unable to close out its short position, because the price appreciation of the security that the Fund is required to purchase is unlimited. There can be no assurance that the securities

Prospectus – Additional Information About the Fund21 


 

necessary to cover the short position will be available for purchase by the Fund. In addition, purchasing securities to close out the short position can itself cause the price of the relevant securities to rise further, thereby increasing any loss incurred by the Fund. Furthermore, the Fund may be forced to close out a short position prematurely if a counterparty from which the Fund borrowed securities demands their return, resulting in a loss on what might otherwise have been a profitable position. Short positions also include greater reliance on the sub-advisor’s ability to accurately anticipate the future value of a security or instrument. The Fund may invest the proceeds of a short sale, and therefore, be subject to the effect of leverage, in that short selling amplifies changes in the Fund’s NAV since it increases the exposure of the Fund to the market and may increase losses and the volatility of returns. If such instruments are traded over-the-counter, there is the risk that the counterparty may fail to honor its contract terms, causing a loss to the Fund.

Sovereign Debt Risk
An investment in sovereign debt obligations involves special risks not present in corporate debt obligations. Sovereign debt securities are issued or guaranteed by a sovereign government. The issuer of the sovereign debt that controls the repayment of the debt may be unable or unwilling to repay principal or interest when due, and the  Fund may have limited recourse in the event of a default. In addition, these investments are subject to risk of payment delays or defaults due to, among other things: (1) country cash flow problems, (2) insufficient foreign currency reserves, (3) political considerations, (4) large debt positions relative to the country’s economy, (5) policies toward foreign lenders or investors, (6) the failure to implement economic reforms required by the International Monetary Fund or other multilateral agencies, or (7) an inability or unwillingness to repay debts. A governmental entity that defaults on an obligation may request additional time in which to repay loans, may request to receive further loans, or may seek to restructure its obligations to reduce interest rates or outstanding principal. There is no legal process for collecting sovereign debt that a government does not pay nor are there bankruptcy proceedings through which all or part of the sovereign debt that a governmental entity has not repaid may be collected.

Subsidiary Risk
By investing in the Subsidiary, the Fund is indirectly exposed to the risks associated with a Subsidiary’s investments. The derivatives and other investments held by the Subsidiary are generally similar to those that are permitted to be held by the Fund and are subject to the same risks that apply to similar investments if held directly by the Fund. The principal risks of the Subsidiary are listed in the Prospectus as principal risks of the Fund. There can be no assurance that the investment objective of the Subsidiary will be achieved or that, as a result, the investment objective of the Fund will be achieved. The Subsidiary is not registered under the Investment Company Act, and, unless otherwise noted in this Prospectus, is not subject to all the investor protections of the Investment Company Act. However, the Fund wholly owns and controls its Subsidiary, and the Fund and its Subsidiary are both managed by the Manager and the sub-advisor pursuant to separate agreements, making it unlikely that the Subsidiary will act contrary to the interests of the Fund and the Fund’s shareholders. The Board of Trustees has oversight responsibility for the investment activities of the Fund, including its investment in its Subsidiary, and the Fund’s role as sole shareholder of the Subsidiary. Changes in the laws of the United States and/or the Cayman Islands, under which the Fund and the Subsidiary, respectively, are organized, could result in the inability of the Fund and/or the Subsidiary to operate as described in this Prospectus and could negatively affect the Fund and its respective shareholders. For example, the Cayman Islands government has undertaken not to impose any income, corporate or capital gains tax, estate duty, inheritance tax, gift tax or withholding tax on a subsidiary. If Cayman Islands law changes such that the Subsidiary must pay Cayman Islands taxes, Fund shareholders would likely suffer decreased investment returns. Rulemaking by the CFTC or other regulatory initiatives may affect the Fund’s ability to use its Subsidiary to pursue its investment strategies. As of the date of this Prospectus, the potential impact of these initiatives on the Fund is uncertain.

Tax Risk
To qualify as a “regulated investment company” under Subchapter M of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “Internal Revenue Code”) (“RIC”), the Fund must, among other requirements, derive at least 90% of its gross income for each taxable year from “qualifying income,” which is described in more detail in the “Tax Information” section of the SAI. Income from certain commodity-linked derivative instruments in which the Fund invests is not considered qualifying income. The Fund will therefore restrict its income from direct investments in those instruments, such as commodity-linked swaps, to a maximum of 10% of its gross income for each taxable year. The Fund’s investment in the respective Subsidiary is expected to provide the Fund with exposure to the commodities markets within the limitations of the federal tax requirements of Subchapter M. Treasury regulations provide that income inclusions of a RIC from a controlled foreign corporation (“CFC”), such as the Subsidiaries, in which the RIC invests as part of its business of investing in stock and securities, are qualifying income for the RIC whether or not the CFC makes distributions to the RIC out of its associated earnings and profits for the applicable taxable year. See “Tax Information” in the SAI for further information regarding RIC’s federal income tax treatment of income from CFCs and commodity-linked instruments. The federal income tax treatment of the Fund’s commodity-linked investments and income from a Subsidiary may be materially adversely affected by future legislation, other Treasury regulations, and/or guidance issued by the IRS that could affect whether income from such investments is qualifying income under Subchapter M or otherwise materially affect the character, timing or recognition, and/or amount of the Fund’s taxable income and/or net capital gains and, therefore, the distributions the Fund makes.

Trading System and Execution of Orders Risk
The sub-advisor relies extensively on computer programs, systems, technology, data and models to implement its execution strategies and algorithms. The sub-advisor’s investment strategies, trading strategies and algorithms depend on its ability to establish and maintain an overall market position in a combination of financial instruments selected by the sub-advisor. There is a risk that the sub-advisor’s proprietary algorithmic trading systems may not be able to adequately react to a market event without serious disruption. Further, trading strategies and algorithms may malfunction, causing severe losses. The successful operation of the computer programs, systems, technology, data and models depends in part on the sub-advisor’s ability to ensure those systems remain operational and that appropriate disaster recovery procedures are in place. This operation could be severely compromised by software or hardware malfunctions, viruses, glitches, connectivity loss, system crashes or various other system incidents, in particular where multiple systems contribute to the execution of the sub-advisor’s strategies and algorithms. While the sub-advisor has employed tools to allow for human intervention to respond to significant system malfunctions, it cannot be guaranteed that losses will not occur in such circumstances as unforeseen market events, disruptions, and execution system issues.

Orders may not be executed in a timely and efficient manner due to various circumstances, including trading volume surges or systems failures attributable to the sub-advisor, the sub-advisor’s counterparties, brokers, dealers, agents, or other service providers. In such event, the sub-advisor might only be able to acquire or dispose of some, but not all, of the components of such position, or if the overall position were to need adjustment, the sub-advisor might not be able to make such adjustment. As a result, the Fund would not be able to achieve the market position selected by the sub-advisor, which may result in a loss.

U.S. Government Securities 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.   U.S. Government securities are 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.

22Prospectus – Additional Information About the Fund 


 

U.S. Treasury Obligations Risk
Securities issued or guaranteed by the U.S. Treasury are backed by the “full faith and credit” of the United States; however, the U.S. government guarantees the securities only as to the timely payment of interest and principal when held to maturity, and the market prices of such securities may fluctuate. The value of U.S. Treasury obligations may vary due to changes in interest rates. In addition, changes to the financial condition or credit rating of the U.S. government may cause the value of the  Fund’s investments in obligations issued by the U.S. Treasury to decline. Certain political events in the U.S., such as a prolonged government shutdown, the U.S. government’s inability at times to agree on a long-term budget and deficit reduction plan, and threats not to increase the federal government’s debt limit, which may result in a potential default on the national debt, may also cause investors to lose confidence in the U.S. government and may cause the value of U.S. Treasury obligations to decline. Because U.S. Treasury securities trade actively outside the United States, their prices may also rise and fall as changes in global economic conditions affect the demand for these securities.

The total public debt of the U.S. as a percent of GDP has grown rapidly in recent years. Although high debt levels do not necessarily indicate or cause economic problems, they have the potential to create systemic risks if sound debt management practices are not implemented.

Valuation Risk
This is the risk that a security may be valued 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 valuation of the Fund’s 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  valuation of 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 securities had not been fair valued or a different valuation methodology had been used. 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.

Volatility Risk

The  Fund may have investments that appreciate or decrease significantly in value over short periods of time. This may cause  the Fund’s NAV to experience significant increases or declines in value over short periods of time. Volatility can disrupt historical or theoretical pricing relationships, causing what should otherwise be comparatively low risk positions to incur losses. On the other hand, the lack of volatility can also result in losses for many of the  Fund’s strategies that are effectively “long” volatility. In periods of trendless and/or stagnant markets, the Fund’s strategies may have materially diminished prospects for profitability. The majority of the investment strategies that are employed by the Fund rely for their profitability on market volatility contributing to the pricing inefficiencies that they are designed to identify. Because the Fund may use some derivatives that involve economic leverage, this economic leverage will increase the volatility of a derivative instrument, as they may increase or decrease in value more quickly than the reference asset.

Zero Coupon Securities Risk
Zero coupon securities are securities that do not make periodic interest payments. Accordingly, zero coupon securities usually trade at a deep discount from their face or par value and will be subject to greater fluctuations in market value in response to changing interest rates than debt obligations of comparable maturities that make current distribution of interest in cash. There is a risk that zero coupon securities may not keep pace with inflation. In addition, the market value of zero coupon securities may respond to changes in interest rates to a greater degree, and may be more volatile than, other fixed income securities with similar maturities and credit quality.

Additional Information About Performance Index

The Fund’s annual total return will be compared to the ICE BofA US 3-Month Treasury Bill Index. The ICE BofA US 3-Month Treasury Bill Index is designed to measure the total return on cash, including price and interest income, based on short-term government Treasury Bills of about 90-day maturity. AHL uses an index agnostic approach to investing. Thus, exposure to individual investments, use of instruments, volatility and tracking error will differ and as a result performance of the Fund is expected to vary significantly from that of the ICE BofA US 3-Month Treasury Bill Index.

Notice 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 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.

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 Investment Advisers Act of 1940, as amended. The Manager is also registered with the CFTC as a CPO under the Commodity Exchange Act and serves as the CPO with respect to the Fund. The Manager is exempt from registration as a commodity trading advisor under CFTC Regulation 4.14(a)(4) with respect to the Fund.

Normally, under CFTC regulations, if a registered investment company, such as the  American Beacon AHL Multi-Alternatives Fund, has less than a three-year operating history, the Manager is required to show the performance of all accounts and pools managed by the Manager that have investment objectives, policies, and strategies substantially similar to the Fund. The Manager is not providing such performance as the Manager does not have any such accounts or pools.

Prospectus – Fund Management23 


 

As of the date of this Prospectus, the Fund had not commenced operations and has not paid aggregate management fees to the Manager and investment advisory fees to its sub-advisor.

The American Beacon AHL Multi-Alternatives Fund’s management agreement with the Manager (the “Management Agreement”) provides for the Fund to pay the Manager 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%

As compensation for services provided by the Manager in connection with securities lending activities conducted by the Fund, the 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 Trust, on behalf of the Fund, and the Manager will be available in the Fund’s Annual Report for the fiscal period ending XX XX, 20XX.

Contractual Expense Limitations

The Manager has contractually agreed to waive fees and/or reimburse expenses of the following share classes of the Fund 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 April 30, 2025  as follows:

American Beacon Fund

A Class

C Class

Y Class

R6 Class

American Beacon AHL Multi-Alternatives Fund

1.56%

2.31%

1.33%

1.23%

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. 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 has approved a policy whereby the Manager 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 its portfolio management team who have joint and primary responsibility for the day-to-day management of the Fund. The Fund’s SAI provides additional information about the sub-advisor’s portfolio management team, including other accounts they manage, their ownership in the Fund and their compensation.

AHL PARTNERS LLP (“AHL”), is located at 2 Swan Lane, London, United Kingdom EC4R 3AD. AHL is an investment management firm. The firm managed approximately $XX billion in assets as of June 30, 2023. AHL is authorized and regulated by the FCA and SEC in the conduct of its regulated activities. AHL is registered with the SEC as an investment adviser under the Investment Advisers Act of 1940, as amended. AHL is also registered as a “commodity pool operator” and “commodity trading advisor” with the CFTC and is a member of the National Futures Association.  

Russell Korgaonkar is Chief Investment Officer of Man AHL, with overall responsibility for investment and research. He is also a member of Man AHL’s management and investment committees, and a member of the Man Group executive committee. He was previously Director of Investment Strategies of Man AHL, responsible for Man AHL’s Liquid Strategies unit, which creates and runs scalable systematic strategies, as well as the Institutional Solutions business. Mr. Korgaonkar joined the firm in 2001 as a researcher and later portfolio manager focused on systematic cash equity strategies, before becoming Head of Portfolio Management in 2011. Mr. Korgaonkar holds a BA/MA (First Class) in Physics from the University of Oxford.

Otto van Hemert is Director of Core Strategies and a member of Man AHL’s management and investment committees. He was previously Head of Macro Research at Man AHL. Prior to joining Man AHL in 2015, Mr. van Hemert ran a systematic global macro fund at IMC for more than three years. Before that, he headed Fixed Income Arbitrage, Credit, and Volatility strategies at AQR, and was on the Finance Faculty at the New York University Stern School of Business, where he published papers in leading academic finance journals. Mr. van Hemert holds a PhD in Economics, and Master’s Degrees in Mathematics and Economics.

The Investment Advisory Agreement among the Trust, on behalf of the Fund, the Manager and the sub-advisor provides for the Fund to pay the sub-advisor an annualized investment advisory fee based on a percentage of the Fund’s average daily net assets that is calculated and accrued daily according to the following schedule:

0.775%

of average daily net assets on the first $500 million

0.750%

of average daily net assets on the next $500 million

0.725%

of average daily net assets on the next $500 million

0.700%

of average daily net assets over $1.5 billion

A discussion of the Board’s consideration and approval of the Investment Advisory Agreement among the Trust, on behalf of the Fund, the sub-advisor and the Manager will be available in the Fund’s Annual Report for the fiscal period ending XX XX, 20XX.

24Prospectus – Fund Management 


 

The Subsidiary

The Fund may invest up to 25% of the value of its total assets in its Subsidiary. The Subsidiary is organized under the laws of the Cayman Islands, and is overseen by its own board of directors. The Fund is the sole shareholder of its Subsidiary. It is not currently expected that shares of the Subsidiary will be sold or offered to other investors. If, at any time, a Subsidiary proposes to offer or sell its shares to any investor other than the Fund, shareholders of the Fund will receive 60 days’ prior notice of such offer or sale.

As with the Fund, the Manager and the sub-advisor are responsible for the Subsidiary’s day-to-day business pursuant to separate agreements with the Subsidiary. Under these agreements, the Manager and the sub-advisor provide the Subsidiary with the same type of management services, under the same terms, as are provided to the Fund. The Manager, the sub-advisor and the Fund’s auditors receive no compensation for the services they provide to the Subsidiary. The Subsidiary has also entered into a separate contract for the provision of custody services with the same service provider that provides those services to the Fund.    

The Fund’s principal investment strategies and principal risks reflect the aggregate principal investment strategies and principal risks of the Fund and the Subsidiary. The Subsidiary will be managed pursuant to compliance policies and procedures that are the same, in all material respects, as the policies and procedures adopted by the Fund. As a result, when managing and advising the Subsidiary, the Manager and the sub-advisor are subject to the same investment policies and restrictions that apply to the management of the Fund, and, in particular, to applicable Investment Company Act requirements relating to transactions with affiliates, custody, portfolio leverage, liquidity, brokerage, and the timing and method of the valuation of the Subsidiary’s portfolio investments. These policies and restrictions are described in detail in the Fund’s SAI. The Fund’s Chief Compliance Officer oversees implementation of the Subsidiary’s policies and procedures, and makes periodic reports to the Fund’s Board regarding the Subsidiary’s compliance with its policies and procedures. To the extent the Subsidiary invests in commodity-linked derivative instruments, it will comply with the same regulatory requirements that are applicable to the Fund’s transactions in derivatives.

The financial statements of the Subsidiary are consolidated for financial reporting purposes with the Fund’s financial statements, which are included in the Fund’s Annual and Semi-Annual Shareholder Reports. Those reports are distributed to shareholders, and copies of the reports are provided without charge upon request as indicated on the back cover of this Prospectus. Please refer to the SAI for additional information about the organization and management of the Subsidiary.

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 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 exchange rates as of 4:00 p.m. Eastern Time will normally be used.

Rule 2a-5 under the Investment Company Act (the “Valuation Rule”) 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 Valuation Rule permits the Fund’s board to designate the Fund’s primary investment adviser as “valuation designee” to perform the Fund’s fair value determinations subject to board oversight and certain reporting and other requirements intended to ensure that the registered investment company’s board receives the information it needs to oversee the investment adviser’s fair value determinations. The Board has designated the Manager as valuation designee under the Valuation Rule to perform fair value functions in accordance with the requirements of the Valuation Rule.

Securities may be valued at fair value, as determined in good faith and pursuant to the Manager’s procedures. For example, fair value pricing will be used when market quotations are not readily available or reliable, as determined by the Manager, such as   for fixed-income securities and 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. Securities may be fair valued as a result of significant events occurring after the close of the foreign markets in which  the Fund 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. You may view the Fund’s most recent NAV per share at www.americanbeaconfunds.com by clicking on ‘‘Quick Links’’ and then ‘‘Daily NAVs.’’

Prospectus – Fund Management25 


 

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 $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.”

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 1-800-658-5811 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 1-800-658-5811 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 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.

26Prospectus – About Your Investment 


 

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.

This information is available, free of charge, on the Fund’s website. Please visit www.americanbeaconfunds.com. You may also call 1-800-658-5811 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 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 $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 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  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 $1,000,000 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.

Prospectus – About Your Investment27 


 

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 Fund 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 1-800-658-5811 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 1-800-658-5811 or consult with your financial professional.

Conversion of C Class Shares to A Class Shares

C Class shares convert automatically into A Class shares 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, provided the conversion is available through your financial intermediary. When C Class shares that you acquired through a purchase or exchange convert to A Class shares, 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. Certain financial intermediaries may not make this conversion available to their clients. Please see “Appendix A—Intermediary Sales Charge Discounts, Waivers and Other Information” in this Prospectus, or contact your financial intermediary for additional information.

Purchase and Redemption of Shares

Eligibility

The A Class, C Class, and Y 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 the Fund; however, the 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 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.

28Prospectus – About Your Investment 


 

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 Fund 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 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.

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

$2,500

$50

$ 250

Y

$100,000

$50

None

R6

None

$50

None

The Manager may allow a reasonable period of time after opening an account for a Y 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.

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 the Fund; however, the 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.   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.

Prospectus – About Your Investment29 


 

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).

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 $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
 

30Prospectus – About Your Investment 


 

 

  • Type of transaction requested

 

  • Fund name(s) and fund number(s)

 

  • 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

Mail

American Beacon Funds

PO Box 219643

Kansas City, MO 64121-9643

Overnight Delivery:

American Beacon Funds

430 West 7th Street, Suite 219643

Kansas City, MO 64105-1407

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

$2,500

$50

$250

Y

$100,000

$50

None

R6

None

$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.

The Fund will not make any of the payments described in this section with respect to its R6 Class shares.

Prospectus – About Your Investment31 


 

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.

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

Y

$25,000

R6

$0

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 Fund 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 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 1-800-658-5811 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.

32Prospectus – About Your Investment 


 

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:

 

  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”), 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).

Prospectus – About Your Investment33 


 

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. Distributions are paid as follows:

American Beacon Fund

Dividends Paid

Other Distributions Paid

American Beacon AHL Multi-Alternatives 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 the 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 the 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 the 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 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 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, 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 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 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 (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 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.

34Prospectus – About Your Investment 


 

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.

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 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 the sub-advisor pursuant to its Investment Advisory Agreement, to be used for the sale and distribution of Fund shares. The Plans provide that the A 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 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 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 Fund has also adopted a shareholder services plan for its A Class and C 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 and 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 shares of the Fund.

 R6 Class shares will not reimburse the Manager for certain non-distribution shareholder services provided by financial intermediaries.

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 is available, and the Annual Shareholder Reports and Semi-Annual Shareholder Reports (“Shareholder Reports”) will be 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 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 and Shareholder Reports 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 period of the  Fund’s operation. Financial highlights are not provided because the Fund had not commenced operations prior to the date of this Prospectus.

Prospectus – Additional Information35 


 

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 will list the Fund’s actual investments as of the report’s date. They also will 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 will be included in the Annual Shareholder Report. Reports will be available approximately 60 days after the Fund passes its first annual and semi-annual reporting periods.

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 AHL Multi-Alternatives Fund are service marks of American Beacon Advisors, Inc.

 

SEC File Number 811-04984


 

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 


 

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 


 

 

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 this 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 


 

 

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 


 

Appendix B

GLOSSARY

ACH

Automated Clearing House

Advisers Act

Investment Advisers Act of 1940, as amended

American Beacon or 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

Capital Gains Distributions

Distributions of realized net capital gains

CDSC

Contingent Deferred Sales Charge

CFTC

Commodity Futures Trading Commission

CPO

Commodity Pool Operator

Denial of Services

A cybersecurity incident that results in shareholders or service providers being unable to access electronic systems

Distributor

Resolute Investment Distributors, Inc.

Dividends

Distributions from the Fund’s net investment income

DRD

Dividends-received deduction

EU

European Union

FCA

UK Financial Conduct Authority

FHLB

Federal Home Loan Bank

Forwards

Forward Currency Contracts

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

Model

Proprietary Mathematical Quantitative Model

Moody’s

Moody’s Investors Service, Inc.

NAV

Fund’s net asset value

NDF

Non-deliverable foreign currency forward contract

NYSE

New York Stock Exchange

Other Distributions

Distributions of net gains from foreign currency transactions

OTC

Over-the-Counter

QDI

Qualified Dividend Income

REIT

Real Estate Investment Trust

RIC

Regulated Investment Company

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 Minors Act

UK

United Kingdom

UTMA

Uniform Transfers to Minors Act

Prospectus – AppendixB-1 

 

 

The information in this statement of additional information is not complete and may be changed. We may not sell these securities until the registration statement filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission is effective. This statement of additional information is not an offer to sell these securities and is not soliciting an offer to buy these securities in any state where the offer or sale is not permitted.

 

 

 

Statement of Additional Information
XX XX, 20XX

 

Ticker

Share Class

A

C

Y

R6

American Beacon AHL Multi-Alternatives Fund

XXXXX

XXXXX

XXXXX

XXXXX

This Statement of Additional Information (“SAI”) should be read in conjunction with the prospectus dated XX XX, 20XX (the “Prospectus”) for the American Beacon AHL Multi-Alternatives 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 1-800-658-5811. 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 B.

The Fund had not commenced operations prior to the date hereof. Accordingly, financial statements for the Fund are not yet available. Copies of the Fund’s Annual Shareholder and Semi-Annual Reports may be obtained when available, without charge, upon request by calling 1-800-658-5811 or visiting www.americanbeaconfunds.com.


 

Table of Contents

Organization and History of the Fund

1

Non-Diversified Status

1

Additional Information About Investment Strategies and Risks

1

Other Investment Strategies and Risks

21

Investment Restrictions

22

Temporary or Defensive Investments

23

Portfolio Turnover

23

Disclosure of Portfolio Holdings

24

Lending of Portfolio Securities

25

Trustees and Officers of the Trust

26

Code of Ethics

33

Proxy Voting Policies

34

Control Persons and 5% Shareholders

34

Investment Sub-Advisory Agreement

34

Management, Administrative, Securities Lending, and Distribution Services

34

Other Service Providers

36

Portfolio Managers

36

Portfolio Securities Transactions

37

Additional Purchase and Sale Information for A Class Shares

38

Additional Information Regarding Contingent Deferred Sales Charges

40

Redemptions in Kind

40

Tax Information

40

Description of the Trust

44

Financial Statements

45

Appendix A: Ratings Definitions

A-1

Appendix B: Glossary

B-1


 

ORGANIZATION AND HISTORY OF THE FUND

The Fund is a separate series of 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 “non-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, and R6 Class  shares of the Fund.

NON-DIVERSIFIED STATUS

As noted above, the American Beacon AHL Multi-Alternatives Fund is “non-diversified” under the Investment Company Act, which means that it may invest a greater portion of its assets in a more limited number of issuers than a diversified fund. An investment in the Fund may present greater risk to an investor than an investment in a diversified portfolio because changes in the financial condition or market assessment of a single issuer, or the effects of a single economic, political or regulatory event, may cause greater fluctuations in the value of its shares. Although the Fund is non-diversified under the Investment Company Act, it is subject to the diversification rules of the Internal Revenue Code, that apply to all “regulated investment companies.” These rules provide that, among the requirements to maintain the favorable tax treatment applicable to RICs, the Fund may not acquire a security if, as a result, with respect to 50% of the value of its total assets, more than 5% of that value would be invested in the securities of a single issuer or more than 10% of the outstanding voting securities of an issuer would be held by the Fund. With respect to the remaining 50% of its total asset value, the Fund is limited to holding no more than 25% of that value in the securities of any one issuer, the securities of any two or more issuers that the Fund controls (by owning 20% or more of their voting power) and that are determined to be engaged in the same, similar or related trades or businesses, or the securities of one or more “qualified publicly traded partnerships.” These limits apply only as of the end of each quarter of the Fund’s taxable (fiscal) year and do not apply to securities issued or guaranteed by the U.S. Government, its agencies or instrumentalities, or issued by other RICs.

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  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.  

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. (See “Cover and Asset Segregation” disclosure below.)

Cash Equivalents and Other Short-Term Investments  — Cash equivalents and other short-term investments in which the 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.

 

Bank Deposit Notes. Bank deposit notes are obligations of a bank that provide an alternative to certificates of deposit. Similar to certificates of deposit, deposit notes represent bank level investment and, therefore, are senior to all holding company corporate debt. Bank deposit notes rank junior to domestic deposit liabilities of the bank and pari passu with other senior, unsecured obligations of the bank. Typically, bank deposit notes are not insured by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation or any other insurer.

 

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.

 

Government Money Market Funds.The Fund may invest cash balances in money market funds that are registered as investment companies
 

1  


 

 

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. A “government money market fund” is required to invest at least 99.5% of its total assets in cash, U.S. government securities, and/or repurchase agreements that are fully collateralized by government securities or cash. Government securities include any security issued or guaranteed as to principal or interest by the U.S. government and its agencies or instrumentalities. By investing in a money market fund, the Fund becomes a shareholder of that money market fund. As a result, Fund shareholders indirectly bear their proportionate share of the expenses of the money market funds in which the Fund invests in addition to any fees and expenses Fund shareholders directly bear in connection with the Fund’s own operations. 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. These other fees and expenses are reflected in the Fees and Expenses Table for the Fund in its Prospectus, if applicable. 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. 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 can cause the price of a money market security to decrease and may reduce the money market fund’s yield. In addition, a money market fund is subject to the risk that the value of an investment may be eroded over time by inflation. Factors that could adversely affect the value of a money market fund’s shares include, among other things, a sharp rise in interest rates, an illiquid market for the securities held by the money market fund, a high volume of redemption activity in a money market fund’s shares, and a credit event or credit rating downgrade affecting one or more of the issuers of securities held by the money market fund. There can be no assurance that a money market fund will maintain a $1.00 per share net asset value (“NAV”) at all times. The failure of an unrelated money market fund to maintain a stable NAV could create a widespread risk of increased redemption pressures on all money market funds, potentially jeopardizing the stability of their NAVs. Certain money market funds have in the past failed to maintain stable NAVs, and there can be no assurance that such failures and resulting redemption pressures will not impact money market funds in the future. Certain money market funds may impose a fee upon sale of shares or may temporarily suspend the ability to sell shares of the money market fund if the money market fund’s liquidity falls below required minimums because of market conditions or other factors, at the determination of the money market fund’s board. Such a determination may conflict with the interest of the Fund. Government money market funds are generally not permitted to impose liquidity fees or temporarily suspend redemptions. However, government money market funds typically offer materially lower yields than other money market funds. Money market funds and the securities they invest in 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 operation, performance and/or yield of money market funds.  In 2021, the SEC proposed amendments to the regulation of certain types of money market funds that if adopted as proposed would, among other things, increase daily and weekly liquid asset requirements, remove liquidity fees and redemption gate provisions and require institutional prime money market funds to use swing pricing. There can be no assurance that the Fund’s investments in money market funds are not adversely affected by reforms to money market regulation that may be adopted by the SEC or other regulatory authorities. An investment in a money market fund is not a bank deposit and is not insured or guaranteed by any bank, the FDIC or any other government agency.

 

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.

 

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.
 

Commodity Instruments —  Exposure to physical commodities may subject the 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 the 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 the Fund’s shares to fall. The sub-advisor’s failure to anticipate these events may lead to the Fund losing money on its commodity investments.

No active trading market may exist for certain commodities investments, which may impair the ability of the 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.

2 


 

The 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.” The Fund’s investment in securities or derivatives backed by, or in certain entities (such as ETFs) that invest in, physical commodities, other than shares of a wholly-owned subsidiary, generally would produce income that would be subject to this 10% limitation. To remain within this limitation, the 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 the Fund would be able to satisfy the requirements of the Internal Revenue Code to continue to qualify as a RIC.

Cover and Asset Segregation —   The Fund may borrow money, 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. The Fund’s approach to asset coverage may vary depending on terms within its agreement with a counterparty. With respect to certain investments under the agreement, 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 agreement. 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, because the Fund may be unable to promptly dispose of those assets.  

Currencies RiskThe 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 the 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 and Operational 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,” computer viruses or other malicious software coding), the theft and holding for ransom of proprietary or confidential information or data (sometimes referred to as “ransomware” attacks), denial of service attacks on websites, “phishing” attempts and other social engineering techniques aimed at personnel or systems, and the unauthorized release of confidential information. 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 non-cybersecurity related 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.

In addition, other events or circumstances — whether foreseeable, unforeseeable, or beyond our control, such as acts of war, other conflicts, terrorism, natural disaster, widespread disease, pandemic or other public health crises may result in, among other things, quarantines and travel restrictions, workforce displacement and loss or reduction in Personnel and other resources. In the above circumstances, the Fund and the Service Providers’ operations may be significantly impacted, or even temporarily halted. The Fund’s securities market counterparties or vendors may face the same or similar systems failure, cybersecurity breaches and other business disruptions risks.

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 adequately identified or prepared for, 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. The widespread use of work-from-home arrangements, such as during the COVID-19 pandemic, may increase operational and information security risks.

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”). 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, options on

3  


 

securities, commodities, or indices, and certain forward contracts 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.

The regulation of the U.S. and non-U.S. derivatives markets has undergone substantial change in recent years and such change may continue. In particular, effective August 19, 2022 (the “Compliance Date”), Rule 18f-4 under the 1940 Act (the “Derivatives Rule”) replaced 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. As of the Compliance Date, the SEC rescinded Release 10666 and withdrew no-action letters and similar guidance addressing the Fund’s use of derivatives and began requiring the Fund to satisfy the requirements of the Derivatives Rule. As a result, the Fund is no longer required to engage in “segregation” or “coverage” techniques with respect to derivatives transactions and will instead comply with the applicable requirements of the Derivatives Rule.

The Derivatives Rule mandates that the Fund adopt and/or implement: (i) value-at-risk limitations (“VaR”); (ii) a written derivatives risk management program; (iii) new Board oversight responsibilities; and (iv) new reporting and recordkeeping requirements. In the event that the Fund’s derivative exposure is 10% or less of its net assets, excluding certain currency and interest rate hedging transactions, it can elect to be classified as a limited derivatives user (“Limited Derivatives User”) under the Derivatives Rule, in which case the Fund is not subject to the full requirements of the Derivatives Rule. Limited Derivatives Users are excepted from VaR testing, implementing a derivatives risk management program, and certain Board oversight and reporting requirements mandated by the Derivatives Rule. However, a Limited Derivatives User is still required to implement written compliance policies and procedures reasonably designed to manage its derivatives risks. The Derivatives Rule also provides special treatment for reverse repurchase agreements, similar financing transactions and unfunded commitment agreements. Specifically, the Fund may elect whether to treat reverse repurchase agreements and similar financing transactions as “derivatives transactions” subject to the requirements of the Derivatives Rule or as senior securities equivalent to bank borrowings for purposes of Section 18 of the 1940 Act. In addition, the Fund may invest in a security on a when-issued or forward-settling basis, or with a non-standard settlement cycle, and the transaction will be deemed not to involve a senior security, provided that: (i) the Fund intends to physically settle the transaction; and (ii) the transaction will settle within 35 days of its trade date.

The enactment of the Dodd-Frank Act and similar global regulations 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 these regulations, the SEC, CFTC and foreign regulators have promulgated a broad range of regulations and guidance on the use of derivatives, including use 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 in the U.S., 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. Under CFTC Regulation 4.5, the Fund is excluded from registration as a CPO if its investments in commodity interests (such as futures contracts, options on futures contracts, non-deliverable forwards and swaps), other than those used for bona fide hedging purposes (as defined by the CFTC), are 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 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 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.”

As the Fund cannot comply with the exemption from CPO registration provided for in Regulation 4.5 above, the Manager is registered as a CPO with respect to the Fund and American Beacon Cayman Multi-Alternatives Company, Ltd., a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Fund that is organized under the laws of the Cayman Islands as an exempted company (the “Subsidiary”). As a result, the Manager and the Fund are subject to regulation by the CFTC.

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:

 

Contracts for Differences — A contract for difference (“CFD”) is a contract in which one party agrees to pay the other party an amount of money based on the difference between the current value of an asset (such as a single security, a basket of securities or an index) and its value on a specified date in the future. CFDs allow the Fund to take a long or short position without having to own the reference security or index. A CFD is a privately negotiated over-the-counter contract. Both buyer and seller generally are required to post margin, which is adjusted daily, and adverse market movements against the underlying asset may require the buyer to make additional margin payments. The buyer may also pay to the seller a financing rate on the notional amount of the capital employed by the seller, less the margin deposit. A CFD is usually terminated at the buyer’s initiative. By entering into a CFD transaction, the Fund could incur losses because it would face many of the same types of risks as owning the
 

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underlying asset directly. As with other types of swap transactions, CFDs also carry counterparty risk, which is the risk that the counterparty to the CFD transaction may be unable or unwilling to make payments to or otherwise honor its financial obligations under the terms of the contract, that the parties may disagree as to the meaning or application of contractual terms, or that the asset may not perform as expected. CFDs are similar to total return swaps, except that payment only occurs once, on the contract expiration date, whereas payment on total return swaps typically occurs at agreed upon intervals.

 

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. Generally, forward contracts are traded through financial institutions acting as market-makers, on certain securities exchanges, or over-the-counter, and the protections afforded to investors may vary depending on the trading environment. This is distinguishable from futures contracts, which are traded on U.S. and foreign commodities exchanges.
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.

 

Forward Foreign Currency Contracts.The 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, the 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, the 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.

 

  The  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, the Fund may use forward currency contracts when the sub-advisor wishes to “lock in” the U.S. dollar price of a security when the 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.

 

  The  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 the  Fund from adverse changes in the relationship between the U.S. dollar and foreign currencies.

 

  The  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  the 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, the Fund may use forward currency contracts to shift exposure to foreign currency fluctuations from one country to another. For example, if the Fund owned securities denominated in a foreign currency that the 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 the Fund’s exposure to foreign currency exchange rate fluctuations.

 

  The 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  the Fund’s investment portfolio.

 

  The cost to the 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 the 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
 

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  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 the 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, the Fund might be unable to close out a forward currency contract at any time prior to maturity. In either event, the 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, the 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.

 

  The  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, the 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 the Fund’s rights as a creditor.

 

  At the maturity of a forward contract, the 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 the Fund retains the portfolio security and engages in an offsetting transaction, the Fund will incur a gain or a loss (as described below) to the extent that there has been movement in forward contract prices. If the 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 the 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, the 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, the 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 the 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  the 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.

 

  The 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 the Fund into such currency. When  the 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  the 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. The 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. The 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 the Fund, and the cost of such strategies may reduce the 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 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, the 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. The Fund may enter into futures contracts. Futures contracts are a type of derivative instrument that obligate the purchaser to
 

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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. 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 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.

 

Commodity Futures Contracts Risk— There are several additional risks associated with transactions in commodity futures contracts.
Storage. Unlike the financial futures markets, in the commodity futures markets there are costs of physical storage associated with purchasing the underlying commodity. The price of the commodity futures contract will reflect the storage costs of purchasing the physical commodity, including the time value of money invested in the physical commodity. To the extent that the storage costs for an underlying commodity change while the Fund or its respective Subsidiary is invested in futures contracts on that commodity, the value of the futures contract may change proportionately.
Reinvestment. In the commodity futures markets, producers of the underlying commodity may decide to hedge the price risk of selling the commodity by selling futures contracts to lock in the price of the commodity at delivery on a future date. In order to induce speculators to purchase the other side of the same futures contract, the commodity producer generally must sell the futures contract at a lower price than the
 

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expected future spot price. Conversely, if most hedgers in the futures market are purchasing futures contracts to hedge against a rise in prices, then speculators will only sell the other side of the futures contract at a higher futures price than the expected future spot price of the commodity. The changing nature of the hedgers and speculators in the commodity markets will influence whether futures prices are above or below the expected future spot price, which can have significant implications for the Fund or its respective Subsidiary. If the nature of hedgers and speculators in futures markets has shifted when it is time for the Fund to reinvest the proceeds of a maturing contract in a new futures contract, the Fund or its respective Subsidiary might reinvest at higher or lower futures prices, or choose to pursue other investments.
Other Economic Factors. The commodities that underlie commodity futures contracts may be subject to additional economic and non-economic variables, such as drought, floods, weather, livestock disease, embargoes, tariffs, and international economic, political and regulatory developments. These factors may have a larger impact on commodity prices and commodity-linked instruments, including futures contracts, than on traditional securities. Certain commodities are also 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 which subject the Fund’s or its respective Subsidiary’s investments to greater volatility than investments in traditional securities.

 

Futures Contracts on Security Indices. The 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”). Index Futures Contracts may be used to expose the Fund’s available cash balances to future changes in general market prices with less issuer risk, increased liquidity and lower brokerage costs than investment in multiple issuers. The Fund uses Index Futures Contracts to take long and short positions on indices based on the sub-advisor’s outlook on the direction of market prices. Index Futures Contracts may be used to hedge against future changes in general market prices that otherwise might adversely affect the value of securities held by the Fund. This may permit the Fund to avoid potential market and liquidity problems (e.g., driving up or forcing down the price by quickly purchasing or selling a portfolio security) that may result from increases or decreases in positions already held by the 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 the Fund will rise in value by an amount that approximately offsets the decline in value of the portion of the 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 relevant index, 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 Index Futures Contracts written into by the Fund.

 

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. Where the underlying security is a convertible bond, the call option is considered to be uncovered until the option is exercised.

 

  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
 

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  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 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.

 

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. 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.

 

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. Taking a short position in (i.e., acting as the buyer under) a credit default swap results in opposite exposures for the Fund. 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.

 

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.
 

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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 the 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 the Fund’s financial risk.

 

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.
 

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.

Fixed-Income InvestmentsThe Fund may hold debt instruments, including government and corporate debt instruments, 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 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. 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 the Fund’s yield and performance. Conversely, if rising interest rates cause the Fund to lose value, the Fund could face increased shareholder redemptions, which may lead to increased portfolio turnover and transaction costs. An increase in shareholder redemptions could also force the Fund to liquidate investments at disadvantageous times or prices, therefore adversely affecting the 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 is similar to call risk, which is the risk that the issuer of a debt security may repay the security early. This may result in the Fund not enjoying the increase in the security’s market price that usually accompanies a decline in rates, and also 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 the 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 the Fund would like or at the price the sub-advisor believes the security is currently worth. To the extent the 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 the 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.

Fixed-income securities are also subject to market risk. 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. The 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

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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 the Fund’s NAV to fluctuate or make it more difficult for the Fund to accurately value its securities. The amount of assets deemed illiquid remaining within the Fund may also increase, making it more difficult to meet shareholder redemptions and further adversely affecting the value of the Fund.

In addition, specific types of fixed-income securities in which the 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.

 

Corporate Debt and Other Fixed-Income Securities. 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 generally will 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. They are therefore more volatile than shorter-term securities and are subject to greater market fluctuations as a result of changes in interest rates. 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 to make timely principal and interest payments, and that the security may go into default.

 

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 A: 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 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.
 

Foreign Debt Securities  — The Fund may invest in foreign fixed and floating rate income securities  (including emerging market 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) debt obligations of 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 the Fund’s investments in such securities. The cost of servicing foreign debt will generally be adversely affected by rising international interest rates, because many external debt obligations bear interest at rates which are adjusted based upon international interest rates. The Fund’s foreign debt securities may be held outside of the United States in the primary market for the securities in the custody of certain eligible foreign banks and trust companies, as permitted under the Investment Company Act.   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, such as the fact that foreign markets can be extremely volatile, foreign debt securities may be less liquid than securities of U.S. issuers, and transaction fees, custodial costs, currency conversion costs and other fees are generally higher for foreign debt securities.   See “Foreign Securities” and “Fixed-Income Investments” for a further discussion of these and other risks.In addition, emerging markets are markets that have risks that are different and higher than those in more developed markets.

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 may include: the possibility of adverse political and economic developments (including political or social instability, nationalization, expropriation, or confiscatory taxation), the impact

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of economic, political, social, diplomatic or other conditions or events (including, for example, military confrontations and actions, war, other conflicts, terrorism, and disease/virus outbreaks and epidemics); the potentially adverse effects of unavailability of public information regarding issuers, less or less reliable information about the securities and business operations of foreign 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 purchases, tracking and custody; the difficulty of predicting international trade patterns and the possibility of exchange controls or limitations on the removal of funds or assets; the impact of economic, political, social, diplomatic or other conditions or events (including, for example, military confrontations and actions, war, other conflicts, terrorism, and disease/virus outbreaks and epidemics); 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 many of the countries in which the Fund may invest are not as developed as the U.S. economy, and individual foreign economies can 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. 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. Governments or trade groups may compel local agents to hold securities in designated depositories that are not subject to independent evaluation. 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 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. In addition, certain foreign markets may institute share blocking, which is a practice under which an issuer’s securities are blocked from trading at the custodian or sub-custodian level for a specified number of days before and, in certain instances, after a shareholder meeting where a vote of shareholders takes place. The blocking period can last up to several weeks. Share blocking may prevent the Fund from buying or selling securities during this period, because during the time shares are blocked, trades in such securities will not settle. It may be difficult or impossible to lift blocking restrictions, with the particular requirements varying widely by country. As a consequence of these restrictions, the  sub-advisor, on behalf of the Fund, may elect not to vote proxies in markets that require share blocking. 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.  

Economic sanctions and other similar governmental actions could, among other things, effectively restrict or eliminate the Fund’s ability to purchase or sell foreign securities, and thus may prevent the Fund from making investments or make the Fund’s investments in such securities less liquid or more difficult to value. In addition, as a result of economic sanctions, the Fund may be forced to sell or otherwise dispose of investments at inopportune times or prices, which could result in losses to the Fund and increased transaction costs. These conditions may be in place for a substantial period of time and enacted with limited advance notice to the Fund. The risks posed by sanctions against a particular foreign country, its nationals or industries or businesses within the country may be heightened to the extent the Fund invests significantly in the affected country or region or in issuers from the affected country that depend on global markets.

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. Some governments may impose a tax on purchases by foreign investors of certain securities that trade in their country. Countries may amend or revise their existing tax laws, regulations and/or procedures in the future, possibly with retroactive effect. Changes in or uncertainties regarding the laws, regulations or procedures of a country could reduce the after-tax profits of the Fund, directly or indirectly, including by reducing the after-tax profits of companies located in such countries in which the Fund invests, or result in unexpected tax liabilities for the Fund. Commissions on foreign securities exchanges are often at fixed rates and are generally higher than those negotiated commissions on U.S. exchanges, although the sub-advisor endeavors to achieve the most favorable net results on portfolio transactions.

The 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 the 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.

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The 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 the Fund’s net asset value is determined. If such arbitrage attempts are successful, the Fund’s net asset value might be diluted.

The 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 the Fund’s investment strategy (e.g., reducing the volatility of the Fund’s share price) or achieve its investment objective. Redemption fees and the Fund’s market timing and frequent trading policies and procedures also are intended to help deter arbitrage activities.

 

Emerging Market Securities. The Fund may invest in emerging market securities. The 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 the 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.
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 the Fund’s investments. In such event, it is possible that the Fund could lose the entire value of its investments in the affected markets.
Emerging market countries may have national policies that limit the 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 the 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 the 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
 

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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 the 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 the 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  the Fund to suffer a loss. There can be no certainty that  the 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  the 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.
The  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 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  the Fund.
Russia launched a large-scale invasion of Ukraine on February 24, 2022. The extent and duration of the military action, resulting sanctions and resulting future market disruptions, including declines in its stock markets and the value of the ruble against the U.S. dollar, are impossible to predict, but could be significant. Any such disruptions caused by Russian military action or other actions (including cyberattacks and espionage) or resulting actual and threatened responses to such activity, including purchasing and financing restrictions, boycotts or changes in consumer or purchaser preferences, sanctions, tariffs or cyberattacks on the Russian government, Russian companies or Russian individuals, including politicians, may impact Russia’s economy and Russian issuers of securities in which the Fund invests. Actual and threatened responses to such activity, including purchasing restrictions, sanctions, tariffs or cyberattacks on the Russian government or Russian companies, may impact Russia’s economy and Russian issuers of securities in which the Fund invests. Actual and threatened responses to such military action may also impact the markets for certain Russian commodities, such as oil and natural gas, as well as other sectors of the Russian economy, and may likely have collateral impacts on such sectors globally, and may negatively affect global supply chains, inflation and global growth. These and any related events could significantly impact the Fund’s performance and the value of an investment in the Fund, even if the Fund does not have direct exposure to Russian issuers or issuers in other countries affected by the invasion.
Governments in the United States and many other countries (collectively, the “Sanctioning Bodies”) have imposed economic sanctions, which can consist of prohibiting certain securities trades, certain private transactions in the energy sector, asset freezes and prohibition of all business, against certain Russian individuals, including politicians, and Russian corporate and banking entities. The Sanctioning Bodies, or others, could also institute broader sanctions on Russia, including banning Russia from global payments systems that facilitate cross-border payments. These sanctions, or even the threat of further sanctions, may result in the decline of the value and liquidity of Russian securities, a weakening of the ruble or other adverse consequences to the Russian economy. These sanctions could also result in the immediate freeze of Russian securities and/or funds invested in prohibited assets, impairing the ability of the Fund to buy, sell, receive or deliver those securities and/or assets. Sanctions could also result in Russia taking counter measures or retaliatory actions which may further impair the value and liquidity of Russian securities.

 

European Securities. The 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, the resource self-sufficiency of European countries and conflict between European countries. Most developed countries in Western Europe are members of the European Union (“EU”), and many are also members of the European Economic and Monetary Union (“EMU” or “Eurozone”). The EMU is comprised of EU members that have adopted the euro currency. Member states relinquish control of their own monetary policies. 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 on government debt; national unemployment in several European countries,
 

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including, but not limited to, Austria, Belgium, Cyprus, France, Greece, Ireland, Italy, Portugal, Spain and Ukraine; and, most recently, the COVID-19 pandemic and the Russian invasion of Ukraine. These events have adversely affected the exchange rate of the euro and may continue to significantly affect European countries. Responses to financial problems by European governments, central banks, and others, including austerity measures and other reforms, may not produce the desired results, may result in social unrest and may limit future growth and economic recovery or may have unintended consequences. In addition, one or more countries may abandon the euro and/or withdraw from the EU. The impact of these actions, especially if they occur in a disorderly fashion, could be significant and far-reaching.
Many EU nations are susceptible to economic risks associated with high levels of debt. Non-governmental issuers, and even certain governments, have defaulted on, or been forced to restructure, their debts, and other issuers have faced difficulties obtaining credit or refinancing existing obligations. A default or debt restructuring by any European country could 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. Such a default or debt restructuring could affect exposures to other EU countries and their companies as well. Further defaults on, or restructurings of, the debt of governments or other entities 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. Furthermore, certain EU countries have had to accept assistance from supranational agencies such as the International Monetary Fund, the European Stability Mechanism or others. The European Central Bank has also intervened to purchase Eurozone debt in an attempt to stabilize markets and reduce borrowing costs. There can be no assurance that any creditors or supranational agencies will continue to intervene or provide further assistance, and markets may react adversely to any expected reduction in the financial support provided by these creditors.
Certain European countries have experienced negative interest rates on certain fixed-income instruments. A negative interest rate is an unconventional central bank monetary policy tool where nominal target interest rates are set with a negative value (i.e., below zero percent) intended to help create self-sustaining growth in the local economy. Negative interest rates may result in heightened market volatility and may detract from the Fund’s performance to the extent the Fund is exposed to such interest rates.  
Secessionist movements, such as the Catalan separatist 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 create instability and uncertainty in the region. In addition, the national politics of European countries have been unpredictable and subject to influence by disruptive political groups and ideologies. European governments 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 or other events is not clear but could be significant and far-reaching and materially impact the value and liquidity of the Fund’s investments.
Russia’s war with Ukraine has negatively impacted European economic activity. The effects on the economies of European countries of the Russia/Ukraine war and Russia’s response to sanctions imposed by the U.S. and other countries are impossible to predict, but have been and could continue to be significant. For example, exports in Eastern Europe have been disrupted for certain key commodities, pushing commodity prices to record highs, and energy prices in Europe have increased significantly.

 

United Kingdom Securities Risk. Exposure to issuers located in, or with economic ties to, the United Kingdom, could expose the Fund to risks associated with investments in the United Kingdom to a greater extent than more geographically diverse funds, including regulatory, political, currency, security, and economic risks specific to the United Kingdom. The United Kingdom has one of the largest economies in Europe, and the United States and other European countries are substantial trading partners of the United Kingdom. As a result, the United Kingdom economy may be impacted by changes to the economic condition of the United States and other European countries.
On December 31, 2020, the United Kingdom left the European Union in an event commonly referred to as “Brexit.” The United Kingdom and the European Union then reached a trade agreement that became effective on May 1, 2021, after being ratified by all applicable United Kingdom and European Union governmental bodies. 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 have a negative impact on the United Kingdom, the broader global economy, or the value of the British pound sterling, any of which may impact the value of Fund investments.
The United Kingdom’s economy relies heavily on the export of financial services to the United States and other European countries. 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 co-operate and share information. The implementation of this legal framework and basis of co-operation remains to be seen, and so 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.
Although the sub-advisor may hedge Fund currency exposures back to the U.S. dollar, a depreciation of the British pound sterling and/or the Euro in relation to the U.S. dollar as a result of Brexit could adversely affect Fund investments denominated in British pound sterling or Euros that are not fully hedged regardless of the performance of the underlying issuer.

 

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
 

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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 the 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 the 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.

 

  The legal systems in certain developing market Pacific Basin countries also may have an adverse impact on the Fund. For example, while the potential liability of a shareholder in a U.S. corporation with respect to acts of the corporation is generally limited to the amount of the shareholder’s investment, the notion of limited liability is less clear in certain Pacific Basin countries. Similarly, the rights of investors in Pacific Basin companies may be more limited than those of shareholders of U.S. corporations. It may be difficult or impossible to obtain and/or enforce a judgment in a Pacific Basin country.

 

  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 the 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 the 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 the 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 the 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 the 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.
 

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.

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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.

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 the Fund holds the security, the 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 the Fund will not receive the principal until maturity. Thus, the 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. The 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 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.

Interfund Lending — Pursuant to an order issued by the SEC, the Fund may participate in a credit facility whereby the Fund, under certain conditions, is permitted to lend money directly to and borrow directly from other funds under the Manager’s management 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.

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.

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.

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 potential investments for trading purposes, to provide risk management insights and to assist in hedging the 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)

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- all of which may have materially adverse effects on  the 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  the 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  the 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  the 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  the 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  the Fund, any valuations of  the 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.

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.    Any such fees and expenses are reflected in the Fees and Expenses Table for the Fund in its Prospectus. 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. 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. Rule 12d1-4 under the Investment Company Act and revisions to other rules permitting funds to invest in other investment companies, which are intended to streamline and enhance the regulatory framework applicable to fund of funds arrangements, took effect on January 19, 2022. While Rule 12d1-4 permits more types of fund of fund arrangements without an exemptive order, and supersedes many prior 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.

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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:

 

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.
 

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. 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. The 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 reflected in the quantitative model. The  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.

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, corporate obligations, asset-backed securities, mortgage-backed securities, common and preferred stock, depositary receipts, ETFs, municipal obligations, corporate obligations and convertible securities.

Reverse Repurchase AgreementsThe 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.

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. The 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.

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

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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  the 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  the 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  the 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 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 the Fund may invest will not be subject to restructuring arrangements or to requests for new credit, which may cause the 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.”

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 the Fund computes its current NAV per share, causes a change in the price of the foreign securities and such price is not reflected in the Fund’s current NAV per share, investors may attempt to take advantage of anticipated price movements in securities held by the Fund based on such pricing discrepancies.

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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.

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 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.

Valuation Risk — This is the risk that certain securities may be valued 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 valuation of the Fund’s 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 valuation of 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 securities had not been fair valued or a different valuation methodology had been used. 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.

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.

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. 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.

Pursuant to Rule 18f-4 under the Investment Company Act, when-issued, delayed-delivery and forward commitment transactions will be deemed not to involve a senior security, provided that: the Fund intends to physically settle the transaction; and the transaction will settle within 35 days of its trade date. If such transactions are deemed senior securities, the Fund will maintain with its custodian segregated (or earmarked) liquid securities in an amount at least equal to the when-issued or forward commitment transaction. 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
 

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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.

 

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 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 or commodity pools or other entities that purchase and sell commodities and commodity contracts).

 

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.

 

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 and margin deposits, security interests, liens and collateral arrangements with respect to such instruments shall not constitute borrowing.

 

7 Invest more than 25% of its total 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 and instrumentalities; and (ii) tax-exempt securities issued by municipalities and their agencies and authorities.
 

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The above percentage limits (except the limitation on 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 the Fund’s policy relating to commodities set forth in (2) above, the Fund does not consider foreign currencies or forward contracts to be physical commodities.

For purposes of the Fund’s policy relating to commodities set forth in (2) above, the restriction does not prevent the Fund from investing in a wholly owned subsidiary, thereby indirectly gaining exposure to the investment returns of commodities markets within the limitations of federal income tax requirements, or from investing in commodity-linked derivative instruments.

For purposes of the Fund’s policy relating to making loans set forth in (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.

For purposes of the 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 the Fund’s total 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 industry concentration policy.

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.

Portfolio turnover may vary significantly from year to year due to a variety of factors, including fluctuating volume of shareholder purchase and redemption orders, market conditions, investment strategy changes, and/or changes in the sub-advisor’s investment outlook.

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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.

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, and foreign sub-custodians; Subsidiary’s custodian

Complete list on intraday basis with no lag

XX

Fund’s independent registered public accounting firm

Complete list on annual basis with no lag

ACA Compliance Group

Sub-Advisor third-party compliance testing

Complete list upon request with lag

Bloomberg, L.P.

Performance and portfolio analytics reporting

Complete list on daily basis with no lag

ENSO LP acting by its general partner, ENSO FINANCIAL MANAGEMENT LLP

Manage exposure across brokers, monitor initial margin, variation margin, and total equity of Sub-advisor.

Complete list on daily basis with no lag

FactSet Research Systems, Inc.

Performance and portfolio analytics reporting for the Manager

Complete list on daily basis with no lag

Investment Technology Group

Pricing vendor

Complete list on daily basis with no lag

KPMG International

Service provider to State Street

Complete list on annual 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 in the ordinary course of business. 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

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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;

 

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 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 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.

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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 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 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, as applicable. 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.

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The Trust is part of the American Beacon Funds Complex, which is comprised of XX  series within the American Beacon Funds, 1  series within the American Beacon Institutional Funds Trust, and  XX  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 XX 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
(68)**

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
(53)

Trustee since 2015

Trustee since 2017

Chief Financial Officer, The Conrad Prebys Foundation (2022-Present); President, SJVIIF, LLC, Impact Investment Fund (2018-2022); Director, Kura MD, Inc. (local telehealth organization) (2015-2017); Senior Vice President/CFO, Sierra Health Foundation (health conversion private foundation) (2006-2022); Senior Vice President/CFO, Sierra Health Foundation: Center for Health Program Management (California public benefit corporation) (2012-2022); 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
(61)

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. (investment company) (2014-2017); 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
(64)

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
(62)

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) (2017-2021); Chair, American Beacon Sound Point Enhanced Income Fund (2019-2021), Vice Chair (2018), Trustee (2018-2021); Chair, American Beacon Apollo Total Return Fund (2019-2021), Vice Chair (2018), Trustee (2018-2021).

Claudia A. Holz
(65)

Trustee since 2018

Trustee since 2018

Independent Director, Blue Owl Capital Inc. (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
(61)

Trustee since 2018

Trustee since 2018

Director, JLL Income Property Trust (2022-Present); 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).

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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

Barbara J. McKenna
(60)

Trustee since 2012

Trustee since 2017

President/Managing Principal, Longfellow Investment Management Company (2005-Present, President since 2009); Member, External Diversity Council of the Federal Reserve Bank of Boston (2021-Present); Member, Federal Reserve Bank of Boston CEO Roundtable (2021-Present); Board Advisor, United States Tennis Association (2021-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 Mses. Holz (Chair) and McKenna, and Messrs. Armes and Duffy. 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 December 31, 2022.

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The Trust has a Nominating and Governance Committee (“Nominating Committee”) that is comprised of Messrs. Armes (Chair) and Alvarado, and Mses. Cline and McKenna. 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 December 31, 2022.

The Trust has an Investment Committee that is comprised of Messrs. Lindgren (Chair), Alvarado and Arpey. 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 December 31, 2022.

Trustee Ownership in the Fund

As of the calendar year ended December 31, 2022, none of the Trustees owned equity securities of the Fund. The following tables show the amount of equity securities owned in the American Beacon Funds Complex by the Trustees as of the calendar year ended December 31, 2022.

 

INTERESTED TRUSTEE

 

Duffy

 

 

 

 

 

 

Aggregate Dollar Range of Equity Securities in all Trusts (27 Funds as of December 31, 2022)

Over $100,000

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

NON-INTERESTED TRUSTEES

 

Alvarado

Armes

Arpey

Cline

Holz

Lindgren

McKenna

Aggregate Dollar Range of Equity Securities in all Trusts (27 Funds as of December 31, 2022)

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 $130,000; (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.

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 estimated compensation (excluding reimbursements) that will be paid by the Trusts to each Trustee for the period XX XX, 20XX (the Fund’s commencement of operations) through December 31, 2023.1

Name of Trustee

Aggregate Compensation From the Trust

Total Compensation From the Trusts

INTERESTED TRUSTEE

 

 

Eugene J. Duffy

$88,699

$94,000

NON-INTERESTED TRUSTEES

 

 

Gilbert G. Alvarado

$90,586

$96,000

Joseph B. Armes

$95,304

$101,000

Gerard J. Arpey

$88,699

$94,000

Brenda A. Cline2

$114,176

$121,000

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Claudia A. Holz

$100,494

$106,500

Douglas A. Lindgren

$100,494

$106,500

Barbara J. McKenna

$90,586

$96,000

1 As the Fund had not commenced operations prior to the date of this SAI, the table reflects estimated compensation for the period XX XX, 20XX – December 31, 2023.
2 Upon her retirement from the Board, Ms. Cline is eligible for flight benefits afforded to Eligible Trustees who served on the Boards prior to September 12, 2008 as described below.

The Boards have 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”). 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. Ms. Cline is the only Eligible Trustee.

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

 

 

 

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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
(48)

President
since April 2022

Vice President
2010-2022

President
since April 2022

Vice President
2017-2022

Director (2015-Present), President (2018-Present), Chief Executive Officer (2022-Present), Chief Operating Officer (2010-2022), 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 (2018-Present), Chief Executive Officer (2022-Present), Chief Operating Officer (2018-2022), Senior Vice President (2015-2018), Resolute Investment Managers, Inc.; Director (2017-Present), President and Chief Executive Officer (2022-Present), Executive Vice President (2017-2022), Resolute Investment Distributors, Inc.; Director (2017-Present), President (2018-Present), Chief Executive Officer (2022-Present), Chief Operating Officer (2018-2022), Executive Vice President (2017-2018), Resolute Investment Services, Inc.; President (2022-Present), Senior Vice President (2017-2022), Vice President (2012-2017), Manager (2015-Present), American Private Equity Management, L.L.C.; Trustee, American Beacon NextShares Trust (2015-2020); Director and Executive Vice President & Chief Operating Officer, Alpha Quant Advisors, LLC (2016-2020); Director, Shapiro Capital Management, LLC (2017-Present); Director and Executive Vice President, Continuous Capital, LLC (2018-2022); 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 (2014-Present), President (2022-Present) and Vice President (2014-2022), American Beacon Cayman Managed Futures Strategy Fund, Ltd.; Director (2018-Present) and, President (2022-Present), Vice President (2018-2022), American Beacon Cayman TargetRisk Company, Ltd.; Vice President, American Beacon Sound Point Enhanced Income Fund (2018-2021); Vice President, American Beacon Apollo Total Return Fund (2018-2021).

Rosemary K. Behan
(64)

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 (2018-2022); 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).

Paul B. Cavazos
(53)

Vice President
since 2016

Vice President
since 2017

Chief Investment Officer and Senior Vice President, American Beacon Advisors, Inc. (2016-Present); Vice President, American Private Equity Management, L.L.C. (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
(52)

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).

31  


 

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

Rebecca L. Harris
(56)

Vice President
Since 2022

Vice President
Since 2022

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 (2017-2021), Resolute Investment Services, Inc.; Vice President, Alpha Quant Advisors, LLC (2016-2020); Vice President (2018-2022), Director (2022) Continuous Capital, LLC; Director (2022-Present) National Investment Services of America, LLC; Director (2022-Present) RSW Investments Holdings LLC; Director (2022-Present) Shapiro Capital Management LLC; Director (2022-Present) SSI Investment Management LLC; Assistant Secretary, American Beacon Sound Point Enhanced Income Fund (2018-2021); Assistant Secretary, American Beacon Apollo Total Return Fund (2018-2021); Assistant Secretary, American Beacon Funds (2010 – 2022); Assistant Secretary, American Beacon Select Funds (2010 – 2022); Assistant Secretary, American Beacon Institutional Funds Trust (2017 – 2022).

Terri L. McKinney
(59)

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 (2018-2022); Vice President, American Beacon Sound Point Enhanced Income Fund (2018-2021); Vice President, American Beacon Apollo Total Return Fund (2018-2021).

Samuel J. Silver
(60)

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
(61)

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); Senior Vice President (2021-Present), Treasurer and CFO (2017-Present), Resolute Investment Services, Inc.; Treasurer, American Private Equity Management, L.L.C. (2012-Present); Treasurer and CFO, Alpha Quant Advisors, LLC (2016-2020); Treasurer, Continuous Capital, LLC (2018-2022); Treasurer, American Beacon Cayman Transformational Innovation, Ltd. (2017-2018); Treasurer, American Beacon Delaware Transformational Innovation Corporation (2017-2018); Director (2014-Present), Vice President (2022-Present) and Treasurer (2014-2022), American Beacon Cayman Managed Futures Strategy Fund, Ltd.; Director and Vice President (2022-Present), and Treasurer (2018-2022), American Beacon Cayman TargetRisk Company, Ltd.; Principal Accounting Officer and Treasurer, American Beacon Funds (2010-2021); Principal Accounting Officer and Treasurer, American Beacon Select Funds (2010-2021); Principal Accounting Officer and Treasurer, American Beacon Institutional Funds Trust (2017-2021); Principal Accounting Officer and Treasurer (2018-2021), Vice President (2021), American Beacon Sound Point Enhanced Income Fund; Principal Accounting Officer and Treasurer (2018-2021), Vice President (2021), American Beacon Apollo Total Return Fund (2018-2021).

Gregory Stumm
(41)

Vice President
since 2022

Vice President
since 2022

Senior Vice President, American Beacon Advisors, Inc. (2022-Present); Senior Vice President, Resolute Investment Managers, Inc.    (2022-Present); Senior Vice President, Resolute Investment Services, Inc. (2022-Present); Director and Senior Vice President, Resolute Investment Distributors, Inc. (2022-Present).

32 


 

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
(66)

Principal Accounting Officer and Treasurer
since 2021

Principal Accounting Officer and Treasurer
since 2021

Assistant Treasurer, American Beacon Advisors, Inc. (2011-2018); Vice President, Fund and Tax Reporting (2023-Present), Director, Fund and Tax Reporting (2011-2023), Resolute Investment Services, Inc; Assistant Treasurer, American Private Equity Management, L.L.C. (2012-Present); Assistant Treasurer, American Beacon Cayman Transformational Innovation Company, Ltd. (2017-2018); Treasurer, American Beacon Cayman Managed Futures Strategy Fund, Ltd. (2022-Present); Treasurer (2022-Present) and Assistant Treasurer (2018-2022), American Beacon Cayman TargetRisk Company, Ltd.; Assistant Treasurer (2018-2021), Principal Accounting Officer and Treasurer (2021), American Beacon Sound Point Enhanced Income Fund; Assistant Treasurer (2019-2021), Principal Accounting Officer and Treasurer (2021), American Beacon Apollo Total Return Fund; Assistant Treasurer, American Beacon Funds (2011-2021); Assistant Treasurer, American Beacon Select Funds (2011-2021); Assistant Treasurer, American Beacon Institutional Funds Trust (2017-2021).

Christina E. Sears
(51)

Chief Compliance Officer
since 2004

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), Vice President (2016-2020), Alpha Quant Advisors, LLC; Chief Compliance Officer (2018-2019), Vice President (2018-2022), 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
(53)

Assistant Treasurer
since 2021

Assistant Treasurer
since 2021

Fund Tax Manager (2020-Present), Manager, Tax (2014-2020), Resolute Investment Services, Inc.; Assistant Treasurer, American Beacon Cayman Managed Futures Strategy Fund, Ltd. (2022-Present); Assistant Treasurer, American Beacon Cayman TargetRisk Company, Ltd (2022-Present); Assistant Treasurer, American Beacon Sound Point Enhanced Income Fund (2021); Assistant Treasurer, American Beacon Apollo Total Return Fund (2021).

Shelley D. Abrahams
(48)

Assistant Secretary
since 2008

Assistant Secretary
since 2017

Corporate Governance Manager (2023-Present), Senior Corporate Governance & Regulatory Specialist (2020-2023), Corporate Governance & Regulatory Specialist (2017-2020), Resolute Investment Services, Inc.; Assistant Secretary, American Beacon Cayman Managed Futures Strategy Fund, Ltd. (2022-Present); Assistant Secretary, American Beacon Cayman TargetRisk Company, Ltd (2022-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
(38)

Assistant Secretary
since 2021

Assistant Secretary
since 2021

Assistant Secretary (2022-Present), Associate General Counsel (2021-Present), American Beacon Advisors, Inc.; Assistant Secretary (2021-Present), Resolute Investment Distributors, Inc.; Assistant Secretary (2022-Present), Associate General Counsel (2021-Present), Resolute Investment Managers, Inc.; Assistant Secretary (2022-Present), 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
(64)

Assistant Secretary
since 2015

Assistant Secretary
since 2017

Assistant Secretary and Associate General Counsel (2015-Present), American Beacon Advisors, Inc.; Assistant Secretary (2018-2021), Resolute Investment Distributors, Inc.; Assistant Secretary and Associate General Counsel (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 (2020-2022), Continuous Capital, LLC.; Assistant Secretary, American Beacon Sound Point Enhanced Income Fund (2018-2021); Assistant Secretary, American Beacon Apollo Total Return Fund (2018-2021).

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

33  


 

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

The Fund invests exclusively in non-voting securities and is therefore not expected to vote proxies relating to portfolio securities. If the Fund were to vote any proxies, the 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.  

As of the date of this SAI, the Manager is the sole shareholder of the Fund.

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.

AHL Partners LLP (“AHL”)

Controlling Person/Entity

Basis of Control

Nature of Controlling Person/Entity’s Business

Man Investments Limited

Managing Member holding over 50.1% of the voting rights

Investment management firm founded in 1987

Man Group plc

Ultimate Parent Company

Investment management firm

The Trust, on behalf of the Fund, and the Manager have entered into an Investment Advisory Agreement with AHL pursuant to which the Fund has agreed to pay  AHL an annualized sub-advisory fee that is calculated and accrued daily equal to XX and XX  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 for an initial period of two years and thereafter 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.

Because the Fund had not commenced operations prior to the date of this SAI, no subadvisory fees have been paid to AHL.

Pursuant to a separate agreement, AHL also serves as the sub-advisor of the Subsidiary. AHL does not receive additional compensation for its management of the Subsidiary.

In rendering investment advisory services to the Fund, the sub-advisor may use the resources of one or more foreign (non-U.S.) affiliates that are not registered under the Investment Advisers Act of 1940, as amended (the “Investment Sub-Advisor’s Foreign Affiliates”), to provide portfolio management, research and trading services to the Fund. Under a Participating Affiliate Agreement, each of the Investment Sub-Advisor’s Foreign Affiliates are considered Participating Affiliates of the sub-advisor pursuant to applicable guidance from the staff of the SEC allowing U.S. registered advisers to use investment advisory and trading resources of unregistered advisory affiliates subject to the regulatory supervision of the registered adviser. Each Participating Affiliate and any of their respective employees who provide services to the Fund are considered under the Participating Affiliate Agreement to be “supervised persons” of the sub-advisor as that term is defined in the Investment Advisers Act of 1940, as amended.

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

34 


 

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, L.P.

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 Funds’ 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. Pursuant to a separate agreement, the Manager also serves as the manager of the Subsidiary. The Manager does not receive additional compensation for its management of the Subsidiary.

Because the Fund had not commenced operations prior to the date of this SAI, no fees have been paid to the Manager.

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 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 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 the Fund through broker-dealers and other financial intermediaries who require compensation for their expenses in order to offer shares of the Fund. The Board has not authorized  Y Class and R6 Class shares of the Fund to pay any fees pursuant to a distribution plan.

Because the Fund had not commenced operations prior to the date of this SAI, the Fund has not paid any distribution fees pursuant to the distribution plans.

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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 and C 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 0.25% 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 shares, but not R6 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 and Y 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.

Because the Fund had not commenced operations prior to the date of this SAI, no service fees have been paid.

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 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 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.

Since the Fund had not commenced operations prior to the date of this SAI, no underwriting discounts and commissions, compensation on redemptions and repurchases, brokerage commissions or other compensation have been paid to, or retained by, the Distributor.

OTHER SERVICE PROVIDERS

State Street, located at One Congress Street, Suite 1, Boston, Massachusetts 02114-2016, serves as custodian for the Fund  and the Subsidiary. 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 cash balances for certain series of the American Beacon Funds Complex.

SS&C  GIDS, 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 Fund’s independent registered public accounting firm is XX, which is located at XX.

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 XX XX, 20XX.

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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

Russell Korgaonkar

XX ($XX bil)

XX ($XX bil)

XX ($XX bil)

XX ($XX bil)

XX ($XX bil)

XX ($XX bil)

Otto van Hemert

XX ($XX bil)

XX ($XX bil)

XX ($XX bil)

XX ($XX bil)

XX ($XX bil)

XX ($XX bil)

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 December 31, 2022.

The portfolio managers, in performing their duties with the sub-advisor, manage accounts other than the Fund (collectively with other accounts managed by the sub-advisor and its affiliates, “Other Accounts”). The Fund has no interest in these activities. It is possible that conflicts of interest may arise in connection with the portfolio managers’ management of the Fund’s investments on the one hand and the investments of Other Accounts for which the portfolio managers are responsible for on the other. For example, a portfolio manager may have conflicts of interest in allocating management time, resources and investment opportunities among the Fund and Other Accounts he advises. In addition, due to differences in the investment strategies or restrictions between the Fund and the Other Accounts, a portfolio manager may take action with respect to another account that differs from the action taken with respect to the Fund. In some cases, another account managed by a portfolio manager may compensate the investment adviser based on the performance of the securities held by that account. The existence of such a performance based fee may create additional conflicts of interest for the portfolio manager in the allocation of management time, resources and investment opportunities. Whenever conflicts of interest arise, the portfolio manager will report such potential conflict to the compliance department in accordance with the policies and procedures of the sub-advisor.

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 December 31, 2022.

Portfolio managers at the sub-advisor are compensated through a base salary and discretionary bonus. Base salaries are benchmarked against key competitors, using external market data providers. Annual discretionary bonuses are based on assessments of personal, team and company performance. Portfolio managers’ discretionary bonus compensation therefore is based upon the profitability of the sub-advisor and the wider Man Group. Portfolio managers will typically have part of their discretionary bonus mandatorily deferred, with the proportion deferred increasing as total compensation increases. A share or fund award is granted in respect of the deferred portion and will typically be subject to a three-year vesting period. The share awards grant participant a conditional right over Man Group plc shares and the fund awards grant a conditional right over units in investment products managed by Man Group entities. For portfolio managers at the sub-advisor, at least 25% of the deferred portion is mandatorily deferred into one of the investment products that they manage and they can elect that up to 100% of the deferred portion is deferred into units of investment products managed by Man Group entities (or up to 75% for portfolio managers who are members of the Man Group executive committee). The remainder of the deferred portion will be deferred into share awards. There are no other special compensation schemes for the portfolio managers.

Ownership of the Fund

The Portfolio Managers’ beneficial ownership of the Fund is defined as the Portfolio Managers 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 Managers’ immediate family or by a trust of which the Portfolio Managers are a trustee could be considered ownership by the Portfolio Managers. The Fund had not commenced operations prior to the date of this SAI. Accordingly, the Portfolio Managers do not beneficially own any shares of the Fund as of the date of this SAI.

PORTFOLIO SECURITIES TRANSACTIONS

In selecting brokers or dealers to execute particular transactions, the Manager and the sub-advisor, where appropriate and permitted by law, may 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, where appropriate and permitted by law, 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 services provided, viewed in terms of that particular transaction or, where appropriate and permitted by law, 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

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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), where appropriate and permitted by law, 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 and where appropriate and permitted by law, 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 and permitted by law, 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.

The Fund had not commenced operations prior to the date of this SAI. Accordingly: no brokerage commissions were paid by the Fund during the previous three fiscal years; the Fund did not receive any compensation as a result of participation in the commission recapture program; the Fund directed no transactions to brokers in part because of research services provided and paid no commissions on such transactions; and 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
 

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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 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 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.
 

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;
 

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“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 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.

 

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 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.

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Taxation of the Fund

The Fund intends 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, or other income, including gains from options, futures or forward contracts, derived with respect to its business of investing in securities or those currencies and (2) net income derived from an interest in a “qualified publicly traded partnership” (“QPTP”) (“Qualifying Income”) (“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 as described in clause (1);

 

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, 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 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 requalifying 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

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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.

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 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 Subsidiary

The Fund invests a portion of its assets (not exceeding the amount permitted by the 25% Diversification Requirement) in its Subsidiary, which is classified as a corporation for federal tax purposes. A foreign corporation, such as a Subsidiary, generally is not subject to federal income tax unless it is engaged in the conduct of a trade or business in the United States. The Subsidiary is and will be operated in a manner that is expected to meet the requirements of a safe harbor under Section 864(b)(2) of the Internal Revenue Code, under which it can trade in certain commodities or stocks or securities for its own account without being deemed to be so engaged. If, however, certain of the Subsidiary’s activities do not meet those safe harbor requirements, it might be considered as engaging in the conduct of such a trade or business. Even if the Subsidiary is not so engaged, and thus does not have income “effectively connected” with such conduct, it could be subject to a withholding tax at a rate of 30% on all or a portion of its U.S.-source gross income.

The Subsidiary is treated as a “controlled foreign corporation” (a “CFC”), and the Fund is a “United States shareholder” of its Subsidiary (as both terms are defined in the Internal Revenue Code). As a result, the Fund utilizing a Subsidiary is required to include in its gross income each taxable year all of its Subsidiary’s “subpart F income,” which generally is treated as ordinary income; it is expected that virtually all of the Subsidiary’s income will be “subpart F income.” If the Subsidiary realizes a net loss, that loss will not be available to offset the Fund’s income. The Fund’s inclusion of the

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respective Subsidiary’s “subpart F income” in its gross income increases the Fund’s tax basis in its shares of its Subsidiary. Distributions by the Subsidiary to the Fund are not taxable to the extent of its previously undistributed “subpart F income” and reduce the Fund’s tax basis in those shares.

Although income derived directly from commodities, including certain commodity-linked derivative instruments, is not considered Qualifying Other Income, the IRS issued numerous private letter rulings (“PLRs”) beginning in 2006 that a RIC’s inclusion of “subpart F income” from a wholly owned CFC (such as the Subsidiary) is Qualifying Other Income. A PLR may be cited as precedent, however, only by the taxpayer(s) to which it is issued. Moreover, in July 2011, the IRS suspended the issuance of new such PLRs. Treasury regulations published on March 19, 2019, provide that the income a RIC is deemed under the Internal Revenue Code to constructively derive from a CFC in which the RIC invests as part of its business of investing in stock and securities will be Qualifying Other Income. Additionally, distributions the CFC makes to the RIC out of its associated earnings and profits for the applicable taxable year (“Annual E&P”) will qualify as dividends and, therefore, Qualifying Income for a RIC.

In 2016, the IRS issued a revenue procedure, which provides that the IRS will not “ordinarily” issue PLRs on any issue relating to the treatment of a corporation as a RIC that requires a determination of whether a financial instrument or position is a “security.” Accordingly, future PLRs regarding the status of commodity-linked notes and other commodity-linked derivative instruments will be rarely issued, if at all. The federal income tax treatment of the Fund’s income from its Subsidiary also may be adversely affected further by future legislation, other Treasury regulations, and/or other guidance issued by the IRS that could affect the character, timing of recognition, and/or amount of the Fund’s taxable income and/or net capital gain and, therefore, the distributions it makes. See “-Taxation of the Fund” above regarding the federal income tax consequences if the Fund failed to qualify as a RIC for any taxable year.

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 or before December 31 of that year even 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 the 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 any foreign taxes it pays. Pursuant to the election, the 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 the 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 the 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 the 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 the 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.

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

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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 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 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, 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 (having current effect) 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 (for example, 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 Y Class with an initial investment of less than $100,000: (i) employees of the Manager, or its

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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 Y Class upon termination of the class of shares in which the shareholders were originally invested is also eligible for purchasing shares of the Y Class with an initial investment of less than $100,000.

The Y Class was 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 Fund’s independent registered public accounting firm, XX, 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. Shareholders will receive annual audited financial statements and semi-annual unaudited financial statements. As of the date of this SAI, the Fund had not commenced operations. Accordingly, financial statements are not available for the Fund.

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APPENDIX A

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 StocksThe 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 have speculative elements and are 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. By their terms, hybrid securities allow for the omission of scheduled dividends, interest, or principal payments, which can potentially result in impairment if such an omission occurs. Hybrid securities may also be subject to contractually allowable write-downs of principal that could result in impairment. Together with the hybrid indicator, the long-term obligation rating assigned to a hybrid security is an expression of the relative credit risk associated with that security.

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 commitments 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 exposure 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 commitments 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 commitments on the obligation. Adverse business, financial, or economic conditions will likely impair the obligor’s capacity or willingness to meet its financial commitments 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 commitments 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 commitments 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 with obligations that are rated higher. An obligation rated 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 the next 30 calendar days. The D rating also will be 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 debt restructuring. An SD (selective default) 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 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 credit risk. They are assigned only in cases 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 credit 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 credit 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

A-1  


 

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 or economic conditions are more likely to impair this capacity. This is the lowest investment grade category.

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 credit risk, particularly in the event of adverse changes in business or economic conditions over time; however, business or financial alternatives may be available to allow financial commitments to be met. Obligations rated B are deemed to be highly speculative. B ratings indicate that material credit 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. CCC ratings indicate that substantial credit risk is present. CC ratings indicate very high levels of credit risk. C indicates exceptionally high levels of credit risk Obligations rated C indicate a default or default-like process had begun, or the issuer is in standstill, or for a closed funding vehicle, payment capacity is irrevocably impaired. Ratings in the categories of ‘CCC’, ‘CC’, and ‘C’ can also relate to obligations or issuers that are in default. In this case, the rating does not opine on default risk but reflects the recovery expectation only. 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 or distressed debt exchange 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) ordinary 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 that 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. 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 obligation rating category, or to corporate finance obligation ratings in the categories below CCC.

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 designation denotes superior credit quality. Excellent protection is afforded by the superior short-term credit strength of the liquidity provider and structural and legal protections. The MIG/VMIG 2 designation 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 designation 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 designation 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 debt restructuring, 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 commitments 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 commitments 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 the highest rating category. However, the obligor’s capacity to meet its financial commitments 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 weaken the obligor’s capacity to meet its financial commitments 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 commitments; however, it faces major ongoing uncertainties which could lead to the obligor’s inadequate capacity to meet its financial commitments 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 commitments on the obligation. A short-term obligation rated 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,

A-2 


 

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 debt restructuring. 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.

A short-term issuer or obligation rating is based in all cases on the short-term vulnerability to default of the rated entity and relates to the capacity to meet financial obligations in accordance with the documentation governing the relevant obligation. Short-term deposit ratings may be adjusted for loss severity. Fitch Rating’s Short-Term Ratings are assigned to obligations whose initial maturity is viewed as “short term” based on market convention (a long-term rating can also be used to rate an issue with short maturity). Typically, this means up to 13 months for corporate, sovereign, and structured obligations and up to 36 months for obligations in U.S. public finance markets. 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. RD is 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.

A-3  


 

APPENDIX B

GLOSSARY

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

CCO

Chief Compliance Officer

CDSC

Contingent Deferred Sales Charge

CFTC

Commodity Futures Trading Commission

CPO

Commodity Pool Operator

Denial of Services

A cybersecurity incident that results in customers or employees being unable to access electronic systems

Dividends

Distributions from a 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

ETN

Exchange-Traded Note

EU

European Union

FINRA

Financial Industry Regulatory Authority, Inc.

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

A Fund’s Management Agreement with the Manager

Manager

American Beacon Advisors, Inc.

Moody’s

Moody’s Investors Service, Inc.

NAV

Net asset value

NDF

Non-deliverable forward contracts

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

B-1  

 

 

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)(i)

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

 

(2)(ii)

Certificate of Designation for American Beacon Frontier Markets Income Fund, is incorporated by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 317, filed July 31, 2018 (“PEA No. 317”)

 

(2)(iii)

Amendment to Designation of Series for American Beacon Developing World Income Fund, dated January 4, 2023, is incorporated by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 401, filed February 27, 2023 (“PEA No. 401”)

 

(3)(i)

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    

 

(3)(ii)

Amendment to Designation of Series for American Beacon FEAC Floating Rate Income Fund, dated January 3, 2023, is incorporated by reference to PEA No. 401

 

(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 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

 

(9)(ii)

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

 

(9)(iii)

Amendment to Designation of Series for American Beacon EAM  International Small Cap Fund, dated January 23, 2023, is incorporated by reference to PEA No. 401

 

(10)

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

 

(11)(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

 

(11)(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”)

 

(12)

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”)

 

(13)

Certificate of Designation for American Beacon AHL Multi-Alternatives Fund, dated XX - (to be filed by amendment)

(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”)

2 


 

Number

Exhibit Description

 

(1)(C)

Twentieth Amendment to Management Agreement by and among American Beacon Funds, American Beacon Select Funds and American Beacon Advisors, Inc., dated October 18, 2022, is incorporated by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 397, filed October 28, 2022 (“PEA No. 397”)

 

(1)(D)

Twenty-First Amendment to Management Agreement by and among American Beacon Funds, American Beacon Select Funds and American Beacon Advisors, Inc., dated January 31, 2023, is incorporated by reference to PEA No. 401

 

(1)(E)

Twenty-Second Amendment to Management Agreement by and among American Beacon Funds, American Beacon Select Funds and American Beacon Advisors, Inc., dated XX - (to be filed by amendment)

 

(1)(F)

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)(G)

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

 

(1)(H)

Management Agreement between American Beacon Cayman Multi-Alternatives Company, Ltd. and American Beacon Advisors, Inc., dated XX - (to be filed by amendment)

 

(2)(A)(i)

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)(A)(ii)

Amendment to Investment Advisory Agreement among American Beacon Funds, American Beacon Advisors, Inc., and Barrow, Hanley, Mewhinney & Strauss, LLC, dated February 9, 2022, is incorporated by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 394, filed April 29, 2022 (“PEA No. 394”)

 

(2)(A)(iii)

Second Amendment to Investment Advisory Agreement among American Beacon Funds, American Beacon Advisors, Inc., and Barrow, Hanley, Mewhinney & Strauss, LLC, effective October 12, 2022, is incorporated by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 399, filed December 23, 2022 (“PEA No. 399”)

 

(2)(B)(i)

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, is incorporated by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 392, filed December 27, 2021 (“PEA No. 392”)

 

(2)(B)(ii)

Amendment to 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 January 1, 2022, is incorporated by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 393, filed February 28, 2022 (“PEA No. 393”)

 

(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 Hotchkis and Wiley Capital Management LLC, dated April 30, 2015, is incorporated by reference to PEA No. 231

 

(2)(D)(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)(D)(iii)

Second Amendment to Investment Advisory Agreement among American Beacon Funds, American Beacon Advisors, Inc., and Hotchkis and Wiley Capital Management LLC, dated February 9, 2022, is incorporated by reference to PEA No. 394

 

(2)(E)

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)(F)

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)(G)

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)(H)

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)(I)(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)(I)(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

3  


 

Number

Exhibit Description

 

(2)(I)(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)(J)(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)(J)(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)(K)

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)(L)

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)(M)(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

 

(2)(M)(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)(M)(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)(M)(iv)

Third Amendment to Investment Advisory Agreement among American Beacon Funds, American Beacon Advisors, Inc. and AHL Partners LLP, dated XX - (to be filed by amendment)

 

(2)(N)(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)(N)(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)(O)

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)(P)

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)(Q)

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 Post-Effective Amendment No. 389, filed August 27, 2021 (“PEA No. 389”)

 

(2)(R)

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)(S)

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)(T)(i)

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)(T)(ii)

First Amendment to Investment Advisory Agreement among American Beacon Funds, American Beacon Advisors, Inc. and abrdn Investments Limited (formerly known as Aberdeen Asset Managers Limited), effective January 4, 2023, is incorporated by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 403, filed April 27, 2023 (“PEA No. 403”)

 

(2)(U)

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)(V)

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)(W)

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 Post-Effective Amendment No. 362, filed February 14, 2020 (“PEA No. 362”)

 

(2)(X)

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

 

(2)(Y)

Investment Advisory Agreement among American Beacon Funds, American Beacon Advisors, Inc. and DePrince, Race & Zollo, Inc., dated January 26, 2022, is incorporated by reference to PEA No. 394

4 


 

Number

Exhibit Description

 

(2)(Z)

Investment Advisory Agreement among American Beacon Funds, American Beacon Advisors, Inc. and EAM Global Investors LLC, effective December 31, 2022, is incorporated by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 400, filed December 30, 2022 (“PEA No. 400”)

 

(2)(AA)

Investment Advisory Agreement among American Beacon Funds, American Beacon Advisors, Inc. and First Eagle Alternative Credit, LLC, effective December 31, 2022, is incorporated by reference to PEA No. 400

 

(2)(BB)

Investment Advisory Agreement among American Beacon Cayman Multi-Alternatives Company, Ltd., American Beacon Advisors, Inc., and AHL Partners LLP, dated XX - (to be filed by amendment)

(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

 

(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

 

(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 Post-Effective Amendment No. 329, filed December 17, 2018

 

(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

 

(17)

Sixteenth Amendment to the Distribution Agreement among American Beacon Funds, American Beacon Select Funds and Resolute Investment Distributors, Inc., dated October 18, 2022, is incorporated by reference to PEA No. 397

 

(18)

Seventeenth Amendment to the Distribution Agreement among American Beacon Funds, American Beacon Select Funds and Resolute Investment Distributors, Inc., dated January 31, 2023, is incorporated by reference to PEA No. 401

 

(19)

Eighteenth Amendment to the Distribution Agreement among American Beacon Funds, American Beacon Select Funds and Resolute Investment Distributors, Inc., dated XX - (to be filed by amendment)

(f)

 

Bonus, profit sharing or pension plans – (none)

5  


 

Number

Exhibit Description

(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

 

(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

 

(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

 

(12)

Amendment to Custodian Agreement between Registrant and State Street Bank and Trust Company, dated February 14, 2023, is incorporated by reference to PEA No. 401

 

(13)

Amendment to Custodian Agreement between Registrant and State Street Bank and Trust Company, dated XX - (to be filed by amendment)

(h)

(1)(A)

Transfer Agency Services Agreement between SS&C  GIDS, Inc. and American Beacon Funds, effective February 1, 2023, is incorporated by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 402, filed March 22, 2023

 

(1)(B)

First Amendment to Transfer Agency Services Agreement between SS&C GIDS, Inc. and American Beacon Funds, effective XX - (to be filed by amendment)

 

(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

 

(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

6 


 

Number

Exhibit Description

 

(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

 

(2)(M)

Twelfth Amendment to the Sub-Administrative Services Fee Agreement between American Beacon Funds, American Beacon Select Funds, American Beacon Institutional Funds Trust and American Beacon Advisors, Inc., effective May 23, 2022, is incorporated by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 395, filed May 27, 2022 (“PEA No. 395”)

 

(2)(N)

Thirteenth Amendment to the Sub-Administrative Services Fee Agreement between American Beacon Funds, American Beacon Select Funds, American Beacon Institutional Funds Trust and American Beacon Advisors, Inc., effective January 31, 2023, is incorporated by reference to PEA No. 401

 

(2)(O)

Fourteenth Amendment to the Sub-Administrative Services Fee Agreement between American Beacon Funds, American Beacon Select Funds, American Beacon Institutional Funds Trust and American Beacon Advisors, Inc., effective XX - (to be filed by amendment)

 

(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

 

(3)(H)

Seventh Amendment to Securities Lending Authorization Agreement between the American Beacon Funds and State Street Bank and Trust Company, dated November 29, 2022, is incorporated by reference to PEA No. 399

 

(3)(I)

Eighth Amendment to Securities Lending Authorization Agreement between the American Beacon Funds and State Street Bank and Trust Company, effective January 31, 2023, is incorporated by reference to PEA No. 401

 

(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

 

(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

7  


 

Number

Exhibit Description

 

(5)(C)

Second 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, dated August 19, 2022, is incorporated by reference to PEA No. 399

 

(5)(D)

Third 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, dated October 25, 2022, is incorporated by reference to PEA No. 399

 

(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 January 31, 2023, is incorporated by reference to PEA No. 401

 

(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 January 31, 2023, is incorporated by reference to PEA No. 401

 

(10)(A)

Fee Waiver/Expense Reimbursement Agreement for American Beacon NIS Core Plus Bond Fund, effective June 1, 2023, is incorporated by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 404, filed May 25, 2023 (“PEA No. 404”)

 

(10)(B)

Fee Waiver/Expense Reimbursement Agreement effective December 29, 2022 for American Beacon FEAC Floating Rate Income Fund and effective January 1, 2023 for American Beacon SiM High Yield Opportunities Fund,   American Beacon The London Company Income Equity Fund and American Beacon Zebra Small Cap Equity Fund, is incorporated by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 398, filed December 23, 2022  

 

(10)(C)

Fee Waiver/Expense Reimbursement Agreement for American Beacon Garcia Hamilton Quality Bond Fund, American Beacon International Equity Fund and American Beacon EAM International Small Cap Fund, dated February 3, 2023, is incorporated by reference to PEA No. 401

 

(10)(D)

Fee Waiver/Expense Reimbursement Agreement for  American Beacon AHL  TargetRisk  Fund, American Beacon AHL TargetRisk Core Fund, American Beacon Bridgeway Large Cap Growth Fund, American Beacon Stephens Mid-Cap Growth Fund and American Beacon Stephens Small Cap Growth Fund, effective May 1, 2023, is incorporated by reference to PEA No. 403

 

(10)(E)

Fee Waiver/Expense Reimbursement Agreement for American Beacon ARK Transformational Innovation Fund, American Beacon Shapiro Equity Opportunities Fund, American Beacon SSI Alternative Income Fund, American Beacon TwentyFour Strategic Income Fund and American Beacon TwentyFour Sustainable Short Term Bond Fund, effective November 1, 2022, is incorporated by reference to PEA No. 397

 

(10)(F)

Fee Waiver/Expense Reimbursement Agreement for American Beacon Shapiro SMID Cap Equity Fund, dated June 8, 2022, is incorporated by reference to PEA No. 397

 

(10)(G)

Fee Waiver/Expense Reimbursement Agreement for American Beacon SSI Alternative Income Fund, effective December 20, 2022, is incorporated by reference to PEA No. 399

 

(10)(H)

Fee Waiver/Expense Reimbursement Agreement for American Beacon AHL Multi-Alternatives Fund, effective XX - (to be filed by amendment)

(i)

 

Opinion and consent of counsel — (to be filed by amendment)

(j)

 

Consent of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm — (none)

(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

(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 January 31, 2023, is incorporated by reference to PEA No. 401

 

(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 January 31, 2023, is incorporated by reference to PEA No. 401

8 


 

Number

Exhibit Description

(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, and Resolute Investment Distributors, Inc., dated April 7, 2022, is incorporated by reference to PEA No. 394

 

(2)

Code of Ethics  of Barrow, Hanley, Mewhinney & Strauss, Inc., dated December 31, 2018, as amended December 31, 2021, is incorporated by reference to PEA No. 401

 

(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 June 30, 2022, is incorporated by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 396, filed August 26, 2022 (“PEA No. 396”)

 

(5)

Code of Ethics  of Hotchkis and Wiley Capital Management, LLC, dated September 1, 2021, is incorporated by reference to PEA No. 393

 

(6)

Code of Ethics and Personal Investment Policy of Lazard Asset Management LLC, is incorporated by reference to PEA No. 393

 

(7)

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

 

(8)

Code of Ethics of Zebra Capital Management, LLC, effective as of September 1, 2021, is incorporated by reference to PEA No. 392

 

(9)

Code of Ethics of Strategic Income Management, LLC, dated February 2022, is incorporated by reference to PEA No. 399

 

(10)

Code of Ethics of Massachusetts Financial Services Co., dated December 8, 2022, is incorporated by reference to PEA No. 401

 

(11)

Code of Ethics for Stephens Investment Management Group, LLC, dated February 2023, is incorporated by reference to PEA No. 403

 

(12)

Code of Ethics for Bridgeway Capital Management, Inc., dated April 1, 2021, is incorporated by reference to PEA No. 394

 

(13)

Code of Ethics for The London Company of Virginia, LLC, is incorporated by reference to PEA No. 392

 

(14)

Code of Ethics for Global Evolution USA, LLC, dated January 2021, is incorporated by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 388, filed May 27, 2021

 

(15)

Code of Ethics for AHL Partners LLP, amended February 2022, is incorporated by reference to PEA No. 403

 

(16)

Code of Ethics for Garcia Hamilton & Associates, L.P., dated January 2018, is incorporated by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 344, filed February 28, 2019

 

(17)

Code of Ethics for ARK Investment Management LLC, adopted June 30, 2014, as amended June 1, 2021, is incorporated by reference to PEA No. 397

 

(18)

Code of Ethics for TwentyFour Asset Management (US) LP, is incorporated by reference to PEA No. 397

 

(19)

Code of Ethics for Shapiro Capital Management, LLC, is incorporated by reference to PEA No. 391

 

(20)

Code of Ethics for abrdn  Investments Limited, is incorporated by reference to PEA No. 404

 

(21)

Code of Ethics for SSI Investment Management LLC, dated June 28, 2022, is incorporated by reference to PEA No. 397

 

(22)

Code of Ethics for American Century Investment Management, Inc., dated October 29, 1999, as revised August 31, 2022, is incorporated by reference to PEA No. 401

 

(23)

Code of Ethics for National Investment Services of America, LLC, dated May 2022, is incorporated by reference to PEA No. 404

 

(24)

Code of Ethics for DePrince, Race & Zollo, Inc., is incorporated by reference to PEA No. 401

 

(25)

Code of Ethics for EAM  Global Investors LLC, effective October 31, 2022, is incorporated by reference to PEA No. 400

 

(26)

Code of Ethics for First Eagle Alternative Credit, LLC, effective April 2012 and revised October 1, 2021, is incorporated by reference to PEA No. 400

Other Exhibits

 

 

Powers of Attorney for Trustees of American Beacon Funds, American Beacon Select Funds and American Beacon Institutional Funds Trust, effective as of January 31, 2023, is incorporated by reference to PEA No. 401

9  


 

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.

The Trust through the American Beacon AHL Multi-Alternatives Fund, a separate series of the Trust, wholly owns and controls the American Beacon Cayman Multi-Alternatives Company, Ltd. (“Multi-Alternatives Subsidiary”), a company organized under the laws of the Cayman Islands. The Multi-Alternatives Subsidiary’s financial statements will be included, on a consolidated basis, in the American Beacon AHL Multi-Alternatives 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 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.
 

10 


 

 

  (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.

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

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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 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 DePrince, Race & Zollo, Inc. provides that:

9. Liability of Adviser;  Indemnification. 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 shall not be protected against any liability to, and shall 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, against any and all losses, claims, damages, liabilities or litigation (including reasonable legal and other 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 EAM Global Investors LLC  provides that:

9. Liability of Adviser; Indemnification. 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 shall not be protected against any liability to, and shall 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, against any and all losses, claims, damages, liabilities or litigation (including reasonable legal and other 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

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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 First Eagle Alternative Credit, LLC  provides that:

9. Liability of Adviser; Indemnification. The Adviser shall have no liability to the Trust, 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 (“Manager Affiliate”) or any third party arising out of or related to this Agreement, provided however, the Adviser shall not be protected against any liability to, and shall indemnify and hold harmless, the Trust and its shareholders, the Manager, and any Manager Affiliate, against any and all losses, claims, damages, liabilities or litigation (including reasonable legal and other 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; provided, however, that in no case is the Adviser’s indemnity in favor of the Trust, the Manager or Manager Affiliate deemed to protect such person against any liability to which any such person would otherwise be subject by reason of willful misconduct, bad faith or gross negligence in the performance of its duties or by reason of its reckless disregard of its obligations and duties under this Agreement. The indemnification in this Section shall survive the termination of 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 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 expenses), to which the Trust and its shareholders, the Manager or such affiliated person or controlling person may become subject under the securities

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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 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 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:

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 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

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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 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;

 

  (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
 

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  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;

 

  (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.

Name; Current Position with American Beacon Advisors, Inc.

Other Substantial Business and Connections

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Name; Current Position with American Beacon Advisors, Inc.

Other Substantial Business and Connections

Sonia L. Bates; Assistant Treasurer, Vice President, Tax and Fund Reporting

Principal Accounting Officer and Treasurer, American Beacon Funds Complex; Vice President, Fund and Tax Reporting, Resolute Investment Services, Inc.; Vice President, Fund and Tax Reporting, Resolute Investment Managers, Inc.; Assistant Treasurer, American Private Equity Management, LLC; Assistant Treasurer, American Beacon Cayman Transformational Innovation Company, Ltd.; Treasurer, American Beacon Cayman Managed Futures Strategy Fund, Ltd.; Treasurer, American Beacon Cayman TargetRisk Company, Ltd.

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, Vice President and Controller

Vice President and Controller, Resolute Investment Managers, Inc.; Vice President and Controller, Resolute Investment Services, Inc.; Assistant Treasurer, Continuous Capital, LLC

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

Vice President, American Beacon Funds Complex; Senior Vice President, Resolute Investment Managers, Inc.; Senior Vice President, Resolute Investment Services, Inc.; Director and Vice President, Continuous Capital, LLC; Director, National Investment Services of America, LLC; Director, RSW Investments Holdings LLC; Director, Shapiro Capital Management LLC; Director, SSI Investment Management 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 Vice President, American Beacon Cayman Managed Futures Strategy Fund, Ltd.; Director and Vice President, American Beacon Cayman TargetRisk Company, Ltd.

Michael D. Jiang; Assistant Secretary and Associate General Counsel

Assistant Secretary, American Beacon Funds Complex; Assistant Secretary and Associate General Counsel, Resolute Investment Managers, Inc.; Assistant Secretary and Associate General Counsel, Resolute Investment Services, Inc.; Assistant Secretary, Resolute Investment Distributors, Inc.

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

Teresa A. Oxford; Assistant Secretary and Associate General Counsel

Assistant Secretary, American Beacon Funds Complex; Assistant Secretary and Associate General Counsel, Resolute Investment Managers, Inc.; Assistant Secretary and Associate 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 Executive Officer

President, American Beacon Funds Complex; Director and President, Resolute Investment Holdings, LLC; Director and President, Resolute Topco, Inc.; Director and President, Resolute Acquisition, Inc.; Director, President, and CEO, Resolute Investment Managers, Inc.; Director, President, and CEO, Resolute Investment Distributors, Inc.; Director, President, and CEO, Resolute Investment Services, Inc.; Manager and President, American Private Equity Management, L.L.C.; Director, Shapiro Capital Management LLC; Director and Executive Vice President, Continuous Capital, LLC; Director and 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

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.

Gregory Stumm; Senior Vice President, Distribution

Vice President, American Beacon Funds Complex; Senior Vice President, Resolute Investment Managers, Inc.; Senior Vice President, Resolute Investment Services, Inc.; Senior Vice President, Resolute Investment Distributors, Inc.

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 2211 Avenue of the Stars, Suite 2050, Los Angeles, California 90067. The principal address of National Investment Services of America, LLC is 777 E. Wisconsin Avenue, Suite 2350, Milwaukee, Wisconsin 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, TX 75039.

abrdn Investments Limited (“AIL”) is a registered investment adviser and is an investment sub-adviser for the American Beacon Developing World Income Fund. The principal address of AIL is 10 Queens Terrace, Aberdeen, UK, 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 Multi-Alternatives Fund, American Beacon AHL TargetRisk Fund and American Beacon AHL TargetRisk Core Fund. The principal address of AHL is 2 Swan Lane, London, UK 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.

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, MO 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 200 Central Avenue, Suite 1850, St. Petersburg, FL 33701. 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.

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 and American Beacon Small Cap Value Fund. The principal business address of Barrow

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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, TX 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.

DePrince, Race & Zollo, Inc. (“DRZ”), a Florida corporation,  is a registered investment adviser and is an investment sub-advisor for the American Beacon Small Cap Value Fund. The principal office of DRZ is 250 Park Avenue South, Winter Park, FL 32789.   Information as to the officers and directors of DRZ is included in its Form ADV, as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (CRD number 112099), and is incorporated herein by reference.

EAM  Global Investors LLC  (“EAM”), is a registered investment adviser and is an investment sub-advisor for the American Beacon EAM  International Small Cap Fund. The principal address of EAM  is 215 Highway 101, Suite 216, Solana Beach, CA 92075. Information as to the officers and directors of EAM  is included in its Form ADV, as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (CRD  number 170870), and is incorporated herein by reference.

First Eagle Alternative Credit, LLC  (“First Eagle”), is a registered investment adviser and is an investment sub-advisor for the American Beacon FEAC Floating Rate Income Fund. The principal address of First Eagle is 500 Boylston Street, Suite 1250, Boston, MA 02116.   Information as to the officers and directors of First Eagle is included in its Form ADV, as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (CRD  number 150900), 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, TX 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 Developing World Income Fund. The principal address of Global Evolution is 250 Park Avenue, 15th floor, New York, NY 10177, United States. Global Evolution’s parent company is Global Evolution Fondsmaeglerselskab A/S and is located at Buen 11, 2nd floor, 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.

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.

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, MA 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.

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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.

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 2211 Avenue of the Stars, Suite 2050, Los Angeles, CA 90067. 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, AK 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 The London Company Income Equity Fund. The principal place of business address of London Company is 1800 Bayberry Court, Suite 301, Richmond, VA 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.

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 Sustainable Short Term Bond Fund. The principal address of TwentyFour is 1540 Broadway, 38th Floor, New York, NY 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.

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    

Jeffrey K. Ringdahl

220 E. Las Colinas Blvd, STE 1200, Irving, TX    75039

Director, President and CEO

President

Gregory Stumm

220 E. Las Colinas Blvd, STE 1200, Irving, TX    75039

Senior Vice President

Vice President

Rosemary K. Behan

220 E. Las Colinas Blvd, STE 1200, Irving, TX    75039

Secretary

Vice President, Chief Legal Officer and Secretary

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

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, One Congress Street, Suite 1, Boston, Massachusetts 02114-2016; 2) the Manager at American Beacon Advisors, Inc., 220 East Las Colinas Blvd., Suite 1200, Irving, Texas 75039; 3) the Trust’s transfer

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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 has duly caused this Post-Effective Amendment No. 405 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 June 1, 2023.

 

AMERICAN BEACON FUNDS  
     
By: /s/ Jeffrey K. Ringdahl  
  Jeffrey K. Ringdahl  
  President  

Pursuant to the requirements of the 1933 Act, this Post-Effective Amendment No. 405 to the Registration Statement has been signed below by the following persons in the capacities and on the dates indicated.

 

         
Signature   Title   Date
         
/s/ Jeffrey K. Ringdahl   President (Principal Executive Officer)   June 1, 2023
Jeffrey K. Ringdahl        
         
/s/ Sonia L. Bates   Treasurer (Principal Financial Officer and   June 1, 2023
Sonia L. Bates   Principal Accounting Officer)    
         
Gilbert G. Alvarado*   Trustee   June 1, 2023
Gilbert G. Alvarado        
         
Joseph B. Armes*   Trustee   June 1, 2023
Joseph B. Armes        
         
Gerard J. Arpey*   Trustee   June 1, 2023
Gerard J. Arpey        
         
Brenda A. Cline*   Chair and Trustee   June 1, 2023
Brenda A. Cline        
         
Eugene J. Duffy*   Trustee   June 1, 2023
Eugene J. Duffy        
         
Claudia A. Holz*   Trustee   June 1, 2023
Claudia A. Holz        
         
Douglas A. Lindgren*   Trustee   June 1, 2023
Douglas A. Lindgren        
         
Barbara J. McKenna*   Trustee   June 1, 2023
Barbara J. McKenna        

 

* By: /s/ Rosemary K. Behan  
    Rosemary K. Behan
Attorney-In-Fact
 

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EXHIBIT INDEX

Type

Description

None

 

23