N-CSR 1 d341166dncsr.htm N-CSR N-CSR

 

 

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

 

 

FORM N-CSR

 

 

CERTIFIED SHAREHOLDER REPORT OF REGISTERED

MANAGEMENT INVESTMENT COMPANIES

Investment Company Act file number: 811-4984

 

 

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)

 

 

JEFFREY RINGDAHL, JR., PRESIDENT

220 East Las Colinas Boulevard, Suite 1200

Irving, Texas 75039

(Name and address of agent for service)

 

 

Registrant’s telephone number, including area code: (817) 391-6100

Date of fiscal year end: October 31, 2022

Date of reporting period: October 31, 2022

 

 

Form N-CSR is to be used by management investment companies to file reports with the Commission not later than 10 days after the transmission to stockholders of any report that is required to be transmitted to stockholders under Rule 30e-1 under the Investment Company Act of 1940 (17 CFR 270.30e-1). The Commission may use the information provided on Form N-CSR in its regulatory, disclosure review, inspection, and policymaking roles.

A registrant is required to disclose the information specified by Form N-CSR, and the Commission will make this information public. A registrant is not required to respond to the collection of information contained in Form N-CSR unless the Form displays a currently valid Office of Management and Budget (“OMB”) control number. Please direct comments concerning the accuracy of the information collection burden estimate and any suggestions for reducing the burden to Secretary, Securities and Exchange Commission, 450 Fifth Street, NW, Washington, DC 20549-0609. The OMB has reviewed this collection of information under the clearance requirements of 44 U.S.C. § 3507.

 

 

 


ITEM 1. REPORTS TO STOCKHOLDERS.

 


LOGO


About American Beacon Advisors

 

Since 1986, American Beacon Advisors, Inc. has offered a variety of products and investment advisory services to numerous institutional and retail clients, including a variety of mutual funds, corporate cash management, and separate account management.

Our clients include defined benefit plans, defined contribution plans, foundations, endowments, corporations, financial planners, and other institutional investors. With American Beacon Advisors, you can put the experience of a multi-billion dollar asset management firm to work for your company.

BALANCED FUND

The use of fixed-income securities entails interest rate and credit risks. Interest rate risk is the risk that debt securities will decrease in value with increases in market interest rates. Credit risk is the risk that the issuer of a bond will fail to make timely payment of interest or principal; and the decline in an issuer’s credit rating can cause the price of its bonds to go down. Investing in foreign securities may involve heightened risk due to currency fluctuations and economic and political risks. Investing in value stocks may limit downside risk over time; however, the Fund may produce more modest gains than riskier stock funds as a trade-off for this potentially lower risk. The use of futures contracts for cash management may subject the Fund to losing more money than invested. The Fund participates in a securities lending program. Please see the prospectus for a complete discussion of the Fund’s risks. There can be no assurances that the investment objectives of this Fund will be met.

 

Any opinions herein, including forecasts, reflect our judgment as of the end of the reporting period and are subject to change. Each advisor’s strategies and each Fund’s portfolio composition will change depending on economic and market conditions. This report is not a complete analysis of market conditions, and, therefore, should not be relied upon as investment advice. Although economic and market information has been compiled from reliable sources, American Beacon Advisors, Inc. makes no representation as to the completeness or accuracy of the statements contained herein.

 

 

American Beacon Funds

October 31, 2022


Contents

 

 

President’s Message

    1  

Market and Performance Overviews

    2  

Expense Examples

    7  

Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

    9  

Schedules of Investments:

 

American Beacon Balanced Fund

    10  

Financial Statements

    26  

Notes to Financial Statements

    29  

Financial Highlights:

 

American Beacon Balanced Fund

    55  

Federal Tax Information

    61  

Disclosure Regarding Approval of the Management and Investment Advisory Agreements

    62  

Disclosure Regarding Liquidity Risk Management Program

    67  

Trustees and Officers of the American Beacon Funds

    68  

Privacy Policy

    75  

Additional Fund Information

    Back Cover  


President’s Message

 

 

LOGO  

Dear Shareholders,

 

Warren E. Buffett, the “Oracle of Omaha” and billionaire chairman and CEO of Berkshire Hathaway, once said, “Predicting rain doesn’t count. Building arks does.”

 

Mr. Buffet’s plain-spoken words make a great deal of common sense. Figuring out when the next dangerous storm may occur could prove to be an effort in futility if we haven’t also devised a plan for preserving our physical well-being when the thunder rolls and the lightning strikes. The time to build a shelter is before the storm clouds appear on the horizon. The same can also be said about our investment portfolios. Careful planning and fine-tuning can be especially important as we seek to preserve and grow our investment portfolios during periods of economic uncertainty - particularly as we consider the effects of higher inflation, slower economic growth and geopolitical

concerns such as Russia’s war with Ukraine.

None of us has the ability to foresee the future – not even the Oracle of Omaha. To help your investment portfolio weather storms over the long term, we encourage you to work with financial professionals to develop your personal savings plan, conduct annual plan reviews, and make thoughtful, purposeful plan adjustments to better manage your evolving financial needs and goals. By investing in different investment styles and asset classes, you may be able to help mitigate financial risks across your portfolio. By allocating your portfolio according to your risk-tolerance level, you may be better positioned to withstand short-term crises. Through careful planning, you will be better positioned to achieve enduring financial success.

Since 1986, American Beacon has endeavored to provide investors with a disciplined approach to realizing long-term financial goals. As a manager of managers, we strive to provide investment products that may enable investors to participate during market upswings while potentially insulating against market downswings. The investment teams behind our mutual funds seek to produce consistent, long-term results rather than focus only on short-term movements in the markets. In managing our investment products, we emphasize identifying opportunities that offer the potential for long-term financial rewards.

Thank you for entrusting your financial success with American Beacon. For additional information about our investment products or to access your account information, please visit our website at www.americanbeaconfunds.com.

Best Regards,

 

LOGO

Jeffrey K. Ringdahl

President

American Beacon Funds

 

 

1


Domestic Bond and Domestic Equity Market Overviews

October 31, 2022 (Unaudited)

 

 

Domestic Bond Market Overview

For the 12 months ended October 31, 2022, the investment-grade bond market posted a total return of -15.68%, as represented by the Bloomberg US Aggregate Bond Index (the “Index”). The performance reflects a combination of rising interest rates and negative excess returns (or returns relative to similar-duration U.S. Treasuries) from the spread sectors. This qualifies as the worst annual return in the 42-year history of the modern-day bond market. Agency mortgages reported the lowest excess return at -3.5%, followed by the credit sector at -3.0%. Agency bonds and asset-backed securities followed suit at -1.1% and -0.8%, respectively. In total, spread widening resulted in an excess return of -1.9% for the Index during the period. As a result, a majority of the negative performance was due to rising interest rates.

The federal funds rate rose by 3% during the period to 3.25%, and the market expected additional rate hikes over the next several months. The Treasury yield curve began the period under 2%, and yields rose to more than 4% across the entire curve. Additionally, the Federal Reserve (the “Fed”) began its quantitative tightening program, which involved shrinking its balance sheet by $95 billion per month ($60 billion from Treasuries and $35 billion from mortgages) and adding further upward pressure on interest rates.

Twin tailwinds of highly stimulative fiscal and monetary policies followed by a dissipation of the COVID-19 pandemic pushed economic growth and inflation to above-trend levels. Real gross domestic product averaged 3.25% growth year-over-year during the period, and the Consumer Price Index averaged more than 8% – well above the Fed’s target of 2%. As a result, in less than one year, the Fed undertook the largest episode of monetary policy tightening since 2006. As a result of the aggressive tightening, effects were already being felt by period end. The Index of Leading Economic Indicators was negative in six of the past seven months, existing-home sales fell 24% year-over-year according to the National Association of REALTORS®, and the NAHB/Wells Fargo Housing Market Index declined to a very weak reading of 38. Additionally, money supply growth slowed to 2.6% growth year-over-year, as compared to 12.5% at the beginning of the period. A growth rate below 6% has typically been associated with a weak economy and falling inflation. Lastly, fiscal policy quickly changed from historically stimulative to decidedly contractionary as Congress began to struggle with gridlock.

However, by period end, investors were beginning to anticipate that much of the heavy lifting from the Fed was nearing an end. The final stage will be for the Fed to pause on further rate increases and assess the cumulative effects on the economy and inflation thus far.

 

 

2


Domestic Bond and Domestic Equity Market Overviews

October 31, 2022 (Unaudited)

 

 

Domestic Equity Market Overview

U.S. equities posted negative returns for the 12-month period ended October 31, 2022. The broader market, as measured by the Russell 3000® Index, posted a 16.52% loss. Smaller companies led the drawdown with the Russell 2000® Index falling 18.54%. Mid- and large-cap companies followed with losses of 17.17% and 16.38% for the Russell Midcap® and Russell 1000® indexes, respectively. On a relative basis, Value significantly outperformed Growth, with the Russell 3000® Value Index down 7.25% and the Russell 3000® Growth Index down 24.67%. The overall drawdown occurred in fits and starts due to high volatility around geopolitical risks, persistently higher-than-desired inflation, tighter monetary policy from the Federal Reserve (“Fed”) and recession worries.

The period started on a volatile note in November and December of 2021 following news of a new COVID-19 omicron variant, rising inflation and more hawkish comments from the Fed. Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in early 2022 further exacerbated supply chain issues, inflation and overall global uncertainty. Persistently higher-than-expected inflation and a clear shift from the Fed with interest rate increases drove U.S. equities lower through the first and second quarters of 2022. The market had a relief rally at the beginning of the third quarter of 2022 based on some improvement in broader inflation data and hopes that the Fed would pivot sooner rather than later. However, stocks reversed course downward as the Fed committed to continuing to raise rates. October 2022 saw a rebound on the back of solid GDP growth and hopes that the Fed was nearing their terminal rate.

With regard to monetary policy, a strong labor market combined with high inflation resulted in the Fed’s shift toward tighter monetary policy earlier in the year. The Fed began to raise rates in March 2022 with a 25 basis-point (0.25%) increase, followed by a 50 basis-point (0.50%) increase in May, and four consecutive increases of 75 basis points (0.75%) in June, July, September and November. Following the latest increase, the target for the federal funds rate is now 3.75% to 4.0%. Separately, the Fed began reducing the size of its balance sheet in June via quantitative tightening, which is projected to continue and may add upward pressure to longer-term interest rates. At period end, the consensus view was another 50 basis-point (0.50%) increase in December with a terminal rate approximating 5%.

The yield curve remained inverted as longer-term U.S. Treasuries pointed to expectations of either weak economic growth, lower inflation or a Fed pivot; shorter-term rates would indicate the Fed may continue to struggle to curb inflation and balance the tight labor market. The concern is that an inverted yield curve is often viewed as a precursor to a recession. Therefore, investors will likely be monitoring future economic data and the Fed’s policy responses while hoping for resiliency in the economy.

 

 

3


American Beacon Balanced FundSM

Performance Overview

October 31, 2022 (Unaudited)

 

 

The Investor Class of the American Beacon Balanced Fund (the “Fund”) returned -9.40% for the twelve months ended October 31, 2022, outperforming the Balanced Composite Index (40% Bloomberg US Aggregate Bond Index/60% Russell 1000 Value Index) return of -10.24% for the same period.

Comparison of Changes in Value of a $10,000 Investment for the period 10/31/2012 through 10/31/2022

 

 

LOGO

 

Total Returns for the Period ended October 31, 2022   
      

Ticker

    

1 Year

  

3 Years

  

5 Years

 

10 Years

  

Value of  $10,000
10/31/2012-
10/31/2022

R5 Class (1,6)

     AADBX          (9.20 )%        5.21 %        5.43 %       7.50 %      $ 20,601       

Y Class (1,6)

     ACBYX          (9.25 )%        5.14 %        5.36 %       7.44 %      $ 20,489       

Investor Class (1,6)

     AABPX          (9.40 )%        4.91 %        5.12 %       7.16 %      $ 19,974       

Advisor Class (1,6)

     ABLSX          (9.62 )%        4.69 %        4.93 %       6.98 %      $ 19,635       

A Class without sales charge (1,2,6)

     ABFAX          (9.49 )%        4.86 %        5.13 %       7.11 %      $ 19,872       

A Class with sales Charge (1,2,6)

     ABFAX          (14.67 )%        2.82 %        3.89 %       6.48 %      $ 18,733       

C Class without sales charge (1,3,6)

     ABCCX          (10.11 )%        4.12 %        4.36 %       6.47 %      $ 18,726       

C Class with sales charge (1,3,6)

     ABCCX          (11.11 )%        4.12 %        4.36 %       6.47 %      $ 18,726       

 

    

 

 

      

 

 

 

    

 

 

 

    

 

 

 

   

 

 

 

    

 

 

 

Balanced Composite Index (40% Bloomberg US Aggregate Bond Index/60% Russell 1000 Value Index) (4)

    

 

         (10.24 )%        3.25 %        4.46 %       6.67 %      $ 19,065       

Russell 1000® Value Index (5)

    

 

         (7.00 )%        7.31 %        7.21 %       10.30 %      $ 26,647       

Bloomberg US Aggregate Bond Index (5)

    

 

         (15.68 )%        (3.77 )%        (0.54 )%       0.74 %      $ 10,764       

 

1.

Performance shown is historical and is not indicative of future returns. Investment returns and principal value will vary, and shares may be worth more or less at redemption than at original purchase. Performance shown is calculated based on the published end of day net asset values as of date indicated, and current performance may be lower or higher than the performance data quoted. To obtain performance as of the most recent month end, please visit www.americanbeaconfunds.com or call 1-800-967-9009. Fund performance in the table above does not reflect the deduction of taxes a shareholder would pay on distributions or the redemption of shares. Generally accepted accounting principles require adjustments to be made to the net assets of the Fund at period end for financial reporting purposes only; and as such, the total return based on the unadjusted net asset value per share may differ from the total return reported in the financial highlights.

 

 

4


American Beacon Balanced FundSM

Performance Overview

October 31, 2022 (Unaudited)

 

 

2.

A portion of the fees charged to the A Class of the Fund was waived in 2018. Performance prior to waiving fees was lower than the actual returns shown for the five-year and ten-year periods. A Class has a maximum sales charge of 5.75%.

 

3.

A portion of the fees charged to the C Class of the Fund was waived in 2018. Performance prior to waiving fees was lower than the actual returns shown for the five-year and ten-year periods. The maximum contingent deferred sales charge for C Class is 1% for shares redeemed within one year of the date of purchase.

 

4.

To reflect the Fund’s allocation of its assets between investment-grade fixed-income securities and equity securities, the returns of the Russell 1000 Value Index and the Bloomberg US Aggregate Bond Index have been combined in a 60% / 40% proportion, respectively.

 

5.

The Russell 1000® Value Index is an unmanaged index of those stocks in the Russell 1000 Index with lower price-to-book ratios and lower forecasted growth values. Russell 1000 Value Index and Bloomberg US Index are registered trademarks of Frank Russell Company. American Beacon Funds is not promoted, sponsored or endorsed by, nor in any way affiliated with the London Stock Exchange Group plc and its group undertakings (collectively, the “LSE Group”). FTSE Russell is a trading name of certain of the LSE Group companies. LSE Group is not responsible for and has not reviewed the American Beacon Balanced Fund nor any associated literature or publications and LSE Group makes no representation or warranty, express or implied, as to their accuracy, or completeness, or otherwise. All rights in the Russell 1000 Value Index (the “Index”) vest in the relevant LSE Group company which owns the Index. Russell 1000® is a trademark of the relevant LSE Group company and is used by any other LSE Group company under license. The Index is calculated by or on behalf of FTSE International Limited or its affiliate, agent or partner. The LSE Group does not accept any liability whatsoever to any person arising out of (a) the use of, reliance on or any error in the Index or (b) investment in or operation of the Fund. The LSE Group makes no claim, prediction, warranty or representation either as to the results to be obtained from the Fund or the suitability of the Index for the purpose to which it is being put by the Manager. The Bloomberg US Aggregate Bond Index is a broad-based benchmark that measures the investment grade, U.S. dollar-denominated, fixed-rate taxable bond market. BLOOMBERG® is a trademark and service mark of Bloomberg Finance L.P. and its affiliates (collectively, “Bloomberg”). Bloomberg or Bloomberg’s licensors, own all proprietary rights in the Bloomberg Indices. Bloomberg does not approve or endorse this material, or guarantee the accuracy or completeness of any information herein, or make any warranty, express or implied, as to the results to be obtained therefrom and, to the maximum extent allowed by law, shall not have any liability or responsibility for injury or damages arising in connection therewith.

 

6.

The Total Annual Fund Operating Expense ratios set forth in the most recent Fund prospectus for the R5, Y, Investor, Advisor, A, and C Class shares were 0.70%, 0.77%, 0.99%, 1.16%, 1.02%, and 1.75%, respectively. The expense ratios above may vary from the expense ratios presented in other sections of this report that are based on expenses incurred during the period covered by this report.

As of October 31, 2022, the Fund’s asset allocation was 60% in equities (including equitized cash) and 40% in fixed-income securities.

The equity portion of the Fund (excluding equitized cash) returned -4.57% for the period, outperforming the Russell 1000 Value Index (the “Index”) return of -7.00%. The Fund outperformed the Index as both stock selection and sector allocation contributed to outperformance relative to the Index.

Stock selection in the Health Care and Real Estate sectors contributed most of the relative outperformance during the twelve-month period. In the Health Care sector, Elevance Health, Inc. (up 27.3%) and CVS Health Corp. (up 9.4%) performed well. In the Real Estate sector, the Fund’s position in Vici Properties, Inc. (up 7.3%) and MGM Growth Properties LLC Class A (up 8.4%) also contributed. Conversely, positions in Stanley Black & Decker, Inc. (down 54.8%) and Vertiv Holdings, Co. (down 42.0%) detracted from performance within the Industrials sector.

The Fund’s overweight allocation to the Energy sector (up 65.5%) and underweight allocation to the Communication Services sector (down 28.9%) helped performance the most with respect to sector allocation. On the other hand, an underweight allocation to the Consumer Staples sector (up 5.4%) detracted from the Fund’s relative outperformance.

The fixed-income portion of the Fund returned -15.38% for the twelve-month period, outperforming the Bloomberg US Aggregate Bond Index (the “Bloomberg Index”) return of -15.68%. The Fund’s fixed-income performance relative to the Bloomberg Index was helped by security selection but hampered by detractions from sector allocation. Selections in higher-quality securities, such as AA and A, (down 13.6% and 17.2%, respectively), contributed to relative value, as did the Fund’s selections in Service (within Corporates) and U.S. Treasuries (down 16.9% and 12.9%, respectively). However, an overweight allocation to Service (down 19.0%), within Corporates, detracted from value. From a duration perspective, the portfolio’s return was helped most by an overweight allocation to the zero to one year maturity (down 2.1%), but an underweight allocation to the three- to five-year maturity (down 10.8%) detracted from performance.

 

 

5


American Beacon Balanced FundSM

Performance Overview

October 31, 2022 (Unaudited)

 

 

The sub-advisors continue to focus on the disciplined selection of attractive securities that should allow the Fund to benefit long-term.

Top Ten Holdings (% Net Assets)

 

Wells Fargo & Co.           2.0  
Elevance Health, Inc.           1.9  
Hess Corp.           1.8  
American International Group, Inc.           1.7  
General Electric Co.           1.7  
Citigroup, Inc.           1.4  
Phillips 66           1.4  
Oracle Corp.           1.3  
Microsoft Corp.           1.1  
U.S. Treasury Notes, 1.750%, Due 11/15/2029           1.1  
Total Fund Holdings      468       
       
Sector Allocation (% Equities)

 

Financials           20.1  
Energy           13.9  
Health Care           13.7  
Industrials           13.0  
Information Technology           12.6  
Consumer Discretionary           8.7  
Communication Services           7.1  
Materials           5.0  
Utilities           2.3  
Consumer Staples           1.8  
Real Estate           1.8  
       
Sector Allocation (% Fixed Income)

 

U.S. Treasury Obligations           29.9  
U.S. Agency Mortgage-Backed Obligations           19.2  
Financial           15.5  
Technology           5.3  
Asset-Backed Obligations           4.9  
Consumer, Non-Cyclical           4.9  
Communications           4.7  
Industrial           3.9  
Utilities           3.9  
Consumer, Cyclical           3.4  
Energy           3.4  
Commercial Mortgage-Backed Obligations           0.5  
Basic Materials           0.4  
Foreign Sovereign Obligations           0.1  

 

 

6


American Beacon Balanced FundSM

Expense Examples

October 31, 2022 (Unaudited)

 

 

Fund Expense Example

As a shareholder of a Fund, you incur two types of costs: (1) transaction costs, including sales charges (loads) on purchase payments and redemption fees, if applicable, and (2) ongoing costs, including management fees, distribution (12b-1) fees, sub-transfer agent fees, and other Fund expenses. The Examples are intended to help you understand the ongoing cost (in dollars) of investing in the Funds and to compare these costs with the ongoing costs of investing in other mutual funds. The Examples are based on an investment of $1,000 invested at the beginning of the period in each Class and held for the entire period from May 1, 2022 through October 31, 2022.

Actual Expenses

The “Actual” lines of the tables provide information about actual account values and actual expenses. You may use the information on this page, together with the amount you invested, to estimate the expenses that you paid over the period. Simply divide your account value by $1,000 (for example, an $8,600 account value divided by $1,000 = $8.60), then multiply the result by the “Expenses Paid During Period” to estimate the expenses you paid on your account during this period. Shareholders of the Investor and R5 Classes that invest in the Funds through an IRA or Roth IRA may be subject to a custodial IRA fee of $15 that is typically deducted each December. If your account was subject to a custodial IRA fee during the period, your costs would have been $15 higher.

Hypothetical Example for Comparison Purposes

The “Hypothetical” lines of the tables provide information about hypothetical account values and hypothetical expenses based on the Funds’ actual expense ratio and an assumed 5% per year rate of return before expenses (not the Funds’ actual return). You may compare the ongoing costs of investing in the Funds with other funds by contrasting this 5% hypothetical example and the 5% hypothetical examples that appear in the shareholder reports of the other funds. The hypothetical account values and expenses may not be used to estimate the actual ending account balance or expenses you paid for the period. Shareholders of the Investor and R5 Classes that invest in the Funds through an IRA or Roth IRA may be subject to a custodial IRA fee of $15 that is typically deducted each December. If your account was subject to a custodial IRA fee during the period, your costs would have been $15 higher.

You should also be aware that the expenses shown in the table highlight only your ongoing costs and do not reflect any transaction costs charged by the Funds, such as sales charges (loads) or redemption fees, as applicable. Similarly, the expense examples for other funds do not reflect any transaction costs charged by those funds, such as sales charges (loads), redemption fees or exchange fees. Therefore, the “Hypothetical” lines of the tables are useful in comparing ongoing costs only and will not help you determine the relative total costs of owning different funds. If you were subject to any transaction costs during the period, your costs would have been higher.

 

 

7


American Beacon Balanced FundSM

Expense Examples

October 31, 2022 (Unaudited)

 

 

American Beacon Balanced Fund

 

    Beginning Account Value
5/1/2022
  Ending Account Value
10/31/2022
  Expenses Paid  During
Period

5/1/2022-10/31/2022*
R5 Class            
Actual       $1,000.00       $973.60       $3.73
Hypothetical**       $1,000.00       $1,021.43       $3.82
Y Class            
Actual       $1,000.00       $972.70       $4.13
Hypothetical**       $1,000.00       $1,021.02       $4.23
Investor Class            
Actual       $1,000.00       $972.40       $5.27
Hypothetical**       $1,000.00       $1,019.86       $5.40
Advisor Class            
Actual       $1,000.00       $970.80       $6.06
Hypothetical**       $1,000.00       $1,019.06       $6.21
A Class            
Actual       $1,000.00       $971.70       $5.32
Hypothetical**       $1,000.00       $1,019.81       $5.45
C Class            
Actual       $1,000.00       $968.80       $8.98
Hypothetical**       $1,000.00       $1,016.08       $9.20

 

*

Expenses are equal to the Fund’s annualized expense ratios for the six-month period of 0.75%, 0.83%, 1.06%, 1.22%, 1.07%, and 1.81% for the R5, Y, Investor, Advisor, A, and C Classes, respectively, multiplied by the average account value over the period, multiplied by the number derived by dividing the number of days in the most recent fiscal half-year (184) by days in the year (365) to reflect the half-year period.

**

5% return before expenses.

 

 

8


American Beacon Balanced FundSM

Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

 

 

To the Board of Trustees of American Beacon Funds and Shareholders of American Beacon Balanced Fund

Opinion on the Financial Statements

We have audited the accompanying statement of assets and liabilities, including the schedule of investments, of American Beacon Balanced Fund (one of the series constituting American Beacon Funds, referred to hereafter as the “Fund”) as of October 31, 2022, the related statements of operations and of changes in net assets for the year ended October 31, 2022, including the related notes, and the financial highlights for the year ended October 31, 2022 (collectively referred to as the “financial statements”). In our opinion, the financial statements present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of the Fund as of October 31, 2022, the results of its operations, the changes in its net assets, and the financial highlights for the year ended October 31, 2022, in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America.

The financial statements of the Fund as of and for the year ended October 31, 2021 and the financial highlights for each of the periods ended on or prior to October 31, 2021 (not presented herein, other than the statement of changes in net assets and the financial highlights) were audited by other auditors whose report dated December 30, 2021 expressed an unqualified opinion on those financial statements and financial highlights.

Basis for Opinion

These financial statements are the responsibility of the Fund’s management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on the Fund’s financial statements based on our audit. We are a public accounting firm registered with the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States) (PCAOB) and are required to be independent with respect to the Funds in accordance with the U.S. federal securities laws and the applicable rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission and the PCAOB.

We conducted our audit of these financial statements in accordance with the standards of the PCAOB. Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material misstatement, whether due to error or fraud.

Our audit included performing procedures to assess the risks of material misstatement of the financial statements, whether due to error or fraud, and performing procedures that respond to those risks. Such procedures included examining, on a test basis, evidence regarding the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. Our audit also included evaluating the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall presentation of the financial statements. Our procedures included confirmation of securities owned as of October 31, 2022 by correspondence with the custodians, and brokers; when replies were not received from brokers, we performed other auditing procedures. We believe that our audit provides a reasonable basis for our opinion.

/s/ PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP

Boston, Massachusetts

December 30, 2022

We have served as the auditor of one or more investment companies in the American Beacon family of funds since 2016.

 

 

9


American Beacon Balanced FundSM

Schedule of Investments

October 31, 2022

 

 

    Shares       Fair Value
             
COMMON STOCKS - 59.86%            
Communication Services - 4.24%            
Entertainment - 1.15%            
Electronic Arts, Inc.       6,309         $ 794,682
Warner Bros Discovery, Inc.A       52,299           679,887
           

 

 

 
              1,474,569
           

 

 

 
           
Interactive Media & Services - 0.68%            
Alphabet, Inc., Class AA       9,200           869,492
           

 

 

 
           
Media - 1.61%            
Altice USA, Inc., Class AA       27,580           182,304
Comcast Corp., Class A       35,559           1,128,643
News Corp., Class A       22,600           381,262
Omnicom Group, Inc.       2,686           195,406
Paramount Global, Class B       10,200           186,864
           

 

 

 
              2,074,479
           

 

 

 
           
Wireless Telecommunication Services - 0.80%            
T-Mobile U.S., Inc.A       4,110           622,911
Vodafone Group PLC, ADR       34,832           411,366
           

 

 

 
              1,034,277
           

 

 

 
           

Total Communication Services

              5,452,817
           

 

 

 
           
Consumer Discretionary - 5.20%            
Auto Components - 0.99%            
Adient PLCA       4,532           158,530
Aptiv PLCA       3,000           273,210
Goodyear Tire & Rubber Co.A       9,459           120,129
Magna International, Inc.       12,804           713,567
           

 

 

 
              1,265,436
           

 

 

 
           
Automobiles - 0.94%            
General Motors Co.       30,742           1,206,623
           

 

 

 
           
Hotels, Restaurants & Leisure - 1.59%            
Aramark       21,899           799,314
Booking Holdings, Inc.A       150           280,422
Las Vegas Sands Corp.A       25,301           961,691
           

 

 

 
              2,041,427
           

 

 

 
           
Multiline Retail - 0.92%            
Dollar General Corp.       4,648           1,185,472
           

 

 

 
           
Specialty Retail - 0.76%            
Advance Auto Parts, Inc.       4,027           764,808
Lithia Motors, Inc.       1,078           213,606
           

 

 

 
              978,414
           

 

 

 
           

Total Consumer Discretionary

              6,677,372
           

 

 

 
           
Consumer Staples - 1.06%            
Personal Products - 0.52%            
Unilever PLC, ADRB       14,800           673,548
           

 

 

 
           
Tobacco - 0.54%            
Philip Morris International, Inc.       7,478           686,854
           

 

 

 
           

Total Consumer Staples

              1,360,402
           

 

 

 
           

 

See accompanying notes

 

10


American Beacon Balanced FundSM

Schedule of Investments

October 31, 2022

 

 

    Shares       Fair Value
             
COMMON STOCKS - 59.86% (continued)            
Energy - 8.33%            
Energy Equipment & Services - 1.78%            
Baker Hughes Co.       5,900         $ 163,194
Halliburton Co.       32,668           1,189,768
NOV, Inc.       32,800           734,720
Schlumberger NV       3,800           197,714
           

 

 

 
              2,285,396
           

 

 

 
           
Oil, Gas & Consumable Fuels - 6.55%            
APA Corp.       20,014           909,836
Cenovus Energy, Inc.B       12,500           252,500
Hess Corp.       16,272           2,295,654
Marathon Oil Corp.       21,631           658,664
Murphy Oil Corp.       8,000           388,080
Ovintiv, Inc.       6,000           303,900
Phillips 66       17,036           1,776,685
Pioneer Natural Resources Co.       4,573           1,172,563
Shell PLC, ADR       11,935           663,944
           

 

 

 
              8,421,826
           

 

 

 
           

Total Energy

              10,707,222
           

 

 

 
           
Financials - 12.05%            
Banks - 5.29%            
Citigroup, Inc.       37,857           1,736,122
Citizens Financial Group, Inc.       14,868           608,101
First Citizens BancShares, Inc., Class A       330           271,300
M&T Bank Corp.       6,133           1,032,613
U.S. Bancorp       13,383           568,108
Wells Fargo & Co.       56,118           2,580,867
           

 

 

 
              6,797,111
           

 

 

 
           
Capital Markets - 2.50%            
Bank of New York Mellon Corp.       18,515           779,666
Goldman Sachs Group, Inc.       2,917           1,004,936
Northern Trust Corp.       7,991           674,041
State Street Corp.       10,106           747,844
           

 

 

 
              3,206,487
           

 

 

 
           
Consumer Finance - 0.60%            
American Express Co.       3,839           569,900
Capital One Financial Corp.       1,900           201,438
           

 

 

 
              771,338
           

 

 

 
           
Diversified Financial Services - 0.31%            
Corebridge Financial, Inc.       8,900           201,763
Equitable Holdings, Inc.       6,400           195,968
           

 

 

 
              397,731
           

 

 

 
           
Insurance - 3.35%            
Allstate Corp.       5,781           729,851
American International Group, Inc.       39,431           2,247,567
Hartford Financial Services Group, Inc.       8,800           637,208
Willis Towers Watson PLC       3,164           690,417
           

 

 

 
              4,305,043
           

 

 

 
           

Total Financials

              15,477,710
           

 

 

 
           
Health Care - 8.18%            
Health Care Equipment & Supplies - 0.91%            
Medtronic PLC       10,597           925,542
           

 

See accompanying notes

 

11


American Beacon Balanced FundSM

Schedule of Investments

October 31, 2022

 

 

    Shares       Fair Value
             
COMMON STOCKS - 59.86% (continued)            
Health Care - 8.18% (continued)            
Health Care Equipment & Supplies - 0.91% (continued)            
Zimmer Biomet Holdings, Inc.       2,132         $ 241,662
           

 

 

 
              1,167,204
           

 

 

 
           
Health Care Providers & Services - 5.14%            
Centene Corp.A       6,000           510,780
Cigna Corp.       900           290,754
CVS Health Corp.       12,173           1,152,783
Elevance Health, Inc.       4,421           2,417,270
HCA Healthcare, Inc.       2,000           434,940
Humana, Inc.       740           412,979
UnitedHealth Group, Inc.       2,500           1,387,875
           

 

 

 
              6,607,381
           

 

 

 
           
Pharmaceuticals - 2.13%            
GSK PLC, ADR       5,554           184,226
Merck & Co., Inc.       12,317           1,246,480
Perrigo Co. PLC       27,527           1,108,788
Sanofi, ADR       4,503           194,665
           

 

 

 
              2,734,159
           

 

 

 
           

Total Health Care

              10,508,744
           

 

 

 
           
Industrials - 7.81%            
Aerospace & Defense - 0.64%            
Boeing Co.A       2,900           413,279
Raytheon Technologies Corp.       4,300           407,726
           

 

 

 
              821,005
           

 

 

 
           
Air Freight & Logistics - 0.77%            
FedEx Corp.       6,200           993,736
           

 

 

 
           
Construction & Engineering - 0.92%            
AECOM       14,083           1,060,168
Fluor Corp.A       4,100           124,066
           

 

 

 
              1,184,234
           

 

 

 
           
Electrical Equipment - 0.81%            
Vertiv Holdings Co.       72,740           1,040,910
           

 

 

 
           
Industrial Conglomerates - 1.71%            
General Electric Co.       28,162           2,191,285
           

 

 

 
           
Machinery - 2.40%            
CNH Industrial NV       38,380           496,637
Cummins, Inc.       2,172           531,076
Deere & Co.       3,002           1,188,252
PACCAR, Inc.       3,839           371,730
Stanley Black & Decker, Inc.       6,360           499,196
           

 

 

 
              3,086,891
           

 

 

 
           
Road & Rail - 0.56%            
JB Hunt Transport Services, Inc.       4,199           718,323
           

 

 

 
           

Total Industrials

              10,036,384
           

 

 

 
           
Information Technology - 7.55%            
Communications Equipment - 1.00%            
F5, Inc.A       6,400           914,624

 

See accompanying notes

 

12


American Beacon Balanced FundSM

Schedule of Investments

October 31, 2022

 

 

    Shares       Fair Value
             
COMMON STOCKS - 59.86% (continued)            
Information Technology - 7.55% (continued)            
Communications Equipment - 1.00% (continued)            
Telefonaktiebolaget LM Ericsson, ADRB       67,620         $ 376,643
           

 

 

 
              1,291,267
           

 

 

 
           
Electronic Equipment, Instruments & Components - 0.61%            
Corning, Inc.       11,795           379,445
TE Connectivity Ltd.       3,258           398,226
           

 

 

 
              777,671
           

 

 

 
           
IT Services - 1.54%            
Cognizant Technology Solutions Corp., Class A       12,063           750,922
Fidelity National Information Services, Inc.       12,440           1,032,395
Fiserv, Inc.A       1,900           195,206
           

 

 

 
              1,978,523
           

 

 

 
           
Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment - 1.23%            
Broadcom, Inc.       1,802           847,156
Micron Technology, Inc.       6,700           362,470
QUALCOMM, Inc.       3,171           373,100
           

 

 

 
              1,582,726
           

 

 

 
           
Software - 3.17%            
Microsoft Corp.       6,195           1,438,046
Oracle Corp.       21,517           1,679,832
Workday, Inc., Class AA       6,100           950,502
           

 

 

 
              4,068,380
           

 

 

 
           

Total Information Technology

              9,698,567
           

 

 

 
           
Materials - 2.99%            
Chemicals - 2.90%            
Air Products & Chemicals, Inc.       4,951           1,239,731
Axalta Coating Systems Ltd.A       25,960           605,387
DuPont de Nemours, Inc.       9,452           540,654
International Flavors & Fragrances, Inc.       8,565           836,030
Olin Corp.       9,400           497,730
           

 

 

 
              3,719,532
           

 

 

 
           
Containers & Packaging - 0.09%            
International Paper Co.       3,525           118,475
           

 

 

 
           

Total Materials

              3,838,007
           

 

 

 
           
Real Estate - 1.09%            
Equity Real Estate Investment Trusts (REITs) - 1.09%            
VICI Properties, Inc.       43,845           1,403,917
           

 

 

 
           
Utilities - 1.36%            
Electric Utilities - 1.36%            
Pinnacle West Capital Corp.       12,563           844,359
PPL Corp.       34,247           907,203
           

 

 

 
              1,751,562
           

 

 

 
           

Total Utilities

              1,751,562
           

 

 

 
           

Total Common Stocks (Cost $63,970,350)

              76,912,704
           

 

 

 
           

 

See accompanying notes

 

13


American Beacon Balanced FundSM

Schedule of Investments

October 31, 2022

 

 

    Principal Amount       Fair Value
             
CORPORATE OBLIGATIONS - 14.09%            
Basic Materials - 0.07%            
Chemicals - 0.04%            
EI du Pont de Nemours & Co., 1.700%, Due 7/15/2025     $ 55,000         $ 50,341
           

 

 

 
           
Forest Products & Paper - 0.03%            
International Paper Co., 6.000%, Due 11/15/2041       40,000           37,225
           

 

 

 
           

Total Basic Materials

              87,566
           

 

 

 
           
Communications - 1.02%            
Internet - 0.24%            
Amazon.com, Inc.,            

1.200%, Due 6/3/2027

      250,000           212,451

3.875%, Due 8/22/2037

      105,000           89,056
           

 

 

 
              301,507
           

 

 

 
           
Media - 0.37%            

Charter Communications Operating LLC/Charter Communications Operating Capital,
2.800%, Due 4/1/2031

      50,000           37,873

3.500%, Due 3/1/2042

      50,000           31,113

3.700%, Due 4/1/2051

      60,000           35,705
Comcast Corp.,            

3.400%, Due 4/1/2030

      70,000           61,650

1.950%, Due 1/15/2031

      60,000           46,469

6.550%, Due 7/1/2039

      217,000           229,465

2.887%, Due 11/1/2051

      64,000           38,268
           

 

 

 
              480,543
           

 

 

 
           
Telecommunications - 0.41%            

AT&T, Inc., 2.250%, Due 2/1/2032

      50,000           37,565

T-Mobile USA, Inc., 3.875%, Due 4/15/2030

      230,000           203,001
Verizon Communications, Inc.,            

4.329%, Due 9/21/2028

      180,000           168,684

4.500%, Due 8/10/2033

      50,000           44,500

3.400%, Due 3/22/2041

      105,000           74,410
           

 

 

 
              528,160
           

 

 

 
           

Total Communications

              1,310,210
           

 

 

 
           
Consumer, Cyclical - 1.28%            
Airlines - 0.05%            
American Airlines Pass-Through Trust, 3.150%, Due 8/15/2033, Series AA       73,476           60,106
           

 

 

 
           
Auto Manufacturers - 0.49%            

American Honda Finance Corp., 2.000%, Due 3/24/2028

      55,000           46,209

Toyota Motor Credit Corp.,
2.500%, Due 3/22/2024

      115,000           111,106

1.800%, Due 2/13/2025

      500,000           465,759
           

 

 

 
              623,074
           

 

 

 
           
Home Furnishings - 0.02%            
Whirlpool Corp., 4.600%, Due 5/15/2050       35,000           25,211
           

 

 

 
           
Lodging - 0.04%            
Marriott International, Inc., 5.000%, Due 10/15/2027       60,000           57,731
           

 

 

 
           
Retail - 0.68%            
AutoNation, Inc., 3.850%, Due 3/1/2032       90,000           69,965

 

See accompanying notes

 

14


American Beacon Balanced FundSM

Schedule of Investments

October 31, 2022

 

 

    Principal Amount       Fair Value
             
CORPORATE OBLIGATIONS - 14.09% (continued)            
Consumer, Cyclical - 1.28% (continued)            
Retail - 0.68% (continued)            
Home Depot, Inc., 2.950%, Due 6/15/2029     $ 500,000         $ 440,406
Tractor Supply Co., 1.750%, Due 11/1/2030       60,000           44,494
Walmart, Inc.,            

2.375%, Due 9/24/2029

      150,000           128,201

7.550%, Due 2/15/2030

      169,000           195,796
           

 

 

 
              878,862
           

 

 

 
           

Total Consumer, Cyclical

              1,644,984
           

 

 

 
           
Consumer, Non-Cyclical - 1.25%            
Agriculture - 0.04%            
Cargill, Inc., 1.375%, Due 7/23/2023C       50,000           48,662
           

 

 

 
           
Biotechnology - 0.03%            
Amgen, Inc., 4.400%, Due 5/1/2045       55,000           44,224
           

 

 

 
           
Commercial Services - 0.11%            
Moody’s Corp., 2.550%, Due 8/18/2060       50,000           25,461
Quanta Services, Inc.,            

2.900%, Due 10/1/2030

      85,000           67,012

3.050%, Due 10/1/2041

      70,000           42,653
           

 

 

 
              135,126
           

 

 

 
           
Food - 0.03%            
Mondelez International, Inc., 1.500%, Due 2/4/2031       50,000           36,796
           

 

 

 
           
Health Care - Services - 0.51%            
Children’s Health System of Texas, 2.511%, Due 8/15/2050       65,000           35,900
Community Health Network, Inc., 3.099%, Due 5/1/2050, Series 20 A       80,000           46,847
Health Care Service Corp. A Mutual Legal Reserve Co., 3.200%, Due 6/1/2050C       40,000           25,394
Kaiser Foundation Hospitals, 3.002%, Due 6/1/2051, Series 2021       50,000           30,750
UnitedHealth Group, Inc.,            

0.550%, Due 5/15/2024

      350,000           327,409

3.875%, Due 12/15/2028

      140,000           130,143

5.875%, Due 2/15/2053

      60,000           61,082
           

 

 

 
              657,525
           

 

 

 
           
Pharmaceuticals - 0.53%            
AbbVie, Inc.,            

4.450%, Due 5/14/2046

      45,000           35,853

4.875%, Due 11/14/2048

      60,000           51,121
Bristol-Myers Squibb Co., 3.400%, Due 7/26/2029       588,000           533,755
CVS Health Corp., 4.300%, Due 3/25/2028       39,000           36,576
Viatris, Inc., 3.850%, Due 6/22/2040       35,000           21,748
           

 

 

 
              679,053
           

 

 

 
           

Total Consumer, Non-Cyclical

              1,601,386
           

 

 

 
           
Energy - 0.70%            
Oil & Gas - 0.30%            
Chevron USA, Inc., 2.343%, Due 8/12/2050       50,000           29,444
ConocoPhillips Co., 2.125%, Due 3/8/2024       135,000           129,964
Diamondback Energy, Inc.,            

3.125%, Due 3/24/2031

      120,000           97,969

4.250%, Due 3/15/2052

      65,000           46,724
Phillips 66 Co., 3.750%, Due 3/1/2028C       65,000           58,348

 

See accompanying notes

 

15


American Beacon Balanced FundSM

Schedule of Investments

October 31, 2022

 

 

    Principal Amount       Fair Value
             
CORPORATE OBLIGATIONS - 14.09% (continued)            
Energy - 0.70% (continued)            
Oil & Gas - 0.30% (continued)            
Pioneer Natural Resources Co., 2.150%, Due 1/15/2031     $ 25,000         $ 19,321
           

 

 

 
              381,770
           

 

 

 
           
Pipelines - 0.40%            
Cheniere Corpus Christi Holdings LLC, 2.742%, Due 12/31/2039       53,000           38,957
Kinder Morgan, Inc., 4.800%, Due 2/1/2033       35,000           31,230
MPLX LP,            

1.750%, Due 3/1/2026

      75,000           65,374

4.125%, Due 3/1/2027

      40,000           37,074
ONEOK, Inc., 4.550%, Due 7/15/2028       50,000           45,359
Sabine Pass Liquefaction LLC,            

4.200%, Due 3/15/2028

      155,000           141,274

4.500%, Due 5/15/2030

      50,000           45,625
Williams Cos., Inc.,            

2.600%, Due 3/15/2031

      100,000           78,279

5.400%, Due 3/4/2044

      45,000           38,032
           

 

 

 
              521,204
           

 

 

 
           

Total Energy

              902,974
           

 

 

 
           
Financial - 5.12%            
Banks - 3.54%            
Bank of America Corp.,            

4.125%, Due 1/22/2024

      193,000           190,679

1.734%, Due 7/22/2027, (Secured Overnight Financing Rate + 0.960%)D

      350,000           299,577

2.592%, Due 4/29/2031, (Secured Overnight Financing Rate + 2.150%)D

      50,000           39,445

2.299%, Due 7/21/2032, (Secured Overnight Financing Rate + 1.220%)D

      150,000           110,973

2.482%, Due 9/21/2036, (5 yr. CMT + 1.200%)D

      60,000           42,845

6.110%, Due 1/29/2037

      176,000           168,631

2.676%, Due 6/19/2041, (Secured Overnight Financing Rate + 1.930%)D

      80,000           50,510

5.000%, Due 1/21/2044

      65,000           55,432

Citigroup, Inc.,
1.281%, Due 11/3/2025, (Secured Overnight Financing Rate + 0.528%)D

      40,000           36,236

3.400%, Due 5/1/2026

      350,000           324,026

4.412%, Due 3/31/2031, (Secured Overnight Financing Rate + 3.914%)D

      225,000           200,266

5.875%, Due 1/30/2042

      145,000           135,100
Fifth Third Bank NA, 2.250%, Due 2/1/2027       500,000           436,979

Goldman Sachs Group, Inc.,
1.431%, Due 3/9/2027, (Secured Overnight Financing Rate + 0.798%)D

      110,000           94,086

1.542%, Due 9/10/2027, (Secured Overnight Financing Rate + 0.818%)D

      85,000           71,314

2.615%, Due 4/22/2032, (Secured Overnight Financing Rate + 1.281%)D

      55,000           41,960

JPMorgan Chase & Co.,
3.625%, Due 5/13/2024

      434,000           425,047

2.301%, Due 10/15/2025, (Secured Overnight Financing Rate + 1.160%)D

      160,000           149,195

3.782%, Due 2/1/2028, (3 mo. USD LIBOR + 1.337%)D

      85,000           77,340

2.963%, Due 1/25/2033, (Secured Overnight Financing Rate + 1.260%)D

      80,000           62,439

3.882%, Due 7/24/2038, (3 mo. USD LIBOR + 1.360%)D

      90,000           69,990

5.500%, Due 10/15/2040

      313,000           286,766
Morgan Stanley,            

0.864%, Due 10/21/2025, Series I, (Secured Overnight Financing Rate + 0.745%)D

      90,000           81,156

3.591%, Due 7/22/2028, (3 mo. USD LIBOR + 1.340%)D

      100,000           89,601

1.794%, Due 2/13/2032, (Secured Overnight Financing Rate + 1.034%)D

      115,000           82,854

2.239%, Due 7/21/2032, (Secured Overnight Financing Rate + 1.178%)D

      65,000           48,067
Northern Trust Corp., 6.125%, Due 11/2/2032       60,000           59,993

PNC Financial Services Group, Inc.,
3.400%, Due 9/15/2026, Series T, (5 yr. CMT + 2.595%)D E

      80,000           59,700

2.550%, Due 1/22/2030

      500,000           405,455

 

See accompanying notes

 

16


American Beacon Balanced FundSM

Schedule of Investments

October 31, 2022

 

 

    Principal Amount       Fair Value
             
CORPORATE OBLIGATIONS - 14.09% (continued)            
Financial - 5.12% (continued)            
Banks - 3.54% (continued)            

State Street Corp.,
2.354%, Due 11/1/2025, (Secured Overnight Financing Rate + 0.940%)D

    $ 65,000         $ 61,070

2.200%, Due 3/3/2031

      55,000           42,146
Truist Financial Corp., 1.267%, Due 3/2/2027, (Secured Overnight Financing Rate + 0.609%)D       55,000           47,445
U.S. Bancorp, 4.967%, Due 7/22/2033, (Secured Overnight Financing Rate + 2.110%)D       60,000           54,586

Wells Fargo & Co.,
2.572%, Due 2/11/2031, (Secured Overnight Financing Rate + 1.262%)D

      140,000           111,457

5.375%, Due 11/2/2043

      50,000           42,282
           

 

 

 
              4,554,648
           

 

 

 
           
Diversified Financial Services - 0.23%            
American Express Co., 4.200%, Due 11/6/2025       60,000           58,209

Charles Schwab Corp.,
0.750%, Due 3/18/2024

      45,000           42,447

3.250%, Due 5/22/2029

      50,000           44,148
CME Group, Inc., 2.650%, Due 3/15/2032       120,000           96,447
Intercontinental Exchange, Inc., 4.950%, Due 6/15/2052       60,000           51,313
           

 

 

 
              292,564
           

 

 

 
           
Insurance - 0.81%            

Berkshire Hathaway Finance Corp.,
2.300%, Due 3/15/2027

      300,000           269,839

3.850%, Due 3/15/2052

      50,000           36,551
CNA Financial Corp., 4.500%, Due 3/1/2026       65,000           62,683
Fidelity National Financial, Inc., 3.200%, Due 9/17/2051       55,000           29,327

MetLife, Inc.,
6.375%, Due 6/15/2034

      169,000           175,619

4.721%, Due 12/15/2044

      193,000           158,795
Progressive Corp., 2.500%, Due 3/15/2027       55,000           49,067
Prudential Financial, Inc., 4.600%, Due 5/15/2044       313,000           257,463
           

 

 

 
              1,039,344
           

 

 

 
           
REITS - 0.54%            
Alexandria Real Estate Equities, Inc., 1.875%, Due 2/1/2033       50,000           34,566
American Tower Corp., 2.300%, Due 9/15/2031       80,000           59,478
Camden Property Trust, 3.150%, Due 7/1/2029       70,000           59,949

Crown Castle, Inc.,
3.800%, Due 2/15/2028

      50,000           45,057

2.900%, Due 4/1/2041

      55,000           34,644
Digital Realty Trust LP, 3.700%, Due 8/15/2027       55,000           49,837
Prologis LP, 1.250%, Due 10/15/2030       50,000           36,564
Public Storage, 2.250%, Due 11/9/2031       100,000           76,693
Simon Property Group LP, 3.375%, Due 10/1/2024       313,000           301,165
           

 

 

 
              697,953
           

 

 

 
           

Total Financial

              6,584,509
           

 

 

 
           
Industrial - 1.19%            
Aerospace/Defense - 0.28%            

Boeing Co.,
2.750%, Due 2/1/2026

      60,000           54,099

5.805%, Due 5/1/2050

      60,000           51,417
Northrop Grumman Corp., 3.850%, Due 4/15/2045       55,000           41,518
Raytheon Technologies Corp., 6.125%, Due 7/15/2038       217,000           218,397
           

 

 

 
              365,431
           

 

 

 
           

 

See accompanying notes

 

17


American Beacon Balanced FundSM

Schedule of Investments

October 31, 2022

 

 

    Principal Amount       Fair Value
             
CORPORATE OBLIGATIONS - 14.09% (continued)            
Industrial - 1.19% (continued)            
Building Materials - 0.03%            
Martin Marietta Materials, Inc., 0.650%, Due 7/15/2023     $ 40,000         $ 38,692
           

 

 

 
           
Environmental Control - 0.07%            

Waste Connections, Inc.,
2.200%, Due 1/15/2032

      50,000           38,432

4.200%, Due 1/15/2033

      60,000           54,205
           

 

 

 
              92,637
           

 

 

 
           
Machinery - Diversified - 0.33%            
John Deere Capital Corp., 2.450%, Due 1/9/2030       500,000           417,000
           

 

 

 
           
Miscellaneous Manufacturing - 0.04%            
Carlisle Cos., Inc., 2.200%, Due 3/1/2032       65,000           47,749
           

 

 

 
           
Packaging & Containers - 0.07%            
Amcor Flexibles North America, Inc., 2.690%, Due 5/25/2031       35,000           26,861
Berry Global, Inc., 1.650%, Due 1/15/2027       80,000           65,905
           

 

 

 
              92,766
           

 

 

 
           
Transportation - 0.37%            
Burlington Northern Santa Fe LLC,
           

5.750%, Due 5/1/2040

      202,000           199,545

4.450%, Due 1/15/2053

      60,000           50,021
CSX Corp., 5.500%, Due 4/15/2041       157,000           147,794
FedEx Corp., 3.250%, Due 5/15/2041       55,000           36,342
Union Pacific Corp., 4.100%, Due 9/15/2067       55,000           39,630
           

 

 

 
              473,332
           

 

 

 
           

Total Industrial

              1,527,607
           

 

 

 
           
Technology - 1.99%            
Computers - 1.15%            

Apple, Inc.,
1.400%, Due 8/5/2028

      200,000           165,529

2.200%, Due 9/11/2029

      300,000           253,197

3.950%, Due 8/8/2052

      60,000           47,425

Dell International LLC/EMC Corp.,
5.300%, Due 10/1/2029

      140,000           130,973

3.450%, Due 12/15/2051C

      70,000           39,409
Hewlett Packard Enterprise Co., 6.350%, Due 10/15/2045       500,000           450,823
International Business Machines Corp., 4.250%, Due 5/15/2049       500,000           386,523
           

 

 

 
              1,473,879
           

 

 

 
           
Semiconductors - 0.75%            
Entegris Escrow Corp., 4.750%, Due 4/15/2029C       70,000           61,874
Intel Corp., 1.600%, Due 8/12/2028       500,000           412,302

Lam Research Corp.,
3.750%, Due 3/15/2026

      35,000           33,549

1.900%, Due 6/15/2030

      65,000           50,893
NVIDIA Corp., 1.550%, Due 6/15/2028       500,000           412,761
           

 

 

 
              971,379
           

 

 

 
           
Software - 0.09%            
Oracle Corp., 4.300%, Due 7/8/2034       82,000           67,376
VMware, Inc., 2.200%, Due 8/15/2031       60,000           43,630
           

 

 

 
              111,006
           

 

 

 
           

Total Technology

              2,556,264
           

 

 

 
           

 

See accompanying notes

 

18


American Beacon Balanced FundSM

Schedule of Investments

October 31, 2022

 

 

    Principal Amount       Fair Value
             
CORPORATE OBLIGATIONS - 14.09% (continued)            
Utilities - 1.47%            
Electric - 1.34%            
American Electric Power Co., Inc., 2.031%, Due 3/15/2024     $ 100,000         $ 95,447
Appalachian Power Co., 4.500%, Due 3/1/2049, Series Y       25,000           19,279
Berkshire Hathaway Energy Co., 6.125%, Due 4/1/2036       235,000           237,945
Consolidated Edison Co. of New York, Inc., 5.500%, Due 12/1/2039, Series 09 C       169,000           154,076
Consumers Energy Co., 2.500%, Due 5/1/2060       55,000           28,671
Dominion Energy, Inc., 3.375%, Due 4/1/2030, Series C       45,000           38,594
DTE Energy Co., 1.050%, Due 6/1/2025, Series F       90,000           80,299
Duke Energy Corp., 2.650%, Due 9/1/2026       75,000           67,801
Duke Energy Progress LLC, 4.150%, Due 12/1/2044       75,000           58,170
Duke Energy Progress NC Storm Funding LLC, 2.387%, Due 7/1/2039, Series A 2       265,000           206,216
Entergy Arkansas LLC, 3.350%, Due 6/15/2052       55,000           35,541
Entergy Corp., 2.800%, Due 6/15/2030       30,000           24,056
Entergy Louisiana LLC, 4.000%, Due 3/15/2033       47,000           40,962
Exelon Corp., 4.050%, Due 4/15/2030       60,000           53,812
Florida Power & Light Co., 3.950%, Due 3/1/2048       50,000           38,542
Kentucky Utilities Co., 3.300%, Due 6/1/2050       55,000           36,012

National Rural Utilities Cooperative Finance Corp.,
1.000%, Due 10/18/2024, Series D

      65,000           59,769

5.450%, Due 10/30/2025

      70,000           70,271
Northern States Power Co., 2.600%, Due 6/1/2051       50,000           29,623
Ohio Power Co., 2.600%, Due 4/1/2030, Series P       60,000           49,100
Oklahoma Gas & Electric Co., 0.553%, Due 5/26/2023       70,000           68,235
Sempra Energy, 3.300%, Due 4/1/2025       110,000           104,090
Vistra Operations Co. LLC, 5.125%, Due 5/13/2025C       130,000           125,539
           

 

 

 
              1,722,050
           

 

 

 
           
Gas - 0.13%            
National Fuel Gas Co., 3.950%, Due 9/15/2027       80,000           70,626
Sempra Global, 3.250%, Due 1/15/2032C       65,000           50,826
Southern California Gas Co., 2.550%, Due 2/1/2030       50,000           41,288
           

 

 

 
              162,740
           

 

 

 
           

Total Utilities

              1,884,790
           

 

 

 
           

Total Corporate Obligations (Cost $21,215,881)

              18,100,290
           

 

 

 
           
FOREIGN CORPORATE OBLIGATIONS - 2.92%            
Basic Materials - 0.08%            
Mining - 0.08%            
Glencore Funding LLC, 2.625%, Due 9/23/2031C       45,000           33,715
Teck Resources Ltd., 6.000%, Due 8/15/2040       75,000           65,804
           

 

 

 
              99,519
           

 

 

 
           

Total Basic Materials

              99,519
           

 

 

 
           
Communications - 0.76%            
Internet - 0.23%            
Alibaba Group Holding Ltd., 3.600%, Due 11/28/2024       313,000           296,545
           

 

 

 
           
Media - 0.26%            
Thomson Reuters Corp.,            

4.300%, Due 11/23/2023

      145,000           143,666

3.850%, Due 9/29/2024

      193,000           185,953
           

 

 

 
              329,619
           

 

 

 
           
Telecommunications - 0.27%            
America Movil SAB de CV, 6.375%, Due 3/1/2035       169,000           169,021
Deutsche Telekom International Finance BV, 4.875%, Due 3/6/2042C       150,000           123,411

 

See accompanying notes

 

19


American Beacon Balanced FundSM

Schedule of Investments

October 31, 2022

 

 

    Principal Amount       Fair Value
             
FOREIGN CORPORATE OBLIGATIONS - 2.92% (continued)            
Communications - 0.76% (continued)            
Telecommunications - 0.27% (continued)            
TELUS Corp., 3.400%, Due 5/13/2032     $ 60,000         $ 49,130
           

 

 

 
              341,562
           

 

 

 
           

Total Communications

              967,726
           

 

 

 
           
Consumer, Non-Cyclical - 0.57%            
Agriculture - 0.09%            
BAT Capital Corp., 2.259%, Due 3/25/2028       80,000           63,375
Reynolds American, Inc., 5.700%, Due 8/15/2035       60,000           50,631
           

 

 

 
              114,006
           

 

 

 
           
Beverages - 0.48%            
Anheuser-Busch Cos. LLC/Anheuser-Busch InBev Worldwide, Inc., 4.900%, Due 2/1/2046       35,000           29,906
Anheuser-Busch InBev Worldwide, Inc.,            

4.375%, Due 4/15/2038

      35,000           29,813

5.450%, Due 1/23/2039

      500,000           468,444

5.550%, Due 1/23/2049

      35,000           32,900
Coca-Cola Femsa SAB de CV, 2.750%, Due 1/22/2030       70,000           58,899
           

 

 

 
              619,962
           

 

 

 
           

Total Consumer, Non-Cyclical

              733,968
           

 

 

 
           
Energy - 0.55%            
Oil & Gas - 0.33%            
Saudi Arabian Oil Co., 4.375%, Due 4/16/2049C       500,000           388,750
TotalEnergies Capital International SA, 3.127%, Due 5/29/2050       50,000           32,849
           

 

 

 
              421,599
           

 

 

 
           
Pipelines - 0.22%            
Enbridge, Inc., 2.500%, Due 2/14/2025       70,000           65,387
TransCanada PipeLines Ltd.,            

3.750%, Due 10/16/2023

      145,000           142,663

6.100%, Due 6/1/2040

      82,000           78,041
           

 

 

 
              286,091
           

 

 

 
           

Total Energy

              707,690
           

 

 

 
           
Financial - 0.69%            
Banks - 0.60%            
Mitsubishi UFJ Financial Group, Inc., 2.193%, Due 2/25/2025       75,000           69,160
Royal Bank of Canada,            

2.250%, Due 11/1/2024

      115,000           108,019

1.200%, Due 4/27/2026

      500,000           431,368
Toronto-Dominion Bank, 3.250%, Due 3/11/2024       160,000           155,530
           

 

 

 
              764,077
           

 

 

 
           
Financial Services - 0.09%            
AerCap Ireland Capital DAC/AerCap Global Aviation Trust, 3.000%, Due 10/29/2028       150,000           121,109
           

 

 

 
           

Total Financial

              885,186
           

 

 

 
           
Industrial - 0.27%            
Aerospace/Defense - 0.23%            
BAE Systems Holdings, Inc., 3.800%, Due 10/7/2024C       313,000           302,713
           

 

 

 
           

 

See accompanying notes

 

20


American Beacon Balanced FundSM

Schedule of Investments

October 31, 2022

 

 

    Principal Amount       Fair Value
             
FOREIGN CORPORATE OBLIGATIONS - 2.92% (continued)            
Industrial - 0.27% (continued)            
Transportation - 0.04%            
Canadian Pacific Railway Co., 3.100%, Due 12/2/2051     $ 75,000         $ 47,488
           

 

 

 
           

Total Industrial

              350,201
           

 

 

 
           

Total Foreign Corporate Obligations (Cost $4,224,985)

              3,744,290
           

 

 

 
           
FOREIGN SOVEREIGN OBLIGATIONS - 0.04% (Cost $69,937)            
Mexico Government International Bonds, 4.600%, Due 1/23/2046       65,000           47,630
           

 

 

 
           
ASSET-BACKED OBLIGATIONS - 1.83%            
Ally Auto Receivables Trust, 3.310%, Due 11/15/2026, 2022 1 A3       110,000           106,639
AmeriCredit Automobile Receivables Trust,            

0.370%, Due 8/18/2025, 2021 1 A3

      61,756           60,531

0.340%, Due 12/18/2026, 2021 2 A3

      70,000           67,460

4.380%, Due 4/18/2028, 2021 2 A3

      90,000           87,951
BMW Vehicle Owner Trust, 3.210%, Due 8/25/2026, 2022 A A3       55,000           53,178
Capital One Multi-Asset Execution Trust, 0.550%, Due 7/15/2026, 2021 A1 A1       115,000           106,766
CNH Equipment Trust,            

1.160%, Due 6/16/2025, 2020 A A3

      46,737           45,905

0.400%, Due 12/15/2025, 2021 A A3

      95,000           90,942
Ford Credit Auto Lease Trust, 3.230%, Due 5/15/2025, 2022 2 A3       150,000           146,247
Ford Credit Auto Owner Trust, 1.530%, Due 5/15/2034, 2021 2 AC       110,000           95,162
GM Financial Automobile Leasing Trust,            

1.900%, Due 3/20/2025, 2022 1 A3

      105,000           100,780

4.010%, Due 9/22/2025, 2022 3 A3

      90,000           88,156
GM Financial Consumer Automobile Receivables Trust, 1.490%, Due 12/16/2024, 2020 2 A3       16,036           15,844
GM Financial Revolving Receivables Trust, 1.170%, Due 6/12/2034, 2021 1 AC       90,000           77,047
Honda Auto Receivables Owner Trust, 1.880%, Due 5/15/2026, 2022 1 A3       120,000           113,576
John Deere Owner Trust,            

2.320%, Due 9/16/2026, 2022 A A3

      95,000           90,289

3.740%, Due 2/16/2027, 2022 B A3

      100,000           97,173
Mercedes-Benz Auto Lease Trust, 0.400%, Due 11/15/2024, 2021 B A3       150,000           144,435
New Economy Assets Phase 1 Sponsor LLC, 1.910%, Due 10/20/2061, 2021 1 A1C       125,000           104,691
PSNH Funding LLC, 3.094%, Due 2/1/2026, 2018 1 A1       29,725           29,333
Taco Bell Funding LLC, 2.294%, Due 8/25/2051, 2021 1A A2IIC       99,250           77,315
Toyota Auto Loan Extended Note Trust, 1.350%, Due 5/25/2033, 2020 1A AC       135,000           121,296
Toyota Auto Receivables Owner Trust,            

1.360%, Due 8/15/2024, 2020 B A3

      54,825           54,128

1.230%, Due 6/15/2026, 2022 A A3

      95,000           89,758
Verizon Master Trust, 0.500%, Due 5/20/2027, 2021 1 A       200,000           185,890
Volkswagen Auto Loan Enhanced Trust, 1.020%, Due 6/22/2026, 2021 1 A3       110,000           103,725
           

 

 

 
           

Total Asset-Backed Obligations (Cost $2,515,876)

              2,354,217
           

 

 

 
           
COMMERCIAL MORTGAGE-BACKED OBLIGATIONS - 0.19%            
BX Commercial Mortgage Trust, 4.112%, Due 9/15/2036, 2021 VOLT A, (1 mo. USD LIBOR + 0.700%)C D       140,000           132,985
Cold Storage Trust, 4.312%, Due 11/15/2037, 2020 ICE5 A, (1 mo. USD LIBOR + 0.900%)C D       113,044           109,587
           

 

 

 
           

Total Commercial Mortgage-Backed Obligations (Cost $253,044)

              242,572
           

 

 

 
           
U.S. AGENCY MORTGAGE-BACKED OBLIGATIONS - 7.17%            
Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corp.,            

3.500%, Due 9/1/2028

      15,280           14,772

3.000%, Due 11/1/2032

      53,767           49,693

5.000%, Due 8/1/2033

      18,837           18,726

5.500%, Due 2/1/2034

      18,594           19,011

2.500%, Due 6/1/2035

      75,830           68,464

 

See accompanying notes

 

21


American Beacon Balanced FundSM

Schedule of Investments

October 31, 2022

 

 

    Principal Amount       Fair Value
             
U.S. AGENCY MORTGAGE-BACKED OBLIGATIONS - 7.17% (continued)            
Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corp., (continued)            

2.000%, Due 3/1/2036

    $ 212,844         $ 187,261

2.000%, Due 10/1/2040

      82,797           68,528

2.000%, Due 1/1/2041

      192,022           158,927

4.000%, Due 1/1/2041

      50,811           47,800

4.500%, Due 2/1/2041

      35,904           34,693

2.500%, Due 9/1/2041

      301,594           256,208

2.500%, Due 11/1/2041

      313,410           264,886

3.500%, Due 5/1/2042

      153,305           136,763

3.500%, Due 6/1/2042

      160,274           145,746

3.000%, Due 4/1/2047

      173,445           150,553

3.500%, Due 1/1/2048

      162,136           145,894

4.000%, Due 4/1/2048

      76,288           70,772

3.000%, Due 8/1/2048

      121,600           104,974

3.000%, Due 11/1/2049

      120,193           102,887

2.500%, Due 11/1/2051

      152,043           125,549

2.500%, Due 5/1/2052

      123,049           101,329
           

 

 

 
              2,273,436
           

 

 

 
Federal National Mortgage Association,            

3.500%, Due 1/1/2028F

      12,738           12,293

5.000%, Due 3/1/2034F

      20,543           20,140

4.500%, Due 4/1/2034

      31,867           30,485

3.000%, Due 10/1/2034

      4,940           4,556

2.000%, Due 11/1/2035F

      154,796           136,209

2.000%, Due 12/1/2035F

      68,972           60,686

2.000%, Due 1/1/2036F

      123,523           108,682

2.000%, Due 5/1/2036

      60,367           53,108

2.000%, Due 6/1/2036

      89,961           79,144

3.500%, Due 6/1/2037

      95,533           88,666

5.500%, Due 6/1/2038

      4,360           4,450

4.500%, Due 1/1/2040

      36,629           35,456

5.000%, Due 5/1/2040

      64,159           64,164

5.000%, Due 6/1/2040

      46,419           46,423

4.000%, Due 9/1/2040

      33,382           31,365

4.000%, Due 1/1/2041

      68,939           64,383

2.500%, Due 11/1/2041

      127,562           107,812

3.000%, Due 6/1/2043

      309,773           271,544

3.500%, Due 7/1/2043

      61,561           55,809

3.000%, Due 8/1/2043

      281,865           246,831

4.000%, Due 11/1/2044F

      43,774           41,020

4.000%, Due 7/1/2045

      176,617           164,944

3.500%, Due 8/1/2045

      32,687           29,442

3.500%, Due 11/1/2045

      296,863           267,398

3.500%, Due 1/1/2046

      121,605           109,535

3.500%, Due 5/1/2046

      30,936           27,865

4.000%, Due 7/1/2046

      64,500           60,442

3.000%, Due 10/1/2046

      24,282           21,081

3.000%, Due 11/1/2046

      148,150           128,565

3.000%, Due 12/1/2046F

      85,692           74,488

3.500%, Due 3/1/2047

      33,504           30,147

4.500%, Due 7/1/2047

      19,253           18,365

4.500%, Due 8/1/2047

      29,079           27,796

3.500%, Due 9/1/2047

      42,353           38,078

4.000%, Due 3/1/2048

      49,503           45,712

4.500%, Due 4/1/2048

      13,700           13,060

4.500%, Due 7/1/2048F

      35,846           34,277

4.500%, Due 7/1/2048

      45,267           43,311

4.500%, Due 10/1/2049

      101,357           96,196

4.000%, Due 11/1/2049

      183,773           169,537

 

See accompanying notes

 

22


American Beacon Balanced FundSM

Schedule of Investments

October 31, 2022

 

 

    Principal Amount       Fair Value
             
U.S. AGENCY MORTGAGE-BACKED OBLIGATIONS - 7.17% (continued)            
Federal National Mortgage Association, (continued)            

2.500%, Due 8/1/2050F

    $ 182,064         $ 150,600

2.500%, Due 8/1/2050

      188,516           155,644

3.000%, Due 8/1/2050

      103,889           88,870

2.500%, Due 9/1/2050

      124,218           102,558

2.500%, Due 10/1/2050F

      57,272           47,211

3.000%, Due 10/1/2050F

      119,200           102,013

3.000%, Due 11/1/2050F

      64,631           55,274

2.000%, Due 3/1/2051F

      468,201           372,147

2.000%, Due 4/1/2051F

      263,969           210,974

3.000%, Due 5/1/2051F

      126,534           108,804

3.000%, Due 6/1/2051

      137,054           116,963

3.500%, Due 6/1/2051F

      154,667           136,595

3.500%, Due 7/1/2051F

      138,653           123,337

3.000%, Due 11/1/2051F

      93,345           79,596

2.500%, Due 2/1/2052

      383,434           315,889
           

 

 

 
              5,129,940
           

 

 

 
Government National Mortgage Association,            

6.500%, Due 8/15/2027

      11,277           11,603

6.500%, Due 11/15/2027

      13,045           13,421

7.500%, Due 12/15/2028

      13,267           13,735

5.500%, Due 7/15/2033

      19,387           20,329

6.000%, Due 12/15/2033

      26,829           28,280

5.500%, Due 2/20/2034

      27,033           27,428

5.000%, Due 10/15/2039

      46,314           46,438

3.500%, Due 9/15/2041

      93,782           86,145

3.500%, Due 8/20/2047

      17,309           15,730

3.500%, Due 10/20/2047

      16,018           14,557

4.000%, Due 1/20/2048

      80,327           75,253

5.000%, Due 1/20/2050

      40,040           39,273

4.500%, Due 2/20/2050

      35,163           33,737

5.000%, Due 2/20/2050

      20,360           20,086

2.500%, Due 4/20/2050

      166,046           141,575

2.500%, Due 6/20/2051

      163,299           138,756

3.000%, Due 6/20/2051

      71,591           62,571

2.500%, Due 7/20/2051

      255,895           217,403

3.000%, Due 8/20/2051

      163,069           143,788

2.500%, Due 11/20/2051

      129,313           109,909

3.000%, Due 12/20/2051

      315,325           275,540

3.500%, Due 1/20/2052

      114,241           102,992

4.000%, Due 3/20/2052

      121,405           112,020

2.500%, Due 4/20/2052

      72,759           61,715
           

 

 

 
              1,812,284
           

 

 

 
           

Total U.S. Agency Mortgage-Backed Obligations (Cost $10,704,070)

              9,215,660
           

 

 

 
           
U.S. TREASURY OBLIGATIONS - 11.16%            
U.S. Treasury Bonds,            

6.875%, Due 8/15/2025

      279,000           296,154

5.250%, Due 11/15/2028

      217,000           227,401

4.750%, Due 2/15/2037

      304,000           322,620

4.500%, Due 8/15/2039

      241,000           246,592

2.250%, Due 5/15/2041

      365,000           262,201

1.750%, Due 8/15/2041

      495,000           321,769

2.750%, Due 8/15/2042

      250,000           192,490

2.875%, Due 5/15/2049

      500,000           387,656

1.375%, Due 8/15/2050

      1,185,000           628,189

2.875%, Due 5/15/2052

      185,000           142,826
           

 

 

 
              3,027,898
           

 

 

 

 

See accompanying notes

 

23


American Beacon Balanced FundSM

Schedule of Investments

October 31, 2022

 

 

    Principal Amount       Fair Value
             
U.S. TREASURY OBLIGATIONS - 11.16% (continued)            
U.S. Treasury Notes,            

2.000%, Due 2/15/2023

    $ 200,000         $ 198,743

1.250%, Due 7/31/2023

      575,000           560,670

2.750%, Due 7/31/2023

      500,000           493,574

2.500%, Due 8/15/2023

      964,000           947,808

2.125%, Due 11/30/2023

      250,000           243,330

2.375%, Due 2/29/2024

      200,000           194,180

0.250%, Due 3/15/2024

      150,000           141,275

1.250%, Due 8/31/2024

      955,000           899,416

1.750%, Due 12/31/2024

      400,000           377,844

1.125%, Due 1/15/2025

      250,000           232,344

1.125%, Due 2/28/2025

      730,000           676,162

2.875%, Due 7/31/2025

      500,000           479,551

0.625%, Due 7/31/2026

      500,000           435,469

1.625%, Due 10/31/2026

      500,000           450,098

2.000%, Due 11/15/2026

      500,000           456,504

1.750%, Due 12/31/2026

      650,000           586,727

1.500%, Due 1/31/2027

      610,000           543,424

2.875%, Due 5/15/2028

      200,000           186,086

2.875%, Due 8/15/2028

      100,000           92,840

2.625%, Due 2/15/2029

      450,000           409,711

2.375%, Due 5/15/2029

      450,000           402,627

1.625%, Due 8/15/2029

      350,000           298,170

1.750%, Due 11/15/2029

      1,700,000           1,459,144

1.500%, Due 2/15/2030

      655,000           548,409
           

 

 

 
              11,314,106
           

 

 

 
           

Total U.S. Treasury Obligations (Cost $15,990,275)

              14,342,004
           

 

 

 
    Shares        
             
SHORT-TERM INVESTMENTS - 2.87% (Cost $3,684,483)            
Investment Companies - 2.87%            
American Beacon U.S. Government Money Market Select Fund, 2.89%G H       3,684,483           3,684,483
           

 

 

 
           
SECURITIES LENDING COLLATERAL - 0.44% (Cost $570,161)            
Investment Companies - 0.44%            
American Beacon U.S. Government Money Market Select Fund, 2.89%G H       570,161           570,161
           

 

 

 
           

TOTAL INVESTMENTS - 100.57% (Cost $123,199,062)

              129,214,011

LIABILITIES, NET OF OTHER ASSETS - (0.57%)

              (734,747 )
           

 

 

 

TOTAL NET ASSETS - 100.00%

            $ 128,479,264
           

 

 

 
             
Percentages are stated as a percent of net assets.                  

A Non-income producing security.

B All or a portion of this security is on loan, collateralized by either cash and/or U.S. Treasuries, at October 31, 2022 (Note 9).

C Security exempt from registration under the Securities Act of 1933. These securities may be resold to qualified institutional buyers pursuant to Rule 144A. At the period end, the value of these securities amounted to $1,976,724 or 1.54% of net assets. The Fund has no right to demand registration of these securities.

D Variable, floating, or adjustable rate securities with an interest rate that changes periodically. Rates are periodically reset with rates that are based on a predetermined benchmark such as a widely followed interest rate such as T-bills, SOFR, LIBOR or PRIME plus a fixed spread. The interest rate disclosed reflects the rate in effect on October 31, 2022.

E Perpetual maturity. The date shown, if any, is the next call date.

F Coupon rate may change based on changes of the underlying collateral or prepayments of principal. The coupon rate shown represents the rate at period end.

G The Fund is affiliated by having the same investment advisor.

H 7-day yield.

 

See accompanying notes

 

24


American Beacon Balanced FundSM

Schedule of Investments

October 31, 2022

 

 

ADR - American Depositary Receipt.

CMT - Constant Maturity Treasury.

DAC - Designated Activity Company.

LIBOR - London Interbank Offered Rate.

LLC - Limited Liability Company.

LP - Limited Partnership.

PLC - Public Limited Company.

PRIME - A rate, charged by banks, based on the U.S. Federal Funds rate.

SOFR - Secured Overnight Financing Rate.

 

Long Futures Contracts Open on October 31, 2022:

 

Equity Futures Contracts  
Description    Number of
Contracts
   Expiration Date    Notional Amount      Contract Value      Unrealized
Appreciation
(Depreciation)
 
CME e-Mini Standard & Poor’s 500 Index Futures    18    December 2022    $ 3,342,858      $ 3,494,700      $ 151,842  
        

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 
         $ 3,342,858      $ 3,494,700      $ 151,842  
        

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

Index Abbreviations:
CME    Chicago Mercantile Exchange.

The Fund’s investments are summarized by level based on the inputs used to determine their values. As of October 31, 2022, the investments were classified as described below:

 

Balanced Fund

  Level 1           Level 2           Level 3           Total  

Assets

 

Common Stocks

  $ 76,912,704       $ -       $ -       $ 76,912,704  

Corporate Obligations

    -         18,100,290         -         18,100,290  

Foreign Corporate Obligations

    -         3,744,290         -         3,744,290  

Foreign Sovereign Obligations

    -         47,630         -         47,630  

Asset-Backed Obligations

    -         2,354,217         -         2,354,217  

Commercial Mortgage-Backed Obligations

    -         242,572         -         242,572  

U.S. Agency Mortgage-Backed Obligations

    -         9,215,660         -         9,215,660  

U.S. Treasury Obligations

    -         14,342,004         -         14,342,004  

Short-Term Investments

    3,684,483         -         -         3,684,483  

Securities Lending Collateral

    570,161         -         -         570,161  
 

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 

Total Investments in Securities - Assets

  $ 81,167,348       $ 48,046,663       $ -       $ 129,214,011  
 

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 

Financial Derivative Instruments - Assets

 

         

Futures Contracts

  $ 151,842       $ -       $ -       $ 151,842  
 

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 

Total Financial Derivative Instruments - Assets

  $ 151,842       $ -       $ -       $ 151,842  
 

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 

U.S. GAAP requires transfers between all levels to/from level 3 be disclosed. During the year ended October 31, 2022, there were no transfers into or out of Level 3.

 

See accompanying notes

 

25


American Beacon Balanced FundSM

Statement of Assets and Liabilities

October 31, 2022

 

 

Assets:

 

Investments in unaffiliated securities, at fair value §

  $ 124,959,367  

Investments in affiliated securities, at fair value

    4,254,644  

Cash

    31  

Cash collateral held at broker for futures contracts

    220,000  

Dividends and interest receivable

    386,226  

Receivable for investments sold

    162,872  

Receivable for fund shares sold

    16,792  

Receivable for tax reclaims

    2,182  

Receivable for variation margin on open futures contracts (Note 5)

    151,848  

Prepaid expenses

    39,274  
 

 

 

 

Total assets

    130,193,236  
 

 

 

 

Liabilities:

 

Payable for investments purchased

    311,980  

Payable for fund shares redeemed

    422,900  

Cash due to broker for futures contracts

    177,308  

Management and sub-advisory fees payable (Note 2)

    106,587  

Service fees payable (Note 2)

    16,347  

Transfer agent fees payable (Note 2)

    9,169  

Payable upon return of securities loaned (Note 9)§

    570,161  

Custody and fund accounting fees payable

    12,791  

Professional fees payable

    70,802  

Trustee fees payable (Note 2)

    771  

Payable for prospectus and shareholder reports

    7,220  

Other liabilities

    7,936  
 

 

 

 

Total liabilities

    1,713,972  
 

 

 

 

Net assets

  $ 128,479,264  
 

 

 

 

Analysis of net assets:

 

Paid-in-capital

  $ 110,530,299  

Total distributable earnings (deficits)A

    17,948,965  
 

 

 

 

Net assets

  $ 128,479,264  
 

 

 

 

Shares outstanding at no par value (unlimited shares authorized):

 

R5 Class

    922,378  
 

 

 

 

Y Class

    2,131,920  
 

 

 

 

Investor Class

    4,639,678  
 

 

 

 

Advisor Class

    87,403  
 

 

 

 

A Class

    1,153,358  
 

 

 

 

C Class

    1,362,987  
 

 

 

 

Net assets:

 

R5 Class

  $ 12,977,305  
 

 

 

 

Y Class

  $ 30,273,662  
 

 

 

 

Investor Class

  $ 54,447,528  
 

 

 

 

Advisor Class

  $ 1,124,266  
 

 

 

 

A Class

  $ 13,482,666  
 

 

 

 

C Class

  $ 16,173,837  
 

 

 

 

Net asset value, offering and redemption price per share:

 

R5 Class

  $ 14.07  
 

 

 

 

Y Class

  $ 14.20  
 

 

 

 

Investor Class

  $ 11.74  
 

 

 

 

Advisor Class

  $ 12.86  
 

 

 

 

A Class

  $ 11.69  
 

 

 

 

A Class (offering price)

  $ 12.40  
 

 

 

 

C Class

  $ 11.87  
 

 

 

 

Cost of investments in unaffiliated securities

  $ 118,944,418  

Cost of investments in affiliated securities

  $ 4,254,644  

§ Fair value of securities on loan

  $ 1,183,054  

A The Fund’s investments in affiliated securities did not have unrealized appreciation (depreciation) at year end.

 

 

See accompanying notes

 

26


American Beacon Balanced FundSM

Statement of Operations

For the year ended October 31, 2022

 

 

Investment income:

 

Dividend income from unaffiliated securities (net of foreign taxes)

  $ 1,920,255  

Dividend income from affiliated securities (Note 2)

    31,815  

Interest income (net of foreign taxes)

    1,624,851  

Income derived from securities lending (Note 9)

    2,877  
 

 

 

 

Total investment income

    3,579,798  
 

 

 

 

Expenses:

 

Management and sub-advisory fees (Note 2)

    823,036  

Transfer agent fees:

 

R5 Class (Note 2)

    4,109  

Y Class (Note 2)

    39,913  

Investor Class

    20,572  

Advisor Class

    232  

A Class

    801  

C Class

    1,193  

Custody and fund accounting fees

    57,949  

Professional fees

    82,450  

Registration fees and expenses

    84,973  

Service fees (Note 2):

 

Investor Class

    206,334  

Advisor Class

    3,381  

A Class

    11,322  

C Class

    15,253  

Distribution fees (Note 2):

 

Advisor Class

    3,698  

A Class

    33,707  

C Class

    195,818  

Prospectus and shareholder report expenses

    23,140  

Trustee fees (Note 2)

    12,866  

Loan expense (Note 10)

    1,687  

Other expenses

    26,254  
 

 

 

 

Total expenses

    1,648,688  
 

 

 

 

Net investment income

    1,931,110  
 

 

 

 

Realized and unrealized gain (loss) from investments:

 

Net realized gain (loss) from:

 

Investments in unaffiliated securitiesA

    13,652,401  

Commission recapture (Note 1)

    12  

Foreign currency transactions

    (368

Futures contracts

    (717,500

Change in net unrealized (depreciation) of:

 

Investments in unaffiliated securitiesB

    (30,964,378

Futures contracts

    (20,782
 

 

 

 

Net (loss) from investments

    (18,050,615
 

 

 

 

Net (decrease) in net assets resulting from operations

  $ (16,119,505
 

 

 

 

Foreign taxes

  $ 10,289  

A The Fund did not recognize net realized gains (losses) from the sale of investments in affiliated securities.

 

B The Fund’s investments in affiliated securities did not have a change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation) at year end.

 

 

See accompanying notes

 

27


American Beacon Balanced FundSM

Statement of Changes in Net Assets

 

 

    Year Ended
October 31, 2022
          Year Ended
October 31, 2021
 

Increase (decrease) in net assets:

     

Operations:

     

Net investment income

  $ 1,931,110       $ 1,975,674  

Net realized gain from investments in unaffiliated securities, commission recapture, foreign currency transactions, and futures contracts

    12,934,545         14,551,895  

Change in net unrealized appreciation (depreciation) of investments in unaffiliated securities and futures contracts

    (30,985,160       36,525,055  
 

 

 

     

 

 

 

Net increase (decrease) in net assets resulting from operations

    (16,119,505       53,052,624  
 

 

 

     

 

 

 

Distributions to shareholders:

 

Total retained earnings:

     

R5 Class

    (1,823,210       (2,868,929

Y Class

    (3,321,953       (5,530,045

Investor Class

    (7,892,846       (10,889,450

Advisor Class

    (149,432       (246,705

A Class

    (1,361,049       (1,705,799

C Class

    (1,993,250       (3,318,336
 

 

 

     

 

 

 

Net distributions to shareholders

    (16,541,740       (24,559,264
 

 

 

     

 

 

 

Capital share transactions (Note 11):

     

Proceeds from sales of shares

    29,778,307         41,247,243  

Reinvestment of dividends and distributions

    15,879,719         23,515,594  

Cost of shares redeemed

    (73,095,956       (77,566,519
 

 

 

     

 

 

 

Net (decrease) in net assets from capital share transactions

    (27,437,930       (12,803,682
 

 

 

     

 

 

 

Net increase (decrease) in net assets

    (60,099,175       15,689,678  
 

 

 

     

 

 

 

Net assets:

     

Beginning of year

    188,578,439         172,888,761  
 

 

 

     

 

 

 

End of year

  $ 128,479,264       $ 188,578,439  
 

 

 

     

 

 

 

 

See accompanying notes

 

28


American Beacon Balanced FundSM

Notes to Financial Statements

October 31, 2022

 

 

1.  Organization and Significant Accounting Policies

American Beacon Funds (the “Trust”) is organized as a Massachusetts business trust. The Fund, a series within the Trust, is registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the “Act”), as a diversified, open-end management investment company. As of October 31, 2022, the Trust consists of twenty-five active series, one of which is presented in this filing: American Beacon Balanced Fund (the “Fund”). The remaining twenty-four active series are reported in separate filings.

American Beacon Advisors, Inc. (the “Manager”) is a Delaware corporation and a wholly-owned subsidiary of Resolute Investment Managers, Inc. (“RIM”) organized in 1986 to provide business management, advisory, administrative, and asset management consulting services to the Trust and other investors. The Manager is registered as an investment advisor under the Investment Advisers Act of 1940, as amended (the “Advisers Act”). 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.

Recently Adopted Accounting Pronouncements

In March 2020, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) 2020-04, which provides optional expedients and exceptions for contracts, hedging relationships and other transactions affected by the transitioning away from the London Interbank Offered Rate (“LIBOR”) and other reference rates that are expected to be discontinued. The amendments in this ASU are effective for all entities as of March 12, 2020 through December 31, 2022. Management has evaluated the implications of these changes, and has determined that there is no impact to the financial statements.

In October 2020, the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) adopted new regulations governing the use of derivatives by registered investment companies. Rule 18f-4 imposes limits on the amount of derivatives the fund can enter into, eliminated the asset segregation framework used by funds to comply with Section 18 of the Act, and requires funds whose use of derivatives is more than a limited specified exposure to establish and maintain a derivatives risk management program and appoint a derivatives risk manager. While the new rule became effective February 19, 2021, funds were not required to fully comply with the new rule until August 19, 2022. Management has evaluated the implications of these changes, and has determined that there is no impact to the financial statements.

On December 3, 2020, the SEC adopted new rule 2a-5 (Valuation Rule) under the Investment Company Act of 1940, establishing an updated regulatory framework for fund valuation. The Valuation Rule, in part, provides a framework for good faith fair value determination and permits a Board to designate fair value determinations to the fund’s investment adviser. Further, the SEC is rescinding previously issued guidance on related issues. The Valuation Rule became effective on March 8, 2021, with a compliance date of September 8, 2022. Management has evaluated the Valuation Rule, and has determined that there is no impact to the financial statements.

 

 

29


American Beacon Balanced FundSM

Notes to Financial Statements

October 31, 2022

 

 

Class Disclosure

The Fund has multiple classes of shares designed to meet the needs of different groups of investors. The following table sets forth the differences amongst the classes:

 

Class

  

Eligible Investors

   Minimum Initial
Investments
 
R5 Class    Large institutional investors - sold directly or through intermediary channels.    $ 250,000  
Y Class    Large institutional retirement plan investors - sold directly or through intermediary channels.    $ 100,000  
Investor Class    All investors using intermediary organizations, such as broker-dealers or retirement plan sponsors.    $ 2,500  
Advisor Class    All investors who invest through intermediary organizations, such as broker-dealers or third party administrators.    $ 2,500  
A Class    All investors who invest through intermediary organizations, such as broker-dealers or third party administrator. Retail investors who invest directly through a financial intermediary such as a broker, bank, or registered investment advisor which may include a front-end sales charge and a contingent deferred sales charge (“CDSC”).    $ 2,500  
C Class    Retail investors who invest directly through a financial intermediary such as a broker or through employee directed benefit plans with applicable sales charges which may include CDSC.    $ 1,000  

Each class offered by the Trust has equal rights as to assets and voting privileges. Income and non-class specific expenses are allocated daily to each class based on the relative net assets. Realized and unrealized capital gains and losses of each class are allocated daily based on the relative net assets of each class of the respective Fund. Class specific expenses, where applicable, currently include service, distribution, transfer agent fees, and sub-transfer agent fees that vary amongst the classes as described more fully in Note 2.

Significant Accounting Policies

The following is a summary of significant accounting policies, consistently followed by the Fund in preparation of the financial statements. The Fund is considered an investment company and accordingly, follows the investment company accounting and reporting guidance of the FASB Accounting Standards Codification Topic 946, Financial Services – Investment Companies, a part of Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (“U.S. GAAP”).

Security Transactions and Investment Income

Security transactions are recorded as of the trade date for financial reporting purposes. Securities purchased or sold on a when-issued or delayed-delivery basis may be settled beyond a standard settlement period for the security after the trade date.

Dividend income, net of foreign taxes, is recorded on the ex-dividend date, except certain dividends from foreign securities which are recorded as soon as the information is available to the Fund. Tax reclaim accruals are automatically generated on accounting and custody systems at the time of the income event based on the tax databases maintained by the Fund’s custodian. Reconciliations are performed between custody and accounting systems to help ensure reclaim accruals are in line. Interest income, net of foreign taxes, is earned from settlement date, recorded on the accrual basis, and adjusted, if necessary, for accretion of discounts and amortization of premiums. For convertible securities, premiums attributable to the conversion feature are not amortized. Realized gains (losses) from securities sold are determined on the basis of specific lot identification. Estimated tax liabilities on certain foreign securities are recorded on an accrual basis and are reflected as components of interest income or net change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on investments on the Statement of Operations, as appropriate. Tax liabilities realized as a result of such security sales are reflected as a component of net realized gain (loss) on investments on the Statement of Operations. Paydown gains (losses) on mortgage-related and other asset-backed securities, if any, are recorded as components of interest income on the

 

 

30


American Beacon Balanced FundSM

Notes to Financial Statements

October 31, 2022

 

 

Statement of Operations. Income or short-term capital gain distributions received from registered investment companies, if any, are recorded as dividend income. Long-term gain distributions received from registered investment companies, if any, are recorded as realized gains.

Debt obligations may be placed on a non-accrual status and related interest income may be reduced by ceasing current accruals and writing off interest receivable when the collection of all or a portion of interest has become doubtful based on consistently applied procedures. A debt obligation is removed for non-accrual when the issuer resumes interest payments or when collectability of interest is probable. Realized gains (losses) from securities sold are determined on the basis of specific lot identification.

Distributions to Shareholders

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 on a quarterly basis and distributions of realized net capital gains and net gains or losses from foreign currency transactions on an annual basis. The Fund does not have a fixed dividend rate and does not guarantee that it will pay any distributions in any particular period. Dividends to shareholders are determined in accordance with federal income tax regulations, which may differ in amount and character from net investment income and realized gains recognized for purposes of U.S. GAAP. To the extent necessary to fully distribute capital gains, the Fund may designate earnings and profits distributed to shareholders on the redemption of shares.

Commission Recapture

The Fund has established brokerage commission recapture arrangements with certain brokers or dealers. If the Fund’s investment 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. This amount is reported with the net realized gain (loss) in the Fund’s Statement of Operations, if applicable.

Allocation of Income, Trust Expenses, Gains, and Losses

Investment income, realized and unrealized gains and losses from investments of the Fund is allocated daily to each class of shares based upon the relative proportion of net assets of each class to the total net assets of the Fund. Expenses directly charged or attributable to the Fund will be paid from the assets of the Fund. Generally, expenses of the Trust will be allocated among and charged to the assets of the Fund on a basis that the Trust’s Board of Trustees (the “Board”) deems fair and equitable, which may be based on the relative net assets of the Fund or nature of the services performed and relative applicability to the Fund.

Use of Estimates

The preparation of financial statements in conformity with U.S. GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the amounts reported in the financial statements and accompanying notes. Actual results may differ from those estimated.

Other

Under the Trust’s organizational documents, its officers and trustees are indemnified against certain liabilities arising out of the performance of their duties to the Trust. In the normal course of business, the Trust enters into contracts that provide indemnification to the other party or parties against potential costs or liabilities. The Trust’s maximum exposure under these arrangements is dependent on claims that may be made in the future and, therefore, cannot be estimated. The Trust has had no prior claims or losses pursuant to any such agreement.

 

 

31


American Beacon Balanced FundSM

Notes to Financial Statements

October 31, 2022

 

 

2.  Transactions with Affiliates

Management and Investment Sub-Advisory Agreements

The Fund and the Manager are parties to a Management Agreement that obligates the Manager to provide the Fund with investment advisory and administrative services. As compensation for performing the duties under the Management Agreement, the Manager will 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 $15 billion

     0.35

Next $15 billion

     0.325

Over $30 billion

     0.30

The Trust, on behalf of the Fund, and the Manager have entered into Investment Advisory Agreements with Barrow, Hanley, Mewhinney & Strauss, LLC and Hotchkis and Wiley Capital Management, LLC (the “Sub-Advisor”) pursuant to which the Fund has agreed to pay an annualized sub-advisory fee that is calculated and accrued daily based on the Fund’s average daily net assets.

The Management and Sub-Advisory Fees paid by the Fund for the year ended October 31, 2022 were as follows:

 

    Effective Fee Rate           Amount of Fees Paid  

Management Fees

    0.35     $ 557,973  

Sub-Advisor Fees

    0.17       265,063  
 

 

 

     

 

 

 

Total

    0.52     $ 823,036  
 

 

 

     

 

 

 

As compensation for services provided by the Manager in connection with securities lending activities conducted by the Fund, the lending Fund pays to the Manager, with respect to cash collateral posted by borrowers, a fee of 10% of the net monthly interest income (the gross interest income earned by the investment of cash collateral, less the amount paid to borrowers and related expenses) from such activities and, with respect to loan fees paid by borrowers, a fee of 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. These fees are included in “Income derived from securities lending” and “Management and sub-advisory fees” on the Statement of Operations. During the year ended October 31, 2022, the Manager received securities lending fees of $355 for the securities lending activities of the Fund.

Distribution Plans

Separate Distribution Plans (the “Distribution Plans”) have been adopted pursuant to Rule 12b-1 under the Act for the Advisor, A and C Classes of the Fund. Under the Distribution Plans, as compensation for distribution and shareholder servicing assistance, the Manager receives an annual fee of 0.25% of the average daily net assets of the Advisor and A Classes and 1.00% of the average daily net assets of the C Class. The fee will be payable without regard to whether the amount of the fee is more or less than the actual expenses incurred in a particular month by the Manager for distribution assistance.

Service Plans

The Manager and the Trust entered into a Service Plan that obligates the Manager to oversee additional shareholder servicing of the Investor, Advisor, A and C Classes of the Fund. As compensation for performing the duties required under the Service Plan, the Manager receives an annualized fee up to 0.25% of the average daily net assets of the A and C Classes, up to 0.25% of the average daily net assets of the Advisor Class, and up to 0.375% of the average daily net assets of the Investor Class of the Fund.

 

 

32


American Beacon Balanced FundSM

Notes to Financial Statements

October 31, 2022

 

 

Sub-Transfer Agent Fees

The Manager has entered into agreements, which include servicing agreements, with financial intermediaries that provide recordkeeping, processing, shareholder communications and other services to customers of the intermediaries that hold positions in the R5 and Y Classes of the Fund and has agreed to compensate the intermediaries for providing these services. Intermediaries transact with the Fund primarily through the use of omnibus accounts on behalf of its customers who hold positions in the Fund. Certain services would have been provided by the Fund’s transfer agent and other service providers if the shareholders’ accounts were maintained directly by the Fund’s transfer agent. Accordingly, the Fund, pursuant to Board approval, has agreed to reimburse the Manager for certain non-distribution shareholder services provided by financial intermediaries for the R5 and Y Classes. The reimbursement amounts (sub-transfer agent fees) paid to the Manager are subject to a fee limit of up to 0.10% of an intermediary’s average net assets in the R5 and Y Classes on an annual basis. During the year ended October 31, 2022, the sub-transfer agent fees, as reflected in “Transfer agent fees” on the Statement of Operations, were as follows:

 

Fund

   Sub-Transfer Agent Fees  

Balanced

   $ 41,225  

As of October 31, 2022, the Fund owed the Manager the following reimbursement of sub-transfer agent fees, as reflected in “Transfer agent fees payable” on the Statement of Assets and Liabilities:

 

Fund

   Reimbursement
Sub-Transfer Agent Fees
 

Balanced

   $ 4,592  

Investments in Affiliated Funds

The Fund may invest in the American Beacon U.S. Government Money Market Select Fund (the “USG Select Fund”). Cash collateral received by the Fund in connection with securities lending may also be invested in the USG Select Fund. The Fund listed below held the following shares with an October 31, 2022 fair value and dividend income earned from the investment in the USG Select Fund.

 

Affiliated Security

  Type of
Transaction
        Fund           October 31,
2022
Shares/Principal
          Change in
Unrealized
Gain (Loss)
          Realized
Gain
(Loss)
          Dividend
Income
   

 

    October 31,
2022
Fair Value
 
U.S. Government Money Market Select   Direct       Balanced       $ 3,684,483       $ -       $ -       $ 31,815       $ 3,684,483  
U.S. Government Money Market Select   Securities Lending       Balanced         570,161         -         -         N/A         570,161  

The Fund and the USG Select Fund have the same investment advisor and therefore, are considered to be affiliated. The Manager serves as investment advisor to the USG Select Fund and receives management fees and administrative fees totaling 0.10% of the average daily net assets of the USG Select Fund. During the year ended October 31, 2022, the Manager earned fees on the Fund’s direct investments and securities lending collateral investments in the USG Select Fund as shown below:

 

Fund

   Direct Investments in
USG Select Fund
     Securities Lending
Collateral
Investments in USG
Select Fund
     Total  

Balanced

   $ 4,283      $ 485      $ 4,768  

Interfund Credit Facility

Pursuant to an exemptive order issued by the SEC, the Fund, along with other registered investment companies having management contracts with the Manager, may participate in a credit facility whereby each fund,

 

 

33


American Beacon Balanced FundSM

Notes to Financial Statements

October 31, 2022

 

 

under certain conditions, is permitted to lend money directly to and borrow directly from other participating funds for temporary purposes. The interfund credit facility is advantageous to the funds because it provides added liquidity and eliminates the need to maintain higher cash balances to meet redemptions. This situation could arise when shareholder redemptions exceed anticipated volumes and certain funds have 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, they often do not receive payment in settlement for up to two days (or longer for certain foreign transactions). Redemption requests normally are satisfied on the next business day. The credit facility provides a source of immediate, short-term liquidity pending settlement of the sale of portfolio securities. The credit facility is administered by a credit facility team consisting of professionals from the Manager’s asset management, compliance, and accounting areas who report the activities of the credit facility to the Board. During the year ended October 31, 2022, the Fund borrowed on average $2,569,188 for 6 days at an average interest rate of 2.22% with interest charges of $766. These amounts are recorded as “Other expenses” in the Statement of Operations.

Expense Reimbursement Plan

The Fund has adopted an Expense Reimbursement Plan whereby the Manager may seek repayment of such fee or voluntary reductions and expense reimbursements. Under the policy, the Manager can be reimbursed by the Fund for any contractual or voluntary fee reductions 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 annual operating expenses to exceed the lesser of the contractual percentage limit in effect at the time of the waiver/reimbursement or time of recoupment. During the year ended October 31, 2022 there were no waived fees, expenses reimbursed, or recouped expenses.

Sales Commissions

The Fund’s Distributor, Resolute Investment Distributors, Inc. (“RID” or “Distributor”), may receive a portion of A Class sales charges from broker dealers which may be used to offset distribution related expenses. During the year ended October 31, 2022, RID collected $5,051 from the sale of A Class Shares of the Fund.

A CDSC of 0.50% will be deducted with respect to A Class Shares on certain purchases of $1,000,000 or more that are redeemed in whole or part within 18 months of purchase, unless waived as discussed in the Fund’s Prospectus. Any applicable CDSC will be 0.50% of the lesser of the original purchase price or the value of the redemption of the A Class Shares redeemed. During the year ended October 31, 2022, there were no CDSC fees collected for the A Class Shares of the Fund.

A CDSC of 1.00% will be deducted with respect to C Class Shares redeemed within 12 months of purchase, unless waived as discussed in the Fund’s Prospectus. Any applicable CDSC will be 1.00% of the lesser of the original purchase price or the value of the redemption of the C Class Shares redeemed. During the year ended October 31, 2022, CDSC fees of $862 were collected for C Class Shares of the Fund.

Trustee Fees and Expenses

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 and Compliance 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 video conference to constitute in-person attendance at a Board meeting. The Trustees also may be

 

 

34


American Beacon Balanced FundSM

Notes to Financial Statements

October 31, 2022

 

 

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 only a single $2,500 fee each quarter for her attendance at those meetings. The chairpersons of the Audit and Compliance 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.

3.  Security Valuation and Fair Value Measurements

The price of the Fund’s shares is based on its net asset value (“NAV”) per share. The Fund’s NAV is computed by adding total assets, subtracting all the Fund’s liabilities, and dividing the result by the total number of shares outstanding.

The NAV 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 New York Stock Exchange (“NYSE” or “Exchange”), which is typically 4:00 p.m. Eastern Time (“ET”). However, if trading on the NYSE closes at a time other than 4:00 p.m. ET, 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, including shares of closed-end funds and exchange-traded funds (“ETFs”), are valued at the last sale price or official closing price taken from the primary exchange in which each security trades. Investments in other mutual funds are valued at the closing NAV per share on the day of valuation. Debt securities are valued at bid quotes from broker/dealers or evaluated bid prices from pricing services, who may consider a number of inputs and factors, such as prices of comparable securities, yield curves, spreads, credit ratings, coupon rates, maturity, default rates, and underlying collateral. Futures are valued based on their daily settlement prices. Exchange-traded and over-the-counter (“OTC”) options are valued at the last sale price. Options with no last sale for the day are priced at mid quote. Swaps are valued at evaluated mid prices from pricing services.

The valuation of securities traded on foreign markets and certain fixed-income securities will generally be based on prices determined as of the earlier closing time of the markets on which they primarily trade unless a significant event has occurred. When the Fund holds securities or other assets that are denominated in a foreign currency, the Fund will normally use the currency exchange rates as of 4:00 p.m. ET.

The Valuation Rule establishes requirements for determining fair value in good faith for purposes of the Act, including related oversight and reporting requirements. The Valuation Rule also defines when market quotations are “readily available,” which is the threshold for determining whether a Fund must fair value a security. Among other things, the Valuation Rule permits the Board to designate the Manager 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 Board receives the information it needs to oversee the Manager’s fair value determinations. Effective September 8, 2022, the Board has designated the Manager as valuation designee to perform fair value functions in accordance with the requirements of the Valuation Rule. Prior to September 8, 2022, fair value determinations were made pursuant to methodologies approved by the Board.

Securities may be valued at fair value, as determined in good faith and pursuant to the Manager’s procedures approved by the Board, under certain limited circumstances. For example, fair value pricing will be used for fixed-income securities and when market quotations are not readily available or reliable, as determined by the Manager, such as when (i) trading for a security is restricted or stopped; (ii) a security’s trading market is closed (other than customary closings); or (iii) a security has been de-listed from a national exchange. A security with limited market liquidity may require fair value pricing if the Manager determines that the available price does

 

 

35


American Beacon Balanced FundSM

Notes to Financial Statements

October 31, 2022

 

 

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, fair value pricing may be used on the affected security or securities. Securities of small-capitalization companies are also more likely to require a fair value determination using these procedures because they are more thinly traded and less liquid than the securities of larger-capitalization companies. The Fund may fair value securities as a result of significant events occurring after the close of the foreign markets in which the Fund invests as described below. In addition, the Fund may invest in illiquid securities requiring these procedures.

The Fund may use fair value pricing for securities primarily traded in non-U.S. markets because most foreign markets close well before the Fund’s pricing time of 4:00 p.m. ET. The earlier close of these foreign markets gives rise to the possibility that significant events, including broad market moves, may have occurred in the interim and may materially affect the value of those securities. If the Manager determines that the last quoted prices of non-U.S. securities will, in its judgment, materially affect the value of some or all of the Fund’s portfolio securities, the Manager can adjust the previous closing prices to reflect what it believes to be the fair value of the securities as of the close of the Exchange. In deciding whether it is necessary to adjust closing prices to reflect fair value, the Manager reviews a variety of factors, including developments in foreign markets, the performance of U.S. securities markets, and the performance of instruments trading in U.S. markets that represent foreign securities and baskets of foreign securities. These securities are fair valued using a pricing service, using methods approved by the Manager, that considers the correlation of the trading patterns of the foreign security to intraday trading in the U.S. markets, based on indices of domestic securities and other appropriate indicators such as prices of relevant American Depositary Receipts (“ADRs”) and futures contracts. The Manager’s Valuation Committee, may also fair value securities in other situations, such as when a particular foreign market is closed but the Fund is open. The Fund uses outside pricing services to provide closing prices and information to evaluate and/or adjust those prices. As a means of evaluating its security valuation process, the Valuation Committee routinely compares closing prices, the next day’s opening prices in the same markets and adjusted prices.

Attempts to determine the fair value of securities introduce an element of subjectivity to the pricing of securities. As a result, the price of a security determined through fair valuation techniques may differ from the price quoted or published by other sources and may not accurately reflect the market value of the security when trading resumes. If a reliable market quotation becomes available for a security formerly valued through fair valuation techniques, the Manager compares the new market quotation to the fair value price to evaluate the effectiveness of the Fund’s fair valuation procedures. If any significant discrepancies are found, the Manager may adjust Manager’s fair valuation procedures for the Funds.

Valuation Inputs

Various inputs may be used to determine the fair value of the Fund’s investments. These inputs are summarized in three broad levels for financial statement purposes. The inputs or methodologies used to value securities are not necessarily an indication of the risk associated with investing in those securities.

 

Level 1   -   Quoted prices in active markets for identical securities.
Level 2   -   Prices determined using other significant observable inputs. These may include quoted prices for similar securities, interest rates, prepayment speeds, credit risk, and others.
Level 3   -   Prices determined using other significant unobservable inputs. Unobservable inputs reflect the Fund’s own assumptions about the factors market participants would use in pricing an investment.

Level 1 and Level 2 trading assets and trading liabilities, at fair value

Common stocks, preferred securities and financial derivative instruments, such as futures contracts that are traded on a national securities exchange, are stated at the last reported sale or settlement price on the day of valuation. To the extent these securities are actively traded and valuation adjustments are not applied, they are

 

 

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American Beacon Balanced FundSM

Notes to Financial Statements

October 31, 2022

 

 

categorized as Level 1 of the fair value hierarchy. Preferred securities and other equities traded on inactive markets or valued by reference to similar instruments are generally categorized as Level 2 of the fair value hierarchy.

With respect to the Fund’s investments that do not have readily available market quotations, the Board has designated the Adviser as its valuation designee to perform fair valuations pursuant to Rule 2a-5 under the Act (the “Valuation Designee”). If market prices are not readily available or are deemed unreliable, the Valuation Designee will use the fair value of the security or other instrument as determined in good faith under policies and procedures established by and under the supervision of the Board (“Valuation Procedures”). Market prices are considered not readily available where there is an absence of current or reliable market-based data (e.g., trade information or broker quotes), including where events occur after the close of the relevant market, but prior to the NYSE Close, that materially affect the values of the Fund’s portfolio holdings or assets. In addition, market prices are considered not readily available when, due to extraordinary circumstances, the exchanges or markets on which the securities or other instruments trade do not open for trading for the entire day and no other market prices are available. Fair value pricing is subjective in nature and the use of fair value pricing by the Valuation Designee may cause the NAV of the Fund’s shares to differ significantly from the NAV that would have been calculated using market prices at the close of the exchange on which a portfolio holding is primarily traded. There can be no assurance that the Fund could obtain the fair value assigned to an investment if the Fund were to sell the investment at approximately the time at which the Fund determines its NAV.

Fixed-income securities including corporate, convertible and municipal bonds and notes, U.S. government agencies, U.S. Treasury obligations, sovereign issues, bank loans, convertible preferred securities, and non-U.S. bonds are normally valued by pricing service providers that use broker dealer quotations, reported trades or valuation estimates from their internal pricing models. The service providers’ internal models use inputs that are observable such as issuer details, interest rates, yield curves, prepayment speeds, credit risks/spreads, default rates, and quoted prices for similar assets. Securities that use similar valuation techniques and inputs as described above are categorized as Level 2 of the fair value hierarchy. Fixed-income securities purchased on a delayed-delivery basis are marked-to-market daily until settlement at the forward settlement date and are categorized as Level 2 of the fair value hierarchy.

Mortgage-related and asset-backed securities (“ABS”) are usually issued as separate tranches, or classes, of securities within each deal. These securities are also normally valued by pricing service providers that use broker-dealer quotations or valuation estimates from their internal pricing models. The pricing models for these securities usually consider tranche-level attributes, current market data, estimated cash flows, and market-based yield spreads for each tranche, and incorporates deal collateral performance, as available. Mortgage-related and ABS that use similar valuation techniques and inputs as described above are categorized as Level 2 of the fair value hierarchy.

Investments in registered open-end investment management companies will be valued based upon the NAVs of such investments and are categorized as Level 1 of the fair value hierarchy.

4.  Securities and Other Investments

Agency Mortgage-Backed Securities

Certain mortgage-backed securities (“MBS”) may be issued or guaranteed by the U.S. government or a government sponsored entity, such as the Federal National Mortgage Association (“Fannie Mae”) or the Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation (“Freddie Mac”). Although these instruments may be guaranteed by the U.S. government or a government sponsored entity, many such MBS are not backed by the full faith and credit of the United States and are still exposed to the risk of non-payment.

 

 

37


American Beacon Balanced FundSM

Notes to Financial Statements

October 31, 2022

 

 

American Depositary Receipts and Non-Voting Depositary Receipts

ADRs are depositary receipts for foreign issuers in registered form traded in U.S. securities markets. Non-Voting Depositary Receipts (“NVDRs”) represent financial interests in an issuer but the holder is not entitled to any voting rights. Depositary receipts may not be denominated in the same currency as the securities into which they may be converted. Investing in depositary receipts entails substantially the same risks as direct investment in foreign securities. There is generally less publicly available information about foreign companies and there may be less governmental regulation and supervision of foreign stock exchanges, brokers, and listed companies. In addition, such companies may use different accounting and financial standards (and certain currencies may become unavailable for transfer from a foreign currency), resulting in the Fund’s possible inability to convert immediately into U.S. currency proceeds realized upon the sale of portfolio securities of the affected foreign companies. In addition, the Fund may invest in unsponsored depositary receipts, the issuers of which are not obligated to disclose material information about the underlying securities to investors in the United States. Ownership of unsponsored depositary receipts may not entitle the Fund to the same benefits and rights as ownership of a sponsored depositary receipt or the underlying security.

Asset-Backed Securities

ABS are securities issued by trusts and special purpose entities that are backed by pools of assets, such as automobile and credit-card receivables and home equity loans, which pass through the payments on the underlying obligations to the security holders (less servicing fees paid to the originator or fees for any credit enhancement). Typically, loans or accounts receivable paper are transferred from the originator to a specially created trust, which repackages the trust’s interests as securities with a minimum denomination and a specific term. The securities are then privately placed or publicly offered. Examples include certificates for automobile receivables and so-called plastic bonds, backed by credit card receivables. The Fund is permitted to invest in ABS, subject to the Fund’s rating and quality requirements.

The value of an ABS is affected by, among other things, changes in the market’s perception of the asset backing the security, the creditworthiness of the servicing agent for the loan pool, the originator of the loans and the financial institution providing any credit enhancement. Payments of principal and interest passed through to holders of ABS are frequently supported by some form of credit enhancement, such as a letter of credit, surety bond, limited guarantee by another entity or by having a priority to certain of the borrower’s other assets. The degree of credit enhancement varies, and generally applies to only a portion of the ABS’s par value. Value is also affected if any credit enhancement has been exhausted.

Common Stock

Common stock generally takes the form of shares in a corporation which represent an ownership interest. It ranks below preferred stock and debt securities in claims for dividends and for assets of the company in a liquidation or bankruptcy. The value of a company’s common stock may fall as a result of factors directly relating to that company, such as decisions made by its management or decreased demand for the company’s products or services. A stock’s value may also decline because of factors affecting not just the company, but also companies in the same industry or sector. The price of a company’s stock may also be affected by changes in financial markets that are relatively unrelated to the company, such as changes in interest rates, currency exchange rates or industry regulation. Companies that elect to pay dividends on their common stock generally only do so after they invest in their own business and make required payments to bondholders and on other debt and preferred stock. Therefore, the value of a company’s common stock will usually be more volatile than its bonds, other debt and preferred stock. Common stock may be exchange-traded or OTC. OTC stock may be less liquid than exchange-traded stock.

Fixed-Income Investments

The Fund may hold debt, including government and corporate debt, and other fixed-income securities. Typically, the values of fixed-income securities change inversely with prevailing interest rates. Therefore, a

 

 

38


American Beacon Balanced FundSM

Notes to Financial Statements

October 31, 2022

 

 

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. 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. 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 MBS and ABS, may be prepaid by their issuers thereby reducing the amount of interest payments. This may result in the Fund having to reinvest its proceeds in lower yielding securities. Securities underlying MBS and ABS, which may include subprime mortgages, also may be subject to a higher degree of credit risk, valuation risk, and liquidity risk.

Illiquid and Restricted Securities

Generally, an illiquid asset is an asset that the Fund reasonably expects cannot be sold or disposed of in current market conditions in seven calendar days or less without the sale or disposition significantly changing the market value of the investment, as determined pursuant to Rule 22e-4 under the Act or as otherwise permitted or required by SEC rules and interpretations. Historically, illiquid securities have included securities that have not been registered under the Securities Act, securities that are otherwise not readily marketable, and repurchase agreements having a remaining maturity of longer than seven calendar days. Securities that have not been registered under the Securities Act are referred to as private placements or restricted securities and are purchased directly from the issuer or in the secondary market. These securities may be sold only in a privately negotiated transaction or pursuant to an exemption from registration. A large institutional market exists for certain securities that are not registered under the Securities Act, including repurchase agreements, commercial paper, foreign securities, municipal securities and corporate bonds and notes. Institutional investors depend on an efficient institutional market in which the unregistered security can be readily resold or on an issuer’s ability to honor a demand for repayment. However, the fact that there are contractual or legal restrictions on resale of such investments to the general public or to certain institutions may not be indicative of their liquidity.

Limitations on resale may have an adverse effect on the marketability of portfolio securities, and the Fund might be unable to dispose of restricted or other illiquid securities promptly or at reasonable prices and might thereby experience difficulty satisfying redemptions within seven calendar days. In addition, the Fund may get only limited information about an issuer, so it may be less able to predict a loss. The Fund also might have to register such restricted securities in order to dispose of them resulting in additional expense and delay. Adverse market conditions could impede such a public offering of securities.

In recognition of the increased size and liquidity of the institutional market for unregistered securities and the importance of institutional investors in the formation of capital, the SEC adopted Rule 144A under the Securities Act. Rule 144A is designed to facilitate efficient trading among institutional investors by permitting the sale of certain unregistered securities to qualified institutional buyers. To the extent privately placed securities held by the Fund qualify under Rule 144A and an institutional market develops for those securities, the Fund likely will be able to dispose of the securities without registering them under the Securities Act. To the extent that institutional buyers become, for a time, uninterested in purchasing these securities, investing in Rule 144A securities could increase the level of the Fund’s illiquidity. The Manager or the Sub-Advisor, as applicable, may determine that certain securities qualified for trading under Rule 144A are liquid. Regulation S under the Securities Act permits the sale abroad of securities that are not registered for sale in the United States and includes a provision for U.S. investors, such as the Fund, to purchase such unregistered securities if certain conditions are met.

 

 

39


American Beacon Balanced FundSM

Notes to Financial Statements

October 31, 2022

 

 

Securities sold in private placement offerings made in reliance on the “private placement” exemption from registration afforded by Section 4(a)(2) of the Securities Act and resold to qualified institutional buyers under Rule 144A under the Securities Act (“Section 4(a)(2) securities”) are restricted as to disposition under the federal securities laws, and generally are sold to institutional investors, such as the Fund, that agree they are purchasing the securities for investment and not with an intention to distribute to the public. Any resale by the purchaser must be pursuant to an exempt transaction and may be accomplished in accordance with Rule 144A. Section 4(a)(2) securities normally are resold to other institutional investors through or with the assistance of the issuer or dealers that make a market in the Section 4(a)(2) securities, thus providing liquidity. The Manager and the sub-advisor will carefully monitor the Fund’s investments in Section 4(a)(2) securities offered and sold under Rule 144A, focusing on such important factors, among others, as valuation, liquidity, and availability of information. Investments in Section 4(a)(2) securities could have the effect of reducing the Fund’s liquidity to the extent that qualified institutional buyers no longer wish to purchase these restricted securities.

Restricted securities outstanding during the year ended October 31, 2022 are disclosed in the Notes to the Schedule of Investments.

Mortgage-Backed Securities

MBS often have stated maturities of up to thirty years when they are issued, depending upon the length of the mortgages underlying the securities. In practice however, unscheduled or early payments of principal and interest on the underlying mortgages may make the securities’ effective maturity shorter than this, and the prevailing interest rates may be higher or lower than the current yield of the Fund’s portfolio at the time resulting in reinvestment risk.

Rising or high interest rates may result in slower than expected principal payments which may tend to extend the duration of MBS, making them more volatile and more sensitive to changes in interest rates. This is known as extension risk.

MBS may have less potential for capital appreciation than comparable fixed-income securities due to the likelihood of increased prepayments of mortgages resulting from foreclosures or declining interest rates. These foreclosed or refinanced mortgages are paid off at face value (par) or less, causing a loss, particularly for any investor who may have purchased the security at a premium or a price above par. In such an environment, this risk limits the potential price appreciation of these securities.

Mortgage-Related and Other Asset-Backed Securities

The Fund may invest in mortgage or other ABS. These securities may include mortgage instruments issued by U.S. government agencies (“agency mortgages”) or those issued by private entities (“non-agency mortgages”). Specific types of instruments may include mortgage pass-through securities, collateralized mortgage obligations (“CMOs”), commercial mortgage-backed securities, mortgage dollar rolls, CMO residuals, stripped mortgage-backed securities and other securities that directly or indirectly represent a participation in, or are secured by a payable from, mortgage loans on real property. The value of the Fund’s MBS may be affected by, among other things, changes or perceived changes in interest rates, factors concerning the interests in and structure of the issuer or the originator of the mortgage, or the quality of the underlying assets. The mortgages underlying the securities may default or decline in quality or value. Through its investments in MBS, a Fund has exposure to subprime loans, Alt-A loans and non-conforming loans as well as to the mortgage and credit markets generally. Underlying collateral related to subprime, Alt-A and non-conforming mortgage loans has become increasingly susceptible to defaults and declines in quality or value, especially in a declining residential real estate market. In addition, regulatory or tax changes may adversely affect the mortgage securities markets as a whole.

 

 

40


American Beacon Balanced FundSM

Notes to Financial Statements

October 31, 2022

 

 

Other Investment Company Securities and Other Exchange-Traded Products

The Fund at times may invest in shares of other investment companies, including open-end funds, closed-end funds, business development companies (“BDCs”), ETFs, unit investment trusts, and other investment companies of the Trust. The Fund may invest in securities of an investment company advised by the Manager or the Sub-Advisor. Investments in the securities of other investment companies may involve duplication of advisory fees and certain other expenses. By investing in another investment company, the Fund becomes a shareholder of that investment company. As a result, the 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 the Fund shareholders directly bear in connection with the Fund’s own operations. These other fees and expenses are reflected as Acquired Fund Fees and Expenses and are included in the Fees and Expenses Table for the Fund in its Prospectus, if applicable. Investments in other investment companies may involve the payment of substantial premiums above the value of such issuer’s portfolio securities.

Privately Issued Mortgage-Backed Securities

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

Publicly Traded Partnerships/Master Limited Partnerships (“MLPs”)

The Fund may invest in publicly traded partnerships such as MLPs. MLPs issue units that are registered with the SEC and are freely tradable on a securities exchange or in the OTC market. An MLP may have one or more general partners, who conduct the business, and one or more limited partners, who contribute capital. The general partner or partners are jointly and severally responsible for the liabilities of the MLP. (An MLP also may be an entity similar to a limited partnership, such as an LLC, which has one or more managers or managing members and non-managing members (who are like limited partners)). The Fund invests in an MLP as a limited partner and normally would not be liable for the debts of an MLP beyond the amount the Fund has invested therein, but it would not be shielded to the same extent that a shareholder of a corporation would be. In certain instances, creditors of an MLP would have the right to seek a return of capital that had been distributed to a limited partner. The right of an MLP’s creditors would continue even after a Fund had sold its investment in the partnership. MLPs typically invest in real estate and oil and gas equipment leasing assets, but they also finance entertainment, research and development, and other projects.

Real Estate Investment Trusts (“REITs”)

REITs are pooled investment vehicles that own, and often operate, income producing real estate or invest in mortgages secured by loans on such real estate. REITs are susceptible to the risks associated with direct ownership of real estate, such as declines in property values, increase in property taxes, operating expenses, rising interest rates or overbuilding, zoning changes, and losses from casualty or condemnation. REITs typically are subject to management fees and other expenses that are separate from those of the Fund.

U.S. Government Agency Securities

U.S. Government agency securities are issued or guaranteed by the U.S. Government or its agencies or instrumentalities. Some obligations issued by U.S. Government agencies and instrumentalities are supported by the full faith and credit of the U.S. Treasury; others by the right of the issuer to borrow from the U.S. Treasury; others

 

 

41


American Beacon Balanced FundSM

Notes to Financial Statements

October 31, 2022

 

 

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. 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 (“FHLB”) obligations, Federal Farm Credit Bank (“FFCB”) 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, Separately Traded Registered Interest and Principal component parts of such obligations (known as “STRIPS”) and inflation-indexed securities. The prices of these securities (like all debt securities) change between issuance and maturity in response to fluctuating market interest rates. U.S. Treasury obligations are subject to credit risk and interest rate risk.

Variable or Floating Rate Obligations

The interest rates payable on certain fixed-income securities in which the Fund may invest are not fixed and may fluctuate based upon changes in market rates. A variable rate obligation has an interest rate which is adjusted at predesignated periods in response to changes in the market rate of interest on which the interest rate is based. Variable and floating rate obligations are less effective than fixed rate instruments at locking in a particular yield. Nevertheless, such obligations may fluctuate in value in response to interest rate changes if there is a delay between changes in market interest rates and the interest reset date for the obligation, or for other reasons.

5.  Financial Derivative Instruments

The Fund may utilize derivative instruments to gain market exposure on cash balances or reduce market exposure in anticipation of liquidity needs. When considering the Fund’s use of derivatives, it is important to note that the Fund does not use derivatives for the purpose of creating financial leverage.

Futures Contracts

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

During the year ended October 31, 2022, the Fund entered into futures contracts primarily for exposing cash to markets.

The Fund’s average futures contracts outstanding fluctuate throughout the operating year as required to meet strategic requirements. The following table illustrates the average quarterly volume of futures contracts. For the purpose of this disclosure, volume is measured by contracts outstanding at each quarter end.

 

Average Futures Contracts Outstanding

 

Fund

  Year Ended October 31, 2022  

Balanced

    16  

 

 

42


American Beacon Balanced FundSM

Notes to Financial Statements

October 31, 2022

 

 

The following is a summary of the fair valuations of the Fund’s derivative instruments categorized by risk exposure(1):

 

Fair values of financial instruments on the Statement of Assets and Liabilities as of October 31, 2022:

 

    Derivatives not accounted for as hedging instruments  

 

 

 

Assets:

  Credit contracts       Foreign exchange
contracts
      Commodity
contracts
      Interest rate
contracts
      Equity contracts       Total
Receivable for variation margin from open futures contracts(2)     $ -         $ -         $ -         $ -         $ 151,842         $ 151,842
                                           
The effect of financial derivative instruments on the Statement of Operations as of October 31, 2022:

 

    Derivatives not accounted for as hedging instruments  

 

 

 

Realized gain (loss) from derivatives
recognized as a result of operations

  Credit contracts       Foreign exchange
contracts
      Commodity
contracts
      Interest rate
contracts
      Equity contracts       Total
Futures contracts     $ -         $ -         $ -         $ -         $ (717,500 )         $ (717,500 )

Net change in unrealized appreciation
(depreciation) of derivatives recognized
as a result from operations:

  Credit contracts       Foreign exchange
contracts
      Commodity
contracts
      Interest rate
contracts
      Equity contracts       Total
Futures contracts     $ -         $ -         $ -         $ -         $ (20,782 )         $ (20,782 )

(1) See Note 3 in the Notes to Financial Statements for additional information.

(2) Includes cumulative appreciation (depreciation) of futures contracts as reported in the Fund’s Schedule of Investments footnotes. Only current day’s variation margin is reported within the Statement of Assets and Liabilities.

Offsetting Assets and Liabilities

The Fund is a party to enforceable master netting agreements between brokers and counterparties which provide for the right to offset under certain circumstances. The Fund employs multiple money managers and counterparties and has elected not to offset qualifying financial and derivative instruments on the Statement of Assets and Liabilities, as such all financial and derivative instruments are presented on a gross basis. The impacts of netting arrangements that provide the right to offset are detailed below, if applicable. The net amount represents the net receivable or payable that would be due from or to the counterparty in the event of default. Exposure from borrowings and other financing agreements such as repurchase agreements can only be netted across transactions governed by the same Master Agreement with the same legal entity. All amounts reported below represent the balance as of the report date, October 31, 2022.

 

Offsetting of Financial and Derivative Assets as of October 31, 2022:      

 

  Assets           Liabilities  
Futures Contracts(1)   $ 151,842       $ -  
 

 

 

     

 

 

 
Total derivative assets and liabilities in the Statement of Assets and Liabilities   $ 151,842       $ -  
 

 

 

     

 

 

 
Derivatives not subject to a Master Netting Agreement or similar agreement (“MNA”)   $ (151,842     $ -  
 

 

 

     

 

 

 

 

    Remaining Contractual Maturity of the Agreements
As of October 31, 2022
 
    Overnight and
Continuous
          <30 days           Between
30 & 90 days
          >90 days           Total  

Securities Lending Transactions

                 

Common Stocks

  $ 570,161       $ -       $ -       $ -       $ 570,161  
 

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 

Total Borrowings

  $ 570,161       $ -       $ -       $ -       $ 570,161  
 

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 

Gross amount of recognized liabilities for securities lending transactions

 

  $ 570,161  
                 

 

 

 

(1) Includes cumulative appreciation or (depreciation) of futures contracts as reported in the Schedule of Investments footnotes. Only current day’s variation margin is reported within the Statement of Assets and Liabilities.

 

 

43


American Beacon Balanced FundSM

Notes to Financial Statements

October 31, 2022

 

 

6.  Principal Risks

Investing in the Fund may involve certain risks including, but not limited to, those described below.

Asset-Backed and Mortgage Related Securities Risk

Investments in asset-backed and mortgage related securities are subject to market risks for fixed-income securities which include, but are not limited to, interest rate risk, prepayment risk and extension risk. Small movements in interest rates (both increases and decreases) may quickly and significantly reduce the value of certain MBS and ABS securities. If interest rates fall, the rate of prepayments tends to increase as borrowers are motivated to pay off debt and refinance at new lower rates. When mortgages and other obligations are prepaid and when securities are called, a Fund may have to reinvest in securities with a lower yield or fail to recover additional amounts (i.e., premiums) paid for securities with higher interest rates, resulting in an unexpected capital loss and/or a decrease in the amount of dividends and yield. Because prepayments increase when interest rates fall, the prices of MBS and ABS do not increase as much as other fixed-income securities when interest rates fall. When interest rates rise, borrowers are less likely to prepay their mortgage and other loans. A decreased rate of prepayments lengthens the expected maturity of MBS and ABS. Therefore, the prices of MBS and ABS may decrease more than prices of other fixed-income securities when interest rates rise. Rising interest rates tend to extend the duration of these securities, making them more sensitive to changes in interest rates. Rising interest rates also may increase the risk of default by borrowers. As a result, in a period of rising interest rates, a Fund that holds these types of securities, may experience additional volatility and losses. A decline in the credit quality of and defaults by the issuers of asset-backed and mortgage related securities or instability in the markets for such securities may affect the value and liquidity of such securities, which could result in losses to a Fund. In addition, certain asset-backed and mortgage related securities may include securities backed by pools of loans made to “subprime” borrowers or borrowers with blemished credit histories; the risk of defaults is generally higher in the case of mortgage pools that include such subprime mortgages.

Credit Risk

The Fund is subject to the risk that the issuer or guarantor of a debt security, or the counterparty to a derivatives contract or a loan will fail to make timely payment of interest or principal or otherwise honor its obligations or default completely. A decline in the credit rating of an individual security held by the Fund may have an adverse impact on its price and make it difficult for the Fund to sell it. Ratings represent a rating agency’s opinion regarding the quality of the security and are not a guarantee of quality. 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. Credit risk is typically greater for securities with ratings that are below investment grade.

Environmental, Social, and/or Governance Investing Risk

The use of environmental, social, and/or governance (“ESG”) considerations by a sub-advisor may cause the Fund to make different investments than funds that have a similar investment style but do not incorporate such considerations in their strategy. As with the use of any investment considerations involved in investment decisions, there is no guarantee that the use of any ESG investment considerations will result in the selection of issuers that will outperform other issuers or help reduce risk in the Fund. The Fund may underperform funds that do not incorporate these considerations.

Equity Investments Risk

Equity securities are subject to investment risk and market risk. The Fund’s investments in equity securities may include common stocks, preferred stocks, securities convertible into or exchangeable for common stocks, REITs, depositary receipts, and U.S. dollar-denominated foreign stocks traded on U.S. exchanges. Such investments may expose the Fund to additional risk. The value of a company’s common stock may fall as a result of factors

 

 

44


American Beacon Balanced FundSM

Notes to Financial Statements

October 31, 2022

 

 

affecting the company, companies in the same industry or sector, or the financial markets overall. Common stock generally is subordinate to preferred stock upon the liquidation or bankruptcy of the issuing company. Preferred stocks and convertible securities are sensitive to movements in interest rates. Preferred stocks may be less liquid than common stocks and, unlike common stocks, participation in the growth of an issuer may be limited. Distributions on preferred stocks generally are payable at the discretion of an issuer and after required payments to bond holders. Convertible securities are subject to the risk that the credit standing of the issuer may have an effect on the convertible securities’ investment value. Investments in REITs are subject to the risks associated with investing in the real estate industry such as adverse developments affecting the real estate industry and real property values. Depositary receipts and U.S. dollar-denominated foreign stocks traded on U.S. exchanges are subject to certain of the risks associated with investing directly in foreign securities, including, but not limited to, currency fluctuations and political and financial instability in the home country of a particular depositary receipt or foreign stock.

Foreign Investing and Emerging Markets Risk

Non-U.S. investments carry potential risks not associated with U.S. investments. Such risks include, but are not limited to: (1) currency exchange rate fluctuations, (2) political and financial instability, (3) less liquidity, (4) lack of uniform accounting, auditing and financial reporting standards, (5) increased price volatility, (6) less government regulation and supervision of foreign stock exchanges, brokers and listed companies, and (7) delays in transaction settlement in some foreign markets. To the extent the Fund invests a significant portion of its assets in securities of a single country or region, it is more likely to be affected by events or conditions of that country or region. In addition, 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. 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 or depository or their agents goes bankrupt. 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, 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 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 delays and disruptions in securities settlement procedures. In addition, there may be less information available to make investment decisions and more volatile rates of return.

Futures Contracts Risk

Futures contracts are derivative instruments where one party pays 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 that it would not be subject to if it invested directly in the securities underlying those derivatives. 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 can be no assurance that any strategy used will succeed. 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).

Illiquid and Restricted Securities Risk

Securities not registered in the U.S. under the Securities Act, including Rule 144A securities, are restricted as to their resale. Such securities may not be listed on an exchange and may have no active trading market. They

 

 

45


American Beacon Balanced FundSM

Notes to Financial Statements

October 31, 2022

 

 

may be more difficult to purchase or sell at an advantageous time or price because such securities may not be readily marketable in broad public markets. The Fund may not be able to sell a restricted security when the sub-advisor considers it desirable to do so and/or may have to sell the security at a lower price than the Fund believes is its fair market value. In addition, transaction costs may be higher for restricted securities and the Fund may receive only limited information regarding the issuer of a restricted security. The Fund may have to bear the expense of registering restricted securities for resale and the risk of substantial delays in effecting the registration.

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. The prices of fixed-income securities or derivatives are also affected by their durations. Fixed-income securities or derivatives with longer durations generally have greater sensitivity to changes in interest rates. For example, if a bond has a duration of eight years, a 1% increase in interest rates could be expected to result in an 8% decrease in the value of the bond. An increase in interest rates can impact markets broadly as well. Interest rates are currently at or near historic lows, and some investments may have negative interest rates. To the extent the Fund holds an investment with a negative interest rate to maturity, the Fund may generate a negative return on that investment. Conversely, in the future, interest rates may rise, perhaps significantly and/or rapidly, potentially resulting in substantial losses to the Fund.

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. The Fund could lose money if it is unable to dispose of an investment at a time that is most beneficial to the Fund. The Fund may be required to dispose of investments at unfavorable times or prices to satisfy obligations, which may result in losses or may be costly to the Fund. For example, liquidity risk may be magnified in rising interest rate environments due to 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. 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. The value of a security may decline due to adverse issuer-specific conditions, general market conditions unrelated to a particular issuer, 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.

 

 

46


American Beacon Balanced FundSM

Notes to Financial Statements

October 31, 2022

 

 

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, including the U.S. presidential election, the U.S. government’s inability at times to agree on a long-term budget and deficit reduction plan, the threat of a federal government shutdown and threats not to increase the federal government’s debt limit, may affect investor and consumer confidence and may adversely impact financial markets and the broader economy, perhaps suddenly and to a significant degree.

Markets and market participants are increasingly reliant upon both publicly available and proprietary information data systems. Data imprecision, software or other technology malfunctions, programming inaccuracies, unauthorized use or access, and similar circumstances may impair the performance of these systems and may have an adverse impact upon a single issuer, a group of issuers, or the market at large. The financial markets generally move in cycles, with periods of rising prices followed by periods of declining prices. The value of your investment may reflect these fluctuations.

Mortgage-Backed and Mortgage Related Securities Risk

Investments in mortgage-backed and mortgage-related securities are influenced by the factors affecting the mortgages underlying the securities or the housing market. Investments in mortgage-backed and mortgage-related securities also are subject to market risks for fixed-income securities, which include, but are not limited to, credit risk, interest rate risk, prepayment risk, extension risk, callable securities risk, and valuation risk. A decline in the credit quality of the issuers of mortgage-backed and mortgage-related securities or instability in the markets for such securities may affect the value and liquidity of such securities, which could result in losses to the Fund. These securities are also subject to the risk of default on the underlying mortgages, particularly during periods of market downturn, and an unexpectedly high rate of defaults on the underlying assets will adversely affect the security’s value.

Multiple Sub-Advisor Risk

The Manager may allocate the Fund’s assets among multiple sub-advisors, each of which is responsible for investing its allocated portion of the Fund’s assets. To a significant extent, the Fund’s performance will depend on the success of the Manager in allocating the Fund’s assets to sub-advisors and its selection and oversight of the sub-advisors. Because each sub-advisor manages its allocated portion of the Fund independently from another sub-advisor, the same security may be held in different portions of the Fund, or may be acquired for one portion of the Fund at a time when a sub-advisor to another portion deems it appropriate to dispose of the security from that other portion, resulting in higher expenses without accomplishing any net result in the Fund’s holdings. Similarly, under some market conditions, one sub-advisor may believe that temporary, defensive investments in short-term instruments or cash are appropriate when another sub-advisor believes continued exposure to the equity or debt markets is appropriate for its allocated portion of the Fund. Because each sub-advisor directs the trading for its own portion of the Fund, and does not aggregate its transactions with those of the other sub-advisors, the Fund may incur higher brokerage costs than would be the case if a single sub-adviser were managing the entire Fund. In addition, while the Manager seeks to allocate the Fund’s assets among the Fund’s sub-advisors in a manner that it believes is consistent with achieving the Fund’s investment objective(s), the Manager may be subject to potential conflicts of interest in allocating the Fund’s assets among sub-advisors, due to factors that could impact the Manager’s revenues and profits.

Other Investment Companies Risk

The Fund may invest in shares of other registered investment companies, including money market funds that are advised by the Manager. To the extent that the Fund invests in shares of other registered investment

 

 

47


American Beacon Balanced FundSM

Notes to Financial Statements

October 31, 2022

 

 

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 and will be subject to the risks associated with investments in those companies. For example, the Fund’s investments in money market funds are subject to interest rate risk, credit risk, and market risk. 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 will 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.

Prepayment and Extension Risk

When interest rates fall, borrowers will generally repay the loans that underlie certain debt securities, especially mortgage-related and other types of ABS, more quickly than expected, causing the issuer of the security to repay the principal prior to the security’s expected maturity date. The Fund may need to reinvest the proceeds at a lower interest rate, reducing its income. Securities subject to prepayment risk generally offer less potential for gains when prevailing interest rates fall. If the Fund buys those securities at a premium, accelerated prepayments on those securities could cause the Fund to lose a portion of its principal investment. The impact of prepayments on the price of a security may be difficult to predict and may increase the security’s price volatility. Extension risk is the risk that a decrease in prepayments may, as a result of higher interest rates or other factors, result in the extension of a security’s effective maturity, increase the risk of default and delayed payment, heighten interest rate risk and increase the potential for a decline in its price. In addition, as a consequence of a decrease in prepayments, the amount of principal available to a Fund for investment would be reduced.

Recent Market Events Risk

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

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

 

 

48


American Beacon Balanced FundSM

Notes to Financial Statements

October 31, 2022

 

 

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

Slowing global economic growth, the risks associated with ongoing trade negotiations with China, the possibility of changes to some international trade agreements, tensions or open conflict between nations, such as between Russia and Ukraine, or political or economic dysfunction within some nations that are major producers of oil could affect the economies of many nations, including the United States, in ways that cannot necessarily be foreseen at the present time.

Economists and others have expressed increasing concern about the potential effects of global climate change on property and security values. Certain issuers, industries and regions may be adversely affected by the impacts of climate change, including on the demand for and the development of goods and services and related production costs, and the impacts of legislation, regulation and international accords related to climate change, as well as any indirect consequences of regulation or business trends driven by climate change.

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 depressed value. Redemption risk is greater to the extent that one or more investors or intermediaries control a large percentage of investments in the Fund, have short investment horizons, or have unpredictable cash flow needs. A general rise in interest rates has the potential to cause investors to move out of fixed-income securities on a large scale, which may increase redemptions from mutual funds that hold large amounts of fixed-income securities. This, coupled with a reduction in the ability or willingness of dealers and other institutional investors to buy or hold fixed-income securities, may result in decreased liquidity and increased volatility in the fixed-income markets, and heightened redemption risk. Heavy redemptions, whether by a few large investors or many smaller investors, could hurt the Fund’s performance. This risk is heightened if the Fund invests in emerging market securities, which are generally less liquid than the securities of U.S. and other developed markets. The sale of assets to meet redemption requests may create net capital gains or losses, which could cause the Fund to have to distribute substantial capital gains.

Sector Risk

Sector risk is the risk associated with the Fund holding a significant amount of investments in similar businesses, which would be similarly affected by particular economic or market events, which may, in certain circumstances, cause the value of the equity and debt securities of companies in a particular sector of the market to change. To the extent the Fund has substantial holdings within a particular sector, the risks to the Fund associated with that sector increase.

In addition, when the Fund focuses its investments in certain sectors of the economy, its performance may be driven largely by sector performance and could fluctuate more widely than if the Fund were invested more evenly across sectors. Individual sectors may be more volatile, and may perform differently, than the broader market. The businesses that constitute a sector may all react the same way to economic, political or regulatory events. The Fund’s performance could also be affected if the sectors do not perform as expected. The lack of exposure to one or more sectors may adversely affect performance. As the Fund’s portfolio changes over time, the Fund’s exposure to a particular sector may become higher or lower.

 

 

49


American Beacon Balanced FundSM

Notes to Financial Statements

October 31, 2022

 

 

Securities Lending Risk

The Fund may lend its portfolio securities to brokers, dealers and financial institutions in order to obtain additional income. Borrowers of the Fund’s securities provide collateral either in the form of cash, which the Fund reinvests in securities or in the form of non-cash collateral consisting of securities issued or guaranteed by the U.S. government or one of its agencies or instrumentalities. The Fund will be responsible for the risks associated with the investment of cash collateral, including any collateral invested in an affiliated money market fund. The Fund may lose money on its investment of cash collateral or may fail to earn sufficient income on its investment to cover its payment to the borrower of a pre-negotiated fee or “rebate” for the use of that cash collateral in connection with the loan. The Fund could also lose money due to a decline in the value of non-cash collateral. In addition, delays may occur in the recovery of securities from borrowers, which could interfere with the Fund’s ability to vote proxies or to settle transactions or could result in increased costs. Moreover, if the borrower becomes subject to insolvency or similar proceedings, the Fund could incur delays in its ability to enforce its rights in its collateral. There also is a risk that a borrower may default on its obligation to return loaned securities at a time when the value of the Fund’s collateral is inadequate. Although the Fund’s securities lending agent may indemnify the Fund against that risk, it is also possible that the securities lending agent will be unable to satisfy its indemnification obligations. In any case in which the loaned securities are not returned to the Fund before an ex-dividend date, whether or not due to a default by the borrower, the payment in lieu of the dividend that the Fund receives from the securities’ borrower would not be treated as a dividend for federal income tax purposes and thus would not qualify for treatment as “qualified dividend income.”

U.S. Government Securities and Government-Sponsored Enterprises Risk

A security backed by the U.S. Treasury or the full faith and credit of the United States is guaranteed only as to the timely payment of interest and principal when held to maturity. The market prices for such securities are not guaranteed and will fluctuate. Additionally, circumstances could arise that would prevent the payment of interest or principal. This could result in losses to the Fund. Investments in government-sponsored enterprises are debt obligations issued by agencies and instrumentalities of the U.S. Government. These obligations vary in the level of support they receive from the U.S. Government. They may be: (i) supported by the full faith and credit of the U.S. Treasury, such as those of the Government National Mortgage Association (‘‘Ginnie Mae’’); (ii) supported by the right of the issuer to borrow from the U.S. Treasury, such as those of the Federal Home Loan Bank and the Federal Farm Credit Banks; (iii) supported by the discretionary authority of the U.S. Government to purchase the agency obligations, such as those of Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac or (iv) supported only by the credit of the issuer, such as those of the Federal Farm Credit Bureau. The U.S. Government may choose not to provide financial support to U.S. Government-sponsored agencies or instrumentalities if it is not legally obligated to do so, in which case, if the issuer defaulted, to the extent the Fund held securities of such issuers, it might not be able to recover its investment from the U.S. Government. U.S. government securities and securities of government-sponsored entities are also subject to credit risk, interest rate risk and market risk. The rising U.S. national debt may lead to adverse impacts on the value of U.S. government securities due to potentially higher costs for the U.S. government to obtain new financing.

7.  Federal Income and Excise Taxes

It is the policy of the Fund to qualify as a regulated investment company (“RIC”), by complying with all applicable provisions of Subchapter M of the Internal Revenue Code, as amended, and to make distributions of taxable income sufficient to relieve it from substantially all federal income and excise taxes. For federal income tax purposes, the Fund is treated as a single entity for the purpose of determining such qualification.

The Fund does not have any unrecorded tax liabilities in the accompanying financial statements. Each of the tax years in the four year period ended October 31, 2022 remain subject to examination by the Internal Revenue Service. If applicable, the Fund recognizes interest accrued related to unrecognized tax benefits in interest expense and penalties in “Other expenses” on the Statement of Operations.

 

 

50


American Beacon Balanced FundSM

Notes to Financial Statements

October 31, 2022

 

 

The Fund may be subject to taxes imposed by countries in which it invests. Such taxes are generally based on returns of income earned or gains realized or repatriated. Taxes are accrued and applied to net investment income, net realized capital gains and net unrealized appreciation (depreciation), as applicable, as the income is earned or capital gains are recorded.

Dividends are categorized in accordance with income tax regulations which may treat certain transactions differently than U.S. GAAP. Accordingly, the character of distributions and composition of net assets for tax purposes may differ from those reflected in the accompanying financial statements.

The tax character of distributions paid were as follows:

 

    Year Ended
October 31, 2022
          Year Ended
October 31, 2021
 

Distributions paid from:

     

Ordinary income*

     

R5 Class

  $ 588,223       $ 407,719  

Y Class

    1,126,437         708,204  

Investor Class

    2,454,402         1,539,331  

Advisor Class

    44,219         31,060  

A Class

    451,949         238,998  

C Class

    521,662         254,504  

Long-term capital gains

     

R5 Class

    1,234,987         2,461,210  

Y Class

    2,195,516         4,821,841  

Investor Class

    5,438,444         9,350,119  

Advisor Class

    105,213         215,645  

A Class

    909,100         1,466,801  

C Class

    1,471,588         3,063,832  
 

 

 

     

 

 

 

Total distributions paid

  $ 16,541,740       $ 24,559,264  
 

 

 

     

 

 

 

* For tax purposes, short-term capital gains are considered ordinary income distributions.

As of October 31, 2022, the components of distributable earnings (deficits) on a tax basis were as follows:

 

Fund

  Tax Cost    

 

    Unrealized
Appreciation
   

 

    Unrealized
(Depreciation)
   

 

    Net Unrealized
Appreciation
(Depreciation)
 

Balanced

  $ 126,265,711       $ 15,530,032       $ (12,581,732     $ 2,948,300  

 

Fund

  Net Unrealized
Appreciation
(Depreciation)
   

 

    Undistributed
Ordinary
Income
   

 

    Undistributed
Long-Term
Capital Gains
   

 

    Accumulated
Capital and
Other (Losses)
   

 

    Other Temporary
Differences
   

 

    Distributable
Earnings
 

Balanced

  $ 2,948,300       $ 2,073,251       $ 12,927,415       $ -       $ (1     $ 17,948,965  

Financial reporting records are adjusted for permanent book/tax differences to reflect tax character. Financial records are not adjusted for temporary differences. The temporary differences between financial reporting and tax-basis reporting of unrealized appreciation (depreciation) are attributable primarily to the tax deferral of losses from wash sales, reclassifications of income from investments in real estate investment securities, book amortization of premiums, and the realization for tax purposes of unrealized gains (losses) on certain derivative instruments.

Due to inherent differences in the recognition of income, expenses, and realized gains (losses) under U.S. GAAP and federal income tax regulations, permanent differences between book and tax reporting have been identified and appropriately reclassified on the Statement of Assets and Liabilities. The Fund had no permanent differences as of October 31, 2022.

For federal income tax purposes, the Fund measures its capital loss carryforwards annually at October 31, its fiscal year end. Capital loss carryforwards retain their character as short-term and/or long-term and may be carried forward and applied against future realized capital gains with no expiration date.

 

 

51


American Beacon Balanced FundSM

Notes to Financial Statements

October 31, 2022

 

 

As of October 31, 2022, the Fund did not have any capital loss carryforwards.

8.  Investment Transactions

The aggregate cost of purchases and proceeds from sales and maturities of investments, other than short-term obligations, for the year ended October 31, 2022 were as follows:

 

Fund

  Purchases
(non-U.S.
Government
Securities)
          Purchases of
U.S.
Government
Securities
          Sales
(non-U.S.
Government
Securities)
          Sales of U.S.
Government
Securities
 
Balanced   $ 35,833,754       $ 9,737,973       $ 70,911,916       $ 13,876,046  

A summary of the Fund’s transactions in the USG Select Fund for the year ended October 31, 2022 were as follows:

 

Fund

  Type of
Transaction
        October  31,
2021
Shares/Fair

Value
          Purchases           Sales           October  31,
2022
Shares/Fair

Value
 
Balanced   Direct     $ 4,053,731       $ 85,315,549       $ 85,684,797       $ 3,684,483  
Balanced   Securities Lending       572,921         6,084,776         6,087,536         570,161  

9.  Securities Lending

The Fund may lend its securities to qualified financial institutions, such as certain broker-dealers, to earn additional income. The borrowers are required to secure their loans continuously with collateral in an amount at least equal to the fair value of the securities loaned, initially in an amount at least equal to 102% of the fair value of domestic securities loaned and 105% of the fair value of international securities loaned. Collateral is monitored and marked-to-market daily. Daily mark-to-market amounts are required to be paid to the borrower or received from the borrower by the end of the following business day. This one day settlement for mark-to-market amounts may result in the collateral being temporarily less than the value of the securities on loan or temporarily more than the required minimum collateral.

To the extent that a loan is collateralized by cash, such cash collateral shall be invested by the securities lending agent (the “Agent”) in money market mutual funds and other short-term investments, provided the investments meet certain quality and diversification requirements. Securities purchased with cash collateral proceeds are listed in the Fund’s Schedule of Investments and the collateral is shown on the Statement of Assets and Liabilities as a payable.

Securities lending income is generated from the demand premium (if any) paid by the borrower to borrow a specific security and from the return on investment of cash collateral, reduced by negotiated rebate fees paid to the borrower and transaction costs. To the extent that a loan is secured by non-cash collateral, securities lending income is generated as a demand premium reduced by transaction costs. The Fund, the Agent, and the Manager retained 80%, 10%, and 10%, respectively, of the income generated from securities lending.

While securities are on loan, the Fund continues to receive certain income associated with that security and any gain or loss in the market price that may occur during the term of the loan. In the case of domestic equities, the value of any dividend is received in the form of a substitute payment approximately equal to the dividend. In the case of foreign securities, a negotiated amount is received that is less than the actual dividend, but higher than the dividend amount minus the foreign tax that the Fund would be subject to on the dividend.

Securities lending transactions pose certain risks to the Fund, including that the borrower may not provide additional collateral when required or return the securities when due, that the value of the short-term investments

 

 

52


American Beacon Balanced FundSM

Notes to Financial Statements

October 31, 2022

 

 

will be less than the amount of cash collateral required to be returned to the borrower, that non-cash collateral may be subject to legal constraints in the event of a borrower bankruptcy, and that the cash collateral investments could become illiquid and unable to be used to return collateral to the borrower. The Fund could also experience delays and costs in gaining access to the collateral. The Fund bears the risk of any deficiency in the amount of the cash collateral available for return to the borrower and any action which impairs its ability to liquidate non-cash collateral to satisfy a borrower default.

As of October 31, 2022, the value of outstanding securities on loan and the value of collateral were as follows:

 

Fund

  Fair Value of
Securities
on Loan
   

 

    Cash
Collateral
Received
   

 

    Non-Cash
Collateral
Received
   

 

    Total
Collateral
Received
 

Balanced

  $ 1,183,054       $ 570,161       $ 657,305       $ 1,227,466  

Cash collateral is listed on the Fund’s Schedule of Investments and is shown on the Statement of Assets and Liabilities. Income earned on these investments is included in “Income derived from securities lending” on the Statement of Operations.

Non-cash collateral received by the Fund may not be sold or re-pledged except to satisfy a borrower default. Therefore, non-cash collateral is not included on the Fund’s Schedule of Investments or Statement of Assets and Liabilities.

10.  Borrowing Arrangements

Effective November 11, 2021 (the “Effective Date”), the Fund, along with certain other funds managed by the Manager (“Participating Funds”), renewed a committed revolving line of credit (the “Committed Line”) agreement with State Street Bank and Trust Company (the “Bank”) to be used to facilitate portfolio liquidity. The maximum borrowing amount under the Committed Line is $100 million with interest at a rate equal to the higher of (a) Overnight Bank Funding Rate (“OBFR”) daily fluctuating rate per annum equal to 1.25% plus the sum of 0.10% or (b) the Federal Funds daily fluctuating rate per annum on amounts borrowed. Each of the Participating Funds paid a proportional amount of a quarterly commitment fee at a rate of 0.25% per annum on the unused portion of the Committed Line amount. The Committed Line expires November 10, 2022, unless extended by the Bank or terminated by the Participating Funds in accordance with the agreement. Prior to the Effective Date, the maximum borrowing amount under the Committed Line was $150 million with an expiration date November 10, 2021.

On the Effective Date, the Fund, along with certain other Participating Funds managed by the Manager, also renewed an uncommitted discretionary demand revolving line of credit (the “Uncommitted Line”) agreement with the Bank to be used to facilitate portfolio liquidity. The maximum borrowing amount under the Uncommitted Line is $100 million with interest at a rate equal to the higher of (a) OBFR daily fluctuating rate per annum equal to 1.25% plus the sum of 0.10% or (b) the Federal Funds daily fluctuating rate per annum on amounts borrowed on each outstanding loan. Each of the Participating Funds paid a proportional amount of a closing fee of $35,000 on the Effective Date. The Uncommitted Line expires November 10, 2022, unless extended by the Bank or terminated by the Participating Funds in accordance with the agreement. Prior to the Effective Date, the maximum borrowing amount under the Uncommitted Line was $50 million with an expiration date November 10, 2021.

The Participating Funds paid administration, legal and arrangement fees, which are recognized as a component of “Loan expense” on the Statement of Operations, along with commitment fees, that have been allocated among the Participating Funds based on average daily net assets.

During the year ended October 31, 2022, the Fund did not utilize these facilities.

 

 

53


American Beacon Balanced FundSM

Notes to Financial Statements

October 31, 2022

 

 

11.  Capital Share Transactions

The tables below summarize the activity in capital shares for each Class of the Fund:

 

    R5 Class  
    Year Ended October 31,  
    2022           2021  

Balanced Fund

 

Shares

         

Amount

         

Shares

         

Amount

 
Shares sold     92,239       $ 1,424,132         120,721       $ 1,931,788  
Reinvestment of dividends     117,460         1,813,106         193,779         2,855,565  
Shares redeemed     (627,599       (9,312,650       (540,429       (8,429,094
 

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 
Net (decrease) in shares outstanding     (417,900     $ (6,075,412       (225,929     $ (3,641,741
 

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 
 
    Y Class  
    Year Ended October 31,  
    2022           2021  

Balanced Fund

 

Shares

         

Amount

         

Shares

         

Amount

 
Shares sold     618,054       $ 9,515,385         941,367       $ 15,550,576  
Reinvestment of dividends     190,414         2,954,277         332,973         4,939,228  
Shares redeemed     (1,069,937       (15,679,736       (1,893,140       (30,069,383
 

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 
Net (decrease) in shares outstanding     (261,469     $ (3,210,074       (618,800     $ (9,579,579
 

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 
 
    Investor Class  
    Year Ended October 31,  
    2022           2021  

Balanced Fund

 

Shares

         

Amount

         

Shares

         

Amount

 
Shares sold     1,048,496       $ 13,635,873         1,413,967       $ 19,561,973  
Reinvestment of dividends     599,785         7,742,136         851,015         10,672,318  
Shares redeemed     (2,947,671       (37,586,828       (1,820,132       (24,764,742
 

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 
Net increase (decrease) in shares outstanding     (1,299,390     $ (16,208,819       444,850       $ 5,469,549  
 

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 
 
    Advisor Class  
    Year Ended October 31,  
    2022           2021  

Balanced Fund

 

Shares

         

Amount

         

Shares

         

Amount

 
Shares sold     4,854       $ 69,586         10,067       $ 147,698  
Reinvestment of dividends     10,568         149,432         18,158         246,705  
Shares redeemed     (64,006       (922,977       (24,084       (357,831
 

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 
Net increase (decrease) in shares outstanding     (48,584     $ (703,959       4,141       $ 36,572  
 

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 
 
    A Class  
    Year Ended October 31,  
    2022           2021  

Balanced Fund

 

Shares

         

Amount

         

Shares

         

Amount

 
Shares sold     321,581       $ 4,046,911         237,914       $ 3,301,777  
Reinvestment of dividends     97,000         1,242,228         122,623         1,533,096  
Shares redeemed     (238,299       (3,032,402       (425,388       (5,764,728
 

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 
Net increase (decrease) in shares outstanding     180,282       $ 2,256,737         (64,851     $ (929,855
 

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 
 
    C Class  
    Year Ended October 31,  
    2022           2021  

Balanced Fund

 

Shares

         

Amount

         

Shares

         

Amount

 
Shares sold     83,940       $ 1,086,420         53,546       $ 753,431  
Reinvestment of dividends     151,077         1,978,540         259,684         3,268,682  
Shares redeemed     (510,072       (6,561,363       (587,209       (8,180,741
 

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 
Net (decrease) in shares outstanding     (275,055     $ (3,496,403       (273,979     $ (4,158,628
 

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 

12.  Subsequent Events

Management has evaluated subsequent events for possible recognition or disclosure in the financial statements through the date the financial statements are issued. Management has determined that there are no material events that would require disclosure in the Fund’s financial statements through this date.

 

 

54


American Beacon Balanced FundSM

Financial Highlights

(For a share outstanding throughout the period)

 

 

    R5 ClassA  
    Year Ended October 31,  
    2022           2021           2020B           2019           2018  
 

 

 

 

Net asset value, beginning of period

  $ 16.93       $ 14.35       $ 16.36       $ 16.20       $ 17.30  
 

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 

Income (loss) from investment operations:

                 

Net investment income

    0.11         0.19         0.20         0.31         0.28  

Net gains (losses) on investments (both realized and unrealized)

    (1.56       4.34         (0.80       1.23         (0.10
 

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 

Total income (loss) from investment operations

    (1.45       4.53         (0.60       1.54         0.18  
 

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 

Less distributions:

                 

Dividends from net investment income

    (0.23       (0.30       (0.24       (0.26       (0.48

Distributions from net realized gains

    (1.18       (1.65       (1.17       (1.12       (0.80
 

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 

Total distributions

    (1.41       (1.95       (1.41       (1.38       (1.28
 

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 

Net asset value, end of period

  $ 14.07       $ 16.93       $ 14.35       $ 16.36       $ 16.20  
 

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 

Total returnC

    (9.20 )%        33.80       (4.14 )%        10.89       0.84
 

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 

Ratios and supplemental data:

                 

Net assets, end of period

  $ 12,977,305       $ 22,687,613       $ 22,476,942       $ 46,593,155       $ 60,191,704  

Ratios to average net assets:

                 

Expenses, before reimbursements and/or recoupments

    0.72       0.70       0.88       0.66       0.62

Expenses, net of reimbursements and/or recoupments

    0.72       0.70       0.88       0.66       0.62

Net investment income, before expense reimbursements and/or recoupments

    1.51       1.37       1.82       2.24       1.95

Net investment income, net of reimbursements and/or recoupments

    1.51       1.37       1.82       2.24       1.95

Portfolio turnover rate

    30       37       82       68       28

 

A 

Prior to February 28, 2020, the R5 Class was known as Institutional Class.

B 

On January 23, 2020, Brandywine Global Investment Management, LLC was terminated and ceased managing assets of the Fund.

C 

Based on net asset value, which does not reflect the sales charge, redemption fee, or contingent deferred sales charge, if applicable. May include adjustments in accordance with U.S. GAAP and as such, the net asset value for reporting purposes and the returns based upon those net asset values may differ from the net asset value and returns for shareholder transactions.

 

See accompanying notes

 

55


American Beacon Balanced FundSM

Financial Highlights

(For a share outstanding throughout the period)

 

 

    Y Class  
    Year Ended October 31,  
    2022           2021           2020A           2019           2018  
 

 

 

 

Net asset value, beginning of period

  $ 17.07       $ 14.46       $ 16.47       $ 16.31       $ 17.39  
 

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 

Income (loss) from investment operations:

                 

Net investment income

    0.21         0.20         0.25         0.33         0.35  

Net gains (losses) on investments (both realized and unrealized)

    (1.68       4.35         (0.86       1.20         (0.16
 

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 

Total income (loss) from investment operations

    (1.47       4.55         (0.61       1.53         0.19  
 

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 

Less distributions:

                 

Dividends from net investment income

    (0.22       (0.29       (0.23       (0.25       (0.47

Distributions from net realized gains

    (1.18       (1.65       (1.17       (1.12       (0.80
 

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 

Total distributions

    (1.40       (1.94       (1.40       (1.37       (1.27
 

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 

Net asset value, end of period

  $ 14.20       $ 17.07       $ 14.46       $ 16.47       $ 16.31  
 

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 

Total returnB

    (9.25 )%        33.66       (4.17 )%        10.75       0.88
 

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 

Ratios and supplemental data:

                 

Net assets, end of period

  $ 30,273,662       $ 40,858,765       $ 43,550,846       $ 62,956,422       $ 71,296,735  

Ratios to average net assets:

                 

Expenses, before reimbursements and/or recoupments

    0.80       0.77       0.96       0.74       0.70

Expenses, net of reimbursements and/or recoupments

    0.80       0.77       0.96       0.74       0.70

Net investment income, before expense reimbursements and/or recoupments

    1.46       1.31       1.71       2.15       1.86

Net investment income, net of reimbursements and/or recoupments

    1.46       1.31       1.71       2.15       1.86

Portfolio turnover rate

    30       37       82       68       28

 

A 

On January 23, 2020, Brandywine Global Investment Management, LLC was terminated and ceased managing assets of the Fund.

B 

Based on net asset value, which does not reflect the sales charge, redemption fee, or contingent deferred sales charge, if applicable. May include adjustments in accordance with U.S. GAAP and as such, the net asset value for reporting purposes and the returns based upon those net asset values may differ from the net asset value and returns for shareholder transactions.

 

See accompanying notes

 

56


American Beacon Balanced FundSM

Financial Highlights

(For a share outstanding throughout the period)

 

 

    Investor Class  
    Year Ended October 31,  
    2022           2021           2020A           2019           2018  
 

 

 

 

Net asset value, beginning of period

  $ 14.35       $ 12.43       $ 14.36       $ 14.41       $ 15.51  
 

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 

Income (loss) from investment operations:

                 

Net investment income

    0.15 B        0.22         0.03         0.18         0.20  

Net gains (losses) on investments (both realized and unrealized)

    (1.39       3.61         (0.58       1.11         (0.07
 

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 

Total income (loss) from investment operations

    (1.24       3.83         (0.55       1.29         0.13  
 

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 

Less distributions:

                 

Dividends from net investment income

    (0.19       (0.26       (0.21       (0.22       (0.43

Distributions from net realized gains

    (1.18       (1.65       (1.17       (1.12       (0.80
 

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 

Total distributions

    (1.37       (1.91       (1.38       (1.34       (1.23
 

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 

Net asset value, end of period

  $ 11.74       $ 14.35       $ 12.43       $ 14.36       $ 14.41  
 

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 

Total returnC

    (9.40 )%        33.32       (4.41 )%        10.50       0.62
 

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 

Ratios and supplemental data:

                 

Net assets, end of period

  $   54,447,528       $   85,251,213       $   68,284,615       $   96,065,263       $ 107,677,984  

Ratios to average net assets:

                 

Expenses, before reimbursements and/or recoupments

    1.03       0.99       1.20       0.97       0.95

Expenses, net of reimbursements and/or recoupments

    1.03       0.99       1.20       0.97       0.95

Net investment income, before expense reimbursements and/or recoupments

    1.22       1.07       1.47       1.92       1.62

Net investment income, net of reimbursements and/or recoupments

    1.22       1.07       1.47       1.92       1.62

Portfolio turnover rate

    30       37       82       68       28

 

A 

On January 23, 2020, Brandywine Global Investment Management, LLC was terminated and ceased managing assets of the Fund.

B 

Per share amounts have been calculated using the average shares method.

C 

Based on net asset value, which does not reflect the sales charge, redemption fee, or contingent deferred sales charge, if applicable. May include adjustments in accordance with U.S. GAAP and as such, the net asset value for reporting purposes and the returns based upon those net asset values may differ from the net asset value and returns for shareholder transactions.

 

See accompanying notes

 

57


American Beacon Balanced FundSM

Financial Highlights

(For a share outstanding throughout the period)

 

 

    Advisor Class  
    Year Ended October 31,  
    2022           2021           2020A           2019           2018  
 

 

 

 

Net asset value, beginning of period

  $ 15.59       $ 13.35       $ 15.34       $ 15.29       $ 16.38  
 

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 

Income (loss) from investment operations:

                 

Net investment income

    0.15 B        0.15         0.18 B        0.26         0.16  

Net gains (losses) on investments (both realized and unrealized)

    (1.54       3.97         (0.81       1.11         (0.06
 

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 

Total income (loss) from investment operations

    (1.39       4.12         (0.63       1.37         0.10  
 

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 

Less distributions:

                 

Dividends from net investment income

    (0.16       (0.23       (0.19       (0.20       (0.39

Distributions from net realized gains

    (1.18       (1.65       (1.17       (1.12       (0.80
 

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 

Total distributions

    (1.34       (1.88       (1.36       (1.32       (1.19
 

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 

Net asset value, end of period

  $ 12.86       $ 15.59       $ 13.35       $ 15.34       $ 15.29  
 

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 

Total returnC

    (9.62 )%        33.17       (4.65 )%        10.41       0.42
 

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 

Ratios and supplemental data:

                 

Net assets, end of period

  $ 1,124,266       $ 2,120,450       $ 1,760,622       $ 6,039,168       $ 6,174,284  

Ratios to average net assets:

                 

Expenses, before reimbursements and/or recoupments

    1.19       1.16       1.36       1.14       1.12

Expenses, net of reimbursements and/or recoupments

    1.19       1.16       1.36       1.14       1.12

Net investment income, before expense reimbursements and/or recoupments

    1.05       0.91       1.29       1.76       1.45

Net investment income, net of reimbursements and/or recoupments

    1.05       0.91       1.29       1.76       1.45

Portfolio turnover rate

    30       37       82       68       28

 

A 

On January 23, 2020, Brandywine Global Investment Management, LLC was terminated and ceased managing assets of the Fund.

B 

Per share amounts have been calculated using the average shares method.

C 

Based on net asset value, which does not reflect the sales charge, redemption fee, or contingent deferred sales charge, if applicable. May include adjustments in accordance with U.S. GAAP and as such, the net asset value for reporting purposes and the returns based upon those net asset values may differ from the net asset value and returns for shareholder transactions.

 

See accompanying notes

 

58


American Beacon Balanced FundSM

Financial Highlights

(For a share outstanding throughout the period)

 

 

    A Class  
    Year Ended October 31,  
    2022           2021           2020A           2019           2018  
 

 

 

 

Net asset value, beginning of period

  $ 14.31       $ 12.39       $ 14.33       $ 14.38       $ 15.48  
 

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 

Income (loss) from investment operations:

                 

Net investment income

    0.25         0.11         0.15         0.22         0.22  

Net gains (losses) on investments (both realized and unrealized)

    (1.50       3.71         (0.71       1.07         (0.07
 

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 

Total income (loss) from investment operations

    (1.25       3.82         (0.56       1.29         0.15  
 

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 

Less distributions:

                 

Dividends from net investment income

    (0.19       (0.25       (0.21       (0.22       (0.45

Distributions from net realized gains

    (1.18       (1.65       (1.17       (1.12       (0.80
 

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 

Total distributions

    (1.37       (1.90       (1.38       (1.34       (1.25
 

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 

Net asset value, end of period

  $ 11.69       $ 14.31       $ 12.39       $ 14.33       $ 14.38  
 

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 

Total returnB

    (9.49 )%        33.39       (4.49 )%        10.54       0.73
 

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 

Ratios and supplemental data:

                 

Net assets, end of period

  $ 13,482,666       $ 13,922,687       $ 12,863,938       $ 16,228,685       $ 18,121,273  

Ratios to average net assets:

                 

Expenses, before reimbursements and/or recoupments

    1.04       1.02       1.21       1.01       0.91

Expenses, net of reimbursements and/or recoupments

    1.04       1.02       1.21       1.01 %C        0.83

Net investment income, before expense reimbursements and/or recoupments

    1.22       1.04       1.46       1.88       1.66

Net investment income, net of reimbursements and/or recoupments

    1.22       1.04       1.46       1.88       1.74

Portfolio turnover rate

    30       37       82       68       28

 

A 

On January 23, 2020, Brandywine Global Investment Management, LLC was terminated and ceased managing assets of the Fund.

B 

Based on net asset value, which does not reflect the sales charge, redemption fee, or contingent deferred sales charge, if applicable. May include adjustments in accordance with U.S. GAAP and as such, the net asset value for reporting purposes and the returns based upon those net asset values may differ from the net asset value and returns for shareholder transactions.

C 

This ratio does not include a voluntary reimbursement of service fees as included in the prior year.

 

See accompanying notes

 

59


American Beacon Balanced FundSM

Financial Highlights

(For a share outstanding throughout the period)

 

 

    C Class  
    Year Ended October 31,  
    2022           2021           2020A           2019           2018  
 

 

 

 

Net asset value, beginning of period

  $ 14.49       $ 12.53       $ 14.48       $ 14.55       $ 15.64  
 

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 

Income (loss) from investment operations:

                 

Net investment income

    0.06 B        0.04 B        0.05         0.10         0.13  

Net gains (losses) on investments (both realized and unrealized)

    (1.41       3.72         (0.70       1.09         (0.09
 

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 

Total income (loss) from investment operations

    (1.35       3.76         (0.65       1.19         0.04  
 

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 

Less distributions:

                 

Dividends from net investment income

    (0.09       (0.15       (0.13       (0.14       (0.33

Distributions from net realized gains

    (1.18       (1.65       (1.17       (1.12       (0.80
 

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 

Total distributions

    (1.27       (1.80       (1.30       (1.26       (1.13
 

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 

Net asset value, end of period

  $ 11.87       $ 14.49       $ 12.53       $ 14.48       $ 14.55  
 

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 

Total returnC

    (10.11 )%        32.32       (5.09 )%        9.63       0.04
 

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 

Ratios and supplemental data:

                 

Net assets, end of period

  $ 16,173,837       $ 23,737,711       $ 23,951,798       $ 30,848,500       $ 36,046,543  

Ratios to average net assets:

                 

Expenses, before reimbursements and/or recoupments

    1.78       1.75       1.95       1.76       1.66

Expenses, net of reimbursements and/or recoupments

    1.78       1.75       1.95       1.76 %D        1.54

Net investment income, before expense reimbursements and/or recoupments

    0.47       0.32       0.72       1.13       0.91

Net investment income, net of reimbursements and/or recoupments

    0.47       0.32       0.72       1.13       1.02

Portfolio turnover rate

    30       37       82       68       28

 

A 

On January 23, 2020, Brandywine Global Investment Management, LLC was terminated and ceased managing assets of the Fund.

B 

Per share amounts have been calculated using the average shares method.

C 

Based on net asset value, which does not reflect the sales charge, redemption fee, or contingent deferred sales charge, if applicable. May include adjustments in accordance with U.S. GAAP and as such, the net asset value for reporting purposes and the returns based upon those net asset values may differ from the net asset value and returns for shareholder transactions.

D 

This ratio does not include a voluntary reimbursement of service fees as included in the prior year.

 

See accompanying notes

 

60


American Beacon Balanced FundSM

Federal Tax Information

October 31, 2022 (Unaudited)

 

 

Certain tax information regarding the Funds is required to be provided to shareholders based upon the Funds’ income and distributions for the taxable year ended October 31, 2022. The information and distributions reported herein may differ from information and distributions taxable to the shareholders for the calendar year ended December 31, 2022.

The Funds designated the following items with regard to distributions paid during the fiscal year ended October 31, 2022. All designations are based on financial information available as of this annual report and, accordingly, are subject to change. For each item, it is the intention of the Funds to designate the maximum amount permitted under the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, and the regulations there under.

Corporate Dividends-Received Deduction:

 

Balanced

    27.86

Qualified Dividend Income:

 

Balanced

    33.28

Long-Term Capital Gain Distributions:

 

Balanced

  $ 11,354,848  

Short-Term Capital Gain Distributions:

 

Balanced

  $ 3,045,807  

Shareholders will receive notification in January 2023 of the applicable tax information necessary to prepare their 2022 income tax returns.

 

 

61


Disclosure Regarding Approval of the Management and Investment Advisory Agreements (Unaudited)

 

 

At meetings held on May 16, 2022 and June 7-8, 2022 (collectively, the “Meetings”), the Board of Trustees (“Board” or “Trustees”) considered and then, at its June 8, 2022 meeting, approved the renewal of:

(1) the Management Agreement between American Beacon Advisors, Inc. (“Manager”) and the American Beacon Funds (“Trust”), on behalf of the American Beacon Balanced Fund (“Fund”); and

(2) the Investment Advisory Agreements among the Manager, the Trust, on behalf of the Fund, and each of Barrow, Hanley, Mewhinney & Strauss, LLC (“Barrow”) and Hotchkis and Wiley Capital Management, LLC (“Hotchkis”) (each, a “sub-advisor” and collectively, the “sub-advisors”).

The Management Agreement and the Investment Advisory Agreements are referred to herein individually as an “Agreement” and collectively as the “Agreements.”

In preparation for its consideration of the renewal of the Agreements, the Board undertook steps to gather and consider information furnished by the Manager, the sub-advisors, Broadridge, Inc. (“Broadridge”) and Morningstar, Inc. (“Morningstar”). The Board, with the assistance of independent legal counsel, requested and received certain relevant information from the Manager and each sub-advisor.

In advance of the Meetings, the Board’s Investment Committee and/or the Manager coordinated the production of information from Broadridge and Morningstar regarding the performance, fees and expenses of the Fund as well as information from the Manager and the sub-advisors. At the Meetings, the Board considered the information provided in connection with the renewal process, as well as information furnished to the Board throughout the year at regular meetings of the Board and its committees. In connection with the Board’s consideration of the Agreements, the Trustees received and evaluated such information as they deemed necessary. This information is described below in the section summarizing the factors the Board considered in connection with its renewal and approval of the Agreements, as well as the section describing additional Board considerations with respect to the Fund.

The Board noted that the Manager provides management and administrative services to the Fund pursuant to the Management Agreement. The Board considered that many mutual funds have separate contracts governing each type of service and observed that, with respect to such mutual funds, the actual management fee rates provided by Broadridge for peer group funds reflect the combined advisory and administrative fees, reduced by any fee waivers and/or reimbursements.

The Manager or a sub-advisor may not have been able to, or opted not to, provide information in response to certain information requests, in which case the Board conducted its evaluation of the firm based on information that was provided. In such cases, the Board determined that the omission of any such information was not material to its considerations.

Provided below is an overview of certain factors the Board considered in connection with its decision to approve the renewal of the Agreements. The Board did not identify any particular information that was most relevant to its consideration of whether to approve the renewal of each Agreement, and each Trustee may have afforded different weight to the various factors. Legal counsel to the independent Trustees provided the Board with a memorandum regarding its responsibilities pertaining to the renewal of investment advisory contracts, such as the Agreements, and related regulatory guidelines. Based on its evaluation, the Board unanimously concluded that the terms of each Agreement were reasonable and fair and that the approval of the renewal of each Agreement was in the best interests of the Fund and its shareholders.

Considerations With Respect to the Renewal of the Management Agreement and the Investment Advisory Agreements

In determining whether to approve the renewal of the Agreements, the Board considered the Fund’s investment management and sub-advisory relationships separately. In each instance, the Board considered, among

 

 

62


Disclosure Regarding Approval of the Management and Investment Advisory Agreements (Unaudited)

 

 

other things, the following factors: (1) the nature, extent and quality of the services provided; (2) the investment performance of the Fund and the sub-advisors for the Fund; (3) the profits earned by the Manager in rendering services to the Fund; (4) comparisons of services and fee rates with contracts entered into by the Manager or a sub-advisor or their affiliates with other clients (such as pension funds and other institutional clients); (5) the extent to which economies of scale, if any, have been taken into account in setting each fee rate schedule; (6) whether fee rate levels reflect economies of scale, if any, for the benefit of Fund investors; and (7) any other benefits derived or anticipated to be derived by the Manager or the sub-advisors from their relationships with the Fund.

Nature, Extent and Quality of Services. With respect to the renewal of the Management Agreement, the Board considered, among other factors: the Fund’s long-term performance; the length of service of key investment personnel at the Manager; the cost structure of the Fund; the Manager’s culture of compliance and support that reduce risks to the Fund; the Manager’s quality of services; the Manager’s active role in monitoring and, as appropriate, recommending additional or replacement sub-advisors; and the Manager’s efforts to retain key employees and maintain staffing levels.

With respect to the renewal of each Investment Advisory Agreement, the Board considered, among other factors: the level of staffing and the size of each sub-advisor; succession plans for key employees who perform services for the Fund; diversity and inclusion initiatives; the adequacy of the resources committed to the Fund by each sub-advisor; the financial stability of each sub-advisor; and representations made by each sub-advisor regarding its compliance program. Based on the foregoing and other information, the Board concluded that the nature, extent and quality of the management and advisory services provided by the Manager and each sub-advisor were appropriate for the Fund.

Investment Performance. The Board evaluated the comparative information provided by Broadridge and the Manager regarding the performance of the Fund relative to its Broadridge Performance Universe, Morningstar Category, and benchmark index, as well as the Fund’s Morningstar rating. The Board considered the information provided by Broadridge regarding its independent methodology for selecting the Fund’s Broadridge Performance Universe. In addition, the Board considered the performance reports and discussions with management at meetings of the Board and its committees throughout the year. The Board also evaluated the comparative information provided by each sub-advisor regarding the performance of its portion of the Fund relative to the performance of a composite of comparable investment accounts managed by the sub-advisor, and one or both components of the Fund’s benchmark index, as applicable. In addition, the Board considered the Manager’s recommendation to continue to retain each sub-advisor. A discussion regarding the Board’s considerations with respect to the Fund’s performance appears below under “Additional Considerations and Conclusions with Respect to the Fund.”

Profits Realized by the Manager from its Relationship with the Fund. In analyzing the profitability of the Manager, the Board considered the revenues earned and the expenses incurred by the Manager, before and after the payment of distribution-related expenses by the Manager. The profits were noted at both an aggregate level for all funds within the group of mutual funds sponsored by the Manager (the “Fund Complex”) and at an individual Fund level, with the Manager earning a profit before the payment of distribution-related expenses by the Manager and sustaining a loss after the payment of distribution-related expenses by the Manager with respect to the Fund. The Board also considered comparative information provided by the Manager regarding the Manager’s overall profitability with respect to the Fund Complex relative to the overall profitability of other firms in the mutual fund industry, as disclosed in publicly available sources. Although the Board noted that, in certain cases, the fee rates paid by other clients of the Manager are lower than the fee rates paid by the Fund, the Manager represented that, among other matters, the difference is attributable to the fact that the Manager does not perform administrative services for non-investment company clients and reflects the greater level of responsibility and regulatory requirements associated with managing the Fund.

The Board further considered that, with respect to the Fund, the Management Agreement provides for the Manager to receive a management fee comprised of an annualized fee that is retained by the Manager. In addition, the Board considered that the Manager receives fees for managing the portion of the Fund with respect to which

 

 

63


Disclosure Regarding Approval of the Management and Investment Advisory Agreements (Unaudited)

 

 

the Manager has not delegated day-to-day management to a sub-advisor and for administering and overseeing the securities lending program on behalf of the Fund. The Board also noted that certain share classes of the Fund have higher expense ratios in order to compensate third-party financial intermediaries.

In analyzing the fee rates charged by each sub-advisor in connection with its investment advisory services to the Fund, the Board considered the representation by Barrow that the Fund’s sub-advisory fee rate schedule generally was favorable compared to other comparable client accounts and the representation by Hotchkis that it does not have comparable client accounts. The Board did not request profitability data from the sub-advisors because the Board did not view this data as imperative to its deliberations given the arm’s-length nature of the relationship between the Manager and the sub-advisors with respect to the negotiation of sub-advisory fee rates. In addition, the Board noted that sub-advisors may not account for their profits on an account-by-account basis and that different firms likely employ different methodologies in connection with these calculations.

Based on the foregoing information, the Board concluded that the profitability levels of the Manager were reasonable in light of the services performed by the Manager. A discussion regarding the Board’s considerations with respect to the Fund’s fee rates is set forth below under “Additional Considerations and Conclusions with Respect to the Fund.”

Economies of Scale. In considering the reasonableness of the management and investment advisory fees rates, the Board considered whether economies of scale will be realized as the Fund grows and whether fee rate levels reflect these economies of scale for the benefit of Fund shareholders. In this regard, the Board considered that, with respect to each sub-advisor, the Manager has negotiated breakpoints for the sub-advisory fee rate schedule. The Board also noted that, for purposes of determining the fee rates chargeable to the Fund, certain sub-advisors have agreed to take into account other clients of the Manager whose assets are allocated to the sub-advisors by the Manager for purposes of calculating the Fund’s sub-advisory fee rate breakpoints.

In addition, the Board noted the Manager’s representation that the Management Agreement contains fee schedule breakpoints at higher asset levels with respect to the Fund, except for the portion of the Fund with respect to which the Manager has not delegated day-to-day management to a sub-advisor. In this regard, the Board considered that the Fund’s current assets did not exceed the threshold necessary to reach the first management fee breakpoint. Based on the foregoing information, the Board concluded that the Manager and sub-advisor fee rate schedules for the Fund provide for a reasonable sharing of benefits from any economies of scale with the Fund.

Benefits Derived from the Relationship with the Fund. The Board considered the “fall-out” or ancillary benefits that accrue to the Manager and/or the sub-advisors as a result of the advisory relationships with the Fund, including greater exposure in the marketplace with respect to the Manager’s or the sub-advisors’ investment process and expanding the level of assets under management by the Manager and the sub-advisors. The Board also considered that the Manager may invest the Fund’s cash balances and cash collateral provided by the borrowers of the Fund’s securities in the American Beacon U.S. Government Money Market Select Fund, which the Manager manages directly, and for which the Manager receives a fee. In addition, the Board noted that each sub-advisor benefits from soft dollar arrangements for proprietary and/or third-party research. Based on the foregoing information, the Board concluded that the potential benefits accruing to the Manager and the sub-advisors by virtue of their relationships with the Fund appear to be fair and reasonable.

Additional Considerations and Conclusions with Respect to the Fund

The performance comparisons below were made for the Fund’s R5 Class shares relative to the Fund’s Broadridge Performance Universe and Morningstar Category. With respect to the Broadridge Performance Universe, the 1st Quintile represents the top 20 percent of the universe based on performance, and the 5th Quintile represents the bottom 20 percent of the universe based on performance. References to the Fund’s Broadridge Performance Universe are to the respective universe of mutual funds with comparable investment classifications and objectives as determined by Broadridge. The performance of individual firms was calculated by the Manager based on information provided by the Fund’s custodian.

 

 

64


Disclosure Regarding Approval of the Management and Investment Advisory Agreements (Unaudited)

 

 

In reviewing the performance, the Board viewed longer-term performance over a full market cycle, typically five years or longer, as the most important consideration because relative performance over shorter periods may be significantly impacted by market or economic events and not necessarily reflective of sub-advisor skill.

The expense comparisons below were made for the Fund’s R5 Class shares relative to the Fund’s Broadridge Expense Universe and Broadridge Expense Group, and Y Class shares relative to the Fund’s Morningstar Fee Level universe. The 1st Quintile represents the lowest 20 percent of the universe or group based on lowest total expense, and the 5th Quintile represents the highest 20 percent of the universe or group based on highest total expense. References to the Fund’s Expense Group and Expense Universe are to the respective group or universe of comparable mutual funds as determined by Broadridge. A Broadridge Expense Group consists of the Fund and a representative sample of funds with similar operating structures and asset sizes, as selected by Broadridge. A Broadridge Expense Universe includes all funds with comparable investment classifications/objectives and similar operating structures to that of the share class under review for the Fund, including funds in the Broadridge Expense Group. The Broadridge expense comparisons are based on the most recent audited financial information publicly available for the Fund as of December 31, 2021. References to the Fund’s Morningstar Fee Level ranking are to the institutional share class of comparable mutual funds as determined by Morningstar.

The Board considered the Fund’s Morningstar fee level category with the 1st Quintile representing the lowest 20 percent of the category constituents and the 5th Quintile representing the highest 20 percent of the category in terms of total expense.

In reviewing expenses, the Board considered the positive impact of fee waivers and the Manager’s agreement to continue the fee waivers. The Board also considered that, in connection with the change in the name of the Fund’s Institutional Class shares, the share class used for the Fund’s Morningstar Fee Level comparisons had changed from the R5 Class shares to the Y Class shares, which may have resulted in a less favorable Morningstar Fee Level Ranking for the Fund.

In considering the renewal of the Management Agreement for the Fund, the Board considered the following additional factors:

Broadridge Total Expenses Excluding 12b-1 Fees and Morningstar Fee Level Ranking

 

Compared to Broadridge Expense Group

     1 st Quintile 

Compared to Broadridge Expense Universe

     3 rd Quintile 

Morningstar Fee Level Ranking

     3 rd Quintile 

Broadridge and Morningstar Performance Analysis (five-year period ended December 31, 2021)

 

Compared to Broadridge Performance Universe

     5 th Quintile 

Compared to Morningstar Category

     4 th Quintile 

The Board noted that American Beacon Advisors, Inc. (“AmBeacon”) receives an additional fee under the Management Agreement for managing an allocation of the Fund. In considering the renewal of the Management Agreement with AmBeacon and the Investment Advisory Agreements with Barrow, Hotchkis and AmBeacon, the Board considered that the diversification of investment strategies facilitated by the Fund’s multi-manager structure permits the Fund to mitigate the risks associated with a single sub-advisor. The Board also considered the following additional factors:

Sub-advisor Performance (compared to Broadridge Performance Universe for period indicated ended December 31, 2021)

 

Barrow

    5 Years         5 th Quintile 

Hotchkis*

    5 Years         2 nd Quintile 

AmBeacon**

    5 Years         4 th Quintile 

*Hotchkis equity value-only return compared to the Broadridge large cap value Performance Universe

 

**AmBeacon bond-only return compared to Broadridge core bond Performance Universe

 

 

 

65


Disclosure Regarding Approval of the Management and Investment Advisory Agreements (Unaudited)

 

 

The Board also considered: (1) the funds included in the Broadridge Performance Universe are managed pursuant to a variety of investment styles, and the Fund may underperform when a value investment style is out of favor; (2) the Manager and Barrow invest the Fund’s fixed income portfolio exclusively in investment-grade debt securities while the funds in the Broadridge Performance Universe may invest in high-yield debt securities; and (3) the Manager’s recommendation to continue to retain each sub-advisor.

Based on these and other considerations, the Board: (1) concluded that the fees paid to the Manager and the sub-advisors under the Management and Investment Advisory Agreements are fair and reasonable; and (2) determined that the Fund and its shareholders would benefit from the Manager’s and sub-advisors’ continued management of the Fund.

 

 

66


Disclosure Regarding Liquidity Risk Management Program (Unaudited)

 

 

Rule 22e-4 under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (“Rule 22e-4”), requires open-end registered investment companies (other than money market funds) to adopt and implement a written liquidity risk management program that is reasonably designed to assess and manage liquidity risk. The Fund has adopted a Liquidity Risk Management Program (the “Program”) that is designed to assess and manage liquidity risk, which is the risk that the Fund could not meet requests to redeem its shares without significant dilution of the remaining shareholders’ interests in the Fund. Pursuant to Rule 22e-4, the Program includes the following elements:

 

   

Assessment, management, and periodic review of liquidity risk;

 

   

Classification of each of the Fund’s portfolio investments into one of four liquidity categories: highly liquid, moderately liquid, less liquid, and illiquid;

 

   

Determination and review of a highly liquid investment minimum for any Fund that does not primarily hold assets that are highly liquid investments;

 

   

Policies and procedures to respond to a shortfall in the highly liquid investment minimum, including associated reports to the Fund’s Board of Trustees (the “Board”) and the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”);

 

   

A prohibition against a Fund acquiring an illiquid investment if immediately after the acquisition the Fund would have more than 15% of its net assets invested in illiquid investments that are assets;

 

   

Reporting of breaches of the illiquid investment prohibition to the Board and the SEC; and

 

   

Policies and procedures regarding how and when a Fund will satisfy redemption requests by distributing portfolio securities or other assets.

The Manager’s Liquidity Committee administers the Program and has provided quarterly reports to the Board regarding the Fund’s liquidity risk. In addition, at the Board’s March 2-3, 2022 meetings, the Board reviewed the Liquidity Committee’s written report (“Report”) that addressed the operation of the Program and assessed the adequacy and effectiveness of its implementation from January 1, 2021 through December 31, 2021 (the “review period”).

Key conclusions that the Liquidity Committee included in the Report are listed below:

 

   

The Program is reasonably designed to assess and manage the Fund’s liquidity risk.

 

   

The operation of the Program was adequate during the review period.

 

   

There were no material changes to the Program during the review period.

 

   

The Fund included in this shareholder report was deemed to primarily hold assets that are highly liquid, and no highly liquid investment minimum was recommended.

 

   

The Program was effectively implemented by the Liquidity Committee during the review period.

 

   

Administration of the Program by the Liquidity Committee continues to be appropriate.

 

 

67


Trustees and Officers of the American Beacon FundsSM (Unaudited)

 

 

The Trustees and officers of the American Beacon Funds (the “Trust”) are listed below, together with their principal occupations during the past five years. The address of each person listed below is 220 East Las Colinas Boulevard, Suite 1200, Irving, Texas 75039. Each Trustee oversees twenty-seven funds in the fund complex that includes the Trust, the American Beacon Select Funds, and the American Beacon Institutional Funds Trust. The Trust’s Statement of Additional Information contains additional information about the Trustees and is available without charge by calling 1-800-658-5811.

 

Name, Age

  

Position, Term of

Office and Length

of Time Served

with the Trust

  

Principal Occupation(s) During Past 5 Years

and Current Directorships

INTERESTED TRUSTEES   

Term

  
  

Lifetime of Trust until removal, resignation or

retirement*

  
Eugene J. Duffy (68)**    Trustee since 2008    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 Select Funds (2008-Present); Trustee, American Beacon Institutional Funds Trust (2017-Present); Trustee, American Beacon Sound Point Enhanced Income Fund (2018–2021); Trustee, American Beacon Apollo Total Return Fund (2018–2021).
NON-INTERESTED TRUSTEES   

Term

  
  

Lifetime of Trust until removal, resignation or

retirement*

  
Gilbert G. Alvarado (52)    Trustee since 2015    Chief Financial Officer (2022-Present), The Conrad Prebys Foundation; 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 Select Funds (2015-Present); Trustee, American Beacon Institutional Funds Trust (2017-Present); Trustee, American Beacon Sound Point Enhanced Income Fund (2018–2021); Trustee, American Beacon Apollo Total Return Fund (2018–2021).
Joseph B. Armes (60)    Trustee since 2015    Director, Switchback Energy Acquisition (2019-2021); Chairman & CEO, CSW Industrials f/k/a Capital Southwest Corporation (investment company) (2015-Present); Chairman of the Board of Capital Southwest Corporation, predecessor to CSW Industrials, Inc. (2014-2017) (investment company); President & CEO, JBA Investment Partners (family investment vehicle) (2010-Present); Director and Chair of Audit Committee, RSP Permian (oil and gas producer) (2013-2018); Trustee, American Beacon Select Funds (2015-Present); Trustee, American Beacon Institutional Funds Trust (2017-Present); 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    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. (2015-Present); Trustee, American Beacon Select Funds (2012-Present); Trustee, American Beacon Institutional Funds Trust (2017-Present); Trustee, American Beacon Sound Point Enhanced Income Fund (2018–2021); Trustee, American Beacon Apollo Total Return Fund (2018–2021).

 

 

68


Trustees and Officers of the American Beacon FundsSM (Unaudited)

 

 

Name, Age

  

Position, Term of

Office and Length

of Time Served

with the Trust

  

Principal Occupation(s) During Past 5 Years

and Current Directorships

NON-INTERESTED TRUSTEES (CONT.)   

Term

  
  

Lifetime of Trust until removal, resignation or

retirement*

  
Brenda A. Cline (61)   

Trustee since 2004

Chair since 2019

Vice Chair 2018

   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 and Open-End Funds (2017-2021);Chair, (2019-Present), Vice Chair (2018), Trustee (2004-Present), American Beacon Select Funds; Chair(2019-Present), Vice Chair(2018), Trustee(2017-Present), American Beacon Institutional Funds Trust; Chair(2019-2021), Vice Chair(2018), Trustee(2018-2021), American Beacon Sound Point Enhanced Income Fund (2018–2021); Chair(2019-2021), Vice Chair(2018), Trustee(2018-2021), American Beacon Apollo Total Return Fund (2018–2021).
Claudia A. Holz (65)    Trustee since 2018    Independent Director, Blue Owl Capital Inc. (2021-Present); Partner, KPMG LLP (1990 – 2017); Trustee, American Beacon Select Funds (2018-Present); Trustee, American Beacon Institutional Funds Trust (2018-Present); Trustee, American Beacon Sound Point Enhanced Income Fund (2018–2021); Trustee, American Beacon Apollo Total Return Fund (2018–2021).
Douglas A. Lindgren (60)    Trustee since 2018    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 Select Funds (2018-Present); Trustee, American Beacon Institutional Funds Trust (2018-Present); Trustee, American Beacon Sound Point Enhanced Income Fund (2018–2021); Trustee, American Beacon Apollo Total Return Fund (2018–2021).
Barbara J. McKenna, CFA (59)    Trustee since 2012    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 Select Funds (2012-Present); Trustee, American Beacon Institutional Funds Trust (2017-Present); Trustee, American Beacon Sound Point Enhanced Income Fund (2018–2021); Trustee, American Beacon Apollo Total Return Fund (2018–2021).

 

 

69


Trustees and Officers of the American Beacon FundsSM (Unaudited)

 

 

Name, Age

  

Position, Term of

Office and Length

of Time Served

with the Trust

  

Principal Occupation(s) During Past 5 Years

and Current Directorships

OFFICERS   

Term

  
   One Year   
Jeffrey K. Ringdahl (47)   

President since 2022

Vice President (2010-2022)

   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 & 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, 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), Vice President (2014-2022), American Beacon Cayman Managed Futures Strategy Fund, Ltd.; Director (2018-Present), President (2022-Present), (Vice President (2018-2022), American Beacon Cayman TargetRisk Company, Ltd; President (2022-Present); Vice President (2010-2022), American Beacon Select Funds; President (2022-Present), Vice President (2017-2022), American Beacon Institutional Funds Trust; Vice President (2018-2021), American Beacon Sound Point Enhanced Income Fund; Vice President (2018-2021), American Beacon Apollo Total Return Fund.

 

 

70


Trustees and Officers of the American Beacon FundsSM (Unaudited)

 

 

Name, Age

  

Position, Term of

Office and Length

of Time Served

with the Trust

  

Principal Occupation(s) During Past 5 Years

and Current Directorships

OFFICERS (CONT.)   

Term

  
   One Year   
Rosemary K. Behan (63)   

VP, Secretary and

Chief Legal

Officer since 2006

   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, L.L.C. (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 (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); Chief Legal Officer, Vice President and Secretary, American Beacon Select Funds (2006-Present); Chief Legal Officer, Vice President and Secretary, American Beacon Institutional Funds Trust (2017-Present); Chief Legal Officer, Vice President and Secretary, American Beacon Sound Point Enhanced Income Fund (2018-2021); Chief Legal Officer, Vice President and Secretary, American Beacon Apollo Total Return Fund (2018-2021).
Gregory J. Stumm (41)    VP since 2022    Senior Vice President (2022-Present), American Beacon Advisors, Inc.; Senior Vice President (2022-Present), Resolute Investment Managers, Inc.; Director and Senior Vice President (2022-Present), Resolute Investment Distributors, Inc.; Senior Vice President (2022-Present), Resolute Investment Services, Inc.; Vice President (2022-Present), American Beacon Select Funds; Vice President (2022-Present), American Beacon Institutional Funds Trust.
Paul B. Cavazos (53)    VP since 2016    Chief Investment Officer and Senior Vice President, American Beacon Advisors, Inc. (2016-Present); American Private Equity Management, L.L.C. (2017–Present); Vice President, American Beacon Select Funds (2016-Present); Vice President, American Beacon Institutional Funds Trust (2017-Present); Vice President, American Beacon Sound Point Enhanced Income Fund (2018-2021); Vice President, American Beacon Apollo Total Return Fund (2018-2021).
Erica Duncan (52)    VP since 2011    Vice President, American Beacon Advisors, Inc. (2011-Present); Vice President, Resolute Investment Managers (2018-Present); Vice President, Resolute Investment Services, Inc. (2018-Present); Vice President, American Beacon Select Funds (2011-Present); Vice President, American Beacon Institutional Funds Trust (2017-Present); Vice President, American Beacon Sound Point Enhanced Income Fund (2018-2021); Vice President, American Beacon Apollo Total Return Fund (2018-2021).

 

 

71


Trustees and Officers of the American Beacon FundsSM (Unaudited)

 

 

Name, Age

  

Position, Term of

Office and Length

of Time Served

with the Trust

  

Principal Occupation(s) During Past 5 Years

and Current Directorships

OFFICERS (CONT.)   

Term

  
   One Year   
Melinda G. Heika (61)    VP 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 and CFO, 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. (2018-Present); Principal Accounting Officer and Treasurer (2010-2021); American Beacon Funds; Vice President (2021-Present), Principal Accounting Officer (2017-2021) and Treasurer (2010-2021), American Beacon Select Funds; Vice President (2021–Present), Principal Accounting Officer and Treasurer (2017-2021), American Beacon Institutional Funds Trust; Vice President (2021), Principal Accounting Officer and Treasurer (2018-2021), American Beacon Sound Point Enhanced Income Fund; Vice President (2021), Principal Accounting Officer and Treasurer, American Beacon Apollo Total Return Fund (2018-2021).
Terri L. McKinney (58)    VP since 2010    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 Select Funds (2010-Present); Vice President, American Beacon Institutional Funds Trust (2017-Present); Vice President, American Beacon Sound Point Enhanced Income Fund (2018-2021); Vice President, American Beacon Apollo Total Return Fund (2018-2021).
Samuel J. Silver (59)    VP since 2011    Vice President (2011-Present), Chief Fixed Income Officer (2016-Present), American Beacon Advisors, Inc.; Vice President, American Beacon Select Funds (2011-Present); Vice President, American Beacon Institutional Funds Trust (2017-Present); Vice President, American Beacon Sound Point Enhanced Income Fund (2018-2021); Vice President, American Beacon Apollo Total Return Fund (2018-2021).

 

 

72


Trustees and Officers of the American Beacon FundsSM (Unaudited)

 

 

Name, Age

  

Position, Term of

Office and Length

of Time Served

with the Trust

  

Principal Occupation(s) During Past 5 Years

and Current Directorships

OFFICERS (CONT.)   

Term

  
   One Year   
Christina E. Sears (51)   

Chief Compliance

Officer since 2004

   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 (2017-Present); Vice President, Resolute Investment Services, Inc. (2019-Present); Chief Compliance Officer, American Private Equity Management, L.L.C. (2012-Present); Chief Compliance Officer, Green Harvest Asset Management, LLC (2019-2021); Chief Compliance Officer, RSW Investments Holdings, LLC (2019-Present); Chief Compliance Officer (2016-2019) and Vice President (2016-2020), Alpha Quant Advisors, LLC ; Chief Compliance Officer (2018-2019), Vice President (2018-2022), Continuous Capital, LLC; Assistant Secretary, American Beacon Funds (1999-Present); Chief Compliance Officer (2004-Present) and Assistant Secretary (1999-Present), American Beacon Select Funds; Chief Compliance Officer and Assistant Secretary, American Beacon Institutional Funds Trust (2017-Present); 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).
Sonia L. Bates (65)    Principal Accounting Officer and Treasurer since 2021    Assistant Treasurer, American Beacon Advisors, Inc. (2011-2018); Director, Fund and Tax Reporting (2011-Present), 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), Assistant Treasurer (2018-2022), American Beacon Cayman TargetRisk Company, Ltd.; Assistant Treasurer, American Beacon Funds (2011-2021); Principal Accounting Officer and Treasurer (2021-Present), Assistant Treasurer (2011-2021), American Beacon Select Funds; Principal Accounting Officer and Treasurer (2021-Present), Assistant Treasurer (2017-2021), American Beacon Institutional Funds Trust; Principal Accounting Officer and Treasurer (2021), Assistant Treasurer (2018-2021), American Beacon Sound Point Enhanced Income Fund; Principal Accounting Officer and Treasurer (2021), Assistant Treasurer (2018-2021), American Beacon Apollo Total Return Fund.
Shelley L. Dyson (52)    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 Select Funds (2021-Present); Assistant Treasurer, American Beacon Institutional Funds Trust (2021-Present); Assistant Treasurer, American Beacon Sound Point Enhanced Income Fund (2021); Assistant Treasurer, American Beacon Apollo Total Return Fund (2021).
Shelley D. Abrahams (47)    Assistant Secretary since 2008    Senior Corporate Governance & Regulatory Specialist (2020-Present), 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 Select Funds (2008-Present); Assistant Secretary, American Beacon Institutional Funds Trust (2017-Present); Assistant Secretary, American Beacon Sound Point Enhanced Income Fund (2018-2021); Assistant Secretary, American Beacon Apollo Total Return Fund (2018-2021).

 

 

73


Trustees and Officers of the American Beacon FundsSM (Unaudited)

 

 

Name, Age

  

Position, Term of

Office and Length

of Time Served

with the Trust

  

Principal Occupation(s) During Past 5 Years

and Current Directorships

OFFICERS (CONT.)   

Term

  
   One Year   
Rebecca L. Harris (55)    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 (2015-Present), Resolute Investment Services; Vice President, Alpha Quant Advisors, LLC (2016-2020); Vice President (2018-2022), Director (2022) Continuous Capital, LLC; Director, National Investment Services of American, LLC (2022-Present); Director, RSW Investments Holdings LLC (2022-Present); Director Shapiro Capital Management LLC (2022-Present); Director, SSI Investment Management LLC (2022-Present); Assistant Secretary, American Beacon Funds (2010-2022); Vice President (2022-Present), Assistant Secretary (2010-2022), American Beacon Select Funds; Vice President (2022-Present), Assistant Secretary (2017-2022), American Beacon Institutional Funds Trust; Assistant Secretary, American Beacon Sound Point Enhanced Income Fund (2018-2021); Assistant Secretary, American Beacon Apollo Total Return Fund (2018-2021).
Teresa A. Oxford (64)    Assistant Secretary since 2015    Assistant Secretary and Associate General Counsel, American Beacon Advisors, Inc. (2015-Present); Assistant Secretary, Resolute Investment Distributors (2018-2021); Assistant Secretary and Associate General Counsel, Resolute Investment Managers, Inc. (2017-Present); Assistant Secretary and Associate General Counsel, Resolute Investment Services (2018-Present); Assistant Secretary, Alpha Quant Advisors, LLC (2016-2020); Assistant Secretary, Continuous Capital, LLC (2020-2022); Assistant Secretary, American Beacon Select Funds (2015-Present); Assistant Secretary, American Beacon Institutional Funds Trust (2017-Present); Assistant Secretary, American Beacon Sound Point Enhanced Income Fund (2018-2021); Assistant Secretary, American Beacon Apollo Total Return Fund (2018-2021).
Michael D. Jiang (37)    Assistant Secretary since 2021    Assistant Secretary (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) and 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 Select Funds (2021-Present); Assistant Secretary, American Beacon Institutional Funds Trust (2021-Present); Assistant Secretary, American Beacon Sound Point Enhanced Income Fund (2021); Assistant Secretary, American Beacon Apollo Total Return Fund (2021).

* As of 11/12/2014, the Board adopted a retirement plan 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 being 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.

 

 

74


American Beacon Balanced FundSM

Privacy Policy

October 31, 2022 (Unaudited)

 

 

The American Beacon Funds recognize and respect the privacy of our shareholders. We are providing this notice to you so you will understand how shareholder information may be collected and used.

We may collect nonpublic personal information about you from one or more of the following sources:

 

   

information we receive from you on applications or other forms;

 

   

information about your transactions with us or our service providers; and

 

   

information we receive from third parties.

We do not disclose any nonpublic personal information about our customers or former customers to anyone, except as permitted by law.

We restrict access to your nonpublic personal information to those employees or service providers who need to know that information to provide products or services to you. To ensure the confidentiality of your nonpublic personal information, we maintain safeguards that comply with federal standards.

 

 

75


  

 

 

 

 

 

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76


LOGO

 

 

 

Delivery of Documents

Shareholder reports are available online at www.americanbeaconfunds.com/reports. Please be advised that reports are no longer sent by mail. Instead, the reports are made available online, and you will be notified by mail each time a report is posted online. You will be provided with a website link to access the report. You may elect to receive all future reports in paper free of charge. You can request to continue receiving paper copies by calling 1-866-345-5954, or you may directly inform your financial intermediary. Detailed instructions are also included in your report notifications.

If you invest in the Fund through a financial institution, you may be able to receive the Fund’s regulatory mailings, such as the Prospectus, Annual Report and Semi-Annual Report, by e-mail. If you are interested in this option, please go to www.icsdelivery.com and search for your financial institution’s name or contact your financial institution directly.

To obtain more information about the Fund:

 

LOGO   LOGO
 
By E-mail:   On the Internet:
american_beacon.funds@ambeacon.com   Visit our website at www.americanbeaconfunds.com
   
     
 

LOGO

By Telephone:

Call (800) 658-5811

 

LOGO

By Mail:

American Beacon Funds

P.O. Box 219643

Kansas City, MO 64121-9643

   
     
Availability of Quarterly Portfolio Schedules   Availability of Proxy Voting Policy and Records
 
In addition to the Schedule of Investments provided in each semi-annual and annual report, the Fund files a complete schedule of its portfolio holdings with the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) on Form N-PORT as of the end of each fiscal quarter. The Fund’s Forms N-PORT are available on the SEC’s website at www.sec.gov. The Forms N-PORT may also be reviewed and copied at the SEC’s Public Reference Section, 100 F Street, NE, Washington, D.C. 20549-2736. Information regarding the operation of the SEC’s Public Reference Room may be obtained by calling (800)-SEC-0330. A complete schedule of the Fund’s portfolio holdings is also available at www.americanbeaconfunds.com approximately twenty days after the end of each month.   A description of the policies and procedures the Fund uses to determine how to vote proxies relating to portfolio securities is available in the Fund’s Statement of Additional Information, is available free of charge on the Fund’s website www.americanbeaconfunds.com and by calling 1-800-967-9009 or by accessing the SEC’s website at www.sec.gov. The Fund’s proxy voting record for the most recent year ended June 30 is filed annually with the SEC on Form N-PX. The Fund’s Forms N-PX are available on the SEC’s website at www.sec.gov. The Fund’s proxy voting record may also be obtained by calling 1-800-967-9009.

Fund Service Providers:

 

CUSTODIAN

State Street Bank and

Trust Company

Boston, Massachusetts

   

TRANSFER AGENT

DST Asset Manager

Solutions, Inc.

Quincy, Massachusetts

   

INDEPENDENT REGISTERED

PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM

PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP

Boston, Massachusetts

   

DISTRIBUTOR

Resolute Investment

Distributors, Inc.

Irving, Texas

This report is prepared for shareholders of the American Beacon Funds and may be distributed to others only if preceded or accompanied by a current Prospectus or Summary Prospectus.

 

American Beacon Funds and American Beacon Balanced Fund are service marks of American Beacon Advisors, Inc.

AR 10/22


LOGO


About American Beacon Advisors

 

Since 1986, American Beacon Advisors, Inc. has offered a variety of products and investment advisory services to numerous institutional and retail clients, including a variety of mutual funds, corporate cash management, and separate account management.

Our clients include defined benefit plans, defined contribution plans, foundations, endowments, corporations, financial planners, and other institutional investors. With American Beacon Advisors, you can put the experience of a multi-billion dollar asset management firm to work for your company.

GARCIA HAMILTON QUALITY BOND FUND

The use of fixed-income securities entails interest rate and credit risks. Interest rate risk is the risk that debt securities will decrease in value with increases in market interest rates. Credit risk is the risk that the issuer of a bond will fail to make timely payment of interest or principal; and the decline in an issuer’s credit rating can cause the price of its bonds to go down. The Fund’s incorporation of environmental, social and/or governance (ESG) considerations in its investment strategy may cause it to underperform funds that do not incorporate these considerations. Please see the prospectus for a complete discussion of the Fund’s risks. There can be no assurances that the investment objectives of this Fund will be met.

This report may contain information obtained from third parties, including ratings from credit rating agencies such as Standard & Poor’s. Reproduction and distribution of third-party content in any form is prohibited except with the prior written permission of the related third party. Third-party content providers do not guarantee the accuracy, completeness, timeliness or availability of any information, including ratings, and are not responsible for any errors or omissions (negligent or otherwise), regardless of the cause, or for the results obtained from the use of such content. THIRD-PARTY CONTENT PROVIDERS GIVE NO EXPRESS OR IMPLIED WARRANTIES, INCLUDING, BUT NOT LIMITED TO, ANY WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY OR FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE OR USE. THIRD-PARTY CONTENT PROVIDERS SHALL NOT BE LIABLE FOR ANY DIRECT, INDIRECT, INCIDENTAL, EXEMPLARY, COMPENSATORY, PUNITIVE, SPECIAL OR CONSEQUENTIAL DAMAGES, COSTS, EXPENSES, LEGAL FEES OR LOSSES (INCLUDING LOST INCOME OR PROFITS AND OPPORTUNITY COSTS OR LOSSES CAUSED BY NEGLIGENCE) IN CONNECTION WITH ANY USE OF THEIR CONTENT, INCLUDING RATINGS.

Credit ratings are statements of opinions and are not statements of fact or recommendations to purchase, hold or sell securities. They do not address the suitability of securities or the suitability of securities for investment purposes and should not be relied on as investment advice.

Any opinions herein, including forecasts, reflect our judgment as of the end of the reporting period and are subject to change. Each advisor’s strategies and the Fund’s portfolio composition will change depending on economic and market conditions. This report is not a complete analysis of market conditions and therefore, should not be relied upon as investment advice. Although economic and market information has been compiled from reliable sources, American Beacon Advisors, Inc. makes no representation as to the completeness or accuracy of the statements contained herein.

 

American Beacon Funds

October 31, 2022


Contents

 

 

President’s Message

    1  

Market and Performance Overviews

    3  

Expense Examples

    6  

Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

    8  

Schedule of Investments:

 

American Beacon Garcia Hamilton Quality Bond Fund

    9  

Financial Statements

    11  

Notes to Financial Statements

    14  

Financial Highlights:

 

American Beacon Garcia Hamilton Quality Bond Fund

    31  

Federal Tax Information

    35  

Disclosure Regarding Approval of the Management and Investment Advisory Agreements

    36  

Disclosure Regarding Liquidity Risk Management Program

    40  

Trustees and Officers of the American Beacon Funds

    41  

Privacy Policy

    48  

 

Additional Fund Information

    Back Cover  


President’s Message

 

 

LOGO  

Dear Shareholders,

 

Warren E. Buffett, the “Oracle of Omaha” and billionaire chairman and CEO of Berkshire Hathaway, once said, “Predicting rain doesn’t count. Building arks does.”

 

Mr. Buffet’s plain-spoken words make a great deal of common sense. Figuring out when the next dangerous storm may occur could prove to be an effort in futility if we haven’t also devised a plan for preserving our physical well-being when the thunder rolls and the lightning strikes. The time to build a shelter is before the storm clouds appear on the horizon. The same can also be said about our investment portfolios. Careful planning and fine-tuning can be especially important as we seek to preserve and grow our investment portfolios

during periods of economic uncertainty – particularly as we consider the effects of higher inflation, slower economic growth and geopolitical concerns such as Russia’s war with Ukraine.

None of us has the ability to foresee the future – not even the Oracle of Omaha. To help your investment portfolio weather storms over the long term, we encourage you to work with financial professionals to develop your personal savings plan, conduct annual plan reviews, and make thoughtful, purposeful plan adjustments to better manage your evolving financial needs and goals. By investing in different investment styles and asset classes, you may be able to help mitigate financial risks across your portfolio. By allocating your portfolio according to your risk-tolerance level, you may be better positioned to withstand short-term crises. Through careful planning, you will be better positioned to achieve enduring financial success.

Since 1986, American Beacon has endeavored to provide investors with a disciplined approach to realizing long-term financial goals. As a manager of managers, we strive to provide investment products that may enable investors to participate during market upswings while potentially insulating against market downswings. The investment teams behind our mutual funds seek to produce consistent, long-term results rather than focus only on short-term movements in the markets. In managing our investment products, we emphasize identifying opportunities that offer the potential for long-term financial rewards.

Thank you for entrusting your financial success with American Beacon. For additional information about our investment products or to access your account information, please visit our website at www.americanbeaconfunds.com.

Best Regards,

 

 

LOGO

Jeffrey K. Ringdahl

President

American Beacon Funds

 

 

1


Domestic Bond Market Overview

October 31, 2022 (Unaudited)

 

 

For the 12 months ended October 31, 2022, the investment-grade bond market posted a total return of -15.68%, as represented by the Bloomberg US Aggregate Bond Index (the “Index”). The performance reflects a combination of rising interest rates and negative excess returns (or returns relative to similar-duration U.S. Treasuries) from the spread sectors. This qualifies as the worst annual return in the 42-year history of the modern-day bond market. Agency mortgages reported the lowest excess return at -3.5%, followed by the credit sector at -3.0%. Agency bonds and asset-backed securities followed suit at -1.1% and -0.8%, respectively. In total, spread widening resulted in an excess return of -1.9% for the Index during the period. As a result, a majority of the negative performance was due to rising interest rates.

The federal funds rate rose by 3% during the period to 3.25%, and the market expected additional rate hikes over the next several months. The Treasury yield curve began the period under 2%, and yields rose to more than 4% across the entire curve. Additionally, the Federal Reserve (the “Fed”) began its quantitative tightening program, which involved shrinking its balance sheet by $95 billion per month ($60 billion from Treasuries and $35 billion from mortgages) and adding further upward pressure on interest rates.

Twin tailwinds of highly stimulative fiscal and monetary policies followed by a dissipation of the COVID-19 pandemic pushed economic growth and inflation to above-trend levels. Real gross domestic product averaged 3.25% growth year-over-year during the period, and the Consumer Price Index averaged more than 8% – well above the Fed’s target of 2%. As a result, in less than one year, the Fed undertook the largest episode of monetary policy tightening since 2006. As a result of the aggressive tightening, effects were already being felt by period end. The Index of Leading Economic Indicators was negative in six of the past seven months, existing-home sales fell 24% year-over-year according to the National Association of REALTORS®, and the NAHB/Wells Fargo Housing Market Index declined to a very weak reading of 38. Additionally, money supply growth slowed to 2.6% growth year-over-year, as compared to 12.5% at the beginning of the period. A growth rate below 6% has typically been associated with a weak economy and falling inflation. Lastly, fiscal policy quickly changed from historically stimulative to decidedly contractionary as Congress began to struggle with gridlock.

However, by period end, investors were beginning to anticipate that much of the heavy lifting from the Fed was nearing an end. The final stage will be for the Fed to pause on further rate increases and assess the cumulative effects on the economy and inflation thus far.

 

 

2


American Beacon Garcia Hamilton Quality Bond FundSM

Performance Overview

October 31, 2022 (Unaudited)

 

 

The Investor Class of the American Beacon Garcia Hamilton Quality Bond Fund (the “Fund”) returned -13.47% for the twelve months ended October 31, 2022. The Bloomberg US Aggregate Bond Index (the “Index”) returned -15.68% for the same period.

Comparison of Changes in Value of a $10,000 Investment for the period 4/4/2016 through 10/31/2022

 

 

LOGO

 

Total Returns for the Period ended Oct 31, 2022

 

   
    

Ticker

  

1 Year

  

3 Years

  

5 Years

 

Since Inception
4/4/2016

 

Value of $10,000

4/4/2016-

10/31/2022

R5 Class (1,4)

   GHQIX        (13.04 )%        (3.59 )%        (1.03 )%       (0.59 )%     $ 9,617

Y Class (1,4)

   GHQYX        (13.24 )%        (3.69 )%        (1.11 )%       (0.69 )%     $ 9,554

Investor Class (1,4)

   GHQPX        (13.47 )%        (3.96 )%        (1.40 )%       (0.97 )%     $ 9,380

R6 Class (1,3,4)

   GHQRX        (13.11 )%        (3.56 )%        (1.02 )%       (0.59 )%     $ 9,621
                         

Bloomberg US Aggregate Bond Index (2)

          (15.68 )%        (3.77 )%        (0.54 )%       0.00 %     $ 10,002

 

1.

Performance shown is historical and is not indicative of future returns. Investment returns and principal value will vary, and shares may be worth more or less at redemption than at original purchase. Performance shown is calculated based on the published end of day net asset values as of the date indicated and current performance may be lower or higher than the performance data quoted. To obtain performance as of the most recent month end, please visit www.americanbeaconfunds.com or call 1-800-967-9009. Fund performance in the table above does not reflect the deduction of taxes a shareholder would pay on distributions or the redemption of shares. Generally accepted accounting principles require adjustments to be made to the net assets of the Fund at period end for financial reporting purposes only; and as such, the total return based on the unadjusted net asset value per share may differ from the total return reported in the financial highlights. A portion of the fees charged to each Class of the Fund has been waived since Fund inception. Performance prior to waiving fees was lower than the actual returns shown since inception.

 

2.

The Bloomberg US Aggregate Bond Index is a broad-based benchmark that measures the investment grade, U.S. dollar-denominated, fixed-rate taxable bond market. BLOOMBERG® is a trademark and service mark of Bloomberg Finance L.P. and its affiliates (collectively, “Bloomberg”). Bloomberg or Bloomberg’s licensors, own all proprietary rights in the Bloomberg Indices. Bloomberg does not approve or endorse this material, or guarantee the accuracy or completeness of any information herein, or make any warranty, express or implied, as to the results to be obtained therefrom and, to the maximum extent allowed by law, shall not have any liability or responsibility for injury or damages arising in connection therewith. One cannot directly invest in an index.

 

 

3


American Beacon Garcia Hamilton Quality Bond FundSM

Performance Overview

October 31, 2022 (Unaudited)

 

 

3.

Fund performance for the five-year and since inception periods represent the returns achieved by the R5 Class from 4/4/16 through 2/28/19, the inception date of the R6 Class, and the returns of the R6 Class since its inception. Expenses of the R6 Class are lower than the R5 Class. As a result, total returns shown may be lower than they would have been had the R6 Class been in existence since 4/4/16.

 

4.

The Total Annual Fund Operating Expense ratios set forth in the most recent Fund prospectus for the R5, Y, Investor, and R6 Class shares were 0.67%, 0.74%, 1.29%, and 0.64%, respectively. The expense ratios above may vary from the expense ratios presented in other sections of this report that are based on expenses incurred during the period covered by this report.

The Fund outperformed during the period due primarily to its short duration as interest rates rose across the yield curve. The Fund’s duration began the period at 2.4 years and ended at 7.1 years, as compared to 6.1 years for the Index. As interest rates rose, the Fund gradually increased its duration to take advantage of higher yields.

The U.S. Federal Reserve Bank’s (the “Fed”) first interest rate hike came in mid-March 2022 (a 0.25% increase) with indication that additional increases would be needed. By period end, the Fed raised rates by a total of 3.00%, following a series of 0.75% increments, and continued to indicate that further rate hikes were needed. With inflation stubbornly high, anticipation of a terminal Fed Funds rate of over 5% was becoming more common.

Nearly all segments of the U.S. bond market posted negative returns during the period with longer maturities reporting the worst results. In the Index, the 1-3 year maturity segment returned -4.9%, 5-7 year maturities returned -13.3% and 10+ year maturities returned -31.2%. In response to significant yield curve flattening, the Fund reduced its barbell exposure as the 2-year treasury yield was inverted relative to the 10-year yield at period end.

Investment-grade credit spreads widened during the quarter as investors sought to avoid fixed income securities. The economy was generally performing well with unemployment low and corporate profitability high, but rising rates, fears of an economic slowdown, uncertainty in Ukraine and volatility in Europe and the U.K. left investors with lower risk appetites. Lower quality securities underperformed in the Index while higher quality outperformed; however, all credit segments underperformed U.S. Treasuries on a duration-adjusted basis. The Fund benefitted from its credit quality allocation as it avoided the lowest-rated (triple-B) segment of the market. The Fund’s total allocation to credit was generally in line with that of the Index, although it primarily held floating-rate securities which outperformed as yields rose.

Within Agency Mortgage-Backed securities, the Fund began the period with a large overweight position, due to their attractive carry but ended slightly underweight as duration increased and spreads widened. Rising interest rates led to slower prepayment activity, which caused maturities to lengthen and spreads to widen.

The primary components of the Fund’s strategy are to actively manage duration, sector allocation and yield-curve exposures based on top-down views of interest rates and other macroeconomic variables. The Fund invests in high-quality, low-volatility securities that provide the benefit of fixed income investing when investors need it most. No derivatives, leverage, foreign currency, or high-yield bonds are used in the strategy.

 

Top Ten Holdings (% Net Assets)

 

U.S. Treasury Bonds, 3.750%, Due 8/15/2041           13.6  
U.S. Treasury Bonds, 2.500%, Due 5/15/2046           5.9  
Federal National Mortgage Association, 3.000%, Due 5/1/2052           5.1  
Citigroup, Inc., 3.980%, Due 3/20/2030, (3 mo. USD LIBOR + 1.338%)           4.2  
U.S. Treasury Notes, 1.125%, Due 2/15/2031           4.1  
Goldman Sachs Group, Inc., 4.223%, Due 5/1/2029, (3 mo. USD LIBOR + 1.301%)           4.1  
Wells Fargo & Co., 4.478%, Due 4/4/2031, (Secured Overnight Financing Rate + 4.032%)           3.3  
Federal National Mortgage Association, 2.000%, Due 8/1/2037           3.1  
Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corp., 3.000%, Due 5/1/2052           3.1  
Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corp., 2.500%, Due 3/1/2052           3.1  
Total Fund Holdings      34       
       

 

 

4


American Beacon Garcia Hamilton Quality Bond FundSM

Performance Overview

October 31, 2022 (Unaudited)

 

 

Sector Allocation (% Investments)

 

U.S. Agency Mortgage-Backed Obligations           49.6  
U.S. Treasury Obligations           26.9  
Financial           18.1  
Technology           2.8  
Communications           2.6  

 

 

5


American Beacon Garcia Hamilton Quality Bond FundSM

Expense Examples

October 31, 2022 (Unaudited)

 

 

Fund Expense Example

As a shareholder of a Fund, you incur two types of costs: (1) transaction costs, including sales charges (loads) on purchase payments and redemption fees, if applicable, and (2) ongoing costs, including management fees, distribution (12b-1) fees, sub-transfer agent fees, and other Fund expenses. The Examples are intended to help you understand the ongoing cost (in dollars) of investing in the Fund and to compare these costs with the ongoing costs of investing in other mutual funds. The Examples are based on an investment of $1,000 invested at the beginning of the period in each Class and held for the entire period from May 1, 2022 through October 31, 2022.

Actual Expenses

The “Actual” lines of the tables provide information about actual account values and actual expenses. You may use the information on this page, together with the amount you invested, to estimate the expenses that you paid over the period. Simply divide your account value by $1,000 (for example, an $8,600 account value divided by $1,000 = $8.60), then multiply the result by the “Expenses Paid During Period” to estimate the expenses you paid on your account during this period. Shareholders of the Investor and R5 Classes that invest in the Fund through an IRA or Roth IRA may be subject to a custodial IRA fee of $15 that is typically deducted each December. If your account was subject to a custodial IRA fee during the period, your costs would have been $15 higher.

Hypothetical Example for Comparison Purposes

The “Hypothetical” lines of the tables provide information about hypothetical account values and hypothetical expenses based on the Fund’s actual expense ratio and an assumed 5% per year rate of return before expenses (not the Fund’s actual return). You may compare the ongoing costs of investing in the Fund with other funds by contrasting this 5% hypothetical example and the 5% hypothetical examples that appear in the shareholder reports of the other funds. The hypothetical account values and expenses may not be used to estimate the actual ending account balance or expenses you paid for the period. Shareholders of the Investor and R5 Classes that invest in the Funds through an IRA or Roth IRA may be subject to a custodial IRA fee of $15 that is typically deducted each December. If your account was subject to a custodial IRA fee during the period, your costs would have been $15 higher.

You should also be aware that the expenses shown in the table highlight only your ongoing costs and do not reflect any transaction costs charged by the Fund, such as sales charges (loads) or redemption fees, as applicable. Similarly, the expense examples for other funds do not reflect any transaction costs charged by those funds, such as sales charges (loads), redemption fees or exchange fees. Therefore, the “Hypothetical” lines of the tables are useful in comparing ongoing costs only and will not help you determine the relative total costs of owning different funds. If you were subject to any transaction costs during the period, your costs would have been higher.

 

 

6


American Beacon Garcia Hamilton Quality Bond FundSM

Expense Examples

October 31, 2022 (Unaudited)

 

 

American Beacon Garcia Hamilton Quality Bond Fund

 

    Beginning Account Value
5/1/2022
  Ending Account Value
10/31/2022
  Expenses Paid During
Period
5/1/2022-10/31/2022*
R5 Class            
Actual       $1,000.00       $923.60       $2.18
Hypothetical**       $1,000.00       $1,022.94       $2.29
Y Class            
Actual       $1,000.00       $922.70       $2.47
Hypothetical**       $1,000.00       $1,022.64       $2.60
Investor Class            
Actual       $1,000.00       $921.80       $4.02
Hypothetical**       $1,000.00       $1,021.02       $4.23
R6 Class            
Actual       $1,000.00       $922.70       $1.99
Hypothetical**       $1,000.00       $1,023.14       $2.09

 

*

Expenses are equal to the Fund’s annualized expense ratios for the six-month period of 0.45%, 0.51%, 0.83%, and 0.41% for the R5, Y, Investor, and R6 Classes, respectively, multiplied by the average account value over the period, multiplied by the number derived by dividing the number of days in the most recent fiscal half-year (184) by days in the year (365) to reflect the half-year period.

**

5% return before expenses.

 

 

7


American Beacon Garcia Hamilton Quality Bond FundSM

Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

 

 

To the Board of Trustees of American Beacon Funds and Shareholders of American Beacon Garcia Hamilton Quality Bond Fund

Opinion on the Financial Statements

We have audited the accompanying statement of assets and liabilities, including the schedule of investments, of American Beacon Garcia Hamilton Quality Bond Fund (one of the series constituting American Beacon Funds, referred to hereafter as the “Fund”) as of October 31, 2022, the related statements of operations and of changes in net assets for the year ended October 31, 2022, including the related notes, and the financial highlights for the year ended October 31, 2022 (collectively referred to as the “financial statements”). In our opinion, the financial statements present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of the Fund as of October 31, 2022, the results of its operations, the changes in its net assets, and the financial highlights for the year ended August 31, 2022, in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America.

The financial statements of the Fund as of and for the year ended October 31, 2021 and the financial highlights for each of the periods ended on or prior to October 31, 2021 (not presented herein, other than the statement of changes in net assets and the financial highlights) were audited by other auditors whose report dated December 30, 2021 expressed an unqualified opinion on those financial statements and financial highlights.

Basis for Opinion

These financial statements are the responsibility of the Fund’s management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on the Fund’s financial statements based on our audit. We are a public accounting firm registered with the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States) (PCAOB) and are required to be independent with respect to the Funds in accordance with the U.S. federal securities laws and the applicable rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission and the PCAOB.

We conducted our audit of these financial statements in accordance with the standards of the PCAOB. Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material misstatement, whether due to error or fraud.

Our audit included performing procedures to assess the risks of material misstatement of the financial statements, whether due to error or fraud, and performing procedures that respond to those risks. Such procedures included examining, on a test basis, evidence regarding the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. Our audit also included evaluating the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall presentation of the financial statements. Our procedures included confirmation of securities owned as of October 31, 2022 by correspondence with the custodians, and brokers; when replies were not received from brokers, we performed other auditing procedures. We believe that our audit provides a reasonable basis for our opinion.

/s/PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP

Boston, Massachusetts

December 30, 2022

We have served as the auditor of one or more investment companies in the American Beacon family of funds since 2016.

 

 

8


American Beacon Garcia Hamilton Quality Bond FundSM

Schedule of Investments

October 31, 2022

 

 

    Principal Amount       Fair Value
             
CORPORATE OBLIGATIONS - 23.23%            
Communications - 2.61%            
Media - 2.61%            
Walt Disney Co., 3.800%, Due 3/22/2030     $     10,230,000         $ 9,312,091
           

 

 

 
           
Financial - 17.87%            
Banks - 17.87%            
Bank of America Corp., 3.974%, Due 2/7/2030, (3 mo. USD LIBOR + 1.210%)A       10,416,000           9,206,690
Citigroup, Inc., 3.980%, Due 3/20/2030, (3 mo. USD LIBOR + 1.338%)A       16,865,000           14,852,243
Goldman Sachs Group, Inc., 4.223%, Due 5/1/2029, (3 mo. USD LIBOR + 1.301%)A       16,150,000           14,606,097
JPMorgan Chase & Co., 2.739%, Due 10/15/2030, (Secured Overnight Financing Rate + 1.510%)A       8,750,000           7,086,034
Morgan Stanley, 3.622%, Due 4/1/2031, (Secured Overnight Financing Rate + 3.120%)A       7,265,000           6,172,379
Wells Fargo & Co., 4.478%, Due 4/4/2031, (Secured Overnight Financing Rate + 4.032%)A       13,130,000           11,866,935
           

 

 

 
              63,790,378
           

 

 

 
           

Total Financial

              63,790,378
           

 

 

 
           
Technology - 2.75%            
Computers - 2.75%            
International Business Machines Corp., 3.500%, Due 5/15/2029       10,964,000           9,808,509
           

 

 

 
           

Total Corporate Obligations (Cost $97,395,695)

              82,910,978
           

 

 

 
           
U.S. AGENCY MORTGAGE-BACKED OBLIGATIONS - 49.14%            
Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corp.,            

4.000%, Due 2/1/2039

      4,680,563           4,333,319

3.500%, Due 10/1/2039

      3,824,341           3,463,849

3.000%, Due 1/1/2040

      4,167,698           3,669,217

2.000%, Due 8/1/2042

      12,733,283           10,480,175

2.500%, Due 9/1/2042

      12,812,647           10,829,714

2.500%, Due 3/1/2052

      13,249,566           10,883,987

2.500%, Due 4/1/2052

      13,217,691           10,841,416

3.000%, Due 5/1/2052

      12,821,376           10,921,705

4.000%, Due 11/1/2052

      11,734,864           10,690,510
Federal National Mortgage Association,            

2.000%, Due 5/1/2036

      9,945,461           8,749,437

2.000%, Due 8/1/2037B

      12,645,000           11,121,140

4.000%, Due 5/1/2039

      7,700,069           7,130,460

4.000%, Due 9/1/2039

      5,982,593           5,540,002

3.500%, Due 10/1/2039

      5,765,427           5,235,315

3.000%, Due 7/1/2040B

      7,521,048           6,610,426

3.000%, Due 8/1/2040B

      4,887,517           4,303,579

4.000%, Due 8/1/2040B

      4,536,873           4,201,255

4.000%, Due 6/1/2049B

      7,735,037           7,160,554

2.500%, Due 11/1/2050

      7,069,952           5,802,880

2.500%, Due 5/1/2051

      8,781,869           7,203,891

3.000%, Due 5/1/2052

      21,609,821           18,375,684

3.500%, Due 10/1/2052

      8,849,517           7,794,973
           

 

 

 
           

Total U.S. Agency Mortgage-Backed Obligations (Cost $185,455,039)

              175,343,488
           

 

 

 
           
U.S. TREASURY OBLIGATIONS - 26.58%            
U.S. Treasury Bonds,            

3.750%, Due 8/15/2041

      53,090,000           48,492,323

2.500%, Due 5/15/2046

      29,805,000           21,186,000
U.S. Treasury Notes,            

1.125%, Due 2/15/2031

      18,410,000           14,708,583

1.875%, Due 2/15/2032

      12,600,000           10,465,875
           

 

 

 
           

Total U.S. Treasury Obligations (Cost $107,410,697)

              94,852,781
           

 

 

 

 

See accompanying notes

 

9


American Beacon Garcia Hamilton Quality Bond FundSM

Schedule of Investments

October 31, 2022

 

 

            Fair Value
             

TOTAL INVESTMENTS - 98.95% (Cost $390,261,431)

            $ 353,107,247

OTHER ASSETS, NET OF LIABILITIES - 1.05%

              3,729,450
           

 

 

 

TOTAL NET ASSETS - 100.00%

            $ 356,836,697
           

 

 

 
             
Percentages are stated as a percent of net assets.                  

A Variable, floating, or adjustable rate securities with an interest rate that changes periodically. Rates are periodically reset with rates that are based on a predetermined benchmark such as a widely followed interest rate such as T-bills, SOFR, LIBOR or PRIME plus a fixed spread. The interest rate disclosed reflects the rate in effect on October 31, 2022.

B Coupon rate may change based on changes of the underlying collateral or prepayments of principal. The coupon rate shown represents the rate at period end.

LIBOR - London Interbank Offered Rate.

PRIME - A rate, charged by banks, based on the U.S. Federal Funds rate.

SOFR - Secured Overnight Financing Rate.

USD - United States Dollar.

The Fund’s investments are summarized by level based on the inputs used to determine their values. As of October 31, 2022, the investments were classified as described below:

 

Garcia Hamilton Quality Bond Fund

  Level 1           Level 2           Level 3           Total  

Assets

             

Corporate Obligations

  $ -       $ 82,910,978       $ -       $ 82,910,978  

U.S. Agency Mortgage-Backed Obligations

    -         175,343,488         -         175,343,488  

U.S. Treasury Obligations

    -         94,852,781         -         94,852,781  
 

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 

Total Investments in Securities - Assets

  $ -       $ 353,107,247       $ -       $ 353,107,247  
 

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 

U.S. GAAP requires transfers between all levels to/from level 3 be disclosed. During the year ended October 31, 2022, there were no transfers into or out of Level 3.

 

See accompanying notes

 

10


American Beacon Garcia Hamilton Quality Bond FundSM

Statement of Assets and Liabilities

October 31, 2022

 

 

Assets:

 

Investments in unaffiliated securities, at fair value

  $ 353,107,247  

Cash

    1,640,650  

Interest receivable

    2,171,538  

Receivable for fund shares sold

    981,439  

Receivable for expense reimbursement (Note 2)

    84,016  

Prepaid expenses

    20,312  
 

 

 

 

Total assets

    358,005,202  
 

 

 

 

Liabilities:

 

Payable for investments purchased

    648,834  

Payable for fund shares redeemed

    114,413  

Dividends payable

    133,342  

Management and sub-advisory fees payable (Note 2)

    169,035  

Service fees payable (Note 2)

    259  

Transfer agent fees payable (Note 2)

    11,107  

Custody and fund accounting fees payable

    17,610  

Professional fees payable

    62,651  

Trustee fees payable (Note 2)

    2,177  

Payable for prospectus and shareholder reports

    5,572  

Other liabilities

    3,505  
 

 

 

 

Total liabilities

    1,168,505  
 

 

 

 

Net assets

  $ 356,836,697  
 

 

 

 

Analysis of net assets:

 

Paid-in-capital

  $ 426,788,399  

Total distributable earnings (deficits)A

    (69,951,702
 

 

 

 

Net assets

  $ 356,836,697  
 

 

 

 

Shares outstanding at no par value (unlimited shares authorized):

 

R5 Class

    16,071,748  
 

 

 

 

Y Class

    3,526,636  
 

 

 

 

Investor Class

    102,102  
 

 

 

 

R6 Class

    22,966,723  
 

 

 

 

Net assets:

 

R5 Class

  $ 134,519,084  
 

 

 

 

Y Class

  $ 29,473,503  
 

 

 

 

Investor Class

  $ 853,503  
 

 

 

 

R6 Class

  $ 191,990,607  
 

 

 

 

Net asset value, offering and redemption price per share:

 

R5 Class

  $ 8.37  
 

 

 

 

Y Class

  $ 8.36  
 

 

 

 

Investor Class

  $ 8.36  
 

 

 

 

R6 Class

  $ 8.36  
 

 

 

 

Cost of investments in unaffiliated securities

  $ 390,261,431  
A The Fund’s investments in affiliated securities did not have unrealized appreciation (depreciation) at year end.

 

 

See accompanying notes

 

11


American Beacon Garcia Hamilton Quality Bond FundSM

Statement of Operations

For the period ended October 31, 2022

 

 

Investment income:

 

Interest income

  $ 7,105,820  
 

 

 

 

Total investment income

    7,105,820  
 

 

 

 

Expenses:

 

Management and sub-advisory fees (Note 2)

    2,229,916  

Transfer agent fees:

 

R5 Class (Note 2)

    70,423  

Y Class (Note 2)

    22,671  

Investor Class

    1,262  

R6 Class

    6,862  

Custody and fund accounting fees

    71,440  

Professional fees

    84,594  

Registration fees and expenses

    60,631  

Service fees (Note 2):

 

Investor Class

    3,571  

Prospectus and shareholder report expenses

    14,401  

Trustee fees (Note 2)

    32,242  

Loan expense (Note 8)

    1,552  

Other expenses

    34,644  
 

 

 

 

Total expenses

    2,634,209  
 

 

 

 

Net fees waived and expenses (reimbursed) (Note 2)

    (876,814
 

 

 

 

Net expenses

    1,757,395  
 

 

 

 

Net investment income

    5,348,425  
 

 

 

 

Realized and unrealized gain (loss) from investments:

 

Net realized (loss) from:

 

Investments in unaffiliated securitiesA

    (23,878,317

Change in net unrealized depreciation of:

 

Investments in unaffiliated securitiesB

    (37,232,425
 

 

 

 

Net (loss) from investments

    (61,110,742
 

 

 

 

Net (decrease) in net assets resulting from operations

  $ (55,762,317
 

 

 

 

A The Fund did not recognize net realized gains (losses) from the sale of investments in affiliated securities.

 

B The Fund’s investments in affiliated securities did not have a change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation) at year end.

 

 

See accompanying notes

 

12


American Beacon Garcia Hamilton Quality Bond FundSM

Statement of Changes in Net Assets

 

 

    Year Ended
October 31, 2022
          Year Ended
October 31, 2021
 

Increase (decrease) in net assets:

 

Operations:

 

Net investment income (loss)

  $ 5,348,425       $ (292,642

Net realized gain (loss) from investments in unaffiliated securities

    (23,878,317       1,160,239  

Change in net (depreciation) of investments in unaffiliated securities

    (37,232,425       (3,726,085
 

 

 

     

 

 

 

Net (decrease) in net assets resulting from operations

    (55,762,317       (2,858,488
 

 

 

     

 

 

 

Distributions to shareholders:

 

Total retained earnings:

     

R5 Class

    (3,883,600       (5,803,467

Y Class

    (505,181       (627,250

Investor Class

    (18,049       (11,855

R6 Class

    (4,868,664       (5,233,037
 

 

 

     

 

 

 

Net distributions to shareholders

    (9,275,494       (11,675,609
 

 

 

     

 

 

 

Capital share transactions (Note 9):

 

Proceeds from sales of shares

    138,162,109         108,964,171  

Reinvestment of dividends and distributions

    7,805,071         10,629,729  

Cost of shares redeemed

    (105,503,986       (57,610,072
 

 

 

     

 

 

 

Net increase in net assets from capital share transactions

    40,463,194         61,983,828  
 

 

 

     

 

 

 

Net increase (decrease) in net assets

    (24,574,617       47,449,731  
 

 

 

     

 

 

 

Net assets:

 

Beginning of year

    381,411,314         333,961,583  
 

 

 

     

 

 

 

End of year

  $ 356,836,697       $ 381,411,314  
 

 

 

     

 

 

 

 

See accompanying notes

 

13


American Beacon Garcia Hamilton Quality Bond FundSM

Notes to Financial Statements

October 31, 2022

 

 

1.  Organization and Significant Accounting Policies

American Beacon Funds (the “Trust”) is organized as a Massachusetts business trust. The Fund, a series within the Trust, is registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the “Act”), as a diversified, open-end management investment company. As of October 31, 2022, the Trust consists of twenty-five active series, one of which is presented in this filing: American Beacon Garcia Hamilton Quality Bond Fund (the “Fund”). The remaining twenty-four active series are reported in separate filings.

American Beacon Advisors, Inc. (the “Manager”) is a Delaware corporation and a wholly-owned subsidiary of Resolute Investment Managers, Inc. (“RIM”) organized in 1986 to provide business management, advisory, administrative, and asset management consulting services to the Trust and other investors. The Manager is registered as an investment advisor under the Investment Advisers Act of 1940, as amended (the “Advisers Act”). 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.

Recently Adopted Accounting Pronouncements

In March 2020, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) 2020-04, which provides optional expedients and exceptions for contracts, hedging relationships and other transactions affected by the transitioning away from the London Interbank Offered Rate (“LIBOR”) and other reference rates that are expected to be discontinued. The amendments in this ASU are effective for all entities as of March 12, 2020 through December 31, 2022. Management has evaluated the implications of these changes, and has determined that there is no impact to the financial statements.

On December 3, 2020, the SEC adopted new rule 2a-5 (Valuation Rule) under the Investment Company Act of 1940, establishing an updated regulatory framework for fund valuation. The Valuation Rule, in part, provides a framework for good faith fair value determination and permits a Board to designate fair value determinations to the fund’s investment adviser. Further, the SEC is rescinding previously issued guidance on related issues. The Valuation Rule became effective on March 8, 2021, with a compliance date of September 8, 2022. Management has evaluated the Valuation Rule, and has determined that there is no impact to the financial statements.

Class Disclosure

The Fund has multiple classes of shares designed to meet the needs of different groups of investors. The following table sets forth the differences amongst the classes:

 

Class

  

Eligible Investors

   Minimum Initial
Investments
 
R5 Class    Large institutional investors - sold directly or through intermediary channels.    $ 250,000  
Y Class    Large institutional retirement plan investors - sold directly or through intermediary channels.    $ 100,000  
Investor Class    All investors using intermediary organizations, such as broker-dealers or retirement plan sponsors.    $ 2,500  
R6 Class    Large institutional retirement plan investors - sold through retirement plan sponsors.      None  

Each class offered by the Trust has equal rights as to assets and voting privileges. Income and non-class specific expenses are allocated daily to each class based on the relative net assets. Realized and unrealized capital gains and losses of each class are allocated daily based on the relative net assets of each class of the respective Fund. Class specific expenses, where applicable, currently include service, distribution, transfer agent fees, and sub-transfer agent fees that vary amongst the classes as described more fully in Note 2.

 

 

14


American Beacon Garcia Hamilton Quality Bond FundSM

Notes to Financial Statements

October 31, 2022

 

 

Significant Accounting Policies

The following is a summary of significant accounting policies, consistently followed by the Fund in preparation of the financial statements. The Fund is considered an investment company and accordingly, follows the investment company accounting and reporting guidance of the FASB Accounting Standards Codification Topic 946, Financial Services – Investment Companies, a part of Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (“U.S. GAAP”).

Security Transactions and Investment Income

Security transactions are recorded as of the trade date for financial reporting purposes. Securities purchased or sold on a when-issued or delayed-delivery basis may be settled beyond a standard settlement period for the security after the trade date.

Dividend income, net of foreign taxes, is recorded on the ex-dividend date, except certain dividends from foreign securities which are recorded as soon as the information is available to the Fund. Interest income, net of foreign taxes, is earned from settlement date, recorded on the accrual basis, and adjusted, if necessary, for accretion of discounts and amortization of premiums. Realized gains (losses) from securities sold are determined based on specific lot identification.

Distributions to Shareholders

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 on a monthly basis and distributions of realized net capital gains and net gains or losses from foreign currency transactions on an annual basis. The Fund does not have a fixed dividend rate and does not guarantee that it will pay any distributions in any particular period. Dividends to shareholders are determined in accordance with federal income tax regulations, which may differ in amount and character from net investment income and realized gains recognized for purposes of U.S. GAAP. To the extent necessary to fully distribute capital gains, the Fund may designate earnings and profits distributed to shareholders on the redemption of shares.

Allocation of Income, Trust Expenses, Gains, and Losses

Investment income, realized and unrealized gains and losses from investments of the Fund is allocated daily to each class of shares based upon the relative proportion of net assets of each class to the total net assets of the Fund. Expenses directly charged or attributable to the Fund will be paid from the assets of the Fund. Generally, expenses of the Trust will be allocated among and charged to the assets of the Fund on a basis that the Trust’s Board of Trustees (the “Board”) deems fair and equitable, which may be based on the relative net assets of the Fund or nature of the services performed and relative applicability to the Fund.

Use of Estimates

The preparation of financial statements in conformity with U.S. GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the amounts reported in the financial statements and accompanying notes. Actual results may differ from those estimated.

Other

Under the Trust’s organizational documents, its officers and trustees are indemnified against certain liabilities arising out of the performance of their duties to the Trust. In the normal course of business, the Trust enters into contracts that provide indemnification to the other party or parties against potential costs or liabilities. The Trust’s maximum exposure under these arrangements is dependent on claims that may be made in the future and, therefore, cannot be estimated. The Trust has had no prior claims or losses pursuant to any such agreement.

 

 

15


American Beacon Garcia Hamilton Quality Bond FundSM

Notes to Financial Statements

October 31, 2022

 

 

2.  Transactions with Affiliates

Management and Investment Sub-Advisory Agreements

The Fund and the Manager are parties to a Management Agreement that obligates the Manager to provide the Fund with investment advisory and administrative services. As compensation for performing the duties under the Management Agreement, the Manager will 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

The Trust, on behalf of the Fund, and the Manager have entered into an Investment Advisory Agreement with Garcia Hamilton & Associates, L.P. (the “Sub-Advisor”) pursuant to which the Fund has agreed to pay an annualized sub-advisory fee that is calculated and accrued daily based on the Fund’s average daily net assets according to the following schedule:

 

First $1 billion

     0.20

Over $1 billion

     0.15

The Management and Sub-Advisory Fees paid by the Fund for the year ended October 31, 2022 were as follows:

 

    Effective Fee Rate           Amount of Fees Paid  

Management Fees

    0.35     $ 1,418,724  

Sub-Advisor Fees

    0.20       811,192  
 

 

 

     

 

 

 

Total

    0.55     $ 2,229,916  
 

 

 

     

 

 

 

Distribution Plans

The Fund has adopted a Distribution Plan (the “Plan”) in accordance with Rule 12b-1 under the Act, pursuant to which no separate fees may be charged to the Fund for distribution purposes. However, the Plan authorizes the management fees received by the Manager and/or the investment advisors hired by the Manager to be used for distribution purposes. Under this Plan, the Fund does not intend to compensate the Manager or any other party, either directly or indirectly, for the distribution of Fund shares.

Service Plans

The Manager and the Trust entered into a Service Plan that obligates the Manager to oversee additional shareholder servicing of the Investor Class of the Fund. As compensation for performing the duties required under the Service Plan, the Manager receives an annualized fee up to 0.375% of the average daily net assets of the Investor Class of the Fund.

Sub-Transfer Agent Fees

The Manager has entered into agreements, which include servicing agreements, with financial intermediaries that provide recordkeeping, processing, shareholder communications and other services to customers of the intermediaries that hold positions in the R5 and Y Classes of the Fund and has agreed to compensate the intermediaries for providing these services. Intermediaries transact with the Fund primarily through the use of omnibus accounts on behalf of its customers who hold positions in the Fund. Certain services would have been provided by the Fund’s transfer agent and other service providers if the shareholders’ accounts were maintained directly by the Fund’s transfer agent. Accordingly, the Fund, pursuant to Board approval, has

 

 

16


American Beacon Garcia Hamilton Quality Bond FundSM

Notes to Financial Statements

October 31, 2022

 

 

agreed to reimburse the Manager for certain non-distribution shareholder services provided by financial intermediaries for the R5 and Y Classes. The reimbursement amounts (sub-transfer agent fees) paid to the Manager are subject to a fee limit of up to 0.10% of an intermediary’s average net assets in the R5 and Y Classes on an annual basis. During the year ended October 31, 2022, the sub-transfer agent fees, as reflected in “Transfer agent fees” on the Statement of Operations, were as follows:

 

Fund

   Sub-Transfer Agent Fees  

Garcia Hamilton Quality Bond

   $ 86,097  

As of October 31, 2022, the Fund owed the Manager the following reimbursement of sub-transfer agent fees, as reflected in “Transfer agent fees payable” on the Statement of Assets and Liabilities:

 

Fund

   Reimbursement
Sub-Transfer Agent Fees
 

Garcia Hamilton Quality Bond

   $ 7,408  

Interfund Credit Facility

Pursuant to an exemptive order issued by the SEC, the Fund, along with other registered investment companies having management contracts with the Manager, may participate in a credit facility whereby each fund, under certain conditions, is permitted to lend money directly to and borrow directly from other participating funds for temporary purposes. The interfund credit facility is advantageous to the funds because it provides added liquidity and eliminates the need to maintain higher cash balances to meet redemptions. This situation could arise when shareholder redemptions exceed anticipated volumes and certain funds have 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, they often do not receive payment in settlement for up to two days (or longer for certain foreign transactions). Redemption requests normally are satisfied on the next business day. The credit facility provides a source of immediate, short-term liquidity pending settlement of the sale of portfolio securities. The credit facility is administered by a credit facility team consisting of professionals from the Manager’s asset management, compliance, and accounting areas who report the activities of the credit facility to the Board. During the year ended October 31, 2022, the Fund borrowed on average $822,888 for 2 days at an average interest rate of 1.64% with interest charges of $74. These amounts are recorded as “Other expense” in the Statement of Operations.

Expense Reimbursement Plan

The Manager contractually agreed to reduce fees and/or reimburse expenses for the classes of the Fund, through February 28, 2023, to the extent that total operating expenses (excluding taxes, interest, brokerage commissions, acquired fund fees and expenses, securities lending fees, expenses associated with securities sold short, litigation, and other extraordinary expenses) exceed the Fund’s expense cap. During the year ended October 31, 2022, the Manager waived and/or reimbursed expenses as follows:

 

          Expense Cap                   Expiration of
Reimbursed
Expenses
 

Fund

   Class    11/1/2021 -
2/28/2022
    3/1/2022 -
10/31/2022
    Reimbursed
Expenses
     (Recouped)
Expenses
 

Garcia Hamilton Quality Bond

   R5      0.45     0.45   $ 369,564      $ -        2024-2025  

Garcia Hamilton Quality Bond

   Y      0.51     0.51     48,707        -        2024-2025  

Garcia Hamilton Quality Bond

   Investor      0.83     0.83     2,871        -        2024-2025  

Garcia Hamilton Quality Bond

   R6      0.41     0.41     455,672        -        2024-2025  

Of the above amounts, 84,016 was disclosed as a Receivable for expense reimbursement on the Statement of Assets and Liabilities at October 31, 2022.

 

 

17


American Beacon Garcia Hamilton Quality Bond FundSM

Notes to Financial Statements

October 31, 2022

 

 

The Fund has adopted an Expense Reimbursement Plan whereby the Manager may seek repayment of such fee or voluntary reductions and expense reimbursements. Under the policy, the Manager can be reimbursed by the Fund for any contractual or voluntary fee reductions 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 annual operating expenses to exceed the lesser of the contractual percentage limit in effect at the time of the waiver/reimbursement or time of recoupment. The reimbursed expenses listed above will expire in 2024 and 2025. The Fund did not record a liability for potential reimbursement due to the current assessment that a reimbursement is uncertain. The carryover of excess expenses potentially reimbursable to the Manager, but not recorded as a liability are as follows:

 

Fund

   Recouped
Expenses
     Excess Expense
Carryover
     Expired Expense
Carryover
     Expiration of
Reimbursed
Expenses
 

Garcia Hamilton Quality Bond

   $ -      $ -      $ 745,393        2021-2022  

Garcia Hamilton Quality Bond

     -        855,336        -        2022-2023  

Garcia Hamilton Quality Bond

     -        814,374        -        2023-2024  

Trustee Fees and Expenses

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 and Compliance 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 video conference 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 only a single $2,500 fee each quarter for her attendance at those meetings. The chairpersons of the Audit and Compliance 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.

3.  Security Valuation and Fair Value Measurements

The price of the Fund’s shares is based on the Fund’s Net Asset Value (“NAV”). The NAV of the Fund, or each of its share classes, as applicable, is determined by dividing the total value of portfolio investments and other assets, less any liabilities attributable to the Fund or class, by the total number of shares outstanding of the Fund or class.

Investments are valued at the close of the New York Stock Exchange (the “Exchange”), normally at 4:00 p.m. Eastern Time, each day that the Exchange is open for business.

Debt securities normally are valued on the basis of prices provided by an independent pricing service and may take into account appropriate factors such as institution-size trading in similar groups of securities, yield, quality, coupon rate, maturity, type of issue, trading characteristics, and other market data. Prices of debt securities may be determined using quotes obtained from brokers.

Investments in open-end mutual funds are valued at the closing NAV per share of the mutual fund on the day of valuation.

 

 

18


American Beacon Garcia Hamilton Quality Bond FundSM

Notes to Financial Statements

October 31, 2022

 

 

The Valuation Rule establishes requirements for determining fair value in good faith for purposes of the Act, including related oversight and reporting requirements. The Valuation Rule also defines when market quotations are “readily available,” which is the threshold for determining whether a Fund must fair value a security. Among other things, the Valuation Rule permits the Board to designate the Manager 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 Board receives the information it needs to oversee the Manager’s fair value determinations. Effective September 8, 2022, the Board has designated the Manager as valuation designee to perform fair value functions in accordance with the requirements of the Valuation Rule. Prior to September 8, 2022, fair value determinations were made pursuant to methodologies approved by the Board.

Securities for which the market prices are not readily available or are not reflective of the fair value of the security, as determined by the Manager, will be priced at fair value following procedures approved by the Board.

Other investments, including restricted securities and those financial instruments for which the above valuation procedures are inappropriate or are deemed not to reflect fair value, are stated at fair value, as determined in good faith by the Manager’s Valuation Committee, pursuant to procedures established by the Board.

Valuation Inputs

Various inputs may be used to determine the fair value of the Fund’s investments. These inputs are summarized in three broad levels for financial statement purposes. The inputs or methodologies used to value securities are not necessarily an indication of the risk associated with investing in those securities.

 

Level 1   -   Quoted prices in active markets for identical securities.
Level 2   -   Prices determined using other significant observable inputs. These may include quoted prices for similar securities, interest rates, prepayment speeds, credit risk, and others.
Level 3   -   Prices determined using other significant unobservable inputs. Unobservable inputs reflect the Fund’s own assumptions about the factors market participants would use in pricing an investment.

Level 1 and Level 2 trading assets and trading liabilities, at fair value

Fixed-income securities including corporate, convertible and municipal bonds and notes, U.S. government agencies, U.S. Treasury obligations, sovereign issues, bank loans, convertible preferred securities, and non-U.S. bonds are normally valued by pricing service providers that use broker dealer quotations, reported trades or valuation estimates from their internal pricing models. The service providers’ internal models use inputs that are observable such as issuer details, interest rates, yield curves, prepayment speeds, credit risks/spreads, default rates, and quoted prices for similar assets. Securities that use similar valuation techniques and inputs as described above are categorized as Level 2 of the fair value hierarchy. Fixed-income securities purchased on a delayed delivery basis are marked-to-market daily until settlement at the forward settlement date and are categorized as Level 2 of the fair value hierarchy.

Mortgage-related and asset-backed securities (“ABS”) are usually issued as separate tranches, or classes, of securities within each deal. These securities are also normally valued by pricing service providers that use broker-dealer quotations or valuation estimates from their internal pricing models. The pricing models for these securities usually consider tranche-level attributes, current market data, estimated cash flows, and market-based yield spreads for each tranche, and incorporates deal collateral performance, as available. Mortgage-related and ABS that use similar valuation techniques and inputs as described above are categorized as Level 2 of the fair value hierarchy.

Investments in registered open-end investment management companies will be valued based upon the NAVs of such investments and are categorized as Level 1 of the fair value hierarchy.

 

 

19


American Beacon Garcia Hamilton Quality Bond FundSM

Notes to Financial Statements

October 31, 2022

 

 

4.  Securities and Other Investments

Agency Mortgage-Backed Securities

Certain mortgage-backed securities (“MBS”) may be issued or guaranteed by the U.S. government or a government sponsored entity, such as the Federal National Mortgage Association (“Fannie Mae”) or the Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation (“Freddie Mac”). Although these instruments may be guaranteed by the U.S. government or a government sponsored entity, many such MBS are not backed by the full faith and credit of the United States and are still exposed to the risk of non-payment.

Fixed-Income Investments

The Fund may hold debt, including government and 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 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. 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. 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-backed securities (“MBS”) and ABS, may be prepaid by their issuers thereby reducing the amount of interest payments. This may result in the Fund having to reinvest its proceeds in lower yielding securities. Securities underlying MBS and ABS, which may include subprime mortgages, also may be subject to a higher degree of credit risk, valuation risk, and liquidity risk.

Mortgage-Backed Securities

MBS often have stated maturities of up to thirty years when they are issued, depending upon the length of the mortgages underlying the securities. In practice however, unscheduled or early payments of principal and interest on the underlying mortgages may make the securities’ effective maturity shorter than this, and the prevailing interest rates may be higher or lower than the current yield of the Fund’s portfolio at the time resulting in reinvestment risk.

Rising or high interest rates may result in slower than expected principal payments which may tend to extend the duration of MBS, making them more volatile and more sensitive to changes in interest rates. This is known as extension risk.

MBS may have less potential for capital appreciation than comparable fixed-income securities due to the likelihood of increased prepayments of mortgages resulting from foreclosures or declining interest rates. These foreclosed or refinanced mortgages are paid off at face value (par) or less, causing a loss, particularly for any investor who may have purchased the security at a premium or a price above par. In such an environment, this risk limits the potential price appreciation of these securities.

Mortgage-Related and Other Asset-Backed Securities

The Fund may invest in mortgage or other ABS. These securities may include mortgage instruments issued by U.S. government agencies (“agency mortgages”) or those issued by private entities (“non-agency mortgages”). Specific types of instruments may include mortgage pass-through securities, collateralized mortgage obligations

 

 

20


American Beacon Garcia Hamilton Quality Bond FundSM

Notes to Financial Statements

October 31, 2022

 

 

(“CMOs”), commercial mortgage-backed securities, mortgage dollar rolls, CMO residuals, stripped mortgage-backed securities and other securities that directly or indirectly represent a participation in, or are secured by a payable from, mortgage loans on real property. The value of the Fund’s MBS may be affected by, among other things, changes or perceived changes in interest rates, factors concerning the interests in and structure of the issuer or the originator of the mortgage, or the quality of the underlying assets. The mortgages underlying the securities may default or decline in quality or value. Through its investments in MBS, the Fund has exposure to subprime loans, Alt-A loans and non-conforming loans as well as to the mortgage and credit markets generally. Underlying collateral related to subprime, Alt-A and non-conforming mortgage loans has become increasingly susceptible to defaults and declines in quality or value, especially in a declining residential real estate market. In addition, regulatory or tax changes may adversely affect the mortgage securities markets as a whole.

Other Investment Company Securities and Other Exchange-Traded Products

The Fund may invest in shares of other investment companies, including open-end funds, closed-end funds, business development companies (“BDCs”), ETFs, unit investment trusts, and other investment companies of the Trust. The Fund may invest in securities of an investment company advised by the Manager or the Sub-Advisor. Investments in the securities of other investment companies may involve duplication of advisory fees and certain other expenses. By investing in another investment company, the Fund becomes a shareholder of that investment company. As a result, the 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 the Fund shareholders directly bear in connection with the Fund’s own operations. These other fees and expenses are reflected as Acquired Fund Fees and Expenses and are included in the Fees and Expenses Table for the Fund in its Prospectus, if applicable. Investments in other investment companies may involve the payment of substantial premiums above the value of such issuer’s portfolio securities.

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. 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 (“FHLB”) obligations, Federal Farm Credit Bank (“FFCB”) 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, Separately Traded Registered Interest and Principal component parts of such obligations (known as “STRIPS”) and inflation-indexed securities. The prices of these securities (like all debt securities) change between issuance and maturity in response to fluctuating market interest rates. U.S. Treasury obligations are subject to credit risk and interest rate risk.

 

 

21


American Beacon Garcia Hamilton Quality Bond FundSM

Notes to Financial Statements

October 31, 2022

 

 

5.  Principal Risks

Investing in the Fund may involve certain risks including, but not limited to, those described below.

Credit Risk

The Fund is subject to the risk that the issuer or guarantor of a debt security, or the counterparty to a derivatives contract or a loan will fail to make timely payment of interest or principal or otherwise honor its obligations or default completely. A decline in the credit rating of an individual security held by the Fund may have an adverse impact on its price and make it difficult for the Fund to sell it. Ratings represent a rating agency’s opinion regarding the quality of the security and are not a guarantee of quality. 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. Credit risk is typically greater for securities with ratings that are below investment grade. Since the Fund can invest significantly in high-yield investments considered speculative in nature, this risk may be substantial.

Floating Rate Securities Risk

The coupons on certain fixed income securities in which the Fund may invest are not fixed and may fluctuate based upon changes in market rates. The coupon on a floating rate security is generally based on an interest rate such as a money-market index, London Interbank Offered Rate (“LIBOR”), Secured Overnight Financing Rate (“SOFR”), or a Treasury bill rate. Such securities are subject to interest rate risk and may fluctuate in value in response to interest rate changes if there is a delay between changes in market interest rates and the interest reset date for the obligation, or for other reasons. As short-term interest rates decline, the coupons on floating rate securities typically decrease. Alternatively, during periods of rising interest rates, changes in the coupons of floating rate securities may lag behind changes in market rates or may have limits on the maximum increases in the coupon rates. The value of floating rate securities may decline if their coupons do not rise as much, or as quickly, as interest rates in general. Conversely, floating rate securities will not generally increase in value if interest rates decline. Floating rate obligations are less effective than fixed rate obligations at locking in a particular yield and are subject to credit risk.

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. The prices of fixed-income securities or derivatives are also affected by their durations. Fixed-income securities or derivatives with longer durations generally have greater sensitivity to changes in interest rates. For example, if a bond has a duration of eight years, a 1% increase in interest rates could be expected to result in an 8% decrease in the value of the bond. An increase in interest rates can impact markets broadly as well. Interest rates are currently at or near historic lows, and some investments may have negative interest rates. To the extent the Fund holds an investment with a negative interest rate to maturity, the Fund may generate a negative return on that investment. Conversely, in the future, interest rates may rise, perhaps significantly and/or rapidly, potentially resulting in substantial losses to the Fund.

Investment Risk

An investment in the Fund is not a deposit with a bank and is not insured or guaranteed by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation or any other government agency. When you sell your shares of the Fund, they could be worth less than what you paid for them. Therefore, you may lose money by investing in the Fund.

 

 

22


American Beacon Garcia Hamilton Quality Bond FundSM

Notes to Financial Statements

October 31, 2022

 

 

LIBOR Risk

Certain of the instruments identified in the Fund’s principal investment strategies have variable or floating coupon rates that are based on the ICE LIBOR (“LIBOR”), the Secured Overnight Funding Rate (“SOFR”), Euro Interbank Offered Rate and other similar types of reference rates (each, a “Reference Rate”). These Reference Rates are generally intended to represent the rate at which contributing banks may obtain short-term borrowings within certain financial markets. Most maturities and currencies of LIBOR were phased out at the end of 2021, with the remaining ones to be phased out on June 30, 2023. These events and any additional regulatory or market changes may have an adverse impact on the Fund or its investments, including increased volatility or illiquidity in markets for instruments that rely on LIBOR. There remains uncertainty regarding the nature of any replacement rate and the impact of the transition from LIBOR on the Fund and the financial markets generally. SOFR has been selected by a committee established by the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System and the Federal Reserve Bank of New York to replace LIBOR as a Reference Rate in the United States. Other countries have undertaken similar initiatives to identify replacement Reference Rates for LIBOR in their respective markets. However, there are obstacles to converting certain existing investments and transactions to a new Reference Rate, as well as risks associated with using a new Reference Rate with respect to new investments and transactions. The transition process, or the failure of an industry to transition, could lead to increased volatility and illiquidity in markets for instruments that currently rely on LIBOR to determine interest rates and a reduction in the values of some LIBOR-based investments, all of which would impact the Fund. Since the usefulness of LIBOR as a benchmark could deteriorate during the transition period, these effects could occur prior to June 30, 2023. At this time, it is not possible to completely identify or predict the effect of any transition, establishment of alternative Reference Rates or other reforms to Reference Rates that may be enacted in the UK or elsewhere. In addition, any substitute Reference Rate and any pricing adjustments imposed by a regulator or by counterparties or otherwise may adversely affect the Fund’s performance and/or NAV.

Liquidity Risk

When there is little or no active trading market for a specific type of security it can become more difficult to purchase or sell the securities at or near their perceived value. During such periods, certain investments held by the Fund may be difficult to sell or other investments may be difficult to purchase at favorable times or prices. 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. Redemptions by a few large investors in the Fund at such times may have a significant adverse effect on the Fund’s NAV per share and remaining Fund shareholders. In addition, the market-making capacity of dealers in certain types of securities has been reduced in recent years, in part as a result of structural and regulatory changes, such as fewer proprietary trading desks and increased regulatory capital requirements for broker-dealers. Further, many broker-dealers have reduced their inventory of certain debt securities. 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.

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. 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

 

 

23


American Beacon Garcia Hamilton Quality Bond FundSM

Notes to Financial Statements

October 31, 2022

 

 

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. The value of a security may decline due to adverse issuer-specific conditions, general market conditions unrelated to a particular issuer, 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, including the U.S. presidential election, the U.S. government’s inability at times to agree on a long-term budget and deficit reduction plan, the threat of a federal government shutdown and threats not to increase the federal government’s debt limit, may affect investor and consumer confidence and may adversely impact financial markets and the broader economy, perhaps suddenly and to a significant degree.

Markets and market participants are increasingly reliant upon both publicly available and proprietary information data systems. Data imprecision, software or other technology malfunctions, programming inaccuracies, unauthorized use or access, and similar circumstances may impair the performance of these systems and may have an adverse impact upon a single issuer, a group of issuers, or the market at large. The financial markets generally move in cycles, with periods of rising prices followed by periods of declining prices. The value of your investment may reflect these fluctuations.

Mortgage-Backed and Mortgage Related Securities Risk

Investments in mortgage-backed and mortgage-related securities are influenced by the factors affecting the mortgages underlying the securities or the housing market. Investments in mortgage-backed and mortgage-related securities also are subject to market risks for fixed-income securities, which include, but are not limited to, credit risk, interest rate risk, prepayment risk, extension risk, callable securities risk, and valuation risk. A decline in the credit quality of the issuers of mortgage-backed and mortgage-related securities or instability in the markets for such securities may affect the value and liquidity of such securities, which could result in losses to the Fund. These securities are also subject to the risk of default on the underlying mortgages, particularly during periods of market downturn, and an unexpectedly high rate of defaults on the underlying assets will adversely affect the security’s value.

Other Investment Companies Risk

The Fund may invest in shares of other registered investment companies, including money market funds that are advised by the Manager. 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 and will be subject to the risks associated with investments in those companies. For example, the Fund’s investments in money market funds are subject to interest rate risk, credit risk, and market risk. 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 will 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.

 

 

24


American Beacon Garcia Hamilton Quality Bond FundSM

Notes to Financial Statements

October 31, 2022

 

 

Prepayment and Extension Risk

When interest rates fall, borrowers will generally repay the loans that underlie certain debt securities, especially mortgage-related and other types of ABS, more quickly than expected, causing the issuer of the security to repay the principal prior to the security’s expected maturity date. The Fund may need to reinvest the proceeds at a lower interest rate, reducing its income. Securities subject to prepayment risk generally offer less potential for gains when prevailing interest rates fall. If the Fund buys those securities at a premium, accelerated prepayments on those securities could cause the Fund to lose a portion of its principal investment. The impact of prepayments on the price of a security may be difficult to predict and may increase the security’s price volatility. Variable and floating rate securities may be less sensitive to prepayment risk. Extension risk is the risk that a decrease in prepayments may, as a result of higher interest rates or other factors, result in the extension of a security’s effective maturity, heighten interest rate risk and increase the potential for a decline in its price.

Recent Market Events Risk

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

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

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

Slowing global economic growth, the risks associated with ongoing trade negotiations with China, the possibility of changes to some international trade agreements, tensions or open conflict between nations, such as

 

 

25


American Beacon Garcia Hamilton Quality Bond FundSM

Notes to Financial Statements

October 31, 2022

 

 

between Russia and Ukraine, or political or economic dysfunction within some nations that are major producers of oil could affect the economies of many nations, including the United States, in ways that cannot necessarily be foreseen at the present time.

Economists and others have expressed increasing concern about the potential effects of global climate change on property and security values. Certain issuers, industries and regions may be adversely affected by the impacts of climate change, including on the demand for and the development of goods and services and related production costs, and the impacts of legislation, regulation and international accords related to climate change, as well as any indirect consequences of regulation or business trends driven by climate change.

Redemption Risk

The Fund may experience periods of high levels of redemptions that could cause the Fund to sell assets at inopportune times or at a loss or depressed value. The sale of assets to meet redemption requests may create net capital gains, which could cause the Fund to have to distribute substantial capital gains. Redemption risk is heightened during periods of declining or illiquid markets. During periods of heavy redemptions, the Fund may borrow funds through the interfund credit facility or from a bank line of credit, which may increase costs. A rise in interest rates or other market developments may cause investors to move out of fixed-income securities on a large scale. Heavy redemptions could hurt the Fund’s performance.

Sector Risk

Sector risk is the risk associated with the Fund holding a significant amount of investments in similar businesses, which would be similarly affected by particular economic or market events, which may, in certain circumstances, cause the value of the equity and debt securities of companies in a particular sector of the market to change. To the extent a Fund has substantial holdings within a particular sector, the risks to the Fund associated with that sector increase. In addition, when the Fund focuses its investments in certain sectors of the economy, its performance may be driven largely by sector performance and could fluctuate more widely than if the Fund were invested more evenly across sectors. Individual sectors may be more volatile, and may perform differently, than the broader market. The businesses that constitute a sector may all react the same way to economic, political or regulatory events. The Fund’s performance could also be affected if the sectors do not perform as expected. The lack of exposure to one or more sectors may adversely affect performance. As the Fund’s portfolio changes over time, the Fund’s exposure to a particular sector may become higher or lower.

Environmental, Social, and/or Governance Investing Risk

The use of environmental, social, and/or governance (“ESG”) considerations by the sub-advisor may cause the Fund to make different investments than funds that have a similar investment style but do not incorporate such considerations in their strategy. As with the use of any investment considerations involved in investment decisions, there is no guarantee that the use of any ESG investment considerations will result in the selection of issuers that will outperform other issuers or help reduce risk in the Fund. The Fund may choose not to, or may not be able to, take advantage of certain investment opportunities due to these considerations, which may adversely affect investment performance. The Fund may underperform funds that do not incorporate these considerations.

U.S. Government Securities and Government-Sponsored Enterprises Risk

A security backed by the U.S. Treasury or the full faith and credit of the United States is guaranteed only as to the timely payment of interest and principal when held to maturity. The market prices for such securities are not guaranteed and will fluctuate. Additionally, circumstances could arise that would prevent the payment of interest or principal. This could result in losses to the Fund. Investments in government-sponsored enterprises are debt obligations issued by agencies and instrumentalities of the U.S. Government. These obligations vary in the level of support they receive from the U.S. Government. They may be: (i) supported by the full faith and credit of

 

 

26


American Beacon Garcia Hamilton Quality Bond FundSM

Notes to Financial Statements

October 31, 2022

 

 

the U.S. Treasury, such as those of the Government National Mortgage Association (‘‘Ginnie Mae’’); (ii) supported by the right of the issuer to borrow from the U.S. Treasury, such as those of the Federal Home Loan Bank and the Federal Farm Credit Banks; (iii) supported by the discretionary authority of the U.S. Government to purchase the agency obligations, such as those of Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac or (iv) supported only by the credit of the issuer, such as those of the Federal Farm Credit Bureau. The U.S. Government may choose not to provide financial support to U.S. Government-sponsored agencies or instrumentalities if it is not legally obligated to do so, in which case, if the issuer defaulted, to the extent the Fund held securities of such issuers, it might not be able to recover its investment from the U.S. Government. U.S. government securities and securities of government-sponsored entities are also subject to credit risk, interest rate risk and market risk. The rising U.S. national debt may lead to adverse impacts on the value of U.S. government securities due to potentially higher costs for the U.S. government to obtain new financing.

Variable and Floating Rate Securities Risk

The coupons on certain fixed-income securities in which the Fund may invest are not fixed and may fluctuate based upon changes in market rates. The coupon on a floating rate security is generally based on an interest rate such as a money-market index, SOFR, LIBOR or a Treasury bill rate. Such securities are subject to interest rate risk and may fluctuate in value in response to interest rate changes if there is a delay between changes in market interest rates and the interest reset date for the obligation, or for other reasons. As short-term interest rates decline, the coupons on variable and floating rate securities typically decrease. Alternatively, during periods of rising interest rates, changes in the coupons of variable and floating rate securities may lag behind changes in market rates or may have limits on the maximum increases in the coupon rates. The value of variable and floating rate securities may decline if their coupons do not rise as much, or as quickly, as interest rates in general. Conversely, variable and floating rate securities will not generally increase in value if interest rates decline. Variable and floating rate securities are less effective at locking in a particular yield and are subject to credit risk. Certain types of floating rate instruments may also be subject to greater liquidity risk than other debt securities.

6.  Federal Income and Excise Taxes

It is the policy of the Fund to qualify as a regulated investment company (“RIC”), by complying with all applicable provisions of Subchapter M of the Internal Revenue Code, as amended, and to make distributions of taxable income sufficient to relieve it from substantially all federal income and excise taxes. For federal income tax purposes, the Fund is treated as a single entity for the purpose of determining such qualification.

The Fund does not have any unrecorded tax liabilities in the accompanying financial statements. Each of the tax years in the four year period ended October 31, 2022 remain subject to examination by the Internal Revenue Service. If applicable, the Fund recognizes interest accrued related to unrecognized tax benefits in interest expense and penalties in “Other expenses” on the Statement of Operations.

The Fund may be subject to taxes imposed by countries in which it invests. Such taxes are generally based on returns of income earned or gains realized or repatriated. Taxes are accrued and applied to net investment income, net realized capital gains and net unrealized appreciation (depreciation), as applicable, as the income is earned or capital gains are recorded.

Dividends are categorized in accordance with income tax regulations which may treat certain transactions differently than U.S. GAAP. Accordingly, the character of distributions and composition of net assets for tax purposes may differ from those reflected in the accompanying financial statements.

 

 

27


American Beacon Garcia Hamilton Quality Bond FundSM

Notes to Financial Statements

October 31, 2022

 

 

The tax character of distributions paid were as follows:

 

    Year Ended
October 31, 2022
          Year Ended
October 31, 2021
 

Distributions paid from:

 

Ordinary income*

 

R5 Class

  $ 3,883,600       $ 3,607,524  

Y Class

    505,181         385,179  

Investor Class

    18,049         6,916  

R6 Class

    4,868,664         3,234,538  

Long-term capital gains

 

R5 Class

    -         2,195,943  

Y Class

    -         242,071  

Investor Class

    -         4,939  

R6 Class

    -         1,998,499  
 

 

 

     

 

 

 

Total distributions paid

    9,275,494         11,675,609  
 

 

 

     

 

 

 

* For tax purposes, short-term capital gains are considered ordinary income distributions.

As of October 31, 2022, the tax cost for the Fund and its respective gross unrealized appreciation (depreciation) were as follows:

 

Fund

  Tax Cost           Unrealized
Appreciation
          Unrealized
(Depreciation)
          Net Unrealized
Appreciation
(Depreciation)
 

Garcia Hamilton Quality Bond

  $ 391,176,864       $ 157,921       $ (38,227,538     $ (38,069,617

 

Fund

  Net Unrealized
Appreciation
(Depreciation)
          Undistributed
Ordinary
Income
          Undistributed
Long-Term
Capital Gains
          Accumulated
Capital and
Other (Losses)
          Other Temporary
Differences
          Distributable
Earnings
 

Garcia Hamilton Quality Bond

  $ (38,069,617     $ 141,235       $ -       $ (31,889,978     $ (133,342     $ (69,951,702

Financial reporting records are adjusted for permanent book/tax differences to reflect tax character. Financial records are not adjusted for temporary differences. The temporary differences between financial reporting and tax-basis reporting of unrealized appreciation (depreciation) are attributable primarily to the tax deferral of losses from wash sales, unused capital loss carryforwards, book amortization of premiums, and dividends payable.

Due to inherent differences in the recognition of income, expenses, and realized gains (losses) under U.S. GAAP and federal income tax regulations, permanent differences between book and tax reporting have been identified and appropriately reclassified on the Statement of Assets and Liabilities. The Fund had no permanent differences as of October 31, 2022.

For federal income tax purposes, the Fund measures its capital loss carryforwards annually at October 31, its fiscal year end. Capital loss carryforwards retain their character as short-term and/or long-term and may be carried forward and applied against future realized capital gains with no expiration date.

As of October 31, 2022, the Fund had $22,254,280 short-term and $9,635,698 long-term capital loss carryforwards.

 

 

28


American Beacon Garcia Hamilton Quality Bond FundSM

Notes to Financial Statements

October 31, 2022

 

 

7.  Investment Transactions

The aggregate cost of purchases and proceeds from sales and maturities of investments, other than short-term obligations, for the year ended October 31, 2022 were as follows:

 

Fund

  Purchases (non-U.S.
Government
Securities)
          Purchases of U.S.
Government
Securities
          Sales (non-U.S.
Government
Securities)
          Sales of U.S.
Government
Securities
 

Garcia Hamilton Quality Bond

  $ 99,034,046       $ 638,654,620       $ 117,130,744       $ 478,715,458  

8.  Borrowing Arrangements

Effective November 11, 2021 (the “Effective Date”), the Funds, along with certain other funds managed by the Manager (“Participating Funds”), renewed a committed revolving line of credit (the “Committed Line”) agreement with State Street Bank and Trust Company (the “Bank”) to be used to facilitate portfolio liquidity. The maximum borrowing amount under the Committed Line is $100 million with interest at a rate equal to the higher of (a) Overnight Bank Funding Rate (“OBFR”) daily fluctuating rate per annum equal to 1.25% plus the sum of 0.10% or (b) the Federal Funds daily fluctuating rate per annum on amounts borrowed. Each of the Participating Funds paid a proportional amount of a quarterly commitment fee at a rate of 0.25% per annum on the unused portion of the Committed Line amount. The Committed Line expires November 10, 2022, unless extended by the Bank or terminated by the Participating Funds in accordance with the agreement. Prior to the Effective Date, the maximum borrowing amount under the Committed Line was $150 million with an expiration date November 10, 2021.

On the Effective Date, the Funds, along with certain other Participating Funds managed by the Manager, also renewed an uncommitted discretionary demand revolving line of credit (the “Uncommitted Line”) agreement with the Bank to be used to facilitate portfolio liquidity. The maximum borrowing amount under the Uncommitted Line is $100 million with interest at a rate equal to the higher of (a) OBFR daily fluctuating rate per annum equal to 1.25% plus the sum of 0.10% or (b) the Federal Funds daily fluctuating rate per annum on amounts borrowed on each outstanding loan. Each of the Participating Funds paid a proportional amount of a closing fee of $35,000 on the Effective Date. The Uncommitted Line expires November 10, 2022, unless extended by the Bank or terminated by the Participating Funds in accordance with the agreement. Prior to the Effective Date, the maximum borrowing amount under the Uncommitted Line was $50 million with an expiration date of November 10, 2021.

The Participating Funds paid administration, legal and arrangement fees, which are recognized as a component of “Loan expense” on the Statements of Operations, along with commitment fees, that have been allocated among the Participating Funds based on average daily net assets.

During the year ended October 31, 2022, the Fund did not utilize these facilities.

 

 

29


American Beacon Garcia Hamilton Quality Bond FundSM

Notes to Financial Statements

October 31, 2022

 

 

9.  Capital Share Transactions

The tables below summarize the activity in capital shares for each Class of the Fund:

 

    R5 Class  
    Year Ended
October 31, 2022
          Year Ended
October 31, 2021
 

Garcia Hamilton Quality Bond Fund

 

Shares

         

Amount

         

Shares

         

Amount

 
Shares sold     3,829,693       $ 36,028,161         6,823,749       $ 68,605,815  
Reinvestment of dividends     261,864         2,413,176         472,898         4,759,799  
Shares redeemed     (7,582,035       (69,577,829       (4,558,386       (46,119,650
 

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 
Net (decrease) in shares outstanding     (3,490,478     $ (31,136,492       2,738,261       $ 27,245,964  
 

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 
 
    Y Class  
    Year Ended
October 31, 2022
          Year Ended
October 31, 2021
 

Garcia Hamilton Quality Bond Fund

 

Shares

         

Amount

         

Shares

         

Amount

 
Shares sold     3,216,895       $ 29,448,381         1,072,363       $ 10,776,226  
Reinvestment of dividends     55,633         505,182         62,184         625,100  
Shares redeemed     (1,910,958       (17,632,482       (812,784       (8,188,628
 

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 
Net increase in shares outstanding     1,361,570       $ 12,321,081         321,763       $ 3,212,698  
 

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 
 
    Investor Class  
    Year Ended
October 31, 2022
          Year Ended
October 31, 2021
 

Garcia Hamilton Quality Bond Fund

 

Shares

         

Amount

         

Shares

         

Amount

 
Shares sold     18,615       $ 166,288         70,673       $ 700,509  
Reinvestment of dividends     1,972         18,049         1,178         11,819  
Shares redeemed     (19,219       (170,982       (6,723       (67,047
 

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 
Net (decrease) in shares outstanding     1,368       $ 13,355         65,128       $ 645,281  
 

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 
 
    R6 Class  
    Year Ended
October 31, 2022
          Year Ended
October 31, 2021
 

Garcia Hamilton Quality Bond Fund

 

Shares

         

Amount

         

Shares

         

Amount

 
Shares sold     7,495,674       $ 72,519,279         2,863,007       $ 28,881,621  
Reinvestment of dividends     531,033         4,868,664         520,965         5,233,011  
Shares redeemed     (1,946,793       (18,122,693       (324,677       (3,234,747
 

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 
Net (decrease) in shares outstanding     6,079,914       $ 59,265,250         3,059,295       $ 30,879,885  
 

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 

10.  Subsequent Events

Management has evaluated subsequent events for possible recognition or disclosure in the financial statements through the date the financial statements are issued. Management has determined that there are no material events that would require disclosure in the Fund’s financial statements through this date.

 

 

30


American Beacon Garcia Hamilton Quality Bond FundSM

Financial Highlights

(For a share outstanding throughout the period)

 

 

    R5 ClassA  
    Year Ended October 31,  
    2022           2021           2020           2019           2018  
 

 

 

 

Net asset value, beginning of period

  $ 9.85       $ 10.27       $ 10.05       $ 9.79       $ 9.91  
 

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 

Income (loss) from investment operations:

                 

Net investment income (loss)

    0.06         (0.01 )B        0.11         0.24         0.20  

Net gains (losses) on investments (both realized and unrealized)

    (1.33       (0.08       0.28         0.26         (0.13
 

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 

Total income (loss) from investment operations

    (1.27       (0.09       0.39         0.50         0.07  
 

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 

Less distributions:

                 

Dividends from net investment income

    (0.21       (0.14       (0.17       (0.24       (0.19

Distributions from net realized gains

    -         (0.19       -         -         -  
 

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 

Total distributions

    (0.21       (0.33       (0.17       (0.24       (0.19
 

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 

Net asset value, end of period

  $ 8.37       $ 9.85       $ 10.27       $ 10.05       $ 9.79  
 

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 

Total returnC

    (13.04 )%        (0.84 )%        3.93       5.20       0.74
 

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 

Ratios and supplemental data:

                 

Net assets, end of period

  $ 134,519,084       $ 192,774,622       $ 172,774,140       $ 316,582,604       $ 234,919,975  

Ratios to average net assets:

                 

Expenses, before reimbursements and/or recoupments

    0.66       0.67       0.68       0.66       0.69

Expenses, net of reimbursements and/or recoupments

    0.45       0.45       0.45       0.45       0.45

Net investment income (loss), before expense reimbursements and/or recoupments

    1.06       (0.32 )%        1.15       2.18       1.68

Net investment income (loss), net of reimbursements and/or recoupments

    1.27       (0.10 )%        1.38       2.39       1.92

Portfolio turnover rate

    158       71       122       58       143

 

A 

Prior to February 28, 2020, the R5 Class was known as Institutional Class.

B 

Per share amounts have been calculated using the average shares method.

C 

Based on net asset value, which does not reflect the sales charge, redemption fee, or contingent deferred sales charge, if applicable. May include adjustments in accordance with U.S. GAAP and as such, the net asset value for reporting purposes and the returns based upon those net asset values may differ from the net asset value and returns for shareholder transactions.

 

See accompanying notes

 

31


American Beacon Garcia Hamilton Quality Bond FundSM

Financial Highlights

(For a share outstanding throughout the period)

 

 

    Y Class  
    Year Ended October 31,  
    2022           2021           2020           2019           2018  
 

 

 

 

Net asset value, beginning of period

  $ 9.86       $ 10.27       $ 10.05       $ 9.79       $ 9.90  
 

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 

Income (loss) from investment operations:

                 

Net investment income (loss)

    0.22         (0.00 )A        0.13         0.24         0.18  

Net gains (losses) on investments (both realized and unrealized)

    (1.51       (0.08       0.25         0.25         (0.11
 

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 

Total income (loss) from investment operations

    (1.29       (0.08       0.38         0.49         0.07  
 

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 

Less distributions:

                 

Dividends from net investment income

    (0.21       (0.14       (0.16       (0.23       (0.18

Distributions from net realized gains

    -         (0.19       -         -         -  
 

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 

Total distributions

    (0.21       (0.33       (0.16       (0.23       (0.18
 

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 

Net asset value, end of period

  $ 8.36       $ 9.86       $ 10.27       $ 10.05       $ 9.79  
 

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 

Total returnB

    (13.24 )%        (0.81 )%        3.83       5.09       0.74
 

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 

Ratios and supplemental data:

                 

Net assets, end of period

  $   29,473,503       $   21,340,613       $    18,928,869       $    17,927,537       $      3,685,857  

Ratios to average net assets:

                 

Expenses, before reimbursements and/or recoupments

    0.73       0.74       0.74       0.73       0.75

Expenses, net of reimbursements and/or recoupments

    0.51       0.52 %C        0.55       0.55       0.55

Net investment income (loss), before expense reimbursements and/or recoupments

    1.10       (0.38 )%        1.03       2.14       1.58

Net investment income (loss), net of reimbursements and/or recoupments

    1.32       (0.16 )%        1.22       2.32       1.78

Portfolio turnover rate

    158       71       122       58       143

 

A 

Amount represents less than $0.01 per share.

B 

Based on net asset value, which does not reflect the sales charge, redemption fee, or contingent deferred sales charge, if applicable. May include adjustments in accordance with U.S. GAAP and as such, the net asset value for reporting purposes and the returns based upon those net asset values may differ from the net asset value and returns for shareholder transactions.

C 

Expense ratios may exceed stated expense caps in Note 2 due to the change in the contractual expense caps on February 28, 2021.

 

See accompanying notes

 

32


American Beacon Garcia Hamilton Quality Bond FundSM

Financial Highlights

(For a share outstanding throughout the period)

 

 

    Investor Class  
    Year Ended October 31,  
    2022           2021           2020           2019           2018  
 

 

 

 

Net asset value, beginning of period

  $ 9.85       $ 10.26       $ 10.05       $ 9.79       $ 9.91  
 

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 

Income (loss) from investment operations:

                 

Net investment income (loss)

    0.09         (0.04 )A        0.13 A        0.21         0.15  

Net gains (losses) on investments (both realized and unrealized)

    (1.40       (0.07       0.22         0.26         (0.11
 

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 

Total income (loss) from investment operations

    (1.31       (0.11       0.35         0.47         0.04  
 

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 

Less distributions:

                 

Dividends from net investment income

    (0.18       (0.11       (0.14       (0.21       (0.16

Distributions from net realized gains

    -         (0.19       -         -         -  
 

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 

Total distributions

    (0.18       (0.30       (0.14       (0.21       (0.16
 

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 

Net asset value, end of period

  $ 8.36       $ 9.85       $ 10.26       $ 10.05       $ 9.79  
 

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 

Total returnB

    (13.47 )%        (1.11 )%        3.54       4.80       0.36
 

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 

Ratios and supplemental data:

                 

Net assets, end of period

  $         853,503       $         991,788       $          365,190       $     14,904,591       $    10,995,242  

Ratios to average net assets:

                 

Expenses, before reimbursements and/or recoupments

    1.13       1.29       1.20       1.04       0.92

Expenses, net of reimbursements and/or recoupments

    0.83       0.83       0.83       0.83       0.83

Net investment income (loss), before expense reimbursements and/or recoupments

    0.63       (0.91 )%        0.90       1.81       1.41

Net investment income (loss), net of reimbursements and/or recoupments

    0.93       (0.45 )%        1.27       2.02       1.50

Portfolio turnover rate

    158       71       122       58       143

 

A 

Based on average shares outstanding for the period.

B 

Based on net asset value, which does not reflect the sales charge, redemption fee, or contingent deferred sales charge, if applicable. May include adjustments in accordance with U.S. GAAP and as such, the net asset value for reporting purposes and the returns based upon those net asset values may differ from the net asset value and returns for shareholder transactions.

 

See accompanying notes

 

33


American Beacon Garcia Hamilton Quality Bond FundSM

Financial Highlights

(For a share outstanding throughout the period)

 

 

    R6 Class  
    Year Ended October 31,          

February 28,

2019A to

October 31,

 
             
    2022           2021           2020           2019  
 

 

 

 

Net asset value, beginning of period

  $ 9.85       $ 10.26       $ 10.04       $ 9.87  
 

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 

Income from investment operations:

             

Net investment income (loss)

    0.17         (0.01 )B        0.14         0.17  

Net gains (losses) on investments (both realized and unrealized)

    (1.44       (0.06       0.25         0.17  
 

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 

Total income (loss) from investment operations

    (1.27       (0.07       0.39         0.34  
 

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 

Less distributions:

             

Dividends from net investment income

    (0.22       (0.15       (0.17       (0.17

Distributions from net realized gains

    -         (0.19       -         -  
 

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 

Total distributions

    (0.22       (0.34       (0.17       (0.17
 

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 

Net asset value, end of period

  $ 8.36       $ 9.85       $ 10.26       $ 10.04  
 

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 

Total returnC

    (13.11 )%        (0.70 )%        3.97       3.44 %D 
 

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 

Ratios and supplemental data:

             

Net assets, end of period

  $  191,990,607       $  166,304,291       $  141,893,384       $   130,208,195  

Ratios to average net assets:

             

Expenses, before reimbursements and/or recoupments

    0.63       0.64       0.64       0.66 %E 

Expenses, net of reimbursements and/or recoupments

    0.41       0.41       0.41       0.41 %E 

Net investment income (loss), before expense reimbursements and/or recoupments

    1.14       (0.28 )%        1.13       1.90 %E 

Net investment income (loss), net of reimbursements

    1.36       (0.05 )%        1.36       2.15 %E 

Portfolio turnover rate

    158       71       122       58 %F 

 

A 

Commencement of operations.

B 

Based on average shares outstanding for the period.

C 

Based on net asset value, which does not reflect the sales charge, redemption fee, or contingent deferred sales charge, if applicable. May include adjustments in accordance with U.S. GAAP and as such, the net asset value for reporting purposes and the returns based upon those net asset values may differ from the net asset value and returns for shareholder transactions.

D 

Not annualized.

E 

Annualized.

F 

Portfolio turnover rate is for the period from February 28, 2019 through October 31, 2019 and is not annualized.

 

See accompanying notes

 

34


American Beacon FundsSM

Federal Tax Information

October 31, 2022 (Unaudited)

 

 

Certain tax information regarding the Funds are required to be provided to shareholders based upon the Funds’ income and distributions for the taxable year ended October 31, 2022. The information and distributions reported herein may differ from information and distributions taxable to the shareholders for the calendar year ended December 31, 2022.

The Fund designated the following items with regard to distributions paid during the fiscal year ended October 31, 2022. All designations are based on financial information available as of this annual report and, accordingly, are subject to change. For each item, it is the intention of the Funds to designate the maximum amount permitted under the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, and the regulations there under.

Corporate Dividends-Received Deduction:

 

Garcia Hamilton Quality Bond

    0.00

Qualified Dividend Income:

 

Garcia Hamilton Quality Bond

    0.00

Long-Term Capital Gain Distributions:

 

Garcia Hamilton Quality Bond

  $
0
 

Short-Term Capital Gain Distributions:

 

Garcia Hamilton Quality Bond

    $0  

Shareholders will receive notification in January 2023 of the applicable tax information necessary to prepare their 2022 income tax returns.

 

 

35


Disclosure Regarding Approval of the Management and Investment

Advisory Agreements (Unaudited)

 

 

At meetings held on May 16, 2022 and June 7-8, 2022 (collectively, the “Meetings”), the Board of Trustees (“Board” or “Trustees”) considered and then, at its June 8, 2022 meeting, approved the renewal of:

(1) the Management Agreement between American Beacon Advisors, Inc. (“Manager”) and the American Beacon Funds (“Trust”), on behalf of the American Beacon Garcia Hamilton Quality Bond Fund (“Fund”); and

(2) the Investment Advisory Agreement among the Manager, the Trust, on behalf of the Fund, and Garcia Hamilton & Associates, LP (“sub-advisor”).

The Management Agreement and the Investment Advisory Agreement are referred to herein individually as an “Agreement” and collectively as the “Agreements.”

In preparation for its consideration of the renewal of the Agreements, the Board undertook steps to gather and consider information furnished by the Manager, the sub-advisor, Broadridge, Inc. (“Broadridge”) and Morningstar, Inc. (“Morningstar”). The Board, with the assistance of independent legal counsel, requested and received certain relevant information from the Manager and the sub-advisor.

In advance of the Meetings, the Board’s Investment Committee and/or the Manager coordinated the production of information from Broadridge and Morningstar regarding the performance, fees and expenses of the Fund as well as information from the Manager and the sub-advisor. At the Meetings, the Board considered the information provided in connection with the renewal process, as well as information furnished to the Board throughout the year at regular meetings of the Board and its committees. In connection with the Board’s consideration of the Agreements, the Trustees received and evaluated such information as they deemed necessary. This information is described below in the section summarizing the factors the Board considered in connection with its renewal and approval of the Agreements, as well as the section describing additional Board considerations with respect to the Fund.

The Board noted that the Manager provides management and administrative services to the Fund pursuant to the Management Agreement. The Board considered that many mutual funds have separate contracts governing each type of service and observed that, with respect to such mutual funds, the actual management fee rates provided by Broadridge for peer group funds reflect the combined advisory and administrative fees, reduced by any fee waivers and/or reimbursements.

The Manager or the sub-advisor may not have been able to, or opted not to, provide information in response to certain information requests, in which case the Board conducted its evaluation of the firm based on information that was provided. In such cases, the Board determined that the omission of any such information was not material to its considerations.

Provided below is an overview of certain factors the Board considered in connection with its decision to approve the renewal of the Agreements. The Board did not identify any particular information that was most relevant to its consideration of whether to approve the renewal of each Agreement, and each Trustee may have afforded different weight to the various factors. Legal counsel to the independent Trustees provided the Board with a memorandum regarding its responsibilities pertaining to the renewal of investment advisory contracts, such as the Agreements, and related regulatory guidelines. Based on its evaluation, the Board unanimously concluded that the terms of each Agreement were reasonable and fair and that the approval of the renewal of each Agreement was in the best interests of the Fund and its shareholders.

Considerations With Respect to the Renewal of the Management Agreement and the Investment Advisory Agreement

In determining whether to approve the renewal of the Agreements, the Board considered the Fund’s investment management and sub-advisory relationships separately. In each instance, the Board considered, among

 

 

36


Disclosure Regarding Approval of the Management and Investment

Advisory Agreements (Unaudited)

 

 

other things, the following factors: (1) the nature, extent and quality of the services provided; (2) the investment performance of the Fund and the sub-advisor for the Fund; (3) the profits earned by the Manager in rendering services to the Fund; (4) comparisons of services and fee rates with contracts entered into by the Manager or the sub-advisor or their affiliates with other clients (such as pension funds and other institutional clients); (5) the extent to which economies of scale, if any, have been taken into account in setting each fee rate schedule; (6) whether fee rate levels reflect economies of scale, if any, for the benefit of Fund investors; and (7) any other benefits derived or anticipated to be derived by the Manager or the sub-advisor from its relationship with the Fund.

Nature, Extent and Quality of Services. With respect to the renewal of the Management Agreement, the Board considered, among other factors: the Fund’s long-term performance; the length of service of key investment personnel at the Manager; the cost structure of the Fund; the Manager’s culture of compliance and support that reduce risks to the Fund; the Manager’s quality of services; the Manager’s active role in monitoring and, as appropriate, recommending additional or replacement sub-advisors; and the Manager’s efforts to retain key employees and maintain staffing levels.

With respect to the renewal of the Investment Advisory Agreement, the Board considered, among other factors: the level of staffing and the size of the sub-advisor; succession plans for key employees who perform services for the Fund; diversity and inclusion initiatives; the adequacy of the resources committed to the Fund by the sub-advisor; the financial stability of the sub-advisor; and representations made by the sub-advisor regarding its compliance program. Based on the foregoing and other information, the Board concluded that the nature, extent and quality of the management and advisory services provided by the Manager and the sub-advisor were appropriate for the Fund.

Investment Performance. The Board evaluated the comparative information provided by Broadridge and the Manager regarding the performance of the Fund relative to its Broadridge Performance Universe, Morningstar Category, and/or benchmark index, as well as the Fund’s Morningstar rating. The Board considered the information provided by Broadridge regarding its independent methodology for selecting the Fund’s Broadridge Performance Universe. In addition, the Board considered the performance reports and discussions with management at meetings of the Board and its committees throughout the year. The Board also evaluated the comparative information provided by the sub-advisor regarding the performance of the Fund relative to the performance of a composite of comparable investment accounts managed by the sub-advisor, and the Fund’s benchmark index. In addition, the Board considered the Manager’s recommendation to continue to retain the sub-advisor. A discussion regarding the Board’s considerations with respect to the Fund’s performance appears below under “Additional Considerations and Conclusions with Respect to the Fund.”

Profits Realized by the Manager from its Relationship with the Fund. In analyzing the profitability of the Manager, the Board considered the revenues earned and the expenses incurred by the Manager, before and after the payment of distribution-related expenses by the Manager. The profits were noted at both an aggregate level for all funds within the group of mutual funds sponsored by the Manager (the “Fund Complex”) and at an individual Fund level, with the Manager sustaining a loss before and after the payment of distribution-related expenses by the Manager with respect to the Fund. The Board also considered comparative information provided by the Manager regarding the Manager’s overall profitability with respect to the Fund Complex relative to the overall profitability of other firms in the mutual fund industry, as disclosed in publicly available sources. Although the Board noted that, in certain cases, the fee rates paid by other clients of the Manager are lower than the fee rates paid by the Fund, the Manager represented that, among other matters, the difference is attributable to the fact that the Manager does not perform administrative services for non-investment company clients and reflects the greater level of responsibility and regulatory requirements associated with managing the Fund. The Board also noted that, for the Fund and its share classes, the Manager is waiving fees and/or reimbursing expenses.

The Board further considered that, with respect to the Fund, the Management Agreement provides for the Manager to receive a management fee comprised of an annualized fee that is retained by the Manager. The Board also noted that certain share classes of the Fund have higher expense ratios in order to compensate third-party financial intermediaries.

 

 

37


Disclosure Regarding Approval of the Management and Investment

Advisory Agreements (Unaudited)

 

 

In analyzing the fee rates charged by the sub-advisor in connection with its investment advisory services to the Fund, the Board considered representations made by the sub-advisor that the Fund’s sub-advisory fee rate schedule generally was favorable compared to other comparable client accounts. The Board did not request profitability data from the sub-advisor because the Board did not view this data as imperative to its deliberations given the arm’s-length nature of the relationship between the Manager and the sub-advisor with respect to the negotiation of sub-advisory fee rates. In addition, the Board noted that the sub-advisor may not account for its profits on an account-by-account basis and that different firms likely employ different methodologies in connection with these calculations.

Based on the foregoing information, the Board concluded that the profitability levels of the Manager were reasonable in light of the services performed by the Manager. A discussion regarding the Board’s considerations with respect to the Fund’s fee rates is set forth below under “Additional Considerations and Conclusions with Respect to the Fund.”

Economies of Scale. In considering the reasonableness of the management and investment advisory fees rates, the Board considered whether economies of scale will be realized as the Fund grows and whether fee rate levels reflect these economies of scale for the benefit of Fund shareholders. In this regard, the Board considered that, with respect to the sub-advisor, the Manager has negotiated breakpoints for the sub-advisory fee rate schedule. In this regard, the Board considered that the Fund’s current assets did not exceed the threshold necessary to reach the first sub-advisory fee rate breakpoint.

In addition, the Board noted the Manager’s representation that the Management Agreement contains fee schedule breakpoints at higher asset levels with respect to the Fund. In this regard, the Board considered that the Fund’s current assets did not exceed the threshold necessary to reach the first management fee breakpoint. Based on the foregoing information, the Board concluded that the Manager and sub-advisor fee rate schedules for the Fund provide for a reasonable sharing of benefits from any economies of scale with the Fund.

Benefits Derived from the Relationship with the Fund. The Board considered the “fall-out” or ancillary benefits that accrue to the Manager and/or the sub-advisor as a result of the advisory relationships with the Fund, including greater exposure in the marketplace with respect to the Manager’s or the sub-advisor’s investment process and expanding the level of assets under management by the Manager and the sub-advisor. The Board also considered that the Manager may invest the Fund’s cash balances and cash collateral provided by the borrowers of the Fund’s securities in the American Beacon U.S. Government Money Market Select Fund, which the Manager manages directly, and for which the Manager receives a fee. Based on the foregoing information, the Board concluded that the potential benefits accruing to the Manager and the sub-advisor by virtue of their relationships with the Fund appear to be fair and reasonable.

Additional Considerations and Conclusions with Respect to the Fund

The performance comparisons below were made for the Fund’s R5 Class shares relative to the Fund’s Broadridge Performance Universe and Morningstar Category. With respect to the Broadridge Performance Universe, the 1st Quintile represents the top 20 percent of the universe based on performance, and the 5th Quintile represents the bottom 20 percent of the universe based on performance. References to the Fund’s Broadridge Performance Universe are to the respective universe of mutual funds with comparable investment classifications and objectives as determined by Broadridge.

In reviewing the performance, the Board viewed longer-term performance over a full market cycle, typically five years or longer, as the most important consideration because relative performance over shorter periods may be significantly impacted by market or economic events and not necessarily reflective of sub-advisor skill.

The expense comparisons below were made for the Fund’s R5 Class shares relative to the Fund’s Broadridge Expense Universe and Broadridge Expense Group, and Y Class shares relative to the Fund’s Morningstar Fee Level

 

 

38


Disclosure Regarding Approval of the Management and Investment

Advisory Agreements (Unaudited)

 

 

universe. The 1st Quintile represents the lowest 20 percent of the universe or group based on lowest total expense, and the 5th Quintile represents the highest 20 percent of the universe or group based on highest total expense. References to the Fund’s Expense Group and Expense Universe are to the respective group or universe of comparable mutual funds as determined by Broadridge. A Broadridge Expense Group consists of the Fund and a representative sample of funds with similar operating structures and asset sizes, as selected by Broadridge. A Broadridge Expense Universe includes all funds with comparable investment classifications/objectives and similar operating structures to that of the share class under review for the Fund, including funds in the Broadridge Expense Group. The Broadridge expense comparisons are based on the most recent audited financial information publicly available for the Fund as of December 31, 2021. References to the Fund’s Morningstar Fee Level ranking are to the institutional share class of comparable mutual funds as determined by Morningstar.

The Board considered the Fund’s Morningstar fee level category with the 1st Quintile representing the lowest 20 percent of the category constituents and the 5th Quintile representing the highest 20 percent of the category in terms of total expense.

In reviewing expenses, the Board considered the positive impact of fee waivers and the Manager’s agreement to continue the fee waivers. The Board also considered that, in connection with the change in the name of the Fund’s Institutional Class shares, the share class used for the Fund’s Morningstar Fee Level comparisons had changed from the R5 Class shares to the Y Class shares, which may have resulted in a less favorable Morningstar Fee Level Ranking for the Fund.

In considering the renewal of the Management Agreement and the Investment Advisory Agreement with Garcia Hamilton for the Fund, the Board considered the following additional factors:

Broadridge Total Expenses Excluding 12b-1 Fees and Morningstar Fee Level Ranking

 

Compared to Broadridge Expense Group

  3rd Quintile

Compared to Broadridge Expense Universe

  3rd Quintile

Morningstar Fee Level Ranking1

  4th Quintile

Broadridge and Morningstar Performance Analysis (five-year period ended December 31, 2021)

 

Compared to Broadridge Performance Universe

  5th Quintile

Compared to Morningstar Category1

  3rd Quintile

The Board also considered: (1) the periods of underperformance were due to the sub-advisor’s duration-management strategy; (2) the potential for improved future relative performance in a rising interest rate environment; and (3) the Manager’s recommendation to continue to retain the sub-advisor.

Based on these and other considerations, the Board: (1) concluded that the fees paid to the Manager and sub-advisor under the Management and Investment Advisory Agreements are fair and reasonable; and (2) determined that the Fund and its shareholders would benefit from the Manager’s and sub-advisor’s continued management of the Fund.

The Morningstar category changed from US Fund Intermediate Core Bond to US Fund Short-Term Bond in September 2021. Morningstar Rankings above are based on the Short-Term Bond category.

 

1 

The Morningstar category changed from US Fund Intermediate Core Bond to US Fund Short-Term Bond in September 2021. Morningstar Rankings above are based on the Short-Term Bond category.

 

 

39


Disclosure Regarding Liquidity Risk Management Program (Unaudited)

 

 

Rule 22e-4 under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (“Rule 22e-4”), requires open-end registered investment companies (other than money market funds) to adopt and implement a written liquidity risk management program that is reasonably designed to assess and manage liquidity risk. The Fund has adopted a Liquidity Risk Management Program (the “Program”) that is designed to assess and manage liquidity risk, which is the risk that the Fund could not meet requests to redeem its shares without significant dilution of the remaining shareholders’ interests in the Fund. Pursuant to Rule 22e-4, the Program includes the following elements:

 

   

Assessment, management, and periodic review of liquidity risk;

 

   

Classification of each of the Fund’s portfolio investments into one of four liquidity categories: highly liquid, moderately liquid, less liquid, and illiquid;

 

   

Determination and review of a highly liquid investment minimum for any Fund that does not primarily hold assets that are highly liquid investments;

 

   

Policies and procedures to respond to a shortfall in the highly liquid investment minimum, including associated reports to the Fund’s Board of Trustees (the “Board”) and the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”);

 

   

A prohibition against a Fund acquiring an illiquid investment if immediately after the acquisition the Fund would have more than 15% of its net assets invested in illiquid investments that are assets;

 

   

Reporting of breaches of the illiquid investment prohibition to the Board and the SEC; and

 

   

Policies and procedures regarding how and when a Fund will satisfy redemption requests by distributing portfolio securities or other assets.

The Manager’s Liquidity Committee administers the Program and has provided quarterly reports to the Board regarding the Fund’s liquidity risk. In addition, at the Board’s March 2-3, 2022 meetings, the Board reviewed the Liquidity Committee’s written report (“Report”) that addressed the operation of the Program and assessed the adequacy and effectiveness of its implementation from January 1, 2021 through December 31, 2021 (the “review period”).

Key conclusions that the Liquidity Committee included in the Report are listed below:

 

   

The Program is reasonably designed to assess and manage the Fund’s liquidity risk.

 

   

The operation of the Program was adequate during the review period.

 

   

There were no material changes to the Program during the review period.

 

   

The Fund included in this shareholder report was deemed to primarily hold assets that are highly liquid, and no highly liquid investment minimum was recommended.

 

   

The Program was effectively implemented by the Liquidity Committee during the review period.

 

   

Administration of the Program by the Liquidity Committee continues to be appropriate.

 

 

40


Trustees and Officers of the American Beacon FundsSM (Unaudited)

 

 

The Trustees and officers of the American Beacon Funds (the “Trust”) are listed below, together with their principal occupations during the past five years. The address of each person listed below is 220 East Las Colinas Boulevard, Suite 1200, Irving, Texas 75039. Each Trustee oversees twenty-seven funds in the fund complex that includes the Trust, the American Beacon Select Funds, and the American Beacon Institutional Funds Trust. The Trust’s Statement of Additional Information contains additional information about the Trustees and is available without charge by calling 1-800-658-5811.

 

Name, Age

  

Position, Term of

Office and Length

of Time Served

with the Trust

  

Principal Occupation(s) During Past 5 Years

and Current Directorships

INTERESTED TRUSTEES   

Term

  
  

Lifetime of Trust until removal, resignation or

retirement*

  
Eugene J. Duffy (68)**    Trustee since 2008    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 Select Funds (2008-Present); Trustee, American Beacon Institutional Funds Trust (2017-Present); Trustee, American Beacon Sound Point Enhanced Income Fund (2018–2021); Trustee, American Beacon Apollo Total Return Fund (2018–2021).
NON-INTERESTED TRUSTEES   

Term

  
  

Lifetime of Trust until removal, resignation or

retirement*

  
Gilbert G. Alvarado (52)    Trustee since 2015    Chief Financial Officer (2022-Present), The Conrad Prebys Foundation; 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 Select Funds (2015-Present); Trustee, American Beacon Institutional Funds Trust (2017-Present); Trustee, American Beacon Sound Point Enhanced Income Fund (2018–2021); Trustee, American Beacon Apollo Total Return Fund (2018–2021).
Joseph B. Armes (60)    Trustee since 2015    Director, Switchback Energy Acquisition (2019-2021); Chairman & CEO, CSW Industrials f/k/a Capital Southwest Corporation (investment company) (2015-Present); Chairman of the Board of Capital Southwest Corporation, predecessor to CSW Industrials, Inc. (2014-2017) (investment company); President & CEO, JBA Investment Partners (family investment vehicle) (2010-Present); Director and Chair of Audit Committee, RSP Permian (oil and gas producer) (2013-2018); Trustee, American Beacon Select Funds (2015-Present); Trustee, American Beacon Institutional Funds Trust (2017-Present); 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    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. (2015-Present); Trustee, American Beacon Select Funds (2012-Present); Trustee, American Beacon Institutional Funds Trust (2017-Present); Trustee, American Beacon Sound Point Enhanced Income Fund (2018–2021); Trustee, American Beacon Apollo Total Return Fund (2018–2021).

 

 

41


Trustees and Officers of the American Beacon FundsSM (Unaudited)

 

 

Name, Age

  

Position, Term of

Office and Length

of Time Served

with the Trust

  

Principal Occupation(s) During Past 5 Years

and Current Directorships

NON-INTERESTED TRUSTEES (CONT.)   

Term

  
  

Lifetime of Trust until removal, resignation or

retirement*

  
Brenda A. Cline (61)   

Trustee since 2004

Chair since 2019

Vice Chair 2018

   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 and Open-End Funds (2017-2021);Chair, (2019-Present), Vice Chair (2018), Trustee (2004-Present), American Beacon Select Funds; Chair(2019-Present), Vice Chair(2018), Trustee(2017-Present), American Beacon Institutional Funds Trust; Chair(2019-2021), Vice Chair(2018), Trustee(2018-2021), American Beacon Sound Point Enhanced Income Fund (2018–2021); Chair(2019-2021), Vice Chair(2018), Trustee(2018-2021), American Beacon Apollo Total Return Fund (2018–2021).
Claudia A. Holz (65)    Trustee since 2018    Independent Director, Blue Owl Capital Inc. (2021-Present); Partner, KPMG LLP (1990 – 2017); Trustee, American Beacon Select Funds (2018-Present); Trustee, American Beacon Institutional Funds Trust (2018-Present); Trustee, American Beacon Sound Point Enhanced Income Fund (2018–2021); Trustee, American Beacon Apollo Total Return Fund (2018–2021).
Douglas A. Lindgren (60)    Trustee since 2018    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 Select Funds (2018-Present); Trustee, American Beacon Institutional Funds Trust (2018-Present); Trustee, American Beacon Sound Point Enhanced Income Fund (2018–2021); Trustee, American Beacon Apollo Total Return Fund (2018–2021).
Barbara J. McKenna, CFA (59)    Trustee since 2012    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 Select Funds (2012-Present); Trustee, American Beacon Institutional Funds Trust (2017-Present); Trustee, American Beacon Sound Point Enhanced Income Fund (2018–2021); Trustee, American Beacon Apollo Total Return Fund (2018–2021).

 

 

42


Trustees and Officers of the American Beacon FundsSM (Unaudited)

 

 

Name, Age

  

Position, Term of

Office and Length

of Time Served

with the Trust

  

Principal Occupation(s) During Past 5 Years

and Current Directorships

OFFICERS   

Term

  
   One Year   
Jeffrey K. Ringdahl (47)   

President since 2022

Vice President (2010-2022)

   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 & 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, 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), Vice President (2014-2022), American Beacon Cayman Managed Futures Strategy Fund, Ltd.; Director (2018-Present), President (2022-Present), (Vice President (2018-2022), American Beacon Cayman TargetRisk Company, Ltd; President (2022-Present); Vice President (2010-2022), American Beacon Select Funds; President (2022-Present), Vice President (2017-2022), American Beacon Institutional Funds Trust; Vice President (2018-2021), American Beacon Sound Point Enhanced Income Fund; Vice President (2018-2021), American Beacon Apollo Total Return Fund.

 

 

43


Trustees and Officers of the American Beacon FundsSM (Unaudited)

 

 

Name, Age

  

Position, Term of

Office and Length

of Time Served

with the Trust

  

Principal Occupation(s) During Past 5 Years

and Current Directorships

OFFICERS (CONT.)   

Term

  
   One Year   
Rosemary K. Behan (63)   

VP, Secretary and

Chief Legal

Officer since 2006

   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, L.L.C. (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 (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); Chief Legal Officer, Vice President and Secretary, American Beacon Select Funds (2006-Present); Chief Legal Officer, Vice President and Secretary, American Beacon Institutional Funds Trust (2017-Present); Chief Legal Officer, Vice President and Secretary, American Beacon Sound Point Enhanced Income Fund (2018-2021); Chief Legal Officer, Vice President and Secretary, American Beacon Apollo Total Return Fund (2018-2021).
Gregory J. Stumm (41)    VP since 2022    Senior Vice President (2022-Present), American Beacon Advisors, Inc.; Senior Vice President (2022-Present), Resolute Investment Managers, Inc.; Director and Senior Vice President (2022-Present), Resolute Investment Distributors, Inc.; Senior Vice President (2022-Present), Resolute Investment Services, Inc.; Vice President (2022-Present), American Beacon Select Funds; Vice President (2022-Present), American Beacon Institutional Funds Trust.
Paul B. Cavazos (53)    VP since 2016    Chief Investment Officer and Senior Vice President, American Beacon Advisors, Inc. (2016-Present); American Private Equity Management, L.L.C. (2017–Present); Vice President, American Beacon Select Funds (2016-Present); Vice President, American Beacon Institutional Funds Trust (2017-Present); Vice President, American Beacon Sound Point Enhanced Income Fund (2018-2021); Vice President, American Beacon Apollo Total Return Fund (2018-2021).
Erica Duncan (52)    VP since 2011    Vice President, American Beacon Advisors, Inc. (2011-Present); Vice President, Resolute Investment Managers (2018-Present); Vice President, Resolute Investment Services, Inc. (2018-Present); Vice President, American Beacon Select Funds (2011-Present); Vice President, American Beacon Institutional Funds Trust (2017-Present); Vice President, American Beacon Sound Point Enhanced Income Fund (2018-2021); Vice President, American Beacon Apollo Total Return Fund (2018-2021).

 

 

44


Trustees and Officers of the American Beacon FundsSM (Unaudited)

 

 

Name, Age

  

Position, Term of

Office and Length

of Time Served

with the Trust

  

Principal Occupation(s) During Past 5 Years

and Current Directorships

OFFICERS (CONT.)   

Term

  
   One Year   
Melinda G. Heika (61)    VP 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 and CFO, 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. (2018-Present); Principal Accounting Officer and Treasurer (2010-2021); American Beacon Funds; Vice President (2021-Present), Principal Accounting Officer (2017-2021) and Treasurer (2010-2021), American Beacon Select Funds; Vice President (2021–Present), Principal Accounting Officer and Treasurer (2017-2021), American Beacon Institutional Funds Trust; Vice President (2021), Principal Accounting Officer and Treasurer (2018-2021), American Beacon Sound Point Enhanced Income Fund; Vice President (2021), Principal Accounting Officer and Treasurer, American Beacon Apollo Total Return Fund (2018-2021).
Terri L. McKinney (58)    VP since 2010    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 Select Funds (2010-Present); Vice President, American Beacon Institutional Funds Trust (2017-Present); Vice President, American Beacon Sound Point Enhanced Income Fund (2018-2021); Vice President, American Beacon Apollo Total Return Fund (2018-2021).
Samuel J. Silver (59)    VP since 2011    Vice President (2011-Present), Chief Fixed Income Officer (2016-Present), American Beacon Advisors, Inc.; Vice President, American Beacon Select Funds (2011-Present); Vice President, American Beacon Institutional Funds Trust (2017-Present); Vice President, American Beacon Sound Point Enhanced Income Fund (2018-2021); Vice President, American Beacon Apollo Total Return Fund (2018-2021).

 

 

45


Trustees and Officers of the American Beacon FundsSM (Unaudited)

 

 

Name, Age

  

Position, Term of

Office and Length

of Time Served

with the Trust

  

Principal Occupation(s) During Past 5 Years

and Current Directorships

OFFICERS (CONT.)   

Term

  
   One Year   
Christina E. Sears (51)   

Chief Compliance

Officer since 2004

   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 (2017-Present); Vice President, Resolute Investment Services, Inc. (2019-Present); Chief Compliance Officer, American Private Equity Management, L.L.C. (2012-Present); Chief Compliance Officer, Green Harvest Asset Management, LLC (2019-2021); Chief Compliance Officer, RSW Investments Holdings, LLC (2019-Present); Chief Compliance Officer (2016-2019) and Vice President (2016-2020), Alpha Quant Advisors, LLC ; Chief Compliance Officer (2018-2019), Vice President (2018-2022), Continuous Capital, LLC; Assistant Secretary, American Beacon Funds (1999-Present); Chief Compliance Officer (2004-Present) and Assistant Secretary (1999-Present), American Beacon Select Funds; Chief Compliance Officer and Assistant Secretary, American Beacon Institutional Funds Trust (2017-Present); 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).
Sonia L. Bates (65)    Principal Accounting Officer and Treasurer since 2021    Assistant Treasurer, American Beacon Advisors, Inc. (2011-2018); Director, Fund and Tax Reporting (2011-Present), 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), Assistant Treasurer (2018-2022), American Beacon Cayman TargetRisk Company, Ltd.; Assistant Treasurer, American Beacon Funds (2011-2021); Principal Accounting Officer and Treasurer (2021-Present), Assistant Treasurer (2011-2021), American Beacon Select Funds; Principal Accounting Officer and Treasurer (2021-Present), Assistant Treasurer (2017-2021), American Beacon Institutional Funds Trust; Principal Accounting Officer and Treasurer (2021), Assistant Treasurer (2018-2021), American Beacon Sound Point Enhanced Income Fund; Principal Accounting Officer and Treasurer (2021), Assistant Treasurer (2018-2021), American Beacon Apollo Total Return Fund.
Shelley L. Dyson (52)    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 Select Funds (2021-Present); Assistant Treasurer, American Beacon Institutional Funds Trust (2021-Present); Assistant Treasurer, American Beacon Sound Point Enhanced Income Fund (2021); Assistant Treasurer, American Beacon Apollo Total Return Fund (2021).
Shelley D. Abrahams (47)    Assistant Secretary since 2008    Senior Corporate Governance & Regulatory Specialist (2020-Present), 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 Select Funds (2008-Present); Assistant Secretary, American Beacon Institutional Funds Trust (2017-Present); Assistant Secretary, American Beacon Sound Point Enhanced Income Fund (2018-2021); Assistant Secretary, American Beacon Apollo Total Return Fund (2018-2021).

 

 

46


Trustees and Officers of the American Beacon FundsSM (Unaudited)

 

 

Name, Age

  

Position, Term of

Office and Length

of Time Served

with the Trust

  

Principal Occupation(s) During Past 5 Years

and Current Directorships

OFFICERS (CONT.)   

Term

  
   One Year   
Rebecca L. Harris (55)    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 (2015-Present), Resolute Investment Services; Vice President, Alpha Quant Advisors, LLC (2016-2020); Vice President (2018-2022), Director (2022-) Continuous Capital, LLC; Director, National Investment Services of American, LLC (2022-Present); Director, RSW Investments Holdings LLC (2022-Present); Director Shapiro Capital Management LLC (2022-Present); Director, SSI Investment Management LLC (2022-Present); Assistant Secretary, American Beacon Funds (2010-2022); Vice President (2022-Present), Assistant Secretary (2010-2022), American Beacon Select Funds; Vice President (2022-Present), Assistant Secretary (2017-2022), American Beacon Institutional Funds Trust; Assistant Secretary, American Beacon Sound Point Enhanced Income Fund (2018-2021); Assistant Secretary, American Beacon Apollo Total Return Fund (2018-2021).
Teresa A. Oxford (64)    Assistant Secretary since 2015    Assistant Secretary and Associate General Counsel, American Beacon Advisors, Inc. (2015-Present); Assistant Secretary, Resolute Investment Distributors (2018-2021); Assistant Secretary and Associate General Counsel, Resolute Investment Managers, Inc. (2017-Present); Assistant Secretary and Associate General Counsel, Resolute Investment Services (2018-Present); Assistant Secretary, Alpha Quant Advisors, LLC (2016-2020); Assistant Secretary, Continuous Capital, LLC (2020-2022); Assistant Secretary, American Beacon Select Funds (2015-Present); Assistant Secretary, American Beacon Institutional Funds Trust (2017-Present); Assistant Secretary, American Beacon Sound Point Enhanced Income Fund (2018-2021); Assistant Secretary, American Beacon Apollo Total Return Fund (2018-2021).
Michael D. Jiang (37)    Assistant Secretary since 2021    Assistant Secretary (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) and 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 Select Funds (2021-Present); Assistant Secretary, American Beacon Institutional Funds Trust (2021-Present); Assistant Secretary, American Beacon Sound Point Enhanced Income Fund (2021); Assistant Secretary, American Beacon Apollo Total Return Fund (2021).

* As of 11/12/2014, the Board adopted a retirement plan 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 being 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.

 

 

47


American Beacon FundsSM

Privacy Policy

October 31, 2022 (Unaudited)

 

 

The American Beacon Funds recognize and respect the privacy of our shareholders. We are providing this notice to you so you will understand how shareholder information may be collected and used.

We may collect nonpublic personal information about you from one or more of the following sources:

 

   

information we receive from you on applications or other forms;

 

   

information about your transactions with us or our service providers; and

 

   

information we receive from third parties.

We do not disclose any nonpublic personal information about our customers or former customers to anyone, except as permitted by law.

We restrict access to your nonpublic personal information to those employees or service providers who need to know that information to provide products or services to you. To ensure the confidentiality of your nonpublic personal information, we maintain safeguards that comply with federal standards.

 

 

 

48


LOGO

 

 

 

Delivery of Documents

Shareholder reports are available online at www.americanbeaconfunds.com/reports. Please be advised that reports are no longer sent by mail. Instead, the reports are made available online, and you will be notified by mail each time a report is posted online. You will be provided with a website link to access the report. You may elect to receive all future reports in paper free of charge. You can request to continue receiving paper copies by calling 1-866-345-5954, or you may directly inform your financial intermediary. Detailed instructions are also included in your report notifications.

If you invest in the Fund through a financial institution, you may be able to receive the Fund’s regulatory mailings, such as the Prospectus, Annual Report and Semi-Annual Report, by e-mail. If you are interested in this option, please go to www.icsdelivery.com and search for your financial institution’s name or contact your financial institution directly.

To obtain more information about the Fund:

 

LOGO   LOGO
 
By E-mail:   On the Internet:
american_beacon.funds@ambeacon.com   Visit our website at www.americanbeaconfunds.com
   
     
 

LOGO

By Telephone:

Call (800) 658-5811

 

LOGO

By Mail:

American Beacon Funds

P.O. Box 219643

Kansas City, MO 64121-9643

   
     
Availability of Quarterly Portfolio Schedules   Availability of Proxy Voting Policy and Records
 
In addition to the Schedule of Investments provided in each semi-annual and annual report, the Fund files a complete schedule of its portfolio holdings with the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) on Form N-PORT as of the end of each fiscal quarter. The Fund’s Forms N-PORT are available on the SEC’s website at www.sec.gov. The Forms N-PORT may also be reviewed and copied at the SEC’s Public Reference Section, 100 F Street, NE, Washington, D.C. 20549-2736. Information regarding the operation of the SEC’s Public Reference Room may be obtained by calling (800)-SEC-0330. A complete schedule of the Fund’s portfolio holdings is also available at www.americanbeaconfunds.com approximately twenty days after the end of each month.   A description of the policies and procedures the Fund uses to determine how to vote proxies relating to portfolio securities is available in the Fund’s Statement of Additional Information, is available free of charge on the Fund’s website www.americanbeaconfunds.com and by calling 1-800-967-9009 or by accessing the SEC’s website at www.sec.gov. The Fund’s proxy voting record for the most recent year ended June 30 is filed annually with the SEC on Form N-PX. The Fund’s Forms N-PX are available on the SEC’s website at www.sec.gov. The Fund’s proxy voting record may also be obtained by calling 1-800-967-9009.

Fund Service Providers:

 

CUSTODIAN

State Street Bank and Trust Company

Boston, Massachusetts

   

TRANSFER AGENT

DST Asset Manager Solutions, Inc.

Quincy, Massachusetts

   

INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM

PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP

Boston, Massachusetts

   

DISTRIBUTOR

Resolute Investment Distributors, Inc.

Irving, Texas

This report is prepared for shareholders of the American Beacon Funds and may be distributed to others only if preceded or accompanied by a current Prospectus or Summary Prospectus.

 

American Beacon Funds and American Beacon Garcia Hamilton Quality Bond Fund are service marks of American Beacon Advisors, Inc.

AR 10/22


LOGO

 


About American Beacon Advisors

 

Since 1986, American Beacon Advisors, Inc. has offered a variety of products and investment advisory services to numerous institutional and retail clients, including a variety of mutual funds, corporate cash management, and separate account management.

Our clients include defined benefit plans, defined contribution plans, foundations, endowments, corporations, financial planners, and other institutional investors. With American Beacon Advisors, you can put the experience of a multi-billion dollar asset management firm to work for your company.

INTERNATIONAL EQUITY FUND

Investing in foreign securities may involve heightened risk due to currency fluctuations and economic and political risks. Investing in value stocks may limit downside risk over time; however, the Fund may produce more modest gains than riskier stock funds as a trade-off for this potentially lower risk. The use of futures contracts for cash management may subject the Fund to losing more money than invested. The Fund participates in a securities lending program. Please see the prospectus for a complete discussion of the Fund’s risks. There can be no assurances that the investment objectives of this Fund will be met.

TOCQUEVILLE INTERNATIONAL VALUE FUND

Investing in foreign securities including emerging markets may involve heightened risk due to currency fluctuations and economic and political risks. Investing in value stocks may limit downside risk over time; however, the Fund may produce more modest gains than riskier stock funds as a trade-off for this potentially lower risk. The use of futures contracts for cash management may subject the Fund to losing more money than invested. The Fund participates in a securities lending program. Please see the prospectus for a complete discussion of the Fund’s risks. There can be no assurances that the investment objectives of this Fund will be met.

Any opinions herein, including forecasts, reflect our judgment as of the end of the reporting period and are subject to change. Each advisor’s strategies and each Fund’s portfolio composition will change depending on economic and market conditions. This report is not a complete analysis of market conditions, and, therefore, should not be relied upon as investment advice. Although economic and market information has been compiled from reliable sources, American Beacon Advisors, Inc. makes no representation as to the completeness or accuracy of the statements contained herein.

 

American Beacon Funds    

October 31, 2022


Contents

 

 

President’s Message

    1  

Market and Performance Overviews

    2  

Expense Examples

    9  

Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

    11  

Schedules of Investments:

 

American Beacon International Equity Fund

    12  

American Beacon Tocqueville International Value Fund

    18  

Financial Statements

    22  

Notes to Financial Statements

    26  

Financial Highlights:

 

American Beacon International Equity Fund

    54  

American Beacon Tocqueville International Value Fund

    61  

Federal Tax Information

    64  

Disclosure Regarding Approval of the Management and Investment Advisory Agreements

    65  

Disclosure Regarding Liquidity Risk Management Program

    70  

Trustees and Officers of the American Beacon Funds

    71  

Privacy Policy

    77  

 

Additional Fund Information

    Back Cover  


President’s Message

 

 

LOGO  

Dear Shareholders,

 

Warren E. Buffett, the “Oracle of Omaha” and billionaire chairman and CEO of Berkshire Hathaway, once said, “Predicting rain doesn’t count. Building arks does.”

 

Mr. Buffet’s plain-spoken words make a great deal of common sense. Figuring out when the next dangerous storm may occur could prove to be an effort in futility if we haven’t also devised a plan for preserving our physical well-being when the thunder rolls and the lightning strikes. The time to build a shelter is before the storm clouds appear on the horizon. The same can also be said about our investment portfolios. Careful planning and fine-tuning can be especially important as we seek to preserve and grow our investment

portfolios during periods of economic uncertainty – particularly as we consider the effects of higher inflation, slower economic growth and geopolitical concerns such as Russia’s war with Ukraine.

None of us has the ability to foresee the future – not even the Oracle of Omaha. To help your investment portfolio weather storms over the long term, we encourage you to work with financial professionals to develop your personal savings plan, conduct annual plan reviews, and make thoughtful, purposeful plan adjustments to better manage your evolving financial needs and goals. By investing in different investment styles and asset classes, you may be able to help mitigate financial risks across your portfolio. By allocating your portfolio according to your risk-tolerance level, you may be better positioned to withstand short-term crises. Through careful planning, you will be better positioned to achieve enduring financial success.

Since 1986, American Beacon has endeavored to provide investors with a disciplined approach to realizing long-term financial goals. As a manager of managers, we strive to provide investment products that may enable investors to participate during market upswings while potentially insulating against market downswings. The investment teams behind our mutual funds seek to produce consistent, long-term results rather than focus only on short-term movements in the markets. In managing our investment products, we emphasize identifying opportunities that offer the potential for long-term financial rewards.

Thank you for entrusting your financial success with American Beacon. For additional information about our investment products or to access your account information, please visit our website at www.americanbeaconfunds.com.

Best Regards,

 

LOGO

Jeffrey K. Ringdahl

President

American Beacon Funds

 

 

1


International Equity Market Overview

October 31, 2022 (Unaudited)

 

 

Over the 12 months ended October 31, 2022, international stocks declined sharply as evidenced by the MSCI ACWI ex-U.S. Index (down 24.73%), the MSCI EAFE Index (down 23.00%) and the MSCI Emerging Markets Index (down 31.03%).

The broad economic and investment backdrops grew knottier as the fiscal year progressed. Challenges began to surface early in the period, as the Federal Reserve (“Fed”) and other central banks finally admitted inflation was entrenched rather than transitory. Investors grew more cautious amid growing expectations for less accommodative monetary policy in the new calendar year.

By early 2022, inflation soared to levels last seen in the early 1980s. Massive fiscal and monetary support unleashed during the pandemic was partly to blame. In addition, escalating energy prices, supply chain breakdowns, labor-market shortages and Russia’s war with Ukraine further aggravated the inflation backdrop.

The Fed responded to surging inflation with a rate hike in March 2022, three months after the Bank of England (“BofE”) launched its tightening campaign. The Fed lifted rates a total of 3 percentage points through October 2022, while the BofE increased rates by 2.25 percentage points. The European Central Bank waited until July to start tightening, raising rates 1.25 percentage points through October 2022 while facing record-high inflation.

In addition to fostering recession risk, the combination of elevated inflation and hawkish central banks helped push stock prices significantly lower. Amid persistent market unrest, most stock and bond indexes ended the 12-month period with steep losses. Non-U.S. stock returns were broadly negative and value stocks significantly outperformed their growth stock peers.

 

 

2


American Beacon International Equity FundSM

Performance Overview

October 31, 2022 (Unaudited)

 

 

The Investor Class of the American Beacon International Equity Fund (the “Fund”) returned -21.93% for the twelve months ended October 31, 2022. The Fund outperformed the MSCI® EAFE Index (the “Index”) return of -23.00%.

Comparison of Changes in Value of a $10,000 Investment for the period 10/31/2012 through 10/31/2022

 

 

LOGO

 

Total Returns for the Period ended October 31, 2022

 

      

Ticker

    

1 Year

    

3 Years

    

5 Years

  

10 Years

  

Value of $10,000
10/31/2012-

10/31/2022

R5 Class (1,5)

     AAIEX          -21.69 %          -2.68 %          -2.03 %        2.82 %      $ 13,209

Y Class (1,5)

     ABEYX          -21.71 %          -2.76 %          -2.10 %        2.74 %      $ 13,104

Investor Class (1,5)

     AAIPX          -21.93 %          -3.00 %          -2.35 %        2.47 %      $ 12,767

Advisor Class (1,5)

     AAISX          -22.01 %          -3.11 %          -2.48 %        2.35 %      $ 12,612

A Class without sales charge (1,2,5)

     AIEAX          -22.00 %          -3.08 %          -2.42 %        2.40 %      $ 12,678

A Class with sales Charge (1,2,5)

     AIEAX          -26.47 %          -4.97 %          -3.57 %        1.79 %      $ 11,947

C Class without sales charge (1,2,5)

     AILCX          -22.55 %          -3.78 %          -3.13 %        1.80 %      $ 11,949

C Class with sales charge (1,2,5)

     AILCX          -23.55 %          -3.78 %          -3.13 %        1.80 %      $ 11,949

R6 Class (1,3,5)

     AAERX          -21.62 %          -2.61 %          -1.96 %        2.86 %      $ 13,262
                                   

MSCI® EAFE Index (Net) (4)

              -23.00 %          -1.27 %          -0.09 %        4.13 %      $ 14,985

MSCI® EAFE Value Index (Net) (4)

              -16.35 %          -1.91 %          -1.67 %        2.91 %      $ 13,316

 

1.

Performance shown is historical and is not indicative of future returns. Investment returns and principal value will vary, and shares may be worth more or less at redemption than at original purchase. Performance shown is calculated based on the published end of day net asset values as of date indicated and current performance may be lower or higher than the performance data quoted. To obtain performance as of the most recent month end, please visit www.americanbeaconfunds.com or call 1-800-967-9009. Fund performance in the table above does not reflect the deduction of taxes a shareholder would pay on distributions or the redemption of shares. Generally accepted accounting principles require adjustments to be made to the net assets of the Fund at period end for financial reporting purposes only; and as such, the total return based on the unadjusted net asset value per share may differ from the total return reported in the financial highlights. A portion of the fees charged to the R5 Class of the Fund was waived from 2013 through 2015. Performance prior to waiving fees was lower than actual returns shown for 2013 through 2015.

 

2.

The maximum sales charge for A Class is 5.75%. The maximum contingent deferred sales charge for C Class is 1.00% for shares redeemed within one year of the date of purchase.

 

 

3


American Beacon International Equity FundSM

Performance Overview

October 31, 2022 (Unaudited)

 

 

3.

Fund performance for the ten-year period represents the returns achieved by the R5 Class from 10/31/12 through 2/28/17, the inception date of the R6 Class, and the returns of the R6 Class since its inception. Expenses of the R6 Class are lower than those of the R5 Class. As a result, total returns shown may be lower than they would have been had the R6 Class been in existence since 10/31/12. A portion of the fees charged to the R6 Class of the Fund has been waived since Class inception. Performance prior to waiving fees was lower than the actual returns shown since inception.

 

4.

The MSCI EAFE Index (Net) is a market capitalization weighted index of international stock performance composed of equities from developed markets excluding the U.S. and Canada. The MSCI EAFE Value Index (Net) is an unmanaged index of those stocks in the MSCI EAFE Index with lower price-to-book ratios and lower forecasted growth values. One cannot directly invest in an index. The MSCI information contained herein: (1) is provided “as is,” (2) is proprietary to MSCI and/or its content providers, (3) may not be used to create any financial instruments or products or any indexes and (4) may not be copied or distributed without MSCI’s express written consent. MSCI disclaims all warranties with respect to the information. Neither MSCI nor its content providers are responsible for any damages or losses arising from any use of this information.

 

5.

The Total Annual Fund Operating Expense ratios set forth in the most recent Fund prospectus for the R5, Y, Investor, Advisor, A, C, and R6 Class shares were 0.73%, 0.79%, 1.06%, 1.20%, 1.13%, 1.86%, and 0.71%, respectively. The expense ratios above may vary from the expense ratios presented in other sections of this report that are based on expenses incurred during the period covered by this report.

The Fund outperformed the Index during the period primarily due to country allocation while security selection also boosted performance.

From a country allocation perspective, overweight allocations to out-of-Index Canada (down 13.9%) and the United Kingdom (down 13.3%) contributed to the Fund’s outperformance relative to the Index. However, a null allocation to Australia (down 14.2%) detracted from relative value during the period.

Security selections within France and Japan were the primary contributors to the Fund’s relative outperformance, while security selections in the United Kingdom detracted from value.

Contributing securities included Sanofi SA (down 11.7%) in France and Takeda Pharmaceutical Co. Ltd. (down 1.6%) within Japan. The Fund’s investments in the United Kingdom, including Rolls Royce Holdings PLC (down 50.2%) hurt relative performance during the prior twelve months.

Although economic and market conditions vary from period to period, the Fund’s primary strategy of investing in undervalued companies with above-average earnings growth expectations remains consistent.

 

Top Ten Holdings (% Net Assets)        
Sanofi           2.6  
Barclays PLC           2.4  
UniCredit SpA           2.2  
Takeda Pharmaceutical Co. Ltd.           2.0  
Bayerische Motoren Werke AG           1.8  
Roche Holding AG           1.8  
GSK PLC           1.7  
Mercedes-Benz Group AG           1.7  
Unilever PLC           1.7  
AstraZeneca PLC           1.6  
Total Fund Holdings      140       
       
Sector Allocation (% Equities)

 

Financials           18.5  
Consumer Discretionary           17.1  
Health Care           17.1  
Industrials           15.5  
Information Technology           7.3  
Consumer Staples           7.2  
Communication Services           5.9  
Materials           4.7  
Utilities           3.5  
Energy           2.8  
Real Estate           0.4  
       

 

 

4


American Beacon International Equity FundSM

Performance Overview

October 31, 2022 (Unaudited)

 

 

Country Allocation (% Equities)

 

United Kingdom           18.9  
France           15.6  
Japan           13.1  
Germany           10.7  
United States           6.3  
Netherlands           5.1  
Spain           4.4  
China/Hong Kong           4.1  
Canada           3.6  
Italy           3.6  
Switzerland           2.8  
Republic of Korea           2.0  
Sweden           1.9  
Ireland           1.2  
Denmark           1.1  
Finland           0.9  
Brazil           0.8  
Israel           0.8  
Singapore           0.8  
Portugal           0.5  
South Africa           0.5  
Belgium           0.4  
Australia           0.3  
Jordan           0.3  
Norway           0.3  

 

 

5


American Beacon Tocqueville International Value FundSM

Performance Overview

October 31, 2022 (Unaudited)

 

 

The Investor Class of the American Beacon Tocqueville International Value Fund (the “Fund”) returned -28.49% for the twelve-month period ending October 31, 2022, which underperformed the MSCI® EAFE Index (the “Index”) return of -23.00%.

Comparison of Changes in Value of a $10,000 Investment for the period 10/31/2012 through 10/31/2022

 

LOGO

 

Total Returns for the Period ended October 31, 2022

 

      
      

Ticker

    

1 Year

    

3 Years

    

5 Years

    

10 Years

    

Value of $10,000

10/31/2012-

10/31/2022

R5 Class (1,3,5)

     TOVIX          -28.31 %          -2.61 %          -3.34 %          3.83 %        $ 14,567

Y Class (1,2,5)

     TOVYX          -28.31 %          -2.68 %          -3.39 %          3.81 %        $ 14,528

Investor Class (1,5)

     TIVFX          -28.49 %          -2.89 %          -3.55 %          3.72 %        $ 14,406
                                       

MSCI® EAFE Index (Net) (4)

              -23.00 %          -1.27 %          -0.09 %          4.13 %        $ 14,985

 

1.

Performance shown is historical and is not indicative of future returns. Investment returns and principal value will vary, and shares may be worth more or less at redemption than at original purchase. Performance shown is calculated based on the published end of day net asset values as of date indicated and current performance may be lower or higher than the performance data quoted. To obtain performance as of the most recent month end, please visit www.americanbeaconfunds.com or call 1-800-967-9009. Fund performance in the table above does not reflect the deduction of taxes a shareholder would pay on distributions or the redemption of shares. Generally accepted accounting principles require adjustments to be made to the net assets of the Fund at period end for financial reporting purposes only; and as such, the total return based on the unadjusted net asset value per share may differ from the total return reported in the financial highlights. A portion of fees charged to the Investor Class of the Fund was waived from Fund inception through 2019. Performance prior to waiving fees was lower than the actual returns shown for that period.

 

2.

Fund performance for the five-year and ten-year periods represents the total returns achieved by the Investor Class from 10/31/12 up to 1/18/19, the inception date of the Y Class. Expenses of the Y Class are lower than those of the Investor Class. As a result, total returns shown may be lower than they would have been had the Y Class been in existence since 10/31/12.

 

3.

Fund performance for the five-year and ten-year periods represents the total returns achieved by the Investor Class from 10/31/12 up to 1/18/19, the inception date of the R5 Class. Expenses of the R5 Class are lower than those of the Investor Class. As a result, total returns shown may be lower than they would have been had the R5 Class been in existence since 10/31/12. A portion of fees charged to the R5 Class of the Fund was waived from Class inception through 2022. Performance prior to waiving fees was lower than actual returns shown for periods when waivers were in effect.

 

 

6


American Beacon Tocqueville International Value FundSM

Performance Overview

October 31, 2022 (Unaudited)

 

 

4.

The MSCI EAFE Index (Net) is a market capitalization weighted index of international stock performance composed of equities from developed markets excluding the U.S. and Canada. One cannot directly invest in an index. The MSCI information contained herein: (1) is provided “as is,” (2) is proprietary to MSCI and/or its content providers, (3) may not be used to create any financial instruments or products or any indexes and (4) may not be copied or distributed without MSCI’s express written consent. MSCI disclaims all warranties with respect to the information. Neither MSCI nor its content providers are responsible for any damages or losses arising from any use of this information.

 

5.

The Total Annual Fund Operating Expense ratios set forth in the most recent Fund prospectus for the R5, Y and Investor Class shares were 0.92%, 0.98% and 1.20%, respectively. The expense ratios above may vary from the expense ratios presented in other sections of this report that are based on expenses incurred during the period covered by this report.

The Fund underperformed the Index over the twelve-month period ending October 31, 2022, due to both stock selection and country allocation.

Stock selections within Japan, France and Germany detracted from performance during the year. Detracting securities within Japan included Makita Corp. (down 59.0%) and Sony Group Corp. (down 42.2%). Within France, the detracting securities were ORPEA (down 79.9%) and JC Decaux SE (down 53.4%). In Germany, detracting securities included KION Group AG (down 79.1%) and Infineon Technologies AG (down 47.0%). Meanwhile, security selection in Australia contributed to relative performance. Within Australia, BHP Group LTD (up 9.8%) helped performance during the year.

The Fund’s overweight allocation to Germany (down 32.5%) as well as an underweight allocation to Australia (down 14.1%) detracted value. On the flip side, the Fund’s allocation to Canada (down 13.9%), which is out of index, added relative value.

Although economic and market conditions vary from period to period, the Fund’s primary strategy of investing in undervalued companies with above-average earnings growth expectations remains consistent.

 

Top Ten Holdings (% Net Assets)        
Sanofi           3.2  
Novartis AG           3.0  
Samsung Electronics Co. Ltd.           3.0  
Diageo PLC           2.8  
BP PLC           2.7  
EssilorLuxottica SA           2.7  
FANUC Corp.           2.6  
Henkel AG & Co. KGaA           2.6  
SAP SE           2.6  
CRH PLC           2.5  
Total Fund Holdings      53       
       
Sector Allocation (% Equities)

 

Industrials           24.4  
Health Care           15.2  
Information Technology           12.7  
Communication Services           11.7  
Consumer Staples           11.2  
Materials           8.5  
Consumer Discretionary           7.3  
Financials           6.1  
Energy           2.9  
       

 

 

7


American Beacon Tocqueville International Value FundSM

Performance Overview

October 31, 2022 (Unaudited)

 

 

Country Allocation (% Equities)

 

Japan           18.8  
Germany           17.6  
France           17.1  
United Kingdom           14.9  
Switzerland           7.8  
Mexico           3.8  
Republic of Korea           3.2  
Spain           2.9  
Ireland           2.7  
Belgium           2.3  
Australia           2.0  
Canada           1.9  
Sweden           1.9  
Taiwan           1.2  
United States           1.0  
Brazil           0.5  
Netherlands           0.4  

 

 

8


American Beacon FundsSM

Expense Examples

October 31, 2022 (Unaudited)

 

 

Fund Expense Example

As a shareholder of a Fund, you incur two types of costs: (1) transaction costs, including sales charges (loads) on purchase payments and redemption fees, if applicable, and (2) ongoing costs, including management fees, distribution (12b-1) fees, sub-transfer agent fees, and other Fund expenses. The Examples are intended to help you understand the ongoing cost (in dollars) of investing in the Fund and to compare these costs with the ongoing costs of investing in other mutual funds. The Examples are based on an investment of $1,000 invested at the beginning of the period in each Class and held for the entire period from May 1, 2022 through October 31, 2022.

Actual Expenses

The “Actual” lines of the tables provide information about actual account values and actual expenses. You may use the information on this page, together with the amount you invested, to estimate the expenses that you paid over the period. Simply divide your account value by $1,000 (for example, an $8,600 account value divided by $1,000 = $8.60), then multiply the result by the “Expenses Paid During Period” to estimate the expenses you paid on your account during this period. Shareholders of the Investor and R5 Classes that invest in the Fund through an IRA or Roth IRA may be subject to a custodial IRA fee of $15 that is typically deducted each December. If your account was subject to a custodial IRA fee during the period, your costs would have been $15 higher.

Hypothetical Example for Comparison Purposes

The “Hypothetical” lines of the tables provide information about hypothetical account values and hypothetical expenses based on the Fund’s actual expense ratio and an assumed 5% per year rate of return before expenses (not the Fund’s actual return). You may compare the ongoing costs of investing in the Fund with other funds by contrasting this 5% hypothetical example and the 5% hypothetical examples that appear in the shareholder reports of the other funds. The hypothetical account values and expenses may not be used to estimate the actual ending account balance or expenses you paid for the period. Shareholders of the Investor and R5 Classes that invest in the Funds through an IRA or Roth IRA may be subject to a custodial IRA fee of $15 that is typically deducted each December. If your account was subject to a custodial IRA fee during the period, your costs would have been $15 higher.

You should also be aware that the expenses shown in the table highlight only your ongoing costs and do not reflect any transaction costs charged by the Fund, such as sales charges (loads) or redemption fees, as applicable. Similarly, the expense examples for other funds do not reflect any transaction costs charged by those funds, such as sales charges (loads), redemption fees or exchange fees. Therefore, the “Hypothetical” lines of the tables are useful in comparing ongoing costs only and will not help you determine the relative total costs of owning different funds. If you were subject to any transaction costs during the period, your costs would have been higher.

 

 

9


American Beacon FundsSM

Expense Examples

October 31, 2022 (Unaudited)

 

 

American Beacon International Equity Fund

 

    Beginning Account Value
5/1/2022
  Ending Account Value
10/31/2022
  Expenses Paid  During
Period

5/1/2022-10/31/2022*
R5 Class            
Actual       $1,000.00       $885.50       $3.33
Hypothetical**       $1,000.00       $1,021.68       $3.57
Y Class            
Actual       $1,000.00       $885.20       $3.66
Hypothetical**       $1,000.00       $1,021.32       $3.92
Investor Class            
Actual       $1,000.00       $883.90       $4.94
Hypothetical**       $1,000.00       $1,019.96       $5.30
Advisor Class            
Actual       $1,000.00       $883.40       $5.60
Hypothetical**       $1,000.00       $1,019.26       $6.01
A Class            
Actual       $1,000.00       $883.70       $5.37
Hypothetical**       $1,000.00       $1,019.51       $5.75
C Class            
Actual       $1,000.00       $880.30       $8.96
Hypothetical**       $1,000.00       $1,015.68       $9.60
R6 Class            
Actual       $1,000.00       $885.80       $3.28
Hypothetical**       $1,000.00       $1,021.73       $3.52

 

*

Expenses are equal to the Fund’s annualized expense ratios for the six-month period of 0.70%, 0.77%, 1.04%, 1.18%, 1.13%, 1.89%, and 0.69% for the R5, Y, Investor, Advisor, A, C, and R6 Classes, respectively, multiplied by the average account value over the period, multiplied by the number derived by dividing the number of days in the most recent fiscal half-year (184) by days in the year (365) to reflect the half-year period.

**

5% return before expenses.

 

American Beacon Tocqueville International Value Fund            
    Beginning Account Value
5/1/2022
  Ending Account Value
10/31/2022
  Expenses Paid  During
Period

5/1/2022-10/31/2022*
R5 Class            
Actual       $1,000.00       $862.40       $4.18
Hypothetical**       $1,000.00       $1,020.72       $4.53
Y Class            
Actual       $1,000.00       $862.30       $4.46
Hypothetical**       $1,000.00       $1,020.42       $4.84
Investor Class            
Actual       $1,000.00       $861.10       $5.54
Hypothetical**       $1,000.00       $1,019.26       $6.01

 

*

Expenses are equal to the Fund’s annualized expense ratios for the six-month period of 0.89%, 0.95%, and 1.18% for the R5, Y, and Investor Classes, respectively, multiplied by the average account value over the period, multiplied by the number derived by dividing the number of days in the most recent fiscal half-year (184) by days in the year (365) to reflect the half-year period.

**

5% return before expenses.

 

 

10


American Beacon FundsSM

Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

 

 

To the Board of Trustees of American Beacon Funds and Shareholders of American Beacon International Equity Fund and American Beacon Tocqueville International Value Fund

Opinions on the Financial Statements

We have audited the accompanying statements of assets and liabilities, including the schedules of investments, of American Beacon International Equity Fund and American Beacon Tocqueville International Value Fund (two of the funds constituting American Beacon Funds, hereafter collectively referred to as the “Funds”) as of October 31, 2022, the related statements of operations and of changes in net assets for the year ended October 31, 2022, including the related notes, and the financial highlights for the year ended October 31, 2022 (collectively referred to as the “financial statements”). In our opinion, the financial statements present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of each of the Funds as of October 31, 2022, the results of each of their operations, the changes in each of their net assets, and each of the financial highlights for the year ended October 31, 2022, in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America.

The financial statements of the American Beacon International Equity Fund and the American Beacon Tocqueville International Value Fund as of and for the year ended October 31, 2021 and the financial highlights for each of the periods ended on or prior to October 31, 2021 (not presented herein, other than the statement of changes in net assets and the financial highlights) were audited by other auditors whose reports dated December 30, 2021 and December 21, 2018 (for American Beacon Tocqueville International Value Fund financial highlights for the period ended October 31, 2018 only) expressed unqualified opinions on those financial statements and financial highlights.

Basis for Opinions

These financial statements are the responsibility of the Funds’ management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on the Funds’ financial statements based on our audits. We are a public accounting firm registered with the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States) (PCAOB) and are required to be independent with respect to the Funds in accordance with the U.S. federal securities laws and the applicable rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission and the PCAOB.

We conducted our audits of these financial statements in accordance with the standards of the PCAOB. Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material misstatement, whether due to error or fraud.

Our audits included performing procedures to assess the risks of material misstatement of the financial statements, whether due to error or fraud, and performing procedures that respond to those risks. Such procedures included examining, on a test basis, evidence regarding the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. Our audits also included evaluating the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall presentation of the financial statements. Our procedures included confirmation of securities owned as of October 31, 2022 by correspondence with the custodians, and brokers; when replies were not received from brokers, we performed other auditing procedures. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinions.

/s/PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP

Boston, Massachusetts

January 3, 2023

We have served as the auditor of one or more investment companies in the American Beacon family of funds since 2016.

 

 

11


American Beacon International Equity FundSM

Schedule of Investments

October 31, 2022

 

 

    Shares       Fair Value
             
Australia - 0.32% (Cost $4,970,164)            
Common Stocks - 0.32%            
Rio Tinto PLCA       85,143         $ 4,430,015
           

 

 

 
           
Belgium - 0.34% (Cost $4,553,518)            
Common Stocks - 0.34%            
Anheuser-Busch InBev SAA       94,941           4,755,447
           

 

 

 
           
Brazil - 0.74% (Cost $11,598,850)            
Common Stocks - 0.74%            
ERO Copper Corp.B C       897,463           10,217,383
           

 

 

 
           
Canada - 3.48%            
Common Stocks - 3.48%            
Alimentation Couche-Tard, Inc.       105,645           4,730,315
Canadian National Railway Co.       75,038           8,889,884
Cogeco Communications, Inc.B       75,440           3,847,448
Gildan Activewear, Inc.       182,209           5,749,745
Linamar Corp.B       311,526           13,333,638
Suncor Energy, Inc.       343,372           11,810,777
           

 

 

 

Total Common Stocks

              48,361,807
           

 

 

 
           

Total Canada (Cost $49,203,088)

              48,361,807
           

 

 

 
           
China/Hong Kong - 3.94%            
Common Stocks - 3.94%            
Alibaba Group Holding Ltd.A C       672,300           5,352,498
ArcelorMittal SAA       94,246           2,110,055
Baidu, Inc., Class AA C       824,800           7,914,195
ESR Group Ltd.A D       2,980,600           5,094,256
Prudential PLCA       2,022,771           18,773,811
Sands China Ltd.A C       3,619,200           6,318,778
Tencent Holdings Ltd.A       347,300           9,113,070
           

 

 

 

Total Common Stocks

              54,676,663
           

 

 

 
           

Total China/Hong Kong (Cost $110,140,219)

              54,676,663
           

 

 

 
           
Denmark - 1.03%            
Common Stocks - 1.03%            
AP Moller - Maersk AS, Class B       815           1,694,246
Carlsberg AS, Class BA       83,668           9,851,607
Vestas Wind Systems ASA       141,898           2,788,906
           

 

 

 

Total Common Stocks

              14,334,759
           

 

 

 
           

Total Denmark (Cost $15,326,833)

              14,334,759
           

 

 

 
           
Finland - 0.88%            
Common Stocks - 0.88%            
Nordea Bank AbpA       836,282           7,992,291
Sampo OYJ, Class AA       91,246           4,170,144
           

 

 

 

Total Common Stocks

              12,162,435
           

 

 

 
           

Total Finland (Cost $11,966,751)

              12,162,435
           

 

 

 
           
France - 14.99%            
Common Stocks - 14.99%            
Air Liquide SAA       163,194           21,316,195
Alstom SAA B       531,427           10,938,338
Amundi SAA D       2,190           103,251

 

See accompanying notes

 

12


American Beacon International Equity FundSM

Schedule of Investments

October 31, 2022

 

 

    Shares       Fair Value
             
France - 14.99% (continued)            
Common Stocks - 14.99% (continued)            
AXA SAA       368,760         $ 9,101,008
BNP Paribas SAA       431,205           20,201,040
Capgemini SEA       49,033           8,044,947
Carrefour SAA       291,425           4,687,553
Cie de Saint-GobainA       337,668           13,794,953
Danone SAA       211,682           10,524,331
Engie SAA       1,044,288           13,564,824
Pernod Ricard SAA       28,456           4,992,532
Publicis Groupe SAA       340,064           19,047,684
Rexel SAA       540,038           9,650,200
SanofiA       411,254           35,510,407
TeleperformanceA       19,836           5,313,523
Thales SAA       54,954           6,984,209
TotalEnergies SEA       86,358           4,719,489
Valeo SAA       126,128           2,076,507
Vinci SAA       82,145           7,548,938
           

 

 

 

Total Common Stocks

              208,119,929
           

 

 

 
           

Total France (Cost $219,068,331)

              208,119,929
           

 

 

 
           
Germany - 10.29%            
Common Stocks - 10.29%            
Bayer AGA       119,856           6,305,266
Bayerische Motoren Werke AGA       312,950           24,593,344
Continental AGA       396,379           20,557,520
Covestro AGA D       21,382           728,013
Deutsche Telekom AGA       373,590           7,076,378
Infineon Technologies AGA       258,781           6,300,520
Mercedes-Benz Group AGA       417,296           24,166,137
Merck KGaAA       66,354           10,820,391
MTU Aero Engines AGA       49,094           8,792,068
Rheinmetall AGA       34,455           5,601,708
RWE AGA       218,986           8,440,266
SAP SEA       142,279           13,736,962
Siemens AGA       33,359           3,646,756
Siemens Healthineers AGA D       45,457           2,092,672
           

 

 

 

Total Common Stocks

              142,858,001
           

 

 

 
           

Total Germany (Cost $158,301,841)

              142,858,001
           

 

 

 
           
Ireland - 1.17% (Cost $18,455,066)            
Common Stocks - 1.17%            
Ryanair Holdings PLC, ADRC       235,746           16,240,542
           

 

 

 
           
Israel - 0.77% (Cost $8,105,267)            
Common Stocks - 0.77%            
Bank Leumi Le-Israel BMA       1,126,795           10,743,804
           

 

 

 
           
Italy - 3.61%            
Common Stocks - 3.61%            
Enel SpAA       4,380,024           19,586,900
UniCredit SpAA       2,458,623           30,535,794
           

 

 

 

Total Common Stocks

              50,122,694
           

 

 

 
           

Total Italy (Cost $63,157,048)

              50,122,694
           

 

 

 
           

 

See accompanying notes

 

13


American Beacon International Equity FundSM

Schedule of Investments

October 31, 2022

 

 

    Shares       Fair Value
             
Japan - 12.58%            
Common Stocks - 12.58%            
Alfresa Holdings Corp.A       71,316         $ 820,918
Asics Corp.A       440,700           6,762,631
Bandai Namco Holdings, Inc.A       100,800           6,667,853
Digital Garage, Inc.A       121,200           2,893,947
Disco Corp.A       29,700           7,107,184
FANUC Corp.A       95,200           12,512,083
Hazama Ando Corp.A       238,600           1,384,090
Hitachi Ltd.A       103,000           4,665,631
Hoya Corp.A       67,800           6,321,473
MatsukiyoCocokara & Co.A       242,100           8,804,614
Mitsubishi UFJ Financial Group, Inc.A       1,317,100           6,243,845
Mizuho Financial Group, Inc.A       517,180           5,580,844
Murata Manufacturing Co. Ltd.A       140,300           6,882,616
Nexon Co. Ltd.A       247,059           4,137,212
Olympus Corp.A       448,100           9,454,782
SUMCO Corp.A       822,800           10,420,382
Sumitomo Mitsui Financial Group, Inc.A       377,300           10,585,197
Sumitomo Rubber Industries Ltd.A       901,700           7,733,145
Suzuken Co. Ltd.A       143,800           3,201,532
Suzuki Motor Corp.A       196,800           6,640,103
Taisei Corp.A       90,300           2,458,303
Takeda Pharmaceutical Co. Ltd.A       1,053,100           27,899,390
Toho Holdings Co. Ltd.A       166,600           2,264,528
Tokyo Electron Ltd.A       12,600           3,332,235
Yamaha Corp.A       263,800           9,961,875
           

 

 

 

Total Common Stocks

              174,736,413
           

 

 

 
           

Total Japan (Cost $211,637,259)

              174,736,413
           

 

 

 
           
Jordan - 0.29% (Cost $5,013,326)            
Common Stocks - 0.29%            
Hikma Pharmaceuticals PLCA       284,138           4,065,458
           

 

 

 
           
Netherlands - 4.90%            
Common Stocks - 4.90%            
Aegon NVA       3,674,124           16,988,164
Akzo Nobel NVA       278,283           17,154,268
ING Groep NVA       926,492           9,100,266
Koninklijke Philips NVA       403,216           5,105,297
Universal Music Group NVA       368,021           7,211,636
Wolters Kluwer NVA       116,969           12,432,197
           

 

 

 

Total Common Stocks

              67,991,828
           

 

 

 
           

Total Netherlands (Cost $73,390,605)

              67,991,828
           

 

 

 
           
Norway - 0.24% (Cost $1,143,543)            
Common Stocks - 0.24%            
Equinor ASAA       92,060           3,353,441
           

 

 

 
           
Portugal - 0.44% (Cost $6,522,006)            
Common Stocks - 0.44%            
Galp Energia SGPS SAA       601,291           6,105,669
           

 

 

 
           
Republic of Korea - 1.96%            
Common Stocks - 1.96%            
Hana Financial Group, Inc.A       85,396           2,466,556
Osstem Implant Co. Ltd.A       36,226           2,697,015
Samsung Electronics Co. Ltd.A       332,785           13,838,366

 

See accompanying notes

 

14


American Beacon International Equity FundSM

Schedule of Investments

October 31, 2022

 

 

    Shares       Fair Value
             
Republic of Korea - 1.96% (continued)            
Common Stocks - 1.96% (continued)            
SK Hynix, Inc.A       142,481         $ 8,246,000
           

 

 

 

Total Common Stocks

              27,247,937
           

 

 

 
           

Total Republic of Korea (Cost $31,982,388)

              27,247,937
           

 

 

 
           
Singapore - 0.78% (Cost $6,189,799)            
Common Stocks - 0.78%            
DBS Group Holdings Ltd.A       447,410           10,803,013
           

 

 

 
           
South Africa - 0.53% (Cost $10,244,303)            
Common Stocks - 0.53%            
Anglo American PLCA       243,685           7,289,658
           

 

 

 
           
Spain - 4.22%            
Common Stocks - 4.22%            
Aena SME SAA C D       63,305           7,447,706
Amadeus IT Group SAA C       237,036           12,339,127
Banco Bilbao Vizcaya Argentaria SAA       2,209,705           11,355,286
CaixaBank SAA       267,884           887,661
Iberdrola SAA       479,919           4,875,120
Indra Sistemas SAA       455,059           4,074,601
Industria de Diseno Textil SAA       587,170           13,298,934
Telefonica SAA       1,260,507           4,356,800
           

 

 

 

Total Common Stocks

              58,635,235
           

 

 

 
           

Total Spain (Cost $66,445,186)

              58,635,235
           

 

 

 
           
Sweden - 1.85%            
Common Stocks - 1.85%            
Electrolux AB, Class BA B       1,020,041           12,575,360
Sandvik ABA       462,593           7,231,420
Swedbank AB, Class AA       392,376           5,846,255
           

 

 

 

Total Common Stocks

              25,653,035
           

 

 

 
           

Total Sweden (Cost $31,166,641)

              25,653,035
           

 

 

 
           
Switzerland - 2.71%            
Common Stocks - 2.71%            
ABB Ltd.A       358,695           9,957,577
Cie Financiere Richemont SA, Class AA       41,855           4,093,752
Novartis AGA       233,418           18,918,667
Zurich Insurance Group AGA       11,009           4,694,013
           

 

 

 

Total Common Stocks

              37,664,009
           

 

 

 
           

Total Switzerland (Cost $32,978,757)

              37,664,009
           

 

 

 
           
United Kingdom - 18.20%            
Common Stocks - 18.20%            
3i Group PLCA       428,904           5,701,910
ASOS PLCA B C       651,626           4,204,105
AstraZeneca PLCA       90,024           10,561,659
AstraZeneca PLC, ADR       385,999           22,700,601
Barclays PLCA       19,264,048           32,798,182
Barratt Developments PLCA       1,495,240           6,450,854
Berkeley Group Holdings PLCA       53,625           2,134,565
BP PLCA       2,048,206           11,362,922
British American Tobacco PLCA       105,889           4,183,214
Coca-Cola Europacific Partners PLCA       166,924           7,897,753

 

See accompanying notes

 

15


American Beacon International Equity FundSM

Schedule of Investments

October 31, 2022

 

 

    Shares       Fair Value
             
United Kingdom - 18.20% (continued)            
Common Stocks - 18.20% (continued)            
Compass Group PLCA       644,752         $ 13,579,105
Kingfisher PLCA       4,159,522           10,431,762
Reckitt Benckiser Group PLCA       193,465           12,817,341
RELX PLCA       727,809           19,563,682
RELX PLCA       204,499           5,498,398
Rolls-Royce Holdings PLCA C       18,963,419           16,967,653
Standard Chartered PLCA       1,297,899           7,742,813
Taylor Wimpey PLCA       12,431,621           13,356,331
Unilever PLCA       512,273           23,301,702
WH Smith PLCA C       348,786           4,707,854
WPP PLCA       1,904,353           16,710,239
           

 

 

 

Total Common Stocks

              252,672,645
           

 

 

 
           

Total United Kingdom (Cost $299,783,263)

              252,672,645
           

 

 

 
           
United States - 6.03%            
Common Stocks - 6.03%            
Aon PLC, Class A       53,448           15,045,077
BRP, Inc.B       55,522           3,712,335
Ferguson PLCA       53,141           5,790,300
GSK PLCA       1,445,637           23,689,196
ICON PLCC       54,640           10,809,978
Roche Holding AGA       74,239           24,673,411
           

 

 

 

Total Common Stocks

              83,720,297
           

 

 

 
           

Total United States (Cost $82,935,852)

              83,720,297
           

 

 

 
           
SHORT-TERM INVESTMENTS - 3.17% (Cost $43,980,453)            
Investment Companies - 3.17%            
American Beacon U.S. Government Money Market Select Fund, 2.89%E F       43,980,453           43,980,453
           

 

 

 
           
SECURITIES LENDING COLLATERAL - 0.94% (Cost $13,115,544)            
Investment Companies - 0.94%            
American Beacon U.S. Government Money Market Select Fund, 2.89%E F       13,115,544           13,115,544
           

 

 

 
           

TOTAL INVESTMENTS - 100.40% (Cost $1,591,375,901)

              1,394,058,114

LIABILITIES, NET OF OTHER ASSETS - (0.40%)

              (5,562,981 )
           

 

 

 

TOTAL NET ASSETS - 100.00%

            $ 1,388,495,133
           

 

 

 
             
Percentages are stated as a percent of net assets.                  

A Fair valued pursuant to procedures approved by the Board of Trustees. At period end, the value of these securities amounted to $1,208,180,148 or 87.01% of net assets.

B All or a portion of this security is on loan, collateralized by either cash and/or U.S. Treasuries, at October 31, 2022 (Note 9).

C Non-income producing security.

D Security exempt from registration under the Securities Act of 1933. These securities may be resold to qualified institutional buyers pursuant to Rule 144A. At the period end, the value of these securities amounted to $15,465,898 or 1.11% of net assets. The Fund has no right to demand registration of these securities.

E The Fund is affiliated by having the same investment advisor.

F 7-day yield.

ADR - American Depositary Receipt.

PLC - Public Limited Company.

 

See accompanying notes

 

16


American Beacon International Equity FundSM

Schedule of Investments

October 31, 2022

 

 

Long Futures Contracts Open on October 31, 2022:               
Equity Futures Contracts                           
Description      Number of
Contracts
     Expiration Date      Notional Amount        Contract Value        Unrealized
Appreciation
(Depreciation)
 
ICE U.S. mini MSCI EAFE Index Futures      478      December 2022      $ 40,805,937        $ 41,966,010        $ 1,160,073  
              

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

 
               $ 40,805,937        $ 41,966,010        $ 1,160,073  
              

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

 

 

Index Abbreviations:
ICE    Intercontinental Exchange.
MSCI EAFE    Morgan Stanley Capital International - Europe, Australasia, and Far East.

The Fund’s investments are summarized by level based on the inputs used to determine their values. As of October 31, 2022, the investments were classified as described below:

 

International Equity Fund

  Level 1           Level 2           Level 3           Total  

Assets

 

Foreign Common Stocks

 

Australia

  $ -       $ 4,430,015       $ -       $ 4,430,015  

Belgium

    -         4,755,447         -         4,755,447  

Brazil

    10,217,383         -         -         10,217,383  

Canada

    48,361,807         -         -         48,361,807  

China/Hong Kong

    -         54,676,663         -         54,676,663  

Denmark

    1,694,246         12,640,513         -         14,334,759  

Finland

    -         12,162,435         -         12,162,435  

France

    -         208,119,929         -         208,119,929  

Germany

    -         142,858,001         -         142,858,001  

Ireland

    16,240,542         -         -         16,240,542  

Israel

    -         10,743,804         -         10,743,804  

Italy

    -         50,122,694         -         50,122,694  

Japan

    -         174,736,413         -         174,736,413  

Jordan

    -         4,065,458         -         4,065,458  

Netherlands

    -         67,991,828         -         67,991,828  

Norway

    -         3,353,441         -         3,353,441  

Portugal

    -         6,105,669         -         6,105,669  

Republic of Korea

    -         27,247,937         -         27,247,937  

Singapore

    -         10,803,013         -         10,803,013  

South Africa

    -         7,289,658         -         7,289,658  

Spain

    -         58,635,235         -         58,635,235  

Sweden

    -         25,653,035         -         25,653,035  

Switzerland

    -         37,664,009         -         37,664,009  

United Kingdom

    22,700,601         229,972,044         -         252,672,645  

Common Stocks

             

United States

    29,567,390         54,152,907         -         83,720,297  

Short-Term Investments

    43,980,453         -         -         43,980,453  

Securities Lending Collateral

    13,115,544         -         -         13,115,544  
 

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 

Total Investments in Securities - Assets

  $ 185,877,966       $ 1,208,180,148       $ -       $ 1,394,058,114  
 

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 

Financial Derivative Instruments - Assets

             

Futures Contracts

  $ 1,160,073       $ -       $ -       $ 1,160,073  
 

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 

Total Financial Derivative Instruments - Assets

  $ 1,160,073       $ -       $ -       $ 1,160,073  
 

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 

U.S. GAAP requires transfers between all levels to/from level 3 be disclosed. During the year ended October 31, 2022, there were no transfers into or out of Level 3.

 

See accompanying notes

 

17


American Beacon Tocqueville International Value FundSM

Schedule of Investments

October 31, 2022

 

 

    Shares       Fair Value
             
Australia - 1.84% (Cost $2,517,163)            
Common Stocks - 1.84%            
BHP Group Ltd., ADRA       70,120         $ 3,353,138
           

 

 

 
           
Belgium - 2.11% (Cost $4,356,321)            
Common Stocks - 2.11%            
Groupe Bruxelles Lambert NVB       52,322           3,853,519
           

 

 

 
           
Brazil - 0.50% (Cost $902,948)            
Common Stocks - 0.50%            
Vale SA, ADR       65,000           902,948
           

 

 

 
           
Canada - 1.73% (Cost $1,397,322)            
Common Stocks - 1.73%            
Nutrien Ltd.       37,390           3,159,455
           

 

 

 
           
France - 15.84%            
Common Stocks - 15.84%            
Accor SAB C       82,700           1,978,555
Bollore SEB       886,310           4,432,506
Bureau Veritas SAB       184,098           4,557,187
EssilorLuxottica SAB       30,992           4,909,150
JCDecaux SEB C       147,141           1,855,415
LVMH Moet Hennessy Louis Vuitton SEB       2,000           1,261,752
SanofiB       68,070           5,877,617
Vivendi SEB       491,830           4,023,602
           

 

 

 

Total Common Stocks

              28,895,784
           

 

 

 
           

Total France (Cost $30,407,003)

              28,895,784
           

 

 

 
           
Germany - 16.30%            
Common Stocks - 13.73%            
adidas AGB       15,080           1,475,075
Duerr AGB       123,910           3,278,060
GEA Group AGB       62,364           2,181,710
Infineon Technologies AGB       156,470           3,809,562
KION Group AGB       51,100           1,134,634
SAP SEB       48,620           4,694,235
Siemens AG, ADR       79,300           4,340,089
Software AGB       75,720           1,659,767
Stroeer SE & Co. KGaAB       60,619           2,471,810
           

 

 

 

Total Common Stocks

              25,044,942
           

 

 

 
           
Preferred Stocks - 2.57%            
Henkel AG & Co. KGaAB D       74,400           4,689,474
           

 

 

 
           

Total Germany (Cost $37,577,375)

              29,734,416
           

 

 

 
           
Ireland - 2.51% (Cost $3,960,856)            
Common Stocks - 2.51%            
CRH PLCB       127,070           4,571,952
           

 

 

 
           
Japan - 17.41%            
Common Stocks - 17.41%            
Amano Corp.B       228,883           3,918,190
Asahi Group Holdings Ltd.B       154,500           4,324,692
FANUC Corp.B       35,720           4,694,660
Hitachi Ltd.B       95,718           4,335,775
Hoya Corp.B       24,300           2,265,661
Makita Corp.B       83,900           1,533,508

 

See accompanying notes

 

18


American Beacon Tocqueville International Value FundSM

Schedule of Investments

October 31, 2022

 

 

    Shares       Fair Value
             
Japan - 17.41% (continued)            
Common Stocks - 17.41% (continued)            
Shimano, Inc.B       6,800         $ 1,054,438
Sony Group Corp., ADR       53,290           3,595,476
TBS Holdings, Inc.B       267,260           2,768,549
Toyota Industries Corp.B       63,450           3,266,309
           

 

 

 

Total Common Stocks

              31,757,258
           

 

 

 
           

Total Japan (Cost $35,996,550)

              31,757,258
           

 

 

 
           
Mexico - 3.52%            
Common Stocks - 3.52%            
Fomento Economico Mexicano SAB de CV, ADR       58,300           4,175,446
Grupo Televisa SAB, ADR       428,700           2,250,675
           

 

 

 

Total Common Stocks

              6,426,121
           

 

 

 
           

Total Mexico (Cost $7,480,128)

              6,426,121
           

 

 

 
           
Netherlands - 0.33% (Cost $582,940)            
Common Stocks - 0.33%            
JDE Peet’s NVB       21,000           601,099
           

 

 

 
           
Republic of Korea - 2.97% (Cost $4,297,643)            
Preferred Stocks - 2.97%            
Samsung Electronics Co. Ltd.B D       145,220           5,422,913
           

 

 

 
           
Spain - 2.68%            
Common Stocks - 2.68%            
Cellnex Telecom SAB E       60,100           1,963,987
Industria de Diseno Textil SAB       128,960           2,920,841
           

 

 

 

Total Common Stocks

              4,884,828
           

 

 

 
           

Total Spain (Cost $6,627,183)

              4,884,828
           

 

 

 
           
Sweden - 1.73%            
Common Stocks - 1.73%            
Svenska Handelsbanken AB, Class AB       235,000           2,182,773
Volvo AB, Class BB       60,000           981,073
           

 

 

 

Total Common Stocks

              3,163,846
           

 

 

 
           

Total Sweden (Cost $3,030,647)

              3,163,846
           

 

 

 
           
Switzerland - 7.21%            
Common Stocks - 7.21%            
Alcon, Inc.       54,260           3,292,497
Novartis AG, ADRA       67,900           5,508,727
UBS Group AGC       274,720           4,357,059
           

 

 

 

Total Common Stocks

              13,158,283
           

 

 

 
           

Total Switzerland (Cost $11,203,489)

              13,158,283
           

 

 

 
           
Taiwan - 1.08% (Cost $2,361,123)            
Common Stocks - 1.08%            
Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co. Ltd., ADR       32,100           1,975,755
           

 

 

 
           
United Kingdom - 13.82%            
Common Stocks - 13.82%            
BP PLC, ADR       145,770           4,851,226
Diageo PLC, ADR       30,290           5,057,521

 

See accompanying notes

 

19


American Beacon Tocqueville International Value FundSM

Schedule of Investments

October 31, 2022

 

 

    Shares       Fair Value
             
United Kingdom - 13.82% (continued)            
Common Stocks - 13.82% (continued)            
Experian PLCB       71,300         $ 2,266,281
IMI PLCB       184,600           2,599,666
Johnson Matthey PLCB       109,600           2,428,958
Smith & Nephew PLCB       315,040           3,728,717
Smiths Group PLCB       239,170           4,280,140
           

 

 

 

Total Common Stocks

              25,212,509
           

 

 

 
           

Total United Kingdom (Cost $25,265,692)

              25,212,509
           

 

 

 
           
United States - 0.95% (Cost $2,965,120)            
Common Stocks - 0.95%            
Clarivate PLCC       167,520           1,730,482
           

 

 

 
           
SHORT-TERM INVESTMENTS - 7.01% (Cost $12,785,396)            
Investment Companies - 7.01%            
American Beacon U.S. Government Money Market Select Fund, 2.89%F G       12,785,396           12,785,396
           

 

 

 
           
SECURITIES LENDING COLLATERAL - 0.21% (Cost $373,450)            
Investment Companies - 0.21%            
American Beacon U.S. Government Money Market Select Fund, 2.89%F G       373,450           373,450
           

 

 

 
           

TOTAL INVESTMENTS - 99.75% (Cost $194,088,349)

              181,963,152

OTHER ASSETS, NET OF LIABILITIES - 0.25%

              456,402
           

 

 

 

TOTAL NET ASSETS - 100.00%

            $ 182,419,554
           

 

 

 
             
Percentages are stated as a percent of net assets.                  

A All or a portion of this security is on loan, collateralized by either cash and/or U.S. Treasuries, at October 31, 2022 (Note 9).

B Fair valued pursuant to procedures approved by the Board of Trustees. At period end, the value of these securities amounted to $120,253,812 or 65.92% of net assets.

C Non-income producing security.

D A type of Preferred Stock that has no maturity date.

E Security exempt from registration under the Securities Act of 1933. These securities may be resold to qualified institutional buyers pursuant to Rule 144A. At the period end, the value of these securities amounted to $1,963,987 or 1.08% of net assets. The Fund has no right to demand registration of these securities.

F The Fund is affiliated by having the same investment advisor.

G 7-day yield.

ADR - American Depositary Receipt.

PLC - Public Limited Company.

 

See accompanying notes

 

20


American Beacon Tocqueville International Value FundSM

Schedule of Investments

October 31, 2022

 

 

The Fund’s investments are summarized by level based on the inputs used to determine their values. As of October 31, 2022, the investments were classified as described below:

 

Tocqueville International Value Fund

  Level 1           Level 2           Level 3           Total  

Assets

             

Foreign Common Stocks

             

Australia

  $ 3,353,138       $ -       $ -       $ 3,353,138  

Belgium

    -         3,853,519         -         3,853,519  

Brazil

    902,948         -         -         902,948  

Canada

    3,159,455         -         -         3,159,455  

France

    -         28,895,784         -         28,895,784  

Germany

    4,340,089         20,704,853         -         25,044,942  

Ireland

    -         4,571,952         -         4,571,952  

Japan

    3,595,476         28,161,782         -         31,757,258  

Mexico

    6,426,121         -         -         6,426,121  

Netherlands

    -         601,099         -         601,099  

Spain

    -         4,884,828         -         4,884,828  

Sweden

    -         3,163,846         -         3,163,846  

Switzerland

    13,158,283         -         -         13,158,283  

Taiwan

    1,975,755         -         -         1,975,755  

United Kingdom

    9,908,747         15,303,762         -         25,212,509  

Foreign Preferred Stocks

             

Germany

    -         4,689,474         -         4,689,474  

Republic of Korea

    -         5,422,913         -         5,422,913  

Common Stocks

             

United States

    1,730,482         -         -         1,730,482  

Short-Term Investments

    12,785,396         -         -         12,785,396  

Securities Lending Collateral

    373,450         -         -         373,450  
 

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 

Total Investments in Securities - Assets

  $ 61,709,340       $ 120,253,812       $ -       $ 181,963,152  
 

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 

U.S. GAAP requires transfers between all levels to/from level 3 be disclosed. During the year ended October 31, 2022, there were no transfers into or out of Level 3.

 

See accompanying notes

 

21


American Beacon FundsSM

Statements of Assets and Liabilities

October 31, 2022

 

 

    International
Equity Fund
          Tocqueville
International Value
Fund
 

Assets:

     

Investments in unaffiliated securities, at fair value §

  $ 1,336,962,117       $ 168,804,306  

Investments in affiliated securities, at fair value

    57,095,997         13,158,846  

Foreign currency, at fair value¤

    220,740         -  

Cash

    4,127         -  

Cash collateral held at broker for futures contracts

    2,698,000         -  

Dividends and interest receivable

    4,329,137         391,992  

Receivable for investments sold

    3,841,958         -  

Receivable for fund shares sold

    1,586,049         39,144  

Receivable for tax reclaims

    4,079,555         1,677,272  

Receivable for variation margin on open futures contracts (Note 5)

    1,161,129         -  

Prepaid expenses

    52,041         18,580  
 

 

 

     

 

 

 

Total assets

    1,412,030,850         184,090,140  
 

 

 

     

 

 

 

Liabilities:

     

Payable for investments purchased

    4,865,156         902,948  

Payable for foreign currency, at fair value^

    -         4,566  

Payable for fund shares redeemed

    2,044,095         161,466  

Payable for expense recoupment (Note 2)

    30,080         1,474  

Cash due to broker for futures contracts

    1,552,751         -  

Management and sub-advisory fees payable (Note 2)

    1,412,603         87,029  

Service fees payable (Note 2)

    35,024         2,055  

Transfer agent fees payable (Note 2)

    70,115         11,900  

Payable upon return of securities loaned (Note 9)§

    13,115,544         373,450  

Custody and fund accounting fees payable

    122,587         25,280  

Professional fees payable

    176,015         56,430  

Trustee fees payable (Note 2)

    8,668         1,326  

Payable for prospectus and shareholder reports

    54,237         11,841  

Other liabilities

    48,842         30,821  
 

 

 

     

 

 

 

Total liabilities

    23,535,717         1,670,586  
 

 

 

     

 

 

 

Net assets

  $ 1,388,495,133       $ 182,419,554  
 

 

 

     

 

 

 

Analysis of net assets:

     

Paid-in-capital

  $ 1,614,112,633       $ 207,714,445  

Total distributable earnings (deficits)A

    (225,617,500       (25,294,891
 

 

 

     

 

 

 

Net assets

  $ 1,388,495,133       $ 182,419,554  
 

 

 

     

 

 

 

 

See accompanying notes

 

22


American Beacon FundsSM

Statements of Assets and Liabilities

October 31, 2022

 

 

    International
Equity Fund
          Tocqueville
International Value
Fund
 

Shares outstanding at no par value (unlimited shares authorized):

     

R5 Class

    62,249,617         1,036,471  
 

 

 

     

 

 

 

Y Class

    6,363,243         7,153,470  
 

 

 

     

 

 

 

Investor Class

    5,769,543         5,342,691  
 

 

 

     

 

 

 

Advisor Class

    937,679         N/A  
 

 

 

     

 

 

 

A Class

    509,943         N/A  
 

 

 

     

 

 

 

C Class

    210,068         N/A  
 

 

 

     

 

 

 

R6 Class

    20,660,806         N/A  
 

 

 

     

 

 

 

Net assets:

     

R5 Class

  $ 891,001,265       $ 13,963,043  
 

 

 

     

 

 

 

Y Class

  $ 95,663,172       $ 96,269,149  
 

 

 

     

 

 

 

Investor Class

  $ 81,694,109       $ 72,187,362  
 

 

 

     

 

 

 

Advisor Class

  $ 13,706,977         N/A  
 

 

 

     

 

 

 

A Class

  $ 7,205,251         N/A  
 

 

 

     

 

 

 

C Class

  $ 2,842,235         N/A  
 

 

 

     

 

 

 

R6 Class

  $ 296,382,124         N/A  
 

 

 

     

 

 

 

Net asset value, offering and redemption price per share:

     

R5 Class

  $ 14.31       $ 13.47  
 

 

 

     

 

 

 

Y Class

  $ 15.03       $ 13.46  
 

 

 

     

 

 

 

Investor Class

  $ 14.16       $ 13.51  
 

 

 

     

 

 

 

Advisor Class

  $ 14.62         N/A  
 

 

 

     

 

 

 

A Class

  $ 14.13         N/A  
 

 

 

     

 

 

 

A Class (offering price)

  $ 14.99         N/A  
 

 

 

     

 

 

 

C Class

  $ 13.53         N/A  
 

 

 

     

 

 

 

R6 Class

  $ 14.35         N/A  
 

 

 

     

 

 

 

Cost of investments in unaffiliated securities

  $ 1,534,279,904       $ 180,929,503  

Cost of investments in affiliated securities

  $ 57,095,997       $ 13,158,846  

§ Fair value of securities on loan

  $ 28,167,076       $ 700,522  

¤ Cost of foreign currency

  $ 243,668       $ -  

^ Cost of payable for foreign currency

  $ -       $ (4,500
A The Fund’s investments in affiliated securities did not have unrealized appreciation (depreciation) at year end.

 

 

See accompanying notes

 

23


American Beacon FundsSM

Statements of Operations

For the year ended October 31, 2022

 

 

    International
Equity Fund
          Tocqueville
International Value
Fund
 

Investment income:

     

Dividend income from unaffiliated securities (net of foreign taxes)

  $ 49,489,093       $ 5,776,775  

Dividend income from affiliated securities (Note 2)

    460,050         75,628  

Interest income

    20,361         -  

Income derived from securities lending (Note 9)

    362,581         49,420  

Other income

    2,155         340  
 

 

 

     

 

 

 

Total investment income

    50,334,240         5,902,163  
 

 

 

     

 

 

 

Expenses:

     

Management and sub-advisory fees (Note 2)

    10,503,309         2,029,381  

Transfer agent fees:

     

R5 Class (Note 2)

    320,509         7,197  

Y Class (Note 2)

    156,493         139,618  

Investor Class

    17,130         8,871  

Advisor Class

    1,744         -  

A Class

    3,974         -  

C Class

    3,085         -  

R6 Class

    32,661         -  

Custody and fund accounting fees

    491,701         83,207  

Professional fees

    509,653         78,945  

Registration fees and expenses

    137,652         56,099  

Service fees (Note 2):

     

Investor Class

    361,759         391,337  

Advisor Class

    39,395         -  

A Class

    12,849         -  

C Class

    3,895         -  

Distribution fees (Note 2):

     

Advisor Class

    39,497         -  

A Class

    21,049         -  

C Class

    35,587         -  

Prospectus and shareholder report expenses

    113,489         989  

Trustee fees (Note 2)

    140,575         22,377  

Loan expense (Note 10)

    6,563         3,404  

Other expenses

    187,597         21,129  
 

 

 

     

 

 

 

Total expenses

    13,140,166         2,842,554  
 

 

 

     

 

 

 

Net fees waived and expenses (reimbursed) (Note 2)

    (70,120       (1,783
 

 

 

     

 

 

 

Net expenses

    13,070,046         2,840,771  
 

 

 

     

 

 

 

Net investment income

    37,264,194         3,061,392  
 

 

 

     

 

 

 

Realized and unrealized gain (loss) from investments:

     

Net realized gain (loss) from:

     

Investments in unaffiliated securitiesA

    (5,729,884       6,936,589  

Commission recapture (Note 1)

    4,323         -  

Foreign currency transactions

    (1,183,199       (299,316

Futures contracts

    (21,273,041       -  

Change in net unrealized (depreciation) of:

     

Investments in unaffiliated securitiesB

    (418,561,176       (99,970,708

Foreign currency transactions

    (556,133       (180,683

Futures contracts

    (51,405       -  
 

 

 

     

 

 

 

Net (loss) from investments

    (447,350,515       (93,514,118
 

 

 

     

 

 

 

Net (decrease) in net assets resulting from operations

  $ (410,086,321     $ (90,452,726
 

 

 

     

 

 

 

Foreign taxes

  $ 5,756,633       $ 518,280  

A The Fund did not recognize net realized gains (losses) from the sale of investments in affiliated securities.

 

B The Fund’s investments in affiliated securities did not have a change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation) at year end.

 

 

See accompanying notes

 

24


American Beacon FundsSM

Statements of Changes in Net Assets

 

 

    International Equity Fund           Tocqueville International Value Fund  
    Year Ended
October 31, 2022
          Year Ended
October 31, 2021
          Year Ended
October 31, 2022
          Year Ended
October 31, 2021
 

Increase (decrease) in net assets:

             

Operations:

             

Net investment income

  $ 37,264,194       $ 55,622,269       $ 3,061,392       $ 11,431,934  

Net realized gain (loss) from investments in unaffiliated securities, commission recapture, foreign currency transactions, and futures contracts

    (28,181,801       301,438,095         6,637,273         33,234,296  

Change in net unrealized appreciation (depreciation) of investments in unaffiliated securities, foreign currency transactions, and futures contracts

    (419,168,714       446,603,032         (100,151,391       41,808,262  
 

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 

Net increase (decrease) in net assets resulting from operations

    (410,086,321       803,663,396         (90,452,726       86,474,492  
 

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 

Distributions to shareholders:

 

Total retained earnings:

             

R5 Class

    (128,782,324       (19,243,533       (826,787       (153,791

Y Class

    (21,034,641       (12,813,335       (7,166,939       (658,999

Investor Class

    (11,784,591       (1,252,478       (5,498,436       (746,996

Advisor Class

    (1,694,524       (149,763       -         -  

A Class

    (912,492       (146,453       -         -  

C Class

    (383,590       (25,086       -         -  

R6 Class

    (39,116,826       (6,209,328       -         -  
 

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 

Net distributions to shareholders

    (203,708,988       (39,839,976       (13,492,162       (1,559,786
 

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 

Capital share transactions (Note 11):

             

Proceeds from sales of shares

    455,433,342         672,415,177         68,033,556         73,601,571  

Reinvestment of dividends and distributions

    198,403,571         38,609,524         12,016,355         1,341,676  

Cost of shares redeemed

    (772,371,121       (1,398,901,051       (155,710,053       (153,630,756
 

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 

Net (decrease) in net assets from capital share transactions

    (118,534,208       (687,876,350       (75,660,142       (78,687,509
 

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 

Net increase (decrease) in net assets

    (732,329,517       75,947,070         (179,605,030       6,227,197  
 

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 

Net assets:

             

Beginning of year

    2,120,824,650         2,044,877,580         362,024,584         355,797,387  
 

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 

End of year

  $ 1,388,495,133       $ 2,120,824,650       $ 182,419,554       $ 362,024,584  
 

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 

 

See accompanying notes

 

25


American Beacon FundsSM

Notes to Financial Statements

October 31, 2022

 

 

1.  Organization and Significant Accounting Policies

American Beacon Funds (the “Trust”) is organized as a Massachusetts business trust. The Funds, each a series within the Trust, are registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the “Act”), as diversified, open-end management investment companies. As of October 31, 2022, the Trust consists of twenty-five active series, two of which are presented in this filing: American Beacon International Equity Fund and American Beacon Tocqueville International Value Fund (collectively, the “Funds” and each individually a “Fund”). The remaining twenty-three active series are reported in separate filings.

American Beacon Advisors, Inc. (the “Manager”) is a Delaware corporation and a wholly-owned subsidiary of Resolute Investment Managers, Inc. (“RIM”) organized in 1986 to provide business management, advisory, administrative, and asset management consulting services to the Trust and other investors. The Manager is registered as an investment advisor under the Investment Advisers Act of 1940, as amended (the “Advisers Act”). 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.

Recently Adopted Accounting Pronouncements

In March 2020, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) 2020-04, which provides optional expedients and exceptions for contracts, hedging relationships and other transactions affected by the transitioning away from the London Interbank Offered Rate (“LIBOR”) and other reference rates that are expected to be discontinued. The amendments in this ASU are effective for all entities as of March 12, 2020 through December 31, 2022. Management has evaluated the implications of these changes, and has determined that there is no impact to the financial statements.

In October 2020, the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) adopted new regulations governing the use of derivatives by registered investment companies. Rule 18f-4 imposes limits on the amount of derivatives the fund can enter into, eliminated the asset segregation framework used by funds to comply with Section 18 of the Act, and requires funds whose use of derivatives is more than a limited specified exposure to establish and maintain a derivatives risk management program and appoint a derivatives risk manager. While the new rule became effective February 19, 2021, funds were not required to fully comply with the new rule until August 19, 2022. Management has evaluated the implications of these changes, and has determined that there is no impact to the financial statements.

On December 3, 2020, the SEC adopted new rule 2a-5 (Valuation Rule) under the Investment Company Act of 1940, establishing an updated regulatory framework for fund valuation. The Valuation Rule, in part, provides a framework for good faith fair value determination and permits a Board to designate fair value determinations to a fund’s investment adviser. Further, the SEC is rescinding previously issued guidance on related issues. The Valuation Rule became effective on March 8, 2021, with a compliance date of September 8, 2022. Management has evaluated the Valuation Rule, and has determined that there is no impact to the financial statements.

 

 

26


American Beacon FundsSM

Notes to Financial Statements

October 31, 2022

 

 

Class Disclosure

Each Fund has multiple classes of shares designed to meet the needs of different groups of investors; however, not all of the Funds offer all classes. The following table sets forth the differences amongst the classes:

 

Class

  

Eligible Investors

   Minimum Initial
Investments
 
R5 Class    Large institutional investors - sold directly or through intermediary channels.    $ 250,000  
Y Class    Large institutional retirement plan investors - sold directly or through intermediary channels.    $ 100,000  
Investor Class    All investors using intermediary organizations, such as broker-dealers or retirement plan sponsors.    $ 2,500  
Advisor Class    All investors who invest through intermediary organizations, such as broker-dealers or third party administrators.    $ 2,500  
A Class    All investors who invest through intermediary organizations, such as broker-dealers or third party administrator. Retail investors who invest directly through a financial intermediary such as a broker, bank, or registered investment advisor which may include a front-end sales charge and a contingent deferred sales charge (“CDSC”).    $ 2,500  
C Class    Retail investors who invest directly through a financial intermediary such as a broker or through employee directed benefit plans with applicable sales charges which may include CDSC.    $ 1,000  
R6 Class    Large institutional retirement plan investors - sold through retirement plan sponsors.      None  

Each class offered by the Trust has equal rights as to assets and voting privileges. Income and non-class specific expenses are allocated daily to each class based on the relative net assets. Realized and unrealized capital gains and losses of each class are allocated daily based on the relative net assets of each class of the respective Fund. Class specific expenses, where applicable, currently include service, distribution, transfer agent fees, and sub-transfer agent fees that vary amongst the classes as described more fully in Note 2.

Significant Accounting Policies

The following is a summary of significant accounting policies, consistently followed by the Funds in preparation of the financial statements. The Funds are considered investment companies and accordingly, follow the investment company accounting and reporting guidance of the FASB Accounting Standards Codification Topic 946, Financial Services – Investment Companies, a part of Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (“U.S. GAAP”).

Security Transactions and Investment Income

Security transactions are recorded as of the trade date for financial reporting purposes. Securities purchased or sold on a when-issued or delayed-delivery basis may be settled beyond a standard settlement period for the security after the trade date.

Dividend income, net of foreign taxes, is recorded on the ex-dividend date, except certain dividends from foreign securities which are recorded as soon as the information is available to the Funds. Tax reclaim accruals are automatically generated on accounting and custody systems at the time of the income event based on the tax databases maintained by the Funds’ custodian. Reconciliations are performed between custody and accounting systems to help ensure reclaim accruals are in line. Estimated tax liabilities on certain foreign securities are recorded on an accrual basis and are reflected as components of interest income or net change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on investments on the Statements of Operations, as appropriate. Tax liabilities realized as a result of such security sales are reflected as a component of net realized gain (loss) on investments on the Statements of Operations. Interest income, net of foreign taxes, is earned from settlement date, recorded on the accrual basis, and adjusted, if necessary, for accretion of discounts and amortization of premiums. Realized gains (losses) from securities sold are determined based on specific lot identification.

 

 

27


American Beacon FundsSM

Notes to Financial Statements

October 31, 2022

 

 

Central Securities Depositories Regulation (“CSDR”)

Effective February 1, 2022, the CSDR introduced new measures for the authorization and supervision of European Union Central Security Depositories and sets out to create a common set of prudential, organizational, and conduct of business standards at a European level. CSDR is designed to support securities settlement and operational aspects of securities settlement, including the provision of shorter settlement periods; mandatory buy-ins; and cash penalties, to prevent and address settlement fails. CSDR measures are aimed to prevent settlement fails by ensuring that all transaction details are provided to facilitate settlement, as well as further incentivizing timely settlement by imposing cash penalty fines and buy-ins. The International Equity Fund may be subject to pay cash penalties and may also receive cash penalties with certain counterparties in instances where there are settlement fails. At this time, management believes the adoption of CSDR will not have a material impact to the financial statements.

Currency Translation

All assets and liabilities initially expressed in foreign currency values are converted into U.S. dollar values at the mean of the bid and ask prices of such currencies against U.S. dollars as last quoted by a recognized dealer. Income, expenses, and purchases and sales of investments are translated into U.S. dollars at the rate of the exchange prevailing on the respective dates of such transactions. The effect of changes in foreign currency exchange rates on investments is separately identified from the fluctuations arising from changes in market values of securities held and is reported with all other foreign currency gains and losses on the Funds’ Statements of Operations.

Distributions to Shareholders

The Funds distribute most or all of their net earnings and realized gains, if any, each taxable year in the form of dividends from net investment income and distributions of realized net capital gains and net gains from foreign currency transactions on an annual basis. The Funds do not have a fixed dividend rate and do not guarantee that they will pay any distributions in any particular period. Dividends to shareholders are determined in accordance with federal income tax regulations, which may differ in amount and character from net investment income and realized gains recognized for purposes of U.S. GAAP. To the extent necessary to fully distribute capital gains, the Funds may designate earnings and profits distributed to shareholders on the redemption of shares.

Commission Recapture

The Funds have established brokerage commission recapture arrangements with certain brokers or dealers. If the Funds’ investment advisor chooses to execute a transaction through a participating broker, the broker rebates a portion of the commission back to the Funds. Any collateral benefit received through participation in the commission recapture program is directed exclusively to the Funds. This amount is reported with the net realized gain (loss) in the Funds’ Statements of Operations, if applicable.

Allocation of Income, Trust Expenses, Gains, and Losses

Investment income, realized and unrealized gains and losses from investments of the Funds are allocated daily to each class of shares based upon the relative proportion of net assets of each class to the total net assets of the Funds. Expenses directly charged or attributable to a Fund will be paid from the assets of a Fund. Generally, expenses of the Trust will be allocated among and charged to the assets of the Funds on a basis that the Trust’s Board of Trustees (the “Board”) deems fair and equitable, which may be based on the relative net assets of the Funds or nature of the services performed and relative applicability to the Funds.

Use of Estimates

The preparation of financial statements in conformity with U.S. GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the amounts reported in the financial statements and accompanying notes. Actual results may differ from those estimated.

 

 

28


American Beacon FundsSM

Notes to Financial Statements

October 31, 2022

 

 

Other

Under the Trust’s organizational documents, its officers and trustees are indemnified against certain liabilities arising out of the performance of their duties to the Trust. In the normal course of business, the Trust enters into contracts that provide indemnification to the other party or parties against potential costs or liabilities. The Trust’s maximum exposure under these arrangements is dependent on claims that may be made in the future and, therefore, cannot be estimated. The Trust has had no prior claims or losses pursuant to any such agreement.

2.  Transactions with Affiliates

Management and Investment Sub-Advisory Agreements

The Funds and the Manager are parties to a Management Agreement that obligates the Manager to provide the Funds with investment advisory and administrative services. As compensation for performing the duties under the Management Agreement, the Manager will receive an annualized management fee based on a percentage of each Fund’s average daily net assets that is calculated and accrued daily according to the following schedules:

International Equity Fund

 

First $15 billion

     0.35

Next $15 billion

     0.325

Over $30 billion

     0.30

Tocqueville International Value Fund

 

First $5 billion

     0.35

Next $5 billion

     0.325

Next $10 billion

     0.30

Over $20 billion

     0.275

The Trust, on behalf of the American Beacon International Equity Fund, and the Manager have entered into Investment Advisory Agreements with Causeway Capital Management LLC; Lazard Asset Management LLC; and American Century Investment Management Inc. (“Sub-Advisors”) pursuant to which the Fund has agreed to pay an annualized sub-advisory fee that is calculated and accrued daily based on each Fund’s average daily net assets.

The Trust, on behalf of the American Beacon Tocqueville International Value Fund, and the Manager have entered into an Investment Advisory Agreement with Tocqueville Asset Management LP (“Sub-Advisor”) pursuant to which the Fund has agreed to pay an annualized sub-advisory fee that is calculated and accrued daily according to the following schedule:

 

First $1 billion

     0.40

Next $1 billion

     0.35

Over $2 billion

     0.325

The Management and Sub-Advisory Fees paid by the Funds for the year ended October 31, 2022 were as follows:

International Equity Fund

 

    Effective Fee Rate           Amount of Fees Paid  

Management Fees

    0.35     $ 6,115,636  

Sub-Advisor Fees

    0.26       4,387,673  
 

 

 

     

 

 

 

Total

    0.61     $ 10,503,309  
 

 

 

     

 

 

 

 

 

29


American Beacon FundsSM

Notes to Financial Statements

October 31, 2022

 

 

Tocqueville International Value Fund

 

    Effective Fee Rate           Amount of Fees Paid  

Management Fees

    0.35     $ 951,334  

Sub-Advisor Fees

    0.40       1,078,047  
 

 

 

     

 

 

 

Total

    0.75     $ 2,029,381  
 

 

 

     

 

 

 

As compensation for services provided by the Manager in connection with securities lending activities conducted by the Funds, the lending Fund pays to the Manager, with respect to cash collateral posted by borrowers, a fee of 10% of the net monthly interest income (the gross interest income earned by the investment of cash collateral, less the amount paid to borrowers and related expenses) from such activities and, with respect to loan fees paid by borrowers, a fee of 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. These fees are included in “Income derived from securities lending” and “Management and sub-advisory fees” on the Statements of Operations. During the year ended October 31, 2022, the Manager received securities lending fees of $38,911 and $5,208 for the securities lending activities of International Equity Fund and Tocqueville International Value Fund, respectively.

Distribution Plans

Separate Distribution Plans (the “Distribution Plans”) have been adopted pursuant to Rule 12b-1 under the Act for the Advisor, A and C Classes of the Funds. Under the Distribution Plans, as compensation for distribution and shareholder servicing assistance, the Manager receives an annual fee of 0.25% of the average daily net assets of the Advisor and A Classes and 1.00% of the average daily net assets of the C Class. The fee will be payable without regard to whether the amount of the fee is more or less than the actual expenses incurred in a particular month by the Manager for distribution assistance.

Service Plans

The Manager and the Trust entered into a Service Plan that obligates the Manager to oversee additional shareholder servicing of the Investor, Advisor, A, and C Classes of the Funds. As compensation for performing the duties required under the Service Plan, the Manager receives an annualized fee up to 0.25% of the average daily net assets of the A and C Classes, up to 0.25% of the average daily net assets of the Advisor Class, and up to 0.375% of the average daily net assets of the Investor Class of the Funds.

Sub-Transfer Agent Fees

The Manager has entered into agreements, which include servicing agreements, with financial intermediaries that provide recordkeeping, processing, shareholder communications and other services to customers of the intermediaries that hold positions in the R5 and Y Classes of the Funds and has agreed to compensate the intermediaries for providing these services. Intermediaries transact with the Funds primarily through the use of omnibus accounts on behalf of their customers who hold positions in the Funds. Certain services would have been provided by the Funds’ transfer agent and other service providers if the shareholders’ accounts were maintained directly by the Funds’ transfer agent. Accordingly, the Funds, pursuant to Board approval, have agreed to reimburse the Manager for certain non-distribution shareholder services provided by financial intermediaries for the R5 and Y Classes. The reimbursement amounts (sub-transfer agent fees) paid to the Manager are subject to a fee limit of up to 0.10% of an intermediary’s average net assets in the R5 and Y Classes on an annual basis. During the year ended October 31, 2022, the sub-transfer agent fees, as reflected in “Transfer agent fees” on the Statements of Operations, were as follows:

 

Fund

   Sub-Transfer Agent Fees  

International Equity

   $ 418,557  

Tocqueville International Value

     138,236  

 

 

30


American Beacon FundsSM

Notes to Financial Statements

October 31, 2022

 

 

As of October 31, 2022, the Funds owed the Manager the following reimbursement of sub-transfer agent fees, as reflected in “Transfer agent fees payable” on the Statements of Assets and Liabilities:

 

Fund

   Reimbursement
Sub-Transfer Agent Fees
 

International Equity

   $ 43,409  

Tocqueville International Value

     8,001  

Investments in Affiliated Funds

The Funds may invest in the American Beacon U.S. Government Money Market Select Fund (the “USG Select Fund”). Cash collateral received by the Funds in connection with securities lending may also be invested in the USG Select Fund. The Funds listed below held the following shares with an October 31, 2022 fair value and dividend income earned from the investment in the USG Select Fund.

 

Affiliated Security

 

Type of
Transaction

       

Fund

        October 31,
2022
Shares/Principal
          Change in
Unrealized
Gain (Loss)
          Realized
Gain
(Loss)
          Dividend
Income
          October 31,
2022
Fair Value
 
U.S. Government Money Market Select   Direct     International Equity     $ 43,980,453       $ -       $ -       $ 460,050       $ 43,980,453  
U.S. Government Money Market Select   Securities Lending     International Equity       13,115,544         -         -         N/A         13,115,544  
U.S. Government Money Market Select   Direct     Tocqueville International Value       12,785,396         -         -         75,628         12,785,396  
U.S. Government Money Market Select   Securities Lending     Tocqueville International Value       373,450         -         -         N/A         373,450  

The Funds and the USG Select Fund have the same investment advisor and therefore, are considered to be affiliated. The Manager serves as investment advisor to the USG Select Fund and receives management fees and administrative fees totaling 0.10% of the average daily net assets of the USG Select Fund. During the year ended October 31, 2022, the Manager earned fees on the Funds’ direct investments and securities lending collateral investments in the USG Select Fund as shown below:

 

Fund

   Direct Investments in
USG Select Fund
     Securities Lending
Collateral
Investments in USG
Select Fund
     Total  

International Equity

   $ 65,491      $ 8,560      $ 74,051  

Tocqueville International Value

     6,894        2,856        9,750  

Interfund Credit Facility

Pursuant to an exemptive order issued by the SEC, the Funds, along with other registered investment companies having management contracts with the Manager, may participate in a credit facility whereby each fund, under certain conditions, is permitted to lend money directly to and borrow directly from other participating funds for temporary purposes. The interfund credit facility is advantageous to the funds because it provides added liquidity and eliminates the need to maintain higher cash balances to meet redemptions. This situation could arise when shareholder redemptions exceed anticipated volumes and certain funds have insufficient cash on hand to satisfy such redemptions or when sales of securities do not settle as expected, resulting in a cash shortfall for a fund. When a fund liquidates portfolio securities to meet redemption requests, they often do not receive payment in settlement for up to two days (or longer for certain foreign transactions). Redemption requests normally are satisfied on the next business day. The credit facility provides a source of immediate, short-term liquidity pending settlement of the sale of portfolio securities. The credit facility is administered by a credit facility team consisting of professionals from the Manager’s asset management, compliance, and accounting areas who report the activities of the credit facility to the Board. During the year ended October 31, 2022, the International Equity Fund did not

 

 

31


American Beacon FundsSM

Notes to Financial Statements

October 31, 2022

 

 

utilize the credit facility and the Tocqueville International Value Fund borrowed on average $5,078,758 for 14 days at an average interest rate of 1.43% with interest charges of $1,751. These amounts are recorded as “Other expenses” in the Statements of Operations.

Expense Reimbursement Plan

The Manager contractually agreed to reduce fees and/or reimburse expenses for the R6 Class of the International Equity Fund and the R5 Class of the Tocqueville International Value Fund, through February 28, 2023, to the extent that total operating expenses (excluding taxes, interest, brokerage commissions, acquired fund fees and expenses, securities lending fees, expenses associated with securities sold short, litigation, and other extraordinary expenses) exceed the Funds’ expense cap. During the year ended October 31, 2022, the Manager waived and/or reimbursed expenses as follows:

 

          Expense Cap                     

Fund

   Class    11/1/2021 -
2/28/2022
    3/1/2022 -
10/31/22
    Reimbursed
Expenses
     (Recouped)
Expenses
    Expiration of
Reimbursed
Expenses
 

International Equity

   R6      0.69     0.69   $ 70,120      $ (31,114 )*      2024-2025  

Tocqueville International Value

   R5      0.89     0.89     1,783        (2,040 )*      2024-2025  

* These amounts represent Recouped Expenses from prior fiscal years and is reflected in Other expenses on the Statements of Operations.

Of the above amounts, $30,080 and $1,474 were disclosed as a Payable for expense recoupment on the Statements of Assets and Liabilities at October 31, 2022 for the International Equity Fund and Tocqueville International Value Fund, respectively.

The Funds have adopted an Expense Reimbursement Plan whereby the Manager may seek repayment of such fee or voluntary reductions and expense reimbursements. Under the policy, the Manager can be reimbursed by the Funds for any contractual or voluntary fee reductions 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 Funds’ annual operating expenses to exceed the lesser of the contractual percentage limit in effect at the time of the waiver/reimbursement or time of recoupment. The reimbursed expenses listed above will expire in 2024 and 2025. The Funds did not record a liability for potential reimbursements due to the current assessment that reimbursements are uncertain. The carryover of excess expenses potentially reimbursable to the Manager, but not recorded as a liability are as follows:

 

Fund

   Recouped
Expenses
     Excess Expense
Carryover
     Expired Expense
Carryover
     Expiration of
Reimbursed
Expenses
 

International Equity

   $ 31,114      $ 36,100      $ -        2022-2023  

International Equity

     -        54,858        -        2023-2024  

Tocqueville International Value

     2,040        1,018        -        2022-2023  

Tocqueville International Value

     -        2,785        -        2023-2024  

Sales Commissions

The Funds’ Distributor, Resolute Investment Distributors, Inc. (“RID” or “Distributor”), may receive a portion of A Class sales charges from broker dealers which may be used to offset distribution related expenses. During the year ended October 31, 2022, RID collected $518 for International Equity Fund from the sale of A Class Shares. The Tocqueville International Value Fund does not offer A Class Shares.

A CDSC of 0.50% will be deducted with respect to A Class Shares on certain purchases of $1,000,000 or more that are redeemed in whole or part within 18 months of purchase, unless waived as discussed in the Funds’ Prospectus. Any applicable CDSC will be 0.50% of the lesser of the original purchase price or the value of the

 

 

32


American Beacon FundsSM

Notes to Financial Statements

October 31, 2022

 

 

redemption of the A Class Shares redeemed. During the year ended October 31, 2022, there were no CDSC fees collected for the A Class Shares of the International Equity Fund.

A CDSC of 1.00% will be deducted with respect to C Class Shares of the International Equity Fund Shares redeemed within 12 months of purchase, unless waived as discussed in the Fund’s Prospectus. Any applicable CDSC will be 1.00% of the lesser of the original purchase price or the value of the redemption of the C Class Shares redeemed. During the year ended October 31, 2022, CDSC fees of $77 were collected for the C Class Shares of International Equity Fund. The Tocqueville International Value Fund does not offer C Class Shares.

Trustee Fees and Expenses

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 and Compliance 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 video conference 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 only a single $2,500 fee each quarter for her attendance at those meetings. The chairpersons of the Audit and Compliance 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.

3.  Security Valuation and Fair Value Measurements

The price of each Fund’s shares is based on its net asset value (“NAV”) per share. Each Fund’s NAV is computed by adding total assets, subtracting all the Fund’s liabilities, and dividing the result by the total number of shares outstanding.

The NAV of each class of a Fund’s shares is determined based on a pro rata allocation of a Fund’s investment income, expenses and total capital gains and losses. A Fund’s NAV per share is determined each business day as of the regular close of trading on the New York Stock Exchange (“NYSE” or “Exchange”), which is typically 4:00 p.m. Eastern Time (“ET”). However, if trading on the NYSE closes at a time other than 4:00 p.m. ET, a Fund’s NAV per share typically would still be determined as of the regular close of trading on the NYSE. The Funds do not price their shares on days that the NYSE is closed. Foreign exchanges may permit trading in foreign securities on days when a Fund is not open for business, which may result in the value of a Fund’s portfolio investments being affected at a time when you are unable to buy or sell shares.

Equity securities, including shares of closed-end funds and exchange-traded funds (“ETFs”), are valued at the last sale price or official closing price taken from the primary exchange in which each security trades. Investments in other mutual funds are valued at the closing NAV per share on the day of valuation. Debt securities are valued at bid quotes from broker/dealers or evaluated bid prices from pricing services, who may consider a number of inputs and factors, such as prices of comparable securities, yield curves, spreads, credit ratings, coupon rates, maturity, default rates, and underlying collateral. Futures are valued based on their daily settlement prices. Exchange-traded and over-the-counter (“OTC”) options are valued at the last sale price. Options with no last sale for the day are priced at mid quote. Swaps are valued at evaluated mid prices from pricing services.

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

 

 

33


American Beacon FundsSM

Notes to Financial Statements

October 31, 2022

 

 

significant event has occurred. When a Fund holds securities or other assets that are denominated in a foreign currency, a Fund will normally use the currency exchange rates as of 4:00 p.m. ET.

The Valuation Rule establishes requirements for determining fair value in good faith for purposes of the Act, including related oversight and reporting requirements. The Valuation Rule also defines when market quotations are “readily available,” which is the threshold for determining whether a Fund must fair value a security. Among other things, the Valuation Rule permits the Board to designate the Manager 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 Board receives the information it needs to oversee the Manager’s fair value determinations. Effective September 8, 2022, the Board has designated the Manager as valuation designee to perform fair value functions in accordance with the requirements of the Valuation Rule. Prior to September 8, 2022, fair value determinations were made pursuant to methodologies approved by the Board.

Securities may be valued at fair value, as determined in good faith and pursuant to the Manager’s procedures approved by the Board, under certain limited circumstances. For example, fair value pricing will be used for fixed-income securities and when market quotations are not readily available or reliable, as determined by the Manager, such as when (i) trading for a security is restricted or stopped; (ii) a security’s trading market is closed (other than customary closings); or (iii) a security has been de-listed from a national exchange. A security with limited market liquidity may require fair value pricing if the Manager determines that the available price does not reflect the security’s true market value. In addition, if a significant event that the Manager determines to affect the value of one or more securities held by a Fund occurs after the close of a related exchange but before the determination of a Fund’s NAV, fair value pricing may be used on the affected security or securities. Securities of small-capitalization companies are also more likely to require a fair value determination using these procedures because they are more thinly traded and less liquid than the securities of larger-capitalization companies. The Funds may fair value securities as a result of significant events occurring after the close of the foreign markets in which a Fund invests as described below. In addition, the Funds may invest in illiquid securities requiring these procedures.

A Fund may use fair value pricing for securities primarily traded in non-U.S. markets because most foreign markets close well before a Fund’s pricing time of 4:00 p.m. ET. The earlier close of these foreign markets gives rise to the possibility that significant events, including broad market moves, may have occurred in the interim and may materially affect the value of those securities. If the Manager determines that the last quoted prices of non-U.S. securities will, in its judgment, materially affect the value of some or all of the Fund’s portfolio securities, the Manager can adjust the previous closing prices to reflect what it believes to be the fair value of the securities as of the close of the Exchange. In deciding whether it is necessary to adjust closing prices to reflect fair value, the Manager reviews a variety of factors, including developments in foreign markets, the performance of U.S. securities markets, and the performance of instruments trading in U.S. markets that represent foreign securities and baskets of foreign securities. These securities are fair valued using a pricing service, using methods approved by the Manager, that considers the correlation of the trading patterns of the foreign security to intraday trading in the U.S. markets, based on indices of domestic securities and other appropriate indicators such as prices of relevant American Depositary Receipts (“ADRs”) and futures contracts. The Manager’s Valuation Committee may also fair value securities in other situations, such as when a particular foreign market is closed but a Fund is open. A Fund uses outside pricing services to provide closing prices and information to evaluate and/or adjust those prices. As a means of evaluating its security valuation process, the Valuation Committee routinely compares closing prices, the next day’s opening prices in the same markets and adjusted prices.

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 a Fund’s fair valuation procedures. If any significant discrepancies are found, the Manager may adjust a Manager’s fair valuation procedures for the Funds.

 

 

34


American Beacon FundsSM

Notes to Financial Statements

October 31, 2022

 

 

Valuation Inputs

Various inputs may be used to determine the fair value of the Funds’ investments. These inputs are summarized in three broad levels for financial statement purposes. The inputs or methodologies used to value securities are not necessarily an indication of the risk associated with investing in those securities.

 

Level 1   -   Quoted prices in active markets for identical securities.
Level 2   -   Prices determined using other significant observable inputs. These may include quoted prices for similar securities, interest rates, prepayment speeds, credit risk, and others.
Level 3   -   Prices determined using other significant unobservable inputs. Unobservable inputs reflect a Fund’s own assumptions about the factors market participants would use in pricing an investment.

Level 1 and Level 2 trading assets and trading liabilities, at fair value

Common stocks, preferred securities and financial derivative instruments, such as futures contracts that are traded on a national securities exchange, are stated at the last reported sale or settlement price on the day of valuation. To the extent these securities are actively traded and valuation adjustments are not applied, they are categorized as Level 1 of the fair value hierarchy. Preferred securities and other equities traded on inactive markets or valued by reference to similar instruments are generally categorized as Level 2 of the fair value hierarchy. Valuation adjustments may be applied to certain securities that are solely traded on a foreign exchange to account for the market movement between the close of the foreign market and the close of the Exchange. These securities are valued using pricing service providers that consider the correlation of the trading patterns of the foreign security to the intraday trading in the U.S. markets for investments. Securities using these valuation adjustments are categorized as Level 2 of the fair value hierarchy.

With respect to a Fund’s investments that do not have readily available market quotations, the Board has designated the Adviser as its valuation designee to perform fair valuations pursuant to Rule 2a-5 under the Act (the “Valuation Designee”). If market prices are not readily available or are deemed unreliable, the Valuation Designee will use the fair value of the security or other instrument as determined in good faith under policies and procedures established by and under the supervision of the Board (“Valuation Procedures”). Market prices are considered not readily available where there is an absence of current or reliable market-based data (e.g., trade information or broker quotes), including where events occur after the close of the relevant market, but prior to the NYSE Close, that materially affect the values of a Fund’s portfolio holdings or assets. In addition, market prices are considered not readily available when, due to extraordinary circumstances, the exchanges or markets on which the securities or other instruments trade do not open for trading for the entire day and no other market prices are available. Fair value pricing is subjective in nature and the use of fair value pricing by the Valuation Designee may cause the NAV of a Fund’s shares to differ significantly from the NAV that would have been calculated using market prices at the close of the exchange on which a portfolio holding is primarily traded. There can be no assurance that a Fund could obtain the fair value assigned to an investment if a Fund were to sell the investment at approximately the time at which a Fund determines its NAV.

Investments in registered open-end investment management companies will be valued based upon the NAVs of such investments and are categorized as Level 1 of the fair value hierarchy.

OTC financial derivative instruments, such as forward foreign currency contracts derive their value from underlying asset prices, indices, reference rates, and other inputs or a combination of these factors. These contracts are normally valued on the basis of broker dealer quotations or pricing service providers. Depending on the product and the terms of the transaction, the fair value of the financial derivative contracts can be estimated by a pricing service provider using a series of techniques, including simulation pricing models. The pricing models use inputs that are observed from actively quoted markets such as issuer details, indices, spreads, interest rates, curves, dividends, and exchange rates. Financial derivatives that use similar valuation techniques and inputs as described above are categorized as Level 2 of the fair value hierarchy.

 

 

35


American Beacon FundsSM

Notes to Financial Statements

October 31, 2022

 

 

Level 3 trading assets and trading liabilities, at fair value

The valuation techniques and significant inputs used in determining the fair values of financial instruments classified as Level 3 of the fair value hierarchy are as follows.

Securities and other assets for which market quotes are not readily available are valued at fair value as determined in good faith by the Manager or persons acting under their oversight and may be categorized as Level 3 of the fair value hierarchy.

Market quotes are considered not readily available in circumstances where there is an absence of current or reliable market-based data (e.g., trade information or broker quotes), including where events occur after the close of the relevant market, but prior to the Exchange close, that materially affect the values of the Fund’s securities or assets. In addition, market quotes are considered not readily available when, due to extraordinary circumstances, the exchanges or markets on which the securities trade, do not open for trading for the entire day and no other market prices are available. The Board has designated the Manager as responsible for monitoring significant events that may materially affect the fair values of a Fund’s securities or assets and for determining whether the value of the applicable securities or assets should be re-evaluated in light of such significant events.

The Manager has selected methods for valuing securities and other assets in circumstances where market quotes are not readily available, and oversees the application of those valuation methods. In the event that the security or asset cannot be valued, pursuant to one of the valuation methods selected by the Manager, the fair value of the security or asset will be determined in good faith by the Valuation Committee.

When a Fund uses fair valuation methods that use significant unobservable inputs to determine its NAV, the securities priced using this methodology are categorized as Level 3 of the fair value hierarchy. These methods may require subjective determinations about the value of a security. While the Trust’s policy is intended to result in a calculation of a Fund’s NAV that fairly reflects security values as of the time of pricing, the Trust cannot guarantee that values determined by the Manager or persons acting under their oversight would accurately reflect the price that a Fund could obtain for a security if it were to dispose of that security as of the time of pricing (for instance, in a forced or distressed sale). The prices used by a Fund may differ from the value that would be realized if the securities were sold.

4.  Securities and Other Investments

Common Stock

Common stock generally takes the form of shares in a corporation which represent an ownership interest. It ranks below preferred stock and debt securities in claims for dividends and for assets of the company in a liquidation or bankruptcy. The value of a company’s common stock may fall as a result of factors directly relating to that company, such as decisions made by its management or decreased demand for the company’s products or services. A stock’s value may also decline because of factors affecting not just the company, but also companies in the same industry or sector. The price of a company’s stock may also be affected by changes in financial markets that are relatively unrelated to the company, such as changes in interest rates, currency exchange rates or industry regulation. Companies that elect to pay dividends on their common stock generally only do so after they invest in their own business and make required payments to bondholders and on other debt and preferred stock. Therefore, the value of a company’s common stock will usually be more volatile than its bonds, other debt and preferred stock. Common stock may be exchange-traded or OTC. OTC stock may be less liquid than exchange-traded stock.

 

 

36


American Beacon FundsSM

Notes to Financial Statements

October 31, 2022

 

 

Depositary Receipts and U.S. Dollar-Denominated Foreign Stocks Traded on U.S. Exchanges

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

Foreign Securities

The Funds 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 certificates of deposit (“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 may be intended to reduce risk by providing further diversification, such investments involve sovereign and other risks, in addition to the credit and market risks normally associated with domestic securities. These additional risks include the possibility of adverse political and economic developments (including political or social instability, nationalization, expropriation, or confiscatory taxation); the potentially adverse effects of unavailability of public information regarding issuers, different governmental supervision and regulation of financial markets, reduced liquidity of certain financial markets, and the lack of uniform accounting, auditing, and financial reporting standards or the application of standards that are different or less stringent than those applied in the United States; different laws and customs governing securities tracking; and possibly limited access to the courts to enforce the Funds’ rights as an investor.

Illiquid and Restricted Securities

Generally, an illiquid asset is an asset that the Funds reasonably expect cannot be sold or disposed of in current market conditions in seven calendar days or less without the sale or disposition significantly changing the market value of the investment, as determined pursuant to Rule 22e-4 under the Act or as otherwise permitted or required by SEC rules and interpretations. Historically, illiquid securities have included securities that have not been registered under the Securities Act, securities that are otherwise not readily marketable, and repurchase agreements having a remaining maturity of longer than seven calendar days. Securities that have not been registered under the Securities Act are referred to as private placements or restricted securities and are purchased directly from the issuer or in the secondary market. These securities may be sold only in a privately negotiated transaction or pursuant to an exemption from registration. A large institutional market exists for certain securities that are not registered under the Securities Act, including repurchase agreements, commercial paper, foreign securities, municipal securities and corporate bonds and notes. Institutional investors depend on an efficient institutional market in which the unregistered security can be readily resold or on an issuer’s ability to honor a demand for repayment. However, the fact that there are contractual or legal restrictions on resale of such investments to the general public or to certain institutions may not be indicative of their liquidity.

Limitations on resale may have an adverse effect on the marketability of portfolio securities, and a Fund might be unable to dispose of restricted or other illiquid securities promptly or at reasonable prices and might thereby experience difficulty satisfying redemptions within seven calendar days. In addition, a Fund may get only limited information about an issuer, so it may be less able to predict a loss. A Fund also might have to register such restricted securities in order to dispose of them resulting in additional expense and delay. Adverse market conditions could impede such a public offering of securities.

 

 

37


American Beacon FundsSM

Notes to Financial Statements

October 31, 2022

 

 

In recognition of the increased size and liquidity of the institutional market for unregistered securities and the importance of institutional investors in the formation of capital, the SEC adopted Rule 144A under the Securities Act. Rule 144A is designed to facilitate efficient trading among institutional investors by permitting the sale of certain unregistered securities to qualified institutional buyers. To the extent privately placed securities held by a Fund qualify under Rule 144A and an institutional market develops for those securities, a Fund likely will be able to dispose of the securities without registering them under the Securities Act. To the extent that institutional buyers become, for a time, uninterested in purchasing these securities, investing in Rule 144A securities could increase the level of a Fund’s illiquidity. The Manager or the Sub-Advisor, as applicable, may determine that certain securities qualified for trading under Rule 144A are liquid. Regulation S under the Securities Act permits the sale abroad of securities that are not registered for sale in the United States and includes a provision for U.S. investors, such as a Fund, to purchase such unregistered securities if certain conditions are met.

Securities sold in private placement offerings made in reliance on the “private placement” exemption from registration afforded by Section 4(a)(2) of the Securities Act and resold to qualified institutional buyers under Rule 144A under the Securities Act (“Section 4(a)(2) securities”) are restricted as to disposition under the federal securities laws, and generally are sold to institutional investors, such as a Fund, that agree they are purchasing the securities for investment and not with an intention to distribute to the public. Any resale by the purchaser must be pursuant to an exempt transaction and may be accomplished in accordance with Rule 144A. Section 4(a)(2) securities normally are resold to other institutional investors through or with the assistance of the issuer or dealers that make a market in the Section 4(a)(2) securities, thus providing liquidity. The Manager and the sub-advisor will carefully monitor a Fund’s investments in Section 4(a)(2) securities offered and sold under Rule 144A, focusing on such important factors, among others, as valuation, liquidity, and availability of information. Investments in Section 4(a)(2) securities could have the effect of reducing a Fund’s liquidity to the extent that qualified institutional buyers no longer wish to purchase these restricted securities.

Restricted securities outstanding during the year ended October 31, 2022 are disclosed in the Notes to the Schedules of Investments.

Other Investment Company Securities and Other Exchange-Traded Products

The Funds at times may invest in shares of other investment companies, including open-end funds, closed-end funds, business development companies (“BDCs”), ETFs, unit investment trusts, and other investment companies of the Trust. The Funds may invest in securities of an investment company advised by the Manager or the Sub-Advisor. Investments in the securities of other investment companies may involve duplication of advisory fees and certain other expenses. By investing in another investment company, the Funds become a shareholder of that investment company. As a result, the Funds’ shareholders indirectly will bear the Funds’ proportionate share of the fees and expenses paid by shareholders of the other investment company, in addition to the fees and expenses the Funds’ shareholders directly bear in connection with the Funds’ own operations. These other fees and expenses are reflected as Acquired Fund Fees and Expenses and are included in the Fees and Expenses Table for the Funds in their Prospectus, if applicable. Investments in other investment companies may involve the payment of substantial premiums above the value of such issuer’s portfolio securities.

The Funds can invest free cash balances in registered open-end investment companies regulated as money market funds under the Act, to provide liquidity or for defensive purposes. The Funds could invest in money market funds rather than purchasing individual short-term investments. If the Funds invest in money market funds, shareholders will bear their proportionate share of the expenses, including for example, advisory and administrative fees, of the money market funds in which the Funds invest, including advisory fees charged by the Manager to any applicable money market funds advised by the Manager.

Preferred Stock

Preferred stock blends the characteristics of a bond and common stock. It can offer the higher yield of a bond and has priority over common stock in equity ownership, but does not have the seniority of a bond and its

 

 

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October 31, 2022

 

 

participation in the issuer’s growth may be limited. Preferred stock has preference over common stock in the receipt of dividends and in any residual assets after payment to creditors should the issuer be dissolved. Although the dividend is typically set at a fixed annual rate, in some circumstances it can be variable, changed or omitted by the issuer. Preferred stocks are subject to the risks associated with other types of equity securities, as well as additional risks, such as credit risk, interest rate risk, potentially greater volatility and risks related to deferral, non-cumulative dividends, subordination, liquidity, limited voting rights, and special redemption rights.

5.  Financial Derivative Instruments

The Funds may utilize derivative instruments to gain market exposure on cash balances to hedge foreign currency exposure or reduce market exposure in anticipation of liquidity needs. When considering the Funds’ use of derivatives, it is important to note that the Funds do not use derivatives for the purpose of creating financial leverage.

Forward Foreign Currency Contracts

The Funds may enter into forward foreign currency contracts to hedge the exchange rate risk on investment transactions or to hedge the value of the Funds’ securities denominated in foreign currencies. Forward foreign currency contracts are valued at the forward exchange rate prevailing on the day of valuation. The Funds may also use currency contracts to increase exposure to a foreign currency or to shift exposure to foreign currency fluctuations from one country to another. The Funds bear the market risk that arises from changes in foreign exchange rates, and accordingly, the unrealized gain (loss) on these contracts is reflected in the accompanying financial statements. The Funds also bear the credit risk if the counterparty fails to perform under the contract.

During the year ended October 31, 2022, the Tocqueville International Value Fund entered into forward foreign currency contracts primarily for hedging foreign currency fluctuations.

The Fund’s forward foreign currency contract notional dollar values outstanding fluctuate throughout the operating year as required to meet strategic requirements. The following table illustrates the average quarterly volume of forward foreign currency contracts. For the purpose of this disclosure, volume is measured by the amounts bought and sold in USD at each quarter end.

 

Average Forward Foreign Currency Notional Amounts Outstanding
Year Ended October 31, 2022

 

Fund

  Purchased Contracts           Sold Contracts  

Tocqueville International Value

  $ -       $ 31,057  

Futures Contracts

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

 

 

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American Beacon FundsSM

Notes to Financial Statements

October 31, 2022

 

 

During the year ended October 31, 2022, the International Equity Fund entered into futures contracts primarily for exposing cash to markets.

The Fund’s average futures contracts outstanding fluctuate throughout the operating year as required to meet strategic requirements. The following table illustrates the average quarterly volume of futures contracts. For the purpose of this disclosure, volume is measured by contracts outstanding at each quarter end.

 

Average Futures Contracts Outstanding

 

Fund

  Year Ended October 31, 2022  

International Equity

    624  

The following is a summary of the fair valuations of the Funds’ derivative instruments categorized by risk exposure(1):

International Equity Fund

 

Fair values of financial instruments on the Statements of Assets and Liabilities as of October 31, 2022:

 

    Derivatives not accounted for as hedging instruments

Assets:

  Credit contracts       Foreign exchange
contracts
      Commodity
contracts
      Interest rate
contracts
      Equity contracts       Total
Receivable for variation margin from open futures contracts(2)     $ -         $ -         $ -         $ -         $ 1,160,073         $ 1,160,073
                                           

 

The effect of financial derivative instruments on the Statements of Operations as of October 31, 2022:

 

    Derivatives not accounted for as hedging instruments

Realized gain (loss) from derivatives
recognized as a result of operations

  Credit contracts       Foreign exchange
contracts
      Commodity
contracts
      Interest rate
contracts
      Equity contracts       Total
Futures contracts     $ -         $ -         $ -         $ -         $ (21,273,041 )         $ (21,273,041 )

Net change in unrealized appreciation
(depreciation) of derivatives recognized
as a result from operations:

  Credit contracts       Foreign exchange
contracts
      Commodity
contracts
      Interest rate
contracts
      Equity contracts       Total
Futures contracts     $ -         $ -         $ -         $ -         $ (51,405 )         $ (51,405 )

(1) See Note 3 in the Notes to Financial Statements for additional information.

(2) Includes cumulative appreciation (depreciation) of futures contracts as reported in the Fund’s Schedule of Investments footnotes. Only current day’s variation margin is reported within the Statements of Assets and Liabilities.

Master Agreements

Master Securities Forward Transaction Agreements (“Master Forward Agreements”) govern the considerations and factors surrounding the settlement of certain forward settling transactions, such as delayed delivery or sale-buyback financing transactions by and between the Fund and select counterparties. The Master Forward Agreements maintain provisions for, among other things, initiation and confirmation, payment and transfer, events of default, termination, and maintenance of collateral.

Offsetting Assets and Liabilities

The Funds are parties to enforceable master netting agreements between brokers and counterparties which provide for the right to offset under certain circumstances. The Funds employ multiple money managers and counterparties and have elected not to offset qualifying financial and derivative instruments on the Statements of Assets and Liabilities, as such all financial and derivative instruments are presented on a gross basis. The impacts

 

 

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American Beacon FundsSM

Notes to Financial Statements

October 31, 2022

 

 

of netting arrangements that provide the right to offset are detailed below, if applicable. The net amount represents the net receivable or payable that would be due from or to the counterparty in the event of default. Exposure from borrowings and other financing agreements such as repurchase agreements can only be netted across transactions governed by the same Master Agreement with the same legal entity. All amounts reported below represent the balance as of the report date, October 31, 2022.

International Equity Fund

 

Offsetting of Financial and Derivative Assets as of October 31, 2022:

 

 

  Assets           Liabilities  
Futures Contracts(1)   $ 1,160,073       $ -  
 

 

 

     

 

 

 
Total derivative assets and liabilities in the Statement of Assets and Liabilities   $ 1,160,073       $ -  
 

 

 

     

 

 

 
Derivatives not subject to a Master Netting Agreement or similar agreement (“MNA”)   $ (1,160,073     $ -  
 

 

 

     

 

 

 

 

    Remaining Contractual Maturity of the Agreements
As of October 31, 2022
 
    Overnight and
Continuous
          <30 days           Between
30 & 90 days
          >90 days           Total  

Securities Lending Transactions

                 

Common Stocks

  $ 13,115,544       $ -       $ -       $ -       $ 13,115,544  
 

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 

Total Borrowings

  $ 13,115,544       $ -       $ -       $ -       $ 13,115,544  
 

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 

Gross amount of recognized liabilities for securities lending transactions

 

  $ 13,115,544  
                 

 

 

 

(1) Includes cumulative appreciation (depreciation) of futures contracts as reported in the Fund’s Schedule of Investments footnotes. Only current day’s variation margin is reported within the Statements of Assets and Liabilities.

Tocqueville International Value Fund

 

    Remaining Contractual Maturity of the Agreements
As of October 31, 2022
 
    Overnight and
Continuous
          <30 days           Between
30 & 90 days
          >90 days           Total  

Securities Lending Transactions

                 

Common Stocks

  $ 373,450       $ -       $ -       $ -       $ 373,450  
 

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 

Total Borrowings

  $ 373,450       $ -       $ -       $ -       $ 373,450  
 

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 

Gross amount of recognized liabilities for securities lending transactions

 

  $ 373,450  
                 

 

 

 

6.  Principal Risks

Investing in the Funds may involve certain risks including, but not limited to, those described below.

Counterparty Risk

The Funds are 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 Funds. As a result the Fund may obtain no recovery of 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 Funds 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 “exchange-based” markets. This exposes the Funds to the risk that a

 

 

41


American Beacon FundsSM

Notes to Financial Statements

October 31, 2022

 

 

counterparty will not settle a transaction in accordance with its terms and conditions because of a credit or liquidity problem with the counterparty and the recent turbulence in the financial markets highlights the importance of being aware of counterparty risk resulting from OTC derivative transactions. The Funds are 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 Funds. As a result, the Funds may obtain no recovery of 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 Funds to greater losses in the event of a default by a counterparty.

Credit Risk

The Funds are subject to the risk that the issuer or guarantor of a debt security, or the counterparty to a derivatives contract or a loan will fail to make timely payment of interest or principal or otherwise honor its obligations or default completely. A decline in the credit rating of an individual security held by the Funds may have an adverse impact on its price and make it difficult for the Funds to sell it. Ratings represent a rating agency’s opinion regarding the quality of the security and are not a guarantee of quality. 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. Credit risk is typically greater for securities with ratings that are below investment grade. Since the Funds can invest significantly in high-yield investments considered speculative in nature, this risk may be substantial.

Currency Risk

The Funds may have exposure to foreign currencies by making direct investments in non-U.S. currencies or in securities denominated in non-U.S. currencies, or by purchasing or selling forward currency exchange contracts in non-U.S. currencies. Foreign currencies may decline in value relative to the U.S. dollar, or, in the case of hedging positions, the U.S. dollar may decline in value relative to the currency being hedged, and thereby affect a Fund’s investments in foreign (non-U.S.) currencies or in securities that trade in, and receive revenues in, or in derivatives that provide exposure to, foreign (non-U.S.) currencies. Currency exchange rates may fluctuate significantly over short periods of time for a number of reasons, including changes in interest rates, intervention (or the failure to intervene) by U.S. or foreign governments, central banks or supranational entities such as the International Monetary Fund, or by the imposition of currency controls or other political developments in the United States or abroad. As a result, the Funds’ investments in foreign currency denominated securities may reduce the returns of the Funds. Currency futures, forwards, options or swaps may not always work as intended, and in specific cases, the Funds may be worse off than if it had not used such instrument(s). There may not always be suitable hedging instruments available. Even where suitable hedging instruments are available, the Funds may choose to not hedge its currency risks.

Environmental, Social, and/or Governance Investing Risk

The use of environmental, social, and/or governance (“ESG”) considerations by a sub-advisor may cause a Fund to make different investments than funds that have a similar investment style but do not incorporate such considerations in their strategy. As with the use of any investment considerations involved in investment decisions, there is no guarantee that the use of any ESG investment considerations will result in the selection of issuers that will outperform other issuers or help reduce risk in a Fund. A Fund may underperform funds that do not incorporate these considerations.

Equity Investments Risk

Equity securities are subject to investment risk and market risk. The Funds’ investments in equity securities may include common stocks, preferred stocks, securities convertible into or exchangeable for common stocks, real

 

 

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American Beacon FundsSM

Notes to Financial Statements

October 31, 2022

 

 

estate investment trusts (“REITs”), depositary receipts, and U.S. dollar-denominated foreign stocks traded on U.S. exchanges. Such investments may expose the Funds to additional risk. The value of a company’s common stock may fall as a result of factors affecting the company, companies in the same industry or sector, or the financial markets overall. Common stock generally is subordinate to preferred stock upon the liquidation or bankruptcy of the issuing company. Preferred stocks and convertible securities are sensitive to movements in interest rates. Preferred stocks may be less liquid than common stocks and, unlike common stocks, participation in the growth of an issuer may be limited. Distributions on preferred stocks generally are payable at the discretion of an issuer and after required payments to bond holders. Convertible securities are subject to the risk that the credit standing of the issuer may have an effect on the convertible securities’ investment value. Investments in REITs are subject to the risks associated with investing in the real estate industry such as adverse developments affecting the real estate industry and real property values. Depositary receipts and U.S. dollar-denominated foreign stocks traded on U.S. exchanges are subject to certain of the risks associated with investing directly in foreign securities, including, but not limited to, currency fluctuations and political and financial instability in the home country of a particular depositary receipt or foreign stock.

Foreign Investing and Emerging Markets Risk

Non-U.S. investments carry potential risks not associated with U.S. investments. Such risks include, but are not limited to: (1) currency exchange rate fluctuations, (2) political and financial instability, (3) less liquidity, (4) lack of uniform accounting, auditing and financial reporting standards, (5) increased price volatility, (6) less government regulation and supervision of foreign stock exchanges, brokers and listed companies, and (7) delays in transaction settlement in some foreign markets. To the extent the Funds invest 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. In addition, 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. 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 or depository or their agents goes bankrupt. 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, 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 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 delays and disruptions in securities settlement procedures. In addition, there may be less information available to make investment decisions and more volatile rates of return.

Forward Foreign Currency Contracts Risk

Forward foreign currency contracts, including non-deliverable forwards, are derivative instruments pursuant to a contract with a counterparty to pay a fixed price for an agreed amount of securities or other underlying assets 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 forward foreign currency contracts may expose the Funds to additional risks that it would not be subject to if it invested directly in the securities or currencies underlying the forward foreign currency contract.

Futures Contracts Risk

Futures contracts are derivative instruments where one party pays 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 Funds to additional risks that they would not be subject to if they invested directly in the securities underlying those derivatives. 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 can be no assurance that any strategy

 

 

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American Beacon FundsSM

Notes to Financial Statements

October 31, 2022

 

 

used will succeed. There also can be no assurance that, at all times, a liquid market will exist for offsetting a futures contract that a Fund has previously bought or sold and this may result in the inability to close a futures contract when desired. Futures contracts may experience potentially dramatic price changes, which will increase the volatility of a 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).

Market Risk

The Funds are subject to the risk that the securities markets will move down, sometimes rapidly and unpredictably, based on overall economic conditions and other factors, which may negatively affect a Fund’s performance. Equity securities generally have greater price volatility than fixed-income securities, although under certain market conditions fixed-income securities may have comparable or greater price volatility. During a general downturn in the securities markets, multiple assets 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. The value of a security may decline due to adverse issuer-specific conditions, general market conditions unrelated to a particular issuer, 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, including the U.S. presidential election, the U.S. government’s inability at times to agree on a long-term budget and deficit reduction plan, the threat of a federal government shutdown and threats not to increase the federal government’s debt limit, may affect investor and consumer confidence and may adversely impact financial markets and the broader economy, perhaps suddenly and to a significant degree.

Markets and market participants are increasingly reliant upon both publicly available and proprietary information data systems. Data imprecision, software or other technology malfunctions, programming inaccuracies, unauthorized use or access, and similar circumstances may impair the performance of these systems and may have an adverse impact upon a single issuer, a group of issuers, or the market at large. The financial markets generally move in cycles, with periods of rising prices followed by periods of declining prices. The value of your investment may reflect these fluctuations.

Market Timing Risk

Funds that invest in high-yield, and, or has exposure to foreign securities through the derivatives it holds, are particularly subject to the risk of market timing activities. Frequent trading by Fund shareholders poses risks to other shareholders in the Funds, including (i) the dilution of the Funds’ NAV, (ii) an increase in the Funds’ expenses, and (iii) interference with the portfolio manager’s ability to execute efficient investment strategies. Because of specific securities in which the Funds may invest, it could be subject to the risk of market timing

 

 

44


American Beacon FundsSM

Notes to Financial Statements

October 31, 2022

 

 

activities by shareholders. Some examples of these types of securities are high-yield and foreign securities. The limited trading activity of some high-yield securities may result in market prices that do not reflect the true market value of these securities. If a Fund trades foreign securities, it generally prices foreign securities using their closing prices from the foreign markets in which they trade, typically prior to the Funds’ calculation of its NAV. These prices may be affected by events that occur after the close of a foreign market but before the Funds price its shares. In such instances, the Funds may fair value high yield and foreign securities. However, some investors may engage in frequent short-term trading in the Funds to take advantage of any price differentials that may be reflected in the NAV of the Funds’ shares. While the Manager monitors trading in the Funds, there is no guarantee that it can detect all market timing activities.

Multiple Sub-Advisor Risk

The Manager may allocate the Funds’ assets among multiple sub-advisors, each of which is responsible for investing its allocated portion of the Funds’ assets. To a significant extent, the Funds’ performance will depend on the success of the Manager in allocating the Funds’ assets to sub-advisors and its selection and oversight of the sub-advisors. Because each sub-advisor manages its allocated portion of the Funds independently from another sub-advisor, the same security may be held in different portions of the Funds, or may be acquired for one portion of the Funds at a time when a sub-advisor to another portion deems it appropriate to dispose of the security from that other portion, resulting in higher expenses without accomplishing any net result in the Funds’ holdings. Similarly, under some market conditions, one sub-advisor may believe that temporary, defensive investments in short-term instruments or cash are appropriate when another sub-advisor believes continued exposure to the equity or debt markets is appropriate for its allocated portion of the Funds. Because each sub-advisor directs the trading for its own portion of the Funds, and does not aggregate its transactions with those of the other sub-advisors, the Funds may incur higher brokerage costs than would be the case if a single sub-adviser were managing the entire Fund. In addition, while the Manager seeks to allocate the Funds’ assets among the Funds’ sub-advisors in a manner that it believes is consistent with achieving the Funds’ investment objective(s), the Manager may be subject to potential conflicts of interest in allocating the Funds’ assets among sub-advisors, due to factors that could impact the Manager’s revenues and profits.

Recent Market Events Risk

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

The Federal Reserve has spent hundreds of billions of dollars to keep credit flowing through the economy. However, the Federal Reserve recently began to reduce its interventions as the economy improved and inflation accelerated. Concerns about the markets’ dependence on the Federal Reserve’s provision of liquidity have grown as a result. High public debt in the U.S. and other countries creates ongoing systemic and market risks and

 

 

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American Beacon FundsSM

Notes to Financial Statements

October 31, 2022

 

 

policymaking uncertainty, and there may be a further increase in public debt due to the economic effects of the COVID-19 pandemic and ensuing economic relief and public health measures. Governments’ efforts to limit potential negative economic effects of the pandemic may be altered, delayed, or eliminated at inopportune times for political, policy or other reasons.

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

Slowing global economic growth, the risks associated with ongoing trade negotiations with China, the possibility of changes to some international trade agreements, tensions or open conflict between nations, such as between Russia and Ukraine, or political or economic dysfunction within some nations that are major producers of oil could affect the economies of many nations, including the United States, in ways that cannot necessarily be foreseen at the present time.

Economists and others have expressed increasing concern about the potential effects of global climate change on property and security values. Certain issuers, industries and regions may be adversely affected by the impacts of climate change, including on the demand for and the development of goods and services and related production costs, and the impacts of legislation, regulation and international accords related to climate change, as well as any indirect consequences of regulation or business trends driven by climate change.

Other Investment Companies Risk

To the extent that a Fund invests in shares of other registered investment companies, a Fund will indirectly bear the fees and expenses, including, for example, advisory and administrative fees, charged by those investment companies in addition to a Fund’s direct fees and expenses. If a Fund invests in other investment companies, a Fund may receive distributions of taxable gains from portfolio transactions by that investment company and may recognize taxable gains from transactions in shares of that investment company, which could be taxable to a Fund’s shareholders when distributed to them. A Fund must rely on the investment company in which it invests to achieve its investment objective. If the investment company fails to achieve its investment objective, the value of a Fund’s investment may decline, adversely affecting a Fund’s performance. To the extent a Fund invests in other investment companies that invest in equity securities, fixed-income securities and/or foreign securities, or that track an index, a Fund is subject to the risks associated with the underlying investments held by the investment company or the index fluctuations to which the investment company is subject. A Fund will be subject to the risks associated with investments in those companies, including but not limited to interest rate risk, credit risk and market risk.

Securities Lending Risk

A Fund may lend its portfolio securities to brokers, dealers and financial institutions in order to obtain additional income. Borrowers of a Fund’s securities provide collateral either in the form of cash, which a Fund reinvests in securities or in the form of non-cash collateral consisting of securities issued or guaranteed by the U.S. government or one of its agencies or instrumentalities. A Fund will be responsible for the risks associated with the investment of cash collateral, including any collateral invested in an affiliated money market fund. A Fund may lose money on its investment of cash collateral or may fail to earn sufficient income on its investment to cover its payment to the borrower of a pre-negotiated fee or “rebate” for the use of that cash collateral in connection with the loan. A Fund could also lose money due to a decline in the value of non-cash collateral. In addition, delays may

 

 

46


American Beacon FundsSM

Notes to Financial Statements

October 31, 2022

 

 

occur in the recovery of securities from borrowers, which could interfere with a Fund’s ability to vote proxies or to settle transactions or could result in increased costs. Moreover, if the borrower becomes subject to insolvency or similar proceedings, a Fund could incur delays in its ability to enforce its rights in its collateral. There also is a risk that a borrower may default on its obligation to return loaned securities at a time when the value of a Fund’s collateral is inadequate. Although a Fund’s securities lending agent may indemnify a Fund against that risk, it is also possible that the securities lending agent will be unable to satisfy its indemnification obligations. In any case in which the loaned securities are not returned to a Fund before an ex-dividend date, whether or not due to a default by the borrower, the payment in lieu of the dividend that a Fund receives from the securities’ borrower would not be treated as a dividend for federal income tax purposes and thus would not qualify for treatment as “qualified dividend income.”

Valuation Risk

This is the risk that a Fund has valued a security at a price different from the price at which it can be sold. This risk may be especially pronounced for investments, such as 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. If market conditions make it difficult to value certain investments, a Fund may value these investments using more subjective methods, such as fair-value methodologies. Investors who purchase or redeem Fund shares on days when a Fund is holding fair-valued securities may receive fewer or more shares, or lower or higher redemption proceeds, than they would have received if the Fund had not fair-valued the securities or had used a different valuation methodology. The value of foreign securities, certain fixed-income securities and currencies, as applicable, may be materially affected by events after the close of the markets on which they are traded, but before a Fund determines its NAV. A Fund’s ability to value its investments in an accurate and timely manner may be impacted by technological issues and/or errors by third-party service providers, such as pricing services or accounting agents.

7.  Federal Income and Excise Taxes

It is the policy of each Fund to qualify as a regulated investment company (“RIC”), by complying with all applicable provisions of Subchapter M of the Internal Revenue Code, as amended, and to make distributions of taxable income sufficient to relieve it from substantially all federal income and excise taxes. For federal income tax purposes, each Fund is treated as a single entity for the purpose of determining such qualification.

The Funds do not have any unrecorded tax liabilities in the accompanying financial statements. Each of the tax years in the four year period ended October 31, 2022 remain subject to examination by the Internal Revenue Service. If applicable, the Funds recognize interest accrued related to unrecognized tax benefits in interest expense and penalties in “Other expenses” on the Statements of Operations.

The Funds may be subject to taxes imposed by countries in which it invests. Such taxes are generally based on returns of income earned or gains realized or repatriated. Taxes are accrued and applied to net investment income, net realized capital gains and net unrealized appreciation (depreciation), as applicable, as the income is earned or capital gains are recorded.

Dividends are categorized in accordance with income tax regulations which may treat certain transactions differently than U.S. GAAP. Accordingly, the character of distributions and composition of net assets for tax purposes may differ from those reflected in the accompanying financial statements.

 

 

47


American Beacon FundsSM

Notes to Financial Statements

October 31, 2022

 

 

The tax character of distributions paid were as follows:

 

    International Equity Fund           Tocqueville International Value Fund  
    Year Ended
October 31, 2022
          Year Ended
October 31, 2021
          Year Ended
October 31, 2022
          Year Ended
October 31, 2021
 

Distributions paid from:

             

Ordinary income*

             

R5 Class

  $ 42,241,538       $ 19,243,533       $ 826,787       $ 153,791  

Y Class

    6,508,679         12,813,335         7,166,939         658,999  

Investor Class

    3,608,436         1,252,478         5,498,436         746,996  

Advisor Class

    495,897         149,763         -         -  

A Class

    270,302         146,453         -         -  

C Class

    91,689         25,086         -         -  

R6 Class

    12,908,368         6,209,328         -         -  

Long-term capital gains

             

R5 Class

    86,540,786         -         -         -  

Y Class

    14,525,962         -         -         -  

Investor Class

    8,176,155         -         -         -  

Advisor Class

    1,198,627         -         -         -  

A Class

    642,190         -         -         -  

C Class

    291,901         -         -         -  

R6 Class

    26,208,458         -         -         -  
 

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 

Total distributions paid

  $ 203,708,988       $ 39,839,976       $ 13,492,162       $ 1,559,786  
 

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 

* For tax purposes, short-term capital gains are considered ordinary income distributions.

As of October 31, 2022, the tax cost for each Fund and their respective gross unrealized appreciation (depreciation) were as follows:

 

Fund

  Tax Cost           Unrealized
Appreciation
          Unrealized
(Depreciation)
          Net Unrealized
Appreciation
(Depreciation)
 

International Equity

  $ 1,623,658,175       $ 85,699,734       $ (315,869,993     $ (230,170,259

Tocqueville International Value

    196,592,380         19,524,900         (34,315,245       (14,790,345

 

Fund

  Net Unrealized
Appreciation
(Depreciation)
          Undistributed
Ordinary
Income
          Undistributed
Long-Term
Capital Gains
          Accumulated
Capital and
Other (Losses)
          Other Temporary
Differences
          Distributable
Earnings
 

International Equity

  $ (230,170,259     $ 32,882,150       $ -       $ (28,329,392     $ 1       $ (225,617,500

Tocqueville International Value

    (14,790,345       2,928,259         -         (13,432,805       -         (25,294,891

Financial reporting records are adjusted for permanent book/tax differences to reflect tax character. Financial records are not adjusted for temporary differences. The temporary differences between financial reporting and tax-basis reporting of unrealized appreciation (depreciation) are attributable primarily to the tax deferral of losses from wash sales, differences in income and gain loss recognized for tax purposes in spin-offs, the realization for tax purposes of unrealized gains (losses) on certain derivative instruments, unused capital loss carryforwards, and the realization for tax purposes of unrealized gains from passive foreign investment companies.

Due to inherent differences in the recognition of income, expenses, and realized gains (losses) under U.S. GAAP and federal income tax regulations, permanent differences between book and tax reporting have been identified and appropriately reclassified on the Statements of Assets and Liabilities. The International Equity Fund had no permanent differences as of October 31, 2022.

Accordingly, the following amounts for Tocqueville International Value Fund represent current year permanent differences derived from the difference in prior accumulated balances as of October 31, 2022:

 

Fund

  Paid-In-Capital           Distributable
Earnings/(Deficits)
 
Tocqueville International Value   $ (55     $ 55  

 

 

48


American Beacon FundsSM

Notes to Financial Statements

October 31, 2022

 

 

For federal income tax purposes, the Funds measure their capital loss carryforwards annually at October 31, their fiscal year end. Capital loss carryforwards retain their character as short-term and/or long-term and may be carried forward and applied against future realized capital gains with no expiration date.

As of October 31, 2022, the Funds had the following capital loss carryforwards:

 

Fund

  Short-Term Capital
Loss Carryforwards
          Long-Term Capital
Loss Carryforwards
 
International Equity   $ 3,443,850       $ 24,885,542  
Tocqueville International Value     8,396,837         5,035,968  

The Tocqueville International Value Fund utilized $7,343,560 long-term capital loss carryforwards.

8.  Investment Transactions

The aggregate cost of purchases and proceeds from sales and maturities of investments, other than short-term obligations, for the year ended October 31, 2022 were as follows:

 

Fund

  Purchases
(non-U.S.
Government
Securities)
          Sales
(non-U.S.
Government
Securities)
 
International Equity   $ 637,117,242       $ 903,490,772  
Tocqueville International Value     55,129,290         150,106,681  

A summary of the Funds’ transactions in the USG Select Fund for the year ended October 31, 2022 were as follows:

 

Fund

  Type of
Transaction
        October 31,
2021
Shares/Fair
Value
          Purchases           Sales           October 31,
2022
Shares/Fair
Value
 
International Equity   Direct     $ 59,062,485       $ 962,386,260       $ 977,468,292       $ 43,980,453  
International Equity   Securities Lending       7,655,136         154,411,619         148,951,211         13,115,544  
Tocqueville International Value   Direct       2,625,986         104,466,844         94,307,434         12,785,396  
Tocqueville International Value   Securities Lending       6,038,135         53,099,700         58,764,385         373,450  

Affiliated Trades:

Cross trades for the year ended October 31, 2022, if any, were executed by the Funds pursuant to procedures adopted by the Board to ensure compliance with Rule 17a-7 under the Act. Cross trading is the buying or selling of portfolio securities between funds of investment companies, or between a fund of an investment company and another entity, that are or could be considered affiliates by virtue of a common investment advisor (or affiliated investment advisors), common Trustees and/or common Officers. At its regularly scheduled meetings, the Chief Compliance Officer (“CCO”) certifies to the Board that the 17a-7 transactions entered into by the funds complied with the Rule 17a-7 Procedures adopted by the Board.

For the year ended October 31, 2022, cross trades by the Fund under Rule 17a-7 were as follows:

 

Fund

  Purchases           Sales           Net Realized
Gain (Loss)
 

International Equity

  $ 1,429,987       $ -       $ -  

9.  Securities Lending

The Funds may lend their securities to qualified financial institutions, such as certain broker-dealers, to earn additional income. The borrowers are required to secure their loans continuously with collateral in an amount at least equal to the fair value of the securities loaned, initially in an amount at least equal to 102% of the fair value

 

 

49


American Beacon FundsSM

Notes to Financial Statements

October 31, 2022

 

 

of domestic securities loaned and 105% of the fair value of international securities loaned. Collateral is monitored and marked-to-market daily. Daily mark-to-market amounts are required to be paid to the borrower or received from the borrower by the end of the following business day. This one day settlement for mark-to-market amounts may result in the collateral being temporarily less than the value of the securities on loan or temporarily more than the required minimum collateral.

To the extent that a loan is collateralized by cash, such cash collateral shall be invested by the securities lending agent (the “Agent”) in money market mutual funds and other short-term investments, provided the investments meet certain quality and diversification requirements. Securities purchased with cash collateral proceeds are listed in the Funds’ Schedule of Investments and the collateral is shown on the Statements of Assets and Liabilities as a payable.

Securities lending income is generated from the demand premium (if any) paid by the borrower to borrow a specific security and from the return on investment of cash collateral, reduced by negotiated rebate fees paid to the borrower and transaction costs. To the extent that a loan is secured by non-cash collateral, securities lending income is generated as a demand premium reduced by transaction costs. The Funds, the Agent, and the Manager retained 80%, 10%, and 10%, respectively, of the income generated from securities lending.

While securities are on loan, the Funds continue to receive certain income associated with that security and any gain or loss in the market price that may occur during the term of the loan. In the case of domestic equities, the value of any dividend is received in the form of a substitute payment approximately equal to the dividend. In the case of foreign securities, a negotiated amount is received that is less than the actual dividend, but higher than the dividend amount minus the foreign tax that the Funds would be subject to on the dividend.

Securities lending transactions pose certain risks to the Funds, including that the borrower may not provide additional collateral when required or return the securities when due, that the value of the short-term investments will be less than the amount of cash collateral required to be returned to the borrower, that non-cash collateral may be subject to legal constraints in the event of a borrower bankruptcy, and that the cash collateral investments could become illiquid and unable to be used to return collateral to the borrower. The Funds could also experience delays and costs in gaining access to the collateral. The Funds bear the risk of any deficiency in the amount of the cash collateral available for return to the borrower and any action which impairs its ability to liquidate non-cash collateral to satisfy a borrower default.

As of October 31, 2022, the value of outstanding securities on loan and the value of collateral were as follows:

 

Fund

   Fair Value of
Securities on Loan
            Cash Collateral
Received
            Non-Cash Collateral
Received
            Total Collateral
Received
 

International Equity

   $ 28,167,076         $ 13,115,544         $ 17,058,519         $ 30,174,063  

Tocqueville International Value

     700,522           373,450           337,920           711,370  

Cash collateral is listed on the Funds’ Schedules of Investments and is shown on the Statements of Assets and Liabilities. Income earned on these investments is included in “Income derived from securities lending” on the Statements of Operations.

Non-cash collateral received by the Funds may not be sold or re-pledged except to satisfy a borrower default. Therefore, non-cash collateral is not included on the Funds’ Schedules of Investments or Statements of Assets and Liabilities.

10.  Borrowing Arrangements

Effective November 11, 2021 (the “Effective Date”), the Funds, along with certain other funds managed by the Manager (“Participating Funds”), renewed a committed revolving line of credit (the “Committed Line”) agreement with State Street Bank and Trust Company (the “Bank”) to be used to facilitate portfolio liquidity. The

 

 

50


American Beacon FundsSM

Notes to Financial Statements

October 31, 2022

 

 

maximum borrowing amount under the Committed Line is $100 million with interest at a rate equal to the higher of (a) Overnight Bank Funding Rate (“OBFR”) daily fluctuating rate per annum equal to 1.25% plus the sum of 0.10% or (b) the Federal Funds daily fluctuating rate per annum on amounts borrowed. Each of the Participating Funds paid a proportional amount of a quarterly commitment fee at a rate of 0.25% per annum on the unused portion of the Committed Line amount. The Committed Line expires November 10, 2022, unless extended by the Bank or terminated by the Participating Funds in accordance with the agreement. Prior to the Effective Date, the maximum borrowing amount under the Committed Line was $150 million with an expiration date November 10, 2021.

On the Effective Date, the Funds, along with certain other Participating Funds managed by the Manager, also renewed an uncommitted discretionary demand revolving line of credit (the “Uncommitted Line”) agreement with the Bank to be used to facilitate portfolio liquidity. The maximum borrowing amount under the Uncommitted Line is $100 million with interest at a rate equal to the higher of (a) OBFR daily fluctuating rate per annum equal to 1.25% plus the sum of 0.10% or (b) the Federal Funds daily fluctuating rate per annum on amounts borrowed on each outstanding loan. Each of the Participating Funds paid a proportional amount of a closing fee of $35,000 on the Effective Date. The Uncommitted Line expires November 10, 2022, unless extended by the Bank or terminated by the Participating Funds in accordance with the agreement. Prior to the Effective Date, the maximum borrowing amount under the Uncommitted Line was $50 million with an expiration date November 10, 2021.

The Participating Funds paid administration, legal and arrangement fees, which are recognized as a component of “Loan expense” on the Statements of Operations, along with commitment fees, that have been allocated among the Participating Funds based on average daily net assets.

During the year ended October 31, 2022, the Funds did not utilize these facilities.

11.  Capital Share Transactions

The tables below summarize the activity in capital shares for each Class of the Funds:

 

    R5 Class  
    Year Ended October 31,  
    2022           2021  

International Equity Fund

 

Shares

         

Amount

         

Shares

         

Amount

 
Shares sold     16,792,798       $ 276,764,089         15,909,693       $ 311,036,157  
Reinvestment of dividends     7,050,991         125,789,676         1,023,705         18,293,611  
Shares redeemed     (27,075,822       (451,636,773       (17,231,226       (332,477,857
 

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 
Net (decrease) in shares outstanding     (3,232,033     $ (49,083,008       (297,828     $ (3,148,089
 

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 
 
    Y Class  
    Year Ended October 31,  
    2022           2021  

International Equity Fund

 

Shares

         

Amount

         

Shares

         

Amount

 
Shares sold     1,302,957       $ 23,182,218         7,224,999       $ 139,099,126  
Reinvestment of dividends     1,105,863         20,734,939         680,368         12,695,662  
Shares redeemed     (7,076,956       (129,054,193       (39,792,200       (820,191,598
 

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 
Net (decrease) in shares outstanding     (4,668,136     $ (85,137,036       (31,886,833     $ (668,396,810
 

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 
 
    Investor Class  
    Year Ended October 31,  
    2022           2021  

International Equity Fund

 

Shares

         

Amount

         

Shares

         

Amount

 
Shares sold     597,258       $ 9,871,121         3,622,542       $ 70,802,228  
Reinvestment of dividends     648,703         11,482,044         68,848         1,222,060  
Shares redeemed     (1,777,126       (29,824,205       (3,760,379       (71,763,443
 

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 
Net increase (decrease) in shares outstanding     (531,165     $ (8,471,040       (68,989     $ 260,845  
 

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 
 

 

 

51


American Beacon FundsSM

Notes to Financial Statements

October 31, 2022

 

 

    Advisor Class  
    Year Ended October 31,  
    2022           2021  

International Equity Fund

 

Shares

         

Amount

         

Shares

         

Amount

 
Shares sold     184,019       $ 3,110,548         124,326       $ 2,477,618  
Reinvestment of dividends     92,552         1,693,701         8,194         149,699  
Shares redeemed     (245,221       (4,308,190       (322,694       (6,341,507
 

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 
Net increase (decrease) in shares outstanding     31,350       $ 496,059         (190,174     $ (3,714,190
 

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 
 
    A Class  
    Year Ended October 31,  
    2022           2021  

International Equity Fund

 

Shares

         

Amount

         

Shares

         

Amount

 
Shares sold     202,944       $ 3,317,258         166,073       $ 3,203,132  
Reinvestment of dividends     51,330         907,507         8,158         144,484  
Shares redeemed     (243,829       (4,081,681       (328,406       (6,319,853
 

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 
Net increase (decrease) in shares outstanding     10,445       $ 143,084         (154,175     $ (2,972,237
 

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 
 
    C Class  
    Year Ended October 31,  
    2022           2021  

International Equity Fund

 

Shares

         

Amount

         

Shares

         

Amount

 
Shares sold     51,231       $ 796,084         46,799       $ 859,477  
Reinvestment of dividends     22,248         379,100         1,411         24,166  
Shares redeemed     (87,407       (1,372,377       (69,515       (1,302,164
 

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 
Net (decrease) in shares outstanding     (13,928     $ (197,193       (21,305     $ (418,521
 

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 
 
    R6 Class  
    Year Ended October 31,  
    2022           2021  

International Equity Fund

 

Shares

         

Amount

         

Shares

         

Amount

 
Shares sold     8,395,340       $ 138,392,024         7,429,933       $ 144,937,439  
Reinvestment of dividends     2,092,651         37,416,604         339,656         6,079,842  
Shares redeemed     (9,375,438       (152,093,702       (8,191,850       (160,504,629
 

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 
Net increase (decrease) in shares outstanding     1,112,553       $ 23,714,926         (422,261     $ (9,487,348
 

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 
 
    R5 Class  
    Year Ended October 31,  
    2022           2021  

Tocqueville International Value Fund

 

Shares

         

Amount

         

Shares

         

Amount

 
Shares sold     196,632       $ 3,380,286         165,473       $ 3,170,509  
Reinvestment of dividends     44,403         826,787         8,607         153,726  
Shares redeemed     (273,700       (4,430,781       (409,748       (7,842,762
 

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 
Net (decrease) in shares outstanding     (32,665     $ (223,708       (235,668     $ (4,518,527
 

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 
 
    Y Class  
    Year Ended October 31,  
    2022           2021  

Tocqueville International Value Fund

 

Shares

         

Amount

         

Shares

         

Amount

 
Shares sold     3,084,139       $ 52,511,772         2,865,875       $ 56,537,915  
Reinvestment of dividends     326,947         6,084,469         26,969         481,673  
Shares redeemed     (4,486,794       (71,557,143       (3,442,561       (62,946,165
 

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 
Net (decrease) in shares outstanding     (1,075,708     $ (12,960,902       (549,717     $ (5,926,577
 

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 
 
    Investor Class  
    Year Ended October 31,  
    2022           2021  

Tocqueville International Value Fund

 

Shares

         

Amount

         

Shares

         

Amount

 
Shares sold     684,416       $ 12,141,498         714,528       $ 13,893,147  
Reinvestment of dividends     272,708         5,105,099         39,369         706,277  
Shares redeemed     (4,819,082       (79,722,129       (4,296,803       (82,841,829
 

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 
Net (decrease) in shares outstanding     (3,861,958     $ (62,475,532       (3,542,906     $ (68,242,405
 

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 

 

 

52


American Beacon FundsSM

Notes to Financial Statements

October 31, 2022

 

 

12.  Subsequent Events

On December 14, 2022, the Board of Trustees of the Trust, at the recommendation by the Manager, has approved: (i) the termination of the investment advisory agreement among the Manager, Tocqueville Asset Management L.P., and the Trust, on behalf of the American Beacon Tocqueville International Value Fund (the “Fund”) effective as of January 20, 2023, and (ii) a new investment advisory agreement among the Manager, EAM Global Investors LLC and the Trust, on behalf of the Fund effective as of January 21, 2023. In connection with these approvals, the Board also approved a change in the Fund’s name to the American Beacon EAM International Small Cap Fund, and adopted a non-fundamental policy pursuant to which the Fund will invest at least 80% of its net assets (plus the amount of any borrowings for investment purposes) in equity securities of small market capitalization companies that are economically tied to countries outside of the United States, including developed and emerging market countries. These changes are effective January 21, 2023.

 

 

53


American Beacon International Equity FundSM

Financial Highlights

(For a share outstanding throughout the period)

 

 

    R5 ClassA  
    Year Ended October 31,  
    2022           2021           2020B           2019           2018  
 

 

 

 

Net asset value, beginning of period

  $ 20.31       $ 14.73       $ 18.06       $ 18.71       $ 20.88  
 

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 

Income (loss) from investment operations:

                 

Net investment income

    0.39         0.45 C        0.36         0.55         0.44  

Net gains (losses) on investments (both realized and unrealized)

    (4.40       5.43         (3.15       0.34         (1.95
 

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 

Total income (loss) from investment operations

    (4.01       5.88         (2.79       0.89         (1.51
 

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 

Less distributions:

                 

Dividends from net investment income

    (0.65       (0.30       (0.54       (0.40       (0.35

Distributions from net realized gains

    (1.34       -         -         (1.14       (0.31
 

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 

Total distributions

    (1.99       (0.30       (0.54       (1.54       (0.66
 

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 

Net asset value, end of period

  $ 14.31       $ 20.31       $ 14.73       $ 18.06       $ 18.71  
 

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 

Total returnD

    (21.69 )%        40.18       (16.04 )%        5.94       (7.55 )% 
 

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 

Ratios and supplemental data:

 

Net assets, end of period

  $ 891,001,265       $ 1,329,626,349       $ 968,859,543       $ 1,499,867,401       $ 1,613,462,237  

Ratios to average net assets:

                 

Expenses, before reimbursements and/or recoupments

    0.72       0.73       0.72       0.73       0.73

Expenses, net of reimbursements and/or recoupments

    0.72       0.73       0.72       0.73       0.73

Net investment income, before expense reimbursements and/or recoupments

    2.17       2.31 %C        1.83       2.93       2.17

Net investment income, net of reimbursements and/or recoupments

    2.17       2.31 %C        1.83       2.93       2.17

Portfolio turnover rate

    38       41       77       36       29

 

A 

Prior to February 28, 2020, the R5 Class was known as Institutional Class.

B 

On January 29, 2020, Templeton Investment Counsel, LLC, was terminated and ceased managing assets of the Fund. On January 30, 2020, American Century Investment Management, Inc. began managing assets of the Fund.

C 

Net investment income includes a significant dividend payment from Vivendi SE amounting to $0.0746.

D 

Based on net asset value, which does not reflect the sales charge, redemption fee, or contingent deferred sales charge, if applicable. May include adjustments in accordance with U.S. GAAP and as such, the net asset value for reporting purposes and the returns based upon those net asset values may differ from the net asset value and returns for shareholder transactions.

 

See accompanying notes

 

54


American Beacon International Equity FundSM

Financial Highlights

(For a share outstanding throughout the period)

 

 

    Y Class  
    Year Ended October 31,  
    2022           2021           2020A           2019           2018  
 

 

 

 

Net asset value, beginning of period

  $ 21.18       $ 15.36       $ 18.81       $ 19.42       $ 21.64  
 

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 

Income (loss) from investment operations:

                 

Net investment income

    1.53         1.83 B        0.36         0.54         0.46  

Net gains (losses) on investments (both realized and unrealized)

    (5.74       4.27         (3.28       0.37         (2.04
 

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 

Total income (loss) from investment operations

    (4.21       6.10         (2.92       0.91         (1.58
 

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 

Less distributions:

                 

Dividends from net investment income

    (0.60       (0.28       (0.53       (0.38       (0.33

Distributions from net realized gains

    (1.34       -         -         (1.14       (0.31
 

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 

Total distributions

    (1.94       (0.28       (0.53       (1.52       (0.64
 

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 

Net asset value, end of period

  $ 15.03       $ 21.18       $ 15.36       $ 18.81       $ 19.42  
 

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 

Total returnC

    (21.71 )%        39.99       (16.09 )%        5.83       (7.58 )% 
 

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 

Ratios and supplemental data:

 

Net assets, end of period

  $ 95,663,172       $ 233,692,916       $ 659,159,857       $ 896,442,437       $ 904,847,058  

Ratios to average net assets:

                 

Expenses, before reimbursements and/or recoupments

    0.81       0.79       0.80       0.80       0.80

Expenses, net of reimbursements and/or recoupments

    0.81       0.79       0.80       0.80       0.80

Net investment income, before expense reimbursements and/or recoupments

    2.03       2.01 %B        1.77       2.87       2.10

Net investment income, net of reimbursements and/or recoupments

    2.03       2.01 %B        1.77       2.87       2.10

Portfolio turnover rate

    38       41       77       36       29

 

A 

On January 29, 2020, Templeton Investment Counsel, LLC, was terminated and ceased managing assets of the Fund. On January 30, 2020, American Century Investment Management, Inc. began managing assets of the Fund.

B 

Net investment income includes a significant dividend payment from Vivendi SE amounting to $0.0243.

C 

Based on net asset value, which does not reflect the sales charge, redemption fee, or contingent deferred sales charge, if applicable. May include adjustments in accordance with U.S. GAAP and as such, the net asset value for reporting purposes and the returns based upon those net asset values may differ from the net asset value and returns for shareholder transactions.

 

See accompanying notes

 

55


American Beacon International Equity FundSM

Financial Highlights

(For a share outstanding throughout the period)

 

 

    Investor Class  
    Year Ended October 31,  
    2022           2021           2020A           2019           2018  
 

 

 

 

Net asset value, beginning of period

  $ 20.11       $ 14.57       $ 17.87       $ 18.52       $ 20.67  
 

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 

Income (loss) from investment operations:

                 

Net investment income

    0.35         0.38 B        0.40         0.49         0.41  

Net gains (losses) on investments (both realized and unrealized)

    (4.37       5.38         (3.22       0.33         (1.97
 

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 

Total income (loss) from investment operations

    (4.02       5.76         (2.82       0.82         (1.56
 

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 

Less distributions:

                 

Dividends from net investment income

    (0.59       (0.22       (0.48       (0.33       (0.28

Distributions from net realized gains

    (1.34       -         -         (1.14       (0.31
 

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 

Total distributions

    (1.93       (0.22       (0.48       (1.47       (0.59
 

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 

Net asset value, end of period

  $ 14.16       $ 20.11       $ 14.57       $ 17.87       $ 18.52  
 

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 

Total returnC

    (21.93 )%        39.72       (16.33 )%        5.55       (7.86 )% 
 

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 

Ratios and supplemental data:

 

Net assets, end of period

  $ 81,694,109       $ 126,691,864       $ 92,817,287       $ 221,043,036       $ 250,804,403  

Ratios to average net assets:

                 

Expenses, before reimbursements and/or recoupments

    1.07       1.06       1.07       1.05       1.06

Expenses, net of reimbursements and/or recoupments

    1.07       1.06       1.07       1.05       1.06

Net investment income, before expense reimbursements and/or recoupments

    1.84       1.98 %B        1.35       2.59       1.83

Net investment income, net of reimbursements and/or recoupments

    1.84       1.98 %B        1.35       2.59       1.83

Portfolio turnover rate

    38       41       77       36       29

 

A 

On January 29, 2020, Templeton Investment Counsel, LLC, was terminated and ceased managing assets of the Fund. On January 30, 2020, American Century Investment Management, Inc. began managing assets of the Fund.

B 

Net investment income includes a significant dividend payment from Vivendi SE amounting to $0.0785.

C 

Based on net asset value, which does not reflect the sales charge, redemption fee, or contingent deferred sales charge, if applicable. May include adjustments in accordance with U.S. GAAP and as such, the net asset value for reporting purposes and the returns based upon those net asset values may differ from the net asset value and returns for shareholder transactions.

 

See accompanying notes

 

56


American Beacon International Equity FundSM

Financial Highlights

(For a share outstanding throughout the period)

 

 

    Advisor Class  
    Year Ended October 31,  
    2022           2021           2020A           2019           2018  
 

 

 

 

Net asset value, beginning of period

  $ 20.68       $ 14.94       $ 18.31       $ 18.93       $ 21.15  
 

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 

Income (loss) from investment operations:

                 

Net investment income

    0.29         0.41 B        0.37         0.43         0.36  

Net gains (losses) on investments (both realized and unrealized)

    (4.46       5.48         (3.29       0.39         (1.99
 

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 

Total income (loss) from investment operations

    (4.17       5.89         (2.92       0.82         (1.63
 

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 

Less distributions:

                 

Dividends from net investment income

    (0.55       (0.15       (0.45       (0.30       (0.28

Distributions from net realized gains

    (1.34       -         -         (1.14       (0.31
 

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 

Total distributions

    (1.89       (0.15       (0.45       (1.44       (0.59
 

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 

Net asset value, end of period

  $ 14.62       $ 20.68       $ 14.94       $ 18.31       $ 18.93  
 

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 

Total returnC

    (22.01 )%        39.53       (16.43 )%        5.38       (7.99 )% 
 

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 

Ratios and supplemental data:

 

Net assets, end of period

  $ 13,706,977       $ 18,745,607       $ 16,387,094       $ 45,797,068       $ 48,571,916  

Ratios to average net assets:

                 

Expenses, before reimbursements and/or recoupments

    1.20       1.20       1.20       1.20       1.20

Expenses, net of reimbursements and/or recoupments

    1.20       1.20       1.20       1.20       1.20

Net investment income, before expense reimbursements and/or recoupments

    1.67       1.79 %B        1.34       2.40       1.70

Net investment income, net of reimbursements and/or recoupments

    1.67       1.79 %B        1.34       2.40       1.70

Portfolio turnover rate

    38       41       77       36       29

 

A 

On January 29, 2020, Templeton Investment Counsel, LLC, was terminated and ceased managing assets of the Fund. On January 30, 2020, American Century Investment Management, Inc. began managing assets of the Fund.

B 

Net investment income includes a significant dividend payment from Vivendi SE amounting to $0.0709.

C 

Based on net asset value, which does not reflect the sales charge, redemption fee, or contingent deferred sales charge, if applicable. May include adjustments in accordance with U.S. GAAP and as such, the net asset value for reporting purposes and the returns based upon those net asset values may differ from the net asset value and returns for shareholder transactions.

 

See accompanying notes

 

57


American Beacon International Equity FundSM

Financial Highlights

(For a share outstanding throughout the period)

 

 

    A Class  
    Year Ended October 31,  
    2022           2021           2020A           2019           2018  
 

 

 

 

Net asset value, beginning of period

  $ 20.06       $ 14.55       $ 17.85       $ 18.50       $ 20.63  
 

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 

Income (loss) from investment operations:

                 

Net investment income

    0.33         0.36 B        0.21         0.45         0.38  

Net gains (losses) on investments (both realized and unrealized)

    (4.36       5.38         (3.04       0.36         (1.95
 

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 

Total income (loss) from investment operations

    (4.03       5.74         (2.83       0.81         (1.57
 

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 

Less distributions:

                 

Dividends from net investment income

    (0.56       (0.23       (0.47       (0.32       (0.25

Distributions from net realized gains

    (1.34       -         -         (1.14       (0.31
 

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 

Total distributions

    (1.90       (0.23       (0.47       (1.46       (0.56
 

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 

Net asset value, end of period

  $ 14.13       $ 20.06       $ 14.55       $ 17.85       $ 18.50  
 

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 

Total returnC

    (22.00 )%        39.65       (16.37 )%        5.46       (7.89 )% 
 

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 

Ratios and supplemental data:

 

Net assets, end of period

  $ 7,205,251       $ 10,017,801       $ 9,512,972       $ 13,973,709       $ 14,141,551  

Ratios to average net assets:

                 

Expenses, before reimbursements and/or recoupments

    1.14       1.13       1.13       1.15       1.08

Expenses, net of reimbursements and/or recoupments

    1.14       1.13       1.13       1.15       1.08

Net investment income, before expense reimbursements and/or recoupments

    1.80       1.83 %B        1.35       2.50       1.80

Net investment income, net of reimbursements and/or recoupments

    1.80       1.83 %B        1.35       2.50       1.80

Portfolio turnover rate

    38       41       77       36       29

 

A 

On January 29, 2020, Templeton Investment Counsel, LLC, was terminated and ceased managing assets of the Fund. On January 30, 2020, American Century Investment Management, Inc. began managing assets of the Fund.

B 

Net investment income includes a significant dividend payment from Vivendi SE amounting to $0.0643.

C 

Based on net asset value, which does not reflect the sales charge, redemption fee, or contingent deferred sales charge, if applicable. May include adjustments in accordance with U.S. GAAP and as such, the net asset value for reporting purposes and the returns based upon those net asset values may differ from the net asset value and returns for shareholder transactions.

 

See accompanying notes

 

58


American Beacon International Equity FundSM

Financial Highlights

(For a share outstanding throughout the period)

 

 

    C Class  
    Year Ended October 31,  
    2022           2021           2020A           2019           2018  
 

 

 

 

Net asset value, beginning of period

  $ 19.27       $ 13.99       $ 17.18       $ 17.84       $ 19.93  
 

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 

Income (loss) from investment operations:

                 

Net investment income

    0.16         0.19 B        0.01         0.29         0.22  

Net gains (losses) on investments (both realized and unrealized)

    (4.14       5.19         (2.86       0.37         (1.87
 

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 

Total income (loss) from investment operations

    (3.98       5.38         (2.85       0.66         (1.65
 

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 

Less distributions:

                 

Dividends from net investment income

    (0.42       (0.10       (0.34       (0.18       (0.13

Distributions from net realized gains

    (1.34       -         -         (1.14       (0.31
 

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 

Total distributions

    (1.76       (0.10       (0.34       (1.32       (0.44
 

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 

Net asset value, end of period

  $ 13.53       $ 19.27       $ 13.99       $ 17.18       $ 17.84  
 

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 

Total returnC

    (22.55 )%        38.56       (16.98 )%        4.69       (8.52 )% 
 

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 

Ratios and supplemental data:

 

Net assets, end of period

  $ 2,842,235       $ 4,317,179       $ 3,431,934       $ 6,174,460       $ 6,625,329  

Ratios to average net assets:

                 

Expenses, before reimbursements and/or recoupments

    1.89       1.86       1.86       1.87       1.81

Expenses, net of reimbursements and/or recoupments

    1.89       1.86       1.86       1.87       1.81

Net investment income, before expense reimbursements and/or recoupments

    1.08       1.14 %B        0.61       1.73       1.08

Net investment income, net of reimbursements and/or recoupments

    1.08       1.14 %B        0.61       1.73       1.08

Portfolio turnover rate

    38       41       77       36       29

 

A 

On January 29, 2020, Templeton Investment Counsel, LLC, was terminated and ceased managing assets of the Fund. On January 30, 2020, American Century Investment Management, Inc. began managing assets of the Fund.

B 

Net investment income includes a significant dividend payment from Vivendi SE amounting to $0.0667.

C 

Based on net asset value, which does not reflect the sales charge, redemption fee, or contingent deferred sales charge, if applicable. May include adjustments in accordance with U.S. GAAP and as such, the net asset value for reporting purposes and the returns based upon those net asset values may differ from the net asset value and returns for shareholder transactions.

 

See accompanying notes

 

59


American Beacon International Equity FundSM

Financial Highlights

(For a share outstanding throughout the period)

 

 

    R6 Class  
    Year Ended October 31,  
    2022           2021           2020A           2019           2018  
 

 

 

 

Net asset value, beginning of period

  $ 20.35       $ 14.76       $ 18.08       $ 18.73       $ 20.89  
 

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 

Income (loss) from investment operations:

                 

Net investment income

    0.41         0.45 B        0.39         0.51         0.39  

Net gains (losses) on investments (both realized and unrealized)

    (4.41       5.44         (3.16       0.39         (1.88
 

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 

Total income (loss) from investment operations

    (4.00       5.89         (2.77       0.90         (1.49
 

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 

Less distributions:

                 

Dividends from net investment income

    (0.66       (0.30       (0.55       (0.41       (0.36

Distributions from net realized gains

    (1.34       -         -         (1.14       (0.31
 

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 

Total distributions

    (2.00       (0.30       (0.55       (1.55       (0.67
 

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 

Net asset value, end of period

  $ 14.35       $ 20.35       $ 14.76       $ 18.08       $ 18.73  
 

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 

Total returnC

    (21.62 )%        40.20       (15.93 )%        5.98       (7.47 )% 
 

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 

Ratios and supplemental data:

 

Net assets, end of period

  $ 296,382,124       $ 397,732,934       $ 294,708,893       $ 179,802,437       $ 48,725,523  

Ratios to average net assets:

                 

Expenses, before reimbursements and/or recoupments

    0.71       0.71       0.72       0.70       0.70

Expenses, net of reimbursements and/or recoupments

    0.69       0.70 %D        0.69       0.66       0.66

Net investment income, before expense reimbursements and/or recoupments

    2.22       2.30 %B        1.88       3.09       2.11

Net investment income, net of reimbursements and/or recoupments

    2.24       2.31 %B        1.91       3.13       2.15

Portfolio turnover rate

    38       41       77       36       29

 

A 

On January 29, 2020, Templeton Investment Counsel, LLC, was terminated and ceased managing assets of the Fund. On January 30, 2020, American Century Investment Management, Inc. began managing assets of the Fund.

B 

Net investment income includes a significant dividend payment from Vivendi SE amounting to $0.0738.

C 

Based on net asset value, which does not reflect the sales charge, redemption fee, or contingent deferred sales charge, if applicable. May include adjustments in accordance with U.S. GAAP and as such, the net asset value for reporting purposes and the returns based upon those net asset values may differ from the net asset value and returns for shareholder transactions.

D 

Expense ratios may exceed stated expense caps in Note 2 due to security lending expenses.

 

See accompanying notes

 

60


American Beacon Tocqueville International Value FundSM

Financial Highlights

(For a share outstanding throughout the period)

 

 

    R5 ClassA  
    Year Ended October 31,           January 22,
2019B to
October 31,
2019
 
    2022           2021           2020        
 

 

 

 

Net asset value, beginning of period

  $ 19.56       $ 15.58       $ 15.65       $ 14.78  
 

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 

Income (loss) from investment operations:

             

Net investment income

    0.20         0.60 C        0.03         0.21  

Net gains (losses) on investments (both realized and unrealized)

    (5.53       3.50         0.29         0.66  
 

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 

Total income (loss) from investment operations

    (5.33       4.10         0.32         0.87  
 

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 

Less distributions:

             

Dividends from net investment income

    (0.76       (0.12       (0.39       -  
 

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 

Total distributions

    (0.76       (0.12       (0.39       -  
 

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 

Net asset value, end of period

  $ 13.47       $ 19.56       $ 15.58       $ 15.65  
 

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 

Total returnD

    (28.31 )%        26.38       1.94       5.89 %E 
 

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 

Ratios and supplemental data:

 

Net assets, end of period

  $ 13,963,043       $ 20,907,091       $ 20,327,704       $ 37,138,368  

Ratios to average net assets:

             

Expenses, before reimbursements and/or recoupments

    0.90       0.92       0.91       0.93 %F 

Expenses, net of reimbursements and/or recoupments

    0.89       0.91 %G        0.89       0.89 %F 

Net investment income, before expense reimbursements and/or recoupments

    1.30       3.14 %C        0.84       2.18 %F 

Net investment income, net of reimbursements and/or recoupments

    1.31       3.15 %C        0.86       2.22 %F 

Portfolio turnover rate

    21       34       28       35 %H 

 

A 

Prior to February 28, 2020, the R5 Class was known as Institutional Class.

B 

Commencement of operations.

C 

Net investment income includes a significant dividend payment from Vivendi SE amounting to $0.3366.

D 

Based on net asset value, which does not reflect the sales charge, redemption fee, or contingent deferred sales charge, if applicable. May include adjustments in accordance with U.S. GAAP and as such, the net asset value for reporting purposes and the returns based upon those net asset values may differ from the net asset value and returns for shareholder transactions.

E 

Not annualized.

F 

Annualized.

G 

Expense ratios may exceed stated expense caps in Note 2 due to security lending expenses.

H 

Portfolio turnover rate is for the period from January 22, 2019 through October 31, 2019 and is not annualized.

 

See accompanying notes

 

61


American Beacon Tocqueville International Value FundSM

Financial Highlights

(For a share outstanding throughout the period)

 

 

    Y Class  
    Year Ended October 31,           January 22,
2019A to
October 31,
2019
 
    2022           2021           2020        
 

 

 

 

Net asset value, beginning of period

  $ 19.54       $ 15.56       $ 15.64       $ 14.78  
 

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 

Income (loss) from investment operations:

             

Net investment income

    0.04         0.59 B        0.05         0.23  

Net gains (losses) on investments (both realized and unrealized)

    (5.36       3.49         0.25         0.63  
 

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 

Total income (loss) from investment operations

    (5.32       4.08         0.30         0.86  
 

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 

Less distributions:

             

Dividends from net investment income

    (0.76       (0.10       (0.38       -  
 

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 

Total distributions

    (0.76       (0.10       (0.38       -  
 

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 

Net asset value, end of period

  $ 13.46       $ 19.54       $ 15.56       $ 15.64  
 

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 

Total returnC

    (28.31 )%        26.25       1.84       5.82 %D 
 

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 

Ratios and supplemental data:

 

Net assets, end of period

  $ 96,269,149       $ 160,793,226       $ 136,563,697       $ 229,275,205  

Ratios to average net assets:

             

Expenses, before reimbursements and/or recoupments

    0.95       0.98       0.99       0.98 %E 

Expenses, net of reimbursements and/or recoupments

    0.95       0.98       0.99       0.98 %E 

Net investment income, before expense reimbursements and/or recoupments

    1.21       3.40 %B        0.78       2.10 %E 

Net investment income, net of reimbursements and/or recoupments

    1.21       3.40 %B        0.78       2.10 %E 

Portfolio turnover rate

    21       34       28       35 %F 

 

A 

Commencement of operations.

B 

Net investment income includes a significant dividend payment from Vivendi SE amounting to $0.3834.

C 

Based on net asset value, which does not reflect the sales charge, redemption fee, or contingent deferred sales charge, if applicable. May include adjustments in accordance with U.S. GAAP and as such, the net asset value for reporting purposes and the returns based upon those net asset values may differ from the net asset value and returns for shareholder transactions.

D 

Not annualized.

E 

Annualized.

F 

Portfolio turnover rate is for the period from January 22, 2019 through October 31, 2019 and is not annualized.

 

See accompanying notes

 

62


American Beacon Tocqueville International Value FundSM

Financial Highlights

(For a share outstanding throughout the period)

 

 

    Investor Class  
    Year Ended October 31,  
    2022           2021           2020           2019           2018  
 

 

 

 

Net asset value, beginning of period

  $ 19.59       $ 15.60       $ 15.61       $ 15.06       $ 17.58  
 

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 

Income (loss) from investment operations:

                 

Net investment income

    0.65         0.76 A        0.25         0.40         0.24 B 

Net gains (losses) on investments (both realized and unrealized)

    (6.04       3.29         0.01         0.34         (2.53
 

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 

Total income (loss) from investment operations

    (5.39       4.05         0.26         0.74         (2.29
 

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 

Less distributions:

                 

Dividends from net investment income

    (0.69       (0.06       (0.27       (0.19       (0.17

Distributions from net realized gains

    -         -         -         -         (0.06
 

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 

Total distributions

    (0.69       (0.06       (0.27       (0.19       (0.23
 

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 

Net asset value, end of period

  $ 13.51       $ 19.59       $ 15.60       $ 15.61       $ 15.06  
 

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 

Total returnC

    (28.49 )%        26.01       1.63       5.03       (13.20 )% 
 

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 

Ratios and supplemental data:

 

Net assets, end of period

  $ 72,187,362       $ 180,324,267       $ 198,905,986       $ 355,423,059       $ 1,060,000,108  

Ratios to average net assets:

                 

Expenses, before reimbursements and/or recoupments

    1.18       1.20       1.18       1.29       1.48

Expenses, net of reimbursements and/or recoupments

    1.18       1.20       1.18       1.18       1.25

Net investment income, before expense reimbursements and/or recoupments

    1.03       2.81 %A        0.63       1.42       1.09

Net investment income, net of reimbursements and/or recoupments

    1.03       2.81 %A        0.63       1.53       1.32

Portfolio turnover rate

    21       34       28       35       25

 

A 

Net investment income includes a significant dividend payment from Vivendi SE amounting to $0.3074.

B 

Net investment income per share is calculated using the ending balance prior to consideration or adjustment for permanent book-to-tax differences.

C 

Based on net asset value, which does not reflect the sales charge, redemption fee, or contingent deferred sales charge, if applicable. May include adjustments in accordance with U.S. GAAP and as such, the net asset value for reporting purposes and the returns based upon those net asset values may differ from the net asset value and returns for shareholder transactions.

 

See accompanying notes

 

63


American Beacon FundsSM

Federal Tax Information

October 31, 2022 (Unaudited)

 

 

Certain tax information regarding the Funds is required to be provided to shareholders based upon the Funds’ income and distributions for the taxable year ended October 31, 2022. The information and distributions reported herein may differ from information and distributions taxable to the shareholders for the calendar year ended December 31, 2022.

The Funds designated the following items with regard to distributions paid during the fiscal year ended October 31, 2022. All designations are based on financial information available as of this annual report and, accordingly, are subject to change. For each item, it is the intention of the Funds to designate the maximum amount permitted under the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, and the regulations there under.

Corporate Dividends-Received Deduction:

 

International Equity

    0.00

Tocqueville International Value

    0.00

Qualified Dividend Income:

 

International Equity

    100.00

Tocqueville International Value

    100.00

Long-Term Capital Gain Distributions:

 

International Equity

  $ 137,584,079  

Tocqueville International Value

  $ 0  

Short-Term Capital Gain Distributions:

 

International Equity

  $                    0  

Tocqueville International Value

  $                    0  

Foreign tax credit:

 

International Equity

  $     4,745,658  

Tocqueville International Value

  $ 460,169  

The foreign tax credits for International Equity and Tocqueville International Value are based on foreign source income of $59,674,728 and $7,126,970, respectively for the year ended October 31, 2022.

Shareholders will receive notification in January 2023 of the applicable tax information necessary to prepare their 2022 income tax returns.

 

 

64


Disclosure Regarding Approval of the Management and Investment Advisory Agreements (Unaudited)

 

 

At meetings held on May 16, 2022 and June 7-8, 2022 (collectively, the “Meetings”), the Board of Trustees (“Board” or “Trustees”) considered and then, at its June 8, 2022 meeting, approved the renewal of:

(1) the Management Agreement between American Beacon Advisors, Inc. (“Manager”) and the American Beacon Funds (“Trust”), on behalf of the American Beacon International Equity Fund (“International Equity Fund”) and the American Beacon Tocqueville International Value Fund (“Tocqueville Fund”) (each, a “Fund” and collectively, the “Funds”);

(2) the Investment Advisory Agreements among the Manager, the Trust, on behalf of the International Equity Fund, and each of Causeway Capital Management LLC (“Causeway”), Lazard Asset Management LLC (“Lazard”) and American Century Investments, Inc. (“ACI”); and

(3) the Investment Advisory Agreement among the Manager, the Trust, on behalf of the Tocqueville Fund, and Tocqueville Asset Management LP (“Tocqueville”).

Causeway, Lazard, ACI, and Tocqueville are hereinafter each referred to as a “sub-advisor” and collectively as the “sub-advisors.” The Management Agreement and the Investment Advisory Agreements are referred to herein individually as an “Agreement” and collectively as the “Agreements.”

In preparation for its consideration of the renewal of the Agreements, the Board undertook steps to gather and consider information furnished by the Manager, the sub-advisors, Broadridge, Inc. (“Broadridge”) and Morningstar, Inc. (“Morningstar”). The Board, with the assistance of independent legal counsel, requested and received certain relevant information from the Manager and each sub-advisor.

In advance of the Meetings, the Board’s Investment Committee and/or the Manager coordinated the production of information from Broadridge and Morningstar regarding the performance, fees and expenses of the Funds as well as information from the Manager and the sub-advisors. At the Meetings, the Board considered the information provided in connection with the renewal process, as well as information furnished to the Board throughout the year at regular meetings of the Board and its committees. In connection with the Board’s consideration of the Agreements, the Trustees received and evaluated such information as they deemed necessary. This information is described below in the section summarizing the factors the Board considered in connection with its renewal and approval of the Agreements, as well as the section describing additional Board considerations with respect to each Fund.

The Board noted that the Manager provides management and administrative services to the Funds pursuant to the Management Agreement. The Board considered that many mutual funds have separate contracts governing each type of service and observed that, with respect to such mutual funds, the actual management fee rates provided by Broadridge for peer group funds reflect the combined advisory and administrative fees, reduced by any fee waivers and/or reimbursements.

The Manager or a sub-advisor may not have been able to, or opted not to, provide information in response to certain information requests, in which case the Board conducted its evaluation of the firm based on information that was provided. In such cases, the Board determined that the omission of any such information was not material to its considerations.

Provided below is an overview of certain factors the Board considered in connection with its decision to approve the renewal of the Agreements. The Board did not identify any particular information that was most relevant to its consideration of whether to approve the renewal of each Agreement, and each Trustee may have afforded different weight to the various factors. Legal counsel to the independent Trustees provided the Board with a memorandum regarding its responsibilities pertaining to the renewal of investment advisory contracts, such as the Agreements, and related regulatory guidelines. Based on its evaluation, the Board unanimously concluded that the terms of each Agreement were reasonable and fair and that the approval of the renewal of each Agreement was in the best interests of the Funds and their shareholders.

 

 

65


Disclosure Regarding Approval of the Management and Investment Advisory Agreements (Unaudited)

 

 

Considerations With Respect to the Renewal of the Management Agreement and the Investment Advisory Agreements

In determining whether to approve the renewal of the Agreements, the Board considered each Fund’s investment management and sub-advisory relationships separately. In each instance, the Board considered, among other things, the following factors: (1) the nature, extent and quality of the services provided; (2) the investment performance of the Funds and the sub-advisor(s) for each Fund; (3) the profits earned by the Manager in rendering services to the Funds; (4) comparisons of services and fee rates with contracts entered into by the Manager or a sub-advisor or their affiliates with other clients (such as pension funds and other institutional clients); (5) the extent to which economies of scale, if any, have been taken into account in setting each fee rate schedule; (6) whether fee rate levels reflect economies of scale, if any, for the benefit of Fund investors; and (7) any other benefits derived or anticipated to be derived by the Manager or a sub-advisor from its relationship with a Fund.

Nature, Extent and Quality of Services. With respect to the renewal of the Management Agreement, the Board considered, among other factors: the International Equity Fund’s long-term performance and the Tocqueville Fund’s performance since its inception on January 18, 2019; the length of service of key investment personnel at the Manager; the cost structure of the Funds; the Manager’s culture of compliance and support that reduce risks to the Funds; the Manager’s quality of services; the Manager’s active role in monitoring and, as appropriate, recommending additional or replacement sub-advisors; and the Manager’s efforts to retain key employees and maintain staffing levels.

With respect to the renewal of each Investment Advisory Agreement, the Board considered, among other factors: the level of staffing and the size of each sub-advisor; succession plans for key employees who perform services for the Funds; diversity and inclusion initiatives, as applicable; the adequacy of the resources committed to the Funds by each sub-advisor; the financial stability of each sub-advisor; and representations made by each sub-advisor regarding its compliance program. Based on the foregoing and other information, the Board concluded that the nature, extent and quality of the management and advisory services provided by the Manager and each sub-advisor were appropriate for each Fund.

Investment Performance. The Board evaluated the comparative information provided by Broadridge and the Manager regarding the performance of each Fund relative to its Broadridge Performance Universe, Morningstar Category, and/or benchmark index, as well as the Fund’s Morningstar rating. The Board considered the information provided by Broadridge regarding its independent methodology for selecting each Fund’s Broadridge Performance Universe. In addition, the Board considered the performance reports and discussions with management at meetings of the Board and its committees throughout the year. The Board also evaluated the comparative information provided by: (1) each of Causeway and Lazard regarding the performance of its portion of the International Equity Fund, and Tocqueville regarding the performance of the Tocqueville Fund, relative to the performance of a composite of comparable investment accounts managed by the sub-advisor; (2) each sub-advisor regarding the performance of its portion of the Funds relative to the relevant primary Fund benchmark index; and (3) ACI regarding the performance of its portion of the International Equity Fund relative to an additional benchmark index. In addition, the Board considered the Manager’s recommendation to continue to retain each sub-advisor. A discussion regarding the Board’s considerations with respect to each Fund’s performance appears below under “Additional Considerations and Conclusions with Respect to Each Fund.”

Profits Realized by the Manager from its Relationship with the Funds. In analyzing the profitability of the Manager, the Board considered the revenues earned and the expenses incurred by the Manager, before and after the payment of distribution-related expenses by the Manager. The profits were noted at both an aggregate level for all funds within the group of mutual funds sponsored by the Manager (the “Fund Complex”) and at an individual Fund level, with the Manager earning a profit with respect to each Fund before and after the payment of distribution-related expenses by the Manager. The Board also considered comparative information provided by the Manager regarding the Manager’s overall profitability with respect to the Fund Complex relative to the overall profitability of other firms in the mutual fund industry, as disclosed in publicly available sources. Although the

 

 

66


Disclosure Regarding Approval of the Management and Investment Advisory Agreements (Unaudited)

 

 

Board noted that, in certain cases, the fee rates paid by other clients of the Manager are lower than the fee rates paid by the Funds, the Manager represented that, among other matters, the difference is attributable to the fact that the Manager does not perform administrative services for non-investment company clients and reflects the greater level of responsibility and regulatory requirements associated with managing the Funds. The Board also noted that, with respect to the R6 Class shares of the International Equity Fund and the R5 Class shares of the Tocqueville Fund, the Manager is waiving fees and/or reimbursing expenses.

The Board further considered that, with respect to each Fund, the Management Agreement provides for the Manager to receive a management fee comprised of an annualized fee that is retained by the Manager. In addition, the Board considered that the Manager receives fees for administering and overseeing the securities lending program on behalf of each Fund. The Board also noted that certain share classes of the Funds have higher expense ratios in order to compensate third-party financial intermediaries.

In analyzing the fee rates charged by each sub-advisor in connection with its investment advisory services to a Fund, the Board considered representations made by Causeway and Lazard that the International Equity Fund’s fee rate schedule generally was favorable compared to other comparable client accounts. The Board considered ACI’s representation that it does not manage a comparable investment account in the strategy of the International Equity Fund and Tocqueville’s representation that it does not manage any directly comparable client accounts. The Board did not request profitability data from the sub-advisors because the Board did not view this data as imperative to its deliberations given the arm’s-length nature of the relationship between the Manager and the sub-advisors with respect to the negotiation of sub-advisory fee rates. In addition, the Board noted that sub-advisors may not account for their profits on an account-by-account basis and that different firms likely employ different methodologies in connection with these calculations.

Based on the foregoing information, the Board concluded that the profitability levels of the Manager were reasonable in light of the services performed by the Manager. A discussion regarding the Board’s considerations with respect to each Fund’s fee rates is set forth below under “Additional Considerations and Conclusions with Respect to Each Fund.”

Economies of Scale. In considering the reasonableness of the management and investment advisory fees rates, the Board considered whether economies of scale will be realized as each Fund grows and whether fee rate levels reflect these economies of scale for the benefit of Fund shareholders. In this regard, the Board considered that, with respect to each sub-advisor, the Manager has negotiated breakpoints for the sub-advisory fee rate for each Fund. The Board also noted that, for purposes of determining the fee rates chargeable to the International Equity Fund, certain sub-advisors have agreed to take into account other clients of the Manager whose assets are allocated to the sub-advisors by the Manager for purposes of calculating the International Equity Fund’s sub-advisory fee rate breakpoints. The Board considered that the Tocqueville Fund’s current assets did not exceed the threshold necessary to reach the first sub-advisory fee breakpoint and the current assets of the International Equity Fund allocated to ACI did not exceed the threshold necessary to reach the first sub-advisory fee breakpoint.

In addition, the Board noted the Manager’s representation that the Management Agreement contains fee schedule breakpoints at higher asset levels with respect to each Fund. In this regard, the Board considered that each Fund’s current assets did not exceed the threshold necessary to reach the first management fee breakpoint. Based on the foregoing information, the Board concluded that the Manager and sub-advisor fee rate schedules for each Fund provide for a reasonable sharing of benefits from any economies of scale with each Fund.

Benefits Derived from the Relationship with the Funds. The Board considered the “fall-out” or ancillary benefits that accrue to the Manager and/or the sub-advisors as a result of the advisory relationships with the Funds, including greater exposure in the marketplace with respect to the Manager’s or the sub-advisor’s investment process and expanding the level of assets under management by the Manager and the sub-advisors. The Board also considered that the Manager may invest the Funds’ cash balances and cash collateral provided by the borrowers of the Fund’s securities in the American Beacon U.S. Government Money Market Select Fund, which the

 

 

67


Disclosure Regarding Approval of the Management and Investment Advisory Agreements (Unaudited)

 

 

Manager manages directly, and for which the Manager receives a fee. In addition, the Board noted that each sub-advisor benefits from soft dollar arrangements for proprietary and/or third party research. Based on the foregoing information, the Board concluded that the potential benefits accruing to the Manager and the sub-advisors by virtue of their relationships with the Funds appear to be fair and reasonable.

Additional Considerations and Conclusions with Respect to Each Fund

The performance comparisons below were made for each Fund’s R5 Class shares relative to the Fund’s Broadridge Performance Universe and Morningstar Category. With respect to the Broadridge Performance Universe, the 1st Quintile represents the top 20 percent of the universe based on performance, and the 5th Quintile represents the bottom 20 percent of the universe based on performance. References to each Fund’s Broadridge Performance Universe are to the respective universe of mutual funds with comparable investment classifications and objectives as determined by Broadridge. The performance of individual firms was calculated by the Manager based on information provided by the Funds’ custodian.

In reviewing the performance, the Board viewed longer-term performance over a full market cycle, typically five years or longer, as the most important consideration because relative performance over shorter periods may be significantly impacted by market or economic events and not necessarily reflective of sub-advisor skill.

The expense comparisons below were made for each Fund’s R5 Class shares relative to the Fund’s Broadridge Expense Universe and Broadridge Expense Group, and Y Class shares relative to the Fund’s Morningstar Fee Level universe. The 1st Quintile represents the lowest 20 percent of the universe or group based on lowest total expense, and the 5th Quintile represents the highest 20 percent of the universe or group based on highest total expense. References to each Fund’s Expense Group and Expense Universe are to the respective group or universe of comparable mutual funds as determined by Broadridge. A Broadridge Expense Group consists of the Fund and a representative sample of funds with similar operating structures and asset sizes, as selected by Broadridge. A Broadridge Expense Universe includes all funds with comparable investment classifications/objectives and similar operating structures to that of the share class under review for each Fund, including funds in the Broadridge Expense Group. The Broadridge expense comparisons are based on the most recent audited financial information publicly available for a Fund as of December 31, 2021. References to each Fund’s Morningstar Fee Level ranking are to the institutional share class of comparable mutual funds as determined by Morningstar.

For each Fund, the Board considered a Fund’s Morningstar fee level category with the 1st Quintile representing the lowest 20 percent of the category constituents and the 5th Quintile representing the highest 20 percent of the category in terms of total expense.

In reviewing expenses, the Board considered the positive impact of fee waivers and the Manager’s agreement to continue the fee waivers. The Board also considered that, in connection with the change in the name of the Funds’ Institutional Class shares, the share class used for the Funds’ Morningstar Fee Level comparisons had changed from the R5 Class shares to the Y Class shares, which may have resulted in a less favorable Morningstar Fee Level Ranking for the Funds.

Additional Considerations and Conclusions with Respect to the International Equity Fund

In considering the renewal of the Management Agreement for the International Equity Fund, the Board considered the following additional factors:

Broadridge Total Expenses Excluding 12b-1 Fees and Morningstar Fee Level Ranking

 

Compared to Broadridge Expense Group

    1 st Quintile 

Compared to Broadridge Expense Universe

    1 st Quintile 

Morningstar Fee Level Ranking

    2 nd Quintile 

 

 

68


Disclosure Regarding Approval of the Management and Investment Advisory Agreements (Unaudited)

 

 

Broadridge and Morningstar Performance Analysis (five-year period ended December 31, 2021)

 

Compared to Broadridge Performance Universe

    4 th Quintile 

Compared to Morningstar Category

    3 rd Quintile 

In considering the renewal of the Investment Advisory Agreements with Causeway, Lazard and ACI, the Board considered that the diversification of investment strategies facilitated by the International Equity Fund’s multi-manager structure permits the International Equity Fund to mitigate the risks associated with a single sub-advisor. The Board also considered the following additional factors:

Sub-advisor Performance (compared to Broadridge Performance Universe for period indicated ended December 31, 2021)

 

Causeway

    5 Years         1 st Quintile 

Lazard

    5 Years         1 st Quintile 

ACI

    1 Year         3 rd Quintile 

The Board also considered: (1) the International Equity Fund’s more limited exposure to emerging market countries than the funds in its Broadridge Performance Universe and Morningstar category, and that, accordingly, the Manager expects the International Equity Fund to underperform those peer groups when emerging markets outperform developed markets; (2) and the Manager’s recommendation to continue to retain each sub-advisor.

Based on these and other considerations, the Board: (1) concluded that the fees paid to the Manager and the sub-advisors under the Management and Investment Advisory Agreements are fair and reasonable; and (2) determined that the International Equity Fund and its shareholders would benefit from the Manager’s and sub-advisors’ continued management of the International Equity Fund.

Additional Considerations and Conclusions with Respect to the Tocqueville Fund

In considering the renewal of the Management Agreement and the Investment Advisory Agreement with Tocqueville for the Tocqueville Fund, the Board considered the following additional factors:

Broadridge Total Expenses Excluding 12b-1 Fees and Morningstar Fee Level Ranking

 

Compared to Broadridge Expense Group

    3 rd Quintile 

Compared to Broadridge Expense Universe

    4 th Quintile 

Morningstar Fee Level Ranking

    5 th Quintile 

Broadridge and Morningstar Performance Analysis (five-year period ended December 31, 2021)

 

Compared to Broadridge Performance Universe

    5 th Quintile 

Compared to Morningstar Category

    5 th Quintile 

The Board also considered: (1) the Tocqueville Fund acquired all of the assets of the Tocqueville International Value Fund (“Acquired Fund”) on January 18, 2019, and the Fund’s performance prior to that date is that of the Acquired Fund; (2) certain aspects of the sub-advisor’s investment strategy have been out of favor, adversely affecting performance; and (3) the Manager’s recommendation to continue to retain the sub-advisor.

Based on these and other considerations, the Board: (1) concluded that the fees paid to the Manager and the sub-advisor under the Management and Investment Advisory Agreements are fair and reasonable; and (2) determined that the Tocqueville Fund and its shareholders would benefit from the Manager’s and sub-advisor’s continued management of the Tocqueville Fund.

 

 

69


Disclosure Regarding Liquidity Risk Management Program (Unaudited)

 

 

Rule 22e-4 under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (“Rule 22e-4”), requires open-end registered investment companies (other than money market funds) to adopt and implement a written liquidity risk management program that is reasonably designed to assess and manage liquidity risk. The Fund has adopted a Liquidity Risk Management Program (the “Program”) that is designed to assess and manage liquidity risk, which is the risk that the Fund could not meet requests to redeem its shares without significant dilution of the remaining shareholders’ interests in the Fund. Pursuant to Rule 22e-4, the Program includes the following elements:

 

   

Assessment, management, and periodic review of liquidity risk;

 

   

Classification of each of the Fund’s portfolio investments into one of four liquidity categories: highly liquid, moderately liquid, less liquid, and illiquid;

 

   

Determination and review of a highly liquid investment minimum for any Fund that does not primarily hold assets that are highly liquid investments;

 

   

Policies and procedures to respond to a shortfall in the highly liquid investment minimum, including associated reports to the Fund’s Board of Trustees (the “Board”) and the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”);

 

   

A prohibition against a Fund acquiring an illiquid investment if immediately after the acquisition the Fund would have more than 15% of its net assets invested in illiquid investments that are assets;

 

   

Reporting of breaches of the illiquid investment prohibition to the Board and the SEC; and

 

   

Policies and procedures regarding how and when a Fund will satisfy redemption requests by distributing portfolio securities or other assets.

The Manager’s Liquidity Committee administers the Program and has provided quarterly reports to the Board regarding the Fund’s liquidity risk. In addition, at the Board’s March 2-3, 2022 meetings, the Board reviewed the Liquidity Committee’s written report (“Report”) that addressed the operation of the Program and assessed the adequacy and effectiveness of its implementation from January 1, 2021 through December 31, 2021 (the “review period”).

Key conclusions that the Liquidity Committee included in the Report are listed below:

 

   

The Program is reasonably designed to assess and manage the Fund’s liquidity risk.

 

   

The operation of the Program was adequate during the review period.

 

   

There were no material changes to the Program during the review period.

 

   

The Fund included in this shareholder report was deemed to primarily hold assets that are highly liquid, and no highly liquid investment minimum was recommended.

 

   

The Program was effectively implemented by the Liquidity Committee during the review period.

 

   

Administration of the Program by the Liquidity Committee continues to be appropriate.

 

 

70


Trustees and Officers of the American Beacon FundsSM (Unaudited)

 

 

The Trustees and officers of the American Beacon Funds (the “Trust”) are listed below, together with their principal occupations during the past five years. The address of each person listed below is 220 East Las Colinas Boulevard, Suite 1200, Irving, Texas 75039. Each Trustee oversees twenty-seven funds in the fund complex that includes the Trust, the American Beacon Select Funds, and the American Beacon Institutional Funds Trust. The Trust’s Statement of Additional Information contains additional information about the Trustees and is available without charge by calling 1-800-658-5811.

 

Name, Age

  

Position, Term of

Office and Length

of Time Served

with the Trust

  

Principal Occupation(s) During Past 5 Years

and Current Directorships

INTERESTED TRUSTEES   

Term

  
  

Lifetime of Trust until removal, resignation

or retirement*

  
Eugene J. Duffy (68)**    Trustee since 2008    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 Select Funds (2008-Present); Trustee, American Beacon Institutional Funds Trust (2017-Present); Trustee, American Beacon Sound Point Enhanced Income Fund (2018–2021); Trustee, American Beacon Apollo Total Return Fund (2018–2021).
NON-INTERESTED TRUSTEES   

Term

  
   Lifetime of Trust until removal, resignation or retirement*   
Gilbert G. Alvarado (52)    Trustee since 2015    Chief Financial Officer (2022-Present), The Conrad Prebys Foundation; 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 Select Funds (2015-Present); Trustee, American Beacon Institutional Funds Trust (2017-Present); Trustee, American Beacon Sound Point Enhanced Income Fund (2018–2021); Trustee, American Beacon Apollo Total Return Fund (2018–2021).
Joseph B. Armes (60)    Trustee since 2015    Director, Switchback Energy Acquisition (2019-2021); Chairman & CEO, CSW Industrials f/k/a Capital Southwest Corporation (investment company) (2015-Present); Chairman of the Board of Capital Southwest Corporation, predecessor to CSW Industrials, Inc. (2014-2017) (investment company); President & CEO, JBA Investment Partners (family investment vehicle) (2010-Present); Director and Chair of Audit Committee, RSP Permian (oil and gas producer) (2013-2018); Trustee, American Beacon Select Funds (2015-Present); Trustee, American Beacon Institutional Funds Trust (2017-Present); 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    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. (2015-Present); Trustee, American Beacon Select Funds (2012-Present); Trustee, American Beacon Institutional Funds Trust (2017-Present); Trustee, American Beacon Sound Point Enhanced Income Fund (2018–2021); Trustee, American Beacon Apollo Total Return Fund (2018–2021).

 

 

71


Trustees and Officers of the American Beacon FundsSM (Unaudited)

 

 

Name, Age

  

Position, Term of

Office and Length

of Time Served

with the Trust

  

Principal Occupation(s) During Past 5 Years

and Current Directorships

NON-INTERESTED TRUSTEES (CONT.)   

Term

  
  

Lifetime of Trust until removal, resignation

or retirement*

  
Brenda A. Cline (61)   

Trustee since 2004

Chair since 2019

Vice Chair 2018

   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 and Open-End Funds (2017-2021);Chair, (2019-Present), Vice Chair (2018), Trustee (2004-Present), American Beacon Select Funds; Chair(2019-Present), Vice Chair(2018), Trustee(2017-Present), American Beacon Institutional Funds Trust; Chair(2019-2021), Vice Chair(2018), Trustee(2018-2021), American Beacon Sound Point Enhanced Income Fund (2018–2021); Chair(2019-2021), Vice Chair(2018), Trustee(2018-2021), American Beacon Apollo Total Return Fund (2018–2021).
Claudia A. Holz (65)    Trustee since 2018    Independent Director, Blue Owl Capital Inc. (2021-Present); Partner, KPMG LLP (1990 – 2017); Trustee, American Beacon Select Funds (2018-Present); Trustee, American Beacon Institutional Funds Trust (2018-Present); Trustee, American Beacon Sound Point Enhanced Income Fund (2018–2021); Trustee, American Beacon Apollo Total Return Fund (2018–2021).
Douglas A. Lindgren (60)    Trustee since 2018    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 Select Funds (2018-Present); Trustee, American Beacon Institutional Funds Trust (2018-Present); Trustee, American Beacon Sound Point Enhanced Income Fund (2018–2021); Trustee, American Beacon Apollo Total Return Fund (2018–2021).
Barbara J. McKenna, CFA (59)    Trustee since 2012    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 Select Funds (2012-Present); Trustee, American Beacon Institutional Funds Trust (2017-Present); Trustee, American Beacon Sound Point Enhanced Income Fund (2018–2021); Trustee, American Beacon Apollo Total Return Fund (2018–2021).
OFFICERS   

Term

  
   One Year   
Jeffrey K. Ringdahl (47)   

President since 2022

Vice President (2010-2022)

   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 & 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

 

 

72


Trustees and Officers of the American Beacon FundsSM (Unaudited)

 

 

Name, Age

  

Position, Term of

Office and Length

of Time Served

with the Trust

  

Principal Occupation(s) During Past 5 Years

and Current Directorships

OFFICERS (CONT.)   

Term

  
   One Year   
      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, 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), Vice President (2014-2022), American Beacon Cayman Managed Futures Strategy Fund, Ltd.; Director (2018-Present), President (2022-Present), (Vice President (2018-2022), American Beacon Cayman TargetRisk Company, Ltd; President (2022-Present); Vice President (2010-2022), American Beacon Select Funds; President (2022-Present), Vice President (2017-2022), American Beacon Institutional Funds Trust; Vice President (2018-2021), American Beacon Sound Point Enhanced Income Fund; Vice President (2018-2021), American Beacon Apollo Total Return Fund.
Rosemary K. Behan (63)   

VP, Secretary and

Chief Legal

Officer since 2006

   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, L.L.C. (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 (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); Chief Legal Officer, Vice President and Secretary, American Beacon Select Funds (2006-Present); Chief Legal Officer, Vice President and Secretary, American Beacon Institutional Funds Trust (2017-Present); Chief Legal Officer, Vice President and Secretary, American Beacon Sound Point Enhanced Income Fund (2018-2021); Chief Legal Officer, Vice President and Secretary, American Beacon Apollo Total Return Fund (2018-2021).
Gregory J. Stumm (41)    VP since 2022    Senior Vice President (2022-Present), American Beacon Advisors, Inc.; Senior Vice President (2022-Present), Resolute Investment Managers, Inc.; Director and Senior Vice President (2022-Present), Resolute Investment Distributors, Inc.; Senior Vice President (2022-Present), Resolute Investment Services, Inc.; Vice President (2022-Present), American Beacon Select Funds; Vice President (2022-Present), American Beacon Institutional Funds Trust.

 

 

73


Trustees and Officers of the American Beacon FundsSM (Unaudited)

 

 

Name, Age

  

Position, Term of

Office and Length

of Time Served

with the Trust

  

Principal Occupation(s) During Past 5 Years

and Current Directorships

OFFICERS (CONT.)   

Term

  
   One Year   
Paul B. Cavazos (53)    VP since 2016    Chief Investment Officer and Senior Vice President, American Beacon Advisors, Inc. (2016-Present); American Private Equity Management, L.L.C. (2017–Present); Vice President, American Beacon Select Funds (2016-Present); Vice President, American Beacon Institutional Funds Trust (2017-Present); Vice President, American Beacon Sound Point Enhanced Income Fund (2018-2021); Vice President, American Beacon Apollo Total Return Fund (2018-2021).
Erica Duncan (52)    VP since 2011    Vice President, American Beacon Advisors, Inc. (2011-Present); Vice President, Resolute Investment Managers (2018-Present); Vice President, Resolute Investment Services, Inc. (2018-Present); Vice President, American Beacon Select Funds (2011-Present); Vice President, American Beacon Institutional Funds Trust (2017-Present); 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)    VP 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 and CFO, 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. (2018-Present); Principal Accounting Officer and Treasurer (2010-2021); American Beacon Funds; Vice President (2021-Present), Principal Accounting Officer (2017-2021) and Treasurer (2010-2021), American Beacon Select Funds; Vice President (2021–Present), Principal Accounting Officer and Treasurer (2017-2021), American Beacon Institutional Funds Trust; Vice President (2021), Principal Accounting Officer and Treasurer (2018-2021), American Beacon Sound Point Enhanced Income Fund; Vice President (2021), Principal Accounting Officer and Treasurer, American Beacon Apollo Total Return Fund (2018-2021).
Terri L. McKinney (58)    VP since 2010    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 Select Funds (2010-Present); Vice President, American Beacon Institutional Funds Trust (2017-Present); Vice President, American Beacon Sound Point Enhanced Income Fund (2018-2021); Vice President, American Beacon Apollo Total Return Fund (2018-2021).
Samuel J. Silver (59)    VP since 2011    Vice President (2011-Present), Chief Fixed Income Officer (2016-Present), American Beacon Advisors, Inc.; Vice President, American Beacon Select Funds (2011-Present); Vice President, American Beacon Institutional Funds Trust (2017-Present); Vice President, American Beacon Sound Point Enhanced Income Fund (2018-2021); Vice President, American Beacon Apollo Total Return Fund (2018-2021).

 

 

74


Trustees and Officers of the American Beacon FundsSM (Unaudited)

 

 

Name, Age

  

Position, Term of

Office and Length

of Time Served

with the Trust

  

Principal Occupation(s) During Past 5 Years

and Current Directorships

OFFICERS (CONT.)   

Term

  
   One Year   
Christina E. Sears (51)   

Chief Compliance

Officer since 2004

   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 (2017-Present); Vice President, Resolute Investment Services, Inc. (2019-Present); Chief Compliance Officer, American Private Equity Management, L.L.C. (2012-Present); Chief Compliance Officer, Green Harvest Asset Management, LLC (2019-2021); Chief Compliance Officer, RSW Investments Holdings, LLC (2019-Present); Chief Compliance Officer (2016-2019) and Vice President (2016-2020), Alpha Quant Advisors, LLC ; Chief Compliance Officer (2018-2019), Vice President (2018-2022), Continuous Capital, LLC; Assistant Secretary, American Beacon Funds (1999-Present); Chief Compliance Officer (2004-Present) and Assistant Secretary (1999-Present), American Beacon Select Funds; Chief Compliance Officer and Assistant Secretary, American Beacon Institutional Funds Trust (2017-Present); 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).
Sonia L. Bates (65)    Principal Accounting Officer and Treasurer since 2021    Assistant Treasurer, American Beacon Advisors, Inc. (2011-2018); Director, Fund and Tax Reporting (2011-Present), 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), Assistant Treasurer (2018-2022), American Beacon Cayman TargetRisk Company, Ltd.; Assistant Treasurer, American Beacon Funds (2011-2021); Principal Accounting Officer and Treasurer (2021-Present), Assistant Treasurer (2011-2021), American Beacon Select Funds; Principal Accounting Officer and Treasurer (2021-Present), Assistant Treasurer (2017-2021), American Beacon Institutional Funds Trust; Principal Accounting Officer and Treasurer (2021), Assistant Treasurer (2018-2021), American Beacon Sound Point Enhanced Income Fund; Principal Accounting Officer and Treasurer (2021), Assistant Treasurer (2018-2021), American Beacon Apollo Total Return Fund.
Shelley L. Dyson (52)    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 Select Funds (2021-Present); Assistant Treasurer, American Beacon Institutional Funds Trust (2021-Present); Assistant Treasurer, American Beacon Sound Point Enhanced Income Fund (2021); Assistant Treasurer, American Beacon Apollo Total Return Fund (2021).
Shelley D. Abrahams (47)    Assistant Secretary since 2008    Senior Corporate Governance & Regulatory Specialist (2020-Present), 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 Select Funds (2008-Present); Assistant Secretary, American Beacon Institutional Funds Trust (2017-Present); Assistant Secretary, American Beacon Sound Point Enhanced Income Fund (2018-2021); Assistant Secretary, American Beacon Apollo Total Return Fund (2018-2021).

 

 

75


Trustees and Officers of the American Beacon FundsSM (Unaudited)

 

 

Name, Age

  

Position, Term of

Office and Length

of Time Served

with the Trust

  

Principal Occupation(s) During Past 5 Years

and Current Directorships

OFFICERS (CONT.)   

Term

  
   One Year   
Rebecca L. Harris (55)    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 (2015-Present), Resolute Investment Services; Vice President, Alpha Quant Advisors, LLC (2016-2020); Vice President (2018-2022), Director (2022) Continuous Capital, LLC; Director, National Investment Services of American, LLC (2022-Present); Director, RSW Investments Holdings LLC (2022-Present); Director Shapiro Capital Management LLC (2022-Present); Director, SSI Investment Management LLC (2022-Present); Assistant Secretary, American Beacon Funds (2010-2022); Vice President (2022-Present), Assistant Secretary (2010-2022), American Beacon Select Funds; Vice President (2022-Present), Assistant Secretary (2017-2022), American Beacon Institutional Funds Trust; Assistant Secretary, American Beacon Sound Point Enhanced Income Fund (2018-2021); Assistant Secretary, American Beacon Apollo Total Return Fund (2018-2021).
Teresa A. Oxford (64)    Assistant Secretary since 2015    Assistant Secretary and Associate General Counsel, American Beacon Advisors, Inc. (2015-Present); Assistant Secretary, Resolute Investment Distributors (2018-2021); Assistant Secretary and Associate General Counsel, Resolute Investment Managers, Inc. (2017-Present); Assistant Secretary and Associate General Counsel, Resolute Investment Services (2018-Present); Assistant Secretary, Alpha Quant Advisors, LLC (2016-2020); Assistant Secretary, Continuous Capital, LLC (2020-2022); Assistant Secretary, American Beacon Select Funds (2015-Present); Assistant Secretary, American Beacon Institutional Funds Trust (2017-Present); Assistant Secretary, American Beacon Sound Point Enhanced Income Fund (2018-2021); Assistant Secretary, American Beacon Apollo Total Return Fund (2018-2021).
Michael D. Jiang (37)    Assistant Secretary since 2021    Assistant Secretary (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) and 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 Select Funds (2021-Present); Assistant Secretary, American Beacon Institutional Funds Trust (2021-Present); Assistant Secretary, American Beacon Sound Point Enhanced Income Fund (2021); Assistant Secretary, American Beacon Apollo Total Return Fund (2021).

* As of 11/12/2014, the Board adopted a retirement plan 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 being 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.

 

 

76


American Beacon FundsSM

Privacy Policy

October 31, 2022 (Unaudited)

 

 

The American Beacon Funds recognize and respect the privacy of our shareholders. We are providing this notice to you so you will understand how shareholder information may be collected and used.

We may collect nonpublic personal information about you from one or more of the following sources:

 

   

information we receive from you on applications or other forms;

 

   

information about your transactions with us or our service providers; and

 

   

information we receive from third parties.

We do not disclose any nonpublic personal information about our customers or former customers to anyone, except as permitted by law.

We restrict access to your nonpublic personal information to those employees or service providers who need to know that information to provide products or services to you. To ensure the confidentiality of your nonpublic personal information, we maintain safeguards that comply with federal standards.

 

 

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80


LOGO

 

 

 

Delivery of Documents

Shareholder reports are available online at www.americanbeaconfunds.com/reports. Please be advised that reports are no longer sent by mail. Instead, the reports are made available online, and you will be notified by mail each time a report is posted online. You will be provided with a website link to access the report. You may elect to receive all future reports in paper free of charge. You can request to continue receiving paper copies by calling 1-866-345-5954, or you may directly inform your financial intermediary. Detailed instructions are also included in your report notifications.

If you invest in the Fund through a financial institution, you may be able to receive the Fund’s regulatory mailings, such as the Prospectus, Annual Report and Semi-Annual Report, by e-mail. If you are interested in this option, please go to www.icsdelivery.com and search for your financial institution’s name or contact your financial institution directly.

To obtain more information about the Fund:

 

LOGO   LOGO
 
By E-mail:   On the Internet:
american_beacon.funds@ambeacon.com   Visit our website at www.americanbeaconfunds.com
   
     
 

LOGO

By Telephone:

Call (800) 658-5811

 

LOGO

By Mail:

American Beacon Funds

P.O. Box 219643

Kansas City, MO 64121-9643

     
Availability of Quarterly Portfolio Schedules   Availability of Proxy Voting Policy and Records
 
In addition to the Schedule of Investments provided in each semi-annual and annual report, the Fund files a complete schedule of its portfolio holdings with the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) on Form N-PORT as of the end of each fiscal quarter. The Fund’s Forms N-PORT are available on the SEC’s website at www.sec.gov. The Forms N-PORT may also be reviewed and copied at the SEC’s Public Reference Section, 100 F Street, NE, Washington, D.C. 20549-2736. Information regarding the operation of the SEC’s Public Reference Room may be obtained by calling (800)-SEC-0330. A complete schedule of the Fund’s portfolio holdings is also available at www.americanbeaconfunds.com approximately twenty days after the end of each month.   A description of the policies and procedures the Fund uses to determine how to vote proxies relating to portfolio securities is available in the Fund’s Statement of Additional Information, is available free of charge on the Fund’s website www.americanbeaconfunds.com and by calling 1-800-967-9009 or by accessing the SEC’s website at www.sec.gov. The Fund’s proxy voting record for the most recent year ended June 30 is filed annually with the SEC on Form N-PX. The Fund’s Forms N-PX are available on the SEC’s website at www.sec.gov. The Fund’s proxy voting record may also be obtained by calling 1-800-967-9009.

Fund Service Providers:

 

CUSTODIAN

State Street Bank and Trust Company

Boston, Massachusetts

   

TRANSFER AGENT

DST Asset Manager Solutions, Inc.

Quincy, Massachusetts

   

INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM

PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP

Boston, Massachusetts

   

DISTRIBUTOR

Resolute Investment Distributors, Inc.

Irving, Texas

This report is prepared for shareholders of the American Beacon Funds and may be distributed to others only if preceded or accompanied by a current Prospectus or Summary Prospectus.

 

American Beacon Funds, American Beacon International Equity Fund and American Beacon Tocqueville International Value Fund are service marks of American Beacon Advisors, Inc.

AR 10/22


LOGO


About American Beacon Advisors

 

Since 1986, American Beacon Advisors, Inc. has offered a variety of products and investment advisory services to numerous institutional and retail clients, including a variety of mutual funds, corporate cash management, and separate account management.

Our clients include defined benefit plans, defined contribution plans, foundations, endowments, corporations, financial planners, and other institutional investors. With American Beacon Advisors, you can put the experience of a multi-billion dollar asset management firm to work for your company.

LARGE CAP VALUE FUND

Investing in value stocks may limit downside risk over time; however, the Fund may produce more modest gains than riskier stock funds as a trade-off for this potentially lower risk. Investing in foreign securities may involve heightened risk due to currency fluctuations and economic and political risks. The use of futures contracts for cash management may subject the Fund to losing more money than invested. The Fund participates in a securities lending program. Please see the prospectus for a complete discussion of the Fund’s risks. There can be no assurances that the investment objectives of this Fund will be met.

Any opinions herein, including forecasts, reflect our judgment as of the end of the reporting period and are subject to change. Each advisor’s strategies and the Fund’s portfolio composition will change depending on economic and market conditions. This report is not a complete analysis of market conditions and therefore, should not be relied upon as investment advice. Although economic and market information has been compiled from reliable sources, American Beacon Advisors, Inc. makes no representation as to the completeness or accuracy of the statements contained herein.

 

American Beacon Funds

October 31, 2022


Contents

 

 

President’s Message

    1  

Market and Performance Overviews

    2  

Expense Examples

    6  

Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

    8  

Schedule of Investments:

 

American Beacon Large Cap Value Fund

    9  

Financial Statements

    16  

Notes to Financial Statements

    19  

Financial Highlights:

 

American Beacon Large Cap Value Fund

    40  

Federal Tax Information

    47  

Disclosure Regarding Approval of the Management and Investment Advisory Agreements

    48  

Disclosure Regarding Liquidity Risk Management Program

    53  

Trustees and Officers of the American Beacon Funds

    54  

Privacy Policy

    61  

Additional Fund Information

    Back Cover  


President’s Message

 

 

LOGO  

Dear Shareholders,

 

Warren E. Buffett, the “Oracle of Omaha” and billionaire chairman and CEO of Berkshire Hathaway, once said, “Predicting rain doesn’t count. Building arks does.”

 

Mr. Buffet’s plain-spoken words make a great deal of common sense. Figuring out when the next dangerous storm may occur could prove to be an effort in futility if we haven’t also devised a plan for preserving our physical well-being when the thunder rolls and the lightning strikes. The time to build a shelter is before the storm clouds appear on the horizon. The same can also be said about our investment portfolios. Careful planning and fine-tuning can be especially important as we seek to preserve and grow our investment portfolios during periods of economic uncertainty - particularly as we consider the effects of higher inflation, slower economic growth and geopolitical

concerns such as Russia’s war with Ukraine.

None of us has the ability to foresee the future – not even the Oracle of Omaha. To help your investment portfolio weather storms over the long term, we encourage you to work with financial professionals to develop your personal savings plan, conduct annual plan reviews, and make thoughtful, purposeful plan adjustments to better manage your evolving financial needs and goals. By investing in different investment styles and asset classes, you may be able to help mitigate financial risks across your portfolio. By allocating your portfolio according to your risk-tolerance level, you may be better positioned to withstand short-term crises. Through careful planning, you will be better positioned to achieve enduring financial success.

Since 1986, American Beacon has endeavored to provide investors with a disciplined approach to realizing long-term financial goals. As a manager of managers, we strive to provide investment products that may enable investors to participate during market upswings while potentially insulating against market downswings. The investment teams behind our mutual funds seek to produce consistent, long-term results rather than focus only on short-term movements in the markets. In managing our investment products, we emphasize identifying opportunities that offer the potential for long-term financial rewards.

Thank you for entrusting your financial success with American Beacon. For additional information about our investment products or to access your account information, please visit our website at www.americanbeaconfunds.com.

Best Regards,

 

 

LOGO

Jeffrey K. Ringdahl

President

American Beacon Funds

 

 

1


Domestic Equity Market Overview

October 31, 2022 (Unaudited)

 

 

U.S. equities posted negative returns for the 12-month period ended October 31, 2022. The broader market, as measured by the Russell 3000® Index, posted a 16.52% loss. Smaller companies led the drawdown with the Russell 2000® Index falling 18.54%. Mid- and large-cap companies followed with losses of 17.17% and 16.38% for the Russell Midcap® and Russell 1000® indexes, respectively. On a relative basis, Value significantly outperformed Growth, with the Russell 3000® Value Index down 7.25% and the Russell 3000® Growth Index down 24.67%. The overall drawdown occurred in fits and starts due to high volatility around geopolitical risks, persistently higher-than-desired inflation, tighter monetary policy from the Federal Reserve (“Fed”) and recession worries.

The period started on a volatile note in November and December of 2021 following news of a new COVID-19 omicron variant, rising inflation and more hawkish comments from the Fed. Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in early 2022 further exacerbated supply chain issues, inflation and overall global uncertainty. Persistently higher-than-expected inflation and a clear shift from the Fed with interest rate increases drove U.S. equities lower through the first and second quarters of 2022. The market had a relief rally at the beginning of the third quarter of 2022 based on some improvement in broader inflation data and hopes that the Fed would pivot sooner rather than later. However, stocks reversed course downward as the Fed committed to continuing to raise rates. October 2022 saw a rebound on the back of solid GDP growth and hopes that the Fed was nearing their terminal rate.

With regard to monetary policy, a strong labor market combined with high inflation resulted in the Fed’s shift toward tighter monetary policy earlier in the year. The Fed began to raise rates in March 2022 with a 25 basis-point (0.25%) increase, followed by a 50 basis-point (0.50%) increase in May, and four consecutive increases of 75 basis points (0.75%) in June, July, September and November. Following the latest increase, the target for the federal funds rate is now 3.75% to 4.0%. Separately, the Fed began reducing the size of its balance sheet in June via quantitative tightening, which is projected to continue and may add upward pressure to longer-term interest rates. At period end, the consensus view was another 50 basis-point (0.50%) increase in December with a terminal rate approximating 5%.

The yield curve remained inverted as longer-term U.S. Treasuries pointed to expectations of either weak economic growth, lower inflation or a Fed pivot; shorter-term rates would indicate the Fed may continue to struggle to curb inflation and balance the tight labor market. The concern is that an inverted yield curve is often viewed as a precursor to a recession. Therefore, investors will likely be monitoring future economic data and the Fed’s policy responses while hoping for resiliency in the economy.

 

 

2


American Beacon Large Cap Value FundSM

Performance Overview

October 31, 2022 (Unaudited)

 

 

The Investor Class of the American Beacon Large Cap Value Fund (the “Fund”) returned -6.04% for the twelve months ended October 31, 2022, outperforming the Russell 1000® Value Index (the “Index”) return of -7.00% for the same period.

Comparison of Changes in Value of a $10,000 Investment for the period 10/31/2012 through 10/31/2022

 

 

LOGO

 

Total Returns for the Period ended Oct 31, 2022

 

      

Ticker

    

1 Year

  

3 Years

    

5 Years

  

10 Years

  

Value of  $10,000
10/31/2012-
10/31/2022

R5 Class (1,6)

     AADEX          (5.75 )%        9.25 %          7.84 %        10.57 %      $ 27,320       

Y Class (1,6)

     ABLYX          (5.81 )%        9.19 %          7.76 %        10.49 %      $ 27,116       

Investor Class (1,6)

     AAGPX          (6.04 )%        8.89 %          7.48 %        10.20 %      $ 26,424       

Advisor Class (1,6)

     AVASX          (6.17 )%        8.78 %          7.34 %        10.05 %      $ 26,055       

A Class without sales charge (1,2,6)

     ALVAX          (5.96 )%        8.93 %          7.49 %        10.16 %      $ 26,314       

A Class with sales Charge (1,2,6)

     ALVAX          (11.37 )%        6.80 %          6.23 %        9.51 %      $ 24,796       

C Class without sales charge (1,3,6)

     ALVCX          (6.74 )%        8.13 %          6.73 %        9.53 %      $ 24,843       

C Class with sales charge (1,3,6)

     ALVCX          (7.74 )%        8.13 %          6.73 %        9.53 %      $ 24,843       

R6 Class (1,4,6)

     AALRX          (5.72 )%        9.32 %          7.88 %        10.59 %      $ 27,370       
                                 

Russell 1000® Value Index (5)

              (7.00 )%        7.31 %          7.21 %        10.30 %      $ 26,647       

 

1.

Performance shown is historical and is not indicative of future returns. Investment returns and principal value will vary, and shares may be worth more or less at redemption than at original purchase. Performance shown is calculated based on the published end of day net asset values as of date indicated, and current performance may be lower or higher than the performance data quoted. To obtain performance as of the most recent month end, please visit www.americanbeaconfunds.com or call 1-800-967-9009. Fund performance in the table above does not reflect the deduction of taxes a shareholder would pay on distributions or the redemption of shares. Generally accepted accounting principles require adjustments to be made to the net assets of the Fund at period end for financial reporting purposes only; and as such, the total return based on the unadjusted net asset value per share may differ from the total return reported in the financial highlights.

 

2.

A Class shares have a maximum sales charge of 5.75%.

 

 

3


American Beacon Large Cap Value FundSM

Performance Overview

October 31, 2022 (Unaudited)

 

 

3.

A portion of the fees charged to the C Class was waived in 2018. Performance prior to waiving fees was lower than the actual returns shown for 2018. C Class shares have a maximum contingent deferred sales charge of 1.00% for shares redeemed within one year of the date of purchase.

 

4.

Fund performance for the ten-year period represents the returns achieved by the R5 Class prior to 2/28/17, the inception date of the R6 Class, and the returns of the R6 Class since its inception. Expenses of the R6 Class are lower than those of the R5 Class. As a result, total returns shown may be lower than they would have been had the R6 Class been in existence since 10/31/12. A portion of the fees charged to the R6 Class of the Fund were waived from Class inception to 2020. Performance prior to waiving fees was lower than the actual returns shown for 2017 to 2020.

 

5.

The Russell 1000® Value Index is an unmanaged index of those stocks in the Russell 1000 Index with lower price-to-book ratios and lower forecasted growth values. Russell 1000 Value Index and Russell 1000 Index are registered trademarks of Frank Russell Company. American Beacon Funds is not promoted, sponsored or endorsed by, nor in any way affiliated with the London Stock Exchange Group plc and its group undertakings (collectively, the “LSE Group”). FTSE Russell is a trading name of certain of the LSE Group companies. LSE Group is not responsible for and has not reviewed the American Beacon Large Cap Value Fund nor any associated literature or publications and LSE Group makes no representation or warranty, express or implied, as to their accuracy, or completeness, or otherwise. All rights in the Russell 1000 Value Index (the “ Index”) vest in the relevant LSE Group company which owns the Index. Russell 1000® is a trademark of the relevant LSE Group company and is used by any other LSE Group company under license. The Index is calculated by or on behalf of FTSE International Limited or its affiliate, agent or partner. The LSE Group does not accept any liability whatsoever to any person arising out of (a) the use of, reliance on or any error in the Index or (b) investment in or operation of the Fund. The LSE Group makes no claim, prediction, warranty or representation either as to the results to be obtained from the Fund or the suitability of the Index for the purpose to which it is being put by the Manager. One cannot directly invest in an index.

 

6.

The Total Annual Fund Operating Expense ratios set forth in the most recent Fund prospectus for the R5, Y, Investor, Advisor, A, C, and R6 Class shares were 0.63%, 0.69%, 0.98%, 1.10%, 0.96%, 1.68%, and 0.60%, respectively. The expense ratios above may vary from the expense ratios presented in other sections of this report that are based on expenses incurred during the period covered by this report.

The Fund outperformed the Index during the period due to both positive security selection and sector allocation.

The Fund’s security selections in the Health Care, Real Estate and Information Technology sectors contributed positively to returns relative to the Index. In the Health Care sector, contributors included Elevance Health, Inc. (up 27.0%) and Cigna Corp. (up 53.6%). Contributors in the Real Estate sector included VICI Properties, Inc. (up 7.5%) and MGM Growth Properties LLC (up 9.0%). Within the Information Technology sector, Workday, Inc. (up 3.6%) contributed positively to relative returns. Conversely, security selections in the Materials and Industrials sectors detracted from relative performance. In the Materials sector, detractors included International Flavors & Fragrances (down 32.5%) and DuPont de Nemours, Inc. (down 24.3%). In the Industrials sector, Stanley Black & Decker, Inc. (down 55.2%) and Vertiv Holdings Co. (down 41.4%) detracted from returns relative to the Index.

From a sector allocation perspective, an overweight allocation to the Energy sector (up 65.5%) and an underweight allocation to the Communication Services sector (down 28.9%) contributed positively to relative performance. Conversely, underweight allocations to the Consumer Staples sector (up 5.4%) and Health Care sector (up 3.4%) detracted from relative returns during the period.

 

 

4


American Beacon Large Cap Value FundSM

Performance Overview

October 31, 2022 (Unaudited)

 

 

The sub-advisors continue to invest in a broadly diversified portfolio of companies that they believe have attractive valuations and above-average earnings growth potential. This approach should allow the Fund to benefit over the longer term.

 

Top Ten Holdings (% Net Assets)        
Wells Fargo & Co.           2.2  
Elevance Health, Inc.           2.0  
Hess Corp.           1.9  
General Electric Co.           1.9  
American International Group, Inc.           1.9  
Citigroup, Inc.           1.8  
Comcast Corp., Class A           1.7  
Merck & Co., Inc.           1.7  
Pioneer Natural Resources Co.           1.6  
Oracle Corp.           1.4  
Total Fund Holdings      161       
       
Sector Allocation (% Equities)        
Financials           22.3  
Health Care           15.5  
Industrials           14.8  
Energy           10.8  
Information Technology           10.7  
Consumer Discretionary           7.3  
Communication Services           5.9  
Materials           4.6  
Utilities           3.5  
Consumer Staples           3.0  
Real Estate           1.6  

 

 

5


American Beacon Large Cap Value FundSM

Expense Examples

October 31, 2022 (Unaudited)

 

 

Fund Expense Example

As a shareholder of a Fund, you incur two types of costs: (1) transaction costs, including sales charges (loads) on purchase payments and redemption fees, if applicable, and (2) ongoing costs, including management fees, distribution (12b-1) fees, sub-transfer agent fees, and other Fund expenses. The Examples are intended to help you understand the ongoing cost (in dollars) of investing in the Funds and to compare these costs with the ongoing costs of investing in other mutual funds. The Examples are based on an investment of $1,000 invested at the beginning of the period in each Class and held for the entire period from May 1, 2022 through October 31, 2022.

Actual Expenses

The “Actual” lines of the tables provide information about actual account values and actual expenses. You may use the information on this page, together with the amount you invested, to estimate the expenses that you paid over the period. Simply divide your account value by $1,000 (for example, an $8,600 account value divided by $1,000 = $8.60), then multiply the result by the “Expenses Paid During Period” to estimate the expenses you paid on your account during this period. Shareholders of the Investor and R5 Classes that invest in the Funds through an IRA or Roth IRA may be subject to a custodial IRA fee of $15 that is typically deducted each December. If your account was subject to a custodial IRA fee during the period, your costs would have been $15 higher.

Hypothetical Example for Comparison Purposes

The “Hypothetical” lines of the tables provide information about hypothetical account values and hypothetical expenses based on the Funds’ actual expense ratio and an assumed 5% per year rate of return before expenses (not the Funds’ actual return). You may compare the ongoing costs of investing in the Funds with other funds by contrasting this 5% hypothetical example and the 5% hypothetical examples that appear in the shareholder reports of the other funds. The hypothetical account values and expenses may not be used to estimate the actual ending account balance or expenses you paid for the period. Shareholders of the Investor and R5 Classes that invest in the Funds through an IRA or Roth IRA may be subject to a custodial IRA fee of $15 that is typically deducted each December. If your account was subject to a custodial IRA fee during the period, your costs would have been $15 higher.

You should also be aware that the expenses shown in the table highlight only your ongoing costs and do not reflect any transaction costs charged by the Funds, such as sales charges (loads) or redemption fees, as applicable. Similarly, the expense examples for other funds do not reflect any transaction costs charged by those funds, such as sales charges (loads), redemption fees or exchange fees. Therefore, the “Hypothetical” lines of the tables are useful in comparing ongoing costs only and will not help you determine the relative total costs of owning different funds. If you were subject to any transaction costs during the period, your costs would have been higher.

 

 

6


American Beacon Large Cap Value FundSM

Expense Examples

October 31, 2022 (Unaudited)

 

 

American Beacon Large Cap Value Fund

 

    Beginning Account Value
5/1/2022
  Ending Account Value
10/31/2022
  Expenses Paid During
Period
5/1/2022-10/31/2022*
R5 Class            
Actual       $1,000.00       $999.60       $3.23
Hypothetical**       $1,000.00       $1,021.98       $3.26
Y Class            
Actual       $1,000.00       $999.20       $3.58
Hypothetical**       $1,000.00       $1,021.63       $3.62
Investor Class            
Actual       $1,000.00       $997.90       $4.83
Hypothetical**       $1,000.00       $1,020.37       $4.89
Advisor Class            
Actual       $1,000.00       $997.40       $5.59
Hypothetical**       $1,000.00       $1,019.61       $5.65
A Class            
Actual       $1,000.00       $998.30       $4.63
Hypothetical**       $1,000.00       $1,020.57       $4.69
C Class            
Actual       $1,000.00       $994.30       $8.60
Hypothetical**       $1,000.00       $1,016.59       $8.69
R6 Class            
Actual       $1,000.00       $999.60       $3.07
Hypothetical**       $1,000.00       $1,022.13       $3.11

 

*

Expenses are equal to the Fund’s annualized expense ratios for the six-month period of 0.64%, 0.71%, 0.96%, 1.11%, 0.92%, 1.71%, and 0.61% for the R5, Y, Investor, Advisor, A, C, and R6 Classes, respectively, multiplied by the average account value over the period, multiplied by the number derived by dividing the number of days in the most recent fiscal half-year (184) by days in the year (365) to reflect the half-year period.

**

5% return before expenses.

 

 

7


American Beacon Large Cap Value FundSM

Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

 

 

To the Board of Trustees of American Beacon Funds and Shareholders of American Beacon Large Cap Value Fund

Opinion on the Financial Statements

We have audited the accompanying statement of assets and liabilities, including the schedule of investments, of American Beacon Large Cap Value Fund (one of the series constituting American Beacon Funds, referred to hereafter as the “Fund”) as of October 31, 2022, the related statements of operations and of changes in net assets for the year ended October 31, 2022, including the related notes, and the financial highlights for the year ended October 31, 2022 (collectively referred to as the “financial statements”). In our opinion, the financial statements present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of the Fund as of October 31, 2022, the results of its operations, the changes in its net assets, and the financial highlights for the year ended October 31, 2022, in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America.

The financial statements of the Fund as of and for the year ended October 31, 2021 and the financial highlights for each of the periods ended on or prior to October 31, 2021 (not presented herein, other than the statement of changes in net assets and the financial highlights) were audited by other auditors whose report dated December 30, 2021 expressed an unqualified opinion on those financial statements and financial highlights.

Basis for Opinion

These financial statements are the responsibility of the Fund’s management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on the Fund’s financial statements based on our audit. We are a public accounting firm registered with the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States) (PCAOB) and are required to be independent with respect to the Funds in accordance with the U.S. federal securities laws and the applicable rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission and the PCAOB.

We conducted our audit of these financial statements in accordance with the standards of the PCAOB. Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material misstatement, whether due to error or fraud.

Our audit included performing procedures to assess the risks of material misstatement of the financial statements, whether due to error or fraud, and performing procedures that respond to those risks. Such procedures included examining, on a test basis, evidence regarding the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. Our audit also included evaluating the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall presentation of the financial statements. Our procedures included confirmation of securities owned as of October 31, 2022 by correspondence with the custodians, and brokers; when replies were not received from brokers, we performed other auditing procedures. We believe that our audit provides a reasonable basis for our opinion.

/s/ PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP

Boston, Massachusetts

December 30, 2022

We have served as the auditor of one or more investment companies in the American Beacon family of funds since 2016.

 

 

8


American Beacon Large Cap Value FundSM

Schedule of Investments

October 31, 2022

 

 

    Shares       Fair Value
             
COMMON STOCKS - 96.88%            
Communication Services - 5.70%            
Entertainment - 1.24%            
Electronic Arts, Inc.A       167,147         $ 21,053,836
Warner Bros Discovery, Inc.A       1,449,200           18,839,600
           

 

 

 
              39,893,436
           

 

 

 
           
Interactive Media & Services - 0.73%            
Alphabet, Inc., Class AA       248,700           23,504,637
           

 

 

 
           
Media - 2.88%            
Altice USA, Inc., Class AA       634,974           4,197,178
Charter Communications, Inc., Class AA       30,006           11,030,806
Comcast Corp., Class A       1,761,427           55,907,693
News Corp., Class A       647,700           10,926,699
Omnicom Group, Inc.       77,578           5,643,799
Paramount Global, Class B       268,800           4,924,416
           

 

 

 
              92,630,591
           

 

 

 
           
Wireless Telecommunication Services - 0.85%            
T-Mobile U.S., Inc.A       107,634           16,313,009
Vodafone Group PLC, ADR       940,050           11,101,991
           

 

 

 
              27,415,000
           

 

 

 
           

Total Communication Services

              183,443,664
           

 

 

 
           
Consumer Discretionary - 7.06%            
Auto Components - 1.06%            
Adient PLCA       114,098           3,991,148
Aptiv PLCA       84,900           7,731,843
Goodyear Tire & Rubber Co.A       249,500           3,168,650
Magna International, Inc.       348,100           19,399,613
           

 

 

 
              34,291,254
           

 

 

 
           
Automobiles - 0.99%            
General Motors Co.A       810,032           31,793,756
           

 

 

 
           
Hotels, Restaurants & Leisure - 2.05%            
Aramark       543,424           19,834,976
Booking Holdings, Inc.A       4,200           7,851,816
Las Vegas Sands Corp.A       703,796           26,751,286
Marriott International, Inc., Class A A       71,773           11,491,575
           

 

 

 
              65,929,653
           

 

 

 
           
Multiline Retail - 1.48%            
Dollar General Corp.       135,801           34,636,045
Target Corp.       78,974           12,971,480
           

 

 

 
              47,607,525
           

 

 

 
           
Specialty Retail - 1.48%            
Advance Auto Parts, Inc.       113,844           21,621,252
Lithia Motors, Inc.       30,709           6,084,988
Lowe’s Cos., Inc.       102,046           19,893,868
           

 

 

 
              47,600,108
           

 

 

 
           

Total Consumer Discretionary

              227,222,296
           

 

 

 
           

 

See accompanying notes

 

9


American Beacon Large Cap Value FundSM

Schedule of Investments

October 31, 2022

 

 

    Shares       Fair Value
             
COMMON STOCKS - 96.88% (continued)            
Consumer Staples - 2.91%            
Beverages - 0.82%            
Diageo PLC, ADR       84,118         $ 14,045,182
PepsiCo, Inc.       68,153           12,375,222
           

 

 

 
              26,420,404
           

 

 

 
           
Food Products - 0.55%            
Archer-Daniels-Midland Co.       41,933           4,066,662
Nestle SA, ADR       126,098           13,708,114
           

 

 

 
              17,774,776
           

 

 

 
           
Household Products - 0.40%            
Kimberly-Clark Corp.       66,061           8,221,952
Reckitt Benckiser Group PLC, ADR       362,216           4,806,607
           

 

 

 
              13,028,559
           

 

 

 
           
Personal Products - 0.55%            
Unilever PLC, ADRB       388,000           17,657,880
           

 

 

 
           
Tobacco - 0.59%            
Philip Morris International, Inc.       205,173           18,845,140
           

 

 

 
           

Total Consumer Staples

              93,726,759
           

 

 

 
           
Energy - 10.51%            
Energy Equipment & Services - 1.99%            
Baker Hughes Co.       175,100           4,843,266
Halliburton Co.       894,845           32,590,255
NOV, Inc.       941,400           21,087,360
Schlumberger NV       107,100           5,572,413
           

 

 

 
              64,093,294
           

 

 

 
           
Oil, Gas & Consumable Fuels - 8.52%            
APA Corp.       527,300           23,971,058
Cenovus Energy, Inc.B       358,400           7,239,680
ConocoPhillips       192,764           24,305,613
EOG Resources, Inc.       73,527           10,037,906
Hess Corp.       441,263           62,253,384
Marathon Oil Corp.       590,586           17,983,343
Murphy Oil Corp.       194,370           9,428,889
Ovintiv, Inc.       159,400           8,073,610
Phillips 66       403,254           42,055,359
Pioneer Natural Resources Co.       200,268           51,350,718
Shell PLC, ADR       319,022           17,747,194
           

 

 

 
              274,446,754
           

 

 

 
           

Total Energy

              338,540,048
           

 

 

 
           
Financials - 21.62%            
Banks - 7.91%            
Citigroup, Inc.       1,271,813           58,325,344
Citizens Financial Group, Inc.       431,053           17,630,068
First Citizens BancShares, Inc., Class A       9,606           7,897,285
JPMorgan Chase & Co.       296,240           37,290,691
M&T Bank Corp.       173,895           29,278,701
PNC Financial Services Group, Inc.       70,663           11,435,393
Truist Financial Corp.       128,655           5,762,457
U.S. Bancorp       369,526           15,686,379
Wells Fargo & Co.       1,554,526           71,492,651
           

 

 

 
              254,798,969
           

 

 

 

 

See accompanying notes

 

10


American Beacon Large Cap Value FundSM

Schedule of Investments

October 31, 2022

 

 

    Shares       Fair Value
             
COMMON STOCKS - 96.88% (continued)            
Financials - 21.62% (continued)            
Capital Markets - 5.02%            
Bank of New York Mellon Corp.       495,700         $ 20,873,927
BlackRock, Inc.       22,587           14,589,169
Goldman Sachs Group, Inc.       101,844           35,086,276
KKR & Co., Inc.       120,549           5,862,298
Moody’s Corp.       25,893           6,858,279
Morgan Stanley       221,640           18,212,159
Nasdaq, Inc.       319,545           19,888,481
Northern Trust Corp.       237,663           20,046,874
State Street Corp.       272,580           20,170,920
           

 

 

 
              161,588,383
           

 

 

 
           
Consumer Finance - 1.17%            
American Express Co.       215,973           32,061,192
Capital One Financial Corp.       52,800           5,597,856
           

 

 

 
              37,659,048
           

 

 

 
           
Diversified Financial Services - 0.35%            
Corebridge Financial, Inc.       249,400           5,653,898
Equitable Holdings, Inc.       187,200           5,732,064
           

 

 

 
              11,385,962
           

 

 

 
           
Insurance - 7.17%            
Allstate Corp.       162,501           20,515,751
American International Group, Inc.       1,075,574           61,307,718
Aon PLC, Class A       84,485           23,781,683
Chubb Ltd.       112,121           24,093,682
Hartford Financial Services Group, Inc.       246,700           17,863,547
Marsh & McLennan Cos., Inc.       146,905           23,723,688
Progressive Corp.       189,066           24,276,074
Travelers Cos., Inc.       85,632           15,795,679
Willis Towers Watson PLC       89,676           19,568,200
           

 

 

 
              230,926,022
           

 

 

 
           

Total Financials

              696,358,384
           

 

 

 
           
Health Care - 15.06%            
Health Care Equipment & Supplies - 2.20%            
Abbott Laboratories       145,545           14,400,222
Boston Scientific Corp.A       270,157           11,646,468
Medtronic PLC       435,674           38,051,767
Zimmer Biomet Holdings, Inc.       59,667           6,763,255
           

 

 

 
              70,861,712
           

 

 

 
           
Health Care Providers & Services - 7.22%            
Centene Corp.A       164,000           13,961,320
Cigna Corp.       126,534           40,878,074
CVS Health Corp.       337,157           31,928,768
Elevance Health, Inc.       119,945           65,582,328
HCA Healthcare, Inc.       54,600           11,873,862
Humana, Inc.       19,500           10,882,560
McKesson Corp.       44,060           17,155,642
UnitedHealth Group, Inc.       72,167           40,063,510
           

 

 

 
              232,326,064
           

 

 

 
           

 

See accompanying notes

 

11


American Beacon Large Cap Value FundSM

Schedule of Investments

October 31, 2022

 

 

    Shares       Fair Value
             
COMMON STOCKS - 96.88% (continued)            
Health Care - 15.06% (continued)            
Life Sciences Tools & Services - 0.86%            
Danaher Corp.       32,869         $ 8,272,141
Thermo Fisher Scientific, Inc.       37,607           19,328,870
           

 

 

 
              27,601,011
           

 

 

 
           
Pharmaceuticals - 4.78%            
GSK PLC, ADR       152,027           5,042,736
Johnson & Johnson       187,047           32,540,566
Merck & Co., Inc.       545,966           55,251,759
Perrigo Co. PLC       661,049           26,627,054
Pfizer, Inc.       536,592           24,978,358
Roche Holding AG, ADR       96,186           3,976,329
Sanofi, ADR       130,064           5,622,667
           

 

 

 
              154,039,469
           

 

 

 
           

Total Health Care

              484,828,256
           

 

 

 
           
Industrials - 14.35%            
Aerospace & Defense - 2.40%            
Boeing Co.A       86,800           12,369,868
General Dynamics Corp.       62,560           15,627,488
Northrop Grumman Corp.       56,925           31,252,394
Raytheon Technologies Corp.       190,054           18,020,920
           

 

 

 
              77,270,670
           

 

 

 
           
Air Freight & Logistics - 0.81%            
FedEx Corp.       163,100           26,141,668
           

 

 

 
           
Building Products - 0.94%            
Johnson Controls International PLC       243,869           14,105,383
Masco Corp.       124,729           5,771,211
Trane Technologies PLC       65,307           10,424,956
           

 

 

 
              30,301,550
           

 

 

 
           
Construction & Engineering - 0.95%            
AECOM       357,374           26,903,115
Fluor Corp.A       126,300           3,821,838
           

 

 

 
              30,724,953
           

 

 

 
           
Electrical Equipment - 1.24%            
Eaton Corp. PLC       94,624           14,200,224
Vertiv Holdings Co.       1,802,614           25,795,406
           

 

 

 
              39,995,630
           

 

 

 
           
Industrial Conglomerates - 2.68%            
General Electric Co.       791,962           61,622,563
Honeywell International, Inc.       120,289           24,541,362
           

 

 

 
              86,163,925
           

 

 

 
           
Machinery - 3.58%            
CNH Industrial NV       1,039,839           13,455,517
Cummins, Inc.       61,497           15,036,631
Deere & Co.       81,170           32,128,709
Illinois Tool Works, Inc.       77,743           16,600,463
Otis Worldwide Corp.       42,476           3,000,505
PACCAR, Inc.       174,907           16,936,245
Stanley Black & Decker, Inc.       230,684           18,106,387
           

 

 

 
              115,264,457
           

 

 

 

 

See accompanying notes

 

12


American Beacon Large Cap Value FundSM

Schedule of Investments

October 31, 2022

 

 

    Shares       Fair Value
             
COMMON STOCKS - 96.88% (continued)            
Industrials - 14.35% (continued)            
Professional Services - 0.34%            
Equifax, Inc.       63,994         $ 10,849,543
           

 

 

 
           
Road & Rail - 1.41%            
Canadian National Railway Co.       52,178           6,179,962
JB Hunt Transport Services, Inc.       128,832           22,039,290
Union Pacific Corp.       87,875           17,323,678
           

 

 

 
              45,542,930
           

 

 

 
           

Total Industrials

              462,255,326
           

 

 

 
           
Information Technology - 10.34%            
Communications Equipment - 1.10%            
F5, Inc.A       174,900           24,994,959
Telefonaktiebolaget LM Ericsson, ADRB       1,851,120           10,310,738
           

 

 

 
              35,305,697
           

 

 

 
           
Electronic Equipment, Instruments & Components - 0.66%            
Corning, Inc.       327,840           10,546,613
TE Connectivity Ltd.       86,800           10,609,564
           

 

 

 
              21,156,177
           

 

 

 
           
IT Services - 2.30%            
Accenture PLC, Class A       70,459           20,003,310
Cognizant Technology Solutions Corp., Class A       333,887           20,784,466
Fidelity National Information Services, Inc.       334,908           27,794,015
Fiserv, Inc.A       52,400           5,383,576
           

 

 

 
              73,965,367
           

 

 

 
           
Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment - 2.89%            
Analog Devices, Inc.       46,447           6,624,271
Broadcom, Inc.       48,487           22,794,709
KLA Corp.       33,883           10,722,275
Micron Technology, Inc.       184,400           9,976,040
NXP Semiconductors NV       59,604           8,706,952
QUALCOMM, Inc.       89,060           10,478,800
Texas Instruments, Inc.       147,827           23,745,451
           

 

 

 
              93,048,498
           

 

 

 
           
Software - 3.39%            
Microsoft Corp.       168,608           39,138,975
Oracle Corp.       591,011           46,140,229
Workday, Inc., Class AA       154,500           24,074,190
           

 

 

 
              109,353,394
           

 

 

 
           

Total Information Technology

              332,829,133
           

 

 

 
           
Materials - 4.41%            
Chemicals - 4.31%            
Air Products & Chemicals, Inc.       122,494           30,672,498
Axalta Coating Systems Ltd.A       715,068           16,675,386
DuPont de Nemours, Inc.       493,849           28,248,163
International Flavors & Fragrances, Inc.       251,940           24,591,863
Olin Corp.       278,200           14,730,690
PPG Industries, Inc.       114,891           13,118,254
Sherwin-Williams Co.       48,198           10,845,996
           

 

 

 
              138,882,850
           

 

 

 

 

See accompanying notes

 

13


American Beacon Large Cap Value FundSM

Schedule of Investments

October 31, 2022

 

 

    Shares       Fair Value
             
COMMON STOCKS - 96.88% (continued)            
Materials - 4.41% (continued)            
Containers & Packaging - 0.10%            
International Paper Co.       96,786         $ 3,252,977
           

 

 

 
           

Total Materials

              142,135,827
           

 

 

 
           
Real Estate - 1.57%            
Equity Real Estate Investment Trusts (REITs) - 1.57%            
Prologis, Inc.       60,533           6,704,030
Public Storage       13,337           4,131,136
VICI Properties, Inc.       1,241,209           39,743,512
           

 

 

 
              50,578,678
           

 

 

 
           

Total Real Estate

              50,578,678
           

 

 

 
           
Utilities - 3.35%            
Electric Utilities - 2.88%            
American Electric Power Co., Inc.       65,719           5,778,015
Duke Energy Corp.       211,473           19,705,054
Pinnacle West Capital Corp.       309,685           20,813,929
PPL Corp.       915,754           24,258,323
Southern Co.       264,255           17,303,417
Xcel Energy, Inc.       73,637           4,794,505
           

 

 

 
              92,653,243
           

 

 

 
           
Multi-Utilities - 0.47%            
Dominion Energy, Inc.       218,651           15,299,011
           

 

 

 
           

Total Utilities

              107,952,254
           

 

 

 
           

Total Common Stocks (Cost $2,331,616,307)

              3,119,870,625
           

 

 

 
           
SHORT-TERM INVESTMENTS - 2.94% (Cost $94,588,422)            
Investment Companies - 2.94%            
American Beacon U.S. Government Money Market Select Fund, 2.89%C D       94,588,422           94,588,422
           

 

 

 
           
SECURITIES LENDING COLLATERAL - 0.17% (Cost $5,511,730)            
Investment Companies - 0.17%            
American Beacon U.S. Government Money Market Select Fund, 2.89%C D       5,511,730           5,511,730
           

 

 

 
           

TOTAL INVESTMENTS - 99.99% (Cost $2,431,716,459)

              3,219,970,777

OTHER ASSETS, NET OF LIABILITIES - 0.01%

              295,237
           

 

 

 

TOTAL NET ASSETS - 100.00%

            $ 3,220,266,014
           

 

 

 
             
Percentages are stated as a percent of net assets.                  

A Non-income producing security.

B All or a portion of this security is on loan, collateralized by either cash and/or U.S. Treasuries, at October 31, 2022 (Note 9).

C The Fund is affiliated by having the same investment advisor.

D 7-day yield.

ADR - American Depositary Receipt.

PLC - Public Limited Company.

 

See accompanying notes

 

14


American Beacon Large Cap Value FundSM

Schedule of Investments

October 31, 2022

 

 

Long Futures Contracts Open on October 31, 2022:

 

Equity Futures Contracts  
Description    Number of
Contracts
   Expiration Date    Notional Amount      Contract Value      Unrealized
Appreciation
(Depreciation)
 
CME e-Mini Standard & Poor’s 500 Index Futures    473    December 2022    $ 87,004,899      $ 91,832,950      $ 4,828,051  
        

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 
         $ 87,004,899      $ 91,832,950      $ 4,828,051  
        

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

Index Abbreviations:
CME    Chicago Mercantile Exchange.

The Fund’s investments are summarized by level based on the inputs used to determine their values. As of October 31, 2022, the investments were classified as described below:

 

Large Cap Value Fund

  Level 1           Level 2           Level 3           Total  

Assets

             

Common Stocks

  $ 3,119,870,625       $ -       $ -       $ 3,119,870,625  

Short-Term Investments

    94,588,422         -         -         94,588,422  

Securities Lending Collateral

    5,511,730         -         -         5,511,730  
 

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 

Total Investments in Securities - Assets

  $ 3,219,970,777       $ -       $ -       $ 3,219,970,777  
 

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 

Financial Derivative Instruments - Assets

 

Futures Contracts

  $ 4,828,051       $ -       $ -       $ 4,828,051  
 

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 

Total Financial Derivative Instruments - Assets

  $ 4,828,051       $ -       $ -       $ 4,828,051  
 

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 

U.S. GAAP requires transfers between all levels to/from level 3 be disclosed. During the year ended October 31, 2022, there were no transfers into or out of Level 3.

 

See accompanying notes

 

15


American Beacon Large Cap Value FundSM

Statement of Assets and Liabilities

October 31, 2022

 

 

Assets:

 

Investments in unaffiliated securities, at fair value §

  $ 3,119,870,625  

Investments in affiliated securities, at fair value

    100,100,152  

Cash collateral held at broker for futures contracts

    5,741,000  

Dividends and interest receivable

    2,681,390  

Receivable for investments sold

    3,249,779  

Receivable for fund shares sold

    2,225,759  

Receivable for tax reclaims

    439,555  

Receivable for variation margin on open futures contracts (Note 5)

    4,829,132  

Prepaid expenses

    49,268  
 

 

 

 

Total assets

    3,239,186,660  
 

 

 

 

Liabilities:

 

Payable for foreign currency, at fair value^

    74  

Payable for fund shares redeemed

    3,940,582  

Cash due to broker for futures contracts

    5,502,881  

Management and sub-advisory fees payable (Note 2)

    3,252,004  

Service fees payable (Note 2)

    259,022  

Transfer agent fees payable (Note 2)

    78,973  

Payable upon return of securities loaned (Note 9)§

    5,511,730  

Custody and fund accounting fees payable

    90,019  

Professional fees payable

    119,401  

Trustee fees payable (Note 2)

    18,456  

Payable for prospectus and shareholder reports

    41,480  

Other liabilities

    106,024  
 

 

 

 

Total liabilities

    18,920,646  
 

 

 

 

Net assets

  $ 3,220,266,014  
 

 

 

 

Analysis of net assets:

 

Paid-in-capital

  $ 2,166,339,318  

Total distributable earnings (deficits)A

    1,053,926,696  
 

 

 

 

Net assets

  $ 3,220,266,014  
 

 

 

 

Shares outstanding at no par value (unlimited shares authorized):

 

R5 Class

    46,503,765  
 

 

 

 

Y Class

    7,257,713  
 

 

 

 

Investor Class

    27,871,111  
 

 

 

 

Advisor Class

    2,069,905  
 

 

 

 

A Class

    741,710  
 

 

 

 

C Class

    244,578  
 

 

 

 

R6 Class

    41,737,846  
 

 

 

 

Net assets:

 

R5 Class

  $ 1,218,988,715  
 

 

 

 

Y Class

  $ 188,140,776  
 

 

 

 

Investor Class

  $ 649,409,067  
 

 

 

 

Advisor Class

  $ 47,185,316  
 

 

 

 

A Class

  $ 16,953,764  
 

 

 

 

C Class

  $ 5,508,217  
 

 

 

 

R6 Class

  $ 1,094,080,159  
 

 

 

 

Net asset value, offering and redemption price per share:

 

R5 Class

  $ 26.21  
 

 

 

 

Y Class

  $ 25.92  
 

 

 

 

Investor Class

  $ 23.30  
 

 

 

 

Advisor Class

  $ 22.80  
 

 

 

 

A Class

  $ 22.86  
 

 

 

 

A Class (offering price)

  $ 24.25  
 

 

 

 

C Class

  $ 22.52  
 

 

 

 

R6 Class

  $ 26.21  
 

 

 

 

Cost of investments in unaffiliated securities

  $ 2,331,616,307  

Cost of investments in affiliated securities

  $ 100,100,152  

§ Fair value of securities on loan

  $ 22,021,092  

^ Cost of payable for foreign currency

  $ (74
A The Fund’s investments in affiliated securities did not have unrealized appreciation (depreciation) at year end.

 

 

See accompanying notes

 

16


American Beacon Large Cap Value FundSM

Statement of Operations

For the year ended October 31, 2022

 

 

Investment income:

 

Dividend income from unaffiliated securities (net of foreign taxes)

  $ 74,993,852  

Dividend income from affiliated securities (Note 2)

    791,134  

Interest income

    53,636  

Income derived from securities lending (Note 9)

    53,109  
 

 

 

 

Total investment income

    75,891,731  
 

 

 

 

Expenses:

 

Management and sub-advisory fees (Note 2)

    20,066,083  

Transfer agent fees:

 

R5 Class (Note 2)

    512,002  

Y Class (Note 2)

    230,819  

Investor Class

    33,788  

Advisor Class

    3,251  

A Class

    891  

C Class

    276  

R6 Class

    41,927  

Custody and fund accounting fees

    386,149  

Professional fees

    369,264  

Registration fees and expenses

    111,691  

Service fees (Note 2):

 

Investor Class

    2,540,172  

Advisor Class

    137,060  

A Class

    3,073  

C Class

    5,488  

Distribution fees (Note 2):

 

Advisor Class

    137,212  

A Class

    27,851  

C Class

    63,880  

Prospectus and shareholder report expenses

    94,389  

Trustee fees (Note 2)

    293,246  

Loan expense (Note 10)

    13,558  

Other expenses

    412,135  
 

 

 

 

Total expenses

    25,484,205  
 

 

 

 

Net investment income

    50,407,526  
 

 

 

 

Realized and unrealized gain (loss) from investments:

 

Net realized gain (loss) from:

 

Investments in unaffiliated securitiesA

    398,963,887  

Foreign currency transactions

    (7,619

Futures contracts

    (14,720,019

Change in net unrealized appreciation (depreciation) of:

 

Investments in unaffiliated securitiesB

    (664,619,535

Futures contracts

    611,683  
 

 

 

 

Net (loss) from investments

    (279,771,603
 

 

 

 

Net (decrease) in net assets resulting from operations

  $ (229,364,077
 

 

 

 

Foreign taxes

  $ 356,339  

A The Fund did not recognize net realized gains (losses) from the sale of investments in affiliated securities.

 

B The Fund’s investments in affiliated securities did not have a change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation) at year end.

 

 

See accompanying notes

 

17


American Beacon Large Cap Value FundSM

Statement of Changes in Net Assets

 

 

    Year Ended
October 31, 2022
          Year Ended
October 31, 2021
 

Increase (decrease) in net assets:

 

Operations:

 

Net investment income

  $ 50,407,526       $ 51,641,540  

Net realized gain from investments in unaffiliated securities, foreign currency transactions, and futures contracts

    384,236,249         447,666,002  

Change in net unrealized appreciation (depreciation) of investments in unaffiliated securities, and futures contracts

    (664,007,852       1,261,182,986  
 

 

 

     

 

 

 

Net increase (decrease) in net assets resulting from operations

    (229,364,077       1,760,490,528  
 

 

 

     

 

 

 

Distributions to shareholders:

 

Total retained earnings:

     

R5 Class

    (169,358,524       (254,078,202

Y Class

    (26,008,609       (26,891,195

Investor Class

    (89,387,671       (112,558,225

Advisor Class

    (6,972,505       (7,618,655

A Class

    (1,276,472       (3,990,605

C Class

    (753,437       (690,733

R6 Class

    (128,445,097       (155,468,634
 

 

 

     

 

 

 

Net distributions to shareholders

    (422,202,315       (561,296,249
 

 

 

     

 

 

 

Capital share transactions (Note 11):

 

Proceeds from sales of shares

    594,976,420         932,407,979  

Reinvestment of dividends and distributions

    377,142,861         510,804,380  

Cost of shares redeemed

    (1,187,779,707       (2,333,154,895
 

 

 

     

 

 

 

Net (decrease) in net assets from capital share transactions

    (215,660,426       (889,942,536
 

 

 

     

 

 

 

Net increase (decrease) in net assets

    (867,226,818       309,251,743  
 

 

 

     

 

 

 

Net assets:

 

Beginning of year

    4,087,492,832         3,778,241,089  
 

 

 

     

 

 

 

End of year

  $ 3,220,266,014       $ 4,087,492,832  
 

 

 

     

 

 

 

 

See accompanying notes

 

18


American Beacon Large Cap Value FundSM

Notes to Financial Statements

October 31, 2022

 

 

1.  Organization and Significant Accounting Policies

American Beacon Funds (the “Trust”) is organized as a Massachusetts business trust. The Fund, a series within the Trust, is registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the “Act”), as a diversified, open-end management investment company. As of October 31, 2022, the Trust consists of twenty-five active series, one of which is presented in this filing: American Beacon Large Cap Value Fund (the “Fund”). The remaining twenty-four active series are reported in separate filings.

American Beacon Advisors, Inc. (the “Manager”) is a Delaware corporation and a wholly-owned subsidiary of Resolute Investment Managers, Inc. (“RIM”) organized in 1986 to provide business management, advisory, administrative, and asset management consulting services to the Trust and other investors. The Manager is registered as an investment advisor under the Investment Advisers Act of 1940, as amended (the “Advisers Act”). 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.

Recently Adopted Accounting Pronouncements

In March 2020, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) 2020-04, which provides optional expedients and exceptions for contracts, hedging relationships and other transactions affected by the transitioning away from the London Interbank Offered Rate (“LIBOR”) and other reference rates that are expected to be discontinued. The amendments in this ASU are effective for all entities as of March 12, 2020 through December 31, 2022. Management has evaluated the implications of these changes, and has determined that there is no impact to the financial statements.

In October 2020, the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) adopted new regulations governing the use of derivatives by registered investment companies. Rule 18f-4 imposes limits on the amount of derivatives the fund can enter into, eliminated the asset segregation framework used by funds to comply with Section 18 of the Act, and requires funds whose use of derivatives is more than a limited specified exposure to establish and maintain a derivatives risk management program and appoint a derivatives risk manager. While the new rule became effective February 19, 2021, funds were not required to fully comply with the new rule until August 19, 2022. Management has evaluated the implications of these changes, and has determined that there is no impact to the financial statements.

On December 3, 2020, the SEC adopted new rule 2a-5 (Valuation Rule) under the Investment Company Act of 1940, establishing an updated regulatory framework for fund valuation. The Valuation Rule, in part, provides a framework for good faith fair value determination and permits a Board to designate fair value determinations to the fund’s investment adviser. Further, the SEC is rescinding previously issued guidance on related issues. The Valuation Rule became effective on March 8, 2021, with a compliance date of September 8, 2022. Management has evaluated the Valuation Rule, and has determined that there is no impact to the financial statements.

 

 

19


American Beacon Large Cap Value FundSM

Notes to Financial Statements

October 31, 2022

 

 

Class Disclosure

The Fund has multiple classes of shares designed to meet the needs of different groups of investors. The following table sets forth the differences amongst the classes:

 

Class

  

Eligible Investors

   Minimum Initial
Investments
 
R5 Class    Large institutional investors - sold directly or through intermediary channels.    $ 250,000  
Y Class    Large institutional retirement plan investors - sold directly or through intermediary channels.    $ 100,000  
Investor Class    All investors using intermediary organizations, such as broker-dealers or retirement plan sponsors.    $ 2,500  
Advisor Class    All investors who invest through intermediary organizations, such as broker-dealers or third party administrators.    $ 2,500  
A Class    All investors who invest through intermediary organizations, such as broker-dealers or third party administrator. Retail investors who invest directly through a financial intermediary such as a broker, bank, or registered investment advisor which may include a front-end sales charge and a contingent deferred sales charge (“CDSC”).    $ 2,500  
C Class    Retail investors who invest directly through a financial intermediary such as a broker or through employee directed benefit plans with applicable sales charges which may include CDSC.    $ 1,000  
R6 Class    Large institutional retirement plan investors - sold through retirement plan sponsors.      None  

Each class offered by the Trust has equal rights as to assets and voting privileges. Income and non-class specific expenses are allocated daily to each class based on the relative net assets. Realized and unrealized capital gains and losses of each class are allocated daily based on the relative net assets of each class of the respective Fund. Class specific expenses, where applicable, currently include service, distribution, transfer agent fees, and sub-transfer agent fees that vary amongst the classes as described more fully in Note 2.

Significant Accounting Policies

The following is a summary of significant accounting policies, consistently followed by the Fund in preparation of the financial statements. The Fund is considered an investment company and accordingly, follows the investment company accounting and reporting guidance of the FASB Accounting Standards Codification Topic 946, Financial Services – Investment Companies, a part of Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (“U.S. GAAP”).

Security Transactions and Investment Income

Security transactions are recorded as of the trade date for financial reporting purposes. Securities purchased or sold on a when-issued or delayed-delivery basis may be settled beyond a standard settlement period for the security after the trade date.

Dividend income, net of foreign taxes, is recorded on the ex-dividend date, except certain dividends from foreign securities which are recorded as soon as the information is available to the Fund. Tax reclaim accruals are automatically generated on accounting and custody systems at the time of the income event based on the tax databases maintained by the Fund’s custodian. Interest income, net of foreign taxes, is earned from settlement date, recorded on the accrual basis, and adjusted, if necessary, for accretion of discounts and amortization of premiums. Realized gains (losses) from securities sold are determined based on specific lot identification. Estimated tax liabilities on certain foreign securities are recorded on an accrual basis and are reflected as components of interest income or net change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on investments on the Statement of Operations, as appropriate. Tax liabilities realized as a result of such security sales are reflected as a component of net realized gain (loss) on investments on the Statement of Operations.

 

 

20


American Beacon Large Cap Value FundSM

Notes to Financial Statements

October 31, 2022

 

 

Distributions to Shareholders

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 and distributions of realized net capital gains and net gains from foreign currency transactions on an annual basis. The Fund does not have a fixed dividend rate and does not guarantee that it will pay any distributions in any particular period. Dividends to shareholders are determined in accordance with federal income tax regulations, which may differ in amount and character from net investment income and realized gains recognized for purposes of U.S. GAAP. To the extent necessary to fully distribute capital gains, the Fund may designate earnings and profits distributed to shareholders on the redemption of shares.

Commission Recapture

The Fund has established brokerage commission recapture arrangements with certain brokers or dealers. If the Fund’s investment 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. This amount is reported with the net realized gain (loss) in the Fund’s Statement of Operations, if applicable.

Allocation of Income, Trust Expenses, Gains, and Losses

Investment income, realized and unrealized gains and losses from investments of the Fund is allocated daily to each class of shares based upon the relative proportion of net assets of each class to the total net assets of the Fund. Expenses directly charged or attributable to the Fund will be paid from the assets of the Fund. Generally, expenses of the Trust will be allocated among and charged to the assets of the Fund on a basis that the Trust’s Board of Trustees (the “Board”) deems fair and equitable, which may be based on the relative net assets of the Fund or nature of the services performed and relative applicability to the Fund.

Use of Estimates

The preparation of financial statements in conformity with U.S. GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the amounts reported in the financial statements and accompanying notes. Actual results may differ from those estimated.

Other

Under the Trust’s organizational documents, its officers and trustees are indemnified against certain liabilities arising out of the performance of their duties to the Trust. In the normal course of business, the Trust enters into contracts that provide indemnification to the other party or parties against potential costs or liabilities. The Trust’s maximum exposure under these arrangements is dependent on claims that may be made in the future and, therefore, cannot be estimated. The Trust has had no prior claims or losses pursuant to any such agreement.

2.  Transactions with Affiliates

Management and Investment Sub-Advisory Agreements

The Fund and the Manager are parties to a Management Agreement that obligates the Manager to provide the Fund with investment advisory and administrative services. As compensation for performing the duties under the Management Agreement, the Manager will 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 $15 billion

     0.35

Next $15 billion

     0.325

Over $30 billion

     0.30

 

 

21


American Beacon Large Cap Value FundSM

Notes to Financial Statements

October 31, 2022

 

 

The Trust, on behalf of the Fund, and the Manager have entered into Investment Advisory Agreements with Barrow, Hanley, Mewhinney & Strauss, LLC; Hotchkis and Wiley Capital Management, LLC; and Massachusetts Financial Services Company (“Sub-Advisors”) pursuant to which the Fund has agreed to pay an annualized sub-advisory fee that is calculated and accrued daily based on the Fund’s average daily net assets.

The Management and Sub-Advisory Fees paid by the Fund for the year ended October 31, 2022 were as follows:

 

    Effective Fee Rate           Amount of Fees Paid  

Management Fees

    0.35     $ 12,744,518  

Sub-Advisor Fees

    0.20       7,321,565  
 

 

 

     

 

 

 

Total

    0.55     $ 20,066,083  
 

 

 

     

 

 

 

As compensation for services provided by the Manager in connection with securities lending activities conducted by the Fund, the lending Fund pays to the Manager, with respect to cash collateral posted by borrowers, a fee of 10% of the net monthly interest income (the gross interest income earned by the investment of cash collateral, less the amount paid to borrowers and related expenses) from such activities and, with respect to loan fees paid by borrowers, a fee of 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. These fees are included in “Income derived from securities lending” and “Management and sub-advisory fees” on the Statement of Operations. During the year ended October 31, 2022, the Manager received securities lending fees of $7,248 for the securities lending activities of the Fund.

Distribution Plans

Separate Distribution Plans (the “Distribution Plans”) have been adopted pursuant to Rule 12b-1 under the Act for the Advisor, A and C Classes of the Fund. Under the Distribution Plans, as compensation for distribution and shareholder servicing assistance, the Manager receives an annual fee of 0.25% of the average daily net assets of the Advisor and A Classes and 1.00% of the average daily net assets of the C Class. The fee will be payable without regard to whether the amount of the fee is more or less than the actual expenses incurred in a particular month by the Manager for distribution assistance.

Service Plans

The Manager and the Trust entered into a Service Plan that obligates the Manager to oversee additional shareholder servicing of the Investor, Advisor, A and C Classes of the Fund. As compensation for performing the duties required under the Service Plan, the Manager receives an annualized fee up to 0.25% of the average daily net assets of the Advisor, A and C Classes, and up to 0.375% of the average daily net assets of the Investor Class of the Fund.

Sub-Transfer Agent Fees

The Manager has entered into agreements, which include servicing agreements, with financial intermediaries that provide recordkeeping, processing, shareholder communications and other services to customers of the intermediaries that hold positions in the R5 and Y Classes of the Fund and has agreed to compensate the intermediaries for providing these services. Intermediaries transact with the Fund primarily through the use of omnibus accounts on behalf of its customers who hold positions in the Fund. Certain services would have been provided by the Fund’s transfer agent and other service providers if the shareholders’ accounts were maintained directly by the Fund’s transfer agent. Accordingly, the Fund, pursuant to Board approval, has agreed to reimburse the Manager for certain non-distribution shareholder services provided by financial intermediaries for the R5 and Y Classes. The reimbursement amounts (sub-transfer agent fees) paid to the Manager

 

 

22


American Beacon Large Cap Value FundSM

Notes to Financial Statements

October 31, 2022

 

 

are subject to a fee limit of up to 0.10% of an intermediary’s average net assets in the R5 and Y Classes on an annual basis. During the year ended October 31, 2022, the sub-transfer agent fees, as reflected in “Transfer agent fees” on the Statement of Operations, were as follows:

 

Fund

   Sub-Transfer Agent Fees  

Large Cap Value

   $ 683,341  

As of October 31, 2022, the Fund owed the Manager the following reimbursement of sub-transfer agent fees, as reflected in “Transfer agent fees payable” on the Statement of Assets and Liabilities:

 

Fund

   Reimbursement
Sub-Transfer Agent Fees
 

Large Cap Value

   $ 45,655  

Investments in Affiliated Funds

The Fund may invest in the American Beacon U.S. Government Money Market Select Fund (the “USG Select Fund”). Cash collateral received by the Fund in connection with securities lending may also be invested in the USG Select Fund. The Fund listed below held the following shares with an October 31, 2022 fair value and dividend income earned from the investment in the USG Select Fund.

 

Affiliated Security

  Type of
Transaction
        Fund         October 31,
2022
Shares/Principal
          Change in
Unrealized
Gain (Loss)
          Realized
Gain
(Loss)
          Dividend
Income
          October 31,
2022
Fair Value
 
U.S. Government Money Market Select   Direct     Large Cap Value     $ 94,588,422       $ -       $ -       $ 791,134       $ 94,588,422  
U.S. Government Money Market Select   Securities
Lending
    Large Cap Value       5,511,730         -         -         N/A         5,511,730  

The Fund and the USG Select Fund have the same investment advisor and therefore, are considered to be affiliated. The Manager serves as investment advisor to the USG Select Fund and receives management fees and administrative fees totaling 0.10% of the average daily net assets of the USG Select Fund. During the year ended October 31, 2022, the Manager earned fees on the Fund’s direct investments and securities lending collateral investments in the USG Select Fund as shown below:

 

Fund

   Direct Investments in
USG Select Fund
     Securities Lending
Collateral
Investments in USG
Select Fund
     Total  

Large Cap Value

   $ 107,276      $ 6,055      $ 113,331  

Interfund Credit Facility

Pursuant to an exemptive order issued by the SEC, the Fund, along with other registered investment companies having management contracts with the Manager, may participate in a credit facility whereby each fund, under certain conditions, is permitted to lend money directly to and borrow directly from other participating funds for temporary purposes. The interfund credit facility is advantageous to the funds because it provides added liquidity and eliminates the need to maintain higher cash balances to meet redemptions. This situation could arise when shareholder redemptions exceed anticipated volumes and certain funds have 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, they often do not receive payment in settlement for up to two days (or longer for certain foreign transactions). Redemption requests normally are satisfied on the next business day. The credit facility provides a source of immediate, short-term liquidity pending settlement of the sale of portfolio securities. The credit facility is administered by a credit facility team consisting of professionals from the Manager’s asset management, compliance, and accounting areas

 

 

23


American Beacon Large Cap Value FundSM

Notes to Financial Statements

October 31, 2022

 

 

who report the activities of the credit facility to the Board. During the year ended October 31, 2022, the Large Cap Value Fund participated as a lender by loaning an average amount of $3,329,107 for 54 days at an average interest rate of 1.27% with interest charges earned of $5,731. This amount is included in “Interest income” on the Statement of Operations.

Expense Reimbursement Plan

The Manager contractually agreed to reduce fees and/or reimburse expenses for the classes of the Fund, through February 28, 2022, to the extent that total operating expenses (excluding taxes, interest, brokerage commissions, acquired fund fees and expenses, securities lending fees, expenses associated with securities sold short, litigation, and other extraordinary expenses) exceed the Fund’s expense cap. During the year ended October 31, 2022, the Manager waived and/or reimbursed expenses as follows:

 

            Expense Cap                   Expiration of
Reimbursed
Expenses
 

Fund

   Class      11/1/2021 -
2/28/2022
    3/1/2022 -
10/31/2022
     Reimbursed
Expenses
     (Recouped)
Expenses
 

Large Cap Value

     R6        0.60     N/A      $ -      $ (48,432 )*      2024-2025  

* This amount represents Recouped Expenses from prior fiscal years and is reflected in Other Expenses on the Statement of Operations.

The Fund has adopted an Expense Reimbursement Plan whereby the Manager may seek repayment of such fee or voluntary reductions and expense reimbursements. Under the policy, the Manager can be reimbursed by the Fund for any contractual or voluntary fee reductions 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 annual operating expenses to exceed the lesser of the contractual percentage limit in effect at the time of the waiver/reimbursement or time of recoupment. The reimbursed expenses listed above will expire in 2024 and 2025. The carryover of excess expenses potentially reimbursable to the Manager, but not recorded as a liability are as follows:

 

Fund

   Recouped
Expenses
     Excess Expense
Carryover
     Expired Expense
Carryover
     Expiration of
Reimbursed
Expenses
 

Large Cap Value

   $ 48,432      $ 151,421      $ -        2022-2023  

Large Cap Value

     -        18,227        -        2023-2024  

Sales Commissions

The Fund’s Distributor, Resolute Investment Distributors, Inc. (“RID” or “Distributor”), may receive a portion of A Class sales charges from broker dealers which may be used to offset distribution related expenses. During the year ended October 31, 2022, RID collected $1,413 from the sale of A Class Shares of the Fund.

A CDSC of 0.50% will be deducted with respect to A Class Shares on certain purchases of $1,000,000 or more that are redeemed in whole or part within 18 months of purchase, unless waived as discussed in the Fund’s Prospectus. Any applicable CDSC will be 0.50% of the lesser of the original purchase price or the value of the redemption of the A Class Shares redeemed. During the year ended October 31, 2022, there were no CDSC fees collected for the A Class Shares of the Fund.

A CDSC of 1.00% will be deducted with respect to C Class Shares redeemed within 12 months of purchase, unless waived as discussed in the Fund’s Prospectus. Any applicable CDSC will be 1.00% of the lesser of the original purchase price or the value of the redemption of the C Class Shares redeemed. During the year ended October 31, 2022, CDSC fees of $315 were collected for C Class Shares of the Fund.

 

 

24


American Beacon Large Cap Value FundSM

Notes to Financial Statements

October 31, 2022

 

 

Trustee Fees and Expenses

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 and Compliance 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 video conference 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 only a single $2,500 fee each quarter for her attendance at those meetings. The chairpersons of the Audit and Compliance 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.

3.  Security Valuation and Fair Value Measurements

The price of the Fund’s shares is based on its net asset value (“NAV”) per share. The Fund’s NAV is computed by adding total assets, subtracting all the Fund’s liabilities, and dividing the result by the total number of shares outstanding.

The NAV 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 New York Stock Exchange (“NYSE” or “Exchange”), which is typically 4:00 p.m. Eastern Time (“ET”). However, if trading on the NYSE closes at a time other than 4:00 p.m. ET, 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, including shares of closed-end funds and exchange-traded funds (“ETFs”), are valued at the last sale price or official closing price taken from the primary exchange in which each security trades. Investments in other mutual funds are valued at the closing NAV per share on the day of valuation. Debt securities are valued at bid quotes from broker/dealers or evaluated bid prices from pricing services, who may consider a number of inputs and factors, such as prices of comparable securities, yield curves, spreads, credit ratings, coupon rates, maturity, default rates, and underlying collateral. Futures are valued based on their daily settlement prices. Exchange-traded and over-the-counter (“OTC”) options are valued at the last sale price. Options with no last sale for the day are priced at mid quote. Swaps are valued at evaluated mid prices from pricing services.

The valuation of securities traded on foreign markets and certain fixed-income securities will generally be based on prices determined as of the earlier closing time of the markets on which they primarily trade unless a significant event has occurred. When the Fund holds securities or other assets that are denominated in a foreign currency, the Fund will normally use the currency exchange rates as of 4:00 p.m. ET.

The Valuation Rule establishes requirements for determining fair value in good faith for purposes of the Act, including related oversight and reporting requirements. The Valuation Rule also defines when market quotations are “readily available,” which is the threshold for determining whether a Fund must fair value a security. Among other things, the Valuation Rule permits the Board to designate the Manager as “valuation designee” to perform the Fund’s fair value determinations subject to board oversight and certain reporting and other requirements

 

 

25


American Beacon Large Cap Value FundSM

Notes to Financial Statements

October 31, 2022

 

 

intended to ensure that the Board receives the information it needs to oversee the Manager’s fair value determinations. Effective September 8, 2022, the Board has designated the Manager as valuation designee to perform fair value functions in accordance with the requirements of the Valuation Rule. Prior to September 8, 2022, fair value determinations were made pursuant to methodologies approved by the Board.

Securities may be valued at fair value, as determined in good faith and pursuant to the Manager’s procedures approved by the Board, under certain limited circumstances. For example, fair value pricing will be used for fixed-income securities and when market quotations are not readily available or reliable, as determined by the Manager, such as when (i) trading for a security is restricted or stopped; (ii) a security’s trading market is closed (other than customary closings); or (iii) a security has been de-listed from a national exchange. A security with limited market liquidity may require fair value pricing if the Manager determines that the available price does not reflect the security’s true market value. In addition, if a significant event that the Manager determines to affect the value of one or more securities held by the Fund occurs after the close of a related exchange but before the determination of the Fund’s NAV, fair value pricing may be used on the affected security or securities. Securities of small-capitalization companies are also more likely to require a fair value determination using these procedures because they are more thinly traded and less liquid than the securities of larger-capitalization companies. The Fund may fair value securities as a result of significant events occurring after the close of the foreign markets in which the Fund invests as described below. In addition, the Fund may invest in illiquid securities requiring these procedures.

The Fund may use fair value pricing for securities primarily traded in non-U.S. markets because most foreign markets close well before the Fund’s pricing time of 4:00 p.m. ET. The earlier close of these foreign markets gives rise to the possibility that significant events, including broad market moves, may have occurred in the interim and may materially affect the value of those securities. If the Manager determines that the last quoted prices of non-U.S. securities will, in its judgment, materially affect the value of some or all of the Fund’s portfolio securities, the Manager can adjust the previous closing prices to reflect what it believes to be the fair value of the securities as of the close of the Exchange. In deciding whether it is necessary to adjust closing prices to reflect fair value, the Manager reviews a variety of factors, including developments in foreign markets, the performance of U.S. securities markets, and the performance of instruments trading in U.S. markets that represent foreign securities and baskets of foreign securities. These securities are fair valued using a pricing service, using methods approved by the Manager, that considers the correlation of the trading patterns of the foreign security to intraday trading in the U.S. markets, based on indices of domestic securities and other appropriate indicators such as prices of relevant American Depositary Receipts (“ADRs”) and futures contracts. The Manager’s Valuation Committee may also fair value securities in other situations, such as when a particular foreign market is closed but the Fund is open. The Fund uses outside pricing services to provide closing prices and information to evaluate and/or adjust those prices. As a means of evaluating its security valuation process, the Valuation Committee routinely compares closing prices, the next day’s opening prices in the same markets and adjusted prices.

Attempts to determine the fair value of securities introduce an element of subjectivity to the pricing of securities. As a result, the price of a security determined through fair valuation techniques may differ from the price quoted or published by other sources and may not accurately reflect the market value of the security when trading resumes. If a reliable market quotation becomes available for a security formerly valued through fair valuation techniques, the Manager compares the new market quotation to the fair value price to evaluate the effectiveness of the Fund’s fair valuation procedures. If any significant discrepancies are found, the Manager may adjust the Manager’s fair valuation procedures for the Fund.

 

 

26


American Beacon Large Cap Value FundSM

Notes to Financial Statements

October 31, 2022

 

 

Valuation Inputs

Various inputs may be used to determine the fair value of the Fund’s investments. These inputs are summarized in three broad levels for financial statement purposes. The inputs or methodologies used to value securities are not necessarily an indication of the risk associated with investing in those securities.

 

Level 1   -   Quoted prices in active markets for identical securities.
Level 2   -   Prices determined using other significant observable inputs. These may include quoted prices for similar securities, interest rates, prepayment speeds, credit risk, and others.
Level 3   -   Prices determined using other significant unobservable inputs. Unobservable inputs reflect the Fund’s own assumptions about the factors market participants would use in pricing an investment.

Level 1 and Level 2 trading assets and trading liabilities, at fair value

Common stocks, preferred securities and financial derivative instruments, such as futures contracts that are traded on a national securities exchange, are stated at the last reported sale or settlement price on the day of valuation. To the extent these securities are actively traded and valuation adjustments are not applied, they are categorized as Level 1 of the fair value hierarchy. Preferred securities and other equities traded on inactive markets or valued by reference to similar instruments are generally categorized as Level 2 of the fair value hierarchy.

Investments in registered open-end investment management companies will be valued based upon the NAVs of such investments and are categorized as Level 1 of the fair value hierarchy.

4.  Securities and Other Investments

American Depositary Receipts and Non-Voting Depositary Receipts

ADRs are depositary receipts for foreign issuers in registered form traded in U.S. securities markets. Non-Voting Depositary Receipts (“NVDRs”) represent financial interests in an issuer but the holder is not entitled to any voting rights. Depositary receipts may not be denominated in the same currency as the securities into which they may be converted. Investing in depositary receipts entails substantially the same risks as direct investment in foreign securities. There is generally less publicly available information about foreign companies and there may be less governmental regulation and supervision of foreign stock exchanges, brokers, and listed companies. In addition, such companies may use different accounting and financial standards (and certain currencies may become unavailable for transfer from a foreign currency), resulting in the Fund’s possible inability to convert immediately into U.S. currency proceeds realized upon the sale of portfolio securities of the affected foreign companies. In addition, the Fund may invest in unsponsored depositary receipts, the issuers of which are not obligated to disclose material information about the underlying securities to investors in the United States. Ownership of unsponsored depositary receipts may not entitle the Fund to the same benefits and rights as ownership of a sponsored depositary receipt or the underlying security.

Common Stock

Common stock generally takes the form of shares in a corporation which represent an ownership interest. It ranks below preferred stock and debt securities in claims for dividends and for assets of the company in a liquidation or bankruptcy. The value of a company’s common stock may fall as a result of factors directly relating to that company, such as decisions made by its management or decreased demand for the company’s products or services. A stock’s value may also decline because of factors affecting not just the company, but also companies in the same industry or sector. The price of a company’s stock may also be affected by changes in financial markets that are relatively unrelated to the company, such as changes in interest rates, currency exchange rates or industry regulation. Companies that elect to pay dividends on their common stock generally only do so after they invest in

 

 

27


American Beacon Large Cap Value FundSM

Notes to Financial Statements

October 31, 2022

 

 

their own business and make required payments to bondholders and on other debt and preferred stock. Therefore, the value of a company’s common stock will usually be more volatile than its bonds, other debt and preferred stock. Common stock may be exchange-traded or OTC. OTC stock may be less liquid than exchange-traded stock.

Other Investment Company Securities and Other Exchange-Traded Products

The Fund may invest in shares of other investment companies, including open-end funds, closed-end funds, business development companies (“BDCs”), ETFs, unit investment trusts, and other investment companies of the Trust. The Fund may invest in securities of an investment company advised by the Manager or the Sub-Advisor. Investments in the securities of other investment companies may involve duplication of advisory fees and certain other expenses. By investing in another investment company, the Fund becomes a shareholder of that investment company. As a result, the 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 the Fund shareholders directly bear in connection with the Fund’s own operations. These other fees and expenses are reflected as Acquired Fund Fees and Expenses and are included in the Fees and Expenses Table for the Fund in its Prospectus, if applicable. Investments in other investment companies may involve the payment of substantial premiums above the value of such issuer’s portfolio securities.

Publicly Traded Partnerships/Master Limited Partnerships (“MLPs”)

The Fund may invest in publicly traded partnerships such as MLPs. MLPs issue units that are registered with the SEC and are freely tradable on a securities exchange or in the OTC market. An MLP may have one or more general partners, who conduct the business, and one or more limited partners, who contribute capital. The general partner or partners are jointly and severally responsible for the liabilities of the MLP. (An MLP also may be an entity similar to a limited partnership, such as an LLC, which has one or more managers or managing members and non-managing members (who are like limited partners)). The Fund invests in an MLP as a limited partner and normally would not be liable for the debts of an MLP beyond the amount the Fund has invested therein, but it would not be shielded to the same extent that a shareholder of a corporation would be. In certain instances, creditors of an MLP would have the right to seek a return of capital that had been distributed to a limited partner. The right of an MLP’s creditors would continue even after the Fund had sold its investment in the partnership. MLPs typically invest in real estate and oil and gas equipment leasing assets, but they also finance entertainment, research and development, and other projects.

Real Estate Investment Trusts (“REITs”)

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

5.  Financial Derivative Instruments

The Fund may utilize derivative instruments to gain market exposure on cash balances or reduce market exposure in anticipation of liquidity needs. When considering the Fund’s use of derivatives, it is important to note that the Fund does not use derivatives for the purpose of creating financial leverage.

Futures Contracts

A futures contract is a contract to purchase or sell a particular security, or the cash value of an asset, such as securities, indices, or currencies, at a specified future date at a price agreed upon when the contract is made. Under many such contracts, no delivery of the actual underlying asset is required. Rather, upon the expiration of

 

 

28


American Beacon Large Cap Value FundSM

Notes to Financial Statements

October 31, 2022

 

 

the contract, settlement is made by exchanging cash in an amount equal to the difference between the contract price and the closing price of the asset (e.g., a security or an index) at expiration, net of the initial and variation margin that was previously paid. An equity index futures contract is based on the value of an underlying index. The Fund may, from time to time, use futures positions to equitize cash and expose its portfolio to changes in securities prices or index prices. This can magnify gains and losses in the Fund. 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 prices of futures contracts and the assets underlying such contracts and that there may not be a liquid secondary market for a futures contract.

During the year ended October 31, 2022, the Fund entered into futures contracts primarily for exposing cash to markets.

The Fund’s average futures contracts outstanding fluctuate throughout the operating year as required to meet strategic requirements. The following table illustrates the average quarterly volume of futures contracts. For the purpose of this disclosure, volume is measured by contracts outstanding at each quarter end.

 

Average Futures Contracts Outstanding

 

Fund

  Year Ended October 31, 2022  

Large Cap Value

    415  

The following is a summary of the fair valuations of the Fund’s derivative instruments categorized by risk exposure(1):

 

Fair values of financial instruments on the Statement of Assets and Liabilities as of October 31, 2022:

 

    Derivatives not accounted for as hedging instruments

Assets:

  Credit contracts       Foreign exchange
contracts
      Commodity
contracts
      Interest rate
contracts
      Equity contracts       Total
Receivable for variation margin from open futures contracts(2)     $ -         $ -         $ -         $ -         $ 4,828,051         $ 4,828,051
                                           
The effect of financial derivative instruments on the Statement of Operations as of October 31, 2022:

 

    Derivatives not accounted for as hedging instruments

Realized gain (loss) from derivatives
recognized as a result of operations

  Credit contracts       Foreign exchange
contracts
      Commodity
contracts
      Interest rate
contracts
      Equity contracts       Total
Futures contracts     $ -         $ -         $ -         $ -         $ (14,720,019 )         $ (14,720,019 )

Net change in unrealized appreciation
(depreciation) of derivatives recognized
as a result from operations:

  Credit contracts       Foreign exchange
contracts
      Commodity
contracts
      Interest rate
contracts
      Equity contracts       Total
Futures contracts     $ -         $ -         $ -         $ -         $ 611,683         $ 611,683

(1) See Note 3 in the Notes to Financial Statements for additional information.

(2) Includes cumulative appreciation (depreciation) of futures contracts as reported in the Fund’s Schedule of Investments footnotes. Only current day’s variation margin is reported within the Statement of Assets and Liabilities.

Offsetting Assets and Liabilities

The Fund is a party to enforceable master netting agreements between brokers and counterparties which provide for the right to offset under certain circumstances. The Fund employs multiple counterparties and has elected not to offset qualifying financial and derivative instruments on the Statement of Assets and Liabilities, as such all financial and derivative instruments are presented on a gross basis. The impacts of netting arrangements that provide the right to offset are detailed below, if applicable. The net amount represents the net receivable or payable that would be due from or to the counterparty in the event of default. Exposure from borrowings and

 

 

29


American Beacon Large Cap Value FundSM

Notes to Financial Statements

October 31, 2022

 

 

other financing agreements such as repurchase agreements can only be netted across transactions governed by the same Master Agreement with the same legal entity. All amounts reported below represent the balance as of the report date, October 31, 2022.

 

Offsetting of Financial and Derivative Assets as of October 31, 2022:      

 

  Assets           Liabilities  
Futures Contracts(1)   $ 4,828,051       $ -  
 

 

 

     

 

 

 
Total derivative assets and liabilities in the Statement of Assets and Liabilities   $ 4,828,051       $ -  
 

 

 

     

 

 

 
Derivatives not subject to a Master Netting Agreement or similar agreement (“MNA”)   $ (4,828,051     $ -  
 

 

 

     

 

 

 

 

    Remaining Contractual Maturity of the Agreements
As of October 31, 2022
 
    Overnight and
Continuous
          <30 days           Between
30 & 90 days
          >90 days           Total  

Securities Lending Transactions

                 

Common Stocks

  $ 5,511,730       $ -       $ -       $ -       $ 5,511,730  
 

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 

Total Borrowings

  $ 5,511,730       $ -       $ -       $ -       $ 5,511,730  
 

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 

Gross amount of recognized liabilities for securities lending transactions

 

  $ 5,511,730  
                 

 

 

 

(1) Includes cumulative appreciation or (depreciation) of futures contracts as reported in the Schedule of Investments footnotes. Only current day’s variation margin is reported within the Statement of Assets and Liabilities.

6.  Principal Risks

Investing in the Fund may involve certain risks including, but not limited to, those described below.

Environmental, Social, and/or Governance Investing Risk

The use of environmental, social, and/or governance (“ESG”) considerations by a sub-advisor may cause the Fund to make different investments than funds that have a similar investment style but do not incorporate such considerations in their strategy. As with the use of any investment considerations involved in investment decisions, there is no guarantee that the use of any ESG investment considerations will result in the selection of issuers that will outperform other issuers or help reduce risk in the Fund. The Fund may underperform funds that do not incorporate these considerations.

Equity Investments Risk

Equity securities are subject to market risk. The Fund’s investments in equity securities may include common stocks, preferred stocks, securities convertible into or exchangeable for common stocks, REITs, depositary receipts, and U.S. dollar-denominated foreign stocks traded on U.S. exchanges. Such investments may expose the Fund to additional risk. The value of a company’s common stock may fall as a result of factors affecting the company, companies in the same industry or sector, or the financial markets overall. Common stock generally is subordinate to preferred stock upon the liquidation or bankruptcy of the issuing company. Preferred stocks and convertible securities are sensitive to movements in interest rates. Preferred stocks may be less liquid than common stocks and, unlike common stocks, participation in the growth of an issuer may be limited. Distributions on preferred stocks generally are payable at the discretion of an issuer and after required payments to bond holders. Convertible securities are subject to the risk that the credit standing of the issuer may have an effect on the convertible securities’ investment value. Investments in REITs are subject to the risks associated with investing in the real estate industry such as adverse developments affecting the real estate industry and real property values. Depositary receipts and U.S. dollar-denominated foreign stocks traded on U.S. exchanges are subject to certain of the risks associated with investing directly in foreign securities, including, but not limited to, currency exchange rate fluctuations, political and financial instability in the home country of a particular depositary receipt, less liquidity and more volatility, less government regulation and supervision and delays in transaction settlement.

 

 

30


American Beacon Large Cap Value FundSM

Notes to Financial Statements

October 31, 2022

 

 

Foreign Investing Risk

Non-U.S. investments carry potential risks not associated with U.S. investments. Such risks include, but are not limited to: (1) currency exchange rate fluctuations, (2) political and financial instability, (3) less liquidity, (4) lack of uniform accounting, auditing and financial reporting standards, (5) increased volatility, (6) different government regulation and supervision of foreign stock exchanges, brokers and listed companies, and (7) delays in transaction settlement in some foreign markets. To the extent the Fund invests a significant portion of its assets in securities of a single country or region, it is more likely to be affected by events or conditions of that country or region.

Futures Contracts Risk

Futures contracts are derivative instruments where one party pays 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 that it would not be subject to if it invested directly in the securities underlying those derivatives.

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 can be no assurance that any strategy used will succeed. 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).

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. 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. The value of a security may decline due to adverse issuer-specific conditions, general market conditions unrelated to a particular issuer, 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, including the U.S. presidential election, the U.S. government’s inability at times to agree on a long-term

 

 

31


American Beacon Large Cap Value FundSM

Notes to Financial Statements

October 31, 2022

 

 

budget and deficit reduction plan, the threat of a federal government shutdown and threats not to increase the federal government’s debt limit, may affect investor and consumer confidence and may adversely impact financial markets and the broader economy, perhaps suddenly and to a significant degree.

Markets and market participants are increasingly reliant upon both publicly available and proprietary information data systems. Data imprecision, software or other technology malfunctions, programming inaccuracies, unauthorized use or access, and similar circumstances may impair the performance of these systems and may have an adverse impact upon a single issuer, a group of issuers, or the market at large. The financial markets generally move in cycles, with periods of rising prices followed by periods of declining prices. The value of your investment may reflect these fluctuations.

Multiple Sub-Advisor Risk

The Manager may allocate the Fund’s assets among multiple sub-advisors, each of which is responsible for investing its allocated portion of the Fund’s assets. To a significant extent, the Fund’s performance will depend on the success of the Manager in allocating the Fund’s assets to sub-advisors and its selection and oversight of the sub-advisors. Because each sub-advisor manages its allocated portion of the Fund independently from another sub-advisor, the same security may be held in different portions of the Fund, or may be acquired for one portion of the Fund at a time when a sub-advisor to another portion deems it appropriate to dispose of the security from that other portion, resulting in higher expenses without accomplishing any net result in the Fund’s holdings. Similarly, under some market conditions, one sub-advisor may believe that temporary, defensive investments in short-term instruments or cash are appropriate when another sub-advisor believes continued exposure to the equity or debt markets is appropriate for its allocated portion of the Fund. Because each sub-advisor directs the trading for its own portion of the Fund, and does not aggregate its transactions with those of the other sub-advisors, the Fund may incur higher brokerage costs than would be the case if a single sub-adviser were managing the entire Fund. In addition, while the Manager seeks to allocate the Fund’s assets among the Fund’s sub-advisors in a manner that it believes is consistent with achieving the Fund’s investment objective(s), the Manager may be subject to potential conflicts of interest in allocating the Fund’s assets among sub-advisors, due to factors that could impact the Manager’s revenues and profits.

Other Investment Companies Risk

The Fund may invest in shares of other registered investment companies, including money market funds that are advised by the Manager. 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 and will be subject to the risks associated with investments in those companies. For example, the Fund’s investments in money market funds are subject to interest rate risk, credit risk, and market risk. 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 will 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.

Recent Market Events Risk

An outbreak of infectious respiratory illness caused by a novel coronavirus, known as COVID-19, was first detected in China in December 2019 and has subsequently spread globally. Transmission of COVID-19 and efforts to contain its spread have resulted, and may continue to result, in significant disruptions to business operations, widespread business closures and layoffs, travel restrictions, closed international, national and local borders, prolonged quarantines and stay-at-home orders, disruption of and delays in healthcare service preparation and delivery, service and event cancellations, and lower consumer demand, as well as general concern and

 

 

32


American Beacon Large Cap Value FundSM

Notes to Financial Statements

October 31, 2022

 

 

uncertainty that has negatively affected the global economy. The impact of the pandemic has negatively affected and may continue to affect the economies of many nations, individual companies and the global securities and commodities markets, including their liquidity, in ways that cannot necessarily be foreseen at the present time. The pandemic has accelerated trends toward working remotely and shopping on-line, which may negatively affect the value of office and commercial real estate and companies that have been slow to transition to an on-line business model and has disrupted the supply chains that many businesses depend on. The travel, hospitality and public transit industries may suffer long-term negative effects from the pandemic and resulting changes to public behavior. Both U.S. and international markets have experienced significant volatility in recent months and years. As a result of such volatility, investment returns may fluctuate significantly. Moreover, the risks discussed herein associated with an investment in the Fund may be increased.

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

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

Slowing global economic growth, the risks associated with ongoing trade negotiations with China, the possibility of changes to some international trade agreements, tensions or open conflict between nations, such as between Russia and Ukraine, or political or economic dysfunction within some nations that are major producers of oil could affect the economies of many nations, including the United States, in ways that cannot necessarily be foreseen at the present time.

Economists and others have expressed increasing concern about the potential effects of global climate change on property and security values. Certain issuers, industries and regions may be adversely affected by the impacts of climate change, including on the demand for and the development of goods and services and related production costs, and the impacts of legislation, regulation and international accords related to climate change, as well as any indirect consequences of regulation or business trends driven by climate change.

Sector Risk

Sector risk is the risk associated with the Fund holding a significant amount of investments in similar businesses, which would be similarly affected by particular economic or market events, which may, in certain circumstances, cause the value of the equity and debt securities of companies in a particular sector of the market to change. To the extent the Fund has substantial holdings within a particular sector, the risks to the Fund associated with that sector increase.

To the extent the Fund invests significantly in the financial services sector, the value of the Fund’s shares may be particularly vulnerable to factors affecting that sector, such as the availability and cost of capital funds, changes in interest rates, the rate of corporate and consumer debt defaults, extensive government regulation and price competition. The value of the Fund’s shares could experience significantly greater volatility than investment companies investing more broadly.

 

 

33


American Beacon Large Cap Value FundSM

Notes to Financial Statements

October 31, 2022

 

 

Securities Lending Risk

The Fund may lend its portfolio securities to brokers, dealers and financial institutions in order to obtain additional income. Borrowers of the Fund’s securities provide collateral either in the form of cash, which the Fund reinvests in securities or in the form of non-cash collateral consisting of securities issued or guaranteed by the U.S. government or one of its agencies or instrumentalities. The Fund will be responsible for the risks associated with the investment of cash collateral, including any collateral invested in an affiliated money market fund. The Fund may lose money on its investment of cash collateral or may fail to earn sufficient income on its investment to cover its payment to the borrower of a pre-negotiated fee or “rebate” for the use of that cash collateral in connection with the loan. The Fund could also lose money due to a decline in the value of non-cash collateral. In addition, delays may occur in the recovery of securities from borrowers, which could interfere with the Fund’s ability to vote proxies or to settle transactions or could result in increased costs. Moreover, if the borrower becomes subject to insolvency or similar proceedings, the Fund could incur delays in its ability to enforce its rights in its collateral. There also is a risk that a borrower may default on its obligation to return loaned securities at a time when the value of the Fund’s collateral is inadequate. Although the Fund’s securities lending agent may indemnify the Fund against that risk, it is also possible that the securities lending agent will be unable to satisfy its indemnification obligations. In any case in which the loaned securities are not returned to the Fund before an ex-dividend date, whether or not due to a default by the borrower, the payment in lieu of the dividend that the Fund receives from the securities’ borrower would not be treated as a dividend for federal income tax purposes and thus would not qualify for treatment as “qualified dividend income.”

7.  Federal Income and Excise Taxes

It is the policy of the Fund to qualify as a regulated investment company (“RIC”), by complying with all applicable provisions of Subchapter M of the Internal Revenue Code, as amended, and to make distributions of taxable income sufficient to relieve it from substantially all federal income and excise taxes. For federal income tax purposes, the Fund is treated as a single entity for the purpose of determining such qualification.

The Fund does not have any unrecorded tax liabilities in the accompanying financial statements. Each of the tax years in the four year period ended October 31, 2022 remain subject to examination by the Internal Revenue Service. If applicable, the Fund recognizes interest accrued related to unrecognized tax benefits in interest expense and penalties in “Other expenses” on the Statement of Operations.

The Fund may be subject to taxes imposed by countries in which it invests. Such taxes are generally based on returns of income earned or gains realized or repatriated. Taxes are accrued and applied to net investment income, net realized capital gains and net unrealized appreciation (depreciation), as applicable, as the income is earned or capital gains are recorded.

Dividends are categorized in accordance with income tax regulations which may treat certain transactions differently than U.S. GAAP. Accordingly, the character of distributions and composition of net assets for tax purposes may differ from those reflected in the accompanying financial statements.

 

 

34


American Beacon Large Cap Value FundSM

Notes to Financial Statements

October 31, 2022

 

 

The tax character of distributions paid were as follows:

 

    Year Ended
October 31, 2022
          Year Ended
October 31, 2021
 

Distributions paid from:

     

Ordinary income*

     

R5 Class

  $ 49,797,217       $ 34,682,616  

Y Class

    7,544,565         3,563,893  

Investor Class

    24,294,437         13,029,824  

Advisor Class

    1,854,812         825,551  

A Class

    340,088         450,180  

C Class

    173,788         44,328  

R6 Class

    38,066,801         21,578,876  

Long-term capital gains

     

R5 Class

    119,561,307         219,395,586  

Y Class

    18,464,044         23,327,302  

Investor Class

    65,093,234         99,528,401  

Advisor Class

    5,117,693         6,793,104  

A Class

    936,384         3,540,425  

C Class

    579,649         646,405  

R6 Class

    90,378,296         133,889,758  
 

 

 

     

 

 

 

Total distributions paid

  $ 422,202,315       $ 561,296,249  
 

 

 

     

 

 

 

* For tax purposes, short-term capital gains are considered ordinary income distributions.

As of October 31, 2022, the tax cost for the Fund and its respective gross unrealized appreciation (depreciation) were as follows:

 

Fund

  Tax Cost           Unrealized
Appreciation
          Unrealized
(Depreciation)
          Net Unrealized
Appreciation
(Depreciation)
 

Large Cap Value

  $ 2,513,094,513       $ 867,498,840       $ (160,622,576     $ 706,876,264  

 

Fund

  Net Unrealized
Appreciation
(Depreciation)
          Undistributed
Ordinary
Income
          Undistributed
Long-Term
Capital Gains
          Accumulated
Capital and
Other (Losses)
          Other Temporary
Differences
          Distributable
Earnings
 

Large Cap Value

  $ 706,876,264       $ 46,953,408       $ 300,097,026       $ -       $ (2     $ 1,053,926,696  

Financial reporting records are adjusted for permanent book/tax differences to reflect tax character. Financial records are not adjusted for temporary differences. The temporary differences between financial reporting and tax-basis reporting of unrealized appreciation (depreciation) are attributable primarily to the tax deferral of losses from wash sales, the realization for tax purposes of unrealized gains (losses) on certain derivative instruments, and reclassifications of income from investments in real estate securities and other securities.

Due to inherent differences in the recognition of income, expenses, and realized gians (losses) under U.S. GAAP and federal income tax regulations, permanent differences between book and tax reporting have been identified and appropriately reclassified on the Statement of Assets and Liabilties.

Accordingly, the following amounts represent current year permanent differences derived equalization from as of October 31, 2022:

 

Fund

   Paid-In-Capital      Distributable
Earnings/(Deficits)
 

Large Cap Value

   $ 60,178,989      $ (60,178,989

For federal income tax purposes, the Fund measures its capital loss carryforwards annually at October 31, its fiscal year end. Capital loss carryforwards retain their character as short-term and/or long-term and may be carried forward and applied against future realized capital gains with no expiration date.

 

 

35


American Beacon Large Cap Value FundSM

Notes to Financial Statements

October 31, 2022

 

 

As of October 31, 2022, the Fund did not have any capital loss carryforwards.

8.  Investment Transactions

The aggregate cost of purchases and proceeds from sales and maturities of investments, other than short-term obligations, for the year ended October 31, 2022 were as follows:

 

Fund

   Purchases
(non-U.S.
Government
Securities)
     Sales
(non-U.S.
Government
Securities)
 

Large Cap Value

   $ 880,182,959      $ 1,442,958,338  

A summary of the Fund’s transactions in the USG Select Fund for the year ended October 31, 2022 were as follows:

 

Fund

  Type of
Transaction
        October 31,
2021
Shares/Fair
Value
          Purchases           Sales           October 31,
2022
Shares/Fair
Value
 
Large Cap Value   Direct     $ 128,676,414       $ 1,356,804,311       $ 1,390,892,303       $ 94,588,422  
Large Cap Value   Securities Lending       -         154,419,367         148,907,637         5,511,730  

Affiliated Trades:

Cross trades for the year ended October 31, 2022, if any, were executed by the Funds pursuant to procedures adopted by the Board to ensure compliance with Rule 17a-7 under the Act. Cross trading is the buying or selling of portfolio securities between funds of investment companies, or between the fund of an investment company and another entity, that are or could be considered affiliates by virtue of a common investment advisor (or affiliated investment advisors), common Trustees and/or common Officers. At its regularly scheduled meetings, the Chief Compliance Officer (“CCO”) certifies to the Board that the 17a-7 transactions entered into by the funds complied with the Rule 17a-7 Procedures adopted by the Board.

For the year ended October 31, 2022, cross trades by the Fund under Rule 17a-7 were as follows:

 

Fund

   Purchases      Sales      Net Realized
Gain (Loss)
 

Large Cap Value

   $ 58,323      $ -      $ -  

9.  Securities Lending

The Fund may lend its securities to qualified financial institutions, such as certain broker-dealers, to earn additional income. The borrowers are required to secure their loans continuously with collateral in an amount at least equal to the fair value of the securities loaned, initially in an amount at least equal to 102% of the fair value of domestic securities loaned and 105% of the fair value of international securities loaned. Collateral is monitored and marked-to-market daily. Daily mark-to-market amounts are required to be paid to the borrower or received from the borrower by the end of the following business day. This one day settlement for mark-to-market amounts may result in the collateral being temporarily less than the value of the securities on loan or temporarily more than the required minimum collateral.

To the extent that a loan is collateralized by cash, such cash collateral shall be invested by the securities lending agent (the “Agent”) in money market mutual funds and other short-term investments, provided the investments meet certain quality and diversification requirements. Securities purchased with cash collateral proceeds are listed in the Fund’s Schedule of Investments and the collateral is shown on the Statement of Assets and Liabilities as a payable.

 

 

36


American Beacon Large Cap Value FundSM

Notes to Financial Statements

October 31, 2022

 

 

Securities lending income is generated from the demand premium (if any) paid by the borrower to borrow a specific security and from the return on investment of cash collateral, reduced by negotiated rebate fees paid to the borrower and transaction costs. To the extent that a loan is secured by non-cash collateral, securities lending income is generated as a demand premium reduced by transaction costs. The Fund, the Agent, and the Manager retained 80%, 10%, and 10%, respectively, of the income generated from securities lending.

While securities are on loan, the Fund continues to receive certain income associated with that security and any gain or loss in the market price that may occur during the term of the loan. In the case of domestic equities, the value of any dividend is received in the form of a substitute payment approximately equal to the dividend. In the case of foreign securities, a negotiated amount is received that is less than the actual dividend, but higher than the dividend amount minus the foreign tax that the Fund would be subject to on the dividend.

Securities lending transactions pose certain risks to the Fund, including that the borrower may not provide additional collateral when required or return the securities when due, that the value of the short-term investments will be less than the amount of cash collateral required to be returned to the borrower, that non-cash collateral may be subject to legal constraints in the event of a borrower bankruptcy, and that the cash collateral investments could become illiquid and unable to be used to return collateral to the borrower. The Fund could also experience delays and costs in gaining access to the collateral. The Fund bears the risk of any deficiency in the amount of the cash collateral available for return to the borrower and any action which impairs its ability to liquidate non-cash collateral to satisfy a borrower default.

As of October 31, 2022, the value of outstanding securities on loan and the value of collateral were as follows:

 

Fund

  Fair Value of
Securities on Loan
          Cash Collateral
Received
          Non-Cash Collateral
Received
          Total Collateral
Received
 

Large Cap Value

  $ 22,021,092       $ 5,511,730       $ 17,232,050       $ 22,743,780  

Cash collateral is listed on the Fund’s Schedule of Investments and is shown on the Statement of Assets and Liabilities. Income earned on these investments is included in “Income derived from securities lending” on the Statement of Operations.

Non-cash collateral received by the Fund may not be sold or re-pledged except to satisfy a borrower default. Therefore, non-cash collateral is not included on the Fund’s Schedule of Investments or Statement of Assets and Liabilities.

10.  Borrowing Arrangements

Effective November 11, 2021 (the “Effective Date”), the Funds, along with certain other funds managed by the Manager (“Participating Funds”), renewed a committed revolving line of credit (the “Committed Line”) agreement with State Street Bank and Trust Company (the “Bank”) to be used to facilitate portfolio liquidity. The maximum borrowing amount under the Committed Line is $100 million with interest at a rate equal to the higher of (a) Overnight Bank Funding Rate (“OBFR”) daily fluctuating rate per annum equal to 1.25% plus the sum of 0.10% or (b) the Federal Funds daily fluctuating rate per annum on amounts borrowed. Each of the Participating Funds paid a proportional amount of a quarterly commitment fee at a rate of 0.25% per annum on the unused portion of the Committed Line amount. The Committed Line expires November 10, 2022, unless extended by the Bank or terminated by the Participating Funds in accordance with the agreement. Prior to the Effective Date, the maximum borrowing amount under the Committed Line was $150 million with an expiration date November 10, 2021.

On the Effective Date, the Funds, along with certain other Participating Funds managed by the Manager, also renewed an uncommitted discretionary demand revolving line of credit (the “Uncommitted Line”) agreement with the Bank to be used to facilitate portfolio liquidity. The maximum borrowing amount under the Uncommitted

 

 

37


American Beacon Large Cap Value FundSM

Notes to Financial Statements

October 31, 2022

 

 

Line is $100 million with interest at a rate equal to the higher of (a) OBFR daily fluctuating rate per annum equal to 1.25% plus the sum of 0.10% or (b) the Federal Funds daily fluctuating rate per annum on amounts borrowed on each outstanding loan. Each of the Participating Funds paid a proportional amount of a closing fee of $35,000 on the Effective Date. The Uncommitted Line expires November 10, 2022, unless extended by the Bank or terminated by the Participating Funds in accordance with the agreement. Prior to the Effective Date, the maximum borrowing amount under the Uncommitted Line was $50 million with an expiration date of November 10, 2021.

The Participating Funds paid administration, legal and arrangement fees, which are recognized as a component of “Loan expense” on the Statement of Operations, along with commitment fees, that have been allocated among the Participating Funds based on average daily net assets.

During the year ended October 31, 2022, the Fund did not utilize these facilities.

11.  Capital Share Transactions

The tables below summarize the activity in capital shares for each Class of the Fund:

 

    R5 Class  
    Year Ended
October 31, 2022
          Year Ended
October 31, 2021
 

Large Cap Value Fund

 

Shares

         

Amount

         

Shares

         

Amount

 
Shares sold     5,438,071       $ 148,991,696         9,514,528       $ 261,378,308  
Reinvestment of dividends     5,296,719         146,507,237         9,027,196         216,381,886  
Shares redeemed     (18,524,183       (505,754,019       (41,632,480       (1,173,557,287
 

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 
Net (decrease) in shares outstanding     (7,789,393     $ (210,255,086       (23,090,756     $ (695,797,093
 

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 
 
    Y Class  
    Year Ended
October 31, 2022
          Year Ended
October 31, 2021
 

Large Cap Value Fund

 

Shares

         

Amount

         

Shares

         

Amount

 
Shares sold     1,098,692       $ 29,828,324         2,676,780       $ 75,015,392  
Reinvestment of dividends     921,340         25,217,075         1,085,985         25,792,134  
Shares redeemed     (3,176,984       (84,862,069       (3,037,622       (82,439,293
 

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 
Net increase (decrease) in shares outstanding     (1,156,952     $ (29,816,670       725,143       $ 18,368,233  
 

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 
 
    Investor Class  
    Year Ended
October 31, 2022
          Year Ended
October 31, 2021
 

Large Cap Value Fund

 

Shares

         

Amount

         

Shares

         

Amount

 
Shares sold     2,504,206       $ 61,083,605         3,651,934       $ 92,653,002  
Reinvestment of dividends     3,581,099         88,309,888         5,150,897         111,413,906  
Shares redeemed     (7,663,306       (186,750,186       (12,564,935       (310,817,392
 

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 
Net (decrease) in shares outstanding     (1,578,001     $ (37,356,693       (3,762,104     $ (106,750,484
 

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 
 
    Advisor Class  
    Year Ended
October 31, 2022
          Year Ended
October 31, 2021
 

Large Cap Value Fund

 

Shares

         

Amount

         

Shares

         

Amount

 
Shares sold     198,414       $ 4,696,545         348,459       $ 8,359,633  
Reinvestment of dividends     266,337         6,432,037         331,974         7,054,439  
Shares redeemed     (716,683       (16,989,798       (554,676       (13,386,335
 

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 
Net increase (decrease) in shares outstanding     (251,932     $ (5,861,216       125,757       $ 2,027,737  
 

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 
 
    A Class  
    Year Ended
October 31, 2022
          Year Ended
October 31, 2021
 

Large Cap Value Fund

 

Shares

         

Amount

         

Shares

         

Amount

 
Shares sold     495,949       $ 11,569,354         98,924       $ 2,464,857  
Reinvestment of dividends     49,116         1,187,641         184,657         3,920,273  
Shares redeemed     (266,027       (6,441,035       (1,051,348       (24,700,324
 

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 
Net increase (decrease) in shares outstanding     279,038       $ 6,315,960         (767,767     $ (18,315,194
 

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 
 

 

 

38


American Beacon Large Cap Value FundSM

Notes to Financial Statements

October 31, 2022

 

 

    C Class  
    Year Ended
October 31, 2022
          Year Ended
October 31, 2021
 

Large Cap Value Fund

 

Shares

         

Amount

         

Shares

         

Amount

 
Shares sold     46,214       $ 1,120,298         76,910       $ 1,897,938  
Reinvestment of dividends     31,246         749,292         31,897         673,993  
Shares redeemed     (87,726       (2,032,852       (79,903       (1,963,612
 

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 
Net increase (decrease) in shares outstanding     (10,266     $ (163,262       28,904       $ 608,319  
 

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 
 
    R6 Class  
    Year Ended
October 31, 2022
          Year Ended
October 31, 2021
 

Large Cap Value Fund

 

Shares

         

Amount

         

Shares

         

Amount

 
Shares sold     12,284,725       $ 337,686,598         17,246,084       $ 490,638,849  
Reinvestment of dividends     3,931,298         108,739,691         6,072,914         145,567,749  
Shares redeemed     (14,575,833       (384,949,748       (26,373,754       (726,290,652
 

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 
Net increase (decrease) in shares outstanding     1,640,190       $ 61,476,541         (3,054,756     $ (90,084,054
 

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 

12.  Subsequent Events

Management has evaluated subsequent events for possible recognition or disclosure in the financial statements through the date the financial statements are issued. Management has determined that there are no material events that would require disclosure in the Fund’s financial statements through this date.

 

 

39


American Beacon Large Cap Value FundSM

Financial Highlights

(For a share outstanding throughout the period)

 

 

    R5 ClassA  
    Year Ended October 31,  
    2022           2021           2020B           2019           2018  
 

 

 

 

Net asset value, beginning of period

  $ 30.99       $ 23.36       $ 28.32       $ 28.41       $ 30.98  
 

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 

Income (loss) from investment operations:

                 

Net investment income

    0.50         0.59         0.65         0.63         0.63  

Net gains (losses) on investments (both realized and unrealized)

    (2.11       10.64         (2.89       1.69         (0.07
 

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 

Total income (loss) from investment operations

    (1.61       11.23         (2.24       2.32         0.56  
 

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 

Less distributions:

                 

Dividends from net investment income

    (0.39       (0.49       (0.62       (0.55       (0.55

Distributions from net realized gains

    (2.78       (3.11       (2.10       (1.86       (2.58
 

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 

Total distributions

    (3.17       (3.60       (2.72       (2.41       (3.13
 

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 

Net asset value, end of period

  $ 26.21       $ 30.99       $ 23.36       $ 28.32       $ 28.41  
 

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 

Total returnC

    (5.75 )%        52.60       (9.29 )%        10.14       1.51
 

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 

Ratios and supplemental data:

 

Net assets, end of period

  $ 1,218,988,715       $ 1,682,465,233       $ 1,807,587,315       $ 3,137,789,485       $ 3,700,700,522  

Ratios to average net assets:

                 

Expenses, before reimbursements and/or recoupments

    0.63       0.63       0.63       0.63       0.62

Expenses, net of reimbursements and/or recoupments

    0.63       0.63       0.63       0.63       0.62

Net investment income, before expense reimbursements and/or recoupments

    1.45       1.30       1.90       2.07       1.83

Net investment income, net of reimbursements and/or recoupments

    1.45       1.30       1.90       2.07       1.83

Portfolio turnover rate

    25       23       67       23       23

 

A 

Prior to February 28, 2020, the R5 Class was known as Institutional Class.

B 

On January 17, 2020, Brandywine Global Investment Management, LLC was terminated and ceased managing assets of the Fund.

C 

Based on net asset value, which does not reflect the sales charge, redemption fee, or contingent deferred sales charge, if applicable. May include adjustments in accordance with U.S. GAAP and as such, the net asset value for reporting purposes and the returns based upon those net asset values may differ from the net asset value and returns for shareholder transactions.

 

See accompanying notes

 

40


American Beacon Large Cap Value FundSM

Financial Highlights

(For a share outstanding throughout the period)

 

 

    Y Class  
    Year Ended October 31,  
    2022           2021           2020A           2019           2018  
 

 

 

 

Net asset value, beginning of period

  $ 30.68       $ 23.16       $ 28.10       $ 28.20       $ 30.78  
 

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 

Income (loss) from investment operations:

                 

Net investment income

    0.37         0.38         0.39         0.56         0.57  

Net gains (losses) on investments (both realized and unrealized)

    (1.98       10.73         (2.63       1.72         (0.04
 

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 

Total income (loss) from investment operations

    (1.61       11.11         (2.24       2.28         0.53  
 

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 

Less distributions:

                 

Dividends from net investment income

    (0.37       (0.48       (0.60       (0.52       (0.53

Distributions from net realized gains

    (2.78       (3.11       (2.10       (1.86       (2.58
 

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 

Total distributions

    (3.15       (3.59       (2.70       (2.38       (3.11
 

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 

Net asset value, end of period

  $ 25.92       $ 30.68       $ 23.16       $ 28.10       $ 28.20  
 

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 

Total returnB

    (5.81 )%        52.47       (9.35 )%        10.05       1.42
 

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 

Ratios and supplemental data:

 

Net assets, end of period

  $ 188,140,776       $ 258,183,363       $ 178,065,442       $ 301,457,382       $ 298,017,629  

Ratios to average net assets:

                 

Expenses, before reimbursements and/or recoupments

    0.70       0.69       0.70       0.70       0.68

Expenses, net of reimbursements and/or recoupments

    0.70       0.69       0.70       0.70       0.68

Net investment income, before expense reimbursements and/or recoupments

    1.38       1.21       1.84       1.98       1.77

Net investment income, net of reimbursements and/or recoupments

    1.38       1.21       1.84       1.98       1.77

Portfolio turnover rate

    25       23       67       23       23

 

A 

On January 17, 2020, Brandywine Global Investment Management, LLC was terminated and ceased managing assets of the Fund.

B 

Based on net asset value, which does not reflect the sales charge, redemption fee, or contingent deferred sales charge, if applicable. May include adjustments in accordance with U.S. GAAP and as such, the net asset value for reporting purposes and the returns based upon those net asset values may differ from the net asset value and returns for shareholder transactions.

 

See accompanying notes

 

41


American Beacon Large Cap Value FundSM

Financial Highlights

(For a share outstanding throughout the period)

 

 

    Investor Class  
    Year Ended October 31,  
    2022           2021           2020A           2019           2018  
 

 

 

 

Net asset value, beginning of period

  $ 27.88       $ 21.32       $ 26.06       $ 26.33       $ 28.92  
 

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 

Income (loss) from investment operations:

                 

Net investment income

    0.25         0.20         0.29         0.41         0.41  

Net gains (losses) on investments (both realized and unrealized)

    (1.76       9.88         (2.41       1.63         0.02  
 

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 

Total income (loss) from investment operations

    (1.51       10.08         (2.12       2.04         0.43  
 

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 

Less distributions:

                 

Dividends from net investment income

    (0.29       (0.41       (0.52       (0.45       (0.44

Distributions from net realized gains

    (2.78       (3.11       (2.10       (1.86       (2.58
 

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 

Total distributions

    (3.07       (3.52       (2.62       (2.31       (3.02
 

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 

Net asset value, end of period

  $ 23.30       $ 27.88       $ 21.32       $ 26.06       $ 26.33  
 

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 

Total returnB

    (6.04 )%        52.04       (9.59 )%        9.77       1.18
 

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 

Ratios and supplemental data:

 

Net assets, end of period

  $ 649,409,067       $ 821,099,597       $ 707,970,431       $ 1,124,625,846       $ 1,505,354,807  

Ratios to average net assets:

                 

Expenses, before reimbursements and/or recoupments

    0.95       0.98       0.96       0.96       0.95

Expenses, net of reimbursements and/or recoupments

    0.95       0.98       0.96       0.96       0.95

Net investment income, before expense reimbursements and/or recoupments

    1.13       0.93       1.57       1.74       1.50

Net investment income, net of reimbursements and/or recoupments

    1.13       0.93       1.57       1.74       1.50

Portfolio turnover rate

    25       23       67       23       23

 

A 

On January 17, 2020, Brandywine Global Investment Management, LLC was terminated and ceased managing assets of the Fund.

B 

Based on net asset value, which does not reflect the sales charge, redemption fee, or contingent deferred sales charge, if applicable. May include adjustments in accordance with U.S. GAAP and as such, the net asset value for reporting purposes and the returns based upon those net asset values may differ from the net asset value and returns for shareholder transactions.

 

See accompanying notes

 

42


American Beacon Large Cap Value FundSM

Financial Highlights

(For a share outstanding throughout the period)

 

 

    Advisor Class  
    Year Ended October 31,  
    2022           2021           2020A           2019           2018  
 

 

 

 

Net asset value, beginning of period

  $ 27.36       $ 20.97       $ 25.68       $ 25.95       $ 28.54  
 

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 

Income (loss) from investment operations:

                 

Net investment income

    0.14         0.26         0.24         0.47         0.28  

Net gains (losses) on investments (both realized and unrealized)

    (1.65       9.62         (2.36       1.52         0.10  
 

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 

Total income (loss) from investment operations

    (1.51       9.88         (2.12       1.99         0.38  
 

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 

Less distributions:

                 

Dividends from net investment income

    (0.27       (0.38       (0.49       (0.40       (0.39

Distributions from net realized gains

    (2.78       (3.11       (2.10       (1.86       (2.58
 

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 

Total distributions

    (3.05       (3.49       (2.59       (2.26       (2.97
 

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 

Net asset value, end of period

  $ 22.80       $ 27.36       $ 20.97       $ 25.68       $ 25.95  
 

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 

Total returnB

    (6.17 )%        51.89       (9.73 )%        9.64       1.00
 

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 

Ratios and supplemental data:

 

Net assets, end of period

  $    47,185,316       $    63,521,926       $   46,049,690       $      66,077,449       $      62,811,940  

Ratios to average net assets:

                 

Expenses, before reimbursements and/or recoupments

    1.10       1.10       1.10       1.10       1.09

Expenses, net of reimbursements and/or recoupments

    1.10       1.10       1.10       1.10       1.09

Net investment income, before expense reimbursements and/or recoupments

    0.98       0.81       1.42       1.58       1.36

Net investment income, net of reimbursements and/or recoupments

    0.98       0.81       1.42       1.58       1.36

Portfolio turnover rate

    25       23       67       23       23

 

A 

On January 17, 2020, Brandywine Global Investment Management, LLC was terminated and ceased managing assets of the Fund.

B 

Based on net asset value, which does not reflect the sales charge, redemption fee, or contingent deferred sales charge, if applicable. May include adjustments in accordance with U.S. GAAP and as such, the net asset value for reporting purposes and the returns based upon those net asset values may differ from the net asset value and returns for shareholder transactions.

 

See accompanying notes

 

43


American Beacon Large Cap Value FundSM

Financial Highlights

(For a share outstanding throughout the period)

 

 

    A Class  
    Year Ended October 31,  
    2022           2021           2020A           2019           2018  
 

 

 

 

Net asset value, beginning of period

  $ 27.37       $ 20.96       $ 25.66       $ 26.00       $ 28.61  
 

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 

Income (loss) from investment operations:

                 

Net investment income

    1.05         0.24 B        0.20         0.40         0.48  

Net gains (losses) on investments (both realized and unrealized)

    (2.51       9.68         (2.29       1.59         (0.06
 

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 

Total income (loss) from investment operations

    (1.46       9.92         (2.09       1.99         0.42  
 

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 

Less distributions:

                 

Dividends from net investment income

    (0.27       (0.40       (0.51       (0.47       (0.45

Distributions from net realized gains

    (2.78       (3.11       (2.10       (1.86       (2.58
 

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 

Total distributions

    (3.05       (3.51       (2.61       (2.33       (3.03
 

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 

Net asset value, end of period

  $ 22.86       $ 27.37       $ 20.96       $ 25.66       $ 26.00  
 

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 

Total returnC

    (5.96 )%        52.15       (9.65 )%        9.72       1.15
 

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 

Ratios and supplemental data:

 

Net assets, end of period

  $   16,953,764       $   12,661,833       $   25,792,400       $      39,157,098       $      42,722,617  

Ratios to average net assets:

                 

Expenses, before reimbursements and/or recoupments

    0.89       0.96       1.00       1.01       0.93

Expenses, net of reimbursements and/or recoupments

    0.89       0.96       1.00       1.01       0.93

Net investment income, before expense reimbursements and/or recoupments

    1.24       0.98       1.52       1.68       1.49

Net investment income, net of reimbursements and/or recoupments

    1.24       0.98       1.52       1.68       1.49

Portfolio turnover rate

    25       23       67       23       23

 

A 

On January 17, 2020, Brandywine Global Investment Management, LLC was terminated and ceased managing assets of the Fund.

B 

Per share amounts have been calculated using the average shares method.

C 

Based on net asset value, which does not reflect the sales charge, redemption fee, or contingent deferred sales charge, if applicable. May include adjustments in accordance with U.S. GAAP and as such, the net asset value for reporting purposes and the returns based upon those net asset values may differ from the net asset value and returns for shareholder transactions.

 

See accompanying notes

 

44


American Beacon Large Cap Value FundSM

Financial Highlights

(For a share outstanding throughout the period)

 

 

    C Class  
    Year Ended October 31,  
    2022           2021           2020A           2019           2018  
 

 

 

 

Net asset value, beginning of period

  $ 27.07       $ 20.74       $ 25.43       $ 25.71       $ 28.27  
 

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 

Income (loss) from investment operations:

                 

Net investment income

    0.07         0.16         0.08         0.26         0.21  

Net gains (losses) on investments (both realized and unrealized)

    (1.71       9.49         (2.32       1.57         0.05  
 

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 

Total income (loss) from investment operations

    (1.64       9.65         (2.24       1.83         0.26  
 

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 

Less distributions:

                 

Dividends from net investment income

    (0.13       (0.21       (0.35       (0.25       (0.24

Distributions from net realized gains

    (2.78       (3.11       (2.10       (1.86       (2.58
 

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 

Total distributions

    (2.91       (3.32       (2.45       (2.11       (2.82
 

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 

Net asset value, end of period

  $ 22.52       $ 27.07       $ 20.74       $ 25.43       $ 25.71  
 

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 

Total returnB

    (6.74 )%        51.05       (10.26 )%        8.94       0.57
 

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 

Ratios and supplemental data:

 

Net assets, end of period

  $     5,508,217       $      6,898,120       $     4,687,004       $         6,811,169       $         6,851,003  

Ratios to average net assets:

                 

Expenses, before reimbursements and/or recoupments

    1.69       1.68       1.68       1.70       1.64

Expenses, net of reimbursements and/or recoupments

    1.69       1.68       1.68       1.70 %C        1.54

Net investment income, before expense reimbursements and/or recoupments

    0.40       0.22       0.84       0.99       0.79

Net investment income, net of reimbursements and/or recoupments

    0.40       0.22       0.84       0.99       0.90

Portfolio turnover rate

    25       23       67       23       23

 

A 

On January 17, 2020, Brandywine Global Investment Management, LLC was terminated and ceased managing assets of the Fund.

B 

Based on net asset value, which does not reflect the sales charge, redemption fee, or contingent deferred sales charge, if applicable. May include adjustments in accordance with U.S. GAAP and as such, the net asset value for reporting purposes and the returns based upon those net asset values may differ from the net asset value and returns for shareholder transactions.

C 

This ratio does not include a voluntary reimbursement of service fees as included in the prior year.

 

See accompanying notes

 

45


American Beacon Large Cap Value FundSM

Financial Highlights

(For a share outstanding throughout the period)

 

 

    R6 Class  
    Year Ended October 31,  
    2022           2021           2020A           2019           2018  
 

 

 

 

Net asset value, beginning of period

  $ 30.99       $ 23.36       $ 28.31       $ 28.41       $ 30.98  
 

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 

Income from investment operations:

                 

Net investment income

    0.45         0.36         0.56         0.61         0.59  

Net gains (losses) on investments (both realized and unrealized)

    (2.05       10.88         (2.78       1.71         (0.02
 

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 

Total income (loss) from investment operations

    (1.60       11.24         (2.22       2.32         0.57  
 

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 

Less distributions:

                 

Dividends from net investment income

    (0.40       (0.50       (0.63       (0.56       (0.56

Distributions from net realized gains

    (2.78       (3.11       (2.10       (1.86       (2.58
 

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 

Total distributions

    (3.18       (3.61       (2.73       (2.42       (3.14
 

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 

Net asset value, end of period

  $ 26.21       $ 30.99       $ 23.36       $ 28.31       $ 28.41  
 

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 

Total returnB

    (5.72 )%        52.65       (9.23 )%        10.15       1.54
 

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 

Ratios and supplemental data:

 

Net assets, end of period

  $ 1,094,080,159       $ 1,242,662,760       $ 1,008,088,807       $    739,517,062       $     571,236,567  

Ratios to average net assets:

                 

Expenses, before reimbursements and/or recoupments

    0.60       0.60       0.62       0.60       0.59

Expenses, net of reimbursements and/or recoupments

    0.60       0.60       0.59       0.58       0.58

Net investment income, before expense reimbursements and/or recoupments

    1.49       1.31       1.90       2.07       1.75

Net investment income, net of reimbursements and/or recoupments

    1.49       1.31       1.93       2.09       1.76

Portfolio turnover rate

    25       23       67       23       23

 

A 

On January 17, 2020, Brandywine Global Investment Management, LLC was terminated and ceased managing assets of the Fund.

B 

Based on net asset value, which does not reflect the sales charge, redemption fee, or contingent deferred sales charge, if applicable. May include adjustments in accordance with U.S. GAAP and as such, the net asset value for reporting purposes and the returns based upon those net asset values may differ from the net asset value and returns for shareholder transactions.

 

See accompanying notes

 

46


American Beacon FundsSM

Federal Tax Information

October 31, 2022 (Unaudited)

 

 

Certain tax information regarding the Funds are required to be provided to shareholders based upon the Funds’ income and distributions for the taxable year ended October 31, 2022. The information and distributions reported herein may differ from information and distributions taxable to the shareholders for the calendar year ended December 31, 2022.

The Fund designated the following items with regard to distributions paid during the fiscal year ended October 31, 2022. All designations are based on financial information available as of this annual report and, accordingly, are subject to change. For each item, it is the intention of the Funds to designate the maximum amount permitted under the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, and the regulations there under.

Corporate Dividends-Received Deduction:

 

Large Cap Value

    52.25

Qualified Dividend Income:

 

Large Cap Value

    62.38

Long-Term Capital Gain Distributions:

 

Large Cap Value

  $ 360,309,596  

Short-Term Capital Gain Distributions:

 

Large Cap Value

  $ 73,049,749  

Shareholders will receive notification in January 2023 of the applicable tax information necessary to prepare their 2022 income tax returns.

 

 

47


Disclosure Regarding Approval of the Management and Investment Advisory Agreements (Unaudited)

 

 

At meetings held on May 16, 2022 and June 7-8, 2022 (collectively, the “Meetings”), the Board of Trustees (“Board” or “Trustees”) considered and then, at its June 8, 2022 meeting, approved the renewal of:

(1) the Management Agreement between American Beacon Advisors, Inc. (“Manager”) and the American Beacon Funds (“Trust”), on behalf of the American Beacon Large Cap Value Fund (“Fund”); and

(2) the Investment Advisory Agreements among the Manager, the Trust, on behalf of the Fund, and each of Barrow, Hanley, Mewhinney & Strauss, LLC (“Barrow”), Hotchkis and Wiley Capital Management, LLC (“Hotchkis”) and Massachusetts Financial Services Company (“MFS”) (each, a “sub-advisor” and collectively, the “sub-advisors”).

The Management Agreement and the Investment Advisory Agreements are referred to herein individually as an “Agreement” and collectively as the “Agreements.”

In preparation for its consideration of the renewal of the Agreements, the Board undertook steps to gather and consider information furnished by the Manager, the sub-advisors, Broadridge, Inc. (“Broadridge”) and Morningstar, Inc. (“Morningstar”). The Board, with the assistance of independent legal counsel, requested and received certain relevant information from the Manager and each sub-advisor.

In advance of the Meetings, the Board’s Investment Committee and/or the Manager coordinated the production of information from Broadridge and Morningstar regarding the performance, fees and expenses of the Fund as well as information from the Manager and the sub-advisors. At the Meetings, the Board considered the information provided in connection with the renewal process, as well as information furnished to the Board throughout the year at regular meetings of the Board and its committees. In connection with the Board’s consideration of the Agreements, the Trustees received and evaluated such information as they deemed necessary. This information is described below in the section summarizing the factors the Board considered in connection with its renewal and approval of the Agreements, as well as the section describing additional Board considerations with respect to the Fund.

The Board noted that the Manager provides management and administrative services to the Funds pursuant to the Management Agreement. The Board considered that many mutual funds have separate contracts governing each type of service and observed that, with respect to such mutual funds, the actual management fee rates provided by Broadridge for peer group funds reflect the combined advisory and administrative fees, reduced by any fee waivers and/or reimbursements.

The Manager or a sub-advisor may not have been able to, or opted not to, provide information in response to certain information requests, in which case the Board conducted its evaluation of the firm based on information that was provided. In such cases, the Board determined that the omission of any such information was not material to its considerations.

Provided below is an overview of certain factors the Board considered in connection with its decision to approve the renewal of the Agreements. The Board did not identify any particular information that was most relevant to its consideration of whether to approve the renewal of each Agreement, and each Trustee may have afforded different weight to the various factors. Legal counsel to the independent Trustees provided the Board with a memorandum regarding its responsibilities pertaining to the renewal of investment advisory contracts, such as the Agreements, and related regulatory guidelines. Based on its evaluation, the Board unanimously concluded that the terms of each Agreement were reasonable and fair and that the approval of the renewal of each Agreement was in the best interests of the Fund and its shareholders.

 

 

48


Disclosure Regarding Approval of the Management and Investment Advisory Agreements (Unaudited)

 

 

Considerations With Respect to the Renewal of the Management Agreement and the Investment Advisory Agreements

In determining whether to approve the renewal of the Agreements, the Board considered the Fund’s investment management and sub-advisory relationships separately. In each instance, the Board considered, among other things, the following factors: (1) the nature, extent and quality of the services provided; (2) the investment performance of the Fund and the sub-advisors for the Fund; (3) the profits earned by the Manager in rendering services to the Fund; (4) comparisons of services and fee rates with contracts entered into by the Manager or a sub-advisor or their affiliates with other clients (such as pension funds and other institutional clients); (5) the extent to which economies of scale, if any, have been taken into account in setting each fee rate schedule; (6) whether fee rate levels reflect economies of scale, if any, for the benefit of Fund investors; and (7) any other benefits derived or anticipated to be derived by the Manager or the sub-advisors from their relationships with the Fund.

Nature, Extent and Quality of Services. With respect to the renewal of the Management Agreement, the Board considered, among other factors: the Fund’s long-term performance; the length of service of key investment personnel at the Manager; the cost structure of the Fund; the Manager’s culture of compliance and support that reduce risks to the Fund; the Manager’s quality of services; the Manager’s active role in monitoring and, as appropriate, recommending additional or replacement sub-advisors; and the Manager’s efforts to retain key employees and maintain staffing levels.

With respect to the renewal of each Investment Advisory Agreement, the Board considered, among other factors: the level of staffing and the size of each sub-advisor; succession plans for key employees who perform services for the Fund; diversity and inclusion initiatives; the adequacy of the resources committed to the Funds by each sub-advisor; the financial stability of each sub-advisor; and representations made by each sub-advisor regarding its compliance program. Based on the foregoing and other information, the Board concluded that the nature, extent and quality of the management and advisory services provided by the Manager and each sub-advisor were appropriate for the Fund.

Investment Performance. The Board evaluated the comparative information provided by Broadridge and the Manager regarding the performance of the Fund relative to its Broadridge Performance Universe, Morningstar Category, and benchmark index, as well as the Fund’s Morningstar rating. The Board considered the information provided by Broadridge regarding its independent methodology for selecting the Fund’s Broadridge Performance Universe. In addition, the Board considered the performance reports and discussions with management at meetings of the Board and its committees throughout the year. The Board also evaluated the comparative information provided by each sub-advisor regarding the performance of its portion of the Fund relative to the performance of comparable investment accounts or a composite of comparable investment accounts managed by the sub-advisor, and the Fund’s benchmark index. In addition, the Board considered the Manager’s recommendation to continue to retain each sub-advisor. A discussion regarding the Board’s considerations with respect to the Fund’s performance appears below under “Additional Considerations and Conclusions with Respect to the Fund.”

Profits Realized by the Manager from its Relationship with the Fund. In analyzing the profitability of the Manager, the Board considered the revenues earned and the expenses incurred by the Manager, before and after the payment of distribution-related expenses by the Manager. The profits were noted at both an aggregate level for all funds within the group of mutual funds sponsored by the Manager (the “Fund Complex”) and at an individual Fund level, with the Manager earning a profit before and after the payment of distribution-related expenses by the Manager with respect to the Fund. The Board also considered comparative information provided by the Manager regarding the Manager’s overall profitability with respect to the Fund Complex relative to the overall profitability of other firms in the mutual fund industry, as disclosed in publicly available sources. Although the Board noted that, in certain cases, the fee rates paid by other clients of the Manager are lower than the fee rates paid by the Fund, the Manager represented that, among other matters, the difference is attributable to the fact that the Manager does not perform administrative services for non-investment company clients and reflects the greater level of responsibility and regulatory requirements associated with managing the Fund.

 

 

49


Disclosure Regarding Approval of the Management and Investment Advisory Agreements (Unaudited)

 

 

The Board further considered that, with respect to the Fund, the Management Agreement provides for the Manager to receive a management fee comprised of an annualized fee that is retained by the Manager. In addition, the Board considered that the Manager receives fees for administering and overseeing the securities lending program on behalf of the Fund. The Board also noted that certain share classes of the Fund have higher expense ratios in order to compensate third-party financial intermediaries.

In analyzing the fee rates charged by each sub-advisor in connection with its investment advisory services to the Fund, the Board considered representations made by the sub-advisors that the Fund’s sub-advisory fee rate schedule generally was favorable compared to other comparable client accounts. The Board did not request profitability data from the sub-advisors because the Board did not view this data as imperative to its deliberations given the arm’s-length nature of the relationship between the Manager and the sub-advisors with respect to the negotiation of sub-advisory fee rates. In addition, the Board noted that sub-advisors may not account for their profits on an account-by-account basis and that different firms likely employ different methodologies in connection with these calculations.

Based on the foregoing information, the Board concluded that the profitability levels of the Manager were reasonable in light of the services performed by the Manager. A discussion regarding the Board’s considerations with respect to the Fund’s fee rates is set forth below under “Additional Considerations and Conclusions with Respect to the Fund.”

Economies of Scale. In considering the reasonableness of the management and investment advisory fees rates, the Board considered whether economies of scale will be realized as the Fund grows and whether fee rate levels reflect these economies of scale for the benefit of Fund shareholders. In this regard, the Board considered that, with respect to each sub-advisor, the Manager has negotiated breakpoints for the sub-advisory fee rate schedule. The Board also noted that, for purposes of determining the fee rates chargeable to the Fund, certain sub-advisors have agreed to take into account other clients of the Manager whose assets are allocated to the sub-advisors by Manager for purposes of calculating the Fund’s sub-advisory fee rate breakpoints.

In addition, the Board noted the Manager’s representation that the Management Agreement contains fee schedule breakpoints at higher asset levels with respect to the Fund. In this regard, the Board considered that the Fund’s current assets did not exceed the threshold necessary to reach the first management fee breakpoint. Based on the foregoing information, the Board concluded that the Manager and sub-advisor fee rate schedules for the Fund provide for a reasonable sharing of benefits from any economies of scale with the Fund.

Benefits Derived from the Relationship with the Fund. The Board considered the “fall-out” or ancillary benefits that accrue to the Manager and/or the sub-advisors as a result of the advisory relationships with the Fund, including greater exposure in the marketplace with respect to the Manager’s or the sub-advisors’ investment process and expanding the level of assets under management by the Manager and the sub-advisors. The Board also considered that the Manager may invest the Fund’s cash balances and cash collateral provided by the borrowers of the Fund’s securities in the American Beacon U.S. Government Money Market Select Fund, which the Manager manages directly, and for which the Manager receives a fee. In addition, the Board noted that each sub-advisor benefits from soft dollar arrangements for proprietary and/or third-party research. Based on the foregoing information, the Board concluded that the potential benefits accruing to the Manager and the sub-advisors by virtue of their relationships with the Fund appear to be fair and reasonable.

Additional Considerations and Conclusions with Respect to the Fund

The performance comparisons below were made for the Fund’s R5 Class shares relative to the Fund’s Broadridge Performance Universe and Morningstar Category. With respect to the Broadridge Performance Universe, the 1st Quintile represents the top 20 percent of the universe based on performance, and the 5th Quintile represents the bottom 20 percent of the universe based on performance. References to the Fund’s Broadridge Performance Universe are to the respective universe of mutual funds with comparable investment classifications and objectives as determined by Broadridge. The performance of individual firms was calculated by the Manager based on information provided by the Fund’s custodian.

 

 

50


Disclosure Regarding Approval of the Management and Investment Advisory Agreements (Unaudited)

 

 

In reviewing the performance, the Board viewed longer-term performance over a full market cycle, typically five years or longer, as the most important consideration because relative performance over shorter periods may be significantly impacted by market or economic events and not necessarily reflective of sub-advisor skill.

The expense comparisons below were made for the Fund’s R5 Class shares relative to the Fund’s Broadridge Expense Universe and Broadridge Expense Group, and Y Class shares relative to the Fund’s Morningstar Fee Level universe. The 1st Quintile represents the lowest 20 percent of the universe or group based on lowest total expense, and the 5th Quintile represents the highest 20 percent of the universe or group based on highest total expense. References to the Fund’s Expense Group and Expense Universe are to the respective group or universe of comparable mutual funds as determined by Broadridge. A Broadridge Expense Group consists of the Fund and a representative sample of funds with similar operating structures and asset sizes, as selected by Broadridge. A Broadridge Expense Universe includes all funds with comparable investment classifications/objectives and similar operating structures to that of the share class under review for the Fund, including funds in the Broadridge Expense Group. The Broadridge expense comparisons are based on the most recent audited financial information publicly available for the Fund as of December 31, 2021. References to the Fund’s Morningstar Fee Level ranking are to the institutional share class of comparable mutual funds as determined by Morningstar.

The Board considered the Fund’s Morningstar fee level category with the 1st Quintile representing the lowest 20 percent of the category constituents and the 5th Quintile representing the highest 20 percent of the category in terms of total expense.

In reviewing expenses, the Board considered the positive impact of fee waivers and the Manager’s agreement to continue the fee waivers. The Board also considered that, in connection with the change in the name of the Fund’s Institutional Class shares, the share class used for the Fund’s Morningstar Fee Level comparisons had changed from the R5 Class shares to the Y Class shares, which may have resulted in a less favorable Morningstar Fee Level Ranking for the Fund.

In considering the renewal of the Management Agreement for the Fund, the Board considered the following additional factors:

Broadridge Total Expenses Excluding 12b-1 Fees and Morningstar Fee Level Ranking

 

Compared to Broadridge Expense Group

     2 nd Quintile 

Compared to Broadridge Expense Universe

     3 rd Quintile 

Morningstar Fee Level Ranking

     3 rd Quintile 

Broadridge and Morningstar Performance Analysis (five-year period ended December 31, 2021)

 

Compared to Broadridge Performance Universe

     3 rd Quintile 

Compared to Morningstar Category

     3 rd Quintile 

In considering the renewal of the Investment Advisory Agreements with Barrow, Hotchkis and MFS, the Board considered that the diversification of investment strategies facilitated by the Fund’s multi-manager structure permits the Fund to mitigate the risks associated with a single sub-advisor. The Board also considered the following additional factors:

Sub-advisor Performance (compared to Broadridge Performance Universe for period indicated ended December 31, 2021)

 

Barrow

    5 Years         3 rd Quintile 

Hotchkis

    5 Years         2 nd Quintile 

MFS

    5 Years         2 nd Quintile 

The Board also considered the Manager’s recommendation to continue to retain each sub-advisor.

 

 

51


Disclosure Regarding Approval of the Management and Investment Advisory Agreements (Unaudited)

 

 

Based on these and other considerations, the Board: (1) concluded that the fees paid to the Manager and the sub-advisors under the Management and Investment Advisory Agreements are fair and reasonable; and (2) determined that the Fund and its shareholders would benefit from the Manager’s and sub-advisors’ continued management of the Fund.

 

 

52


Disclosure Regarding Liquidity Risk Management Program (Unaudited)

 

 

Rule 22e-4 under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (“Rule 22e-4”), requires open-end registered investment companies (other than money market funds) to adopt and implement a written liquidity risk management program that is reasonably designed to assess and manage liquidity risk. The Fund has adopted a Liquidity Risk Management Program (the “Program”) that is designed to assess and manage liquidity risk, which is the risk that the Fund could not meet requests to redeem its shares without significant dilution of the remaining shareholders’ interests in the Fund. Pursuant to Rule 22e-4, the Program includes the following elements:

 

   

Assessment, management, and periodic review of liquidity risk;

 

   

Classification of each of the Fund’s portfolio investments into one of four liquidity categories: highly liquid, moderately liquid, less liquid, and illiquid;

 

   

Determination and review of a highly liquid investment minimum for any Fund that does not primarily hold assets that are highly liquid investments;

 

   

Policies and procedures to respond to a shortfall in the highly liquid investment minimum, including associated reports to the Fund’s Board of Trustees (the “Board”) and the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”);

 

   

A prohibition against a Fund acquiring an illiquid investment if immediately after the acquisition the Fund would have more than 15% of its net assets invested in illiquid investments that are assets;

 

   

Reporting of breaches of the illiquid investment prohibition to the Board and the SEC; and

 

   

Policies and procedures regarding how and when a Fund will satisfy redemption requests by distributing portfolio securities or other assets.

The Manager’s Liquidity Committee administers the Program and has provided quarterly reports to the Board regarding the Fund’s liquidity risk. In addition, at the Board’s March 2-3, 2022 meetings, the Board reviewed the Liquidity Committee’s written report (“Report”) that addressed the operation of the Program and assessed the adequacy and effectiveness of its implementation from January 1, 2021 through December 31, 2021 (the “review period”).

Key conclusions that the Liquidity Committee included in the Report are listed below:

 

   

The Program is reasonably designed to assess and manage the Fund’s liquidity risk.

 

   

The operation of the Program was adequate during the review period.

 

   

There were no material changes to the Program during the review period.

 

   

The Fund included in this shareholder report was deemed to primarily hold assets that are highly liquid, and no highly liquid investment minimum was recommended.

 

   

The Program was effectively implemented by the Liquidity Committee during the review period.

 

   

Administration of the Program by the Liquidity Committee continues to be appropriate.

 

 

53


Trustees and Officers of the American Beacon FundsSM (Unaudited)

 

 

The Trustees and officers of the American Beacon Funds (the “Trust”) are listed below, together with their principal occupations during the past five years. The address of each person listed below is 220 East Las Colinas Boulevard, Suite 1200, Irving, Texas 75039. Each Trustee oversees twenty-seven funds in the fund complex that includes the Trust, the American Beacon Select Funds, and the American Beacon Institutional Funds Trust. The Trust’s Statement of Additional Information contains additional information about the Trustees and is available without charge by calling 1-800-658-5811.

 

Name, Age

  

Position, Term of

Office and Length

of Time Served

with the Trust

  

Principal Occupation(s) During Past 5 Years

and Current Directorships

INTERESTED TRUSTEES   

Term

  
   Lifetime of Trust until removal, resignation or retirement*   
Eugene J. Duffy (68)**    Trustee since 2008    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 Select Funds (2008-Present); Trustee, American Beacon Institutional Funds Trust (2017-Present); Trustee, American Beacon Sound Point Enhanced Income Fund (2018–2021); Trustee, American Beacon Apollo Total Return Fund (2018–2021).
NON-INTERESTED TRUSTEES   

Term

  
   Lifetime of Trust until removal, resignation or retirement*   
Gilbert G. Alvarado (52)    Trustee since 2015    Chief Financial Officer (2022-Present), The Conrad Prebys Foundation; 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 Select Funds (2015-Present); Trustee, American Beacon Institutional Funds Trust (2017-Present); Trustee, American Beacon Sound Point Enhanced Income Fund (2018–2021); Trustee, American Beacon Apollo Total Return Fund (2018–2021).
Joseph B. Armes (60)    Trustee since 2015    Director, Switchback Energy Acquisition (2019-2021); Chairman & CEO, CSW Industrials f/k/a Capital Southwest Corporation (investment company) (2015-Present); Chairman of the Board of Capital Southwest Corporation, predecessor to CSW Industrials, Inc. (2014-2017) (investment company); President & CEO, JBA Investment Partners (family investment vehicle) (2010-Present); Director and Chair of Audit Committee, RSP Permian (oil and gas producer) (2013-2018); Trustee, American Beacon Select Funds (2015-Present); Trustee, American Beacon Institutional Funds Trust (2017-Present); 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    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. (2015-Present); Trustee, American Beacon Select Funds (2012-Present); Trustee, American Beacon Institutional Funds Trust (2017-Present); Trustee, American Beacon Sound Point Enhanced Income Fund (2018–2021); Trustee, American Beacon Apollo Total Return Fund (2018–2021).

 

 

54


Trustees and Officers of the American Beacon FundsSM (Unaudited)

 

 

Name, Age

  

Position, Term of

Office and Length

of Time Served

with the Trust

  

Principal Occupation(s) During Past 5 Years

and Current Directorships

NON-INTERESTED TRUSTEES (CONT.)   

Term

  
  

Lifetime of Trust until removal, resignation or

retirement*

  
Brenda A. Cline (61)   

Trustee since 2004

Chair since 2019

Vice Chair 2018

   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 and Open-End Funds (2017-2021);Chair, (2019-Present), Vice Chair (2018), Trustee (2004-Present), American Beacon Select Funds; Chair(2019-Present), Vice Chair(2018), Trustee(2017-Present), American Beacon Institutional Funds Trust; Chair(2019-2021), Vice Chair(2018), Trustee(2018-2021), American Beacon Sound Point Enhanced Income Fund (2018–2021); Chair(2019-2021), Vice Chair(2018), Trustee(2018-2021), American Beacon Apollo Total Return Fund (2018–2021).
Claudia A. Holz (65)    Trustee since 2018    Independent Director, Blue Owl Capital Inc. (2021-Present); Partner, KPMG LLP (1990 – 2017); Trustee, American Beacon Select Funds (2018-Present); Trustee, American Beacon Institutional Funds Trust (2018-Present); Trustee, American Beacon Sound Point Enhanced Income Fund (2018–2021); Trustee, American Beacon Apollo Total Return Fund (2018–2021).
Douglas A. Lindgren (60)    Trustee since 2018    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 Select Funds (2018-Present); Trustee, American Beacon Institutional Funds Trust (2018-Present); Trustee, American Beacon Sound Point Enhanced Income Fund (2018–2021); Trustee, American Beacon Apollo Total Return Fund (2018–2021).
Barbara J. McKenna, CFA (59)    Trustee since 2012    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 Select Funds (2012-Present); Trustee, American Beacon Institutional Funds Trust (2017-Present); Trustee, American Beacon Sound Point Enhanced Income Fund (2018–2021); Trustee, American Beacon Apollo Total Return Fund (2018–2021).

 

 

55


Trustees and Officers of the American Beacon FundsSM (Unaudited)

 

 

Name, Age

  

Position, Term of

Office and Length

of Time Served

with the Trust

  

Principal Occupation(s) During Past 5 Years

and Current Directorships

OFFICERS   

Term

  
   One Year   
Jeffrey K. Ringdahl (47)   

President since 2022

Vice President (2010-2022)

   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 & 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, 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), Vice President (2014-2022), American Beacon Cayman Managed Futures Strategy Fund, Ltd.; Director (2018-Present), President (2022-Present), (Vice President (2018-2022), American Beacon Cayman TargetRisk Company, Ltd; President (2022-Present); Vice President (2010-2022), American Beacon Select Funds; President (2022-Present), Vice President (2017-2022), American Beacon Institutional Funds Trust; Vice President (2018-2021), American Beacon Sound Point Enhanced Income Fund; Vice President (2018-2021), American Beacon Apollo Total Return Fund.

 

 

56


Trustees and Officers of the American Beacon FundsSM (Unaudited)

 

 

Name, Age

  

Position, Term of

Office and Length

of Time Served

with the Trust

  

Principal Occupation(s) During Past 5 Years

and Current Directorships

OFFICERS (CONT.)   

Term

  
   One Year   
Rosemary K. Behan (63)   

VP, Secretary and

Chief Legal

Officer since 2006

   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, L.L.C. (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 (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); Chief Legal Officer, Vice President and Secretary, American Beacon Select Funds (2006-Present); Chief Legal Officer, Vice President and Secretary, American Beacon Institutional Funds Trust (2017-Present); Chief Legal Officer, Vice President and Secretary, American Beacon Sound Point Enhanced Income Fund (2018-2021); Chief Legal Officer, Vice President and Secretary, American Beacon Apollo Total Return Fund (2018-2021).
Gregory J. Stumm (41)    VP since 2022    Senior Vice President (2022-Present), American Beacon Advisors, Inc.; Senior Vice President (2022-Present), Resolute Investment Managers, Inc.; Director and Senior Vice President (2022-Present), Resolute Investment Distributors, Inc.; Senior Vice President (2022-Present), Resolute Investment Services, Inc.; Vice President (2022-Present), American Beacon Select Funds; Vice President (2022-Present), American Beacon Institutional Funds Trust.
Paul B. Cavazos (53)    VP since 2016    Chief Investment Officer and Senior Vice President, American Beacon Advisors, Inc. (2016-Present); American Private Equity Management, L.L.C. (2017–Present); Vice President, American Beacon Select Funds (2016-Present); Vice President, American Beacon Institutional Funds Trust (2017-Present); Vice President, American Beacon Sound Point Enhanced Income Fund (2018-2021); Vice President, American Beacon Apollo Total Return Fund (2018-2021).
Erica Duncan (52)    VP since 2011    Vice President, American Beacon Advisors, Inc. (2011-Present); Vice President, Resolute Investment Managers (2018-Present); Vice President, Resolute Investment Services, Inc. (2018-Present); Vice President, American Beacon Select Funds (2011-Present); Vice President, American Beacon Institutional Funds Trust (2017-Present); Vice President, American Beacon Sound Point Enhanced Income Fund (2018-2021); Vice President, American Beacon Apollo Total Return Fund (2018-2021).

 

 

57


Trustees and Officers of the American Beacon FundsSM (Unaudited)

 

 

Name, Age

  

Position, Term of

Office and Length

of Time Served

with the Trust

  

Principal Occupation(s) During Past 5 Years

and Current Directorships

OFFICERS (CONT.)   

Term

  
   One Year   
Melinda G. Heika (61)    VP 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 and CFO, 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. (2018-Present); Principal Accounting Officer and Treasurer (2010-2021); American Beacon Funds; Vice President (2021-Present), Principal Accounting Officer (2017-2021) and Treasurer (2010-2021), American Beacon Select Funds; Vice President (2021–Present), Principal Accounting Officer and Treasurer (2017-2021), American Beacon Institutional Funds Trust; Vice President (2021), Principal Accounting Officer and Treasurer (2018-2021), American Beacon Sound Point Enhanced Income Fund; Vice President (2021), Principal Accounting Officer and Treasurer, American Beacon Apollo Total Return Fund (2018-2021).
Terri L. McKinney (58)    VP since 2010    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 Select Funds (2010-Present); Vice President, American Beacon Institutional Funds Trust (2017-Present); Vice President, American Beacon Sound Point Enhanced Income Fund (2018-2021); Vice President, American Beacon Apollo Total Return Fund (2018-2021).
Samuel J. Silver (59)    VP since 2011    Vice President (2011-Present), Chief Fixed Income Officer (2016-Present), American Beacon Advisors, Inc.; Vice President, American Beacon Select Funds (2011-Present); Vice President, American Beacon Institutional Funds Trust (2017-Present); Vice President, American Beacon Sound Point Enhanced Income Fund (2018-2021); Vice President, American Beacon Apollo Total Return Fund (2018-2021).

 

 

58


Trustees and Officers of the American Beacon FundsSM (Unaudited)

 

 

Name, Age

  

Position, Term of

Office and Length

of Time Served

with the Trust

  

Principal Occupation(s) During Past 5 Years

and Current Directorships

OFFICERS (CONT.)   

Term

  
   One Year   
Christina E. Sears (51)   

Chief Compliance

Officer since 2004

   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 (2017-Present); Vice President, Resolute Investment Services, Inc. (2019-Present); Chief Compliance Officer, American Private Equity Management, L.L.C. (2012-Present); Chief Compliance Officer, Green Harvest Asset Management, LLC (2019-2021); Chief Compliance Officer, RSW Investments Holdings, LLC (2019-Present); Chief Compliance Officer (2016-2019) and Vice President (2016-2020), Alpha Quant Advisors, LLC ; Chief Compliance Officer (2018-2019), Vice President (2018-2022), Continuous Capital, LLC; Assistant Secretary, American Beacon Funds (1999-Present); Chief Compliance Officer (2004-Present) and Assistant Secretary (1999-Present), American Beacon Select Funds; Chief Compliance Officer and Assistant Secretary, American Beacon Institutional Funds Trust (2017-Present); 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).
Sonia L. Bates (65)    Principal Accounting Officer and Treasurer since 2021    Assistant Treasurer, American Beacon Advisors, Inc. (2011-2018); Director, Fund and Tax Reporting (2011-Present), 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), Assistant Treasurer (2018-2022), American Beacon Cayman TargetRisk Company, Ltd.; Assistant Treasurer, American Beacon Funds (2011-2021); Principal Accounting Officer and Treasurer (2021-Present), Assistant Treasurer (2011-2021), American Beacon Select Funds; Principal Accounting Officer and Treasurer (2021-Present), Assistant Treasurer (2017-2021), American Beacon Institutional Funds Trust; Principal Accounting Officer and Treasurer (2021), Assistant Treasurer (2018-2021), American Beacon Sound Point Enhanced Income Fund; Principal Accounting Officer and Treasurer (2021), Assistant Treasurer (2018-2021), American Beacon Apollo Total Return Fund.
Shelley L. Dyson (52)    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 Select Funds (2021-Present); Assistant Treasurer, American Beacon Institutional Funds Trust (2021-Present); Assistant Treasurer, American Beacon Sound Point Enhanced Income Fund (2021); Assistant Treasurer, American Beacon Apollo Total Return Fund (2021).
Shelley D. Abrahams (47)    Assistant Secretary since 2008    Senior Corporate Governance & Regulatory Specialist (2020-Present), 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 Select Funds (2008-Present); Assistant Secretary, American Beacon Institutional Funds Trust (2017-Present); Assistant Secretary, American Beacon Sound Point Enhanced Income Fund (2018-2021); Assistant Secretary, American Beacon Apollo Total Return Fund (2018-2021).

 

 

59


Trustees and Officers of the American Beacon FundsSM (Unaudited)

 

 

Name, Age

  

Position, Term of

Office and Length

of Time Served

with the Trust

  

Principal Occupation(s) During Past 5 Years

and Current Directorships

OFFICERS (CONT.)   

Term

  
   One Year   
Rebecca L. Harris (55)    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 (2015-Present), Resolute Investment Services; Vice President, Alpha Quant Advisors, LLC (2016-2020); Vice President (2018-2022), Director (2022) Continuous Capital, LLC; Director, National Investment Services of American, LLC (2022-Present); Director, RSW Investments Holdings LLC (2022-Present); Director Shapiro Capital Management LLC (2022-Present); Director, SSI Investment Management LLC (2022-Present); Assistant Secretary, American Beacon Funds (2010-2022); Vice President (2022-Present), Assistant Secretary (2010-2022), American Beacon Select Funds; Vice President (2022-Present), Assistant Secretary (2017-2022), American Beacon Institutional Funds Trust; Assistant Secretary, American Beacon Sound Point Enhanced Income Fund (2018-2021); Assistant Secretary, American Beacon Apollo Total Return Fund (2018-2021).
Teresa A. Oxford (64)    Assistant Secretary since 2015    Assistant Secretary and Associate General Counsel, American Beacon Advisors, Inc. (2015-Present); Assistant Secretary, Resolute Investment Distributors (2018-2021); Assistant Secretary and Associate General Counsel, Resolute Investment Managers, Inc. (2017-Present); Assistant Secretary and Associate General Counsel, Resolute Investment Services (2018-Present); Assistant Secretary, Alpha Quant Advisors, LLC (2016-2020); Assistant Secretary, Continuous Capital, LLC (2020-2022); Assistant Secretary, American Beacon Select Funds (2015-Present); Assistant Secretary, American Beacon Institutional Funds Trust (2017-Present); Assistant Secretary, American Beacon Sound Point Enhanced Income Fund (2018-2021); Assistant Secretary, American Beacon Apollo Total Return Fund (2018-2021).
Michael D. Jiang (37)    Assistant Secretary since 2021    Assistant Secretary (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) and 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 Select Funds (2021-Present); Assistant Secretary, American Beacon Institutional Funds Trust (2021-Present); Assistant Secretary, American Beacon Sound Point Enhanced Income Fund (2021); Assistant Secretary, American Beacon Apollo Total Return Fund (2021).

* As of 11/12/2014, the Board adopted a retirement plan 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 being 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.

 

 

60


American Beacon FundsSM

Privacy Policy

October 31, 2022 (Unaudited)

 

 

The American Beacon Funds recognize and respect the privacy of our shareholders. We are providing this notice to you so you will understand how shareholder information may be collected and used.

We may collect nonpublic personal information about you from one or more of the following sources:

 

   

information we receive from you on applications or other forms;

 

   

information about your transactions with us or our service providers; and

 

   

information we receive from third parties.

We do not disclose any nonpublic personal information about our customers or former customers to anyone, except as permitted by law.

We restrict access to your nonpublic personal information to those employees or service providers who need to know that information to provide products or services to you. To ensure the confidentiality of your nonpublic personal information, we maintain safeguards that comply with federal standards.

 

 

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64


LOGO

 

 

 

Delivery of Documents

Shareholder reports are available online at www.americanbeaconfunds.com/reports. Please be advised that reports are no longer sent by mail. Instead, the reports are made available online, and you will be notified by mail each time a report is posted online. You will be provided with a website link to access the report. You may elect to receive all future reports in paper free of charge. You can request to continue receiving paper copies by calling 1-866-345-5954, or you may directly inform your financial intermediary. Detailed instructions are also included in your report notifications.

If you invest in the Fund through a financial institution, you may be able to receive the Fund’s regulatory mailings, such as the Prospectus, Annual Report and Semi-Annual Report, by e-mail. If you are interested in this option, please go to www.icsdelivery.com and search for your financial institution’s name or contact your financial institution directly.

To obtain more information about the Fund:

 

LOGO   LOGO
 
By E-mail:   On the Internet:
american_beacon.funds@ambeacon.com   Visit our website at www.americanbeaconfunds.com
   
     
 

LOGO

By Telephone:

Call (800) 658-5811

 

LOGO

By Mail:

American Beacon Funds

P.O. Box 219643

Kansas City, MO 64121-9643

   
     
Availability of Quarterly Portfolio Schedules   Availability of Proxy Voting Policy and Records
 
In addition to the Schedule of Investments provided in each semi-annual and annual report, the Fund files a complete schedule of its portfolio holdings with the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) on Form N-PORT as of the end of each fiscal quarter. The Fund’s Forms N-PORT are available on the SEC’s website at www.sec.gov. The Forms N-PORT may also be reviewed and copied at the SEC’s Public Reference Section, 100 F Street, NE, Washington, D.C. 20549-1520. Information regarding the operation of the SEC’s Public Reference Room may be obtained by calling (800)- SEC-0330. A complete schedule of the Fund’s portfolio holdings is also available at www.americanbeaconfunds.com approximately twenty days after the end of each month.   A description of the policies and procedures the Fund uses to determine how to vote proxies relating to portfolio securities is available in the Fund’s Statement of Additional Information, is available free of charge on the Fund’s website www.americanbeaconfunds.com and by calling 1-800-967-9009 or by accessing the SEC’s website at www.sec.gov. The Fund’s proxy voting record for the most recent year ended June 30 is filed annually with the SEC on Form N-PX. The Fund’s Forms N-PX are available on the SEC’s website at www.sec.gov. The Fund’s proxy voting record may also be obtained by calling 1-800-967-9009.

Fund Service Providers:

 

CUSTODIAN

State Street Bank and Trust Company

Boston, Massachusetts

   

TRANSFER AGENT

DST Asset Manager Solutions, Inc.

Quincy, Massachusetts

   

INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM

PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP

Boston, Massachusetts

   

DISTRIBUTOR

Resolute Investment Distributors, Inc.

Irving, Texas

This report is prepared for shareholders of the American Beacon Funds and may be distributed to others only if preceded or accompanied by a current Prospectus or Summary Prospectus.

 

American Beacon Funds and American Beacon Large Cap Value Fund are service marks of American Beacon Advisors, Inc.

AR 10/22


LOGO


About American Beacon Advisors

 

Since 1986, American Beacon Advisors, Inc. has offered a variety of products and investment advisory services to numerous institutional and retail clients, including a variety of mutual funds, corporate cash management, and separate account management.

Our clients include defined benefit plans, defined contribution plans, foundations, endowments, corporations, financial planners, and other institutional investors. With American Beacon Advisors, you can put the experience of a multi-billion dollar asset management firm to work for your company.

SMALL CAP VALUE FUND

Investing in small-capitalization stocks may involve greater volatility and lower liquidity than larger company stocks. Investing in value stocks may limit downside risk over time; however, the Fund may produce more modest gains than riskier stock funds as a trade-off for this potentially lower risk. Investing in foreign securities may involve heightened risk due to currency fluctuations and economic and political risks. The use of futures contracts for cash management may subject the Fund to losing more money than invested. The Fund participates in a securities lending program. Please see the prospectus for a complete discussion of the Fund’s risks. There can be no assurances that the investment objectives of this Fund will be met.

Any opinions herein, including forecasts, reflect our judgment as of the end of the reporting period and are subject to change. Each advisor’s strategies and the Fund’s portfolio composition will change depending on economic and market conditions. This report is not a complete analysis of market conditions and therefore, should not be relied upon as investment advice. Although economic and market information has been compiled from reliable sources, American Beacon Advisors, Inc. makes no representation as to the completeness or accuracy of the statements contained herein.

 

American Beacon Funds

October 31, 2022


Contents

 

 

President’s Message

    1  

Market and Performance Overviews

    2  

Expense Examples

    6  

Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

    8  

Schedule of Investments:

 

American Beacon Small Cap Value Fund

    9  

Financial Statements

    23  

Notes to Financial Statements

    26  

Financial Highlights:

 

American Beacon Small Cap Value Fund

    47  

Federal Tax Information

    54  

Disclosure Regarding Approval of the Management and Investment Advisory Agreements

    55  

Disclosure Regarding Liquidity Risk Management Program

    60  

Trustees and Officers of the American Beacon Funds

    61  

Privacy Policy

    67  

 

Additional Fund Information

    Back Cover  


President’s Message

 

 

LOGO  

Dear Shareholders,

 

Warren E. Buffett, the “Oracle of Omaha” and billionaire chairman and CEO of Berkshire Hathaway, once said, “Predicting rain doesn’t count. Building arks does.”

 

Mr. Buffet’s plain-spoken words make a great deal of common sense. Figuring out when the next dangerous storm may occur could prove to be an effort in futility if we haven’t also devised a plan for preserving our physical well-being when the thunder rolls and the lightning strikes. The time to build a shelter is before the storm clouds appear on the horizon. The same can also be said about our investment portfolios. Careful planning and fine-tuning can be especially important as we seek to preserve and grow our

investment portfolios during periods of economic uncertainty – particularly as we consider the effects of higher inflation, slower economic growth and geopolitical concerns such as Russia’s war with Ukraine.

None of us has the ability to foresee the future – not even the Oracle of Omaha. To help your investment portfolio weather storms over the long term, we encourage you to work with financial professionals to develop your personal savings plan, conduct annual plan reviews, and make thoughtful, purposeful plan adjustments to better manage your evolving financial needs and goals. By investing in different investment styles and asset classes, you may be able to help mitigate financial risks across your portfolio. By allocating your portfolio according to your risk-tolerance level, you may be better positioned to withstand short-term crises. Through careful planning, you will be better positioned to achieve enduring financial success.

Since 1986, American Beacon has endeavored to provide investors with a disciplined approach to realizing long-term financial goals. As a manager of managers, we strive to provide investment products that may enable investors to participate during market upswings while potentially insulating against market downswings. The investment teams behind our mutual funds seek to produce consistent, long-term results rather than focus only on short-term movements in the markets. In managing our investment products, we emphasize identifying opportunities that offer the potential for long-term financial rewards.

Thank you for entrusting your financial success with American Beacon. For additional information about our investment products or to access your account information, please visit our website at www.americanbeaconfunds.com.

Best Regards,

 

LOGO

Jeffrey K. Ringdahl

President

American Beacon Funds

 

 

1


Domestic Equity Market Overview

October 31, 2022 (Unaudited)

 

 

U.S. equities posted negative returns for the 12-month period ended October 31, 2022. The broader market, as measured by the Russell 3000® Index, posted a 16.52% loss. Smaller companies led the drawdown with the Russell 2000® Index falling 18.54%. Mid- and large-cap companies followed with losses of 17.17% and 16.38% for the Russell Midcap® and Russell 1000® indexes, respectively. On a relative basis, Value significantly outperformed Growth, with the Russell 3000® Value Index down 7.25% and the Russell 3000® Growth Index down 24.67%. The overall drawdown occurred in fits and starts due to high volatility around geopolitical risks, persistently higher-than-desired inflation, tighter monetary policy from the Federal Reserve (“Fed”) and recession worries.

The period started on a volatile note in November and December of 2021 following news of a new COVID-19 omicron variant, rising inflation and more hawkish comments from the Fed. Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in early 2022 further exacerbated supply chain issues, inflation and overall global uncertainty. Persistently higher-than-expected inflation and a clear shift from the Fed with interest rate increases drove U.S. equities lower through the first and second quarters of 2022. The market had a relief rally at the beginning of the third quarter of 2022 based on some improvement in broader inflation data and hopes that the Fed would pivot sooner rather than later. However, stocks reversed course downward as the Fed committed to continuing to raise rates. October 2022 saw a rebound on the back of solid GDP growth and hopes that the Fed was nearing their terminal rate.

With regard to monetary policy, a strong labor market combined with high inflation resulted in the Fed’s shift toward tighter monetary policy earlier in the year. The Fed began to raise rates in March 2022 with a 25 basis-point (0.25%) increase, followed by a 50 basis-point (0.50%) increase in May, and four consecutive increases of 75 basis points (0.75%) in June, July, September and November. Following the latest increase, the target for the federal funds rate is now 3.75% to 4.0%. Separately, the Fed began reducing the size of its balance sheet in June via quantitative tightening, which is projected to continue and may add upward pressure to longer-term interest rates. At period end, the consensus view was another 50 basis-point (0.50%) increase in December with a terminal rate approximating 5%.

The yield curve remained inverted as longer-term U.S. Treasuries pointed to expectations of either weak economic growth, lower inflation or a Fed pivot; shorter-term rates would indicate the Fed may continue to struggle to curb inflation and balance the tight labor market. The concern is that an inverted yield curve is often viewed as a precursor to a recession. Therefore, investors will likely be monitoring future economic data and the Fed’s policy responses while hoping for resiliency in the economy.

 

 

2


American Beacon Small Cap Value FundSM

Performance Overview

October 31, 2022 (Unaudited)

 

 

The Investor Class of the American Beacon Small Cap Value Fund (the “Fund”) returned -3.81% for the twelve months ended October 31, 2022, outperforming the Russell 2000® Value Index (the “Index”) return of -10.73% for the same period.

Comparison of Changes in Value of a $10,000 Investment for the period 10/31/2012 through 10/31/2022

 

LOGO

 

Total Returns for the Period ended Oct 31, 2022

 

    
      

Ticker

    

1 Year

    

3 Years

    

5 Years

  

10 Years

  

Value of  $10,000
10/31/2012-
10/31/2022

R5 Class (1,6)

     AVFIX          -3.49 %          10.17 %          5.77 %        10.14 %      $ 26,273

Y Class (1,6)

     ABSYX          -3.55 %          10.09 %          5.69 %        10.05 %      $ 26,062

Investor Class (1,6)

     AVPAX          -3.81 %          9.80 %          5.42 %        9.78 %      $ 25,415

Advisor Class (1,6)

     AASSX          -3.96 %          9.66 %          5.26 %        9.60 %      $ 25,019

A Class without sales charge (1,2,6)

     ABSAX          -3.88 %          9.70 %          5.32 %        9.67 %      $ 25,167

A Class with sales Charge (1,2,6)

     ABSAX          -9.42 %          7.56 %          4.08 %        9.02 %      $ 23,722

C Class without sales charge (1,3,6)

     ASVCX          -4.54 %          8.94 %          4.61 %        9.04 %      $ 23,771

C Class with sales charge (1,3,6)

     ASVCX          -5.54 %          8.94 %          4.61 %        9.04 %      $ 23,771

R6 Class (1,4,6)

     AASRX          -3.45 %          10.22 %          5.80 %        10.16 %      $ 26,316
                                   

Russell 2000® Value Index (5)

              -10.73 %          8.08 %          5.31 %        9.37 %      $ 24,489

 

1.

Performance shown is historical and is not indicative of future returns. Investment returns and principal value will vary, and shares may be worth more or less at redemption than at original purchase. Performance shown is calculated based on the published end of day net asset values as of date indicated, and current performance may be lower or higher than the performance data quoted. To obtain performance as of the most recent month end, please visit www.americanbeaconfunds.com or call 1-800-967-9009. Fund performance in the table above does not reflect the deduction of taxes a shareholder would pay on distributions or the redemption of shares. Generally accepted accounting principles require adjustments to be made to the net assets of the Fund at period end for financial reporting purposes only; and as such, the total return based on the unadjusted net asset value per share may differ from the total return reported in the financial highlights.

 

2.

A portion of the fees charged to the A Class of the Fund was waived in 2012, 2013 and 2014 and fully recovered in 2015. Performance prior to waiving fees was lower than the actual returns shown for 2012, 2013 and 2014. The maximum sales charge for A Class is 5.75%.

 

 

3


American Beacon Small Cap Value FundSM

Performance Overview

October 31, 2022 (Unaudited)

 

 

3.

A portion of the fees charged to the C Class of the Fund was waived in 2012 and 2013, fully recovered in 2015, and waived in 2018. Performance prior to waiving fees was lower than the actual returns shown in 2012, 2013 and 2018. The maximum contingent deferred sales charge for C Class is 1.00% for shares redeemed within one year of the date of purchase.

 

4.

Fund performance for the ten-year period represents the returns achieved by the R5 Class from 10/31/2012 through 2/28/20, the inception date of the R6 Class, and the returns of the R6 Class since its inception. Expenses of the R6 Class are lower than those of the R5 Class. As a result, total returns shown may be lower than they would have been had the R6 Class been in existence since 10/31/2012.

 

5.

The Russell 2000® Value Index is an unmanaged index of those stocks in the Russell 2000 Index with lower price-to-book ratios and lower forecasted growth values. The Russell 2000® Index is an unmanaged index comprised of approximately 2,000 smaller-capitalization stocks. Russell 2000 Value Index and Russell 2000 Index are registered trademarks of Frank Russell Company. American Beacon Funds is not promoted, sponsored or endorsed by, nor in any way affiliated with the London Stock Exchange Group plc and its group undertakings (collectively, the “LSE Group”). FTSE Russell is a trading name of certain of the LSE Group companies. LSE Group is not responsible for and has not reviewed the American Beacon Small Cap Value Fund nor any associated literature or publications and LSE Group makes no representation or warranty, express or implied, as to their accuracy, or completeness, or otherwise. All rights in the Russell 2000 Index and the Russell 2000 Value Index (the “Indexes”) vest in the relevant LSE Group company which owns the Indexes. Russell 2000® is a trademark of the relevant LSE Group company and is used by any other LSE Group company under license. The Indexes are calculated by or on behalf of FTSE International Limited or its affiliate, agent or partner. The LSE Group does not accept any liability whatsoever to any person arising out of (a) the use of, reliance on or any error in the Indexes or (b) investment in or operation of the Fund. The LSE Group makes no claim, prediction, warranty or representation either as to the results to be obtained from the Fund or the suitability of the Indexes for the purpose to which it is being put by the Manager. One cannot directly invest in an index.

 

6.

The Total Annual Fund Operating Expense ratios set forth in the most recent Fund prospectus for the R5, Y, Investor, Advisor, A, C and R6 Class shares were 0.81%, 0.89%, 1.15%, 1.29%, 1.24%, 1.95% and 0.79%, respectively. The expense ratios above may vary from the expense ratios presented in other sections of this report that are based on expenses incurred during the period covered by this report.

The Fund outperformed the Index during the period due to both security selection and sector allocation.

Most of the Fund’s outperformance was attributable to security selection in the Materials, Consumer Discretionary, and Financials sectors. In the Materials sector, ATI, Inc. (up 82.0%) and an absence from index-position Amyris, Inc. (down 81.0%), contributed to returns relative to the Index. Within the Consumer Discretionary sector, American Axle & Manufacturing Holdings, Inc. (up 7.8%) and Points.com, Inc. (up 60.7%) contributed during the period. Within the Financials sector, an absence from index-position LendingClub Corp. (down 76.8%) and Old National Bancorp (up 14.2%) contributed to relative returns. Conversely, security selection in the Energy sector detracted from relative returns; detractors included an absence from index-positions Antero Resources Corp. (up 80.2%) and OVINTIV, Inc. (up 34.7%).

From a sector allocation selection perspective, overweight allocations to the Industrials sector and an underweight allocation to the Health Care sector contributed positively to relative performance. This performance was marginally offset by an underweight allocation to the Utilities sector.

The sub-advisors continue to focus on uncovering investment opportunities through stock selection that should benefit the Fund’s performance over the longer term.

 

 

4


American Beacon Small Cap Value FundSM

Performance Overview

October 31, 2022 (Unaudited)

 

 

Top Ten Holdings (% Net Assets)        
Adient PLC           1.3  
Flowserve Corp.           1.1  
Kaiser Aluminum Corp.           1.1  
Evercore, Inc., Class A           1.1  
Texas Capital Bancshares, Inc.           1.0  
Old National Bancorp           1.0  
Greenbrier Cos., Inc.           1.0  
Super Micro Computer, Inc.           1.0  
Stagwell, Inc.           0.9  
Darling Ingredients, Inc.           0.9  
Total Fund Holdings      513       
       
Sector Allocation (% Equities)        
Industrials           23.0  
Financials           22.8  
Consumer Discretionary           13.1  
Information Technology           11.3  
Materials           6.9  
Energy           6.9  
Real Estate           4.3  
Consumer Staples           3.7  
Health Care           3.6  
Communication Services           2.3  
Utilities           2.1  

 

 

5


American Beacon Small Cap Value FundSM

Expense Examples

October 31, 2022 (Unaudited)

 

 

Fund Expense Example

As a shareholder of a Fund, you incur two types of costs: (1) transaction costs, including sales charges (loads) on purchase payments and redemption fees, if applicable, and (2) ongoing costs, including management fees, distribution (12b-1) fees, sub-transfer agent fees, and other Fund expenses. The Examples are intended to help you understand the ongoing cost (in dollars) of investing in the Fund and to compare these costs with the ongoing costs of investing in other mutual funds. The Examples are based on an investment of $1,000 invested at the beginning of the period in each Class and held for the entire period from May 1, 2022 through October 31, 2022.

Actual Expenses

The “Actual” lines of the tables provide information about actual account values and actual expenses. You may use the information on this page, together with the amount you invested, to estimate the expenses that you paid over the period. Simply divide your account value by $1,000 (for example, an $8,600 account value divided by $1,000 = $8.60), then multiply the result by the “Expenses Paid During Period” to estimate the expenses you paid on your account during this period. Shareholders of the Investor and R5 Classes that invest in the Fund through an IRA or Roth IRA may be subject to a custodial IRA fee of $15 that is typically deducted each December. If your account was subject to a custodial IRA fee during the period, your costs would have been $15 higher.

Hypothetical Example for Comparison Purposes

The “Hypothetical” lines of the tables provide information about hypothetical account values and hypothetical expenses based on the Fund’s actual expense ratio and an assumed 5% per year rate of return before expenses (not the Fund’s actual return). You may compare the ongoing costs of investing in the Fund with other funds by contrasting this 5% hypothetical example and the 5% hypothetical examples that appear in the shareholder reports of the other funds. The hypothetical account values and expenses may not be used to estimate the actual ending account balance or expenses you paid for the period. Shareholders of the Investor and R5 Classes that invest in the Funds through an IRA or Roth IRA may be subject to a custodial IRA fee of $15 that is typically deducted each December. If your account was subject to a custodial IRA fee during the period, your costs would have been $15 higher.

You should also be aware that the expenses shown in the table highlight only your ongoing costs and do not reflect any transaction costs charged by the Fund, such as sales charges (loads) or redemption fees, as applicable. Similarly, the expense examples for other funds do not reflect any transaction costs charged by those funds, such as sales charges (loads), redemption fees or exchange fees. Therefore, the “Hypothetical” lines of the tables are useful in comparing ongoing costs only and will not help you determine the relative total costs of owning different funds. If you were subject to any transaction costs during the period, your costs would have been higher.

 

 

6


American Beacon Small Cap Value FundSM

Expense Examples

October 31, 2022 (Unaudited)

 

 

American Beacon Small Cap Value Fund

 

    Beginning Account Value
5/1/2022
  Ending Account Value
10/31/2022
  Expenses Paid During
Period
5/1/2022-10/31/2022*
R5 Class            
Actual       $1,000.00       $1,019.40       $4.07
Hypothetical**       $1,000.00       $1,021.17       $4.08
Y Class            
Actual       $1,000.00       $1,018.90       $4.38
Hypothetical**       $1,000.00       $1,020.87       $4.38
Investor Class            
Actual       $1,000.00       $1,017.60       $5.75
Hypothetical**       $1,000.00       $1,019.51       $5.75
Advisor Class            
Actual       $1,000.00       $1,017.00       $6.51
Hypothetical**       $1,000.00       $1,018.75       $6.51
A Class            
Actual       $1,000.00       $1,017.20       $6.15
Hypothetical**       $1,000.00       $1,019.11       $6.16
C Class            
Actual       $1,000.00       $1,013.50       $9.79
Hypothetical**       $1,000.00       $1,015.48       $9.80
R6 Class            
Actual       $1,000.00       $1,019.70       $3.92
Hypothetical**       $1,000.00       $1,021.32       $3.92

 

*

Expenses are equal to the Fund’s annualized expense ratios for the six-month period of 0.80%, 0.86%, 1.13%, 1.28%, 1.21%, 1.93%, and 0.77% for the R5, Y, Investor, Advisor, A, C, and R6 Classes, respectively, multiplied by the average account value over the period, multiplied by the number derived by dividing the number of days in the most recent fiscal half-year (184) by days in the year (365) to reflect the half-year period.

**

5% return before expenses.

 

 

7


American Beacon Small Cap Value FundSM

Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

 

 

To the Board of Trustees of American Beacon Funds and Shareholders of American Beacon Small Cap Value Fund

Opinion on the Financial Statements

We have audited the accompanying statement of assets and liabilities, including the schedule of investments, of American Beacon Small Cap Value Fund (one of the series constituting American Beacon Funds, referred to hereafter as the “Fund”) as of October 31, 2022, the related statements of operations and of changes in net assets for the year ended October 31, 2022, including the related notes, and the financial highlights for the year ended October 31, 2022 (collectively referred to as the “financial statements”). In our opinion, the financial statements present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of the Fund as of October 31, 2022, the results of its operations, the changes in its net assets, and the financial highlights for the year ended October 31, 2022, in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America.

The financial statements of the Fund as of and for the year ended October 31, 2021 and the financial highlights for each of the periods ended on or prior to October 31, 2021 (not presented herein, other than the statement of changes in net assets and the financial highlights) were audited by other auditors whose report dated December 30, 2021 expressed an unqualified opinion on those financial statements and financial highlights.

Basis for Opinion

These financial statements are the responsibility of the Fund’s management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on the Fund’s financial statements based on our audit. We are a public accounting firm registered with the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States) (PCAOB) and are required to be independent with respect to the Funds in accordance with the U.S. federal securities laws and the applicable rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission and the PCAOB.

We conducted our audit of these financial statements in accordance with the standards of the PCAOB. Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material misstatement, whether due to error or fraud.

Our audit included performing procedures to assess the risks of material misstatement of the financial statements, whether due to error or fraud, and performing procedures that respond to those risks. Such procedures included examining, on a test basis, evidence regarding the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. Our audit also included evaluating the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall presentation of the financial statements. Our procedures included confirmation of securities owned as of October 31, 2022 by correspondence with the custodians, and brokers; when replies were not received from brokers, we performed other auditing procedures. We believe that our audit provides a reasonable basis for our opinion.

/s/PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP

Boston, Massachusetts

December 30, 2022

We have served as the auditor of one or more investment companies in the American Beacon family of funds since 2016.

 

 

8


American Beacon Small Cap Value FundSM

Schedule of Investments

October 31, 2022

 

 

    Shares       Fair Value
             
COMMON STOCKS - 95.70%            
Communication Services - 2.22%            
Diversified Telecommunication Services - 0.06%            
ATN International, Inc.       31,905         $ 1,375,743
EchoStar Corp., Class AA       71,726           1,353,470
           

 

 

 
              2,729,213
           

 

 

 
           
Entertainment - 0.33%            
IMAX Corp.A       457,994           5,830,264
Lions Gate Entertainment Corp., Class AA       524,163           4,224,754
Lions Gate Entertainment Corp., Class BA       543,004           4,121,400
Sciplay Corp., Class AA       47,754           668,079
           

 

 

 
              14,844,497
           

 

 

 
           
Interactive Media & Services - 0.11%            
Ziff Davis, Inc.A       63,449           4,910,318
           

 

 

 
           
Media - 1.64%            
AMC Networks, Inc., Class AA       18,928           426,069
John Wiley & Sons, Inc., Class A       87,297           3,683,061
Magnite, Inc.A       401,357           2,925,893
Scholastic Corp.       306,716           11,698,148
Stagwell, Inc.A B       5,680,049           43,111,572
TEGNA, Inc.       581,956           12,151,241
Thryv Holdings, Inc.A       27,368           559,949
           

 

 

 
              74,555,933
           

 

 

 
           
Wireless Telecommunication Services - 0.08%            
Telephone & Data Systems, Inc.       215,335           3,660,695
           

 

 

 
           

Total Communication Services

              100,700,656
           

 

 

 
           
Consumer Discretionary - 12.57%            
Auto Components - 3.62%            
Adient PLCA       1,726,001           60,375,515
American Axle & Manufacturing Holdings, Inc.A       3,041,729           29,474,354
Dana, Inc.       1,210,550           19,320,378
Gentherm, Inc.A       606,257           35,417,534
LCI Industries       51,360           5,449,809
Lear Corp.       78,639           10,908,016
Patrick Industries, Inc.       42,964           1,963,884
Standard Motor Products, Inc.       40,420           1,533,131
           

 

 

 
              164,442,621
           

 

 

 
           
Automobiles - 0.40%            
Thor Industries, Inc.B       175,343           14,285,194
Winnebago Industries, Inc.       64,191           3,831,561
           

 

 

 
              18,116,755
           

 

 

 
           
Distributors - 0.17%            
Funko, Inc., Class AA       378,922           7,824,739
           

 

 

 
           
Diversified Consumer Services - 0.80%            
ADT, Inc.       761,577           6,442,941
Adtalem Global Education, Inc.A       440,837           18,382,903
Graham Holdings Co., Class B       10,558           6,586,819
Perdoceo Education Corp.A       136,929           1,565,099
Strategic Education, Inc.       49,762           3,433,578
           

 

 

 
              36,411,340
           

 

 

 
           

 

See accompanying notes

 

9


American Beacon Small Cap Value FundSM

Schedule of Investments

October 31, 2022

 

 

    Shares       Fair Value
             
COMMON STOCKS - 95.70% (continued)            
Consumer Discretionary - 12.57% (continued)            
Hotels, Restaurants & Leisure - 0.98%            
Bloomin’ Brands, Inc.       180,508         $ 4,333,997
Bluegreen Vacations Holding Corp.       9,990           172,927
Chuy’s Holdings, Inc.A       30,863           904,286
Cracker Barrel Old Country Store, Inc.B       123,239           14,076,359
Genius Sports Ltd.A B       703,341           3,615,173
International Game Technology PLCB       984,859           19,746,423
Red Rock Resorts, Inc., Class A       40,185           1,673,705
           

 

 

 
              44,522,870
           

 

 

 
           
Household Durables - 1.90%            
Cavco Industries, Inc.A       24,955           5,656,550
Century Communities, Inc.       85,742           3,816,376
Dream Finders Homes, Inc., Class AA B       19,496           216,406
Ethan Allen Interiors, Inc.       51,209           1,310,438
GoPro, Inc., Class AA       744,036           4,054,996
Green Brick Partners, Inc.A       120,884           2,796,047
Helen of Troy Ltd.A       4,605           435,725
KB Home       230,340           6,638,399
La-Z-Boy, Inc.       79,567           1,970,875
LGI Homes, Inc.A       65,904           6,066,463
Lovesac Co.A       76,749           1,868,071
M/I Homes, Inc.A       86,009           3,568,513
MDC Holdings, Inc.       185,488           5,649,964
Meritage Homes Corp.A       195,300           14,874,048
Newell Brands, Inc.       976,969           13,491,942
Sonos, Inc.A       83,588           1,347,439
Taylor Morrison Home Corp.A       229,680           6,049,771
Tri Pointe Homes, Inc.A       392,446           6,573,471
           

 

 

 
              86,385,494
           

 

 

 
           
Leisure Products - 0.53%            
Brunswick Corp.       217,462           15,368,039
Malibu Boats, Inc., Class AA       41,164           2,177,576
Smith & Wesson Brands, Inc.       22,709           256,385
Sturm Ruger & Co., Inc.B       35,712           2,004,515
Vista Outdoor, Inc.A       154,536           4,487,725
           

 

 

 
              24,294,240
           

 

 

 
           
Multiline Retail - 0.64%            
Kohl’s Corp.       493,670           14,785,416
Nordstrom, Inc.B       147,767           3,005,581
Ollie’s Bargain Outlet Holdings, Inc.A       199,869           11,192,664
           

 

 

 
              28,983,661
           

 

 

 
           
Specialty Retail - 2.88%            
Academy Sports & Outdoors, Inc.       161,151           7,095,479
America’s Car-Mart, Inc.A       3,845           262,844
Asbury Automotive Group, Inc.A       50,910           8,031,052
Buckle, Inc.       92,133           3,623,591
Caleres, Inc.       73,742           2,015,369
Camping World Holdings, Inc., Class A       120,983           3,366,957
Chico’s FAS, Inc.A       252,843           1,486,717
Designer Brands, Inc., Class A       371,223           5,653,726
Foot Locker, Inc.       188,536           5,976,591
Genesco, Inc.A       25,072           1,179,387
Group 1 Automotive, Inc.       47,918           8,289,814
Guess?, Inc.       110,069           1,868,972

 

See accompanying notes

 

10


American Beacon Small Cap Value FundSM

Schedule of Investments

October 31, 2022

 

 

    Shares       Fair Value
             
COMMON STOCKS - 95.70% (continued)            
Consumer Discretionary - 12.57% (continued)            
Specialty Retail - 2.88% (continued)            
Hibbett, Inc.       25,842         $ 1,613,058
MarineMax, Inc.A       40,246           1,300,348
Monro, Inc.       309,212           14,764,873
National Vision Holdings, Inc.A       134,750           4,991,140
ODP Corp.A       463,994           18,360,243
OneWater Marine, Inc., Class AA       11,270           371,910
Sally Beauty Holdings, Inc.A       216,278           2,748,893
Shoe Carnival, Inc.       51,880           1,244,082
Signet Jewelers Ltd.       91,711           5,983,226
Sonic Automotive, Inc., Class A       410,995           19,214,016
TravelCenters of America, Inc.A       30,066           1,911,596
Urban Outfitters, Inc.A       272,449           6,500,633
Warby Parker, Inc., Class AA       191,380           3,071,649
           

 

 

 
              130,926,166
           

 

 

 
           
Textiles, Apparel & Luxury Goods - 0.65%            
Allbirds, Inc., Class AA B       360,177           1,239,009
Capri Holdings Ltd.A       192,939           8,813,454
G-III Apparel Group Ltd.A       127,633           2,488,843
Kontoor Brands, Inc.       111,958           3,996,901
Levi Strauss & Co., Class AB       705,547           10,554,983
Movado Group, Inc.       32,086           1,061,084
Oxford Industries, Inc.       5,051           513,838
Skechers USA, Inc., Class AA       23,407           805,903
           

 

 

 
              29,474,015
           

 

 

 
           

Total Consumer Discretionary

              571,381,901
           

 

 

 
           
Consumer Staples - 3.59%            
Beverages - 0.15%            
Boston Beer Co., Inc., Class AA       18,102           6,757,296
           

 

 

 
           
Food & Staples Retailing - 0.42%            
Andersons, Inc.       99,221           3,499,525
Chefs’ Warehouse, Inc.A       111,331           4,078,054
Ingles Markets, Inc., Class A       42,672           4,026,957
SpartanNash Co.       16,912           603,927
United Natural Foods, Inc.A       165,241           7,007,871
           

 

 

 
              19,216,334
           

 

 

 
           
Food Products - 2.50%            
Darling Ingredients, Inc.A       502,303           39,420,739
Fresh Del Monte Produce, Inc.       297,652           7,762,764
Ingredion, Inc.       144,449           12,873,295
J&J Snack Foods Corp.       193,347           28,539,951
Seneca Foods Corp., Class AA       10,282           648,897
Simply Good Foods Co.A       85,923           3,290,851
SunOpta, Inc.A       1,878,409           21,094,533
           

 

 

 
              113,631,030
           

 

 

 
           
Personal Products - 0.38%            
Edgewell Personal Care Co.       317,794           12,454,347
Herbalife Nutrition Ltd.A       231,755           4,927,111
           

 

 

 
              17,381,458
           

 

 

 
           

 

See accompanying notes

 

11


American Beacon Small Cap Value FundSM

Schedule of Investments

October 31, 2022

 

 

    Shares       Fair Value
             
COMMON STOCKS - 95.70% (continued)            
Consumer Staples - 3.59% (continued)            
Tobacco - 0.14%            
Universal Corp.       64,786         $ 3,278,819
Vector Group Ltd.       283,029           3,005,768
           

 

 

 
              6,284,587
           

 

 

 
           

Total Consumer Staples

              163,270,705
           

 

 

 
           
Energy - 6.58%            
Energy Equipment & Services - 2.68%            
Bristow Group, Inc.A       56,432           1,689,574
Cactus, Inc., Class A       154,246           7,977,603
ChampionX Corp.       1,267,207           36,267,464
Dril-Quip, Inc.A       69,476           1,728,563
Expro Group Holdings NVA       1,627,745           30,813,213
Helix Energy Solutions Group, Inc.A       1,593,451           11,154,157
Liberty Energy, Inc., Class AA       436,529           7,381,705
NOV, Inc.       764,892           17,133,581
ProPetro Holding Corp.A       96,883           1,147,095
Select Energy Services, Inc., Class AA       91,126           879,366
Transocean Ltd.A       1,473,773           5,423,485
           

 

 

 
              121,595,806
           

 

 

 
           
Oil, Gas & Consumable Fuels - 3.90%            
Berry Corp.       1,734,344           15,383,631
Callon Petroleum Co.A       124,700           5,481,812
Chesapeake Energy Corp.       105,337           10,772,815
CNX Resources Corp.A       932,857           15,681,326
Comstock Resources, Inc.A       299,759           5,629,474
Equitrans Midstream Corp.       1,756,903           14,793,123
Kinetik Holdings, Inc.B       59,387           2,184,254
Kosmos Energy Ltd.A       5,528,931           35,882,762
Murphy Oil Corp.       643,006           31,192,221
PBF Energy, Inc., Class AA       192,351           8,511,532
Peabody Energy Corp.A       86,610           2,069,979
Permian Resources Corp., Class AA       299,343           2,924,581
Range Resources Corp.       307,606           8,760,619
Ranger Oil Corp., Class A       126,478           5,172,950
REX American Resources Corp.A       35,700           1,070,643
SandRidge Energy, Inc.A       29,376           554,913
SilverBow Resources, Inc.A       45,083           1,599,094
Viper Energy Partners LP       288,463           9,620,241
           

 

 

 
              177,285,970
           

 

 

 
           

Total Energy

              298,881,776
           

 

 

 
           
Financials - 21.84%            
Banks - 13.21%            
Amalgamated Financial Corp.       20,229           465,065
Amerant Bancorp, Inc.       8,020           241,402
Ameris Bancorp       105,159           5,416,740
Associated Banc-Corp.       408,956           9,958,079
Atlantic Union Bankshares Corp.       113,253           3,911,759
Banc of California, Inc.       90,185           1,504,286
Bank of NT Butterfield & Son Ltd.       893,786           30,871,368
BankUnited, Inc.       118,142           4,247,205
Banner Corp.       146,198           10,928,300
Berkshire Hills Bancorp, Inc.       46,628           1,363,869
Brookline Bancorp, Inc.       116,260           1,598,575

 

See accompanying notes

 

12


American Beacon Small Cap Value FundSM

Schedule of Investments

October 31, 2022

 

 

    Shares       Fair Value
             
COMMON STOCKS - 95.70% (continued)            
Financials - 21.84% (continued)            
Banks - 13.21% (continued)            
Byline Bancorp, Inc.       56,806         $ 1,313,355
Cadence Bank       383,226           10,596,199
Capstar Financial Holdings, Inc.       81,056           1,433,070
Cathay General Bancorp       101,258           4,617,365
Central Pacific Financial Corp.       259,447           5,323,852
CNB Financial Corp.       32,000           813,440
Columbia Banking System, Inc.       863,321           28,895,354
ConnectOne Bancorp, Inc.       25,850           647,543
CrossFirst Bankshares, Inc.A       73,958           1,028,756
CVB Financial Corp.       291,355           8,367,716
Dime Community Bancshares, Inc.       25,722           888,181
Eastern Bankshares, Inc.       119,515           2,291,103
Enterprise Financial Services Corp.       37,645           2,012,878
Equity Bancshares, Inc., Class A       6,103           217,999
Farmers National Banc Corp.       51,636           709,479
FB Financial Corp.       46,155           1,936,664
First BanCorp       303,088           9,907,938
First Bancshares, Inc.       36,378           1,191,016
First Busey Corp.       83,679           2,209,962
First Commonwealth Financial Corp.       83,624           1,199,168
First Financial Bancorp       143,811           3,749,153
First Financial Corp.       8,147           395,048
First Foundation, Inc.       85,505           1,364,660
First Hawaiian, Inc.       771,235           19,728,191
First Interstate BancSystem, Inc., Class A       370,500           16,898,505
First Merchants Corp.       370,234           16,623,507
Flushing Financial Corp.       45,493           896,212
FNB Corp.       311,755           4,504,860
Fulton Financial Corp.       159,092           2,900,247
Glacier Bancorp, Inc.       191,234           10,953,884
Great Southern Bancorp, Inc.       8,136           504,269
Hancock Whitney Corp.       229,247           12,808,030
Hanmi Financial Corp.       46,186           1,236,861
HarborOne Bancorp, Inc.       419,742           6,392,671
Heartland Financial USA, Inc.       41,234           2,033,661
Heritage Commerce Corp.       506,543           7,243,565
Heritage Financial Corp.       194,057           6,537,780
Hilltop Holdings, Inc.       164,454           4,760,943
HomeStreet, Inc.       12,613           327,433
Hope Bancorp, Inc.       181,118           2,457,771
Horizon Bancorp, Inc.       28,577           426,083
Independent Bank Group, Inc.       78,470           4,950,672
International Bancshares Corp.       94,304           4,677,478
Lakeland Bancorp, Inc.       42,376           790,312
Mercantile Bank Corp.       6,682           233,536
Midland States Bancorp, Inc.       31,235           875,829
National Bank Holdings Corp., Class A       170,259           7,460,749
Northwest Bancshares, Inc.       227,402           3,424,674
OceanFirst Financial Corp.       89,629           2,023,823
OFG Bancorp       1,249,441           34,834,415
Old National Bancorp       2,338,386           45,738,830
Origin Bancorp, Inc.       15,582           644,004
Pacific Premier Bancorp, Inc.       92,529           3,368,981
Peapack-Gladstone Financial Corp.       11,936           472,308
Peoples Bancorp, Inc.       42,872           1,297,735
Popular, Inc.       431,647           30,526,076

 

See accompanying notes

 

13


American Beacon Small Cap Value FundSM

Schedule of Investments

October 31, 2022

 

 

    Shares       Fair Value
             
COMMON STOCKS - 95.70% (continued)            
Financials - 21.84% (continued)            
Banks - 13.21% (continued)            
Premier Financial Corp.       53,953         $ 1,556,544
QCR Holdings, Inc.       25,550           1,295,641
Renasant Corp.       84,792           3,423,053
S&T Bancorp, Inc.       56,532           2,137,475
Sandy Spring Bancorp, Inc.       67,624           2,396,595
Seacoast Banking Corp. of Florida       237,633           7,342,860
Silvergate Capital Corp., Class AA       45,171           2,563,906
Simmons First National Corp., Class A       198,089           4,728,384
SmartFinancial, Inc.       21,056           615,677
SouthState Corp.       42,756           3,866,425
Texas Capital Bancshares, Inc.A       775,560           46,533,600
Trustmark Corp.       96,667           3,535,112
UMB Financial Corp.       157,348           13,094,501
Umpqua Holdings Corp.       1,413,893           28,108,193
United Community Banks, Inc.       509,528           19,616,828
Univest Financial Corp.       44,515           1,252,652
Valley National Bancorp       698,814           8,294,922
Veritex Holdings, Inc.       48,379           1,527,809
Washington Federal, Inc.       106,615           4,126,000
Webster Financial Corp.       137,701           7,471,656
WesBanco, Inc.       90,464           3,658,364
Westamerica Bancorp       210,010           13,173,927
           

 

 

 
              600,490,566
           

 

 

 
           
Capital Markets - 2.85%            
Artisan Partners Asset Management, Inc., Class A       62,611           1,785,040
B Riley Financial, Inc.       41,561           1,690,701
Cohen & Steers, Inc.       172,471           10,375,855
Donnelley Financial Solutions, Inc.A       29,836           1,206,269
Evercore, Inc., Class A       473,506           49,765,481
Federated Hermes, Inc.       375,060           13,033,335
Lazard Ltd., Class A       201,959           7,615,874
LPL Financial Holdings, Inc.       25,661           6,560,235
Moelis & Co., Class A       57,489           2,440,983
Perella Weinberg Partners, Class A       1,074,491           8,466,989
Piper Sandler Cos.,       26,492           3,390,181
Stifel Financial Corp.       224,497           13,889,629
Victory Capital Holdings, Inc., Class A       103,718           2,999,524
Virtu Financial, Inc., Class A       156,236           3,496,562
Virtus Investment Partners, Inc.       14,044           2,408,406
WisdomTree Investments, Inc.       84,023           456,245
           

 

 

 
              129,581,309
           

 

 

 
           
Consumer Finance - 1.20%            
Encore Capital Group, Inc.A       36,235           1,845,086
Enova International, Inc.A       53,249           1,996,305
EZCORP, Inc., Class AA       81,400           786,324
Navient Corp.       323,224           4,893,611
Nelnet, Inc., Class A       42,055           3,746,680
PRA Group, Inc.A       44,723           1,498,221
PROG Holdings, Inc.A       31,571           521,553
SLM Corp.       2,352,135           39,021,920
           

 

 

 
              54,309,700
           

 

 

 
           
Diversified Financial Services - 0.09%            
A-Mark Precious Metals, Inc.       35,416           1,077,001
Cannae Holdings, Inc.A       123,821           2,867,694
           

 

 

 
              3,944,695
           

 

 

 

 

See accompanying notes

 

14


American Beacon Small Cap Value FundSM

Schedule of Investments

October 31, 2022

 

 

    Shares       Fair Value
             
COMMON STOCKS - 95.70% (continued)            
Financials - 21.84% (continued)            
Insurance - 2.91%            
Ambac Financial Group, Inc.A       68,186         $ 958,013
American Equity Investment Life Holding Co.       140,769           6,064,329
Assured Guaranty Ltd.       136,693           8,090,859
Axis Capital Holdings Ltd.       154,692           8,457,012
Brighthouse Financial, Inc.A       156,349           8,922,837
CNO Financial Group, Inc.       404,569           8,924,792
Employers Holdings, Inc.       25,434           1,109,177
Enstar Group Ltd.A       144,021           28,879,091
Genworth Financial, Inc., Class AA       763,524           3,565,657
Global Indemnity Group LLC, Class A       335,812           8,116,576
Horace Mann Educators Corp.       557,786           22,010,236
Kemper Corp.       96,800           4,614,456
Mercury General Corp.       99,117           2,874,393
National Western Life Group, Inc., Class A       5,120           1,013,862
ProAssurance Corp.       96,937           2,152,971
Safety Insurance Group, Inc.       6,225           541,264
Selective Insurance Group, Inc.       80,681           7,913,192
Stewart Information Services Corp.       47,918           1,866,885
White Mountains Insurance Group Ltd.       4,515           6,393,917
           

 

 

 
              132,469,519
           

 

 

 
           
Mortgage Real Estate Investment Trusts (REITs) - 0.31%            
Hannon Armstrong Sustainable Infrastructure Capital, Inc.       510,704           13,880,935
           

 

 

 
           
Thrifts & Mortgage Finance - 1.27%            
Axos Financial, Inc.A       38,994           1,519,206
Capitol Federal Financial, Inc.       210,475           1,721,686
Essent Group Ltd.       374,583           14,825,995
Kearny Financial Corp.       103,312           1,047,584
Luther Burbank Corp.       231,697           2,926,333
Merchants Bancorp       65,330           1,564,654
MGIC Investment Corp.       606,809           8,282,943
Mr Cooper Group, Inc.A       160,088           6,321,875
NMI Holdings, Inc., Class AA       128,369           2,815,132
PennyMac Financial Services, Inc.       51,001           2,719,373
Provident Financial Services, Inc.       139,333           3,123,846
Radian Group, Inc.       342,598           7,150,020
TrustCo Bank Corp. NY       26,767           998,944
WSFS Financial Corp.       60,802           2,830,941
           

 

 

 
              57,848,532
           

 

 

 
           

Total Financials

              992,525,256
           

 

 

 
           
Health Care - 3.43%            
Biotechnology - 0.27%            
Alkermes PLCA       373,051           8,468,258
Ironwood Pharmaceuticals, Inc.A       158,944           1,738,847
Vanda Pharmaceuticals, Inc.A       217,120           2,273,246
           

 

 

 
              12,480,351
           

 

 

 
           
Health Care Equipment & Supplies - 0.55%            
Embecta Corp.       211,587           6,542,270
Enovis Corp.A       43,860           2,168,877
Merit Medical Systems, Inc.A       105,191           7,233,985
NuVasive, Inc.A       48,189           2,126,581
Omnicell, Inc.A       91,631           7,084,909
           

 

 

 
              25,156,622
           

 

 

 

 

See accompanying notes

 

15


American Beacon Small Cap Value FundSM

Schedule of Investments

October 31, 2022

 

 

    Shares       Fair Value
             
COMMON STOCKS - 95.70% (continued)            
Health Care - 3.43% (continued)            
Health Care Providers & Services - 1.34%            
Acadia Healthcare Co., Inc.A       100,630         $ 8,181,219
Amedisys, Inc.A       57,590           5,620,208
Cross Country Healthcare, Inc.A       69,888           2,592,146
Encompass Health Corp.       497,588           27,088,691
ModivCare, Inc.A       49,998           4,861,805
National HealthCare Corp.       28,480           1,735,002
R1 RCM, Inc.A       599,748           10,591,550
           

 

 

 
              60,670,621
           

 

 

 
           
Health Care Technology - 0.33%            
Evolent Health, Inc., Class AA       471,197           14,988,777
           

 

 

 
           
Life Sciences Tools & Services - 0.38%            
Azenta, Inc.       288,360           12,803,184
Medpace Holdings, Inc.A       19,139           4,248,475
           

 

 

 
              17,051,659
           

 

 

 
Pharmaceuticals - 0.56%            
Innoviva, Inc.A       140,877           1,910,292
Perrigo Co. PLC       582,730           23,472,364
           

 

 

 
              25,382,656
           

 

 

 
           

Total Health Care

              155,730,686
           

 

 

 
           
Industrials - 21.97%            
Aerospace & Defense - 1.40%            
AAR Corp.A       93,211           4,131,112
Aerojet Rocketdyne Holdings, Inc.A       188,784           9,146,585
AeroVironment, Inc.A       81,851           7,489,366
BWX Technologies, Inc.       334,354           19,051,491
Kaman Corp.       355,081           11,398,100
Mercury Systems, Inc.A       132,813           6,428,149
Spirit AeroSystems Holdings, Inc., Class A       250,263           5,796,091
           

 

 

 
              63,440,894
           

 

 

 
           
Air Freight & Logistics - 0.75%            
Air Transport Services Group, Inc.A       1,162,740           33,952,008
           

 

 

 
           
Airlines - 0.10%            
Alaska Air Group, Inc.A       19,341           859,901
Spirit Airlines, Inc.A       165,717           3,645,774
           

 

 

 
              4,505,675
           

 

 

 
           
Building Products - 1.64%            
Apogee Enterprises, Inc.       604,625           27,740,195
Armstrong World Industries, Inc.       5,462           412,763
AZEK Co., Inc.A       129,292           2,263,903
Gibraltar Industries, Inc.A       658,116           33,616,565
Insteel Industries, Inc.       39,468           1,039,982
Quanex Building Products Corp.       66,956           1,483,745
UFP Industries, Inc.       114,189           8,133,683
           

 

 

 
              74,690,836
           

 

 

 
           
Commercial Services & Supplies - 2.34%            
ACCO Brands Corp.       177,919           818,427
Aris Water Solution, Inc., Class A       110,084           1,874,731
Brink’s Co.       423,120           25,230,646

 

See accompanying notes

 

16


American Beacon Small Cap Value FundSM

Schedule of Investments

October 31, 2022

 

 

    Shares       Fair Value
             
COMMON STOCKS - 95.70% (continued)            
Industrials - 21.97% (continued)            
Commercial Services & Supplies - 2.34% (continued)            
Deluxe Corp.       677,392         $ 12,450,465
Harsco Corp.A       2,585,938           13,679,612
Healthcare Services Group, Inc.       1,051,220           14,675,031
Interface, Inc.       1,553,421           17,569,191
MillerKnoll, Inc.       882,694           18,695,459
Quad/Graphics, Inc.A       481,638           1,338,954
           

 

 

 
              106,332,516
           

 

 

 
           
Construction & Engineering - 2.77%            
Arcosa, Inc.       29,146           1,871,173
Dycom Industries, Inc.A       109,168           12,901,474
EMCOR Group, Inc.       76,493           10,793,163
Fluor Corp.A       1,164,835           35,247,907
Granite Construction, Inc.       226,055           7,624,835
Matrix Service Co.A       41,689           204,276
MDU Resources Group, Inc.       822,861           23,435,081
Primoris Services Corp.       145,359           2,934,798
WillScot Mobile Mini Holdings Corp.A       725,550           30,857,642
           

 

 

 
              125,870,349
           

 

 

 
           
Electrical Equipment - 0.87%            
Atkore, Inc.A       83,477           7,955,358
Encore Wire Corp.       38,620           5,313,726
EnerSys       387,069           25,658,804
GrafTech International Ltd.       144,949           737,790
           

 

 

 
              39,665,678
           

 

 

 
           
Machinery - 7.28%            
Allison Transmission Holdings, Inc.       599,554           25,331,156
Astec Industries, Inc.       105,350           4,598,527
Barnes Group, Inc.       286,613           10,137,502
Crane Holdings Co.       103,448           10,379,972
Donaldson Co., Inc.       241,340           13,864,983
Energy Recovery, Inc.A       204,927           5,272,772
Enerpac Tool Group Corp.       1,536,374           39,039,263
EnPro Industries, Inc.       124,696           13,280,124
Flowserve Corp.       1,805,113           51,770,641
Greenbrier Cos., Inc.       1,257,339           44,396,640
Hillenbrand, Inc.       398,666           17,613,064
Hyster-Yale Materials Handling, Inc.       13,642           397,801
ITT, Inc.       176,223           13,461,675
Kennametal, Inc.       1,240,691           33,138,857
Lindsay Corp.       30,011           5,080,862
Miller Industries, Inc.       207,724           5,282,421
Mueller Industries, Inc.       114,548           7,175,287
Standex International Corp.       139,528           13,820,248
Tennant Co.       175,682           10,233,476
Terex Corp.       59,675           2,419,225
Titan International, Inc.A       123,184           1,842,833
Wabash National Corp.       110,010           2,381,717
           

 

 

 
              330,919,046
           

 

 

 
           
Marine - 1.00%            
Eagle Bulk Shipping, Inc.       27,658           1,338,094
Genco Shipping & Trading Ltd.       85,420           1,144,628
Kirby Corp.A       491,754           34,299,841
Matson, Inc.       114,667           8,437,198
           

 

 

 
              45,219,761
           

 

 

 

 

See accompanying notes

 

17


American Beacon Small Cap Value FundSM

Schedule of Investments

October 31, 2022

 

 

    Shares       Fair Value
             
COMMON STOCKS - 95.70% (continued)            
Industrials - 21.97% (continued)            
Professional Services - 1.92%            
Heidrick & Struggles International, Inc.       12,907         $ 363,461
Hudson Global, Inc.A       57,162           1,943,508
Huron Consulting Group, Inc.A       39,720           2,924,584
KBR, Inc.       434,271           21,613,668
Kelly Services, Inc., Class A       69,884           1,141,905
Korn Ferry       557,785           31,007,268
ManpowerGroup, Inc.       196,366           15,383,312
TrueBlue, Inc.A       664,673           13,067,471
           

 

 

 
              87,445,177
           

 

 

 
           
Road & Rail - 0.36%            
ArcBest Corp.       49,551           3,935,836
Ryder System, Inc.       103,509           8,333,510
Schneider National, Inc., Class B       192,000           4,270,080
           

 

 

 
              16,539,426
           

 

 

 
           
Trading Companies & Distributors - 1.54%            
Air Lease Corp.       224,092           7,908,207
BlueLinx Holdings, Inc.A       18,732           1,319,857
Boise Cascade Co.       103,664           6,921,645
GMS, Inc.A       85,709           4,045,465
MSC Industrial Direct Co., Inc., Class A       87,065           7,224,654
NOW, Inc.A       1,339,476           17,051,529
Rush Enterprises, Inc., Class A       96,141           4,796,474
Titan Machinery, Inc.A       37,740           1,297,501
Triton International Ltd.       203,805           12,368,925
Univar Solutions, Inc.A       154,798           3,944,253
Veritiv Corp.A       28,210           3,279,695
           

 

 

 
              70,158,205
           

 

 

 
           

Total Industrials

              998,739,571
           

 

 

 
           
Information Technology - 10.79%            
Communications Equipment - 2.50%            
ADTRAN Holdings, Inc.       532,829           11,967,339
Ciena Corp.A       334,870           16,040,273
CommScope Holding Co., Inc.A       316,307           4,187,905
Extreme Networks, Inc.A       816,499           14,647,992
F5, Inc.A       268,524           38,374,765
Infinera Corp.A B       2,734,767           15,342,043
Lumentum Holdings, Inc.A       102,175           7,606,929
NETGEAR, Inc.A       58,114           1,141,940
Viasat, Inc.A       110,871           4,541,276
           

 

 

 
              113,850,462
           

 

 

 
           
Electronic Equipment, Instruments & Components - 3.12%            
Arrow Electronics, Inc.A       85,541           8,661,882
Avnet, Inc.       503,020           20,216,374
Belden, Inc.       220,902           15,381,406
Benchmark Electronics, Inc.       71,048           2,017,053
Coherent Corp.A       697,644           23,447,815
FARO Technologies, Inc.A       279,057           8,151,255
Itron, Inc.A       322,722           15,777,878
Kimball Electronics, Inc.A       19,870           410,713
Methode Electronics, Inc.       245,242           10,111,328
nLight, Inc.A       374,548           4,033,882
Plexus Corp.A       129,432           12,736,109
ScanSource, Inc.A       50,893           1,576,665

 

See accompanying notes

 

18


American Beacon Small Cap Value FundSM

Schedule of Investments

October 31, 2022

 

 

    Shares       Fair Value
             
COMMON STOCKS - 95.70% (continued)            
Information Technology - 10.79% (continued)            
Electronic Equipment, Instruments & Components - 3.12% (continued)            
TTM Technologies, Inc.A       206,556         $ 3,162,372
Vishay Intertechnology, Inc.       264,154           5,523,460
Vishay Precision Group, Inc.A       241,850           8,162,437
Vontier Corp.       126,464           2,415,462
           

 

 

 
              141,786,091
           

 

 

 
           
IT Services - 0.77%            
Edgio, Inc.A       565,905           1,522,285
Euronet Worldwide, Inc.A       271,022           22,768,558
Paya Holdings, Inc.A       383,176           3,080,735
WEX, Inc.A       45,543           7,475,428
           

 

 

 
              34,847,006
           

 

 

 
           
Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment - 2.41%            
Alpha & Omega Semiconductor Ltd.A       21,700           710,675
Amkor Technology, Inc.       23,931           497,525
Cohu, Inc.A       716,248           23,578,884
Diodes, Inc.A       443,975           31,819,688
Kulicke & Soffa Industries, Inc.       766,724           32,156,405
MaxLinear, Inc.A       58,098           1,794,066
Photronics, Inc.A       1,157,177           18,769,411
           

 

 

 
              109,326,654
           

 

 

 
           
Software - 0.83%            
A10 Networks, Inc.       475,013           7,980,218
Adeia, Inc.       102,336           1,144,117
Cognyte Software Ltd.A       124,894           339,712
Ebix, Inc.       28,686           567,696
Progress Software Corp.       229,446           11,708,629
Telos Corp.A       593,510           6,291,206
Verint Systems, Inc.A       145,333           5,149,148
WM Technology, Inc.A B       181,145           371,347
Zuora, Inc., Class AA       535,469           4,117,757
           

 

 

 
              37,669,830
           

 

 

 
           
Technology Hardware, Storage & Peripherals - 1.16%            
Corsair Gaming, Inc.A       145,096           2,002,325
Super Micro Computer, Inc.A       623,228           43,370,437
Xerox Holdings Corp.       506,326           7,407,549
           

 

 

 
              52,780,311
           

 

 

 
           

Total Information Technology

              490,260,354
           

 

 

 
           
Materials - 6.65%            
Chemicals - 1.80%            
AdvanSix, Inc.       56,645           2,060,745
Cabot Corp.       399,982           29,390,678
Ecovyst, Inc.A       1,287,916           12,814,764
Element Solutions, Inc.       1,078,438           18,549,134
Intrepid Potash, Inc.A       27,524           1,245,461
Koppers Holdings, Inc.       40,522           1,011,429
Livent Corp.A       108,300           3,419,031
Mativ Holdings, Inc.       94,468           2,242,670
Minerals Technologies, Inc.       56,088           3,085,401
Olin Corp.       84,875           4,494,131
Tronox Holdings PLC, Class A       287,011           3,444,132
           

 

 

 
              81,757,576
           

 

 

 

 

See accompanying notes

 

19


American Beacon Small Cap Value FundSM

Schedule of Investments

October 31, 2022

 

 

    Shares       Fair Value
             
COMMON STOCKS - 95.70% (continued)            
Materials - 6.65% (continued)            
Containers & Packaging - 0.53%            
Greif, Inc., Class A       51,778         $ 3,428,221
O-I Glass, Inc.A       377,045           6,149,604
Sonoco Products Co.       234,383           14,550,497
           

 

 

 
              24,128,322
           

 

 

 
           
Metals & Mining - 4.23%            
Alamos Gold, Inc., Class A       609,739           4,810,841
ATI, Inc.A       1,304,357           38,817,664
Carpenter Technology Corp.       383,202           14,331,755
Elah Holdings, Inc.A       3,309           231,630
Ferroglobe PLCA       1,739,070           10,138,778
Hecla Mining Co.       1,946,782           8,896,794
Kaiser Aluminum Corp.       622,974           50,330,069
Largo, Inc.A B       74,828           474,410
Materion Corp.       273,374           23,430,886
MP Materials Corp.A       186,406           5,599,636
Royal Gold, Inc.       166,105           15,773,331
Ryerson Holding Corp.       74,856           2,511,419
Schnitzer Steel Industries, Inc., Class A       197,663           5,334,924
SunCoke Energy, Inc.       168,525           1,223,492
TimkenSteel Corp.A       93,403           1,628,948
Warrior Met Coal, Inc.       104,352           3,875,633
Worthington Industries, Inc.       100,463           4,778,020
           

 

 

 
              192,188,230
           

 

 

 
           
Paper & Forest Products - 0.09%            
Clearwater Paper Corp.A       11,075           492,616
Louisiana-Pacific Corp.       68,610           3,886,756
           

 

 

 
              4,379,372
           

 

 

 
           

Total Materials

              302,453,500
           

 

 

 
           
Real Estate - 4.07%            
Equity Real Estate Investment Trusts (REITs) - 3.18%            
Agree Realty Corp.       417,080           28,653,396
Americold Realty Trust, Inc.       436,886           10,594,485
Apple Hospitality REIT, Inc.       862,163           14,760,231
Cousins Properties, Inc.       553,754           13,157,195
EPR Properties       119,103           4,597,376
Highwoods Properties, Inc.       15,602           440,444
Outfront Media, Inc.       565,588           10,208,863
Pebblebrook Hotel Trust       193,863           3,109,563
Physicians Realty Trust       339,678           5,115,551
PotlatchDeltic Corp.       176,721           7,862,317
Rayonier, Inc.       97,400           3,282,380
Ryman Hospitality Properties, Inc.       20,483           1,821,348
STAG Industrial, Inc.       805,883           25,457,844
Sunstone Hotel Investors, Inc.       661,018           7,370,351
Terreno Realty Corp.       71,373           4,078,253
Urban Edge Properties       305,290           4,310,695
           

 

 

 
              144,820,292
           

 

 

 
           
Real Estate Management & Development - 0.89%            
Cushman & Wakefield PLCA       209,459           2,419,252
Douglas Elliman, Inc.       460,270           2,126,447
Howard Hughes Corp.A       84,149           5,162,541
Marcus & Millichap, Inc.       56,805           2,092,696
Newmark Group, Inc., Class A       398,098           3,260,423

 

See accompanying notes

 

20


American Beacon Small Cap Value FundSM

Schedule of Investments

October 31, 2022

 

 

    Shares       Fair Value
             
COMMON STOCKS - 95.70% (continued)            
Real Estate - 4.07% (continued)            
Real Estate Management & Development - 0.89% (continued)            
RE/MAX Holdings, Inc., Class A       17,453         $ 339,635
RMR Group, Inc., Class A       475,273           13,008,222
Seritage Growth Properties, Class AA       1,108,139           11,890,332
           

 

 

 
              40,299,548
           

 

 

 
           

Total Real Estate

              185,119,840
           

 

 

 
           
Utilities - 1.99%            
Electric Utilities - 0.85%            
ALLETE, Inc.       448,978           25,263,992
PNM Resources, Inc.       123,499           5,738,998
Portland General Electric Co.B       176,241           7,920,271
           

 

 

 
              38,923,261
           

 

 

 
           
Gas Utilities - 0.55%            
Chesapeake Utilities Corp.       53,688           6,677,713
Northwest Natural Holding Co.       159,067           7,649,532
Southwest Gas Holdings, Inc.       121,331           8,865,656
Spire, Inc.       25,176           1,757,537
           

 

 

 
              24,950,438
           

 

 

 
           
Multi-Utilities - 0.59%            
Avista Corp.       439,671           18,039,701
NorthWestern Corp.       164,281           8,678,966
           

 

 

 
              26,718,667
           

 

 

 
           

Total Utilities

              90,592,366
           

 

 

 
           

Total Common Stocks (Cost $3,860,536,901)

              4,349,656,611
           

 

 

 
           
SHORT-TERM INVESTMENTS - 3.94% (Cost $179,000,571)            
Investment Companies - 3.94%            
American Beacon U.S. Government Money Market Select Fund, 2.89%C D       179,000,571           179,000,571
           

 

 

 
           
SECURITIES LENDING COLLATERAL - 0.43% (Cost $19,585,521)            
Investment Companies - 0.43%            
American Beacon U.S. Government Money Market Select Fund, 2.89%C D       19,585,521           19,585,521
           

 

 

 
           

TOTAL INVESTMENTS - 100.07% (Cost $4,059,122,993)

              4,548,242,703

LIABILITIES, NET OF OTHER ASSETS - (0.07%)

              (3,168,097 )
           

 

 

 

TOTAL NET ASSETS - 100.00%

            $ 4,545,074,606
           

 

 

 
             
Percentages are stated as a percent of net assets.                  

A Non-income producing security.

B All or a portion of this security is on loan, collateralized by either cash and/or U.S. Treasuries, at October 31, 2022 (Note 9).

C The Fund is affiliated by having the same investment advisor.

D 7-day yield.

LLC - Limited Liability Company.

LP - Limited Partnership.

PLC - Public Limited Company.

REIT - Real Estate Investment Trust.

 

See accompanying notes

 

21


American Beacon Small Cap Value FundSM

Schedule of Investments

October 31, 2022

 

 

Long Futures Contracts Open on October 31, 2022:

 

Equity Futures Contracts  
Description    Number of
Contracts
   Expiration Date    Notional Amount      Contract Value      Unrealized
Appreciation
(Depreciation)
 
CME e-mini Russell 2000 Index Futures    1,877    December 2022    $ 169,704,359      $ 173,904,050      $ 4,199,691  
        

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 
         $ 169,704,359      $ 173,904,050      $ 4,199,691  
        

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

Index Abbreviations:
CME    Chicago Mercantile Exchange.

The Fund’s investments are summarized by level based on the inputs used to determine their values. As of October 31, 2022, the investments were classified as described below:

 

Small Cap Value Fund

  Level 1           Level 2           Level 3           Total  

Assets

             

Common Stocks

  $ 4,349,656,611       $ -       $ -       $ 4,349,656,611  

Short-Term Investments

    179,000,571         -         -         179,000,571  

Securities Lending Collateral

    19,585,521         -         -         19,585,521  
 

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 

Total Investments in Securities - Assets

  $ 4,548,242,703       $ -       $ -       $ 4,548,242,703  
 

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 

Financial Derivative Instruments - Assets

 

Futures Contracts

  $ 4,199,691       $ -       $ -       $ 4,199,691  
 

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 

Total Financial Derivative Instruments - Assets

  $ 4,199,691       $ -       $ -       $ 4,199,691  
 

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 

U.S. GAAP requires transfers between all levels to/from level 3 be disclosed. During the year ended October 31, 2022, there were no transfers into or out of Level 3.

 

See accompanying notes

 

22


American Beacon Small Cap Value FundSM

Statement of Assets and Liabilities

October 31, 2022

 

 

Assets:

 

Investments in unaffiliated securities, at fair value §

  $ 4,349,656,611  

Investments in affiliated securities, at fair value

    198,586,092  

Cash collateral held at broker for futures contracts

    12,401,000  

Dividends and interest receivable

    2,170,156  

Receivable for investments sold

    9,322,041  

Receivable for fund shares sold

    13,165,507  

Receivable for variation margin on open futures contracts (Note 5)

    4,203,151  

Prepaid expenses

    48,677  
 

 

 

 

Total assets

    4,589,553,235  
 

 

 

 

Liabilities:

 

Payable for investments purchased

    6,687,053  

Payable for fund shares redeemed

    10,722,772  

Cash due to broker for futures contracts

    4,067,767  

Management and sub-advisory fees payable (Note 2)

    2,663,578  

Service fees payable (Note 2)

    80,522  

Transfer agent fees payable (Note 2)

    95,451  

Payable upon return of securities loaned (Note 9)§

    19,585,521  

Custody and fund accounting fees payable

    123,806  

Professional fees payable

    163,035  

Trustee fees payable (Note 2)

    25,298  

Payable for prospectus and shareholder reports

    95,887  

Other liabilities

    167,939  
 

 

 

 

Total liabilities

    44,478,629  
 

 

 

 

Net assets

  $ 4,545,074,606  
 

 

 

 

Analysis of net assets:

 

Paid-in-capital

  $ 3,481,616,758  

Total distributable earnings (deficits)A

    1,063,457,848  
 

 

 

 

Net assets

  $ 4,545,074,606  
 

 

 

 

Shares outstanding at no par value (unlimited shares authorized):

 

R5 Class

    83,172,525  
 

 

 

 

Y Class

    16,224,553  
 

 

 

 

Investor Class

    11,165,700  
 

 

 

 

Advisor Class

    1,299,724  
 

 

 

 

A Class

    1,950,513  
 

 

 

 

C Class

    380,806  
 

 

 

 

R6 Class

    56,212,635  
 

 

 

 

Net assets:

 

R5 Class

  $ 2,233,390,067  
 

 

 

 

Y Class

  $ 427,638,978  
 

 

 

 

Investor Class

  $ 284,880,016  
 

 

 

 

Advisor Class

  $ 32,662,818  
 

 

 

 

A Class

  $ 48,515,547  
 

 

 

 

C Class

  $ 8,859,738  
 

 

 

 

R6 Class

  $ 1,509,127,442  
 

 

 

 

Net asset value, offering and redemption price per share:

 

R5 Class

  $ 26.85  
 

 

 

 

Y Class

  $ 26.36  
 

 

 

 

Investor Class

  $ 25.51  
 

 

 

 

Advisor Class

  $ 25.13  
 

 

 

 

A Class

  $ 24.87  
 

 

 

 

A Class (offering price)

  $ 26.39  
 

 

 

 

C Class

  $ 23.27  
 

 

 

 

R6 Class

  $ 26.85  
 

 

 

 

Cost of investments in unaffiliated securities

  $ 3,860,536,901  

Cost of investments in affiliated securities

  $ 198,586,092  

§ Fair value of securities on loan

  $ 65,006,428  

A The Fund’s investments in affiliated securities did not have unrealized appreciation (depreciation) at year end.

 

 

See accompanying notes

 

23


American Beacon Small Cap Value FundSM

Statement of Operations

For the year ended October 31, 2022

 

 

Investment income:

 

Dividend income from unaffiliated securities (net of foreign taxes)

  $ 82,269,957  

Dividend income from affiliated securities (Note 2)

    1,405,326  

Interest income

    104,692  

Income derived from securities lending (Note 9)

    169,607  
 

 

 

 

Total investment income

    83,949,582  
 

 

 

 

Expenses:

 

Management and sub-advisory fees (Note 2)

    36,434,990  

Transfer agent fees:

 

R5 Class (Note 2)

    862,813  

Y Class (Note 2)

    369,282  

Investor Class

    32,895  

Advisor Class

    5,628  

A Class

    6,561  

C Class

    4,165  

R6 Class

    69,246  

Custody and fund accounting fees

    556,496  

Professional fees

    580,583  

Registration fees and expenses

    135,294  

Service fees (Note 2):

 

Investor Class

    1,105,627  

Advisor Class

    86,310  

A Class

    101,226  

C Class

    11,540  

Distribution fees (Note 2):

 

Advisor Class

    86,463  

A Class

    136,184  

C Class

    94,049  

Prospectus and shareholder report expenses

    478,131  

Trustee fees (Note 2)

    413,551  

Loan expense (Note 10)

    19,274  

Other expenses

    536,363  
 

 

 

 

Total expenses

    42,126,671  
 

 

 

 

Net investment income

    41,822,911  
 

 

 

 

Realized and unrealized gain (loss) from investments:

 

Net realized gain (loss) from:

 

Investments in unaffiliated securitiesA

    815,029,557  

Redemption in kind (Note 7)

    56,520,896  

Commission recapture (Note 1)

    7,774  

Foreign currency transactions

    (250

Futures contracts

    (38,979,635

Change in net unrealized appreciation (depreciation) of:

 

Investments in unaffiliated securitiesB

    (1,086,696,725

Futures contracts

    770,097  
 

 

 

 

Net (loss) from investments

    (253,348,286
 

 

 

 

Net (decrease) in net assets resulting from operations

  $ (211,525,375
 

 

 

 

Foreign taxes

  $ 253,164  

A The Fund did not recognize net realized gains (losses) from the sale of investments in affiliated securities.

 

B The Fund’s investments in affiliated securities did not have a change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation) at year end.

 

 

See accompanying notes

 

24


American Beacon Small Cap Value FundSM

Statement of Changes in Net Assets

 

 

    Year Ended
October 31, 2022
          Year Ended
October 31, 2021
 

Increase (decrease) in net assets:

 

Operations:

 

Net investment income

  $ 41,822,911       $ 36,979,213  

Net realized gain from investments in unaffiliated securities, commission recapture, foreign currency transactions, and futures contracts

    832,578,342         1,044,070,136  

Change in net unrealized appreciation (depreciation) of investments in unaffiliated securities, and futures contracts

    (1,085,926,628       1,482,112,484  
 

 

 

     

 

 

 

Net increase (decrease) in net assets resulting from operations

    (211,525,375       2,563,161,833  
 

 

 

     

 

 

 

Distributions to shareholders:

 

Total retained earnings:

     

R5 Class

    (357,424,073       (30,252,473

Y Class

    (28,029,058       (1,814,421

Investor Class

    (39,069,782       (2,372,133

Advisor Class

    (3,807,082       (272,130

A Class

    (6,970,754       (318,938

C Class

    (1,119,552       -  

R6 Class

    (202,391,660       (13,695,714
 

 

 

     

 

 

 

Net distributions to shareholders

    (638,811,961       (48,725,809
 

 

 

     

 

 

 

Capital share transactions (Note 11):

 

Proceeds from sales of shares

    1,257,113,565         1,621,094,193  

Reinvestment of dividends and distributions

    605,168,502         46,257,815  

Cost of shares redeemed

    (2,407,719,098       (2,798,705,958
 

 

 

     

 

 

 

Net (decrease) in net assets from capital share transactions

    (545,437,031       (1,131,353,950
 

 

 

     

 

 

 

Net increase (decrease) in net assets

    (1,395,774,367       1,383,082,074  
 

 

 

     

 

 

 

Net assets:

 

Beginning of year

    5,940,848,973         4,557,766,899  
 

 

 

     

 

 

 

End of year

  $ 4,545,074,606       $ 5,940,848,973  
 

 

 

     

 

 

 

 

See accompanying notes

 

25


American Beacon Small Cap Value FundSM

Notes to Financial Statements

October 31, 2022

 

 

1.  Organization and Significant Accounting Policies

American Beacon Funds (the “Trust”) is organized as a Massachusetts business trust. The Fund, a series within the Trust, is registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the “Act”), as a diversified, open-end management investment company. As of October 31, 2022, the Trust consists of twenty-five active series, one of which is presented in this filing: American Beacon Small Cap Value Fund (the “Fund”). The remaining twenty-four active series are reported in separate filings.

American Beacon Advisors, Inc. (the “Manager”) is a Delaware corporation and a wholly-owned subsidiary of Resolute Investment Managers, Inc. (“RIM”) organized in 1986 to provide business management, advisory, administrative, and asset management consulting services to the Trust and other investors. The Manager is registered as an investment advisor under the Investment Advisers Act of 1940, as amended (the “Advisers Act”). 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.

Recently Adopted Accounting Pronouncements

In March 2020, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) 2020-04, which provides optional expedients and exceptions for contracts, hedging relationships and other transactions affected by the transitioning away from the London Interbank Offered Rate (“LIBOR”) and other reference rates that are expected to be discontinued. The amendments in this ASU are effective for all entities as of March 12, 2020 through December 31, 2022. Management has evaluated the implications of these changes, and has determined that there is no impact to the financial statements.

In October 2020, the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) adopted new regulations governing the use of derivatives by registered investment companies. Rule 18f-4 imposes limits on the amount of derivatives the fund can enter into, eliminated the asset segregation framework used by funds to comply with Section 18 of the Act, and requires funds whose use of derivatives is more than a limited specified exposure to establish and maintain a derivatives risk management program and appoint a derivatives risk manager. While the new rule became effective February 19, 2021, funds were not required to fully comply with the new rule until August 19, 2022. Management has evaluated the implications of these changes, and has determined that there is no impact to the financial statements.

On December 3, 2020, the SEC adopted new rule 2a-5 (Valuation Rule) under the Investment Company Act of 1940, establishing an updated regulatory framework for fund valuation. The Valuation Rule, in part, provides a framework for good faith fair value determination and permits a Board to designate fair value determinations to the fund’s investment adviser. Further, the SEC is rescinding previously issued guidance on related issues. The Valuation Rule became effective on March 8, 2021, with a compliance date of September 8, 2022. Management has evaluated the Valuation Rule, and has determined that there is no impact to the financial statements.

 

 

26


American Beacon Small Cap Value FundSM

Notes to Financial Statements

October 31, 2022

 

 

Class Disclosure

The Fund has multiple classes of shares designed to meet the needs of different groups of investors. The following table sets forth the differences amongst the classes:

 

Class

  

Eligible Investors

   Minimum Initial
Investments
 
R5 Class    Large institutional investors - sold directly or through intermediary channels.    $ 250,000  
Y Class    Large institutional retirement plan investors - sold directly or through intermediary channels.    $ 100,000  
Investor Class    All investors using intermediary organizations, such as broker-dealers or retirement plan sponsors.    $ 2,500  
Advisor Class    All investors who invest through intermediary organizations, such as broker-dealers or third party administrators.    $ 2,500  
A Class    All investors who invest through intermediary organizations, such as broker-dealers or third party administrator. Retail investors who invest directly through a financial intermediary such as a broker, bank, or registered investment advisor which may include a front-end sales charge and a contingent deferred sales charge (“CDSC”).    $ 2,500  
C Class    Retail investors who invest directly through a financial intermediary, such as a broker or through employee directed benefit plans with applicable sales charges which may include CDSC.    $ 1,000  
R6 Class    Large institutional retirement plan investors - sold through retirement plan sponsors.      None  

Each class offered by the Trust has equal rights as to assets and voting privileges. Income and non-class specific expenses are allocated daily to each class based on the relative net assets. Realized and unrealized capital gains and losses of each class are allocated daily based on the relative net assets of each class of the respective Fund. Class specific expenses, where applicable, currently include service, distribution, transfer agent fees, and sub-transfer agent fees that vary amongst the classes as described more fully in Note 2.

Significant Accounting Policies

The following is a summary of significant accounting policies, consistently followed by the Fund in preparation of the financial statements. The Fund is considered an investment company and accordingly, follows the investment company accounting and reporting guidance of the FASB Accounting Standards Codification Topic 946, Financial Services – Investment Companies, a part of Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (“U.S. GAAP”).

Security Transactions and Investment Income

Security transactions are recorded as of the trade date for financial reporting purposes. Securities purchased or sold on a when-issued or delayed-delivery basis may be settled beyond a standard settlement period for the security after the trade date.

Dividend income, net of foreign taxes, is recorded on the ex-dividend date, except certain dividends from foreign securities which are recorded as soon as the information is available to the Fund. Tax reclaim accruals are automatically generated on accounting and custody systems at the time of the income event based on the tax databases maintained by the Fund’s custodian. Reconciliations are performed between custody and accounting systems to help ensure reclaim accruals are in line. Interest income, net of foreign taxes, is earned from settlement date, recorded on the accrual basis, and adjusted, if necessary, for accretion of discounts and amortization of premiums. Realized gains (losses) from securities sold are determined based on specific lot identification.

 

 

27


American Beacon Small Cap Value FundSM

Notes to Financial Statements

October 31, 2022

 

 

Distributions to Shareholders

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 and distributions of realized net capital gains and net gains from foreign currency transactions on an annual basis. The Fund does not have a fixed dividend rate and does not guarantee that it will pay any distributions in any particular period. Dividends to shareholders are determined in accordance with federal income tax regulations, which may differ in amount and character from net investment income and realized gains recognized for purposes of U.S. GAAP. To the extent necessary to fully distribute capital gains, the Fund may designate earnings and profits distributed to shareholders on the redemption of shares.    

Commission Recapture

The Fund has established brokerage commission recapture arrangements with certain brokers or dealers. If the Fund’s investment 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. This amount is reported with the net realized gain (loss) in the Fund’s Statement of Operations, if applicable.

Allocation of Income, Trust Expenses, Gains, and Losses

Investment income, realized and unrealized gains and losses from investments of the Fund is allocated daily to each class of shares based upon the relative proportion of net assets of each class to the total net assets of the Fund. Expenses directly charged or attributable to the Fund will be paid from the assets of the Fund. Generally, expenses of the Trust will be allocated among and charged to the assets of the Fund on a basis that the Trust’s Board of Trustees (the “Board”) deems fair and equitable, which may be based on the relative net assets of the Fund or nature of the services performed and relative applicability to the Fund.

Use of Estimates

The preparation of financial statements in conformity with U.S. GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the amounts reported in the financial statements and accompanying notes. Actual results may differ from those estimated.

Other

Under the Trust’s organizational documents, its officers and trustees are indemnified against certain liabilities arising out of the performance of their duties to the Trust. In the normal course of business, the Trust enters into contracts that provide indemnification to the other party or parties against potential costs or liabilities. The Trust’s maximum exposure under these arrangements is dependent on claims that may be made in the future and, therefore, cannot be estimated. The Trust has had no prior claims or losses pursuant to any such agreement.

2.  Transactions with Affiliates

Management and Investment Sub-Advisory Agreements

The Fund and the Manager are parties to a Management Agreement that obligates the Manager to provide the Fund with investment advisory and administrative services. As compensation for performing the duties under the Management Agreement, the Manager will 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 $15 billion

     0.35

Next $15 billion

     0.325

Over $30 billion

     0.30

 

 

28


American Beacon Small Cap Value FundSM

Notes to Financial Statements

October 31, 2022

 

 

The Trust, on behalf of the Fund, and the Manager have entered into Investment Advisory Agreements with Barrow, Hanley, Mewhinney & Strauss, LLC; Brandywine Global Investment Management, LLC; DePrince, Race & Zollo, Inc.; Hotchkis and Wiley Capital Management, LLC; and Newton Investment Management North America, LLC (“Sub-Advisors”) pursuant to which the Fund has agreed to pay an annualized sub-advisory fee that is calculated and accrued daily based on the Fund’s average daily net assets.

The Management and Sub-Advisory Fees paid by the Fund for the year ended October 31, 2022 were as follows:

 

    Effective Fee Rate           Amount of Fees Paid  

Management Fees

    0.35     $ 18,029,676  

Sub-Advisor Fees

    0.36       18,405,314  
 

 

 

     

 

 

 

Total

    0.71     $ 36,434,990  
 

 

 

     

 

 

 

As compensation for services provided by the Manager in connection with securities lending activities conducted by the Fund, the lending Fund pays to the Manager, with respect to cash collateral posted by borrowers, a fee of 10% of the net monthly interest income (the gross interest income earned by the investment of cash collateral, less the amount paid to borrowers and related expenses) from such activities and, with respect to loan fees paid by borrowers, a fee of 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. These fees are included in “Income derived from securities lending” and “Management and sub-advisory fees” on the Statement of Operations. During the year ended October 31, 2022, the Manager received securities lending fees of $17,746 for the securities lending activities of the Fund.

Distribution Plans

Separate Distribution Plans (the “Distribution Plans”) have been adopted pursuant to Rule 12b-1 under the Act for the Advisor, A and C Classes of the Fund. Under the Distribution Plans, as compensation for distribution and shareholder servicing assistance, the Manager receives an annual fee of 0.25% of the average daily net assets of the Advisor and A Classes and 1.00% of the average daily net assets of the C Class. The fee will be payable without regard to whether the amount of the fee is more or less than the actual expenses incurred in a particular month by the Manager for distribution assistance.

Service Plans

The Manager and the Trust entered into a Service Plan that obligates the Manager to oversee additional shareholder servicing of the Investor, Advisor, A and C Classes of the Fund. As compensation for performing the duties required under the Service Plan, the Manager receives an annualized fee up to 0.25% of the average daily net assets of the A and C Classes, up to 0.25% of the average daily net assets of the Advisor Class, and up to 0.375% of the average daily net assets of the Investor Class of the Fund.

Sub-Transfer Agent Fees

The Manager has entered into agreements, which include servicing agreements, with financial intermediaries that provide recordkeeping, processing, shareholder communications and other services to customers of the intermediaries that hold positions in the R5 and Y Classes of the Fund and has agreed to compensate the intermediaries for providing these services. Intermediaries transact with the Fund primarily through the use of omnibus accounts on behalf of its customers who hold positions in the Fund. Certain services would have been provided by the Fund’s transfer agent and other service providers if the shareholders’ accounts were maintained directly by the Fund’s transfer agent. Accordingly, the Fund, pursuant to Board approval, has

 

 

29


American Beacon Small Cap Value FundSM

Notes to Financial Statements

October 31, 2022

 

 

agreed to reimburse the Manager for certain non-distribution shareholder services provided by financial intermediaries for the R5 and Y Classes. The reimbursement amounts (sub-transfer agent fees) paid to the Manager are subject to a fee limit of up to 0.10% of an intermediary’s average net assets in the R5 and Y Classes on an annual basis. During the year ended October 31, 2022, the sub-transfer agent fees, as reflected in “Transfer agent fees” on the Statement of Operations, were as follows:

 

Fund

   Sub-Transfer Agent Fees  

Small Cap Value

   $ 1,109,185  

As of October 31, 2022, the Fund owed the Manager the following reimbursement of sub-transfer agent fees, as reflected in “Transfer agent fees payable” on the Statement of Assets and Liabilities:

 

Fund

   Reimbursement
Sub-Transfer Agent Fees
 

Small Cap Value

   $ 38,464  

Brokerage Commissions

Affiliated entities of a sub-advisor to the Fund received commissions on purchases and sales of the Fund’s portfolio securities totaling $270,145 for the year ended October 31, 2022.

Investments in Affiliated Funds

The Fund may invest in the American Beacon U.S. Government Money Market Select Fund (the “USG Select Fund”). The Fund listed below held the following shares with an October 31, 2022 fair value and dividend income earned from the investment in the USG Select Fund.

 

Affiliated Security

  Type of
Transaction
        Fund           October 31,
2022
Shares/Principal
          Change in
Unrealized
Gain (Loss)
          Realized
Gain

(Loss)
          Dividend
Income
          October 31,
2022
Fair Value
 
U.S. Government Money Market Select   Direct       Small Cap Value       $ 179,000,571       $ -       $ -       $ 1,405,326       $ 179,000,571  
U.S. Government Money Market Select   Securities
Lending
      Small Cap Value         19,585,521         -         -         N/A         19,585,521  

The Fund and the USG Select Fund have the same investment advisor and therefore, are considered to be affiliated. The Manager serves as investment advisor to the USG Select Fund and receives management fees and administrative fees totaling 0.10% of the average daily net assets of the USG Select Fund. During the year ended October 31, 2022, the Manager earned fees on the Fund’s direct investments and securities lending collateral investments in the USG Select Fund as shown below:

 

Fund

   Direct Investments in
USG Select Fund
     Securities Lending
Collateral
Investments in USG
Select Fund
     Total  

Small Cap Value

   $ 185,871      $ 10,157      $ 196,028  

Interfund Credit Facility

Pursuant to an exemptive order issued by the SEC, the Fund, along with other registered investment companies having management contracts with the Manager, may participate in a credit facility whereby each fund, under certain conditions, is permitted to lend money directly to and borrow directly from other participating funds for temporary purposes. The interfund credit facility is advantageous to the funds because it provides added liquidity and eliminates the need to maintain higher cash balances to meet redemptions. This situation could arise

 

 

30


American Beacon Small Cap Value FundSM

Notes to Financial Statements

October 31, 2022

 

 

when shareholder redemptions exceed anticipated volumes and certain funds have 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, they often do not receive payment in settlement for up to two days (or longer for certain foreign transactions). Redemption requests normally are satisfied on the next business day. The credit facility provides a source of immediate, short-term liquidity pending settlement of the sale of portfolio securities. The credit facility is administered by a credit facility team consisting of professionals from the Manager’s asset management, compliance, and accounting areas who report the activities of the credit facility to the Board. During the year ended October 31, 2022, the Fund participated as a lender and loaned of $5,233,573 for 95 days at an average interest rate of 1.82% with interest charges earned of $19,180. This amount is included in “Interest income” on the Statement of Operations.

Expense Reimbursement Plan

The Fund has adopted an Expense Reimbursement Plan whereby the Manager may seek repayment of such fee or voluntary reductions and expense reimbursements. Under the policy, the Manager can be reimbursed by the Fund for any contractual or voluntary fee reductions 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 annual operating expenses to exceed the lesser of the contractual percentage limit in effect at the time of the waiver/reimbursement or time of recoupment. During the year ended October 31, 2022 there were no waived fees, expenses reimbursed, or recouped expenses.

Sales Commissions

The Fund’s Distributor, Resolute Investment Distributors, Inc. (“RID” or “Distributor”), may receive a portion of A Class sales charges from broker dealers which may be used to offset distribution related expenses. During the year ended October 31, 2022, RID collected $1,392 from the sale of A Class Shares of the Fund.

A CDSC of 0.50% will be deducted with respect to A Class Shares on certain purchases of $1,000,000 or more that are redeemed in whole or part within 18 months of purchase, unless waived as discussed in the Fund’s Prospectus. Any applicable CDSC will be 0.50% of the lesser of the original purchase price or the value of the redemption of the A Class Shares redeemed. During the year ended October 31, 2022, there were no CDSC fees collected for the A Class Shares of the Fund.

A CDSC of 1.00% will be deducted with respect to C Class Shares redeemed within 12 months of purchase, unless waived as discussed in the Fund’s Prospectus. Any applicable CDSC will be 1.00% of the lesser of the original purchase price or the value of the redemption of the C Class Shares redeemed. During the year ended October 31, 2022, CDSC fees of $583 were collected for C Class Shares of the Fund.

Trustee Fees and Expenses

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 and Compliance 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 video conference 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

 

 

31


American Beacon Small Cap Value FundSM

Notes to Financial Statements

October 31, 2022

 

 

meetings at each quarterly Board meeting, she receives only a single $2,500 fee each quarter for her attendance at those meetings. The chairpersons of the Audit and Compliance 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.

3.  Security Valuation and Fair Value Measurements

The price of the Fund’s shares is based on its net asset value (“NAV”) per share. The Fund’s NAV is computed by adding total assets, subtracting all the Fund’s liabilities, and dividing the result by the total number of shares outstanding.

The NAV 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 New York Stock Exchange (“NYSE” or “Exchange”), which is typically 4:00 p.m. Eastern Time (“ET”). However, if trading on the NYSE closes at a time other than 4:00 p.m. ET, 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, including shares of closed-end funds and exchange-traded funds (“ETFs”), are valued at the last sale price or official closing price taken from the primary exchange in which each security trades. Investments in other mutual funds are valued at the closing NAV per share on the day of valuation. Debt securities are valued at bid quotes from broker/dealers or evaluated bid prices from pricing services, who may consider a number of inputs and factors, such as prices of comparable securities, yield curves, spreads, credit ratings, coupon rates, maturity, default rates, and underlying collateral. Futures are valued based on their daily settlement prices. Exchange-traded and over-the-counter (“OTC”) options are valued at the last sale price. Options with no last sale for the day are priced at mid quote. Swaps are valued at evaluated mid prices from pricing services.

The valuation of securities traded on foreign markets and certain fixed-income securities will generally be based on prices determined as of the earlier closing time of the markets on which they primarily trade unless a significant event has occurred. When the Fund holds securities or other assets that are denominated in a foreign currency, the Fund will normally use the currency exchange rates as of 4:00 p.m. ET.

The Valuation Rule establishes requirements for determining fair value in good faith for purposes of the Act, including related oversight and reporting requirements. The Valuation Rule also defines when market quotations are “readily available,” which is the threshold for determining whether a Fund must fair value a security. Among other things, the Valuation Rule permits the Board to designate the Manager 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 Board receives the information it needs to oversee the Manager’s fair value determinations. Effective September 8, 2022, the Board has designated the Manager as valuation designee to perform fair value functions in accordance with the requirements of the Valuation Rule. Prior to September 8, 2022, fair value determinations were made pursuant to methodologies approved by the Board.

Securities may be valued at fair value, as determined in good faith and pursuant to the Manager’s procedures approved by the Board, under certain limited circumstances. For example, fair value pricing will be used for fixed-income securities and when market quotations are not readily available or reliable, as determined by the Manager, such as when (i) trading for a security is restricted or stopped; (ii) a security’s trading market is closed (other than customary closings); or (iii) a security has been de-listed from a national exchange. A security with limited market liquidity may require fair value pricing if the Manager determines that the available price does not reflect the security’s true market value. In addition, if a significant event that the Manager determines to affect the value of one or more securities held by the Fund occurs after the close of a related exchange but before the determination of the Fund’s NAV, fair value pricing may be used on the affected security or securities.

 

 

32


American Beacon Small Cap Value FundSM

Notes to Financial Statements

October 31, 2022

 

 

Securities of small-capitalization companies are also more likely to require a fair value determination using these procedures because they are more thinly traded and less liquid than the securities of larger-capitalization companies. The Fund may fair value securities as a result of significant events occurring after the close of the foreign markets in which the Fund invests as described below. In addition, the Fund may invest in illiquid securities requiring these procedures.

The Fund may use fair value pricing for securities primarily traded in non-U.S. markets because most foreign markets close well before the Fund’s pricing time of 4:00 p.m. ET. The earlier close of these foreign markets gives rise to the possibility that significant events, including broad market moves, may have occurred in the interim and may materially affect the value of those securities. If the Manager determines that the last quoted prices of non-U.S. securities will, in its judgment, materially affect the value of some or all of the Fund’s portfolio securities, the Manager can adjust the previous closing prices to reflect what it believes to be the fair value of the securities as of the close of the Exchange. In deciding whether it is necessary to adjust closing prices to reflect fair value, the Manager reviews a variety of factors, including developments in foreign markets, the performance of U.S. securities markets, and the performance of instruments trading in U.S. markets that represent foreign securities and baskets of foreign securities. These securities are fair valued using a pricing service, using methods approved by the Manager, that considers the correlation of the trading patterns of the foreign security to intraday trading in the U.S. markets, based on indices of domestic securities and other appropriate indicators such as prices of relevant American Depositary Receipts (“ADRs”) and futures contracts. The Manager’s Valuation Committee may also fair value securities in other situations, such as when a particular foreign market is closed but the Fund is open. The Fund uses outside pricing services to provide closing prices and information to evaluate and/or adjust those prices. As a means of evaluating its security valuation process, the Valuation Committee routinely compares closing prices, the next day’s opening prices in the same markets and adjusted prices.

Attempts to determine the fair value of securities introduce an element of subjectivity to the pricing of securities. As a result, the price of a security determined through fair valuation techniques may differ from the price quoted or published by other sources and may not accurately reflect the market value of the security when trading resumes. If a reliable market quotation becomes available for a security formerly valued through fair valuation techniques, the Manager compares the new market quotation to the fair value price to evaluate the effectiveness of the Fund’s fair valuation procedures. If any significant discrepancies are found, the Manager may adjust the Manager’s fair valuation procedures for the Fund.

Valuation Inputs

Various inputs may be used to determine the fair value of the Fund’s investments. These inputs are summarized in three broad levels for financial statement purposes. The inputs or methodologies used to value securities are not necessarily an indication of the risk associated with investing in those securities.

 

Level 1   -   Quoted prices in active markets for identical securities.
Level 2   -   Prices determined using other significant observable inputs. These may include quoted prices for similar securities, interest rates, prepayment speeds, credit risk, and others.
Level 3   -   Prices determined using other significant unobservable inputs. Unobservable inputs reflect the Fund’s own assumptions about the factors market participants would use in pricing an investment.

Level 1 and Level 2 trading assets and trading liabilities, at fair value

Common stocks, ETFs, preferred securities and financial derivative instruments, such as futures contracts that are traded on a national securities exchange, are stated at the last reported sale or settlement price on the day of valuation. To the extent these securities are actively traded and valuation adjustments are not applied, they are categorized as Level 1 of the fair value hierarchy. Preferred securities and other equities traded on inactive markets or valued by reference to similar instruments are generally categorized as Level 2 of the fair value hierarchy.

Investments in registered open-end investment management companies will be valued based upon the NAVs of such investments and are categorized as Level 1 of the fair value hierarchy.

 

 

33


American Beacon Small Cap Value FundSM

Notes to Financial Statements

October 31, 2022

 

 

Level 3 trading assets and trading liabilities, at fair value

The valuation techniques and significant inputs used in determining the fair values of financial instruments classified as Level 3 of the fair value hierarchy are as follows.

Securities and other assets for which market quotes are not readily available are valued at fair value as determined in good faith by the Manager or persons acting under their oversight and may be categorized as Level 3 of the fair value hierarchy.

Market quotes are considered not readily available in circumstances where there is an absence of current or reliable market-based data (e.g., trade information or broker quotes), including where events occur after the close of the relevant market, but prior to the Exchange close, that materially affect the values of the Fund’s securities or assets. In addition, market quotes are considered not readily available when, due to extraordinary circumstances, the exchanges or markets on which the securities trade, do not open for trading for the entire day and no other market prices are available. The Board has designated the Manager as responsible for monitoring significant events that may materially affect the fair values of the Fund’s securities or assets and for determining whether the value of the applicable securities or assets should be re-evaluated in light of such significant events.

The Manager has selected methods for valuing securities and other assets in circumstances where market quotes are not readily available, and oversees the application of those valuation methods. In the event that the security or asset cannot be valued, pursuant to one of the valuation methods selected by the Manager, the fair value of the security or asset will be determined in good faith by the Valuation Committee.

When the Fund uses fair valuation methods that use significant unobservable inputs to determine its NAV, the securities priced using this methodology are categorized as Level 3 of the fair value hierarchy. These methods may require subjective determinations about the value of a security. While the Trust’s policy is intended to result in a calculation of the Fund’s NAV that fairly reflects security values as of the time of pricing, the Trust cannot guarantee that values determined by the Manager or persons acting under their oversight would accurately reflect the price that the Fund could obtain for a security if it were to dispose of that security as of the time of pricing (for instance, in a forced or distressed sale). The prices used by the Fund may differ from the value that would be realized if the securities were sold.

4.  Securities and Other Investments

Common Stock

Common stock generally takes the form of shares in a corporation which represent an ownership interest. It ranks below preferred stock and debt securities in claims for dividends and for assets of the company in a liquidation or bankruptcy. The value of a company’s common stock may fall as a result of factors directly relating to that company, such as decisions made by its management or decreased demand for the company’s products or services. A stock’s value may also decline because of factors affecting not just the company, but also companies in the same industry or sector. The price of a company’s stock may also be affected by changes in financial markets that are relatively unrelated to the company, such as changes in interest rates, currency exchange rates or industry regulation. Companies that elect to pay dividends on their common stock generally only do so after they invest in their own business and make required payments to bondholders and on other debt and preferred stock. Therefore, the value of a company’s common stock will usually be more volatile than its bonds, other debt and preferred stock. Common stock may be exchange-traded or OTC. OTC stock may be less liquid than exchange-traded stock.

Depositary Receipts and U.S. Dollar-Denominated Foreign Stocks Traded on U.S. Exchanges

ADRs are U.S. dollar-denominated receipts issued generally by domestic banks and represent the deposit with the bank of a security of a foreign issuer. Depositary receipts may not be denominated in the same currency

 

 

34


American Beacon Small Cap Value FundSM

Notes to Financial Statements

October 31, 2022

 

 

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

Other Investment Company Securities and Other Exchange-Traded Products

The Fund may invest in shares of other investment companies, including open-end funds, closed-end funds, business development companies (“BDCs”), ETFs, unit investment trusts, and other investment companies of the Trust. The Fund may invest in securities of an investment company advised by the Manager or the Sub-Advisor. Investments in the securities of other investment companies may involve duplication of advisory fees and certain other expenses. By investing in another investment company, the Fund becomes a shareholder of that investment company. As a result, the 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 the Fund shareholders directly bear in connection with the Fund’s own operations. These other fees and expenses are reflected as Acquired Fund Fees and Expenses and are included in the Fees and Expenses Table for the Fund in its Prospectus, if applicable. Investments in other investment companies may involve the payment of substantial premiums above the value of such issuer’s portfolio securities.

Publicly Traded Partnerships/Master Limited Partnerships (“MLPs”)

The Fund may invest in publicly traded partnerships such as MLPs. MLPs issue units that are registered with the SEC and are freely tradable on a securities exchange or in the OTC market. An MLP may have one or more general partners, who conduct the business, and one or more limited partners, who contribute capital. The general partner or partners are jointly and severally responsible for the liabilities of the MLP. (An MLP also may be an entity similar to a limited partnership, such as an LLC, which has one or more managers or managing members and non-managing members (who are like limited partners)). The Fund invests in an MLP as a limited partner and normally would not be liable for the debts of an MLP beyond the amount the Fund has invested therein, but it would not be shielded to the same extent that a shareholder of a corporation would be. In certain instances, creditors of an MLP would have the right to seek a return of capital that had been distributed to a limited partner. The right of an MLP’s creditors would continue even after the Fund had sold its investment in the partnership. MLPs typically invest in real estate and oil and gas equipment leasing assets, but they also finance entertainment, research and development, and other projects.

Real Estate Investment Trusts (“REITs”)

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

5.  Financial Derivative Instruments

The Fund may utilize derivative instruments to gain market exposure on cash balances or reduce market exposure in anticipation of liquidity needs. When considering the Funds’ use of derivatives, it is important to note that the Fund does not use derivatives for the purpose of creating financial leverage.

 

 

35


American Beacon Small Cap Value FundSM

Notes to Financial Statements

October 31, 2022

 

 

Futures Contracts

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

During the year ended October 31, 2022, the Fund entered into futures contracts primarily for exposing cash to markets.

The Fund’s average futures contracts outstanding fluctuate throughout the operating year as required to meet strategic requirements. The following table illustrates the average quarterly volume of futures contracts. For the purpose of this disclosure, volume is measured by contracts outstanding at each quarter end.

 

Average Futures Contracts Outstanding

 

Fund

  Year Ended October 31, 2022  

Small Cap Value

    1,672  

The following is a summary of the fair valuations of the Fund’s derivative instruments categorized by risk exposure(1):

 

Fair values of financial instruments on the Statement of Assets and Liabilities as of October 31, 2022:

 

    Derivatives not accounted for as hedging instruments

Assets:

  Credit contracts       Foreign exchange
contracts
      Commodity
contracts
      Interest rate
contracts
      Equity contracts       Total
Receivable for variation margin from open futures contracts(2)     $ -         $ -         $ -         $ -         $ 4,199,691         $ 4,199,691
                                           
The effect of financial derivative instruments on the Statement of Operations as of October 31, 2022:

 

    Derivatives not accounted for as hedging instruments

Realized gain (loss) from derivatives
recognized as a result of operations

  Credit contracts       Foreign exchange
contracts
      Commodity
contracts
      Interest rate
contracts
      Equity contracts       Total
Futures Contracts     $ -         $ -         $ -         $ -         $ (38,979,635 )         $ (38,979,635 )

Net change in unrealized appreciation
(depreciation) of derivatives recognized
as a result from operations:

  Credit contracts       Foreign exchange
contracts
      Commodity
contracts
      Interest rate
contracts
      Equity contracts       Total
Futures Contracts     $ -         $ -         $ -         $ -         $ 770,097         $ 770,097

(1) See Note 3 in the Notes to Financial Statements for additional information.

(2) Includes cumulative appreciation (depreciation) of futures contracts as reported in the Fund’s Schedule of Investments footnotes. Only current day’s variation margin is reported within the Statement of Assets and Liabilities.

 

 

36


American Beacon Small Cap Value FundSM

Notes to Financial Statements

October 31, 2022

 

 

Offsetting Assets and Liabilities

The Fund is a party to enforceable master netting agreements between brokers and counterparties which provide for the right to offset under certain circumstances. The Fund employs multiple counterparties and has elected not to offset qualifying financial and derivative instruments on the Statement of Assets and Liabilities, as such all financial and derivative instruments are presented on a gross basis. The impacts of netting arrangements that provide the right to offset are detailed below, if applicable. The net amount represents the net receivable or payable that would be due from or to the counterparty in the event of default. Exposure from borrowings and other financing agreements such as repurchase agreements can only be netted across transactions governed by the same Master Agreement with the same legal entity. All amounts reported below represent the balance as of the report date, October 31, 2022.

 

Offsetting of Financial and Derivative Assets as of October 31, 2022:      

 

  Assets           Liabilities  
Futures Contracts(1)   $ 4,199,691       $ -  
 

 

 

     

 

 

 
Total derivative assets and liabilities in the Statement of Assets and Liabilities   $ 4,199,691       $ -  
 

 

 

     

 

 

 
Derivatives not subject to a Master Netting Agreement or similar agreement (“MNA”)   $ (4,199,691     $ -  
 

 

 

     

 

 

 

 

    Remaining Contractual Maturity of the Agreements
As of October 31, 2022
 
    Overnight and
Continuous
          <30 days           Between
30 & 90 days
          >90 days           Total  

Securities Lending Transactions

                 

Common Stocks

  $ 19,585,521       $ -       $ -       $ -       $ 19,585,521  
 

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 

Total Borrowings

  $ 19,585,521       $ -       $ -       $ -       $ 19,585,521  
 

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 

Gross amount of recognized liabilities for securities lending transactions

 

  $ 19,585,521  
                 

 

 

 

(1) Includes cumulative appreciation or (depreciation) of futures contracts as reported in the Schedule of Investments footnotes. Only current day’s variation margin is reported within the Statement of Assets and Liabilities.

6.  Principal Risks

Investing in the Fund may involve certain risks including, but not limited to, those described below.

Environmental, Social, and/or Governance Investing Risk

The use of environmental, social, and/or governance (“ESG”) considerations by a sub-advisor may cause the Fund to make different investments than funds that have a similar investment style but do not incorporate such considerations in their strategy. As with the use of any investment considerations involved in investment decisions, there is no guarantee that the use of any ESG investment considerations will result in the selection of issuers that will outperform other issuers or help reduce risk in the Fund. The Fund may underperform funds that do not incorporate these considerations.

Equity Investments Risk

Equity securities are subject to investment risk and market risk. The Fund’s investments in equity securities may include common stocks, preferred stocks, securities convertible into or exchangeable for common stocks, REITs, depositary receipts, and U.S. dollar-denominated foreign stocks traded on U.S. exchanges. Such investments may expose the Fund to additional risk. The value of a company’s common stock may fall as a result of factors affecting the company, companies in the same industry or sector, or the financial markets overall. Common stock generally is subordinate to preferred stock upon the liquidation or bankruptcy of the issuing company. Preferred stocks and convertible securities are sensitive to movements in interest rates. Preferred stocks may be less liquid than common stocks and, unlike common stocks, participation in the growth of an issuer may be limited. Distributions on preferred stocks generally are payable at the discretion of an issuer and after required payments

 

 

37


American Beacon Small Cap Value FundSM

Notes to Financial Statements

October 31, 2022

 

 

to bond holders. Convertible securities are subject to the risk that the credit standing of the issuer may have an effect on the convertible securities’ investment value. Investments in REITs are subject to the risks associated with investing in the real estate industry such as adverse developments affecting the real estate industry and real property values. Depositary receipts and U.S. dollar-denominated foreign stocks traded on U.S. exchanges are subject to certain of the risks associated with investing directly in foreign securities, including, but not limited to, currency fluctuations and political and financial instability in the home country of a particular depositary receipt, less liquidity and more volatility, less government regulation and supervision and delays in transaction settlement.

Foreign Investing Risk

Non-U.S. investments carry potential risks not associated with U.S. investments. Such risks include, but are not limited to: (1) currency exchange rate fluctuations, (2) political and financial instability, (3) less liquidity, (4) lack of uniform accounting, auditing and financial reporting standards, (5) increased volatility, (6) different government regulation and supervision of foreign stock exchanges, brokers and listed companies, and (7) delays in transaction settlement in some foreign markets. To the extent the Fund invests a significant portion of its assets in securities of a single country or region, it is more likely to be affected by events or conditions of that country or region.

Futures Contracts Risk

Futures contracts are derivative instruments where one party pays 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 that it would not be subject to if it invested directly in the securities underlying those derivatives. 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 can be no assurance that any strategy used will succeed. 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).

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. 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. The value of a security may decline due to adverse issuer-specific conditions, general market conditions unrelated to a particular issuer, 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.

 

 

38


American Beacon Small Cap Value FundSM

Notes to Financial Statements

October 31, 2022

 

 

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, including the U.S. presidential election, the U.S. government’s inability at times to agree on a long-term budget and deficit reduction plan, the threat of a federal government shutdown and threats not to increase the federal government’s debt limit, may affect investor and consumer confidence and may adversely impact financial markets and the broader economy, perhaps suddenly and to a significant degree.

Markets and market participants are increasingly reliant upon both publicly available and proprietary information data systems. Data imprecision, software or other technology malfunctions, programming inaccuracies, unauthorized use or access, and similar circumstances may impair the performance of these systems and may have an adverse impact upon a single issuer, a group of issuers, or the market at large. The financial markets generally move in cycles, with periods of rising prices followed by periods of declining prices. The value of your investment may reflect these fluctuations.

Multiple Sub-Advisor Risk

The Manager may allocate the Fund’s assets among multiple sub-advisors, each of which is responsible for investing its allocated portion of the Fund’s assets. To a significant extent, the Fund’s performance will depend on the success of the Manager in allocating the Fund’s assets to sub-advisors and its selection and oversight of the sub-advisors. Because each sub-advisor manages its allocated portion of the Fund independently from another sub-advisor, the same security may be held in different portions of the Fund, or may be acquired for one portion of the Fund at a time when a sub-advisor to another portion deems it appropriate to dispose of the security from that other portion, resulting in higher expenses without accomplishing any net result in the Fund’s holdings. Similarly, under some market conditions, one sub-advisor may believe that temporary, defensive investments in short-term instruments or cash are appropriate when another sub-advisor believes continued exposure to the equity or debt markets is appropriate for its allocated portion of the Fund. Because each sub-advisor directs the trading for its own portion of the Fund, and does not aggregate its transactions with those of the other sub-advisors, the Fund may incur higher brokerage costs than would be the case if a single sub-adviser were managing the entire Fund. In addition, while the Manager seeks to allocate the Fund’s assets among the Fund’s sub-advisors in a manner that it believes is consistent with achieving the Fund’s investment objective(s), the Manager may be subject to potential conflicts of interest in allocating the Fund’s assets among sub-advisors, due to factors that could impact the Manager’s revenues and profits.

Other Investment Companies Risk

The Fund may invest in shares of other registered investment companies, including money market funds and ETFs. 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 and will be subject to the risks associated with investments in those companies. For example, the Fund’s investments in money market funds are subject to interest rate risk, credit risk, and market risk. 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. ETFs are subject to the following risks that do not apply to conventional funds: (1) the market price of an ETF’s shares may trade at a discount or premium to its NAV; (2) an active trading market for an ETF’s shares may not develop or be maintained; or (3) trading of an ETF’s shares may be halted if the listing exchange’s officials deem such action appropriate, the shares are delisted from the exchange, or the activation of market-wide “circuit breakers” (which are tied to large

 

 

39


American Beacon Small Cap Value FundSM

Notes to Financial Statements

October 31, 2022

 

 

decreases in stock prices) halts stock trading generally. An ETF that tracks an index may not precisely replicate the returns of its benchmark index. 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. ETFs have expenses associated with their operation, typically including advisory fees.

Recent Market Events Risk

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

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

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

Slowing global economic growth, the risks associated with ongoing trade negotiations with China, the possibility of changes to some international trade agreements, tensions or open conflict between nations, such as between Russia and Ukraine, or political or economic dysfunction within some nations that are major producers of oil could affect the economies of many nations, including the United States, in ways that cannot necessarily be foreseen at the present time.

Economists and others have expressed increasing concern about the potential effects of global climate change on property and security values. Certain issuers, industries and regions may be adversely affected by the

 

 

40


American Beacon Small Cap Value FundSM

Notes to Financial Statements

October 31, 2022

 

 

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.

Sector Risk

Sector risk is the risk associated with the Fund holding a significant amount of investments in similar businesses, which would be similarly affected by particular economic or market events, which may, in certain circumstances, cause the value of the equity and debt securities of companies in a particular sector of the market to change. To the extent the Fund has substantial holdings within a particular sector, the risks to the Fund associated with that sector increase.

To the extent the Fund invests significantly in the financial services sector, the value of the Fund’s shares may be particularly vulnerable to factors affecting that sector, such as the availability and cost of capital funds, changes in interest rates, the rate of corporate and consumer debt defaults, extensive government regulation and price competition. The value of the Fund’s shares could experience significantly greater volatility than investment companies investing more broadly.

Securities Lending Risk

The Fund may lend its portfolio securities to brokers, dealers and financial institutions in order to obtain additional income. Borrowers of the Fund’s securities provide collateral either in the form of cash, which the Fund reinvests in securities or in the form of non-cash collateral consisting of securities issued or guaranteed by the U.S. government or one of its agencies or instrumentalities. The Fund will be responsible for the risks associated with the investment of cash collateral, including any collateral invested in an affiliated money market fund. The Fund may lose money on its investment of cash collateral or may fail to earn sufficient income on its investment to cover its payment to the borrower of a pre-negotiated fee or “rebate” for the use of that cash collateral in connection with the loan. The Fund could also lose money due to a decline in the value of non-cash collateral. In addition, delays may occur in the recovery of securities from borrowers, which could interfere with the Fund’s ability to vote proxies or to settle transactions or could result in increased costs. Moreover, if the borrower becomes subject to insolvency or similar proceedings, the Fund could incur delays in its ability to enforce its rights in its collateral. There also is a risk that a borrower may default on its obligation to return loaned securities at a time when the value of the Fund’s collateral is inadequate. Although the Fund’s securities lending agent may indemnify the Fund against that risk, it is also possible that the securities lending agent will be unable to satisfy its indemnification obligations. In any case in which the loaned securities are not returned to the Fund before an ex-dividend date, whether or not due to a default by the borrower, the payment in lieu of the dividend that the Fund receives from the securities’ borrower would not be treated as a dividend for federal income tax purposes and thus would not qualify for treatment as “qualified dividend income.”

7.  Federal Income and Excise Taxes

It is the policy of the Fund to qualify as a regulated investment company (“RIC”), by complying with all applicable provisions of Subchapter M of the Internal Revenue Code, as amended, and to make distributions of taxable income sufficient to relieve it from substantially all federal income and excise taxes. For federal income tax purposes, the Fund is treated as a single entity for the purpose of determining such qualification.

The Fund does not have any unrecorded tax liabilities in the accompanying financial statements. Each of the tax years in the four year period ended October 31, 2022 remain subject to examination by the Internal Revenue Service. If applicable, the Fund recognizes interest accrued related to unrecognized tax benefits in interest expense and penalties in “Other expenses” on the Statement of Operations.

 

 

41


American Beacon Small Cap Value FundSM

Notes to Financial Statements

October 31, 2022

 

 

The Fund may be subject to taxes imposed by countries in which it invests. Such taxes are generally based on returns of income earned or gains realized or repatriated. Taxes are accrued and applied to net investment income, net realized capital gains and net unrealized appreciation (depreciation), as applicable, as the income is earned or capital gains are recorded.

Dividends are categorized in accordance with income tax regulations which may treat certain transactions differently than U.S. GAAP. Accordingly, the character of distributions and composition of net assets for tax purposes may differ from those reflected in the accompanying financial statements.

The tax character of distributions paid were as follows:

 

    Year Ended
October 31, 2022
          Year Ended
October 31, 2021
 

Distributions paid from:

     

Ordinary income*

     

R5 Class

  $ 164,287,101       $ 30,252,473  

Y Class

    12,785,145         1,814,421  

Investor Class

    17,245,639         2,372,133  

Advisor Class

    1,620,504         272,130  

A Class

    3,057,181         318,938  

C Class

    467,844         -  

R6 Class

    93,342,009         13,695,714  

Long-term capital gains

     

R5 Class

    193,136,972         -  

Y Class

    15,243,913         -  

Investor Class

    21,824,143         -  

Advisor Class

    2,186,578         -  

A Class

    3,913,573         -  

C Class

    651,708         -  

R6 Class

    109,049,651         -  
 

 

 

     

 

 

 

Total distributions paid

  $ 638,811,961       $ 48,725,809  
 

 

 

     

 

 

 

* For tax purposes, short-term capital gains are considered ordinary income distributions.

As of October 31, 2022, the tax cost for the Fund and its respective gross unrealized appreciation (depreciation) were as follows:

 

Fund

  Tax Cost           Unrealized
Appreciation
          Unrealized
(Depreciation)
          Net Unrealized
Appreciation
(Depreciation)
 

Small Cap Value

  $ 4,149,121,148       $ 723,385,077       $ (324,263,522     $ 399,121,555  

 

Fund

  Net Unrealized
Appreciation
(Depreciation)
          Undistributed
Ordinary
Income
          Undistributed
Long-Term
Capital Gains
          Accumulated
Capital and
Other (Losses)
          Other Temporary
Differences
          Distributable
Earnings
 

Small Cap Value

  $ 399,121,555       $ 54,997,274       $ 609,339,018       $ -       $ 1       $ 1,063,457,848  

Financial reporting records are adjusted for permanent book/tax differences to reflect tax character. Financial records are not adjusted for temporary differences. The temporary differences between financial reporting and tax-basis reporting of unrealized appreciation (depreciation) are attributable primarily to the tax deferral of losses from wash sales, the realization for tax purposes of unrealized gains (losses) on certain derivative instruments, the realization for tax purposes of unrealized gains from passive foreign investment companies and reclassifications of income from investments in real estate investment securities and publicly traded partnerships.

Due to inherent differences in the recognition of income, expenses, and realized gains (losses) under U.S. GAAP and federal income tax regulations, permanent differences between book and tax reporting have been identified and appropriately reclassified on the Statement of Assets and Liabilities.

 

 

42


American Beacon Small Cap Value FundSM

Notes to Financial Statements

October 31, 2022

 

 

Shareholders of the Fund elected to receive securities rather than cash for their redemption proceeds. The Fund realized gains of $56,520,896 as a result of the in kind distribution, as disclosed on the Statement of Operations for the year ended October 31, 2022. These gains were not recognized for federal income tax purposes.

Accordingly, the following amounts represent current year permanent differences derived from equalization, redemptions in kind, and nondeductible expenses from investments in publicly traded partnerships as of October 31, 2022:

 

Fund

   Paid-In-Capital      Distributable
Earnings/(Deficits)
 

Small Cap Value

   $ 190,567,765      $ (190,567,765

For federal income tax purposes, the Fund measures its capital loss carryforwards annually at October 31, its fiscal year end. Capital loss carryforwards retain their character as short-term and/or long-term and may be carried forward and applied against future realized capital gains with no expiration date.

As of October 31, 2022, the Fund did not have any capital loss carryforwards.

8.  Investment Transactions

The aggregate cost of purchases and proceeds from sales and maturities of investments, other than short-term obligations, for the year ended October 31, 2022 were as follows:

 

Fund

   Purchases
(non-U.S.
Government
Securities)
     Sales
(non-U.S.
Government
Securities)
 

Small Cap Value

   $ 3,528,191,998      $ 4,395,556,986  

A summary of the Fund’s transactions in the USG Select Fund for the year ended October 31, 2022 were as follows:

 

Fund

  Type of
Transaction
        October 31,
2021
Shares/Fair
Value
          Purchases           Sales           October 31,
2022
Shares/Fair
Value
 
Small Cap Value   Direct     $ 149,026,206       $ 2,624,513,462       $ 2,594,539,097       $ 179,000,571  
Small Cap Value   Securities Lending       10,739,130         185,940,625         177,094,234         19,585,521  

9.  Securities Lending

The Fund may lend its securities to qualified financial institutions, such as certain broker-dealers, to earn additional income. The borrowers are required to secure their loans continuously with collateral in an amount at least equal to the fair value of the securities loaned, initially in an amount at least equal to 102% of the fair value of domestic securities loaned and 105% of the fair value of international securities loaned. Collateral is monitored and marked-to-market daily. Daily mark-to-market amounts are required to be paid to the borrower or received from the borrower by the end of the following business day. This one day settlement for mark-to-market amounts may result in the collateral being temporarily less than the value of the securities on loan or temporarily more than the required minimum collateral.

To the extent that a loan is collateralized by cash, such cash collateral shall be invested by the securities lending agent (the “Agent”) in money market mutual funds and other short-term investments, provided the investments meet certain quality and diversification requirements. Securities purchased with cash collateral proceeds are listed in the Fund’s Schedule of Investments and the collateral is shown on the Statement of Assets and Liabilities as a payable.

 

 

43


American Beacon Small Cap Value FundSM

Notes to Financial Statements

October 31, 2022

 

 

Securities lending income is generated from the demand premium (if any) paid by the borrower to borrow a specific security and from the return on investment of cash collateral, reduced by negotiated rebate fees paid to the borrower and transaction costs. To the extent that a loan is secured by non-cash collateral, securities lending income is generated as a demand premium reduced by transaction costs. The Fund, the Agent, and the Manager retained 80%, 10%, and 10%, respectively, of the income generated from securities lending.

While securities are on loan, the Fund continues to receive certain income associated with that security and any gain or loss in the market price that may occur during the term of the loan. In the case of domestic equities, the value of any dividend is received in the form of a substitute payment approximately equal to the dividend. In the case of foreign securities, a negotiated amount is received that is less than the actual dividend, but higher than the dividend amount minus the foreign tax that the Fund would be subject to on the dividend.

Securities lending transactions pose certain risks to the Fund, including that the borrower may not provide additional collateral when required or return the securities when due, that the value of the short-term investments will be less than the amount of cash collateral required to be returned to the borrower, that non-cash collateral may be subject to legal constraints in the event of a borrower bankruptcy, and that the cash collateral investments could become illiquid and unable to be used to return collateral to the borrower. The Fund could also experience delays and costs in gaining access to the collateral. The Fund bears the risk of any deficiency in the amount of the cash collateral available for return to the borrower and any action which impairs its ability to liquidate non-cash collateral to satisfy a borrower default.

As of October 31, 2022, the value of outstanding securities on loan and the value of collateral were as follows:

 

Fund

  Market Value of
Securities on Loan
          Cash Collateral
Received
          Non-Cash Collateral
Received
          Total Collateral
Received
 

Small Cap Value

  $ 65,006,428       $ 19,585,521       $ 48,294,740       $ 67,880,261  

Cash collateral is listed on the Fund’s Schedule of Investments and is shown on the Statement of Assets and Liabilities. Income earned on these investments is included in “Income derived from securities lending” on the Statement of Operations.

Non-cash collateral received by the Fund may not be sold or re-pledged except to satisfy a borrower default. Therefore, non-cash collateral is not included on the Fund’s Schedule of Investments or Statement of Assets and Liabilities.

10.  Borrowing Arrangements

Effective November 11, 2021 (the “Effective Date”), the Fund, along with certain other funds managed by the Manager (“Participating Funds”), renewed a committed revolving line of credit (the “Committed Line”) agreement with State Street Bank and Trust Company (the “Bank”) to be used to facilitate portfolio liquidity. The maximum borrowing amount under the Committed Line is $100 million with interest at a rate equal to the higher of (a) Overnight Bank Funding Rate (“OBFR”) daily fluctuating rate per annum equal to 1.25% plus the sum of 0.10% or (b) the Federal Funds daily fluctuating rate per annum on amounts borrowed. Each of the Participating Funds paid a proportional amount of a quarterly commitment fee at a rate of 0.25% per annum on the unused portion of the Committed Line amount. The Committed Line expires November 10, 2022, unless extended by the Bank or terminated by the Participating Funds in accordance with the agreement. Prior to the Effective Date, the maximum borrowing amount under the Committed Line was $150 million with an expiration date November 10, 2021.

On the Effective Date, the Fund, along with certain other Participating Funds managed by the Manager, also renewed an uncommitted discretionary demand revolving line of credit (the “Uncommitted Line”) agreement with

 

 

44


American Beacon Small Cap Value FundSM

Notes to Financial Statements

October 31, 2022

 

 

the Bank to be used to facilitate portfolio liquidity. The maximum borrowing amount under the Uncommitted Line is $100 million with interest at a rate equal to the higher of (a) OBFR daily fluctuating rate per annum equal to 1.25% plus the sum of 0.10% or (b) the Federal Funds daily fluctuating rate per annum on amounts borrowed on each outstanding loan. Each of the Participating Funds paid a proportional amount of a closing fee of $35,000 on the Effective Date. The Uncommitted Line expires November 10, 2022, unless extended by the Bank or terminated by the Participating Funds in accordance with the agreement. Prior to the Effective Date, the maximum borrowing amount under the Uncommitted Line was $50 million with an expiration date of November 10, 2021.

The Participating Funds paid administration, legal and arrangement fees, which are recognized as a component of “Loan expense” on the Statement of Operations, along with commitment fees, that have been allocated among the Participating Funds based on average daily net assets.

During the year ended October 31, 2022, the Fund did not utilize these facilities.

11.  Capital Share Transactions

The tables below summarize the activity in capital shares for each Class of the Fund:

 

    R5 Class  
    Year Ended
October 31, 2022
          Year Ended
October 31, 2021
 

Small Cap Value Fund

 

Shares

         

Amount

         

Shares

         

Amount

 
Shares sold     14,609,426       $ 401,775,308         25,272,526       $ 734,344,099  
Reinvestment of dividends     11,929,156         334,851,407         1,148,888         28,354,544  
Shares redeemed     (51,725,047       (1,432,501,991       (59,776,509       (1,698,015,121
 

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 
Net (decrease) in shares outstanding     (25,186,465     $ (695,875,276       (33,355,095     $ (935,316,478
 

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 
 
    Y Class  
    Year Ended
October 31, 2022
          Year Ended
October 31, 2021
 

Small Cap Value Fund

 

Shares

         

Amount

         

Shares

         

Amount

 
Shares sold     11,294,480       $ 297,266,327         2,973,615       $ 82,535,591  
Reinvestment of dividends     947,000         26,108,801         70,195         1,705,030  
Shares redeemed     (4,356,048       (115,861,624       (3,488,003       (97,995,999
 

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 
Net increase (decrease) in shares outstanding     7,885,432       $ 207,513,504         (444,193     $ (13,755,378
 

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 
 
    Investor Class  
    Year Ended
October 31, 2022
          Year Ended
October 31, 2021
 

Small Cap Value Fund

 

Shares

         

Amount

         

Shares

         

Amount

 
Shares sold     2,268,052       $ 60,820,837         3,635,707       $ 99,431,745  
Reinvestment of dividends     1,371,166         36,678,687         95,069         2,246,481  
Shares redeemed     (4,820,035       (127,493,799       (7,414,960       (201,618,767
 

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 
Net (decrease) in shares outstanding     (1,180,817     $ (29,994,275       (3,684,184     $ (99,940,541
 

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 
 
    Advisor Class  
    Year Ended
October 31, 2022
          Year Ended
October 31, 2021
 

Small Cap Value Fund

 

Shares

         

Amount

         

Shares

         

Amount

 
Shares sold     646,963       $ 17,496,956         699,128       $ 18,823,410  
Reinvestment of dividends     144,317         3,807,082         11,670         272,037  
Shares redeemed     (609,666       (15,724,384       (1,903,700       (50,959,777
 

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 
Net increase (decrease) in shares outstanding     181,614       $ 5,579,654         (1,192,902     $ (31,864,330
 

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 
 
    A Class  
    Year Ended
October 31, 2022
          Year Ended
October 31, 2021
 

Small Cap Value Fund

 

Shares

         

Amount

         

Shares

         

Amount

 
Shares sold     485,535       $ 12,525,731         684,478       $ 18,647,795  
Reinvestment of dividends     265,394         6,924,127         13,698         316,837  
Shares redeemed     (964,427       (24,677,194       (1,028,767       (27,369,382
 

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 
Net (decrease) in shares outstanding     (213,498     $ (5,227,336       (330,591     $ (8,404,750
 

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 

 

 

45


American Beacon Small Cap Value FundSM

Notes to Financial Statements

October 31, 2022

 

 

    C Class  
    Year Ended
October 31, 2022
          Year Ended
October 31, 2021
 

Small Cap Value Fund

 

Shares

         

Amount

         

Shares

         

Amount

 
Shares sold     71,426       $ 1,736,352         86,798       $ 2,256,647  
Reinvestment of dividends     45,316         1,112,972         -         -  
Shares redeemed     (145,230       (3,676,773       (138,769       (3,584,911
 

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 
Net (decrease) in shares outstanding     (28,488     $ (827,449       (51,971     $ (1,328,264
 

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 
 
    R6 Class  
    Year Ended
October 31, 2022
          Year Ended
October 31, 2021
 

Small Cap Value Fund

 

Shares

         

Amount

         

Shares

         

Amount

 
Shares sold     16,843,167       $ 465,492,054         22,939,812       $ 665,054,906  
Reinvestment of dividends     6,973,822         195,685,426         541,665         13,362,886  
Shares redeemed     (26,289,532       (687,783,333       (24,922,627       (719,162,001
 

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 
Net (decrease) in shares outstanding     (2,472,543     $ (26,605,853       (1,441,150     $ (40,744,209
 

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 

12.  Subsequent Events

Management has evaluated subsequent events for possible recognition or disclosure in the financial statements through the date the financial statements are issued. Management has determined that there are no material events that would require disclosure in the Fund’s financial statements through this date.

 

 

46


American Beacon Small Cap Value FundSM

Financial Highlights

(For a share outstanding throughout the period)

 

 

    R5 ClassA  
    Year Ended October 31,  
    2022B           2021           2020           2019           2018  
 

 

 

 

Net asset value, beginning of period

  $ 31.19       $ 19.76       $ 23.13       $ 26.14       $ 29.51  
 

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 

Income (loss) from investment operations:

                 

Net investment income

    0.31         0.25         0.26         0.26         0.21  

Net gains (losses) on investments (both realized and unrealized)

    (1.25       11.40         (3.18       (0.25       (0.94
 

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 

Total income (loss) from investment operations

    (0.94       11.65         (2.92       0.01         (0.73
 

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 

Less distributions:

                 

Dividends from net investment income

    (0.24       (0.22       (0.29       (0.18       (0.15

Distributions from net realized gains

    (3.16       -         (0.16       (2.84       (2.49
 

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 

Total distributions

    (3.40       (0.22       (0.45       (3.02       (2.64
 

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 

Net asset value, end of period

  $ 26.85       $ 31.19       $ 19.76       $ 23.13       $ 26.14  
 

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 

Total returnC

    (3.49 )%        59.26       (13.00 )%        2.01       (2.96 )% 
 

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 

Ratios and supplemental data:

 

Net assets, end of period

  $ 2,233,390,067       $ 3,380,005,813       $ 2,799,722,660       $ 4,073,332,655       $ 4,604,864,422  

Ratios to average net assets:

                 

Expenses, before reimbursements and/or recoupments

    0.79       0.81       0.82       0.83       0.80

Expenses, net of reimbursements and/or recoupments

    0.79       0.81       0.82       0.83       0.80

Net investment income, before expense reimbursements and/or recoupments

    0.84       0.65       1.04       1.07       0.66

Net investment income, net of reimbursements and/or recoupments

    0.84       0.65       1.04       1.07       0.66

Portfolio turnover rate

    72       48       61       48       69

 

A 

Prior to February 28, 2020, the R5 Class was known as Institutional Class.

B 

On February 8. 2022, Foundry Partners, LLC and Hillcrest Asset Management, LLC, were terminated and ceased managing assets of the Fund. On March 10, 2022, DePrince, Race & Zollo, Inc., began managing assets of the Fund.

C 

Based on net asset value, which does not reflect the sales charge, redemption fee, or contingent deferred sales charge, if applicable. May include adjustments in accordance with U.S. GAAP and as such, the net asset value for reporting purposes and the returns based upon those net asset values may differ from the net asset value and returns for shareholder transactions.

 

See accompanying notes

 

47


American Beacon Small Cap Value FundSM

Financial Highlights

(For a share outstanding throughout the period)

 

 

    Y Class  
    Year Ended October 31,  
    2022A           2021           2020           2019           2018  
 

 

 

 

Net asset value, beginning of period

  $ 30.68       $ 19.44       $ 22.76       $ 25.77       $ 29.13  
 

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 

Income (loss) from investment operations:

                 

Net investment income

    0.22         0.16         0.22         0.26         0.17  

Net gains (losses) on investments (both realized and unrealized)

    (1.16       11.28         (3.11       (0.27       (0.90
 

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 

Total income (loss) from investment operations

    (0.94       11.44         (2.89       (0.01       (0.73
 

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 

Less distributions:

                 

Dividends from net investment income

    (0.22       (0.20       (0.27       (0.16       (0.14

Distributions from net realized gains

    (3.16       -         (0.16       (2.84       (2.49
 

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 

Total distributions

    (3.38       (0.20       (0.43       (3.00       (2.63
 

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 

Net asset value, end of period

  $ 26.36       $ 30.68       $ 19.44       $ 22.76       $ 25.77  
 

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 

Total returnB

    (3.55 )%        59.15       (13.06 )%        1.93       (3.03 )% 
 

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 

Ratios and supplemental data:

 

Net assets, end of period

  $    427,638,978       $    255,837,301       $    170,726,299       $    254,599,477       $    342,125,601  

Ratios to average net assets:

                 

Expenses, before reimbursements and/or recoupments

    0.86       0.89       0.89       0.90       0.87

Expenses, net of reimbursements and/or recoupments

    0.86       0.89       0.89       0.90       0.87

Net investment income, before expense reimbursements and/or recoupments

    0.79       0.56       0.96       1.00       0.59

Net investment income, net of reimbursements and/or recoupments

    0.79       0.56       0.96       1.00       0.59

Portfolio turnover rate

    72       48       61       48       69

 

A 

On February 8. 2022, Foundry Partners, LLC and Hillcrest Asset Management, LLC, were terminated and ceased managing assets of the Fund. On March 10, 2022, DePrince, Race & Zollo, Inc., began managing assets of the Fund.

B 

Based on net asset value, which does not reflect the sales charge, redemption fee, or contingent deferred sales charge, if applicable. May include adjustments in accordance with U.S. GAAP and as such, the net asset value for reporting purposes and the returns based upon those net asset values may differ from the net asset value and returns for shareholder transactions.

 

See accompanying notes

 

48


American Beacon Small Cap Value FundSM

Financial Highlights

(For a share outstanding throughout the period)

 

 

    Investor Class  
    Year Ended October 31,  
    2022A           2021           2020           2019           2018  
 

 

 

 

Net asset value, beginning of period

  $ 29.78       $ 18.88       $ 22.12       $ 25.12       $ 28.46  
 

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 

Income (loss) from investment operations:

                 

Net investment income

    0.19         0.20         0.21         0.22         0.11  

Net gains (losses) on investments (both realized and unrealized)

    (1.17       10.85         (3.08       (0.29       (0.89
 

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 

Total income (loss) from investment operations

    (0.98       11.05         (2.87       (0.07       (0.78
 

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 

Less distributions:

                 

Dividends from net investment income

    (0.13       (0.15       (0.21       (0.09       (0.07

Distributions from net realized gains

    (3.16       -         (0.16       (2.84       (2.49
 

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 

Total distributions

    (3.29       (0.15       (0.37       (2.93       (2.56
 

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 

Net asset value, end of period

  $ 25.51       $ 29.78       $ 18.88       $ 22.12       $ 25.12  
 

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 

Total returnB

    (3.81 )%        58.74       (13.30 )%        1.67       (3.28 )% 
 

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 

Ratios and supplemental data:

 

Net assets, end of period

  $    284,880,016       $    367,726,622       $    302,626,954       $    424,569,237       $ 538,602,473  

Ratios to average net assets:

                 

Expenses, before reimbursements and/or recoupments

    1.12       1.15       1.15       1.14       1.13

Expenses, net of reimbursements and/or recoupments

    1.12       1.15       1.15       1.14       1.13

Net investment income, before expense reimbursements and/or recoupments

    0.50       0.32       0.70       0.76       0.33

Net investment income, net of reimbursements and/or recoupments

    0.50       0.32       0.70       0.76       0.33

Portfolio turnover rate

    72       48       61       48       69

 

A 

On February 8. 2022, Foundry Partners, LLC and Hillcrest Asset Management, LLC, were terminated and ceased managing assets of the Fund. On March 10, 2022, DePrince, Race & Zollo, Inc., began managing assets of the Fund.

B 

Based on net asset value, which does not reflect the sales charge, redemption fee, or contingent deferred sales charge, if applicable. May include adjustments in accordance with U.S. GAAP and as such, the net asset value for reporting purposes and the returns based upon those net asset values may differ from the net asset value and returns for shareholder transactions.

 

See accompanying notes

 

49


American Beacon Small Cap Value FundSM

Financial Highlights

(For a share outstanding throughout the period)

 

 

    Advisor Class  
    Year Ended October 31,  
    2022A           2021           2020           2019           2018  
 

 

 

 

Net asset value, beginning of period

  $ 29.34       $ 18.60       $ 21.79       $ 24.77       $ 28.09  
 

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 

Income (loss) from investment operations:

                 

Net investment income

    0.06         0.17         0.15         0.14         0.06  

Net gains (losses) on investments (both realized and unrealized)

    (1.07       10.69         (3.01       (0.25       (0.88
 

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 

Total income (loss) from investment operations

    (1.01       10.86         (2.86       (0.11       (0.82
 

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 

Less distributions:

                 

Dividends from net investment income

    (0.04       (0.12       (0.17       (0.03       (0.01

Distributions from net realized gains

    (3.16       -         (0.16       (2.84       (2.49
 

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 

Total distributions

    (3.20       (0.12       (0.33       (2.87       (2.50
 

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 

Net asset value, end of period

  $ 25.13       $ 29.34       $ 18.60       $ 21.79       $ 24.77  
 

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 

Total returnB

    (3.96 )%        58.56       (13.40 )%        1.48       (3.44 )% 
 

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 

Ratios and supplemental data:

 

Net assets, end of period

  $     32,662,818       $      32,801,309       $      42,987,242       $      61,618,406       $   77,578,775  

Ratios to average net assets:

                 

Expenses, before reimbursements and/or recoupments

    1.28       1.29       1.25       1.34       1.28

Expenses, net of reimbursements and/or recoupments

    1.28       1.29       1.25       1.34       1.28

Net investment income, before expense reimbursements and/or recoupments

    0.36       0.20       0.60       0.56       0.18

Net investment income, net of reimbursements and/or recoupments

    0.36       0.20       0.60       0.56       0.18

Portfolio turnover rate

    72       48       61       48       69

 

A 

On February 8. 2022, Foundry Partners, LLC and Hillcrest Asset Management, LLC, were terminated and ceased managing assets of the Fund. On March 10, 2022, DePrince, Race & Zollo, Inc., began managing assets of the Fund.

B 

Based on net asset value, which does not reflect the sales charge, redemption fee, or contingent deferred sales charge, if applicable. May include adjustments in accordance with U.S. GAAP and as such, the net asset value for reporting purposes and the returns based upon those net asset values may differ from the net asset value and returns for shareholder transactions.

 

See accompanying notes

 

50


American Beacon Small Cap Value FundSM

Financial Highlights

(For a share outstanding throughout the period)

 

 

    A Class  
    Year Ended October 31,  
    2022A           2021           2020           2019           2018  
 

 

 

 

Net asset value, beginning of period

  $ 29.12       $ 18.47       $ 21.64       $ 24.65       $ 27.99  
 

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 

Income (loss) from investment operations:

                 

Net investment income

    0.10         0.06         0.12         0.14         0.07  

Net gains (losses) on investments (both realized and unrealized)

    (1.07       10.72         (2.95       (0.24       (0.86
 

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 

Total income (loss) from investment operations

    (0.97       10.78         (2.83       (0.10       (0.79
 

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 

Less distributions:

                 

Dividends from net investment income

    (0.12       (0.13       (0.18       (0.07       (0.06

Distributions from net realized gains

    (3.16       -         (0.16       (2.84       (2.49
 

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 

Total distributions

    (3.28       (0.13       (0.34       (2.91       (2.55
 

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 

Net asset value, end of period

  $ 24.87       $ 29.12       $ 18.47       $ 21.64       $ 24.65  
 

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 

Total returnB

    (3.88 )%        58.57       (13.38 )%        1.56       (3.37 )% 
 

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 

Ratios and supplemental data:

 

Net assets, end of period

  $      48,515,547       $      63,024,594       $      46,067,043       $      63,246,155       $    66,380,615  

Ratios to average net assets:

                 

Expenses, before reimbursements and/or recoupments

    1.21       1.24       1.26       1.26       1.20

Expenses, net of reimbursements and/or recoupments

    1.21       1.24       1.26       1.26       1.20

Net investment income, before expense reimbursements and/or recoupments

    0.42       0.21       0.59       0.64       0.25

Net investment income, net of reimbursements and/or recoupments

    0.42       0.21       0.59       0.64       0.25

Portfolio turnover rate

    72       48       61       48       69

 

A 

On February 8. 2022, Foundry Partners, LLC and Hillcrest Asset Management, LLC, were terminated and ceased managing assets of the Fund. On March 10, 2022, DePrince, Race & Zollo, Inc., began managing assets of the Fund.

B 

Based on net asset value, which does not reflect the sales charge, redemption fee, or contingent deferred sales charge, if applicable. May include adjustments in accordance with U.S. GAAP and as such, the net asset value for reporting purposes and the returns based upon those net asset values may differ from the net asset value and returns for shareholder transactions.

 

See accompanying notes

 

51


American Beacon Small Cap Value FundSM

Financial Highlights

(For a share outstanding throughout the period)

 

 

    C Class  
    Year Ended October 31,  
    2022A           2021           2020           2019           2018  
 

 

 

 

Net asset value, beginning of period

  $ 27.51       $ 17.47       $ 20.51       $ 23.60       $ 26.98  
 

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 

Income (loss) from investment operations:

                 

Net investment (loss)

    (0.14       (0.22       (0.17       (0.01 )B        (0.08

Net gains (losses) on investments (both realized and unrealized)

    (0.94       10.26         (2.66       (0.24       (0.81
 

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 

Total income (loss) from investment operations

    (1.08       10.04         (2.83       (0.25       (0.89
 

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 

Less distributions:

                 

Dividends from net investment income

    -         -         (0.05       -         -  

Distributions from net realized gains

    (3.16       -         (0.16       (2.84       (2.49
 

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 

Total distributions

    (3.16       -         (0.21       (2.84       (2.49
 

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 

Net asset value, end of period

  $ 23.27       $ 27.51       $ 17.47       $ 20.51       $ 23.60  
 

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 

Total returnC

    (4.54 )%        57.47       (14.00 )%        0.85       (3.89 )% 
 

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 

Ratios and supplemental data:

 

Net assets, end of period

  $       8,859,738       $      11,261,210       $        8,057,935       $       12,619,613       $    13,480,297  

Ratios to average net assets:

                 

Expenses, before reimbursements and/or recoupments

    1.93       1.95       1.96       1.95       1.86

Expenses, net of reimbursements and/or recoupments

    1.93       1.95       1.96       1.95 %D        1.76

Net investment (loss), before expense reimbursements and/or recoupments

    (0.29 )%        (0.50 )%        (0.10 )%        (0.06 )%        (0.41 )% 

Net investment (loss), net of reimbursements

    (0.29 )%        (0.50 )%        (0.10 )%        (0.06 )%        (0.31 )% 

Portfolio turnover rate

    72       48       61       48       69

 

A 

On February 8. 2022, Foundry Partners, LLC and Hillcrest Asset Management, LLC, were terminated and ceased managing assets of the Fund. On March 10, 2022, DePrince, Race & Zollo, Inc., began managing assets of the Fund.

B 

Per share amounts have been calculated using the average shares method.

C 

Based on net asset value, which does not reflect the sales charge, redemption fee, or contingent deferred sales charge, if applicable. May include adjustments in accordance with U.S. GAAP and as such, the net asset value for reporting purposes and the returns based upon those net asset values may differ from the net asset value and returns for shareholder transactions.

D 

This ratio does not include a voluntary reimbursement of service fees as included in the prior year.

 

See accompanying notes

 

52


American Beacon Small Cap Value FundSM

Financial Highlights

(For a share outstanding throughout the period)

 

 

    R6 Class  
    Year Ended October 31,  
    2022A           2021           2020           2019           2018  
 

 

 

 

Net asset value, beginning of period

  $ 31.19       $ 19.75       $ 23.12       $ 26.14       $ 29.51  
 

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 

Income from investment operations:

                 

Net investment income

    0.25         0.19         0.22         0.26         0.22  

Net gains (losses) on investments (both realized and unrealized)

    (1.18       11.48         (3.14       (0.25       (0.94
 

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 

Total income (loss) from investment operations

    (0.93       11.67         (2.92       0.01         (0.72
 

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 

Less distributions:

                 

Dividends from net investment income

    (0.25       (0.23       (0.29       (0.19       (0.16

Distributions from net realized gains

    (3.16       -         (0.16       (2.84       (2.49
 

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 

Total distributions

    (3.41       (0.23       (0.45       (3.03       (2.65
 

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 

Net asset value, end of period

  $ 26.85       $ 31.19       $ 19.75       $ 23.12       $ 26.14  
 

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 

Total returnB

    (3.45 )%        59.38       (12.98 )%        2.01       (2.93 )% 
 

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 

Ratios and supplemental data:

 

Net assets, end of period

  $ 1,509,127,442       $ 1,830,192,124       $ 1,187,578,766       $ 1,308,284,613       $ 902,241,051  

Ratios to average net assets:

                 

Expenses, before reimbursements and/or recoupments

    0.77       0.79       0.79       0.80       0.77

Expenses, net of reimbursements and/or recoupments

    0.77       0.79       0.79       0.80       0.77

Net investment income, before expense reimbursements and/or recoupments

    0.86       0.66       1.06       1.08       0.66

Net investment income, net of reimbursements and/or recoupments

    0.86       0.66       1.06       1.08       0.66

Portfolio turnover rate

    72       48       61       48       69

 

A 

On February 8. 2022, Foundry Partners, LLC and Hillcrest Asset Management, LLC, were terminated and ceased managing assets of the Fund. On March 10, 2022, DePrince, Race & Zollo, Inc., began managing assets of the Fund.

B 

Based on net asset value, which does not reflect the sales charge, redemption fee, or contingent deferred sales charge, if applicable. May include adjustments in accordance with U.S. GAAP and as such, the net asset value for reporting purposes and the returns based upon those net asset values may differ from the net asset value and returns for shareholder transactions.

 

See accompanying notes

 

53


American Beacon FundsSM

Federal Tax Information

October 31, 2022 (Unaudited)

 

 

Certain tax information regarding the Funds are required to be provided to shareholders based upon the Funds’ income and distributions for the taxable year ended October 31, 2022. The information and distributions reported herein may differ from information and distributions taxable to the shareholders for the calendar year ended December 31, 2022.

The Fund designated the following items with regard to distributions paid during the fiscal year ended October 31, 2022. All designations are based on financial information available as of this annual report and, accordingly, are subject to change. For each item, it is the intention of the Funds to designate the maximum amount permitted under the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, and the regulations there under.

Corporate Dividends-Received Deduction:

 

Small Cap Value

    23.56

Qualified Dividend Income:

 

Small Cap Value

    25.65

Long-Term Capital Gain Distributions:

 

Small Cap Value

  $ 493,773,655  

Short-Term Capital Gain Distributions:

 

Small Cap Value

  $ 249,288,653  

Shareholders will receive notification in January 2023 of the applicable tax information necessary to prepare their 2022 income tax returns.

 

 

54


Disclosure Regarding Approval of the Management and Investment Advisory Agreements (Unaudited)

 

 

At meetings held on May 16, 2022 and June 7-8, 2022 (collectively, the “Meetings”), the Board of Trustees (“Board” or “Trustees”) considered and then, at its June 8, 2022 meeting, approved the renewal of:

(1) the Management Agreement between American Beacon Advisors, Inc. (“Manager”) and the American Beacon Funds (“Trust”), on behalf of the American Beacon Small Cap Value Fund (“Fund”); and

(2) the Investment Advisory Agreements among the Manager, the Trust, on behalf of the Fund, and each of Barrow, Hanley, Mewhinney & Strauss, LLC (“Barrow”), Brandywine Global Investment Management, LLC (“Brandywine”), Hotchkis and Wiley Capital Management, LLC (“Hotchkis”) and Newton Investment Management North America, LLC (“Newton”) (each, a “sub-advisor” and collectively, the “sub-advisors”).

The Management Agreement and the Investment Advisory Agreements are referred to herein individually as an “Agreement” and collectively as the “Agreements.”

In preparation for its consideration of the renewal of the Agreements, the Board undertook steps to gather and consider information furnished by the Manager, the sub-advisors, Broadridge, Inc. (“Broadridge”) and Morningstar, Inc. (“Morningstar”). The Board, with the assistance of independent legal counsel, requested and received certain relevant information from the Manager and each sub-advisor.

In advance of the Meetings, the Board’s Investment Committee and/or the Manager coordinated the production of information from Broadridge and Morningstar regarding the performance, fees and expenses of the Fund as well as information from the Manager and the sub-advisors. At the Meetings, the Board considered the information provided in connection with the renewal process, as well as information furnished to the Board throughout the year at regular meetings of the Board and its committees. In connection with the Board’s consideration of the Agreements, the Trustees received and evaluated such information as they deemed necessary. This information is described below in the section summarizing the factors the Board considered in connection with its renewal and approval of the Agreements, as well as the section describing additional Board considerations with respect to the Fund.

The Board noted that the Manager provides management and administrative services to the Fund pursuant to the Management Agreement. The Board considered that many mutual funds have separate contracts governing each type of service and observed that, with respect to such mutual funds, the actual management fee rates provided by Broadridge for peer group funds reflect the combined advisory and administrative fees, reduced by any fee waivers and/or reimbursements.

The Manager or a sub-advisor may not have been able to, or opted not to, provide information in response to certain information requests, in which case the Board conducted its evaluation of the firm based on information that was provided. In such cases, the Board determined that the omission of any such information was not material to its considerations.

Provided below is an overview of certain factors the Board considered in connection with its decision to approve the renewal of the Agreements. The Board did not identify any particular information that was most relevant to its consideration of whether to approve the renewal of each Agreement, and each Trustee may have afforded different weight to the various factors. Legal counsel to the independent Trustees provided the Board with a memorandum regarding its responsibilities pertaining to the renewal of investment advisory contracts, such as the Agreements, and related regulatory guidelines. Based on its evaluation, the Board unanimously concluded that the terms of each Agreement were reasonable and fair and that the approval of the renewal of each Agreement was in the best interests of the Fund and its shareholders.

 

 

55


Disclosure Regarding Approval of the Management and Investment Advisory Agreements (Unaudited)

 

 

Considerations With Respect to the Renewal of the Management Agreement and the Investment Advisory Agreement

In determining whether to approve the renewal of the Agreements, the Board considered the Fund’s investment management and sub-advisory relationships separately. In each instance, the Board considered, among other things, the following factors: (1) the nature, extent and quality of the services provided; (2) the investment performance of the Fund and the sub-advisors for the Fund; (3) the profits earned by the Manager in rendering services to the Fund; (4) comparisons of services and fee rates with contracts entered into by the Manager or a sub-advisor or their affiliates with other clients (such as pension funds and other institutional clients); (5) the extent to which economies of scale, if any, have been taken into account in setting each fee rate schedule; (6) whether fee rate levels reflect economies of scale, if any, for the benefit of Fund investors; and (7) any other benefits derived or anticipated to be derived by the Manager or a sub-advisor from its relationship with the Fund.

Nature, Extent and Quality of Services. With respect to the renewal of the Management Agreement, the Board considered, among other factors: the Fund’s long-term performance; the length of service of key investment personnel at the Manager; the cost structure of the Fund; the Manager’s culture of compliance and support that reduce risks to the Fund; the Manager’s quality of services; the Manager’s active role in monitoring and, as appropriate, recommending additional or replacement sub-advisors; and the Manager’s efforts to retain key employees and maintain staffing levels.

With respect to the renewal of each Investment Advisory Agreement, the Board considered, among other factors: the level of staffing and the size of each sub-advisor; succession plans for key employees who perform services for the Fund; diversity and inclusion initiatives; the adequacy of the resources committed to the Fund by each sub-advisor; the financial stability of each sub-advisor; and representations made by each sub-advisor regarding its compliance program. Based on the foregoing and other information, the Board concluded that the nature, extent and quality of the management and advisory services provided by the Manager and each sub-advisor were appropriate for the Fund.

Investment Performance. The Board evaluated the comparative information provided by Broadridge and the Manager regarding the performance of the Fund relative to its Broadridge Performance Universe, Morningstar Category, and benchmark index, as well as the Fund’s Morningstar rating. The Board considered the information provided by Broadridge regarding its independent methodology for selecting the Fund’s Broadridge Performance Universe. In addition, the Board considered the performance reports and discussions with management at meetings of the Board and its committees throughout the year. The Board also evaluated the comparative information provided by each sub-advisor regarding the performance of its portion of the Fund relative to the performance of a composite of comparable investment accounts managed by the sub-advisor, and the Fund’s benchmark index. In addition, the Board considered the Manager’s recommendation to continue to retain each sub-advisor. A discussion regarding the Board’s considerations with respect to the Fund’s performance appears below under “Additional Considerations and Conclusions with Respect to the Fund.”

Profits Realized by the Manager from its Relationship with the Fund. In analyzing the profitability of the Manager, the Board considered the revenues earned and the expenses incurred by the Manager, before and after the payment of distribution-related expenses by the Manager. The profits were noted at both an aggregate level for all funds within the group of mutual funds sponsored by the Manager (the “Fund Complex”) and at an individual Fund level, with the Manager earning a profit before and after the payment of distribution-related expenses by the Manager with respect to the Fund. The Board also considered comparative information provided by the Manager regarding the Manager’s overall profitability with respect to the Fund Complex relative to the overall profitability of other firms in the mutual fund industry, as disclosed in publicly available sources. Although the Board noted that, in certain cases, the fee rates paid by other clients of the Manager are lower than the fee rates paid by the Fund, the Manager represented that, among other matters, the difference is attributable to the fact that the Manager does not perform administrative services for non-investment company clients and reflects the greater level of responsibility and regulatory requirements associated with managing the Fund.

 

 

56


Disclosure Regarding Approval of the Management and Investment Advisory Agreements (Unaudited)

 

 

The Board further considered that, with respect to the Fund, the Management Agreement provides for the Manager to receive a management fee comprised of an annualized fee that is retained by the Manager. In addition, the Board considered that the Manager receives fees for administering and overseeing the securities lending program on behalf of the Fund. The Board also noted that certain share classes of the Fund have higher expense ratios in order to compensate third-party financial intermediaries.

In analyzing the fee rates charged by each sub-advisor in connection with its investment advisory services to the Fund, the Board considered representations made by Barrow, Brandywine and Newton that the Fund’s sub-advisory fee rate schedule generally was favorable compared to other comparable client accounts, and the representation by Hotchkis that it does not manage any comparable client accounts. The Board did not request profitability data from the sub-advisors because the Board did not view this data as imperative to its deliberations given the arm’s-length nature of the relationship between the Manager and the sub-advisors with respect to the negotiation of sub-advisory fee rates. In addition, the Board noted that sub-advisors may not account for their profits on an account-by-account basis and that different firms likely employ different methodologies in connection with these calculations.

Based on the foregoing information, the Board concluded that the profitability levels of the Manager were reasonable in light of the services performed by the Manager. A discussion regarding the Board’s considerations with respect to the Fund’s fee rates is set forth below under “Additional Considerations and Conclusions with Respect to the Fund.”

Economies of Scale. In considering the reasonableness of the management and investment advisory fees rates, the Board considered whether economies of scale will be realized as the Fund grows and whether fee rate levels reflect these economies of scale for the benefit of Fund shareholders. In this regard, the Board considered that, with respect to each sub-advisor, other than Brandywine, the Manager has negotiated breakpoints for the sub-advisory fee rate schedule. The Board also noted that, for purposes of determining the fee rates chargeable to the Fund, certain sub-advisors have agreed to take into account other clients of the Manager whose assets are allocated to the sub-advisors by the Manager for purposes of calculating the Fund’s sub-advisory fee rate breakpoints.

In addition, the Board noted the Manager’s representation that the Management Agreement contains fee schedule breakpoints at higher asset levels with respect to the Fund. In this regard, the Board considered that the Fund’s current assets did not exceed the threshold necessary to reach the first management fee breakpoint. Based on the foregoing information, the Board concluded that the Manager and sub-advisor fee rate schedules for the Fund provide for a reasonable sharing of benefits from any economies of scale with the Fund.

Benefits Derived from the Relationship with the Fund. The Board considered the “fall-out” or ancillary benefits that accrue to the Manager and/or the sub-advisors as a result of the advisory relationships with the Fund, including greater exposure in the marketplace with respect to the Manager’s or the sub-advisors’ investment process and expanding the level of assets under management by the Manager and the sub-advisors. The Board also considered that the Manager may invest the Fund’s cash balances and cash collateral provided by the borrowers of the Fund’s securities in the American Beacon U.S. Government Money Market Select Fund, which the Manager manages directly, and for which the Manager receives a fee. In addition, the Board noted that each sub-advisor (except Newton) benefits from soft dollar arrangements for proprietary and/or third-party research. Based on the foregoing information, the Board concluded that the potential benefits accruing to the Manager and the sub-advisors by virtue of their relationships with the Fund appear to be fair and reasonable.

Additional Considerations and Conclusions with Respect to the Fund

The performance comparisons below were made for the Fund’s R5 Class shares relative to the Fund’s Broadridge Performance Universe and Morningstar Category. With respect to the Broadridge Performance Universe, the 1st Quintile represents the top 20 percent of the universe based on performance, and the 5th Quintile represents

 

 

57


Disclosure Regarding Approval of the Management and Investment Advisory Agreements (Unaudited)

 

 

the bottom 20 percent of the universe based on performance. References to the Fund’s Broadridge Performance Universe are to the respective universe of mutual funds with comparable investment classifications and objectives as determined by Broadridge. The performance of individual firms was calculated by the Manager based on information provided by the Fund’s custodian.

In reviewing the performance, the Board viewed longer-term performance over a full market cycle, typically five years or longer, as the most important consideration because relative performance over shorter periods may be significantly impacted by market or economic events and not necessarily reflective of sub-advisor skill.

The expense comparisons below were made for the Fund’s R5 Class shares relative to the Fund’s Broadridge Expense Universe and Broadridge Expense Group, and Y Class shares relative to the Fund’s Morningstar Fee Level universe. The 1st Quintile represents the lowest 20 percent of the universe or group based on lowest total expense, and the 5th Quintile represents the highest 20 percent of the universe or group based on highest total expense. References to the Fund’s Expense Group and Expense Universe are to the respective group or universe of comparable mutual funds as determined by Broadridge. A Broadridge Expense Group consists of the Fund and a representative sample of funds with similar operating structures and asset sizes, as selected by Broadridge. A Broadridge Expense Universe includes all funds with comparable investment classifications/objectives and similar operating structures to that of the share class under review for the Fund, including funds in the Broadridge Expense Group. The Broadridge expense comparisons are based on the most recent audited financial information publicly available for the Fund as of December 31, 2021. References to the Fund’s Morningstar Fee Level ranking are to the institutional share class of comparable mutual funds as determined by Morningstar.

The Board considered the Fund’s Morningstar fee level category with the 1st Quintile representing the lowest 20 percent of the category constituents and the 5th Quintile representing the highest 20 percent of the category in terms of total expense.

The Board also considered that, in connection with the change in the name of the Fund’s Institutional Class shares, the share class used for the Fund’s Morningstar Fee Level comparisons had changed from the R5 Class shares to the Y Class shares, which may have resulted in a less favorable Morningstar Fee Level Ranking for the Fund.

In considering the renewal of the Management Agreement for the Fund, the Board considered the following additional factors:

Broadridge Total Expense Analysis Excluding 12b-1 Fees and Morningstar Fee Level Ranking

 

Compared to Broadridge Expense Group

    3rd Quintile  

Compared to Broadridge Expense Universe

    3rd Quintile  

Morningstar Fee Level Ranking

    2nd Quintile  

Broadridge and Morningstar Performance Analysis (five-year period ended December 31, 2021)

 

Compared to Broadridge Performance Universe

    3rd Quintile  

Compared to Morningstar Category

    3rd Quintile  

 

 

58


Disclosure Regarding Approval of the Management and Investment Advisory Agreements (Unaudited)

 

 

In considering the renewal of the Investment Advisory Agreements with Barrow, Brandywine, Hotchkis, and Newton, the Board considered that the diversification of investment strategies facilitated by the Fund’s multi-manager structure permits the Fund to mitigate the risks associated with a single sub-advisor. The Board also considered the following additional factors:

Sub-advisor Performance (compared to Broadridge Performance Universe for period indicated ended December 31, 2021)

 

Barrow

   5 Years    1st Quintile

Brandywine

   5 Years    5th Quintile

Hotchkis

   5 Years    4th Quintile

Newton

   5 Years    1st Quintile

The Board also considered: (1) the Manager’s representation that Brandywine’s process, which focuses primarily on selecting stocks with low price to earnings multiples, has been out of favor, adversely affecting longer-term performance; (2) the reduction in Brandywine’s sub-advisory fee rate effective January 1, 2022; (3) the recent termination of certain prior sub-advisors, the addition of DePrince, Race & Zollo, Inc. as a sub-advisor and the reallocation of assets among the Fund’s current sub-advisors in the first quarter of 2022; and (4) the Manager’s recommendation to continue to retain each sub-advisor.

Based on these and other considerations, the Board: (1) concluded that the fees paid to the Manager and the sub-advisors under the Management and Investment Advisory Agreements are fair and reasonable; and (2) determined that the Fund and its shareholders would benefit from the Manager’s and sub-advisors’ continued management of the Fund.

 

 

59


Disclosure Regarding Liquidity Risk Management Program (Unaudited)

 

 

Rule 22e-4 under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (“Rule 22e-4”), requires open-end registered investment companies (other than money market funds) to adopt and implement a written liquidity risk management program that is reasonably designed to assess and manage liquidity risk. The Fund has adopted a Liquidity Risk Management Program (the “Program”) that is designed to assess and manage liquidity risk, which is the risk that the Fund could not meet requests to redeem its shares without significant dilution of the remaining shareholders’ interests in the Fund. Pursuant to Rule 22e-4, the Program includes the following elements:

 

   

Assessment, management, and periodic review of liquidity risk;

 

   

Classification of each of the Fund’s portfolio investments into one of four liquidity categories: highly liquid, moderately liquid, less liquid, and illiquid;

 

   

Determination and review of a highly liquid investment minimum for any Fund that does not primarily hold assets that are highly liquid investments;

 

   

Policies and procedures to respond to a shortfall in the highly liquid investment minimum, including associated reports to the Fund’s Board of Trustees (the “Board”) and the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”);

 

   

A prohibition against a Fund acquiring an illiquid investment if immediately after the acquisition the Fund would have more than 15% of its net assets invested in illiquid investments that are assets;

 

   

Reporting of breaches of the illiquid investment prohibition to the Board and the SEC; and

 

   

Policies and procedures regarding how and when a Fund will satisfy redemption requests by distributing portfolio securities or other assets.

The Manager’s Liquidity Committee administers the Program and has provided quarterly reports to the Board regarding the Fund’s liquidity risk. In addition, at the Board’s March 2-3, 2022 meetings, the Board reviewed the Liquidity Committee’s written report (“Report”) that addressed the operation of the Program and assessed the adequacy and effectiveness of its implementation from January 1, 2021 through December 31, 2021 (the “review period”).

Key conclusions that the Liquidity Committee included in the Report are listed below:

 

   

The Program is reasonably designed to assess and manage the Fund’s liquidity risk.

 

   

The operation of the Program was adequate during the review period.

 

   

There were no material changes to the Program during the review period.

 

   

The Fund included in this shareholder report was deemed to primarily hold assets that are highly liquid, and no highly liquid investment minimum was recommended.

 

   

The Program was effectively implemented by the Liquidity Committee during the review period.

 

   

Administration of the Program by the Liquidity Committee continues to be appropriate.

 

 

60


Trustees and Officers of the American Beacon FundsSM (Unaudited)

 

 

The Trustees and officers of the American Beacon Funds (the “Trust”) are listed below, together with their principal occupations during the past five years. The address of each person listed below is 220 East Las Colinas Boulevard, Suite 1200, Irving, Texas 75039. Each Trustee oversees twenty-seven funds in the fund complex that includes the Trust, the American Beacon Select Funds, and the American Beacon Institutional Funds Trust. The Trust’s Statement of Additional Information contains additional information about the Trustees and is available without charge by calling 1-800-658-5811.

 

Name, Age

  

Position, Term of

Office and Length

of Time Served

with the Trust

  

Principal Occupation(s) During Past 5 Years

and Current Directorships

INTERESTED TRUSTEES   

Term

  
  

Lifetime of Trust

until removal,

resignation or

retirement*

  
Eugene J. Duffy (68)**    Trustee since 2008    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 Select Funds (2008-Present); Trustee, American Beacon Institutional Funds Trust (2017-Present); Trustee, American Beacon Sound Point Enhanced Income Fund (2018–2021); Trustee, American Beacon Apollo Total Return Fund (2018–2021).
NON-INTERESTED TRUSTEES   

Term

  
  

Lifetime of Trust

until removal,

resignation or

retirement*

  
Gilbert G. Alvarado (52)    Trustee since 2015    Chief Financial Officer (2022-Present), The Conrad Prebys Foundation; 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 Select Funds (2015-Present); Trustee, American Beacon Institutional Funds Trust (2017-Present); Trustee, American Beacon Sound Point Enhanced Income Fund (2018–2021); Trustee, American Beacon Apollo Total Return Fund (2018–2021).
Joseph B. Armes (60)    Trustee since 2015    Director, Switchback Energy Acquisition (2019-2021); Chairman & CEO, CSW Industrials f/k/a Capital Southwest Corporation (investment company) (2015-Present); Chairman of the Board of Capital Southwest Corporation, predecessor to CSW Industrials, Inc. (2014-2017) (investment company); President & CEO, JBA Investment Partners (family investment vehicle) (2010-Present); Director and Chair of Audit Committee, RSP Permian (oil and gas producer) (2013-2018); Trustee, American Beacon Select Funds (2015-Present); Trustee, American Beacon Institutional Funds Trust (2017-Present); 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    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. (2015-Present); Trustee, American Beacon Select Funds (2012-Present); Trustee, American Beacon Institutional Funds Trust (2017-Present); Trustee, American Beacon Sound Point Enhanced Income Fund (2018–2021); Trustee, American Beacon Apollo Total Return Fund (2018–2021).

 

 

61


Trustees and Officers of the American Beacon FundsSM (Unaudited)

 

 

Name, Age

  

Position, Term of

Office and Length

of Time Served

with the Trust

  

Principal Occupation(s) During Past 5 Years

and Current Directorships

NON-INTERESTED TRUSTEES (CONT.)   

Term

  
Brenda A. Cline (61)   

Trustee since 2004

Chair since 2019

Vice Chair 2018

   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 and Open-End Funds (2017-2021);Chair, (2019-Present), Vice Chair (2018), Trustee (2004-Present), American Beacon Select Funds; Chair(2019-Present), Vice Chair(2018), Trustee(2017-Present), American Beacon Institutional Funds Trust; Chair(2019-2021), Vice Chair(2018), Trustee(2018-2021), American Beacon Sound Point Enhanced Income Fund (2018–2021); Chair(2019-2021), Vice Chair(2018), Trustee(2018-2021), American Beacon Apollo Total Return Fund (2018–2021).
Claudia A. Holz (65)   

Lifetime of Trust

until removal,

resignation or

retirement*

Trustee since 2018

   Independent Director, Blue Owl Capital Inc. (2021-Present); Partner, KPMG LLP (1990 – 2017); Trustee, American Beacon Select Funds (2018-Present); Trustee, American Beacon Institutional Funds Trust (2018-Present); Trustee, American Beacon Sound Point Enhanced Income Fund (2018–2021); Trustee, American Beacon Apollo Total Return Fund (2018–2021).
Douglas A. Lindgren (60)    Trustee since 2018    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 Select Funds (2018-Present); Trustee, American Beacon Institutional Funds Trust (2018-Present); Trustee, American Beacon Sound Point Enhanced Income Fund (2018–2021); Trustee, American Beacon Apollo Total Return Fund (2018–2021).
Barbara J. McKenna, CFA (59)    Trustee since 2012    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 Select Funds (2012-Present); Trustee, American Beacon Institutional Funds Trust (2017-Present); Trustee, American Beacon Sound Point Enhanced Income Fund (2018–2021); Trustee, American Beacon Apollo Total Return Fund (2018–2021).
OFFICERS   

Term

  
   One Year   
Jeffrey K. Ringdahl (47)   

President since 2022

Vice President (2010-2022)

   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 & 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, Executive Vice President & Chief Operating

 

 

62


Trustees and Officers of the American Beacon FundsSM (Unaudited)

 

 

Name, Age

  

Position, Term of

Office and Length

of Time Served

with the Trust

  

Principal Occupation(s) During Past 5 Years

and Current Directorships

OFFICERS (CONT.)   

Term

  
      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), Vice President (2014-2022), American Beacon Cayman Managed Futures Strategy Fund, Ltd.; Director (2018-Present), President (2022-Present), (Vice President (2018-2022), American Beacon Cayman TargetRisk Company, Ltd; President (2022-Present); Vice President (2010-2022), American Beacon Select Funds; President (2022-Present), Vice President (2017-2022), American Beacon Institutional Funds Trust; Vice President (2018-2021), American Beacon Sound Point Enhanced Income Fund; Vice President (2018-2021), American Beacon Apollo Total Return Fund.
Rosemary K. Behan (63)   

One Year

VP, Secretary and

Chief Legal

Officer since 2006

   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, L.L.C. (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 (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); Chief Legal Officer, Vice President and Secretary, American Beacon Select Funds (2006-Present); Chief Legal Officer, Vice President and Secretary, American Beacon Institutional Funds Trust (2017-Present); Chief Legal Officer, Vice President and Secretary, American Beacon Sound Point Enhanced Income Fund (2018-2021); Chief Legal Officer, Vice President and Secretary, American Beacon Apollo Total Return Fund (2018-2021).
Gregory J. Stumm (41)    VP since 2022    Senior Vice President (2022-Present), American Beacon Advisors, Inc.; Senior Vice President (2022-Present), Resolute Investment Managers, Inc.; Director and Senior Vice President (2022-Present), Resolute Investment Distributors, Inc.; Senior Vice President (2022-Present), Resolute Investment Services, Inc.; Vice President (2022-Present), American Beacon Select Funds; Vice President (2022-Present), American Beacon Institutional Funds Trust.
Paul B. Cavazos (53)    VP since 2016    Chief Investment Officer and Senior Vice President, American Beacon Advisors, Inc. (2016-Present); American Private Equity Management, L.L.C. (2017–Present); Vice President, American Beacon Select Funds (2016-Present); Vice President, American Beacon Institutional Funds Trust (2017- Present); Vice President, American Beacon Sound Point Enhanced Income Fund (2018-2021); Vice President, American Beacon Apollo Total Return Fund (2018-2021).

 

 

63


Trustees and Officers of the American Beacon FundsSM (Unaudited)

 

 

Name, Age

  

Position, Term of

Office and Length

of Time Served

with the Trust

  

Principal Occupation(s) During Past 5 Years

and Current Directorships

OFFICERS (CONT.)   

Term

  
Erica Duncan (52)    VP since 2011    Vice President, American Beacon Advisors, Inc. (2011-Present); Vice President, Resolute Investment Managers (2018-Present); Vice President, Resolute Investment Services, Inc. (2018-Present); Vice President, American Beacon Select Funds (2011-Present); Vice President, American Beacon Institutional Funds Trust (2017-Present); 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)   

One Year

VP 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 and CFO, 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. (2018-Present); Principal Accounting Officer and Treasurer (2010-2021); American Beacon Funds; Vice President (2021-Present), Principal Accounting Officer (2017-2021) and Treasurer (2010-2021), American Beacon Select Funds; Vice President (2021–Present), Principal Accounting Officer and Treasurer (2017-2021), American Beacon Institutional Funds Trust; Vice President (2021), Principal Accounting Officer and Treasurer (2018-2021), American Beacon Sound Point Enhanced Income Fund; Vice President (2021), Principal Accounting Officer and Treasurer, American Beacon Apollo Total Return Fund (2018-2021).
Terri L. McKinney (58)    VP since 2010    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 Select Funds (2010-Present); Vice President, American Beacon Institutional Funds Trust (2017-Present); Vice President, American Beacon Sound Point Enhanced Income Fund (2018-2021); Vice President, American Beacon Apollo Total Return Fund (2018-2021).
Samuel J. Silver (59)    VP since 2011    Vice President (2011-Present), Chief Fixed Income Officer (2016-Present), American Beacon Advisors, Inc.; Vice President, American Beacon Select Funds (2011-Present); Vice President, American Beacon Institutional Funds Trust (2017-Present); Vice President, American Beacon Sound Point Enhanced Income Fund (2018-2021); Vice President, American Beacon Apollo Total Return Fund (2018-2021).
Christina E. Sears (51)   

Chief Compliance

Officer since 2004

   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 (2017-Present); Vice President, Resolute Investment Services, Inc. (2019-Present); Chief Compliance Officer, American Private Equity Management, L.L.C. (2012-Present); Chief Compliance Officer, Green Harvest Asset Management, LLC (2019-2021); Chief Compliance Officer, RSW Investments Holdings, LLC (2019-Present); Chief Compliance Officer

 

 

64


Trustees and Officers of the American Beacon FundsSM (Unaudited)

 

 

Name, Age

  

Position, Term of

Office and Length

of Time Served

with the Trust

  

Principal Occupation(s) During Past 5 Years

and Current Directorships

OFFICERS (CONT.)   

Term

  
      (2016-2019) and Vice President (2016-2020), Alpha Quant Advisors, LLC ; Chief Compliance Officer (2018-2019), Vice President (2018-2022), Continuous Capital, LLC; Assistant Secretary, American Beacon Funds (1999-Present); Chief Compliance Officer (2004-Present) and Assistant Secretary (1999-Present), American Beacon Select Funds; Chief Compliance Officer and Assistant Secretary, American Beacon Institutional Funds Trust (2017-Present); 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).
Sonia L. Bates (65)   

One Year

Principal Accounting Officer and Treasurer since 2021

   Assistant Treasurer, American Beacon Advisors, Inc. (2011-2018); Director, Fund and Tax Reporting (2011-Present), 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), Assistant Treasurer (2018-2022), American Beacon Cayman TargetRisk Company, Ltd.; Assistant Treasurer, American Beacon Funds (2011-2021); Principal Accounting Officer and Treasurer (2021-Present), Assistant Treasurer (2011-2021), American Beacon Select Funds; Principal Accounting Officer and Treasurer (2021-Present), Assistant Treasurer (2017-2021), American Beacon Institutional Funds Trust; Principal Accounting Officer and Treasurer (2021), Assistant Treasurer (2018-2021), American Beacon Sound Point Enhanced Income Fund; Principal Accounting Officer and Treasurer (2021), Assistant Treasurer (2018-2021), American Beacon Apollo Total Return Fund.
Shelley L. Dyson (52)    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 Select Funds (2021-Present); Assistant Treasurer, American Beacon Institutional Funds Trust (2021-Present); Assistant Treasurer, American Beacon Sound Point Enhanced Income Fund (2021); Assistant Treasurer, American Beacon Apollo Total Return Fund (2021).
Shelley D. Abrahams (47)    Assistant Secretary since 2008    Senior Corporate Governance & Regulatory Specialist (2020-Present), 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 Select Funds (2008-Present); Assistant Secretary, American Beacon Institutional Funds Trust (2017-Present); Assistant Secretary, American Beacon Sound Point Enhanced Income Fund (2018-2021); Assistant Secretary, American Beacon Apollo Total Return Fund (2018-2021).
Rebecca L. Harris (55)    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 (2015-Present), Resolute Investment Services; Vice President, Alpha Quant Advisors, LLC (2016-2020); Vice President (2018-2022), Director (2022) Continuous Capital, LLC; Director, National Investment Services of American, LLC (2022-Present); Director, RSW Investments Holdings LLC (2022-Present); Director Shapiro Capital Management LLC (2022-Present); Director, SSI Investment Management LLC (2022-Present); Assistant Secretary, American Beacon Funds (2010-2022); Vice President (2022-Present), Assistant Secretary (2010-2022), American Beacon Select Funds; Vice President

 

 

65


Trustees and Officers of the American Beacon FundsSM (Unaudited)

 

 

Name, Age

  

Position, Term of

Office and Length

of Time Served

with the Trust

  

Principal Occupation(s) During Past 5 Years

and Current Directorships

OFFICERS (CONT.)   

Term

  
      (2022-Present), Assistant Secretary (2017-2022), American Beacon Institutional Funds Trust; Assistant Secretary, American Beacon Sound Point Enhanced Income Fund (2018-2021); Assistant Secretary, American Beacon Apollo Total Return Fund (2018-2021).
Teresa A. Oxford (64)    Assistant Secretary since 2015    Assistant Secretary and Associate General Counsel, American Beacon Advisors, Inc. (2015-Present); Assistant Secretary, Resolute Investment Distributors (2018-2021); Assistant Secretary and Associate General Counsel, Resolute Investment Managers, Inc. (2017-Present); Assistant Secretary and Associate General Counsel, Resolute Investment Services (2018-Present); Assistant Secretary, Alpha Quant Advisors, LLC (2016-2020); Assistant Secretary, Continuous Capital, LLC (2020-2022); Assistant Secretary, American Beacon Select Funds (2015-Present); Assistant Secretary, American Beacon Institutional Funds Trust (2017-Present); Assistant Secretary, American Beacon Sound Point Enhanced Income Fund (2018-2021); Assistant Secretary, American Beacon Apollo Total Return Fund (2018-2021).
Michael D. Jiang (37)   

One Year

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) and 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 Select Funds (2021-Present); Assistant Secretary, American Beacon Institutional Funds Trust (2021-Present); Assistant Secretary, American Beacon Sound Point Enhanced Income Fund (2021); Assistant Secretary, American Beacon Apollo Total Return Fund (2021).

* As of 11/12/2014, the Board adopted a retirement plan 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 being 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.

 

 

66


American Beacon FundsSM

Privacy Policy

October 31, 2022 (Unaudited)

 

 

The American Beacon Funds recognize and respect the privacy of our shareholders. We are providing this notice to you so you will understand how shareholder information may be collected and used.

We may collect nonpublic personal information about you from one or more of the following sources:

 

   

information we receive from you on applications or other forms;

 

   

information about your transactions with us or our service providers; and

 

   

information we receive from third parties.

We do not disclose any nonpublic personal information about our customers or former customers to anyone, except as permitted by law.

We restrict access to your nonpublic personal information to those employees or service providers who need to know that information to provide products or services to you. To ensure the confidentiality of your nonpublic personal information, we maintain safeguards that comply with federal standards.

 

 

67


  

 

 

 

 

 

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68


LOGO

 

 

 

Delivery of Documents

Shareholder reports are available online at www.americanbeaconfunds.com/reports. Please be advised that reports are no longer sent by mail. Instead, the reports are made available online, and you will be notified by mail each time a report is posted online. You will be provided with a website link to access the report. You may elect to receive all future reports in paper free of charge. You can request to continue receiving paper copies by calling

1-866-345-5954, or you may directly inform your financial intermediary. Detailed instructions are also included in your report notifications.

If you invest in the Fund through a financial institution, you may be able to receive the Fund’s regulatory mailings, such as the Prospectus, Annual Report and Semi-Annual Report, by e-mail. If you are interested in this option, please go to www.icsdelivery.com and search for your financial institution’s name or contact your financial institution directly.

To obtain more information about the Fund:

 

LOGO   LOGO
 
By E-mail:   On the Internet:
american_beacon.funds@ambeacon.com   Visit our website at www.americanbeaconfunds.com
   
     
 

LOGO

By Telephone:

Call (800) 658-5811

 

LOGO

By Mail:

American Beacon Funds

P.O. Box 219643

Kansas City, MO 64121-9643

   
     
Availability of Quarterly Portfolio Schedules  

Availability of Proxy Voting Policy and Records

 

In addition to the Schedule of Investments provided in each semi-annual and annual report, the Fund files a complete schedule of its portfolio holdings with the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) on Form N-PORT as of the end of each fiscal quarter. The Fund’s Forms N-PORT are available on the SEC’s website at www.sec.gov. The Forms N-PORT may also be reviewed and copied at the SEC’s Public Reference Section, 100 F Street, NE, Washington, D.C. 20549-1520. Information regarding the operation of the SEC’s Public Reference Room may be obtained by calling (800)-SEC-0330. A complete schedule of the Fund’s portfolio holdings is also available at www.americanbeaconfunds.com approximately twenty days after the end of each month.

 

A description of the policies and procedures the Fund uses to determine how to vote proxies relating to portfolio securities is available in the Fund’s Statement of Additional Information, is available free of charge on the Fund’s website www.americanbeaconfunds.com and by calling 1-800-967-9009 or by accessing the SEC’s website at www.sec.gov. The Fund’s proxy voting record for the most recent year ended June 30 is filed annually with the SEC on Form N-PX. The Fund’s Forms N-PX are available on the SEC’s website at www.sec.gov. The Fund’s proxy voting record may also be obtained by calling 1-800-967-9009.

Fund Service Providers:

 

CUSTODIAN

State Street Bank and

Trust Company

Boston, Massachusetts

   

TRANSFER AGENT

DST Asset Manager

Solutions, Inc.

Quincy, Massachusetts

   

INDEPENDENT REGISTERED

PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM

PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP

Boston, Massachusetts

   

DISTRIBUTOR

Resolute Investment

Distributors, Inc.

Irving, Texas

This report is prepared for shareholders of the American Beacon Funds and may be distributed to others only if preceded or accompanied by a current Prospectus or Summary Prospectus.

 

American Beacon Funds and American Beacon Small Cap Value Fund are service marks of American Beacon Advisors, Inc.

AR 10/22


ITEM 2. CODE OF ETHICS.

The registrant adopted a code of ethics (the “Code”) that applies to the registrant’s principal executive officer and principal financial officer. The registrant amended its code July 6, 2021 to remove two terminated investment companies and update the Principal Financial Officer. The registrant has not granted any waivers from the provisions of the Code during the period covered by the shareholder reports presented in Item 1. The Code is filed herewith as Exhibit 99.CODE ETH.

ITEM 3. AUDIT COMMITTEE FINANCIAL EXPERT.

The registrant’s Board of Trustees of the Trust has determined that Gilbert G. Alvarado and Claudia Holz, members of the Trust’s Audit and Compliance Committee, are “audit committee financial experts” as defined in Form N-CSR. Mr. Gilbert Alvarado and Ms. Claudia Holz are considered “independent” as defined in Item 3 of Form N-CSR.

ITEM 4. PRINCIPAL ACCOUNTANT FEES AND SERVICES.

The registrant has engaged its principal accountant to perform audit services, audit-related services, tax services and other services during the past two fiscal years. “Audit services” refer to performing an audit of the registrant’s annual financial statements or services that are normally provided by the accountant in connection with statutory and regulatory filings or engagements for those fiscal years. “Audit-related services” refer to the assurance and related services by the principal accountant that are reasonably related to the performance of the audit. “Tax services” refer to professional services rendered by the principal accountant for tax compliance, tax advice, and tax planning. “Other services” refer to all other fees category would consist of service related to internal control reviews, strategy, and other consulting, financial information systems design and implementation, consulting on other information systems, and other tax services unrelated to the registrant. The following table details the aggregate fees billed for each of the last two fiscal years for audit fees, audit-related fees, tax fees, and all other fees by the principal accountant.

 

(a)       

Audit Fees

   Fiscal Year Ended  

$297,311

     10/31/2021  

$269,734

     10/31/2022  

 

(b)       

Audit Related Fees

   Fiscal Year Ended  

$0

     10/31/2021  

$0

     10/31/2022  

 

(c)       

Tax Fees (1)

   Fiscal Year Ended  

$174,247

     10/31/2021  

$210,899

     10/31/2022  


(d)       

All Other Fees

   Fiscal Year Ended  

$0

     10/31/2021  

$0

     10/31/2022  

 

(1) 

“Tax Fees” are the aggregate fees billed for professional services for tax advice, tax compliance, tax planning, filing assistance for EU reclaims and PFIC tax services. These fees include international, federal, state, and excise tax reviews.

(e)(1) Pursuant to its charter, the Trust’s Audit and Compliance Committee shall have the following duties and powers pertaining to pre-approval of audit and non-audit services provided by the registrant’s principal accountant:

- to approve, prior to appointment, the engagement of auditors to annually audit and provide their opinion on the Trusts’ financial statements, and, in connection therewith, reviewing and evaluating matters potentially affecting the independence and capabilities of the auditors;

- to approve, prior to appointment, the engagement of the auditors to provide non-audit services to the Trusts, an investment adviser to any series of the Trusts or any entity controlling, controlled by, or under common control with an investment adviser (“adviser affiliate”) that provides ongoing services to the Trusts, if the engagement relates directly to the operations and financial reporting of the Trusts;

- to consider whether the non-audit services provided by a Trust’s auditor to an investment adviser or any adviser affiliate that provides ongoing services to a series of the Trusts, which services were not pre-approved by the Committee, are compatible with maintaining the auditor’s independence;

- to review the arrangements for and scope of the annual audit and any special audits; and

- to review and approving the fees proposed to be charged to the Trusts by the auditors for each audit and non-audit service.

The Audit and Compliance Committee may delegate any portion of its authority, including the authority to grant pre-approvals of audit and permitted non-audit services, to a subcommittee of one or more members. Any decisions of the subcommittee to grant pre-approvals shall be presented to the full audit committee at its next regularly scheduled meeting.

(e)(2) None of the fees disclosed in paragraphs (b) through (d) above were approved by the audit committee pursuant to paragraph (c)(7)(i)(C) of Rule 2-01 of Regulation S-X.

(f) Not applicable.


(g) Aggregate Non-Audit Fees for Services Rendered to the:

 

Registrant

   Adviser      Adviser’s Affiliates Providing
Ongoing Services to Registrant
   Fiscal Year Ended  

$174,247

   $ 142,936      N/A      10/31/2021  

$210,899

   $ 149,467      N/A      10/31/2022  

 

(h) Not applicable.

ITEM 5. AUDIT COMMITTEE OF LISTED REGISTRANTS.

Not applicable.

ITEM 6. SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS.

 

(a)

The schedules of investments for each series of the Trust are included in the shareholder reports presented in Item 1.

 

(b)

Not applicable.

 

ITEM 7. DISCLOSURE OF PROXY VOTING POLICIES AND PROCEDURES FOR CLOSED-END MANAGEMENT INVESTMENT COMPANIES.

Not applicable.

ITEM 8. PORTFOLIO MANAGERS OF CLOSED-END MANAGEMENT INVESTMENT COMPANIES.

Not applicable.

 

ITEM 9. PURCHASES OF EQUITY SECURITIES BY CLOSED-END MANAGEMENT INVESTMENT COMPANY AND AFFILIATED PURCHASERS.

Not applicable.

ITEM 10. SUBMISSION OF MATTERS TO A VOTE OF SECURITY HOLDERS.

The registrant has made no material changes to the procedures by which shareholders may recommend nominees to the Trust’s Board of Trustees.

ITEM 11. CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES.

(a) The registrant’s principal executive officer and principal financial officer have reviewed the registrant’s disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Rule 30a-3(c) under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended) as of a date within 90 days of the filing of this report as required by Rule 30a-3(b) under the Act and Rules 13a-15(b) or 15d-15(b) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. Based upon their review, such officers have concluded that the registrant’s disclosure controls and procedures are effective in ensuring that information required to be disclosed in the report is appropriately recorded, processed, summarized and reported and made know to them by others within the registrant and by the registrant’s service provider.


(b) The registrant’s principal executive officer and principal financial officer are aware of no changes in the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Rule 30a-3(d) under the Act) that occurred during the period covered by this report that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting.

ITEM 12 DISCLOSURE OF SECURITIES LENDING ACTIVITIES FOR CLOSED-END MANAGMENT INVESTMENT COMPANIES.

Not Applicable.

ITEM 13. EXHIBITS.

(a)(1) Filed herewith as EX-99.CODE ETH.

(a)(2) A separate certification for each principal executive officer and principal financial officer of the registrant as required by Rule 30a-2(a) under the Investment Company Act of 1940 (17 CFR 270.30a-2(a)) is attached hereto as EX-99.CERT.

(a)(3) Not applicable.

(a)(4)(i) Change of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

(a)(4)(ii) Letter From Former Accountant

(b) The certifications of each principal executive officer and principal financial officer pursuant to Rule 30a-2(b) under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended, (17 CFR 270.30a-2(b), Rule 13a-14(b) or Rule 15d-14(b)) are attached hereto as EX-99.906CERT.

 


SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and the Investment Company Act of 1940, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.

(Registrant): American Beacon Funds

 

By  

/s/ Jeffrey Ringdahl

Jeffrey Ringdahl
President
American Beacon Funds
Date: January 9, 2023

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

 

By  

/s/ Jeffrey Ringdahl

Jeffrey Ringdahl
President
American Beacon Funds
Date: January 9, 2023

 

By  

/s/ Sonia L. Bates

Sonia L. Bates
Chief Accounting Officer and Treasurer
American Beacon Funds
Date: January 9, 2023