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Securities Act File No. 33-40682 |
Investment Company Act File No. 811-06312 |
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SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
FORM N-1A
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REGISTRATION STATEMENT UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933 |
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Post-Effective Amendment No. 72 |
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and |
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REGISTRATION STATEMENT UNDER THE INVESTMENT COMPANY ACT OF 1940 |
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Amendment No. 72 |
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(Check appropriate box or boxes) |
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THE LAZARD FUNDS, INC. |
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(Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in Charter) |
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(212) 632-6000 |
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(Registrants Telephone Number, including Area Code) |
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30 Rockefeller Plaza, New York, New York 10112 |
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(Address of Principal Executive: Number, Street, City, State, Zip Code) |
Nathan A. Paul, Esq.
30 Rockefeller Plaza
New York, New York 10112
(Name and Address of Agent for Services)
Copy to:
Janna Manes, Esq.
Stroock & Stroock & Lavan LLP
180 Maiden Lane
New York, New York 10038-4982
It is proposed that this filing will become effective (check appropriate box)
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immediately upon filing pursuant to paragraph (b) |
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on May 1, 2013 pursuant to paragraph (b) |
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60 days after filing pursuant to paragraph (a)(1) |
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on (DATE) pursuant to paragraph (a)(1) |
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75 days after filing pursuant to paragraph (a)(2) |
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on (DATE) pursuant to paragraph (a)(2) of Rule 485. |
If appropriate, check the following box: |
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this post-effective amendment designates a new effective date for a previously filed post-effective amendment. |
May 1, 2013
Lazard Funds Prospectus
Institutional
Shares
Open
Shares
US Equity
Lazard US Equity Concentrated Portfolio
LEVIX
LEVOX
Lazard US Strategic Equity Portfolio
LZUSX
LZUOX
Lazard US Mid Cap Equity Portfolio
LZMIX
LZMOX
Lazard US Small-Mid Cap Equity Portfolio
LZSCX
LZCOX
Global Equity
Lazard Global Listed Infrastructure Portfolio
GLIFX
GLFOX
International Equity
Lazard International Equity Portfolio
LZIEX
LZIOX
Lazard International Equity Select Portfolio
LZSIX
LZESX
Lazard International Strategic Equity Portfolio
LISIX
LISOX
Lazard International Small Cap Equity Portfolio
LZISX
LZSMX
The Securities and Exchange Commission has not approved or disapproved
the shares described in this Prospectus or determined whether
this Prospectus
is truthful or complete. Any representation to the contrary is a criminal offense.
Institutional
Shares
Open
Shares
Emerging Markets
Lazard Emerging Markets Equity Portfolio
LZEMX
LZOEX
Lazard Developing Markets Equity Portfolio
LDMIX
LDMOX
Lazard Emerging Markets Equity Blend Portfolio
EMBIX
EMBOX
Lazard Emerging Markets Multi-Strategy Portfolio
EMMIX
EMMOX
Lazard Emerging Markets Debt Portfolio
LEDIX
LEDOX
Real Estate
Lazard US Realty Income Portfolio
LRIIX
LRIOX
Lazard US Realty Equity Portfolio
LREIX
LREOX
Lazard International Realty Equity Portfolio
Lazard International Realty Equity Portfolio
LITIX
LITOX
US Fixed Income
Lazard US High Yield Portfolio
LZHYX
LZHOX
Lazard US Municipal Portfolio
UMNIX
UMNOX
Global Fixed Income
Lazard Global Fixed Income Portfolio
LZGIX
LZGOX
Targeted Volatility
Lazard Multi-Asset Targeted Volatility Portfolio
Tactical Asset Allocation
Lazard Capital Allocator Opportunistic
LCAIX
LCAOX
Strategies Portfolio
Lazard Funds Table of Contents
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Additional Information About Principal Investment Strategies and |
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strategies and risks. |
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Where to learn more about the Portfolios. |
Prospectus1
Lazard Funds Summary Section p
Lazard US Equity Concentrated Portfolio Investment Objective The Portfolio seeks long-term capital appreciation. Fees and Expenses This table describes the fees and expenses that you may pay if you buy and hold shares of the Portfolio, a series of The Lazard Funds, Inc. (the Fund).
Institutional
Open
Shareholder Transaction Fees (fees paid directly from your investment)
1.00%
1.00%
Annual Portfolio Operating Expenses (expenses that you pay each year as a percentage
Management Fees
.70%
.70%
Distribution and Service (12b-1) Fees
None
.25%
Other Expenses .58%
3.89%
Total Annual Portfolio Operating Expenses 1.28%
4.84%
Fee Waiver and Expense Reimbursement* .33%
3.59%
Total Annual Portfolio Operating Expenses After Fee Waiver and Expense Reimbursement*
.95%
1.25%
* Reflects a contractual agreement by Lazard Asset Management LLC (the Investment Manager) to waive its fee and, if necessary, reimburse the Portfolio through April 30, 2014 to the extent Total Annual Portfolio Operating Expenses exceed .95% and 1.25% of the average daily net assets of the Portfolios Institutional Shares and Open Shares, respectively, and from May 1, 2014 through April 30, 2023, to the
extent Total Annual Portfolio Operating Expenses exceed 1.10% and 1.40% of the average daily net assets of the Portfolios Institutional Shares and Open Shares, respectively. All limitations on Total Annual Portfolio Operating Expenses are exclusive of taxes, brokerage, interest on borrowings, fees and expenses of Acquired Funds and extraordinary expenses, and excluding shareholder redemption fees or
other transaction fees. This agreement can only be amended by agreement of the Fund, upon approval by the Funds Board of Directors (the Board), and the Investment Manager to lower the net amount shown and will terminate automatically in the event of termination of the Investment Management Agreement between the Investment Manager and the Fund, on behalf of the Portfolio.
Example This Example is intended to help you compare the cost of investing in the Portfolio with the cost of investing in other mutual funds. The Example assumes that you invest $10,000 in the Portfolio for the time periods indicated and then redeem all of your shares at the end of those periods. The Example also assumes that your investment has a 5% return each year and that the Portfolios operating expenses remain the same, giving effect to
the fee waivers described above. Although your actual costs may be higher or lower, based on these assumptions your costs would be:
1 Year
3 Years
5 Years
10 Years Institutional Shares
$ 97
$335
$592
$1,327 Open Shares
$127
$428
$752
$1,667 Portfolio Turnover The Portfolio pays transaction costs, such as commissions, when it buys and sells securities (or turns over its portfolio). A higher portfolio turnover rate may indicate higher transaction costs and may result in higher taxes when Portfolio shares are held in a taxable account. These costs, which are not reflected
in annual portfolio operating expenses or in the Example, affect the Portfolios performance. During the most recent fiscal year, the Portfolios portfolio turnover rate was 116% of the average value of its portfolio. 2Prospectus
Shares
Shares
Maximum Redemption Fee (as a % of amount redeemed,
on shares owned for 30 days or less)
of the value of your investment)
Principal Investment Strategies The Portfolio invests primarily in equity securities, principally common stocks, of US companies of any market capitalization. The Portfolio has a concentrated portfolio of investments, typically investing in 15 to 35 companies with market capitalizations generally greater than $350 million. The Portfolio seeks to
outperform broad-based securities market indices, such as the S&P 500® Index, the Russell 1000® Index and the Russell 3000® Index. The Investment Managers philosophy employed for the Portfolio is based on value creation through its process of bottom-up stock selection, and the Investment Manager
implements a disciplined portfolio construction process. The Investment Managers fundamental research seeks to identify investments typically featuring robust organic cash flow, balance sheet strength and operational flexibility. Under normal circumstances, the Portfolio invests at least 80% of its assets in equity securities of US companies. The Portfolio may invest up to 10% of its total assets in securities of non-US companies that trade in US markets. The Portfolio is classified as non-diversified under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the 1940 Act), which means that it may invest a relatively high percentage of its assets in a limited number of issuers, when compared to a diversified fund. Principal Investment Risks The value of your investment in the Portfolio will fluctuate, which means you could lose money. Market Risk. Market risks, including political, regulatory, market and economic developments, and developments that impact specific economic sectors, industries or segments of the market, can affect the value of the Portfolios investments. In addition, turbulence in financial markets and reduced liquidity in
equity, credit and/or fixed income markets may negatively affect many issuers, which could adversely affect the Portfolio. Issuer Risk. The value of a security may decline for a number of reasons which directly relate to the issuer, such as management performance, financial leverage and reduced demand for the issuers goods or services, as well as the historical and prospective earnings of the issuer and the value of its assets. Value Investing Risk. The Portfolio invests in stocks believed by the Investment Manager to be undervalued, but that may not realize their perceived value for extended periods of time or may never realize their perceived value. The stocks in which the Portfolio invests may respond differently to market and
other developments than other types of stocks. Small and Mid Cap Companies Risk. Small and mid cap companies carry additional risks because their earnings tend to be less predictable, their share prices more volatile and their securities less liquid than larger, more established companies. The shares of small and mid cap companies tend to trade less
frequently than those of larger companies, which can have an adverse effect on the pricing of these securities and on the ability to sell these securities when the Investment Manager deems it appropriate. Larger Cap Companies Risk. The securities of large market cap companies may underperform other segments of the market because such companies may be less responsive to competitive challenges and opportunities and may be unable to attain high growth rates during periods of economic expansion. Non-US Securities Risk. The Portfolios performance will be influenced by political, social and economic factors affecting the non-US countries and companies in which the Portfolio invests. Non-Diversification Risk. Because the Portfolio may invest in a smaller number of issuers than other, more diversified investment portfolios, the Portfolios net asset value (NAV) may be more vulnerable to changes in the market value of a single issuer or group of issuers and may be relatively more
susceptible to adverse effects from any single corporate, industry, economic, market, political or regulatory occurrence than if the Portfolios investments consisted of securities issued by a larger number of issuers. High Portfolio Turnover Risk. The Portfolios investment strategy may involve high portfolio turnover (such as 100% or more). A portfolio turnover rate of 100%, for example, is equivalent to the Portfolio buying and selling all of its securities once during the course of the year. A high portfolio turnover rate
could result in high brokerage costs and an increase in taxable capital gains distributions to the Portfolios shareholders. Prospectus3
Performance Bar Chart and Table As of May 31, 2012, the Portfolio changed its name from Lazard US Equity Value Portfolio to Lazard US Equity Concentrated Portfolio, adopted the Portfolios current investment strategies and compares its performance to the S&P 500 Index. Prior to May 31, 2012, the Portfolio was classified as a diversified
fund under the 1940 Act. The accompanying bar chart and table provide some indication of the risks of investing in Lazard US Equity Concentrated Portfolio by showing the Portfolios year-by-year performance and its average annual performance (prior to the change in investment strategy described above) compared to that of broad measures of market performance. The bar chart shows how the performance of the Portfolios Institutional Shares has varied from year to year. Updated performance information is available at www.LazardNet.com or by calling (800) 823-6300. The Portfolios past performance (before and after taxes) is not
necessarily an indication of how the Portfolio will perform in the future.
Best Quarter: Average Annual Total Returns After-tax returns for the Open Shares vary from those of Institutional Shares. After-tax returns are calculated using the historical highest individual marginal income tax rates and do not reflect the impact of state and local taxes. Actual after-tax returns depend on the investors tax situation and may differ from
those shown. The after-tax returns shown are not relevant to investors who hold their shares through tax-deferred arrangements such as 401(k) plans or individual retirement accounts. The Russell 1000 Value/S&P 500 Linked Index shown in the table is an unmanaged index created by the Investment Manager,
which links the performance of the Russell 1000 Value Index for all periods through May 30, 2012 (when the Portfolios investment strategy changed) and the S&P 500 Index for all periods thereafter. In future periods the Portfolio will no longer compare its performance to that of the Russell 1000 Value Index. 4Prospectus
Year-by-Year Total Returns for Institutional Shares
As of 12/31
6/30/09 19.10%
Worst Quarter:
12/31/08 -21.54%
(for the periods ended December 31, 2012)
Inception
1 Year
5 Years
Life of Institutional Shares:
9/30/05 Returns Before Taxes 16.83%
0.53%
3.83% Returns After Taxes on Distributions 16.67%
0.30%
3.14% Returns After Taxes on Distributions and 11.15%
0.41%
3.00% Open Shares (Returns Before Taxes)
9/30/05 16.51%
0.22%
3.54% S&P 500 Index 16.00%
1.66%
4.27%
Russell 1000 Value Index 17.51%
0.59%
3.38% Russell 1000 Value/S&P 500 Linked Index 13.90%
-0.03%
2.94% Management Investment Manager Lazard Asset Management LLC Portfolio Manager/Analysts Christopher H. Blake, portfolio manager/analyst on various of the Investment Managers US Equity teams, has been with the Portfolio since May 2012. Martin Flood, portfolio manager/analyst on various of the Investment Managers US Equity teams, has been with the Portfolio since March 2011. Andrew D. Lacey, portfolio manager/analyst on various of the Investment Managers US Equity and Global Equity teams, has been with the Portfolio since inception. Additional Information For important information about the purchase and sale of Portfolio shares, tax information and financial intermediary compensation, please turn to Additional Information about the Portfolios on page 99. Prospectus5
Date
Portfolio
Sale of Portfolio Shares
(reflects no deduction for fees, expenses or taxes)
(reflects no deduction for fees, expenses or taxes)
(reflects no deduction for fees, expenses or taxes)
Lazard Funds Summary Section p
Lazard US Strategic Equity Portfolio Investment Objective The Portfolio seeks long-term capital appreciation. Fees and Expenses This table describes the fees and expenses that you may pay if you buy and hold shares of the Portfolio.
Institutional
Open
Shareholder Transaction Fees (fees paid directly from your investment)
1.00%
1.00%
Annual Portfolio Operating Expenses (expenses that you pay each year as a percentage
Management Fees
.70%
.70%
Distribution and Service (12b-1) Fees
None
.25%
Other Expenses .29%
.42%
Total Annual Portfolio Operating Expenses .99%
1.37%
Fee Waiver and Expense Reimbursement* .24%
.32%
Total Annual Portfolio Operating Expenses After Fee Waiver and Expense Reimbursement*
.75%
1.05%
* Reflects a contractual agreement by the Investment Manager to waive its fee and, if necessary, reimburse the Portfolio through April 30, 2014, to the extent Total Annual Portfolio Operating Expenses exceed .75% and 1.05% of the average daily net assets of the Portfolios Institutional Shares and Open Shares, respectively, exclusive of taxes, brokerage, interest on borrowings, fees and expenses of Acquired
Funds and extraordinary expenses, and excluding shareholder redemption fees or other transaction fees. This agreement can only be amended by agreement of the Fund, upon approval by the Board, and the Investment Manager to lower the net amount shown and will terminate automatically in the event of termination of the Investment Management Agreement between the Investment Manager and the
Fund, on behalf of the Portfolio.
Example This Example is intended to help you compare the cost of investing in the Portfolio with the cost of investing in other mutual funds. The Example assumes that you invest $10,000 in the Portfolio for the time periods indicated and then redeem all of your shares at the end of those periods. The Example also assumes that your investment has a 5% return each year and that the Portfolios operating expenses remain the same, giving effect to
the fee waiver in year one only. Although your actual costs may be higher or lower, based on these assumptions your costs would be:
1 Year
3 Years
5 Years
10 Years Institutional Shares
$ 77
$291
$524
$1,191 Open Shares
$107
$402
$719
$1,618 Portfolio Turnover The Portfolio pays transaction costs, such as commissions, when it buys and sells securities (or turns over its portfolio). A higher portfolio turnover rate may indicate higher transaction costs and may result in higher taxes when Portfolio shares are held in a taxable account. These costs, which are not reflected
in annual portfolio operating expenses or in the Example, affect the Portfolios performance. During the most recent fiscal year, the Portfolios portfolio turnover rate was 60% of the average value of its portfolio. 6Prospectus
Shares
Shares
Maximum Redemption Fee (as a % of amount redeemed,
on shares owned for 30 days or less)
of the value of your investment)
Principal Investment Strategies The Portfolio invests primarily in equity securities, principally common stocks, of US companies that the Investment Manager believes are undervalued based on their earnings, cash flow or asset values. Although the Portfolio generally focuses on large cap companies, the market capitalizations of issuers in
which the Portfolio invests may vary with market conditions and the Portfolio also may invest in mid cap and small cap companies. Under normal circumstances, the Portfolio invests at least 80% of its assets in equity securities of US companies. The Portfolio may invest up to 15% of its total assets in securities of non-US companies, including American Depositary Receipts (ADRs) and Global Depositary Receipts (GDRs). Principal Investment Risks The value of your investment in the Portfolio will fluctuate, which means you could lose money. Market Risk. Market risks, including political, regulatory, market and economic developments, and developments that impact specific economic sectors, industries or segments of the market, can affect the value of the Portfolios investments. In addition, turbulence in financial markets and reduced liquidity in
equity, credit and/or fixed income markets may negatively affect many issuers, which could adversely affect the Portfolio. Issuer Risk. The value of a security may decline for a number of reasons which directly relate to the issuer, such as management performance, financial leverage and reduced demand for the issuers goods or services, as well as the historical and prospective earnings of the issuer and the value of its assets. Value Investing Risk. The Portfolio invests in stocks believed by the Investment Manager to be undervalued, but that may not realize their perceived value for extended periods of time or may never realize their perceived value. The stocks in which the Portfolio invests may respond differently to market and
other developments than other types of stocks. Larger Cap Companies Risk. The securities of large market cap companies may underperform other segments of the market because such companies may be less responsive to competitive challenges and opportunities and may be unable to attain high growth rates during periods of economic expansion. Small and Mid Cap Companies Risk. Small and mid cap companies carry additional risks because their earnings tend to be less predictable, their share prices more volatile and their securities less liquid than larger, more established companies. The shares of small and mid cap companies tend to trade less
frequently than those of larger companies, which can have an adverse effect on the pricing of these securities and on the ability to sell these securities when the Investment Manager deems it appropriate. Non-US Securities Risk. The Portfolios performance will be influenced by political, social and economic factors affecting the non-US countries and companies in which the Portfolio invests. Non-US securities carry special risks, such as exposure to currency fluctuations, less developed or less efficient trading
markets, political instability, a lack of company information, differing auditing and legal standards, and, potentially, less liquidity. In addition, investments denominated in currencies other than US dollars carry the risk that such currencies will decline in value relative to the US dollar and affect the value of
these investments held in the Portfolio. Prospectus7
Performance Bar Chart and Table The accompanying bar chart and table provide some indication of the risks of investing in Lazard US Strategic Equity Portfolio by showing the Portfolios year-by-year performance and its average annual performance compared to that of a broad measure of market performance. The bar chart shows how the
performance of the Portfolios Institutional Shares has varied from year to year. Updated performance information is available at www.LazardNet.com or by calling (800) 823-6300. The Portfolios past performance (before and after taxes) is not necessarily an indication of how the Portfolio will perform in the
future.
Best Quarter: Average Annual Total Returns After-tax returns for the Open Shares vary from those of Institutional Shares. After-tax returns are calculated using the historical highest individual marginal income tax rates and do not reflect the impact of state and local taxes. Actual after-tax returns depend on the investors tax situation and may differ from
those shown. The after-tax returns shown are not relevant to investors who hold their shares through tax-deferred arrangements such as 401(k) plans or individual retirement accounts.
Inception
1 Year
5 Years
Life of Institutional Shares:
12/30/04 Returns Before Taxes
14.56
%
1.73%
3.80% Returns After Taxes on Distributions
14.17
%
1.49%
3.11% Returns After Taxes on Distributions and
9.96
%
1.43%
3.08% Open Shares (Returns Before Taxes)
12/30/04
14.10
%
1.42%
3.50% S&P 500 Index
16.00
%
1.66%
4.20% 8Prospectus
Year-by-Year Total Returns for Institutional Shares
As of 12/31
6/30/09 16.46%
Worst Quarter:
12/31/08 -23.06%
(for the periods ended December 31, 2012)
Date
Portfolio
Sale of Portfolio Shares
(reflects no deduction for fees, expenses or taxes)
Management Investment Manager Lazard Asset Management LLC Portfolio Manager/Analysts Christopher H. Blake, portfolio manager/analyst on various of the Investment Managers US Equity teams, has been with the Portfolio since inception. Robert A. Failla, portfolio manager/analyst on various of the Investment Managers US Equity teams, has been with the Portfolio since inception. Martin Flood, portfolio manager/analyst on various of the Investment Managers US Equity teams, has been with the Portfolio since March 2011. Andrew D. Lacey, portfolio manager/analyst on various of the Investment Managers US Equity and Global Equity teams, has been with the Portfolio since inception. Ronald Temple, portfolio manager/analyst on various of the Investment Managers US Equity and Global Equity Select teams, has been with the Portfolio since February 2009. Additional Information For important information about the purchase and sale of Portfolio shares, tax information and financial intermediary compensation, please turn to Additional Information about the Portfolios on page 99. Prospectus9
Lazard Funds Summary Section p
Lazard US Mid Cap Equity Portfolio Investment Objective The Portfolio seeks long-term capital appreciation. Fees and Expenses This table describes the fees and expenses that you may pay if you buy and hold shares of the Portfolio.
Institutional
Open
Shareholder Transaction Fees (fees paid directly from your investment)
1.00%
1.00%
Annual Portfolio Operating Expenses (expenses that you pay each year as a percentage
Management Fees
.75%
.75%
Distribution and Service (12b-1) Fees
None
.25%
Other Expenses .23%
.26%
Total Annual Portfolio Operating Expenses .98%
1.26% Example This Example is intended to help you compare the cost of investing in the Portfolio with the cost of investing in other mutual funds. The Example assumes that you invest $10,000 in the Portfolio for the time periods indicated and then redeem all of your shares at the end of those periods. The Example also assumes that your investment has a 5% return each year and that the Portfolios operating expenses remain the same. Although your
actual costs may be higher or lower, based on these assumptions your costs would be: 1 Year
3 Years
5 Years
10 Years Institutional Shares
$100
$312
$542
$1,201 Open Shares
$128
$400
$692
$1,523 Portfolio Turnover The Portfolio pays transaction costs, such as commissions, when it buys and sells securities (or turns over its portfolio). A higher portfolio turnover rate may indicate higher transaction costs and may result in higher taxes when Portfolio shares are held in a taxable account. These costs, which are not reflected
in annual portfolio operating expenses or in the Example, affect the Portfolios performance. During the most recent fiscal year, the Portfolios portfolio turnover rate was 102% of the average value of its portfolio. 10Prospectus
Shares
Shares
Maximum Redemption Fee (as a % of amount redeemed,
on shares owned for 30 days or less)
of the value of your investment)
Principal Investment Strategies The Portfolio invests primarily in equity securities, principally common stocks, of mid cap US companies that the Investment Manager believes are undervalued based on their earnings, cash flow or asset values. The Investment Manager considers mid cap companies to be those companies that, at the time of
initial purchase by the Portfolio, have market capitalizations within the range of companies included in the Russell Midcap® Index (ranging from approximately $287.8 million to $28.0 billion as of April 9, 2013). Under normal circumstances, the Portfolio invests at least 80% of its assets in equity securities of medium-size (mid cap) US companies. The Portfolio may invest up to 20% of its assets in equity securities of larger or smaller US companies. The Portfolio also may invest up to 15% of its assets in equity
securities of non-US companies, including ADRs and GDRs. Principal Investment Risks The value of your investment in the Portfolio will fluctuate, which means you could lose money. Market Risk. Market risks, including political, regulatory, market and economic developments, and developments that impact specific economic sectors, industries or segments of the market, can affect the value of the Portfolios investments. In addition, turbulence in financial markets and reduced liquidity in
equity, credit and/or fixed income markets may negatively affect many issuers, which could adversely affect the Portfolio. Issuer Risk. The value of a security may decline for a number of reasons which directly relate to the issuer, such as management performance, financial leverage and reduced demand for the issuers goods or services, as well as the historical and prospective earnings of the issuer and the value of its assets. Small and Mid Cap Companies Risk. Small and mid cap companies carry additional risks because their earnings tend to be less predictable, their share prices more volatile and their securities less liquid than larger, more established companies. The shares of small and mid cap companies tend to trade less
frequently than those of larger companies, which can have an adverse effect on the pricing of these securities and on the ability to sell these securities when the Investment Manager deems it appropriate. Value Investing Risk. The Portfolio invests in stocks believed by the Investment Manager to be undervalued, but that may not realize their perceived value for extended periods of time or may never realize their perceived value. The stocks in which the Portfolio invests may respond differently to market and
other developments than other types of stocks. Non-US Securities Risk. The Portfolios performance will be influenced by political, social and economic factors affecting the non-US countries and companies in which the Portfolio invests. Non-US securities carry special risks, such as exposure to currency fluctuations, less developed or less efficient trading
markets, political instability, a lack of company information, differing auditing and legal standards, and, potentially, less liquidity. In addition, investments denominated in currencies other than US dollars carry the risk that such currencies will decline in value relative to the US dollar and affect the value of
these investments held in the Portfolio. High Portfolio Turnover Risk. The Portfolios investment strategy may involve high portfolio turnover (such as 100% or more). A portfolio turnover rate of 100%, for example, is equivalent to the Portfolio buying and selling all of its securities once during the course of the year. A high portfolio turnover rate
could result in high brokerage costs and an increase in taxable capital gains distributions to the Portfolios shareholders. Prospectus11
Performance Bar Chart and Table The accompanying bar chart and table provide some indication of the risks of investing in Lazard US Mid Cap Equity Portfolio by showing the Portfolios year-by-year performance and its average annual performance compared to that of a broad measure of market performance. The bar chart shows how the
performance of the Portfolios Institutional Shares has varied from year to year over the past 10 calendar years. Updated performance information is available at www.LazardNet.com or by calling (800) 823-6300. The Portfolios past performance (before and after taxes) is not necessarily an indication of how the
Portfolio will perform in the future.
Best Quarter: Average Annual Total Returns After-tax returns for the Open Shares vary from those of Institutional Shares. After-tax returns are calculated using the historical highest individual marginal income tax rates and do not reflect the impact of state and local taxes. Actual after-tax returns depend on the investors tax situation and may differ from
those shown. The after-tax returns shown are not relevant to investors who hold their shares through tax-deferred arrangements such as 401(k) plans or individual retirement accounts.
Inception
1 Year
5 Years
10 Years
Life of Institutional Shares:
11/4/97 Returns Before Taxes 5.76%
1.03%
7.50%
6.79% Returns After Taxes on Distributions 5.71%
0.89%
6.66%
5.26% Returns After Taxes on Distributions and 3.80%
0.85%
6.32%
5.11% Open Shares (Returns Before Taxes)
11/4/97 5.44%
0.76%
7.21%
6.48%
Russell Midcap Index 17.28%
3.57%
10.65%
7.88% 12Prospectus
Year-by-Year Total Returns for Institutional Shares
As of 12/31
6/30/09 21.18%
Worst Quarter:
12/31/08 -26.54%
(for the periods ended December 31, 2012)
Date
Portfolio
Sale of Portfolio Shares
(reflects no deduction for fees, expenses or taxes)
Management Investment Manager Lazard Asset Management LLC Portfolio Manager/Analysts Robert A. Failla, portfolio manager/analyst on various of the Investment Managers US Equity teams, has been with the Portfolio since July 2005. Christopher H. Blake, portfolio manager/analyst on various of the Investment Managers US Equity teams, has been with the Portfolio since November 2001. Daniel Breslin, portfolio manager/analyst on the Investment Managers US Small-Mid Cap Equity and US Mid Cap Equity teams, has been with the Portfolio since October 2010. Martin Flood, portfolio manager/analyst on various of the Investment Managers US Equity teams, has been with the Portfolio since March 2011. Andrew D. Lacey, portfolio manager/analyst on various of the Investment Managers US Equity and Global Equity teams, has been with the Portfolio since January 2001. Additional Information For important information about the purchase and sale of Portfolio shares, tax information and financial intermediary compensation, please turn to Additional Information about the Portfolios on page 99. Prospectus13
Lazard Funds Summary Section p
Lazard US Small-Mid Cap Equity Portfolio Investment Objective The Portfolio seeks long-term capital appreciation. Fees and Expenses This table describes the fees and expenses that you may pay if you buy and hold shares of the Portfolio.
Institutional
Open
Shareholder Transaction Fees (fees paid directly from your investment)
1.00%
1.00%
Annual Portfolio Operating Expenses (expenses that you pay each year as a percentage
Management Fees
.75%
.75%
Distribution and Service (12b-1) Fees
None
.25%
Other Expenses .13%
.21%
Total Annual Portfolio Operating Expenses .88%
1.21% Example This Example is intended to help you compare the cost of investing in the Portfolio with the cost of investing in other mutual funds. The Example assumes that you invest $10,000 in the Portfolio for the time periods indicated and then redeem all of your shares at the end of those periods. The Example also assumes that your investment has a 5% return each year and that the Portfolios operating expenses remain the same. Although your
actual costs may be higher or lower, based on these assumptions your costs would be:
1 Year
3 Years
5 Years
10 Years Institutional Shares
$ 90
$281
$488
$1,084 Open Shares
$123
$384
$665
$1,466 Portfolio Turnover The Portfolio pays transaction costs, such as commissions, when it buys and sells securities (or turns over its portfolio). A higher portfolio turnover rate may indicate higher transaction costs and may result in higher taxes when Portfolio shares are held in a taxable account. These costs, which are not reflected
in annual portfolio operating expenses or in the Example, affect the Portfolios performance. During the most recent fiscal year, the Portfolios portfolio turnover rate was 92% of the average value of its portfolio. 14Prospectus
Shares
Shares
Maximum Redemption Fee (as a % of amount redeemed,
on shares owned for 30 days or less)
of the value of your investment)
Principal Investment Strategies The Portfolio invests primarily in equity securities, principally common stocks, of small to mid capitalization US companies. The Investment Manager considers small-mid cap companies to be those companies that, at the time of initial purchase by the Portfolio, have market capitalizations within the range of
companies included in the Russell 2500® Index (ranging from approximately $18.5 million to $10.9 billion as of April 9, 2013). Under normal circumstances, the Portfolio invests at least 80% of its assets in equity securities of small-mid cap US companies. The Investment Manager focuses on relative value in seeking to construct a diversified portfolio of investments for the Portfolio that maintains sector and industry balance, using
investment opportunities identified through bottom-up fundamental research conducted by the Investment Managers small cap, mid cap and global research analysts. The Portfolio may invest up to 20% of its assets in equity securities of larger US companies and may invest up to 10% of its total assets in equity securities of non-US companies, including ADRs and GDRs. Principal Investment Risks The value of your investment in the Portfolio will fluctuate, which means you could lose money. Market Risk. Market risks, including political, regulatory, market and economic developments, and developments that impact specific economic sectors, industries or segments of the market, can affect the value of the Portfolios investments. In addition, turbulence in financial markets and reduced liquidity in
equity, credit and/or fixed income markets may negatively affect many issuers, which could adversely affect the Portfolio. Issuer Risk. The value of a security may decline for a number of reasons which directly relate to the issuer, such as management performance, financial leverage and reduced demand for the issuers goods or services, as well as the historical and prospective earnings of the issuer and the value of its assets. Small and Mid Cap Companies Risk. Small and mid cap companies carry additional risks because their earnings tend to be less predictable, their share prices more volatile and their securities less liquid than larger, more established companies. The shares of small and mid cap companies tend to trade less
frequently than those of larger companies, which can have an adverse effect on the pricing of these securities and on the ability to sell these securities when the Investment Manager deems it appropriate. Value Investing Risk. The Portfolio invests in stocks believed by the Investment Manager to be undervalued, but that may not realize their perceived value for extended periods of time or may never realize their perceived value. The stocks in which the Portfolio invests may respond differently to market and
other developments than other types of stocks. Non-US Securities Risk. The Portfolios performance will be influenced by political, social and economic factors affecting the non-US countries and companies in which the Portfolio invests. Non-US securities carry special risks, such as exposure to currency fluctuations, less developed or less efficient trading
markets, political instability, a lack of company information, differing auditing and legal standards, and, potentially, less liquidity. In addition, investments denominated in currencies other than US dollars carry the risk that such currencies will decline in value relative to the US dollar and affect the value of
these investments held in the Portfolio. Prospectus15
Performance Bar Chart and Table The accompanying bar chart and table provide some indication of the risks of investing in Lazard US Small-Mid Cap Equity Portfolio by showing the Portfolios year-by-year performance and its average annual performance compared to that of a broad measure of market performance. The bar chart shows how
the performance of the Portfolios Institutional Shares has varied from year to year over the past 10 calendar years. Updated performance information is available at www.LazardNet.com or by calling (800) 823-6300. The Portfolios past performance (before and after taxes) is not necessarily an indication of how
the Portfolio will perform in the future.
Best Quarter: Average Annual Total Returns After-tax returns for the Open Shares vary from those of Institutional Shares. After-tax returns are calculated using the historical highest individual marginal income tax rates and do not reflect the impact of state and local taxes. Actual after-tax returns depend on the investors tax situation and may differ from
those shown. The after-tax returns shown are not relevant to investors who hold their shares through tax-deferred arrangements such as 401(k) plans or individual retirement accounts. The Russell 2000/2500 Linked Index shown in the table is an unmanaged index created by the Investment Manager, which
links the performance of the Russell 2000® Index for all periods through August 24, 2008 (when the Portfolios investment focus was changed from small cap companies to small-mid cap companies) and the Russell 2500 Index for all periods thereafter. 16Prospectus
Year-by-Year Total Returns for Institutional Shares
As of 12/31
6/30/09 28.30%
Worst Quarter:
9/30/11 -26.02%
(for the periods ended December 31, 2012)
Inception
1 Year
5 Years
10 Years
LIfe of Institutional Shares:
10/30/91 Returns Before Taxes 15.45%
5.58%
9.16%
10.33% Returns After Taxes on Distributions 14.99%
4.96%
7.23%
8.10% Returns After Taxes on Distributions and 10.64%
4.56%
7.35%
8.13% Open Shares (Returns Before Taxes)
1/30/97 14.97%
5.22%
8.81%
6.89%
Russell 2500 Index 17.88%
4.34%
10.49%
10.39%
Russell 2000/2500 Linked Index 17.88%
4.78%
10.36%
9.30% Management Investment Manager Lazard Asset Management LLC Portfolio Manager/Analysts Daniel Breslin, portfolio manager/analyst on the Investment Managers US Small-Mid Cap Equity and US Mid Cap Equity teams, has been with the Portfolio since May 2007. Michael DeBernardis, portfolio manager/analyst on the Investment Managers US Small-Mid Cap Equity and Global Small Cap Equity teams, has been with the Portfolio since October 2010. Robert A. Failla, portfolio manager/analyst on various of the Investment Managers US Equity teams, has been with the Portfolio since October 2010. Andrew D. Lacey, portfolio manager/analyst on various of the Investment Managers US Equity and Global Equity teams, has been with the Portfolio since May 2003. Additional Information For important information about the purchase and sale of Portfolio shares, tax information and financial intermediary compensation, please turn to Additional Information about the Portfolios on page 99. Prospectus17
Date
Portfolio
Sale of Portfolio Shares
(reflects no deduction for fees, expenses or taxes)
(Institutional)
8.28%
(Open)
(reflects no deduction for fees, expenses or taxes)
(Institutional)
7.15%
(Open)
Lazard Funds Summary Section p Lazard Global Listed Infrastructure Portfolio Investment Objective The Portfolio seeks total return. Fees and Expenses This table describes the fees and expenses that you may pay if you buy and hold shares of the Portfolio.
Institutional
Open
Shareholder Fees (fees paid directly from your investment)
1.00%
1.00%
Annual Portfolio Operating Expenses (expenses that you pay each year as a percentage of the value of your investment)
Management Fees
.90%
.90%
Distribution and Service (12b-1) Fees
None
.25%
Other Expenses .24%
.35%
Total Annual Portfolio Operating Expenses 1.14%
1.50% Example This Example is intended to help you compare the cost of investing in the Portfolio with the cost of investing in other mutual funds. The Example assumes that you invest $10,000 in the Portfolio for the time periods indicated and then redeem all of your shares at the end of those periods. The Example also assumes that your investment has a 5% return each year and that the Portfolios operating expenses remain the same. Although your
actual costs may be higher or lower, based on these assumptions your costs would be:
1 Year
3 Years
5 Years
10 Years Institutional Shares $116
$362
$628
$1,386 Open Shares $153
$474
$818
$1,791 Portfolio Turnover The Portfolio pays transaction costs, such as commissions, when it buys and sells securities (or turns over its portfolio). A higher portfolio turnover rate may indicate higher transaction costs and may result in higher taxes when Portfolio shares are held in a taxable account. These costs, which are not reflected
in annual portfolio operating expenses or in the Example, affect the Portfolios performance. During the most recent fiscal year, the Portfolios portfolio turnover rate was 26% of the average value of its portfolio. 18Prospectus
Shares
Shares
Maximum Redemption Fee (as a % of amount redeemed,
on shares owned for 30 days or less)
Principal Investment Strategies The Portfolio invests primarily in equity securities, principally common stocks, of infrastructure companies and concentrates its investments in industries represented by infrastructure companies. The Investment Manager focuses on companies with a minimum market capitalization of $250 million that own
physical infrastructure and which the Investment Manager believes are undervalued. Under normal circumstances, the Portfolio invests at least 80% of its assets in equity securities of infrastructure companies, which consist of utilities, pipelines, toll roads, airports, railroads, ports, telecommunications and other infrastructure companies, with securities listed on a national or other recognized
securities exchange. Under normal market conditions, the Portfolio invests significantly (at least 40%unless market conditions are not deemed favorable by the Investment Manager, in which case the Portfolio would invest at least 30%) in infrastructure companies organized or located outside the US or doing a substantial amount of
business outside the US. The Investment Manager allocates the Portfolios assets among various regions and countries, including the United States (but in no less than three different countries). The Portfolio may invest in equity securities of companies with some business activities located in emerging market
countries. The Investment Manager generally seeks to substantially hedge foreign currency exposure in the Portfolio back to the US dollar by entering into foreign currency forward contracts, although the Portfolios total foreign currency exposure may not be fully hedged at all times. Principal Investment Risks The value of your investment in the Portfolio will fluctuate, which means you could lose money. Market Risk. Market risks, including political, regulatory, market and economic developments, and developments that impact specific economic sectors, industries or segments of the market, can affect the value of the Portfolios investments. In addition, turbulence in financial markets and reduced liquidity in
equity, credit and/or fixed income markets may negatively affect many issuers, which could adversely affect the Portfolio. Issuer Risk. The value of a security may decline for a number of reasons which directly relate to the issuer, such as management performance, financial leverage and reduced demand for the issuers goods or services, as well as the historical and prospective earnings of the issuer and the value of its assets. Infrastructure Companies Risk. Securities and instruments of infrastructure companies are more susceptible to adverse economic or regulatory occurrences affecting their industries. Infrastructure companies may be subject to a variety of factors that may adversely affect their business or operations, including high
interest costs in connection with capital construction programs, high leverage, costs associated with environmental and other regulations, the effects of economic slowdown, surplus capacity, increased competition from other providers of services, uncertainties concerning the availability of fuel at reasonable prices,
the effects of energy conservation policies and other factors. Infrastructure companies also may be affected by or subject to:
regulation by various government authorities, including rate regulation; service interruption due to environmental, operational or other mishaps; the imposition of special tariffs and changes in tax laws, regulatory policies and accounting standards; and general changes in market sentiment towards infrastructure and utilities assets. Non-US Securities Risk. The Portfolios performance will be influenced by political, social and economic factors affecting the non-US countries and companies in which the Portfolio invests. Non-US securities carry special risks, such as exposure to currency fluctuations, less developed or less efficient trading
markets, political instability, a lack of company information, differing auditing and legal standards, and, potentially, less liquidity. In addition, investments denominated in currencies other than US dollars carry the risk that such currencies will decline in value relative to the US dollar and affect the value of
these investments held in the Portfolio. Emerging Market Risk. Emerging market countries can generally have economic structures that are less diverse and mature, and political systems that are less stable, than those of developed countries. The securities markets of emerging market countries have historically been extremely volatile. However, the
capital markets in the US and internationally have experienced unprecedented volatility in recent years, causing significant declines in the value and liquidity of many securities. These market Prospectus19
conditions may continue or worsen. Significant devaluation of emerging market currencies against the US dollar may occur subsequent to acquisition of investments denominated in emerging market currencies. Value Investing Risk. The Portfolio invests in stocks believed by the Investment Manager to be undervalued, but that may not realize their perceived value for extended periods of time or may never realize their perceived value. The stocks in which the Portfolio invests may respond differently to market and
other developments than other types of stocks. Foreign Currency Hedging Risk. Irrespective of any foreign currency exposure hedging, the Portfolio may experience a decline in the value of its portfolio securities, in US dollar terms, due solely to fluctuations in currency exchange rates. The Investment Manager may not be able to accurately predict
movements in exchange rates and there may be imperfect correlations between movements in exchange rates that could cause the Portfolio to incur significant losses. Currency investments could be adversely affected by delays in, or a refusal to grant, repatriation of funds or conversion of emerging market
currencies. Forward Currency Contract Risk. Forward currency contracts may reduce returns or increase volatility, perhaps substantially. Forward currency contracts are subject to the risk of default by the counterparty to the contracts and can be illiquid. These contracts are subject to many of the risks of, and can be highly
sensitive to changes in the value of, the related currency. As such, a small investment could have a potentially large impact on the Portfolios performance. Use of forward currency contracts, even when entered into for hedging purposes, may cause the Portfolio to experience losses greater than if the Portfolio
had not engaged in such transactions. Larger Cap Companies Risk. The securities of large market cap companies may underperform other segments of the market because such companies may be less responsive to competitive challenges and opportunities and may be unable to attain high growth rates during periods of economic expansion. Performance Bar Chart and Table The accompanying bar chart and table provide some indication of the risks of investing in Lazard Global Listed Infrastructure Portfolio by showing the Portfolios year-by-year performance and its average annual performance compared to that of broad measures of market performance. The bar chart shows how
the performance of the Portfolios Institutional Shares has varied from year to year. Updated performance information is available at www.LazardNet.com or by calling (800) 823-6300. The Portfolios past performance (before and after taxes) is not necessarily an indication of how the Portfolio will perform in the
future.
20Prospectus
Total Returns for Institutional Shares
As of 12/31
Best Quarter:
9/30/10 12.17%
Worst Quarter:
9/30/11 -9.85%
Average Annual Total Returns After-tax returns for the Open Shares vary from those of Institutional Shares. After-tax returns are calculated using the historical highest individual marginal income tax rates and do not reflect the impact of state and local taxes. Actual after-tax returns depend on the investors tax situation and may differ from
those shown. The after-tax returns shown are not relevant to investors who hold their shares through tax-deferred arrangements such as 401(k) plans or individual retirement accounts.
Inception
1 Year
Life of Institutional Shares:
12/31/09 Returns Before Taxes 18.05%
7.40% Returns After Taxes on Distributions 17.62%
6.96% Returns After Taxes on Distributions and 13.33%
6.50% Open Shares (Returns Before Taxes)
12/31/09 17.54%
6.99% UBS Global 50/50 Infrastructure & Utilities® Index (Hedged) 12.38%
5.10% Morgan Stanley Capital International® World Index 15.83%
6.93% Investment Manager Lazard Asset Management LLC John Mulquiney, portfolio manager/analyst on the Investment Managers Global Listed Infrastructure team, has been with the Portfolio since inception. Warryn Robertson, portfolio manager/analyst on the Investment Managers Global Listed Infrastructure team, has been with the Portfolio since inception. Additional Information For important information about the purchase and sale of Portfolio shares, tax information and financial intermediary compensation, please turn to Additional Information about the Portfolio on page 99. Prospectus21
(for the periods ended December 31, 2012)
Date
Portfolio
Sale of Portfolio Shares
(reflects no deduction for fees, expenses or taxes)
(reflects no deduction for fees, expenses or taxes)
Lazard Funds Summary Section p Lazard International Equity Portfolio Investment Objective The Portfolio seeks long-term capital appreciation. Fees and Expenses This table describes the fees and expenses that you may pay if you buy and hold shares of the Portfolio.
Institutional
Open
Shareholder Transaction Fees (fees paid directly from your investment)
1.00%
1.00%
Annual Portfolio Operating Expenses (expenses that you pay each year as a percentage
Management Fees
.75%
.75%
Distribution and Service (12b-1) Fees
None
.25%
Other Expenses .27%
.32%
Total Annual Portfolio Operating Expenses 1.02%
1.32% Example This Example is intended to help you compare the cost of investing in the Portfolio with the cost of investing in other mutual funds. The Example assumes that you invest $10,000 in the Portfolio for the time periods indicated and then redeem all of your shares at the end of those periods. The Example also assumes that your investment has a 5% return each year and that the Portfolios operating expenses remain the same. Although your
actual costs may be higher or lower, based on these assumptions your costs would be:
1 Year
3 Years
5 Years
10 Years Institutional Shares
$104
$325
$563
$1,248 Open Shares
$134
$418
$723
$1,590 Portfolio Turnover The Portfolio pays transaction costs, such as commissions, when it buys and sells securities (or turns over its portfolio). A higher portfolio turnover rate may indicate higher transaction costs and may result in higher taxes when Portfolio shares are held in a taxable account. These costs, which are not reflected
in annual portfolio operating expenses or in the Example, affect the Portfolios performance. During the most recent fiscal year, the Portfolios portfolio turnover rate was 48% of the average value of its portfolio. 22Prospectus
Shares
Shares
Maximum Redemption Fee (as a % of amount redeemed,
on shares owned for 30 days or less)
of the value of your investment)
Principal Investment Strategies The Portfolio invests primarily in equity securities, principally common stocks, of relatively large non-US companies with market capitalizations in the range of companies included in the Morgan Stanley Capital International (MSCI®) Europe, Australasia and Far East (EAFE®) Index (ranging from
approximately $498.5 million to $232.6 billion as of April 9, 2013) that the Investment Manager believes are undervalued based on their earnings, cash flow or asset values. In choosing stocks for the Portfolio, the Investment Manager looks for established companies in economically developed countries and may invest up to 15% of the Portfolios assets in securities of companies whose principal business activities are located in emerging market countries. Under normal
circumstances, the Portfolio invests at least 80% of its assets in equity securities. Principal Investment Risks The value of your investment in the Portfolio will fluctuate, which means you could lose money. Market Risk. Market risks, including political, regulatory, market and economic developments, and developments that impact specific economic sectors, industries or segments of the market, can affect the value of the Portfolios investments. In addition, turbulence in financial markets and reduced liquidity in
equity, credit and/or fixed income markets may negatively affect many issuers, which could adversely affect the Portfolio. Issuer Risk. The value of a security may decline for a number of reasons which directly relate to the issuer, such as management performance, financial leverage and reduced demand for the issuers goods or services, as well as the historical and prospective earnings of the issuer and the value of its assets. Non-US Securities Risk. The Portfolios performance will be influenced by political, social and economic factors affecting the non-US countries and companies in which the Portfolio invests. Non-US securities carry special risks, such as exposure to currency fluctuations, less developed or less efficient trading
markets, political instability, a lack of company information, differing auditing and legal standards, and, potentially, less liquidity. In addition, investments denominated in currencies other than US dollars carry the risk that such currencies will decline in value relative to the US dollar and affect the value of
these investments held in the Portfolio. Emerging Market Risk. Emerging market countries can generally have economic structures that are less diverse and mature, and political systems that are less stable, than those of developed countries. The securities markets of emerging market countries have historically been extremely volatile. However, the
capital markets in the US and internationally have experienced unprecedented volatility in recent years, causing significant declines in the value and liquidity of many securities. These market conditions may continue or worsen. Significant devaluation of emerging market currencies against the US dollar may
occur subsequent to acquisition of investments denominated in emerging market currencies. Value Investing Risk. The Portfolio invests in stocks believed by the Investment Manager to be undervalued, but that may not realize their perceived value for extended periods of time or may never realize their perceived value. The stocks in which the Portfolio invests may respond differently to market and
other developments than other types of stocks. Larger Cap Companies Risk. The securities of large market cap companies may underperform other segments of the market because such companies may be less responsive to competitive challenges and opportunities and may be unable to attain high growth rates during periods of economic expansion. Prospectus23
Performance Bar Chart and Table The accompanying bar chart and table provide some indication of the risks of investing in Lazard International Equity Portfolio by showing the Portfolios year-by-year performance and its average annual performance compared to that of a broad measure of market performance. The bar chart shows how the
performance of the Portfolios Institutional Shares has varied from year to year over the past 10 calendar years. Updated performance information is available at www.LazardNet.com or by calling (800) 823-6300. The Portfolios past performance (before and after taxes) is not necessarily an indication of how the
Portfolio will perform in the future.
Best Quarter: Average Annual Total Returns After-tax returns for the Open Shares vary from those of Institutional Shares. After-tax returns are calculated using the historical highest individual marginal income tax rates and do not reflect the impact of state and local taxes. Actual after-tax returns depend on the investors tax situation and may differ from
those shown. The after-tax returns shown are not relevant to investors who hold their shares through tax-deferred arrangements such as 401(k) plans or individual retirement accounts.
Inception
1 Year
5 Years
10 Years
Life of Institutional Shares:
10/29/91 Returns Before Taxes 22.70%
-0.83%
8.14%
6.11% Returns After Taxes on Distributions 22.26%
-1.01%
7.81%
5.20% Returns After Taxes on Distributions and 15.78%
-0.58%
7.26%
5.04% Open Shares (Returns Before Taxes)
1/23/97 22.30%
-1.14%
7.82%
4.67% MSCI EAFE Index 17.32%
-3.69%
8.21%
5.10% 24Prospectus
Year-by-Year Total Returns for Institutional Shares
As of 12/31
6/30/09 21.90%
Worst Quarter:
9/30/11 -17.77%
(for the periods ended December 31, 2012)
Date
Portfolio
Sale of Portfolio Shares
(reflects no deduction for fees, expenses or taxes)
(Institutional)
4.45%
(Open)
Management Investment Manager Lazard Asset Management LLC Portfolio Manager/Analysts Michael G. Fry, portfolio manager/analyst on the Investment Managers Global Equity and International Equity teams, has been with the Portfolio since November 2005. Michael A. Bennett, portfolio manager/analyst on various of the Investment Managers International Equity teams, has been with the Portfolio since May 2003. Kevin J. Matthews, portfolio manager/analyst on various of the Investment Managers International Equity teams, has been with the Portfolio since May 2013. Michael Powers, portfolio manager/analyst on the Investment Managers Global Equity and International Equity teams, has been with the Portfolio since May 2003. John R. Reinsberg, portfolio manager/analyst on the Investment Managers Global Equity and International Equity teams, has been with the Portfolio since inception. Additional Information For important information about the purchase and sale of Portfolio shares, tax information and financial intermediary compensation, please turn to Additional Information about the Portfolios on page 99. Prospectus25
Lazard Funds Summary Section p Lazard International Equity Select Portfolio Investment Objective The Portfolio seeks long-term capital appreciation. Fees and Expenses This table describes the fees and expenses that you may pay if you buy and hold shares of the Portfolio.
Institutional
Open
Shareholder Transaction Fees (fees paid directly from your investment)
Maximum Redemption Fee (as a % of amount redeemed,
1.00%
1.00%
Annual Portfolio Operating Expenses (expenses that you pay each year as a percentage
Management Fees
.85%
.85%
Distribution and Service (12b-1) Fees
None
.25%
Other Expenses 3.32%
3.67%
Total Annual Portfolio Operating Expenses 4.17%
4.77%
Fee Waiver and Expense Reimbursement* 3.02%
3.32%
Total Annual Portfolio Operating Expenses After Fee Waiver and Expense Reimbursement*
1.15%
1.45%
* Reflects a contractual agreement by the Investment Manager to waive its fee and, if necessary, reimburse the Portfolio through April 30, 2023, to the extent Total Annual Portfolio Operating Expenses exceed 1.15% and 1.45% of the average daily net assets of the Portfolios Institutional Shares and Open Shares, respectively, exclusive of taxes, brokerage, interest on borrowings, fees and expenses of Acquired
Funds and extraordinary expenses, and excluding shareholder redemption fees or other transaction fees. This agreement can only be amended by agreement of the Fund, upon approval by the Board, and the Investment Manager to lower the net amount shown and will terminate automatically in the event of termination of the Investment Management Agreement between the Investment Manager and the
Fund, on behalf of the Portfolio.
Example This Example is intended to help you compare the cost of investing in the Portfolio with the cost of investing in other mutual funds. The Example assumes that you invest $10,000 in the Portfolio for the time periods indicated and then redeem all of your shares at the end of those periods. The Example also assumes that your investment has a 5% return each year and that the Portfolios operating expenses remain the same, giving effect to
the fee waivers described above. Although your actual costs may be higher or lower, based on these assumptions your costs would be:
1 Year
3 Years
5 Years
10 Years Institutional Shares $117
$365
$633
$1,398 Open Shares $148
$459
$792
$1,735 Portfolio Turnover The Portfolio pays transaction costs, such as commissions, when it buys and sells securities (or turns over its portfolio). A higher portfolio turnover rate may indicate higher transaction costs and may result in higher taxes when Portfolio shares are held in a taxable account. These costs, which are not reflected
in annual portfolio operating expenses or in the Example, affect the Portfolios performance. During the most recent fiscal year, the Portfolios portfolio turnover rate was 46% of the average value of its portfolio. 26Prospectus
Shares
Shares
on shares owned for 30 days or less)
of the value of your investment)
Principal Investment Strategies The Portfolio invests primarily in equity securities, including ADRs, GDRs and common stocks, of relatively large non-US companies with market capitalizations in the range of companies included in the MSCI EAFE Index (ranging from approximately $498.5 million to $232.6 billion as of April 9, 2013) that the
Investment Manager believes are undervalued based on their earnings, cash flow or asset values. In choosing stocks for the Portfolio, the Investment Manager looks for established companies in economically developed countries. Under normal circumstances, the Portfolio invests at least 80% of its assets in equity securities. The Portfolio may invest in securities of companies whose principal business activities are located in emerging market countries in an amount up to the current emerging markets component of the MSCI All Country World Index ex-US plus 15%. The allocation of the Portfolios assets to emerging market
countries may vary from time to time. Principal Investment Risks The value of your investment in the Portfolio will fluctuate, which means you could lose money. Market Risk. Market risks, including political, regulatory, market and economic developments, and developments that impact specific economic sectors, industries or segments of the market, can affect the value of the Portfolios investments. In addition, turbulence in financial markets and reduced liquidity in
equity, credit and/or fixed income markets may negatively affect many issuers, which could adversely affect the Portfolio. Issuer Risk. The value of a security may decline for a number of reasons which directly relate to the issuer, such as management performance, financial leverage and reduced demand for the issuers goods or services, as well as the historical and prospective earnings of the issuer and the value of its assets. Non-US Securities Risk. The Portfolios performance will be influenced by political, social and economic factors affecting the non-US countries and companies in which the Portfolio invests. Non-US securities carry special risks, such as exposure to currency fluctuations, less developed or less efficient trading
markets, political instability, a lack of company information, differing auditing and legal standards, and, potentially, less liquidity. In addition, investments denominated in currencies other than US dollars carry the risk that such currencies will decline in value relative to the US dollar and affect the value of
these investments held in the Portfolio. Emerging Market Risk. Emerging market countries can generally have economic structures that are less diverse and mature, and political systems that are less stable, than those of developed countries. The securities markets of emerging market countries have historically been extremely volatile. However, the
capital markets in the US and internationally have experienced unprecedented volatility in recent years, causing significant declines in the value and liquidity of many securities. These market conditions may continue or worsen. Significant devaluation of emerging market currencies against the US dollar may
occur subsequent to acquisition of investments denominated in emerging market currencies. Non-Diversification Risk. Although the Portfolio is classified as diversified under the 1940 Act, it may invest in a smaller number of issuers than other, more diversified investment portfolios. The Portfolios NAV may be more vulnerable to changes in the market value of a single issuer or group of issuers and
may be relatively more susceptible to adverse effects from any single corporate, industry, economic, market, political or regulatory occurrence than if the Portfolios investments consisted of securities issued by a larger number of issuers. Value Investing Risk. The Portfolio invests in stocks believed by the Investment Manager to be undervalued, but that may not realize their perceived value for extended periods of time or may never realize their perceived value. The stocks in which the Portfolio invests may respond differently to market and
other developments than other types of stocks. Larger Cap Companies Risk. The securities of large market cap companies may underperform other segments of the market because such companies may be less responsive to competitive challenges and opportunities and may be unable to attain high growth rates during periods of economic expansion. Prospectus27
Performance Bar Chart and Table The accompanying bar chart and table provide some indication of the risks of investing in Lazard International Equity Select Portfolio by showing the Portfolios year-by-year performance and its average annual performance compared to that of a broad measure of market performance. The bar chart shows how
the performance of the Portfolios Institutional Shares has varied from year to year over the past 10 calendar years. Updated performance information is available at www.LazardNet.com or by calling (800) 823-6300. The Portfolios past performance (before and after taxes) is not necessarily an indication of how
the Portfolio will perform in the future.
Best Quarter: Average Annual Total Returns After-tax returns for the Open Shares vary from those of Institutional Shares. After-tax returns are calculated using the historical highest individual marginal income tax rates and do not reflect the impact of state and local taxes. Actual after-tax returns depend on the investors tax situation and may differ from
those shown. The after-tax returns shown are not relevant to investors who hold their shares through tax-deferred arrangements such as 401(k) plans or individual retirement accounts. The MSCI EAFE/All Country World Index ex-US Linked Index shown in the table is an unmanaged index created by the
Investment Manager, which links the performance of the MSCI EAFE Index for all periods through June 30, 2010 (when the Portfolios benchmark index changed) and the MSCI All Country World Index ex-US for all periods thereafter. 28Prospectus
Year-by-Year Total Returns for Institutional Shares
As of 12/31
6/30/09 18.73%
Worst Quarter:
9/30/11 -17.57%
(for the periods ended December 31, 2012)
Inception
1 Year
5 Years
10 Years
Life of Institutional Shares:
5/31/01 Returns Before Taxes 21.59%
-1.94%
7.21%
4.01% Returns After Taxes on Distributions 21.28%
-2.42%
6.50%
3.38% Returns After Taxes on Distributions and 14.81%
-1.58%
6.53%
3.61% Open Shares (Returns Before Taxes)
5/31/01 21.23%
-2.23%
6.90%
3.73% MSCI All Country World Index ex-US 16.83%
-2.89%
9.74%
5.80% MSCI EAFE/All Country World Index ex-US Linked Index 16.83%
-3.99%
8.04%
4.18% Management Investment Manager Lazard Asset Management LLC Portfolio Manager/Analysts Michael G. Fry, portfolio manager/analyst on the Investment Managers Global Equity and International Equity teams, has been with the Portfolio since May 2010. Michael A. Bennett, portfolio manager/analyst on various of the Investment Managers International Equity teams, has been with the Portfolio since May 2003. James M. Donald, portfolio manager/analyst on the Investment Managers Emerging Markets Equity team, has been with the Portfolio since May 2010. Kevin J. Matthews, portfolio manager/analyst on various of the Investment Managers International Equity teams, has been with the Portfolio since May 2010. Michael Powers, portfolio manager/analyst on the Investment Managers Global Equity and International Equity teams, has been with the Portfolio since May 2003. John R. Reinsberg, portfolio manager/analyst on the Investment Managers Global Equity and International Equity teams, has been with the Portfolio since inception. Additional Information For important information about the purchase and sale of Portfolio shares, tax information and financial intermediary compensation, please turn to Additional Information about the Portfolios on page 99. Prospectus29
Date
Portfolio
Sale of Portfolio Shares
(reflects no deduction for fees, expenses or taxes)
(reflects no deduction for fees, expenses or taxes)
Lazard Funds Summary Section p Lazard International Strategic Equity Portfolio Investment Objective The Portfolio seeks long-term capital appreciation. Fees and Expenses This table describes the fees and expenses that you may pay if you buy and hold shares of the Portfolio.
Institutional
Open
Shareholder Transaction Fees (fees paid directly from your investment)
Maximum Redemption Fee (as a % of amount redeemed,
1.00%
1.00%
Annual Portfolio Operating Expenses (expenses that you pay each year as a percentage
Management Fees
.75%
.75%
Distribution and Service (12b-1) Fees
None
.25%
Other Expenses .11%
.13%
Total Annual Portfolio Operating Expenses .86%
1.13% Example This Example is intended to help you compare the cost of investing in the Portfolio with the cost of investing in other mutual funds. The Example assumes that you invest $10,000 in the Portfolio for the time periods indicated and then redeem all of your shares at the end of those periods. The Example also assumes that your investment has a 5% return each year and that the Portfolios operating expenses remain the same. Although your
actual costs may be higher or lower, based on these assumptions your costs would be:
1 Year
3 Years
5 Years
10 Years Institutional Shares
$ 88
$274
$477
$1,061 Open Shares
$115
$359
$622
$1,375 Portfolio Turnover The Portfolio pays transaction costs, such as commissions, when it buys and sells securities (or turns over its portfolio). A higher portfolio turnover rate may indicate higher transaction costs and may result in higher taxes when Portfolio shares are held in a taxable account. These costs, which are not reflected
in annual portfolio operating expenses or in the Example, affect the Portfolios performance. During the most recent fiscal year, the Portfolios portfolio turnover rate was 52% of the average value of its portfolio. 30Prospectus
Shares
Shares
on shares owned for 30 days or less)
of the value of your investment)
Principal Investment Strategies The Portfolio invests primarily in equity securities, principally common stocks, of non-US companies whose principal activities are located in countries represented by the MSCI EAFE Index that the Investment Manager believes are undervalued based on their earnings, cash flow or asset values. The Portfolio
may invest up to 15% of its assets in securities of companies whose principal business activities are located in emerging market countries, although the allocation of the Portfolios assets to emerging market countries may vary from time to time. Under normal circumstances, the Portfolio invests at least 80% of its assets in equity securities. The countries represented by the MSCI EAFE Index currently include: Australia, Austria, Belgium, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hong Kong, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Japan, the Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Portugal, Singapore, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland and the United Kingdom. Principal Investment Risks The value of your investment in the Portfolio will fluctuate, which means you could lose money. Market Risk. Market risks, including political, regulatory, market and economic developments, and developments that impact specific economic sectors, industries or segments of the market, can affect the value of the Portfolios investments. In addition, turbulence in financial markets and reduced liquidity in
equity, credit and/or fixed income markets may negatively affect many issuers, which could adversely affect the Portfolio. Issuer Risk. The value of a security may decline for a number of reasons which directly relate to the issuer, such as management performance, financial leverage and reduced demand for the issuers goods or services, as well as the historical and prospective earnings of the issuer and the value of its assets. Non-US Securities Risk. The Portfolios performance will be influenced by political, social and economic factors affecting the non-US countries and companies in which the Portfolio invests. Non-US securities carry special risks, such as exposure to currency fluctuations, less developed or less efficient trading
markets, political instability, a lack of company information, differing auditing and legal standards, and, potentially, less liquidity. In addition, investments denominated in currencies other than US dollars carry the risk that such currencies will decline in value relative to the US dollar and affect the value of
these investments held in the Portfolio. Emerging Market Risk. Emerging market countries can generally have economic structures that are less diverse and mature, and political systems that are less stable, than those of developed countries. The securities markets of emerging market countries have historically been extremely volatile. However, the
capital markets in the US and internationally have experienced unprecedented volatility in recent years, causing significant declines in the value and liquidity of many securities. These market conditions may continue or worsen. Significant devaluation of emerging market currencies against the US dollar may
occur subsequent to acquisition of investments denominated in emerging market currencies. Non-Diversification Risk. Although the Portfolio is classified as diversified under the 1940 Act, it may invest in a smaller number of issuers than other, more diversified investment portfolios. The Portfolios NAV may be more vulnerable to changes in the market value of a single issuer or group of issuers and
may be relatively more susceptible to adverse effects from any single corporate, industry, economic, market, political or regulatory occurrence than if the Portfolios investments consisted of securities issued by a larger number of issuers. Value Investing Risk. The Portfolio invests in stocks believed by the Investment Manager to be undervalued, but that may not realize their perceived value for extended periods of time or may never realize their perceived value. The stocks in which the Portfolio invests may respond differently to market and
other developments than other types of stocks. Larger Cap Companies Risk. The securities of large market cap companies may underperform other segments of the market because such companies may be less responsive to competitive challenges and opportunities and may be unable to attain high growth rates during periods of economic expansion. Prospectus31
Performance Bar Chart and Table The accompanying bar chart and table provide some indication of the risks of investing in Lazard International Strategic Equity Portfolio by showing the Portfolios year-by-year performance and its average annual performance compared to that of a broad measure of market performance. The bar chart shows
how the performance of the Portfolios Institutional Shares has varied from year to year. Updated performance information is available at www.LazardNet.com or by calling (800) 823-6300. The Portfolios past performance (before and after taxes) is not necessarily an indication of how the Portfolio will perform in
the future.
Best Quarter: Average Annual Total Returns After-tax returns for the Open Shares vary from those of Institutional Shares. After-tax returns are calculated using the historical highest individual marginal income tax rates and do not reflect the impact of state and local taxes. Actual after-tax returns depend on the investors tax situation and may differ from
those shown. The after-tax returns shown are not relevant to investors who hold their shares through tax-deferred arrangements such as 401(k) plans or individual retirement accounts.
Inception
1 Year
5 Years
Life of Institutional Shares:
10/31/05 Returns Before Taxes 25.00%
-0.19%
6.04% Returns After Taxes on Distributions 24.91%
-0.32%
5.52% Returns After Taxes on Distributions and 16.58%
-0.09%
5.25% Open Shares (Returns Before Taxes)
2/3/06 24.74%
-0.49%
3.79% MSCI EAFE Index 17.32%
-3.69%
3.14% 32Prospectus
Year-by-Year Total Returns for Institutional Shares
As of 12/31
6/30/09 23.21%
Worst Quarter:
9/30/11 -19.36%
(for the periods ended December 31, 2012)
Date
Portfolio
Sale of Portfolio Shares
(reflects no deduction for fees, expenses or taxes)
(Institutional)
1.34%
(Open)
Management Investment Manager Lazard Asset Management LLC Portfolio Manager/Analysts Mark Little, portfolio manager/analyst on the Investment Managers International Strategic Equity team, has been with the Portfolio since inception. Michael A. Bennett, portfolio manager/analyst on various of the Investment Managers International Equity teams, has been with the Portfolio since September 2008. Robin O. Jones, portfolio manager/analyst on the Investment Managers International Strategic Equity team, has been with the Portfolio since May 2009. John R. Reinsberg, portfolio manager/analyst on the Investment Managers Global Equity and International Equity teams, has been with the Portfolio since inception. Additional Information For important information about the purchase and sale of Portfolio shares, tax information and financial intermediary compensation, please turn to Additional Information about the Portfolios on page 99. Prospectus33
Lazard Funds Summary Section p Lazard International Small Cap Equity Portfolio Investment Objective The Portfolio seeks long-term capital appreciation. Fees and Expenses This table describes the fees and expenses that you may pay if you buy and hold shares of the Portfolio.
Institutional
Open
Shareholder Transaction Fees (fees paid directly from your investment)
1.00%
1.00%
Annual Portfolio Operating Expenses (expenses that you pay each year as a percentage
Management Fees
.75%
.75%
Distribution and Service (12b-1) Fees
None
.25%
Other Expenses .43%
.48%
Total Annual Portfolio Operating Expenses 1.18%
1.48%
Fee Waiver and Expense Reimbursement* .05%
.05%
Total Annual Portfolio Operating Expenses After Fee Waiver and Expense Reimbursement*
1.13%
1.43%
* Reflects a contractual agreement by the Investment Manager to waive its fee and, if necessary, reimburse the Portfolio through April 30, 2014, to the extent Total Annual Portfolio Operating Expenses exceed 1.13% and 1.43% of the average daily net assets of the Portfolios Institutional Shares and Open Shares, respectively, exclusive of taxes, brokerage, interest on borrowings, fees and expenses of Acquired
Funds and extraordinary expenses, and excluding shareholder redemption fees or other transaction fees. This agreement can only be amended by agreement of the Fund, upon approval by the Board, and the Investment Manager to lower the net amount shown and will terminate automatically in the event of termination of the Investment Management Agreement between the Investment Manager and the
Fund, on behalf of the Portfolio.
Example This Example is intended to help you compare the cost of investing in the Portfolio with the cost of investing in other mutual funds. The Example assumes that you invest $10,000 in the Portfolio for the time periods indicated and then redeem all of your shares at the end of those periods. The Example also assumes that your investment has a 5% return each year and that the Portfolios operating expenses remain the same, giving effect to
the fee waiver in year one only. Although your actual costs may be higher or lower, based on these assumptions your costs would be:
1 Year
3 Years
5 Years
10 Years Institutional Shares $115
$370
$644
$1,427 Open Shares $146
$463
$803
$1,764 Portfolio Turnover The Portfolio pays transaction costs, such as commissions, when it buys and sells securities (or turns over its portfolio). A higher portfolio turnover rate may indicate higher transaction costs and may result in higher taxes when Portfolio shares are held in a taxable account. These costs, which are not reflected
in annual portfolio operating expenses or in the Example, affect the Portfolios performance. During the most recent fiscal year, the Portfolios portfolio turnover rate was 48% of the average value of its portfolio. 34Prospectus
Shares
Shares
Maximum Redemption Fee (as a % of amount redeemed,
on shares owned for 30 days or less)
of the value of your investment)
Principal Investment Strategies The Portfolio invests primarily in equity securities, principally common stocks, of relatively small non-US companies that the Investment Manager believes are undervalued based on their earnings, cash flow or asset values. The Investment Manager considers small non-US companies to be those non-US
companies with market capitalizations, at the time of initial purchase by the Portfolio, below $5 billion or in the range of the smallest 10% of companies included in the MSCI EAFE Index (based on market capitalization of the Index as a whole, which ranged from approximately $498.5 million to $232.6 billion
as of April 9, 2013). In choosing stocks for the Portfolio, the Investment Manager looks for smaller, well-managed non-US companies that the Investment Manager believes have the potential for growth. Under normal circumstances, the Portfolio invests at least 80% of its assets in equity securities of small cap companies. The Portfolio may invest up to 25% of its assets in securities of companies whose principal business activities are located in emerging market countries, although the allocation of the Portfolios assets to emerging market countries may vary from time to time. Principal Investment Risks The value of your investment in the Portfolio will fluctuate, which means you could lose money. Market Risk. Market risks, including political, regulatory, market and economic developments, and developments that impact specific economic sectors, industries or segments of the market, can affect the value of the Portfolios investments. In addition, turbulence in financial markets and reduced liquidity in
equity, credit and/or fixed income markets may negatively affect many issuers, which could adversely affect the Portfolio. Issuer Risk. The value of a security may decline for a number of reasons which directly relate to the issuer, such as management performance, financial leverage and reduced demand for the issuers goods or services, as well as the historical and prospective earnings of the issuer and the value of its assets. Small Cap Companies Risk. Small cap companies carry additional risks because their earnings tend to be less predictable, their share prices more volatile and their securities less liquid than larger, more established companies. The shares of small cap companies tend to trade less frequently than those of larger
companies, which can have an adverse effect on the pricing of these securities and on the ability to sell these securities when the Investment Manager deems it appropriate. Non-US Securities Risk. The Portfolios performance will be influenced by political, social and economic factors affecting the non-US countries and companies in which the Portfolio invests. Non-US securities carry special risks, such as exposure to currency fluctuations, less developed or less efficient trading
markets, political instability, a lack of company information, differing auditing and legal standards, and, potentially, less liquidity. In addition, investments denominated in currencies other than US dollars carry the risk that such currencies will decline in value relative to the US dollar and affect the value of
these investments held in the Portfolio. Emerging Market Risk. Emerging market countries can generally have economic structures that are less diverse and mature, and political systems that are less stable, than those of developed countries. The securities markets of emerging market countries have historically been extremely volatile. However, the
capital markets in the US and internationally have experienced unprecedented volatility in recent years, causing significant declines in the value and liquidity of many securities. These market conditions may continue or worsen. Significant devaluation of emerging market currencies against the US dollar may
occur subsequent to acquisition of investments denominated in emerging market currencies. Value Investing Risk. The Portfolio invests in stocks believed by the Investment Manager to be undervalued, but that may not realize their perceived value for extended periods of time or may never realize their perceived value. The stocks in which the Portfolio invests may respond differently to market and
other developments than other types of stocks. Prospectus35
Performance Bar Chart and Table The accompanying bar chart and table provide some indication of the risks of investing in Lazard International Small Cap Equity Portfolio by showing the Portfolios year-by-year performance and its average annual performance compared to that of a broad measure of market performance. The bar chart shows
how the performance of the Portfolios Institutional Shares has varied from year to year over the past 10 calendar years. Updated performance information is available at www.LazardNet.com or by calling (800) 823-6300. The Portfolios past performance (before and after taxes) is not necessarily an indication of
how the Portfolio will perform in the future.
Best Quarter: Average Annual Total Returns After-tax returns for the Open Shares vary from those of Institutional Shares. After-tax returns are calculated using the historical highest individual marginal income tax rates and do not reflect the impact of state and local taxes. Actual after-tax returns depend on the investors tax situation and may differ from
those shown. The after-tax returns shown are not relevant to investors who hold their shares through tax-deferred arrangements such as 401(k) plans or individual retirement accounts.
Inception
1 Year
5 Years
10 Years
Life of Institutional Shares:
12/1/93 Returns Before Taxes
22.28%
-1.96%
8.95%
6.59% Returns After Taxes on Distributions
21.95%
-2.29%
7.34%
5.39% Returns After Taxes on Distributions and
15.35%
-1.60%
8.03%
5.71% Open Shares (Returns Before Taxes)
2/13/97
21.96%
-2.23%
8.65%
6.04% MSCI EAFE Small Cap Index
20.00%
-0.87%
11.93%
4.76%
4.99%
(Open) 36Prospectus
Year-by-Year Total Returns for Institutional Shares
As of 12/31
6/30/09 31.53%
Worst Quarter:
12/31/08 -27.07%
(for the periods ended December 31, 2012)
Date
Portfolio
Sale of Portfolio Shares
(reflects no deduction for fees, expenses or taxes)
(Institutional)
Management Investment Manager Lazard Asset Management LLC Portfolio Manager/Analysts Edward Rosenfeld, portfolio manager/analyst on the Investment Managers Global, International and European Small Cap Equity teams, has been with the Portfolio since May 2007. Alex Ingham, portfolio manager/analyst on the Investment Managers Emerging Markets, International and Global Small Cap Equity teams, has been with the Portfolio since July 2012. John R. Reinsberg, portfolio manager/analyst on the Investment Managers Global Equity and International Equity teams, has been with the Portfolio since inception. Additional Information For important information about the purchase and sale of Portfolio shares, tax information and financial intermediary compensation, please turn to Additional Information about the Portfolios on page 99. Prospectus37
Lazard Funds Summary Section p
This Portfolio is closed to investment by most new investors. See pages 112-113 for more information. Lazard Emerging Markets Equity Portfolio Investment Objective The Portfolio seeks long-term capital appreciation. Fees and Expenses This table describes the fees and expenses that you may pay if you buy and hold shares of the Portfolio.
Institutional
Open
Shareholder Transaction Fees (fees paid directly from your investment)
1.00%
1.00%
Annual Portfolio Operating Expenses (expenses that you pay each year as a percentage
Management Fees
1.00%
1.00%
Distribution and Service (12b-1) Fees
None
.25%
Other Expenses .10%
.15%
Total Annual Portfolio Operating Expenses 1.10%
1.40% Example This Example is intended to help you compare the cost of investing in the Portfolio with the cost of investing in other mutual funds. The Example assumes that you invest $10,000 in the Portfolio for the time periods indicated and then redeem all of your shares at the end of those periods. The Example also assumes that your investment has a 5% return each year and that the Portfolios operating expenses remain the same. Although your
actual costs may be higher or lower, based on these assumptions your costs would be:
1 Year
3 Years
5 Years
10 Years Institutional Shares $112
$350
$606
$1,340 Open Shares $143
$443
$766
$1,680 Portfolio Turnover The Portfolio pays transaction costs, such as commissions, when it buys and sells securities (or turns over its portfolio). A higher portfolio turnover rate may indicate higher transaction costs and may result in higher taxes when Portfolio shares are held in a taxable account. These costs, which are not reflected
in annual portfolio operating expenses or in the Example, affect the Portfolios performance. During the most recent fiscal year, the Portfolios portfolio turnover rate was 23% of the average value of its portfolio. 38Prospectus
Shares
Shares
Maximum Redemption Fee (as a % of amount redeemed,
on shares owned for 30 days or less)
of the value of your investment)
Principal Investment Strategies The Portfolio invests primarily in equity securities, principally common stocks, of non-US companies whose principal activities are located in emerging market countries and that the Investment Manager believes are undervalued based on their earnings, cash flow or asset values. Emerging market countries include all countries represented by the MSCI Emerging Markets® Index, which currently includes: Brazil, Chile, China, Colombia, Czech Republic, Egypt, Hungary, India, Indonesia, Korea, Malaysia, Mexico, Morocco, Peru, Philippines, Poland, Russia, South Africa, Taiwan, Thailand
and Turkey. Under normal circumstances, the Portfolio invests at least 80% of its assets in equity securities of companies whose principal business activities are located in emerging market countries. Principal Investment Risks The value of your investment in the Portfolio will fluctuate, which means you could lose money. Market Risk. Market risks, including political, regulatory, market and economic developments, and developments that impact specific economic sectors, industries or segments of the market, can affect the value of the Portfolios investments. In addition, turbulence in financial markets and reduced liquidity in
equity, credit and/or fixed income markets may negatively affect many issuers, which could adversely affect the Portfolio. Issuer Risk. The value of a security may decline for a number of reasons which directly relate to the issuer, such as management performance, financial leverage and reduced demand for the issuers goods or services, as well as the historical and prospective earnings of the issuer and the value of its assets. Non-US Securities Risk. The Portfolios performance will be influenced by political, social and economic factors affecting the non-US countries and companies in which the Portfolio invests. Non-US securities carry special risks, such as exposure to currency fluctuations, less developed or less efficient trading
markets, political instability, a lack of company information, differing auditing and legal standards, and, potentially, less liquidity. In addition, investments denominated in currencies other than US dollars carry the risk that such currencies will decline in value relative to the US dollar and affect the value of
these investments held in the Portfolio. Emerging Market Risk. Emerging market countries can generally have economic structures that are less diverse and mature, and political systems that are less stable, than those of developed countries. The securities markets of emerging market countries have historically been extremely volatile. However, the
capital markets in the US and internationally have experienced unprecedented volatility in recent years, causing significant declines in the value and liquidity of many securities. These market conditions may continue or worsen. Significant devaluation of emerging market currencies against the US dollar may
occur subsequent to acquisition of investments denominated in emerging market currencies. Value Investing Risk. The Portfolio invests in stocks believed by the Investment Manager to be undervalued, but that may not realize their perceived value for extended periods of time or may never realize their perceived value. The stocks in which the Portfolio invests may respond differently to market and
other developments than other types of stocks. Prospectus39
Performance Bar Chart and Table The accompanying bar chart and table provide some indication of the risks of investing in Lazard Emerging Markets Equity Portfolio by showing the Portfolios year-by-year performance and its average annual performance compared to that of a broad measure of market performance. The bar chart shows how
the performance of the Portfolios Institutional Shares has varied from year to year over the past 10 calendar years. Updated performance information is available at www.LazardNet.com or by calling (800) 823-6300. The Portfolios past performance (before and after taxes) is not necessarily an indication of how
the Portfolio will perform in the future.
Best Quarter: Average Annual Total Returns After-tax returns for the Open Shares vary from those of Institutional Shares. After-tax returns are calculated using the historical highest individual marginal income tax rates and do not reflect the impact of state and local taxes. Actual after-tax returns depend on the investors tax situation and may differ from
those shown. The after-tax returns shown are not relevant to investors who hold their shares through tax-deferred arrangements such as 401(k) plans or individual retirement accounts.
Inception
1 Year
5 Years
10 Years
Life of Institutional Shares:
7/15/94 Returns Before Taxes 22.36%
1.81%
18.41%
8.55% Returns After Taxes on Distributions 21.81%
0.96%
17.13%
7.61% Returns After Taxes on Distributions and 16.06%
1.37%
16.43%
7.34% Open Shares (Returns Before Taxes)
1/8/97 22.03%
1.46%
18.09%
8.57% MSCI Emerging Markets Index 18.22%
-0.92%
16.52%
6.54% 40Prospectus
Year-by-Year Total Returns for Institutional Shares
As of 12/31
6/30/09 34.12%
Worst Quarter:
12/31/08 -30.50%
(for the periods ended December 31, 2012)
Date
Portfolio
Sale of Portfolio Shares
(reflects no deduction for fees, expenses or taxes)
(Institutional)
7.47%
(Open)
Management Investment Manager Lazard Asset Management LLC Portfolio Manager/Analysts James M. Donald, portfolio manager/analyst on the Investment Managers Emerging Markets Equity team, has been with the Portfolio since November 2001. Rohit Chopra, portfolio manager/analyst on the Investment Managers Emerging Markets Equity team, has been with the Portfolio since May 2007. Erik McKee, portfolio manager/analyst on the Investment Managers Emerging Markets Equity team, has been with the Portfolio since July 2008. John R. Reinsberg, portfolio manager/analyst on the Investment Managers Global Equity and International Equity teams, has been with the Portfolio since inception. Additional Information For important information about the purchase and sale of Portfolio shares, tax information and financial intermediary compensation, please turn to Additional Information about the Portfolios on page 99. Prospectus41
Lazard Funds Summary Section p Lazard Developing Markets Equity Portfolio Investment Objective The Portfolio seeks long-term capital appreciation. Fees and Expenses This table describes the fees and expenses that you may pay if you buy and hold shares of the Portfolio.
Institutional
Open
Shareholder Transaction Fees (fees paid directly from your investment)
Maximum Redemption Fee (as a % of amount redeemed,
1.00%
1.00%
Annual Portfolio Operating Expenses (expenses that you pay each year as a percentage
Management Fees
1.00%
1.00%
Distribution and Service (12b-1) Fees
None
.25%
Other Expenses .21%
.28%
Total Annual Portfolio Operating Expenses 1.21%
1.53% Example This Example is intended to help you compare the cost of investing in the Portfolio with the cost of investing in other mutual funds. The Example assumes that you invest $10,000 in the Portfolio for the time periods indicated and then redeem all of your shares at the end of those periods. The Example also assumes that your investment has a 5% return each year and that the Portfolios operating expenses remain the same. Although your
actual costs may be higher or lower, based on these assumptions your costs would be:
1 Year
3 Years
5 Years
10 Years Institutional Shares $123
$384
$665
$1,466 Open Shares $156
$483
$834
$1,824 Portfolio Turnover The Portfolio pays transaction costs, such as commissions, when it buys and sells securities (or turns over its portfolio). A higher portfolio turnover rate may indicate higher transaction costs and may result in higher taxes when Portfolio shares are held in a taxable account. These costs, which are not reflected
in annual portfolio operating expenses or in the Example, affect the Portfolios performance. During the most recent fiscal year, the Portfolios portfolio turnover rate was 61% of the average value of its portfolio. 42Prospectus
Shares
Shares
on shares owned for 30 days or less)
of the value of your investment)
Principal Investment Strategies The Portfolio invests primarily in equity securities, principally common stocks, of non-US companies whose principal activities are located in emerging market countries (also known as developing markets). Emerging market countries include all countries represented by the MSCI Emerging Markets Index, which currently includes: Brazil, Chile, China, Colombia, Czech Republic, Egypt, Hungary, India, Indonesia, Korea, Malaysia, Mexico, Morocco, Peru, Philippines, Poland, Russia, South Africa, Taiwan, Thailand
and Turkey. The Investment Manager employs a relative growth investment philosophy that is based on value creation through the process of bottom-up stock selection. The Investment Managers approach consists of an analytical framework, accounting validation, fundamental analysis and portfolio construction parameters.
The Investment Managers selection process focuses on growth and considers the sustainability of growth and the trade off between valuation and growth. Under normal circumstances, the Portfolio invests at least 80% of its assets in equity securities of companies whose principal business activities are located in emerging market countries. Principal Investment Risks The value of your investment in the Portfolio will fluctuate, which means you could lose money. Market Risk. Market risks, including political, regulatory, market and economic developments, and developments that impact specific economic sectors, industries or segments of the market, can affect the value of the Portfolios investments. In addition, turbulence in financial markets and reduced liquidity in
equity, credit and/or fixed income markets may negatively affect many issuers, which could adversely affect the Portfolio. Issuer Risk. The value of a security may decline for a number of reasons which directly relate to the issuer, such as management performance, financial leverage and reduced demand for the issuers goods or services, as well as the historical and prospective earnings of the issuer and the value of its assets. Non-US Securities Risk. The Portfolios performance will be influenced by political, social and economic factors affecting the non-US countries and companies in which the Portfolio invests. Non-US securities carry special risks, such as exposure to currency fluctuations, less developed or less efficient trading
markets, political instability, a lack of company information, differing auditing and legal standards, and, potentially, less liquidity. In addition, investments denominated in currencies other than US dollars carry the risk that such currencies will decline in value relative to the US dollar and affect the value of
these investments held in the Portfolio. Emerging Market Risk. Emerging market countries can generally have economic structures that are less diverse and mature, and political systems that are less stable, than those of developed countries. The securities markets of emerging market countries have historically been extremely volatile. However, the
capital markets in the US and internationally have experienced unprecedented volatility in recent years, causing significant declines in the value and liquidity of many securities. These market conditions may continue or worsen. Significant devaluation of emerging market currencies against the US dollar may
occur subsequent to acquisition of investments denominated in emerging market currencies. Growth Investing Risk. The Portfolio invests in stocks believed by the Investment Manager to have the potential for growth, but that may not realize such perceived potential for extended periods of time or may never realize such perceived growth potential. Such stocks may be more volatile than other stocks
because they can be more sensitive to investor perceptions of the issuing companys growth potential. The stocks in which the Portfolio invests may respond differently to market and other developments than other types of stocks. Prospectus43
Performance Bar Chart and Table The accompanying bar chart and table provide some indication of the risks of investing in Lazard Developing Markets Equity Portfolio by showing the Portfolios year-by-year performance and its average annual performance compared to that of a broad measure of market performance. The bar chart shows how
the performance of the Portfolios Institutional Shares varied from year to year. Updated performance information is available at www.LazardNet.com or by calling (800) 823-6300. The Portfolios past performance (before and after taxes) is not necessarily an indication of how the Portfolio will perform in the
future.
Best Quarter: Average Annual Total Returns After-tax returns for the Open Shares vary from those of Institutional Shares. After-tax returns are calculated using the historical highest individual marginal income tax rates and do not reflect the impact of state and local taxes. Actual after-tax returns depend on the investors tax situation and may differ from
those shown. The after-tax returns shown are not relevant to investors who hold their shares through tax-deferred arrangements such as 401(k) plans or individual retirement accounts.
Inception
1 Year
Life of Institutional Shares:
9/30/08 Returns Before Taxes 17.16%
10.33% Returns After Taxes on Distributions 17.13%
8.89% Returns After Taxes on Distributions and 11.48%
8.28% Open Shares (Returns Before Taxes)
9/30/08 16.79%
10.02% MSCI Emerging Markets Index 18.22%
9.69% 44Prospectus
Year-by-Year Total Returns for Institutional Shares
As of 12/31
6/30/09 56.64%
Worst Quarter:
9/30/11 -28.53%
(for the periods ended December 31, 2012)
Date
Portfolio
Sale of Portfolio Shares
(reflects no deduction for fees, expenses or taxes)
Management Investment Manager Lazard Asset Management LLC Portfolio Manager/Analysts Kevin OHare, portfolio manager/analyst on the Investment Managers Developing Markets Equity team, has been with the Portfolio since inception. Peter Gillespie, portfolio manager/analyst on the Investment Managers Developing Markets Equity team, has been with the Portfolio since inception. James M. Donald, portfolio manager/analyst on the Investment Managers Emerging Markets Equity team, has been with the Portfolio since inception. John R. Reinsberg, portfolio manager/analyst on the Investment Managers Global Equity and International Equity teams, has been with the Portfolio since inception. Additional Information For important information about the purchase and sale of Portfolio shares, tax information and financial intermediary compensation, please turn to Additional Information about the Portfolios on page 99. Prospectus45
Lazard Funds Summary Section p Lazard Emerging Markets Equity Blend Portfolio Investment Objective The Portfolio seeks long-term capital appreciation. Fees and Expenses This table describes the fees and expenses that you may pay if you buy and hold shares of the Portfolio.
Institutional
Open
Shareholder Transaction Fees (fees paid directly from your investment)
1.00%
1.00%
Annual Portfolio Operating Expenses (expenses that you pay each year as a percentage
Management Fees 1.00%
1.00%
Distribution and Service (12b-1) Fees
None
.25%
Other Expenses .34%
.52%
Total Annual Portfolio Operating Expenses 1.34%
1.77%
Fee Waiver and Expense Reimbursement* .04%
.17%
Total Annual Portfolio Operating Expenses After Fee Waiver and Expense Reimbursement* 1.30%
1.60%
* Reflects a contractual agreement by the Investment Manager to waive its fee and, if necessary, reimburse the Portfolio through April 30, 2014, to the extent Total Annual Portfolio Operating Expenses exceed 1.30% and 1.60% of the average daily net assets of the Portfolios Institutional Shares and Open Shares, respectively, exclusive of taxes, brokerage, interest on borrowings, fees and expenses of Acquired
Funds and extraordinary expenses, and excluding shareholder redemption fees or other transaction fees. This agreement can only be amended by agreement of the Fund, upon approval by the Board, and the Investment Manager to lower the net amount shown and will terminate automatically in the event of termination of the Investment Management Agreement between the Investment Manager and the
Fund, on behalf of the Portfolio.
Example This Example is intended to help you compare the cost of investing in the Portfolio with the cost of investing in other mutual funds. The Example assumes that you invest $10,000 in the Portfolio for the time periods indicated and then redeem all of your shares at the end of those periods. The Example also assumes that your investment has a 5% return each year and that the Portfolios operating expenses remain the same, giving effect to
the fee waiver in year one only. Although your actual costs may be higher or lower, based on these assumptions your costs would be:
1 Year
3 Years
5 Years
10 Years Institutional Shares $132
$421
$730
$1,609 Open Shares $163
$541
$943
$2,070 Portfolio Turnover The Portfolio pays transaction costs, such as commissions, when it buys and sells securities (or turns over its portfolio). A higher portfolio turnover rate may indicate higher transaction costs and may result in higher taxes when Portfolio shares are held in a taxable account. These costs, which are not reflected
in annual portfolio operating expenses or in the Example, affect the Portfolios performance. During the most recent fiscal year, the Portfolios portfolio turnover rate was 57% of the average value of its portfolio. 46Prospectus
Shares
Shares
Maximum Redemption Fee (as a % of amount redeemed,
on shares owned for 30 days or less)
of the value of your investment)
Principal Investment Strategies The Portfolio invests primarily in equity securities, including common stocks, ADRs and GDRs, of non-US companies whose principal activities are located in emerging market countries. Emerging market countries include all countries represented by the MSCI Emerging Markets Index, which currently includes: Brazil, Chile, China, Colombia, Czech Republic, Egypt, Hungary, India, Indonesia, Korea, Malaysia, Mexico, Morocco, Peru, Philippines, Poland, Russia, South Africa, Taiwan, Thailand
and Turkey. The Investment Manager allocates the Portfolios assets between versions of the Investment Managers emerging markets relative value and relative growth investment strategies. In the emerging markets relative value strategy, assets are invested in companies that the Investment Manager believes are
undervalued based on their earnings, cash flow or asset values. In the emerging markets relative growth strategy, the Investment Manager employs a relative growth investment philosophy that is based on value creation through the process of bottom-up stock selection. The Investment Managers approach
consists of an analytical framework, accounting validation, fundamental analysis and portfolio construction parameters. The Investment Managers selection process focuses on growth and considers the sustainability of growth and the trade off between valuation and growth. A premium may be paid for higher,
sustainable growth. The Portfolio may invest in companies of any size or market capitalization. The Investment Manager currently intends to maintain an allocation of approximately 40%-60% of the Portfolios assets in each strategy, but the allocation ranges could change in the future without prior notice to shareholders. The Investment Manager will make allocation decisions between the strategies based
on quantitative and qualitative analysis through proprietary software models. Quantitative analysis includes, among others, statistical analysis of portfolio risks, factor dependencies and trading tendencies. Qualitative analysis includes, among others, analysis of the global economic environment as well as internal
and external research on individual securities, portfolio holdings, attribution factors, behavioral patterns and overall market views and scenarios. The Investment Manager will periodically review the allocation of Portfolio assets between the strategies and modify the relative weightings to emphasize risk or to seek
to mitigate risk exposures. Under normal circumstances, the Portfolio invests at least 80% of its assets in equity securities of companies whose principal business activities are located in emerging market countries. Principal Investment Risks The value of your investment in the Portfolio will fluctuate, which means you could lose money. Market Risk. Market risks, including political, regulatory, market and economic developments, and developments that impact specific economic sectors, industries or segments of the market, can affect the value of the Portfolios investments. In addition, turbulence in financial markets and reduced liquidity in
equity, credit and/or fixed income markets may negatively affect many issuers, which could adversely affect the Portfolio. Issuer Risk. The value of a security may decline for a number of reasons which directly relate to the issuer, such as management performance, financial leverage and reduced demand for the issuers goods or services, as well as the historical and prospective earnings of the issuer and the value of its assets. Non-US Securities Risk. The Portfolios performance will be influenced by political, social and economic factors affecting the non-US countries and companies in which the Portfolio invests. Non-US securities carry special risks, such as exposure to currency fluctuations, less developed or less efficient trading
markets, political instability, a lack of company information, differing auditing and legal standards, and, potentially, less liquidity. In addition, investments denominated in currencies other than US dollars carry the risk that such currencies will decline in value relative to the US dollar and affect the value of
these investments held in the Portfolio. Emerging Market Risk. Emerging market countries can generally have economic structures that are less diverse and mature, and political systems that are less stable, than those of developed countries. The securities markets of emerging market countries have historically been extremely volatile. However, the
capital markets in the US and internationally have experienced unprecedented volatility in recent years, causing significant declines in the value and liquidity of many securities. These market conditions may continue or worsen. Significant devaluation of emerging market currencies against the US dollar may
occur subsequent to acquisition of investments denominated in emerging market currencies. Value Investing and Growth Investing Risks. The Portfolio invests a portion of its assets in stocks believed by the Prospectus47
Investment Manager to be undervalued, but that may not realize their perceived value for extended periods of time or may never realize their perceived value. The Portfolio also invests a portion of its assets in stocks believed by the Investment Manager to have the potential for growth, but that may not
realize such perceived potential for extended periods of time or may never realize such perceived growth potential. Such stocks may be more volatile than other stocks because they can be more sensitive to investor perceptions of the issuing companys growth potential. The stocks in which the Portfolio invests
may respond differently to market and other developments than other types of stocks. Small Cap Companies Risk. Small cap companies carry additional risks because their earnings tend to be less predictable, their share prices more volatile and their securities less liquid than larger, more established companies. The shares of small cap companies tend to trade less frequently than those of larger
companies, which can have an adverse effect on the pricing of these securities and on the ability to sell these securities when the Investment Manager deems it appropriate. Allocation Risk. The Portfolios ability to achieve its investment objective depends in part on the Investment Managers skill in determining the Portfolios allocation between the investment strategies. The Investment Managers evaluations and assumptions underlying its allocation decisions may differ from
actual market conditions. Performance Bar Chart and Table The accompanying bar chart and table provide some indication of the risks of investing in Lazard Emerging Markets Equity Blend Portfolio by showing the Portfolios year-by-year performance and its average annual performance compared to that of a broad measure of market performance. The bar chart shows
how the performance of the Portfolios Institutional Shares has varied from year to year. Updated performance information is available at www.LazardNet.com or by calling (800) 823-6300. The Portfolios past performance (before and after taxes) is not necessarily an indication of how the Portfolio will perform in
the future.
Average Annual Total Returns After-tax returns for the Open Shares vary from those of Institutional Shares. After-tax returns are calculated using the historical highest individual marginal income tax rates and do not reflect the impact of state and local taxes. Actual after-tax returns depend on the investors tax situation and may differ from
those shown. The after-tax returns shown are not relevant to investors who hold their shares through tax-deferred arrangements such as 401(k) plans or individual retirement accounts. 48Prospectus
Year-by-Year Total Returns for Institutional Shares
As of 12/31
Best Quarter:
3/31/12 17.59%
Worst Quarter:
9/30/11 -24.35%
(for the periods ended December 31, 2012)
Inception
1 Year
Life of Institutional Shares:
5/28/10 Returns Before Taxes 18.19%
6.32% Returns After Taxes on Distributions 18.19%
6.20% Returns After Taxes on Distributions and 12.21%
5.43% Open Shares (Returns Before Taxes)
5/28/10 17.97%
6.02% MSCI Emerging Markets Index 18.22%
7.75% Management Investment Manager Lazard Asset Management LLC Portfolio Manager/Analyst Jai Jacob, portfolio manager/analyst on the Investment Managers Multi Strategy team, has been with the Portfolio since inception. James M. Donald, portfolio manager/analyst on the Investment Managers Emerging Markets Equity team, has been with the Portfolio since inception. Kevin OHare, portfolio manager/analyst on the Investment Managers Developing Markets Equity team, has been with the Portfolio since inception. Stephen Marra, portfolio manager/analyst on the Investment Managers Multi Strategy team, has been with the Portfolio since May 2013. Additional Information For important information about the purchase and sale of Portfolio shares, tax information and financial intermediary compensation, please turn to Additional Information about the Portfolios on page 99. Prospectus49
Date
Portfolio
Sale of Portfolio Shares
(reflects no deduction for fees, expenses or taxes)
Lazard Funds Summary Section p Lazard Emerging Markets Multi-Strategy Portfolio Investment Objective The Portfolio seeks total return from current income and capital appreciation. Fees and Expenses This table describes the fees and expenses that you may pay if you buy and hold shares of the Portfolio.
Institutional
Open
Shareholder Transaction Fees (fees paid directly from your investment)
1.00%
1.00%
Annual Portfolio Operating Expenses (expenses that you pay each year as a percentage
Management Fees
1.00%
1.00%
Distribution and Service (12b-1) Fees
None
.25%
Other Expenses .57%
2.57%
Total Annual Portfolio Operating Expenses 1.57%
3.82%
Fee Waiver and Expense Reimbursement* .27%
2.22%
Total Annual Portfolio Operating Expenses After Fee Waiver and Expense Reimbursement*
1.30%
1.60%
* Reflects a contractual agreement by the Investment Manager to waive its fee and, if necessary, reimburse the Portfolio through April 30, 2023, to the extent Total Annual Portfolio Operating Expenses exceed 1.30% and 1.60% of the average daily net assets of the Portfolios Institutional Shares and Open Shares, respectively, exclusive of taxes, brokerage, interest on borrowings, fees and expenses of Acquired
Funds and extraordinary expenses, and excluding shareholder redemption fees or other transaction fees. This agreement can only be amended by agreement of the Fund, upon approval by the Board, and the Investment Manager to lower the net amount shown and will terminate automatically in the event of termination of the Investment Management Agreement between the Investment Manager and the
Fund, on behalf of the Portfolio.
Example This Example is intended to help you compare the cost of investing in the Portfolio with the cost of investing in other mutual funds. The Example assumes that you invest $10,000 in the Portfolio for the time periods indicated and then redeem all of your shares at the end of those periods. The Example also assumes that your investment has a 5% return each year and that the Portfolios operating expenses remain the same, giving effect to
the fee waivers described above. Although your actual costs may be higher or lower, based on these assumptions your costs would be:
1 Year
3 Years
5 Years
10 Years Institutional Shares $132
$412
$713
$1,568 Open Shares $163
$505
$871
$1,900 Portfolio Turnover The Portfolio pays transaction costs, such as commissions, when it buys and sells securities (or turns over its portfolio). A higher portfolio turnover rate may indicate higher transaction costs and may result in higher taxes when Portfolio shares are held in a taxable account. These costs, which are not reflected
in annual portfolio operating expenses or in the Example, affect the Portfolios performance. During the most recent fiscal year, the Portfolios portfolio turnover rate was 160% of the average value of its portfolio. 50Prospectus
Shares
Shares
Maximum Redemption Fee (as a % of amount redeemed,
on shares owned for 30 days or less)
of the value of your investment)
Principal Investment Strategies The Investment Manager allocates the Portfolios assets among various emerging markets equity, debt and currency investment strategies managed by the Investment Manager in proportions consistent with the Investment Managers evaluation of various economic and other factors through quantitative and
qualitative analysis. These proportions are changed from time to time, and at any given time the allocation to one strategy (other than currency investments) may comprise a substantial percentage of the Portfolios assets. The Investment Manager will make allocation decisions among the strategies based on
quantitative and qualitative analysis using a number of different tools, including proprietary software models. Quantitative analysis includes, among others, statistical analysis of portfolio risks, factor dependencies and trading tendencies. Qualitative analysis includes, among others, analysis of the global economic
environment as well as internal and external research on individual securities, portfolio holdings, attribution factors, behavioral patterns and overall market views and scenarios. The Portfolio may invest in:
equity securities, including common stocks and depositary receipts and shares debt securities issued or guaranteed by governments, government agencies or supranational bodies or companies or other private-sector entities, including fixed and/or floating rate investment grade and non-investment grade bonds (junk bonds), convertible securities, commercial paper, collateralized debt
obligations, short- and medium-term obligations and other fixed-income obligations emerging markets currencies and related instruments (primarily forward currency contracts) and structured notes The securities in which the Portfolio invests may be denominated in the US dollar, the Canadian dollar, the Euro, the Japanese yen, the Pound Sterling, or the local currency of the issuer. Under normal circumstances, the Portfolio invests at least 80% of its assets in securities and other investments that are
economically tied to emerging market countries. Emerging market countries include all countries not represented by the MSCI World Index. The Portfolio currently intends to focus its investments in Asia, Africa, the Middle East, Latin America and the developing countries of Europe, although the allocation of
the Portfolios assets among countries and regions may vary from time to time based on the Investment Managers judgment and its analysis of market conditions. The Portfolio may invest in securities of any size or market capitalization. The Portfolio is not limited to securities of any particular quality or investment grade and, as a result, the Portfolio may invest significantly in securities rated below investment grade (junk bonds) or securities that are unrated.
Additionally, the Portfolio is not restricted to investments in debt securities of any particular maturity or duration. The Portfolios currency strategy uses forward currency contracts, options on currencies and structured notes, although the Portfolio may not allocate assets to the currency strategy at all times, and there may be no allocation to currency investments for significant periods of time. The Portfolio also may, but is
not required to, enter into forward foreign currency contracts, purchase options on currencies and enter into currency swaps to hedge the foreign currency exposure associated with equity or debt investment strategies. The Portfolio also may purchase options on securities, including exchange-traded funds
(ETFs), and enter into credit default swaps and other types of swaps, for hedging purposes or to seek to increase returns. Principal Investment Risks The value of your investment in the Portfolio will fluctuate, which means you could lose money. Allocation Risk. The Portfolios ability to achieve its investment objective depends in part on the Investment Managers skill in determining the Portfolios allocation among the investment strategies. The Investment Managers evaluations and assumptions underlying its allocation decisions may differ from actual
market conditions. Market Risk. Market risks, including political, regulatory, market and economic developments, and developments that impact specific economic sectors, industries or segments of the market, can affect the value of the Portfolios investments. In addition, turbulence in financial markets and reduced liquidity in
equity, credit and/or fixed income markets may negatively affect many issuers, which could adversely affect the Portfolio. Prospectus51
Issuer Risk. The value of a security may decline for a number of reasons which directly relate to the issuer, such as management performance, financial leverage and reduced demand for the issuers goods or services, as well as the historical and prospective earnings of the issuer and the value of its assets. Non-US Securities Risk. The Portfolios performance will be influenced by political, social and economic factors affecting the non-US countries and companies in which the Portfolio invests. Non-US securities carry special risks, such as exposure to less developed or less efficient trading markets, political
instability, a lack of company information, differing auditing and legal standards, and, potentially, less liquidity. In addition, investments denominated in currencies other than US dollars carry the risk that such currencies will decline in value relative to the US dollar and affect the value of these investments
held in the Portfolio. Emerging Market Risk. Emerging market countries can generally have economic structures that are less diverse and mature, and political systems that are less stable, than those of developed countries. The securities markets of emerging market countries have historically been extremely volatile. However, the
capital markets in the US and internationally have experienced unprecedented volatility in recent years, causing significant declines in the value and liquidity of many securities. These market conditions may continue or worsen. Significant devaluation of emerging market currencies against the US dollar may
occur subsequent to acquisition of investments denominated in emerging market currencies. Value Investing and Growth Investing Risks. The Portfolio may invest a portion of its assets in stocks believed by the Investment Manager to be undervalued, but that may not realize their perceived value for extended periods of time or may never realize their perceived value. The Portfolio also may invest a
portion of its assets in stocks believed by the Investment Manager to have the potential for growth, but that may not realize such perceived potential for extended periods of time or may never realize such perceived growth potential. Such stocks may be more volatile than other stocks because they can be more
sensitive to investor perceptions of the issuing companys growth potential. The stocks in which the Portfolio invests may respond differently to market and other developments than other types of stocks. Small and Mid Cap Companies Risk. Small and mid cap companies carry additional risks because their earnings tend to be less predictable, their share prices more volatile and their securities less liquid than larger, more established companies. The shares of small and mid cap companies tend to trade less
frequently than those of larger companies, which can have an adverse effect on the pricing of these securities and on the ability to sell these securities when the Investment Manager deems it appropriate. Fixed-Income and Debt Securities Risk. While fixed-income securities are designed to produce a stable stream of income, their prices move inversely with changes in interest rates. Interest rate risk is usually greater for fixed-income securities with longer maturities or durations. The Portfolios investments in
lower-rated, higher-yielding securities are subject to greater credit risk than its higher rated investments. Credit risk is the risk that the issuer will not make interest or principal payments, or will not make payments on a timely basis. Non-investment grade securities tend to be more volatile, less liquid and are
considered speculative. If there is a decline, or perceived decline, in the credit quality of a debt security (or any guarantor of payment on such security), the securitys value could fall, potentially lowering the Portfolios share price. Some debt securities may give the issuer the option to call, or redeem, the securities before their maturity, and, during a time of declining interest rates, the Portfolio may have to reinvest the proceeds in an investment offering a lower yield (and the Portfolio may not benefit from any increase in the value of
its portfolio holdings as a result of declining interest rates). Structured notes are privately negotiated debt instruments where the principal and/or interest is determined by reference to a specified asset, market or rate, or the differential performance of two assets or markets. Structured notes can have risks of both debt securities and derivatives transactions. Liquidity Risk. The lack of a readily available market may limit the ability of the Portfolio to sell certain securities at the time and price it would like. The size of certain securities offerings of emerging markets issuers may be relatively smaller in size than offerings in more developed markets and, in some
cases, the Portfolio, by itself or together with other Portfolios or other accounts managed 52Prospectus
by the Investment Manager, may hold a position in a security that is large relative to the typical trading volume for that security; these factors can make it difficult for the Portfolio to dispose of the position at the desired time or price. Foreign Currency Hedging Risk. Irrespective of any foreign currency exposure hedging, the Portfolio may experience a decline in the value of its portfolio securities, in US dollar terms, due solely to fluctuations in currency exchange rates. The Investment Manager may not be able to accurately predict
movements in exchange rates and there may be imperfect correlations between movements in exchange rates that could cause the Portfolio to incur significant losses. Currency investments could be adversely affected by delays in, or a refusal to grant, repatriation of funds or conversion of emerging market
currencies. Derivatives Risk. Derivatives transactions, including those entered into for hedging purposes, may reduce returns or increase volatility, perhaps substantially. Forward currency contracts, over-the-counter options on securities (including options on ETFs) and currencies, structured notes and swap agreements are
subject to the risk of default by the counterparty and can be illiquid. These derivatives transactions, as well as the exchange-traded options in which the Portfolio may invest, are subject to many of the risks of, and can be highly sensitive to changes in the value of, the related currency, security or other reference
asset. As such, a small investment could have a potentially large impact on the Portfolios performance. Use of derivatives transactions, even if entered into for hedging purposes, may cause the Portfolio to experience losses greater than if the Portfolio had not engaged in such transactions. High Portfolio Turnover Risk. The Portfolios investment strategy may involve high portfolio turnover (such as 100% or more). A portfolio turnover rate of 100%, for example, is equivalent to the Portfolio buying and selling all of its securities once during the course of the year. A high portfolio turnover rate
could result in high brokerage costs and an increase in taxable capital gains distributions to the Portfolios shareholders. Prospectus53
Performance Bar Chart and Table The accompanying bar chart and table provide some indication of the risks of investing in Lazard Emerging Markets Multi-Strategy Portfolio by showing the Portfolios performance for the first complete calendar year of operation compared to that of a broad measure of market performance. The bar chart shows
the performance of the Portfolios Institutional Shares. Updated performance information is available at www.LazardNet.com or by calling (800) 823-6300. The Portfolios past performance (before and after taxes) is not necessarily an indication of how the Portfolio will perform in the future.
Best Quarter: Average Annual Total Returns After-tax returns for the Open Shares vary from those of Institutional Shares. After-tax returns are calculated using the historical highest individual marginal income tax rates and do not reflect the impact of state and local taxes. Actual after-tax returns depend on the investors tax situation and may differ from
those shown. The after-tax returns shown are not relevant to investors who hold their shares through tax-deferred arrangements such as 401(k) plans or individual retirement accounts. Inception
1 Year
Life of Institutional Shares:
3/31/11 Returns Before Taxes
14.02
%
-0.97% Returns After Taxes on Distributions
13.94
%
-1.07% Returns After Taxes on Distributions and
9.32
%
-0.82% Open Shares (Returns Before Taxes)
3/31/11
13.28
%
-1.26% MSCI Emerging Markets Index
18.22
%
-3.18% 54Prospectus
Total Returns for Institutional Shares
As of 12/31
3/31/12 12.14%
Worst Quarter:
6/30/12 -5.62%
(for the periods ended December 31, 2012)
Date
Portfolio
Sale of Portfolio Shares
(reflects no deduction for fees, expenses or taxes)
Management Investment Manager Lazard Asset Management LLC Portfolio Manager/Analyst Jai Jacob, portfolio manager/analyst on the Investment Managers Multi Strategy team, has been with the Portfolio since inception. James M. Donald, portfolio manager/analyst on the Investment Managers Emerging Markets Equity team, has been with the Portfolio since inception. Stephen Marra, portfolio manager/analyst on the Investment Managers Multi Strategy team, has been with the Portfolio since May 2013. Additional Information For important information about the purchase and sale of Portfolio shares, tax information and financial intermediary compensation, please turn to Additional Information about the Portfolios on page 99. Prospectus55
Lazard Funds Summary Section p Lazard Emerging Markets Debt Portfolio Investment Objective The Portfolio seeks total return from current income and capital appreciation. Fees and Expenses This table describes the fees and expenses that you may pay if you buy and hold shares of the Portfolio.
Institutional
Open
Shareholder Transaction Fees (fees paid directly from your investment)
1.00%
1.00%
Annual Portfolio Operating Expenses (expenses that you pay each year as a percentage
Management Fees
.80%
.80%
Distribution and Service (12b-1) Fees
None
.25%
Other Expenses .23%
1.92%
Total Annual Portfolio Operating Expenses 1.03%
2.97%
Fee Waiver and Expense Reimbursement* .03%
1.67%
Total Annual Portfolio Operating Expenses After Fee Waiver and Expense Reimbursement*
1.00%
1.30%
* Reflects a contractual agreement by the Investment Manager to waive its fee and, if necessary, reimburse the Portfolio through April 30, 2014, to the extent Total Annual Portfolio Operating Expenses exceed 1.00% and 1.30% of the average daily net assets of the Portfolios Institutional Shares and Open Shares, respectively, and from May 1, 2014 through April 30, 2023, to the extent Total Annual Portfolio
Operating Expenses exceed 1.10% and 1.40% of the average daily net assets of the Portfolios Institutional Shares and Open Shares, respectively. All limitations on Total Annual Portfolio Operating Expenses are exclusive of taxes, brokerage, interest on borrowings, fees and expenses of Acquired Funds and extraordinary expenses, and excluding shareholder redemption fees or other transaction fees. This
agreement can only be amended by agreement of the Fund, upon approval by the Board, and the Investment Manager to lower the net amount shown and will terminate automatically in the event of termination of the Investment Management Agreement between the Investment Manager and the Fund, on behalf of the Portfolio.
Example This Example is intended to help you compare the cost of investing in the Portfolio with the cost of investing in other mutual funds. The Example assumes that you invest $10,000 in the Portfolio for the time periods indicated and then redeem all of your shares at the end of those periods. The Example also assumes that your investment has a 5% return each year and that the Portfolios operating expenses remain the same, giving effect to
the fee waivers described above. Although your actual costs may be higher or lower, based on these assumptions your costs would be:
1 Year
3 Years
5 Years
10 Years Institutional Shares $102
$325
$566
$1,257 Open Shares $132
$433
$756
$1,671 Portfolio Turnover The Portfolio pays transaction costs, such as commissions, when it buys and sells securities (or turns over its portfolio). A higher portfolio turnover rate may indicate higher transaction costs and may result in higher taxes when Portfolio shares are held in a taxable account. These costs, which are not reflected
in annual portfolio operating expenses or in the Example, affect the Portfolios performance. During the most recent fiscal year, the Portfolios portfolio turnover rate was 220% of the average value of its portfolio. 56Prospectus
Shares
Shares
Maximum Redemption Fee (as a % of amount redeemed,
on shares owned for 30 days or less)
of the value of your investment)
Principal Investment Strategies The Portfolio invests primarily in debt securities issued or guaranteed by governments, government agencies or supranational bodies or companies or other private-sector entities, including fixed and/or floating rate investment grade and non-investment grade bonds, convertible securities, commercial paper,
collateralized debt obligations, short- and medium-term obligations and other fixed-income obligations, and may invest in money market instruments such as certificates of deposit. The securities in which the Portfolio invests may be denominated in the US dollar, the Canadian dollar, the Euro, the Japanese yen,
the Pound Sterling, or the local currency of the issuer. Under normal circumstances, the Portfolio invests at least 80% of its assets in debt securities that are economically tied to emerging market countries. Emerging market countries include all countries not represented by the MSCI World Index. The Portfolio currently intends to focus its investments in Asia,
Africa, the Middle East, Latin America and the developing countries of Europe, although the allocation of the Portfolios assets among countries and regions may vary from time to time based on the Investment Managers judgment and its analysis of market conditions. The Portfolio is not limited to securities of any particular quality or investment grade and, as a result, the Portfolio may invest significantly in securities rated below investment grade (lower than Baa by Moodys Investors Service, Inc. (Moodys) or lower than BBB by Standard & Poors Ratings Group (S&P))
(junk bonds) or securities that are unrated. Additionally, the Portfolio is not restricted to investments in securities of any particular maturity or duration. The Portfolio is classified as non-diversified under the 1940 Act, which means that it may invest a relatively high percentage of its assets in a limited number of issuers, when compared to a diversified fund. The Portfolio generally will not purchase equity securities; however, the Portfolio may from time to time acquire and hold equity securities as a result of exercising a convertible debt security or holding a convertible debt security to maturity or in connection with the reorganization or bankruptcy of an issuer of
a debt security held by the Portfolio. The Portfolio may, but is not required to, purchase options on ETFs and currencies and enter into forward currency contracts and credit default swaps, for hedging purposes or to seek to increase returns. Principal Investment Risks The value of your investment in the Portfolio will fluctuate, which means you could lose money. Fixed-Income and Debt Securities Risk. While fixed-income securities are designed to produce a stable stream of income, their prices move inversely with changes in interest rates. Interest rate risk is usually greater for fixed-income securities with longer maturities or durations. The Portfolios investments in
lower-rated, higher-yielding securities are subject to greater credit risk than its higher rated investments. Credit risk is the risk that the issuer will not make interest or principal payments, or will not make payments on a timely basis. Non-investment grade securities tend to be more volatile, less liquid and are
considered speculative. If there is a decline, or perceived decline, in the credit quality of a debt security (or any guarantor of payment on such security), the securitys value could fall, potentially lowering the Portfolios share price. Some debt securities may give the issuer the option to call, or redeem, the securities before their maturity. If securities held by the Portfolio are called during a time of declining interest rates (which is typically the case when issuers exercise options to call outstanding securities), the Portfolio may have to
reinvest the proceeds in an investment offering a lower yield (and the Portfolio may not fully benefit from any increase in the value of its portfolio holdings as a result of declining interest rates). Market Risk. Market risks, including political, regulatory, market and economic developments, and developments that impact specific economic sectors, industries or segments of the market, can affect the value of the Portfolios investments. In addition, turbulence in financial markets and reduced liquidity in
equity, credit and/or fixed income markets may negatively affect many issuers, which could adversely affect the Portfolio. Issuer Risk. The value of a security may decline for a number of reasons which directly relate to the issuer, such as management performance, financial leverage and reduced demand for the issuers goods or services, as well Prospectus57
as the historical and prospective earnings of the issuer and the value of its assets. Non-US Securities Risk. The Portfolios performance will be influenced by political, social and economic factors affecting the non-US countries and companies in which the Portfolio invests. Non-US securities carry special risks, such as exposure to less developed or less efficient trading markets, political
instability, a lack of company information, differing auditing and legal standards, and, potentially, less liquidity. In addition, investments denominated in currencies other than US dollars carry the risk that such currencies will decline in value relative to the US dollar and affect the value of these investments
held in the Portfolio. Emerging Market Risk. Emerging market countries can generally have economic structures that are less diverse and mature, and political systems that are less stable, than those of developed countries. The securities markets of emerging market countries have historically been extremely volatile. However, the
capital markets in the US and internationally have experienced unprecedented volatility in recent years, causing significant declines in the value and liquidity of many securities. These market conditions may continue or worsen. Significant devaluation of emerging market currencies against the US dollar may
occur subsequent to acquisition of investments denominated in emerging market currencies. Liquidity Risk. The lack of a readily available market may limit the ability of the Portfolio to sell certain securities at the time and price it would like. The size of certain debt securities offerings of emerging markets issuers may be relatively smaller in size than debt offerings in more developed markets and, in
some cases, the Portfolio, by itself or together with other Portfolios or other accounts managed by the Investment Manager, may hold a position in a security that is large relative to the typical trading volume for that security; these factors can make it difficult for the Portfolio to dispose of the position at the
desired time or price. Non-Diversification Risk. Because the Portfolio may invest in a smaller number of issuers than other, more diversified investment portfolios, the Portfolios NAV may be more vulnerable to changes in the market value of a single issuer or group of issuers and may be relatively more susceptible to adverse effects
from any single corporate, industry, economic, market, political or regulatory occurrence than if the Portfolios investments consisted of securities issued by a larger number of issuers. Derivatives Risk. Derivatives transactions, including those entered into for hedging purposes, may reduce returns or increase volatility, perhaps substantially. Forward currency contracts, over-the-counter options on securities (including options on ETFs) and currencies, and swap agreements are subject to the risk
of default by the counterparty and can be illiquid. These derivatives transactions, as well as the exchange-traded options in which the Portfolio may invest, are subject to many of the risks of, and can be highly sensitive to changes in the value of, the related currency, security or other reference asset. As such, a
small investment could have a potentially large impact on the Portfolios performance. Use of derivatives transactions, even if entered into for hedging purposes, may cause the Portfolio to experience losses greater than if the Portfolio had not engaged in such transactions. High Portfolio Turnover Risk. The Portfolios investment strategy may involve high portfolio turnover (such as 100% or more). A portfolio turnover rate of 100%, for example, is equivalent to the Portfolio buying and selling all of its securities once during the course of the year. A high portfolio turnover rate
could result in high brokerage costs and an increase in taxable capital gains distributions to the Portfolios shareholders. 58Prospectus
Performance Bar Chart and Table The accompanying bar chart and table provide some indication of the risks of investing in Lazard Emerging Markets Debt Portfolio by showing the Portfolios performance for the first complete calendar year of operation compared to that of broad measures of market performance. The bar chart shows the
performance of the Portfolios Institutional Shares. Updated performance information is available at www.LazardNet.com or by calling (800) 823-6300. The Portfolios past performance (before and after taxes) is not necessarily an indication of how the Portfolio will perform in the future.
Best Quarter: Average Annual Total Returns After-tax returns for the Open Shares vary from those of Institutional Shares. After-tax returns are calculated using the historical highest individual marginal income tax rates and do not reflect the impact of state and local taxes. Actual after-tax returns depend on the investors tax situation and may differ from
those shown. The after-tax returns shown are not relevant to investors who hold their shares through tax-deferred arrangements such as 401(k) plans or individual retirement accounts. Inception
1 Year
Life of Institutional Shares:
2/28/11 Returns Before Taxes
18.95%
10.86% Returns After Taxes on Distributions 16.18%
8.61% Returns After Taxes on Distributions and 12.23%
7.92% Open Shares (Returns Before Taxes)
2/28/11
18.68%
10.54% JPMorgan Emerging Market Bond Index Global Diversified® Index
17.44%
13.66% JPMorgan Government Bond Index Emerging Markets Global Diversified® Index
16.76%
7.82% 50% JPMorgan Emerging Market Bond Index Global Diversified Index/
17.21%
10.81% Prospectus59
Total Returns for Institutional Shares
As of 12/31
3/31/12 7.52%
Worst Quarter:
6/30/12 -0.01%
(for the periods ended December 31, 2012)
Date
Portfolio
Sale of Portfolio Shares
(reflects no deduction for fees, expenses or taxes)
(reflects no deduction for fees, expenses or taxes)
50% JPMorgan Government Bond Index Emerging Markets Global Diversified Index
(reflects no deduction for fees, expenses or taxes)
Management Investment Manager Lazard Asset Management LLC Portfolio Manager/Analysts Denise S. Simon, portfolio manager/analyst on the Investment Managers Emerging Markets Debt team, has been with the Portfolio since inception. Arif T. Joshi, portfolio manager/analyst on the Investment Managers Emerging Markets Debt team, has been with the Portfolio since inception. Additional Information For important information about the purchase and sale of Portfolio shares, tax information and financial intermediary compensation, please turn to Additional Information about the Portfolios on page 99. 60Prospectus
Lazard Funds Summary Section p
Lazard US Realty Income Portfolio Investment Objectives The Portfolios primary investment objective is current income, with long-term capital appreciation as a secondary objective. Fees and Expenses This table describes the fees and expenses that you may pay if you buy and hold shares of the Portfolio.
Institutional
Open
Shareholder Transaction Fees (fees paid directly from your investment)
1.00%
1.00%
Annual Portfolio Operating Expenses (expenses that you pay each year as a percentage
Management Fees
.75%
.75%
Distribution and Service (12b-1) Fees
None
.25% Other Expenses
.41%
.47% Total Annual Portfolio Operating Expenses
1.16%
1.47% Fee Waiver and Expense Reimbursement*
.01%
.02% Total Annual Portfolio Operating Expenses After Fee Waiver and Expense Reimbursement*
1.15%
1.45% * Reflects a contractual agreement by the Investment Manager to waive its fee and, if necessary, reimburse the Portfolio through April 30, 2016, to the extent Total Annual Portfolio Operating Expenses exceed 1.15% and 1.45% of the average daily net assets of the Portfolios Institutional Shares and Open Shares, respectively, exclusive of taxes, brokerage, interest on borrowings, fees and expenses of Acquired
Funds and extraordinary expenses, and excluding shareholder redemption fees or other transaction fees. This agreement can only be amended by agreement of the Fund, upon approval by the Board, and the Investment Manager to lower the net amount shown and will terminate automatically in the event of termination of the Investment Management Agreement between the Investment Manager and the
Fund, on behalf of the Portfolio.
Example This Example is intended to help you compare the cost of investing in the Portfolio with the cost of investing in other mutual funds. The Example assumes that you invest $10,000 in the Portfolio for the time periods indicated and then redeem all of your shares at the end of those periods. The Example also assumes that your investment has a 5% return each year and that the Portfolios operating expenses remain the same, giving effect to
the fee waivers described above. Although your actual costs may be higher or lower, based on these assumptions your costs would be:
1 Year
3 Years
5 Years
10 Years Institutional Shares $117
$365
$635
$1,406 Open Shares $148
$459
$797
$1,752 Portfolio Turnover The Portfolio pays transaction costs, such as commissions, when it buys and sells securities (or turns over its portfolio). A higher portfolio turnover rate may indicate higher transaction costs and may result in higher taxes when Portfolio shares are held in a taxable account. These costs, which are not reflected
in annual portfolio operating expenses or in the Example, affect the Portfolios performance. During the most recent fiscal period, the Portfolios portfolio turnover rate was 42% of the average value of its portfolio. Prospectus61
Shares
Shares
Maximum Redemption Fee (as a % of amount redeemed,
on shares owned for 30 days or less)
of the value of your investment)
Principal Investment Strategies Under normal circumstances, the Portfolio invests at least 80% of its assets in dividend-paying common and preferred stocks, convertible securities and fixed income securities of US Realty Companies (defined below), as well as certain synthetic instruments related to US Realty Companies. Such synthetic
instruments are investments that have economic characteristics similar to the Portfolios direct investments in US Realty Companies and may include warrants, rights, options and shares of ETFs. The Investment Manager focuses on investments having the potential to deliver regular income and to offer the opportunity for long-term growth and capital appreciation. The Investment Manager conducts proprietary quantitative, qualitative and on-site real estate analysis to select the Portfolios investments,
which may include, as appropriate, research at the macroeconomic, sector, company and property level. The Investment Managers individual company research may consider a number of quantitative measures, including earnings growth potential, price to earnings or free cash flow multiples, price to NAV ratios,
dividend yield and potential for growth, return on equity and return on assets, as well as qualitative factors such as overall business and growth strategy and quality of management. Realty Companies are real estate-related companies of any size including, but not limited to, real estate investment trusts (REITs), real estate operating or service companies and companies in the homebuilding, lodging and hotel industries, as well as companies engaged in the healthcare, gaming, retailing, restaurant,
natural resources and utility industries, and other companies whose investments, balance sheets or income statements are real-estate intensive (i.e., the companys actual or anticipated revenues, profits, assets, services or products are related to real estate including, but not limited to, the ownership, renting, leasing,
construction, management, development or financing of commercial, industrial or residential real estate). The Portfolios investments in preferred stock and convertible and fixed income securities may include securities which, at the time of purchase, are rated below investment grade by a nationally recognized statistical rating organization (NRSRO), or the unrated equivalent as determined by the Investment Manager
(junk bonds). The Portfolio may invest in issuers of any market capitalization and securities of any maturity, and the Portfolios investments also may include securities purchased in initial public offerings (IPOs). The Portfolio also may invest up to 25% of its net assets in companies organized as master limited partnerships and their affiliates. The Portfolio also may invest up to 20% of its assets in other securities and instruments of companies or entities (which need not be US Realty Companies), including, but not limited to, securities of non-US companies and other investment companies. The Portfolio may, but is not required to, write put and covered call options on securities and indexes, for hedging purposes or to seek to increase returns. Principal Investment Risks The value of your investment in the Portfolio will fluctuate, which means you could lose money. Market Risk. Market risks, including political, regulatory, market and economic developments, and developments that impact specific economic sectors, industries or segments of the market, can affect the value of the Portfolios investments. In addition, turbulence in financial markets and reduced liquidity in
equity, credit and/or fixed income markets may negatively affect many issuers, which could adversely affect the Portfolio. Issuer Risk. The value of a security may decline for a number of reasons which directly relate to the issuer, such as management performance, financial leverage and reduced demand for the issuers goods or services, as well as the historical and prospective earnings of the issuer and the value of its assets. Realty Companies Risk. Since the Portfolio focuses its investments in Realty Companies, the Portfolio could lose money due to the performance of real estate-related securities even if securities markets generally are experiencing positive results. The performance of investments made by the Portfolio may be
determined to a great extent by the current status of the real estate industry in general, or by other factors (such as interest rates and the availability of loan capital) that may affect the real estate industry, even if other industries would not be so affected. Consequently, the investment strategies of the Portfolio
could lead to securities investment results that may be significantly different from investments in securities of other industries or sectors or in a more broad-based portfolio generally. 62Prospectus
The risks related to investments in Realty Companies include, but are not limited to: adverse changes in general economic and local market conditions; adverse developments in employment; changes in supply or demand for similar or competing properties; unfavorable changes in applicable taxes, governmental
regulations and interest rates; operating or development expenses; and lack of available financing. An investment in REITs may be adversely affected or lost if the REIT fails to comply with applicable laws and regulations. If the Portfolio invests in a REIT that subsequently fails to qualify as a REIT under
the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the Code), it is highly likely that the REIT will be subject to a substantial additional income tax liability that could cause it to liquidate investments, borrow funds under adverse conditions or, possibly, fail. Small and Mid Cap Companies Risk. Many Realty Companies are small and mid cap companies, which carry additional risks because their earnings tend to be less predictable, their share prices more volatile and their securities less liquid than larger, more established companies. The securities of small and mid
cap companies tend to trade less frequently than those of larger companies, which can have an adverse effect on the pricing of these securities and on the ability to sell these securities when the Investment Manager deems it appropriate. Preferred Securities Risk. There are various risks associated with investing in preferred securities, including credit risk; interest rate risk; deferral and omission of distributions; subordination; call and reinvestment risk; limited liquidity; limited voting rights; and special issuer redemption rights. In addition, unlike
common stock, participation in the growth of an issuer may be limited.
Credit risk is the risk that a security held by the Portfolio will decline in price or the issuer of the security will fail to make dividend, interest or principal payments when due because the issuer experiences a decline in its financial status.
Interest rate risk is the risk that securities will decline in value because of changes in market interest rates. When market interest rates rise, the market value of such securities generally will fall. Securities with longer periods before maturity or effective durations may be more sensitive to interest rate
changes.
Preferred securities may include provisions that permit the issuer, at its discretion, to defer or omit distributions for a stated period without any adverse consequences to the issuer. Preferred securities are generally subordinated to bonds and other debt instruments in an issuers capital structure in terms of having priority to corporate income, claims to corporate assets and liquidation payments, and therefore will be subject to greater credit risk than more senior debt instruments.
During periods of declining interest rates, an issuer may be able to exercise an option to call, redeem, its issue at par earlier than the scheduled maturity, which is generally known as call risk. If this occurs during a time of lower or declining interest rates, the Portfolio may have to reinvest the proceeds in
lower yielding securities (and the Portfolio may not benefit from any increase in the value of its portfolio holdings as a result of declining interest rates). This is known as reinvestment risk. Certain preferred securities may be substantially less liquid than many other securities, such as common stocks or US Government securities. Illiquid securities involve the risk that the securities will not be able to be sold at the time desired by the Portfolio or at prices approximating the value at which the
Portfolio is carrying the securities on its books.
Generally, traditional preferred securities offer no voting rights with respect to the issuer unless preferred dividends have been in arrears for a specified number of periods, at which time the preferred security holders may elect a number of directors to the issuers board. Generally, once all the arrearages have
been paid, the preferred security holders no longer have voting rights. Hybrid-preferred security holders generally have no voting rights.
In certain varying circumstances, an issuer of preferred securities may redeem the securities prior to a specified date. For instance, for certain types of preferred securities, a redemption may be triggered by a change in US federal income tax or securities laws. As with call provisions, a redemption by the
issuer may negatively impact the return of the security held by the Portfolio. Other Equity Securities Risks. The market value of a convertible security tends to perform like that of a regular debt security so that, if market interest rates rise, the value of the convertible security falls. Investments in warrants involve certain risks, including the possible lack Prospectus63
of a liquid market for resale, price fluctuations and the failure of the price of the underlying security to reach a level at which the warrant can be prudently exercised, in which case the warrant may expire without being exercised and result in a loss of the Portfolios entire investment. Fixed-Income Securities Risk. While fixed income securities are designed to produce a stable stream of income, their prices move inversely with changes in interest rates. Fixed income securities are subject to interest rate risk, credit risk and call and reinvestment risk as described above for preferred securities.
The Portfolios investments in lower-rated, higher-yielding securities are subject to greater credit risk than its higher-rated investments. If there is a decline in the credit quality of a fixed-income security (or any guarantor of payment on such security), or a perception of a decline, the securitys value could fall,
potentially lowering the Portfolios share price. Junk bonds tend to be more volatile, less liquid and are considered speculative. During unusual market conditions, the Portfolio may not be able to sell certain securities at the time and price it would like. Non-US Securities Risk. The Portfolios performance will be influenced by political, social and economic factors affecting the non-US countries and companies in which the Portfolio invests. Non-US securities carry special risks, such as exposure to currency fluctuations, less developed or less efficient trading
markets, political instability, a lack of company information, differing auditing and legal standards, and, potentially, less liquidity. In addition, investments denominated in currencies other than US dollars carry the risk that such currencies will decline in value relative to the US dollar and affect the value of these
investments held in the Portfolio. Non-Diversification Risk. Although the Portfolio is classified as diversified under the 1940 Act, it may invest in a smaller number of issuers than other, more diversified investment portfolios. The Portfolios NAV may be more vulnerable to changes in the market value of a single issuer or group of issuers and
may be relatively more susceptible to adverse effects from any single corporate, industry, economic, market, political or regulatory occurrence than if the Portfolios investments consisted of securities issued by a larger number of issuers. Options Risk. Writing options on securities and indexes, including for hedging purposes, may reduce returns or increase volatility, perhaps substantially, and may cause the Portfolio to experience losses greater than if the Portfolio had not engaged in such transactions. Writing options is subject to many of the
risks of, and can be highly sensitive to changes in the value of, the related security or index. As such, a small commitment to written options could potentially have a relatively large impact on the Portfolios performance. Purchasing options will reduce returns by the amount of premiums paid for options that
are not exercised. Over-the-counter options purchased on securities and indexes are subject to the risk of default by the counterparty and can be illiquid. Investment Companies and ETF Risk. Any investments in other investment companies and ETFs are subject to the risks of the investments of the investment companies and ETFs, as well as to the general risks of investing in investment companies and ETFs. Portfolio shares will bear not only the Portfolios
management fees and operating expenses, but also their proportional share of the management fees and operating expenses of any other investment companies and ETFs in which the Portfolio invests. 64Prospectus
Performance Bar Chart and Table The accompanying bar chart and table provide some indication of the risks of investing in Lazard US Realty Income Portfolio by showing the Portfolios year-by-year performance and its average annual performance compared to that of broad measures of market performance. The Portfolio commenced
operations after all of the assets of an investment company advised by Grubb & Ellis Alesco Global Advisors, LLC (Alesco), Grubb & Ellis AGA Realty Income Fund (the Predecessor Realty Income Fund), were transferred to the Portfolio in exchange for Open Shares of the Portfolio in a tax-free
reorganization on September 23, 2011. The bar chart shows how the performance of the Portfolios Open Shares (or the Predecessor Realty Income Funds Class A shares, prior to September 23, 2011) has varied from year to year. Updated performance information is available at www.LazardNet.com or by calling
(800) 823-6300. The Portfolios past performance (before and after taxes) is not necessarily an indication of how the Portfolio will perform in the future.
Best Quarter: Average Annual Total Returns After-tax returns for the Open Shares will vary from those of Institutional Shares. After-tax returns are calculated using the historical highest individual marginal income tax rates and do not reflect the impact of state and local taxes. Actual after-tax returns depend on the investors tax situation and may differ
from those shown. The after-tax returns shown are not relevant to investors who hold their shares through tax-deferred arrangements such as 401(k) plans or individual retirement accounts. The 50% FTSE NAREIT All Equity REITs® Index/50% Wells Fargo Hybrid and Preferred Securities REIT® Index shown
in the table is an unmanaged index created by the Investment Manager, and is a 50/50 blend of the FTSE NAREIT All Equity REITs Index and the Wells Fargo Hybrid and Preferred Securities REIT Index. In future periods the Portfolio will no longer compare its performance to that of the S&P 500 Index,
because the other indicies shown are believed to provide more appropriate comparisons for the Portfolios performance. Prospectus65
Year-by-Year Total Returns for Open Shares
As of 12/31
6/30/09 40.10%
Worst Quarter:
3/31/09 -13.67%
(for the periods ended December 31, 2012)
Inception
1 Year
Life of Open Shares:
7/30/08 Returns Before Taxes
23.00%
13.95% Returns After Taxes on Distributions
20.14%
9.42% Returns After Taxes on Distributions and
14.93%
9.66% Institutional Shares (Returns Before Taxes)
9/26/11
23.32%
26.99% FTSE NAREIT All Equity REITs Index
19.70%
5.77% Wells Fargo Hybrid and Preferred Securities REIT Index
11.38%
15.65% 50% FTSE NAREIT All Equity REITs Index/50%
15.61%
11.73% S&P 500 Index
16.00%
4.74% Management Investment Manager Lazard Asset Management LLC Portfolio Manager/Analysts Jay P. Leupp, portfolio manager/analyst on the Investment Managers Global Real Estate Securities team, has been with the Portfolio since inception. David R. Ronco, portfolio manager/analyst on the Investment Managers Global Real Estate Securities team, has been with the Portfolio since inception. Additional Information For important information about the purchase and sale of Portfolio shares, tax information and financial intermediary compensation, please turn to Additional Information about the Portfolios on page 99. 66Prospectus
Date
Portfolio
Sale of Portfolio Shares
(reflects no deduction for fees, expenses or taxes)
(Open)
27.38%
(Institutional)
(reflects no deduction for fees, expenses or taxes)
(Open)
12.39%
(Institutional)
Wells Fargo Hybrid and Preferred Securities REIT Index
(reflects no deduction for fees, expenses or taxes)
(Open)
19.98%
(Institutional)
(reflects no deduction for fees, expenses or taxes)
(Open)
22.36%
(Institutional)
Lazard Funds Summary Section p
Lazard US Realty Equity Portfolio Investment Objectives The Portfolios primary investment objective is long-term capital appreciation, with current income, including interest and dividends from portfolio securities, as a secondary objective. Fees and Expenses This table describes the fees and expenses that you may pay if you buy and hold shares of the Portfolio.
Institutional
Open
Shareholder Transaction Fees (fees paid directly from your investment)
1.00%
1.00%
Annual Portfolio Operating Expenses (expenses that you pay each year as a percentage
Management Fees
.80%
.80%
Distribution and Service (12b-1) Fees
None
.25% Other Expenses
1.54%
.73% Total Annual Portfolio Operating Expenses
2.34%
1.78% Fee Waiver and Expense Reimbursement*
1.14%
.28% Total Annual Portfolio Operating Expenses After Fee Waiver and Expense Reimbursement*
1.20%
1.50% * Reflects a contractual agreement by the Investment Manager to waive its fee and, if necessary, reimburse the Portfolio through April 30, 2023, to the extent Total Annual Portfolio Operating Expenses exceed 1.20% and 1.50% of the average daily net assets of the Portfolios Institutional Shares and Open Shares, respectively, exclusive of taxes, brokerage, interest on borrowings, fees and expenses of Acquired
Funds and extraordinary expenses, and excluding shareholder redemption fees or other transaction fees. This agreement can only be amended by agreement of the Fund, upon approval by the Board, and the Investment Manager to lower the net amount shown and will terminate automatically in the event of termination of the Investment Management Agreement between the Investment Manager and the
Fund, on behalf of the Portfolio.
Example This Example is intended to help you compare the cost of investing in the Portfolio with the cost of investing in other mutual funds. The Example assumes that you invest $10,000 in the Portfolio for the time periods indicated and then redeem all of your shares at the end of those periods. The Example also assumes that your investment has a 5% return each year and that the Portfolios operating expenses remain the same, giving effect to
the fee waivers described above. Although your actual costs may be higher or lower, based on these assumptions your costs would be:
1 Year
3 Years
5 Years
10 Years Institutional Shares $122
$381
$660
$1,455 Open Shares $153
$474
$818
$1,791 Portfolio Turnover The Portfolio pays transaction costs, such as commissions, when it buys and sells securities (or turns over its portfolio). A higher portfolio turnover rate may indicate higher transaction costs and may result in higher taxes when Portfolio shares are held in a taxable account. These costs, which are not reflected
in annual portfolio operating expenses or in the Example, affect the Portfolios performance. During the most recent fiscal period, the Portfolios portfolio turnover rate was 52% of the average value of its portfolio. Prospectus67
Shares
Shares
Maximum Redemption Fee (as a % of amount redeemed,
on shares owned for 30 days or less)
of the value of your investment)
Principal Investment Strategies Under normal circumstances, the Portfolio invests at least 80% of its assets in equity securities (including common, convertible and preferred stocks) of US Realty Companies (defined below), as well as certain synthetic instruments related to US Realty Companies. Such synthetic instruments are investments
that have economic characteristics similar to the Portfolios direct investments in US Realty Companies and may include warrants, rights, options and shares of ETFs. The Investment Manager conducts proprietary quantitative, qualitative and on-site real estate analysis to select the Portfolios investments, which may include, as appropriate, research at the macroeconomic, sector, company and property level. The Investment Managers individual company research may consider
a number of quantitative measures, including earnings growth potential, price to earnings or free cash flow multiples, price to NAV ratios, dividend yield and potential for growth, return on equity and return on assets, as well as qualitative factors such as overall business and growth strategy and quality of
management. Realty Companies are real estate-related companies of any size including, but not limited to, REITs, real estate operating or service companies and companies in the homebuilding, lodging and hotel industries, as well as companies engaged in the healthcare, gaming, retailing, restaurant, natural resources and
utility industries, and other companies whose investments, balance sheets or income statements are real-estate intensive (i.e. the companys actual or anticipated revenues, profits, assets, services or products are related to real estate including, but not limited to, the ownership, renting, leasing, construction,
management, development or financing of commercial, industrial or residential real estate). The Portfolio may invest in issuers of any market capitalization and securities of any maturity, and the Portfolios investments also may include securities purchased in IPOs. The Portfolio is classified as non-diversified under the 1940 Act, which means that it may invest a relatively high percentage of its assets in a limited number of issuers, when compared to a diversified fund. The Portfolio also may invest up to 20% of its assets in equity and fixed income securities and instruments of companies or entities (which need not be US Realty Companies), including, but not limited to, securities of non-US companies and other investment companies. The Portfolios investments in preferred stock and convertible and fixed income securities may include securities which, at the time of purchase, are rated below investment grade by an NRSRO, or the unrated equivalent as determined by the Investment Manager (junk bonds). The Portfolio may, but is not required to, write put and covered call options on securities and indexes, for hedging purposes or to seek to increase returns. Principal Investment Risks The value of your investment in the Portfolio will fluctuate, which means you could lose money. Market Risk. Market risks, including political, regulatory, market and economic developments, and developments that impact specific economic sectors, industries or segments of the market, can affect the value of the Portfolios investments. In addition, turbulence in financial markets and reduced liquidity in
equity, credit and/or fixed income markets may negatively affect many issuers, which could adversely affect the Portfolio. Issuer Risk. The value of a security may decline for a number of reasons which directly relate to the issuer, such as management performance, financial leverage and reduced demand for the issuers goods or services, as well as the historical and prospective earnings of the issuer and the value of its assets. Securities Risks. While stocks have historically been a leading choice of long-term investors, they do fluctuate in price, often based on factors unrelated to the issuers value, such as investor perception. Preferred stock is subject to credit and interest rate risk (described below) and the risk that the dividend on
the stock may be changed or omitted by the issuer and, unlike common stock, participation in the growth of an issuer may be limited. The market value of a convertible security tends to perform like that of a regular debt security so that, if market interest rates rise, the value of the convertible security falls.
Investments in warrants involve certain risks, including the possible lack of a liquid market for resale, price fluctuations and the failure of the price of the underlying security to reach a level at which the warrant can be prudently exercised, in which case the 68Prospectus
warrant may expire without being exercised and result in a loss of the Portfolios entire investment. Realty Companies Risk. Since the Portfolio focuses its investments in Realty Companies, the Portfolio could lose money due to the performance of real estate-related securities even if securities markets generally are experiencing positive results. The performance of investments made by the Portfolio may be
determined to a great extent by the current status of the real estate industry in general, or by other factors (such as interest rates and the availability of loan capital) that may affect the real estate industry, even if other industries would not be so affected. Consequently, the investment strategies of the Portfolio
could lead to securities investment results that may be significantly different from investments in securities of other industries or sectors or in a more broad-based portfolio generally. The risks related to investments in Realty Companies include, but are not limited to: adverse changes in general economic and local market conditions; adverse developments in employment; changes in supply or demand for similar or competing properties; unfavorable changes in applicable taxes, governmental
regulations and interest rates; operating or development expenses; and lack of available financing. An investment in REITs may be adversely affected or lost if the REIT fails to comply with applicable laws and regulations. If the Portfolio invests in a REIT that subsequently fails to qualify as a REIT under
the Code, it is highly likely that the REIT will be subject to a substantial additional income tax liability that could cause it to liquidate investments, borrow funds under adverse conditions or, possibly, fail. Small and Mid Cap Companies Risk. Many Realty Companies are small and mid cap companies, which carry additional risks because their earnings tend to be less predictable, their share prices more volatile and their securities less liquid than larger, more established companies. The securities of small and mid cap
companies tend to trade less frequently than those of larger companies, which can have an adverse effect on the pricing of these securities and on the ability to sell these securities when the Investment Manager deems it appropriate. Non-Diversification Risk. Because the Portfolio may invest in a smaller number of issuers than other, more diversified investment portfolios, the Portfolios NAV may be more vulnerable to changes in the market value of a single issuer or group of issuers and may be relatively more susceptible to adverse effects from
any single corporate, industry, economic, market, political or regulatory occurrence than if the Portfolios investments consisted of securities issued by a larger number of issuers. Fixed-Income Securities Risk. While fixed-income securities are designed to produce a stable stream of income, their prices move inversely with changes in interest rates. Interest rate risk, the risk that securities will decline in value because of changes in market interest rates, is usually greater for fixed income securities with
longer maturities or effective durations. The Portfolios investments in lower-rated, higher-yielding securities are subject to greater credit risk than its higher-rated investments. Credit risk is the risk that the issuer will not make interest or principal payments, or will not make payments on a timely basis. If there is a decline, or
perceived decline, in the credit quality of a fixed income security (or any guarantor of payment on such security), the securitys value could fall, potentially lowering the Portfolios share price. Junk bonds tend to be more volatile, less liquid and are considered speculative. During unusual market conditions, the Portfolio may not
be able to sell certain securities at the time and price it would like. Some fixed-income securities may give the issuer the option to call, or redeem, the securities before their maturity, and, during a time of lower or declining interest rates, the Portfolio may have to reinvest the proceeds in lower yielding securities (and the
Portfolio may not benefit from any increase in the value of its portfolio holdings as a result of declining interest rates). Non-US Securities Risk. The Portfolios performance will be influenced by political, social and economic factors affecting the non-US countries and companies in which the Portfolio invests. Non-US securities carry special risks, such as exposure to currency fluctuations, less developed or less efficient trading markets,
political instability, a lack of company information, differing auditing and legal standards, and, potentially, less liquidity. In addition, investments denominated in currencies other than US dollars carry the risk that such currencies will decline in value relative to the US dollar and affect the value of these investments
held in the Portfolio. Options Risk. Writing options on securities and indexes, including for hedging purposes, may reduce returns or increase volatility, perhaps substantially, and may cause the Portfolio to experience losses greater than if the Portfolio had not engaged in such transactions. Writing options is subject to many of the
risks of, and can be highly sensitive to changes in the value of, the related Prospectus69
security or index. As such, a small commitment to written options could potentially have a relatively large impact on the Portfolios performance. Purchasing options will reduce returns by the amount of premiums paid for options that are not exercised. Over-the-counter options purchased on securities and
indexes are subject to the risk of default by the counterparty and can be illiquid. Investment Companies and ETF Risk. Any investments in other investment companies and ETFs are subject to the risks of the investments of the investment companies and ETFs, as well as to the general risks of investing in investment companies and ETFs. Portfolio shares will bear not only the Portfolios
management fees and operating expenses, but also their proportional share of the management fees and operating expenses of any other investment companies and ETFs in which the Portfolio invests. Performance Bar Chart and Table The accompanying bar chart and table provide some indication of the risks of investing in Lazard US Realty Equity Portfolio by showing the Portfolios year-by-year performance and its average annual performance compared to that of a broad measure of market performance. The Portfolio commenced
operations after all of the assets of an investment company advised by Alesco, Grubb & Ellis AGA U.S. Realty Fund (the Predecessor Realty Equity Fund), were transferred to the Portfolio in exchange for Open Shares of the Portfolio in a tax-free reorganization on September 23, 2011. The bar chart shows
how the performance of the Portfolios Open Shares (or the Predecessor Realty Equity Funds Class A shares, prior to September 23, 2011) has varied from year to year. Updated performance information is available at www.LazardNet.com or by calling (800) 823-6300. The Portfolios past performance (before
and after taxes) is not necessarily an indication of how the Portfolio will perform in the future.
Best Quarter: Average Annual Total Returns After-tax returns for the Open Shares will vary from those of Institutional Shares. After-tax returns are calculated using the historical highest individual marginal income tax rates and do not reflect the impact of state and local taxes. Actual after-tax returns depend on the investors tax situation and may differ
from those shown. The after-tax returns shown are not relevant to investors who hold their shares through tax-deferred arrangements such as 401(k) plans or individual retirement accounts. 70Prospectus
Year-by-Year Total Returns for Open Shares
As of 12/31
9/30/09 36.29%
Worst Quarter:
9/30/11 -17.99%
(for the periods ended December 31, 2012)
Inception
1 Year
Life of Open Shares:
12/31/08 Returns Before Taxes 20.58%
30.08% Returns After Taxes on Distributions 19.43%
25.69% Returns After Taxes on Distributions and 13.50%
24.08% Institutional Shares (Returns Before Taxes)
9/26/11
20.83%
34.88% FTSE NAREIT All Equity REITs Index 19.70%
20.70% Management Investment Manager Lazard Asset Management LLC Portfolio Manager/Analysts Jay P. Leupp, portfolio manager/analyst on the Investment Managers Global Real Estate Securities team, has been with the Portfolio since inception. David R. Ronco, portfolio manager/analyst on the Investment Managers Global Real Estate Securities team, has been with the Portfolio since inception. Additional Information For important information about the purchase and sale of Portfolio shares, tax information and financial intermediary compensation, please turn to Additional Information about the Portfolios on page 99. Prospectus71
Date
Portfolio
Sale of Portfolio Shares
(reflects no deduction for fees, expenses or taxes)
(Open)
27.38%
(Institutional)
Lazard Funds Summary Section p Lazard International Realty Equity Portfolio Investment Objectives The Portfolios primary investment objective is long-term capital appreciation, with current income, including interest and dividends from portfolio securities, as a secondary objective. Fees and Expenses This table describes the fees and expenses that you may pay if you buy and hold shares of the Portfolio.
Institutional
Open
Shareholder Fees (fees paid directly from your investment)
1.00%
1.00%
Annual Portfolio Operating Expenses (expenses that you pay each year as a percentage of the value of your investment)
Management Fees
.90%
.90%
Distribution and Service (12b-1) Fees
None
.25% Other Expenses
4.94%
4.98% Total Annual Portfolio Operating Expenses
5.84%
6.13% Fee Waiver and Expense Reimbursement*
4.54%
4.53% Total Annual Portfolio Operating Expenses After Fee Waiver and Expense Reimbursement*
1.30%
1.60% * Reflects a contractual agreement by the Investment Manager to waive its fee and, if necessary, reimburse the Portfolio through April 30, 2016, to the extent Total Annual Portfolio Operating Expenses exceed 1.30% and 1.60% of the average daily net assets of the Portfolios Institutional Shares and Open Shares, respectively, exclusive of taxes, brokerage, interest on borrowings, fees and expenses of Acquired
Funds and extraordinary expenses, and excluding shareholder redemption fees or other transaction fees. This agreement can only be amended by agreement of the Fund, upon approval by the Board, and the Investment Manager to lower the net amount shown and will terminate automatically in the event of termination of the Investment Management Agreement between the Investment Manager and the
Fund, on behalf of the Portfolio.
Example This Example is intended to help you compare the cost of investing in the Portfolio with the cost of investing in other mutual funds. The Example assumes that you invest $10,000 in the Portfolio for the time periods indicated and then redeem all of your shares at the end of those periods. The Example also assumes that your investment has a 5% return each year and that the Portfolios operating expenses remain the same, giving effect to
the fee waivers described above. Although your actual costs may be higher or lower, based on these assumptions your costs would be:
1 Year
3 Years
5 Years
10 Years Institutional Shares $132
$412
$1,704
$4,839 Open Shares $163
$505
$1,845
$5,065 Portfolio Turnover The Portfolio pays transaction costs, such as commissions, when it buys and sells securities (or turns over its portfolio). A higher portfolio turnover rate may indicate higher transaction costs and may result in higher taxes when Portfolio shares are held in a taxable account. These costs, which are not reflected
in annual portfolio operating expenses or in the Example, affect the Portfolios performance. During the most recent fiscal period, the Portfolios portfolio turnover rate was 42% of the average value of its portfolio. 72Prospectus
Shares
Shares
Maximum Redemption Fee (as a % of amount redeemed,
on shares owned for 30 days or less)
Principal Investment Strategies Under normal circumstances, the Portfolio invests at least 80% of its assets in equity securities (including common, convertible and preferred stocks) of non-US Realty Companies (defined below), as well as certain synthetic instruments relating to non-US Realty Companies. Such synthetic instruments are
investments that have economic characteristics similar to the Portfolios direct investments in non-US Realty Companies and may include depositary receipts, including ADRs, GDRs and European Depositary Receipts, warrants, rights, options and shares of ETFs. The Portfolios investments in non-US
companies may include securities of companies whose principal business activities are located in emerging market countries. The Investment Manager conducts proprietary quantitative, qualitative and on-site real estate analysis to select the Portfolios investments, which may include, as appropriate, research at the macroeconomic, sector, company and property level. The Investment Managers individual company research may consider
a number of quantitative measures, including earnings growth potential, price to earnings or free cash flow multiples, price to NAV ratios, dividend yield and potential for growth, return on equity and return on assets, as well as qualitative factors such as overall business and growth strategy and quality of
management. Realty Companies are real estate-related companies of any size including, but not limited to, REITs, real estate operating or service companies and companies in the homebuilding, lodging and hotel industries, as well as companies engaged in the healthcare, gaming, retailing, restaurant, natural resources and
utility industries, and other companies whose investments, balance sheets or income statements are real-estate intensive (i.e., the companys actual or anticipated revenues, profits, assets, services or products are related to real estate including, but not limited to, the ownership, renting, leasing, construction,
management, development or financing of commercial, industrial or residential real estate). The Portfolio may invest in issuers of any market capitalization and securities of any maturity, and the Portfolios investments also may include securities purchased in IPOs. The Portfolio is classified as non-diversified under the 1940 Act, which means that it may invest a relatively high percentage of its assets in a limited number of issuers, when compared to a diversified fund. The Portfolio also may invest up to 20% of its assets in equity and fixed income securities and instruments of companies or entities (which need not be non-US Realty Companies), including, but not limited to, other investment companies and collective investment funds. The Portfolios investments in preferred stock and convertible and fixed income securities may include securities which, at the time of purchase, are rated below investment grade by an NRSRO, or the unrated equivalent as determined by the Investment Manager (junk bonds). The Portfolio may, but is not required to, enter into forward currency contracts and write put and covered call options on securities and indexes, for hedging purposes or to seek to increase returns. Principal Investment Risks The value of your investment in the Portfolio will fluctuate, which means you could lose money. Market Risk. Market risks, including political, regulatory, market and economic developments, and developments that impact specific economic sectors, industries or segments of the market, can affect the value of the Portfolios investments. In addition, turbulence in financial markets and reduced liquidity in
equity, credit and/or fixed income markets may negatively affect many issuers, which could adversely affect the Portfolio. Issuer Risk. The value of a security may decline for a number of reasons which directly relate to the issuer, such as management performance, financial leverage and reduced demand for the issuers goods or services, as well as the historical and prospective earnings of the issuer and the value of its assets. Equity Securities Risks. While stocks have historically been a leading choice of long-term investors, they do fluctuate in price, often based on factors unrelated to the issuers value, such as investor perception. Preferred stock is subject to credit and interest rate risk (described below) and the risk that the
dividend on the stock may be changed or omitted by the issuer and, unlike common stock, participation in the growth of an issuer may be limited. The market value of a convertible security tends to perform like that of a regular debt security so that, if market interest rates rise, the value of the convertible
security falls. Investments in warrants involve certain risks, including the possible lack of a liquid market for resale, price fluctuations and the failure of the price of the underlying security to reach a level at which the Prospectus73
warrant can be prudently exercised, in which case the warrant may expire without being exercised and result in a loss of the Portfolios entire investment. Realty Companies Risk. Since the Portfolio focuses its investments in Realty Companies, the Portfolio could lose money due to the performance of real estate-related securities even if securities markets generally are experiencing positive results. The performance of investments made by the Portfolio may be
determined to a great extent by the current status of the real estate industry in general, or by other factors (such as interest rates and the availability of loan capital) that may affect the real estate industry, even if other industries would not be so affected. Consequently, the investment strategies of the Portfolio
could lead to securities investment results that may be significantly different from investments in securities of other industries or sectors or in a more broad-based portfolio generally. The risks related to investments in Realty Companies include, but are not limited to: adverse changes in general economic and local market conditions; adverse developments in employment; changes in supply or demand for similar or competing properties; unfavorable changes in applicable taxes, governmental
regulations and interest rates; operating or development expenses; and lack of available financing. An investment in REITs may be adversely affected or lost if the REIT fails to comply with applicable laws and regulations. If the Portfolio invests in a REIT that subsequently fails to qualify as a REIT under
the Code, it is highly likely that the REIT will be subject to a substantial additional income tax liability that could cause it to liquidate investments, borrow funds under adverse conditions or, possibly, fail. Small and Mid Cap Companies Risk. Many Realty Companies are small and mid cap companies, which carry additional risks because their earnings tend to be less predictable, their share prices more volatile and their securities less liquid than larger, more established companies. The securities of small and mid
cap companies tend to trade less frequently than those of larger companies, which can have an adverse effect on the pricing of these securities and on the ability to sell these securities when the Investment Manager deems it appropriate. Non-US Securities Risk. The Portfolios performance will be influenced by political, social and economic factors affecting the non-US countries and companies in which the Portfolio invests. Non-US securities carry special risks, such as exposure to currency fluctuations, less developed or less efficient trading
markets, political instability, a lack of company information, differing auditing and legal standards, and, potentially, less liquidity. In addition, investments denominated in currencies other than US dollars carry the risk that such currencies will decline in value relative to the US dollar and affect the value of
these investments held in the Portfolio. Emerging Market Risk. Emerging market countries can generally have economic structures that are less diverse and mature, and political systems that are less stable, than those of developed countries. The securities markets of emerging market countries have historically been extremely volatile. However, the
capital markets in the US and internationally have experienced unprecedented volatility in recent years, causing significant declines in the value and liquidity of many securities. These market conditions may continue or worsen. Significant devaluation of emerging market currencies against the US dollar may
occur subsequent to acquisition of investments denominated in emerging market currencies. Foreign Currency Risk. Irrespective of any foreign currency exposure hedging, the Portfolio may experience a decline in the value of its portfolio securities, in US dollar terms, due solely to fluctuations in currency exchange rates. Non-Diversification Risk. Because the Portfolio may invest in a smaller number of issuers than other, more diversified investment portfolios, the Portfolios NAV may be more vulnerable to changes in the market value of a single issuer or group of issuers and may be relatively more susceptible to adverse effects
from any single corporate, industry, economic, market, political or regulatory occurrence than if the Portfolios investments consisted of securities issued by a larger number of issuers. Fixed-Income Securities Risk. While fixed-income securities are designed to produce a stable stream of income, their prices move inversely with changes in interest rates. Interest rate risk, the risk that securities will decline in value because of changes in market interest rates, is usually greater for fixed income
securities with longer maturities or effective durations. The Portfolios investments in lower-rated, higher-yielding securities are subject to greater credit risk than its higher-rated investments. Credit risk is the risk that the issuer will not make interest or principal payments, or will not make payments on a timely
basis. If there is a decline, or 74Prospectus
perceived decline, in the credit quality of a fixed-income security (or any guarantor of payment on such security), the securitys value could fall, potentially lowering the Portfolios share price. Junk bonds tend to be more volatile, less liquid and are considered speculative. During unusual market conditions, the
Portfolio may not be able to sell certain securities at the time and price it would like. Some fixed-income securities may give the issuer the option to call, or redeem, the securities before their maturity, and, during a time of lower or declining interest rates, the Portfolio may have to reinvest the proceeds in
lower yielding securities (and the Portfolio may not benefit from any increase in the value of its portfolio holdings as a result of declining interest rates). Derivatives Risk. Derivatives transactions, including those entered into for hedging purposes, may reduce returns or increase volatility, perhaps substantially. Forward currency contracts and over-the-counter options on securities and indexes are subject to the risk of default by the counterparty and can be illiquid.
These derivative transactions as well as exchange-traded options in which the Portfolio may invest are subject to many of the risks of, and can be highly sensitive to changes in the value of, the related security or currency. As such, a small investment could have a potentially large impact on the Portfolios
performance. Purchasing options will reduce returns by the amount of premiums paid for options that are not exercised. Use of derivatives transactions, even if entered into for hedging purposes, may cause the Portfolio to experience losses greater than if the Portfolio had not engaged in such transactions. Investment Companies and ETF Risk. Any investments in other investment companies, collective investment funds and ETFs are subject to the risks of the investments of the investment companies, collective investment funds and ETFs, as well as to the general risks of investing in investment companies,
collective investment funds and ETFs. Portfolio shares will bear not only the Portfolios management fees and operating expenses, but also their proportional share of the management fees and operating expenses of the other investment companies, collective investment funds and ETFs in which the Portfolio
invests. Performance Bar Chart and Table The accompanying bar chart and table provide some indication of the risks of investing in Lazard International Realty Equity Portfolio by showing the Portfolios year-by-year performance and its average annual performance compared to that of a broad measure of market performance. The Portfolio commenced
operations after all of the assets of an investment company advised by Alesco, Grubb & Ellis AGA International Realty Fund (the Predecessor International Realty Fund), were transferred to the Portfolio in exchange for Open Shares of the Portfolio in a tax-free reorganization on September 23, 2011. The bar
chart shows how the performance of the Portfolios Open Shares (or the Predecessor International Realty Funds Class A shares, prior to September 23, 2011) has varied from year to year. Updated performance information is available at www.LazardNet.com or by calling (800) 823-6300. The Portfolios past
performance (before and after taxes) is not necessarily an indication of how the Portfolio will perform in the future.
Prospectus75
Year-by-Year Total Returns for Open Shares
As of 12/31
Best Quarter:
6/30/09 31.31%
Worst Quarter:
9/30/11 -22.48%
Average Annual Total Returns After-tax returns for the Open Shares will vary from those of Institutional Shares. After-tax returns are calculated using the historical highest individual marginal income tax rates and do not reflect the impact of state and local taxes. Actual after-tax returns depend on the investors tax situation and may differ
from those shown. The after-tax returns shown are not relevant to investors who hold their shares through tax-deferred arrangements such as 401(k) plans or individual retirement accounts.
Inception
1 Year
Life of Open Shares:
12/31/08 Returns Before Taxes 44.81%
24.84% Returns After Taxes on Distributions 43.16%
21.91% Returns After Taxes on Distributions and 29.33%
20.35% Institutional Shares (Returns Before Taxes)
9/26/11
45.14%
34.34% FTSE EPRA/NAREIT Global ex-US Index 38.98%
18.58% Investment Manager Lazard Asset Management LLC Jay P. Leupp, portfolio manager/analyst on the Investment Managers Global Real Estate Securities team, has been with the Portfolio since inception. David R. Ronco, portfolio manager/analyst on the Investment Managers Global Real Estate Securities team, has been with the Portfolio since inception. Additional Information For important information about the purchase and sale of Portfolio shares, tax information and financial intermediary compensation, please turn to Additional Information about the Portfolios on page 99. 76Prospectus
(for the periods ended December 31, 2012)
Date
Portfolio
Sale of Portfolio Shares
(reflects no deduction for fees, expenses or taxes)
(Open)
31.12%
(Institutional)
Lazard Funds Summary Section p
Lazard US High Yield Portfolio Investment Objective The Portfolio seeks maximum total return from a combination of capital appreciation and current income. Fees and Expenses This table describes the fees and expenses that you may pay if you buy and hold shares of the Portfolio.
Institutional
Open
Shareholder Transaction Fees (fees paid directly from your investment)
Maximum Redemption Fee (as a % of amount redeemed,
1.00%
1.00%
Annual Portfolio Operating Expenses (expenses that you pay each year as a percentage
Management Fees
.55%
.55%
Distribution and Service (12b-1) Fees
None
.25%
Other Expenses .16%
.44%
Total Annual Portfolio Operating Expenses .71%
1.24%
Fee Waiver and Expense Reimbursement* .16%
.39%
Total Annual Portfolio Operating Expenses After Fee Waiver and Expense Reimbursement*
.55%
.85%
* Reflects a contractual agreement by the Investment Manager to waive its fee and, if necessary, reimburse the Portfolio through April 30, 2014, to the extent Total Annual Portfolio Operating Expenses exceed .55% and .85% of the average daily net assets of the Portfolios Institutional Shares and Open Shares, respectively, exclusive of taxes, brokerage, interest on borrowings, fees and expenses of Acquired
Funds and extraordinary expenses, and excluding shareholder redemption fees or other transaction fees. This agreement can only be amended by agreement of the Fund, upon approval by the Board, and the Investment Manager to lower the net amount shown and will terminate automatically in the event of termination of the Investment Management Agreement between the Investment Manager and the
Fund, on behalf of the Portfolio.
Example This Example is intended to help you compare the cost of investing in the Portfolio with the cost of investing in other mutual funds. The Example assumes that you invest $10,000 in the Portfolio for the time periods indicated and then redeem all of your shares at the end of those periods. The Example also assumes that your investment has a 5% return each year and that the Portfolios operating expenses remain the same, giving effect to
the fee waiver in year one only. Although your actual costs may be higher or lower, based on these assumptions your costs would be:
1 Year
3 Years
5 Years
10 Years Institutional Shares
$56
$211
$379
$ 867 Open Shares
$87
$355
$643
$1,466 Portfolio Turnover The Portfolio pays transaction costs, such as commissions, when it buys and sells securities (or turns over its portfolio). A higher portfolio turnover rate may indicate higher transaction costs and may result in higher taxes when Portfolio shares are held in a taxable account. These costs, which are not reflected
in annual portfolio operating expenses or in the Example, affect the Portfolios performance. During the most recent fiscal year, the Portfolios portfolio turnover rate was 26% of the average value of its portfolio. Prospectus77
Shares
Shares
on shares owned for 30 days or less)
of the value of your investment)
Principal Investment Strategies The Portfolio invests primarily in high-yielding US corporate fixed-income securities which, at the time of purchase, are rated below investment grade (lower than Baa by Moodys or lower than BBB by S&P (junk bonds)). The Portfolio may invest in securities of non-US companies, including, to a limited
extent, in companies in, or governments of, emerging market countries. Under normal circumstances, the Portfolio invests at least 80% of its assets in bonds and other fixed-income securities of US companies rated, at the time of purchase, below investment grade by S&P or Moodys and as low as the lowest rating assigned by S&P or Moodys, or the unrated equivalent as determined
by the Investment Manager. The Portfolio focuses its investments in high-yielding securities that may be considered better quality (B+ or higher by Moodys or S&P or the unrated equivalent as determined by the Investment Manager). Although the Portfolio may invest in fixed-income securities without
regard to their maturity, the Portfolios average weighted maturity is expected to range between two and ten years. Securities are evaluated based on their fundamental and structural characteristics. Valuation analysis is tailored to the specific asset class, but may include credit research, prepayment or call options, maturity, duration, coupon, currency and country risks. The Portfolio is constructed using a bottom-up discipline in
which the Investment Manager follows a systematic process to seek out undervalued opportunities within each sector. Principal Investment Risks The value of your investment in the Portfolio will fluctuate, which means you could lose money. Market Risk. Market risks, including political, regulatory, market and economic developments, and developments that impact specific economic sectors, industries or segments of the market, can affect the value of the Portfolios investments. In addition, turbulence in financial markets and reduced liquidity in
equity, credit and/or fixed income markets may negatively affect many issuers, which could adversely affect the Portfolio. Issuer Risk. The value of a security may decline for a number of reasons which directly relate to the issuer, such as management performance, financial leverage and reduced demand for the issuers goods or services, as well as the historical and prospective earnings of the issuer and the value of its assets. Fixed-Income Securities Risk. While fixed-income securities are designed to produce a stable stream of income, their prices move inversely with changes in interest rates. Interest rate risk, the risk that securities will decline in value because of changes in market interest rates, is usually greater for fixed-income
securities with longer maturities or effective durations. The Portfolios investments in lower-rated, higher-yielding bonds are subject to greater credit risk than its higher-rated investments. Junk bonds tend to be more volatile, less liquid and are considered speculative. Other risk factors could have an effect on the Portfolios performance, including:
if an issuer fails to make timely interest or principal payments
if there is a decline in the credit quality of a bond, or a perceived decline, in the credit quality of a fixed-income security (or any guarantor of payment on such security) the securitys value could fall, potentially lowering the Portfolios share price
during unusual market conditions, the Portfolio may not be able to sell certain securities at the time and price it would like Non-US Securities Risk. The Portfolios performance will be influenced by political, social and economic factors affecting the non-US countries and companies in which the Portfolio invests. Non-US securities carry special risks, such as exposure to currency fluctuations, less developed or less efficient trading
markets, political instability, a lack of company information, differing auditing and legal standards, and, potentially, less liquidity. In addition, investments denominated in currencies other than US dollars carry the risk that such currencies will decline in value relative to the US dollar and affect the value of
these investments held in the Portfolio. Emerging Market Risk. Emerging market countries can generally have economic structures that are less diverse and mature, and political systems that are less stable, than those of developed countries. The securities markets of emerging market countries have historically been extremely volatile. However, the
capital markets in the US and internationally have experienced unprecedented volatility in recent years, causing significant declines in the value and liquidity of many securities. These market conditions may continue or worsen. Significant devaluation of emerging market currencies against the US dollar may
occur subsequent to acquisition of investments denominated in emerging market currencies. 78Prospectus
Performance Bar Chart and Table The accompanying bar chart and table provide some indication of the risks of investing in Lazard US High Yield Portfolio by showing the Portfolios year-by-year performance and its average annual performance compared to that of a broad measure of market performance. The bar chart shows how the
performance of the Portfolios Institutional Shares has varied from year to year over the past 10 calendar years. Updated performance information is available at www.LazardNet.com or by calling (800) 823-6300. The Portfolios past performance (before and after taxes) is not necessarily an indication of how the
Portfolio will perform in the future.
Best Quarter: Average Annual Total Returns After-tax returns for the Open Shares vary from those of Institutional Shares. After-tax returns are calculated using the historical highest individual marginal income tax rates and do not reflect the impact of state and local taxes. Actual after-tax returns depend on the investors tax situation and may differ from
those shown. The after-tax returns shown are not relevant to investors who hold their shares through tax-deferred arrangements such as 401(k) plans or individual retirement accounts.
Inception
1 Year
5 Years
10 Years
Life of Institutional Shares:
1/2/98 Returns Before Taxes 12.02%
7.18%
8.67%
4.26% Returns After Taxes on Distributions 9.45%
4.42%
5.79%
0.91% Returns After Taxes on Distributions and 7.74%
4.44%
5.73%
1.41% Open Shares (Returns Before Taxes)
2/24/98 11.89%
6.91%
8.39%
3.69% Bank of America Merrill Lynch High Yield Master II® Index
15.58%
10.01%
10.39%
7.00% Prospectus79
Year-by-Year Total Returns for Institutional Shares
As of 12/31
6/30/09 13.08%
Worst Quarter:
12/31/08 -15.96%
(for the periods ended December 31, 2012)
Date
Portfolio
Sale of Portfolio Shares
(reflects no deduction for fees, expenses or taxes)
(Institutional)
6.91%
(Open)
Management Investment Manager Lazard Asset Management LLC Portfolio Manager/Analysts Thomas M. Dzwil, portfolio manager/analyst on the Investment Managers US High Yield team, has been with the Portfolio since May 2003. David R. Cleary, portfolio manager/analyst on various of the Investment Managers portfolio management teams and responsible for the oversight of the US Fixed Income teams, has been with the Portfolio since January 2013. Additional Information For important information about the purchase and sale of Portfolio shares, tax information and financial intermediary compensation, please turn to Additional Information about the Portfolios on page 99. 80Prospectus
Lazard Funds Summary Section p Investment Objective The Portfolio seeks current income exempt from regular federal income taxes, consistent with preservation of capital. Fees and Expenses This table describes the fees and expenses that you may pay if you buy and hold shares of the Portfolio.
Institutional
Open
Shareholder Transaction Fees (fees paid directly from your investment)
Maximum Redemption Fee (as a % of amount redeemed,
1.00%
1.00%
Annual Portfolio Operating Expenses (expenses that you pay each year as a percentage
Management Fees
.25%
.25%
Distribution and Service (12b-1) Fees
None
.25%
Other Expenses 1.16%
37.61%
Total Annual Portfolio Operating Expenses 1.41%
38.11%
Fee Waiver and Expense Reimbursement* 1.01%
37.41%
Total Annual Portfolio Operating Expenses After Fee Waiver and Expense Reimbursement*
.40%
.70%
* Reflects a contractual agreement by the Investment Manager to waive its fee and, if necessary, reimburse the Portfolio through April 30, 2014, to the extent Total Annual Portfolio Operating Expenses exceed .40% and .70% of the average daily net assets of the Portfolios Institutional Shares and Open Shares, respectively, exclusive of taxes, brokerage, interest on borrowings, fees and expenses of Acquired
Funds and extraordinary expenses, and excluding shareholder redemption fees or other transaction fees. This agreement can only be amended by agreement of the Fund, upon approval by the Board, and the Investment Manager to lower the net amount shown and will terminate automatically in the event of termination of the Investment Management Agreement between the Investment Manager and the
Fund, on behalf of the Portfolio.
Example This Example is intended to help you compare the cost of investing in the Portfolio with the cost of investing in other mutual funds. The Example assumes that you invest $10,000 in the Portfolio for the time periods indicated and then redeem all of your shares at the end of those periods. The Example also assumes that your investment has a 5% return each year and that the Portfolios operating expenses remain the same, giving effect to
the fee waiver in year one only. Although your actual costs may be higher or lower, based on these assumptions your costs would be:
1 Year
3 Years
5 Years
10 Years Institutional Shares
$41
$ 347
$ 675
$1,603 Open Shares
$72
$5,607
$8,084
$9,821 Portfolio Turnover The Portfolio pays transaction costs, such as commissions, when it buys and sells securities (or turns over its portfolio). A higher portfolio turnover rate may indicate higher transaction costs and may result in higher taxes when Portfolio shares are held in a taxable account. These costs, which are not reflected
in annual portfolio operating expenses or in the Example, affect the Portfolios performance. During the most recent fiscal year, the Portfolios portfolio turnover rate was 77% of the average value of its portfolio. Prospectus81
Shares
Shares
on shares owned for 30 days or less)
of the value of your investment)
Principal Investment Strategies Under normal circumstances, the Portfolio invests at least 80% of its assets in US municipal securities, the interest on which is, in the opinion of the issuers counsel at the time of issuance, exempt from regular federal income tax. At times, a portion of the Portfolios assets exempt from regular income tax may
be invested in securities subject to the alternative minimum tax (the AMT). The Portfolio invests primarily in securities that are rated investment grade by one or more nationally recognized statistical rating organizations, or, if unrated, determined by the Investment Manager to be of comparable quality. Although the Portfolio may invest in fixed-income securities without regard to their maturity or duration, the Portfolios average weighted effective duration is expected to range between two and seven years. The Portfolio also may invest in other securities that are not municipal securities. The Portfolios investments may include any type of debt instrument, including, for example, zero-coupon securities as well as floating- and variable-rate securities. Securities are evaluated based on their fundamental and structural characteristics. Valuation analysis is tailored to the specific asset class, but may include credit research, prepayment or call options, maturity, duration and coupon or other features. Principal Investment Risks The value of your investment in the Portfolio will fluctuate, which means you could lose money. Market Risk. Market risks, including political, regulatory, market and economic developments, and developments that impact specific economic sectors, industries or segments of the market, can affect the value of the Portfolios investments. In addition, turbulence in financial markets and reduced liquidity in
equity, credit and/or fixed income markets may negatively affect many issuers, which could adversely affect the Portfolio. Fixed-Income Securities Risk. While fixed-income securities are designed to produce a stable stream of income, their prices move inversely with changes in interest rates. Interest rate risk is usually greater for fixed-income securities with longer maturities or effective durations. Municipal Securities Risk. A primary risk of municipal securities, like other fixed-income securities, is credit risk, which is the risk that the issuer will not make timely interest or principal payments. Payment by the issuer may depend on a relatively limited source of revenue, resulting in greater credit risk. The values of municipal securities can fluctuate and may be affected by adverse tax law, legislative or political changes, and by financial or other developments affecting municipal issuers and the municipal securities market generally. If there is a decline, or perceived decline, in the credit quality of a municipal
security (or institutions providing credit and liquidity enhancements), the securitys value could fall, potentially lowering the Portfolios share price. Some municipal securities may give the issuer the option to call, or redeem, the securities before their maturity, and, during a time of declining interest rates, the Portfolio may have to reinvest the proceeds in an investment offering a lower yield (and the Portfolio may not benefit from any increase in the value
of its portfolio holdings as a result of declining interest rates). Future changes in the activity of an issuer may adversely affect the tax-exempt status of municipal securities. If a municipal security fails to meet certain regulatory requirements to maintain its exempt tax status, the interest received by the Portfolio from its investment in such security, and the related
distributions to Portfolio shareholders, will be taxable. The size of certain municipal securities offerings may be relatively smaller in size than other debt offerings and, in some cases, the Portfolio, by itself or together with other accounts managed by the Investment Manager, may hold a position in a security that is large relative to the typical trading volume for
that security; these factors can make it difficult for the Portfolio to dispose of the position at the desired time or price. Liquidity Risk. The lack of a readily available market or restrictions on resale may limit the ability of the Portfolio to sell a security at the time and price it would like. 82Prospectus
Performance Bar Chart and Table The accompanying bar chart and table provide some indication of the risks of investing in Lazard US Municipal Portfolio by showing the Portfolios performance for the first complete calendar year of operation compared to that of a broad measure of market performance. The bar chart shows the performance of
the Portfolios Institutional Shares. Updated performance information is available at www.LazardNet.com or by calling (800) 823-6300. The Portfolios past performance (before and after taxes) is not necessarily an indication of how the Portfolio will perform in the future.
Best Quarter: Average Annual Total Returns After-tax returns for the Open Shares vary from those of Institutional Shares. After-tax returns are calculated using the historical highest individual marginal income tax rates and do not reflect the impact of state and local taxes. Actual after-tax returns depend on the investors tax situation and may differ from
those shown. The after-tax returns shown are not relevant to investors who hold their shares through tax-deferred arrangements such as 401(k) plans or individual retirement accounts. Inception
1 Year
Life of Institutional Shares:
2/28/11 Returns Before Taxes
2.54
%
3.81% Returns After Taxes on Distributions
1.93
%
3.10% Returns After Taxes on Distributions and
1.66
%
2.86% Open Shares (Returns Before Taxes)
2/28/11
2.24
%
3.49% Bank of America Merrill Lynch 1-10 Year Municipal Bond Index
2.98
%
4.92% Prospectus83
Total Returns for Institutional Shares
As of 12/31
6/30/12 1.22%
Worst Quarter:
12/31/12 -0.02%
(for the periods ended December 31, 2012)
Date
Portfolio
Sale of Portfolio Shares
(reflects no deduction for fees, expenses or taxes)
Management Investment Manager Lazard Asset Management LLC Portfolio Manager/Analysts John R. Senesac, Jr., portfolio manager/analyst on the Investment Managers US Fixed Income teams, has been with the Portfolio since inception. George Grimbilas, portfolio manager/analyst on the Investment Managers US Fixed Income teams, has been with the Portfolio since inception. Eulogio (Joe) Ramos, portfolio manager/analyst on the Investment Managers US Fixed Income teams, has been with the Portfolio since inception. David R. Cleary, portfolio manager/analyst on various of the Investment Managers portfolio management teams and responsible for the oversight of the US Fixed Income teams, has been with the Portfolio since inception. Purchase and Sale of Portfolio Shares The initial investment minimums are: Institutional Shares
$
100,000 Open Shares
$
2,500 The subsequent investment minimum is $50. Portfolio shares are redeemable through the Funds Transfer Agent, Boston Financial Data Services, Inc. (the Transfer Agent), on any business day by telephone, mail or overnight delivery. Clients of financial intermediaries may be subject to the intermediaries procedures. Tax Information It is anticipated that virtually all dividends paid to you will be exempt from federal income tax. However, for federal tax purposes, certain distributions, such as distributions of short-term capital gains, are taxable to you as ordinary income, while long-term capital gains are taxable to you as capital gains.
Although the Portfolio seeks to provide income exempt from federal income tax, interest from some of its holdings may be subject to the AMT. Financial Intermediary Compensation Payments to Broker-Dealers and Other Financial Intermediaries If you purchase shares of a Portfolio through a broker-dealer or other financial intermediary (such as a bank), the Portfolio and/or the Investment Manager and its affiliates may pay the intermediary for the sale of Portfolio shares and related services. These payments may create a conflict of interest by
influencing the broker-dealer or other intermediary and your salesperson to recommend the Portfolio over another investment. Ask your salesperson or visit your financial intermediarys website for more information. 84Prospectus
Lazard Funds Summary Section p Lazard Global Fixed Income Portfolio Investment Objective The Portfolio seeks total return from current income and capital appreciation. Fees and Expenses This table describes the fees and expenses that you may pay if you buy and hold shares of the Portfolio.
Institutional
Open
Shareholder Transaction Fees (fees paid directly from your investment)
1.00%
1.00%
Annual Portfolio Operating Expenses (expenses that you pay each year as a percentage
Management Fees
.50%
.50%
Distribution and Service (12b-1) Fees
None
.25% Other Expenses
8.31%
25.71% Total Annual Portfolio Operating Expenses
8.81%
26.46% Fee Waiver and Expense Reimbursement*
8.01%
25.36% Total Annual Portfolio Operating Expenses After Fee Waiver and Expense Reimbursement* .80%
1.10% * Reflects a contractual agreement by the Investment Manager to waive its fee and, if necessary, reimburse the Portfolio through April 30, 2014, to the extent Total Annual Portfolio Operating Expenses exceed .80% and 1.10% of the average daily net assets of the Portfolios Institutional Shares and Open Shares, respectively, exclusive of taxes, brokerage, interest on borrowings, fees and expenses of Acquired
Funds and extraordinary expenses, and excluding shareholder redemption fees or other transaction fees. This agreement can only be amended by agreement of the Fund, upon approval by the Board, and the Investment Manager to lower the net amount shown and will terminate automatically in the event of termination of the investment management agreement between the Investment Manager and the
Fund, on behalf of the Portfolio.
Example This Example is intended to help you compare the cost of investing in the Portfolio with the cost of investing in other mutual funds. The Example assumes that you invest $10,000 in the Portfolio for the time periods indicated and then redeem all of your shares at the end of those periods. The Example also assumes that your investment has a 5% return each year and that the Portfolios operating expenses remain the same, giving effect to
the fee waiver in year one only. Although your actual costs may be higher or lower, based on these assumptions your costs would be:
1 Year
3 Years 5 Years
10 Years Institutional Shares
$ 82
$1,848
$3,483
$ 7,055 Open Shares
$112
$4,494
$7,197
$10,248 Portfolio Turnover The Portfolio pays transaction costs, such as commissions, when it buys and sells securities (or turns over its portfolio). A higher portfolio turnover rate may indicate higher transaction costs and may result in higher taxes when Portfolio shares are held in a taxable account. These costs, which are not reflected
in annual portfolio operating expenses or in the Example, affect the Portfolios performance. During the most recent fiscal year, the Portfolios portfolio turnover rate was 47% of the average value of its portfolio. Prospectus85
Shares
Shares
Maximum Redemption Fee (as a % of amount redeemed,
on shares owned for 30 days or less)
of the value of your investment)
Principal Investment Strategies Under normal circumstances, the Portfolio invests at least 80% of its assets in Fixed Income Investments. Fixed Income Investments include all types of debt and income producing securities and other instruments, including bonds, notes (including structured notes), mortgage-related securities, asset-backed
securities, Eurodollar and Yankee dollar instruments, money market instruments and foreign currency forward contracts, including non-deliverable forward contracts. Fixed Income Investments may be issued by US or foreign corporations or entities, including those with business activities located in emerging
market countries; US or foreign banks; the US government, its agencies, authorities, instrumentalities or sponsored enterprises; US state and municipal governments; foreign governments and their political subdivisions; and supranational organizations (such as the World Bank). Fixed Income Investments may
have any type of interest rate payment terms, including fixed rate, adjustable rate or zero coupon features. In managing the Portfolios assets, the Investment Manager employs a relative value approach that is driven by its macroeconomic view of global interest rates, yield curves, sector spreads, and currencies, combined with an opportunistic, but disciplined, security selection process. The Investment Manager seeks
to enhance the Portfolios total return by rotating investments through global bond and credit markets, maintaining or seeking exposure to foreign currencies in the discretion of the Investment Manager. The Investment Manager seeks to identify and exploit market inefficiencies (such as spread relationships
between sectors in different countries, and undervalued or overlooked markets and securities) in seeking to achieve attractive risk-adjusted returns. The Investment Manager also seeks to identify investment opportunities with asymmetric risk/reward characteristics in seeking to enhance portfolio performance and
mitigate risk. The Portfolios currency exposure generally is managed relative to that of the Barclays Capital Global Aggregate Bond IndexUnhedged in US dollar terms, and tactical exposures to non-US dollar currencies are based on the Investment Managers fundamental macroeconomic outlook, technical factors and the
Investment Managers desired market positioning. Under normal market conditions, the Portfolio invests significantly (at least 40%unless market conditions are not deemed favorable by the Investment Manager, in which case the Portfolio would invest at least 30%) in issuers organized or located outside the US or doing a substantial amount of business outside
the US, securities denominated in a foreign currency or foreign currency forward contracts. The Investment Manager allocates the Portfolios assets among various regions, countries and currencies, including the United States and the US dollar (but in no less than three different countries or currencies). The
Portfolio may invest in securities of issuers with business activities located in emerging market countries or denominated in an emerging market currency. The Portfolio may invest up to 15% of its assets in securities that are rated below investment grade (lower than Baa by Moodys or lower than BBB by S&P) (junk bonds) or the unrated equivalent as determined by the Investment Manager. There are no restrictions on the Portfolios average portfolio maturity
or duration or on the maturities of the individual debt and income producing securities and other instruments in which it may invest. In addition to purchasing or selling foreign currency forward contracts, the Portfolio may, but is not required to, purchase and sell options on foreign currencies, for hedging purposes or to seek to increase returns. Principal Investment Risks The value of your investment in the Portfolio will fluctuate, which means you could lose money. Market Risk. Market risks, including political, regulatory, market and economic developments, and developments that impact specific economic sectors, industries or segments of the market, can affect the value of the Portfolios investments. In addition, turbulence in financial markets and reduced liquidity in
equity, credit and/or fixed income markets may negatively affect many issuers, which could adversely affect the Portfolio. Issuer Risk. The value of a security may decline for a number of reasons which directly relate to the issuer, such as management performance, financial leverage and reduced demand for the issuers goods or services, as well as the historical and prospective earnings of the issuer and the value of its assets. Fixed-Income and Debt Securities Risk. While fixed-income securities are designed to produce a stable stream of income, their prices move inversely with changes in interest rates. Interest rate risk is usually greater for fixed-income securities with longer maturities or effective durations. 86Prospectus
Other risk factors could have an effect on the Portfolios performance, including:
if an issuer fails to make timely interest or principal payments (known as credit risk) if there is a decline, or a perceived decline, in the credit quality of a fixed-income security (or any guarantor of payment on such security) the securitys value could fall, potentially lowering the Portfolios share price during unusual market conditions, the Portfolio may not be able to sell certain securities at the time and price it would like Any investments in lower-rated, higher-yielding securities are subject to greater credit risk than its higher rated investments. Non-investment grade securities tend to be more volatile, less liquid and are considered speculative. Some debt securities may give the issuer the option to call, or redeem, the securities before their maturity. If securities held by the Portfolio are called during a time of declining interest rates (which is typically the case when issuers exercise options to call outstanding securities), the Portfolio may have to
reinvest the proceeds in an investment offering a lower yield (and the Portfolio may not fully benefit from any increase in the value of its portfolio holdings as a result of declining interest rates). Adjustable rate securities provide the Portfolio with a certain degree of protection against rises in interest rates, although the Portfolio will participate in any declines in interest rates as well. Certain adjustable rate securities, such as those with interest rates that fluctuate directly or indirectly based on multiples
of a stated index, are designed to be highly sensitive to changes in interest rates and can subject the holders thereof to extreme reductions of yield and possibly loss of principal. Certain fixed-income securities may be issued at a discount from their face value (such as zero coupon securities) or purchased at a
price less than their stated face amount or at a price less than their issue price plus the portion of "original issue discount" previously accrued thereon, i.e., purchased at a "market discount." The amount of original issue discount and/or market discount on certain obligations may be significant, and accretion of
market discount together with original issue discount will cause the Portfolio to realize income prior to the receipt of cash payments with respect to these securities. Mortgage-Related and Asset-Backed Securities Risk. Mortgage-related securities are complex instruments, subject to both credit and prepayment risk, and may be more volatile and less liquid, and more difficult to price accurately, than more traditional debt securities. Although certain mortgage-related securities
are guaranteed by a third party (such as a US Government agency or instrumentality with respect to government-related mortgage-backed securities) or otherwise similarly secured, the market value of the security, which may fluctuate, is not secured. Mortgage-related securities generally are subject to credit risks
associated with the performance of the underlying mortgage properties. Prepayment risk can lead to fluctuations in value of the mortgage-related security which may be pronounced. As with other interest-bearing securities, the prices of certain mortgage-related securities are inversely affected by changes in
interest rates. However, although the value of a mortgage-related security may decline when interest rates rise, the converse is not necessarily true, since during periods of declining interest rates the mortgages underlying the security are more likely to be prepaid. The risks of asset-backed securities are similar to those of mortgage-related securities. However, asset-backed securities present certain risks that are not presented by mortgage-related securities. Primarily, these securities may provide the Portfolio with a less effective security interest in the related collateral than
do mortgage-related securities. Structured Products Risk. Structured notes and other structured products are privately negotiated debt instruments where the principal and/or interest is determined by reference to a specified asset, market or rate, or the differential performance of two assets or markets. Structured products can have risks of
both fixed income securities and derivatives transactions. Derivatives transactions may reduce returns or increase volatility, perhaps substantially, and they are subject to many of the risks of, and can be highly sensitive to changes in the value of, the related reference assets, markets or rates. As such, a small
investment could have a potentially large impact on the Portfolios performance. Use of derivatives transactions may cause the Portfolio to experience losses greater than if the Portfolio had not engaged in such transactions. Non-US Securities Risk. The Portfolios performance will be influenced by political, social and economic factors affecting the non-US countries and companies in which Prospectus87
the Portfolio invests. Non-US securities carry special risks, such as exposure to less developed or less efficient trading markets, political instability, a lack of company information, differing auditing and legal standards, and, potentially, less liquidity. In addition, investments denominated in currencies other than US dollars carry the risk that such currencies will decline in value relative to the US dollar and affect the value of these investments held in the Portfolio. Emerging Market Risk. Emerging market countries can generally have economic structures that are less diverse and mature, and political systems that are less stable, than those of developed countries. The securities markets of emerging market countries have historically been extremely volatile. However, the
capital markets in the US and internationally have experienced unprecedented volatility in recent years, causing significant declines in the value and liquidity of many securities. These market conditions may continue or worsen. Significant devaluation of emerging market currencies against the US dollar may
occur subsequent to acquisition of investments denominated in emerging market currencies. Liquidity Risk. The lack of a readily available market may limit the ability of the Portfolio to sell certain securities at the time and price it would like. The size of certain debt securities offerings of emerging markets issuers may be relatively smaller in size than debt offerings in more developed markets and, in
some cases, the Portfolio, by itself or together with other Portfolios or other accounts managed by the Investment Manager, may hold a position in a security that is large relative to the typical trading volume for that security; these factors can make it difficult for the Portfolio to dispose of the position at the
desired time or price. Foreign Currency Hedging Risk. Irrespective of any foreign currency exposure hedging, the Portfolio may experience a decline in the value of its portfolio securities, in US dollar terms, due solely to fluctuations in currency exchange rates. The Investment Manager may not be able to accurately predict
movements in exchange rates and there may be imperfect correlations between movements in exchange rates that could cause the Portfolio to incur significant losses. Currency investments could be adversely affected by delays in, or a refusal to grant, repatriation of funds or conversion of emerging market
currencies. Derivatives Risk. Derivatives transactions, including those entered into for hedging purposes, may reduce returns or increase volatility, perhaps substantially. Forward currency contracts, over-the-counter options on currencies and structured products are subject to the risk of default by the counterparty and can be
illiquid. These derivatives transactions, as well as the exchange-traded options and other derivatives transactions in which the Portfolio may invest, are subject to many of the risks of, and can be highly sensitive to changes in the value of, the related currency or other reference asset. As such, a small investment
could have a potentially large impact on the Portfolios performance. Use of derivatives transactions, even if entered into for hedging purposes, may cause the Portfolio to experience losses greater than if the Portfolio had not engaged in such transactions. 88Prospectus
Performance Bar Chart and Table Because the Portfolio did not have a full calendar year of performance as of the date of this Prospectus, no performance returns are presented. Annual performance returns provide some indication of the risks of investing in the Portfolio by showing changes in performance from year to year. Comparison of
Portfolio performance to an appropriate index indicates how the Portfolios average annual returns compare with that of a broad measure of market performance. Updated performance information is available at www.LazardNet.com or by calling (800) 823-6300. The Portfolios past performance is not necessarily
an indication of how the Portfolio will perform in the future. Management Investment Manager Lazard Asset Management LLC Portfolio Manager/Analysts Yvette Klevan, portfolio manager/analyst on the Investment Managers Global Fixed Income team, has been with the Portfolio since inception. Jared Daniels, portfolio manager/analyst on the Investment Managers Global Fixed Income team, has been with the Portfolio since inception. Additional Information For important information about the purchase and sale of Portfolio shares, tax information and financial intermediary compensation, please turn to Additional Information about the Portfolios on page 99. Prospectus89
Lazard Funds Summary Section p Lazard Multi-Asset Targeted Volatility Portfolio Investment Objective The Portfolio seeks total return. Fees and Expenses This table describes the fees and expenses that you may pay if you buy and hold shares of the Portfolio.
Institutional
Open
Shareholder Transaction Fees (fees paid directly from your investment)
1.00%
1.00%
Annual Portfolio Operating Expenses (expenses that you pay each year as a percentage
Management Fees
.85%
.85%
Distribution and Service (12b-1) Fees
None
.25%
Other Expenses
.30%
.35%
Total Annual Portfolio Operating Expenses
1.15%
1.45%
Fee Waiver and Expense Reimbursement*
.25%
.25%
Total Annual Portfolio Operating Expenses After Fee Waiver and Expense Reimbursement*
.90%
1.20%
Other Expenses are based on estimated amounts for the current fiscal year.
* Reflects a contractual agreement by the Investment Manager to waive its fee and, if necessary, reimburse the Portfolio through April 30, 2014, to the extent Total Annual Portfolio Operating Expenses exceed .90% and 1.20% of the average daily net assets of the Portfolios Institutional Shares and Open Shares, respectively, exclusive of taxes, brokerage, interest on borrowings, fees and expenses of Acquired
Funds and extraordinary expenses, and excluding shareholder redemption fees or other transaction fees. This agreement can only be amended by agreement of the Fund, upon approval by the Board, and the Investment Manager to lower the net amount shown and will terminate automatically in the event of termination of the investment management agreement between the Investment Manager and the
Fund, on behalf of the Portfolio.
Example This Example is intended to help you compare the cost of investing in the Portfolio with the cost of investing in other mutual funds. The Example assumes that you invest $10,000 in the Portfolio for the time periods indicated and then redeem all of your shares at the end of those periods. The Example also assumes that your investment has a 5% return each year and that the Portfolios operating expenses remain the same, giving effect to
the fee waiver in year one only. Although your actual costs may be higher or lower, based on these assumptions your costs would be: 1 Year
3 Years Institutional Shares
$ 92
$341 Open Shares
$122
$434 Portfolio Turnover The Portfolio pays transaction costs, such as commissions, when it buys and sells securities (or turns over its portfolio). A higher portfolio turnover rate may indicate higher transaction costs and may result in higher taxes when Portfolio shares are held in a taxable account. These costs, which are not reflected
in annual portfolio operating expenses or in the Example, affect the Portfolios performance. Because the Portfolio had not commenced investment operations prior to the date of this Prospectus, no portfolio turnover information is presented. 90Prospectus
Shares
Shares
Maximum Redemption Fee (as a % of amount redeemed,
on shares owned for 30 days or less)
of the value of your investment)
Principal Investment Strategies The Investment Manager allocates the Portfolios assets among various US and non-US equity and fixed-income strategies managed by the Investment Manager in proportions consistent with the Investment Managers evaluation of various economic and other factors designed to estimate probabilities, including
volatility. The Investment Manager will make allocation decisions among the strategies based on quantitative and qualitative analysis using a number of different tools, including proprietary software models and input from the Investment Managers research analysts. Strategy allocations will change over time. A principal component of the Investment Managers investment process for the Portfolio is volatility management. The Investment Manager generally will seek to achieve, over a full market cycle, a level of volatility in the Portfolios performance of approximately 10%. Volatility, a risk measurement, measures
the magnitude of up and down fluctuations in the value of a financial instrument or index over time. As a consequence of allocating its assets among various of the Investment Managers investment strategies, the Portfolio may:
invest in US and non-US equity and debt securities (including those of companies with business activities located in emerging market countries and securities issued by governments of such countries), depositary receipts and shares, currencies and related instruments, and structured notes invest in common stock of exchange-traded open-end management investment companies and similar products, which generally pursue a passive index-based strategy (commonly known as ETFs) invest in securities of companies of any size or market capitalization invest in debt securities of any maturity or duration invest in securities of any particular quality or investment grade and, as a result, the Portfolio may invest significantly in securities rated below investment grade (junk bonds) or securities that are unrated enter into futures contracts, swap agreements (including credit default swap agreements) and forward contracts, and may purchase and write put and covered call options, on securities, indexes and currencies, for hedging purposes (although it is not required to do so) or to seek to increase returns
Principal Investment Risks The value of your investment in the Portfolio will fluctuate, which means you could lose money. Allocation Risk. The Portfolios ability to achieve its investment objective depends in part on the Investment Managers skill in determining the Portfolios allocation among investment strategies. The Investment Managers evaluations and assumptions underlying its allocation decisions may differ from actual
market conditions. Market Risk. Market risks, including political, regulatory, market and economic developments, and developments that impact specific economic sectors, industries or segments of the market, can affect the value of the Portfolios investments. In addition, turbulence in financial markets and reduced liquidity in
equity, credit and/or fixed income markets may negatively affect many issuers, which could adversely affect the Portfolio. Issuer Risk. The value of a security may decline for a number of reasons which directly relate to the issuer, such as management performance, financial leverage and reduced demand for the issuers goods or services, as well as the historical and prospective earnings of the issuer and the value of its assets. Volatility Management Risk. While the Investment Manager generally will seek to achieve, over a full market cycle, the level of volatility in the Portfolios performance as described above, there can be no guarantee that this will be achieved; actual or realized volatility for any particular period may be materially
higher or lower depending on market conditions. In addition, the Investment Managers efforts to manage the Portfolios volatility can be expected, in a period of generally positive equity market returns, to reduce the Portfolios performance below what could be achieved without seeking to manage volatility
and, thus, the Portfolio would generally be expected to underperform market indices that do not seek to achieve a specified level of volatility. Value Investing and Growth Investing Risks. The Portfolio may invest a portion of its assets in stocks believed by the Investment Manager to be undervalued, but that may Prospectus91
not realize their perceived value for extended periods of time or may never realize their perceived value. The Portfolio also may invest a portion of its assets in stocks believed by the Investment Manager to have the potential for growth, but that may not realize such perceived potential for extended periods of
time or may never realize such perceived growth potential. Such stocks may be more volatile than other stocks because they can be more sensitive to investor perceptions of the issuing companys growth potential. The stocks in which the Portfolio invests may respond differently to market and other
developments than other types of stocks. Non-US Securities Risk. The Portfolios performance will be influenced by political, social and economic factors affecting the non-US countries and companies in which the Portfolio invests. Non-US securities carry special risks, such as exposure to less developed or less efficient trading markets, political
instability, a lack of company information, differing auditing and legal standards, and, potentially, less liquidity. In addition, investments denominated in currencies other than US dollars carry the risk that such currencies will decline in value relative to the US dollar and affect the value of these investments
held in the Portfolio. Emerging Market Risk. Emerging market countries can generally have economic structures that are less diverse and mature, and political systems that are less stable, than those of developed countries. The securities markets of emerging market countries have historically been extremely volatile. However, the
capital markets in the US and internationally have experienced unprecedented volatility in recent years, causing significant declines in the value and liquidity of many securities. These market conditions may continue or worsen. Significant devaluation of emerging market currencies against the US dollar may
occur subsequent to acquisition of investments denominated in emerging market currencies. Fixed-Income and Debt Securities Risk. While fixed-income securities are designed to produce a stable stream of income, their prices move inversely with changes in interest rates. Interest rate risk is usually greater for fixed-income securities with longer maturities or durations. The Portfolios investments in
lower-rated, higher-yielding securities are subject to greater credit risk than its higher rated investments. Credit risk is the risk that the issuer will not make interest or principal payments, or will not make payments on a timely basis. Non-investment grade securities tend to be more volatile, less liquid and are
considered speculative. If there is a decline, or perceived decline, in the credit quality of a debt security (or any guarantor of payment on such security), the securitys value could fall, potentially lowering the Portfolios share price. Some debt securities may give the issuer the option to call, or redeem, the securities before their maturity, and, during a time of declining interest rates, the Portfolio may have to reinvest the proceeds in an investment offering a lower yield (and the Portfolio may not fully benefit from any increase in the value
of its portfolio holdings as a result of declining interest rates). Structured notes are privately negotiated debt instruments where the principal and/or interest is determined by reference to a specified asset, market or rate, or the differential performance of two assets or markets. Structured notes can have risks of both debt securities and derivative transactions. ETF Risk. Any investments in ETFs are subject to the risks of the investments of the ETFs, as well as to the general risks of investing in ETFs. Portfolio shares will bear not only the Portfolios management fees and operating expenses, but also their proportional share of the management fees and operating
expenses of any ETFs in which the Portfolio invests. Shares of ETFs in which the Portfolio invests may trade at prices that vary from their NAVs, sometimes significantly. The shares of ETFs may trade at prices at, below or above their most recent NAV. Small and Mid Cap Companies Risk. Small and mid cap companies carry additional risks because their earnings tend to be less predictable, their share prices more volatile and their securities less liquid than larger, more established companies. The shares of small and mid cap companies tend to trade less
frequently than those of larger companies, which can have an adverse effect on the pricing of these securities and on the ability to sell these securities when the Investment Manager deems it appropriate. Liquidity Risk. The lack of a readily available market may limit the ability of the Portfolio to sell certain securities at the time and price it would like. The size of certain securities offerings of emerging markets issuers may be relatively smaller in size than offerings in more developed markets and, in some
cases, the Portfolio, by itself or together with other Portfolios or other accounts managed 92Prospectus
by the Investment Manager, may hold a position in a security that is large relative to the typical trading volume for that security; these factors can make it difficult for the Portfolio to dispose of the position at the desired time or price. Foreign Currency Hedging Risk. Irrespective of any foreign currency exposure hedging, the Portfolio may experience a decline in the value of its portfolio securities, in US dollar terms, due solely to fluctuations in currency exchange rates. The Investment Manager may not be able to accurately predict
movements in exchange rates and there may be imperfect correlations between movements in exchange rates that could cause the Portfolio to incur significant losses. Currency investments could be adversely affected by delays in, or a refusal to grant, repatriation of funds or conversion of emerging market
currencies. Derivatives Risk. Derivatives transactions, including those entered into for hedging purposes such as those in which the Portfolio may engage, may reduce returns or increase volatility, perhaps substantially. Swap agreements, forward currency contracts, over-the-counter options on securities, indexes and currencies
and structured notes are subject to the risk of default by the counterparty and can be illiquid. These derivatives transactions, as well as the futures contracts and exchange-traded options in which the Portfolio may invest, are subject to many of the risks of, and can be highly sensitive to changes in the value of,
the related security, index or currency. As such, a small investment could have a potentially large impact on the Portfolios performance. Use of derivatives transactions, even if entered into for hedging purposes, may cause the Portfolio to experience losses greater than if the Portfolio had not engaged in such
transactions. Performance Bar Chart and Table Because the Portfolio has not commenced investment operations prior to the date of this Prospectus, no performance returns are presented. Annual performance returns provide some indication of the risks of investing in the Portfolio by showing changes in performance from year to year. Comparison of Portfolio
performance to an appropriate index indicates how the Portfolios average annual returns compare with that of a broad measure of market performance. After the Portfolio commences investment operations, performance information will be available at www.LazardNet.com or by calling (800) 823-6300. The
Portfolios past performance is not necessarily an indication of how the Portfolio will perform in the future. Management Investment Manager Lazard Asset Management LLC Portfolio Manager/Analyst Jai Jacob, portfolio manager/analyst on the Investment Managers Multi Strategy team, will serve from inception. Stephen Marra, portfolio manager/analyst on the Investment Managers Multi Strategy team, will serve from inception. Additional Information For important information about the purchase and sale of Portfolio shares, tax information and financial intermediary compensation, please turn to Additional Information about the Portfolios on page 99. Prospectus93
Lazard Funds Summary Section p Lazard Capital Allocator Opportunistic Strategies Portfolio Investment Objective The Portfolio seeks long-term capital appreciation. Fees and Expenses This table describes the fees and expenses that you may pay if you buy and hold shares of the Portfolio.
Institutional
Open
Shareholder Transaction Fees (fees paid directly from your investment)
Maximum Redemption Fee (as a % of amount redeemed,
1.00%
1.00%
Annual Portfolio Operating Expenses (expenses that you pay each year as a percentage
Management Fees
1.00%
1.00%
Distribution and Service (12b-1) Fees
None
.25%
Other Expenses (including substitute dividend expense on securities sold short) .12%
.42%
Acquired Fund Fees and Expenses (Underlying Funds) .39%
.39%
Total Annual Portfolio Operating Expenses 1.51%
2.06%
Fee Waiver and Expense Reimbursement* .10%
.35%
Total Annual Portfolio Operating Expenses After Fee Waiver and Expense Reimbursement* 1.41%
1.71%
* Reflects a contractual agreement by the Investment Manager to waive its fee and, if necessary, reimburse the Portfolio through April 30, 2014, to the extent Total Annual Portfolio Operating Expenses exceed 1.02% and 1.32% of the average daily net assets of the Portfolios Institutional Shares and Open Shares, respectively, exclusive of taxes, brokerage, interest on borrowings, fees and expenses of Acquired
Funds and extraordinary expenses, and excluding shareholder redemption fees or other transaction fees. This agreement can only be amended by agreement of the Fund, upon approval by the Board, and the Investment Manager to lower the net amount shown and will terminate automatically in the event of termination of the Investment Management Agreement between the Investment Manager and the
Fund, on behalf of the Portfolio.
Example This Example is intended to help you compare the cost of investing in the Portfolio with the cost of investing in other mutual funds. The Example assumes that you invest $10,000 in the Portfolio for the time periods indicated and then redeem all of your shares at the end of those periods. The Example also assumes that your investment has a 5% return each year and that the Portfolios operating expenses remain the same, giving effect to
the fee waiver in year one only. Although your actual costs may be higher or lower, based on these assumptions your costs would be:
1 Year
3 Years
5 Years
10 Years Institutional Shares $144
$467
$ 814
$1,793 Open Shares $174
$612
$1,076
$2,362 Portfolio Turnover The Portfolio pays transaction costs, such as commissions, when it buys and sells securities (or turns over its portfolio). A higher portfolio turnover rate may indicate higher transaction costs and may result in higher taxes when Portfolio shares are held in a taxable account. These costs, which are not reflected
in annual portfolio operating expenses or in the Example, affect the Portfolios performance. During the most recent fiscal year, the Portfolios portfolio turnover rate was 139% of the average value of its portfolio. 94Prospectus
Shares
Shares
on shares owned for 30 days or less)
of the value of your investment)
Principal Investment Strategies The Portfolio utilizes an asset allocation strategy to invest in a global portfolio of uncorrelated assets that can include exposure, through underlying vehicles, to stocks, bonds, commodities and other investments. The Portfolio invests primarily in common stock of exchange-traded open-end management investment companies and similar products, which generally pursue a passive index-based strategy (commonly known as ETFs), as well as actively managed closed-end management investment companies (closed-end
funds) and exchange-traded notes (ETNs and collectively with ETFs and closed-end funds, Underlying Funds). ETFs and ETNs in which the Portfolio may invest include both ETFs and ETNs designed to correlate directly with an index and ETFs and ETNs designed to correlate inversely with an
index and may include actively-managed ETFs. The Portfolio, through Underlying Funds in which it invests, may invest in non-US companies (including those in emerging markets), and the Portfolio also may invest directly in equity and debt securities in addition to its investments in Underlying Funds. The
Portfolios investment portfolio is concentrated in a relatively small number of holdings (generally 10 to 30). Investors can invest directly in Underlying Funds and do not need to invest in Underlying Funds through mutual funds or separately managed accounts. The Portfolio may, but is not required to, effect short sales of securities; enter into futures contracts on indexes, commodities, interest rates and currencies; enter into equity, total return and currency swap agreements, and forward currency contracts; and write put and covered call options on securities (including
ETFs and ETNs), indexes and currencies, for hedging purposes or to seek to increase returns, including as a substitute for purchasing an Underlying Fund. Principal Investment Risks The value of your investment in the Portfolio will fluctuate, which means you could lose money. Market Risk. Market risks, including political, regulatory, market and economic developments, and developments that impact specific economic sectors, industries or segments of the market, can affect the value of the Portfolios investments. In addition, turbulence in financial markets and reduced liquidity in
equity, credit and/or fixed income markets may negatively affect many issuers, which could adversely affect the Portfolio. Issuer Risk. The value of a security may decline for a number of reasons which directly relate to the issuer, such as management performance, financial leverage and reduced demand for the issuers goods or services, as well as the historical and prospective earnings of the issuer and the value of its assets. Underlying Funds Risk. Shares of ETFs and closed-end funds in which the Portfolio invests may trade at prices that vary from their NAVs, sometimes significantly. The shares of ETFs and closed-end funds may trade at prices at, below or above their most recent NAV. Shares of closed-end funds, in particular,
frequently trade at persistent discounts to their NAV. In addition, the performance of an ETF pursuing a passive index-based strategy may diverge from the performance of the index. ETNs may not trade in the secondary market, but typically are redeemable by the issuer. The Portfolios investments in
Underlying Funds are subject to the risks of Underlying Funds investments, as well as to the general risks of investing in Underlying Funds. Portfolio shares will bear not only the Portfolios management fees and operating expenses, but also their proportional share of the management fees and operating
expenses of the ETFs and closed-end funds in which the Portfolio invests. While ETNs do not have management fees, they are subject to certain investor fees. ETNs are debt securities that, like ETFs, typically are listed on exchanges and their terms generally provide for a return that tracks specified market
indexes. However, unlike ETFs and closed-end funds, ETNs are not registered investment companies and thus are not regulated under the 1940 Act. In addition, as debt securities, ETNs are subject to the additional risk of the creditworthiness of the issuer. ETNs typically do not make periodic interest
payments. The Portfolio may be limited by the 1940 Act in the amount of its assets that may be invested in ETFs and closed-end funds unless an ETF or a closed-end fund has received an exemptive order from the Securities and Exchange Commission (the SEC) on which the Portfolio may rely or an exemption is
available. Non-US Securities Risk. The Portfolios performance will be influenced by political, social and economic factors affecting the non-US countries and companies in which the Portfolio invests. Non-US securities carry special risks, such as exposure to currency fluctuations, less developed or less efficient trading
markets, political instability, a lack of company information, differing auditing and legal standards, and, potentially, less liquidity. In addition, Prospectus95
investments denominated in currencies other than US dollars carry the risk that such currencies will decline in value relative to the US dollar and affect the value of these investments held in the Portfolio. Emerging Market Risk. Emerging market countries can generally have economic structures that are less diverse and mature, and political systems that are less stable, than those of developed countries. The securities markets of emerging market countries have historically been extremely volatile. However, the
capital markets in the US and internationally have experienced unprecedented volatility in recent years, causing significant declines in the value and liquidity of many securities. These market conditions may continue or worsen. Significant devaluation of emerging market currencies against the US dollar may
occur subsequent to acquisition of investments denominated in emerging market currencies. Debt Securities Risk. The market value of debt securities is affected by changes in prevailing interest rates and the perceived credit quality of the issuer. When prevailing interest rates fall or perceived credit quality improves, the market value of the affected debt securities generally rises. Conversely, when
interest rates rise or perceived credit quality weakens, the market value of the affected debt securities generally declines. Non-Diversification Risk. Although the Portfolio is classified as diversified under the 1940 Act, it may invest in a smaller number of issuers than other, more diversified investment portfolios. The Portfolios NAV may be more vulnerable to changes in the market value of a single issuer or group of issuers and
may be relatively more susceptible to adverse effects from any single corporate, industry, economic, market, political or regulatory occurrence than if the Portfolios investments consisted of securities issued by a larger number of issuers. Short Sale Risk. Short sales may involve substantial risks. Short sales of securities expose the Portfolio to the risk that it will be required to cover the short position at a time when the underlying security has appreciated in value, thus resulting in a loss to the Portfolio that could be substantial. Foreign Currency Hedging Risk. Irrespective of any foreign currency exposure hedging, the Portfolio may experience a decline in the value of its portfolio securities, in US dollar terms, due solely to fluctuations in currency exchange rates. The Investment Manager may not be able to accurately predict
movements in exchange rates and there may be imperfect correlations between movements in exchange rates that could cause the Portfolio to incur significant losses. Currency investments could be adversely affected by delays in, or a refusal to grant, repatriation of funds or conversion of emerging market
currencies. Derivatives Risk. Derivatives transactions, including those entered into for hedging purposes, may reduce returns or increase volatility, perhaps substantially. Swap agreements, forward currency contracts and over-the-counter options on securities (including options on ETFs and ETNs), indexes and currencies are
subject to the risk of default by the counterparty and can be illiquid. These derivatives transactions, as well as the futures contracts and exchange-traded options in which the Portfolio may invest, are subject to many of the risks of, and can be highly sensitive to changes in the value of, the related index,
commodity, interest rate, currency, security or other reference asset. As such, a small investment could have a potentially large impact on the Portfolios performance. Use of derivatives transactions, even when entered into for hedging purposes, may cause the Portfolio to experience losses greater than if the
Portfolio had not engaged in such transactions. High Portfolio Turnover Risk. The Portfolios investment strategy may involve high portfolio turnover (such as 100% or more). A portfolio turnover rate of 100%, for example, is equivalent to the Portfolio buying and selling all of its securities once during the course of the year. A high portfolio turnover rate
could result in high brokerage costs and an increase in taxable capital gains distributions to the Portfolios shareholders. 96Prospectus
Performance Bar Chart and Table The accompanying bar chart and table provide some indication of the risks of investing in Lazard Capital Allocator Opportunistic Strategies Portfolio by showing the Portfolios year-by-year performance and its average annual performance compared to that of a broad measure of market performance. The bar
chart shows how the performance of the Portfolios Institutional Shares has varied from year to year. Updated performance information is available at www.LazardNet.com or by calling (800) 823-6300. The Portfolios past performance (before and after taxes) is not necessarily an indication of how the Portfolio
will perform in the future.
Best Quarter: Average Annual Total Returns After-tax returns for the Open Shares vary from those of Institutional Shares. After-tax returns are calculated using the historical highest individual marginal income tax rates and do not reflect the impact of state and local taxes. Actual after-tax returns depend on the investors tax situation and may differ from
those shown. The after-tax returns shown are not relevant to investors who hold their shares through tax-deferred arrangements such as 401(k) plans or individual retirement accounts. The Global Asset Allocation Blended Index is rebalanced quarterly and is a blended index constructed by the Investment
Manager that is comprised of 60% MSCI World Index and 40% Barclays Capital US Aggregate Bond® Index.
Inception
1 Year
Life of Institutional Shares:
3/26/08 Returns Before Taxes 9.16%
2.40% Returns After Taxes on Distributions 9.04%
1.86% Returns After Taxes on Distributions and 6.12%
1.81% Open Shares (Returns Before Taxes)
3/31/08 8.84%
2.17% MSCI World Index 15.83%
0.66%
Global Asset Allocation Blended Index 11.30%
3.46% Prospectus97
Year-by-Year Total Returns for Institutional Shares
As of 12/31
6/30/09 14.66%
Worst Quarter:
9/30/11 -10.44%
(for the periods ended December 31, 2012)
Date
Portfolio
Sale of Portfolio Shares
(reflects no deduction for fees, expenses or taxes)
(Institutional)
0.75%
(Open)
(reflects no deduction for fees, expenses or taxes)
(Institutional)
3.51%
(Open)
Management Investment Manager Lazard Asset Management LLC Portfolio Manager/Analysts David R. Cleary, portfolio manager/analyst on various of the Investment Managers portfolio management teams and responsible for the oversight of the US Fixed Income teams, has been with the Portfolio since inception. Christopher Komosa, portfolio manager/analyst on the Investment Managers Capital Allocator Series team, has been with the Portfolio since inception. Additional Information For important information about the purchase and sale of Portfolio shares, tax information and financial intermediary compensation, please turn to Additional Information about the Portfolios on page 99. 98Prospectus
Lazard Funds Additional Information about the Portfolios p Purchase and Sale of Portfolio Shares The initial investment minimums are: Institutional Shares
$
100,000 Open Shares
$
2,500 The subsequent investment minimum is $50. Portfolio shares are redeemable through the Transfer Agent on any business day by telephone, mail or overnight delivery. Clients of financial intermediaries may be subject to the intermediaries procedures. Tax Information (Other than Lazard US Municipal Portfolio) All dividends and short-term capital gains distributions are generally taxable to you as ordinary income, and long-term capital gains are generally taxable as such, whether you receive the distribution in cash or reinvest it in additional shares. Financial Intermediary Compensation Payments to Broker-Dealers and Other Financial Intermediaries If you purchase shares of a Portfolio through a broker-dealer or other financial intermediary (such as a bank), the Portfolio and/or the Investment Manager and its affiliates may pay the intermediary for the sale of Portfolio shares and related services. These payments may create a conflict of interest by
influencing the broker-dealer or other intermediary and your salesperson to recommend the Portfolio over another investment. Ask your salesperson or visit your financial intermediarys website for more information. Prospectus99
Lazard Funds Additional Information About Principal Investment Strategies and Principal Investment Risks p The Fund consists of twenty-two separate Portfolios. Each Portfolio has its own investment objective, strategies, and risk/return and expense profile. Because you could lose money by investing in a Portfolio, be sure to read all risk disclosures carefully before investing. Each Portfolio other than Lazard Multi-Asset Targeted Volatility Portfolio and Lazard Capital Allocator Opportunistic Strategies Portfolio has adopted a policy to invest at least 80% of its assets in specified securities appropriate to its name and to provide its shareholders with at least 60 days prior notice of any
change with respect to this policy. Information on the recent strategies and holdings of each Portfolio that has commenced operations can be found in the current annual/semi-annual report (see back cover). Additional Information About Principal Investment Strategies The following information supplements, and should be read together with, the information about each Portfolios principal investment strategies contained in the Summary Section. Lazard US Strategic Equity Portfolio The Portfolio invests primarily in equity securities, including common stocks, preferred stocks and convertible securities, of US companies that the Investment Manager believes are undervalued based on their earnings, cash flow or asset values. Ordinarily, the market capitalizations of the Portfolios investments
will be within the range of companies included in the S&P 500 Index (ranging from approximately $1.6 billion to $398.8 billion as of April 9, 2013). Lazard US Mid Cap Equity Portfolio The Portfolio invests primarily in equity securities, including common stocks, preferred stocks and convertible securities, of mid cap US companies that the Investment Manager believes are undervalued based on their earnings, cash flow or asset values. Because mid cap companies are defined in part by
reference to an index, the market capitalizations of companies in which the Portfolio invests may vary with market conditions. The Investment Manager is not required to sell a companys securities from the Portfolios holdings when the capitalization of the company increases or decreases so that the company
no longer meets the definition of a mid cap company. Lazard US Small-Mid Cap Equity Portfolio The Portfolio invests primarily in equity securities, including common stocks, preferred stocks and convertible securities, of small to mid capitalization US companies. Because small-mid cap companies are defined in part by reference to an index, the market capitalization of companies in which the Portfolio
invests may vary with market conditions. The Investment Manager is not required to sell a companys securities from the Portfolios holdings when the capitalization of that company increases such that the company no longer meets the definition of a small-mid cap company. The Investment Manager believes that contribution of ideas from multiple sources within the firm benefits the generation of investment ideas for consideration by the Portfolios portfolio management team. Companies selected for investment in the Portfolio generally have, in the Investment Managers opinion,
one or more of the following characteristics:
sustainable returns strong free cash flow with balance sheet flexibility attractive valuation, utilizing peer group and historical comparisons Lazard Global Listed Infrastructure Portfolio The Portfolio invests primarily in equity securities, including common stocks, preferred stocks and convertible securities, of infrastructure companies and concentrates its investments in industries represented by infrastructure companies. Infrastructure companies typically derive at least 50% of their revenues
from, or have at least 50% of their assets committed to, the generation, production, transmission, sale or distribution of energy or natural resources used to produce energy; distribution, purification and treatment of water; provision of communications services and media; management, ownership and/or operation
of infrastructure assets or construction, development or financing of infrastructure assets, such as pipelines, toll roads, airports, railroads or ports. Infrastructure companies also include energy-related companies organized as master limited partnerships (MLPs) and their affiliates, and the Portfolio may invest up
to 25% of its net assets in these energy-related MLPs and their affiliates. 100Prospectus
The Portfolio seeks to focus its investments in a subset of infrastructure securities that are considered preferred infrastructure securities by the Investment Manager. Generally, the Investment Manager considers securities that are more likely to exhibit certain desirable characteristics, such as longevity of the
issuer, lower risk of capital loss and revenues linked to inflation, to be preferred infrastructure securities. The Portfolio considers a company that derives at least 50% of its revenue from business outside the US or has at least 50% of its assets outside the US as doing a substantial amount of business outside the US. The allocation of the Portfolios assets among geographic sectors may shift from time to time based
on the Investment Managers judgment and its analysis of market conditions. Lazard International Equity Portfolio The Portfolio invests primarily in equity securities, including common stocks, preferred stocks and convertible securities, of relatively large non-US companies with market capitalizations in the range of companies included in the MSCI EAFE Index that the Investment Manager believes are undervalued based
on their earnings, cash flow or asset values. The allocation of the Portfolios assets among geographic sectors, and between developed and emerging market countries, may shift from time to time based on the Investment Managers judgment and its analysis of market conditions. Lazard International Equity Select Portfolio The Portfolio invests primarily in equity securities, including ADRs and GDRs, common stocks, preferred stocks and convertible securities, of relatively large non-US companies with market capitalizations in the range of companies included in the MSCI EAFE Index that the Investment Manager believes are
undervalued based on their earnings, cash flow or asset values. The allocation of the Portfolios assets among geographic sectors may shift from time to time based on the Investment Managers judgment and its analysis of market conditions. Lazard International Strategic Equity Portfolio The Portfolio invests primarily in equity securities, including common stocks, preferred stocks and convertible securities, of non-US companies whose principal activities are located in countries represented by the MSCI EAFE Index that the Investment Manager believes are undervalued based on their earnings,
cash flow or asset values. The Portfolio may invest in companies of any size, and the market capitalizations of companies in which the Portfolio invests may vary with market conditions. The allocation of the Portfolios assets among geographic sectors may shift from time to time based on the Investment
Managers judgment and its analysis of market conditions. Lazard International Small Cap Equity Portfolio The Portfolio invests primarily in equity securities, including common stocks, preferred stocks and convertible securities, of relatively small non-US companies that the Investment Manager believes are undervalued based on their earnings, cash flow or asset values. Because small non-US companies are defined
in part by reference to an index, the market capitalization of companies in which the Portfolio invests may vary with market conditions. The Investment Manager is not required to sell a companys securities from the Portfolios holdings when the capitalization of the company increases so that the company no
longer meets the definition of a small non-US company. Securities selected for investment in the Portfolio generally have, in the Investment Managers opinion, one or more of the following characteristics:
the potential to become a larger factor in the companys business sector significant debt but high levels of free cash flow a relatively short corporate history with the expectation that the business may grow The allocation of the Portfolios assets among geographic sectors may shift from time to time based on the Investment Managers judgment and its analysis of market conditions. The Portfolio may invest up to 20% of its assets in equity securities of larger companies. Lazard Emerging Markets Equity Portfolio The Portfolio invests primarily in equity securities, including common stocks, preferred stocks and convertible securities, of non-US companies whose principal activities are located in emerging market countries and that the Investment Manager believes are undervalued based on their earnings, cash flow or asset
values. The allocation of the Portfolios assets among emerging market countries may shift from time to time based on the Investment Managers judgment and its analysis of market conditions. Prospectus101
Lazard Developing Markets Equity Portfolio The Portfolio invests primarily in equity securities, including common stocks, preferred stocks and convertible securities, of non-US companies whose principal activities are located in emerging market countries (also known as developing markets). The allocation of the Portfolios assets among emerging
market countries may shift from time to time based on the Investment Managers judgment and its analysis of market conditions. Lazard Emerging Markets Equity Blend Portfolio The Portfolio invests primarily in equity securities, including common stocks, ADRs and GDRs, preferred stocks and convertible securities, of non-US companies whose principal activities are located in emerging market countries. The allocation among emerging market countries within the emerging markets
relative value and relative growth strategies may shift from time to time based on the Investment Managers judgment and its analysis of market conditions. Lazard Emerging Markets Multi-Strategy Portfolio The investment strategies in which the Portfolio invests may utilize a bottom-up or top-down approach, or a combination of these approaches. A bottom-up approach usually includes fundamental analysis of the investment. A top-down approach involves analysis of various developed and emerging markets
fundamental data, cyclical trends, and global supply/demand appetites, and other factors. The Investment Manager engages in issuer, sovereign, asset allocation, risk measurement and scenario analysis during the portfolio construction process and utilizes a variety of research and risk management tools in
connection with overall portfolio construction and analysis. Lazard Emerging Markets Debt Portfolio In managing the Portfolio, the Investment Manager utilizes a combination of bottom-up fundamental security analysis with a top-down global macroeconomic analysis. The top-down approach involves analysis of various developed and emerging markets fundamental data, cyclical trends, and global supply/demand
appetites, and other factors. The Investment Manager engages in issuer, sovereign, asset allocation, risk measurement and scenario analysis during the portfolio construction process and utilizes a variety of research and risk management tools in connection with the overall portfolio construction and analysis. Lazard US Realty Income Portfolio, The Investment Manager may use macroeconomic analysis and property sector research, including US and international economic strength, the interest rate environment, broader stock market performance and property-level real estate trends as well as traditional supply and demand analysis. The Portfolios consider a company to be real estate-related or real estate intensive if at least fifty percent (50%) of the companys actual or anticipated revenues, profits, assets, services or products are related to real estate including, but not limited to, the ownership, renting, leasing, construction,
management, development or financing of commercial, industrial or residential real estate. Lazard US High Yield Portfolio The Investment Manager typically sells a security for any of the following reasons:
the yield spread declines to a level at which the Investment Manager believes the security no longer reflects relative value the original underlying investment conditions are no longer valid, including a change in the fundamental rationale for the purchase in the opinion of the Investment Manager, the securitys respective asset category or sector has become overvalued relative to investment risks Lazard US Municipal Portfolio The Investment Manager relies on fundamental security selection and disciplined portfolio construction in managing the Portfolio. In constructing the Portfolios holdings, the Investment Manager incorporates a dual methodology that is both bottom-up and top-down. From a bottom-up perspective, individual
securities are selected based on their valuation relative to their risk characteristics within their respective sectors. Security analysis takes into consideration quality, event risk, reinvestment, options, structure, liquidity and diversification, among other factors. Proprietary credit analysis is an integral part of the
security selection process. From a top-down perspective, the Investment Manager pays close attention to shifts in public policy, business cycles, consumer habits, and key economic 102Prospectus
Lazard US Realty Equity Portfolio and
Lazard International Realty Equity Portfolio
variables, such as inflation, interest rates, and unemployment, as well as other factors. Lazard Global Fixed Income Portfolio The Investment Managers strategy includes investing in proxy trades when it believes that an investment in one market can be made as a substitute for another market and can generate a higher total return, on a relative basis. When utilizing this strategy, the Investment Manager conducts scenario and
correlation analysis to manage the resulting basis risk on either currency or interest rate exposure. The Portfolio considers a company that derives at least 50% of its revenue from business outside the US or has at least 50% of its assets outside the US as doing a substantial amount of business outside the US. The allocation of the Portfolios assets among geographic sectors may shift from time to time based
on the Investment Managers judgment and its analysis of market conditions. The Portfolio may engage in derivatives transactions, including purchasing or selling foreign currency and interest rate futures contracts, for hedging purposes or to seek to increase returns. Lazard Multi-Asset Targeted Volatility Portfolio The Investment Manager will make allocation decisions among the various US and non-US equity strategies based on quantitative and qualitative analysis using a number of different tools, including proprietary software models and input from the Investment Managers research analysts. Quantitative analysis
includes, in part, statistical analysis of portfolio risks and performance characteristics, factor dependencies and trading tendencies. Qualitative analysis includes, in part, analysis of the global economic environment as well as internal and external research on individual securities, portfolio holdings, attribution
factors, behavioral patterns and overall market views and scenarios. The Investment Manager engages in fundamental analysis (including credit analysis) while taking into account macroeconomic and other considerations in selecting investment opportunities. The allocation among the Investment Managers strategies may shift from time to time based on the Investment
Managers judgment and its analysis of market conditions, and at any given time the Portfolios assets may not be allocated to all strategies. The investment philosophy employed for the Portfolio is based on an understanding that the current economic environment can be coupled with research into the drivers
of (and risks to) outperformance in the strategies in which the Portfolio invests to create a blend of strategies aligned with the economic cycle. Debt securities in which the Portfolio may invest (as a consequence of allocating its assets among various of the Investment Managers investment strategies) include debt securities issued or guaranteed by governments, government agencies or supranational bodies or US and non-US companies or other private-
sector entities, including fixed and/or floating rate investment grade and non-investment grade bonds (junk bonds), convertible securities, commercial paper, collateralized debt obligations, short- and medium-term obligations and other fixed-income obligations. Lazard Capital Allocator Opportunistic Strategies Portfolio The Investment Manager believes that over the long term, and on a risk-adjusted basis, there is no one size fits all approach to asset allocation and that historical relationships coupled with market insights can help develop a global view to identify and anticipate certain secular and cyclical changes. The
Investment Manager employs a multi-variable investment strategy incorporating both quantitative and qualitative factors to generate the Portfolios asset allocation decisions. The Portfolios investments generally are categorized by the Investment Manager as falling within the following four categories: thematic, diversifying assets, discounted assets and contrarian/opportunistic. The Investment Manager makes allocation changes in the Portfolios investments based on a forward
looking assessment of capital markets using a risk/reward and probability methodology. All Portfolios A Portfolio may engage, to a limited extent, in various other investment techniques, such as lending portfolio securities. Under adverse market conditions, a Portfolio could pursue a defensive strategy by investing some or all of its assets in money market securities to seek to avoid or mitigate losses. Prospectus103
Additional Information About Principal Investment Risks The following information supplements, and should be read together with, the information about each Portfolios principal investment risks contained in the Summary Section. Lazard US Equity Concentrated Portfolio Concentration Risk. The Portfolios ability to concentrate its investments in as few as 15 companies may be limited by applicable requirements of the Code for qualification as a regulated investment company. Lazard Global Listed Infrastructure Portfolio Infrastructure Companies Risk. Infrastructure companies also may be affected by or subject to:
difficulty in raising capital in adequate amounts on reasonable terms in periods of high inflation and unsettled capital markets; inexperience with and potential losses resulting from a developing deregulatory environment; costs associated with compliance with and changes in environmental and other regulations; and technological innovations that may render existing plants, equipment or products obsolete. MLP Risk. An investment in MLP units involves some risks that differ from an investment in the common stock of a corporation. Investing in MLPs involves certain risks related to investing in the underlying assets of the MLPs and risks associated with pooled investment vehicles. MLPs holding credit-related
investments are subject to interest rate risk and the risk of default on payment obligations by debt issuers. Lazard US Realty Income Portfolio, REIT Risk. Due to certain special considerations that apply to REITs, investments in REITs may carry additional risks not necessarily present in investments in other securities. REIT securities (including those trading on national exchanges) typically have trading volumes that are less than those of common
stocks of non-Realty Companies traded on national exchanges, which may affect a Portfolios ability to trade or liquidate those securities. An investment in REITs may be adversely affected or lost if the REIT fails to comply with applicable laws and regulations. Failure to qualify with any of these requirements
could jeopardize a companys status as a REIT. The Portfolios generally will have no control over the operations and policies of the REITs, and the Portfolios generally will have no ability to cause a REIT to take the actions necessary to qualify as a REIT. IPO Shares Risk. Because IPO shares frequently are volatile in price, a Portfolio may hold IPO shares for a very short period of time, increasing the Portfolios portfolio turnover rate. Lazard US High Yield Portfolio Short-Term Trading Risk. At times, the Portfolio may engage in short-term trading, which could produce higher brokerage costs and taxable distributions. Lazard Capital Allocator Opportunistic Strategies Portfolio Underlying Funds Risk. Many ETFs have received an exemptive order from the SEC providing an exemption from the 1940 Act limits on the amount of assets that may be invested in ETFs and closed-end funds, and the Portfolios reliance on an order is conditioned on compliance with certain conditions of
the order. If an exemptive order has not been received and an exemption is not available under the 1940 Act, the Portfolio will be limited in the amount it can invest in Underlying Funds that are registered investment companies to: (1) 3% or less of an Underlying Funds voting shares, (2) an Underlying
Funds shares in value equal to or less than 5% of the Portfolios assets and (3) shares of Underlying Funds in the aggregate in value equal to or less than 10% of the Portfolios total assets. Contrarian/Opportunistic Strategy Risk. A contrarian/opportunistic strategy is susceptible to the risk that the Investment Managers determinations of opportunities in market anomalies do not materialize as expected so that investments using this strategy do not increase in value (and may lose value). Lazard US Strategic Equity Portfolio, Non-Diversification Risk. Although the Portfolios are classified as diversified under the 1940 Act, they may invest in a smaller number of issuers than other, more diversified investment portfolios. The NAV of these Portfolios may be more vulnerable to changes in the 104Prospectus
Lazard US Realty Equity Portfolio and
Lazard International Realty Equity Portfolio
Lazard US Mid Cap Equity Portfolio,
Lazard US Small-Mid Cap Equity Portfolio,
Lazard Global Listed Infrastructure Portfolio and
Lazard Developing Markets Equity Portfolio
market value of a single issuer or group of issuers and may be relatively more susceptible to adverse effects from any single corporate, industry, economic, market, political or regulatory occurrence than if the Portfolios investments consisted of securities issued by a larger number of issuers. All Portfolios Securities Lending Risk. When a Portfolio lends securities to brokers, dealers and other financial institutions, there is a risk that the loaned securities may not be returned during normal settlement periods if the borrower defaults. Securities Selection Risk. Securities and other investments selected by the Investment Manager for a Portfolio may not perform to expectations. This could result in the Portfolios underperformance compared to other funds with similar investment objectives or strategies. Temporary Defensive Strategy Risk. In pursuing a temporary defensive strategy, a Portfolio may forgo more profitable investment strategies and, as a result, may not achieve its stated investment objective. You should be aware that the Portfolios:
are not bank deposits are not guaranteed, endorsed or insured by any bank, financial institution or government entity, such as the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation are not guaranteed to achieve their stated goals Prospectus105
Lazard Funds Fund Management p Lazard Asset Management LLC, 30 Rockefeller Plaza, New York, New York 10112-6300, serves as the Investment Manager of each Portfolio. The Investment Manager provides day-to-day management of each Portfolios investments and assists in the overall management of the Funds affairs. The Investment
Manager and its global affiliates provide investment management services to client discretionary accounts with assets totaling approximately $167 billion as of December 31, 2012. Its clients are both individuals and institutions, some of whose accounts have investment policies similar to those of several of the
Portfolios. The Fund has agreed to pay the Investment Manager an investment management fee at the annual rate set forth below as a percentage of the relevant Portfolios average daily net assets. The investment management fees are accrued daily and paid monthly. For the fiscal year ended December 31, 2012, the Investment
Manager waived all or a portion of its management fees with respect to certain Portfolios, which resulted in such Portfolios paying the Investment Manager an investment management fee at the effective annual rate set forth below as a percentage of the relevant Portfolios average daily net assets.
Name of Portfolio
Investment
Effective US Equity Concentrated Portfolio .70% .37% US Strategic Equity Portfolio .70% .46% US Mid Cap Equity Portfolio .75%
.75% US Small-Mid Cap Equity Portfolio .75%
.75% Global Listed Infrastructure Portfolio
.90%
.90% International Equity Portfolio
.75%
.75% International Equity Select Portfolio
.85%
.00% International Strategic Equity Portfolio
.75%
.75% International Small Cap Equity Portfolio
.75% .70% Emerging Markets Equity Portfolio
1.00%
1.00% Developing Markets Equity Portfolio
1.00%
1.00% Emerging Markets Equity Blend Portfolio 1.00%
1.04% Emerging Markets Multi-Strategy Portfolio
1.00% .73% Emerging Markets Debt Portfolio
.80% .77% US Realty Income Portfolio .75% .75% US Realty Equity Portfolio .80% .53% International Realty Equity Portfolio .90%
.00% US High Yield Portfolio .55% .39% US Municipal Portfolio .25%
.00% Global Fixed Income Portfolio
.50% .00% Multi-Asset Targeted Volatility Portfolio
.85%
N/A* Capital Allocator Opportunistic
1.00% .90%
* The Portfolio had not commenced investment operations as of December 31, 2012.
For Lazard US Realty Income Portfolio, Lazard US Realty Equity Portfolio, Lazard International Realty Equity Portfolio and Lazard Global Fixed Income Portfolio, a discussion regarding the basis for the approval of the investment management agreement between the Fund, on behalf of the Portfolios, and the
Investment Manager is available in the Funds annual report to shareholders for the year ended December 31, 2011. For Lazard Emerging Markets Equity Blend Portfolio, a discussion regarding the basis for the approval of the investment management agreement between the Fund, on behalf of the Portfolio,
and the Investment Manager is available in the Funds annual report to Shareholders for the year ended December 31, 2012. For all other Portfolios, a discussion regarding the basis for the approval of the investment management agreement between the Fund, on behalf of the Portfolios, and the Investment
Manager is available in the Funds semi-annual report to shareholders for the period ended June 30, 2012. The Investment Manager has a contractual agreement to waive its fee and, if necessary, reimburse each Portfolio through April 30, 2014 (except as otherwise noted), to the extent Total Annual Portfolio Operating Expenses exceed the amounts shown below (expressed as a percentage of the average daily net assets of the
Portfolios Institutional Shares and Open Shares), exclusive of taxes, brokerage, interest on borrowings, fees and expenses of Acquired Funds and extraordinary expenses, and excluding shareholder redemption fees or other transaction fees. This agreement can only be amended by agreement of the Fund, upon approval by
the Board, and the Investment Manager to lower the net amount shown and will terminate automatically in the event of termination of the Investment Management Agreement between the Investment Manager and the Fund, on behalf of the Portfolios. 106Prospectus
Management
Fee Payable
Annual Rate
of Investment
Management
Fee Paid
Strategies Portfolio
Name of Portfolio
Institutional
Open US Equity Concentrated Portfolio* .95%
1.25% US Strategic Equity Portfolio .75%
1.05% US Mid Cap Equity Portfolio 1.05%
1.35% US Small-Mid Cap Equity Portfolio 1.15%
1.45% Global Listed Infrastructure Portfolio**
1.30%
1.60% International Equity Portfolio
1.05%
1.35% International Equity Select Portfolio**
1.15%
1.45% International Strategic Equity Portfolio
1.15%
1.45% International Small Cap Equity Portfolio
1.13%
1.43% Emerging Markets Equity Portfolio
1.30%
1.60% Developing Markets Equity Portfolio
1.30%
1.60% Emerging Markets Equity Blend Portfolio 1.30%
1.60% Emerging Markets Multi-Strategy Portfolio**
1.30%
1.60% Emerging Markets Debt Portfolio* 1.00%
1.30% US Realty Income Portfolio 1.15%
1.45% US Realty Equity Portfolio** 1.20%
1.50% International Realty Equity Portfolio
1.30%
1.60% US High Yield Portfolio .55%
.85% US Municipal Portfolio .40%
.70% Global Fixed Income Portfolio
.80%
1.10% Multi-Asset Targeted Volatility Portfolio
.90%
1.20% Capital Allocator Opportunistic Strategies Portfolio*** 1.02%
1.32%
* This agreement will continue in effect through April 30, 2014, and from May 1, 2014 through April 30, 2023, at levels of 1.10% and 1.40% of the average daily net assets of the Portfolios Institutional Shares and Open Shares, respectively. ** This agreement continues in effect through April 30, 2023. *** The addition of Acquired Fund Fees and Expenses will cause Total Annual Portfolio Operating Expenses After Fee Waiver and Expense Reimbursement to exceed the maximum amounts of 1.02% and 1.32% for Institutional Shares and Open Shares, respectively, agreed to by the Investment Manager. This agreement continues in effect through April 30, 2016.
The Investment Manager manages the Portfolios on a team basis. The team is involved in all levels of the investment process. This team approach allows for every portfolio manager to benefit from the views of his or her peers. Each portfolio management team is comprised of multiple team members.
Although their roles and the contributions they make may differ, each member of the team participates in the management of the respective Portfolio. Members of each portfolio management team discuss the portfolio, including making investment recommendations, overall portfolio composition, and the like.
Research analysts perform fundamental research on issuers (based on, for example, sectors or geographic regions) in which the Portfolio may invest. The names of the persons who are primarily responsible for the day-to-day management of the assets of the Portfolios are as follows: US Equity Concentrated PortfolioChristopher H. Blake (since May 2012), Martin Flood (since March 2011) and Andrew D. Lacey# US Strategic Equity PortfolioChristopher H. Blake, Robert A. Failla, Martin Flood (since March 2011), Andrew D. Lacey# and Ronald Temple (since February 2009) US Mid Cap Equity PortfolioRobert A. Failla (since July 2005), Christopher H. Blake (since November 2001), Daniel Breslin (since October 2010), Martin Flood (since March 2011) and Andrew D. Lacey# (since January 2001) US Small-Mid Cap Equity PortfolioDaniel Breslin (since May 2007), Michael DeBernardis and Robert A. Failla (each since October 2010) and Andrew D. Lacey* (since May 2003) Global Listed Infrastructure PortfolioJohn Mulquiney and Warryn Robertson International Equity PortfolioMichael G. Fry (since November 2005), Michael A. Bennett and Michael Powers (each since May 2003), Kevin J. Matthews (since May 2013) and John R. Reinsberg# International Equity Select PortfolioMichael G. Fry (since May 2010), Michael A. Bennett (since May 2003), James M. Donald and Kevin J. Matthews (each since May 2010), Michael Powers (since May 2003) and John R. Reinsberg* International Strategic Equity PortfolioMark Little, Michael A. Bennett (since September 2008), Robin O. Jones (since May 2009) and John R. Reinsberg# International Small Cap Equity PortfolioEdward Rosenfeld (since May 2007), Alex Ingham (since July 2012) and John R. Reinsberg* Emerging Markets Equity PortfolioJames M. Donald (since November 2001), Rohit Chopra (since May 2007), Erik McKee (since July 2008) and John R. Reinsberg* Developing Markets Equity PortfolioKevin OHare, Peter Gillespie, James M. Donald** and John R. Reinsberg* Prospectus107
Shares
Shares
Emerging Markets Equity Blend PortfolioJames M. Donald#, Kevin OHare, Jai Jacob and Stephen Marra (since May 2013) Emerging Markets Multi-Strategy PortfolioJai Jacob, James M. Donald# and Stephen Marra (since May 2013) Emerging Markets Debt PortfolioDenise S. Simon and Arif T. Joshi US Realty Income Portfolio, US Realty Equity Portfolio and International Realty Equity PortfolioJay P. Leupp and David R. Ronco US High Yield PortfolioThomas M. Dzwil (since May 2003) and David R. Cleary*** (since January 2013) US Municipal PortfolioJohn R. Senesac, Jr., George Grimbilas, Eulogio (Joe) Ramos and David R. Cleary*** Global Fixed Income PortfolioYvette Klevan and Jared Daniels Multi-Asset Targeted Volatility PortfolioJai Jacob and Stephen Marra (each to serve from inception) Capital Allocator Opportunistic Strategies PortfolioDavid R. Cleary and Christopher Komosa
# In addition to his oversight responsibility as described below, Mr. Donald, Mr. Lacey or Mr. Reinsberg, as the case may be, is a member of the portfolio management team.
* As a Deputy Chairman of the Investment Manager, Mr. Lacey or Mr. Reinsberg, as the case may be, is ultimately responsible for overseeing this Portfolio but is not responsible for its day-to-day management. ** As head of the Emerging Markets Group, Mr. Donald is ultimately responsible for overseeing this Portfolio but is not responsible for its day-to-day management. *** Mr. Cleary is ultimately responsible for overseeing this Portfolio but is not responsible for its day-to-day management. Unless otherwise indicated, each portfolio manager has served in that capacity since the relevant Portfolios inception. Biographical Information of Principal Portfolio Managers Michael A. Bennett, a Managing Director of the Investment Manager, is a portfolio manager/analyst on the Investment Managers International Equity teams. Prior to joining the Investment Manager in 1992, Mr. Bennett was with General Electric Investment Corporation, Keith Lippert Associates and Arthur
Andersen & Company. Mr. Bennett has been working in the investment field since 1987. Christopher H. Blake, a Managing Director of the Investment Manager, is a portfolio manager/analyst on various of the Investment Managers US Equity teams. Mr. Blake joined the Investment Manager in 1995, when he began working in the investment field as a research analyst for the Investment Manager. Daniel Breslin, a Director of the Investment Manager, is a portfolio manager/analyst on the Investment Managers US Small-Mid Cap Equity and US Mid Cap Equity teams. He began working in the investment field in 1992. Prior to joining the Investment Manager in 2002, Mr. Breslin was with Guardian Life
and New York Life. Rohit Chopra, a Managing Director of the Investment Manager, is a portfolio manager/analyst on the Investment Managers Emerging Markets Equity team, focusing on consumer and telecommunications research and analysis. He began working in the investment field in 1996. Prior to joining the Investment
Manager in 1999, Mr. Chopra was with Financial Resources Group, Deutsche Bank and Morgan Stanley. David R. Cleary, a Managing Director of the Investment Manager, is a portfolio manager/analyst on the Investment Managers Capital Allocator Series team and provides oversight to the US Fixed Income platform. Prior to joining the Investment Manager in 1994, Mr. Cleary was with Union Bank of Switzerland
and IBJ Schroeder. Mr. Cleary is a Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) Charterholder. Jared Daniels, a Director of the Investment Manager, is a portfolio manager/analyst on the Global Fixed Income team. He began working in the investment field in 1997. Prior to joining the Investment Manager in 1998, Mr. Daniels was with CIBC Oppenheimer Corporation. He is a CFA Charterholder. Michael DeBernardis, a Senior Vice President of the Investment Manager, is a portfolio manager/analyst on the Investment Managers US Small-Mid Cap Equity and Global Small Cap Equity teams. Prior to joining the Investment Manager in 2005, Mr. DeBernardis was a Senior Equity Analyst at Systematic
Financial Management L.P. and a Market Data Analyst at Salomon Smith Barney. He began working in the investment field in 1996. James M. Donald, a Managing Director of the Investment Manager, is a portfolio manager/analyst on the Investment Managers Emerging Markets Equity team and Head of the Emerging Markets Group. Prior to joining the Investment Manager in 1996, Mr. Donald was a portfolio manager with Mercury Asset
Management. Mr. Donald is a CFA Charterholder. Thomas M. Dzwil, a Director of the Investment Manager, is a portfolio manager/analyst on the Investment 108Prospectus
Managers US High Yield team. Prior to joining the Investment Manager in 2002, Mr. Dzwil worked at Offitbank. Robert A. Failla, a Managing Director of the Investment Manager, is a portfolio manager/analyst on various of the Investment Managers US Equity teams. Prior to joining the Investment Manager in 2003, he was a portfolio manager with AllianceBernstein. He began working in the investment field in 1993 and
is a CFA Charterholder. Martin Flood, a Director of the Investment Manager, is a portfolio manager/analyst on various of the Investment Managers US Equity teams. Prior to joining the Investment Manager in 1996, Mr. Flood was a Senior Accountant with Arthur Andersen LLP. He began working in the investment field in 1993. Michael G. Fry, a Managing Director of the Investment Manager, is a portfolio manager/analyst on the Investment Managers Global Equity and International Equity teams. Prior to joining the Investment Manager in 2005, Mr. Fry held several positions at UBS Global Asset Management, including Head of
Global Equity Portfolio Management, Global Head of Equity Research and Head of Australian Equities. Mr. Fry began working in the investment field in 1981. Peter Gillespie, a Director of the Investment Manager, is a portfolio manager/analyst on the Investment Managers Developing Markets Equity team. Prior to joining the Investment Manager in 2007, he was a portfolio manager at Newgate Capital, LLP, GE Asset Management and an analyst at Sinta Capital
Corp. Mr. Gillespie is a CFA Charterholder. George Grimbilas, a Director of the Investment Manager, is a portfolio manager/analyst on the Investment Managers US Fixed Income teams. Prior to joining the Investment Manager in 2006, Mr. Grimbilas was a portfolio manager at Ambac Financial Group, Inc., a Managing Director at R.W. Pressprich & Co., a
portfolio manager at Liberty Capital Management and an analyst at The Trepp Group. Mr. Grimbilas is a CFA Charterholder. Alex Ingham, a Director of the Investment Manager, is a portfolio manager/analyst on the Investment Managers Emerging Markets, International and Global Small Cap Equity teams. Prior to joining the Investment Manager in 2011, Mr. Ingham was with Aviva Investors (formerly Morley Fund Management),
Aberdeen Asset Management, Hill Samuel Asset Management and City Financial Partners Limited. He began working in the investment field in 1996. Jai Jacob, a Managing Director of the Investment Manager, is a portfolio manager/analyst on the Investment Managers Multi Strategy team. Mr. Jacob began working in the investment field in 1998 when he joined the Investment Manager. Robin O. Jones, a Director of the Investment Manager, is a portfolio manager/analyst on the Investment Managers International Strategic Equity team. Prior to rejoining the Investment Manager in 2007, Mr. Jones was a portfolio manager for Bluecrest Capital Management since 2006. Mr. Jones initially joined
the Investment Manager in 2002, when he began working in the investment field. Arif T. Joshi, a Managing Director of the Investment Manager, is a portfolio manager/analyst on the Investment Managers Emerging Markets Debt team. Prior to joining the Investment Manager in 2010, Mr. Joshi was a Senior Vice President and portfolio manager at HSBC Asset Management and an associate
at Strategic Management Group. Mr. Joshi is a CFA Charterholder. Yvette Klevan, a Managing Director of the Investment Manager, is a portfolio manager/analyst on the Investment Managers Global Fixed Income team. She began working in the investment field in 1982. Prior to joining the Investment Manager in 2002, Ms. Klevan was a Senior Portfolio Manager at Offitbank
and previously worked at Bank of America, Chase Manhattan Bank and Aramco Services Company. Christopher Komosa, a Senior Vice President of the Investment Manager, is a portfolio manager/analyst on the Investment Managers Capital Allocator Series team. Prior to joining the Investment Manager in 2006, Mr. Komosa was with Permal Asset Management, Pinnacle International Management, Caxton
Associates and Graham Capital. Mr. Komosa is a CFA Charterholder. Andrew D. Lacey, a Deputy Chairman of the Investment Manager, is responsible for oversight of US and Global strategies. He also is a portfolio manager/analyst on various of the Investment Managers US Equity and Global Equity teams. Mr. Lacey joined the Investment Manager in 1996, and has been
working in the investment field since 1995. Jay P. Leupp, a Managing Director of the Investment Manager, is a portfolio manager/analyst on the Investment Managers Global Real Estate Securities team. Prior to joining the Investment Manager in 2011, Mr. Leupp was the President and Chief Executive Officer of Alesco, which he founded in 2005. Prior
to that he was Managing Prospectus109
Director of Real Estate Equity Research at RBC Capital Markets and Robertson Stephens & Co., Inc. Mark Little, a Managing Director of the Investment Manager, is a portfolio manager/analyst on the Investment Managers International Strategic Equity team. Prior to joining the Investment Manager in 1997, Mr. Little was a manager with the Coopers & Lybrand corporate finance practice. He began working in
the investment field in 1992. Stephen Marra, a Senior Vice President of the Investment Manager, is a portfolio manager/analyst on the Investment Managers Multi Strategy team, specializing in strategy research. Prior to joining the Multi Strategy team, Mr. Marra worked in Settlements, Fixed Income Risk and Quantitative Technology. He
began working in the investment field in 1999 upon joining the Investment Manager. Kevin J. Matthews, a Director of the Investment Manager, is a portfolio manager/analyst on various of the Investment Managers International Equity teams. Prior to joining the International Equity teams, Mr. Matthews was a research analyst with a background in financial, automotive, aerospace and capital
goods sectors. He began working in the investment field in 2001 when he joined the Investment Manager. Erik McKee, a Director of the Investment Manager, is a portfolio manager/analyst on the Investment Managers Emerging Markets Equity team, focusing on the materials and industrials sectors. He began working in the investment field in 1996. Prior to joining the Investment Manager in 1999, Mr. McKee was
with Bank of America and Unibanco in Sao Paulo, Brazil. John Mulquiney is a portfolio manager/analyst on the Investment Managers Global Listed Infrastructure team. Prior to joining the Investment Manager in August 2005, Mr. Mulquiney worked at Tyndall Australia and in the Asset and Infrastructure Group at Macquarie Bank, where he undertook transactions and
developed valuation models for airports, electricity generators, rail projects and health infrastructure. Mr. Mulquiney is a CFA Charterholder. Kevin OHare, a Managing Director of the Investment Manager, is a portfolio manager/analyst on the Investment Managers Developing Markets Equity team, focusing on the technology, health care, telecommunications and consumer discretionary sectors. He began working in the investment field in 1991. Prior
to joining the Investment Manager in 2001, Mr. OHare was with Merrill Lynch and Moore Capital Management. Mr. OHare is a CFA Charterholder. Michael Powers, a Managing Director of the Investment Manager, is a portfolio manager/analyst on the Investment Managers Global Equity and International Equity teams. He began working in the investment field in 1990 when he joined the Investment Manager. Eulogio (Joe) Ramos, a Managing Director of the Investment Manager, is a portfolio manager/analyst on the Investment Managers US Fixed Income teams. Prior to joining the Investment Manager in 2006, Mr. Ramos was the Chief Investment Officer of Ambac Financial Group, Inc. He also was associated
with E.H. Capital Group, LLC, Lehman Management Co. and the Lehman Brothers Kuhn Loeb Fixed Income Research Department. John R. Reinsberg, a Deputy Chairman of the Investment Manager, is responsible for oversight of International and Global strategies. He also is a portfolio manager/analyst on the Investment Managers Global Equity and International Equity teams. Prior to joining the Investment Manager in 1992, he served as
Executive Vice President of General Electric Investment Corporation and Trustee of the General Electric Pension Trust. Mr. Reinsberg began working in the investment field in 1981. Warryn Robertson is a portfolio manager/analyst on the Investment Managers Global Listed Infrastructure team. Prior to joining the Investment Manager in April 2001, Mr. Robertson spent three years with Capital Partners, an independent advisory house, where he was an associate director developing business
valuations for infrastructure assets and other alternative equity investments including airports, toll roads, timber plantations, power stations and coal mines. Mr. Robertson is a member of the Securities Institute of Australia and the Institute of Chartered Accountants. David R. Ronco, a Senior Vice President of the Investment Manager, is a portfolio manager/analyst on the Investment Managers Global Real Estate Securities team. Prior to joining the Investment Manager in 2011, Mr. Ronco was a Senior Investment Analyst and Portfolio Manager of Alesco, which he joined in
2006. Prior to that he was in the real estate and equity research groups at RBC Capital Markets and Robertson Stephens & Co., Inc. Edward Rosenfeld, a Director of the Investment Manager, is a portfolio manager/analyst on the Investment Managers Global, International and European Small Cap Equity teams. He began working in the investment 110Prospectus
industry in 1996. Prior to joining the Investment Manager in 2001, Mr. Rosenfeld was an analyst with J.P. Morgan. John R. Senesac, Jr., a Director of the Investment Manager, is a portfolio manager/analyst on the Investment Managers US Fixed Income teams. Prior to joining the Investment Manager in 2000, Mr. Senesac was associated with Alliance Capital/Regent Investor Services and Trenwick America Reinsurance
Corporation. Mr. Senesac is a CFA Charterholder. Denise S. Simon, a Managing Director of the Investment Manager, is a portfolio manager/analyst on the Investment Managers Emerging Markets Debt team. Prior to joining the Investment Manager in 2010, Ms. Simon was a Managing Director and portfolio manager at HSBC Asset Management. She also was
associated with The Atlantic Advisors, Dresdner Kleinwort Wasserstein, Bayerische Vereinsbank, Lehman Brothers, Kleinwort Benson and UBS. Ronald Temple, a Managing Director of the Investment Manager, is a portfolio manager/analyst on various of the Investment Managers US Equity teams and the Global Equity Select team. He also is a Co-Director of Research and has primary research coverage of the financials sector. Mr. Temple joined the
Investment Manager in 2001 and has been working in the investment field since 1991. Additional information about the portfolio managers compensation, other accounts managed by the portfolio managers and the portfolio managers ownership of shares of the Portfolios is contained in the Funds Statement of Additional Information (SAI). State Street Bank and Trust Company (State Street), located at One Lincoln Street, Boston, Massachusetts 02111, serves as each Portfolios administrator. Lazard Asset Management Securities LLC (the Distributor) acts as distributor for the Funds shares. State Street acts as custodian of the Portfolios investments. State Street may enter into subcustodial arrangements on behalf of the Portfolios for the holding of non-US securities. Prospectus111
Lazard Funds Shareholder Information p Portfolio shares are sold and redeemed, without a sales charge, on a continuous basis at the NAV next determined after an order in proper form is received by the Transfer Agent or another authorized entity. The Fund determines the NAV of each Portfolios share Classes as of the close of regular session trading on the New York Stock Exchange (the NYSE) (normally 4:00 p.m. Eastern time) on each day the NYSE is open for trading. The Fund values securities for which market quotations are readily available
at market value. Securities and other assets for which current market quotations are not readily available are valued at fair value as determined in good faith in accordance with procedures approved by the Board. Calculation of NAV may not take place contemporaneously with the determination of the prices of portfolio assets used in such calculation. If a significant event materially affecting the value of securities occurs between the close of the exchange or market on which the security is principally traded and the
time when NAV is calculated, or when current market quotations otherwise are determined not to be readily available or reliable, such securities will be valued at their fair value as determined by, or in accordance with procedures approved by, the Board. Fair valuing of non-US equity securities may be
determined with the assistance of a pricing service, using correlations between the movement of prices of such securities and indices of US securities and other appropriate indicators, such as closing market prices of relevant ADRs or futures contracts. The effect of using fair value pricing is that the NAV will
reflect the affected securities values as determined in the judgment of the Board or its designee instead of being determined by the market. Using a fair value pricing methodology to price securities may result in a value that is different from the most recent closing price of a security and from the prices used
by other investment companies to calculate their portfolios NAVs. Non-US securities may trade on days when a Portfolio is not open for business, thus affecting the value of the Portfolios assets on days when Portfolio shareholders may not be able to buy or sell Portfolio shares. Minimum Investment All purchases made by check should be in US Dollars and made payable to The Lazard Funds, Inc. Third party checks will not be accepted. The Fund will not accept cash or cash equivalents (such as currency, money orders or travelers checks) for the purchase of Fund shares. Please note the following
minimums in effect for initial investments: Institutional Shares
$
100,000 Open Shares
$
2,500 The subsequent investment minimum is $50. The minimum investment requirements may be waived or lowered for investments effected through banks and other institutions that have entered into arrangements with the Fund or the Distributor; for investments effected on a group basis by certain other entities and their employees, such as pursuant to a
payroll deduction plan and asset-based or wrap programs; and for employees of the Investment Manager and their families. Please consult your financial intermediary for information about minimum investment requirements. The Fund reserves the right to change or waive the minimum initial, and subsequent,
investment requirements at any time. Lazard Emerging Markets Equity Portfolio Closed to Most New Investors Effective as of the close of business on July 19, 2010, the Portfolio was generally closed to new investors. Those investors who did not own shares of the Portfolio on July 19, 2010 may open new accounts in the Portfolio only through certain products managed by the Investment Manager that maintain an
allocation to the Portfolio, certain retirement or employee benefit plans (including 401(k) and other defined contribution plans) under the same primary tax identification number and certain other approved financial institutions or programs. Additionally, employees of the Investment Manager and members of the
Board may open new accounts in the Portfolio. All current shareholders with open accounts may purchase additional shares of the Portfolio and continue, or elect, to reinvest dividends and capital gains distributions in shares of the Portfolio. The Fund may make certain exceptions or otherwise modify this policy
at any time. The Fund reserves the right, at any future date, to open the Portfolio to all investors or to further close the Portfolio, including closing the Portfolio to additional investment by current shareholders or to the categories of investors who currently may open new accounts. 112Prospectus
Investors may be required to demonstrate eligibility to purchase shares of the Portfolio before an investment is accepted. For questions about qualifying to purchase shares of the Portfolio, please call (800) 823-6300. Through the Transfer Agent: Shareholders who do not execute trades through a broker-dealer or other financial intermediary should submit their purchase requests to the Transfer Agent by telephone or mail, as follows: Initial Purchase By Mail
1.
Complete a Purchase Application. Indicate the services to be used. 2. Send the Purchase Application and a check for $2,500 or more for Open Shares, or $100,000 or more for Institutional Shares, payable to The Lazard Funds, Inc. to: regular mail overnight delivery By Wire Your bank may charge you a fee for this service.
1.
Call (800) 986-3455 toll-free from any state and provide the following:
the Portfolio(s) and Class of shares to be invested in name(s) in which shares are to be registered address social security or tax identification number dividend payment election amount to be wired name of the wiring bank, and name and telephone number of the person to be contacted in connection with the order. An account number will then be assigned.
2.
Instruct the wiring bank to transmit the specified amount in federal funds, giving the wiring bank the account name(s) and assigned account number, to State Street:
ABA #: 011000028 3. Complete a Purchase Application. Indicate the services to be used. Mail the Purchase Application to the address set forth in Item 2 under Initial PurchaseBy Mail above. Additional Purchases By Mail
Make a check payable to The Lazard Funds, Inc. Write the shareholders account number on the check. 2. Mail the check and the detachable stub from the Statement of Account (or a letter providing the account number) to the address set forth in Item 2 under Initial PurchaseBy Mail above. By Wire Instruct the wiring bank to transmit the specified amount in federal funds to State Street, as instructed in Item 2 under Initial PurchaseBy Wire above. By ACH Shareholders may purchase additional shares of a Portfolio by automated clearing house (ACH). To set up the ACH purchases option, call (800) 986-3455. ACH is similar to making Automatic Investments (described below under Shareholder InformationInvestor ServicesAutomatic Investments), except that
shareholders may choose the date on which to make the purchase. The Fund will need a voided check or deposit slip before shareholders may purchase by ACH. By Exchange Shareholders may purchase additional shares of a Portfolio by exchange from another Portfolio, as described below under Shareholder InformationInvestor ServicesExchange Privilege. Prospectus113
The Lazard Funds, Inc.
P.O. Box 8514
Boston, Massachusetts 02266-8514
Attention: (Name of Portfolio and Class of Shares)
The Lazard Funds, Inc.
30 Dan Road
Canton, Massachusetts 02021-2809
State Street Bank and Trust Company
Boston, Massachusetts
Custody and Shareholder Services Division
DDA 9905-2375
Attention: (Name of Portfolio and Class of Shares)
The Lazard Funds, Inc.
Shareholders Name and Account Number
1.
Through a Lazard Brokerage Account Shareholders who have a brokerage account with Lazard Capital Markets LLC should contact their account representative for specific instructions on how to purchase Portfolio shares. Purchases through the Automatic Investment Plan (Open Shares only) Investors may participate in the Automatic Investment Plan by making subsequent investments in a Portfolio through automatic deductions from a designated bank account at regular intervals selected by the investor. The Automatic Investment Plan enables an investor to make regularly scheduled investments
and may provide investors with a convenient way to invest for long-term financial goals. To enroll in the Automatic Investment Plan, call (800) 986-3455. Individual Retirement Accounts The Fund may be used as an investment for IRAs. Completion of a Lazard Funds IRA application is required. For a Direct IRA Account (an account other than an IRA rollover) a $5 establishment fee and a $15 annual maintenance and custody fee is payable to State Street for each IRA Fund account; in
addition, a $10 termination fee will be charged and paid to State Street when the account is closed. For more information on IRAs, call (800) 986-3455. Market Timing/Excessive Trading Each Portfolio is intended to be a long-term investment vehicle and is not designed to provide investors with a means of speculating on short-term market movements. Excessive trading, market timing or other abusive trading practices may disrupt investment management strategies and harm performance and
may create increased transaction and administrative costs that must be borne by the Portfolios and their shareholders, including those not engaged in such activity. In addition, such activity may dilute the value of Portfolio shares held by long-term investors. The Funds Board has approved policies and
procedures with respect to frequent purchases and redemptions of Portfolio shares that are intended to discourage and prevent these practices, including regular monitoring of trading activity in Portfolio shares. The Fund will not knowingly accommodate excessive trading, market timing or other abusive trading
practices. The Fund routinely reviews Portfolio share transactions and seeks to identify and deter abusive trading practices. The Fund monitors for transactions that may be harmful to a Portfolio, either on an individual basis or as part of a pattern of abusive trading practices. Each Portfolio reserves the right to refuse,
with or without notice, any purchase or exchange request that could adversely affect the Portfolio, its operations or its shareholders, including those requests from any individual or group who, in the Funds view, is likely to engage in excessive trading, market timing or other abusive trading practices, and where
a particular account appears to be engaged in abusive trading practices, the Fund will seek to restrict future purchases of Portfolio shares by that account or may temporarily or permanently terminate the availability of the exchange privilege, or reject in whole or part any exchange request, with respect to such
investors account. The Fund may deem a shareholder to be engaged in abusive trading practices without advance notice and based on information unrelated to the specific trades in the shareholders account. For instance, the Fund may determine that the shareholders account is linked to another account that
was previously restricted or a third party intermediary may provide information to the Fund with respect to a particular account that is of concern to the Fund. Accounts under common ownership, control or perceived affiliation may be considered together for purposes of determining a pattern of excessive
trading practices. An investor who makes more than six exchanges per Portfolio during any twelve-month period, or who makes exchanges that appear to coincide with a market timing strategy, may be deemed to be engaged in excessive trading. In certain cases, the Fund may deem a single roundtrip trade or
exchange (redeeming or exchanging a Portfolios shares followed by purchasing or exchanging into shares of that Portfolio) as a violation of the Funds policy against abusive trading practices. The Funds actions may not be subject to appeal. Each Portfolio deducts a 1.00% redemption fee on sales of shares owned for 30 days or less (not charged on shares acquired through reinvestment of dividends or distributions), except that no redemption fee will be charged with respect to shares purchased through certain omnibus account and other service
arrangements established by certain brokers and other financial intermediaries and approved by the Distributor and under certain other circumstances. See Shareholder InformationHow to Sell SharesRedemption Fee below. 114Prospectus
(Minimum $50)
Redemption fees are only one way for the Fund to deter abusive trading practices. To discourage attempts to arbitrage pricing of international securities (among other reasons), the Board has adopted policies and procedures providing that if events materially affecting the value of securities occur between the
close of the exchange or market on which the security is principally traded and the time when a Portfolios NAV is calculated, such securities will be valued at their fair value as determined by, or in accordance with procedures approved by, the Board. See Shareholder InformationGeneral. The codes of ethics
of the Fund, the Investment Manager and the Distributor in respect of personal trading contain limitations on trading in Portfolio shares. As described below, the Fund may take up to seven days to pay redemption proceeds. This may occur when, among other circumstances, the investor redeeming shares is engaged in excessive trading or if the redemption request otherwise would be disruptive to efficient portfolio management or would
otherwise adversely affect the Portfolio. All of the policies described in this section apply uniformly to all Portfolio accounts. However, while the Fund and the Investment Manager will take reasonable steps to prevent trading practices deemed to be harmful to a Portfolio by monitoring Portfolio share trading activity, they may not be able to prevent
or identify such trading. If the Fund is not able to prevent abusive trading practices, such trading may disrupt investment strategies, harm performance and increase costs to all Portfolio investors, including those not engaged in such activity. The Funds policy on abusive trading practices does not apply to
automatic investment or automatic exchange privileges. Securities trading in non-US markets are particularly susceptible to time zone arbitrage. As a result, Portfolios investing in securities trading in non-US markets, including Lazard Capital Allocator Opportunistic Strategies Portfolio, which may invest in Underlying Funds that invest in securities trading in non-US
markets, may be at greater risk for market timing than funds that invest in securities trading in US markets. Distribution and Servicing Arrangements Each Portfolio offers Institutional Shares and Open Shares. Institutional Shares and Open Shares have different investment minimums and different expense ratios. The Fund has adopted a plan under rule 12b-1 (the 12b-1 plan) that allows each Portfolio to pay the Distributor a fee, at the annual rate of
0.25% of the value of the average daily net assets of each Portfolios Open Shares, for distribution and services provided to holders of Open Shares. Because these fees are paid out of each Portfolios assets on an on-going basis, over time these recurring fees will increase the cost of your investment and may
cost you more than paying other types of sales charges. Institutional Shares do not pay a rule 12b-1 fee. Third parties may receive payments pursuant to the 12b-1 plan. The Investment Manager or the Distributor may provide additional cash payments out of its own resources to financial intermediaries that sell shares and/or provide marketing, shareholder servicing, account administration or other services. Such payments are in addition to any fees paid by the Fund under rule
12b-1. The receipt of such payments pursuant to the 12b-1 plan or from the Investment Manager or Distributor could create an incentive for the third parties to offer a Portfolio instead of other mutual funds where such payments are not received. Further information is contained in the SAI, and you should consult
your financial intermediary for further details. General Checks for sale proceeds ordinarily will be mailed within seven days. Where the shares to be sold have been purchased by check or through the Automatic Investment Plan, the sale proceeds, net of any applicable redemption fee, will be transmitted to you promptly upon bank clearance of your purchase check,
which may take up to 15 calendar days. Redemption requests also may be satisfied, in whole or in part, through a redemption-in-kind (a payment in portfolio securities instead of cash). Redemption Fee Each Portfolio will impose a redemption fee equal to 1.00% of the NAV of Portfolio shares acquired by purchase or exchange and redeemed or exchanged within 30 days after such shares were acquired. This fee will be calculated based on the shares NAV at redemption and deducted from the redemption
proceeds. The fee will be retained by each Portfolio and used primarily to offset the Prospectus115
transaction costs that short-term trading imposes on each Portfolio and its remaining shareholders. The redemption fee will not apply to shares acquired through the reinvestment of dividends or distributions. For purposes of calculating the 30-day holding period, the Fund will first redeem shares acquired
through the reinvestment of dividends or distributions and then will employ the first in, first out method, which assumes that the shares redeemed or exchanged are the ones held the longest. The Fund, in its discretion, may waive or reverse the redemption fee for Portfolio shares redeemed or exchanged: (1) through systematic, nondiscretionary rebalancing or asset allocation programs that have been approved by the Distributor; (2) in connection with the Funds Systematic Withdrawal Plan, described
below; (3) by a fund-of-funds; (4) involuntarily, such as a redemption resulting from failure to maintain a minimum investment or due to a Portfolio merger or liquidation; (5) in connection with a conversion from one share class to another share class of the same Portfolio; (6) in the event of shareholder death or
post-purchase disability; (7) to return an excess contribution in an IRA or qualified plan account; (8) in connection with required minimum distributions from an IRA or qualified plan account; (9) in programs with financial intermediaries that include on their platforms qualified default investment alternatives for
participant-directed individual account plans (with respect to which Department of Labor regulations restrict the imposition of redemption fees and similar fees) and where adequate systems designed to deter abusive trading practices are in place; (10) by certain accounts under situations deemed appropriate by
the Fund, including where the capability to charge a fee does not exist or is not practical and where adequate systems designed to deter abusive trading practices are in place; or (11) in the event of transactions documented as inadvertent or prompted by bona fide emergencies or other exigent circumstances. In
certain situations, a financial intermediary, wrap sponsor or other omnibus account holder may apply the Portfolios redemption fees to the accounts of their underlying shareholders. If this is the case, the Portfolios will rely in part on the account holder to monitor and assess the redemption fee on the
underlying shareholder accounts in accordance with this Prospectus. The redemption fee may be waived, modified or terminated at any time, or from time to time, without advance notice. Selling Shares Through the Transfer Agent: Shareholders who do not execute trades through a broker-dealer or other financial intermediary should submit their sale requests to the Transfer Agent by telephone or mail, as follows: By Telephone: A shareholder may redeem shares by calling the Transfer Agent. To redeem shares by telephone, the shareholder must have properly completed and submitted to the Transfer Agent either a Purchase Application authorizing such redemption. To place a redemption request, or to have the telephone redemption
privilege added to your account, please call the Transfer Agents toll-free number, (800) 986-3455. In order to confirm that telephone instructions for redemptions are genuine, the Fund has established reasonable procedures to be employed by the Fund and the Transfer Agent, including the requirement that a
form of personal identification be provided. By Mail:
1.
Write a letter of instruction to the Fund. Indicate the dollar amount or number of shares to be sold, the Portfolio and Class, the shareholders account number, and social security or taxpayer identification number. 2. Sign the letter in exactly the same way the account is registered. If there is more than one owner of the account, all must sign. 3. If shares to be sold have a value of $50,000 or more, the signature(s) must be guaranteed by a domestic bank, savings and loan institution, domestic credit union, member bank of the Federal Reserve System, broker-dealer, registered securities association or clearing agency, or other participant in a signature
guarantee program. Signature guarantees by a notary public are not acceptable. Further documentation may be requested to evidence the authority of the person or entity making the redemption request. In addition, all redemption requests that include instructions for redemption proceeds to be sent
somewhere other than the address on file must be signature guaranteed. 116Prospectus
4. Send the letter to the Transfer Agent at the following address: regular mail overnight delivery Through a Lazard Brokerage Account: Shareholders who have a brokerage account with Lazard Capital Markets LLC should contact their account representative for specific instructions on how to sell Portfolio shares. Automatic Reinvestment Plan allows your dividends and capital gain distributions to be reinvested in additional shares of your Portfolio or another Portfolio. Automatic Investment Plan allows you to purchase Open Shares through automatic deductions from a designated bank account. Systematic Withdrawal Plan allows you to receive payments at regularly scheduled intervals if your account holds at least $10,000 in Portfolio shares at the time plan participation begins. The maximum regular withdrawal amount for monthly withdrawals is 1% of the value of your Portfolio shares at the time
plan participation begins. Exchange Privilege allows you to exchange shares of one Portfolio that have been held for seven days or more for shares of the same Class of another Portfolio in an identically registered account. Shares will be exchanged at the next determined NAV, subject to any applicable redemption fee. There is no other
cost associated with this service. All exchanges are subject to the minimum initial investment requirements. A shareholder may exchange shares by writing or calling the Transfer Agent. To exchange shares by telephone, the shareholder must have properly completed and submitted to the Transfer Agent either a Purchase Application authorizing such exchanges or a signed letter requesting that the exchange privilege
be added to the account. The Transfer Agents toll-free number for exchanges is (800) 986-3455. In order to confirm that telephone instructions for exchanges are genuine, the Fund has established reasonable procedures to be employed by the Fund and the Transfer Agent, including the requirement that a
form of personal identification be provided. The Fund reserves the right to limit the number of times shares may be exchanged between Portfolios, to reject any telephone exchange order, or to otherwise modify or discontinue the exchange privilege at any time. If an exchange request is refused, the Fund will take no other action with respect to the
shares until it receives further instructions from the investor. See Shareholder InformationHow to Buy SharesMarket Timing/ Excessive Trading for more information about restrictions on exchanges. In addition to the policies described above, the Fund reserves the right to:
redeem an account, with notice, if the value of the account falls below $1,000 due to redemptions convert Institutional Shares held by a shareholder whose account is less than $100,000 to Open Shares, upon written notice to the shareholder suspend redemptions or postpone payments when the NYSE is closed for any reason other than its usual weekend or holiday closings or when trading is restricted by the SEC change or waive the required minimum investment amounts delay sending out redemption proceeds for up to seven days (this usually applies to very large redemptions received without notice, excessive trading, or during unusual market conditions) make a redemption-in-kind (a payment in portfolio securities instead of in cash) if it is determined that a redemption is too large and/or may cause harm to a Portfolio and its shareholders Prospectus117
The Lazard Funds, Inc.
P.O. Box 8514
Boston, Massachusetts 02266-8514
Attention: (Name of Portfolio and Class of Shares)
The Lazard Funds, Inc.
30 Dan Road
Canton, Massachusetts 02021-2809
Also in addition to the policies described above, the Fund may refuse or restrict purchase or exchange requests for Portfolio shares by any person or group if, in the judgment of the Funds management:
a Portfolio would be unable to invest the money effectively in accordance with its investment objective and policies or could otherwise be adversely affected a Portfolio receives or anticipates receiving simultaneous orders that may significantly affect the Portfolio (e.g., amounts equal to 1% or more of the Portfolios total assets) The Fund also reserves the right to close a Portfolio to investors at any time. Account Policies, Dividends and Taxes Account Statements You will receive quarterly statements detailing your account activity. All investors will also receive an annual statement detailing the tax characteristics of any dividends and distributions that you have received in your account. You will also receive confirmations of each trade executed in your account. To reduce expenses, only one copy of the most recent annual and semi-annual reports of the Fund may be mailed to your household, even if you have more than one account with the Fund. Call (800) 542-1061 if you need additional copies of annual or semi-annual reports. Call the Transfer Agent at the
telephone number listed on the back cover if you need account information. Dividends and Distributions Income dividends are normally declared each business day and paid monthly for Emerging Markets Debt Portfolio, US High Yield Portfolio, US Municipal Portfolio and Global Fixed Income Portfolio. For Global Listed Infrastructure Portfolio and US Realty Income Portfolio, income dividends, if any, are
anticipated to be paid quarterly. For all other Portfolios, income dividends are anticipated to be paid annually. Net capital gains, if any, are normally distributed annually, but may be distributed more frequently. Annual year end distribution estimates are expected to be available on or about November 14, 2013
at www.LazardNet.com or by calling (800) 823-6300. Estimates for any spillback distributions (income and/or net capital gains from the 2012 fiscal year that were not distributed by December 31, 2012) are expected to be available on or about August 15, 2013 at www.LazardNet.com or by calling (800) 823-
6300. Because the REITs in which US Realty Income Portfolio, US Realty Equity Portfolio and International Realty Equity Portfolio invest do not provide complete information about the taxability of their distributions until after the calendar year-end, the Portfolios may not be able to determine how much of
their distributions are taxable to shareholders until after the January 31st deadline for issuing Form 1099-DIV. As a result, US Realty Income Portfolio, US Realty Equity Portfolio and International Realty Equity Portfolio may request permission from the Internal Revenue Service each year for an extension of
time to issue Form 1099-DIV until February 28th. Dividends and distributions of a Portfolio will be reinvested in additional shares of the same Class of the Portfolio at the NAV on the ex-dividend date, and credited to the shareholders account on the payment date or, at the shareholders election, paid in cash. Each share Class of the Portfolio will generate a
different dividend because each has different expenses. Dividend checks and account statements will be mailed approximately two business days after the payment date. Tax Information Please be aware that the following tax information is general and refers to the provisions of the Code, which are in effect as of the date of this Prospectus. You should consult a tax adviser about the status of your distributions from your Portfolio. All dividends and short-term capital gains distributions are generally taxable to you as ordinary income, and long-term capital gains are generally taxable as such, whether you receive the distribution in cash or reinvest it in additional shares. An exchange of a Portfolios shares for shares of another Portfolio will
be treated as a sale of the Portfolios shares, and any gain on the transaction may be subject to income taxes. Keep in mind that distributions may be taxable to you at different rates which depend on the length of time a Portfolio held the applicable investment, not the length of time that you held your Portfolio shares. The tax status of any distribution is the same regardless of how long you have been in a Portfolio
and whether you reinvest your distributions or take them in cash. High portfolio turnover and more volatile markets can result in taxable 118Prospectus
distributions to shareholders, regardless of whether their shares increased in value. When you do sell your Portfolio shares, you will have a taxable capital gain or loss, unless such shares were held in an IRA or other tax-deferred account. Federal law requires a Portfolio to withhold taxes on distributions paid to shareholders who:
fail to provide a social security number or taxpayer identification number fail to certify that their social security number or taxpayer identification number is correct
fail to certify, or otherwise establish in accordance with applicable law, that they are exempt from withholding
Prospectus119
Lazard Funds Financial Highlights p Financial Highlights The financial highlights tables presented for each of the Portfolios, except Lazard Multi-Asset Targeted Volatility Portfolio, are intended to help you understand each Portfolios financial performance for the past five years or, if shorter, the period of each Portfolios operations. No financial highlights are
presented for Lazard Multi-Asset Targeted Volatility Portfolio because it had not commenced investment operations prior to the date of this Prospectus. Certain information reflects financial results for a single Portfolio share. The total returns in the tables represent the rate that an investor would have earned
(or lost) on an investment in the Portfolio (assuming reinvestment of all dividends and distributions), if any. The financial highlights information for Lazard US Realty Income Portfolio, Lazard US Realty Equity Portfolio and Lazard International Realty Equity Portfolio for the fiscal period or years ended May
31, 2009, May 31, 2010 and May 31, 2011 was audited by other auditors. The information for the fiscal period and year ended December 31, 2011 and December 31, 2012, respectively, for Lazard US Realty Income Portfolio, Lazard US Realty Equity Portfolio and Lazard International Realty Equity Portfolio
and all fiscal years or periods shown for all other Portfolios has been audited by Anchin, Block & Anchin LLP, whose report, along with each Portfolios financial statements, is included in the annual report, which is available upon request. 120Prospectus
LAZARD US EQUITY CONCENTRATED PORTFOLIO Selected data for a share of capital
Year Ended 12/31/12 12/31/11
12/31/10
12/31/09 12/31/08 Institutional Shares Net asset value, beginning of year
$
9.24
$
9.56
$
8.62
$
7.00
$
11.25 Income (loss) from investment operations: Net investment income (a)
0.20
0.15
0.10
0.12
0.18 Net realized and unrealized gain (loss)
1.37
(0.30
)
0.93
1.62
(4.26
) Total from investment operations
1.57
(0.15
)
1.03
1.74
(4.08
) Less distributions from: Net investment income
(0.10
)
(0.17
)
(0.09
)
(0.12
)
(0.17
) Total distributions
(0.10
)
(0.17
)
(0.09
)
(0.12
)
(0.17
) Redemption fees
(c)
(c)
(c)
Net asset value, end of year
$
10.71
$
9.24
$
9.56
$8.62
$
7.00 Total Return (b)
16.83%
-1.47%
12.00%
24.81% -36.18% Ratios and Supplemental Data: Net assets, end of year (in thousands)
$
121,379
$11,108
$
13,066
$8,464
$
6,554 Ratios to average net assets: Net expenses
0.93%
0.75%
0.97%
1.00%
1.00% Gross expenses
1.28%
2.27%
2.76%
3.44%
3.21% Net investment income
1.94%
1.59%
1.19%
1.60%
1.90% Portfolio turnover rate
116%
53%
53%
62%
97% Selected data for a share of capital
Year Ended 12/31/12 12/31/11
12/31/10
12/31/09 12/31/08 Open Shares Net asset value, beginning of year
$
9.30
$
9.61
$
8.67
$7.04
$
11.31 Income (loss) from investment operations: Net investment income (a)
0.15
0.12
0.08
0.09
0.15 Net realized and unrealized gain (loss)
1.39
(0.29
)
0.93
1.64
(4.28
) Total from investment operations
1.54
(0.17
)
1.01
1.73
(4.13
) Less distributions from: Net investment income
(0.07
)
(0.14
)
(0.07
)
(0.10
)
(0.14
) Total distributions
(0.07
)
(0.14
)
(0.07
)
(0.10
)
(0.14
) Redemption fees
(c)
(c)
(c)
Net asset value, end of year
$
10.77
$
9.30
$
9.61
$8.67
$
7.04 Total Return (b)
16.51%
-1.77%
11.62%
24.49% -36.43% Ratios and Supplemental Data: Net assets, end of year (in thousands)
$
691
$
312
$
294
$300
$
134 Ratios to average net assets: Net expenses
1.19%
1.05%
1.27%
1.30%
1.30% Gross expenses
4.84%
6.49%
7.28%
5.52%
12.10% Net investment income
1.51%
1.30%
0.88%
1.15%
1.56% Portfolio turnover rate
116%
53%
53%
62%
97%
(a)
Net investment income has been computed using the average shares method. (b) Total returns reflect reinvestment of all dividends and distributions, if any. Certain expenses of the Portfolio have been waived or reimbursed by the Portfolios Investment Manager or State Street; without such waiver/reimbursement of expenses, the Portfolios returns would have been lower. (c) Amount is less than $0.01 per share. Prospectus121
stock outstanding throughout each year
stock outstanding throughout each year
LAZARD US STRATEGIC EQUITY PORTFOLIO Selected data for a share of capital
Year Ended 12/31/12 12/31/11
12/31/10
12/31/09 12/31/08 Institutional Shares Net asset value, beginning of year
$
9.03
$8.97
$8.02
$6.26
$10.03 Income (loss) from investment operations: Net investment income (a)
0.14
0.12
0.07
0.08
0.12 Net realized and unrealized gain (loss)
1.17
0.02
0.97
1.68
(3.65
) Total from investment operations
1.31
0.14
1.04
1.76
(3.53
) Less distributions from: Net investment income
(0.23
)
(0.08
)
(0.09
)
(0.12
) Net realized gains
(0.12
) Total distributions
(0.23
)
(0.08)
(0.09
)
(0.24
) Redemption fees
(c)
(c)
(c)
Net asset value, end of year
$
10.11
$
9.03
$8.97
$
8.02
$
6.26 Total Return (b)
14.56%
1.65%
13.13%
28.12%
-35.43% Ratios and Supplemental Data: Net assets, end of year (in thousands)
$
75,327
$64,239
$71,207
$
66,153
$
54,749 Ratios to average net assets: Net expenses
0.75%
0.75%
1.01%
1.05% 1.05% Gross expenses
0.99%
1.00%
1.06%
1.09% 1.06% Net investment income
1.40%
1.29%
0.88%
1.26% 1.45% Portfolio turnover rate
60%
48%
49%
76% 82% Selected data for a share of capital
Year Ended 12/31/12 12/31/11
12/31/10
12/31/09 12/31/08 Open Shares Net asset value, beginning of year
$
9.04
$
8.97
$8.02
$6.28
$
10.05 Income (loss) from investment operations: Net investment income (a)
0.11
0.09
0.05
0.07
0.10 Net realized and unrealized gain (loss)
1.16
0.03
0.97
1.67
(3.65
) Total from investment operations
1.27
0.12
1.02
1.74
(3.55
) Less distributions from: Net investment income
(0.17
)
(0.05
)
(0.07
)
(0.10
) Net realized gains
(0.12
) Total distributions
(0.17
)
(0.05
)
(0.07
)
(0.22
) Redemption fees
(c)
Net asset value, end of year
$
10.14
$
9.04
$
8.97
$
8.02
$
6.28 Total Return (b)
14.10%
1.42%
12.79%
27.71% -35.63% Ratios and Supplemental Data: Net assets, end of year (in thousands)
$
8,401
$8,478
$10,024
$8,945
$
7,218 Ratios to average net assets: Net expenses
1.05%
1.05%
1.31%
1.35%
1.35% Gross expenses
1.37%
1.36%
1.44%
1.39%
1.51% Net investment income
1.10%
0.99%
0.59%
0.96%
1.15% Portfolio turnover rate
60%
48%
49%
76%
82%
(a)
Net investment income has been computed using the average shares method. (b) Total returns reflect reinvestment of all dividends and distributions, if any. Certain expenses of the Portfolio have been waived or reimbursed by the Portfolios Investment Manager; without such waiver/reimbursement of expenses, the Portfolios returns would have been lower. (c) Amount is less than $0.01 per share. 122Prospectus
stock outstanding throughout each year
stock outstanding throughout each year
LAZARD US MID CAP EQUITY PORTFOLIO Selected data for a share of capital
Year Ended 12/31/12 12/31/2011
12/31/10
12/31/09 12/31/08 Institutional Shares Net asset value, beginning of year
$
11.87
$
12.61
$
10.31
$
7.50
$
12.46 Income (loss) from investment operations: Net investment income (a)
0.05
0.05
0.10
0.08
0.15 Net realized and unrealized gain (loss)
0.63
(0.75
)
2.31
2.81
(4.93
) Total from investment operations
0.68
(0.70
)
2.41
2.89
(4.78
) Less distributions from: Net investment income
(0.03
)
(0.04
)
(0.11
)
(0.08
)
(0.18
) Total distributions
(0.03
)
(0.04
)
(0.11
)
(0.08
)
(0.18
) Redemption fees
(c)
(c)
(c)
(c)
(c) Net asset value, end of year
$
12.52
$
11.87
$
12.61
$
10.31
$
7.50 Total Return (b)
5.76%
-5.58%
23.43%
38.49%
-38.33% Ratios and Supplemental Data: Net assets, end of year (in thousands)
$
30,803
$
91,740
$
126,626
$
143,267
$103,650 Ratios to average net assets: Net expenses
0.98%
0.93%
0.91%
0.91%
0.89% Gross expenses
0.98%
0.93%
0.91%
0.91%
0.89% Net investment income
0.40%
0.37%
0.90%
0.90%
1.41% Portfolio turnover rate
102%
83%
75%
77%
81% Selected data for a share of capital
Year Ended 12/31/12 12/31/11
12/31/10
12/31/09 12/31/08 Open Shares Net asset value, beginning of year
$
11.72
$
12.45
$
10.18
$
7.40
$12.29 Income (loss) from investment operations: Net investment income (a)
0.03
0.01
0.07
0.05
0.13 Net realized and unrealized gain (loss)
0.61
(0.74
)
2.28
2.78
(4.87
) Total from investment operations
0.64
(0.73
)
2.35
2.83
(4.74
) Less distributions from: Net investment income
(0.01
)
(c)
(0.08
)
(0.05
)
(0.15
) Total distributions
(0.01
)
(c)
(0.08
)
(0.05
)
(0.15
) Redemption fees
(c)
(c)
(c)
(c)
(c) Net asset value, end of year
$
12.35
$
11.72
$
12.45
$
10.18
$
7.40 Total Return (b)
5.44%
-5.84%
23.09%
38.26% -38.53% Ratios and Supplemental Data: Net assets, end of year (in thousands)
$
41,492
$52,048
$
69,551
$
69,737
$
64,372 Ratios to average net assets: Net expenses
1.26%
1.19%
1.17%
1.17%
1.15% Gross expenses
1.26%
1.19%
1.17%
1.17%
1.15% Net investment income
0.21%
0.11%
0.66%
0.64%
1.17% Portfolio turnover rate
102%
83%
75%
77%
81%
(a)
Net investment income has been computed using the average shares method. (b) Total returns reflect reinvestment of all dividends and distributions, if any. (c) Amount is less than $0.01 per share. Prospectus123
stock outstanding throughout each year
stock outstanding throughout each year
LAZARD US SMALL-MID CAP EQUITY PORTFOLIO Selected data for a share of capital
Year Ended 12/31/12 12/31/11
12/31/10
12/31/09 12/31/08 Institutional Shares Net asset value, beginning of year
$
11.82
$
14.55
$
11.80
$
7.59
$11.58 Income (loss) from investment operations: Net investment income (loss) (a)
0.05
0.01
0.09
(0.01
)
0.01 Net realized and unrealized gain (loss)
1.77
(1.45
)
2.70
4.22
(4.00
) Total from investment operations
1.82
(1.44
)
2.79
4.21
(3.99
) Less distributions from: Net investment income
(0.02
)
(0.04
)
Net realized gains
(0.33
)
(1.29
)
Total distributions
(0.35
)
(1.29
)
(0.04
)
Redemption fees
(c)
(c)
(c)
(c) Net asset value, end of year
$
13.29
$
11.82
$
14.55
$
11.80
$
7.59 Total Return (b)
15.45%
-9.83%
23.67%
55.47%
-34.46% Ratios and Supplemental Data: Net assets, end of year (in thousands)
$
289,855
$167,042
$
238,901
$
56,042
$
36,934 Ratios to average net assets: Net expenses
0.88%
0.90%
1.00%
1.22%
1.13% Gross expenses
0.88%
0.90%
1.00%
1.23%
1.13% Net investment income (loss)
0.41%
0.08%
0.68%
-0.12%
0.08% Portfolio turnover rate
92%
110%
114%
195%
138% Selected data for a share of capital
Year Ended 12/31/12 12/31/11
12/31/10
12/31/09 12/31/08 Open Shares Net asset value, beginning of year
$
11.52
$
14.26
$
11.56
$
7.46
$11.43 Income (loss) from investment operations: Net investment income (loss) (a)
(c)
(0.03
)
0.03
(0.04
)
(0.03
) Net realized and unrealized gain (loss)
1.73
(1.42
)
2.67
4.14
(3.94
) Total from investment operations
1.73
(1.45
)
2.70
4.10
(3.97
) Less distributions from: Net realized gains
(0.33
)
(1.29
)
Total distributions
(0.33
)
(1.29
)
Redemption fees
(c)
(c)
(c)
(c)
(c) Net asset value, end of year
$
12.92
$
11.52
$
14.26
$
11.56
$
7.46 Total Return (b)
14.97%
-10.09%
23.36%
54.96% -34.73% Ratios and Supplemental Data: Net assets, end of year (in thousands)
$
15,984
$20,039
$
21,620
$
19,531
$10,500 Ratios to average net assets: Net expenses
1.21%
1.21%
1.34%
1.51%
1.49% Gross expenses
1.21%
1.21%
1.34%
1.52%
1.49% Net investment income (loss)
0.01%
-0.23%
0.21%
-0.40% -0.26% Portfolio turnover rate
92%
110%
114%
195%
138%
(a)
Net investment income (loss) has been computed using the average shares method. (b) Total returns reflect reinvestment of all dividends and distributions, if any. Certain expenses of the Portfolio have been waived or reimbursed by the Portfolios Investment Manager; without such waiver/reimbursement of expenses, the Porffolios returns would have been lower. (c) Amount is less than $0.01 per share. 124Prospectus
stock outstanding throughout each year
stock outstanding throughout each year
LAZARD GLOBAL LISTED INFRASTRUCTURE PORTFOLIO Selected data for a share of capital
Year Ended
Period Ended 12/31/12 12/31/11
12/31/10 Institutional Shares Net asset value, beginning of period
$
9.78
$
10.31
$
10.00
$10.00 Income (loss) from investment operations: Net investment income (a)
0.31
0.33
0.30
(c) Net realized and unrealized gain (loss)
1.43
(0.48
)
0.34
Total from investment operations
1.74
(0.15
)
0.64
(c) Less distributions from: Net investment income
(0.35
)
(0.15
)
(0.23
)
Net realized gains
(0.21
)
(0.23
)
(0.10
)
Total distributions
(0.56)
(0.38
)
(0.33
)
Redemption fees
(c)
(c)
(c)
Net asset value, end of period
$
10.96
$
9.78
$
10.31
$
10.00 Total Return (b)
18.05%
-1.55
%
6.63%
0.00% Ratios and Supplemental Data: Net assets, end of period (in thousands)
$
125,112
$
104,439
$
115,680
$
74 Ratios to average net assets: Net expenses (d)
1.14%
1.09
%
1.30%
1.30% Gross expenses (d)
1.14%
1.09
%
1.35%
1,825.00%
(e) Net investment income (loss) (d)
3.01%
3.15
%
3.01%
-1.30% Portfolio turnover rate
26%
135
%
46%
0% Selected data for a share of capital
Year Ended
Period Ended
12/31/12
12/31/11
12/31/10 Open Shares Net asset value, beginning of period
$
9.78
$
10.34
$
10.00
$10.00 Income (loss) from investment operations: Net investment income (loss) (a)
0.28
0.28
0.24
(c) Net realized and unrealized gain (loss)
1.42
(0.49
)
0.38
Total from investment operations
1.70
(0.21
)
0.62
(c) Less distributions from: Net investment income
(0.30
)
(0.12
)
(0.18
)
Net realized gains
(0.21
)
(0.23
)
(0.10
)
Total distributions
(0.51
)
(0.35
)
(0.28
)
Redemption fees
(c)
(c)
Net asset value, end of period
$
10.97
$
9.78
$
10.34
$
10.00 Total Return (b)
17.54%
-1.95
%
6.28%
0.00% Ratios and Supplemental Data: Net assets, end of period (in thousands)
$
12,715
$
8,359
$
118
$
50 Ratios to average net assets: Net expenses (d)
1.50%
1.60
%
1.60%
1.60% Gross expenses (d)
1.50%
1.67
%
18.06%
1,825.00%
(e) Net investment income (loss) (d)
2.66%
2.81
%
2.37%
-1.60% Portfolio turnover rate
26%
135
%
46%
0%
*
Portfolio commenced operations on December 31, 2009. (a) Net investment income (loss) has been computed using the average shares method.
(b) Total returns reflect reinvestment of all dividends and distributions, if any. Certain expenses of the Portfolio have been waived or reimbursed by the Portfolios Investment Manager; without such waiver/reimbursement of expenses, the Portfolios returns would have been lower.
(c) Amount is less than $0.01 per share. (d) Annualized for a period of less than one year. (e) Gross expense ratio was the result of the Portfolio being in existence for one day during the period ended 12/31/09. Prospectus125
stock outstanding throughout each period
12/31/09*
stock outstanding throughout each period
12/31/09*
LAZARD INTERNATIONAL EQUITY PORTFOLIO Selected data for a share of capital Year Ended 12/31/12 12/31/11 12/31/10 12/31/09 12/31/08 Institutional Shares Net asset value, beginning of year
$
12.49
$
13.81
$
13.14
$
10.50
$
17.55 Income (loss) from investment operations: Net investment income (a)
0.25
0.27
0.21
0.26
0.36 Net realized and unrealized gain (loss)
2.56
(1.25
)
0.82
2.38
(7.00
) Total from investment operations
2.81
(0.98
)
1.03
2.64
(6.64
) Less distributions from: Net investment income
(0.52
)
(0.34
)
(0.36
)
(c)
(0.41
) Total distributions
(0.52
)
(0.34
)
(0.36
)
(c)
(0.41
) Redemption fees
(c)
(c)
(c)
(c)
(c) Net asset value, end of year
$
14.78
$
12.49
$
13.81
$
13.14
$
10.50 Total Return (b)
22.70%
-7.17%
8.04%
25.19%
-37.75% Ratios and Supplemental Data: Net assets, end of year (in thousands)
$
109,088
$
86,880
$
127,485
$
139,070
$
119,870 Ratios to average net assets: Net expenses
1.02%
1.03%
0.98%
0.99%
0.93% Gross expenses
1.02%
1.03%
0.98%
0.99%
0.93% Net investment income
1.85%
1.99%
1.63%
2.33%
2.47% Portfolio turnover rate
48%
39%
53%
66%
44% Selected data for a share of capital Year Ended 12/31/12 12/31/11 12/31/10 12/31/09 12/31/08 Open Shares Net asset value, beginning of year
$
12.59
$
13.91
$
13.24
$
10.60
$
17.69 Income (loss) from investment operations: Net investment income (a)
0.21
0.24
0.16
0.22
0.31 Net realized and unrealized gain (loss)
2.57
(1.26
)
0.83
2.42
(7.04
) Total from investment operations
2.78
(1.02
)
0.99
2.64
(6.73
) Less distributions from: Net investment income
(0.43
)
(0.30
)
(0.32
)
(0.36
) Total distributions
(0.43
)
(0.30
)
(0.32
)
(0.36
) Redemption fees
(c)
(c)
(c)
(c) Net asset value, end of year
$
14.94
$
12.59
$
13.91
$
13.24
$
10.60 Total Return (b)
22.30%
-7.42%
7.65%
24.91%
-37.98% Ratios and Supplemental Data: Net assets, end of year (in thousands)
$
25,610
$
18,699
$
28,670
$
19,520
$
14,829 Ratios to average net assets: Net expenses
1.32%
1.33%
1.29%
1.27%
1.28% Gross expenses
1.32%
1.33%
1.29%
1.27%
1.28% Net investment income
1.49%
1.78%
1.25%
1.98%
2.16% Portfolio turnover rate
48%
39%
53%
66%
44%
(a)
Net investment income has been computed using the average shares method. (b) Total returns reflect reinvestment of all dividends and distributions, if any. (c) Amount is less than $0.01 per share. 126Prospectus
stock outstanding throughout each year
stock outstanding throughout each year
LAZARD INTERNATIONAL EQUITY SELECT PORTFOLIO Selected data for a share of capital
Year Ended 12/31/12 12/31/11
12/31/10
12/31/09 12/31/08 Institutional Shares Net asset value, beginning of year
$
7.18
$
7.99
$
7.70
$
6.39
$
11.78 Income (loss) from investment operations: Net investment income (a)
0.12
0.13
0.14
0.17
0.30 Net realized and unrealized gain (loss)
1.43
(0.70
)
0.49
1.16
(4.73
) Total from investment operations
1.55
(0.57
)
0.63
1.33
(4.43
) Less distributions from: Net investment income
(0.22
)
(0.24
)
(0.34
)
(0.02
)
(0.33
) Net realized gains
(0.63
) Total distributions
(0.22
)
(0.24
)
(0.34
)
(0.02
)
(0.96
) Redemption fees
(c)
(c)
(c)
(c) Net asset value, end of year
$
8.51
$
7.18
$
7.99
$
7.70
$
6.39 Total Return (b)
21.59%
-7.14%
8.49%
20.86%
-38.74% Ratios and Supplemental Data: Net assets, end of year (in thousands)
$
7,571
$
4,519
$
3,614
$
3,925
$
3,860 Ratios to average net assets: Net expenses
1.15%
1.15%
1.15%
1.15%
1.15% Gross expenses
4.17%
4.66%
5.08%
3.46%
2.24% Net investment income
1.55%
1.72%
1.80%
2.52%
3.06% Portfolio turnover rate
46%
55%
75%
67%
52% Selected data for a share of capital Year Ended 12/31/12 12/31/11 12/31/10 12/31/09 12/31/08 Open Shares Net asset value, beginning of year
$
7.02
$
8.02
$
7.72
$
6.41
$
11.81 Income (loss) from investment operations: Net investment income (a)
0.12
0.11
0.12
0.14
0.26 Net realized and unrealized gain (loss)
1.42
(0.72
)
0.49
1.17
(4.73
) Total from investment operations
1.54
(0.61
)
0.61
1.31
(4.47
) Less distributions from: Net investment income
(0.17
)
(0.21
)
(0.31
)
(c)
(0.30
) Net realized gains
(0.63
) Total distributions
(0.17
)
(0.21
)
(0.31
)
(c)
(0.93
) Redemption fees
(c)
(c)
(c)
(c) Net asset value, end of year
$
8.57
$
7.20
$
8.02
$
7.72
$
6.41 Total Return (b)
21.23%
-7.41%
8.29%
20.49%
-39.00% Ratios and Supplemental Data: Net assets, end of year (in thousands)
$
2,888
$
2,463
$
3,056
$
4,530
$
5,853 Ratios to average net assets: Net expenses
1.45%
1.45%
1.45%
1.45%
1.45% Gross expenses
4.77%
5.12%
5.31%
3.62%
2.47% Net investment income
1.55%
1.43%
1.56%
2.11%
2.67% Portfolio turnover rate
46%
55%
75%
67%
52%
(a)
Net investment income has been computed using the average shares method. (b) Total returns reflect reinvestment of all dividends and distributions, if any. Certain expenses of the Portfolio have been waived or reimbursed by the Portfolios Investment Manager; without such waiver/reimbursement of expenses, the Portfolios returns would have been lower. (c) Amount is less than $0.01 per share. Prospectus127
stock outstanding throughout each year
stock outstanding throughout each year
LAZARD INTERNATIONAL STRATEGIC EQUITY PORTFOLIO Selected data for a share of capital
Year Ended 12/31/12 12/31/11
12/31/10
12/31/09 12/31/08 Institutional Shares Net asset value, beginning of year
$
9.46
$10.63
$
9.41
$
7.51
$
12.92 Income (loss) from investment operations: Net investment income (a)
0.15
0.16
0.13
0.20
0.26 Net realized and unrealized gain (loss)
2.21
(1.19
)
1.22
1.88
(5.43
) Total from investment operations
2.36
(1.03
)
1.35
2.08
(5.17
) Less distributions from: Net investment income
(0.11
)
(0.14
)
(0.13
)
(0.18
)
(0.22
) Net realized gains
(0.02
) Total distributions
(0.11
)
(0.14
)
(0.13
)
(0.18
)
(0.24
) Redemption fees
(c)
(c)
(c)
(c)
(c) Net asset value, end of year
$
11.71
$
9.46
$
10.63
$
9.41
$
7.51 Total Return (b)
25.00%
-9.70%
14.43%
27.76%
-39.98% Ratios and Supplemental Data: Net assets, end of year (in thousands)
$
893,610
$
435,411
$
356,098
$
311,570
$
245,604 Ratios to average net assets: Net expenses
0.86%
0.88%
0.90%
0.91%
0.90% Gross expenses
0.86%
0.88%
0.90%
0.91%
0.90% Net investment income
1.45%
1.53%
1.30%
2.42%
2.48% Portfolio turnover rate
52%
53%
55%
129%
72% Selected data for a share of capital
Year Ended 12/31/12 12/31/11
12/31/10
12/31/09 12/31/08 Open Shares Net asset value, beginning of year
$
9.53
$10.68
$9.43
$7.51
$12.90 Income (loss) from investment operations: Net investment income (a)
0.09
0.13
0.09
0.16
0.23 Net realized and unrealized gain (loss)
2.26
(1.20
)
1.24
1.90
(5.42
) Total from investment operations
2.35
(1.07
)
1.33
2.06
(5.19
) Less distributions from: Net investment income
(0.08
)
(0.08
)
(0.08
)
(0.14
)
(0.18
) Net realized gains
(0.02
) Total distributions
(0.08
)
(0.08
)
(0.08
)
(0.14
)
(0.20
) Redemption fees
(c)
(c)
(c)
(c)
(c) Net asset value, end of year
$
11.80
$
9.53
$
10.68
$
9.43
$
7.51 Total Return (b)
24.74%
-10.01%
14.09%
27.38%
-40.18% Ratios and Supplemental Data: Net assets, end of year (in thousands)
$
315,811
$
63,280
$
46,051
$
19,446
$
13,627 Ratios to average net assets: Net expenses
1.13%
1.16%
1.20%
1.21%
1.24% Gross expenses
1.13%
1.16%
1.20%
1.21%
1.24% Net investment income
0.87%
1.26%
0.89%
1.98%
2.23% Portfolio turnover rate
52%
53%
55%
129%
72%
(a)
Net investment income has been computed using the average shares method. (b) Total returns reflect reinvestment of all dividends and distributions, if any. (c) Amount is less than $0.01 per share. 128Prospectus
stock outstanding throughout each year
stock outstanding throughout each year
LAZARD INTERNATIONAL SMALL CAP EQUITY PORTFOLIO Selected data for a share of capital
Year Ended 12/31/12 12/31/11
12/31/10
12/31/09 12/31/08 Institutional Shares Net asset value, beginning of year
$
6.84
$
8.12
$
6.68
$4.80
$10.49 Income (loss) from investment operations: Net investment income (a)
0.11
0.13
0.10
0.08
0.15 Net realized and unrealized gain (loss)
1.40
(1.27
)
1.45
1.80
(5.19
) Total from investment operations
1.51
(1.14
)
1.55
1.88
(5.04
) Less distributions from: Net investment income
(0.23
)
(0.14
)
(0.11
)
(0.14
) Net realized gains
(0.51
) Total distributions
(0.23
)
(0.14
)
(0.11
)
(0.65
) Redemption fees
(c)
(c)
(c)
(c)
(c) Net asset value, end of year
$
8.12
$
6.84
$
8.12
$
6.68
$
4.80 Total Return (b)
22.28%
-14.11%
23.55%
39.17%
-49.84% Ratios and Supplemental Data: Net assets, end of year (in thousands)
$
45,360
$
38,879
$
47,134
$
40,243
$
74,640 Ratios to average net assets: Net expenses
1.13%
1.13%
1.13%
1.17%
0.98% Gross expenses
1.18%
1.17%
1.21%
1.21%
0.98% Net investment income
1.40%
1.65%
1.39%
1.55%
1.81% Portfolio turnover rate
48%
28%
41%
51%
61% Selected data for a share of capital
Year Ended 12/31/12 12/31/11
12/31/10
12/31/09 12/31/08 Open Shares Net asset value, beginning of year
$
6.86
$
8.14
$
6.70
$
4.82
$
10.51 Income (loss) from investment operations: Net investment income (a)
0.08
0.10
0.08
0.07
0.13 Net realized and unrealized gain (loss)
1.41
(1.26
)
1.45
1.81
(5.20
) Total from investment operations
1.49
(1.16
)
1.53
1.88
(5.07
) Less distributions from: Net investment income
(0.18
)
(0.12
)
(0.09
)
(0.11
) Net realized gains
(0.51
) Total distributions
(0.18
)
(0.12
)
(0.09
)
(0.62
) Redemption fees
(c)
(c)
(c)
(c)
(c) Net asset value, end of year
$
8.17
$
6.86
$
8.14
$
6.70
$
4.82 Total Return (b)
21.96%
-14.36%
23.13%
39.00%
-50.02% Ratios and Supplemental Data: Net assets, end of year (in thousands)
$
17,669
$
17,744
$
24,984
$
27,920
$
30,052 Ratios to average net assets: Net expenses
1.43%
1.43%
1.43%
1.43%
1.31% Gross expenses
1.48%
1.46%
1.49%
1.48%
1.31% Net investment income
1.08%
1.34%
1.09%
1.28%
1.56% Portfolio turnover rate
48%
28%
41%
51%
61%
(a)
Net investment income has been computed using the average shares method. (b) Total returns reflect reinvestment of all dividends and distributions, if any. Certain expenses of the Portfolio have been waived or reimbursed by the Portfolios Investment Manager; without such waiver/reimbursement of expenses, the Portfolios returns would have been lower. (c) Amount is less than $0.01 per share. Prospectus129
stock outstanding throughout each year
stock outstanding throughout each year
LAZARD EMERGING MARKETS EQUITY PORTFOLIO Selected data for a share of capital
Year Ended 12/31/12 12/31/11
12/31/10
12/31/09 12/31/08 Institutional Shares Net asset value, beginning of year
$
16.80
$21.78
$18.01
$10.88
$23.88 Income (loss) from investment operations: Net investment income (a)
0.35
0.49
0.38
0.35
0.61 Net realized and unrealized gain (loss)
3.39
(4.36
)
3.71
7.24
(11.78
) Total from investment operations
3.74
(3.87
)
4.09
7.59
(11.17
) Less distributions from: Net investment income
(0.36
)
(0.63
)
(0.32
)
(0.46
)
(0.49
) Net realized gains
(0.64
)
(0.48
)
(1.34
) Total distributions
(1.00
)
(1.11
)
(0.32
)
(0.46
)
(1.83
) Redemption fees
(c)
(c)
(c)
(c)
(c) Net asset value, end of year
$
19.54
$
16.80
$
21.78
$
18.01
$
10.88 Total Return (b)
22.36%
-17.75%
22.81%
69.82%
-47.88% Ratios and Supplemental Data: Net assets, end of year (in thousands)
$
13,315,172
$10,902,557
$
14,561,085
$
8,497,341
$
3,295,983 Ratios to average net assets: Net expenses
1.10%
1.12%
1.14%
1.15%
1.17% Gross expenses
1.10%
1.12%
1.14%
1.15%
1.17% Net investment income
1.85%
2.44%
1.96%
2.40%
3.16% Portfolio turnover rate
23%
23%
23%
49%
43% Selected data for a share of capital
Year Ended 12/31/12 12/31/11
12/31/10
12/31/09 12/31/08 Open Shares Net asset value, beginning of year
$
17.20
$
22.19
$
18.28
$
11.05
$
24.17 Income (loss) from investment operations: Net investment income (a)
0.30
0.49
0.34
0.29
0.52 Net realized and unrealized gain (loss)
3.47
(4.50
)
3.76
7.35
(11.87
) Total from investment operations
3.77
(4.01
)
4.10
7.64
(11.35
) Less distributions from: Net investment income
(0.30
)
(0.50
)
(0.19
)
(0.41
)
(0.43
) Net realized gains
(0.64
)
(0.48
)
(1.34
) Total distributions
(0.94
)
(0.98
)
(0.19
)
(0.41
)
(1.77
) Redemption fees
(c)
(c)
(c)
(c)
(c) Net asset value, end of year
$
20.03
$
17.20
$
22.19
$
18.28
$
11.05 Total Return (b)
22.03%
-18.02%
22.43%
69.14%
-48.09% Ratios and Supplemental Data: Net assets, end of year (in thousands)
$
2,625,843
$
2,731,646
$
4,187,207
$
3,478,654
$
1,135,042 Ratios to average net assets: Net expenses
1.40%
1.42%
1.49%
1.55%
1.53%
(d) Gross expenses
1.40%
1.42%
1.49%
1.55%
1.54% Net investment income
1.58%
2.18%
1.73%
1.94%
2.72% Portfolio turnover rate
23%
23%
23%
49%
43%
(a)
Net investment income has been computed using the average shares method. (b) Total returns reflect reinvestment of all dividends and distributions, if any. (c) Amount is less than $0.01 per share. (d) The Portfolios excess cash in demand deposit accounts may receive credits that are available to offset custody expenses. As a result of these credits, the net expenses were reduced by 0.01%. 130Prospectus
stock outstanding throughout each year
stock outstanding throughout each year
LAZARD DEVELOPING MARKETS EQUITY PORTFOLIO Selected data for a share of capital
Year Ended
For the Period 12/31/12 12/31/11
12/31/10
12/31/09 Institutional Shares Net asset value, beginning of period
$
10.68
$
15.12
$
13.18
$
6.54
$10.00 Income (loss) from investment operations: Net investment income (a)
0.09
0.06
0.02
0.01
0.01 Net realized and unrealized gain (loss)
1.74
(4.00
)
3.63
7.09
(3.46
) Total from investment operations
1.83
(3.94
)
3.65
7.10
(3.45
) Less distributions from: Net investment income
(0.11
)
(0.09
)
(0.04
)
(0.01
) Net realized gains
(0.50
)
(1.62
)
(0.42
)
Total distributions
(0.11
)
(0.50
)
(1.71
)
(0.46
)
(0.01
) Redemption fees
(c)
(c)
(c)
(c)
Net asset value, end of period
$
12.40
$
10.68
$
15.12
$
13.18
$
6.54 Total Return (b)
17.16%
-26.15%
28.62%
108.53%
-34.54% Ratios and Supplemental Data: Net assets, end of period (in thousands)
$
339,771
$
160,441
$
72,798
$
20,002
$
6,539 Ratios to average net assets: Net expenses (d)
1.21%
1.30%
1.30%
1.30%
1.30% Gross expenses (d)
1.21%
1.30%
1.67%
2.81%
11.98% Net investment income (d)
0.74%
0.45%
0.15%
0.07%
0.34% Portfolio turnover rate
61%
68%
112%
96%
72% Selected data for a share of capital
Year Ended
For the Period 12/31/12 12/31/11
12/31/10
12/31/09 Open Shares Net asset value, beginning of period
$
10.68
$
15.16
$
13.19
$
6.55
$10.00 Income (loss) from investment operations: Net investment income (loss) (a)
0.05
0.01
(0.05
)
(0.08
)
(c) Net realized and unrealized gain (loss)
1.74
(3.99
)
3.65
7.13
(3.45
) Total from investment operations
1.79
(3.98
)
3.60
7.05
(3.45
) Less distributions from: Net investment income
(0.07
)
(0.01
)
(c)
Net realized gains
(0.50
)
(1.62
)
(0.42
)
Total distributions
(0.07
)
(0.50
)
(1.63
)
(0.42
)
Redemption fees
(c)
(c)
(c)
0.01
Net asset value, end of period
$
12.40
$
10.68
$
15.16
$
13.19
$
6.55 Total Return (b)
16.79%
-26.34%
28.13%
108.17%
-34.60% Ratios and Supplemental Data: Net assets, end of period (in thousands)
$
93,352
$
63,415
$
101,584
$
42,975
$
357 Ratios to average net assets: Net expenses (d)
1.53%
1.60%
1.60%
1.60%
1.60% Gross expenses (d)
1.53%
1.62%
1.85%
2.54%
28.95% Net investment income (loss) (d)
0.43%
0.10%
-0.33%
-0.63%
-0.09% Portfolio turnover rate
61%
68%
112%
96%
72%
*
Portfolio commenced operations on September 30, 2008. (a) Net investment income (loss) has been computed using the average shares method. (b) Total returns reflect reinvestment of all dividends and distributions, if any. Certain expenses of the Portfolio have been waived or reimbursed by the Portfolios Investment Manager or State Street; without such waiver/reimbursement of expenses, the Portfolios returns would have been lower. A period of less than one year is not annualized. (c) Amount is less than $0.01 per share. (d) Annualized for a period of less than one year. Prospectus131
stock outstanding throughout each period
9/30/08* to
12/31/08
stock outstanding throughout each period
9/30/08* to
12/31/08
LAZARD EMERGING MARKETS EQUITY BLEND PORTFOLIO Selected data for a share of capital
Year Ended
For the Period 12/31/12 12/31/11 Institutional Shares Net asset value, beginning of period
$
9.77
$12.45
$10.00 Income from investment operations: Net investment income (loss) (a)
0.11
0.15
(0.01
) Net realized and unrealized gain (loss)
1.68
(2.70
)
2.48 Total from investment operations
1.79
(2.55
)
2.47 Less distributions from: Net investment income
(0.11
)
(0.08
)
Net realized gains
(0.05
)
(0.02
) Total distributions
(0.11
)
(0.13
)
(0.02
) Redemption fees
(c)
(c)
(c) Net asset value, end of period
$
11.45
$
9.77
$
12.45 Total Return (b)
18.19%
-20.43%
24.66% Ratios and Supplemental Data: Net assets, end of period (in thousands)
$
201,512
$
85,091
$
54,826 Ratios to average net assets: Net expenses (d)
1.34%
1.35%
1.35% Gross expenses (d)
1.34%
1.54%
6.24% Net investment income (loss) (d)
1.01%
1.34%
-0.16% Portfolio turnover rate
57%
62%
62% Selected data for a share of capital
Year Ended
For the Period 12/31/12 12/31/11 Open Shares Net asset value, beginning of period
$
9.76
$12.43
$10.00 Income from investment operations: Net investment income (loss) (a)
0.09
0.11
(0.05
) Net realized and unrealized gain (loss)
1.66
(2.68
)
2.50 Total from investment operations
1.75
(2.57
)
2.45 Less distributions from: Net investment income
(0.07
)
(0.05
)
Net realized gains
(0.05
)
(0.02
) Total distributions
(0.07
)
(0.10
)
(0.02
) Redemption fees
(c)
(c)
(c) Net asset value, end of period
$
11.44
$
9.76
$
12.43 Total Return (b)
17.97%
-20.74%
24.46% Ratios and Supplemental Data: Net assets, end of period (in thousands)
$
37,648
$
22,571
$
9,121 Ratios to average net assets: Net expenses (d)
1.64%
1.65%
1.65% Gross expenses (d)
1.77%
1.92%
6.06% Net investment income (loss) (d)
0.78%
0.94%
-0.70% Portfolio turnover rate
57%
62%
62%
*
Portfolio commenced operations on May 28, 2010. (a) Net investment income (loss) has been computed using the average shares method.
(b) Total returns reflect reinvestment of all dividends and distributions, if any. Certain expenses of the Portfolio have been waived or reimbursed by the Portfolios Investment Manager, State Street or the Transfer Agent; without such waiver/reimbursement of expenses, the Portfolios returns would have been lower. A period of less than one year is not annualized.
(c) Amount is less than $0.01 per share. (d) Annualized for a period of less than one year. 132Prospectus
stock outstanding throughout each period
5/28/10* to
12/31/10
stock outstanding throughout each period
5/28/10* to
12/31/10
LAZARD EMERGING MARKETS MULTI-STRATEGY PORTFOLIO Selected data for a share of capital
Year Ended For the Period Institutional Shares Net asset value, beginning of period
$
8.57
$10.00 Income (loss) from investment operations: Net investment income (a)
0.09
0.09 Net realized and unrealized gain (loss)
1.11
(1.47
) Total from investment operations
1.20
(1.38
) Less distributions from: Net investment income
(0.07
)
(0.05
) Total distributions
(0.07
)
(0.05
) Redemption fees
(c)
(c) Net asset value, end of period
$
9.70
$
8.57 Total Return (b)
14.02%
-13.79% Ratios and Supplemental Data: Net assets, end of period (in thousands) $125,019
$
56,527 Ratios to average net assets: Net expenses (d)
1.30%
1.30% Gross expenses (d)
1.57%
2.23% Net investment income (d)
1.00%
1.34% Portfolio turnover rate
160%
98% Selected data for a share of capital
Year Ended For the Period Open Shares Net asset value, beginning of period
$
8.59
$10.00 Income (loss) from investment operations: Net investment income (a)
0.08
0.07 Net realized and unrealized gain (loss)
1.08
(1.46
) Total from investment operations
1.16
(1.39
) Less distributions from: Net investment income
(0.04
)
(0.02
) Total distributions
(0.04
)
(0.02
) Redemption fees
(c) Net asset value, end of period
$
9.71
$
8.59 Total Return (b) 13.28%
-13.67% Ratios and Supplemental Data: Net assets, end of period (in thousands)
$
858
$
262 Ratios to average net assets: Net expenses (d) 1.60%
1.60% Gross expenses (d)
3.82%
16.96% Net investment income (d) 0.82%
1.00% Portfolio turnover rate 160%
98%
*
Portfolio commenced operations on March 31, 2011. (a) Net investment income has been computed using the average shares method.
(b) Total returns reflect reinvestment of all dividends and distributions, if any. Certain expenses of the Portfolio have been waived or reimbursed by the Portfolios Investment Manager, State Street or the Transfer Agent; without such waiver/reimbursement of expenses, the Portfolios returns would have been lower. A period of less than one year is not annualized.
(c) Amount is less than $0.01 per share. (d) Annualized for a period of less than one year. Prospectus133
stock outstanding throughout each period
12/31/12
3/31/11* to
12/31/11
stock outstanding throughout each period
12/31/12
3/31/11* to
12/31/11
LAZARD EMERGING MARKETS DEBT PORTFOLIO Selected data for a share of capital
Year Ended For the Period Institutional Shares Net asset value, beginning of period
$
9.76
$10.00 Income from investment operations: Net investment income (a)
0.48
0.34 Net realized and unrealized gain (loss)
1.33
(0.17
) Total from investment operations
1.81
0.17 Less distributions from: Net investment income
(0.48
)
(0.40
) Net realized gains
(0.24
)
(0.01
) Total distributions
(0.72
)
(0.41
) Redemption fees
(c)
Net asset value, end of period
$
10.85
$
9.76 Total Return (b)
18.95%
1.64% Ratios and Supplemental Data: Net assets, end of period (in thousands)
$
286,163
$
106,813 Ratios to average net assets: Net expenses (d)
1.00%
1.04% Gross expenses (d)
1.03%
1.67% Net investment income (d)
4.60%
4.14% Portfolio turnover rate
220%
108% Selected data for a share of capital
Year Ended For the Period Open Shares Net asset value, beginning of period
$
9.77
$10.00 Income (loss) from investment operations: Net investment income (a)
0.45
0.33 Net realized and unrealized gain (loss)
1.35
(0.20
) Total from investment operations
1.80
0.13 Less distributions from: Net investment income
(0.45
)
(0.35
) Net realized gains
(0.24
)
(0.01
) Total distributions
(0.69
)
(0.36
) Redemption fees
(c)
Net asset value, end of period
$
10.88
$
9.77 Total Return (b)
18.68%
1.34% Ratios and Supplemental Data: Net assets, end of period (in thousands)
$
1,138
$
128 Ratios to average net assets: Net expenses (d)
1.30%
1.39% Gross expenses (d)
2.97%
16.28% Net investment income (d)
4.26%
3.84% Portfolio turnover rate
220%
108%
*
Portfolio commenced operations on February 28, 2011. (a) Net investment income has been computed using the average shares method.
(b) Total returns reflect reinvestment of all dividends and distributions, if any. Certain expenses of the Portfolio have been waived or reimbursed by the Portfolios Investment Manager, State Street or the Transfer Agent; without such waiver/reimbursement of expenses, the Portfolios returns would have been lower. A period of less than one year is not annualized. (c) Amount is less than $0.01 per share.
(d) Annualized for a period of less than one year. 134Prospectus
stock outstanding throughout each period
12/31/12
2/28/11* to
12/31/11
stock outstanding throughout each period
12/31/12
2/28/11* to
12/31/11
LAZARD US REALTY INCOME PORTFOLIO Selected data for a share of capital
Year Ended For the Period Institutional Shares Net asset value, beginning of period
$
7.46
$9.73 Income from investment operations: Net investment income (a)
0.49
0.16 Net realized and unrealized gain
1.23
0.55 Total from investment operations
1.72
0.71 Less distributions from: Net investment income
(0.37
)
(0.24
) Net realized gains
(0.24
)
(2.74
) Total distributions
(0.61
)
(2.98
) Redemption fees
(c)
Net asset value, end of period
$
8.57
$
7.46 Total Return (b)
23.32%
9.71% Ratios and Supplemental Data: Net assets, end of period (in thousands)
$
52,024
$
19,849 Ratios to average net assets: Net expenses (d)
1.15%
1.15% Gross expenses (d)
1.16%
2.31% Net investment income (d)
5.94%
8.26% Portfolio turnover rate
42%
89% Selected data for a share of capital Year Ended For the Period
Year Ended
For the Period
5/31/11
5/31/10 Open Shares Net asset value, beginning of period
$
7.45
$
11.34
$
10.78
$
6.79
$
10.00 Income (loss) from investment operations: Net investment income (a)
0.51
0.44
0.32
0.48
0.41 Net realized and unrealized gain (loss)
1.19
(1.21
)
2.05
4.10
(3.26
) Total from investment operations
1.70
(0.77
)
2.37
4.58
(2.85
) Less distributions from: Net investment income
(0.35
)
(0.38
)
(0.64
)
(0.59
)
(0.36
) Net realized gains
(0.24
)
(2.74
)
(1.17
)
Total distributions
(0.59
)
(3.12
)
(1.81
)
(0.59
)
(0.36
) Redemption fees
(c)
(c)
(c)
(c)
(c) Net asset value, end of period
$
8.56
$
7.45
$
11.34
$
10.78
$
6.79 Total Return (b)
23.00% -4.82%
23.27%
69.50%
-27.15% Ratios and Supplemental Data: Net assets, end of period (in thousands)
$
55,393
$
6,007
$
15,830
$
9,864
$
3,817 Ratios to average net assets: Net expenses (d)
1.45%
1.47%
1.48%
1.48%
1.48% Gross expenses (d)
1.47%
3.05%
2.42%
4.20%
19.67% Net investment income (d)
6.18%
7.49%
2.81%
5.14%
8.19% Portfolio turnover rate
42%
89%
77%
116%
71%
*
The inception date for Institutional Shares was September 26, 2011. ** Portfolio commenced operations on July 30, 2008. (a) Net investment income has been computed using the average shares method.
(b) Total returns reflect reinvestment of all dividends and distributions, if any. Certain expenses of the Portfolio have been waived or reimbursed by the Portfolios Investment Manager, State Street or the Transfer Agent; without such waiver/reimbursement of expenses, the Portfolios returns would have been lower. A period of less than one year is not annualized. (c) Amount is less than $0.01 per share.
(d) Annualized for a period of less than one year.
Prospectus135
stock outstanding throughout each period
12/31/12
9/26/11* to
12/31/11
stock outstanding throughout each period
12/31/12
6/1/11 to
12/31/11
7/30/08** to
5/31/09
LAZARD US REALTY EQUITY PORTFOLIO Selected data for a share of capital
Year Ended For the Period Institutional Shares Net asset value, beginning of period
$
14.89
$15.76 Income from investment operations: Net investment income (a)
0.31
0.10 Net realized and unrealized gain
2.79
2.91 Total from investment operations
3.10
3.01 Less distributions from: Net investment income
(0.17
)
(0.12
) Net realized gains
(0.42
)
(3.76
) Total distributions
(0.59
)
(3.88
) Redemption fees
(c)
Net asset value, end of period
$
17.40
$
14.89 Total Return (b) 20.83%
20.84% Ratios and Supplemental Data: Net assets, end of period (in thousands)
$
2,794
$
1,525 Ratios to average net assets: Net expenses (d)
1.20%
1.20% Gross expenses (d)
2.34%
13.07% Net investment income (d)
1.86%
2.32% Portfolio turnover rate
52%
63% Selected data for a share of capital Year Ended For the Period
Year Ended
For the Period
5/31/11
5/31/10 Open Shares Net asset value, beginning of period
$
14.92
$
19.49
$
16.66
$
10.76
$
10.00 Income (loss) from investment operations: Net investment income (loss) (a)
0.30
0.14
(0.07
)
0.05
0.14 Net realized and unrealized gain (loss)
2.76
(0.90
)
5.17
7.26
0.62 Total from investment operations
3.06
(0.76
)
5.10
7.31
0.76 Less distributions from: Net investment income
(0.12
)
(0.06
)
(0.04
)
(0.17
)
Net realized gains
(0.42
)
(3.76
)
(2.23
)
(1.24
)
Total distributions
(0.54
)
(3.82
)
(2.27
)
(1.41
)
Redemption fees
0.01
0.01
(c)
Net asset value, end of period
$
17.45
$
14.92
$
19.49
$
16.66
$
10.76 Total Return (b)
20.58%
-2.44%
33.01%
70.16%
7.60% Ratios and Supplemental Data: Net assets, end of period (in thousands)
$
65,387
$
1,138
$
4,852
$
2,463
$
110 Ratios to average net assets: Net expenses (d)
1.50%
1.80%
1.93%
2.00%
2.00% Gross expenses (d)
1.78%
7.48%
5.66%
17.23%
214.80% Net investment income (loss) (d)
1.74%
1.36%
-0.41%
0.32%
3.52% Portfolio turnover rate
52%
63%
91%
138%
37%
*
The inception date for Institutional Shares was September 26, 2011. ** Portfolio commenced operations on December 31, 2008. (a) Net investment income (loss) has been computed using the average shares method.
(b) Total returns reflect reinvestment of all dividends and distributions, if any. Certain expenses of the Portfolio have been waived or reimbursed by the Portfolios Investment Manager, State Street or the Transfer Agent; without such waiver/reimbursement of expenses, the Portfolios returns would have been lower. A period of less than one year is not annualized. (c) Amount is less than $0.01 per share.
(d) Annualized for a period of less than one year.
136Prospectus
stock outstanding throughout each period
12/31/12
9/26/11* to
12/31/11
stock outstanding throughout each period
12/31/12
6/1/11 to
12/31/11
12/31/08** to
5/31/09
LAZARD INTERNATIONAL REALTY EQUITY PORTFOLIO Selected data for a share of capital
Year Ended For the Period Institutional Shares Net asset value, beginning of period
$
12.18
$13.08 Income from investment operations: Net investment income (a)
0.22
0.03 Net realized and unrealized gain
5.27
0.05 Total from investment operations
5.49
0.08 Less distributions from: Net investment income
(0.57
)
(0.75
) Net realized gains
(0.12
)
(0.23
) Total distributions
(0.69
)
(0.98
) Redemption fees
(c)
Net asset value, end of period
$
16.98
$
12.18 Total Return (b) 45.14%
0.09% Ratios and Supplemental Data: Net assets, end of period (in thousands)
$
2,797
$
1,914 Ratios to average net assets: Net expenses (d)
1.30%
1.30% Gross expenses (d)
5.84%
17.38% Net investment income (d)
1.50%
0.83% Portfolio turnover rate
42%
41% Selected data for a share of capital Year Ended For the Period
Year Ended
For the Period
5/31/11
5/31/10 Open Shares Net asset value, beginning of period
$
12.17
$
16.98
$
14.54
$
15.39
$
10.00 Income (loss) from investment operations: Net investment income (a)
0.19
0.06
0.16
0.28
0.10 Net realized and unrealized gain (loss)
5.25
(3.89
)
3.99
1.40
5.29 Total from investment operations
5.44
(3.83
)
4.15
1.68
5.39 Less distributions from: Net investment income
(0.52
)
(0.75
)
(0.55
)
(1.51
)
Net realized gains
(0.12
)
(0.23
)
(1.16
)
(1.05
)
Total distributions
(0.64
)
(0.98
)
(1.71
)
(2.56
)
Redemption fees
(c)
(c)
0.03
Net asset value, end of period
$
16.97
$
12.17
$
16.98
$
14.54
$
15.39 Total Return (b)
14.81%
-22.98%
29.13%
9.65%
53.90% Ratios and Supplemental Data: Net assets, end of period (in thousands)
$
2,209
$
667
$
1,716
$
1,427
$
424 Ratios to average net assets: Net expenses (d)
1.60%
1.84%
1.96%
2.00%
2.00% Gross expenses (d)
6.13%
16.46%
14.35%
25.27%
116.23% Net investment income (d)
1.25%
0.66%
0.98%
1.71%
1.90% Portfolio turnover rate
42%
41%
54%
81%
5%
*
The inception date for Institutional Shares was September 26, 2011. ** Portfolio commenced operations on December 31, 2008. (a) Net investment income has been computed using the average shares method.
(b) Total returns reflect reinvestment of all dividends and distributions, if any. Certain expenses of the Portfolio have been waived or reimbursed by the Portfolios Investment Manager, State Street or the Transfer Agent; without such waiver/reimbursement of expenses, the Portfolios returns would have been lower. A period of less than one year is not annualized.
(c) Amount is less than $0.01 per share. (d) Annualized for a period of less than one year. Prospectus137
stock outstanding throughout each period
12/31/12
9/26/11* to
12/31/11
stock outstanding throughout each period
12/31/12
6/1/11 to
12/31/11
12/31/08** to
5/31/09
LAZARD US HIGH YIELD PORTFOLIO Selected data for a share of capital
Year Ended 12/31/12 12/31/11
12/31/10
12/31/09 12/31/08 Institutional Shares Net asset value, beginning of year
$
4.78
$
4.88
$
4.70
$
3.78
$
5.15 Income (loss) from investment operations: Net investment income (a)
0.33
0.35
0.35
0.34
0.38 Net realized and unrealized gain (loss)
0.23
(0.10
)
0.18
0.92
(1.37
) Total from investment operations
0.56
0.25
0.53
1.26
(0.99
) Less distributions from: Net investment income
(0.33
)
(0.35
)
(0.35
)
(0.34
)
(0.38
) Total distributions
(0.33
)
(0.35
)
(0.35
)
(0.34
)
(0.38
) Redemption fees
(c)
(c)
(c)
(c)
(c) Net asset value, end of year
$
5.01
$
4.78
$
4.88
$
4.70
$
3.78 Total Return (b)
12.02%
5.17%
11.78%
34.66%
-20.24% Ratios and Supplemental Data: Net assets, end of year (in thousands)
$
182,749
$
151,278
$
112,427
$
87,568
$
34,262 Ratios to average net assets: Net expenses
0.55%
0.55%
0.55%
0.55%
0.55% Gross expenses
0.71%
0.73%
0.80%
0.89%
1.00% Net investment income
6.67%
7.13%
7.38%
7.96%
8.10% Portfolio turnover rate
26%
27%
25%
17%
33% Selected data for a share of capital Year Ended 12/31/12 12/31/11 12/31/10 12/31/09 12/31/08 Open Shares Net asset value, beginning of year
$
4.80
$
4.90
$
4.73
$
3.79
$
5.17 Income (loss) from investment operations: Net investment income (a)
0.32
0.33
0.34
0.33
0.37 Net realized and unrealized gain (loss)
0.24
(0.10
)
0.17
0.94
(1.38
) Total from investment operations
0.56
0.23
0.51
1.27
(1.01
) Less distributions from: Net investment income
(0.32
)
(0.33
)
(0.34
)
(0.33
)
(0.37
) Total distributions
(0.32
)
(0.33
)
(0.34
)
(0.33
)
(0.37
) Redemption fees
(c)
(c)
(c)
(c)
(c) Net asset value, end of year
$
5.04
$
4.80
$
4.90
$
4.73
$
3.79 Total Return (b)
11.89%
4.89%
11.19%
34.40%
-20.35% Ratios and Supplemental Data: Net assets, end of year (in thousands)
$
4,249
$
11,602
$
26,266
$
6,126
$
5,220 Ratios to average net assets: Net expenses
0.85%
0.85%
0.85%
0.85%
0.85% Gross expenses
1.24%
1.08%
1.13%
1.21%
1.74% Net investment income
6.37%
6.72%
7.05%
7.74%
7.89% Portfolio turnover rate
26%
27%
25%
17%
33%
(a)
Net investment income has been computed using the average shares method. (b) Total returns reflect reinvestment of all dividends and distributions, if any. Certain expenses of the Portfolio have been waived or reimbursed by the Portfolios Investment Manager; without such waiver/reimbursement of expenses, the Portfolios returns would have been lower. (c) Amount is less than $0.01 per share. 138Prospectus
stock outstanding throughout each year
stock outstanding throughout each year
LAZARD US MUNICIPAL PORTFOLIO Selected data for a share of capital
Year Ended For the Period Institutional Shares Net asset value, beginning of period $10.23 $10.00 Income from investment operations: Net investment income (a) 0.14 0.17 Net realized and unrealized gain 0.12 0.27 Total from investment operations 0.26 0.44 Less distributions from: Net investment income (0.14) (0.17) Net realized gains (0.04) (0.04) Total distributions (0.18) (0.21) Redemption fees (c) (c) Net asset value, end of period $10.31 $10.23 Total Return (b) 2.54% 4.46% Ratios and Supplemental Data: Net assets, end of period (in thousands) $19,726 $11,594 Ratios to average net assets: Net expenses (d) 0.40% 0.40% Gross expenses (d) 1.41% 3.09% Net investment income (d) 1.34% 1.97% Portfolio turnover rate 77% 60% Selected data for a share of capital
Year Ended For the Period Open Shares Net asset value, beginning of period $10.23 $10.00 Income from investment operations: Net investment income (a) 0.14 0.14 Net realized and unrealized gain 0.09 0.28 Total from investment operations 0.23 0.42 Less distributions from: Net investment income (0.11) (0.15) Net realized gains (0.04) (0.04) Total distributions (0.15) (0.19) Net asset value, end of period $10.31 $10.23 Total Return (b) 2.24% 4.20% Ratios and Supplemental Data: Net assets, end of period (in thousands) $4 $103 Ratios to average net assets: Net expenses (d) 0.70% 0.70% Gross expenses (d) 38.11% 18.49% Net investment income (d) 1.32% 1.69% Portfolio turnover rate 77% 60%
*
Portfolio commenced operations on February 28, 2011. (a) Net investment income has been computed using the average shares method.
(b) Total returns reflect reinvestment of all dividends and distributions, if any. Certain expenses of the Portfolio have been waived or reimbursed by the Portfolios Investment Manager, State Street or the Transfer Agent; without such waiver/reimbursement of expenses, the Portfolios returns would have been lower. A period of less than one year is not annualized.
(c) Amount is less than $0.01 per share. (d) Annualized for a period of less than one year. Prospectus139
stock outstanding throughout each period
12/31/12
2/28/11* to
12/31/11
stock outstanding throughout each period
12/31/12
2/28/11* to
12/31/11
LAZARD GLOBAL FIXED INCOME PORTFOLIO Selected data for a share of capital
For the Period Institutional Shares Net asset value, beginning of period
$10.00 Income from investment operations: Net investment income (a)
0.17 Net realized and unrealized gain
0.16 Total from investment operations
0.33 Less distributions from: Net investment income
(0.07
) Return of capital
(0.10
) Total distributions
(0.17
) Net asset value, end of period
$
10.16 Total Return (b)
3.30% Ratios and Supplemental Data: Net assets, end of period (in thousands)
$
4,814 Ratios to average net assets: Net expenses (c)
0.80% Gross expenses (c)
8.81% Net investment income (c)
2.24% Portfolio turnover rate
47% Selected data for a share of capital
For the Period Open Shares Net asset value, beginning of period
$10.00 Income from investment operations: Net investment income (a)
0.15 Net realized and unrealized gain
0.16 Total from investment operations
0.31 Less distributions from: Net investment income
(0.06
) Return of capital
(0.09
) Total distributions
(0.15
) Net asset value, end of period
$
10.16 Total Return (b)
3.08% Ratios and Supplemental Data: Net assets, end of period (in thousands)
$
55 Ratios to average net assets: Net expenses (c)
1.10% Gross expenses (c)
26.46% Net investment income (c)
2.02% Portfolio turnover rate
47%
* Portfolio commenced operations on March 30, 2012. (a) Net investment income has been computed using the average shares method. (b) Total returns reflect reinvestment of all dividends and distributions, if any. Certain expenses of the Portfolio have been waived or reimbursed by the Portfolios Investment Manager, State Street or the Transfer Agent; without such waiver/reimbursement of expenses, the Portfolios returns would have been lower. A period of less than one year is not annualized. (c) Annualized for a period of less than one year.
140Prospectus
stock outstanding throughout the period
3/30/12* to
12/31/12
stock outstanding throughout the period
3/30/12* to
12/31/12
LAZARD CAPITAL ALLOCATOR OPPORTUNISTIC STRATEGIES PORTFOLIO Selected data for a share of capital
Year Ended
For the Period 12/31/12 12/31/11
12/31/10
12/31/09 Institutional Shares Net asset value, beginning of period
$
9.26
$
9.96
$
8.80
$
7.36
$
10.00 Income (loss) from investment operations: Net investment income (a)
0.11
0.12
0.12
0.14
0.21 Net realized and unrealized gain (loss)
0.74
(0.45
)
1.16
1.42
(2.59
) Total from investment operations
0.85
(0.33
)
1.28
1.56
(2.38
) Less distributions from: Net investment income
(0.08
)
(0.13
)
(0.12
)
(0.12
)
(0.26
) Net realized gains
(0.24
)
Total distributions
(0.08
)
(0.37
)
(0.12
)
(0.12
)
(0.26
) Redemption fees
(c)
(c)
(c)
(c)
(c) Net asset value, end of period
$
10.03
$
9.26
$
9.96
$
8.80
$
7.36 Total Return (b)
9.16%
-3.28%
14.58%
21.21%
-23.64% Ratios and Supplemental Data: Net assets, end of period (in thousands)
$
224,982
$
258,832
$
239,403
$
195,939
$
110,757 Ratios to average net assets: Net expenses (d)
1.02%
1.02%
1.02%
1.02%
1.02% Gross expenses (d)
1.12%
1.13%
1.13%
1.16%
1.27% Net investment income (d)
1.13%
1.25%
1.36%
1.72%
3.01% Portfolio turnover rate
139%
155%
117%
113%
94% Selected data for a share of capital
Year Ended
For the Period 12/31/12 12/31/11
12/31/10
12/31/09 Open Shares Net asset value, beginning of period
$
9.26
$
9.97
$
8.80
$
7.37
$9.95 Income (loss) from investment operations: Net investment income (a)
0.07
0.08
0.06
0.12
0.30 Net realized and unrealized gain (loss)
0.75
(0.45
)
1.20
1.41
(2.64
) Total from investment operations
0.82
(0.37
)
1.26
1.53
(2.34
) Less distributions from: Net investment income
(0.05
)
(0.10
)
(0.09
)
(0.10
)
(0.24
) Net realized gains
(0.24
)
Total distributions
(0.05
)
(0.34
)
(0.09
)
(0.10
)
(0.24
) Redemption fees
(c)
(c)
(c)
(c) Net asset value, end of period
$
10.03
$
9.26
$
9.97
$
8.80
$
7.37 Total Return (b)
8.84%
-3.72%
14.35%
20.71%
-23.44% Ratios and Supplemental Data: Net assets, end of period (in thousands)
$
3,099
$
6,111
$
7,163
$
16,856
$
9,319 Ratios to average net assets: Net expenses (d)
1.32%
1.32%
1.32%
1.32%
1.32% Gross expenses (d)
1.67%
1.57%
1.52%
1.44%
1.93% Net investment income (d)
0.69%
0.77%
0.66%
1.44%
4.68% Portfolio turnover rate
139%
155%
117%
113%
94%
*
Institutional Shares and Open Shares commenced operations on March 26, 2008 and March 31, 2008, respectively. (a) Net investment income has been computed using the average shares method. (b) Total returns reflect reinvestment of all dividends and distributions, if any. Certain expenses of the Portfolio have been waived or reimbursed by the Portfolios Investment Manager; without such waiver/reimbursement of expenses, the Portfolios returns would have been lower. A period of less than one year is not annualized. (c) Amount is less than $0.01 per share. (d) Annualized for a period of less than one year. Prospectus141
stock outstanding throughout each period
3/26/08* to
12/31/08
stock outstanding throughout each period
3/31/08* to
12/31/08
Lazard Funds Other Performance of the Investment Manager p
Lazard US Equity Concentrated Composite (Prior Performance of Similar Accounts) This is not the Portfolios Performance Lazard US Equity Concentrated Portfolios investment objective, policies and strategies are substantially similar to those used by the Investment Manager in advising certain discretionary accounts (the Other Accounts). The chart below shows the historical investment performance for a composite (the US
Equity Concentrated Composite) of the Other Accounts (consisting of all similarly managed, fully discretionary and fee paying accounts) and for the Portfolios benchmark index. The US Equity Concentrated Composite should not be interpreted as indicative of the Portfolios future performance.
Annual Total Returns
2004
2005
2006
2007
2008
2009
2010
2011 2012 US Equity Concentrated Composite 7.1%
4.7%
4.7%
2.8%
2.7%
20.7%
9.8%
3.4% 18.7% S&P 500 Index* 3.6%
2.6%
2.3%
-0.3%
-1.6%
14.1%
8.4%
2.1% 16.0% Average Annual Total Returns Inception
One Year
Three Years
Five Years
Since US Equity Concentrated Composite 8/01/03 18.7%
12.7%
5.7%
9.5% S&P 500 Index* N/A 16.0%
10.9%
1.7%
6.1%
* The S&P 500 Index is a market capitalization-weighted index of 500 common stocks, designed to measure performance of the broad domestic economy through changes in the aggregate market value of these stocks, which represent all major industries. The index is unmanaged, has no fees or costs and is not available for investment.
Certain Other Accounts are not subject to certain investment limitations, diversification requirements and other restrictions imposed by the 1940 Act and the Code which, if applicable, may have adversely affected the performance of the US Equity Concentrated Composite. The performance results of the US
Equity Concentrated Composite reflect actual fees charged to the Other Accounts, except custodian fees of separately managed accounts. However, the Portfolio bears fees and operational expenses not typically borne by managed accounts (including distribution and servicing fees of Open Shares). The US
Equity Concentrated Composite performance would have been lower than that shown above if the Other Accounts had been subject to the fees and expenses of the Portfolio. Additionally, although it is anticipated that the Portfolio and the Other Accounts will hold similar securities, their investment results are expected to differ. In particular, differences in asset size and cash flows may result in different securities selections, differences in the relative weightings of securities or
differences in the prices paid for particular portfolio holdings. However, such differences do not alter the conclusion that the Portfolio and the Other Accounts have substantially similar investment objectives, policies and strategies. The returns of the US Equity Concentrated Composite are dollar-weighted based upon beginning period market values. This calculation methodology differs from guidelines of the SEC for calculating performance of mutual funds. 142Prospectus
for the Year Ended December 31,
(for the periods ended December 31, 2012)
Date
Inception
Lazard US Strategic Equity Composite (Prior Performance of Similar Accounts) This is not the Portfolios Performance Lazard US Strategic Equity Portfolios investment objective, policies and strategies are
substantially similar to those used by the Investment Manager in advising certain Other Accounts. The chart
below shows the historical investment performance for a composite (the US Strategic Equity Composite) of the Other Accounts (consisting of all similarly managed, fully discretionary and fee paying accounts) and for the Portfolios benchmark index. The US Strategic Equity Composite should not be interpreted as indicative of the Portfolios future performance.
Annual Total Returns 2003 2004
2005
2006
2007
2008
2009
2010
2011 2012 US Strategic Equity Composite
29.4% 19.9%
6.3%
18.1%
1.2%
-34.5%
29.2%
13.8%
1.9% 16.1% S&P 500 Index*
28.7% 10.9%
4.9%
15.8%
5.5%
-37.0%
26.5%
15.1%
2.1% 16.0% Average Annual Total Returns Inception
One Year
Three Years
Five Years
Ten Years US Strategic Equity Composite 3/1/98 16.1%
10.5%
2.7%
8.4% S&P 500 Index* N/A 16.0%
10.9%
1.7%
7.1%
* The S&P 500 Index is a market capitalization-weighted index of 500 common stocks, designed to measure performance of the broad domestic economy through changes in the aggregate market value of these stocks, which represent all major industries. The index is unmanaged, has no fees or costs and is not available for investment.
Certain Other Accounts are not subject to certain investment limitations, diversification requirements and other restrictions imposed by the 1940 Act and the Code, which, if applicable, may have adversely affected the performance of the US Strategic Equity Composite. The performance results of the US
Strategic Equity Composite reflect actual fees charged to the Other Accounts, except custodian fees of separately managed accounts. However, the Portfolio bears fees and operational expenses not typically borne by managed accounts (including distribution and servicing fees of Open Shares). The US Strategic
Equity Composite performance would have been lower than that shown above if the Other Accounts had been subject to the fees and expenses of the Portfolio. Additionally, although it is anticipated that the Portfolio and the Other Accounts will hold similar securities, their investment results are expected to differ. In particular, differences in asset size and cash flow may result in different securities selections, differences in the relative weightings of securities or
differences in the prices paid for particular portfolio holdings. However, such differences do not alter the conclusion that the Portfolio and the Other Accounts have substantially similar investment objectives, policies and strategies. The returns of the US Strategic Equity Composite are dollar-weighted based upon beginning period market values. This calculation methodology differs from guidelines of the SEC for calculating performance of mutual funds. Prospectus143
for the Year Ended December 31,
(for the periods ended December 31, 2012)
Date
Lazard US Small-Mid Cap Equity Composite (Prior Performance of Similar Accounts) This is not the Portfolios Performance Lazard US Small-Mid Cap Equity Portfolios investment objective, policies and strategies are substantially similar to those used by the Investment Manager in advising certain Other Accounts. The chart below shows the historical investment performance for a composite
(the US Small-Mid Cap Equity Composite) of the Other Accounts (consisting of all similarly managed, fully discretionary and fee paying accounts) and for the Portfolios benchmark index. The US Small-Mid Cap Equity Composite should not be interpreted as indicative of the Portfolios future performance.
Annual Total Returns 2003 2004
2005
2006
2007
2008
2009
2010
2011 2012 US Small-Mid Cap Equity Composite
33.2% 19.8%
9.0%
20.8%
0.2%
-36.2%
55.5%
23.8%
-9.0% 15.0%
Russell 2500 Index* 45.5% 18.3%
8.1%
16.2%
1.4%
-36.8%
34.4%
26.7%
-2.5% 17.9% Average Annual Total Returns Inception
One Year
Three Years
Five Years
Ten Years US Small-Mid Cap Equity Composite 5/1/00 15.0%
9.0%
5.1%
10.5%
Russell 2500 Index*
N/A 17.9%
13.3%
4.3%
10.5%
* The Russell 2500 Index is comprised of the 2,500 smallest US companies included in the Russell 3000 Index (which consists of the 3,000 largest US companies by capitalization). The index is unmanaged, has no fees or costs and is not available for investment.
Certain Other Accounts are not subject to certain investment limitations, diversification requirements and other restrictions imposed by the 1940 Act and the Code which, if applicable, may have adversely affected the performance of the US Small-Mid Cap Equity Composite. The performance results of the US
Small-Mid Cap Equity Composite reflect actual fees charged to the Other Accounts, except custodian fees of separately managed accounts. However, the Portfolio bears fees and operational expenses not typically borne by managed accounts (including distribution and servicing fees of Open Shares). The US
Small-Mid Cap Equity Composite performance would have been lower than that shown above if the Other Accounts had been subject to the fees and expenses of the Portfolio. Additionally, although it is anticipated that the Portfolio and the Other Accounts will hold similar securities, their investment results are expected to differ. In particular, differences in asset size and cash flows may result in different securities selections, differences in the relative weightings of securities or
differences in the prices paid for particular portfolio holdings. However, such differences do not alter the conclusion that the Portfolio and the Other Accounts have substantially similar investment objectives, policies and strategies. The returns of the US Small-Mid Cap Equity Composite are dollar-weighted based upon beginning period market values. This calculation methodology differs from guidelines of the SEC for calculating performance of mutual funds. 144Prospectus
for the Year Ended December 31,
(for the periods ended December 31, 2012)
Date
Lazard Global Listed Infrastructure Composite (Prior Performance of Similar Accounts) This is not the Portfolios Performance Lazard Global Listed Infrastructure Portfolios investment objective, policies and strategies are substantially similar to those used by the Investment Manager in advising certain Other Accounts. The chart below shows the historical investment performance for a
composite (the Global Listed Infrastructure Composite) of the Other Accounts (consisting of all similarly managed, fully discretionary and fee paying accounts) and for the Portfolios benchmark indices. The Global Listed Infrastructure Composite should not be interpreted as indicative of the Portfolios future performance.
Annual Total Returns
2007
2008
2009
2010
2011 2012
Global Listed Infrastructure Composite
4.9%
-31.5%
21.4%
9.8%
-1.7% 17.8% UBS Global 50/50 Infrastructure & Utilities Index (Hedged)*
13.7%
-34.7%
13.4%
4.1% -0.7% 12.4% MSCI World Index** 4.7%
-38.7%
25.7%
10.0%
-5.5% 15.7% Average Annual Total Returns Inception Date
One Year
Three Years
Five Years
Since
Global Listed Infrastructure Composite
9/1/06 17.8%
8.3%
1.1%
3.7% UBS Global 50/50 Infrastructure & Utilities Index (Hedged)* N/A 12.4%
5.1%
-3.0%
1.3% MSCI World Index** N/A 15.7%
6.4%
-1.5%
0.9%
* The UBS Global 50/50 Infrastructure & Utilities Index (Hedged) tracks a 50% exposure to the global developed-market utilities sector and a 50% exposure to the global developed-market infrastructure sector. The index is unmanaged, has no fees or costs and is not available for investment. ** The MSCI World Index is a market capitalization-weighted index of companies representative of the market structure of 24 developed market countries in North America, Europe and the Asia/Pacific region. The index is unmanaged, has no fees or costs and is not available for investment.
Certain Other Accounts are not subject to certain investment limitations, diversification requirements and other restrictions imposed by the 1940 Act and the Code which, if applicable, may have adversely affected the performance of the Global Listed Infrastructure Composite. The performance results of the
Global Listed Infrastructure Composite reflect actual fees charged to the Other Accounts, except custodian fees of separately managed accounts. However, the Portfolio bears fees and operational expenses not typically borne by managed accounts (including distribution and servicing fees of Open Shares). The
Global Listed Infrastructure Composite performance would have been lower than that shown above if the Other Accounts had been subject to the fees and expenses of the Portfolio. Additionally, although it is anticipated that the Portfolio and the Other Accounts will hold similar securities, their investment results are expected to differ. In particular, differences in asset size and cash flows may result in different securities selections, differences in the relative weightings of securities or
differences in the prices paid for particular portfolio holdings. However, such differences do not alter the conclusion that the Portfolio and the Other Accounts have substantially similar investment objectives, policies and strategies. The returns of the Global Listed Infrastructure Composite are dollar-weighted based upon beginning period market values. This calculation methodology differs from guidelines of the SEC for calculating performance of mutual funds. Prospectus145
for the Year Ended December 31,
(for the periods ended December 31, 2012)
Inception
Lazard International Strategic Equity Composite (Prior Performance of Similar Accounts) This is not the Portfolios Performance Lazard International Strategic Equity Portfolios investment objective, policies and strategies are substantially similar to those used by the Investment Manager in advising certain Other Accounts. The chart below shows the historical investment performance for a composite (the International Strategic Equity
Composite) of the Other Accounts (consisting of all similarly managed, fully discretionary and fee paying accounts) and for the Portfolios benchmark index. The International Strategic Equity Composite should not be interpreted as indicative of the Portfolios future performance.
Annual Total Returns 2003 2004
2005
2006
2007
2008
2009
2010
2011 2012
International Strategic Equity Composite 35.7% 25.8%
18.6%
26.1%
12.4%
-40.5%
28.9%
14.4%
-9.8% 25.2% MSCI EAFE Index*
38.6% 20.2%
13.5%
26.3%
11.2%
-43.4%
31.8%
7.8%
-12.1% 17.3% Average Annual Total Returns Inception
One Year
Three Years
Five Years
Ten Years
International Strategic Equity Composite
10/1/01 25.2
8.9%
-0.2%
11.0% MSCI EAFE Index* N/A 17.3%
3.6%
-3.7%
8.2%
* The MSCI EAFE Index is a broadly diversified international index comprised of equity securities of approximately 1,000 companies located in developed countries outside the United States. The index is unmanaged, has no fees or costs and is not available for investment.
Certain Other Accounts are not subject to certain investment limitations, diversification requirements and other restrictions imposed by the 1940 Act and the Code which, if applicable, may have adversely affected the performance of the International Strategic Equity Composite. The performance results of the
International Strategic Equity Composite reflect actual fees charged to the Other Accounts, except custodian fees of separately managed accounts. However, the Portfolio bears fees and operational expenses not typically borne by managed accounts (including distribution and servicing fees of Open Shares). The
International Strategic Equity Composite performance would have been lower than that shown above if the Other Accounts had been subject to the fees and expenses of the Portfolio. Additionally, although it is anticipated that the Portfolio and the Other Accounts will hold similar securities, their investment results are expected to differ. In particular, differences in asset size and cash flows may result in different securities selections, differences in the relative weightings of securities or
differences in the prices paid for particular portfolio holdings. However, such differences do not alter the conclusion that the Portfolio and the Other Accounts have substantially similar investment objectives, policies and strategies. The returns of the International Strategic Equity Composite are dollar-weighted based upon beginning period market values. This calculation methodology differs from guidelines of the SEC for calculating performance of mutual funds. 146Prospectus
for the Year Ended December 31,
(for the periods ended December 31, 2012)
Date
Lazard Global Fixed Income Composite (Prior Performance of Similar Accounts) This is not the Portfolios Performance Lazard Global Fixed Income Portfolios investment objective, policies and strategies are substantially similar to those used by the Investment Manager in advising certain Other Accounts. The chart below shows the historical investment performance for a composite
(the Global Fixed Income Composite) of the Other Accounts (consisting of all substantially similarly managed, fully discretionary and fee paying accounts) and for the Portfolios benchmark index. The Global Fixed Income Composite should not be interpreted as indicative of the Portfolios future performance.
Annual Total Returns 2003 2004
2005
2006
2007
2008
2009
2010
2011 2012
Global Fixed Income Composite 14.5% 11.8%
-4.7%
9.2%
10.8%
-0.2%
10.0%
8.2%
5.2% 6.1%
Barclays Capital Global Aggregate Bond Index* 12.5% 9.3%
-4.5%
6.6%
9.5%
4.8%
6.9%
5.5%
5.6% 4.3% Average Annual Total Returns Inception
One Year
Three Years
Five Years
Ten Years
Global Fixed Income Composite
7/01/90 6.1%
6.5%
5.8%
6.9%
Barclays Capital Global Aggregate Bond Index*
N/A 4.3%
5.2%
5.4%
6.0%
* The Barclays Capital Global Aggregate Bond Index provides a broad-based measure of the global investment grade fixed-income debt markets. The index is unmanaged, has no fees or costs and is not available for investment.
Certain Other Accounts are not subject to certain investment limitations, diversification requirements and other restrictions imposed by the 1940 Act and the Code which, if applicable, may have adversely affected the performance of the Global Fixed Income Composite. The performance results of the Global
Fixed Income Composite reflect actual fees charged to the Other Accounts, except custodian fees of separately managed accounts. However, the Portfolio bears fees and operational expenses not typically borne by managed accounts (including distribution and servicing fees of Open Shares). The Global Fixed
Income Composite performance would have been lower than that shown above if the Other Accounts had been subject to the fees and expenses of the Portfolio. Additionally, although it is anticipated that the Portfolio and the Other Accounts will hold similar securities, their investment results are expected to differ. In particular, differences in asset size and cash flows may result in different securities selections, differences in the relative weightings of securities or
differences in the prices paid for particular portfolio holdings. However, such differences do not alter the conclusion that the Portfolio and the Other Accounts have substantially similar investment objectives, policies and strategies. The returns of the Global Fixed Income Composite are dollar-weighted based upon beginning period market values. This calculation methodology differs from guidelines of the SEC for calculating performance of mutual funds. Prospectus147
for the Year Ended December 31,
(for the periods ended December 31, 2012)
Date
Lazard Capital Allocator Opportunistic Strategies Composite (Prior Performance of Similar Accounts) This is not the Portfolios Performance Lazard Capital Allocator Opportunistic Strategies Portfolios investment objective, policies and strategies are substantially similar to those used by the Investment Manager in advising certain Other Accounts. The chart below shows the historical investment performance for a composite (the Capital Allocator
Opportunistic Strategies Composite) of the Other Accounts (consisting of all similarly managed, fully discretionary and fee paying accounts) and for the Portfolios benchmark indices. The Capital Allocator Opportunistic Strategies Composite should not be interpreted as indicative of the Portfolios future
performance.
Annual Total Returns
2006
2007
2008
2009
2010
2011 2012
Capital Allocator Opportunistic Strategies Composite
18.4%
16.6%
-27.8%
21.2%
14.5%
-3.3% 9.1% MSCI World Index* 20.1%
9.0%
-40.7%
30.0%
11.8%
-5.5% 15.8%
Global Asset Allocation Blended Index**
13.7%
8.3%
-24.3%
20.7%
10.3%
0.3% 11.3% Average Annual Total Returns Inception Date
One Year
Three Years
Five Years
Since
Capital Allocator Opportunistic Strategies Composite
9/1/05 9.1%
6.5%
1.2%
5.1% MSCI World Index* N/A 15.8%
6.9%
-1.2%
3.7%
Global Asset Allocation Blended Index**
N/A 11.3%
7.2%
2.4%
5.0%
* The MSCI World Index is a market capitalization-weighted index of companies representative of the market structure of 24 developed market countries in North America, Europe and the Asia/Pacific region. The index is unmanaged, has no fees or costs and is not available for investment. ** The Global Asset Allocation Blended Index is rebalanced quarterly and is a blended index constructed by the Investment Manager that is comprised of 60% MSCI World Index and 40% Barclays Capital US Aggregate Bond Index. The index has no fees or costs and is not available for investment.
Certain Other Accounts are not subject to certain investment limitations, diversification requirements and other restrictions imposed by the 1940 Act and the Code which, if applicable, may have adversely affected the performance of the Capital Allocator Opportunistic Strategies Composite. The performance
results of the Capital Allocator Opportunistic Strategies Composite reflect actual fees charged to the Other Accounts, except custodian fees of separately managed accounts. However, the Portfolio bears fees and operational expenses not typically borne by managed accounts (including distribution and servicing
fees of Open Shares). The Capital Allocator Opportunistic Strategies Composite performance would have been lower than that shown above if the Other Accounts had been subject to the fees and expenses of the Portfolio. Additionally, although it is anticipated that the Portfolio and the Other Accounts will hold similar securities, their investment results are expected to differ. In particular, differences in asset size and cash flows may result in different securities selections, differences in the relative weightings of securities or
differences in the prices paid for particular portfolio holdings. However, such differences do not alter the conclusion that the Portfolio and the Other Accounts have substantially similar investment objectives, policies and strategies. The returns of the Capital Allocator Opportunistic Strategies Composite are dollar-weighted based upon beginning period market values. This calculation methodology differs from guidelines of the SEC for calculating performance of mutual funds. 148Prospectus
Wherever theres opportunity, theres Lazard.SM
For more information about the Portfolios, the following documents are available, free of charge, upon request:
Annual and Semi-Annual Reports (Reports):
The Funds annual and semi-annual reports to shareholders contain additional information on each Portfolios investments. In the
annual report, you will find a broad discussion of the market conditions and investment strategies that significantly affected each
Portfolios performance during its last fiscal year.
Statement of Additional Information (SAI):
The SAI provides more detailed information about the Portfolios, including their operations and investment policies. It is
incorporated by reference and is legally considered a part of this Prospectus.
Disclosure of Portfolio Holdings:
Each Portfolio will publicly disclose its portfolio holdings on a calendar quarter-end basis on its website accessible from
http://www.lazardnet.com/lam/us/lazardfunds.shtml, approximately 14 days after such quarter end. The information will remain
accessible until the Fund files a report on Form N-Q or Form N-CSR for the period that includes the date as of which the information
was current.
A description of the Funds policies and procedures with respect to the disclosure of the Portfolios portfolio holdings is available
in the Funds SAI.
You can get a free copy of the Reports and the SAI at http://www.LazardNet.com, or request the Reports and
The Lazard Funds, Inc.
You also can review the Reports and the SAI at the Public Reference Room of the SEC in Washington, D.C. For information, call (202)
551-8090. You can get text-only copies:
After paying a duplicating fee, by writing the Public Reference Branch of the SEC, 100 F Street NE, Room 1580, Washington, D.C.
20549-1520, or by e-mail request to publicinfo@sec.gov.
Free from the SECs website at http://www.sec.gov.
Investment Company Act file no. 811-06312
Investment Manager
Distributor
Custodian
Transfer Agent and Dividend Disbursing Agent Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm
Legal Counsel
No person has been authorized to give any information or to make any representations
not contained in this Prospectus, and information or
Lazard Asset Management LLC 30 Rockefeller Plaza New York, NY 10112-6300 800-823-6300 www.LazardNet.com
© 2013 The Lazard Funds, Inc. and Lazard Asset Management Securities LLC Institutional Shares Open Shares US Equity Lazard US
Equity Concentrated Portfolio LEVIX LEVOX (Equity
Concentrated Portfolio) Lazard US
Strategic Equity Portfolio LZUSX LZUOX (Strategic
Equity Portfolio) Lazard US
Mid Cap Equity Portfolio LZMIX LZMOX (Mid Cap
Portfolio) Lazard US
Small-Mid Cap Equity Portfolio LZSCX LZCOX (Small-Mid
Cap Portfolio) Global Equity Lazard
Global Listed Infrastructure Portfolio GLIFX GLFOX (Global
Listed Infrastructure Portfolio) International Equity Lazard
International Equity Portfolio LZIEX LZIOX (International
Equity Portfolio) Lazard
International Equity Select Portfolio LZSIX LZESX (International
Equity Select Portfolio) Lazard
International Strategic Equity Portfolio LISIX LISOX (International
Strategic Portfolio) Lazard
International Small Cap Equity Portfolio LZISX LZSMX (International
Small Cap Portfolio) Emerging Markets Lazard
Emerging Markets Equity Portfolio LZEMX LZOEX (Emerging
Markets Portfolio) Lazard
Developing Markets Equity Portfolio LDMIX LDMOX (Developing
Markets Portfolio) Lazard
Emerging Markets Equity Blend Portfolio EMBIX EMBOX (Emerging
Markets Blend Portfolio) Lazard
Emerging Markets Multi-Strategy Portfolio EMMIX EMMOX (Emerging
Markets Multi-Strategy Portfolio) Lazard
Emerging Markets Debt Portfolio LEDIX LEDOX (Emerging
Markets Debt Portfolio) Real Estate1 Lazard US
Realty Income Portfolio LRIIX LRIOX (Realty
Income Portfolio) Lazard US
Realty Equity Portfolio LREIX LREOX (US Realty
Portfolio) Lazard
International Realty Equity Portfolio LITIX LITOX (International
Realty Portfolio) 1 Realty
Income Portfolio, US Realty Portfolio and International Realty Portfolio are
referred to collectively as the Realty Portfolios. Institutional Shares Open Shares US Fixed Income Lazard US
High Yield Portfolio LZHYX LZHOX (High Yield
Portfolio) Lazard US
Municipal Portfolio UMNIX UMNOX (Municipal
Portfolio) Global Fixed Income Lazard
Global Fixed Income Portfolio LZGIX LZGOX (Global
Fixed Income Portfolio) Targeted Volatility Lazard
Multi-Asset Targeted Volatility Portfolio N/A N/A (Targeted
Volatility Portfolio) Tactical Asset Allocation Lazard
Capital Allocator Opportunistic Strategies Portfolio LCAIX LCAOX (Capital
Allocator Portfolio) To obtain a
copy of the Funds Prospectus, please write or call the Fund at the address and
telephone number above or go to www.LazardNet.com/lam/us/lazardfunds.shtml. The Funds
most recent Annual Report and Semi-Annual Report to Shareholders are separate
documents supplied with this SAI, and the financial statements, accompanying
notes and report of independent registered public accounting firm appearing in
the Annual Report are incorporated by reference into this SAI. (ii) TABLE OF CONTENTS Page 1 30 34 52 53 58 59 60 62 62 73 90 91 96 Lazard Asset
Management LLC serves as the investment manager (the Investment Manager) to
each of the Portfolios. Lazard Asset
Management Securities LLC (the Distributor) is the distributor of each
Portfolios shares. INVESTMENTS,
INVESTMENT TECHNIQUES AND RISKS The following
information supplements and should be read in conjunction with the Funds
Prospectus. Equity Securities Common and
preferred stocks and other equity securities, such as common limited
partnership units, represent ownership interests in a company. Generally, preferred stock has a specified
dividend and ranks after bonds and before common stocks in its claim on income
for dividend payments and on assets should the company be liquidated. After other claims are satisfied, common
stockholders and other common equity owners participate in company profits on a
pro-rata basis; profits may be paid out in dividends or reinvested in the
company to help it grow. Equity
securities, including common stock, preferred stock, convertible securities and
warrants, fluctuate in value, often based on factors unrelated to the value of
the issuer of the securities, and such fluctuations can be pronounced. Increases and decreases in earnings are
usually reflected in the price of a companys common equity securities, so
common equity securities generally have the greatest appreciation and
depreciation potential of all corporate securities. While common stockholders usually have voting rights on a number
of significant matters, other types of equity securities, such as preferred
stock and common limited partnership units, may not ordinarily have voting
rights. Preferred Stocks. There are two basic types of preferred securities, traditional
and hybrid-preferred securities.
Traditional preferred securities consist of preferred stock issued by an
entity taxable as a corporation.
Preferred stocks, which may offer fixed or floating rate dividends, are
perpetual instruments and considered equity securities. Preferred securities are subordinated to
senior debt instruments in a companys capital structure, in terms of priority
to corporate income and claim to corporate assets, and therefore will be
subject to greater credit risk than debt instruments. Alternatively, hybrid-preferred securities may be issued by
corporations, generally in the form of interest-bearing notes with preferred
securities characteristics, or by an affiliated trust or partnership of the
corporation, generally in the form of preferred interests in subordinated
debentures or similarly structured securities.
The hybrid-preferred securities market consists of both fixed and
adjustable coupon rate securities that are either perpetual in nature or have
stated maturity dates. Hybrid-preferred
securities are considered debt securities.
Due to their similar attributes, the Investment Manager also considers
senior debt perpetual issues, certain securities with convertible features as
well as exchange-listed senior debt issues that trade with attributes of
exchange-listed perpetual and hybrid-preferred securities to be part of the
broader preferred securities market. Traditional Preferred Securities. Traditional preferred securities pay fixed
or floating dividends to investors and have preference over common stock in
the payment of dividends and the liquidation of a companys assets. This means that a company must pay dividends
on preferred stock before paying any dividends on its common stock. In order to be payable, distributions on
such preferred securities must be declared by the issuers board of directors. Income payments on preferred securities may
be cumulative, causing dividends and distributions to accumulate even if not
declared by the board of directors or otherwise made payable. In such a case, all accumulated dividends
must be paid before any dividend on the common stock can be paid. However, many traditional preferred stocks
are non-cumulative, in which case dividends do not accumulate and need not ever
be paid. A Portfolio may invest in
non-cumulative preferred securities, whereby the issuer does not have an
obligation to make up any missed payments to its stockholders. There is no assurance that dividends or
distributions on the traditional preferred securities in which a Portfolio
may invest will be declared or otherwise made payable. Preferred securities may also contain provisions
under which payments must be stopped (i.e., stoppage is compulsory, not
discretionary). The conditions under
which this occurs may relate to, for instance, capitalization levels. Hence, if a company incurs significant
losses that deplete retained earnings automatic payment stoppage could
occur. In some cases the terms of the
preferred securities provide that the issuer would be obligated to attempt to
issue common shares to raise funds for the purpose of making the preferred
payments. However, there is no
guarantee that the issuer would be successful in placing common shares. Preferred
stockholders usually have no right to vote for corporate directors or on other
matters. Shares of traditional
preferred securities have a liquidation preference that generally equals the
original purchase price at the date of issuance. The market value of preferred securities may be affected by,
among other factors, favorable and unfavorable changes impacting the issuer or
industries in which they operate, movements in interest rates and inflation,
and the broader economic and credit environments, and by actual and anticipated
changes in tax laws, such as changes in corporate and individual income tax
rates. Because the claim on an issuers
earnings represented by traditional preferred securities may become onerous
when interest rates fall below the rate payable on such securities, the issuer
may redeem the securities. Thus, in
declining interest rate environments in particular, a Portfolios holdings of
higher rate-paying fixed rate preferred securities may be reduced, and the
Portfolio may be unable to acquire securities of comparable credit quality
paying comparable rates with the redemption proceeds. Hybrid-Preferred Securities.
Hybrid-preferred securities are typically junior and fully subordinated
liabilities of an issuer or the beneficiary of a guarantee that is junior and
fully subordinated to the other liabilities of the guarantor. In addition, hybrid-preferred securities
typically permit an issuer to defer the payment of income for eighteen months
or more without triggering an event of default. Generally, the maximum deferral period is five years. Because of their subordinated position in
the capital structure of an issuer, the ability to defer payments for extended
periods of time without default consequences to the issuer, and certain other
features (such as restrictions on common dividend payments by the issuer or
ultimate guarantor when full cumulative payments on the hybrid preferred
securities have not been made), these hybrid-preferred securities are often
treated as close substitutes for traditional preferred securities, both by
issuers and investors. Hybrid-preferred
securities have many of the key characteristics of equity due to their
subordinated position in an issuers capital structure and because their
quality and value are heavily dependent on the profitability of the issuer
rather than on any legal claims to specific assets or cash flows. Hybrid-preferred securities include, but are
not limited to, types of securities referred to as trust preferred securities,
trust-originated preferred securities, monthly- or quarterly-income bond, debt
or preferred securities, corporate trust securities and other similarly
structured securities. Hybrid-preferred
securities are typically issued with a final maturity date. In certain
instances, a final maturity date may be extended and/or the final payment of
principal may be deferred at the issuers option for a specified time without
default. No redemption can typically take
place unless all cumulative payment obligations have been met, although issuers
may be able to engage in open-market repurchases without regard to whether all
payments have been paid. 2 Within the
category of hybrid-preferred securities are senior debt instruments that trade
in the broader preferred securities market.
These debt instruments, which are sources of long-term capital for the
issuers, have structural features similar to other preferred securities such as
maturities ranging from 30 years to perpetuity, call features, quarterly
payments, exchange listings and the inclusion of accrued interest in the
trading price. In some cases
traditional and hybrid securities may include loss absorption provisions that make
the securities more equity like. Events
in global financial markets in recent periods have caused regulators to review
the function and structure of preferred securities more closely. While loss absorption language is relatively
rare in the preferred market today, it may become much more prevalent. In one version
of a preferred security with loss absorption characteristics, the liquidation
value of the security may be adjusted downward to below the original par value
under certain circumstances. This may
occur, for instance, in the event that business losses have eroded capital to a
substantial extent. The write down of
the par value would occur automatically and would not entitle the holders to
seek bankruptcy of the company. Such
securities may provide for circumstances under which the liquidation value may
be adjusted back up to par, such as an improvement in capitalization and/or
earnings. Another
preferred structure with loss absorption characteristics is the contingent
capital security (sometimes referred to as CoCos). These securities provide for mandatory conversion into common
shares of the issuer under certain circumstances. The mandatory conversion might relate, for instance, to
maintenance of a capital minimum, whereby falling below the minimum would
trigger automatic conversion. Since the
common stock of the issuer may not pay a dividend, investors in these
instruments could experience a reduced income rate, potentially to zero; and
conversion would deepen the subordination of the investor, hence worsening
standing in a bankruptcy. In addition,
some such instruments have a set stock conversion rate that would cause an
automatic write-down of capital if the price of the stock is below the conversion
price on the conversion date. Preferred
securities may be subject to changes in regulations and there can be no
assurance that the current regulatory treatment of preferred securities will
continue. Convertible Securities. Convertible securities may be converted at
either a stated price or stated rate into underlying shares of common
stock. Convertible securities have
characteristics similar to both fixed-income and equity securities. Convertible securities generally are
subordinated to other similar but non-convertible securities of the same
issuer, although convertible bonds, as corporate debt obligations, enjoy
seniority in right of payment to all equity securities, and convertible
preferred stock is senior to common stock, of the same issuer. Because of the subordination feature, however,
convertible securities typically have lower ratings than similar
non-convertible securities. Although to a
lesser extent than with fixed-income securities, the market value of
convertible securities tends to decline as interest rates increase and, conversely,
tends to increase as interest rates decline.
In addition, because of the conversion feature, the market value of
convertible securities tends to vary with fluctuations in the market value of
the underlying common stock. A unique
feature of convertible securities is that as the market price of the underlying
common stock declines, convertible securities tend to trade increasingly on a
yield basis and so may not experience market value declines to the same extent
as the underlying common stock. When
the market price of the underlying common stock increases, the prices of the
convertible securities tend to rise as a reflection of the value of the
underlying common stock. While no
securities investments are without risk, investments in convertible securities
generally entail less risk than investments in common stock of the same issuer. Convertible
securities provide for a stable stream of income with generally higher yields
than common stocks, but there can be no assurance of current income because the
issuers of the convertible securities may default on their 3 obligations. A convertible security, in addition to
providing fixed income, offers the potential for capital appreciation through
the conversion feature, which enables the holder to benefit from increases in
the market price of the underlying common stock. There can be no assurance of capital appreciation, however,
because securities prices fluctuate.
Convertible securities generally offer lower interest or dividend yields
than non-convertible securities of similar quality because of the potential for
capital appreciation. Warrants.
A warrant is a form of derivative that gives the holder the right to
subscribe to a specified amount of the issuing corporations capital stock at a
set price for a specified period of time.
Each Portfolio, other than the Realty Portfolios, may invest up to 5% of
its total assets in warrants, except that this limitation does not apply to
warrants purchased by the Portfolio that are sold in units with, or attached
to, other securities. The Realty
Portfolios may invest in warrants as described in the Prospectus. Initial Public Offerings (All Portfolios, except Emerging Markets Debt,
High Yield, Municipal and Global Fixed Income Portfolios). Each of these Portfolios may purchase
securities of companies in initial public offerings (IPOs) or shortly
thereafter. An IPO is a companys first
offering of equity securities to the public.
Shares are given a market value reflecting expectations for the
corporations future growth. Special
rules of FINRA apply to the distribution of IPOs. Companies offering securities in IPOs generally have limited
operating histories and may involve greater investment risk. The prices of these companies securities
may be very volatile, rising and falling rapidly, sometimes based solely on
investor perceptions rather than economic reasons. IPO securities will be sold when the Investment Manager believes
the price has reached full value. IPO
securities may be sold by a Portfolio on the same day the Portfolio receives an
allocation. Fixed-Income Securities Fixed-income
securities include interest-bearing securities, such as corporate debt
securities. Interest-bearing securities
are investments which promise a stable stream of income, although the prices of
such securities are inversely affected by changes in interest rates and,
therefore, are subject to interest rate risk, as well as the risk of unrelated
market price fluctuations. Fixed-income
securities may have various interest rate payment and reset terms, including
fixed rate, adjustable rate, zero coupon, contingent, deferred, payment in kind
and auction rate features. Certain
securities, such as those with interest rates that fluctuate directly or
indirectly based on multiples of a stated index, are designed to be highly
sensitive to changes in interest rates and can subject the holders thereof to
extreme reductions of yield and possibly loss of principal. Certain fixed income securities may be
issued at a discount from their face value or purchased at a price less than
their stated face amount or at a price less than their issue price plus the
portion of original issue discount previously accrued thereon, i.e.,
purchased at a market discount. The
amount of original issue discount and/or market discount on certain obligations
may be significant, and accretion of market discount together with original
issue discount will cause a Portfolio to realize income prior to the receipt of
cash payments with respect to these securities. To maintain its qualification as a regulated investment company
and avoid liability for federal income taxes, a Portfolio may be required to
distribute such income accrued with respect to these securities and may have to
dispose of portfolio securities under disadvantageous circumstances in order to
generate cash to satisfy these distribution requirements. The rate of return or return of principal on
some debt obligations may be linked or indexed to the level of exchange rates
between the US dollar and a foreign currency or currencies. Such securities may include those whose
principal amount or redemption price is indexed to, and thus varies directly
with, changes in the market price of certain commodities, including gold
bullion or other precious metals. 4 The values of
fixed-income securities also may be affected by changes in the credit rating or
financial condition of the issuer.
Fixed-income securities rated below investment grade by Moodys
Investors Service, Inc. (Moodys) or Standard & Poors Ratings Services
(S&P and together with Moodys, the Rating Agencies) may be subject to
greater risks with respect to the issuing entity and to greater market
fluctuations than certain lower yielding, higher-rated fixed-income
securities. See Lower-Rated
Securities below for a discussion of those securities. As a measure
of a fixed-income securitys cash flow, duration is an alternative to the
concept of term to maturity in assessing the price volatility associated with
changes in interest rates (interest rate risk). Generally, the longer the duration, the more volatility an
investor should expect. For example,
the market price of a bond with a duration of three years would be expected to
decline 3% if interest rates rose 1%.
Conversely, the market price of the same bond would be expected to
increase 3% if interest rates fell 1%.
The market price of a bond with a duration of six years would be
expected to increase or decline twice as much as the market price of a bond
with a three-year duration. Duration is
a way of measuring a securitys maturity in terms of the average time required
to receive the present value of all interest and principal payments as opposed
to its term to maturity. The maturity
of a security measures only the time until final payment is due; it does not
take account of the pattern of a securitys cash flows over time, which would
include how cash flow is affected by prepayments and by changes in interest
rates. Incorporating a securitys
yield, coupon interest payments, final maturity and option features into one
measure, duration is computed by determining the weighted average maturity of a
bonds cash flows, where the present values of the cash flows serve as
weights. In computing the duration of a
Portfolio, the Investment Manager will estimate the duration of obligations
that are subject to features such as prepayment or redemption by the issuer,
put options retained by the investor or other embedded options, taking into
account the influence of interest rates on prepayments and coupon flows. Average
weighted maturity is the length of time, in days or years, until the securities
held by a Portfolio, on average, will mature or be redeemed by their
issuers. The average maturity is
weighted according to the dollar amounts invested in the various securities by
the Portfolio. In general, the longer a
Portfolios average weighted maturity, the more its share price will fluctuate
in response to changing interest rates. For purposes
of calculating average effective portfolio maturity, a security that is subject
to redemption at the option of the issuer on a particular date (the call
date) which is prior to the securitys stated maturity may be deemed to mature
on the call date rather than on its stated maturity date. The call date of a security will be used to
calculate average effective portfolio maturity when the Investment Manager
reasonably anticipates, based upon information available to it, that the issuer
will exercise its right to redeem the security. The Investment Manager may base its conclusion on such factors as
the interest rate paid on the security compared to prevailing market rates, the
amount of cash available to the issuer of the security, events affecting the
issuer of the security, and other factors that may compel or make it
advantageous for the issuer to redeem a security prior to its stated maturity. 5 Corporate Debt Securities. Corporate debt securities include corporate
bonds, debentures, notes and other similar instruments, including certain
convertible securities. Corporate debt
securities may be acquired with warrants attached to purchase additional
fixed-income securities at the same coupon rate. A decline in interest rates would permit a Portfolio to buy additional bonds at the favorable rate or to sell
the warrants at a profit. If interest
rates rise, the warrants would generally expire with no value. Corporate income-producing securities also
may include forms of preferred or preference stock, which may be considered
equity securities. The rate of interest
on a corporate debt security may be fixed, floating or variable, and may vary
inversely with respect to a reference rate such as interest rates or other
financial indicators. Ratings of Securities. Subsequent to its purchase by a Portfolio,
an issue of rated securities may cease to be rated or its rating may be reduced
below any minimum that may be required for purchase by the Portfolio. Once the rating of a portfolio security has
been changed or a rated security has ceased to be rated, a Portfolio will
consider all circumstances deemed relevant in determining whether to continue
to hold the security. To the extent the
ratings given by a Rating Agency for any securities change as a result of
changes in such organizations or their rating systems, a Portfolio will attempt
to use comparable ratings as standards for its investments in accordance with
any investment policies described in such Portfolios prospectus and this
SAI. The ratings of the Rating Agencies
represent their opinions as to the quality of the securities which they
undertake to rate. It should be
emphasized, however, that ratings are relative and subjective and are not
absolute standards of quality. Although
these ratings may be an initial criterion for selection of portfolio
investments, the Investment Manager also will evaluate these securities and the
creditworthiness of the issuers of such securities based upon financial and
other available information. Bond prices
are inversely related to interest rate changes; however, bond price volatility
also may be inversely related to coupon.
Accordingly, below investment grade securities may be relatively less
sensitive to interest rate changes than higher quality securities of comparable
maturity, because of their higher coupon. Companies that
issue certain of these securities often are highly leveraged and may not have
available to them more traditional methods of financing. Therefore, the risk associated with
acquiring the securities of such issuers generally is greater than is the case with
higher rated securities and will fluctuate over time. For example, during an economic downturn or a sustained period of
rising interest rates, highly leveraged issuers of these securities may not
have sufficient revenues to meet their interest payment obligations. The issuers ability to service its debt
obligations also may be affected adversely by specific corporate developments,
forecasts, or the unavailability of 6 additional
financing. The risk of loss because of
default by the issuer is significantly greater for the holders of these
securities because such securities generally are unsecured and often are
subordinated to other creditors of the issuer. These
securities may be particularly susceptible to economic downturns. An economic recession could adversely affect
the ability of the issuers of lower rated bonds to repay principal and pay
interest thereon and increase the incidence of default for such securities. It is likely that an economic recession
could disrupt severely the market for such securities and may have an adverse
impact on their value. A Portfolio
may acquire these securities during an initial offering. Such securities may involve special risks
because they are new issues. The Portfolios
do not have an arrangement with any persons concerning the acquisition of such
securities, and the Investment Manager will review carefully the credit and
other characteristics pertinent to such new issues. The credit
risk factors pertaining to lower rated securities also apply to lower-rated
preferred, convertible, zero coupon, pay-in-kind and step up securities. In addition to the risks associated with the
credit rating of the issuers, the market prices of these securities may be very
volatile during the period no interest is paid. Variable and
floating rate securities frequently include a demand feature entitling the
holder to sell the securities to the issuer at par. In many cases, the demand feature can be exercised at any time on
seven days notice. In other cases, the demand feature is exercisable at any
time on 30 days notice or on similar notice at intervals of not more than one
year. Some securities that do not have
variable or floating interest rates may be accompanied by puts producing
similar results and price characteristics. Each Portfolio
may purchase floating rate debt instruments (floaters). The interest rate on a floater is a variable
rate which is tied to another interest rate, such as a money-market index or
Treasury bill rate. The interest rate
on a floater resets periodically, typically every six months. Because of the interest rate reset feature,
floaters provide the Portfolio with a certain degree of protection against
rises in interest rates, although the Portfolio will participate in any
declines in interest rates as well.
Each Portfolio also may purchase inverse floating rate debt instruments
(inverse floaters). The interest rate
on an inverse floater resets in the opposite direction from the market rate of
interest to which the inverse floater is indexed or inversely to a multiple of
the applicable index. An inverse
floating rate security may exhibit greater price volatility than a fixed rate
obligation of similar credit quality. Participation Interests (All Portfolios except the Realty Portfolios). Each Portfolio may purchase from financial
institutions participation interests in securities in which the Portfolio may
invest. 7 8 may be pronounced. If a mortgage-related security is purchased
at a premium, all or part of the premium may be lost if the market value of the
security declines, whether resulting from changes in interest rates or
prepayments on the underlying mortgage collateral. Certain mortgage-related securities, such as inverse floating
rate collateralized mortgage obligations, have coupons that move inversely to a
multiple of a specific index which may result in increased price volatility. As with other
interest-bearing securities, the prices of certain mortgage-related securities
are inversely affected by changes in interest rates. However, although the value of a mortgage-related security may
decline when interest rates rise, the converse is not necessarily true, since
during periods of declining interest rates the mortgages underlying the
security are more likely to be prepaid.
For this and other reasons, a mortgage-related securitys stated
maturity may be shortened by unscheduled prepayments on the underlying
mortgages, and, therefore, it is not possible to predict accurately the
securitys return to a Portfolio.
Moreover, with respect to certain stripped mortgage-backed securities,
if the underlying mortgage securities experience greater than anticipated
prepayments of principal, a Portfolio may fail to fully recoup its initial
investment even if the securities are rated in the highest rating category by a
nationally recognized statistical rating organization. During periods of rapidly rising interest
rates, prepayments of mortgage-related securities may occur at slower than
expected rates. Slower prepayments
effectively may lengthen a mortgage-related securitys expected maturity, which
generally would cause the value of such security to fluctuate more widely in
response to changes in interest rates.
Were the prepayments on a Portfolios mortgage-related securities to
decrease broadly, the Portfolios effective duration, and thus sensitivity to
interest rate fluctuations, would increase.
Commercial real property loans, however, often contain provisions that
substantially reduce the likelihood that such securities will be prepaid. The provisions generally impose significant
prepayment penalties on loans and in some cases there may be prohibitions on
principal prepayments for several years following origination. Mortgage-related
securities issued by GNMA include GNMA Mortgage Pass-Through Certificates (also
known as Ginnie Maes) which are guaranteed as to the timely payment of
principal and interest by GNMA and such guarantee is backed by the full faith
and credit of the United States. GNMA
certificates also are supported by the authority of GNMA to borrow funds from
the Treasury to make payments under its guarantee. Mortgage-related securities issued by FNMA include FNMA
Guaranteed Mortgage Pass-Through Certificates (also known as Fannie Maes)
which are solely the obligations of FNMA and are not backed by or entitled to
the full faith and credit of the United States. Fannie Maes are guaranteed as to timely payment of principal and
interest by FNMA. Mortgage-related
securities issued by FHLMC include FHLMC Mortgage Participation Certificates
(also known as Freddie Macs or PCs).
Freddie Macs are not guaranteed by the United States or by any Federal
Home Loan Bank and do not constitute a debt or obligation of the United States
or of any Federal Home Loan Bank.
Freddie Macs entitle the holder to timely payment of interest, which is
guaranteed by FHLMC. FHLMC guarantees
either ultimate collection or timely payment of all principal payments on the
underlying mortgage loans. When FHLMC
does not guarantee timely payment of principal, FHLMC may remit the amount due
on account of its guarantee of ultimate payment of principal at any time after
default on an underlying mortgage, but in no event later than one year after it
becomes payable. 9 Commercial Mortgage-Related Securities. Each of these Portfolios may invest in
commercial mortgage-related securities which generally are multi-class debt or
pass-through certificates secured by mortgage loans on commercial
properties. Similar to residential
mortgage-related securities, commercial mortgage-related securities have been
issued using a variety of structures, including multi-class structures
featuring senior and subordinated classes.
These mortgage-related securities generally are constructed to provide
protection to the senior classes of investors against potential losses on the
underlying mortgage loans. This
protection is generally provided by having the holders of the subordinated
class of securities (Subordinated Securities) take the first loss if there
are defaults on the underlying commercial mortgage loans. Other protection, which may benefit all of
the classes or particular classes, may include issuer guarantees, reserve
funds, additional Subordinated Securities, cross-collateralization and
over-collateralization. Subordinated Securities. Each of these Portfolios may invest in
Subordinated Securities issued or sponsored by commercial banks, savings and
loan institutions, mortgage bankers, private mortgage insurance companies and
other non-governmental issuers.
Subordinated Securities have no governmental guarantee, and are
subordinated in some manner as to the payment of principal and/or interest to
the holders of more senior mortgage-related securities arising out of the same
pool of mortgages. The holders of
Subordinated Securities typically are compensated with a higher stated yield
than are the holders of more senior mortgage-related securities. On the other hand, Subordinated Securities
typically subject the holder to greater risk than senior mortgage-related
securities and tend to be rated in a lower rating category, and frequently a
substantially lower rating category, than the senior mortgage-related
securities issued in respect of the same pool of mortgages. Subordinated Securities generally are likely
to be more sensitive to changes in prepayment and interest rates and the market
for such securities may be less liquid than is the case for traditional
fixed-income securities and senior mortgage-related securities. Collateralized Mortgage Obligations (CMOs)
and Multi-Class Pass-Through Securities. Each of these Portfolios may invest in CMOs,
which are multi-class bonds backed by pools of mortgage pass-through
certificates or mortgage loans. CMOs
may be collateralized by (a) GNMA, Fannie Mae or FHLMC pass-through
certificates, (b) unsecuritized mortgage loans insured by the Federal Housing
Administration or guaranteed by the Department of Veterans Affairs, (c)
unsecuritized conventional mortgages, (d) other mortgage-related securities or
(e) any combination thereof. Each class of
CMOs, often referred to as a tranche, is issued at a specific coupon rate and
has a stated maturity or final distribution date. Principal prepayments on collateral underlying a CMO may cause it
to be retired substantially earlier than the stated maturities or final
distribution dates. The principal and
interest on the underlying mortgages may be allocated among the several classes
of a series of a CMO in many ways. One
or more tranches of a CMO may have coupon rates which reset periodically at a
specified increment over an index, such as the London Interbank Offered Rate
(LIBOR) (or sometimes more than one index).
These floating rate CMOs
typically are issued with lifetime caps on the coupon rate thereon. Each of these Portfolios also may invest in
inverse floating 10 rate CMOs. Inverse
floating rate CMOs constitute a tranche of a CMO with a coupon rate that moves
in the reverse direction to an applicable index such as the LIBOR. Accordingly, the coupon rate thereon will
increase as interest rates decrease.
Inverse floating rate CMOs are typically more volatile than fixed or
floating rate tranches of CMOs. High
Yield Portfolio may invest, to a limited extent, in residual interests in real
estate mortgage investment conduits (REMICs). See Taxation. Many inverse
floating rate CMOs have coupons that move inversely to a multiple of the
applicable indexes. The coupon varying
inversely to a multiple of an applicable index creates a leverage factor. Inverse floaters based on multiples of a
stated index are designed to be highly sensitive to changes in interest rates
and can subject the holders thereof to extreme reductions of yield and loss of
principal. The markets for inverse
floating rate CMOs with highly leveraged characteristics may at times be very thin. Each Portfolios ability to dispose of its
positions in such securities will depend on the degree of liquidity in the
markets for such securities. It is
impossible to predict the amount of trading interest that may exist in such
securities, and therefore the future degree of liquidity. Stripped Mortgage-Backed Securities. Each of these Portfolios also may invest in
stripped mortgage-backed securities which are created by segregating the cash
flows from underlying mortgage loans or mortgage securities to create two or
more new securities, each with a specified percentage of the underlying
securitys principal or interest payments.
Mortgage securities may be partially stripped so that each investor
class received some interest and some principal. When securities are completely stripped, however, all of the
interest is distributed to holders of one type of security, known as an
interest-only security, or IO, and all of the principal is distributed to
holders of another type of security known as a principal-only security, or
PO. Strips can be created in a
pass-through structure or as tranches of a CMO. The yields to maturity on IOs and POs are very sensitive to the
rate of principal payments (including prepayments) on the related underlying
mortgage assets. If the underlying
mortgage assets experience greater than anticipated prepayments of principal,
the Portfolio may not fully recoup its initial investment in IOs. Conversely, if the underlying mortgage
assets experience less than anticipated prepayments of principal, the yield on
POs could be materially and adversely affected. Private Entity Securities. Each of these Portfolios may invest in
mortgage-related securities issued by commercial banks, savings and loan
institutions, mortgage bankers, private mortgage insurance companies and other
non-governmental issuers. Timely
payment of principal and interest on mortgage-related securities backed by
pools created by non-governmental issuers often is supported partially 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
and the mortgage poolers. There can be
no assurance that the private insurers or mortgage poolers can meet their
obligations under the policies, so that if the issuers default on their
obligations the holders of the security could sustain a loss. No insurance or guarantee covers the
Portfolio or the price of the Portfolios shares. Mortgage-related securities issued by non-governmental issuers
generally offer a higher rate of interest than government-agency and
government-related securities because there are no direct or indirect
government guarantees of payment. The cash flow
generated by the mortgage assets underlying series of CMOs is applied first to
make required payments of principal of and interest on the CMOs and second to
pay the related administrative expenses of the issuer. The residual in a CMO structure generally
represents the interest in any excess cash flow remaining after making the
foregoing payments. Each payment of
such excess cash flow to a holder of the related CMO Residual represents
dividend or interest income and/or a return of capital. The amount of residual cash flow resulting
from a CMO will depend on, among other things, the characteristics of the
mortgage assets, the coupon rate of each class of CMOs, prevailing interest rates,
the amount of administrative expenses and the prepayment experience on the
mortgage assets. In particular, the
yield to maturity on CMO Residuals is extremely sensitive to prepayments on the
related underlying mortgage assets in the same manner as an IO class of
stripped mortgage-back securities. See
Stripped Mortgage-Backed Securities above.
In addition, if a series of a CMO includes a class that bears interest
at an adjustable rate, the yield to maturity on the related CMO residual will
also be extremely sensitive to the level of the index upon which interest rate
adjustments are based. As described
above with respect to stripped mortgage- 11 back
securities, in certain circumstances, the Portfolio may fail to fully recoup
its initial investment in a CMO Residual. CMO Residuals
generally are purchased and sold by institutional investors through several
investment banking firms acting as brokers or dealers. CMO Residuals may not have the liquidity of
other more established securities trading in other markets. Transactions in CMO Residuals are generally
completed only after careful review of the characteristics of the securities in
question. In addition, whether or not
registered under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the Securities Act),
CMO Residuals may be subject to certain restrictions of transferability. Ownership of certain CMO Residuals imposes
liability for certain of the expenses of the related CMO issuer on the
purchaser. The Investment Manager will
not purchase any CMO Residual that imposes such liability on the Portfolio. Asset-backed
securities present certain risks that are not presented by mortgage-backed
securities. Primarily, these securities
may provide a Portfolio with a less effective security interest in the related
collateral than do mortgage-backed securities.
Therefore, there is the possibility that recoveries on the underlying
collateral may not, in some cases, be available to support payments on these
securities. Credit card
receivables are generally unsecured and the debtors are entitled to the
protection of a number of state and federal consumer credit laws, many of which
give such debtors the right to set off certain amounts owed on the credit
cards, thereby reducing the balance due.
Most organizations that issue asset-backed securities relating to motor
vehicle installment purchase obligations perfect their interests in their
respective obligations only by filing a financing statement and by having the
servicer of the obligations, which is usually the originator, take custody
thereof. In such circumstances, if the
servicer were to sell the same obligations to another party, in violation of
its duty not to so do, there is a risk that such party could acquire an
interest in the obligations superior to that of the holders of the
securities. Also, although most such
obligations grant a security interest in the motor vehicle being financed, in
most states the security interest in a motor vehicle must be noted on the
certificate of title to perfect such security interest against competing claims
of other parties. Due to the large
number of vehicles involved, however, the certificate of title to each vehicle
financed, pursuant to the obligations underlying the securities, usually is not
amended to reflect the assignment of the sellers security interest for the
benefit of the holders of the securities.
Therefore, there is the possibility that recoveries on repossessed
collateral may not, in some cases, be available to support payments on those
securities. In addition, various state
and federal laws give the motor vehicle owner the right to assert against the
holder of the owners obligation certain defenses such owner would have against
the seller of the motor vehicle. The
assertion of such defenses could reduce payments on the related securities. 12 Income
Portfolios also may invest in Municipal Securities. Municipal Securities are debt obligations issued by states,
territories and possessions of the United States and the District of Columbia
and their political subdivisions, agencies and instrumentalities, or
multi-state agencies or authorities, to obtain funds for various public
purposes, and include certain industrial development bonds issued by or on
behalf of public authorities. Municipal
Securities are classified as general obligation bonds, revenue bonds and
notes. General obligation bonds are
secured by the issuers pledge of its full faith, credit and taxing power for
the payment of principal and interest.
Revenue bonds are payable from the revenue derived from a particular
facility or class of facilities or, in some cases, from the proceeds of a
special excise or other specific revenue source, but not from the general
taxing power. Industrial development
bonds, in most cases, are revenue bonds and generally do not carry the pledge
of the credit of the issuing municipality, but generally are guaranteed by the
corporate entity on whose behalf they are issued. Notes are short-term instruments which are obligations of the
issuing municipalities or agencies and are sold in anticipation of a bond sale,
collection of taxes or receipt of other revenues. Municipal Securities include municipal lease/purchase agreements
which are similar to installment purchase contracts for property or equipment
issued by municipalities. Municipal
Securities bear fixed, floating or variable rates of interest which are
determined in some instances by formulas under which the Municipal Securities
interest rate will change directly or inversely to changes in interest rates or
an index, or multiples thereof, in many cases subject to a maximum and minimum. The yields on
Municipal Securities are dependent on a variety of factors, including general
economic and monetary conditions, conditions in the Municipal Securities
market, size of a particular offering, maturity of the obligation and rating of
the issue and certain other factors.
While, in general, Municipal Securities are tax exempt securities having
relatively low yields as compared to taxable, non-Municipal Securities of
similar quality, certain Municipal Securities are taxable obligations offering
yields comparable to, and in some cases greater than, the yields available on
other permissible Portfolio investments.
Dividends received by shareholders of Portfolios other than the
Municipal Portfolio which are attributable to interest income received by the
Portfolios from Municipal Securities generally will be subject to federal
income tax. Each Portfolio other than
the Municipal Portfolio may invest in Municipal Securities, the ratings of
which correspond with the ratings of other permissible investments for the
Portfolio. The High Yield Portfolio
currently intends to invest no more than 25% of its assets in Municipal
Securities. However, this percentage
may be varied from time to time without shareholder approval. The Municipal
Portfolio may invest more than 25% of the value of its total assets in
Municipal Securities which are related in such a way that an economic, business
or political development or change affecting one such security also would
affect the other securities, such as securities whose issuers are located in
the same state and securities the interest upon which is paid from revenues of
similar types of projects. These
investments may make the Portfolio more susceptible than another fund that does
not follow this practice to: funding
issues of the relevant state or states; federal or state legislation, or
proposed legislation, involving the financing of such projects; pending court
decisions relating to the validity of the projects or their financing;
predicted or foreseeable shortages or price increases of materials needed or
the projects; and declining markets or needs for the projects. As the similarity in issuers increases, the
potential for fluctuations in the Portfolios net asset value also may
increase. Municipal
Securities include certain private activity bonds (a type of revenue bond), the
income from which is subject to the federal alternative minimum tax. The Municipal Portfolio may invest without
limitation in such Municipal Securities. Certain
provisions in the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the Code),
relating to the issuance of Municipal Securities may reduce the volume of
Municipal Securities qualifying for federal tax exemption. One effect of these provisions could be to
increase the cost of the Municipal Securities available for purchase by the 13 Municipal
Portfolio and thus reduce available yield.
Shareholders should consult their tax advisers concerning the effect of
these provisions on an investment in the Portfolio. Proposals that may restrict or eliminate the income tax exemption
for interest on Municipal Securities may be introduced in the future. If any such proposal were enacted that would
reduce the availability of Municipal Securities for investment by the Municipal
Portfolio so as to adversely affect Portfolio shareholders, the Portfolio would
reevaluate its investment objective and policies and submit possible changes in
the Portfolios structure to shareholders for their consideration. 14 Foreign
Securities Emerging Markets. Each Portfolio may invest in
emerging markets as described in the Prospectus. Investments in, or
economically tied to, emerging market countries may be subject to potentially
higher risks than investments in companies in developed countries. Risks of
investing in emerging markets and emerging market securities include (in
addition to those described above): less social, political and economic
stability; less diverse and mature economic structures; the lack of publicly
available information, including reports of payments of dividends or interest
on outstanding securities; certain national policies that may restrict a
Portfolios investment opportunities, including restrictions on investment in
issuers or industries deemed sensitive to national interests; local taxation;
the absence of developed structures governing private or foreign investment or
allowing for judicial redress for injury to private property; the absence until
recently, in certain countries, of a capital structure or market-oriented
economy; the possibility that recent favorable economic developments in certain
countries may be slowed or reversed by unanticipated political or social events
in these countries; restrictions that may make it difficult or impossible for a
Portfolio to vote proxies, exercise shareholder rights, pursue legal remedies,
and obtain judgments in foreign courts; the risk of uninsured loss due to lost,
stolen, or counterfeit stock certificates; possible losses through the holding
of securities in domestic and foreign custodial banks and depositories;
heightened opportunities for governmental 15 corruption;
large amounts of foreign debt to finance basic governmental duties that could
lead to restructuring or default; and heavy reliance on exports that may be
severely affected by global economic downturns. In addition,
some countries in which a Portfolio may invest have experienced substantial,
and in some periods, extremely high rates of inflation for many years.
Inflation and rapid fluctuations in inflation rates have had and may continue
to have negative effects on the economies and securities markets of certain
countries. Further, the economies of emerging market countries generally are
heavily dependent upon international trade and, accordingly, have been and may
continue to be adversely affected by trade barriers, exchange controls, managed
adjustments in relative currency values and other protectionist measures
imposed or negotiated by the countries with which they trade. Other than for
the purpose of a Portfolios policy with respect to the investment of 80% of
its assets, the Portfolios consider emerging market countries to include all
countries represented by the Morgan Stanley Capital International (MSCI®)
Emerging Markets Index and other countries not considered developed countries
by MSCI, and investments in emerging markets may include those companies
included in the MSCI Emerging Markets Index and companies with their principal
business activities located in, or that have 50% or more of their assets in or
revenue or net income from, emerging market countries. The MSCI Emerging
Markets Index currently includes the following countries: Brazil, Chile, China,
Colombia, Czech Republic, Egypt, Hungary, India, Indonesia, Korea, Malaysia,
Mexico, Morocco, Peru, Philippines, Poland, Russia, South Africa, Taiwan,
Thailand and Turkey. For purposes of each of Emerging Markets Portfolios,
Developing Markets Portfolios and Emerging Markets Blend Portfolios policy to
invest at least 80% of its net assets, plus any borrowings for investment
purposes, in equity securities of companies whose principal business activities
are located in emerging market countries, only countries included in the MSCI
Emerging Markets Index are considered to be emerging markets (although a
Portfolio may invest in other countries with its remaining assets). For
purposes of Emerging Markets Multi-Strategy Portfolios policy to invest at
least 80% of its net assets in securities and other investments that are
economically tied to emerging market countries and Emerging Markets Debt
Portfolios policy to invest at least 80% of its net assets in debt securities
that are economically tied to emerging market countries, emerging market
countries include all countries not represented by the MSCI World Index. Depositary Receipts. Each Portfolio, to the
extent it may invest in foreign securities, may invest in the securities of
foreign issuers in the form of American Depositary Receipts and American
Depositary Shares (collectively, ADRs) and Global Depositary Receipts and
Global Depositary Shares (collectively, GDRs). These securities may not necessarily
be denominated in the same currency as the securities into which they may be
converted. ADRs are receipts typically issued by a United States bank or trust
company which evidence ownership of underlying securities issued by a foreign
corporation. GDRs are receipts issued outside the United States, typically by
non-United States banks and trust companies, that evidence ownership of either
foreign or domestic securities. Generally, ADRs in registered form are designed
for use in the United States securities markets and GDRs in bearer form are
designed for use outside the United States. The Realty Portfolios also may
invest in European Depositary Receipts (EDRs). EDRs, in bearer form, are
designed for use in the European securities markets. These securities
may be purchased through sponsored or unsponsored facilities. A sponsored
facility is established jointly by the issuer of the underlying security and a
depositary. A depositary may establish an unsponsored facility without
participation by the issuer of the deposited security. Holders of unsponsored
depositary receipts generally bear all the costs of such facilities, and the
depositary of an unsponsored facility frequently is under no obligation to
distribute shareholder communications received from the issuer of the deposited
security or to pass through voting rights to the holders of such receipts in
respect of the deposited securities. Foreign Government Obligations; Securities of Supranational Entities.
Each Portfolio, to the extent it may invest in foreign securities, may invest
in obligations issued or guaranteed by one or more foreign governments or any
of their political subdivisions, agencies or instrumentalities that are
determined by the Investment Manager to be of comparable quality to the other
obligations in which the Portfolio may invest. Such securities also include
debt obligations of supranational entities. Supranational entities include
international organizations designated or supported by governmental entities to
promote economic reconstruction or development and international banking
institutions and related government agencies. Examples include the
International Bank for Reconstruction and Development (the World Bank), the
European Coal and Steel Community, the Asian Development Bank and the
InterAmerican Development Bank. 16 Real Estate Investment Trusts and Other Realty Companies A REIT is a
corporation, or a business trust that would otherwise be taxed as a
corporation, which meets the definitional requirements of the Code. The Code
permits a qualifying REIT to deduct dividends paid, thereby effectively
eliminating corporate level federal income tax and making the REIT a
pass-through vehicle for federal income tax purposes. To meet the definitional
requirements of the Code, a REIT must, among other things, invest substantially
all of its assets in interests in real estate (including mortgages and other
REITs) or cash and government securities, derive most of its income from rents
from real property or interest on loans secured by mortgages on real property,
and distribute to shareholders annually a substantial portion of its otherwise
taxable income. REITs are
characterized as equity REITs, mortgage REITs and hybrid REITs. Equity REITs,
which may include operating or finance companies, own real estate directly and
the value of, and income earned by, the REITs depends upon the income of the
underlying properties and the rental income they earn. Equity REITs also can
realize capital gains (or losses) by selling properties that have appreciated
(or depreciated) in value. Mortgage REITs can make construction, development or
long-term mortgage loans and are sensitive to the credit quality of the
borrower. Mortgage REITs derive their income from interest payments on such
loans. Hybrid REITs combine the characteristics of both equity and mortgage
REITs, generally by holding both ownership interests and mortgage interests in
real estate. The values of securities issued by REITs are affected by tax and
regulatory requirements and by perceptions of management skill. They also are
subject to heavy cash flow dependency, defaults by borrowers or tenants,
self-liquidation and the possibility of failing to qualify for tax-free status
under the Code or to maintain exemption from the 1940 Act. A Portfolios
investments in REITs may be adversely affected by deteriorations of the real
estate rental market, in the case of REITs that primarily own real estate, or
by deteriorations in the creditworthiness of property owners and changes in
interest rates in the case of REITs that primarily hold mortgages. Equity and
mortgage REITs also are dependent upon specialized management skills, may not
be diversified in their holdings and are subject to the risks of financing
projects. REITs also may be subject to heavy cash flow dependency, defaults by
borrowers and self-liquidation. The Realty
Portfolios focus their investments in, and the other Portfolios may invest in,
(to the extent consistent with their investment objectives, strategies and
policies), securities of Realty Companies (as defined in the Prospectus). Risks
of Realty Companies include: declines in the value of real estate; adverse
general, regional or local economic conditions; overbuilding and increased
competition; increases in property taxes and operating expenses; changes in
zoning laws; casualty or condemnation losses; variations in rental income,
neighborhood values or the appeal of properties to tenants; and changes in
interest rates. Real estate-related companies also may be subject to
liabilities under environmental and hazardous waste laws, which could
negatively affect their value. Property values may fall due to increasing
vacancies or declining rents resulting from economic, legal, cultural or
technological developments. The price of Realty Companies investments also may
drop because of the failure of borrowers to pay their loans and poor
management. Real estate-related companies may be affected by a high level of
continuing capital expenditures, competition or increases in operating costs,
which may not be offset by increases in revenues. The value and successful
operation of certain types of commercial properties may be affected by a number
of factors, such as the location of the property, the knowledge and experience
of the management team, the level of mortgage rates, presence of competing
properties and adverse economic conditions in the locale. Many real estate- 17 related
companies use leverage, which increases investment risk and could adversely
affect a companys operations and market value in periods of rising interest
rates as well as risks normally associated with debt financing. In addition,
there are risks associated with particular types of Realty Companies
investments: Retail Properties. Retail properties are
affected by the overall health of the applicable sector of the economy and may
be adversely affected by the growth of alternative forms of retailing,
bankruptcy, departure or cessation of operations of a tenant, a shift in
consumer demand due to demographic changes, spending patterns and lease terminations. Office Properties. Office properties are
affected by the overall health of the economy and other factors such as a
downturn in the businesses operated by their tenants, obsolescence and
noncompetitiveness. Lodging and Hotel Properties. The risks of
lodging and hotel properties include, among other things, the necessity of a
high level of continuing capital expenditures, competition, increases in
operating costs, which may not be offset by increases in revenues, dependence
on business and commercial travelers and tourism, increases in fuel costs and
other expenses of travel and adverse effects of general and local economic
conditions. Lodging and hotel properties tend to be more sensitive to adverse
economic conditions and competition than many other commercial properties. Healthcare Properties. Healthcare properties
and healthcare providers are affected by several significant factors,
including: federal, state and local laws governing licenses, certification,
adequacy of care, pharmaceutical distribution, rates, equipment, personnel and
other factors regarding operations; continued availability of revenue from
government reimbursement programs (primarily Medicaid and Medicare); and
competition on a local and regional basis. The failure of any healthcare
operator to comply with governmental laws and regulations may affect its
ability to operate its facility or receive government reimbursements. Multifamily Properties. The value and
successful operation of a multifamily property may be affected by a number of
factors such as the location of the property, the ability of the management
team, the level of mortgage rates, presence of competing properties, adverse
economic conditions in the locale, oversupply and rent control laws or other
laws affecting such properties. Homebuilding. Homebuilding businesses are
affected by several significant factors, including: rising costs and decreased
availability of suitable land; costs of construction labor and materials;
overbuilding and price competition; consumer demand and confidence; labor
availability, including strikes; availability of construction financing and
residential mortgages; and related interest rates and availability of credit. Gaming. The risks of gaming businesses
include, among other things, state and local laws governing gaming licenses,
risks similar to those of lodging and hotel properties, general and local
economic conditions and consumer confidence. Restaurants. The risks of restaurant
businesses are that they are more sensitive to adverse economic conditions and
competition than many other businesses, changing consumer tastes, and commodity
and labor costs and, in some instances, risks similar to those of the lodging
and hotel properties. Natural Resources. Natural resources business
are affected by several significant factors, including: demand and price
fluctuations for the natural resource products; the time and expenses of
exploration, acquisition and development; the necessity of a high level of
continuing capital expenditures, competition and increases in operating costs
which may not be offset by increases in revenues; national, regional, state and
local laws governing licenses and permits; political and community opposition;
energy costs and other required commodities; and environmental and hazardous
waste issues, including costs of regulatory compliance and remediation. Utility Companies. Utility companies are
subject to a variety of risk factors that may adversely affect their business
or operations, including: high interest costs in connection with capital
construction and improvement programs; difficulty in raising capital in
adequate amounts on reasonable terms in periods of high inflation and unsettled
capital markets; governmental regulation of rates charged to customers; costs
associated with the reduced availability of 18 certain types
of fuel, occasionally reduced availability and high costs of natural gas for
resale, and the effects of energy conservation policies; and inexperience with
and potential losses resulting from a developing deregulatory environment. Insurance Issues. Certain companies may carry
comprehensive liability, fire, flood, earthquake, extended coverage and rental
loss insurance with various policy specifications, limits and deductibles, but
uninsured losses would affect profits, cash flows and performance. Financing and Credit. Real estate-related
companies may be adversely affected by a lack of available financing or
tightening of credit. Financial Leverage. Real estate-related
companies may be highly leveraged, and financial covenants may affect the
ability of such companies to operate effectively. Environmental Issues. In connection with the
ownership (direct or indirect), operation, management and development of real
properties that may contain hazardous or toxic substances, a real
estate-related company may be considered an owner, operator or responsible
party of such properties and, therefore, may be potentially liable for removal
or remediation costs, as well as certain other costs, including governmental fines
and liabilities for injuries to persons and property. The existence of any such
material environmental liability could have a material adverse effect on the
results of operations and cash flow of any such company. Investment
Companies, Exchange-Traded Funds and Exchange-Traded Notes Investment Companies. Each Portfolio, except
Small-Mid Cap and International Equity Portfolios, may invest, to the extent
permitted under the 1940 Act, in securities issued by investment companies
which principally invest in securities of the type in which the Portfolio
invests. Under the 1940 Act, a Portfolios investment in such securities,
subject to certain exceptions, currently is limited to (i) 3% of the total
voting stock of any one investment company, (ii) 5% of the Portfolios total
assets with respect to any one investment company and (iii) 10% of the
Portfolios total assets in the aggregate (such limits do not apply to
investments in money market funds). However, Section 12(d)(1)(F) of the 1940
Act provides that these provisions shall not apply to securities purchased or
otherwise acquired by a Portfolio if (a) immediately after such purchase or
acquisition not more than 3% of the total outstanding shares of such investment
company is owned by the Portfolio and all affiliated persons of the Portfolio;
and (b) the Portfolio has not offered or sold, and is not proposing to offer or
sell, its shares through a principal underwriter or otherwise at a public or
offering price that includes a sales load of more than 1½%. Rule 12d1-3 under
the 1940 Act provides, however, that a Portfolio may rely on the Section
12(d)(1)(F) exemption and charge a sales load in excess of 1½% provided that
the sales load and any service fee charged does not exceed limits set forth in
applicable rules of the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority, Inc.
(FINRA). In addition, if a Portfolio invests in investment companies,
including any exchange-traded funds (ETFs) which are investment companies,
pursuant to Section 12(d)(1)(F), it must comply with the following voting
restrictions: when the Portfolio exercises voting rights, by proxy or
otherwise, with respect to investment companies owned by the Portfolio, the
Portfolio will either seek instruction from the Portfolios shareholders with
regard to the voting of all proxies and vote in accordance with such
instructions, or vote the shares held by the Portfolio in the same proportion
as the vote of all other holders of the securities of the investment company.
In addition, an investment company purchased by a Portfolio pursuant to Section
12(d)(1)(F) shall not be required to redeem its shares in an amount exceeding
1% of such investment companys total outstanding shares in any period of less
than thirty days. 19 The Small-Mid
Cap and International Equity Portfolios may not purchase securities of other
investment companies except in connection with a merger, consolidation,
acquisition or reorganization, and may purchase securities of any one
closed-end fund in an amount up to 5% of the Portfolios total assets and may
purchase securities of closed-end funds in the aggregate in an amount of up to
10% of the Portfolios total assets. In addition to
the management and operational fees the Portfolios bear directly in connection
with their own operation, each Portfolio will also bear its pro rata portion of
the advisory and operational expenses incurred indirectly through its
investments in other investment companies. The Portfolios do not intend to
invest in investment companies affiliated with the Fund or the Investment
Manager. For purposes
of considering a Portfolios status as a diversified company under Section
5(b)(1) of the 1940 Act, investments in other investment companies are excluded
from the diversification test, in accordance with the language in Section
5(b)(1). As a result, the Capital Allocator Portfolio (which invests primarily
in Underlying Funds (as defined in the Prospectus)) may hold fewer securities
than other diversified mutual funds not focusing on investments in other investment
companies, although the Portfolio will gain additional diversification through
the Underlying Funds portfolios of investments. However, the Capital Allocator
Portfolio does not intend to limit its investments to Underlying Funds that are
diversified companies or to otherwise monitor the diversification of the
Underlying Funds investments. It is currently intended that the Capital
Allocator Portfolio will invest in approximately 10 to 30 Underlying Funds. With respect
to the Capital Allocator Portfolios investments in ETFs, the Fund may enter
into an agreement with certain ETFs pursuant to Securities and Exchange
Commission (SEC) exemptive orders obtained by the ETFs and on which the
Capital Allocator Portfolio may rely. These agreements and orders also may
require the Investment Manager to vote the Portfolios Underlying Fund shares
in proportion to votes cast by other ETF stockholders. Exchange-Traded Funds.
Investments in investment companies may include shares of ETFs, which are
designed to provide investment results generally corresponding to a securities
index. ETFs usually are units of beneficial interest in an investment trust or
represent undivided ownership interests in a portfolio of securities, in each
case with respect to a portfolio of all or substantially all of the component
securities of, and in substantially the same weighting as, the relevant
benchmark index. ETFs are listed on an exchange and trade in the secondary
market on a per-share basis. The values of
ETFs are subject to change as the values of their respective component
securities fluctuate according to market volatility. Investments in ETFs that
are designed to correspond to an equity index, for example, involve certain
inherent risks generally associated with investments in a broadly based
portfolio of common stocks, including the risk that the general level of stock
prices may decline, thereby adversely affecting the value of ETFs invested in
by each Portfolio. Moreover, a Portfolios investments in ETFs may not exactly
match the performance of a direct investment in the respective indices to which
they are intended to correspond due to the temporary unavailability of certain
index securities in the secondary market or other extraordinary circumstances,
such as discrepancies with respect to the weighting of securities. Most ETFs are
open-end investment companies, and, as a result, investments in such ETFs may
not be purchased by the Small-Mid Cap or International Equity Portfolios except
in connection with a merger, consolidation, acquisition or reorganization. Exchange-Traded Notes. Exchange-traded notes
(ETNs) are debt securities that combine certain aspects of ETFs and bonds.
ETNs are not investment companies and thus are not regulated under the 1940
Act. ETNs, like ETFs, are listed on exchanges and generally track specified
market indexes, and their value depends on the performance of the underlying
index and the credit rating of the issuer. ETNs may be held to maturity, but
unlike bonds there are no periodic interest payments and principal is not
protected. Master Limited Partnerships (Global Listed Infrastructure, Realty
Income and Capital Allocator Portfolios only) Each of these
Portfolios may invest in equity securities of master limited partnerships
(MLPs). An MLP generally has two classes of partners, the general partner and
the limited partners. The general partner normally controls the 20 MLP through an
equity interest plus units that are subordinated to the common (publicly
traded) units for an initial period and then only converting to common if
certain financial tests are met. As a motivation for the general partner to
successfully manage the MLP and increase cash flows, the terms of most MLPs
typically provide that the general partner receives a larger portion of the net
income as distributions reach higher target levels. As cash flow grows, the
general partner receives a greater interest in the incremental income compared
to the interest of limited partners. The general partners incentive
compensation typically increases up to 50% of incremental income. Nevertheless,
the aggregate amount distributed to limited partners will increase as MLP
distributions reach higher target levels. Given this incentive structure, the
general partner has an incentive to streamline operations and undertake
acquisitions and growth projects in order to increase distributions to all
partners. MLP
convertible subordinated units are typically issued by MLPs to founders,
corporate general partners of MLPs, entities that sell assets to the MLP, and
institutional investors, and may be purchased in direct placements from such
persons. The purpose of the convertible subordinated units is to increase the
likelihood that during the subordination period there will be available cash to
be distributed to common unit holders. Convertible subordinated units generally
are not entitled to distributions until holders of common units have received
specified minimum quarterly distributions, plus any arrearages, and may receive
less in distributions upon liquidation. Convertible subordinated unit holders
generally are entitled to a minimum quarterly distribution prior to the payment
of incentive distributions to the general partner, but are not entitled to
arrearage rights. Therefore, they generally entail greater risk than MLP common
units. They are generally convertible automatically into the senior common
units of the same issuer at a one-to-one ratio upon the passage of time or the
satisfaction of certain financial tests. These units do not trade on a national
exchange or over-the-counter, and there is no active market for convertible
subordinated units. The value of a convertible security is a function of its
worth if converted into the underlying common units. Convertible subordinated
units generally have similar voting rights to MLP common units. Because
convertible subordinated units generally convert to common units on a
one-to-one ratio, the price that the Portfolio could be expected to pay upon
purchase or to realize upon resale is generally tied to the common unit price
less a discount. The size of the discount varies depending on a variety of
factors including the likelihood of conversion, and the length of time
remaining to conversion, and the size of the block purchased. MLP I-Shares
represent an indirect investment in MLP I-units. I-units are equity securities
issued to affiliates of MLPs, typically a limited liability company, that own
an interest in and manage the MLP. The issuer has management rights but is not
entitled to incentive distributions. The I-Share issuers assets consist
exclusively of MLP I-units. Distributions by MLPs to I-unit holders are made in
the form of additional I-units, generally equal in 21 amount to the
cash received by common unit holders of MLPs. Distributions to I-Share holders
are made in the form of additional I-Shares, generally equal in amount to the
I-units received by the I-Share issuer. The issuer of the I-Share is taxed as a
corporation for federal income tax purposes; however, the MLP does not allocate
income or loss to the I-Share issuer. Accordingly, investors receive a Form
1099, are not allocated their proportionate share of income of the MLPs and are
not subject to state income tax filing obligations. The price of I-Shares and
their volatility tend to be correlated to the price of common units, although
the price correlation is not precise. Illiquid Securities Each Portfolio
may invest up to 15% (10% in the case of Small-Mid Cap, International Equity,
International Small Cap and Emerging Markets Portfolios) of the value of its
net assets in securities as to which a liquid trading market does not exist,
provided such investments are consistent with the Portfolios investment
objective. These securities may include securities that are not readily
marketable, such as securities that are subject to legal or contractual
restrictions on resale (such as private placements and certain restricted
securities), repurchase agreements providing for settlement in more than seven
days after notice, certain mortgage-related securities, and certain privately
negotiated, non-exchange traded options and securities used to cover such
options. Illiquid securities may be difficult to value accurately, and a
Portfolio is subject to the risk that should the Portfolio desire to sell them
when a ready buyer is not available at a price that is deemed to be
representative of their value, the value of the Portfolios net assets could be
adversely affected. Money Market Instruments; Temporary Defensive Positions Repurchase Agreements. Repurchase agreements
are transactions by which a Portfolio purchases a security and simultaneously
commits to resell that security to the seller at a mutually agreed upon time
and price. The repurchase price may be higher than the purchase price, the
difference being income to a Portfolio, or the purchase and repurchase prices
may be the same, with interest at a stated rate due to a Portfolio together
with the repurchase price on repurchase. In either case, the income to a
Portfolio is unrelated to the interest rate on the security itself. The Portfolios
will generally enter into repurchase agreements of short durations, from
overnight to one week, although the underlying securities generally have longer
maturities. Bank Debt Instruments. Bank debt instruments
in which the Portfolios may invest consist of certificates of deposit, bankers
acceptances and time deposits issued by national banks and state banks, trust
companies and mutual savings banks, or by banks or institutions, the accounts
of which are insured by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation or the
Savings Association Insurance Fund. Certificates of deposit are negotiable
certificates evidencing the indebtedness of a commercial bank to repay funds
deposited with it for a definite period of time (usually from 14 days to one
year) at a stated or variable interest rate. Bankers acceptances are credit
instruments evidencing the obligation of a bank to pay a draft which has been
drawn on it by a customer, which instruments reflect the obligation both of the
bank and of the drawer to pay the face amount of the instrument upon maturity.
Time deposits are non-negotiable deposits maintained in a banking institution
for a specified period of time at a stated interest rate. Foreign Banking Obligations (Global Fixed
Income and Targeted Volatility Portfolios only).
Obligations of foreign branches and foreign subsidiaries of domestic banks, and
domestic and foreign branches of foreign banks may be general obligations of
the parent banks in addition to the issuing branch, or may be limited by the
terms of a specific 22 obligation and
governmental regulation. Such obligations are subject to different risks than
are those of domestic banks. These risks include foreign economic and political
developments, foreign governmental restrictions that may adversely affect
payment of principal and interest on the obligations, foreign exchange
controls, seizure of assets, declaration of a moratorium and foreign
withholding and other taxes on interest income. Foreign branches and
subsidiaries are not necessarily subject to the same or similar regulatory
requirements that apply to domestic banks, such as mandatory reserve
requirements, loan limitations, and accounting, auditing and financial
recordkeeping requirements. In addition, less information may be publicly
available about a foreign branch of a domestic bank or about a foreign bank
than about a domestic bank. Commercial Paper. Commercial paper consists of
short-term (usually from one to 270 days) unsecured promissory notes issued by
corporations in order to finance their current operations. Certain notes may
have floating or variable rates. Variable and floating rate notes with a demand
notice period exceeding seven days will be subject to a Portfolios policy with
respect to illiquid investments unless, in the judgment of the Funds, such note
is considered to be liquid. Borrowing Money Leverage (All Portfolios, except Small-Mid Cap and International Realty
Portfolios). Leveraging (buying securities using
borrowed money) exaggerates the effect on net asset value of any increase or
decrease in the market value of the Portfolios investment. Money borrowed for
leveraging is limited to 33⅓% of the value of the Portfolios total
assets. Interest costs may or may not be recovered by appreciation of the
securities purchased; in certain cases, interest costs may exceed the return
received on the securities purchased. For borrowings for investment purposes,
the 1940 Act requires the Portfolio to maintain continuous asset coverage
(total assets including borrowings, less liabilities exclusive of borrowings)
of 300% of the amount borrowed. If the required coverage should decline as a
result of market fluctuations or other reasons, the Portfolio may be required
to sell some of its portfolio holdings within three days to reduce the amount
of its borrowings and restore the 300% asset coverage, even though it may be
disadvantageous from an investment standpoint to sell securities at that time.
The Portfolio also may be required to maintain minimum average balances in
connection with such borrowing or pay a commitment or other fee to maintain a
line of credit; either of these requirements would increase the cost of
borrowing over the stated interest rate. Each Portfolio
may enter into reverse repurchase agreements with banks, brokers or dealers.
This form of borrowing involves the transfer by the Portfolio of an underlying
debt instrument in return for cash proceeds based on a percentage of the value
of the security. Each Portfolio retains the right to receive interest and
principal payments on the security. As a result of these transactions, the
Portfolio is exposed to greater potential fluctuation in the value of its
assets and its net asset value per share. At an agreed upon future date, the
Portfolio repurchases the security at principal plus accrued interest. To the
extent a Portfolio enters into a reverse repurchase agreement, the 23 Portfolio will
maintain in a segregated custodial account permissible liquid assets at least
equal to the aggregate amount of its reverse repurchase obligations, plus
accrued interest, in certain cases, in accordance with releases promulgated by
the SEC. The SEC views reverse repurchase transactions as collateralized
borrowing by a Portfolio. Except for these transactions, each Portfolios
borrowings generally will be unsecured. Lending Portfolio Securities Derivatives (All Portfolios, except Small-Mid Cap Portfolio) Each Portfolio
may invest in, or enter into, derivatives, such as options, futures contracts,
options on futures contracts and swap agreements, for a variety of reasons,
including to hedge certain market risks, to provide a substitute for purchasing
or selling particular securities or to increase potential income gain.
Derivatives may provide a less expensive, quicker or more specifically focused
way for the Portfolio to invest than traditional securities would. Derivatives
can be volatile and involve various types and degrees of risk, depending upon
the characteristics of the particular derivative and the portfolio as a whole.
Derivatives permit a Portfolio to increase or decrease the level of risk, or
change the character of the risk, to which its portfolio is exposed in much the
same way as the Portfolio can increase or decrease the level of risk, or change
the character of the risk, of its portfolio by making investments in specific
securities. However, derivatives may entail investment exposures that are greater
than their cost would suggest, meaning that a small investment in derivatives
could have a large potential impact on a Portfolios performance. If a Portfolio
invests in derivatives at inopportune times or judges market conditions
incorrectly, such investments may lower the Portfolios return or result in a
loss. A Portfolio also could experience losses if its derivatives were poorly
correlated with its other investments, or if the Portfolio were unable to
liquidate its position because of an illiquid secondary market. The market for
many derivatives is, or suddenly can become, illiquid. Changes in liquidity may
result in significant, rapid and unpredictable changes in the prices for
derivatives. 24 Derivatives
may be purchased on established exchanges or through privately negotiated
transactions referred to as over-the-counter derivatives. Exchange-traded
derivatives generally are guaranteed by the clearing agency which is the issuer
or counterparty to such derivatives. This guarantee usually is supported by a
daily variation margin system operated by the clearing agency in order to
reduce overall credit risk. As a result, unless the clearing agency defaults,
there is relatively little counterparty credit risk associated with derivatives
purchased on an exchange. In contrast, no clearing agency guarantees
over-the-counter derivatives. Therefore, each party to an over-the-counter
derivative bears the risk that the counterparty will default. Accordingly, the
Investment Manager will consider the creditworthiness of counterparties to
over-the-counter derivatives in the same manner as it would review the credit
quality of a security to be purchased by the Portfolio. Over-the-counter
derivatives are less liquid than exchange-traded derivatives since the other
party to the transaction may be the only investor with sufficient understanding
of the derivative to be interested in bidding for it. Successful use
of derivatives by a Portfolio also is subject to the Investment Managers
ability to predict correctly movements in the direction of the relevant market
and to the extent the transaction is entered into for hedging purposes, to
ascertain the appropriate correlation between the transaction being hedged and
the price movements of the futures contract. For example, if a Portfolio uses
futures to hedge against the possibility of a decline in the market value of
securities held in its portfolio and the prices of such securities instead
increase, the Portfolio will lose part or all of the benefit of the increased
value of securities which it has hedged because it will have offsetting losses
in its futures positions. Pursuant to
regulations and/or published positions of the SEC, a Portfolio may be required
to segregate permissible liquid assets, or engage in other measures approved by
the SEC or its staff, to cover the Portfolios obligations relating to its
transactions in derivatives. For example, in the case of futures contracts or forward
contracts that are not contractually required to cash settle, a Portfolio must
either set aside liquid assets equal to such contracts full notional value
(generally, the total numerical value of the asset underlying a future or
forward contract at the time of valuation) or maintain offsetting positions
while the positions are open. With respect to futures contracts or forward
contracts that are contractually required to cash settle, however (such as a
non-deliverable forward currency contract), a Portfolio is permitted to set
aside liquid assets in an amount equal to the Portfolios daily
marked-to-market net obligation (i.e., the Portfolios daily net liability)
under the contracts, if any, rather than such contracts full notional value.
By setting aside assets equal to only its net obligations under cash-settled
futures and forward contracts, a Portfolio may employ leverage to a greater
extent than if the Portfolio were required to segregate assets equal to the
full notional value of such contracts. To maintain this required cover, the
Portfolio may have to sell securities at disadvantageous prices or times since
it may not be possible to liquidate a derivative position at a reasonable
price. The segregation of such assets will have the effect of limiting the
Portfolios ability to otherwise invest those assets. 25 only to the
broker for performance of the contract. In addition, any profits a Portfolio
might realize in trading could be eliminated by adverse changes in the currency
exchange rate, or the Portfolio could incur losses as a result of those
changes. Transactions on foreign exchanges may include both commodities which
are traded on domestic exchanges and those which are not. Unlike trading on
domestic commodity exchanges, trading on foreign commodity exchanges is not
regulated by the CFTC. Engaging in
these transactions involves risk of loss to the Portfolio which could adversely
affect the value of the Portfolios net assets. Although each of these
Portfolios intends to purchase or sell futures contracts only if there is an
active market for such contracts, no assurance can be given that a liquid
market will exist for any particular contract at any particular time. Many futures
exchanges and boards of trade limit the amount of fluctuation permitted in
futures contract prices during a single trading day. Once the daily limit has
been reached in a particular contract, no trades may be made that day at a
price beyond that limit or trading may be suspended for specified periods
during the trading day. Futures contract prices could move to the limit for
several consecutive trading days with little or no trading, thereby preventing
prompt liquidation of futures positions and potentially subjecting the
Portfolio to substantial losses. Specific Futures Transactions.
Each Portfolio other than Small-Mid Cap, International Equity, Emerging Markets
Debt, High Yield, Municipal and Global Fixed Income Portfolios may purchase and
sell stock index futures contracts. A stock index future obligates the
Portfolio to pay or receive an amount of cash equal to a fixed dollar amount
specified in the futures contract multiplied by the difference between the
settlement price of the contract on the contracts last trading day and the
value of the index based on the stock prices of the securities that comprise it
at the opening of trading in such securities on the next business day. Each Portfolio
other than Mid Cap, Small-Mid Cap and International Equity Portfolios may
purchase and sell interest rate futures contracts. An interest rate future
obligates the Portfolio to purchase or sell an amount of a specific debt
security at a future date at a specific price. Each
Portfolio, except Small-Mid Cap, International Equity and Municipal Portfolios,
may buy and sell foreign currency futures. A currency future obligates the
Portfolio to purchase or sell an amount of a specific currency at a future date
at a specific price. Capital
Allocator Portfolio may buy and sell commodity futures. A commodity futures
contract is an agreement between two parties in which one party agrees to buy a
commodity, such as an energy, agricultural or metal commodity, from the other
party at a later date at a price and quantity agreed-upon when the contract is
made. The commodities which underlie commodity futures contracts may be subject
to additional economic and non-economic variables, such as drought, weather,
embargoes, tariffs, and international economic, political and regulatory developments.
These factors may have a larger impact on commodity prices and commodity-linked
instruments, including futures contracts, than on traditional securities.
Certain commodities are also subject to limited pricing flexibility because of
supply and demand factors. Others are subject to broad price fluctuations as a
result of the volatility of the prices for certain raw materials and the
instability of supplies of other materials. These factors, when applicable, can
be expected to impact related commodity futures contracts. OptionsIn General (All
Portfolios, except Small-Mid Cap and International Equity Portfolios).
Each of these Portfolios may buy and sell (write) covered call and put options.
A call option gives the purchaser of the option the right to buy, and obligates
the writer to sell, the underlying security or securities at the exercise price
at any time during the option period, or at a specific date. Conversely, a put
option gives the purchaser of the option the right to sell, and obligates the
writer to buy, the underlying security or securities at the exercise price at
any time during the option period, or at a specific date. A covered call
option written by a Portfolio is a call option with respect to which the
Portfolio owns the underlying security or otherwise covers the transaction by
segregating permissible liquid assets. A put option written by a Portfolio is
covered when, among other things, the Portfolio segregates permissible liquid
assets having a value equal to or greater than the exercise price of the option
to fulfill the obligation undertaken. The principal reason for writing covered
call and put options is to realize, through the receipt of premiums, a greater
return than would be realized on the underlying securities alone. A Portfolio
receives a premium from writing covered call or put options which it retains
whether or not the option is exercised. 26 There is no
assurance that sufficient trading interest to create a liquid secondary market
on a securities exchange will exist for any particular option or at any
particular time, and for some options no such secondary market may exist. A
liquid secondary market in an option may cease to exist for a variety of
reasons. In the past, for example, higher than anticipated trading activity or
order flow, or other unforeseen events, at times have rendered certain of the
clearing facilities inadequate and resulted in the institution of special
procedures, such as trading rotations, restrictions on certain types of orders
or trading halts or suspensions in one or more options. There can be no
assurance that similar events, or events that may otherwise interfere with the
timely execution of customers orders, will not recur. In such event, it might
not be possible to effect closing transactions in particular options. If, as a
covered call option writer, a Portfolio is unable to effect a closing purchase
transaction in a secondary market, it will not be able to sell the underlying
security until the option expires or it delivers the underlying security upon
exercise or it otherwise covers its position. Specific Options Transactions.
Each Portfolio other than Small-Mid Cap and International Equity Portfolios may
buy and sell call and put options in respect of specific securities (or groups or
baskets of specific securities) or indices listed on national securities
exchanges or traded in the over-the-counter market. An option on an index is
similar to an option in respect of specific securities, except that settlement
does not occur by delivery of the securities comprising the index. Instead, the
option holder receives an amount of cash if the closing level of the index upon
which the option is based is greater than, in the case of a call, or less than,
in the case of a put, the exercise price of the option. Thus, the effectiveness
of purchasing or writing index options will depend upon price movements in the
level of the index rather than the price of a particular security. As the writer
(seller) of a call option, a Portfolio would receive cash (the premium) from
the purchaser of the option, and the purchaser has the right to receive from
the Portfolio the cash value of the underlying index or any appreciation in the
underlying security over the exercise price on the expiration date or otherwise
upon exercise. In effect, the Portfolio forgoes, during the life of the option,
the opportunity to profit from increases in the market value of the underlying
security or securities held by the Portfolio with respect to which the option
was written above the sum of the premium and the exercise price. For index
options, this will depend, in part, on the extent of correlation of the
performance of the Portfolios portfolio securities with the performance of the
relevant index. Covered call option writing will generally limit the
Portfolios ability to benefit from the full appreciation potential of its
stock investments underlying the options, and the Portfolio retains the risk of
loss (less premiums received) if the value of these stock investments declines.
The Portfolios written call options on individual stocks will be covered
because the Portfolio will hold the underlying stock in its portfolio
throughout the term of the option. The Portfolio also will cover its written
index call option positions by either segregating liquid assets in an amount
equal to the contract value of the index or by entering into offsetting
positions. A Portfolio
may write call options that are at-the-money (the exercise price of the
option is equal to the value of the underlying index or stock when the option
is written), close-to-the-money (with an exercise price close to the current
cash value of the underlying index or the market value of the underlying
security when the option is written), out-of-the-money (with an exercise
price above the current cash value of the underlying index or the market value
of the underlying security when the option is written) or in-the-money (with
an exercise price below the current cash value of the underlying index or
market value of the underlying security when the option is written), based on
market conditions and other factors. Each Portfolio
other than Small-Mid Cap and International Equity Portfolios may buy and sell
call and put options on foreign currency. These options convey the right to buy
or sell the underlying currency at a price which is expected to be lower or
higher than the spot price of the currency at the time the option is exercised
or expires. 27 including securities brokerage firms. Successful use
by a Portfolio of options will be subject to the Investment Managers ability
to predict correctly movements in the prices of individual stocks, the stock
market generally, foreign currencies or interest rates. To the extent the
Investment Managers predictions are incorrect, the Portfolio may incur losses. Swap Agreements (All
Portfolios, except Small-Mid Cap and International Equity Portfolios).
To the extent consistent with the Portfolios investment objective and
management policies as set forth herein, each Portfolio may enter into equity,
interest rate, index, total return and currency rate swap agreements. These
transactions are entered into in an attempt to obtain a particular return when
it is considered desirable to do so, possibly at a lower cost to the Portfolio
than if the Portfolio had invested directly in the asset that yielded the
desired return. Swap agreements are two-party contracts entered into primarily
by institutional investors for periods ranging from a few weeks to more than a
year. In a standard swap transaction, two parties agree to exchange the returns
(or differentials in rates of return) earned or realized on particular
predetermined investments or instruments, which may be adjusted for an interest
factor. The gross returns to be exchanged or swapped between the parties are
generally calculated with respect to a notional amount, i.e., the return on or increase in value
of a particular dollar amount invested at a particular interest rate, in a
particular foreign currency, or in a basket of securities representing a
particular index. Forms of swap agreements include interest rate caps, under
which, in return for a premium, one party agrees to make payments to the other
to the extent interest rates exceed a specified rate or cap; interest rate
floors, under which, in return for a premium, one party agrees to make payments
to the other to the extent interest rates fall below a specified level or
floor; and interest rate collars, under which a party sells a cap and
purchases a floor or vice versa in an attempt to protect itself against
interest rate movements exceeding given minimum or maximum levels. Most swap
agreements entered into by a Portfolio would calculate the obligations of the
parties to the agreement on a net basis. Consequently, the Portfolios
current obligations (or rights) under a swap agreement generally will be equal
only to the net amount to be paid or received under the agreement based on the
relative values of the positions held by each party to the agreement (the net
amount). The risk of loss with respect to swaps is limited to the net amount
of payments that the Portfolio is contractually obligated to make. If the other
party to a swap defaults, the Portfolios risk of loss consists of the net
amount of payments that the Portfolio contractually is entitled to receive. Structured Securities (Emerging Markets Multi-Strategy, Global Fixed
Income and Targeted Volatility Portfolios only).
Structured securities are securities whose cash flow characteristics depend upon
one or more indices or that have embedded forwards or options or securities
where a Portfolios investment return and the issuers payment obligations are
contingent on, or highly sensitive to, changes in the value of underlying
assets, indices, interest rates, cash flows or market (the embedded index). When a Portfolio purchases a structured
security, it will make a payment of principal to the counterparty. Some
structured securities have a guaranteed repayment of principal while others
place a portion (or all) of the principal at risk. Guarantees are subject to
the risk of default by the counterparty or its credit provider. The terms of
such structured securities normally provide that their principal and/or
interest payments are to be adjusted upwards or downwards (but not ordinarily
below zero) to reflect changes in the embedded index while the structured
securities are outstanding. As a result, the interest and/or principal payments
that may be made on a structured security may vary widely, depending upon a
variety of factors, including the volatility of the embedded index and the
effect of changes in the embedded index on principal and/or interest payments.
The rate of return on structured securities may be determined by applying a
multiplier to the performance or differential performance of the embedded
index. Application of a multiplier involves leverage that will serve to magnify
the potential for gain and the risk of loss. Structured securities may be
issued in subordinated and unsubordinated classes, with subordinated classes
typically having higher yields and greater risks than an unsubordinated class.
Structured securities may not have an active trading market. Future Developments.
A Portfolio may take advantage of opportunities in options and futures
contracts and options on futures contracts and any other derivatives which are
not presently contemplated for use by the Portfolio or which are not currently
available but which may be developed, to the extent such opportunities are both
consistent with the Portfolios investment objective and legally permissible
for the Portfolio. Before entering into such transactions or making any such
investment, the Portfolio will provide appropriate disclosure in its Prospectus
or this SAI. 28 Foreign Currency Transactions (All Portfolios, except Small-Mid Cap
Portfolio) Short-Selling (All Portfolios, except Small-Mid Cap, International
Equity, International Small Cap and Emerging Markets Portfolios) Each of these
Portfolios may engage in short sales of securities, although the Fund, other
than with respect to Capital Allocator Portfolio, has no current intention of
engaging in short sales and will not do so without prior approval of the Funds
Board. In these transactions, the Portfolio sells a security it does not own in
anticipation of a decline in the market value of the security. To complete the
transaction, the Portfolio must borrow the security to make delivery to the
buyer. The Portfolio is obligated to replace the security borrowed by
purchasing it subsequently at the market price at the time of replacement. The
price at such time may be more or less than the price at which the security was
sold by the Portfolio, which would result in a loss or gain, respectively. The
Portfolio also may make short sales against the box, in which the Portfolio
enters into a short sale of a security it owns. Securities will not be sold
short if, after effect is given to any such short sale, the total market value
of all securities sold short would exceed 25% of the value of the Portfolios
net assets. A Portfolio may not make a short-sale which results in the
Portfolio having sold short in the aggregate more than 5% of the outstanding
securities of any class of issuer. Until the
Portfolio closes its short position or replaces the borrowed security, it will:
(a) segregate permissible liquid assets in an amount that, together with
the amount deposited as collateral, always equals the current value of the
security sold short; or (b) otherwise cover its short position. Forward Commitments A Portfolio
may purchase or sell securities on a forward commitment, when-issued or delayed
delivery basis, which means that delivery and payment take place a number of
days after the date of the commitment to purchase or sell. The payment
obligation and the interest rate receivable on a forward commitment, when-issued
or delayed-delivery security are fixed when the Portfolio enters into the
commitment, but the Portfolio does not make a payment until it receives
delivery from the counterparty. The Portfolio will segregate permissible liquid
assets at least equal to the full notional value of its forward commitment
contracts or, with respect to forward commitments that include a contractual
cash settlement requirement, will segregate such assets at least equal at all
times to the amount of the Portfolios purchase commitment. A Portfolio may
engage in forward commitments to increase the Portfolios financial exposure to
the types of securities in which it invests, which would increase the
Portfolios exposure to changes in interest rates and will increase the volatility
of its returns. If the Portfolio is fully or almost fully invested when forward
commitment purchases are outstanding, such purchases may result in a form of
leverage. At no time will a Portfolio have more than 33⅓% of its total
assets committed to purchase securities on a forward commitment basis. 29 Securities
purchased on a forward commitment, when-issued or delayed-delivery basis are
subject to changes in value (generally changing in the same way, i.e., appreciating when interest rates
decline and depreciating when interest rates rise) based upon the publics
perception of the creditworthiness of the issuer and changes, real or
anticipated, in the level of interest rates. Securities purchased on a forward
commitment, when-issued or delayed-delivery basis may expose a Portfolio to
risks because they may experience such fluctuations prior to their actual
delivery. Purchasing securities on a forward commitment, when-issued or
delayed-delivery basis can involve the additional risk that the yield available
in the market when the delivery takes place actually may be higher than that
obtained in the transaction itself. Purchasing securities on a forward
commitment, when-issued or delayed-delivery basis when the Portfolio is fully
or almost fully invested may result in greater potential fluctuation in the
value of the Portfolios net assets and its net asset value per share. Smaller Company Securities (All Portfolios except International Equity,
International Equity Select, High Yield and Municipal Portfolios) The prices of
securities of smaller capitalization companies may be subject to more abrupt or
erratic market movements than securities of larger, more established companies,
because securities of smaller companies typically are traded in lower volume and
the issuers typically are subject to greater changes in earnings and prospects.
Smaller capitalization companies often have limited product lines, markets or
financial resources. They may be dependent on management for one or a few key
persons, and can be more susceptible to losses and the risk of bankruptcy. In
addition, securities of the small capitalization sector may be thinly traded
(and therefore may have to be sold at a discount from current market prices or
sold in small lots over an extended period of time), may be followed by fewer
investment research analysts and may pose a greater chance of loss than
investments in securities of larger capitalization companies. For purposes
of the Emerging Markets Multi-Strategy Portfolios policy in (viii) and the
Emerging Markets Debt Portfolios policy in (ix) in the preceding paragraph,
the Investment Manager generally considers an instrument to be economically
tied to an emerging market country if the issuer or guarantor is a government
of an emerging market country (or any political subdivision, agency, authority
or instrumentality of such government), if the issuer or 30 guarantor is
organized under the laws of an emerging market country, or if the currency of
settlement of the security is a currency of an emerging market country. With
respect to derivative instruments, the Investment Manager generally considers
such instruments to be economically tied to emerging market countries if the
underlying assets are currencies of emerging market countries (or baskets or
indexes of such currencies), or instruments or securities that are issued or
guaranteed by governments of emerging market countries or by entities organized
under the laws of emerging market countries. Portfolios Other Than the Realty Portfolios Each
Portfolios investment objective is a fundamental policy, which cannot be
changed without approval by the holders of a majority of the Portfolios
outstanding voting securities (as defined in the 1940 Act). In addition, each
Portfolio other than the Realty Portfolios (except as noted) has adopted
investment restrictions numbered 1 through 9 below as fundamental policies.
However, the amendment of these restrictions to add an additional Portfolio,
which amendment does not substantively affect the restrictions with respect to
an existing Portfolio, will not require approval as described in the first
sentence. Investment restrictions numbered 10 through 15 below are not
fundamental policies and may be changed, as to a Portfolio, by vote of a majority
of the Funds Board at any time. None of these
Portfolios may: 1. issue senior
securities, borrow money or pledge or mortgage its assets, except that (A)
each Portfolio may borrow from banks for temporary purposes, including the
meeting of redemption requests which might require the untimely disposition
of securities, as described in the Prospectus and (B) each of Equity
Concentrated, Strategic Equity, Mid Cap, Global Listed Infrastructure,
International Equity Select, International Strategic, International Small
Cap, Emerging Markets, Developing Markets, Emerging Markets Blend, Emerging
Markets Multi-Strategy, Emerging Markets Debt, High Yield, Municipal, Global
Fixed Income, Targeted Volatility and Capital Allocator Portfolios also may
borrow money to the extent permitted under the 1940 Act; provided, however,
that the Portfolio will not make new investments to the extent borrowings
exceed 5% of its total assets, except for borrowings covered within the
interpretations of Sections 18(f) of the 1940 Act. For purposes of this
investment restriction, a Portfolios entry into options, forward contracts,
futures contracts, including those related to indexes, shall not constitute
borrowing; 2. make loans,
except loans of portfolio securities not having a value in excess of
33⅓% of a Portfolios total assets and except that each Portfolio may
purchase debt obligations in accordance with its investment objectives and
policies; 3. for all
Portfolios except Equity Concentrated, Strategic Equity, Mid Cap, Global
Listed Infrastructure, International Equity Select, International Strategic,
Developing Markets, Emerging Markets Blend, Emerging Markets Multi-Strategy,
Emerging Markets Debt, High Yield, Municipal, Global Fixed Income, Targeted
Volatility and Capital Allocator Portfolios, invest in illiquid securities as
defined in Certain Portfolio SecuritiesIlliquid Securities if immediately
after such investment more than 10% of the value of the Portfolios net
assets, taken at market value, would be invested in such securities; 4. for
Small-Mid Cap and International Equity Portfolios, (A) purchase securities of
other investment companies, except in connection with a merger,
consolidation, acquisition or reorganization; and (B) Small-Mid Cap and
International Equity Portfolios may purchase securities in an amount up to 5%
of the value of the Portfolios total assets in any one closed-end fund and
may purchase in the aggregate securities of closed-end funds in an amount of
up to 10% of the value of the Portfolios total assets; 5. purchase the
securities of issuers conducting their principal business activity in the
same industry if, immediately after the purchase and as a result thereof, the
value of the Portfolios investments in that industry would exceed 25% of the
current value of such Portfolios total assets (except that the Global Listed
Infrastructure Portfolio will invest over 25% of its assets in industries
represented by infrastructure companies), provided that there is no
limitation with respect to investments in obligations of the US Government,
its agencies or instrumentalities; 31 6. (A) purchase
or sell real estate or real estate limited partnerships, except that a
Portfolio may purchase and sell securities of companies which deal in real
estate or interests therein and Equity Concentrated, Strategic Equity, Mid
Cap, Global Listed Infrastructure, International Equity Select, International
Strategic, International Small Cap, Emerging Markets, Developing Markets,
Emerging Markets Blend, Emerging Markets Multi-Strategy, Emerging Markets
Debt, High Yield, Municipal, Global Fixed Income, Targeted Volatility and
Capital Allocator Portfolios also may purchase and sell securities that are
secured by real estate; (B) purchase or sell commodities or commodity
contracts (except that Equity Concentrated, Strategic Equity, Mid Cap, Global
Listed Infrastructure, International Equity Select, International Strategic,
International Small Cap, Emerging Markets, Developing Markets, Emerging Markets
Blend, Emerging Markets Multi-Strategy, Emerging Markets Debt, High Yield,
Municipal, Global Fixed Income, Targeted Volatility and Capital Allocator
Portfolios may purchase and sell swaps, options, forward contracts, futures
contracts, including those relating to indices, and options on futures
contracts or indices, and Equity Concentrated, Strategic Equity, Mid Cap,
International Equity, International Equity Select, International Strategic,
Emerging Markets Multi-Strategy, Emerging Markets Debt, High Yield, Global
Fixed Income, Targeted Volatility and Capital Allocator Portfolios may
purchase or sell foreign currency forward exchange contracts); and
(C) for all Portfolios except Equity Concentrated, Strategic Equity, Mid
Cap, Global Listed Infrastructure, International Equity Select, International
Strategic, Developing Markets, Emerging Markets Blend, Emerging Markets
Multi-Strategy, Emerging Markets Debt, High Yield, Municipal, Global Fixed
Income, Targeted Volatility and Capital Allocator Portfolios, invest in
interests in or leases relating to oil, gas, or other mineral exploration or
development programs; 7. purchase
securities on margin (except for short-term credits necessary for the
clearance of transactions) or, except for Equity Concentrated, Strategic
Equity, Mid Cap, Global Listed Infrastructure, International Equity Select,
International Strategic, Developing Markets, Emerging Markets Blend, Emerging
Markets Multi-Strategy, Emerging Markets Debt, High Yield, Municipal, Global
Fixed Income, Targeted Volatility and Capital Allocator Portfolios, make
short sales of securities; 8. underwrite
securities of other issuers, except to the extent that the purchase of
municipal obligations or other permitted investments directly from the issuer
thereof or from an underwriter for an issuer and the later disposition of
such securities in accordance with the Portfolios investment program may be
deemed to be an underwriting; 9. for
Small-Mid Cap and International Equity Portfolios, make investments for the
purpose of exercising control or management; * * * 10. pledge,
hypothecate, mortgage or otherwise encumber its assets other than to secure
permitted borrowings or to the extent related to investments in options,
forward contracts, futures contracts and options thereon, swaps and other
permissible investments, as applicable to each Portfolio (including, but not
limited to, the deposit of assets in escrow and collateral or initial or
variation margin arrangements); 11. for Equity
Concentrated, Strategic Equity, Mid Cap, Global Listed Infrastructure,
International Equity Select, International Strategic, Developing Markets,
Emerging Markets Blend, Emerging Markets Multi-Strategy, Emerging Markets
Debt, High Yield, Municipal, Global Fixed Income, Targeted Volatility and
Capital Allocator Portfolios, invest in illiquid securities as defined in
Certain Portfolio SecuritiesIlliquid Securities if immediately after such
investment more than 15% of the value of the Portfolios net assets would be
invested in such securities; 12. for all
Portfolios other than Small-Mid Cap and International Equity Portfolios,
purchase securities of other investment companies, except to the extent
permitted under the 1940 Act; 13. for Equity
Concentrated, Strategic Equity, Mid Cap, Global Listed Infrastructure,
International Equity Select, International Strategic, Developing Markets,
Emerging Markets Blend, Emerging Markets Multi-Strategy, Emerging Markets
Debt, High Yield, Municipal, Global Fixed Income, Targeted Volatility and
Capital Allocator Portfolios, invest in interests in or leases relating to
oil, gas, or other mineral exploration or development programs; 32 14. for
International Equity Select Portfolio, make short sales of securities; or 15. for
International Small Cap and Emerging Markets Portfolios, make investments for
the purpose of exercising control or management. * * * If a
percentage restriction is adhered to at the time of investment, a later change
in percentage resulting from a change in values or assets will not constitute a
violation of such restriction. With respect to Investment Restriction No. 1,
however, if borrowings exceed 33⅓% of the value of a Portfolios total
assets as a result of a change in values or assets, the Portfolio must take
steps to reduce such borrowings at least to the extent of such excess within
three days (not including Sundays and holidays). For purposes of Investment
Restriction No. 5, Municipal Securities issued by states, municipalities and
other political subdivisions, agencies, authorities and instrumentalities of
states and multistate agencies and authorities are not subject to industry
concentration restrictions. Realty Portfolios The Realty
Portfolios have adopted investment restrictions numbered 1 through 6 below as
fundamental policies. These restrictions cannot be changed without approval by
the holders of a majority of the Portfolios outstanding voting securities (as
defined in the 1940 Act). Investment restrictions numbered 7 and 8 below are
not fundamental policies and may be changed, as to a Portfolio, by the Board,
but the change will only be effective after notice is given to shareholders of
the applicable Portfolio. None of the
Realty Portfolios may: 1. issue senior
securities, borrow money or pledge its assets, except that (i) the Portfolio
may borrow from banks in amounts not exceeding one-third of its total assets
(including the amount borrowed); and (ii) this restriction shall not prohibit
the Portfolio from engaging in options, forward contracts, futures contracts
and options thereon, swaps, short sales or other permissible investments; 2. underwrite
the securities of other issuers (except that the Portfolio may engage in
transactions involving the acquisition, disposition or resale of its
portfolio securities under circumstances where it may be considered to be an
underwriter under the Securities Act); 3. purchase or
sell real estate or interests in real estate, unless acquired as a result of
ownership of securities (although the Portfolio may purchase and sell
securities which are secured by real estate and securities of companies that
invest or deal in real estate); 4. purchase or
sell physical commodities or commodities contracts, unless acquired as a
result of ownership of securities or other instruments and provided that this
restriction does not prevent the Portfolio from engaging in transactions
involving currencies and futures contracts and options thereon or investing
in securities or other instruments that are secured by physical commodities; 5. make loans
of money (except for the lending of its portfolio securities, purchases of
debt securities consistent with the investment policies of the Portfolio and
except for repurchase agreements); 6. invest in
the securities of any one industry if as a result, more than 25% of the
Portfolios total assets would be invested in the securities of such
industry, except that (a) the foregoing does not apply to securities issued
or guaranteed by the US Government, its agencies or instrumentalities; and
(b) the Portfolio shall invest more than 25% of its total assets in
securities of Realty Companies to the extent disclosed in the Portfolios
Prospectus and this SAI. * * * 33 7. with respect
to Investment Restriction 1 above, purchase portfolio securities while
outstanding borrowings exceed 5% of its assets; or 8. invest more
than 15% of the value of its net assets, computed at the time of investment,
in illiquid securities. Illiquid securities are those securities without
readily available market quotations, including repurchase agreements having a
maturity of more than seven days. Illiquid securities may include restricted
securities not determined by the Board to be liquid, non-negotiable time deposits,
over-the-counter options, and repurchase agreements providing for settlement
in more than seven days after notice. Boards Oversight Role; Board Composition and Structure The Boards
role in management of the Fund is oversight. As is the case with virtually all
investment companies (as distinguished from operating companies), service
providers to the Fund, primarily the Investment Manager and its affiliates,
have responsibility for the day-to-day management of the Portfolios, which includes
responsibility for risk management (including management of investment
performance and investment risk, valuation risk, issuer and counterparty credit
risk, compliance risk and operational risk). As part of its oversight, the
Board, or its committees or delegates, interacts with and receives reports from
senior personnel of service providers, including senior investment personnel of
the Investment Manager, the Funds and the Investment Managers Chief
Compliance Officer and portfolio management personnel with responsibility for
management of the Portfolios. The Boards Audit Committee (which consists of
all of the Independent Directors) meets during its scheduled meetings with, and
between meetings have access to, the Funds independent registered public
accounting firm and the Funds Treasurer. The Board also receives periodic
presentations from senior personnel of the Investment Manager or its affiliates
regarding risk management generally, as well as periodic presentations
regarding specific operational, compliance or investment areas such as trading
and brokerage allocation and execution, investment research and internal audit.
The Board also receives reports from counsel regarding regulatory compliance
and governance matters. The Board has adopted policies and procedures designed
to address certain risks to the Portfolios. In addition, the Investment Manager
and other service providers to the Fund have adopted a variety of policies,
procedures and controls designed to address particular risks to the Portfolios.
However, it is not possible to eliminate all of the risks applicable to the
Portfolios. The Boards oversight role does not make the Board a guarantor of
the Portfolios investments or activities. 34 Directors and Officers Set forth in
the chart below are the names and certain biographical and other information
for each Director. Following the chart is additional information about the
Directors experience, qualifications, attributes or skills. Name (Age) Position(s) with the Fund Principal Occupation(s) and Other Public Non-Interested Directors: Kenneth S.
Davidson (67) Director Davidson Capital Management Corporation, an
investment manager, President
(1978 present) Balestra Capital, Ltd., an investment
manager and adviser, Senior Advisor (July 2012 present) Aquiline Holdings LLC, an investment
manager, Partner (2006 June
2012) Nancy A.
Eckl (50) Director College Retirement Equities Fund (eight
accounts), Trustee (2007
present) TIAA-CREF Funds (59 funds) and TIAA-CREF
Life Funds (10 funds), Trustee
(2007 present) TIAA Separate Account VA-1, Member of the
Management Committee (2007 present) American Beacon Advisors, Inc. (American
Beacon) and certain funds advised by American Beacon, Vice President (1990 2006) Lester Z.
Lieberman (82) Director Private Investor Leon M.
Pollack (72) Director Private Investor Richard
Reiss, Jr. (68) Director Georgica Advisors LLC, an investment
manager, Chairman (1997
present) OCharleys, Inc., a restaurant chain, Director (1984 2012) Robert M.
Solmson (65) Director Fairwood Capital, LLC, a private investment
corporation engaged primarily in real estate and hotel investments, President (2008 present) 35 Name (Age) Position(s) with the Fund Principal Occupation(s) and Other Public Interested Directors(3): Charles L.
Carroll (52) Chief
Executive Officer, President and Director Investment Manager, Deputy Chairman and Head of Global Marketing
(2004 present) Ashish
Bhutani (52) Director Investment Manager, Chief Executive Officer (2004 present) Lazard Ltd, Vice Chairman and Director (2010 present) (1) The address
of each Director of the Fund is Lazard Asset Management LLC, 30 Rockefeller
Plaza, New York, New York 10112-6300. (2) Each
Director also serves as a Director of Lazard Retirement Series, Inc., an
open-end registered management investment company, Lazard Global Total Return
and Income Fund, Inc. and Lazard World Dividend & Income Fund, Inc.,
closed-end registered management investment companies (collectively with the
Fund, the Lazard Funds, currently comprised of 28 active investment
portfolios). Each Director serves an indefinite term, until his or her
successor is elected, and each Director serves in the same capacity for the
other Lazard Funds. All of the Independent Directors, except Mr. Lieberman,
are also board members of Lazard Alternative Strategies Fund, L.L.C. and
Lazard Alternative Strategies 1099 Fund, closed-end registered management
investment companies advised by an affiliate of the Investment Manager. (The
Fund, Lazard Retirement Series, Inc., Lazard Global Total Return and Income
Fund, Inc., Lazard World Dividend & Income Fund, Inc., Lazard Alternative
Strategies Fund, L.L.C. and Lazard Alternative Strategies 1099 Fund are
referred to herein as the Lazard Fund Complex, which in total is comprised
of 30 active investment portfolios.) (3) Messrs.
Bhutani and Carroll are interested persons (as defined in the 1940 Act) of
the Fund because of their positions with the Investment Manager. Additional
information about each Director follows (supplementing the information provided
in the chart above), which describes some of the specific experiences,
qualifications, attributes or skills that each Director possesses which the
Board believes has prepared them to be effective Directors. The Board believes
that the significance of each Directors experience, qualifications, attributes
or skills is an individual matter (meaning that experience that is important
for one Director may not have the same value for another) and that these
factors are best evaluated at the Board level, with no single Director, or
particular factor, being indicative of Board effectiveness. However, the Board
believes that Directors need to have the ability to critically review,
evaluate, question and discuss information provided to them, and to interact
effectively with Fund management, service providers and counsel, in order to
exercise effective business judgment in the performance of their duties; the
Board believes that its members satisfy this standard. Experience relevant to
having this ability may be achieved through a Directors educational
background; business, professional training or practice (e.g., accounting or law), public service
or academic positions; experience from service as a board member (including the
Board of the Fund) or as an executive of investment funds, public companies or
significant private or not-for-profit entities or other organizations; and/or other
life experiences. The charter for the Boards Nominating Committee contains
certain other factors considered by the Committee in identifying potential
Director nominees. To assist them in evaluating matters under federal and state
law, the Independent Directors are counseled by their independent legal
counsel, who participates in Board meetings and interacts with the Investment
Manager; Fund and independent legal counsel to the Independent Directors has
significant experience advising funds and fund board members. The Board and its
committees have the ability to engage other experts as appropriate. The Board
evaluates its performance on an annual basis. 36 Charles L. Carroll is a Deputy Chairman of
the Investment Manager and Head of Global Marketing, responsible for
oversight of the Investment Managers global marketing efforts in the
Institutional, Financial Institutions, and Private Client arenas.
Additionally, he serves as Chief Executive Officer, President and Director of
the other Lazard Funds. Mr. Carroll joined the Investment Manager in 1993 as
Senior Vice President responsible for marketing Lazard investment solutions
to financial institutions worldwide. Mr. Carroll is a member of the firms
Global Management and Investment Oversight Committees. He entered the
investment field in 1987, joining Shearson Asset Management in New York City
as Vice President and National Product Manager. Mr. Carroll later served as
First Vice President and Consulting Services Director with Shearson Lehman
Brothers. Mr. Carroll attended the University of Utah and currently sits on
the Board of Trustees for the Williston Northampton School. Ashish Bhutani is the Chief Executive
Officer of the Investment Manager, where from June 2003 to March 2004 he
served as Head of New Products and Strategic Planning. Mr. Bhutani also
serves as a Vice Chairman of Lazard Ltd and is a member of its Board of
Directors. Prior to joining the Investment Manager in 2003, he was Co-Chief
Executive Officer North America of Dresdner Kleinwort Wasserstein from 2001
through 2002, and was a member of its Global Corporate and Markets Board, and
its Global Executive Committee. Prior to that, Mr. Bhutani was with
Wasserstein Perella Group (the predecessor firm) from 1989 to 2001, where he
was Deputy Chairman of Wasserstein Perella Group and Chief Executive Officer
of Wasserstein Perella Securities. Mr. Bhutani began his career at Salomon
Brothers in 1985 as a Vice President in the fixed income group. Kenneth S. Davidson is President of Davidson
Capital Management Corporation and a Senior Advisor at Balestra Capital, Ltd.
Previously, he was associated with Aquiline Holdings LLC (from 2006 to June
2012), a New York-based global investment firm, where he was a founding
member. From 1977 through 1995, Mr. Davidson was the founder and managing
partner of Davidson Weil Associates, and was previously a vice president and
senior portfolio manager at Oppenheimer Capital Corporation. He also serves
on the boards of several prominent non-profit organizations. Mr. Davidson is
a graduate of Colgate University. Nancy A. Eckl has
over 20 years of experience working in the mutual fund/investment
management field in a wide range of capacities, including investment manager
selection/oversight, accounting, compliance and operations. From 1990 to
2006, Ms. Eckl was Vice President of American Beacon Advisors, Inc., an
investment management firm, and of the American Beacon Funds (open-end mutual
funds). Ms. Eckl also served as Vice President of certain other funds advised
by American Beacon Advisors. Ms. Eckl graduated from the University of Notre
Dame and is a Certified Public Accountant in the State of Texas. Lester Z. Lieberman is Chairman of the
Healthcare Foundation of New Jersey, an independent, endowed grant-making
organization. He retired as the chief executive at Clarkson Industries, Inc.,
a publicly-held manufacturing company. Prior to joining Clarkson Industries,
he founded Atmos Engineering Co., which was later sold to Clarkson Industries.
Mr. Lieberman serves on the boards of a number of established non-profit
organizations. He is a graduate of the Newark College of Engineering, and he
has received honorary degrees from Clarkson University and the University of
Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey. Leon M. Pollack spent 33 years in the
financial community, the last 13 as a managing director of the investment
firm of Donaldson, Lufkin & Jenrette. Mr. Pollack also is a board member
of non-profit organizations. Mr. Pollack received his bachelors degree in
history from Adelphi Universitys College of Arts and Sciences and earned an
MA in education from New York University. 37 Robert M. Solmson is the President of
Fairwood Capital, LLC, a private investment corporation engaged primarily in
real estate and hotel investments. Previously, Mr. Solmson was the former
Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of RFS Hotel Investors, a real estate
investment trust which he formed in 1993. He also served as its President.
Mr. Solmson has served on the boards of a number of corporations and
non-profit organizations. He graduated from Washington and Lee University. Name (Age) Position(s) with the Fund Principal Occupation(s) During the Past Nathan A.
Paul (40) Vice
President and Secretary Managing Director and General Counsel of
the Investment Manager Stephen St.
Clair (54) Treasurer Vice President of the Investment Manager Brian D.
Simon (50) Chief
Compliance Officer Managing Director (since February 2011,
previously Director) of the Investment Manager and Chief Compliance Officer
(since January 2009) of the Investment Manager and the Fund Tamar
Goldstein (37) Assistant
Secretary Senior Vice President (since February 2012,
previously Vice President and Counsel) of the Investment Manager Cesar A.
Trelles (38) Assistant
Treasurer Vice President (since February 2011,
previously Fund Administration Manager) of the Investment Manager (1) The address
of each officer of the Fund is Lazard Asset Management LLC, 30 Rockefeller
Plaza, New York, New York 10112-6300. (2) Each officer
serves for an indefinite term, until his or her successor is elected and
qualifies or until his or her earlier resignation or removal. Each officer,
except Messrs. St. Clair and Trelles, serves in the same capacity for the
other funds in the Lazard Fund Complex. Messrs. St. Clair and Trelles serve
in the same capacity for the other Lazard Funds. Board Committees, Share Ownership and Compensation The Fund has
standing audit and nominating committees, each comprised of its Directors who
are not interested persons of the Fund, as defined in the 1940 Act
(Independent Directors). The function
of the audit committee is to (1) oversee the Funds accounting and financial
reporting processes and the audits of the Funds financial statements, (2)
assist in Board oversight of the quality and integrity of the Funds financial
statements and the Funds compliance with legal and regulatory requirements
relating to accounting, financial reporting, internal control over financial
reporting and independent audits, (3) approve engagement of the independent
registered public accounting firm and review and evaluate the qualifications,
independence and performance of the independent registered public accounting
firm and (4) act as a liaison between the Funds independent registered public
accounting firm and the Board. Nominations
may be submitted only by a shareholder or group of shareholders that,
individually or as a group, has beneficially owned the lesser of (a) 1% of the
Funds outstanding shares or (b) $500,000 of the Funds shares for at 38 least one year
prior to the date such shareholder or group submits a candidate for nomination.
Not more than one nominee for Director may be submitted by such a shareholder
or group each calendar year. In evaluating potential nominees, including any
nominees recommended by shareholders, the nominating committee takes into
consideration the factors listed in the nominating committee charter, including
character and integrity, business and professional experience, and whether the
committee believes that the person has the ability to apply sound and
independent business judgment and would act in the interest of the Fund and its
shareholders. A nomination submission must include all information relating to
the recommended nominee that is required to be disclosed in solicitations or
proxy statements for the election of Directors, as well as information
sufficient to evaluate the factors listed above. Nomination submissions must be
accompanied by a written consent of the individual to stand for election if
nominated by the Board and to serve if elected by the shareholders, and such
additional information must be provided regarding the recommended nominee as
reasonably requested by the nominating committee. Portfolio Ashish Charles L. Kenneth S. Nancy A. Lester Z. Leon M. Richard Robert M. Equity
Concentrated Portfolio None None None $1 - None None None None Strategic
Equity Portfolio None Over
$100,000 None $1 - None None None None Mid Cap
Portfolio None None None $1 - None None None None Small-Mid
Cap Portfolio None None None None None None None None Global
Listed Infrastructure Portfolio Over
$100,000 Over
$100,000 None None None None None None International
Equity Portfolio None None None $1 - None None None None International
Equity Select Portfolio None None None None None None None None International
Strategic Portfolio Over
$100,000 None None None None None None None International
Small Cap Portfolio None None None None None None None None Emerging
Markets Portfolio None Over
$100,000 None $10,001 -
$50,000 None None None None Developing
Markets Portfolio None $50,001-$100,000 None None None None None None Emerging
Markets Blend Portfolio Over
$100,000 Over
$100,000 None None None None None None Emerging
Markets Multi-Strategy Portfolio None Over
$100,000 None None None None None None Emerging
Markets Debt Portfolio None Over
$100,000 None None None None None None 39 Portfolio Ashish Charles L. Kenneth S. Nancy A. Lester Z. Leon M. Richard Robert M. Realty
Income Portfolio None None None None None None None None US Realty
Portfolio None None None None None None None None International
Realty Portfolio None None None None None None None None High Yield
Portfolio None Over
$100,000 None None None None None None Municipal
Portfolio None Over
$100,000 None None None None None None Capital
Allocator Portfolio Over
$100,000 Over
$100,000 None None None None None None Aggregate
Holdings of all Lazard Funds Over
$100,000 Over
$100,000 None $50,001-$100,000 None None None None Director Aggregate Compensation from Total Compensation from Ashish
Bhutani None None Charles L.
Carroll None None Kenneth S.
Davidson $113,842 $165,000 Nancy A.
Eckl $113,842 $165,000 Lester Z.
Lieberman $99,887 $110,250 Leon M.
Pollack $113,842 $165,000 Richard
Reiss, Jr. $113,842 $165,000 Robert M.
Solmson $112,490 $163,500 The Fund does
not compensate officers or Directors who are employees or affiliated persons of
the Investment Manager. As of the date of this SAI, the Funds officers and
Directors, as a group, owned less than 1% of the shares of each Portfolio. Portfolio Managers Team Management. Portfolio managers at the Investment Manager manage
multiple accounts for a diverse client base, including private clients,
institutions and investment funds. The Investment Manager manages all
portfolios 40 on a team
basis. The team is involved at all levels of the investment process. This team
approach allows for every portfolio manager to benefit from his/her peers, and
for clients to receive the firms best thinking, not that of a single portfolio
manager. The Investment Manager manages all like investment mandates against a
model portfolio. Specific client objectives, guidelines or limitations then are
applied against the model, and any necessary adjustments are made. Material Conflicts Related to Management of Similar Accounts. Although the potential for conflicts of
interest exist when an investment adviser and portfolio managers manage other
accounts that invest in securities in which a Portfolio may invest or that may
pursue a strategy similar to one of the Portfolios component strategies
(collectively, Similar Accounts), the Investment Manager has procedures in
place that are designed to ensure that all accounts are treated fairly and that
the Portfolio is not disadvantaged, including procedures regarding trade
allocations and conflicting trades (e.g.,
long and short positions in the same security, as described below). In
addition, each Portfolio, as a series of a registered investment company, is
subject to different regulations than certain of the Similar Accounts, and,
consequently, may not be permitted to engage in all the investment techniques
or transactions, or to engage in such techniques or transactions to the same
degree, as the Similar Accounts. Potential
conflicts of interest may arise because of the Investment Managers management
of a Portfolio and Similar Accounts, including the following: 1. Conflicts of
interest may arise with both the aggregation and allocation of securities
transactions and allocation of limited investment opportunities, as the
Investment Manager may be perceived as causing accounts it manages to
participate in an offering to increase the Investment Managers overall
allocation of securities in that offering, or to increase the Investment
Managers ability to participate in future offerings by the same underwriter
or issuer. Allocations of bunched trades, particularly trade orders that were
only partially filled due to limited availability, and allocation of
investment opportunities generally, could raise a potential conflict of
interest, as the Investment Manager may have an incentive to allocate
securities that are expected to increase in value to preferred accounts.
Initial public offerings, in particular, are frequently of very limited
availability. A potential conflict of interest may be perceived to arise if
transactions in one account closely follow related transactions in a
different account, such as when a purchase increases the value of securities
previously purchased by the other account, or when a sale in one account
lowers the sale price received in a sale by a second account. These potential
allocation and trading conflicts are relevant primarily for all portfolio
managers of the Portfolios focusing on small capitalization companies, whose
shares tend to have more limited and volatile trading than those of companies
with larger market capitalizations (Small-Mid Cap and International Small Cap
Portfolios). 2. Portfolio
managers may be perceived to have a conflict of interest because of the large
number of Similar Accounts, in addition to the Portfolios, that they are managing
on behalf of the Investment Manager. Although the Investment Manager does not
track each individual portfolio managers time dedicated to each account, the
Investment Manager periodically reviews each portfolio managers overall
responsibilities to ensure that he or she is able to allocate the necessary
time and resources to effectively manage a Portfolio. As illustrated in the
table below, most of the portfolio managers of the Portfolios manage a
significant number of Similar Accounts (10 or more) in addition to the
Portfolio(s) managed by them. 3. Generally,
the Investment Manager and/or some or all of a Portfolios portfolio managers
have investments in Similar Accounts. This could be viewed as creating a
potential conflict of interest, since certain of the portfolio managers do
not invest in the Portfolios. 4. The
portfolio managers noted in footnote (#) to the table below manage Similar
Accounts with respect to which the advisory fee is based on the performance
of the account, which could give the portfolio managers and the Investment
Manger an incentive to favor such Similar Accounts over the corresponding
Portfolios. In addition, certain hedge funds managed by the Investment
Manager (but not the Portfolios portfolio managers) may also be permitted to
sell securities short. When the Investment Manager engages in short sales of
securities of the type in which a Portfolio invests, the Investment Manager
could be seen as harming the performance of the Portfolio for the benefit of
the account engaging in short sales if the short sales cause the market value
of the securities to fall. As described above, the Investment Manager has
procedures in place to address these conflicts. 41 Accounts Managed by the Portfolio Managers. The chart below includes information
regarding the members of the portfolio management teams responsible for
managing the Portfolios. Specifically, it shows the number of portfolios and
assets managed by management teams of which each Portfolios portfolio manager
is a member. Regardless of the number of accounts, the portfolio management
team still manages each account based on a model portfolio as described above. Portfolio Manager Registered Investment Other Pooled Investment Other Accounts Michael A.
Bennett# 10 (4.9 billion) 6 (181.8 million) 242 (13.9 billion) Christopher
H. Blake# 12 (8.8 billion) 5 (721.0 million) 73 (2.8 billion) Daniel
Breslin 8 (2.1 billion) none 21 (415.9 million) Rohit
Chopra# 9 (19.1 billion) 15 (7.7 billion) 90 (11.9 billion) David R.
Cleary# 1 (228.2 million) 3 (48.9 million) 310 (635.6 million) Jared
Daniels 2 (12.3 million) 4 (222.5 million) 25 (1.7 billion) Michael
DeBernardis# 4 (575.2 million) 4 (280.3 million) 21 (415.7 million) James M.
Donald# 13 (21.4 billion) 19 (7.9 billion) 188 (14.5 billion) Thomas M.
Dzwil 1 (187.3 million) 1 (68.9 million) 4 (373.3 million) Robert A.
Failla# 13 (9.2 billion) 4 (687.8 million) 42 (2.7 billion) Martin
Flood# 17 (10.9 billion) 9 (1.1 billion) 190 (4.8 billion) Michael G.
Fry# 9 (3.7 billion) 5 (178.4 million) 196 (10.0 billion) Peter
Gillespie# 6 (1.3 billion) 6 (416.2 million) 10 (2.0 billion) George
Grimbilas# 1 (19.7 million) 2 (145.6 million) 217 (2.3 billion) Alex Ingham# 3 (88.9 million) 6 (287.8 million) 5 (319.1 million) Jai Jacob 6 (2.4 billion) 1 (17.6 million) 5 (812.5 million) Robin O.
Jones 1 (1.2 billion) 1 (3.4 million) 46 (4.0 billion) Arif T.
Joshi# 2 (312.2 million) 24 (1.2 billion) 13 (3.7 billion) Yvette
Klevan 2 (12.3 million) 4 (222.5 million) 25 (1.7 billion) Christopher
Komosa# 1 (228.2 million) 3 (48.9 million) 310 (635.6 million) Andrew D.
Lacey# 17 (11.0 billion) 14 (1.6 billion) 183 (6.1 billion) Jay P. Leupp 3 (177.2 million) none 2 (7.1 million) Mark Little 1 (1.2 billion) 1 (3.4 million) 46 (4.0 billion) Stephen
Marra 6 (2.4 billion) 1 (17.6 million) 5 (812.5 million) Kevin J.
Matthews# 2 (2.1 billion) none 140 (3.9 billion) Erik McKee# 11 (19.1 billion) 17 (7.7 billion) 90 (11.9 billion) John
Mulquiney 1 (137.8 million) 5 (965.4 million) 7 (1.4 billion) Kevin
OHare# 6 (1.3 billion) 6 (416.2 million) 10 (2.0 billion) Michael
Powers# 9 (3.7 billion) 5 (178.4 million) 196 (10.0 billion) Eulogio
(Joe) Ramos# 1 (19.7 million) 2 (145.6 million) 220 (2.4 billion) John R.
Reinsberg# 7 (2.7 billion) 5 (122.7 million) 72 (8.6 billion) Warryn
Robertson# 1 (137.8 million) 8 (1.2 billion) 16 (5.5 billion) David R.
Ronco 3 (177.2 million) none 2 (7.1 million) Edward
Rosenfeld# 1 (62.7 million) 6 (547.1 million) 7 (482.9 million) John R.
Senesac Jr.# 1 (19.7 million) 2 (145.6 million) 220 (2.4 billion) Denise S.
Simon# 2 (312.2 million) 24 (1.2 billion) 13 (3.7 billion) Ronald
Temple# 12 (9.4 billion) 12 (1.3 billion) 172 (5.8 billion) 42 * As of
December 31, 2012. # None of the
portfolio managers, except as follows, manage any accounts with respect to
which the advisory fee is based on the performance of the account: (1) Messrs.
Bennett and Fry manage one registered investment company and one other account
with assets under management of approximately $2.1 billion and $80.3 million,
respectively. (2) Mr. Blake
manages one registered investment company and one other account with assets
under management of approximately $6.4 billion and $319.7 million, respectively. (3) Messrs.
Chopra and McKee manage three other accounts and one other pooled investment
vehicle with assets under management of approximately $1.7 billion and $5.4
million, respectively. (4) Mr. Cleary
manages two other accounts with assets under management of approximately
$46.0 million. (5) Mr.
DeBernardis manages one other pooled investment vehicle with assets under
management of approximately $83.4 million. (6) Mr. Donald
manages one registered investment company, three other accounts and one other
pooled vehicle with assets under management of approximately $2.1 billion,
$1.7 billion and $5.4 million, respectively. (7) Messrs.
Failla and Flood manage one registered investment company and one other
account with assets under management of approximately $6.4 billion and $319.7
million, respectively. (8) Mr.
Gillespie manages one other account and one other pooled investment vehicle
with assets under management of approximately $1.5 billion and $8.0 million,
respectively. (9) Mr. Ingham
manages one other pooled investment vehicle with assets under management of
$83.4 million. (10) Mr. Joshi
and Ms. Simon manage four other accounts with assets under management of
approximately $1.4 billion. (11) Mr. Komosa
manages two other accounts with assets under management of approximately
$46.0 million. (12) Messrs.
Lacey and Temple manage one registered investment company and one other
account with assets under management of approximately $6.4 billion and $319.7
million, respectively. (13) Mr. Matthews
manages one registered investment company with assets under management of
approximately $2.1 billion. (14) Mr. OHare
manages one other account and one other pooled investment vehicle with assets
under management of approximately $1.5 billion and $8.0 million,
respectively. (15) Mr. Powers
manages one registered investment company and one other account with assets
under management of approximately $2.1 billion and $80.3 million,
respectively. (16) Mr.
Reinsberg manages one other account and three other pooled investment
vehicles with assets under management of approximately $80.3 million and
$86.1 million, respectively. (17) Mr.
Robertson manages two other accounts with assets under management of
approximately $1.6 billion. (18) Mr.
Rosenfeld manages two other pooled investment vehicles with assets under
management of approximately $149.1 million. ## Includes an
aggregation of any Similar Accounts within managed account programs where the
third party program sponsor is responsible for applying specific client
objectives, guidelines and limitations against the model portfolio managed by
the portfolio management team. Compensation for Portfolio Managers. The Investment Managers portfolio
managers are generally responsible for managing multiple types of accounts that
may, or may not, invest in securities in which the Fund may invest or pursue a
strategy similar to a Portfolios strategies. Portfolio managers responsible
for managing the Portfolios may also manage sub-advised registered investment
companies, collective investment trusts, unregistered funds and/or other pooled
investment vehicles, separate accounts, separately managed account programs
(often referred to as wrap accounts) and model portfolios. The Investment
Manager compensates portfolio managers by a competitive salary and bonus
structure, which is determined both quantitatively and qualitatively. Salary
and bonus are paid in cash, stock and restricted interests in funds managed by
the Investment Manager or its affiliates. Portfolio managers are compensated on
the performance 43 of the
aggregate group of portfolios managed by the teams of which they are a member
rather than for a specific fund or account. Various factors are considered in
the determination of a portfolio managers compensation. All of the portfolios
managed by a portfolio manager are comprehensively evaluated to determine his
or her positive and consistent performance contribution over time. Further
factors include the amount of assets in the portfolios as well as qualitative
aspects that reinforce the Investment Managers investment philosophy. Total
compensation is generally not fixed, but rather is based on the following
factors: (i) leadership, teamwork and commitment, (ii) maintenance of current
knowledge and opinions on companies owned in the portfolio; (iii) generation
and development of new investment ideas, including the quality of security
analysis and identification of appreciation catalysts; (iv) ability and
willingness to develop and share ideas on a team basis; and (v) the performance
results of the portfolios managed by the investment teams of which the
portfolio manager is a member. Variable bonus
is based on the portfolio managers quantitative performance as measured by his
or her ability to make investment decisions that contribute to the pre-tax
absolute and relative returns of the accounts managed by the teams of which the
portfolio manager is a member, by comparison of each account to a predetermined
benchmark (as set forth in the prospectus or other governing document) over the
current fiscal year and the longer-term performance (3-, 5- or 10-year, if
applicable) of such account, as well as performance of the account relative to
peers. The variable bonus for each Portfolios portfolio management team in
respect of its management of the Portfolio is determined by reference to the
corresponding indices listed below. The portfolio managers bonus also can be
influenced by subjective measurement of the managers ability to help others
make investment decisions. A portion of a portfolio managers variable bonus is
awarded under a deferred compensation arrangement pursuant to which the
portfolio manager may allocate certain amounts awarded among certain
Portfolios, in shares that vest in two to three years. Portfolio Index Equity
Concentrated Portfolio S&P 500®
Index Strategic
Equity Portfolio S&P 500
Index Mid Cap
Portfolio Russell
Midcap® Index Small-Mid
Cap Portfolio Russell 2500®
Index Global Listed
Infrastructure Portfolio UBS Global
50/50 Infrastructure & Utilities® Index (Hedged) International
Equity Portfolio MSCI Europe,
Australasia and Far East (EAFE®) Index International
Equity Select Portfolio MSCI All
Country World Index ex-US International
Strategic Portfolio MSCI EAFE
Index International
Small Cap Portfolio MSCI EAFE
Small Cap Index Emerging
Markets Portfolio MSCI
Emerging Markets Index Developing
Markets Portfolio MSCI
Emerging Markets Index Emerging
Markets Blend Portfolio MSCI
Emerging Markets Index Emerging
Markets Multi-Strategy Portfolio MSCI
Emerging Markets Index Emerging
Markets Debt Portfolio 50% JPMorgan
EMBI Global Diversified Index/ 50% JPMorgan
GBI-EM Global Diversified Index Realty
Income Portfolio 50% Wells
Fargo Hybrid and Preferred Securities REIT Index/ 50% FTSE
NAREIT All Equity REITs Index US Realty
Portfolio FTSE NAREIT
All Equity REITs Index International
Realty Portfolio FTSE
EPRA/NAREIT Global ex-US Index High Yield
Portfolio Bank of
America Merrill Lynch High Yield Master II® Index Municipal
Portfolio Bank of
America Merrill Lynch 1-10 Year Municipal Bond Index Global Fixed
Income Portfolio Barclays
Capital Global Aggregate Bond Index Targeted
Volatility Portfolio 50/50 MSCI
World Index and Barclays Capital Global Aggregate Bond Index Capital
Allocator Portfolio MSCI World
Index 44 Portfolio/Portfolio Manager Market Value of Shares* Equity
Concentrated Portfolio Christopher
H. Blake None Martin Flood $10,001-$50,000 Andrew D.
Lacey $500,001-$1,000,000 Strategic
Equity Portfolio Christopher
H. Blake $500,001-$1,000,000 Robert A.
Failla $50,001-$100,000 Martin Flood $10,001-$50,000 Andrew D.
Lacey $500,001-$1,000,000 Ronald
Temple $100,001-$500,000 Mid Cap
Portfolio Christopher
H. Blake $100,001-$500,000 Daniel
Breslin None Robert A.
Failla $100,001-$500,000 Martin Flood $10,001-$50,000 Andrew D.
Lacey $500,001-$1,000,000 Small-Mid
Cap Portfolio Daniel
Breslin None Michael
DeBernardis $10,001-$50,000 Robert A.
Failla $10,001-$50,000 Andrew D.
Lacey $100,001-$500,000 Global Listed
Infrastructure Portfolio John
Mulquiney None Warryn
Robertson $10,001-$50,000 International
Equity Portfolio Michael A.
Bennett $100,001-$500,000 Michael G.
Fry None Michael
Powers $50,001-$100,000 John R.
Reinsberg $100,001-$500,000 International
Equity Select Portfolio Michael A.
Bennett $100,001-$500,000 James M.
Donald None Michael G.
Fry None Kevin J.
Matthews None Michael
Powers $50,001-$100,000 John R.
Reinsberg None International
Strategic Portfolio Michael A.
Bennett $100,001-$500,000 Robin O.
Jones None Mark Little None John R.
Reinsberg $100,001-$500,000 International
Small Cap Portfolio Alex Ingham None John R.
Reinsberg $100,001-$500,000 Edward
Rosenfeld $1-$10,000 45 Portfolio/Portfolio Manager Market Value of Shares* Emerging
Markets Portfolio Rohit Chopra $10,001-$50,000 James M.
Donald $500,001-$1,000,000 Erik McKee $100,001-$500,000 John R.
Reinsberg $100,001-$500,000 Developing
Markets Portfolio James M.
Donald None Peter
Gillespie $10,001-$50,000 Kevin OHare $100,001-$500,000 John R.
Reinsberg $500,001-$1,000,000 Emerging
Markets Blend Portfolio James M.
Donald Over
$1,000,000 Jai Jacob $100,001-$500,000 Kevin OHare $100,001-$500,000 Emerging
Markets Multi-Strategy Portfolio Jai Jacob $50,001-$100,000 Emerging
Markets Debt Portfolio Arif T.
Joshi None Denise S.
Simon $100,001-$500,000 Realty
Income Portfolio Jay P. Leupp $500,001-$1,000,000 David R.
Ronco $10,001-$50,000 US Realty
Portfolio Jay P. Leupp $100,001-$500,000 David R.
Ronco $1-$10,000 International
Realty Portfolio Jay P. Leupp $100,001-$500,000 David R.
Ronco $1-$10,000 High Yield Portfolio David R.
Cleary None Thomas M.
Dzwil None Municipal
Portfolio Eulogio
(Joe) Ramos $100,001-$500,000 John R.
Senesac, Jr. $50,001-$100,000 George
Grimbilas $10,001-$50,000 David R.
Cleary None Capital
Allocator Portfolio David R.
Cleary Over
$1,000,000 Christopher
Komosa $100,001-$500,000 * A portion of
Portfolio shares shown as owned by a portfolio manager may consist of shares
allocated to the Portfolio under deferred compensations arrangement described
above. 46 The Investment
Manager, located at 30 Rockefeller Plaza, New York, NY 10112-6300, has entered
into an investment management agreement (the Management Agreement) with the
Fund on behalf of the Portfolios. Pursuant to the Management Agreement, the
Investment Manager regularly provides each Portfolio with investment research,
advice and supervision and furnishes continuously an investment program for
each Portfolio consistent with its investment objective and policies, including
the purchase, retention and disposition of securities. The Investment
Manager, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Lazard Ltd (collectively with the
Investment Manager and its other affiliates, Lazard), is registered as an
investment adviser with the SEC. The Investment Manager provides day-to-day
management of the Portfolios investments and assists in the overall management
of the Funds affairs. Its clients are both individuals and institutions, some
of whose accounts have investment policies similar to those of several of the
Portfolios. Under the
terms of the Management Agreement, the Investment Manager will pay the
compensation of all personnel of the Fund, except the fees of Directors of the
Fund who are not employees or affiliated persons of the Investment Manager. The
Investment Manager will make available to the Portfolios such of the Investment
Managers members, officers and employees as are reasonably necessary for the
operations of each Portfolio, or as may be duly elected officers or directors
of the Fund. Under the Management Agreement, the Investment Manager also pays
each Portfolios office rent and provides investment advisory research and
statistical facilities and all clerical services relating to research,
statistical and investment work. The Investment Manager, including its
employees who serve the Portfolios, may render investment advice, management
and other services to other clients. As
compensation for its services, the Fund has agreed to pay the Investment
Manager an investment management fee, accrued daily and payable monthly, at the
annual rates set forth below as a percentage of the average daily net asset
value of the relevant Portfolio: Portfolio Management Fee Rate Equity
Concentrated Portfolio .70% Strategic
Equity Portfolio .70 Mid Cap
Portfolio .75 Small-Mid
Cap Portfolio .75 Global
Listed Infrastructure Portfolio .90 International
Equity Portfolio .75 International
Equity Select Portfolio .85 International
Strategic Portfolio .75 International
Small Cap Portfolio .75 Emerging
Markets Portfolio 1.00 Developing
Markets Portfolio 1.00 Emerging Markets
Blend Portfolio 1.00 Emerging
Markets Multi-Strategy Portfolio 1.00 Emerging
Markets Debt Portfolio .80 Realty
Income Portfolio .75 US Realty
Portfolio .80 International
Realty Portfolio .90 High Yield
Portfolio .55 Municipal
Portfolio .25 Global Fixed
Income Portfolio .50 47 Portfolio Management Fee Rate Targeted
Volatility Portfolio .85 Capital
Allocator Portfolio 1.00 Maximum Total Portfolio Operating Expenses* Portfolio Institutional Shares Open Shares Equity
Concentrated Portfolio** .95% 1.25% Strategic
Equity Portfolio .75 1.05 Mid Cap
Portfolio 1.05 1.35 Small-Mid
Cap Portfolio 1.15 1.45 Global Listed
Infrastructure Portfolio*** 1.30 1.60 International
Equity Portfolio 1.05 1.35 International
Equity Select Portfolio*** 1.15 1.45 International
Strategic Portfolio 1.15 1.45 International
Small Cap Portfolio 1.13 1.43 Emerging
Markets Portfolio 1.30 1.60 Developing
Markets Portfolio 1.30 1.60 Emerging
Markets Blend Portfolio 1.30 1.60 Emerging
Markets Multi-Strategy Portfolio*** 1.30 1.60 Emerging
Markets Debt Portfolio**** 1.00 1.30 Realty
Income Portfolio***** 1.15 1.45 US Realty
Portfolio*** 1.20 1.50 International
Realty Portfolio***** 1.30 1.60 High Yield
Portfolio .55 .85 Municipal
Portfolio .40 .70 Global Fixed
Income Portfolio .80 1.10 Targeted
Volatility Portfolio .90 1.20 Capital
Allocator Portfolio 1.02 1.32 * The addition
of Acquired Fund Fees and Expenses will cause Total Annual Portfolio
Operating Expenses After Fee Waiver and Expense Reimbursement to exceed the
maximum amounts shown. ** This
agreement will continue in effect until April 30, 2014, at levels of .95% and
1.25% of the average daily net assets of the Portfolios Institutional Shares
and Open Shares, respectively; and from May 1, 2014 through April 30, 2023,
at levels of 1.10% and 1.40% of the average daily net assets of the
Portfolios Institutional Shares and Open Shares, respectively. *** This
agreement will continue in effect through April 30, 2023. **** This
agreement will continue in effect through April 30, 2014, and from May 1,
2014 through April 30, 2023, at levels of 1.10% and 1.40% of the average
daily net assets of the Portfolios Institutional Shares and Open Shares,
respectively. ***** This
agreement will continue in effect through April 30, 2016. 48 Portfolio Fee Payable For Fiscal Fee Payable For Fiscal Fee Payable For Fiscal Equity
Concentrated Portfolio $ 82,276 $ 90,343 $ 389,863 Strategic
Equity Portfolio 556,433 532,456 567,107 Mid Cap
Portfolio 1,490,077 1,309,722 800,884 Small-Mid
Cap Portfolio 933,932 1,677,491 1,826,602 Global
Listed Infrastructure Portfolio 820,972 1,605,324 1,125,894 International
Equity Portfolio 1,106,469 894,914 850,462 International
Equity Select Portfolio 55,433 56,004 62,905 International
Strategic Portfolio 2,735,062 3,278,964 6,014,249 International
Small Cap Portfolio 503,229 492,830 450,937 Emerging
Markets Portfolio 148,785,989 165,270,120 151,690,449 Developing
Markets Portfolio 779,690 2,377,995 3,423,720 Emerging
Markets Blend Portfolio 103,881 1,071,924 1,670,264 Emerging
Markets Multi-Strategy Portfolio 317,396 806,772 Emerging
Markets Debt Portfolio 296,699 1,613,547 Realty
Income Portfolio* 36,893 447,491 US Realty
Portfolio* 5,715 309,718 International
Realty Portfolio* 5,555 35,873 High Yield
Portfolio 603,838 834,199 992,709 Municipal
Portfolio 22,197 46,025 Global Fixed
Income Portfolio 16,123 Capital
Allocator Portfolio 2,159,816 2,552,451 2,537,917 Portfolio Reduction in Reduction in Reduction in Equity
Concentrated Portfolio $ 192,613 $ 189,564 $ 199,946 Strategic
Equity Portfolio 45,899 193,763 202,311 Mid Cap
Portfolio Small-Mid
Cap Portfolio Global
Listed Infrastructure Portfolio 48,817 3,000 International
Equity Portfolio International
Equity Select Portfolio 253,567 235,676 231,523 International
Strategic Portfolio International
Small Cap Portfolio 50,665 25,396 30,622 Emerging
Markets Portfolio Developing
Markets Portfolio 237,373 20,330 Emerging
Markets Blend Portfolio 457,173 206,064 39,603 Emerging
Markets Multi-Strategy Portfolio 293,815 230,588 Emerging
Markets Debt Portfolio 229,341 66,877 Realty
Income Portfolio* 62,535 3,268 49 Portfolio Reduction in Reduction in Reduction in US Realty
Portfolio* 72,941 118,194 International
Realty Portfolio* 79,081 156,071 High Yield
Portfolio 283,787 284,996 292,518 Municipal
Portfolio 224,278 180,327 Global Fixed
Income Portfolio 237,268 Capital
Allocator Portfolio 250,976 284,251 274,403 Portfolio Net Fee Paid For Net Fee Paid For Net Fee Paid For Equity
Concentrated Portfolio $ (110,337 ) $ (99,221 ) $ 189,917 Strategic
Equity Portfolio 510,534 338,693 364,796 Mid Cap
Portfolio 1,490,077 1,309,722 800,884 Small-Mid
Cap Portfolio 933,932 1,677,491 1,826,602 Global
Listed Infrastructure Portfolio 772,155 1,602,324 1,125,894 International
Equity Portfolio 1,106,469 894,914 850,462 International
Equity Select Portfolio (198,134 ) (179,672 ) (168,618 ) International
Strategic Portfolio 2,735,062 3,278,964 6,014,249 International
Small Cap Portfolio 452,564 467,434 420,315 Emerging
Markets Portfolio 148,785,989 165,270,120 151,690,449 Developing
Markets Portfolio 542,317 2,357,665 3,423,720 Emerging
Markets Blend Portfolio (353,292 ) 865,860 1,630,661 Emerging
Markets Multi-Strategy Portfolio 23,581 576,184 Emerging
Markets Debt Portfolio 67,358 1,546,670 Realty
Income Portfolio* (25,642 ) 444,223 US Realty
Portfolio* (67,226 ) 191,524 International
Realty Portfolio* (73,526 ) (120,198 ) High Yield
Portfolio 320,051 549,203 700,191 Municipal
Portfolio (202,081 ) (134,302 ) Global Fixed
Income Portfolio (221,145 ) Capital
Allocator Portfolio 1,908,840 2,268,200 2,263,514 * For the
period after September 23, 2011 (the date the Portfolio became a series of
the Fund) through December 31, 2011. The Management Agreement
provides that each Portfolio pays all of its expenses that are not specifically
assumed by the Investment Manager. Expenses attributable to each Portfolio will
be charged against the assets of that Portfolio. Other expenses of the Fund
will be allocated among the Portfolios in a manner which may, but need not, be
proportionate in relation to the net assets of each Portfolio. Expenses payable
by each of the Portfolios include, but are not limited to, brokerage and other
expenses of executing portfolio transactions; legal, auditing or accounting
expenses; trade association dues; taxes or governmental fees; the fees and
expenses of any person providing administrative services to the Fund; the fees
and expenses of the custodian and transfer agent of the Fund; clerical expenses
of issue, redemption or repurchase of shares of the Portfolio; the expenses and
fees for registering and qualifying securities for sale; the fees of Directors
of the Fund who are not employees or affiliated persons of the Investment
Manager or its affiliates; travel expenses of all Directors, officers and
employees; insurance premiums; 50 and the cost
of preparing and distributing reports and notices to shareholders. In addition,
Open Shares of each Portfolio are subject to an annual distribution and
servicing fee. See Distribution and Servicing Arrangements. As to each
Portfolio, the Management Agreement is subject to annual approval by (i) the
Funds Board or (ii) vote of a majority (as defined in the 1940 Act) of the
outstanding voting securities of the relevant Portfolio, provided that in
either event the continuance also is approved by a majority of the Independent
Directors of the Fund or the Investment Manager, by vote cast in person at a
meeting called for the purpose of voting on such approval. As to each
Portfolio, the Management Agreement is terminable without penalty, on 60 days
notice, by the Funds Board or by vote of the holders of a majority of the
shares of such Portfolio, or, upon not less than 90 days notice, by the
Investment Manager. The Management Agreement will terminate automatically, as
to the relevant Portfolio, in the event of its assignment (as defined in the
1940 Act). The Management Agreement provides that in the absence of willful
misfeasance, bad faith or gross negligence on the part of the Investment
Manager, or of reckless disregard of its obligations thereunder, the Investment
Manager shall not be liable for any action or failure to act in accordance with
its duties thereunder. Proxy Voting Non-equity
securities, such as debt obligations and money market instruments, are not
usually considered to be voting securities, and proxy voting, if any, is
typically limited to the solicitation of consents to changes in or waivers of
features of debt securities, or plans of reorganization involving the issuer of
the security. In the rare event that proxies are solicited with respect to any
of these securities, the Investment Manager would vote the proxy in accordance
with the principles set forth in the Proxy Voting Policy, including the
procedures used when a vote presents a conflict between the interests of Fund
shareholders, on the one hand, and those of the Investment Manager or any
affiliated person of the Fund or the Investment Manager, on the other. The Funds
proxy voting record for the most recent 12-month period ended June 30 is
available (1) without charge, upon request, by calling (800) 823-6300 or (2) on
the SECs website at http://www.sec.gov. Information as of June 30 each year
will generally be available by the following August 31. Administrator, Custodian and Transfer Agent State Street
also acts as the Funds custodian. As the Funds custodian, State Street, among
other things, maintains a custody account or accounts in the name of each
Portfolio; receives and delivers all assets for each Portfolio upon purchase
and upon sale or maturity; collects and receives all income and other payments
and distributions on account of the assets of each Portfolio and disburses the
Portfolios assets in payment of its expenses. The custodian does not determine
the investment policies of any Portfolio or decide which securities any
Portfolio will buy or sell. Boston
Financial Data Services, Inc. (BFDS), P.O. Box 8154, Boston, Massachusetts
02266-8154, is the Funds transfer and dividend disbursing agent. Under a
transfer agency agreement with the Fund, BFDS arranges for the maintenance of
shareholder account records for each Portfolio, the handling of certain
communications between shareholders and the Fund and the payment of dividends
and distributions payable by the Fund. For its services, BFDS receives a
monthly fee computed on the basis of the number of shareholder accounts it
maintains for the Fund during the month, subject to a minimum fee amount per
share class in each Portfolio, and is reimbursed for certain 51 out-of-pocket
expenses. BFDS has agreed to waive the monthly minimum fee for six months after
a new Portfolio has commenced operations. Distributor Lazard Asset
Management Securities LLC, 30 Rockefeller Plaza, New York, New York 10112-6300,
serves as the distributor of each Portfolios shares and conducts a continuous
offering pursuant to a best efforts arrangement. As the distributor, it
accepts purchase and redemption orders for Portfolio shares. In addition, the
distribution agreement obligates the Distributor to pay certain expenses in
connection with the offering of Portfolio shares. After the Prospectus and
periodic reports have been prepared, set in type and mailed to shareholders,
the Distributor also will pay for any printing and distribution of copies
thereof used in connection with the offering to prospective investors. DETERMINATION OF
NET ASSET VALUE Net asset
value per share for each Class of each Portfolio is determined by State Street
for the Fund on each day the New York Stock Exchange (the NYSE) is open for
business. The NYSE is ordinarily closed on the following national holidays: New
Years Day, Martin Luther King, Jr. Day, Presidents Day, Good Friday, Memorial
Day, Independence Day, Labor Day, Thanksgiving Day and Christmas Day. Net asset
value per share is determined by dividing the value of the total assets of the
Portfolio represented by such Class, less all liabilities, by the total number
of Portfolio shares of such Class outstanding. Bonds and
other fixed-income securities that are not exchange-traded are valued on the
basis of prices provided by independent pricing services which are based
primarily on institutional trading in similar groups of securities, or by using
brokers quotations or a matrix system which considers such factors as other
security prices, yields and maturities. Debt securities maturing in 60 days or
less are valued at amortized cost, except where to do so would not accurately
reflect their fair value, in which case such securities are valued at fair
value as determined by, or in accordance with procedures approved by, the
Board. Calculation of
a Portfolios net asset value may not take place contemporaneously with the
determination of the prices of portfolio assets used in such calculation.
Trading on Europe, Latin and South America and Far East securities exchanges
and in over-the-counter markets ordinarily is completed well before the close
of business on each business day in New York (i.e.,
a day on which the NYSE is open). In addition, European or Far Eastern
securities trading generally or in a particular country or countries may not
take place on all business days in New York and on which the net asset value of
a Portfolio is calculated. 52 The effect of
using fair value pricing is that the net asset value of a Portfolio will
reflect the affected securities values as determined in the judgment of the
Board or its designee instead of being determined by the market. Using a fair
value pricing methodology to price securities may result in a value that is
different from the most recent closing price of a security and from the prices
used by other investment companies to calculate their portfolios net asset
values. General Subject to the
supervision of the Board, the Investment Manager is primarily responsible for
the investment decisions and the placing of portfolio transactions for each
Portfolio. In arranging for the Portfolios securities transactions, the
Investment Manager is primarily concerned with seeking best execution, which is
considered to be the most favorable combination of price and quantity that can
be traded at a point in time given, among other factors, the liquidity, market
conditions, and required urgency of execution. In choosing broker-dealers, the
Investment Manager considers all relevant factors, including but not limited
to: the ability of a broker-dealer to provide a prompt and efficient agency
execution; the ability and willingness of a broker-dealer to facilitate the
transactions by acting as principal and going at risk for its own accounts; the
ability of a broker-dealer to provide accurate and timely settlement of the
transaction; the Investment Managers knowledge of the negotiated commission
rates currently available and other current transactions costs; the clearance
and settlement capabilities of the broker; the Investment Managers knowledge
of the financial condition of the broker or dealer selected; and any other
matter relevant to the selection of a broker-dealer. In the
over-the-counter market, securities are generally traded on a net basis with
dealers acting as principal for their own accounts without a stated commission,
although the price of the security usually includes a profit to the dealer. In
underwritten offerings, securities are purchased at a fixed price that includes
an amount of compensation to the underwriter, generally referred to as the
underwriters concession or discount. To the extent
consistent with applicable provisions of the 1940 Act and the rules adopted by
the SEC thereunder, the Funds Board has determined that securities
transactions for a Portfolio may be executed through a broker-dealer that may
be deemed to be an affiliate of the Investment Manager if, in the judgment of
the Investment Manager, the use of the broker-dealer is likely to result in
price and execution at least as favorable as those of other qualified brokers
or dealers, and if, in the transaction, the broker-dealer charges the Portfolio
a rate consistent with that charged to comparable unaffiliated customers in
similar transactions. Purchase and
sale orders for securities held by a Portfolio may be combined with those for
other Portfolios in the interest of the most favorable net results for all. In
some cases, this policy may adversely affect the price paid or received by an
account, or the size of the position obtained or liquidated. When the
Investment Manager determines that a particular security should be bought for
or sold by more than one Portfolio, the Investment Manager undertakes to
allocate those transactions between the participants equitably. 53 The Portfolios
listed below held securities of their regular brokers or dealers during the
fiscal year ended December 31, 2012: Portfolio Broker/Dealer Value on December 31, 2012 Equity
Concentrated Portfolio State Street
Bank and Trust Company $ 13,156 Strategic
Equity Portfolio State Street
Bank and Trust Company 1,324 Citigroup,
Inc. 2,556 Mid Cap
Portfolio State Street
Bank and Trust Company 923 Small-Mid
Cap Portfolio State Street
Bank and Trust Company 10,244 Global
Listed Infrastructure Portfolio State Street
Bank and Trust Company 1,996 International
Equity Portfolio State Street
Bank and Trust Company 3,105 International
Equity Select Portfolio State Street
Bank and Trust Company 100 International
Strategic Portfolio State Street
Bank and Trust Company 20,768 International
Small Cap Portfolio State Street
Bank and Trust Company 379 Emerging
Markets Portfolio State Street
Bank and Trust Company 162,902 Developing
Markets Portfolio State Street
Bank and Trust Company 9,267 Emerging
Markets Blend Portfolio State Street
Bank and Trust Company 8,062 Emerging
Markets Multi-Strategy Portfolio State Street
Bank and Trust Company 11,223 Emerging
Markets Debt Portfolio State Street
Bank and Trust Company 945 Realty
Income Portfolio State Street
Bank and Trust Company 7,119 US Realty
Portfolio State Street
Bank and Trust Company 2,014 International
Realty Portfolio State Street
Bank and Trust Company 27 High Yield
Portfolio State Street
Bank and Trust Company 9,101 Municipal
Portfolio State Street
Bank and Trust Company 461 Global Fixed
Income Portfolio State Street
Bank and Trust Company 29 Credit
Suisse USA, Inc. 27 JPMorgan
Chase & Co. 75 54 Portfolio Broker/Dealer Value on December 31, 2012 Goldman
Sachs Group, Inc. 29 Capital
Allocator Portfolio State Street
Bank and Trust Company 37,898 JPMorgan
Chase & Co. 10,939 Research and Statistical Information Consistent
with the requirements of best execution, brokerage commissions on a Portfolios
transactions may be paid to brokers in recognition of investment research and
information furnished as well as for brokerage and execution services provided
by such brokers. The Investment Manager may in its discretion cause accounts to
pay such broker-dealers a commission for effecting a portfolio transaction in
excess of the amount of commission another broker or dealer adequately
qualified to effect such transaction would have charged for effecting that
transaction. This may be done where the Investment Manager has determined in
good faith that such commission is reasonable in relation to the value of the
brokerage and/or research to that particular transaction or to the Investment
Managers overall responsibilities with respect to the accounts as to which it
exercises investment discretion. The Investment
Manager receives a wide range of research (including proprietary research) and
brokerage services from brokers. These services include information on the
economy, industries, groups of securities, and individual companies;
statistical information; technical market action, pricing and appraisal
services; portfolio management computer services (including trading and settlement
systems); risk management analysis; and performance analysis. Broker-dealers
may also supply market quotations to the Funds custodian for valuation
purposes. Any research
received in respect of a Portfolios brokerage commission may be useful to the
Portfolio, but also may be useful in the management of the account of another
client of the Investment Manager. Similarly, the research received for the
commissions of such other client may be useful for the Portfolio. Brokerage Commissions Year Ended December 31, 2010 Portfolio Total Brokerage Amount of Percentage of Percentage of Total Equity
Concentrated Portfolio $ 12,154 Strategic
Equity Portfolio 59,829 Mid Cap
Portfolio 298,697 Small-Mid
Cap Portfolio 286,462 Global
Listed Infrastructure Portfolio 207,744 International
Equity Portfolio 191,771 International
Equity Select Portfolio 11,069 International
Strategic Portfolio 561,562 International
Small Cap Portfolio 64,082 Emerging
Markets Portfolio 17,956,656 Developing
Markets Portfolio 316,617 Emerging
Markets Blend Portfolio 82,122 55 Portfolio Total Brokerage Commissions Amount of Brokerage Commissions Paid to Lazard Percentage of Total Brokerage Commissions Paid to Lazard Percentage of Total Brokerage Transactions Effected Through Lazard Capital
Allocator Portfolio 273,454 Year Ended December 31, 2011 Portfolio Total Brokerage Amount of Percentage of Percentage of Total Equity Concentrated Portfolio $ 12,856 Strategic Equity Portfolio 73,209 Mid Cap Portfolio 295,660 Small-Mid Cap Portfolio 445,159 Global Listed Infrastructure Portfolio 603,920 International Equity Portfolio 140,222 International Equity Select Portfolio 9,681 International Strategic Portfolio 758,970 International Small Cap Portfolio 46,907 Emerging Markets Portfolio 14,507,822 Developing Markets Portfolio 669,193 Emerging Markets Blend Portfolio 240,490 Emerging Markets Multi-Strategy Portfolio 63,503 Emerging Markets Debt Portfolio Realty Income Portfolio* 21,808 US Realty Portfolio* 1,474 International Realty Portfolio* 1,415 High Yield Portfolio Municipal Portfolio Capital Allocator Portfolio 502,298 * For the
period after September 23, 2011 (the date the Portfolio became a series of
the Fund) through December 31, 2011. Portfolio Total Brokerage Amount of Brokerage Commissions Paid to Lazard Percentage of Total Brokerage Commissions Paid to Lazard Percentage of Total Brokerage Transactions Effected Through Lazard Equity Concentrated Portfolio $ 99,715 Strategic Equity Portfolio 56,766 Mid Cap Portfolio 173,405 56 Portfolio Total Brokerage Amount of Brokerage Commissions Paid to Lazard Percentage of Total Brokerage Commissions Paid to Lazard Percentage of Total Brokerage Transactions Effected Through Lazard Small-Mid Cap Portfolio 321,898 Global Listed Infrastructure Portfolio 99,160 International Equity Portfolio 137,356 International Equity Select Portfolio 9,616 International Strategic Portfolio 1,602,331 International Small Cap Portfolio 67,994 Emerging Markets Portfolio 12,165,108 Developing Markets Portfolio 827,885 Emerging Markets Blend Portfolio 376,620 Emerging Markets Multi-Strategy Portfolio 117,869 Emerging Markets Debt Portfolio Realty Income Portfolio 157,921 US Realty Portfolio 84,769 International Realty Portfolio 3,264 High Yield Portfolio Municipal Portfolio Global Fixed Income Portfolio Capital Allocator Portfolio 303,170 The aggregate
amount of transactions during the fiscal year ended December 31, 2012 in
securities effected on an agency basis through a broker for, among other
things, research services, and the commissions and concessions related to such
transactions were as follows: Portfolio Transaction Amount Commissions and Concessions Equity
Concentrated Portfolio $ 204,525,007 $ 99,715 Strategic
Equity Portfolio 96,656,720 56,766 Mid Cap
Portfolio 290,877,641 173,405 Small-Mid
Cap Portfolio 512,123,136 321,898 Global
Listed Infrastructure Portfolio 75,560,516 99,160 International
Equity Portfolio 111,482,946 137,356 International
Equity Select Portfolio 8,805,951 9,616 International
Strategic Portfolio 1,282,212,715 1,602,331 International
Small Cap Portfolio 59,392,071 67,994 Emerging
Markets Portfolio 6,653,323,077 12,165,108 Developing
Markets Portfolio 543,080,690 827,885 Emerging
Markets Blend Portfolio 273,911,665 376,620 Emerging
Markets Multi-Strategy Portfolio 97,677,379 117,869 Emerging
Markets Debt Portfolio Realty
Income Portfolio 98,784,985 157,921 US Realty
Portfolio 96,948,917 84,769 International
Realty Portfolio 4,266,158 3,264 High Yield
Portfolio Municipal
Portfolio Global Fixed
Income Portfolio Capital
Allocator Portfolio 665,511,626 303,170 57 Simultaneous Investments; Overlapping Positions Investment
decisions for each Portfolio are made independently from those of the other
Portfolios and other accounts managed by the Investment Manager. If, however,
such other Portfolios or accounts desire to invest in, or dispose of, the same
securities as a Portfolio, available investments or opportunities for sales
will be allocated equitably to each. In some cases, this procedure may
adversely affect the size of the position obtained for or disposed of by a
Portfolio or the price paid or received by a Portfolio. In some cases, the
Investment Manager may seek to limit the number of overlapping investments by
similar Portfolios (securities of an issuer held in more than one Portfolio) so
that shareholders invested in such Portfolios may achieve a more diverse
investment experience. In such cases, a Portfolio may be disadvantaged by the
Investment Managers decision to purchase or maintain an investment in one
Portfolio to the exclusion of one or more other Portfolios (including a
decision to sell the investment in one Portfolio so that it may be purchased by
another Portfolio). Allocations of Limited Offerings (All
Portfolios, except Emerging Markets Debt, High Yield, Municipal and Global
Fixed Income Portfolios) Under the
Investment Managers trade allocation procedures applicable to domestic and
foreign initial and secondary public offerings and Rule 144A transactions
(collectively herein a Limited Offering), the Investment Manager will
generally allocate Limited Offering shares among client accounts, including the
Portfolios, pro rata based upon the aggregate asset size (excluding leverage)
of the account. The Investment Manager may also allocate Limited Offering
shares on a random basis, as selected electronically, or other basis. It is
often difficult for the Investment Manager to obtain a sufficient number of
Limited Offering shares to provide a full allocation to each account. The
Investment Managers allocation procedures are designed to allocate Limited
Offering securities in a fair and equitable manner. DISCLOSURE OF
PORTFOLIO HOLDINGS It is the
policy of the Fund to protect the confidentiality of the Portfolios holdings
and prevent the selective disclosure of non-public information about such
holdings. The Fund will publicly disclose the Portfolios holdings on a
calendar quarter-end basis on its website accessible from
http://www.lazardnet.com/lam/us/lazardfunds.shtml, approximately 14 days after
such quarter end. The information will remain accessible until the Fund files a
report on Form N-Q or Form N-CSR for the period that includes the date as of
which the information was current. In order to
avoid conflicts of interest between the Fund, on the one hand, and the
Investment Manager or any affiliated person of the Fund or the Investment
Manager, on the other (1) disclosure of portfolio holdings information is made
only when such disclosure is in the best interest of Portfolio shareholders and
the Fund has a legitimate business purpose for doing so and (2) none of the
Fund or the Investment Manager or their affiliates may receive any compensation
in connection with an arrangement to make portfolio holdings information
available. In accordance
with the foregoing, the Fund provides portfolio holdings information to ratings
services or third party service providers who provide necessary or beneficial
services when such service providers need access to this information in the
performance of their services and are subject to duties of confidentiality (1)
imposed by law, including a duty not to trade on non-public information, and/or
(2) pursuant to an agreement that confidential information is not to be
disclosed or used (including trading on such information) other than as
required by law. From time to time, the Fund will communicate with these
service providers to confirm that they understand the Funds policies and
procedures regarding such disclosure. Such service providers currently include
the Funds investment manager, administrator, custodian, auditors and legal
counsel and each of their respective affiliates and advisors, as well as
Institutional Shareholder Services, Inc., Lipper Inc., Morningstar, Inc.,
Bloomberg, BNY Mellon Analytical Services, LLC, Canterbury Consulting
Incorporated and Thomson Vestek, Inc. The Fund also provides portfolio holdings
information to Market Street Trust Company and Mercer Global Investments
pursuant to confidentiality agreements. Service providers receive holdings
information at a frequency appropriate to their services, which may be as
frequently as daily. Disclosure of
portfolio holdings information may be authorized only by the Funds Chief
Compliance Officer or the General Counsel of the Investment Manager, each of
whom evaluates such disclosure in light of the best interests of Portfolio
shareholders and any potential conflicts of interest. The service providers
that receive portfolio holdings 58 information
from the Fund as described above, and any additions to this list of service
providers, are reported to the Funds Board for its review. Any exceptions to
the Funds portfolio holdings disclosure policy are reported to the Board. The Investment
Manager currently manages certain multi-strategy (Multi-Strat) investment
strategies. Using these strategies, the Investment Managers Multi-Strat
portfolio management team may allocate assets managed in separate accounts,
mutual funds, private investment funds or other available vehicles among
various strategies and vehicles managed by other portfolio management teams, including
allocating assets to a Portfolio or a Portfolios strategy or a similar
strategy managed by a Portfolios portfolio management team. For example, the
emerging market Multi-Strat strategy may allocate assets to the Emerging
Markets Portfolio and the Developing Markets Portfolio, as well as certain
other emerging market-related strategies managed by these Portfolios portfolio
management teams. The Investment Managers Multi-Strat portfolio management
team will allocate assets to a Portfolio or a related strategy in its
discretion, consistent with the investment objectives and guidelines associated
with the relevant clients account. In making these allocation decisions, the
Multi-Strat portfolio management team will have access to detailed information
related to the underlying strategies that may not be available to other
investors or clients. This includes, but is not limited to, Portfolio holdings
information, transaction detail and performance information and access to the
Portfolios portfolio management teams. The Investment Manager has implemented
procedures designed to ensure that the Multi-Strat portfolio management team
does not trade in a way that disadvantages other Portfolio shareholders. Certain
Portfolios are managed by allocation between or among investment strategies
managed by the Investment Manager. Quarterly performance of the investment
strategies comprising these Portfolios investments is available to Portfolio
shareholders on request by calling (800) 823-6300. HOW TO BUY AND
HOW TO SELL SHARES General. The minimum initial investment for
each Portfolio is $2,500 for Open Shares, unless the investor is a client of a
securities dealer or other institution which has made an aggregate minimum
initial purchase for its clients of at least $2,500 for Open Shares, and
$100,000 for Institutional Shares. Securities
dealers and other institutions effecting transactions in Portfolio shares for
the accounts of their clients may charge their clients direct fees in
connection with such transactions. The Fund and the Distributor reserve the
right to reject any purchase order. All funds will be invested in full and
fractional shares. Stock certificates will not be issued. Each Portfolio
may, in its discretion, accept securities in payment for shares of the
Portfolio. Securities may be accepted in payment for shares only if the
securities are, in the judgment of the Investment Manager, appropriate
investments for the Portfolio. In addition, securities accepted in payment for
Portfolio shares must meet the Portfolios investment objective and policies
and be acquired by the Portfolio for investment and not for resale. A Portfolio
or the Investment Manager may impose additional conditions on accepting
securities in payment for Portfolio shares. The contribution of securities to
the Portfolio may be a taxable transaction to the shareholder. Purchases through the Transfer Agent. Orders
for Portfolio shares will become effective at the net asset value per share
next determined after receipt by the Transfer Agent or other agent of a check
drawn on any member of the Federal Reserve System or after receipt by the
Custodian or other agent of a bank wire or Federal Reserve Wire. Checks must be
payable in United States dollars and will be accepted subject to collection at
full face value. By investing
in a Portfolio, a shareholder appoints the Transfer Agent, as agent, to
establish an account to which all shares purchased will be credited, together
with any dividends and capital gain distributions that are paid in additional
shares. Service Agents. The Fund has authorized one or
more brokers and other financial intermediaries (Service Agents) to accept on
its behalf purchase and redemption orders. Service Agents are authorized to
designate other intermediaries to accept purchase and redemption orders on the
Funds behalf. The Fund will be deemed to have received a purchase or
redemption order when a Service Agent or, if applicable, a Service Agents
authorized 59 designee,
accepts the order. Customer orders will be priced at the respective Portfolios
net asset value next computed after such orders are accepted by a Service Agent
or its authorized designee. Service Agents may charge their clients fees which
would not apply to shares purchased through the Distributor. Exchange Privileges and Conversion Features.
The Fund may, in its discretion, accept requests by a shareholder or Service
Agent to exchange or convert holdings of one class of Portfolio shares for a
different class of shares of the same Portfolio, or to exchange shares of one
class of a Portfolio into shares of the same class of another Portfolio.
Exchange or conversion requests from one class of Portfolio shares for a
different class of the same Portfolio may include situations when a shareholder
becomes a client of a Service Agent that is not authorized to accept on the
Funds behalf purchase and redemption orders in the class of shares held by the
shareholder. For federal income tax purposes, a same-Portfolio share class
exchange is not expected to result in the realization by the investor of a
capital gain or loss; however, shareholders are advised to consult with their
own tax advisers with respect to the particular tax consequences to
shareholders of an investment in a Portfolio. Redemption Fee. Each Portfolio will impose a
redemption fee equal to 1.00% of the net asset value of shares acquired by
purchase or exchange and redeemed or exchanged within 30 days after such shares
were acquired, calculated as described in the Prospectus. The fee will be retained
by the Portfolio and used primarily to offset the transaction costs that
short-term trading imposes on the Portfolio and its remaining shareholders. The
redemption fee may be waived, modified or terminated at any time, or from time
to time. Redemption Commitment. The Fund has committed
to pay in cash all redemption requests by any shareholder of record, limited in
amount during any 90-day period to the lesser of $250,000 or 1% of the value of
a Portfolios net assets at the beginning of such period. Such commitment is
irrevocable without the prior approval of the SEC. In the case of requests for
redemption in excess of such amount, the Funds Board reserves the right to
make payments, in whole or in part in portfolio securities or other assets of the
Portfolio in cases of emergency or at any time that the Investment Manager
believes a cash distribution would impair the liquidity of the Portfolio to the
detriment of the existing shareholders. In such event, the securities would be
valued in the same manner as the Portfolios investments are valued. If the
recipient sold such securities, brokerage charges might be incurred. Suspension of Redemptions. The right of
redemption may be suspended, or the date of payment postponed: (a) during any
period when the NYSE is closed (other than customary weekend and holiday
closings); (b) when trading in the markets the Portfolio ordinarily utilizes is
restricted, or when an emergency exists as determined by the SEC so that
disposal of the Portfolios investments or determination of its net asset value
is not reasonably practicable; or (c) for such other periods as the SEC by
order may permit to protect the Portfolios shareholders. DISTRIBUTION AND
SERVICING ARRANGEMENTS Distribution and Servicing Plan for Open Shares Open Shares
are subject to a Distribution and Servicing Plan adopted by the Funds Board
pursuant to Rule 12b-1 (the Rule) adopted by the SEC under the 1940 Act which
provides, among other things, that an investment company may bear expenses of
distributing its shares only pursuant to a plan adopted in accordance with the
Rule. Pursuant to the Distribution and Servicing Plan, the Fund pays the
Distributor for advertising, marketing and distributing each Portfolios Open
Shares, and for the provision of certain services to the holders of Open
Shares, a fee at the annual rate of 0.25% of the average daily net assets of
the Portfolios Open Shares. The Distributor may make payments to Service
Agents for providing these services. The services provided may include personal
services relating to shareholder accounts, such as answering shareholder
inquiries regarding the Fund and providing reports and other information, and
services related to the maintenance of shareholder accounts. The fee payable
for such services is intended to be a service fee as defined in Conduct Rules
of FINRA. From time to time, the Distributor may defer or waive receipt of fees
under the Distribution and Servicing Plan while retaining the ability to be
paid by the Fund under the Distribution and Servicing Plan thereafter. The fees
payable under the Distribution and Servicing Plan are payable without regard to
actual expenses incurred. The Funds Board believes there is a reasonable
likelihood that the Distribution and Servicing Plan will benefit each Portfolio
and holders of its Open Shares. 60 A quarterly
report of the amounts expended under the Distribution and Servicing Plan, and
the purposes for which such expenditures were incurred, must be made to the
Board for its review. The Distribution and Servicing Plan provides that it may
not be amended to increase materially the costs which holders of Open Shares of
a Portfolio may bear without such shareholders approval and that other
material amendments of the Distribution and Servicing Plan must be approved by
the Board and by the Independent Directors of the Fund who have no direct or
indirect financial interest in the operation of the Distribution and Servicing
Plan or in any agreements entered into in connection with the Distribution and
Servicing Plan, by vote cast in person at a meeting called for the purpose of
considering such amendments. The Distribution and Servicing Plan is subject to
annual approval by such vote cast in person at a meeting called for the purpose
of voting on the Distribution and Servicing Plan. As to each Portfolio, the
Distribution and Servicing Plan may be terminated at any time by vote of a
majority of the Independent Directors who have no direct or indirect financial
interest in the operation of the Distribution and Servicing Plan or in any
agreements entered into in connection with the Distribution and Servicing Plan,
or by vote of the holders of a majority of such Portfolios Open Shares. Portfolio Amount Paid Under Distribution and Servicing Equity Concentrated Portfolio $ 1,046 Strategic Equity Portfolio 22,091 Mid Cap Portfolio 115,695 Small-Mid Cap Portfolio 46,353 Global Listed Infrastructure Portfolio 27,209 International Equity Portfolio 51,896 International Equity Select Portfolio 6,587 International Strategic Portfolio 442,039 International Small Cap Portfolio 44,239 Emerging Markets Portfolio 6,701,565 Developing Markets Portfolio 196,950 Emerging Markets Blend Portfolio 76,088 Emerging Markets Multi-Strategy Portfolio 1,643 Emerging Markets Debt Portfolio 1,942 Realty Income Portfolio 53,994 US Realty Portfolio 92,985 International Realty Portfolio 4,096 High Yield Portfolio 11,552 Municipal Portfolio 93 Global Fixed Income Portfolio 66 Capital Allocator Portfolio 10,986 Payments by the Investment Manager or Distributor The Investment
Manager or the Distributor may provide additional cash payments out of its own
resources to financial intermediaries that sell shares and/or provide other
services. Such payments are in addition to any fees paid by the Fund under Rule
12b-1. These additional payments may be paid to intermediaries that provide
shareholder servicing and administration and/or marketing and related
administrative support; opportunities to participate in conferences and
educational workshops, meetings and events; and/or access to and information
about sales meetings and conferences and sales representatives, financial
advisors or management personnel of the intermediary. Cash compensation also
may be paid to financial intermediaries in connection with consideration or
inclusion of the Fund for or on a recommended or similar list, including a
preferred or select sales list, or in other programs. In some cases, these
payments may create an incentive for a financial intermediary or its
representatives to recommend or sell Fund shares. Shareholders or potential
shareholders should contact their financial 61 intermediary
representative for details about any payments the representative or the
financial intermediary may receive in connection with the sale of Fund shares
or the provision of services to the Fund. From time to
time, the Investment Manager or the Distributor also may provide cash or non-cash
compensation to financial intermediaries or their representatives in the form
of occasional gifts or meals, event tickets or other entertainment; support for
due diligence trips; educational conference sponsorship; support for
recognition programs; and other forms of cash or non-cash compensation
permissible under applicable broker-dealer regulations. The Fund
intends to declare as a dividend on the outstanding shares of Emerging Markets
Debt Portfolio, High Yield Portfolio, Municipal Portfolio and Global Fixed
Income Portfolio substantially all of each Portfolios net investment income at
the close of each business day to shareholders of record as of the close of
regular trading on the NYSE. Net investment income for a Saturday, Sunday or
holiday will be included in the dividend declared on the previous business day.
Dividends declared on the shares of these Portfolios ordinarily will be paid on
the last business day of each month. Shareholders who redeem all their shares of
a Portfolio prior to a dividend payment date will receive, in addition to the
redemption proceeds, any dividends that are declared but unpaid through the
date of their redemption. Shareholders who redeem only a portion of their
shares will receive all dividends declared but unpaid on those shares on the
next dividend payment date. For Global
Listed Infrastructure Portfolio and Realty Income Portfolio, dividends from net
investment income, if any, are paid quarterly. Dividends from
net investment income, if any, on all other Portfolios generally will be
declared and paid at least annually, and may be declared and paid more
frequently. Dividends for
each Class of a Portfolio will be calculated at the same time and in the same
manner and will be of the same amount, except that certain expenses will be
borne exclusively by one Class and not by the other, such as fees payable under
the Distribution and Servicing Plan. Open Shares will receive lower per share
dividends than Institutional Shares because of the higher expenses borne by
Open Shares. Investment income for a Portfolio includes, among other things,
dividends and interest income, accretion of market and original issue discount
and amortization of premium, as applicable. With respect
to all of the Portfolios, net realized capital gains, if any, will be
distributed at least annually, and may be declared and paid more frequently. If
a dividend check mailed to a shareholder who elected to receive dividends
and/or capital gain distributions in cash is returned as undeliverable by the
postal or other delivery service, such shareholders distribution option
automatically will be converted to having all dividends and other distributions
reinvested in additional shares. No interest will accrue on amounts represented
by uncashed distribution or redemption checks. Taxation of the Portfolios Each Portfolio
intends to qualify for treatment as a regulated investment company (RIC)
under Subchapter M of the Code and intends to continue to so qualify if such
qualification is in the best interests of its shareholders. As a RIC, a
Portfolio will pay no federal income tax on its net investment income and net
realized capital gains to the extent that such income and gains are distributed
to shareholders in accordance with applicable provisions of the 62 In general,
for purposes of the gross income test described above, income derived from a
partnership will be treated as qualifying income only to the extent such income
is attributable to items of income of the partnership that would be qualifying
income if realized by a RIC. However, as noted above, 100% of the net income
derived from an interest in a QPTP is qualifying income for purposes of the
gross income test. A QPTP is defined as a partnership (i) interests in which
are traded on an established securities market or readily tradable on a
secondary market or the substantial equivalent thereof and (ii) that derives at
least 90% of its gross income from certain enumerated passive income sources
described in Section 7704(d) of the Code, but does not include a partnership
that derives 90% of its gross income from sources described in Section
851(b)(2)(A) of the Code. Although income from a QPTP is qualifying income for
purposes of the gross income test, investment in QPTPs cannot exceed 25% of a
Portfolios assets. Gains from
foreign currencies (including foreign currency options, foreign currency swaps,
foreign currency futures and foreign currency forward contracts) currently
constitute qualifying income for purposes of the gross income test. However,
the US Treasury Department has the authority to issue regulations (possibly
with retroactive effect) treating a RICs foreign currency gains as
non-qualifying income for purposes of the gross income test to the extent that
such income is not directly related to the RICs principal business of
investing in stock or securities. A Portfolios
investment in MLPs may qualify as an investment in (1) a QPTP, (2) a regular
partnership, (3) a passive foreign investment company (a PFIC) or (4) a
corporation for US federal income tax purposes. The treatment of particular
MLPs for US federal income tax purposes will affect the extent to which a
Portfolio can invest in MLPs. The US federal income tax consequences of a
Portfolios investments in PFICs and regular partnerships are discussed in
greater detail below. A RIC that
fails the gross income test for a taxable year shall nevertheless be considered
to have satisfied the test for such year if (i) the RIC satisfies certain
procedural requirements, and (ii) the RICs failure to satisfy the gross income
test is due to reasonable cause and not due to willful neglect. However, in
such case, a tax is imposed on the RIC for the taxable year in which, absent
the application of the above cure provision, it would have failed the gross
income test equal to the amount by which (x) the RICs non-qualifying gross
income exceeds (y) one-ninth of the RICs qualifying gross income, each as
determined for purposes of applying the gross income test for such year. A RIC that
fails the asset diversification test as of the end of a quarter shall
nevertheless be considered to have satisfied the test as of the end of such
quarter in the following circumstances. If the RICs failure to satisfy the
asset diversification test at the end of the quarter is due to the ownership of
assets the total value of which does not exceed the lesser of (i) one percent
of the total value of the RICs assets at the end of such quarter and (ii)
$10,000,000 (a de minimis failure), the RIC shall be considered to have
satisfied the asset diversification test as of the end of such quarter if,
within six months of the last day of the quarter in which the RIC identifies
that it failed the asset diversification test (or such other prescribed time
period), the RIC either disposes of assets in order to satisfy the asset
diversification test, or otherwise satisfies the asset diversification test. 63 If a Portfolio
were to fail to qualify as a RIC in any taxable year, the Portfolio would be
subject to tax on its taxable income at corporate rates, and all distributions
from current or accumulated earnings and profits, including any distributions
of net tax-exempt income and net long-term capital gains, would be taxable to
shareholders as ordinary income. Some portions of such distributions may be
eligible for the dividends received deduction in the case of corporate shareholders
and may be eligible for a 20% preferential maximum tax rate in respect of
qualified dividend income in the case of shareholders taxed as individuals,
provided in both cases, the shareholder meets certain holding period and other
requirements in respect of the Portfolios shares (as described below). In
addition, a Portfolio could be required to recognize unrealized gains, pay
substantial taxes and interest and make substantial distributions before
requalifying as a RIC that is accorded special tax treatment. A
nondeductible excise tax at a rate of 4% will be imposed on the excess, if any,
of a Portfolios required distribution over its actual distributions in any
calendar year. Generally, the required distribution is 98% of a Portfolios
ordinary income for the calendar year plus 98.2% of its capital gain net
income, determined under prescribed rules for this purpose, recognized during
the one-year period ending on October 31st of such year (or December 31st of
that year if the Portfolio is permitted to so elect and so elects) plus
undistributed amounts from prior years. Each Portfolio generally intends to
make distributions sufficient to avoid imposition of the excise tax, although
there can be no assurance that it will be able to do so. Although in
general the passive loss rules of the Code do not apply to RICs, such rules do
apply to a RIC with respect to items attributable to an interest in a QPTP. A
Portfolios investments in partnerships, including in QPTPs, may result in the
Portfolio being subject to state, local or foreign income, franchise or
withholding tax liabilities. For federal
income tax purposes, distributions of investment income generally are taxable
as ordinary income to the extent of the distributing Portfolios earnings and
profits, regardless of whether you receive your distributions in cash or have
them reinvested in additional Portfolio shares. Taxes on distributions of
capital gains are determined by how long the Portfolio owned the investments
that generated them, rather than how long a shareholder has owned his or her
shares. In general, a Portfolio will recognize long-term capital gain or loss
on assets it has owned (or is deemed to have owned) for more than one year, and
short-term capital gain or loss on investments it has owned (or is deemed to
have owned) for one year or less. Distributions of net capital gain, that is,
the excess of net long-term capital gains over net short-term capital losses,
that are properly characterized by the Portfolio as capital gain dividends
(capital gain dividends) will generally be taxable to a shareholder receiving
such distributions as long-term capital gain. Long-term capital gains are
generally taxable to individuals at a maximum rate of 20%, with lower rates
potentially applicable to taxpayers depending on their income levels.
Distributions of net short-term capital gains that exceed net long-term capital
losses will generally be taxable as ordinary income. The 64 Distributions
are taxable to shareholders even if they are paid from income or gains earned
by a Portfolio before a shareholders investment (and thus were included in the
price the shareholder paid for his or her shares). Distributions are taxable
regardless of whether shareholders receive them in cash or in additional
shares. Distributions declared and payable by a Portfolio during October,
November or December to shareholders of record on a date in any such month and
paid by the Portfolio during the following January generally will be treated
for federal tax purposes as paid by the Portfolio and received by shareholders on
December 31st of the year in which the distributions are declared rather than
the calendar year in which they are received. In general,
dividends (other than capital gain dividends) paid by a Portfolio to US individual
shareholders may be eligible for the same preferential tax rates applicable to
long-term capital gain to the extent that the Portfolios income consists of
dividends paid by US corporations and certain qualified foreign corporations
on shares that have been held by the Portfolio for at least 61 days during the
121-day period commencing 60 days before the shares become ex-dividend.
Dividends paid on shares held by a Portfolio will not be taken into account in
determining the applicability of the preferential maximum tax rate to the
extent that the Portfolio is under an obligation (pursuant to a short sale or
otherwise) to make related payments with respect to positions in substantially
similar or related property. Dividends paid by REITs are not generally eligible
for the preferential maximum tax rate. Further, a qualified foreign
corporation does not include any foreign corporation, which for its taxable
year in which its dividend was paid, or the preceding taxable year, is a
passive foreign investment company (PFIC, discussed below). In order to be
eligible for the preferential rate, the shareholder in the Portfolio must have
held his or her shares in the Portfolio for at least 61 days during the 121-day
period commencing 60 days before the Portfolio shares become ex-dividend.
Additional restrictions on a shareholders qualification for the preferential
rate may apply. In general,
dividends (other than capital gain dividends) paid by a Portfolio to US
corporate shareholders may be eligible for the dividends received deduction to
the extent that the Portfolios income consists of dividends paid by US
corporations (other than REITs) on shares that have been held by the Portfolio
for at least 46 days during the 91-day period commencing 45 days before the
shares become ex-dividend. Dividends paid on shares held by a Portfolio will
not be taken into account for this purpose if the stock on which the dividend
is paid is considered to be debt-financed (generally, acquired with borrowed
funds), or to the extent that the Portfolio is under an obligation (pursuant to
a short sale or otherwise) to make related payments with respect to positions
in substantially similar or related property. Moreover, the dividend received
deduction may be disallowed or reduced if the corporate shareholder fails to
satisfy the foregoing holding period and other requirements with respect to its
shares of the Portfolio or by application of the Code. It is anticipated that
dividends (other than capital gain dividends) paid by the Equity Concentrated,
Strategic Equity, Mid Cap, Small-Mid Cap, Global Listed Infrastructure and
Capital Allocator Portfolios may be eligible for the dividends-received
deduction, but that dividends paid by the other Portfolios will not be eligible
for the dividends-received deduction. 65 If a Portfolio
makes a distribution that is or is considered to be in excess of its current
and accumulated earnings and profits for the relevant period, the excess
distribution will be treated as a return of capital to the extent of a
shareholders tax basis in his or her shares, and thereafter as capital gain. A
return of capital is not taxable, but it reduces a shareholders basis in his
or her shares, thus reducing any loss or increasing any gain on a subsequent taxable
disposition by the shareholder of such shares. Sale, Exchange or Redemption of Shares However, any
loss realized upon a taxable disposition of shares held for six months or less
will be treated as long-term, rather than short-term, to the extent of any
capital gain dividends received (or deemed received) by the shareholder with
respect to the shares. Further, all or a portion of any loss realized upon a
taxable disposition of shares of a Portfolio will be disallowed if other
substantially identical shares of the Portfolio are purchased (including by
means of a dividend reinvestment plan) within 30 days before or after the
disposition. In such a case, the basis of the newly purchased shares will be
adjusted to reflect the disallowed loss. If a
shareholder recognizes a loss with respect to shares of a Portfolio of $2
million or more for an individual shareholder or $10 million or more for a
corporate shareholder, the shareholder must file with the IRS a disclosure
statement on Form 8886. Direct shareholders of portfolio securities are in many
cases excepted from this reporting requirement, but under current guidance,
shareholders of a RIC are not excepted. Future guidance may extend the current
exception from this reporting requirement to shareholders of most or all RICs.
The fact that a loss is reportable under these regulations does not affect the
legal determination of whether the taxpayers treatment of the loss is proper.
Shareholders should consult their tax advisors to determine the applicability
of the applicable regulations in light of their individual circumstances. The Portfolios (or their administrative
agent) are required to report to the IRS and furnish to Portfolio shareholders
the cost basis information and holding period for Portfolio shares purchased on
or after January 1, 2012, and redeemed on or after that date. The Portfolios
will permit Portfolio shareholders to elect from among several IRS-accepted
cost basis methods, including average cost. In the absence of an election by a
shareholder, the Portfolios will use the average cost method with respect to
that shareholder. The cost basis method a shareholder elects may not be changed
with respect to a redemption of shares after the settlement date of the
redemption. Portfolio shareholders should consult with their tax advisors to
determine the best IRS-accepted cost basis method for their tax situation and
to obtain more information about how the cost basis reporting rules apply to
them. 66 PFICs The
mark-to-market and QEF elections may accelerate the recognition of income
(without the receipt of cash) and increase the amount required to be
distributed by a Portfolio to avoid taxation. Making either of these elections
therefore may require a Portfolio to liquidate investments (including when it
is not advantageous to do so) to meet its distribution requirements, which also
may accelerate the recognition of gain and affect the Portfolios total return.
Dividends paid by PFICs generally will not be eligible to be treated as
qualified dividend income. Investment
income that may be received by a Portfolio from sources within foreign
countries may be subject to foreign withholding and other taxes. Tax treaties
between the United States and certain countries may reduce or eliminate such
taxes. It is
anticipated that each of Global Listed Infrastructure, International Equity,
International Equity Select, International Strategic, International Small Cap,
Emerging Markets, Developing Markets, Emerging Markets Blend, Emerging Markets
Multi-Strategy, Emerging Markets Debt, International Realty and Global Fixed
Income Portfolios will be operated so as to meet the requirements of the Code
to pass through to shareholders credits for foreign taxes paid, although
there can be no assurance that these requirements will be met. Each shareholder
should consult his or her own tax advisor regarding the potential application
of foreign tax credits. Foreign Currency Transactions 67 Similarly, gains or losses on foreign
currency forward contracts and the disposition of debt securities denominated
in a foreign currency, to the extent attributable to fluctuations in exchange
rates between the acquisition and disposition dates, also are treated as
ordinary income or loss. Financial Products Payments with Respect to Securities Loans Securities Issued or Purchased at a Discount and Payment-in-Kind
Securities A Portfolios
investments, if any, in securities issued or purchased at a discount, as well
as certain other securities (including zero coupon obligations and certain
redeemable preferred stock), may require the Portfolio to accrue and distribute
income not yet received. Similarly, a Portfolios investment in payment-in-kind
securities will give rise to income which is required to be distributed even
though the Portfolio receives no payment in cash on the security during the
year. In order to generate sufficient cash to make its requisite distributions,
a Portfolio may be required to borrow money or sell securities in its portfolio
that it otherwise would have continued to hold. Certain Higher-Risk and High Yield Securities Investing in Municipal Securities 68 Assuming the Municipal
Portfolio pays exempt-interest dividends, any interest on money a shareholder
of the Portfolio borrows that is directly or indirectly used to purchase shares
in the Portfolio will not be deductible. Further, entities or persons that are
substantial users (or persons related to substantial users) of facilities
financed by private activity bonds or industrial development bonds should
consult their tax advisors before purchasing shares of the Municipal
Portfolio. The income from such
bonds may not be tax-exempt for such substantial users. There also may be
collateral federal income tax consequences regarding the receipt of
exempt-interest dividends by shareholders such as S corporations, financial
institutions and property and casualty insurance companies. A shareholder
falling into any such category should consult its tax advisor concerning its
investment in the Municipal Portfolio. As a general
rule, any loss realized upon a taxable disposition of shares in the Municipal
Portfolio that have been held for six months or less will be disallowed to the
extent of any exempt-interest dividends received (or deemed received) by the
shareholder with respect to the shares. This loss disallowance rule, however,
does not apply with respect to a regular dividend paid by a RIC which declares
exempt-interest dividends on a daily basis in an amount equal to at least 90%
of its net tax-exempt interest and distributes such dividends on a monthly or
more frequent basis. The Municipal Portfolio expects to satisfy these
distribution requirements, with the result that any loss realized by a
shareholder upon a sale, exchange or redemption of shares in the Municipal
Portfolio should not be subject to this loss disallowance rule. Proposals have been and may be introduced before
Congress that would restrict or eliminate the federal income tax exemption of
interest on municipal securities. If such a proposal were enacted, the
availability of such securities for investment by the Municipal Portfolio and
the value of its portfolio would be affected. In that event, the Municipal
Portfolio would reevaluate its investment objective and policies. Investing in Mortgage Entities Such
investments may result in a Portfolio receiving excess inclusion income (EII)
in which case a portion of its distributions will be characterized as EII and
shareholders receiving such distributions, including shares held through
nominee accounts, will be deemed to have received EII. This can result in the
Portfolio being required to pay tax on the portion of its EII that is allocated
to disqualified organizations, including certain cooperatives, agencies or
instrumentalities of a government or international organization, and tax-exempt
organizations that are not subject to tax on unrelated business taxable income
(UBTI). In addition, such amounts generally cannot be offset by net operating
losses, will be treated as UBTI to tax-exempt organizations that are not
disqualified organizations, and will be subject to a 30% withholding tax for
shareholders who are not US persons, notwithstanding any otherwise applicable
exemptions or rate reductions in any relevant tax treaties. 69 Special tax
consequences also apply where charitable remainder trusts invest in RICs that
invest directly or indirectly in residual interests in REMICs or in taxable
mortgage pools. Furthermore, any investment in residual interests of a REMIC
can create complex tax consequences to both a Portfolio and its shareholders,
especially if a Portfolio has state or local governments or other tax-exempt
organizations as shareholders. Investments in Pass-Through Entities Tax-Exempt Shareholders Under current
law, each Portfolio serves to block (that is, prevent the attribution to
shareholders of) UBTI from being realized by its tax-exempt shareholders
(including, among others, individual retirement accounts, 401(k) accounts,
Keogh plans, pension plans and certain charitable entities). Notwithstanding
the foregoing, a tax-exempt shareholder could realize UBTI by virtue of its
investment in a Portfolio if shares in the Portfolio constitute debt-financed
property in the hands of the tax-exempt shareholder within the meaning of
Section 514(b) of the Code. As noted above, a tax-exempt shareholder may also
recognize UBTI if a Portfolio recognizes EII derived from direct or indirect
investments in residual interests in REMICs or taxable mortgage pools. If a
charitable remainder annuity trust or a charitable remainder unitrust (each as
defined in Section 664 of the Code) has UBTI for a taxable year, a 100% excise
tax on the UBTI is imposed on the trust. Backup Withholding Backup
withholding is not an additional tax. Any amounts withheld may be credited
against the shareholders US federal income tax liability, provided the
appropriate information is furnished to the IRS. Foreign (Non-US) Shareholders US taxation of
a shareholder of a Portfolio who, as to the United States, is a nonresident
alien individual, a foreign trust or estate, or a foreign corporation, each as
defined in the Code (a foreign shareholder), depends on whether the income of
the Portfolio is effectively connected with a US trade or business carried on
by the shareholder. Income Not Effectively Connected. Subject to
the discussion below, if the income from a Portfolio is not effectively
connected with a US trade or business carried on by the foreign shareholder,
distributions of investment company taxable income will generally be subject to
US tax at the rate of 30% (or lower treaty rate, except in the case of any EII
allocated to the shareholders), which tax is generally withheld from such
distributions. Capital gain dividends and any amounts retained by a Portfolio
which are properly reported by the Portfolio as undistributed capital gains
will not be subject to US tax, except in limited circumstances. In the case of
a foreign shareholder, a Portfolio may be required to withhold US income tax on
distributions of net capital gain unless the 70 For taxable
years of a Portfolio beginning before January 1, 2014, properly-reported
dividends are generally exempt from US withholding tax where they (i) are paid
in respect of the Portfolios qualified net interest income (generally, the
Portfolios US source interest income, other than certain contingent interest
and interest from obligations of a corporation or partnership in which the
Portfolio is at least a 10% shareholder, reduced by expenses that are allocable
to such income) or (ii) are paid in respect of the Portfolios qualified
short-term capital gains (generally, the excess of the Portfolios net
short-term capital gain over the Portfolios long-term capital loss for such
taxable year). However, depending on its circumstances, the Portfolio may
report all, some or none of its potentially eligible dividends as such
qualified net interest income or as qualified short-term capital gains and/or
treat such dividends, in whole or in part, as ineligible for this exemption
from withholding. In order to qualify for this exemption from withholding, a
foreign shareholder will need to comply with applicable certification
requirements relating to its non-US status (including, in general, furnishing
an IRS Form W-8BEN or other applicable form). In the case of shares of a
Portfolio held through an intermediary, the intermediary may withhold even if
the Portfolio designates the payment as qualified net interest income or
qualified short-term capital gain. Foreign shareholders should contact their
intermediaries with respect to the application of these rules to their
accounts. If the
Portfolio is a US real property holding corporation, or would be but for the
operation of certain exclusions, distributions by the Portfolio that are
realized on account of certain capital gain dividends from REITs and, for
calendar years before 2014, gains from the sales or exchanges of United States
real property interests, will generally cause the foreign shareholder to be
treated as recognizing such gain as income effectively connected with a US trade
or business (subject to the rules described below for effectively connected
income). Generally, the Portfolio is required to withhold at a 35% rate on a
distribution to a foreign shareholder attributable to such gains, and such a
distribution may subject a foreign shareholder to a US tax filing obligation
and may create a branch profits tax liability for foreign corporate
shareholders. Under a de minimis exception to the rule described above, if a
foreign shareholder has not held more than 5% of the Portfolios shares at any
time during the one-year period ending on the date of the distribution, the
foreign shareholder is not treated as receiving a distribution attributable to
gains from US real property interests or capital gain dividends from REITs, but
is, instead, treated as receiving an ordinary distribution subject to US tax at
the rate of 30% (or lower treaty rate). Any gain that
a foreign shareholder realizes upon the sale or exchange of shares of a
Portfolio will ordinarily be exempt from US tax unless at any time during the
shorter of the period during which the foreign shareholder held such shares and
the five-year period ending on the date of the disposition of those shares, the
Portfolio was a US real property holding corporation and the foreign
shareholder actually or constructively held more than 5% of the Portfolios
shares. In the latter event the gain would be subject to withholding tax and
otherwise taxed in the same manner as for a US shareholder. A corporation is a
US real property holding corporation if the fair market value of its US real
property interests equals or exceeds 50% of the fair market value of such
interests plus its interests in real property located outside the United States
plus any other assets used or held for use in a business. Notwithstanding the
foregoing, gains recognized in calendar years before 2014 upon a disposition of
shares of a Portfolio will not be subject to US income or withholding taxes if
the Portfolio is domestically controlled (as such term is defined in the
Code). Foreign
shareholders that engage in certain wash sale and/or substitute dividend
payment transactions the effect of which is to avoid the receipt of
distributions from a Portfolio that would be treated as gain effectively
connected with a United States trade or business may be treated as having
received such distributions. Foreign shareholders of a Portfolio should consult
their tax advisors regarding the application of the foregoing rule. 71 The tax
consequences to a foreign shareholder entitled to claim the benefits of an
applicable tax treaty may differ from those described herein. Foreign
shareholders are advised to consult their own tax advisers with respect to the
particular tax consequences to them of an investment in a Portfolio. The Hiring Incentives to Restore Employment Act The HIRE Act
also imposes information reporting requirements on individuals (and, to the
extent provided in future regulations, certain domestic entities) that hold any
interest in a specified foreign financial asset if the aggregate value of all
such assets held by such individual exceeds $50,000. Significant penalties can
apply upon a failure to make the required disclosure and in respect of
understatements of tax attributable to undisclosed foreign financial assets.
The scope of this reporting requirement is not entirely clear and all
shareholders should consult their own tax advisors as to whether reporting may
be required in respect of their indirect interests in certain investments of a
Portfolio. Possible Legislative Changes 72 Other Tax Matters Special tax rules apply to investments
through defined contribution plans and other tax-qualified plans. Shareholders should consult their tax
advisors to determine the suitability of shares of a Portfolio as an investment
through such plans and the precise effect of such an investment in their
particular tax situation. Dividends, distributions and gains from the
sale of Portfolio shares may be subject to state, local and foreign
taxes. Shareholders are urged to
consult their tax advisors regarding specific questions as to federal, state,
local and, where applicable, non-US taxes. Shareholders should consult their own tax
advisors regarding the state, local and non-US tax consequences of an
investment in shares and the particular tax consequences to them of an
investment in a Portfolio. ADDITIONAL
INFORMATION ABOUT THE FUND AND PORTFOLIOS Name and Address Percentage of Total Equity Concentrated Portfolio Charles
Schwab & Co., Inc. FBO Its
Customers 211 Main
Street San
Francisco, CA 94105-1905 29% Equitable
Trust Company 4400 Harding
Road, Suite 310 Nashville,
TN 37205-2314 23% JP Morgan 14201 Dallas
Parkway, 13th Floor Dallas, TX
75254-2916 22% National
Financial Services Corp. FBO Its
Customers One World
Financial Center 200 Liberty
Street New York, NY
10281-1003 18% SEI Private
Trust Company One Freedom
Valley Drive Oaks, PA
19456-9989 6% Strategic Equity Portfolio Charles
Schwab & Co., Inc. FBO Its
Customers 211 Main
Street San
Francisco, CA 94105-1905 35% 73 Lazard
Capital Markets LLC Iron Workers
Local 40361 30
Rockefeller Plaza, 60th Floor New York, NY
10112 15% Lazard
Capital Markets LLC Lazard
Frères & Co. LLC 30
Rockefeller Plaza, 60th Floor New York, NY
10112 8% Mid Cap Portfolio State Street
Bank as Trustee for Olin Corporation Contribution 105 Rosemont
Avenue Westwood, MA
02090 33% JP Morgan
Chase as TTEE For Hayes
Lemmerz International Inc. Retirement Savings Plan 11500
Outlook Street Leawood, KS
66211-1804 17% Lazard
Capital Markets LLC Lazard
Frères & Co. LLC 30
Rockefeller Plaza, 60th Floor New York, NY
10112 14% Merrill
Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith Incorporated FBO Its
Customers 4800 Deer
Lake Drive East, 2nd Floor Jacksonville,
FL 32246-6484 10% Small-Mid Cap Portfolio Mac &
Co. P.O. Box
3198 525 William
Penn Place Pittsburgh,
PA 15230-3198 47% Alaska
Retirement Management Board State Street
Bank & Trust Co. 2 Avenue de
Lafayette Boston, MA
02111-1724 24% Lazard
Capital Markets LLC Gentleness
LLC Arthur R G
Solmssen Jr. 5% Global Listed Infrastructure Portfolio Genworth Financial Trust Company 3200 North Central Avenue, Floor 7 Phoenix, AZ 85012 45% 74 National
Financial Services Corp. FBO Its
Customers One World Financial Center 200 Liberty Street New York, NY 10281 18% Charles
Schwab & Co., Inc. FBO Its Customers 2ll Main Street San Francisco, CA 94105-1905 14% International Equity Portfolio Charles
Schwab & Co., Inc. FBO Its
Customers 2ll Main Street San Francisco, CA 94105-1905 28% Wells Fargo
Bank P.O. Box
1533 Minneapolis,
MN 55480-1533 9% Lazard
Capital Markets LLC Somerville
Retirement System 50 Evergreen
Avenue Somerville,
MA 02145 8% Morgan
Stanley Smith Barney Harborside
Financial Center Plaza 2,
Floor 3 Jersey City,
NJ 07311 8% Lazard
Capital Markets LLC The Baycrest
Centre Foundation 3600
Bathurst Street North York,
Ontario 7% Ellard &
Co. P.O. Box
3199 Church
Street Station New York, NY
10008-3199 6% Merrill
Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith Incorporated FBO Its
Customers 4800 Deer
Lake Drive East, 2nd Floor Jacksonville,
FL 32246-6484 5% International Equity Select Portfolio Morgan
Stanley Smith Barney Harborside
Financial Center Plaza 2,
Floor 3 Jersey City,
NJ 07311 69% 75 Merrill
Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith Incorporated FBO Its
Customers 4800 Deer
Lake Drive East, 2nd Floor Jacksonville,
FL 32246-6484 11% Charles
Schwab & Co., Inc. FBO Its
Customers 211 Main
Street San
Francisco, CA 94105-1905 6% International Strategic Portfolio National Financial Services Corp. FBO Its Customers One World Financial Center 200 Liberty Street New York, NY 10281 15% Charles
Schwab & Co., Inc. FBO Its
Customers 211 Main
Street San
Francisco, CA 94105-1905 11% Lazard Capital Markets LLC Market Street International 30 Rockefeller Plaza, 60th Floor New York, NY 10112 7% Southern Nevada Culinary & Bartenders Pension Trust 9121 West Russell Road, Suite 219 Las Vegas, NV 89148-1239 6% International Small Cap Portfolio Wells Fargo
Bank P.O. Box
1533 Minneapolis,
MN 55480 51% National Financial Services Corp. FBO Its Customers One World Financial Center 200 Liberty Street New York, NY 10281 23% Lazard Capital Markets LLC Pension Plan for the Employees of Marine Atlantic Inc. 10 Marine Drive Marine Atlantic Port Aux Basques NL AOM ICO 17% Emerging Markets Portfolio National
Financial Services Corp. FBO Its
Customers One World
Financial Center 200 Liberty
Street New York, NY
10281 19% 76 Charles
Schwab & Co., Inc. FBO Its
Customers 211 Main
Street San
Francisco, CA 94105-1905 11% Morgan Stanley Smith Barney Harborside Financial Center Plaza 2, Floor 3 Jersey City, NJ 07311 10% First Clearing, LLC FBO Its Customers 2801 Market Street St. Louis, MO 63103-2523 7% Merrill
Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith Incorporated FBO Its Customers 4800 Deer Lake Drive East Jacksonville, FL 32246-6484 7% Developing Markets Portfolio Morgan Stanley Smith Barney Harborside Financial Center Plaza 2, Floor 3 Jersey City, NJ 07311 24% Edward D
Jones & Co. 201 Progress Parkway Maryland Heights, MO 63043-3009 16% Merrill
Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith Incorporated FBO Its Customers 4800 Deer Lake Drive East Jacksonville, FL 32246-6484 10% National Financial Services, LLC FBO Its Customers One World Financial Center 200 Liberty Street, 5th Floor New York, NY 10281 9% Pershing LLC 1 Pershing Plaza Jersey City, NJ 07399-0002 8% LPL Financial 9785 Towne Centre Drive San Diego, CA 92121-1968 7% Mori & Co. 911 Main Street, Suite 201 Kansas City, MO 64105-5304 5% 77 Emerging Markets Blend Portfolio National Financial Services Corp. 200 Liberty Street One World Financial Center New York, NY 10281-1003 31% Charles Schwab & Co. FBO Its Customers 211 Main Street San Francisco, CA 94105-1905 25% First Clearing, LLC FBO Its Customers 2801 Market Street St. Louis, MO 63103-2523 8% Morgan Stanley Smith Barney Harborside Financial Center Plaza 2, Floor 3 Jersey City, NJ 07311 5% Sterne Agee & Leach Inc. 2 Perimeter Park South, Suite 100W Birmingham, AL 35243-3298 5% Wells Fargo Bank FBO University of Co. Hosp DB P.O. Box 1533 Minneapolis, MN 55480-1533 5% Emerging Markets Multi-Strategy Portfolio Mac & Co. P.O. Box 3198 525 William Penn Place Pittsburgh, PA 15230-3198 17% National Financial Services Corp. 200 Liberty Street One World Financial Center New York, NY 10281-1003 13% Charles Schwab & Co., Inc. FBO Its Customers 211 Main Street San Francisco, CA 94105-1905 12% Linercourse & Co. As Custodian for Hamilton Healthcare Systems Inc. 1200 Crown Colony Drive Quincy, MA 02169-0938 11% 78 Lazard Capital Markets LLC Gentleness LLC 30 Rockefeller Plaza, 60th Floor New York, NY 10112-0015 11% TD Ameritrade Trust Company P.O. Box 17748 Denver, CO 80217-0748 8% Morgan Stanley Smith Barney Harborside Financial Center Plaza 2, Floor 3 Jersey City, NJ 07311 6% Emerging Markets Debt Portfolio Wells Fargo Bank NA FBO P.O. Box 1533 Minneapolis, MN 55480-1533 38% Windstream Master Trust 4001 North Rodney Parham Road Little Rock, AZ 72212-2459 13% Wells Fargo Bank P.O. Box 1533 Minneapolis, MN 55480-1533 12% National Financial Services Corp. 200 Liberty Street One World Financial Center New York, NY 10281-1003 9% WI Cook Foundation Inc. 801 Seventh Avenue Fort Worth, TX 76104-2733 7% Realty Income Portfolio Charles Schwab & Co., Inc. FBO Its Customers 211 Main Street San Francisco, CA 94105-1905 19% Morgan Stanley Smith Barney Harborside Financial Center Plaza 2, Floor 3 Jersey City, NJ 07311 17% 79 National Financial Services Corp. 200 Liberty Street One World Financial Center New York, NY 10281-1003 14% Lazard Capital Markets LLC Lazard Asset Management LLC 30 Rockefeller Plaza, 60th Floor New York, NY 10112-0015 12% US Realty Portfolio Lazard Capital Markets LLC Lazard Asset Management LLC 30 Rockefeller Plaza, 60th Floor New York, NY 10112-0015 32% Raymond James & Assoc., Inc. FBO Ahmad H. Abdul-Baki & Katherine Abdul-Baki TTEE Abdul-Baki Family Revocable Trust McLean, VA 9% International Realty Portfolio Lazard Capital Markets LLC Lazard Asset Management LLC 30 Rockefeller Plaza, 60th Floor New York, NY 10112-0015 99% High Yield Portfolio National Financial Services Corp. 200 Liberty Street One World Financial Center New York, NY 10281-1003 14% Mac &
Co. Mutual Funds
Operations P.O. Box
3198 Pittsburgh,
PA 15230 13% Mac &
Co. Mutual Funds
Operations P.O. Box
3198 Pittsburgh,
PA 15230 10% Charles
Schwab & Co., Inc. FBO Its
Customers 211 Main
Street San
Francisco, CA 94105-1905 8% Municipal Portfolio Vallee & Co. 11270 West Park Place, Suite 400 Milwaukee, IL 53224-3638 23% 80 Lazard
Capital Markets LLC Lazard Group
LLC 30
Rockefeller Plaza, 60th Floor New York, NY
10112-0015 6% Lazard
Capital Markets LLC IJM Limited
Partnership 30
Rockefeller Plaza, 60th Floor New York, NY
10112-0015 5% Global Fixed Income Portfolio Lazard
Capital Markets LLC Estate
Albert J. Hettinger III 30
Rockefeller Plaza, 60th Floor New York, NY
10112-0015 17% Lazard
Capital Markets LLC Lazard Group
LLC 30 Rockefeller
Plaza, 60th Floor New York, NY
10112-0015 8% Capital Allocator Portfolio Charles
Schwab & Co., Inc. 13% Pershing LLC 6% Name and Address Percentage of Total Equity Concentrated Portfolio Counsel
Trust DBA MATC 37% Charles Schwab
& Co., Inc. 32% TD
Ameritrade Inc. 10% 81 Strategic Equity Portfolio Priac as
Trustee/Custodian 66% Merrill
Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith Incorporated 14% Lazard
Capital Markets LLC 6% Mid Cap Portfolio Charles
Schwab & Co., Inc. 31% ING Life
Insurance and Annuity Company 23% Reliance
Trust Company 12% Merrill
Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith Incorporated 5% Small-Mid Cap Portfolio Charles
Schwab & Co., Inc. 16% Nationwide
Life Insurance, NWVA 14% Prudential
Retirement Insurance & Annuity Co. 10% 82 Nationwide
Life Insurance, QVPA 8% Merrill
Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith Incorporated 5% Global Listed Infrastructure Portfolio Charles
Schwab & Co., Inc. 51% TD
Ameritrade Inc. 25% International Equity Portfolio Merrill
Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith Incorporated 25% Charles
Atwood Company 15% Prudential
Retirement Insurance & Annuity Co. 12% UBS WM USA 11% Charles
Schwab & Co., Inc. 8% International Equity Select Portfolio Charles
Schwab & Co., Inc. 29% 83 LAFOBA &
Co. 11% First Clearing, LLC 9% William
Blair & Co. LLC 9% William
Blair & Co. LLC 6% Lazard
Capital Markets LLC 6% Nationwide
Trust Co. 5% International Strategic Portfolio Charles
Schwab & Co., Inc. 33% Genworth
Financial Trust Co. 25% Pershing LLC 17% TD
Ameritrade Inc. 6% Merrill
Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith Incorporated 5% 84 International Small Cap Portfolio Charles
Schwab & Co., Inc. 65% Nationwide
Trust Co. 10% Emerging Markets Portfolio Charles
Schwab & Co., Inc. 30% Morgan
Stanley Smith Barney 9% Pershing LLC 6% Developing Markets Portfolio Charles Schwab
& Co., Inc. 45% UBS WM USA 14% Morgan
Stanley Smith Barney 13% Emerging Markets Blend Portfolio Charles
Schwab & Co., Inc. 34% 85 TD
Ameritrade Inc. 17% Mitra &
Co. 7% UBS WM USA 6% Emerging Markets Multi-Strategy Portfolio Charles
Schwab & Co., Inc. 25% UBS WM USA 23% NFS LLC 6% Emerging Markets Debt Portfolio UBS WM USA 39% Charles
Schwab & Co., Inc. 8% Realty Income Portfolio Charles
Schwab & Co., Inc. 47% LPL
Financial 9% US Realty Portfolio UBS WM USA 18% 86 Charles
Schwab & Co., Inc. 12% International Realty Portfolio Pershing LLC 28% NFS LLC 20% Charles
Schwab & Co., Inc. 16% UBS WM USA 6% High Yield Portfolio TD
Ameritrade Inc. 30% Merrill
Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith Incorporated 13% State Street
Bank & Trust Company 12% Lazard
Capital Markets LLC 8% Charles
Schwab & Co., Inc. 7% Thomas J.
Cogdill and Patricia W. Cogdill TTES 6% 87 Municipal Portfolio Lazard Capital Markets LLC 100% Global Fixed Income Portfolio Charles
Schwab & Co., Inc. 100% Capital Allocator Portfolio Charles
Schwab & Co., Inc. 18% Pershing LLC 14% National
Financial Services LLC 8% National
Financial Services LLC 7% Under the 1940
Act, a shareholder that beneficially owns, directly or indirectly, more than
25% of a Portfolios total outstanding shares may be deemed a control person
(as defined in the 1940 Act) of the Portfolio. Certain of the
shareholders are investment management clients of the Investment Manager that
have entered into agreements with the Investment Manager pursuant to which the
Investment Manager has investment discretion and voting power over any assets
held in the clients accounts, including shares of the Portfolios. For purposes of the list above, the Fund
considers the Investment Manager to be a beneficial owner of Portfolio shares
held in management accounts on behalf of its investment management clients. Generally, all
shares have equal voting rights and will be voted in the aggregate, and not by
class, except where voting by Class is required by law or where the matter
involved affects only one Class. As
used in this SAI, the vote of a majority of the outstanding voting securities
means, with respect to the Fund or a Portfolio, the vote of the lesser of
(i) 67% of the shares represented at a meeting if the holders of more than
50% of the outstanding shares of the Fund or Portfolio, as the case may be, are
present in person or by proxy, or (ii) more than 50% of the outstanding
shares of the Fund or Portfolio, as the case may be. Shareholders are entitled to one vote for each full share held,
and fractional votes for fractional shares held. 88 Shareholders
are not entitled to any preemptive, subscription or conversion rights and are
freely transferable. All shares, when
issued and paid for in accordance with the terms of the offering, will be fully
paid and non-assessable by the Fund.
Each share of the applicable Class of a Portfolio is entitled to such
dividends and distributions out of the income earned on the assets belonging to
that Portfolio as are declared in the discretion of the Funds Board. In the event of the liquidation of a
Portfolio, shares of each Class of the Portfolio are entitled to receive the
assets attributable to such Class of that Portfolio that are available for
distribution based on the relative net assets of the applicable Class. Unless
otherwise required by the 1940 Act, ordinarily it will not be necessary for the
Fund to hold annual meetings of shareholders.
As a result, shareholders may not consider each year the election of
Directors or the appointment of independent auditors. However, the holders of at least 10% of the shares outstanding
and entitled to vote may require the Fund to hold a special meeting of
shareholders for purposes of removing a Director from office. Shareholders may remove a Director by the
affirmative vote of a majority of the Funds outstanding voting shares. In addition, the Board will call a meeting
of shareholders for the purpose of electing Directors if, at any time, less
than a majority of the Directors then holding office have been elected by
shareholders. The Fund is a
series fund, which is a mutual fund divided into separate portfolios, each of
which is treated as a separate entity for certain matters under the 1940 Act
and for other purposes. A shareholder
of one portfolio is not deemed to be a shareholder of any other portfolio. For certain matters shareholders vote
together as a group; as to others they vote separately by portfolio. All
consideration received by the Fund for shares of one of the Portfolios, and all
assets in which such consideration is invested, will belong to that Portfolio
(subject only to the rights of creditors of the Fund) and will be subject to
the liabilities related thereto. The
income attributable to, and the expenses of, one Portfolio would be treated
separately from those of the other Portfolios.
The Fund has the ability to create, from time to time, new series
without shareholder approval. Rule 18f-2
under the 1940 Act provides that any matter required to be submitted under the
provisions of the 1940 Act or applicable state law or otherwise to the holders
of the outstanding voting securities of an investment company, such as the
Fund, will not be deemed to have been effectively acted upon unless approved by
the holders of a majority of the outstanding shares of each portfolio affected
by such matter. Rule 18f-2 further
provides that a portfolio shall be deemed to be affected by a matter unless it
is clear that the interests of each portfolio in the matter are identical or
that the matter does not affect any interest of such portfolio. The Rule exempts the selection of
independent auditors and the election of Directors from the separate voting
requirements of the rule. Each Portfolio
will send annual and semi-annual financial statements to its shareholders. The Funds
Registration Statement, including the Prospectus, the SAI and the exhibits
filed therewith, may be examined at the office of the SEC in Washington,
D.C. Statements contained in the
Prospectus or this SAI as to the content of any contract or other document
referred to herein or in the Prospectus are not necessarily complete, and, in
each instance, reference is made to the copy of such contract or other document
filed as an exhibit to the Registration Statement, each such statement being
qualified in all respects by such reference. A special
service is available to banks, brokers, investment advisers, trust companies
and others who have a number of accounts in the Fund. In addition to the regular Statement of Account furnished to the
registered holder after each transaction, a monthly summary of accounts can be
provided. The monthly summary will show
for each account the account number, the month-end share balance and the
dividends and distributions paid during the month. For information on the special monthly summary of accounts,
contact the Fund. 89 CME or their
respective affiliates and Dow Jones, CME and their respective affiliates make
no representation regarding the advisability of investing in such product(s). Wells Fargo
Hybrid and Preferred Securities and WHPS are service marks of Wells Fargo
& Company. Wells Fargo &
Company does not guarantee the accuracy or completeness of the Wells Fargo Hybrid
and Preferred Securities REIT Index (WHPS) and shall have no liability for
any errors, omissions or interruptions to publication. Wells Fargo & Company does not sponsor
or advise any product or service that references WHPS, nor does Wells Fargo
& Company represent that any use of WHPS by any person is appropriate,
suitable or fit for the uses to which it is put. BofA Merrill
Lynch is licensing the BofA Merrill Lynch indices as is, makes no warranties
regarding the same, does not guarantee the suitability, quality, accuracy,
timeliness, and/or completeness of BofA Merrill Lynch indices or any data
included in, related to, or derived therefrom, assumes no liability in
connection with their use, and does not sponsor, endorse, or recommend any company,
or any of its products or services. COUNSEL AND
INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM Legal matters
in connection with the issuance of the shares of the Fund offered hereby have
been passed upon by Stroock & Stroock & Lavan LLP, 180 Maiden Lane, New
York, New York 10038-4982. Anchin, Block
& Anchin LLP, 1375 Broadway, New York, New York 10018, is the independent
registered public accounting firm for the Fund. 90 The following
is a description of certain ratings assigned by S&P and Moodys. S&P An S&P
issue credit rating is a forward-looking opinion about the creditworthiness of
an obligor with respect to a specific financial obligation, a specific class of
financial obligations, or a specific financial program (including ratings on
medium-term note programs and commercial paper programs). It takes into
consideration the creditworthiness of guarantors, insurers or other forms of
credit enhancement on the obligation and takes into account the currency in
which the obligation is denominated. The opinion reflects S&Ps view of the
obligors capacity and willingness to meet its financial commitments as they
come due, and may assess terms, such as collateral security and subordination,
which could affect ultimate payment in the event of default. Long-Term Issue Credit Ratings. Issue credit
ratings are based, in varying degrees, on S&Ps analysis of the following
considerations: likelihood
of payment¾capacity and
willingness of the obligor to meet its financial commitment on an obligation
in accordance with the terms of the obligation; nature of
and provisions of the obligation; and protection
afforded by, and relative position of, the obligation in the event of
bankruptcy, reorganization or other arrangement under the laws of bankruptcy
and other laws affecting creditors rights. Issue ratings
are an assessment of default risk, but may incorporate an assessment of
relative seniority or ultimate recovery in the event of default. Junior
obligations are typically rated lower than senior obligations, to reflect the
lower priority in bankruptcy, as noted above. (Such differentiation may apply
when an entity has both senior and subordinated obligations, secured and
unsecured obligations, or operating company and holding company obligations.) An obligation
rated AAA
has the highest rating assigned by S&P. The obligors capacity to meet its
financial commitment on the obligation is extremely strong. An obligation
rated AA
differs from the highest-rated obligations only to a small degree. The
obligors capacity to meet its financial commitment on the obligation is very
strong. An obligation
rated A
is somewhat more susceptible to the adverse effects of changes in circumstances
and economic conditions than obligations in higher-rated categories. However,
the obligors capacity to meet its financial commitment on the obligation is
still strong. An obligation
rated BBB
exhibits adequate protection parameters. However, adverse economic conditions
or changing circumstances are more likely to lead to a weakened capacity of the
obligor to meet its financial commitment on the obligation. 91 Obligations
rated BB, B, CCC, CC, and C are regarded as having significant speculative
characteristics. BB indicates
the least degree of speculation and C
the highest. While such obligations will likely have some quality and
protective characteristics, these may be outweighed by large uncertainties or
major exposures to adverse conditions. An obligation
rated BB
is less vulnerable to nonpayment than other speculative issues. However, it
faces major ongoing uncertainties or exposure to adverse business, financial,
or economic conditions which could lead to the obligors inadequate capacity to
meet its financial commitment on the obligation. An obligation
rated B
is more vulnerable to nonpayment than obligations rated BB, but the obligor
currently has the capacity to meet its financial commitment on the obligation.
Adverse business, financial, or economic conditions will likely impair the
obligors capacity or willingness to meet its financial commitment on the
obligation. An obligation
rated CCC
is currently vulnerable to nonpayment, and is dependent upon favorable
business, financial and economic conditions for the obligor to meet its
financial commitment on the obligation. In the event of adverse business,
financial, or economic conditions, the obligor is not likely to have the
capacity to meet its financial commitment on the obligation. An obligation
rated CC
is currently highly vulnerable to nonpayment. A C
rating is assigned to obligations that are currently highly vulnerable to
nonpayment, obligations that have payment arrearages allowed by the terms of
the documents, or obligations of an issuer that is the subject of a bankruptcy
petition or similar action which have not experienced a payment default. Among
others, the C rating may be assigned to subordinated debt, preferred stock or
other obligations on which cash payments have been suspended in accordance with
the instruments terms or when preferred stock is the subject of a distressed
exchange offer, whereby some or all of the issue is either repurchased for an
amount of cash or replaced by other instruments having a total value that is
less than par. An obligation
rated D
is in payment default. The D rating category is used when payments on an
obligation, including a regulatory capital instrument, are not made on the date
due even if the applicable grace period has not expired, unless S&P
believes that such payments will be made during such grace period. The D rating
also will be used upon the filing of a bankruptcy petition or the taking of
similar action if payments on an obligation are jeopardized. An obligations
rating is lowered to D upon completion of a distressed exchange offer,
whereby some or all of the issue is either repurchased for an amount of cash or
replaced by other instruments having a total value that is less than par. Note: The
ratings from AA to CCC may be modified by the addition of a plus (+) or minus (-) sign to show relative
standing within the major rating categories. An NR
indicates that no rating has been requested, that there is insufficient
information on which to base a rating, or that S&P does not rate a
particular obligation as a matter of policy. Short-Term Issue Credit Ratings. A short-term obligation rated A-1
is rated in the highest category by S&P. The obligors capacity to meet its
financial commitment on the obligation is strong. Within this category, certain
obligations are designated with a plus sign (+). This indicates that the
obligors capacity to meet its financial commitment on these obligations is
extremely strong. A short-term
obligation rated A-2 is somewhat more susceptible to the
adverse effects of changes in circumstances and economic conditions than obligations
in higher rating categories. However, the obligors capacity to meet its
financial commitment on the obligation is satisfactory. A short-term
obligation rated A-3 exhibits adequate protection
parameters. However, adverse economic conditions or changing circumstances are
more likely to lead to a weakened capacity of the obligor to meet its financial
commitment on the obligation. 92 A short-term
obligation rated B is regarded as having significant
speculative characteristics. Ratings of B-1, B-2, and B-3 may be assigned
to indicate finer distinctions within the B category. The obligor currently
has the capacity to meet its financial commitment on the obligation; however,
it faces major ongoing uncertainties which could lead to the obligors
inadequate capacity to meet its financial commitment on the obligation. A short-term
obligation rated B-1 is regarded as having significant
speculative characteristics, but the obligor has a relatively stronger capacity
to meet its financial commitments over the short-term compared to other
speculative-grade obligors. A short-term
obligation rated B-2 is regarded as having significant
speculative characteristics, and the obligor has an average speculative-grade
capacity to meet its financial commitments over the short-term compared to
other speculative-grade obligors. A short-term
obligation rated B-3 is regarded as having significant
speculative characteristics, and the obligor has a relatively weaker capacity
to meet its financial commitments over the short-term compared to other
speculative-grade obligors. A short-term
obligation rated C is currently vulnerable to nonpayment
and is dependent upon favorable business, financial, and economic conditions
for the obligor to meet its financial commitment on the obligation. A short-term
obligation rated D is in payment default. The D rating
category is used when payments on an obligation, including a regulatory capital
instrument, are not made on the date due even if the applicable grace period has
not expired, unless S&P believes that such payments will be made during
such grace period. The D rating also will be used upon the filing of a
bankruptcy petition or the taking of a similar action if payments on an
obligation are jeopardized. amortization
schedule¾the larger the
final maturity relative to other maturities, the more likely it will be
treated as a note; and source of
payment¾the more
dependent the issue is on the market for its refinancing, the more likely it
will be treated as a note. Note rating
symbols are as follows: SP-1
Strong capacity to pay principal and interest. An
issue determined to possess a very strong capacity to pay debt service is given
a plus (+) designation. SP-2
Satisfactory capacity to pay principal and interest,
with some vulnerability to adverse financial and economic changes over the term
of the notes. SP-3
Speculative capacity to pay principal and interest. Moodys Long-Term Obligations Ratings and Definitions. Moodys long-term obligation
ratings are opinions of the relative credit risk of fixed-income obligations
with an original maturity of one year or more. They address the possibility
that a financial obligation will not be honored as promised. Such ratings
reflect both the likelihood of default and any financial loss suffered in the
event of default. Obligations
rated Aaa
are judged to be of the highest quality, with minimal credit risk. 93 Obligations
rated Aa
are judged to be of high quality and are subject to very low credit risk. Obligations
rated A
are considered upper-medium grade and are subject to low credit risk. Obligations
rated Baa
are subject to moderate credit risk. They are considered medium-grade and as
such may possess certain speculative characteristics. Obligations
rated Ba
are judged to have speculative elements and are subject to substantial credit
risk. Obligations
rated B
are considered speculative and are subject to high credit risk. Obligations
rated Caa
are judged to be of poor standing and are subject to very high credit risk. Obligations
rated Ca
are highly speculative and are likely in, or very near, default, with some
prospect of recovery of principal and interest. Obligations
rated C
are the lowest rated class of bonds and are typically in default, with little
prospect for recovery of principal or interest. Note: Moodys
appends numerical modifiers 1, 2, and 3 to each generic rating classification
from Aa through Caa. The modifier 1 indicates that the obligation ranks in the
higher end of its generic rating category; the modifier 2 indicates a mid-range
ranking; and the modifier 3 indicates a ranking in the lower end of that
generic rating category. Short-Term Ratings. Moodys short-term ratings are
opinions of the ability of issuers to honor short-term financial obligations.
Ratings may be assigned to issuers, short-term programs or to individual
short-term debt instruments. Such obligations generally have an original
maturity not exceeding thirteen months, unless explicitly noted. Moodys
employs the following designations to indicate the relative repayment ability
of rated issuers: P-1 Issuers (or supporting institutions)
rated Prime-1 have a superior ability to repay short-term debt obligations. P-2 Issuers (or supporting institutions)
rated Prime-2 have a strong ability to repay short-term debt obligations. P-3 Issuers (or supporting institutions)
rated Prime-3 have an acceptable ability to repay short-term obligations. NP Issuers (or supporting institutions)
rated Not Prime do not fall within any of the Prime rating categories. Short-Term Obligation Ratings. There
are three rating categories for short-term municipal obligations that are
considered investment grade. These ratings are designated as Municipal
Investment Grade (MIG) and are divided into three levelsMIG 1 through MIG 3.
In addition, those short-term obligations that are of speculative quality are
designated SG, or speculative grade. MIG ratings expire at the maturity of the
obligation. MIG 1 This
designation denotes superior credit quality. Excellent protection is afforded
by established cash flows, highly reliable liquidity support, or demonstrated
broad-based access to the market for refinancing. MIG 2 This
designation denotes strong credit quality. Margins of protection are ample,
although not as large as in the preceding group. MIG 3 This
designation denotes acceptable credit quality. Liquidity and cash flow
protection may be narrow, and market access for refinancing is likely to be
less well-established. 94 SG This
designation denotes speculative-grade credit quality. Debt instruments in
this category may lack sufficient margins of protection. Demand Obligation Ratings.
In the case of variable rate demand obligations (VRDOs), a two-component
rating is assigned; a long- or short-term debt rating and a demand obligation
rating. The first element represents Moodys evaluation of the degree of risk
associated with scheduled principal and interest payments. The second element
represents Moodys evaluation of the degree of risk associated with the ability
to receive purchase price upon demand (demand feature), using a variation of
the MIG rating scale, the Variable Municipal Investment Grade or VMIG rating. When either
the long- or short-term aspect of a VRDO is not rated, that piece is designated
NR, e.g.,
Aaa/NR or NR/VMIG 1. VMIG rating
expirations are a function of each issues specific structural or credit
features. VMIG 1 This
designation denotes superior credit quality. Excellent protection is afforded
by the superior short-term credit strength of the liquidity provider and
structural and legal protections that ensure the timely payment of purchase
price upon demand. VMIG 2 This
designation denotes strong credit quality. Good protection is afforded by the
strong short-term credit strength of the liquidity provider and structural
and legal protections that ensure the timely payment of purchase price upon
demand. VMIG 3 This
designation denotes acceptable credit quality. Adequate protection is
afforded by the satisfactory short-term credit strength of the liquidity
provider and structural and legal protections that ensure the timely payment
of purchase price upon demand. SG This
designation denotes speculative-grade credit quality. Demand features rated
in this category may be supported by a liquidity provider that does not have
an investment grade short-term rating or may lack the structural and/or legal
protections necessary to ensure the timely payment of purchase price upon
demand. 95 96 97 THE LAZARD FUNDS, INC. ITEM 28. EXHIBITS. (a) Articles of
Incorporation, Articles of Amendment and Articles Supplementary(1), (2), (3),
(6), (7), (8), (9), (10), (11), (12), (13), (14), (15), (16), (17), (18) (b) By-Laws(8) (d)(1) Investment
Management Agreement, as revised(18) (d)(2) Expense
Limitation Agreement, as revised* (e) Distribution
Agreement, as revised(7) (g) Amended and
Restated Custodian Contract(1) (h)(1) Revised
Transfer Agency and Service Agreement(1) (h)(2) Amendment to
Revised Transfer Agency and Service Agreement(1) (h)(3) Administration
Agreement(4) (i) Opinion and
Consent of Counsel(5) (j) Consent of
Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm* (m)(1) Distribution
and Servicing Plan, as revised(18) (m)(2) Form of
Financial Intermediary Agreement(18) (n) 18f-3 Plan,
as revised(18) (p) Code of
Ethics(16) Other
Exhibits: (s) Powers of
Attorney of Board Members(9) * Filed
herewith. 1. Incorporated
by reference from Registrants Post-Effective Amendment No. 28 filed with the
Securities and Exchange Commission (the SEC) on April 29, 2003. 2. Incorporated
by reference from Registrants Post-Effective Amendment No. 22 filed with the
SEC on December 29, 2000. 3. Incorporated
by reference from Registrants Post-Effective Amendment No. 25 filed with the
SEC on April 30, 2001. 4. Incorporated
by reference from Registrants Post-Effective Amendment No. 8 filed with the
SEC on October 13, 1995. 5. Incorporated
by reference from Registrants Post-Effective Amendment No. 9 filed with the
SEC on December 27, 1995. 6. Incorporated
by reference from Registrants Post-Effective Amendment No. 31 filed with the
SEC on December 3, 2004. 7. Incorporated
by reference from Registrants Post-Effective Amendment No. 34 filed with the
SEC on July 20, 2005. 8. Incorporated
by reference from Registrants Post-Effective Amendment No. 38 filed with the
SEC on February 27, 2006. 9. Incorporated
by reference from Registrants Post-Effective Amendment No. 42 filed with the
SEC on February 13,
2008. 10. Incorporated
by reference from Registrants Post-Effective Amendment No. 44 filed with the
SEC on April 29, 2008. 11. Incorporated
by reference from Registrants Post-Effective Amendment No. 48 filed with the
SEC on September 24, 2008. 12. Incorporated
by reference from Registrants Post-Effective Amendment No. 51 filed with the
SEC on December 22, 2009. 13. Incorporated
by reference from Registrants Post-Effective Amendment No. 53 filed with the
SEC on April 9, 2010. 14. Incorporated
by reference from Registrants Post-Effective Amendment No. 58 filed with the
SEC on March 25, 2011. 15. Incorporated
by reference from Registrants Post-Effective Amendment No. 62 filed with the
SEC on August 12, 2011. 16. Incorporated
by reference from Registrants Post-Effective Amendment No. 65 filed with the
SEC on November 17, 2011. 17. Incorporated
by reference from Registrants Post-Effective Amendment No. 67 filed with the
SEC on April 27, 2012. 18. Incorporated
by reference from Registrants Post-Effective Amendment No. 69 filed with the
SEC on May 23, 2012. ITEM 29. PERSONS
CONTROLLED BY OR UNDER COMMON CONTROL WITH REGISTRANT. None. ITEM 30. INDEMNIFICATION. Reference is
made to Article EIGHTH of Registrants Articles of Incorporation filed as
Exhibit (a) and to Section 2-418 of the Maryland General Corporation Law. The
application of these provisions is limited by Article VI of Registrants
By-Laws filed as Exhibit (b) and by the following undertaking set forth in the
rules promulgated by the SEC: Insofar as
indemnification for liabilities arising under the Securities Act of 1933, as
amended, may be permitted to directors, officers and controlling persons of
Registrant pursuant to the foregoing provisions, or otherwise, Registrant has
been advised that in the opinion of the SEC such indemnification is against
public policy as expressed in such Act and is, therefore, unenforceable. In
the event that a claim for indemnification against such liabilities (other
than the payment by Registrant of expenses incurred or paid by a director,
officer or controlling person of Registrant in the successful defense of any
action, suit or proceeding) is asserted by such director, officer or
controlling person in connection with the securities being registered,
Registrant will unless in the opinion of its counsel the matter has been
settled by controlling precedent, submit to a court of appropriate
jurisdiction the question whether such indemnification by it is against
public policy as expressed in such Act and will be governed by the final
adjudication of such issue. Reference also
is made to the Investment Management Agreement and the Distribution Agreement
filed as Exhibits (d) and (e), respectively. ITEM 31. BUSINESS AND
OTHER CONNECTIONS OF INVESTMENT ADVISER. The descriptions of personnel
of Lazard Asset Management LLC (LAM) under the Captions Fund Management in
the Prospectus and Management in the Statement of Additional Information
constituting Parts A and B, respectively, of this Registration Statement are
incorporated by reference herein. The following is a list of the directors and
senior officers of the Investment Manager. None of the persons listed below has
had other business connections of a substantial nature during the past two
fiscal years. Title / Name Directors Kenneth M. Jacobs Alexander F. Stern Chief Executive Officer and Director Ashish Bhutani Deputy Chairmen Charles Carroll Andrew Lacey John Reinsberg Chairman USA Robert P. DeConcini Senior Managing Directors Andreas Hubner Robert Prugue Bill Smith Managing Directors Jennifer Abate Aaron Barnfather Ardra Belitz Michael Bennett Christopher Blake Nicholas Bratt Charles Burgdorf Irene Cheng Henry Choon Rohit Chopra David Cleary Kenneth Colton Robert Connin Alan Custis Kun Deng James Donald Anthony Dote, Jr. Yury Dubrovsky Christian Eckert Robert Failla Michael Fry Jeffrey Gould Timothy Griffen William Holzer Peter Hunsberger Jai Jacob Arif Joshi Yvette Klevan Werner Krämer Matthias Kruse Jay Leupp Mark Little Carmine Lizza Gerald B. Mazzari Thomas McManus Keiichi Miki Jonathan Morris Andrew Norris Kevin OHare Nathan A. Paul David Pizzimenti Michael Powers Ganesh Ramachandran Eulogio (Joe) Ramos Shaka Rasheed Sean Reynolds Susan Roberts Patrick Ryan James Schachtel Ulrich Schweiger Brian Simon Denise Simon Manish Singhai Darrin Sokol Craig Straub Jeremy Taylor Ronald Temple Richard Tutino George Varino Louisa Vincent Kelly Ward Merida Welles Christopher Whitney David Willis ITEM 32. PRINCIPAL UNDERWRITERS. (a) Lazard Asset Management
Securities LLC, a Delaware limited liability company, is the principal
underwriter of the Registrant and also serves as the principal underwriter of
Lazard Retirement Series, Inc. (b) The following information
is given regarding directors and officers of Lazard Asset Management
Securities LLC, whose principal business address is 30 Rockefeller Plaza, New
York, New York 10112. Name Position
and Offices with Position
and Offices with Charles L. Carroll Chief Executive Officer President and Director Brian D. Simon Chief Compliance Officer Chief Compliance Officer
and Assistant Secretary Gerald B. Mazzari Chief Financial Officer
and Chief Operating Officer None Nathan A. Paul Chief Legal Officer Secretary (c) Not applicable. ITEM 33. LOCATION OF ACCOUNTS AND
RECORDS. The majority of the
accounts, books and other documents required to be maintained by Section 31(a)
of the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended, and the rules thereunder are
maintained as follows: journals, ledgers, securities records and other original
records are maintained primarily at the offices of Registrants custodian,
State Street Bank and Trust Company. All other records so required to be
maintained are maintained at the offices of LAM, 30 Rockefeller Plaza, New
York, New York 10112. ITEM 34. MANAGEMENT SERVICES. Not applicable. ITEM 35. UNDERTAKINGS. None. SIGNATURES Pursuant to the requirements
of the Securities Act of 1933 and the Investment Company Act of 1940, the
Registrant certifies that it meets all the requirements for
effectiveness of the Registration Statement under Rule 485(b) of the Securities
Act of 1933 and has duly caused
this Amendment to the Registration Statement to be signed on its behalf by the
undersigned, thereunto duly authorized, in the City of New York, and State of
New York, on the 26th day of April, 2013. THE LAZARD FUNDS, INC. By: /s/ Charles L. Carroll Charles L. Carroll, Chief
Executive Officer Pursuant to the requirements
of the Securities Act of 1933, this Amendment to Registration Statement has
been signed below by the following persons in the capacities and on the dates
indicated. /s/ Charles L. Carroll President and Director April
26, 2013 Charles L. Carroll /s/ Stephen St. Clair Treasurer and Chief
Financial Officer April
26, 2013 Stephen St. Clair /s/ Ashish Bhutani Director April
26, 2013 Ashish Bhutani /s/ Kenneth S. Davidson* Director April
26, 2013 Kenneth S. Davidson /s/ Nancy A. Eckl* Director April
26, 2013 Nancy A. Eckl /s/ Lester Z. Lieberman* Director April
26, 2013 Lester Z. Lieberman /s/ Leon M. Pollack* Director April
26, 2013 Leon M. Pollack /s/ Richard Reiss, Jr.* Director April
26, 2013 Richard Reiss, Jr. /s/ Robert M. Solmson* Director April
26, 2013 Robert M. Solmson *By: /s/ Nathan A. Paul Attorney-in-fact, Nathan
A. Paul EXHIBIT INDEX (d)(2) Expense
Limitation Agreement, as revised (j) Consent of
Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm
for the Year Ended December 31,
(for the periods ended December 31, 2012)
Inception
the SAI and other
information and discuss your
questions about the Portfolio, by contacting the Fund at:
30 Rockefeller Plaza
New York, New York 10112-6300
Telephone: (800) 823-6300
http://www.LazardNet.com
Lazard Asset Management LLC
30 Rockefeller Plaza
New York, New York 10112-6300
Telephone: (800) 823-6300
Lazard Asset Management Securities LLC
30 Rockefeller Plaza
New York, New York 10112-6300
State Street Bank and Trust Company
One Lincoln Street
Boston, Massachusetts 02111
Boston Financial Data Services, Inc.
P.O. Box 8514
Boston, Massachusetts 02266-8514
Telephone: (800) 986-3455
Anchin, Block & Anchin LLP
1375 Broadway
New York, NY 10018
http://www.anchin.com
Stroock & Stroock & Lavan LLP
180 Maiden Lane
New York, New York 10038-4982
http://www.stroock.com
representations not contained herein must not be relied upon as having been authorized
by the Fund or the Distributor. This Prospectus does not constitute
an offer of any security other than the registered securities to which
it relates or an offer to any person in any jurisdiction where such offer would be unlawful.
30 Rockefeller Plaza
New York, New York 10112-6300
(800) 823-6300
STATEMENT OF ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
Each Portfolio
other than Small-Mid Cap and International Equity Portfolios may purchase
cash-settled options on interest rate swaps, interest rate swaps denominated in
foreign currency and equity index swaps in pursuit of its investment objective.
Interest rate swaps involve the exchange by a Portfolio with another party of
their respective commitments to pay or receive interest (for example, an
exchange of floating-rate payments for fixed-rate payments) denominated in US
dollars or foreign currency. Equity index swaps involve the exchange by the
Portfolio with another party of cash flows based upon the performance of an
index or a portion of an index of securities which usually includes dividends.
A cash-settled option on a swap gives the purchaser the right, but not the
obligation, in return for the premium paid, to receive an amount of cash equal
to the value of the underlying swap as of the exercise date. These options
typically are purchased in privately negotiated transactions from financial
institutions,
Address(1)
(Since) and Term(2)
Company Directorships Held During the Past
Five Years(2)
(August 1995)
(April 2007)
(October 1991)
(August 2006)
(May 1991)
(September 2004)
Address(1)
(Since) and Term(2)
Company Directorships Held During the Past
Five Years(2)
(June 2004)
(July 2005)
Address(1)
(Since) and Term(2)
Five Years
(April 2002)
(May 2003)
(January 2009) and
Assistant Secretary
(November 2002)
(February 2009)
(December 2004)
Bhutani
Carroll
Davidson
Eckl
Lieberman
Pollack
Reiss, Jr.
Solmson
$10,000
$10,000
$10,000
$10,000
Bhutani
Carroll
Davidson
Eckl
Lieberman
Pollack
Reiss, Jr.
Solmson
the Fund
the Lazard Fund Complex
Companies ($*)
Vehicles ($*)
($*)##
The Fund, the
Investment Manager and the Distributor each have adopted a Code of Ethics
pursuant to Rule 17j-1 under the 1940 Act that permits its personnel, subject
to such Code of Ethics, to invest in securities, including securities that may
be purchased or held by a Portfolio. The Codes of Ethics restrict the personal
securities transactions of employees and require portfolio managers and other
investment personnel to comply with the preclearance and disclosure procedures.
The primary purpose of the Codes of Ethics is to ensure that personal trading
by employees does not disadvantage any Portfolio.
Through April
30, 2014 (except as otherwise noted), the Investment Manager has agreed to
waive its management fees and, if necessary, reimburse the Portfolio, to the
extent Total Annual Portfolio Operating Expenses exceed the percentage of the
value of the Portfolios average daily net assets set forth opposite the
Portfolios name, exclusive of taxes, brokerage, interest on borrowings, fees
and expenses of Acquired Funds (investments in other investment companies)
and extraordinary expenses, and excluding shareholder redemption fees or other
transaction fees:
Year Ended
December 31, 2010
Year Ended
December 31, 2011
Year Ended
December 31, 2012
Fee For Fiscal
Year Ended
December 31, 2010
Fee For Fiscal
Year Ended
December 31, 2011
Fee For Fiscal
Year Ended
December 31, 2012
Fee For Fiscal
Year Ended
December 31, 2010
Fee For Fiscal
Year Ended
December 31, 2011
Fee For Fiscal
Year Ended
December 31, 2012
Fiscal Year Ended
December 31, 2010
Fiscal Year Ended
December 31, 2011
Fiscal Year Ended
December 31, 2012
The Fund has
delegated voting of proxies in respect of portfolio holdings to the Investment
Manager, to vote the Funds proxies in accordance with the Investment Managers
proxy voting policy, which is attached as Appendix B (the Proxy Voting
Policy).
The Fund has
entered into an administration agreement with State Street Bank and Trust
Company (State Street), One Lincoln Street, Boston, Massachusetts 02111, to
provide certain administrative services to the Portfolios. Each Portfolio bears
the cost of such services at a fixed annual rate of $42,500, plus $7,500 per
additional class, and 0.02% of average daily net assets up to $1 billion and
0.01% of average daily net assets over $1 billion. State Street has agreed to
waive $18,750 of the $42,500 annual fee for the International Realty,
Municipal, Global Fixed Income and Targeted Volatility Portfolios until each
Portfolios net assets reach $25 million.
Market values
for securities listed on the NYSE, NASDAQ national market or other US or
foreign exchanges or markets are generally based on the last reported sales
price on the exchange or market on which the security is principally traded,
generally as of the close of regular trading on the NYSE (normally 4:00 p.m.
Eastern time) on each valuation date; securities not traded on the valuation
date are valued at the most recent quoted bid price. The Fund values
NASDAQ-traded securities at the NASDAQ Official Closing Price, which may not be
the last reported sales price in certain instances. Exchange-traded options and
futures contracts are valued at the last sales price at the close of business
on the exchanges on which they trade (which is normally 4:10 p.m. Eastern
time). Swap agreements, such as credit default and interest rate swap
agreements and swap agreements with respect to equity securities, are valued by
an independent pricing service. Forward currency contracts are valued using
quotations from an independent pricing service. Investments in money market
funds are valued at the funds net asset value. Repurchase agreements are
valued at the principal amounts plus accrued interest.
The Valuation
Committee of the Investment Manager, which meets periodically under the
direction of the Board, may evaluate a variety of factors to determine the fair
value of securities for which market quotations are determined not to be
readily available or reliable. These factors include, but are not limited to,
the type of security, the value of comparable securities, observations from
financial institutions and relevant news events. Input from the Investment
Managers analysts also will be considered.
If a
significant event materially affecting the value of securities occurs between
the close of the exchange or market on which the security is principally traded
and the time when a Portfolios net asset value is calculated, or when current
market quotations otherwise are determined not to be readily available or
reliable (including restricted or other illiquid securities such as certain
derivative instruments), such securities will be valued at their fair value as
determined by, or in accordance with procedures approved by, the Board. The
fair value of foreign securities may be determined with the assistance of an
independent pricing service using correlations between the movement of prices
of such securities and indices of domestic securities and other appropriate
indicators, such as closing market prices of relevant ADRs or futures
contracts. Foreign securities may trade on days when a Portfolio is not open
for business, thus affecting the value of the Portfolios assets on days when
Portfolio shareholders may not be able to buy or sell Portfolio shares.
The portfolio
turnover in the Equity Concentrated Portfolio was elevated in 2012 as a result
of implementation of the strategy change effective May 30, 2013. The portfolio
turnover in the Global Listed Infrastructure Portfolio was
elevated in
2012 due to a significant decrease in cash flows. The portfolio turnover in the
Emerging Markets Multi-Strategy Portfolio was elevated in 2012 due to an
allocation to a new investment strategy and significant cash flows. The
portfolio turnover in the Emerging Markets Debt Portfolio was elevated in 2012
due to an increase in Portfolio share purchases and related portfolio trading
activity. The portfolio turnover in the Realty Income Portfolio was lower in
2012 than in 2011 due to reduced market volatility, which allowed for longer
average holding time for Portfolio positions.
(in $000s)
(in $000s)
In connection with
its portfolio securities transactions for the fiscal years ended December 31,
2010, 2011 and 2012, each Portfolio indicated below paid brokerage commissions
as follows:
Commissions
Paid
Brokerage
Commissions
Paid to Lazard
Total Brokerage
Commissions Paid
to Lazard
Brokerage
Transactions
Effected Through
Lazard
Paid
Commissions
Paid
Brokerage
Commissions
Paid to Lazard
Total Brokerage
Commissions Paid
to Lazard
Brokerage
Transactions
Effected Through
Lazard
Commissions
Paid
Commissions
Paid
For the fiscal
year ended December 31, 2012, the Portfolios paid the Distributor the amounts
set forth below with respect to their Open Shares under the Distribution and
Servicing Plan:
Plan For Fiscal Year
Ended December 31, 2012
The following
is only a general summary of some of the important federal income tax
considerations generally affecting each Portfolio and its shareholders. No
attempt is made to present a complete explanation of the federal tax treatment
of each Portfolios activities or, except to the extent specifically addressed
herein, to discuss state and local tax matters affecting a Portfolio or its
shareholders. Shareholders are urged to consult their own tax advisors for more
detailed information concerning the tax implications of investing in a
particular Portfolio.
Code. To
qualify as a RIC, a Portfolio must, among other things: (a) derive in each
taxable year (the gross income test) at least 90% of its gross income from (i)
dividends, interest, payments with respect to securities loans and gains from
the sale or other disposition of stocks, securities or foreign currencies or
other income (including but not limited to gains from options, futures or
forward contracts) derived with respect to its business of investing in such
stocks, securities or currencies, and (ii) net income from interests in
qualified publicly traded partnerships (QPTPs, as defined below); (b)
diversify its holdings (the asset diversification test) so that, at the end
of each quarter of the taxable year, (i) at least 50% of the market value of
the Portfolios assets is represented by cash and cash items (including
receivables), US Government securities, the securities of other RICs and other
securities, with such other securities of any one issuer limited for the
purposes of this calculation to an amount not greater than 5% of the value of
the Portfolios total assets and not greater than 10% of the outstanding voting
securities of such issuer, and (ii) not more than 25% of the value of the
Portfolios total assets is invested in the securities (other than US
Government securities or the securities of other RICs) of a single issuer, two
or more issuers that the Portfolio controls and that are engaged in the same,
similar or related trades or businesses or one or more QPTPs; and (c)
distribute with respect to each taxable year at least 90% of the sum of the
Portfolios investment company taxable income (determined without regard to the
dividends paid deduction) and net tax-exempt interest income, if any, for such
year.
In the case of
a failure to satisfy the asset diversification test at the end of a quarter
under circumstances that do not constitute a de minimis failure, a RIC
shall nevertheless be considered to have satisfied the asset diversification
test as of the end of such quarter if (i) the RIC satisfies certain procedural
requirements; (ii) the RICs failure to satisfy the asset diversification test
is due to reasonable cause and not due to willful neglect; and (iii) within six
months of the last day of the quarter in which the RIC identifies that it
failed the asset diversification test (or such other prescribed time period),
the RIC either disposes of the assets that caused the asset diversification
failure, or otherwise satisfies the asset diversification test. However, in
such case, a tax is imposed on the RIC, at the highest prescribed corporate
income tax rate, on the net income generated by the assets that caused the RIC
to fail the asset diversification test during the period for which the asset
diversification test was not met. In all events, however, such tax will not be
less than $50,000.
Each Portfolio
may in certain years use equalization accounting in determining the portion
of its net investment income and net realized capital gains that has been
distributed. A Portfolio that elects to use equalization accounting in a year
will allocate a portion of its investment income and capital gain to
redemptions of Portfolio shares and will reduce the amount of such income
and/or gain that it distributes in cash. The Internal Revenue Service (the
IRS) has not published any guidance concerning the methods to be used in
allocating investment income and capital gain to redemptions of shares. In the
event that the IRS determines that a Portfolio is using an improper method of
allocation and has underdistributed its net investment income or net realized capital
gains for any taxable year, such Portfolio may be liable for additional federal
income or excise tax or may jeopardize its treatment as a RIC.
Taxation of Portfolio Distributions (Portfolios other than the
Municipal Portfolio)
determination
of whether a distribution is from capital gains is generally made taking into
account available net capital loss carryforwards, if any. If a RIC has a net
capital loss (that is, capital losses in excess of capital gains) for a
taxable year, that portion of the RICs net capital loss consisting of the
excess (if any) of the RICs net short-term capital losses over its net
long-term capital gains is treated as a short-term capital loss arising on the
first day of the RICs next taxable year, and that portion of the RICs net
capital loss consisting of the excess (if any) of the RICs net long-term
capital losses over its net short-term capital gains is treated as a long-term
capital loss arising on the first day of the RICs next taxable year. Any such
capital losses of a RIC may be carried forward to succeeding taxable years of
the RIC without limitation. Net capital loss carryforwards of a RIC arising in
taxable years of the RIC beginning on or before December 22, 2010 (the date of
enactment of the Regulated Investment Company Modernization Act of 2010) may be
applied against any net realized capital gains of the RIC in each succeeding
year, or until their respective expiration dates, whichever is first.
In certain
cases, a Portfolio may elect to retain its net capital gain or a portion
thereof for investment and be taxed at corporate rates on the amount retained.
In such case, the Portfolio may designate its retained amount as undistributed
capital gains in a notice to its shareholders who will be treated as if each
received a distribution of his or her pro rata share of such gain, with the
result that each shareholder in the Portfolio will (i) be required to report
his or her pro rata share of such gain on his or her tax return as long-term
capital gain, (ii) receive a refundable tax credit for his or her pro rata
share of the tax paid by the Portfolio on the gain and (iii) increase the tax
basis for his or her shares in the Portfolio by an amount equal to the deemed
distribution less the tax credit.
An additional 3.8% Medicare tax will be imposed on certain net
investment income (including ordinary dividends and capital gain distributions
received from a RIC and net gains from redemptions or other taxable
dispositions of RIC shares) of US individuals, estates and trusts. The tax
applies to the lesser of (i) such net investment income (or, in the case of an
estate or trust, its undistributed net investment income), and (ii) the excess,
if any, of such persons modified adjusted gross income (or, in the case of
an estate or trust, its adjusted gross income) over a threshold amount.
A sale,
exchange or redemption of shares in a Portfolio will give rise to a gain or
loss. Any gain or loss realized upon a taxable disposition of shares will be
treated as long-term capital gain or loss if the shares have been held for more
than 12 months. Otherwise, the gain or loss on the taxable disposition of
shares of a Portfolio will be treated as short-term capital gain or loss.
As discussed below under Investing in
Municipal Securities, any loss realized upon a taxable disposition of shares
in the Municipal Portfolio that have been held for six months or less will be
disallowed to the extent of any exempt-interest dividends received (or deemed
received) by the shareholder with respect to the shares. This loss disallowance
rule, however, does not apply with respect to a regular dividend paid by a RIC
which declares exempt-interest dividends on a daily basis in an amount equal to
at least 90% of its net tax-exempt interest and distributes such dividends on a
monthly or more frequent basis.
Certain
Portfolios that invest in foreign securities may own shares in certain foreign
entities that are treated as PFICs for US federal income tax purposes. A
Portfolio that owns shares of a PFIC may be subject to US federal income tax
(including interest charges) on distributions received from the PFIC or gains
from a disposition of shares in the PFIC. To avoid this treatment, a Portfolio
owning PFIC shares may make an election to mark the gains (and to a limited
extent losses) in a PFIC to market as though it had sold and repurchased its
holdings in the PFIC on the last day of the Portfolios taxable year. Such
gains and losses are treated as ordinary income and loss. Alternatively, a
Portfolio may in certain cases elect to treat a PFIC as a qualified electing
fund (a QEF), in which case the Portfolio will be required to include in its
income annually its share of the QEFs income and net capital gains, regardless
of whether the Portfolio receives any distribution from the QEF. If the QEF
incurs a loss for a taxable year, the loss will not pass through to the
Portfolio and, accordingly, cannot offset other income and/or gains of the
Portfolio. A Portfolio may not be able to make the QEF election with respect to
many PFICs because of certain requirements that the PFICs would have to
satisfy.
Non-US Taxes
If more than
50% of the value of a Portfolios total assets at the close of its taxable year
consists of stock or securities of foreign corporations, or if at least 50% of
the value of a Portfolios total assets at the close of each quarter of its
taxable year is represented by interests in other RICs, that Portfolio may
elect to pass through to its shareholders the amount of foreign taxes paid or
deemed paid by that Portfolio. If that Portfolio so elects, each of its
shareholders would be required to include in gross income, even though not
actually received, his or her pro rata share of the foreign taxes paid or
deemed paid by that Portfolio, but would be treated as having paid his or her
pro rata share of such foreign taxes and would therefore be allowed to either
deduct such amount in computing taxable income or use such amount (subject to
various Code limitations) as a foreign tax credit against federal income tax
(but not both). For purposes of the foreign tax credit limitation rules of the
Code, each shareholder would treat as foreign source income his or her pro rata
share of such foreign taxes plus the portion of dividends received from the
Portfolio representing income derived from foreign sources. No deduction for
foreign taxes could be claimed by an individual shareholder who does not
itemize deductions. In certain circumstances, a shareholder that (i) has held
shares of the Portfolio for less than a specified minimum period during which
it is not protected from risk of loss or (ii) is obligated to make payments
related to the dividends will not be allowed a foreign tax credit for foreign
taxes deemed imposed on dividends paid on such shares. Additionally, the
Portfolio must also meet this holding period requirement with respect to its
foreign stocks and securities in order for creditable taxes to flow-through.
Gains or
losses attributable to fluctuations in exchange rates between the time a
Portfolio accrues income or receivables, or expenses or other liabilities,
denominated in a foreign currency and the time that Portfolio actually collects
such income or receivables, or pays such liabilities, are generally treated as
ordinary income or loss.
A Portfolios
investments in options, futures contracts, forward contracts, swaps and
derivatives, as well as any of its other hedging, short sale or similar
transactions, may be subject to one or more special tax rules (including
notional principal contract, constructive sale, straddle, wash sale, short sale
and other rules), the effect of which may be to accelerate income to the
Portfolio (including, potentially, without a corresponding receipt of cash with
which to make required distributions), defer Portfolio losses, cause
adjustments in the holding periods of Portfolio securities, convert capital
gains into ordinary income, render dividends that would otherwise be eligible
for the dividends received deduction or preferential rates of taxation
ineligible for such treatment, convert long-term capital gains into short-term
capital gains and convert short-term capital losses into long-term capital
losses. These rules could therefore affect the amount, timing and character of
distributions to shareholders of a Portfolio. In addition, because the tax
rules applicable to derivative financial instruments are in some cases
uncertain under current law, an adverse determination or future guidance by the
IRS with respect to these rules (which determination or guidance could be
retroactive) may affect whether a Portfolio has made sufficient distributions,
and otherwise satisfied the applicable requirements, to maintain its
qualification as a RIC and avoid Portfolio-level taxation.
A Portfolios
participation in loans of securities may affect the amount, timing and
character of distributions to shareholders. With respect to any security
subject to a securities loan, any (i) amounts received by a Portfolio in place
of dividends earned on the security during the period that such security was
not directly held by a Portfolio may not give rise to qualified dividend income
and (ii) withholding taxes accrued on dividends during the period that such
security was not directly held by a Portfolio will not qualify as a foreign tax
paid by such Portfolio and therefore cannot be passed through to shareholders
even if the Portfolio meets the requirements described in Non-US Taxes,
above.
Certain
Portfolios may invest in lower-quality fixed income securities, including debt
obligations of issuers not currently paying interest or that are in default.
Investments in debt obligations that are at risk of or are in default present
special tax issues for a Portfolio. Tax rules are not entirely clear on the
treatment of such debt obligations, including as to whether and to what extent
a Portfolio should recognize market discount on such a debt obligation, when a
Portfolio may cease to accrue interest, original issue discount or market
discount, when and to what extent a Portfolio may take deductions for bad debts
or worthless securities and how a Portfolio shall allocate payments received on
obligations in default between principal and interest. These and other related
issues will be addressed by a Portfolio if it invests in such securities as
part of the Portfolios efforts to ensure that it distributes sufficient income
to preserve its status as a RIC and does not become subject to US federal
income or excise tax.
If the
Municipal Portfolio invests substantially all of its assets in US municipal
securities, substantially all of the ordinary dividends to be paid by the
Municipal Portfolio will constitute exempt-interest dividends. Such exempt-
interest
dividends will be exempt from federal income taxes. It is possible, however,
that a portion of the dividends paid by the Municipal Portfolio will not be
exempt from federal income taxes. The Municipal Portfolio may realize capital
gains from the sale or other disposition of municipal securities or other
securities. Distributions by the Municipal Portfolio of capital gains will be
treated in the same manner as capital gains as described under Taxation of
Portfolio Distributions (Portfolios other than the Municipal Portfolio).
Social Security recipients who receive dividends from the Municipal Portfolio
may have to pay taxes on a portion of their Social Security benefits.
Shareholders will receive a Form 1099-DIV, Form 1099-INT or other IRS forms, as
required, reporting the taxability of all dividends. The Municipal Portfolio
will also advise shareholders of the percentage of dividends, if any, which
should be included in the computation of the alternative minimum tax.
The treatment under state and local tax law
of dividends from the Municipal Portfolio may differ from the federal income
tax treatment of such dividends under the Code.
Special tax
rules may apply to the investments by a Portfolio in entities which invest in
or finance mortgage debt. Such investments include residual interests in real
estate mortgage investment conduits (REMICs) and interests in a REIT which
qualifies as a taxable mortgage pool under the Code or has a qualified REIT
subsidiary that is a taxable mortgage pool under the Code. Although it is the
practice of each Portfolio, other than the High Yield Portfolio which may hold
residual interests in REMICs, not to make such investments, there is no
guarantee that a Portfolio will be able to avoid an inadvertent investment in
REMIC residual interests or a taxable mortgage pool.
Some amounts
received by a Portfolio with respect to certain investments in MLPs will likely
be treated as a return of capital because of accelerated deductions available
with respect to the activities of such MLPs. On the disposition of an
investment in such an MLP, the Portfolio will likely realize taxable income in
excess of economic gain with respect to that asset (or, if the Portfolio does
not dispose of the MLP, the Portfolio likely will realize taxable income in
excess of cash flow with respect to the MLP in a later period), and the
Portfolio must take such income into account in determining whether the
Portfolio has satisfied its distribution requirements. The Portfolio may have
to borrow or liquidate securities to satisfy its distribution requirements and
to meet its redemption requests, even though investment considerations might
otherwise make it undesirable for the Portfolio to sell securities or borrow
money at such time.
Each Portfolio
generally is required to withhold and remit to the Treasury a percentage of the
taxable distributions and redemption proceeds paid to a shareholder who fails
to properly furnish the Portfolio with a correct taxpayer identification
number, who has under-reported dividend or interest income, or who fails to
certify to the applicable Portfolio that he or she is not subject to such
withholding. Corporate shareholders, certain foreign persons and other
shareholders specified in the Code and applicable regulations are generally
exempt from backup withholding, but may need to provide documentation to the
Portfolio to establish such exemption.
foreign
shareholder certifies his or her non-US status under penalties of perjury or
otherwise establishes an exemption (generally by providing a US Tax Form
W-8BEN).
Income Effectively Connected. If the income
from a Portfolio is effectively connected with a US trade or business carried
on by a foreign shareholder, then distributions of investment company taxable
income and capital gain dividends, any amounts retained by the Portfolio which
are reported by the Portfolio as undistributed capital gains, and any gains
realized upon the sale or exchange of shares of the Portfolio will be subject
to US income tax at the graduated rates applicable to US citizens, residents
and domestic corporations. Foreign corporate shareholders may also be subject
to the branch profits tax imposed by the Code.
Under
provisions of The Hiring Incentives to Restore Employment Act, P.L. 111-147 (the
HIRE Act), certain payments of US source interest, dividends, and other fixed
or determinable annual or periodical gains, profits and income, as well as
gross proceeds from the sale or disposition of property of a type that can
produce US source dividends or interest (all such payments, withholdable
payments), which are made to a foreign financial institution, which term may
include certain non-US shareholders of a Portfolio or certain Portfolio
investments, may be subject to a 30% withholding tax, if the foreign financial
institution does not, among other things, comply, under an agreement with the
Secretary of the Treasury or his/her delegate or the terms of an applicable
intergovernmental agreement, with prescribed due diligence requirements necessary
to determine which of its accounts (including equity interests in the foreign
financial institution) are held by specified United States persons or United
States owned foreign entities (such accounts, United States accounts), and
prescribed reporting requirements in respect of its United States accounts.
Further, a 30% withholding tax may apply in respect of passthru payments made
by a foreign financial institution to certain account holders that do not
comply with reasonable information requests aimed at enabling the foreign
financial institution to identify its United States accounts and meet
applicable reporting obligations. The HIRE Act will further impose a 30%
withholding tax on certain payments to non-financial foreign entities. The scope
of the applicable HIRE Act provisions is not entirely clear and no assurance
can be given that some or all of the income of a Portfolio, and/or certain of
the Portfolios shareholders or investments will not be subject to any of the
above described withholding taxes or that information will not be required to
be reported to the IRS in respect of a shareholders interest in the Portfolio.
To comply with the requirements of the HIRE Act, a Portfolio may, in
appropriate circumstances, require shareholders to provide information and tax
documentation regarding their direct and indirect owners, and shareholders of a
Portfolio will be required to waive the application of any non-US laws which,
but for such waiver, would prevent the Portfolio or any other person or entity
from reporting information in respect of United States accounts in accordance
with the applicable provisions of the HIRE Act or any agreement described in
Section 1471(b) of the Code (and, if necessary to effectuate the information
reporting contemplated by the HIRE Act, such shareholders will be required to
obtain similar waivers from their direct and indirect owners). While the
withholding tax provisions of the HIRE Act were to have been fully effective
beginning in 2013, the Treasury and the IRS have provided for a phased-in
implementation of these withholding provisions beginning in 2014.
All non-US
shareholders are advised to consult their own tax advisors with respect to the
particular tax consequences to them of an investment in a Portfolio.
The tax consequences described
herein may be affected (possibly with retroactive effect) by various
legislative bills and proposals that may be initiated in Congress. Prospective
investors should consult their own tax advisors regarding the status of any
proposed legislation and the effect, if any, on their investment in a
Portfolio.
As of April
10, 2013 (except as otherwise noted), no person owned of record or was known by
the Fund to own beneficially 5% or more of a Class of the indicated Portfolios
outstanding voting securities except the following:
Institutional Shares Outstanding
Employee Ownership Plan
FBO Its Customers
211 Main Street
San Francisco, CA 94105-1905
1 Pershing Plaza
Jersey City, NJ 07399-0002
Open Shares Outstanding
FBO ETC Corporation 401(k) Profit Sharing Plan
1251 Waterfront Place, Suite 525
Pittsburgh, PA 15222-4228
FBO Its Customers
211 Main Street
San Francisco, CA 94105-1905
FBO Its Clients
P.O. Box 2226
Omaha, NE 68103-2226
FBO Various Retirement Plans
280 Trumbull Street
One Commercial Plaza
Hartford, CT 06103
FBO Its Customers
4800 Deer Lake Drive East, 2nd Floor
Jacksonville, FL 32246
Peter B. Milburn & Joyce Singer
30 Rockefeller Plaza, 60th Floor
New York, NY 10112
FBO Its Customers
211 Main Street
San Francisco, CA 94105-1905
151 Farmington Avenue, TN41
Hartford, CT 06156
8515 East Orchard Road 2T2
Greenwood Village, CO 80111-5002
FBO Its Customers
4800 Deer Lake Drive East, 2nd Floor
Jacksonville, FL 32246
FBO Its Customers
211 Main Street
San Francisco, CA 94105-1905
C/O IPO Portfolio Accounting
P.O. Box 182029
Columbus, OH 43218
FBO Various Retirement Plans
280 Trumbull Street
One Commercial Plaza
Hartford, CT 06103
C/O IPO Portfolio Accounting
P.O. Box 182029
Columbus, OH 43218
FBO Its Customers
4800 Deer Lake Drive East, 2nd Floor
Jacksonville, FL 32246-6484
FBO Its Customers
211 Main Street
San Francisco, CA 94105-1905
FBO Its Customers
P.O. Box 2226
Omaha, NE 68103
FBO Its Customers
4800 Deer Lake Drive East, 2nd Floor
Jacksonville, FL 32246
136 E. Michigan Avenue, Suite 1201
Kalamazoo, MI 49007
FBO Various Retirement Plans
280 Trumbull Street
One Commercial Plaza
Hartford, CT 06103
1000 Harbor Boulevard, Floor 5
Weehawken, NJ 07086-6761
Special Custody Account
FBO Its Customers
211 Main Street
San Francisco, CA 94105-1905
FBO Its Customers
211 Main Street
San Francisco, CA 94105-1905
50 Commerce Drive
Grayslake, IL 60030-1600
FBO Its Customers
10750 Wheat First Drive
Glen Allen, VA 23060
Gizmo Partners LP
222 West Adams Street
Chicago, IL 60606-5312
Jonathan and Natalie Stein
222 West Adams Street
Chicago, IL 60606-5312
Frances Trust
30 Rockefeller Plaza, 60th Floor
New York, NY 10112-0015
FBO IPO Portfolio Accounting
P.O. Box 182029
Columbus, OH 43218
Special Custody Account
FBO Its Customers
211 Main Street
San Francisco, CA 94105-1905
3200 North Central Avenue
Phoenix, AZ 85012
1 Pershing Plaza
Jersey City, NJ 07399-0002
FBO Its Customers
P.O. Box 2226
Omaha, NE 68103-2226
FBO Its Customers
4800 Deer Lake Drive East
Jacksonville, FL 32246-6484
Special Custody Account
FBO Its Customers
211 Main Street
San Francisco, CA 94105-1905
FBO IPO Portfolio Accounting
P.O. Box 182029
Columbus, OH 43218-2029
Special Custody Account
FBO Its Customers
211 Main Street
San Francisco, CA 94105-1905
Harborside Financial Center
Plaza 2, Floor 3
Jersey City, NJ 07311
1 Pershing Plaza
Jersey City, NJ 07399-0002
Special Custody Account
FBO Its Customers
211 Main Street
San Francisco, CA 94105-1905
1000 Harbor Boulevard, Floor 5
Weehawken, NJ 07086-6761
Harborside Financial Center
Plaza 2, Floor 3
Jersey City, NJ 07311
FBO Its Customers
211 Main Street
San Francisco, CA 94105-1905
FBO Its Customers
P.O. Box 2226
Omaha, NE 68103-2226
11270 West Park Place, Suite 400
Milwaukee, WI 53224-3638
1000 Harbor Boulevard, Floor 5
Weehawken, NJ 07086-6761
FBO Its Customers
211 Main Street
San Francisco, CA 94105-1905
1000 Harbor Boulevard, Floor 5
Weehawken, NJ 07086-6761
FBO Robert A. Walton
Mountain Brook, AL
1000 Harbor Boulevard, Floor 5
Weehawken, NJ 07086-6761
FBO Its Customers
211 Main Street
San Francisco, CA 94105-1905
FBO Its Customers
211 Main Street
San Francisco, CA 94105-1905
9875 Towne Centre Drive
San Diego, CA 92121-1968
1000 Harbor Boulevard, Floor 5
Weehawken, NJ 07086-6761
FBO Its Customers
211 Main Street
San Francisco, CA 94105-1905
P.O. Box 2052
Jersey City, NJ 07303-2052
FEBO Jay P. Leupp
Hillsborough, CA
FBO Its Customers
211 Main Street
San Francisco, CA 94105-1905
1000 Harbor Boulevard, Floor 5
Weehawken, NJ 07086-6761
FEBO Its Customers
P.O. Box 2226
Omaha, NE 68103-2226
FBO Its Customers
4800 Deer Lake Drive East, 2nd Floor
Jacksonville, FL 32246
Custodian for the IRA of FBO Richard J. Urowsky
c/o Sullivan and Cromwell
125 Broad Street
New York, NY 10004-2400
OCF Foundation Inc.
30 Rockefeller Plaza
New York, NY 10112-0015
FBO Its Customers
211 Main Street
San Francisco, CA 94105-1905
Cogdill Family Trust dtd 8/6/03
Huntsville, AL
Lazard Asset Management LLC
30 Rockefeller Plaza, 60th Floor
New York, NY 10112-0015
FBO Its Customers
211 Main Street
San Francisco, CA 94105-1905
FBO Its Customers
211 Main Street
San Francisco, CA 94105-1905
1 Pershing Plaza
Jersey City, NJ 07399-0002
FEBO Rick E. Pierchalski
BPU Investment Management Inc.
One Oxford Centre
301 Grant Street, Suite 3300
Pittsburgh, PA 15219
FEBO Elwyn Inc. Ret. Plan
111 Elwyn Road
Elwyn, PA 19063-4622
The Dow Jones
US Select Real Estate Securities IndexSM is a product of Dow Jones
Indexes, a licensed trademark of CME Group Index Services LLC (CME), and has
been licensed for use. Dow Jones®,
Dow Jones US Select Real Estate Securities IndexSM and Dow Jones
Indexes are service marks of Dow Jones Trademark Holdings, LLC (Dow Jones),
have been licensed to CME and have been sub-licensed for use for certain
purposes by the Investment Manager.
Realty Income Portfolio and US Realty Portfolio, which compare their
performance to the Dow Jones US Select Real Estate Securities IndexSM,
are not sponsored, endorsed, sold or promoted by Dow Jones,
Proxy Voting
PART C. OTHER INFORMATION
Underwriter
Registrant
Exhibit 99(d)(2)
LAZARD ASSET
MANAGEMENT LLC
30 Rockefeller Plaza
New York, New York 10112
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March 5, 2013 |
The Lazard Funds, Inc.
30 Rockefeller Plaza
New York, New York 10112
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Re: |
Letter of Agreement |
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Ladies and Gentlemen:
Lazard Asset Management LLC (LAM), intending to be legally bound, hereby confirms its agreement as follows in respect of each of the portfolios (each, a Portfolio) of The Lazard Funds, Inc. (the Fund) set forth on Schedule A hereto:
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For the respective periods set forth on Schedule A hereto, if the aggregate direct expenses of a Portfolio, exclusive of taxes, brokerage, interest on borrowings, fees and expenses of Acquired Funds (as defined in Form N-1A) and extraordinary expenses, and excluding shareholder redemption fees or other transaction fees, but including the management fee stated in the Investment Management Agreement between LAM and the Fund, on behalf of the Portfolios (the Investment Management Agreement), exceed the percentage of the value of the Portfolios average daily net assets set forth opposite the Portfolios name on Schedule A hereto, the Fund, on behalf of the Portfolio, may deduct from the payment to be made to LAM under the Investment Management Agreement, or LAM will bear, such excess expense. |
This Agreement is effective immediately. This Agreement may only be amended by agreement of the Fund and LAM to lower the net amounts shown and will terminate automatically in the event of termination of the Investment Management Agreement.
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LAZARD ASSET MANAGEMENT LLC |
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By: |
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Gerald Mazzari, |
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Managing Director |
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Accepted and Agreed To: |
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THE LAZARD FUNDS, INC., |
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on behalf of each of the Portfolios |
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set forth on Schedule A hereto |
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By: |
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Stephen St. Clair, |
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Treasurer |
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SCHEDULE A
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Maximum Total Portfolio |
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Operating Expenses |
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(as a percentage of |
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average daily net assets) |
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Name of Portfolio |
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Institutional Shares |
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Open Shares |
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From May 1, 2013 through April 30, 2014 |
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Lazard US Equity Concentrated Portfolio |
0.95% |
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1.25% |
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Lazard US Strategic Equity Portfolio |
0.75% |
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1.05% |
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Lazard US Mid Cap Equity Portfolio |
1.05% |
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1.35% |
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Lazard US Small-Mid Cap Equity Portfolio |
1.15% |
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1.45% |
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Lazard International Equity Portfolio |
1.05% |
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1.35% |
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Lazard International Strategic Equity Portfolio |
1.15% |
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1.45% |
|
Lazard International Small Cap Equity Portfolio |
1.13% |
|
1.43% |
|
Lazard Emerging Markets Equity Portfolio |
1.30% |
|
1.60% |
|
Lazard Developing Markets Equity Portfolio |
1.30% |
|
1.60% |
|
Lazard Emerging Markets Equity Blend Portfolio |
1.30% |
|
1.60% |
|
Lazard Emerging Markets Debt Portfolio |
1.00% |
|
1.30% |
|
Lazard US High Yield Portfolio |
0.55% |
|
0.85% |
|
Lazard US Municipal Portfolio |
0.40% |
|
0.70% |
|
Lazard Global Fixed Income Portfolio |
0.80% |
|
1.10% |
|
Lazard Capital Allocator Opportunistic Strategies Portfolio |
1.02% |
|
1.32% |
|
Lazard Multi-Asset Targeted Volatility Portfolio |
0.90% |
|
1.20% |
|
|
|
|
|
|
From May 1, 2013 through April 30, 2023 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Lazard Global Listed Infrastructure Portfolio |
1.30% |
|
1.60% |
|
Lazard International Equity Select Portfolio |
1.15% |
|
1.45% |
|
Lazard Emerging Markets Multi-Strategy Portfolio |
1.30% |
|
1.60% |
|
Lazard US Realty Equity Portfolio |
1.20% |
|
1.50% |
|
|
|
|
|
|
From May 1, 2014 through April 30, 2023 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Lazard US Equity Concentrated Portfolio |
1.10% |
|
1.40% |
|
Lazard Emerging Markets Debt Portfolio |
1.10% |
|
1.40% |
|
|
|
|
|
|
May 1, 2013 through April 30, 2016 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Lazard US Realty Income Portfolio |
1.15% |
|
1.45% |
|
Lazard International Realty Equity Portfolio |
1.30% |
|
1.60% |
Exhibit 99(J)
|
|
|
Anchin, Block & Anchin
LLP |
CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT
REGISTERED
PUBLIC ACCOUNTING
FIRM
|
|
|
We hereby consent to the incorporation by reference in the Prospectus constituting part of The Lazard Funds, Inc. Post-Effective Amendment No. 72 to Registration Statement on Form N-1A of our report dated March 1, 2013 relating to the financial statements and financial highlights of The Lazard Funds, Inc. |
|
|
|
We also consent to the reference to our firm under the captions Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm in the Prospectus and Counsel and Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm in the Statement of Additional Information. |
|
|
|
|
April 26, 2013
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