N-CSR 1 c101230_ncsr.htm

UNITED STATES SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

 

FORM N-CSR

CERTIFIED SHAREHOLDER REPORT OF REGISTERED MANAGEMENT INVESTMENT COMPANIES

 

Investment Company Act file number 811-06312

 

The Lazard Funds, Inc.

(Exact name of registrant as specified in charter)

 

30 Rockefeller Plaza

New York, New York 10112

(Address of principal executive offices) (Zip code)

 

Mark R. Anderson, Esq.

Lazard Asset Management LLC

30 Rockefeller Plaza

New York, New York 10112

(Name and address of agent for service)

 

Registrant’s telephone number, including area code: (212) 632-6000

 

Date of fiscal year end: 12/31

 

Date of reporting period: 12/31/20

 

ITEM 1. REPORTS TO STOCKHOLDERS.

 

Lazard Funds

 

Annual Report

December 31, 2020

 

Alternatives Funds

 

Lazard Enhanced Opportunities Portfolio

 

 


 

 

The Lazard Funds, Inc. Table of Contents

 

 

2   A Message from Lazard (unaudited)
4   Investment Overview (unaudited)
6   Performance Overview (unaudited)
8   Information About the Portfolio’s Expenses (unaudited)
10   Portfolio Holdings Presented by Asset Class/Sector
11   Portfolio of Investments
27   Notes to Portfolio of Investments
29   Statement of Assets and Liabilities
30   Statement of Operations
31   Statement of Changes in Net Assets
33   Financial Highlights
35   Notes to Financial Statements
61   Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm
63   Board of Directors and Officers Information (unaudited)
67   Tax and Other Information (unaudited)

 

Please consider the Portfolio’s investment objectives, risks, charges and expenses carefully before investing. For more complete information about The Lazard Funds, Inc. (the “Fund”), you may obtain a prospectus or the Portfolio’s summary prospectus by calling 800-823-6300, or online, at ww.lazardassetmanagement.com. Read the prospectus or the Portfolio’s summary prospectus carefully before you invest. The prospectus and the Portfolio’s summary prospectus contain the investment objectives, risks, charges, expenses and other information about the Portfolio, which are not detailed in this report

 

Distributed by Lazard Asset Management Securities LLC.

 

Annual Report  1

 

The Lazard Funds, Inc. A Message from Lazard (unaudited)

 

 

Dear Shareholder,

 

As 2020 began, the outbreak of a novel coronavirus (“COVID-19”) turned into a fast-spreading pandemic, rattling global markets. Worldwide lockdowns led to a severe equity market sell-off in February and March, as well as a sharp decline in oil markets. By the conclusion of the year, COVID-19 continued to wreak havoc across much of the world, but many global equity markets closed 2020 near all-time highs. Markets rose generally steadily after the sell-off on the back of unprecedented support from global central banks and government treasuries and the introduction of several promising vaccines.

 

In the United States, Democrats won control of the White House and Congress in November elections. The US equity market closed 2020 near an all-time peak, and nominal yields in various US fixed income market segments closed at or near all-time lows, fueled by trillions of dollars in monetary and fiscal stimulus.

 

COVID-19 also severely debilitated economic activity in the emerging markets, but the recovery in emerging markets equities that began in late March picked up steam in the fourth quarter thanks to vaccine breakthroughs and the US election outcome. As a result, the MSCI Emerging Markets® Index outperformed global developed markets equities in 2020.

 

In Europe, interest rates have never been as low, and central bank balance sheets have never been as inflated, as they were at year-end. With an agreement now in place for the exit of the United Kingdom from the European Union, the years-long “Brexit” saga may be one less uncertainty the market has to grapple with in the year ahead.

 

As we write, many countries are facing record levels of new COVID-19 infections, spurring renewed economic lockdowns and increasing the risk that many companies, particularly small businesses, might not make it to the other side of this pandemic. Were that to happen, it could send a negative signal to markets equal and opposite to the positive news of the vaccines toward the end

 

2  Annual Report

 

 

 

of the last year. Investors face a timing conundrum, but it could well be darkest before the dawn.

 

Despite these challenges, we are optimistic for 2021 and believe that as the world does eventually return to something like the pre-pandemic days, fundamental analysis and stock selection will be crucial drivers for performance. We are privileged that you have turned to Lazard for your investment needs and value your continued confidence in our investment management capabilities. We continue to strive for the long-term patterns of performance pursued by the various investment strategies employed.

 

Sincerely,

 

Lazard Asset Management LLC

 

Annual Report  3

 

The Lazard Funds, Inc. Investment Overview (unaudited)

 

 

Market Overview

The year was defined by the rapid spread of COVID-19, leading to government-mandated lockdowns, halts in economic activity, and widespread social distancing. Equity markets sold-off dramatically in March before reaching numerous all-time highs throughout the year, thereby creating significant opportunities for value extraction in the hedged convertibles space.

 

A by-product of the March sell-off was a surge in primary convertible issuances, as many non-traditional convertible issuers (e.g., cruise lines, airlines, etc.) sought liquidity, with nearly $160 billion of new paper coming to market in 2020, a calendar year record. Interest rates declined dramatically (the yield on the benchmark 10-Year US Treasury note reached an all-time low of 51 basis points), causing the cost of leverage to decline by more than 70%. Elevated equity volatility, a positive factor for hedged convertibles, also added to the multi-year cheapness within the hedged convertibles space. The CBOE Volatility® Index (VIX) reached a peak in March and generally trended downward, with periodic spikes, for the rest of the year. Although the VIX has been trending downward since March 2020, equity volatility remains elevated relative to previous years.

 

Government stimulus, low interest rates, and positive news regarding COVID-19 vaccines supported equity markets (with notable sell-offs in September and October), with the NASDAQ Composite Index, the S&P 500® Index and the Dow Jones Industrial Average reaching all-time highs throughout the year.

 

Lazard Enhanced Opportunities Portfolio

For the year ended December 31, 2020, the Lazard Enhanced Opportunities Portfolio’s Institutional Shares posted a total return of 9.87%, while Open Shares posted a total return of 9.59%, as compared with the 52.05% return for the ICE BofAML US Convertible ex Mandatory® Index and the 6.61% return for the HFRX Global Hedge Fund® Index.

 

The Portfolio provided downside risk-mitigation when markets sold-off dramatically in March (and generated positive absolute

 

4  Annual Report

 

 

 

returns from April through December). While the S&P 500 Index and the Russell 2000® Index declined 12% and 22%, respectively, for the month, the Portfolio’s return in March avoided such a dramatic declines. The Portfolio’s performance in March was impacted as long-only investors, who represent approximately two-thirds of the convertible securities marketplace, made sales into the accelerated risk-off environment. These sales resulted in unrealized, marked-to-market losses for the affected securities held in the Portfolio. Post-March, the Portfolio benefited from improvement in COVID-19-impacted names, specifically in the travel and leisure space, elevated equity volatility, and negotiated transactions with issuers.

 

The Portfolio uses derivatives such as options, both opportunistically and for hedging purposes. Additionally, the Portfolio implements currency forwards to hedge the currency exposure of non-US dollar-denominated securities. For the year, the use of derivatives contributed positively to performance.

 

Annual Report  5

 

The Lazard Funds, Inc. Performance Overview (unaudited)

 

 

Lazard Enhanced Opportunities Portfolio

 

Comparison of Changes in Value of $10,000 Investment in the Institutional Shares of Lazard Enhanced Opportunities Portfolio, the ICE BofAML U.S. Convertible ex Mandatory® Index and the HFRX Global Hedge Fund® Index*

 

 

Average Annual Total Returns*

Periods Ended December 31, 2020

 

  One Five Since  
  Year Years Inception
Institutional Shares 9.87% 5.07% 3.80%  
Open Shares 9.59% 4.81% 3.54%  
ICE BofAML U.S. Convertible ex Mandatory Index 52.05% 19.42% 15.40%  
HFRX Global Hedge Fund Index 6.61% 3.25% 2.07%  

 

The inception date for the Portfolio was December 31, 2014.

 

 

Notes to Performance Overviews:

 

* Total returns reflect reinvestment of all dividends and distributions, if any. Certain expenses of the Portfolio may have been waived or reimbursed by Lazard Asset Management LLC, the Fund’s investment manager (the “Investment Manager”), State Street Bank and Trust Company, the Fund’s administrator (“State Street”), or DST Asset Manager Solutions, Inc., the Fund’s transfer agent and dividend disbursing agent (“DST”); without such waiver/reimbursement of expenses, the Portfolio’s returns would have been lower.
   
  Performance results do not include adjustments made for financial reporting purposes in accordance with US Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (“GAAP”), if any, and may differ from amounts reported in the financial highlights. For Institutional Shares and Open Shares, a one-time voluntary reimbursement by State Street increased the total return ratio by 0.49% for year ended December 31, 2017.
   
  The performance quoted represents past performance. Current performance may be lower or higher than the performance quoted. Past performance is not indicative, or a guarantee, of future results; the investment return and principal value of the Portfolio will fluctuate, so that Portfolio shares, when redeemed, may be worth more or less than their original cost. Within the longer periods illustrated there may have been short-term fluctuations, counter to the overall trend of investment results, and no single period of any length may be taken as typical of what may be expected in future periods. The graph and table above do not reflect the deduction of taxes that a shareholder would pay on the Portfolio’s distributions or the redemption of Portfolio shares.

 

6  Annual Report

 

 

 

  The performance data of the indices have been prepared from sources and data that the Investment Manager believes to be reliable, but no representation is made as to their accuracy. The indices are unmanaged, have no fees or costs and are not available for investment.
   
  The ICE BofAML U.S. Convertible ex Mandatory Index measures the performance of convertible securities of all corporate sectors with a par amount of $25 million or more and a maturity of at least one year and excludes preferred equity redemption stocks and converted securities.
   
  The HFRX Global Hedge Fund Index is designed to be representative of the overall composition of the hedge fund universe. It is comprised of all eligible hedge fund strategies, including but not limited to convertible arbitrage, distressed securities, equity hedge, equity market neutral, event-driven, macro, merger arbitrage, and relative value arbitrage. The strategies are asset weighted based on the distribution of assets in the hedge fund industry.
   
  The performance of Institutional Shares and Open Shares may vary, primarily based on the differences in fees borne by shareholders investing in different classes.

 

Annual Report  7

 

The Lazard Funds, Inc.

Information About the Portfolio’s Expenses (unaudited)

 

Expense Example

As a shareholder in the Portfolio, you incur ongoing costs, including management fees, distribution and service (12b-1) fees (Open Shares only), and other expenses. This Example is intended to help you understand your ongoing costs (in dollars) of investing in the Portfolio and to compare these costs with the ongoing costs of investing in other mutual funds. The Example is based on an investment of $1,000 invested at the beginning of the six month period from July 1, 2020 through December 31, 2020 and held for the entire period.

 

Actual Expenses

For each share class of the Portfolio, the first line of the accompanying table provides information about actual account values and actual expenses. You may use the information in this line, together with the amount you invested, to estimate the expenses that you paid over the period. Simply divide your account value by $1,000 (for example, an $8,600 account value divided by $1,000=8.6), then multiply the result by the number in the first line under the heading entitled “Expenses Paid During Period” to estimate the expenses you paid on your account during this period.

 

Hypothetical Example for Comparison Purposes

For each share class of the Portfolio, the second line of the accompanying table provides information about hypothetical account values and hypothetical expenses based on the class’ actual expense ratio and an assumed rate of return of 5% per year before expenses, which is not the Portfolio’s actual return. The hypothetical account values and expenses may not be used to estimate the actual ending account balance or expenses you paid for the period. You may use this information to compare the ongoing costs of investing in the Portfolio and other mutual funds. To do so, compare this 5% hypothetical example with the 5% hypothetical examples that appear in the shareholder reports of other mutual funds.

 

8  Annual Report

 

 

 

Portfolio Beginning
Account
Value
7/1/20
Ending
Account
Value
12/31/20
Expenses
Paid During
Period*
7/1/20 -
12/31/20
Annualized
Expense Ratio
During Period
7/1/20 -
12/31/20
 
           
Enhanced Opportunities†          
Institutional Shares          
Actual $1,000.00 $1,129.40 $11.88 2.22%  
Hypothetical (5% Return Before Expenses) $1,000.00 $1,013.98 $11.24 2.22%  
Open Shares          
Actual $1,000.00 $1,129.20 $10.28 1.92%  
Hypothetical (5% Return Before Expenses) $1,000.00 $1,015.48 $9.73 1.92%  

 

* Expenses are equal to the annualized expense ratio, net of expenses waivers and reimbursements, of each Share class multiplied by the average account value over the period, multiplied by 184/366 (to reflect one-half year period).
   
The expense ratios include dividend and borrowing expenses on securities sold short.

 

Annual Report  9

 

The Lazard Funds, Inc. Portfolio Holdings Presented by
Asset Class/Sector December 31, 2020

 

   Lazard Enhanced
Opportunities Portfolio
   
Asset Class/Sector  Long*  Short  
           
Convertible Corporate Bonds            
Communication Services   11.0%   %  
Consumer Discretionary   8.3       
Consumer Staples   2.1       
Energy   1.6       
Financials   11.6       
Health Care   20.9       
Industrials   7.9       
Information Technology   26.4       
Materials   0.4       
Real Estate   2.0       
Utilities   0.5       
Equity            
Communication Services       –13.4   
Consumer Discretionary       –10.3   
Consumer Staples       –1.8   
Energy       –1.1   
Financials   0.1    –5.2   
Health Care   0.0#   –21.1   
Industrials       –7.8   
Information Technology   0.0#   –31.3   
Materials       –0.2   
Real Estate       –4.9   
Utilities       –0.3   
Exchange Traded Funds       –2.6   
Short-Term Investments   7.2       
Total Investments   100.0%   –100.0%  

 

* Represents percentage of total investments excluding securities sold short.
Represents percentage of total securities sold short.
# Amount is less than 0.05%.

 

10  Annual Report

 

The Lazard Funds, Inc. Portfolio of Investments
December 31, 2020

 

Description      Shares   Fair
Value
 
               
Lazard Enhanced Opportunities Portfolio              
               
Common Stocks  |  0.1%              
               
United States  |  0.1%              
Alder Biopharmaceuticals, Inc. (*), (‡)       3,247   $2,857 
Hope Bancorp, Inc. (±)       2,100    22,911 
Silicon Laboratories, Inc. (*), (±)       17    2,165 
             27,933 
               
Total Common Stocks
(Cost $24,990)
           27,933 
               
Description  Security
Currency
  Principal
Amount
(000)
   Fair
Value
 
              
Convertible Corporate Bonds  |  173.5%             
              
Brazil  |  0.6%             
GOL Equity Finance SA,
3.750%, 07/15/24 (#), (±)
  USD   134   $116,258 
              
Canada  |  10.4%             
Aphria, Inc.,
5.250%, 06/01/24 (±)
  USD   323    341,371 
Aurora Cannabis, Inc.,
5.500%, 02/28/24 (±)
  USD   424    316,940 
Canadian Solar, Inc.,
2.500%, 10/01/25 (#), (±)
  USD   119    186,429 
Canopy Growth Corp.,
4.250%, 07/15/23 (#), (±)
  CAD   362    293,988 
Colliers International Group, Inc.,
4.000%, 06/01/25 (#), (±)
  USD   155    266,988 
Element Fleet Management Corp.,
4.250%, 06/30/24 (±)
  CAD   153    154,436 
Pretium Resources, Inc.,
 2.250%, 03/15/22 (±)
  USD   152    162,640 
Shopify, Inc.,
0.125%, 11/01/25 (±)
  USD   128    150,720 

 

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

 

Annual Report  11

 

 

 

Description  Security
Currency
  Principal
Amount
(000)
   Fair
Value
 
            
Lazard Enhanced Opportunities Portfolio (continued)           
            
Tricon Residential, Inc.,
5.750%, 03/31/22 (±)
  USD   174   $179,220 
            2,052,732 
              
Chile  |  0.5%             
Liberty Latin America, Ltd.,
2.000%, 07/15/24 (±)
  USD   100    95,023 
              
Hong Kong  |  0.5%             
Seaspan Corp.,
3.750%, 12/15/25 (±)
  USD   99    106,225 
              
Israel  |  0.5%             
Fiverr International, Ltd.,
0.000%, 11/01/25 (±)
  USD   79    95,345 
              
Netherlands  |  0.6%             
Pharming Group NV,
3.000%, 01/21/25 (±)
  EUR   100    109,136 
              
Norway  |  1.4%             
SFL Corp., Ltd.,
5.750%, 10/15/21 (±)
  USD   282    276,332 
              
Panama  |  1.7%             
Copa Holdings SA,
4.500%, 04/15/25 (±)
  USD   201    338,924 
              
United States  |  157.3%             
1Life Healthcare, Inc.,
3.000%, 06/15/25 (±)
  USD   179    224,452 
8x8, Inc.,
0.500%, 02/01/24 (±)
  USD   299    433,931 
Aerie Pharmaceuticals, Inc.,
1.500%, 10/01/24 (±)
  USD   66    60,518 
Air Transport Services Group, Inc.,
1.125%, 10/15/24 (±)
  USD   213    252,812 

 

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

 

12  Annual Report

 

 

 

Description  Security
Currency
  Principal
Amount
(000)
   Fair
Value
 
              
Lazard Enhanced Opportunities Portfolio (continued)             
              
Alteryx, Inc.,
 0.500%, 08/01/24 (±)
  USD   202   $208,965 
American Airlines Group, Inc.,
6.500%, 07/01/25 (±)
  USD   235    294,588 
Apellis Pharmaceuticals, Inc.,
3.500%, 09/15/26 (±)
  USD   157    263,403 
Arbor Realty Trust, Inc.,
4.750%, 11/01/22 (±)
  USD   295    295,268 
Arch Resources, Inc.,
5.250%, 11/15/25 (±)
  USD   91    127,974 
Atlas Air Worldwide Holdings, Inc.:             
2.250%, 06/01/22 (±)  USD   224    232,455 
1.875%, 06/01/24 (±)  USD   203    230,312 
Avadel Finance Cayman, Ltd.,
4.500%, 02/01/23 (±)
  USD   187    186,305 
Avaya Holdings Corp.,
2.250%, 06/15/23 (±)
  USD   200    208,333 
Bloomin’ Brands, Inc.,
5.000%, 05/01/25 (±)
  USD   169    310,333 
Bridgebio Pharma, Inc.,
2.500%, 03/15/27 (±)
  USD   157    289,404 
Cardlytics, Inc.,
1.000%, 09/15/25 (±)
  USD   110    200,940 
Cinemark Holdings, Inc.,
4.500%, 08/15/25 (±)
  USD   256    373,628 
Coherus Biosciences, Inc.,
1.500%, 04/15/26 (±)
  USD   153    176,211 
Collegium Pharmaceutical, Inc.,
2.625%, 02/15/26 (±)
  USD   146    144,430 
CONMED Corp.,
2.625%, 02/01/24 (±)
  USD   179    250,219 
Coupa Software, Inc.,
0.375%, 06/15/26 (±)
  USD   134    180,199 
CryoPort, Inc.,
3.000%, 06/01/25 (±)
  USD   108    213,712 
CSG Systems International, Inc.,
4.250%, 03/15/36 (±)
  USD   325    342,063 

 

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

 

Annual Report  13

 

 

 

Description  Security
Currency
  Principal
Amount
(000)
   Fair
Value
 
              
Lazard Enhanced Opportunities Portfolio (continued)             
              
CyberArk Software, Ltd.,
0.000%, 11/15/24 (±)
  USD   90   $109,182 
DISH Network Corp.,
0.000%, 12/15/25 (±)
  USD   276    277,305 
Encore Capital Group, Inc.:             
2.875%, 03/15/21 (±)  USD   281    279,747 
3.250%, 03/15/22 (±)  USD   348    377,107 
3.250%, 10/01/25 (±)  USD   214    250,290 
Envestnet, Inc.,
1.750%, 06/01/23 (±)
  USD   171    225,867 
Envista Holdings Corp.,
2.375%, 06/01/25 (±)
  USD   188    326,699 
Everbridge, Inc.,
0.125%, 12/15/24 (±)
  USD   179    265,746 
EZCORP, Inc.,
2.875%, 07/01/24 (±)
  USD   99    89,894 
FireEye, Inc.,
0.875%, 06/01/24 (±)
  USD   99    120,267 
Five9, Inc.,
0.500%, 06/01/25 (±)
  USD   43    62,464 
Flexion Therapeutics, Inc.,
3.375%, 05/01/24 (±)
  USD   273    240,923 
Fortive Corp.,
0.875%, 02/15/22 (±)
  USD   192    197,507 
FTI Consulting, Inc.,
2.000%, 08/15/23 (±)
  USD   155    193,673 
Gossamer Bio, Inc.,
5.000%, 06/01/27 (±)
  USD   97    87,380 
Guardant Health, Inc.,
0.000%, 11/15/27 (±)
  USD   223    260,916 
Guess?, Inc.,
2.000%, 04/15/24 (±)
  USD   213    236,839 
Hannon Armstrong Sustainable Infrastructure Capital, Inc.,
0.000%, 08/15/23 (±)
  USD   173    232,909 
Health Catalyst, Inc.,
2.500%, 04/15/25 (±)
  USD   171    270,242 

 

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

 

14  Annual Report

 

 

 

Description  Security
Currency
  Principal
Amount
(000)
   Fair
Value
 
              
Lazard Enhanced Opportunities Portfolio (continued)             
              
Helix Energy Solutions Group, Inc.,
6.750%, 02/15/26 (±)
  USD   194   $201,489 
Herbalife Nutrition, Ltd.,
2.625%, 03/15/24 (±)
  USD   384    409,043 
Hope Bancorp, Inc.,
2.000%, 05/15/38 (±)
  USD   238    221,419 
i3 Verticals LLC,
1.000%, 02/15/25 (±)
  USD   174    178,956 
II-VI, Inc.,
0.250%, 09/01/22 (±)
  USD   179    298,881 
IIP Operating Partnership LP,
3.750%, 02/21/24 (±)
  USD   210    586,933 
Impinj, Inc.,
2.000%, 12/15/26 (#), (±)
  USD   136    184,928 
Innoviva, Inc.,
2.125%, 01/15/23 (±)
  USD   385    382,930 
Insmed, Inc.,
1.750%, 01/15/25 (±)
  USD   170    190,776 
Integra LifeSciences Holdings Corp.,
0.500%, 08/15/25 (±)
  USD   134    147,456 
Intercept Pharmaceuticals, Inc.,
2.000%, 05/15/26 (±)
  USD   163    97,048 
Ironwood Pharmaceuticals, Inc.:             
2.250%, 06/15/22 (±)  USD   128    137,887 
1.500%, 06/15/26 (±)  USD   128    143,479 
j2 Global, Inc.:             
1.750%, 11/01/26 (±)  USD   139    144,051 
3.250%, 06/15/29 (±)  USD   341    499,188 
Jazz Investments I, Ltd.,
2.000%, 06/15/26 (±)
  USD   174    226,436 
JPMorgan Chase Financial Co. LLC,
0.250%, 05/01/23 (±)
  USD   341    365,723 
Kaman Corp.,
3.250%, 05/01/24 (±)
  USD   256    294,847 
Karyopharm Therapeutics, Inc.,
3.000%, 10/15/25 (±)
  USD   173    215,282 

 

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

 

Annual Report  15

 

 

 

Description  Security
Currency
  Principal
Amount
(000)
   Fair
Value
 
              
Lazard Enhanced Opportunities Portfolio (continued)             
              
KBR, Inc.,
2.500%, 11/01/23 (±)
  USD   268   $366,665 
Knowles Corp.,
3.250%, 11/01/21 (±)
  USD   157    177,701 
LendingTree, Inc.,
0.500%, 07/15/25 (±)
  USD   192    186,745 
Liberty Broadband Corp.,
1.250%, 09/30/50 (±)
  USD   256    258,435 
Liberty Interactive LLC:             
4.000%, 11/15/29 (±)  USD   251    192,159 
3.750%, 02/15/30 (±)  USD   42    32,418 
Liberty Media Corp-Liberty Formula One,
1.000%, 01/30/23 (±)
  USD   172    219,170 
Liberty Media Corp.:             
2.125%, 03/31/48 (±)  USD   261    271,579 
2.250%, 12/01/48 (±)  USD   214    261,050 
2.750%, 12/01/49 (±)  USD   256    264,064 
0.500%, 12/01/50 (±)  USD   122    129,396 
Ligand Pharmaceuticals, Inc.,
0.750%, 05/15/23 (±)
  USD   188    176,905 
LivaNova USA, Inc.,
3.000%, 12/15/25 (±)
  USD   58    75,835 
Live Nation Entertainment, Inc.:             
2.500%, 03/15/23 (±)  USD   258    333,026 
2.000%, 02/15/25 (±)  USD   85    89,950 
LivePerson, Inc.,
0.750%, 03/01/24 (±)
  USD   155    273,499 
Lyft, Inc.,
1.500%, 05/15/25 (±)
  USD   134    198,516 
Marriott Vacations Worldwide Corp.,
1.500%, 09/15/22 (±)
  USD   345    390,532 
Mesa Laboratories, Inc.,
1.375%, 08/15/25 (±)
  USD   78    93,109 
MicroStrategy, Inc.,
0.750%, 12/15/25 (±)
  USD   82    105,778 
MongoDB, Inc.,
0.250%, 01/15/26 (±)
  USD   192    345,642 

 

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

 

16  Annual Report

 

 

 

Description  Security
Currency
  Principal
Amount
(000)
   Fair
Value
 
              
Lazard Enhanced Opportunities Portfolio (continued)             
              
National Vision Holdings, Inc.,
2.500%, 05/15/25 (±)
  USD   201   $324,113 
Nevro Corp.,
2.750%, 04/01/25 (±)
  USD   129    233,893 
NextEra Energy Partners L.P.,
0.000%, 11/15/25 (±)
  USD   170    169,629 
Nuance Communications, Inc.,
1.000%, 12/15/35 (±)
  USD   165    307,094 
Nutanix, Inc.,
0.000%, 01/15/23 (±)
  USD   256    258,377 
NuVasive, Inc.:             
2.250%, 03/15/21 (±)  USD   256    257,903 
1.000%, 06/01/23 (±)  USD   248    254,186 
0.375%, 03/15/25 (±)  USD   112    108,625 
Okta, Inc.,
0.375%, 06/15/26 (±)
  USD   167    214,056 
Omeros Corp.,
5.250%, 02/15/26 (±)
  USD   128    135,117 
OSI Systems, Inc.,
1.250%, 09/01/22 (±)
  USD   203    216,572 
Patrick Industries, Inc.,
1.000%, 02/01/23 (±)
  USD   341    360,039 
PennyMac Corp.,
5.500%, 11/01/24 (±)
  USD   286    280,995 
Perficient, Inc.,
1.250%, 08/01/25 (±)
  USD   233    265,970 
PetIQ, Inc.,
4.000%, 06/01/26 (±)
  USD   163    247,436 
PRA Group, Inc.,
3.500%, 06/01/23 (±)
  USD   254    275,533 
PROS Holdings, Inc.:             
1.000%, 05/15/24 (±)  USD   169    178,998 
2.250%, 09/15/27 (±)  USD   89    125,529 
Pure Storage, Inc.,
0.125%, 04/15/23 (±)
  USD   295    324,387 
Q2 Holdings, Inc.,
0.125%, 11/15/25 (±)
  USD   134    149,094 

 

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

 

Annual Report  17

 

 

 

Description  Security
Currency
  Principal
Amount
(000)
   Fair
Value
 
              
Lazard Enhanced Opportunities Portfolio (continued)             
              
Radius Health, Inc.,
3.000%, 09/01/24 (±)
  USD   119   $106,367 
Rambus, Inc.,
1.375%, 02/01/23 (±)
  USD   179    201,163 
Redfin Corp.,
0.000%, 10/15/25 (±)
  USD   235    280,860 
Redwood Trust, Inc.,
4.750%, 08/15/23 (±)
  USD   389    366,808 
Revance Therapeutics, Inc.,
1.750%, 02/15/27 (±)
  USD   175    196,263 
RH,
0.000%, 09/15/24 (±)
  USD   165    360,377 
Royal Caribbean Cruises, Ltd.,
2.875%, 11/15/23 (±)
  USD   215    256,925 
Sailpoint Technologies Holdings, Inc.,
0.125%, 09/15/24 (±)
  USD   196    381,683 
Shift4 Payments, Inc.,
0.000%, 12/15/25 (±)
  USD   107    130,570 
Slack Technologies, Inc.,
0.500%, 04/15/25 (±)
  USD   78    114,408 
SMART Global Holdings, Inc.,
2.250%, 02/15/26 (±)
  USD   194    220,011 
Snap, Inc.,
0.250%, 05/01/25 (±)
  USD   134    315,555 
SolarEdge Technologies, Inc.,
0.000%, 09/15/25 (±)
  USD   99    136,083 
Splunk, Inc.,
1.125%, 06/15/27 (±)
  USD   268    278,547 
Stride, Inc.,
1.125%, 09/01/27 (±)
  USD   184    149,306 
Synaptics, Inc.,
0.500%, 06/15/22 (±)
  USD   179    246,820 
Tabula Rasa HealthCare, Inc.,
1.750%, 02/15/26 (±)
  USD   155    147,281 
TechTarget, Inc.,
0.125%, 12/15/25 (±)
  USD   201    218,054 

 

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

 

18  Annual Report

 

 

 

Description  Security
Currency
  Principal
Amount
(000)
    Fair
Value
 
              
Lazard Enhanced Opportunities Portfolio (continued)             
              
The Chefs’ Warehouse, Inc.,
1.875%, 12/01/24 (±)
  USD   43   $41,351 
The Greenbrier Cos., Inc.,
2.875%, 02/01/24 (±)
  USD   187    188,958 
The Marcus Corp.,
5.000%, 09/15/25 (±)
  USD   107    153,461 
The Middleby Corp.,
1.000%, 09/01/25 (±)
  USD   134    163,648 
Turning Point Brands, Inc.,
2.500%, 07/15/24 (±)
  USD   283    318,187 
Uber Technologies, Inc.,
0.000%, 12/15/25 (±)
  USD   212    216,884 
Under Armour, Inc.,
1.500%, 06/01/24 (±)
  USD   112    184,614 
Varex Imaging Corp.,
4.000%, 06/01/25 (±)
  USD   102    107,430 
Verint Systems, Inc.
1.500%, 06/01/21 (±)
  USD   235    257,691 
Vishay Intertechnology, Inc.,
2.250%, 06/15/25 (±)
  USD   256    266,649 
Wayfair, Inc.,
0.625%, 10/01/25 (±)
  USD   201    189,670 
Winnebago Industries, Inc.,
1.500%, 04/01/25 (±)
  USD   175    207,250 
Workiva, Inc.,
1.125%, 08/15/26 (±)
  USD   100    133,676 
Zillow Group, Inc.,
1.500%, 07/01/23 (±)
  USD   222    377,439 
Zogenix, Inc.,
2.750%, 10/01/27 (±)
  USD   139    153,189 
Zscaler, Inc.,
0.125%, 07/01/25 (±)
  USD   179    266,087 
            30,995,149 
Total Convertible Corporate Bonds
(Cost $29,658,161)
           34,185,124 

 

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

 

Annual Report  19

 

 

 

Description  Counterparty  Number of
Contracts
   Exercise
Price
   Notional
Amount
   Fair
Value
 
                        
Lazard Enhanced Opportunities Portfolio (continued)                       
                        
Purchased Options  |  0.0%                       
                        
Call                       
Cinemark Holdings, Inc.
Expires 02/19/21
  MSC   8   $20   $800   $1,096 
II-VI, Inc.
Expires 01/15/21
  MSC   1    75    100    345 
Marcus Corp.
Expires 02/19/21
  MSC   8    18    800    400 
On Semiconductor Corp
Expires 01/29/21
  MSC   4    35    400    280 
Sabre Corp.
Expires 02/19/21
  MSC   8    15    800    296 
                     
Put                       
American Airlines Group, Inc.
Expires 01/15/21
  MSC   8    12    800    48 
American Airlines Group, Inc.
Expires 01/15/21
  MSC   8    13    800    88 
Ishares 7-10 year Treasury Bond
Expires 02/19/21
  MSC   49    117    4,900    1,029 
Marcus Corp.
Expires 01/15/21
  MSC   9    10    900    90 
Total Purchased Options
(Cost $4,647)
                     3,672 

 

Description  Shares   Fair
Value
 
 
Short-Term Investments  |  13.5%          
           
State Street Institutional Treasury Money Market Fund, Premier Class,
0.01% (7 day yield)
(Cost $2,658,914)
   2,658,914    2,658,914 

 

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

 

20  Annual Report

 

 

 

Description  Shares   Fair
Value
 
           
Lazard Enhanced Opportunities Portfolio (continued)          
           
Total Investments excluding Securities Sold Short  |  187.1%
(Cost $32,346,712)
       $36,875,643 
           
Securities Sold Short  |  (90.9)%          
           
Common Stocks  |  (88.5)%          
           
Brazil  |  (0.2)%          
Gol Linhas Aereas Inteligentes SA ADR   (3,352)   (32,917)
           
Canada  |  (3.9)%          
Aphria, Inc.   (21,309)   (147,458)
Atlas Corp.   (2,589)   (28,065)
Canadian Solar, Inc.   (2,694)   (138,040)
Canopy Growth Corp.   (4,212)   (103,637)
Colliers International Group, Inc.   (2,330)   (207,673)
Element Fleet Management Corp.   (7,926)   (83,314)
Pretium Resources, Inc.   (2,664)   (30,583)
Shopify, Inc., Class A   (33)   (37,354)
         (776,124)
Chile  |  (0.1)%          
Liberty Latin America, Ltd., Class C   (2,140)   (23,733)
           
Israel  |  (0.3)%          
Fiverr International, Ltd.   (273)   (53,262)
           
Netherlands  |  (0.1)%          
Pharming Group NV   (12,500)   (19,475)
           
Norway  |  (0.0%)          
SFL Corp., Ltd.   (1,467)   (9,213)
           
Panama  |  (1.4)%          
Copa Holdings SA, Class A   (3,518)   (271,695)

 

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

 

Annual Report  21

 

 

 

Description  Shares   Fair
Value
 
           
Lazard Enhanced Opportunities Portfolio (continued)          
           
United States  |  (82.5)%          
1Life Healthcare, Inc.   (3,063)  $(133,700)
8x8, Inc.   (9,778)   (337,048)
Aerie Pharmaceuticals, Inc.   (1,348)   (18,211)
Air Transport Services Group, Inc.   (4,669)   (146,326)
Alteryx, Inc., Class A   (22)   (2,679)
American Airlines Group, Inc.   (13,056)   (205,893)
Apellis Pharmaceuticals, Inc.   (3,258)   (186,358)
Arbor Realty Trust, Inc. REIT   (4,216)   (59,783)
Arch Resources, Inc.   (2,127)   (93,099)
Atlas Air Worldwide Holdings, Inc.   (3,216)   (175,401)
Avadel Pharmaceuticals PLC ADR   (7,643)   (51,055)
Avaya Holdings Corp.   (3,143)   (60,188)
Bloomin’ Brands, Inc.   (13,007)   (252,596)
Bridgebio Pharma, Inc.   (3,265)   (232,174)
Cardlytics, Inc.   (1,125)   (160,616)
Charter Communications, Inc., Class A   (15)   (9,923)
Cinemark Holdings, Inc.   (16,746)   (291,548)
Coherus Biosciences, Inc.   (6,444)   (111,997)
Collegium Pharmaceutical, Inc.   (3,649)   (73,089)
CONMED Corp.   (1,542)   (172,704)
Coupa Software, Inc.   (339)   (114,890)
CryoPort, Inc.   (4,038)   (177,187)
CSG Systems International, Inc.   (1,148)   (51,740)
CyberArk Software, Ltd.   (334)   (53,971)
DISH Network Corp., Class A   (4,384)   (141,779)
Encore Capital Group, Inc.   (8,828)   (343,851)
Envestnet, Inc.   (1,792)   (147,464)
Envista Holdings Corp.   (7,795)   (262,925)
Everbridge, Inc.   (1,290)   (192,300)
EZCORP, Inc. Class A   (4,146)   (19,859)
FireEye, Inc.   (2,917)   (67,266)
Five9, Inc.   (249)   (43,426)
Flexion Therapeutics, Inc.   (4,456)   (51,422)
FTI Consulting, Inc.   (1,035)   (115,630)
Gossamer Bio, Inc.   (5,106)   (49,375)

 

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

 

22  Annual Report

 

 

 

Description  Shares   Fair
Value
 
           
Lazard Enhanced Opportunities Portfolio (continued)          
           
Guardant Health, Inc.   (1,292)  $(166,513)
Guess?, Inc.   (5,770)   (130,517)
Hannon Armstrong Sustainable Infrastructure Capital, Inc. REIT   (2,684)   (170,246)
Health Catalyst, Inc.   (4,928)   (214,516)
Helix Energy Solutions Group, Inc.   (20,600)   (86,520)
Herbalife Nutrition, Ltd.   (3,305)   (158,805)
I3 Verticals, Inc., Class A   (3,158)   (104,846)
II-VI, Inc.   (3,471)   (263,657)
Impinj, Inc.   (3,553)   (148,764)
Innovative Industrial Properties, Inc. REIT   (2,957)   (541,515)
Innoviva, Inc.   (3,604)   (44,654)
Insmed, Inc.   (2,830)   (94,211)
Integra LifeSciences Holdings Corp.   (903)   (58,623)
Intercept Pharmaceuticals, Inc.   (1,051)   (25,960)
Ironwood Pharmaceuticals, Inc.   (10,499)   (119,584)
j2 Global, Inc.   (5,408)   (528,308)
Jazz Pharmaceuticals PLC   (730)   (120,486)
Kaman Corp.   (1,937)   (110,661)
Karyopharm Therapeutics, Inc.   (8,081)   (125,094)
KBR, Inc.   (8,231)   (254,585)
Knowles Corp.   (2,897)   (53,392)
Liberty Media Corp-Liberty Formula One, Class C   (3,491)   (148,717)
Liberty Media Corp.-Liberty SiriusXM, Class A   (5,681)   (245,362)
Ligand Pharmaceuticals, Inc.   (155)   (15,415)
LivaNova PLC   (727)   (48,135)
Live Nation Entertainment, Inc.   (5,810)   (426,919)
LivePerson, Inc.   (3,482)   (216,685)
Lyft, Inc., Class A   (2,809)   (138,006)
Marriott Vacations Worldwide Corp.   (1,334)   (183,051)
Mesa Laboratories, Inc.   (218)   (62,487)
MicroStrategy, Inc., Class A   (158)   (61,391)
MongoDB, Inc.   (783)   (281,128)
National Vision Holdings, Inc.   (5,763)   (261,006)
Nevro Corp.   (1,079)   (186,775)
NextEra Energy Partners L.P.   (781)   (52,366)

 

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

 

Annual Report  23

 

 

 

Description  Shares   Fair
Value
 
           
Lazard Enhanced Opportunities Portfolio (continued)          
           
Nuance Communications, Inc.   (6,277)  $(276,753)
Nutanix, Inc., Class A   (1,246)   (39,710)
NuVasive, Inc.   (1,632)   (91,931)
Okta, Inc.   (536)   (136,283)
Omeros Corp.   (5,874)   (83,910)
OSI Systems, Inc.   (850)   (79,237)
Patrick Industries, Inc.   (1,942)   (132,736)
PennyMac Mortgage Investment Trust REIT   (2,736)   (48,126)
Perficient, Inc.   (3,283)   (156,435)
PetIQ, Inc.   (4,677)   (179,831)
PRA Group, Inc.   (2,694)   (106,844)
PROS Holdings, Inc.   (3,482)   (176,781)
Pure Storage, Inc., Class A   (5,498)   (124,310)
Q2 Holdings, Inc.   (357)   (45,171)
Radius Health, Inc.   (1,356)   (24,218)
Rambus, Inc.   (5,346)   (93,341)
Redfin Corp.   (1,886)   (129,436)
Redwood Trust, Inc. REIT   (1,870)   (16,419)
Revance Therapeutics, Inc.   (4,452)   (126,170)
RH   (728)   (325,795)
Royal Caribbean Cruises, Ltd.   (1,925)   (143,778)
SailPoint Technologies Holding, Inc.   (6,250)   (332,750)
Shift4 Payments, Inc., Class A   (648)   (48,859)
Sirius XM Holdings, Inc.   (25,657)   (163,435)
Slack Technologies, Inc., Class A   (1,469)   (62,051)
SMART Global Holdings, Inc.   (3,925)   (147,698)
Snap, Inc., Class A   (5,772)   (289,004)
SolarEdge Technologies, Inc.   (271)   (86,482)
Splunk, Inc.   (341)   (57,932)
Stride, Inc.   (1,704)   (36,176)
Synaptics, Inc.   (1,634)   (157,518)
Tabula Rasa HealthCare, Inc.   (1,330)   (56,977)
TechTarget, Inc.   (1,051)   (62,125)
The Greenbrier Cos., Inc.   (943)   (34,306)
The Marcus Corp.   (8,261)   (111,358)
The Middleby Corp.   (605)   (77,997)

 

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

 

24  Annual Report

 

 

 

Description  Shares   Fair
Value
 
           
Lazard Enhanced Opportunities Portfolio (continued)          
           
Turning Point Brands, Inc.   (3,505)  $(156,183)
Uber Technologies, Inc.   (1,021)   (52,071)
Under Armour, Inc., Class C   (9,666)   (143,830)
Varex Imaging Corp.   (3,708)   (61,849)
Verint Systems, Inc.   (2,005)   (134,696)
Vishay Intertechnology, Inc.   (1,011)   (20,938)
Voya Financial, Inc.   (1,513)   (88,980)
Wayfair, Inc., Class A   (288)   (65,033)
Winnebago Industries, Inc.   (2,022)   (121,199)
Workiva, Inc.   (1,012)   (92,719)
Zillow Group, Inc. Class C   (2,496)   (323,981)
Zogenix, Inc.   (4,502)   (89,995)
Zscaler, Inc.   (932)   (186,130)
         (16,255,860)
           
Total Common Stocks
(Proceeds $14,167,637)
        (17,442,279)
           
Exchange-Traded Fund  |  (2.4)%          
           
United States  |  (2.4)%          
iShares 7-10 Year Treasury Bond ETF   (3,936)   (472,123)
           
Total Exchange-Traded Funds
(Proceeds $471,363)
        (472,123)
           
Total Securities Sold Short
(Proceeds $14,639,000)
        (17,914,402)
           
Total Investments  |  96.2%
(Cost and short proceeds $17,707,712) (»)
       $18,961,241 
           
Cash and Other Assets in Excess of Liabilities  |  3.8%        743,758 
           
Net Assets  |  100.0%       $19,704,999 

 

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

 

Annual Report  25

 

 

 

Lazard Enhanced Opportunities Portfolio (concluded)

 

Forward Currency Contracts open at December 31, 2020:

 

Currency
Purchased
  Quantity  Currency
Sold
  Quantity  Counterparty  Settlement
Date
  Unrealized
Appreciation
 
                         
EUR  201,000  USD  245,132  SSB  03/25/21    $863   
USD  208,250  CAD  265,000  SSB  03/25/21     18   
USD  342,901  EUR  279,000  SSB  03/25/21     1,446   
Total gross unrealized appreciation on Forward Currency Contracts            $2,327       

 

Written Options open at December 31, 2020:

 

Description  Counterparty  Number
of
Contracts
  Strike
Price
   Expiration
Date
  Notional
Amount
   Premiums   Fair
Value
 
                                     
Put                                   
Cinemark Holdings, Inc.  MSC        8        $15.00   02/19/21      $800       $802   $(840)
Synaptic, Inc.  MSC  6     70.00   02/19/21   600      728    (600)
Verint Systems, Inc.  MSC    2     55.00   02/19/21   200      142    (100)
Verint Systems, Inc.  MSC    3     60.00   02/19/21   300      507    (330)
Total Written Options       19                   $2,179   $(1,870)

 

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

 

26  Annual Report

 

The Lazard Funds, Inc. Notes to Portfolio of Investments
December 31, 2020

 

(*)Non-income producing security.
(‡)Security valued using Level 2 inputs, based on reference to a similar security which was trading on an active market, under GAAP hierarchy - see Note 9 in the Notes to Financial Statements.
(±) Some or all of this security position has been pledged to cover collateral requirements on securities sold short.
(#)Pursuant to Rule 144A under the Securities Act of 1933, these securities may only be traded among “qualified institutional buyers.” At December 31, 2020, these securities amounted to 5.3% of net assets.
(»)The Portfolio, at all times, maintains portfolio securities in sufficient amount to cover its obligations related to investments in forward currency contracts.

 

Security Abbreviations:

ADR American Depositary Receipt
ETF Exchange-Traded Fund
REIT Real Estate Investment Trust

 

Currency Abbreviations:

EUR Euro   CAD Canadian Dollar
USD United States Dollar        

 

Counterparty Abbreviations:

MSC Morgan Stanley & Co. Inc.
SSB State Street Bank and Trust Co.

 

Portfolio holdings by industry (as a percentage of net assets), for the Portfolio previously presented by country:

 

Industry†  Long   Short   
             
Common Stocks and Convertible Corporate Bonds            
Aerospace & Defense   1.5%   –0.6%  
Air Freight & Logistics   3.6    –1.6   
Airlines   3.8    –2.6   
Auto Components   1.8    –0.7   
Automobiles   1.1    –0.6   
Banks   1.2       
Biotechnology   11.3    –5.4   
Capital Markets   1.9       
Consumer Finance   7.4    –2.4   
Diversified Consumer Services   0.8    –0.2   
Diversified Financial Services   1.7    –0.9   
Diversified Telecommunication Services   0.5    –0.1   
Electronic Equipment, Instruments & Components   4.9    –2.1   
Energy Equipment & Services   1.0    –0.4   
Entertainment   4.8    –5.0   
Equity Real Estate Investment Trusts (REITs)   3.0    –2.7   
Food & Staples Retailing   0.2       

 

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

 

Annual Report  27

 

 

 

Industry†  Long   Short   
             
Common Stocks and Convertible Corporate Bonds (continued)            
Health Care Equipment & Supplies   10.5%   –5.7%  
Health Care Providers & Services   3.7    –2.4   
Health Care Technology   2.1    –1.4   
Hotels, Restaurants & Leisure   4.9    –2.9   
Independent Power & Renewable Electricity Producers   0.9    –0.3   
Interactive Media & Services   4.0    –3.1   
Internet & Direct Marketing Retail   1.0    –0.6   
IT Services   10.1    –5.4   
Machinery   2.8    –0.6   
Marine       –0.1   
Media   11.8    –4.0   
Metals & Mining   0.8    –0.2   
Mortgage Real Estate Investment Trusts (REITs)   6.0    –1.5   
Oil, Gas & Consumable Fuels   2.6    –0.5   
Personal Products   2.1    –0.8   
Pharmaceuticals   11.4    –4.4   
Professional Services   1.0    –0.6   
Real Estate Management & Development   3.7    –1.7   
Road & Rail   2.1    –1.0   
Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment   6.0    –3.9   
Software   26.8    –16.4   
Specialty Retail   4.7    –3.6   
Technology Hardware, Storage & Peripherals   1.6    –0.6   
Textiles, Apparel & Luxury Goods   0.9    –0.7   
Tobacco   1.6    –0.8   
Subtotal   173.6    –88.5   
Exchange Traded Funds       –2.4   
Short-Term Investments   13.5       
Total Investments   187.1%   –90.9%  

 

Industry classifications may be different than those used for compliance monitoring purposes.

 

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

 

28  Annual Report

 

The Lazard Funds, Inc. Statement of Assets and Liabilities

 

 

December 31, 2020Lazard
Enhanced
Opportunities
Portfolio
 
ASSETS     
Investments in securities, at fair value  $36,875,643 
Cash   3,998 
Receivables for:     
Investments sold   1,720,697 
Dividends and interest   155,935 
Capital stock sold   15,000 
Cash collateral due from broker on options   83,000 
Amount due from Investment Manager (Note 3)   13,664 
Gross unrealized appreciation on forward currency contracts   2,327 
Total assets   38,870,264 
      
LIABILITIES     
Securities sold short, at fair value   17,914,402 
Foreign currency due to custodian   2,602 
Payables for:     
Accrued custodian fees   52,457 
Accrued professional services   32,285 
Accrued directors’ fees   64 
Investments purchased   1,142,230 
Dividends on securities sold short   8,471 
Written options, at fair value   1,870 
Other accrued expenses and payables   10,884 
Total liabilities   19,165,265 
Net assets  $19,704,999 
      
NET ASSETS     
Paid in capital  $19,716,851 
Distributable earnings (Accumulated loss)   (11,852)
Net assets  $19,704,999 
Institutional Shares     
Net assets  $19,537,447 
Shares of capital stock outstanding*   2,140,850 
Net asset value, offering and redemption price per share  $9.13 
      
Open Shares     
Net assets  $167,552 
Shares of capital stock outstanding*   18,359 
Net asset value, offering and redemption price per share  $9.13 
Cost of investments in securities  $32,346,712 
Proceeds received from securities sold short  $14,639,000 
Proceeds received from written options  $2,179 
*  $0.001 par value, 6,900,000,000 shares authorized for the Portfolios in total.

 

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

 

Annual Report  29

 

The Lazard Funds, Inc. Statement of Operations

 

 

For the Year Ended December 31, 2020Lazard
Enhanced
Opportunities
Portfolio
 
Investment Income (Loss)     
      
Income     
Interest  $576,257 
Dividends   4,440 
Total investment income*   580,697 
      
Expenses     
Management fees (Note 3)   124,144 
Custodian fees   91,331 
Professional services   49,567 
Registration fees   36,146 
Administration fees   25,865 
Shareholders’ reports   24,837 
Shareholders’ services   9,259 
Directors’ fees and expenses   5,541 
Distribution fees (Open Shares)   1,012 
Other   6,535 
Total gross expenses before expenses on securities sold short   374,237 
Broker expense on securities sold short   89,524 
Dividend expense on securities sold short   38,129 
Total gross expenses   501,890 
Management fees waived and expenses reimbursed   (209,374)
Total net expenses   292,516 
Net investment income (loss)   288,181 
      
Net Realized and Unrealized Gain (Loss)     
Net realized gain (loss) on:     
Investments   2,271,862 
Securities sold short   (2,077,543)
Foreign currency transactions   (3,978)
Forward currency contracts   (8,786)
Futures contracts   35,174 
Written options   20,920 
Total net realized gain (loss)   237,649 
Net change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on:     
Investments   4,277,873 
Securities sold short   (2,910,199)
Foreign currency translations   71 
Forward currency contracts   4,141 
Written options   530 
Total net change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation)   1,372,416 
Net realized and unrealized gain (loss)   1,610,065 
Net increase (decrease) in net assets resulting from operations  $1,898,246 
*  Net of foreign withholding taxes of  $11 

 

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

 

30  Annual Report

 

The Lazard Funds, Inc. Statement of Changes in Net Assets

 

 

   Lazard
Enhanced Opportunities Portfolio
 
   Year Ended
December 31, 2020
   Year Ended
December 31, 2019
 
Increase in Net Assets              
               
Operations              
Net investment income (loss)    $288,181     $123,402 
Net realized gain (loss)     237,649      205,536 
Net change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation)     1,372,416      473,630 
Net increase (decrease) in net assets resulting from operations     1,898,246      802,568 
               
Distributions to shareholders (Note 2(h))              
Net investment income and net realized gains              
Institutional Shares     (1,185,411)     (90,507)
Open Shares     (9,395)     (1,247)
Net decrease in net assets resulting from distributions     (1,194,806)     (91,754)
               
Capital stock transactions              
Net proceeds from sales              
Institutional Shares     11,095,505      1,320,608 
Open Shares     3,369,722      42,717 
Net proceeds from reinvestment of distributions              
Institutional Shares     1,185,411      90,507 
Open Shares     9,395      1,247 
Cost of shares redeemed              
Institutional Shares     (2,567,231)     (9,075,438)
Open Shares     (3,436,893)     (33,358)
Net increase (decrease) in net assets from capital stock transactions     9,655,909      (7,653,717)
Total increase (decrease) in net assets     10,359,349      (6,942,903)
Net assets at beginning of period     9,345,650      16,288,553 
Net assets at end of period    $19,704,999     $9,345,650 

 

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

 

Annual Report  31

 

 

 

 

   Lazard
Enhanced Opportunities Portfolio
 
   Year Ended
December 31, 2020
   Year Ended
December 31, 2019
 
Shares issued and redeemed              
               
Institutional Shares              
Shares outstanding at beginning of period     1,043,282      1,948,553 
Shares sold     1,253,802      155,988 
Shares issued to shareholders from reinvestment of distributions     130,284      10,308 
Shares redeemed     (286,518)     (1,071,567)
Net increase (decrease)     1,097,568      (905,271)
Shares outstanding at end of period     2,140,850      1,043,282 
               
Open Shares              
Shares outstanding at beginning of period     13,910      12,624 
Shares sold     402,978      4,922 
Shares issued to shareholders from reinvestment of distributions     1,035      142 
Shares redeemed     (399,564)     (3,778)
Net increase (decrease)     4,449      1,286 
Shares outstanding at end of period     18,359      13,910 

 

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

 

32  Annual Report

 

The Lazard Funds, Inc. Financial Highlights

 

 

LAZARD ENHANCED OPPORTUNITIES PORTFOLIO

 

Selected data for a share
of capital stock outstanding
Year Ended 
throughout each period12/31/20 12/31/19 12/31/18 12/31/17 12/31/16 
Institutional Shares                         
Net asset value, beginning of period  $8.84   $8.31   $8.67   $9.16   $8.89 
Income (Loss) from investment operations:                         
Net investment income (loss) (a)   0.20    0.10    0.06    0.11^   0.05 
Net realized and unrealized gain (loss)   0.69    0.52    (0.20)   0.40    0.35 
Total from investment operations   0.89    0.62    (0.14)   0.51    0.40 
Less distributions from:                         
Net investment income   (0.22)       (0.10)   (0.17)   (0.08)
Net realized gains   (0.38)   (0.09)   (0.12)   (0.83)   (0.05)
Total distributions   (0.60)   (0.09)   (0.22)   (1.00)   (0.13)
Net asset value, end of period  $9.13   $8.84   $8.31   $8.67   $9.16 
Total Return (b)   10.11%   7.44%   –1.66%   5.56%^   4.50%
                          
Ratios and Supplemental Data:                         
Net assets, end of period (in thousands)  $19,537   $9,223   $16,184   $15,206   $14,077 
Ratios to average net assets:                         
Net expenses   2.23%   2.71%   2.36%   2.78%^   1.79%
Gross expenses   3.79%   5.52%   3.80%   5.02%^   3.60%
Gross expenses, excluding expenses on securities sold short   2.82%   4.06%   2.71%   3.45%   3.51%
Net investment income (loss)   2.22%   1.19%   0.73%   1.20%   0.57%
Portfolio turnover rate:                         
Excluding securities sold short   167%   272%   312%   210%   247%
Including securities sold short   241%   354%   409%   310%   340%

 

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

 

Annual Report  33

 

 

 

 

Selected data for a share
of capital stock outstanding
Year Ended 
throughout each period12/31/20 12/31/19 12/31/18 12/31/17 12/31/16 
Open Shares                         
Net asset value, beginning of period  $8.82   $8.30   $8.65   $9.15   $8.89 
Income (Loss) from investment operations:                         
Net investment income (loss) (a)   0.16    0.10    0.04    0.10^   0.04 
Net realized and unrealized gain (loss)   0.70    0.51    (0.19)   0.37    0.33 
Total from investment operations   0.86    0.61    (0.15)   0.47    0.37 
Less distributions from:                         
Net investment income   (0.17)       (0.08)   (0.14)   (0.06)
Net realized gains   (0.38)   (0.09)   (0.12)   (0.83)   (0.05)
Total distributions   (0.55)   (0.09)   (0.20)   (0.97)   (0.11)
Net asset value, end of period  $9.13   $8.82   $8.30   $8.65   $9.15 
Total Return (b)   9.83%   7.33%   –1.80%   5.16%^   4.13%
                          
Ratios and Supplemental Data:                         
Net assets, end of period (in thousands)  $168   $123   $105   $117   $112 
Ratios to average net assets:                         
Net expenses   2.45%   2.83%   2.60%   3.01%^   2.07%
Gross expenses   4.94%   13.76%   14.49%   16.40%^   15.58%
Gross expenses, excluding expenses on securities sold short   3.99%   12.30%   13.40%   14.85%   15.46%
Net investment income (loss)   1.75%   1.10%   0.48%   1.06%   0.45%
Portfolio turnover rate:                         
Excluding securities sold short   167%   272%   312%   210%   247%
Including securities sold short   241%   354%   409%   310%   340%

 

^ A one-time voluntary reimbursement by the administrator increased the net investment income per share amount of $0.04 per share. For Institutional Shares and Open Shares, the one-time voluntary reimbursement by the administrator increased the total return ratio by 0.49%, decreased the gross expense and net expense ratios by 0.44% and increased the net investment income (loss) ratio by 0.44%.
(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 may have been waived or reimbursed by the Investment Manager, State Street or DST; without such waiver/reimbursement of expenses, the Portfolio’s returns would have been lower.

 

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

 

34  Annual Report

 

The Lazard Funds, Inc. Notes to Financial Statements

December 31, 2020

 

1. Organization

The Lazard Funds, Inc. was incorporated in Maryland on May 17, 1991 and is registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the “1940 Act”), as an open-end management investment company. As of December 31, 2020, the Fund was comprised of thirty no-load portfolios (each referred to as a “Portfolio”). This report includes only the financial statements of the Lazard Enhanced Opportunities Portfolio (“Enhanced Opportunities”). The financial statements of the other twenty-nine Portfolios are presented separately.

 

The Portfolio is operated as a “non-diversified” fund, as defined in the 1940 Act.

 

The Portfolio currently offers Institutional Shares and Open Shares. Each share class is identical except as to minimum investment requirements; the services offered to, and expenses borne by, each class; and the availability of Service Payments (as defined in the Fund’s prospectus).

 

2. Significant Accounting Policies

The accompanying financial statements are presented in conformity with GAAP. The Fund is an investment company and therefore applies specialized accounting guidance in accordance with Accounting Standards Codification Topic 946. The following is a summary of significant accounting policies consistently followed by the Fund in the preparation of the financial statements:

 

(a) Valuation of Investments—Equity securities traded on a securities exchange or market, including exchange-traded option contracts, rights and warrants, are valued at the last reported sales price (for US listed equity securities) or the closing price (for non-US listed equity securities) on the exchange or market on which the security is principally traded or, for securities trading on the NASDAQ National Market System (“NASDAQ”), the NASDAQ Official Closing Price. If there is no available closing price for a non-US listed equity security, the last reported sales price is used. If there are no reported sales of a security on the valuation date, the security is valued at the most recent quoted bid price on such date reported by such principal exchange or market. Futures

 

Annual Report  35

 

 

 

contracts are valued at the settlement price on the exchange on which the contract is principally traded. Over-the-counter swap agreements are valued by an independent pricing service and centrally cleared swaps are valued at the last reported sale on the clearing exchange. Forward currency contracts generally are valued using quotations from an independent pricing service. Investments in money market funds are valued at the fund’s net asset value (“NAV”) per share.

 

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 on, among other things, trading in securities with similar characteristics, brokers’ quotations and/or a matrix system which considers such factors as other security prices, yields and maturities.

 

Calculation of the Portfolio’s NAV may not take place contemporaneously with the determination of the prices of portfolio assets used in such calculation. Trading on certain non-US securities exchanges or markets, such as those in Europe and Asia, ordinarily may be completed before the close of business on each business day in New York (i.e., a day on which the New York Stock Exchange (the “NYSE”) is open). In addition, securities trading in a particular non-US country or countries, may not take place on all business days in New York and on which the NAV of the Portfolio is calculated.

 

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 the Portfolio’s NAV 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 Fund’s Board of Directors (the “Board”). The fair value of non-US 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 US securities and other appropriate indicators, such as closing market prices of

 

36  Annual Report

 

 

 

relevant American Depositary Receipts (“ADRs”) or futures contracts. Certain non-US securities may trade on days when the Portfolio is not open for business, thus affecting the value of the Portfolio’s assets on days when Portfolio shareholders may not be able to buy or sell Portfolio shares.

 

The Valuation Committee of the Investment Manager, which is subject to the oversight 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 Manager’s portfolio management team also will be considered.

 

The effect of using fair value pricing is that the NAV of the 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’ NAVs.

 

(b) Portfolio Securities Transactions and Investment Income—Portfolio securities transactions are accounted for on trade date. Realized gain (loss) on sales of investments are recorded on a specific identification basis. Dividend income and dividend expenses on short sales are recorded on the ex-dividend date except for certain dividends from non-US securities where the dividend rate is not available. In such cases, the dividend is recorded as soon as the information is received by the Portfolio. Interest income, if any, is accrued daily. The Portfolio amortizes premiums and accretes discounts on fixed-income securities using the effective yield method.

 

The Portfolio may be subject to taxes imposed by non-US countries in which it invests. Such taxes are generally based upon income earned or capital gains (realized and/or unrealized). If applicable, the Portfolio accrues and applies such taxes to net investment income, net realized gains and net unrealized gains

 

Annual Report  37

 

 

 

concurrent with the recognition of income earned or capital gains (realized and/or unrealized) from the applicable portfolio securities.

 

(c) Foreign Currency Translation and Forward Currency Contracts—The accounting records of the Fund are maintained in US dollars. Portfolio securities and other assets and liabilities denominated in a foreign currency are translated daily into US dollars at the prevailing rates of exchange. Purchases and sales of securities, income receipts and expense payments are translated into US dollars at the prevailing exchange rates on the respective transaction dates.

 

The Portfolio does not isolate the portion of operations resulting from changes in foreign exchange rates on investments from the fluctuations arising from changes in their market prices. Such fluctuations are included in net realized and unrealized gain (loss) on investments.

 

A forward currency contract is an agreement between two parties to buy or sell currency at a set price on a future date. Daily fluctuations in the value of forward currency contracts are recorded as unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on forward currency contracts. When the contract is closed, the Portfolio records a realized gain (loss) equal to the difference between the value at the time it was opened and the value at the time it was closed. Net realized gain (loss) on foreign currency transactions and forward currency contracts represent net foreign currency gain (loss) from forward currency contracts, disposition of foreign currencies, currency gain (loss) realized between the trade and settlement dates on securities transactions, and the difference between the amount of dividends, interest and foreign withholding taxes recorded on the Portfolio’s accounting records and the US dollar equivalent amounts actually received or paid. Net change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on foreign currency translations reflects the impact of changes in exchange rates on the value of assets and liabilities, other than investments in securities, during the period.

 

During the year ended December 31, 2020, the Portfolio traded in forward currency contracts.

 

38  Annual Report

 

 

 

(d) Futures Contracts—For hedging and investment purposes, the Portfolio may enter into futures contracts in US domestic markets, or exchanges located outside the United States.

 

Foreign markets may offer advantages such as trading opportunities or arbitrage possibilities not available in the United States. Foreign markets, however, may have greater risk potential than domestic markets. For example, some foreign exchanges are principal markets so that no common clearing facility exists and an investor may look only to the broker for performance of the contract. In addition, any profits the 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 Commodity Futures Trading Commission.

 

Engaging in these transactions involves risk of loss to the Portfolio which could adversely affect the value of the Portfolio’s net assets.

 

Although the Portfolio 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.

 

During the year ended December 31, 2020, the Portfolio traded in futures contracts.

 

(e) Options Transactions—Put and call options purchased are accounted for in the same manner as portfolio securities and other

 

Annual Report  39

 

 

 

assets. Certain options may be written with premiums to be determined on a future date. The premiums for these options are based upon implied volatility parameters at specified terms. When the Portfolio writes an option, the premium received by the Portfolio is recorded as a liability and is subsequently adjusted to the current market value of the option written.

 

During the year ended December 31, 2020, the Portfolio traded in options.

 

(f) Short Sales—A short sale is a transaction in which the Portfolio sells securities it does not own but has borrowed in anticipation of a decline in the market price of the securities. The initial amount of a short sale is recorded as a liability which is marked-to-market daily. Fluctuations in the value of the short liability are recorded as unrealized gains or losses. The Portfolio realizes a gain or loss upon closing of the short sale (returning the security to the counterparty by way of purchase or delivery of a long position owned). The Portfolio may have to pay a fee to borrow the particular security and is liable to the buyer for any dividends or interest payable on securities while those securities are in a short position. These dividends and interest amounts are an expense of the Portfolio. The Portfolio designates collateral consisting of cash, US government securities or other liquid assets sufficient to collateralize the market value of short positions.

 

Proceeds from short sales are generally retained in cash accounts or invested in securities that are cash equivalents. With regard to securities borrowed as of December 31, 2020, pursuant to short sale arrangements, the Portfolio has a right to set off any assets held (including the borrowed securities) or obligations owed to the lender (State Street), in the event of the lender’s default, against any obligations owed by the lender to the Portfolio under any agreement or collateral document, including the collateral value of the Securities Loan Collateral, as that term is defined in the Securities Lending and Services Agreement between the Fund and State Street. At December 31, 2020, the Portfolio had pledged $34,210,199 of long securities as collateral under such arrangements.

 

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For the year ended December 31, 2020, proceeds from securities sold short and purchases to cover short positions for the Portfolio were $36,779,628 and $26,209,556, respectively.

 

(g) Federal Income Taxes—The Fund’s policy is for the Portfolio to qualify as a regulated investment company under Subchapter M of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “Code”), and to distribute all of its taxable income, including any net realized capital gains, to shareholders. Therefore, no federal income tax provision is required.

 

At December 31, 2020, the Portfolio had no unused realized capital loss carryovers which, for federal income tax purposes, could be used to offset future realized capital gains.

 

During the year ended December 31, 2020, the Portfolio had utilized realized capital loss carryovers from previous year amounting to $105,582.

 

Under current tax law, post-October capital losses or certain late-year ordinary losses, as defined by the Code, within the taxable year may be deferred and treated as occurring on the first day of the following tax year. For the tax year ended December 31, 2020, the Portfolio had no such losses to defer.

 

For federal income tax purposes, the aggregate cost, aggregate gross unrealized appreciation, aggregate gross unrealized depreciation and the net unrealized appreciation (depreciation) were as follows:

 

Portfolio  Aggregate
Cost
   Aggregate
Gross
Unrealized
Appreciation
   Aggregate
Gross
Unrealized
Depreciation
   Net
Unrealized
Appreciation
(Depreciation)
 
Enhanced Opportunities   $19,317,664    $3,204,598    $3,558,851    $(354,253) 

 

Management has analyzed the Portfolio’s tax positions, and has concluded that no liability for unrecognized tax benefits should be recorded related to uncertain tax positions taken on tax returns filed for any open tax years (or expected to be taken on future tax returns). Open tax years are those that remain subject to examination and are based on each tax jurisdiction’s statute of

 

Annual Report  41

 

 

 

limitations. The Portfolio files a US federal income tax return annually after its fiscal year-end, which is subject to examination by the Internal Revenue Service for a period of three years from the date of filing.

 

(h) Dividends and Distributions—Dividends from net investment income, if any, will be declared and paid annually. During any particular year, net realized gains from investment transactions in excess of available capital loss carryforwards would be taxable to the Portfolio, if not distributed. The Portfolio intends to declare and distribute these amounts, at least annually, to shareholders, but such amounts may be distributed more frequently. Differences in per share distributions, by class, are generally due to differences in class specific expenses.

 

The Portfolio intends, on its 2020 tax return, to treat as a distribution of investment company taxable income and net capital gain the portion of redemption proceeds paid to redeeming shareholders that represents the redeeming shareholders’ portion of the Portfolio’s undistributed investment company taxable income and net capital gain. This practice, which involves the use of equalization accounting, will have the effect of reducing the amount of income and gains that the Portfolio would otherwise be required to distribute as dividends to shareholders in order for the Portfolio to avoid federal income and excise taxes. This practice reduces the amount of distributions required to be made to non-redeeming shareholders and defers the recognition of taxable income by such shareholders. However, since the amount of any undistributed income will be reflected in the value of the Portfolio’s shares, the total return on a shareholder’s investment is not affected by the Portfolio’s use of equalization.

 

Income and capital gains distributions are determined in accordance with federal income tax regulations which may differ from GAAP. These book/tax differences, which resulted in distribution reclassifications, are primarily due to differing treatments of foreign currency transactions, passive foreign investment company gains and losses, 305(c) deemed dividends, wash sales, equalization, certain expenses and straddles. The

 

42  Annual Report

 

 

 

book/tax differences relating to shareholder distributions resulted in reclassifications among certain capital accounts as follows:

 

Portfolio  Paid in Capital   Total
Distributable
Earnings
(Accumulated
Loss)
 
Enhanced Opportunities   $35,289    $(35,289) 

 

The tax character of dividends and distributions paid during the years ended December 31, were as follows:

 

   Ordinary Income   Long-Term Capital Gain  
Portfolio   2020    2019    2020    2019   
Enhanced Opportunities  $1,194,806   $91,754    $—    $—   

 

At December 31, 2020, the components of distributable earnings (accumulated loss), on a tax basis, were as follows:

 

Portfolio   Undistributed
Ordinary Income
(Deferred
Ordinary
Losses)
    Undistributed
Long-Term
Capital Gain
(Deferred
Capital Losses)
    Net Unrealized
Appreciation
(Depreciation)
Including
Foreign Currency
 
                
Enhanced Opportunities   $385,995    $—    $(397,847) 

 

(i) Allocation of Expenses—Expenses common to the Fund, Lazard Retirement Series, Inc., and Lazard Global Total Return and Income Fund, Inc. (each a “Lazard Fund” and collectively, the “Lazard Fund Complex”), each a registered management investment company advised by the Investment Manager, not directly chargeable to one or more specific Lazard Funds are allocated to the Fund and among its Portfolios primarily on the basis of relative net assets. Expenses of the Fund not directly chargeable to one or more Portfolios are similarly allocated among the Portfolios primarily on the basis of relative net assets. The Portfolio accrues distribution and service (12b-1) fees in the Open Share class. Each Portfolio’s income, expenses (other than class specific expenses) and realized and unrealized gains and losses are allocated proportionally each

 

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day between the classes based upon the relative net assets of each class.

 

(j) Estimates—The preparation of financial statements in conformity with GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of increases and decreases in net assets resulting from operations during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from those estimates.

 

(k) Net Asset Value—The NAV per share for each class of the Portfolio is determined each day the NYSE is open for trading as of the close of regular trading on the NYSE (generally 4:00 p.m. Eastern time). The Fund will not treat an intraday unscheduled disruption in NYSE trading as a closure of the NYSE, and will price its shares as of 4:00 p.m., if the particular disruption directly affects only the NYSE. The NAV per share of a class 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.

 

3. Investment Management, Administration, Custody, Distribution and Transfer Agency Agreements

The Fund, on behalf of the Portfolio, has entered into a management agreement (the “Management Agreement”) with the Investment Manager. Pursuant to the Management Agreement, the Investment Manager manages the investment operations of the Portfolio and the assets of the Portfolio including the purchase, retention and disposition thereof, in accordance with the Portfolio’s investment objectives, policies, and restrictions, and provides the Portfolio with administrative, operational and compliance assistance services. For its services provided to the Portfolio, the Investment Manager earns a management fee, accrued daily as a percentage of the Portfolio’s average daily net assets and payable by the Portfolio monthly, at the annual rate set forth below:

 

Portfolio   Annual Rate   
Enhanced Opportunities   0.95%  

 

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The Investment Manager has voluntarily agreed to waive its fees and, if necessary, reimburse the Portfolio until May 1, 2021 if the aggregate direct expenses of the Portfolio, exclusive of taxes, brokerage, interest on borrowings, dividend and interest expenses on securities sold short, fees and expenses of “Acquired Funds” (as defined in Form N-1A), fees and expenses related to filing foreign tax reclaims, and extraordinary expenses, exceed the percentages of the value of the Portfolio’s average daily net assets set forth in the table below. The Fund, on behalf of the Portfolio, may deduct from the payment to be made to the Investment Manager under the Management Agreement, or the Investment Manager will bear, such excess expenses.

 

Portfolio  Institutional
Shares
   Open
Shares
   
Enhanced Opportunities   1.25%   1.50%  

 

During the year ended December 31, 2020, the Investment Manager waived its management fees and reimbursed the Portfolio for other expenses as follows:

 

   Institutional Shares   Open Shares  
   Management   Expenses   Management   Expenses   
Portfolio  Fees Waived   Reimbursed   Fees Waived   Reimbursed   
Enhanced Opportunities   $120,050    $78,569    $4,094    $6,661   

 

The aforementioned waivers and/or reimbursements are not subject to recoupment by the Investment Manager.

 

State Street serves as the Fund’s custodian and provides the Fund with certain administrative services.

 

The Fund has a distribution agreement with Lazard Asset Management Securities LLC (the “Distributor”), a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Investment Manager, to serve as the distributor for shares of the Portfolio. The Distributor bears, among other things, the cost of preparing and distributing materials used by the Distributor in connection with its offering Portfolio shares and other advertising and promotional expenses.

 

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Under a distribution and servicing plan adopted pursuant to Rule 12b-1 under the 1940 Act, the Portfolio pays a monthly fee to the Distributor, at an annual rate of 0.25% of the average daily net assets of its Open Shares, for certain distribution activities and providing services to holders of the Portfolio’s Open Shares. The Distributor may make payments to third parties such as financial institutions, securities dealers and other industry professionals, in respect of these services.

 

DST is the Fund’s transfer agent and dividend disbursing agent.

 

4. Directors’ Compensation

Certain Directors of the Fund are officers of the Investment Manager. For the year ended December 31, 2020, each Director who is not an affiliated person of the Investment Manager or any of its affiliates was paid by all of the funds in the Lazard Fund Complex: (1) an annual retainer of $237,000, (2) an additional annual retainer of $33,700 to the lead Independent Director, and (3) an additional annual retainer of $23,500 to the Audit Committee Chair. The Independent Directors (an “Independent Director” is a Director who is not an “interested person” (as defined in the 1940 Act) of the Fund) also may be paid additional fees for participation on ad hoc committees or other work performed on behalf of the Board. The Independent Directors are reimbursed for travel and other out-of-pocket expenses for attending Board and committee meetings or incurred in connection with work performed on behalf of the Board. The Directors do not receive benefits from the Fund pursuant to any pension, retirement or similar arrangement. The compensation policy (i.e., retainer amounts and any additional fees as described above) for Independent Directors for the Lazard Fund Complex will remain the same in 2021. Independent Directors’ compensation and expenses are allocated among the funds in the Lazard Fund Complex at a rate of $5,000 per active portfolio with the remainder allocated among the active portfolios on the basis of relative net assets. The Statement of Operations shows the Independent Directors’ compensation and expenses paid by the Portfolio.

 

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5. Securities Transactions and Transactions with Affiliates

Purchases and sales of portfolio securities (excluding short-term investments and short sales) for the year ended December 31, 2020 were as follows:

 

Portfolio  Purchases   Sales 
Enhanced Opportunities   $52,047,680    $32,810,522 

 

For the year ended December 31, 2020, the Portfolio did not engage in any cross-trades in accordance with Rule 17a-7 under the 1940 Act, and no brokerage commissions were paid to affiliates of the Investment Manager or other affiliates of the Fund for portfolio transactions executed on behalf of the Fund.

 

At December 31, 2020, the Investment Manager owned 31.77% of the outstanding shares of the Portfolio.

 

6. Line of Credit

The Fund has a $100 million committed line of credit pursuant to an Amended and Restated Loan Agreement (the “Agreement”) with State Street, primarily for temporary or emergency purposes, including the meeting of redemption requests that otherwise might require the untimely disposition of securities. Interest on borrowings is payable at 1.00% plus the “Applicable Rate,” which is the higher of (a) the Federal Funds Rate plus 10 basis points and (b) the Overnight Bank Funding Rate (OBFR) plus 10 basis points, on an annualized basis. Under the Agreement, the Fund has agreed to pay a 0.20% per annum fee on the unused portion of the commitment, payable quarterly in arrears. The Fund has also agreed to pay an upfront fee of 0.05% of the committed line amount. During the year ended December 31, 2020, the Portfolio had no borrowings under the Agreement.

 

Management believes that the fair value of the liabilities under the Agreement is equivalent to the recorded amount based on its short-term maturity and interest rate, which fluctuates with the Applicable Rate. The Portfolio’s outstanding balance under the Agreement, if any, would be categorized as Level 2.

 

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7. Investment Risks

Not all risks applicable to an investment in the Portfolio are described below. Please see the Portfolio’s current summary prospectus or a current Portfolio prospectus for further information regarding the Portfolio’s investment strategy and related risks.

 

(a) Market Risk—The Portfolio may incur losses due to declines in one or more markets in which it invests. These declines may be the result of, among other things, political, regulatory, market, economic or social developments affecting the relevant market(s). To the extent that such developments impact specific industries, market sectors, countries or geographic regions, the Portfolio’s investments in such industries, market sectors, countries and/or geographic regions can be expected to be particularly affected, especially if such investments are a significant portion of its investment portfolio. 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. Global economies and financial markets are increasingly interconnected, and conditions and events in one country, region or financial market may adversely impact issuers worldwide. As a result, local, regional or global events such as war, acts of terrorism, the spread of infectious illness or other public health issues, recessions or other events could have a significant negative impact on global economic and market conditions. The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) global pandemic and the aggressive responses taken by many governments or voluntarily imposed by private parties, including closing borders, restricting travel and imposing prolonged quarantines or similar restrictions, as well as the closure of, or operational changes to, many retail and other businesses, has had negative impacts, and in many cases severe negative impacts, on markets worldwide. It is not known how long such impacts, or any future impacts of other significant events described above, will or would last, but there could be a prolonged period of global economic slowdown, which may be expected to impact the Portfolio and its investments.

 

(b) Convertible Securities Risk—The market value of convertible securities may perform like that of non-convertible fixed income

 

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securities; that is, their prices move inversely with changes in interest rates (i.e., as interest rates go up, prices go down). In addition, convertible securities are subject to the risk that the issuer will not make interest or principal payments, or will not make payments on a timely basis. Since it derives a portion of its value from the common stock into which it may be converted, a convertible security also is subject to the same types of market and issuer risks that apply to the underlying common stock.

 

(c) Fixed-Income and Debt Securities Risk—The market value of a debt security may decline due to general market conditions that are not specifically related to a particular company, such as real or perceived adverse economic conditions, changes in the outlook for corporate earnings, changes in interest or currency rates or adverse investor sentiment generally. The debt securities market can be susceptible to increases in volatility and decreases in liquidity. Liquidity can decline unpredictably in response to overall economic conditions or credit tightening.

 

Prices of bonds and other debt securities tend to move inversely with changes in interest rates. Interest rate risk is usually greater for fixed-income securities with longer maturities or durations. A rise in interest rates (or the expectation of a rise in interest rates) may result in periods of volatility, decreased liquidity and increased redemptions, and, as a result, the Portfolio may have to liquidate portfolio securities at disadvantageous prices.

 

The Portfolio’s investments in lower-rated, higher-yielding securities (“junk bonds”) 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 security’s value could fall, potentially lowering the Portfolio’s share price. The prices of non-investment grade securities, unlike investment grade debt securities, may fluctuate unpredictably and not necessarily inversely with changes in interest rates. The

 

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market for these securities may be less liquid and therefore these securities may be harder to value or sell at an acceptable price, especially during times of market volatility or decline.

 

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 of called or redeemed securities 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 adjustable rate securities will participate in any declines in interest rates. 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.

 

(d) Preferred Securities Risk-There are various risks associated with investing in preferred securities. 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.

 

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·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.

 

·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 issuer’s 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, or redeem its issue at par earlier than the scheduled maturity. 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).

 

·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.

 

(e) Short Position Risk—Short positions may involve substantial risks. If a short position appreciates in value during the period of the Portfolio’s investment, there will be a loss to the Portfolio that could be substantial. Short positions involve more risk than long positions because the maximum sustainable loss on a security purchased is limited to the amount paid for the security plus the transaction costs. However, the Portfolio’s potential loss on a short position is unlimited because, theoretically, there is no limit to the potential price increase of a security. In addition, the Portfolio’s short sales transactions are dependent on counterparties to its securities borrowing transactions and are subject to the risk of

 

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default by a counterparty, which could result in a loss of Portfolio assets used as collateral or the loss of monies owed to the Portfolio by a counterparty.

 

(f) Derivatives and Hedging Risk—Derivatives transactions, including those entered into for hedging purposes (i.e., seeking to protect Portfolio investments), may increase volatility, reduce returns, limit gains or magnify losses, perhaps substantially, particularly since most derivatives have a leverage component that provides investment exposure in excess of the amount invested. Swap agreements; forward currency contracts; over-the-counter options on securities (including options on ETFs), indexes and currencies; and other over-the-counter derivatives transactions are subject to the risks of the creditworthiness of, and default by, the counterparty and consequently may lose all or a portion of their value due solely to the creditworthiness of, or default, by the counterparty. Over-the-counter derivatives frequently may be illiquid and difficult to value. Changes in liquidity may result in significant, rapid and unpredictable changes in the prices for derivatives. These derivatives transactions, as well as the exchange-traded futures and 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 reference asset, index or rate. As such, a small investment could have a potentially large impact on the Portfolio’s performance. In fact, many derivatives may be subject to greater risks than those associated with investing directly in the underlying or other reference asset. Derivatives transactions incur costs, either explicitly or implicitly, which reduce returns, and costs of engaging in such transactions may outweigh any gains or any losses averted from hedging activities. Successful use of derivatives, whether for hedging or for other investment purposes, is subject to the Investment Manager’s ability to predict correctly movements in the direction of the relevant reference asset or market and, for hedging activities, correlation of the derivative instruments used with the investments seeking to be hedged. 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.

 

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(g) Non-US Securities Risk—The Portfolio’s 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 less developed or less efficient trading markets, political instability, a lack of company information, differing auditing and legal standards, and, potentially, less liquidity.

 

(h) Foreign Currency Risk—Investments denominated in currencies other than US dollars may experience a decline in value, in US dollar terms, due solely to fluctuations in currency exchange rates. The Portfolio’s investments could be adversely affected by delays in, or a refusal to grant, repatriation of funds or conversion of emerging market currencies.

 

(i) Non-Diversification Risk—The Portfolio’s net asset value 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 Portfolio’s investments consisted of securities issued by a larger number of issuers.

 

(j) ETF Risk—Shares of ETFs may trade at prices that vary from their net asset values, sometimes significantly. The shares of ETFs may trade at prices at, below or above their most recent net asset value. In addition, the performance of an ETF pursuing a passive index-based strategy may diverge from the performance of the index. The Portfolio’s investments in ETFs are subject to the risks of such ETF’s investments, as well as to the general risks of investing in ETFs. Portfolio shares will bear not only the Portfolio’s management fees and operating expenses, but also the Portfolio’s proportional share of the management fees and operating expenses of the ETFs in which the Portfolio invests. The Portfolio may be limited by the 1940 Act in the amount of its assets that may be invested in ETFs unless another ETF has received an exemptive order from the SEC on which the Portfolio may rely or an exemption is available.

 

(k) Cybersecurity Risk—The Portfolio and its service providers are susceptible to operational and information security and related risks

 

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of cybersecurity incidents. Cybersecurity attacks include, but are not limited to, gaining unauthorized access to digital systems (e.g., through “hacking” or malicious software coding) for purposes of misappropriating assets or sensitive information, corrupting data or causing operational disruption. Cybersecurity incidents affecting the Investment Manager, transfer agent or custodian or other service providers such as financial intermediaries have the ability to cause disruptions and impact business operations, potentially resulting in financial losses, including by impediments to the Portfolio’s investment trading; the inability of Portfolio shareholders to purchase and redeem Portfolio shares; interference with the Portfolio’s ability to calculate its NAV; violations of applicable privacy, data security or other laws; regulatory fines and penalties; reputational damage; reimbursement or other compensation or remediation costs; legal fees; or additional compliance costs. Similar adverse consequences could result from cybersecurity incidents affecting issuers of securities in which the Portfolio invests; counterparties with which the Portfolio engages in transactions; governmental and other regulatory authorities, exchange and other financial market operators; and banks, brokers, dealers, insurance companies and other financial institutions and other parties. There are inherent limitations in any cybersecurity risk management systems or business continuity plans, including the possibility that certain risks have not been identified.

 

8. Contractual Obligations

The Fund enters into contracts in the normal course of business that contain a variety of indemnification provisions. The Fund’s maximum exposure under these arrangements is unknown. Management has reviewed the Portfolio’s existing contracts and expects the risk of loss to be remote.

 

9. Fair Value Measurements

Fair value is defined as the price that the Portfolio would receive to sell an asset, or would pay to transfer a liability, in an orderly transaction between market participants at the date of measurement. The Fair Value Measurements and Disclosures provisions of GAAP also establish a framework for measuring fair value, and a three-level hierarchy for fair value measurement that is based

 

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upon the transparency of inputs to the valuation of an asset or liability. Inputs may be observable or unobservable and refer, broadly, to the assumptions that market participants would use in pricing the asset or liability. Observable inputs reflect the assumptions that market participants would use in pricing the asset or liability based on market data obtained from sources independent of the Fund. Unobservable inputs reflect the Fund’s own assumptions about the assumptions that market participants would use in pricing the asset or liability, developed based on the best information available in the circumstances. The fair value measurement level within the fair value hierarchy for the assets and liabilities of the Fund is based on the lowest level of any input that is significant to the overall fair value measurement. The three-level hierarchy of inputs is summarized below:

 

·Level 1 – unadjusted quoted prices in active markets for identical assets and liabilities
·Level 2 – other significant observable inputs (including unadjusted quoted prices for similar assets and liabilities, interest rates, prepayment speeds, credit risk, etc.)
·Level 3 – significant unobservable inputs (including the Fund’s own assumptions in determining the fair value of assets and liabilities)

 

Changes in valuation methodology or inputs may result in transfers into or out of the current assigned level within the hierarchy.

 

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

 

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The following table summarizes the valuation of the Portfolio’s assets and liabilities by each fair value hierarchy level as of December 31, 2020:

 

Description  Unadjusted
Quoted Prices in
Active Markets
for Identical
Assets
and Liabilities
(Level 1)
   Significant
Other
Observable
Inputs
(Level 2)
   Significant
Unobservable
Inputs
(Level 3)
   Balance as of
December 31, 2020
 
Enhanced Opportunities Portfolio                      
Assets:                      
Common Stocks*           $25,076   $2,857   $              $27,933 
Convertible Corporate Bonds*         34,185,124        34,185,124 
Purchased Options     3,672            3,672 
Short-Term Investments     2,658,914            2,658,914 
Other Financial Instruments†                       
Forward Currency Contracts         2,327        2,327 
Total    $2,687,662   $34,190,308   $   $36,877,970 
Liabilities:                      
Securities Sold Short                       
Common Stocks*    $(17,422,804)  $(19,475)  $   $(17,442,279)
Exchange-Traded Fund     (472,123)           (472,123)
Other Financial Instruments†                       
Written Options     (1,870)           (1,870)
Total    $(17,896,797)  $(19,475)  $   $(17,916,272)
* Please refer to Portfolio of Investments and Notes to Portfolio of Investments for portfolio holdings by country and industry.
Other financial instruments are derivative instruments which are valued at their respective unrealized appreciation (depreciation).

 

10. Derivative Instruments

Forward currency contracts may be used for hedging purposes or to seek to increase returns.

 

The Portfolio may write or purchase a call or put option to seek to realize, through the receipt of premiums or changes in market value, a greater return than would be realized on the underlying securities alone, or to seek to protect the Portfolio from losses.

 

The Portfolio may enter into futures transactions to hedge against changes in interest rates, securities prices, and/or currency

 

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exchange rates, to increase total return, or to otherwise gain access or attain exposure to certain markets or other underliers.

 

During the year ended December 31, 2020, the approximate average monthly notional exposure for derivative instruments was as follows:

 

Forward currency contracts:  
Average amounts purchased $100,000#
Average amounts sold $200,000
# Represents average monthly notional exposure for the two months the derivative instrument was open during the period.

 

Futures contracts:  
Average notional value of contracts – long $300,000*
* Represents average daily notional exposure for the six days the derivative instrument was open during the period.

 

The Portfolio purchased options having an average monthly notional exposure of less than $50,000. The Portfolio also wrote options having an average monthly notional exposure of less than $50,000.

 

The following table summarizes the fair value of derivative instruments on the Statement of Assets and Liabilities as of December 31, 2020:

 

Assets – Derivative Financial Instruments     Total 
Forward currency contracts  Unrealized appreciation on forward currency contracts  $2,327 
Purchased options  Investment in securities, at fair value   3,672 
Total     $5,999 
         
Liabilities – Derivative Financial Instruments     Total 
Written options  Written options, at fair value  $1,870 

 

Annual Report  57

 

 

 

The effect of derivative instruments on the Statement of Operations for the year ended December 31, 2020 was:

 

Net Realized Gain (Loss) from:  Equity
Contracts
   Foreign
Currency
Exchange
Contracts
   Total 
Forward currency contracts  $––       $(8,786)  $(8,786)
Futures contracts   35,174        35,174 
Purchased options   (15,414)       (15,414)
Written options   20,920        20,920 
Total  $40,680   $(8,786)  $31,894 
                
Net Change in Unrealized Appreciation (Depreciation) on:  Equity
Contracts
   Foreign
Currency
Exchange
Contracts
   Total 
Forward currency contracts  $   $4,141   $4,141 
Purchased options   418        418 
Written options   530        530 
Total  $948   $4,141   $5,089 

 

As of December 31, 2020, the Portfolio held derivative instruments that are eligible for offset in the Statement of Assets and Liabilities and are subject to master netting arrangements. A master netting arrangement is an agreement between two counterparties who have multiple contracts with each other that provides for the net settlement of all contracts, as well as any cash collateral, through a single payment in the event of default on, or termination of, any one contract.

 

The required information for the Portfolio is presented in the below table, as of December 31, 2020:

 

Description  Gross Amounts of
Recognized Assets
  Gross Amounts Offset
in the Statement of
Assets and Liabilities
  Net Amounts of
Assets Presented
in the Statement of
Assets and Liabilities
Forward Currency Contracts         $2,327     $         $2,327 

 

         Amounts Not Offset
in the Statement of
Assets and Liabilities
      
Counterparty  Net Amounts of
Assets Presented
in the Statement of
Assets and Liabilities
  Financial
Instruments
 Collateral
Received
  Net Amounts of
Derivative Assets
State Street Bank and Trust Co.      $2,327     $     $       $2,327 

 

58  Annual Report

 

 

 

11. Accounting Pronouncements

In March 2017, the Financial Accounting Standards Board issued Accounting Standards Update No. 2017-08, Receivables – Nonre-fundable Fees and Other Costs (Subtopic 310-20): Premium Amortization on Purchased Callable Debt Securities (“ASU No. 2017-08”). ASU No. 2017-08 shortened the amortization period for certain purchased callable debt securities held at a premium to the earliest call date. Management has implemented the applicable changes, and they did not have a material impact on the Portfolio’s financial statements. In October 2020, ASU No. 2017-08 was amended by the Financial Accounting Standards Board’s issuance of Accounting Standards Update No. 2020-08, Codification Improvements to Subtopic 310-20, Receivables – Nonrefundable Fees and Other Costs (“ASU No. 2020-08”). This amendment requires that entities re-evaluate whether callable debt securities fall within the scope of ASU No. 2017-08 for each reporting period. ASU No. 2020-08 also amends ASU No. 2017-08 to require that premiums be amortized to the “next call date” rather than the “earliest call date” and further clarifies the definition of “next call date.” ASU No. 2020-08 is effective for fiscal years, and interim periods within those fiscal years, beginning after December 15, 2020. Early adoption of ASU No. 2020-08 is not permitted. Management is currently evaluating the impact, if any, of applying ASU No. 2020-08.

 

On March 12, 2020, the Financial Accounting Standards Board concluded its reference rate reform project with the issuance of Accounting Standards Update No. 2020-04, Reference Rate Reform (Topic 848) – Facilitation of the Effects of Reference Rate Reform on Financial Reporting (“ASU No. 2020-04”). ASU No. 2020-04 provides elective temporary financial reporting relief from the effect of certain types of contract modifications due to the planned discontinuation of the London Interbank Offered Rate (LIBOR) and other interbank offered based reference rates as of the end of 2021. ASU No. 2020-04 is effective for certain reference rate-related contract modifications that occur during the period March 12, 2020 through December 31, 2022. Management is currently evaluating the impact, if any, of applying ASU No. 2020-04.

 

Annual Report  59

 

 

 

12. Subsequent Events

Management has evaluated subsequent events potentially affecting the Portfolio through the issuance of the financial statements and has determined that there were no subsequent events that required adjustment or disclosure.

 

60  Annual Report

 

The Lazard Funds, Inc.

Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

 

To the Board of Directors of The Lazard Funds, Inc. and Shareholders of Lazard Enhanced Opportunities Portfolio:

 

Opinion on the Financial Statements and Financial Highlights

 

We have audited the accompanying statement of assets and liabilities, including the portfolio of investments, of Lazard Enhanced Opportunities Portfolio (the “Portfolio”), one of the portfolios constituting The Lazard Funds, Inc. (the “Fund”), as of December 31, 2020, the related statement of operations for the year then ended, the statement of changes in net assets for each of the two years in the period then ended, the financial highlights for each of the five years in the period then ended, and the related notes. In our opinion, the financial statements and financial highlights present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of the Portfolio, as of December 31, 2020, and the results of its operations for the year then ended, the changes in its net assets for each of the two years in the period then ended, and the financial highlights for each of the five years in the period then ended in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America.

 

Basis for Opinion

 

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

 

We conducted our audits in accordance with the standards of the PCAOB. Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements and financial highlights are free of material misstatement, whether due to error or fraud. The Portfolio is not

 

Annual Report  61

 

 

 

required to have, nor were we engaged to perform, an audit of its internal control over financial reporting. As part of our audits we are required to obtain an understanding of internal control over financial reporting but not for the purpose of expressing an opinion on the effectiveness of the Portfolio’s internal control over financial reporting. Accordingly, we express no such opinion.

 

Our audits included performing procedures to assess the risks of material misstatement of the financial statements and financial highlights, whether due to error or fraud, and performing procedures that respond to those risks. Such procedures included examining, on a test basis, evidence regarding the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements and financial highlights. Our audits also included evaluating the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall presentation of the financial statements and financial highlights. Our procedures included confirmation of securities owned as of December 31, 2020, by correspondence with the custodian and brokers; when replies were not received from brokers, we performed other auditing procedures. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.

 

/s/ DELOITTE & TOUCHE LLP

New York, New York
February 24, 2021

 

We have served as the auditor of one or more of the investment companies in the Lazard Fund Complex since 2004.

 

62  Annual Report

 

The Lazard Funds, Inc.

Board of Directors and Officers Information (unaudited)

 

Name (Year of Birth)
Address(1)
  Position(s) with the
Fund (Since) and Term(2)
  Principal Occupation(s) and Other Public
Company Directorships Held During the
Past Five Years(2)
         
Independent Directors(3):        
         
Franci J. Blassberg (1953)   Director
(August 2014)
  Debevoise & Plimpton LLP, a law firm, Of Counsel (2013 – present)
   
  Cornell Law School, Adjunct Professor (2013 – present)
   
  The Buchmann Faculty of Law, Tel Aviv University, Visiting Professor (2019)
   
  University of California, Berkeley School of Law, Adjunct Professor (Spring 2017)
   
Kenneth S. Davidson (1945)   Director
(August 1995)
  Davidson Capital Management Corporation, an investment manager, President (1978 – present)
         
Nancy A. Eckl (1962)   Director
(April 2007)
  College Retirement Equities Fund (eight accounts), Trustee (2007 – present)
   
  TIAA-CREF Funds (68 funds) and TIAA-CREF Life Funds (11 funds), Trustee (2007 – present)
   
  TIAA Separate Account VA-1, Member of the Management Committee (2007 – present)
   
Trevor W. Morrison (1971)   Director
(April 2014)
  New York University School of Law, Dean and Eric M. and Laurie B. Roth Professor of Law (2013 – present)
         
Richard Reiss, Jr. (1944)   Director
(May 1991)
  Georgica Advisors LLC, an investment manager, Chairman (1997 – present)
   
  Resource America, Inc., a real estate asset management company, Director (2016 – 2018)
   
  Osprey Technology Acquisition Corp, a special purpose acquisition company, Director (2019 – present)

 

Annual Report  63

 

 

 

Name (Year of Birth)
Address(1)
  Position(s) with the
Fund (Since) and Term(2)
  Principal Occupation(s) and Other Public
Company Directorships Held During the
Past Five Years(2)
         
Robert M. Solmson (1947)   Director (September 2004)   Fairwood Capital, LLC, a private investment corporation engaged primarily in real estate and hotel investments, Co-Managing Partner and Managing Director (2008 – present)
         
Interested Directors(4):        
         
Ashish Bhutani (1960)   Director (July 2005)   Investment Manager, Chief Executive Officer (2004 – present)
         
        Lazard Ltd, Vice Chairman and Director (2010 – present)
         
Nathan A. Paul (1973)   Director (October 2017), Chief Executive Officer and President (February 2017)   Investment Manager, Chief Business Officer (April 2017 – present) and Managing Director (2003 – present)
         
        Investment Manager, General Counsel (2002 – April 2017)

 

 (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 serves as a Director for each of the funds in the Lazard Fund Complex, comprised of, as of January 31, 2021, 35 active investment portfolios. Each Director serves an indefinite term, until his or her successor is elected and qualifies or until his or her earlier resignation.
(3) “Independent Directors” are not “interested persons” (as defined in the 1940 Act) of the Fund.
(4) Messrs. Bhutani and Paul are “interested persons” (as defined in the 1940 Act) of the Fund because of their positions with the Investment Manager.

 

The Fund’s Statement of Additional Information contains further information about the Directors and is available without charge by calling 800-823-6300, or online, at www.lazardassetmanagement.com.

 

64  Annual Report

 

 

 

Name (Year of Birth)
Address(1)
  Position(s) with the Fund
(Since) and Term(2)
  Principal Occupation(s)
During the Past Five Years
         
Officers(3):        
         
Mark R. Anderson (1970)   Vice President and Secretary
(February 2017)
  Managing Director (since February 2017), General Counsel (since April 2017) and Chief Compliance Officer of the Investment Manager
         
Nargis Hilal (1984)   Chief Compliance Officer (July 2020)   Senior Vice President and Counsel of the Investment Manager (since August 2017)
         
        Chief Compliance Officer of KLS Diversified Asset Management LP (March 2016 – August 2017)
         
        Deputy Chief Compliance Office KLS Diversified Asset Management LP (January 2015 – March 2016)
         
Christopher Snively (1984)   Chief Financial Officer (March 2016) and Treasurer (September 2019)   Senior Vice President of the Investment Manager
         
Shari L. Soloway (1981)   Assistant Secretary
(November 2015)
  Head of Legal, North America (since January 2019, previously Senior Vice President, Legal and Compliance) of the Investment Manager
         
Jessica A. Falzone (1989)   Assistant Secretary
(January 2019)
  Vice President, Legal and Compliance, of the Investment Manager (since March 2018)
         
        Associate at Schulte Roth & Zabel LLP (October 2014 – March 2018)
         
Christina Kennedy (1990)   Assistant Treasurer
(May 2020)
  Vice President of the Investment Manager (since July 2019)
         
        Senior Fund Accountant, Gates Capital Management Inc. (July 2016 – July 2019)
         
        Assurance Senior Associate at PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP (August 2013 – July 2016)
         
Cesar A. Trelles (1975)   Assistant Treasurer
(December 2004)
  Vice President of the Investment Manager

 

 

Annual Report  65

 

 

 

 (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 serves in the same capacity for the other funds in the Lazard Fund Complex.
(3) In addition to Nathan A. Paul, Chief Executive Officer and President (since February 2017; previously, Vice President and Secretary), whose information is included in the Interested Directors section above.

 

66  Annual Report

 

The Lazard Funds, Inc. Tax and Other Information (unaudited)

 

 

Tax Information

Year Ended December 31, 2020

The following tax information represents year end disclosures of the tax benefits passed through to shareholders for 2020:

 

Of the dividends paid by the Portfolio, the percentage shown below is qualified dividend income.

 

Portfolio   Percentage
Enhanced Opportunities   0.26 %

 

Of the dividends paid by the Portfolio, no dividends qualify for the dividends received deduction available to corporate shareholders.

 

Portfolio   Percentage
Enhanced Opportunities   0.28 %

 

Pursuant to Section 871 of the Code, the Portfolio has no designated qualified short-term gains for purposes of exempting withholding of tax on such distributions to US nonresident shareholders.

 

Proxy Voting

A description of the policies and procedures used to determine how proxies relating to Fund portfolio securities are voted is available (1) without charge, upon request, by calling (800) 823-6300 or (2) on the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) website at https://www.sec.gov.website at https://www.sec.gov.

 

The Fund’s 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 SEC’s website at https://www.sec.gov. Information as of June 30 each year will generally be available by the following August 31.

 

Schedule of Portfolio Holdings

The Fund files the complete schedule of the Portfolio’s holdings with the SEC for the first and third quarters of each fiscal year as an exhibit to its reports on Form N-PORT. The Fund’s Form N-PORT reports are available on the SEC’s website at https://www.sec.gov.

 

Annual Report  67

 

 

 

NOTES

 

 

 

NOTES

 

 

 

NOTES

 

 

 

NOTES

 

 

 

NOTES

 

 

 

The Lazard Funds, Inc.

30 Rockefeller Plaza

New York, New York 10112-6300
Telephone: 800-823-6300
www.lazardassetmanagement.com

 

Investment Manager

Lazard Asset Management LLC
30 Rockefeller Plaza
New York, New York 10112-6300
Telephone: 800-823-6300

 

Distributor

Lazard Asset Management Securities LLC
30 Rockefeller Plaza
New York, New York 10112-6300

 

Custodian

State Street Bank and Trust Company
One Iron Street
Boston, Massachusetts 02210-1641

 

Transfer Agent and Dividend Disbursing Agent

DST Asset Manager Solutions, Inc.
2000 Crown Colony Drive
Quincy, Massachusetts 02169-0953
Telephone: 617-483-7000

 

Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

Deloitte & Touche LLP
30 Rockefeller Plaza

New York, New York 10112-0015

 

Legal Counsel

Proskauer Rose LLP
Eleven Times Square
New York, New York 10036-8299
www.proskauer.com

 

 

 

Lazard Asset Management LLC 30 Rockefeller Plaza New York, NY 10112 www.lazardassetmanagement.com  
   
Performance information as of the most recent month end is available online at www.lazardassetmanagement.com.
LZDPS031
 

 

Lazard Funds

 

Annual Report

 

December 31, 2020

 

Equity Funds

 

Lazard Developing Markets Equity Portfolio Lazard International Equity Portfolio
Lazard Emerging Markets Core Equity Portfolio Lazard International Equity Select Portfolio
Lazard Emerging Markets Equity Advantage Portfolio Lazard International Equity Value Portfolio
Lazard Emerging Markets Equity Blend Portfolio Lazard International Quality Growth Portfolio
Lazard Emerging Markets Equity Portfolio Lazard International Small Cap Equity Portfolio
Lazard Equity Franchise Portfolio Lazard International Strategic Equity Portfolio
Lazard Global Equity Select Portfolio Lazard Managed Equity Volatility Portfolio
Lazard Global Listed Infrastructure Portfolio Lazard US Equity Concentrated Portfolio
Lazard Global Strategic Equity Portfolio Lazard US Equity Focus Portfolio
Lazard International Equity Advantage Portfolio Lazard US Small-Mid Cap Equity Portfolio
Lazard International Equity Concentrated Portfolio Lazard US Sustainable Equity Portfolio

 


 

The Lazard Funds, Inc. Table of Contents

 

 

2   A Message from Lazard (unaudited)
4   Investment Overviews (unaudited)
34   Performance Overviews (unaudited)
53   Information About Your Portfolio’s Expenses (unaudited)
61   Portfolio Holdings Presented by Asset Class/Sector
64   Portfolios of Investments
64   Lazard Developing Markets Equity Portfolio
68   Lazard Emerging Markets Core Equity Portfolio
72   Lazard Emerging Markets Equity Advantage Portfolio
80   Lazard Emerging Markets Equity Blend Portfolio
86   Lazard Emerging Markets Equity Portfolio
90   Lazard Equity Franchise Portfolio
92   Lazard Global Equity Select Portfolio
96   Lazard Global Listed Infrastructure Portfolio
99   Lazard Global Strategic Equity Portfolio
103   Lazard International Equity Advantage Portfolio
110   Lazard International Equity Concentrated Portfolio
113   Lazard International Equity Portfolio
117   Lazard International Equity Select Portfolio
121   Lazard International Equity Value Portfolio
124   Lazard International Quality Growth Portfolio
127   Lazard International Small Cap Equity Portfolio
132   Lazard International Strategic Equity Portfolio
136   Lazard Managed Equity Volatility Portfolio
144   Lazard US Equity Concentrated Portfolio
147   Lazard US Equity Focus Portfolio
150   Lazard US Small-Mid Cap Equity Portfolio
155   Lazard US Sustainable Equity Portfolio
159   Notes to Portfolios of Investments
170   Statements of Assets and Liabilities
178   Statements of Operations
186   Statements of Changes in Net Assets
213   Financial Highlights
264   Notes to Financial Statements
312   Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm
315   Board of Directors and Officers Information (unaudited)
318   Tax and Other Information (unaudited)

 

Please consider a Portfolio’s investment objective, risks, charges and expenses carefully before investing. For more complete information about The Lazard Funds, Inc. (the “Fund”), you may obtain a prospectus or a Portfolio’s summary prospectus by calling 800-823-6300, or online, at www.lazardassetmanagement.com. Read the prospectus or the Portfolio’s summary prospectus carefully before you invest. The prospectus and a Portfolio’s summary prospectus contain the investment objective, risks, charges, expenses and other information about the Portfolio, which are not detailed in this report.

 

Distributed by Lazard Asset Management Securities LLC.

 

Annual Report  1

 

The Lazard Funds, Inc. A Message from Lazard (unaudited)

 

 

Dear Shareholder,

 

As 2020 began, the outbreak of a novel coronavirus (“COVID-19”) turned into a fast-spreading pandemic, rattling global markets. Worldwide lockdowns led to a severe equity market sell-off in February and March, as well as a sharp decline in oil markets. By the conclusion of the year, COVID-19 continued to wreak havoc across much of the world, but many global equity markets closed 2020 near all-time highs. Markets generally rose steadily after the sell-off on the back of unprecedented support from global central banks and government treasuries and the introduction of several promising vaccines.

 

In the United States, Democrats won control of the White House and Congress in November elections. The US equity market closed 2020 near an all-time peak, and nominal yields in various US fixed income market segments closed at or near all-time lows, fueled by trillions of dollars in monetary and fiscal stimulus.

 

COVID-19 also severely debilitated economic activity in the emerging markets, but the recovery in emerging markets equities that began in late March picked up steam in the fourth quarter thanks to vaccine breakthroughs and the US election outcome. As a result, the MSCI Emerging Markets® Index outperformed global developed markets equities in 2020.

 

In Europe, interest rates have never been as low, and central bank balance sheets have never been as inflated, as they were at year-end. With an agreement now in place for the exit of the United Kingdom from the European Union, the years-long “Brexit” saga may be one less uncertainty the market has to grapple with in the year ahead.

 

As we write, many countries are facing record levels of new COVID-19 infections, spurring renewed economic lockdowns and increasing the risk that many companies, particularly small businesses, might not make it to the other side of this pandemic. Were that to happen, it could send a negative signal to markets equal and opposite to the positive news of the vaccines toward the end

 

2  Annual Report

 

 

 

of the last year. Investors face a timing conundrum, but it could well be darkest before the dawn.

 

Despite these challenges, we are optimistic for 2021 and believe that as the world does eventually return to something like the pre-pandemic days, fundamental analysis and stock selection will be crucial drivers for performance. We are privileged that you have turned to Lazard for your investment needs and value your continued confidence in our investment management capabilities. We continue to strive for the long-term patterns of performance pursued by the various investment strategies employed.

 

Sincerely,

 

Lazard Asset Management LLC

 

Annual Report  3

 

Lazard Funds, Inc. Investment Overviews (unaudited)

 

 

Emerging Markets Equities

Despite a once in a hundred years global pandemic, which severely debilitated world economic activity, the MSCI Emerging Markets Index finished 2020 up over 18% on unprecedented monetary easing and fiscal stimulus. This result disproportionately impacted by Asian stocks, which rose by more than 28%, while markets collapsed in Latin America by almost 14% and by about 12% in Eastern Europe.

 

Latin American markets were ill prepared and hard hit by the COVID-19 pandemic. High infection rates and conflicting health and economic policies in some countries, resulted in worsening market conditions and negative sentiment. Despite a powerful stock market recovery in the fourth quarter, in large part due to announcements of efficacious vaccines, all Latin American markets finished the year lower.

 

Similarly, markets in Eastern Europe were unprepared for the pandemic and finished the year lower. Economically sensitive economies such as Russia were harmed by a crude oil price war and plummeting demand. Turkish equities fell sharply on lira weakness as currency reserves were used, but rebounded late in the year on interest rate increases. In South Africa, stocks finished only modestly lower as economic growth estimates improved marginally.

 

The three best performing markets were all in north Asia and, ironically, included China, where the virus originated. Its market rose by approximately 30% in 2020. The other two countries, Taiwan and South Korea, each of whose markets rose by more than 40%, both benefited from large technology sector exposures as well as the stricter health care and isolation controls which resulted in relatively lower infection rates. The Association of Southeast Asian Nations country markets, such as in Indonesia, the Philippines, and Thailand fared significantly worse, exhibiting more economic sensitivity and fewer lockdown controls. Although Indian stocks underperformed the MSCI Emerging Markets Index, they finished significantly higher on relatively resilient economic results.

 

4  Annual Report

 

 

 

From a sector perspective, information technology, health care, consumer discretionary, and communications services all performed very strongly. Energy, real estate, utilities, and financials all finished 2020 lower.

 

International Equities

For the year ended December 31, 2020, international equity markets gained despite seesawing risk sentiment amid mixed news flow and formidable macro challenges.

 

Risk assets began 2020 positively, thanks to the truce in the US-China trade war, greater clarity on Brexit, and a global monetary easing cycle. However, market optimism gave way to panic selling in mid-February through the latter part of March, as the coronavirus epidemic that began in China metastasized into a full-scale pandemic and investors worried about the threat it posed to the global economy.

 

With the US Federal Reserve (the “Fed”) taking the lead, central banks worldwide and government fiscal policymakers initiated aggressive stimulus measures to contain the economic fallout from the intensifying viral outbreak. Despite stiffening headwinds, which included severe economic downturns in several countries and regions of the world, these actions buoyed market confidence that central banks and governments would continue to act when necessary to support risk assets and backstop the world economy.

 

Investor confidence wavered in the latter part of the year amid growing anxiety about the spike in cases across the United States, Europe, and elsewhere, as well as the emergence of a new, more infectious strain of the virus. However, investors enthusiastically greeted news of the development of coronavirus vaccines, anticipating that their successful, widespread deployment would provide a pathway for the world economy to normalize in 2021. Stock markets worldwide received an additional boost in November when Democratic Party nominee Joe Biden was declared the winner in the US presidential election, with investors hopeful that the new administration would, among other things, enact more stable global trade policies than its predecessor.

 

Annual Report  5

 

 

 

Against this backdrop, stock market performance in 2020 was mostly positive in the developed world and emerging Asia, while uniformly negative in the rest of the developing world. In Europe, the combination of encouraging vaccine news, stimulus initiatives by the European Central Bank and European Union (“EU”) policymakers, and news that the United Kingdom (“UK”) and the EU had agreed upon a free trade deal that resolved the last sticking point in the Brexit saga led to a surge in Europe’s equity markets. In Japan, positive momentum on coronavirus vaccine development, an ultra-low interest rate environment, and attractive valuations lifted the country’s stock market to its highest level in 31 years. Meanwhile, South Korea’s stock market was among the best performing in the developing world, as investors were bullish on the country’s economic outlook and confident that its chipmakers were well positioned to benefit from an expected near-term semiconductor upcycle.

 

Technology was the best performing international equity sector in 2020, as traders bid up shares of companies with resilient business models and reliable earnings. Energy was the worst performing sector, as shares of oil producers came under pressure from weakened demand for oil amid heightened global economic uncertainty caused by the coronavirus pandemic.

 

US Equities

For the year ended December 31, 2020, the US equity market rose despite seesawing risk sentiment amid mixed news flow and formidable macro challenges.

 

The US stock market entered 2020 on an upswing, thanks to encouraging domestic economic data, progress in the US-China trade war, and a new trade deal with Canada and Mexico. However, market optimism gave way to indiscriminate selling in mid-February through the latter part of March, as the coronavirus epidemic that began in China became a full-scale pandemic, and investors worried about the threat it posed to the global economy. As the US became a hub for the viral outbreak, at least one-fourth of the US economy was taken offline in an effort to contain the public health emergency.

 

6  Annual Report

 

 

 

In response, the Fed and fiscal policymakers initiated aggressive stimulus measures to mitigate the economic fallout from the intensifying viral outbreak. Despite stiffening headwinds, which included a severe economic downturn in the first quarter and mass unemployment, the Fed’s actions buoyed investor confidence that the Fed would continue to act when necessary to support risk assets and backstop the US economy. This support, along with solid quarterly corporate results, led to a sharp rally in the US stock market.

 

Investor optimism dimmed in the latter part of the year amid growing anxiety about the spike in cases across the US, as well as the emergence of a new, more infectious strain of the virus, which led to fears of another round of economically punishing lockdowns. However, news of the development of coronavirus vaccines was greeted enthusiastically by investors, who bet that its successful, widespread deployment would provide a pathway for the US economy to normalize in 2021. The US stock market received an additional boost from a market-friendly result from the country’s November elections and the signing of another fiscal relief bill.

 

Against this backdrop, the S&P 500® Index—the bellwether of the US equity market—climbed 18.4% for the year. Technology was the best performing S&P sector in 2020, particularly among large US companies with resilient business models and reliable earnings. Energy was the worst performing sector, as shares of oil producers came under pressure from weakened demand for oil amid heightened global economic uncertainty caused by the coronavirus pandemic.

 

Global Equities

For the year ended December 31, 2020, global equity markets rose sharply despite seesawing risk sentiment amid mixed news flow and formidable macro challenges.

 

Equities began the year positively, thanks to the truce in the US-China trade war, greater clarity on Brexit, and a global monetary easing cycle. However, market optimism gave way to indiscriminate selling in mid-February through the latter part of March, as the

 

Annual Report  7

 

 

 

coronavirus epidemic that began in China became a full-scale pandemic and investors worried about the threat it posed to the global economy.

 

With the US Federal Reserve taking the lead, central banks worldwide and government fiscal policymakers initiated aggressive stimulus measures to contain the economic fallout from the intensifying viral outbreak. Despite stiffening headwinds, which included severe economic downturns in several countries and regions of the world, these actions buoyed market confidence that central banks and governments would continue to act when necessary to backstop the world economy.

 

Investor confidence wavered in the latter part of the year amid growing anxiety about the spike in cases across the US, Europe, and elsewhere, as well as the emergence of a new, more infectious strain of the virus. However, news of the discovery of coronavirus vaccines was greeted enthusiastically by investors, who bet that their successful, widespread deployment would provide a pathway for the world economy to normalize in 2021.

 

Against this backdrop, stock market performance in 2020 was mostly positive in the developed world and emerging Asia, while uniformly negative in the rest of the developing world. In the US, positive momentum on coronavirus vaccine development, a market-friendly result from the country’s November elections, and monetary and fiscal relief initiatives drove stocks higher. Across the Atlantic, the combination of encouraging vaccine news, stimulus initiatives by the European Central Bank, and news that the UK and the European Union had agreed on a free trade deal that resolved the last sticking point in the Brexit saga led to a surge in Europe’s equity markets. Meanwhile, South Korean and Taiwanese equities were among the best performing in the developing world, as investors were bullish on the economic outlook and confident that its chipmakers were positioned to benefit from strong semiconductor demand.

 

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Technology was the best performing sector in global markets in 2020, particularly among large US companies with resilient business models and reliable earnings. Energy was the worst performing sector, as shares of oil producers came under pressure from weakened demand for oil amid heightened global economic uncertainty caused by the coronavirus pandemic.

 

Global Infrastructure

In the year ended December 31, 2020, global equity markets were severely impacted by the worldwide spread of COVID-19. Infrastructure assets, especially those dependent on patronage, suffered as a result of restrictions on travel and self-isolation measures, brought about by the pandemic, which adversely impacted airports and toll roads. Meanwhile, railroads suffered due to the expected sharp drop in the movement of goods.

 

After the sharp sell-off in February and March, the combination of coordinated monetary stimulus measures initiated by global central banks and fiscal relief measures put in place by governments to contain the economic fallout of the viral outbreak helped calm investor fears. The process of easing COVID-19-related restrictions also added to investor optimism that global growth could be restored to pre-pandemic levels. However, investor confidence wavered in September, as a second wave of COVID-19 infections descended upon Europe, forcing a return to earlier pandemic protocols.

 

The introduction of two vaccines in the final months of the year provided increasing hope that the end of the global pandemic was in sight, despite subsequent challenges in administering widespread distribution amid a sharp increase in worldwide cases. Risk sentiment was further bolstered by a market-friendly result in the US elections and news that the UK and the EU had agreed to a free trade agreement, resolving the last sticking point in the Brexit saga.

 

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Positive vaccine news boosted patronage infrastructure assets, and, as a result, airports, toll roads, and railroads all performed strongly in the last quarter of the year, although utility assets lagged the broader global equity market and infrastructure indices. For the full year, however, in local currency terms, global infrastructure indices ended a tumultuous 2020 down modestly, with utility assets performing well and airports down materially.

 

Lazard Developing Markets Equity Portfolio

For the year ended December 31, 2020, the Lazard Developing Markets Equity Portfolio’s Institutional Shares posted a total return of 19.33%, while Open Shares posted a total return of 18.97%, as compared with the 18.31% return for the MSCI Emerging Markets Index.

 

Stock selection in the communication services, consumer staples, energy, and industrials sectors, as well as in Russia, China, and South Korea, helped performance. Higher-than-index exposure to the communication services, financials, and information technology sectors contributed. Lower-than-index exposure to the consumer staples and real estate sectors, as well as to Mexico, Poland, Saudi Arabia, Malaysia, and Thailand, also benefited. Chinese gaming and social media company,Tencent, continued to do well on high user engagement, a rebound in advertising, and a strong mobile games offering. South Korean technology company, Samsung Electronics, moved higher on a more favorable outlook for memory and a rebounding smartphone market. Taiwanese semiconductor foundry,Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company, rose on strong demand for its advanced node processing. Wuliangye, a Chinese premium spirits manufacturer, outperformed as management executed on its strategy to deliver growth by developing the group/corporate purchase channel. Chinese e-commerce company, Alibaba, performed well on increased online demand for goods and services driven by the COVID-19 pandemic.

 

Conversely, stock selection in the consumer discretionary, financials, and materials sectors undercut performance. Stock selection in South Africa, India, and Philippines also detracted value. Lower-than-index exposure to China and higher-than-index exposure to

 

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the industrials sector as well as to Colombia, Peru, India, and Philippines, hurt performance. Chinese energy company, CNOOC, was weak on concerns that it would be included in a list of companies with ties to the Chinese military banned from investment by US investors. Bancolombia, the largest bank in Colombia, fell as a result of weak oil prices. China-based social networking platform MOMO underperformed on the announcement of a restructuring of its core business and ongoing weakness in engagement levels for its dating app. BDO Unibank, the largest bank in the Philippines, underperformed after it posted results that were shy of market expectations. South Africa-based, Standard Bank, underperformed on the back of the country’s credit downgrade and the weak South Africa rand.

 

Lazard Emerging Markets Core Equity Portfolio

For the year ended December 31, 2020, the Lazard Emerging Markets Core Equity Portfolio’s Institutional Shares posted a total return of 11.98%, while Open Shares posted a total return of 11.66% and R6 Shares posted a total return of 11.97%, as compared with the 18.31% return for the MSCI Emerging Markets Index.

 

Stock selection in the consumer discretionary, financials, materials, and energy sectors, as well as in Brazil, China, the Philippines, Russia, and India detracted from performance in the period. Additionally, an underweight to the health care sector further detracted from returns. Brazil was one of the worst performing markets over the period due to its relatively large exposure to financials and energy securities, sectors that were particularly impacted by global growth concerns. The Portfolio’s holdings of Banco do Brasil, a bank, and IRB Brasil Resseguros, a reinsurance business, underperformed. Additionally, IRB experienced share price weakness following the publication of a short report by a local investor. The share price of Lukoil, a Russian oil and gas company, moved lower along with the price of oil and commodity prices on global growth concerns. Industrial and Commercial Bank of China, a leading Chinese bank, reported weaker net profit for the first half of 2020 due to an increase in impairment losses amid the COVID-19 pandemic. BDO Unibank, the largest bank in the Philippines, underperformed on rising provisions during the first half of the year.

 

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In contrast, the impact of stock selection in the communication services, consumer staples, and health care sectors, as well as within Taiwan and Poland, was positive. An overweight to information technology further helped over the period. Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company, a Taiwanese semiconductor foundry, jumped higher on expectations that it could receive new orders from Intel. Techtronic Industries, a Chinese manufacturer of power equipment and floor care products, including brands such as Milwaukee, Ryobi, Hoover, and Dirt Devil, reported stronger earnings for the first half of 2020, aided by new product development and successful distribution through e-commerce channels. Wuliangye Yibin, a premium maker of alcoholic beverage baijiu in China, outperformed due to strong demand recovery and price increases by year-end. Wuxi Biologics, a Chinese health care company, engaged in the development of biologics services, was a top performer on strong earnings growth, driven by numerous COVID-19 projects and contracts. Supported by strong sales from its lineage mobile series and a strong pipeline of content, NCSoft Corporation, a South Korean gaming company, rebounded over the period.

 

Lazard Emerging Markets Equity Advantage Portfolio

For the year ended December 31, 2020, the Lazard Emerging Markets Equity Advantage Portfolio’s Institutional Shares posted a total return of 17.40%, while Open Shares posted a total return of 17.10%, as compared with the 18.31% return for the MSCI Emerging Markets Index.

 

The Portfolio finished the year with returns near that of its benchmark in spite of a difficult fourth quarter. Favorable sector positioning accounted for the year’s attractive return offset, partially by residual cash and weakness in stock selection. Overweight exposure to information technology and underweight exposure to financials consistently benefited the Portfolio throughout the year. The underweight exposure to consumer discretionary partially offset this benefit. Stock selection was strong in information technology and industrials, but this was more than offset by weakness in materials and financials. Stock selection was strong in Taiwan and Thailand for the year, but China proved challenging, especially in the last quarter of the year.

 

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Stocks that aided return in the year included Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company, the world largest semiconductor manufacturer. The steady increase for chips for smart phones, gaming devices, and home appliances drove a steady increase in revenue, and margins reached peak levels. Production issues with the company’s major competitor also aided the stock. Delta Electronics soared throughout the year. The company benefited from the demand for video conferencing, and its entry as a supplier to electric vehicles has propelled the stock. The Portfolio steadily took profit in the stock. Great Wall Motor has seen a pick-up in sales despite the pandemic, and the introduction of a new fleet has attracted investor interest. A weaker rupee has also improved the company’s price competitiveness.

 

In contrast, positions that detracted from the year’s performance included the lack of exposure to NIO, the Chinese electric vehicle manufacturer, which rose 1,100% in the year. China Minsheng Banking detracted from performance as it struggled throughout most of the year and underperformed the sector. Despite management efforts to tighten underwriting, the company’s loan portfolio has seen an escalation in non-performing loans and top line revenue growth has been weak. IRB Brasil Resseguros detracted from performance as it was accused of accounting deception by a hedge fund that was short the stock. Berkshire Hathway detracted on allegations of corporate malfeasance that resulted in the dismissal of the company’s president. While the allegation was not substantiated, the Portfolio management team exited the position.

 

Lazard Emerging Markets Equity Blend Portfolio

For the year ended December 31, 2020, the Lazard Emerging Markets Equity Blend Portfolio’s Institutional Shares posted a total return of 14.74%, while Open Shares posted a total return of 14.39%, as compared with the 18.31% return for the MSCI Emerging Markets Index.

 

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Performance was hurt by the Portfolio’s allocation to value and small cap stocks. Other detractors included stock selection in banks and technology hardware companies, as well as higher-than-index exposure to banks and an underweight to retailing industries. By country, stock selection in China, South Korea, and Brazil, as well as higher-than-index exposure to Indonesia and an underweight to Taiwan, hurt performance.

 

In contrast, the Portfolio benefited from exposure to growth stocks. There were positive stock selection contributions from the food & beverage, media & entertainment, and materials industries. Higher-than-index exposure to the media & entertainment and software & services industries, and a below index weight to real estate sector, also contributed. Performance was also helped by stock selection in Russia, and India, as well as overweight exposure to South Korea and underweight exposures to South Africa and Thailand.

 

Lazard Emerging Markets Equity Portfolio

For the year ended December 31, 2020, the Lazard Emerging Markets Equity Portfolio’s Institutional Shares recorded a total return of -0.04%, while Open Shares posted a total return of -0.29% and R6 Shares posted a total return of -0.01%, as compared with the 18.31% return for the MSCI Emerging Markets Index.

 

A lower-than-benchmark exposure to the consumer discretionary sector and to China and Taiwan hurt relative performance. Higher-than-benchmark exposure to the financials sector, and to Russia and Indonesia, also detracted. Shares of Banco do Brasil, a Brazilian bank, were hurt by declining lending rates, falling net interest margins, and the expectation for deteriorating credit trends in Brazil. Shares of IRB Brasil, a Brazilian reinsurance company, were weaker after the regulator announced its intention to carry out a special inspection regarding the coverage of technical provisions due to the recent weakness in the real. CNOOC, a Chinese energy company, declined on lower oil prices due to the COVID-19 crisis and concerns that they would be on a list of companies with ties to the Chinese military banned from investment by US investors. CCR, a Brazilian toll-road operator, underperformed on expectations that the COVID-19 pandemic would lead to declines in traffic

 

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volumes. Tupras, a Turkish oil refining company, was negatively affected by the COVID-19 pandemic and experienced meaningful declines in demand for its products, which also resulted in lower refining margins. Security selection within the communication services, information technology, financials, energy, industrials, consumer discretionary, health care, and materials sectors hurt relative performance. Security selection within China, Korea, and Brazil also detracted from returns.

 

In contrast, a lower-than-benchmark exposure to the communication services and real estate sectors, and a higher-than-benchmark exposure to the information technology sector and to Korea, helped relative performance. Korean chipmakers Samsung Electronics and SK Hynix, a manufacturer of electronic products and a semiconductor company, respectively, benefited from rising memory prices. Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company rose on strong foundry demand during the year and expectations that 2021 demand will remain robust. Infosys, an Indian provider of information technology services, benefited from growing confidence that the strong information technology service demand experienced in the second half of the year would continue. Shares of Baidu, a Chinese online search engine, rose as the Chinese advertising market continued to recover and after the company announced it would increase focus on its autonomous driving software. Security selection within the utilities sector and within Taiwan, Mexico, and Russia added value.

 

Lazard Equity Franchise Portfolio

For the year ended December 31, 2020, the Lazard Equity Franchise Portfolio’s Institutional Shares posted a total return of 1.15%, while Open Shares posted a total return of 0.90%, as compared with the 15.90% return for the MSCI World® Index.

 

H&R Block (HRB) detracted from performance in 2020. The US-based tax preparation firm reported losses compared to a year ago due to a smaller income-tax benefit compared with a year earlier. Italian infrastructure giant Atlantia’s share price suffered over the period from the resurgence of regulatory risk linked to the news that the Italian government may potentially remove the country’s

 

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motorway concessions. Atlantia’s shares were also hurt when movement was restricted in Italy and throughout Europe due to the pandemic, heavily affecting on the company’s motorway network and its airports, including the closure of one of its two airports in Rome. Given the heavy impact on traffic and a more aggressive financial structure following the acquisition of Abertis, we decreased Atlantia’s position in the Portfolio.

 

In contrast, US-based freight rail network Norfolk Southern performed strongly over the year. Its share price fell sharply at the start of the pandemic but by June 30, 2020 had recovered most of the decline. Rail volumes were lower than previous years and we believe they will be negatively affected for as long as the economic impact of the pandemic continues. However, the company displayed strong cost management in its first-quarter earnings results, showing it had reduced headcount and other costs to such an extent that it was able to report higher the first quarter operating margins. The volume contraction appears to be assisting with the speed of the Precision Scheduled Railroading programs, which improves operating metrics, by lowering costs, and capital requirements. Longer term, our view remains positive on the company’s ability to generate returns on invested capital. US-based luxury goods retailer Tapestry continued to contribute to positive performance for the Portfolio during 2020, thanks to market confidence that the company will emerge from the COVID-19 crisis stronger in terms of brand positioning and value chain, as well as operational management.

 

Lazard Global Equity Select Portfolio

For the year ended December 31, 2020, the Lazard Global Equity Select Portfolio’s Institutional Shares posted a total return of 15.97%, while Open Shares posted a total return of 15.67%, as compared with the 16.26% return for the MSCI ACWI.

 

Stock selection in the consumer discretionary sector detracted from performance. UK-based caterer Compass Group saw its stock price falter due to changes in behavior due to the COVID-19 pandemic (e.g., work from home, sporting events without spectators, etc.), which materially affected the company’s business and

 

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improvement is taking longer than anticipated. We exited our position in order to invest in what we believe were more attractive opportunities. Stock selection and an overweight to the consumer staples sector also detracted from performance. Shares of Tesco, the UK food retailer, lagged as the market recovered from March lows on concerns about margin pressure from supply chain difficulties, product mix, and costs associated with social measures.

 

Stock selection in the financials sector contributed to performance. The performance was helped by a position in brokerage firm Charles Schwab, which saw its shares rise after reporting strong third-quarter results, including solid new flows and large increases in cash balances. Lack of exposure to the energy sector also contributed to performance.

 

Lazard Global Listed Infrastructure Portfolio

For the year ended December 31, 2020, the Lazard Global Listed Infrastructure Portfolio’s Institutional Shares recorded a total return of -4.48%, while Open Shares posted a total return of -4.68%, as compared with the -2.72% return for the MSCI World Core Infrastructure® (Hedged) Index and 15.90% return for the MSCI World Index.

 

Atlantia’s share price suffered from the resurgence of regulatory risk linked to the news that the Italian government may potentially remove its Italian motorway concessions. Fraport, owner of Frankfurt airport, detracted from performance as the company clarified its longer-term outlook in the face of COVID-19-related falls in air traffic. It is now expecting an 80% decrease in traffic over the winter season and longer-term (until 2023) for traffic to be 15% lower than pre-pandemic levels due to fleet reductions from Lufthansa and systematically lower corporate travel. The company is looking to reduce staffing by around 4,000 and has pushed back the Terminal 3 capital expenditure program but has not yet abandoned it. Early in the year, leading satellite operator SES reported calendar year 2019 results in-line with market expectations. However, the share price fell on a notable decline in its announced proposed dividend, as well as lowering its fiscal year guidance due to the next phase of its previously announced transformation. In our view, the

 

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decision to reduce the dividend was prudent in light of a large capital expenditure program planned for 2021 totaling € 1.3 billion. We believe the reduction in dividend would allow SES to be able to fund the entire program without needing to access capital markets.

 

In contrast, US freight rail networks Norfolk Southern and CSX performed strongly over the year. The share prices of these freight rail companies fell sharply at the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, but by June 30, 2020 they had recovered most of the decline. Rail volumes for both railroads continue to be lower than previous years and we believe they will be negatively affected for as long as the economic impact of the pandemic continues. Both companies displayed strong cost management at their first quarter profit results, showing they had reduced headcount and other costs to such an extent that they were able to report higher first quarter operating margins.

 

Lazard Global Strategic Equity Portfolio

For the year ended December 31, 2020, the Lazard Global Strategic Equity Portfolio’s Institutional Shares posted a total return of 21.48%, while Open Shares posted a total return of 20.96%, as compared with the 16.26% return for the MSCI ACWI.

 

The Portfolio defended during the market weakness in the first quarter, advancing slightly ahead of the subsequent recovery, then outperformed again in the fourth quarter as COVID-19 vaccines were announced and value stocks rallied. Relative performance was driven by stock selection, underscoring the flexibility and opportunistic approach of the strategy. The Portfolio outperformed despite significant relative performance headwinds from not owning Apple, Amazon, and Tesla. Contributors included Siemens Gamesa Renewable Energy, a provider of onshore and offshore wind power, which benefited from the improved economics of renewables. Both China and the US are placing a greater focus on the energy transition to a net zero carbon economy, and the incoming Biden Administration is set to rejoin the Paris Climate Agreement. The company also reported strong backlog growth in its higher margin offshore and services segments. Genmab, the Danish biotech firm, advanced, as its multiple myeloma drug

 

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Darzalex was approved for home injection, potentially expanding its applications. QIAGEN, the Dutch molecular diagnostic company, posted favorable results as it began to ship evaluation samples of its coronavirus test kits.

 

In contrast, Suncor Energy, the Canadian oil producer, saw its stock price fall on lower oil prices as the global economy was hit by the pandemic. Informa, the global business-to-business event organizer, was caught in the “eye of the storm” as the pandemic limited travel. The company moved quickly with a rights issue that should provide the balance sheet resilience to operate through a recovery phase. It began to recover towards the end of the year with the prospect of a vaccine and the normalization of business travel and the international conference schedule. Tesco, the UK food retailer, appreciated slightly over the year but lagged the market recovery. Sales had outpaced its low-cost rival Aldi, but a remuneration committee proposal to change the executive compensation comparative peer group caused investor consternation.

 

Lazard International Equity Advantage Portfolio

For the year ended December 31, 2020, the Lazard International Equity Advantage Portfolio’s Institutional Shares posted a total return of 5.41%, while Open Shares posted a total return of 5.14%, as compared with the 7.82% return for the MSCI EAFE Index.

 

The year proved a difficult one for the Portfolio, as the market was driven primarily by the single macro theme of COVID-19. Performance was concentrated into a narrow group of stocks with increasingly expensive multiples. The three sharp rotations—COVID onset in February, sharp rebound in April, and vaccine announcement—prompted market leadership shifts, which were difficult to assimilate into our investment process. The rotation of stocks in response to these events tended to place more importance on individual company financial characteristics than on industry and sector exposure. This was illustrated by the Portfolio’s exposure to the transportation industry during the year. The Portfolio had a modest overweight to the airlines (i.e., Air France and Japan Airlines) as we entered the year. As the pandemic spread, these companies sold off massively, and we subsequently eliminated airline

 

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exposure across the Portfolio. To control risk relative to the benchmark, we rotated into railroads as their cargo freight was expected to provide a stable form of income. These stocks held up through October but underperformed with the positive news on vaccines. Airline and shipping companies rallied over 40% in the last quarter.

 

The Portfolio had the greatest excess returns relative to the benchmark in the materials, communication services, and energy sectors. Holdings in materials were helped by holdings in hard metals companies (i.e., gold and iron ore) and underweight exposure to several major chemical concerns. The communication services sector was dominated by the global rollout of 5G, with several of the European telecom companies suffering losses as they announced capital expenditures to upgrade their infrastructure. The Portfolio benefited from the decision by NTT to buy its remaining interest in NTT DoCoMo. Energy stocks were the worst performing sector, as an oversupply, weakening demand due in part to the pandemic, and shift to alternative energy sources all weighed on the sector. The Portfolio’s lack of exposure to the largest integrated oil producers in the sector helped as they suffered losses averaging close to 40%.

 

The industrials sector was challenging for all of 2020. The Portfolio’s positions in many airline and related stocks at the beginning of the year (i.e., Quantas, Japan Airlines Fly Leasing, MTU Aero) hurt after the COVID-19 pandemic effectively curtailed all air travel. The Portfolio’s exposure was conservatively positioned throughout most of the final three quarters of the year, missing the fourth-quarter sharp rally in more cyclical names such as Airbus, Rolls Royce, and Siemens. Consumer discretionary also saw significant rotation where we sold homebuilders and more economically sensitive stocks in March and rotated into lower risk names. These stocks outperformed in the relief rally, thereby adversely impacting results.

 

Lazard International Equity Concentrated Portfolio

For the year ended December 31, 2020, the Lazard International Equity Concentrated Portfolio’s Institutional Shares posted a total

 

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return of 0.47%, while Open Shares posted a total return of 0.33%, as compared with the 10.65% return for the MSCI ACWI ex-US.

 

Most of the negative performance attribution came from the consumer discretionary sector, which cost the Portfolio 6.9% of performance relative to the benchmark. Samsonite, the maker of travel luggage, was hit very hard by COVID-19, with its business coming to a near standstill. We believe that management has done a solid job in managing through the pandemic, but the stock still fell by 58% in the year. Samsonite is (normally) an incredibly stable business model, with moderate financial leverage, but during this exceptional downturn the market became concerned about the financial leverage of the company. We were also concerned and sold the position. Also within the sector, Compass Group a UK-based caterer was hit hard by the pandemic. The stock suffered after the market slowly began to realize that lockdowns would become common and frequent in the company’s key markets, with a significant level of disruption caused to offices, factories, sporting events, and universities. The ongoing threat of a more sustained working-from-home environment as the “new normal”, even after widespread vaccination, meant that expectations of the long-term earnings power of the business were materially reduced.

 

In the consumer staples space, Arca Continental performed very poorly, costing the Portfolio 1.8% in relative performance. This leading Mexican Coca-Cola bottler was hit by small earnings downgrades from a lower “out of home” business, but was also hit hard by the very acute depreciation in the Mexican peso. It was a large position, warranted by what we believed to be a very stable business model, hence the outsized effect. In the information technology space, Hitachi performed poorly, which was disappointing in the context of the strong Japanese market. Management guided very conservatively in terms of future results for the company’s fiscal year and in March 2021. There was also a technical but large effect from acquisition accounting for ABB, which resulted in depressed accounting profit by a non-cash item.

 

The Portfolio’s best performing sectors were industrials and real estate. Siemens Gamesa added 1.9% to relative returns, as the

 

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stock was highlighted as a champion of environmental, social, and governance (ESG), with its dominant offshore wind exposure being seen as a key area of future investment by governments globally. In real estate, Germany-based Vonovia was strong, as the resilience of the business model become apparent. In Germany, the government offers generous financial support to backstop rental payments during times of unemployment. Persistently low interest rates meant that the strong yield and price appreciation of the assets were appreciated by the market.

 

Lazard International Equity Portfolio

For the year ended December 31, 2020, the Lazard International Equity Portfolio’s Institutional Shares posted a total return of 8.76%, while Open Shares posted a total return of 8.43%, and R6 Shares posted a total return of 8.79%, as compared with the 7.82% return for the MSCI EAFE Index.

 

Stock selection was positive in Europe and Japan, while positioning in emerging markets was also beneficial. Japan-based video game manufacturer Nintendo was a top contributor, with shares rising more than 60% in 2020, thanks in part to strong third-quarter results that saw a significant rise in both gross and operating margins and bullish sentiment about upcoming game releases. Global power tool manufacturer Makita saw its stock price rise more than 40% in 2020, with sales and operating profit significantly outpacing consensus expectations. Shares of Vestas Wind Systems boosted performance, gaining more than 130% in the year. The Denmark-based turbine maker’s most recent quarterly report saw revenue exceed expectations. Shares of Spain-based lender Banco Santander S.A. advanced as part of a larger rally in bank stocks, fueled mostly by positive coronavirus vaccine news in the fourth quarter.

 

In contrast, stock selection in the consumer discretionary, health care, and information technology sectors detracted from relative returns, as did the Portfolio’s lower-than-benchmark exposure to Japan. With oil prices under pressure due to weakened demand from the coronavirus pandemic, shares of Canadian oil company Suncor faltered, ending the year down nearly 50%, as part of a

 

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larger decline in oil producer stocks. Shares of Compass Group saw its stock price fall on fears about the UK-based catering company’s earnings outlook after a significant portion of its business was shut due to the coronavirus pandemic. We sold the stock in the third quarter. UK-based supermarket operator Tesco saw its stock price end the year flat despite rising nearly 20% in the fourth quarter. Shares were weighed down on fears about margin pressure after the supermarket operator warned that it expected to spend £925 million to cover the costs of additional staff and operating expenditures to deal with the impact of the coronavirus outbreak.

 

Lazard International Equity Select Portfolio

For the year ended December 31, 2020, the Lazard International Equity Select Portfolio’s Institutional Shares posted a total return of 8.33%, while Open Shares posted a total return of 8.02%, as compared with the 10.65% return for the MSCI ACWI ex-US Index.

 

Underperformance in the year was driven by poor stock selection in the consumer discretionary and information technology sectors. From a regional perspective, stock selection hurt in emerging markets and North America. In contrast, stock selection in the communication services and industrials sectors was strong, as well as in Europe and Japan. Compass Group saw its stock price falter after the UK-based caterer announced that it would issue £2 billion in equity to reinforce the balance sheet and remove any liquidity questions from the investment. We sold the stock in the third quarter on concerns about the company’s near-term outlook. Shares of Brazilian insurer IRB Brasil fell, after a short-seller claimed that the company was overvalued and was reporting one-off gains within net income, which management indicated were more recurring in nature. After multiple missteps from management and the subsequent exit of the CEO/CFO, we viewed our investment thesis as broken and exited the position. After suffering greatly from the combined effect of supply and demand shocks early in 2020, the energy sector led the market after the announcement of successful vaccine trials in the fourth quarter. Suncor shares rose nearly 40% in the fourth quarter, but ended the year down nearly 50%.

 

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In contrast, Nintendo saw its share price rise more than 60% after the Japanese video game manufacturer reported strong growth in both gross margins and operating margins. Investors were also bullish on the potential sales of new release games. Shares of global power tool manufacturer Makita gained more than 40%, with sales and operating profit significantly outpacing consensus expectations. Denmark-based wind turbine maker Vestas Wind Systems A/S, develops, manufactures, and markets wind turbines. The stock advanced significantly this year, thanks largely to strong revenue growth, as the company’s most recent report saw revenue beat estimates by 21% in original equipment and 2% in service. Services margins hit 28.6% driving group EBIT 13% and net income 8% ahead of expectations.

 

Lazard International Equity Value Portfolio

For the year ended December 31, 2020, the Lazard International Equity Value Portfolio’s Institutional Shares posted a total return of -3.81%, while Open Shares recorded a total return of -4.06%, as compared with the 7.82% return for the MSCI EAFE Index.

 

Value stocks faced stiff headwinds in 2020, resulting in the Portfolio underperforming its benchmark, the MSCI EAFE Index. Almost all of the Portfolio’s negative attribution in the year occurred during the first quarter when the COVID-19 pandemic forced an unprecedented suspension of operations among several companies owned in the Portfolio. Since the end of the first quarter, however, the Portfolio strongly outperformed its benchmark, as well as the MSCI EAFE Value Index. Shares of Spanish lender Banco Santander retreated due to falling interest rates, margin pressure, and worries regarding the company’s balance sheet and capital generation. Shares came under further pressure after the bank reported mixed results during the year. While cost control was good, higher loan loss provisions, particularly in the UK and Brazil, larger-than-expected write-downs of goodwill and deferred tax assets, and the announcement of a scrip dividend, in place of cash, disappointed some investors.

 

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Shares of Kion Group were a top contributor after the Germany-based industrial equipment manufacturer released better-than-expected results that highlighted the company’s upside potential, with forklift demand better than expected and warehouse automation orders growing sharply.

 

Lazard International Quality Growth Portfolio

For the year ended December 31, 2020, the Lazard International Quality Growth Portfolio’s Institutional Shares posted a total return of 23.95%, while Open Shares posted a total return of 23.63%, as compared with the 10.65% return for the MSCI ACWI ex-US Index.

 

Stock selection in the financials sector contributed to performance. A position in Swedish online retail broker Avanza Bank contributed to performance. Shares rose sharply as the company reported record profits due to strong brokerage income and new customer growth amid the high market volatility this year. We subsequently sold our position in the stock. Stock selection in the health care sector also contributed to performance. Shares of Genmab, a specialized antibody company with a focus on cancer treatments, rose on strong sales of its multiple myeloma drug, Darzalex, and investors appreciated its robust emerging pipeline.

 

In contrast, stock selection in the consumer discretionary sector detracted from performance. A position in UK-based caterer Compass Group detracted from performance. The company has a very strong competitive position in our view, and it has historically generated robust return on capital. However, changes in behavior due to COVID-19 (individuals working from home, sporting events without spectators, etc.) have materially affected their business, and improvement is taking longer than anticipated. As a result, we exited the Portfolio’s position in order to invest in what we believe were more attractive opportunities. An underweight to the materials sector also detracted, as shares of mining companies rose, along with commodity prices such as iron ore and copper, in the second half of the year.

 

Annual Report  25

 

 

 

Lazard International Small Cap Equity Portfolio

For the year ended December 31, 2020, the Lazard International Small Cap Equity Portfolio’s Institutional Shares posted a total return of 13.44%, while Open Shares posted a total return of 13.15%, as compared with the 12.34% return for the MSCI EAFE Small Cap® Index.

 

On a sector basis, stock selection drove positive overall attribution in spite of moderate headwinds from allocation effects. Stocks within the real estate, industrials, and financials sectors contributed the most to relative returns while those in the consumer discretionary, utilities, and healthcare sectors detracted the most.

 

Germany-based online brokerage and financial services company flatexDEGIRO, contributed to relative performance. The company benefited from increased volatility in markets, which provided a favorable backdrop for market share gains versus its peers. fla-texDEGIRO also delivered better-than-expected results from a recently completed transformative acquisition. The Portfolio continues to hold the shares.

 

Belgium-listed movie theater operator Kinepolis detracted after the company’s business was negatively impacted by falling demand because of the COVID-19 pandemic. In addition, concern increased among some investors that the virus accelerated a secular shift in consumer behavior towards watching movies at home rather than in the theater. The Portfolio no longer holds the shares.

 

Lazard International Strategic Equity Portfolio

For the year ended December 31, 2020, the Lazard International Strategic Equity Portfolio’s Institutional Shares posted a total return of 10.58%, while Open Shares posted a total return of 10.34%, and R6 Shares posted a total return of 10.64%, as compared with the 7.82% return for the MSCI EAFE Index.

 

Stock selection drove the Portfolio’s outperformance in the year. Some of the best-performing stocks were net beneficiaries of the global pandemic crisis. Power tools company Makita benefited from households prioritizing spending on their homes, while

 

26  Annual Report

 

 

 

video game stocks Nexon and Ninetendo saw a jump in sales. ESR reported strong demand for space in its e-commerce and third party logistics properties, while Accenture saw resilient demand for digital transformation projects. Industrials sector company ABB began to realize benefits from its restructuring, while Genmab reported encouraging sales and partnerships for some of its key drugs. Low-cost airline Ryanair is considered to have strengthened its competitive position in a difficult period for the aviation industry and that helped the stock outperform for the year. The stock that added the most value to the Portfolio was Siemens Gamesa, the leading global maker of offshore wind turbines, which combined an acceleration in the outlook for energy transition with progress on its own internal restructuring under new management. Owning very few mainstream banks also helped relative performance.

 

On the negative side, the Portfolio was hurt by holding a number of companies that would normally be considered resilient in a crisis, but suffered from the very unusual circumstances of the pandemic. These included consumer staples companies such as Coca-Cola’s European and Mexican distributors, which sell much of their product to bars and restaurants. In addition, aerospace companies such as pilot training firm CAE and supplier Safran suffered, and the utilities sector company Engie, which normally conducts a range of facility management services for clients, underperformed. Another underperforming company, Informa, makes the majority of its profits in a normal year from exhibitions, and these were severely curtailed due to the pandemic. On a relative basis, the Portfolio’s performance was also hurt by not owning some of the stocks that performed well during the crisis, such as e-commerce and luxury companies.

 

Lazard Managed Equity Volatility Portfolio

For the year ended December 31, 2020, the Lazard Managed Equity Volatility Portfolio’s Institutional Shares posted a total return of -5.18%, while Open Shares posted a total return of -5.34%, as compared with the 15.90% return for the MSCI World Index.

 

Annual Report  27

 

 

 

Unfavorable stock selection and sector allocations accounted for the performance shortfall during the year. Stock selection was favorable in only one of eleven sectors, materials. Holdings in industrials and consumer discretionary detracted the most. The underweights to energy and financials provided the greatest value in terms of sector positioning; however, this was more than offset by the underweight to information technology and overweight to consumer staples. Regionally, stock selection was strongest in Asia ex-Japan and weakest in the United States and Europe.

 

Detractors for the year included Simon Property Group, the biggest US mall owner, which furloughed about 30% of its workforce, as the company had to cope with all of its properties being temporarily shut because of the coronavirus pandemic. The furloughs affected full and part-time workers at its Indianapolis headquarters and at its malls and outlet centers across the United States. We sold our position as we looked to reduce the Portfolio’s exposure to real estate investment trusts (REITs). The COVID-19 environment heavily affected National Retail Properties, in line with the majority of retail-heavy REITS. Restaurant chain operator Darden Restaurants, was severely impacted by lockdown restrictions brought about by the pandemic. We sold the Portfolio’s position in Darden Restaurants as well.

 

Stocks that contributed to the Portfolio’s 2020 return included Fortescue Metals, which finished the year up strongly as iron ore prices soared late in the year due to ongoing supply issues in Brazil where miner Vale trimmed its forecast for their 2020 output, pushing up prices that had already gained more than 80% last year. Target Corporation continued to outperform throughout the year. The company reported an online sales spike, the largest in its 58-year-history. NTT DoCoMo bought out and took private its mobile unit as it restructured for the 5G era. NTT Corp bought back the remaining 34% minority stake of NTT DoCoMo for $38 billion with a 40% premium.

 

28  Annual Report

 

 

 

Lazard US Equity Concentrated Portfolio

For the year ended December 31, 2020, the Lazard US Equity Concentrated Portfolio’s Institutional Shares posted a total return of 8.98%, while Open Shares posted a total return of 8.63% and R6 Shares posted a total return of 8.90%, as compared with the 18.40% return for the S&P 500 Index.

 

A position in construction materials maker Armstrong detracted from returns, as shares remained under pressure amid COVID-19 and secular headwinds facing construction. A position in payment processor Fiserv detracted from performance, as shares fell amid concerns that a recovery may be slow due to exposure to small businesses that have been especially impacted by the crisis and typically have higher fees. A position in dental products maker Envista also hurt returns, as shares fell amid demand headwinds during the pandemic. We sold our position in March, as our thesis was no longer valid.

 

In contrast, a position in home improvement retailer Lowe’s contributed to performance, as shares rose amid a surge in demand for home repair products during the pandemic. The Portfolio also benefited from its position in logistics technology provider Zebra, as shares rose after the company reported broadly strong quarterly results after the third quarter. Management also issued encouraging guidance for the fourth quarter, as demand from large customers began to recover following a pandemic-induced slowdown in corporate digital and e-commerce investment. A position in chipmaker Skyworks also contributed to performance, as shares rose after the company reported strong fourth quarter results with stable margins despite a difficult demand environment. The company has visibility on improving trends in China, and expected content increases in 5G.

 

Lazard US Equity Focus Portfolio

For the year ended December 31, 2020, the Lazard US Equity Focus Portfolio’s Institutional Shares posted a total return of 17.29%, while Open Shares posted a total return of 17.08% and R6 Shares posted a total return of 17.28%, as compared with the 18.40% return for the S&P 500 Index.

 

Annual Report  29

 

 

 

Stock selection in the information technology sector detracted from returns. In January 2020, shares of networking equipment maker Cisco fell after the company reported lackluster fourth-quarter results for 2019 and cautious guidance, citing continued macroeconomic uncertainty. Stock selection in the industrials sector also hurt performance. Shares of aerospace manufacturer Boeing fell amid a halt in demand driven by the pandemic. We sold our position in March, as our thesis was no longer valid.

 

In contrast, stock selection in the financials sector contributed to performance. Shares of diversified wealth manager Charles Schwab rose, as the company saw strong investor inflows throughout the year, while investors anticipated synergies and scale advantages from its $22 billion acquisition of TD Ameritrade, which closed in October. An underweight position in the energy sector also helped returns, as the sector was the worst performer in the index during the period.

 

Lazard US Small-Mid Cap Equity Portfolio

For the year ended December 31, 2020, the Lazard US Small-Mid Cap Equity Portfolio’s Institutional Shares posted a total return of 6.44%, while Open Shares posted a total return of 6.10% and R6 posted a since inception total return of 6.59%, as compared with the 19.99% return for the Russell 2500® Index.

 

Stock selection in the information technology sector detracted from performance. Shares of travel technology company Sabre fell, as a rapid decline in global travel hurt the company’s business and left its outlook unclear. We sold the Portfolio’s position in March, as our thesis was broken. Stock selection and an underweight position in the health care sector also hurt returns. Shares of dental products maker Envista fell, as the pandemic led to a significant decrease in demand for dental equipment. We also sold this position in March, as our thesis was broken.

 

In contrast, stock selection in the financials sector contributed positively to performance. Shares of financial data and ratings provider Morningstar rose after the company reported generally stronger-than-expected earnings, driven by its recently acquired

 

30  Annual Report

 

 

 

bond ratings business. A less-than-benchmark position in the energy sector also helped returns, as the sector was the worst performer in the index during the period.

 

The Portfolio’s relative value philosophy is implemented by assessing the relationship between valuation and financial productivity for an individual security. We believe that financial productivity (the return a company generates) measures how effectively a company is putting its shareholders’ capital to work, and ultimately this drives valuation. The Portfolio’s 2020 performance was disappointing and did not meet our standards. However, much of our underperformance can be attributed to the recent market environment, which has benefited companies with negative earnings and expensive valuations (as measured by price/earnings), and which has been narrowly concentrated in two sectors: health care and information technology. We have also seen certain stocks rally in response to their perceived “pandemic-winner” status, regardless of their underlying fundamentals.

 

At year end, companies with negative earnings for the year ended December 31, 2020 (“non-earners”) made up 25% of weight of the Russell 2500 Index, and greatly outperformed companies with positive earnings (“positive earners”) (during the second quarter—the height of the pandemic—non-earners outperformed positive earners by 1,900 basis points (“bps”).This was a difficult environment for the Portfolio, as we focus on financially productive companies, and non-earners typically do not align with our investment philosophy.

 

We have also seen the pandemic drive valuations in certain industries to extremes not seen since the dot-com bubble in the late 1990s. Three quarters into the year, performance had been driven primarily by the health care (+20.5%) and information technology (+13.4%) sectors, with all other sectors flat or negative, including some deep in the red (energy lost 58% and financials were down 27%). While some losers gained ground in the fourth quarter, all sectors were nonetheless eclipsed by gains in the information technology (+53%) and health care (+48%) sectors for the year. The Portfolio had been underweight the health care and information

 

Annual Report  31

 

 

 

technology sectors, as we believe that in many cases valuations in these sectors have recently expanded beyond reasonable levels. Given their positive contribution to the return of the benchmark, this positioning significantly hurt our relative performance in the past year.

 

The health care and information technology sectors combined detracted over 600 bps from the Portfolio’s performance over the year. Of the index names not held in the Portfolio, the five largest detractors from relative performance, all either health care or information technology stocks, detracted over 200 bps in the aggregate. Of these names, four of the five were negative earners. Because of their lack of fundamental underpinnings, the negative earners are not names that we would have considered owning, and thus we do not attribute the associated underperformance relative to the benchmark to be missed opportunities or stock selection mistakes, but rather a disconnect between the market’s preference for growth at any price and our preference for strong fundamentals that we believe define long-term winners. Despite exceptional moves and changes to the underlying forces of the market this year, we have not wavered from our conviction in our investment process.

 

Lazard US Sustainable Equity Portfolio

Since inception on June 30, 2020 through December 31, 2020, the Lazard US Sustainable Equity Portfolio’s Institutional Shares posted a total return of 22.69%, while Open Shares posted a total return of 22.48%, as compared with the 22.16% return for the S&P 500 Index for the period.

 

Stock selection in the information technology sector detracted from returns. Shares of Cisco fell after the networking equipment maker reported lackluster results in the fourth quarter of 2019 and cautious guidance, citing continued macroeconomic uncertainty. Stock selection in the consumer discretionary sector also hurt performance. Shares of Home Depot lagged following strong outperformance earlier in the year, and after the home improvement retailer announced the acquisition of HD Supply for $8 billion, a 23% premium to its stock prior to the announcement.

 

32  Annual Report

 

 

 

In contrast, stock selection in the health care sector contributed to performance. Shares of Medtronic rose on investor hopes that pent-up demand for elective surgeries postponed during the pandemic would help the medical device maker recover from earlier headwinds. A lack of exposure to the energy sector also helped returns, as the sector was among the worst performers in the index during the period.

 

Annual Report  33

 

The Lazard Funds, Inc. Performance Overviews (unaudited)

 

 

Lazard Developing Markets Equity Portfolio

 

Comparison of Changes in Value of $10,000 Investment in the Institutional Shares of Lazard Developing Markets Equity Portfolio and the MSCI Emerging Markets® Index*

 

 

Average Annual Total Returns*

Periods Ended December 31, 2020

 

   One
year
  Five
year
  Ten
year
 
Institutional Shares**  19.33%  14.51%  2.50%  
Open Shares**  18.97%  14.10%  2.17%  
MSCI Emerging Markets Index  18.31%  12.81%  3.63%  

 

34  Annual Report

 

 

 

Lazard Emerging Markets Core Equity Portfolio

 

Comparison of Changes in Value of $10,000 Investment in the Institutional Shares of Lazard Emerging Markets Core Equity Portfolio and the MSCI Emerging Markets Index*

 

 

Average Annual Total Returns*

Periods Ended December 31, 2020

 

   One
Year
  Five
Years
  Since
Inception
Institutional Shares  11.98%  10.11%  4.90%  
Open Shares  11.66%  9.73%  4.52%  
R6 Shares  11.97%  N/A  4.35%  
MSCI Emerging Markets Index  18.31%  12.81%  5.59%  
         (Institutional
and Open
Shares)
 
         6.53%  
         (R6 Shares)  

 

The inception date for the Institutional and Open Shares was October 31, 2013 and for the R6 Shares was April 6, 2018.

 

Annual Report  35

 

 

 

 

Lazard Emerging Markets Equity Advantage Portfolio

 

Comparison of Changes in Value of $10,000 Investment in the Institutional Shares of Lazard Emerging Markets Equity Advantage Portfolio and the MSCI Emerging Markets Index*

 

 

Average Annual Total Returns*

Periods Ended December 31, 2020

 

   One
Year
  Five
Years
  Since
Inception
Institutional Shares**  17.40%  13.14%  7.78%  
Open Shares**  17.10%  12.82%  7.47%  
MSCI Emerging Markets Index  18.31%  12.81%  7.15%  

 

The inception date for the Portfolio was May 29, 2015.

 

 

Lazard Emerging Markets Equity Blend Portfolio

 

Comparison of Changes in Value of $10,000 Investment in the Institutional Shares of Lazard Emerging Markets Equity Blend Portfolio and the MSCI Emerging Markets Index*

 

 

Average Annual Total Returns*

Periods Ended December 31, 2020

 

   One  Five  Ten  
   Year  Years  Years  
Institutional Shares**  14.74%  11.60%  2.52%  
Open Shares**  14.39%  11.26%  2.23%  
MSCI Emerging Markets Index  18.31%  12.81%  3.63%  

 

36  Annual Report

 

 

 

Lazard Emerging Markets Equity Portfolio

 

Comparison of Changes in Value of $10,000 Investment in the Institutional Shares of Lazard Emerging Markets Equity Portfolio and the MSCI Emerging Markets Index*

 

 

Average Annual Total Returns*

Periods Ended December 31, 2020

 

   One  Five  Ten  Since  
   Year  Years  Years  Inception
Institutional Shares**  –0.04%  8.32%  1.31%  6.38%  
Open Shares**  –0.29%  8.04%  1.04%  6.08%  
R6 Shares**  0.01%  8.32%  N/A  2.90%  
MSCI Emerging Markets Index  18.31%  12.81%  3.63%  6.08%  
            (Institutional
Shares)
 
            6.65%  
            (Open Shares)  
            7.66%  
            (R6 Shares)  

 

The inception date for the Institutional Shares was July 15, 1994, for the Open Shares was January 8, 1997 and for the R6 Shares was January 19, 2015.

 

Annual Report  37

 

 

 

Lazard Equity Franchise Portfolio

 

Comparison of Changes in Value of $10,000 Investment in the Institutional Shares of Lazard Equity Franchise Portfolio and the MSCI World® Index*

 

 

Average Annual Total Returns*

Periods Ended December 31, 2020

 

   One  Since  
   Year  Inception
Institutional Shares**  1.15%  6.24%  
Open Shares**  0.90%  5.97%  
MSCI World Index  15.90%  11.52%  

 

The inception date for the Portfolio was September 29, 2017.

 

 

Lazard Global Equity Select Portfolio

 

Comparison of Changes in Value of $10,000 Investment in the Institutional Shares of Lazard Global Equity Select Portfolio and the MSCI ACWI®*

 

 

Average Annual Total Returns*

Periods Ended December 31, 2020

 

   One  Five  Since  
   Year  Years  Inception
Institutional Shares**  15.97%  12.21%  9.23%  
Open Shares**  15.67%  11.88%  8.92%  
MSCI ACWI  16.26%  12.26%  8.87%  

 

The inception date for the Portfolio was December 31, 2013.

 

38  Annual Report

 

 

 

Lazard Global Listed Infrastructure Portfolio

 

Comparison of Changes in Value of $10,000 Investment in the Institutional Shares of Lazard Global Listed Infrastructure Portfolio, the MSCI World Core Infrastructure (Hedged) Index and the MSCI World Index*

 

 

Average Annual Total Returns*

Periods Ended December 31, 2020

 

   One  Five  Ten  
   Year  Years  Years  
Institutional Shares**  –4.48%  8.22%  10.90%  
Open Shares**  –4.68%  7.95%  10.59%  
MSCI World Index  15.90%  12.19%  9.87%  
MSCI World Core Infrastructure (Hedged) Index  –2.72%  9.93%  9.95%  

 

Annual Report  39

 

 

 

Lazard Global Strategic Equity Portfolio

 

Comparison of Changes in Value of $10,000 Investment in the Institutional Shares of Lazard Global Strategic Equity Portfolio and the MSCI ACWI*

 

 

Average Annual Total Returns*

Periods Ended December 31, 2020

 

   One  Five  Since  
   Year  Years  Inception
Institutional Shares**  21.48%  12.07%  9.02%  
Open Shares**  20.96%  11.73%  8.69%  
MSCI ACWI  16.26%  12.26%  8.65%  

 

The inception date for the Portfolio was August 29, 2014.

 

40  Annual Report

 

 

 

Lazard International Equity Advantage Portfolio

 

Comparison of Changes in Value of $10,000 Investment in the Institutional Shares of Lazard International Equity Advantage Portfolio and the MSCI EAFE® Index*

 

 

Average Annual Total Returns*

Periods Ended December 31, 2020

 

   One  Five  Since  
   Year  Years  Inception
Institutional Shares**  5.41%  5.06%  3.24%  
Open Shares**  5.14%  4.76%  2.94%  
MSCI EAFE Index  7.82%  7.45%  4.93%  

 

The inception date for the Portfolio was May 29, 2015.

 

 

Lazard International Equity Concentrated Portfolio

 

Comparison of Changes in Value of $10,000 Investment in the Institutional Shares of Lazard International Equity Concentrated Portfolio and the MSCI ACWI ex-US*

 

 

Average Annual Total Returns*

Periods Ended December 31, 2020

 

   One  Five  Since  
   Year  Years  Inception
Institutional Shares**  0.47%  6.42%  2.16%  
Open Shares**  0.33%  6.14%  1.91%  
MSCI ACWI ex-US  10.65%  8.93%  4.52%  

 

The inception date for the Portfolio was August 29, 2014.

 

Annual Report  41

 

 

 

Lazard International Equity Portfolio

 

Comparison of Changes in Value of $10,000 Investment in the Institutional Shares of Lazard International Equity Portfolio and the MSCI EAFE Index*

 

 

Average Annual Total Returns*

Periods Ended December 31, 2020

 

   One  Five  Ten  Since  
   Year  Years  Years  Inception
Institutional Shares**  8.76%  6.03%  6.02%  6.04%  
Open Shares**  8.43%  5.74%  5.73%  4.97%  
R6 Shares**  8.79%  6.03%  N/A  4.46%  
MSCI EAFE Index  7.82%  7.45%  5.51%  5.49%  
            (Institutional
Shares)
 
            5.14%  
            (Open Shares)  
            5.39%  
            (R6 Shares)  

 

The inception date for the Institutional Shares was October 29, 1991, for the Open Shares was January 23, 1997 and for the R6 Shares was April 1, 2015.

 

42  Annual Report

 

 

 

Lazard International Equity Select Portfolio

 

Comparison of Changes in Value of $10,000 Investment in the Institutional Shares of Lazard International Equity Select Portfolio, the MSCI ACWI ex-US and the MSCI EAFE/ACWI ex-US Linked Index*

 

 

Average Annual Total Returns*

Periods Ended December 31, 2020

 

   One  Five  Ten  
   Year  Years  Years  
Institutional Shares**  8.33%  7.18%  5.41%  
Open Shares**  8.02%  6.83%  5.06%  
MSCI ACWI ex-US  10.65%  8.93%  4.92%  
MSCI EAFE/ACWI ex-US Linked Index  10.65%  8.93%  4.92%  

 

 

Lazard International Equity Value Portfolio

 

Comparison of Changes in Value of $10,000 Investment in the Institutional Shares of Lazard International Equity Value Portfolio and the MSCI EAFE Index*

 

 

Average Annual Total Returns*

Periods Ended December 31, 2020

 

   One  Since  
   Year  Inception
Institutional Shares**  –3.81%  0.22%  
Open Shares**  –4.06%  –0.04%  
MSCI EAFE Index  7.82%  10.85%  

 

The inception date for the Portfolio was October 31, 2018.

 

Annual Report  43

 

 

 

Lazard International Quality Growth Portfolio

 

Comparison of Changes in Value of $10,000 Investment in the Institutional Shares of Lazard International Quality Growth Portfolio and the MSCI ACWI ex-US*

 

 

Average Annual Total Returns*

Periods Ended December 31, 2020

 

   One  Since  
   Year  Inception
Institutional Shares**  23.95%  26.97%  
Open Shares**  23.63%  26.61%  
MSCI ACWI ex-US  10.65%  15.95%  

 

The inception date for the Portfolio was December 31, 2018.

 

 

Lazard International Small Cap Equity Portfolio

 

Comparison of Changes in Value of $10,000 Investment in the Institutional Shares of Lazard International Small Cap Equity Portfolio and the MSCI EAFE Small Cap® Index*

 

 

Average Annual Total Returns*

Periods Ended December 31, 2020

 

   One  Five  Ten  
   Year  Years  Years  
Institutional Shares**  13.44%  6.93%  7.39%  
Open Shares**  13.15%  6.65%  7.09%  
MSCI EAFE Small Cap Index  12.34%  9.40%  7.85%  

 

44  Annual Report

 

 

 

Lazard International Strategic Equity Portfolio

 

Comparison of Changes in Value of $10,000 Investment in the Institutional Shares of Lazard International Strategic Equity Portfolio and the MSCI EAFE Index*

 

 

Average Annual Total Returns*

Periods Ended December 31, 2020

 

   One  Five  Ten  Since  
   Year  Years  Years  Inception
Institutional Shares**  10.58%  7.88%  7.16%  6.75%  
Open Shares**  10.34%  7.60%  6.89%  5.57%  
R6 Shares**  10.64%  7.88%  N/A  6.27%  
MSCI EAFE Index  7.82%  7.45%  5.51%  4.91%  
            (Institutional
Shares)
 
            4.09%  
            (Open Shares)  
            6.40%  
            (R6 Shares)  

 

The inception date for the Institutional Shares was October 31, 2005, for the Open Shares was February 3, 2006 and for the R6 Shares was January 19, 2015.

 

Annual Report  45

 

 

 

Lazard Managed Equity Volatility Portfolio

 

Comparison of Changes in Value of $10,000 Investment in the Institutional Shares of Lazard Managed Equity Volatility Portfolio and the MSCI World Index*

 

 

Average Annual Total Returns*

Periods Ended December 31, 2020

 

   One  Five  Since  
   Year  Years  Inception
Institutional Shares**  –5.18%  6.56%  5.38%  
Open Shares**  –5.34%  6.26%  5.08%  
MSCI World Index  15.90%  12.19%  9.70%  

 

The inception date for the Portfolio was May 29, 2015.

 

46  Annual Report

 

 

 

Lazard US Equity Concentrated Portfolio

 

Comparison of Changes in Value of $10,000 Investment in the Institutional Shares of Lazard US Equity Concentrated Portfolio, the S&P 500 Index and the Russell 1000 Value/S&P 500 Linked Index*

 

 

Average Annual Total Returns*

Periods Ended December 31, 2020

 

   One  Five  Ten  Since  
   Year  Years  Years  Inception
Institutional Shares**  8.98%  10.83%  12.24%  8.80%  
Open Shares**  8.63%  10.52%  11.90%  8.48%  
R6 Shares**  8.90%  N/A  N/A  11.37%  
S&P 500 Index  18.40%  15.22%  13.88%  9.86%  
            (Institutional
and Open
Shares)
 
            16.33%  
            (R6 Shares)  
Russell 1000 Value/S&P 500 Linked Index  18.40%  15.22%  13.48%  9.19%  
            (Institutional
and Open
Shares)
 
            N/A  
            (R6 Shares)  

 

The inception date for the Institutional and Open Shares was September 30, 2005 and for the R6 Shares was November 15, 2016.

 

Annual Report  47

 

 

 

Lazard US Equity Focus Portfolio

 

Comparison of Changes in Value of $10,000 Investment in the Institutional Shares of Lazard US Equity Select Portfolio and the S&P 500 Index*

 

 

Average Annual Total Returns*

Periods Ended December 31, 2020

 

   One  Five  Ten  Since  
   Year  Years  Years  Inception
Institutional Shares**  17.29%  14.17%  12.25%  8.48%  
Open Shares**  17.08%  13.86%  11.93%  8.17%  
R6 Shares**  17.28%  14.20%  N/A  11.57%  
S&P 500 Index  18.40%  15.22%  13.88%  9.55%  
            (Institutional
and Open
Shares)
 
            13.22%  
            (R6 Shares)  

 

The inception date for the Institutional and Open Shares was December 30, 2004 and for the R6 Shares was May 19, 2014.

 

48  Annual Report

 

 

 

Lazard US Small-Mid Cap Equity Portfolio

 

Comparison of Changes in Value of $10,000 Investment in the Institutional Shares of Lazard US Small-Mid Cap Equity Portfolio and the Russell 2500 Index*

 

 

Average Annual Total Returns*

Periods Ended December 31, 2020

 

   One  Five  Ten  Since  
   Year  Years  Years  Inception†  
Institutional Shares**  6.44%  9.75%  9.39%  10.60%  
Open Shares**  6.10%  9.42%  9.05%  8.24%  
R6 Shares**  N/A  N/A  N/A  6.59%  
Russell 2500 Index  19.99%  13.64%  11.97%  11.15%  
            (Institutional
Shares)
 
            9.89%  
            (Open Shares)  
            20.09%  
            (R6 Shares)  

 

The inception date for the Institutional Shares was October 30, 1991, for the Open Shares was January 30, 1997 and for the R6 Shares was January 8, 2020.

 

Annual Report  49

 

 

 

Lazard US Sustainable Equity Portfolio

 

Comparison of Changes in Value of $10,000 Investment in the Institutional Shares of Lazard US Sustainable Equity Portfolio and the S&P 500 Index*

 

 

Average Annual Total Returns*

Periods Ended December 31, 2020

 

   Since  
   Inception
Institutional Shares**  22.69%  
Open Shares**  22.48%  
S&P 500 Index  22.16%  

 

The inception date for the Institutional Shares and Open Shares was June 30, 2020.

 

Notes to Performance Overviews:  
   
* Total returns reflect reinvestment of all dividends and distributions, if any. Certain expenses of the Portfolio may have been waived or reimbursed by Lazard Asset Management LLC, the Fund’s investment manager (the “Investment Manager”), State Street Bank and Trust Company, the Fund’s administrator (“State Street”), or DST Asset Manager Solutions, Inc., the Fund’s transfer agent and dividend disbursement agent (“DST”); without such waiver/reimbursement of expenses, the Portfolio’s returns would have been lower. Returns for a period of less than one year are not annualized.
   
  Performance results do not include adjustments made for financial reporting purposes in accordance with US Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (“GAAP”), if any, and also exclude one-time adjustments related to reimbursed custodian out-of-pocket expenses (Note 3 in the Notes to Financial Statements) for Lazard International Small Cap Equity and Lazard US Small-Mid Cap Equity Portfolios and settlement proceeds received from class action lawsuits by the Lazard International Equity and Lazard International Small Cap Equity Portfolios, as well as by the Lazard Developing Markets Equity Portfolio. For the Lazard Developing Markets Equity Portfolio, these proceeds impacted the total return of Open Shares but did not impact that of Institutional Shares; amounts may differ from amounts reported in the financial highlights.
   
  The performance quoted represents past performance. Current performance may be lower or higher than the performance quoted. Past performance is not indicative, or a guarantee, of future results; the investment return and principal value of the Portfolio will fluctuate, so that Portfolio shares, when redeemed, may be worth more or less than their original cost. Within the longer periods illustrated, there may have been short-term fluctuations, counter to the overall trend of investment results, and no single period of any length may be taken as typical of what may be expected in future

 

50  Annual Report

 

 

 

  periods. The graph and table above do not reflect the deduction of taxes that a shareholder would pay on the Portfolio’s distributions or the redemption of Portfolio shares.
   
  The performance data of the indices have been prepared from sources and data that the Investment Manager believes to be reliable, but no representation is made as to their accuracy. The indices are unmanaged, have no fees or costs and are not available for investment.
   
** The performance of Institutional Shares, Open Shares and R6 Shares of a Portfolio as applicable may vary, primarily based on the differences in fees borne by shareholders investing in different classes of the Portfolio.
   
  The MSCI Emerging Markets Index is a free-float-adjusted market capitalization index that is designed to measure equity market performance in the global emerging markets. The MSCI Emerging Markets Index consists of 26 emerging markets country indices.
   
  The MSCI World Index is a free-float-adjusted market capitalization index that is designed to measure global developed markets equity performance. The MSCI World Index consists of 23 developed markets country indices.
   
  The MSCI ACWI is a free-float-adjusted market capitalization weighted index that is designed to measure the equity market performance of developed and emerging markets. The MSCI ACWI consists of 50 country indices comprising 23 developed and 27 emerging markets country indices.
   
  The MSCI World Core Infrastructure (Hedged) Index (the “Infrastructure Index”) captures large and mid-cap securities across the 23 developed market countries. The Infrastructure Index is designed to represent the performance of listed companies within the developed markets that are engaged in core industrial infrastructure activities. Note that Lazard Global Listed Infrastructure Portfolio invests in a range of companies globally, not specifically developed markets countries.
   
  The MSCI EAFE Index is a free-float-adjusted market capitalization index that is designed to measure developed markets equity performance, excluding the United States and Canada. The MSCI EAFE Index consists of 21 developed markets country indices.
   
  The MSCI ACWI ex-US is a free-float-adjusted market capitalization weighted index that is designed to measure the equity market performance of developed and emerging markets, excluding the United States. The MSCI ACWI ex-US consists of 48 country indices comprising 22 developed and 26 emerging markets country indices.
   
  The MSCI EAFE/ACWI ex-US Linked Index 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 Lazard International Equity Select Portfolio’s benchmark index changed) and the MSCI ACWI ex-US for all periods thereafter.
   
  The MSCI EAFE Small Cap Index targets all companies with market capitalizations below that of the companies in the MSCI EAFE Index and up to 99% coverage of the free-float-adjusted market capitalization in each market (subject to minimum investability criteria and a universal minimum size range). The MSCI EAFE Small Cap Index consists of 21 developed markets country indices.
   
  The S&P 500 Index is a market capitalization-weighted index of 500 companies in leading industries of the US economy.

 

Annual Report  51

 

 

 

  The Russell 1000 Value/S&P 500 Linked Index 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 Lazard US Equity Concentrated Portfolio’s investment strategy changed) and the S&P 500 Index for all periods thereafter.
   
  The Russell 1000 Value Index measures the performance of those Russell 1000 companies with lower price-to-book ratios and lower forecasted growth values. The Russell 1000 Index measures the performance of the large-cap segment of the US equity universe. It includes approximately 1000 of the largest securities based on a combination of their market cap and current index membership.
   
  The Russell 2500 Index measures the performance of the small-to mid-cap segment of the US equity universe, commonly referred to as “smid” cap. The Russell 2500 Index is a subset of the Russell 3000® Index. The Russell 3000 Index measures the performance of the largest 3000 US companies, representing approximately 98% of the investable US equity market. The Russell 2500 Index includes approximately 2500 of the smallest securities based on a combination of their market cap and current index membership.

 

52  Annual Report

 

The Lazard Funds, Inc.

Information About Your Portfolio’s Expenses (unaudited)

 

Expense Example

As a shareholder in a Portfolio, you incur ongoing costs, including management fees, distribution and service (12b-1) fees (Open Shares only), and other expenses. This Example is intended to help you understand your ongoing costs (in dollars) of investing in a Portfolio and to compare these costs with the ongoing costs of investing in other mutual funds. The Example is based on an investment of $1,000 invested at the beginning of the six month period from July 1, 2020 through December 31, 2020 and held for the entire period.

 

Actual Expenses

For each share class of the Portfolios, the first line of the accompanying table provides information about actual account values and actual expenses. You may use the information in this line, together with the amount you invested, to estimate the expenses that you paid over the period. Simply divide your account value by $1,000 (for example, an $8,600 account value divided by $1,000=8.6), then multiply the result by the number in the first line under the heading entitled “Expenses Paid During Period” to estimate the expenses you paid on your account during this period.

 

Hypothetical Example for Comparison Purposes

For each share class of the Portfolios, the second line of the accompanying table provides information about hypothetical account values and hypothetical expenses based on the class’ actual expense ratio and an assumed rate of return of 5% per year before expenses, which is not the Portfolio’s actual return. The hypothetical account values and expenses may not be used to estimate the actual ending account balance or expenses you paid for the period. You may use this information to compare the ongoing costs of investing in the Portfolio and other mutual funds. To do so, compare this 5% hypothetical example with the 5% hypothetical examples that appear in the shareholder reports of other mutual funds.

 

Annual Report  53

 

 

 

Portfolio  Beginning
Account Value
7/1/20
  Ending
Account
Value
12/31/20
  Expenses Paid
During Period*
7/1/20 - 12/31/20
  Annualized
Expense Ratio
During Period
7/1/20 - 12/31/20
                        
Developing Markets Equity                      
Institutional Shares                      
Actual  $1,000.00   $1,343.90        $6.78    1.15%
Hypothetical (5% Return Before Expenses)  $1,000.00   $1,019.36     $5.84    1.15%
Open Shares                      
Actual  $1,000.00   $1,342.40     $8.24    1.40%
Hypothetical (5% Return Before Expenses)  $1,000.00   $1,018.10     $7.10    1.40%
Emerging Markets Core Equity                      
Institutional Shares                      
Actual  $1,000.00   $1,314.90     $6.87    1.18%
Hypothetical (5% Return Before Expenses)  $1,000.00   $1,019.20     $5.99    1.18%
Open Shares                      
Actual  $1,000.00   $1,313.10     $8.72    1.50%
Hypothetical (5% Return Before Expenses)  $1,000.00   $1,017.60     $7.61    1.50%
R6 Shares                      
Actual  $1,000.00   $1,314.60     $6.98    1.20%
Hypothetical (5% Return Before Expenses)  $1,000.00   $1,019.10     $6.09    1.20%
Emerging Markets Equity Advantage                      
Institutional Shares                      
Actual  $1,000.00   $1,306.30     $6.38    1.10%
Hypothetical (5% Return Before Expenses)  $1,000.00   $1,019.61     $5.58    1.10%
Open Shares                      
Actual  $1,000.00   $1,304.20     $7.82    1.35%
Hypothetical (5% Return Before Expenses)  $1,000.00   $1,018.35     $6.85    1.35%
Emerging Markets Equity Blend                      
Institutional Shares                      
Actual  $1,000.00   $1,304.90     $6.95    1.20%
Hypothetical (5% Return Before Expenses)  $1,000.00   $1,019.10     $6.09    1.20%

 

54  Annual Report

 

 

 

Portfolio  Beginning
Account Value
7/1/20
  Ending
Account
Value
12/31/20
  Expenses Paid
During Period*
7/1/20 - 12/31/20
  Annualized
Expense Ratio
During Period
7/1/20 - 12/31/20
                       
Open Shares                      
Actual  $1,000.00   $1,302.60       $8.39      1.45%
Hypothetical (5% Return Before Expenses)  $1,000.00   $1,017.85     $7.35    1.45%
Emerging Markets Equity                      
Institutional Shares                      
Actual  $1,000.00   $1,271.30     $6.17    1.08%
Hypothetical (5% Return Before Expenses)  $1,000.00   $1,019.71     $5.48    1.08%
Open Shares                      
Actual  $1,000.00   $1,270.10     $7.59    1.33%
Hypothetical (5% Return Before Expenses)  $1,000.00   $1,018.45     $6.75    1.33%
R6 Shares                      
Actual  $1,000.00   $1,271.30     $5.94    1.04%
Hypothetical (5% Return Before Expenses)  $1,000.00   $1,019.91     $5.28    1.04%
Equity Franchise                      
Institutional Shares                      
Actual  $1,000.00   $1,279.40     $5.44    0.95%
Hypothetical (5% Return Before Expenses)  $1,000.00   $1,020.36     $4.82    0.95%
Open Shares                      
Actual  $1,000.00   $1,277.90     $6.87    1.20%
Hypothetical (5% Return Before Expenses)  $1,000.00   $1,019.10     $6.09    1.20%
Global Equity Select                      
Institutional Shares                      
Actual  $1,000.00   $1,225.40     $5.03    0.90%
Hypothetical (5% Return Before Expenses)  $1,000.00   $1,020.61     $4.57    0.90%
Open Shares                      
Actual  $1,000.00   $1,223.90     $6.43    1.15%
Hypothetical (5% Return Before Expenses)  $1,000.00   $1,019.36     $5.84    1.15%

 

Annual Report  55

 

 

 

Portfolio  Beginning
Account Value
7/1/20
  Ending
Account
Value
12/31/20
  Expenses Paid
During Period*
7/1/20 - 12/31/20
  Annualized
Expense Ratio
During Period
7/1/20 - 12/31/20
                       
Global Listed Infrastructure                      
Institutional Shares                      
Actual  $1,000.00   $1,033.20       $4.96      0.97%
Hypothetical (5% Return Before Expenses)  $1,000.00   $1,020.26     $4.93    0.97%
Open Shares                      
Actual  $1,000.00   $1,032.50     $6.23    1.22%
Hypothetical (5% Return Before Expenses)  $1,000.00   $1,019.00     $6.19    1.22%
Global Strategic Equity                      
Institutional Shares                      
Actual  $1,000.00   $1,251.30     $5.38    0.95%
Hypothetical (5% Return Before Expenses)  $1,000.00   $1,020.36     $4.82    0.95%
Open Shares                      
Actual  $1,000.00   $1,252.40     $6.79    1.20%
Hypothetical (5% Return Before Expenses)  $1,000.00   $1,019.10     $6.09    1.20%
International Equity Advantage                      
Institutional Shares                      
Actual  $1,000.00   $1,198.00     $4.97    0.90%
Hypothetical (5% Return Before Expenses)  $1,000.00   $1,020.61     $4.57    0.90%
Open Shares                      
Actual  $1,000.00   $1,196.30     $6.35    1.15%
Hypothetical (5% Return Before Expenses)  $1,000.00   $1,019.36     $5.84    1.15%
International Equity Concentrated                
Institutional Shares                      
Actual  $1,000.00   $1,227.60     $5.15    0.92%
Hypothetical (5% Return Before Expenses)  $1,000.00   $1,020.51     $4.67    0.92%
Open Shares                      
Actual  $1,000.00   $1,226.80     $4.81    0.86%
Hypothetical (5% Return Before Expenses)  $1,000.00   $1,020.81     $4.37    0.86%

 

56  Annual Report

 

 

 

Portfolio  Beginning
Account Value
7/1/20
  Ending
Account
Value
12/31/20
  Expenses Paid
During Period*
7/1/20 - 12/31/20
  Annualized
Expense Ratio
During Period
7/1/20 - 12/31/20
                       
International Equity                      
Institutional Shares                      
Actual  $1,000.00   $1,237.10       $4.61      0.82%
Hypothetical (5% Return Before Expenses)  $1,000.00   $1,021.01     $4.17    0.82%
Open Shares                      
Actual  $1,000.00   $1,235.10     $6.01    1.07%
Hypothetical (5% Return Before Expenses)  $1,000.00   $1,019.76     $5.43    1.07%
R6 Shares                      
Actual  $1,000.00   $1,237.00     $4.50    0.80%
Hypothetical (5% Return Before Expenses)  $1,000.00   $1,021.11     $4.06    0.80%
International Equity Select                      
Institutional Shares                      
Actual  $1,000.00   $1,232.40     $5.05    0.90%
Hypothetical (5% Return Before Expenses)  $1,000.00   $1,020.61     $4.57    0.90%
Open Shares                      
Actual  $1,000.00   $1,230.70     $6.45    1.15%
Hypothetical (5% Return Before Expenses)  $1,000.00   $1,019.36     $5.84    1.15%
International Equity Value                      
Institutional Shares                      
Actual  $1,000.00   $1,249.50     $5.37    0.95%
Hypothetical (5% Return Before Expenses)  $1,000.00   $1,020.36     $4.82    0.95%
Open Shares                      
Actual  $1,000.00   $1,247.80     $6.55    1.16%
Hypothetical (5% Return Before Expenses)  $1,000.00   $1,019.30     $5.89    1.16%
International Quality Growth                      
Institutional Shares                      
Actual  $1,000.00   $1,281.90     $4.88    0.85%
Hypothetical (5% Return Before Expenses)  $1,000.00   $1,020.86     $4.32    0.85%

 

Annual Report  57

 

 

 

Portfolio  Beginning
Account Value
7/1/20
  Ending
Account
Value
12/31/20
  Expenses Paid
During Period*
7/1/20 - 12/31/20
  Annualized
Expense Ratio
During Period
7/1/20 - 12/31/20
             
Open Shares                      
Actual  $1,000.00   $1,280.90       $6.31      1.10%
Hypothetical (5% Return Before Expenses)  $1,000.00   $1,019.61     $5.58    1.10%
International Small Cap Equity                      
Institutional Shares                      
Actual  $1,000.00   $1,254.80     $6.52    1.15%
Hypothetical (5% Return Before Expenses)  $1,000.00   $1,019.36     $5.84    1.15%
Open Shares                      
Actual  $1,000.00   $1,253.90     $7.93    1.40%
Hypothetical (5% Return Before Expenses)  $1,000.00   $1,018.10     $7.10    1.40%
International Strategic Equity                      
Institutional Shares                      
Actual  $1,000.00   $1,250.60     $4.58    0.81%
Hypothetical (5% Return Before Expenses)  $1,000.00   $1,021.06     $4.12    0.81%
Open Shares                      
Actual  $1,000.00   $1,249.00     $5.99    1.06%
Hypothetical (5% Return Before Expenses)  $1,000.00   $1,019.81     $5.38    1.06%
R6 Shares                      
Actual  $1,000.00   $1,250.20     $4.58    0.81%
Hypothetical (5% Return Before Expenses)  $1,000.00   $1,021.06     $4.12    0.81%
Managed Equity Volatility                      
Institutional Shares                      
Actual  $1,000.00   $1,091.30     $3.94    0.75%
Hypothetical (5% Return Before Expenses)  $1,000.00   $1,021.37     $3.81    0.75%
Open Shares                      
Actual  $1,000.00   $1,090.60     $5.26    1.00%
Hypothetical (5% Return Before Expenses)  $1,000.00   $1,020.11     $5.08    1.00%

 

58  Annual Report

 

 

 

Portfolio  Beginning
Account Value
7/1/20
  Ending
Account
Value
12/31/20
  Expenses Paid
During Period*
7/1/20 - 12/31/20
  Annualized
Expense Ratio
During Period
7/1/20 - 12/31/20
                       
US Equity Concentrated                      
Institutional Shares                      
Actual  $1,000.00   $1,176.40       $4.21      0.77%
Hypothetical (5% Return Before Expenses)  $1,000.00   $1,021.27     $3.91    0.77%
Open Shares                      
Actual  $1,000.00   $1,174.80     $5.63    1.03%
Hypothetical (5% Return Before Expenses)  $1,000.00   $1,019.96     $5.23    1.03%
R6 Shares                      
Actual  $1,000.00   $1,176.00     $4.21    0.77%
Hypothetical (5% Return Before Expenses)  $1,000.00   $1,021.27     $3.91    0.77%
US Equity Focus                      
Institutional Shares                      
Actual  $1,000.00   $1,229.10     $3.92    0.70%
Hypothetical (5% Return Before Expenses)  $1,000.00   $1,021.62     $3.56    0.70%
Open Shares                      
Actual  $1,000.00   $1,227.70     $5.32    0.95%
Hypothetical (5% Return Before Expenses)  $1,000.00   $1,020.36     $4.82    0.95%
R6 Shares                      
Actual  $1,000.00   $1,228.90     $3.92    0.70%
Hypothetical (5% Return Before Expenses)  $1,000.00   $1,021.62     $3.56    0.70%

 

Annual Report  59

 

 

 

Portfolio  Beginning
Account Value
7/1/20
  Ending
Account
Value
12/31/20
  Expenses Paid
During Period*
7/1/20 - 12/31/20
  Annualized
Expense Ratio
During Period
7/1/20 - 12/31/20
                       
US Small-Mid Cap Equity                      
Institutional Shares                      
Actual  $1,000.00   $1,280.20       $5.73      1.00%
Hypothetical (5% Return Before Expenses)  $1,000.00   $1,020.11     $5.08    1.00%
Open Shares                      
Actual  $1,000.00   $1,278.50     $7.56    1.32%
Hypothetical (5% Return Before Expenses)  $1,000.00   $1,018.50     $6.70    1.32%
R6 Shares                      
Actual  $1,000.00   $1,281.40     $5.10    0.89%
Hypothetical (5% Return Before Expenses)  $1,000.00   $1,020.66     $4.52    0.89%
US Sustainable Equity                      
Institutional Shares                      
Actual  $1,000.00   $1,226.90     $4.20    0.75%
Hypothetical (5% Return Before Expenses)  $1,000.00   $1,021.37     $3.81    0.75%
Open Shares                      
Actual  $1,000.00   $1,224.80     $5.59    1.00%
Hypothetical (5% Return Before Expenses)  $1,000.00   $1,020.11     $5.08    1.00%

 

* Expenses are equal to the annualized expense ratio, net of expenses waivers and reimbursements, of each Share class multiplied by the average account value over the period, multiplied by 184/366 (to reflect one-half year period).

 

60  Annual Report

 

The Lazard Funds, Inc.

Portfolio Holdings Presented by Asset Class/Sector December 31, 2020

 

Asset Class/Sector*  Lazard
Developing
Markets
Equity
Portfolio
  Lazard
Emerging
Markets Core
Equity
Portfolio
    Lazard
Emerging
Markets
Equity
Advantage
Portfolio
  Lazard
Emerging
Markets
Equity
Blend
Portfolio
                       
Equity                      
Communication Services   14.7%   13.3%     11.5%   13.3%
Consumer Discretionary   13.8    17.1      18.2    7.8 
Consumer Staples   0.8    6.1      4.6    4.4 
Energy   3.8    4.2      5.0    4.5 
Financials   25.1    17.6      17.4    27.5 
Health Care   0.7    1.3      4.4    1.9 
Industrials   8.8    4.7      4.6    5.5 
Information Technology   23.8    26.6      23.6    24.2 
Materials   5.6    7.5      7.8    5.8 
Real Estate             0.9    1.0 
Utilities   1.8    0.8      1.5    0.8 
Short-Term Investments   1.1    0.8      0.5    3.3 
Total Investments   100.0%   100.0%     100.0%   100.0%
                       
Asset Class/Sector*  Lazard
Emerging
Markets
Equity
Portfolio†
  Lazard
Equity
Franchise
Portfolio
  Lazard
Global
Equity Select
Portfolio
  Lazard
Global Listed
Infrastructure
Portfolio
                       
Equity                      
Communication Services   9.4%   9.3%     7.5%   4.3%
Consumer Discretionary   5.7    18.1      12.4     
Consumer Staples   6.5    1.9      14.2     
Energy   7.1               
Financials   28.3          12.6     
Health Care   1.9    22.7      13.5     
Industrials   3.0    18.1      13.8    33.4 
Information Technology   23.4    16.5      19.3     
Materials   9.8          3.0     
Real Estate   0.8               
Utilities   2.3    7.3      1.7    47.3 
Short-Term Investments   1.8    6.1      2.0    15.0 
Total Investments   100.0%   100.0%     100.0%   100.0%

 

* Represents percentage of total investments.
Equity sector breakdown is based upon the underlying holdings of exchange-traded funds held by the Portfolio.

 

Annual Report  61

 

 

 

Asset Class/Sector*  Lazard
Global
Strategic
Equity
Portfolio
  Lazard
International
Equity
Advantage
Portfolio
  Lazard
International
Equity
Concentrated
Portfolio
  Lazard
International
Equity
Portfolio
                       
Equity                      
Communication Services   12.5%   6.1%     6.9%   9.5%
Consumer Discretionary   11.6    12.0      7.7    6.8 
Consumer Staples   3.3    11.4      10.5    8.7 
Energy       2.5      3.6    2.4 
Financials   16.9    17.0      11.4    14.4 
Health Care   14.3    13.5      7.3    10.6 
Industrials   12.1    14.1      16.5    20.7 
Information Technology   20.3    8.3      16.8    7.6 
Materials   3.6    8.4      3.5    7.3 
Real Estate       2.2      6.5    3.8 
Utilities   3.5    3.7      9.3    7.1 
Short-Term Investments   1.9    0.8          1.1 
Total Investments   100.0%   100.0%     100.0%   100.0%
                       
Asset Class/Sector*  Lazard
International
Equity Select
Portfolio
  Lazard
International
Equity Value
Portfolio
  Lazard
International
Quality Growth
Portfolio
  Lazard
International
Small Cap
Equity
Portfolio
                       
Equity                      
Communication Services   9.5%   5.0%     9.4%   7.1%
Consumer Discretionary   10.4    24.3      11.6    8.9 
Consumer Staples   9.7    13.2      7.5    6.0 
Energy   1.8    2.4          0.7 
Financials   16.0    19.4      18.4    11.9 
Health Care   8.4    3.3      7.9    7.2 
Industrials   20.3    12.1      22.6    20.3 
Information Technology   7.6    7.9      14.2    15.0 
Materials   5.7    6.7      1.9    5.8 
Real Estate   1.9              12.0 
Utilities   6.5    3.5          3.5 
Short-Term Investments   2.2    2.2      6.5    1.6 
Total Investments   100.0%   100.0%     100.0%   100.0%

 

* Represents percentage of total investments.

 

62  Annual Report

 

 

 

Asset Class/Sector*  Lazard
International
Strategic
Equity
Portfolio
  Lazard
Managed
Equity
Volatility
Portfolio
  Lazard US
Equity
Concentrated
Portfolio
  Lazard US
Equity Focus
Portfolio
                       
Equity                      
Communication Services   10.1%   10.1%     8.9%   8.3%
Consumer Discretionary   13.2    10.1      17.9    15.9 
Consumer Staples   11.4    18.7      1.5    5.7 
Energy   1.0               
Financials   18.2    8.1      9.3    17.9 
Health Care   7.2    17.7      14.2    17.8 
Industrials   20.3    10.6      8.2    11.7 
Information Technology   4.4    8.3      24.5    21.5 
Materials   4.0    3.9      3.8     
Real Estate   3.2    3.5      9.2     
Utilities   5.5    8.4           
Short-Term Investments   1.5    0.6      2.5    1.2 
Total Investments   100.0%   100.0%     100.0%   100.0%
                       
Asset Class/Sector*  Lazard US
Small-Mid
Cap Equity
Portfolio
  Lazard US
Sustainable
Equity
Portfolio
                 
                             
Equity                            
Communication Services   3.1%   2.0%                  
Consumer Discretionary   12.3    11.5                   
Consumer Staples   2.4    3.7                   
Energy   2.0                       
Financials   12.2    10.8                   
Health Care   14.5    24.5                   
Industrials   17.4    12.3                   
Information Technology   17.9    27.1                   
Materials   8.4    4.3                   
Real Estate   8.2    2.2                   
Utilities   1.6                       
Short-Term Investments       1.6                   
Total Investments   100.0%   100.0%                  

 

* Represents percentage of total investments.

 

Annual Report  63

 

The Lazard Funds, Inc. Portfolios of Investments
December 31, 2020

 

Description  Shares   Fair
Value
 
           
Lazard Developing Markets Equity Portfolio          
           
Common Stocks  |  96.8%          
           
Brazil  |  5.6%          
Duratex SA   568,141   $2,103,492 
Lojas Americanas SA   207,562    1,055,420 
Pagseguro Digital, Ltd., Class A (*)   27,754    1,578,648 
Petroleo Brasileiro SA   911,560    5,037,086 
Rumo SA (*)   407,044    1,512,841 
         11,287,487 
Canada  |  2.1%          
First Quantum Minerals, Ltd.   236,393    4,243,523 
           
China  |  28.2%          
Alibaba Group Holding, Ltd. Sponsored ADR (*)   30,859    7,181,815 
Anhui Conch Cement Co., Ltd., Class H   134,000    839,475 
Beijing Enterprises Water Group, Ltd.   3,814,000    1,532,133 
Beijing Thunisoft Corp., Ltd., Class A   561,365    2,051,217 
Chow Tai Seng Jewellery Co., Ltd., Class A   416,800    1,701,094 
Minth Group, Ltd.   772,000    4,090,296 
NetEase, Inc. ADR   24,845    2,379,406 
New Oriental Education & Technology Group, Inc. Sponsored ADR (*)   7,475    1,388,930 
Ping An Insurance (Group) Co. of China, Ltd., Class H   320,000    3,930,572 
Shenzhen Sunway Communication Co., Ltd., Class A   184,300    1,015,076 
Tencent Holdings, Ltd.   187,200    13,678,185 
Tencent Music Entertainment Group ADR (*)   167,604    3,224,701 
Trip.com Group, Ltd. ADR (*)   94,578    3,190,116 
Weibo Corp. Sponsored ADR (*)   88,959    3,646,429 
Wuliangye Yibin Co., Ltd. Class A   37,200    1,664,282 
Xiabuxiabu Catering Management China Holdings Co., Ltd.   1,271,500    2,909,130 
Zhongsheng Group Holdings, Ltd.   293,000    2,088,958 
         56,511,815 
Colombia  |  2.1%          
Bancolombia SA Sponsored ADR   104,827    4,211,949 

 

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

 

64  Annual Report

 

 

 

Description  Shares   Fair
Value
 
         
Lazard Developing Markets Equity Portfolio (continued)          
           
Hong Kong  |  2.2%          
China Gas Holdings, Ltd.   537,000   $2,141,135 
Techtronic Industries Co., Ltd.   156,502    2,240,823 
         4,381,958 
India  |  9.0%          
HDFC Bank, Ltd. ADR (*)   57,560    4,159,286 
ICICI Bank, Ltd. Sponsored ADR (*)   404,746    6,014,525 
Motherson Sumi Systems, Ltd.   783,251    1,776,461 
Mphasis, Ltd.   68,552    1,448,514 
Reliance Industries, Ltd.   46,208    1,258,750 
Shriram Transport Finance Co., Ltd.   106,771    1,535,958 
UPL, Ltd.   309,362    1,977,502 
         18,170,996 
Indonesia  |  3.0%          
PT Bank Central Asia Tbk   1,107,300    2,667,974 
PT Bank Rakyat Indonesia (Persero) Tbk   11,257,200    3,341,522 
         6,009,496 
Macau  |  1.2%          
SJM Holdings, Ltd.   2,210,000    2,475,927 
           
Mexico  |  2.2%          
Grupo Financiero Banorte SAB de CV, Class O (*)   802,557    4,433,533 
           
Peru  |  1.3%          
Credicorp, Ltd.   15,454    2,534,765 
           
Philippines  |  1.8%          
BDO Unibank, Inc.   1,018,055    2,266,423 
International Container Terminal Services, Inc.   566,809    1,458,060 
         3,724,483 
Russia  |  4.2%          
Mail.Ru Group, Ltd. GDR (*)   86,799    2,274,091 
Novatek PJSC Sponsored GDR   7,807    1,266,631 
Sberbank of Russia PJSC (‡)   959,121    3,515,139 
Yandex NV Class A (*)   18,831    1,310,261 
         8,366,122 

 

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

 

Annual Report  65

 

 

 

Description  Shares   Fair
Value
 
         
Lazard Developing Markets Equity Portfolio (continued)          
           
South Africa  |  3.5%          
Capitec Bank Holdings, Ltd. (*)   40,040   $3,901,809 
Standard Bank Group, Ltd.   364,979    3,164,417 
         7,066,226 
South Korea  |  14.9%          
CJ Logistics Corp. (*)   12,152    1,852,118 
NCSoft Corp.   3,571    3,065,602 
Samsung Biologics Co., Ltd. (*)   1,745    1,324,342 
Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.   180,041    13,455,802 
SK Hynix, Inc.   54,360    5,946,851 
WONIK IPS Co., Ltd. (*)   103,258    4,221,017 
         29,865,732 
Taiwan  |  14.4%          
Airtac International Group   109,000    3,492,835 
ASE Technology Holding Co., Ltd.   799,289    2,312,920 
Bizlink Holding, Inc.   293,000    2,548,485 
Chroma ATE, Inc.   471,000    2,820,458 
Hiwin Technologies Corp.   332,742    4,555,036 
Largan Precision Co., Ltd.   15,860    1,796,827 
MediaTek, Inc.   53,000    1,415,409 
RichWave Technology Corp.   128,000    1,805,768 
Silicon Motion Technology Corp. ADR   36,777    1,770,813 
Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co., Ltd.   340,000    6,385,704 
         28,904,255 
United Kingdom  |  1.1%          
KAZ Minerals PLC   235,655    2,127,367 
           
Total Common Stocks
(Cost $134,665,440)
        194,315,634 
           
Preferred Stocks  |  2.5%          
           
Brazil  |  2.5%          
Banco Bradesco SA ADR
(Cost $4,231,494)
   941,955    4,954,683 

 

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

 

66  Annual Report

 

 

 

Description  Shares   Fair
Value
 
         
Lazard Developing Markets Equity Portfolio (concluded)          
           
Short-Term Investments  |  1.1%          
State Street Institutional Treasury Money Market Fund, Premier Class, 0.01% (7 day yield)
(Cost $2,209,385)
   2,209,385   $2,209,385 
           
Total Investments  |  100.4%
(Cost $141,106,319)
        201,479,702 
           
Liabilities in Excess of Cash and Other Assets  |  (0.4)%        (876,326)
           
Net Assets  |  100.0%       $200,603,376 

 

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

 

Annual Report  67

 

 

 

Description  Shares   Fair
Value
 
         
Lazard Emerging Markets Core Equity Portfolio          
           
Common Stocks  |  98.5%          
           
Argentina  |  1.1%          
MercadoLibre, Inc. (*)   1,385   $2,320,180 
           
Brazil  |  6.3%          
Azul SA ADR (*)   45,970    1,049,035 
Banco BTG Pactual SA   126,995    2,311,096 
Banco do Brasil SA   322,800    2,433,757 
C&A Modas Ltda   411,100    1,026,425 
CCR SA   319,330    832,371 
Lojas Renner SA   84,000    708,282 
Pet Center Comercio e Participacoes SA   560,081    2,066,186 
Rumo SA (*)   435,058    1,616,959 
Telefonica Brasil SA ADR   146,448    1,296,065 
         13,340,176 
Canada  |  0.7%          
Parex Resources, Inc. (*)   105,998    1,458,940 
           
China  |  35.7%          
21Vianet Group, Inc. ADR (*)   101,066    3,505,980 
Alibaba Group Holding, Ltd. (*)   44,900    1,311,871 
Alibaba Group Holding, Ltd. Sponsored ADR (*)   46,264    10,767,021 
Bilibili, Inc. Sponsored ADR (*)   20,183    1,730,087 
Budweiser Brewing Co. APAC, Ltd.   581,800    1,923,307 
China National Building Material Co., Ltd., Class H   2,484,000    2,995,912 
Industrial & Commercial Bank of China, Ltd., Class H   8,869,633    5,770,948 
JD.com, Inc. ADR (*)   24,955    2,193,544 
Kingsoft Cloud Holdings, Ltd. ADR (*)   39,961    1,740,302 
Midea Group Co., Ltd., Class A   108,100    1,629,941 
NetEase, Inc.   50,800    972,033 
NetEase, Inc. ADR   22,229    2,128,871 
New Oriental Education & Technology Group, Inc. Sponsored ADR (*)   18,503    3,438,042 
PICC Property & Casualty Co., Ltd., Class H   1,595,770    1,209,084 
Ping An Insurance (Group) Co. of China, Ltd., Class H   419,000    5,146,592 

 

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

 

68  Annual Report

 

 

 

Description  Shares   Fair
Value
 
         
Lazard Emerging Markets Core Equity Portfolio (continued)          
           
Prosus NV   9,686   $1,041,955 
Shenzhen Sunway Communication Co., Ltd., Class A   182,700    1,006,264 
Shenzhou International Group Holdings, Ltd.   162,591    3,189,009 
Tencent Holdings, Ltd.   221,800    16,206,311 
Wuliangye Yibin Co., Ltd. Class A   76,300    3,413,567 
Wuxi Biologics Cayman, Inc. (*)   209,000    2,783,893 
Wuxi Lead Intelligent Equipment Co., Ltd.   137,000    1,764,874 
         75,869,408 
Hong Kong  |  2.5%          
China Gas Holdings, Ltd.   405,000    1,614,822 
Techtronic Industries Co., Ltd.   258,000    3,694,089 
         5,308,911 
India  |  9.9%          
HDFC Bank, Ltd. ADR (*)   100,022    7,227,590 
Hindalco Industries, Ltd.   728,554    2,407,308 
Infosys, Ltd. Sponsored ADR   189,350    3,209,482 
Maruti Suzuki India, Ltd.   17,740    1,861,440 
Motherson Sumi Systems, Ltd.   514,785    1,167,564 
Reliance Industries, Ltd.   110,717    3,016,036 
UPL, Ltd.   336,826    2,153,057 
         21,042,477 
Indonesia  |  1.4%          
PT Bank Mandiri (Persero) Tbk   4,004,400    1,807,066 
PT Telekomunikasi Indonesia (Persero) Tbk Sponsored ADR   49,683    1,168,544 
         2,975,610 
Luxembourg  |  1.3%          
Ternium SA Sponsored ADR (*)   93,449    2,717,497 
           
Mexico  |  2.7%          
Arca Continental SAB de CV   257,345    1,237,356 
Gruma SAB de CV, Class B   126,398    1,504,936 
Grupo Aeroportuario del Pacifico SAB de CV ADR (*)   14,386    1,601,018 
Grupo Financiero Banorte SAB de CV, Class O (*)   268,500    1,483,264 
         5,826,574 

 

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

 

Annual Report  69

 

 

 

Description  Shares   Fair
Value
 
         
Lazard Emerging Markets Core Equity Portfolio (continued)          
           
Philippines  |  0.9%          
BDO Unibank, Inc.   875,401   $1,948,843 
           
Poland  |  2.0%          
CD Projekt SA (*)   15,039    1,105,496 
KGHM Polska Miedz SA (*)   63,509    3,113,193 
         4,218,689 
Russia  |  3.9%          
LUKOIL PJSC Sponsored ADR   65,723    4,481,318 
Sberbank of Russia PJSC Sponsored ADR (United States)    53,682    778,389 
Sberbank of Russia PJSC Sponsored ADR (London)   204,405    2,946,680 
         8,206,387 
South Africa  |  2.7%          
Mondi PLC   111,702    2,636,372 
Naspers, Ltd., N Shares   9,203    1,883,594 
The Bidvest Group, Ltd.   107,450    1,154,527 
         5,674,493 
South Korea  |  12.1%          
DB Insurance Co., Ltd.   25,145    1,013,233 
NCSoft Corp.   4,305    3,695,720 
Orion Corp.   14,046    1,600,262 
Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.   197,890    14,789,790 
SK Hynix, Inc.   42,730    4,674,557 
         25,773,562 
Taiwan  |  12.2%          
Accton Technology Corp.   143,000    1,614,719 
Largan Precision Co., Ltd.   14,000    1,586,102 
Micro-Star International Co., Ltd.   367,000    1,731,366 
Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co., Ltd. Sponsored ADR   192,038    20,939,823 
         25,872,010 
Turkey  |  0.8%          
Turkiye Garanti Bankasi AS (*)   1,254,973    1,758,148 
           
United Kingdom  |  1.5%          
Unilever PLC Sponsored ADR   54,530    3,291,431 

 

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

 

70  Annual Report

 

 

 

Description  Shares   Fair
Value
 
         
Lazard Emerging Markets Core Equity Portfolio (concluded)          
           
United States  |  0.8%          
Yum China Holdings, Inc.   30,416   $1,736,449 
           
Total Common Stocks
(Cost $139,253,527)
        209,339,785 
           
Preferred Stocks  |  0.8%          
           
Brazil  |  0.8%          
Itau Unibanco Holding SA Sponsored ADR
(Cost $1,876,251)
   276,311    1,682,734 
           
Short-Term Investments  |  0.8%          
State Street Institutional Treasury Money Market Fund, Premier Class, 0.01% (7 day yield)
(Cost $1,681,375)
   1,681,375    1,681,375 
           
Total Investments  |  100.1%
(Cost $142,811,153)
       $212,703,894 
           
Liabilities in Excess of Cash and Other Assets  |  (0.1)%        (113,039)
           
Net Assets  |  100.0%       $212,590,855 

 

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

 

Annual Report  71

 

 

 

Description  Shares   Fair
Value
 
         
Lazard Emerging Markets Equity Advantage Portfolio          
           
Common Stocks  |  98.0%          
           
Argentina  |  0.2%          
Globant SA (*)   288   $62,672 
           
Brazil  |  3.8%          
Ambev SA   43,300    130,843 
BRF SA (*)   18,300    76,457 
Cia Paranaense de Energia   3,800    54,227 
Pagseguro Digital, Ltd., Class A (*)   1,308    74,399 
Petroleo Brasileiro SA   31,439    173,725 
Totvs SA   12,900    71,414 
Vale SA   20,709    345,958 
WEG SA   10,600    155,551 
         1,082,574 
           
China  |  38.1%          
Agricultural Bank of China, Ltd., Class H   481,000    176,291 
Alibaba Group Holding, Ltd. Sponsored ADR (*)   7,687    1,788,995 
Anhui Conch Cement Co., Ltd., Class H   12,500    78,309 
Anhui Guangxin Agrochemical Co., Ltd., Class A (*)   36,000    132,153 
Anhui Hengyuan Coal Industry and Electricity Power Co., Ltd., Class A   54,700    52,728 
Autohome, Inc. ADR   522    52,002 
Baidu, Inc. Sponsored ADR (*)   1,463    316,359 
Bank of China, Ltd., Class H   403,000    137,828 
Bank of Communications Co., Ltd., Class H   543,000    287,245 
Bank of Jiangsu Co., Ltd., Class A   90,500    75,570 
Baoshan Iron & Steel Co., Ltd., Class A   48,800    44,431 
Brilliance China Automotive Holdings, Ltd.   48,000    43,796 
China CITIC Bank Corp., Ltd., Class H   153,000    64,969 
China Construction Bank Corp., Class H   391,000    297,550 
China Everbright Bank Co., Ltd., Class H   229,000    87,349 
China Feihe, Ltd.   44,000    103,479 
China Lesso Group Holdings, Ltd.   41,000    64,367 
China Life Insurance Co., Ltd., Class H   22,000    48,667 

 

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

 

72  Annual Report

 

 

 

Description  Shares   Fair
Value
 
         
Lazard Emerging Markets Equity Advantage Portfolio (continued)          
           
China Medical System Holdings, Ltd.   55,000   $61,638 
China Meidong Auto Holdings, Ltd.   14,000    56,920 
China Merchants Bank Co., Ltd., Class H   22,500    142,893 
China Minsheng Banking Corp., Ltd., Class H   505,000    287,995 
China Pacific Insurance Group Co., Ltd., Class A   10,000    58,828 
China Petroleum & Chemical Corp., Class H   120,000    53,336 
China Resources Cement Holdings, Ltd.   62,000    69,296 
China Resources Land, Ltd.   10,000    41,435 
China Resources Power Holdings Co., Ltd.   34,000    36,729 
China Shenhua Energy Co., Ltd., Class H   112,500    211,983 
China Vanke Co., Ltd., Class H   21,300    73,649 
China Yuhua Education Corp., Ltd.   94,000    82,004 
COSCO SHIPPING Holdings Co., Ltd. (*)   62,500    75,031 
CSC Financial Co., Ltd., Class H   57,000    75,796 
CSPC Pharmaceutical Group, Ltd.   105,840    108,232 
ENN Energy Holdings, Ltd.   4,700    68,986 
Great Wall Motor Co., Ltd., Class H   53,500    184,224 
Guangdong Baolihua New Energy Stock Co., Ltd., Class A   46,000    51,406 
Guangdong Tapai Group Co., Ltd., Class A   17,000    33,173 
Industrial & Commercial Bank of China, Ltd., Class H   208,000    135,333 
JD.com, Inc. ADR (*)   4,184    367,774 
Jiangsu Hengrui Medicine Co., Ltd., Class A   3,760    64,231 
Kunlun Energy Co., Ltd.   66,000    57,078 
Li Ning Co., Ltd.   30,500    210,115 
Meituan, Class B (*)   12,500    478,079 
NetEase, Inc. ADR   1,586    151,891 
New China Life Insurance Co., Ltd., Class H   11,900    46,592 
New Oriental Education & Technology Group, Inc. Sponsored ADR (*)   469    87,145 
PetroChina Co., Ltd., Class H   166,000    50,973 
Pharmaron Beijing Co., Ltd., Class H   7,600    128,807 
Pinduoduo, Inc. ADR (*)   1,268    225,286 
Ping An Insurance (Group) Co. of China, Ltd., Class H   33,500    411,482 
Sany Heavy Industry Co., Ltd., Class A   19,300    103,278 
Shandong Nanshan Aluminum Co., Ltd., Class A   106,600    51,608 

 

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

 

Annual Report  73

 

 

 

Description  Shares   Fair
Value
 
         
Lazard Emerging Markets Equity Advantage Portfolio (continued)          
           
Shanghai Liangxin Electrical Co., Ltd.   25,400   $119,199 
Shenzhen Inovance Technology Co., Ltd., Class A   3,900    55,762 
Shenzhen Mindray Bio-Medical Electronics Co., Ltd., Class A   900    58,475 
Shenzhou International Group Holdings, Ltd.   6,800    133,373 
Sinotruk Hong Kong, Ltd.   23,500    60,184 
Tencent Holdings, Ltd.   22,400    1,636,706 
Tencent Music Entertainment Group ADR (*)   6,664    128,215 
Tian Di Science & Technology Co., Ltd., Class A   299,500    141,271 
Vipshop Holdings, Ltd. ADR (*)   4,779    134,338 
Xiaomi Corp., Class B (*)   26,800    115,580 
Yuexiu Property Co., Ltd.   282,000    56,862 
Zhejiang Weixing New Building Materials Co., Ltd., Class A   17,900    51,207 
Zhongsheng Group Holdings, Ltd.   9,500    67,731 
         10,954,217 
Greece  |  0.6%          
Hellenic Telecommunications Organization SA   10,450    168,528 
           
Hong Kong  |  0.2%          
Shimao Group Holdings, Ltd.   14,500    46,358 
           
Hungary  |  0.8%          
MOL Hungarian Oil & Gas PLC (*)   10,483    76,275 
Richter Gedeon Nyrt.   6,475    162,496 
         238,771 
India  |  7.3%          
Axis Bank, Ltd. GDR (*)   813    34,607 
Dr Reddy’s Laboratories, Ltd. ADR   3,865    275,536 
GAIL India, Ltd. GDR   4,656    45,975 
HDFC Bank, Ltd. ADR (*)   5,556    401,477 
ICICI Bank, Ltd. Sponsored ADR (*)   13,435    199,644 
Infosys, Ltd. Sponsored ADR   28,453    482,278 
Reliance Industries, Ltd. Sponsored GDR (#)   3,571    195,391 
State Bank of India GDR (*)   2,443    91,568 
Tata Motors, Ltd. Sponsored ADR (*)   5,027    63,340 

 

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

 

74  Annual Report

 

 

 

Description  Shares   Fair
Value
 
         
Lazard Emerging Markets Equity Advantage Portfolio (continued)          
           
Wipro, Ltd. ADR   32,001   $180,806 
WNS Holdings, Ltd. ADR (*)   1,774    127,817 
         2,098,439 
Indonesia  |  1.5%          
Kalbe Farma Tbk PT   484,000    50,986 
PT Bank Central Asia Tbk   72,800    175,407 
PT Bank Mandiri (Persero) Tbk   210,200    94,857 
PT Bank Rakyat Indonesia (Persero) Tbk   156,300    46,395 
PT Telekomunikasi Indonesia (Persero) Tbk Sponsored ADR   3,134    73,712 
         441,357 
Malaysia  |  1.8%          
Frontken Corp. Bhd   53,800    47,704 
Hartalega Holdings Berhad   33,700    101,891 
Hong Leong Financial Group Bhd   14,800    66,576 
Inari Amertron Berhad   155,900    107,021 
Kossan Rubber Industries   41,700    46,765 
Petronas Chemicals Group Bhd   46,600    86,271 
VS Industry Berhad   79,800    51,430 
         507,658 
Mexico  |  2.7%          
America Movil SAB de CV, Class L Sponsored ADR   8,720    126,789 
Arca Continental SAB de CV   28,400    136,552 
Gruma SAB de CV, Class B   3,790    45,125 
Grupo Mexico SAB de CV, Series B   17,900    75,668 
Kimberly-Clark de Mexico SAB de CV, Series A   27,300    46,631 
Qualitas Controladora SAB de CV   28,000    150,753 
Wal-Mart de Mexico SAB de CV   70,300    197,763 
         779,281 
Philippines  |  0.5%          
International Container Terminal Services, Inc.   26,100    67,140 
Metropolitan Bank & Trust Co.   72,700    74,282 
         141,422 
Poland  |  1.6%          
Dino Polska SA (*)   660    51,107 
KGHM Polska Miedz SA (*)   2,055    100,736 

 

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

 

Annual Report  75

 

 

 

Description  Shares   Fair
Value
 
         
Lazard Emerging Markets Equity Advantage Portfolio (continued)          
           
Orange Polska SA (*)   38,115   $67,213 
Polskie Gornictwo Naftowe i Gazownictwo SA   114,145    169,242 
Powszechna Kasa Oszczednosci Bank Polski SA (*)   8,958    69,051 
         457,349 
Russia  |  3.5%          
Gazprom PJSC Sponsored ADR   9,205    51,172 
LUKOIL PJSC Sponsored ADR   3,197    217,987 
MMC Norilsk Nickel PJSC ADR   2,967    92,663 
PhosAgro PJSC GDR   2,592    35,347 
Polyus PJSC GDR   1,070    107,810 
RusHydro PJSC ADR   41,344    44,375 
Sberbank of Russia PJSC Sponsored ADR (London)   21,970    316,717 
Tatneft PJSC Sponsored ADR   2,128    86,800 
Yandex NV Class A (*)   738    51,350 
         1,004,221 
           
South Africa  |  2.4%          
African Rainbow Minerals, Ltd.   3,084    55,003 
Clicks Group, Ltd.   2,691    46,302 
Impala Platinum Holdings, Ltd.   4,498    61,857 
Kumba Iron Ore, Ltd.   1,098    46,648 
Naspers, Ltd., N Shares   1,099    224,934 
Ninety One, Ltd.   12,339    36,977 
Northam Platinum, Ltd. (*)   3,416    48,801 
Sibanye Stillwater, Ltd.   22,273    89,692 
Tiger Brands, Ltd.   5,468    77,060 
         687,274 
           
South Korea  |  15.1%          
BNK Financial Group, Inc.   9,145    47,853 
Celltrion, Inc. (*)   385    126,881 
Coway Co., Ltd. (*)   1,063    71,151 
DongKook Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd.   2,146    57,926 
DoubleUGames Co., Ltd.   822    45,654 
Hana Financial Group, Inc.   10,518    334,447 
Hankook Tire & Technology Co., Ltd.   1,502    54,574 

 

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

 

76  Annual Report

 

 

 

Description  Shares   Fair
Value
 
         
Lazard Emerging Markets Equity Advantage Portfolio (continued)          
           
Hansol Chemical Co., Ltd.   372   $67,517 
Hanwha Chemical Corp.   2,006    88,236 
Hyundai Mobis Co., Ltd.   467    110,166 
JYP Entertainment Corp.   1,447    51,223 
KB Financial Group, Inc. ADR   4,991    197,644 
KEPCO Plant Service & Engineering Co., Ltd.   2,967    81,222 
Kia Motors Corp.   3,815    219,715 
Korea Electric Power Corp. (*)   2,198    55,547 
Korea Zinc Co., Ltd.   284    104,844 
KT&G Corp.   741    56,755 
LG Electronics, Inc.   1,020    126,866 
LG Household & Health Care, Ltd.   120    178,963 
LOTTE Fine Chemical Co., Ltd.   2,687    136,296 
Mirae Asset Daewoo Co., Ltd.   11,477    100,047 
NAVER Corp.   194    52,384 
NCSoft Corp.   118    101,300 
Orion Corp.   355    40,445 
POSCO   347    86,953 
Samsung Electro-Mechanics Co., Ltd.   300    49,303 
Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd. GDR   888    1,613,998 
SK Telecom Co., Ltd.   323    70,879 
         4,328,789 
Taiwan  |  14.8%          
Asia Cement Corp.   36,000    55,467 
Delta Electronics, Inc.   31,000    289,172 
Elan Microelectronics Corp.   26,000    123,986 
Evergreen Marine Corp. Taiwan, Ltd. (*)   82,000    118,845 
Feng TAY Enterprise Co., Ltd.   7,000    49,832 
Gigabyte Technology Co., Ltd.   28,000    77,782 
International Games System Co., Ltd.   4,000    108,270 
Kenda Rubber Industrial Co., Ltd.   40,000    49,768 
Kindom Development Co., Ltd.   39,000    46,613 
Lotes Co., Ltd.   4,000    67,595 
Makalot Industrial Co., Ltd.   11,000    74,984 
MediaTek, Inc.   3,000    80,117 
Micro-Star International Co., Ltd.   32,000    150,964 

 

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

 

Annual Report  77

 

 

 

Description  Shares   Fair
Value
 
         
Lazard Emerging Markets Equity Advantage Portfolio (continued)          
           
Nantex Industry Co., Ltd.   38,000   $82,805 
Nien Made Enterprise Co., Ltd.   7,000    81,305 
Novatek Microelectronics Corp.   6,000    78,483 
Parade Technologies, Ltd.   2,000    79,434 
Taiwan Cement Corp.   30,600    47,126 
Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co., Ltd. Sponsored ADR   19,498    2,126,062 
United Microelectronics Corp.   149,000    249,768 
Wan Hai Lines, Ltd.   92,000    172,377 
Yuanta Financial Holding Co., Ltd.   80,000    58,522 
         4,269,277 
Thailand  |  2.0%          
Com7 Public Co., Ltd. NVDR   39,000    50,770 
Delta Electronics Thailand Public Co., Ltd. NVDR   22,300    361,781 
Hana Microelectronics Public Co., Ltd. NVDR   71,000    94,134 
PTT Exploration & Production Public Co., Ltd. (‡)   24,800    81,329 
         588,014 
Turkey  |  0.8%          
BIM Birlesik Magazalar AS   12,480    126,790 
Turk Telekomunikasyon AS   38,894    44,724 
Turkcell Iletisim Hizmetleri AS   31,002    67,359 
         238,873 
United States  |  0.3%          
Yum China Holdings, Inc.   1,500    85,635 
           
Total Common Stocks
(Cost $22,181,621)
        28,180,709 
           
Preferred Stocks  |  0.4%          
           
Brazil  |  0.4%          
Banco Bradesco SA ADR   11,778    61,952 
Itau Unibanco Holding SA Sponsored ADR   10,109    61,564 
           
Total Preferred Stocks
(Cost $108,321)
        123,516 

 

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

 

78  Annual Report

 

 

 

Description  Shares   Fair
Value
 
         
Lazard Emerging Markets Equity Advantage Portfolio (concluded)          
           
Short-Term Investments  |  0.4%          
State Street Institutional Treasury Money Market Fund, Premier Class, 0.01% (7 day yield)
(Cost $124,214)
   124,214   $124,214 
           
Total Investments  |  98.8%
(Cost $22,414,156)
       $28,428,439 
           
Cash and Other Assets in Excess of Liabilities  |  1.2%        345,137 
           
Net Assets  |  100.0%       $28,773,576 

 

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

 

Annual Report  79

 

 

 

Description  Shares   Fair
Value
 
         
Lazard Emerging Markets Equity Blend Portfolio          
           
Common Stocks  |  95.7%          
           
Brazil  |  4.9%          
Banco do Brasil SA   95,957   $723,470 
Banco Pan SA (Preference Shares)   109,200    201,403 
CCR SA   173,430    452,065 
Cia de Saneamento do Parana   41,500    208,422 
Construtora Tenda SA   34,700    201,839 
Log-in Logistica Intermodal SA (*)   57,800    181,150 
Lojas Quero Quero S/A   62,942    197,770 
Pagseguro Digital, Ltd., Class A (*)   18,294    1,040,563 
Petroleo Brasileiro SA (Preference Shares)   120,100    663,647 
         3,870,329 
Canada  |  2.3%          
First Quantum Minerals, Ltd.   99,515    1,786,407 
           
Chile  |  0.4%          
Geopark, Ltd.   24,523    318,554 
           
China  |  21.9%          
21Vianet Group, Inc. ADR (*)   6,883    238,771 
360 DigiTech, Inc. ADR (*)   13,757    162,195 
Alibaba Group Holding, Ltd. Sponsored ADR (*)   7,050    1,640,746 
Anhui Conch Cement Co., Ltd., Class H   101,500    635,871 
Ausnutria Dairy Corp., Ltd.   883    1,483 
Baidu, Inc. Sponsored ADR (*)   6,495    1,404,479 
China Aoyuan Group, Ltd.   187,000    181,991 
China Construction Bank Corp., Class H   1,528,281    1,163,019 
China Meidong Auto Holdings, Ltd.   52,000    211,416 
China Merchants Bank Co., Ltd., Class H   173,000    1,098,691 
China Mobile, Ltd. Sponsored ADR   10,244    292,364 
China Shenhua Energy Co., Ltd., Class H   377,500    711,320 
CNOOC, Ltd.   239,917    220,535 
Hengan International Group Co., Ltd.   51,000    361,067 
Huami Corp. ADR (*)   13,730    162,701 
JNBY Design, Ltd.   190,000    220,657 

 

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

 

80  Annual Report

 

 

 

Description  Shares   Fair
Value
 
         
Lazard Emerging Markets Equity Blend Portfolio (continued)          
           
Kaisa Prosperity Holdings, Ltd.   55,750   $137,723 
Maoyan Entertainment (*)   118,400    187,077 
NetEase, Inc. ADR   9,974    955,210 
Ping An Insurance (Group) Co. of China, Ltd., Class H   221,500    2,720,693 
Precision Tsugami China Corp., Ltd.   236,000    227,124 
Sinopharm Group Co., Ltd., Class H   208,400    507,994 
Tencent Holdings, Ltd.   35,692    2,607,915 
Tianyun International Holdings, Ltd.   1,236,000    240,722 
West China Cement, Ltd.   1,032,000    153,141 
Wuliangye Yibin Co., Ltd. Class A   16,600    742,663 
         17,187,568 
Colombia  |  1.6%          
Bancolombia SA Sponsored ADR   30,208    1,213,757 
           
Czech Republic  |  0.3%          
Moneta Money Bank AS (*)   72,302    228,889 
           
Egypt  |  1.0%          
Commercial International Bank Egypt SAE GDR   108,150    405,700 
Credit Agricole Egypt SAE   97,291    179,498 
Six of October Development & Investment   237,220    223,798 
         808,996 
Estonia  |  0.2%          
Tallinna Sadam AS   87,102    191,549 
           
Georgia  |  0.5%          
Bank of Georgia Group PLC (*)   12,034    200,894 
TBC Bank Group PLC (*)   12,688    217,104 
         417,998 
Greece  |  0.3%          
OPAP SA   19,969    267,407 
           
Hong Kong  |  2.4%          
China Water Affairs Group, Ltd.   216,000    168,872 
Techtronic Industries Co., Ltd.   112,782    1,614,832 
TK Group Holdings, Ltd.   308,000    99,509 
         1,883,213 

 

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

 

Annual Report  81

 

 

 

Description  Shares   Fair
Value
 
         
Lazard Emerging Markets Equity Blend Portfolio (continued)          
           
Hungary  |  1.3%          
OTP Bank Nyrt. (*)   21,838   $982,643 
           
India  |  10.2%          
Axis Bank, Ltd. (*)   153,562    1,307,239 
Bajaj Auto, Ltd.   14,934    704,572 
Gujarat State Petronet, Ltd.   72,990    221,701 
HCL Technologies, Ltd.   41,864    543,315 
ICICI Bank, Ltd. Sponsored ADR (*)   135,062    2,007,021 
Infosys, Ltd. Sponsored ADR   44,695    757,580 
Jubilant Life Sciences, Ltd.   21,333    247,003 
Kiri Industries, Ltd.   22,258    164,332 
Petronet LNG, Ltd.   78,634    267,168 
Reliance Industries, Ltd.   20,559    560,047 
Tata Consultancy Services, Ltd.   14,946    586,532 
The South Indian Bank, Ltd. (*)   748,459    92,464 
Uflex, Ltd.   47,212    243,234 
UPL, Ltd.   42,042    268,741 
         7,970,949 
Indonesia  |  4.3%          
PT Bank Mandiri (Persero) Tbk   1,649,600    744,415 
PT Bank Pembangunan Daerah Jawa Timur Tbk   4,641,000    224,636 
PT Bank Rakyat Indonesia (Persero) Tbk   4,359,759    1,294,126 
PT Bekasi Fajar Industrial Estate Tbk (*)   9,411,600    120,586 
PT Erajaya Swasembada Tbk (*)   835,900    130,903 
PT Media Nusantara Citra Tbk (*)   3,632,900    295,354 
PT Telkom Indonesia (Persero) Tbk Sponsored ADR   25,439    598,325 
         3,408,345 
Kenya  |  0.2%          
KCB Group, Ltd.   442,400    154,692 
           
Kuwait  |  0.3%          
Human Soft Holding Co. KSC (*)   17,550    219,325 

 

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

 

82  Annual Report

 

 

 

Description  Shares   Fair
Value
 
         
Lazard Emerging Markets Equity Blend Portfolio (continued)          
           
Mexico  |  5.6%          
America Movil SAB de CV, Class L Sponsored ADR   52,122   $757,854 
Credito Real SAB de CV (*)   164,400    102,608 
Genomma Lab Internacional SAB de CV, B Shares (*)   178,300    168,807 
Grupo Cementos de Chihuahua SAB de CV   34,400    207,477 
Grupo Financiero Banorte SAB de CV, Class O (*)   287,164    1,586,368 
Grupo Mexico SAB de CV, Series B   258,799    1,094,006 
Kimberly-Clark de Mexico SAB de CV, Series A   261,700    447,005 
         4,364,125 
Oman  |  0.2%          
Ooredoo   160,160    163,020 
           
Pakistan  |  0.2%          
Bank Alfalah, Ltd.   875,631    194,054 
           
Poland  |  0.3%          
Eurocash SA (*)   24,650    92,666 
Warsaw Stock Exchange   11,461    140,176 
         232,842 
Russia  |  5.6%          
Detsky Mir PJSC   134,590    246,952 
LSR Group PJSC GDR   61,038    139,060 
LUKOIL PJSC Sponsored ADR   11,831    808,767 
Mobile TeleSystems PJSC Sponsored ADR   71,104    636,381 
Sberbank of Russia PJSC (‡)   267,371    979,904 
Sberbank of Russia PJSC Sponsored ADR (United States)   77,865    1,129,043 
Yandex NV Class A (*)   6,621    460,689 
         4,400,796 
South Africa  |  0.8%          
Standard Bank Group, Ltd.   68,252    591,754 
           
South Korea  |  20.4%          
AfreecaTV Co., Ltd.   3,358    187,292 
BGF retail Co., Ltd.   1,718    214,538 
HS Industries Co., Ltd.   38,450    253,011 
Hyundai Mobis Co., Ltd.   3,491    823,531 

 

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

 

Annual Report  83

 

 

 

Description  Shares   Fair
Value
 
         
Lazard Emerging Markets Equity Blend Portfolio (continued)          
           
KT&G Corp.   4,680   $358,454 
MegaStudyEdu Co., Ltd.   7,929    284,120 
NCSoft Corp.   2,479    2,128,151 
Nice Information & Telecommunication, Inc.   8,438    221,079 
NICE Information Service Co., Ltd.   9,003    206,005 
Ray Co., Ltd. (*)   4,534    222,848 
Samjin Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd.   4,746    119,155 
Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.   79,539    5,944,541 
SFA Engineering Corp.   4,954    176,521 
Shinhan Financial Group Co., Ltd.   21,590    638,672 
SK Hynix, Inc.   31,917    3,491,641 
Tokai Carbon Korea Co., Ltd.   1,424    164,672 
WONIK IPS Co., Ltd. (*)   5,393    220,457 
Zinus, Inc.   3,441    326,278 
         15,980,966 
Taiwan | 9.0%          
Airtac International Group   32,000    1,025,420 
Bizlink Holding, Inc.   21,000    182,656 
Hon Hai Precision Industry Co., Ltd.   166,136    542,492 
Largan Precision Co., Ltd.   4,614    522,734 
Lotes Co., Ltd.   9,000    152,088 
Lotus Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd. (*)   67,000    191,250 
MediaTek, Inc.   18,000    480,705 
Powertech Technology, Inc.   53,000    179,544 
Poya International Co., Ltd.   8,000    163,741 
Sercomm Corp.   70,000    194,095 
Silicon Motion Technology Corp. ADR   17,867    860,296 
Simplo Technology Co., Ltd.   16,000    199,264 
Sitronix Technology Corp.   39,000    226,326 
Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co., Ltd.   89,387    1,678,820 
Tripod Technology Corp.   40,000    168,763 
TSC Auto ID Technology Co., Ltd.   18,700    130,009 
Wiwynn Corp.   7,000    175,338 
         7,073,541 

 

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

 

84  Annual Report

 

 

 

Description  Shares   Fair
Value
 
         
Lazard Emerging Markets Equity Blend Portfolio (concluded)          
           
Thailand  |  0.2%          
PTG Energy Public Co., Ltd (‡)   315,900   $167,651 
           
Ukraine  |  0.3%          
Kernel Holding SA   15,235    200,575 
           
United Kingdom  |  1.0%          
Unilever PLC   12,901    781,170 
           
Total Common Stocks
(Cost $58,753,875)
        75,061,115 
           
Preferred Stocks  |  1.2%          
           
Brazil  |  1.2%          
Banco Bradesco SA ADR
(Cost $814,639)
   170,738    898,082 
           
Short-Term Investments  |  3.3%          
State Street Institutional Treasury Money Market Fund, Premier Class, 0.01% (7 day yield)
(Cost $2,612,365)
   2,612,365    2,612,365 
           
Total Investments  |  100.2%
(Cost $62,180,879)
       $78,571,562 
           
Liabilities in Excess of Cash and Other Assets  |  (0.2)%        (146,687)
           
Net Assets  |  100.0%       $78,424,875 

 

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

 

Annual Report  85

 

 

 

Description  Shares   Fair
Value
 
         
Lazard Emerging Markets Equity Portfolio          
           
Common Stocks  |  92.9%          
           
Brazil  |  5.3%          
Banco do Brasil SA   11,825,926   $89,161,797 
BB Seguridade Participacoes SA   9,869,700    56,520,286 
CCR SA   15,723,545    40,985,257 
Engie Brasil Energia SA   3,497,976    29,670,590 
Petrobras Distribuidora SA   3,618,516    15,482,949 
         231,820,879 
China  |  18.1%          
AAC Technologies Holdings, Inc.   5,344,665    30,075,534 
Anhui Conch Cement Co., Ltd., Class H   9,497,451    59,499,068 
Baidu, Inc. Sponsored ADR (*)   412,852    89,275,116 
China Construction Bank Corp., Class H   153,401,224    116,738,045 
China Merchants Bank Co., Ltd., Class H   13,156,494    83,554,445 
China Mobile, Ltd. Sponsored ADR   1,050,829    29,990,660 
China Shenhua Energy Co., Ltd., Class H   31,071,110    58,547,002 
China Vanke Co., Ltd., Class H   9,880,400    34,163,416 
CNOOC, Ltd.   33,362,532    30,667,321 
ENN Energy Holdings, Ltd.   2,253,800    33,081,171 
Hengan International Group Co., Ltd.   7,813,500    55,317,615 
Ping An Insurance (Group) Co. of China, Ltd., Class H   6,735,000    82,726,254 
Sinopharm Group Co., Ltd., Class H   20,324,814    49,543,541 
Weichai Power Co., Ltd., Class H   19,152,288    38,526,344 
         791,705,532 
Egypt  |  0.8%          
Commercial International Bank Egypt SAE GDR   9,174,975    34,417,818 
           
Hong Kong  |  1.2%          
ASM Pacific Technology, Ltd.   3,927,700    51,847,292 
           
Hungary  |  2.6%          
OTP Bank Nyrt. (*)   2,510,433    112,961,769 

 

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

 

86  Annual Report

 

 

 

Description  Shares   Fair
Value
 
         
Lazard Emerging Markets Equity Portfolio (continued)          
           
India  |  11.1%          
Axis Bank, Ltd. (*)   7,714,690   $65,673,435 
Bajaj Auto, Ltd.   791,899    37,361,018 
Bharat Petroleum Corp., Ltd.   5,511,333    28,825,224 
Coal India, Ltd.   10,916,712    20,255,175 
HCL Technologies, Ltd.   3,791,748    49,209,665 
Hero MotoCorp, Ltd.   783,528    33,394,691 
Indus Towers, Ltd.   10,577,398    33,380,062 
Infosys, Ltd. Sponsored ADR   3,892,784    65,982,689 
Oil and Natural Gas Corp., Ltd.   30,019,654    38,292,507 
Power Grid Corp. of India, Ltd.   12,214,856    31,848,156 
Tata Consultancy Services, Ltd.   931,343    36,549,091 
UPL, Ltd.   6,863,984    43,875,919 
         484,647,632 
Indonesia  |  4.1%          
PT Astra International Tbk   93,241,900    40,047,572 
PT Bank Mandiri (Persero) Tbk   175,731,842    79,302,520 
PT Telkom Indonesia (Persero) Tbk Sponsored ADR   2,632,637    61,919,622 
         181,269,714 
Luxembourg  |  0.9%          
Ternium SA Sponsored ADR (*)   1,310,917    38,121,466 
           
Mexico  |  5.5%          
America Movil SAB de CV, Class L Sponsored ADR   6,125,627    89,066,617 
Grupo Financiero Banorte SAB de CV, Class O (*)   7,248,616    40,043,235 
Grupo Mexico SAB de CV, Series B   19,239,942    81,331,889 
Kimberly-Clark de Mexico SAB de CV, Series A   16,581,795    28,323,084 
         238,764,825 
Portugal  |  0.8%          
Galp Energia SGPS SA   3,388,958    36,252,041 
           
Russia  |  8.2%          
ALROSA PAO (*), (‡)   43,645,460    58,303,133 
LUKOIL PJSC Sponsored ADR   1,140,470    77,762,864 
Magnit PJSC Sponsored GDR   1,934,618    34,078,592 
Mobile TeleSystems PJSC Sponsored ADR   6,158,690    55,120,275 

 

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

 

Annual Report  87

 

 

 

Description  Shares   Fair
Value
 
 
Lazard Emerging Markets Equity Portfolio (continued)    
 
Novolipetskiy Metallurgicheskiy Kombinat PAO   495,153   $13,743,662 
Sberbank of Russia PJSC (‡)   32,982,390    120,879,107 
         359,887,633 
South Africa  |  6.4%          
Life Healthcare Group Holdings, Ltd. (*)   26,892,290    30,819,918 
Mondi PLC   1,243,663    29,352,730 
Nedbank Group, Ltd.   4,632,808    40,862,826 
Sanlam, Ltd.   8,568,917    34,292,159 
Shoprite Holdings, Ltd.   3,863,438    36,596,446 
Standard Bank Group, Ltd.   4,267,216    36,997,332 
The Bidvest Group, Ltd.   4,004,382    43,026,220 
Vodacom Group, Ltd.   3,557,787    30,008,053 
         281,955,684 
South Korea  |  16.2%          
Coway Co., Ltd. (*)   719,169    48,136,756 
Hyundai Mobis Co., Ltd.   265,403    62,608,917 
KB Financial Group, Inc.   1,768,515    70,239,144 
KT&G Corp.   406,378    31,125,580 
Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.   3,251,967    243,043,661 
Shinhan Financial Group Co., Ltd.   2,171,397    64,233,894 
SK Hynix, Inc.   1,713,529    187,455,868 
         706,843,820 
Taiwan  |  6.9%          
Catcher Technology Co., Ltd.   4,282,000    31,494,621 
Globalwafers Co., Ltd.   2,694,000    68,174,835 
Hon Hai Precision Industry Co., Ltd.   19,424,425    63,427,516 
Novatek Microelectronics Corp.   4,995,000    65,336,886 
Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co., Ltd.   3,974,913    74,654,754 
         303,088,612 
Thailand  |  1.7%          
Kasikornbank Public Co. Ltd.   11,153,054    42,574,416 
The Siam Cement Public Co., Ltd. (‡)   2,473,800    31,211,495 
         73,785,911 

 

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

 

88  Annual Report

 

 

 

Description  Shares   Fair
Value
 
         
Lazard Emerging Markets Equity Portfolio (concluded)          
           
United Kingdom  |  3.1%          
Anglo American PLC   1,450,522   $48,312,978 
Unilever PLC   1,415,742    85,724,716 
         134,037,694 
Total Common Stocks
(Cost $3,247,084,404)
        4,061,408,322 
           
Exchange-Traded Funds  |  5.0%          
iShares Core MSCI Emerging Markets ETF   1,750,278    108,587,247 
Vanguard FTSE Emerging Markets ETF   2,152,350    107,854,259 
           
Total Exchange-Traded Funds
(Cost $176,623,829)
        216,441,506 
           
Short-Term Investments  |  1.8%          
State Street Institutional Treasury Money Market Fund, Premier Class, 0.01% (7 day yield)
(Cost $78,259,363)
   78,259,363    78,259,363 
           
Total Investments  |  99.7%
(Cost $3,501,967,596)
       $4,356,109,191 
           
Cash and Other Assets in Excess of Liabilities  |  0.3%        13,389,074 
           
Net Assets  |  100.0%       $4,369,498,265 

 

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

 

Annual Report  89

 

 

 

Description  Shares   Fair
Value
 
         
Lazard Equity Franchise Portfolio          
           
Common Stocks  |  93.9%          
           
Belgium  |  1.9%          
Anheuser-Busch InBev SA/NV   24,895   $1,739,725 
           
France  |  7.1%          
Bureau Veritas SA (*)   134,131    3,567,755 
EssilorLuxottica SA   18,923    2,951,157 
         6,518,912 
Germany  |  3.9%          
Fresenius Medical Care AG & Co. KGaA   43,448    3,623,951 
           
Italy  |  4.8%          
Atlantia SpA (*)   100,008    1,795,465 
Snam SpA   458,172    2,572,908 
         4,368,373 
Luxembourg  |  3.9%          
SES SA   380,969    3,603,607 
           
Spain  |  3.0%          
Ferrovial SA   100,069    2,765,141 
           
United Kingdom  |  4.5%          
National Grid PLC   199,535    2,376,578 
United Utilities Group PLC   138,900    1,708,427 
         4,085,005 
United States  |  64.8%          
Cisco Systems, Inc.   107,687    4,818,993 
Cognizant Technology Solutions Corp., Class A   33,408    2,737,786 
CVS Health Corp.   77,946    5,323,712 
H&R Block, Inc.   340,594    5,401,821 
Henry Schein, Inc. (*)   24,521    1,639,474 
Intel Corp.   92,804    4,623,495 
International Game Technology PLC   225,552    3,820,851 
McKesson Corp.   25,421    4,421,220 
MEDNAX, Inc. (*)   136,236    3,343,231 

 

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

 

90  Annual Report

 

 

 

Description  Shares   Fair
Value
 
         
Lazard Equity Franchise Portfolio (concluded)          
           
Medtronic PLC   20,959   $2,455,137 
Nielsen Holdings PLC   277,699    5,795,578 
Omnicom Group, Inc.   79,810    4,977,750 
Oracle Corp.   46,453    3,005,045 
Stericycle, Inc. (*)   39,077    2,709,208 
Tapestry, Inc.   142,961    4,443,228 
         59,516,529 
Total Common Stocks
(Cost $72,919,376)
        86,221,243 
           
Short-Term Investments  |  6.1%          
State Street Institutional Treasury Money Market Fund, Premier Class, 0.01% (7 day yield)
(Cost $5,598,898)
   5,598,898    5,598,898 
           
Total Investments  |  100.0%
(Cost $78,518,274)
       $91,820,141 
           
Cash and Other Assets in Excess of Liabilities  |  0.0%        29,304 
           
Net Assets  |  100.0%       $91,849,445 

 

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

 

Annual Report  91

 

 

 

Description  Shares   Fair
Value
 
           
Lazard Global Equity Select Portfolio          
           
Common Stocks  |  98.0%          
           
Canada  |  5.1%          
CAE, Inc.   55,295   $1,532,135 
Canadian National Railway Co.   9,031    992,849 
Dollarama, Inc.   26,029    1,060,872 
National Bank of Canada   21,427    1,205,932 
         4,791,788 
China  |  4.4%          
Alibaba Group Holding, Ltd. Sponsored ADR (*)   8,589    1,998,918 
Tencent Holdings, Ltd.   29,423    2,149,857 
         4,148,775 
Denmark  |  1.1%          
Vestas Wind Systems A/S   4,464    1,056,512 
           
France  |  2.3%          
LVMH Moet Hennessy Louis Vuitton SE   1,819    1,136,567 
Pernod Ricard SA   5,309    1,017,673 
         2,154,240 
Germany  |  2.9%          
Merck KGaA   5,086    871,809 
Symrise AG   7,052    932,717 
Teamviewer AG (*)   17,543    939,521 
         2,744,047 
Hong Kong  |  4.6%          
AIA Group, Ltd.   137,783    1,697,165 
China Gas Holdings, Ltd.   388,800    1,550,230 
Sands China, Ltd.   245,600    1,079,563 
         4,326,958 
Japan  |  3.6%          
Kansai Paint Co., Ltd.   29,467    907,948 
Nintendo Co., Ltd.   2,300    1,467,835 
Shimano, Inc.   4,200    980,858 
         3,356,641 

 

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

 

92  Annual Report

 

 

 

Description  Shares   Fair
Value
 
         
Lazard Global Equity Select Portfolio (continued)          
           
Netherlands  |  3.8%          
NXP Semiconductors NV   7,232   $1,149,960 
Wolters Kluwer NV   28,174    2,377,971 
         3,527,931 
South Korea  |  1.4%          
LG Household & Health Care, Ltd.   853    1,272,125 
           
Spain  |  1.0%          
Industria de Diseno Textil SA   28,054    893,293 
           
Sweden  |  4.0%          
Assa Abloy AB, Class B   26,111    642,237 
Epiroc AB, Class A   88,115    1,601,725 
Hexagon AB, B Shares   15,903    1,448,183 
         3,692,145 
Switzerland  |  2.6%          
ABB, Ltd.   43,011    1,203,075 
Partners Group Holding AG   1,040    1,214,816 
         2,417,891 
Taiwan  |  2.2%          
Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co., Ltd. Sponsored ADR   19,040    2,076,122 
           
United Kingdom  |  10.6%          
Coca-Cola European Partners PLC   20,650    1,028,990 
Diageo PLC   42,620    1,684,389 
Prudential PLC   54,984    1,014,908 
RELX PLC   62,719    1,541,859 
Rio Tinto PLC   12,400    927,817 
Tesco PLC   509,360    1,608,129 
Unilever PLC   35,774    2,153,501 
         9,959,593 

 

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

 

Annual Report  93

 

 

 

Description  Shares   Fair
Value
 
           
Lazard Global Equity Select Portfolio (continued)          
           
United States  |  48.4%          
Accenture PLC, Class A   8,187   $2,138,526 
Alphabet, Inc., Class A (*)   1,539    2,697,313 
AmerisourceBergen Corp.   12,410    1,213,202 
Aon PLC, Class A   10,318    2,179,884 
Boston Scientific Corp. (*)   28,265    1,016,127 
Dollar General Corp.   7,918    1,665,155 
Honeywell International, Inc.   4,129    878,238 
Intercontinental Exchange, Inc.   16,568    1,910,125 
IQVIA Holdings, Inc. (*)   13,067    2,341,214 
Johnson & Johnson   12,532    1,972,286 
Kimberly-Clark Corp.   7,630    1,028,753 
Lowe’s Cos., Inc.   8,638    1,386,485 
McDonald’s Corp.   6,622    1,420,949 
Microsoft Corp.   13,239    2,944,618 
Motorola Solutions, Inc.   8,979    1,526,969 
Palo Alto Networks, Inc. (*)   2,932    1,042,003 
PTC, Inc. (*)   11,299    1,351,473 
Rockwell Automation, Inc.   4,402    1,104,066 
S&P Global, Inc.   4,389    1,442,796 
Texas Instruments, Inc.   9,364    1,536,913 
The Charles Schwab Corp.   21,912    1,162,212 
The Coca-Cola Co.   36,728    2,014,164 
The Procter & Gamble Co.   10,789    1,501,181 
Thermo Fisher Scientific, Inc.   6,461    3,009,405 
Visa, Inc., Class A   8,813    1,927,668 
Warner Music Group Corp., Class A   17,313    657,721 
Zoetis, Inc.   13,103    2,168,547 
         45,237,993 
Total Common Stocks
(Cost $65,481,651)
        91,656,054 

 

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

 

94  Annual Report

 

 

 

Description  Shares   Fair
Value
 
           
Lazard Global Equity Select Portfolio (concluded)          
           
Short-Term Investments  |  2.0%          
State Street Institutional Treasury Money Market Fund, Premier Class, 0.01% (7 day yield)
(Cost $1,891,314)
   1,891,314   $1,891,314 
           
Total Investments  |  100.0%
(Cost $67,372,965)
       $93,547,368 
           
Cash and Other Assets in Excess of Liabilities  |  0.0%        28,461 
           
Net Assets  |  100.0%       $93,575,829 

 

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

 

Annual Report  95

 

 

 

Description  Shares   Fair
Value
    
         
Lazard Global Listed Infrastructure Portfolio          
           
Common Stocks  |  85.2%          
           
Australia  |  8.0%          
Atlas Arteria, Ltd. (^)   48,907,421   $245,363,263 
Spark Infrastructure Group   83,493,195    135,927,924 
Transurban Group   21,680,116    228,531,295 
         609,822,482 
Canada  |  0.7%          
Atco, Ltd., Class I   1,898,489    54,423,650 
           
France  |  6.4%          
Eutelsat Communications SA   11,456,887    129,664,643 
Vinci SA   3,546,463    352,878,001 
         482,542,644 
Hong Kong  |  3.3%          
CK Infrastructure Holdings, Ltd.   11,085,000    59,577,215 
Power Assets Holdings, Ltd.   34,797,965    188,755,560 
         248,332,775 
Italy  |  21.5%          
ASTM SpA (*)   3,990,113    100,327,585 
Atlantia SpA (*)   21,551,848    386,924,870 
Hera SpA   48,018,401    175,747,529 
Italgas SpA   34,322,945    219,025,645 
Snam SpA   66,358,224    372,640,950 
Terna Rete Elettrica Nazionale SpA   50,053,401    381,893,205 
         1,636,559,784 
Luxembourg  |  2.6%          
SES SA (^)   20,569,089    194,564,135 
           
Portugal  |  0.8%          
Redes Energeticas Nacionais SGPS SA   21,468,951    62,151,022 
           
Spain  |  8.4%          
Ferrovial SA   23,060,842    637,225,157 

 

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

 

96  Annual Report

 

 

 

Description  Shares   Fair
Value
    
         
Lazard Global Listed Infrastructure Portfolio (continued)          
           
United Kingdom  |  20.4%          
National Grid PLC   52,478,267   $625,046,767 
Pennon Group PLC (^)   21,423,608    279,091,668 
Severn Trent PLC   9,720,937    304,457,586 
United Utilities Group PLC   28,035,266    344,825,096 
         1,553,421,117 
United States  |  13.1%          
Consolidated Edison, Inc.   3,220,600    232,752,762 
CSX Corp.   3,970,311    360,305,723 
Norfolk Southern Corp.   983,190    233,615,776 
Southwest Gas Holdings, Inc.   2,761,944    167,788,098 
         994,462,359 
           
Total Common Stocks
(Cost $6,110,414,614)
        6,473,505,125 
           
Short-Term Investments  |  15.0%          
State Street Institutional Treasury Money Market Fund, Premier Class, 0.01% (7 day yield)
(Cost $1,142,375,288)
   1,142,375,288    1,142,375,288 
           
Total Investments  |  100.2%
(Cost $7,252,789,902) (»)
       $7,615,880,413 
           
Liabilities in Excess of Cash and Other Assets  |  (0.2)%        (18,443,408)
           
Net Assets  |  100.0%       $7,597,437,005 

 

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

 

Annual Report  97

 

 

 

Lazard Global Listed Infrastructure Portfolio (concluded)

 

Forward Currency Contracts open at December 31, 2020:

 

Currency
Purchased
  Quantity   Currency
Sold
  Quantity   Counterparty  Settlement
Date
  Unrealized
Appreciation
  Unrealized
Depreciation
 
                                
AUD   87,651,361   USD   66,057,747   BNP  03/25/21    $1,560,894   $ 
EUR   124,198,638   USD   151,934,678   RBC  03/25/21     66,283     
USD   147,413,536   AUD   195,300,158   BNP  03/25/21         3,250,767 
USD   127,030,219   AUD   168,234,120   CIT  03/25/21         2,753,989 
USD   132,062,970   AUD   174,975,780   HSB  03/25/21         2,922,092 
USD   125,821,938   AUD   166,616,264   SCB  03/25/21         2,714,176 
USD   138,684,728   AUD   183,700,548   SSB  03/25/21         3,031,055 
USD   6,226,061   CAD   7,936,858   BNP  03/25/21         10,563 
USD   16,103,822   CAD   20,528,991   HSB  03/25/21         27,447 
USD   13,014,984   CAD   16,590,656   RBC  03/25/21         21,620 
USD   19,833,940   CAD   25,288,670   SCB  03/25/21         37,390 
USD   378,873,911   EUR   311,045,214   BNP  03/25/21         1,799,922 
USD   492,460,852   EUR   404,418,865   CAN  03/25/21         2,488,667 
USD   436,244,933   EUR   357,965,120   CIT  03/25/21         1,852,000 
USD   423,624,193   EUR   347,834,528   HSB  03/25/21         2,074,376 
USD   417,989,025   EUR   343,204,717   MEL  03/25/21         2,043,334 
USD   465,748,573   EUR   382,428,808   RBC  03/25/21         2,288,335 
USD   515,288,075   EUR   423,050,397   SSB  03/25/21         2,463,713 
USD   407,326,193   GBP   302,563,560   CAN  03/25/21         6,634,322 
USD   384,008,616   GBP   285,808,948   HSB  03/25/21         7,028,624 
USD   367,916,872   GBP   273,732,397   RBC  03/25/21         6,597,508 
USD   460,980,105   GBP   342,556,582   SSB  03/25/21         7,697,944 
USD   77,270,299   HKD   599,014,809   BNP  03/25/21         10,044 
USD   19,123,532   HKD   148,244,089   HSB  03/25/21         1,795 
USD   68,671,063   HKD   532,336,017   HSB  03/25/21         6,889 
USD   78,428,692   HKD   608,002,748   SSB  03/25/21         11,207 
Total gross unrealized appreciation/depreciation on Forward Currency Contracts       $1,627,177   $57,767,779 

 

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

 

98  Annual Report

 

 

 

Description  Shares   Fair
Value
 
         
Lazard Global Strategic Equity Portfolio          
           
Common Stocks  |  97.3%          
           
Brazil  |  1.0%          
Lojas Renner SA   5,151   $43,433 
           
Canada  |  3.7%          
CAE, Inc.   2,126    58,908 
TMX Group, Ltd.   426    42,550 
Toromont Industries, Ltd.   803    56,271 
         157,729 
China  |  3.5%          
Alibaba Group Holding, Ltd. Sponsored ADR (*)   358    83,317 
Tencent Holdings, Ltd.   900    65,761 
         149,078 
Denmark  |  1.9%          
Genmab A/S (*)   198    80,087 
           
France  |  2.8%          
Safran SA (*)   315    44,673 
Vivendi SA   2,368    76,365 
         121,038 
Germany  |  2.9%          
Infineon Technologies AG   1,453    55,761 
Merck KGaA   389    66,680 
         122,441 
Greece  |  0.9%          
Public Power Corp. SA (*)   4,448    40,726 
           
Hong Kong  |  1.7%          
AIA Group, Ltd.   5,800    71,443 
           
India  |  1.4%          
HDFC Bank, Ltd. ADR (*)   808    58,386 
           
Israel  |  1.3%          
CyberArk Software, Ltd. (*)   344    55,587 

 

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

 

Annual Report  99

 

 

 

Description  Shares   Fair
Value
 
         
Lazard Global Strategic Equity Portfolio (continued)          
           
Italy  |  1.4%          
Enel SpA   5,869   $59,267 
           
Japan  |  4.2%          
Digital Garage, Inc.   900    37,191 
Nintendo Co., Ltd.   100    63,819 
TechnoPro Holdings, Inc.   500    41,503 
Z Holdings Corp.   6,200    37,604 
         180,117 
Netherlands  |  1.5%          
Koninklijke DSM NV   367    63,222 
           
Portugal  |  1.2%          
Energias de Portugal SA   8,168    51,470 
           
South Korea  |  1.3%          
SK Hynix, Inc.   493    53,933 
           
Spain  |  2.4%          
Siemens Gamesa Renewable Energy SA   2,493    101,206 
           
Sweden  |  1.3%          
Nordnet AB publ (*)   3,500    54,919 
           
Switzerland  |  3.4%          
ABB, Ltd.   1,959    54,796 
Idorsia, Ltd. (*)   816    23,508 
Partners Group Holding AG   56    65,413 
         143,717 
United Kingdom  |  13.0%          
Clarivate PLC (*)   1,860    55,261 
Coca-Cola European Partners PLC   878    42,393 
Dechra Pharmaceuticals PLC   945    44,605 
Informa PLC (*)   6,536    49,115 
ITV PLC (*)   46,268    67,636 
Linde PLC   200    51,941 

 

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

 

100  Annual Report

 

 

 

Description  Shares   Fair
Value
 
         
Lazard Global Strategic Equity Portfolio (continued)          
           
RELX PLC   4,319   $106,176 
Rio Tinto PLC   491    36,738 
Tesco PLC   12,718    40,153 
THG Holdings PLC (*)   5,530    59,049 
         553,067 
United States  |  46.5%          
Accenture PLC, Class A   234    61,123 
Adobe, Inc. (*)   129    64,515 
Alphabet, Inc., Class A (*)   83    145,469 
American Express Co.   609    73,634 
Analog Devices, Inc.   364    53,774 
Aon PLC, Class A   399    84,297 
Applied Materials, Inc.   609    52,557 
Bank of America Corp.   1,770    53,649 
Danaher Corp.   358    79,526 
Dollar General Corp.   219    46,056 
Dollar Tree, Inc. (*)   802    86,648 
Electronic Arts, Inc.   662    95,063 
Fidelity National Information Services, Inc.   310    43,853 
Intercontinental Exchange, Inc.   1,068    123,130 
IQVIA Holdings, Inc. (*)   555    99,439 
Medtronic PLC   558    65,364 
Microsoft Corp.   843    187,500 
Palo Alto Networks, Inc. (*)   226    80,318 
S&P Global, Inc.   297    97,633 
Starbucks Corp.   532    56,913 
Synopsys, Inc. (*)   222    57,551 
The Coca-Cola Co.   1,032    56,595 
Thermo Fisher Scientific, Inc.   193    89,896 
UnitedHealth Group, Inc.   178    62,421 
Visa, Inc., Class A   302    66,056 
         1,982,980 
Total Common Stocks
(Cost $2,880,805)
        4,143,846 

 

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

 

Annual Report  101

 

 

 

Description  Shares   Fair
Value
 
         
Lazard Global Strategic Equity Portfolio (concluded)          
           
Preferred Stocks  |  1.3%          
           
Germany  |  1.3%          
Volkswagen AG
(Cost $49,606)
   296   $55,148 
           
Short-Term Investments  |  1.9%          
State Street Institutional Treasury Money Market Fund, Premier Class, 0.01% (7 day yield)
(Cost $80,664)
   80,664    80,664 
           
Total Investments  |  100.5%
(Cost $3,011,075)
       $4,279,658 
           
Liabilities in Excess of Cash and Other Assets  |  (0.5)%        (19,350)
           
Net Assets  |  100.0%       $4,260,308 

 

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

 

102  Annual Report

 

 

 

Description  Shares   Fair
Value
 
         
Lazard International Equity Advantage Portfolio          
           
Common Stocks  |  100.4%          
           
Australia  |  7.4%          
AGL Energy, Ltd.   656   $6,049 
Aristocrat Leisure, Ltd.   199    4,762 
BHP Group, Ltd.   370    12,054 
Breville Group, Ltd.   231    4,575 
Charter Hall Group REIT   642    7,287 
CSL, Ltd.   45    9,833 
Data#3, Ltd.   650    2,809 
Fortescue Metals Group, Ltd.   3,971    71,797 
Goodman Group REIT   427    6,229 
IGO, Ltd.   642    3,161 
Inghams Group, Ltd.   1,245    2,996 
Netwealth Group, Ltd.   465    5,757 
REA Group, Ltd.   36    4,135 
Regis Resources, Ltd.   2,955    8,451 
Santos, Ltd.   5,737    27,745 
Stockland REIT   4,642    14,974 
         192,614 
Austria  |  0.2%          
OMV AG   52    2,100 
Raiffeisen Bank International AG (*)   103    2,080 
         4,180 
China  |  0.3%          
S-Enjoy Service Group Co., Ltd.   2,000    4,592 
SITC International Holdings Co., Ltd.   1,000    2,165 
         6,757 
Denmark  |  3.3%          
Coloplast A/S, Class B   120    18,332 
Novo Nordisk A/S, Class B   965    67,497 
         85,829 
Finland  |  1.2%          
Neles Oyj   200    2,651 
Neste Oyj   103    7,441 
UPM-Kymmene Oyj   55    2,046 

 

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

 

Annual Report  103

 

 

 

Description  Shares   Fair
Value
 
         
Lazard International Equity Advantage Portfolio (continued)          
           
Valmet Oyj   712   $20,355 
         32,493 
France  |  9.3%          
Air Liquide SA   71    11,653 
Cie de Saint-Gobain (*)   892    40,901 
Cie Generale des Etablissements Michelin SCA   240    30,801 
Electricite de France SA (*)   392    6,209 
Elis SA (*)   125    2,094 
Gaztransport Et Technigaz SA   40    3,871 
Hermes International   6   $6,452 
L’Oreal SA   86    32,676 
Orange SA   983    11,699 
Peugeot SA (*)   463    12,671 
Sartorius Stedim Biotech   7    2,495 
Schneider Electric SE   471    68,128 
Societe Generale SA (*)   550    11,458 
         241,108 
Germany  |  8.6%          
Allianz SE   270    66,062 
Continental AG   28    4,149 
Daimler AG   451    31,846 
Deutsche Bank AG (*)   2,078    22,623 
Deutsche Post AG   903    44,687 
DWS Group GmbH & Co. KGaA   145    6,166 
Henkel AG & Co. KGaA (Preference Shares)   263    29,636 
Muenchener Rueckversicherungs AG   46    13,623 
Siltronic AG   24    3,756 
         222,548 
Hong Kong  |  2.2%          
CK Hutchison Holdings, Ltd.   2,000    13,967 
Man Wah Holdings, Ltd.   7,200    15,681 
Sun Hung Kai Properties, Ltd.   1,000    12,910 
WH Group, Ltd.   18,000    15,093 
         57,651 
Ireland  |  0.2%          
Kingspan Group PLC (*)   85    5,967 

 

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

 

104  Annual Report

 

 

 

Description  Shares   Fair
Value
 
         
Lazard International Equity Advantage Portfolio (continued)          
           
Israel  |  0.3%          
Plus500, Ltd.   370   $7,339 
           
Italy  |  1.4%          
Banca Generali SpA (*)   78    2,593 
Banco BPM SpA (*)   2,289    5,025 
Buzzi Unicem SpA   489    11,680 
De’ Longhi SpA   71    2,234 
Intesa Sanpaolo SpA (*)   3,459    8,070 
Reply SpA   60    7,004 
         36,606 
Japan  |  25.8%          
AGC, Inc.   200    6,985 
Amada Co., Ltd.   2,100    23,195 
Chugai Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd.   100    5,339 
Credit Saison Co., Ltd.   200    2,323 
Dai Nippon Printing Co., Ltd.   500    9,019 
Dai-ichi Life Holdings, Inc.   2,500    37,975 
Daikin Industries, Ltd.   100    22,272 
Daito Trust Construction Co., Ltd. Sponsored ADR   145    3,405 
DCM Holdings Co., Ltd.   500    5,699 
East Japan Railway Co. ADR   1,388    15,434 
EDION Corp.   600    6,095 
Electric Power Development Co., Ltd.   700    9,707 
Japan Post Bank Co., Ltd.   900    7,435 
Japan Tobacco, Inc.   900    18,341 
Kao Corp.   100    7,731 
KDDI Corp.   400    11,879 
Kureha Corp.   100    7,057 
McDonald’s Holdings Co. Japan, Ltd.   200    9,685 
MEIJI Holdings Co., Ltd.   100    7,032 
MS&AD Insurance Group Holdings, Inc.   300    9,148 
Murata Manufacturing Co., Ltd.   600    54,037 
Nikkiso Co., Ltd.   200    1,949 
Nintendo Co., Ltd. ADR   691    55,639 
Nishi-Nippon Financial Holdings, Inc.   500    3,223 

 

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

 

Annual Report  105

 

 

 

Description  Shares   Fair
Value
 
         
Lazard International Equity Advantage Portfolio (continued)          
           
Nitori Holdings Co., Ltd. ADR   621   $13,153 
Nitto Denko Corp.   200    17,959 
Nitto Denko Corp. ADR   230    10,299 
Obayashi Corp.   600    5,198 
Ono Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd.   500    15,068 
Open House Co., Ltd.   100    3,678 
ORIX Corp.   1,000    15,519 
Osaka Gas Co., Ltd.   400    8,194 
Sekisui Chemical Co., Ltd.   600    11,382 
Sekisui House, Ltd.   1,100    22,411 
Seven & I Holdings Co., Ltd.   700    24,858 
Shin-Etsu Chemical Co., Ltd.   233    40,790 
Softbank Corp.   3,300    41,371 
T&D Holdings, Inc.   1,400    16,569 
Taiheiyo Cement Corp.   200    5,032 
The 77 Bank, Ltd.   200    2,743 
The Gunma Bank, Ltd.   1,000    3,102 
The Okinawa Electric Power Co., Inc.   100    1,349 
The Shizuoka Bank, Ltd.   300    2,210 
Tohoku Electric Power Co., Inc.   200    1,657 
Tokyo Electron, Ltd.   100    37,299 
Trend Micro, Inc.   400    23,028 
Trend Micro, Inc. Sponsored ADR   84    4,821 
         668,294 
Luxembourg  |  0.1%          
ArcelorMittal SA (*)   130    2,983 
           
Netherlands  |  4.9%          
ASM International NV   109    23,830 
ASML Holding NV   48    23,197 
Koninklijke Ahold Delhaize NV   1,196    33,775 
NN Group NV   380    16,624 
Randstad NV (*)   95    6,184 
Royal Dutch Shell PLC, A Shares   1,177    20,896 
Signify NV (*)   80    3,389 
         127,895 

 

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

 

106  Annual Report

 

 

 

Description  Shares   Fair
Value
 
         
Lazard International Equity Advantage Portfolio (continued)          
           
New Zealand  |  0.6%          
Fisher & Paykel Healthcare Corp., Ltd.   669   $15,887 
           
Norway  |  1.6%          
DNB ASA (*)   573    11,282 
Orkla ASA   1,926    19,541 
Yara International ASA   284    11,790 
         42,613 
Singapore  |  1.5%          
AEM Holdings, Ltd.   3,200    8,387 
DBS Group Holdings, Ltd.   400    7,566 
Genting Singapore, Ltd.   5,400    3,467 
Oversea-Chinese Banking Corp., Ltd.   2,100    15,966 
UOL Group, Ltd.   400    2,339 
         37,725 
South Africa  |  0.1%          
Investec PLC   673    1,740 
           
Spain  |  2.7%          
Amadeus IT Group SA   127    9,195 
Iberdrola SA   1,747    24,985 
Industria de Diseno Textil SA   1,111    35,376 
         69,556 
Sweden  |  4.7%          
Assa Abloy AB, Class B   526    12,938 
Axfood AB   143    3,333 
Essity AB, Class B   407    13,080 
Evolution Gaming Group AB   241    24,434 
Husqvarna AB, B Shares   1,389    17,969 
Kinnevik AB, Class B   106    5,350 
Lundin Energy AB   116    3,132 
Sandvik AB (*)   179    4,376 
Skandinaviska Enskilda Banken AB, Class A (*)   820    8,418 
Swedish Match AB   258    20,042 
Thule Group AB (*)   96    3,588 

 

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

 

Annual Report  107

 

 

 

Description  Shares   Fair
Value
 
         
Lazard International Equity Advantage Portfolio (continued)          
           
Volvo AB, Class B (*)   198   $4,659 
         121,319 
           
Switzerland  |  9.7%          
Credit Suisse Group AG   1,141    14,678 
Geberit AG   4    2,503 
Logitech International SA   138    13,384 
Nestle SA   77    9,065 
Novartis AG   829    78,300 
Partners Group Holding AG   9    10,513 
Roche Holding AG   247    86,180 
Sonova Holding AG (*)   86    22,140 
UBS Group AG   1,062    14,854 
         251,617 
United Kingdom  |  13.9%          
3i Group PLC   303    4,841 
Associated British Foods PLC (*)   454    14,066 
AstraZeneca PLC   54    5,395 
Barclays PLC (*)   20,248    40,638 
British American Tobacco PLC   370    13,762 
BT Group PLC   6,585    11,919 
Computacenter PLC   78    2,614 
Fiat Chrysler Automobiles NV (*)   1,005    17,972 
GlaxoSmithKline PLC   1,015    18,598 
Howden Joinery Group PLC (*)   172    1,624 
IMI PLC   645    10,328 
Imperial Brands PLC   380    7,984 
ITV PLC (*)   2,391    3,495 
National Grid PLC   3,341    39,793 
Persimmon PLC   497    18,826 
RELX PLC   1,459    35,887 
Rio Tinto PLC   50    3,741 
Natwest Group PLC (*)   7,924    18,327 
Segro PLC REIT   614    7,960 
Spirent Communications PLC   1,016    3,661 
Standard Chartered PLC (*)   3,931    25,207 

 

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

 

108  Annual Report

 

 

 

Description  Shares   Fair
Value
 
         
Lazard International Equity Advantage Portfolio (concluded)          
           
Tate & Lyle PLC   1,666   $15,379 
Unilever PLC   176    10,657 
Vodafone Group PLC   16,371    26,941 
         359,615 
United States  |  0.4%          
ICON PLC (*)   51    9,944 
           
Total Common Stocks
(Cost $2,185,778)
        2,602,280 
           
Preferred Stocks  |  0.2%          
           
Germany  |  0.2%          
Volkswagen AG
(Cost $5,237)
   27    5,031 
           
Rights  |  0.0%          
           
Australia  |  0.0%          
IGO NL Expires 01/15/21
(Cost $0)
   75    0 
           
Short-Term Investments  |  0.8%          
State Street Institutional Treasury Money Market Fund, Premier Class, 0.01% (7 day yield)
(Cost $20,453)
   20,453    20,453 
           
Total Investments  |  101.4%
(Cost $2,211,468)
       $2,627,764 
           
Liabilities in Excess of Cash and Other Assets  |  (1.4)%        (36,674)
           
Net Assets  |  100.0%       $2,591,090 

 

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

 

Annual Report  109

 

 

 

Description  Shares    
Fair
Value
  
       
Lazard International Equity Concentrated Portfolio          
           
Common Stocks  |  98.6%          
           
Brazil  |  2.6%          
Lojas Renner SA   43,200   $364,259 
           
Canada  |  2.2%          
Toromont Industries, Ltd.   4,474    313,521 
           
China  |  12.0%          
Autohome, Inc. ADR   2,478    246,858 
Ping An Insurance (Group) Co. of China, Ltd., Class H   56,000    687,850 
Tencent Holdings, Ltd.   10,218    746,601 
         1,681,309 
France  |  15.0%          
Engie SA (*)   56,413    863,753 
Safran SA (*)   3,763    533,670 
Sanofi   7,359    711,031 
         2,108,454 
Germany  |  8.1%          
Beiersdorf AG   5,961    687,261 
Vonovia SE   6,262    456,638 
         1,143,899 
Hong Kong  |  6.7%          
China Gas Holdings, Ltd.   116,600    464,909 
ESR Cayman, Ltd. (*)   131,400    472,258 
         937,167 
India  |  3.6%          
Reliance Industries, Ltd. Sponsored GDR (#)   9,340    510,898 
           
Japan  |  12.8%          
Digital Garage, Inc.   14,900    615,719 
Hitachi, Ltd.   22,600    891,783 
Ryohin Keikaku Co., Ltd.   14,200    290,097 
         1,797,599 

 

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

 

110  Annual Report

 

 

 

Description  Shares    
Fair
Value
  
       
Lazard International Equity Concentrated Portfolio (continued)          
           
Luxembourg  |  3.6%          
ArcelorMittal SA (*)   22,093   $507,002 
           
Mexico  |  5.9%          
Arca Continental SAB de CV   171,296    823,619 
           
South Korea  |  6.3%          
Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.   11,922    891,020 
           
Spain  |  3.7%          
Siemens Gamesa Renewable Energy SA   12,956    525,963 
           
United Kingdom  |  11.1%          
Prudential PLC   31,401    579,607 
RELX PLC   18,275    449,509 
The Weir Group PLC (*)   19,672    535,834 
         1,564,950 
United States  |  5.0%          
Aon PLC, Class A   1,691    357,258 
Medtronic PLC   2,910    340,877 
         698,135 
Total Common Stocks
(Cost $11,705,814)
        13,867,795 
           
Preferred Stocks  |  3.2%          
           
Germany  |  3.2%          
Volkswagen AG
(Cost $376,431)
   2,374    442,301 

 

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

 

Annual Report  111

 

 

 

Description       
Fair
Value
  
            
Lazard International Equity Concentrated Portfolio (concluded)             
              
Total Investments  |  101.8%
(Cost $12,082,245)
         $14,310,096 
              
Liabilities in Excess of Cash and Other Assets  |  (1.8)%           (249,247)
              
Net Assets  |  100.0%          $14,060,849 

 

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

 

112  Annual Report

 

 

 

Description  Shares    
Fair
Value
  
       
Lazard International Equity Portfolio          
           
Common Stocks  |  97.0%          
           
Australia  |  1.3%          
BHP Group PLC   1,571,981   $41,427,705 
           
Canada  |  3.3%          
Canadian National Railway Co.   333,019    36,611,422 
Suncor Energy, Inc.   1,999,274    33,533,270 
TMX Group, Ltd.   306,565    30,620,374 
         100,765,066 
China  |  3.4%          
Autohome, Inc. ADR   304,577    30,341,961 
ENN Energy Holdings, Ltd.   1,875,000    27,521,162 
Ping An Insurance (Group) Co. of China, Ltd., Class H   3,882,000    47,682,750 
         105,545,873 
Denmark  |  3.7%          
Carlsberg AS, Class B   292,515    46,895,463 
Vestas Wind Systems A/S   284,181    67,258,183 
         114,153,646 
Finland  |  2.2%          
Nordea Bank Abp (*)   4,107,287    33,538,533 
Sampo Oyj, A Shares   828,852    35,151,114 
         68,689,647 
France  |  15.9%          
Air Liquide SA   333,806    54,787,148 
Alstom SA (*)   956,777    54,257,775 
BNP Paribas SA (*)   496,234    26,173,474 
Engie SA (*)   5,441,356    83,313,913 
Pernod Ricard SA   211,460    40,534,397 
Safran SA (*)   439,759    62,366,818 
Sanofi   786,196    75,962,684 
Vinci SA   299,794    29,829,920 
Vivendi SA   1,846,719    59,554,088 
         486,780,217 

 

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

 

Annual Report  113

 

 

 

Description  Shares    
Fair
Value
  
       
Lazard International Equity Portfolio (continued)          
           
Germany  |  6.9%          
Continental AG   241,943   $35,850,870 
Fresenius Medical Care AG & Co. KGaA   377,275    31,468,105 
Infineon Technologies AG   943,943    36,225,382 
Merck KGaA   251,862    43,172,546 
ProSiebenSat.1 Media SE (*)   1,665,575    27,993,665 
Vonovia SE   491,815    35,864,132 
         210,574,700 
Hong Kong  |  1.1%          
ESR Cayman, Ltd. (*)   9,267,800    33,308,898 
           
Ireland  |  1.1%          
Ryanair Holdings PLC Sponsored ADR (*)   312,652    34,385,467 
           
Israel  |  1.0%          
Bank Leumi Le-Israel BM   5,309,391    31,338,537 
           
Italy  |  2.3%          
Enel SpA   6,953,966    70,223,686 
           
Japan  |  15.9%          
Daiwa House Industry Co., Ltd.   1,564,981    46,714,151 
Fujitsu, Ltd.   259,478    37,562,865 
Hitachi, Ltd.   1,822,100    71,899,002 
Kao Corp.   263,480    20,370,931 
Makita Corp.   937,200    47,045,794 
Nexon Co., Ltd.   1,699,782    52,349,785 
Nintendo Co., Ltd.   93,500    59,670,690 
Ryohin Keikaku Co., Ltd.   1,266,200    25,867,676 
Sumitomo Mitsui Financial Group, Inc.   1,201,000    37,162,660 
Suzuki Motor Corp.   742,000    34,448,705 
Yamaha Corp.   526,700    31,047,285 
Z Holdings Corp.   3,552,769    21,548,052 
         485,687,596 
Luxembourg  |  1.2%          
ArcelorMittal SA (*)   1,570,842    36,048,550 

 

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

 

114  Annual Report

 

 

 

Description  Shares    
Fair
Value
  
       
Lazard International Equity Portfolio (continued)          
           
Mexico  |  0.7%          
Arca Continental SAB de CV   4,414,012   $21,223,280 
           
Netherlands  |  4.9%          
Akzo Nobel NV   264,905    28,455,907 
JDE Peet’s NV (*)   511,091    23,039,372 
Koninklijke DSM NV   364,424    62,777,865 
Wolters Kluwer NV   432,355    36,492,063 
         150,765,207 
Norway  |  2.3%          
Equinor ASA   1,815,011    30,115,792 
Telenor ASA   2,317,409    39,246,901 
         69,362,693 
Portugal  |  1.5%          
Energias de Portugal SA   5,884,930    37,083,690 
Galp Energia SGPS SA   857,083    9,168,307 
         46,251,997 
Singapore  |  1.1%          
DBS Group Holdings, Ltd.   1,737,920    32,872,550 
           
South Korea  |  2.0%          
Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.   825,939    61,728,560 
           
Spain  |  1.3%          
Banco Santander SA (*)   12,748,342    39,582,055 
           
Sweden  |  2.2%          
Hexagon AB, B Shares   288,475    26,269,538 
Sandvik AB (*)   1,643,975    40,185,758 
         66,455,296 
Switzerland  |  5.8%          
ABB, Ltd.   2,464,370    68,931,730 
Flughafen Zuerich AG (*)   136,710    24,181,386 
Novartis AG   892,378    84,285,815 
         177,398,931 

 

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

 

Annual Report  115

 

 

 

Description  Shares    
Fair
Value
  
       
Lazard International Equity Portfolio (concluded)          
           
United Kingdom  |  9.6%          
3i Group PLC   1,552,490   $24,803,309 
Informa PLC (*)   3,540,914    26,608,253 
Prudential PLC   2,468,934    45,572,166 
RELX PLC   3,401,526    83,667,066 
Tesco PLC   18,535,401    58,519,151 
Unilever PLC   917,540    55,233,515 
         294,403,460 
United States  |  6.3%          
Aon PLC, Class A   261,335    55,212,246 
Ferguson PLC   387,643    47,141,648 
Medtronic PLC   773,521    90,610,250 
         192,964,144 
Total Common Stocks
(Cost $2,322,971,104)
        2,971,937,761 
           
Preferred Stocks  |  1.7%          
           
Germany  |  1.7%          
Volkswagen AG
(Cost $47,421,165)
   280,089    52,183,445 
           
Short-Term Investments  |  1.1%          
State Street Institutional Treasury Money Market Fund, Premier Class,
0.01% (7 day yield)
(Cost $33,605,219)
   33,605,219    33,605,219 
           
Total Investments  |  99.8%
(Cost $2,403,997,488)
       $3,057,726,425 
           
Cash and Other Assets in Excess of Liabilities  |  0.2%        4,923,688 
           
Net Assets  |  100.0%       $3,062,650,113 

 

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

 

116  Annual Report

 

 

 

Description  Shares    
Fair
Value
  
       
Lazard International Equity Select Portfolio          
           
Common Stocks  |  95.6%          
           
Australia  |  1.4%          
BHP Group, Ltd.   39,417   $1,284,162 
           
Brazil  |  2.4%          
BB Seguridade Participacoes SA   117,800    674,599 
Cia de Saneamento Basico do Estado de Sao Paulo   76,600    657,942 
Lojas Renner SA   113,100    953,651 
         2,286,192 
Canada  |  2.0%          
Canadian National Railway Co.   9,258    1,017,805 
Suncor Energy, Inc.   53,631    899,538 
         1,917,343 
China  |  8.7%          
Alibaba Group Holding, Ltd. (*)   26,900    785,955 
Autohome, Inc. ADR   11,642    1,159,776 
ENN Energy Holdings, Ltd.   99,600    1,461,924 
Ping An Insurance (Group) Co. of China, Ltd., Class H   180,500    2,217,088 
Tencent Holdings, Ltd.   35,700    2,608,500 
         8,233,243 
Denmark  |  2.9%          
Carlsberg AS, Class B   7,515    1,204,791 
Vestas Wind Systems A/S   6,753    1,598,258 
         2,803,049 
Finland  |  2.1%          
Nordea Bank Abp (*)   104,375    852,287 
Sampo Oyj, A Shares   26,911    1,141,279 
         1,993,566 
France  |  14.3%          
Air Liquide SA   7,291    1,196,663 
Alstom SA (*)   25,248    1,431,786 
BNP Paribas SA (*)   19,702    1,039,167 
Engie SA (*)   143,930    2,203,747 
Pernod Ricard SA   5,218    1,000,229 
Safran SA (*)   15,901    2,255,087 

 

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

 

Annual Report  117

 

 

 

Description  Shares    
Fair
Value
  
       
Lazard International Equity Select Portfolio (continued)          
           
Sanofi   21,644   $2,091,255 
Vinci SA   8,265    822,379 
Vivendi SA   48,953    1,578,665 
         13,618,978 
Germany  |  4.2%          
Beiersdorf AG   10,930    1,260,151 
Continental AG   4,245    629,020 
Knorr-Bremse AG   7,864    1,071,280 
Merck KGaA   6,217    1,065,678 
         4,026,129 
Hong Kong  |  1.9%          
ESR Cayman, Ltd. (*)   235,600    846,757 
Sands China, Ltd.   226,800    996,926 
         1,843,683 
India  |  2.1%          
Hero MotoCorp, Ltd.   11,521    491,036 
ICICI Bank, Ltd. Sponsored ADR (*)   103,910    1,544,102 
         2,035,138 
Indonesia  |  1.1%          
PT Bank Mandiri (Persero) Tbk   837,000    377,713 
PT Telkom Indonesia (Persero) Tbk Sponsored ADR   26,885    632,335 
         1,010,048 
Ireland  |  1.4%          
Ryanair Holdings PLC Sponsored ADR (*)   11,879    1,306,452 
           
Italy  |  1.9%          
Enel SpA   182,264    1,840,568 
           
Japan  |  12.7%          
Daiwa House Industry Co., Ltd.   31,100    928,325 
Hitachi, Ltd.   37,800    1,491,566 
Kao Corp.   10,900    842,733 
Makita Corp.   28,600    1,435,670 
Nintendo Co., Ltd.   3,100    1,978,387 
Ryohin Keikaku Co., Ltd.   44,400    907,064 
Shimano, Inc.   4,500    1,050,919 

 

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

 

118  Annual Report

 

 

 

Description  Shares    
Fair
Value
  
       
Lazard International Equity Select Portfolio (continued)          
           
Shin-Etsu Chemical Co., Ltd.   8,500   $1,488,040 
Sumitomo Mitsui Financial Group, Inc.   34,176    1,057,511 
Suzuki Motor Corp.   18,200    844,968 
         12,025,183 
Mexico  |  1.6%          
Grupo Financiero Banorte SAB de CV, Class O (*)   268,600    1,483,816 
           
Netherlands  |  3.4%          
JDE Peet’s NV (*)   16,735    754,394 
Koninklijke DSM NV   8,106    1,396,388 
Wolters Kluwer NV   12,432    1,049,298 
         3,200,080 
Norway  |  2.0%          
Equinor ASA   47,025    780,268 
Telenor ASA   63,860    1,081,513 
         1,861,781 
Singapore  |  1.0%          
DBS Group Holdings, Ltd.   48,700    921,155 
           
South Africa  |  0.9%          
Mr Price Group, Ltd.   72,486    843,004 
           
South Korea  |  4.5%          
LG Household & Health Care, Ltd.   724    1,079,741 
Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.   43,147    3,224,696 
         4,304,437 
Spain  |  0.5%          
Industria de Diseno Textil SA   15,022    478,329 
           
Sweden  |  2.4%          
Hexagon AB, B Shares   11,804    1,074,914 
Sandvik AB (*)   49,795    1,217,202 
         2,292,116 
Switzerland  |  5.8%          
ABB, Ltd.   74,378    2,080,452 
Flughafen Zuerich AG (*)   3,048    539,133 

 

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

 

Annual Report  119

 

 

 

Description  Shares    
Fair
Value
  
       
Lazard International Equity Select Portfolio (concluded)          
           
Lonza Group AG   1,464   $940,276 
Novartis AG   20,833    1,967,694 
         5,527,555 
United Kingdom  |  7.7%          
London Stock Exchange Group PLC   7,210    888,740 
Prudential PLC   64,801    1,196,112 
RELX PLC   89,834    2,209,640 
Tesco PLC   482,347    1,522,845 
Unilever PLC   25,306    1,523,355 
         7,340,692 
United States  |  6.7%          
Accenture PLC, Class A   5,686    1,485,240 
Aon PLC, Class A   8,542    1,804,669 
Ferguson PLC   9,930    1,207,597 
Medtronic PLC   16,030    1,877,754 
         6,375,260 
Total Common Stocks
(Cost $74,457,997)
        90,851,959 
           
Preferred Stocks  |  2.0%          
           
Germany  |  2.0%          
Volkswagen AG
(Cost $1,732,597)
   10,067    1,875,585 
           
Short-Term Investments  |  2.2%          
State Street Institutional Treasury Money Market Fund, Premier Class,
0.01% (7 day yield)
(Cost $2,104,351)
   2,104,351    2,104,351 
           
Total Investments  |  99.8%
(Cost $78,294,945)
       $94,831,895 
           
Cash and Other Assets in Excess of Liabilities  |  0.2%        156,943 
           
Net Assets  |  100.0%       $94,988,838 

 

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

 

120  Annual Report

 

 

 

Description  Shares    
Fair
Value
  
       
Lazard International Equity Value Portfolio          
           
Common Stocks  |  98.1%          
           
Austria  |  2.0%          
BAWAG Group AG (*)   1,159   $54,376 
           
France  |  22.6%          
Bollore SA   21,163    87,515 
Carrefour SA   5,734    98,319 
Credit Agricole SA (*)   9,818    123,975 
Engie SA (*)   6,373    97,579 
Peugeot SA (*)   2,693    73,700 
Sanofi   932    90,050 
Thales SA   563    51,572 
         622,710 
Germany  |  10.0%          
Allianz SE   340    83,188 
KION Group AG   996    86,594 
Siemens AG   741    106,057 
         275,839 
Italy  |  2.1%          
Pirelli & C SpA (*)   10,534    56,989 
           
Japan  |  20.1%          
Hitachi, Ltd.   2,900    114,432 
Nexon Co., Ltd.   1,654    50,940 
Shin-Etsu Chemical Co., Ltd.   491    85,956 
Sony Corp. Sponsored ADR   838    84,722 
Suzuki Motor Corp.   1,368    63,512 
Toyota Industries Corp.   1,086    86,320 
Universal Entertainment Corp. (*)   2,885    66,679 
         552,561 
Macau  |  2.9%          
SJM Holdings, Ltd.   72,306    81,006 

 

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

 

Annual Report  121

 

 

 

Description  Shares    
Fair
Value
  
       
Lazard International Equity Value Portfolio (continued)          
           
Mexico  |  5.2%          
Arca Continental SAB de CV   15,037   $72,300 
Fomento Economico Mexicano SAB de CV Sponsored ADR   919    69,633 
         141,933 
Netherlands  |  3.5%          
Akzo Nobel NV   910    97,752 
           
South Korea  |  7.0%          
Kangwon Land, Inc.   4,143    89,604 
SK Hynix, Inc.   943    103,162 
         192,766 
Spain  |  2.5%          
Banco Santander SA (*)   21,980    68,245 
           
Sweden  |  3.3%          
Sandvik AB (*)   3,688    90,150 
           
Switzerland  |  11.2%          
Coca-Cola HBC AG   3,820    124,243 
Credit Suisse Group AG   8,874    114,160 
The Swatch Group AG   257    70,045 
         308,448 
United Kingdom  |  5.7%          
BP PLC   18,883    65,047 
Prudential PLC   4,918    90,778 
         155,825 
Total Common Stocks
(Cost $2,313,850)
        2,698,600 

 

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

 

122  Annual Report

 

 

 

Description  Shares    
Fair
Value
  
       
Lazard International Equity Value Portfolio (concluded)          
           
Short-Term Investments  |  2.2%          
State Street Institutional Treasury Money Market Fund, Premier Class, 0.01% (7 day yield)
(Cost $60,990)
   60,990   $60,990 
           
Total Investments  |  100.3%
(Cost $2,374,840)
       $2,759,590 
           
Liabilities in Excess of Cash and Other Assets  |  (0.3)%        (8,693)
           
Net Assets  |  100.0%       $2,750,897 

 

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

 

Annual Report  123

 

 

 

Description  Shares   Fair
Value
    
         
Lazard International Quality Growth Portfolio          
           
Common Stocks  |  95.3%          
           
Canada  |  9.0%          
CAE, Inc.   10,390   $287,890 
Dollarama, Inc.   4,728    192,701 
National Bank of Canada   3,241    182,406 
Toromont Industries, Ltd.   4,379    306,864 
         969,861 
China  |  6.7%          
Alibaba Group Holding, Ltd. Sponsored ADR (*)   1,352    314,651 
Tencent Holdings, Ltd.   5,500    401,870 
         716,521 
Denmark  |  6.5%          
Coloplast A/S, Class B   1,068    163,150 
Demant A/S (*)   5,299    209,180 
Genmab A/S (*)   818    330,866 
         703,196 
France  |  4.7%          
Legrand SA   2,254    201,176 
LVMH Moet Hennessy Louis Vuitton SE   480    299,919 
         501,095 
Germany  |  8.7%          
Rational AG   260    241,920 
SAP SE   1,612    211,831 
Scout24 AG   3,325    272,387 
Symrise AG   1,610    212,943 
         939,081 
Hong Kong  |  2.3%          
AIA Group, Ltd.   20,000    246,353 
           
India  |  3.5%          
HDFC Bank, Ltd. ADR (*)   5,277    381,316 
           
Israel  |  1.7%          
Check Point Software Technologies, Ltd. (*)   1,344    178,631 

 

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

 

124   Annual Report

 

 

 

Description  Shares   Fair
Value
    
         
Lazard International Quality Growth Portfolio (continued)          
           
Japan  |  11.2%          
Pigeon Corp.   3,400   $140,529 
Shimano, Inc.   700    163,477 
SMS Co., Ltd.   9,800    375,494 
Toei Animation Co., Ltd.   4,600    360,835 
Workman Co., Ltd.   2,000    170,695 
         1,211,030 
Netherlands  |  5.1%          
ASML Holding NV   769    371,628 
Wolters Kluwer NV   2,146    181,129 
         552,757 
Norway  |  1.5%          
Gjensidige Forsikring ASA   7,253    161,895 
           
South Africa  |  2.1%          
Clicks Group, Ltd.   12,915    222,221 
           
South Korea  |  2.1%          
LG Household & Health Care, Ltd.   150    223,703 
           
Spain  |  1.2%          
Industria de Diseno Textil SA   3,993    127,145 
           
Sweden  |  4.6%          
Assa Abloy AB, Class B   10,021    246,481 
Hexagon AB, B Shares   2,739    249,423 
         495,904 
Switzerland  |  5.1%          
Geberit AG   337    210,852 
Partners Group Holding AG   290    338,747 
         549,599 
Taiwan  |  5.1%          
Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co., Ltd. Sponsored ADR   5,025    547,926 

 

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

 

Annual Report   125

 

 

 

Description  Shares   Fair
Value
    
     
Lazard International Quality Growth Portfolio (concluded)             
              
United Kingdom  |  11.6%          
Dechra Pharmaceuticals PLC   3,569   $168,462 
Diageo PLC   6,101    241,118 
Intertek Group PLC   2,305    178,124 
London Stock Exchange Group PLC   2,248    277,100 
Prudential PLC   7,669    141,556 
RELX PLC   9,939    244,336 
         1,250,696 
United States  |  2.6%          
Aon PLC, Class A   1,345    284,158 
              
Total Common Stocks
(Cost $7,824,500)
        10,263,088 
              
Short-Term Investments  |  6.6%          
State Street Institutional Treasury Money Market Fund, Premier Class, 0.01% (7 day yield)
(Cost $710,467)
   710,467    710,467 
              
Total Investments  |  101.9%
(Cost $8,534,967)
       $10,973,555 
              
Liabilities in Excess of Cash and Other Assets  |  (1.9)%        (209,304)
              
Net Assets  |  100.0%       $10,764,251 

 

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

 

126   Annual Report

 

 

 

Description  Shares   Fair
Value
 
         
Lazard International Small Cap Equity Portfolio          
           
Common Stocks  |  98.1%          
           
Australia  |  2.4%          
AUB Group, Ltd.   30,426   $379,963 
Bravura Solutions, Ltd.   151,435    376,318 
carsales.com, Ltd.   16,201    250,101 
         1,006,382 
Austria  |  1.3%          
BAWAG Group AG (*)   11,631    545,679 
           
Belgium  |  2.9%          
Barco NV   14,027    305,675 
Fagron   18,442    428,319 
Shurgard Self Storage SA   10,966    475,707 
         1,209,701 
Canada  |  3.3%          
Stelco Holdings, Inc.   38,797    692,793 
The Descartes Systems Group, Inc. (*)   4,888    285,892 
WPT Industrial Real Estate Investment Trust   29,767    430,133 
         1,408,818 
Denmark  |  1.4%          
Royal Unibrew A/S   5,224    605,666 
           
Finland  |  3.4%          
Altia Oyj   40,590    492,861 
Kemira Oyj   30,515    478,103 
Kojamo Oyj   20,002    441,364 
         1,412,328 
France  |  1.5%          
Gaztransport Et Technigaz SA   3,211    310,725 
Kaufman & Broad SA   7,040    315,008 
         625,733 
Germany  |  13.1%          
Aroundtown SA   80,180    599,584 
CompuGroup Medical SE & Co. KgaA   3,623    347,931 
Covestro AG   8,645    533,247 

 

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

 

Annual Report  127

 

 

 

Description  Shares   Fair
Value
 
         
Lazard International Small Cap Equity Portfolio (continued)          
           
Dermapharm Holding SE   11,881   $826,837 
Flatex AG (*)   14,452    1,121,195 
JOST Werke AG (*)   11,258    592,860 
LEG Immobilien AG   3,091    479,224 
PATRIZIA AG   15,191    487,218 
Teamviewer AG (*)   9,885    529,394 
         5,517,490 
Greece  |  1.4%          
JUMBO SA   14,914    259,700 
Terna Energy SA   20,886    336,169 
         595,869 
Hong Kong  |  1.0%          
ESR Cayman, Ltd. (*)   112,400    403,971 
           
India  |  0.7%          
Jubilant Life Sciences, Ltd.   25,361    293,641 
           
Ireland  |  1.2%          
Dalata Hotel Group PLC (*)   106,699    493,382 
           
Italy  |  3.5%          
Banca Generali SpA (*)   13,509    449,071 
Italgas SpA   84,969    542,214 
Tinexta Spa (*)   18,618    477,253 
         1,468,538 
Japan  |  24.5%          
Ariake Japan Co., Ltd.   6,500    467,626 
ARTERIA Networks Corp.   31,100    450,309 
Bell System24 Holdings, Inc.   24,700    387,630 
Broadleaf Co., Ltd.   58,300    384,641 
Daiseki Co., Ltd.   15,200    446,153 
Digital Garage, Inc.   11,200    462,823 
DTS Corp.   20,600    424,729 
GMO internet, Inc.   14,900    428,090 
Industrial & Infrastructure Fund Investment Corp. REIT   278    513,258 
JAFCO Group Co., ltd.   11,900    594,607 

 

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

 

128   Annual Report

 

 

 

Description  Shares   Fair
Value
 
         
Lazard International Small Cap Equity Portfolio (continued)          
           
Japan Lifeline Co., Ltd.   29,900   $472,065 
Nippon Shinyaku Co., Ltd.   3,900    256,135 
Open House Co., Ltd.   12,600    463,450 
Relo Group, Inc.   17,300    419,596 
Roland Corp.   14,500    442,352 
Sanwa Holdings Corp.   36,500    424,999 
Seria Co., Ltd.   11,000    403,159 
TechnoPro Holdings, Inc.   6,845    568,171 
Trend Micro, Inc.   7,300    420,272 
Trusco Nakayama Corp.   16,000    450,507 
Tsuruha Holdings, Inc.   3,700    527,512 
USS Co., Ltd.   23,300    471,341 
Zenkoku Hosho Co., Ltd.   8,342    383,665 
         10,263,090 
Jersey  |  1.5%          
JTC PLC   84,123    640,423 
           
Luxembourg  |  1.1%          
Stabilus SA   6,311    444,884 
           
Netherlands  |  6.4%          
Aalberts NV   11,844    524,948 
Arcadis NV (*)   19,248    636,360 
ASM International NV   3,923    857,656 
Meltwater Holding BV (*)   23,801    139,349 
Van Lanschot Kempen NV (*)   19,990    513,079 
         2,671,392 
New Zealand  |  1.1%          
Freightways, Ltd.   64,161    464,775 
           
Norway  |  0.9%          
Crayon Group Holding ASA (*)   25,459    373,432 
           
Singapore  |  1.0%          
XP Power, Ltd.   6,556    421,756 

 

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

 

Annual Report  129

 

 

 

Description  Shares   Fair
Value
 
         
Lazard International Small Cap Equity Portfolio (continued)          
           
Spain  |  1.7%          
Bankinter SA   73,820   $399,458 
Merlin Properties Socimi SA REIT   31,951    303,849 
         703,307 
Sweden  |  5.8%          
Getinge AB, B Shares   15,402    359,501 
Karnov Group AB   112,856    813,958 
Lindab International AB   23,571    487,987 
Nordnet AB publ (*)   13,582    213,116 
Stillfront Group AB (*)   45,230    549,360 
         2,423,922 
Switzerland  |  0.9%          
Swissquote Group Holding SA   4,068    395,273 
           
United Kingdom  |  15.1%          
Ascential PLC (*)   61,448    323,925 
Auto Trader Group PLC (*)   69,505    566,855 
Bellway PLC   11,743    475,240 
Britvic PLC   37,611    417,847 
Bytes Technology Group PLC (*)   52,697    241,412 
Dechra Pharmaceuticals PLC   6,732    317,760 
Electrocomponents PLC   43,744    521,207 
GB Group PLC   22,081    283,289 
JD Sports Fashion PLC (*)   37,602    442,999 
Pennon Group PLC   45,673    594,996 
Polypipe Group PLC (*)   71,806    590,192 
Smart Metering Systems PLC   43,478    422,876 
Synthomer PLC   117,089    720,418 
The Weir Group PLC (*)   15,619    425,437 
         6,344,453 
United States  |  1.0%          
Nexteer Automotive Group, Ltd.   396,000    426,629 
           
Total Common Stocks
(Cost $31,692,603)
        41,160,534 

 

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

 

130   Annual Report

 

 

 

Description  Shares   Fair
Value
 
         
Lazard International Small Cap Equity Portfolio (concluded)          
           
Short-Term Investments  |  1.6%          
State Street Institutional Treasury Money Market Fund, Premier Class, 0.01% (7 day yield)
(Cost $689,364)
   689,364   $689,364 
           
Total Investments  |  99.7%
(Cost $32,381,967)
       $41,849,898 
           
Cash and Other Assets in Excess of Liabilities  |  0.3%        105,290 
           
Net Assets  |  100.0%       $41,955,188 

 

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

 

Annual Report   131

 

 

 

Description  Shares   Fair
Value
 
         
Lazard International Strategic Equity Portfolio          
           
Common Stocks  |  95.6%          
           
Brazil  |  0.8%          
Lojas Renner SA   5,855,300   $49,371,448 
           
Canada  |  6.7%          
CAE, Inc.   6,031,256    167,116,348 
National Bank of Canada   1,935,191    108,914,355 
Suncor Energy, Inc.   3,655,971    61,320,591 
TMX Group, Ltd.   582,771    58,208,426 
         395,559,720 
China  |  5.1%          
Alibaba Group Holding, Ltd. Sponsored ADR (*)   280,550    65,292,401 
Autohome, Inc. ADR   441,521    43,984,322 
Kingsoft Cloud Holdings, Ltd. ADR (*)   767,304    33,416,089 
Ping An Bank Co., Ltd., Class A   25,603,382    75,867,874 
Ping An Insurance (Group) Co. of China, Ltd., Class H   4,717,248    57,942,132 
Tencent Holdings, Ltd.   356,140    26,022,162 
         302,524,980 
Denmark  |  3.0%          
Carlsberg AS, Class B   639,559    102,532,914 
Genmab A/S (*)   192,989    78,060,494 
         180,593,408 
Finland  |  1.6%          
Sampo Oyj, A Shares   2,268,132    96,190,110 
           
France  |  12.2%          
Alstom SA (*)   1,430,418    81,117,437 
Engie SA (*)   8,725,871    133,603,914 
Pernod Ricard SA   583,191    111,790,860 
Safran SA (*)   690,981    97,995,235 
Sanofi   1,768,661    170,888,984 
Vivendi SA   3,939,079    127,029,753 
         722,426,183 

 

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

 

132   Annual Report

 

 

 

Description  Shares   Fair
Value
 
         
Lazard International Strategic Equity Portfolio (continued)          
           
Germany  |  4.8%          
Beiersdorf AG   636,510   $73,385,090 
Infineon Technologies AG   1,740,699    66,802,219 
Rational AG   46,504    43,270,179 
Vonovia SE   1,408,787    102,731,562 
         286,189,050 
Hong Kong  |  2.5%          
ESR Cayman, Ltd. (*)   24,445,800    87,859,327 
Sands China, Ltd.   13,832,800    60,803,684 
         148,663,011 
India  |  1.2%          
Housing Development Finance Corp., Ltd.   2,084,950    73,515,802 
           
Ireland  |  1.7%          
Ryanair Holdings PLC Sponsored ADR (*)   901,661    99,164,677 
           
Israel  |  1.6%          
Bank Leumi Le-Israel BM   15,700,932    92,674,328 
           
Italy  |  2.3%          
Enel SpA   13,734,272    138,693,689 
           
Japan  |  12.3%          
Daikin Industries, Ltd.   279,000    62,137,983 
FANUC Corp.   338,900    83,443,058 
Makita Corp.   2,837,891    142,457,145 
Nexon Co., Ltd.   3,541,835    109,081,223 
Nintendo Co., Ltd.   266,150    169,854,053 
Suzuki Motor Corp.   1,869,272    86,784,367 
Yamaha Corp.   1,318,072    77,696,140 
         731,453,969 
Mexico  |  1.0%          
Arca Continental SAB de CV   11,931,200    57,367,131 
           
Netherlands  |  1.2%          
JDE Peet’s NV (*)   1,522,927    68,651,729 

 

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

 

Annual Report   133

 

 

 

Description  Shares   Fair
Value
 
         
Lazard International Strategic Equity Portfolio (continued)          
           
Portugal  |  0.9%          
Energias de Portugal SA   8,470,218   $53,374,796 
           
Spain  |  5.7%          
Bankinter SA   12,127,123    65,622,748 
Industria de Diseno Textil SA   3,816,497    121,524,610 
Siemens Gamesa Renewable Energy SA   3,738,528    151,769,594 
         338,916,952 
Sweden  |  1.0%          
Hexagon AB, B Shares   668,510    60,876,848 
           
Switzerland  |  5.7%          
ABB, Ltd.   4,757,260    133,066,935 
Idorsia, Ltd. (*)   920,279    26,511,738 
Julius Baer Group, Ltd.   1,685,365    97,623,811 
Partners Group Holding AG   66,975    78,232,937 
         335,435,421 
United Kingdom  |  17.4%          
Coca-Cola European Partners PLC   3,015,552    145,602,845 
Compass Group PLC   3,180,612    59,351,537 
Informa PLC (*)   15,932,299    119,723,505 
InterContinental Hotels Group PLC (*)   1,028,364    66,805,094 
Linde PLC   238,833    62,025,836 
Prudential PLC   6,473,838    119,495,629 
RELX PLC   5,649,006    138,948,154 
Rio Tinto PLC   2,308,818    172,754,792 
Tesco PLC   36,859,712    116,371,858 
THG Holdings, PLC (*)   2,548,090    27,208,244 
         1,028,287,494 
United States  |  6.9%          
Accenture PLC, Class A   391,296    102,210,428 
Aon PLC, Class A   734,494    155,176,548 
Medtronic PLC   1,290,844    151,209,466 
         408,596,442 
Total Common Stocks
(Cost $4,162,460,832)
        5,668,527,188 

 

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

 

134   Annual Report

 

 

 

Description  Shares   Fair
Value
 
         
Lazard International Strategic Equity Portfolio (concluded)          
           
Preferred Stocks  |  2.8%          
           
Germany  |  2.8%          
Volkswagen AG
(Cost $159,366,195)
   886,088   $165,087,256 
           
Short-Term Investments  |  1.5%          
State Street Institutional Treasury Money Market Fund, Premier Class, 0.01% (7 day yield)
(Cost $86,117,830)
   86,117,830    86,117,830 
           
Total Investments  |  99.9%
(Cost $4,407,944,857)
       $5,919,732,274 
           
Cash and Other Assets in Excess of Liabilities  |  0.1%        4,842,513 
           
Net Assets  |  100.0%       $5,924,574,787 

 

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

 

Annual Report   135

 

 

 

Description  Shares   Fair
Value
 
           
Lazard Managed Equity Volatility Portfolio          
           
Common Stocks  |  99.3%          
           
Australia  |  1.4%          
AGL Energy, Ltd.   15,827   $145,933 
Ansell, Ltd.   2,302    61,840 
CSL, Ltd.   316    69,048 
Fortescue Metals Group, Ltd.   5,088    91,993 
         368,814 
Belgium  |  0.5%          
Etablissements Franz Colruyt NV   1,284    76,077 
Telenet Group Holding NV   1,521    65,243 
         141,320 
Canada  |  2.5%          
Constellation Software, Inc.   53    68,823 
Empire Co., Ltd., Class A   4,904    134,033 
George Weston, Ltd.   617    46,087 
Quebecor, Inc., Class B   7,985    205,506 
Rogers Communications, Inc., Class B   4,265    198,558 
Topicus.com, Inc. (*)   98    370 
         653,377 
Denmark  |  2.0%          
Coloplast A/S, Class B   1,053    160,858 
Novo Nordisk A/S, Class B   5,063    354,134 
         514,992 
Finland  |  0.5%          
Elisa Oyj   1,202    65,616 
Valmet Oyj   2,178    62,266 
         127,882 
France  |  1.3%          
Carrefour SA   983    16,855 
Cie Generale des Etablissements Michelin SCA   468    60,062 
Orange SA   12,199    145,188 
Schneider Electric SE   816    118,031 
         340,136 

 

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

 

136  Annual Report

 

 

 

Description  Shares   Fair
Value
 
           
Lazard Managed Equity Volatility Portfolio (continued)          
           
Hong Kong  |  2.5%          
CK Hutchison Holdings, Ltd.   24,000   $167,597 
CLP Holdings, Ltd.   10,500    97,202 
Hysan Development Co., Ltd.   18,000    66,202 
Jardine Matheson Holdings, Ltd.   1,300    72,810 
Sun Hung Kai Properties, Ltd.   19,000    245,295 
         649,106 
Israel  |  0.4%          
Bezeq The Israeli Telecommunication Corp., Ltd. (*)   33,716    33,861 
Plus500, Ltd.   3,047    60,442 
         94,303 
Japan  |  15.6%          
AGC, Inc.   2,100    73,340 
Ajinomoto Co., Inc.   6,900    156,365 
Chubu Electric Power Co., Inc.   8,600    103,549 
Daito Trust Construction Co., Ltd.   700    65,470 
Daiwa Securities Group, Inc.   29,800    135,915 
DCM Holdings Co., Ltd.   12,800    145,906 
East Japan Railway Co.   3,300    220,900 
Electric Power Development Co., Ltd.   8,800    122,038 
Fuji Media Holdings, Inc.   4,700    50,169 
FUJIFILM Holdings Corp.   1,100    58,014 
ITOCHU Corp.   4,000    115,205 
Japan Logistics Fund, Inc. REIT   39    115,016 
Japan Post Bank Co., Ltd.   28,700    237,093 
Japan Post Holdings Co., Ltd.   13,400    104,395 
K’s Holdings Corp.   4,900    68,154 
KDDI Corp.   5,200    154,426 
Kyudenko Corp.   2,200    71,048 
McDonald’s Holdings Co. Japan, Ltd.   5,200    251,823 
Mizuho Financial Group, Inc.   10,960    139,708 
MS&AD Insurance Group Holdings, Inc.   4,600    140,263 
NEC Corp.   1,100    58,897 
Nintendo Co., Ltd.   200    127,638 
Nitori Holdings Co., Ltd.   300    62,894 
Obayashi Corp.   7,500    64,971 

 

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

 

Annual Report   137

 

 

 

Description  Shares   Fair
Value
 
           
Lazard Managed Equity Volatility Portfolio (continued)          
           
Osaka Gas Co., Ltd.   7,600   $155,685 
Rengo Co., Ltd.   6,600    55,285 
Sankyo Co., Ltd.   2,400    64,933 
Secom Co., Ltd.   1,100    101,561 
Seven & I Holdings Co., Ltd.   3,900    138,495 
Sumitomo Mitsui Trust Holdings, Inc.   1,600    49,612 
Sumitomo Osaka Cement Co., Ltd.   1,600    46,964 
Teijin, Ltd.   4,400    82,966 
The Hachijuni Bank, Ltd.   20,800    69,630 
The Kansai Electric Power Co., Inc.   11,500    109,353 
The Shizuoka Bank, Ltd.   9,200    67,769 
Tohoku Electric Power Co., Inc.   19,200    159,122 
Trend Micro, Inc.   1,300    74,843 
         4,019,415 
Netherlands  |  1.9%          
Flow Traders   2,663    88,030 
Koninklijke Ahold Delhaize NV   8,188    231,231 
Koninklijke KPN NV   25,569    77,520 
NN Group NV   2,127    93,051 
         489,832 
New Zealand  |  0.6%          
Fisher & Paykel Healthcare Corp., Ltd. Class C   6,494    154,214 
           
Norway  |  1.9%          
Orkla ASA   35,381    358,964 
Telenor ASA   4,496    76,143 
Yara International ASA   1,457    60,488 
         495,595 
Singapore  |  0.6%          
Singapore Exchange, Ltd.   20,400    143,579 
           
Spain  |  0.7%          
Corporacion Financiera Alba SA   500    23,801 
Iberdrola SA   10,732    153,484 
         177,285 

 

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

 

138  Annual Report

 

 

 

Description  Shares   Fair
Value
 
           
Lazard Managed Equity Volatility Portfolio (continued)          
           
Sweden  |  1.1%          
Axfood AB   5,930   $138,221 
Husqvarna AB, B Shares   5,385    69,663 
Swedish Match AB   1,052    81,721 
         289,605 
Switzerland  |  3.9%          
Credit Suisse Group AG   5,444    70,035 
Novartis AG   1,447    136,670 
Roche Holding AG   1,254    437,531 
Swisscom AG   345    185,847 
Tecan Group AG   251    123,250 
UBS Group AG   4,139    57,890 
         1,011,223 
United Kingdom  |  3.1%          
GlaxoSmithKline PLC   4,278    78,386 
J Sainsbury PLC   86,629    267,247 
National Grid PLC   10,433    124,263 
Rio Tinto, Ltd.   1,625    142,731 
Standard Chartered PLC (*)   12,255    78,583 
Vodafone Group PLC   61,384    101,016 
         792,226 
United States  |  58.8%          
AbbVie, Inc.   1,563    167,475 
Accenture PLC, Class A   449    117,283 
Activision Blizzard, Inc.   682    63,324 
AGCO Corp.   666    68,658 
Agilent Technologies, Inc.   613    72,634 
Altria Group, Inc.   1,883    77,203 
Amdocs, Ltd.   1,333    94,550 
American Tower Corp. REIT   228    51,177 
American Water Works Co., Inc.   390    59,853 
AmerisourceBergen Corp.   1,182    115,552 
Apple, Inc.   814    108,010 
AptarGroup, Inc.   1,491    204,103 
AT&T, Inc.   3,765    108,281 
Atmos Energy Corp.   613    58,499 
           

 

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

 

Annual Report   139

 

 

 

Description  Shares   Fair
Value
 
           
Lazard Managed Equity Volatility Portfolio (continued)          
           
AutoZone, Inc. (*)   53   $62,828 
Best Buy Co., Inc.   667    66,560 
Booz Allen Hamilton Holding Corp.   2,871    250,294 
Bristol-Myers Squibb Co.   829    51,423 
Broadridge Financial Solutions, Inc.   412    63,118 
Cadence Design Systems, Inc. (*)   1,335    182,134 
California Water Service Group   1,180    63,755 
Campbell Soup Co.   1,978    95,636 
Cboe Global Markets, Inc.   675    62,856 
Charter Communications, Inc., Class A (*)   305    201,773 
Cisco Systems, Inc.   3,902    174,615 
CMS Energy Corp.   940    57,349 
Colgate-Palmolive Co.   3,350    286,458 
Comcast Corp., Class A   2,588    135,611 
Costco Wholesale Corp.   383    144,307 
Cummins, Inc.   564    128,084 
CVS Health Corp.   2,715    185,435 
DaVita, Inc. (*)   1,015    119,161 
Dolby Laboratories, Inc., Class A   549    53,324 
Dollar General Corp.   1,392    292,738 
Domino’s Pizza, Inc.   464    177,925 
DTE Energy Co.   480    58,277 
Easterly Government Properties, Inc. REIT   4,999    113,227 
Electronic Arts, Inc.   904    129,814 
Eli Lilly & Co.   1,561    263,559 
Entergy Corp.   885    88,358 
Equity Lifestyle Properties, Inc. REIT   999    63,297 
Evergy, Inc.   1,216    67,500 
Exlservice Holdings, Inc. (*)   744    63,337 
Flowers Foods, Inc.   2,298    52,004 
General Mills, Inc.   2,077    122,128 
Gilead Sciences, Inc.   1,654    96,362 
Graco, Inc.   1,621    117,279 
Hormel Foods Corp.   3,289    153,300 
Humana, Inc.   166    68,105 
Huntington Ingalls Industries, Inc.   346    58,986 

 

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

 

140  Annual Report

 

 

 

Description  Shares   Fair
Value
 
           
Lazard Managed Equity Volatility Portfolio (continued)          
           
IDEXX Laboratories, Inc. (*)   200   $99,974 
Intuit, Inc.   183    69,513 
Jack Henry & Associates, Inc.   875    141,741 
JB Hunt Transport Services, Inc.JB Hunt Transport Services, Inc.   610    83,357 
Johnson & Johnson   2,440    384,007 
Kellogg Co.   2,961    184,263 
Kimberly-Clark Corp.   2,375    320,221 
La-Z-Boy, Inc.   1,563    62,270 
Laboratory Corp. of America Holdings (*)   300    61,065 
Lennox International, Inc.   407    111,506 
Lockheed Martin Corp.   921    326,937 
McDonald’s Corp.   518    111,152 
McKesson Corp.   433    75,307 
MDU Resources Group, Inc.   2,551    67,193 
Merck & Co., Inc.   3,699    302,578 
Mettler-Toledo International, Inc. (*)   63    71,800 
Microsoft Corp.   769    171,041 
Mid-America Apartment Communities, Inc. REIT   436    55,237 
Moody’s Corp.   223    64,724 
National Fuel Gas Co.   1,467    60,338 
Newmont Mining Corp.   1,627    97,441 
Northrop Grumman Corp.   634    193,192 
O’Reilly Automotive, Inc. (*)   247    111,785 
Old Republic International Corp.   4,612    90,903 
PennyMac Financial Services, Inc.   1,091    71,591 
PepsiCo, Inc.   1,728    256,262 
Pfizer, Inc.   1,956    72,000 
Philip Morris International, Inc.   846    70,040 
Pool Corp.   281    104,673 
QUALCOMM, Inc.   894    136,192 
Quest Diagnostics, Inc.   734    87,471 
Regeneron Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (*)   96    46,379 
Republic Services, Inc.   3,499    336,954 
S&P Global, Inc.   189    62,130 
SBA Communications Corp. REIT   418    117,930 

 

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

 

Annual Report  141

 

 

 

Description  Shares   Fair
Value
 
           
Lazard Managed Equity Volatility Portfolio (continued)          
           
Sempra Energy   509   $64,852 
Service Corp. International   4,134    202,979 
Silgan Holdings, Inc.   4,120    152,770 
Sirius XM Holdings, Inc.   11,199    71,338 
Southwest Gas Holdings, Inc.   3,206    194,765 
Stepan Co.   503    60,018 
STERIS PLC   326    61,790 
Sturm Ruger & Co., Inc.   962    62,597 
Synopsys, Inc. (*)   1,012    262,351 
Target Corp.   2,018    356,238 
Terminix Global Holdings, Inc. (*)   1,282    65,395 
The Bank of New York Mellon Corp.   2,272    96,424 
The Clorox Co.   1,560    314,995 
The Hanover Insurance Group, Inc.   784    91,665 
The Hershey Co.   1,161    176,855 
The Home Depot, Inc.   296    78,624 
The J.M. Smucker Co.   566    65,430 
The Kroger Co.   3,551    112,780 
The New York Times Co.   1,312    67,922 
The Procter & Gamble Co.   2,519    350,494 
Thermo Fisher Scientific, Inc.   439    204,477 
Tractor Supply Co.   882    123,992 
UnitedHealth Group, Inc.   206    72,240 
Verizon Communications, Inc.   5,801    340,809 
Vertex Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (*)   204    48,213 
Viatris, Inc. (*)   2,852    53,446 
Walmart, Inc.   2,388    344,230 
Waste Management, Inc.   1,187    139,983 
WEC Energy Group, Inc.   1,091    100,405 
Weis Markets, Inc.   949    45,372 
Werner Enterprises, Inc.   1,232    48,319 
West Pharmaceutical Services, Inc.   361    102,275 
WW Grainger, Inc.   124    50,634 
Xcel Energy, Inc.   1,029    68,603 
Zoetis, Inc.   629    104,100 
         15,174,066 

 

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

 

142  Annual Report

 

 

 

Description  Shares   Fair
Value
 
           
Lazard Managed Equity Volatility Portfolio (concluded)          
          
Total Common Stocks
(Cost $23,943,315)
       $25,636,970 
           
Short-Term Investments  |  0.6%          
State Street Institutional Treasury Money Market Fund, Premier Class, 0.01% (7 day yield)
(Cost $160,040)
   160,040    160,040 
          
Total Investments  |  99.9%
(Cost $24,103,355)
       $25,797,010 
           
Cash and Other Assets in Excess of Liabilities  |  0.1%        16,702 
           
Net Assets  |  100.0%       $25,813,712 

 

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

 

Annual Report  143

 

 

 

Description  Shares   Fair
Value
 
           
Lazard US Equity Concentrated Portfolio          
           
Common Stocks  |  97.4%          
           
Building Products  |  2.8%          
Armstrong World Industries, Inc.   742,162   $55,209,431 
           
Capital Markets  |  9.3%          
Intercontinental Exchange, Inc.   886,001    102,147,055 
S&P Global, Inc.   245,239    80,617,417 
         182,764,472 
Commercial Services & Supplies  |  3.6%          
Waste Management, Inc.   597,466    70,459,165 
           
Construction Materials  |  3.8%          
Vulcan Materials Co.   509,424    75,552,674 
           
Distributors  |  1.6%          
LKQ Corp. (*)   913,885    32,205,308 
           
Electronic Equipment, Instruments & Components  |  3.4%          
CDW Corp.   156,835    20,669,285 
Zebra Technologies Corp., Class A (*)   122,001    46,888,644 
         67,557,929 
Entertainment  |  1.0%          
Electronic Arts, Inc.   136,239    19,563,920 
           
Equity Real Estate Investment Trusts (REITs)  |  9.2%          
Crown Castle International Corp., REIT   473,809    75,425,655 
Public Storage REIT   456,065    105,319,090 
         180,744,745 
Food & Staples Retailing  |  1.6%          
Sysco Corp.   414,052    30,747,502 
           
Health Care Equipment & Supplies  |  12.9%          
Baxter International, Inc.   1,053,608    84,541,506 
Medtronic PLC   1,457,709    170,756,032 
         255,297,538 

 

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

 

144  Annual Report

 

 

 

Description  Shares   Fair
Value
 
           
Lazard US Equity Concentrated Portfolio (continued)          
           
Hotels, Restaurants & Leisure  |  6.7%          
McDonald’s Corp.   390,218   $83,732,979 
Starbucks Corp.   459,085    49,112,913 
         132,845,892 
Interactive Media & Services  |  7.9%        
Alphabet, Inc., Class A (*)   88,727    155,506,489 
           
IT Services  |  9.7%          
Fiserv, Inc. (*)   1,315,879    149,825,983 
Visa, Inc., Class A   195,158    42,686,909 
         192,512,892 
Leisure Products  |  2.1%          
Brunswick Corp.   536,254    40,884,005 
           
Life Sciences Tools & Services  |  1.2%          
Sotera Health Co. (*)   874,938    24,008,299 
           
Multiline Retail  |  3.8%          
Dollar Tree, Inc. (*)   687,952    74,326,334 
           
Road & Rail  |  1.8%          
Norfolk Southern Corp.   152,279    36,183,013 
           
Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment  |  11.3%          
Analog Devices, Inc.   902,051    133,259,994 
Skyworks Solutions, Inc.   593,957    90,804,146 
         224,064,140 
Specialty Retail  |  3.7%          
Lowe’s Cos., Inc.   450,638    72,331,905 
           
Total Common Stocks
(Cost $1,355,070,121)
        1,922,765,653 

 

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

 

Annual Report  145

 

 

 

Description  Shares   Fair
Value
 
           
Lazard US Equity Concentrated Portfolio (concluded)          
           
Short-Term Investments  |  2.5%          
State Street Institutional Treasury Money Market Fund, Premier Class, 0.01% (7 day yield)
(Cost $48,536,284)
   48,536,284   $48,536,284 
          
Total Investments  |  99.9%
(Cost $1,403,606,405)
       $1,971,301,937 
          
Cash and Other Assets in Excess of Liabilities  |  0.1%        1,600,322 
           
Net Assets  |  100.0%       $1,972,902,259 

 

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

 

146  Annual Report

 

 

 

Description  Shares   Fair
Value
 
           
Lazard US Equity Focus Portfolio          
           
Common Stocks  |  98.9%          
           
Auto Components  |  1.1%          
Aptiv PLC   4,551   $592,950 
           
Banks  |  5.4%          
Bank of America Corp.   71,738    2,174,379 
Commerce Bancshares, Inc.   10,437    685,711 
         2,860,090 
Beverages  |  3.4%          
The Coca-Cola Co.   32,935    1,806,155 
           
Capital Markets  |  6.2%          
Intercontinental Exchange, Inc.   22,156    2,554,365 
The Charles Schwab Corp.   13,533    717,791 
         3,272,156 
Commercial Services & Supplies  |  3.0%          
Waste Management, Inc.   13,548    1,597,716 
           
Communications Equipment  |  2.7%          
Cisco Systems, Inc.   32,096    1,436,296 
           
Consumer Finance  |  3.3%          
American Express Co.   14,606    1,766,011 
           
Entertainment  |  1.3%          
Electronic Arts, Inc.   4,910    705,076 
           
Food & Staples Retailing  |  2.3%          
Sysco Corp.   16,243    1,206,205 
           
Health Care Equipment & Supplies  |  9.9%          
Danaher Corp.   9,222    2,048,575 
Medtronic PLC   27,306    3,198,625 
         5,247,200 

 

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

 

Annual Report  147

 

 

 

Description  Shares   Fair
Value
 
           
Lazard US Equity Focus Portfolio (continued)          
           
Hotels, Restaurants & Leisure  |  6.4%          
McDonald’s Corp.   9,821   $2,107,390 
Starbucks Corp.   12,096    1,294,030 
         3,401,420 
Industrial Conglomerates  |  4.5%          
Honeywell International, Inc.   11,138    2,369,053 
           
Insurance  |  3.0%          
Marsh & McLennan Cos., Inc.   13,653    1,597,401 
           
Interactive Media & Services  |  7.1%          
Alphabet, Inc., Class A (*)   2,156    3,778,692 
           
IT Services  |  5.9%          
Visa, Inc., Class A   14,392    3,147,962 
           
Life Sciences Tools & Services  |  2.2%          
IQVIA Holdings, Inc. (*)   6,467    1,158,692 
           
Multiline Retail  |  2.1%          
Dollar Tree, Inc. (*)   10,539    1,138,634 
           
Pharmaceuticals  |  5.8%          
Johnson & Johnson   19,402    3,053,487 
           
Road & Rail  |  4.2%          
Norfolk Southern Corp.   9,461    2,248,028 
           
Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment  |  5.4%          
Analog Devices, Inc.   19,282    2,848,530 
           
Software  |  7.5%          
Microsoft Corp.   17,833    3,966,416 

 

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

 

148  Annual Report

 

 

 

Description  Shares   Fair
Value
 
           
Lazard US Equity Focus Portfolio (concluded)          
           
Specialty Retail  |  6.2%          
Lowe’s Cos., Inc.   15,462   $2,481,805 
Ross Stores, Inc.   6,707    823,687 
         3,305,492 
           
Total Common Stocks
(Cost $36,118,304)
        52,503,662 
           
Short-Term Investments  |  1.2%          
State Street Institutional Treasury Money Market Fund, Premier Class, 0.01% (7 day yield)
(Cost $635,125)
   635,125    635,125 
           
Total Investments  |  100.1%
(Cost $36,753,429)
       $53,138,787 
           
Liabilities in Excess of Cash and Other Assets  |  (0.1)%        (31,036)
           
Net Assets  |  100.0%       $53,107,751 

 

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

 

Annual Report  149

 

 

 

Description  Shares   Fair
Value
 
           
Lazard US Small-Mid Cap Equity Portfolio          
           
Common Stocks  |  98.6%          
           
Aerospace & Defense  |  2.4%          
Curtiss-Wright Corp.   14,721   $1,712,788 
HEICO Corp.   6,166    816,379 
         2,529,167 
Air Freight & Logistics  |  0.9%          
Echo Global Logistics, Inc. (*)   32,845    880,903 
           
Airlines  |  0.8%          
Alaska Air Group, Inc.   15,755    819,260 
           
Auto Components  |  0.8%          
Gentherm, Inc. (*)   13,313    868,274 
           
Banks  |  6.2%          
Citizens Financial Group, Inc.   52,331    1,871,357 
Comerica, Inc.   21,680    1,211,045 
Commerce Bancshares, Inc.   24,186    1,589,020 
Home BancShares, Inc.   91,863    1,789,491 
         6,460,913 
Biotechnology  |  4.1%          
Emergent Biosolutions, Inc. (*)   13,683    1,225,997 
Exelixis, Inc. (*)   66,002    1,324,660 
United Therapeutics Corp. (*)   11,351    1,722,968 
         4,273,625 
Building Products  |  2.6%          
Armstrong World Industries, Inc.   16,162    1,202,291 
PGT Innovations, Inc. (*)   75,071    1,526,944 
         2,729,235 
Capital Markets  |  1.6%          
Morningstar, Inc.   7,164    1,658,967 

 

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

 

150  Annual Report

 

 

 

Description  Shares   Fair
Value
 
           
Lazard US Small-Mid Cap Equity Portfolio (continued)          
           
Chemicals  |  2.9%          
Ingevity Corp. (*)   20,156   $1,526,414 
Innospec, Inc.   16,071    1,458,122 
         2,984,536 
Communications Equipment  |  2.6%          
Ciena Corp. (*)   18,228    963,350 
F5 Networks, Inc. (*)   9,894    1,740,750 
         2,704,100 
Construction & Engineering  |  1.8%          
Valmont Industries, Inc.   10,920    1,910,236 
           
Construction Materials  |  1.4%          
Eagle Materials, Inc.   14,347    1,454,068 
           
Containers & Packaging  |  2.4%          
Avery Dennison Corp.   7,242    1,123,307 
Graphic Packaging Holding Co.   81,547    1,381,406 
         2,504,713 
Electrical Equipment  |  2.2%          
Atkore International Group, Inc. (*)   25,659    1,054,842 
EnerSys   14,272    1,185,432 
         2,240,274 
Electronic Equipment, Instruments & Components  |  1.0%          
Zebra Technologies Corp., Class A (*)   2,770    1,064,594 
           
Energy Equipment & Services  |  1.6%          
Cactus, Inc., Class A   62,241    1,622,623 
           
Entertainment  |  1.2%          
Take-Two Interactive Software, Inc. (*)   5,901    1,226,169 
           
Equity Real Estate Investment Trusts (REITs)  |  8.0%          
Alexandria Real Estate Equities, Inc.   9,657    1,721,070 
Brixmor Property Group, Inc.   63,166    1,045,397 
Camden Property Trust   11,780    1,177,058 
Hudson Pacific Properties, Inc.   48,933    1,175,371 

 

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

 

Annual Report  151

 

 

 

Description  Shares   Fair
Value
 
           
Lazard US Small-Mid Cap Equity Portfolio (continued)          
           
Invitation Homes, Inc.   17,050   $506,385 
PS Business Parks, Inc.   12,784    1,698,610 
Summit Hotel Properties, Inc.   110,390    994,614 
         8,318,505 
Food & Staples Retailing  |  1.3%          
Casey’s General Stores, Inc.   7,633    1,363,406 
           
Food Products  |  1.1%          
Flowers Foods, Inc.   48,121    1,088,978 
           
Gas Utilities  |  1.6%          
New Jersey Resources Corp.   46,695    1,660,007 
           
Health Care Equipment & Supplies  |  1.3%          
STERIS PLC   7,175    1,359,950 
           
Health Care Providers & Services  |  1.4%          
Henry Schein, Inc. (*)   21,136    1,413,153 
           
Health Care Technology  |  1.1%          
HMS Holdings Corp. (*)   31,555    1,159,646 
           
Hotels, Restaurants & Leisure  |  1.6%          
Wyndham Hotels & Resorts, Inc.   27,855    1,655,701 
           
Household Durables  |  1.9%          
Helen of Troy, Ltd. (*)   3,415    758,779 
Leggett & Platt, Inc.   27,363    1,212,181 
         1,970,960 
Industrial Conglomerates  |  1.5%          
Carlisle Cos., Inc.   9,995    1,561,019 

 

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

 

152  Annual Report

 

 

 

Description  Shares   Fair
Value
 
           
Lazard US Small-Mid Cap Equity Portfolio (continued)          
           
Insurance  |  4.2%          
Arch Capital Group, Ltd. (*)   45,054   $1,625,098 
Brown & Brown, Inc.   34,304    1,626,352 
Reinsurance Group of America, Inc.   9,801    1,135,936 
         4,387,386 
Interactive Media & Services  |  1.9%          
Cars.com, Inc. (*)   119,536    1,350,757 
MediaAlpha, Inc., Class A   15,402    601,756 
         1,952,513 
IT Services  |  4.4%          
Amdocs, Ltd.   22,682    1,608,834 
Leidos Holdings, Inc.   15,180    1,595,722 
NIC, Inc.   53,827    1,390,351 
         4,594,907 
Leisure Products  |  2.6%          
Brunswick Corp.   15,353    1,170,513 
Hasbro, Inc.   16,402    1,534,243 
         2,704,756 
Life Sciences Tools & Services  |  5.0%          
Adaptive Biotechnologies Corp. (*)   23,695    1,401,085 
Charles River Laboratories International, Inc. (*)   5,683    1,419,955 
ICON PLC (*)   6,393    1,246,507 
Maravai LifeSciences Holdings, Inc., Class A   38,674    1,084,806 
         5,152,353 
Machinery  |  3.6%          
Altra Industrial Motion Corp.   22,952    1,272,229 
Columbus McKinnon Corp.   13,255    509,522 
Ingersoll Rand, Inc. (*)   15,564    709,096 
Kennametal, Inc.   33,453    1,212,337 
         3,703,184 
Oil, Gas & Consumable Fuels  |  0.4%          
Magnolia Oil & Gas Corp., Class A (*)   64,066    452,306 
           
Paper & Forest Products  |  1.6%          
Neenah, Inc.   29,004    1,604,501 

 

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

 

Annual Report  153

 

 

 

Description  Shares   Fair
Value
 
           
Lazard US Small-Mid Cap Equity Portfolio (concluded)          
           
Pharmaceuticals  |  1.4%          
Catalent, Inc. (*)   14,152   $1,472,799 
           
Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment  |  2.8%          
CMC Materials, Inc.   6,722    1,017,039 
MKS Instruments, Inc.   12,622    1,898,980 
         2,916,019 
Software  |  6.8%          
Datto Holding Corp.   38,692    1,044,684 
j2 Global, Inc. (*)   16,683    1,629,762 
PTC, Inc. (*)   10,974    1,312,600 
RealPage, Inc. (*)   13,369    1,166,312 
SolarWinds Corp. (*)   67,957    1,015,957 
Vertex, Inc., Class A   24,988    870,832 
         7,040,147 
Specialty Retail  |  2.3%          
Designer Brands, Inc., Class A   115,098    880,500 
Floor & Decor Holdings, Inc., Class A (*)   7,311    678,826 
Leslie’s, Inc.   27,705    768,814 
         2,328,140 
Textiles, Apparel & Luxury Goods  |  3.0%          
Carter’s, Inc.   15,684    1,475,394 
Tapestry, Inc.   51,253    1,592,943 
         3,068,337 
Trading Companies & Distributors  |  1.3%          
Air Lease Corp.   30,467    1,353,344 
           
Total Common Stocks
(Cost $76,969,454)
        102,213,674 
           
Total Investments  |  98.6%
(Cost $76,969,454)
       $102,213,674 
           
Cash and Other Assets in Excess of Liabilities  |  1.4%        1,418,739 
           
Net Assets  |  100.0%       $103,632,413 

 

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

 

154  Annual Report

 

 

 

Description  Shares   Fair
Value
 
           
Lazard US Sustainable Equity Portfolio          
           
Common Stocks  |  98.0%          
           
Auto Components  |  1.0%          
Aptiv PLC   923   $120,258 
           
Banks  |  6.2%          
Commerce Bancshares, Inc.   4,549    298,869 
The PNC Financial Services Group, Inc.   2,850    424,650 
         723,519 
Capital Markets  |  4.5%          
Intercontinental Exchange, Inc.   3,009    346,907 
The Charles Schwab Corp.   3,319    176,040 
         522,947 
Chemicals  |  2.1%          
Ecolab, Inc.   1,106    239,294 
           
Commercial Services & Supplies  |  3.2%          
MSA Safety, Inc.   554    82,762 
Waste Management, Inc.   2,439    287,631 
         370,393 
Communications Equipment  |  2.1%          
Cisco Systems, Inc.   4,124    184,549 
Motorola Solutions, Inc.   334    56,800 
         241,349 
Containers & Packaging  |  2.2%          
Ball Corp.   2,764    257,549 
           
Electrical Equipment  |  2.9%          
Rockwell Automation, Inc.   1,353    339,346 
           
Entertainment  |  2.0%          
The Walt Disney Co. (*)   1,276    231,186 
           
Equity Real Estate Investment Trusts (REITs)  |  2.2%          
Prologis, Inc., REIT   2,564    255,528 

 

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

 

Annual Report  155

 

 

 

Description  Shares   Fair
Value
 
           
Lazard US Sustainable Equity Portfolio (continued)          
           
Food & Staples Retailing  |  1.0%          
Sysco Corp.   1,533   $113,841 
           
Food Products  |  0.2%          
Vital Farms, Inc. (*)   936    23,690 
           
Health Care Equipment & Supplies  |  8.4%          
Boston Scientific Corp. (*)   4,553    163,680 
Danaher Corp.   1,477    328,101 
Medtronic PLC   4,077    477,580 
         969,361 
Health Care Providers & Services  |  4.6%          
Humana, Inc.   375    153,851 
Laboratory Corp. of America Holdings (*)   1,071    218,002 
UnitedHealth Group, Inc.   471    165,171 
         537,024 
Hotels, Restaurants & Leisure  |  2.5%          
Starbucks Corp.   2,719    290,879 
           
Household Products  |  2.5%          
The Procter & Gamble Co.   2,062    286,907 
           
IT Services  |  7.0%          
Accenture PLC, Class A   1,504    392,860 
Visa, Inc., Class A   1,933    422,805 
         815,665 
Life Sciences Tools & Services  |  5.2%          
Agilent Technologies, Inc.   1,365    161,739 
IQVIA Holdings, Inc. (*)   955    171,107 
Maravai LifeSciences Holdings, Inc., Class A   1,337    37,503 
Thermo Fisher Scientific, Inc.   488    227,301 
         597,650 

 

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

 

156  Annual Report

 

 

 

Description  Shares   Fair
Value
 
           
Lazard US Sustainable Equity Portfolio (continued)          
           
Machinery  |  3.4%          
Deere & Co.   848   $228,155 
Watts Water Technologies, Inc., Class A   656    79,835 
Xylem, Inc.   851    86,623 
         394,613 
           
Multiline Retail  |  2.6%          
Dollar General Corp.   1,415    297,574 
           
Pharmaceuticals  |  6.3%          
Johnson & Johnson   2,061    324,360 
Pfizer, Inc.   4,844    178,308 
Zoetis, Inc.   1,400    231,700 
         734,368 
Road & Rail  |  2.7%          
Norfolk Southern Corp.   1,336    317,447 
           
Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment  |  6.1%          
Analog Devices, Inc.   2,126    314,074 
Applied Materials, Inc.   1,918    165,523 
Texas Instruments, Inc.   1,397    229,290 
         708,887 
Software  |  11.8%          
Intuit, Inc.   468    177,770 
Microsoft Corp.   3,873    861,432 
Palo Alto Networks, Inc. (*)   284    100,931 
salesforce.com, Inc. (*)   1,053    234,324 
         1,374,457 
Specialty Retail  |  5.3%          
Ross Stores, Inc.   1,447    177,706 
The Home Depot, Inc.   1,651    438,539 
         616,245 
Total Common Stocks
(Cost $9,660,642)
        11,379,977 

 

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

 

Annual Report  157

 

 

 

Description  Shares   Fair
Value
 
           
Lazard US Sustainable Equity Portfolio (concluded)          
           
Short-Term Investments  |  1.6%          
State Street Institutional Treasury Money Market Fund, Premier Class, 0.01% (7 day yield)
(Cost $188,816)
   188,816   $188,816 
           
Total Investments  |  99.6%
(Cost $9,849,458)
       $11,568,793 
           
Cash and Other Assets in Excess of Liabilities  |  0.4%        49,186 
           
Net Assets  |  100.0%       $11,617,979 

 

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

 

158  Annual Report

 

The Lazard Funds, Inc. Notes to Portfolios of Investments

December 31, 2020

 

(*) Non-income producing security.
(‡) Security valued using Level 2 inputs, based on reference to a similar security which was trading on an active market, under GAAP hierarchy—see Note 9 in the Notes to Financial Statements.
(#) Pursuant to Rule 144A under the Securities Act of 1933, these securities may only be traded among “qualified institutional buyers.” At December 31, 2020, these securities accounted for 0.6% of the net assets for the Lazard Emerging Markets Equity Advantage Portfolio and 3.6% of the net assets of Lazard International Equity Concentrated Portfolio.
(^) Refer to Note 5 in the Notes to Financial Statements for further details related to holdings of 5% voting securities of portfolio companies.
(») The portfolio, at all times, maintains portfolio securities in sufficient amount to cover its obligations related to investments in forward currency contracts.

 

Security Abbreviations:

 

ADR American Depositary Receipt
GDR Global Depositary Receipt
NVDR Non-Voting Depositary Receipt
PJSC Public Joint Stock Company
REIT Real Estate Investment Trust

 

Currency Abbreviations:

 

AUD Australian Dollar GBP British Pound Sterling
CAD Canadian Dollar HKD Hong- Kong Dollar
EUR Euro USD United State Dollar

 

Counterparty Abbreviations:

 

BNP BNP Paribas SA MEL The Bank of New York Mellon Corp.
CAN Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce RBC Royal Bank of Canada
CIT Citibank NA SCB Standard Chartered Bank
HSB HSBC Bank USA NA SSB State Street Bank and Trust Co.

 

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

 

Annual Report  159

 

 

 

Portfolio holdings by industry (as a percentage of net assets), for those Portfolios previously presented by country:

 

Industry†  Lazard
Developing
Markets
Equity
Portfolio
  Lazard
Emerging
Markets
Core Equity
Portfolio
  Lazard
Emerging
Markets
Equity
Advantage
Portfolio
  Lazard
Emerging
Markets
Equity
Blend
Portfolio
 
               
Common & Preferred Stocks                      
Aerospace & Defense   %   %   %   %  
Airlines       0.5           
Auto Components   2.9    0.6    0.8    1.1   
Automobiles       0.9    1.8    0.9   
Banks   22.5    13.1    13.8    23.5   
Beverages   0.8    3.1    0.9    0.9   
Biotechnology           0.4       
Building Products           0.4       
Capital Markets       1.1    0.7    0.2   
Chemicals   1.0    1.0    2.2    0.6   
Commercial Services & Suppliers           0.5       
Communications Equipment   0.5    1.2        0.2   
Construction & Engineering                  
Construction Materials   0.4    1.4    1.0    1.3   
Consumer Finance   0.8            0.3   
Containers & Packaging               0.3   
Diversified Consumer Services   0.7    1.6    0.6    0.6   
Diversified Financial Services           0.2       
Diversified Telecommunication Services       1.2    1.2    0.8   
Electric Utilities           0.5       
Electrical Equipment   1.3        1.0    0.2   
Electronic Equipment, Instruments & Components   2.3    1.6    3.6    2.4   
Entertainment   4.3    4.5    1.9    3.9   
Food & Staples Retailing           1.5    0.4   
Food Products       1.5    1.2    0.6   
Gas Utilities   1.1    0.8    0.6    0.3   
Health Care Equipment & Supplies           0.7    0.3   
Health Care Providers & Services               0.6   
Hotels, Restaurants & Leisure   2.7    0.8    0.5    0.3   
Household Durables       0.8    1.0    0.7   
Household Products           0.2    0.6   
Independent Power & Renewable Electricity Producers           0.3       
Industrial Conglomerates       0.5           
Insurance   2.0    3.5    2.5    3.5   
Interactive Media & Services   10.4    7.6    7.3    5.9   
Internet & Direct Marketing Retail   5.2    9.2    11.2    2.3   
IT Services   1.5    4.0    3.2    4.3   
Leisure Products                  

 

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

 

160  Annual Report

 

 

 

Lazard
Emerging
Markets
Equity
Portfolio
  Lazard
Equity
Franchise
Portfolio
  Lazard
Global
Equity Select
Portfolio
  Lazard
Global
Listed
Infrastructure
Portfolio
  Lazard
Global
Strategic
Equity
Portfolio
 
                               
  %    %    1.6%    %    2.4 %  
                         
  1.4                       
  2.5                    1.3    
  22.8          1.3          2.6    
       1.9     6.3          2.3    
                      2.4    
            0.7             
            6.1          7.7    
  1.0          2.0          2.7    
       2.9                  
       5.2     1.6             
       3.0          13.0        
  2.1                       
                      1.7    
                         
       5.9                  
                      1.3    
                               
  2.2                       
  0.7               10.1     3.7    
            3.6          3.7    
                               
  2.1          1.5             
            2.3          5.5    
  1.6          1.7          1.0    
                         
  0.8     2.8     1.7     10.0        
       2.7     1.1          3.4    
  1.8     20.0     1.3          1.5    
       4.2     2.7          1.3    
  1.1                       
  0.6          2.7             
                               
  0.7                       
  1.0          0.9             
  4.0          5.2          3.7    
  2.0          5.2          5.8    
            2.1          3.3    
  3.5     3.0     4.3          4.9    
            1.0             

 

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

 

Annual Report  161

 

 

 

Portfolio holdings by industry (as a percentage of net assets), for those Portfolios previously presented by country (continued):

 

Industry†  Lazard
Developing
Markets
Equity
Portfolio
  Lazard
Emerging
Markets
Core Equity
Portfolio
  Lazard
Emerging
Markets
Equity
Advantage
Portfolio
  Lazard
Emerging
Markets
Equity
Blend
Portfolio
 
               
Life Sciences Tools & Services   0.7%   1.3%   0.4%   %  
Machinery   5.1    1.7    1.3    4.0   
Marine           1.3    0.2   
Media               0.4   
Metals & Mining   3.2    3.9    4.6    3.7   
Multiline Retail   0.5    0.3        0.2   
Multi-Utilities                  
Oil, Gas & Consumable Fuels   3.8    4.2    4.9    4.5   
Paper & Forest Products   1.0    1.2           
Personal Products       1.5    0.6    1.5   
Pharmaceuticals           2.7    0.9   
Professional Services               0.3   
Real Estate Management & Development           0.9    1.0   
Road & Rail   1.7    0.8           
Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment   11.9    12.0    9.5    9.3   
Software   1.0        0.2       
Specialty Retail   1.0    1.5    0.6    1.1   
Technology Hardware, Storage & Peripherals   6.7    7.8    6.8    8.0   
Textiles, Apparel & Luxury Goods   0.8    1.5    1.6    0.6   
Tobacco           0.2    0.5   
Trading Companies & Distributors                  
Transportation Infrastructure   0.7    1.1    0.2    0.8   
Water Utilities   0.8            0.5   
Wireless Telecommunication Services           0.9    2.4   
Subtotal   99.3    99.3    98.4    96.9   
Exchange Traded Fund                  
Short-Term Investments   1.1    0.8    0.4    3.3   
Total Investments   100.4%   100.1%   98.8%   100.2%  

 

Industry classifications may be different than those used for compliance monitoring purposes.

 

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

 

162  Annual Report

 

 

 

Lazard
Emerging
Markets
Equity
Portfolio
  Lazard
Equity
Franchise
Portfolio
  Lazard
Global
Equity Select
Portfolio
  Lazard
Global
Listed
Infrastructure
Portfolio
 Lazard
Global
Strategic
Equity
Portfolio
 
                               
  %    %    5.7%        4.4  
  0.9          1.7             
                         
       9.3          4.3     2.7    
  5.5          1.0          0.9    
            2.9          4.1    
       2.6          15.1        
  6.7                       
  0.7                       
  3.2          3.7             
            5.4          2.6    
       10.2     4.2          4.8    
                               
  0.8                       
            1.1     7.8        
                               
  10.2     5.0     5.1          5.1    
       3.3     6.7          10.5    
  0.4          2.4             
                               
  6.3                       
       8.0     1.2             
  0.7                       
                      1.3    
  0.9     2.0          12.7        
       1.9          12.2        
                               
  4.7                       
  92.9     93.9     98.0     85.2     98.6    
  5.0                       
  1.8     6.1     2.0     15.0     1.9    
  99.7%    100.0%    100.0%    100.2%    100.5 %  

 

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

 

Annual Report  163

 

 

 

Portfolio holdings by industry (as a percentage of net assets), for those Portfolios previously presented by country (continued):

 

Industry†  Lazard
International
Equity
Advantage
Portfolio
  Lazard
International
Equity
Concentrated
Portfolio
  Lazard
International
Equity
Portfolio
  Lazard
International
Equity Select
Portfolio
 
               
Common & Preferred Stocks                      
Aerospace & Defense   %   3.8%   2.0%   2.4%  
Air Freight & Logistics   1.7               
Airlines           1.1    1.4   
Auto Components   1.4        1.2    0.6   
Automobiles   2.6    3.2    2.8    3.4   
Banks   6.7        6.6    7.7   
Beverages       5.9    3.6    2.3   
Biotechnology   0.4               
Building Products   3.5               
Capital Markets   3.2        1.8    0.9   
Chemicals   3.8        4.8    4.3   
Commercial Services & Suppliers   0.6               
Communications Equipment   0.1               
Construction & Engineering   0.2        1.0    0.9   
Construction Materials   0.6               
Consumer Finance   0.1               
Containers & Packaging                  
Distributors                  
Diversified Consumer Services                  
Diversified Financial Services   1.1               
Diversified Telecommunication Services   0.9        1.3    1.8   
Electric Utilities   1.3        3.5    1.9   
Electrical Equipment   2.8    3.7    4.4    3.9   
Electronic Equipment, Instruments & Components   2.1    6.3    3.2    2.7   
Entertainment   2.1        5.6    3.7   
Equity Real Estate Investment Trusts (REITs)   1.4               
Food & Staples Retailing   2.4        1.9    1.6   
Food Products   3.2        0.8    0.8   
Gas Utilities   0.3    3.3    0.9    1.5   
Health Care Equipment & Supplies   2.2    2.4    3.0    2.0   
Health Care Providers & Services           1.0       
Health Care Technology                  
Hotels, Restaurants & Leisure   1.6            1.0   
Household Durables   3.6               
Household Products   1.7               
Independent Power & Renewable Electricity Producers   0.4               
Industrial Conglomerates   0.5               

 

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

 

164  Annual Report

 

 

 

Lazard
International
Equity Value
Portfolio
  Lazard
International
Quality Growth
Portfolio
  Lazard
International
Small Cap
Equity
Portfolio
  Lazard
International
Strategic Equity
Portfolio
 Lazard
Managed
Equity
Volatility
Portfolio
 
                               
  1.8%         2.7%              %           4.5%         2.2 %           
            1.1             
                 1.7        
  5.2          1.0          0.2    
  5.0               4.3        
  9.0     5.2     3.5     5.8     2.5    
  9.7     2.2     3.6     7.0     1.0    
       3.1          1.8     1.7    
       4.2     3.6     1.0     0.7    
  4.1     5.7     6.1     4.0     3.0    
  6.7     2.0     4.1     1.0     0.8    
            3.0          2.2    
                      0.7    
            1.5          0.5    
                      0.2    
                         
                      1.6    
                      0.4    
                      1.0    
            1.4          0.3    
                               
            1.1          4.0    
                 3.2     3.3    
       1.9     1.0     4.8     0.5    
                               
  4.2     2.3     0.7     1.0     0.2    
  5.0     3.4     1.3     6.9     1.2    
                               
            3.2          2.0    
  3.6     2.1     1.3     2.0     6.6    
            1.1     1.2     5.3    
            1.3          1.8    
       3.4     2.0     2.6     2.5    
            1.0          3.0    
            0.8             
  6.2          2.2     3.2     2.1    
  3.1          1.9          0.5    
       1.3               4.9    
                               
            0.8          0.5    
  3.9                    0.9    

 

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

 

Annual Report  165

 

 

 

Portfolio holdings by industry (as a percentage of net assets), for those Portfolios previously presented by country (continued):

 

Industry†  Lazard
International
Equity
Advantage
Portfolio
  Lazard
International
Equity
Concentrated
Portfolio
  Lazard
International
Equity
Portfolio
  Lazard
International
Equity Select
Portfolio
 
                   
Insurance   6.2%   11.6%   6.0%   7.4%  
Interactive Media & Services   0.2    7.1    1.7    4.0   
Internet & Direct Marketing Retail               0.8   
IT Services   0.8    4.4    1.2    1.6   
Leisure Products   0.1        1.0    1.1   
Life Sciences Tools & Services   0.5            1.0   
Machinery   2.6    3.8    4.6    5.4   
Marine   0.1               
Media   0.1        1.8       
Metals & Mining   3.9    3.6    2.5    1.3   
Multiline Retail       4.7    0.8    2.0   
Multi-Utilities   1.8    6.1    2.7    2.3   
Oil, Gas & Consumable Fuels   2.5    3.6    2.4    1.8   
Paper & Forest Products   0.1               
Personal Products   2.0    4.9    2.5    4.9   
Pharmaceuticals   10.7    5.1    6.6    5.4   
Professional Services   1.6    3.2    3.9    3.4   
Real Estate Management & Development   0.9    6.6    3.8    1.9   
Road & Rail   0.6        1.2    1.1   
Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment   3.7        1.2       
Software   1.1               
Specialty Retail   2.3            1.4   
Technology Hardware, Storage & Peripherals   0.5    6.3    2.0    3.4   
Textiles, Apparel & Luxury Goods   0.3               
Thrifts & Mortgage Finance                  
Tobacco   2.3               
Trading Companies & Distributors   0.1    2.2    1.5    1.3   
Transportation Infrastructure           0.8    0.6   
Water Utilities               0.7   
Wireless Telecommunication Services   3.1               
Subtotal   100.6    101.8    98.7    97.6   
Short-Term Investments   0.8        1.1    2.2   
Total Investments   101.4%   101.8%   99.8%   99.8%  

 

Industry classifications may be different than those used for compliance monitoring purposes.

 

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

 

166  Annual Report

 

 

 

Lazard
International
Equity Value
Portfolio
  Lazard
International
Quality Growth
Portfolio
  Lazard
International
Small Cap
Equity
Portfolio
  Lazard
International
Strategic Equity
Portfolio
  Lazard
Managed
Equity
Volatility
Portfolio
 
                         
 6.3%   7.7%   0.9%   7.2%   2.0%  
     6.3    3.9    1.2       
     2.9        1.6       
         3.1    2.3    3.1   
 2.4    1.5        1.3    0.5   
                 1.8   
 6.4    2.2    4.7    5.9    1.5   
                    
         0.8    2.0    3.1   
         1.7    2.9    1.3   
     1.8    1.0    0.8    2.5   
 3.5            2.3    2.4   
 2.4        0.7    1.0       
                    
     2.1        1.2       
 3.3    1.6    4.0    2.9    8.7   
     9.1    4.0    2.3       
                         
         9.0    3.2    1.5   
                 1.4   
                         
 3.8    8.5    2.0    1.1    0.5   
     3.6    7.2        3.2   
     2.8    2.8    2.1    2.8   
                         
                 0.6   
 2.5    2.8               
             1.2    0.3   
                 0.9   
     2.9    2.3        0.6   
                    
         1.4        0.5   
                         
                 1.8   
 98.1    95.3    98.1    98.5    99.3   
 2.2    6.6    1.6    1.5    0.6   
 100.3%   101.9%   99.7%   100.0%   99.9%  

 

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

 

Annual Report  167

 

 

 

Portfolio holdings by industry (as a percentage of net assets), for those Portfolios previously presented by country (concluded):

 

Industry†  Lazard
US Equity
Concentrated
Portfolio
  Lazard
US Equity
Focus
Portfolio
  Lazard
US Small
Mid Cap
Equity
-Portfolio
  Lazard
US
Sustainable
Equity
Portfolio
 
                       
Common & Preferred Stocks                      
Aerospace & Defense   %   %   2.4%   %  
Air Freight & Logistics           0.9       
Airlines           0.8       
Auto Components       1.2    0.8    1.0   
Banks       5.4    6.2    6.2   
Beverages       3.4           
Biotechnology           4.1       
Building Products   2.8        2.6       
Capital Markets   9.3    6.2    1.6    4.5   
Chemicals           2.9    2.1   
Commercial Services & Suppliers   3.6    3.0        3.2   
Communications Equipment       2.7    2.6    2.3   
Construction & Engineering           1.8       
Construction Materials   3.8        1.4       
Consumer Finance       3.3           
Containers & Packaging           2.4    2.2   
Distributors   1.6               
Electrical Equipment           2.2    2.9   
Electronic Equipment, Instruments & Components   3.4        1.0       
Energy Equipment & Services           1.6       
Entertainment   1.0    1.3    1.2    2.0   
Equity Real Estate Investment Trusts (REITs)   9.2        8.0    2.2   
Food & Staples Retailing   1.6    2.3    1.3    1.0   
Food Products           1.1    0.2   
Gas Utilities           1.6       
Health Care Equipment & Supplies   12.9    9.9    1.3    8.3   
Health Care Providers & Services           1.4    4.6   
Health Care Technology           1.1       
Hotels, Restaurants & Leisure   6.7    6.4    1.6    2.5   
Household Durables           1.9       
Household Products               2.5   
Industrial Conglomerates       4.5    1.5       
Insurance       3.0    4.2       
Interactive Media & Services   7.9    7.1    1.9       
IT Services   9.7    5.9    4.4    7.0   
Leisure Products   2.1        2.6       
Life Sciences Tools & Services   1.2    2.2    5.0    5.1   
Machinery           3.6    3.4   
Multiline Retail   3.8    2.1        2.6   

 

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

 

168  Annual Report

 

 

 

Industry†  Lazard
US Equity
Concentrated
Portfolio
  Lazard
US Equity
Focus
Portfolio
  Lazard
US Small
Mid Cap
Equity
-Portfolio
  Lazard
US
Sustainable
Equity
Portfolio
 
                       
Oil, Gas & Consumable Fuels   %      %   0.4%   %  
Paper & Forest Products           1.6       
Pharmaceuticals       5.7    1.4    6.3   
Professional Services                  
Road & Rail   1.8    4.2        2.7   
Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment   11.3    5.4    2.8    6.1   
Software       7.5    6.8    11.8   
Specialty Retail   3.7    6.2    2.3    5.3   
Textiles, Apparel & Luxury Goods           3.0       
Trading Companies & Distributors           1.3       
Subtotal   97.4    98.9    98.6    98.0   
Short-Term Investments   2.5    1.2        1.6   
Total Investments   99.9%   100.1%   98.6%   99.6%  

 

Industry classifications may be different than those used for compliance monitoring purposes.

 

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

 

Annual Report  169

 

The Lazard Funds, Inc. Statements of Assets and Liabilities

 

 

December 31, 2020Lazard
Developing Markets
Equity Portfolio
  Lazard Emerging
Markets Core
Equity Portfolio
 
ASSETS              
Investments in securities, at fair value  $201,479,702     $212,703,894   
Foreign currency, at fair value   4,674      10,926   
Receivables for:              
Investments sold   113,427      30,580   
Dividends   202,070      212,126   
Capital stock sold   142,624      150,388   
Prepaid expenses         1,127   
Total assets   201,942,497      213,109,041   
LIABILITIES              
Payables for:              
Foreign capital gains taxes   61,111      129,557   
Management fees   159,222      175,862   
Accrued custodian fees   45,941      36,350   
Accrued shareholders’ reports   12,728      11,666   
Accrued professional services   45,973      32,540   
Accrued distribution fees   2,137      490   
Accrued directors’ fees   881      1,029   
Accrued registration fees   6,812      20,024   
Investments purchased   515,170      31   
Capital stock redeemed   483,237      104,520   
Other accrued expenses and payables   5,909      6,117   
Total liabilities   1,339,121      518,186   
Net assets  $200,603,376     $212,590,855   
NET ASSETS              
Paid in capital  $255,643,436     $169,793,199   
Distributable earnings (Accumulated loss)   (55,040,060)     42,797,656   
Net assets  $200,603,376     $212,590,855   
Institutional Shares              
Net assets  $190,689,018     $209,502,638   
Shares of capital stock outstanding*   11,013,865      15,971,095   
Net asset value, offering and redemption price per share  $17.31     $13.12   
Open Shares              
Net assets  $9,914,358     $2,543,976   
Shares of capital stock outstanding*   575,985      194,354   
Net asset value, offering and redemption price per share  $17.21     $13.09   
R6 Shares              
Net assets        $544,241   
Shares of capital stock outstanding*         41,454   
Net asset value, offering and redemption price per share        $13.13   
Cost of investments in securities  $141,106,319     $142,811,153   
Cost of foreign currency  $4,670     $10,920   

 

*$0.001 par value, 6,900,000,000 shares authorized for the Portfolios in total.

 

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

 

170  Annual Report

 

 

 

  Lazard
Emerging Markets
Equity Advantage
Portfolio
  Lazard Emerging
Markets Equity
Blend Portfolio
  Lazard
Emerging Markets
Equity Portfolio
  Lazard
Equity Franchise
Portfolio
  Lazard Global
Equity Select
Portfolio
                                   
    $28,428,439     $78,571,562     $4,356,109,191     $91,820,141     $93,547,368 
     3,711      2,030      254,772      19      39 
                                   
     411,927      113,415      38,287,560             
     17,483      162,295      4,666,946      248,672      73,231 
     14,099      19,900      1,920,573      46      74,853 
                              
     28,875,659      78,869,202      4,401,239,042      92,068,878      93,695,491 
                                   
           114,882      4,274,918             
     6,234      46,935      3,646,577      48,457      47,276 
     20,006      47,335      732,587      14,216      21,954 
     3,245      73,134      430,216      2,969      1,973 
     46,649      51,882      193,997      24,017      26,276 
     202      899      99,916      22      237 
     187      1,331      29,806      28      75 
     1,224      6,233      27,579      1,996      10,203 
           31,116      15,462,888      112,433       
     21,315      64,885      6,618,644      11,681      7,149 
     3,021      5,695      223,649      3,614      4,519 
     102,083      444,327      31,740,777      219,433      119,662 
    $28,773,576     $78,424,875     $4,369,498,265     $91,849,445     $93,575,829 
                                   
    $22,209,938     $117,667,376     $4,943,187,758     $80,900,880     $66,912,171 
     6,563,638      (39,242,501)     (573,689,493)     10,948,565      26,663,658 
    $28,773,576     $78,424,875     $4,369,498,265     $91,849,445     $93,575,829 
                                   
    $27,897,734     $74,406,215     $3,923,877,626     $91,720,205     $92,418,059 
     2,022,986      5,390,573      217,598,338      9,016,463      5,662,503 
                                   
    $13.79     $13.80     $18.03     $10.17     $16.32 
                                   
    $875,842     $4,018,660     $421,989,760     $129,240     $1,157,770 
     63,491      290,075      22,707,741      12,708      70,899 
                                   
    $13.79     $13.85     $18.58     $10.17     $16.33 
                                   
                $23,630,879             
                 1,310,139             
                                   
                $18.04             
    $22,414,156     $62,180,879     $3,501,967,596     $78,518,274     $67,372,965 
    $3,710     $2,029     $254,597     $18     $39 

 

Annual Report  171

 

 

 

December 31, 2020Lazard
Global Listed
Infrastructure
Portfolio
  Lazard
Global Strategic
Equity Portfolio
 
ASSETS              
Investments in securities, at fair value  $6,896,861,347     $4,279,658   
Non-controlled affiliated issuers, at fair value (Note 5)   719,019,066         
Cash   3,731         
Foreign currency, at fair value   551,768      36   
Receivables for:              
Dividends   30,424,445      5,556   
Capital stock sold   19,276,747         
Investments sold   2,979,092         
Amount due from Investment Manager (Note 3)         23,449   
Gross unrealized appreciation on forward currency contracts   1,627,177         
Prepaid expenses            
Total assets   7,670,743,373      4,308,699   
LIABILITIES              
Payables for:              
Management fees   5,824,404         
Accrued custodian fees   373,170      13,720   
Accrued professional services   78,975      26,054   
Accrued distribution fees   68,286      37   
Accrued registration fees   42,874      5,250   
Accrued shareholders’ reports   24,122      1,962   
Accrued directors’ fees   1,128      467   
Capital stock redeemed   8,399,280         
Investments purchased   521,660         
Gross unrealized depreciation on forward currency contracts   57,767,779         
Line of credit outstanding            
Other accrued expenses and payables   204,690      901   
Total liabilities   73,306,368      48,391   
Net assets  $7,597,437,005     $4,260,308   
NET ASSETS              
Paid in capital  $7,522,413,726     $2,951,142   
Distributable earnings (Accumulated loss)   75,023,279      1,309,166   
Net assets  $7,597,437,005     $4,260,308   
Institutional Shares              
Net assets  $7,289,679,801     $4,075,837   
Shares of capital stock outstanding*   497,500,386      336,354   
Net asset value, offering and redemption price per share  $14.65     $12.12   
Open Shares              
Net assets  $307,757,204     $184,471   
Shares of capital stock outstanding*   20,993,761      15,347   
Net asset value, offering and redemption price per share  $14.66     $12.02   
R6 Shares              
Net assets  $     $   
Shares of capital stock outstanding*            
Net asset value, offering and redemption price per share  $     $   
Cost of investments in securities  $6,409,521,676     $3,011,075   
Cost of non-controlled affiliated issuers  $843,268,226     $   
Cost of foreign currency  $550,254     $35   

 

*$0.001 par value, 6,900,000,000 shares authorized for the Portfolios in total.

 

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

 

172  Annual Report

 

 

 

  Lazard
International
Equity
Advantage
Portfolio
  Lazard
International
Equity
Concentrated
Portfolio
  Lazard
International
Equity
Portfolio
  Lazard
International
Equity
Select
Portfolio
  Lazard
International
Equity
Value
Portfolio
                                   
    $2,627,764     $14,310,096     $3,057,726,425     $94,831,895     $2,759,590 
                              
           1,421                   
     342      1      79      387       
                                   
     7,654      70,955      7,116,334      177,132      12,384 
                 3,371,346      154,891      2,000 
           163,124                  19,581 
     17,016      8,200                  16,465 
                                   
                              
                 50,969             
     2,652,776      14,553,797      3,068,265,153      95,164,305      2,810,020 
                                   
                 1,916,535      47,024       
     19,495      19,469      183,561      22,479      12,969 
     34,196      27,412      62,185      41,619      26,905 
     24      89      50,631      551      13 
     1,593      4,974      3,163      21,286      14,057 
     3,567      3,663      101,080      5,170      3,837 
     53      459      456      34      210 
                 3,117,763      34,005       
                              
                                   
                              
           435,000                   
     2,758      1,882      179,666      3,299      1,132 
     61,686      492,948      5,615,040      175,467      59,123 
    $2,591,090     $14,060,849     $3,062,650,113     $94,988,838     $2,750,897 
                                   
    $2,458,287     $24,049,320     $2,466,096,465     $82,290,992     $3,321,726 
     132,803      (9,988,471)     596,553,648      12,697,846      (570,829)
    $2,591,090     $14,060,849     $3,062,650,113     $94,988,838     $2,750,897 
                                   
    $2,472,170     $13,648,283     $2,812,450,496     $92,120,963     $2,710,628 
     239,526      1,364,089      140,490,643      7,993,045      289,650 
                                   
    $10.32     $10.01     $20.02     $11.53     $9.36 
                                   
    $118,920     $412,566     $120,781,017     $2,867,875     $40,269 
     11,520      41,089      5,960,372      247,615      4,300 
                                   
    $10.32     $10.04     $20.26     $11.58     $9.36 
                                   
    $     $     $129,418,600     $     $ 
                 6,473,822             
                                   
    $     $     $19.99     $     $ 
    $2,211,468     $12,082,245     $2,403,997,488     $78,294,945     $2,374,840 
    $     $     $     $     $ 
    $339     $1     $79     $385     $ 

 

Annual Report  173

 

 

 

December 31, 2020Lazard
International
Quality Growth
Portfolio
  Lazard
International
Small Cap
Equity Portfolio
 
ASSETS              
Investments in securities, at fair value  $10,973,555     $41,849,898   
Cash            
Foreign currency, at fair value         63   
Receivables for:              
Dividends   8,764      148,320   
Capital stock sold   145,729      50,780   
Investments sold         449   
Amount due from Investment Manager (Note 3)   11,286         
Prepaid expenses         59,856   
Total assets   11,139,334      42,109,366   
LIABILITIES              
Payables for:              
Management fees         15,548   
Foreign capital gains taxes         8,994   
Accrued custodian fees   10,688      23,391   
Accrued shareholders’ reports   7,131      7,009   
Accrued distribution fees   59      2,774   
Accrued professional services   25,129      49,587   
Accrued directors’ fees   36      154   
Capital stock redeemed         33,633   
Investments purchased   327,659         
Other accrued expenses and payables   4,381      13,088   
Total liabilities   375,083      154,178   
Net assets  $10,764,251     $41,955,188   
NET ASSETS              
Paid in capital  $8,382,032     $33,967,563   
Distributable earnings (Accumulated loss)   2,382,219      7,987,625   
Net assets  $10,764,251     $41,955,188   
Institutional Shares              
Net assets  $10,473,094     $29,373,738   
Shares of capital stock outstanding*   671,884      2,175,223   
Net asset value, offering and redemption price per share  $15.59     $13.50   
Open Shares              
Net assets  $291,157     $12,581,450   
Shares of capital stock outstanding*   18,777      931,724   
Net asset value, offering and redemption price per share  $15.51     $13.50   
R6 Shares              
Net assets            
Shares of capital stock outstanding*            
Net asset value, offering and redemption price per share            
Cost of investments in securities  $8,534,967     $32,381,967   
Cost of foreign currency  $     $63   

 

*$0.001 par value, 6,900,000,000 shares authorized for the Portfolios in total.

 

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

 

174  Annual Report

 

 

 

  Lazard
International
Strategic
Equity Portfolio
  Lazard
Managed Equity
Volatility Portfolio
  Lazard
US Equity
Concentrated
Portfolio
  Lazard
US Equity
Focus
Portfolio
  Lazard
US Small-Mid
Cap Equity
Portfolio
                                   
    $5,919,732,274     $25,797,010     $1,971,301,937     $53,138,787     $102,213,674 
                             2,080,779 
     53,644      45                   
                                   
     11,956,166      53,222      1,104,601      16,666      95,042 
     3,984,784      19,357      2,775,140      42,344      5,805 
                              
           3,291            1,415       
     258,472                         
     5,935,985,340      25,872,925      1,975,181,678      53,199,212      104,395,300 
                                   
     3,704,519            1,149,753            67,145 
     1,997,334                         
     305,441      21,478      70,455      14,199      19,332 
     144,705      3,092      3,784      2,778      7,941 
     120,237      22      7,903      267      2,528 
     59,947      28,988      39,221      51,230      29,457 
     697      660      481      1,872      523 
     4,857,333            972,078      15,001      627,452 
                              
     220,340      4,973      35,744      6,114      8,509 
     11,410,553      59,213      2,279,419      91,461      762,887 
    $5,924,574,787     $25,813,712     $1,972,902,259     $53,107,751     $103,632,413 
                                   
    $4,507,544,142     $25,284,784     $1,385,702,554     $35,131,898     $83,356,311 
     1,417,030,645      528,928      587,199,705      17,975,853      20,276,102 
    $5,924,574,787     $25,813,712     $1,972,902,259     $53,107,751     $103,632,413 
                                   
    $5,270,610,960     $25,737,309     $1,936,366,991     $31,075,300     $91,983,986 
     313,114,237      2,184,318      107,284,843      2,323,580      6,377,893 
                                   
    $16.83     $11.78     $18.05     $13.37     $14.42 
                                   
    $535,285,408     $76,403     $34,358,484     $1,285,343     $10,964,641 
     31,509,845      6,488      1,888,783      95,597      827,420 
                                   
    $16.99     $11.78     $18.19     $13.45     $13.25 
                                   
    $118,678,419           $2,176,784     $20,747,108     $683,786 
     7,044,138            120,303      1,550,718      47,409 
                                   
    $16.85           $18.09     $13.38     $14.42 
    $4,407,944,857     $24,103,355     $1,403,606,405     $36,753,429     $76,969,454 
    $54,032     $44     $     $     $ 

 

Annual Report  175

 

 

 

December 31, 2020  Lazard
US Sustainable
Equity Portfolio
ASSETS      
Investments in securities, at fair value    $11,568,793 
Receivables for:       
Capital stock sold     105,000 
Amount due from Investment Manager (Note 3)     23,863 
Dividends     4,387 
Deferred offering costs (Note 2(f))     65,721 
Total assets     11,767,764 
LIABILITIES       
Payables for:       
Offering costs (Note 2(f))     113,422 
Accrued professional services     14,366 
Accrued custodian fees     9,489 
Accrued distribution fees     25 
Accrued directors’ fees     14 
Other accrued expenses and payables     12,469 
Total liabilities     149,785 
Net assets    $11,617,979 
NET ASSETS       
Paid in capital    $9,869,936 
Distributable earnings (Accumulated loss)     1,748,043 
Net assets    $11,617,979 
Institutional Shares       
Net assets    $11,489,830 
Shares of capital stock outstanding*     942,026 
Net asset value, offering and redemption price per share    $12.20 
Open Shares       
Net assets    $128,149 
Shares of capital stock outstanding*     10,495 
Net asset value, offering and redemption price per share    $12.21 
Cost of investments in securities    $9,849,458 

 

*$0.001 par value, 6,900,000,000 shares authorized for the Portfolios in total.

 

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

 

176  Annual Report

 

 

 

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Annual Report  177

 

The Lazard Funds, Inc. Statements of Operations

 

 

For the Year Ended December 31, 2020  Lazard
Developing Markets
Equity Portfolio
  Lazard Emerging
Markets Core
Equity Portfolio
 
Investment Income (Loss)                
Income                
Dividends*    $2,730,752     $3,406,067   
Expenses                
Management fees (Note 3)     1,827,386      1,797,609   
Custodian fees     152,182      116,416   
Distribution fees (Open Shares)     20,212      4,929   
Shareholders’ reports     29,247      25,161   
Administration fees     42,263      44,539   
Professional services     69,327      58,184   
Directors’ fees and expenses     15,474      14,806   
Shareholders’ services     23,808      16,690   
Registration fees     42,265      67,034   
Other^     9,332      15,020   
Total gross expenses     2,231,496      2,160,388   
Management fees waived and expenses reimbursed     (75,915)     (5,291)  
Total net expenses     2,155,581      2,155,097   
Net investment income (loss)     575,171      1,250,970   
Net Realized and Unrealized Gain (Loss)                
Net realized gain (loss) on:                
Investments**     1,142,588      (15,213,418)  
Foreign currency transactions     (212,122)     (50,411)  
Total net realized gain (loss)     930,466      (15,263,829)  
Net change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on:                
Investments†     19,622,987      36,378,070   
Foreign currency translations     39,612      2,223   
Total net change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation)     19,662,599      36,380,293   
Net realized and unrealized gain (loss)     20,593,065      21,116,464   
Net increase (decrease) in net assets resulting from operations    $21,168,236     $22,367,434   
* Net of foreign withholding taxes of    $315,471     $511,556   
** Net of foreign capital gains taxes of    $(74,087)    $   
Includes net change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation) of foreign capital gains taxes of    $18,265     $7,324   
^ Includes interest on line of credit of    $496     $1,304   

 

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

 

178  Annual Report

 

 

 

 

  Lazard
Emerging Markets
Equity Advantage
Portfolio
  Lazard Emerging
Markets Equity
Blend Portfolio
 Lazard
Emerging Markets
Equity Portfolio
 Lazard
Equity Franchise
Portfolio
 Lazard Global
Equity Select
Portfolio
                                    
    $363,694      $1,863,664     $176,839,140     $1,155,506     $944,396 
                                    
     156,399       775,430      51,292,796      451,276      449,689 
     72,743       133,881      2,089,502      44,170      64,347 
     2,197       9,975      1,284,097      454      2,489 
     6,276       59,274      715,618      5,127      8,586 
     23,405       30,392      516,342      27,525      29,115 
     48,753       68,288      461,734      43,535      43,408 
     5,707       11,485      345,252      6,823      7,979 
     9,926       17,482      298,404      9,954      12,796 
     36,678       36,410      18,926      33,619      33,404 
     6,572       7,174      235,217      9,753      9,957 
     368,656       1,149,791      57,257,888      632,236      661,770 
     (163,845)      (189,894)     (5,235)     (93,658)     (35,058)
     204,811       959,897      57,252,653      538,578      626,712 
     158,883       903,767      119,586,487      616,928      317,684 
                                    
     883,099       (2,249,451)     (419,542,443)     (1,409,184)     9,748,110 
     (21,992)      (59,146)     (7,269,687)     (2,954)     (17,711)
     861,107       (2,308,597)     (426,812,130)     (1,412,138)     9,730,399 
                                    
     4,662,594       7,729,362      (347,964,757)     12,203,586      8,083,708 
     1,310       1,360      27,675      656      2,672 
                                    
     4,663,904       7,730,722      (347,937,082)     12,204,242      8,086,380 
     5,525,011       5,422,125      (774,749,212)     10,792,104      17,816,779 
                                    
    $5,683,894      $6,325,892     $(655,162,725)    $11,409,032     $18,134,463 
    $52,817      $243,079     $23,393,996     $35,872     $46,080 
    $      $(7,704)    $5,627,164     $     $ 
                                    
    $      $(44,117)    $6,784,698     $     $ 
    $50      $504     $376     $1,193     $939 

 

Annual Report  179

 

 

 

 

For the Year Ended December 31, 2020  Lazard
Global Listed
Infrastructure
Portfolio
  Lazard
Global Strategic
Equity Portfolio
 
Investment Income (Loss)                
                 
Income                
Dividends                
Unaffiliated issuers    $170,193,652     $41,318   
Non-controlled affiliated issuers (a)     22,800,822         
Non-cash dividends     15,419,827         
Total investment income*     208,414,301      41,318   
Expenses                
Management fees (Note 3)     66,219,755      25,734   
Custodian fees     1,142,522      42,128   
Distribution fees (Open Shares)     900,234      368   
Administration fees     691,619      21,798   
Professional services     643,818      45,452   
Shareholders’ reports     559,332      6,480   
Shareholders’ services     490,742      8,579   
Directors’ fees and expenses     365,835      5,616   
Registration fees     276,294      43,925   
Other^     291,370      1,348   
Total gross expenses     71,581,521      201,428   
Management fees waived and expenses reimbursed           (167,730)  
Total net expenses     71,581,521      33,698   
Net investment income (loss)     136,832,780      7,620   
Net Realized and Unrealized Gain (Loss)                
Net realized gain (loss) on:                
Investments     111,160,782      175,088   
Non-controlled affiliated issuers (a)     (12,355,921)        
Foreign currency transactions     1,733,930      (442)  
Forward currency contracts     (342,450,293)        
Total net realized gain (loss)     (241,911,502)     174,646   
Net change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on:                
Investments     (245,851,794)     562,514   
Non-controlled affiliated issuers (a)     (77,970,187)        
Foreign currency translations     108,452      351   
Forward currency contracts     3,106,193         
Total net change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation)     (320,607,336)     562,865   
Net realized and unrealized gain (loss)     (562,518,838)     737,511   
Net increase from payments by affiliates (a)              
Net increase (decrease) in net assets resulting from operations    $(425,686,058)    $745,131   
* Net of foreign withholding taxes of    $14,242,011     $2,878   
^ Includes interest on line of credit of    $     $   
(a) See Note 5 for information on affiliated issuers.

 

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

 

180  Annual Report

 

 

 

 

  Lazard
International
Equity
Advantage
Portfolio
 Lazard
International
Equity
Concentrated
Portfolio
 Lazard
International
Equity
Portfolio
  Lazard
International
Equity
Select
Portfolio
  Lazard
International
Equity
Value
Portfolio
                                   
    $65,936     $1,039,008     $54,700,603     $1,715,650     $61,220 
                              
     5,598                        12,718 
     71,534      1,039,008      54,700,603      1,715,650      73,938 
                                   
     14,782      439,611      20,170,669      557,382      21,897 
     63,534      64,194      549,992      74,141      30,779 
     258      938      576,879      5,930      128 
     21,671      28,112      314,898      31,176      21,736 
     39,785      43,470      385,445      52,818      42,708 
     5,308      7,089      301,935      15,951      5,075 
     8,168      10,580      108,801      12,736      8,428 
     5,161      9,213      132,549      9,310      5,546 
     39,362      39,575      95,564      56,090      47,996 
     1,005      7,023      103,241      8,292      311 
     199,034      649,805      22,739,973      823,826      184,604 
     (178,287)     (133,625)     (22,312)     (45,318)     (158,438)
     20,747      516,180      22,717,661      778,508      26,166 
     50,787      522,828      31,982,942      937,142      47,772 
                                   
     (134,393)     (9,954,036)     (22,036,061)     (1,758,547)     1,801 
                              
     149      (5,710)     (332,308)     (21,864)     8,460 
                              
     (134,244)     (9,959,746)     (22,368,369)     (1,780,411)     10,261 
                                   
     210,769      (7,025,060)     259,070,629      7,049,360      (297,370)
                              
     338      5,387      500,059      13,621      511 
                              
                                   
     211,107      (7,019,673)     259,570,688      7,062,981      (296,859)
     76,863      (16,979,419)     237,202,319      5,282,570      (286,598)
                             88,959 
                                   
    $127,650     $(16,456,591)    $269,185,261     $6,219,712     $(149,867)
    $8,449     $106,196     $6,642,434     $204,446     $8,771 
    $     $1,106     $     $     $262 

 

Annual Report  181

 

 

 

 

For the Year Ended December 31, 2020  Lazard
International
Quality Growth
Portfolio
  Lazard
International
Small Cap
Equity Portfolio
 
Investment Income (Loss)                
                 
Income                
Dividends*    $62,013     $759,104   
Expenses                
Management fees (Note 3)     42,575      330,827   
Distribution fees (Open Shares)     173      34,764   
Custodian fees     30,503      70,858   
Professional services     42,145      67,334   
Administration fees     22,026      26,509   
Shareholders’ reports     11,794      9,569   
Directors’ fees and expenses     5,194      7,477   
Shareholders’ services     8,366      16,107   
Registration fees     40,041      37,504   
Shareholders’ meeting              
Other^     4,802      5,999   
Total gross expenses     207,619      606,948   
Management fees waived and expenses reimbursed     (159,113)     (64,234)  
Shareholders’ services fees waived              
Total net expenses     48,506      542,714   
Net investment income (loss)     13,507      216,390   
Net Realized and Unrealized Gain (Loss)                
Net realized gain (loss) on:                
Investments**     92,211      562,801   
Foreign currency transactions     (3,149)     (15,472)  
Total net realized gain (loss)     89,062      547,329   
Net change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on:                
Investments†     1,554,746      2,265,974   
Foreign currency translations     283      4,989   
Total net change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation)     1,555,029      2,270,963   
Net realized and unrealized gain (loss)     1,644,091      2,818,292   
Net increase (decrease) in net assets resulting from operations    $1,657,598     $3,034,682   
* Net of foreign withholding taxes of    $9,578     $14,751   
** Net of foreign capital gains taxes of    $     $(55)  
Includes net change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation) of foreign capital gains taxes of    $     $(8,994)  
^ Includes interest on line of credit of    $     $363   

 

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

 

182  Annual Report

 

 

 

 

  Lazard
International
Strategic
Equity Portfolio
  Lazard
Managed Equity
Volatility Portfolio
  Lazard
US Equity
Concentrated
Portfolio
  Lazard
US Equity
Focus
Portfolio
  Lazard
US Small-Mid Cap
Equity
Portfolio
                                   
    $105,916,365     $784,643     $24,503,526     $675,690              $1,386,135 
                                   
     39,977,480      182,045      11,593,825      230,830      806,229 
     1,332,947      364      92,132      2,790      28,021 
     1,039,962      66,136      197,168      40,299      50,711 
     538,014      40,502      139,552      133,496      51,403 
     532,426      24,932      211,605      28,875      36,553 
     314,955      5,881      137,473      7,671      13,868 
     285,960      7,096      75,416      9,244      10,947 
     158,672      9,624      72,397      12,789      20,987 
     73,481      35,268      94,086      40,624      58,164 
                       21,974       
     198,596      6,913      66,130      7,187      10,330 
     44,452,493      378,761      12,679,784      535,779      1,087,213 
     (7,162)     (150,233)     (3,142)     (238,819)     (3,325)
                             (534)
     44,445,331      228,528      12,676,642      296,960      1,083,354 
     61,471,034      556,115      11,826,884      378,730      302,781 
                                   
     (38,214,138)     (1,494,073)     44,140,640      3,423,426      (4,631,410)
     (2,509,376)     7,096                   
     (40,723,514)     (1,486,977)     44,140,640      3,423,426      (4,631,410)
                                   
     412,260,632      (962,542)     276,752,935      4,304,928      9,989,695 
     799,513      1,933                   
     413,060,145      (960,609)     276,752,935      4,304,928      9,989,695 
     372,336,631      (2,447,586)     320,893,575      7,728,354      5,358,285 
                                   
    $433,807,665     $(1,891,471)    $332,720,459     $8,107,084     $5,661,066 
    $11,024,752     $47,221     $     $     $ 
    $53,277     $     $     $     $ 
                                   
    $(682,690)    $     $     $     $ 
    $7,570     $310     $2,718     $     $ 

 

Annual Report  183

 

 

 

 

For the Year Ended December 31, 2020   Lazard
US Sustainable
Equity Portfolio (a)
Investment Income (Loss)        
         
Income        
Dividends     $64,795 
Expenses        
Amortization of offering costs (Note 2(f))      59,822 
Professional services      31,125 
Management fees (Note 3)      27,673 
Custodian fees      15,000 
Administration fees      9,576 
Registration fees      6,980 
Organization expenses (Note 2(f))      3,949 
Shareholders’ services      3,025 
Shareholders’ reports      2,999 
Directors’ fees and expenses      2,611 
Distribution fees (Open Shares)      140 
Other      649 
Total gross expenses      163,549 
Management fees waived and expenses reimbursed      (127,324)
Shareholders’ services fees waived      (1,493)
Total net expenses      34,732 
Net investment income (loss)      30,063 
Net Realized and Unrealized Gain (Loss)        
Net realized gain (loss) on Investments      61,946 
Total net realized gain (loss)      61,946 
Net change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on Investments      1,719,335 
Total net change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation)      1,719,335 
Net realized and unrealized gain (loss)      1,781,281 
Net increase (decrease) in net assets resulting from operations     $1,811,344 
(a) From the Portfolio’s commencement of operations on June 30, 2020

 

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

 

184  Annual Report

 

 

 

 

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Annual Report  185

 

The Lazard Funds, Inc. Statements of Changes in Net Assets

 

 

   Lazard
Developing Markets Equity Portfolio
 
   Year Ended
December 31,
2020
  Year Ended
December 31,
2019
 
Increase (Decrease) in Net Assets            
             
Operations            
Net investment income (loss)  $575,171   $1,472,917   
Net realized gain (loss)   930,466    10,699,901   
Net change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation)   19,662,599    46,727,992   
Net increase (decrease) in net assets resulting from operations   21,168,236    58,900,810   
             
Distributions to shareholders (Note 2(e))            
Net investment income and net realized gains            
Institutional Shares   (500,286)   (1,268,157)  
Open Shares   (23,947)   (3,920)  
R6 Shares          
Return of capital            
Institutional Shares          
Open Shares          
Net decrease in net assets resulting from distributions   (524,233)   (1,272,077)  
             
Capital stock transactions            
Net proceeds from sales            
Institutional Shares   33,579,728    60,661,677   
Open Shares   3,336,260    4,243,002   
R6 Shares          
Net proceeds from reinvestment of distributions            
Institutional Shares   389,550    871,419   
Open Shares   21,686    3,642   
R6 Shares          
Cost of shares redeemed            
Institutional Shares   (88,565,915)   (106,223,710)  
Open Shares   (4,209,453)   (4,159,882)  
R6 Shares          
Net increase (decrease) in net assets from capital stock transactions   (55,448,144)   (44,603,852)  
Total increase (decrease) in net assets   (34,804,141)   13,024,881   
Net assets at beginning of period   235,407,517    222,382,636   
Net assets at end of period  $200,603,376   $235,407,517   

 

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

 

186  Annual Report

 

 

 

  Lazard Emerging
Markets Core Equity Portfolio
  Lazard Emerging
Markets Equity Advantage Portfolio
 
  Year Ended
December 31,
2020
  Year Ended
December 31,
2019
  Year Ended
December 31,
2020
  Year Ended
December 31,
2019
 
                      
  $1,250,970   $4,000,423   $158,883   $189,925   
   (15,263,829)   (7,673,952)   861,107    (136,829)  
   36,380,293    42,879,231    4,663,904    1,227,385   
                      
   22,367,434    39,205,702    5,683,894    1,280,481   
                      
   (1,248,908)   (3,951,746)   (250,704)   (180,292)  
   (6,940)   (38,801)   (6,176)   (18,695)  
   (3,206)   (11,560)          
                      
                  
                  
   (1,259,054)   (4,002,107)   (256,880)   (198,987)  
                      
   53,105,750    52,118,039    17,937,030    5,720,662   
   1,691,273    1,564,146    608,209    702,687   
   62,330    29,966           
                      
   1,200,626    3,771,010    250,704    180,292   
   6,902    37,924    6,176    18,695   
   3,206    11,560           
                      
   (62,957,718)   (101,386,896)   (4,770,498)   (784,072)  
   (1,705,658)   (1,384,619)   (1,037,074)   (149,975)  
   (158,910)   (32,195)          
                      
   (8,752,199)   (45,271,065)   12,994,547    5,688,289   
   12,356,181    (10,067,470)   18,421,561    6,769,783   
   200,234,674    210,302,144    10,352,015    3,582,232   
  $212,590,855   $200,234,674   $28,773,576   $10,352,015   

 

Annual Report  187

 

 

 

   Lazard
Developing Markets Equity Portfolio
 
   Year Ended
December 31,
2020
  Year Ended
December 31,
2019
 
Shares issued and redeemed            
             
Institutional Shares            
Shares outstanding at beginning of period   15,534,848    18,836,550   
Shares sold   2,536,944    4,748,515   
Shares issued to shareholders from reinvestment of distributions   27,818    65,429   
Shares redeemed   (7,085,745)   (8,115,646)  
Net increase (decrease)   (4,520,983)   (3,301,702)  
Shares outstanding at end of period   11,013,865    15,534,848   
             
Open Shares            
Shares outstanding at beginning of period   643,853    639,563   
Shares sold   242,484    327,824   
Shares issued to shareholders from reinvestment of distributions   1,556    293   
Shares redeemed   (311,908)   (323,827)  
Net increase (decrease)   (67,868)   4,290   
Shares outstanding at end of period   575,985    643,853   
             
R6 Shares            
Shares outstanding at beginning of period          
Shares sold          
Shares issued to shareholders from reinvestment of distributions          
Shares redeemed          
Net increase (decrease)          
Shares outstanding at end of period          

 

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

 

188  Annual Report

 

 

 

  Lazard Emerging
Markets Core Equity Portfolio
  Lazard Emerging
Markets Equity Advantage Portfolio
 
  Year Ended
December 31,
2020
  Year Ended
December 31,
2019
  Year Ended
December 31,
2020
  Year Ended
December 31,
2019
 
                      
   16,728,969    21,031,193    775,852    309,610   
   5,299,853    4,828,636    1,609,818    519,700   
                      
   95,867    322,340    19,017    15,331   
   (6,153,594)   (9,453,200)   (381,701)   (68,789)  
   (757,874)   (4,302,224)   1,247,134    466,242   
   15,971,095    16,728,969    2,022,986    775,852   
                      
   206,183    187,835    98,083    47,382   
   152,220    143,185    58,240    63,649   
                      
   559    3,247    469    1,588   
   (164,608)   (128,084)   (93,301)   (14,536)  
   (11,829)   18,348    (34,592)   50,701   
   194,354    206,183    63,491    98,083   
                      
   50,582    49,941           
   5,652    2,722           
                      
   255    987           
   (15,035)   (3,068)          
   (9,128)   641           
   41,454    50,582           

 

Annual Report  189

 

 

 

   Lazard Emerging
Markets Equity Blend Portfolio
 
   Year Ended
December 31,
2020
  Year Ended
December 31,
2019
 
Increase (Decrease) in Net Assets            
             
Operations            
Net investment income (loss)  $903,767   $2,249,542   
Net realized gain (loss)   (2,308,597)   3,912,605   
Net change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation)   7,730,722    35,773,294   
Net increase (decrease) in net assets resulting from operations   6,325,892    41,935,441   
             
Distributions to shareholders (Note 2(e))            
Net investment income and net realized gains            
Institutional Shares   (902,733)   (2,027,625)  
Open Shares   (38,967)   (109,850)  
R6 Shares          
Net decrease in net assets resulting from distributions   (941,700)   (2,137,475)  
             
Capital stock transactions            
Net proceeds from sales            
Institutional Shares   13,037,212    18,596,727   
Open Shares   447,062    671,088   
R6 Shares          
Net proceeds from reinvestment of distributions            
Institutional Shares   889,530    1,963,352   
Open Shares   38,190    108,503   
R6 Shares          
Cost of shares redeemed            
Institutional Shares   (41,254,117)   (254,171,213)  
Open Shares   (2,493,332)   (2,194,573)  
R6 Shares          
Net increase (decrease) in net assets from capital stock transactions   (29,335,455)   (235,026,116)  
Total increase (decrease) in net assets   (23,951,263)   (195,228,150)  
Net assets at beginning of period   102,376,138    297,604,288   
Net assets at end of period  $78,424,875   $102,376,138   

 

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

 

190  Annual Report

 

 

 

  Lazard Emerging
Markets Equity Portfolio
  Lazard Equity Franchise Portfolio  
  Year Ended
December 31,
2020
  Year Ended
December 31,
2019
  Year Ended
December 31,
2020
  Year Ended
December 31,
2019
 
                      
  $119,586,487   $202,889,114   $616,928   $553,844   
   (426,812,130)   (249,752,788)   (1,412,138)   1,129,637   
   (347,937,082)   1,440,971,114    12,204,242    2,184,201   
                      
   (655,162,725)   1,394,107,440    11,409,032    3,867,682   
                      
   (92,081,985)   (169,041,662)   (1,012,397)   (2,185,328)  
   (8,363,930)   (21,287,659)   (1,121)   (16,362)  
   (1,004,977)   (4,559,729)          
                      
   (101,450,892)   (194,889,050)   (1,013,518)   (2,201,690)  
                      
   846,924,581    1,241,319,671    66,915,810    32,121,208   
   40,640,285    184,190,310    33,698    81,131   
   14,719,078    23,433,026           
                      
   88,030,506    158,855,659    1,012,397    2,185,328   
   8,264,600    21,088,746    1,121    16,362   
   847,221    4,399,954           
                      
   (3,083,569,274)   (3,359,204,875)   (26,514,732)   (4,408,143)  
   (453,247,114)   (381,266,772)   (183,641)   (3,489)  
   (135,610,119)   (103,858,799)          
                      
   (2,673,000,236)   (2,211,043,080)   41,264,653    29,992,397   
   (3,429,613,853)   (1,011,824,690)   51,660,167    31,658,389   
   7,799,112,118    8,810,936,808    40,189,278    8,530,889   
  $4,369,498,265   $7,799,112,118   $91,849,445   $40,189,278   

 

Annual Report  191

 

 

 

   Lazard Emerging
Markets Equity Blend Portfolio
 
   Year Ended
December 31,
2020
  Year Ended
December 31,
2019
 
Shares issued and redeemed            
             
Institutional Shares            
Shares outstanding at beginning of period   7,913,478    29,084,201   
Shares sold   1,164,850    1,644,397   
Shares issued to shareholders from reinvestment of distributions   67,134    162,664   
Shares redeemed   (3,754,889)   (22,977,784)  
Net increase (decrease)   (2,522,905)   (21,170,723)  
Shares outstanding at end of period   5,390,573    7,913,478   
             
Open Shares            
Shares outstanding at beginning of period   488,799    617,871   
Shares sold   37,429    59,566   
Shares issued to shareholders from reinvestment of distributions   2,871    8,960   
Shares redeemed   (239,024)   (197,598)  
Net increase (decrease)   (198,724)   (129,072)  
Shares outstanding at end of period   290,075    488,799   
             
R6 Shares            
Shares outstanding at beginning of period          
Shares sold          
Shares issued to shareholders from reinvestment of distributions          
Shares redeemed          
Net increase (decrease)          
Shares outstanding at end of period          

 

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

 

192  Annual Report

 

 

 

  Lazard Emerging
Markets Equity Portfolio
  Lazard Equity Franchise Portfolio  
  Year Ended
December 31,
2020
  Year Ended
December 31,
2019
  Year Ended
December 31,
2020
  Year Ended
December 31,
2019
 
                      
   359,649,575    471,588,782    3,919,193    943,047   
   55,904,093    72,409,703    8,314,466    3,186,958   
                      
   5,536,608    9,054,452    102,163    214,812   
   (203,491,938)   (193,403,362)   (3,319,359)   (425,624)  
   (142,051,237)   (111,939,207)   5,097,270    2,976,146   
   217,598,338    359,649,575    9,016,463    3,919,193   
                      
   50,941,578    60,776,573    30,624    21,455   
   2,571,349    10,411,216    4,284    7,904   
                      
   509,353    1,171,555    113    1,608   
   (31,314,539)   (21,417,766)   (22,313)   (343)  
   (28,233,837)   (9,834,995)   (17,916)   9,169   
   22,707,741    50,941,578    12,708    30,624   
                      
   9,977,898    14,479,168           
   1,007,773    1,342,114           
                      
   54,837    250,131           
   (9,730,369)   (6,093,515)          
   (8,667,759)   (4,501,270)          
   1,310,139    9,977,898           

 

Annual Report  193

 

 

 

   Lazard Global Equity Select Portfolio  
   Year Ended
December 31,
2020
  Year Ended
December 31,
2019
 
Increase (Decrease) in Net Assets        
Operations            
Net investment income (loss)  $317,684   $625,877   
Net realized gain (loss)   9,730,399    582,620   
Net change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation)   8,086,380    15,260,079   
Net increase (decrease) in net assets resulting from operations   18,134,463    16,468,576   
Distributions to shareholders (Note 2(e))            
Net investment income and net realized gains            
Institutional Shares   (3,043,294)   (591,542)  
Open Shares   (35,091)   (4,254)  
Return of capital            
Institutional Shares       (41,874)  
Open Shares       (301)  
Net decrease in net assets resulting from distributions   (3,078,385)   (637,971)  
Capital stock transactions            
Net proceeds from sales            
Institutional Shares   57,343,908    23,902,011   
Open Shares   414,176    300,952   
Net proceeds from reinvestment of distributions            
Institutional Shares   3,031,617    632,600   
Open Shares   35,091    4,555   
Cost of shares redeemed            
Institutional Shares   (64,939,018)   (23,506,223)  
Open Shares   (355,466)   (319,957)  
Net increase (decrease) in net assets from capital stock transactions   (4,469,692)   1,013,938   
Total increase (decrease) in net assets   10,586,386    16,844,543   
Net assets at beginning of period   82,989,443    66,144,900   
Net assets at end of period  $93,575,829   $82,989,443   

 

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

 

194  Annual Report

 

 

 

  Lazard Global
Listed Infrastructure Portfolio
  Lazard Global
Strategic Equity Portfolio
 
  Year Ended
December 31,
2020
  Year Ended
December 31,
2019
  Year Ended
December 31,
2020
  Year Ended
December 31,
2019
 
              
  $136,832,780   $174,078,680   $7,620   $30,113   
   (241,911,502)   166,388,366    174,646    70,692   
   (320,607,336)   946,115,341    562,865    666,188   
                      
   (425,686,058)   1,286,582,387    745,131    766,993   
                      
   (146,650,767)   (297,455,372)   (123,283)   (86,901)  
   (7,331,111)   (20,318,540)   (5,397)   (3,549)  
                      
   (34,264,854)              
   (1,712,909)              
   (189,959,641)   (317,773,912)   (128,680)   (90,450)  
                      
   2,811,013,767    2,399,951,864    253,851    10,597   
   97,410,328    148,379,347    23,248    3,345   
                      
   137,048,805    231,028,647    123,283    86,901   
   8,929,119    20,099,034    5,397    3,549   
                      
   (2,357,774,296)   (1,175,735,705)   (77,247)   (62,241)  
   (209,443,477)   (217,741,894)   (13,133)   (26,927)  
                      
   487,184,246    1,405,981,293    315,399    15,224   
   (128,461,453)   2,374,789,768    931,850    691,767   
   7,725,898,458    5,351,108,690    3,328,458    2,636,691   
  $7,597,437,005   $7,725,898,458   $4,260,308   $3,328,458   

 

Annual Report  195

 

 

 

   Lazard Global Equity Select Portfolio  
   Year Ended
December 31,
2020
  Year Ended
December 31,
2019
 
Shares issued and redeemed            
Institutional Shares            
Shares outstanding at beginning of period   5,634,353    5,577,806   
Shares sold   4,228,592    1,750,065   
Shares issued to shareholders from reinvestment of distributions   188,886    43,567   
Shares redeemed   (4,389,328)   (1,737,085)  
Net increase (decrease)   28,150    56,547   
Shares outstanding at end of period   5,662,503    5,634,353   
Open Shares            
Shares outstanding at beginning of period   64,021    65,049   
Shares sold   28,090    22,134   
Shares issued to shareholders from reinvestment of distributions   2,185    314   
Shares redeemed   (23,397)   (23,476)  
Net increase (decrease)   6,878    (1,028)  
Shares outstanding at end of period   70,899    64,021   

 

* Shares and shares transactions were adjusted to reflect 1:5 reverse stock split effective November 17, 2020.

 

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

 

196  Annual Report

 

 

 

  Lazard Global
Listed Infrastructure Portfolio
  Lazard Global
Strategic Equity Portfolio
 
  Year Ended
December 31,
2020
  Year Ended
December 31,
2019
  Year Ended
December 31,
2020
  Year Ended
December 31,
2019
 
              
   461,276,357    364,507,349    309,023*   306,168*  
   194,182,619    160,154,321    24,511*   1,248*  
                      
   10,363,887    15,108,909    10,552*   8,564*  
   (168,322,477)   (78,494,222)   (7,732)*   (6,957)*  
   36,224,029    96,769,008    27,331*   2,855*  
   497,500,386    461,276,357    336,354*   309,023*  
                      
   28,396,647    31,560,099    14,046*   16,156*  
   6,691,684    9,940,665    2,123*   345*  
                      
   677,742    1,315,681    466*   354*  
   (14,772,312)   (14,419,798)   (1,288)*   (2,809)*  
   (7,402,886)   (3,163,452)   1,301*   (2,110)*  
   20,993,761    28,396,647    15,347    14,046*  

 

Annual Report  197

 

 

 

   Lazard International
Equity Advantage Portfolio
 
   Year Ended
December 31,
2020
  Year Ended
December 31,
2019
 
Increase (Decrease) in Net Assets            
Operations            
Net investment income (loss)  $50,787   $53,796   
Net realized gain (loss)   (134,244)   (114,244)  
Net change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation)   211,107    433,593   
Net increase (decrease) in net assets resulting from operations   127,650    373,145   
Distributions to shareholders (Note 2(e))            
Net investment income and net realized gains            
Institutional Shares   (48,006)   (51,885)  
Open Shares   (2,025)   (2,117)  
R6 Shares          
Net decrease in net assets resulting from distributions   (50,031)   (54,002)  
Capital stock transactions            
Net proceeds from sales            
Institutional Shares          
Open Shares          
R6 Shares          
Net proceeds from reinvestment of distributions            
Institutional Shares   48,006    51,885   
Open Shares   2,025    2,117   
R6 Shares          
Cost of shares redeemed            
Institutional Shares   (57,767)      
Open Shares          
R6 Shares          
Net increase (decrease) in net assets from capital stock transactions   (7,736)   54,002   
Total increase (decrease) in net assets   69,883    373,145   
Net assets at beginning of period   2,521,207    2,148,062   
Net assets at end of period  $2,591,090   $2,521,207   

 

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

 

198  Annual Report

 

 

 

  Lazard International
Equity Concentrated Portfolio
  Lazard International Equity Portfolio  
  Year Ended
December 31,
2020
  Year Ended
December 31,
2019
  Year Ended
December 31,
2020
  Year Ended
December 31,
2019
 
              
  $522,828   $1,615,102   $31,982,942   $57,722,385   
   (9,959,746)   409,364    (22,368,369)   11,065,023   
   (7,019,673)   14,997,265    259,570,688    444,077,959   
                      
   (16,456,591)   17,021,731    269,185,261    512,865,367   
                      
   (502,330)   (1,603,404)   (28,031,055)   (51,130,885)  
   (12,425)   (5,862)   (2,010,258)   (4,599,789)  
           (1,244,237)   (2,207,785)  
                      
   (514,755)   (1,609,266)   (31,285,550)   (57,938,459)  
                      
   21,575,394    39,506,689    829,447,085    624,890,241   
   2,660    650    52,835,440    59,304,312   
           55,056,018    39,351,180   
                      
   502,184    1,554,391    25,025,241    45,137,028   
   12,425    5,862    1,799,295    4,082,937   
           1,241,734    2,202,815   
                      
   (89,284,855)   (7,673,168)   (749,116,212)   (673,719,289)  
   (21,492)   (65,223)   (206,597,466)   (74,619,091)  
           (44,843,974)   (58,387,031)  
                      
   (67,213,684)   33,329,201    (35,152,839)   (31,756,898)  
   (84,185,030)   48,741,666    202,746,872    423,170,010   
   98,245,879    49,504,213    2,859,903,241    2,436,733,231   
  $14,060,849   $98,245,879   $3,062,650,113   $2,859,903,241   

 

Annual Report  199

 

 

 

   Lazard International
Equity Advantage Portfolio
 
   Year Ended
December 31,
2020
  Year Ended
December 31,
2019
 
Shares issued and redeemed            
Institutional Shares            
Shares outstanding at beginning of period   241,125    235,905   
Shares sold          
Shares issued to shareholders from reinvestment of distributions   4,784    5,220   
Shares redeemed   (6,383)      
Net increase (decrease)   (1,599)   5,220   
Shares outstanding at end of period   239,526    241,125   
Open Shares            
Shares outstanding at beginning of period   11,318    11,106   
Shares sold          
Shares issued to shareholders from reinvestment of distributions   202    212   
Shares redeemed          
Net increase (decrease)   202    212   
Shares outstanding at end of period   11,520    11,318   
R6 Shares            
Shares outstanding at beginning of period          
Shares sold          
Shares issued to shareholders from reinvestment of distributions          
Shares redeemed          
Net increase (decrease)          
Shares outstanding at end of period          

 

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

 

200   Annual Report

 

 

 

  Lazard International
Equity Concentrated Portfolio
  Lazard International Equity Portfolio  
  Year Ended
December 31,
2020
  Year Ended
December 31,
2019
  Year Ended
December 31,
2020
  Year Ended
December 31,
2019
 
                  
   9,493,019    5,888,251    134,082,503    134,128,473   
   2,373,255    4,243,583    50,874,540    35,978,227   
                      
   51,745    151,058    1,327,534    2,468,167   
   (10,553,930)   (789,873)   (45,793,934)   (38,492,364)  
   (8,128,930)   3,604,768    6,408,140    (45,970)  
   1,364,089    9,493,019    140,490,643    134,082,503   
                      
   41,695    47,769    13,658,790    14,336,300   
   272    67    3,165,143    3,324,184   
                      
   1,277    569    95,416    221,021   
   (2,155)   (6,710)   (10,958,977)   (4,222,715)  
   (606)   (6,074)   (7,698,418)   (677,510)  
   41,089    41,695    5,960,372    13,658,790   
                      
           5,788,801    6,803,382   
           3,191,487    2,243,161   
                      
           65,933    120,673   
           (2,572,399)   (3,378,415)  
           685,021    (1,014,581)  
           6,473,822    5,788,801   

 

Annual Report   201

 

 

 

   Lazard International
Equity Select Portfolio
 
   Year Ended
December 31,
2020
  Year Ended
December 31,
2019
 
Increase (Decrease) in Net Assets            
Operations            
Net investment income (loss)  $937,142   $2,026,601   
Net realized gain (loss)   (1,780,411)   (1,249,040)  
Net change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation)   7,062,981    15,192,386   
Net increase from payments by affiliates          
Net increase (decrease) in net assets resulting from operations   6,219,712    15,969,947   
Distributions to shareholders (Note 2(e))            
Net investment income and net realized gains            
Institutional Shares   (898,108)   (1,961,509)  
Open Shares   (20,139)   (45,672)  
Net decrease in net assets resulting from distributions   (918,247)   (2,007,181)  
Capital stock transactions            
Net proceeds from sales            
Institutional Shares   23,196,482    27,372,157   
Open Shares   1,529,531    2,220,101   
Net proceeds from reinvestment of distributions            
Institutional Shares   874,186    1,894,543   
Open Shares   19,885    45,594   
Cost of shares redeemed             
Institutional Shares   (30,557,726)   (23,919,475)  
Open Shares   (1,462,806)   (1,572,183)  
Net increase (decrease) in net assets from capital stock transactions   (6,400,448)   6,040,737   
Total increase (decrease) in net assets   (1,098,983)   20,003,503   
Net assets at beginning of period   96,087,821    76,084,318   
Net assets at end of period  $94,988,838   $96,087,821   
Shares issued and redeemed            
Institutional Shares            
Shares outstanding at beginning of period   8,707,246    8,172,571   
Shares sold   2,451,854    2,702,352   
Shares issued to shareholders from reinvestment of distributions   77,913    177,060   
Shares redeemed   (3,243,968)   (2,344,737)  
Net increase (decrease)   (714,201)   534,675   
Shares outstanding at end of period   7,993,045    8,707,246   
Open Shares            
Shares outstanding at beginning of period   231,629    163,761   
Shares sold   156,101    216,058   
Shares issued to shareholders from reinvestment of distributions   1,763    4,241   
Shares redeemed   (141,878)   (152,431)  
Net increase (decrease)   15,986    67,868   
Shares outstanding at end of period   247,615    231,629   

 

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

 

202   Annual Report

 

 

 

  Lazard International
Equity Value Portfolio
  Lazard International
Quality Growth Portfolio
 
  Year Ended
December 31,
2020
  Year Ended
December 31,
2019
  Year Ended
December 31,
2020
  Year Ended
December 31,
2019
 
                      
  $47,772   $620,073   $13,507   $22,481   
   10,261    (332,938)   89,062    908   
   (296,859)   2,145,026    1,555,029    884,213   
   88,959               
                      
   (149,867)   2,432,161    1,657,598    907,602   
                      
   (58,054)   (632,861)   (84,866)   (95,391)  
   (741)   (6,391)   (2,354)   (236)  
   (58,795)   (639,252)   (87,220)   (95,627)  
                      
   2,686,850    386,965    5,094,900    2,920,464   
   9,981    111,790    265,673    18,500   
                      
   58,054    632,861    84,866    95,391   
   680    6,262    2,354    236   
                      
   (12,992,331)   (12,619,880)   (208,991)   (17,321)  
   (77,178)   (21,311)   (12,636)   (11,243)  
                      
   (10,313,944)   (11,503,313)   5,226,166    3,006,027   
   (10,522,606)   (9,710,404)   6,796,544    3,818,002   
   13,273,503    22,983,907    3,967,707    149,705   
  $2,750,897   $13,273,503   $10,764,251   $3,967,707   
                      
   1,319,964    2,509,997    311,939    14,900   
   273,087    39,472    370,047    290,807   
                      
   6,508    63,925    5,572    7,589   
   (1,309,909)   (1,293,430)   (15,674)   (1,357)  
   (1,030,314)   (1,190,033)   359,945    297,039   
   289,650    1,319,964    671,884    311,939   
                      
   14,189    4,211    771    100   
   1,262    11,500    18,836    1,613   
                      
   76    633    155    19   
   (11,227)   (2,155)   (985)   (961)  
   (9,889)   9,978    18,006    671   
   4,300    14,189    18,777    771   

 

Annual Report 203

 

 

 

   Lazard International
Small Cap Equity Portfolio
 
   Year Ended
December 31,
2020
  Year Ended
December 31,
2019
 
Increase (Decrease) in Net Assets            
Operations            
Net investment income (loss)  $216,390   $597,260   
Net realized gain (loss)   547,329    (1,233,823)  
Net change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation)   2,270,963    13,644,978   
Net increase (decrease) in net assets resulting from operations   3,034,682    13,008,415   
Distributions to shareholders (Note 2(e))            
Net investment income and net realized gains             
Institutional Shares   (729,812)   (993,572)  
Open Shares   (274,269)   (532,378)  
R6 Shares          
Net decrease in net assets resulting from distributions   (1,004,081)   (1,525,950)  
Capital stock transactions            
Net proceeds from sales             
Institutional Shares   6,686,012    5,735,020   
Open Shares   1,357,370    2,821,054   
R6 Shares          
Net proceeds from reinvestment of distributions             
Institutional Shares   728,414    985,401   
Open Shares   269,502    525,950   
R6 Shares          
Cost of shares redeemed             
Institutional Shares   (17,662,848)   (11,597,241)  
Open Shares   (8,911,562)   (7,881,149)  
R6 Shares          
Net increase (decrease) in net assets from capital stock transactions   (17,533,112)   (9,410,965)  
Total increase (decrease) in net assets   (15,502,511)   2,071,500   
Net assets at beginning of period   57,457,699    55,386,199   
Net assets at end of period  $41,955,188   $57,457,699   

 

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

 

204   Annual Report

 

 

 

  Lazard International
Strategic Equity Portfolio
  Lazard Managed
Equity Volatility Portfolio
 
  Year Ended
December 31,
2020
  Year Ended
December 31,
2019
  Year Ended
December 31,
2020
  Year Ended
December 31,
2019
 
                  
  $61,471,034   $101,146,547   $556,115   $444,759   
   (40,723,514)   (31,395,597)   (1,486,977)   716,348   
   413,060,145    1,109,551,562    (960,609)   3,732,305   
                      
   433,807,665    1,179,302,512    (1,891,471)   4,893,412   
                      
   (53,074,159)   (100,719,323)   (562,392)   (480,167)  
   (4,116,579)   (11,005,478)   (1,918)   (2,562)  
   (1,190,335)   (2,219,743)          
                      
   (58,381,073)   (113,944,544)   (564,310)   (482,729)  
                      
   867,984,229    792,681,193    3,728,503    9,905,800   
   109,837,899    124,036,050    7,770    9,000   
   6,884,808    21,028,905           
                      
   49,928,530    94,513,926    527,907    439,293   
   3,877,654    10,047,508    1,918    2,562   
   1,163,760    2,174,455           
                      
   (1,489,992,288)   (911,120,127)   (10,447,520)   (1,072,923)  
   (288,996,541)   (431,740,280)   (134,993)   (574)  
   (18,963,448)   (19,831,488)          
                      
   (758,275,397)   (318,209,858)   (6,316,415)   9,283,158   
   (382,848,805)   747,148,110    (8,772,196)   13,693,841   
   6,307,423,592    5,560,275,482    34,585,908    20,892,067   
  $5,924,574,787   $6,307,423,592   $25,813,712   $34,585,908   

 

Annual Report  205

 

 

 

   Lazard International
Small Cap Equity Portfolio
 
   Year Ended
December 31,
2020
  Year Ended
December 31,
2019
 
Shares issued and redeemed          
Institutional Shares            
Shares outstanding at beginning of period   3,090,617    3,529,666   
Shares sold   589,232    514,178   
Shares issued to shareholders from reinvestment of distributions   63,230    92,962   
Shares redeemed   (1,567,856)   (1,046,189)  
Net increase (decrease)   (915,394)   (439,049)  
Shares outstanding at end of period   2,175,223    3,090,617   
Open Shares            
Shares outstanding at beginning of period   1,622,591    2,031,598   
Shares sold   121,575    254,632   
Shares issued to shareholders from reinvestment of distributions   23,374    49,571   
Shares redeemed   (835,816)   (713,210)  
Net increase (decrease)   (690,867)   (409,007)  
Shares outstanding at end of period   931,724    1,622,591   
R6 Shares            
Shares outstanding at beginning of period          
Shares sold          
Shares issued to shareholders from reinvestment of distributions          
Shares redeemed          
Net increase (decrease)          
Shares outstanding at end of period          

 

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

 

206   Annual Report

 

 

 

  Lazard International
Strategic Equity Portfolio
  Lazard Managed
Equity Volatility Portfolio
 
  Year Ended
December 31,
2020
  Year Ended
December 31,
2019
  Year Ended
December 31,
2020
  Year Ended
December 31,
2019
 
                      
   357,911,733    359,227,186    2,714,105    1,963,386   
   63,824,929    55,219,621    339,588    804,074   
                      
   3,094,195    6,217,811    45,732    34,782   
   (111,716,620)   (62,752,885)   (915,107)   (88,137)  
   (44,797,496)   (1,315,453)   (529,787)   750,719   
   313,114,237    357,911,733    2,184,318    2,714,105   
                      
   43,939,513    64,009,753    18,298    17,404   
   8,170,528    8,545,569    693    736   
                      
   239,698    656,801    167    203   
   (20,839,894)   (29,272,610)   (12,670)   (45)  
   (12,429,668)   (20,070,240)   (11,810)   894   
   31,509,845    43,939,513    6,488    18,298   
                      
   7,802,421    7,549,275           
   482,711    1,459,355           
                      
   72,070    142,878           
   (1,313,064)   (1,349,087)          
   (758,283)   253,146           
   7,044,138    7,802,421           

 

Annual Report   207

 

 

 

   Lazard US Equity Concentrated Portfolio  
   Year Ended
December 31,
2020
  Year Ended
December 31,
2019
 
Increase in Net Assets             
Operations            
Net investment income (loss)  $11,826,884   $10,746,418   
Net realized gain (loss)   44,140,640    16,675,749   
Net change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation)   276,752,935    316,438,020   
Net increase (decrease) in net assets resulting from operations   332,720,459    343,860,187   
Distributions to shareholders (Note 2(e))            
Net investment income and net realized gains            
Institutional Shares   (31,466,690)   (10,474,453)  
Open Shares   (474,468)   (251,259)  
R6 Shares   (35,269)   (16,815)  
Net decrease in net assets resulting from distributions   (31,976,427)   (10,742,527)  
Capital stock transactions            
Net proceeds from sales             
Institutional Shares   832,814,325    239,444,709   
Open Shares   7,487,780    10,485,661   
R6 Shares   39,699    52,111   
Net proceeds from reinvestment of distributions            
Institutional Shares   29,424,137    9,489,994   
Open Shares   465,481    245,698   
R6 Shares   35,269    16,815   
Cost of shares redeemed            
Institutional Shares   (496,523,782)   (337,781,398)  
Open Shares   (21,891,108)   (27,918,973)  
R6 Shares   (133,537)   (444,560)  
Net increase (decrease) in net assets from capital stock transactions   351,718,264    (106,409,943)  
Total increase (decrease) in net assets   652,462,296    226,707,717   
Net assets at beginning of period   1,320,439,963    1,093,732,246   
Net assets at end of period  $1,972,902,259   $1,320,439,963   

 

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

 

208  Annual Report

 

 

 

  Lazard US Equity Focus Portfolio  Lazard US Small-Mid Cap Equity Portfolio  
  Year Ended
December 31,
2020
  Year Ended
December 31,
2019
  Year Ended
December 31,
2020
  Year Ended
December 31,
2019
 
                      
  $378,730   $775,182   $302,781   $528,891   
   3,423,426    9,274,046    (4,631,410)   9,996,563   
   4,304,928    8,829,523    9,989,695    24,785,901   
                      
   8,107,084    18,878,751    5,661,066    35,311,355   
                      
   (1,576,592)   (3,507,462)   (689,524)   (3,405,960)  
   (62,169)   (115,921)   (79,756)   (467,265)  
   (978,148)   (1,131,458)   (4,077)      
                      
   (2,616,909)   (4,754,841)   (773,357)   (3,873,225)  
                      
   1,198,572    2,432,592    41,076,855    43,497,892   
   49,836    24,674    1,508,700    1,907,057   
   11,195,761    5,577,813    710,287       
                      
   1,575,875    3,507,279    684,306    3,376,123   
   61,322    115,887    73,301    439,046   
   978,148    1,131,458    4,077       
                      
   (7,184,723)   (46,017,010)   (62,404,831)   (80,591,007)  
   (68,642)   (61,182)   (5,586,777)   (4,715,661)  
   (4,575,266)   (8,015,687)   (75,526)      
                      
   3,230,883    (41,304,176)   (24,009,608)   (36,086,550)  
   8,721,058    (27,180,266)   (19,121,899)   (4,648,420)  
   44,386,693    71,566,959    122,754,312    127,402,732   
  $53,107,751   $44,386,693   $103,632,413   $122,754,312   

 

Annual Report  209

 

 

 

   Lazard US Equity Concentrated Portfolio  
   Year Ended
December 31,
2020
  Year Ended
December 31,
2019
 
Shares issued and redeemed             
Institutional Shares            
Shares outstanding at beginning of period   75,485,283    80,772,130   
Shares sold   61,909,549    16,233,590   
Shares issued to shareholders from reinvestment of distributions   1,653,980    564,545   
Shares redeemed   (31,763,969)   (22,084,982)  
Net increase (decrease)   31,799,560    (5,286,847)  
Shares outstanding at end of period   107,284,843    75,485,283   
Open Shares            
Shares outstanding at beginning of period   2,759,073    3,925,727   
Shares sold   471,205    683,831   
Shares issued to shareholders from reinvestment of distributions   25,961    14,504   
Shares redeemed   (1,367,456)   (1,864,989)  
Net increase (decrease)   (870,290)   (1,166,654)  
Shares outstanding at end of period   1,888,783    2,759,073   
R6 Shares†            
Shares outstanding at beginning of period   123,837    147,098   
Shares sold   2,646    3,494   
Shares issued to shareholders from reinvestment of distributions   1,978    998   
Shares redeemed   (8,158)   (27,753)  
Net increase (decrease)   (3,534)   (23,261)  
Shares outstanding at end of period   120,303    123,837   

 

The inception date for the US Small-Mid Cap Equity R6 Shares was January 8, 2020.

 

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

 

210  Annual Report

 

 

 

  Lazard US Equity Focus Portfolio  Lazard US Small-Mid Cap Equity Portfolio  
  Year Ended
December 31,
2020
  Year Ended
December 31,
2019
  Year Ended
December 31,
2020
  Year Ended
December 31,
2019
 
                      
   2,714,562    5,927,072    7,925,745    10,493,688   
   100,582    202,537    3,732,653    3,337,117   
                      
   122,119    292,273    56,694    247,154   
   (613,683)   (3,707,320)   (5,337,199)   (6,152,214)  
   (390,982)   (3,212,510)   (1,547,852)   (2,567,943)  
   2,323,580    2,714,562    6,377,893    7,925,745   
                      
   92,372    85,762    1,164,098    1,368,812   
   4,311    2,053    138,148    159,368   
                      
   4,733    9,609    6,598    34,845   
   (5,819)   (5,052)   (481,424)   (398,927)  
   3,225    6,610    (336,678)   (204,714)  
   95,597    92,372    827,420    1,164,098   
                      
   881,361    982,747           
   1,003,398    474,198    53,236       
                      
   75,523    94,367    338       
   (409,564)   (669,951)   (6,165)      
   669,357    (101,386)   47,409       
   1,550,718    881,361    47,409       

 

Annual Report  211

 

 

 

Year Ended December 31, 2020 (a)  Lazard
US Sustainable
Equity Portfolio
 
Increase in Net Assets     
Operations     
Net investment income (loss)  $30,063 
Net realized gain (loss)   61,946 
Net change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation)   1,719,335 
Net increase (decrease) in net assets resulting from operations   1,811,344 
Distributions to shareholders (Note 2(e))     
Net investment income and net realized gains      
Institutional Shares   (62,973)
Open Shares   (393)
Net decrease in net assets resulting from distributions   (63,366)
Capital stock transactions     
Net proceeds from sales      
Institutional Shares   9,704,139 
Open Shares   105,500 
Net proceeds from reinvestment of distributions     
Institutional Shares   62,973 
Open Shares   393 
Cost of shares redeemed     
Institutional Shares   (3,004)
Net increase (decrease) in net assets from capital stock transactions   9,870,001 
Total increase (decrease) in net assets   11,617,979 
Net assets at beginning of period    
Net assets at end of period  $11,617,979 
Shares issued and redeemed     
Institutional Shares     
Shares outstanding at beginning of period    
Shares sold   937,041 
Shares issued to shareholders from reinvestment of distributions   5,235 
Shares redeemed   (250)
Net increase (decrease)   942,026 
Shares outstanding at end of period   942,026 
Open Shares     
Shares outstanding at beginning of period    
Shares sold   10,462 
Shares issued to shareholders from reinvestment of distributions   33 
Net increase (decrease)   10,495 
Shares outstanding at end of period   10,495 

 

(a) The Portfolio commenced operations on June 30, 2020

 

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

 

212  Annual Report

 

The Lazard Funds, Inc. Financial Highlights

 

 

LAZARD DEVELOPING MARKETS EQUITY PORTFOLIO

 

Selected data for a share
of capital stock outstanding
  Year Ended  
throughout each period  12/31/20   12/31/19   12/31/18   12/31/17   12/31/16   
Institutional Shares                           
Net asset value, beginning of period  $14.55   $11.42   $14.48   $10.28   $9.04   
Income (Loss) from investment operations:                           
Net investment income (loss) (a)   0.04    0.08    0.11    0.03    0.05^  
Net realized and unrealized gain (loss)   2.76    3.13    (3.08)   4.20    1.29   
Total from investment operations   2.80    3.21    (2.97)   4.23    1.34   
Less distributions from:                           
Net investment income   (0.04)   (0.08)   (0.09)   (0.03)   (0.10)  
Total distributions   (0.04)   (0.08)   (0.09)   (0.03)   (0.10)  
Redemption fees                   (b)  
Net asset value, end of period  $17.31   $14.55   $11.42   $14.48   $10.28   
Total Return (c)   19.33%   28.17%   –20.58%   41.15%   14.81%^  
                            
Ratios and Supplemental Data:                           
Net assets, end of period (in thousands)  $190,689   $226,067   $215,120   $268,730   $189,035   
Ratios to average net assets:                           
Net expenses   1.17%   1.16%   1.14%   1.18%   1.21%^  
Gross expenses   1.21%   1.16%   1.14%   1.18%   1.23%  
Net investment income (loss)   0.33%   0.63%   0.83%   0.24%   0.48%^  
Portfolio turnover rate   57%   55%   63%   46%   56%  

 

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

 

Annual Report  213

 

 

 

Selected data for a share
of capital stock outstanding
  Year Ended  
throughout each period  12/31/20   12/31/19   12/31/18   12/31/17   12/31/16   
Open Shares                           
Net asset value, beginning of period  $14.51   $11.36   $14.45   $10.28   $9.05   
Income (Loss) from investment operations:                           
Net investment income (loss) (a)   0.01    0.05    0.06    (0.02)   0.01^  
Net realized and unrealized gain (loss)   2.73    3.11    (3.06)   4.19    1.28   
Total from investment operations   2.74    3.16    (3.00)   4.17    1.29   
Less distributions from:                           
Net investment income   (0.04)   (0.01)   (0.09)       (0.06)  
Total distributions   (0.04)   (0.01)   (0.09)       (0.06)  
Redemption fees                   (b)  
Net asset value, end of period  $17.21   $14.51   $11.36   $14.45   $10.28   
Total Return (c)   18.97%   27.79%  –20.83%#   40.56%     14.31 %  
 
Ratios and Supplemental Data:                           
Net assets, end of period (in thousands)  $9,914   $9,341   $7,263   $12,569   $7,272   
Ratios to average net assets:                           
Net expenses   1.44%   1.46%   1.51%   1.58%   1.60%^  
Gross expenses   1.53%   1.55%   1.51%   1.58%   1.65%  
Net investment income (loss)   0.04%   0.36%   0.42%   –0.17%   0.06%^  
Portfolio turnover rate   57%   55%   63%   46%   56%  

 

^ Refer to Note 3 in the Notes to Financial Statements for discussion of prior period custodian out-of-pocket expenses that were reimbursed to the Portfolio in the period. The amount of the reimbursement was less than $0.005 per share. There was no impact on the total return of the Portfolio. For Institutional Shares, the impact on net expenses and net investment income (loss) ratios of the Portfolio was less than 0.005%. For Open Shares, the net expenses and net investment income (loss) ratios of the Portfolio would be unchanged as the change to the period custodian fees was offset against the period expense waivers/reimbursements with no impact to net expenses or net investment income (loss).
# The Portfolio received settlement proceeds from a foreign exchange trading class action lawsuit. The proceeds from the settlement represented a realized gain and were recorded in the period received. There was a 0.07% impact on the total return of the Portfolio’s Open Shares.
(a) Net investment income (loss) has been computed using the average shares method.
(b) Amount is less than $0.01 per share.
(c) Total returns reflect reinvestment of all dividends and distributions, if any. Certain expenses of the Portfolio may have been waived or reimbursed by the Investment Manager, State Street or DST; without such waiver/reimbursement of expenses, the Portfolio’s returns would have been lower.

 

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

 

214  Annual Report

 

 

 

LAZARD EMERGING MARKETS CORE EQUITY PORTFOLIO

 

Selected data for a share
of capital stock outstanding
  Year Ended  
throughout each period  12/31/20   12/31/19   12/31/18   12/31/17   12/31/16   
Institutional Shares                           
Net asset value, beginning of period  $11.79   $9.89   $12.30   $8.83   $8.60   
Income (Loss) from investment operations:                           
Net investment income (loss) (a)   0.08    0.20    0.16    0.11    0.08   
Net realized and unrealized gain (loss)   1.33    1.93    (2.39)   3.45    0.22   
Total from investment operations   1.41    2.13    (2.23)   3.56    0.30   
Less distributions from:                           
Net investment income   (0.08)   (0.23)   (0.18)   (0.09)   (0.07)  
Total distributions   (0.08)   (0.23)   (0.18)   (0.09)   (0.07)  
Redemption fees                   (b)  
Net asset value, end of period  $13.12   $11.79   $9.89   $12.30   $8.83   
Total Return (c)   11.98%   21.59%   –18.12%   40.35%   3.47%  
                            
Ratios and Supplemental Data:                           
Net assets, end of period (in thousands)  $209,503   $197,213   $207,955   $230,343   $122,995   
Ratios to average net assets:                           
Net expenses   1.20%   1.18%   1.18%   1.20%   1.30%  
Gross expenses   1.20%   1.18%   1.18%   1.20%   1.31%  
Net investment income (loss)   0.70%   1.83%   1.44%   0.98%   0.89%  
Portfolio turnover rate   23%   19%   30%   15%   62%  

 

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

 

Annual Report  215

 

 

 

Selected data for a share
of capital stock outstanding
  Year Ended  
throughout each period  12/31/20   12/31/19   12/31/18   12/31/17   12/31/16   
Open Shares                           
Net asset value, beginning of period  $11.76   $9.87   $12.27   $8.81   $8.58   
Income (Loss) from investment operations:                           
Net investment income (loss) (a)   0.04    0.16    0.11    0.06    0.07   
Net realized and unrealized gain (loss)   1.33    1.92    (2.37)   3.45    0.20   
Total from investment operations   1.37    2.08    (2.26)   3.51    0.27   
Less distributions from:                           
Net investment income   (0.04)   (0.19)   (0.14)   (0.05)   (0.04)  
Total distributions   (0.04)   (0.19)   (0.14)   (0.05)   (0.04)  
Net asset value, end of period  $13.09   $11.76   $9.87   $12.27   $8.81   
Total Return (c)   11.66%   21.08%   –18.43%   39.80%   3.17%  
                            
Ratios and Supplemental Data:                           
Net assets, end of period (in thousands)  $2,544   $2,425   $1,853   $1,828   $729   
Ratios to average net assets:                           
Net expenses   1.50%   1.55%   1.58%   1.60%   1.60%  
Gross expenses   1.62%   1.90%   2.00%   2.45%   2.14%  
Net investment income (loss)   0.35%   1.48%   1.00%   0.56%   0.85%  
Portfolio turnover rate   23%   19%   30%   15%   62%  

 

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

 

216  Annual Report

 

 

 

Selected data for a share
of capital stock outstanding
  Year Ended   For the Period
4/6/18* to
   
throughout each period  12/31/20   12/31/19   12/31/18   
R6 Shares                 
Net asset value, beginning of period  $11.80   $9.89           $12.21   
Income (Loss) from investment operations:                 
Net investment income (loss) (a)   0.07    0.20    0.14   
Net realized and unrealized gain (loss)   1.34    1.94    (2.28)  
Total from investment operations   1.41    2.14    (2.14)  
Less distributions from:                 
Net investment income   (0.08)   (0.23)   (0.18)  
Total distributions   (0.08)   (0.23)   (0.18)  
Net asset value, end of period  $13.13   $11.80   $9.89   
Total Return (c)   11.97%   21.69%   –17.52%  
                  
Ratios and Supplemental Data:                 
Net assets, end of period (in thousands)  $544   $597   $494   
Ratios to average net assets (d):                 
Net expenses   1.20%   1.18%   1.16%  
Gross expenses   1.87%   3.23%   7.68%  
Net investment income (loss)   0.63%   1.80%   1.71%  
Portfolio turnover rate   23%   19%   30%  

 

* The inception date for the R6 Shares was April 6, 2018.
(a) Net investment income (loss) has been computed using the average shares method.
(b) Amount is less than $0.01 per share.
(c) Total returns reflect reinvestment of all dividends and distributions, if any. Certain expenses of the Portfolio may have been waived or reimbursed by the Investment Manager, State Street or DST; without such waiver/reimbursement of expenses, the Portfolio’s returns would have been lower. Returns for a period of less than one year are not annualized.
(d) Annualized for a period of less than one year except for non-recurring expenses.

 

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

 

Annual Report  217

 

 

 

LAZARD EMERGING MARKETS EQUITY ADVANTAGE PORTFOLIO

 

Selected data for a share
of capital stock outstanding
  Year Ended  
throughout each period  12/31/20   12/31/19   12/31/18   12/31/17   12/31/16   
Institutional Shares                           
Net asset value, beginning of period  $11.84   $10.03   $12.27   $8.71   $8.06   
Income (Loss) from investment operations:                           
Net investment income (loss) (a)   0.10    0.24    0.19    0.12    0.12   
Net realized and unrealized gain (loss)   1.97    1.80    (2.19)   3.58    0.67   
Total from investment operations   2.07    2.04    (2.00)   3.70    0.79   
Less distributions from:                           
Net investment income   (0.10)   (0.23)   (0.22)   (0.13)   (0.13)  
Net realized gains   (0.02)       (b)          
Return of capital           (0.02)   (0.01)   (0.01)  
Total distributions   (0.12)   (0.23)   (0.24)   (0.14)   (0.14)  
Net asset value, end of period  $13.79   $11.84   $10.03   $12.27   $8.71   
Total Return (c)   17.50%   20.34%  –16.23%   42.52%   9.83%  
                            
Ratios and Supplemental Data:                           
Net assets, end of period (in thousands)  $27,898   $9,190   $3,107   $4,191   $2,896   
Ratios to average net assets:                           
Net expenses   1.10%   1.10%   1.10%   1.10%   1.10%  
Gross expenses   1.97%   3.19%   5.60%   6.29%   9.57%  
Net investment income (loss)   0.87%   2.15%   1.59%   1.15%   1.41%  
Portfolio turnover rate   91%   59%   61%   52%   57%  

 

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

 

218  Annual Report

 

 

 

Selected data for a share
of capital stock outstanding
  Year Ended  
throughout each period  12/31/20   12/31/19   12/31/18   12/31/17   12/31/16   
Open Shares                           
Net asset value, beginning of period  $11.85   $10.04   $12.27   $8.71   $8.06   
Income (Loss) from investment operations:                           
Net investment income (loss) (a)   0.09    0.21    0.16    0.08    0.09   
Net realized and unrealized gain (loss)   1.93    1.79    (2.18)   3.58    0.68   
Total from investment operations   2.02    2.00    (2.02)   3.66    0.77   
Less distributions from:                           
Net investment income   (0.06)   (0.19)   (0.19)   (0.09)   (0.11)  
Net realized gains   (0.02)       (b)          
Return of capital           (0.02)   (0.01)   (0.01)  
Total distributions   (0.08)   (0.19)   (0.21)   (0.10)   (0.12)  
Net asset value, end of period  $13.79   $11.85   $10.04   $12.27   $8.71   
Total Return (c)   17.10%   19.97%  –16.40%   42.09%   9.51%  
                            
Ratios and Supplemental Data:                           
Net assets, end of period (in thousands)  $876   $1,162   $476   $356   $120   
Ratios to average net assets:                           
Net expenses   1.35%   1.38%   1.40%   1.40%   1.40%  
Gross expenses   2.68%   4.32%   8.09%   12.17%   20.02%  
Net investment income (loss)   0.76%   1.87%   1.35%   0.72%   1.06%  
Portfolio turnover rate   91%   59%   61%   52%   57%  

 

(a) Net investment income (loss) has been computed using the average shares method.
(b) Amount is less than $0.01 per share.
(c) Total returns reflect reinvestment of all dividends and distributions, if any. Certain expenses of the Portfolio may have been waived or reimbursed by the Investment Manager, State Street or DST; without such waiver/reimbursement of expenses, the Portfolio’s returns would have been lower.

 

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

 

Annual Report  219

 

 

 

LAZARD EMERGING MARKETS EQUITY BLEND PORTFOLIO

 

Selected data for a share
of capital stock outstanding
  Year Ended  
throughout each period  12/31/20   12/31/19   12/31/18   12/31/17   12/31/16   
Institutional Shares                           
Net asset value, beginning of period  $12.18   $10.02   $12.93   $9.60   $8.53   
Income (Loss) from investment operations:                           
Net investment income (loss) (a)   0.13    0.13    0.17    0.10    0.08^  
Net realized and unrealized gain (loss)   1.66    2.29    (2.89)   3.35    1.04   
Total from investment operations   1.79    2.42    (2.72)   3.45    1.12   
Less distributions from:                           
Net investment income   (0.17)   (0.26)   (0.19)   (0.12)   (0.05)  
Total distributions   (0.17)   (0.26)   (0.19)   (0.12)   (0.05)  
Redemption fees                   (b)  
Net asset value, end of period  $13.80   $12.18   $10.02   $12.93   $9.60   
Total Return (c)   14.74%   24.21%   –21.05%   35.98%   13.12%^  
                            
Ratios and Supplemental Data:                           
Net assets, end of period (in thousands)  $74,406   $96,399   $291,404   $385,492   $282,473   
Ratios to average net assets:                           
Net expenses   1.22%   1.26%   1.15%   1.21%   1.25%^  
Gross expenses   1.46%   1.26%   1.15%   1.21%   1.26%  
Net investment income (loss)   1.18%   1.16%   1.39%   0.90%   0.88%^  
Portfolio turnover rate   53%   56%   61%   57%   47%  

 

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

 

220  Annual Report

 

 

 

Selected data for a share
of capital stock outstanding
  Year Ended  
throughout each period  12/31/20   12/31/19   12/31/18   12/31/17   12/31/16   
Open Shares                           
Net asset value, beginning of period  $12.23   $10.03   $12.95   $9.62   $8.55   
Income (Loss) from investment operations:                           
Net investment income (loss) (a)   0.10    0.14    0.12    0.06    0.05^  
Net realized and unrealized gain (loss)   1.65    2.29    (2.89)   3.34    1.04   
Total from investment operations   1.75    2.43    (2.77)   3.40    1.09   
Less distributions from:                           
Net investment income   (0.13)   (0.23)   (0.15)   (0.07)   (0.02)  
Return of capital                   (b)  
Total distributions   (0.13)   (0.23)   (0.15)   (0.07)   (0.02)  
Redemption fees               (b)   (b)  
Net asset value, end of period  $13.85   $12.23   $10.03   $12.95   $9.62   
Total Return (c)   14.39%   24.21%  –21.39%   35.38%   12.74%^  
                            
Ratios and Supplemental Data:                           
Net assets, end of period (in thousands)  $4,019   $5,977   $6,200   $9,728   $6,804   
Ratios to average net assets:                           
Net expenses   1.48%   1.52%   1.53%   1.60%   1.60%^  
Gross expenses   1.83%   1.77%   1.53%   1.61%   1.89%  
Net investment income (loss)   0.88%   1.27%   1.01%   0.50%   0.54%^  
Portfolio turnover rate   53%   56%   61%   57%   47%  

 

^ Refer to Note 3 in the Notes to Financial Statements for discussion of prior period custodian out-of-pocket expenses that were reimbursed to the Portfolio in the period. The amount of the reimbursement was less than $0.005 per share. There was no impact on the total return of the Portfolio. The impact on net expenses and net investment income (loss) ratios of the Portfolio was less than 0.005%.
(a) Net investment income (loss) has been computed using the average shares method.
(b) Amount is less than $0.01 per share.
(c) Total returns reflect reinvestment of all dividends and distributions, if any. Certain expenses of the Portfolio may have been waived or reimbursed by the Investment Manager, State Street or DST; without such waiver/reimbursement of expenses, the Portfolio’s returns would have been lower.

 

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

 

Annual Report  221

 

 

 

LAZARD EMERGING MARKETS EQUITY PORTFOLIO

 

Selected data for a share
of capital stock outstanding
  Year Ended  
throughout each period  12/31/20  12/31/19  12/31/18  12/31/17  12/31/16  
Institutional Shares                           
Net asset value, beginning of period  $18.48   $16.06   $20.02   $15.96   $13.44   
Income (Loss) from investment operations:                           
Net investment income (loss) (a)   0.37    0.42    0.39    0.33    0.24^  
Net realized and unrealized gain (loss)   (0.44)   2.45    (4.01)   4.13    2.52   
Total from investment operations   (0.07)   2.87    (3.62)   4.46    2.76   
Less distributions from:                           
Net investment income   (0.38)   (0.45)   (0.34)   (0.40)   (0.24)  
Total distributions   (0.38)   (0.45)   (0.34)   (0.40)   (0.24)  
Redemption fees                   (b)  
Net asset value, end of period  $18.03   $18.48   $16.06   $20.02   $15.96   
Total Return (c)   –0.10%   18.04%   –18.09%   28.02%   20.52%^  
                            
Ratios and Supplemental Data:                           
Net assets, end of period (in thousands)  $3,923,878   $6,645,429   $7,573,861   $11,285,358   $9,311,693   
Ratios to average net assets:                           
Net expenses   1.09%   1.08%   1.07%   1.08%   1.09%^  
Gross expenses   1.09%   1.08%   1.07%   1.08%   1.09%  
Net investment income (loss)   2.36%   2.42%   2.12%   1.82%   1.59%^  
Portfolio turnover rate   39%   20%   16%   14%   12%  

 

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

 

222  Annual Report

 

 

 

 

Selected data for a share
of capital stock outstanding
  Year Ended  
throughout each period  12/31/20  12/31/19  12/31/18  12/31/17  12/31/16  
Open Shares                           
Net asset value, beginning of period  $19.03   $16.53   $20.60   $16.41   $13.82   
Income (Loss) from investment operations:                           
Net investment income (loss) (a)   0.34    0.39    0.35    0.29    0.21^  
Net realized and unrealized gain (loss)   (0.45)   2.52    (4.12)   4.25    2.58   
Total from investment operations   (0.11)   2.91    (3.77)   4.54    2.79   
Less distributions from:                           
Net investment income   (0.34)   (0.41)   (0.30)   (0.35)   (0.20)  
Total distributions   (0.34)   (0.41)   (0.30)   (0.35)   (0.20)  
Redemption fees                   (b)  
Net asset value, end of period  $18.58   $19.03   $16.53   $20.60   $16.41   
Total Return (c)   –0.34%   17.73%   –18.32%   27.73%   20.17%^  
                            
Ratios and Supplemental Data:                           
Net assets, end of period (in thousands)  $421,990   $969,347   $1,004,569   $1,515,715   $1,287,552   
Ratios to average net assets:                           
Net expenses   1.34%   1.34%   1.32%   1.34%   1.35%^  
Gross expenses   1.34%   1.34%   1.32%   1.34%   1.35%  
Net investment income (loss)   2.08%   2.19%   1.85%   1.55%   1.35%^  
Portfolio turnover rate   39%   20%   16%   14%   12%  

 

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

 

Annual Report  223

 

 

 

 

Selected data for a share
of capital stock outstanding
  Year Ended  
throughout the period  12/31/20  12/31/19  12/31/18  12/31/17  12/31/16  
R6 Shares                           
Net asset value, beginning of period  $18.47   $16.06   $20.02   $15.96   $13.44   
Income (Loss) from investment operations:                           
Net investment income (loss) (a)   0.40    0.40    0.40    0.35    0.23^  
Net realized and unrealized gain (loss)   (0.45)   2.46    (4.02)   4.11    2.53   
Total from investment operations   (0.05)   2.86    (3.62)   4.46    2.76   
Less distributions from:                           
Net investment income   (0.38)   (0.45)   (0.34)   (0.40)   (0.24)  
Total distributions   (0.38)   (0.45)   (0.34)   (0.40)   (0.24)  
Net asset value, end of period  $18.04   $18.47   $16.06   $20.02   $15.96   
Total Return (c)   0.01%   17.98%   –18.09%   28.02%   20.52%^  
                            
Ratios and Supplemental Data:                           
Net assets, end of period (in thousands)  $23,631   $184,337   $232,507   $372,568   $197,959   
Ratios to average net assets:                           
Net expenses   1.08%   1.08%   1.07%   1.08%   1.09%^  
Gross expenses   1.09%   1.08%   1.07%   1.08%   1.10%  
Net investment income (loss)   2.52%   2.30%   2.15%   1.91%   1.54%^  
Portfolio turnover rate   39%   20%   16%   14%   12%  

 

^ Refer to Note 3 in the Notes to Financial Statements for discussion of prior period custodian out-of-pocket expenses that were reimbursed to the Portfolio in the period. The amount of the reimbursement was less than $0.005 per share. There was no impact on the total return of the Portfolio. The impact on net expenses and net investment income (loss) ratios of the Portfolio was less than 0.005%.
(a) Net investment income (loss) has been computed using the average shares method.
(b) Amount is less than $0.01 per share.
(c) Total returns reflect reinvestment of all dividends and distributions, if any. Certain expenses of the Portfolio may have been waived or reimbursed by the Investment Manager, State Street or DST; without such waiver/reimbursement of expenses, the Portfolio’s returns would have been lower.

 

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

 

224  Annual Report

 

 

 

LAZARD EQUITY FRANCHISE PORTFOLIO

 

Selected data for a share
of capital stock outstanding
  Year Ended  For the Period
9/29/17* to
 
throughout each period  12/31/20  12/31/19  12/31/18  12/31/17  
Institutional Shares                        
Net asset value, beginning of period  $10.17   $8.84   $10.38     $10.00   
Income (Loss) from investment operations:                        
Net investment income (loss) (a)   0.10    0.19    0.20      0.03   
Net realized and unrealized gain (loss)   0.02    1.73    (0.75)     0.40   
Total from investment operations   0.12    1.92    (0.55)     0.43   
Less distributions from:                        
Net investment income   (0.07)   (0.15)   (0.21)     (0.03)  
Net realized gains   (0.05)   (0.44)   (0.78)     (0.02)  
Total distributions   (0.12)   (0.59)   (0.99)     (0.05)  
Net asset value, end of period  $10.17   $10.17   $8.84     $10.38   
Total Return (b)   1.15%   21.70%   –5.10%     4.25%  
                         
Ratios and Supplemental Data:                        
Net assets, end of period (in thousands)  $91,720   $39,878   $8,341     $5,566   
Ratios to average net assets (c):                        
Net expenses   0.95%   0.95%   0.95%     0.95%  
Gross expenses   1.11%   1.36%   3.42%     3.21%  
Net investment income (loss)   1.09%   1.95%   1.94%     1.26%  
Portfolio turnover rate   79%   95%   97%     10%  

 

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

 

Annual Report  225

 

 

 

 

Selected data for a share
of capital stock outstanding
  Year Ended  For the Period
9/29/17* to
 
throughout each period  12/31/20  12/31/19  12/31/18  12/31/17  
Open Shares                        
Net asset value, beginning of period  $10.17    $ 8.84    $10.38      $10.00   
Income (Loss) from investment operations:                        
Net investment income (loss) (a)   0.09    0.16    0.19      0.03   
Net realized and unrealized gain (loss)   (d)   1.73    (0.77)     0.39   
Total from investment operations   0.09    1.89    (0.58)     0.42   
Less distributions from:                        
Net investment income   (0.04)   (0.12)   (0.18)     (0.02)  
Net realized gains   (0.05)   (0.44)   (0.78)     (0.02)  
Total distributions   (0.09)   (0.56)   (0.96)     (0.04)  
Net asset value, end of period  $10.17    $10.17    $ 8.84      $10.38   
Total Return (b)   0.90%   21.40%   –5.34%     4.18%  
                         
Ratios and Supplemental Data:                        
Net assets, end of period (in thousands)   $  129    $  312    $  190      $  111   
Ratios to average net assets (c):                        
Net expenses   1.20%   1.18%   1.20%     1.20%  
Gross expenses   3.64%   5.78%   10.19%     23.62%  
Net investment income (loss)   1.00%   1.64%   1.75%     1.14%  
Portfolio turnover rate   79%   95%   97%     10%  

 

* The Portfolio commenced operations on September 29, 2017.
(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 may have been waived or reimbursed by the Investment Manager, State Street or DST; without such waiver/reimbursement of expenses, the Portfolio’s returns would have been lower. Returns for a period of less than one year are not annualized.
(c) Annualized for a period of less than one year except for non-recurring expenses.
(d) Amount is less than $0.01 per share.

 

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

 

226  Annual Report

 

 

 

LAZARD GLOBAL EQUITY SELECT PORTFOLIO

 

Selected data for a share
of capital stock outstanding
  Year Ended  
throughout each period  12/31/20  12/31/19  12/31/18  12/31/17  12/31/16  
Institutional Shares                           
Net asset value, beginning of period  $14.56   $11.72   $13.04   $10.53   $10.33   
Income (Loss) from investment operations:                           
Net investment income (loss) (a)   0.07    0.11    0.09    0.07    0.09   
Net realized and unrealized gain (loss)   2.24    2.84    (1.02)   2.93    0.18   
Total from investment operations   2.31    2.95    (0.93)   3.00    0.27   
Less distributions from:                           
Net investment income   (0.05)   (0.10)   (0.06)   (0.10)   (0.07)  
Net realized gains   (0.50)       (0.32)   (0.39)      
Return of capital       (0.01)   (0.01)          
Total distributions   (0.55)   (0.11)   (0.39)   (0.49)   (0.07)  
Redemption fees                   (b)  
Net asset value, end of period  $16.32   $14.56   $11.72   $13.04   $10.53   
Total Return (c)   15.97%   25.20%   –7.12%   28.52%   2.66%  
                            
Ratios and Supplemental Data:                           
Net assets, end of period (in thousands)  $92,418   $82,057   $65,382   $58,201   $31,197   
Ratios to average net assets:                           
Net expenses   0.90%   1.01%   1.05%   1.05%   1.07%  
Gross expenses   0.95%   1.08%   1.08%   1.30%   1.75%  
Net investment income (loss)   0.46%   0.85%   0.70%   0.60%   0.86%  
Portfolio turnover rate   90%   25%   34%   34%   40%  

 

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

 

Annual Report  227

 

 

 

 

Selected data for a share
of capital stock outstanding
  Year Ended  
throughout each period  12/31/20  12/31/19  12/31/18  12/31/17  12/31/16  
Open Shares                           
Net asset value, beginning of period  $14.57   $11.73   $13.04   $10.54   $10.34   
Income (Loss) from investment operations:                           
Net investment income (loss) (a)   0.05    0.08    0.05    0.04    0.06   
Net realized and unrealized gain (loss)   2.22    2.83    (1.01)   2.91    0.18   
Total from investment operations   2.27    2.91    (0.96)   2.95    0.24   
Less distributions from:                           
Net investment income   (0.01)   (0.07)   (0.02)   (0.06)   (0.04)  
Net realized gains   (0.50)       (0.32)   (0.39)      
Return of capital       (b)   (0.01)          
Total distributions   (0.51)   (0.07)   (0.35)   (0.45)   (0.04)  
Net asset value, end of period  $16.33   $14.57   $11.73   $13.04   $10.54   
Total Return (c)   15.67%   24.82%   –7.33%   28.01%   2.35%  
                            
Ratios and Supplemental Data:                           
Net assets, end of period (in thousands)  $1,158   $933   $763   $711   $515   
Ratios to average net assets:                           
Net expenses   1.15%   1.30%   1.35%   1.35%   1.37%  
Gross expenses   1.74%   2.36%   2.80%   3.70%   5.38%  
Net investment income (loss)   0.35%   0.56%   0.41%   0.32%   0.56%  
Portfolio turnover rate   90%   25%   34%   34%   40%  

 

(a) Net investment income (loss) has been computed using the average shares method.
(b) Amount is less than $0.01 per share.
(c) Total returns reflect reinvestment of all dividends and distributions, if any. Certain expenses of the Portfolio may have been waived or reimbursed by the Investment Manager, State Street or DST; without such waiver/reimbursement of expenses, the Portfolio’s returns would have been lower.

 

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

 

228  Annual Report

 

 

 

LAZARD GLOBAL LISTED INFRASTRUCTURE PORTFOLIO

 

Selected data for a share
of capital stock outstanding
  Year Ended  
throughout each period  12/31/20  12/31/19  12/31/18  12/31/17  12/31/16  
Institutional Shares                           
Net asset value, beginning of period  $15.78   $13.51   $15.99   $14.17   $13.42   
Income (Loss) from investment operations:                           
Net investment income (loss) (a)   0.27    0.40    0.41    0.39    0.31^  
Net realized and unrealized gain (loss)   (1.02)   2.57    (0.96)   2.54    0.92   
Total from investment operations   (0.75)   2.97    (0.55)   2.93    1.23   
Less distributions from:                           
Net investment income   (0.04)   (0.70)   (0.72)   (0.29)   (0.34)  
Net realized gains   (0.27)       (1.21)   (0.82)   (0.14)  
Return of capital   (0.07)                  
Total distributions   (0.38)   (0.70)   (1.93)   (1.11)   (0.48)  
Redemption fees                   (b)  
Net asset value, end of period  $14.65   $15.78   $13.51   $15.99   $14.17   
Total Return (c)   –4.48%   22.26%   –3.68%   20.73%   9.30%^  
                            
Ratios and Supplemental Data:                           
Net assets, end of period (in thousands)  $7,289,680   $7,277,512   $4,924,359   $4,778,042   $2,931,161   
Ratios to average net assets:                           
Net expenses   0.96%   0.95%   0.95%   0.95%   0.96%^  
Gross expenses   0.96%   0.95%   0.95%   0.95%   0.96%  
Net investment income (loss)   1.87%   2.63%   2.65%   2.44%   2.29%^  
Portfolio turnover rate   42%   33%   49%   33%   35%  

 

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

 

Annual Report  229

 

 

 

 

Selected data for a share
of capital stock outstanding
  Year Ended  
throughout each period  12/31/20  12/31/19  12/31/18  12/31/17  12/31/16  
Open Shares                           
Net asset value, beginning of period  $15.79   $13.52   $16.01   $14.20   $13.45   
Income (Loss) from investment operations:                           
Net investment income (loss) (a)   0.23    0.36    0.37    0.35    0.29^  
Net realized and unrealized gain (loss)   (1.01)   2.57    (0.97)   2.55    0.91   
Total from investment operations   (0.78)   2.93    (0.60)   2.90    1.20   
Less distributions from:                           
Net investment income   (0.03)   (0.66)   (0.68)   (0.27)   (0.31)  
Net realized gains   (0.25)       (1.21)   (0.82)   (0.14)  
Return of capital   (0.07)                  
Total distributions   (0.35)   (0.66)   (1.89)   (1.09)   (0.45)  
Redemption fees                   (b)  
Net asset value, end of period  $14.66   $15.79   $13.52   $16.01   $14.20   
Total Return (c)   –4.68%   21.94%   –3.98%   20.47%   9.01%^  
                            
Ratios and Supplemental Data:                           
Net assets, end of period (in thousands)  $307,757   $448,387   $426,749   $633,243   $462,613   
Ratios to average net assets:                           
Net expenses   1.21%   1.20%   1.20%   1.21%   1.22%^  
Gross expenses   1.21%   1.20%   1.20%   1.21%   1.22%  
Net investment income (loss)   1.57%   2.39%   2.36%   2.16%   2.09%^  
Portfolio turnover rate   42%   33%   49%   33%   35%  

 

^ Refer to Note 3 in the Notes to Financial Statements for discussion of prior period custodian out-of-pocket expenses that were reimbursed to the Portfolio in the period. The amount of the reimbursement was less than $0.005 per share. There was no impact on the total return of the Portfolio. The impact on net expenses and net investment income (loss) ratios of the Portfolio was less than 0.005%.
(a) Net investment income (loss) has been computed using the average shares method.
(b) Amount is less than $0.01 per share.
(c) Total returns reflect reinvestment of all dividends and distributions, if any.

 

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

 

230  Annual Report

 

 

 

LAZARD GLOBAL STRATEGIC EQUITY PORTFOLIO

 

Selected data for a share
of capital stock outstanding
  Year Ended  
throughout each period  12/31/20*  12/31/19*  12/31/18*  12/31/17*  12/31/16*  
Institutional Shares                           
Net asset value, beginning of period  $10.30   $8.20   $11.55   $47.95   $48.35   
Income (Loss) from investment operations:                           
Net investment income (loss) (a)   0.02    0.10    0.05    0.40    0.35   
Net realized and unrealized gain (loss)   2.17    2.30    (0.90)   11.20    (0.40)  
Total from investment operations   2.19    2.40    (0.85)   11.60    (0.05)  
Less distributions from:                           
Net investment income   (0.01)   (0.10)   (0.05)   (1.00)   (0.35)  
Net realized gains   (0.36)   (0.20)   (2.45)   (47.00)      
Total distributions   (0.37)   (0.30)   (2.50)   (48.00)   (0.35)  
Net asset value, end of period  $12.12   $10.30   $8.20   $11.55   $47.95   
Total Return (b)   21.48%   29.19%   –9.16%   24.20%   –0.15%  
                            
Ratios and Supplemental Data:                           
Net assets, end of period (in thousands)  $4,076   $3,185   $2,505   $2,750   $19,816   
Ratios to average net assets:                           
Net expenses   0.97%   1.00%   1.05%   1.10%   1.10%  
Gross expenses   5.74%   6.07%   6.41%   2.06%   2.03%  
Net investment income (loss)   0.23%   1.01%   0.60%   0.76%   0.76%  
Portfolio turnover rate   59%   49%   46%   65%   67%  

 

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

 

Annual Report  231

 

 

 

 

 

Selected data for a share
of capital stock outstanding
  Year Ended  
throughout each period  12/31/20*  12/31/19*  12/31/18*  12/31/17*  12/31/16*  
Open Shares                           
Net asset value, beginning of period  $10.25   $8.15   $11.50   $47.95   $48.35   
Income (Loss) from investment operations:                           
Net investment income (loss) (a)   (c)   0.05    0.05    0.15    0.20   
Net realized and unrealized gain (loss)   2.13    2.30    (0.95)   11.25    (0.40)  
Total from investment operations   2.13    2.35    (0.90)   11.40    (0.20)  
Less distributions from:                           
Net investment income   (c)   (0.05)   (c)   (0.85)   (0.20)  
Net realized gains   (0.36)   (0.20)   (2.45)   (47.00)      
Total distributions   (0.36)   (0.25)   (2.45)   (47.85)   (0.20)  
Net asset value, end of period  $12.02   $10.25   $8.15   $11.50   $47.95   
Total Return (b)   20.96%   29.01%   –9.39%   23.72%   –0.45%  
                            
Ratios and Supplemental Data:                           
Net assets, end of period (in thousands)  $184   $144   $131   $149   $114   
Ratios to average net assets:                           
Net expenses   1.22%   1.29%   1.35%   1.41%   1.40%  
Gross expenses   8.76%   13.26%   14.05%   12.33%   13.31%  
Net investment income (loss)   –0.01%   0.72%   0.29%   0.34%   0.39%  
Portfolio turnover rate   59%   49%   46%   65%   67%  

 

* On December 17, 2020, the Fund effected a 1:5 reverse share split. All per share data prior to December 17, 2020 has been adjusted to reflect the reverse share split.
(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 may have been waived or reimbursed by the Investment Manager, State Street or DST; without such waiver/reimbursement of expenses, the Portfolio’s returns would have been lower.
(c) Amount is less than $0.01 per share.

 

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

 

232  Annual Report

 

 

 

LAZARD INTERNATIONAL EQUITY ADVANTAGE PORTFOLIO

 

Selected data for a share
of capital stock outstanding
  Year Ended  
throughout each period  12/31/20   12/31/19   12/31/18   12/31/17   12/31/16   
Institutional Shares                           
Net asset value, beginning of period  $9.99   $8.70   $10.92   $8.91   $9.21   
Income (Loss) from investment operations:                           
Net investment income (loss) (a)   0.20    0.22    0.24    0.19    0.18   
Net realized and unrealized gain (loss)   0.33    1.29    (2.01)   2.03    (0.28)  
Total from investment operations   0.53    1.51    (1.77)   2.22    (0.10)  
Less distributions from:                           
Net investment income   (0.20)   (0.22)   (0.33)   (0.21)   (0.20)  
Net realized gains           (0.12)          
Total distributions   (0.20)   (0.22)   (0.45)   (0.21)   (0.20)  
Net asset value, end of period  $10.32   $9.99   $8.70   $10.92   $8.91   
Total Return (b)   5.41%   17.37%   –16.26%   24.98%   –1.13%  
                            
Ratios and Supplemental Data:                           
Net assets, end of period (in thousands)  $2,472   $2,408   $2,051   $2,508   $1,969   
Ratios to average net assets:                           
Net expenses   0.90%   0.90%   0.90%   0.90%   0.90%  
Gross expenses   8.57%   8.40%   7.60%   8.91%   13.12%  
Net investment income (loss)   2.24%   2.30%   2.29%   1.89%   2.08%  
Portfolio turnover rate   109%   66%   72%   88%   92%  

 

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

 

Annual Report  233

 

 

 

Selected data for a share
of capital stock outstanding
  Year Ended  
throughout each period  12/31/20   12/31/19   12/31/18   12/31/17   12/31/16   
Open Shares                           
Net asset value, beginning of period  $9.99   $8.70   $10.92   $8.91   $9.21   
Income (Loss) from investment operations:                           
Net investment income (loss) (a)   0.18    0.19    0.21    0.16    0.15   
Net realized and unrealized gain (loss)   0.33    1.29    (2.01)   2.03    (0.28)  
Total from investment operations   0.51    1.48    (1.80)   2.19    (0.13)  
Less distributions from:                           
Net investment income   (0.18)   (0.19)   (0.30)   (0.18)   (0.17)  
Net realized gains           (0.12)          
Total distributions   (0.18)   (0.19)   (0.42)   (0.18)   (0.17)  
Net asset value, end of period  $10.32   $9.99   $8.70   $10.92   $8.91   
Total Return (b)   5.14%   17.03%   –16.52%   24.60%   –1.42%  
                            
Ratios and Supplemental Data:                           
Net assets, end of period (in thousands)  $119   $113   $97   $116   $93   
Ratios to average net assets:                           
Net expenses   1.15%   1.18%   1.20%   1.20%   1.20%  
Gross expenses   12.55%   17.72%   17.67%   20.85%   25.85%  
Net investment income (loss)   1.99%   2.02%   1.99%   1.58%   1.74%  
Portfolio turnover rate   109%   66%   72%   88%   92%  

 

(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 may have been waived or reimbursed by the Investment Manager, State Street or DST; without such waiver/reimbursement of expenses, the Portfolio’s returns would have been lower.

 

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

 

234  Annual Report

 

 

 

LAZARD INTERNATIONAL EQUITY CONCENTRATED PORTFOLIO

 

Selected data for a share
of capital stock outstanding
  Year Ended  
throughout each period  12/31/20   12/31/19   12/31/18   12/31/17   12/31/16   
Institutional Shares                           
Net asset value, beginning of period  $10.30   $8.34   $10.43   $8.54   $8.27   
Income (Loss) from investment operations:                           
Net investment income (loss) (a)   0.09    0.19    0.14    0.13    0.14   
Net realized and unrealized gain (loss)   (0.05)   1.94    (1.84)   1.86    0.25   
Total from investment operations   0.04    2.13    (1.70)   1.99    0.39   
Less distributions from:                           
Net investment income   (0.33)   (0.17)   (0.17)   (0.10)   (0.12)  
Net realized gains           (0.22)          
Total distributions   (0.33)   (0.17)   (0.39)   (0.10)   (0.12)  
Net asset value, end of period  $10.01   $10.30   $8.34   $10.43   $8.54   
Total Return (b)   0.47%   25.56%   –16.20%   23.29%   4.74%  
                            
Ratios and Supplemental Data:                           
Net assets, end of period (in thousands)  $13,648   $97,815   $49,105   $69,440   $15,473   
Ratios to average net assets:                           
Net expenses   0.94%   0.95%   1.00%   1.05%   1.05%  
Gross expenses   1.17%   1.05%   1.13%   1.34%   2.29%  
Net investment income (loss)   0.95%   2.00%   1.45%   1.35%   1.64%  
Portfolio turnover rate   93%   72%   76%   81%   92%  

 

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

 

Annual Report  235

 

 

 

Selected data for a share
of capital stock outstanding
  Year Ended  
throughout each period  12/31/20   12/31/19   12/31/18   12/31/17   12/31/16   
Open Shares                           
Net asset value, beginning of period  $10.32   $8.35   $10.45   $8.56   $8.29   
Income (Loss) from investment operations:                           
Net investment income (loss) (a)   0.07    0.18    0.09    0.10    0.11   
Net realized and unrealized gain (loss)   (0.05)   1.93    (1.82)   1.86    0.26   
Total from investment operations   0.02    2.11    (1.73)   1.96    0.37   
Less distributions from:                           
Net investment income   (0.30)   (0.14)   (0.15)   (0.07)   (0.10)  
Net realized gains           (0.22)          
Total distributions   (0.30)   (0.14)   (0.37)   (0.07)   (0.10)  
Net asset value, end of period  $10.04   $10.32   $8.35   $10.45   $8.56   
Total Return (b)   0.33%   25.28%   –16.47%   22.87%   4.41%  
                            
Ratios and Supplemental Data:                           
Net assets, end of period (in thousands)  $413   $430   $399   $220   $114   
Ratios to average net assets:                           
Net expenses   1.02%   1.24%   1.29%   1.35%   1.35%  
Gross expenses   2.54%   3.67%   5.24%   8.15%   11.98%  
Net investment income (loss)   0.76%   1.87%   0.96%   1.04%   1.32%  
Portfolio turnover rate   93%   72%   76%   81%   92%  

 

(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 may have been waived or reimbursed by the Investment Manager, State Street or DST; without such waiver/reimbursement of expenses, the Portfolio’s returns would have been lower.

 

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

 

236  Annual Report

 

 

 

LAZARD INTERNATIONAL EQUITY PORTFOLIO

 

Selected data for a share
of capital stock outstanding
  Year Ended  
throughout each period  12/31/20   12/31/19   12/31/18   12/31/17   12/31/16   
Institutional Shares                           
Net asset value, beginning of period  $18.61   $15.68  $19.61  $16.20   $17.08   
Income (Loss) from investment operations:                           
Net investment income (loss) (a)   0.21    0.37    0.37    0.26    0.27^  
Net realized and unrealized gain (loss)   1.41    2.95    (3.06)   3.43    (0.98)  
Total from investment operations   1.62    3.32    (2.69)   3.69    (0.71)  
Less distributions from:                           
Net investment income   (0.21)   (0.39)   (0.42)   (0.28)   (0.17)  
Net realized gains           (0.82)          
Total distributions   (0.21)   (0.39)   (1.24)   (0.28)   (0.17)  
Redemption fees                   (b)  
Net asset value, end of period  $20.02   $18.61  $15.68  $19.61   $16.20   
Total Return (c)   8.76%   21.19%   –13.61%#   22.81%   –4.18%^  
                            
Ratios and Supplemental Data:                           
Net assets, end of period (in thousands)  $2,812,450   $2,495,021   $2,102,735   $2,835,262   $1,511,516   
Ratios to average net assets:                           
Net expenses   0.82%   0.82%   0.81%   0.81%   0.82%^  
Gross expenses   0.82%   0.82%   0.81%   0.81%   0.84%  
Net investment income (loss)   1.21%   2.13%   1.94%   1.44%   1.62%^  
Portfolio turnover rate   38%   37%   36%   31%   25%  

 

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

 

Annual Report  237

 

 

 

Selected data for a share
of capital stock outstanding
  Year Ended  
throughout each period  12/31/20   12/31/19   12/31/18   12/31/17   12/31/16   
Open Shares                           
Net asset value, beginning of period  $18.84   $15.87   $19.83   $16.38   $17.23   
Income (Loss) from investment operations:                           
Net investment income (loss) (a)   0.17    0.33    0.32    0.30    0.13^  
Net realized and unrealized gain (loss)   1.41    2.98    (3.08)   3.38    (0.90)  
Total from investment operations   1.58    3.31    (2.76)   3.68    (0.77)  
Less distributions from:                           
Net investment income   (0.16)   (0.34)   (0.38)   (0.23)   (0.08)  
Net realized gains           (0.82)          
Total distributions   (0.16)   (0.34)   (1.20)   (0.23)   (0.08)  
Redemption fees                   (b)  
Net asset value, end of period  $20.26   $18.84   $15.87   $19.83   $16.38   
Total Return (c)   8.43%   20.89%   –13.83%#   22.50%   –4.46%^  
                            
Ratios and Supplemental Data:                           
Net assets, end of period (in thousands)  $120,781   $257,308   $227,483   $275,014   $1,073,486   
Ratios to average net assets:                           
Net expenses   1.08%   1.07%   1.06%   1.06%   1.07%^  
Gross expenses   1.08%   1.07%   1.06%   1.06%   1.10%  
Net investment income (loss)   0.97%   1.84%   1.67%   1.69%   0.80%^  
Portfolio turnover rate   38%   37%   36%   31%   25%  

 

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

 

238  Annual Report

 

 

 

Selected data for a share
of capital stock outstanding
  Year Ended  
throughout the period  12/31/20   12/31/19   12/31/18   12/31/17   12/31/16   
R6 Shares                           
Net asset value, beginning of period  $18.58   $15.66   $19.59   $16.18   $17.07   
Income (Loss) from investment operations:                           
Net investment income (loss) (a)   0.21    0.38    0.36    0.31    0.31^  
Net realized and unrealized gain (loss)   1.41    2.93    (3.05)   3.38    (1.02)  
Total from investment operations   1.62    3.31    (2.69)   3.69    (0.71)  
Less distributions from:                           
Net investment income   (0.21)   (0.39)   (0.42)   (0.28)   (0.18)  
Net realized gains           (0.82)          
Total distributions   (0.21)   (0.39)   (1.24)   (0.28)   (0.18)  
Net asset value, end of period  $19.99   $18.58   $15.66   $19.59   $16.18   
Total Return (c)   8.79%   21.17%   –13.62%#   22.85%   –4.17%^  
                            
Ratios and Supplemental Data:                           
Net assets, end of period (in thousands)  $129,419   $107,574   $106,516   $693,744   $79,119   
Ratios to average net assets:                           
Net expenses   0.81%   0.80%   0.80%   0.80%   0.80%^  
Gross expenses   0.83%   0.82%   0.81%   0.81%   0.86%  
Net investment income (loss)   1.21%   2.19%   1.84%   1.68%   1.88%^  
Portfolio turnover rate   38%   37%   36%   31%   25%  

 

^ Refer to Note 3 in the Notes to Financial Statements for discussion of prior period custodian out-of-pocket expenses that were reimbursed to the Portfolio in the period. The amount of the reimbursement was less than $0.005 per share. There was no impact on the total return of the Portfolio. There was a 0.02%, 0.03% and 0.02% impact on the net expenses and net investment income (loss) ratios of the Portfolio’s Institutional, Open and R6 Shares, respectively.
# The Portfolio received settlement proceeds from a foreign exchange trading class action lawsuit. The proceeds from the settlement represent a realized gain and were recorded in the period received. There was a 0.16%, 0.16% and 0.33% impact on the total return of the Portfolio’s Institutional, Open and R6 Shares, respectively.
(a) Net investment income (loss) has been computed using the average shares method.
(b) Amount is less than $0.01 per share.
(c) Total returns reflect reinvestment of all dividends and distributions, if any. Certain expenses of the Portfolio may have been waived or reimbursed by the Investment Manager, State Street or DST; without such waiver/reimbursement of expenses, the Portfolio’s returns would have been lower.

 

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

 

Annual Report  239

 

 

 

LAZARD INTERNATIONAL EQUITY SELECT PORTFOLIO

 

Selected data for a share
of capital stock outstanding
  Year Ended  
throughout each period  12/31/20   12/31/19   12/31/18   12/31/17   12/31/16   
Institutional Shares                           
Net asset value, beginning of period  $10.75   $9.13   $11.02   $8.65   $8.80   
Income (Loss) from investment operations:                           
Net investment income (loss) (a)   0.11    0.23    0.18    0.13    0.12   
Net realized and unrealized gain (loss)   0.78    1.62    (1.82)   2.31    (0.17)  
Total from investment operations   0.89    1.85    (1.64)   2.44    (0.05)  
Less distributions from:                           
Net investment income   (0.11)   (0.23)   (0.25)   (0.07)   (0.10)  
Total distributions   (0.11)   (0.23)   (0.25)   (0.07)   (0.10)  
Net asset value, end of period  $11.53   $10.75   $9.13   $11.02   $8.65   
Total Return (b)   8.33%   20.32%   –14.90%   28.31%   –0.63%  
                            
Ratios and Supplemental Data:                           
Net assets, end of period (in thousands)  $92,121   $93,586   $74,582   $53,929   $28,299   
Ratios to average net assets:                           
Net expenses   0.90%   0.97%   1.05%   1.05%   1.05%  
Gross expenses   0.95%   0.99%   1.05%   1.31%   1.79%  
Net investment income (loss)   1.10%   2.29%   1.73%   1.27%   1.36%  
Portfolio turnover rate   34%   42%   32%   30%   42%  

 

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

 

240  Annual Report

 

 

 

Selected data for a share
of capital stock outstanding
  Year Ended  
throughout each period  12/31/20   12/31/19   12/31/18   12/31/17   12/31/16   
Open Shares                           
Net asset value, beginning of period  $10.80   $9.17   $11.03   $8.66   $8.82   
Income (Loss) from investment operations:                           
Net investment income (loss) (a)   0.08    0.19    0.15    0.10    0.10   
Net realized and unrealized gain (loss)   0.78    1.64    (1.82)   2.31    (0.19)  
Total from investment operations   0.86    1.83    (1.67)   2.41    (0.09)  
Less distributions from:                           
Net investment income   (0.08)   (0.20)   (0.19)   (0.04)   (0.07)  
Total distributions   (0.08)   (0.20)   (0.19)   (0.04)   (0.07)  
Net asset value, end of period  $11.58   $10.80   $9.17   $11.03   $8.66   
Total Return (b)   8.02%   19.97%   –15.16%   27.89%   –1.03%  
                            
Ratios and Supplemental Data:                           
Net assets, end of period (in thousands)  $2,868   $2,502   $1,502   $2,831   $2,092   
Ratios to average net assets:                           
Net expenses   1.15%   1.28%   1.35%   1.35%   1.35%  
Gross expenses   1.38%   1.74%   1.83%   2.07%   2.59%  
Net investment income (loss)   0.80%   1.87%   1.42%   1.01%   1.13%  
Portfolio turnover rate   34%   42%   32%   30%   42%  

 

(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 may have been waived or reimbursed by the Investment Manager, State Street or DST; without such waiver/reimbursement of expenses, the Portfolio’s returns would have been lower.

 

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

 

Annual Report  241

 

 

 

LAZARD INTERNATIONAL EQUITY VALUE PORTFOLIO

 

Selected data for a share
of capital stock outstanding
  Year Ended  For the Period
10/31/18*
 
throughout each period  12/31/20   12/31/19   to 12/31/18  
Institutional Shares                 
Net asset value, beginning of period  $9.95   $9.14      $10.00   
Income (Loss) from investment operations:                 
Net investment income (loss) (a)   0.15    0.28    0.01   
Net realized and unrealized gain (loss)   (0.54)   1.01    (0.86)  
Total from investment operations   (0.39)   1.29    (0.85)  
Less distributions from:                 
Net investment income   (0.20)   (0.48)   (0.01)  
Total distributions   (0.20)   (0.48)   (0.01)  
Net asset value, end of period  $9.36   $9.95   $9.14   
Total Return (b)(c)   –3.81%   14.14%   –8.49%  
                  
Ratios and Supplemental Data:                 
Net assets, end of period (in thousands)  $2,711   $13,132   $22,945   
Ratios to average net assets (d):                 
Net expenses   0.95%   0.95%   0.95%  
Gross expenses   6.59%   2.01%   1.34%  
Net investment income (loss)   1.75%   2.87%   0.72%  
Portfolio turnover rate   86%   104%   37%  

 

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

 

242  Annual Report

 

 

 

Selected data for a share
of capital stock outstanding
  Year Ended  For the Period
10/31/18*
 
throughout each period  12/31/20   12/31/19   to 12/31/18  
Open Shares                 
Net asset value, beginning of period  $9.95   $9.13      $10.00   
Income (Loss) from investment operations:                 
Net investment income (loss) (a)   0.15    0.21    (e)  
Net realized and unrealized gain (loss)   (0.56)   1.06    (0.86)  
Total from investment operations   (0.41)   1.27    (0.86)  
Less distributions from:                 
Net investment income   (0.18)   (0.45)   (0.01)  
Total distributions   (0.18)   (0.45)   (0.01)  
Net asset value, end of period  $9.36   $9.95   $9.13   
Total Return (b)(c)   –4.06%   13.98%   –8.63%  
                  
Ratios and Supplemental Data:                 
Net assets, end of period (in thousands)  $40   $141   $38   
Ratios to average net assets (d):                 
Net expenses   1.21%   1.13%   1.20%  
Gross expenses   14.84%   15.82%   7.91%  
Net investment income (loss)   1.71%   2.15%   0.03%  
Portfolio turnover rate   86%   104%   37%  

 

* The Portfolio commenced operations on October 31, 2018.
(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 may have been waived or reimbursed by the Investment Manager, State Street or DST; without such waiver/reimbursement of expenses, the Portfolio’s returns would have been lower. Returns for a period of less than one year are not annualized.
(c) In 2020, the Portfolio’s total return includes a payment by an affiliate of 2.83% for Institutional Shares and 2.71% for Open Shares. Excluding this voluntary reimbursement payment, total return would have been 6.64% for Institutional Shares and 6.77% for Open Shares.
(d) Annualized for a period of less than one year except for non-recurring expenses.
(e) Amount is less than $0.01 per share.

 

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

Annual Report  243

 

 

 

LAZARD INTERNATIONAL QUALITY GROWTH PORTFOLIO

 

Selected data for a share
of capital stock outstanding
    Year Ended  For the Period
12/31/18*
 
throughout each period    12/31/20   12/31/19   to 12/31/18  
Institutional Shares                   
Net asset value, beginning of period      $12.69      $9.98    $10.00   
Income (Loss) from investment operations:                   
Net investment income (loss) (a)     0.03    0.08       
Net realized and unrealized gain (loss)     3.01    2.95    (0.02)  
Total from investment operations     3.04    3.03    (0.02)  
Less distributions from:                   
Net investment income     (0.01)   (0.27)      
Net realized gains     (0.13)   (0.05)      
Total distributions     (0.14)   (0.32)      
Net asset value, end of period    $15.59   $12.69   $9.98   
Total Return (b)     23.95%   30.32%   –0.20%  
                    
Ratios and Supplemental Data:                   
Net assets, end of period (in thousands)    $10,473   $3,958   $149   
Ratios to average net assets (c):                   
Net expenses     0.85%   0.85%   0.00%  
Gross expenses     3.58%   8.16%   8.45%  
Net investment income (loss)     0.24%   0.65%   0.00%  
Portfolio turnover rate     12%   20%   0%  

 

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

 

244   Annual Report

 

 

 

Selected data for a share
of capital stock outstanding
    Year Ended  For the Period
12/31/18*
 
throughout each period    12/31/20   12/31/19   to 12/31/18  
Open Shares                   
Net asset value, beginning of period      $12.65     $10.00    $10.00   
Income (Loss) from investment operations:                   
Net investment income (loss) (a)     (0.02)   0.07       
Net realized and unrealized gain (loss)     3.01    2.90    (d)  
Total from investment operations     2.99    2.97    (d)  
Less distributions from:                   
Net investment income         (0.27)      
Net realized gains     (0.13)   (0.05)      
Total distributions     (0.13)   (0.32)      
Net asset value, end of period    $15.51   $12.65   $10.00   
Total Return (b)     23.63%   29.66%   0.00%  
                    
Ratios and Supplemental Data:                   
Net assets, end of period (in thousands)    $291   $10   $1   
Ratios to average net assets (c):                   
Net expenses     1.10%   1.10%   0.00%  
Gross expenses     9.57%   142.50%   0.40%  
Net investment income (loss)     (0.15)%   0.60%   0.00%  
Portfolio turnover rate     12%   20%   0%  

 

* The Portfolio commenced operations on December 31, 2018.
(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 may have been waived or reimbursed by the Investment Manager, State Street or DST; without such waiver/reimbursement of expenses, the Portfolio’s returns would have been lower. Returns for a period of less than one year are not annualized.
(c) Annualized for a period of less than one year except for non-recurring expenses.
(d) Amount is less than $0.01 per share.

 

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

 

Annual Report   245

 

 

 

LAZARD INTERNATIONAL SMALL CAP EQUITY PORTFOLIO

 

Selected data for a share
of capital stock outstanding
  Year Ended  
throughout each period  12/31/20   12/31/19   12/31/18   12/31/17   12/31/16   
Institutional Shares                           
Net asset value, beginning of period  $12.19    $9.95    $13.79    $10.10    $10.90   
Income (Loss) from investment operations:                           
Net investment income (loss) (a)   0.06    0.13    0.12    0.10    0.12^  
Net realized and unrealized gain (loss)   1.53    2.42    (3.51)   3.59    (0.62)  
Total from investment operations   1.59    2.55    (3.39)   3.69    (0.50)  
Less distributions from:                           
Net investment income   (0.28)   (0.05)   (0.27)       (0.30)  
Net realized gains       (0.26)   (0.18)          
Total distributions   (0.28)   (0.31)   (0.45)       (0.30)  
Redemption fees                      
Net asset value, end of period  $13.50   $12.19   $9.95   $13.79   $10.10   
Total Return (b)   13.44%   26.01%   –24.88%#   36.53%   –4.64%^  
                            
Ratios and Supplemental Data:                           
Net assets, end of period (in thousands)  $29,374   $37,677   $35,121   $41,267   $37,049   
Ratios to average net assets:                           
Net expenses   1.15%   1.14%   1.08%   1.09%   0.96%^  
Gross expenses   1.29%   1.15%   1.08%   1.09%   1.06%  
Net investment income (loss)   0.57%   1.14%   0.96%   0.85%   1.14%^  
Portfolio turnover rate   50%   37%   59%   35%   63%  

 

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

 

246   Annual Report

 

 

 

Selected data for a share
of capital stock outstanding
  Year Ended  
throughout each period  12/31/20   12/31/19   12/31/18   12/31/17   12/31/16   
Open Shares                           
Net asset value, beginning of period  $12.19     $9.97     $13.82     $10.15     $10.93   
Income (Loss) from investment operations:                           
Net investment income (loss) (a)   0.04    0.10    0.11    0.07    0.10^  
Net realized and unrealized gain (loss)   1.52    2.43    (3.54)   3.60    (0.63)  
Total from investment operations   1.56    2.53    (3.43)   3.67    (0.53)  
Less distributions from:                           
Net investment income   (0.25)   (0.05)   (0.24)       (0.25)  
Net realized gains       (0.26)   (0.18)          
Total distributions   (0.25)   (0.31)   (0.42)       (0.25)  
Redemption fees                   (c)  
Net asset value, end of period  $13.50   $12.19   $9.97   $13.82   $10.15   
Total Return (b)   13.15%   25.76%   –25.09%#   36.16%   –4.92%^  
                            
Ratios and Supplemental Data:                           
Net assets, end of period (in thousands)  $12,581   $19,780   $20,265   $42,362   $44,523   
Ratios to average net assets:                           
Net expenses   1.40%   1.39%   1.34%   1.34%   1.21%^  
Gross expenses   1.56%   1.43%   1.34%   1.34%   1.30%  
Net investment income (loss)   0.33%   0.86%   0.83%   0.61%   0.91%^  
Portfolio turnover rate   50%   37%   59%   35%   63%  

 

^ Refer to Note 3 in the Notes to Financial Statements for discussion of prior period custodian out-of-pocket expenses that were reimbursed to the Portfolio in the period. The impact on the net investment income per share amount was $0.01 per share. There was a 0.10% and 0.09% impact on the total return of the Institutional and Open Shares classes, respectively, of the Portfolio. There was a 0.10% and 0.09% impact on the net expenses and net investment income (loss) ratios of the Portfolio’s Institutional and Open Shares, respectively.
# The Portfolio received settlement proceeds from a foreign exchange trading classaction lawsuit. The proceeds from the settlement represented a realized gain and were recorded in the period received. There was a 0.46% and 0.53% impact on the total return of the Portfolio’s Institutional and Open Shares, respectively.
(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 may have been waived or reimbursed by the Investment Manager, State Street or DST; without such waiver/reimbursement of expenses, the Portfolio’s returns would have been lower.
(c) Amount is less than $0.01 per share.

 

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

 

Annual Report   247

 

 

 

LAZARD INTERNATIONAL STRATEGIC EQUITY PORTFOLIO

 

Selected data for a share
of capital stock outstanding
  Year Ended  
throughout each period  12/31/20   12/31/19   12/31/18   12/31/17   12/31/16   
Institutional Shares                           
Net asset value, beginning of period  $15.38   $12.89   $15.70    $12.44    $13.33   
Income (Loss) from investment operations:                           
Net investment income (loss) (a)   0.17    0.24    0.21    0.17    0.20^  
Net realized and unrealized gain (loss)   1.45    2.53    (1.85)   3.29    (0.89)  
Total from investment operations   1.62    2.77    (1.64)   3.46    (0.69)  
Less distributions from:                           
Net investment income   (0.17)   (0.28)   (0.21)   (0.20)   (0.20)  
Net realized gains           (0.96)          
Total distributions   (0.17)   (0.28)   (1.17)   (0.20)   (0.20)  
Redemption fees                   (b)  
Net asset value, end of period  $16.83   $15.38   $12.89   $15.70   $12.44   
Total Return (c)   10.58%   21.55%   –10.35%   27.85%   –5.17%^  
                            
Ratios and Supplemental Data:                           
Net assets, end of period (in thousands)  $5,270,611   $5,505,271   $4,630,334   $5,911,184   $5,114,357   
Ratios to average net assets:                           
Net expenses   0.81%   0.80%   0.80%   0.80%   0.81%^  
Gross expenses   0.81%   0.80%   0.80%   0.80%   0.81%  
Net investment income (loss)   1.18%   1.66%   1.36%   1.20%   1.56%^  
Portfolio turnover rate   37%   36%   40%   44%   47%  

 

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

 

248   Annual Report

 

 

 

Selected data for a share
of capital stock outstanding
  Year Ended  
throughout each period  12/31/20   12/31/19   12/31/18   12/31/17   12/31/16   
Open Shares                           
Net asset value, beginning of period  $15.52   $13.01   $15.83   $12.55   $13.44   
Income (Loss) from investment operations:                           
Net investment income (loss) (a)   0.14    0.21    0.17    0.14    0.18^  
Net realized and unrealized gain (loss)   1.46    2.55    (1.86)   3.30    (0.90)  
Total from investment operations   1.60    2.76    (1.69)   3.44    (0.72)  
Less distributions from:                           
Net investment income   (0.13)   (0.25)   (0.17)   (0.16)   (0.17)  
Net realized gains           (0.96)          
Total distributions   (0.13)   (0.25)   (1.13)   (0.16)   (0.17)  
Redemption fees                   (b)  
Net asset value, end of period  $16.99   $15.52   $13.01   $15.83   $12.55   
Total Return (c)   10.34%   21.21%   –10.55%   27.44%   –5.37%^  
                            
Ratios and Supplemental Data:                           
Net assets, end of period (in thousands)  $535,285   $682,035   $832,548   $1,216,861   $1,591,016   
Ratios to average net assets:                           
Net expenses   1.06%   1.06%   1.05%   1.06%   1.06%^  
Gross expenses   1.06%   1.06%   1.05%   1.06%   1.06%  
Net investment income (loss)   0.94%   1.47%   1.10%   0.97%   1.34%^  
Portfolio turnover rate   37%   36%   40%   44%   47%  

 

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

 

Annual Report   249

 

 

 

Selected data for a share
of capital stock outstanding
  Year Ended  
throughout the period  12/31/20   12/31/19   12/31/18   12/31/17   12/31/16   
R6 Shares                           
Net asset value, beginning of period  $15.39   $12.90   $15.71   $12.45   $13.34   
Income (Loss) from investment operations:                           
Net investment income (loss) (a)   0.17    0.23    0.21    0.16    0.19^  
Net realized and unrealized gain (loss)   1.46    2.54    (1.85)   3.30    (0.88)  
Total from investment operations   1.63    2.77    (1.64)   3.46    (0.69)  
Less distributions from:                           
Net investment income   (0.17)   (0.28)   (0.21)   (0.20)   (0.20)  
Net realized gains           (0.96)          
Total distributions   (0.17)   (0.28)   (1.17)   (0.20)   (0.20)  
Redemption fees                   (b)  
Net asset value, end of period  $16.85   $15.39   $12.90   $15.71   $12.45   
Total Return (c)   10.64%   21.54%   –10.35%   27.82%   –5.17%^  
                            
Ratios and Supplemental Data:                           
Net assets, end of period (in thousands)  $118,678   $120,118   $97,394   $110,383   $96,284   
Ratios to average net assets:                           
Net expenses   0.81%   0.80%   0.80%   0.80%   0.81%^  
Gross expenses   0.82%   0.81%   0.81%   0.82%   0.82%  
Net investment income (loss)   1.16%   1.61%   1.34%   1.15%   1.46%^  
Portfolio turnover rate   37%   36%   40%   44%   47%  

 

^ Refer to Note 3 in the Notes to Financial Statements for discussion of prior period custodian out-of-pocket expenses that were reimbursed to the Portfolio in the period. The amount of the reimbursement was less than $0.005 per share. There was no impact on the total return of the Portfolio. The impact on net expenses and net investment income (loss) ratios of the Portfolio was less than 0.005%.
(a) Net investment income (loss) has been computed using the average shares method.
(b) Amount is less than $0.01 per share.
(c) Total returns reflect reinvestment of all dividends and distributions, if any. Certain expenses of the Portfolio may have been waived or reimbursed by the Investment Manager, State Street or DST; without such waiver/reimbursement of expenses, the Portfolio’s returns would have been lower.

 

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

 

250  Annual Report

 

 

 

LAZARD MANAGED EQUITY VOLATILITY PORTFOLIO

 

Selected data for a share
of capital stock outstanding
  Year Ended  
throughout each period  12/31/20   12/31/19   12/31/18   12/31/17   12/31/16   
Institutional Shares                           
Net asset value, beginning of period  $12.66   $10.55   $11.57   $9.99   $9.59   
Income (Loss) from investment operations:                           
Net investment income (loss) (a)   0.21    0.21    0.19    0.19    0.18   
Net realized and unrealized gain (loss)   (0.87)   2.08    (1.03)   1.87    0.44   
Total from investment operations   (0.66)   2.29    (0.84)   2.06    0.62   
Less distributions from:                           
Net investment income   (0.09)   (0.18)   (0.16)   (0.17)   (0.22)  
Net realized gains   (0.13)   (b)   (0.02)   (0.31)      
Total distributions   (0.22)   (0.18)   (0.18)   (0.48)   (0.22)  
Net asset value, end of period  $11.78   $12.66   $10.55   $11.57   $9.99   
Total Return (c)   –5.18%   21.69%   –7.21%   20.57%   6.45%  
 
Ratios and Supplemental Data:                              
Net assets, end of period (in thousands)  $25,737   $34,354   $20,709   $4,180   $2,431   
Ratios to average net assets:                           
Net expenses   0.75%   0.75%   0.75%   0.75%   0.75%  
Gross expenses   1.23%   1.36%   1.64%   6.51%   10.42%  
Net investment income (loss)   1.83%   1.72%   1.66%   1.71%   1.82%  
Portfolio turnover rate   138%   103%   122%   87%   91%  

 

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

 

Annual Report  251

 

 

 

Selected data for a share
of capital stock outstanding
  Year Ended  
throughout each period  12/31/20   12/31/19   12/31/18   12/31/17   12/31/16   
Open Shares                           
Net asset value, beginning of period  $12.65   $10.54   $11.56   $9.99   $9.59   
Income (Loss) from investment operations:                           
Net investment income (loss) (a)   0.19    0.17    0.15    0.16    0.15   
Net realized and unrealized gain (loss)   (0.87)   2.08    (1.02)   1.85    0.44   
Total from investment operations   (0.68)   2.25    (0.87)   2.01    0.59   
Less distributions from:                           
Net investment income   (0.06)   (0.14)   (0.13)   (0.13)   (0.19)  
Net realized gains   (0.13)   (b)   (0.02)   (0.31)      
Total distributions   (0.19)   (0.14)   (0.15)   (0.44)   (0.19)  
Net asset value, end of period  $11.78   $12.65   $10.54   $11.56   $9.99   
Total Return (c)   –5.34%   21.36%   –7.50%   20.11%   6.14%  
 
Ratios and Supplemental Data:                              
Net assets, end of period (in thousands)  $76   $231   $183   $315   $172   
Ratios to average net assets:                           
Net expenses   1.00%   1.03%   1.05%   1.05%   1.05%  
Gross expenses   4.39%   5.81%   5.86%   12.07%   17.27%  
Net investment income (loss)   1.63%   1.46%   1.28%   1.42%   1.52%  
Portfolio turnover rate   138%   103%   122%   87%   91%  

 

(a) Net investment income (loss) has been computed using the average shares method.
(b) Amount is less than $0.01 per share.
(c) Total returns reflect reinvestment of all dividends and distributions, if any. Certain expenses of the Portfolio may have been waived or reimbursed by the Investment Manager, State Street or DST; without such waiver/reimbursement of expenses, the Portfolio’s returns would have been lower.

 

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

 

252  Annual Report

 

 

 

LAZARD US EQUITY CONCENTRATED PORTFOLIO

 

Selected data for a share
of capital stock outstanding
  Year Ended  
throughout each period  12/31/20   12/31/19   12/31/18   12/31/17   12/31/16   
Institutional Shares                           
Net asset value, beginning of period  $16.84   $12.89   $15.31   $14.16   $13.83   
Income (Loss) from investment operations:                           
Net investment income (loss) (a)   0.12    0.13    0.18    0.14    0.06^  
Net realized and unrealized gain (loss)   1.39    3.96    (1.11)   2.05    0.97   
Total from investment operations   1.51    4.09    (0.93)   2.19    1.03   
Less distributions from:                           
Net investment income   (0.11)   (0.14)   (0.20)   (0.14)   (0.05)  
Net realized gains   (0.19)       (1.29)   (0.90)   (0.65)  
Total distributions   (0.30)   (0.14)   (1.49)   (1.04)   (0.70)  
Redemption fees                   (b)  
Net asset value, end of period  $18.05   $16.84   $12.89   $15.31   $14.16   
Total Return (c)   8.98%   31.72%   –6.07%   15.49%   7.37%^  
                            
Ratios and Supplemental Data:                           
Net assets, end of period (in thousands)  $1,936,367   $1,271,509   $1,040,851   $1,508,581   $1,230,377   
Ratios to average net assets:                           
Net expenses   0.76%   0.76%   0.75%   0.75%   0.77%^  
Gross expenses   0.76%   0.76%   0.75%   0.75%   0.77%  
Net investment income (loss)   0.72%   0.85%   1.14%   0.90%   0.39%^  
Portfolio turnover rate   43%   33%   69%   86%   84%  

 

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

 

Annual Report  253

 

 

 

Selected data for a share
of capital stock outstanding
  Year Ended  
throughout each period  12/31/20   12/31/19   12/31/18   12/31/17   12/31/16   
Open Shares                           
Net asset value, beginning of period  $16.98   $12.99   $15.42   $14.25   $13.92   
Income (Loss) from investment operations:                           
Net investment income (loss) (a)   0.08    0.09    0.13    0.10    0.02^  
Net realized and unrealized gain (loss)   1.38    3.99    (1.11)   2.07    0.97   
Total from investment operations   1.46    4.08    (0.98)   2.17    0.99   
Less distributions from:                           
Net investment income   (0.06)   (0.09)   (0.16)   (0.10)   (0.01)  
Net realized gains   (0.19)       (1.29)   (0.90)   (0.65)  
Total distributions   (0.25)   (0.09)   (1.45)   (1.00)   (0.66)  
Redemption fees                   (b)  
Net asset value, end of period  $18.19   $16.98   $12.99   $15.42   $14.25   
Total Return (c)   8.63%   31.42%   –6.35%   15.22%   7.06%^  
 
Ratios and Supplemental Data:                              
Net assets, end of period (in thousands)  $34,358   $46,840   $50,981   $87,603   $105,619   
Ratios to average net assets:                           
Net expenses   1.02%   1.04%   1.03%   1.03%   1.03%^  
Gross expenses   1.02%   1.04%   1.03%   1.03%   1.03%  
Net investment income (loss)   0.47%   0.55%   0.85%   0.62%   0.17%^  
Portfolio turnover rate   43%   33%   69%   86%   84%  

 

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

 

254  Annual Report

 

 

 

Selected data for a share
of capital stock outstanding
  Year Ended  For the Period
11/15/16*
throughout each period  12/31/20   12/31/19   12/31/18   12/31/17   to 12/31/16
R6 Shares                         
Net asset value, beginning of period  $16.89   $12.92   $15.34   $14.18   $14.77 
Income (Loss) from investment operations:                         
Net investment income (loss) (a)   0.12    0.13    0.17    0.14    ^(b)
Net realized and unrealized gain (loss)   1.38    3.98    (1.10)   2.06    0.03 
Total from investment operations   1.50    4.11    (0.93)   2.20    0.03 
Less distributions from:                         
Net investment income   (0.11)   (0.14)   (0.20)   (0.14)   (0.03)
Net realized gains   (0.19)       (1.29)   (0.90)   (0.59)
Total distributions   (0.30)   (0.14)   (1.49)   (1.04)   (0.62)
Net asset value, end of period  $18.09   $16.89   $12.92   $15.34   $14.18 
Total Return (c)   8.90%   31.79%   –6.08%   15.52%   0.17%^
 
Ratios and Supplemental Data:                            
Net assets, end of period (in thousands)  $2,177   $2,091   $1,900   $361   $140 
Ratios to average net assets (d):                         
Net expenses   0.76%   0.76%   0.75%   0.75%   0.77%^
Gross expenses   0.92%   1.20%   2.16%   8.34%   15.38%
Net investment income (loss)   0.73%   0.83%   1.15%   0.91%   0.19%^
Portfolio turnover rate   43%   33%   69%   86%   84%

 

* The inception date for the R6 Shares was November 15, 2016.
^ Refer to Note 3 in the Notes to Financial Statements for discussion of prior period custodian out-of-pocket expenses that were reimbursed to the Portfolio in the period. The amount of the reimbursement was less than $0.005 per share. There was no impact on the total return of the Portfolio. The impact on net expenses and net investment income (loss) ratios of the Portfolio was less than 0.005%.
(a) Net investment income (loss) has been computed using the average shares method.
(b) Amount is less than $0.01 per share.
(c) Total returns reflect reinvestment of all dividends and distributions, if any. Certain expenses of the Portfolio may have been waived or reimbursed by the Investment Manager, State Street or DST; without such waiver/reimbursement of expenses, the Portfolio’s returns would have been lower. Returns for a period of less than one year are not annualized.
(d) Annualized for a period of less than one year except for non-recurring expenses.

 

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

 

Annual Report  255

 

 

 

LAZARD US EQUITY FOCUS PORTFOLIO

 

Selected data for a share
of capital stock outstanding
  Year Ended  
throughout each period  12/31/20   12/31/19   12/31/18   12/31/17   12/31/16   
Institutional Shares                           
Net asset value, beginning of period  $12.03   $10.23   $12.43   $11.63   $10.97   
Income (Loss) from investment operations:                           
Net investment income (loss) (a)   0.11    0.13    0.14    0.14    0.12   
Net realized and unrealized gain (loss)   1.94    3.11    (0.55)   1.94    0.94   
Total from investment operations   2.05    3.24    (0.41)   2.08    1.06   
Less distributions from:                           
Net investment income   (0.10)   (0.23)   (0.29)   (0.21)   (0.10)  
Net realized gains   (0.61)   (1.21)   (1.50)   (1.07)   (0.30)  
Total distributions   (0.71)   (1.44)   (1.79)   (1.28)   (0.40)  
Redemption fees                   (b)  
Net asset value, end of period  $13.37   $12.03   $10.23   $12.43   $11.63   
Total Return (c)   17.29%   31.67%   –3.12%   18.17%   9.70%  
 
Ratios and Supplemental Data:                              
Net assets, end of period (in thousands)  $31,075   $32,661   $60,629   $72,958   $72,151   
Ratios to average net assets:                           
Net expenses   0.70%   0.75%   0.75%   0.75%   0.75%  
Gross expenses   1.26%   0.92%   0.92%   0.95%   0.94%  
Net investment income (loss)   0.91%   1.07%   1.10%   1.10%   1.08%  
Portfolio turnover rate   54%   45%   62%   74%   68%  

 

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

 

256  Annual Report

 

 

 

Selected data for a share
of capital stock outstanding
  Year Ended   
throughout each period  12/31/20   12/31/19   12/31/18   12/31/17   12/31/16   
Open Shares                           
Net asset value, beginning of period  $12.09   $10.28   $12.48   $11.68   $11.01   
Income (Loss) from investment operations:                           
Net investment income (loss) (a)   0.08    0.10    0.10    0.10    0.09   
Net realized and unrealized gain (loss)   1.96    3.11    (0.54)   1.94    0.94   
Total from investment operations   2.04    3.21    (0.44)   2.04    1.03   
Less distributions from:                           
Net investment income   (0.07)   (0.19)   (0.26)   (0.17)   (0.06)  
Net realized gains   (0.61)   (1.21)   (1.50)   (1.07)   (0.30)  
Total distributions   (0.68)   (1.40)   (1.76)   (1.24)   (0.36)  
Net asset value, end of period  $13.45   $12.09   $10.28   $12.48   $11.68   
Total Return (c)   17.08%   31.25%   –3.40%   17.75%   9.46%  
 
Ratios and Supplemental Data:                              
Net assets, end of period (in thousands)  $1,285   $1,117   $881   $1,013   $1,376   
Ratios to average net assets:                           
Net expenses   0.95%   1.03%   1.05%   1.05%   1.05%  
Gross expenses   1.79%   2.14%   2.33%   2.30%   2.13%  
Net investment income (loss)   0.67%   0.79%   0.80%   0.79%   0.80%  
Portfolio turnover rate   54%   45%   62%   74%   68%  

 

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

 

Annual Report  257

 

 

 

Selected data for a share
of capital stock outstanding
  Year Ended   
throughout each period  12/31/20   12/31/19   12/31/18   12/31/17   12/31/16   
R6 Shares                           
Net asset value, beginning of period  $12.04   $10.23   $12.43   $11.63   $10.96   
Income (Loss) from investment operations:                           
Net investment income (loss) (a)   0.11    0.13    0.14    0.14    0.14   
Net realized and unrealized gain (loss)   1.94    3.12    (0.55)   1.94    0.93   
Total from investment operations   2.05    3.25    (0.41)   2.08    1.07   
Less distributions from:                           
Net investment income   (0.10)   (0.23)   (0.29)   (0.21)   (0.10)  
Net realized gains   (0.61)   (1.21)   (1.50)   (1.07)   (0.30)  
Total distributions   (0.71)   (1.44)   (1.79)   (1.28)   (0.40)  
Redemption fees                   (b)  
Net asset value, end of period  $13.38   $12.04   $10.23   $12.43   $11.63   
Total Return (c)   17.28%   31.76%   –3.13%   18.16%   9.81%  
 
Ratios and Supplemental Data:                              
Net assets, end of period (in thousands)  $20,747   $10,609   $10,056   $11,394   $13,297   
Ratios to average net assets:                           
Net expenses   0.70%   0.74%   0.75%   0.75%   0.74%  
Gross expenses   1.27%   1.00%   1.01%   1.05%   1.02%  
Net investment income (loss)   0.91%   1.09%   1.10%   1.12%   1.27%  
Portfolio turnover rate   54%   45%   62%   74%   68%  

 

(a) Net investment income (loss) has been computed using the average shares method.
(b) Amount is less than $0.01 per share.
(c) Total returns reflect reinvestment of all dividends and distributions, if any. Certain expenses of the Portfolio may have been waived or reimbursed by the Investment Manager, State Street or DST; without such waiver/reimbursement of expenses, the Portfolio’s returns would have been lower.

 

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

 

258  Annual Report

 

 

 

LAZARD US SMALL-MID CAP EQUITY PORTFOLIO

 

Selected data for a share
of capital stock outstanding
  Year Ended  
throughout each period  12/31/20   12/31/19   12/31/18   12/31/17   12/31/16   
Institutional Shares                           
Net asset value, beginning of period  $13.64   $10.83   $14.65   $14.50   $12.86   
Income (Loss) from investment operations:                           
Net investment income (loss) (a)   0.04    0.06    0.05    0.06    0.11^  
Net realized and unrealized gain (loss)   0.82    3.19    (2.00)   1.95    1.96   
Total from investment operations   0.86    3.25    (1.95)   2.01    2.07   
Less distributions from:                           
Net investment income   (0.02)   (0.03)   (0.04)   (0.09)   (0.09)  
Net realized gains   (0.06)   (0.41)   (1.83)   (1.77)   (0.34)  
Total distributions   (0.08)   (0.44)   (1.87)   (1.86)   (0.43)  
Redemption fees                   (b)  
Net asset value, end of period  $14.42   $13.64   $10.83   $14.65   $14.50   
Total Return (c)   6.44%   30.00%   –13.27%   14.12%   16.28%^  
                            
Ratios and Supplemental Data:                           
Net assets, end of period (in thousands)  $91,984   $108,112   $113,677   $176,975   $189,593   
Ratios to average net assets:                           
Net expenses   0.98%   0.92%   0.87%   0.87%   0.86%^  
Gross expenses   0.98%   0.92%   0.87%   0.87%   0.90%  
Net investment income (loss)   0.31%   0.46%   0.35%   0.39%   0.84%^  
Portfolio turnover rate   80%   90%   81%   79%   91%  

 

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

 

Annual Report  259

 

 

 

Selected data for a share
of capital stock outstanding
  Year Ended   
throughout each period  12/31/20   12/31/19   12/31/18   12/31/17   12/31/16   
Open Shares                           
Net asset value, beginning of period  $12.58   $10.03   $13.72   $13.68   $12.16   
Income (Loss) from investment operations:                           
Net investment income (loss) (a)   (b)   0.01    0.01    0.01    0.06^  
Net realized and unrealized gain (loss)   0.75    2.95    (1.87)   1.84    1.85   
Total from investment operations   0.75    2.96    (1.86)   1.85    1.91   
Less distributions from:                           
Net investment income   (0.02)       (b)   (0.04)   (0.05)  
Net realized gains   (0.06)   (0.41)   (1.83)   (1.77)   (0.34)  
Total distributions   (0.08)   (0.41)   (1.83)   (1.81)   (0.39)  
Redemption fees                   (b)  
Net asset value, end of period  $13.25   $12.58   $10.03   $13.72   $13.68   
Total Return (c)   6.10%   29.51%   –13.49%   13.82%   15.92%^  
 
Ratios and Supplemental Data:                              
Net assets, end of period (in thousands)  $10,965   $14,643   $13,726   $25,973   $30,332   
Ratios to average net assets:                           
Net expenses   1.28%   1.25%   1.18%   1.17%   1.16%^  
Gross expenses   1.28%   1.25%   1.18%   1.17%   1.20%  
Net investment income (loss)   %(e)   0.11%   0.04%   0.09%   0.51%^  
Portfolio turnover rate   80%   90%   81%   79%   91%  

 

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

 

260  Annual Report

 

 

 

Selected data for a share
of capital stock outstanding
throughout each period
  For the Period
1/8/20*
to 12/31/20
 
R6 Shares          
Net asset value, beginning of period    $13.62    
Income (Loss) from investment operations:          
Net investment income (loss) (a)     0.04    
Net realized and unrealized gain (loss)     0.84    
Total from investment operations     0.88    
Less distributions from:          
Net investment income     (0.02 )  
Net realized gains     (0.06 )  
Total distributions     (0.08 )  
Net asset value, end of period    $14.42    
Total Return (c)     6.59 %  
           
Ratios and Supplemental Data:          
Net assets, end of period (in thousands)    $684    
Ratios to average net assets (d):          
Net expenses     0.96 %  
Gross expenses     1.65 %  
Net investment income (loss)     0.34 %  
Portfolio turnover rate     80 %  

 

* The inception date for the R6 shares was January 8, 2020.
^ Refer to Note 3 in the Notes to Financial Statements for discussion of prior period custodian out-of-pocket expenses that were reimbursed to the Portfolio in the period. The impact on the net investment income per share amount was $0.01 per share. There was a 0.08% impact on the total return of the Institutional Shares class of the Portfolio. There was a 0.04% impact on the net expenses and net investment income (loss) ratios of the Portfolio.
(a) Net investment income (loss) has been computed using the average shares method.
(b) Amount is less than $0.01 per share.
(c) Total returns reflect reinvestment of all dividends and distributions, if any. Certain expenses of the Portfolio may have been waived or reimbursed by the Investment Manager, State Street or DST; without such waiver/reimbursement of expenses, the Portfolio’s returns would have been lower. Returns for a period of less than one year are not annualized.
(d) Annualized for a period of less than one year except for non-recurring expenses.
(e) Amount is less than 0.005%

 

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

 

Annual Report  261

 

 

 

LAZARD US SUSTAINABLE EQUITY PORTFOLIO

 

Selected data for a share
of capital stock outstanding
throughout each period
 For the Period
6/30/20*
to 12/31/20
 
Institutional Shares         
Net asset value, beginning of period    $10.00   
Income (Loss) from investment operations:         
Net investment income (loss) (a)     0.04   
Net realized and unrealized gain (loss)     2.23   
Total from investment operations     2.27   
Less distributions from:         
Net investment income     (0.04)  
Net realized gains     (0.03)  
Total distributions     (0.07)  
Net asset value, end of period    $12.20   
Total Return (b)     22.69%  
 
Ratios and Supplemental Data:         
Net assets, end of period (in thousands)    $11,490   
Ratios to average net assets (c):         
Net expenses     0.75%  
Gross expenses     2.49%  
Net investment income (loss)     0.65%  
Portfolio turnover rate     5%  

 

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

 

262  Annual Report

 

 

 

Selected data for a share  For the Period  
of capital stock outstanding  6/30/20*  
throughout each period  to 12/31/20  
Open Shares         
Net asset value, beginning of period    $10.00   
Income (Loss) from investment operations:         
Net investment income (loss) (a)     0.02   
Net realized and unrealized gain (loss)     2.23   
Total from investment operations     2.25   
Less distributions from:         
Net investment income     (0.01)  
Net realized gains     (0.03)  
Total distributions     (0.04)  
Net asset value, end of period    $12.21   
Total Return (b)     22.48%  
 
Ratios and Supplemental Data:         
Net assets, end of period (in thousands)    $128   
Ratios to average net assets (c):         
Net expenses     1.00%  
Gross expenses     5.31%  
Net investment income (loss)     0.43%  
Portfolio turnover rate     5%  

 

* The Portfolio commenced operations on June 30, 2020.
(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 may have been waived or reimbursed by the Investment Manager, State Street or DST; without such waiver/reimbursement of expenses, the Portfolio’s returns would have been lower. Returns for a period of less than one year are not annualized.
(c) Annualized for a period of less than one year except for non-recurring expenses.

 

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

 

Annual Report  263

 

The Lazard Funds, Inc. Notes to Financial Statements

December 31, 2020

 

1. Organization

The Lazard Funds, Inc. was incorporated in Maryland on May 17, 1991 and is registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the “1940 Act”), as an open-end management investment company. As of December 31, 2020, the Fund was comprised of thirty no-load portfolios (each referred to as a “Portfolio”).This report includes only the financial statements of the Lazard Developing Markets Equity Portfolio (“Developing Markets Equity”), Lazard Emerging Markets Core Equity Portfolio (“Emerging Markets Core Equity”), Lazard Emerging Markets Equity Advantage Portfolio (“Emerging Markets Equity Advantage”), Lazard Emerging Markets Equity Blend Portfolio (“Emerging Markets Equity Blend”), Lazard Emerging Markets Equity Portfolio (“Emerging Markets Equity”), Lazard Equity Franchise Portfolio (“Equity Franchise”), Lazard Global Equity Select Portfolio (“Global Equity Select”), Lazard Global Listed Infrastructure Portfolio (“Global Listed Infrastructure”), Lazard Global Strategic Equity Portfolio (“Global Strategic Equity”), Lazard International Equity Advantage Portfolio (“International Equity Advantage”), Lazard International Equity Concentrated Portfolio (“International Equity Concentrated”), Lazard International Equity Portfolio (“International Equity”), Lazard International Equity Select Portfolio (“International Equity Select”), Lazard International Equity Value Portfolio (“International Equity Value”), Lazard International Small Cap Equity Portfolio (“International Small Cap Equity”), Lazard International Strategic Equity Portfolio (“International Strategic Equity”), Lazard International Quality Growth Portfolio (“International Quality Growth”), Lazard Managed Equity Volatility Portfolio (“Managed Equity Volatility”), Lazard US Equity Concentrated Porfolio (“US Equity Concentrated”), Lazard US Equity Focus Portfolio (“US Equity Focus”), Lazard US Small-Mid Cap Equity Portfolio (“US Small-Mid Cap Equity”), and Lazard US Sustainable Equity Portfolio (“US Sustainable Equity” which commenced operations on June 30, 2020).The financial statements of the other eight Portfolios are presented separately.

 

The Portfolios, other than Equity Franchise, International Equity Concentrated, International Equity Value, US Equity Concentrated and US Equity Focus, are operated as “diversified” funds, as defined in the 1940 Act.

 

264  Annual Report

 

 

 

Each Portfolio currently offers Institutional Shares and Open Shares, and certain Portfolios offer R6 Shares. Each share class is identical except as to minimum investment requirements; eligibility requirements for R6 Shares; the services offered to, and expenses borne by, each class; and the availability of Service Payments (as defined in the Portfolios’ prospectus).

 

On November 17, 2020, the Lazard Global Strategic Equity Portfolio had a 1-for-5 reverse share split, effective after the market close on November 17, 2020. After the reverse share split, shareholders in the Portfolio held one share for every five Portfolio shares previously held.The reverse share split had no impact on the overall value of a shareholder’s investment.

 

2. Significant Accounting Policies

The accompanying financial statements are presented in conformity with GAAP. The Fund is an investment company and therefore applies specialized accounting guidance in accordance with Accounting Standards Codification Topic 946. The following is a summary of significant accounting policies consistently followed by the Fund in the preparation of the financial statements:

 

(a) Valuation of Investments—Equity securities traded on a securities exchange or market, including exchange-traded option contracts, rights and warrants, are valued at the last reported sales price (for US listed equity securities) or the closing price (for non-US listed equity securities) on the exchange or market on which the security is principally traded or, for securities trading on the NASDAQ National Market System (“NASDAQ”), the NASDAQ Official Closing Price. If there is no available closing price for a non-US listed equity security, the last reported sales price is used. If there are no reported sales of a security on the valuation date, the security is valued at the most recent quoted bid price on such date reported by such principal exchange or market. Forward currency contracts generally are valued using quotations from an independent pricing service. Investments in money market funds are valued at the fund’s net asset value (“NAV”) per share.

 

Calculation of a Portfolio’s NAV may not take place contemporaneously with the determination of the prices of

 

Annual Report  265

 

 

 

portfolio assets used in such calculation. Trading on certain non-US securities exchanges or markets, such as those in Europe and Asia, ordinarily may be completed before the close of business on each business day in New York (i.e., a day on which the New York Stock Exchange (the “NYSE”) is open). In addition, securities trading in a particular non-US country or countries, may not take place on all business days in New York and on which the NAV of a Portfolio is calculated.

 

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 Portfolio’s NAV 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 Fund’s Board of Directors (the “Board”).The fair value of non-US 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 US securities and other appropriate indicators, such as closing market prices of relevant ADRs or futures contracts. Certain non-US securities may trade on days when a Portfolio is not open for business, thus affecting the value of the Portfolio’s assets on days when Portfolio shareholders may not be able to buy or sell Portfolio shares.

 

The Valuation Committee of the Investment Manager, which is subject to the oversight 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 Manager’s portfolio management team also will be considered.

 

The effect of using fair value pricing is that the NAV 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

 

266  Annual Report

 

 

 

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.

 

(b) Portfolio Securities Transactions and Investment Income—Portfolio securities transactions are accounted for on trade date. Realized gain (loss) on sales of investments are recorded on a specific identification basis. Dividend income is recorded on the ex-dividend date except for certain dividends from non-US securities where the dividend rate is not available. In such cases, the dividend is recorded as soon as the information is received by a Portfolio. Interest income, if any, is accrued daily.

 

A Portfolio may be subject to taxes imposed by non-US countries in which it invests. Such taxes are generally based upon income earned or capital gains (realized and/or unrealized). An affected Portfolio accrues and applies such taxes to net investment income, net realized gains and net unrealized gains concurrent with the recognition of income earned or capital gains (realized and/or unrealized) from the applicable portfolio securities.

 

As a result of several court cases in certain countries across the European Union, some Portfolios have filed tax reclaims for previously withheld taxes on dividends earned in certain European Union countries.These filings are subject to various administrative proceedings by the local jurisdictions’ tax authorities within the European Union, as well as a number of related judicial proceedings. Uncertainty exists as to the ultimate resolution of these proceedings, the likelihood of receipt of these claims, and the potential timing of payment, and accordingly no amounts are reflected in the financial statements. Such amounts, if and when recorded, could result in an increase in a Portfolio’s NAV per share.

 

(c) Foreign Currency Translation and Forward Currency Contracts—The accounting records of the Fund are maintained in US dollars. Portfolio securities and other assets and liabilities denominated in a foreign currency are translated daily into US dollars at the prevailing rates of exchange. Purchases and sales of securities, income receipts and expense payments are translated into US dollars at the prevailing exchange rates on the respective transaction dates.

 

Annual Report  267

 

 

 

The Portfolios do not isolate the portion of operations resulting from changes in foreign exchange rates on investments from the fluctuations arising from changes in their market prices. Such fluctuations are included in net realized and unrealized gain (loss) on investments. A forward currency contract is an agreement between two parties to buy or sell currency at a set price on a future date. Daily fluctuations in the value of forward currency contracts are recorded as unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on forward currency contracts. When the contract is closed, the Portfolio records a realized gain (loss) equal to the difference between the value at the time it was opened and the value at the time it was closed. Net realized gain (loss) on foreign currency transactions and forward currency contracts represent net foreign currency gain (loss) from forward currency contracts, disposition of foreign currencies, currency gain (loss) realized between the trade and settlement dates on securities transactions, and the difference between the amount of dividends, interest and foreign withholding taxes recorded on the Portfolios’ accounting records and the US dollar equivalent amounts actually received or paid. Net change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on foreign currency translations reflects the impact of changes in exchange rates on the value of assets and liabilities, other than investments in securities, during the period.

 

During the year ended December 31, 2020, the Global Listed Infrastructure Portfolio traded in forward currency contracts.

 

(d) Federal Income Taxes—The Fund’s policy is for each Portfolio to qualify as a regulated investment company under Subchapter M of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “Code”), and to distribute all of its taxable income, including any net realized capital gains, to shareholders. Therefore, no federal income tax provision is required.

 

At December 31, 2020, the following Portfolios had unused realized capital loss carryovers which, for federal income tax purposes, could be used to offset future realized capital gains with no expiration date as follows:

 

268  Annual Report

 

 

 

Portfolio  Short-Term   Long-Term 
         
Developing Markets Equity  $52,510,008   $61,511,199 
Emerging Markets Core Equity   6,634,677    19,272,369 
Emerging Markets Equity Blend   11,817,368    42,655,514 
Emerging Markets Equity   213,155,187    1,246,135,039 
International Equity Advantage   142,059    132,843 
International Equity Concentrated   9,174,498    2,079,978 
International Equity   59,029,777    3,993,533 
International Equity Select   1,599,031    1,956,530 
International Equity Value   900,479     
International Small Cap Equity   1,090,853     
International Strategic Equity   68,654,545     
Managed Equity Volatility   1,476,490     
US Small-Mid Cap Equity   4,135,115     

 

During the year ended December 31, 2020, the following Portfolios utilized realized capital loss carryovers from previous years as follows:

 

Portfolio  Amounts 
     
Emerging Markets Equity Advantage  $184,175 
Global Equity Select   1,427,271 
Global Listed Infrastructure   9,760,289 
International Equity Value Portfolio   3,029 
International Small Cap Equity Portfolio   431,493 
US Equity Concentrated Portfolio   1,193,025 

 

Under current tax law, post-October capital losses or certain late-year ordinary losses, as defined by the Code, within the taxable year may be deferred and treated as occurring on the first day of the following tax year. For the tax year ended December 31, 2020, the following Portfolios elected to defer such losses as follows:

 

Portfolio  Post-October
Capital Loss
Deferral
  Late-Year
Ordinary Loss
Deferral
 
           
Global Listed Infrastructure  $   $186,822,571   
International Equity Advantage       602   
International Quality Growth       105   

 

For federal income tax purposes, the aggregate cost, aggregate gross unrealized appreciation, aggregate gross unrealized

 

Annual Report  269

 

 

 

depreciation and the net unrealized appreciation (depreciation) were as follows:

 

Portfolio  Aggregate
Cost
  Aggregate
Gross
Unrealized
Appreciation
  Aggregate
Gross
Unrealized
Depreciation
  Net
Unrealized
Appreciation
(Depreciation)
             
Developing Markets Equity  $142,867,141   $62,077,804   $3,465,243   $58,612,561 
Emerging Markets Core Equity   144,000,035    75,000,837    6,296,978    68,703,859 
Emerging Markets Equity Advantage   22,541,260    6,167,432    280,170    5,887,262 
Emerging Markets Equity Blend   63,248,470    17,846,946    2,523,861    15,323,085 
Emerging Markets Equity   3,536,637,743    1,058,316,458    238,850,986    819,465,472 
Equity Franchise   81,204,844    11,385,512    770,215    10,615,297 
Global Equity Select   67,735,556    25,891,417    79,605    25,811,812 
Global Listed Infrastructure   7,354,628,643    731,913,694    470,691,859    261,221,835 
Global Strategic Equity   3,012,633    1,268,268    1,243    1,267,025 
International Equity Advantage   2,220,292    444,774    37,302    407,472 
International Equity Concentrated   13,021,176    1,350,281    61,361    1,288,920 
International Equity   2,413,313,528    695,515,550    51,051,684    644,463,866 
International Equity Select   78,591,087    18,977,061    2,736,253    16,240,808 
International Equity Value   2,410,429    381,224    31,937    349,287 
International Quality Growth   8,534,859    2,447,552    8,856    2,438,696 
International Small Cap Equity   33,103,661    9,193,821    447,584    8,746,237 
International Strategic Equity   4,441,658,579    1,513,303,679    35,229,983    1,478,073,696 
Managed Equity Volatility   24,172,032    2,314,413    689,435    1,624,978 
US Equity Concentrated   1,405,721,508    565,580,429        565,580,429 
US Equity Focus   36,849,058    16,289,729        16,289,729 
US Small-Mid Cap Equity   78,035,060    25,041,409    862,795    24,178,614 
US Sustainable Equity   9,857,859    1,725,938    15,004    1,710,934 

 

Management has analyzed the Portfolios’ tax positions, and has concluded that no liability for unrecognized tax benefits should be recorded related to uncertain tax positions taken on tax returns filed for any open tax years (or expected to be taken on future tax

 

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returns). Open tax years are those that remain subject to examination and are based on each tax jurisdiction’s statute of limitations. Each Portfolio files a US federal income tax return annually after its fiscal year-end, which is subject to examination by the Internal Revenue Service for a period of three years from the date of filing.

 

(e) Dividends and Distributions—For each Portfolio, income dividends are normally declared each business day and paid monthly during any particular year, except that the Global Listed Infrastructure Portfolio’s dividends from net investment income (if any), will be declared and paid quarterly. During any particular year, net realized gains from investment transactions in excess of available capital loss carryforwards would be taxable to the Portfolios, if not distributed.The Portfolios intend to declare and distribute these amounts, at least annually, to shareholders; but may be distributed more frequently. Differences in per share distributions, by class, are generally due to differences in class specific expenses.

 

The US Equity Focus, US Equity Concentrated, Global Equity Select, and Equity Franchise Portfolio, intend, on their 2020 tax returns, to treat as a distribution of investment company taxable income and net capital gain the portion of redemption proceeds paid to redeeming shareholders that represents the redeeming shareholders’ portion of the Portfolios’ undistributed investment company taxable income and net capital gain.This practice, which involves the use of equalization accounting, will have the effect of reducing the amount of income and gains that the Portfolios would otherwise be required to distribute as dividends to shareholders in order for the Portfolios to avoid federal income and excise taxes. This practice reduces the amount of distributions required to be made to non-redeeming shareholders and defers the recognition of taxable income by such shareholders. However, since the amount of any undistributed income will be reflected in the value of the Portfolios’ shares, the total return on a shareholder’s investment is not affected by the Portfolios’ use of equalization.

 

REIT distributions received by a Portfolio are generally comprised of ordinary income, long-term capital gains and a return of REIT

 

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capital. However, as the actual character of such distributions received are not known until after the calendar year end, distributions made by a Portfolio during the year are subject to re-characterization that may result in some portion of the distributions being reclassified as a return of capital distribution to Portfolio shareholders.

 

Income and capital gains distributions are determined in accordance with federal income tax regulations which may differ from GAAP. These book/tax differences, which may result in distribution reclassifications, are primarily due to differing treatments of foreign currency transactions, wash sales, passive foreign investment companies, expiring capital loss carryovers, certain expenses, foreign capital gains taxes, distributions in excess of current earnings, equalization, non-REIT non-taxable dividend adjustment to income, distributions redesignations, adjustments in relation to merger, return of capital distributions, receivable from tax reclaim and distributions from real estate investment trusts and partnerships. The book/tax differences relating to shareholder distributions resulted in reclassifications among certain capital accounts as follows:

 

Portfolio  Paid in
Capital
  Distributable
Earnings
(Accumulated
Loss)
 
         
Equity Franchise  $18,210   $(18,210)  
Global Equity Select   4,945,142    (4,945,142)  
Global Listed Infrastructure   (35,977,763)   35,977,763   
International Equity Select   (3,840)   3,840   
International Quality Growth   (79)   79   
International Strategic Equity   (10,649)   10,649   
US Equity Concentrated   1,164,595    (1,164,595)  
US Equity Focus   132,115    (132,115)  
US Small-Mid Cap Equity   (12,877)   12,877   
US Sustainable Equity   (65)   65   

 

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The tax character of dividends and distributions paid during the years ended December 31, were as follows:

 

   Ordinary Income  Long-Term Capital Gain  
Portfolio  2020  2019  2020  2019  
                     
Developing Markets Equity  $524,233   $1,272,077   $   $ 
Emerging Markets Core Equity   1,259,054    4,002,107         
Emerging Markets Equity Advantage   191,129    198,987    65,751     
Emerging Markets Equity Blend   941,700    2,137,475         
Emerging Markets Equity   101,450,892    194,889,049         
Equity Franchise   1,013,518    2,037,956        163,734 
Global Equity Select*   898,618    595,796    2,179,767     
Global Listed Infrastructure*   20,285,474    317,773,912    133,696,404     
Global Strategic Equity   24,300    27,142    104,380    63,308 
International Equity Advantage   50,031    54,002         
International Equity Concentrated   514,755    1,609,266         
International Equity   31,285,550    57,938,459         
International Equity Select   918,247    2,007,181         
International Equity Value   58,795    639,252         
International Quality Growth   5,697    95,627    81,523     
International Small Cap Equity   1,004,081    234,028        1,291,922 
International Strategic Equity   58,381,073    113,944,544         
Managed Equity Volatility   190,666    480,591    373,644    2,138 
US Equity Concentrated   11,158,479    10,742,527    20,817,948     
US Equity Focus   450,250    1,621,108    2,166,659    3,133,733 
US Small-Mid Cap Equity   170,438    225,556    602,919    3,647,669 
US Sustainable Equity   63,342        24     

 

* Global Equity Select and Global Listed Infrastructure Portfolios had return of capital distributions of $0 and $35,977,763 in 2020 and $42,175 and $0 in 2019, respectively.

 

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At December 31, 2020, the components of distributable earnings (accumulated loss), on a tax basis, were as follows:

 

Portfolio  Undistributed
Ordinary Income
(Deferred
Ordinary
Losses)
  Undistributed
Long-Term
Capital Gain
(Deferred
Capital Losses)
  Net Unrealized
Appreciation
(Depreciation)
Including
Foreign Currency
             
Developing Markets Equity  $435,490   $(114,021,207)  $58,545,657 
Emerging Markets Core Equity   178,564    (25,907,046)   68,526,138 
Emerging Markets Equity Advantage       675,318    5,888,320 
Emerging Markets Equity Blend   33,253    (54,472,882)   15,197,128 
Emerging Markets Equity   70,354,003    (1,459,290,226)   815,246,730 
Equity Franchise   333,949    16,574    10,598,042 
Global Equity Select   498,000    359,183    25,806,475 
Global Listed Infrastructure   (186,822,571)       261,845,850 
Global Strategic Equity   33,162    35,277    1,240,727 
International Equity Advantage   (170)   (274,902)   407,875 
International Equity Concentrated   3,089    (11,254,476)   1,262,916 
International Equity   14,630,285    (63,023,310)   644,946,673 
International Equity Select       (3,555,561)   16,253,407 
International Equity Value   28,309    (900,479)   301,341 
International Quality Growth   (105)       2,382,324 
International Small Cap Equity   336,607    (1,090,853)   8,741,871 
International Strategic Equity   8,487,423    (68,654,545)   1,477,197,767 
Managed Equity Volatility   378,376    (1,476,490)   1,627,042 
US Equity Concentrated       21,619,277    565,580,428 
US Equity Focus   1,866    1,684,259    16,289,728 
US Small-Mid Cap Equity   232,603    (4,135,115)   24,178,614 
US Sustainable Equity   36,877    232    1,710,934 

 

(f) Offering and Organizational Costs—Costs incurred by the Fund in connection with the offering of shares of a new Portfolio or share class of a Portfolio are deferred and amortized on a straight line basis over a twelve-month period from the date of commencement of operations of the Portfolio or share class. Organizational costs are expensed as incurred.

 

(g) Allocation of Expenses—Expenses common to the Fund, Lazard Retirement Series, Inc., and Lazard Global Total Return and Income Fund, Inc. (each a “Lazard Fund” and collectively, the “Lazard Fund Complex”), each a registered management investment company advised by the Investment Manager, not

 

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directly chargeable to one or more specific Lazard Funds are allocated to the Fund and among its Portfolios primarily on the basis of relative net assets. Expenses of the Fund not directly chargeable to one or more Portfolios are similarly allocated among the Portfolios primarily on the basis of relative net assets. Portfolios accrue distribution and service (12b-1) fees to Open Shares.The Portfolios’ income, expenses (other than class specific expenses) and realized and unrealized gains and losses are allocated proportionally each day between the classes based upon the relative net assets of each class.

 

(h) Redemption Fee—Until August 15, 2016, the Portfolios imposed a 1.00% redemption fee (short-term trading fee) on Portfolio shares redeemed less than 30 days after such shares were acquired.The fees were retained by the Portfolios and are included as paid in capital on the Statements of Assets and Liabilities. As of August 15, 2016, redemption fees no longer apply to transactions in Portfolio shares.

 

(i) Estimates—The preparation of financial statements in conformity with GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of increases and decreases in net assets resulting from operations during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from those estimates.

 

(j) Net Asset Value—The NAV per share for each class of each Portfolio is determined each day the NYSE is open for trading as of the close of regular trading on the NYSE (generally 4:00 p.m. Eastern time).The Fund will not treat an intraday unscheduled disruption in NYSE trading as a closure of the NYSE, and will price its shares as of 4:00 p.m., if the particular disruption directly affects only the NYSE.The NAV per share of a class 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.

 

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3. Investment Management, Administration, Custody, Distribution and Transfer Agency Agreements

The Fund, on behalf of the Portfolios, has entered into a management agreement (the “Management Agreement”) with the Investment Manager. Pursuant to the Management Agreement, the Investment Manager manages the investment operations of the Fund and the assets of the Fund including the purchase, retention and disposition thereof, in accordance with the Fund’s investment objectives, policies, and restrictions, and provides the Portfolios with administrative, operational and compliance assistance services. For its services provided to the Portfolios, the Investment Manager earns a management fee, accrued daily as a percentage of each Portfolio’s average daily net assets and payable by each Portfolio monthly, at the annual rate set forth below:

 

Portfolio  Annual Rate   
       
Developing Markets Equity   1.00%  
Emerging Markets Core Equity   1.00   
Emerging Markets Equity Advantage   0.85   
Emerging Markets Equity Blend   1.00   
Emerging Markets Equity   1.00   
Equity Franchise   0.80   
Global Equity Select   0.65   
Global Listed Infrastructure   0.90   
Global Strategic Equity   0.75   
International Equity Advantage   0.65   
International Equity Concentrated   0.80   
International Equity   0.75   
International Equity Select   0.65   
International Equity Value   0.80   
International Quality Growth   0.75   
International Small Cap Equity   0.75   
International Strategic Equity   0.75   
Managed Equity Volatility   0.60   
US Equity Concentrated   0.70   
US Equity Focus   0.55   
US Small-Mid Cap Equity   0.75   
US Sustainable Equity   0.60   

 

The Investment Manager has voluntarily agreed to waive its fees and, if necessary, reimburse a Portfolio until May 1, 2021 (or such other date as indicated below) the aggregate direct expenses of the Portfolio(s), exclusive of taxes, brokerage, interest on

 

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borrowings, fees and expenses of “Acquired Funds” (as defined in Form N-1A), including, for the purposes of the expense limitation agreement only, fees related to filing foreign tax reclaims and extraordinary expenses, exceed the applicable percentage(s) of the value of the Portfolio’s average daily net assets set forth opposite the Portfolio’s name in the table below.The Fund, on behalf of the Portfolio, may deduct from the payment to be made to the Investment Manager under the Management Agreement, or the Investment Manager will bear, such excess expenses.

 

Portfolio  Institutional
Shares
  Open
Shares
  R6
Shares
 
            
Developing Markets Equity   1.15%   1.40%   N/A % (a)
Emerging Markets Core Equity   1.25     1.50     1.20    
Emerging Markets Equity Advantage   1.10    1.35    N/A   
Emerging Markets Equity Blend   1.20    1.45    N/A  (a)  
Emerging Markets Equity   1.20    1.45    1.15   
Equity Franchise   0.95    1.20    N/A   
Global Equity Select   0.90    1.15    N/A   
Global Listed Infrastructure   1.20    1.45    N/A (b)  
Global Strategic Equity   0.95    1.20    N/A  (c)  
International Equity Advantage   0.90    1.15    N/A   
International Equity Concentrated   0.90    1.15    N/A (d)  
International Equity   0.85    1.10    0.80   
International Equity Select   0.90    1.15    N/A (e)  
International Equity Value   0.95    1.20    N/A   
International Quality Growth   0.85    1.10(b)   N/A   
International Small Cap Equity   1.13    1.38    N/A   
International Strategic Equity   1.05    1.30    1.00   
Managed Equity Volatility   0.75    1.00    N/A   
US Equity Concentrated   0.90    1.15    0.85 (f)  
US Equity Focus   0.70    0.95    0.70   
US Small-Mid Cap Equity   1.15    1.40    1.10   
US Sustainable Equity   0.75    1.00    N/A (g)  

 

(a) From January 1, 2020 to June 15, 2020, annual rates were 1.25% and 1.50%, respectively.
(b) This agreement will continue in effect until May 1, 2030.
(c) From January 1, 2020 to June 15, 2020, annual rates were 1.00% and 1.25%, respectively.
(d) From January 1, 2020 to June 15, 2020, annual rates were 0.95% and 1.20%, respectively.
(e) This agreement will continue in effect until May 1, 2021 and from May 1, 2021 to May 1, 2030 at levels of 1.15%, 1.40% and 1.10% respectively.
(f) This agreement will continue in effect until May 1, 2021 and from May 1, 2021 to May 1, 2030 at levels of 1.10%, 1.35% and 1.05% respectively.
(g) This agreement will continue in effect until June 30, 2022.

 

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In addition, until May 1, 2021, to the extent the “Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses” (as used in Form N-1A) of the R6 Shares of a Portfolio exceed the Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses of the Portfolio’s Institutional Shares (in each case, not including management fees, custodial fees or other expenses related to the management of the Portfolio’s assets), the Investment Manager will bear the expenses of the R6 Shares in the amount of such excess.

 

During the year ended December 31, 2020, the Investment Manager waived its management fees and reimbursed the following Portfolios for other expenses as follows:

 

   Institutional Shares  Open Shares  
Portfolio  Management
Fees Waived
  Expenses
Reimbursed
  Management
Fees Waived
  Expenses
Reimbursed
 
               
Developing Markets Equity  $68,889   $   $7,026   $   
Emerging Markets Core Equity           2,319       
Emerging Markets Equity Advantage   148,929    3,257    7,470    4,189   
Emerging Markets Equity Blend   175,992        13,902       
Equity Franchise   89,222        1,454    2,982   
Global Equity Select   29,225        5,833       
Global Strategic Equity   24,630    132,014    1,104    9,982   
International Equity Advantage   14,112    152,432    670    11,073   
International Equity Concentrated   127,924        3,001    2,700   
International Equity Select   39,771        5,547       
International Equity Value   21,487    129,969    410    6,572   
International Quality Growth   42,057    111,213    518    5,325   
International Small Cap Equity   42,052        22,182       
Managed Equity Volatility   145,305        874    4,054   
US Equity Focus   151,546    2,742    6,139    3,276   
US Sustainable Equity   27,336    97,681    337    1,970   

 

   R6 Shares  
Portfolio  Management
Fees Waived
  Expenses
Reimbursed
 
             
Emerging Markets Core Equity  $2,972   $   
Emerging Markets Equity   5,235       
International Equity   22,312       
International Strategic Equity   7,162       
US Equity Concentrated   3,142       
US Equity Focus   73,145    1,971   
US Small-Mid Cap Equity   3,325       

 

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The aforementioned waivers and/or reimbursements are not subject to recoupment by the Investment Manager.

 

State Street serves as the Fund’s custodian and provides the Fund with certain administrative services.

 

In December 2015, State Street announced that it had identified inconsistencies in the way in which clients were invoiced for custody out-of-pocket expenses from 1998 until 2015. The difference between what was charged and what should have been charged, plus interest, was recorded as a reimbursement when determined in 2016. Pursuant to the expense limitations described above, certain Portfolios experienced management fee waivers during the year ended December 31, 2016. Accordingly, the reimbursement of out-of-pocket expenses resulted in the reduction in the waiver of management fees for certain Portfolios for the year ended December 31, 2016.

 

The Fund has a distribution agreement with Lazard Asset Management Securities LLC (the “Distributor”), a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Investment Manager, to serve as the distributor for shares of each Portfolio. The Distributor bears, amongst other things, the cost of preparing and distributing materials used by the Distributor in connection with its offering Portfolio shares and other advertising and promotional expenses.

 

Under a distribution and servicing plan adopted pursuant to Rule 12b-1 under the 1940 Act, each Portfolio pays a monthly fee to the Distributor, at an annual rate of 0.25% of the average daily net assets of its Open Shares, for certain distribution activities and providing services to holders of the Portfolio’s Open shares. The Distributor may make payments to such as financial institutions, securities dealers and other industry professionals in respect of these services.

 

DST is the Fund’s transfer agent and dividend disbursing agent. During the year ended December 31, 2020, DST waived $534 and $1,493 of its fees for the US Small-Mid Cap Equity Portfolio and US Sustainable Equity Portfolio respectively.

 

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4. Directors’ Compensation

Certain Directors of the Fund are officers of the Investment Manager. For the year ended December 31, 2020, each Director who is not an affiliated person of the Investment Manager or any of its affiliates was paid by all of the funds in the Lazard Fund Complex: (1) an annual retainer of $237,000, (2) an additional annual fee of $33,700 to the lead Independent Director, and (3) an additional annual fee of $23,500 to the Audit Committee Chair. The Independent Directors (an “Independent Director” is a Director who is not an “interested person” (as defined in the 1940 Act) of the Fund) also may be paid additional compensation for participation on ad hoc committees or other work performed on behalf of the Board. The Directors do not receive benefits from the Fund pursuant to any pension, retirement or similar arrangement. The compensation policy (i.e., retainer amounts and any additional fees as described above) for Independent Directors for the Lazard Fund Complex will remain the same in 2021. Independent Directors’ fees are allocated among the active Portfolios in the Lazard Fund Complex at a rate of $5,000 per active portfolio with the remainder allocated based upon each active portfolio’s proportionate share of combined net assets. The Statements of Operations show the Independent Directors’ fees and expenses paid by each Portfolio.

 

5. Securities Transactions and Transactions with Affiliates

Purchases and sales of portfolio securities (excluding short-term investments) for the year ended December 31, 2020 were as follows:

 

Portfolio  Purchases  Sales
           
Developing Markets Equity  $101,877,255   $154,585,252 
Emerging Markets Core Equity   41,317,703    52,359,654 
Emerging Markets Equity Advantage   28,454,197    16,170,467 
Emerging Markets Equity Blend   39,491,384    65,261,717 
Emerging Markets Equity   1,959,711,338    4,476,296,943 
Equity Franchise   78,319,848    42,735,248 
Global Equity Select   60,722,252    67,460,794 
Global Listed Infrastructure   2,685,868,769    3,207,635,341 
Global Strategic Equity   2,149,499    1,997,541 
International Equity Advantage   2,517,771    2,488,071 

 

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Portfolio  Purchases  Sales
           
International Equity Concentrated  $48,415,298   $111,267,230 
International Equity   983,955,819    988,216,631 
International Equity Select   28,150,631    33,308,268 
International Equity Value   2,765,544    12,782,751 
International Quality Growth   5,441,777    683,313 
International Small Cap Equity   21,643,840    40,244,413 
International Strategic Equity   1,944,955,570    2,692,591,169 
Managed Equity Volatility   40,798,118    46,987,463 
US Equity Concentrated   1,037,827,468    704,813,928 
US Equity Focus   24,676,489    22,372,552 
US Small-Mid Cap Equity   83,582,411    107,445,525 
US Sustainable Equity   10,074,230    475,533 

 

For the year ended December 31, 2020, the Portfolios did not engage in any cross-trades in accordance with Rule 17a-7 under the 1940 Act, and no brokerage commissions were paid to affiliates of the Investment Manager or other affiliates of the Fund for portfolio transactions executed on behalf of the Fund.

 

At December 31, 2020, the Investment Manager owned 89.87%, 92.18%, 87.37%, 42.89% and 52.80% of the outstanding shares of the Global Strategic Equity, International Equity Advantage, International Equity Value, International Quality Growth and US Sustainable Equity Portfolios, respectively.

 

Holdings of 5% Voting Securities of Portfolio Companies The 1940 Act defines “affiliated persons” to include a portfolio company in which a Portfolio owns 5% or more of the outstanding voting securities. Investments in “affiliated persons” for the Global Listed Infrastructure Portfolio for the year ended December 31, 2020 were as follows:

 

Issue  Value at
December 31, 2019
  Purchase
cost
  Sales
proceeds
  Realized
gain (loss)
             
Global Listed Infrastructure                   
Atlas Arteria, Ltd.  $178,635,535   $71,231,023   $   $ 
Pennon Group PLC   248,515,390    42,000,457         
SES SA   255,862,642    20,542,754    (7,442,627)   (12,355,921)
Total Securities  $683,013,567   $133,774,234   $(7,442,627)  $(12,355,921)

 

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Issue  Change in unrealized
appreciation
(depreciation)
  Dividend
income
  Shares at
December 31,
2020
  Values at
December 31,
2020
                  
Global Listed Infrastructure                 
Atlas Arteria, Ltd.  $(4,503,295)  $3,772,596    48,907,421   $245,363,263 
Pennon Group PLC   (11,424,179)   11,458,588    21,423,608    279,091,668 
SES SA   (62,042,713)   7,569,638    20,569,089    194,564,135 
Total Securities  $(77,970,187)  $22,800,822    90,900,118   $719,019,066 

 

During the year ended December 31, 2020, the Investment Manager initiated a voluntary reimbursement payment to the International Equity Value Portfolio $88,959 for realized investment losses incurred.

 

6. Line of Credit

The Fund has a $100 million committed line of credit pursuant to an Amended and Restated Loan Agreement (the “Agreement”) with State Street, primarily for temporary or emergency purposes, including the meeting of redemption requests that otherwise might require the untimely disposition of securities. Interest on borrowings is payable at 1.00% plus the “Applicable Rate,” which is the higher of (a) the Federal Funds Rate plus 10 basis points and (b) the Overnight Bank Funding Rate (OBFR) plus 10 basis points, on an annualized basis. Under the Agreement, the Fund has agreed to pay a 0.20% per annum fee on the unused portion of the commitment, payable quarterly in arrears. The Fund has also agreed to pay an upfront fee of 0.05% of the committed line amount. During the year ended December 31, 2020, the following Portfolios had borrowings under the Agreement as follows:

 

Portfolio  Average
Daily Loan
Balance*
   Maximum
Daily Loan
Outstanding
   Weighted
Average
Interest
Rate
  Number
of Days
Borrowings
were Outstanding
                     
Developing Markets Equity  $747,692   $1,750,000       1.84%        13 
Emerging Markets Core Equity   771,548    3,400,000    1.60    42 
Emerging Markets Equity Advantage   65,091    255,000    1.83    11 
Emerging Markets Equity Blend   708,250    3,425,000    1.28    20 
Emerging Markets Equity   3,858,333    6,255,000    1.17    3 
Equity Franchise   7,131,000    11,375,000    1.20    5 
Global Equity Select   2,983,333    6,490,000    1.89    6 
International Equity Concentrated   1,239,608    13,037,770    1.19    29 

 

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Portfolio  Average
Daily Loan
Balance*
   Maximum
Daily Loan
Outstanding
   Weighted
Average
Interest
Rate
  Number
of Days
Borrowings
were Outstanding
                     
International Equity Value  $586,667   $3,320,000         2.68              6 
International Small Cap Equity   352,714    3,705,000    1.37    35 
International Strategic Equity   46,760,000    90,405,000    1.17    5 
Managed Equity Volatility   2,108,000    3,600,000    1.16    10 
US Equity Concentrated   8,725,000    11,860,000    1.87    6 

 

* For days borrowings were outstanding.

 

Management believes that the fair value of the liabilities under the Agreement is equivalent to the recorded amount based on its short-term maturity and interest rate, which fluctuates with the Applicable rate. A Portfolio’s outstanding balance under the Agreement, if any, would be categorized as Level 2.

 

7. Investment Risks

Not all risks described below apply to all Portfolios, or may not apply to the same degree for one or more Portfolios compared to one or more other Portfolios. In addition, not all risks applicable to an investment in a Portfolio are described below. Please see the current summary prospectus for the relevant Portfolio(s) or a current Portfolio prospectus for further information regarding a Portfolio’s investment strategy and related risks.

 

(a) Market Risk—A Portfolio may incur losses due to declines in one or more markets in which it invests. These declines may be the result of, among other things, political, regulatory, market, economic or social developments affecting the relevant market(s). To the extent that such developments impact specific industries, market sectors, countries or geographic regions, a Portfolio’s investments in such industries, market sectors, countries and/or geographic regions can be expected to be particularly affected, especially if such investments are a significant portion of its investment portfolio. 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 a Portfolio. Global economies and financial markets are increasingly interconnected, and conditions and events in one country, region

 

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or financial market may adversely impact issuers worldwide. As a result, local, regional or global events such as war, acts of terrorism, the spread of infectious illness or other public health issues, recessions or other events could have a significant negative impact on global economic and market conditions. The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) global pandemic and the aggressive responses taken by many governments or voluntarily imposed by private parties, including closing borders, restricting travel and imposing prolonged quarantines or similar restrictions, as well as the closure of, or operational changes to, many retail and other businesses, has had negative impacts, and in many cases severe negative impacts, on markets worldwide. It is not known how long such impacts, or any future impacts of other significant events described above, will or would last, but there could be a prolonged period of global economic slowdown, which may be expected to impact a Portfolio and its investments.

 

(b) Non-US Securities Risk—A Portfolio’s 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 less developed or less efficient trading markets, political instability, a lack of company information, differing auditing and legal standards, and, potentially, less liquidity.

 

(c) Emerging Market Risk—Emerging market countries generally have economic structures that are less diverse and mature, and political systems that are less stable, than those of developed countries. The economies of countries with emerging markets may be based predominantly on only a few industries, may be highly vulnerable to changes in local or global trade conditions, and may suffer from extreme debt burdens or volatile inflation rates. The securities markets of emerging market countries have historically been extremely volatile. 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.

 

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(d) Foreign Currency Risk— Investments denominated in currencies other than US dollars may experience a decline in value, in US dollar terms, due solely to fluctuations in currency exchange rates. A Portfolio’s investments denominated in such currencies (particularly currencies of emerging markets countries), as well as any investments in currencies themselves, could be adversely affected by delays in, or a refusal to grant, repatriation of funds or conversion of currencies. Irrespective of any foreign currency exposure hedging, a Portfolio may experience a decline in the value of its portfolio securities, in US dollar terms, due solely to fluctuations in currency exchange rates.

 

(e) Forward Currency Contracts and Currency Hedging Risk— Forward currency contracts, including those entered into for hedging purposes (i.e., seeking to protect Portfolio investments), may increase volatility, reduce returns, limit gains or magnify losses, perhaps substantially, particularly since forward currency contracts, like most derivative instruments, have a leverage component that provides investment exposure in excess of the amount invested. Forward currency contacts are subject to the risks of the creditworthiness of and default by the counterparty and consequently may lose all of a portion of their value due solely to the creditworthiness of or default by the counterparty. Forward currency contracts also may be illiquid. Changes in liquidity may result in significant, rapid and unpredictable changes in the value of such contracts. Forward currency contracts are subject to many of the risks of, and can be highly sensitive to changes in the value of, the related currencies. As such, a small investment could have a potentially large impact on a Portfolio’s performance. Forward currency contracts incur costs, which reduce returns, and costs of engaging in such transactions may outweigh any gains or any losses averted from hedging activities. Successful use of forward currency contracts, whether for hedging or for other investment purposes, is subject to the Investment Manager’s ability to accurately predict movements in currency exchange rates and, for hedging transactions, there may be imperfect correlations between movements in exchange rates that could cause a Portfolio to incur significant losses. Use of forward currency contracts, even if entered into for hedging

 

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purposes, may cause a Portfolio to experience losses greater than if the Portfolio had not engaged in such transactions.

 

(f) Country Risk—Implementation of certain Portfolios’ investment strategy may, during certain periods, result in the investment of a significant portion of such Portfolios’ assets in a particular country, such as China or Japan, and a Portfolio would be expected to be affected by political, regulatory, market, economic and social developments affecting that country.

 

Specific risks associated with investments in China include exposure to currency fluctuations, less liquidity, expropriation, confiscatory taxation, nationalization, exchange control regulations (including currency blockage), trading halts, imposition of tariffs, limitations on repatriation and differing legal standards. Certain Portfolios may invest in eligible renminbi-denominated class A shares of equity securities that are listed and traded on certain Chinese stock exchanges (“China A-Shares”) through Hong Kong Stock Connect Program (“Stock Connect”). While Stock Connect is not subject to individual investment quotas, daily and aggregate investment quotas apply to all Stock Connect participants, which may restrict or preclude a Portfolio’s ability to invest in China A-Shares (although the Portfolio would be permitted to sell China A-Shares regardless of the quota balance). Stock Connect is also subject to trading, clearance, settlement and operational risks.

 

Over the last few decades, Japan’s economic growth rate had remained relatively low compared to that of its Asian neighbors and other major developed economies mainly due to deflation. Japan has few natural resources and limited land area and is reliant on imports for its commodity needs. Fluctuations or shortages in relevant commodity markets could have a negative impact on Japan’s economy. The Japanese economy also can be adversely affected by trade tariffs, other protectionist measures, competition from emerging economies, and the economic conditions of its trading partners. Japan has a growing economic relationship with China and other Southeast Asian countries, and economic, political or social instability in those countries could have an adverse effect on Japan’s economy. The Japanese yen has

 

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fluctuated widely at times, and any increase in the yen’s value may cause a decline in Japan’s exports.

 

(g) Sector Risk—Implementation of certain Portfolios’ investment strategy may, during certain periods, result in the investment of a significant portion of such Portfolios’ assets in a particular market sector, and a Portfolio would be expected to be affected by developments in that sector.

 

(h) Franchise Companies Risk—Changes in the worldwide economy, consumer spending, competition, demographics and consumer preferences, government regulation and economic conditions may adversely affect franchise companies individually or across an industry and may negatively impact a Portfolio to a greater extent than if the Portfolio’s assets were invested more broadly in a number of types of companies.

 

(i) 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, among other factors, regulation by various government authorities, including rate regulation and service interruption due to environmental, operational or other mishaps.

 

(j) Sustainable Investing Risk—An investment strategy focused on (a) the financial sustainability of a company as a business—a company whose financial productivity is likely to be supported or enhanced in the future as a result of the move toward a more sustainable world (such as by considering the nature of the products and/or services that the company provides, from the perspective of environmental and social factors that impact

 

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financial productivity)—and (b) how the company counters potential risks arising as a result of environmental and social concerns that may be material to the particular companies or the industries or sectors in which they operate (collectively, “Sustainable Companies”) may cause the Investment Manager to forgo investments that the Investment Manager otherwise believes may be attractive but that are not considered to be Sustainable Companies.

 

(k) Other Equity Securities Risk—Investments in rights and 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 right or warrant can be prudently exercised, in which case the right or warrant may expire without being exercised and result in a loss of a Portfolio’s entire investment.

 

(l) Depositary Receipts Risk—ADRs and similar depositary receipts typically will be subject to certain of the risks associated with direct investments in the securities of non-US companies, because their values depend on the performance of the underlying non-US securities. However, currency fluctuations will impact investments in depositary receipts differently than direct investments in non-US dollar-denominated non-US securities, because a depositary receipt will not appreciate in value solely as a result of appreciation in the currency in which the underlying non-US dollar security is denominated.

 

(m) REIT Risk—REITs are subject to similar risks as an investment in a realty-related company. The risks related to investments in realty-related 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. 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

 

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are less than those of other types of stocks traded on national exchanges, which may affect a Portfolio’s ability to trade or liquidate those securities. An investment in REITs may be adversely affected if the REIT fails to comply with applicable laws and regulations, including failing to qualify as a REIT under the Code. Failure to qualify with any of these requirements could jeopardize a company’s status as a REIT. A Portfolio generally will have no control over the operations and policies of a REIT, and the Portfolio generally will have no ability to cause a REIT to take the actions necessary to qualify as a REIT.

 

(n) ETF Risk—Shares of ETFs may trade at prices that vary from their net asset values, sometimes significantly. The shares of ETFs may trade at prices at, below or above their most recent net asset value. In addition, the performance of an ETF pursuing a passive index-based strategy may diverge from the performance of the index. A Portfolio’s investments in ETFs are subject to the risks of such ETF’s investments, as well as to the general risks of investing in ETFs. A Portfolio investing in ETFs will bear not only the Portfolio’s management fees and operating expenses, but also the Portfolio’s proportional share of the management fees and operating expenses of the ETFs in which the Portfolio invests. A Portfolio may be limited by the 1940 Act in the amount of its assets that may be invested in ETFs unless an ETF has received an exemptive order from the SEC on which the Portfolio may rely or an exemption is available.

 

(o) Non-Diversification Risk—The net asset value of a Portfolio that is classified as “non-diversified” 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 Portfolio’s investments consisted of securities issued by a larger number of issuers.

 

(p) Cybersecurity Risk—The Portfolios and their service providers are susceptible to operational and information security and related risks of cybersecurity incidents. Cybersecurity attacks include, but are not limited to, gaining unauthorized access to digital systems (e.g., through “hacking” or malicious software coding) for purposes

 

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of misappropriating assets or sensitive information, corrupting data or causing operational disruption. Cybersecurity incidents affecting the Investment Manager, transfer agent or custodian or other service providers such as financial intermediaries have the ability to cause disruptions and impact business operations, potentially resulting in financial losses, including by impediments to a Portfolio’s investment trading; the inability of Portfolio shareholders to purchase and redeem Portfolio shares; interference with a Portfolio’s ability to calculate its NAV; violations of applicable privacy, data security or other laws; regulatory fines and penalties; reputational damage; reimbursement or other compensation or remediation costs; legal fees; or additional compliance costs. Similar adverse consequences could result from cybersecurity incidents affecting issuers of securities in which a Portfolio invests; counterparties with which a Portfolio engages in transactions; governmental and other regulatory authorities, exchange and other financial market operators; and banks, brokers, dealers, insurance companies and other financial institutions and other parties. There are inherent limitations in any cybersecurity risk management systems or business continuity plans, including the possibility that certain risks have not been identified.

 

(q) Other Risk—On November 12, 2020, the President of the United States issued an Executive Order (the “Order”) to prohibit, beginning January 11, 2021, US persons (which includes the Fund) from transacting in certain securities and derivatives of publicly traded securities of any company designated as a “Communist Chinese military company” (collectively with securities of certain subsidiaries of such companies and related depositary receipts that may be covered by the Order, “CCMC Securities”) by the US Department of Defense or the US Department of the Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (“OFAC”), unless such transactions are for purposes of divestment and occur through November 11, 2021. In addition, US persons also are prohibited from transacting in CCMC Securities designated as such 60 days after such designation.

 

OFAC subsequently published, on several occasions, guidance regarding compliance with the Order, including several “Frequently Asked Questions” (FAQs)-style publications addressing the scope of, and interpretive matters regarding, compliance with the Order, as

 

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well as the Order’s application to US funds that hold CCMC Securities (i.e., including mutual funds that hold CCMC Securities regardless of the size of the position relative to a fund’s total assets). Certain interpretive issues related to compliance with the Order remain open, including to what extent a US person could be held liable for failing to identify an unlisted entity whose name “closely matches the name” of an entity designated as a Communist Chinese military company.

 

A Portfolio’s holdings in CCMC Securities may adversely impact the Portfolio’s performance. The extent of any impact will depend on future developments, including the Portfolio’s ability to sell the CCMC Securities, valuation of the CCMC Securities, modifications to the Order, the issuance of additional or different interpretive guidance regarding compliance with the Order, and the duration of the Order, all of which are highly uncertain. Fund management will continue to monitor developments relating to the Order.

 

8. Contractual Obligations

The Fund enters into contracts in the normal course of business that contain a variety of indemnification provisions. A Portfolio’s maximum exposure under these arrangements is unknown. Management has reviewed the Fund’s existing contracts and expects the risk of loss to be remote.

 

9. Fair Value Measurements

Fair value is defined as the price that a Portfolio would receive to sell an asset, or would pay to transfer a liability, in an orderly transaction between market participants at the date of measurement. The Fair Value Measurements and Disclosures provisions of GAAP also establish a framework for measuring fair value, and a three-level hierarchy for fair value measurement that is based upon the transparency of inputs to the valuation of an asset or liability. Inputs may be observable or unobservable and refer, broadly, to the assumptions that market participants would use in pricing the asset or liability. Observable inputs reflect the assumptions that market participants would use in pricing the asset or liability based on market data obtained from sources independent of the Fund. Unobservable inputs reflect the Fund’s

 

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own assumptions about the assumptions that market participants would use in pricing the asset or liability, developed based on the best information available in the circumstances. The fair value measurement level within the fair value hierarchy for the assets and liabilities of the Fund is based on the lowest level of any input that is significant to the overall fair value measurement. The three-level hierarchy of inputs is summarized below:

 

Level 1 – unadjusted quoted prices in active markets for identical assets and liabilities
Level 2 – other significant observable inputs (including unadjusted quoted prices for similar assets and liabilities, interest rates, prepayment speeds, credit risk, etc.)
Level 3 – significant unobservable inputs (including the Fund’s own assumptions in determining the fair value of assets and liabilities)

 

Changes in valuation methodology or input may result in transfers into or out of the current assigned level within the hierarchy.

 

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

 

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The following table summarizes the valuation of the Portfolios’ assets and liabilities by each fair value hierarchy level as of December 31, 2020:

 

DescriptionUnadjusted
Quoted Prices in
Active Markets for
Identical
Assets
and Liabilities
(Level 1)
  Significant
Other
Observable
Inputs
(Level 2)
  Significant
Unobservable
Inputs
(Level 3)
  Balance as of
December 31, 2020
                     
Developing Markets Equity Portfolio               
Common Stocks*                    
Brazil         $1,578,648   $9,708,839   $   $11,287,487 
Canada   4,243,523            4,243,523 
China   21,011,397    35,500,418        56,511,815 
Colombia   4,211,949            4,211,949 
Hong Kong       4,381,958        4,381,958 
India   10,173,811    7,997,185        18,170,996 
Indonesia       6,009,496        6,009,496 
Macau       2,475,927        2,475,927 
Mexico   4,433,533            4,433,533 
Peru   2,534,765            2,534,765 
Philippines       3,724,483        3,724,483 
Russia   1,310,261    7,055,861        8,366,122 
South Africa       7,066,226        7,066,226 
South Korea       29,865,732        29,865,732 
Taiwan   1,770,813    27,133,442        28,904,255 
United Kingdom       2,127,367        2,127,367 
Preferred Stocks*                    
Brazil   4,954,683            4,954,683 
Short-Term Investments   2,209,385            2,209,385 
Total  $58,432,768   $143,046,934   $   $201,479,702 

 

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DescriptionUnadjusted
Quoted Prices in
Active Markets for
Identical
Assets
and Liabilities
(Level 1)
  Significant
Other
Observable
Inputs
(Level 2)
  Significant
Unobservable
Inputs
(Level 3)
  Balance as of
December 31, 2020
                
Emerging Markets Core Equity Portfolio               
Common Stocks*                    
Argentina   $2,320,180   $   $   $2,320,180 
Brazil   2,345,100    10,995,076        13,340,176 
Canada   1,458,940            1,458,940 
China   25,503,847    50,365,561        75,869,408 
Hong Kong       5,308,911        5,308,911 
India   10,437,072    10,605,405        21,042,477 
Indonesia   1,168,544    1,807,066        2,975,610 
Luxembourg   2,717,497            2,717,497 
Mexico   5,826,574            5,826,574 
Philippines       1,948,843        1,948,843 
Poland       4,218,689        4,218,689 
Russia   778,389    7,427,998        8,206,387 
South Africa       5,674,493        5,674,493 
South Korea       25,773,562        25,773,562 
Taiwan   20,939,823    4,932,187        25,872,010 
Turkey       1,758,148        1,758,148 
United Kingdom   3,291,431            3,291,431 
United States   1,736,449            1,736,449 
Preferred Stocks*                    
Brazil   1,682,734            1,682,734 
Short-Term Investments   1,681,375            1,681,375 
Total  $81,887,955   $130,815,939   $   $212,703,894 

 

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Description  Unadjusted
Quoted Prices in
Active Markets for
Identical
Assets
and Liabilities
(Level 1)
  Significant
Other
Observable
Inputs
(Level 2)
  Significant
Unobservable
Inputs
(Level 3)
  Balance as of
December 31, 2020
                       
Emerging Markets Equity Advantage Portfolio                      
Common Stocks*                      
Argentina    $62,672   $   $   $62,672 
Brazil     74,399    1,008,175        1,082,574 
China     3,252,005    7,702,212        10,954,217 
Greece         168,528        168,528 
Hong Kong         46,358        46,358 
Hungary         238,771        238,771 
India     1,730,898    367,541        2,098,439 
Indonesia     73,712    367,645        441,357 
Malaysia         507,658        507,658 
Mexico     779,281            779,281 
Philippines         141,422        141,422 
Poland         457,349        457,349 
Russia     51,350    952,871        1,004,221 
South Africa         687,274        687,274 
South Korea     197,644    4,131,145        4,328,789 
Taiwan     2,126,062    2,143,215        4,269,277 
Thailand         588,014        588,014 
Turkey         238,873        238,873 
United States     85,635            85,635 
Preferred Stocks*                      
Brazil     123,516            123,516 
Short-Term Investments     124,214            124,214 
Total    $8,681,388   $19,747,051   $   $28,428,439 

 

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Description  Unadjusted
Quoted Prices in
Active Markets for
Identical
Assets
and Liabilities
(Level 1)
  Significant
Other
Observable
Inputs
(Level 2)
  Significant
Unobservable
Inputs
(Level 3)
  Balance as of
December 31, 2020
               
Emerging Markets Equity Blend                      
Common Stocks*                      
Brazil    $1,040,563   $2,829,766   $   $3,870,329 
Canada     1,786,407            1,786,407 
Chile     318,554            318,554 
China     4,856,466    12,331,102        17,187,568 
Colombia     1,213,757            1,213,757 
Czech Republic         228,889        228,889 
Egypt         808,996        808,996 
Estonia         191,549        191,549 
Georgia         417,998        417,998 
Greece         267,407        267,407 
Hong Kong         1,883,213        1,883,213 
Hungary         982,643        982,643 
India     2,764,601    5,206,348        7,970,949 
Indonesia     598,325    2,810,020        3,408,345 
Kenya         154,692        154,692 
Kuwait         219,325        219,325 
Mexico     4,364,125            4,364,125 
Oman         163,020        163,020 
Pakistan         194,054        194,054 
Poland         232,842        232,842 
Russia     3,281,832    1,118,964        4,400,796 
South Africa         591,754        591,754 
South Korea         15,980,966        15,980,966 
Taiwan     860,296    6,213,245        7,073,541 
Thailand         167,651        167,651 
Ukraine         200,575        200,575 
United Kingdom     781,170            781,170 
Preferred Stocks*                      
Brazil     898,082            898,082 
Short-Term Investments     2,612,365            2,612,365 
Total    $25,376,543   $53,195,019   $   $78,571,562 

 

296  Annual Report

 

 

 

Description  Unadjusted
Quoted Prices in
Active Markets for
Identical
Assets
and Liabilities
(Level 1)
  Significant
Other
Observable
Inputs
(Level 2)
  Significant
Unobservable
Inputs
(Level 3)
  Balance as of
December 31, 2020
               
Emerging Markets Equity Portfolio                      
Common Stocks*                      
Brazil    $   $231,820,879   $   $231,820,879 
China     119,265,776    672,439,756        791,705,532 
Egypt         34,417,818        34,417,818 
Hong Kong         51,847,292        51,847,292 
Hungary         112,961,769        112,961,769 
India     65,982,689    418,664,943        484,647,632 
Indonesia     61,919,622    119,350,092        181,269,714 
Luxembourg     38,121,466            38,121,466 
Mexico     238,764,825            238,764,825 
Portugal         36,252,041        36,252,041 
Russia     55,120,275    304,767,358        359,887,633 
South Africa         281,955,684        281,955,684 
South Korea         706,843,820        706,843,820 
Taiwan         303,088,612        303,088,612 
Thailand         73,785,911        73,785,911 
United Kingdom     85,724,716    48,312,978        134,037,694 
Exchange-Traded Funds     216,441,506            216,441,506 
Short-Term Investments     78,259,363            78,259,363 
Total    $959,600,238   $3,396,508,953   $   $4,356,109,191 
                       
Equity Franchise Portfolio                      
Common Stocks*                      
Belgium    $   $1,739,725   $   $1,739,725 
France         6,518,912        6,518,912 
Germany         3,623,951        3,623,951 
Italy         4,368,373        4,368,373 
Luxembourg         3,603,607        3,603,607 
Spain         2,765,141        2,765,141 
United Kingdom         4,085,005        4,085,005 
United States     59,516,529            59,516,529 
Short-Term Investments     5,598,898            5,598,898 
Total    $65,115,427   $26,704,714   $   $91,820,141 

 

Annual Report  297

 

 

 

Description  Unadjusted
Quoted Prices in
Active Markets for
Identical
Assets
and Liabilities
(Level 1)
  Significant
Other
Observable
Inputs
(Level 2)
  Significant
Unobservable
Inputs
(Level 3)
  Balance as of
December 31, 2020
               
Global Equity Select Portfolio                      
Common Stocks*                      
Canada    $4,791,788   $   $   $4,791,788 
China     1,998,918    2,149,857        4,148,775 
Denmark         1,056,512        1,056,512 
France         2,154,240        2,154,240 
Germany         2,744,047        2,744,047 
Hong Kong         4,326,958        4,326,958 
Japan         3,356,641        3,356,641 
Netherlands     1,149,960    2,377,971        3,527,931 
South Korea         1,272,125        1,272,125 
Spain         893,293        893,293 
Sweden         3,692,145        3,692,145 
Switzerland         2,417,891        2,417,891 
Taiwan     2,076,122            2,076,122 
United Kingdom     1,028,990    8,930,603        9,959,593 
United States     45,237,993            45,237,993 
Short-Term Investments     1,891,314            1,891,314 
Total    $58,175,085   $35,372,283   $   $93,547,368 
                       
Global Listed Infrastructure Portfolio                      
Assets:                      
Common Stocks*                      
Australia    $   $609,822,482   $   $609,822,482 
Canada     54,423,650            54,423,650 
France         482,542,644        482,542,644 
Hong Kong         248,332,775        248,332,775 
Italy         1,636,559,784        1,636,559,784 
Luxembourg         194,564,135        194,564,135 
Portugal         62,151,022        62,151,022 
Spain         637,225,157        637,225,157 
United Kingdom         1,553,421,117        1,553,421,117 
United States     994,462,359            994,462,359 
Short-Term Investments     1,142,375,288            1,142,375,288 
Other Financial Instruments†                      
Forward Currency Contracts         1,627,177        1,627,177 
Total    $2,191,261,297   $5,426,246,293   $   $7,617,507,590 
Liabilities:                      
Other Financial Instruments†                      
Forward Currency Contracts    $   $(57,767,779)  $   $(57,767,779)

 

298  Annual Report

 

 

 

Description  Unadjusted
Quoted Prices in
Active Markets for
Identical
Assets
and Liabilities
(Level 1)
  Significant
Other
Observable
Inputs
(Level 2)
  Significant
Unobservable
Inputs
(Level 3)
  Balance as of
December 31, 2020
                       
Global Strategic Equity Portfolio                      
Common Stocks*                      
Brazil    $   $43,433   $   $43,433 
Canada     157,729            157,729 
China     83,317    65,761        149,078 
Denmark         80,087        80,087 
France         121,038        121,038 
Germany         122,441        122,441 
Greece         40,726        40,726 
Hong Kong         71,443        71,443 
India     58,386            58,386 
Israel     55,587            55,587 
Italy         59,267        59,267 
Japan         180,117        180,117 
Netherlands         63,222        63,222 
Portugal         51,470        51,470 
South Korea         53,933        53,933 
Spain         101,206        101,206 
Sweden     54,919            54,919 
Switzerland         143,717        143,717 
United Kingdom     55,261    497,806        553,067 
United States     1,982,980            1,982,980 
Preferred Stocks*                      
Germany         55,148        55,148 
Short-Term Investments     80,664            80,664 
Total    $2,528,843   $1,750,815   $   $4,279,658 

 

Annual Report  299

 

 

 

Description  Unadjusted
Quoted Prices in
Active Markets for
Identical
Assets
and Liabilities
(Level 1)
  Significant
Other
Observable
Inputs
(Level 2)
  Significant
Unobservable
Inputs
(Level 3)
  Balance as of
December 31, 2020
               
International Equity Advantage Portfolio                      
Common Stocks*                      
Australia    $   $192,614   $   $192,614 
Austria         4,180        4,180 
China         6,757        6,757 
Denmark         85,829        85,829 
Finland         32,493        32,493 
France         241,108        241,108 
Germany         222,548        222,548 
Hong Kong         57,651        57,651 
Ireland         5,967        5,967 
Israel         7,339        7,339 
Italy         36,606        36,606 
Japan     102,751    565,543        668,294 
Luxembourg         2,983        2,983 
Netherlands         127,895        127,895 
New Zealand         15,887        15,887 
Norway         42,613        42,613 
Singapore         37,725        37,725 
South Africa         1,740        1,740 
Spain         69,556        69,556 
Sweden         121,319        121,319 
Switzerland         251,617        251,617 
United Kingdom     10,657    348,958        359,615 
United States     9,944            9,944 
Preferred Stocks*                      
Germany         5,031        5,031 
Rights*                  
Short-Term Investments     20,453            20,453 
Total    $143,805   $2,483,959   $   $2,627,764 

 

300  Annual Report

 

 

 

Description  Unadjusted
Quoted Prices in
Active Markets for
Identical
Assets
and Liabilities
(Level 1)
  Significant
Other
Observable
Inputs
(Level 2)
  Significant
Unobservable
Inputs
(Level 3)
  Balance as of
December 31, 2020
               
International Equity Concentrated Portfolio                      
Common Stocks*                      
Brazil    $   $364,259   $   $364,259 
Canada     313,521            313,521 
China     246,858    1,434,451        1,681,309 
France         2,108,454        2,108,454 
Germany         1,143,899        1,143,899 
Hong Kong         937,167        937,167 
India     510,898            510,898 
Japan         1,797,599        1,797,599 
Luxembourg         507,002        507,002 
Mexico     823,619            823,619 
South Korea         891,020        891,020 
Spain         525,963        525,963 
United Kingdom         1,564,950        1,564,950 
United States     698,135            698,135 
Preferred Stocks*                      
Germany         442,301        442,301 
Total    $2,593,031   $11,717,065   $   $14,310,096 

 

Annual Report  301

 

 

 

Description  Unadjusted
Quoted Prices in
Active Markets for
Identical
Assets
and Liabilities
(Level 1)
  Significant
Other
Observable
Inputs
(Level 2)
  Significant
Unobservable
Inputs
(Level 3)
  Balance as of
December 31, 2020
               
International Equity Portfolio                      
Common Stocks*                      
Australia    $   $41,427,705   $   $41,427,705 
Canada     100,765,066            100,765,066 
China     30,341,961    75,203,912        105,545,873 
Denmark         114,153,646        114,153,646 
Finland         68,689,647        68,689,647 
France         486,780,217        486,780,217 
Germany         210,574,700        210,574,700 
Hong Kong         33,308,898        33,308,898 
Ireland     34,385,467            34,385,467 
Israel         31,338,537        31,338,537 
Italy         70,223,686        70,223,686 
Japan         485,687,596        485,687,596 
Luxembourg         36,048,550        36,048,550 
Mexico     21,223,280            21,223,280 
Netherlands         150,765,207        150,765,207 
Norway         69,362,693        69,362,693 
Portugal         46,251,997        46,251,997 
Singapore         32,872,550        32,872,550 
South Korea         61,728,560        61,728,560 
Spain         39,582,055        39,582,055 
Sweden         66,455,296        66,455,296 
Switzerland         177,398,931        177,398,931 
United Kingdom         294,403,460        294,403,460 
United States     145,822,496    47,141,648        192,964,144 
Preferred Stocks*                      
Germany         52,183,445        52,183,445 
Short-Term Investments     33,605,219            33,605,219 
Total    $366,143,489   $2,691,582,936   $   $3,057,726,425 

 

302  Annual Report

 

 

 

Description  Unadjusted
Quoted Prices in
Active Markets for
Identical
Assets
and Liabilities
(Level 1)
  Significant
Other
Observable
Inputs
(Level 2)
  Significant
Unobservable
Inputs
(Level 3)
  Balance as of
December 31, 2020
               
International Equity Select Portfolio                      
Common Stocks*                      
Australia    $   $1,284,162   $   $1,284,162 
Brazil         2,286,192        2,286,192 
Canada     1,917,343            1,917,343 
China     1,159,776    7,073,467        8,233,243 
Denmark         2,803,049        2,803,049 
Finland         1,993,566        1,993,566 
France         13,618,978        13,618,978 
Germany         4,026,129        4,026,129 
Hong Kong         1,843,683        1,843,683 
India     1,544,102    491,036        2,035,138 
Indonesia     632,335    377,713        1,010,048 
Ireland     1,306,452            1,306,452 
Italy         1,840,568        1,840,568 
Japan         12,025,183        12,025,183 
Mexico     1,483,816            1,483,816 
Netherlands         3,200,080        3,200,080 
Norway         1,861,781        1,861,781 
Singapore         921,155        921,155 
South Africa         843,004        843,004 
South Korea         4,304,437        4,304,437 
Spain         478,329        478,329 
Sweden         2,292,116        2,292,116 
Switzerland         5,527,555        5,527,555 
United Kingdom         7,340,692        7,340,692 
United States     5,167,663    1,207,597        6,375,260 
Preferred Stocks*                      
Germany         1,875,585        1,875,585 
Short-Term Investments     2,104,351            2,104,351 
Total    $15,315,838   $79,516,057   $   $94,831,895 

 

Annual Report  303

 

 

 

Description  Unadjusted
Quoted Prices in
Active Markets for
Identical
Assets
and Liabilities
(Level 1)
  Significant
Other
Observable
Inputs
(Level 2)
  Significant
Unobservable
Inputs
(Level 3)
  Balance as of
December 31, 2020
               
International Equity Value Portfolio                      
Common Stocks*                      
Austria    $   $54,376   $   $54,376 
France         622,710        622,710 
Germany         275,839        275,839 
Italy         56,989        56,989 
Japan     84,722    467,839        552,561 
Macau         81,006        81,006 
Mexico     141,933            141,933 
Netherlands         97,752        97,752 
South Korea         192,766        192,766 
Spain         68,245        68,245 
Sweden         90,150        90,150 
Switzerland         308,448        308,448 
United Kingdom         155,825        155,825 
Short-Term Investments     60,990            60,990 
Total    $287,645   $2,471,945   $   $2,759,590 
                       
International Quality Growth Portfolio                      
Common Stocks*                      
Canada    $969,861   $   $   $969,861 
China     314,651    401,870        716,521 
Denmark         703,196        703,196 
France         501,095        501,095 
Germany         939,081        939,081 
Hong Kong         246,353        246,353 
India     381,316            381,316 
Israel     178,631            178,631 
Japan         1,211,030        1,211,030 
Netherlands         552,757        552,757 
Norway         161,895        161,895 
South Africa         222,221        222,221 
South Korea         223,703        223,703 
Spain         127,145        127,145 
Sweden         495,904        495,904 
Switzerland         549,599        549,599 
Taiwan     547,926            547,926 
United Kingdom         1,250,696        1,250,696 
United States     284,158            284,158 
Short-Term Investments     710,467            710,467 
Total    $3,387,010   $7,586,545   $   $10,973,555 

 

304  Annual Report

 

 

 

Description  Unadjusted
Quoted Prices in
Active Markets for
Identical
Assets
and Liabilities
(Level 1)
  Significant
Other
Observable
Inputs
(Level 2)
  Significant
Unobservable
Inputs
(Level 3)
  Balance as of
December 31, 2020
               
International Small Cap Equity Portfolio                      
Common Stocks*                      
Australia    $   $1,006,382   $   $1,006,382 
Austria         545,679        545,679 
Belgium         1,209,701        1,209,701 
Canada     1,408,818            1,408,818 
Denmark         605,666        605,666 
Finland         1,412,328        1,412,328 
France         625,733        625,733 
Germany         5,517,490        5,517,490 
Greece         595,869        595,869 
Hong Kong         403,971        403,971 
India         293,641        293,641 
Ireland         493,382        493,382 
Italy         1,468,538        1,468,538 
Japan     442,352    9,820,738        10,263,090 
Jersey         640,423        640,423 
Luxembourg         444,884        444,884 
Netherlands     139,349    2,532,043        2,671,392 
New Zealand         464,775        464,775 
Norway         373,432        373,432 
Singapore         421,756        421,756 
Spain         703,307        703,307 
Sweden     213,116    2,210,806        2,423,922 
Switzerland         395,273        395,273 
United Kingdom     241,412    6,103,041        6,344,453 
United States         426,629        426,629 
Short-Term Investments     689,364            689,364 
Total    $3,134,411   $38,715,487   $   $41,849,898 

 

Annual Report  305

 

 

 

Description  Unadjusted
Quoted Prices in
Active Markets for
Identical
Assets
and Liabilities
(Level 1)
  Significant
Other
Observable
Inputs
(Level 2)
  Significant
Unobservable
Inputs
(Level 3)
  Balance as of
December 31, 2020
               
International Strategic Equity Portfolio                      
Common Stocks*                      
Brazil    $   $49,371,448   $   $49,371,448 
Canada     395,559,720            395,559,720 
China     142,692,812    159,832,168        302,524,980 
Denmark         180,593,408        180,593,408 
Finland         96,190,110        96,190,110 
France         722,426,183        722,426,183 
Germany         286,189,050        286,189,050 
Hong Kong         148,663,011        148,663,011 
India         73,515,802        73,515,802 
Ireland     99,164,677            99,164,677 
Israel         92,674,328        92,674,328 
Italy         138,693,689        138,693,689 
Japan         731,453,969        731,453,969 
Mexico     57,367,131            57,367,131 
Netherlands         68,651,729        68,651,729 
Portugal         53,374,796        53,374,796 
Spain         338,916,952        338,916,952 
Sweden         60,876,848        60,876,848 
Switzerland         335,435,421        335,435,421 
United Kingdom         1,028,287,494        1,028,287,494 
United States     408,596,442            408,596,442 
Preferred Stocks*                      
Germany         165,087,256        165,087,256 
Short-Term Investments     86,117,830            86,117,830 
Total    $1,189,498,612   $4,730,233,662   $   $5,919,732,274 

 

306  Annual Report

 

 

 

Description  Unadjusted
Quoted Prices in
Active Markets for
Identical
Assets
and Liabilities
(Level 1)
  Significant
Other
Observable
Inputs
(Level 2)
  Significant
Unobservable
Inputs
(Level 3)
  Balance as of
December 31, 2020
               
Managed Equity Volatility Portfolio                      
Common Stocks*                      
Australia    $   $368,814   $   $368,814 
Belgium         141,320        141,320 
Canada     653,377            653,377 
Denmark         514,992        514,992 
Finland         127,882        127,882 
France         340,136        340,136 
Hong Kong         649,106        649,106 
Israel         94,303        94,303 
Japan         4,019,415        4,019,415 
Netherlands         489,832        489,832 
New Zealand         154,214        154,214 
Norway         495,595        495,595 
Singapore         143,579        143,579 
Spain         177,285        177,285 
Sweden         289,605        289,605 
Switzerland         1,011,223        1,011,223 
United Kingdom         792,226        792,226 
United States     15,174,066            15,174,066 
Short-Term Investments     160,040            160,040 
Total    $15,987,483   $9,809,527   $   $25,797,010 
                       
US Equity Concentrated Portfolio                      
Common Stocks*    $1,922,765,653   $   $   $1,922,765,653 
Short-Term Investments     48,536,284            48,536,284 
Total    $1,971,301,937   $   $   $1,971,301,937 
                       
US Equity Focus Portfolio                      
Common Stocks*    $52,503,662   $   $   $52,503,662 
Short-Term Investments     635,125            635,125 
Total    $53,138,787   $   $   $53,138,787 
                       
US Small-Mid Cap Equity Portfolio                      
Common Stocks*    $102,213,674   $   $   $102,213,674 
                       
US Sustainable Equity Portfolio                      
Common Stocks*    $11,379,977   $   $   $11,379,977 
Short-Term Investments     188,816            188,816 
Total    $11,568,793   $   $   $11,568,793 

 

* Please refer to Portfolios of Investments and Notes to Portfolios of Investments for portfolio holdings by country and industry.
Other financial instruments are derivative instruments which are valued at their respective unrealized appreciation (depreciation).

 

Annual Report  307

 

 

 

10. Derivative Instruments

The Global Listed Infrastructure Portfolio used derivative instruments, including forward currency contracts.

 

Forward currency contracts may be used for hedging purposes or to seek to increase returns.

 

During the year ended December 31, 2020, the approximate average monthly notional exposure for derivative instruments was as follows:

 

Forward currency contracts:     
Average amounts purchased  $177,000,000#
Average amounts sold  $5,232,700,000 

 

# Represents average monthly notional exposure for the ten months the derivative instrument was open during the period.

 

The following table summarizes the fair value of derivative instruments on the Statement of Assets and Liabilities as of December 31, 2020:

 

Assets – Derivative Financial Instruments   Total 
Forward currency contracts  Unrealized appreciation on forward currency contracts  $1,627,177 
          
Liabilities – Derivative Financial Instruments   Total 
Forward currency contracts   Unrealized depreciation on forward currency contracts  $57,767,779 

 

The effect of derivative instruments on the Statement of Operations for the period ended December 31, 2020 was:

 

Net Realized Gain (Loss) from:  Total 
Forward currency contracts  $(342,450,293)
      
Net Change in Unrealized Appreciation (Depreciation) on:  Total 
Forward currency contracts  $3,106,193 

 

None of the other Portfolios presented traded in derivative instruments during the year ended December 31, 2020.

 

308  Annual Report

 

 

 

As of December 31, 2020, the Global Listed Infrastructure Portfolio held derivative instruments that are eligible for offset in the Statement of Assets and Liabilities and are subject to master netting arrangements. A master netting arrangement is an agreement between two counterparties who have multiple contracts with each other that provides for the net settlement of all contracts, as well as any cash collateral, through a single payment in the event of default on, or termination of, any one contract.

 

The required information for the affected Portfolio is presented in the below table, as of December 31, 2020:

 

Global Listed Infrastructure Portfolio

 

DescriptionGross Amounts
of Recognized
Assets
  Gross Amounts
Offset in the
Statement of
Assets and
Liabilities
  Net Amounts of
Assets Presented
in the Statement
of Assets and
Liabilities
 
Forward Currency Contracts  $1,627,177     $     $1,627,177   

 

          Amounts Not Offset in the
Statement of Assets and Liabilities
      
Counterparty  Net Amounts of
Assets Presented
in the Statement of
Assets and Liabilities
  Financial
Instruments
Collateral
Received
  Net Amounts
of Derivative
Assets
 
BNP Paribas SA    $1,560,894      $(1,560,894) $       $   
Royal Bank of Canada     66,283       (66,283)             
Total    $1,627,177      $(1,627,177) $       $   

 

DescriptionGross Amounts
of Recognized
Liabilities
 Gross Amounts
Offset in the
Statement of
Assets and
Liabilities
 Net Amounts of
Liabilities Presented
in the Statement
of Assets and
Liabilities
 
Forward Currency Contracts  $ 57,767,779     $     $57,767,779   

 

Annual Report  309

 

 

 

         Amounts Not Offset in the
Statement of Assets and Liabilities
        
Counterparty  Net Amounts of
Liabilities Presented
in the Statement of
Assets and Liabilities
  Financial
Instruments
          Collateral
Pledged
  Net Amounts
of Derivative
Liabilities
 
BNP Paribas SA    $5,071,296          $(1,560,894)          $      $3,510,402   
Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce     9,122,989                  9,122,989   
Citibank NA     4,605,989                  4,605,989   
HSBC Bank USA NA     12,061,223                  12,061,223   
Royal Bank of Canada     8,907,463      (66,283)           8,841,180   
Standard Chartered Bank     2,751,566                  2,751,566   
State Street Bank and Trust Co.     13,203,919                  13,203,919   
The Bank of New York Mellon Corp.     2,043,334                  2,043,334   
Total    $57,767,779     $(1,627,177)   $      $56,140,602   

 

11. Accounting Pronouncements

In March 2017, the Financial Accounting Standards Board issued Accounting Standards Update No. 2017-08, Receivables - Nonrefundable Fees and Other Costs (Subtopic 310-20): Premium Amortization on Purchased Callable Debt Securities (“ASU No. 2017-08”). ASU No. 2017-08 shortened the amortization period for certain purchased callable debt securities held at a premium to the earliest call date. Management has implemented the applicable changes, and they did not have a material impact on the Portfolios’ financial statements. In October 2020, ASU No. 2017-08 was amended by the Financial Accounting Standards Board’s issuance of Accounting Standards Update (No. 2020-08), Codification Improvements to Subtopic 310-20, Receivables-Nonrefundable Fees and Other Costs (“ASU No. 2020-08”).This amendment requires that entities re-evaluate whether callable debt securities fall within the scope of ASU No. 2017-08 for each reporting period. ASU No. 2020-08 also amends ASU No. 2017-08 to require premiums be amortized to the “next call date” rather than the “earliest call date” and further clarifies the definition of “next call date.” ASU No. 2020-08 is effective for fiscal years, and interim periods within those fiscal years, beginning after December 15, 2020. Early adoption of ASU No. 2020-08 is not permitted. Management is currently evaluating the impact, if any, of applying ASU No. 2020-08.

 

310  Annual Report

 

 

 

On March 12, 2020, the Financial Accounting Standards Board concluded its reference rate reform project with the issuance of Accounting Standards Update No. 2020-04, Reference Rate Reform (Topic 848) - Facilitation of the Effects of Reference Rate Reform on Financial Reporting (“ASU No. 2020-04”). ASU No. 2020-04 provides elective temporary financial reporting relief from the effect of certain types of contract modifications due to the planned discontinuation of the London Interbank Offered Rate (LIBOR) and other interbank offered based reference rates as of the end of 2021. ASU No. 2020-04 is effective for certain reference rate-related contract modifications that occur during the period March 12, 2020 through December 31, 2022. Management is currently evaluating the impact, if any, of applying ASU No. 2020-04.

 

12. Subsequent Events

Management has evaluated subsequent events potentially affecting the Portfolios through the issuance of the financial statements and has determined that there were no subsequent events that required adjustment or disclosure other than the following.

 

On March 2, 2021 the Lazard Emerging Markets Equity Blend Portfolio will change its name to the Lazard Emerging Markets Strategic Equity Portfolio.The name change will be accompanied by a change to the Portfolio’s investment strategy to invest primarily in equity securities of non-US companies whose principal activities are located in emerging market countries which the Investment Manager believes are undervalued based on their earnings, cash flow, or asset values. Under normal circumstances, the Portfolio invests at least 80% of its assets in equity securities of companies whose principal business activities are located in countries represented by the MSCI Emerging Markets Index.

 

Annual Report  311

 

The Lazard Funds, Inc.

Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

 

To the Board of Directors of The Lazard Funds, Inc. and Shareholders of Lazard Developing Markets Equity Portfolio, Lazard Emerging Markets Core Equity Portfolio, Lazard Emerging Markets Equity Advantage Portfolio, Lazard Emerging Markets Equity Blend Portfolio, Lazard Emerging Markets Equity Portfolio, Lazard Equity Franchise Portfolio, Lazard Global Equity Select Portfolio, Lazard Global Listed Infrastructure Portfolio, Lazard Global Strategic Equity Portfolio, Lazard International Equity Advantage Portfolio, Lazard International Equity Concentrated Portfolio, Lazard International Equity Portfolio, Lazard International Equity Select Portfolio, Lazard International Equity Value Portfolio, Lazard International Quality Growth Portfolio, Lazard International Small Cap Equity Portfolio, Lazard International Strategic Equity Portfolio, Lazard Managed Equity Volatility Portfolio, Lazard US Equity Concentrated Portfolio, Lazard US Equity Focus Portfolio, Lazard US Small-Mid Cap Equity Portfolio and Lazard US Sustainable Equity Portfolio:

 

Opinion on the Financial Statements and Financial Highlights

 

We have audited the accompanying statements of assets and liabilities of Lazard Developing Markets Equity Portfolio, Lazard Emerging Markets Core Equity Portfolio, Lazard Emerging Markets Equity Advantage Portfolio, Lazard Emerging Markets Equity Blend Portfolio, Lazard Emerging Markets Equity Portfolio, Lazard Equity Franchise Portfolio, Lazard Global Equity Select Portfolio, Lazard Global Listed Infrastructure Portfolio, Lazard Global Strategic Equity Portfolio, Lazard International Equity Advantage Portfolio, Lazard International Equity Concentrated Portfolio, Lazard International Equity Portfolio, Lazard International Equity Select Portfolio, Lazard International Equity Value Portfolio, Lazard International Quality Growth Portfolio, Lazard International Small Cap Equity Portfolio, Lazard International Strategic Equity Portfolio, Lazard Managed Equity Volatility Portfolio, Lazard US Equity Concentrated Portfolio, Lazard US Equity Focus Portfolio, Lazard US Small-Mid Cap

 

312  Annual Report

 

 

 

Equity Portfolio and Lazard US Sustainable Equity Portfolio (collectively the “Portfolios”), twenty-two of the portfolios constituting The Lazard Funds, Inc. (the “Fund”), including the portfolios of investments, as of December 31, 2020, the related statements of operations for the year then ended, the statements of changes in net assets for each of the two years in the period then ended, the financial highlights for each of the five years in the period then ended for the Portfolios except for Lazard International Quality Growth Portfolio, Lazard International Equity Value Portfolio, Lazard Equity Franchise Portfolio, and Lazard US Sustainable Equity Portfolio where the financial statements and periods audited are included in the table below, and the related notes. In our opinion, the financial statements and financial highlights present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of each of the Portfolios, as of December 31, 2020, and the results of their operations for the year then ended (or for the period listed in the table below), the changes in their net assets for each of the two years in the period then ended (or for the period listed in the table below), and the financial highlights for each of the five years in the period then ended (or for the period listed in the table below), in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America.

 

Portfolio Name Statements of
Operations
Statements of
Changes in
Net Assets
Financial Highlights
Lazard International Quality Growth Portfolio For the year ended December 31, 2020 For the years ended December 31, 2020 and 2019 For the years ended December 31, 2020 and 2019 and for the period from December 31, 2018 (commencement of operations) through December 31, 2018
Lazard International Equity Value Portfolio For the year ended December 31, 2020 For the years ended December 31, 2020 and 2019 For the years ended December 31, 2020 and 2019 and for the period from October 31, 2018 (commencement of operations) through December 31, 2018
Lazard Equity Franchise Portfolio For the year ended December 31, 2020 For the years ended December 31, 2020 and 2019 For the years ended December 31, 2020, 2019, and 2018 and for the period from September 29, 2017 (commencement of operations) through December 31, 2017
Lazard US Sustainable Equity Portfolio For the period from June 30, 2020 (commencement of operations) through December 31, 2020

 

Annual Report  313

 

 

 

Basis for Opinion

 

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

 

We conducted our audits in accordance with the standards of the PCAOB. Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements and financial highlights are free of material misstatement, whether due to error or fraud. The Portfolios are not required to have, nor were we engaged to perform, an audit of their internal control over financial reporting. As part of our audits we are required to obtain an understanding of internal control over financial reporting but not for the purpose of expressing an opinion on the effectiveness of the Portfolios’ internal control over financial reporting. Accordingly, we express no such opinion.

 

Our audits included performing procedures to assess the risks of material misstatement of the financial statements and financial highlights, whether due to error or fraud, and performing procedures that respond to those risks. Such procedures included examining, on a test basis, evidence regarding the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements and financial highlights. Our audits also included evaluating the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall presentation of the financial statements and financial highlights. Our procedures included confirmation of securities owned as of December 31, 2020, by correspondence with the custodian and brokers; when replies were not received from brokers, we performed other auditing procedures. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.

 

/s/ DELOITTE & TOUCHE LLP

New York, New York

February 24, 2021

 

We have served as the auditor of one or more of the investment companies in the Lazard Fund Complex since 2004.

 

314  Annual Report

 

The Lazard Funds, Inc.

Board of Directors and Officers Information (unaudited)

 

Name (Year of Birth)
Address(1)
  Position(s) with the
Fund (Since) and Term(2)
  Principal Occupation(s) and Other Public
Company Directorships Held During the
Past Five Years(2)
         
Independent Directors(3):  
         
Franci J. Blassberg (1953)   Director
(August 2014)
  Debevoise & Plimpton LLP, a law firm, Of Counsel (2013 – present)
         
        Cornell Law School, Adjunct Professor (2013 – present)
         
        The Buchmann Faculty of Law, Tel Aviv University, Visiting Professor (2019)
         
        University of California, Berkeley School of Law, Adjunct Professor (Spring 2017)
         
Kenneth S. Davidson (1945)   Director
(August 1995)
  Davidson Capital Management Corporation, an investment manager, President (1978 – present)
         
Nancy A. Eckl (1962)   Director
(April 2007)
  College Retirement Equities Fund (eight accounts), Trustee (2007 – present)
         
        TIAA-CREF Funds (68 funds) and TIAA-CREF Life Funds (11 funds), Trustee (2007 – present)
         
        TIAA Separate Account VA-1, Member of the Management Committee (2007 – present)
         
Trevor W. Morrison (1971)   Director
(April 2014)
  New York University School of Law, Dean and Eric M. and Laurie B. Roth Professor of Law (2013 – present)
         
Richard Reiss, Jr. (1944)   Director
(May 1991)
  Georgica Advisors LLC, an investment manager, Chairman (1997 – present)
         
        Resource America, Inc., a real estate asset management company, Director (2016 – 2018)
         
        Osprey Technology Acquisition Corp., a special purpose acquisition company, Director (2019 – present)

 

Annual Report  315

 

 

 

Name (Year of Birth)
Address(1)
  Position(s) with the
Fund (Since) and Term(2)
  Principal Occupation(s) and Other Public
Company Directorships Held During the
Past Five Years(2)
         
Robert M. Solmson (1947)   Director
(September 2004)
  Fairwood Capital, LLC, a private investment corporation engaged primarily in real estate and hotel investments, Co-Managing Partner and Managing Director (2008 – present)
         
Interested Directors(4):  
         
Ashish Bhutani (1960)   Director
(July 2005)
  Investment Manager, Chief Executive Officer (2004 – present)
         
        Lazard Ltd, Vice Chairman and Director (2010 – present)
         
Nathan A. Paul (1973)   Director
(October 2017), Chief Executive Officer and President (February 2017)
  Investment Manager, Chief Business Officer (April 2017 – present) and Managing Director (2003 – present)
         
        Investment Manager, General Counsel (2002 – April 2017)

 

(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 serves as a Director for each of the funds in the Lazard Fund Complex comprised of, as of January 31, 2021, 35 active investment portfolios. Each Director serves an indefinite term, until his or her successor is elected and qualifies or until his or her earlier resignation.
(3) “Independent Directors” are not “interested persons” (as defined in the 1940 Act) of the Fund.
(4) Messrs. Bhutani and Paul are “interested persons” (as defined in the 1940 Act) of the Fund because of their positions with the Investment Manager.
  The Fund’s Statement of Additional Information contains further information about the Directors and is available without charge by calling 800-823-6300, or online, at www.lazardassetmanagement.com.

 

316  Annual Report

 

 

 

Name (Year of Birth)
Address(1)
  Position(s) with the Fund
(Since) and Term(2)
  Principal Occupation(s)
During the Past Five Years
         
Officers(3):        
         
Mark R. Anderson (1970)   Vice President and Secretary (February 2017)   Managing Director (since February 2017), General Counsel (since April 2017) and Chief Compliance Officer of the Investment Manager
         
Nargis Hilal ( 1984)   Chief Compliance Officer (July 2020)   Senior Vice President and Counsel of the Investment Manager (since August 2017)
         
        Chief Compliance Officer of KLS Diversified Asset Management LP (March 2016 – August 2017)
         
        Deputy Chief Compliance Office KLS Diversified Asset Management LP (January 2015 – March 2016)
         
Christopher Snively (1984)   Chief Financial Officer (March 2016) and Treasurer (September 2019)   Senior Vice President of the Investment Manager
         
Shari L. Soloway (1981)   Assistant Secretary
(November 2015)
  Head of Legal, North America (since January 2019, previously Senior Vice President, Legal and Compliance) of the Investment Manager
         
Jessica A. Falzone (1989)   Assistant Secretary
(January 2019)
  Vice President, Legal and Compliance, of the Investment Manager (since March 2018)
         
        Associate at Schulte Roth & Zabel LLP (October 2014 – March 2018)
         
Christina Kennedy (1990)   Assistant Treasurer
(May 2020)
  Vice President of the Investment Manager (since July 2019)
         
        Senior Fund Accountant, Gates Capital Management Inc. (July 2016 – July 2019)
         
        Assurance Senior Associate at PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP (August 2013 – July 2016)
         
Cesar A. Trelles (1975)   Assistant Treasurer
(December 2004)
  Vice President 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 serves in the same capacity for the other funds in the Lazard Fund Complex.
(3) In addition to Nathan A. Paul, Chief Executive Officer and President (since February 2017; previously, Vice President and Secretary), whose information is included in the Interested Directors section above.

 

Annual Report  317

 

The Lazard Funds, Inc. Tax and Other Information (unaudited)

 

 

Tax Information

Year Ended December 31, 2020

The following tax information represents year end disclosures of the tax benefits passed through to shareholders for 2020:

 

Of the dividends paid by the Portfolios, the corresponding percentage shown below is qualified dividend income.

 

Portfolio  Percentage   
        
Developing Markets Equity   100.00%  
Emerging Markets Core Equity   100.00   
Emerging Markets Equity Advantage   100.00   
Emerging Markets Equity Blend   100.00   
Emerging Markets Equity   100.00   
Equity Franchise   100.00   
Global Equity Select   100.00   
Global Listed Infrastructure      
Global Strategic Equity   100.00   
International Equity Advantage   100.00   
International Equity Concentrated   100.00   
International Equity   100.00   
International Equity Select   100.00   
International Equity Value   100.00   
International Quality Growth   100.00   
International Small Cap Equity   100.00   
International Strategic Equity   100.00   
Managed Equity Volatility   100.00   
US Equity Concentrated   100.00   
US Equity Focus   83.70   
US Small-Mid Cap Equity   100.00   
US Sustainable Equity   100.00   

 

318  Annual Report

 

 

 

Of the dividends paid by the Portfolios, the corresponding percentage represents the amount of each dividend that qualifies for the dividends received deduction available to corporate shareholders.

 

Portfolio  Percentage   
        
Developing Markets Equity   %  
Emerging Markets Core Equity   0.19   
Emerging Markets Equity Advantage   0.13   
Emerging Markets Equity Blend      
Emerging Markets Equity      
Equity Franchise   50.04   
Global Equity Select   26.05   
Global Listed Infrastructure   9.43   
Global Strategic Equity   23.21   
International Equity Advantage      
International Equity Concentrated      
International Equity      
International Equity Select      
International Equity Value      
International Quality Growth      
International Small Cap Equity      
International Strategic Equity      
Managed Equity Volatility   58.73   
US Equity Concentrated   100.00   
US Equity Focus   94.55   
US Small-Mid Cap Equity   100.00   
US Sustainable Equity   55.56   

 

Pursuant to Section 871 of the Code, the Portfolios have no designated qualified short-term gains for purposes of exempting withholding of tax on such distributions to US nonresident shareholders.

 

Annual Report  319

 

 

 

The Portfolios intend to pass through to shareholders foreign source income and foreign taxes paid, or up to the maximum amount allowable, as a foreign tax credit.

 

Portfolio  Foreign
Source Income
   Foreign Tax
Paid/Credit
 
           
Developing Markets Equity  $3,027,358   $395,903 
Emerging Markets Core Equity   3,905,756    511,556 
Emerging Markets Equity Advantage   415,616    52,548 
Emerging Markets Equity Blend   2,091,425    235,375 
Emerging Markets Equity   193,621,417    29,046,492 
Equity Franchise        
Global Equity Select   606,714    46,020 
Global Listed Infrastructure   191,921,095    14,242,009 
Global Strategic Equity Portfolio   30,030    2,878 
International Equity Advantage Portfolio   79,807    8,446 
International Equity Concentrated Portfolio   1,130,816    106,196 
International Equity Portfolio   61,033,493    6,693,402 
International Equity Select Portfolio   1,910,274    204,446 
International Equity Value Portfolio   82,408    8,771 
International Quality Growth Portfolio   71,237    9,578 
International Small Cap Equity Portfolio   768,885    73,230 
International Strategic Equity Portfolio   116,376,892    11,331,503 
Managed Equity Volatility Portfolio       —- 
US Equity Concentrated Portfolio        
US Equity Focus Portfolio        
US Small-Mid Cap Equity Portfolio        
US Sustainable Equity        

 

320  Annual Report

 

 

 

Of the dividends paid by the Portfolios, the corresponding amount represents the long-term capital gains paid to shareholders.

 

Portfolio  Long-Term
Capital Gains
 
      
Developing Markets Equity  $ 
Emerging Markets Core Equity    
Emerging Markets Equity Advantage   65,751 
Emerging Markets Equity Blend    
Emerging Markets Equity    
Equity Franchise   18,209 
Global Equity Select   7,134,923 
Global Listed Infrastructure   133,696,404 
Global Strategic Equity Portfolio   104,380 
International Equity Advantage Portfolio    
International Equity Concentrated Portfolio    
International Equity Portfolio    
International Equity Select Portfolio    
International Equity Value Portfolio    
International Quality Growth Portfolio   81,523 
International Small Cap Equity Portfolio    
International Strategic Equity Portfolio    
Managed Equity Volatility Portfolio   373,644 
US Equity Concentrated Portfolio   21,982,543 
US Equity Focus Portfolio   2,312,928 
US Small-Mid Cap Equity Portfolio   602,919 
US Sustainable Equity   24 

 

Annual Report  321

 

 

 

Proxy Voting

A description of the policies and procedures used to determine how proxies relating to Fund portfolio securities are voted is available (1) without charge, upon request, by calling (800) 823-6300 or (2) on the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) website at https://www.sec.gov.

 

The Fund’s 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 SEC’s website at https://www.sec.gov. Information as of June 30 each year will generally be available by the following August 31.

 

Schedule of Portfolio Holdings

The Fund files the complete schedule of each Portfolio’s holdings with the SEC for the first and third quarters of each fiscal year as an exhibit to its reports on Form N-PORT.The Fund’s Form N-PORT reports are available on the SEC’s website at https://www.sec.gov.

 

322  Annual Report

 

NOTES

 

NOTES

 

NOTES

 

NOTES

 

NOTES

 

NOTES

 

 

 

The Lazard Funds, Inc.

30 Rockefeller Plaza

New York, New York 10112-6300

Telephone: 800-823-6300

www.lazardassetmanagement.com

 

Investment Manager

Lazard Asset Management LLC

30 Rockefeller Plaza

New York, New York 10112-6300

Telephone: 800-823-6300

 

Distributor

Lazard Asset Management Securities LLC

30 Rockefeller Plaza

New York, New York 10112-6300

 

Custodian

State Street Bank and Trust Company

One Iron Street

Boston, Massachusetts 02210-1641

 

Transfer Agent and Dividend Disbursing Agent

DST Asset Manager Solutions, Inc.

2000 Crown Colony Drive

Quincy, Massachusetts 02169-0953

Telephone: 617-483-7000

 

Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

Deloitte & Touche LLP

30 Rockefeller Plaza

New York, New York 10112-0015

 

Legal Counsel

Proskauer Rose LLP

Eleven Times Square

New York, New York 10036-8299

www.proskauer.com

 

 

 

 
   
   
Lazard Asset Management LLC • 30 Rockefeller Plaza • New York, NY 10112 • www.lazardassetmanagement.com  
   

Performance information as of the most recent month end is available online at www.lazardassetmanagement.com.

LZDPS020

 
 

Lazard Funds

 

Annual Report

December 31, 2020

 

Fixed Income Funds

 

Lazard Emerging Markets Debt Portfolio
Lazard Global Fixed Income Portfolio
Lazard US Corporate Income Portfolio

Lazard US Short Duration Fixed Income Portfolio

 

 

 

The Lazard Funds, Inc. Table of Contents

 

 

2   A Message from Lazard (unaudited)
4   Investment Overviews (unaudited)
12   Performance Overviews (unaudited)
17   Information About Your Portfolio’s Expenses (unaudited)
20   Portfolio Holdings Presented by Asset Class/Credit Rating and Region
21   Portfolios of Investments
21   Lazard Emerging Markets Debt Portfolio
38   Lazard Global Fixed Income Portfolio
49   Lazard US Corporate Income Portfolio
62   Lazard US Short Duration Fixed Income Portfolio
65   Notes to Portfolios of Investments
68   Statements of Assets and Liabilities
72   Statements of Operations
74   Statements of Changes in Net Assets
80   Financial Highlights
90   Notes to Financial Statements
121   Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm
123   Board of Directors and Officers Information (unaudited)
126   Tax and Other Information (unaudited)

 

Please consider a Portfolio’s investment objective, risks, charges and expenses carefully before investing. For more complete information about The Lazard Funds, Inc. (the “Fund”), you may obtain a prospectus or a Portfolio’s summary prospectus by calling 800-823-6300, or online, at www.lazardassetmanagement.com. Read the prospectus or the Portfolio’s summary prospectus carefully before you invest. The prospectus and a Portfolio’s summary prospectus contain the investment objective, risks, charges, expenses and other information about the Portfolio, which are not detailed in this report.

 

Distributed by Lazard Asset Management Securities LLC.

 

Annual Report   1

 

The Lazard Funds, Inc. A Message from Lazard (unaudited)

 

 

Dear Shareholder,

 

As 2020 began, the outbreak of a novel coronavirus (“COVID-19”) turned into a fast-spreading pandemic, rattling global markets. Worldwide lockdowns led to a severe equity market sell-off in February and March, as well as a sharp decline in oil markets. By the conclusion of the year, COVID-19 continued to wreak havoc across much of the world, but many global equity markets closed 2020 near all-time highs. Markets generally rose steadily after the selloff on the back of unprecedented support from global central banks and government treasuries and the introduction of several promising vaccines.

 

In the United States, Democrats won control of the White House and Congress in November elections. The US equity market closed 2020 near an all-time peak, and nominal yields in various US fixed income market segments closed at or near all-time lows, fueled by trillions of dollars in monetary and fiscal stimulus.

 

COVID-19 also severely debilitated economic activity in the emerging markets, but the recovery in emerging markets equities that began in late March picked up steam in the fourth quarter thanks to vaccine breakthroughs and the US election outcome. As a result, the MSCI Emerging Markets® Index outperformed global developed markets equities in 2020.

 

In Europe, interest rates have never been as low, and central bank balance sheets have never been as inflated, as they were at year-end. With an agreement now in place for the exit of the United Kingdom from the European Union, the years-long “Brexit” saga may be one less uncertainty the market has to grapple with in the year ahead.

 

As we write, many countries are facing record levels of new COVID-19 infections, spurring renewed economic lockdowns and increasing the risk that many companies, particularly small businesses, might not make it to the other side of this pandemic. Were that to happen, it could send a negative signal to markets

 

2   Annual Report

 

 

 

equal and opposite to the positive news of the vaccines toward the end of the last year. Investors face a timing conundrum, but it could well be darkest before the dawn.

 

Despite these challenges, we are optimistic for 2021 and believe that as the world does eventually return to something like the pre-pandemic days, fundamental analysis and stock selection will be crucial drivers for performance. We are privileged that you have turned to Lazard for your investment needs and value your continued confidence in our investment management capabilities. We continue to strive for the long-term patterns of performance pursued by the various investment strategies employed.

 

Sincerely,

 

Lazard Asset Management LLC

 

Annual Report   3

 

The Lazard Funds, Inc. Investment Overviews (unaudited)

 

 

Emerging Markets Debt

For the year ended December 31, 2020, emerging markets debt climbed 4.02% (measured in US dollar terms), as hard currency debt advanced 5.26%, while local currency debt gained 2.69%. Sovereign credit spreads peaked in 2020 at over 700 basis points (bps) in March but ended only 60 bps wider than where they began the year. Despite outperforming investment grade bonds by nearly 15% over the eight months ended December 31, 2020, high yield lagged investment grade by 8% on the year because of investment grade’s resilience during the first quarter sell-off. In local debt, emerging markets currencies absorbed much of the first quarter shock—falling 15%—and have been slower to rebound than other parts of the asset class. This does not come as a surprise as currencies are highly cyclical and therefore tend to be the last part of the asset class to rebound following periods of dislocation. Meanwhile, local yields, which are measured as a weighted average of each country’s yield in local currency terms (i.e. unhedged), dropped precipitously in the year, matching the 100 bps rally in the yield of the benchmark 10-year US Treasury note to end the year at an all-time low of 4.22%. After briefly spiking above 6% in mid-March, local currency emerging markets debt yields came down sharply as nearly all central banks in the local currency investment universe cut rates and a number announced quantitative easing programs.

 

Global Fixed Income

For the year ended December 31, 2020, global bond markets rose sharply despite seesawing risk sentiment amid mixed news flow and formidable macro challenges.

 

Risk assets began the year positively, thanks to the truce in the US-China trade war, greater clarity on Brexit, and a global monetary easing cycle. However, market optimism gave way to panic selling in mid-February thru the latter part of March, as the coronavirus epidemic that began in China metastasized into a full-scale pandemic and investors worried about the threat it posed to the global economy.

 

4   Annual Report

 

 

 

With the US Federal Reserve (the “Fed”) taking the lead, central banks worldwide and government fiscal policymakers initiated aggressive stimulus measures to contain the economic fallout from the intensifying viral outbreak. Despite stiffening headwinds, which included severe economic downturns in several countries and regions of the world, these actions buoyed market confidence that central banks and governments would continue to act when necessary to support risk assets and backstop the world economy.

 

Investor confidence wavered in the latter part of the year amid growing anxiety about the spike in cases across the US, Europe, and elsewhere, as well as the emergence of a new, more infectious strain of the virus. However, news of the development of coronavirus vaccines was greeted enthusiastically by investors, who believed that their successful, widespread deployment would provide a pathway for the world economy to normalize in 2021.

 

Against this backdrop, most global interest rate markets performed positively in local currency terms across both developed and emerging markets. In addition, global credit indices spanning both investment grade and high yield performed positively for the year, as credit spreads narrowed post the pandemic fueled sell off. Moreover, the new issue market remained strong and issuers took advantage of low yields to repair balance sheets and extend the maturity profile of their debt. Importantly, issuance was met with firm demand from investors with many issues oversubscribed. Currency markets were active but showed wide dispersion. Versus the US dollar in 2020, the Swedish krona was the best performing currency, gaining 13.8%, while the Argentine peso was the worst, losing 28.9% for the year. Major currencies such as the euro and Japanese yen appreciated 8.9% and 5.2%, respectively, for the year. As 2020 came to a close, the US dollar weakened and the US yield curve steepened on the prospect that the new US administration would provide additional fiscal stimulus and the coronavirus vaccines would pave the way for economic growth. In Europe, optimism on a recovery from the pandemic coupled with a resolution on Brexit and weakening of the US dollar provided firmness to the euro.

 

Annual Report   5

 

 

 

US Corporate Income

Financial markets continued to perform remarkably well in the wake of pandemic-induced volatility experienced earlier in the year. In 2020, the S&P 500 Index was up about 18%, real yields (i.e., interest rates adjusted to remove the effect of inflation) on US investment grade credit were approaching zero and nominal yields (i.e., interest rates before taking inflation into account) on various US high yield indices were at or near all-time lows. The primary market has been similarly robust and record setting- a record $449.9 billion in U.S. high yield issues came to market in 2020. Importantly, this record- breaking supply has been met with healthy demand. In fact, spreads for a large contingent of issuers have retraced most or all of the pandemic- induced widening.

 

Broad US high yield indices performed well over the year, rebounding from the markdowns suffered earlier in the year. The ICE BofA US Cash Pay High Yield Index finished the year up 6.20%. The option-adjusted spread (OAS) continued to tighten and finished 2020 at 379 bps. After seeing higher quality credits perform well at in the first half of the year, lower quality credits outperformed in the second half. However, for the year ended December 31, 2020, higher quality did lead the performance tables with the BB index’s gain of 8.73% outpacing both the B Index (+3.59%) and the CCC Index (+2.78%), per ICE.

 

High yield issuance for 2020 was record breaking with the second quarter ($145.5 billion) and third quarter ($131.9 billion) the top two quarters for issuance on record. Inflows in 2020 totals were $449.9 billion (gross), a 57% increase over 2019’s $286.6 billion, and eclipsing the previous yearly record of $398.5 billion in 2013. For the year, refinancing (66%) was the leading use of proceeds, followed by general corporate purposes (25%), and acquisition financing (9%).

 

Fund flows were marked by strong outflows experienced during the initial days of the pandemic but reversed strongly the balance

 

6   Annual Report

 

 

 

of the year. Year-to-date inflows totaled $44 billion, which outpaced 2019’s yearly total of $18.8 billion.

 

Defaults increased in the year. At the end of December, the US high yield par-weighted default rate, including distressed exchanges, was 6.67%, a 3.90% increase year over year. However, most of the defaults were in energy sector and, excluding energy, the US high yield par-weighted default rate, including distressed exchanges was 4.46%.

 

US Short Duration Fixed Income

The Fed was swift in lowering benchmark rates, providing backstop facilities and engaging in quantitative easing in the wake of the pandemic-induced fall in asset prices and tightening of liquidity. This caused interest rates to fall across the curve, risk assets to recover, and primary markets to be robust with activity. Importantly, the Fed has indicated that interest rate policy is likely to remain zero bound until it is clear employment and growth have recovered. In fact, they have indicated they are willing to let inflation run higher than their 2% target. Moreover, the accommodative monetary policy and the prospect for increased fiscal stimulus should continue to lead to a steepening of the yield curve and an increase in inflation expectations, which may encourage risk taking as investors look for yield.

 

Effective monetary and fiscal programs enabled a wide variety of assets to performed positively for the year, including equities, investment grade credit, high yield credit, and US Treasuries securities of all durations. This positive performance occurred despite remaining uncertainties that certain areas of the economy will recover and not be scarred by the pandemic.

 

Annual Report   7

 

 

 

Lazard Emerging Markets Debt Portfolio

For the year ended December 31, 2020, the Lazard Emerging Markets Debt Portfolio’s Institutional Shares posted a total return of 3.19%, while Open Shares posted a total return of 3.11% and R6 Shares posted a total return of 3.30%, as compared with the 4.02% return for the Global Diversified Index.

 

Relative performance for the year was driven almost entirely by bottom-up decisions. Local interest rate and local currency selection both contributed positively to performance but were partially offset by negative attribution in hard currency sovereign debt. We were relatively conservatively positioned coming into the year with a local duration overweight and very little active exposure to high yield currencies, which helped during the first quarter sell-off. Following the market sell-off, we repositioned the Portfolio and added currency risk in Asian and European currencies on the view that these regions would lead the rebound in global growth and later began rotating into the higher yielding currencies that we favor currently. The underperformance in hard currency debt occurred mainly during the first quarter sell-off, though we maintained conviction in our bottom-up picks and recouped a portion of these losses throughout the remainder of the year. We began the year with limited exposure to high yield credits and a focus on short-dated debt in B-rated countries on an improving structural reform trajectory (e.g., Ukraine) and countries trading at distressed levels where we saw significant upside potential in restructuring (e.g., Argentina, Lebanon, and Venezuela). The distressed countries were the main detractors from performance as they sold-off more than the broader market of emerging markets debt. Our decision to increase high yield exposure following the sell-off proved beneficial, as a number of BB and B rated credits such as Mexican state-owned oil company PEMEX and Angola’s sovereign debt boosted returns.

 

The Portfolio management team uses currency forwards and interest rates swaps, both opportunistically, for direct currency and interest rates exposure, and defensively, for hedging purposes. For the year, the use of derivatives contributed positively to the Portfolio’s relative performance.

 

8   Annual Report

 

 

 

Lazard Global Fixed Income Portfolio

For the year ended December 31, 2020, the Lazard Global Fixed Income Portfolio’s Institutional Shares posted a total return of 9.51%, while Open Shares posted a total return of 9.23%, as compared with the 9.20% return for the Bloomberg Barclays Global Aggregate® Index.

 

The Portfolio’s performance was helped by country allocations, with its diversified market value and duration overweight exposures to the United States, Australia, New Zealand, Canada, Eastern Europe, Norway, and Peru, as well as its underweight interest rate exposure to Japan. Conversely, the portfolio’s underweight exposure to core Europe detracted from returns. The Portfolio’s euro proxy hedges (underweight to the euro and overweight to a diversified basket of correlated European currencies) detracted from returns; however, this was partially offset by the enhanced yield/carry from that positioning. Modest exposure to the Mexican peso earlier in the year also detracted from performance. Security selection contributed positively in many global regions, including the United States, Canada, Australia, and Norway. However, in the euro zone, it detracted from performance given the underweight exposure to debt from peripheral countries in the bloc and spread product in that region.

 

The Portfolio management team utilizes forward currency contracts, both opportunistically and defensively, for hedging purposes. In aggregate, currency positioning (defined as the net currency exposure of underlying bonds plus currency hedges) produced a modestly negative contribution to the relative performance during the year.

 

Lazard US Corporate Income Portfolio

For the year ended December 31, 2020, the Lazard US Corporate Income Portfolio’s Institutional Shares posted a total return of 4.96%, while Open Shares posted a total return of 4.80%, and R6 Shares posted a total return of 4.89%, as compared with the 6.19% return for the ICE BofAML BB-B US Cash Pay Non-Distressed High Yield® Index (the “Cash Pay Index”).

 

Annual Report   9

 

 

 

Relative underperformance versus the benchmark index was driven by the Portfolio’s higher credit quality and shorter duration. Most industry sectors continued their recovery from the lows and posted positive returns for the year. On a relative basis, overweights to the capital goods and technology sectors, and an underweight to the energy sector, contributed to performance. Conversely, overweights to the automotive and consumer goods sectors detracted from relative performance. At a security level, the Delphi 5% due 2025 advanced after the gear maker was purchased by its rival, BorgWarner, which has an investment grade rating. Southwestern Energy (SWN) 4.95% due 2025 performed well, as energy prices continued their recovery and stabilization from the pandemic lows. Among the securities that had a negative absolute return to the Portfolio, the position in Hertz 5.5% due 2024 was negatively affected by the pandemic’s impact on travel and the car rental company’s airport focused business model. Also, the position in PBF Energy (PBFENE) 6% due 2028 was marginally lower due to a drop in fuel demand, especially from the aviation industry.

 

The Portfolio maintains an overweight to BBB credits, and an underweight to BB and B credits versus the index. The Portfolio’s OAS of 281 bps; continues to be lower than the Cash Pay Index’s 318 bp OAS. Yields continued to move lower, with the Portfolio now yielding 3.25% versus 3.59% for the index. The Portfolio’s effective duration as of December 31, 2020 of 2.89 years remains below the index’s 3.85.

 

Lazard US Short Duration Fixed Income Portfolio

For the year ended December 31, 2020, the Lazard US Short Duration Fixed Income Portfolio’s Institutional Shares posted a total return of 2.46%, while Open Shares posted a total return of 2.20%, as compared with the 3.10% return for the ICE BofAML 1-3 Year US Treasury® Index.

 

An underweight allocation to securities with a 2 to 3 year duration hurt relative performance as the Fed cut interest rates and rates across the curve moved lower. However, the Portfolio was overweight in spread products, such as corporate credit and consumer asset-backed securities (“ABS”), which helped relative performance.

 

10  Annual Report

 

 

 

The Portfolio continues to maintain a shorter duration than its relative index, by continuing to be underweight in securities with 2 to 3 year durations. It is also underweight in US treasury securities relative to the index. Additionally, the Portfolio maintains an overweight position in US corporate bonds and consumer ABS relative to the index. We continue to favor the financial and consumer discretionary sectors and convexity of the Portfolio remains positive.

 

Annual Report  11

 

The Lazard Funds, Inc. Performance Overviews (unaudited)

 

 

Lazard Emerging Markets Debt Portfolio

 

Comparison of Changes in Value of $10,000 Investment in the Institutional Shares of Lazard Emerging Markets Debt Portfolio, the JPMorgan EMBI Global Diversified® Index, the JPMorgan GBI-EM Global Diversified® Index and the Global Diversified Index*

 

 

Average Annual Total Returns*

Periods Ended December 31, 2020

 

   One
Year
  Five
Years
  Since
Inception†
 
Institutional Shares**  3.19%  6.11%  3.11%  
Open Shares**  3.11%  5.85%  2.85%  
R6 Shares**  3.30%  N/A  4.34%  
JPMorgan EMBI Global Diversified Index  5.26%  7.08%  6.36%  
         (Institutional
and Open
Shares)
5.26%
(R6 Shares)
 
JPMorgan GBI-EM Global Diversified Index  2.69%  6.72%  1.52%  
         (Institutional
and Open
Shares)
4.57%
(R6 Shares)
 
Global Diversified Index  4.02%  6.97%  3.99%  
         (Institutional
and Open
Shares)
4.97%
(R6 Shares)
 

 

The inception date for the Institutional and Open Shares was February 28, 2011 and for the R6 Shares was July 28, 2016.

 

12  Annual Report

 

 

 

Lazard Global Fixed Income Portfolio

 

Comparison of Changes in Value of $10,000 Investment in the Institutional Shares of Lazard Global Fixed Income Portfolio and the Bloomberg Barclays Global Aggregate® Index*

 

 

Average Annual Total Returns*

Periods Ended December 31, 2020

 

   One
Year
  Five
Years
  Since
Inception†
 
Institutional Shares**  9.51%  4.46%  1.94%  
Open Shares**  9.23%  4.17%  1.65%  
Bloomberg Barclays Global Aggregate Index  9.20%  4.79%  2.49%  

 

The inception date for the Portfolio was March 30, 2012.

 

Annual Report  13

 

 

 

Lazard US Corporate Income Portfolio

 

Comparison of Changes in Value of $10,000 Investment in the Institutional Shares of Lazard US Corporate Income Portfolio and Cash Pay Index*

 

 

Average Annual Total Returns*

Periods Ended December 31, 2020

 

   One
Year
  Five
Years
  Ten
Years
  Since
Inception†
 
Institutional Shares**  4.96%  6.01%  5.56%  4.46%  
Open Shares**  4.80%  5.72%  5.26%  3.98%  
R6 Shares**  4.89%  N/A  N/A  4.61%  
Cash Pay Index  6.19%  7.68%  6.68%  6.51%  
            (Institutional
Shares)
6.46%
(Open Shares)
6.66%
(R6 Shares)
 

 

The inception date for the Institutional Shares was January 2, 1998, for the Open Shares was February 24, 1998 and for the R6 Shares was November 3, 2016.

 

14  Annual Report

 

 

 

Lazard US Short Duration Fixed Income Portfolio

 

Comparison of Changes in Value of $10,000 Investment in the Institutional Shares of Lazard US Short Duration Fixed Income Portfolio and the ICE BofAML 1-3 Year US Treasury® Index*

 

 

Average Annual Total Returns*

Periods Ended December 31, 2020

 

   One
Year
  Five
Years
  Since
Inception
Institutional Shares**  2.46%  1.63%  1.44%  
Open Shares**  2.20%  1.34%  1.27%  
ICE BofAML 1-3 Year US Treasury Index  3.10%  1.90%  1.31%  

 

The inception date for the Portfolio was February 28, 2011.

 

 

Notes to Performance Overviews:

 

* Total returns reflect reinvestment of all dividends and distributions, if any. Certain expenses of the Portfolio may have been waived or reimbursed by Lazard Asset Management LLC, the Fund’s investment manager (the “Investment Manager”), State Street Bank and Trust Company, the Fund’s administrator (“State Street”), or DST Asset Manager Solutions, Inc., the Fund’s transfer agent and dividend disbursing agent (“DST”); without such waiver/reimbursement of expenses, the Portfolio’s returns would have been lower.
   
  Performance results do not include adjustments made for financial reporting purposes in accordance with US Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (“GAAP”), if any, and also exclude one-time adjustments related to reimbursed custodian out-of-pocket expenses (Note 3 in the Notes to Financial Statements) for The Emerging Markets Debt Portfolio and settlement proceeds received from a class action lawsuit by The US Corporate Income Portfolio which impacted the total return of R6 Shares but did not impact that of Institutional or Open; amounts may differ from amounts reported in the financial highlights.
   
  The performance quoted represents past performance. Current performance may be lower or higher than the performance quoted. Past performance is not indicative, or a guarantee, of future results; the investment return and principal value of the Portfolio will fluctuate, so that Portfolio shares, when redeemed, may be worth more or less than their original cost. Within the longer periods illustrated there may have been short-term fluctuations, counter to the overall trend of investment results, and no single period of any length may be taken as typical of what may be expected in future periods. The graph and table above do not reflect the deduction of taxes that a shareholder would pay on the Portfolio’s distributions or the redemption of Portfolio shares.

 

Annual Report  15

 

 

 

  The performance data of the indices have been prepared from sources and data that the Investment Manager believes to be reliable, but no representation is made as to their accuracy. The indices are unmanaged, have no fees or costs and are not available for investment.
   
  The JPMorgan Emerging Markets Bond index (“EMBI”) Global Diversified Index is an unmanaged index of debt instruments of 31 emerging countries. The JPMorgan Government Bond Index-Emerging Markets (“GBI-EM”) Global Diversified Index is a comprehensive Emerging Markets index that consists of regularly traded, liquid, fixed-rate, domestic currency government bonds to which international investors can gain exposure. These indices limit the weights of those index countries with larger debt stocks by only including specified portions of these countries’ eligible current face amounts of debt outstanding. The same countries are covered in both indices.
   
  The Global Diversified Index is an unmanaged index created by the Investment Manager and is a 50/50 blend of the JPMorgan EMBI Global Diversified Index and the JPMorgan GBI-EM Global Diversified Index.
   
  The government-related debt, corporate debt, and securitized debt provides a broad-based measure of global investment-grade fixed-income debt markets, including government-related debt, corporate debt and securitized debt.
   
  The Cash Pay Index is The ICE Bank of America Merrill Lynch High Yield (“BofAML”) BB-B US Cash Pay Non-Distressed High Yield® Index. It is constructed to mirror the BB-B non-distressed sector of the public high yield corporate debt market and is a subset of the ICE BofAML High Yield Cash Pay® Index.
   
  The ICE BofAML 1-3 Year US Treasury Index tracks the performance of the direct sovereign debt of the US government having a maturity of at least one year and less than three years.
   
** The performance of Institutional Shares, Open Shares and R6 Shares may vary, primarily based on the differences in fees borne by shareholders investing in different classes.

 

16  Annual Report

 

The Lazard Funds, Inc.

Information About Your Portfolio’s Expenses (unaudited)

 

Expense Example

As a shareholder in a Portfolio, you incur ongoing costs, including management fees, distribution and service (12b-1) fees (Open Shares only), and other expenses. This Example is intended to help you understand your ongoing costs (in dollars) of investing in a Portfolio and to compare these costs with the ongoing costs of investing in other mutual funds. The Example is based on an investment of $1,000 invested at the beginning of the six month period from July 1, 2020 through December 31, 2020 and held for the entire period.

 

Actual Expenses

For each share class of the Portfolios, the first line of the accompanying table provides information about actual account values and actual expenses. You may use the information in this line, together with the amount you invested, to estimate the expenses that you paid over the period. Simply divide your account value by $1,000 (for example, an $8,600 account value divided by $1,000=8.6), then multiply the result by the number in the first line under the heading entitled “Expenses Paid During Period” to estimate the expenses you paid on your account during this period.

 

Hypothetical Example for Comparison Purposes

For each share class of the Portfolios, the second line of the accompanying table provides information about hypothetical account values and hypothetical expenses based on the class’ actual expense ratio and an assumed rate of return of 5% per year before expenses, which is not the Portfolio’s actual return. The hypothetical account values and expenses may not be used to estimate the actual ending account balance or expenses you paid for the period. You may use this information to compare the ongoing costs of investing in the Portfolio and other mutual funds. To do so, compare this 5% hypothetical example with the 5% hypothetical examples that appear in the shareholder reports of other mutual funds.

 

Annual Report  17

 

 

 

Portfolio  Beginning
Account
Value
7/1/20
   Ending
Account
Value
12/31/20
   Expenses
Paid During
Period*
7/1/20 -
12/31/20
   Annualized
Expense Ratio
During Period
7/1/20 -
12/31/20
   
                       
Emerging Markets Debt                      
Institutional Shares                      
Actual  $1,000.00   $1,106.10         $4.55    0.86%   
Hypothetical (5% Return Before Expenses)  $1,000.00   $1,020.81   $4.37    0.86%   
Open Shares                      
Actual  $1,000.00   $1,105.10   $4.55    0.86%   
Hypothetical (5% Return Before Expenses)  $1,000.00   $1,020.81   $4.37    0.86%   
R6 Shares                      
Actual  $1,000.00   $1,105.40   $4.34    0.82%   
Hypothetical (5% Return Before Expenses)  $1,000.00   $1,021.01   $4.17    0.82%   
                       
Global Fixed Income                      
Institutional Shares                      
Actual  $1,000.00   $1,063.40   $3.63    0.70%   
Hypothetical (5% Return Before Expenses)  $1,000.00   $1,021.62   $3.56    0.70%   
Open Shares                      
Actual  $1,000.00   $1,061.90   $4.92    0.95%   
Hypothetical (5% Return Before Expenses)  $1,000.00   $1,020.36   $4.82    0.95%   
                       
US Corporate Income                      
Institutional Shares                      
Actual  $1,000.00   $1,079.40   $2.87    0.55%   
Hypothetical (5% Return Before Expenses)  $1,000.00   $1,022.37   $2.80    0.55%   
Open Shares                      
Actual  $1,000.00   $1,078.80   $4.18    0.80%   
Hypothetical (5% Return Before Expenses)  $1,000.00   $1,021.11   $4.06    0.80%   
R6 Shares                      
Actual  $1,000.00   $1,078.50   $2.87    0.55%   
Hypothetical (5% Return Before Expenses)  $1,000.00   $1,022.37   $2.80    0.55%   

 

18  Annual Report

 

 

 

Portfolio  Beginning
Account
Value
7/1/20
   Ending
Account
Value
12/31/20
   Expenses
Paid During
Period*
7/1/20 -
12/31/20
   Annualized
Expense Ratio
During Period
7/1/20 -
12/31/20
   
                   
US Short Duration Fixed Income                         
Institutional Shares                      
Actual  $1,000.00   $999.50        $2.01    0.40%   
Hypothetical (5% Return Before Expenses)  $1,000.00   $1,023.13   $2.03    0.40%   
Open Shares                      
Actual  $1,000.00   $999.20   $3.27    0.65%   
Hypothetical (5% Return Before Expenses)  $1,000.00   $1,021.87   $3.30    0.65%   

 

* Expenses are equal to the annualized expense ratio, net of expenses waivers and reimbursements, of each share class multiplied by the average account value over the period, multiplied by 184/366 (to reflect one-half year period).

 

Annual Report  19

 

The Lazard Funds, Inc. Portfolio Holdings Presented by

Asset Class/Credit Rating and Region December 31, 2020

 

Asset Class/S&P Credit Rating*  Lazard
Global Fixed
Income
Portfolio
   Lazard US
Corporate
Income
Portfolio
   Lazard US
Short Duration
Fixed Income
Portfolio
   
               
Fixed Income                 
AAA   23.7%   %   76.4%  
AA+   6.6           
AA-   6.7           
A+   7.6           
A   6.1           
A-   7.0        3.2   
BBB+   13.0        17.5   
BBB   4.1    1.4    1.8   
BBB-   5.7    7.8       
BB+   0.5    12.2       
BB   0.5    17.3       
BB-   1.8    20.5       
B+       8.8       
B       9.0       
B-       4.6       
CCC+       1.1       
CCC-       0.2       
CC       1.7       
Not Applicable   12.0    9.6    0.9   
No Rating   0.8           
Short-Term Investments   3.9    5.8    0.2   
Total Investments   100.0%   100.0%   100.0%  
                       
Asset Class/Region*  Lazard
Emerging
Markets Debt
Portfolio
                   
                        
Fixed Income                       
Africa   12.8%                  
Asia   29.0                   
Europe   19.0                   
North America   12.8                   
South America   14.9                   
Short-Term Investments   11.5                   
Total Investments        100.0%                  

 

* Represents percentage of total investments.

 

20  Annual Report

 

The Lazard Funds, Inc. Portfolios of Investments

December 31, 2020

 

Description  Security
Currency
  Principal
Amount
(000)
   Fair
Value
 
              
Lazard Emerging Markets Debt Portfolio             
              
Corporate Bonds | 6.5%             
              
Brazil | 0.9%             
MV24 Capital BV,
6.748%, 06/01/34
  USD   189   $207,483 
              
India | 1.0%             
Adani Ports & Special Economic Zone, Ltd.,
4.200%, 08/04/27
  USD   200    214,562 
              
Kuwait | 0.9%             
NBK Tier 1 Financing 2, Ltd.,
4.500% (USD Swap 6 Year + 2.832%),
08/27/25 (§), (¶)
  USD   200    203,687 
              
Mexico | 2.0%             
Petroleos Mexicanos:             
6.875%, 10/16/25 (#)  USD   60    65,619 
5.350%, 02/12/28  USD   130    128,375 
6.500%, 01/23/29  USD   85    87,709 
7.690%, 01/23/50  USD   35    35,289 
6.950%, 01/28/60  USD   135    126,779 
            443,771 
Peru | 1.7%             
Banco de Credito del Peru,
3.125% (CMT 5 Year + 3.000%),
07/01/30 (#), (§)
  USD   100    102,750 
Fondo MIVIVIENDA SA,
7.000%, 02/14/24
  PEN   180    56,903 
Hunt Oil Co. of Peru LLC Sucursal Del Peru,
6.375%, 06/01/28
  USD   200    217,750 
            377,403 
Total Corporate Bonds
(Cost $1,398,536)
           1,446,906 

 

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

 

Annual Report  21

 

 

 

Description  Security
Currency
  Principal
Amount
(000)
   Fair
Value
 
              
Lazard Emerging Markets Debt Portfolio (continued)             
              
Foreign Government Obligations | 79.6%             
              
Angola | 1.5%             
Republic of Angola,
8.000%, 11/26/29
  USD   360   $338,512 
              
Argentina | 0.9%             
Republic of Argentina:             
1.000%, 07/09/29  USD   33    14,518 
0.125%, 07/09/30 (Ø)  USD   109    44,421 
0.125%, 07/09/35 (Ø)  USD   286    104,632 
0.125%, 01/09/38 (Ø)  USD   64    26,271 
            189,842 
Azerbaijan | 1.0%             
Republic of Azerbaijan,
3.500%, 09/01/32
  USD   200    211,125 
              
Bahamas | 0.5%             
Commonwealth of Bahamas,
8.950%, 10/15/32
  USD   100    108,875 
              
Bahrain | 1.2%             
Bahrain Government International Bond,
6.750%, 09/20/29
  USD   230    263,781 
              
Barbados | 0.0%             
Barbados Government International Bonds,
6.500%, 10/01/29 (#)
  USD   10    10,106 
              
Belarus | 0.9%             
Republic of Belarus,
5.875%, 02/24/26
  USD   200    205,000 
              
Belize | 0.0%             
Republic of Belize,
4.938%, 02/20/34
  USD   16    7,090 

 

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

 

22  Annual Report

 

 

 

Description  Security
Currency
  Principal
Amount
(000)
   Fair
Value
 
              
Lazard Emerging Markets Debt Portfolio (continued)             
              
Brazil | 4.2%             
Brazil Letras do Tesouro Nacional,
0.000%, 01/01/24
  BRL   2,800   $461,157 
Brazil NTN-F,
10.000%, 01/01/25
  BRL   690    153,570 
Federal Republic of Brazil:             
2.875%, 06/06/25  USD   25    26,050 
4.500%, 05/30/29  USD   115    127,794 
3.875%, 06/12/30  USD   100    105,500 
5.625%, 02/21/47  USD   25    29,805 
4.750%, 01/14/50  USD   30    32,006 
            935,882 
Chile | 0.7%             
Bonos de la Tesoreria de la Republica en pesos:             
4.500%, 03/01/26  CLP   40,000    64,549 
2.300%, 10/01/28  CLP   25,000    35,020 
2.800%, 10/01/33  CLP   25,000    33,785 
6.000%, 01/01/43  CLP   10,000    19,041 
            152,395 
China | 6.0%             
China Development Bank:             
1.860%, 04/09/23  CNY   2,890    429,349 
3.500%, 08/13/26  CNY   3,050    468,539 
3.450%, 09/20/29  CNY   390    58,561 
China Government Bonds:             
2.360%, 07/02/23  CNY   700    105,748 
3.120%, 12/05/26  CNY   1,340    204,789 
2.680%, 05/21/30  CNY   460    67,401 
            1,334,387 
Colombia | 4.4%             
Colombia Government International Bond:             
3.000%, 01/30/30  USD   60    63,037 
5.200%, 05/15/49  USD   40    50,563 
Colombian Titulos De Tesoreria:             
6.250%, 11/26/25  COP   768,300    246,234 
7.500%, 08/26/26  COP   757,000    255,421 

 

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

 

Annual Report  23

 

 

 

Description  Security
Currency
  Principal
Amount
(000)
   Fair
Value
 
              
Lazard Emerging Markets Debt Portfolio (continued)             
              
6.000%, 04/28/28  COP   289,800   $90,559 
7.000%, 06/30/32  COP   224,000    72,138 
Republic of Colombia:             
4.500%, 01/28/26  USD   65    73,714 
3.875%, 04/25/27  USD   65    72,247 
4.500%, 03/15/29  USD   30    34,650 
3.125%, 04/15/31  USD   30    31,845 
            990,408 
Costa Rica | 0.4%             
Republic of Costa Rica:             
4.250%, 01/26/23  USD   25    24,000 
4.375%, 04/30/25  USD   25    23,266 
7.158%, 03/12/45  USD   40    36,987 
            84,253 
Czech Republic | 1.3%             
Czech Republic:             
2.500%, 08/25/28  CZK   1,120    57,650 
1.200%, 03/13/31  CZK   1,890    87,165 
4.200%, 12/04/36  CZK   2,080    135,202 
            280,017 
Dominican Republic | 1.3%             
Dominican Republic:             
5.500%, 01/27/25  USD   40    45,112 
5.950%, 01/25/27  USD   55    64,161 
4.500%, 01/30/30  USD   35    37,877 
7.450%, 04/30/44  USD   15    19,341 
6.400%, 06/05/49  USD   70    82,184 
5.875%, 01/30/60  USD   40    43,850 
            292,525 
Ecuador | 0.5%             
Republic of Ecuador:             
0.000%, 07/31/30 (#)  USD   13    6,038 
0.500%, 07/31/30 (#), (Ø)  USD   54    34,631 
0.500%, 07/31/35 (#), (Ø)  USD   73    39,762 
0.500%, 07/31/40 (#), (Ø)  USD   47    23,754 
            104,185 

 

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

 

24  Annual Report

 

 

 

Description  Security
Currency
  Principal
Amount
(000)
   Fair
Value
 
              
Lazard Emerging Markets Debt Portfolio (continued)             
              
Egypt | 1.0%             
Arab Republic of Egypt,
5.577%, 02/21/23
  USD   200   $211,250 
              
El Salvador | 0.5%             
Republic of El Salvador:             
5.875%, 01/30/25  USD   25    23,547 
7.650%, 06/15/35  USD   20    18,825 
7.125%, 01/20/50  USD   75    66,797 
            109,169 
Ghana | 1.1%             
Republic of Ghana,
7.625%, 05/16/29
  USD   225    238,570 
              
Guatemala | 0.6%             
Guatemala Government Bonds,
5.375%, 04/24/32
  USD   10    12,163 
Republic of Guatemala:             
4.875%, 02/13/28  USD   25    28,625 
5.375%, 04/24/32 (#)  USD   50    60,812 
6.125%, 06/01/50 (#)  USD   30    39,563 
            141,163 
Honduras | 0.2%             
Republic of Honduras,
6.250%, 01/19/27
  USD   35    40,447 
              
Hungary | 1.3%             
Hungary Government Bonds:             
2.500%, 10/24/24  HUF   46,110    164,124 
3.000%, 10/27/27  HUF   34,330    126,557 
            290,681 
Indonesia | 5.4%             
Indonesia Government Bonds:             
8.375%, 09/15/26  IDR   1,711,000    138,524 
7.000%, 05/15/27  IDR   1,184,000    89,790 
9.000%, 03/15/29  IDR   1,275,000    107,354 

 

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

 

Annual Report  25

 

 

 

Description  Security
Currency
  Principal
Amount
(000)
   Fair
Value
 
              
Lazard Emerging Markets Debt Portfolio (continued)             
              
8.250%, 05/15/29  IDR   1,545,000   $125,524 
7.000%, 09/15/30  IDR   1,032,000    78,594 
6.500%, 02/15/31  IDR   497,000    36,771 
8.750%, 05/15/31  IDR   1,150,000    96,584 
8.375%, 03/15/34  IDR   1,165,000    96,185 
8.250%, 05/15/36  IDR   622,000    51,132 
8.375%, 04/15/39  IDR   920,000    76,612 
Republic of Indonesia:             
5.875%, 01/15/24  USD   60    69,000 
4.125%, 01/15/25  USD   75    83,930 
4.750%, 01/08/26  USD   55    64,230 
4.350%, 01/11/48  USD   20    23,837 
3.700%, 10/30/49  USD   10    10,938 
3.500%, 02/14/50  USD   40    43,337 
            1,192,342 
Iraq | 1.0%             
Republic of Iraq,
5.800%, 01/15/28
  USD   234    217,676 
              
Ivory Coast | 1.0%             
Ivory Coast,
6.125%, 06/15/33
  USD   200    225,313 
              
Jamaica | 0.4%             
Government of Jamaica:             
6.750%, 04/28/28  USD   25    30,414 
8.000%, 03/15/39  USD   15    21,829 
7.875%, 07/28/45  USD   20    28,594 
            80,837 
Kenya | 1.3%             
Republic of Kenya,
8.000%, 05/22/32
  USD   250    291,328 

 

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

 

26  Annual Report

 

 

 

Description  Security
Currency
  Principal
Amount
(000)
   Fair
Value
 
            
Lazard Emerging Markets Debt Portfolio (continued)          
              
Lebanon | 0.8%             
Lebanese Republic:             
6.375%, 03/09/20 («)  USD   107   $13,375 
8.250%, 04/12/21 («)  USD   211    25,320 
6.100%, 10/04/22 («)  USD   227    27,240 
6.000%, 01/27/23 («)  USD   191    22,920 
6.650%, 04/22/24 («)  USD   87    10,440 
6.250%, 11/04/24 («)  USD   116    13,920 
6.200%, 02/26/25 («)  USD   37    4,440 
6.600%, 11/27/26 («)  USD   104    12,480 
6.850%, 03/23/27 («)  USD   124    14,880 
6.750%, 11/29/27 («)  USD   52    6,240 
6.650%, 02/26/30 («)  USD   109    13,080 
7.000%, 03/23/32 («)  USD   59    7,080 
7.050%, 11/02/35 («)  USD   60    7,200 
7.250%, 03/23/37 («)  USD   55    6,600 
            185,215 
Malaysia | 4.1%             
Malaysia Government Bonds:             
3.441%, 02/15/21  MYR   120    29,890 
4.160%, 07/15/21  MYR   70    17,609 
3.882%, 03/10/22  MYR   706    179,637 
3.800%, 08/17/23  MYR   760    197,853 
3.478%, 06/14/24  MYR   91    23,697 
3.955%, 09/15/25  MYR   610    163,873 
3.899%, 11/16/27  MYR   240    65,127 
3.844%, 04/15/33  MYR   590    155,339 
4.893%, 06/08/38  MYR   310    90,573 
            923,598 
Mexico | 5.9%             
Mexican Bonos:             
10.000%, 12/05/24  MXN   361    21,684 
5.750%, 03/05/26  MXN   7,660    402,738 
8.500%, 05/31/29  MXN   7,598    464,983 
10.000%, 11/20/36  MXN   1,600    112,616 
7.750%, 11/13/42  MXN   670    38,741 

 

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

 

Annual Report  27

 

 

 

Description  Security
Currency
  Principal
Amount
(000)
   Fair
Value
 
              
Lazard Emerging Markets Debt Portfolio (continued)             
              
Mexico Government International Bonds,
2.659%, 05/24/31
  USD   25   $25,712 
United Mexican States:             
4.125%, 01/21/26  USD   80    92,000 
4.500%, 04/22/29  USD   45    52,762 
4.500%, 01/31/50  USD   15    17,541 
5.000%, 04/27/51  USD   60    74,805 
            1,303,582 
Mongolia | 0.3%             
Mongolia International Bonds:             
10.875%, 04/06/21  USD   25    25,625 
5.125%, 12/05/22  USD   35    36,323 
            61,948 
Mozambique | 0.8%             
Republic of Mozambique,
5.000%, 09/15/31 (Ø)
  USD   200    181,438 
              
Oman | 2.0%             
Oman Government International Bonds:             
4.750%, 06/15/26  USD   245    244,464 
5.625%, 01/17/28  USD   200    203,790 
            448,254 
Panama | 0.2%             
Republic of Panama,
3.750%, 03/16/25
  USD   40    44,175 
              
Paraguay | 0.5%             
Republic of Paraguay:             
4.950%, 04/28/31 (#)  USD   45    54,337 
5.400%, 03/30/50  USD   40    50,488 
            104,825 
Peru | 1.3%             
Peruvian Government International Bonds:             
5.940%, 02/12/29  PEN   140    48,174 
3.230%, 07/28/21  USD   25    24,937 

 

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

 

28  Annual Report

 

 

 

Description  Security
Currency
  Principal
Amount
(000)
   Fair
Value
 
              
Lazard Emerging Markets Debt Portfolio (continued)             
              
Republic of Peru:             
6.950%, 08/12/31  PEN   415   $148,728 
6.900%, 08/12/37  PEN   170    57,836 
5.350%, 08/12/40  PEN   55    15,753 
            295,428 
Philippines | 0.6%             
Republic of Philippines:             
3.625%, 09/09/25  PHP   2,865    62,307 
3.700%, 03/01/41  USD   60    69,356 
            131,663 
Qatar | 1.3%             
Qatar Government International Bonds,
5.750%, 01/20/42
  USD   200    298,813 
              
Romania | 2.6%             
Romanian Government Bonds:             
4.250%, 06/28/23  RON   710    185,317 
4.750%, 02/24/25  RON   320    86,427 
4.850%, 04/22/26  RON   320    88,498 
5.800%, 07/26/27  RON   160    47,239 
Romanian Government Bonds:             
4.375%, 08/22/23  USD   48    52,395 
3.000%, 02/14/31  USD   46    49,234 
4.000%, 02/14/51 (#)  USD   62    67,425 
            576,535 
Russia | 3.2%             
Russia Government Bonds - OFZ:             
7.100%, 10/16/24  RUB   190    2,739 
7.950%, 10/07/26  RUB   20,830    314,753 
7.050%, 01/19/28  RUB   7,443    108,474 
6.900%, 05/23/29  RUB   6,980    101,295 
7.650%, 04/10/30  RUB   5,550    84,441 
8.500%, 09/17/31  RUB   6,800    110,120 
            721,822 

 

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

 

Annual Report  29

 

 

 

Description  Security
Currency
  Principal
Amount
(000)
   Fair
Value
 
              
Lazard Emerging Markets Debt Portfolio (continued)             
              
South Africa | 5.9%             
Republic of South Africa:             
10.500%, 12/21/26  ZAR   4,790   $386,365 
4.850%, 09/30/29  USD   10    10,594 
8.000%, 01/31/30  ZAR   2,370    153,781 
5.875%, 06/22/30  USD   85    96,077 
8.250%, 03/31/32  ZAR   1,360    83,431 
8.500%, 01/31/37  ZAR   3,720    210,121 
8.750%, 02/28/48  ZAR   1,445    80,548 
6.300%, 06/22/48  USD   150    159,750 
Republic of South Africa Government Bonds,
8.875%, 02/28/35
  ZAR   1,050    62,939 
Republic of South Africa Government International Bonds,
4.850%, 09/27/27
  USD   60    64,800 
            1,308,406 
Sri Lanka | 1.4%             
Republic of Sri Lanka:             
5.750%, 01/18/22  USD   60    46,331 
5.750%, 04/18/23  USD   45    28,561 
6.850%, 03/14/24  USD   65    39,345 
6.350%, 06/28/24  USD   40    24,137 
6.125%, 06/03/25  USD   10    5,913 
6.850%, 11/03/25  USD   100    59,094 
6.825%, 07/18/26  USD   5    2,839 
6.200%, 05/11/27  USD   70    39,572 
6.750%, 04/18/28  USD   35    19,863 
7.550%, 03/28/30  USD   90    51,075 
            316,730 
Suriname | 0.0%             
Republic of Suriname,
9.250%, 10/26/26
  USD   10    6,400 

 

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

 

30  Annual Report

 

 

 

Description  Security
Currency
  Principal
Amount
(000)
   Fair
Value
 
              
Lazard Emerging Markets Debt Portfolio (continued)             
              
Thailand | 2.6%             
Thailand Government Bonds:             
3.650%, 06/20/31  THB   3,630   $147,990 
3.775%, 06/25/32  THB   4,700    195,711 
3.400%, 06/17/36  THB   3,390    140,584 
3.300%, 06/17/38  THB   2,190    90,277 
            574,562 
Turkey | 3.2%             
Republic of Turkey:             
7.375%, 02/05/25  USD   95    105,925 
4.875%, 10/09/26  USD   55    55,584 
6.625%, 02/17/45  USD   20    20,900 
5.750%, 05/11/47  USD   130    123,500 
Turkey Government Bonds:             
10.700%, 08/17/22  TRY   820    104,030 
8.000%, 03/12/25  TRY   600    68,048 
10.500%, 08/11/27  TRY   410    50,416 
Turkey Government International Bonds:             
6.375%, 10/14/25  USD   125    134,961 
5.250%, 03/13/30  USD   45    45,155 
            708,519 
Ukraine | 1.4%             
Ukraine Government Bonds,
9.750%, 11/01/28
  USD   260    319,800 
              
United Arab Emirates | 1.6%             
Emirate of Dubai Government International Bonds,
5.250%, 01/30/43
  USD   310    362,119 
              
Venezuela | 0.4%             
Republic of Venezuela:             
8.250%, 10/13/24 («)  USD   1,038    93,420 
7.000%, 03/31/38 («)  USD   58    5,220 
            98,640 

 

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

 

Annual Report  31

 

 

 

Description  Security
Currency
  Principal
Amount
(000)
   Fair
Value
 
              
Lazard Emerging Markets Debt Portfolio (continued)             
              
Zambia | 0.9%             
Republic of Zambia:             
5.375%, 09/20/22  USD   200   $103,125 
8.970%, 07/30/27  USD   200    103,063 
            206,188 
Total Foreign Government Obligations
(Cost $17,139,110)
           17,725,819 
              
Quasi Government Bonds | 1.1%             
              
Mexico | 0.6%             
Petroleos Mexicanos,
6.750%, 09/21/47
  USD   140    131,250 
              
Turkey | 0.4%             
Export Credit Bank of Turkey,
5.375%, 02/08/21
  USD   105    105,197 
              
Venezuela | 0.1%             
Petroleos de Venezuela SA:             
12.750%, 02/17/22 («)  USD   273    8,736 
6.000%, 11/15/26 («)  USD   124    4,030 
5.500%, 04/12/37 («)  USD   100    3,200 
            15,966 
Total Quasi Government Bonds
(Cost $447,869)
           252,413 
              
Supranational Bonds | 0.1%             
International Finance Corp.,
8.000%, 10/09/23
(Cost $14,330)
  IDR   200,000    15,481 

 

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

 

32  Annual Report

 

 

 

Description      Shares   Fair
Value
 
               
Lazard Emerging Markets Debt Portfolio (continued)              
               
Short-Term Investments | 11.3%              
State Street Institutional Treasury
Money Market Fund, Premier Class,
0.01% (7 day yield)
(Cost $2,516,617)
      2,516,617   $2,516,617 
               
Total Investments | 98.6%
(Cost $21,516,462) (»)
          $21,957,236 
               
Cash and Other Assets in Excess of Liabilities | 1.4%            321,418 
               
Net Assets | 100.0%           $22,278,654 

 

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

 

Annual Report  33

 

 

 

Lazard Emerging Markets Debt Portfolio (continued)

 

Forward Currency Contracts open at December 31, 2020:

 

Currency
Purchased
  Quantity   Currency
Sold
  Quantity     Counterparty    Settlement
Date
  Unrealized
Appreciation
 Unrealized
Depreciation
 
                                      
BRL   58,145   USD   10,954     BOA    02/02/21    $237     $ 
BRL   75,589   USD   14,246     BOA    02/02/21     302       
BRL   34,817   USD   6,559     CIT    02/02/21     142       
BRL   2,164,471   USD   401,400     SSB    02/02/21     15,174       
CLP   56,035,371   USD   75,736     BRC    02/11/21     3,123       
CLP   56,035,371   USD   75,723     SCB    02/11/21     3,135       
CNH   39,909   USD   6,091     BRC    01/19/21     41       
CNH   131,890   USD   20,000     BRC    01/19/21     263       
COP   28,116,794   USD   7,698     BOA    01/25/21     535       
COP   34,220,000   USD   10,000     BOA    01/25/21     19       
COP   26,710,954   USD   7,310     SCB    01/25/21     511       
CZK   1,658,820   USD   73,799     BRC    01/19/21     3,439       
CZK   3,411,077   USD   152,261     BRC    01/19/21     6,566       
CZK   2,173,726   USD   97,016     UBS    01/19/21     4,196       
HUF   6,003,524   USD   20,000     BRC    01/25/21     224       
HUF   15,996,668   USD   52,700     BRC    01/25/21     1,189       
HUF   22,192,450   USD   72,862     BRC    01/25/21     1,899       
HUF   15,237,000   USD   50,000     CIT    01/25/21     1,330       
HUF   16,386,831   USD   54,007     UBS    01/25/21     1,196       
IDR   390,766,960   USD   27,610     JPM    01/19/21     166       
IDR   152,770,100   USD   10,764     SCB    01/19/21     95       
IDR   2,409,060,800   USD   170,095     SCB    01/19/21     1,145       
INR   4,486,200   USD   60,161     CIT    01/27/21     1,084       
INR   9,230,824   USD   123,213     HSB    01/27/21     2,805       
INR   1,890,651   USD   25,213     SCB    01/27/21     598       
MXN   1,034,100   USD   50,000     CIT    01/19/21     1,881       
MXN   3,012,415   USD   150,886     HSB    01/19/21     249       
MXN   1,411,533   USD   68,727     UBS    01/19/21     2,090       
MYR   246,630   USD   60,000     BOA    01/25/21     1,263       
PEN   11,530   USD   3,210     BOA    02/22/21           24 
PEN   11,530   USD   3,215     BRC    02/22/21           29 
PLN   825,640   USD   216,499     BOA    01/19/21     4,539       
PLN   454,406   USD   120,000     CIT    01/19/21     1,653       
PLN   802,050   USD   210,313     CIT    01/19/21     4,410       
PLN   463,945   USD   121,531     HSB    01/19/21     2,675       
PLN   802,050   USD   210,089     HSB    01/19/21     4,634       
PLN   37,252   USD   10,000     SCB    01/19/21           27 

 

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

 

34  Annual Report

 

 

 

Lazard Emerging Markets Debt Portfolio (continued)

 

Currency
Purchased
  Quantity   Currency
Sold
  Quantity     Counterparty    Settlement
Date
  Unrealized
Appreciation
 Unrealized
Depreciation
 
                                      
PLN   408,890   USD   107,230     UBS    01/19/21    $2,237     $ 
RUB   576,983   USD   7,538     BRC    01/22/21     256       
RUB   10,665,858   USD   139,935     BRC    01/22/21     4,138       
RUB   6,772,558   USD   90,828     HSB    01/22/21     656       
THB   4,240,121   USD   140,529     CIT    02/22/21     1,008       
THB   6,814,481   USD   225,213     CIT    02/22/21     2,259       
THB   299,210   USD   10,000     SCB    02/22/21           12 
THB   2,725,792   USD   90,055     SCB    02/22/21     933       
TRY   158,802   USD   20,000     BRC    01/14/21     1,300       
TRY   826,980   USD   107,468     BRC    01/14/21     3,455       
TRY   864,570   USD   112,396     SCB    01/14/21     3,569       
TRY   411,880   USD   53,460     UBS    01/14/21     1,786       
USD   40,000   BRL   203,920     BRC    02/02/21     754       
USD   50,000   BRL   253,325     BRC    02/02/21     1,245       
USD   50,736   CNH   330,250     HSB    01/19/21           2 
USD   109,284   CNH   726,752     SCB    01/19/21           2,371 
USD   110,000   CNH   720,984     SCB    01/19/21           769 
USD   10,000   COP   35,940,000     BOA    01/25/21           523 
USD   60,000   COP   208,350,000     SCB    01/25/21           1,004 
USD   50,000   CZK   1,083,750     BOA    01/19/21           461 
USD   21,529   CZK   471,275     BRC    01/19/21           414 
USD   110,000   CZK   2,384,800     BRC    01/19/21           1,041 
USD   50,000   HUF   14,645,000     BOA    01/25/21     664       
USD   60,000   HUF   17,574,000     BOA    01/25/21     797       
USD   120,504   IDR   1,707,421,534     JPM    01/19/21           863 
USD   105,000   INR   7,777,875     BRC    01/27/21           1,183 
USD   105,000   INR   7,776,300     CIT    01/27/21           1,162 
USD   30,000   MXN   607,814     BRC    01/19/21           494 
USD   110,000   MXN   2,205,082     BRC    01/19/21           630 
USD   110,000   MXN   2,205,797     UBS    01/19/21           666 
USD   210,000   MYR   854,490     BOA    01/25/21           2,257 
USD   10,000   MYR   40,770     SCB    01/25/21           127 
USD   10,371   MYR   42,308     SCB    01/25/21           138 
USD   20,715   PEN   74,437     CIT    02/22/21     147       
USD   43,080   PHP   2,074,576     SCB    02/11/21           83 
USD   50,000   PLN   182,484     CIT    01/19/21     1,146       
USD   70,000   PLN   255,309     CIT    01/19/21     1,649       

 

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

 

Annual Report  35

 

 

 

Lazard Emerging Markets Debt Portfolio (continued)

 

Currency
Purchased
  Quantity   Currency
Sold
  Quantity     Counterparty    Settlement
Date
  Unrealized
Appreciation
 Unrealized
Depreciation
 
                                      
USD   36,435   RON   150,509     CIT    01/19/21    $     $1,315 
USD   36,394   RON   150,509     UBS    01/19/21           1,357 
USD   90,000   RUB   6,602,400     BOA    01/22/21     815       
USD   60,000   RUB   4,412,490     BRC    01/22/21     396       
USD   90,000   THB   2,705,400     SCB    02/22/21           308 
USD   212,415   TRY   1,685,936     BOA    01/14/21           13,720 
USD   80,000   TRY   641,776     BRC    01/14/21           6,082 
USD   85,339   ZAR   1,347,310     BOA    01/19/21           6,149 
USD   30,000   ZAR   467,452     BRC    01/19/21           1,742 
USD   85,444   ZAR   1,347,310     BRC    01/19/21           6,044 
USD   170,778   ZAR   2,694,620     CIT    01/19/21           12,198 
USD   50,000   ZAR   754,840     SCB    01/19/21           1,257 
USD   85,498   ZAR   1,347,310     SCB    01/19/21           5,990 
USD   110,000   ZAR   1,659,273     SCB    01/19/21           2,671 
ZAR   2,119,140   USD   144,320     BRC    01/19/21           422 
ZAR   1,405,773   USD   90,000     CIT    01/19/21     5,458       
ZAR   1,639,577   USD   105,869     CIT    01/19/21     5,465       
ZAR   2,196,759   USD   145,265     HSB    01/19/21     3,904       
Total gross unrealized appreciation/depreciation on  Forward Currency Contracts         $116,845     $73,535 

 

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

 

36  Annual Report

 

 

 

Lazard Emerging Markets Debt Portfolio (concluded)

 

Centrally Cleared Interest Rate Swap Agreements open at December 31, 2020:

 

Currency  Notional
Amount
   Expiration
Date
  Receive/
(Pay)
Rate
  Payment
Frequency
Paid/Received
  Variable
Rate
  Unrealized
Appreciation
                           
BRL  838,319   01/02/24   5.84%  Maturity  1 month Brazilian Interbank Deposit Average    $4,610 
BRL  680,190   01/02/24   4.84   Maturity  1 month Brazilian Interbank Deposit Average     1,126 
Total gross unrealized appreciation on Centrally Cleared Interest Rate Swap Agreements    $5,736 

 

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

 

Annual Report  37

 

 

 

Description  Security
Currency
  Principal
Amount
(000)
   Fair
Value
 
              
Lazard Global Fixed Income Portfolio             
              
Corporate Bonds  |  36.6%             
              
Australia  |  1.2%             
Telstra Corp., Ltd.,
4.000%, 09/16/22
  AUD   140   $114,528 
              
Canada  |  2.5%             
Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce,
0.950%, 10/23/25
  USD   135    136,838 
Rogers Communications, Inc.,
3.250%, 05/01/29
  CAD   120    104,515 
            241,353 
France  |  1.2%             
Schneider Electric SE,
2.950%, 09/27/22
  USD   110    114,760 
              
Germany  |  1.8%             
BMW Finance NV,
0.875%, 08/16/22
  GBP   35    48,378 
Daimler AG,
0.000% (Euribor 3 Month + 0.450%), 07/03/24 (§)
  EUR   100    121,909 
            170,287 
Switzerland  |  0.1%             
ABB Finance USA, Inc.,
4.375%, 05/08/42
  USD   7    9,232 
              
United Kingdom  |  2.7%             
Tesco Corporate Treasury Services PLC MTN,
2.750%, 04/27/30
  GBP   100    151,430 
Unilever Capital Corp.,
3.250%, 03/07/24
  USD   100    108,578 
            260,008 

 

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

 

38  Annual Report

 

 

 

Description  Security
Currency
  Principal
Amount
(000)
   Fair
Value
 
              
Lazard Global Fixed Income Portfolio (continued)             
              
United States  |  27.1%             
Adobe, Inc.,
2.300%, 02/01/30
  USD   90   $97,362 
Alphabet, Inc.,
1.100%, 08/15/30
  USD   95    93,591 
Amazon.com, Inc.,
3.150%, 08/22/27
  USD   85    96,839 
American Express Co.,
3.000%, 10/30/24
  USD   100    109,199 
Apple, Inc.,
3.000%, 06/20/27
  USD   80    89,582 
Bank of America Corp.:             
3.499% (USD LIBOR 3 Month + 0.630%), 05/17/22 (§)  USD   100    101,184 
1.486% (SOFR + 1.460%), 05/19/24 (§)  USD   50    51,166 
Citigroup, Inc.,
1.579% (BBSW 3 Month + 1.550%), 05/04/21 (§)
  AUD   175    135,460 
Constellation Brands, Inc.,
4.250%, 05/01/23
  USD   70    76,298 
Dell International LLC,
5.300%, 10/01/29
  USD   60    73,480 
HCA, Inc.,
5.000%, 03/15/24
  USD   40    44,992 
John Deere Financial, Inc.,
2.410%, 01/14/25
  CAD   110    91,790 
Johnson & Johnson,
3.625%, 03/03/37
  USD   75    91,583 
JPMorgan Chase & Co.,
3.540% (USD LIBOR 3 Month + 1.380%), 05/01/28 (§)
  USD   100    114,256 
Kimberly-Clark Corp.,
3.200%, 04/25/29
  USD   45    51,841 
McDonald’s Corp.,
3.125%, 03/04/25
  CAD   125    106,462 

 

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

 

Annual Report  39

 

 

 

Description  Security
Currency
  Principal
Amount
(000)
   Fair
Value
 
              
Lazard Global Fixed Income Portfolio (continued)             
              
Microsoft Corp.,
3.500%, 11/15/42
  USD   75   $92,286 
Morgan Stanley,
3.625%, 01/20/27
  USD   80    91,790 
PepsiCo, Inc.,
2.875%, 10/15/49
  USD   85    95,025 
Pfizer, Inc.,
2.625%, 04/01/30
  USD   65    72,505 
Prologis LP,
1.250%, 10/15/30
  USD   70    69,274 
Sealed Air Corp.,
4.875%, 12/01/22
  USD   45    47,194 
Service Corp. International,
4.625%, 12/15/27
  USD   50    53,250 
Starbucks Corp.,
4.450%, 08/15/49
  USD   90    118,520 
The Goldman Sachs Group, Inc.,
3.625%, 01/22/23
  USD   100    106,708 
The Home Depot, Inc.,
5.875%, 12/16/36
  USD   65    98,439 
The Procter & Gamble Co.,
1.200%, 10/29/30
  USD   50    50,036 
Toyota Motor Credit Corp.,
2.150%, 02/13/30
  USD   90    96,636 
United Rentals North America, Inc.,
4.875%, 01/15/28
  USD   50    53,250 
Verizon Communications, Inc.,
3.875%, 02/08/29
  USD   100    117,656 
            2,587,654 
Total Corporate Bonds
(Cost $3,278,390)
           3,497,822 

 

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

 

40  Annual Report

 

 

 

Description  Security
Currency
  Principal
Amount
(000)
   Fair
Value
 
              
Lazard Global Fixed Income Portfolio (continued)             
              
Foreign Government Obligations  |  43.7%             
              
Australia  |  2.5%             
New South Wales Treasury Corp.:             
1.250%, 11/20/30  AUD   125   $96,771 
2.000%, 03/08/33  AUD   60    48,943 
Queensland Treasury Corp.,
1.250%, 03/10/31
  AUD   125    96,575 
            242,289 
Bahamas  |  1.3%             
Bahamas Government International Bonds,
6.950%, 11/20/29
  USD   5    4,961 
Commonwealth of Bahamas,
6.950%, 11/20/29
  USD   118    117,078 
            122,039 
Bermuda  |  2.3%             
Government of Bermuda,
3.717%, 01/25/27
  USD   200    223,750 
              
Canada  |  4.9%             
City of Vancouver,
2.900%, 11/20/25
  CAD   90    77,567 
Province of British Columbia,
4.700%, 06/18/37
  CAD   125    139,658 
Province of Quebec:             
2.500%, 04/20/26  USD   100    109,799 
1.850%, 02/13/27  CAD   170    141,436 
            468,460 
Chile  |  3.5%             
Bonos de la Tesoreria de la Republica en pesos:             
4.500%, 03/01/26  CLP   65,000    104,891 
2.300%, 10/01/28  CLP   75,000    105,060 
Republic of Chile,
0.830%, 07/02/31
  EUR   100    127,586 
            337,537 

 

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

 

Annual Report  41

 

 

 

Description  Security
Currency
  Principal
Amount
(000)
   Fair
Value
 
              
Lazard Global Fixed Income Portfolio (continued)             
              
Colombia  |  0.6%             
Republic of Colombia,
9.850%, 06/28/27
  COP   148,000   $56,115 
              
Czech Republic  |  2.9%             
Czech Republic,
2.000%, 10/13/33
  CZK   5,590    279,803 
              
Hungary  |  3.7%             
Hungary Government Bonds:             
2.500%, 10/24/24  HUF   27,890    99,271 
2.750%, 12/22/26  HUF   25,790    93,387 
3.000%, 10/27/27  HUF   30,670    113,065 
Hungary Government International Bonds,
1.750%, 06/05/35
  EUR   35    47,482 
            353,205 
Italy  |  1.8%             
Italy Buoni Poliennali Del Tesoro,
1.450%, 03/01/36
  EUR   75    98,377 
Italy Government International Bonds,
6.875%, 09/27/23
  USD   65    75,471 
            173,848 
Mexico  |  1.6%             
Mexican Bonos,
7.500%, 06/03/27
  MXN   1,640    93,772 
United Mexican States,
6.750%, 02/06/24
  GBP   35    56,178 
            149,950 
Morocco  |  1.2%             
Morocco Government International Bonds,
1.500%, 11/27/31
  EUR   100    118,882 
              
Netherlands  |  2.1%             
Nederlandse Waterschapsbank NV,
0.500%, 12/02/25 (#)
  USD   200    199,986 

 

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

 

42  Annual Report

 

 

 

Description  Security
Currency
  Principal
Amount
(000)
   Fair
Value
 
              
Lazard Global Fixed Income Portfolio (continued)             
              
New Zealand  |  2.2%             
New Zealand Government Bonds,
4.500%, 04/15/27
  NZD   235   $206,134 
              
Norway  |  2.6%             
Oslo Kommune:             
2.300%, 03/14/24  NOK   1,000    121,515 
2.350%, 09/04/24  NOK   1,000    122,356 
            243,871 
Peru  |  1.0%             
Peru Government Bonds,
6.150%, 08/12/32 (#)
  PEN   270    90,752 
              
Poland  |  2.0%             
Poland Government Bonds:             
2.500%, 07/25/27  PLN   325    96,545 
2.750%, 10/25/29  PLN   310    94,391 
            190,936 
Romania  |  3.7%             
Romanian Government Bonds:             
4.000%, 10/27/21  RON   400    101,221 
4.750%, 02/24/25  RON   545    147,196 
Romanian Government International Bonds,
2.375%, 04/19/27
  EUR   77    102,680 
            351,097 
Singapore  |  1.0%             
Singapore Government Bonds,
3.375%, 09/01/33
  SGD   100    96,548 
              
Spain  |  1.1%             
Spain Government Bonds,
1.200%, 10/31/40
  EUR   75    101,446 

 

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

 

Annual Report  43

 

 

 

Description  Security
Currency
  Principal
Amount
(000)
   Fair
Value
 
              
Lazard Global Fixed Income Portfolio (continued)             
              
United Kingdom  |  1.7%             
United Kingdom Gilt:             
1.750%, 09/07/37  GBP   72   $116,811 
1.500%, 07/22/47  GBP   27    43,684 
            160,495 
Total Foreign Government Obligations
(Cost $3,894,206)
           4,167,143 
              
Quasi Government Bonds  |  1.0%             
              
Canada  |  1.0%             
Export Development Canada,
1.800%, 09/01/22
(Cost $87,866)
  CAD   120    96,707 
              
Supranational Bonds  |  10.4%             
African Development Bank,
0.750%, 04/03/23
  USD   120    121,419 
Asian Development Bank,
2.125%, 03/19/25
  USD   107    114,618 
European Bank for Reconstruction & Development,
1.625%, 09/27/24
  USD   55    57,653 
European Investment Bank,
1.125%, 09/16/21 (#)
  CAD   90    71,067 
Inter-American Development Bank,
7.875%, 03/14/23
  IDR   1,160,000    88,598 
International Bank for Reconstruction & Development:             
2.500%, 08/03/23  CAD   210    174,176 
1.900%, 01/16/25  CAD   70    57,988 
2.900%, 11/26/25  AUD   110    94,437 
International Finance Corp.:             
2.700%, 03/15/23  AUD   130    105,629 
2.125%, 04/07/26  USD   100    108,502 
Total Supranational Bonds
(Cost $924,496)
           994,087 

 

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

 

44  Annual Report

 

 

 

Description  Security
Currency
  Principal
Amount
(000)
   Fair
Value
 
              
Lazard Global Fixed Income Portfolio (continued)             
              
US Municipal Bonds  |  1.5%             
              
California  |  1.5%             
State of California:             
7.500%, 04/01/34  USD   20   $33,333 
4.500%, 04/01/33  USD   45    54,393 
7.550%, 04/01/39  USD   30    52,674 
            140,400 
Total US Municipal Bonds
(Cost $124,805)
           140,400 
              
US Treasury Securities  |  3.0%             
US Treasury Notes:             
2.125%, 05/15/25  USD   85    91,727 
2.875%, 08/15/28  USD   171    198,540 
              
Total US Treasury Securities
(Cost $280,721)
           290,267 
             
Description     Shares   Fair
Value
 
             
Short-Term Investments  |  3.9%            
State Street Institutional Treasury
Money Market Fund, Premier Class,
0.01% (7 day yield)
(Cost $368,885)
      368,885   $368,885 
               
Total Investments  |  100.1%
(Cost $8,959,369) (»)
          $9,555,311 
               
Liabilities in Excess of Cash and Other Assets  |  (0.1)%            (9,148)
               
Net Assets  |  100.0%           $9,546,163 

 

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

 

Annual Report  45

 

 

 

Lazard Global Fixed Income Portfolio (continued)

 

Forward Currency Contracts open at December 31, 2020:

 

Currency
Purchased
  Quantity   Currency
Sold
  Quantity     Counterparty    Settlement
Date
  Unrealized
Appreciation
  Unrealized
Depreciation
 
                                      
AUD   8,193   USD   6,000     JPM    01/20/21    $317     $ 
AUD   9,473   USD   7,212     JPM    01/20/21     93       
CAD   18,294   USD   14,000     HSB    01/20/21     373       
CAD   96,090   USD   74,460     JPM    01/20/21     1,035       
CAD   135,489   USD   103,813     JPM    01/20/21     2,636       
CAD   158,753   USD   118,517     JPM    01/20/21     6,210       
CHF   24,165   USD   26,715     HSB    01/20/21     594       
CHF   46,212   USD   52,000     JPM    01/20/21     224       
CHF   52,247   USD   57,300     JPM    01/20/21     1,745       
CHF   86,443   USD   95,565     JPM    01/20/21     2,124       
CNH   803,760   USD   118,200     HSB    01/20/21     5,279       
CNH   1,361,959   USD   199,821     HSB    01/20/21     9,412       
CNH   198,820   USD   30,000     HSB    03/04/21     456       
CNH   228,863   USD   34,300     HSB    03/04/21     758       
CNH   1,361,959   USD   199,096     HSB    03/04/21     9,532       
COP   68,074,800   USD   18,800     CIT    02/16/21     1,123       
EUR   64,671   RON   317,527     HSB    01/22/21           590 
EUR   71,274   USD   84,379     CIT    01/20/21     2,726       
EUR   16,651   USD   19,900     HSB    01/20/21     450       
EUR   75,900   USD   90,000     HSB    01/20/21     2,759       
EUR   78,323   USD   94,700     HSB    01/20/21     1,020       
EUR   119,864   USD   142,930     HSB    01/20/21     3,558       
EUR   881,145   USD   1,042,641     HSB    01/20/21     34,224       
EUR   16,349   USD   19,200     JPM    01/20/21     781       
EUR   64,774   USD   76,600     JPM    01/20/21     2,561       
GBP   17,420   USD   23,000     JPM    01/20/21     825       
GBP   30,394   USD   40,490     JPM    01/20/21     1,080       
GBP   37,590   USD   48,865     JPM    01/20/21     2,547       
GBP   82,116   USD   104,536     JPM    01/20/21     7,772       
IDR   475,168,000   USD   31,880     JPM    01/15/21     1,909       
INR   3,498,117   USD   47,100     JPM    01/29/21     646       
JPY   44,497,629   USD   424,624     CIT    01/20/21     6,407       
JPY   85,119,655   USD   812,513     HSB    01/20/21     12,008       
JPY   1,104,572   USD   10,500     JPM    01/20/21     200       
JPY   6,894,604   USD   66,000     JPM    01/20/21     785       

 

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

 

46  Annual Report

 

 

 

Lazard Global Fixed Income Portfolio (continued)

 

Currency
Purchased
  Quantity   Currency
Sold
  Quantity     Counterparty    Settlement
Date
  Unrealized
Appreciation
  Unrealized
Depreciation
 
                                      
JPY   12,991,927   USD   123,995     JPM    01/20/21    $1,853     $ 
KRW   118,308,720   USD   105,928     JPM    02/25/21     3,019       
MXN   535,448   USD   24,513     JPM    01/20/21     2,348       
NOK   349,488   USD   37,499     HSB    01/22/21     3,261       
PHP   2,245,608   USD   45,819     HSB    01/15/21     934       
PLN   42,779   USD   11,375     HSB    01/20/21     77       
PLN   357,739   USD   97,236     HSB    01/20/21           1,463 
RON   16,500   USD   4,000     HSB    01/22/21     138       
RUB   781,013   USD   10,300     JPM    01/20/21     252       
RUB   1,118,958   USD   14,475     JPM    01/20/21     643       
SEK   250,376   USD   28,347     JPM    01/20/21     2,090       
SGD   138,385   USD   102,013     JPM    01/20/21     2,699       
THB   885,374   USD   28,275     HSB    01/20/21     1,277       
USD   9,830   AUD   13,442     CIT    01/20/21           535 
USD   11,735   AUD   16,037     CIT    01/20/21           630 
USD   70,584   AUD   96,649     CIT    01/20/21           3,941 
USD   37,849   AUD   50,063     HSB    01/20/21           754 
USD   40,594   AUD   56,493     HSB    01/20/21           2,967 
USD   91,657   AUD   125,455     HSB    01/20/21           5,080 
USD   41,278   AUD   58,034     JPM    01/20/21           3,472 
USD   238,095   AUD   325,906     JPM    01/20/21           13,208 
USD   16,056   CAD   20,975     CIT    01/20/21           424 
USD   38,048   CAD   49,845     CIT    01/20/21           1,114 
USD   153,741   CAD   202,899     CIT    01/20/21           5,671 
USD   64,100   CAD   85,219     HSB    01/20/21           2,854 
USD   310,506   CAD   409,656     HSB    01/20/21           11,348 
USD   38,008   CAD   50,716     JPM    01/20/21           1,838 
USD   339,430   CAD   447,786     JPM    01/20/21           12,381 
USD   44,085   CAD   58,468     MSC    01/20/21           1,851 
USD   58,448   CAD   77,121     MSC    01/20/21           2,144 
USD   135,000   CHF   122,905     JPM    01/20/21           3,894 
USD   82,481   CLP   65,729,298     CIT    02/16/21           10,021 
USD   97,126   CLP   74,010,000     CIT    02/16/21           7,030 
USD   51,832   COP   194,179,641     CIT    02/16/21           4,996 
USD   13,240   CZK   294,847     JPM    01/22/21           489 

 

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

 

Annual Report  47

 

 

 

Lazard Global Fixed Income Portfolio (concluded)

 

Currency
Purchased
  Quantity   Currency
Sold
  Quantity     Counterparty    Settlement
Date
  Unrealized
Appreciation
  Unrealized
Depreciation
 
                                      
USD   203,208   CZK   4,693,955     JPM    01/22/21    $     $15,350 
USD   32,829   EUR   27,731     CIT    01/20/21           1,061 
USD   28,933   EUR   24,299     HSB    01/20/21           764 
USD   269,891   EUR   228,087     HSB    01/20/21           8,859 
USD   2,049   EUR   1,720     JPM    01/20/21           53 
USD   44,139   EUR   37,238     JPM    01/20/21           1,371 
USD   6,712   GBP   5,057     JPM    01/20/21           204 
USD   10,709   GBP   8,069     JPM    01/20/21           326 
USD   152,966   GBP   112,999     JPM    01/20/21           1,580 
USD   14,564   HUF   4,431,201     JPM    01/20/21           364 
USD   232,727   HUF   72,163,989     JPM    01/22/21           10,378 
USD   129,700   JPY   13,590,238     JPM    01/20/21           1,943 
USD   47,359   MXN   952,619     HSB    01/20/21           430 
USD   43,400   NOK   392,807     JPM    01/22/21           2,412 
USD   215,346   NOK   2,006,974     JPM    01/22/21           18,724 
USD   78,052   NZD   116,322     CIT    01/20/21           5,650 
USD   73,270   NZD   109,222     HSB    01/20/21           5,323 
USD   8,538   NZD   12,393     JPM    01/20/21           379 
USD   25,340   NZD   37,764     JPM    01/20/21           1,834 
USD   82,920   PEN   298,306     JPM    02/16/21     492       
USD   3,502   PLN   13,642     HSB    01/20/21           151 
USD   14,280   PLN   53,963     HSB    01/20/21           167 
USD   43,200   PLN   165,538     HSB    01/20/21           1,118 
USD   44,000   PLN   171,267     HSB    01/20/21           1,851 
USD   128,293   PLN   482,469     HSB    01/20/21           873 
USD   11,718   RON   48,175     HSB    01/20/21           364 
USD   62,029   RON   266,022     HSB    01/22/21           4,684 
USD   48,118   SGD   64,337     JPM    01/20/21           564 
USD   48,119   SGD   64,279     JPM    01/20/21           519 
USD   82,400   SGD   112,871     JPM    01/20/21           3,006 
Total gross unrealized appreciation/depreciation on Forward Currency Contracts               $143,252     $188,997 

 

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

 

48  Annual Report

 

 

 

Description  Principal
Amount
(000)
   Fair
Value
 
       
Lazard US Corporate Income Portfolio          
           
Corporate Bonds  |  85.5%          
           
Aerospace & Defense  |  0.7%          
The Boeing Co.,
4.875%, 05/01/25
  $1,500   $1,709,542 
Triumph Group, Inc.,
6.250%, 09/15/24 (#)
   500    495,000 
         2,204,542 
Airlines  |  0.4%          
Continental Airlines Pass Through Trust,
4.150%, 04/11/24
   1,262    1,269,788 
           
Auto Components  |  2.6%          
BorgWarner, Inc.,
5.000%, 10/01/25 (#)
   1,925    2,263,001 
Dana, Inc.,
5.500%, 12/15/24
   1,800    1,836,000 
Tenneco, Inc.,
5.000%, 07/15/26
   2,100    1,932,000 
The Goodyear Tire & Rubber Co.:          
5.125%, 11/15/23   1,550    1,551,937 
5.000%, 05/31/26   250    255,625 
         7,838,563 
Automobiles  |  1.0%          
Fiat Chrysler Automobiles NV,
5.250%, 04/15/23
   2,000    2,145,000 
Jaguar Land Rover Automotive PLC,
4.500%, 10/01/27 (#)
   1,000    930,000 
         3,075,000 
Building Products  |  0.6%          
Griffon Corp.,
5.750%, 03/01/28
   1,750    1,851,395 
           
Capital Markets  |  0.7%          
Icahn Enterprises LP,
6.250%, 05/15/26
   1,500    1,588,350 

 

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

 

Annual Report  49

 

 

 

Description  Principal
Amount
(000)
   Fair
Value
 
       
Lazard US Corporate Income Portfolio (continued)          
           
MPT Operating Partnership LP,
3.500%, 03/15/31
  $500   $516,250 
         2,104,600 
Chemicals  |  2.7%          
CF Industries, Inc.,
3.450%, 06/01/23
   1,725    1,798,313 
Methanex Corp.,
5.125%, 10/15/27
   1,000    1,086,880 
Mosaic Global Holdings, Inc.,
7.300%, 01/15/28
   775    994,981 
NOVA Chemicals Corp.,
5.250%, 08/01/23 (#)
   1,550    1,557,750 
Valvoline, Inc.,
4.375%, 08/15/25
   1,500    1,549,155 
WR Grace & Co-Conn,
4.875%, 06/15/27 (#)
   1,000    1,060,520 
         8,047,599 
Commercial Services & Supplies  |  4.0%          
ACCO Brands Corp.,
5.250%, 12/15/24 (#)
   1,800    1,849,500 
Aramark Services, Inc.,
5.000%, 04/01/25 (#)
   2,000    2,060,000 
Ashtead Capital, Inc.,
4.375%, 08/15/27 (#)
   1,900    2,006,875 
Clean Harbors, Inc.,
4.875%, 07/15/27 (#)
   2,000    2,086,620 
GFL Environmental, Inc.,
3.500%, 09/01/28 (#)
   250    255,052 
KAR Auction Services, Inc.,
5.125%, 06/01/25 (#)
   1,800    1,852,254 
Prime Security Services Borrower LLC,
3.375%, 08/31/27 (#)
   1,500    1,488,750 
The ADT Security Corp.,
4.125%, 06/15/23
   500    533,075 
         12,132,126 

 

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

 

50  Annual Report

 

 

 

Description  Principal
Amount
(000)
   Fair
Value
 
       
Lazard US Corporate Income Portfolio (continued)          
           
Communications Equipment  |  0.6%          
Plantronics, Inc.,
5.500%, 05/31/23 (#)
  $1,750   $1,754,375 
           
Construction Materials  |  0.6%          
James Hardie International Finance DAC,
5.000%, 01/15/28 (#)
   1,760    1,865,600 
           
Consumer Finance  |  0.4%          
Ford Motor Credit Co. LLC,
4.125%, 08/17/27
   1,000    1,047,500 
           
Containers & Packaging  |  3.4%          
Ardagh Packaging Finance PLC,
4.125%, 08/15/26 (#)
   1,200    1,254,000 
Ball Corp.,
4.000%, 11/15/23
   2,100    2,236,500 
Crown Americas LLC:          
4.500%, 01/15/23   1,550    1,635,451 
4.250%, 09/30/26   500    551,075 
Graphic Packaging International LLC,
3.500%, 03/15/28 (#)
   1,600    1,658,000 
Sealed Air Corp.,
4.875%, 12/01/22 (#)
   1,700    1,782,875 
Silgan Holdings, Inc.,
4.125%, 02/01/28
   100    103,875 
Smurfit Kappa Treasury Funding DAC,
7.500%, 11/20/25
   750    929,063 
         10,150,839 
Diversified Consumer Services  |  0.7%          
Service Corp. International,
4.625%, 12/15/27
   2,000    2,130,000 
           
Diversified Financial Services  |  1.2%          
INEOS Group Holdings SA,
5.625%, 08/01/24 (#)
   1,700    1,723,460 

 

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

 

Annual Report  51

 

 

 

Description  Principal
Amount
(000)
   Fair
Value
 
       
Lazard US Corporate Income Portfolio (continued)          
           
Level 3 Financing, Inc.:          
4.250%, 07/01/28 (#)  $1,000   $1,027,500 
3.625%, 01/15/29 (#)   1,000    997,500 
         3,748,460 
Diversified Telecommunication Services  |  2.7%          
CenturyLink, Inc.,
4.000%, 02/15/27 (#)
   1,100    1,135,750 
Connect Finco Sarl,
6.750%, 10/01/26 (#)
   1,500    1,615,530 
Hughes Satellite Systems Corp.,
5.250%, 08/01/26
   2,091    2,307,941 
SBA Communications Corp.,
4.875%, 09/01/24
   2,000    2,051,460 
Zayo Group Holdings, Inc.,
4.000%, 03/01/27 (#)
   1,000    1,002,500 
         8,113,181 
Electric Utilities  |  0.2%          
NRG Energy, Inc.,
3.625%, 02/15/31 (#)
   500    514,400 
           
Electrical Equipment  |  0.5%          
Sensata Tech, Inc.,
4.375%, 02/15/30 (#)
   1,100    1,183,875 
Sensata Technologies, Inc.,
3.750%, 02/15/31 (#)
   250    259,145 
         1,443,020 
Energy Equipment & Services  |  0.3%          
Precision Drilling Corp.,
5.250%, 11/15/24
   1,000    865,000 
           
Entertainment  |  1.4%          
Live Nation Entertainment, Inc.:          
4.875%, 11/01/24 (#)   1,550    1,569,375 
3.750%, 01/15/28 (#)   500    505,200 

 

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

 

52  Annual Report

 

 

 

Description  Principal
Amount
(000)
   Fair
Value
 
       
Lazard US Corporate Income Portfolio (continued)          
           
Netflix, Inc.:          
5.375%, 02/01/21  $1,550   $1,555,813 
4.375%, 11/15/26   500    554,375 
         4,184,763 
Equity Real Estate Investment Trusts (REITs)  |  4.3%          
Equinix, Inc.,
5.375%, 05/15/27
   2,200    2,397,910 
ESH Hospitality, Inc.,
5.250%, 05/01/25 (#)
   2,000    2,050,000 
Iron Mountain, Inc.:          
4.875%, 09/15/29 (#)   500    527,500 
4.500%, 02/15/31 (#)   1,250    1,309,375 
MGM Growth Properties Operating Partnership LP,
4.500%, 09/01/26
   1,800    1,936,620 
RHP Hotel Properties LP,
5.000%, 04/15/23
   1,525    1,528,812 
Uniti Group LP,
6.000%, 04/15/23 (#)
   1,700    1,734,000 
VICI Properties LP,
4.250%, 12/01/26 (#)
   1,500    1,555,725 
         13,039,942 
Food & Staples Retailing  |  1.3%          
Albertsons Cos, Inc.,
3.500%, 03/15/29 (#)
   1,500    1,515,000 
Ingles Markets, Inc.,
5.750%, 06/15/23
   633    639,330 
Performance Food Group, Inc.,
5.500%, 06/01/24 (#)
   1,805    1,814,025 
         3,968,355 
Food Products  |  2.0%          
B&G Foods, Inc.,
5.250%, 04/01/25
   1,500    1,548,750 
Lamb Weston Holdings, Inc.,
4.625%, 11/01/24 (#)
   2,000    2,085,000 
Post Holdings, Inc.,
5.000%, 08/15/26 (#)
   1,800    1,858,500 

 

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

 

Annual Report  53

 

 

 

Description  Principal
Amount
(000)
   Fair
Value
 
       
Lazard US Corporate Income Portfolio (continued)          
           
TreeHouse Foods, Inc.,
4.000%, 09/01/28
  $500   $517,187 
         6,009,437 
Gas Utilities  |  1.2%          
AmeriGas Partners LP,
5.625%, 05/20/24
   1,550    1,670,125 
Suburban Propane Partners LP,
5.500%, 06/01/24
   1,800    1,838,250 
         3,508,375 
Health Care Equipment & Supplies  |  1.3%          
Hill-Rom Holdings, Inc.,
4.375%, 09/15/27 (#)
   1,800    1,901,601 
Hologic, Inc.,
4.625%, 02/01/28 (#)
   2,000    2,122,500 
         4,024,101 
Health Care Providers & Services  |  4.2%          
Centene Corp.:          
4.750%, 01/15/25   500    513,115 
3.375%, 02/15/30   1,500    1,578,135 
DaVita, Inc.,
4.625%, 06/01/30 (#)
   2,000    2,120,000 
Encompass Health Corp.,
5.125%, 03/15/23
   1,551    1,553,265 
HCA, Inc.,
3.500%, 09/01/30
   2,000    2,124,042 
Legacy LifePoint Health LLC,
4.375%, 02/15/27 (#)
   1,250    1,268,750 
Molina Healthcare, Inc.,
5.375%, 11/15/22
   1,700    1,799,875 
Tenet Healthcare Corp.:          
4.625%, 07/15/24   750    768,765 
4.875%, 01/01/26 (#)   1,000    1,046,110 
         12,772,057 
Hotels, Restaurants & Leisure  |  8.1%          
1011778 BC ULC,
3.875%, 01/15/28 (#)
   2,100    2,133,117 

 

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

 

54  Annual Report

 

 

 

Description  Principal
Amount
(000)
   Fair
Value
 
       
Lazard US Corporate Income Portfolio (continued)          
           
Boyd Gaming Corp.:          
6.375%, 04/01/26  $750   $779,108 
4.750%, 12/01/27   850    882,938 
Brinker International, Inc.,
5.000%, 10/01/24 (#)
   2,000    2,085,000 
Cedar Fair LP,
5.375%, 04/15/27
   1,550    1,584,875 
Cinemark USA, Inc.,
4.875%, 06/01/23
   1,550    1,472,500 
Diamond Resorts International, Inc.,
7.750%, 09/01/23 (#)
   1,500    1,539,855 
Golden Nugget, Inc.,
6.750%, 10/15/24 (#)
   1,622    1,610,354 
International Game Technology PLC,
6.250%, 02/15/22 (#)
   1,450    1,497,111 
KFC Holding Co.,
5.250%, 06/01/26 (#)
   2,400    2,490,000 
MGM Resorts International,
4.625%, 09/01/26
   800    846,560 
Scientific Games International, Inc.,
5.000%, 10/15/25 (#)
   1,750    1,805,807 
Six Flags Entertainment Corp.,
4.875%, 07/31/24 (#)
   1,850    1,855,346 
Station Casinos LLC,
5.000%, 10/01/25 (#)
   1,700    1,719,635 
Wyndham Destinations, Inc.,
6.625%, 07/31/26 (#)
   100    114,500 
Wynn Las Vegas LLC,
5.500%, 03/01/25 (#)
   2,000    2,090,840 
         24,507,546 
Household Durables  |  0.3%          
Tempur Sealy International, Inc.,
5.625%, 10/15/23
   972    987,795 

 

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

 

Annual Report  55

 

 

 

Description  Principal
Amount
(000)
   Fair
Value
 
       
Lazard US Corporate Income Portfolio (continued)          
           
Household Products  |  1.0%          
Energizer Holdings, Inc.,
4.750%, 06/15/28 (#)
  $1,200   $1,263,000 
Spectrum Brands, Inc.,
5.750%, 07/15/25
   1,800    1,858,680 
         3,121,680 
Independent Power & Renewable Electricity Producers  |  1.2%          
Calpine Corp.,
4.500%, 02/15/28 (#)
   1,500    1,560,000 
NextEra Energy Operating Partners LP,
4.500%, 09/15/27 (#)
   1,750    1,958,723 
         3,518,723 
Interactive Media & Services  |  0.4%          
Twitter, Inc.,
3.875%, 12/15/27 (#)
   1,250    1,331,250 
           
IT Services  |  0.5%          
VeriSign, Inc.,
4.625%, 05/01/23
   1,550    1,563,563 
           
Machinery  |  2.7%          
Allison Transmission, Inc.,
4.750%, 10/01/27 (#)
   1,795    1,880,262 
Amsted Industries, Inc.:          
5.625%, 07/01/27 (#)   750    796,875 
4.625%, 05/15/30 (#)   1,000    1,047,500 
Meritor, Inc.,
6.250%, 02/15/24
   661    674,564 
Mueller Water Products, Inc.,
5.500%, 06/15/26 (#)
   1,750    1,813,437 
Terex Corp.,
5.625%, 02/01/25 (#)
   1,790    1,843,924 
         8,056,562 
Media  |  10.4%          
AMC Networks, Inc.,
4.750%, 12/15/22
   1,000    1,001,250 

 

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

 

56  Annual Report

 

 

 

Description  Principal
Amount
(000)
   Fair
Value
 
       
Lazard US Corporate Income Portfolio (continued)          
           
CCO Holdings LLC:          
5.125%, 05/01/27 (#)  $500   $530,595 
4.750%, 03/01/30 (#)   1,500    1,618,500 
Clear Channel Worldwide Holdings, Inc.,
5.125%, 08/15/27 (#)
   2,000    2,020,000 
CSC Holdings LLC:          
5.500%, 05/15/26 (#)   1,000    1,040,000 
7.500%, 04/01/28 (#)   1,690    1,900,540 
Diamond Sports Group LLC,
5.375%, 08/15/26 (#)
   1,500    1,218,750 
Entercom Media Corp.,
7.250%, 11/01/24 (#)
   1,500    1,496,250 
GCI LLC,
4.750%, 10/15/28 (#)
   250    266,638 
Lamar Media Corp.,
5.750%, 02/01/26
   1,726    1,779,938 
Meredith Corp.,
6.875%, 02/01/26
   1,950    1,901,250 
Nexstar Broadcasting, Inc.,
5.625%, 07/15/27 (#)
   1,500    1,606,875 
Outfront Media Capital LLC,
5.000%, 08/15/27 (#)
   2,300    2,340,250 
Sinclair Television Group, Inc.:          
5.125%, 02/15/27 (#)   1,750    1,780,625 
4.125%, 12/01/30 (#)   1,000    1,024,130 
Sirius XM Radio, Inc.,
5.000%, 08/01/27 (#)
   1,750    1,859,392 
TEGNA, Inc.,
5.000%, 09/15/29
   250    264,104 
The EW Scripps Co.,
5.125%, 05/15/25 (#)
   1,800    1,837,323 
Univision Communications, Inc.,
5.125%, 02/15/25 (#)
   2,000    2,015,000 
Videotron, Ltd.:          
5.000%, 07/15/22   1,558    1,637,863 
5.125%, 04/15/27 (#)   500    530,625 

 

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

 

Annual Report  57

 

 

 

Description  Principal
Amount
(000)
   Fair
Value
 
       
Lazard US Corporate Income Portfolio (continued)          
           
Virgin Media Secured Finance PLC,
5.500%, 08/15/26 (#)
  $1,750   $1,817,813 
         31,487,711 
Metals & Mining  |  3.8%          
Alcoa Nederland Holding BV,
6.750%, 09/30/24 (#)
   1,800    1,874,790 
Anglo American Capital PLC,
4.875%, 05/14/25 (#)
   1,650    1,908,282 
FMG Resources August 2006 Pty, Ltd.,
4.500%, 09/15/27 (#)
   1,750    1,944,232 
Freeport-McMoRan, Inc.,
4.550%, 11/14/24
   2,200    2,403,500 
Novelis Corp.,
4.750%, 01/30/30 (#)
   1,500    1,616,048 
Steel Dynamics, Inc.,
5.000%, 12/15/26
   1,550    1,652,985 
         11,399,837 
Oil, Gas & Consumable Fuels  |  6.2%          
Buckeye Partners LP,
4.500%, 03/01/28 (#)
   1,500    1,545,000 
Cheniere Energy Partners LP,
5.250%, 10/01/25
   1,250    1,282,812 
Energy Transfer Operating LP,
5.875%, 01/15/24
   750    842,827 
Holly Energy Partners LP,
5.000%, 02/01/28 (#)
   500    503,750 
Murphy Oil Corp.,
6.875%, 08/15/24
   1,500    1,526,550 
Occidental Petroleum Corp.,
3.400%, 04/15/26
   1,750    1,668,459 
Ovintiv Exploration, Inc.,
5.625%, 07/01/24
   1,600    1,717,184 
Parsley Energy LLC,
5.625%, 10/15/27 (#)
   1,700    1,860,650 
Range Resources Corp.,
5.000%, 08/15/22
   950    940,500 

 

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

 

58  Annual Report

 

 

 

Description  Principal
Amount
(000)
   Fair
Value
 
       
Lazard US Corporate Income Portfolio (continued)          
           
Southwestern Energy Co.,
6.450%, 01/23/25
  $1,800   $1,867,500 
Sunoco LP,
5.500%, 02/15/26
   1,700    1,742,500 
Tallgrass Energy Partners LP,
5.500%, 01/15/28 (#)
   1,250    1,276,563 
WPX Energy, Inc.:          
6.000%, 01/15/22   900    913,509 
5.750%, 06/01/26   1,000    1,051,250 
5.250%, 10/15/27   100    105,962 
         18,845,016 
Pharmaceuticals  |  0.5%          
Bausch Health Cos., Inc.:          
5.000%, 02/15/29 (#)   1,500    1,542,300 
5.250%, 02/15/31 (#)   100    104,472 
         1,646,772 
Professional Services  |  1.5%          
IHS Markit, Ltd.,
5.000%, 11/01/22 (#)
   1,500    1,603,840 
Nielsen Finance LLC:          
5.000%, 04/15/22 (#)   556    557,462 
5.625%, 10/01/28 (#)   1,000    1,086,550 
5.875%, 10/01/30 (#)   1,000    1,131,250 
         4,379,102 
Software  |  1.1%          
J2 Global, Inc.,
4.625%, 10/15/30 (#)
   1,500    1,582,500 
Nuance Communications, Inc.,
5.625%, 12/15/26
   1,500    1,587,180 
         3,169,680 
Specialty Retail  |  1.7%          
Asbury Automotive Group, Inc.,
4.500%, 03/01/28
   987    1,028,947 
Group 1 Automotive, Inc.,
4.000%, 08/15/28 (#)
   1,000    1,030,780 

 

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

 

Annual Report  59

 

 

 

Description  Principal
Amount
(000)
   Fair
Value
 
       
Lazard US Corporate Income Portfolio (continued)          
           
Penske Automotive Group, Inc.,
5.500%, 05/15/26
  $1,800   $1,869,750 
QVC, Inc.,
4.750%, 02/15/27
   1,250    1,340,625 
         5,270,102 
Technology Hardware, Storage & Peripherals  |  2.3%          
Dell International LLC,
7.125%, 06/15/24 (#)
   1,525    1,581,615 
NCR Corp.,
5.750%, 09/01/27 (#)
   1,000    1,062,500 
Seagate HDD Cayman,
4.091%, 06/01/29 (#)
   2,083    2,224,915 
Western Digital Corp.,
4.750%, 02/15/26
   2,000    2,210,000 
         7,079,030 
Textiles, Apparel & Luxury Goods  |  0.6%          
Hanesbrands, Inc.,
4.625%, 05/15/24 (#)
   1,750    1,833,125 
           
Trading Companies & Distributors  |  3.3%          
American Builders & Contractors Supply Co., Inc.,
4.000%, 01/15/28 (#)
   1,100    1,138,500 
Avis Budget Car Rental LLC,
5.750%, 07/15/27 (#)
   1,500    1,515,000 
Herc Holdings, Inc.,
5.500%, 07/15/27 (#)
   1,500    1,590,000 
Standard Industries, Inc.,
3.375%, 01/15/31 (#)
   2,000    2,010,000 
United Rentals North America, Inc.:          
5.500%, 05/15/27   1,000    1,071,250 
3.875%, 11/15/27   1,100    1,152,250 
WESCO Distribution, Inc.,
5.375%, 12/15/21
   1,600    1,600,960 
         10,077,960 

 

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

 

60  Annual Report

 

 

 

Description  Principal
Amount
(000)
   Fair
Value
 
       
Lazard US Corporate Income Portfolio (concluded)          
           
Wireless Telecommunication Services  |  0.9%          
Sprint Corp.,
7.125%, 06/15/24
  $500   $584,695 
T-Mobile USA, Inc.,
6.500%, 01/15/26
   2,000    2,070,000 
         2,654,695 
Total Corporate Bonds
(Cost $249,846,663)
        258,593,167 

 

Description  Shares  
Fair
Value
 
       
Exchange-Traded Funds  |  7.8%          
Invesco Fundamental High Yield Corporate Bond ETF
(Cost $23,042,937)
   1,222,805   $23,771,329 
           
Short-Term Investments  |  5.8%          
State Street Institutional Treasury Money Market Fund, Premier Class,
0.01% (7 day yield)
(Cost $17,406,307)
   17,406,307    17,406,307 
           
Total Investments  |  99.1%
(Cost $290,295,907)
       $299,770,803 
           
Cash and Other Assets in Excess of Liabilities  |  0.9%        2,598,788 
           
Net Assets  |  100.0%       $302,369,591 

 

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

 

Annual Report  61

 

 

 

Description  Principal
Amount
(000)
   Fair
Value
 
           
Lazard US Short Duration Fixed Income Portfolio          
           
Asset-Backed Securities  |  6.4%          
           
Automobiles  |  4.8%          
World Omni Automobile Lease Securitization Trust,
3.190%, 12/15/21
  $633   $634,825 
Mercedes-Benz Auto Lease Trust,
3.100%, 11/15/21
   1,009    1,013,393 
Nissan Auto Lease Trust,
2.270%, 07/15/22
   2,550    2,571,260 
         4,219,478 
Specialty Retail  |  1.6%          
Daimler Trucks Retail Trust,
1.220%, 09/15/23
   1,400    1,413,050 
           
Total Asset-Backed Securities
(Cost $5,591,724)
        5,632,528 
           
Corporate Bonds  |  22.4%          
           
Banks  |  7.4%          
Bank of America Corp.,
3.300%, 01/11/23
   2,650    2,809,410 
Wells Fargo & Co.,
2.625%, 07/22/22
   3,575    3,700,433 
         6,509,843 
Biotechnology  |  2.9%          
AbbVie, Inc.,
2.300%, 05/14/21
   2,497    2,510,815 
           
Capital Markets  |  8.4%          
Morgan Stanley:          
5.500%, 07/28/21   2,875    2,959,520 
2.750%, 05/19/22   800    826,156 
The Goldman Sachs Group, Inc.,
5.250%, 07/27/21
   3,488    3,585,922 
         7,371,598 

 

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

 

62  Annual Report

 

 

 

Description  Principal
Amount
(000)
   Fair
Value
 
           
Lazard US Short Duration Fixed Income Portfolio (continued)          
           
Food & Staples Retailing   |  1.8%          
The Kroger Co.,
3.300%, 01/15/21
  $1,584   $1,585,260 
           
Internet & Direct Marketing Retail  |  1.9%          
eBay, Inc.,
2.750%, 01/30/23
   1,545    1,617,996 
           
Total Corporate Bonds
(Cost $19,347,404)
        19,595,512 
           
US Government Securities  |  0.9%          
           
Mortgage-Backed Securities  |  0.9%          
Federal National Mortgage Association:          
Pool# AE0315, 4.500%, 02/01/21   (‡‡)   1 
Pool# FM1033, 4.500%, 01/01/27   733    775,628 
           
Total US Government Securities
(Cost $760,044)
        775,629 
           
US Treasury Securities  |  69.6%          
U.S. Treasury Notes:          
1.125%, 09/30/21   7,775    7,833,616 
2.000%, 10/31/21   17,810    18,086,194 
1.500%, 01/31/22   9,725    9,869,355 
1.875%, 01/31/22   12,515    12,751,612 
1.875%, 10/31/22   12,160    12,548,075 
           
Total US Treasury Securities
(Cost $60,768,567)
        61,088,852 

 

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

 

Annual Report  63

 

 

 

Description  Shares  
Fair
Value
 
         
Lazard US Short Duration Fixed Income Portfolio (concluded)        
         
Short-Term Investments  |  0.2%        
State Street Institutional Treasury Money Market Fund, Premier Class,
0.01% (7 day yield)
(Cost $204,322)
   204,322   $204,322 
           
Total Investments  |  99.5%
(Cost $86,672,061)
       $87,296,843 
           
Cash and Other Assets in Excess of Liabilities  |  0.5%        478,065 
           
Net Assets   |  100.0%       $87,774,908 

 

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

 

64  Annual Report

 

The Lazard Funds, Inc. Notes to Portfolios of Investments
December 31, 2020

 

(§) Variable and floating rate securities are securities for which interest rate changes are based on changes in a designated base rate. The rates shown are those in effect on December 31, 2020.
(¶) Date shown is the next perpetual call date.
(#) Pursuant to Rule 144A under the Securities Act of 1933, these securities may only be traded among “qualified institutional buyers.” At December 31, 2020, the percentage of net assets for each Portfolio was as follows:.
Portfolio  Percentage of
Net Assets
 
        
Emerging Markets Debt   2.3%  
Global Fixed Income   3.8%  
US Corporate Income   50.3%  

 

(Ø) Step up bonds are securities which increase the interest payment rate at a specified point in time. Rate shown reflects rate in effect at December 31, 2020 which may step up at a future date.
(«) Issue in default.
(») The Portfolio, at all times, maintains portfolio securities in sufficient amount to cover its obligations related to investments in forward currency contracts.
(‡‡) Amount is less than $1,000.

 

Security Abbreviations:

BBSW —  Bank Bill Swap Reference Rate
EURIBOR  Euro Interbank Offered Rate
LIBOR London Interbank Offered Rate
NTN-F Brazil Sovereign “Nota do Tesouro Nacional” Series F
SOFR Secured Overnight Financing Rate

 

Currency Abbreviations:

AUD Australian Dollar MXN Mexican New Peso
BRL Brazilian Real MYR Malaysian Ringgit
CAD Canadian Dollar NGN Nigerian Naira
CHF Swiss Franc NOK Norwegian Krone
CLP Chilean Peso NZD New Zealand Dollar
CMT Constant Maturity Treasury PEN Peruvian Nuevo Sol
CNH Chinese Yuan Renminbi PHP Philippine Peso
CNY Chinese Yuan PLN Polish Zloty
COP Colombian Peso RON New Romanian Leu
CZK Czech Koruna RSD Serbian Dinar
DOP Dominican Republic Peso RUB Russian Ruble
EUR Euro SEK Swedish Krona
GBP British Pound Sterling SGD Singapore Dollar
GHS Ghanaian Cedi THB Thai Baht
HUF Hungarian Forint TRY New Turkish Lira
IDR Indonesian Rupiah UAH Ukrainian Hryvnia
INR Indian Rupee USD United States Dollar
JPY Japanese Yen UYU Uruguayan Peso
KES Kenyan Shilling ZAR South African Rand
KRW South Korean Won      

 

Counterparty Abbreviations:

BOA Bank of America NA JPM JPMorgan Chase Bank NA
BRC Barclays Bank PLC MSC Morgan Stanley & Co.
CIT Citibank NA SCB Standard Chartered Bank
HSB HSBC Bank USA NA UBS UBS AG

 

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

 

Annual Report  65

 

 

 

Portfolio holdings by industry (as a percentage of net assets), for the Portfolio previously presented by country:

 

Industry†  Lazard
Emerging
Markets Debt
Portfolio
   Lazard
Global Fixed
Income
Portfolio
   
               
Corporate & Quasi Government Bonds              
Automobiles     %   2.8%  
Banks     1.8    5.6   
Beverages         1.8   
Capital Markets         2.1   
Construction & Engineering         0.1   
Consumer Finance         1.1   
Containers & Packaging         0.5   
Diversified Consumer Services         0.6   
Diversified Financial Services     0.3    1.0   
Diversified Telecommunication Services         2.4   
Electrical Equipment         1.2   
Equity Real Estate Investment Trusts (REITs)         0.7   
Food & Staples Retailing         1.6   
Health Care Providers & Services         0.5   
Hotels, Restaurants & Leisure         2.4   
Household Products         1.1   
Interactive Media & Services         1.0   
Internet & Direct Marketing Retail         1.0   
Machinery         1.0   
Oil, Gas & Consumable Fuels     4.5       
Personal Products         1.1   
Pharmaceuticals         1.7   
Software         2.0   
Specialty Retail         1.0   
Technology Hardware, Storage & Peripherals         1.7   
Trading Companies & Distributors         0.5   
Transportation & Infrastructure     1.0       
Wireless Telecommunication Services         1.1   
Subtotal     7.6    37.6   
Foreign Government Obligations     79.6    43.7   
Supranational Bonds     0.1    10.4   
US Municipal Bonds         1.5   
US Treasury Securities         3.0   
Short-Term Investments     11.3    3.9   
Total Investments           98.6%   100.1%  

 

Industry classifications may be different than those used for compliance monitoring purposes.

 

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

 

66  Annual Report

 

 

 

 

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The Lazard Funds, Inc. Statements of Assets and Liabilities

 

 

         
December 31, 2020  Lazard
Emerging Markets
Debt Portfolio
   Lazard
Global Fixed
Income Portfolio
 
ASSETS              
Investments in securities, at fair value    $21,957,236     $9,555,311 
Cash     27,488       
Foreign currency, at fair value     280,739      9 
Receivables for:              
Dividends and interest     290,277      80,693 
Capital stock sold     230      4 
Investments sold     6       
Amount due from Investment Manager (Note 3)     12,753      15,391 
Cash collateral due from broker on swaps     14,362       
Gross unrealized appreciation on forward currency contracts     116,845      143,252 
Total assets     22,699,936      9,794,660 
LIABILITIES              
Payables for:              
Management fees            
Accrued custodian fees     58,032      20,477 
Accrued professional services     52,057      31,805 
Accrued directors’ fees     3,367      15 
Accrued registration fees     974      1,450 
Accrued distribution fees     94      10 
Investments purchased     199,917       
Capital stock redeemed           59 
Dividends            
Capital gains distributions           393 
Variation margin on centrally cleared swap     281       
Gross unrealized depreciation on forward currency contracts     73,535      188,997 
Other accrued expenses and payables     33,025      5,291 
Total liabilities     421,282      248,497 
Net assets    $22,278,654     $9,546,163 
NET ASSETS              
Paid in capital    $61,634,146     $8,893,202 
Distributable earnings (Accumulated loss)     (39,355,492)     652,961 
Net assets    $22,278,654     $9,546,163 

 

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

 

68  Annual Report

 

 

 

Lazard
US Corporate
Income Portfolio
   Lazard US
Short Duration
Fixed Income
Portfolio
 
            
  $299,770,803     $87,296,843 
          
          
            
   3,334,849      570,290 
   18,630       
          
          
          
            
          
   303,124,282      87,867,133 
            
   89,665      7,301 
   35,736      14,428 
   30,632      27,056 
   2,071      877 
   1,974      4,739 
   800      7 
   500,000       
   57,853      25,773 
   25,855      4,587 
          
          
            
          
   10,105      7,457 
   754,691      92,225 
  $302,369,591     $87,774,908 
            
  $302,067,153     $87,577,305 
   302,438      197,603 
  $302,369,591     $87,774,908 

 

Annual Report  69

 

 

 

         
December 31, 2020  Lazard
Emerging Markets
Debt Portfolio
   Lazard
Global Fixed
Income Portfolio
 
Institutional Shares              
Net assets    $21,880,017     $9,497,865 
Shares of capital stock outstanding*     1,364,341      989,793 
Net asset value, offering and redemption price per share    $16.04     $9.60 
               
Open Shares              
Net assets    $397,412     $48,298 
Shares of capital stock outstanding*     24,524      5,032 
Net asset value, offering and redemption price per share    $16.21     $9.60 
               
R6 Shares              
Net assets    $1,225       
Shares of capital stock outstanding*     71      
Net asset value, offering and redemption price per share*    $17.19       
               
Cost of investments in securities    $21,516,462     $8,959,369 
Cost of foreign currency    $276,470     $9 
               
*  $0.001 par value, 6,900,000,000 shares authorized for the Portfolios in total.              
† Shares values are rounded for presentation purposes.              

 

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

 

70  Annual Report

 

 

 

Lazard
US Corporate
Income Portfolio
   Lazard US
Short Duration
Fixed Income
Portfolio
 
            
  $298,635,591     $87,745,563 
   15,080,446      8,867,736 
            
  $19.80     $9.89 
            
  $3,732,793     $29,345 
   187,617      2,964 
            
  $19.90     $9.90 
            
  $1,207       
   61      
            
  $19.88       
            
  $290,295,907     $86,672,061 
  $     $ 

 

Annual Report  71

 

The Lazard Funds, Inc. Statements of Operations

 

 

         
For the Year Ended December 31, 2020  Lazard
Emerging Markets
Debt Portfolio
   Lazard
Global Fixed
Income Portfolio
 
Investment Income (Loss)              
Income              
Interest    $2,097,425     $184,549 
Dividends            
Total investment income*     2,097,425      184,549 
Expenses              
Management fees (Note 3)     297,656      41,378 
Custodian fees     151,552      52,610 
Professional services     70,962      48,359 
Administration fees     32,051      25,362 
Registration fees     39,818      34,246 
Shareholders’ services     12,234      9,426 
Directors’ fees and expenses     11,033      5,352 
Shareholders’ reports     13,302      6,709 
Distribution fees (Open Shares)     1,079      143 
Other^     13,987      6,476 
Total gross expenses     643,674      230,061 
Management fees waived and expenses reimbursed     (268,067)     (171,880)
Total net expenses     375,607      58,181 
Net investment income (loss)     1,721,818      126,368 
Net Realized and Unrealized Gain (Loss)              
Net realized gain (loss) on:              
Investments**     (2,844,914)     241,207 
Foreign currency transactions     (87,879)     15,727 
Forward currency contracts     (360,484)     66,683 
Swap agreements     (201,935)      
Total net realized gain (loss)     (3,495,212)     323,617 
Net change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on:              
Investments†     (1,112,377)     471,082 
Foreign currency translations     (2,657)     1,592 
Forward currency contracts     (259,956)     (42,062)
Swap agreements     (22,986)      
Total net change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation)     (1,397,976)     430,612 
Net realized and unrealized gain (loss)     (4,893,188)     754,229 
Net increase (decrease) in net assets resulting from operations    $(3,171,370)    $880,597 
*    Net of foreign withholding taxes of    $47,587     $499 
**  Net of foreign capital gains taxes of    $64,447     $ 
†   Includes net change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation) of foreign capital gains taxes of    $33,226     $ 
^   Includes interest on line of credit of    $2,657     $32 

 

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

 

72  Annual Report

 

 

 

Lazard
US Corporate
Income Portfolio
   Lazard US
Short Duration
Fixed Income
Portfolio
 
            
  $13,190,299     $1,536,858 
   495,728       
   13,686,027      1,536,858 
            
   1,593,022      238,801 
   100,412      39,257 
   76,823      48,669 
   60,287      35,456 
   37,596      43,653 
   21,772      12,255 
   20,718      10,413 
   13,566      15,272 
   9,442      74 
   16,765      8,024 
   1,950,403      451,874 
   (345,334)     (68,881)
   1,605,069      382,993 
   12,080,958      1,153,865 
            
   (1,161,985)     720,754 
          
          
          
   (1,161,985)     720,754 
            
   2,196,558      455,774 
          
          
          
   2,196,558      455,774 
   1,034,573      1,176,528 
            
  $13,115,531     $2,330,393 
  $     $ 
  $     $ 
            
  $     $ 
  $     $ 

 

Annual Report  73

 

The Lazard Funds, Inc. Statements of Changes in Net Assets

 

 

   Lazard
Emerging Markets Debt Portfolio
 
   Year Ended
December 31,
2020
   Year Ended
December 31,
2019
 
               
Increase (Decrease) in Net Assets              
               
Operations              
Net investment income (loss)    $1,721,818     $7,816,357 
Net realized gain (loss)     (3,495,212)     (1,235,720)
Net change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation)     (1,397,976)     19,422,686 
Net increase (decrease) in net assets resulting from operations     (3,171,370)     26,003,323 
Distributions to shareholders (Note 2(e))              
Net investment income and net realized gains              
Institutional Shares           (2,820,563)
Open Shares           (15,060)
R6 Shares           (1,054,209)
Return of capital              
Institutional Shares     (1,538,228)     (2,828,484)
Open Shares     (14,630)     (15,103)
R6 Shares     (41)     (1,057,170)
Net decrease in net assets resulting from distributions     (1,552,899)     (7,790,589)
Capital stock transactions              
Net proceeds from sales              
Institutional Shares     6,071,916      5,519,820 
Open Shares     138,222      25,565 
R6 Shares           3,000,000 
Net proceeds from reinvestment of distributions              
Institutional Shares     1,412,389      5,597,352 
Open Shares     12,838      27,508 
R6 Shares     41      1,895,822 
Cost of shares redeemed              
Institutional Shares     (71,755,710)     (74,178,361)
Open Shares     (268,240)     (249,403)
R6 Shares           (112,096,412)
Net increase (decrease) in net assets from capital stock transactions     (64,388,544)     (170,458,109)
Total increase (decrease) in net assets     (69,112,813)     (152,245,375)
Net assets at beginning of period     91,391,467      243,636,842 
Net assets at end of period    $22,278,654     $91,391,467 

 

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

 

74  Annual Report

 

 

 

Lazard
Global Fixed Income Portfolio
   Lazard
US Corporate Income Portfolio
 
  Year Ended
December 31,
2020
   Year Ended
December 31,
2019
   Year Ended
December 31,
2020
   Year Ended
December 31,
2019
 
                          
  $126,368     $129,365     $12,080,958     $13,384,169 
   323,617      (26,320)     (1,161,985)     (1,270,563)
   430,612      311,848      2,196,558      25,490,941 
                          
   880,597      414,893      13,115,531      37,604,547 
                          
   (309,020)     (41,983)     (12,087,050)     (13,329,897)
   (1,683)     (258)     (150,720)     (164,448)
               (47)     (50)
                          
         (86,802)            
         (534)            
                      
                          
   (310,703)     (129,577)     (12,237,817)     (13,494,395)
                          
   5,232,553      1,731,974      45,657,501      43,405,036 
   6,239      28,292      1,472,978      793,277 
                      
                          
   308,584      128,783      11,769,610      12,992,902 
   1,683      792      115,990      123,455 
               47      50 
                          
   (3,065,810)     (1,183,895)     (56,900,578)     (91,253,438)
   (21,740)     (4,575)     (2,013,457)     (1,381,443)
                      
                          
   2,461,509      701,371      102,091      (35,320,161)
   3,031,403      986,687      979,805      (11,210,009)
   6,514,760      5,528,073      301,389,786      312,599,795 
  $9,546,163     $6,514,760     $302,369,591     $301,389,786 

 

Annual Report  75

 

 

 

   Lazard
Emerging Markets Debt Portfolio
 
   Year Ended
December 31,
2020
   Year Ended
December 31,
2019
 
               
Shares issued and redeemed              
               
Institutional Shares              
Shares outstanding at beginning of period     5,641,531*     9,714,050*
Shares sold     427,424*     354,428*
Shares issued to shareholders from reinvestment of distributions     94,410*     358,899*
Shares redeemed     (4,799,024)*     (4,785,846)*
Net increase (decrease)     (4,277,190)*     (4,072,519)*
Shares outstanding at end of period     1,364,341      5,641,531*
Open Shares              
Shares outstanding at beginning of period     32,702*     45,074*
Shares sold     9,412*     1,632*
Shares issued to shareholders from reinvestment of distributions     859*     1,747*
Shares redeemed     (18,449)*     (15,751)*
Net increase (decrease)     (8,178)*     (12,372)*
Shares outstanding at end of period     24,524      32,702*
R6 Shares              
Shares outstanding at beginning of period     69*     6,341,794*
Shares sold     *     190,114*
Shares issued to shareholders from reinvestment of distributions     2*     114,318*
Shares redeemed     *     (6,646,157)*
Net increase (decrease)     2*     (6,341,725)*
Shares outstanding at end of period     71      69*

 

* Shares and share transactions of Lazard Emerging Markets Debt Portfolio were adjusted to reflect a 1:2 reverse share split and of Lazard US Corporate Income were adjusted to reflect a 1:4 reverse share split, effective November 17, 2020.

 

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

 

76  Annual Report

 

 

 

  Lazard
Global Fixed Income Portfolio
   Lazard
US Corporate Income Portfolio
 
  Year Ended
December 31,
2020
   Year Ended
December 31,
2019
   Year Ended
December 31,
2020
   Year Ended
December 31,
2019
 
                          
   710,971      635,449      15,103,284*     16,959,746*
   577,637      194,459      2,383,359*     2,259,754*
                          
   32,641      14,404      617,982*     671,838*
   (331,456)     (133,341)     (3,024,179)*     (4,788,054)*
   278,822      75,522      (22,838)*     (1,856,462)*
   989,793      710,971      15,080,446      15,103,284*
                          
   6,518      3,789      210,905*     236,187*
   684      3,164      75,398*     40,753*
                          
   178      88      6,070*     6,349*
   (2,348)     (523)     (104,756)*     (72,384)*
   (1,486)     2,729      (23,288)*     (25,282)*
   5,032      6,518      187,617      210,905*
                          
               58*     55*
               *     *
                          
               3*     3*–
               *     *
               3*     3*
               61      58*

 

Annual Report  77

 

 

 

   Lazard US Short
Duration Fixed Income Portfolio
 
   Year Ended
December 31,
2020
   Year Ended
December 31,
2019
 
               
Increase in Net Assets              
               
Operations              
Net investment income (loss)    $1,153,865     $2,236,971 
Net realized gain (loss)     720,754      357,354 
Net change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation)     455,774      397,651 
Net increase (decrease) in net assets resulting from operations     2,330,393      2,991,976 
Distributions to shareholders (Note 2(e))              
Net investment income and net realized gains              
Institutional Shares     (1,153,515)     (2,093,618)
Open Shares     (282)     (356)
Return of capital              
Institutional Shares           (144,024)
Open Shares           (25)
Net decrease in net assets resulting from distributions     (1,153,797)     (2,238,023)
Capital stock transactions              
Net proceeds from sales              
Institutional Shares     25,806,667      10,221,674 
Open Shares     56,978      71 
Net proceeds from reinvestment of distributions              
Institutional Shares     1,072,523      2,113,226 
Open Shares     273      381 
Cost of shares redeemed              
Institutional Shares     (36,405,739)     (33,268,726)
Open Shares     (43,603)     (21,871)
Net increase (decrease) in net assets from capital stock transactions     (9,512,901)     (20,955,245)
Total increase (decrease) in net assets     (8,336,305)     (20,201,292)
Net assets at beginning of period     96,111,213      116,312,505 
Net assets at end of period    $87,774,908     $96,111,213 

 

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

 

78  Annual Report

 

 

 

   Lazard US Short
Duration Fixed Income Portfolio
 
   Year Ended
December 31,
2020
   Year Ended
December 31,
2019
 
               
Shares issued and redeemed              
               
Institutional Shares              
Shares outstanding at beginning of period     9,832,361      11,984,211 
Shares sold     2,607,117      1,048,374 
Shares issued to shareholders from reinvestment of distributions     108,370      216,771 
Shares redeemed     (3,680,112)     (3,416,995)
Net increase (decrease)     (964,625)     (2,151,850)
Shares outstanding at end of period     8,867,736      9,832,361 
Open Shares              
Shares outstanding at beginning of period     1,587      3,789 
Shares sold     5,762      7 
Shares issued to shareholders from reinvestment of distributions     28      39 
Shares redeemed     (4,413)     (2,248)
Net increase (decrease)     1,377      (2,202)
Shares outstanding at end of period     2,964      1,587 

 

Annual Report  79

 

The Lazard Funds, Inc. Financial Highlights

 

LAZARD EMERGING MARKETS DEBT PORTFOLIO

 

Selected data for a
share of capital stock
outstanding throughout
  Year Ended  
each period  12/31/20*  12/31/19*  12/31/18*  12/31/17*  12/31/16*  
Institutional Shares                           
Net asset value, beginning of period  $16.10   $14.72   $16.86   $15.80   $15.42   
Income (Loss) from investment operations:                           
Net investment income (loss) (a)   0.64    0.80    0.92    0.92    0.96^  
Net realized and unrealized gain (loss)   (0.18)   1.36    (2.14)   1.06    0.38   
Total from investment operations   0.46    2.16    (1.22)   1.98    1.34   
Less distributions from:                           
Net investment income       (0.38)   (0.44)   (0.86)   (0.38)  
Return of capital   (0.52)   (0.40)   (0.48)   (0.06)   (0.58)  
Total distributions   (0.52)   (0.78)   (0.92)   (0.92)   (0.96)  
Redemption fees                   (b)  
Net asset value, end of period    $16.04     $16.10   $14.72   $16.86   $15.80   
Total Return (c)   3.19%   15.03%   –7.45%   12.69%   8.64%^  
                            
Ratios and Supplemental Data:                           
Net assets, end of period (in thousands)  $21,880   $90,858   $143,015   $280,808   $240,833   
Ratios to average net assets:                           
Net expenses   0.92%   0.98%   0.93%   0.93%   0.96%^  
Gross expenses   1.57%   1.08%   0.93%   0.93%   0.96%  
Net investment income (loss)   4.24%   5.15%   5.78%   5.52%   5.90%^  
Portfolio turnover rate   133%   106%   97%   88%   118%  

 

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

 

80  Annual Report

 

 

 

Selected data for a
share of capital stock
outstanding throughout
  Year Ended  
each period  12/31/20*  12/31/19*  12/31/18*  12/31/17*  12/31/16*  
Open Shares                           
Net asset value, beginning of period  $16.26   $14.86   $17.00   $15.96   $15.58   
Income (Loss) from investment operations:                           
Net investment income (loss) (a)   0.61    0.78    0.94    0.88    0.92^  
Net realized and unrealized gain (loss)   (0.15)   1.38    (2.20)   1.02    0.38   
Total from investment operations   0.46    2.16    (1.26)   1.90    1.30   
Less distributions from:                           
Net investment income       (0.38)   (0.40)   (0.80)   (0.36)  
Return of capital   (0.51)   (0.38)   (0.48)   (0.06)   (0.56)  
Total distributions   (0.51)   (0.76)   (0.88)   (0.86)   (0.92)  
Redemption fees                      
Net asset value, end of period  $16.21   $16.26   $14.86   $17.00   $15.96   
Total Return (c)   3.11%   14.85%   –7.59%   12.16%   8.27%^  
                            
Ratios and Supplemental Data:                           
Net assets, end of period (in thousands)  $397   $532   $670   $6,520   $6,801   
Ratios to average net assets:                           
Net expenses   1.02%   1.18%   1.20%   1.22%   1.28%^  
Gross expenses   2.59%   2.91%   1.62%   1.36%   1.40%  
Net investment income (loss)   4.05%   4.91%   5.49%   5.21%   5.59%^  
Portfolio turnover rate   133%   106%   97%   88%   118%  

 

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

 

Annual Report  81

 

 

 

Selected data for a
share of capital stock
outstanding throughout
  Year Ended  For the Period
7/28/16# to
 
each period  12/31/20*  12/31/19*  12/31/18*  12/31/17*    12/31/16 
R6 Shares                           
Net asset value, beginning of period  $17.28   $15.76   $17.76   $15.80     $16.68 
Income (Loss) from investment operations:                           
Net investment income (loss) (a)   0.41    0.86    0.96    0.90      0.40^
Net realized and unrealized gain (loss)   0.09    1.50    (2.24)   1.08      (0.88)
Total from investment operations   0.50    2.36    (1.28)   1.98      (0.48)
Less distributions from:                           
Net investment income       (0.40)   (0.22)   (0.02)     (0.16)
Return of capital   (0.59)   (0.44)   (0.50)   (b)     (0.24)
Total distributions   (0.59)   (0.84)   (0.72)   (0.02)     (0.40)
Net asset value, end of period    $17.19   $17.28   $15.76   $17.76     $15.80 
Total Return (c)   3.30%   15.22%   –7.24%   12.61%     –2.93%^
Ratios and Supplemental Data:                           
Net assets, end of period (in thousands)  $1   $1     $99,952   $1               $1,145 
Ratios to average net assets (d):                           
Net expenses   0.86%   0.93%   0.90%   0.90%     0.90%^
Gross expenses   265.72%   1.09%   0.94%   43.88%     2.21%
Net investment income (loss)   2.60%   5.18%   5.97%   5.71%     5.73%^
Portfolio turnover rate   133%   106%   97%   88%     118%

 

* On November 17, 2020, the Portfolio effected a 1:2 reverse share split. All per share data prior to November 17, 2020 has been adjusted to reflect the reverse share split.
^ Refer to Note 3 in the Notes to Financial Statements for discussion of prior period custodian out-of-pocket expenses that were reimbursed to the Portfolio in the period. The amount of the reimbursement was less than $0.005 per share. For Institutional Shares, there was a 0.14% impact on the total return and the impact on net expenses and net investment income (loss) ratios of the Portfolio was less than 0.005%. For Open and R6 Shares, there was no impact on the total return and the net expenses and net investment income (loss) ratios of the Portfolio would be unchanged as the change to the period custodian fees was offset against the period expense waivers/reimbursements with no impact to net expenses or net investment income (loss).
# The inception date for the R6 Shares was July 28, 2016.
(a) Net investment income (loss) has been computed using the average shares method.
(b) Amount is less than $0.01 per share.
(c) Total returns reflect reinvestment of all dividends and distributions, if any. Certain expenses of the Portfolio may have been waived or reimbursed by the Investment Manager, State Street or DST; without such waiver/reimbursement of expenses, the Portfolio’s returns would have been lower. Returns for a period of less than one year are not annualized.
(d) Annualized for a period of less than one year except for non-recurring expenses.

 

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

 

82  Annual Report

 

 

LAZARD GLOBAL FIXED INCOME PORTFOLIO

 

Selected data for a
share of capital stock
outstanding throughout
  Year Ended  
each period  12/31/20   12/31/19   12/31/18   12/31/17   12/31/16   
Institutional Shares                           
Net asset value, beginning of period  $9.08   $8.65   $9.04   $8.57   $8.74   
Income (Loss) from investment operations:                           
Net investment income (loss) (a)   0.14    0.19    0.20    0.20    0.20   
Net realized and unrealized gain (loss)   0.72    0.43    (0.38)   0.47    (0.17)  
Total from investment operations   0.86    0.62    (0.18)   0.67    0.03   
Less distributions from:                           
Net investment income   (0.15)   (0.06)   (0.10)       (0.12)  
Net realized gains   (0.19)                  
Return of capital       (0.13)   (0.11)   (0.20)   (0.08)  
Total distributions   (0.34)   (0.19)   (0.21)   (0.20)   (0.20)  
Net asset value, end of period  $9.60   $9.08   $8.65   $9.04   $8.57   
Total Return (b)   9.51%   7.25%   –2.06%   7.87%   0.22%  
                            
Ratios and Supplemental Data:                           
Net assets, end of period (in thousands)     $9,498      $6,456     $5,495      $4,705      $4,266   
Ratios to average net assets:                           
Net expenses   0.70%   0.70%   0.70%   0.72%   0.75%  
Gross expenses   2.73%   3.51%   3.61%   4.39%   4.70%  
Net investment income (loss)   1.53%   2.14%   2.33%   2.23%   2.18%  
Portfolio turnover rate   65%   65%   60%   42%   47%  

 

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

 

Annual Report  83

 

 

 

Selected data for a
share of capital stock
outstanding throughout
  Year Ended  
each period  12/31/20   12/31/19   12/31/18   12/31/17   12/31/16   
Open Shares                           
Net asset value, beginning of period  $9.08   $8.65   $9.04   $8.57   $8.74   
Income (Loss) from investment operations:                           
Net investment income (loss) (a)   0.12    0.17    0.18    0.17    0.17   
Net realized and unrealized gain (loss)   0.71    0.43    (0.39)   0.47    (0.17)  
Total from investment operations   0.83    0.60    (0.21)   0.64    (c)  
Less distributions from:                           
Net investment income   (0.12)   (0.06)   (0.08)       (0.10)  
Net realized gains   (0.19)                  
Return of capital       (0.11)   (0.10)   (0.17)   (0.07)  
Total distributions   (0.31)   (0.17)   (0.18)   (0.17)   (0.17)  
Net asset value, end of period    $9.60   $9.08   $8.65   $9.04   $8.57   
Total Return (b)   9.23%   6.98%   –2.31%   7.55%   –0.07%  
                            
Ratios and Supplemental Data:                           
Net assets, end of period (in thousands)  $48     $59     $33      $34     $34   
Ratios to average net assets:                           
Net expenses   0.95%   0.95%   0.98%   1.02%   1.05%  
Gross expenses   10.32%   27.52%   38.42%   42.88%   27.52%  
Net investment income (loss)   1.31%   1.88%   2.08%   1.95%   1.88%  
Portfolio turnover rate   65%   65%   60%   42%   47%  
Portfolio turnover rate:                           

 

(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 may have been waived or reimbursed by the Investment Manager, State Street or DST; without such waiver/reimbursement of expenses, the Portfolio’s returns would have been lower.
(c) Amount is less than $0.01 per share.

 

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

 

84  Annual Report

 

 

LAZARD US CORPORATE INCOME PORTFOLIO

 

Selected data for a
share of capital stock
outstanding throughout
  Year Ended  
each period  12/31/20*  12/31/19*  12/31/18*  12/31/17*  12/31/16*  
Institutional Shares                           
Net asset value, beginning of period  $19.68   $18.16   $19.56   $19.48   $18.56   
Income (Loss) from investment operations:                           
Net investment income (loss) (a)   0.80    0.88    0.88    0.88    0.92   
Net realized and unrealized gain (loss)   0.13    1.52    (1.40)   0.08    0.92   
Total from investment operations   0.93    2.40    (0.52)   0.96    1.84   
Less distributions from:                           
Net investment income   (0.81)   (0.88)   (0.88)   (0.88)   (0.92)  
Total distributions   (0.81)   (0.88)   (0.88)   (0.88)   (0.92)  
Redemption fees                   (b)  
Net asset value, end of period  $19.80   $19.68   $18.16   $19.56   $19.48   
Total Return (c)   4.96%   13.34%   –2.73%   5.09%   10.09%  
                            
Ratios and Supplemental Data:                           
Net assets, end of period (in thousands)  $298,636   $297,219   $308,285   $344,508   $302,997   
Ratios to average net assets:                           
Net expenses   0.55%   0.55%   0.55%   0.55%   0.55%  
Gross expenses   0.67%   0.67%   0.64%   0.67%   0.69%  
Net investment income (loss)   4.17%   4.47%   4.65%   4.57%   4.78%  
Portfolio turnover rate   26%   21%   16%   21%   14%  

 

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

 

Annual Report   85

 

 

 

Selected data for a
share of capital stock
outstanding throughout
  Year Ended  
each period  12/31/20*  12/31/19*  12/31/18*  12/31/17*  12/31/16*  
Open Shares                           
Net asset value, beginning of period  $19.76   $18.28   $19.64   $19.56   $18.64   
Income (Loss) from investment operations:                           
Net investment income (loss) (a)   0.75    0.80    0.84    0.84    0.84   
Net realized and unrealized gain (loss)   0.15    1.48    (1.36)   0.08    0.96   
Total from investment operations   0.90    2.28    (0.52)   0.92    1.80   
Less distributions from:                           
Net investment income   (0.76)   (0.80)   (0.84)   (0.84)   (0.88)  
Total distributions   (0.76)   (0.80)   (0.84)   (0.84)   (0.88)  
Redemption fees                   (b)  
Net asset value, end of period  $19.90   $19.76   $18.28   $19.64   $19.56   
Total Return (c)   4.80%   12.74%   –2.78%   4.77%   9.74%  
                            
Ratios and Supplemental Data:                           
Net assets, end of period (in thousands)  $3,733   $4,170   $4,314   $5,708   $7,618   
Ratios to average net assets:                           
Net expenses   0.80%   0.83%   0.85%   0.85%   0.85%  
Gross expenses   1.03%   1.19%   1.11%   1.13%   1.18%  
Net investment income (loss)   3.94%   4.18%   4.34%   4.28%   4.44%  
Portfolio turnover rate   26%   21%   16%   21%   14%  

 

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

 

86  Annual Report

 

 

 

Selected data for a
share of capital stock
outstanding throughout
  Year Ended  For the Period 11/13/16# to 
each period  12/31/20*  12/31/19*  12/31/18*  12/31/17*    12/31/16 
R6 Shares                           
Net asset value, beginning of period  $19.76     $18.68      $19.56   $19.48     $19.36 
Income (Loss) from investment operations:                           
Net investment income (loss) (a)   0.81    0.92    0.92    0.88      0.16 
Net realized and unrealized gain (loss)   0.11    1.04    (1.40)   0.08      0.12 
Total from investment operations   0.92    1.96    (0.48)   0.96      0.28 
Less distributions from:                           
Net investment income   (0.80)   (0.88)   (0.40)   (0.88)     (0.16)
Total distributions   (0.80)   (0.88)   (0.40)   (0.88)     (0.16)
Net asset value, end of period  $19.88   $19.76   $18.68       $19.56     $19.48 
Total Return (c)   4.89%   10.67%   –2.43%(d)   5.09%     1.37%
                            
Ratios and Supplemental Data:                           
Net assets, end of period (in thousands)    $1   $1   $1   $1,783               $1,697 
Ratios to average net assets(e):                           
Net expenses   0.55%   0.55%   0.55%   0.55%     0.55%
Gross expenses   256.05%   858.55%   4.62%   1.69%     1.73%
Net investment income (loss)   4.22%   4.55%   4.61%   4.58%     4.71%
Portfolio turnover rate   26%   21%   16%   21%     14%

 

* On November 17, 2020, the Portfolio effected a 1:4 reverse share split. All per share data prior to November 17, 2020 has been adjusted to reflect the reverse share split.
# The inception date for the R6 Shares was November 3, 2016.
(a) Net investment income (loss) has been computed using the average shares method.
(b) Amount is less than $0.01 per share.
(c) Total returns reflect reinvestment of all dividends and distributions, if any. Certain expenses of the Portfolio may have been waived or reimbursed by the Investment Manager, State Street or DST; without such waiver/reimbursement of expenses, the Portfolio’s returns would have been lower. Returns for a period of less than one year are not annualized.
(d) The Portfolio received settlement proceeds from a foreign exchange trading class action lawsuit. The proceeds from the settlement represented a realized gain and were recorded in the period received. There was a 0.62% impact on the total return of the Portfolio’s R6 Shares.
(e) Annualized for a period of less than one year except for non-recurring expenses.

 

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

 

Annual Report  87

 

 

LAZARD US SHORT DURATION FIXED INCOME PORTFOLIO

 

Selected data for a
share of capital stock
outstanding throughout
  Year Ended  
each period  12/31/20   12/31/19   12/31/18   12/31/17   12/31/16   
Institutional Shares                           
Net asset value, beginning of period  $9.77   $9.70   $9.79   $9.86   $9.89   
Income (Loss) from investment operations:                           
Net investment income (loss) (a)   0.12    0.21    0.19    0.14    0.13   
Net realized and unrealized gain (loss)   0.12    0.07    (0.09)   (0.07)   (0.03)  
Total from investment operations   0.24    0.28    0.10    0.07    0.10   
Less distributions from:                           
Net investment income   (0.12)   (0.20)   (0.17)   (0.11)   (0.09)  
Return of capital       (0.01)   (0.02)   (0.03)   (0.04)  
Total distributions   (0.12)   (0.21)   (0.19)   (0.14)   (0.13)  
Net asset value, end of period  $9.89   $9.77   $9.70   $9.79   $9.86   
Total Return (b)   2.46%   2.93%   1.08%   0.72%   1.00%  
                            
Ratios and Supplemental Data:                           
Net assets, end of period (in thousands)  $87,746   $96,096   $116,276   $100,390   $103,175   
Ratios to average net assets:                           
Net expenses   0.40%   0.40%   0.40%   0.40%   0.40%  
Gross expenses   0.47%   0.45%   0.43%   0.43%   0.50%  
Net investment income (loss)   1.21%   2.18%   2.00%   1.43%   1.30%  
Portfolio turnover rate   97%   175%   170%   108%   157%  

 

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

 

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Selected data for a
share of capital stock
outstanding throughout
  Year Ended  
each period  12/31/20   12/31/19   12/31/18   12/31/17   12/31/16   
Open Shares                           
Net asset value, beginning of period  $9.78   $9.71   $9.79   $9.87   $9.90   
Income (Loss) from investment operations:                           
Net investment income (loss) (a)   0.09    0.19    0.16    0.11    0.10   
Net realized and unrealized gain (loss)   0.12    0.06    (0.08)   (0.08)   (0.03)  
Total from investment operations   0.21    0.25    0.08    0.03    0.07   
Less distributions from:                           
Net investment income   (0.09)   (0.17)   (0.14)   (0.09)   (0.07)  
Return of capital       (0.01)   (0.02)   (0.02)   (0.03)  
Total distributions   (0.09)   (0.18)   (0.16)   (0.11)   (0.10)  
Net asset value, end of period     $9.90      $9.78      $9.71      $9.79      $9.87   
Total Return (b)   2.20%   2.64%   0.88%   0.32%   0.70%  
                            
Ratios and Supplemental Data:                           
Net assets, end of period (in thousands)  $29   $16   $37   $25   $44   
Ratios to average net assets:                           
Net expenses   0.65%   0.69%   0.70%   0.70%   0.70%  
Gross expenses   14.74%   51.53%   38.00%   33.88%   31.22%  
Net investment income (loss)   0.96%   1.91%   1.68%   1.13%   1.00%  
Portfolio turnover rate   97%   175%   170%   108%   157%  

 

(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 may have been waived or reimbursed by the Investment Manager, State Street or DST; without such waiver/reimbursement of expenses, the Portfolio’s returns would have been lower.

 

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

 

Annual Report  89

 

The Lazard Funds, Inc. Notes to Financial Statements
December 31, 2020

 

1. Organization

The Lazard Funds, Inc. was incorporated in Maryland on May 17, 1991 and is registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the “1940 Act”), as an open-end management investment company. As of December 31, 2020, the Fund was comprised of thirty no-load portfolios (each referred to as a “Portfolio”). This report includes only the financial statements of the Lazard Emerging Markets Debt Portfolio (“Emerging Markets Debt”), the Lazard Global Fixed Income Portfolio (“Global Fixed Income”), the Lazard US Corporate Income Portfolio (“US Corporate Income”), and the Lazard US Short Duration Fixed Income Portfolio (“US Short Duration Fixed Income”). The financial statements of the other twenty-six Portfolios are presented separately.

 

The Portfolios, other than the Emerging Markets Debt Portfolio, are operated as “diversified” funds, as defined in the 1940 Act.

 

Each Portfolio currently offers Institutional Shares and Open Shares, and certain Portfolios offer R6 Shares. Each share class is identical except as to minimum investment requirements; eligibility requirements for R6 Shares; the services offered to, and expenses borne by, each class; and the availability of Service Payments (as defined in the Fund’s prospectus).

 

On November 17, 2020, the Emerging Markets Debt Portfolio and the US Corporate Income Portfolio had a 1-for-2 reverse share split and a 1-for-4 reverse share split, respectively, effective after the market close on November 17, 2020. After the reverse share split, shareholders in the Emerging Markets Debt Portfolio held one share for every two Portfolio shares previously held, and shareholders in the US Corporate Income Portfolio held one share for every four Portfolio shares previously held. The reverse share splits had no impact on the overall value of a shareholder’s investment.

 

2. Significant Accounting Policies

The accompanying financial statements are presented in conformity with GAAP. The Fund is an investment company and therefore applies specialized accounting guidance in accordance with Accounting Standards Codification Topic 946. The following is a

 

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summary of significant accounting policies consistently followed by the Fund in the preparation of the financial statements:

 

(a) Valuation of Investments—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 on, among other things, trading in securities with similar characteristics, brokers’ quotations and/or a matrix system which considers such factors as other security prices, yields and maturities. Over the counter swap agreements are valued by an independent pricing service and centrally cleared swaps are valued at the last reported sale on the clearing exchange. Forward currency contracts generally are valued using quotations from an independent pricing service. Investments in money market funds are valued at the fund’s net asset value (“NAV”) per share.

 

Calculation of a Portfolio’s NAV may not take place contemporaneously with the determination of the prices of portfolio assets used in such calculation. Trading on certain non-US securities exchanges or markets, such as those in Europe and Asia, may ordinarily be completed before the close of business on each business day in New York (i.e., a day on which the New York Stock Exchange (the “NYSE”) is open). In addition, securities trading in a particular non-US country or countries, may not take place on all business days in New York and on which the NAV of a Portfolio is calculated.

 

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 Portfolio’s NAV 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 of Directors (“Board”). Certain non-US securities may trade on days when a Portfolio is not open for business, thus affecting the value of the Portfolio’s assets on days when Portfolio shareholders may not be able to buy or sell Portfolio shares.

 

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The Valuation Committee of the Investment Manager, which is subject to the oversight of the Board of Directors, 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 Manager’s portfolio management team also will be considered.

 

The effect of using fair value pricing is that the NAV 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’ NAVs.

 

(b) Portfolio Securities Transactions and Investment Income—Portfolio securities transactions are accounted for on trade date. Realized gain (loss) on sales of investments are recorded on a specific identification basis. Interest income is accrued daily. A Portfolio amortizes premiums and accretes discounts on fixed-income securities using the effective yield method and mortgage-backed securities using the level yield method.

 

A Portfolio may be subject to taxes imposed by non-US countries in which it invests. Such taxes are generally based upon income earned or capital gains (realized and/or unrealized). An affected Portfolio accrues and applies such taxes to net investment income, net realized gains and net unrealized gains concurrent with the recognition of income earned or capital gains (realized and/or unrealized) from the applicable portfolio securities.

 

(c) Foreign Currency Translation and Forward Currency Contracts—The accounting records of the Fund are maintained in US dollars. Portfolio securities and other assets and liabilities denominated in a foreign currency are translated daily into US dollars at the prevailing rates of exchange. Purchases and sales of securities, income receipts and expense payments are translated into

 

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US dollars at the prevailing exchange rates on the respective transaction dates.

 

The Portfolios do not isolate the portion of operations resulting from changes in foreign exchange rates on investments from the fluctuations arising from changes in their market prices. Such fluctuations are included in net realized and unrealized gain (loss) on investments.

 

A forward currency contract is an agreement between two parties to buy or sell currency at a set price on a future date. Daily fluctuations in the value of forward currency contracts are recorded as unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on forward currency contracts. When the contract is closed, the Portfolio records a realized gain (loss) equal to the difference between the value at the time it was opened and the value at the time it was closed. Net realized gain (loss) on foreign currency transactions and forward currency contracts represent net foreign currency gain (loss) from forward currency contracts, disposition of foreign currencies, currency gain (loss) realized between the trade and settlement dates on securities transactions, and the difference between the amount of interest and foreign withholding taxes recorded on the Portfolios’ accounting records and the US dollar equivalent amounts actually received or paid. Net change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on foreign currency translations reflects the impact of changes in exchange rates on the value of assets and liabilities, other than investments in securities, during the period.

 

During the year ended December 31, 2020, the Emerging Markets Debt and Global Fixed Income Portfolios traded in forward currency contracts.

 

(d) Swap Agreements—Interest rate swap agreements involve the exchange by a Portfolio with another party of their respective commitments to pay or receive interest with respect to the notional amount of principal. Certain forms of interest rate swap agreements may include: (i) interest rate caps, under which, in return for a premium, one party agrees to make payments to the other to the extent that interest rates exceed a specified rate, or “cap,” (ii) interest rate floors, under which, in return for a pre-

 

Annual Report  93

 

 

 

mium, one party agrees to make payments to the other to the extent that interest rates fall below a specified rate, or “floor,” (iii) 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, (iv) callable interest rate swaps, under which the counterparty may terminate the swap transaction in whole at zero cost by a predetermined date and time prior to the maturity date, (v) spread locks, which allow the interest rate swap users to lock in the forward differential (or spread) between the interest rate swap rate and specified benchmark, or (vi) basis swaps, under which two parties can exchange variable interest rates based on different money markets. The change in value, if any, on swap agreements is recorded as unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on swap agreements in a Portfolio’s accompanying Statement of Assets and Liabilities. Once the interim payments are settled in cash, the net amount is recorded as realized gain (loss) on swap agreements in a Portfolio’s accompanying Statement of Operations, in addition to any realized gain (loss) recorded upon the termination of swap agreements.

 

Upon entering into a centrally cleared swap, the Portfolio is required to deposit initial margin with the broker in the form of cash or securities in an amount that varies depending on the size and risk profile of the particular swap. Securities deposited as initial margin are designated in the Portfolio of Investments and cash deposited is shown as cash collateral for swaps in the Statement of Assets and Liabilities. On these transactions, the Portfolio agrees to receive from or pay to the broker variation margin. Variation margin is recorded as unrealized appreciation (depreciation) and shown as variation margin receivable (or payable) on swaps in the Statement of Assets and Liabilities. Payments received from (paid to) the counterparty, including at termination, are recorded as realized gains (losses) in the Statement of Operations.

 

During the year ended December 31, 2020, the Emerging Markets Debt Portfolio traded in swap agreements.

 

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(e) Federal Income Taxes—The Fund’s policy is for the Portfolio to qualify as a regulated investment company under Subchapter M of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 as amended (the “Code”) and to distribute all of its taxable income, including any net realized capital gains, to shareholders. Therefore, no federal income tax provision is required.

 

At December 31, 2020, the following Portfolios had unused realized capital loss carryovers which, for federal income tax purposes, could be used to offset future realized capital gains with no expiration date as follows:

 

Portfolio  Short-Term   Long-Term 
           
Emerging Markets Debt  $18,881,060   $19,327,250 
US Corporate Income   4,145,042    4,820,238 
US Short Duration Fixed Income   57,364    343,499 

 

During the year ended December 31, 2020, the following Portfolios utilized realized capital loss carryovers from previous years as follows:

 

Portfolio  Amount 
      
US Short Duration Fixed Income  $734,766 

 

Under current tax law, post-October capital losses or certain late-year ordinary losses, as defined by the Code, within the taxable year may be deferred and treated as occurring on the first day of the following tax year. For the tax year ended December 31, 2020, the following Portfolios elected to defer such losses as follows:

 

Portfolio  Post-October
Capital Loss
Deferral
   Late-Year
Ordinary Loss
Deferral
 
           
US Short Duration Fixed Income  $   $2,182 

 

Annual Report  95

 

 

 

For federal income tax purposes, the aggregate cost, aggregate gross unrealized appreciation, aggregate gross unrealized depreciation and the net unrealized appreciation (depreciation) were as follows:

 

Portfolio  Aggregate
Cost
   Aggregate
Gross
Unrealized
Appreciation
   Aggregate
Gross
Unrealized
Depreciation
   Net
Unrealized
Appreciation
(Depreciation)
 
                     
Emerging Markets Debt  $23,087,438   $1,152,292   $2,281,990   $(1,129,698)
Global Fixed Income   8,964,959    397,901    25,897    372,004 
US Corporate Income   290,512,652    10,359,562    1,101,411    9,258,151 
US Short Duration Fixed Income   86,673,987    622,856        622,856 

 

Management has analyzed the Portfolios’ tax positions, and has concluded that no liability for unrecognized tax benefits should be recorded related to uncertain tax positions taken on tax returns filed for any open tax years (or expected to be taken on future tax returns). Open tax years are those that remain subject to examination and are based on each tax jurisdiction’s statute of limitations. Each Portfolio files a US federal income tax return annually after its fiscal year-end, which is subject to examination by the Internal Revenue Service for a period of three years from the date of filing.

 

(f) Dividends and Distributions—For each Portfolio, income dividends are normally declared each business day and paid monthly. During any particular year, net realized gains from investment transactions in excess of available capital loss carryforwards would be taxable to the Portfolios, if not distributed. The Portfolios intend to declare and distribute these amounts, at least annually, to shareholders, but may be distributed more frequently. Differences in per share distributions, by class, are generally due to differences in class specific expenses.

 

Income and capital gains distributions are determined in accordance with federal income tax regulations which may differ from GAAP. These book/tax differences, which may result in distribution reclassifications, are primarily due to differing treatments of foreign currency and fixed-income transactions, distribution redesignations, certain fixed-income securities and expenses, derivatives, wash sales, return

 

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of capital distributions, currency straddles and paydown gain/loss. The book/tax differences relating to shareholder distributions resulted in reclassifications among certain capital accounts as follows:

 

Portfolio  Paid in
Capital
   Distributable
Earnings
(Accumulated Loss)
 
           
Emerging Markets Debt  $(5,375,179)                 $5,375,179 
US Short Duration Fixed Income   (19,358)   19,358 

 

The tax character of dividends and distributions paid during the years ended December 31, were as follows:

 

   Ordinary Income   Long-Term Capital Gain 
Portfolio  2020   2019   2020   2019 
                     
Emerging Markets Debt*  $   $3,889,832   $   $ 
Global Fixed Income*   227,749    29,864    82,954    12,377 
US Corporate Income   12,265,481    13,494,395         
US Short Duration Fixed Income*   1,153,797    2,093,974         

 

* Emerging Markets Debt, Global Fixed Income and US Short Duration Fixed Income Portfolios had return of capital distributions of $1,552,899, $0 and $0 in 2020, and $3,900,757, $87,336 and $144,049 in 2019, respectively.

 

At December 31, 2020, the components of distributable earnings (accumulated loss), on a tax basis, were as follows:

 

Portfolio  Undistributed
Ordinary Income
(Deferred Ordinary
Losses)
   Undistributed
Long-Term
Capital Gain
(Deferred Capital
Losses)
   Net Unrealized
Appreciation
(Depreciation)
Including Foreign
Currency
 
                
Emerging Markets Debt  $   $(38,208,310)  $(1,147,182)
Global Fixed Income   233,100    52,952    366,909 
US Corporate Income   9,567    (8,965,280)   9,258,151 
US Short Duration Fixed Income   (2,182)   (400,863)   600,648 

 

(g) Allocation of Expenses—Expenses common to the Fund, Lazard Retirement Series, Inc., and Lazard Global Total Return and Income Fund, Inc. (each a “Lazard Fund” and collectively, the “Lazard Fund Complex”), each a registered management investment company advised by the Investment Manager, not directly chargeable to one or more specific Lazard Funds are allocated to

 

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the Fund and among its Portfolios primarily on the basis of relative net assets. Expenses of the Fund not directly chargeable to one or more Portfolios are similarly allocated among the Portfolios primarily on the basis of relative net assets. The Portfolios accrue distribution and service (12b-1) fees in the Open Share class. The Portfolios’ income, expenses (other than class specific expenses) and realized and unrealized gains and losses are allocated proportionally each day between the classes based upon the relative net assets of each class.

 

(h) Redemption Fee—Until August 15, 2016, the Portfolios, other than the US Short Duration Fixed Income Portfolio, imposed a 1.00% redemption fee (short-term trading fee) on Portfolio shares redeemed less than 30 days after such shares were acquired. The fees were retained by the Portfolios and are included as paid in capital on the Statements of Assets and Liabilities. As of August 15, 2016, redemption fees no longer apply to transactions in Portfolio shares.

 

(i) Estimates—The preparation of financial statements in conformity with GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of increases and decreases in net assets resulting from operations during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from those estimates.

 

(j) Net Asset Value—The NAV per share for each class of each Portfolio is determined each day the NYSE is open for trading as of the close of regular trading on the NYSE (generally 4:00 p.m. Eastern time). The Fund will not treat an intraday unscheduled disruption in NYSE trading as a closure of the NYSE, and will price its shares as of 4:00 p.m., if the particular disruption directly affects only the NYSE. The NAV per share of a class 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.

 

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3. Investment Management, Administration, Custody, Distribution and Transfer Agency Agreements

The Fund, on behalf of the Portfolios, has entered into a management agreement (the “Management Agreement”) with the Investment Manager. Pursuant to the Management Agreement, the Investment Manager manages the investment operations of the Portfolio and the assets of the Portfolio including the purchase, retention and disposition thereof, in accordance with the Portfolio’s investment objectives, policies, and restrictions, and provides the Portfolios with administrative, operational and compliance assistance services. For its services provided to the Portfolios, the Investment Manager earns a management fee, accrued daily as a percentage of each Portfolio’s average daily net assets and payable by each Portfolio monthly, at the annual rate set forth below:

 

Portfolio  Annual Rate 
      
Emerging Markets Debt   0.70%(a)
Global Fixed Income   0.50 
US Corporate Income   0.55 
US Short Duration Fixed Income   0.25 

 

(a) From January 1, 2020 to June 15, 2020, the annual rate was 0.75%.

 

The Investment Manager has voluntarily agreed to waive its fees and, if necessary, reimburse the Portfolio until May 1, 2021 (or such other date as indicated below) if the aggregate direct expenses of each Portfolio, exclusive of taxes, brokerage, interest on borrowings, fees and expenses of “Acquired Funds” (as defined in Form N-1A), fees and expenses related to filing foreign tax reclaims, and extraordinary expenses, on behalf of the Portfolio, exceed the percentages of the value of the Portfolio’s average daily net assets set forth opposite the Portfolio’s name in the table below. The Fund, on behalf of the Portfolio, may deduct from the payment to be made to the Investment Manager under the Management Agreement, or the Investment Manager will bear, such excess expenses.

 

Annual Report  99

 

 

 

Portfolio  Institutional
Shares
   Open
Shares
   R6
Shares
 
                
Emerging Markets Debt   0.85%   1.05%   0.80%(a)
Global Fixed Income   0.70    0.95    N/A 
US Corporate Income   0.55    0.80    0.55(b)
US Short Duration Fixed Income   0.40    0.65(c)   N/A 

 

(a) From January 1, 2020 to June 15, 2020, annual rates were 0.95%, 1.15% and 0.90%, respectively. From May 1, 2021 to May 30, 2030, the annual rates are 1.10%, 1.35%, and 1.05%, respectively.
(b) This agreement will continue in effect through May 1, 2030 for the R6 Shares.
(c) This agreement will continue in effect until May 1, 2030 for Open Shares.

 

In addition, until May 1, 2021, to the extent the “Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses” (as used in Form N-1A) of the R6 Shares of a Portfolio exceed the Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses of the Portfolio’s Institutional Shares (in each case, not including management fees, custodial fees or other expenses related to the management of the Portfolio’s assets), the Investment Manager will bear the expenses of the R6 Shares in the amount of such excess.

 

During the year ended December 31, 2020, the Investment Manager waived its management fees and reimbursed the following Portfolios for other expenses as follows:

 

   Institutional Shares   Open Shares  
Portfolio  Management
Fees Waived
   Expenses
Reimbursed
   Management
Fees Waived
   Expenses
Reimbursed
   
                       
Emerging Markets Debt  $258,276   $   $3,161   $3,645   
Global Fixed Income   41,092    125,425    286    5,077   
US Corporate Income   333,779        8,652       
US Short Duration Fixed Income   64,730        74    4,077   

 

   R6 Shares  
Portfolio  Management
Fees Waived
   Expenses
Reimbursed
   
             
Emerging Markets Debt   $8    $2,977   
US Corporate Income   $6    $2,897   

 

The aforementioned waivers and/or reimbursements are not subject to recoupment by the Investment Manager.

 

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State Street serves as the Fund’s custodian and provides the Fund with certain administrative services.

 

In December 2015, State Street announced that it had identified inconsistencies in the way in which clients were invoiced for custody out-of-pocket expenses from 1998 until 2015. The difference between what was charged and what should have been charged, plus interest, was recorded as a reimbursement when determined in 2016. Pursuant to the expense limitations described above, the US Short Duration Fixed Income Portfolio experienced management fee waivers during the year ended December 31, 2016. Accordingly, the reimbursement of out-of-pocket expenses resulted in the reduction in the waiver of management fees for certain Portfolios for the year ended December 31, 2016.

 

The Fund has a distribution agreement with Lazard Asset Management Securities LLC (the “Distributor”), a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Investment Manager, to serve as the distributor for shares of Portfolios. The Distributor bears, amongst other things, the cost of preparing and distributing materials used by the Distributor in connection with its offering Portfolio shares and other advertising and promotional expenses.

 

Under a distribution and servicing plan adopted pursuant to Rule 12b-1 under the 1940 Act, each Portfolio pays a monthly fee to the Distributor, at an annual rate of 0.25% of the average daily net assets of its Open Shares, for certain distribution activities and providing services to holders of the Portfolio’s Open shares. The Distributor may make payments to such as financial institutions, securities dealers and other industry professionals in respect of these services.

 

DST is the Fund’s transfer agent and dividend disbursing agent.

 

4. Directors’ Compensation

Certain Directors of the Fund are officers of the Investment Manager. For the year ended December 31, 2020, each Director who is not an affiliated person of the Investment Manager or any of its affiliates was paid by all of the funds in the Lazard Fund Complex: (1) an annual retainer of $237,000, (2) an additional

 

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annual retainer of $33,700 to the lead Independent Director, and (3) an additional annual retainer of $23,500 to the Audit Committee Chair. The Independent Directors (an “Independent Director” is a Director who is not an “interested person” (as defined in the 1940 Act) of the Fund) also may be paid additional compensation for participation on ad hoc committees or other work performed on behalf of the Board. The aggregate retainers for Independent Directors for the Lazard Fund Complex will remain the same in 2021. The Independent Directors are reimbursed for travel and other out-of-pocket expenses for attending Board and committee meetings or incurred in connection with work performed on behalf of Board. The Directors do not receive benefits from the Fund pursuant to any pension, retirement or similar arrangement. Independent Directors’ fees are allocated among the funds in the Lazard Fund Complex at a rate of $5,000 per active portfolio with the remainder allocated among the active portfolios on the basis of relative net assets. The Statements of Operations show the Independent Directors’ fees and expenses paid by each Portfolio.

 

5. Securities Transactions and Transactions with Affiliates

Purchases and sales of portfolio securities (excluding short-term investments) for the year ended December 31, 2020 were as follows:

 

Portfolio  Purchases   Sales 
           
Emerging Markets Debt  $49,462,140   $111,547,888 
Global Fixed Income   6,621,201    3,795,873 
US Corporate Income   72,696,723    71,629,057 
US Short Duration Fixed Income   18,941,466    29,600,600 

 

   US Government and Treasury Securities 
Portfolio  Purchases   Sales 
           
Global Fixed Income   1,020,935    1,368,826 
US Short Duration Fixed Income   69,538,024    64,429,563 

 

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For the year ended December 31, 2020, the Portfolios did not engage in any cross-trades in accordance with Rule 17a-7 under the 1940 Act, and no brokerage commissions were paid to affiliates of the Investment Manager or other affiliates of the Fund for portfolio transactions executed on behalf of the Fund.

 

6. Line of Credit

The Fund has a $100 million committed line of credit pursuant to an Amended and Restated Loan Agreement (the “Agreement”) with State Street, primarily for temporary or emergency purposes, including the meeting of redemption requests that otherwise might require the untimely disposition of securities. Interest on borrowings is payable at 1.00% plus the “Applicable Rate,” which is the higher of (a) the Federal Funds Rate plus 10 basis points and (b) the Overnight Bank Funding Rate (OBFR) plus 10 basis points, on an annualized basis. Under the Agreement, the Fund has agreed to pay a 0.20% per annum fee on the unused portion of the commitment, payable quarterly in arrears. The Fund has also agreed to pay an upfront fee of 0.05% of the committed line amount. During the year ended December 31, 2020, the following Portfolios had borrowings under the Agreement as follows:

 

Portfolio  Average
Daily Loan
Balance
*  Maximum
Daily Loan
Outstanding
   Weighted
Average
Interest
Rate
   Number of
Days Borrowings
were Outstanding
 
                     
Emerging Markets Debt   $3,343,929    $5,440,000    1.27%   14 
Global Fixed Income   175,000    340,000    2.20    3 

 

* For days borrowings were outstanding.

 

Management believes that the fair value of the liabilities under the Agreement is equivalent to the recorded amount based on its short-term maturity and interest rate, which fluctuates with the Applicable rate. A Portfolio’s outstanding balance under the Agreement, if any, would be categorized as Level 2.

 

7. Investment Risks

Not all risks described below apply to all Portfolios, or may not apply to the same degree for one or more Portfolios compared to one or more other Portfolios. In addition, not all risks applicable to

 

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an investment in a Portfolio are described below. Please see the current summary prospectus for the relevant Portfolio(s) or a current Portfolio prospectus for further information regarding a Portfolio’s investment strategy and related risks.

 

(a) Market Risk—A Portfolio may incur losses due to declines in one or more markets in which it invests. These declines may be the result of, among other things, political, regulatory, market, economic or social developments affecting the relevant market(s). To the extent that such developments impact specific industries, market sectors, countries or geographic regions, a Portfolio’s investments in such industries, market sectors, countries and/or geographic regions can be expected to be particularly affected, especially if such investments are a significant portion of its investment portfolio. 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 a Portfolio. Global economies and financial markets are increasingly interconnected, and conditions and events in one country, region or financial market may adversely impact issuers worldwide. As a result, local, regional or global events such as war, acts of terrorism, the spread of infectious illness or other public health issues, recessions or other events could have a significant negative impact on global economic and market conditions. The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) global pandemic and the aggressive responses taken by many governments or voluntarily imposed by private parties, including closing borders, restricting travel and imposing prolonged quarantines or similar restrictions, as well as the closure of, or operational changes to, many retail and other businesses, has had negative impacts, and in many cases severe negative impacts, on markets worldwide. It is not known how long such impacts, or any future impacts of other significant events described above, will or would last, but there could be a prolonged period of global economic slowdown, which may be expected to impact a Portfolio and its investments.

 

(b) Fixed-Income and Debt Securities Risk—The market value of a debt security may decline due to general market conditions that are not specifically related to a particular company, such as real or

 

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perceived adverse economic conditions, changes in the outlook for corporate earnings, changes in interest or currency rates or adverse investor sentiment generally. The debt securities market can be susceptible to increases in volatility and decreases in liquidity. Liquidity can decline unpredictably in response to overall economic conditions or credit tightening.

 

Prices of bonds and other debt securities tend to move inversely with changes in interest rates. Interest rate risk is usually greater for fixed-income securities with longer maturities or durations. A rise in interest rates (or the expectation of a rise in interest rates) may result in periods of volatility, decreased liquidity and increased redemptions, and, as a result, a Portfolio may have to liquidate portfolio securities at disadvantageous prices.

 

A Portfolio’s investments in lower-rated, higher-yielding securities (“junk bonds”) 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 security’s value could fall, potentially lowering a Portfolio’s share price. The prices of non-investment grade securities, unlike investment grade debt securities, may fluctuate unpredictably and not necessarily inversely with changes in interest rates. The market for these securities may be less liquid and therefore these securities may be harder to value or sell at an acceptable price, especially during times of market volatility or decline.

 

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, a Portfolio may have to reinvest the proceeds of called or redeemed securities 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).

 

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Adjustable rate securities provide a Portfolio with a certain degree of protection against rises in interest rates, although adjustable rate securities will participate in any declines in interest rates. 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 a Portfolio to realize income prior to the receipt of cash payments with respect to these securities.

 

(c) Non-US Securities Risk—A Portfolio’s 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 less developed or less efficient trading markets, political instability, a lack of company information, differing auditing and legal standards, and, potentially, less liquidity.

 

(d) Emerging Market Risk—Emerging market countries generally have economic structures that are less diverse and mature, and political systems that are less stable, than those of developed countries. The economies of countries with emerging markets may be based predominantly on only a few industries, may be highly vulnerable to changes in local or global trade conditions, and may suffer from extreme debt burdens or volatile inflation rates. The securities markets of emerging market countries have historically been extremely volatile. 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.

 

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(e) Foreign Currency Risk—Investments denominated in currencies other than US dollars may experience a decline in value, in US dollar terms, due solely to fluctuations in currency exchange rates. A Portfolio’s investments could be adversely affected by delays in, or a refusal to grant, repatriation of funds or conversion of emerging market currencies.

 

(f) Derivatives and Hedging Risk—Derivatives transactions, including those entered into for hedging purposes (i.e., seeking to protect Portfolio investments), may increase volatility, reduce returns, limit gains or magnify losses, perhaps substantially, particularly since most derivatives have a leverage component that provides investment exposure in excess of the amount invested. Swap agreements; forward currency contracts; structured products; over-the-counter options on currencies and swap agreements; and other over-the-counter derivatives transactions are subject to the risks of the creditworthiness of, and default, by the counterparty and consequently may lose all or a portion of their value due solely to the creditworthiness of, or default by, the counterparty. Over-the-counter derivatives frequently may be illiquid and difficult to value. Changes in liquidity may result in significant, rapid and unpredictable changes in the prices for derivatives. These derivatives transactions, as well as the exchange-traded futures and options in which a Portfolio may invest, are subject to many of the risks of, and can be highly sensitive to changes in the value of, the related reference asset, index or rate. As such, a small investment could have a potentially large impact on a Portfolio’s performance. In fact, many derivatives may be subject to greater risks than those associated with investing directly in the underlying or other reference asset. Derivatives transactions incur costs, either explicitly or implicitly, which reduce returns, and costs of engaging in such transactions may outweigh any gains or any losses averted from hedging activities. Successful use of derivatives, whether for hedging or for other investment purposes, is subject to the Investment Manager’s ability to predict correctly movements in the direction of the relevant reference asset or market and, for hedging activities, correlation of the derivative instruments used with the investments seeking to be hedged. Use of derivatives transactions, even if entered into for hedging purposes, may cause

 

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a Portfolio to experience losses greater than if the Portfolio had not engaged in such transactions.

 

(g) 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 increase volatility or reduce returns, perhaps substantially, particularly since most derivatives have a leverage component that provides investment exposure in excess of the amount invested, and they are subject to many of the risks of, and can be highly sensitive to changes in the value of, the related reference asset, market or rate. As such, a small investment could have a potentially large impact on a Portfolio’s performance. Use of derivatives transactions may cause a Portfolio to experience losses greater than if the Portfolio had not engaged in such transactions.

 

(h) 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. 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

 

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securities. Primarily, these securities may provide a Portfolio with a less effective security interest in the related collateral than do mortgage-related securities.

 

(i) Preferred Securities Risk—There are various risks associated with investing in preferred securities. 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.
   
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 issuer’s 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, or redeem its issue at par earlier than the scheduled maturity. 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).
   
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

 

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  or at prices approximating the value at which the Portfolio is carrying the securities on its books.

 

(j) Non-Diversification Risk—A Portfolio that is classified as “non-diversified” 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 Portfolio’s investments consisted of securities issued by a larger number of issuers.

 

(k) Government Securities Risk—Not all obligations of the US government, its agencies and instrumentalities are backed by the full faith and credit of the US Treasury. Some obligations are backed only by the credit of the issuing agency or instrumentality, and in some cases there may be some risk of default by the issuer. Any guarantee by the US government or its agencies or instrumentalities of a security held by a Portfolio does not apply to the market value of such security or to shares of the Portfolio itself. A security backed by the US Treasury or the full faith and credit of the United States is guaranteed only as to the timely payment of interest and principal when held to maturity.

 

(l) Cybersecurity Risk—The Portfolios and their service providers are susceptible to operational and information security and related risks of cybersecurity incidents. Cybersecurity attacks include, but are not limited to, gaining unauthorized access to digital systems (e.g., through “hacking” or malicious software coding) for purposes of misappropriating assets or sensitive information, corrupting data or causing operational disruption. Cybersecurity incidents affecting the Investment Manager, transfer agent or custodian or other service providers such as financial intermediaries have the ability to cause disruptions and impact business operations, potentially resulting in financial losses, including by impediments to a Portfolio’s investment trading; the inability of Portfolio shareholders to purchase and redeem Portfolio shares; interference with a Portfolio’s ability to calculate its NAV; violations of applicable privacy, data security or other laws; regulatory fines and penalties; reputational

 

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damage; reimbursement or other compensation or remediation costs; legal fees; or additional compliance costs. Similar adverse consequences could result from cybersecurity incidents affecting issuers of securities in which a Portfolio invests; counterparties with which a Portfolio engages in transactions; governmental and other regulatory authorities, exchange and other financial market operators; and banks, brokers, dealers, insurance companies and other financial institutions and other parties. There are inherent limitations in any cybersecurity risk management systems or business continuity plans, including the possibility that certain risks have not been identified.

 

8. Contractual Obligations

The Fund enters into contracts in the normal course of business that contain a variety of indemnification provisions. A Portfolio’s maximum exposure under these arrangements is unknown. Management has reviewed the Fund’s existing contracts and expects the risk of loss to be remote.

 

9. Fair Value Measurements

Fair value is defined as the price that a Portfolio would receive to sell an asset, or would pay to transfer a liability, in an orderly transaction between market participants at the date of measurement. The Fair Value Measurements and Disclosures provisions of GAAP also establish a framework for measuring fair value, and a three-level hierarchy for fair value measurement that is based upon the transparency of inputs to the valuation of an asset or liability. Inputs may be observable or unobservable and refer, broadly, to the assumptions that market participants would use in pricing the asset or liability. Observable inputs reflect the assumptions that market participants would use in pricing the asset or liability based on market data obtained from sources independent of the Fund. Unobservable inputs reflect the Fund’s own assumptions about the assumptions that market participants would use in pricing the asset or liability, developed based on the best information

 

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available in the circumstances. The fair value measurement level within the fair value hierarchy for the assets and liabilities of the Fund is based on the lowest level of any input that is significant to the overall fair value measurement. The three-level hierarchy of inputs is summarized below:

 

Level 1 – unadjusted quoted prices in active markets for identical assets and liabilities
   
Level 2 – other significant observable inputs (including unadjusted quoted prices for similar assets and liabilities, interest rates, prepayment speeds, credit risk, etc.)
   
Level 3 – significant unobservable inputs (including the Fund’s own assumptions in determining the fair value of assets and liabilities)

 

Changes in valuation methodology or inputs may result in transfers into or out of the current assigned level within the hierarchy.

 

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

 

The following table summarizes the valuation of the Portfolios’ assets and liabilities by each fair value hierarchy level as of December 31, 2020:

 

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Description  Unadjusted
Quoted Prices in
Active Markets
for Identical
Assets
and Liabilities
(Level 1)
   Significant
Other
Observable
Inputs
(Level 2)
   Significant
Unobservable
Inputs
(Level 3)
 Balance as of
December 31, 2020
 
Emerging Markets Debt Portfolio                      
Assets:                      
Corporate Bonds*    $   $1,446,906   $   $1,446,906 
Foreign Government Obligations*         17,725,819        17,725,819 
Quasi Government Bonds*         252,413        252,413 
Supranational Bonds         15,481        15,481 
Short-Term Investments     2,516,617            2,516,617 
Other Financial Instruments†                      
Forward Currency Contracts         116,845        116,845 
Interest Rate Swaps          5,736         5,736 
Total    $2,516,617   $19,563,200   $   $22,079,817 
Liabilities:                      
Other Financial Instruments†                      
Forward Currency Contracts    $   $(73,535)  $   $(73,535)
Global Fixed Income Portfolio                      
Assets:                      
Corporate Bonds*    $   $3,497,822   $   $3,497,822 
Foreign Government Obligations*         4,167,143        4,167,143 
Quasi Government Bonds*         96,707        96,707 
Supranational Bonds         994,087        994,087 
US Municipal Bonds         140,400        140,400 
US Treasury Securities         290,267        290,267 
Short-Term Investments     368,885            368,885 
Other Financial Instruments†                      
Forward Currency Contracts         143,252        143,252 
Total    $368,885   $9,329,678   $   $9,698,563 
Liabilities:                      
Other Financial Instruments†                      
Forward Currency Contracts    $   $(188,997)  $   $(188,997)

 

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Description  Unadjusted
Quoted Prices in
Active Markets
for Identical
Assets
and Liabilities
(Level 1)
   Significant
Other
Observable
Inputs
(Level 2)
   Significant
Unobservable
Inputs
(Level 3)
 Balance as of
December 31, 2020
 
US Corporate Income Portfolio                      
Corporate Bonds*    $   $258,593,167   $   $258,593,167 
Exchange-Traded Funds     23,771,329            23,771,329 
Short-Term Investments     17,406,307            17,406,307 
Total    $41,177,636   $258,593,167   $   $299,770,803 
US Short Duration Fixed Income Portfolio                      
Asset-Backed Securities    $   $5,632,528   $   $5,632,528 
Corporate Bonds*         19,595,512        19,595,512 
US Government Securities         775,629        775,629 
US Treasury Securities         61,088,852        61,088,852 
Short-Term Investments     204,322            204,322 
Total    $204,322   $87,092,521   $   $87,296,843 

 

* Please refer to Portfolios of Investments and Notes to Portfolios of Investments for portfolio holdings by country and industry.
Other financial instruments are derivative instruments which are valued at their respective unrealized appreciation (depreciation).

 

10. Derivative Instruments

Certain Portfolios may use derivative instruments, including forward currency contracts or swap agreements.

 

Forward currency contracts may be used for hedging purposes or to seek to increase returns.

 

A Portfolio enters into swap agreements in an attempt to obtain a particular exposure when it is considered desirable to do so, possibly at a lower cost to such Portfolio than if it had invested directly in the asset that yielded the desired exposure.

 

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During the year ended December 31, 2020, the approximate average monthly notional exposure for derivative instruments was as follows:

 

Derivative Instruments  Emerging
Markets
Debt
Portfolio
   Global
Fixed
Income
Portfolio
 
Forward currency contracts:          
Average amounts purchased  $12,900,000   $3,600,000 
Average amounts sold  $9,400,000   $3,000,000 
Interest rate swap agreements:          
Average notional value – receives fixed rate on centrally cleared  $500,000     
Average notional value – receives fixed rate on OTC  $300,000*    

 

* Represents average monthly notional exposure for the seven months the derivative instrument was open during the period.

 

The following table summarizes the fair value of derivative instruments on the Statement of Assets and Liabilities as of December 31, 2020:

 

Emerging Markets Debt Portfolio

 

Assets – Derivative Financial Instruments     Total  
          
Forward currency contracts  Unrealized appreciation on forward currency contracts  $116,845 
         
 Foreign   Interest       
 Currency   Rate       
Liabilities – Derivative Financial InstrumentsContracts   Contracts    Total  
Forward currency contracts               
Unrealized depreciation on forward currency contracts  $73,535          $   $73,535 
Swaps               
Variation margin payable on centrally cleared swaps (a)      $281   $281 
Total  $73,535   $281   $73,816 

 

(a) Net cumulative unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on centrally cleared swap agreements, if any, are reported in the Schedule of Investments. In the Statements of Assets and Liabilities, only current day’s variation margin is reported in receivables or payables and the net cumulative unrealized appreciation (depreciation) is included in accumulated earnings (loss).

 

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Global Fixed Income Portfolio

 

Assets – Derivative Financial Instruments     Total  
Forward currency contracts  Unrealized appreciation on forward currency contracts  $143,252 
          
Liabilities – Derivative Financial Instruments         
Forward currency contracts  Unrealized depreciation on forward currency contracts  $188,997 

 

Emerging Markets Debt Portfolio

 

The effect of derivative instruments on the Statement of Operations for the year ended December 31, 2020 was:

 

   Foreign   Interest     
   Currency   Rate     
Net Realized Gain (Loss) from:  Contracts   Contracts   Total 
Forward currency contracts  $(360,484)  $   $(360,484)
Swap agreements       (201,935)   (201,935)
Total  $(360,484)  $(201,935)  $(562,419)
             
   Foreign   Interest     
Net Change in Unrealized Appreciation  Currency   Rate     
(Depreciation) on:  Contracts   Contracts   Total 
Forward currency contracts  $(259,956)  $   $(259,956)
Swap agreements       (22,986)   (22,986)
Total  $(259,956)  $(22,986)  $(282,942)

 

Global Fixed Income Portfolio

 

The effect of derivative instruments on the Statement of Operations for the year ended December 31, 2019 was:

 

Net Realized Gain (Loss) from:  Total 
Forward currency contracts  $66,683 
     
Net Change in Unrealized Appreciation (Depreciation) on:     
Forward currency contracts  $(42,062)

 

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As of December 31, 2020, the Emerging Markets Debt and Global Fixed Income Portfolios held derivative instruments that are eligible for offset in the Statements of Assets and Liabilities and are subject to master netting arrangements. A master netting arrangement is an agreement between two counterparties who have multiple contracts with each other that provides for the net settlement of all contracts, as well as any cash collateral, through a single payment in the event of default on, or termination of, any one contract.

 

The required information for the affected Portfolios are presented in the below table, as of December 31, 2020:

 

Emerging Markets Debt Portfolio

 

             Net Amounts of  
       Gross Amounts Offset  Assets Presented  
 Gross Amounts of  in the Statement of  in the Statement of  
DescriptionRecognized Assets  Assets and Liabilities  Assets and Liabilities  
Forward Currency Contracts  $116,845              $    $116,845     

 

         Amounts Not Offset
in the Statement of
Assets and Liabilities
       
Counterparty  Net Amounts of
Assets Presented
in the Statement of
Assets and Liabilities
 Financial
Instruments

Collateral
Received

 Net Amounts of
Derivative Assets
 
Bank of America NA    $9,171     $(9,171)   $     $   
Barclays Bank PLC     28,288      (18,081)          10,207   
Citibank NA     27,632      (14,675)          12,957   
HSBC Bank USA NA     14,923      (2)          14,921   
JPMorgan Chase Bank NA     166      (166)             
Standard Chartered Bank     9,986      (9,986)             
State Street Bank and Trust Co.     15,174                 15,174   
UBS AG     11,505      (2,023)          9,482   
Total    $116,845     $(54,104)   $     $62,741   

 

             Net Amounts of  
       Gross Amounts Offset  Liabilities Presented  
 Gross Amounts of  in the Statement of  in the Statement of  
Description

Recognized Liabilities

 Assets and Liabilities  Assets and Liabilities  
Forward Currency Contracts  $73,535     $     $73,535   

 

Annual Report  117

 

 

 

         Amounts Not Offset
in the Statement of
Assets and Liabilities
       
Counterparty  Net Amounts of
Liabilities Presented
in the Statement of
Assets and Liabilities
 Financial
Instruments

Collateral
Pledged

 Net Amounts of
Derivative Liabilities
 
Bank of America NA    $23,134     $(9,171)  $     $13,963   
Barclays Bank PLC     18,081      (18,081)            
Citibank NA     14,675      (14,675)            
HSBC Bank USA NA     2      (2)            
JPMorgan Chase Bank NA     863      (166)         697   
Standard Chartered Bank     14,757      (9,986)         4,771   
UBS AG     2,023      (2,023)            
Total    $73,535     $(54,104)  $     $19,431   

 

Global Fixed Income Portfolio

 

             Net Amounts of  
       Gross Amounts Offset  Assets Presented  
 Gross Amounts of  in the Statement of  in the Statement of  
DescriptionRecognized Assets  Assets and Liabilities  Assets and Liabilities  
Forward Currency Contracts  $143,252     $     $143,252   

 

         Amounts Not Offset
in the Statement of
Assets and Liabilities
        
Counterparty  Net Amounts of
Assets Presented
in the Statement of
Assets and Liabilities
 Financial
Instruments

Collateral
Received

  Net Amounts of
Derivative Assets
 
Citibank NA    $10,256     $(10,256)  $     $   
HSBC Bank USA NA     86,110      (49,640)         36,470   
JPMorgan Chase Bank NA     46,886      (46,886)            
Total    $143,252     $(106,782)  $     $36,470   

 

             Net Amounts of  
       Gross Amounts Offset  Liabilities Presented  
 Gross Amounts of  in the Statement of  in the Statement of  
Description

Recognized Liabilities

 Assets and Liabilities  Assets and Liabilities  
Forward Currency Contracts  $188,997           $     $188,997    

 

118  Annual Report

 

 

 

        Amounts Not Offset
in the Statement of
Assets and Liabilities
      
Counterparty  Net Amounts of
Liabilities Presented
in the Statement of
Assets and Liabilities
  Financial
Instruments
Collateral
Pledged
 Net Amounts of
Derivative Liabilities
 
Citibank NA    $41,073     $(10,256)   $     $30,817   
HSBC Bank USA NA     49,640      (49,640)             
JPMorgan Chase Bank NA     94,289      (46,886)          47,403   
Morgan Stanley Capital Services LLC.     3,995                 3,995   
Total    $188,997     $(106,782)   $     $82,215   

 

11. Accounting Pronouncements

In March 2017, the Financial Accounting Standards Board issued Accounting Standards Update ASU No. 2017-08, Receivables - Nonrefundable Fees and Other Costs (Subtopic 310-20): Premium Amortization on Purchased Callable Debt Securities (“ASU No. 2017-08”). ASU No. 2017-08 shortened the amortization period for certain purchased callable debt securities held at a premium to the earliest call date. Management has implemented the applicable changes, and they did not have a material impact on the Portfolio’s financial statements. In October 2020, ASU No. 2017-08 was amended by the Financial Accounting Standards Board’s issuance of Accounting Standards Update No. 2020-08, Codification Improvements to Subtopic 310-20, Receivables-Non-refundable Fees and Other Costs (“ASU No. 2020-08”). This amendment requires that entities re-evaluate whether callable debt securities fall within the scope of ASU No. 2017-08 for each reporting period. ASU No. 2020-08 also amends ASU No. 2017-08 to require premiums be amortized to the “next call date” rather than the “earliest call date” and further clarifies the definition of “next call date.” ASU No. 2020-08 is effective for fiscal years, and interim periods within those fiscal years, beginning after December 15, 2020. Early adoption of ASU No. 2020-08 is not permitted. Management is currently evaluating the impact, if any, of applying ASU No. 2020-08.

 

Annual Report  119

 

 

 

On March 12, 2020, the Financial Accounting Standards Board concluded its reference rate reform project with the issuance of Accounting Standards Update No. 2020-04, Reference Rate Reform (Topic 848) - Facilitation of the Effects of Reference Rate Reform on Financial Reporting (“ASU No. 2020-04”). ASU No. 2020-04 provides elective temporary financial reporting relief from the effect of certain types of contract modifications due to the planned discontinuation of the London Interbank Offered Rate (LIBOR) and other interbank offered based reference rates as of the end of 2021. ASU No. 2020-04 is effective for certain reference rate-related contract modifications that occur during the period March 12, 2020 through December 31, 2022. Management is currently evaluating the impact, if any, of applying ASU No. 2020-04.

 

12. Subsequent Events

Management has evaluated subsequent events affecting the Portfolios through the issuance of the financial statements and has determined that there were no subsequent events that required adjustment or disclosure.

 

120  Annual Report

 

The Lazard Funds, Inc.

Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

 

To the Board of Directors of The Lazard Funds, Inc. and Shareholders of Lazard Emerging Markets Debt Portfolio, Lazard Global Fixed Income Portfolio, Lazard US Corporate Income Portfolio and Lazard US Short Duration Fixed Income Portfolio:

 

Opinion on the Financial Statements and Financial Highlights

 

We have audited the accompanying statements of assets and liabilities of Lazard Emerging Markets Debt Portfolio, Lazard Global Fixed Income Portfolio, Lazard US Corporate Income Portfolio and Lazard US Short Duration Fixed Income Portfolio (collectively the “Portfolios”), four of the portfolios constituting The Lazard Funds, Inc. (the “Fund”), including the portfolios of investments, as of December 31, 2020, the related statements of operations for the year then ended, the statements of changes in net assets for each of the two years in the period then ended, the financial highlights for each of the five years in the period then ended, and the related notes. In our opinion, the financial statements and financial highlights present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of each of the Portfolios listed above, as of December 31, 2020, and the results of their operations for the year then ended, the changes in their net assets for each of the two years in the period then ended, and the financial highlights for each of the five years in the period then ended, in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America.

 

Basis for Opinion

 

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

 

Annual Report  121

 

 

 

We conducted our audits in accordance with the standards of the PCAOB. Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements and financial highlights are free of material misstatement, whether due to error or fraud. The Portfolios are not required to have, nor were we engaged to perform, an audit of their internal control over financial reporting. As part of our audits we are required to obtain an understanding of internal control over financial reporting but not for the purpose of expressing an opinion on the effectiveness of the Portfolios’ internal control over financial reporting. Accordingly, we express no such opinion.

 

Our audits included performing procedures to assess the risks of material misstatement of the financial statements and financial highlights, whether due to error or fraud, and performing procedures that respond to those risks. Such procedures included examining, on a test basis, evidence regarding the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements and financial highlights. Our audits also included evaluating the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall presentation of the financial statements and financial highlights. Our procedures included confirmation of securities owned as of December 31, 2020, by correspondence with the custodian and brokers; when replies were not received from brokers, we performed other auditing procedures. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.

 

/s/ DELOITTE & TOUCHE LLP
New York, New York
February 24, 2021

 

We have served as the auditor of one or more of the investment companies in the Lazard Fund Complex since 2004.

 

122  Annual Report

 

The Lazard Funds, Inc.

Board of Directors and Officers Information (unaudited)

 

Name (Year of Birth)
Address(1)
  Position(s) with the
Fund (Since) and Term(2)
  Principal Occupation(s) and Other Public
Company Directorships Held During the
Past Five Years(2)
         
Independent Directors(3):  
         
Franci J. Blassberg (1953)   Director
(August 2014)
  Debevoise & Plimpton LLP, a law firm, Of Counsel (2013 – present)
        Cornell Law School, Adjunct Professor (2013 – present)
         
        The Buchmann Faculty of Law, Tel Aviv University, Visiting Professor (2019)
         
        University of California, Berkeley School of Law, Adjunct Professor (Spring 2017)
         
Kenneth S. Davidson (1945)   Director
(August 1995)
  Davidson Capital Management Corporation, an investment manager, President (1978 – present)
         
Nancy A. Eckl (1962)   Director
(April 2007)
  College Retirement Equities Fund (eight accounts), Trustee (2007 – present)
        TIAA-CREF Funds (68 funds) and TIAA-CREF Life Funds (11 funds), Trustee (2007 – present)
         
        TIAA Separate Account VA-1, Member of the Management Committee (2007 – present)
         
Trevor W. Morrison (1971)   Director
(April 2014)
  New York University School of Law, Dean and Eric M. and Laurie B. Roth Professor of Law (2013 – present)
         
Richard Reiss, Jr. (1944)   Director
(May 1991)
  Georgica Advisors LLC, an investment manager, Chairman (1997 – present)
        Resource America, Inc., a real estate asset management company, Director (2016 – 2018)
         
        Osprey Technology Acquisition Corp, a special purpose acquisition company, Director (2019 – present)

 

Annual Report  123

 

 

 

Name (Year of Birth)
Address(1)
  Position(s) with the
Fund (Since) and Term(2)
  Principal Occupation(s) and Other Public
Company Directorships Held During the
Past Five Years(2)
         
Robert M. Solmson (1947)   Director
(September 2004)
  Fairwood Capital, LLC, a private investment corporation engaged primarily in real estate and hotel investments, Co-Managing Partner and Managing Director (2008 – present)
         
Interested Directors(4):  
         
Ashish Bhutani (1960)   Director
(July 2005)
  Investment Manager, Chief Executive Officer (2004 – present)
        Lazard Ltd, Vice Chairman and Director (2010 – present)
         
Nathan A. Paul (1973)   Director
(October 2017), Chief Executive
Officer and President
(February 2017)
  Investment Manager, Chief Business Officer (April 2017 – present) and Managing Director (2003 – present)
       
      Investment Manager, General Counsel (2002 – April 2017)

 

(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 serves as a Director for each of the funds in the Lazard Fund Complex comprised of, as of January 31, 2021, 35 active investment portfolios. Each Director serves an indefinite term, until his or her successor is elected and qualifies or until his or her earlier resignation.
(3) “Independent Directors” are not “interested persons” (as defined in the 1940 Act) of the Fund.
(4) Messrs. Bhutani and Paul are “interested persons” (as defined in the 1940 Act) of the Fund because of their positions with the Investment Manager.
  The Fund’s Statement of Additional Information contains further information about the Directors and is available without charge by calling 800-823-6300, or online, at www.lazardassetmanagement.com.

 

124  Annual Report

 

 

 

Name (Year of Birth)
Address(1)
  Position(s) with the
Fund (Since) and Term(2)
  Principal Occupation(s) During the
Past Five Years
         
Officers(3):        
Mark R. Anderson (1970)   Vice President and Secretary (February 2017)   Managing Director (since February 2017), General Counsel (since April 2017) and Chief Compliance Officer (since September 2014) of the Investment Manager
         
Nargis Hilal ( 1984)   Chief Compliance Officer (July 2020)   Senior Vice President and Counsel of the Investment Manager (since August 2017)
         
        Chief Compliance Officer of KLS Diversified Asset Management LP (March 2016 – August 2017)
         
        Deputy Chief Compliance Office KLS Diversified Asset Management LP (January 2015 – March 2016)
         
Christopher Snively (1984)   Chief Financial Officer (March 2016) and Treasurer (September 2019)   Senior Vice President of the Investment Manager
Shari L. Soloway (1981)   Assistant Secretary
(November 2015)
  Head of Legal, North America (since January 2019, previously Senior Vice President, Legal and Compliance) of the Investment Manager
         
Jessica A. Falzone (1989)   Assistant Secretary
(January 2019)
  Vice President, Legal and Compliance, of the Investment Manager (since March 2018)
         
        Associate at Schulte Roth & Zabel LLP (October 2014 – March 2018)
         
Christina Kennedy (1990)   Assistant Treasurer
(May 2020)
  Vice President of the Investment Manager (since July 2019)
         
        Senior Fund Accountant, Gates Capital Management Inc. (July 2016 – July 2019)
         
        Assurance Senior Associate at PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP (August 2013 – July 2016)
         
Cesar A. Trelles (1975)   Assistant Treasurer
(December 2004)
  Vice President 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 serves in the same capacity for the other funds in the Lazard Fund Complex.
(3) In addition to Nathan A. Paul, Chief Executive Officer and President (since February 2017; previously, Vice President and Secretary), whose information is included in the Interested Directors section above.

 

Annual Report  125

 

The Lazard Funds, Inc. Tax and Other Information (unaudited)

 

 

Tax Information

Year Ended December 31, 2020

The following tax information represents year end disclosures of the tax benefits passed through to shareholders for 2020:

 

Of the dividends paid by the Portfolios, none are qualified dividend income.

 

Of the dividends paid by the Portfolios, no dividends qualify for the dividends received deduction available to corporate shareholders.

 

Of the dividends paid by the Portfolios, the corresponding percentage represents the long-term capital gains paid to shareholders.

 

Portfolio  Long-Term
Capital Gains
 
Emerging Markets Debt   $        — 
Global Fixed Income   82,954 
US Corporate Income    
US Short Duration Fixed Income    

 

Pursuant to Section 871 of the Code, the Portfolios have no designated qualified short-term gains for purposes of exempting withholding of tax on such distributions to US nonresident shareholders.

 

Proxy Voting

A description of the policies and procedures used to determine how proxies relating to Fund portfolio securities are voted is available (1) without charge, upon request, by calling (800) 823-6300 or (2) on the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) website at https://www.sec.gov.

 

The Fund’s 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 SEC’s website at https://www.sec.gov. Information as of June 30 each year will generally be available by the following August 31.

 

126  Annual Report

 

 

 

Schedule of Portfolio Holdings

The Fund files the complete schedule of each Portfolio’s holdings with the SEC for the first and third quarters of each fiscal year as an exhibit to its reports on Form N-PORT. The Fund’s Form N-PORT reports are available on the SEC’s website at https://www.sec.gov.

 

Annual Report  127

 

 

 

Board Consideration of Management Agreements

 

At meetings of the Board held on June 2, 2020 and June 16, 2020, the Board considered the approval, for an additional annual period, of the Management Agreement between the Fund, on behalf of the Portfolios, and the Investment Manager. The Independent Directors were assisted in their review by independent legal counsel, who advised the Board on relevant legal standards and met with the Independent Directors in executive sessions separate from representatives of the Investment Manager.

 

Representatives of the Investment Manager discussed with the Board the Investment Manager’s written materials provided in advance of the meetings, including, at the June 16, 2020 meeting, additional information requested by the Independent Directors at the June 2, 2020 meeting.

 

Services Provided

The Investment Manager’s materials addressed, among other matters, the nature, extent and quality of services that the Investment Manager provides the Fund, including a discussion of the Investment Manager and its clients (of which the Lazard Funds complex of 35 active funds comprised approximately $22 billion of the approximately $193 billion of total assets under the management of the Investment Manager and its global affiliates as of March 31, 2020).

 

The Board considered the various services provided by the Investment Manager including the Investment Manager’s research, portfolio management and trading capabilities and oversight of day-to-day operations, including supervision of fund accounting and administration-related services and assistance in meeting legal and regulatory requirements, as well as regular reporting to, and support of, the Board. The Investment Manager’s representatives stated that the Investment Manager believes that the Fund

 

2 The Strategic Insight materials outlined the process for constructing the Expense Peer Groups, as well the Expense Categories, Performance Peer Groups and Performance Categories (all as defined herein). Representatives of the Investment Manager and independent legal counsel had previously discussed with the Board in further detail the methodologies used by Strategic Insight in constructing the Expense Peer Groups, Expense Categories, Performance Peer Groups and Performance Categories, including how the methodologies could affect the results of the comparisons.

 

128  Annual Report

 

 

 

and its shareholders continue to be able to obtain significant benefits as a result of the resources and support of the Investment Manager’s global research, portfolio management, trading, operations, risk management, technology and legal and compliance infrastructure. The Board also considered information provided by the Investment Manager regarding its personnel, resources, financial condition and experience; the Fund’s distribution channels and the relationships with various intermediaries; marketing and shareholder servicing activities on behalf of the Portfolios; and Portfolio asset flows and the growth or decline in asset levels. The Board accepted the assertion of representatives of the Investment Manager that the Fund benefits from the services and infrastructure provided by the Investment Manager and that such services and infrastructure are greater than those typically provided to a $22 billion fund complex not managed by a large, global firm such as the Investment Manager.

 

Comparative Fee, Expense Ratio and Performance Information

Strategic Insight Advisory Fee and Expense Ratio Comparisons. The Board reviewed, for each Portfolio, information prepared by Strategic Insight, an independent provider of investment company data, including, among other information, each Portfolio’s contractual advisory fee (i.e., without giving effect to any fee waivers) and net expense ratio (i.e., after giving effect to the Portfolio’s expense limitation agreed to by the Investment Manager) to those of:

 

a group of funds not advised by the Investment Manager selected by Strategic Insight as comparable, for expense comparison purposes, to the Portfolio in terms of relevant criteria as appropriate (the “Expense Peer Group”2); and
   
the funds within the broad category of funds to which the Portfolio has been assigned by Morningstar, Inc., an independent third party service that ranks and rates funds (“Morningstar”), with certain exclusions as specified by Strategic Insight (the “Expense Category”).

 

Representatives of the Investment Manager discussed the results of the Strategic Insight advisory fee and net expense ratio compar-

 

Annual Report  129

 

 

 

isons with the Board. For the Emerging Markets Debt Portfolio, the Investment Manager proposed to lower the fee in the Management Agreement by 0.05%, with no diminution in services thereunder, and to lower the current expense limitation by 0.10%. After giving effect to the proposed advisory fee and expense limitation reductions, the results of the Strategic Insight comparisons showed that the advisory fees and net expense ratios of the Portfolios were generally competitive within each Portfolio’s respective Expense Peer Group. The Board considered the comparisons, additional perspectives in information prepared by, and in discussions with, representatives of the Investment Manager and that the Investment Manager continues to voluntarily enter into expense limitation agreements for all of the Portfolios, pursuant to which the Investment Manager was currently waiving advisory fees and/or reimbursing expenses.

 

Other Accounts Advisory Fee Comparisons. The Board also considered the actual advisory fees paid to the Investment Manager by other accounts of the Investment Manager that are comparable to each Portfolio in terms of investment objectives, strategies and policies, if any (including other investment companies and other pooled investment vehicles, “Other Accounts”). Representatives of the Investment Manager discussed the nature of the Other Accounts and the significant differences in services provided by the Investment Manager to the different types of Other Accounts as compared to the services provided to the Portfolios. The Board considered the relevance of the fee information provided for Other Accounts, in light of the Investment Manager’s discussion of the significant differences in services provided, to evaluate the advisory fees of the relevant Portfolios.

 

Strategic Insight Performance Comparisons. The Board reviewed information prepared by Strategic Insight including, among other information, each Portfolio’s performance for the one-, three-, five- and ten-year periods ended March 31, 2020, as applicable, compared to performance for the same time periods of:

 

a group of funds not advised by the Investment Manager selected by Strategic Insight as comparable, for performance

 

130  Annual Report

 

 

 

  comparison purposes, to the Portfolio in terms of relevant criteria as appropriate (the “Performance Peer Group”);
   
the funds within the broad category of funds to which the Portfolio has been assigned by Morningstar (the “Performance Category”); and
   
the Portfolio’s benchmark index.

 

When evaluating the performance of each Portfolio, the Board considered Strategic Insight’s performance analysis along with other information provided by the Investment Manager, including additional information regarding performance expectations, as well as additional perspectives in information prepared by, and in discussions with, representatives of the Investment Manager. The Board also received and would continue to receive regular updates and/or additional information from the Investment Manager in respect of Portfolios with relative underperformance or Portfolios which otherwise are not performing in accordance with expectations, as well as any other Portfolios for which the Board requested additional information.

 

Investment Manager Profitability and Economies of Scale
The Board reviewed information prepared by the Investment Manager for each Portfolio concerning the estimated profitability percentage of the Management Agreement to the Investment Manager and its affiliates for the calendar year ended December 31, 2019 and the Investment Manager’s cost allocation methodology to compute an estimate of each Portfolio’s costs to the Investment Manager. The Investment Manager’s representatives stated that neither the Investment Manager nor its affiliates receive any significant benefits from the Investment Manager acting as investment manager to the Portfolios. The representatives of the Investment Manager reminded the Board that the Investment Manager is continuing to support distribution relationships through direct payments from its or its affiliates’ own resources to third parties in connection with distribution and shareholder servicing and/or administrative and recordkeeping services, and noted that the Fund does not bear any related costs other than the 0.25% 12b-1

 

Annual Report  131

 

 

 

fee pursuant to the Distribution and Servicing Plan adopted for the Portfolios’ Open Shares.

 

The profitability percentages were within ranges determined by relevant court cases not to be so disproportionately large that they bore no reasonable relationship to the services rendered. The Board (1) considered the Investment Manager’s estimated profitability with respect to each Portfolio as part of their evaluation of the Portfolio’s fee under the Management Agreement, considered in relation to the mix of services provided by the Investment Manager (including the nature, extent and quality of such services), and (2) evaluated the profitability in light of the relevant circumstances for each Portfolio. Representatives of the Investment Manager and the Board discussed ways economies of scale could be realized and how they could be shared, including the Investment Manager’s reinvestment of profits back into its business, waiving or reducing Portfolio management fees and/or reimbursing expenses, adding discounts to a Portfolio’s management fee schedule as a Portfolio’s assets increase or by instituting management fees at inception that account for future scale. As the assets of each Portfolio were either generally stable or decreasing over the past calendar year, or had not reached a significant size, the potential that the Investment Manager may have realized any material economies of scale was reduced.

 

Conclusions and Determinations

At the conclusion of these discussions, the Board expressed the opinion that it had been furnished with such information as may reasonably be necessary to make an informed business decision with respect to evaluation of the renewal of the Management Agreement. Based on its discussions and considerations as described above, with the assistance of independent legal counsel and in the exercise of its business judgment, the Board made the following conclusions and determinations.

 

The Board concluded that the nature, extent and quality of the services provided by the Investment Manager are adequate and appropriate, noting the benefits of the significant services and

 

132  Annual Report

 

 

 

  infrastructure associated with an approximately $193 billion global asset management business.
   
The Board concluded that each Portfolio’s fee paid to the Investment Manager was appropriate under the circumstances and in light of the factors and the totality of the services provided.
   
The Board, after considering the information provided and the totality of the relevant circumstances for each Portfolio, concluded that the investment performance of each Portfolio was acceptable or that, for any Portfolios that were not performing in accordance with expectations, the Board accepted that the Investment Manager was taking steps intended to improve performance and the Board would continue to monitor performance.
   
The Board recognized that economies of scale may be realized, particularly as the assets of the Portfolios increase and determined that it would continue to consider potential material economies of scale.

 

In evaluating the Management Agreement, the Board relied on the information described above, in addition to information provided by the Investment Manager throughout the year relating to the operations of the Fund and the investment management and other services provided under the Management Agreement, including information on the investment performance of the Portfolios in comparison to similar mutual funds and benchmark performance indices over various time periods; general market outlook as applicable to the Portfolios; and compliance reports. The Board also relied on its previous knowledge, gained through meetings and other interactions with the Investment Manager, of the Investment Manager and the services provided to the Fund by the Investment Manager. The Board considered these conclusions and determinations in their totality and determined to approve the Fund’s Management Agreement (as proposed to be revised, as applicable) for each Portfolio. In deciding whether to vote to approve the Management Agreement for each Portfolio, each Director may have accorded different weights to different factors so that each Director may have had a different basis for his or her decision.

 

Annual Report  133

 

 

 

Statement Regarding Liquidity Risk Management Program

The Fund has adopted a liquidity risk management program (the “LRMP”) pursuant to the requirements of Rule 22e-4 under the 1940 Act, which requires registered open-end funds (other than money market funds) to adopt and implement a written liquidity risk management program that is reasonably designed to assess and manage fund liquidity risk. The rule is designed to promote effective liquidity risk management throughout the open-end fund industry, thereby reducing liquidity risk—i.e., the risk that a fund could not meet requests to redeem shares issued by the fund without significant dilution of remaining investors’ interests in the fund.

 

Pursuant to the requirements of Rule 22e-4, the LRMP is required to include policies and procedures reasonably designed to incorporate the following elements, and the LRMP complies with these requirements: (1) assessment, management and periodic review of liquidity risk; (2) classification of each Portfolio’s investments into one of the four liquidity categories in Rule 22e-4; (3) if the Portfolio does not primarily hold assets that are considered highly liquid investments (cash and other investments reasonably expected to be convertible into cash in current market conditions in three business days or less without the conversion into cash significantly changing the market value of the investment), determination of a “highly liquid investment minimum” (as defined in Rule 22e-4 and in the LRMP, the “HLIM”) and compliance with additional related requirements; (4) prohibition on the acquisition of any “illiquid investment” (as defined in Rule 22e-4) if immediately after the acquisition the Portfolio would have invested more than 15% of its net assets in illiquid investments (or such lower percentage that may have been adopted by a Portfolio); and (5) if the Portfolios reserve the right to engage in redemptions in-kind, establishment of policies and procedures regarding how and when the Portfolios will engage in such redemptions in-kind. There have been no material changes to the LRMP since it was initially approved by the Board.

 

The Board has approved the Investment Manager to administer the LRMP (the “Program Administrator”). As Program Administrator, the Investment Manager delegates the day-to-day activities required by the LRMP to a Liquidity Committee comprised of

 

134  Annual Report

 

 

 

various Fund officers and groups within the Investment Manager (the “Liquidity Committee”), and the Liquidity Committee seeks assistance from and works together with other groups within the Investment Manager in effectuating the requirements of the LRMP as necessary. In addition, the Fund has contracted with a third party liquidity assessment vendor to support the classification of Portfolio investments.

 

Pursuant to the requirements of Rule 22e-4, the Board must review, no less frequently than annually, a written report prepared by the Program Administrator that addresses the operation of the program and assesses its adequacy and effectiveness of implementation, including, if applicable, the operation of the HLIM, and any material changes to the program. The Board received a written report in June 2020 (the “Annual Report”).

 

The Annual Report states that the Investment Manager, as the Program Administrator, acting primarily through the Liquidity Committee, has assessed the operation of the LRMP and believes that the LRMP is reasonably designed to assess and manage the Portfolios’ liquidity risk and is adequate and effective in its implementation. The Program Administrator and the Liquidity Committee initially determined that each Portfolio primarily holds assets that are highly liquid investments, and the Annual Report states that this determination continues to be maintained so that no Portfolio needs to maintain a HLIM. In addition, the Annual Report states that, since the LRMP was implemented, no Portfolio has breached its limit on illiquid investments.

 

Annual Report  135

 

NOTES

 

 

 

The Lazard Funds, Inc.

30 Rockefeller Plaza

New York, New York 10112-6300

Telephone: 800-823-6300

www.lazardassetmanagement.com

 

Investment Manager

Lazard Asset Management LLC

30 Rockefeller Plaza

New York, New York 10112-6300

Telephone: 800-823-6300

 

Distributor

Lazard Asset Management Securities LLC

30 Rockefeller Plaza

New York, New York 10112-6300

 

Custodian

State Street Bank and Trust Company

One Iron Street

Boston, Massachusetts 02210-1641

 

Transfer Agent and Dividend Disbursing Agent

DST Asset Manager Solutions, Inc.

2000 Crown Colony Drive

Quincy, Massachusetts 02169-0953

Telephone: 617-483-7000

 

Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

Deloitte & Touche LLP

30 Rockefeller Plaza

New York, New York 10112-0015

 

Legal Counsel

Proskauer Rose LLP

Eleven Times Square

New York, New York 10036-8299

www.proskauer.com

 

 

 

 
   
   
Lazard Asset Management LLC • 30 Rockefeller Plaza • New York, NY 10112 • www.lazardassetmanagement.com  
   

Performance information as of the most recent month end is available online at www.lazardassetmanagement.com.

LZDPS026

 

Lazard Funds

 

Annual Report

 

December 31, 2020

 

Multi-Asset Funds

 

Lazard Global Dynamic Multi-Asset Portfolio
Lazard Opportunistic Strategies Portfolio
Lazard Real Assets Portfolio

 

 

The Lazard Funds, Inc. Table of Contents

 

 

2   A Message from Lazard (unaudited)
4   Investment Overviews (unaudited)
9   Performance Overviews (unaudited)
13   Information About Your Portfolio’s Expenses (unaudited)
15   Portfolio Holdings Presented by Asset Class/Sector
16   Portfolios of Investments
16   Lazard Global Dynamic Multi-Asset Portfolio
41   Lazard Opportunistic Strategies Portfolio
43   Lazard Real Assets Portfolio
54   Notes to Portfolios of Investments
58   Statements of Assets and Liabilities
60   Statements of Operations
62   Statements of Changes in Net Assets
66   Financial Highlights
73   Notes to Financial Statements
106   Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm
109   Board of Directors and Officers Information (unaudited)
112   Tax and Other Information (unaudited)

 

Please consider a Portfolio’s investment objective, risks, charges and expenses carefully before investing. For more complete information about The Lazard Funds, Inc. (the “Fund”), you may obtain a prospectus or a Portfolio’s summary prospectus by calling 800-823-6300, or online, at www.lazardassetmanagement.com. Read the prospectus or the Portfolio’s summary prospectus carefully before you invest. The prospectus and a Portfolio’s summary prospectus contain the investment objective, risks, charges, expenses and other information about the Portfolio, which are not detailed in this report.

 

Distributed by Lazard Asset Management Securities LLC.

 

Annual Report   1

 

The Lazard Funds, Inc. A Message from Lazard (unaudited)

 

 

Dear Shareholder,

 

As 2020 began, the outbreak of a novel coronavirus (“COVID-19”) turned into a fast-spreading pandemic, rattling global markets. Worldwide lockdowns led to a severe equity market sell-off in February and March, as well as a sharp decline in oil markets. By the conclusion of the year, COVID-19 continued to wreak havoc across much of the world, but many global equity markets closed 2020 near all-time highs. Markets generally rose steadily after the selloff on the back of unprecedented support from global central banks and government treasuries and the introduction of several promising vaccines.

 

In the United States, Democrats won control of the White House and Congress in November elections. The US equity market closed 2020 near an all-time peak, and nominal yields in various US fixed income market segments closed at or near all-time lows, fueled by trillions of dollars in monetary and fiscal stimulus.

 

COVID-19 also severely debilitated economic activity in the emerging markets, but the recovery in emerging markets equities that began in late March picked up steam in the fourth quarter thanks to vaccine breakthroughs and the US election outcome. As a result, the MSCI Emerging Markets® Index outperformed global developed markets equities in 2020.

 

In Europe, interest rates have never been as low, and central bank balance sheets have never been as inflated, as they were at year-end. With an agreement now in place for the exit of the United Kingdom from the European Union, the years-long “Brexit” saga may be one less uncertainty the market has to grapple with in the year ahead.

 

As we write, many countries are facing record levels of new COVID-19 infections, spurring renewed economic lockdowns and increasing the risk that many companies, particularly small businesses, might not make it to the other side of this pandemic. Were that to happen, it could send a negative signal to markets

 

2   Annual Report

 

 

 

equal and opposite to the positive news of the vaccines toward the end of the last year. Investors face a timing conundrum, but it could well be darkest before the dawn.

 

Despite these challenges, we are optimistic for 2021 and believe that as the world does eventually return to something like the pre-pandemic days, fundamental analysis and stock selection will be crucial drivers for performance. We are privileged that you have turned to Lazard for your investment needs and value your continued confidence in our investment management capabilities. We continue to strive for the long-term patterns of performance pursued by the various investment strategies employed.

 

Sincerely,

 

Lazard Asset Management LLC

 

Annual Report   3

 

Lazard Retirement Series, Inc. Investment Overviews (unaudited)

 

 

Multi-Asset

As 2020 began, our concern for the developing global health emergency was the new uncertainty it generated, causing immediate, substantial declines in economic activity in China and across Asia. This would potentially wreak havoc among many companies’ supply and distribution chains. We added to defensive positioning across strategies as the World Health Organization declared COVID-19 a pandemic in March, coincident as it was with the spat between Russia and Saudi Arabia that sent oil and the commodity complex severely negative. Prospects for a recession increased dramatically, and the spike in volatility forced many multi-asset strategies into very defensive configurations, including the deployment into cash in some instances.

 

We began to view markets in the context of three points of a risk-reward triangle: the behavior of the virus; monetary actions to provide liquidity and support for certain market segments; and fiscal actions to support household and business sectors. After peak market volatility in March, portfolios unwound extreme defensive positions to lessen tracking error in a potential recovery. This came faster than expected for risk markets in April, driven largely by US retail investor buying of equities and specifically technology and other companies that were perceived as being “COVID beneficiaries.” Credit spreads also tightened after the Fed took the unprecedented step of extending its quantitative easing buying program to non-investment grade corporate bonds.

 

Differentiation in regional performance became a feature in the second quarter, as Asia (in particular China,Taiwan and South Korea) appeared to have had a more effective policy response to the virus than other countries, thus avoiding prolonged lockdowns. China was also assisted by an explosion of exports of locally manufactured personal protective equipment to all countries. More value-added electronics exports from North Asia also grew on the back of new equipment sales as workforces isolated and worked from home.

 

Equity markets suffered volatility in September as volatility increased and retail investors were disappointed that Tesla was not

 

4   Annual Report

 

 

 

included in the S&P 500 Index. Nervousness ahead of the US election then turned into optimism when a Democratic president was elected and the Democrats effectively took control of the Senate. The announcement of the first successful vaccine a week after the election prompted a seismic factor rotation from momentum to deep value investments as previously out-of-favor industries like transport and hospitality rallied from distressed levels. Multi-asset portfolios layered-in more equity beta and commodities exposure in September and around the US presidential election, due to the increased probability of a rally in cyclical markets and stocks. High yield and emerging markets debt spreads also tightened dramatically. Industrial metals and agricultural commodities rose on China demand and El-Nino-driven supply constraints, respectively, to also finish the year with strong rallies.

 

Lazard Global Dynamic Multi-Asset Portfolio

For the year ended December 31, 2020, the Lazard Global Dynamic Multi-Asset Portfolio’s Institutional Shares posted a total return of 1.00%, while Open Shares posted a total return of 0.84%, as compared with the 15.90% return for the MSCI World Index and 13.21% return of its blended benchmark, which is a 50/50 blend of the MSCI World Index and Bloomberg Barclays Global Aggregate® Index (the “GDMA Index”).

 

In terms of asset allocation, the Portfolio’s average overweight in fixed income as opposed to equities, when compared with the GDMA Index, detracted from performance for the year.

 

Specifically, as a targeted volatility strategy, the sustained high market volatility environment throughout the second quarter forced the strategy to maintain a 60% weighting to fixed income. In addition, a 20% cash allocation that had protected capital well in March was only gradually unwound in April for the same reason, providing a drag on performance as equity markets rallied strongly that month. Quantitative and managed volatility equity strategies also generally underperformed equity benchmarks over the year, in particular during the strong momentum rallies of April and August, and also in the deep value rally of November. The investment

 

Annual Report   5

 

 

 

process of these diversified strategies is not designed to take positions in stocks with these characteristics.

 

Stock selection in the materials and health care sectors added value, as did an overweight exposure to the healthcare sector and underweight exposure to energy and financials. By country, stock selection in Australia, Sweden, Switzerland, and Denmark helped performance, as did underweight exposure to France. In contrast, stock selection in the consumer discretionary, communication services, information technology, and real estate sectors hurt performance. Underweight exposure to the information technology and consumer discretionary sectors and overweight exposure to consumer staples also detracted. Country detractors were driven by stock selection in the United States, Japan, Netherlands, Israel, and Canada, as well as by overweight exposure to Canada.

 

Within fixed income, overweight duration contributions in Australia, Canada, Norway, New Zealand, Chile, and the United States and underweight duration contribution in China and Japan helped. Also contributing were overweight exposures to Canadian Provincials, Australian and New Zealand semi-governments, Norwegian government related bonds and the Portfolio’s addition of US dollar-denominated investment grade corporate bonds during the second and third quarter. An overweight exposure to the information technology sector, open exposures in Australian dollars and Japanese yen and an underweight to the Russian ruble also boosted performance. In contrast, underweight duration contributions in the eurozone and overweight to the Czech Republic and Hungary detracted from performance, as did the Portfolio’s underweight positioning to the euro and overweight to Swiss franc, Czech koruna, Hungarian forint, and Polish zloty.

 

Lazard Opportunistic Strategies Portfolio

For the year ended December 31, 2020, the Lazard Opportunistic Strategies Portfolio’s Institutional Shares posted a total return of 9.47%, while Open Shares posted a total return of 9.25%, as compared with the 15.90% return for the MSCI World Index and

 

[1]The Global Asset Allocation Blended Index is a blended index constructed by the Portfolio’s Investment Manager, composed 60% MSCI World Index and 40% Barclays Capital US Aggregate Bond® Index, rebalanced quarterly.

 

6   Annual Report

 

 

 

14.02% return for the Global Asset Allocation Blended Index.[1] The Portfolio’s investments generally are categorized by the Investment Manager as falling within the following three categories: trending, diversifying assets, and contrarian assets.

 

Trending investments, which represented 44% of the Portfolio at year end, outperformed both the Global Asset Allocation Blended Index and the MSCI World Index. Positions in US large cap companies, and investments in the technology and healthcare sectors were the largest contributors, while exposures to the emerging markets and industrials sectors detracted during the period.

 

Diversifying investments, which represented 41% of the Portfolio at the end of the year, underperformed US fixed income, as represented by the Bloomberg Barclays US Aggregate Bond Index and underperformed the Global Asset Allocation Blended Index. Exposure to intermediate-term Treasuries and US consumer staples were most additive to performance, while exposures to intermediate-term corporate bonds detracted.

 

Contrarian investments, which represented 15% of the Portfolio at year end, underperformed both the Global Asset Allocation Blended Index and the MSCI World Index. Exposure to US large cap value and European equities contributed, while exposure to small and mid-cap value detracted from performance.

 

Lazard Real Assets Portfolio

For the year ended December 31, 2020, the Lazard Real Assets Portfolio’s Institutional Shares posted a total return of 0.61%, while Open Shares posted a total return of 0.33%, as compared with the -4.19% return for the Real Assets Index and 15.90% return for the MSCI World Index.

 

Stocks in the ‘Pricing Power Equity’ asset class, which are companies that we believe can pass through input costs directly to customers, detracted from performance. Favorable contributions from consumer staples and healthcare sectors were offset by weaker performances from the industrial, consumer discretionary, and financial sectors.

 

Annual Report   7

 

 

 

Listed infrastructure stocks contributed positively to the Portfolio. US freight railroads CSX and Norfolk Southern were among the top contributors. By contrast, Italian toll road and airport operator Atlantia, along with German airport operator Fraport, hurt performance as the pandemic impacted travel and transportation.

 

Real estate equities had a slightly negative impact in the aggregate. Retail and hotel REITs were negatively impacted by the pandemic, while warehouse and storage REITs were beneficiaries.

 

Global inflation-linked bonds contributed positively to performance. Overweight exposure to bonds in New Zealand and Canada added value, as did currency exposure to the Australian and New Zealand dollar and the euro. In contrast, duration underweight on the USD curve and underweight country exposure to Germany and the UK hurt performance.

 

Commodities exposure slightly added value during the period. Exposure to gold, silver, and soybeans contributed positively. On the other hand, exposure to crude oil held back returns. Commodity-related equities hurt performance in aggregate. Canadian minerTeck Resources and US oil refiner Marathon Petroleum were among the largest detractors, while US-based agribusiness Bunge was among the top contributors within commodity-related equities.

 

The Portfolio uses forward currency contracts opportunistically and for hedging purposes. The impact of these instruments was negative during the period. Within commodities, the Portfolio uses futures and total return swaps to gain exposure to these assets. The combined impact of these instruments was slightly negative during the period.

 

8   Annual Report

 

The Lazard Funds, Inc. Performance Overviews (unaudited)

 

 

Lazard Global Dynamic Multi-Asset Portfolio

 

Comparison of Changes in Value of $10,000 Investment in the Institutional Shares of Lazard Global Dynamic Multi-Asset Portfolio, the MSCI® World Index and the GDMA Index*

 

 

Average Annual Total Returns*

Periods Ended December 31, 2020

 

   One  Since  
   Year  Inception
Institutional Shares**   1.00%   6.77%  
Open Shares**   0.84%   6.49%  
MSCI World Index   15.90%   12.88%  
GDMA Index   13.21%   8.61%  
   
The inception date for the Portfolio was May 27, 2016.

 

Lazard Opportunistic Strategies Portfolio

 

Comparison of Changes in Value of $10,000 Investment in the Institutional Shares of Lazard Opportunistic Strategies Portfolio, the MSCI World Index and the Global Asset Allocation Blended Index*

 

 

Average Annual Total Returns*

Periods Ended December 31, 2020

 

   One  Five  Ten  
   Year  Years  Years  
Institutional Shares**   9.47%   6.42%   4.97%  
Open Shares**   9.25%   6.15%   4.61%  
MSCI World Index   15.90%   12.19%   9.87%  
Global Asset Allocation Blended Index   14.02%   9.47%   7.78%  

 

Annual Report   9

 

 

 

Lazard Real Assets Portfolio

 

Comparison of Changes in Value of $10,000 Investment in the Institutional Shares of Lazard Real Assets Portfolio, the MSCI World Index, the Real Assets Index*, the Real Assets Custom Index* and the Real Assets Linked Custom Index*

 

 

Average Annual Total Returns*

Periods Ended December 31, 2020

 

   One  Since    
   Year  Inception  
Institutional Shares**   0.61%   4.36%   
Open Shares**   0.33%   4.04%   
MSCI World Index   15.90%   13.40%   
         (Institutional   
         Shares)   
         13.05%   
         (Open Shares)   
Real Assets Index   –4.19%   4.52%   
Real Assets Custom Index   2.25%   6.35%   
         (Institutional   
         Shares)   
         6.27%   
         (Open Shares)   
Real Assets Linked Custom Index   1.92%   6.26%   
         (Institutional   
         Shares)   
         6.18%   
         (Open Shares)   
   
The inception date for the Institutional Shares was December 30, 2016 and for the Open Shares was January 9, 2017.
 

Notes to Performance Overviews:

 

* Total returns reflect reinvestment of all dividends and distributions, if any. Certain expenses of the Portfolio may have been waived or reimbursed by Lazard Asset Management LLC, the Fund’s investment manager (the “Investment Manager”), State Street Bank and Trust Company, the Fund’s administrator (“State Street”), or DST Asset Manager Solutions, Inc., the Fund’s transfer agent and dividend disbursing agent (“DST”); without such waiver/reimbursement of expenses, the Portfolio’s returns would have been lower.

 

10   Annual Report

 

 

 

Performance results do not include adjustments made for financial reporting purposes in accordance with US Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (“GAAP”), if any, and may differ from amounts reported in the financial highlights.

 

The performance quoted represents past performance. Current performance may be lower or higher than the performance quoted. Past performance is not indicative, or a guarantee, of future results; the investment return and principal value of the Portfolio will fluctuate, so that Portfolio shares, when redeemed, may be worth more or less than their original cost. Within the longer periods illustrated, there may have been short-term fluctuations, counter to the overall trend of investment results, and no single period of any length may be taken as typical of what may be expected in future periods. The graph and table above do not reflect the deduction of taxes that a shareholder would pay on the Portfolio’s distributions or the redemption of Portfolio shares.

 

The performance data of the indices have been prepared from sources and data that the Investment Manager believes to be reliable, but no representation is made as to their accuracy. The indices are unmanaged, have no fees or costs and are not available for investment.

 

The MSCI World Index is a free-float-adjusted market capitalization index that is designed to measure global developed markets equity performance. The MSCI World Index consists of 23 developed markets country indices.

 

The GDMA Index is a blended index constructed by the Investment Manager that is comprised of 50% MSCI World Index and 50% Bloomberg Barclays Global Aggregate® Index and is rebalanced monthly. The Bloomberg Barclays Global Aggregate Index provides a broad-based measure of global investment-grade fixed-income debt markets, including government-related debt, corporate debt, securitized debt and global Treasury.

 

The Global Asset Allocation Blended Index is a blended index constructed by the Investment Manager that is comprised of 60% MSCI World Index and 40% Bloomberg Barclays US Aggregate Index and is rebalanced quarterly. The Bloomberg Barclays US Aggregate Index covers the investment-grade, US dollar-denominated, fixed-rate taxable bond market, including Treasuries, government-related and corporate securities, mortgage-backed securities, asset-backed securities, and commercial mortgage-backed securities, with maturities of no less than one year.

 

The Real Assets Index is an index constructed by the Investment Manager that is comprised of 33.3% MSCI World Core Infrastructure USD Hedged Index, 33.3% MSCI ACWI IMI Core Real Estate Index, and 33.3% Bloomberg Barclays Commodity Total Return Index. The Real Assets Index was constructed by the Investment Manager for comparison to the performance of the Lazard Real Assets Portfolio pursuant to its investment strategy effective September 1, 2020. The Real Assets Index will replace the Real Assets Custom Index, which was created by the Investment Manager for comparison to the Portfolio’s performance pursuant to its investment strategy prior to September 1, 2020.

 

The Real Assets Custom Index is an unmanaged index created by the Investment Manager, and is comprised of 20% MSCI World Index, 20% MSCI World Core Infrastructure USD Hedged Index (the “Infrastructure Index”), 20% MSCI ACWI IMI Core Real Estate Index, 20% Bloomberg Commodity Total Return Index and 20% Bloomberg Barclays World Government Inflation-Linked 1–10 Year USD Hedged Index. The Infrastructure Index captures large and mid-cap securities across the 23 developed

 

Annual Report   11

 

 

 

market countries of the MSCI World Index and is designed to represent the performance of listed companies within the developed markets that are engaged in core industrial infrastructure activities. Note that the Investment Manager invests in a range of companies globally, not specifically developed markets countries. The MSCI ACWI IMI Core Real Estate Index is a free float-adjusted market capitalization index that consists of large, mid and small-cap stocks across 23 developed markets and 26 emerging markets countries engaged in the ownership, development and management of specific core property type real estate. The index excludes companies, such as real estate services and real estate financing companies, that do not own properties. The Bloomberg Commodity Total Return index is composed of futures contracts and reflects the returns on a fully collateralized investment in the Bloomberg Commodity Indices (the “BCOM”). This combines the returns of the BCOM with the returns on cash collateral invested in 13 week (3 Month) U.S. Treasury Bills. The Bloomberg Barclays World Government Inflation-Linked Bond 1–10 Year Index measures the performance of investment grade, government inflation-linked debt from 12 different developed market countries.

 

The Real Assets Linked Custom Index shown in the table is an unmanaged index created by the Investment Manager, which links the performance of the Real Assets Custom Index for periods through August 31, 2020 (after which the Portfolio’s investment strategy changed) and the Real Assets Index for periods thereafter.

 

** The performance of Institutional Shares and Open Shares may vary, primarily based on the differences in fees borne by shareholders investing in different classes.

 

12   Annual Report

 

The Lazard Funds, Inc.

Information About Your Portfolio’s Expenses (unaudited)

 

Expense Example

As a shareholder in a Portfolio, you incur ongoing costs, including management fees, distribution and service (12b-1) fees (Open Shares only), and other expenses. This Example is intended to help you understand your ongoing costs (in dollars) of investing in a Portfolio and to compare these costs with the ongoing costs of investing in other mutual funds. The Example is based on an investment of $1,000 invested at the beginning of the six month period from July 1, 2020 through December 31, 2020 and held for the entire period.

 

Actual Expenses

For each share class of the Portfolios, the first line of the accompanying table provides information about actual account values and actual expenses. You may use the information in this line, together with the amount you invested, to estimate the expenses that you paid over the period. Simply divide your account value by $1,000 (for example, an $8,600 account value divided by $1,000=8.6), then multiply the result by the number in the first line under the heading entitled “Expenses Paid During Period” to estimate the expenses you paid on your account during this period.

 

Hypothetical Example for Comparison Purposes

For each share class of the Portfolios, the second line of the accompanying table provides information about hypothetical account values and hypothetical expenses based on the class’ actual expense ratio and an assumed rate of return of 5% per year before expenses, which is not the Portfolio’s actual return. The hypothetical account values and expenses may not be used to estimate the actual ending account balance or expenses you paid for the period. You may use this information to compare the ongoing costs of investing in the Portfolio and other mutual funds. To do so, compare this 5% hypothetical example with the 5% hypothetical examples that appear in the shareholder reports of other mutual funds.

 

Annual Report   13

 

 

 

Portfolio  Beginning
Account Value
7/1/20
   Ending
Account
Value
12/31/20
   Expenses
Paid During
Period*
7/1/20 -
12/31/20
   Annualized
Expense Ratio
During Period
7/1/20 -
12/31/20
 
                       
Global Dynamic Multi-Asset                   
Institutional Shares                      
Actual  $1,000.00   $1,123.60        $4.80      0.90% 
Hypothetical (5% Return Before Expenses)  $1,000.00   $1,020.61   $4.57      0.90% 
Open Shares                      
Actual  $1,000.00   $1,123.00   $6.14      1.15% 
Hypothetical (5% Return Before Expenses)  $1,000.00   $1,019.36   $5.84      1.15% 
                       
Opportunistic Strategies†                      
Institutional Shares                      
Actual  $1,000.00   $1,094.70   $5.42      1.03% 
Hypothetical (5% Return Before Expenses)  $1,000.00   $1,019.96   $5.23      1.03% 
Open Shares                      
Actual  $1,000.00   $1,094.70   $6.74      1.28% 
Hypothetical (5% Return Before Expenses)  $1,000.00   $1,018.70   $6.50      1.28% 
                       
Real Assets                      
Institutional Shares                      
Actual  $1,000.00   $1,106.50   $4.39      0.83% 
Hypothetical (5% Return Before Expenses)  $1,000.00   $1,020.96   $4.22      0.83% 
Open Shares                      
Actual  $1,000.00   $1,105.00   $5.71      1.08% 
Hypothetical (5% Return Before Expenses)  $1,000.00   $1,019.71   $5.48      1.08% 

 

* Expenses are equal to the annualized expense ratio, net of expenses waivers and reimbursements, of each share class multiplied by the average account value over the period, multiplied by 184/366 (to reflect one-half year period).
The expense ratios include broker expense and dividend expense on securities sold short.

 

14  Annual Report

 

The Lazard Funds, Inc.

Portfolio Holdings Presented by Asset Class/Sector December 31, 2020

 

Asset Class/Sector*  Lazard
Global
Dynamic
Multi-Asset
Portfolio
   Lazard
Real Assets
Portfolio
 
         
Equity        
Communication Services   6.6%          1.5%
Consumer Discretionary   10.8    1.0 
Consumer Staples   8.0    0.4 
Energy   0.9     
Financials   10.5     
Health Care   9.0     
Industrials   8.2    15.4 
Information Technology   12.2     
Materials   2.0    1.4 
Real Estate   1.3    31.8 
Utilities   1.2    17.7 
Exchange Traded Funds       5.9 
Sovereign Debt   27.5     
US Municipal Bonds   0.7     
US Treasury Securities   0.5     
Short-Term Investments   0.6    24.9 
Total Investments   100.0%   100.0%

 

Asset Class/Sector*  Lazard
Opportunistic
Strategies
Portfolio
  
       
Equity†      
Communication Services   3.8% 
Consumer Discretionary   4.9  
Consumer Staples   7.4  
Energy   1.0  
Financials   5.3  
Health Care   11.5  
Industrials   10.3  
Information Technology   15.2  
Materials   1.7  
Real Estate   1.1  
Utilities   1.5  
Fixed Income   30.1  
Short-Term Investments   6.2  
Total Investments        100.0% 

 

* Represents percentage of total investments.
Equity sector breakdown is based upon the underlying holdings of exchange-traded funds held by the Portfolio.

 

Annual Report  15

 

The Lazard Funds, Inc. Portfolios of Investments

December 31, 2020

 

         
Description  Shares   Fair
Value
 
         
Lazard Global Dynamic Multi-Asset Portfolio          
           
Common Stocks  |  48.2%          
           
Australia  |  0.9%          
AGL Energy, Ltd.   2,587   $23,853 
Ansell, Ltd.   367    9,859 
Charter Hall Group REIT   3,088    35,049 
CSL, Ltd.   52    11,362 
Fortescue Metals Group, Ltd.   11,590    209,551 
Goodman Group REIT   2,026    29,554 
Nine Entertainment Co. Holdings, Ltd.   28,647    51,281 
Santos, Ltd.   7,102    34,347 
Stockland REIT   26,988    87,055 
         491,911 
Belgium  |  0.0%          
Etablissements Franz Colruyt NV   210    12,442 
Telenet Group Holding NV   249    10,681 
         23,123 
Canada  |  1.7%          
CAE, Inc.   9,188    254,875 
Canadian National Railway Co.   1,701    186,855 
Constellation Software, Inc.   9    11,687 
Dollarama, Inc.   796    32,443 
Empire Co., Ltd., Class A   782    21,373 
George Weston, Ltd.   108    8,067 
Linamar Corp.   1,537    81,408 
Magna International, Inc.   909    64,349 
Quebecor, Inc., Class B   1,242    31,965 
Rogers Communications, Inc., Class B   663    30,866 
TFI International, Inc.   1,783    91,790 
The Toronto-Dominion Bank   3,006    169,599 
Topicus.com, Inc. (*)   16    60 
         985,337 
Denmark  |  0.4%          
Coloplast A/S, Class B   247    37,732 
Novo Nordisk A/S, Class B   809    56,586 
Vestas Wind Systems AS ADR   1,993    155,913 
         250,231 

 

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

 

16  Annual Report

 

 

 

         
Description  Shares   Fair
Value
 
         
Lazard Global Dynamic Multi-Asset Portfolio (continued)          
           
Finland  |  0.2%          
Elisa Oyj   196   $10,699 
Neste Oyj   233    16,832 
Valmet Oyj   2,396    68,499 
         96,030 
France  |  1.2%          
Carrefour SA   157    2,692 
Cie de Saint-Gobain (*)   1,176    53,923 
Cie Generale des Etablissements Michelin SCA   561    $71,998 
LVMH Moet Hennessy Louis Vuitton SA ADR   1,156    144,188 
Orange SA   1,947    23,172 
Pernod Ricard SA ADR   3,574    137,063 
Peugeot SA (*)   890    24,357 
Schneider Electric SE   1,046    151,299 
Societe Generale SA (*)   2,864    59,664 
Veolia Environnement SA   1,234    30,190 
         698,546 
Germany  |  0.9%          
Daimler AG   174    12,286 
Deutsche Bank AG (*)   5,791    63,047 
Merck KGaA Sponsored ADR   3,982    136,861 
Symrise AG ADR   4,202    139,780 
TeamViewer AG ADR (*)   5,503    152,708 
         504,682 
Hong Kong  |  0.6%          
AIA Group, Ltd. Sponsored ADR   5,245    257,687 
CK Hutchison Holdings, Ltd.   4,000    27,933 
CLP Holdings, Ltd.   1,500    13,886 
Hysan Development Co., Ltd.   3,000    11,034 
Jardine Matheson Holdings, Ltd.   200    11,201 
Sun Hung Kai Properties, Ltd.   3,000    38,731 
         360,472 
Israel  |  0.0%          
Bezeq The Israeli Telecommunication Corp., Ltd. (*)   6,013    6,039 
Plus500, Ltd.   486    9,640 
         15,679 

 

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

 

Annual Report  17

 

 

 

         
Description  Shares   Fair
Value
 
         
Lazard Global Dynamic Multi-Asset Portfolio (continued)          
           
Japan  |  3.9%          
AGC, Inc.   300   $10,477 
Ajinomoto Co., Inc.   1,100    24,928 
Chubu Electric Power Co., Inc.   1,400    16,857 
Credit Saison Co., Ltd.   4,300    49,936 
Dai-ichi Life Holdings, Inc.   4,400    66,836 
Daito Trust Construction Co., Ltd.   155    14,497 
Daiwa Securities Group, Inc.   4,900    22,348 
DCM Holdings Co., Ltd.   2,100    23,938 
Dip Corp.   800    21,409 
East Japan Railway Co.   500    33,470 
Electric Power Development Co., Ltd.   4,500    62,406 
ENEOS Holdings, Inc.   6,900    24,806 
Fuji Media Holdings, Inc.   700    7,472 
FUJIFILM Holdings Corp.   200    10,548 
Hokkaido Electric Power Co., Inc.   9,700    35,285 
Hokuriku Electric Power Co.   4,200    27,571 
Inpex Corp.   8,500    45,934 
ITOCHU Corp.   600    17,281 
Japan Logistics Fund, Inc. REIT   6    17,695 
Japan Petroleum Exploration Co., Ltd.   1,400    25,454 
Japan Post Bank Co., Ltd.   4,600    38,001 
Japan Post Holdings Co., Ltd.   2,200    17,139 
K’s Holdings Corp.   800    11,127 
KDDI Corp.   1,400    41,576 
Kureha Corp.   300    21,171 
Kyudenko Corp.   300    9,688 
McDonald’s Holdings Co. Japan, Ltd.   800    38,742 
Mizuho Financial Group, Inc.   15,980    203,699 
MS&AD Insurance Group Holdings, Inc.   700    21,344 
NEC Corp.   200    10,709 
Nintendo Co., Ltd. ADR   3,028    243,815 
Nippon Yusen KK   1,900    44,327 
Nishi-Nippon Financial Holdings, Inc.   3,700    23,854 
Nitto Denko Corp.   500    44,897 
Nomura Real Estate Holdings, Inc.   3,800    84,526 

 

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

 

18  Annual Report

 

 

 

         
Description  Shares   Fair
Value
 
         
Lazard Global Dynamic Multi-Asset Portfolio (continued)          
           
Obayashi Corp.   1,200   $10,395 
Ono Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd.   1,100    33,151 
Osaka Gas Co., Ltd.   1,200    24,582 
Rengo Co., Ltd.   1,200    10,052 
Sankyo Co., Ltd.   400    10,822 
Secom Co., Ltd.   200    18,466 
Sekisui House, Ltd.   1,300    26,486 
Seven & I Holdings Co., Ltd.   4,400    156,251 
Shikoku Electric Power Co., Inc.   4,600    30,116 
Shimano, Inc. ADR   6,413    150,897 
Softbank Corp.   2,100    26,327 
Sumitomo Mitsui Trust Holdings, Inc.   300    9,302 
Sumitomo Osaka Cement Co., Ltd.   900    26,417 
Sumitomo Realty & Development Co., Ltd.   900    27,809 
Taiheiyo Cement Corp.   2,200    55,349 
Teijin, Ltd.   700    13,199 
The Chiba Bank, Ltd.   2,100    11,581 
The Gunma Bank, Ltd.   10,100    31,329 
The Hachijuni Bank, Ltd.   3,300    11,047 
The Kansai Electric Power Co., Inc.   4,700    44,692 
The Shizuoka Bank, Ltd.   1,500    11,049 
Tohoku Electric Power Co., Inc.   8,500    70,445 
Trend Micro, Inc. (*)   200    11,514 
Yamaha Motor Co., Ltd.   1,200    24,538 
         2,259,579 
Macau  |  0.3%          
Sands China, Ltd. ADR   3,713    161,998 
           
Netherlands  |  1.1%          
Flow Traders   435    14,380 
Koninklijke Ahold Delhaize NV   1,307    36,910 
Koninklijke KPN NV   4,177    12,664 
NN Group NV   916    40,073 
NXP Semiconductors NV   1,110    176,501 
Wolters Kluwer NV Sponsored ADR   4,276    358,927 
         639,455 

 

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

 

Annual Report  19

 

 

 

         
Description  Shares   Fair
Value
 
         
Lazard Global Dynamic Multi-Asset Portfolio (continued)          
           
New Zealand  |  0.0%          
Fisher & Paykel Healthcare Corp., Ltd. Class C   1,061   $25,196 
           
Norway  |  0.1%          
Orkla ASA   5,657    57,394 
Telenor ASA   735    12,448 
Yara International ASA   238    9,880 
         79,722 
Singapore  |  0.1%          
AEM Holdings, Ltd.   15,400    40,364 
Singapore Exchange, Ltd.   3,300    23,226 
         63,590 
Spain  |  0.3%          
Corporacion Financiera Alba SA   66    3,142 
Iberdrola SA   1,752    25,056 
Industria de Diseno Textil SA ADR   8,288    132,940 
         161,138 
Sweden  |  1.1%          
Assa Abloy AB ADR   9,660    118,818 
Axfood AB   969    22,586 
Epiroc AB ADR   13,588    247,030 
Hexagon AB ADR   2,501    226,716 
Husqvarna AB, B Shares   879    11,371 
Lundin Energy AB   904    24,411 
Swedish Match AB   172    13,361 
         664,293 
Switzerland  |  0.8%          
ABB, Ltd. Sponsored ADR   6,527    182,495 
Credit Suisse Group AG   7,969    102,518 
Novartis AG   231    21,818 
Roche Holding AG   200    69,782 
Swisscom AG   55    29,628 
Tecan Group AG   41    20,132 
UBS Group AG   660    9,231 
         435,604 

 

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

 

20  Annual Report

 

 

 

         
Description  Shares   Fair
Value
 
         
Lazard Global Dynamic Multi-Asset Portfolio (continued)          
           
United Kingdom  |  3.5%          
Barclays PLC (*)   31,156   $62,530 
Coca-Cola European Partners PLC   3,123    155,619 
Diageo PLC Sponsored ADR   2,053    326,037 
GlaxoSmithKline PLC   699    12,808 
J Sainsbury PLC   13,513    41,687 
John Wood Group PLC (*)   5,635    23,924 
National Grid PLC   1,703    20,284 
Prudential PLC ADR   6,039    223,020 
RELX PLC Sponsored ADR   9,650    237,969 
Rio Tinto PLC Sponsored ADR   1,832    137,803 
Rio Tinto, Ltd.   266    23,364 
Standard Chartered PLC (*)   24,425    156,621 
Tesco PLC Sponsored ADR   27,395    264,907 
Unilever PLC Sponsored ADR   5,295    319,606 
Vodafone Group PLC   10,031    16,508 
         2,022,687 
United States  |  31.1%          
3M Co.   72    12,585 
AbbVie, Inc.   1,199    128,473 
Accenture PLC, Class A   1,422    371,441 
Activision Blizzard, Inc.   118    10,956 
Adobe, Inc. (*)   192    96,023 
Advanced Micro Devices, Inc. (*)   423    38,793 
AGCO Corp.   532    54,844 
Agilent Technologies, Inc.   100    11,849 
Align Technology, Inc. (*)   52    27,788 
Allegion PLC   214    24,905 
Ally Financial, Inc.   1,026    36,587 
Alphabet, Inc., Class A (*)   225    394,344 
Alphabet, Inc., Class C (*)   80    140,150 
Altria Group, Inc.   308    12,628 
Amazon.com, Inc. (*)   167    543,907 
Amdocs, Ltd.   218    15,463 
American Tower Corp. REIT   38    8,529 
American Water Works Co., Inc.   64    9,822 

 

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

 

Annual Report  21

 

 

 

         
Description  Shares   Fair
Value
 
         
Lazard Global Dynamic Multi-Asset Portfolio (continued)          
           
AmerisourceBergen Corp.   2,596   $253,785 
Anthem, Inc.   41    13,165 
Aon PLC, Class A   1,561    329,792 
Apache Corp.   2,170    30,792 
Apple, Inc.   6,890    914,234 
Applied Materials, Inc.   1,102    95,103 
AptarGroup, Inc.   232    31,758 
AT&T, Inc.   615    17,687 
Atmos Energy Corp.   95    $9,066 
AutoZone, Inc. (*)   8    9,484 
Bank of America Corp.   2,479    75,139 
Best Buy Co., Inc.   394    39,317 
Booz Allen Hamilton Holding Corp.   448    39,057 
Boston Scientific Corp. (*)   4,460    160,337 
Bristol-Myers Squibb Co.   144    8,932 
Broadridge Financial Solutions, Inc.   67    10,264 
Cabot Oil & Gas Corp.   1,130    18,396 
Cadence Design Systems, Inc. (*)   499    68,079 
California Water Service Group   188    10,158 
Campbell Soup Co.   323    15,617 
Cardinal Health, Inc.   1,324    70,913 
Cboe Global Markets, Inc.   108    10,057 
CBRE Group, Inc., Class A (*)   785    49,235 
CDW Corp.   178    23,459 
Charter Communications, Inc., Class A (*)   47    31,093 
Cisco Systems, Inc.   637    28,506 
Citizens Financial Group, Inc.   399    14,268 
CMS Energy Corp.   153    9,335 
Cognizant Technology Solutions Corp., Class A   654    53,595 
Colgate-Palmolive Co.   535    45,748 
Comcast Corp., Class A   2,354    123,350 
ConocoPhillips   1,161    46,428 
Costco Wholesale Corp.   63    23,737 
Cummins, Inc.   819    185,995 
CVS Health Corp.   1,736    118,569 
D.R. Horton, Inc.   343    23,640 

 

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

 

22  Annual Report

 

 

 

         
Description  Shares   Fair
Value
 
         
Lazard Global Dynamic Multi-Asset Portfolio (continued)          
           
Darden Restaurants, Inc.   359   $42,764 
DaVita, Inc. (*)   166    19,488 
Deere & Co.   214    57,577 
Devon Energy Corp.   3,974    62,829 
Dolby Laboratories, Inc., Class A   88    8,547 
Dollar General Corp.   1,401    294,630 
Domino’s Pizza, Inc.   72    27,609 
Dover Corp.   195    24,619 
DTE Energy Co.   77    9,349 
Easterly Government Properties, Inc. REIT   817    18,505 
Eastman Chemical Co.   455    45,627 
Eaton Corp. PLC   256    30,756 
Electronic Arts, Inc.   144    20,678 
Eli Lilly & Co.   997    168,334 
Entergy Corp.   141    14,077 
Equity Lifestyle Properties, Inc. REIT   159    10,074 
Evergy, Inc.   194    10,769 
Exlservice Holdings, Inc. (*)   119    10,130 
Facebook, Inc., Class A (*)   1,363    372,317 
Fifth Third Bancorp   1,664    45,876 
Flowers Foods, Inc.   400    9,052 
FOX Corp., Class B (*)   1,196    34,540 
Gaming and Leisure Properties, Inc. REIT   661    28,026 
General Mills, Inc.   331    19,463 
Gilead Sciences, Inc.   270    15,730 
Graco, Inc.   265    19,173 
HCA Healthcare, Inc.   350    57,561 
Honeywell International, Inc.   873    185,687 
Hormel Foods Corp.   525    24,470 
Humana, Inc.   249    102,157 
Huntington Ingalls Industries, Inc.   55    9,376 
IDEXX Laboratories, Inc. (*)   102    50,987 
Intel Corp.   492    24,511 
Intercontinental Exchange, Inc.   2,812    324,196 
Intuit, Inc.   436    165,615 
IQVIA Holdings, Inc. (*)   1,985    355,652 

 

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

 

Annual Report  23

 

 

 

         
Description  Shares   Fair
Value
 
         
Lazard Global Dynamic Multi-Asset Portfolio (continued)          
           
Jack Henry & Associates, Inc.   143   $23,165 
J.B. Hunt Transport Services, Inc.   97    13,255 
Johnson & Johnson   2,762    434,684 
Kellogg Co.   460    28,626 
Kimberly-Clark Corp.   2,132    287,458 
La-Z-Boy, Inc.   249    9,920 
Laboratory Corp. of America Holdings (*)   49    9,974 
Lennox International, Inc.   66    18,082 
LHC Group, Inc. (*)   68    14,506 
Lockheed Martin Corp.   387    137,377 
Lowe’s Cos., Inc.   1,629    261,471 
Lululemon Athletica, Inc. (*)   38    13,225 
MasterCard, Inc., Class A   86    30,697 
McDonald’s Corp.   1,279    274,448 
McKesson Corp.   709    123,309 
MDU Resources Group, Inc.   1,486    39,141 
Medtronic PLC   721    84,458 
Merck & Co., Inc.   3,070    251,126 
MetLife, Inc.   666    31,269 
Mettler-Toledo International, Inc. (*)   83    94,593 
Microsoft Corp.   3,982    885,676 
Mid-America Apartment Communities, Inc. REIT   76    9,628 
Moody’s Corp.   571    165,727 
Motorola Solutions, Inc.   1,650    280,599 
National Fuel Gas Co.   239    9,830 
Newmont Corp.   265    15,871 
Northrop Grumman Corp.   203    61,858 
NVIDIA Corp.   246    128,461 
O’Reilly Automotive, Inc. (*)   39    17,650 
Old Dominion Freight Line, Inc.   349    68,118 
Old Republic International Corp.   736    14,507 
Palo Alto Networks, Inc. (*)   437    155,305 
Paycom Software, Inc. (*)   55    24,874 
PayPal Holdings, Inc. (*)   59    13,818 
PennyMac Financial Services, Inc.   178    11,680 
PepsiCo, Inc.   1,129    167,431 

 

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

 

24  Annual Report

 

 

 

         
Description  Shares   Fair
Value
 
         
Lazard Global Dynamic Multi-Asset Portfolio (continued)          
           
Pfizer, Inc.   312   $11,485 
Philip Morris International, Inc.   138    11,425 
Phillips 66   312    21,821 
Pioneer Natural Resources Co.   117    13,325 
Pool Corp.   45    16,763 
ProPetro Holding Corp. (*)   3,172    23,441 
PTC, Inc. (*)   1,684    201,423 
PulteGroup, Inc.   538    23,199 
PVH Corp.   259    24,318 
QUALCOMM, Inc.   840    127,966 
Quest Diagnostics, Inc.   120    14,300 
Regeneron Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (*)   17    8,213 
Regions Financial Corp.   6,865    110,664 
Republic Services, Inc.   559    53,832 
Rockwell Automation, Inc.   682    171,052 
Ross Stores, Inc.   393    48,264 
RPM International, Inc.   257    23,330 
S&P Global, Inc.   793    260,683 
SBA Communications Corp. REIT   67    18,903 
Sempra Energy   79    10,065 
Service Corp. International   660    32,406 
ServiceNow, Inc. (*)   148    81,464 
Silgan Holdings, Inc.   657    24,362 
Sirius XM Holdings, Inc.   13,917    88,651 
Southwest Gas Holdings, Inc.   512    31,104 
Square, Inc., Class A (*)   189    41,134 
Starbucks Corp.   1,221    130,623 
Stepan Co.   80    9,546 
STERIS PLC   52    9,856 
Sturm Ruger & Co., Inc.   153    9,956 
Synopsys, Inc. (*)   1,000    259,240 
Synovus Financial Corp.   768    24,860 
Targa Resources Corp.   1,101    29,044 
Target Corp.   826    145,814 
Teradyne, Inc.   586    70,256 
Terminix Global Holdings, Inc. (*)   209    10,661 

 

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

 

Annual Report  25

 

 

 

         
Description  Shares   Fair
Value
 
         
Lazard Global Dynamic Multi-Asset Portfolio (continued)          
           
Tesla, Inc. (*)   321   $226,520 
Texas Instruments, Inc.   1,423    233,557 
Texas Roadhouse, Inc.   498    38,924 
The Bank of New York Mellon Corp.   363    15,406 
The Charles Schwab Corp.   2,963    157,158 
The Clorox Co.   249    50,278 
The Coca-Cola Co.   6,660    365,234 
The Hanover Insurance Group, Inc.   125    14,615 
The Hershey Co.   180    27,419 
The Home Depot, Inc.   599    159,106 
The J.M. Smucker Co.   93    10,751 
The Kroger Co.   580    18,421 
The New York Times Co.   214    11,079 
The Procter & Gamble Co.   2,564    356,755 
The Sherwin-Williams Co.   82    60,263 
Thermo Fisher Scientific, Inc.   953    443,888 
Tractor Supply Co.   144    20,244 
Union Pacific Corp.   160    33,315 
United Parcel Service, Inc., Class B   781    131,520 
UnitedHealth Group, Inc.   632    221,630 
Universal Health Services, Inc., Class B   174    23,925 
Verizon Communications, Inc.   6,330    371,888 
Vertex Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (*)   36    8,508 
Viatris, Inc. (*)   455    8,527 
Visa, Inc., Class A   1,345    294,192 
Vistra Corp.   1,739    34,189 
Walmart, Inc.   951    137,087 
Warner Music Group Corp., Class A   2,650    100,674 
Waste Management, Inc.   189    22,289 
WEC Energy Group, Inc.   178    16,381 
Weis Markets, Inc.   157    7,506 
Werner Enterprises, Inc.   215    8,432 
West Pharmaceutical Services, Inc.   59    16,715 
WW Grainger, Inc.   101    41,242 
Xcel Energy, Inc.   168    11,201 
Zoetis, Inc.   1,884    311,802 
         18,083,835 
           
Total Common Stocks
(Cost $23,117,132)
       $28,023,108 

 

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

 

26  Annual Report

 

 

 

            
Description  Security
Currency
  Principal
Amount
(000)
   Fair
Value
 
            
Lazard Global Dynamic Multi-Asset Portfolio (continued)             
              
Corporate Bonds  |  17.1%             
              
Australia  |  0.5%             
Telstra Corp., Ltd.,
4.000%, 09/16/22
  AUD   360   $294,500 
              
Canada  |  1.4%             
Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce,
0.950%, 10/23/25
  USD   415    420,650 
Rogers Communications, Inc.,
3.250%, 05/01/29
  CAD   425    370,156 
            790,806 
France  |  0.5%             

Schneider Electric SE,

2.950%, 09/27/22

  USD   285    297,334 
              
Germany  |  0.9%             
BMW Finance NV,
0.875%, 08/16/22
  GBP   95    131,310 
Daimler AG,
0.000% (Euribor 3 Month + 0.450%), 07/03/24 (§)
  EUR   300    365,728 
            497,038 
Switzerland  |  0.0%             
ABB Finance USA, Inc.,
4.375%, 05/08/42
  USD   17    22,420 
              
United Kingdom  |  0.8%             
Tesco Corporate Treasury Services PLC MTN,
2.750%, 04/27/30
  GBP   135    204,431 
Unilever Capital Corp.,
3.250%, 03/07/24
  USD   220    238,872 
            443,303 

 

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

 

Annual Report  27

 

 

 

            
Description  Security
Currency
  Principal
Amount
(000)
   Fair
Value
 
            
Lazard Global Dynamic Multi-Asset Portfolio (continued)             
              
United States  |  13.0%             
Adobe, Inc.,
2.300%, 02/01/30
  USD   240   $259,633 
Alphabet, Inc.,
1.100%, 08/15/30
  USD   265    261,071 
Amazon.com, Inc.,
3.150%, 08/22/27
  USD   285    324,697 
American Express Co.,
3.000%, 10/30/24
  USD   295    322,138 
Apple, Inc.,
3.000%, 06/20/27
  USD   230    257,547 
Bank of America Corp.:             
3.499% (USD LIBOR 3 Month + 0.630%), 05/17/22 (§)  USD   329    332,896 
1.486% (SOFR + 1.460%), 05/19/24 (§)  USD   125    127,916 
Citigroup, Inc.,
1.579% (BBSW 3 Month + 1.550%), 05/04/21 (§)
  AUD   328    253,891 
Dell International LLC,
5.300%, 10/01/29
  USD   180    220,441 
HCA, Inc.,
5.000%, 03/15/24
  USD   120    134,977 
John Deere Financial, Inc.,
2.410%, 01/14/25
  CAD   300    250,337 
Johnson & Johnson,
3.625%, 03/03/37
  USD   263    321,150 
JPMorgan Chase & Co.,
3.540% (USD LIBOR 3 Month + 1.380%), 05/01/28 (§)
  USD   285    325,630 
Kimberly-Clark Corp.,
3.200%, 04/25/29
  USD   188    216,581 
McDonald’s Corp.,
3.125%, 03/04/25
  CAD   555    472,690 
Microsoft Corp.,
3.500%, 11/15/42
  USD   220    270,705 

 

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

 

28  Annual Report

 

 

 

            
Description  Security
Currency
  Principal
Amount
(000)
   Fair
Value
 
            
Lazard Global Dynamic Multi-Asset Portfolio (continued)             
              
Morgan Stanley,
3.625%, 01/20/27
  USD   285   $327,000 
PepsiCo, Inc.,
2.875%, 10/15/49
  USD   235    262,715 
Pfizer, Inc.,
2.625%, 04/01/30
  USD   230    256,555 
Prologis LP,
1.250%, 10/15/30
  USD   210    207,822 
Sealed Air Corp.,
4.875%, 12/01/22
  USD   130    136,337 
Service Corp. International,
4.625%, 12/15/27
  USD   125    133,125 
Starbucks Corp.,
4.450%, 08/15/49
  USD   250    329,221 
The Goldman Sachs Group, Inc.,
3.625%, 01/22/23
  USD   293    312,653 
The Home Depot, Inc.,
5.875%, 12/16/36
  USD   230    348,322 
The Procter & Gamble Co.,
1.200%, 10/29/30
  USD   135    135,098 
Toyota Motor Credit Corp.,
2.150%, 02/13/30
  USD   285    306,014 
United Rentals North America, Inc.,
4.875%, 01/15/28
  USD   125    133,125 
Verizon Communications, Inc.,
3.875%, 02/08/29
  USD   289    340,026 
            7,580,313 
Total Corporate Bonds
(Cost $9,303,736)
           9,925,714 
              
              
Description     Shares
(000)
   Fair
Value
 
              
Exchange-Traded Funds  |  5.3%             
iShares MSCI World ETF
(Cost $2,339,474)
      27,760   $3,120,502 

 

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

 

Annual Report  29

 

 

 

            
Description  Security
Currency
  Principal
Amount
(000)
   Fair
Value
 
            
Lazard Global Dynamic Multi-Asset Portfolio (continued)             
              
Foreign Government Obligations  |  23.2%             
              
Australia  |  0.9%             
New South Wales Treasury Corp.,
1.250%, 11/20/30
  AUD   350   $270,959 
Queensland Treasury Corp.,
1.250%, 03/10/31
  AUD   350    270,410 
            541,369 
Bahamas  |  0.7%             
Commonwealth of Bahamas,
6.950%, 11/20/29
  USD   435    431,602 
              
Bermuda  |  1.3%             
Government of Bermuda:              
3.717%, 01/25/27  USD   200    223,750 
2.375%, 08/20/30 (#)  USD   500    524,500 
            748,250 
Canada  |  2.2%             
City of Vancouver,
2.900%, 11/20/25
  CAD   188    162,028 
Province of British Columbia,
4.700%, 06/18/37
  CAD   389    434,617 
Province of Quebec:              
2.500%, 04/20/26  USD   230    252,538 
1.850%, 02/13/27  CAD   485    403,507 
            1,252,690 
Chile  |  1.4%             
Bonos de la Tesoreria de la Republica en pesos:             
4.500%, 03/01/26  CLP   130,000    209,782 
2.300%, 10/01/28  CLP   220,000    308,174 
Republic of Chile,
0.830%, 07/02/31
  EUR   250    318,965 
            836,921 
Colombia  |  0.4%             
Republic of Colombia,
9.850%, 06/28/27
  COP   615,000    233,183 

 

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

 

30  Annual Report

 

 

 

            
Description  Security
Currency
  Principal
Amount
(000)
   Fair
Value
 
            
Lazard Global Dynamic Multi-Asset Portfolio (continued)             
              
Croatia  |  0.5%             
Croatia,
5.500%, 04/04/23
  USD   260   $286,487 
              
Czech Republic  |  1.5%             
Czech Republic,
2.000%, 10/13/33
  CZK   16,860    843,915 
              
Hungary  |  1.8%             
Hungary Government Bonds:              
2.500%, 10/24/24  HUF   83,620    297,636 
2.750%, 12/22/26  HUF   83,020    300,621 
3.000%, 10/27/27  HUF   86,120    317,481 
Hungary Government International Bonds,
1.750%, 06/05/35
  EUR   100    135,662 
            1,051,400 
Italy  |  0.9%             
Italy Buoni Poliennali Del Tesoro,
1.450%, 03/01/36
  EUR   205    268,897 
Italy Government International Bonds,
6.875%, 09/27/23
  USD   235    272,857 
            541,754 
              
Japan  |  0.7%             
Japan Bank for International Cooperation,
0.625%, 05/22/23
  USD   200    201,301 
Japan International Cooperation Agency,
2.125%, 10/20/26
  USD   200    214,798 
            416,099 
Mexico  |  0.5%             
Mexican Bonos,
7.500%, 06/03/27
  MXN   4,660    266,449 
United Mexican States,
6.750%, 02/06/24
  GBP   30    48,153 
            314,602 

 

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

 

Annual Report  31

 

 

 

            
Description  Security
Currency
  Principal
Amount
(000)
   Fair
Value
 
            
Lazard Global Dynamic Multi-Asset Portfolio (continued)             
              
Morocco  |  0.5%             
Morocco Government International Bonds,
1.500%, 11/27/31
  EUR   260   $309,093 
              
Netherlands  |  0.7%             
Nederlandse Waterschapsbank NV,
0.500%, 12/02/25 (#)
  USD   400    399,971 
              
New Zealand  |  1.0%             
New Zealand Government Bonds,
4.500%, 04/15/27
  NZD   640    561,386 
              
Norway  |  0.8%             
Oslo Kommune:             
2.350%, 09/04/24  NOK   2,000    244,713 
0.910% (NIBOR 3 Month + 0.460%), 05/06/26 (§)  NOK   2,000    234,540 
            479,253 
Panama  |  0.8%             
Republic of Panama,
4.000%, 09/22/24
  USD   400    441,875 
              
Peru  |  0.7%             
Peru Government Bonds,
6.150%, 08/12/32
  PEN   1,275    428,553 
              
Philippines  |  0.7%             
Republic of Philippines,
3.900%, 11/26/22
  PHP   20,000    423,434 
              
Poland  |  1.0%             
Poland Government Bonds:             
2.500%, 07/25/27  PLN   980    291,119 
2.750%, 10/25/29  PLN   945    287,740 
            578,859 

 

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

 

32  Annual Report

 

 

 

            
Description  Security
Currency
  Principal
Amount
(000)
   Fair
Value
 
            
Lazard Global Dynamic Multi-Asset Portfolio (continued)             
              
Romania  | 1.9%             
Romanian Government Bonds:             
4.000%, 10/27/21  RON   1,130   $285,949 
4.750%, 02/24/25  RON   2,080    561,775 
Romanian Government International Bonds,
2.375%, 04/19/27
  EUR   215    286,704 
            1,134,428 
Singapore  |  0.5%             
Singapore Government Bonds,
3.375%, 09/01/33
  SGD   280    270,333 
              
Spain  |  0.5%             
Spain Government Bonds,
1.200%, 10/31/40
  EUR   199    269,171 
              
United Kingdom  |  0.8%             
United Kingdom Gilt:             
1.750%, 09/07/37  GBP   175    283,915 
1.500%, 07/22/47  GBP   95    153,705 
            437,620 
Vietnam  |  0.5%             
Socialist Republic of Vietnam,
4.800%, 11/19/24
  USD   255    285,998 
              
Total Foreign Government Obligations
(Cost $12,660,891)
           13,518,246 
              
Quasi Government Bonds  |  0.5%             
              
Canada  |  0.5%             
Export Development Canada,
1.800%, 09/01/22
(Cost $261,627)
  CAD   360    290,121 
              
Supranational Bonds  |  3.7%             
African Development Bank,
0.750%, 04/03/23
  USD   190    192,246 

 

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

 

Annual Report  33

 

 

 

            
Description  Security
Currency
  Principal
Amount
(000)
   Fair
Value
 
            
Lazard Global Dynamic Multi-Asset Portfolio (continued)             
              
Asian Development Bank,
2.125%, 03/19/25
  USD   303   $324,572 
European Bank for Reconstruction & Development,
1.625%, 09/27/24
  USD   140    146,754 
European Investment Bank,
1.125%, 09/16/21 (#)
  CAD   130    102,653 
Inter-American Development Bank,
7.875%, 03/14/23
  IDR   3,830,000    292,525 
International Bank for Reconstruction & Development:             
2.500%, 08/03/23  CAD   290    240,530 
1.900%, 01/16/25  CAD   185    153,254 
2.900%, 11/26/25  AUD   330    283,312 
International Finance Corp.:             
2.700%, 03/15/23  AUD   322    261,634 
2.125%, 04/07/26  USD   125    135,627 
              
Total Supranational Bonds
(Cost $1,985,269)
           2,133,107 
              
US Municipal Bonds  |  0.7%             
              
California  |  0.6%             
California State Build America Bonds,
7.500%, 04/01/34
  USD   35    58,333 
State of California:             
4.500%, 04/01/33  USD   100    120,872 
7.550%, 04/01/39  USD   105    184,359 
            363,564 
New York  |  0.1%             
New York State Urban Development Corp.,
Series B,
3.900%, 03/15/33
  USD   40    45,951 
              
Total US Municipal Bonds
(Cost $371,485)
           409,515 

 

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

 

34  Annual Report

 

 

 

            
Description  Security
Currency
  Principal
Amount
(000)
   Fair
Value
 
            
Lazard Global Dynamic Multi-Asset Portfolio (continued)             
              
              
US Treasury Securities  |  0.5%             
US Treasury Note,
2.875%, 08/15/28
(Cost $273,239)
  USD   235   $272,848 
              
              
Description      Shares    Fair
Value
 
              
Short-Term Investments  |  0.6%             
State Street Institutional Treasury Money Market Fund, Premier Class,
0.01% (7 day yield)
(Cost $375,514)
      375,514   $375,514 
              
Total Investments  |  99.8%
(Cost $50,688,367) (»)
          $58,068,675 
              
Cash and Other Assets in Excess of Liabilities  |  0.2%           92,360 
              
Net Assets  |  100.0%          $58,161,035 

 

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

 

Annual Report  35

 

 

 

Lazard Global Dynamic Multi-Asset Portfolio (continued)

 

Forward Currency Contracts open at December 31, 2020:

 

                              
Currency
Purchased
    Quantity   Currency
Sold
    Quantity   Counterparty  Settlement
Date
  Unrealized
Appreciation
  Unrealized
Depreciation
 
                              
AUD   125,413   USD   91,807   HSB  01/20/21        $4,898             $ 
AUD   6,521   USD   4,964   JPM  01/20/21   64     
AUD   586,161   USD   413,545   JPM  01/20/21   38,440     
AUD   23,322   USD   17,964   SSB  03/25/21   28     
CAD   187,441   USD   141,368   HSB  01/20/21   5,899     
CAD   222,373   USD   170,277   HSB  01/20/21   4,434     
CAD   33,477   USD   25,941   JPM  01/20/21   361     
CAD   600,693   USD   448,446   JPM  01/20/21   23,499     
CAD   2,278,804   USD   1,713,431   MSC  01/20/21   76,951     
CAD   31,891   USD   24,961   SSB  03/25/21   98     
CHF   117,159   USD   129,522   HSB  01/20/21   2,879     
CHF   111,975   USD   126,000   JPM  01/20/21   543     
CHF   151,454   USD   166,100   JPM  01/20/21   5,057     
CHF   287,406   USD   317,736   JPM  01/20/21   7,061     
CHF   29,187   USD   33,058   SSB  03/25/21       12 
CNH   2,613,240   USD   384,300   HSB  01/20/21   17,162     
CNH   4,557,766   USD   668,696   HSB  01/20/21   31,497     
CNH   1,126,298   USD   168,800   HSB  03/04/21   3,729     
CNH   4,557,766   USD   666,272   HSB  03/04/21   31,900     
COP   194,085,600   USD   53,600   CIT  02/16/21   3,201     
CZK   1,077,913   USD   48,868   HSB  01/22/21   1,322     
EUR   703,541   USD   832,901   CIT  01/20/21   26,910     
EUR   27,688   USD   33,259   HSB  01/20/21   579     
EUR   59,753   USD   71,204   HSB  01/20/21   1,821     
EUR   110,999   USD   134,700   HSB  01/20/21   955     
EUR   222,812   USD   269,400   HSB  01/20/21   2,903     
EUR   233,069   USD   277,920   HSB  01/20/21   6,919     
EUR   2,647,892   USD   3,133,198   HSB  01/20/21   102,844     
EUR   1,607   USD   1,915   JPM  01/20/21   49     
EUR   33,379   USD   39,200   JPM  01/20/21   1,594     
EUR   144,302   USD   169,368   JPM  01/20/21   6,987     
EUR   175,689   USD   209,000   JPM  01/20/21   5,713     
EUR   206,921   USD   244,700   JPM  01/20/21   8,182     
EUR   511,946   USD   605,840   JPM  01/20/21   19,820     
EUR   163,263   USD   200,337   SSB  03/25/21       527 
GBP   27,492   USD   36,827   HSB  01/20/21   773     

 

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

 

36  Annual Report

 

 

 

Lazard Global Dynamic Multi-Asset Portfolio (continued)

 

Forward Currency Contracts open at December 31, 2020:

 

                          
Currency
Purchased
  Quantity   Currency
Sold
  Quantity   Counterparty  Settlement
Date
  Unrealized
Appreciation
  Unrealized
Depreciation
 
                              
GBP   44,101   USD   58,000   HSB  01/20/21        $2,317              $ 
GBP   47,169   USD   60,879   HSB  01/20/21   3,633     
GBP   56,777   USD   73,829   HSB  01/20/21   3,824     
GBP   121,578   USD   161,962   JPM  01/20/21   4,318     
GBP   128,306   USD   163,338   JPM  01/20/21   12,144     
GBP   264,355   USD   343,646   JPM  01/20/21   17,908     
GBP   45,075   USD   60,933   SSB  03/25/21   738     
HUF   32,493,300   USD   107,174   HSB  01/20/21   2,290     
IDR   1,376,400,000   USD   92,500   JPM  01/15/21   6,358     
INR   9,952,180   USD   134,000   JPM  01/29/21   1,943     
JPY   41,588,686   USD   396,865   CIT  01/20/21   5,988     
JPY   401,259,085   USD   3,830,233   HSB  01/20/21   56,606     
JPY   5,901,569   USD   56,100   JPM  01/20/21   1,066     
JPY   15,136,506   USD   145,000   JPM  01/20/21   1,621     
JPY   34,800,832   USD   332,140   JPM  01/20/21   4,962     
KRW   354,314,288   USD   317,236   JPM  02/25/21   8,416     
MXN   574,902   USD   26,324   HSB  01/20/21   2,516     
MXN   852,102   USD   39,009   JPM  01/20/21   3,737     
NOK   441,148   USD   47,335   JPM  01/22/21   4,116     
NZD   49,587   USD   34,494   HSB  01/20/21   1,187     
NZD   207,567   USD   138,101   JPM  01/20/21   11,258     
PEN   89,102   USD   24,871   CIT  02/16/21       251 
PLN   352,105   USD   93,701   HSB  01/20/21   564     
PLN   1,073,218   USD   291,708   HSB  01/20/21       4,388 
PLN   418,565   USD   107,395   JPM  01/20/21   4,663     
RON   200,168   USD   48,737   HSB  01/20/21   1,466     
RON   1,297,624   USD   309,400   HSB  01/22/21   16,017     
RUB   5,285,107   USD   69,700   JPM  01/20/21   1,693     
SEK   485,220   USD   54,942   HSB  01/20/21   4,045     
SEK   306,575   USD   34,710   JPM  01/20/21   2,559     
SGD   524,963   USD   386,987   JPM  01/20/21   10,237     
SGD   13,162   USD   9,911   SSB  03/25/21   49     
THB   3,235,757   USD   103,336   HSB  01/20/21   4,666     
USD   102,179   AUD   139,911   CIT  01/20/21       5,705 
USD   83,753   AUD   110,780   HSB  01/20/21       1,668 
USD   125,842   AUD   175,128   HSB  01/20/21       9,198 

 

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

 

Annual Report  37

 

 

 

Lazard Global Dynamic Multi-Asset Portfolio (continued)

 

                          
Currency
Purchased
  Quantity   Currency
Sold
  Quantity   Counterparty  Settlement
Date
  Unrealized
Appreciation
  Unrealized
Depreciation
 
                              
USD   290,179   AUD   397,179   HSB  01/20/21        $         $16,083 
USD   18,100   AUD   25,734   JPM  01/20/21       1,743 
USD   928,864   AUD   1,271,433   JPM  01/20/21       51,529 
USD   20,000   AUD   27,368   MSC  01/20/21       1,103 
USD   150,303   AUD   205,737   MSC  01/20/21       8,339 
USD   17,767   AUD   23,322   SSB  03/25/21       224 
USD   478,698   CAD   631,761   CIT  01/20/21       17,656 
USD   140,218   CAD   186,416   HSB  01/20/21       6,243 
USD   937,446   CAD   1,236,791   HSB  01/20/21       34,261 
USD   37,600   CAD   50,294   JPM  01/20/21       1,915 
USD   119,454   CAD   159,392   JPM  01/20/21       5,775 
USD   1,248,549   CAD   1,647,121   JPM  01/20/21       45,541 
USD   534   CAD   705   MSC  01/20/21       20 
USD   42,000   CAD   54,979   MSC  01/20/21       1,195 
USD   1,577,440   CAD   2,081,414   MSC  01/20/21       57,860 
USD   20,900   CHF   19,343   JPM  01/20/21       960 
USD   443,500   CHF   403,765   JPM  01/20/21       12,794 
USD   74,136   CHF   65,333   SSB  03/25/21   166     
USD   171,697   CLP   136,825,112   CIT  02/16/21       20,861 
USD   284,903   CLP   217,096,000   CIT  02/16/21       20,621 
USD   62,800   CNH   432,255   HSB  01/20/21       3,606 
USD   83,000   CNH   540,272   HSB  01/20/21        
USD   102,000   CNH   671,062   HSB  01/20/21       1,093 
USD   212,697   COP   817,658,247   CIT  02/16/21       26,599 
USD   688,842   CZK   15,918,658   HSB  01/22/21       52,354 
USD   3,284   CZK   75,852   JPM  01/22/21       248 
USD   66,467   DKK   403,051   SSB  03/25/21   194     
USD   101,800   EUR   83,201   HSB  01/20/21   119     
USD   118,300   EUR   101,532   HSB  01/20/21       5,784 
USD   134,583   EUR   110,638   HSB  01/20/21       630 
USD   167,000   EUR   139,737   HSB  01/20/21       3,776 
USD   284,407   EUR   240,355   HSB  01/20/21       9,335 
USD   313,000   EUR   263,497   HSB  01/20/21       9,025 
USD   582,152   EUR   497,326   HSB  01/20/21       25,640 
USD   147,663   EUR   124,577   JPM  01/20/21       4,585 

 

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

 

38  Annual Report

 

 

 

Lazard Global Dynamic Multi-Asset Portfolio (continued)

 

                          
Currency
Purchased
  Quantity   Currency
Sold
  Quantity   Counterparty  Settlement
Date
  Unrealized
Appreciation
  Unrealized
Depreciation
 
                              
USD   266,600   EUR   228,642   JPM  01/20/21        $          $12,828 
USD   303,600   EUR   259,676   JPM  01/20/21       13,755 
USD   50,900   GBP   37,312   HSB  01/20/21       131 
USD   67,000   GBP   52,544   JPM  01/20/21       4,864 
USD   79,000   GBP   59,436   JPM  01/20/21       2,289 
USD   206,504   GBP   152,548   JPM  01/20/21       2,134 
USD   55,661   HKD   431,445   SSB  03/25/21       1 
USD   7,000   HUF   2,129,218   HSB  01/22/21       173 
USD   397,261   HUF   123,163,455   HSB  01/22/21       17,651 
USD   443,316   HUF   137,463,470   JPM  01/22/21       19,770 
USD   187,600   JPY   19,371,763   HSB  01/20/21       47 
USD   229,000   JPY   23,750,506   HSB  01/20/21       1,062 
USD   216,300   JPY   22,806,196   JPM  01/20/21       4,615 
USD   434,700   JPY   45,548,779   JPM  01/20/21       6,513 
USD   325,107   JPY   33,531,010   SSB  03/25/21   64     
USD   134,568   MXN   2,706,833   HSB  01/20/21       1,221 
USD   16,700   NOK   159,909   JPM  01/20/21       1,950 
USD   9,000   NOK   81,056   JPM  01/22/21       453 
USD   128,400   NOK   1,162,129   JPM  01/22/21       7,137 
USD   308,022   NOK   2,870,693   JPM  01/22/21       26,781 
USD   75,581   NOK   650,210   SSB  03/25/21       230 
USD   180,219   NZD   268,582   CIT  01/20/21       13,045 
USD   138,582   NZD   206,581   HSB  01/20/21       10,067 
USD   347,211   NZD   517,452   JPM  01/20/21       25,133 
USD   417,299   PEN   1,509,787   CIT  02/16/21   113     
USD   283,832   PHP   13,774,368   HSB  01/15/21       2,724 
USD   15,300   PLN   59,845   HSB  01/20/21       722 
USD   137,000   PLN   533,262   HSB  01/20/21       5,764 
USD   178,000   PLN   682,078   HSB  01/20/21       4,605 
USD   485,351   PLN   1,825,245   HSB  01/20/21       3,301 
USD   11,000   PLN   41,487   JPM  01/20/21       107 
USD   40,960   PLN   154,040   JPM  01/20/21       280 
USD   17,000   RON   70,087   HSB  01/22/21       576 
USD   40,200   RON   160,284   HSB  01/22/21   4     
USD   866,425   RON   3,632,088   HSB  01/22/21       44,428 
USD   17,652   SGD   23,945   JPM  01/20/21       467 

 

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

 

Annual Report  39

 

 

 

Lazard Global Dynamic Multi-Asset Portfolio (concluded)

 

                              
Currency
Purchased
    Quantity   Currency
Sold
    Quantity   Counterparty  Settlement
Date
  Unrealized
Appreciation
  Unrealized
Depreciation
                                  
USD   134,731   SGD   180,143   JPM  01/20/21        $             $1,578    
USD   134,733   SGD   179,980   JPM  01/20/21           1,452 
USD   303,600   SGD   415,871   JPM  01/20/21           11,077 
USD   9,958   SGD   13,162   SSB  03/25/21           2 
Total gross unrealized appreciation/depreciation on              
Forward Currency Contracts    $648,637     $718,080 

 

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

 

40  Annual Report

 

 

 

         
       Fair 
Description  Shares   Value 
           
Lazard Opportunistic Strategies Portfolio          
           
Exchange-Traded Funds  |  93.9%          
           
Equity Funds  |  63.7%          
First Trust NASDAQ Cybersecurity ETF   51,985   $2,307,094 
Franklin FTSE Japan ETF   77,950    2,321,351 
Health Care Select Sector SPDR Fund   39,455    4,475,775 
iShares Core Dividend Growth ETF   51,900    2,326,158 
iShares Core MSCI EAFE ETF   27,760    1,917,938 
iShares Core MSCI Europe ETF   36,925    1,893,514 
iShares Expanded Tech Sector ETF   7,932    2,774,852 
iShares Expanded Tech-Software Sector ETF   6,424    2,274,739 
iShares MSCI Eurozone ETF   44,995    1,983,380 
iShares Russell 2000 ETF   20,588    4,036,483 
Vanguard Consumer Staples ETF   19,900    3,461,008 
Vanguard Industrials ETF   24,931    4,238,021 
Vanguard S&P 500 ETF   35,993    12,370,434 
Vanguard S&P 500 Value ETF   28,419    3,515,146 
         49,895,893 
Fixed-Income Funds  |  30.2%          
Goldman Sachs Access Treasury 0-1 Year ETF   25,980    2,601,117 
iShares 1-3 Year Treasury Bond ETF   89,400    7,722,372 
Vanguard Intermediate-Term Corporate Bond ETF   40,215    3,906,485 
Vanguard Intermediate-Term Treasury ETF   135,300    9,392,526 
         23,622,500 
Total Exchange-Traded Funds
(Cost $62,810,628)
        73,518,393 
           
Short-Term Investments  |  6.2%          
State Street Institutional Treasury Money Market Fund, Premier Class,
0.01% (7 day yield)
(Cost $4,860,004)
   4,860,004    4,860,004 

 

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

 

Annual Report  41

 

 

 

         
       Fair 
Description  Shares   Value 
           
Lazard Opportunistic Strategies Portfolio (concluded)          
           
Total Investments  |  100.1%
(Cost $67,670,632)
       $78,378,397 
           
Liabilities in Excess of Cash and Other Assets  |  (0.1)%        (108,516)
           
Net Assets  |  100.0%       $78,269,881 

 

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

 

42  Annual Report

 

 

 

         
       Fair 
Description  Shares   Value 
         
Lazard Real Assets Portfolio (•)          
           
Common Stocks  |  65.9%          
           
Australia  |  5.2%          
Abacus Property Group REIT   7,619   $16,871 
Atlas Arteria, Ltd.   54,839    275,121 
Aventus Group REIT   11,687    24,698 
BWP Trust REIT   6,656    22,692 
Charter Hall Group REIT   9,003    102,186 
Charter Hall Long Wale REIT   7,978    28,620 
Dexus   4,029    29,354 
Goodman Group REIT   7,536    109,930 
Growthpoint Properties Australia, Ltd. REIT   6,558    17,657 
Ingenia Communities Group REIT   10,501    39,853 
Scentre Group REIT   35,408    75,994 
Stockland REIT   9,088    29,315 
Transurban Group   45,078    475,170 
         1,247,461 
Belgium  |  0.2%          
Shurgard Self Storage SA   409    17,743 
Warehouses De Pauw CVA REIT   934    32,323 
         50,066 
Brazil  |  0.1%          
JHSF Participacoes SA   12,100    18,321 
           
Canada  |  1.0%          
Agnico Eagle Mines, Ltd.   1,148    80,945 
Altus Group, Ltd.   809    31,231 
Atco, Ltd., Class I   1,493    42,800 
Granite Real Estate Investment Trust   809    49,510 
True North Commercial Real Estate Investment Trust   5,440    26,967 
         231,453 
China  |  2.2%          
Agile Group Holdings, Ltd.   22,000    29,352 
Central China Real Estate, Ltd.   38,000    17,655 
China Resources Land, Ltd.   8,000    33,148 
CIFI Holdings Group Co., Ltd.   46,000    39,006 

 

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

 

Annual Report  43

 

 

 

         
       Fair 
Description  Shares   Value 
         
Lazard Real Assets Portfolio (•) (continued)          
           
Country Garden Holdings Co., Ltd.   19,000   $26,290 
Gemdale Properties & Investment Corp., Ltd.   128,000    18,331 
Gree Real Estate Co., Ltd., Class A (*)   18,100    17,889 
KWG Group Holdings, Ltd.   26,000    35,635 
Logan Group Co., Ltd.   39,000    63,915 
Longfor Group Holdings, Ltd.   12,000    70,476 
Powerlong Commercial Management Holdings, Ltd.   7,500    24,031 
Powerlong Real Estate Holdings, Ltd.   81,000    56,006 
Shanghai Wanye Enterprises Co., Ltd., Class A (*)   5,300    16,401 
Sichuan Languang Justbon Services Group Co., Ltd., Class H   2,600    11,798 
Sunac China Holdings, Ltd.   6,000    22,188 
Sunac Services Holdings, Ltd.   193    427 
Times China Holdings, Ltd.   11,000    15,306 
Yuexiu Property Co., Ltd.   104,000    20,970 
Zhongliang Holdings Group Co., Ltd.   24,000    16,019 
         534,843 
Finland  |  0.1%          
Citycon Oyj   2,339    22,695 
           
France  |  3.6%          
Eutelsat Communications SA   12,123    137,203 
Gecina SA REIT   164    25,325 
Klepierre SA REIT   758    17,054 
Unibail-Rodamco-Westfield REIT   317    25,015 
Vinci SA   6,736    670,241 
         874,838 
Germany  |  1.3%          
Aroundtown SA   3,080    23,032 
Deutsche EuroShop AG (*)   1,230    27,729 
Deutsche Wohnen SE   1,516    80,928 
Sirius Real Estate, Ltd.   19,688    25,054 
TAG Immobilien AG   1,092    34,521 
Vonovia SE   1,785    130,166 
         321,430 

 

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

 

44  Annual Report

 

 

 

         
       Fair 
Description  Shares   Value 
         
Lazard Real Assets Portfolio (•) (continued)          
           
Hong Kong  |  2.7%          
CK Infrastructure Holdings, Ltd.   11,500   $61,808 
ESR Cayman, Ltd. (*)   7,000    25,158 
Fortune Real Estate Investment Trust   17,000    16,197 
Hang Lung Properties, Ltd.   13,000    34,407 
Henderson Land Development Co., Ltd.   11,000    42,945 
Hopson Development Holdings, Ltd.   14,000    35,681 
Link Real Estate Investment Trust   3,600    32,801 
Power Assets Holdings, Ltd.   39,500    214,261 
Shimao Group Holdings, Ltd.   10,500    33,569 
Shoucheng Holdings, Ltd.   58,000    16,474 
Sun Hung Kai Properties, Ltd.   8,000    103,282 
Wharf Real Estate Investment Co., Ltd.   8,000    41,713 
         658,296 
Israel  |  0.1%          
Adgar Investment and Development, Ltd.   5,837    10,752 
Property & Building Corp., Ltd.   122    12,034 
         22,786 
Italy  |  9.3%          
ASTM SpA (*)   3,512    88,306 
Atlantia SpA (*)   30,575    548,919 
Hera SpA   50,648    185,372 
Italgas SpA   32,162    205,236 
Snam SpA   122,004    685,125 
Terna Rete Elettrica Nazionale SpA   69,773    532,348 
         2,245,306 
Japan  |  3.1%          
Daito Trust Construction Co., Ltd.   400    37,411 
Daiwa House Industry Co., Ltd.   1,700    50,744 
Daiwa House REIT Investment Corp.   10    24,735 
GLP J-Reit   37    58,343 
Industrial & Infrastructure Fund Investment Corp. REIT   13    24,001 
Japan Logistics Fund, Inc. REIT   8    23,593 
Japan Real Estate Investment Corp.   6    34,650 
Katitas Co., Ltd.   1,000    32,268 
Keihanshin Building Co., Ltd.   1,900    34,358 

 

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

 

Annual Report  45

 

 

 

         
       Fair 
Description  Shares   Value 
         
Lazard Real Assets Portfolio (•) (continued)          
           
Kenedix, Inc.   3,900   $28,326 
LaSalle Logiport REIT   23    37,061 
MCUBS MidCity Investment Corp. REIT   47    42,793 
Mitsubishi Estate Co., Ltd.   5,000    80,747 
Mitsui Fudosan Co., Ltd.   1,700    35,832 
Nippon Accommodations Fund, Inc. REIT   2    11,239 
Nippon Building Fund, Inc. REIT   5    28,959 
NIPPON REIT Investment Corp.   10    35,917 
Open House Co., Ltd.   600    22,069 
Orix JREIT, Inc.   15    24,800 
SRE Holdings Corp. (*)   1,800    72,258 
         740,104 
Luxembourg  |  0.8%          
SES SA   21,299    201,468 
           
Mexico  |  0.3%          
Corp Inmobiliaria Vesta SAB de CV   19,000    37,036 
Fibra Uno Administracion SA de CV REIT   19,100    21,606 
         58,642 
Netherlands  |  0.1%          
Eurocommercial Properties NV (*)   1,775    33,379 
           
Norway  |  0.1%          
Entra ASA   1,342    30,437 
           
Singapore  |  0.8%          
Keppel DC REIT   19,800    42,148 
Manulife US Real Estate Investment Trust   49,600    36,984 
Mapletree Commercial Trust REIT   10,500    16,901 
Mapletree Industrial Trust REIT   29,200    63,894 
Sasseur Real Estate Investment Trust   30,900    19,170 
         179,097 
Spain  |  3.0%          
Ferrovial SA   25,786    712,528 

 

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

 

46  Annual Report

 

 

 

         
       Fair 
Description  Shares   Value 
         
Lazard Real Assets Portfolio (•) (continued)          
           
Sweden  |  0.7%          
Castellum AB   2,109   $53,474 
Catena AB   561    26,264 
Fabege AB   1,359    21,354 
Fastighets AB Balder, B Shares (*)   401    20,951 
Nyfosa AB (*)   3,638    36,223 
Sagax AB, Class D   3,205    12,483 
         170,749 
Switzerland  |  0.1%          
Allreal Holding AG   75    17,236 
           
United Arab Emirates  |  0.2%          
Aldar Properties PJSC   65,549    56,264 
           
United Kingdom  |  7.8%          
Anglo American PLC   1,800    59,953 
Big Yellow Group PLC REIT   1,183    17,753 
Civitas Social Housing PLC REIT   26,383    37,825 
Great Portland Estates PLC REIT   2,576    23,552 
Linde PLC   180    47,432 
National Grid PLC   57,341    682,965 
Pennon Group PLC   18,176    236,784 
Segro PLC REIT   11,971    155,197 
Severn Trent PLC   10,504    328,983 
United Utilities Group PLC   23,606    290,346 
         1,880,790 
United States  |  23.1%          
Agree Realty Corp. REIT   377    25,101 
Alexandria Real Estate Equities, Inc., REIT   446    79,486 
American Tower Corp. REIT   1,661    372,828 
Americold Realty Trust REIT   1,252    46,737 
Apple Hospitality REIT, Inc.   2,148    27,731 
AvalonBay Communities, Inc. REIT   224    35,936 
Boston Properties, Inc. REIT   554    52,370 
Brandywine Realty Trust REIT   2,266    26,988 
Brixmor Property Group, Inc. REIT   1,908    31,577 

 

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

 

Annual Report  47

 

 

 

         
       Fair 
Description  Shares   Value 
         
Lazard Real Assets Portfolio (•) (continued)          
           
Brookfield Property REIT, Inc., Class A   1,570   $23,456 
Bunge, Ltd.   1,014    66,498 
Camden Property Trust REIT   561    56,055 
CareTrust REIT, Inc. REIT   900    19,962 
CBRE Group, Inc., Class A (*)   1,041    65,292 
Community Healthcare Trust, Inc. REIT   561    26,429 
Consolidated Edison, Inc.   5,840    422,057 
CoreSite Realty Corp. REIT   446    $55,875 
Crown Castle International Corp., REIT   1,598    254,386 
CSX Corp.   5,655    513,191 
Digital Realty Trust, Inc. REIT   782    109,097 
Easterly Government Properties, Inc. REIT   2,146    48,607 
Equinix, Inc. REIT   269    192,114 
Equity Lifestyle Properties, Inc. REIT   1,167    73,941 
Equity Residential REIT   1,022    60,584 
Essex Property Trust, Inc. REIT   152    36,088 
Extra Space Storage, Inc. REIT   411    47,618 
Gaming and Leisure Properties, Inc. REIT   1,550    65,720 
Getty Realty Corp. REIT   920    25,337 
Healthcare Trust of America, Inc., Class A REIT   1,228    33,819 
Healthpeak Properties, Inc. REIT   1,815    54,867 
Highwoods Properties, Inc. REIT   809    32,061 
Hilton Worldwide Holdings, Inc.   1,971    219,293 
Host Hotels & Resorts, Inc. REIT   2,015    29,479 
Innovative Industrial Properties, Inc. REIT   162    29,667 
Invitation Homes, Inc., REIT   1,343    39,887 
Iron Mountain, Inc. REIT   1,122    33,077 
Lamar Advertising Co., Class A REIT   371    30,875 
Life Storage, Inc. REIT   282    33,668 
Medical Properties Trust, Inc. REIT   3,088    67,288 
Mid-America Apartment Communities, Inc. REIT   738    93,497 
National Retail Properties, Inc. REIT   942    38,547 
Newmont Corp.   1,542    92,350 
Norfolk Southern Corp.   1,055    250,679 
Omega Healthcare Investors, Inc. REIT   874    31,744 
Pennsylvania Real Estate Investment Trust   3,930    3,930 

 

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

 

48  Annual Report

 

 

 

         
       Fair 
Description  Shares   Value 
         
Lazard Real Assets Portfolio (•) (continued)          
           
PotlatchDeltic Corp. REIT   971   $48,569 
Prologis, Inc., REIT   2,693    268,384 
PS Business Parks, Inc., REIT   282    37,469 
Public Storage REIT   567    130,937 
Rayonier, Inc., REIT   1,119    32,876 
Realty Income Corp. REIT   1,403    87,225 
Redfin Corp. (*)   486    33,354 
Regency Centers Corp. REIT   520    23,707 
Retail Value, Inc. REIT   561    $8,342 
Sabra Health Care REIT, Inc.   1,709    29,685 
SBA Communications Corp. REIT   282    79,561 
Simon Property Group, Inc. REIT   1,127    96,111 
Southwest Gas Holdings, Inc.   2,900    176,175 
STORE Capital Corp. REIT   876    29,766 
Sun Communities, Inc. REIT   224    34,037 
Sunstone Hotel Investors, Inc. REIT   2,912    32,993 
Tyson Foods, Inc., Class A   428    27,580 
Uniti Group, Inc. REIT   1,599    18,756 
Ventas, Inc. REIT   1,035    50,756 
VEREIT, Inc. REIT   982    37,110 
VICI Properties, Inc. REIT   1,220    31,110 
Vulcan Materials Co.   338    50,129 
Welltower, Inc. REIT   1,246    80,517 
Weyerhaeuser Co. REIT   1,585    53,145 
WP Carey, Inc. REIT   926    65,357 
Xenia Hotels & Resorts, Inc. REIT   1,648    25,050 
         5,564,490 
Total Common Stocks
(Cost $14,376,700)
        15,872,679 
           
Exchange-Traded Funds  |  5.6%          
Aberdeen Standard Physical Silver Shares ETF (Δ)   5,500    140,525 
SPDR Gold Shares (Δ)   6,808    1,214,275 
           
Total Exchange-Traded Funds
(Cost $1,244,718)
        1,354,800 

 

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

 

Annual Report  49

 

 

 

         
       Fair 
Description  Shares   Value 
         
Lazard Real Assets Portfolio (•) (continued)          
           
Short-Term Investments  |  23.8%          
State Street Institutional Treasury Money Market Fund, Premier Class,
0.01% (7 day yield) (Δ)
(Cost $5,725,684)
   5,725,684   $5,725,684 
           
Total Investments  |  95.3%
(Cost $21,347,102) (»)
       $22,953,163 
           
Cash and Other Assets in Excess of Liabilities  |  4.7%        1,121,093 
           
Net Assets  |  100.0%       $24,074,256 

 

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

 

50  Annual Report

 

 

 

Lazard Real Assets Portfolio (•) (continued)

 

Forward Currency Contracts open at December 31, 2020:

 

                          
Currency
Purchased
  Quantity   Currency
Sold
  Quantity   Counterparty  Settlement
Date
Unrealized
Appreciation
Unrealized
Depreciation
 
                          
AUD   54,067   USD   40,924   JPM  03/25/21           $786          $ 
CAD   3,970   USD   3,083   SSB  03/25/21   37     
EUR   112,510   USD   138,079   JPM  03/25/21       384 
USD   215,828   AUD   285,834   CIT  03/25/21       4,679 
USD   30,475   AUD   40,377   HSB  03/25/21       674 
USD   321,414   AUD   425,772   JPM  03/25/21       7,048 
USD   210,326   AUD   278,596   SSB  03/25/21       4,597 
USD   31,470   CAD   40,118   CIT  03/25/21       54 
USD   14,434   CAD   18,406   JPM  03/25/21       29 
USD   922,090   EUR   756,630   CIT  03/25/21       3,915 
USD   1,834,793   EUR   1,506,534   HSB  03/25/21       8,985 
USD   1,308,212   EUR   1,074,039   SSB  03/25/21       6,255 
USD   866,892   GBP   645,208   HSB  03/25/21       15,867 
USD   507,313   GBP   377,415   JPM  03/25/21       9,058 
USD   133,042   GBP   98,864   SSB  03/25/21       2,222 
USD   158,526   HKD   1,228,910   CIT  03/25/21       18 
USD   18,648   HKD   144,543   SSB  03/25/21        
USD   94,107   HKD   729,547   SSB  03/25/21       13 
Total gross unrealized appreciation/depreciation on Forward Currency Contracts     $823   $63,798 

 

Futures Contracts open at December 31, 2020 (Δ):

 

                           
Type  Number of
Contracts
  Notional
Amount
   Expiration
Date
  Notional
Cost
   Fair
Value
 Unrealized
Appreciation
Unrealized
Depreciation
 
                                
Natural Gas  10  $100,000   02/24/2021  $256,600   $252,600        $          $4,000 
Sugar 11  2   224,000   02/26/2021   28,963    34,698    5,734     
Cotton No. 2  1   50,000   03/09/2021   35,161    39,060    3,899     
Low Sulphur Gasoil  1   100   03/11/2021   42,775    42,500        275 
Soybean Oil  1   60,000   03/12/2021   24,342    25,440    1,098     
Total gross unrealized appreciation/depreciation on Futures Contracts            $10,731    $ 4,275  

 

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

 

Annual Report  51

 

 

 

Lazard Real Assets Portfolio (•) (continued)

 

Total Return Swap Agreements open at December 31, 2020 (Δ):

 

                            
Currency  Counterparty  Notional
Amount
   Expiration
Date
  Receive  Pay  Payable  Payment
Frequency
Unrealized
Appreciation
                               
USD  GSC  $5,594,481   10/22/21  Appreciation,    0.00%  Depreciation,   Upon   $407,293 
              and dividends paid, on commodities in a custom momentum basket       and dividend expense (if applicable), on commodities in a custom momentum basket  Maturity(a)     

 

(a) For swap agreements, the net settlement will occur on the expiration date.

 

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

 

52  Annual Report

 

 

 

Lazard Real Assets Portfolio (•) (concluded)

 

The following table represents the commodity exposure expressed as a percentage of the notional amount of the individual commodity underlying the custom total return basket swap agreements with GSC, as of December 31, 2020:

 

          
Commodity  Commodity Index
Ticker Symbol
  Commodity Exposure Expressed as
a Percentage of Notional Amount
   
          
Aluminum  BCOMAL            4.86%  
Bean Oil  BCOMBO   3.61   
Brent Crude  BCOMCO   3.18   
Coffee  BCOMKC   2.25   
Copper  BCOMHG   11.29   
Corn  BCOMCN   8.49   
Cotton  BCOMCT   0.32   
Crude Oil  BCOMCL   3.23   
Gasoline (RBOB)  BCOMRB   0.29   
Gold  BCOMGC   1.69   
Heating Oil  BCOMHO   2.96   
Kansas Wheat  BCOMKW   3.13   
Lean Hogs  BCOMLH   2.95   
Live Cattle  BCOMLC   3.75   
Natural Gas  BCOMNG   8.18   
Nickel  BCOMNI   3.10   
Silver  BCOMSI   5.11   
Soy Meal  BCOMSM   7.99   
Soybeans  BCOMSY   11.87   
Sugar  BCOMSB   2.64   
Wheat  BCOMWH   5.14   
Zinc  BCOMZS   3.97   
Total      100.00%  

 

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

 

Annual Report  53

 

The Lazard Funds, Inc. Notes to Portfolios of Investments
December 31, 2020

 

(*) Non-income producing security.
(§) Variable and floating rate securities are securities for which interest rate changes are based on changes in a designated base rate. The rates shown are those in effect on December 31, 2020.
(#) Pursuant to Rule 144A under the Securities Act of 1933, these securities may only be traded among “qualified institutional buyers.” At December 31, 2020, these securities amounted to 1.8% of net assets of Lazard Global Dynamic Multi-Asset Portfolio.
(») The portfolio, at all times, maintains portfolio securities in sufficient amount to cover its obligations related to investments in forward currency contracts.
(•) Lazard Real Assets Portfolio’s Portfolio of Investments and accompanying notes are presented on a consolidated basis.
(Δ) The security is owned by Lazard Real Assets Portfolio, Ltd., a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Lazard Real Assets Portfolio. See Note 1 in the Notes to the Financial Statements.

 

Security Abbreviations:

ADR American Depositary Receipt
BBSW Bank Bill Swap Reference Rate
ETF Exchange-Traded Fund
EURIBOR  —  Euro Interbank Offered Rate
LIBOR London Interbank Offered Rate
NIBOR Norway Interbank Offered Rate
PJSC Public Joint Stock Company
REIT Real Estate Investment Trust
SOFR Secured Overnight Financing Rate

 

Currency Abbreviations:

AUD  —  Australian Dollar JPY Japanese Yen
CAD Canadian Dollar KRW  —  South Korean Won
CHF Swiss Franc MXN Mexican New Peso
CLP Chilean Peso NOK Norwegian Krone
CNH Chinese Yuan Renminbi NZD New Zealand Dollar
CZK Czech Koruna PEN Peruvian Sol
COP Colombian Peso PHP Philippine Peso
DKK Danish Krone PLN Polish Zloty
EUR Euro RON New Romanian Leu
GBP British Pound Sterling RUB Russian Ruble
HKD Hong Kong Dollar SEK Swedish Krona
HUF Hungarian Forint SGD Singapore Dollar
IDR Indonesian Rupiah THB Thai Baht
INR Indian Rupee USD United States Dollar

 

Counterparty Abbreviations:

CIT —  Citibank NA
GSC Goldman Sachs International
HSB HSBC Bank USA NA
JPM JPMorgan Chase Bank NA
MSC Morgan Stanley & Co.
SSB State Street Bank and Trust Co.

 

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

 

54  Annual Report

 

 

 

Portfolio holdings by industry (as a percentage of net assets), for those Portfolios previously presented by country:

 

Industry†  Lazard
Global
Dynamic
Multi-Asset
Portfolio
   Lazard
Real
Assets
Portfolio
  
           
Common Stocks and Corporate & Quasi Government Bonds               
Aerospace & Defense   0.8%   %  
Air Freight & Logistics   0.2       
Auto Components   0.4       
Automobiles   1.9       
Banks   4.3       
Beverages   2.4       
Biotechnology   0.3       
Building Products   0.4       
Capital Markets   3.1       
Chemicals   0.6    0.2   
Commercial Services & Suppliers   0.2       
Communications Equipment   0.5       
Construction & Engineering   0.1    5.7   
Construction Materials   0.1    0.2   
Consumer Finance   0.7       
Containers & Packaging   0.4       
Distributors          
Diversified Consumer Services   0.3       
Diversified Financial Services   0.5       
Diversified Telecommunication Services   1.9       
Electric Utilities   0.5    3.4   
Electrical Equipment   1.7       
Electronic Equipment, Instruments & Components   0.4       
Energy Equipment & Services   0.1       
Entertainment   0.7       
Equity Real Estate Investment Trusts (REITs)   0.8    21.5   
Food & Staples Retailing   1.7       
Food Products   0.4    0.4   
Gas Utilities   0.1    4.4   
Health Care Equipment & Supplies   0.7       
Health Care Providers & Services   2.0       
Hotels, Restaurants & Leisure   2.6    0.9   
Household Durables   0.2       
Household Products   1.9       
Independent Power & Renewable Electricity Producers   0.2       
Industrial Conglomerates   0.4       
Insurance   1.8       

 

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

 

Annual Report  55

 

 

 

Industry†  Lazard
Global
Dynamic
Multi-Asset
Portfolio
   Lazard
Real
Assets
Portfolio
  
           
Interactive Media & Services   2.0%   %  
Internet & Direct Marketing Retail   1.5       
IT Services   1.6       
Leisure Products   0.3       
Life Sciences Tools & Services   1.6       
Machinery   1.6       
Marine   0.1       
Media   0.7    1.4   
Metals & Mining   0.7    1.0   
Multiline Retail   0.8       
MultiUtilities   0.3    5.5   
Oil, Gas & Consumable Fuels   0.7       
Personal Products   1.0       
Pharmaceuticals   3.6       
Professional Services   1.0       
Real Estate Management & Development   0.4    8.7   
Road & Rail   0.8    3.2   
Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment   1.6       
Software   4.5       
Specialty Retail   1.8       
Technology Hardware, Storage & Peripherals   2.4       
Textiles, Apparel & Luxury Goods   0.3       
Thrifts & Mortgage Finance          
Tobacco   0.1       
Trading Companies & Distributors   0.3       
Transportation Infrastructure       5.8   
Water Utilities       3.6   
Wireless Telecommunication Services   0.8       
Subtotal   65.8    65.9   
Exchange Traded Funds   5.3    5.6   
Foreign Government Obligations   23.2       
Supranationals   3.7       
US Municipal Bonds   0.7       
US Treasury Securities   0.5       
Short-Term Investments   0.6    23.8   
Total Investments             99.8%   95.3%  

 

Industry classifications may be different than those used for compliance monitoring purposes.

 

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

 

56  Annual Report

 

 

 

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The Lazard Funds, Inc. Statements of Assets and Liabilities

 

 

   Lazard   Lazard         
 Global Dynamic   Opportunistic         
   Multi-Asset   Strategies         
December 31, 2020  Portfolio   Portfolio         
         
ASSETS                  
Investments in securities, at fair value  $58,068,675      $78,378,397         
Cash   200,249    1,404         
Foreign currency, at fair value   26             
Receivables for:                  
Dividends and interest   274,972    18,750         
Capital stock sold   234    6         
Amount due from Investment Manager (Note 3)                
Cash collateral due from broker on futures contracts and swap agreements                
Receivable for variation margin on open futures contracts                
Gross unrealized appreciation on:                   
Swap agreements                
Forward currency contracts   648,637             
Total assets   59,192,793    78,398,557         
         
LIABILITIES                  
Payables for:                  
Management fees   22,101    43,369         
Accrued professional services   35,702    29,576         
Accrued shareholders’ reports   1,062    18,991         
Accrued registration fees   1,530    16,314         
Accrued custodian fees   51,428    12,332         
Accrued directors’ fees   25    124         
Accrued distribution fees   52    37         
Capital stock redeemed       1,696         
Investments purchased   200,249             
Gross unrealized depreciation on forward currency contracts   718,080             
Other accrued expenses and payables   1,529    6,237         
Total liabilities   1,031,758    128,676         
Net assets  $58,161,035   $78,269,881         
         
NET ASSETS                  
Paid in capital  $52,231,443   $67,882,718         
Distributable earnings (Accumulated loss)   5,929,592    10,387,163         
Net assets  $58,161,035   $78,269,881         
         
Institutional Shares                  
Net assets  $57,925,017   $78,116,079         
Shares of capital stock outstanding*   5,427,381    7,380,473         
Net asset value, offering and redemption price per share  $10.67   $10.58         
         
Open Shares                  
Net assets  $236,018   $153,802         
Shares of capital stock outstanding*   22,108    14,614         
Net asset value, offering and redemption price per share  $10.68   $10.52         
Cost of investments in securities  $50,688,367   $67,670,632         
Cost of foreign currency  $26   $         
   
* $0.001 par value, 6,900,000,000 shares authorized for the Portfolios in total.
(a) Consolidated Statement of Assets and Liabilities.

 

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

 

58  Annual Report

 

 

 

 Lazard    
 Real Assets    
 Portfolio (a)    
          
  $ 22,953,163    
       
    1,756    
          
    58,912    
    10    
    20,305    
          
    774,604    
          
    13,636    
          
    407,293    
    823    
    24,230,502    
          
       
    42,836    
    659    
    3,841    
    41,624    
    8    
    16    
       
    1    
          
    63,798    
    3,463    
    156,246    
  $ 24,074,256    
          
  $ 22,697,742    
    1,376,514    
   $ 24,074,256    
          
   $ 23,958,588    
     2,319,287    
          
   $ 10.33    
          
   $ 115,668    
    11,188    
          
   $ 10.34    
   $ 21,347,102    
   $ 1,740    

 

Annual Report  59

 

The Lazard Funds, Inc. Statements of Operations

 

 

   Lazard   Lazard         
 Global Dynamic   Opportunistic         
   Multi-Asset   Strategies         
For the Period Ended December 31, 2020  Portfolio   Portfolio         
         
Investment Income (Loss)                  
Income                  
Dividends  $453,531        $1,169,100         
Interest   442,083    45,617         
Total investment income*   895,614    1,214,717         
Expenses                  
Management fees (Note 3)   412,167    766,045         
Registration fees   36,752    51,563         
Professional services   43,143    49,035         
Shareholders’ reports   7,564    35,773         
Custodian fees   132,980    32,501         
Administration fees   27,264    30,189         
Shareholders’ services   9,689    17,011         
Directors’ fees and expenses   7,394    9,004         
Distribution fees (Open Shares)   665    396         
Other^   6,301    10,335         
Total gross expenses before broker expense on securities sold short   683,919    1,001,852         
Broker expense on securities sold short       7,179         
Total gross expenses   683,919    1,009,031         
Management fees waived and expenses reimbursed   (218,962)   (215,717)        
Total net expenses   464,957    793,314         
Net investment income (loss)   430,657    421,403         
Net Realized and Unrealized Gain (Loss)                  
Net realized gain (loss) on:                  
Investments**   (538,842)   986,691         
Securities sold short       (146,392)        
Foreign currency transactions   (38,475)            
Forward currency contracts   409,494             
Futures contracts                
Swap agreements                
Total net realized gain (loss)   (167,823)   840,299         
         
Net change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on:                  
Investments   1,909,974    4,899,229         
Securities sold short       473,033         
Foreign currency translations   6,562             
Forward currency contracts   (66,272)            
Futures contracts                
Swap agreements                
Total net change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation)   1,850,264    5,372,262         
Net realized and unrealized gain (loss)   1,682,441    6,212,561         
Net increase (decrease) in net assets resulting from operations  $2,113,098   $6,633,964         
* Net of foreign withholding taxes of  $19,346   $         
** Net of foreign capital gains taxes of  $   $         
^ Includes interest on line of credit of  $34   $72         
(a) Consolidated Statement of Operations.

 

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

 

60  Annual Report

 

 

 

    Lazard    
    Real Assets    
    Portfolio (a)    
         
    $383,823   
     133,070   
     516,893   
         
     135,709   
     37,858   
     75,615   
     5,886   
     114,596   
     23,662   
     8,828   
     15,868   
     457   
     10,886   
         
     429,365   
       
     429,365   
     (256,903)  
     172,462   
     344,431   
         
     490,154   
       
     (1,233)  
     (413,715)  
     (117,932)  
     2,963   
     (39,763)  
         
     136,077   
       
     802   
     (1,263)  
     8,784   
     393,892   
     538,292   
     498,529   
         
    $842,960   
    $21,495   
    $86   
    $58   

 

Annual Report  61

 

The Lazard Funds, Inc. Statements of Changes in Net Assets

 

 

   Lazard         
   Global Dynamic Multi-Asset Portfolio         
   Year Ended   Year Ended         
   December 31,   December 31,         
   2020   2019         
         
Increase (Decrease) in Net Assets                  
         
Operations                  
Net investment income (loss)  $430,657      $647,125         
Net realized gain (loss)   (167,823)   (34,410)        
Net change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation)   1,850,264    6,947,863         
Net increase (decrease) in net assets resulting from operations   2,113,098    7,560,578         
         
Distributions to shareholders (Note 2(h))                  
Net investment income and net realized gains                  
Institutional Shares   (1,164,138)   (607,408)        
Open Shares   (4,081)   (2,851)        
Net decrease in net assets resulting from distributions   (1,168,219)   (610,259)        
         
Capital stock transactions                  
Net proceeds from sales                  
Institutional Shares   13,573,016    3,315,020         
Open Shares   38,391    101,513         
Net proceeds from reinvestment of distributions                   
Institutional Shares   1,164,138    607,408         
Open Shares   4,081    2,851         
Cost of shares redeemed                   
Institutional Shares   (5,246,998)   (5,930,367)        
Open Shares   (90,981)   (74,979)        
Net increase (decrease) in net assets from capital stock transactions   9,441,647    (1,978,554)        
Total increase (decrease) in net assets   10,386,526    4,971,765         
Net assets at beginning of period   47,774,509    42,802,744         
Net assets at end of period  $58,161,035   $47,774,509         

 

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

 

62  Annual Report

 

 

 

  Lazard   Lazard   
  Opportunistic Strategies Portfolio   Real Assets Portfolio (a)   
  Year Ended   Year Ended   Year Ended   Year Ended   
  December 31,   December 31,   December 31,   December 31,   
  2020   2019   2020   2019   
                      
  $421,403   $996,030   $344,431   $274,713   
   840,299    3,928,159    (39,763)   (29,648)  
   5,372,262    9,164,208    538,292    2,305,670   
   6,633,964    14,088,397    842,960    2,550,735   
                      
   (1,635,417)   (1,640,929)   (890,908)   (392,070)  
   (2,819)   (3,453)   (3,741)   (1,189)  
                      
   (1,638,236)   (1,644,382)   (894,649)   (393,259)  
                      
   4,433,096    7,393,394    6,113,393    246,555   
   1,947    6,169    1,056,495    15,632   
                      
   1,561,574    1,534,238    890,908    392,070   
   2,617    3,285    3,741    1,189   
                      
   (16,379,299)   (40,611,931)   (451,652)   (1,438,693)  
   (62,305)   (121,466)   (1,066,899)   (653)  
                      
   (10,442,370)   (31,796,311)   6,545,986    (783,900)  
   (5,446,642)   (19,352,296)   6,494,297    1,373,576   
   83,716,523    103,068,819    17,579,959    16,206,383   
  $78,269,881   $83,716,523   $24,074,256   $17,579,959   

 

Annual Report  63

 

 

 

   Lazard         
   Global Dynamic Multi-Asset Portfolio         
   Year Ended   Year Ended         
   December 31,   December 31,         
   2020   2019         
       
Shares issued and redeemed                  
       
Institutional Shares                  
Shares outstanding at beginning of period   4,403,915    4,593,006         
Shares sold   1,431,989    324,728         
Shares issued to shareholders from reinvestment of distributions   110,450    56,451         
Shares redeemed   (518,973)   (570,270)        
Net increase (decrease)   1,023,466    (189,091)        
Shares outstanding at end of period   5,427,381    4,403,915         
       
Open Shares                  
Shares outstanding at beginning of period   27,210    24,305         
Shares sold   3,726    9,879         
Shares issued to shareholders from reinvestment of distributions   387    265         
Shares redeemed   (9,215)   (7,239)        
Net increase (decrease)   (5,102)   2,905         
Shares outstanding at end of period   22,108    27,210         

 

(a) Consolidated Statements of Changes in Net Assets.

 

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

 

64  Annual Report

 

 

 

  Lazard   Lazard   
  Opportunistic Strategies Portfolio   Real Assets Portfolio (a)   
  Year Ended   Year Ended   Year Ended   Year Ended   
  December 31,   December 31,   December 31,   December 31,   
   2020    2019    2020    2019   
                      
   8,460,555    11,766,647    1,639,120    1,715,687   
   460,110    781,937    636,605    23,075   
                      
   148,761    155,602    89,265    37,072   
   (1,688,953)   (4,243,631)   (45,703)   (136,714)  
   (1,080,082)   (3,306,092)   680,167    (76,567)  
   7,380,473    8,460,555    2,319,287    1,639,120   
                      
   21,180    32,902    6,050    4,528   
   205    648    119,887    1,474   
                      
   251    335    373    112   
   (7,022)   (12,705)   (115,122)   (64)  
   (6,566)   (11,722)   5,138    1,522   
   14,614    21,180    11,188    6,050   

 

Annual Report  65

 

The Lazard Funds, Inc. Financial Highlights

 

 

LAZARD GLOBAL DYNAMIC MULTI-ASSET PORTFOLIO

 

Selected data for a share                For the Period 
of capital stock outstanding  Year Ended 5/27/16* to 
throughout the period  12/31/20   12/31/19   12/31/18   12/31/17   12/31/16 
                          
Institutional Shares                         
Net asset value, beginning of period  $10.78   $9.27   $11.49   $10.00          $10.00 
Income (Loss) from investment operations:                         
Net investment income (loss) (a)   0.08    0.14    0.16    0.15    0.06 
Net realized and unrealized gain (loss)   0.02    1.51    (0.92)   1.92    (0.01)
                          
Total from investment operations   0.10    1.65    (0.76)   2.07    0.05 
Less distributions from:                         
Net investment income   (0.21)   (0.14)   (0.20)   (0.14)   (0.05)
Net realized gains           (1.26)   (0.44)   (b)
                          
Total distributions   (0.21)   (0.14)   (1.46)   (0.58)   (0.05)
                          
Net asset value, end of period  $10.67   $10.78   $9.27   $11.49   $10.00 
                          
Total Return (c)   1.00%   17.80%   –6.35%   20.69%   0.53%
                          
Ratios and Supplemental Data:                         
Net assets, end of period (in thousands)  $57,925   $47,481   $42,577   $68,761   $48,544 
Ratios to average net assets (d):                         
Net expenses   0.90%   0.90%   0.90%   0.90%   0.90%
Gross expenses   1.32%   1.45%   1.34%   1.42%   2.14%
Net investment income (loss)   0.84%   1.36%   1.36%   1.40%   0.95%
Portfolio turnover rate   173%   125%   120%   102%   67%

 

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

 

66  Annual Report

 

 

 

Selected data for a share                For the Period 
of capital stock outstanding  Year Ended 5/27/16* to 
throughout the period  12/31/20   12/31/19   12/31/18   12/31/17   12/31/16 
                          
Open Shares                         
Net asset value, beginning of period  $10.78   $9.27   $11.49   $10.00   $10.00 
Income (Loss) from investment operations:                         
Net investment income (loss) (a)   0.06    0.11    0.12    0.12    0.04 
Net realized and unrealized gain (loss)   0.03    1.51    (0.91)   1.91    (0.01)
                          
Total from investment operations   0.09    1.62    (0.79)   2.03    0.03 
Less distributions from:                         
Net investment income   (0.19)   (0.11)   (0.17)   (0.10)   (0.03)
Net realized gains           (1.26)   (0.44)   (b)
                          
Total distributions   (0.19)   (0.11)   (1.43)   (0.54)   (0.03)
                          
Net asset value, end of period  $10.68   $10.78   $9.27   $11.49           $10.00 
                          
Total Return (c)   0.84%   17.46%   –6.64%   20.33%   0.35%
                          
Ratios and Supplemental Data:                         
Net assets, end of period (in thousands)  $236   $293   $225   $414   $210 
Ratios to average net assets (d):                         
Net expenses   1.15%   1.18%   1.20%   1.20%   1.20%
Gross expenses   3.09%   5.45%   4.20%   5.79%   9.43%
Net investment income (loss)   0.61%   1.10%   1.07%   1.09%   0.72%
Portfolio turnover rate   173%   125%   120%   102%   67%

 

* The Portfolio commenced operations on May 27, 2016.
(a) Net investment income (loss) has been computed using the average shares method.
(b) Amount is less than $0.01 per share.
(c) Total returns reflect reinvestment of all dividends and distributions, if any. Certain expenses of the Portfolio may have been waived or reimbursed by the Investment Manager, State Street or DST; without such waiver/reimbursement of expenses, the Portfolio’s returns would have been lower. Return for a period of less than one year is not annualized.
(d) Annualized for a period of less than one year except for non-recurring expenses.

 

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

 

Annual Report  67

 

 

 

 

LAZARD OPPORTUNISTIC STRATEGIES PORTFOLIO

 

Selected data for a share                    
of capital stock outstanding  Year Ended 
throughout each period  12/31/20   12/31/19   12/31/18   12/31/17   12/31/16 
                          
Institutional Shares                         
Net asset value, beginning of period  $9.87   $8.74   $10.60   $9.70   $9.36 
Income (Loss) from investment operations:                         
Net investment income (loss) (a)   0.05    0.10    0.14    0.10    0.16^
Net realized and unrealized gain (loss)   0.88    1.23    (1.48)   1.62    0.34 
                          
Total from investment operations   0.93    1.33    (1.34)   1.72    0.50 
Less distributions from:                         
Net investment income   (0.05)   (0.12)   (0.02)   (0.14)   (0.14)
Net realized gains   (0.17)   (0.08)   (0.48)   (0.68)    
Return of capital           (0.02)       (0.02)
                          
Total distributions   (0.22)   (0.20)   (0.52)   (0.82)   (0.16)
                          
Redemption fees                   (b)
                          
Net asset value, end of period  $10.58   $9.87   $8.74   $10.60   $9.70 
                          
Total Return (c)   9.47%   15.16%   –12.72%   17.74%   5.36%^
                          
Ratios and Supplemental Data:                         
Net assets, end of period (in thousands)  $78,116   $83,509   $102,783   $151,767   $141,494 
Ratios to average net assets:                         
Net expenses   1.04%   1.22%   1.02%   1.05%   1.02%^
Gross expenses   1.30%   1.43%   1.15%   1.18%   1.19%
Gross expenses, excluding expenses on securities sold short   1.29%   1.23%   1.15%†   1.15%   1.19%
Net investment income (loss)   0.55%   1.08%   1.32%   0.99%   1.72%^
Portfolio turnover rate:                         
Excluding securities sold short   88%   82%   227%   142%   238%
Including securities sold short   94%   99%   N/A%†   153%   N/A%†

 

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

 

68  Annual Report

 

 

 

Selected data for a share                    
of capital stock outstanding  Year Ended 
throughout each period  12/31/20   12/31/19   12/31/18   12/31/17   12/31/16 
                          
Open Shares                         
Net asset value, beginning of period  $9.82   $8.69   $10.55   $9.65   $9.32 
Income (Loss) from investment operations:                         
Net investment income (loss) (a)   0.03    0.07    0.10    0.05    0.13^
Net realized and unrealized gain (loss)   0.86    1.23    (1.46)   1.64    0.33 
                          
Total from investment operations   0.89    1.30    (1.36)   1.69    0.46 
Less distributions from:                         
Net investment income   (0.02)   (0.09)       (0.11)   (0.11)
Net realized gains   (0.17)   (0.08)   (0.48)   (0.68)    
Return of capital           (0.02)       (0.02)
                          
Total distributions   (0.19)   (0.17)   (0.50)   (0.79)   (0.13)
                          
Net asset value, end of period  $10.52   $9.82   $8.69   $10.55   $9.65 
                          
Total Return (c)   9.14%   14.91%   –13.05%   17.48%   4.97%^
                          
Ratios and Supplemental Data:                         
Net assets, end of period (in thousands)  $154   $208   $286   $428   $823 
Ratios to average net assets:                         
Net expenses   1.28%   1.51%   1.32%   1.34%   1.32%^
Gross expenses   7.75%   3.78%   4.22%   3.87%   3.31%
Gross expenses, excluding expenses on securities sold short   7.74%   3.58%   4.22%†   3.85%   3.31%†
Net investment income (loss)   0.31%   0.76%   1.00%   0.53%   1.43%^
Portfolio turnover rate:                         
Excluding securities sold short   88%   82%   227%   142%   238%
Including securities sold short   94%   99%   N/A%†   153%   N/A%†

 

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

 

Annual Report  69

 

 

 

No securities sold short during the year.
^ Refer to Note 3 in the Notes to Financial Statements for discussion of prior period custodian out-of-pocket expenses that were reimbursed to the Portfolio in the period. The amount of the reimbursement was less than $0.005 per share. There was no impact on the total return of the Portfolio. The net expenses and net investment income (loss) ratios of the Portfolio would be unchanged as the change to period custodian fees was offset against current period expense waivers/reimbursements with no impact to net expenses or net investment income (loss).
(a) Net investment income (loss) has been computed using the average shares method.
(b) Amount is less than $0.01 per share.
(c) Total returns reflect reinvestment of all dividends and distributions, if any. Certain expenses of the Portfolio may have been waived or reimbursed by the Investment Manager, State Street or DST; without such waiver/reimbursement of expenses, the Portfolio’s returns would have been lower.

 

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

 

70  Annual Report

 

 

 

 

LAZARD REAL ASSETS PORTFOLIO^

 

Selected data for a share                For the Period 
of capital stock outstanding  Year Ended 12/31/16* to 
throughout each period  12/31/20   12/31/19   12/31/18   12/31/17   12/31/16 
                          
Institutional Shares                         
Net asset value, beginning of period  $10.69   $9.42   $10.71   $10.00   $10.00 
Income (Loss) from investment operations:                         
Net investment income (loss) (a)   0.17    0.16    0.16    0.19     
Net realized and unrealized gain (loss)   (0.12)   1.35    (0.96)   0.78    (b)
                          
Total from investment operations   0.05    1.51    (0.80)   0.97    (b)
Less distributions from:                         
Net investment income   (0.20)   (0.24)   (0.25)   (0.13)    
Net realized gains   (0.21)   (b)   (0.24)   (0.13)    
                          
Total distributions   (0.41)   (0.24)   (0.49)   (0.26)    
                          
Net asset value, end of period  $10.33   $10.69   $9.42   $10.71   $10.00 
                          
Total Return (c)   0.61%   16.07%   –7.47%   9.80%   0.00%
                          
Ratios and Supplemental Data:                         
Net assets, end of period (in thousands)  $23,959   $17,515   $16,164   $17,812          $13,090 
Ratios to average net assets (d):                         
Net expenses   0.86%   0.90%   0.90%   0.90%   0.00%
Gross expenses   2.13%   2.20%   2.04%   3.13%   3.49%
Net investment income (loss)   1.73%   1.59%   1.53%   1.79%   0.00%
Portfolio turnover rate   109%   44%   72%   76%   0%

 

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

 

Annual Report  71

 

 

 

Selected data for a share            For the Period   
of capital stock outstanding  Year Ended 1/9/17* to   
throughout each period  12/31/20   12/31/19   12/31/18   12/31/17   
                          
Open Shares                      
Net asset value, beginning of period  $10.67   $9.41   $10.70         $10.03   
Income (Loss) from investment operations:                      
Net investment income (loss) (a)   0.17    0.14    0.14    0.18   
Net realized and unrealized gain (loss)   (0.14)   1.33    (0.96)   0.74   
                          
Total from investment operations   0.03    1.47    (0.82)   0.92   
Less distributions from:                      
Net investment income   (0.15)   (0.21)   (0.23)   (0.12)  
Net realized gains   (0.21)   (b)   (0.24)   (0.13)  
                          
Total distributions   (0.36)   (0.21)   (0.47)   (0.25)  
                          
Net asset value, end of period  $10.34   $10.67   $9.41   $10.70   
                          
Total Return (c)   0.42%   15.70%   –7.70%   9.17%  
                          
Ratios and Supplemental Data:                      
                          
Net assets, end of period (in thousands)  $116   $65   $43   $135   
Ratios to average net assets (d):                      
Net expenses   1.13%   1.10%   1.15%   1.15%  
Gross expenses   4.64%   23.75%   13.72%   20.65%  
Net investment income (loss)   1.77%   1.39%   1.29%   1.69%  
Portfolio turnover rate   109%   44%   72%   76%  
                       
^ Consolidated Financial Highlights.
* The inception date for the Institutional Shares was December 30, 2016 and for the Open Shares was January 9, 2017.
(a) Net investment income (loss) has been computed using the average shares method.
(b) Amount is less than $0.01 per share.
(c) Total returns reflect reinvestment of all dividends and distributions, if any. Certain expenses of the Portfolio may have been waived or reimbursed by the Investment Manager, State Street or DST; without such waiver/reimbursement of expenses, the Portfolio’s returns would have been lower. Returns for a period of less than one year are not annualized.
(d) Annualized for a period of less than one year except for non-recurring expenses.

 

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

 

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The Lazard Funds, Inc. Notes to Financial Statements

December 31, 2020

 

1. Organization

The Lazard Funds, Inc. was incorporated in Maryland on May 17, 1991 and is registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the “1940 Act”), as an open-end management investment company. As of December 31, 2020, the Fund was comprised of thirty no-load portfolios (each referred to as a “Portfolio”). This report includes only the financial statements of the Lazard Global Dynamic Multi-Asset Portfolio (“Global Dynamic Multi-Asset”), the Lazard Opportunistic Strategies Portfolio (“Opportunistic Strategies”), and the Lazard Real Assets Porfolio (“Real Assets”, which was formerly the Lazard Real Assets and Pricing Portfolio). The financial statements of the other twenty-seven Portfolios are presented separately.

 

The Portfolios are operated as “diversified” funds, as defined in the 1940 Act.

 

Each Portfolio currently offers Institutional Shares and Open Shares. Each share class is identical except as to minimum investment requirements; the services offered to, and expenses borne by, each class; and the availability of Service Payments (as defined in the Fund’s prospectus).

 

Lazard Real Assets Portfolio commenced investment operations and issued Institutional Shares on December 30, 2016. Lazard Real Assets Portfolio, Ltd. (formerly Lazard Real Assets and Pricing Opportunities Portfolio, Ltd.) (the “Subsidiary”), organized under the laws of the Cayman Islands, was incorporated on October 7, 2016 and commenced operations on December 30, 2016. The Subsidiary acts as an investment vehicle for the Portfolio in order to effect certain investments on behalf of the Portfolio, consistent with its investment objective and policies as described in its prospectus. In addition to investing directly in commodity-linked instruments, the Portfolio may gain exposure to the commodities markets by investing up to 25% of its total assets in the Subsidiary. The financial statements of the Portfolio have been consolidated and include the accounts of both the Portfolio and the Subsidiary. All inter-company balances and transactions have been eliminated in consolidation. As of December 31, 2020, net assets of the Portfolio were $ 24,074,256, of which $ 4,877,940, or 20.26%, represented the

 

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Portfolio’s ownership of all issued shares and voting rights of the Subsidiary.

 

2. Significant Accounting Policies

The accompanying financial statements are presented in conformity with GAAP. The Fund is an investment company and therefore applies specialized accounting guidance in accordance with Accounting Standards Codification Topic 946. The following is a summary of significant accounting policies consistently followed by the Fund in the preparation of the financial statements:

 

(a) Valuation of Investments—Equity securities traded on a securities exchange or market, including exchange-traded option contracts, rights and warrants, are valued at the last reported sales price (for US listed equity securities) or the closing price (for non-US listed equity securities) on the exchange or market on which the security is principally traded or, for securities trading on the NASDAQ National Market System (“NASDAQ”), the NASDAQ Official Closing Price. If there is no available closing price for a non-US listed equity security, the last reported sales price is used. If there are no reported sales of a security on the valuation date, the security is valued at the most recent quoted bid price on such date reported by such principal exchange or market. Futures contracts are valued at the settlement price on the exchange on which the contract is principally traded. Over the counter swap agreements are valued by an independent pricing service and centrally cleared swaps are valued at the last reported sale on the clearing exchange. Forward currency contracts generally are valued using quotations from an independent pricing service. Investments in money market funds are valued at the fund’s net asset value (“NAV”) per share.

 

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 on, among other things, trading in securities with similar characteristics, brokers’ quotations and/or a matrix system which considers such factors as other security prices, yields and maturities.

 

Calculation of a Portfolio’s NAV may not take place contemporaneously with the determination of the prices of portfolio assets used

 

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in such calculation. Trading on certain non-US securities exchanges or markets, such as those in Europe and Asia, may be completed before the close of business on each business day in New York (i.e., a day on which the New York Stock Exchange (the “NYSE”) is open). In addition, securities trading in a particular non-US country or countries, may not take place on all business days in New York and on which the NAV of a Portfolio is calculated.

 

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 Portfolio’s NAV 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 Fund’s Board of Directors (the “Board”). The fair value of non-US 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 US securities and other appropriate indicators, such as closing market prices of relevant ADRs or futures contracts. Certain non-US securities may trade on days when a Portfolio is not open for business, thus affecting the value of the Portfolio’s assets on days when Portfolio shareholders may not be able to buy or sell Portfolio shares.

 

The Valuation Committee of the Investment Manager, which is subject to the oversight 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 Manager’s portfolio management team also will be considered.

 

The effect of using fair value pricing is that the NAV 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

 

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recent closing price of a security and from the prices used by other investment companies to calculate their portfolios’ NAVs.

 

(b) Portfolio Securities Transactions and Investment Income—Portfolio securities transactions are accounted for on trade date. Realized gain (loss) on sales of investments are recorded on a specific identification basis. Dividend income and dividend expenses on short sales are recorded on the ex-dividend date except for certain dividends from non-US securities where the dividend rate is not available. In such cases, the dividend is recorded as soon as the information is received by a Portfolio. Interest income, if any, is accrued daily. A Portfolio amortizes premiums and accretes discounts on fixed-income securities using the effective yield method.

 

A Portfolio may be subject to taxes imposed by non-US countries in which it invests. Such taxes are generally based upon income earned or capital gains (realized and/or unrealized). An affected Portfolio accrues and applies such taxes to net investment income, net realized gains and net unrealized gains concurrent with the recognition of income earned or capital gains (realized and/or unrealized) from the applicable Portfolio securities.

 

(c) Foreign Currency Translation and Forward Currency Contracts—The accounting records of the Fund are maintained in US dollars. Portfolio securities and other assets and liabilities denominated in a foreign currency are translated daily into US dollars at the prevailing rates of exchange. Purchases and sales of securities, income receipts and expense payments are translated into US dollars at the prevailing exchange rates on the respective transaction dates.

 

The Portfolios do not isolate the portion of operations resulting from changes in foreign exchange rates on investments from the fluctuations arising from changes in their market prices. Such fluctuations are included in net realized and unrealized gain (loss) on investments. A forward currency contract is an agreement between two parties to buy or sell currency at a set price on a future date. Daily fluctuations in the value of forward currency contracts are recorded as unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on forward currency contracts. When the contract is closed, the

 

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Portfolio records a realized gain (loss) equal to the difference between the value at the time it was opened and the value at the time it was closed. Net realized gain (loss) on foreign currency transactions and forward currency contracts represent net foreign currency gain (loss) from forward currency contracts, disposition of foreign currencies, currency gain (loss) realized between the trade and settlement dates on securities transactions, and the difference between the amount of dividends, interest and foreign withholding taxes recorded on the Portfolios’ accounting records and the US dollar equivalent amounts actually received or paid. Net change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on foreign currency translations reflects the impact of changes in exchange rates on the value of assets and liabilities, other than investments in securities, during the period.

 

During the year ended December 31, 2020, the Global Dynamic Multi-Asset and Real Assets Portfolios traded in forward currency contracts.

 

(d) Futures Contracts—For hedging and investment purposes, certain Portfolios may enter into futures contracts in US domestic markets, or exchanges located outside the United States.

 

Foreign markets may offer advantages such as trading opportunities or arbitrage possibilities not available in the United States. Foreign markets, however, may have greater risk potential than domestic markets. For example, some foreign exchanges are principal markets so that no common clearing facility exists and an investor may look 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 Commodity Futures Trading Commission.

 

Engaging in these transactions involves risk of loss to the Portfolio which could adversely affect the value of the Portfolio’s net assets.

 

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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.

 

During the year ended December 31, 2020, the Real Assets Portfolio traded in futures contracts.

 

(e) Swap Agreements—Swap agreements on equity securities involve commitments to pay interest in exchange for a market linked return based on a notional amount. The counterparty pays out the total return of the equity security or basket of equity securities and, in return, receives a regular stream of payments, based on an agreed-upon interest rate. To the extent the total return of the security or basket of securities underlying the transaction exceeds (or falls short of) the offsetting interest rate obligation, a Portfolio will receive a payment from (or make a payment to) the counterparty.

 

Commodity-linked swap agreements involve commitments to pay interest in exchange for a commodity-linked return based on a notional amount. To the extent the return of the reference commodity or commodity index or basket of reference commodities or commodity indexes underlying the transaction exceeds (or falls short of) the offsetting interest rate obligation, a Portfolio will receive a payment from (or make a payment to) the counterparty.

 

Swap agreements generally are valued by an independent pricing service, and the change in value, if any, is recorded as unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on swap agreements in a Portfolio’s accompanying Statement of Assets and Liabilities. Once the

 

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interim payments are settled in cash, the net amount is recorded as realized gain (loss) on swap agreements in a Portfolio’s accompanying Statement of Operations, in addition to any realized gain (loss) recorded upon the termination of swap agreements.

 

During the year ended December 31, 2020, the Real Assets Portfolios traded in swap agreements.

 

(f) Short Sales—A short sale is a transaction in which a Portfolio sells securities it does not own but has borrowed in anticipation of a decline in the market price of the securities. The initial amount of a short sale is recorded as a liability which is marked-to-market daily. Fluctuations in the value of the short liability are recorded as unrealized gains or losses. A Portfolio realizes a gain or loss upon closing of the short sale (returning the security to the counterparty by way of purchase or delivery of a long position owned). Short sales by a Portfolio involve certain risks and special considerations. Possible losses from short sales differ from losses that could be incurred from a purchase of a security because losses from short sales may be unlimited, whereas losses from purchases cannot exceed the total amount invested. The Portfolio may have to pay a fee to borrow the particular security and is liable to the buyer for any dividends or interest payable on securities while those securities are in a short position. These dividends and interest amounts are an expense of the Portfolio. The Portfolio designates collateral consisting of cash, US government securities or other liquid assets sufficient to collateralize the market value of short positions.

 

Proceeds from short sales are generally retained in cash accounts or invested in securities that are cash equivalents. With regard to securities borrowed as of December 31, 2020, pursuant to short sale arrangements, a Portfolio has a right to set off any assets held (including the borrowed securities) or obligations owed to the lender (State Street), in the event of the lender’s default, against any obligations owed by the lender to the Portfolio under any agreement or collateral document, including the collateral value of the Securities Loan Collateral, as that term is defined in the Securities Lending and Services Agreement between the Fund and State Street.

 

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For the year ended December 31, 2020, proceeds from securities sold short and purchases to cover short positions for the Opportunistic Strategies Portfolio were $0 and $4,647,604, respectively.

 

(g) Federal Income Taxes—The Fund’s policy is for each Portfolio to qualify as a regulated investment company under Subchapter M of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “Code”), and to distribute all of its taxable income, including any net realized capital gains, to shareholders. Therefore, no federal income tax provision is required.

 

At December 31, 2020, the Global Dynamic Multi-Asset Portfolio had $896,176 unused short-term realized capital loss carryovers which, for federal income tax purposes, could be used to offset future realized capital gains.

 

Under current tax law, post-October capital losses or certain late-year ordinary losses, as defined by the Code, within the taxable year may be deferred and treated as occurring on the first day of the following tax year. For the tax year ended December 31, 2020, the following Portfolios elected to defer such losses as follows:

 

Portfolio  Post-October
Capital Loss
Deferral
  Late-Year
Ordinary Loss
Deferral
 
Opportunistic Strategies  $314,145  $            —  
Real Assets  15,048  281,359  

 

For federal income tax purposes, the aggregate cost, aggregate gross unrealized appreciation, aggregate gross unrealized depreciation and the net unrealized appreciation (depreciation) were as follows:

 

Portfolio  Aggregate
Cost
  Aggregate
Gross
Unrealized
Appreciation
  Aggregate
Gross
Unrealized
Depreciation
  Net
Unrealized
Appreciation
(Depreciation)
 
               
Global Dynamic Multi-Asset  $50,786,541  $ 6,847,245  $228,588  $6,618,657  
Opportunistic Strategies  67,670,632  10,772,519  64,754  10,707,765  
Real Assets  22,804,964  852,204  290,289  561,915  

 

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Management has analyzed the Portfolios tax positions, and has concluded that no liability for unrecognized tax benefits should be recorded related to uncertain tax positions taken on tax returns filed for any open tax years (or expected to be taken on future tax returns). Open tax years are those that remain subject to examination and are based on each tax jurisdiction’s statute of limitations. Each Portfolio files a US federal income tax return annually after its fiscal year-end, which is subject to examination by the Internal Revenue Service for a period of three years from the date of filing.

 

(h) Dividends and Distributions—For each Portfolio, income dividends are normally declared each business day and paid annually. except that the Real Assets Portfolio’s dividends from net investment income (if any), will be declared and paid quarterly. During any particular year, net realized gains from investment transactions in excess of available capital loss carryforwards would be taxable to the Portfolios, if not distributed. The Portfolios intend to declare and distribute these amounts, at least annually, to shareholders; but may be distributed more frequently. Differences in per share distributions, by class, are generally due to differences in class specific expenses.

 

Net income and realized gains from investments held by the Subsidiary are treated as ordinary income for tax purposes. If a net loss is realized by the Subsidiary in any taxable year, the loss will generally not be available to offset the Real Assets Portfolio’s ordinary income and/or capital gains for that year, or any future tax year.

 

Income and capital gains distributions are determined in accordance with federal income tax regulations which may differ from GAAP. These book/tax differences, which may result in distribution reclassifications, are primarily due to differing treatments of foreign currency transactions, wash sales, distributions redesignations, Treasury Inflation-Protected Securities, currency straddles, passive foreign investment companies, certain fixed-income securities, expenses, derivatives and distributions from real estate investment trusts. The book/tax differences relating to shareholder distri-

 

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butions may result in reclassifications among certain capital accounts.

 

Portfolio  Paid in
Capital
   Distributable
Earnings
(Accumulated Loss)
   
           
Global Dynamic Multi-Asset  $(17,637)   $17,637   
Opportunistic Strategies   (12,678)   12,678   
Real Assets   (30,135)   30,135   

 

The tax character of dividends and distributions paid during the years ended December 31, were as follows:

 

   Ordinary Income  Long-Term Capital Gain  
Portfolio  2020   2019   2020   2019   
                   
Global Dynamic Multi-Asset  $1,168,219   $486,191   $   $124,068   
Opportunistic Strategies   378,002    998,829    1,260,234    645,553   
Real Assets   427,792    388,282    466,857    4,977   

 

At December 31, 2020, the components of distributable earnings (accumulated loss), on a tax basis, were as follows:

 

Portfolio  Undistributed
Ordinary Income
(Deferred Ordinary
Losses)
   Undistributed
Long-Term
Capital Gain
(Deferred Capital
Losses)
   Net Unrealized
Appreciation
(Depreciation)
Including Foreign
Currency
   
               
Global Dynamic Multi-Asset  $239,799   $(896,176)  $6,585,969   
Opportunistic Strategies       (314,145)   10,701,308   
Real Assets       (296,407)   1,672,921   

 

(i) Allocation of Expenses—Expenses common to the Fund, Lazard Retirement Series, Inc. and Lazard Global Total Return and Income Fund, Inc. (each a “Lazard Fund” and collectively, the “Lazard Fund Complex”), each a registered management investment company advised by the Investment Manager, not directly chargeable to one or more specific Lazard Funds are allocated to the Fund and among its Portfolios primarily on the basis of relative net assets. Expenses of the Fund not directly chargeable to one or more Portfolios are similarly allocated among the Portfolios on the basis of relative net assets. Portfolios accrue distribution and service (12b-1) fees in the Open Share class. Each Portfolio’s income, expenses (other than class specific expenses) and realized and unrealized gains and

 

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losses are allocated proportionally each day between the classes based upon the relative net assets of each class.

 

(j) Redemption Fee—Until August 15, 2016, the Global Dynamic Multi-Asset and Opportunistic Strategies Portfolios imposed a 1.00% redemption fee (short-term trading fee) on Portfolio shares redeemed less than 30 days after such shares were acquired. The fees were retained by the Portfolios and are included as paid in capital on the Statements of Assets and Liabilities. As of August 15, 2016, redemption fees no longer apply to transactions in Portfolio shares.

 

(k) Estimates—The preparation of financial statements in conformity with GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of increases and decreases in net assets resulting from operations during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from those estimates.

 

(l) Net Asset Value—The NAV per share for each class of each Portfolio is determined each day the NYSE is open for trading as of the close of regular trading on the NYSE (generally 4:00 p.m. Eastern time). The Fund will not treat an intraday unscheduled disruption in NYSE trading as a closure of the NYSE, and will price its shares as of 4:00 p.m., if the particular disruption directly affects only the NYSE. The NAV per share of a class 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.

 

3. Investment Management, Administration, Custody, Distribution and Transfer Agency Agreements

The Fund, on behalf of the Portfolios, has entered into a management agreement (the “Management Agreement”) with the Investment Manager. Pursuant to the Management Agreement, the Investment Manager manages the investment operations of each Portfolio and the assets of each Portfolio including the purchase, retention and disposition thereof, in accordance with the Portfolio’s investment

 

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objectives, policies, and restrictions, and provides the Portfolios with administrative, operational and compliance assistance services. For its services provided to the Portfolios, the Investment Manager earns a management fee, accrued daily as a percentage of each Portfolio’s average daily net assets and payable by each Portfolio monthly, at the annual rate set forth below:

 

Portfolio  Annual Rate 
      
Global Dynamic Multi-Asset   0.80%
Opportunistic Strategies   1.00 
Real Assets   0.65(a)
(a) From January 1, 2020 until September 1, 2020, the annual rate was 0.70%.

 

The Investment Manager provides investment management and other services to the Subsidiary. The Investment Manager does not receive separate compensation from the Subsidiary for providing such services. However, the Real Assets Portfolio pays the Investment Manager based on its net assets, which include the assets of the Subsidiary.

 

The Investment Manager has voluntarily agreed to waive its fees and, if necessary, reimburse each Portfolio until May 1, 2021 if the aggregate direct expenses of a Portfolio, exclusive of taxes, brokerage, interest on borrowings, dividend and interest expenses on securities sold short, fees and expenses of “Acquired Funds” (as defined in Form N-1A), fees and expenses related to filing foreign tax reclaims, and extraordinary expenses, on behalf of the Portfolio, exceed the percentages of the value of the Portfolio’s average daily net assets set forth opposite the Portfolio’s name in the table below. The Fund, on behalf of the Portfolio, may deduct from the payment to be made to the Investment Manager under the Management Agreement, or the Investment Manager will bear, such excess expenses.

 

Portfolio  Institutional
Shares
 Open Shares 
           
Global Dynamic Multi-Asset   0.90%   1.15%
Opportunistic Strategies   1.02    1.27 
Real Assets   0.80(a)   1.05(a)
   
(a) From January 1, 2020 until September 1, 2020, annual rates were 0.90% and 1.15%, respectively.

 

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During the year ended December 31, 2020, the Investment Manager waived its management fees and reimbursed the following Portfolios for other expenses as follows:

 

   Institutional Shares   Open Shares   
Portfolio  Management
Fees Waived
   Expenses
Reimbursed
   Management
Fees Waived
   Expenses
Reimbursed
   
                       
Global Dynamic Multi-Asset       $213,788        $            $2,129          $3,045   
Opportunistic Strategies   205,492        1,582    8,643   
Real Assets   134,465    116,040    1,244    5,154   

 

The aforementioned waivers and/or reimbursements are not subject to recoupment by the Investment Manager.

 

State Street serves as the Fund’s custodian and provides the Fund with certain administrative services.

 

In December 2015, State Street announced that it had identified inconsistencies in the way in which clients were invoiced for custody out-of-pocket expenses from 1998 until 2015. The difference between what was charged and what should have been charged, plus interest, was recorded as a reimbursement when determined in 2016. Pursuant to the expense limitations described above, the Lazard Opportunistic Strategies Portfolio experienced management fee waivers during the year ended December 31, 2016. Accordingly, the reimbursement of out-of-pocket expenses resulted in the reduction in the waiver of management fees for certain Portfolios for the year ended December 31, 2016.

 

The Fund has a distribution agreement with Lazard Asset Management Securities LLC (the “Distributor”), a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Investment Manager, to serve as the distributor for shares of each Portfolio. The Distributor bears, amongst other things, the cost of preparing and distributing materials used by the Distributor in connection with its offering Portfolio shares and other advertising and promotional expenses.

 

Under a distribution and servicing plan adopted pursuant to Rule 12b-1 under the 1940 Act, each Portfolio pays a monthly fee to the Distributor, at an annual rate of 0.25% of the average daily net assets of its Open Shares, for certain distribution activities and providing services to holders of the Portfolio’s Open shares. The Distrib-

 

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utor may make payments to third parties such as financial institutions, securities dealers and other industry professionals in respect of these services.

 

DST is the Fund’s transfer agent and dividend disbursing agent.

 

4. Directors’ Compensation

Certain Directors of the Fund are officers of the Investment Manager. For the period ended June 30, 2020, each Director who is not an affiliated person of the Investment Manager or any of its affiliates was paid by all of the Portfolios in the Lazard Fund Complex: (1) an annual retainer of $237,000, (2) an additional annual retainer of $33,700 to the lead Independent Director, and (3) an additional annual retainer of $23,500 to the Audit Committee Chair. The Independent Directors (an “Independent Director” is a Director who is not an “interested person” (as defined in the 1940 Act) of the Fund) also may be paid additional compensation for participation on ad hoc committees or other work performed on behalf of the Board. The Independent Directors may be paid additional fees for participation on ad hoc committees or other work performed on behalf of the Board. The Independent Directors are reimbursed for travel and other out-of-pocket expenses for attending Board and committee meetings or incurred in connection with work performed on behalf of the Board. The Directors do not receive benefits from the Fund pursuant to any pension, retirement or similar arrangement. The compensation policy (i.e., retainer amounts and any additional fees as described above) for Independent Directors for the Lazard Fund Complex will remain the same in 2021. Independent Directors’ compensation and expenses are allocated among the active portfolios in the Lazard Fund Complex at a rate of $5,000 per active portfolio with the remainder allocated among the active Portfolios on the basis of relative net assets. The Statements of Operations shows the Independent Directors’ compensation and expenses paid by each Portfolio.

 

5. Securities Transactions and Transactions with Affiliates

Purchases and sales of portfolio securities (excluding short-term investments and short sales) for the year ended December 31, 2020 were as follows:

 

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Portfolio  Purchases   Sales 
           
Global Dynamic Multi-Asset  $84,924,395   $74,566,193 
Opportunistic Strategies   59,802,621    66,028,079 
Real Assets   18,374,112    14,049,486 

 

   US Treasury Securities 
Portfolio  Purchases   Sales 
Global Dynamic Multi-Asset   $8,490,628    $9,013,776 
Real Assets  $770,477   $3,217,683 

 

At December 31, 2020, the Investment Manager owned 8.98% of the outstanding shares of the Global Dynamic Multi-Asset Portfolio.

 

For the year ended December 31, 2020, the Portfolios did not engage in any cross-trades in accordance with Rule 17a-7 under the 1940 Act, and no brokerage commissions were paid to affiliates of the Investment Manager or other affiliates of the Fund for portfolio transactions executed on behalf of the Fund.

 

6. Line of Credit

The Fund has a $100 million committed line of credit pursuant to an Amended and Restated Loan Agreement (the “Agreement”) with State Street, primarily for temporary or emergency purposes, including the meeting of redemption requests that otherwise might require the untimely disposition of securities. Interest on borrowings is payable at 1.00% plus the “Applicable Rate,” which is the higher of (a) the Federal Funds Rate plus 10 basis points and (b) the Overnight Bank Funding Rate (OBFR) plus 10 basis points, on an annualized basis. Under the Agreement, the Fund has agreed to pay a 0.20% per annum fee on the unused portion of the commitment, payable quarterly in arrears. The Fund has also agreed to pay an upfront fee of 0.05% of the committed line amount. During the year ended December 31, 2020, the following Portfolios had borrowings under the Agreement as follows:

 

Portfolio  Average
Daily Loan
Balance*
  Maximum
Daily Loan
Outstanding
  Weighted
Average
Interest
Rate
   Number
of Days
Borrowings
were
Outstanding
 
                   
Global Dynamic Multi-Asset  $259,000      $790,000   1.19%   4 

 

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Opportunistic Strategies   317,500   430,000   1.36    6 
Real Assets   755,000   755,000   1.39    2 

 

* For days borrowings were outstanding.

 

Management believes that the fair value of the liabilities under the Agreement is equivalent to the recorded amount based on its short-term maturity and interest rate, which fluctuates with the Applicable rate. A Portfolio’s outstanding balance under the Agreement, if any, would be categorized as Level 2.

 

7. Investment Risks

Not all risks described below apply to all Portfolios, or may not apply to the same degree for one or more Portfolios compared to one or more other Portfolios. In addition, not all risks applicable to an investment in a Portfolio are described below. Please see the current summary prospectus for the relevant Portfolio(s) or a current Portfolio prospectus for further information regarding a Portfolio’s investment strategy and related risks.

 

(a) Market Risk—A Portfolio may incur losses due to declines in one or more markets in which it invests. These declines may be the result of, among other things, political, regulatory, market, economic or social developments affecting the relevant market(s). To the extent that such developments impact specific industries, market sectors, countries or geographic regions, a Portfolio’s investments in such industries, market sectors, countries and/or geographic regions can be expected to be particularly affected, especially if such investments are a significant portion of its investment portfolio. 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 a Portfolio. Global economies and financial markets are increasingly interconnected, and conditions and events in one country, region or financial market may adversely impact issuers worldwide. As a result, local, regional or global events such as war, acts of terrorism, the spread of infectious illness or other public health issues, recessions or other events could have a significant negative impact on global economic and market conditions. The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) global pandemic and the aggressive responses taken by many governments or voluntarily imposed by

 

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private parties, including closing borders, restricting travel and imposing prolonged quarantines or similar restrictions, as well as the closure of, or operational changes to, many retail and other businesses, has had negative impacts, and in many cases severe negative impacts, on markets worldwide. It is not known how long such impacts, or any future impacts of other significant events described above, will or would last, but there could be a prolonged period of global economic slowdown, which may be expected to impact a Portfolio and its investments.

 

(b) Fixed-Income and Debt Securities Risk—The market value of a debt security may decline due to general market conditions that are not specifically related to a particular company, such as real or perceived adverse economic conditions, changes in the outlook for corporate earnings, changes in interest or currency rates or adverse investor sentiment generally. The debt securities market can be susceptible to increases in volatility and decreases in liquidity. Liquidity can decline unpredictably in response to overall economic conditions or credit tightening.

 

Prices of bonds and other debt securities tend to move inversely with changes in interest rates. Interest rate risk is usually greater for fixed-income securities with longer maturities or durations. A rise in interest rates (or the expectation of a rise in interest rates) may result in periods of volatility, decreased liquidity and increased redemptions, and, as a result, a Portfolio may have to liquidate portfolio securities at disadvantageous prices.

 

A Portfolio’s investments in lower-rated, higher-yielding securities (“junk bonds”) 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 security’s value could fall, potentially lowering a Portfolio’s share price. The prices of non-investment grade securities, unlike investment grade debt securities, may fluctuate unpredictably and not necessarily inversely with changes in interest rates. The market

 

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for these securities may be less liquid and therefore these securities may be harder to value or sell at an acceptable price, especially during times of market volatility or decline.

 

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, a Portfolio may have to reinvest the proceeds of called or redeemed securities 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 derivatives transactions.

 

(c) Non-US Securities Risk—A Portfolio’s 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 less developed or less efficient trading markets, political instability, a lack of company information, differing auditing and legal standards, and, potentially, less liquidity.

 

(d) Emerging Market Risk—Emerging market countries generally have economic structures that are less diverse and mature, and political systems that are less stable, than those of developed countries. The economies of countries with emerging markets may be based predominantly on only a few industries, may be highly vulnerable to changes in local or global trade conditions, and may suffer from extreme debt burdens or volatile inflation rates. The securities markets of emerging market countries have historically been extremely volatile. 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.

 

(e) Foreign Currency Risk—Investments denominated in currencies other than US dollars may experience a decline in value, in US

 

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dollar terms, due solely to fluctuations in currency exchange rates. A Portfolio’s investments could be adversely affected by delays in, or a refusal to grant, repatriation of funds or conversion of emerging market currencies.

 

(f) Short Position Risk—Short positions may involve substantial risks. If a short position appreciates in value during the period of a Portfolio’s investment, there will be a loss to the Portfolio that could be substantial. Short positions involve more risk than long positions because the maximum sustainable loss on a security purchased is limited to the amount paid for the security plus the transaction costs. However, a Portfolio’s potential loss on a short position is unlimited because, theoretically, there is no limit to the potential price increase of a security.n addition, a Portfolio’s short sales transactions are dependent on counterparties to its securities borrowing transactions and are subject to the risk of default by a counterparty, which could result in a loss of Portfolio assets used as collateral or the loss of monies owed to the Portfolio by a counterparty.

 

(g) Derivatives and Hedging Risk—Derivatives transactions, including those entered into for hedging purposes (i.e., seeking to protect Portfolio investments), may increase volatility, reduce returns, limit gains or magnify losses, perhaps substantially, particularly since most derivatives have a leverage component that provides investment exposure in excess of the amount invested. Swap agreements; forward currency contracts; over-the-counter options on securities (including options on ETFs), indexes, currencies and structured notes; and other over-the-counter derivatives transactions are subject to the risks of the creditworthiness of and default by the counterparty and consequently may lose all or a portion of their value due solely to the creditworthiness of or default by the counterparty. Over-the-counter derivatives frequently may be illiquid and difficult to value. Changes in liquidity may result in significant, rapid and unpredictable changes in the prices for derivatives. These derivatives transactions, as well as the exchange-traded futures and options in which a Portfolio may invest, are subject to many of the risks of, and can be highly sensitive to changes in the value of, the related reference asset,

 

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index or rate. As such, a small investment could have a potentially large impact on a Portfolio’s performance. In fact, many derivatives may be subject to greater risks than those associated with investing directly in the underlying or other reference asset. Derivatives transactions incur costs, either explicitly or implicitly, which reduce returns, and costs of engaging in such transactions may outweigh any gains or any losses averted from hedging activities. Successful use of derivatives, whether for hedging or for other investment purposes, is subject to the Investment Manager’s ability to predict correctly movements in the direction of the relevant reference asset or market and, for hedging activities, correlation of the derivative instruments used with the investments seeking to be hedged. Use of derivatives transactions, even if entered into for hedging purposes, may cause a Portfolio to experience losses greater than if the Portfolio had not engaged in such transactions. The same risks, as applicable, apply to derivatives transactions by the Subsidiary.

 

(h) Natural Resources Risk—Investments related to natural resources may be affected by numerous factors, including events occurring in nature, inflationary pressures and domestic and international politics. For example, events occurring in nature (such as earthquakes or fires in prime natural resource areas) and political events (such as coups or military confrontations) can affect the overall supply of a natural resource and the value of companies involved in such natural resource. Political risks and other risks to which non-US companies are subject also may affect US companies if they have significant operations or investments in non-US countries. In addition, interest rates, prices of raw materials and other commodities, international economic developments, energy conservation, tax and other government regulations (both US and non-US) may affect the supply of and demand for natural resources, which can affect the profitability and value of securities issued by companies in the natural resources category. Securities of companies within specific natural resources sub-categories can perform differently than the overall market. This may be due to changes in such things as the regulatory or competitive environment or to changes in investor perceptions.

 

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(i) Real Estate Investments Risk—A Portfolio’s investments in Real Estate Investments (as defined in the prospectus) 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 a 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, Real Estate Investments could lead to investment results that may be significantly different from investments in other real assets categories or investments in the broader securities markets.

 

The risks related to investments in Real Estate Investments 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.

 

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 other types of stocks traded on national exchanges, which may affect a Portfolio’s ability to trade or liquidate those securities. An investment in REITs may be adversely affected if the REIT fails to comply with applicable laws and regulations, including failing to qualify as a REIT under the Code. Failure to qualify with any of these requirements could jeopardize a company’s status as a REIT. A Portfolio generally will have no control over the operations and policies of a REIT, and the Portfolio generally will have no ability to cause a REIT to take the actions necessary to qualify as a REIT.

 

(j) Infrastructure Companies Risk—Securities and instruments of infrastructure companies are more susceptible to adverse economic or regulatory occurrences affecting their industries.

 

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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, among other factors, regulation by various government authorities, including rate regulation and service interruption due to environmental, operational or other mishaps.

 

(k) Commodities-Related Investments Risk—Exposure to the commodities markets may subject a Portfolio to greater volatility than other types of investments. The values of commodities and commodity-linked derivative instruments are affected by events that may have less impact on the values of equity and fixed income securities. Investments linked to the prices of commodities are considered speculative. Because the value of a commodity-linked derivative instrument, such as a futures contract on a physical commodity, typically is based upon the price movements of the underlying reference asset, index or rate, the value of these instruments will rise or fall in response to changes in the underlying reference asset, index or rate. Prices of commodities and commodity-linked investments may fluctuate significantly over short periods for a variety of factors, including: changes in supply and demand relationships; weather; agricultural or livestock markets; agricultural or livestock disease or pestilence; trade relationships; fiscal, monetary and exchange control programs; and embargoes, tariffs, terrorism and international economic, political, military and regulatory developments.

 

(l) Subsidiary and Tax Status Risk—The Real Assets Portfolio invests in the Subsidiary, which is not registered as an investment company under the 1940 Act. A regulatory change in the US or the Cayman Islands, under which the Portfolio and the Subsidiary, respectively, are organized, that impacts the Subsidiary or how the Portfolio invests in the Subsidiary, such as a change in tax law, could adversely affect the Portfolio. By investing in the Subsidiary,

 

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the Portfolio is exposed to the risks associated with the Subsidiary’s investments, which generally include the risks of investing in commodity-related derivative instruments.

 

Income and gains from commodities or certain commodity-linked derivative instruments do not constitute “qualifying income” to the Real Assets Portfolio for purposes of qualification as a “regulated investment company” for federal income tax purposes. Without such qualification, the Portfolio could be subject to tax. The tax treatment of the Portfolio’s investments in the Subsidiary and commodity-linked derivative instruments could affect whether income derived from such investment is “qualifying income” under the Code, or otherwise affect the character, timing and/or amount of the Portfolio’s taxable income or any gains and distributions made by the Portfolio.

 

(m) Closed-End Funds and ETFs Risk—Shares of closed-end funds and ETFs in which a Portfolio may invest may trade at prices that vary from their net asset values, sometimes significantly. The shares of closed-end funds and ETFs may trade at prices at, below or above their most recent net asset value. Shares of closed-end funds, in particular, frequently trade at persistent discounts to their net asset value. In addition, the performance of an ETF pursuing a passive index-based strategy may diverge from the performance of the index. A Portfolio’s investments in closed-end funds and ETFs are subject to the risks of the closed-end funds’ and ETFs’ investments, as well as to the general risks of investing in closed-end funds and ETFs, respectively. A Portfolio investing in closed-end funds or ETFs will bear not only the Portfolio’s management fees and operating expenses, but also the Portfolio’s proportional share of the management fees and operating expenses of the closed-end funds and/or ETFs in which the Portfolio invests. A Portfolio may be limited by the 1940 Act in the amount of its assets that may be invested in one or more closed-end funds and/or ETFs in the absence of an applicable exemptive order from the SEC on which the Portfolio may rely or an exemption is available.

 

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(n) Government Securities Risk—Not all obligations of the US government, its agencies and instrumentalities are backed by the full faith and credit of the USTreasury. Some obligations are backed only by the credit of the issuing agency or instrumentality, and in some cases there may be some risk of default by the issuer. Any guarantee by the US government or its agencies or instrumentalities of a security held by a Portfolio does not apply to the market value of such security or to shares of the Portfolio itself. A security backed by the USTreasury or the full faith and credit of the United States is guaranteed only as to the timely payment of interest and principal when held to maturity.

 

(o) Cybersecurity Risk—The Portfolios and their service providers are susceptible to operational and information security and related risks of cybersecurity incidents. Cybersecurity attacks include, but are not limited to, gaining unauthorized access to digital systems (e.g., through “hacking” or malicious software coding) for purposes of misappropriating assets or sensitive information, corrupting data or causing operational disruption. Cybersecurity incidents affecting the Investment Manager, transfer agent or custodian or other service providers such as financial intermediaries have the ability to cause disruptions and impact business operations, potentially resulting in financial losses, including by impediments to a Portfolio’s investment trading; the inability of Portfolio shareholders to purchase and redeem Portfolio shares; interference with a Portfolio’s ability to calculate its NAV; violations of applicable privacy, data security or other laws; regulatory fines and penalties; reputational damage; reimbursement or other compensation or remediation costs; legal fees; or additional compliance costs. Similar adverse consequences could result from cybersecurity incidents affecting issuers of securities in which a Portfolio invests; counterparties with which a Portfolio engages in transactions; governmental and other regulatory authorities, exchange and other financial market operators; and banks, brokers, dealers, insurance companies and other financial institutions and other parties. There are inherent limitations in any cybersecurity risk management systems or business continuity plans, including the possibility that certain risks have not been identified.

 

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8. Contractual Obligations

The Fund enters into contracts in the normal course of business that contain a variety of indemnification provisions. A Portfolio’s maximum exposure under these arrangements is unknown. Management has reviewed the Fund’s existing contracts and expects the risk of loss to be remote.

 

9. Fair Value Measurements

Fair value is defined as the price that a Portfolio would receive to sell an asset, or would pay to transfer a liability, in an orderly transaction between market participants at the date of measure-ment. The Fair Value Measurements and Disclosures provisions of GAAP also establish a framework for measuring fair value, and a three-level hierarchy for fair value measurement that is based upon the transparency of inputs to the valuation of an asset or liability. Inputs may be observable or unobservable and refer, broadly, to the assumptions that market participants would use in pricing the asset or liability. Observable inputs reflect the assumptions that market participants would use in pricing the asset or liability based on market data obtained from sources independent of the Fund. Unobservable inputs reflect the Fund’s own assumptions about the assumptions that market participants would use in pricing the asset or liability, developed based on the best information available in the circumstances. The fair value measurement level within the fair value hierarchy for the assets and liabilities of a Portfolio is based on the lowest level of any input that is significant to the overall fair value measurement. The three-level hierarchy of inputs is summarized below:

 

Level 1 – unadjusted quoted prices in active markets for identical assets and liabilities
Level 2 – other significant observable inputs (including unadjusted quoted prices for similar assets and liabilities, interest rates, prepayment speeds, credit risk, etc.)
Level 3 – significant unobservable inputs (including the Fund’s own assumptions in determining the fair value of assets and liabilities)

 

Changes in valuation methodology or inputs may result in transfers into or out of the current assigned level within the hierarchy.

 

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

 

The following table summarizes the valuation of the Portfolios’ assets and liabilities by each fair value hierarchy level as of December 31, 2020:

 

Description  Unadjusted
Quoted Prices in
Active Markets
for Identical
Assets
and Liabilities
(Level 1)
   Significant
Other
Observable
Inputs
(Level 2)
   Significant
Unobservable
Inputs
(Level 3)
   Balance as of
December 31, 2020
 
                       
Global Dynamic Multi-Asset Portfolio                      
Assets:                      
Common Stocks*                      
Australia    $   $491,911   $   $491,911 
Belgium         23,123        23,123 
Canada     985,337            985,337 
Denmark     155,913    94,318        250,231 
Finland         96,030        96,030 
France     281,251    417,295        698,546 
Germany     429,349    75,333        504,682 
Hong Kong     257,687    102,785        360,472 
Israel         15,679        15,679 
Japan     394,712    1,864,867        2,259,579 
Macau     161,998            161,998 
Netherlands     535,428    104,027        639,455 
New Zealand         25,196        25,196 
Norway         79,722        79,722 
Singapore         63,590        63,590 
Spain     132,940    28,198        161,138 
Sweden     592,564    71,729        664,293 
Switzerland     182,495    253,109        435,604 
United Kingdom     1,664,961    357,726        2,022,687 
United States     18,083,835            18,083,835 
Corporate Bonds*         9,925,714        9,925,714 
Foreign Government                      
Obligations*         13,518,246        13,518,246 
Quasi Government Bonds*         290,121        290,121 
Supranational Bonds         2,133,107        2,133,107 
US Municipal Bonds         409,515        409,515 
US Treasury Securities         272,848        272,848 
Exchange-Traded Funds     3,120,502            3,120,502 
Short-Term Investments     375,514            375,514 
Other Financial Instruments†                      
Forward Currency Contracts         648,637        648,637 
Total    $27,354,486   $31,362,826   $   $58,717,312 
Liabilities:                      

 

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Other Financial Instruments†                      
Forward Currency Contracts    $   $(718,080)  $   $(718,080)

 

Description  Unadjusted
Quoted Prices in
Active Markets
for Identical
Assets
and Liabilities
(Level 1)
   Significant
Other
Observable
Inputs
(Level 2)
   Significant
Unobservable
Inputs
(Level 3)
   Balance as of
December 31, 2020
 
                       
Opportunistic Strategies Portfolio                      
Exchange-Traded Funds    $73,518,393   $   $   $73,518,393 
Short-Term Investments     4,860,004            4,860,004 
Total    $78,378,397   $   $   $78,378,397 
                       
Real Assets Portfolio                      
Assets:                      
Common Stocks*                      
Australia    $   $1,247,461   $   $1,247,461 
Belgium         50,066        50,066 
Brazil         18,321        18,321 
Canada     231,453            231,453 
China     427    534,416        534,843 
Finland         22,695        22,695 
France     16,883    857,955        874,838 
Germany         321,430        321,430 
Hong Kong         658,296        658,296 
Israel         22,786        22,786 
Italy         2,245,306        2,245,306 
Japan         740,104        740,104 
Luxembourg         201,468        201,468 
Mexico     58,642            58,642 
Netherlands         33,379        33,379 
Norway         30,437        30,437 
Singapore         179,097        179,097 
Spain         712,528        712,528 
Sweden         170,749        170,749 
Switzerland         17,236        17,236 
United Arab Emirates         56,264        56,264 
United Kingdom     47,432    1,833,358        1,880,790 
United States     5,564,490            5,564,490 
Exchange-Traded Funds     1,354,800            1,354,800 
Short-Term Investments     5,725,684            5,725,684 
Other Financial Instruments†                      
Forward Currency Contracts         823        823 
Futures Contracts     10,731            10,731 
Total Return Swap Agreements         407,293        407,293 
Total    $13,010,542   $10,361,468   $   $23,372,010 
Liabilities:                      
Other Financial Instruments†                      
Forward Currency Contracts    $   $(63,798)  $   $(63,798)
Futures Contracts     (4,275)           (4,275)
Total    $(4,275)  $(63,798)  $   $(68,073)

 

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* Please refer to Portfolios of Investments and Notes to Portfolios of Investments for portfolio holdings by country and industry.
Other financial instruments are derivative instruments which are valued at their respective unrealized appreciation (depreciation).

 

10. Derivative Instruments

Certain Portfolios may use derivative instruments, including forward currency contracts, futures contracts or swap agreements.

 

Forward currency contracts may be used for hedging purposes or to seek to increase returns.

 

A Portfolio may enter into futures transactions to hedge against changes in interest rates, securities prices, and/or currency exchange rates, to increase total return, or to otherwise gain access or attain exposure to certain markets or other underliers.

 

A Portfolio enters into swap agreements in an attempt to obtain a particular exposure when it is considered desirable to do so, possibly at a lower cost to such Portfolio than if it had invested directly in the asset that yielded the desired exposure.

 

During the period ended December 31, 2020, the approximate average monthly notional exposure for derivative instruments was as follows:

 

Derivative Instruments  Global
Dynamic
Multi-Asset
Portfolio
   Real Assets
Portfolio
 
           
Forward currency contracts:          
Average amounts purchased  $14,600,000   $200,000 
Average amounts sold   11,600,000    5,200,000 
           
Futures contracts:          
Average notional value of contracts – long        300,000 
           
Total return swap agreements:          
Average notional value        3,100,000 

 

Global Dynamic Multi-Asset Portfolio

The following table summarizes the fair value of derivative instruments on the Statement of Assets and Liabilities as of December 31, 2020:

 

Assets – Derivative Financial Instruments     Total 
         
Forward currency contracts   Unrealized appreciation on forward currency contracts  $648,637 

 

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Liabilities – Derivative Financial Instruments     Total 
         
Forward currency contracts   Unrealized depreciation on forward currency contracts  $718,080 

 

Real Assets Portfolio

The following table summarizes the fair value of derivative instruments on the Statement of Assets and Liabilities as of December 31, 2020:

 

Assets – Derivative Financial Instruments  Commodity
Contracts
   Foreign
Currency
Exchange
Contracts
   Total 
                  
Forward currency contracts                 
Unrealized appreciation on forward currency contracts    $   $823   $823 
Future Contracts                 
Variation margin on open futures contracts (a)     13,636        13,636 
Swap agreements                 
Unrealized appreciation on swap agreements     407,293         407,293 
Total    $420,929   $823   $421,752 
                  
Liabilities – Derivative Financial Instruments  Commodity
Contracts
   Foreign
Currency
Exchange
Contracts
   Total 
               
Forward currency contracts              
Unrealized depreciation on forward currency contracts    $   $63,798   $63,798 

 

(a) Net cumulative unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on futures contracts if any, are reported in the Schedule of Investments. In the Statements of Assets and Liabilities, only current day’s variation margin is reported in receivables or payables and the net cumulative unrealized appreciation (depreciation) is included in accumulated earnings (loss).

 

Global Dynamic Multi-Asset Portfolio

The effect of derivative instruments on the Statement of Operations for the year ended December 31, 2020 was:

 

Net Realized Gain (Loss) from:  Total 
      
Forward currency contracts  $409,494 
      
Net Change in Unrealized Appreciation (Depreciation) on:   Total 
      
Forward currency contracts  $(66,272)

 

Annual Report  101

 

 

 

Real Assets Portfolio

The effect of derivative instruments on the Statement of Operations for the year ended December 31, 2020 was

 

Net Realized Gain (Loss) from:  Commodity Contracts   Foreign
Currency
Exchange
Contracts
   Total 
                  
Forward currency contracts    $   $(413,715)  $(413,715)
Futures Contracts     (117,932)       (117,932)
Swap agreements     2,963        2,963 
Total    $(114,969)  $(413,715)  $(528,684)
                  
Net Change in Unrealized Appreciation
(Depreciation) on:
  Commodity Contracts   Foreign
Currency
Exchange
Contracts
   Total 
                  
Forward currency contracts    $   $(1,263)  $(1,263)
Futures Contracts     8,784        8,784 
Swap agreements     393,892        393,892 
Total    $402,676   $(1,263)  $401,413 

 

As of December 31, 2020, the Global Dynamic Multi-Asset, Opportunistic Strategies and Real Assets Portfolios held derivative instruments that are eligible for offset in the Statements of Assets and Liabilities and are subject to master netting arrangements. A master netting arrangement is an agreement between two counterparties who have multiple contracts with each other that provides for the net settlement of all contracts, as well as any cash collateral, through a single payment in the event of default on, or termination of, any one contract.

 

The required information for the affected Portfolios are presented in the below table, as of December 31, 2020:

 

Global Dynamic Multi-Asset Portfolio

 

Description  Gross Amounts of
Recognized Assets
  Gross Amounts Offset
in the Statement of
Assets and Liabilities
  Net Amounts of
Assets Presented
in the Statement of
Assets and Liabilities
 
                      
Forward Currency Contracts    $648,637   $   $648,637     

 

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         Amounts Not Offset
in the Statement of
Assets and Liabilities
        
Counterparty  Net Amounts of
Assets Presented
in the Statement of
Assets and Liabilities
  Financial
Instruments
  Collateral
Received
  Net Amounts of
Derivative Assets
 
                           
Citibank NA    $36,212   $(36,212)  $        $         
HSBC Bank USA NA     319,768    (275,556)       44,212     
JPMorgan Chase Bank NA     214,369    (214,369)            
Morgan Stanley Capital Services LLC.     76,951    (68,517)       8,434     
State Street Bank and Trust Co.     1,337    (996)       341     
Total    $648,637   $(595,650)  $   $52,987     

 

Description  Gross Amounts of
Recognized Liabilities
  Gross Amounts Offset
in the Statement of
Assets and Liabilities
  Net Amounts of
Liabilities Presented
in the Statement of
Assets and Liabilities
 
                      
Forward Currency Contracts    $718,080   $   $718,080     

 

         Amounts Not Offset
in the Statement of
Assets and Liabilities
        
Counterparty  Net Amounts of
Liabilities Presented
in the Statement of
Assets and Liabilities
  Financial
Instruments
  Collateral
Pledged
  Net Amounts of
Derivative Liabilities
 
                           
Citibank NA    $104,738   $(36,212)  $        $68,526         
HSBC Bank USA NA     275,556    (275,556)            
JPMorgan Chase Bank NA 268,273          (214,369)       53,904     
Morgan Stanley Capital Services LLC.     68,517    (68,517)            
State Street Bank and Trust Co.     996    (996)            
Total    $718,080   $(595,650)  $   $122,430     

 

Real Assets Portfolio

 

Description  Gross Amounts of
Recognized Assets
  Gross Amounts Offset
in the Statement of
Assets and Liabilities
  Net Amounts of
Assets Presented
in the Statement of
Assets and Liabilities
 
                         
Forward Currency Contracts    $ 823   $    $ 823     
Total Return Swap Agreements     407,293        407,293     
Total    $408,116   $   $408,116     

 

Annual Report  103

 

 

 

         Amounts Not Offset
in the Statement of
Assets and Liabilities
        
Counterparty  Net Amounts of
Assets Presented
in the Statement of
Assets and Liabilities
  Financial
Instruments
  Collateral
Received
  Net Amounts of
Derivative Assets
 
                           
Goldman Sachs International    $407,293   $   $   $407,293     
JPMorgan Chase Bank NA     786    (786)            
State Street Bank and Trust Co.     37    (37)            
Total    $408,116   $(823)  $   $407,293     

 

Description  Gross Amounts of
Recognized Liabilities
  Gross Amounts Offset
in the Statement of
Assets and Liabilities
  Net Amounts of
Liabilities Presented
in the Statement of
Assets and Liabilities
 
                      
Forward Currency Contracts    $63,798   $   $63,798     

 

       Amounts Not Offset
in the Statement of
Assets and Liabilities
        
Counterparty   Net Amounts of
Liabilities Presented
in the Statement of
Assets and Liabilities
  Financial
Instruments
  Collateral
Pledged
  Net Amounts of
Derivative Liabilities
 
                           
Citibank NA  $8,666      $      $   $8,666     
HSBC Bank USA NA     25,526            25,526     
JPMorgan Chase Bank NA     16,519    (786)       15,733     
State Street Bank and Trust Co.    13,087    (37)       13,050     
Total  $63,798   $(823)  $   $62,975     

 

11. Accounting Pronouncements

In March 2017, the Financial Accounting Standards Board issued Accounting Standards Update No. 2017—08, Receivables - Nonre-fundable Fees and Other Costs (Subtopic 31020): Premium Amortization on Purchased Callable Debt Securities. (“ASU No. 2017-08”) ASU No. 2017—08 shortened the amortization period for certain purchased callable debt securities held at a premium to the earliest call date. Management has implemented the applicable changes, and they did not have a material impact on the Portfolios’ financial statements.

 

104  Annual Report

 

 

 

In October 2020, ASU No. 2017—08 was amended by the Financial Accounting Standards Board’s issuance of Accounting Standards Update No. 2020—08, Codification Improvements to Subtopic 310-20, Receivables-Nonrefundable Fees and Other Costs (“ASU No. 2020-08”) This amendment requires that entities re-evaluate whether callable debt securities fall within the scope of ASU No. 2017—08 for each reporting period. ASU No. 2020—08 also amends ASU No. 2017—08 to require that premiums be amortized to the “next call date” rather than the “earliest call date” and further clarifies the definition of “next call date.” Early adoption of ASU No. 2020-08 is not permitted. ASU No. 2020—08 is effective for fiscal years, and interim periods within those fiscal years, beginning after December 15, 2020. Early adoption of ASU No. 2020-08 is not permitted. Management is currently evaluating the impact, if any, of applying ASU No. 2020-08.

 

On March 12, 2020, the Financial Accounting Standards Board concluded its reference rate reform project with the issuance of Accounting Standards Update No. 2020-04, Reference Rate Reform (Topic 848) - Facilitation of the Effects of Reference Rate Reform on Financial Reporting. (“ASU No. 2020-04”) ASU No. 2020-04 provides elective temporary financial reporting relief from the effect of certain types of contract modifications due to the planned discontinuation of the London Interbank Offered Rate (LIBOR) and other interbank offered based reference rates as of the end of 2021. ASU No. 2020-04 is effective for certain reference rate-related contract modifications that occur during the period March 12, 2020 through December 31, 2022. Management is currently evaluating the impact, if any, of applying ASU No. 2020-04.

 

12. Subsequent Events

Management has evaluated subsequent events potentially affecting the Portfolios through the issuance of the financial statements and has determined that there were no other subsequent events that required adjustment or disclosure.

 

Annual Report  105

 

The Lazard Funds, Inc.

Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

 

To the Board of Directors ofThe Lazard Funds, Inc. and Shareholders of Lazard Global Dynamic Multi-Asset Portfolio, Lazard Opportunistic Strategies Portfolio and Lazard Real Assets Portfolio:

 

Opinion on the Financial Statements and Financial Highlights

 

We have audited the accompanying statements of assets and liabilities of Lazard Global Dynamic Multi-Asset Portfolio and Lazard Opportunistic Strategies Portfolio, two of the portfolios constituting The Lazard Funds, Inc. (the “Fund”), including the portfolios of investments, as of December 31, 2020, the related statements of operations for the year then ended, the statements of changes in net assets for each of the two years in the period then ended, the financial highlights for each of the five years in the period then ended for Lazard Opportunistic Strategies Portfolio and for the periods indicated in the table below for Lazard Global Dynamic Multi-Asset Portfolio, and the related notes. We have also audited the accompanying consolidated statement of assets and liabilities, including the consolidated portfolio of investments, of Lazard Real Assets Portfolio (formerly Lazard Real Assets and Pricing Opportunities Portfolio) (collectively, with the portfolios mentioned above, the “Portfolios”), one of the portfolios constituting the Fund, as of December 31, 2020, the related consolidated statement of operations for the year then ended, the consolidated statements of changes in net assets for each of the two years in the period then ended, the consolidated financial highlights for the periods indicated in the table below, and the related notes. In our opinion, the financial statements and financial highlights present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of Lazard Global Dynamic Multi-Asset Portfolio and Lazard Opportunistic Strategies Portfolio, as of December 31, 2020, and the results of their operations for the year then ended, the changes in their net assets for each of the two years in the period then ended, and the financial highlights for each of the five years in the period then ended (or for the periods listed in the table below), and the consolidated financial position of Lazard Real Assets Portfolio, as of December 31, 2020, and the consolidated results of its operations for the year then ended, the

 

106  Annual Report

 

 

 

consolidated changes in its net assets for each of the two years in the period then ended, and the consolidated financial highlights for periods listed in the table below, in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America.

 

Portfolio Name Financial Highlights
Lazard Global Dynamic Multi-Asset Portfolio For the years ended December 31, 2020, 2019, 2018 and 2017 and for the period from May 27, 2016 (commencement of operations) through December 31, 2016
Lazard Real Assets Portfolio For the years ended December 31, 2020, 2019, 2018 and 2017 and for the period from December 30, 2016 (commencement of operations) through December 31, 2016

 

Basis for Opinion

 

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

 

We conducted our audits in accordance with the standards of the PCAOB. Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements and financial highlights are free of material misstatement, whether due to error or fraud. The Portfolios are not required to have, nor were we engaged to perform, an audit of their internal control over financial reporting. As part of our audits we are required to obtain an understanding of internal control over financial reporting but not for the purpose of expressing an opinion on the effectiveness of the Portfolios’ internal control over financial reporting. Accordingly, we express no such opinion.

 

Our audits included performing procedures to assess the risks of material misstatement of the financial statements and financial highlights, whether due to error or fraud, and performing

 

Annual Report  107

 

 

 

procedures that respond to those risks. Such procedures included examining, on a test basis, evidence regarding the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements and financial highlights. Our audits also included evaluating the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall presentation of the financial statements and financial highlights. Our procedures included confirmation of securities owned as of December 31, 2020, by correspondence with the custodian and brokers; when replies were not received from brokers, we performed other auditing procedures. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.

 

/s/ DELOITTE &TOUCHE LLP
NewYork, NewYork
February 24, 2021

 

We have served as the auditor of one or more of the investment companies in the Lazard Fund Complex since 2004.

 

108   Annual Report

 

The Lazard Funds, Inc.

Board of Directors and Officers Information (unaudited)

 

Name (Year of Birth)
Address(1)
  Position(s) with the
Fund (Since) and Term(2)
  Principal Occupation(s) and Other Public
Company Directorships Held During the
Past Five Years(2)
         
Independent Directors(3):    
     
Franci J. Blassberg (1953)   Director
(August 2014)
  Debevoise & Plimpton LLP, a law firm, Of Counsel (2013 – present)
         
        Cornell Law School, Adjunct Professor (2013 – present)
         
        The Buchmann Faculty of Law, Tel Aviv University, Visiting Professor (2019)
         
        University of California, Berkeley School of Law, Adjunct Professor (Spring 2017)
         
Kenneth S. Davidson (1945)   Director
(August 1995)
  Davidson Capital Management Corporation, an investment manager, President (1978 – present)
         
Nancy A. Eckl (1962)   Director
(April 2007)
  College Retirement Equities Fund (eight accounts), Trustee (2007 – present)
         
        TIAA-CREF Funds (68 funds) and TIAA-CREF Life Funds (11 funds), Trustee (2007 – present)
         
        TIAA Separate Account VA-1, Member of the Management Committee (2007 – present)
         
Trevor W. Morrison (1971)   Director
(April 2014)
  New York University School of Law, Dean and Eric M. and Laurie B. Roth Professor of Law (2013 – present)
         
Richard Reiss, Jr. (1944)   Director
(May 1991)
  Georgica Advisors LLC, an investment manager, Chairman (1997 – present)
         
        Resource America, Inc., a real estate asset management company, Director (2016 – 2018)
         
        Osprey Technology Acquisition Corp, a special purpose acquisition company, Director (2019 – present)

 

Annual Report  109

 

 

 

Name (Year of Birth)
Address(1)
  Position(s) with the Fund (Since) and Term(2)   Principal Occupation(s) and Other Public
Company Directorships Held During the
Past Five Years(2)
         
Robert M. Solmson (1947)   Director (September 2004)   Fairwood Capital, LLC, a private investment corporation engaged primarily in real estate and hotel investments, Co-Managing Partner and Managing Director (2008 – present)
         
Interested Directors(4):      
       
Ashish Bhutani (1960)   Director
(July 2005)
  Investment Manager, Chief Executive Officer (2004 – present)
         
        Lazard Ltd, Vice Chairman and Director (2010 – present)
         
Nathan A. Paul (1973)   Director
(October 2017),
Chief Executive
Officer and President
(February 2017)
 

Investment Manager, Chief Business Officer (April 2017 – present) and Managing Director (2003 – present)

Investment Manager, General Counsel (2002 – April 2017)

         

 

(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 serves as a Director for each of the funds in the Lazard Fund Complex comprised of, as of January 31, 2021, 35 active investment portfolios. Each Director serves an indefinite term, until his or her successor is elected and qualifies or until his or her earlier resignation.
(3) “Independent Directors” are not “interested persons” (as defined in the 1940 Act) of the Fund.
(4) Messrs. Bhutani and Paul are “interested persons” (as defined in the 1940 Act) of the Fund because of their positions with the Investment Manager.
   
The Fund’s Statement of Additional Information contains further information about the Directors and is available without charge by calling 800-823-6300, or online, at www.lazardassetmanagement.com.

 

110  Annual Report

 

 

 

Name (Year of Birth)
Address(1)
  Position(s) with the
Fund (Since) and Term(2)
  Principal Occupation(s) During the
Past Five Years
         
Officers(3):        
         
Mark R. Anderson (1970)   Vice President
and Secretary
(February 2017)
  Managing Director (since February 2017), General Counsel (since April 2017) and Chief Compliance Officer (since September 2014) of the Investment Manager
         
Nargis Hilal ( 1984)   Chief Compliance
Officer (July 2020)
  Senior Vice President and Counsel of the Investment Manager (since August 2017)
         
        Chief Compliance Officer of KLS Diversified Asset Management LP (March 2016 – August 2017)
         
        Deputy Chief Compliance Office KLS Diversified Asset Management LP (January 2015 – March 2016)
         
Christopher Snively (1984)   Chief Financial
Officer (March 2016) and
Treasurer
(September 2019)
  Senior Vice President of the Investment Manager
         
Shari L. Soloway (1981)   Assistant Secretary
(November 2015)
  Head of Legal, North America (since January 2019, previously Senior Vice President, Legal and Compliance) of the Investment Manager
         
Jessica A. Falzone (1989)   Assistant Secretary
(January 2019)
 

Vice President, Legal and Compliance, of the Investment Manager (since March 2018)

Associate at Schulte Roth & Zabel LLP (October 2014 – March 2018)

         
Christina Kennedy (1990)   Assistant Treasurer
(May 2020)
 

Vice President of the Investment Manager (since July 2019)

Senior Fund Accountant, Gates Capital Management Inc. (July 2016 – July 2019)

         
        Assurance Senior Associate at PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP (August 2013 – July 2016)
         
Cesar A. Trelles (1975)   Assistant Treasurer (December 2004)   Vice President 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 serves in the same capacity for the other funds in the Lazard Fund Complex.
(3) In addition to Nathan A. Paul, Chief Executive Officer and President (since February 2017; previously, Vice President and Secretary), whose information is included in the Interested Directors section above.

 

Annual Report  111

 

The Lazard Funds, Inc. Tax and Other Information (unaudited)

 

 

Tax Information

Year Ended December 31, 2020

The following tax information represents year end disclosures of the tax benefits passed through to shareholders for 2020:

 

Of the dividends paid by the Portfolios, the corresponding percentage shown below is qualified dividend income.

 

Portfolio   Percentage 
      
Global Dynamic Multi-Asset   54.24%
Opportunistic Strategies   100.00 
Real Assets   55.60 

 

Of the dividends paid by the Portfolios, the corresponding percentage represents the amount of each dividend that qualifies for the dividends received deduction available to corporate shareholders.

 

Portfolio   Percentage 
      
Global Dynamic Multi-Asset   13.52%
Opportunistic Strategies   68.36 
Real Assets   11.85 

 

Pursuant to Section 871 of the Code, the Portfolios have no designated qualified short-term gains for purposes of exempting withholding of tax on such distributions to US nonresident shareholders.

 

Of the dividends paid by the Portfolios, the corresponding amount represents the long-term capital gains paid to shareholders.

 

Portfolio   Long-Term Capital Gains 
      
Opportunistic Strategies   $1,260,234 
Real Assets   466,857 

 

Proxy Voting

A description of the policies and procedures used to determine how proxies relating to Fund portfolio securities are voted is available (1) without charge, upon request, by calling (800) 823-6300 or (2) on the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) website at https://www.sec.gov. The Fund’s proxy voting record for the most

 

112  Annual Report

 

 

 

recent 12-month period ended June 30 is available (1) without charge, upon request, by calling (800) 823-6300 or (2) on the SEC’s website at https://www.sec.gov. Information as of June 30 each year will generally be available by the following August 31.

 

Schedule of Portfolio Holdings

The Fund files the complete schedule of each Portfolio’s holdings with the SEC for the first and third quarters of each fiscal year as an exhibit to its reports on Form N-PORT. The Fund’s Form N-PORT reports are available on the SEC’s website at https://www.sec.gov.

 

Annual Report  113

 

NOTES

 

NOTES

 

NOTES

 

NOTES

 

NOTES

 

NOTES

 

NOTES

 

 

 

The Lazard Funds, Inc.

30 Rockefeller Plaza

New York, New York 10112-6300

Telephone: 800-823-6300

www.lazardassetmanagement.com

 

Investment Manager

Lazard Asset Management LLC

30 Rockefeller Plaza

New York, New York 10112-6300

Telephone: 800-823-6300

 

Distributor

Lazard Asset Management Securities LLC

30 Rockefeller Plaza
New York, New York 10112-6300

 

Custodian

State Street Bank and Trust Company

One Iron Street

Boston, Massachusetts 02210-1641

 

Transfer Agent and Dividend Disbursing Agent

DST Asset Manager Solutions, Inc.

2000 Crown Colony Drive

Quincy, Massachusetts 02169-0953

Telephone: 617-483-7000

 

Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

Deloitte &Touche LLP

30 Rockefeller Plaza

New York, New York 10112-0015

 

Legal Counsel

Proskauer Rose LLP

Eleven Times Square

New York, New York 10036-8299

www.proskauer.com

 

Annual Report  121

 

 

 

 

 

Lazard Asset Management LLC • 30 Rockefeller Plaza • New York, NY 10112 • www.lazardassetmanagement.com

 

Performance information as of the most recent month end is available online at www.lazardassetmanagement.com.
LZDPS030
 
 

ITEM 2. CODE OF ETHICS.

 

The Registrant has adopted a code of ethics that applies to the Registrant’s principal executive officer, principal financial officer, principal accounting officer or controller, or persons performing similar functions.

 

ITEM 3. AUDIT COMMITTEE FINANCIAL EXPERT.

 

The Registrant’s Board of Directors (the “Board”) has determined that Robert M. Solmson and Nancy A. Eckl, members of the Audit Committee of the Board, are audit committee financial experts as defined by the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”). Mr. Solmson and Ms. Eckl are “independent” as defined by the SEC for purposes of audit committee financial expert determinations.

 

ITEM 4. PRINCIPAL ACCOUNTANT FEES AND SERVICES.

 

(a) Audit Fees. The aggregate fees billed for each of the last two fiscal years (the “Reporting Periods”) for professional services rendered by the Registrant’s principal accountant (the “Auditor”) for the audit of the Registrant’s annual financial statements, or services that are normally provided by the Auditor in connection with the statutory and regulatory filings or engagements for the Reporting Periods, were $1,079,470 in 2019 and $ 876,877 in 2020 (plus expenses in each case).

 

(b) Audit-Related Fees. There were no fees billed in the Reporting Periods by the Auditor to the Registrant for assurance and related services that are reasonably related to the performance of the audit of the Registrant’s financial statements and are not reported under paragraph (a) of this Item 4.

 

The aggregate fees billed in the Reporting Periods for non-audit assurance and related services provided by the Auditor to Lazard Asset Management LLC, the Registrant’s investment manager (“Lazard”) and any entity controlling, controlled by or under common control with Lazard that provides ongoing services to the Registrant (“Service Affiliates”) that were reasonably related to the performance of the annual audit of the Service Affiliate which required pre-approval by the Audit Committee were $267,330 in 2019 and $267,330 in 2020.

 

(c) Tax Fees. The aggregate fees billed in the Reporting Periods by the Auditor to the Registrant for professional services rendered by the Auditor for tax compliance, tax advice and tax planning (“Tax Services”) were $325,581 in 2019 and $401,953 in 2020. These Tax Services consisted of (i) review or preparation of U.S. federal, state, local and excise tax returns; (ii) U.S. federal, state and local tax planning, advice and assistance regarding statutory, regulatory or administrative developments; and (iii) tax advice regarding tax qualification matters and/or treatment of various financial instruments held or proposed to be acquired or held. Additionally, the aggregate fees billed related to European Union tax reclaim filing services rendered by the Auditor were $90,000 in 2019 and $168,217 in 2020.

 

The aggregate fees billed in the Reporting Periods for Tax Services provided by the Auditor to Service Affiliates which required pre-approval by the Audit Committee were $0 in 2019 and $0 in 2020.

 

(d) All Other Fees. There were no fees billed in the Reporting Periods for products and services provided by the Auditor, other than the services reported in paragraphs (a) through (c) above.

 

There were no fees billed in the Reporting Periods for products and services provided by the Auditor, other than the services reported in paragraphs (a) through (c) above, which required pre-approval by the Audit Committee.

 

(e) Audit Committee Pre-Approval Policies and Procedures. The Registrant’s Audit Committee has established policies and procedures (the “Policy”) for pre-approval of the Auditor’s engagements for services to the Registrant and Service Affiliates. The Policy states that the Registrant’s Audit Committee or the Chair of the Audit Committee (pursuant to delegated authority from the Audit Committee) pre-approves the Auditor’s engagements for audit and non-audit services to the Registrant and, as required, non-audit services to Service Affiliates on a case by-case basis. Pre-approval considerations include whether the proposed services are compatible with maintaining the Auditor’s independence. The Audit Committee Chair must report any pre-approval decisions he or she makes at the next scheduled Audit Committee meeting. There were no services provided by the Auditor to either the Registrant or Service Affiliates that were approved pursuant to paragraph (c)(7)(i)(C) of Rule 2-01 of Regulation S-X during the Reporting Periods.

 

(f) None.

 

(g) Non-Audit Fees. The aggregate non-audit fees billed by the Auditor for services rendered to the Registrant and Service Affiliates for the Reporting Periods were $1,128,439 in 2019 and $964,547 in 2020.

 

(h) Auditor Independence. The Audit Committee considered whether provision of non-audit services to Service Affiliates that were not required to be pre-approved is compatible with maintaining the Auditor’s independence.

 

ITEM 5. AUDIT COMMITTEE OF LISTED REGISTRANTS.

 

Not applicable.

 

ITEM 6. INVESTMENTS

 

Not applicable.

 

ITEM 7. DISCLOSURE OF PROXY VOTING POLICIES AND PROCEDURES FOR CLOSED END MANAGEMENT INVESTMENT COMPANIES.

 

Not applicable.

 

ITEM 8. PORTFOLIO MANAGERS OF CLOSED-END MANAGEMENT INVESTMENT COMPANIES.

 

Not applicable.

 

ITEM 9. PURCHASES OF EQUITY SECURITIES BY CLOSED-END MANAGEMENT INVESTMENT COMPANY AND AFFILIATED PURCHASERS.

 

Not applicable.

 

ITEM 10. SUBMISSION OF MATTERS TO A VOTE OF SECURITY HOLDERS.

 

There were no material changes to the procedures by which shareholders may recommend nominees to the Registrant’s Board during the period covered by this report.

 

ITEM 11. CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES.

 

(a) The Registrant’s principal executive and principal financial officers have concluded, based on their evaluation of the Registrant’s disclosure controls and procedures as of a date within 90 days of the filing date of this report, that the Registrant’s disclosure controls and procedures are reasonably designed to ensure that information required to be disclosed by the Registrant on Form N-CSR is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the required time periods and that information required to be disclosed by the Registrant in the reports that it files or submits on Form N-CSR is accumulated and communicated to the Registrant’s management, including its principal executive and principal financial officers, as appropriate to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure.

 

(b) There were no changes to the Registrant’s internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the period covered by this report that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, the Registrant’s internal control over financial reporting.

 

ITEM 12. DISCLOSURE OF SECURITIES LENDING ACTIVITIES FOR CLOSED-END MANAGEMENT INVESTMENT COMPANIES.

 

Not applicable.

 

ITEM 13. EXHIBITS.

 

(a)(1) Code of Ethics referred to in Item 2.

 

(a)(2) Certifications of principal executive and principal financial officers as required by Rule 30a-2(a) under the Investment Company Act of 1940.

 

(a)(3) Not applicable.

 

(b) Certifications of principal executive and principal financial officers as required by Rule 30a-2(b) under the Investment Company Act of 1940.

 

SIGNATURES

 

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and the Investment Company Act of 1940, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.

 

The Lazard Funds, Inc.

 

By /s/ Nathan A. Paul

Nathan A. Paul

Chief Executive Officer

 

Date February 26, 2021

 

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

 

By /s/ Nathan A. Paul

Nathan A. Paul

Chief Executive Officer

 

Date February 26, 2021

 

By /s/ Christopher Snively

Christopher Snively

Chief Financial Officer

 

Date February 26, 2021