N-CSRS 1 sr43020eme.htm DWS EMERGING MARKETS EQUITY FUND

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

WASHINGTON, D. C. 20549

 

FORM N-CSRS

 

Investment Company Act file number: 811-00642

 

Deutsche DWS International Fund, Inc.

(Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in Charter)

 

875 Third Avenue

New York, NY 10022-6225

(Address of Principal Executive Offices) (Zip Code)

 

Registrant’s Telephone Number, including Area Code: (212) 454-4500

 

Diane Kenneally

One International Place

Boston, MA 02110

(Name and Address of Agent for Service)

 

Date of fiscal year end: 10/31
   
Date of reporting period: 4/30/2020

 

ITEM 1. REPORT TO STOCKHOLDERS
   

LOGO

April 30, 2020

Semiannual Report

to Shareholders

DWS Emerging Markets Equity Fund

Beginning on January 1, 2021, as permitted by regulations adopted by the Securities and Exchange Commission, paper copies of the Fund’s annual and semiannual shareholder reports will no longer be sent by mail, unless you specifically request paper copies of the reports. Instead, the reports will be made available on the Fund’s Web site (dws.com), and you will be notified by mail each time a report is posted and provided with a Web site link to access the report.

If you already elected to receive shareholder reports electronically, you will not be affected by this change and you need not take any action. You may elect to receive shareholder reports and other communications from the Fund electronically anytime by contacting your financial intermediary (such as a broker-dealer or bank), or if you are a direct investor, by calling (800) 728-3337 or sending an email request to service@dws.com.

You may elect to receive all future reports in paper free of charge. If you invest through a financial intermediary, you can contact your financial intermediary to request that you continue to receive paper copies of your shareholder reports. If you invest directly with the Fund, you can call (800) 728-3337 or send an email request to service@dws.com to continue receiving paper copies of your shareholder reports. Your election to receive reports in paper will apply to all funds held in your account if you invest through your financial intermediary or all funds held with DWS if you invest directly with the Fund.

 

LOGO

 


Contents

 

 

 

This report must be preceded or accompanied by a prospectus. To obtain a summary prospectus, if available, or prospectus for any of our funds, refer to the Account Management Resources information provided in the back of this booklet. We advise you to consider the Fund’s objectives, risks, charges and expenses carefully before investing. The summary prospectus and prospectus contain this and other important information about the Fund. Please read the prospectus carefully before you invest.

Stocks may decline in value. Investing in foreign securities presents certain risks, such as currency fluctuations, political and economic changes, and market risks. Emerging markets tend to be more volatile and less liquid than the markets of more mature economies, and generally have less diverse and less mature economic structures and less stable political systems than those of developed countries. The Fund may lend securities to approved institutions. Please read the prospectus for details.

War, terrorism, economic uncertainty, trade disputes, public health crises (including the recent pandemic spread of the novel coronavirus) and related geopolitical events could lead to increased market volatility, disruption to U.S. and world economies and markets and may have significant adverse effects on the Fund and its investments.

The brand DWS represents DWS Group GmbH & Co. KGaA and any of its subsidiaries such as DWS Distributors, Inc. which offers investment products or DWS Investment Management Americas, Inc. and RREEF America L.L.C. which offer advisory services.

NOT FDIC/NCUA INSURED    NO BANK GUARANTEE    MAY LOSE VALUE

NOT A DEPOSIT    NOT INSURED BY ANY FEDERAL GOVERNMENT AGENCY

 

2   |   DWS Emerging Markets Equity Fund  


Letter to Shareholders

Dear Shareholder:

While the economy isn’t expected to shrug off the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic easily, DWS’s CIO Office is cautiously optimistic. Our CIO Office anticipates the recession in the United States (“U.S.”) to be shallower than in the Eurozone, followed by a more robust U.S. recovery primarily benefiting from the outsized U.S. fiscal stimulus. Our CIO office sees long-lasting disruptions of supply chains and consumer spending, potentially derailing the current outlook.

What is already becoming clear is the current assessment of the situation by financial markets. As of mid-May, U.S. markets have moved from panic mode back to relatively high valuations. However, sentiment can quickly change and March lows may be tested again in the coming months. With respect to the bond markets, we think that accommodative central bank action will continue or even accelerate, with the interest rates set to remain low for the foreseeable future.

What may come next? In the short term, we expect markets to remain volatile. While our strategists forecast peaking uncertainty on stock markets, sharp setbacks could happen at any time. Stocks have become even more appealing for the medium to long term time horizons, due to the very accommodative monetary policy of the leading central banks and growing fiscal deficits.

As the U.S. and global economies forge a path to recovery, close monitoring of developments to assess potential opportunities and risks is critical. We believe the unique structure of our CIO Office — which synthesizes the views of more than 900 DWS economists, analysts and investment professionals around the world — perfectly positions us to make strategic and tactical decisions. Those insights are updated frequently and are always available on the “Insights” section of dws.com.

As always, we appreciate your trust and welcome the opportunity to help you navigate these unusual times. We believe our decades of experience in managing assets through multiple market cycles and events will add value in times such as these.

Best regards,

 

LOGO   

LOGO

Hepsen Uzcan

 

President, DWS Funds

Assumptions, estimates and opinions contained in this document constitute our judgment as of the date of the document and are subject to change without notice. Any projections are based on a number of assumptions as to market conditions and there can be no guarantee that any projected results will be achieved. Past performance is not a guarantee of future results.

 

  DWS Emerging Markets Equity Fund   |     3  


Performance Summary   April 30, 2020 (Unaudited)

 

Class A   6-Month     1-Year     5-Year     10-Year  
Average Annual Total Returns as of 4/30/20

 

Unadjusted for Sales Charge     –9.40%       –11.26%       0.85%       0.88%  
Adjusted for the Maximum Sales Charge
(max 5.75% load)
    –14.61%       –16.36%       –0.34%       0.28%  
MSCI Emerging Markets Index     –10.50%       –12.00%       –0.10%       1.45%  
Average Annual Total Returns as of 3/31/20 (most recent calendar quarter end)

 

Unadjusted for Sales Charge       –15.91%       1.04%       0.18%  
Adjusted for the Maximum Sales Charge
(max 5.75% load)
      –20.75%       –0.15%       –0.41%  
MSCI Emerging Markets Index       –17.69%       –0.37%       0.68%  
Class T   6-Month     1-Year     5-Year     10-Year  
Average Annual Total Returns as of 4/30/20

 

Unadjusted for Sales Charge     –9.46%       –11.31%       0.83%       0.86%  
Adjusted for the Maximum Sales Charge
(max 2.50% load)
    –11.72%       –13.53%       0.32%       0.61%  
MSCI Emerging Markets Index     –10.50%       –12.00%       –0.10%       1.45%  
Average Annual Total Returns as of 3/31/20 (most recent calendar quarter end)

 

Unadjusted for Sales Charge       –15.87%       1.04%       0.17%  
Adjusted for the Maximum Sales Charge
(max 2.50% load)
      –17.97%       0.53%       –0.08%  
MSCI Emerging Markets Index       –17.69%       –0.37%       0.68%  
Class C   6-Month     1-Year     5-Year     10-Year  
Average Annual Total Returns as of 4/30/20

 

Unadjusted for Sales Charge     –9.76%       –11.93%       0.08%       0.10%  
Adjusted for the Maximum Sales Charge
(max 1.00% CDSC)
    –10.65%       –11.93%       0.08%       0.10%  
MSCI Emerging Markets Index     –10.50%       –12.00%       –0.10%       1.45%  
Average Annual Total Returns as of 3/31/20 (most recent calendar quarter end)

 

Unadjusted for Sales Charge       –16.56%       0.27%       –0.60%  
Adjusted for the Maximum Sales Charge
(max 1.00% CDSC)
      –16.56%       0.27%       –0.60%  
MSCI Emerging Markets Index       –17.69%       –0.37%       0.68%  

 

4   |   DWS Emerging Markets Equity Fund  


Class R6         6-Month     1-Year     Life of
Class*
 
Average Annual Total Returns as of 4/30/20

 

No Sales Charges       –9.27%       –10.97%       –1.67%  
MSCI Emerging Markets Index       –10.50%       –12.00%       –3.55%  
Average Annual Total Returns as of 3/31/20 (most recent calendar quarter end)

 

No Sales Charges         –15.64%       –6.22%  
MSCI Emerging Markets Index         –17.69%       –8.97%  
Class S   6-Month     1-Year     5-Year     10-Year  
Average Annual Total Returns as of 4/30/20

 

No Sales Charges     –9.35%       –11.13%       1.04%       1.09%  
MSCI Emerging Markets Index     –10.50%       –12.00%       –0.10%       1.45%  
Average Annual Total Returns as of 3/31/20 (most recent calendar quarter end)

 

No Sales Charges       –15.79%       1.24%       0.39%  
MSCI Emerging Markets Index       –17.69%       –0.37%       0.68%  
Institutional Class   6-Month     1-Year     5-Year     10-Year  
Average Annual Total Returns as of 4/30/20

 

No Sales Charges     –9.33%       –11.07%       1.08%       1.16%  
MSCI Emerging Markets Index     –10.50%       –12.00%       –0.10%       1.45%  
Average Annual Total Returns as of 3/31/20 (most recent calendar quarter end)

 

No Sales Charges       –15.70%       1.27%       0.46%  
MSCI Emerging Markets Index       –17.69%       –0.37%       0.68%  

Performance in the Average Annual Total Returns table(s) above and the Growth of an Assumed $10,000 Investment line graph that follows is historical and does not guarantee future results. Investment return and principal fluctuate, so your shares may be worth more or less when redeemed. Current performance may differ from performance data shown. Please visit dws.com for the Fund’s most recent month-end performance. Fund performance includes reinvestment of all distributions. Unadjusted returns do not reflect sales charges and would have been lower if they had.

The gross expense ratios of the Fund, as stated in the fee table of the prospectus dated February 1, 2020 are 1.39%, 1.33%, 2.11%, 1.24%, 1.15% and 1.08% for Class A, Class T, Class C, Class R6, Class S and Institutional Class shares, respectively, and may differ from the expense ratios disclosed in the Financial Highlights tables in this report.

Index returns do not reflect any fees or expenses and it is not possible to invest directly into an index.

Performance figures do not reflect the deduction of taxes that a shareholder would pay on fund distributions or the redemption of fund shares.

Returns shown for Class T shares for the period prior to its inception on June 5, 2017 are derived from the historical performance of Class S shares of DWS Emerging

 

  DWS Emerging Markets Equity Fund   |     5  


Markets Equity Fund during such periods and have been adjusted to reflect the higher total annual operating expenses and applicable sales charges of Class T. Any difference in expenses will affect performance.

Generally accepted accounting principles require adjustments to be made to the net assets of the Fund at period end for financial reporting purposes only, and as such, the total return based on the unadjusted net asset value per share may differ from the total return reported in the financial highlights.

 

Growth of an Assumed $10,000 Investment
(Adjusted for Maximum Sales Charge)

 

LOGO

 

The Fund’s growth of an assumed $10,000 investment is adjusted for the maximum sales charge of 5.75%. This results in a net initial investment of $9,425.

The growth of $10,000 is cumulative.

Performance of other share classes will vary based on the sales charges and the fee structure of those classes.

 

* 

Class R6 shares commenced operations on September 7, 2018.

 

 

The MSCI Emerging Markets Index is an unmanaged equity index which captures large and mid-capitalization representation across 24 emerging markets countries. It covers approximately 85% of the free float-adjusted market capitalization in each country.

 

Total returns shown for periods less than one year are not annualized.

 

    Class A     Class T     Class C     Class R6     Class S     Institutional
Class
 
Net Asset Value

 

4/30/20   $ 17.44     $ 17.43     $ 15.53     $ 17.66     $ 17.67     $ 17.65  
10/31/19   $ 19.59     $ 19.59     $ 17.38     $ 19.87     $ 19.87     $ 19.86  
Distribution Information as of 4/30/20

 

Income Dividends, Six Months   $ .37     $ .37     $ .18     $ .43     $ .41     $ .43  

 

6   |   DWS Emerging Markets Equity Fund  


Portfolio Management Team

Sean Taylor, Managing Director

Lead Portfolio Manager of the Fund. Began managing the Fund in 2014.

 

Global Head of Emerging Markets Equities: Hong Kong.

 

Joined DWS in 2013 with 21 years of industry experience. Prior to his current role, he served as Investment Director at GAM, based in London and Dubai, and Head of International & Emerging Markets at Societe Generale.

 

MBA, Manchester Business School.

Marc Currat, Assistant Vice President

Portfolio Manager of the Fund. Began managing the Fund in 2017.

 

Analyst and Portfolio Manager for Global Emerging Markets Equities: Hong Kong.

 

Joined DWS in 2012 with 6 years of professional experience, thereof one year in the financial industry. Prior to joining, he served as an equities and quant analyst at Surperformance SAS. Prior to that he was an auditor advisor at Currat & Associes SA.

 

BS in Management from CIBU - California International Business University; MBA in Finance from International School of Management, Paris & St. John’s University; Investment Management Certificate (IMC).

 

  DWS Emerging Markets Equity Fund   |     7  


Portfolio Summary      (Unaudited)  
Asset Allocation (As a % of Investment Portfolio excluding
Securities Lending Collateral)
   4/30/20      10/31/19  

Equity Securities

     88%        94%  

Cash Equivalents

     9%        3%  

Exchange-Traded Funds

     3%        3%  
       100%        100%  
Sector Diversification (As a % of Equity Securities)    4/30/20      10/31/19  
Consumer Discretionary      23%        17%  
Financials      21%        27%  
Information Technology      21%        17%  
Communication Services      17%        13%  
Materials      7%        8%  
Energy      4%        10%  
Real Estate      3%        2%  
Consumer Staples      3%        4%  
Industrials      1%        1%  
Utilities      0%        1%  
       100%        100%  
Geographical Diversification (As a % of Equity Securities
and Exchange-Traded Funds)
   4/30/20      10/31/19  
China      45%        32%  
Korea      14%        13%  
Taiwan      12%        10%  
India      10%        11%  
Hong Kong      7%        6%  
Brazil      4%        8%  
South Africa      2%        3%  
Russia      1%        4%  
Thailand      1%        6%  
Indonesia      1%        3%  
Other      3%        4%  
       100%        100%  

 

8   |   DWS Emerging Markets Equity Fund  


Ten Largest Equity Holdings at April 30, 2020
(40.1% of Net Assets)
  Country   Percent  
  1     Alibaba Group Holding Ltd.   China     8.1
        Provider of Internet Infrastructure, e-commerce, online financial and internet content services            
  2     Tencent Holdings Ltd.   China     7.6
        Provides Internet, mobile and telecommunication value-added services            
  3     Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co., Ltd.   Taiwan     6.0
        Manufacturer of integrated circuits and other semiconductor devices            
  4     Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.   Korea     4.6
        Manufacturer of electronic parts            
  5     Ping An Insurance (Group) Co. of China Ltd.   China     3.0
        Provides a variety of insurance service            
  6     HDFC Bank Ltd.   India     2.4
       

Provider of retail and corporate banking and custodial, treasury and capital markets services

           
  7     China Construction Bank Corp.   China     2.4
        Provides complete range of banking services and other financial services to individual and corporate consumers            
  8     Industrial & Commercial Bank of China Ltd.   China     2.2
        Provides a broad range of personal and corporate commercial banking services            
  9     JD.com, Inc.   China     1.9
        Online direct sales company            
  10     NetEase, Inc.   China     1.9
        Internet technology company that develops applications            

Portfolio holdings and characteristics are subject to change.

For more complete details about the Fund’s investment portfolio, see page 10. A quarterly Fact Sheet is available on dws.com or upon request. Please see the Account Management Resources section on page 45 for contact information.

 

  DWS Emerging Markets Equity Fund   |     9  


Investment Portfolio    as of April 30, 2020 (Unaudited)

 

    Shares     Value ($)  
Equity Securities 88.0%    
Brazil 3.9%

 

Banco Bradesco SA (ADR)

    1,012,354       3,563,487  

CCR SA

    261,962       594,941  

Cia Siderurgica Nacional SA

    1,105,327       1,821,241  

Gerdau SA (ADR) (a)

    493,680       1,061,412  

Itau Unibanco Holding SA (ADR) (Preferred)

    256,096       1,078,164  

Lojas Americanas SA (Preferred)

    626,580       2,866,789  

Multiplan Empreendimentos Imobiliarios SA

    1,848       7,099  

Vale SA (ADR)

    431,367       3,558,778  
   

 

 

 

(Cost $23,239,204)

 

    14,551,911  
China 38.1%

 

Alibaba Group Holding Ltd. (ADR)*

    148,809       30,159,120  

Anhui Conch Cement Co., Ltd. “H”

    552,500       4,325,579  

Bank of China Ltd. “H”

    8,227,000       3,141,925  

BYD Co., Ltd. “H”

    319,500       1,987,976  

China Construction Bank Corp. “H”

    10,831,577       8,788,255  

China Life Insurance Co., Ltd. “H”

    1,830,000       3,891,696  

China Petroleum & Chemical Corp. “H”

    3,050,000       1,527,391  

Datang International Power Generation Co., Ltd. “H”

    1,116,000       162,928  

GDS Holdings Ltd. (ADR)* (a)

    35,166       2,015,715  

Huatai Securities Co., Ltd. 144A

    924,200       1,536,610  

Industrial & Commercial Bank of China Ltd. “H”

    12,432,095       8,409,898  

JD.com, Inc. (ADR)*

    166,774       7,187,959  

KWG Group Holdings Ltd.*

    2,069,000       3,043,402  

Meituan Dianping “B”*

    279,500       3,727,841  

NetEase, Inc. (ADR)

    20,506       7,073,750  

New Oriental Education & Technology Group, Inc. (ADR)*

    33,801       4,315,036  

PetroChina Co., Ltd. “H”

    5,607,300       2,006,369  

Ping An Insurance (Group) Co. of China Ltd. “H”

    1,091,532       11,248,284  

Tencent Holdings Ltd.

    538,200       28,484,310  

Topsports International Holdings Ltd. 144A

    1,320,000       1,656,400  

Trip.com Group Ltd. (ADR)*

    57,722       1,486,919  

Yum China Holdings, Inc. (b)

    81,404       3,944,838  

Zhuzhou CRRC Times Electric Co., Ltd. “H”

    797,000       2,456,109  
   

 

 

 

(Cost $126,313,460)

 

    142,578,310  
Colombia 0.3%

 

Bancolombia SA (ADR) (a) (Cost $2,198,435)

    43,000       1,122,300  
Hong Kong 6.5%

 

AIA Group Ltd.

    258,400       2,389,761  

 

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

 

10   |   DWS Emerging Markets Equity Fund  


    Shares     Value ($)  

Akeso, Inc. 144A*

    3,678       12,430  

China Mobile Ltd.

    845,652       6,805,520  

China Overseas Land & Investment Ltd.

    1,441,475       5,268,049  

Galaxy Entertainment Group Ltd.

    606,000       3,900,442  

Melco Resorts & Entertainment Ltd. (ADR)

    191,256       3,025,670  

Shimao Property Holdings Ltd.

    579,000       2,324,439  

SJM Holdings Ltd.

    670,000       661,875  
   

 

 

 

(Cost $26,272,945)

 

    24,388,186  
India 8.9%

 

HDFC Bank Ltd. (ADR)

    210,453       9,123,138  

ICICI Bank Ltd.

    240,257       1,194,053  

ICICI Bank Ltd. (ADR)

    422,378       4,122,409  

Infosys Ltd. (ADR)

    382,295       3,528,583  

ITC Ltd.

    770,000       1,844,397  

Larsen & Toubro Ltd.

    32,190       380,963  

Maruti Suzuki India Ltd.

    10,439       736,945  

Reliance Industries Ltd. 144A, (GDR)

    175,388       6,708,591  

Tata Consultancy Services Ltd.

    206,744       5,514,591  

UltraTech Cement Ltd.

    8,316       387,948  
   

 

 

 

(Cost $36,014,926)

 

    33,541,618  
Indonesia 0.8%

 

PT Telekomunikasi Indonesia Persero Tbk (Cost $3,395,538)

    12,685,900       2,950,006  
Korea 13.1%

 

Hyundai Motor Co.

    28,454       2,182,463  

KB Financial Group, Inc.

    27,810       786,000  

KT Corp.

    20,066       393,333  

LG Chem Ltd.

    15,981       4,893,119  

LG Household & Health Care Ltd.

    2,852       3,229,650  

Naver Corp.

    11,733       1,903,606  

Netmarble Corp. 144A*

    12,408       970,366  

POSCO

    23,358       3,511,811  

Samsung Electro-Mechanics Co., Ltd.

    18,803       1,760,061  

Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.

    420,960       17,244,763  

Samsung Fire & Marine Insurance Co., Ltd.

    12,812       1,996,241  

Shinhan Financial Group Co., Ltd.

    87,983       2,211,750  

Shinsegae, Inc.

    5,912       1,275,966  

SK Hynix, Inc.

    97,741       6,627,416  
   

 

 

 

(Cost $51,880,537)

 

    48,986,545  
Mexico 1.2%

 

Fomento Economico Mexicano SAB de CV (ADR)

    54,712       3,519,623  

Gruma SAB de CV “B”

    61,238       579,780  

Grupo Financiero Inbursa SAB de CV “O”

    505,109       301,586  
   

 

 

 

(Cost $6,389,693)

 

    4,400,989  

 

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

 

  DWS Emerging Markets Equity Fund   |     11  


    Shares     Value ($)  
Russia 1.2%

 

Yandex NV “A”* (c) (Cost $4,398,201)

    119,257       4,505,530  
South Africa 2.2%

 

FirstRand Ltd.

    915,114       1,997,444  

Naspers Ltd. “N”

    40,102       6,285,175  

Truworths International Ltd.

    39,602       62,949  
   

 

 

 

(Cost $12,297,564)

 

    8,345,568  
Taiwan 10.7%

 

ASE Technology Holdings Co., Ltd.

    1,127,761       2,521,864  

Catcher Technology Co., Ltd.

    201,000       1,531,631  

Chunghwa Telecom Co., Ltd.

    891,000       3,275,315  

Formosa Plastics Corp.

    1,047,000       3,082,963  

Fubon Financial Holding Co., Ltd.

    1,984,000       2,810,618  

Hon Hai Precision Industry Co., Ltd.

    810,000       2,093,005  

Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co., Ltd.

    774,803       7,849,210  

Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co., Ltd. (ADR)

    276,826       14,707,765  

Vanguard International Semiconductor Corp.

    947,000       2,214,086  
   

 

 

 

(Cost $34,378,346)

 

    40,086,457  
Thailand 0.9%

 

Kasikornbank PCL (NVDR)

    257,700       687,122  

PTT PCL (NVDR)

    1,292,300       1,413,455  

Thai Oil PCL (NVDR)

    926,800       1,174,990  
   

 

 

 

(Cost $5,665,966)

 

    3,275,567  
Turkey 0.1%

 

KOC Holding AS

    100,545       220,915  

Turkiye Garanti Bankasi AS*

    97,879       115,175  
   

 

 

 

(Cost $716,326)

 

    336,090  
United Arab Emirates 0.1%

 

Emaar Malls PJSC (Cost $589,330)

    687,850       241,053  

Total Equity Securities (Cost $333,750,471)

 

    329,310,130  
Exchange-Traded Funds 3.4%    

iShares FTSE A50 China ETF (a) (Cost $13,491,798)

    7,055,200       12,652,317  
Securities Lending Collateral 4.0%    

DWS Government & Agency Securities Portfolio “DWS Government Cash Institutional Shares”, 0.15% (d) (e) (Cost $14,998,343)

    14,998,343       14,998,343  

 

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

 

12   |   DWS Emerging Markets Equity Fund  


    Shares     Value ($)  
Cash Equivalents 8.4%    

DWS Central Cash Management Government Fund, 0.16% (d) (Cost $31,472,942)

    31,472,942       31,472,942  
    % of Net
Assets
    Value ($)  
Total Investment Portfolio (Cost $393,713,554)     103.8       388,433,732  
Other Assets and Liabilities, Net     (3.8     (14,117,583

 

 
Net Assets     100.0       374,316,149  

A summary of the Fund’s transactions with affiliated investments during the period ended April 30, 2020 are as follows:

 

Value ($)
at
10/31/2019
   

Pur-

chases
Cost
($)

    Sales
Proceeds
($)
   

Net
Real-

ized
Gain/
(Loss)
($)

   

Net
Change
in
Unreal-

ized
Appreci-
ation
(Depreci-

ation)
($)

    Income
($)
   

Capital
Gain
Distri-

butions
($)

    Number of
Shares at
4/30/2020
    Value ($)
at
4/30/2020
 
  Securities Lending Collateral 4.0%  
 
DWS Government & Agency Securities Portfolio “DWS Government Cash Institutional Shares”,
0.15% (d) (e)
 
 
  15,219,626             221,283 (f)                  103,860             14,998,343       14,998,343  
  Cash Equivalents 8.4%  
  DWS Central Cash Management Government Fund, 0.16% (d)  
  12,146,299       170,917,557       151,590,914                   168,560             31,472,942       31,472,942  
  27,365,925       170,917,557       151,812,197                   272,420             46,471,285       46,471,285  

 

*

Non-income producing security.

 

(a)

All or a portion of these securities were on loan. In addition, “Other Assets and Liabilities, Net” may include pending sales that are also on loan. The value of securities loaned at April 30, 2020 amounted to $14,239,994, which is 3.8% of net assets.

 

(b)

Listed on the New York Stock Exchange.

 

(c)

Listed on the NASDAQ Stock Market, Inc.

 

(d)

Affiliated fund managed by DWS Investment Management Americas, Inc. The rate shown is the annualized seven-day yield at period end.

 

(e)

Represents cash collateral held in connection with securities lending. Income earned by the Fund is net of borrower rebates.

 

(f)

Represents the net increase (purchase cost) or decrease (sales proceeds) in the amount invested in cash collateral for the period ended April 30, 2020.

144A: Security exempt from registration under Rule 144A of the Securities Act of 1933. These securities may be resold in transactions exempt from registration, normally to qualified institutional buyers.

ADR: American Depositary Receipt

FTSE: Financial Times and the London Stock Exchange

GDR: Global Depositary Receipt

NVDR: Non-Voting Depository Receipt

PJSC: Public Joint Stock Company

 

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

 

  DWS Emerging Markets Equity Fund   |     13  


Fair Value Measurements

Various inputs are used in determining the value of the Fund’s investments. These inputs are summarized in three broad levels. Level 1 includes quoted prices in active markets for identical securities. Level 2 includes other significant observable inputs (including quoted prices for similar securities, interest rates, prepayment speeds, and credit risk). Level 3 includes significant unobservable inputs (including the Fund’s own assumptions in determining the fair value of investments). The level assigned to the securities valuations may not be an indication of the risk associated with investing in those securities.

The following is a summary of the inputs used as of April 30, 2020 in valuing the Fund’s investments. For information on the Fund’s policy regarding the valuation of investments, please refer to the Security Valuation section of Note A in the accompanying Notes to Financial Statements.

 

Assets   Level 1     Level 2     Level 3     Total  
Equity Securities        

Brazil

  $ 14,551,911     $     $                 —     $ 14,551,911  

China

    56,183,337       86,394,973             142,578,310  

Colombia

    1,122,300                   1,122,300  

Hong Kong

    3,038,100       21,350,086             24,388,186  

India

    23,482,721       10,058,897             33,541,618  

Indonesia

          2,950,006             2,950,006  

Korea

          48,986,545             48,986,545  

Mexico

    4,400,989                   4,400,989  

Russia

    4,505,530                   4,505,530  

South Africa

          8,345,568             8,345,568  

Taiwan

    14,707,765       25,378,692             40,086,457  

Thailand

          3,275,567             3,275,567  

Turkey

          336,090             336,090  

United Arab Emirates

          241,053             241,053  
Exchange-Traded Funds           12,652,317             12,652,317  
Short-Term Investments (g)     46,471,285                   46,471,285  
Total   $ 168,463,938     $ 219,969,794     $     $ 388,433,732  

 

(g)

See Investment Portfolio for additional detailed categorizations.

 

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

 

14   |   DWS Emerging Markets Equity Fund  


Statement of Assets and Liabilities

 

as of April 30, 2020 (Unaudited)        
Assets        
Investments in non-affiliated securities, at value (cost $347,242,269) — including $14,239,994 of securities loaned   $ 341,962,447  
Investment in DWS Government & Agency Securities Portfolio (cost $14,998,343)*     14,998,343  
Investment in DWS Central Cash Management Government Fund (cost $31,472,942)     31,472,942  
Cash     1,612  
Foreign currency, at value (cost $10,485,880)     10,292,131  
Receivable for investments sold     1,544,803  
Receivable for Fund shares sold     852,736  
Dividends receivable     235,275  
Interest receivable     52,000  
Foreign taxes recoverable     337  
Other assets     76,133  
Total assets     401,488,759  
Liabilities        
Payable upon return of securities loaned     14,998,343  
Payable for investments purchased     10,552,512  
Payable for Fund shares redeemed     1,173,942  
Accrued management fee     155,816  
Accrued Directors’ fees     4,349  
Other accrued expenses and payables     287,648  
Total liabilities     27,172,610  
Net assets, at value   $ 374,316,149  
Net Assets Consist of        
Distributable earnings (loss)     (60,807,556
Paid-in capital     435,123,705  
Net assets, at value   $ 374,316,149  

 

*

Represents collateral on securities loaned.

 

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

 

  DWS Emerging Markets Equity Fund   |     15  


Statement of Assets and Liabilities as of April 30, 2020 (Unaudited) (continued)    

 

Net Asset Value        

Class A

 
Net Asset Value and redemption price per share
($16,510,550 ÷ 946,870 shares of capital stock outstanding,
$.01 par value, 50,000,000 shares authorized)
  $ 17.44  
Maximum offering price per share (100 ÷ 94.25 of $17.44)   $ 18.50  

Class T

 
Net Asset Value and redemption price per share
($10,218 ÷ 586.1 shares of capital stock outstanding,
$.01 par value, 50,000,000 shares authorized)
  $ 17.43  
Maximum offering price per share (100 ÷ 97.50 of $17.43)   $ 17.88  

Class C

 
Net Asset Value, offering and redemption price
(subject to contingent deferred sales charge) per share
($4,446,967 ÷ 286,369 shares of capital stock outstanding,
$.01 par value, 20,000,000 shares authorized)
  $ 15.53  

Class R6

 
Net Asset Value, offering and redemption price per share
($14,259 ÷ 807.2 shares of capital stock outstanding,
$.01 par value, 50,000,000 shares authorized)
  $ 17.66  

Class S

 
Net Asset Value, offering and redemption price per share
($161,531,542 ÷ 9,140,805 shares of capital stock outstanding,
$.01 par value, 100,000,000 shares authorized)
  $ 17.67  

Institutional Class

 
Net Asset Value, offering and redemption price per share
($191,802,613 ÷ 10,866,628 shares of capital stock outstanding,
$.01 par value, 100,000,000 shares authorized)
  $ 17.65  

 

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

 

16   |   DWS Emerging Markets Equity Fund  


Statement of Operations

 

for the six months ended April 30, 2020 (Unaudited)        
Investment Income        
Income:  
Dividends (net of foreign taxes withheld of $418,589)   $ 2,594,759  
Interest     2,700  
Income distributions — DWS Central Cash Management Government Fund     168,560  
Securities lending income, net of borrower rebates     103,860  
Total income     2,869,879  
Expenses:  
Management fee     1,530,891  
Administration fee     216,855  
Services to shareholders     293,693  
Distribution and service fees     54,424  
Custodian fee     74,991  
Professional fees     49,730  
Reports to shareholders     35,791  
Registration fees     59,530  
Directors’ fees and expenses     9,223  
Other     23,972  
Total expenses before expense reductions     2,349,100  
Expense reductions     (253,119
Total expenses after expense reductions     2,095,981  
Net investment income (loss)     773,898  
Realized and Unrealized Gain (Loss)        
Net realized gain (loss) from:  
Investments     (17,161,734
Foreign currency     (1,386,963
      (18,548,697
Change in net unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on:  
Investments     (24,356,342
Foreign currency     (239,197
      (24,595,539
Net gain (loss)     (43,144,236
Net increase (decrease) in net assets resulting from operations   $ (42,370,338

 

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

 

  DWS Emerging Markets Equity Fund   |     17  


Statements of Changes in Net Assets

 

Increase (Decrease) in Net Assets   Six Months
Ended April 30,
2020
(Unaudited)
   

Year Ended
October 31,
2019

 
Operations:    
Net investment income (loss)   $ 773,898     $ 9,176,149  
Net realized gain (loss)     (18,548,697     2,365,674  
Change in net unrealized appreciation (depreciation)     (24,595,539     14,428,407  
Net increase (decrease) in net assets resulting from operations     (42,370,338     25,970,230  
Distributions to shareholders:    

Class A

    (444,350     (54,096

Class T

    (211     (55

Class C

    (66,492      

Class R6

    (315     (74

Class S

    (3,612,454     (1,033,460

Institutional Class

    (5,451,114     (441,967
Total distributions     (9,574,936     (1,529,652
Fund share transactions:    
Proceeds from shares sold     166,748,613       533,171,110  
Reinvestment of distributions     9,422,476       1,502,893  
Payments for shares redeemed     (189,926,955     (248,959,969
Net increase (decrease) in net assets from Fund share transactions     (13,755,866     285,714,034  
Increase (decrease) in net assets     (65,701,140     310,154,612  
Net assets at beginning of period     440,017,289       129,862,677  
Net assets at end of period   $ 374,316,149     $ 440,017,289  

 

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

 

18   |   DWS Emerging Markets Equity Fund  


Financial Highlights

 

   

Six Months
Ended 4/30/20

    Years Ended October 31,  
Class A   (Unaudited)     2019     2018     2017     2016     2015  
Selected Per Share Data                                                
Net asset value, beginning of period     $19.59       $17.74       $19.54       $15.71       $14.49       $16.53  
Income (loss) from investment operations:            

Net investment income (loss)a

    .01       .48       .19       .10       .05       .06  

Net realized and unrealized gain (loss)

    (1.79     1.47       (1.90     3.77       1.17       (1.95

Total from investment operations

    (1.78     1.95       (1.71     3.87       1.22       (1.89
Less distributions from:            

Net investment income

    (.37     (.10     (.09     (.04           (.15
Redemption fees                             .00 ***      .00 *** 
Net asset value, end
of period
    $17.44       $19.59       $17.74       $19.54       $15.71       $14.49  
Total Return (%)b,c     (9.40 )**      11.04       (8.79     24.75       8.42       (11.57
Ratios to Average Net Assets and Supplemental Data

 

       
Net assets, end of period ($ millions)     17       23       9       10       8       10  
Ratio of expenses before expense reductions (%)     1.35 *      1.36       1.55       1.86       2.16       1.97  
Ratio of expenses after expense reductions (%)     1.15 *      1.15       1.15       1.35       1.67       1.63  
Ratio of net investment income (loss) (%)     .15 *      2.49       .98       .59       .35       .40  
Portfolio turnover rate (%)     27 **      32       34       14       72       18  

 

a 

Based on average shares outstanding during the period.

 

b 

Total return does not reflect the effect of any sales charges.

 

c 

Total return would have been lower had certain expenses not been reduced.

 

* 

Annualized

 

** 

Not annualized

 

*** 

Amount is less than $.005.

 

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

 

  DWS Emerging Markets Equity Fund   |     19  


    Six Months
Ended 4/30/20
    Years Ended
October 31,
    Period
Ended
 
Class T   (Unaudited)     2019     2018     10/31/17a  
Selected Per Share Data

 

               
Net asset value, beginning of period   $ 19.59     $ 17.74       $19.54       $17.54  
Income (loss) from investment operations:

 

   

Net investment income (loss)b

    .01       .39       .19       .13  

Net realized and unrealized gain (loss)

    (1.80     1.56       (1.90     1.87  

Total from investment operations

    (1.79     1.95       (1.71     2.00  
Less distributions from:

 

   

Net investment income

    (.37     (.10     (.09      
Net asset value, end of period   $ 17.43     $ 19.59       $17.74       $19.54  
Total Return (%)c,d     (9.46 )**      11.04       (8.79     11.40 ** 
Ratios to Average Net Assets and Supplemental Data

 

Net assets, end of period ($ thousands)     10       11       10       11  
Ratio of expenses before expense reductions (%)     1.26 *      1.30       1.43       1.65 * 
Ratio of expenses after expense reductions (%)     1.15 *      1.15       1.15       1.15 * 
Ratio of net investment income (loss) (%)     .15 *      2.07       .97       1.70 * 
Portfolio turnover rate (%)     27 **      32       34       14 e 

 

a 

For the period from June 5, 2017 (commencement of operations) to October 31, 2017.

 

b 

Based on average shares outstanding during the period.

 

c 

Total return does not reflect the effect of any sales charges.

 

d 

Total return would have been lower had certain expenses not been reduced.

 

e 

Represents the Fund’s portfolio turnover rate for the year ended October 31, 2017.

 

* 

Annualized

 

** 

Not annualized

 

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

 

20   |   DWS Emerging Markets Equity Fund  


    Six Months
Ended 4/30/20
    Years Ended October 31,  
Class C   (Unaudited)     2019     2018     2017     2016     2015  
Selected Per Share Data

 

                               
Net asset value, beginning of period   $ 17.38     $ 15.77     $ 17.43     $ 14.07     $ 13.07       $14.92  
Income (loss) from investment operations:

 

       

Net investment income (loss)a

    (.05     .26       .06       (.01     (.05     (.05

Net realized and unrealized gain (loss)

    (1.62     1.35       (1.72     3.37       1.05       (1.77

Total from investment operations

    (1.67     1.61       (1.66     3.36       1.00       (1.82
Less distributions from:

 

       

Net investment income

    (.18                             (.03
Redemption fees                             .00 ***      .00 *** 
Net asset value, end of period   $ 15.53     $ 17.38     $ 15.77     $ 17.43     $ 14.07       $13.07  
Total Return (%)b,c     (9.76 )**      10.21       (9.52     23.88       7.65       (12.24
Ratios to Average Net Assets and Supplemental Data

 

Net assets, end of period ($ millions)     4       6       3       3       2       2  
Ratio of expenses before expense reductions (%)     2.04 *      2.08       2.26       2.57       2.91       2.76  
Ratio of expenses after expense reductions (%)     1.90     1.90       1.90       2.09       2.42       2.38  
Ratio of net investment income (loss) (%)     (.58 )*      1.55       .31       (.09     (.40     (.34
Portfolio turnover rate (%)     27 **      32       34       14       72       18  

 

a 

Based on average shares outstanding during the period.

 

b 

Total return does not reflect the effect of any sales charges.

 

c 

Total return would have been lower had certain expenses not been reduced.

 

* 

Annualized

 

** 

Not annualized

 

***

Amount is less than $.005.

 

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

 

  DWS Emerging Markets Equity Fund   |     21  


   

Six Months
Ended 4/30/20

    Year Ended
October 31,
    Period
Ended
 
Class R6  

(Unaudited)

    2019     10/31/18a  
Selected Per Share Data

 

               
Net asset value, beginning of period   $ 19.87       $17.99       $18.68  
Income (loss) from investment operations:

 

   

Net investment income (loss)b

    .04       .48       .02  

Net realized and unrealized gain (loss)

    (1.82     1.54       (0.71

Total from investment operations

    (1.78     2.02       (0.69
Less distributions from:

 

   

Net investment income

    (.43     (.14      
Net asset value, end of period   $ 17.66       $19.87       $17.99  
Total Return (%)c     (9.27 )**      11.32       (3.69 )** 
Ratios to Average Net Assets and Supplemental Data

 

       
Net assets, end of period ($ thousands)     14       25       10  
Ratio of expenses before expense reductions (%)     1.33 *      1.21       1.41 * 
Ratio of expenses after expense reductions (%)     .90 *      .90       .90 * 
Ratio of net investment income (loss) (%)     .37 *      2.51       .63 * 
Portfolio turnover rate (%)     27 **      32       34 d 

 

a 

For the period from September 7, 2018 (commencement of operations) to October 31, 2018.

 

b 

Based on average shares outstanding during the period.

 

c 

Total return would have been lower had certain expenses not been reduced.

 

d 

Represents the Fund’s portfolio turnover rate for the year ended October 31, 2018.

 

* 

Annualized

 

** 

Not annualized

 

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

 

22   |   DWS Emerging Markets Equity Fund  


    Six Months
Ended 4/30/20
    Years Ended October 31,  
Class S   (Unaudited)     2019     2018     2017     2016     2015  
Selected Per Share Data

 

               
Net asset value, beginning of period   $ 19.87     $ 18.00     $ 19.82     $ 15.94     $ 14.70       $16.77  
Income (loss) from investment operations:

 

       

Net investment income (loss)a

    .03       .48       .24       .15       .09       .11  

Net realized and unrealized gain (loss)

    (1.82     1.52       (1.93     3.81       1.18       (1.99

Total from investment operations

    (1.79     2.00       (1.69     3.96       1.27       (1.88
Less distributions from:

 

   

Net investment income

        (.41     (.13     (.13     (.08     (.03     (.19
Redemption fees                             .00 ***      .00 *** 
Net asset value, end of period   $ 17.67     $ 19.87     $ 18.00     $ 19.82     $ 15.94       $14.70  
Total Return (%)b     (9.35 )**      11.19       (8.61     25.03       8.68       (11.29
Ratios to Average Net Assets and Supplemental Data

 

Net Assets, end of period ($ millions)     162       203       89       65       46       48  
Ratio of expenses before expense reductions (%)     1.10 *      1.12       1.31       1.57       1.90       1.74  
Ratio of expenses after expense reductions (%)     .98 *      .98       .98       1.14       1.42       1.38  
Ratio of net investment income (loss) (%)     .32 *      2.46       1.19       .87       .62       .68  
Portfolio turnover rate (%)     27 **      32       34       14       72       18  

 

a 

Based on average shares outstanding during the period.

 

b 

Total return would have been lower had certain expenses not been reduced.

 

* 

Annualized

 

** 

Not annualized

 

***

Amount is less than $.005.

 

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

 

  DWS Emerging Markets Equity Fund   |     23  


    Six Months
Ended 4/30/20
    Years Ended October 31,  
Institutional Class  

(Unaudited)

    2019     2018     2017     2016     2015  
Selected Per Share Data

 

                               
Net asset value, beginning of period   $ 19.86     $ 17.99     $ 19.81     $ 15.92     $ 14.68       $16.75  
Income (loss) from investment operations:

 

         

Net investment income (loss)a

    .04       .55       .28       .21       (.04     .11  

Net realized and unrealized gain (loss)

    (1.82     1.46       (1.96     3.76       1.31       (1.99

Total from investment operations

    (1.78     2.01       (1.68     3.97       1.27       (1.88
Less distributions from:

 

     

Net investment income

    (.43     (.14     (.14     (.08     (.03     (.19
Redemption fees                             .00 ***      .00 *** 
Net asset value, end of period   $ 17.65     $ 19.86     $ 17.99     $ 19.81     $ 15.92       $14.68  
Total Return (%)b     (9.33 )**      11.29       (8.54     25.05       8.76       (11.30
Ratios to Average Net Assets and Supplemental Data

 

       
Net Assets, end of period ($ millions)     192       208       28       9       1       8  
Ratio of expenses before expense reductions (%)     1.01 *      1.05       1.18       1.34       1.72       1.53  
Ratio of expenses after expense reductions (%)     .90 *      .90       .90       .97       1.42       1.38  
Ratio of net investment income (loss) (%)     .42 *      2.82       1.40       1.14       (.28     .67  
Portfolio turnover rate (%)     27 **      32       34       14       72       18  

 

a 

Based on average shares outstanding during the period.

 

b 

Total return would have been lower had certain expenses not been reduced.

 

* 

Annualized

 

** 

Not annualized

 

***

Amount is less than $.005.

 

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

 

24   |   DWS Emerging Markets Equity Fund  


Notes to Financial Statements   (Unaudited)

A. Organization and Significant Accounting Policies

DWS Emerging Markets Equity Fund (the “Fund”) is a diversified series of Deutsche DWS International Fund, Inc. (the “Corporation”), which is registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the “1940 Act”), as an open-end management investment company organized as a Maryland corporation.

The Fund offers multiple classes of shares which provide investors with different purchase options. Class A shares are subject to an initial sales charge. Class T shares are subject to an initial sales charge and are only available through certain financial intermediaries. Class T shares are closed to new purchases, except in connection with the reinvestment of dividends or other distributions. Class C shares are not subject to an initial sales charge but are subject to higher ongoing expenses than Class A shares and a contingent deferred sales charge payable upon certain redemptions within one year of purchase. Class C shares automatically convert to Class A shares in the same fund after 10 years, provided that the fund or the financial intermediary through which the shareholder purchased the Class C shares has records verifying that the Class C shares have been held for at least 10 years. Class R6 shares are not subject to initial or contingent deferred sales charges and are generally available only to certain retirement plans. Class S shares are not subject to initial or contingent deferred sales charges and are only available to a limited group of investors. Institutional Class shares are not subject to initial or contingent deferred sales charges and are generally available only to qualified institutions.

Investment income, realized and unrealized gains and losses, and certain fund-level expenses and expense reductions, if any, are borne pro rata on the basis of relative net assets by the holders of all classes of shares, except that each class bears certain expenses unique to that class such as distribution and service fees, services to shareholders and certain other class-specific expenses. Differences in class-level expenses may result in payment of different per share dividends by class. All shares of the Fund have equal rights with respect to voting subject to class-specific arrangements.

The Fund’s financial statements are prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“U.S. GAAP”) which require the use of management estimates. Actual results could differ from those estimates. The Fund qualifies as an investment company under Topic 946 of Accounting Standards Codification of U.S. GAAP. The policies described below are followed consistently by the Fund in the preparation of its financial statements.

 

  DWS Emerging Markets Equity Fund   |     25  


Security Valuation. Investments are stated at value determined as of the close of regular trading on the New York Stock Exchange on each day the exchange is open for trading.

Various inputs are used in determining the value of the Fund’s investments. These inputs are summarized in three broad levels. Level 1 includes quoted prices in active markets for identical securities. Level 2 includes other significant observable inputs (including quoted prices for similar securities, interest rates, prepayment speeds and credit risk). Level 3 includes significant unobservable inputs (including the Fund’s own assumptions in determining the fair value of investments). The level assigned to the securities valuations may not be an indication of the risk or liquidity associated with investing in those securities.

Equity securities and exchange-traded funds (“ETFs”) are valued at the most recent sale price or official closing price reported on the exchange (U.S. or foreign) or over-the-counter market on which they trade. Equity securities or ETFs for which no sales are reported are valued at the calculated mean between the most recent bid and asked quotations on the relevant market or, if a mean cannot be determined, at the most recent bid quotation. Equity securities and ETFs are generally categorized as Level 1 securities. For certain international equity securities, in order to adjust for events which may occur between the close of the foreign exchanges and the close of the New York Stock Exchange, a fair valuation model may be used. This fair valuation model takes into account comparisons to the valuation of American Depository Receipts (ADRs), exchange-traded funds, futures contracts and certain indices and these securities are categorized as Level 2.

Investments in open-end investment companies are valued at their net asset value each business day and are categorized as Level 1.

Securities and other assets for which market quotations are not readily available or for which the above valuation procedures are deemed not to reflect fair value are valued in a manner that is intended to reflect their fair value as determined in accordance with procedures approved by the Board and are generally categorized as Level 3. In accordance with the Fund’s valuation procedures, factors considered in determining value may include, but are not limited to, the type of the security; the size of the holding; the initial cost of the security; the existence of any contractual restrictions on the security’s disposition; the price and extent of public trading in similar securities of the issuer or of comparable companies; quotations or evaluated prices from broker-dealers and/or pricing services; information obtained from the issuer, analysts, and/or the appropriate stock exchange (for exchange-traded securities); an analysis of the company’s or issuer’s financial statements; an evaluation of the forces that influence the issuer and the market(s) in which the security is purchased and sold; and with respect to debt securities, the maturity, coupon, creditworthiness, currency

 

26   |   DWS Emerging Markets Equity Fund  


denomination and the movement of the market in which the security is normally traded. The value determined under these procedures may differ from published values for the same securities.

Disclosure about the classification of fair value measurements is included in a table following the Fund’s Investment Portfolio.

Foreign Currency Translations. The books and records of the Fund are maintained in U.S. dollars. Investment securities and other assets and liabilities denominated in a foreign currency are translated into U.S. dollars at the prevailing exchange rates at period end. Purchases and sales of investment securities, income and expenses are translated into U.S. dollars at the prevailing exchange rates on the respective dates of the transactions.

Net realized and unrealized gains and losses on foreign currency transactions represent net gains and losses between trade and settlement dates on securities transactions, the acquisition and disposition of foreign currencies, and the difference between the amount of net investment income accrued and the U.S. dollar amount actually received. The portion of both realized and unrealized gains and losses on investments that results from fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates is not separately disclosed but is included with net realized and unrealized gain/appreciation and loss/depreciation on investments.

Securities Lending. Prior to December 12, 2019, Deutsche Bank AG was the lending agent for the Fund. Effective December 12, 2019, Brown Brothers Harriman & Co., as lending agent, lends securities of the Fund to certain financial institutions under the terms of its securities lending agreement. During the term of the loans, the Fund continues to receive interest and dividends generated by the securities and to participate in any changes in their market value. The Fund requires the borrowers of the securities to maintain collateral with the Fund consisting of either cash and/or U.S. Treasury Securities having a value at least equal to the value of the securities loaned. When the collateral falls below specified amounts, the lending agent will use its best effort to obtain additional collateral on the next business day to meet required amounts under the securities lending agreement. During the six months ended April 30, 2020, the Fund invested the cash collateral into a joint trading account in DWS Government & Agency Securities Portfolio, an affiliated money market fund managed by DWS Investment Management Americas, Inc. DWS Investment Management Americas, Inc. receives a management/ administration fee (0.12% annualized effective rate as of April 30, 2020) on the cash collateral invested in DWS Government & Agency Securities Portfolio. The Fund receives compensation for lending its securities either in the form of fees or by earning interest on invested cash collateral net of borrower rebates and fees paid to a lending agent. Either the Fund or the

 

  DWS Emerging Markets Equity Fund   |     27  


borrower may terminate the loan at any time, and the borrower, after notice, is required to return borrowed securities within a standard time period. There may be risks of delay and costs in recovery of securities or even loss of rights in the collateral should the borrower of the securities fail financially. If the Fund is not able to recover securities lent, the Fund may sell the collateral and purchase a replacement investment in the market, incurring the risk that the value of the replacement security is greater than the value of the collateral. The Fund is also subject to all investment risks associated with the reinvestment of any cash collateral received, including, but not limited to, interest rate, credit and liquidity risk associated with such investments.

As of April 30, 2020, the Fund had securities on loan which were classified as common stocks and Exchange-Traded Funds in the Investment Portfolio. The value of the related collateral exceeded the value of the securities loaned at period end.

Remaining Contractual Maturity of the Agreements as of April 30, 2020

 

     Overnight and
Continuous
    <30 Days     Between
30 & 90 Days
    >90 Days     Total  
Securities Lending Transactions

 

 
Common Stocks   $ 4,330,994     $     $           —     $           —     $ 4,330,994  
Exchange-Traded Funds     10,667,349                         10,667,349  
Total Borrowings   $ 14,998,343     $           —     $     $     $ 14,998,343  
Gross amount of recognized liabilities for securities lending transactions

 

  $ 14,998,343  

Taxes. The Fund’s policy is to comply with the requirements of the Internal Revenue Code, as amended, which are applicable to regulated investment companies, and to distribute all of its taxable income to its shareholders.

Additionally, the Fund may be subject to taxes imposed by the governments of countries in which it invests and are generally based on income and/or capital gains earned or repatriated. Estimated tax liabilities on certain foreign securities are recorded on an accrual basis and are reflected as components of interest income or net change in unrealized gain/loss on investments. Tax liabilities realized as a result of security sales are reflected as a component of net realized gain/loss on investments.

At October 31, 2019, the Fund had a net tax basis capital loss carryforward of approximately $36,072,000, which may be applied against realized net taxable capital gains indefinitely, including short-term losses ($12,397,000) and long-term losses ($23,675,000).

 

28   |   DWS Emerging Markets Equity Fund  


At April 30, 2020, the aggregate cost of investments for federal income tax purposes was $394,228,035. The net unrealized depreciation for all investments based on tax cost was $5,794,303. This consisted of aggregate gross unrealized appreciation for all investments which there was an excess of value over tax cost of $38,811,283 and aggregate gross unrealized depreciation for all investments in which was an excess of tax cost over value of $44,605,586.

The Fund has reviewed the tax positions for the open tax years as of October 31, 2019 and has determined that no provision for income tax and/or uncertain tax positions is required in the Fund’s financial statements. The Fund’s federal tax returns for the prior three fiscal years remain open subject to examination by the Internal Revenue Service.

Distribution of Income and Gains. Distributions from net investment income of the Fund, if any, are declared and distributed to shareholders annually. Net realized gains from investment transactions, in excess of available capital loss carryforwards, would be taxable to the Fund if not distributed, and, therefore, will be distributed to shareholders at least annually. The Fund may also make additional distributions for tax purposes, if necessary.

The timing and characterization of certain income and capital gain distributions are determined annually in accordance with federal tax regulations which may differ from accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America. These differences primarily relate to investments in foreign denominated investments, and certain securities sold at a loss. As a result, net investment income (loss) and net realized gain (loss) on investments for a reporting period may differ significantly from distributions during such period. Accordingly, the Fund may periodically make reclassifications among certain of its capital accounts without impacting the net asset value of the Fund.

The tax character of current year distributions will be determined at the end of the current fiscal year.

Expenses. Expenses of the Corporation arising in connection with a specific fund are allocated to that fund. Other Corporation expenses which cannot be directly attributed to a fund are apportioned among the funds in the Corporation based upon the relative net assets or other appropriate measures.

Contingencies. In the normal course of business, the Fund may enter into contracts with service providers that contain general indemnification clauses. The Fund’s maximum exposure under these arrangements is unknown, as this would involve future claims that may be made against the Fund that have not yet been made. However, based on experience, the Fund expects the risk of loss to be remote.

 

  DWS Emerging Markets Equity Fund   |     29  


Other. Investment transactions are accounted for on a trade date plus one basis for daily net asset value calculations. However, for financial reporting purposes, investment transactions are reported on trade date. Interest income is recorded on the accrual basis. Dividend income is recorded on the ex-dividend date net of foreign withholding taxes. Certain dividends from foreign securities may be recorded subsequent to the ex-dividend date as soon as the Fund is informed of such dividends. Realized gains and losses from investment transactions are recorded on an identified cost basis. Proceeds from litigation payments, if any, are included in net realized gain (loss) from investments.

B. Purchases and Sales of Securities

During the six months ended April 30, 2020, purchases and sales of investment securities (excluding short-term investments) aggregated $106,789,196 and $143,605,035, respectively.

C. Related Parties

Management Agreement. Under the Investment Management Agreement with DWS Investment Management Americas, Inc. (“DIMA” or the “Advisor”), an indirect, wholly owned subsidiary of DWS Group GmbH & Co. KGaA (“DWS Group”), the Advisor directs the investments of the Fund in accordance with its investment objectives, policies and restrictions. The Advisor determines the securities, instruments and other contracts relating to investments to be purchased, sold or entered into by the Fund or delegates such responsibility to the Fund’s subadvisor.

DWS Investments Hong Kong Limited, an affiliate of DIMA, serves as subadvisor with respect to the investment and reinvestment of assets of the Fund, and is paid by the Advisor for its services.

Under the Investment Management Agreement, the Fund pays a monthly management fee equal to an annual rate (exclusive of any applicable waivers/reimbursements) of 0.70% of the Fund’s average daily net assets, computed and accrued daily and payable monthly.

For the period from November 1, 2019 through January 31, 2021, the Advisor has contractually agreed to waive its fees and/or reimburse certain operating expenses of the Fund to the extent necessary to maintain the total annual operating expenses (excluding certain expenses such as extraordinary expenses, taxes, brokerage and interest) of certain classes as follows:

 

Class A      1.15%  
Class T      1.15%  
Class C      1.90%  
Class R6      .90%  
Class S      .98%  
Institutional Class      .90%  

 

30   |   DWS Emerging Markets Equity Fund  


For the six months ended April 30, 2020, fees waived and/or expenses reimbursed for each class are as follows:

 

Class A   $ 21,529  
Class T     6  
Class C     4,001  
Class R6     34  
Class S     105,328  
Institutional Class     122,221  
    $ 253,119  

Administration Fee. Pursuant to an Administrative Services Agreement, DIMA provides most administrative services to the Fund. Prior to March 1, 2020, for all services provided under the Administrative Services Agreement, the Fund paid the Advisor an annual fee (“Administration Fee”) of 0.10% of the Fund’s average daily net assets, computed and accrued daily and payable monthly. Effective March 1, 2020, for all services provided under the Administrative Services Agreement, the Fund pays the Advisor an annual Administration Fee of 0.097% of the Fund’s average daily net assets, computed and accrued daily and payable monthly. For the six months ended April 30, 2020, the Administration Fee was $216,855, of which $28,414 is unpaid.

Service Provider Fees. DWS Service Company (“DSC”), an affiliate of the Advisor, is the transfer agent, dividend-paying agent and shareholder service agent for the Fund. Pursuant to a sub-transfer agency agreement between DSC and DST Systems, Inc. (“DST”), DSC has delegated certain transfer agent, dividend-paying agent and shareholder service agent functions to DST. DSC compensates DST out of the shareholder servicing fee it receives from the Fund. For the six months ended April 30, 2020, the amounts charged to the Fund by DSC were as follows:

 

Services to Shareholders   Total
Aggregated
    Unpaid at
April 30, 2020
 
Class A   $ 5,156     $ 1,887  
Class T     10       4  
Class C     485       188  
Class R6     32       8  
Class S     24,506       8,731  
Institutional Class     3,096       907  
    $ 33,285     $ 11,725  

 

  DWS Emerging Markets Equity Fund   |     31  


In addition, for the six months ended April 30, 2020, the amounts charged to the Fund for recordkeeping and other administrative services provided by unaffiliated third parties, included in the Statement of Operations under “Services to shareholders,” were as follows:

 

Sub-Recordkeeping   Total
Aggregated
 
Class A   $ 14,979  
Class C     2,912  
Class S     133,126  
Institutional Class     94,654  
    $ 245,671  

Distribution and Service Fees. Under the Fund’s Class C 12b-1 Plan, DWS Distributors, Inc. (“DDI”), an affiliate of the Advisor, receives a fee (“Distribution Fee”) of 0.75% of the average daily net assets of Class C shares. In accordance with the Fund’s Underwriting and Distribution Services Agreement, DDI enters into related selling group agreements with various firms at various rates for sales of Class C shares. For the six months ended April 30, 2020, the Distribution Fee was as follows:

 

Distribution Fee   Total
Aggregated
    Unpaid at
April 30, 2020
 
Class C   $ 21,646     $ 2,692  

In addition, DDI provides information and administrative services for a fee (“Service Fee”) to Class A, T and C shareholders at an annual rate of up to 0.25% of the average daily net assets for each such class. DDI in turn has various agreements with financial services firms that provide these services and pays these fees based upon the assets of shareholder accounts the firms service. For the six months ended April 30, 2020, the Service Fee was as follows:

 

Service Fee   Total
Aggregated
    Unpaid at
April 30, 2020
    Annualized
Rate
 
Class A   $ 25,570     $ 9,886       .24
Class T     9       9       .15
Class C     7,199       2,780       .25
    $ 32,778     $ 12,675          

Underwriting Agreement and Contingent Deferred Sales Charge. DDI is the principal underwriter for the Fund. Underwriting commissions paid in connection with the distribution of Class A shares for the six months ended April 30, 2020 aggregated $1,005.

In addition, DDI receives any contingent deferred sales charge (“CDSC”) from Class C share redemptions occurring within one year of purchase. There is no such charge upon redemption of any share appreciation or reinvested dividends. The CDSC is 1% of the value of the shares

 

32   |   DWS Emerging Markets Equity Fund  


redeemed for Class C. For the six months ended April 30, 2020, the CDSC for Class C shares aggregated $2,060. A deferred sales charge of up to 1% is assessed on certain redemptions of Class A shares.

Typesetting and Filing Service Fees. Under an agreement with the Fund, DIMA is compensated for providing certain pre-press and regulatory filing services to the Fund. For the six months ended April 30, 2020, the amount charged to the Fund by DIMA included in the Statement of Operations under “Reports to shareholders” aggregated $8,308, of which $6,515 is unpaid.

Directors’ Fees and Expenses. The Fund paid retainer fees to each Director not affiliated with the Advisor, plus specified amounts to the Board Chairperson and to each committee Chairperson.

Affiliated Cash Management Vehicles. The Fund may invest uninvested cash balances in DWS Central Cash Management Government Fund and DWS ESG Liquidity Fund, affiliated money market funds which are managed by the Advisor. Each affiliated money market fund seeks to provide a high level of current income consistent with liquidity and the preservation of capital. Each affiliated money market fund is managed in accordance with Rule 2a-7 under the 1940 Act, which governs the quality, maturity, diversity and liquidity of instruments in which a money market fund may invest. DWS Central Cash Management Government Fund seeks to maintain a stable net asset value, and DWS ESG Liquidity Fund maintains a floating net asset value. The Fund indirectly bears its proportionate share of the expenses of each affiliated money market fund in which it invests. DWS Central Cash Management Government Fund does not pay the Advisor an investment management fee. To the extent that DWS ESG Liquidity Fund pays an investment management fee to the Advisor, the Advisor will waive an amount of the investment management fee payable to the Advisor by the Fund equal to the amount of the investment management fee payable on the Fund’s assets invested in DWS ESG Liquidity Fund.

Security Lending Fees. Prior to December 12, 2019, Deutsche Bank AG was the lending agent for the Fund. Effective December 12, 2019, Brown Brothers Harriman & Co. serves as securities lending agent for the Fund. For the period ended April 30, 2020, the Fund incurred securities lending agent fees to Deutsche Bank AG in the amount of $1,050.

D. Investing in Emerging Markets

Investing in emerging markets may involve special risks and considerations not typically associated with investing in developed markets. These risks include revaluation of currencies, high rates of inflation or deflation, repatriation restrictions on income and capital, and future adverse political, social and economic developments. Moreover, securities issued in these markets may be less liquid, subject to

 

  DWS Emerging Markets Equity Fund   |     33  


government ownership controls or delayed settlements, and may have prices that are more volatile or less easily assessed than those of comparable securities of issuers in developed markets.

E. Line of Credit

The Fund and other affiliated funds (the “Participants”) share in a $350 million revolving credit facility provided by a syndication of banks. The Fund may borrow for temporary or emergency purposes, including the meeting of redemption requests that otherwise might require the untimely disposition of securities. The Participants are charged an annual commitment fee, which is allocated based on net assets, among each of the Participants. Interest is calculated at a rate per annum equal to the sum of the Federal Funds Rate plus 1.25 percent, plus if the one-month LIBOR exceeds the Federal Funds Rate, the amount of such excess. The Fund may borrow up to a maximum of 25 percent of its net assets under the agreement. The Fund had no outstanding loans at April 30, 2020.

F. Fund Share Transactions

The following table summarizes share and dollar activity in the Fund:

 

    

Six Months Ended

April 30, 2020

   

Year Ended

October 31, 2019

 
     Shares     Dollars     Shares     Dollars  
Shares sold

 

Class A     169,008     $ 3,231,781       1,063,743     $ 20,290,392  
Class C     49,799       877,936       254,305       4,309,653  
Class R6     75       1,481       705       13,813  
Class S     2,581,536       50,050,112       13,275,474       252,057,838  
Institutional Class     5,873,995       112,587,303       13,374,579       256,499,414  
            $   166,748,613             $   533,171,110  
Shares issued to shareholders in reinvestment of distributions

 

Class A     21,278     $ 441,739       3,049     $ 53,251  
Class T     10       211       3       55  
Class C     3,583       66,434              
Class R6     15       315       4       74  
Class S     168,095       3,533,360       56,923       1,007,546  
Institutional Class     256,332       5,380,417       25,012       441,967  
            $ 9,422,476             $ 1,502,893  

 

34   |   DWS Emerging Markets Equity Fund  


    

Six Months Ended

April 30, 2020

   

Year Ended

October 31, 2019

 
     Shares     Dollars     Shares     Dollars  
Shares redeemed

 

Class A     (435,536   $ (8,571,811     (409,103   $ (7,853,063
Class C     (108,540     (1,771,612     (95,350     (1,606,759
Class R6     (526     (10,551     (2     (49
Class S     (3,821,954     (71,997,410     (8,083,592     (153,032,880
Institutional Class     (5,722,347     (107,575,571     (4,504,341     (86,467,218
            $   (189,926,955           $   (248,959,969
Net increase (decrease)

 

Class A     (245,250   $ (4,898,291     657,689     $ 12,490,580  
Class T     10       211       3       55  
Class C     (55,158     (827,242     158,955       2,702,894  
Class R6     (436     (8,755     707       13,838  
Class S     (1,072,323     (18,413,938     5,248,805       100,032,504  
Institutional Class     407,980       10,392,149       8,895,250       170,474,163  
            $   (13,755,866           $   285,714,034  

G. Other

A novel strain of coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak was declared a pandemic by the World Health Organization on March 11, 2020. The situation is evolving with various cities and countries around the world responding in different ways to address the pandemic. There are direct and indirect economic effects developing for various industries and individual companies throughout the world. The recent pandemic spread of the novel coronavirus and related geopolitical events could lead to increased financial market volatility, disruption to U.S. and world economies and markets and may have significant adverse effects on the Fund and its investments. A prolonged disruption may result in the Fund and its service providers experiencing operational difficulties in implementing their business continuity plans. Management will continue to monitor the impact COVID-19 has on the Fund and reflect the consequences as appropriate in the Fund’s accounting and financial reporting.

H. Subsequent Event

On June 17, 2020, Deutsche Bank AG (“DB”), an affiliate of DWS Group, resolved with the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (“CFTC”) charges stemming from alleged violations of various swap data reporting

 

  DWS Emerging Markets Equity Fund   |     35  


requirements and corresponding supervision and other failures. The matter, which was resolved by the issuance of a federal court order (“Consent Order”), involved unintentional conduct that resulted from a system outage that prevented DB from reporting data in accordance with applicable CFTC requirements for a period of five days in April 2016.

The matter giving rise to the Consent Order did not arise out of any investment advisory, fund management activities or distribution activities of DIMA, DWS Distributors, Inc. or their advisory affiliates (the “DWS Service Providers”). DWS Group, of which the DWS Service Providers are wholly-owned subsidiaries, is a separate publicly traded company but continues to be an affiliate of DB due to, among other things, DB’s 79.49% ownership interest in DWS Group. Under the provisions of the Investment Company Act of 1940, as a result of the Consent Order, the DWS Service Providers would not be eligible to continue to provide investment advisory and underwriting services to the Fund absent an order from the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”). DB and the DWS Service Providers are seeking temporary and permanent orders from the SEC to permit the DWS Service Providers to continue to provide investment advisory and underwriting services to the Fund and other registered investment companies notwithstanding the Consent Order. While there can be no assurance that the requested exemptive orders will be granted, the SEC has granted this type of relief in the past. Consistent with their fiduciary and other relationships with the Fund, and in accordance with the desire of the Board of the Fund, the DWS Service Providers continue to provide investment advisory and distribution services to the Fund. Subject to the receipt of the temporary and permanent exemptive orders, the DWS Service Providers have informed the Fund that they do not believe the Consent Order will have any material impact on the Fund or the ability of the Service Providers to provide services for the Fund.

 

36   |   DWS Emerging Markets Equity Fund  


Information About Your Fund’s Expenses

As an investor of the Fund, you incur two types of costs: ongoing expenses and transaction costs. Ongoing expenses include management fees, distribution and service (12b-1) fees and other Fund expenses. Examples of transaction costs include sales charges (loads) and account maintenance fees, which are not shown in this section. The following tables are intended to help you understand your ongoing expenses (in dollars) of investing in the Fund and to help you compare these expenses with the ongoing expenses of investing in other mutual funds. In the most recent six-month period, the Fund limited these expenses; had it not done so, expenses would have been higher. The example in the table is based on an investment of $1,000 invested at the beginning of the six-month period and held for the entire period (November 1, 2019 to April 30, 2020).

The tables illustrate your Fund’s expenses in two ways:

 

Actual Fund Return. This helps you estimate the actual dollar amount of ongoing expenses (but not transaction costs) paid on a $1,000 investment in the Fund using the Fund’s actual return during the period. To estimate the expenses 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 “Expenses Paid per $1,000” line under the share class you hold.

 

Hypothetical 5% Fund Return. This helps you to compare your Fund’s ongoing expenses (but not transaction costs) with those of other mutual funds using the Fund’s actual expense ratio and a hypothetical rate of return of 5% per year before expenses. Examples using a 5% hypothetical fund return may be found in the shareholder reports of other mutual funds. The hypothetical account values and expenses may not be used to estimate the actual ending account balance or expenses you paid for the period.

Please note that the expenses shown in these tables are meant to highlight your ongoing expenses only and do not reflect any transaction costs. The “Expenses Paid per $1,000” line of the tables is useful in comparing ongoing expenses only and will not help you determine the relative total expense of owning different funds. Subject to certain exceptions, an account maintenance fee of $20.00 assessed once per calendar year for Classes A, C and S shares may apply for accounts with balances less than $10,000. This fee is not included in these tables. If it was, the estimate of expenses paid for Classes A, C and S shares during the period would be higher, and account value during the period would be lower, by this amount.

 

  DWS Emerging Markets Equity Fund   |     37  


Expenses and Value of a $1,000 Investment
for the six months ended April 30, 2020 (Unaudited)
 
Actual Fund Return   Class A     Class T     Class C     Class R6     Class S     Institutional
Class
 
Beginning Account Value 11/1/19   $ 1,000.00     $ 1,000.00     $ 1,000.00     $ 1,000.00     $ 1,000.00     $ 1,000.00  
Ending Account Value 4/30/20   $ 906.00     $ 905.40     $ 902.40     $ 907.30     $ 906.50     $ 906.70  
Expenses Paid per $1,000*   $ 5.45     $ 5.45     $ 8.99     $ 4.27     $ 4.65     $ 4.27  
Hypothetical 5%
Fund Return
  Class A     Class T     Class C     Class R6     Class S     Institutional
Class
 
Beginning Account Value 11/1/19   $ 1,000.00     $ 1,000.00     $ 1,000.00     $ 1,000.00     $ 1,000.00     $ 1,000.00  
Ending Account Value 4/30/20   $ 1,019.14     $ 1,019.14     $ 1,015.42     $ 1,020.39     $ 1,019.99     $ 1,020.39  
Expenses Paid per $1,000*   $ 5.77     $ 5.77     $ 9.52     $ 4.52     $ 4.92     $ 4.52  

 

*

Expenses are equal to the Fund’s annualized expense ratio for each share class, multiplied by the average account value over the period, multiplied by 182 (the number of days in the most recent six-month period), then divided by 366.

 

Annualized
Expense Ratios
  Class A     Class T     Class C     Class R6     Class S     Institutional
Class
 
DWS Emerging Markets Equity Fund     1.15     1.15     1.90     .90     .98     .90

For more information, please refer to the Fund’s prospectus.

For an analysis of the fees associated with an investment in the Fund or similar funds, please refer to tools.finra.org/fund_analyzer/.

 

38   |   DWS Emerging Markets Equity Fund  


Liquidity Risk Management  

In accordance with Rule 22e-4 (the “Liquidity Rule”) under the Investment Company Act of 1940 (the “1940 Act”), your Fund has adopted a liquidity risk management program (the “Program”), and the Board has designated DWS Investment Management Americas, Inc. (“DIMA”) as Program administrator. The Program is designed to assess and manage your Fund’s liquidity risk (the risk that the Fund would be unable to meet requests to redeem shares of the Fund without significant dilution of remaining investors’ interests in the Fund). DIMA has designated a committee (the “Committee”) composed of personnel from multiple departments within DIMA and its affiliates that is responsible for the implementation and ongoing administration of the Program, which includes assessing the Fund’s liquidity risk under both normal and reasonably foreseeable stressed conditions. Under the Program, every investment held by a Fund is classified on a daily basis into one of four liquidity categories based on estimations of the investment’s ability to be sold during designated timeframes in current market conditions without significantly changing the investment’s market value.

In February 2020, as required by the Program and the Liquidity Rule, DIMA provided the Board with an annual written report (the “Report”) addressing the operation of the Program and assessing the adequacy and effectiveness of its implementation during the period from December 1, 2018 through November 30, 2019 (the “Reporting Period”). During the Reporting Period, your Fund was primarily invested in highly liquid investments (investments that the Fund anticipates can be converted to cash within 3 business days or less in current market conditions without significantly changing their market value). As a result, your Fund is not required to adopt, and has not adopted, a “Highly Liquid Investment Minimum” as defined in the Liquidity Rule. During the Reporting Period, the Fund did not approach the 15% limit imposed by the Liquidity Rule on holdings in illiquid investments (investments that cannot be sold or disposed of in seven days or less in current market conditions without the sale of the investment significantly changing the market value of the investment). Your Fund did not experience any issues meeting investor redemptions at any time during the Reporting Period. In the Report, DIMA stated that it believes the Program has operated adequately and effectively to manage the Fund’s liquidity risk during the Reporting Period. DIMA also reported on a material change made to the Program in May 2019 to address Securities and Exchange Commission guidance relating to extended foreign market holidays.

 

  DWS Emerging Markets Equity Fund   |     39  


Advisory Agreement Board Considerations and Fee Evaluation

The Board of Directors (hereinafter referred to as the “Board” or “Directors”) approved the renewal of DWS Emerging Markets Equity Fund’s (the “Fund”) investment management agreement (the “Agreement”) with DWS Investment Management Americas, Inc. (“DIMA”) and sub-advisory agreement (the “Sub-Advisory Agreement” and together with the Agreement, the “Agreements”) between DIMA and DWS Investments Hong Kong Limited (“DWS HK”), an affiliate of DIMA, in September 2019.

In terms of the process that the Board followed prior to approving the Agreements, shareholders should know that:

 

During the entire process, all of the Fund’s Directors were independent of DIMA and its affiliates (the “Independent Directors”).

 

The Board met frequently during the past year to discuss fund matters and dedicated a substantial amount of time to contract review matters. Over the course of several months, the Board’s Contract Committee reviewed extensive materials received from DIMA, independent third parties and independent counsel. These materials included an analysis of the Fund’s performance, fees and expenses, and profitability from a fee consultant retained by the Fund’s Independent Directors (the “Fee Consultant”). Based on its evaluation of the information provided, the Contract Committee presented its findings and recommendations to the Board. The Board then reviewed the Contract Committee’s findings and recommendations.

 

The Board also received extensive information throughout the year regarding performance of the Fund.

 

The Independent Directors regularly met privately with counsel to discuss contract review and other matters. In addition, the Independent Directors were advised by the Fee Consultant in the course of their review of the Fund’s contractual arrangements and considered a comprehensive report prepared by the Fee Consultant in connection with their deliberations.

 

In connection with reviewing the Agreements, the Board also reviewed the terms of the Fund’s Rule 12b-1 plan, distribution agreement, administrative services agreement, transfer agency agreement and other material service agreements.

In connection with the contract review process, the Contract Committee and the Board considered the factors discussed below, among others. The Board also considered that DIMA and its predecessors have managed

 

40   |   DWS Emerging Markets Equity Fund  


the Fund since its inception, and the Board believes that a long-term relationship with a capable, conscientious advisor is in the best interests of the Fund. The Board considered, generally, that shareholders chose to invest or remain invested in the Fund knowing that DIMA managed the Fund. DIMA and DWS HK are part of DWS Group GmbH & Co. KGaA (“DWS Group”). DWS Group is a global asset management business that offers a wide range of investing expertise and resources, including research capabilities in many countries throughout the world. In 2018, approximately 20% of DWS Group’s shares were sold in an initial public offering, with Deutsche Bank AG owning the remaining shares.

As part of the contract review process, the Board carefully considered the fees and expenses of each DWS fund overseen by the Board in light of the fund’s performance. In many cases, this led to the negotiation and implementation of expense caps. As part of these negotiations, the Board indicated that it would consider relaxing these caps in future years following sustained improvements in performance, among other considerations.

While shareholders may focus primarily on fund performance and fees, the Fund’s Board considers these and many other factors, including the quality and integrity of DIMA’s and DWS HK’s personnel and administrative support services provided by DIMA, such as back-office operations, fund valuations, and compliance policies and procedures.

Nature, Quality and Extent of Services. The Board considered the terms of the Agreements, including the scope of advisory services provided under the Agreements. The Board noted that, under the Agreements, DIMA and DWS HK provide portfolio management services to the Fund and that, pursuant to a separate administrative services agreement, DIMA provides administrative services to the Fund. The Board considered the experience and skills of senior management and investment personnel and the resources made available to such personnel. Throughout the course of the year, the Board also received information regarding DIMA’s oversight of fund sub-advisors, including DWS HK. The Board reviewed the Fund’s performance over short-term and long-term periods and compared those returns to various agreed-upon performance measures, including market index(es) and a peer universe compiled using information supplied by Morningstar Direct (“Morningstar”), an independent fund data service. The Board also noted that it has put into place a process of identifying “Funds in Review” (e.g., funds performing poorly relative to a peer universe), and receives additional reporting from DIMA regarding such funds and, where appropriate, DIMA’s plans to address underperformance. The Board believes this process is an effective manner of identifying and addressing underperforming funds. Based on the information provided, the Board noted that, for the one-, three- and five-year periods ended December 31, 2018, the Fund’s performance

 

  DWS Emerging Markets Equity Fund   |     41  


(Class A shares) was in the 1st quartile of the applicable Morningstar universe (the 1st quartile being the best performers and the 4th quartile being the worst performers). The Board also observed that the Fund has outperformed its benchmark in the one-, three- and five-year periods ended December 31, 2018.

Fees and Expenses. The Board considered the Fund’s investment management fee schedule, sub-advisory fee schedule, operating expenses and total expense ratios, and comparative information provided by Broadridge Financial Solutions, Inc. (“Broadridge”) and the Fee Consultant regarding investment management fee rates paid to other investment advisors by similar funds (1st quartile being the most favorable and 4th quartile being the least favorable). With respect to management fees paid to other investment advisors by similar funds, the Board noted that the contractual fee rates paid by the Fund, which include a 0.10% fee paid to DIMA under the Fund’s administrative services agreement, were lower than the median (1st quartile) of the applicable Broadridge peer group (based on Broadridge data provided as of December 31, 2018). The Board considered that, effective May 1, 2017, DIMA agreed to reduce the Fund’s contractual management fee rate to an annual rate of 0.70%. With respect to the sub-advisory fee paid to DWS HK, the Board noted that the fee is paid by DIMA out of its fee and not directly by the Fund. The Board noted that the Fund’s Class A shares total (net) operating expenses (excluding 12b-1 fees) were expected to be lower than the median (2nd quartile) of the applicable Broadridge expense universe (based on Broadridge data provided as of December 31, 2018, and analyzing Broadridge expense universe Class A (net) expenses less any applicable 12b-1 fees) (“Broadridge Universe Expenses”). The Board also reviewed data comparing each other operational share class’s total (net) operating expenses to the applicable Broadridge Universe Expenses. The Board noted that the expense limitations agreed to by DIMA were expected to help the Fund’s total (net) operating expenses remain competitive. The Board considered the Fund’s management fee rate as compared to fees charged by DIMA to a comparable DWS U.S. registered fund (“DWS Funds”) and considered differences between the Fund and the comparable DWS Fund. The information requested by the Board as part of its review of fees and expenses also included information about institutional accounts (including any sub-advised funds and accounts) and funds offered primarily to European investors (“DWS Europe Funds”) managed by DWS Group. The Board noted that DIMA indicated that DWS Group manages a DWS Europe Fund comparable to the Fund, but does not manage any comparable institutional accounts. The Board took note of the differences in services provided to DWS Funds as compared to DWS Europe Funds and that such differences made comparison difficult.

 

42   |   DWS Emerging Markets Equity Fund  


On the basis of the information provided, the Board concluded that management fees were reasonable and appropriate in light of the nature, quality and extent of services provided by DIMA and DWS HK.

Profitability. The Board reviewed detailed information regarding revenues received by DIMA under the Agreement. The Board considered the estimated costs to DIMA, and pre-tax profits realized by DIMA, from advising the DWS Funds, as well as estimates of the pre-tax profits attributable to managing the Fund in particular. The Board also received information regarding the estimated enterprise-wide profitability of DIMA and its affiliates with respect to all fund services in totality and by fund. The Board and the Fee Consultant reviewed DIMA’s methodology in allocating its costs to the management of the Fund. Based on the information provided, the Board concluded that the pre-tax profits realized by DIMA in connection with the management of the Fund were not unreasonable. The Board also reviewed certain publicly available information regarding the profitability of certain similar investment management firms. The Board noted that, while information regarding the profitability of such firms is limited (and in some cases is not necessarily prepared on a comparable basis), DIMA and its affiliates’ overall profitability with respect to the DWS Funds (after taking into account distribution and other services provided to the funds by DIMA and its affiliates) was lower than the overall profitability levels of most comparable firms for which such data was available.

Economies of Scale. The Board considered whether there are economies of scale with respect to the management of the Fund and whether the Fund benefits from any economies of scale. In this regard, the Board observed that while the Fund’s current investment management fee schedule does not include breakpoints, the Fund’s fee schedule represents an appropriate sharing between the Fund and DIMA of such economies of scale as may exist in the management of the Fund at current asset levels.

Other Benefits to DIMA and Its Affiliates. The Board also considered the character and amount of other incidental or “fall-out” benefits received by DIMA and its affiliates, including any fees received by DIMA for administrative services provided to the Fund, any fees received by an affiliate of DIMA for transfer agency services provided to the Fund and any fees received by an affiliate of DIMA for distribution services. The Board also considered benefits to DIMA related to brokerage and soft-dollar allocations, including allocating brokerage to pay for research generated by parties other than the executing broker dealers, which pertain primarily to funds investing in equity securities. In addition, the Board considered the incidental public relations benefits to DIMA related to DWS Funds advertising and cross-selling opportunities among DIMA

 

  DWS Emerging Markets Equity Fund   |     43  


products and services. The Board considered these benefits in reaching its conclusion that the Fund’s management fees were reasonable.

Compliance. The Board considered the significant attention and resources dedicated by DIMA to its compliance processes in recent years. The Board noted in particular (i) the experience, seniority and time commitment of the individuals serving as DIMA’s and the Fund’s chief compliance officers and (ii) the substantial commitment of resources by DIMA and its affiliates to compliance matters, including the retention of compliance personnel.

Based on all of the information considered and the conclusions reached, the Board determined that the continuation of the Agreements is in the best interests of the Fund. In making this determination, the Board did not give particular weight to any single factor identified above. The Board considered these factors over the course of numerous meetings, certain of which were in executive session with only the Independent Directors and counsel present. It is possible that individual Independent Directors may have weighed these factors differently in reaching their individual decisions to approve the continuation of the Agreements.

 

44   |   DWS Emerging Markets Equity Fund  


Account Management Resources

 

For More Information   

The automated telephone system allows you to access personalized account information and obtain information on other DWS funds using either your voice or your telephone keypad. Certain account types within Classes A, T, C and S also have the ability to purchase, exchange or redeem shares using this system.

 

For more information, contact your financial representative. You may also access our automated telephone system or speak with a Shareholder Service representative by calling:

 

(800) 728-3337

Web Site   

dws.com

 

View your account transactions and balances, trade shares, monitor your asset allocation, subscribe to fund and account updates by e-mail, and change your address, 24 hours a day.

 

Obtain prospectuses and applications, news about DWS funds, insight from DWS economists and investment specialists and access to DWS fund account information.

Written Correspondence   

DWS

 

PO Box 219151 Kansas City,

MO 64121-9151

Proxy Voting    The Fund’s policies and procedures for voting proxies for portfolio securities and information about how the Fund voted proxies related to its portfolio securities during the most recent 12-month period ended June 30 are available on our Web site — dws.com/en-us/resources/proxy-voting — or on the SEC’s Web site — sec.gov. To obtain a written copy of the fund’s policies and procedures without charge, upon request, call us toll free at (800) 728-3337.
Portfolio Holdings    Following the Fund’s fiscal first and third quarter-end, a complete portfolio holdings listing is filed with the SEC on Form N-PORT. The Fund’s Form N-PORT will be available on the SEC’s Web site at sec.gov. The Fund’s portfolio holdings are also posted on dws.com from time to time. Please see the Fund’s current prospectus for more information.
Principal Underwriter   

If you have questions, comments or complaints, contact:

 

DWS Distributors, Inc.

 

222 South Riverside Plaza

Chicago, IL 60606-5808

(800) 621-1148

 

  DWS Emerging Markets Equity Fund   |     45  


Investment Management   

DWS Investment Management Americas, Inc. (“DIMA” or the “Advisor”), which is part of the DWS Group GmbH & Co. KGaA (“DWS Group”), is the investment advisor for the Fund. DIMA and its predecessors have more than 90 years of experience managing mutual funds and DIMA provides a full range of investment advisory services to both institutional and retail clients. DIMA is an indirect, wholly owned subsidiary of DWS Group.

 

DWS Group is a global organization that offers a wide range of investing expertise and resources, including hundreds of portfolio managers and analysts and an office network that reaches the world’s major investment centers. This well-resourced global investment platform brings together a wide variety of experience and investment insight across industries, regions, asset classes and investing styles.

      Class A   Class T   Class C   Class S   Institutional
Class
Nasdaq Symbol    SEKAX   SEKTX   SEKCX   SEMGX   SEKIX
CUSIP Number    25156G 103   25156G 566   25156G 301   25156G 400   25156G 780
Fund Number    479   1779   779   2079   1479
For shareholders of Class R6               
Automated Information Line   

DWS/Ascensus Plan Access (800) 728-3337

 

24-hour access to your retirement plan account.

Web Site   

dws.com

 

Obtain prospectuses and applications, news about DWS funds, insight from DWS economists and investment specialists and access to DWS fund account information.

 

Log in/register to manage retirement account assets at

https://www.mykplan.com/participantsecure_net/login.aspx.

For More Information   

(800) 728-3337

 

To speak with a service representative.

Written Correspondence   

DWS Service Company

 

222 South Riverside Plaza

Chicago, IL 60606-5806

      Class R6                    
Nasdaq Symbol    SEKRX    

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

CUSIP Number    25156G 426    

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

Fund Number    1679    

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

 

46   |   DWS Emerging Markets Equity Fund  


Privacy Statement

 

FACTS   What Does DWS Do With Your Personal Information?
Why?   Financial companies choose how they share your personal information. Federal law gives consumers the right to limit some but not all sharing. Federal law also requires us to tell you how we collect, share and protect your personal information. Please read this notice carefully to understand what we do.
What?  

The types of personal information we collect and share can include:

 

 Social Security number

 

 Account balances

 

 Purchase and transaction history

 

 Bank account information

 

 Contact information such as mailing address, e-mail address and telephone number

How?   All financial companies need to share customers’ personal information to run their everyday business. In the section below, we list the reasons financial companies can share their customers’ personal information, the reasons DWS chooses to share and whether you can limit this sharing.

 

Reasons we can share your personal
information
  Does DWS share?   Can you limit
this sharing?
For our everyday business purposes —
such as to process your transactions, maintain your account(s), respond to court orders or legal investigations
  Yes   No
For our marketing purposes — to offer our products and services to you   Yes   No
For joint marketing with other financial companies   No   We do not share
For our affiliates’ everyday business purposes — information about your transactions and experiences   No   We do not share
For our affiliates’ everyday business purposes — information about your creditworthiness   No   We do not share
For non-affiliates to market to you   No   We do not share

 

Questions?   Call (800) 728-3337 or e-mail us at service@dws.com

 

  DWS Emerging Markets Equity Fund   |     47  


 

Who we are    
Who is providing this notice?   DWS Distributors, Inc; DWS Investment Management Americas, Inc.; DWS Trust Company; the DWS Funds
What we do    
How does DWS protect my personal information?   To protect your personal information from unauthorized access and use, we use security measures that comply with federal law. These measures include computer safeguards, secured files, and secured buildings.
How does DWS collect my personal information?  

We collect your personal information, for example, when you:

 

 open an account

 

 give us your contact information

 

 provide bank account information for ACH or wire transactions

 

 tell us where to send money

 

 seek advice about your investments

Why can’t I limit all sharing?  

Federal law gives you the right to limit only

 

sharing for affiliates’ everyday business purposes

 

information about your creditworthiness

 

affiliates from using your information to market to you

 

sharing for non-affiliates to market to you

 

State laws and individual companies may give you additional rights to limit sharing.

Definitions    
Affiliates   Companies related by common ownership or control. They can be financial or non-financial companies. Our affiliates include financial companies with the DWS or Deutsche Bank (“DB”) name, such as DB AG Frankfurt.
Non-affiliates  

Companies not related by common ownership or control. They can be financial and non-financial companies.

 

Non-affiliates we share with include account service providers, service quality monitoring services, mailing service providers and verification services to help in the fight against money laundering and fraud.

Joint marketing   A formal agreement between non-affiliated financial companies that together market financial products or services to you. DWS does not jointly market.

California residents may go to https://fundsus.dws.com/us/en-us/legal-resources/privacy-policy.html to obtain additional information relating to their rights under California state law.

Rev. 12/2019

 

48   |   DWS Emerging Markets Equity Fund  


Notes


Notes


Notes


Notes


Notes


Notes


Notes


LOGO

DEMEF-3

(R-027567-9 6/20)

   
ITEM 2. CODE OF ETHICS
   
  Not applicable.
   
ITEM 3. AUDIT COMMITTEE FINANCIAL EXPERT
   
  Not applicable
   
ITEM 4. PRINCIPAL ACCOUNTANT FEES AND SERVICES
   
  Not applicable
   
ITEM 5. AUDIT COMMITTEE OF LISTED REGISTRANTS
   
  Not applicable
   
ITEM 6. SCHEDULE OF 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 Fund’s Board.  The primary function of the Nominating and Governance Committee is to identify and recommend individuals for membership on the Board and oversee the administration of the Board Governance Guidelines. Shareholders may recommend candidates for Board positions by forwarding their correspondence by U.S. mail or courier service to Keith R. Fox, DWS Funds Board Chair, c/o Thomas R. Hiller, Ropes & Gray LLP, Prudential Tower, 800 Boylston Street, Boston, MA 02199-3600.
   
ITEM 11. CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES
   
  (a) The Chief Executive and Financial Officers concluded that the Registrant’s Disclosure Controls and Procedures are effective based on the evaluation of the Disclosure Controls and Procedures as of a date within 90 days of the filing date of this report.
   
  (b) There have been no changes in the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the period covered by this report that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the registrant’s internal controls over financial reporting.
   
ITEM 12. Disclosure of Securities Lending Activities for Closed-End Management Investment Companies.
   
  Not applicable
   
ITEM 13. EXHIBITS
   
  (a)(1) Not applicable
   
  (a)(2) Certification pursuant to Rule 30a-2(a) under the Investment Company Act of 1940 (17 CFR 270.30a-2(a)) is filed and attached hereto as Exhibit 99.CERT.
   
  (b) Certification pursuant to Rule 30a-2(b) under the Investment Company Act of 1940 (17 CFR 270.30a-2(b)) is furnished and attached hereto as Exhibit 99.906CERT.

 

 

SIGNATURES

 

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and the Investment Company Act of 1940, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.

Registrant: DWS Emerging Markets Equity Fund, a series of Deutsche DWS International Fund, Inc.
   
   
By:

/s/Hepsen Uzcan

Hepsen Uzcan

President

   
Date: 6/29/2020

 

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/Hepsen Uzcan

Hepsen Uzcan

President

   
Date: 6/29/2020
   
   
   
By:

/s/Diane Kenneally

Diane Kenneally

Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer

   
Date: 6/29/2020