N-CSR 1 fp0086313-3_ncsr.htm

 

UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549

 

FORM N-CSR

 

CERTIFIED SHAREHOLDER REPORT OF REGISTERED MANAGEMENT INVESTMENT COMPANIES

 

Investment Company Act file number  811- 07584

 

Rydex Series Funds

 

(Exact name of registrant as specified in charter)

 

702 King Farm Boulevard, Suite 200

Rockville, Maryland 20850

 

(Address of principal executive offices) (Zip code)

 

Amy J. Lee 

Rydex Series Funds

702 King Farm Boulevard, Suite 200

Rockville, Maryland 20850

 

(Name and address of agent for service)

 

Registrant's telephone number, including area code: (301) 296-5100

 

Date of fiscal year end: December 31

 

Date of reporting period: January 1, 2023 - December 31, 2023

 

 

Item 1. Reports to Stockholders.

 

The registrant’s annual report transmitted to shareholders pursuant to Rule 30e-1 under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the “Investment Company Act”), is as follows:

 

 

12.31.2023

 

Guggenheim Funds Annual Report

 

Guggenheim Alternative Fund

Guggenheim Multi-Hedge Strategies Fund

   

Rydex Commodities Fund

Rydex Commodities Strategy Fund

   

 

GuggenheimInvestments.com

RDXSGIALT-ANN-1223x1224

 

 

 

 

TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

   

DEAR SHAREHOLDER

2

ECONOMIC AND MARKET OVERVIEW

4

ABOUT SHAREHOLDERS’ FUND EXPENSES

6

MULTI-HEDGE STRATEGIES FUND

9

COMMODITIES STRATEGY FUND

57

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

71

REPORT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM

94

OTHER INFORMATION

96

INFORMATION ON BOARD OF TRUSTEES AND OFFICERS

98

GUGGENHEIM INVESTMENTS PRIVACY NOTICE

107

 

 

THE GUGGENHEIM FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT | 1

 

 

 

December 31, 2023

 

Dear Shareholder:

 

Security Investors, LLC (the “Investment Adviser”) is pleased to present the annual shareholder report for the Multi-Hedge Strategies Fund and Commodities Strategy Fund (each, a “Fund” and collectively, the “Funds”), separate series of Rydex Series Funds. This report covers the performance of the Funds for the annual period ended December 31, 2023 (the “Reporting Period”).

 

The Investment Adviser is part of Guggenheim Investments, which represents the investment management businesses of Guggenheim Partners, LLC (“Guggenheim”), a global, diversified financial services firm.

 

Guggenheim Funds Distributors, LLC is the distributor of the Funds. Guggenheim Funds Distributors, LLC is affiliated with Guggenheim and the Investment Adviser.

 

We encourage you to read the Economic and Market Overview section of the report, which follows this letter, and then the Performance Report and Fund Profile for each Fund.

 

We are committed to providing innovative investment solutions and appreciate the trust you place in us.

 

Sincerely,

 

Security Investors, LLC

 

January 31, 2024

 

Read a prospectus and summary prospectus (if available) carefully before investing. It contains the investment objectives, risks, charges, expenses and other information, which should be considered carefully before investing. Obtain a prospectus and summary prospectus (if available) at guggenheiminvestments.com or call 800.820.0888.

 

This material is not intended as a recommendation or as investment advice of any kind, including in connection with rollovers, transfers, and distributions. Such material is not provided in a fiduciary capacity, may not be relied upon for or in connection with the making of investment decisions, and does not constitute a solicitation of an offer to buy or sell securities. All content has been provided for informational or educational purposes only and is not intended to be and should not be construed as legal or tax advice and/or a legal opinion. Always consult a financial, tax and/ or legal professional regarding your specific situation.

 

2 | THE GUGGENHEIM FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT

 

 

 

 

December 31, 2023

 

The Multi-Hedge Strategies Fund is subject to a number of risks and may not be suitable for all investors. ● The Fund’s use of derivatives, such as futures, options and swap agreements, may expose the Fund to additional risks that it would not be subject to if it invested directly in the securities underlying those derivatives. ● The more the Fund invests in leveraged instruments, the more the leverage will magnify any gains or losses on those investments. ● The Fund’s use of short selling involves increased risks and costs. The Fund risks paying more for a security than it received from its sale. ● The Fund’s investments in high yield securities and unrated securities of similar credit quality (“junk bonds”) may be subject to greater levels of interest rate, credit and liquidity risk than funds that do not invest in such securities. ● The Fund’s fixed income investments will change in value in response to interest rate changes and other factors. ● The Fund’s exposure to the commodity and currency markets may subject the Fund to greater volatility as commodity- and currency-linked derivative investments may be affected by changes in overall market movements, commodity index volatility, changes in interest rates or factors affecting a particular industry, commodity or currency—such as droughts, floods, weather, livestock disease, embargoes, tariffs and international economic, political and regulatory developments. The Fund may also incur transaction costs with the conversion between various currencies. ● The Fund’s exposure to foreign currencies subjects the Fund to the risk that those currencies will decline in value relative to the U.S. dollar, or, in the case of short positions, that the U.S. dollar will decline in value relative to the currency being hedged. ● These risks may cause the Fund to experience higher losses and/or volatility than a fund that does not invest in derivatives, use leverage or short sales or have exposure to high yield/fixed income securities, foreign currencies and/or securities. ● Please read the prospectus for more detailed information regarding these and other risks.

 

The Commodities Strategy Fund is subject to a number of risks and may not be suitable for all investors. ● The Fund’s exposure to the commodities markets may subject the Fund to greater volatility as commodity-linked investments may be affected by changes in overall market movements, commodity index volatility, changes in interest rates or factors affecting a particular industry or commodity—such as droughts, floods, weather, embargos, tariffs and international economic, political and regulatory developments. ● To the extent that the Fund’s investments are concentrated in energy-related commodities, the Fund is subject to the risk that this sector will underperform the market as a whole. ● The Fund’s use of derivatives, such as futures, options, structured notes and swap agreements, may expose the Fund to additional risks that it would not be subject to if it invested directly in the securities or investments underlying those derivatives. ● The more the Fund invests in leveraged instruments, the more the leverage will magnify any gains or losses on those investments. ● The Fund is subject to tracking error risk, which may cause the Fund’s performance not to match that of or be lower than the Fund’s underlying benchmark. ● The Fund’s investments in other investment companies subjects the Fund to those risks affecting the investment company, including the possibility that the value of the underlying securities held by the investment company could decrease. Moreover, the Fund will incur its pro rata share of the expenses of the underlying investment companies’ expenses. ● The Fund is considered non-diversified and can invest a greater portion of its assets in securities of individual issuers than a diversified fund. As a result, changes in the market value of a single security could cause greater fluctuations in the value of Fund shares than would occur in a more diversified fund. ● Please read the prospectus for more detailed information regarding these and other risks.

 

 

THE GUGGENHEIM FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT | 3

 

 

ECONOMIC AND MARKET OVERVIEW (Unaudited)

December 31, 2023

 

The U.S. economy has proved resilient to tight monetary policy by the Federal Reserve (the “Fed”), helped by falling inflation boosting real incomes and consumer sentiment, an expansion in the fiscal deficit over the past year, and a supply-side boost as labor force participation improves. We believe these tailwinds are likely to fade going forward which would pressure growth. Consumer spending also faces headwinds from dwindling excess savings buffers.

 

The Fed-induced easing of financial conditions, with interest rates falling and stock prices rising, has taken pressure off the economy and helped bring down recession risk. While it appears recession risk has come down, it is still materially higher than very optimistic market expectations would suggest. The 2024 election could add to volatility and uncertainty. We expect Treasury yields to decline more than the market currently anticipates in 2024, though they are unlikely to return to the lows of the last cycle.

 

We expect default rates to stay elevated as U.S. companies cope with rising borrowing costs and limited credit availability, but the stress will become increasingly bifurcated between large and small companies. High-quality corporate debt and structured credit yields should provide an income cushion that could reduce the impact if spreads should widen from here.

 

The two-year Treasury yield declined to 4.23% from 5.03% in the fourth quarter, while the 10-year Treasury yield dropped to 3.88% from 4.59%, a 9 basis point flattening in the 2s/10s yield curve. One basis point equals 0.01%. Investment-grade corporate bond issuance has been robust, predominantly split between financials and industrials. Investment-grade spreads, which peaked at 163 basis points in April, tightened to 103 basis points by the end of the year. Meanwhile, high-yield bond credit spreads narrowed to just 363 basis points by year-end, the tightest since April 2022, and marking a significant reduction from 491 basis points at the beginning of the year. Leveraged loan discount margins tightened from 652 basis points to 528 basis points, but 44% of the loan index is trading at spreads below 400 basis points and the median loan ended the year at 464 basis points. Structured credit spreads rallied into year-end, capping a strong year of outperformance for structured credit. In CLOs, we continue to expect range bound primary spreads and an increase in refinancings and resets in early 2024.

 

For the Reporting Period, the S&P 500® Index* returned 26.29%. The MSCI Europe-Australasia-Far East (“EAFE”) Index* returned 18.24%. The return of the MSCI Emerging Markets Index* was 9.83%.

 

In the bond market, the Bloomberg U.S. Aggregate Bond Index* posted a 5.53% return for the Reporting Period, while the Bloomberg U.S. Corporate High Yield Index* returned 13.45%. The return of the ICE Bank of America (“BofA”) 3-Month U.S. Treasury Bill Index* was 5.05% for the Reporting Period.

 

The opinions and forecasts expressed may not actually come to pass. This information is subject to change at any time, based on market and other conditions, and should not be construed as a recommendation of any specific security or strategy.

 

4 | THE GUGGENHEIM FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT

 

 

 

ECONOMIC AND MARKET OVERVIEW (Unaudited)(concluded)

December 31, 2023

 

*Index Definitions:

 

The following indices are referenced throughout this report. Indices are unmanaged and not available for direct investment. Index performance does not reflect transaction costs, fees, or expenses.

 

Bloomberg U.S. Aggregate Bond Index is a broad-based flagship benchmark that measures the investment grade, U.S. dollar-denominated, fixed-rate taxable bond market, including U.S. Treasuries, government-related and corporate securities, mortgage-backed securities or “MBS” (agency fixed-rate and hybrid adjustable-rate mortgage, or “ARM”, pass-throughs), asset-backed securities (“ABS”), and commercial mortgage-backed securities (“CMBS”) (agency and non-agency).

 

Bloomberg U.S. Corporate High Yield Index measures the U.S. dollar-denominated, high yield, fixed-rate corporate bond market. Securities are classified as high yield if the middle rating of Moody’s, Fitch, and S&P is Ba1/BB +/BB + or below.

 

HFRX Global Hedge Fund Index is designed to be representative of the overall composition of the hedge fund universe. It is comprised of all eligible hedge fund strategies, including, but not limited to, convertible arbitrage, distressed securities, equity hedge, equity market neutral, event driven, macro, merger arbitrage and relative-value arbitrage. The strategies are asset weighted based on the distribution of assets in the hedge fund industry.

 

ICE BofA 3-Month U.S. Treasury Bill Index is an unmanaged market index of U.S. Treasury securities maturing in 90 days that assumes reinvestment of all income.

 

MSCI EAFE Index is a free float-adjusted market capitalization index that is designed to measure the equity market performance of developed markets, excluding the U.S. & Canada.

 

MSCI Emerging Markets Index is a free float-adjusted market capitalization weighted index that is designed to measure equity market performance in the global emerging markets.

 

S&P 500® Index is a broad-based index, the performance of which is based on the performance of 500 widely held common stocks chosen for market size, liquidity, and industry group representation.

 

S&P Goldman Sachs Commodity Index (S&P GSCI®), a benchmark for investment performance in the commodity markets, measures investable commodity price movements and inflation in the world economy. The index is calculated primarily on a world production weighted basis and is comprised of the principal physical commodities that are the subject of active, liquid futures markets.

 

Wilshire Focused Liquid Alternative Index measures the performance of a focused basket of mutual funds that provides risk adjusted exposure to equity hedge, global macro, relative value, and event driven alternative investment strategies.

 

 

THE GUGGENHEIM FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT | 5

 

 

ABOUT SHAREHOLDERS’ FUND EXPENSES (Unaudited)

 

All mutual funds have operating expenses, and it is important for our shareholders to understand the impact of costs on their investments. Shareholders of a fund incur two types of costs: (i) transaction costs, including sales charges (loads) on purchase payments, reinvested dividends, other distributions, and exchange fees, and (ii) ongoing costs, including management fees, administrative services, and shareholder reports, among others. These ongoing costs, or operating expenses, are deducted from a fund’s gross income and reduce the investment return of the fund.

 

A fund’s expenses are expressed as a percentage of its average net assets, which is known as the expense ratio. The following examples are intended to help investors understand the ongoing costs (in dollars) of investing in a fund and to compare these costs with the ongoing costs of investing in other mutual funds.

 

The examples are based on an investment of $1,000 made at the beginning of the period and held for the entire six-month period beginning June 30, 2023 and ending December 31, 2023.

 

The following tables illustrate the Funds’ costs in two ways:

 

Table 1. Based on actual Fund return: This section helps investors estimate the actual expenses paid over the period. The “Ending Account Value” shown is derived from the Fund’s actual return, and the fifth column shows the dollar amount that would have been paid by an investor who started with $1,000 in the Fund. Investors may use the information here, together with the amount invested, to estimate the expenses paid over the period. Simply divide the Fund’s 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 provided under the heading “Expenses Paid During Period.”

 

Table 2. Based on hypothetical 5% return: This section is intended to help investors compare a fund’s cost with those of other mutual funds. The table provides information about hypothetical account values and hypothetical expenses based on the Fund’s actual expense ratio and an assumed rate of return of 5% per year before expenses, which is not the Fund’s actual return. The hypothetical account values and expenses may not be used to estimate the actual ending account balance or expenses paid during the period. The example is useful in making comparisons because the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) requires all mutual funds to calculate expenses based on the 5% return. Investors can assess a fund’s costs by comparing this hypothetical example with the hypothetical examples that appear in shareholder reports of other funds.

 

The calculations illustrated above assume no shares were bought or sold during the period. Actual costs may have been higher or lower, depending on the amount of investment and the timing of any purchases or redemptions.

 

6 | THE GUGGENHEIM FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT

 

 

 

ABOUT SHAREHOLDERS’ FUND EXPENSES (Unaudited)(continued)

 

Please note that the expenses shown in the table are meant to highlight your ongoing costs only and do not reflect any transactional costs, such as sales charges (loads) on purchase payments, and contingent deferred sales charges (“CDSC”) on redemptions, if any. Therefore, the second table is useful in comparing ongoing costs only, and will not help you determine the relative total costs of owning different funds. In addition, if these transactional costs were included, your costs would have been higher.

 

More information about the Funds’ expenses, including annual expense ratios for periods up to five years (subject to the Fund’s inception date), can be found in the Financial Highlights section of this report. For additional information on operating expenses and other shareholder costs, please refer to the appropriate Fund prospectus.

 

 

THE GUGGENHEIM FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT | 7

 

 

ABOUT SHAREHOLDERS’ FUND EXPENSES (Unaudited)(concluded)

 

 

Expense
Ratio
1

Fund
Return

Beginning
Account Value
June 30,
2023

Ending
Account Value
December 31,
2023

Expenses
Paid During
Period
2

Table 1. Based on actual Fund return3

Multi-Hedge Strategies Fund

Class A

1.86%

2.46%

$ 1,000.00

$ 1,024.60

$ 9.49

Class C

2.58%

2.09%

1,000.00

1,020.90

13.14

Class P

1.88%

2.45%

1,000.00

1,024.50

9.59

Institutional Class

1.62%

2.58%

1,000.00

1,025.80

8.27

Commodities Strategy Fund

Class A

1.57%

2.66%

1,000.00

1,026.60

8.02

Class C

2.32%

2.27%

1,000.00

1,022.70

11.83

Class H

1.57%

2.66%

1,000.00

1,026.60

8.02

 

Table 2. Based on hypothetical 5% return (before expenses)

Multi-Hedge Strategies Fund

Class A

1.86%

5.00%

$ 1,000.00

$ 1,015.83

$ 9.45

Class C

2.58%

5.00%

1,000.00

1,012.20

13.09

Class P

1.88%

5.00%

1,000.00

1,015.73

9.55

Institutional Class

1.62%

5.00%

1,000.00

1,017.04

8.24

Commodities Strategy Fund

Class A

1.57%

5.00%

1,000.00

1,017.29

7.98

Class C

2.32%

5.00%

1,000.00

1,013.51

11.77

Class H

1.57%

5.00%

1,000.00

1,017.29

7.98

 

1

Annualized and excludes expenses of the underlying funds in which the Funds invest. This ratio represents net expenses which includes dividends on short sales and interest expenses. Excluding these expenses, the net expense ratio of the Multi-Hedge Strategies Fund would be 1.40%, 2.15%, 1.40% and 1.15% for the Class A, Class C, Class P and Institutional Class, respectively.

2

Expenses are equal to the Fund’s annualized expense ratio, net of any applicable fee waivers, multiplied by the average account value over the period, multiplied by 184/365 (to reflect the one-half year period).

3

Actual cumulative return at net asset value for the period June 30, 2023 to December 31, 2023.

 

8 | THE GUGGENHEIM FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT

 

 

 

PERFORMANCE REPORT AND FUND PROFILE (Unaudited)

December 31, 2023

 

MULTI-HEDGE STRATEGIES FUND

 

OBJECTIVE: Seeks to provide long-term capital appreciation with less risk than traditional equity funds.

 

For the Reporting Period, Institutional Class shares of the Multi-Hedge Strategies Fund returned 4.51%, outperforming the HFRX Global Hedge Fund Index, the Fund’s benchmark, which returned 3.10%.

 

What factors contributed or detracted from the Fund’s performance during the Reporting Period?

 

In 2023, the Federal Reserve (the “Fed”) announced four quarter point rate increases with the final increase in July raising the target upper bound lending rate to 5.50%. Higher lending rates helped to rein in inflation, yet we remain above the Fed’s 2% inflation target. Geopolitical tensions increased as the Ukraine/Russia war continued without any end in the foreseeable future, and the Israel/Hamas war began. Still, the markets proved resilient; with a strong labor market and growing hopes of future Fed rate cuts, we saw rebounds in both stocks and bonds in 2023. Large-cap growth equities (primarily in the Information Technology and Communication Services sectors) helped drive the market higher.

 

The S&P 500 Index ended the year up 26.29% and the Bloomberg U.S. Aggregate Bond Index was up 5.53%. Alternatives in general also saw a rebound in 2023. The HFRX Global Hedge Fund Index was up 3.10% while the mutual-fund-focused Wilshire Focused Liquid Alternative Index was up 4.42%. The Fund’s return of 4.51% for the reporting period was in line with the majority of its peers.

 

By providing exposure to a collection of uncorrelated alternative strategies, the Fund generally mitigates the impact of macroeconomic and market fluctuations. Even in such a volatile year as 2023, the Fund had just a 36% correlation to equities, -22% correlation to bonds, and an annualized standard deviation of only 5.4% in 2023.

 

Standard deviation is a measure of risk, a statistic of the historical volatility of an investment. More generally, it is a measure of the extent to which numbers are spread around their average. The higher the number, the more volatility is to be expected.

 

At the highest classification level, all our strategies were positive contributors with Merger Arbitrage leading the way. Long/Short Equity, Global Macro, and Market Neutral were also positive contributors. Within Global Macro, the Flow and Carry strategies were by far the strongest drivers of returns while the Momentum and Value strategies had a down year.

 

Within Market Neutral, Closed-End Fund Arbitrage was a small positive contributor while Market Neutral Real Estate was a small detractor.

 

 

 

THE GUGGENHEIM FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT | 9

 

 

PERFORMANCE REPORT AND FUND PROFILE (Unaudited)(continued)

December 31, 2023

 

How did the Fund use derivatives during the Reporting Period?

 

Our equity-based strategies, primarily Long/Short Equity and Market Neutral, use total return swaps to gain exposure to both long and short positions. Our Global Macro strategies use exchange-traded futures contracts covering a wide variety of equity indexes, fixed income, commodities, and currencies. In aggregate, while largely hedged, the derivatives had a net long exposure. The net performance impact of these derivatives was positive this fiscal year as the overall market had a large positive return.

 

The Fund may invest in certain of the underlying series of Guggenheim Funds Trust and Guggenheim Strategy Funds Trust, including Guggenheim Ultra Short Duration, Guggenheim Strategy Fund II and Guggenheim Strategy Fund III (collectively, the “Short Term Investment Vehicles”), each of which are open-end management investment companies managed by Guggenheim Investments. The Short Term Investment Vehicles, which launched on March 11, 2014, are offered as short term investment options only to mutual funds, trusts, and other accounts managed by Guggenheim Investments and/or its affiliates, and are not available to the public, with the exception of Guggenheim Ultra Short Duration Fund, which is available to the public. Guggenheim Strategy Fund II and Guggenheim Strategy Fund III do not charge an investment management fee. Guggenheim Ultra Short Duration Fund charges an investment management fee, but the Fund’s adviser has agreed to waive fees to the extent necessary to offset the proportionate share of any management fee paid by the Fund with respect to its investment in such affiliated fund. For the Reporting Period, investment in the Short Term Investment Vehicles contributed to Fund performance.

 

How was the Fund positioned at the end of the Reporting Period?

 

As of the end of the Reporting Period, the Fund was long 264% and short 183%. This provides the Fund with a net exposure of 81% and a gross exposure of 447%. By providing exposure to a wide variety of uncorrelated alternative strategies, we expect the Fund will generally mitigate the impact of macroeconomic and market fluctuations while seeking capital appreciation with low correlations to both equity and bond markets.

 

Performance displayed represents past performance which is no guarantee of future results.

 

10 | THE GUGGENHEIM FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT

 

 

 

PERFORMANCE REPORT AND FUND PROFILE (Unaudited)(continued)

December 31, 2023

 

Consolidated Holdings Diversification (Market Exposure as % of Net Assets)

 

 

“Consolidated Holdings Diversification (Market Exposure as % of Net Assets)” excludes any temporary cash investments, investments in Guggenheim Strategy Funds Trust mutual funds, or investments in Guggenheim Ultra Short Duration Fund. Investments in those Funds do not provide “market exposure” to meet the Fund’s investment objective, but will significantly increase the portfolio’s exposure to certain other asset categories (and their associated risks), which may cause the Fund to deviate from its principal investment strategy, including: (i) high yield, high risk debt securities rated below the top four long-term rating categories by a nationally recognized statistical rating organization (also known as “junk bonds”); (ii) securities issued by the U.S. government or its agencies and instrumentalities; (iii) CLOs and similar investments; and (iv) other short-term fixed income securities.

 

 

THE GUGGENHEIM FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT | 11

 

 

PERFORMANCE REPORT AND FUND PROFILE (Unaudited)(continued)

December 31, 2023

 

Inception Dates:

Class A

September 19, 2005

Class C

September 19, 2005

Class P

September 19, 2005

Institutional Class

May 3, 2010

 

Ten Largest Holdings

% of Total Net Assets

Guggenheim Strategy Fund II

7.8%

Guggenheim Ultra Short Duration Fund — Institutional Class

6.0%

Capri Holdings Ltd.

3.1%

Splunk, Inc.

2.9%

Sovos Brands, Inc.

2.5%

Textainer Group Holdings Ltd.

2.4%

Guggenheim Strategy Fund III

2.3%

Olink Holding AB ADR

2.1%

SP Plus Corp.

1.9%

Chico’s FAS, Inc.

1.6%

Top Ten Total

32.6%

   

“Ten Largest Holdings” excludes any temporary cash or derivative investments.

 

Cumulative Fund Performance*

 

 

12 | THE GUGGENHEIM FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT

 

 

 

PERFORMANCE REPORT AND FUND PROFILE (Unaudited)(concluded)

December 31, 2023

 

 

Average Annual Returns*

Periods Ended December 31, 2023

 

 

1 Year

5 Year

10 Year

Class A Shares

4.27%

3.95%

2.37%

Class A Shares with sales charge

(0.68%)

2.95%

1.87%

Class C Shares

3.46%

3.19%

1.62%

Class C Shares with CDSC

2.46%

3.19%

1.62%

Class P Shares

4.25%

3.95%

2.39%

Institutional Class Shares

4.51%

4.22%

2.62%

S&P 500 Index

26.29%

15.69%

12.03%

HFRX Global Hedge Fund Index

3.10%

3.46%

1.41%

 

*

The performance data above represents past performance that is not predictive of future results. The investment return and principal value of an investment in the Fund will fluctuate so that an investor’s shares, when redeemed, may be worth more or less than their original cost. Returns are historical and include changes in principal and reinvested dividends and capital gains and do not reflect the effect of taxes. The S&P 500 Index and HFRX Global Hedge Fund Index are unmanaged indices and, unlike the Fund, have no management fees or operating expenses to reduce their reported returns.

Fund returns are calculated using the maximum sales charge of 4.75%.

Fund returns include a CDSC of 1% if redeemed within 12 months of purchase.

 

 

THE GUGGENHEIM FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT | 13

 

 

CONSOLIDATED SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS

December 31, 2023

MULTI-HEDGE STRATEGIES FUND

 

 

 

 

Shares

   

Value

 

COMMON STOCKS - 38.9%

                 

Consumer, Non-cyclical - 12.2%

Textainer Group Holdings Ltd.

    40,879     $ 2,011,247  

Olink Holding AB ADR*,1

    69,974       1,759,846  

SP Plus Corp.*

    31,250       1,601,562  

Amedisys, Inc.*,1

    13,013       1,237,016  

ImmunoGen, Inc.*,1

    38,214       1,133,045  

Mirati Therapeutics, Inc.*

    18,883       1,109,377  

Cerevel Therapeutics Holdings, Inc.*

    18,208       772,019  

Karuna Therapeutics, Inc.*

    2,296       726,707  

Total Consumer, Non-cyclical

    10,350,819  
                 

Consumer, Cyclical - 10.3%

Capri Holdings Ltd.*,1

    53,142       2,670,117  

Sovos Brands, Inc.*,1

    98,321       2,166,011  

Chico’s FAS, Inc.*

    177,598       1,346,193  

Bluegreen Vacations Holding Corp.2

    12,173       914,436  

NEOGAMES S.A.*

    19,035       544,972  

iRobot Corp.*,1

    12,316       476,629  

Spirit Airlines, Inc.1

    21,083       345,550  

Hawaiian Holdings, Inc.*

    18,937       268,906  

Total Consumer, Cyclical

    8,732,814  
                 

Financial - 6.6%

National Western Life Group, Inc. — Class A1

    2,604       1,257,784  

Spirit Realty Capital, Inc. REIT

    22,820       997,006  

Physicians Realty Trust REIT

    72,293       962,220  

RPT Realty REIT

    72,740       933,254  

Cambridge Bancorp

    13,406       930,376  

Lakeland Bancorp, Inc.

    36,286       536,670  

Total Financial

    5,617,310  
                 

Technology - 4.9%

Splunk, Inc.*,1

    15,987     2,435,620  

EngageSmart, Inc.*

    43,978       1,007,096  

Alteryx, Inc. — Class A*

    15,876       748,712  

Total Technology

    4,191,428  
                 

Energy - 2.5%

Pioneer Natural Resources Co.1

    4,957       1,114,730  

Hess Corp.

    7,182       1,035,357  

Total Energy

    2,150,087  
                 

Communications - 1.9%

DISH Network Corp. — Class A*

    148,051       854,254  

Rover Group, Inc.*

    73,638       801,181  

Total Communications

    1,655,435  
                 

Utilities - 0.5%

PNM Resources, Inc.

    9,414       391,622  
                 

Total Common Stocks

(Cost $32,114,525)

            33,089,515  
                 

RIGHTS††† - 0.0%

Consumer, Non-cyclical - 0.0%

Alexion Pharmaceuticals, Inc.*

    34,843        

Novartis AG*

    9,562        

Johnson & Johnson*

    3,841        

Total Consumer, Non-cyclical

     
                 

Total Rights

(Cost $3,729)

             
                 

MUTUAL FUNDS - 16.1%

Guggenheim Strategy Fund II3

    269,618       6,605,643  

Guggenheim Ultra Short Duration Fund — Institutional Class3

    522,178       5,143,454  

 

14 | THE GUGGENHEIM FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT

SEE NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.

 

 

CONSOLIDATED SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS (continued)

December 31, 2023

MULTI-HEDGE STRATEGIES FUND

 

 

 

 

Shares

   

Value

 

Guggenheim Strategy Fund III3

    79,031     $ 1,940,217  

Total Mutual Funds

(Cost $13,872,533)

            13,689,314  
                 

CLOSED-END Mutual FUNDS - 6.9%

abrdn Life Sciences Investors

    12,569       169,179  

abrdn Healthcare Investors

    10,073       166,910  

BNY Mellon Strategic Municipal Bond Fund, Inc.

    28,134       160,645  

DWS Municipal Income Trust

    18,011       160,118  

Gabelli Dividend & Income Trust

    7,395       160,028  

Pioneer Municipal High Income Fund Trust

    18,429       159,042  

abrdn Healthcare Opportunities Fund

    8,748       158,426  

SRH Total Return Fund, Inc.

    11,192       155,233  

General American Investors Company, Inc.

    3,586       154,019  

Neuberger Berman Municipal Fund, Inc.2

    14,738       152,538  

Nuveen Pennsylvania Quality Municipal Income Fund

    12,055       139,597  

BNY Mellon Strategic Municipals, Inc.

    22,652       132,741  

Clough Global Equity Fund

    18,554       109,933  

AllianceBernstein National Municipal Income Fund, Inc.

    9,912       107,446  

Duff & Phelps Utility and Infrastructure Fund, Inc.

    11,418     104,703  

Gabelli Healthcare & WellnessRx Trust

    11,147       104,002  

Nuveen New Jersey Quality Municipal Income Fund

    8,809       103,770  

BlackRock MuniHoldings Quality Fund II, Inc.

    8,511       85,280  

abrdn National Municipal Income Fund

    7,521       76,789  

Invesco California Value Municipal Income Trust

    7,462       73,128  

Mexico Fund, Inc.

    3,814       72,771  

Nuveen California Quality Municipal Income Fund

    6,372       70,666  

Western Asset Managed Municipals Fund, Inc.

    6,891       70,082  

Invesco Dynamic Credit Opportunities Fund

    5,960       69,810  

BlackRock MuniHoldings Fund, Inc.

    5,300       63,123  

Virtus Total Return Fund, Inc.

    11,300       62,263  

BlackRock MuniYield Michigan Quality Fund, Inc.

    4,319       49,064  

BlackRock Municipal Income Trust

    4,802       48,356  

Invesco Trust for Investment Grade Municipals

    4,733       46,809  

BlackRock Municipal Income Trust II

    4,255       45,443  

 

SEE NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.

THE GUGGENHEIM FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT | 15

 

 

CONSOLIDATED SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS (continued)

December 31, 2023

MULTI-HEDGE STRATEGIES FUND

 

 

 

 

Shares

   

Value

 

Invesco Trust for Investment Grade New York Municipals

    4,235     $ 44,086  

BlackRock MuniHoldings California Quality Fund, Inc.

    3,395       37,786  

Ellsworth Growth and Income Fund Ltd.

    4,633       37,433  

Nuveen AMT-Free Municipal Credit Income Fund

    3,131       37,008  

Swiss Helvetia Fund, Inc.

    4,362       35,768  

First Trust Specialty Finance and Financial Opportunities Fund

    8,753       31,336  

Herzfeld Caribbean Basin Fund, Inc.

    10,499       29,186  

Nuveen Arizona Quality Municipal Income Fund

    2,616       28,017  

Nuveen Massachusetts Quality Municipal Income Fund

    2,631       27,652  

BNY Mellon Municipal Income, Inc.

    3,778       24,557  

Tortoise Power and Energy Infrastructure Fund, Inc.

    1,615       22,633  

CBRE Global Real Estate Income Fund

    3,777       20,509  

Gabelli Global Small and Mid Capital Value Trust

    1,733       20,328  

Cohen & Steers Quality Income Realty Fund, Inc.2

    1,612     19,731  

BlackRock MuniYield Quality Fund III, Inc.

    1,660       19,322  

Nuveen Quality Municipal Income Fund

    1,672       19,144  

Nuveen Floating Rate Income Fund

    2,322       19,087  

Nuveen AMT-Free Quality Municipal Income Fund

    1,729       19,019  

Nuveen Municipal Credit Income Fund

    1,600       18,912  

abrdn Japan Equity Fund, Inc.

    3,281       18,833  

Nuveen Municipal High Income Opportunity Fund

    1,903       18,802  

BlackRock MuniYield Quality Fund, Inc.2

    1,538       18,748  

Nuveen Municipal Value Fund, Inc.

    2,178       18,731  

Eaton Vance Tax-Advantaged Dividend Income Fund

    840       18,690  

BlackRock Municipal 2030 Target Term Trust

    896       18,637  

Eaton Vance Tax-Managed Global Diversified Equity Income Fund

    2,413       18,628  

Nuveen Credit Strategies Income Fund

    3,421       17,858  

BlackRock Municipal Income Fund, Inc.

    1,507       17,542  

 

16 | THE GUGGENHEIM FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT

SEE NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.

 

 

CONSOLIDATED SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS (continued)

December 31, 2023

MULTI-HEDGE STRATEGIES FUND

 

 

 

 

Shares

   

Value

 

GAMCO Natural Resources Gold & Income Trust

    3,399     $ 17,471  

New Germany Fund, Inc.

    1,954       17,078  

Nuveen New York AMT-Free Quality Municipal Income Fund

    1,603       16,880  

Invesco Municipal Opportunity Trust

    1,716       16,491  

Eaton Vance Tax Managed Global Buy Write Opportunities Fund

    2,092       16,255  

PIMCO Municipal Income Fund II

    1,950       16,185  

Eaton Vance Municipal Bond Fund

    1,588       16,086  

Nuveen S&P 500 Buy-Write Income Fund

    1,216       15,601  

Invesco Municipal Trust

    1,634       15,572  

Virtus Convertible & Income Fund II

    5,202       15,502  

Western Asset Inflation-Linked Opportunities & Income Fund

    1,764       15,294  

Virtus Convertible & Income Fund

    4,527       15,256  

Blackstone Strategic Credit Fund

    1,347       15,248  

Flaherty & Crumrine Preferred and Income Securities Fund, Inc.

    1,095       15,221  

Eaton Vance Tax-Advantaged Global Dividend Income Fund

    887       15,168  

abrdn Emerging Markets Equity Income Fund, Inc.

    2,899     14,814  

John Hancock Tax-Advantaged Dividend Income Fund

    767       14,550  

Western Asset Emerging Markets Debt Fund, Inc.

    1,554       14,312  

Invesco Value Municipal Income Trust

    1,217       14,275  

Invesco Quality Municipal Income Trust

    1,501       14,275  

Nuveen California AMT-Free Quality Municipal Income Fund

    1,219       14,067  

BlackRock MuniHoldings New Jersey Quality Fund, Inc.

    1,231       14,046  

PGIM Global High Yield Fund, Inc.

    1,221       13,870  

John Hancock Premium Dividend Fund

    1,269       13,515  

Allspring Income Opportunities

    2,068       13,483  

PGIM High Yield Bond Fund, Inc.

    1,088       13,404  

BlackRock MuniYield New York Quality Fund, Inc.

    1,296       13,388  

Neuberger Berman High Yield Strategies Fund, Inc.

    1,703       13,147  

Nuveen Dow 30sm Dynamic Overwrite Fund

    939       13,146  

 

SEE NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.

THE GUGGENHEIM FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT | 17

 

 

CONSOLIDATED SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS (continued)

December 31, 2023

MULTI-HEDGE STRATEGIES FUND

 

 

 

 

Shares

   

Value

 

Apollo Senior Floating Rate Fund, Inc.

    987     $ 13,078  

Putnam Municipal Opportunities Trust

    1,277       13,064  

BlackRock California Municipal Income Trust2

    1,081       13,004  

Nuveen California Municipal Value Fund, Inc.

    1,450       12,992  

Invesco Advantage Municipal Income Trust II

    1,536       12,979  

Nuveen New York Quality Municipal Income Fund

    1,175       12,972  

BlackRock MuniVest Fund, Inc.

    1,817       12,937  

Liberty All Star Growth Fund, Inc.

    2,431       12,836  

Putnam Managed Municipal Income Trust

    2,093       12,725  

Nuveen Real Estate Income Fund

    1,613       12,614  

Western Asset High Income Opportunity Fund, Inc.

    3,260       12,584  

Nuveen Real Asset Income and Growth Fund

    1,073       12,576  

PIMCO California Municipal Income Fund

    1,349       12,573  

RiverNorth Opportunities Fund, Inc.

    1,136       12,485  

PIMCO California Municipal Income Fund II

    2,143       12,429  

John Hancock Tax-Advantaged Global Shareholder Yield Fund

    2,429     12,412  

Nuveen Global High Income Fund

    1,016       12,395  

Eaton Vance California Municipal Bond Fund

    1,344       12,298  

Eaton Vance Risk-Managed Diversified Equity Income Fund

    1,566       12,277  

MFS Intermediate Income Trust

    4,563       12,229  

MFS Charter Income Trust

    1,885       12,177  

Nuveen S&P 500 Dynamic Overwrite Fund

    808       12,152  

BlackRock MuniHoldings New York Quality Fund, Inc.

    1,140       11,981  

BlackRock New York Municipal Income Trust

    1,135       11,952  

Nuveen Virginia Quality Municipal Income Fund

    1,107       11,934  

LMP Capital and Income Fund, Inc.

    845       11,838  

MFS Municipal Income Trust

    2,283       11,803  

Neuberger Berman Real Estate Securities Income Fund, Inc.

    3,696       11,790  

Eaton Vance Tax-Advantaged Global Dividend Opportunities Fund

    497       11,749  

 

18 | THE GUGGENHEIM FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT

SEE NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.

 

 

CONSOLIDATED SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS (continued)

December 31, 2023

MULTI-HEDGE STRATEGIES FUND

 

 

 

 

Shares

   

Value

 

Eaton Vance Tax-Managed Buy-Write Income Fund

    902     $ 11,708  

Blackstone Long-Short Credit Income Fund

    1,013       11,599  

Invesco Pennsylvania Value Municipal Income Trust

    1,159       11,590  

Flaherty & Crumrine Total Return Fund, Inc.

    791       11,509  

Federated Hermes Premier Municipal Income Fund

    1,036       11,386  

Western Asset Municipal High Income Fund, Inc.

    1,770       11,363  

BrandywineGLOBAL Global Income Opportunities Fund, Inc.

    1,356       11,329  

Eaton Vance New York Municipal Bond Fund

    1,173       11,319  

Nuveen New York Municipal Value Fund

    1,365       11,302  

Allspring Global Dividend Opportunity Fund

    2,599       11,280  

Allspring Multi-Sector Income Fund

    1,189       11,224  

PIMCO New York Municipal Income Fund II

    1,477       11,210  

DTF Tax-Free Income 2028 Term Fund, Inc.

    1,042       11,202  

MFS High Yield Municipal Trust

    3,383       11,198  

MFS Multimarket Income Trust

    2,456       11,175  

BlackRock MuniYield Pennsylvania Quality Fund

    960     11,165  

MFS High Income Municipal Trust

    3,141       11,151  

Nuveen Municipal Income Fund, Inc.

    1,212       11,150  

John Hancock Hedged Equity & Income Fund

    1,107       11,125  

Western Asset Inflation-Linked Income Fund

    1,370       11,124  

Royce Micro-Capital Trust, Inc.

    1,203       11,115  

DWS Strategic Municipal Income Trust

    1,285       11,115  

Nuveen California Select Tax-Free Income Portfolio

    868       11,102  

Royce Value Trust, Inc.

    762       11,101  

MFS Investment Grade Municipal Trust

    1,466       11,098  

Eaton Vance Municipal Income 2028 Term Trust

    640       11,098  

Flaherty & Crumrine Preferred & Income Fund, Inc.

    1,123       11,095  

Source Capital, Inc.

    274       11,063  

Franklin Universal Trust

    1,642       10,919  

Flaherty & Crumrine Preferred and Income Opportunity Fund, Inc.

    1,369       10,897  

Cohen & Steers REIT and Preferred and Income Fund, Inc.

    540       10,886  

Miller/Howard High Dividend Fund

    1,025       10,875  

 

SEE NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.

THE GUGGENHEIM FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT | 19

 

 

CONSOLIDATED SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS (continued)

December 31, 2023

MULTI-HEDGE STRATEGIES FUND

 

 

 

 

Shares

   

Value

 

Nuveen Select Maturities Municipal Fund

    1,232     $ 10,866  

John Hancock Investors Trust

    838       10,844  

BlackRock Corporate High Yield Fund, Inc.

    1,147       10,816  

Western Asset Investment Grade Income Fund, Inc.

    898       10,812  

Nuveen New York Select Tax-Free Income Portfolio

    920       10,810  

John Hancock Income Securities Trust

    991       10,782  

Western Asset Intermediate Muni Fund, Inc.

    1,400       10,780  

BlackRock Utilities Infrastructure & Power Opportunities Trust

    494       10,779  

Invesco High Income Trust II

    1,035       10,754  

abrdn Australia Equity Fund, Inc.

    2,478       10,730  

Bancroft Fund Ltd.

    669       10,691  

MFS Government Markets Income Trust

    3,361       10,688  

Nuveen Minnesota Quality Municipal Income Fund

    973       10,684  

abrdn Global Premier Properties Fund

    2,751       10,674  

BlackRock Long-Term Municipal Advantage Trust

    1,043       10,670  

Principal Real Estate Income Fund

    1,129       10,669  

Allspring Utilities and High Income Fund

    1,158     10,665  

Morgan Stanley Emerging Markets Debt Fund, Inc.

    1,533       10,654  

First Trust High Income Long/Short Fund

    881       10,651  

Voya Emerging Markets High Dividend Equity Fund

    2,011       10,638  

Western Asset Global Corporate Defined Opportunity Fund, Inc.

    832       10,625  

Templeton Emerging Markets Fund/United States

    908       10,605  

Pioneer Municipal High Income Advantage Fund, Inc.

    1,321       10,594  

BlackRock Floating Rate Income Strategies Fund, Inc.

    834       10,558  

Gabelli Convertible and Income Securities Fund, Inc.

    2,928       10,541  

Sprott Focus Trust, Inc.

    1,317       10,536  

Lazard Global Total Return and Income Fund, Inc.

    687       10,525  

BlackRock Health Sciences Trust

    260       10,520  

MFS Intermediate High Income Fund

    6,105       10,501  

Insight Select Income Fund

    657       10,492  

 

20 | THE GUGGENHEIM FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT

SEE NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.

 

 

CONSOLIDATED SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS (continued)

December 31, 2023

MULTI-HEDGE STRATEGIES FUND

 

 

 

 

Shares

   

Value

 

PIMCO California Municipal Income Fund III

    1,422     $ 10,480  

Adams Diversified Equity Fund, Inc.

    590       10,449  

Credit Suisse High Yield Bond Fund

    5,270       10,434  

Eaton Vance California Municipal Income Trust

    1,008       10,423  

BlackRock MuniYield Quality Fund II, Inc.

    1,006       10,412  

BlackRock Taxable Municipal Bond Trust

    639       10,390  

BlackRock Municipal Income Quality Trust

    926       10,381  

Tri-Continental Corp.

    360       10,379  

First Trust Senior Floating Rate Income Fund II

    1,024       10,332  

First Trust Intermediate Duration Preferred & Income Fund2

    633       10,324  

Voya Asia Pacific High Dividend Equity Income Fund

    1,717       10,319  

abrdn Total Dynamic Dividend Fund

    1,280       10,317  

Eaton Vance Municipal Income Trust

    1,050       10,311  

abrdn Global Dynamic Dividend Fund

    1,102       10,293  

Eaton Vance Senior Floating-Rate Trust

    810       10,255  

Gabelli Global Utility & Income Trust

    778     10,254  

Pioneer Diversified High Income Fund, Inc.

    955       10,246  

BlackRock Enhanced International Dividend Trust

    1,944       10,245  

BNY Mellon High Yield Strategies Fund

    4,470       10,236  

Macquarie/First Trust Global Infrastructure/Utilities Dividend & Income Fund

    1,295       10,192  

Eaton Vance Floating-Rate Income Trust

    811       10,178  

Pioneer High Income Fund, Inc.

    1,418       10,139  

Voya Global Advantage and Premium Opportunity Fund

    1,188       10,122  

PIMCO Municipal Income Fund III

    1,360       10,050  

BlackRock Enhanced Global Dividend Trust

    1,011       10,029  

Royce Global Value Trust, Inc.

    1,026       10,003  

BlackRock Resources & Commodities Strategy Trust

    1,124       9,981  

BlackRock Enhanced Equity Dividend Trust

    1,284       9,874  

TCW Strategic Income Fund, Inc.

    2,140       9,823  

BlackRock Virginia Municipal Bond Trust

    826       8,967  

 

SEE NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.

THE GUGGENHEIM FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT | 21

 

 

CONSOLIDATED SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS (continued)

December 31, 2023

MULTI-HEDGE STRATEGIES FUND

 

 

 

 

Shares

   

Value

 

Nuveen Preferred & Income Opportunities Fund

    1,280     $ 8,653  

Cohen & Steers Infrastructure Fund, Inc.

    403       8,560  

Liberty All-Star Equity Fund

    1,333       8,505  

Nuveen Multi-Market Income Fund

    1,373       8,114  

European Equity Fund, Inc.

    930       8,035  

Nuveen NASDAQ 100 Dynamic Overwrite Fund

    319       7,385  

Nuveen Missouri Quality Municipal Income Fund

    685       6,874  

Eaton Vance Tax-Managed Diversified Equity Income Fund

    522       6,363  

Eaton Vance Tax-Managed Buy-Write Opportunities Fund

    481       5,931  

Cohen & Steers Limited Duration Preferred and Income Fund, Inc.

    280       5,160  

Highland Opportunities and Income Fund

    652       5,014  

MainStay MacKay DefinedTerm Municipal Opportunities Fund

    269       4,371  

KKR Income Opportunities Fund

    287       3,608  

Eaton Vance Enhanced Equity Income Fund II

    185     3,463  

First Trust Mortgage Income Fund

    254       3,078  

Ares Dynamic Credit Allocation Fund, Inc.

    214       2,943  

Saba Capital Income & Opportunities Fund II

    752       2,850  

Flaherty & Crumrine Dynamic Preferred and Income Fund, Inc.

    149       2,645  

Neuberger Berman Energy Infrastructure and Income Fund, Inc.

    350       2,408  

Nuveen Multi-Asset Income Fund

    193       2,374  

NXG Cushing Midstream Energy Fund

    69       2,338  

Eaton Vance Enhanced Equity Income Fund

    134       2,222  

Clough Global Opportunities Fund

    446       2,096  

Saba Capital Income & Opportunities Fund

    267       2,059  

Franklin Limited Duration Income Trust

    311       1,934  

Templeton Emerging Markets Income Fund

    378       1,928  

Barings Global Short Duration High Yield Fund

    132       1,774  

Putnam Premier Income Trust

    381       1,360  

 

22 | THE GUGGENHEIM FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT

SEE NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.

 

 

CONSOLIDATED SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS (continued)

December 31, 2023

MULTI-HEDGE STRATEGIES FUND

 

 

 

 

Shares

   

Value

 

New America High Income Fund, Inc.

    186     $ 1,309  

Highland Global Allocation Fund

    152       1,195  

Invesco Bond Fund

    69       1,050  

Western Asset Mortgage Opportunity Fund, Inc.

    88       983  

Special Opportunities Fund, Inc.

    77       913  

Eaton Vance Short Duration Diversified Income Fund

    73       758  

High Income Securities Fund

    115       738  

Clough Global Dividend and Income Fund

    117       602  

PIMCO New York Municipal Income Fund

    72       566  

Western Asset Premier Bond Fund

    45       486  

Putnam Master Intermediate Income Trust

    138       440  

First Trust Enhanced Equity Income Fund

    24       439  

MFS Special Value Trust

    40       164  

Nuveen Intermediate Duration Municipal Term Fund Liquidating Trust

    955        

Total Closed-End Mutual Funds

(Cost $5,373,769)

            5,820,485  
                 

 

 

Face
Amount

   

 

U.S. TREASURY BILLS†† - 19.7%

U.S. Treasury Bills

5.18% due 02/13/244

  $ 8,700,000       8,646,423  

5.17% due 01/09/244,5

    8,103,000       8,094,738  

Total U.S. Treasury Bills

(Cost $16,738,781)

            16,741,161  
                 

REPURCHASE AGREEMENTS††,6 - 13.8%

J.P. Morgan Securities LLC
issued 12/29/23 at 5.33%
due 01/02/24

    6,477,929       6,477,929  

BofA Securities, Inc.
issued 12/29/23 at 5.35%
due 01/02/24

    5,220,474       5,220,474  

Total Repurchase Agreements

(Cost $11,698,403)

            11,698,403  
               
   

Shares

         

SECURITIES LENDING COLLATERAL†,7 - 0.9%

Money Market Fund

First American Government Obligations Fund - Class X, 5.29%8

    758,963       758,963  

Total Securities Lending Collateral

(Cost $758,963)

            758,963  
                 

Total Investments - 96.3%

(Cost $80,560,703)

    81,797,841  
                 

 

SEE NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.

THE GUGGENHEIM FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT | 23

 

 

CONSOLIDATED SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS (continued)

December 31, 2023

MULTI-HEDGE STRATEGIES FUND

 

 

 

 

Shares

   

Value

 

COMMON STOCKS SOLD SHORT - (8.8)%

Communications - (1.0)%

EchoStar Corp. — Class A*

    51,948     $ (860,778 )

Energy - (2.6)%

Chevron Corp.

    7,362       (1,098,116 )

Exxon Mobil Corp.

    11,517       (1,151,469 )

Total Energy

    (2,249,585 )
                 

Financial - (5.2)%

Provident Financial Services, Inc.

    30,186       (544,254 )

Kimco Realty Corp.

    44,000       (937,640 )

Eastern Bankshares, Inc.

    66,440       (943,448 )

Healthpeak Properties, Inc.

    48,725       (964,755 )

Realty Income Corp.

    17,389       (998,476 )

Total Financial

    (4,388,573 )
                 

Total Common Stocks Sold Short

(Proceeds $6,534,446)

    (7,498,936 )
                 

EXCHANGE-TRADED FUNDS SOLD SHORT - (6.8)%

iShares MBS ETF

    47       (4,422 )

iShares Agency Bond ETF

    53       (5,747 )

iShares Mortgage Real Estate ETF

    252       (5,945 )

Materials Select Sector SPDR Fund

    78       (6,672 )

VanEck Gold Miners ETF

    228       (7,070 )

iShares MSCI All Country Asia ex Japan ETF

    109       (7,256 )

Energy Select Sector SPDR Fund

    93       (7,797 )

Financial Select Sector SPDR Fund

    279       (10,491 )

SPDR Gold Shares — Class D

    61       (11,661 )

iShares 7-10 Year Treasury Bond ETF

    153       (14,748 )

iShares JP Morgan USD Emerging Markets Bond ETF

    208     (18,525 )

iShares TIPS Bond ETF

    184       (19,778 )

iShares MSCI Emerging Markets ETF

    615       (24,729 )

iShares Latin America 40 ETF

    869       (25,253 )

iShares Core High Dividend ETF

    330       (33,657 )

iShares Floating Rate Bond ETF

    956       (48,393 )

iShares Preferred & Income Securities ETF

    1,680       (52,399 )

iShares iBoxx $ Investment Grade Corporate Bond ETF

    558       (61,748 )

iShares U.S. Real Estate ETF

    702       (64,170 )

iShares Russell 1000 Growth ETF

    221       (67,001 )

Schwab U.S. Aggregate Bond ETF

    1,486       (69,277 )

SPDR Bloomberg Convertible Securities ETF

    1,098       (79,221 )

Utilities Select Sector SPDR Fund

    1,755       (111,144 )

SPDR S&P Biotech ETF

    1,458       (130,185 )

Invesco Senior Loan ETF

    6,468       (136,992 )

iShares Russell 2000 Index ETF

    967       (194,087 )

SPDR S&P 500 ETF Trust

    746       (354,581 )

iShares Russell 1000 Value ETF

    2,184       (360,906 )

iShares MSCI EAFE ETF

    4,790       (360,926 )

 

24 | THE GUGGENHEIM FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT

SEE NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.

 

 

CONSOLIDATED SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS (continued)

December 31, 2023

MULTI-HEDGE STRATEGIES FUND

 

 

 

 

Shares

   

Value

 

Health Care Select Sector SPDR Fund

    2,827     $ (385,546 )

SPDR Nuveen Bloomberg High Yield Municipal Bond ETF

    16,431       (415,704 )

VanEck High Yield Muni ETF

    8,384       (432,866 )

iShares National Muni Bond ETF

    4,579       (496,409 )

SPDR Nuveen Bloomberg Municipal Bond ETF

    16,029       (753,363 )

iShares iBoxx High Yield Corporate Bond ETF

    13,273       (1,027,198 )

Total Exchange-Traded Funds Sold Short

(Proceeds $5,936,936)

            (5,805,867 )
                 

Total Securities Sold Short - (15.6)%

(Proceeds $12,471,382)

  $ (13,304,803 )

Other Assets & Liabilities, net - 19.3%

    16,430,995  

Total Net Assets - 100.0%

  $ 84,924,033  

 

 

SEE NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.

THE GUGGENHEIM FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT | 25

 

 

CONSOLIDATED SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS (continued)

December 31, 2023

MULTI-HEDGE STRATEGIES FUND

 

 

Futures Contracts

Description

 

Number of
Contracts

   

Expiration
Date

   

Notional
Amount

   

Value and
Unrealized
Appreciation
(Depreciation)**

 

Interest Rate Futures Contracts Purchased

Euro - BTP Italian Government Bond Futures Contracts††

    51       Mar 2024     $ 6,715,150     $ 223,083  

U.S. Treasury 10 Year Note Futures Contracts

    70       Mar 2024       7,891,406       119,325  

Euro - OATS Futures Contracts

    47       Mar 2024       6,820,605       49,343  

Euro - Bund Futures Contracts

    52       Mar 2024       7,876,369       25,302  

Australian Government 10 Year Bond Futures Contracts

    55       Mar 2024       4,368,507       24,391  

Canadian Government 10 Year Bond Futures Contracts

    11       Mar 2024       1,030,931       (56 )

Euro - 30 year Bond Futures Contracts

    6       Mar 2024       934,850       (1,811 )
                    $ 35,637,818     $ 439,577  

Currency Futures Contracts Purchased

British Pound Futures Contracts

    164       Mar 2024     $ 13,070,800     $ 128,386  

New Zealand Dollar Futures Contracts

    70       Mar 2024       4,426,800       118,248  

Japanese Yen Futures Contracts

    46       Mar 2024       4,127,350       82,343  

Euro FX Futures Contracts

    2       Mar 2024       276,875       (329 )
                    $ 21,901,825     $ 328,648  

Equity Futures Contracts Purchased

S&P/TSX 60 IX Index Futures Contracts

    3       Mar 2024     $ 575,734     $ 4,220  

OMX Stockholm 30 Index Futures Contracts††

    17       Jan 2024       406,302       4,162  

SPI 200 Index Futures Contracts††

    6       Mar 2024       772,199       3,044  

FTSE MIB Index Futures Contracts

    3       Mar 2024       506,681       2,829  

Euro STOXX 50 Index Futures Contracts

    10       Mar 2024       503,754       2,090  

DAX Index Futures Contracts

    1       Mar 2024       467,315       1,585  

CAC 40 10 Euro Index Futures Contracts

    7       Jan 2024       585,446       (1,196 )

S&P 500 Index Mini Futures Contracts

    2       Mar 2024       481,900       (1,276 )

CBOE Volatility Index Futures Contracts

    231       May 2024       4,019,400       (1,428 )

Russell 2000 Index Mini Futures Contracts

    3       Mar 2024       307,050       (1,620 )

Nikkei 225 (OSE) Index Futures Contracts

    2       Mar 2024       472,114       (1,955 )

NASDAQ-100 Index Mini Futures Contracts

    2       Mar 2024       680,770       (2,803 )

Tokyo Stock Price Index Futures Contracts

    3       Mar 2024       501,656       (3,789 )

IBEX 35 Index Futures Contracts††

    5       Jan 2024       557,678       (4,147 )

CBOE Volatility Index Futures Contracts

    318       Jun 2024       5,644,500       (11,295 )
                    $ 16,482,499     $ (11,579 )

Commodity Futures Contracts Purchased

Natural Gas Futures Contracts

    141       Feb 2024     $ 3,275,430     $ 171,660  

Coffee ‘C’ Futures Contracts

    19       Mar 2024       1,340,925       75,411  

Cocoa Futures Contracts

    29       Mar 2024       1,218,000       55,699  

NY Harbor ULSD Futures Contracts

    57       Mar 2024       5,915,095       55,343  

Low Sulphur Gas Oil Futures Contracts

    13       Feb 2024       963,950       17,641  

LME Lead Futures Contracts

    1       Feb 2024       51,559       1,153  

Gold 100 oz. Futures Contracts

    4       Feb 2024       829,160       61  

Silver Futures Contracts

    3       Mar 2024       360,525       (10,123 )

 

26 | THE GUGGENHEIM FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT

SEE NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.

 

 

CONSOLIDATED SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS (continued)

December 31, 2023

MULTI-HEDGE STRATEGIES FUND

 

 

Futures Contracts (continued)

Description

 

Number of
Contracts

   

Expiration
Date

   

Notional
Amount

   

Value and
Unrealized
Appreciation
(Depreciation)**

 

Commodity Futures Contracts Purchased (continued)

Sugar #11 Futures Contracts

    32       Feb 2024     $ 734,362     $ (14,743 )

Soybean Meal Futures Contracts

    30       Mar 2024       1,158,300       (23,194 )

Brent Crude Futures Contracts

    11       Jan 2024       847,880       (28,398 )

WTI Crude Futures Contracts

    11       Jan 2024       785,180       (29,497 )

Soybean Futures Contracts

    30       Mar 2024       1,946,250       (42,857 )

Coffee ‘C’ Futures Contracts

    48       May 2024       3,353,400       (162,976 )

Live Cattle Futures Contracts

    162       Jun 2024       11,012,760       (181,542 )

Gasoline RBOB Futures Contracts

    69       Jan 2024       6,112,462       (183,029 )
                    $ 39,905,238     $ (299,391 )

Commodity Futures Contracts Sold Short

Gasoline RBOB Futures Contracts

    61       Mar 2024     $ 5,934,873     $ 229,348  

Coffee ‘C’ Futures Contracts

    49       Jul 2024       3,426,019       163,899  

Live Cattle Futures Contracts

    146       Apr 2024       10,053,560       104,013  

Corn Futures Contracts

    108       Mar 2024       2,542,050       94,999  

Natural Gas Futures Contracts

    50       Jan 2024       1,254,000       20,143  

Lean Hogs Futures Contracts

    17       Feb 2024       464,270       19,172  

Soybean Oil Futures Contracts

    46       Mar 2024       1,328,940       14,082  

Hard Red Winter Wheat Futures Contracts

    47       Mar 2024       1,512,812       10,282  

Live Cattle Futures Contracts

    5       Feb 2024       337,050       9,884  

Cotton #2 Futures Contracts

    23       Mar 2024       930,925       1,980  

Copper Futures Contracts

    2       Mar 2024       194,625       (7,147 )

LME Nickel Futures Contracts

    6       Feb 2024       594,738       (11,959 )

LME Zinc Futures Contracts

    4       Feb 2024       265,930       (23,893 )

NY Harbor ULSD Futures Contracts

    41       Jan 2024       4,390,067       (28,367 )

LME Primary Aluminum Futures Contracts

    9       Feb 2024       533,025       (49,963 )

Wheat Futures Contracts

    37       Mar 2024       1,163,188       (65,154 )

Cattle Feeder Futures Contracts

    22       Mar 2024       2,454,375       (113,096 )

Natural Gas Futures Contracts

    153       Mar 2024       3,523,590       (121,249 )
                    $ 40,904,037     $ 246,974  

Equity Futures Contracts Sold Short

CBOE Volatility Index Futures Contracts

    298       Jan 2024     $ 4,201,800     $ 225,298  

FTSE 100 Index Futures Contracts††

    45       Mar 2024       4,428,307       (39,900 )
                    $ 8,630,107     $ 185,398  

Interest Rate Futures Contracts Sold Short

U.S. Treasury Long Bond Futures Contracts

    5       Mar 2024     $ 622,500     $ 2,192  

U.S. Treasury Ultra Long Bond Futures Contracts

    3       Mar 2024       399,187       1,509  

Long Gilt Futures Contracts††

    94       Mar 2024       12,331,051       (364,558 )
                    $ 13,352,738     $ (360,857 )

 

SEE NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.

THE GUGGENHEIM FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT | 27

 

 

CONSOLIDATED SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS (continued)

December 31, 2023

MULTI-HEDGE STRATEGIES FUND

 

 

Futures Contracts (concluded)

Description

 

Number of
Contracts

   

Expiration
Date

   

Notional
Amount

   

Value and
Unrealized
Appreciation
(Depreciation)**

 

Currency Futures Contracts Sold Short

Canadian Dollar Futures Contracts

    18       Mar 2024     $ 1,360,080     $ (21,178 )

Australian Dollar Futures Contracts

    52       Mar 2024       3,552,380       (110,759 )

Swiss Franc Futures Contracts

    85       Mar 2024       12,732,469       (512,760 )
                    $ 17,644,929     $ (644,697 )

 

Custom Basket Swap Agreements

Counterparty

Reference
Obligation

Type

Financing
Rate

 

Payment
Frequency

   

Maturity
Date

   

Notional
Amount

   

Value and
Unrealized
Appreciation
(Depreciation)

 

OTC Custom Basket Swap Agreements††

Goldman Sachs International

GS Equity Market Neutral Custom Basket

Pay

5.78% (Federal
Funds Rate +
0.45%)

    At Maturity       05/06/24     $ 18,595,170     $ 2,316,029  

Morgan Stanley Capital Services LLC

MS Equity Market Neutral Custom Basket

Pay

5.73% (Federal
Funds Rate +
0.40%)

    At Maturity       08/31/28       18,588,953       2,018,707  

Goldman Sachs International

GS Long/Short Equity Custom Basket

Pay

5.78% (Federal
Funds Rate +
0.45%)

    At Maturity       05/06/24       16,601,210       1,662,319  

Morgan Stanley Capital Services LLC

MS Long/Short Equity Custom Basket

Pay

5.73% (Federal
Funds Rate +
0.40%)

    At Maturity       08/31/28       17,202,726       1,306,437  
                          $ 70,988,059     $ 7,303,492  

 

28 | THE GUGGENHEIM FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT

SEE NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.

 

 

CONSOLIDATED SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS (continued)

December 31, 2023

MULTI-HEDGE STRATEGIES FUND

 

 

Counterparty

Reference
Obligation

Type

Financing
Rate

 

Payment
Frequency

   

Maturity
Date

   

Notional
Amount

   

Value and
Unrealized
Appreciation
(Depreciation)

 

OTC Custom Basket Swap Agreements Sold Short††

Goldman Sachs International

GS Equity Market Neutral Custom Basket

Receive

5.13% (Federal
Funds Rate -
0.20%)

    At Maturity       05/06/24     $ 18,712,034     $ 160,324  

Goldman Sachs International

GS Long/Short Equity Custom Basket

Receive

5.13% (Federal
Funds Rate -
0.20%)

    At Maturity       05/06/24       11,840,796       (800,580 )

Morgan Stanley Capital Services LLC

MS Long/Short Equity Custom Basket

Receive

5.03% (Federal
Funds Rate -
0.30%)

    At Maturity       08/31/28       11,840,834       (932,749 )

Morgan Stanley Capital Services LLC

MS Equity Market Neutral Custom Basket

Receive

5.01% (Federal
Funds Rate -
0.32%)

    At Maturity       08/31/28       18,712,025       (1,603,369 )
                          $ 61,105,689     $ (3,176,374 )

 

 

SEE NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.

THE GUGGENHEIM FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT | 29

 

 

CONSOLIDATED SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS (continued)

December 31, 2023

MULTI-HEDGE STRATEGIES FUND

 

 

 

 

Shares

   

Percentage
Notional
Amount

   

Value and
Unrealized
Appreciation
(Depreciation)

 

MS LONG/SHORT EQUITY LONG CUSTOM BASKET

Industrial

Acuity Brands, Inc.

    875       1.07 %   $ 37,108  

Boise Cascade Co.

    1,398       1.05 %     32,986  

Mueller Industries, Inc.

    2,633       0.72 %     24,335  

TD SYNNEX Corp.

    1,571       0.98 %     20,743  

Terex Corp.

    2,385       0.80 %     20,183  

Encore Wire Corp.

    397       0.49 %     18,344  

Owens Corning

    573       0.49 %     16,703  

UFP Industries, Inc.

    729       0.53 %     16,239  

Middleby Corp.

    1,166       1.00 %     15,774  

Snap-on, Inc.

    576       0.97 %     14,091  

Scorpio Tankers, Inc.

    1,335       0.47 %     13,094  

Teekay Corp.

    14,758       0.61 %     12,969  

Builders FirstSource, Inc.

    288       0.28 %     12,865  

Atkore, Inc.

    418       0.39 %     12,240  

Teekay Tankers Ltd. — Class A

    1,181       0.34 %     11,372  

Apogee Enterprises, Inc.

    2,945       0.91 %     10,967  

Keysight Technologies, Inc.

    492       0.45 %     10,689  

Carlisle Companies, Inc.

    417       0.76 %     9,082  

Ardmore Shipping Corp.

    4,949       0.41 %     8,052  

Griffon Corp.

    694       0.25 %     7,958  

Argan, Inc.

    1,705       0.46 %     7,653  

EnerSys

    669       0.39 %     6,339  

Donaldson Company, Inc.

    2,619       0.99 %     5,987  

Huntington Ingalls Industries, Inc.

    263       0.40 %   4,975  

Insteel Industries, Inc.

    905       0.20 %     4,904  

Garmin Ltd.

    981       0.73 %     4,276  

Brady Corp. — Class A

    2,047       0.70 %     3,478  

AGCO Corp.

    855       0.60 %     3,067  

Lindsay Corp.

    379       0.28 %     2,640  

International Seaways, Inc.

    3,013       0.80 %     2,616  

A O Smith Corp.

    483       0.23 %     2,612  

Vontier Corp.

    1,669       0.34 %     488  

Total Industrial

    374,829  
                         

Communications

InterDigital, Inc.

    1,587       1.00 %     41,210  

IDT Corp. — Class B

    3,066       0.61 %     31,528  

AT&T, Inc.

    8,371       0.82 %     18,148  

Yelp, Inc. — Class A

    3,561       0.98 %     13,076  

T-Mobile US, Inc.

    912       0.85 %     12,847  

Verizon Communications, Inc.

    3,649       0.80 %     12,526  

Juniper Networks, Inc.

    5,025       0.86 %     10,621  

Meta Platforms, Inc. — Class A

    229       0.47 %     9,205  

eBay, Inc.

    1,987       0.50 %     9,150  

Shutterstock, Inc.

    1,322       0.37 %     8,595  

Cargurus, Inc.

    1,469       0.21 %     3,295  

A10 Networks, Inc.

    2,536       0.19 %     2,867  

VeriSign, Inc.

    707       0.85 %     1,025  

TEGNA, Inc.

    8,020       0.71 %     317  

Gogo, Inc.

    4,759       0.28 %     (2,020 )

Ciena Corp.

    1,247       0.33 %     (2,264 )

Spok Holdings, Inc.

    2,227       0.20 %     (2,468 )

 

30 | THE GUGGENHEIM FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT

SEE NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.

 

 

CONSOLIDATED SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS (continued)

December 31, 2023

MULTI-HEDGE STRATEGIES FUND

 

 

 

 

Shares

   

Percentage
Notional
Amount

   

Value and
Unrealized
Appreciation
(Depreciation)

 

Fox Corp. — Class A

    5,337       0.92 %   $ (5,626 )

Ooma, Inc.

    5,979       0.37 %     (7,139 )

Cisco Systems, Inc.

    3,361       0.99 %     (14,139 )

Total Communications

    140,754  
                         

Financial

Ambac Financial Group, Inc.

    10,845       1.04 %     36,560  

MGIC Investment Corp.

    9,038       1.01 %     16,511  

International Bancshares Corp.

    1,705       0.54 %     16,048  

Walker & Dunlop, Inc.

    763       0.49 %     15,274  

Radian Group, Inc.

    5,954       0.99 %     14,340  

Essent Group Ltd.

    3,263       1.00 %     13,964  

SouthState Corp.

    975       0.48 %     12,808  

Preferred Bank/Los Angeles CA

    492       0.21 %     5,524  

Jackson Financial, Inc. — Class A

    1,769       0.53 %     5,225  

Interactive Brokers Group, Inc. — Class A

    1,365       0.66 %     5,173  

Affiliated Managers Group, Inc.

    284       0.25 %     3,993  

Enact Holdings, Inc.

    2,876       0.48 %     2,801  

Mr Cooper Group, Inc.

    1,088       0.41 %     2,280  

Equity Commonwealth

    8,410       0.94 %     239  

Total Financial

    150,740  
                         

Consumer, Non-cyclical

Innoviva, Inc.

    8,024       0.75 %     26,545  

Viatris, Inc.

    16,828       1.06 %     19,566  

Premier, Inc. — Class A

    5,248       0.68 %     10,975  

Gilead Sciences, Inc.

    2,070       0.97 %   10,137  

Biogen, Inc.

    387       0.58 %     8,602  

Merck & Company, Inc.

    1,529       0.97 %     8,578  

Exelixis, Inc.

    4,269       0.60 %     7,262  

Perdoceo Education Corp.

    4,811       0.49 %     4,763  

Neurocrine Biosciences, Inc.

    276       0.21 %     4,266  

Alarm.com Holdings, Inc.

    569       0.21 %     4,231  

Molina Healthcare, Inc.

    150       0.32 %     3,813  

Ingredion, Inc.

    1,510       0.95 %     3,656  

Centene Corp.

    643       0.28 %     3,505  

Hologic, Inc.

    2,274       0.94 %     2,472  

Thermo Fisher Scientific, Inc.

    65       0.20 %     2,192  

Baxter International, Inc.

    1,232       0.28 %     2,180  

Alkermes plc

    1,243       0.20 %     1,945  

Incyte Corp.

    2,906       1.06 %     1,816  

Supernus Pharmaceuticals, Inc.

    1,149       0.19 %     1,017  

PayPal Holdings, Inc.

    900       0.32 %     326  

Cross Country Healthcare, Inc.

    1,966       0.26 %     (964 )

Humana, Inc.

    109       0.29 %     (1,024 )

Dynavax Technologies Corp.

    5,868       0.48 %     (1,577 )

United Therapeutics Corp.

    449       0.57 %     (1,595 )

 

SEE NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.

THE GUGGENHEIM FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT | 31

 

 

CONSOLIDATED SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS (continued)

December 31, 2023

MULTI-HEDGE STRATEGIES FUND

 

 

 

 

Shares

   

Percentage
Notional
Amount

   

Value and
Unrealized
Appreciation
(Depreciation)

 

Johnson & Johnson

    1,009       0.92 %   $ (2,298 )

Halozyme Therapeutics, Inc.

    796       0.17 %     (2,400 )

Royalty Pharma plc — Class A

    2,904       0.47 %     (3,984 )

Organon & Co.

    2,738       0.23 %     (5,747 )

Pfizer, Inc.

    5,435       0.91 %     (11,394 )

Bristol-Myers Squibb Co.

    3,176       0.95 %     (26,376 )

Total Consumer, Non-cyclical

    70,488  
                         

Consumer, Cyclical

Toll Brothers, Inc.

    1,838       1.10 %     55,815  

Meritage Homes Corp.

    948       0.96 %     44,684  

M/I Homes, Inc.

    894       0.72 %     41,979  

PulteGroup, Inc.

    1,558       0.93 %     38,457  

DR Horton, Inc.

    1,085       0.96 %     35,851  

Brunswick Corp.

    1,660       0.93 %     29,140  

NVR, Inc.

    25       1.02 %     27,372  

KB Home

    1,575       0.57 %     20,251  

Lennar Corp. — Class A

    606       0.53 %     20,146  

Taylor Morrison Home Corp. — Class A

    1,686       0.52 %     18,199  

Standard Motor Products, Inc.

    2,848       0.66 %     11,360  

PACCAR, Inc.

    838       0.48 %     11,201  

Cummins, Inc.

    1,158       1.61 %     11,064  

Tri Pointe Homes, Inc.

    1,610       0.33 %     10,447  

Monarch Casino & Resort, Inc.

    1,827       0.73 %     6,746  

Patrick Industries, Inc.

    462       0.27 %     6,484  

AutoNation, Inc.

    555       0.48 %     6,232  

Home Depot, Inc.

    100       0.20 %     5,411  

General Motors Co.

    2,038       0.43 %     5,409  

Malibu Boats, Inc. — Class A

    836       0.27 %   5,233  

Gentex Corp.

    2,181       0.41 %     3,690  

Golden Entertainment, Inc.

    1,032       0.24 %     2,662  

MasterCraft Boat Holdings, Inc.

    2,097       0.28 %     2,260  

BorgWarner, Inc.

    1,350       0.28 %     1,931  

Ethan Allen Interiors, Inc.

    1,168       0.22 %     1,565  

MSC Industrial Direct Company, Inc. — Class A

    1,646       0.97 %     (183 )

Allison Transmission Holdings, Inc.

    2,880       0.97 %     (430 )

Caleres, Inc.

    1,029       0.18 %     (894 )

Starbucks Corp.

    1,653       0.92 %     (2,811 )

Polaris, Inc.

    1,254       0.69 %     (10,903 )

Total Consumer, Cyclical

    408,368  
                         

Technology

Photronics, Inc.

    3,088       0.56 %     31,704  

QUALCOMM, Inc.

    1,249       1.05 %     19,084  

International Business Machines Corp.

    1,000       0.95 %     18,174  

Skyworks Solutions, Inc.

    693       0.45 %     15,919  

Amdocs Ltd.

    1,890       0.97 %     12,012  

Dropbox, Inc. — Class A

    4,693       0.80 %     9,680  

Cirrus Logic, Inc.

    1,455       0.70 %     9,223  

Hewlett Packard Enterprise Co.

    5,358       0.53 %     7,500  

Bandwidth, Inc. — Class A

    2,781       0.23 %     7,396  

Microsoft Corp.

    270       0.59 %     7,201  

 

32 | THE GUGGENHEIM FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT

SEE NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.

 

 

CONSOLIDATED SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS (continued)

December 31, 2023

MULTI-HEDGE STRATEGIES FUND

 

 

 

 

Shares

   

Percentage
Notional
Amount

   

Value and
Unrealized
Appreciation
(Depreciation)

 

Amkor Technology, Inc.

    1,378       0.27 %   $ 6,741  

Insight Enterprises, Inc.

    447       0.46 %     5,179  

Applied Materials, Inc.

    276       0.26 %     4,010  

Immersion Corp.

    13,431       0.55 %     2,721  

Genpact Ltd.

    3,350       0.68 %     (357 )

NetApp, Inc.

    498       0.26 %     (976 )

DXC Technology Co.

    1,359       0.18 %     (1,160 )

Veradigm, Inc.

    4,023       0.25 %     (11,522 )

Total Technology

    142,529  
                         

Utilities

Evergy, Inc.

    6,208       1.88 %     8,788  

Atmos Energy Corp.

    1,404       0.95 %     5,653  

Public Service Enterprise Group, Inc.

    2,521       0.90 %     5,131  

PPL Corp.

    6,060       0.95 %     3,803  

Xcel Energy, Inc.

    2,610       0.94 %     1,679  

National Fuel Gas Co.

    3,126       0.91 %     (10,269 )

Total Utilities

    14,785  
                         

Energy

Cheniere Energy, Inc.

    815       0.81 %     5,383  

SolarEdge Technologies, Inc.

    379       0.21 %     3,247  

NOW, Inc.

    3,144       0.21 %     2,430  

Valero Energy Corp.

    1,280       0.97 %     1,733  

Marathon Petroleum Corp.

    1,072       0.92 %     (485 )

EOG Resources, Inc.

    1,310       0.92 %     (2,673 )

CVR Energy, Inc.

    2,349       0.41 %   (2,951 )

PBF Energy, Inc. — Class A

    1,727       0.44 %     (4,080 )

Liberty Energy, Inc. — Class A

    4,103       0.43 %     (7,917 )

CNX Resources Corp.

    3,970       0.46 %     (8,728 )

SandRidge Energy, Inc.

    4,362       0.35 %     (10,024 )

Total Energy

    (24,065 )
                         

Basic Materials

NewMarket Corp.

    302       0.96 %     23,623  

Sylvamo Corp.

    1,288       0.37 %     (4,305 )

Total Basic Materials

    19,318  
                         

Government

Banco Latinoamericano de Comercio Exterior S.A. — Class E

    3,265       0.47 %     8,691  
                       

Total MS Long/Short Equity Long Custom Basket

  $ 1,306,437  
                 

MS LONG/SHORT EQUITY SHORT CUSTOM BASKET

                         

Utilities

Portland General Electric Co.

    3,790       (1.39 )%     1,164  

California Water Service Group

    3,068       (1.34 )%     (3,204 )

Southwest Gas Holdings, Inc.

    2,629       (1.41 )%     (10,069 )

Eversource Energy

    2,634       (1.37 )%     (12,655 )

AES Corp.

    8,932       (1.45 )%     (12,713 )

UGI Corp.

    7,052       (1.47 )%     (13,589 )

PG&E Corp.

    9,173       (1.40 )%     (15,370 )

Total Utilities

    (66,436 )
                         

 

SEE NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.

THE GUGGENHEIM FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT | 33

 

 

CONSOLIDATED SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS (continued)

December 31, 2023

MULTI-HEDGE STRATEGIES FUND

 

 

 

 

Shares

   

Percentage
Notional
Amount

   

Value and
Unrealized
Appreciation
(Depreciation)

 

Consumer, Non-cyclical

TreeHouse Foods, Inc.

    3,328       (1.17 )%   $ 13,993  

Avis Budget Group, Inc.

    339       (0.51 )%     6,008  

Grocery Outlet Holding Corp.

    1,999       (0.46 )%     4,534  

Clorox Co.

    799       (0.96 )%     1,022  

ICF International, Inc.

    381       (0.43 )%     370  

Booz Allen Hamilton Holding Corp.

    630       (0.68 )%     (4,522 )

RB Global, Inc.

    1,617       (0.91 )%     (4,839 )

Cintas Corp.

    204       (1.04 )%     (10,070 )

Insmed, Inc.

    2,755       (0.72 )%     (11,664 )

U-Haul Holding Co.

    886       (0.54 )%     (11,703 )

Utz Brands, Inc.

    7,227       (0.99 )%     (11,741 )

TransUnion

    1,403       (0.81 )%     (12,129 )

Neogen Corp.

    6,493       (1.10 )%     (15,864 )

Affirm Holdings, Inc.

    704       (0.29 )%     (17,131 )

Pilgrim’s Pride Corp.

    5,535       (1.29 )%     (19,891 )

Rollins, Inc.

    3,624       (1.34 )%     (21,629 )

Equifax, Inc.

    719       (1.50 )%     (34,605 )

Total Consumer, Non-cyclical

    (149,861 )
                         

Financial

Kennedy-Wilson Holdings, Inc.

    13,402       (1.40 )%     34,571  

Americold Realty Trust, Inc.

    4,825       (1.23 )%     14,097  

New York Mortgage Trust, Inc.

    11,624       (0.84 )%     5,977  

Ellington Financial, Inc.

    7,790       (0.84 )%     1,899  

COPT Defense Properties

    1,268       (0.27 )%     (135 )

UMH Properties, Inc.

    6,217       (0.80 )%     (2,300 )

Veris Residential, Inc.

    4,142       (0.55 )%   (2,370 )

Digital Realty Trust, Inc.

    823       (0.94 )%     (2,506 )

Invitation Homes, Inc.

    1,815       (0.52 )%     (3,762 )

Equinix, Inc.

    166       (1.13 )%     (3,986 )

Rexford Industrial Realty, Inc.

    2,155       (1.02 )%     (5,668 )

Alexander & Baldwin, Inc.

    5,192       (0.83 )%     (5,880 )

Rayonier, Inc.

    2,730       (0.77 )%     (5,931 )

Raymond James Financial, Inc.

    1,018       (0.96 )%     (7,034 )

Apartment Investment and Management Co. — Class A

    11,510       (0.76 )%     (7,114 )

PotlatchDeltic Corp.

    2,384       (0.99 )%     (7,355 )

Ventas, Inc.

    1,175       (0.49 )%     (8,698 )

Welltower, Inc.

    1,559       (1.19 )%     (10,061 )

Sun Communities, Inc.

    1,058       (1.19 )%     (11,881 )

Jones Lang LaSalle, Inc.

    776       (1.24 )%     (12,470 )

TFS Financial Corp.

    11,658       (1.45 )%     (13,151 )

Brighthouse Financial, Inc.

    3,013       (1.35 )%     (13,447 )

Air Lease Corp. — Class A

    2,287       (0.81 )%     (13,979 )

BOK Financial Corp.

    2,111       (1.53 )%     (15,649 )

Carlyle Group, Inc.

    2,987       (1.03 )%     (15,782 )

American Tower Corp. — Class A

    469       (0.86 )%     (16,209 )

Citigroup, Inc.

    2,599       (1.13 )%     (18,703 )

 

34 | THE GUGGENHEIM FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT

SEE NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.

 

 

CONSOLIDATED SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS (continued)

December 31, 2023

MULTI-HEDGE STRATEGIES FUND

 

 

 

 

Shares

   

Percentage
Notional
Amount

   

Value and
Unrealized
Appreciation
(Depreciation)

 

Marcus & Millichap, Inc.

    3,029       (1.12 )%   $ (23,974 )

PennyMac Financial Services, Inc.

    1,683       (1.26 )%     (27,938 )

Howard Hughes Holdings, Inc.

    1,847       (1.33 )%     (30,619 )

Popular, Inc.

    2,087       (1.45 )%     (31,374 )

CBRE Group, Inc. — Class A

    1,966       (1.55 )%     (42,230 )

KKR & Company, Inc. — Class A

    2,137       (1.50 )%     (42,824 )

Total Financial

    (346,486 )
                         

Basic Materials

Piedmont Lithium, Inc.

    3,627       (0.86 )%     28,606  

Novagold Resources, Inc.

    21,388       (0.68 )%     5,938  

Kaiser Aluminum Corp.

    1,360       (0.82 )%     5,146  

Compass Minerals International, Inc.

    2,027       (0.43 )%     (1,383 )

Tronox Holdings plc — Class A

    4,591       (0.55 )%     (3,684 )

ATI, Inc.

    1,284       (0.49 )%     (4,095 )

Schnitzer Steel Industries, Inc. — Class A

    1,765       (0.45 )%     (6,597 )

Hecla Mining Co.

    16,222       (0.66 )%     (6,969 )

Linde plc

    394       (1.37 )%     (8,270 )

Carpenter Technology Corp.

    1,051       (0.63 )%     (8,459 )

Element Solutions, Inc.

    4,944       (0.97 )%     (10,845 )

Celanese Corp. — Class A

    915       (1.20 )%     (12,475 )

Chemours Co.

    3,013       (0.80 )%     (16,404 )

Ecolab, Inc.

    684       (1.15 )%     (18,922 )

Stepan Co.

    1,876       (1.50 )%     (35,710 )

Century Aluminum Co.

    10,889       (1.12 )%   (53,964 )

Total Basic Materials

    (148,087 )
                         

Consumer, Cyclical

Life Time Group Holdings, Inc.

    3,890       (0.50 )%     4,375  

Topgolf Callaway Brands Corp.

    9,100       (1.10 )%     1,476  

Tesla, Inc.

    137       (0.29 )%     1,348  

Allegiant Travel Co. — Class A

    653       (0.46 )%     (5,935 )

Walgreens Boots Alliance, Inc.

    5,406       (1.19 )%     (10,552 )

Floor & Decor Holdings, Inc. — Class A

    843       (0.79 )%     (11,151 )

Lithia Motors, Inc. — Class A

    257       (0.71 )%     (11,621 )

Shake Shack, Inc. — Class A

    1,312       (0.82 )%     (12,387 )

CarMax, Inc.

    1,792       (1.16 )%     (21,002 )

Total Consumer, Cyclical

    (65,449 )
                         

Energy

Valaris Ltd.

    2,052       (1.19 )%     6,815  

Noble Corporation plc

    1,232       (0.50 )%     5,437  

NOV, Inc.

    4,129       (0.71 )%     3,620  

TechnipFMC plc

    5,619       (0.96 )%     (2,228 )

Dril-Quip, Inc.

    2,509       (0.49 )%     (2,256 )

Sitio Royalties Corp. — Class A

    2,202       (0.44 )%     (3,199 )

Archrock, Inc.

    7,001       (0.91 )%     (18,001 )

Total Energy

    (9,812 )
                         

Industrial

Knight-Swift Transportation Holdings, Inc.

    1,175       (0.57 )%     (860 )

 

SEE NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.

THE GUGGENHEIM FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT | 35

 

 

CONSOLIDATED SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS (continued)

December 31, 2023

MULTI-HEDGE STRATEGIES FUND

 

 

 

 

Shares

   

Percentage
Notional
Amount

   

Value and
Unrealized
Appreciation
(Depreciation)

 

Werner Enterprises, Inc.

    1,426       (0.51 )%   $ (1,866 )

RXO, Inc.

    3,739       (0.73 )%     (5,008 )

Stericycle, Inc.

    1,204       (0.50 )%     (5,540 )

GATX Corp.

    981       (1.00 )%     (7,058 )

Vulcan Materials Co.

    573       (1.10 )%     (10,416 )

Casella Waste Systems, Inc. — Class A

    1,853       (1.34 )%     (13,020 )

Trinity Industries, Inc.

    5,902       (1.33 )%     (19,135 )

Boeing Co.

    531       (1.17 )%     (36,172 )

Total Industrial

    (99,075 )
                         

Technology

Paycor HCM, Inc.

    6,080       (1.11 )%     10,150  

KBR, Inc.

    1,604       (0.75 )%     9,800  

Ceridian HCM Holding, Inc.

    1,806       (1.02 )%     9,647  

Parsons Corp.

    1,555       (0.82 )%     (11,753 )

Evolent Health, Inc. — Class A

    3,587       (1.00 )%     (16,866 )

HashiCorp, Inc. — Class A

    4,600       (0.92 )%     (20,796 )

Braze, Inc. — Class A

    2,286       (1.03 )%     (22,674 )

Total Technology

    (42,492 )
                         

Communications

DoorDash, Inc. — Class A

    220       (0.18 )%     (2,283 )

Roku, Inc.

    204       (0.16 )%     (2,768 )

Total Communications

    (5,051 )

Total MS Long/Short Equity Short Custom Basket

  $ (932,749 )
                 

GS LONG/SHORT EQUITY LONG CUSTOM BASKET

Industrial

Boise Cascade Co.

    1,398       1.08 %   $ 72,796  

Mueller Industries, Inc.

    2,633       0.75 %     39,618  

Snap-on, Inc.

    576       1.00 %     34,501  

Acuity Brands, Inc.

    875       1.08 %     32,895  

UFP Industries, Inc.

    729       0.55 %     30,149  

TD SYNNEX Corp.

    1,571       1.02 %     21,130  

Terex Corp.

    2,385       0.83 %     20,758  

Encore Wire Corp.

    397       0.51 %     18,225  

Apogee Enterprises, Inc.

    2,945       0.95 %     17,536  

Scorpio Tankers, Inc.

    1,335       0.49 %     17,254  

Owens Corning

    573       0.51 %     16,923  

Middleby Corp.

    1,166       1.03 %     15,835  

Donaldson Company, Inc.

    2,619       1.03 %     15,390  

Builders FirstSource, Inc.

    288       0.29 %     12,949  

Atkore, Inc.

    418       0.40 %     12,224  

Teekay Corp.

    14,758       0.64 %     12,120  

Teekay Tankers Ltd. — Class A

    1,181       0.36 %     11,304  

Argan, Inc.

    1,705       0.48 %     11,050  

Keysight Technologies, Inc.

    492       0.47 %     10,728  

International Seaways, Inc.

    3,013       0.83 %     9,772  

Carlisle Companies, Inc.

    417       0.78 %     9,246  

Ardmore Shipping Corp.

    4,949       0.42 %     9,067  

Griffon Corp.

    694       0.25 %     7,919  

 

36 | THE GUGGENHEIM FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT

SEE NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.

 

 

CONSOLIDATED SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS (continued)

December 31, 2023

MULTI-HEDGE STRATEGIES FUND

 

 

 

 

Shares

   

Percentage
Notional
Amount

   

Value and
Unrealized
Appreciation
(Depreciation)

 

EnerSys

    669       0.41 %   $ 6,353  

Huntington Ingalls Industries, Inc.

    263       0.41 %     5,140  

Insteel Industries, Inc.

    905       0.21 %     4,854  

Garmin Ltd.

    981       0.76 %     4,391  

Brady Corp. — Class A

    2,047       0.72 %     3,398  

AGCO Corp.

    855       0.63 %     3,000  

A O Smith Corp.

    483       0.24 %     2,620  

Vontier Corp.

    1,669       0.35 %     508  

Lindsay Corp.

    379       0.29 %     (2,323 )

Total Industrial

    487,330  
                         

Communications

InterDigital, Inc.

    1,587       1.04 %     41,892  

IDT Corp. — Class B

    3,066       0.63 %     31,427  

AT&T, Inc.

    8,371       0.85 %     14,991  

Yelp, Inc. — Class A

    3,561       1.02 %     12,861  

T-Mobile US, Inc.

    912       0.88 %     12,785  

Juniper Networks, Inc.

    5,025       0.89 %     11,454  

Verizon Communications, Inc.

    3,649       0.83 %     10,032  

Meta Platforms, Inc. — Class A

    229       0.49 %     9,270  

eBay, Inc.

    1,987       0.52 %     9,015  

Shutterstock, Inc.

    1,322       0.38 %     8,645  

Cargurus, Inc.

    1,469       0.21 %     3,271  

A10 Networks, Inc.

    2,536       0.20 %     3,102  

Cisco Systems, Inc.

    3,361       1.02 %     2,115  

TEGNA, Inc.

    8,020       0.74 %     531  

Gogo, Inc.

    4,759       0.29 %     (1,856 )

Ciena Corp.

    1,247       0.34 %     (2,284 )

VeriSign, Inc.

    707       0.88 %     (2,781 )

Spok Holdings, Inc.

    2,227       0.21 %     (2,947 )

Fox Corp. — Class A

    5,337       0.95 %   (5,747 )

Ooma, Inc.

    5,979       0.39 %     (7,041 )

Total Communications

    148,735  
                         

Financial

MGIC Investment Corp.

    9,039       1.05 %     43,154  

Ambac Financial Group, Inc.

    10,844       1.08 %     36,535  

Essent Group Ltd.

    3,263       1.04 %     27,317  

SouthState Corp.

    975       0.50 %     17,864  

International Bancshares Corp.

    1,705       0.56 %     16,870  

Walker & Dunlop, Inc.

    763       0.51 %     14,902  

Radian Group, Inc.

    5,954       1.02 %     14,573  

Preferred Bank/Los Angeles CA

    492       0.22 %     13,222  

Interactive Brokers Group, Inc. — Class A

    1,365       0.68 %     5,321  

Jackson Financial, Inc. — Class A

    1,769       0.55 %     4,998  

Affiliated Managers Group, Inc.

    284       0.26 %     3,989  

Enact Holdings, Inc.

    2,876       0.50 %     2,880  

Mr Cooper Group, Inc.

    1,088       0.43 %     2,282  

Equity Commonwealth

    8,410       0.97 %     122  

Total Financial

    204,029  
                         

Consumer, Non-cyclical

Perdoceo Education Corp.

    4,811       0.51 %     33,181  

Innoviva, Inc.

    8,024       0.78 %     31,953  

Exelixis, Inc.

    4,269       0.62 %     27,348  

Viatris, Inc.

    16,828       1.10 %     20,210  

 

SEE NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.

THE GUGGENHEIM FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT | 37

 

 

CONSOLIDATED SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS (continued)

December 31, 2023

MULTI-HEDGE STRATEGIES FUND

 

 

 

 

Shares

   

Percentage
Notional
Amount

   

Value and
Unrealized
Appreciation
(Depreciation)

 

Dynavax Technologies Corp.

    5,868       0.49 %   $ 11,803  

Premier, Inc. — Class A

    5,248       0.71 %     10,499  

Gilead Sciences, Inc.

    2,070       1.01 %     8,990  

Biogen, Inc.

    387       0.60 %     8,832  

Merck & Company, Inc.

    1,529       1.00 %     8,636  

Alarm.com Holdings, Inc.

    569       0.22 %     4,340  

Neurocrine Biosciences, Inc.

    276       0.22 %     4,256  

Molina Healthcare, Inc.

    150       0.33 %     4,022  

Centene Corp.

    643       0.29 %     3,555  

Ingredion, Inc.

    1,510       0.99 %     3,423  

Alkermes plc

    1,243       0.21 %     3,195  

Hologic, Inc.

    2,274       0.98 %     2,542  

Baxter International, Inc.

    1,232       0.29 %     2,209  

Thermo Fisher Scientific, Inc.

    65       0.21 %     2,192  

PayPal Holdings, Inc.

    900       0.33 %     1,586  

Supernus Pharmaceuticals, Inc.

    1,149       0.20 %     1,054  

Humana, Inc.

    109       0.30 %     (1,301 )

Cross Country Healthcare, Inc.

    1,966       0.27 %     (1,404 )

United Therapeutics Corp.

    449       0.59 %     (1,422 )

Johnson & Johnson

    1,009       0.95 %     (2,283 )

Halozyme Therapeutics, Inc.

    796       0.18 %   (2,490 )

Royalty Pharma plc — Class A

    2,904       0.49 %     (5,634 )

Organon & Co.

    2,738       0.24 %     (5,954 )

Incyte Corp.

    2,906       1.10 %     (7,109 )

Pfizer, Inc.

    5,435       0.94 %     (11,465 )

Bristol-Myers Squibb Co.

    3,176       0.98 %     (31,310 )

Total Consumer, Non-cyclical

    123,454  
                         

Consumer, Cyclical

Toll Brothers, Inc.

    1,837       1.14 %     56,122  

Meritage Homes Corp.

    948       0.99 %     44,756  

M/I Homes, Inc.

    894       0.74 %     43,264  

PulteGroup, Inc.

    1,558       0.97 %     38,643  

Allison Transmission Holdings, Inc.

    2,880       1.01 %     38,392  

DR Horton, Inc.

    1,085       0.99 %     35,854  

Brunswick Corp.

    1,660       0.97 %     33,413  

NVR, Inc.

    25       1.05 %     27,242  

KB Home

    1,575       0.59 %     21,961  

MSC Industrial Direct Company, Inc. — Class A

    1,646       1.00 %     21,385  

Lennar Corp. — Class A

    606       0.54 %     20,392  

Taylor Morrison Home Corp. — Class A

    1,686       0.54 %     18,222  

Standard Motor Products, Inc.

    2,848       0.68 %     11,265  

PACCAR, Inc.

    838       0.49 %     11,180  

Tri Pointe Homes, Inc.

    1,610       0.34 %     10,886  

Patrick Industries, Inc.

    462       0.28 %     6,523  

AutoNation, Inc.

    555       0.50 %     6,272  

 

38 | THE GUGGENHEIM FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT

SEE NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.

 

 

CONSOLIDATED SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS (continued)

December 31, 2023

MULTI-HEDGE STRATEGIES FUND

 

 

 

 

Shares

   

Percentage
Notional
Amount

   

Value and
Unrealized
Appreciation
(Depreciation)

 

Monarch Casino & Resort, Inc.

    1,827       0.76 %   $ 6,080  

Home Depot, Inc.

    100       0.21 %     5,442  

General Motors Co.

    2,038       0.44 %     5,426  

Ethan Allen Interiors, Inc.

    1,168       0.22 %     4,226  

Gentex Corp.

    2,181       0.43 %     3,627  

Golden Entertainment, Inc.

    1,032       0.25 %     2,714  

BorgWarner, Inc.

    1,350       0.29 %     1,906  

Malibu Boats, Inc. — Class A

    836       0.28 %     967  

Caleres, Inc.

    1,029       0.19 %     (759 )

Starbucks Corp.

    1,653       0.96 %     (2,872 )

MasterCraft Boat Holdings, Inc.

    2,097       0.29 %     (4,301 )

Polaris, Inc.

    1,254       0.72 %     (15,203 )

Total Consumer, Cyclical

    453,025  
                         

Technology

Photronics, Inc.

    3,088       0.58 %     33,971  

International Business Machines Corp.

    1,000       0.99 %     19,656  

QUALCOMM, Inc.

    1,249       1.09 %     18,957  

Skyworks Solutions, Inc.

    693       0.47 %     16,039  

Amdocs Ltd.

    1,890       1.00 %     12,007  

Dropbox, Inc. — Class A

    4,693       0.83 %     9,590  

Cirrus Logic, Inc.

    1,455       0.73 %     9,480  

Hewlett Packard Enterprise Co.

    5,358       0.55 %     7,571  

Bandwidth, Inc. — Class A

    2,781       0.24 %     7,524  

Microsoft Corp.

    270       0.61 %     7,193  

Amkor Technology, Inc.

    1,378       0.28 %     6,813  

Insight Enterprises, Inc.

    447       0.48 %   5,134  

Applied Materials, Inc.

    276       0.27 %     4,038  

Immersion Corp.

    13,431       0.57 %     2,646  

Genpact Ltd.

    3,350       0.70 %     (827 )

NetApp, Inc.

    498       0.26 %     (990 )

DXC Technology Co.

    1,359       0.19 %     (1,169 )

Veradigm, Inc.

    4,023       0.25 %     (8,491 )

Total Technology

    149,142  
                         

Utilities

Atmos Energy Corp.

    1,404       0.98 %     5,831  

Public Service Enterprise Group, Inc.

    2,521       0.93 %     5,352  

PPL Corp.

    6,060       0.99 %     3,609  

Xcel Energy, Inc.

    2,610       0.97 %     1,602  

National Fuel Gas Co.

    3,126       0.94 %     (10,982 )

Total Utilities

    5,412  
                         

Energy

Marathon Petroleum Corp.

    1,072       0.96 %     19,515  

Cheniere Energy, Inc.

    815       0.84 %     14,493  

Valero Energy Corp.

    1,280       1.00 %     13,763  

PBF Energy, Inc. — Class A

    1,727       0.46 %     5,077  

SolarEdge Technologies, Inc.

    379       0.21 %     3,253  

NOW, Inc.

    3,144       0.21 %     2,553  

EOG Resources, Inc.

    1,310       0.95 %     (2,796 )

CVR Energy, Inc.

    2,349       0.43 %     (3,049 )

 

SEE NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.

THE GUGGENHEIM FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT | 39

 

 

CONSOLIDATED SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS (continued)

December 31, 2023

MULTI-HEDGE STRATEGIES FUND

 

 

 

 

Shares

   

Percentage
Notional
Amount

   

Value and
Unrealized
Appreciation
(Depreciation)

 

Liberty Energy, Inc. — Class A

    4,103       0.45 %   $ (7,929 )

CNX Resources Corp.

    3,970       0.48 %     (8,976 )

SandRidge Energy, Inc.

    4,362       0.36 %     (9,990 )

Total Energy

    25,914  
                         

Basic Materials

NewMarket Corp.

    301       0.99 %     60,535  

Sylvamo Corp.

    1,288       0.38 %     (3,843 )

Total Basic Materials

    56,692  
                         

Government

Banco Latinoamericano de Comercio Exterior S.A. — Class E

    3,265       0.49 %     8,586  
                       

Total GS Long/Short Equity Long Custom Basket

  $ 1,662,319  
                 

GS LONG/SHORT EQUITY SHORT CUSTOM BASKET

                         

Utilities

AES Corp.

    8,932       (1.41 )%   $ 12,192  

Portland General Electric Co.

    3,790       (1.39 )%     11,442  

California Water Service Group

    3,068       (1.34 )%     (3,296 )

PG&E Corp.

    9,173       (1.40 )%     (6,545 )

Southwest Gas Holdings, Inc.

    2,629       (1.41 )%     (10,264 )

Eversource Energy

    2,634       (1.37 )%     (13,148 )

UGI Corp.

    7,052       (1.47 )%     (14,464 )

Total Utilities

    (24,083 )
                         

Consumer, Non-cyclical

TreeHouse Foods, Inc.

    3,328       (1.17 )%     18,546  

Avis Budget Group, Inc.

    339       (0.51 )%     6,217  

Grocery Outlet Holding Corp.

    1,999       (0.46 )%   4,648  

Clorox Co.

    799       (0.96 )%     921  

Booz Allen Hamilton Holding Corp.

    630       (0.68 )%     (4,645 )

Utz Brands, Inc.

    7,227       (0.99 )%     (6,164 )

RB Global, Inc.

    1,617       (0.91 )%     (6,184 )

ICF International, Inc.

    381       (0.43 )%     (6,220 )

Cintas Corp.

    204       (1.04 )%     (9,991 )

U-Haul Holding Co.

    886       (0.54 )%     (11,683 )

Insmed, Inc.

    2,755       (0.72 )%     (11,727 )

TransUnion

    1,403       (0.81 )%     (12,187 )

Neogen Corp.

    6,493       (1.10 )%     (16,320 )

Affirm Holdings, Inc.

    704       (0.29 )%     (17,163 )

Pilgrim’s Pride Corp.

    5,535       (1.29 )%     (19,946 )

Rollins, Inc.

    3,624       (1.34 )%     (21,372 )

Equifax, Inc.

    719       (1.50 )%     (34,193 )

Total Consumer, Non-cyclical

    (147,463 )
                         

Financial

Kennedy-Wilson Holdings, Inc.

    13,402       (1.40 )%     49,692  

Sun Communities, Inc.

    1,058       (1.19 )%     33,608  

American Tower Corp. — Class A

    469       (0.86 )%     11,162  

Americold Realty Trust, Inc.

    4,825       (1.23 )%     10,760  

Rexford Industrial Realty, Inc.

    2,155       (1.02 )%     10,551  

New York Mortgage Trust, Inc.

    11,624       (0.84 )%     5,846  

Raymond James Financial, Inc.

    1,018       (0.96 )%     3,789  

 

40 | THE GUGGENHEIM FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT

SEE NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.

 

 

CONSOLIDATED SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS (continued)

December 31, 2023

MULTI-HEDGE STRATEGIES FUND

 

 

 

 

Shares

   

Percentage
Notional
Amount

   

Value and
Unrealized
Appreciation
(Depreciation)

 

UMH Properties, Inc.

    6,217       (0.80 )%   $ 2,753  

Ellington Financial, Inc.

    7,790       (0.84 )%     1,891  

COPT Defense Properties

    1,268       (0.27 )%     (114 )

Alexander & Baldwin, Inc.

    5,192       (0.83 )%     (1,795 )

Veris Residential, Inc.

    4,142       (0.55 )%     (2,520 )

Equinix, Inc.

    166       (1.13 )%     (3,137 )

Invitation Homes, Inc.

    1,815       (0.52 )%     (3,749 )

Rayonier, Inc.

    2,730       (0.77 )%     (6,110 )

Apartment Investment and Management Co. — Class A

    11,510       (0.76 )%     (7,232 )

Digital Realty Trust, Inc.

    823       (0.94 )%     (7,366 )

PotlatchDeltic Corp.

    2,384       (0.99 )%     (7,391 )

Ventas, Inc.

    1,175       (0.49 )%     (8,930 )

Brighthouse Financial, Inc.

    3,013       (1.35 )%     (11,980 )

Air Lease Corp. — Class A

    2,287       (0.81 )%     (13,994 )

BOK Financial Corp.

    2,111       (1.53 )%     (15,704 )

Welltower, Inc.

    1,559       (1.19 )%     (15,867 )

Carlyle Group, Inc.

    2,987       (1.03 )%     (16,175 )

Citigroup, Inc.

    2,599       (1.13 )%     (18,723 )

TFS Financial Corp.

    11,658       (1.45 )%     (19,051 )

Marcus & Millichap, Inc.

    3,029       (1.12 )%     (24,075 )

Jones Lang LaSalle, Inc.

    776       (1.24 )%     (25,242 )

Howard Hughes Holdings, Inc.

    1,847       (1.33 )%     (30,492 )

Popular, Inc.

    2,087       (1.45 )%     (31,681 )

PennyMac Financial Services, Inc.

    1,683       (1.26 )%   (40,655 )

CBRE Group, Inc. — Class A

    1,966       (1.55 )%     (42,246 )

KKR & Company, Inc. — Class A

    2,137       (1.50 )%     (54,766 )

Total Financial

    (278,943 )
                         

Basic Materials

Piedmont Lithium, Inc.

    3,626       (0.86 )%     44,586  

Hecla Mining Co.

    16,222       (0.66 )%     14,883  

Kaiser Aluminum Corp.

    1,360       (0.82 )%     8,054  

Novagold Resources, Inc.

    21,388       (0.68 )%     7,850  

Compass Minerals International, Inc.

    2,027       (0.43 )%     (1,676 )

Tronox Holdings plc — Class A

    4,591       (0.55 )%     (3,888 )

ATI, Inc.

    1,284       (0.49 )%     (3,967 )

Schnitzer Steel Industries, Inc. — Class A

    1,765       (0.45 )%     (6,602 )

Linde plc

    394       (1.37 )%     (8,156 )

Element Solutions, Inc.

    4,944       (0.97 )%     (10,850 )

Celanese Corp. — Class A

    915       (1.20 )%     (12,576 )

Chemours Co.

    3,013       (0.80 )%     (16,339 )

Carpenter Technology Corp.

    1,051       (0.63 )%     (18,023 )

Ecolab, Inc.

    684       (1.15 )%     (19,014 )

Stepan Co.

    1,876       (1.50 )%     (35,707 )

Century Aluminum Co.

    10,889       (1.12 )%     (54,383 )

Total Basic Materials

    (115,808 )
                         

 

SEE NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.

THE GUGGENHEIM FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT | 41

 

 

CONSOLIDATED SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS (continued)

December 31, 2023

MULTI-HEDGE STRATEGIES FUND

 

 

 

 

Shares

   

Percentage
Notional
Amount

   

Value and
Unrealized
Appreciation
(Depreciation)

 

Consumer, Cyclical

Life Time Group Holdings, Inc.

    3,889       (0.50 )%   $ 4,233  

Topgolf Callaway Brands Corp.

    9,100       (1.10 )%     963  

Walgreens Boots Alliance, Inc.

    5,406       (1.19 )%     816  

Tesla, Inc.

    137       (0.29 )%     (1,577 )

Allegiant Travel Co. — Class A

    653       (0.46 )%     (6,183 )

Floor & Decor Holdings, Inc. — Class A

    843       (0.79 )%     (10,522 )

Lithia Motors, Inc. — Class A

    257       (0.71 )%     (11,599 )

Shake Shack, Inc. — Class A

    1,312       (0.82 )%     (13,253 )

CarMax, Inc.

    1,792       (1.16 )%     (21,130 )

Total Consumer, Cyclical

    (58,252 )
                         

Energy

NOV, Inc.

    4,129       (0.71 )%     8,904  

Noble Corporation plc

    1,232       (0.50 )%     1,357  

Valaris Ltd.

    2,052       (1.19 )%     (1,134 )

Dril-Quip, Inc.

    2,509       (0.49 )%     (2,248 )

Sitio Royalties Corp. — Class A

    2,202       (0.44 )%     (3,365 )

TechnipFMC plc

    5,619       (0.96 )%     (3,680 )

Archrock, Inc.

    7,001       (0.91 )%     (18,184 )

Total Energy

    (18,350 )
                         

Industrial

Knight-Swift Transportation Holdings, Inc.

    1,175       (0.57 )%     (889 )

Werner Enterprises, Inc.

    1,426       (0.51 )%     (1,820 )

RXO, Inc.

    3,739       (0.73 )%     (5,376 )

Stericycle, Inc.

    1,204       (0.50 )%     (5,714 )

GATX Corp.

    981       (1.00 )%   (7,202 )

Casella Waste Systems, Inc. — Class A

    1,853       (1.34 )%     (7,361 )

Vulcan Materials Co.

    573       (1.10 )%     (10,202 )

Trinity Industries, Inc.

    5,902       (1.33 )%     (18,982 )

Boeing Co.

    531       (1.17 )%     (36,098 )

Total Industrial

    (93,644 )
                         

Technology

KBR, Inc.

    1,604       (0.75 )%     9,462  

Paycor HCM, Inc.

    6,080       (1.11 )%     6,824  

Ceridian HCM Holding, Inc.

    1,806       (1.02 )%     (2,827 )

Parsons Corp.

    1,555       (0.82 )%     (11,743 )

Evolent Health, Inc. — Class A

    3,587       (1.00 )%     (16,853 )

HashiCorp, Inc. — Class A

    4,600       (0.92 )%     (21,222 )

Braze, Inc. — Class A

    2,286       (1.03 )%     (22,603 )

Total Technology

    (58,962 )
                         

Communications

DoorDash, Inc. — Class A

    220       (0.18 )%     (2,264 )

Roku, Inc.

    204       (0.16 )%     (2,811 )

Total Communications

    (5,075 )

Total GS Long/Short Equity Short Custom Basket

  $ (800,580 )
 

MS EQUITY MARKET NEUTRAL LONG CUSTOM BASKET

Financial

Ryman Hospitality Properties, Inc.

    11,130       6.59 %   $ 283,033  

Boston Properties, Inc.

    16,763       6.33 %     218,575  

Extra Space Storage, Inc.

    4,469       3.85 %     155,580  

 

42 | THE GUGGENHEIM FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT

SEE NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.

 

 

CONSOLIDATED SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS (continued)

December 31, 2023

MULTI-HEDGE STRATEGIES FUND

 

 

 

 

Shares

   

Percentage
Notional
Amount

   

Value and
Unrealized
Appreciation
(Depreciation)

 

Simon Property Group, Inc.

    4,975       3.82 %   $ 148,321  

Host Hotels & Resorts, Inc.

    40,453       4.24 %     137,323  

Ventas, Inc.

    19,116       5.13 %     129,427  

Sun Communities, Inc.

    3,675       2.64 %     105,724  

Kimco Realty Corp.

    23,108       2.65 %     101,485  

Alexandria Real Estate Equities, Inc.

    6,859       4.68 %     98,206  

VICI Properties, Inc.

    27,368       4.69 %     96,691  

CareTrust REIT, Inc.

    36,302       4.37 %     81,175  

Brixmor Property Group, Inc.

    38,835       4.86 %     57,748  

Invitation Homes, Inc.

    40,940       7.51 %     56,431  

Rexford Industrial Realty, Inc.

    18,985       5.73 %     55,771  

Digital Realty Trust, Inc.

    3,326       2.41 %     55,692  

Americold Realty Trust, Inc.

    14,358       2.34 %     49,342  

InvenTrust Properties Corp.

    29,352       4.00 %     41,973  

Agree Realty Corp.

    14,140       4.79 %     34,806  

Gaming and Leisure Properties, Inc.

    17,135       4.55 %     34,674  

American Homes 4 Rent — Class A

    11,556       2.24 %     26,926  

Sabra Health Care REIT, Inc.

    56,458       4.33 %     22,809  

Piedmont Office Realty Trust, Inc. — Class A

    14,484       0.55 %     16,225  

AvalonBay Communities, Inc.

    2,308       2.32 %   10,357  

Kite Realty Group Trust

    19,281       2.37 %     8,382  

Highwoods Properties, Inc.

    1,745       0.22 %     3,677  

Healthpeak Properties, Inc.

    26,217       2.79 %     (11,646 )

Total Financial

    2,018,707  

Total MS Equity Market Neutral Long Custom Basket

  $ 2,018,707  
                 

MS EQUITY MARKET NEUTRAL SHORT CUSTOM BASKET

                         

Financial

Mid-America Apartment Communities, Inc.

    4,047       (2.91 )%   $ 42,048  

Camden Property Trust

    5,516       (2.93 )%     22,583  

Omega Healthcare Investors, Inc.

    15,693       (2.57 )%     20,260  

LTC Properties, Inc.

    19,855       (3.41 )%     3,063  

Service Properties Trust

    36,247       (1.65 )%     (10,083 )

Apartment Income REIT Corp.

    17,056       (3.17 )%     (29,627 )

Cousins Properties, Inc.

    11,926       (1.55 )%     (30,228 )

Essex Property Trust, Inc.

    3,687       (4.89 )%     (36,639 )

Broadstone Net Lease, Inc.

    27,266       (2.51 )%     (37,052 )

Welltower, Inc.

    6,261       (3.02 )%     (44,345 )

Realty Income Corp.

    20,779       (6.38 )%     (46,834 )

 

SEE NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.

THE GUGGENHEIM FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT | 43

 

 

CONSOLIDATED SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS (continued)

December 31, 2023

MULTI-HEDGE STRATEGIES FUND

 

 

 

 

Shares

   

Percentage
Notional
Amount

   

Value and
Unrealized
Appreciation
(Depreciation)

 

National Health Investors, Inc.

    12,384       (3.70 )%   $ (52,485 )

EastGroup Properties, Inc.

    2,441       (2.39 )%     (64,550 )

Pebblebrook Hotel Trust

    39,765       (3.40 )%     (67,011 )

Douglas Emmett, Inc.

    75,292       (5.83 )%     (70,004 )

STAG Industrial, Inc.

    26,705       (5.60 )%     (73,772 )

Federal Realty Investment Trust

    11,769       (6.48 )%     (87,519 )

Phillips Edison & Company, Inc.

    38,941       (7.59 )%     (99,795 )

JBG SMITH Properties

    64,875       (5.90 )%     (108,756 )

Sunstone Hotel Investors, Inc.

    82,611       (4.74 )%     (137,438 )

CubeSmart

    13,360       (3.31 )%     (163,838 )

Macerich Co.

    49,607       (4.09 )%     (186,067 )

NNN REIT, Inc.

    25,838       (5.95 )%     (203,394 )

Total Financial

    (1,461,483 )
                         

Exchange Traded Funds

Vanguard Real Estate ETF

    12,797       (6.04 )%     (141,886 )

Total MS Equity Market Neutral Short Custom Basket

  $ (1,603,369 )
                 

GS EQUITY MARKET NEUTRAL LONG CUSTOM BASKET

Financial

Ryman Hospitality Properties, Inc.

    11,130       6.58 %   $ 385,853  

Boston Properties, Inc.

    16,763       6.33 %     221,090  

CareTrust REIT, Inc.

    36,302       4.37 %     173,790  

Ventas, Inc.

    19,116       5.12 %     168,874  

Extra Space Storage, Inc.

    4,469       3.85 %     155,979  

Simon Property Group, Inc.

    4,975       3.82 %   153,430  

Host Hotels & Resorts, Inc.

    40,453       4.24 %     137,567  

Gaming and Leisure Properties, Inc.

    17,135       4.55 %     112,827  

Brixmor Property Group, Inc.

    38,835       4.86 %     108,586  

Sun Communities, Inc.

    3,675       2.64 %     105,487  

Kimco Realty Corp.

    23,108       2.65 %     101,872  

VICI Properties, Inc.

    27,368       4.69 %     94,958  

InvenTrust Properties Corp.

    29,352       4.00 %     70,493  

Digital Realty Trust, Inc.

    3,326       2.41 %     55,899  

Rexford Industrial Realty, Inc.

    18,985       5.73 %     53,427  

Americold Realty Trust, Inc.

    14,358       2.34 %     51,538  

Invitation Homes, Inc.

    40,940       7.51 %     50,907  

Kite Realty Group Trust

    19,281       2.37 %     46,141  

AvalonBay Communities, Inc.

    2,308       2.32 %     36,554  

American Homes 4 Rent — Class A

    11,556       2.23 %     26,022  

Sabra Health Care REIT, Inc.

    56,458       4.33 %     20,644  

Highwoods Properties, Inc.

    5,820       0.72 %     12,214  

Piedmont Office Realty Trust, Inc. — Class A

    2,198       0.08 %     4,401  

 

44 | THE GUGGENHEIM FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT

SEE NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.

 

 

CONSOLIDATED SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS (continued)

December 31, 2023

MULTI-HEDGE STRATEGIES FUND

 

 

 

 

Shares

   

Percentage
Notional
Amount

   

Value and
Unrealized
Appreciation
(Depreciation)

 

Alexandria Real Estate Equities, Inc.

    6,859       4.68 %   $ (1,798 )

Agree Realty Corp.

    14,140       4.79 %     (2,845 )

Healthpeak Properties, Inc.

    26,217       2.79 %     (27,881 )

Total Financial

    2,316,029  

Total GS Equity Market Neutral Long Custom Basket

  $ 2,316,029  
                 

GS EQUITY MARKET NEUTRAL SHORT CUSTOM BASKET

                         

Financial

Douglas Emmett, Inc.

    75,292       (5.83 )%   $ 525,757  

Mid-America Apartment Communities, Inc.

    4,047       (2.91 )%     237,237  

Realty Income Corp.

    20,779       (6.38 )%     172,883  

Broadstone Net Lease, Inc.

    27,266       (2.51 )%     172,499  

Camden Property Trust

    5,516       (2.93 )%     168,103  

Apartment Income REIT Corp.

    17,056       (3.17 )%     107,093  

Essex Property Trust, Inc.

    3,687       (4.89 )%     82,144  

Service Properties Trust

    36,247       (1.65 )%     21,643  

LTC Properties, Inc.

    19,855       (3.41 )%     10,780  

JBG SMITH Properties

    64,875       (5.90 )%     (2,788 )

Cousins Properties, Inc.

    11,926       (1.55 )%     (30,198 )

Omega Healthcare Investors, Inc.

    15,693       (2.57 )%     (34,801 )

National Health Investors, Inc.

    12,384       (3.70 )%   (43,106 )

EastGroup Properties, Inc.

    2,441       (2.39 )%     (65,128 )

Federal Realty Investment Trust

    11,769       (6.48 )%     (67,600 )

Pebblebrook Hotel Trust

    39,765       (3.40 )%     (74,962 )

Sunstone Hotel Investors, Inc.

    82,611       (4.74 )%     (85,014 )

STAG Industrial, Inc.

    26,705       (5.60 )%     (97,212 )

Phillips Edison & Company, Inc.

    38,941       (7.59 )%     (122,882 )

Welltower, Inc.

    6,261       (3.02 )%     (135,898 )

CubeSmart

    13,360       (3.31 )%     (163,665 )

NNN REIT, Inc.

    25,838       (5.95 )%     (203,636 )

Macerich Co.

    49,607       (4.09 )%     (204,038 )

Total Financial

    167,211  
                         

Exchange Traded Funds

Vanguard Real Estate ETF

    12,797       (6.04 )%     (6,887 )

Total GS Equity Market Neutral Short Custom Basket

  $ 160,324  

 

 

SEE NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.

THE GUGGENHEIM FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT | 45

 

 

CONSOLIDATED SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS (continued)

December 31, 2023

MULTI-HEDGE STRATEGIES FUND

 

 

*

Non-income producing security.

**

Includes cumulative appreciation (depreciation). Variation margin is reported within the Consolidated Statement of Assets and Liabilities.

Value determined based on Level 1 inputs, unless otherwise noted — See Note 4.

††

Value determined based on Level 2 inputs — See Note 4.

†††

Value determined based on Level 3 inputs — See Note 4.

1

All or a portion of this security is pledged as short security collateral at December 31, 2023.

2

All or a portion of this security is on loan at December 31, 2023 — See Note 7.

3

Affiliated issuer.

4

Rate indicated is the effective yield at the time of purchase.

5

All or a portion of this security is pledged as futures collateral at December 31, 2023.

6

Repurchase Agreements — See Note 6.

7

Securities lending collateral — See Note 7.

8

Rate indicated is the 7-day yield as of December 31, 2023.

 

ADR — American Depositary Receipt

 

GS — Goldman Sachs International

 

MS — Morgan Stanley Capital Services LLC

 

plc — Public Limited Company

 

REIT — Real Estate Investment Trust

   
 

See Sector Classification in Other Information section.

 

46 | THE GUGGENHEIM FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT

SEE NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.

 

 

CONSOLIDATED SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS (continued)

December 31, 2023

MULTI-HEDGE STRATEGIES FUND

 

 

The following table summarizes the inputs used to value the Fund’s investments at December 31, 2023 (See Note 4 in the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements):

 

Investments in Securities (Assets)

 

Level 1
Quoted
Prices

   

Level 2
Significant
Observable
Inputs

   

Level 3
Significant
Unobservable
Inputs

   

Total

 

Common Stocks

  $ 33,089,515     $     $     $ 33,089,515  

Rights

                *      

Mutual Funds

    13,689,314                   13,689,314  

Closed-End Mutual Funds

    5,820,485                   5,820,485  

U.S. Treasury Bills

          16,741,161             16,741,161  

Repurchase Agreements

          11,698,403             11,698,403  

Securities Lending Collateral

    758,963                   758,963  

Commodity Futures Contracts**

    1,044,770                   1,044,770  

Interest Rate Futures Contracts**

    222,062       223,083             445,145  

Currency Futures Contracts**

    328,977                   328,977  

Equity Futures Contracts**

    236,022       7,206             243,228  

Equity Custom Basket Swap Agreements**

          7,463,816             7,463,816  

Total Assets

  $ 55,190,108     $ 36,133,669     $     $ 91,323,777  

 

Investments in Securities (Liabilities)

 

Level 1
Quoted
Prices

   

Level 2
Significant
Observable
Inputs

   

Level 3
Significant
Unobservable
Inputs

   

Total

 

Common Stocks Sold Short

  $ 7,498,936     $     $     $ 7,498,936  

Exchange-Traded Funds Sold Short

    5,805,867                   5,805,867  

Commodity Futures Contracts**

    1,097,187                   1,097,187  

Currency Futures Contracts**

    645,026                   645,026  

Interest Rate Futures Contracts**

    1,867       364,558             366,425  

Equity Futures Contracts**

    25,362       44,047             69,409  

Equity Custom Basket Swap Agreements**

          3,336,698             3,336,698  

Total Liabilities

  $ 15,074,245     $ 3,745,303     $     $ 18,819,548  

 

*

Includes securities with a market value of $0.

**

This derivative is reported as unrealized appreciation/depreciation at period end.

 

SEE NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.

THE GUGGENHEIM FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT | 47

 

 

CONSOLIDATED SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS (concluded)

December 31, 2023

MULTI-HEDGE STRATEGIES FUND

 

 

Affiliated Transactions

 

Investments representing 5% or more of the outstanding voting shares of a company, or control of or by, or common control under Guggenheim Investments (“GI”), result in that company being considered an affiliated issuer, as defined in the 1940 Act.

 

The Fund may invest in certain of the underlying series of Guggenheim Strategy Funds Trust, including Guggenheim Strategy Fund II and Guggenheim Strategy Fund III (collectively, the “Short Term Investment Vehicles”), each of which are open-end management investment companies managed by GI. The Short Term Investment Vehicles, which launched on March 11, 2014, are offered as short term investment options only to mutual funds, trusts, and other accounts managed by GI and/or its affiliates, and are not available to the public. The Short Term Investment Vehicles pay no investment management fees. The Short Term Investment Vehicles’ annual report on Form N-CSR dated September 30, 2023 is available publicly or upon request. This information is available from the EDGAR database on the SEC’s website at https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/1601445/000182126823000217/gug86449-ncsr.htm. The Fund may invest in certain of the underlying series of Guggenheim Funds Trust, which are open-end management investment companies managed by GI, are available to the public and whose most recent annual report on Form N-CSR is available publicly or upon request.

 

Transactions during the year ended December 31, 2023, in which the company is an affiliated issuer, were as follows:

 

Security Name

 

Value
12/31/22

   

Additions

   

Reductions

   

Realized
Gain (Loss)

   

Change in
Unrealized
Appreciation
(Depreciation)

   

Value
12/31/23

   

Shares
12/31/23

   

Investment
Income

 

Mutual Funds

                                                               

Guggenheim Strategy Fund II

  $ 6,481,618     $     $     $     $ 124,025     $ 6,605,643       269,618     $ 353,403  

Guggenheim Strategy Fund III

    1,901,492                         38,725       1,940,217       79,031       102,398  

Guggenheim Ultra Short Duration Fund — Institutional Class

    6,501,817             (1,500,000 )     (14,281 )     155,918       5,143,454       522,178       350,768  
    $ 14,884,927     $     $ (1,500,000 )   $ (14,281 )   $ 318,668     $ 13,689,314             $ 806,569  

 

48 | THE GUGGENHEIM FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT

SEE NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.

 

 

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF ASSETS AND LIABILITIES

MULTI-HEDGE STRATEGIES FUND

 

December 31, 2023

 

Assets:

Investments in unaffiliated issuers, at value - including $737,108 of securities loaned (cost $54,989,767)

  $ 56,410,124  

Investments in affiliated issuers, at value (cost $13,872,533)

    13,689,314  

Repurchase agreements, at value (cost $11,698,403)

    11,698,403  

Cash

    13,342,153  

Segregated cash with broker

    1,308,372  

Unrealized appreciation on OTC swap agreements

    7,463,816  

Receivables:

Dividends

    102,417  

Fund shares sold

    32,665  

Securities sold

    24,174  

Interest

    5,205  

Securities lending income

    657  

Other assets

    39,018  

Total assets

    104,116,318  
         

Liabilities:

Securities sold short, at value (proceeds $12,471,382)

    13,304,803  

Unrealized depreciation on OTC swap agreements

    3,336,698  

Payable for:

Swap settlement

    911,328  

Return of securities lending collateral

    758,963  

Variation margin on futures contracts

    752,502  

Management fees

    84,089  

Fund shares redeemed

    26,872  

Distribution and service fees

    2,906  

Trustees’ fees*

    1,121  

Transfer agent fees

    411  

Miscellaneous

    12,592  

Total liabilities

    19,192,285  

Net assets

  $ 84,924,033  
         

Net assets consist of:

Paid in capital

  $ 93,689,298  

Total distributable earnings (loss)

    (8,765,265 )

Net assets

  $ 84,924,033  

Class A:

Net assets

  $ 3,448,481  

Capital shares outstanding

    130,322  

Net asset value per share

  $ 26.46  

Maximum offering price per share (Net asset value divided by 95.25%)

  $ 27.78  

Class C:

Net assets

  $ 896,868  

Capital shares outstanding

    37,372  

Net asset value per share

  $ 24.00  

Class P:

Net assets

  $ 6,060,069  

Capital shares outstanding

    228,058  

Net asset value per share

  $ 26.57  
         

Institutional Class:

Net assets

  $ 74,518,615  

Capital shares outstanding

    2,754,704  

Net asset value per share

  $ 27.05  

 

 

*

Relates to Trustees not deemed “interested persons” within the meaning of Section 2(a)(19) of the 1940 Act.

 

 

SEE NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.

THE GUGGENHEIM FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT | 49

 

 

 

 

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS

MULTI-HEDGE STRATEGIES FUND

 

 

Year Ended December 31, 2023

 

Investment Income:

Dividends from securities of unaffiliated issuers (net of foreign withholding tax of $58)

  $ 629,138  

Dividends from securities of affiliated issuers

    806,569  

Interest

    1,883,664  

Income from securities lending, net

    8,547  

Interest related to securities sold short

    264,161  

Total investment income

    3,592,079  
         

Expenses:

Management fees

    1,121,461  

Distribution and service fees:

Class A

    8,972  

Class C

    7,554  

Class P

    17,764  

Short sales dividend expense

    370,127  

Miscellaneous

    13,728  

Total expenses

    1,539,606  

Less:

Expenses waived by Adviser

    (57,523 )

Net expenses

    1,482,083  

Net investment income

    2,109,996  
         

Net Realized and Unrealized Gain (Loss):

Net realized gain (loss) on:

Investments in unaffiliated issuers

  $ 1,142,530  

Investments in affiliated issuers

    (14,281 )

Investments in unaffiliated issuers sold short

    (649,067 )

Swap agreements

    2,254,386  

Futures contracts

    555,035  

Foreign currency transactions

    68  

Net realized gain

    3,288,671  

Net change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on:

Investments in unaffiliated issuers

    1,418,545  

Investments in affiliated issuers

    318,668  

Investments in unaffiliated issuers sold short

    (1,419,201 )

Swap agreements

    (1,392,568 )

Futures contracts

    (584,216 )

Foreign currency translations

    2,859  

Net change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation)

    (1,655,913 )

Net realized and unrealized gain

    1,632,758  

Net increase in net assets resulting from operations

  $ 3,742,754  

 

 

 

 

50 | THE GUGGENHEIM FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT

SEE NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.

 

 

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CHANGES IN NET ASSETS

MULTI-HEDGE STRATEGIES FUND

 

 

 

 

Year Ended
December 31,
2023

   

Year Ended
December 31,
2022

 

Increase (Decrease) in Net Assets from Operations:

               

Net investment income

  $ 2,109,996     $ 681,879  

Net realized gain (loss) on investments

    3,288,671       (7,160,468 )

Net change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on investments

    (1,655,913 )     2,245,877  

Net increase (decrease) in net assets resulting from operations

    3,742,754       (4,232,712 )
                 

Distributions to shareholders:

               

Class A

    (105,220 )     (64,618 )

Class C

    (31,420 )     (8,214 )

Class P

    (180,601 )     (146,350 )

Institutional Class

    (2,449,316 )     (2,026,121 )

Total distributions to shareholders

    (2,766,557 )     (2,245,303 )
                 

Capital share transactions:

               

Proceeds from sale of shares

               

Class A

    185,475       542,921  

Class C

    623,630       626,154  

Class P

    1,084,291       9,484,918  

Institutional Class

    20,117,754       100,372,725  

Distributions reinvested

               

Class A

    94,175       56,992  

Class C

    30,133       7,668  

Class P

    178,306       144,149  

Institutional Class

    2,440,879       2,026,121  

Cost of shares redeemed

               

Class A

    (788,304 )     (1,065,975 )

Class C

    (368,549 )     (463,253 )

Class P

    (4,427,076 )     (10,011,852 )

Institutional Class

    (58,269,766 )     (42,837,229 )

Net increase (decrease) from capital share transactions

    (39,099,052 )     58,883,339  

Net increase (decrease) in net assets

    (38,122,855 )     52,405,324  
                 

Net assets:

               

Beginning of year

    123,046,888       70,641,564  

End of year

  $ 84,924,033     $ 123,046,888  
                 

 

SEE NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.

THE GUGGENHEIM FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT | 51

 

 

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CHANGES IN NET ASSETS (concluded)

MULTI-HEDGE STRATEGIES FUND

 

 

 

 

Year Ended
December 31,
2023

   

Year Ended
December 31,
2022

 

Capital share activity:

               

Shares sold

               

Class A

    6,984       19,818  

Class C

    25,235       25,338  

Class P

    40,440       347,219  

Institutional Class

    733,922       3,596,742  

Shares issued from reinvestment of distributions

               

Class A

    3,515       2,178  

Class C

    1,240       321  

Class P

    6,628       5,487  

Institutional Class

    89,116       75,828  

Shares redeemed

               

Class A

    (29,852 )     (39,184 )

Class C

    (15,102 )     (18,974 )

Class P

    (165,826 )     (371,723 )

Institutional Class

    (2,164,138 )     (1,551,157 )

Net increase (decrease) in shares

    (1,467,838 )     2,091,893  

 

52 | THE GUGGENHEIM FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT

SEE NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.

 

 

CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS

MULTI-HEDGE STRATEGIES FUND

 

 

This table is presented to show selected data for a share outstanding throughout each period and to assist shareholders in evaluating a Fund’s performance for the periods presented.

 

Class A

 

Year
Ended
Dec. 31,
2023

   

Year
Ended
Dec. 31,
2022

   

Year
Ended
Dec. 31,
2021

   

Year
Ended
Dec. 31,
2020

   

Year
Ended
Dec. 31,
2019

 

Per Share Data

Net asset value, beginning of period

  $ 26.16     $ 27.52     $ 25.89     $ 24.36     $ 23.69  

Income (loss) from investment operations:

Net investment income (loss)a

    .54       .09       (.14 )     (.10 )     .16  

Net gain (loss) on investments (realized and unrealized)

    .59       (1.01 )     1.98       1.90       1.02  

Total from investment operations

    1.13       (.92 )     1.84       1.80       1.18  

Less distributions from:

Net investment income

    (.83 )     (.44 )     (.21 )     (.27 )     (.51 )

Total distributions

    (.83 )     (.44 )     (.21 )     (.27 )     (.51 )

Net asset value, end of period

  $ 26.46     $ 26.16     $ 27.52     $ 25.89     $ 24.36  

 

Total Returnb

    4.27 %     (3.47 %)     7.17 %     7.39 %     4.97 %

Ratios/Supplemental Data

Net assets, end of period (in thousands)

  $ 3,448     $ 3,915     $ 4,593     $ 4,019     $ 3,570  

Ratios to average net assets:

Net investment income (loss)

    2.04 %     0.32 %     (0.52 %)     (0.40 %)     0.64 %

Total expensesc

    1.85 %     1.80 %     2.18 %     1.93 %     1.96 %

Net expensesd,e

    1.79 %     1.76 %     2.11 %     1.87 %     1.93 %

Portfolio turnover rate

    197 %     203 %     205 %     248 %     156 %

 

SEE NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.

THE GUGGENHEIM FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT | 53

 

 

CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS (continued)

MULTI-HEDGE STRATEGIES FUND

 

 

This table is presented to show selected data for a share outstanding throughout each period and to assist shareholders in evaluating a Fund’s performance for the periods presented.

 

Class C

 

Year
Ended
Dec. 31,
2023

   

Year
Ended
Dec. 31,
2022

   

Year
Ended
Dec. 31,
2021

   

Year
Ended
Dec. 31,
2020

   

Year
Ended
Dec. 31,
2019

 

Per Share Data

Net asset value, beginning of period

  $ 23.90     $ 25.25     $ 23.75     $ 22.36     $ 21.46  

Income (loss) from investment operations:

Net investment income (loss)a

    .32       (.09 )     (.32 )     (.27 )     (.02 )

Net gain (loss) on investments (realized and unrealized)

    .53       (.94 )     1.82       1.75       .92  

Total from investment operations

    .85       (1.03 )     1.50       1.48       .90  

Less distributions from:

Net investment income

    (.75 )     (.32 )           (.09 )      

Total distributions

    (.75 )     (.32 )           (.09 )      

Net asset value, end of period

  $ 24.00     $ 23.90     $ 25.25     $ 23.75     $ 22.36  

 

Total Returnb

    3.46 %     (4.16 %)     6.32 %     6.57 %     4.19 %

Ratios/Supplemental Data

Net assets, end of period (in thousands)

  $ 897     $ 621     $ 488     $ 1,206     $ 1,435  

Ratios to average net assets:

Net investment income (loss)

    1.31 %     (0.35 %)     (1.26 %)     (1.18 %)     (0.08 %)

Total expensesc

    2.60 %     2.56 %     2.93 %     2.68 %     2.70 %

Net expensesd,e

    2.54 %     2.51 %     2.86 %     2.62 %     2.67 %

Portfolio turnover rate

    197 %     203 %     205 %     248 %     156 %

 

54 | THE GUGGENHEIM FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT

SEE NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.

 

 

CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS (continued)

MULTI-HEDGE STRATEGIES FUND

 

This table is presented to show selected data for a share outstanding throughout each period and to assist shareholders in evaluating a Fund’s performance for the periods presented.

 

Class P

 

Year
Ended
Dec. 31,
2023

   

Year
Ended
Dec. 31,
2022

   

Year
Ended
Dec. 31,
2021

   

Year
Ended
Dec. 31,
2020

   

Year
Ended
Dec. 31,
2019

 

Per Share Data

Net asset value, beginning of period

  $ 26.25     $ 27.61     $ 25.97     $ 24.42     $ 23.74  

Income (loss) from investment operations:

Net investment income (loss)a

    .54       .10       (.15 )     (.10 )     .16  

Net gain (loss) on investments (realized and unrealized)

    .60       (1.04 )     2.00       1.90       1.03  

Total from investment operations

    1.14       (.94 )     1.85       1.80       1.19  

Less distributions from:

Net investment income

    (.82 )     (.42 )     (.21 )     (.25 )     (.51 )

Total distributions

    (.82 )     (.42 )     (.21 )     (.25 )     (.51 )

Net asset value, end of period

  $ 26.57     $ 26.25     $ 27.61     $ 25.97     $ 24.42  

 

Total Return

    4.25 %     (3.44 %)     7.16 %     7.40 %     5.00 %

Ratios/Supplemental Data

Net assets, end of period (in thousands)

  $ 6,060     $ 9,105     $ 10,100     $ 7,676     $ 7,442  

Ratios to average net assets:

Net investment income (loss)

    2.02 %     0.38 %     (0.53 %)     (0.39 %)     0.65 %

Total expensesc

    1.85 %     1.80 %     2.18 %     1.93 %     1.96 %

Net expensesd,e

    1.79 %     1.76 %     2.12 %     1.87 %     1.93 %

Portfolio turnover rate

    197 %     203 %     205 %     248 %     156 %

 

SEE NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.

THE GUGGENHEIM FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT | 55

 

 

CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS (concluded)

MULTI-HEDGE STRATEGIES FUND

 

This table is presented to show selected data for a share outstanding throughout each period and to assist shareholders in evaluating a Fund’s performance for the periods presented.

 

Institutional Class

 

Year
Ended
Dec. 31,
2023

   

Year
Ended
Dec. 31,
2022

   

Year
Ended
Dec. 31,
2021

   

Year
Ended
Dec. 31,
2020

   

Year
Ended
Dec. 31,
2019

 

Per Share Data

Net asset value, beginning of period

  $ 26.71     $ 28.09     $ 26.41     $ 24.83     $ 24.12  

Income (loss) from investment operations:

Net investment income (loss)a

    .62       .18       (.08 )     (.04 )     .22  

Net gain (loss) on investments (realized and unrealized)

    .60       (1.06 )     2.03       1.94       1.05  

Total from investment operations

    1.22       (.88 )     1.95       1.90       1.27  

Less distributions from:

Net investment income

    (.88 )     (.50 )     (.27 )     (.32 )     (.56 )

Total distributions

    (.88 )     (.50 )     (.27 )     (.32 )     (.56 )

Net asset value, end of period

  $ 27.05     $ 26.71     $ 28.09     $ 26.41     $ 24.83  

 

Total Return

    4.51 %     (3.22 %)     7.43 %     7.70 %     5.26 %

Ratios/Supplemental Data

Net assets, end of period (in thousands)

  $ 74,519     $ 109,405     $ 55,461     $ 37,470     $ 24,854  

Ratios to average net assets:

Net investment income (loss)

    2.28 %     0.66 %     (0.27 %)     (0.15 %)     0.90 %

Total expensesc

    1.60 %     1.55 %     1.92 %     1.68 %     1.72 %

Net expensesd,e

    1.54 %     1.51 %     1.87 %     1.62 %     1.69 %

Portfolio turnover rate

    197 %     203 %     205 %     248 %     156 %

 

a

Net investment income (loss) per share was computed using average shares outstanding throughout the period.

b

Total return does not reflect the impact of any applicable sales charges.

c

Does not include expenses of the underlying funds in which the Fund invests.

d

Net expense information reflects the expense ratios after expense waivers and reimbursements, as applicable.

e

Excluding interest and/or dividend expense related to short sales, the net expense ratios for the years presented would be:

 

 

12/31/23

12/31/22

12/31/21

12/31/20

12/31/19

Class A

1.40%

1.40%

1.41%

1.37%

1.41%

Class C

2.14%

2.15%

2.16%

2.12%

2.16%

Class P

1.40%

1.40%

1.41%

1.37%

1.41%

Institutional Class

1.14%

1.15%

1.16%

1.12%

1.16%

 

56 | THE GUGGENHEIM FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT

SEE NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.

 

 

PERFORMANCE REPORT AND FUND PROFILE (Unaudited)

December 31, 2023

 

COMMODITIES STRATEGY FUND

 

OBJECTIVE: Seeks to provide investment results that correlate, before fees and expenses, to the performance of a benchmark for commodities. The Fund’s current benchmark is the S&P Goldman Sachs Commodity Index (“GSCI” or “Index”).

 

For the Reporting Period, Class H shares of the Commodities Strategy Fund returned -6.24%, underperforming the Fund’s benchmark, GSCI, which returned -4.27%.

 

What factors contributed or detracted from the Fund’s performance during the Reporting Period?

 

Supply and demand concerns affected a number of commodities throughout the year and the Index finished the year -4.27%. With the increase in interest rates and decline in the dollar throughout the year, Gold demand was high. Specific weather-related issues across the globe led to Cocoa, Coffee and Sugar supply concerns, resulting in increases in prices. Increased supply of Natural Gas, Nickel and Wheat resulted in sustained declines in prices in 2023.

 

Eleven of the twenty-four components of the GSCI Index had positive returns during the period. The best performing component was Cocoa with a return above 69%. Coffee, Sugar and Gold also saw strong performance for the year returning above 25%, 19% and 12% respectively. Natural Gas, Nickel and Wheat saw the strongest declines for the year, being down more than 62%, 44% and 26% respectively.

 

Two of the five GSCI Index sectors experienced positive performance during the period. Precious Metals and Livestock were the GSCI Index sectors with positive performance. Agriculture, Energy and Industrial Metals were the GSCI Index sectors with negative performance.

 

How did the Fund use derivatives during the Reporting Period?

 

Derivatives in the Fund are used to help provide exposure to the composition of the benchmark in the most efficient manner, as well as to provide liquidity. Derivatives are the primary way in which the Fund gains exposure to the GSCI Index, and therefore most of the Fund’s performance is due to derivatives.

 

The Fund may invest in certain of the underlying series of Guggenheim Funds Trust and Guggenheim Strategy Funds Trust, including Guggenheim Ultra Short Duration, Guggenheim Strategy Fund II and Guggenheim Strategy Fund III (collectively, the “Short Term Investment Vehicles”), each of which are open-end management investment companies managed by Guggenheim Investments. The Short Term Investment Vehicles, which launched on March 11, 2014, are offered as short term investment options only to mutual funds, trusts, and other accounts managed by Guggenheim Investments and/or its affiliates, and are not available to the public, with the exception of Guggenheim Ultra Short Duration Fund, which is available to the public. Guggenheim Strategy Fund II and Guggenheim Strategy Fund III do not charge an investment management fee. Guggenheim Ultra Short Duration Fund charges an investment

 

 

THE GUGGENHEIM FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT | 57

 

 

PERFORMANCE REPORT AND FUND PROFILE (Unaudited)(continued)

December 31, 2023

 

management fee, but the Fund’s adviser has agreed to waive fees to the extent necessary to offset the proportionate share of any management fee paid by the Fund with respect to its investment in such affiliated fund. For the Reporting Period, investment in the Short Term Investment Vehicles contributed to Fund performance.

 

Performance displayed represents past performance which is no guarantee of future results.

 

58 | THE GUGGENHEIM FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT

 

 

 

PERFORMANCE REPORT AND FUND PROFILE (Unaudited)(continued)

December 31, 2023

 

 

Consolidated Holdings Diversification (Market Exposure as % of Net Assets)

 

 

“Consolidated Holdings Diversification (Market Exposure as % of Net Assets)” excludes any temporary cash investments, investments in Guggenheim Strategy Funds Trust mutual funds, or investments in Guggenheim Ultra Short Duration Fund. Investments in those Funds do not provide “market exposure” to meet the Fund’s investment objective, but will significantly increase the portfolio’s exposure to certain other asset categories (and their associated risks), which may cause the Fund to deviate from its principal investment strategy, including: (i) high yield, high risk debt securities rated below the top four long-term rating categories by a nationally recognized statistical rating organization (also known as “junk bonds”); (ii) securities issued by the U.S. government or its agencies and instrumentalities; (iii) CLOs and similar investments; and (iv) other short-term fixed income securities.

 

 

THE GUGGENHEIM FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT | 59

 

 

PERFORMANCE REPORT AND FUND PROFILE (Unaudited)(continued)

December 31, 2023

 

Inception Dates:

Class A

May 25, 2005

Class C

May 25, 2005

Class H

May 25, 2005

 

Largest Holdings

% of Total Net Assets

Guggenheim Ultra Short Duration Fund — Institutional Class

32.1%

Guggenheim Strategy Fund II

31.9%

Total

64.0%

   

The Fund invests principally in derivative investments such as futures contracts.

 

“Largest Holdings” excludes any temporary cash or derivative investments.

 

Cumulative Fund Performance*

 

 

 

60 | THE GUGGENHEIM FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT

 

 

 

PERFORMANCE REPORT AND FUND PROFILE (Unaudited)(concluded)

December 31, 2023

 

Average Annual Returns*

Periods Ended December 31, 2023

 

 

1 Year

5 Year

10 Year

Class A Shares

(6.25%)

7.28%

(4.95%)

Class A Shares with sales charge

(10.70%)

6.24%

(5.41%)

Class C Shares

(6.96%)

6.49%

(5.66%)

Class C Shares with CDSC§

(7.81%)

6.49%

(5.66%)

Class H Shares

(6.24%)

7.29%

(4.96%)

S&P Goldman Sachs Commodity Index

(4.27%)

8.72%

(3.60%)

 

*

The performance data above represents past performance that is not predictive of future results. The investment return and principal value of an investment in the Fund will fluctuate so that an investor’s shares, when redeemed, may be worth more or less than their original cost. Returns are historical and include changes in principal and reinvested dividends and capital gains and do not reflect the effect of taxes. The S&P Goldman Sachs Commodity Index is an unmanaged index and, unlike the Fund, has no management fees or operating expenses to reduce its reported return. The graphs are based on Class A shares and Class H shares only; performance for Class C shares will vary due to differences in fee structures.

Fund returns are calculated using the maximum sales charge of 4.75%.

§

Fund returns include a CDSC of 1% if redeemed within 12 months of purchase.

 

 

THE GUGGENHEIM FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT | 61

 

 

CONSOLIDATED SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS

December 31, 2023

COMMODITIES STRATEGY FUND

 

 

 

 

Shares

   

Value

 

MUTUAL FUNDS - 64.0%

Guggenheim Ultra Short Duration Fund — Institutional Class1

    141,704     $ 1,395,784  

Guggenheim Strategy Fund II1

    56,518       1,384,699  

Total Mutual Funds

       

(Cost $2,822,291)

            2,780,483  
                 
   

Face
Amount

         

U.S. TREASURY BILLS†† - 4.6%

U.S. Treasury Bills

5.17% due 01/09/242,3

  $ 200,000       199,796  

Total U.S. Treasury Bills

       

(Cost $199,766)

            199,796  
                 

REPURCHASE AGREEMENTS††,4 - 27.3%

J.P. Morgan Securities LLC
issued 12/29/23 at 5.33%
due 01/02/24

    655,742     655,742  

BofA Securities, Inc.
issued 12/29/23 at 5.35%
due 01/02/24

    528,454       528,454  

Total Repurchase Agreements

       

(Cost $1,184,196)

            1,184,196  
                 

Total Investments - 95.9%

       

(Cost $4,206,253)

  $ 4,164,475  

Other Assets & Liabilities, net - 4.1%

    177,661  

Total Net Assets - 100.0%

  $ 4,342,136  

 

Futures Contracts

Description

 

Number of
Contracts

   

Expiration
Date

   

Notional
Amount

   

Value and
Unrealized
Appreciation**

 

Commodity Futures Contracts Purchased

Goldman Sachs Commodity Index Futures Contracts

    33       Jan 2024     $ 4,416,431     $ 85,691  

 

 

**

Includes cumulative appreciation (depreciation). Variation margin is reported within the Consolidated Statement of Assets and Liabilities.

Value determined based on Level 1 inputs — See Note 4.

††

Value determined based on Level 2 inputs — See Note 4.

1

Affiliated issuer.

2

All or a portion of this security is pledged as futures collateral at December 31, 2023.

3

Rate indicated is the effective yield at the time of purchase.

4

Repurchase Agreements — See Note 6.

   
 

See Sector Classification in Other Information section.

 

62 | THE GUGGENHEIM FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT

 

 

 

CONSOLIDATED SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS (concluded)

December 31, 2023

COMMODITIES STRATEGY FUND

 

 

The following table summarizes the inputs used to value the Fund’s investments at December 31, 2023 (See Note 4 in the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements):

 

Investments in Securities (Assets)

 

Level 1
Quoted
Prices

   

Level 2
Significant
Observable
Inputs

   

Level 3
Significant
Unobservable
Inputs

   

Total

 

Mutual Funds

  $ 2,780,483     $     $     $ 2,780,483  

U.S. Treasury Bills

          199,796             199,796  

Repurchase Agreements

          1,184,196             1,184,196  

Commodity Futures Contracts**

    85,691                   85,691  

Total Assets

  $ 2,866,174     $ 1,383,992     $     $ 4,250,166  

 

**

This derivative is reported as unrealized appreciation/depreciation at period end.

 

Affiliated Transactions

 

Investments representing 5% or more of the outstanding voting shares of a company, or control of or by, or common control under Guggenheim Investments (“GI”), result in that company being considered an affiliated issuer, as defined in the 1940 Act.

 

The Fund may invest in certain of the underlying series of Guggenheim Strategy Funds Trust, including Guggenheim Strategy Fund II and Guggenheim Strategy Fund III, (collectively, the “Short Term Investment Vehicles”), each of which are open-end management investment companies managed by GI. The Short Term Investment Vehicles, which launched on March 11, 2014, are offered as short term investment options only to mutual funds, trusts, and other accounts managed by GI and/or its affiliates, and are not available to the public. The Short Term Investment Vehicles pay no investment management fees. The Short Term Investment Vehicles’ annual report on Form N-CSR dated September 30, 2023, is available publicly or upon request. This information is available from the EDGAR database on the SEC’s website at https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/1601445/000182126823000217/gug86449-ncsr.htm. The Fund may invest in certain of the underlying series of Guggenheim Funds Trust, which are open-end management investment companies managed by GI, are available to the public and whose most recent annual report on Form N-CSR is available publicly or upon request.

 

Transactions during the year ended December 31, 2023, in which the company is an affiliated issuer, were as follows:

 

Security Name

 

Value
12/31/22

   

Additions

   

Reductions

   

Realized
Gain (Loss)

   

Change in
Unrealized
Appreciation
(Depreciation)

   

Value
12/31/23

   

Shares
12/31/23

   

Investment
Income

 

Mutual Funds

                                                               

Guggenheim Strategy Fund II

  $ 1,358,701     $     $     $     $ 25,998     $ 1,384,699       56,518     $ 74,082  

Guggenheim Ultra Short Duration Fund — Institutional Class

    1,366,026                         29,758       1,395,784       141,704       73,916  
    $ 2,724,727     $     $     $     $ 55,756     $ 2,780,483             $ 147,998  

 

SEE NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.

THE GUGGENHEIM FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT | 63

 

 

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF ASSETS AND LIABILITIES

COMMODITIES STRATEGY FUND

 

December 31, 2023

 

Assets:

Investments in unaffiliated issuers, at value (cost $199,766)

  $ 199,796  

Investments in affiliated issuers, at value (cost $2,822,291)

    2,780,483  

Repurchase agreements, at value (cost $1,184,196)

    1,184,196  

Segregated cash with broker

    296,316  

Receivables:

Fund shares sold

    21,719  

Dividends

    13,370  

Interest

    528  

Other assets

    2,025  

Total assets

    4,498,433  
         

Liabilities:

Payable for:

Fund shares redeemed

    105,910  

Variation margin on futures contracts

    27,431  

Management fees

    4,309  

Transfer agent fees

    3,594  

Distribution and service fees

    1,729  

Portfolio accounting and administration fees

    604  

Trustees’ fees*

    147  

Miscellaneous

    12,573  

Total liabilities

    156,297  

Net assets

  $ 4,342,136  
         

Net assets consist of:

Paid in capital

  $ 16,216,820  

Total distributable earnings (loss)

    (11,874,684 )

Net assets

  $ 4,342,136  

Class A:

Net assets

  $ 879,207  

Capital shares outstanding

    31,637  

Net asset value per share

  $ 27.79  

Maximum offering price per share (Net asset value divided by 95.25%)

  $ 29.18  

Class C:

Net assets

  $ 397,806  

Capital shares outstanding

    25,651  

Net asset value per share

  $ 15.51  

Class H:

Net assets

  $ 3,065,123  

Capital shares outstanding

    110,110  

Net asset value per share

  $ 27.84  

 

 

*

Relates to Trustees not deemed “interested persons” within the meaning of Section 2(a)(19) of the 1940 Act.

 

 

64 | THE GUGGENHEIM FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT

SEE NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.

 

 

 

 

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS

COMMODITIES STRATEGY FUND

 

 

Year Ended December 31, 2023

 

Investment Income:

Dividends from securities of affiliated issuers

  $ 147,998  

Interest

    360,311  

Total investment income

    508,309  
         

Expenses:

Management fees

    87,026  

Distribution and service fees:

Class A

    2,996  

Class C

    4,974  

Class H

    20,495  

Transfer agent fees

    20,880  

Professional fees

    19,015  

Portfolio accounting and administration fees

    15,088  

Trustees’ fees*

    2,132  

Custodian fees

    1,475  

Miscellaneous

    3,155  

Total expenses

    177,236  

Less:

Expenses reimbursed by Adviser

    (2,650 )

Expenses waived by Adviser

    (16,289 )

Total waived/reimbursed expenses

    (18,939 )

Net expenses

    158,297  

Net investment income

    350,012  
         

Net Realized and Unrealized Gain (Loss):

Net realized gain (loss) on:

Investments in unaffiliated issuers

  $ 300  

Futures contracts

    (1,563,045 )

Net realized loss

    (1,562,745 )

Net change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on:

Investments in unaffiliated issuers

    (789 )

Investments in affiliated issuers

    55,756  

Futures contracts

    (480,409 )

Net change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation)

    (425,442 )

Net realized and unrealized loss

    (1,988,187 )

Net decrease in net assets resulting from operations

  $ (1,638,175 )

 

 

*

Relates to Trustees not deemed “interested persons” within the meaning of Section 2(a)(19) of the 1940 Act.

 

 

SEE NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.

THE GUGGENHEIM FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT | 65

 

 

 

 

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CHANGES IN NET ASSETS

COMMODITIES STRATEGY FUND

 

 

 

 

 

Year Ended
December 31,
2023

   

Year Ended
December 31,
2022

 

Increase (Decrease) in Net Assets from Operations:

               

Net investment income (loss)

  $ 350,012     $ (173,595 )

Net realized gain (loss) on investments

    (1,562,745 )     5,399,664  

Net change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on investments

    (425,442 )     (356,811 )

Net increase (decrease) in net assets resulting from operations

    (1,638,175 )     4,869,258  
                 

Distributions to shareholders:

               

Class A

    (48,321 )     (219,005 )

Class C

    (32,801 )     (172,741 )

Class H

    (271,706 )     (1,133,847 )

Total distributions to shareholders

    (352,828 )     (1,525,593 )
                 

Capital share transactions:

               

Proceeds from sale of shares

               

Class A

    341,288       3,237,040  

Class C

    2,400       954,727  

Class H

    48,682,954       195,107,548  

Distributions reinvested

               

Class A

    47,800       214,121  

Class C

    32,644       151,621  

Class H

    260,601       1,092,822  

Cost of shares redeemed

               

Class A

    (832,530 )     (2,584,515 )

Class C

    (279,051 )     (423,915 )

Class H

    (51,446,971 )     (213,373,909 )

Net decrease from capital share transactions

    (3,190,865 )     (15,624,460 )

Net decrease in net assets

    (5,181,868 )     (12,280,795 )
                 

Net assets:

               

Beginning of year

    9,524,004       21,804,799  

End of year

  $ 4,342,136     $ 9,524,004  
                 

 

 

66 | THE GUGGENHEIM FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT

SEE NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.

 

 

 

 

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CHANGES IN NET ASSETS (concluded)

COMMODITIES STRATEGY FUND

 

 

 

 

 

Year Ended
December 31,
2023

   

Year Ended
December 31,
2022

 

Capital share activity:

               

Shares sold

               

Class A

    11,096       81,976  

Class C

    139       38,976  

Class H

    1,552,966       5,022,099  

Shares issued from reinvestment of distributions

               

Class A

    1,721       6,986  

Class C

    2,106       8,475  

Class H

    9,371       35,608  

Shares redeemed

               

Class A

    (28,201 )     (66,418 )

Class C

    (16,668 )     (16,898 )

Class H

    (1,687,528 )     (5,527,844 )

Net decrease in shares

    (154,998 )     (417,040 )

 

 

SEE NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.

THE GUGGENHEIM FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT | 67

 

 

 

 

CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS

COMMODITIES STRATEGY FUND

 

 

This table is presented to show selected data for a share outstanding throughout each period and to assist shareholders in evaluating a Fund’s performance for the periods presented.

 

Class A

 

Year
Ended
Dec. 31,
2023

   

Year
Ended
Dec. 31,
2022

   

Year
Ended
Dec. 31,
2021

   

Year
Ended
Dec. 31,
2020

   

Year
Ended
Dec. 31,
2019

 

Per Share Data

Net asset value, beginning of period

  $ 31.12     $ 29.59     $ 21.93     $ 61.06     $ 53.27  

Income (loss) from investment operations:

Net investment income (loss)a

    1.05       (.02 )     (.40 )     (.28 )     .36  

Net gain (loss) on investments (realized and unrealized)

    (3.00 )     6.89       8.94       (14.84 )     7.88  

Total from investment operations

    (1.95 )     6.87       8.54       (15.12 )     8.24  

Less distributions from:

Net investment income

    (1.38 )     (5.34 )     (.88 )     (24.01 )     (.45 )

Total distributions

    (1.38 )     (5.34 )     (.88 )     (24.01 )     (.45 )

Net asset value, end of period

  $ 27.79     $ 31.12     $ 29.59     $ 21.93     $ 61.06  

 

Total Returnb

    (6.25 %)     23.52 %     39.06 %     (23.58 %)     15.47 %

Ratios/Supplemental Data

Net assets, end of period (in thousands)

  $ 879     $ 1,463     $ 724     $ 211     $ 592  

Ratios to average net assets:

Net investment income (loss)

    3.52 %     (0.05 %)     (1.43 %)     (0.65 %)     0.60 %

Total expensesc

    1.75 %     1.74 %     1.78 %     1.79 %     1.88 %

Net expensesd

    1.56 %     1.60 %     1.63 %     1.61 %     1.73 %

Portfolio turnover rate

                      5 %      

 

68 | THE GUGGENHEIM FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT

SEE NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.

 

 

CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS (continued)

COMMODITIES STRATEGY FUND

 

This table is presented to show selected data for a share outstanding throughout each period and to assist shareholders in evaluating a Fund’s performance for the periods presented.

 

Class C

 

Year
Ended
Dec. 31,
2023

   

Year
Ended
Dec. 31,
2022

   

Year
Ended
Dec. 31,
2021

   

Year
Ended
Dec. 31,
2020

   

Year
Ended
Dec. 31,
2019

 

Per Share Data

Net asset value, beginning of period

  $ 18.16     $ 19.23     $ 14.59     $ 51.84     $ 45.63  

Income (loss) from investment operations:

Net investment income (loss)a

    .48       (.17 )     (.41 )     (.50 )     (.07 )

Net gain (loss) on investments (realized and unrealized)

    (1.75 )     4.44       5.93       (12.74 )     6.73  

Total from investment operations

    (1.27 )     4.27       5.52       (13.24 )     6.66  

Less distributions from:

Net investment income

    (1.38 )     (5.34 )     (.88 )     (24.01 )     (.45 )

Total distributions

    (1.38 )     (5.34 )     (.88 )     (24.01 )     (.45 )

Net asset value, end of period

  $ 15.51     $ 18.16     $ 19.23     $ 14.59     $ 51.84  

 

Total Returnb

    (6.96 %)     22.60 %     38.08 %     (24.15 %)     14.61 %

Ratios/Supplemental Data

Net assets, end of period (in thousands)

  $ 398     $ 728     $ 183     $ 55     $ 111  

Ratios to average net assets:

Net investment income (loss)

    2.75 %     (0.68 %)     (2.18 %)     (1.44 %)     (0.13 %)

Total expensesc

    2.50 %     2.49 %     2.53 %     2.54 %     2.63 %

Net expensesd

    2.30 %     2.35 %     2.38 %     2.36 %     2.48 %

Portfolio turnover rate

                      5 %      

 

SEE NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.

THE GUGGENHEIM FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT | 69

 

 

CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS (concluded)

COMMODITIES STRATEGY FUND

 

This table is presented to show selected data for a share outstanding throughout each period and to assist shareholders in evaluating a Fund’s performance for the periods presented.

 

Class H

 

Year
Ended
Dec. 31,
2023

   

Year
Ended
Dec. 31,
2022

   

Year
Ended
Dec. 31,
2021

   

Year
Ended
Dec. 31,
2020

   

Year
Ended
Dec. 31,
2019

 

Per Share Data

Net asset value, beginning of period

  $ 31.16     $ 29.62     $ 21.96     $ 61.10     $ 53.31  

Income (loss) from investment operations:

Net investment income (loss)a

    1.10       (.23 )     (.41 )     (.34 )     .35  

Net gain (loss) on investments (realized and unrealized)

    (3.04 )     7.11       8.95       (14.79 )     7.89  

Total from investment operations

    (1.94 )     6.88       8.54       (15.13 )     8.24  

Less distributions from:

Net investment income

    (1.38 )     (5.34 )     (.88 )     (24.01 )     (.45 )

Total distributions

    (1.38 )     (5.34 )     (.88 )     (24.01 )     (.45 )

Net asset value, end of period

  $ 27.84     $ 31.16     $ 29.62     $ 21.96     $ 61.10  

 

Total Return

    (6.24 %)     23.53 %     39.06 %     (23.58 %)     15.48 %

Ratios/Supplemental Data

Net assets, end of period (in thousands)

  $ 3,065     $ 7,333     $ 20,898     $ 855     $ 4,911  

Ratios to average net assets:

Net investment income (loss)

    3.59 %     (0.58 %)     (1.44 %)     (0.77 %)     0.59 %

Total expensesc

    1.75 %     1.75 %     1.77 %     1.78 %     1.89 %

Net expensesd

    1.56 %     1.61 %     1.63 %     1.61 %     1.74 %

Portfolio turnover rate

                      5 %      

 

 

a

Net investment income (loss) per share was computed using average shares outstanding throughout the period.

b

Total return does not reflect the impact of any applicable sales charges.

c

Does not include expenses of the underlying funds in which the Fund invests.

d

Net expense information reflects the expense ratios after expense waivers and reimbursements, as applicable.

 

70 | THE GUGGENHEIM FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT

SEE NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.

 

 

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

 

Note 1 – Organization, Consolidation of Subsidiaries and Significant Accounting Policies

 

Organization

 

The Rydex Series Funds (the “Trust”), a Delaware statutory trust, is registered with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) under the Investment Company Act of 1940 (the “1940 Act”), as an open-ended investment company of the series type. Each series, in effect, is representing a separate fund (each, a “Fund”). The Trust may issue an unlimited number of authorized shares. The Trust accounts for the assets of each Fund separately.

 

The Trust offers a combination of seven separate classes of shares: Investor Class shares, Class A shares, Class C shares, Class H shares, Class P shares, Institutional Class shares and Money Market Class shares. Sales of shares of each Class are made without a front-end sales charge at the net asset value per share (“NAV”), with the exception of Class A shares. Class A shares are sold at the NAV, plus the applicable front-end sales charge. The sales charge varies depending on the amount purchased, but will not exceed 4.75%. Class A share purchases of $1 million or more are exempt from the front-end sales charge but have a 1% contingent deferred sales charge (“CDSC”) if shares are redeemed within 12 months of purchase. Class C shares have a 1% CDSC if shares are redeemed within 12 months of purchase. Class C shares of each Fund automatically convert to Class A shares of the same Fund on or about the 10th day of the month following the 8-year anniversary of the purchase of the Class C shares. This conversion will be executed without any sales charge, fee or other charge. After the conversion is completed, the shares will be subject to all features and expenses of Class A shares. Institutional Class shares are offered primarily for direct investment by institutions such as pension and profit sharing plans, endowments, foundations and corporations. Institutional Class shares require a minimum initial investment of $2 million and a minimum account balance of $1 million. At December 31, 2023, the Trust consisted of fifty-two funds.

 

This report covers the following funds (collectively, the “Funds”):

 

Fund Name

 

Investment
Company Type

 

Multi-Hedge Strategies Fund

    Diversified  

Commodities Strategy Fund

    Non-diversified  

 

At December 31, 2023, Class A, Class C, Class P and Institutional Class shares have been issued by Multi-Hedge Strategies Fund and Class A, Class C and Class H shares have been issued by Commodities Strategy Fund.

 

The Commodities Strategy Fund is designed and operated to accommodate frequent trading by shareholders and, unlike most mutual funds, offers unlimited exchange privileges with no minimum holding periods or transactions fees, which may cause the Fund to experience high portfolio turnover.

 

 

THE GUGGENHEIM FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT | 71

 

 

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued)

 

Security Investors, LLC (the “Adviser”), which operates under the name Guggenheim Investments (“GI”), provides advisory services. Guggenheim Funds Distributors, LLC (“GFD”) serves as distributor of the Funds’ shares. GI and GFD are affiliated entities.

 

Consolidation of Subsidiaries

 

The consolidated financial statements of each Fund include the accounts of a wholly-owned and controlled Cayman Islands subsidiary (each, a “Subsidiary” and together, the “Subsidiaries”). Significant inter-company accounts and transactions have been eliminated in consolidation for the Funds.

 

Each Fund may invest up to 25% of its total assets in its Subsidiary, which acts as an investment vehicle in order to effect certain investments consistent with the Fund’s investment objective and policies.

 

A summary of each Fund’s investment in its respective Subsidiary is as follows:

 

Fund

 

Inception
Date of
Subsidiary

   

Subsidiary
Net Assets at
December 31, 2023

   

% of Net Assets
of the Fund at
December 31, 2023

 

Multi-Hedge Strategies Fund

    09/18/09     $ 3,444,688       4.06 %

Commodities Strategy Fund

    09/08/09       771,654       17.77 %

 

Significant Accounting Policies

 

The Funds operate as investment companies and, accordingly, follow the investment company accounting and reporting guidance of the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) Accounting Standards Codification Topic 946 Financial Services – Investment Companies.

 

The following significant accounting policies are in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (“U.S. GAAP”) and are consistently followed by the Trust. This requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amount of assets and liabilities, contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the consolidated financial statements, and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from these estimates. All time references are based on Eastern Time.

 

The NAV of each share class of each Fund is calculated by dividing the market value of the Fund’s securities and other assets, less all liabilities attributable to the share class by the number of outstanding shares of the share class on the specified date.

 

72 | THE GUGGENHEIM FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT

 

 

 

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued)

 

(a) Valuation of Investments

 

The Board of Trustees of the Trust (the “Board”) adopted policies and procedures for the valuation of the Funds’ investments (the “Fund Valuation Procedures”). The SEC adopted Rule 2a-5 under the 1940 Act (“Rule 2a-5”) which establishes requirements for determining fair value in good faith. Rule 2a-5 also defines “readily available market quotations” for purposes of the 1940 Act and establishes requirements for determining whether a fund must fair value a security in good faith.

 

Pursuant to Rule 2a-5, the Board has designated the Adviser as the valuation designee to perform fair valuation determinations for the Funds with respect to all Fund investments and other assets. As the Funds’ valuation designee pursuant to Rule 2a-5, the Adviser has adopted separate procedures (the “Valuation Designee Procedures” and collectively with the Fund Valuation Procedures, the “Valuation Procedures”) reasonably designed to prevent violations of the requirements of Rule 2a-5 and Rule 31a-4. The Adviser, in its role as valuation designee, utilizes the assistance of a valuation committee, consisting of representatives from Guggenheim’s investment management, fund administration, legal and compliance departments (the “Valuation Committee”), in determining the fair value of the Funds’ securities and other assets.

 

Valuations of the Funds’ securities and other assets are supplied primarily by pricing service providers appointed pursuant to the processes set forth in the Valuation Procedures. The Adviser, with the assistance of the Valuation Committee, convenes monthly, or more frequently as needed, to review the valuation of all assets which have been fair valued. The Adviser, consistent with the monitoring and review responsibilities set forth in the Valuation Procedures, regularly reviews the appropriateness of the inputs, methods, models and assumptions employed by the pricing service providers.

 

If a pricing service provider cannot or does not provide a valuation for a particular investment or such valuation is deemed unreliable, such investment is fair valued by the Adviser.

 

Equity securities listed or traded on a recognized U.S. securities exchange or the Nasdaq Stock Market (“NASDAQ”) will generally be valued on the basis of the last sale price on the primary U.S. exchange or market on which the security is listed or traded; provided, however, that securities listed on NASDAQ will be valued at the NASDAQ official closing price, which may not necessarily represent the last sale price.

 

Open-end investment companies are valued at their NAV as of the close of business, on the valuation date. Exchange-traded funds and closed-end investment companies are generally valued at the last quoted sale price.

 

U.S. Government securities are valued by pricing service providers, using the last traded fill price, or at the reported bid price at the close of business on the valuation date.

 

Repurchase agreements are generally valued at amortized cost, provided such amounts approximate market value.

 

 

THE GUGGENHEIM FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT | 73

 

 

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued)

 

Commercial paper and discount notes with a maturity of greater than 60 days at acquisition are valued at prices that reflect broker-dealer supplied valuations or are obtained from pricing service providers, which may consider the trade activity, treasury spreads, yields or price of bonds of comparable quality, coupon, maturity, and type, as well as prices quoted by dealers who make markets in such securities. Commercial paper and discount notes with a maturity of 60 days or less at acquisition are valued at amortized cost, unless the Adviser concludes that amortized cost does not represent the fair value of the applicable asset in which case it will be valued using a pricing service provider.

 

Futures contracts are valued on the basis of the last sale price as of 4:00 p.m. on the valuation date. In the event that the exchange for a specific futures contract closes earlier than 4:00 p.m., the futures contract is valued at the official settlement price of the exchange. However, the underlying securities from which the futures contract value is derived are monitored until 4:00 p.m. to determine if fair valuation of the underlying securities would provide a more accurate valuation of the futures contract.

 

Swap agreements entered into by a Fund are generally valued using an evaluated price provided by a pricing service provider.

 

Investments for which market quotations are not readily available are fair valued as determined in good faith by the Adviser. Valuations in accordance with these methods are intended to reflect each security’s (or asset’s or liability’s) “fair value”. Each such determination is based on a consideration of all relevant factors, which are likely to vary from one pricing context to another. Examples of such factors may include, but are not limited to market prices; sale prices; broker quotes; and models which derive prices based on inputs such as prices of securities with comparable maturities and characteristics, or based on inputs such as anticipated cash flows or collateral, spread over U.S. Treasury securities, and other information analysis. In connection with futures contracts and other derivative investments, such factors may include obtaining information as to how (a) these contracts and other derivative investments trade in the futures or other derivative markets, respectively, and (b) the securities underlying these contracts and other derivative investments trade in the cash market.

 

(b) U.S. Government and Agency Obligations

 

Certain U.S. Government and Agency Obligations are traded on a discount basis; the interest rates shown on the Funds’ Consolidated Schedules of Investments reflect the effective rates paid at the time of purchase by the Funds. Other securities bear interest at the rates shown, payable at fixed dates through maturity.

 

(c) Short Sales

 

When a Fund engages in a short sale of a security, an amount equal to the proceeds is reflected as an asset and an equivalent liability. The amount of the liability is subsequently marked-to-market to reflect the market value of the short sale.

 

74 | THE GUGGENHEIM FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT

 

 

 

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued)

 

Fees, if any, paid to brokers to borrow securities in connection with short sales are recorded as interest expense. In addition, the Fund must pay out the dividend rate of the equity or coupon rate of the obligation to the lender and record this as an expense. Short dividend or interest expense is a cost associated with the investment objective of short sales transactions, rather than an operational cost associated with the day-to-day management of any mutual fund. The Fund may also receive rebate income from the broker resulting from the investment of the proceeds from securities sold short.

 

(d) Futures Contracts

 

Upon entering into a futures contract, a Fund deposits and maintains as collateral such initial margin as required by the exchange on which the transaction is affected. Pursuant to the contract, the Fund agrees to receive from or pay to the broker an amount of cash equal to the daily fluctuation in value of the contract. Such receipts or payments are known as variation margin and are recorded by the Fund as unrealized appreciation or depreciation. When the contract is closed, the Fund records a realized gain or loss equal to the difference between the value of the contract at the time it was opened and the value at the time it was closed.

 

(e) Swap Agreements

 

Swap agreements are marked-to-market daily and the change, if any, is recorded as unrealized appreciation or depreciation. Payments received or made as a result of an agreement or termination of an agreement are recognized as realized gains or losses.

 

Upon entering into certain centrally-cleared swap transactions, a Fund is required to deposit with its clearing broker an amount of cash or securities as an initial margin. Subsequent variation margin receipts or payments are received or made by the Fund depending on fluctuations in the fair value of the reference entity and are recorded by the Fund as unrealized appreciation or depreciation. When the contract is closed, the Fund records a realized gain or loss equal to the difference between the value of the contract at the time it was opened and the value at the time it was closed.

 

(f) Currency Translations

 

The accounting records of the Funds are maintained in U.S. dollars. All assets and liabilities initially expressed in foreign currencies are converted into U.S. dollars at prevailing exchange rates. Purchases and sales of investment securities, dividend and interest income, and certain expenses are translated at the rates of exchange prevailing on the respective dates of such transactions. Changes in the relationship of these foreign currencies to the U.S. dollar can significantly affect the value of the investments and earnings of the Funds. Foreign investments may also subject the Funds to foreign government exchange restrictions, expropriation, taxation, or other political, social, geopolitical or economic developments, all of which could affect the market and/or credit risk of the investments.

 

 

THE GUGGENHEIM FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT | 75

 

 

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued)

 

The Funds do not isolate that portion of the results of operations resulting from changes in the foreign exchange rates on investments from the fluctuations arising from changes in the market prices of securities held. Such fluctuations are included with the net realized gain or loss and unrealized appreciation or depreciation on investments.

 

Reported net realized foreign exchange gains and losses arise from sales of foreign currencies and currency gains or losses realized between the trade and settlement dates on investment transactions. Net unrealized appreciation and depreciation arise from changes in the fair values of assets and liabilities other than investments in securities at the fiscal period end, resulting from changes in exchange rates.

 

(g) Foreign Taxes

 

The Funds may be subject to foreign taxes (a portion of which may be reclaimable) on income, stock dividends, capital gains on investments or certain foreign currency transactions. All foreign taxes are recorded in accordance with the applicable foreign tax regulations and rates that exist in the foreign jurisdictions in which the Funds invest. These foreign taxes, if any, are paid by the Funds and reflected in their Consolidated Statements of Operations as follows: foreign taxes withheld at source are presented as a reduction of income and foreign taxes on capital gains from sales of investments are included with the net realized gain (loss) on investments. Foreign taxes payable or deferred as of December 31, 2023, if any, are disclosed in the Funds’ Consolidated Statements of Assets and Liabilities.

 

(h) Security Transactions

 

Security transactions are recorded on the trade date for financial reporting purposes. Realized gains and losses from securities transactions are recorded using the identified cost basis. Proceeds from lawsuits related to investment holdings are recorded as a reduction to cost if the securities are still held and as realized gains if no longer held in the respective Fund. Dividend income is recorded on the ex-dividend date, net of applicable taxes withheld by foreign countries, if any. Taxable non-cash dividends are recorded as dividend income. Interest income, including amortization of premiums and accretion of discounts, is accrued on a daily basis. Dividend income from Real Estate Investment Trusts (“REITs”) is recorded based on the income included in the distributions received from the REIT investments using published REIT classifications, including some management estimates when actual amounts are not available. Distributions received in excess of this estimated amount are recorded as a reduction of the cost of investments or reclassified to realized gains. The actual amounts of income, return of capital, and realized gains are only determined by each REIT after its fiscal year-end, and may differ from the estimated amounts.

 

76 | THE GUGGENHEIM FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT

 

 

 

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued)

 

(i) Distributions

 

Distributions of net investment income and net realized gains, if any, are declared and paid at least annually. Dividends are reinvested in additional shares, unless shareholders request payment in cash. Distributions are recorded on the ex-dividend date and are determined in accordance with U.S. federal income tax regulations which may differ from U.S. GAAP.

 

(j) Class Allocations

 

Interest and dividend income, most expenses, all realized gains and losses, and all unrealized appreciation and depreciation are allocated to the share classes based upon the value of the outstanding shares in each share class. Certain costs, such as distribution and service fees are charged directly to specific share classes. In addition, certain expenses have been allocated to the individual Funds in the Trust based on the respective net assets of each Fund included in the Trust.

 

(k) Cash

 

The Funds may leave cash overnight in their cash account with the custodian. Periodically, a Fund may have cash due to the custodian bank as an overdraft balance. A fee is incurred on this overdraft, calculated by multiplying the overdraft by a rate based on the federal funds rate, which was 5.33% at December 31, 2023.

 

(l) Indemnifications

 

Under the Trust’s organizational documents, the Trustees and Officers of the Trust are indemnified against certain liabilities arising out of the performance of their duties to the Trust. In addition, throughout the normal course of business, the Trust, on behalf of the Funds, enter into contracts that contain a variety of representations and warranties which provide general indemnifications. The Funds’ maximum exposure under these arrangements is unknown, as this would involve future claims that may be made against the Funds and/or their affiliates that have not yet occurred. However, based on experience, the Funds expect the risk of loss to be remote.

 

Note 2 – Financial Instruments and Derivatives

 

As part of their investment strategies, the Funds may utilize short sales and a variety of derivative instruments. These investments involve, to varying degrees, elements of market risk and risks in excess of amounts recognized on the Funds’ Consolidated Statements of Assets and Liabilities. Valuation and accounting treatment of these instruments can be found under Significant Accounting Policies in Note 1 of these Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.

 

Short Sales

 

A short sale is a transaction in which a Fund sells a security it does not own. If the security sold short decreases in price between the time the Fund sells the security and closes its short position, the Fund will realize a gain on the transaction. Conversely, if the security increases in price during the period, the Fund will realize a loss on the transaction. The risk of such price increases is the principal risk of engaging in short sales.

 

 

THE GUGGENHEIM FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT | 77

 

 

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued)

 

Derivatives

 

Derivatives are instruments whose values depend on, or are derived from, in whole or in part, the value of one or more other assets, such as securities, currencies, commodities or indices. Derivative instruments may be used for investment purposes (including to maintain cash reserves while maintaining exposure to certain other assets), for risk management (hedging) purposes, to facilitate trading, to reduce transaction costs and to pursue higher investment returns. Derivative instruments may also be used to seek to mitigate certain investment risks, such as foreign currency exchange rate risk, interest rate risk and credit risk. U.S. GAAP requires disclosures to enable investors to better understand how and why a Fund uses derivative instruments, how these derivative instruments are accounted for and their effects on the Fund’s financial position and results of operations.

 

The Funds may utilize derivatives for the following purposes:

 

Duration: the use of an instrument to manage the interest rate risk of a portfolio.

 

Hedge: an investment made in order to reduce the risk of adverse price movements in a security, by taking an offsetting position to protect against broad market moves.

 

Index Exposure: the use of an instrument to obtain exposure to a listed or other type of index.

 

Leverage: gaining total exposure to equities or other assets on the long and short sides at greater than 100% of invested capital.

 

Liquidity: the ability to buy or sell exposure with little price/market impact.

 

Speculation: the use of an instrument to express macro-economic and other investment views.

 

If a Fund’s investment strategy consistently involves applying leverage, the value of the Fund’s shares will tend to increase or decrease more than the value of any increase or decrease in the underlying index or other asset. In addition, because an investment in derivative instruments generally requires a small investment relative to the amount of investment exposure assumed, an opportunity for increased net income is created; but, at the same time, leverage risk will increase. A Fund’s use of leverage, through borrowings or instruments such as derivatives, may cause an investment in the Fund to be more volatile and riskier than if the Fund had not been leveraged.

 

Futures Contracts

 

A futures contract is an agreement to purchase (long) or sell (short) an agreed amount of securities or other instruments at a set price for delivery at a future date. There are significant risks associated with a Fund’s use of futures contracts, including (i) there may be an imperfect or no correlation between the changes in market value of the underlying asset and the prices of futures contracts; (ii) there may not be a liquid secondary market for a futures contract; (iii) trading restrictions or limitations may be imposed by an exchange; and (iv) government regulations may restrict trading in futures contracts. When investing in futures, there is minimal

 

78 | THE GUGGENHEIM FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT

 

 

 

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued)

 

counterparty credit risk to a Fund because futures are exchange-traded and the exchange’s clearinghouse, as counterparty to all exchange-traded futures, guarantees against default. Cash deposits are shown as segregated cash with broker on the Funds’ Consolidated Statements of Assets and Liabilities; securities held as collateral are noted on the Funds’ Consolidated Schedules of Investments.

 

The following table represents the Funds’ use and volume of futures on a monthly basis:

 

     

Average Notional Amount

 

Fund

Use

 

Long

   

Short

 

Multi-Hedge Strategies Fund

Duration, Hedge, Index exposure, Leverage, Liquidity, Speculation

  $ 115,799,020     $ 74,915,314  

Commodities Strategy Fund

Index exposure, Liquidity

    9,804,329        

 

Swap Agreements

 

A swap is an agreement that obligates two parties to exchange a series of cash flows at specified intervals based upon or calculated by reference to changes in specified prices or rates for a specified amount of an underlying asset. When utilizing over-the-counter (“OTC”) swaps, a Fund bears the risk of loss of the amount expected to be received under a swap agreement in the event of the default or bankruptcy of a swap agreement counterparty or if the underlying asset declines in value. Certain standardized swaps are subject to mandatory central clearing and are executed on a multi-lateral or other trade facility platform, such as a registered exchange. There is limited counterparty credit risk with respect to centrally-cleared swaps as the transaction is facilitated through a central clearinghouse, much like exchange-traded futures contracts. For a Fund utilizing centrally-cleared swaps, the exchange bears the risk of loss resulting from a counterparty not being able to pay. There is no guarantee that a Fund or an underlying fund could eliminate its exposure under an outstanding swap agreement by entering into an offsetting swap agreement with the same or another party.

 

Custom basket swaps involve commitments where single or multiple cash flows are exchanged based on the price of an underlying reference asset (such as a custom basket of securities) for a fixed or variable interest rate. Custom basket swaps will usually be computed based on the current value of the reference asset as of the close of regular trading on the NYSE or other exchange, with the swap value being adjusted to include dividends accrued, financing charges and/or interest associated with the swap agreement. When utilizing custom basket swaps, a Fund bears the risk of loss of the amount expected to be received under a swap agreement in the event of the default or bankruptcy of a swap agreement counterparty or if the underlying reference asset declines in value.

 

 

THE GUGGENHEIM FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT | 79

 

 

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued)

 

The following table represents the Funds’ use and volume of custom basket swaps on a monthly basis:

 

     

Average Notional Amount

 

Fund

Use

 

Long

   

Short

 

Multi-Hedge Strategies Fund

Hedge, Index exposure, Leverage, Liquidity, Speculation

  $ 60,388,008     $ 52,199,790  

 

Derivative Investment Holdings Categorized by Risk Exposure

 

The following is a summary of the location of derivative investments on the Funds’ Consolidated Statements of Assets and Liabilities as of December 31, 2023:

 

Derivative Investment Type

Asset Derivatives

Liability Derivatives

Commodity/currency/equity/interest rate futures contracts

Variation margin on futures contracts

Equity swap agreements

Unrealized appreciation on OTC swap agreements

Unrealized depreciation on OTC swap agreements

 

The following tables set forth the fair value of the Funds’ derivative investments categorized by primary risk exposure at December 31, 2023:

 

Asset Derivative Investments Value

Fund

 

Futures
Equity
Risk*

   

Swaps
Equity
Risk

   

Futures
Foreign
Currency
Exchange
Risk*

   

Futures
Interest
Rate Risk*

   

Futures
Commodity
Risk*

   

Total
Value at
December 31,
2023

 

Multi-Hedge Strategies Fund

  $ 243,228     $ 7,463,816     $ 328,977     $ 445,145     $ 1,044,770     $ 9,525,936  

Commodities Strategy Fund

                            85,691       85,691  

 

Liability Derivative Investments Value

Fund

 

Futures
Equity
Risk*

   

Swaps
Equity
Risk

   

Futures
Foreign
Currency
Exchange
Risk*

   

Futures
Interest
Rate Risk*

   

Futures
Commodity
Risk*

   

Total
Value at
December 31,
2023

 

Multi-Hedge Strategies Fund

  $ 69,409     $ 3,336,698     $ 645,026     $ 366,425     $ 1,097,187     $ 5,514,745  

 

*

Includes cumulative appreciation (depreciation) of exchange-traded, OTC and centrally-cleared derivatives contracts as reported on the Funds’ Consolidated Schedules of Investments. For exchange-traded and centrally-cleared derivatives, variation margin is reported within the Funds’ Consolidated Statements of Assets and Liabilities.

 

80 | THE GUGGENHEIM FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT

 

 

 

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued)

 

The following is a summary of the location of derivative investments on the Funds’ Consolidated Statements of Operations for the year ended December 31, 2023:

 

Derivative Investment Type

Location of Gain (Loss) on Derivatives

Commodity/currency/equity/interest rate futures contracts

Net realized gain (loss) on futures contracts

 

Net change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on futures contracts

Equity swap agreements

Net realized gain (loss) on swap agreements

 

Net change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on swap agreements

 

The following is a summary of the Funds’ realized gain (loss) and change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on derivative investments recognized on the Funds’ Consolidated Statements of Operations categorized by primary risk exposure for the year ended December 31, 2023:

 

Realized Gain (Loss) on Derivative Investments Recognized on the Consolidated Statements of Operations

Fund

 

Futures
Equity
Risk

   

Swaps
Equity
Risk

   

Futures
Foreign
Currency
Exchange
Risk

   

Futures
Interest Rate
Risk

   

Futures
Commodity
Risk

   

Total

 

Multi-Hedge Strategies Fund

  $ 1,676,631     $ 2,254,386     $ (3,025,819 )   $ 445,389     $ 1,458,834     $ 2,809,421  

Commodities Strategy Fund

                            (1,563,045 )     (1,563,045 )

 

Change in Unrealized Appreciation (Depreciation) on Derivative Investments
Recognized on the Consolidated Statements of Operations

Fund

 

Futures
Equity
Risk

   

Swaps
Equity
Risk

   

Futures
Foreign
Currency
Exchange
Risk

   

Futures
Interest Rate
Risk

   

Futures
Commodity
Risk

   

Total

 

Multi-Hedge Strategies Fund

  $ 548,167     $ (1,392,568 )   $ (214,408 )   $ (135,375 )   $ (782,600 )   $ (1,976,784 )

Commodities Strategy Fund

                            (480,409 )     (480,409 )

 

In conjunction with short sales and the use of derivative instruments, the Funds are required to maintain collateral in various forms. Depending on the financial instrument utilized and the broker involved, the Funds use margin deposits at the broker, cash and/or securities segregated at the custodian bank, discount notes or repurchase agreements allocated to the Funds as collateral.

 

 

THE GUGGENHEIM FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT | 81

 

 

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued)

 

The Trust has established counterparty credit guidelines and enters into transactions only with financial institutions rated/identified as investment grade or better. The Trust monitors the counterparty credit risk associated with each such financial institution.

 

Note 3 – Offsetting

 

In the normal course of business, the Funds enter into transactions subject to enforceable master netting arrangements or other similar arrangements. Generally, the right to offset in those agreements allows the Funds to counteract the exposure to a specific counterparty with collateral received from or delivered to that counterparty based on the terms of the arrangements. These arrangements provide for the right to liquidate upon the occurrence of an event of default, credit event upon merger or additional termination event.

 

In order to better define their contractual rights and to secure rights that will help the Funds mitigate their counterparty risk, the Funds may enter into an International Swaps and Derivatives Association, Inc. Master Agreement (“ISDA Master Agreement”) or similar agreement with their derivative contract counterparties. An ISDA Master Agreement is a bilateral agreement between a fund and a counterparty that governs OTC derivatives, including foreign exchange contracts, and typically contains, among other things, collateral posting terms and netting provisions in the event of a default and/or termination event. The provisions of the ISDA Master Agreement typically permit a single net payment in the event of a default (close-out netting) or similar event, including the bankruptcy or insolvency of the counterparty.

 

For derivatives traded under an ISDA Master Agreement, the collateral requirements are typically calculated by netting the mark-to-market amount for each transaction under such agreement and comparing that amount to the value of any collateral currently pledged by the Funds and the counterparty. For financial reporting purposes, cash collateral that has been pledged to cover obligations of the Funds and cash collateral received from the counterparty, if any, are reported separately on the Funds’ Consolidated Statements of Assets and Liabilities as segregated cash with broker/receivable for variation margin, or payable for swap settlement/variation margin. Cash and/or securities pledged or received as collateral by the Funds in connection with an OTC derivative subject to an ISDA Master Agreement generally may not be invested, sold or rehypothecated by the counterparty or the Funds, as applicable, absent an event of default under such agreement, in which case such collateral generally may be applied towards obligations due to and payable by such counterparty or the Funds, as applicable. Generally, the amount of collateral due from or to a counterparty must exceed a minimum transfer amount threshold (e.g., $300,000) before a transfer is required to be made. To the extent amounts due to the Funds from their counterparties are not fully collateralized, contractually or otherwise, the Funds bear the risk of loss from counterparty nonperformance. The Funds attempt to mitigate counterparty risk by only entering into agreements with counterparties that they believe to be of good standing and by monitoring the financial stability of those counterparties.

 

82 | THE GUGGENHEIM FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT

 

 

 

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued)

 

For financial reporting purposes, the Funds do not offset derivative assets and derivative liabilities that are subject to netting arrangements in the Funds’ Consolidated Statements of Assets and Liabilities.

 

The following tables present derivative financial instruments and secured financing transactions that are subject to enforceable netting arrangements:

 

                             

Gross Amounts Not
Offset in the Consolidated
Statements of Assets
and Liabilities

         

Fund

Instrument

 

Gross
Amounts of
Recognized
Assets
1

   

Gross
Amounts
Offset in the
Consolidated
Statements
of Assets and
Liabilities

   

Net Amount
of Assets
Presented
on the
Consolidated
Statements
of Assets and
Liabilities

   

Financial
Instruments

   

Cash
Collateral
Received

   

Net
Amount

 

Multi-Hedge Strategies Fund

Custom basket swap agreements

  $ 7,463,816     $     $ 7,463,816     $ (3,336,698 )   $     $ 4,127,118  

 

                             

Gross Amounts Not
Offset in the Consolidated
Statements of Assets
and Liabilities

         

Fund

Instrument

 

Gross
Amounts of
Recognized
Liabilities
1

   

Gross
Amounts
Offset in the
Consolidated
Statements
of Assets and
Liabilities

   

Net Amount
of Liabilities
Presented
on the
Consolidated
Statements
of Assets and
Liabilities

   

Financial
Instruments

   

Cash
Collateral
Pledged

   

Net
Amount

 

Multi-Hedge Strategies Fund

Custom basket swap agreements

  $ 3,336,698     $     $ 3,336,698     $ (3,336,698 )   $     $  

 

1

Exchange-traded or centrally-cleared derivatives are excluded from these reported amounts.

 

 

THE GUGGENHEIM FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT | 83

 

 

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued)

 

The Funds have the right to offset deposits against any related derivative liabilities outstanding with each counterparty with the exception of exchange-traded or centrally-cleared derivatives. The following table presents deposits held by others in connection with derivative investments as of December 31, 2023.

 

Fund

Counterparty

Asset Type

 

Cash Pledged

   

Cash Received

 

Multi-Hedge Strategies Fund

Goldman Sachs International

Futures Contracts

  $ 1,308,372     $  

Commodities Strategy Fund

Goldman Sachs International

Futures Contracts

    296,316        

 

Note 4 – Fair Value Measurement

 

In accordance with U.S. GAAP, fair value is defined as the price that the Funds would receive to sell an investment or pay to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement date. U.S. GAAP establishes a three-tier fair value hierarchy based on the types of inputs used to value assets and liabilities and requires corresponding disclosure. The hierarchy and the corresponding inputs are summarized below:

 

Level 1 — unadjusted quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities.

 

Level 2 — significant other observable inputs (for example quoted prices for securities that are similar based on characteristics such as interest rates, prepayment speeds, credit risk, etc.).

 

Level 3 — significant unobservable inputs based on the best information available under the circumstances, to the extent observable inputs are not available, which may include assumptions.

 

Rule 2a-5 sets forth a definition of “readily available market quotations,” which is consistent with the definition of a Level 1 input under U.S. GAAP. Rule 2a-5 provides that “a market quotation is readily available only when that quotation is a quoted price (unadjusted) in active markets for identical investments that the fund can access at the measurement date, provided that a quotation will not be readily available if it is not reliable.”

 

Securities for which market quotations are not readily available must be valued at fair value as determined in good faith. Accordingly, any security priced using inputs other than Level 1 inputs will be subject to fair value requirements. The types of inputs available depend on a variety of factors, such as the type of security and the characteristics of the markets in which it trades, if any. Fair valuation determinations that rely on fewer or no observable inputs require greater judgment. Accordingly, fair value determinations for Level 3 securities require the greatest amount of judgment.

 

84 | THE GUGGENHEIM FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT

 

 

 

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued)

 

The inputs or methodologies selected and applied for valuing securities or other assets are not necessarily an indication of the risk associated with investing in those securities. The suitability, appropriateness and accuracy of the techniques, methodologies and sources employed to determine fair valuation are periodically reviewed and subject to change.

 

Note 5 – Investment Advisory Agreement and Other Agreements

 

Under the terms of an investment advisory contract, the Funds pay GI investment advisory fees calculated at the annualized rates below, based on the average daily net assets of the Funds:

 

Fund

 

Management Fees
(as a % of Net Assets)

 

Multi-Hedge Strategies Fund

    1.15 %

Commodities Strategy Fund

    0.75 %

 

When the aggregate assets of each series of the Trust (excluding the Long Short Equity Fund, Managed Futures Strategy Fund and Multi-Hedge Strategies Fund) and each series of Rydex Dynamic Funds equal or exceed $10 billion, the advisory fee rate paid by each individual Fund (excluding the Long Short Equity Fund, Managed Futures Strategy Fund and Multi-Hedge Strategies Fund) will be reduced in accordance with the asset level and breakpoint schedule set forth below.

 

Fund Assets Under Management

 

Fund Asset-Based
Breakpoint Reductions

 

$500 million - $1 billion

    0.025 %

>$1 billion - $2 billion

    0.050 %

>$2 billion

    0.075 %

 

GI has contractually agreed to waive the management fee it receives from each Subsidiary in an amount equal to the management fee paid to GI by the Subsidiary. This undertaking will continue in effect for so long as the Funds invest in the Subsidiaries, and may not be terminated by GI unless GI obtains the prior approval of the Funds’ Board for such termination. Fees waived under this arrangement are not subject to reimbursement to GI. For the year ended December 31, 2023, the Multi-Hedge Strategies Fund and Commodities Strategy Fund waived $41,138 and $12,840, respectively, related to advisory fees in their respective Subsidiaries.

 

As part of its agreement with the Trust, GI will pay all expenses of the Multi-Hedge Strategies Fund, including the cost of transfer agency, custody, fund administration, legal, audit and other services, except interest expense, taxes (expected to be de minimis), brokerage commissions and other expenses connected with execution of portfolio transactions, short dividend expenses, subsidiary expenses and extraordinary expenses.

 

 

THE GUGGENHEIM FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT | 85

 

 

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued)

 

On May 24, 2023, the Board approved a waiver and/or expense reimbursement arrangement whereby GI has agreed to waive and/or reimburse expenses for Commodities Strategy Fund in an amount equal to an annual percentage rate of 0.05% of the Fund’s average daily net assets. This arrangement was effective on August 1, 2023 and the end of the initial term is August 1, 2024. This agreement shall automatically renew for one-year terms, unless GI provides written notice to the Fund of the termination at least thirty days prior to the end of the then-current term. This agreement may be terminated at any time by the Board upon sixty days’ written notice to the Adviser. In addition, the agreement will terminate automatically if the Advisory Agreement, with respect to the Fund, is terminated, with such termination effective upon the effective date of the termination of the Advisory Agreement.

 

GI pays operating expenses on behalf of the Trust, such as audit and accounting related services, legal services, custody, printing and mailing, among others, on a pass-through basis. Such expenses are allocated to various Funds within the complex based on relative net assets.

 

The Board has adopted separate Distribution Plans applicable to Class A shares, Class H shares and Class P shares for which GFD and other firms that provide distribution and/or shareholder services (“Service Providers”) may receive compensation. If a Service Provider provides distribution services, the Funds will pay distribution fees to GFD at an annual rate not to exceed 0.25% of average daily net assets, pursuant to Rule 12b-1 of the 1940 Act. GFD, in turn, will pay the Service Providers out of its fees. GFD may, at its discretion, retain a portion of such payments to compensate itself for distribution services it performs.

 

The Board has adopted a separate Distribution and Shareholder Services Plan applicable to Class C shares that allows the Funds to pay annual distribution and service fees of 1.00% of the Funds’ Class C shares average daily net assets. The annual 0.25% service fee compensates a shareholder’s financial adviser for providing ongoing services to the shareholder. The annual distribution fee of 0.75% reimburses GFD for paying the shareholder’s financial adviser an ongoing sales commission. GFD advances the first year’s service and distribution fees to the financial adviser. GFD retains the service and distribution fees on accounts with no authorized dealer of record.

 

For the year ended December 31, 2023, GFD retained sales charges of $72,181 relating to sales of Class A shares of the Trust.

 

If a Fund invests in a fund that is advised by the same adviser or an affiliated adviser, the investing Fund’s adviser has agreed to waive fees at the investing fund level to the extent necessary to offset the proportionate share of any management fee paid by the Fund with respect to its investment in such affiliated fund. Fee waivers will be calculated at the investing fund level without regard to any expense cap in effect for the investing fund. Fees waived under this arrangement are not subject to reimbursement to GI. For the year ended December 31, 2023, the Multi-Hedge Strategies Fund and Commodities Strategy Fund waived $16,385 and $3,449, respectively, related to investments in affiliated funds.

 

86 | THE GUGGENHEIM FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT

 

 

 

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued)

 

Certain trustees and officers of the Trust are also officers of GI and/or GFD. The Trust does not compensate its officers or trustees who are officers, directors and/or employees of GI or GFD.

 

MUFG Investor Services (US), LLC (“MUIS”) acts as the Funds’ administrator, transfer agent and accounting agent. As administrator, transfer agent and accounting agent, MUIS maintains the books and records of the Funds’ securities and cash. U.S. Bank, N.A. (“U.S. Bank”) acts as the Funds’ custodian. As custodian, U.S. Bank is responsible for the custody of the Funds’ assets. For providing the aforementioned services, MUIS and U.S. Bank are entitled to receive a monthly fee equal to an annual percentage of each Fund’s average daily net assets and out of pocket expenses.

 

Note 6 – Repurchase Agreements

 

The Funds transfer uninvested cash balances into a single joint account, the daily aggregate balance of which is invested in one or more repurchase agreements collateralized by obligations of the U.S. Treasury and U.S. government agencies. The joint account includes other funds in the Guggenheim complex not covered in this report. The collateral is in the possession of the Funds’ custodian and is evaluated to ensure that its market value exceeds, at a minimum, 102% of the original face amount of the repurchase agreements. Each Fund holds a pro rata share of the collateral based on the dollar amount of the repurchase agreement entered into by each Fund.

 

At December 31, 2023, the repurchase agreements in the joint account were as follows:

 

Counterparty and
Terms of Agreement

 

Face
Value

   

Repurchase
Price

 

 

Collateral

 

Par
Value

   

Fair
Value

 
                   

U.S. Treasury Notes

               

J.P. Morgan Securities LLC

                 

0.38% - 4.50%

               

5.33%

Due 01/02/24

  $ 132,111,694     $ 132,170,374    

Due 03/31/24 - 02/15/33

  $ 135,741,000     $ 134,749,446  
                                     
                   

U.S. Treasury Bills

               
                   

0.00%

               
                   

Due 01/16/24 - 10/03/24

    1,900       1,857  
                                     
                   

U.S. Treasury Strip

               
                   

0.00%

               
                   

Due 11/15/30

    2,000       1,538  
                                     
                   

U.S. Treasury Bonds

               
                   

4.75% - 6.63%

               
                   

Due 02/15/27 - 11/15/43

    900       980  
                                     
                   

U.S. Treasury Floating Rate Note

               
                   

5.53%

               
                   

Due 01/31/25

    200       202  
                          135,746,000       134,754,023  

 

 

THE GUGGENHEIM FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT | 87

 

 

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued)

 

Counterparty and
Terms of Agreement

 

Face
Value

   

Repurchase
Price

 

 

Collateral

 

Par
Value

   

Fair
Value

 
                                     

BofA Securities, Inc.

                 

U.S. Treasury Strip

               

5.35%

                 

0.00%

               

Due 01/02/24

  $ 106,467,001     $ 106,514,467    

Due 02/15/41

  $ 201,313,820     $ 96,703,107  
                                     
                   

U.S. Treasury Bond

               
                   

2.88%

               
                   

Due 05/15/49

    14,701,200       11,834,352  
                                     
                   

U.S. Treasury Note

               
                   

1.63%

               
                   

Due 08/15/29

    65,700       58,882  
                          216,080,720       108,596,341  

 

In the event of counterparty default, the Funds have the right to collect the collateral to offset losses incurred. There is potential loss to the Funds in the event the Funds are delayed or prevented from exercising their rights to dispose of the collateral securities, including the risk of a possible decline in the value of the underlying securities during the period while the Funds seek to assert their rights. GI, acting under the supervision of the Board, reviews the value of the collateral and the creditworthiness of those banks and dealers with which the Funds enter into repurchase agreements to evaluate potential risks.

 

Note 7 – Portfolio Securities Loaned

 

The Funds may lend their securities to approved brokers to earn additional income. Securities lending income shown on the Funds’ Consolidated Statements of Operations is shown net of rebates paid to the borrowers and earnings on cash collateral investments shared with the lending agent. Within this arrangement, the Funds act as the lender, U.S. Bank acts as the lending agent, and other approved registered broker dealers act as the borrowers. The Funds receive cash collateral, valued at 102% of the value of the securities on loan. Under the terms of the Funds’ securities lending agreement with U.S. Bank, cash collateral and proceeds are invested in the First American Government Obligations Fund — Class X. The Funds bear the risk of loss on cash collateral investments. Collateral is maintained over the life of the loan in an amount not less than the value of loaned securities, as determined at the close of Fund business each day; any additional collateral required due to changes in security values is delivered to the Funds the next business day. Although the collateral mitigates the risk, the Funds could experience a delay in recovering their securities and a possible loss of income or value if the borrower fails to return the securities. The Funds have the right under the securities lending agreement to recover the securities from the borrower on demand. Securities lending transactions are accounted for as secured borrowings. The remaining contractual maturity of the securities lending agreement is overnight and continuous.

 

88 | THE GUGGENHEIM FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT

 

 

 

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued)

 

At December 31, 2023, the Funds participated in securities lending transactions, which are subject to enforceable netting arrangements, as follows:

 

   

Gross Amounts Not Offset in the Consolidated
Statements of Assets and Liabilities

     

Securities Lending Collateral

 

Fund

 

Value of
Securities
Loaned

   

Collateral
Received
(a)

   

Net
Amount

     

Cash
Collateral
Invested

   

Cash
Collateral
Uninvested

   

Total
Collateral

 

Multi-Hedge Strategies Fund

  $ 737,108     $ (737,108 )   $       $ 758,963     $     $ 758,963  

 

(a)

Actual collateral received by the Fund is generally greater than the amount shown due to overcollateralization.

 

In the event of counterparty default, the Funds have the right to collect the collateral to offset losses incurred. There is potential loss to the Funds in the event the Funds are delayed or prevented from exercising their rights to dispose of the collateral securities, including the risk of a possible decline in the value of the underlying securities during the period while the Funds seek to assert their rights. GI, acting under the supervision of the Board, reviews the value of the collateral and the creditworthiness of those banks and dealers to evaluate potential risks.

 

Note 8 – Federal Income Tax Information

 

The Funds intend to comply with the provisions of Subchapter M of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “Internal Revenue Code”), applicable to regulated investment companies and will distribute substantially all taxable net investment income and capital gains sufficient to relieve the Funds from all, or substantially all, federal income, excise and state income taxes. Therefore, no provision for federal or state income tax or federal excise tax is required.

 

Tax positions taken or expected to be taken in the course of preparing the Funds’ tax returns are evaluated to determine whether the tax positions are “more-likely-than-not” of being sustained by the applicable tax authority. Tax positions not deemed to meet the “more-likely-than-not” threshold would be recorded as a tax benefit or expense in the current year. Management has analyzed the Funds’ tax positions taken, or to be taken, on U.S. federal income tax returns for all open tax years, and has concluded that no provision for income tax is required in the Funds’ consolidated financial statements. The Funds’ U.S. federal income tax returns are subject to examination by the Internal Revenue Service (“IRS”) for a period of three years after they are filed.

 

Each Fund intends to invest up to 25% of its assets in its respective Subsidiary, which is expected to provide the Funds with exposure to the commodities markets within the limitations of the U.S. federal income tax requirements under Subchapter M of the Internal Revenue Code. The Funds have received a private letter ruling from the IRS that concludes that the income each Fund receives from its Subsidiary will constitute qualifying income for purposes of Subchapter M of the Internal Revenue Code. Each Subsidiary will be classified as a corporation for U.S. federal income

 

 

THE GUGGENHEIM FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT | 89

 

 

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued)

 

tax purposes. Foreign corporations, such as the Subsidiaries, will generally not be subject to U.S. federal income taxation unless they are deemed to be engaged in a U.S. trade or business. If, during a taxable year, a Subsidiary’s taxable losses (and other deductible items) exceed its income and gains, the net loss will not pass through to the applicable Fund as a deductible amount for U.S. federal income tax purposes and cannot be carried forward to reduce future income from the Subsidiary in subsequent years.

 

The tax character of distributions paid during the year ended December 31, 2023 was as follows:

 

Fund

 

Ordinary
Income

   

Long-Term
Capital Gain

   

Total
Distributions

 

Multi-Hedge Strategies Fund

  $ 2,766,557     $     $ 2,766,557  

Commodities Strategy Fund

    352,828             352,828  

 

The tax character of distributions paid during the year ended December 31, 2022 was as follows:

 

Fund

 

Ordinary
Income

   

Long-Term
Capital Gain

   

Total
Distributions

 

Multi-Hedge Strategies Fund

  $ 2,245,303     $     $ 2,245,303  

Commodities Strategy Fund

    1,525,593             1,525,593  

 

Note: For U.S. federal income tax purposes, short-term capital gain distributions are treated as ordinary income distributions.

 

The tax components of distributable earnings/(loss) as of December 31, 2023 were as follows:

 

Fund

 

Undistributed
Ordinary
Income

   

Undistributed
Long-Term
Capital Gain

   

Net Unrealized
Appreciation
(Depreciation)

   

Accumulated
Capital and
Other Losses

   

Other
Temporary
Differences

   

Total

 

Multi-Hedge Strategies Fund

  $ 1,092,529     $     $ (3,766,010 )   $ (5,437,283 )   $     $ (8,110,764 )

Commodities Strategy Fund

                (11,821,767 )     (61,350 )           (11,883,117 )

 

90 | THE GUGGENHEIM FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT

 

 

 

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued)

 

For U.S. federal income tax purposes, capital loss carryforwards represent realized losses of the Funds that may be carried forward and applied against future capital gains. The Funds are permitted to carry forward capital losses for an unlimited period and such capital loss carryforwards retain their character as either short-term or long-term capital losses. As of December 31, 2023, capital loss carryforwards for the Funds were as follows:

 

   

Unlimited

         

Fund

 

Short-Term

   

Long-Term

   

Total
Capital Loss
Carryforward

 

Multi-Hedge Strategies Fund

  $ (5,377,579 )   $     $ (5,377,579 )

Commodities Strategy Fund

    (45,861 )     (15,489 )     (61,350 )

 

For the year ended December 31, 2023, the following capital loss carryforward amounts were utilized:

 

Fund

 

Utilized

 

Multi-Hedge Strategies Fund

  $ 2,192,989  

Commodities Strategy Fund

    1,009  

 

Net investment income and net realized gains (losses) may differ for financial statement and tax purposes because of temporary or permanent book/tax differences. These differences are primarily due to investments in subsidiaries, the “mark-to-market” of certain derivatives, investments in securities sold short, straddle loss deferrals, foreign currency gains and losses, losses deferred due to wash sales, and distributions in connection with redemption of fund shares. To the extent these differences are permanent and would require a reclassification between Paid in Capital and Total Distributable Earnings (Loss), such reclassifications are made in the period that the differences arise. These reclassifications have no effect on net assets or NAV per share.

 

The following adjustments were made on the Funds’ Consolidated Statements of Assets and Liabilities as of December 31, 2023 for permanent book/tax differences:

 

Fund

 

Paid In
Capital

   

Total
Distributable
Earnings/(Loss)

 

Multi-Hedge Strategies Fund

  $ 1,548,916     $ (1,548,916 )

Commodities Strategy Fund

    (1,213,742 )     1,213,742  

 

 

THE GUGGENHEIM FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT | 91

 

 

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued)

 

At December 31, 2023, the cost of investments for U.S. federal income tax purposes, the aggregate gross unrealized appreciation for all investments for which there was an excess of value over tax cost and the aggregate gross unrealized depreciation for all investments for which there was an excess of tax cost over value, were as follows:

 

Fund

 

Tax
Cost

   

Tax
Unrealized
Appreciation

   

Tax
Unrealized
Depreciation

   

Net Tax
Unrealized
Appreciation/
(Depreciation)

 

Multi-Hedge Strategies Fund

  $ 76,104,663     $ 7,119,378     $ (10,885,473 )   $ (3,766,095 )

Commodities Strategy Fund

    16,558,100       563,030       (12,384,797 )     (11,821,767 )

 

Note 9 – Securities Transactions

 

For the year ended December 31, 2023, the cost of purchases and proceeds from sales of investment securities, excluding government securities, short-term investments and derivatives, were as follows:

 

Fund

 

Purchases

   

Sales

 

Multi-Hedge Strategies Fund

  $ 116,046,172     $ 124,612,484  

Commodities Strategy Fund

           

 

The Funds are permitted to purchase or sell securities from or to certain affiliated funds under specified conditions outlined in procedures adopted by the Board. The procedures have been designed to ensure that any purchase or sale of securities by a Fund from or to another fund or portfolio that is or could be considered an affiliate by virtue of having a common investment adviser (or affiliated investment advisers), common trustees and/or common officers complies with Rule 17a-7 of the 1940 Act. Further, as defined under these procedures, each transaction is effected at the current market price. For the year ended December 31, 2023, the Funds did not engage in purchases and sales of securities pursuant to Rule 17a-7 of the 1940 Act.

 

Note 10 – Line of Credit

 

The Trust, along with other affiliated trusts, secured an uncommitted $200,000,000 line of credit from U.S. Bank, N.A. On June 5, 2023, the line of credit agreement was renewed and expires on June 3, 2024. This line of credit is reserved for emergency or temporary purposes. Borrowings, if any, under this arrangement bear interest equal to the Prime Rate, minus 2%, which shall be paid monthly, averaging 6.15% for the year ended December 31, 2023. The Funds did not have any borrowings outstanding under this agreement at December 31, 2023.

 

92 | THE GUGGENHEIM FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT

 

 

 

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (concluded)

 

The average daily balances borrowed for the year ended December 31, 2023, were as follows:

 

Fund

 

Average Daily Balance

 

Multi-Hedge Strategies Fund

  $ 6,844  

Commodities Strategy Fund

  $  

 

Note 11 – Market Risks

 

The value of, or income generated by, the investments held by the Funds are subject to the possibility of rapid and unpredictable fluctuation, and loss that may result from various factors. These factors include, among others, developments affecting individual companies, or from broader influences, including real or perceived changes in prevailing interest rates (which may change at any time based on changes in monetary policies and various market and other economic conditions), changes in inflation rates or expectations about inflation rates, adverse investor confidence or sentiment, changing economic, political (including geopolitical), social or financial market conditions, increased instability or general uncertainty, environmental disasters, governmental actions, public health emergencies (such as the spread of infectious diseases, pandemics and epidemics), debt crises, actual or threatened wars or other armed conflicts (such as the ongoing Russia-Ukraine conflict and its collateral economic and other effects, including, but not limited to, sanctions and other international trade barriers) or ratings downgrades, and other similar events, each of which may be temporary or last for extended periods. Moreover, changing economic, political, geopolitical, social, financial market or other conditions in one country, geographic region or industry could adversely affect the value, yield and return of the investments held by the Funds in a different country, geographic region, economy, industry or market because of the increasingly interconnected global economies and financial markets. The duration and extent of the foregoing types of factors or conditions are highly uncertain and difficult to predict and have in the past, and may in the future, cause volatility and distress in economies and financial markets or other adverse circumstances, which may negatively affect the value of the Funds’ investments and performance of the Funds.

 

Note 12 – Subsequent Events

 

The Funds evaluated subsequent events through the date the consolidated financial statements are issued and determined there were no material events that would require adjustment to or disclosure in the Funds’ consolidated financial statements.

 

 

THE GUGGENHEIM FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT | 93

 

 

REPORT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM

 

To the Shareholders of Guggenheim Multi-Hedge Strategies Fund and Rydex Commodities Strategy Fund and the Board of Trustees of Rydex Series Funds

 

Opinion on the Financial Statements

 

We have audited the accompanying consolidated statements of assets and liabilities of Guggenheim Multi-Hedge Strategies Fund and Rydex Commodities Strategy Fund (collectively referred to as the “Funds”), (two of the funds constituting Rydex Series Funds (the “Trust”)), including the consolidated schedules of investments, as of December 31, 2023, and the related consolidated statements of operations for the year then ended, the consolidated statements of changes in net assets for each of the two years in the period then ended, the consolidated financial highlights for each of the five years in the period then ended and the related notes (collectively referred to as the “financial statements”). In our opinion, the financial statements present fairly, in all material respects, the consolidated financial position of each of the Funds (two of the funds constituting Rydex Series Funds) at December 31, 2023, the consolidated results of their operations for the year then ended, the consolidated changes in their net assets for each of the two years in the period then ended and their consolidated financial highlights for each of the five years in the period then ended, in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles.

 

Basis for Opinion

 

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

 

We conducted our audits in accordance with the standards of the PCAOB. Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material misstatement, whether due to error or fraud. The Trust is not required to have, nor were we engaged to perform, an audit of the Trust’s internal control over financial reporting. As part of our audits, we are required to obtain an understanding of internal control over financial reporting but not for the purpose of expressing an opinion on the effectiveness of the Trust’s internal control over financial reporting. Accordingly, we express no such opinion.

 

Our audits included performing procedures to assess the risks of material misstatement of the financial statements, whether due to error or fraud, and performing procedures that respond to those risks. Such procedures included examining, on a test basis, evidence regarding the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. Our procedures included confirmation of securities owned as of December 31, 2023, by correspondence with the custodian, transfer agent and brokers; when replies were not received from brokers, we performed other auditing procedures.

 

94 | THE GUGGENHEIM FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT

 

 

 

REPORT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM (concluded)

 

Our audits also included evaluating the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall presentation of the financial statements. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.

 

 

We have served as the auditor of one or more Guggenheim investment companies since 1979.

 

Tysons, Virginia
February 27, 2024

 

 

THE GUGGENHEIM FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT | 95

 

 

OTHER INFORMATION (Unaudited)

 

Federal Income Tax Information

 

This information is being provided as required by the Internal Revenue Code. Amounts shown may differ from those elsewhere in the report because of differences in tax and financial reporting practice.

 

In January 2024, shareholders will be advised on IRS Form 1099 DIV or substitute 1099 DIV as to the federal tax status of the distributions received by shareholders in the calendar year 2023.

 

The Funds’ investment income (dividend income plus short-term capital gains, if any) qualifies as follows:

 

Of the taxable ordinary income distributions paid during the fiscal year ended December 31, 2023, the following Funds had the corresponding percentages qualify for the reduced tax rate pursuant to the Jobs and Growth Tax Relief and Reconciliation Act of 2003 or for the dividends received deduction for corporations. See the qualified dividend income and dividend received deduction columns, respectively, in the table below.

 

Additionally, of the taxable ordinary income distributions paid during the fiscal year ended December 31, 2023, the following funds had the corresponding percentages qualify as interest related dividends and qualified short-term capital gains as permitted by IRC Section 871(k)(1) and IRC Section 871(k)(2), respectively. See the qualified interest income and qualified short-term capital gain columns, respectively, in the table below.

 

Fund

 

Qualified
Dividend
Income

   

Dividend
Received
Deduction

   

Qualified
Interest
Income

   

Qualified
Short-Term
Capital Gain

 

Multi-Hedge Strategies Fund

    7.60 %     5.71 %     0.00 %     0.00 %

Commodities Strategy Fund

    0.00 %     0.00 %     0.00 %     0.00 %

 

Delivery of Shareholder Reports

 

Paper copies of the Funds’ annual and semi-annual shareholder reports are not sent by mail, unless you specifically request paper copies of the reports from a Fund or from your financial intermediary. Instead, the reports are made available on a website, and you are notified by mail each time a report is posted and provided with a website link to access the report.

 

You may elect to receive all future shareholder reports in paper free of charge. If you hold shares of a Fund directly, you can inform the Fund that you wish to receive paper copies of reports by calling 800.820.0888. If you hold shares of a Fund through a financial intermediary, please contact the financial intermediary to make this election. Your election to receive reports in paper may apply to all Guggenheim funds in which you are invested and may apply to all Guggenheim funds held with your financial intermediary.

 

96 | THE GUGGENHEIM FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT

 

 

 

OTHER INFORMATION (Unaudited) (Concluded)

 

Tailored Shareholder Reports for Open-End Mutual Funds and Exchange-Traded Funds

 

Effective January 24, 2023, the SEC adopted rule and form amendments to require open-end mutual funds and exchange-traded funds registered on Form N-1A to transmit concise and visually engaging streamlined annual and semi-annual reports to shareholders that highlight key information. Other information, including financial statements, will no longer appear in a streamlined shareholder report but must be available online, delivered free of charge upon request, and filed on a semi-annual basis on Form N-CSR. The rule and form amendments have a compliance date of July 24, 2024. At this time, management is evaluating the impact of these amendments on the shareholder reports for the Funds.

 

Proxy Voting Information

 

A description of the policies and procedures that the Trust uses to determine how to vote proxies relating to securities held in the Funds’ portfolios is available, without charge and upon request, by calling 800.820.0888. This information is also available from the EDGAR database on the SEC’s website at https://www.sec.gov.

 

Information regarding how the Funds voted proxies relating to portfolio securities during the most recent 12-month period ended June 30 is available without charge, upon request, by calling 800.820.0888. This information is also available from the EDGAR database on the SEC’s website at https://www.sec.gov.

 

Sector Classification

 

Information in the Consolidated Schedule of Investments is categorized by sectors using sector-level Classifications defined by the Bloomberg Industry Classification System, a widely recognized industry classification system provider. Each Fund’s registration statement has investment policies relating to concentration in specific sectors/industries. For purposes of these investment policies, the Funds usually classify sectors/industries based on industry-level Classifications used by widely recognized industry classification system providers such as Bloomberg Industry Classification System, Global Industry Classification Standards and Barclays Global Classification Scheme.

 

Quarterly Portfolio Schedules Information

 

The Trust files its complete schedule of portfolio holdings with the SEC for the first and third quarters of each fiscal year as an exhibit to its reports on Form N-PORT, and for reporting periods ended prior to March 31, 2019, filed such information on Form N-Q. The Funds’ Forms N-PORT and N-Q are available on the SEC’s website at https://www.sec.gov. Copies of the portfolio holdings are also available to shareholders, without charge and upon request, by calling 800.820.0888.

 

 

THE GUGGENHEIM FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT | 97

 

 

INFORMATION ON BOARD OF TRUSTEES AND OFFICERS (Unaudited)

 

A Board of Trustees oversees the Trust, as well as other trusts of GI, in which its members have no stated term of service, and continue to serve after election until resignation. The Funds’ Statement of Additional Information includes further information about Fund Trustees and Officers, and can be obtained without charge by visiting guggenheiminvestments.com or by calling 800.820.0888.

 

Name, Address*
and Year of Birth

Position(s)
Held with
Trust

Term of Office
and Length of
Time Served**

Principal Occupation(s)
During Past Five Years

Number of
Portfolios
in Fund
Complex
Overseen

Other
Directorships Held
by Trustees***

INDEPENDENT TRUSTEES

     

Randall C. Barnes

(1951)

Trustee and Chair of the Valuation Oversight Committee

Since 2019 (Trustee)

 

Since 2020 (Chair of the Valuation Oversight Committee)

Current: Private Investor (2001-present).

Former: Senior Vice President and Treasurer, PepsiCo, Inc. (1993-1997); President, Pizza Hut International (1991-1993); Senior Vice President, Strategic Planning and New Business Development, PepsiCo, Inc. (1987-1990).

153

Current: Advent Convertible and Income Fund (2005-present); Purpose Investments Funds (2013-present).

 

Former: Guggenheim Energy & Income Fund (2015-2023); Fiduciary/Claymore Energy Infrastructure Fund (2004-2022); Guggenheim Enhanced Equity Income Fund (2005-2021); Guggenheim Credit Allocation Fund (2013-2021).

 

98 | THE GUGGENHEIM FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT

 

 

 

INFORMATION ON BOARD OF TRUSTEES AND OFFICERS (Unaudited)(continued)

 

Name, Address*
and Year of Birth

Position(s)
Held with
Trust

Term of Office
and Length of
Time Served**

Principal Occupation(s)
During Past Five Years

Number of
Portfolios
in Fund
Complex
Overseen

Other
Directorships Held
by Trustees***

INDEPENDENT TRUSTEES - continued

   

Angela Brock-Kyle

(1959)

Trustee

Since 2016

Current: Founder and Chief Executive Officer, B.O.A.R.D.S. (2013-present); Director, Mutual Fund Directors Forum (2022-present).

Former: Senior Leader, TIAA (financial services firm) (1987-2012).

152

Current: Bowhead Insurance GP, LLC (2020-present); Hunt Companies, Inc. (2019-present).

 

Former: Guggenheim Energy & Income Fund (2019-2023); Fiduciary/Claymore Energy Infrastructure Fund (2019-2022); Guggenheim Enhanced Equity Income Fund (2019-2021); Guggenheim Credit Allocation Fund (2019-2021); Infinity Property & Casualty Corp. (2014-2018).

Thomas F. Lydon, Jr.

(1960)

Trustee and Chair of the Contracts Review Committee

Since 2005 (Trustee)

 

Since 2020 (Chair of the Contracts Review Committee)

Current: President, Global Trends Investments (registered investment adviser) (1996-present); Chief Executive Officer, ETF Flows, LLC (financial advisor education and research provider) (2019-present); Chief Executive Officer, Lydon Media (2016-present); Director, GDX Index Partners, LLC (index provider) (2021-present); Vice Chairman, VettaFi (financial advisor content, research and digital distribution provider) (2022-present).

152

Current: The 2023 ETF Series Trust (4) (2023-present); The 2023 ETF Series Trust II (1) (2023 - present); US Global Investors, Inc. (GROW) (1995-present).

Former: Guggenheim Energy & Income Fund (2019-2023); Fiduciary/Claymore Energy Infrastructure Fund (2019-2022); Guggenheim Enhanced Equity Income Fund (2019-2021); Guggenheim Credit Allocation Fund (2019-2021); Harvest Volatility Edge Trust (3) (2017-2019).

 

 

THE GUGGENHEIM FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT | 99

 

 

INFORMATION ON BOARD OF TRUSTEES AND OFFICERS (Unaudited)(continued)

 

Name, Address*
and Year of Birth

Position(s)
Held with
Trust

Term of Office
and Length of
Time Served**

Principal Occupation(s)
During Past Five Years

Number of
Portfolios
in Fund
Complex
Overseen

Other
Directorships Held
by Trustees***

INDEPENDENT TRUSTEES - continued

   

Ronald A. Nyberg

(1953)

Trustee and Chair of the Nominating and Governance Committee

Since 2019

Current: Of Counsel, Momkus LLP (law firm) (2016-present).

Former: Partner, Nyberg & Cassioppi, LLC (law firm) (2000-2016); Executive Vice President, General Counsel, and Corporate Secretary, Van Kampen Investments (1982-1999).

153

Current: Advent Convertible and Income Fund (2003-present); PPM Funds (2) (2018-present); Endeavor Health (2012-present).

 

Former: Guggenheim Energy & Income Fund (2015-2023); Fiduciary/Claymore Energy Infrastructure Fund (2004-2022); Guggenheim Enhanced Equity Income Fund (2005-2021); Guggenheim Credit Allocation Fund (2013-2021); Western Asset Inflation-Linked Opportunities & Income Fund (2004-2020); Western Asset Inflation-Linked Income Fund (2003-2020).

 

100 | THE GUGGENHEIM FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT

 

 

 

INFORMATION ON BOARD OF TRUSTEES AND OFFICERS (Unaudited)(continued)

 

Name, Address*
and Year of Birth

Position(s)
Held with
Trust

Term of Office
and Length of
Time Served**

Principal Occupation(s)
During Past Five Years

Number of
Portfolios
in Fund
Complex
Overseen

Other
Directorships Held
by Trustees***

INDEPENDENT TRUSTEES - continued

   

Sandra G. Sponem

(1958)

Trustee and Chair of the Audit Committee

Since 2016 (Trustee)

 

Since 2019 (Chair of the Audit Committee)

Current: Retired.

 

Former: Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer, M.A. Mortenson-Companies, Inc. (construction and real estate development company) (2007-2017).

152

Current: SPDR Series Trust (81) (2018-present); SPDR Index Shares Funds (30) (2018-present); SSGA Active Trust (14) (2018-present).

 

Former: Guggenheim Energy & Income Fund (2019-2023); Fiduciary/Claymore Energy Infrastructure Fund (2019-2022); Guggenheim Enhanced Equity Income Fund (2019-2021); Guggenheim Credit Allocation Fund (2019-2021); SSGA Master Trust (1) (2018-2020).

 

 

THE GUGGENHEIM FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT | 101

 

 

INFORMATION ON BOARD OF TRUSTEES AND OFFICERS (Unaudited)(continued)

 

Name, Address*
and Year of Birth

Position(s)
Held with
Trust

Term of Office
and Length of
Time Served**

Principal Occupation(s)
During Past Five Years

Number of
Portfolios
in Fund
Complex
Overseen

Other
Directorships Held
by Trustees***

INDEPENDENT TRUSTEES - concluded

   

Ronald E. Toupin, Jr.

(1958)

Trustee, Chair of the Board and Chair of the Executive Committee

Since 2019

Current: Portfolio Consultant (2010-present); Member, Governing Council, Independent Directors Council (2013-present); Governor, Board of Governors, Investment Company Institute (2018-present).

Former: Member, Executive Committee, Independent Directors Council (2016-2018); Vice President, Manager and Portfolio Manager, Nuveen Asset Management (1998-1999); Vice President, Nuveen Investment Advisory Corp. (1992-1999); Vice President and Manager, Nuveen Unit Investment Trusts (1991-1999); and Assistant Vice President and Portfolio Manager, Nuveen Unit Investment Trusts (1988-1999), each of John Nuveen & Co., Inc. (registered broker dealer) (1982-1999).

152

Former: Guggenheim Energy & Income Fund (2015-2023); Fiduciary/Claymore Energy Infrastructure Fund (2004-2022); Guggenheim Enhanced Equity Income Fund (2005-2021); Guggenheim Credit Allocation Fund (2013-2021); Western Asset Inflation-Linked Opportunities & Income Fund (2004-2020); Western Asset Inflation-Linked Income Fund (2003-2020).

 

102 | THE GUGGENHEIM FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT

 

 

 

INFORMATION ON BOARD OF TRUSTEES AND OFFICERS (Unaudited)(continued)

 

Name, Address*
and Year of Birth

Position(s)
Held with
Trust

Term of Office
and Length of
Time Served**

Principal Occupation(s)
During Past Five Years

Number of
Portfolios
in Fund
Complex
Overseen

Other
Directorships Held
by Trustees***

INTERESTED TRUSTEE

 

Amy J. Lee****

(1961)

Trustee, Vice President and Chief Legal Officer

Since 2019

Current: Interested Trustee, certain other funds in the Fund Complex (2018-present); Chief Legal Officer, certain other funds in the Fund Complex (2014-present); Vice President, certain other funds in the Fund Complex (2007-present); Senior Managing Director, Guggenheim Investments (2012-present).

Former: President and Chief Executive Officer, certain other funds in the Fund Complex (2017-2019); Vice President, Associate General Counsel and Assistant Secretary, Security Benefit Life Insurance Company and Security Benefit Corporation (2004-2012).

152

Former: Guggenheim Energy & Income Fund (2015-2023); Fiduciary/Claymore Energy Infrastructure Fund (2018-2022); Guggenheim Enhanced Equity Income Fund (2018-2021); Guggenheim Credit Allocation Fund (2018-2021).

 

*

The business address of each Trustee is c/o Guggenheim Investments, 227 West Monroe Street, Chicago, Illinois 60606.

**

Each Trustee serves during the lifetime of the Trust or until he or she dies, resigns, has reached the mandatory retirement age, is declared incompetent by a court of appropriate jurisdiction, is removed or until his or her successor is duly elected and qualified, subject to the Trust’s Independent Trustees Retirement Policy and the Trust’s organizational documents. Time served may include time served in the respective position for certain predecessor entities of the Trust.

***

Each Trustee serves on the Boards of Trustees of Guggenheim Funds Trust, Guggenheim Variable Funds Trust, Guggenheim Strategy Funds Trust, Guggenheim Taxable Municipal Bond & Investment Grade Debt Trust, Guggenheim Strategic Opportunities Fund, Guggenheim Active Allocation Fund, Rydex Series Funds, Rydex Dynamic Funds, Rydex Variable Trust and Transparent Value Trust. Messrs. Barnes and Nyberg also serve on the Board of Trustees of Advent Convertible & Income Fund.

****

This Trustee is deemed to be an “interested person” of the Funds under the 1940 Act by reason of her position with the Funds’ Adviser and/or the parent of the Adviser.

 

 

THE GUGGENHEIM FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT | 103

 

 

INFORMATION ON BOARD OF TRUSTEES AND OFFICERS (Unaudited)(continued)

 

Name, Address*
and Year of Birth

Position(s)
Held with
Trust

Term of Office
and Length of
Time Served**

Principal Occupation(s)
During Past Five Years

OFFICERS

     

Brian E. Binder

(1972)

President and Chief Executive Officer

Since 2019

Current: President, Mutual Fund Boards, Guggenheim Investments (2022-present); President and Chief Executive Officer, certain other funds in the Fund Complex (2018-present); President, Mutual Funds Boards, Guggenheim Funds Investment Advisors, LLC and Security Investors, LLC (2018-present); Board Member, Guggenheim Partners Investment Funds plc (2022-present); Board Member, Guggenheim Global Investments plc (2022-present); Board Member, Guggenheim Partners Fund Management (Europe) Limited (2018-present).

Former: Senior Managing Director and Chief Administrative Officer, Guggenheim Investments (2018-2022); Managing Director and President, Deutsche Funds, and Head of US Product, Trading and Fund Administration, Deutsche Asset Management (2013-2018); Managing Director, Chairman of North American Executive Committee and Head of Business Management and Consulting, Invesco Ltd. (2010-2012).

James Howley

(1972)

Chief Financial Officer, Chief Accounting Officer and Treasurer

Since 2022

Current: Managing Director, Guggenheim Investments (2004-present); Chief Financial Officer, Chief Accounting Officer, and Treasurer, certain other funds in the Fund Complex (2022-present).

Former: Assistant Treasurer, certain other funds in the Fund Complex (2006-2022); Manager, Mutual Fund Administration of Van Kampen Investments, Inc. (1996-2004).

Mark E. Mathiasen

(1978)

Secretary

Since 2017

Current: Secretary, certain other funds in the Fund Complex (2007-present); Managing Director, Guggenheim Investments (2007-present).

Glenn McWhinnie

(1969)

Assistant Treasurer

Since 2016

Current: Vice President, Guggenheim Investments (2009-present); Assistant Treasurer, certain other funds in the Fund Complex (2016-present).

Michael Megaris

(1984)

Assistant
Secretary

Since 2018

Current: Assistant Secretary, certain other funds in the Fund Complex (2014-present); Managing Director, Guggenheim Investments (2012-present).

 

104 | THE GUGGENHEIM FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT

 

 

 

INFORMATION ON BOARD OF TRUSTEES AND OFFICERS (Unaudited)(continued)

 

Name, Address*
and Year of Birth

Position(s)
Held with
Trust

Term of Office
and Length of
Time Served**

Principal Occupation(s)
During Past Five Years

OFFICERS - continued

 

Elisabeth Miller

(1968)

Chief Compliance Officer

Since 2012

Current: Chief Compliance Officer, certain other funds in the Fund Complex (2012-present); Senior Managing Director, Guggenheim Investments (2012-present); Senior Managing Director, Guggenheim Funds Distributors, LLC (2014-present).

Former: Chief Compliance Officer, Security Investors, LLC and Guggenheim Funds Investment Advisors, LLC (2012-2018); Chief Compliance Officer, Guggenheim Distributors, LLC (2009-2014); Senior Manager, Security Investors, LLC (2004-2014); Senior Manager, Guggenheim Distributors, LLC (2004-2014).

Margaux Misantone

(1978)

AML Officer

Since 2017

Current: Chief Compliance Officer, Security Investors, LLC and Guggenheim Funds Investment Advisors, LLC (2018-present); AML Officer, Security Investors, LLC and certain other funds in the Fund Complex (2017-present); Managing Director, Guggenheim Investments (2015-present).

Former: Assistant Chief Compliance Officer, Security Investors, LLC and Guggenheim Funds Investments Advisors, LLC (2015-2018).

Kimberly J. Scott

(1974)

Assistant Treasurer

Since 2016

Current: Director, Guggenheim Investments (2012-present); Assistant Treasurer, certain other funds in the Fund Complex (2012-present).


Former: Financial Reporting Manager, Invesco, Ltd. (2010-2011); Vice President/Assistant Treasurer, Mutual Fund Administration for Van Kampen Investments, Inc./Morgan Stanley Investment Management (2009-2010); Manager of Mutual Fund Administration, Van Kampen Investments, Inc./Morgan Stanley Investment Management (2005-2009).

Bryan Stone

(1979)

Vice President

Since 2019

Current: Vice President, certain other funds in the Fund Complex (2014-present); Managing Director, Guggenheim Investments (2013-present).


Former: Senior Vice President, Neuberger Berman Group LLC (2009-2013); Vice President, Morgan Stanley (2002-2009).

 

 

THE GUGGENHEIM FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT | 105

 

 

INFORMATION ON BOARD OF TRUSTEES AND OFFICERS (Unaudited)(concluded)

 

Name, Address*
and Year of Birth

Position(s)
Held with
Trust

Term of Office
and Length of
Time Served**

Principal Occupation(s)
During Past Five Years

OFFICERS - concluded

 

Jon Szafran

(1989)

Assistant Treasurer

Since 2017

Current: Director, Guggenheim Investments (2017-present); Assistant Treasurer, certain other funds in the Fund Complex (2017-present).

Former: Assistant Treasurer of Henderson Global Funds and Manager of US Fund Administration, Henderson Global Investors (North America) Inc. (“HGINA”), (2017); Senior Analyst of US Fund Administration, HGINA (2014–2017); Senior Associate of Fund Administration, Cortland Capital Market Services, LLC (2013-2014); Experienced Associate, PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP (2012-2013).

 

 

*

The business address of each officer is c/o Guggenheim Investments, 227 West Monroe Street, Chicago, Illinois 60606.

**

Each officer serves an indefinite term, until his or her successor is duly elected and qualified, or until his or her earlier death, inability to serve, resignation or removal. Time served may include time served in the respective position for certain predecessor entities of the Trust.

 

106 | THE GUGGENHEIM FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT

 

 

 

GUGGENHEIM INVESTMENTS PRIVACY NOTICE (Unaudited)

 

Who We Are

 

This Privacy Notice describes the data protection practices of Guggenheim Investments. Guggenheim Investments as used herein refers to the affiliated investment management businesses of Guggenheim Partners, LLC: Guggenheim Funds Investment Advisors, LLC, Guggenheim Partners Investment Management, LLC, Guggenheim Funds Distributors, LLC, Security Investors, LLC, Guggenheim Investment Advisors (Europe) Limited, Guggenheim Real Estate, LLC, GS Gamma Advisors, LLC, Guggenheim Partners India Management, LLC, Guggenheim Partners Europe Limited, as well as the funds in the Guggenheim Funds complex (the “Funds”) (“Guggenheim Investments,” “we,” “us,” or “our”).

 

Guggenheim Partners Investment Management Holdings, LLC, located at 330 Madison Avenue, New York, New York, 10017, is the data controller for your information. The affiliates who are also controllers of certain of your information are: Guggenheim Investment Advisors (Europe) Limited, Guggenheim Partners Europe Limited, Guggenheim Partners, LLC, Guggenheim Funds Investment Advisors, LLC, Guggenheim Partners Investment Management, LLC, Guggenheim Funds Distributors, LLC and Security Investors, LLC, as well as the Funds.

 

Our Commitment to You

 

Guggenheim Investments considers your privacy our utmost concern. When you become our client or investor, you entrust us with not only your hard-earned money but also with your personal and financial information. Because we have access to your private information, we hold ourselves to the highest standards in its safekeeping and use. We strictly limit how we share your information with others, whether you are a current or former Guggenheim Investments client or investor.

 

The Information We Collect About You

 

We collect certain nonpublic personal information about you from information you provide on applications, other forms, our website, and/or from third parties including investment advisors. This information includes Social Security or other tax identification number, assets, income, tax information, retirement and estate plan information, transaction history, account balance, payment history, bank account information, marital status, family relationships, information that we collect on our website through the use of “cookies,” and other personal information that you or others provide to us. We may also collect such information through your inquiries by mail, e-mail or telephone. We may also collect customer due diligence information, as required by applicable law and regulation, through third party service providers.

 

How We Handle Your Personal Information

 

The legal basis for using your information as set out in this Privacy Notice is as follows: (a) use of your personal data is necessary to perform our obligations under any contract with you (such as a contract for us to provide financial services to you); or (b) where use of your personal data is not necessary for performance of a contract, use of your personal data is necessary for our legitimate interests or the legitimate interests of others (for example, to enforce the legal terms

 

 

THE GUGGENHEIM FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT | 107

 

 

GUGGENHEIM INVESTMENTS PRIVACY NOTICE (Unaudited)(continued)

 

governing our services, operate and market our website and other services we offer, ensure safe environments for our personnel and others, make and receive payments, prevent fraud and to know the customer to whom we are providing the services). Some processing is done to comply with applicable law.

 

In addition to the specific uses described above, we also use your information in the following manner:

 

 

We use your information in connection with servicing your accounts.

 

 

We use information to respond to your requests or questions. For example, we might use your information to respond to your customer feedback.

 

 

We use information to improve our products and services. We may use your information to make our website and products better. We may use your information to customize your experience with us.

 

 

We use information for security purposes. We may use your information to protect our company and our customers.

 

 

We use information to communicate with you. For example, we will communicate with you about your account or our relationship. We may contact you about your feedback. We might also contact you about this Privacy Notice. We may also enroll you in our email newsletter.

 

 

We use information as otherwise permitted by law, as we may notify you.

 

 

Aggregate/Anonymous Data. We may aggregate and/or anonymize any information collected through the website so that such information can no longer be linked to you or your device (“Aggregate/Anonymous Information”). We may use Aggregate/Anonymous Information for any purpose, including without limitation for research and marketing purposes, and may also share such data with any third parties, including advertisers, promotional partners, and sponsors.

 

We do not sell information about current or former clients or their accounts to third parties. Nor do we share this information, except when necessary to complete transactions at your request, to make you aware of investment products and services that we or our affiliates offer, or as permitted or required by law.

 

We provide information about you to companies and individuals not affiliated with Guggenheim Investments to complete certain transactions or account changes, or to perform services for us related to your account. For example, if you ask to transfer assets from another financial institution to Guggenheim Investments, we must provide certain information about you to that company to complete the transaction. We provide the third party with only the information necessary to carry out its responsibilities and only for that purpose. And we require these third parties to treat your private information with the same high degree of confidentiality that we do.

 

108 | THE GUGGENHEIM FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT

 

 

 

GUGGENHEIM INVESTMENTS PRIVACY NOTICE (Unaudited)(continued)

 

To alert you to other Guggenheim Investments products and services, we share your information within our family of affiliated companies. You may limit our sharing with affiliated companies as set out below. We may also share information with any successor to all or part of our business, or in connection with steps leading up to a merger or acquisition. For example, if part of our business was sold we may give customer information as part of that transaction. We may also share information about you with your consent.

 

We will release information about you if you direct us to do so, if we are compelled by law to do so, or in other circumstances as permitted by law (for example, to protect your account from fraud).

 

If you close your account(s) or become an inactive client or investor, we will continue to adhere to the privacy policies and practices described in this notice.

 

Opt-Out Provisions and Your Data Choices

 

The law allows you to “opt out” of certain kinds of information sharing with third parties. We do not share personal information about you with any third parties that triggers this opt-out right. This means YOU ARE ALREADY OPTED OUT.

 

When you are no longer our client or investor, we continue to share your information as described in this notice, and you may contact us at any time to limit our sharing by sending an email to CorporateDataPrivacy@GuggenheimPartners.com.

 

European Union Data Subjects and certain others: In addition to the choices set forth above, residents of the European Union and certain other jurisdictions have certain rights to (1) request access to or rectification or deletion of information we collect about them, (2) request a restriction on the processing of their information, (3) object to the processing of their information, or (4) request the portability of certain information. To exercise these or other rights, please contact us using the contact information below. We will consider all requests and provide our response within the time period stated by applicable law. Please note, however, that certain information may be exempt from such requests in some circumstances, which may include if we need to keep processing your information for our legitimate interests or to comply with a legal obligation. We may request you provide us with information necessary to confirm your identity before responding to your request.

 

Residents of France and certain other jurisdictions may also provide us with instructions regarding the manner in which we may continue to store, erase and share your information after your death, and where applicable, the person you have designated to exercise these rights after your death.

 

How We Protect Privacy Online

 

We take steps to protect your privacy when you use our web site – www.guggenheiminvestments.com – by using secure forms of online communication, including encryption technology, Secure Socket Layer (SSL) protocol, firewalls and user names and

 

 

THE GUGGENHEIM FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT | 109

 

 

GUGGENHEIM INVESTMENTS PRIVACY NOTICE (Unaudited)(concluded)

 

passwords. These safeguards vary based on the sensitivity of the information that we collect and store. However, we cannot and do not guarantee that these measures will prevent every unauthorized attempt to access, use, or disclose your information since despite our efforts, no Internet and/or other electronic transmissions can be completely secure. Our web site uses “http cookies”—tiny pieces of information that we ask your browser to store. We use cookies for session management and security features on the Guggenheim Investments web site. We do not use them to pull data from your hard drive, to learn your e-mail address, or to view data in cookies created by other web sites. We will not share the information in our cookies or give others access to it. See the legal information area on our web site for more details about web site security and privacy features.

 

How We Safeguard Your Personal Information and Data Retention

 

We restrict access to nonpublic personal information about you to our employees and in some cases to third parties (for example, the service providers described above) as permitted by law. We maintain strict physical, electronic and procedural safeguards that comply with federal standards to guard your nonpublic personal information.

 

We keep your information for no longer than necessary for the purposes for which it is processed. The length of time for which we retain information depends on the purposes for which we collected and use it and/or as required to comply with applicable laws. Information may persist in copies made for backup and business continuity purposes for additional time.

 

International Visitors

 

If you are not a resident of the United States, please be aware that your information may be transferred to, stored and processed in the United States where our servers are located and our databases are operated. The data protection and other laws of the United States and other countries might not be as comprehensive as those in your country.

 

In such cases, we ensure that a legal basis for such a transfer exists and that adequate protection is provided as required by applicable law, for example, by using standard contractual clauses or by transferring your data to a jurisdiction that has obtained an adequacy finding. Individuals whose data may be transferred on the basis of standard contractual clauses may contact us as described below.

 

We’ll Keep You Informed

 

If you have any questions or concerns about how we treat your personal data, we encourage you to consult with us first. You may also contact the relevant supervisory authority.

 

We reserve the right to modify this policy at any time and will inform you promptly of material changes. You may access our privacy policy from our web site at www.guggenheiminvestments.com. Should you have any questions regarding our privacy policy, contact us by email at CorporateDataPrivacy@GuggenheimPartners.com.

 

110 | THE GUGGENHEIM FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT

 

 

 

 

 

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12.31.2023

 

Guggenheim Funds Annual Report

 

Guggenheim Alternative Fund

Guggenheim Managed Futures Strategy Fund

   

 

GuggenheimInvestments.com

RMFSF-ANN-1223x1224

 

 

 

 

TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

   

DEAR SHAREHOLDER

2

ECONOMIC AND MARKET OVERVIEW

4

ABOUT SHAREHOLDERS’ FUND EXPENSES

6

MANAGED FUTURES STRATEGY FUND

9

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

28

REPORT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM

45

OTHER INFORMATION

47

INFORMATION ON BOARD OF TRUSTEES AND OFFICERS

49

GUGGENHEIM INVESTMENTS PRIVACY NOTICE

59

 

 

THE GUGGENHEIM FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT | 1

 

 

 

December 31, 2023

 

Dear Shareholder:

 

Security Investors, LLC (the “Investment Adviser”), is pleased to present the annual shareholder report for the Managed Futures Strategy Fund (the “Fund”) that is part of the Rydex Series Funds. This report covers the performance of the Fund for the annual period ended December 31, 2023 (the “Reporting Period”).

 

The Investment Adviser is part of Guggenheim Investments, which represents the investment management businesses of Guggenheim Partners, LLC (“Guggenheim”), a global, diversified financial services firm.

 

Guggenheim Funds Distributors, LLC is the distributor of the Fund. Guggenheim Funds Distributors, LLC is affiliated with Guggenheim and the Investment Adviser.

 

We encourage you to read the Economic and Market Overview section of the report, which follows this letter, and then the Performance Report and Fund Profile for the Fund.

 

We are committed to providing innovative investment solutions and appreciate the trust you place in us.

 

Sincerely,

 

Security Investors, LLC

 

January 31, 2024

 

Read a prospectus and summary prospectus (if available) carefully before investing. It contains the investment objectives, risks, charges, expenses and other information, which should be considered carefully before investing. Obtain a prospectus and summary prospectus (if available) at guggenheiminvestments.com or call 800.820.0888.

 

This material is not intended as a recommendation or as investment advice of any kind, including in connection with rollovers, transfers, and distributions. Such material is not provided in a fiduciary capacity, may not be relied upon for or in connection with the making of investment decisions, and does not constitute a solicitation of an offer to buy or sell securities. All content has been provided for informational or educational purposes only and is not intended to be and should not be construed as legal or tax advice and/or a legal opinion. Always consult a financial, tax and/ or legal professional regarding your specific situation.

 

The Managed Futures Strategy Fund may not be suitable for all investors. ● The Fund’s investments in securities and derivatives, in general, are subject to market risks that may cause their prices, and therefore the Fund’s value, to fluctuate over time. An investment in the Fund may lose money. ● The Fund’s investments in derivatives may pose risks in addition to those associated with investing directly in securities or other investments, including illiquidity of the derivatives, imperfect correlations with underlying investments or the Fund’s other portfolio holdings, lack of availability and

 

2 | THE GUGGENHEIM FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT

 

 

 

 

December 31, 2023

 

counterparty risk. To the extent the Fund invests in derivatives to seek to hedge risk or limit leveraged exposure created by other investments, there is no guarantee that such hedging strategies will be effective at managing risk or limiting exposure to leveraged investments. ● The Fund’s use of leverage will exaggerate the effect on net asset value of any increase or decrease in the market value of the Fund’s portfolio. ●The Fund’s use of short selling involves increased risk and costs. The Fund risks paying more for a security than it received from its sale. Theoretically, securities sold short have the risk of unlimited losses. ● The Fund’s investments in fixed income securities will change in value in response to interest rate changes and other factors. In general, bond prices rise when interest rates fall and vice versa. ● The Fund‘s exposure to high yield, asset backed and mortgaged backed securities may subject the Fund to greater volatility. ● The Fund’s indirect and direct exposure to foreign currencies subjects the Fund to the risk that those currencies will decline in value relative to the U.S. dollar, or, in the case of short positions, that the U.S. dollar will decline in value relative to the currency being hedged. ● The Fund’s exposure to the commodity markets may subject the fund to greater volatility as commodity-linked investments may be affected by changes in overall market movements, commodity index volatility, changes in interest rates or factors affecting a particular industry or commodity such as droughts, floods, weather, embargos, tariffs and international economic, political and regulatory developments. ● The Fund may invest in securities of foreign companies directly, or indirectly through the use of other investment companies and financial instruments that are linked to the performance of foreign issuers. Foreign securities markets generally have less trading volume and less liquidity than U.S. markets, and prices in some foreign markets may fluctuate more than those of securities traded on U.S. markets. ●See the prospectus for more information on these and additional risks.

 

 

 

THE GUGGENHEIM FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT | 3

 

 

ECONOMIC AND MARKET OVERVIEW (Unaudited)

December 31, 2023

 

The U.S. economy has proved resilient to tight monetary policy by the Federal Reserve (the “Fed”), helped by falling inflation boosting real incomes and consumer sentiment, an expansion in the fiscal deficit over the past year, and a supply-side boost as labor force participation improves. We believe these tailwinds are likely to fade going forward which would pressure growth. Consumer spending also faces headwinds from dwindling excess savings buffers.

 

The Fed-induced easing of financial conditions, with interest rates falling and stock prices rising, has taken pressure off the economy and helped bring down recession risk. While it appears recession risk has come down, it is still materially higher than very optimistic market expectations would suggest. The 2024 election could add to volatility and uncertainty. We expect Treasury yields to decline more than the market currently anticipates in 2024, though they are unlikely to return to the lows of the last cycle.

 

We expect default rates to stay elevated as U.S. companies cope with rising borrowing costs and limited credit availability, but the stress will become increasingly bifurcated between large and small companies. High-quality corporate debt and structured credit yields should provide an income cushion that could reduce the impact if spreads should widen from here.

 

The two-year Treasury yield declined to 4.23% from 5.03% in the fourth quarter, while the 10-year Treasury yield dropped to 3.88% from 4.59%, a 9 basis point flattening in the 2s/10s yield curve. One basis point equals 0.01%. Investment-grade corporate bond issuance has been robust, predominantly split between financials and industrials. Investment-grade spreads, which peaked at 163 basis points in April, tightened to 103 basis points by the end of the year. Meanwhile, high-yield bond credit spreads narrowed to just 363 basis points by year-end, the tightest since April 2022, and marking a significant reduction from 491 basis points at the beginning of the year. Leveraged loan discount margins tightened from 652 basis points to 528 basis points, but 44% of the loan index is trading at spreads below 400 basis points and the median loan ended the year at 464 basis points. Structured credit spreads rallied into year-end, capping a strong year of outperformance for structured credit. In CLOs, we continue to expect range bound primary spreads and an increase in refinancings and resets in early 2024.

 

For the Reporting Period, the S&P 500® Index* returned 26.29%. The MSCI Europe-Australasia-Far East (“EAFE”) Index* returned 18.24%. The return of the MSCI Emerging Markets Index* was 9.83%.

 

In the bond market, the Bloomberg U.S. Aggregate Bond Index* posted a 5.53% return for the Reporting Period, while the Bloomberg U.S. Corporate High Yield Index* returned 13.45%. The return of the ICE Bank of America (“BofA”) 3-Month U.S. Treasury Bill Index* was 5.05% for the Reporting Period.

 

 

4 | THE GUGGENHEIM FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT

 

 

 

ECONOMIC AND MARKET OVERVIEW (Unaudited)(concluded)

December 31, 2023

 

The opinions and forecasts expressed may not actually come to pass. This information is subject to change at any time, based on market and other conditions, and should not be construed as a recommendation of any specific security or strategy.

 

*Index Definitions:

 

The following indices are referenced throughout this report. Indices are unmanaged and not available for direct investment. Index performance does not reflect transaction costs, fees, or expenses.

 

Bloomberg U.S. Aggregate Bond Index is a broad-based flagship benchmark that measures the investment grade, U.S. dollar-denominated, fixed-rate taxable bond market, including U.S. Treasuries, government-related and corporate securities, mortgage-backed securities or “MBS” (agency fixed-rate and hybrid adjustable-rate mortgage, or “ARM”, pass-throughs), asset-backed securities (“ABS”), and commercial mortgage-backed securities (“CMBS”) (agency and non-agency).

 

Bloomberg U.S. Corporate High Yield Index measures the U.S. dollar-denominated, high yield, fixed-rate corporate bond market. Securities are classified as high yield if the middle rating of Moody’s, Fitch, and S&P is Ba1/BB +/BB + or below.

 

ICE BofA 3-Month U.S. Treasury Bill Index is an unmanaged market index of U.S. Treasury securities maturing in 90 days that assumes reinvestment of all income.

 

MSCI EAFE Index is a free float-adjusted market capitalization index that is designed to measure the equity market performance of developed markets, excluding the U.S. & Canada.

 

MSCI Emerging Markets Index is a free float-adjusted market capitalization weighted index that is designed to measure equity market performance in the global emerging markets.

 

S&P 500® Index is a broad-based index, the performance of which is based on the performance of 500 widely held common stocks chosen for market size, liquidity, and industry group representation.

 

SG (Societe Generale) CTA Index is designed to track the largest 20 (by AUM) Commodity Trading Advisors, or CTAs, and be representative of the managed futures space. The CTA Index is equally weighted, and reblanced and reconstituted annually.

 

 

 

THE GUGGENHEIM FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT | 5

 

 

ABOUT SHAREHOLDERS’ FUND EXPENSES (Unaudited)

 

All mutual funds have operating expenses, and it is important for our shareholders to understand the impact of costs on their investments. Shareholders of a fund incur two types of costs: (i) transaction costs, including sales charges (loads) on purchase payments, reinvested dividends, other distributions, and exchange fees, and (ii) ongoing costs, including management fees, administrative services, and shareholder reports, among others. These ongoing costs, or operating expenses, are deducted from a fund’s gross income and reduce the investment return of the fund.

 

A fund’s expenses are expressed as a percentage of its average net assets, which is known as the expense ratio. The following examples are intended to help investors understand the ongoing costs (in dollars) of investing in a fund and to compare these costs with the ongoing costs of investing in other mutual funds.

 

The examples are based on an investment of $1,000 made at the beginning of the period and held for the entire six-month period beginning June 30, 2023 and ending December 31, 2023.

 

The following tables illustrate the Fund’s costs in two ways:

 

Table 1. Based on actual Fund return: This section helps investors estimate the actual expenses paid over the period. The “Ending Account Value” shown is derived from the Fund’s actual return, and the fifth column shows the dollar amount that would have been paid by an investor who started with $1,000 in the Fund. Investors may use the information here, together with the amount invested, to estimate the expenses paid over the period. Simply divide the Fund’s 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 provided under the heading “Expenses Paid During Period.”

 

Table 2. Based on hypothetical 5% return: This section is intended to help investors compare a fund’s cost with those of other mutual funds. The table provides information about hypothetical account values and hypothetical expenses based on the Fund’s actual expense ratio and an assumed rate of return of 5% per year before expenses, which is not the Fund’s actual return. The hypothetical account values and expenses may not be used to estimate the actual ending account balance or expenses paid during the period. The example is useful in making comparisons because the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) requires all mutual funds to calculate expenses based on the 5% return. Investors can assess a Fund’s costs by comparing this hypothetical example with the hypothetical examples that appear in shareholder reports of other funds.

 

The calculations illustrated above assume no shares were bought or sold during the period. Actual costs may have been higher or lower, depending on the amount of investment and the timing of any purchases or redemptions.

 

6 | THE GUGGENHEIM FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT

 

 

 

ABOUT SHAREHOLDERS’ FUND EXPENSES (Unaudited)(continued)

 

Please note that the expenses shown in the table are meant to highlight your ongoing costs only and do not reflect any transactional costs, such as sales charges (loads) on purchase payments, and contingent deferred sales charges (“CDSC”) on redemptions, if any. Therefore, the second table is useful in comparing ongoing costs only, and will not help you determine the relative total costs of owning different funds. In addition, if these transactional costs were included, your costs would have been higher.

 

More information about the Fund’s expenses, including annual expense ratios for periods up to five years (subject to the Fund’s inception date), can be found in the Financial Highlights section of this report. For additional information on operating expenses and other shareholder costs, please refer to the Fund’s prospectus.

 

 

THE GUGGENHEIM FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT | 7

 

 

ABOUT SHAREHOLDERS’ FUND EXPENSES (Unaudited)(concluded)

 

 

 

Expense
Ratio
1

   

Fund
Return

   

Beginning
Account Value
June 30,
2023

   

Ending
Account Value
December 31,
2023

   

Expenses
Paid During
Period
2

 

Table 1. Based on actual Fund return3

Class A

    1.76 %     0.05 %   $ 1,000.00     $ 1,000.50     $ 8.87  

Class C

    2.49 %     (0.29 %)     1,000.00       997.10       12.53  

Class P

    1.74 %     0.10 %     1,000.00       1,001.00       8.78  

Institutional Class

    1.47 %     0.22 %     1,000.00       1,002.20       7.42  

 

Table 2. Based on hypothetical 5% return (before expenses)

Class A

    1.76 %     5.00 %   $ 1,000.00     $ 1,016.33     $ 8.94  

Class C

    2.49 %     5.00 %     1,000.00       1,012.65       12.63  

Class P

    1.74 %     5.00 %     1,000.00       1,016.43       8.84  

Institutional Class

    1.47 %     5.00 %     1,000.00       1,017.80       7.48  

 

1

Annualized and excludes expenses of the underlying funds in which the Fund invests, if any.

2

Expenses are equal to the Fund’s annualized expense ratio, net of any applicable fee waivers, multiplied by the average account value over the period, multiplied by 184/365 (to reflect the one-half year period).

3

Actual cumulative return at net asset value for the period June 30, 2023 to December 31, 2023.

 

8 | THE GUGGENHEIM FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT

 

 

 

PERFORMANCE REPORT AND FUND PROFILE (Unaudited)

December 31, 2023

 

MANAGED FUTURES STRATEGY FUND

 

OBJECTIVE: Seeks to achieve absolute returns.

 

For the Reporting Period, Institutional shares of the Managed Futures Strategy Fund returned 3.97%, underperforming the ICE BofA 3-Month U.S. Treasury Bill Index, the Fund’s benchmark, which returned 5.05%. The Fund outperformed the SG (Societe Generale) CTA Index for the year, which returned -3.49%.

 

What factors contributed or detracted from the Fund’s performance during the Reporting Period?

 

The U.S. economy defied expectations in 2023 and provided a much-needed comeback for investors after a brutal 2022. While many forecasters had predicted a recession in 2023, the year was characterized by robust growth, strong consumer spending, steady job growth, and growing real wages. Bolstered by the combination of a solid economy, better-than-expected corporate earnings, and an apparent end to the Federal Reserve’s interest rate hikes, stocks rallied 25% in 2023. Furthermore, after peaking in 2022, inflation decelerated throughout the year due in large part to healing supply chains.

 

Although the economic news in 2023 was generally good, futures markets in all sectors were choppy and difficult to trend-follow, unlike the case in 2022. The SG CTA Index, an industry benchmark, was down -3.49% after a record 20.15% year in 2022 and most funds in the Morningstar Systematic Trend universe posted a negative return. As mentioned above, Institutional shares of the Managed Futures Strategy Fund returned 3.97% and was one of the few funds that saw positive returns during the year.

 

Within the Fund, the core trend-following strategy detracted from the overall return while the alpha strategies benefited overall return. The short-term strategies, a subset of the alpha strategies, were particularly strong performers, contributing positive returns in each of the four quarters and boosting the fund’s 2023 return into the black.

 

The core trend-following strategy saw gains from currencies, but these were overwhelmed by losses in commodities, equity indexes, and fixed income. The alpha strategies saw sufficient gains from equities to overcome losses in commodities, currencies, and fixed income. Overall, equities contributed positively to the Fund’s total return while commodities and fixed income detracted.

 

How did the Fund use derivatives during the Reporting Period?

 

The Fund’s performance is primarily derived from the trading of liquid futures. Futures are used to express investment views and hedge exposures across a wide range of global markets, including commodities, currencies, fixed income, and stock indexes. Positions held may be long or short depending on the investment view and/or nature of the hedge. The use of futures also enables the ready use of leverage, which actively facilitates portfolio diversification and risk management.

 

 

THE GUGGENHEIM FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT | 9

 

 

PERFORMANCE REPORT AND FUND PROFILE (Unaudited)(continued)

December 31, 2023

 

The Fund may invest in certain of the underlying series of Guggenheim Funds Trust and Guggenheim Strategy Funds Trust, including Guggenheim Ultra Short Duration, Guggenheim Strategy Fund II, and Guggenheim Strategy Fund III (collectively, the “Short Term Investment Vehicles”), each of which are open-end management investment companies managed by Guggenheim Investments. The Short Term Investment Vehicles, which launched on March 11, 2014, are offered as short term investment options only to mutual funds, trusts, and other accounts managed by Guggenheim Investments and/or its affiliates, and are not available to the public, with the exception of Guggenheim Ultra Short Duration Fund, which is available to the public. Guggenheim Strategy Fund II and Guggenheim Strategy Fund III do not charge an investment management fee. Guggenheim Ultra Short Duration Fund charges an investment management fee, but the Fund’s adviser has agreed to waive fees to the extent necessary to offset the proportionate share of any management fee paid by the Fund with respect to its investment in such affiliated fund. For the Reporting Period, investment in the Short Term Investment Vehicles contributed to Fund performance.

 

How was the Fund positioned at the end of the Reporting Period?

 

At the end of 2023, the Fund was net long equities, short bond yields (long bond futures), short commodities, and short the U.S. dollar. The Fund’s gross leverage was approximately 310%, with 55% of its expected risk in equities, 27% in currencies, 11% in commodities, and 7% in fixed income. The Fund’s net leverage was approximately 175%.

 

Performance displayed represents past performance which is no guarantee of future results.

 

10 | THE GUGGENHEIM FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT

 

 

 

PERFORMANCE REPORT AND FUND PROFILE (Unaudited)(continued)

December 31, 2023

 

MANAGED FUTURES STRATEGY FUND

 

OBJECTIVE: Seeks to achieve absolute returns.

 

Consolidated Holdings Diversification (Market Exposure as % of Net Assets)

 

 

“Consolidated Holdings Diversification (Market Exposure as % of Net Assets)” excludes any temporary cash investments, investments in Guggenheim Strategy Funds Trust mutual funds, or investments in Guggenheim Ultra Short Duration Fund. Investments in those Funds do not provide “market exposure” to meet the Fund’s investment objective, but will significantly increase the portfolio’s exposure to certain other asset categories (and their associated risks), which may cause the Fund to deviate from its principal investment strategy, including: (i) high yield, high risk debt securities rated below the top four long-term rating categories by a nationally recognized statistical rating organization (also known as “junk bonds”); (ii) securities issued by the U.S. government or its agencies and instrumentalities; (iii) CLOs and similar investments; and (iv) other short-term fixed income securities.

 

Inception Dates:

Class A

March 2, 2007

Class C

March 2, 2007

Class P

March 2, 2007

Institutional Class

May 3, 2010

 

The Fund invests principally in derivative investments such as futures contracts.

 

Largest Holdings

% of Total Net Assets

Guggenheim Strategy Fund III

8.3%

Guggenheim Strategy Fund II

5.9%

Guggenheim Ultra Short Duration Fund — Institutional Class

3.6%

Total

17.8%

   

“Largest Holdings” excludes any temporary cash or derivative investments.

 

 

THE GUGGENHEIM FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT | 11

 

 

PERFORMANCE REPORT AND FUND PROFILE (Unaudited)(continued)

December 31, 2023

 

Cumulative Fund Performance*

 

 

 

12 | THE GUGGENHEIM FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT

 

 

 

PERFORMANCE REPORT AND FUND PROFILE (Unaudited)(concluded)

December 31, 2023

 

Average Annual Returns*

Periods Ended December 31, 2023

 

 

1 Year

5 Year

10 Year

Class A Shares

3.63%

5.94%

2.01%

Class A Shares with sales charge

(1.27%)

4.91%

1.51%

Class C Shares

2.88%

5.15%

1.25%

Class C Shares with CDSC

1.88%

5.15%

1.25%

Class P Shares

3.66%

5.93%

2.03%

Institutional Class Shares

3.97%

6.22%

2.27%

ICE BofA 3-Month U.S. Treasury Bill Index

5.05%

1.89%

1.26%

 

*

The performance data above represents past performance that is not predictive of future results. The investment return and principal value of an investment in the Fund will fluctuate so that an investor’s shares, when redeemed, may be worth more or less than their original cost. Returns are historical and include changes in principal and reinvested dividends and capital gains and do not reflect the effect of taxes. The ICE BofA 3-Month U.S. Treasury Bill Index is an unmanaged index and, unlike the Fund, has no management fees or operating expenses to reduce its reported return. The graphs are based on Class A shares and Class P shares only; performance for Class C shares and Institutional Class shares will vary due to differences in fee structure.

Fund returns are calculated using the maximum sales charge of 4.75%.

Fund returns include a CDSC of 1% if redeemed within 12 months of purchase.

 

 

THE GUGGENHEIM FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT | 13

 

 

CONSOLIDATED SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS

December 31, 2023

MANAGED FUTURES STRATEGY FUND

 

 

 

 

Shares

   

Value

 

MUTUAL FUNDS - 17.8%

Guggenheim Strategy Fund III1

    235,195     $ 5,774,042  

Guggenheim Strategy Fund II1

    166,856       4,087,969  

Guggenheim Ultra Short Duration Fund — Institutional Class1

    257,497       2,536,343  

Total Mutual Funds

       

(Cost $12,548,781)

            12,398,354  
                 
   

Face
Amount

         

U.S. TREASURY BILLS†† - 15.1%

U.S. Treasury Bills

5.17% due 01/09/242,3

  $ 10,545,000       10,534,247  

Total U.S. Treasury Bills

       

(Cost $10,532,662)

            10,534,247  
                 

REPURCHASE AGREEMENTS††,4 - 63.2%

J.P. Morgan Securities LLC
issued 12/29/23 at 5.33%
due 01/02/24

    24,326,184     24,326,184  

BofA Securities, Inc.
issued 12/29/23 at 5.35%
due 01/02/24

    19,604,137       19,604,137  

Total Repurchase Agreements

       

(Cost $43,930,321)

            43,930,321  
                 

Total Investments - 96.1%

       

(Cost $67,011,764)

  $ 66,862,922  

Other Assets & Liabilities, net - 3.9%

    2,686,532  

Total Net Assets - 100.0%

  $ 69,549,454  

 

 

Futures Contracts

Description

 

Number of
Contracts

   

Expiration
Date

   

Notional
Amount

   

Value and
Unrealized
Appreciation
(Depreciation)**

 

Currency Futures Contracts Purchased

Swiss Franc Futures Contracts

    30       Mar 2024     $ 4,493,813     $ 148,116  

Canadian Dollar Futures Contracts

    136       Mar 2024       10,276,160       142,246  

Mexican Peso Futures Contracts

    168       Mar 2024       4,887,960       136,928  

New Zealand Dollar Futures Contracts

    75       Mar 2024       4,743,000       103,442  

Euro FX Futures Contracts

    97       Mar 2024       13,428,438       91,877  

Japanese Yen Futures Contracts

    46       Mar 2024       4,127,350       75,288  

Australian Dollar Futures Contracts

    124       Mar 2024       8,471,060       64,378  

British Pound Futures Contracts

    126       Mar 2024       10,042,200       62,572  
                    $ 60,469,981     $ 824,847  

Equity Futures Contracts Purchased

S&P/TSX 60 IX Index Futures Contracts

    26       Mar 2024     $ 4,989,695     $ 158,672  

NASDAQ-100 Index Mini Futures Contracts

    18       Mar 2024       6,126,930       120,418  

S&P 500 Index Mini Futures Contracts

    19       Mar 2024       4,578,050       65,030  

FTSE Taiwan Index Futures Contracts

    67       Jan 2024       4,150,650       61,871  

 

14 | THE GUGGENHEIM FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT

SEE NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.

 

 

CONSOLIDATED SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS (continued)

December 31, 2023

MANAGED FUTURES STRATEGY FUND

 

 

Futures Contracts (continued)

Description

 

Number of
Contracts

   

Expiration
Date

   

Notional
Amount

   

Value and
Unrealized
Appreciation
(Depreciation)**

 

Russell 2000 Index Mini Futures Contracts

    36       Mar 2024     $ 3,684,600     $ 52,516  

MSCI EAFE Index Futures Contracts

    16       Mar 2024       1,801,920       41,050  

Dow Jones Industrial Average Index Mini Futures Contracts

    12       Mar 2024       2,280,180       33,396  

FTSE 100 Index Futures Contracts††

    66       Mar 2024       6,494,851       15,069  

CAC 40 10 Euro Index Futures Contracts

    32       Jan 2024       2,676,325       14,215  

SPI 200 Index Futures Contracts††

    7       Mar 2024       900,899       12,687  

DAX Index Futures Contracts

    2       Mar 2024       934,629       2,686  

OMX Stockholm 30 Index Futures Contracts††

    5       Jan 2024       119,501       1,224  

FTSE MIB Index Futures Contracts

    1       Mar 2024       168,893       943  

CBOE Volatility Index Futures Contracts

    81       May 2024       1,409,400       (160 )

Euro STOXX 50 Index Futures Contracts

    17       Mar 2024       856,382       (1,317 )

Nikkei 225 (OSE) Index Futures Contracts

    2       Mar 2024       472,114       (2,048 )

CBOE Volatility Index Futures Contracts

    112       Jun 2024       1,988,000       (4,181 )

IBEX 35 Index Futures Contracts††

    23       Jan 2024       2,565,320       (6,924 )

Tokyo Stock Price Index Futures Contracts

    21       Mar 2024       3,511,594       (17,377 )

S&P MidCap 400 Index Mini Futures Contracts

    15       Mar 2024       4,212,150       (27,061 )
                    $ 53,922,083     $ 520,709  

Interest Rate Futures Contracts Purchased

Euro - Schatz Futures Contracts

    174       Mar 2024     $ 20,470,362     $ 79,152  

Euro - BTP Italian Government Bond Futures Contracts††

    17       Mar 2024       2,238,383       71,944  

U.S. Treasury Ultra Long Bond Futures Contracts

    7       Mar 2024       931,438       30,436  

Euro - OATS Futures Contracts

    15       Mar 2024       2,176,789       18,282  

Euro - Bund Futures Contracts

    20       Mar 2024       3,029,373       7,234  

Australian Government 10 Year Bond Futures Contracts

    17       Mar 2024       1,350,266       2,375  

U.S. Treasury 2 Year Note Futures Contracts

    16       Mar 2024       3,294,125       1,593  

U.S. Treasury 10 Year Note Futures Contracts

    8       Mar 2024       901,875       432  

U.S. Treasury 5 Year Note Futures Contracts

    1       Mar 2024       108,688       (2 )

Euro - 30 year Bond Futures Contracts

    2       Mar 2024       311,617       (604 )

Euro - Bobl Futures Contracts

    6       Mar 2024       790,216       (1,507 )
                    $ 35,603,132     $ 209,335  

Commodity Futures Contracts Purchased

Gold 100 oz. Futures Contracts

    20       Feb 2024     $ 4,145,800     $ 145,811  

Cocoa Futures Contracts

    71       Mar 2024       2,982,000       94,181  

Natural Gas Futures Contracts

    32       Feb 2024       743,360       38,958  

LME Primary Aluminum Futures Contracts

    8       Feb 2024       473,800       17,437  

NY Harbor ULSD Futures Contracts

    13       Mar 2024       1,349,057       10,865  

Platinum Futures Contracts

    10       Apr 2024       502,950       9,673  

LME Zinc Futures Contracts

    4       Feb 2024       265,930       7,498  

Cotton #2 Futures Contracts

    17       Mar 2024       688,075       7,026  

Lean Hogs Futures Contracts

    19       Feb 2024       518,890       2,650  

Sugar #11 Futures Contracts

    3       Feb 2024       68,846       (1,456 )

 

SEE NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.

THE GUGGENHEIM FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT | 15

 

 

CONSOLIDATED SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS (continued)

December 31, 2023

MANAGED FUTURES STRATEGY FUND

 

 

Futures Contracts (continued)

Description

 

Number of
Contracts

   

Expiration
Date

   

Notional
Amount

   

Value and
Unrealized
Appreciation
(Depreciation)**

 

Brent Crude Futures Contracts

    2       Jan 2024     $ 154,160     $ (5,163 )

WTI Crude Futures Contracts

    2       Jan 2024       142,760       (5,363 )

Low Sulphur Gas Oil Futures Contracts

    15       Feb 2024       1,112,250       (7,634 )

NY Harbor ULSD Futures Contracts

    9       Jan 2024       963,673       (8,505 )

Silver Futures Contracts

    1       Mar 2024       120,175       (8,841 )

Soybean Meal Futures Contracts

    20       Mar 2024       772,200       (9,283 )

Soybean Futures Contracts

    21       Mar 2024       1,362,375       (14,180 )

Coffee ‘C’ Futures Contracts

    15       Mar 2024       1,058,625       (14,657 )

Gasoline RBOB Futures Contracts

    22       Jan 2024       1,948,901       (34,819 )

Coffee ‘C’ Futures Contracts

    11       May 2024       768,488       (37,366 )

Corn Futures Contracts

    204       Mar 2024       4,801,650       (45,375 )

Live Cattle Futures Contracts

    37       Jun 2024       2,515,260       (47,515 )
                    $ 27,459,225     $ 93,942  

Commodity Futures Contracts Sold Short

ICE Endex Dutch TTF Natural Gas Futures Contracts

    70       Feb 2024     $ 1,846,137     $ 215,339  

Red Spring Wheat Futures Contracts

    60       Mar 2024       2,169,750       73,837  

Gasoline RBOB Futures Contracts

    14       Mar 2024       1,362,102       50,121  

Coffee ‘C’ Futures Contracts

    11       Jul 2024       769,106       36,816  

Live Cattle Futures Contracts

    10       Feb 2024       674,100       36,479  

Silver Futures Contracts

    16       Mar 2024       1,922,800       34,581  

Corn Futures Contracts

    42       Mar 2024       988,575       31,050  

Live Cattle Futures Contracts

    33       Apr 2024       2,272,380       21,576  

Sugar #11 Futures Contracts

    9       Feb 2024       206,539       16,138  

Soybean Oil Futures Contracts

    59       Mar 2024       1,704,510       15,715  

Hard Red Winter Wheat Futures Contracts

    38       Mar 2024       1,223,125       15,320  

Natural Gas Futures Contracts

    108       Jan 2024       2,708,640       8,954  

WTI Crude Futures Contracts

    6       Jan 2024       428,280       8,195  

Lean Hogs Futures Contracts

    4       Feb 2024       109,240       7,802  

Brent Crude Futures Contracts

    7       Jan 2024       539,560       6,125  

Soybean Futures Contracts

    2       Mar 2024       129,750       1,425  

Copper Futures Contracts

    23       Mar 2024       2,238,188       1,335  

Cotton #2 Futures Contracts

    5       Mar 2024       202,375       134  

LME Lead Futures Contracts

    9       Feb 2024       464,029       (4,194 )

NY Harbor ULSD Futures Contracts

    10       Jan 2024       1,070,748       (16,066 )

LME Primary Aluminum Futures Contracts

    19       Feb 2024       1,125,275       (16,364 )

Wheat Futures Contracts

    128       Mar 2024       4,024,000       (17,955 )

Cattle Feeder Futures Contracts

    9       Mar 2024       1,004,062       (23,680 )

Palladium Futures Contracts

    5       Mar 2024       552,250       (24,526 )

Natural Gas Futures Contracts

    35       Mar 2024       806,050       (29,199 )

LME Nickel Futures Contracts

    22       Feb 2024       2,180,706       (43,852 )

LME Zinc Futures Contracts

    58       Feb 2024       3,855,985       (266,786 )
                    $ 36,578,262     $ 138,320  

 

16 | THE GUGGENHEIM FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT

SEE NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.

 

 

CONSOLIDATED SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS (continued)

December 31, 2023

MANAGED FUTURES STRATEGY FUND

 

 

Futures Contracts (continued)

Description

 

Number of
Contracts

   

Expiration
Date

   

Notional
Amount

   

Value and
Unrealized
Appreciation
(Depreciation)**

 

Equity Futures Contracts Sold Short

CBOE Volatility Index Futures Contracts

    105       Jan 2024     $ 1,480,500     $ 79,304  

FTSE 100 Index Futures Contracts††

    14       Mar 2024       1,377,696       (5,976 )

FTSE/JSE TOP 40 Index Futures Contracts††

    52       Mar 2024       2,010,216       (17,892 )
                    $ 4,868,412     $ 55,436  

Currency Futures Contracts Sold Short

Canadian Dollar Futures Contracts

    7       Mar 2024     $ 528,920     $ (12,318 )

Australian Dollar Futures Contracts

    17       Mar 2024       1,161,355       (43,028 )

Japanese Yen Futures Contracts

    15       Mar 2024       1,345,875       (43,974 )

Swiss Franc Futures Contracts

    30       Mar 2024       4,493,813       (182,800 )
                    $ 7,529,963     $ (282,120 )

Interest Rate Futures Contracts Sold Short

U.S. Treasury Ultra Long Bond Futures Contracts

    5       Mar 2024     $ 665,313     $ 4,621  

U.S. Treasury 10 Year Note Futures Contracts

    10       Mar 2024       1,127,344       (77 )

U.S. Treasury 5 Year Note Futures Contracts

    26       Mar 2024       2,825,875       (3,734 )

U.S. Treasury Long Bond Futures Contracts

    2       Mar 2024       249,000       (4,563 )

U.S. Treasury 2 Year Note Futures Contracts

    111       Mar 2024       22,852,992       (14,627 )

Australian Government 3 Year Bond Futures Contracts

    130       Mar 2024       9,474,847       (67,644 )

Long Gilt Futures Contracts††

    31       Mar 2024       4,066,623       (163,436 )

Canadian Government 10 Year Bond Futures Contracts

    63       Mar 2024       5,904,422       (186,576 )
                    $ 47,166,416     $ (436,036 )

 

 

SEE NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.

THE GUGGENHEIM FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT | 17

 

 

CONSOLIDATED SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS (continued)

December 31, 2023

MANAGED FUTURES STRATEGY FUND

 

 

**

Includes cumulative appreciation (depreciation). Variation margin is reported within the Consolidated Statement of Assets and Liabilities.

Value determined based on Level 1 inputs, unless otherwise noted — See Note 4.

††

Value determined based on Level 2 inputs — See Note 4.

1

Affiliated issuer.

2

All or a portion of this security is pledged as futures collateral at December 31, 2023.

3

Rate indicated is the effective yield at the time of purchase.

4

Repurchase Agreements — See Note 6.

 

ICE — Intercontinental Exchange

   
 

See Sector Classification in Other Information section.

 

The following table summarizes the inputs used to value the Fund’s investments at December 31, 2023 (See Note 4 in the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements):

 

Investments in Securities (Assets)

 

Level 1
Quoted
Prices

   

Level 2
Significant
Observable
Inputs

   

Level 3
Significant
Unobservable
Inputs

   

Total

 

Mutual Funds

  $ 12,398,354     $     $     $ 12,398,354  

U.S. Treasury Bills

          10,534,247             10,534,247  

Repurchase Agreements

          43,930,321             43,930,321  

Commodity Futures Contracts**

    915,041                   915,041  

Currency Futures Contracts**

    824,847                   824,847  

Equity Futures Contracts**

    630,101       28,980             659,081  

Interest Rate Futures Contracts**

    144,125       71,944             216,069  

Total Assets

  $ 14,912,468     $ 54,565,492     $     $ 69,477,960  

 

Investments in Securities (Liabilities)

 

Level 1
Quoted
Prices

   

Level 2
Significant
Observable
Inputs

   

Level 3
Significant
Unobservable
Inputs

   

Total

 

Commodity Futures Contracts**

  $ 682,779     $     $     $ 682,779  

Interest Rate Futures Contracts**

    279,334       163,436             442,770  

Currency Futures Contracts**

    282,120                   282,120  

Equity Futures Contracts**

    52,144       30,792             82,936  

Total Liabilities

  $ 1,296,377     $ 194,228     $     $ 1,490,605  

 

**

This derivative is reported as unrealized appreciation/depreciation at period end.

 

18 | THE GUGGENHEIM FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT

SEE NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.

 

 

CONSOLIDATED SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS (concluded)

December 31, 2023

MANAGED FUTURES STRATEGY FUND

 

 

Affiliated Transactions

 

Investments representing 5% or more of the outstanding voting shares of a company, or control of or by, or common control under Guggenheim Investments (“GI”), result in that company being considered an affiliated issuer, as defined in the 1940 Act.

 

The Fund may invest in certain of the underlying series of Guggenheim Strategy Funds Trust, including Guggenheim Strategy Fund II and Guggenheim Strategy Fund III (collectively, the “Short Term Investment Vehicles”), each of which are open-end management investment companies managed by GI. The Short Term Investment Vehicles, which launched on March 11, 2014, are offered as short term investment options only to mutual funds, trusts, and other accounts managed by GI and/or its affiliates, and are not available to the public. The Short Term Investment Vehicles pay no investment management fees. The Short Term Investment Vehicles’ annual report on Form N-CSR dated September 30, 2023 is available publicly or upon request. This information is available from the EDGAR database on the SEC’s website at https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/1601445/000182126823000217/gug86449-ncsr.htm. The Fund may invest in certain of the underlying series of Guggenheim Funds Trust, which are open-end management investment companies managed by GI, are available to the public and whose most recent annual report on Form N-CSR is available publicly or upon request.

 

Transactions during the year ended December 31, 2023, in which the company is an affiliated issuer, were as follows:

 

Security Name

 

Value
12/31/22

   

Additions

   

Reductions

   

Realized
Gain (Loss)

   

Change in
Unrealized
Appreciation
(Depreciation)

   

Value
12/31/23

   

Shares
12/31/23

   

Investment
Income

 

Mutual Funds

                                                               

Guggenheim Strategy Fund II

  $ 4,011,215     $     $     $     $ 76,754     $ 4,087,969       166,856     $ 218,707  

Guggenheim Strategy Fund III

    5,658,797                         115,245       5,774,042       235,195       304,734  

Guggenheim Ultra Short Duration Fund — Institutional Class

    2,482,268                         54,075       2,536,343       257,497       134,317  
    $ 12,152,280     $     $     $     $ 246,074     $ 12,398,354             $ 657,758  

 

 

SEE NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.

THE GUGGENHEIM FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT | 19

 

 

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF ASSETS AND LIABILITIES

MANAGED FUTURES STRATEGY FUND

 

December 31, 2023

 

Assets:

Investments in unaffiliated issuers, at value (cost $10,532,662)

  $ 10,534,247  

Investments in affiliated issuers, at value (cost $12,548,781)

    12,398,354  

Repurchase agreements, at value (cost $43,930,321)

    43,930,321  

Cash

    5,780  

Segregated cash with broker

    3,231,582  

Receivables:

Fund shares sold

    97,079  

Dividends

    57,331  

Interest

    19,545  

Other assets

    8,148  

Total assets

    70,282,387  
         

Liabilities:

Payable for:

Variation margin on futures contracts

    547,557  

Management fees

    52,456  

Transfer agent fees

    23,412  

Fund shares redeemed

    19,645  

Portfolio accounting and administration fees

    9,057  

Distribution and service fees

    4,559  

Trustees’ fees*

    938  

Miscellaneous

    75,309  

Total liabilities

    732,933  

Net assets

  $ 69,549,454  
         

Net assets consist of:

Paid in capital

  $ 109,712,532  

Total distributable earnings (loss)

    (40,163,078 )

Net assets

  $ 69,549,454  

Class A:

Net assets

  $ 5,973,936  

Capital shares outstanding

    289,048  

Net asset value per share

  $ 20.67  

Maximum offering price per share (Net asset value divided by 95.25%)

  $ 21.70  

Class C:

Net assets

  $ 1,789,156  

Capital shares outstanding

    99,259  

Net asset value per share

  $ 18.03  

Class P:

Net assets

  $ 7,696,392  

Capital shares outstanding

    369,842  

Net asset value per share

  $ 20.81  
         

Institutional Class:

Net assets

  $ 54,089,970  

Capital shares outstanding

    2,528,361  

Net asset value per share

  $ 21.39  

 

 

*

Relates to Trustees not deemed “interested persons” within the meaning of Section 2(a)(19) of the 1940 Act.

 

 

20 | THE GUGGENHEIM FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT

SEE NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.

 

 

 

 

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS

MANAGED FUTURES STRATEGY FUND

 

 

Year Ended December 31, 2023

 

Investment Income:

Dividends from securities of affiliated issuers

  $ 657,758  

Interest

    2,293,016  

Total investment income

    2,950,774  
         

Expenses:

Management fees

    591,885  

Distribution and service fees:

Class A

    15,728  

Class C

    21,509  

Class P

    24,408  

Transfer agent fees

    93,431  

Portfolio accounting and administration fees

    87,166  

Professional fees

    48,854  

Trustees’ fees*

    8,524  

Custodian fees

    8,259  

Miscellaneous

    83,900  

Total expenses

    983,664  

Less:

Expenses waived by Adviser

    (84,553 )

Net expenses

    899,111  

Net investment income

    2,051,663  
         

Net Realized and Unrealized Gain (Loss):

Net realized gain (loss) on:

Investments in unaffiliated issuers

  $ 39,387  

Futures contracts

    (912,377 )

Foreign currency transactions

    (13,258 )

Net realized loss

    (886,248 )

Net change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on:

Investments in unaffiliated issuers

    30  

Investments in affiliated issuers

    246,074  

Futures contracts

    (298,949 )

Foreign currency translations

    (1,153 )

Net change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation)

    (53,998 )

Net realized and unrealized loss

    (940,246 )

Net increase in net assets resulting from operations

  $ 1,111,417  

 

 

*

Relates to Trustees not deemed “interested persons” within the meaning of Section 2(a)(19) of the 1940 Act.

 

 

SEE NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.

THE GUGGENHEIM FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT | 21

 

 

 

 

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CHANGES IN NET ASSETS

MANAGED FUTURES STRATEGY FUND

 

 

 

 

 

Year Ended
December 31,
2023

   

Year Ended
December 31,
2022

 

Increase (Decrease) in Net Assets from Operations:

               

Net investment income

  $ 2,051,663     $ 118,179  

Net realized gain (loss) on investments

    (886,248 )     2,034,368  

Net change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on investments

    (53,998 )     1,087,050  

Net increase in net assets resulting from operations

    1,111,417       3,239,597  
                 

Distributions to shareholders:

               

Class A

    (60,807 )     (290,823 )

Class C

    (10,786 )     (105,236 )

Class P

    (74,874 )     (376,691 )

Institutional Class

    (677,597 )     (1,029,250 )

Total distributions to shareholders

    (824,064 )     (1,802,000 )
                 

Capital share transactions:

               

Proceeds from sale of shares

               

Class A

    673,620       1,054,342  

Class C

    514,570       2,333,140  

Class P

    34,686,211       38,401,599  

Institutional Class

    51,051,944       27,909,131  

Distributions reinvested

               

Class A

    58,467       282,405  

Class C

    10,783       103,217  

Class P

    74,034       369,009  

Institutional Class

    676,773       1,026,092  

Cost of shares redeemed

               

Class A

    (1,396,454 )     (1,183,747 )

Class C

    (900,508 )     (778,290 )

Class P

    (35,050,246 )     (38,944,183 )

Institutional Class

    (19,431,389 )     (14,913,234 )

Net increase from capital share transactions

    30,967,805       15,659,481  

Net increase in net assets

    31,255,158       17,097,078  
                 

Net assets:

               

Beginning of year

    38,294,296       21,197,218  

End of year

  $ 69,549,454     $ 38,294,296  
                 

 

 

22 | THE GUGGENHEIM FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT

SEE NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.

 

 

 

 

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CHANGES IN NET ASSETS (concluded)

MANAGED FUTURES STRATEGY FUND

 

 

 

 

 

Year Ended
December 31,
2023

   

Year Ended
December 31,
2022

 

Capital share activity:

               

Shares sold

               

Class A

    32,583       50,726  

Class C

    28,557       121,236  

Class P

    1,653,977       1,893,070  

Institutional Class

    2,388,138       1,237,422  

Shares issued from reinvestment of distributions

               

Class A

    2,820       14,328  

Class C

    596       5,987  

Class P

    3,548       18,599  

Institutional Class

    31,551       50,348  

Shares redeemed

               

Class A

    (67,605 )     (56,772 )

Class C

    (50,220 )     (41,924 )

Class P

    (1,702,669 )     (1,859,103 )

Institutional Class

    (911,234 )     (697,841 )

Net increase in shares

    1,410,042       736,076  

 

 

SEE NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.

THE GUGGENHEIM FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT | 23

 

 

 

 

CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS

MANAGED FUTURES STRATEGY FUND

 

 

 

This table is presented to show selected data for a share outstanding throughout each period and to assist shareholders in evaluating a Fund’s performance for the periods presented.

 

Class A

 

Year
Ended
Dec. 31,
2023

   

Year
Ended
Dec. 31,
2022

   

Year
Ended
Dec. 31,
2021

   

Year
Ended
Dec. 31,
2020

   

Year
Ended
Dec. 31,
2019

 

Per Share Data

Net asset value, beginning of period

  $ 20.16     $ 18.41     $ 17.96     $ 18.96     $ 17.65  

Income (loss) from investment operations:

Net investment income (loss)a

    .70       .05       (.18 )     (.12 )     .15  

Net gain (loss) on investments (realized and unrealized)

    .02       2.67       .63       .48       1.16  

Total from investment operations

    .72       2.72       .45       .36       1.31  

Less distributions from:

Net investment income

    (.21 )     (.97 )           (1.36 )      

Total distributions

    (.21 )     (.97 )           (1.36 )      

Net asset value, end of period

  $ 20.67     $ 20.16     $ 18.41     $ 17.96     $ 18.96  

 

Total Returnb

    3.63 %     14.76 %     2.51 %     2.01 %     7.42 %

Ratios/Supplemental Data

Net assets, end of period (in thousands)

  $ 5,974     $ 6,478     $ 5,760     $ 6,306     $ 7,033  

Ratios to average net assets:

Net investment income (loss)

    3.39 %     0.22 %     (0.99 %)     (0.62 %)     0.82 %

Total expensesc

    1.89 %     1.91 %     1.88 %     1.87 %     1.90 %

Net expensesd

    1.74 %     1.75 %     1.73 %     1.75 %     1.80 %

Portfolio turnover rate

          7 %     27 %     111 %     26 %

 

 

24 | THE GUGGENHEIM FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT

SEE NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.

 

 

CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS (continued)

MANAGED FUTURES STRATEGY FUND

 

 

This table is presented to show selected data for a share outstanding throughout each period and to assist shareholders in evaluating a Fund’s performance for the periods presented.

 

Class C

 

Year
Ended
Dec. 31,
2023

   

Year
Ended
Dec. 31,
2022

   

Year
Ended
Dec. 31,
2021

   

Year
Ended
Dec. 31,
2020

   

Year
Ended
Dec. 31,
2019

 

Per Share Data

Net asset value, beginning of period

  $ 17.63     $ 16.28     $ 16.00     $ 17.03     $ 15.97  

Income (loss) from investment operations:

Net investment income (loss)a

    .48       (.06 )     (.29 )     (.23 )     .01  

Net gain (loss) on investments (realized and unrealized)

    .02       2.33       .57       .41       1.05  

Total from investment operations

    .50       2.27       .28       .18       1.06  

Less distributions from:

Net investment income

    (.10 )     (.92 )           (1.21 )      

Total distributions

    (.10 )     (.92 )           (1.21 )      

Net asset value, end of period

  $ 18.03     $ 17.63     $ 16.28     $ 16.00     $ 17.03  

 

Total Returnb

    2.88 %     13.96 %     1.75 %     1.25 %     6.64 %

Ratios/Supplemental Data

Net assets, end of period (in thousands)

  $ 1,789     $ 2,121     $ 570     $ 1,121     $ 1,815  

Ratios to average net assets:

Net investment income (loss)

    2.67 %     (0.31 %)     (1.74 %)     (1.37 %)     0.06 %

Total expensesc

    2.62 %     2.65 %     2.63 %     2.62 %     2.65 %

Net expensesd

    2.47 %     2.49 %     2.49 %     2.50 %     2.57 %

Portfolio turnover rate

          7 %     27 %     111 %     26 %

 

SEE NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.

THE GUGGENHEIM FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT | 25

 

 

CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS (continued)

MANAGED FUTURES STRATEGY FUND

 

This table is presented to show selected data for a share outstanding throughout each period and to assist shareholders in evaluating a Fund’s performance for the periods presented.

 

Class P

 

Year
Ended
Dec. 31,
2023

   

Year
Ended
Dec. 31,
2022

   

Year
Ended
Dec. 31,
2021

   

Year
Ended
Dec. 31,
2020

   

Year
Ended
Dec. 31,
2019

 

Per Share Data

Net asset value, beginning of period

  $ 20.30     $ 18.48     $ 18.03     $ 19.00     $ 17.70  

Income (loss) from investment operations:

Net investment income (loss)a

    .71       .01       (.18 )     (.12 )     .15  

Net gain (loss) on investments (realized and unrealized)

          2.73       .63       .49       1.15  

Total from investment operations

    .71       2.74       .45       .37       1.30  

Less distributions from:

Net investment income

    (.20 )     (.92 )           (1.34 )      

Total distributions

    (.20 )     (.92 )           (1.34 )      

Net asset value, end of period

  $ 20.81     $ 20.30     $ 18.48     $ 18.03     $ 19.00  

 

Total Return

    3.66 %     14.75 %     2.50 %     2.05 %     7.34 %

Ratios/Supplemental Data

Net assets, end of period (in thousands)

  $ 7,696     $ 8,423     $ 6,697     $ 7,741     $ 10,946  

Ratios to average net assets:

Net investment income (loss)

    3.42 %     0.07 %     (0.99 %)     (0.63 %)     0.82 %

Total expensesc

    1.87 %     1.91 %     1.88 %     1.88 %     1.90 %

Net expensesd

    1.72 %     1.74 %     1.73 %     1.77 %     1.81 %

Portfolio turnover rate

          7 %     27 %     111 %     26 %

 

26 | THE GUGGENHEIM FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT

SEE NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.

 

 

CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS (continued)

MANAGED FUTURES STRATEGY FUND

 

 

This table is presented to show selected data for a share outstanding throughout each period and to assist shareholders in evaluating a Fund’s performance for the periods presented.

 

Institutional Class

 

Year
Ended
Dec. 31,
2023

   

Year
Ended
Dec. 31,
2022

   

Year
Ended
Dec. 31,
2021

   

Year
Ended
Dec. 31,
2020

   

Year
Ended
Dec. 31,
2019

 

Per Share Data

Net asset value, beginning of period

  $ 20.86     $ 19.00     $ 18.49     $ 19.48     $ 18.09  

Income (loss) from investment operations:

Net investment income (loss)a

    .80       .14       (.14 )     (.08 )     .21  

Net gain (loss) on investments (realized and unrealized)

          2.74       .65       .49       1.18  

Total from investment operations

    .80       2.88       .51       .41       1.39  

Less distributions from:

Net investment income

    (.27 )     (1.02 )           (1.40 )      

Total distributions

    (.27 )     (1.02 )           (1.40 )      

Net asset value, end of period

  $ 21.39     $ 20.86     $ 19.00     $ 18.49     $ 19.48  

 

Total Return

    3.97 %     15.03 %     2.76 %     2.29 %     7.68 %

Ratios/Supplemental Data

Net assets, end of period (in thousands)

  $ 54,090     $ 21,272     $ 8,169     $ 7,802     $ 7,195  

Ratios to average net assets:

Net investment income (loss)

    3.71 %     0.63 %     (0.73 %)     (0.38 %)     1.07 %

Total expensesc

    1.61 %     1.64 %     1.63 %     1.61 %     1.65 %

Net expensesd

    1.46 %     1.48 %     1.48 %     1.49 %     1.55 %

Portfolio turnover rate

          7 %     27 %     111 %     26 %

 

 

a

Net investment income (loss) per share was computed using average shares outstanding throughout the period.

b

Total return does not reflect the impact of any applicable sales charges.

c

Does not include expenses of the underlying funds in which the Fund invests.

d

Net expense information reflects the expense ratios after expense waivers and reimbursements, as applicable.

 

SEE NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.

THE GUGGENHEIM FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT | 27

 

 

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

 

Note 1 – Organization, Consolidation of Subsidiary and Significant Accounting Policies

 

Organization

 

The Rydex Series Funds (the “Trust”), a Delaware statutory trust, is registered with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) under the Investment Company Act of 1940 (the “1940 Act”), as an open-ended investment company of the series type. Each series, in effect, is representing a separate fund. The Trust may issue an unlimited number of authorized shares. The Trust accounts for the assets of each fund separately.

 

The Trust offers a combination of seven separate classes of shares: Investor Class shares, Class A shares, Class C shares, Class H shares, Class P shares, Institutional Class shares and Money Market Class shares. Sales of shares of each Class are made without a front-end sales charge at the net asset value per share (“NAV”), with the exception of Class A shares. Class A shares are sold at the NAV, plus the applicable front-end sales charge. The sales charge varies depending on the amount purchased, but will not exceed 4.75%. Class A share purchases of $1 million or more are exempt from the front-end sales charge but have a 1% contingent deferred sales charge (“CDSC”) if shares are redeemed within 12 months of purchase. Class C shares have a 1% CDSC if shares are redeemed within 12 months of purchase. Class C shares automatically convert to Class A shares on or about the 10th day of the month following the 8-year anniversary of the purchase of the Class C shares. This conversion will be executed without any sales charge, fee or other charge. After the conversion is completed, the shares will be subject to all features and expenses of Class A shares. Institutional Class shares are offered primarily for direct investment by institutions such as pension and profit sharing plans, endowments, foundations and corporations. Institutional Class shares require a minimum initial investment of $2 million and a minimum account balance of $1 million. At December 31, 2023, the Trust consisted of fifty-two funds (each, a “Fund” and collectively, the “Funds”).

 

This report covers the Managed Futures Strategy Fund, a diversified investment company. At December 31, 2023, Class A, Class C, Class P and Institutional Class shares have been issued by the Fund.

 

Security Investors, LLC (the “Adviser”), which operates under the name Guggenheim Investments (“GI”), provides advisory services. Guggenheim Funds Distributors, LLC (“GFD”) serves as distributor of the Fund’s shares. GI and GFD are affiliated entities.

 

Consolidation of Subsidiary

 

The consolidated financial statements of the Fund include the accounts of a wholly-owned and controlled Cayman Islands subsidiary (the “Subsidiary”). Significant inter-company accounts and transactions have been eliminated in consolidation for the Fund.

 

The Fund may invest up to 25% of its total assets in its Subsidiary which acts as an investment vehicle in order to effect certain investments consistent with the Fund’s investment objective and policies.

 

28 | THE GUGGENHEIM FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT

 

 

 

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued)

 

A summary of the Fund’s investment in its Subsidiary is as follows:

 

 

 

Inception
Date of
Subsidiary

   

Subsidiary
Net Assets at
December 31,
2023

   

% of Net Assets
of the Fund at
December 31,
2023

 
      05/01/08     $ 12,348,715       17.8 %

 

Significant Accounting Policies

 

The Fund operates as an investment company and, accordingly, follows the investment company accounting and reporting guidance of the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) Accounting Standards Codification Topic 946 Financial Services – Investment Companies.

 

The following significant accounting policies are in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (“U.S. GAAP”) and are consistently followed by the Trust. This requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amount of assets and liabilities, contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the consolidated financial statements, and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from these estimates. All time references are based on Eastern Time.

 

The NAV of each share class of the Fund is calculated by dividing the market value of the Fund’s securities and other assets, less all liabilities attributable to the share class by the number of outstanding shares of the share class on the specified date.

 

(a) Valuation of Investments

 

The Board of Trustees of the Trust (the “Board”) adopted policies and procedures for the valuation of the Fund’s investments (the “Fund Valuation Procedures”). The SEC adopted Rule 2a-5 under the 1940 Act (“Rule 2a-5”) which establishes requirements for determining fair value in good faith. Rule 2a-5 also defines “readily available market quotations” for purposes of the 1940 Act and establishes requirements for determining whether a fund must fair value a security in good faith.

 

Pursuant to Rule 2a-5, the Board has designated the Adviser as the valuation designee to perform fair valuation determinations for the Fund with respect to all Fund investments and other assets. As the Fund’s valuation designee pursuant to Rule 2a-5, the Adviser has adopted separate procedures (the “Valuation Designee Procedures” and collectively with the Fund Valuation Procedures, the “Valuation Procedures”) reasonably designed to prevent violations of the requirements of Rule 2a-5 and Rule 31a-4. The Adviser, in its role as valuation designee, utilizes the assistance of a valuation committee, consisting of representatives from Guggenheim’s investment management, fund administration, legal and compliance departments (the “Valuation Committee”), in determining the fair value of the Fund’s securities and other assets.

 

 

THE GUGGENHEIM FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT | 29

 

 

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued)

 

Valuations of the Fund’s securities and other assets are supplied primarily by pricing service providers appointed pursuant to the processes set forth in the Valuation Procedures. The Adviser, with the assistance of the Valuation Committee, convenes monthly, or more frequently as needed, to review the valuation of all assets which have been fair valued. The Adviser, consistent with the monitoring and review responsibilities set forth in the Valuation Procedures, regularly reviews the appropriateness of the inputs, methods, models and assumptions employed by the pricing service providers.

 

If a pricing service provider cannot or does not provide a valuation for a particular investment or such valuation is deemed unreliable, such investment is fair valued by the Adviser.

 

Open-end investment companies are valued at their NAV as of the close of business, on the valuation date. Exchange-traded funds and closed-end investment companies are generally valued at the last quoted sale price.

 

U.S. Government securities are valued by pricing service providers, using the last traded fill price, or at the reported bid price at the close of business on the valuation date.

 

Repurchase agreements are generally valued at amortized cost, provided such amounts approximate market value.

 

Commercial paper and discount notes with a maturity of greater than 60 days at acquisition are valued at prices that reflect broker-dealer supplied valuations or are obtained from pricing service providers, which may consider the trade activity, treasury spreads, yields or price of bonds of comparable quality, coupon, maturity, and type, as well as prices quoted by dealers who make markets in such securities. Commercial paper and discount notes with a maturity of 60 days or less at acquisition are valued at amortized cost, unless the Adviser concludes that amortized cost does not represent the fair value of the applicable asset in which case it will be valued using a pricing service provider.

 

Futures contracts are valued on the basis of the last sale price as of 4:00 p.m. on the valuation date. In the event that the exchange for a specific futures contract closes earlier than 4:00 p.m., the futures contract is valued at the official settlement price of the exchange. However, the underlying securities from which the futures contract value is derived are monitored until 4:00 p.m. to determine if fair valuation of the underlying securities would provide a more accurate valuation of the futures contract.

 

Investments for which market quotations are not readily available are fair valued as determined in good faith by the Adviser. Valuations in accordance with these methods are intended to reflect each security’s (or asset’s or liability’s) “fair value”. Each such determination is based on a consideration of all relevant factors, which are likely to vary from one pricing context to another. Examples of such factors may include, but are not limited to market prices; sale prices; broker quotes; and models which derive prices based on inputs such as anticipated cash flows or collateral, spread over U.S. Treasury securities, and other information analysis. In connection

 

30 | THE GUGGENHEIM FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT

 

 

 

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued)

 

with futures contracts and other derivative investments, such factors may include obtaining information as to how (a) these contracts and other derivative investments trade in the futures or other derivative markets, respectively, and (b) the securities underlying these contracts and other derivative investments trade in the cash market.

 

(b) U.S. Government and Agency Obligations

 

Certain U.S. Government and Agency Obligations are traded on a discount basis; the interest rates shown on the Fund’s Consolidated Schedule of Investments reflect the effective rates paid at the time of purchase by the Fund. Other securities bear interest at the rates shown, payable at fixed dates through maturity.

 

(c) Futures Contracts

 

Upon entering into a futures contract, the Fund deposits and maintains as collateral such initial margin as required by the exchange on which the transaction is affected. Pursuant to the contract, the Fund agrees to receive from or pay to the broker an amount of cash equal to the daily fluctuation in value of the contract. Such receipts or payments are known as variation margin and are recorded by the Fund as unrealized appreciation or depreciation. When the contract is closed, the Fund records a realized gain or loss equal to the difference between the value of the contract at the time it was opened and the value at the time it was closed.

 

(d) Currency Translations

 

The accounting records of the Fund are maintained in U.S. dollars. All assets and liabilities initially expressed in foreign currencies are converted into U.S. dollars at prevailing exchange rates. Purchases and sales of investment securities, dividend and interest income, and certain expenses are translated at the rates of exchange prevailing on the respective dates of such transactions. Changes in the relationship of these foreign currencies to the U.S. dollar can significantly affect the value of the investments and earnings of the Fund. Foreign investments may also subject the Fund to foreign government exchange restrictions, expropriation, taxation, or other political, social, geopolitical or economic developments, all of which could affect the market and/or credit risk of the investments.

 

The Fund does not isolate that portion of the results of operations resulting from changes in the foreign exchange rates on investments from the fluctuations arising from changes in the market prices of securities held. Such fluctuations are included with the net realized gain or loss and unrealized appreciation or depreciation on investments.

 

Reported net realized foreign exchange gains and losses arise from sales of foreign currencies and currency gains or losses realized between the trade and settlement dates on investment transactions. Net unrealized appreciation and depreciation arise from changes in the fair values of assets and liabilities other than investments in securities at the fiscal period end, resulting from changes in exchange rates.

 

 

THE GUGGENHEIM FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT | 31

 

 

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued)

 

(e) Security Transactions

 

Security transactions are recorded on the trade date for financial reporting purposes. Realized gains and losses from securities transactions are recorded using the identified cost basis. Proceeds from lawsuits related to investment holdings are recorded as a reduction to cost if the securities are still held and as realized gains if no longer held in the Fund. Dividend income is recorded on the ex-dividend date, net of applicable taxes withheld by foreign countries, if any. Taxable non-cash dividends are recorded as dividend income. Interest income, including amortization of premiums and accretion of discounts, is accrued on a daily basis.

 

(f) Distributions

 

Distributions of net investment income and net realized gains, if any, are declared and paid at least annually. Dividends are reinvested in additional shares, unless shareholders request payment in cash. Distributions are recorded on the ex-dividend date and are determined in accordance with U.S. federal income tax regulations which may differ from U.S. GAAP.

 

(g) Class Allocations

 

Interest and dividend income, most expenses, all realized gains and losses, and all unrealized appreciation and depreciation are allocated to the share classes based upon the value of the outstanding shares in each share class. Certain costs, such as distribution and service fees are charged directly to specific share classes. In addition, certain expenses have been allocated to the individual Funds in the Trust based on the respective net assets of each Fund included in the Trust.

 

(h) Cash

 

The Fund may leave cash overnight in its cash account with the custodian. Periodically, the Fund may have cash due to the custodian bank as an overdraft balance. A fee is incurred on this overdraft, calculated by multiplying the overdraft by a rate based on the federal funds rate, which was 5.33% at December 31, 2023.

 

(i) Indemnifications

 

Under the Trust’s organizational documents, the Trustees and Officers of the Trust are indemnified against certain liabilities arising out of the performance of their duties to the Trust. In addition, throughout the normal course of business, the Trust, on behalf of the Fund, enters into contracts that contain a variety of representations and warranties which provide general indemnifications. The Fund’s maximum exposure under these arrangements is unknown, as this would involve future claims that may be made against the Fund and/or its affiliates that have not yet occurred. However, based on experience, the Fund expects the risk of loss to be remote.

 

32 | THE GUGGENHEIM FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT

 

 

 

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued)

 

Note 2 – Derivatives

 

As part of its investment strategies, the Fund utilizes a variety of derivative instruments. These investments involve, to varying degrees, elements of market risk and risks in excess of amounts recognized on the Fund’s Consolidated Statement of Assets and Liabilities. Valuation and accounting treatment of these instruments can be found under Significant Accounting Policies in Note 1 of these Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.

 

Derivatives are instruments whose values depend on, or are derived from, in whole or in part, the value of one or more other assets, such as securities, currencies, commodities or indices. Derivative instruments may be used for investment purposes (including to maintain cash reserves while maintaining exposure to certain other assets), for risk management (hedging) purposes, to facilitate trading, to reduce transaction costs and to pursue higher investment returns. Derivative instruments may also be used to seek to mitigate certain investment risks, such as foreign currency exchange rate risk, interest rate risk and credit risk. U.S. GAAP requires disclosures to enable investors to better understand how and why the Fund uses derivative instruments, how these derivative instruments are accounted for and their effects on the Fund’s financial position and results of operations.

 

The Fund utilized derivatives for the following purposes:

 

Hedge: an investment made in order to reduce the risk of adverse price movements in a security, by taking an offsetting position to protect against broad market moves.

 

Leverage: gaining total exposure to equities or other assets on the long and short sides at greater than 100% of invested capital.

 

Liquidity: the ability to buy or sell exposure with little price/market impact.

 

Speculation: the use of an instrument to express macro-economic and other investment views.

 

If the Fund’s investment strategy consistently involves applying leverage, the value of the Fund’s shares will tend to increase or decrease more than the value of any increase or decrease in the underlying index or other asset. In addition, because an investment in derivative instruments generally requires a small investment relative to the amount of investment exposure assumed, an opportunity for increased net income is created; but, at the same time, leverage risk will increase. The Fund’s use of leverage, through borrowings or instruments such as derivatives, may cause the Fund to be more volatile and riskier than if the Fund had not been leveraged.

 

Futures Contracts

 

A futures contract is an agreement to purchase (long) or sell (short) an agreed amount of securities or other instruments at a set price for delivery at a future date. There are significant risks associated with the Fund’s use of futures contracts, including (i) there may be an imperfect or no correlation between the changes in market value of the underlying asset and the prices of futures contracts; (ii) there may not be a liquid secondary market for a futures contract; (iii) trading restrictions or limitations may be imposed by

 

 

THE GUGGENHEIM FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT | 33

 

 

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued)

 

an exchange; and (iv) government regulations may restrict trading in futures contracts. When investing in futures, there is minimal counterparty credit risk to the Fund because futures are exchange-traded and the exchange’s clearinghouse, as counterparty to all exchange-traded futures, guarantees against default. Cash deposits are shown as segregated cash with broker on the Fund’s Consolidated Statement of Assets and Liabilities; securities held as collateral are noted on the Fund’s Consolidated Schedule of Investments.

 

The following table represents the Fund’s use and volume of futures on a monthly basis:

 

   

Average Notional Amount

 

Use

 

Long

   

Short

 

Hedge, Leverage, Liquidity, Speculation

  $ 97,833,845     $ 155,354,977  

 

Derivative Investment Holdings Categorized by Risk Exposure

 

The following is a summary of the location of derivative investments on the Fund’s Consolidated Statement of Assets and Liabilities as of December 31, 2023:

 

Derivative Investment Type

Asset Derivatives

Liability Derivatives

Equity/interest rate/currency/commodity futures contracts

Variation margin on futures contracts

 

The following tables set forth the fair value of the Fund’s derivative investments categorized by primary risk exposure at December 31, 2023:

 

Asset Derivative Investments Value

 

 

Futures
Equity
Risk*

   

Futures
Foreign
Currency
Exchange
Risk*

   

Futures
Interest
Rate
Risk*

   

Futures
Commodity
Risk*

   

Total Value at
December 31,
2023

 
    $ 659,081     $ 824,847     $ 216,069     $ 915,041     $ 2,615,038  

 

Liability Derivative Investments Value

 

 

Futures
Equity
Risk*

   

Futures
Foreign
Currency
Exchange
Risk*

   

Futures
Interest
Rate
Risk*

   

Futures
Commodity
Risk*

   

Total Value at
December 31,
2023

 
    $ 82,936     $ 282,120     $ 442,770     $ 682,779     $ 1,490,605  

 

*

Includes cumulative appreciation (depreciation) of futures contracts as reported on the Consolidated Schedule of Investments. For exchange-traded and centrally-cleared derivatives, variation margin is reported within the Fund’s Consolidated Statement of Assets and Liabilities.

 

34 | THE GUGGENHEIM FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT

 

 

 

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued)

 

The following is a summary of the location of derivative investments on the Fund’s Consolidated Statement of Operations for the year ended December 31, 2023:

 

Derivative Investment Type

Location of Gain (Loss) on Derivatives

Equity/interest rate/currency/commodity futures contracts

Net realized gain (loss) on futures contracts

 

Net change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on futures contracts

 

The following is a summary of the Fund’s realized gain (loss) and change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on derivative investments recognized on the Fund’s Consolidated Statement of Operations categorized by primary risk exposure for the year ended December 31, 2023:

 

Realized Gain (Loss) on Derivative Investments Recognized on the Consolidated Statement of Operations

 

 

Futures
Equity
Risk

   

Futures
Foreign
Currency
Exchange
Risk

   

Futures
Interest
Rate
Risk

   

Futures
Commodity
Risk

   

Total

 
    $ 1,719,414     $ (666,402 )   $ (38,852 )   $ (1,926,537 )   $ (912,377 )

 

Change in Unrealized Appreciation (Depreciation) on Derivative Investments
Recognized on the Consoldiated Statement of Operations

 

 

Futures
Equity
Risk

   

Futures
Foreign
Currency
Exchange
Risk

   

Futures
Interest
Rate
Risk

   

Futures
Commodity
Risk

   

Total

 
    $ 682,275     $ 572,787     $ (1,178,097 )   $ (375,914 )   $ (298,949 )

 

In conjunction with the use of derivative instruments, the Fund is required to maintain collateral in various forms. Depending on the financial instrument utilized and the broker involved, the Fund uses margin deposits at the broker, cash and/or securities segregated at the custodian bank, discount notes or repurchase agreements allocated to the Fund as collateral.

 

The Trust has established counterparty credit guidelines and enters into transactions only with financial institutions rated/identified as investment grade or better. The Trust monitors the counterparty credit risk associated with each such financial institution.

 

Note 3 – Offsetting

 

In the normal course of business, the Fund enters into transactions subject to enforceable master netting arrangements or other similar arrangements. Generally, the right to offset in those agreements allows the Fund to counteract the exposure to a specific counterparty with collateral

 

 

THE GUGGENHEIM FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT | 35

 

 

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued)

 

received from or delivered to that counterparty based on the terms of the arrangements. These arrangements provide for the right to liquidate upon the occurrence of an event of default, credit event upon merger or additional termination event.

 

In order to better define its contractual rights and to secure rights that will help the Fund mitigate its counterparty risk, the Fund may enter into an International Swaps and Derivatives Association, Inc. Master Agreement (“ISDA Master Agreement”) or similar agreement with its derivative contract counterparties. An ISDA Master Agreement is a bilateral agreement between a fund and a counterparty that governs over-the-counter (“OTC”) derivatives, including foreign exchange contracts, and typically contains, among other things, collateral posting terms and netting provisions in the event of a default and/or termination event. The provisions of the ISDA Master Agreement typically permit a single net payment in the event of a default (close-out netting) or similar event, including the bankruptcy or insolvency of the counterparty.

 

For derivatives traded under an ISDA Master Agreement, the collateral requirements are typically calculated by netting the mark-to-market amount for each transaction under such agreement and comparing that amount to the value of any collateral currently pledged by the Fund and the counterparty. For financial reporting purposes, cash collateral that has been pledged to cover obligations of the Fund and cash collateral received from the counterparty, if any, are reported separately on the Fund’s Consolidated Statement of Assets and Liabilities as segregated cash with broker/receivable for variation margin, or payable for swap settlement/variation margin. Cash and/or securities pledged or received as collateral by the Fund in connection with an OTC derivative subject to an ISDA Master Agreement generally may not be invested, sold or rehypothecated by the counterparty or the Fund, as applicable, absent an event of default under such agreement, in which case such collateral generally may be applied towards obligations due to and payable by such counterparty or the Fund, as applicable. Generally, the amount of collateral due from or to a counterparty must exceed a minimum transfer amount threshold (e.g., $300,000) before a transfer is required to be made. To the extent amounts due to the Fund from its counterparties are not fully collateralized, contractually or otherwise, the Fund bears the risk of loss from counterparty nonperformance. The Fund attempts to mitigate counterparty risk by only entering into agreements with counterparties that it believes to be of good standing and by monitoring the financial stability of those counterparties.

 

For financial reporting purposes, the Fund does not offset derivative assets and derivative liabilities that are subject to netting arrangements in the Fund’s Consolidated Statement of Assets and Liabilities. The Fund does not have any derivative financial instruments that are subject to enforceable master netting arrangements as of December 31, 2023.

 

36 | THE GUGGENHEIM FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT

 

 

 

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued)

 

The Fund has the right to offset deposits against any related derivative liabilities outstanding with each counterparty with the exception of exchange-traded or centrally-cleared derivatives. The following table presents deposits held by others in connection with derivative investments as of December 31, 2023.

 

Counterparty

Asset Type

 

Cash
Pledged

   

Cash
Received

 

Goldman Sachs International

Futures contracts

  $ 3,231,582     $  

 

Note 4 – Fair Value Measurement

 

In accordance with U.S. GAAP, fair value is defined as the price that the Fund would receive to sell an investment or pay to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement date. U.S. GAAP establishes a three-tier fair value hierarchy based on the types of inputs used to value assets and liabilities and requires corresponding disclosure. The hierarchy and the corresponding inputs are summarized below:

 

Level 1 —

unadjusted quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities.

 

Level 2 —

significant other observable inputs (for example quoted prices for securities that are similar based on characteristics such as interest rates, prepayment speeds, credit risk, etc.).

 

Level 3 —

significant unobservable inputs based on the best information available under the circumstances, to the extent observable inputs are not available, which may include assumptions.

 

Rule 2a-5 sets forth a definition of “readily available market quotations,” which is consistent with the definition of a Level 1 input under U.S. GAAP. Rule 2a-5 provides that “a market quotation is readily available only when that quotation is a quoted price (unadjusted) in active markets for identical investments that the fund can access at the measurement date, provided that a quotation will not be readily available if it is not reliable.”

 

Securities for which market quotations are not readily available must be valued at fair value as determined in good faith. Accordingly, any security priced using inputs other than Level 1 inputs will be subject to fair value requirements. The types of inputs available depend on a variety of factors, such as the type of security and the characteristics of the markets in which it trades, if any. Fair valuation determinations that rely on fewer or no observable inputs require greater judgment. Accordingly, fair value determinations for Level 3 securities require the greatest amount of judgment.

 

The inputs or methodologies selected and applied for valuing securities or other assets are not necessarily an indication of the risk associated with investing in those securities. The suitability, appropriateness and accuracy of the techniques, methodologies and sources employed to determine fair valuation are periodically reviewed and subject to change.

 

 

THE GUGGENHEIM FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT | 37

 

 

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued)

 

Note 5 – Investment Advisory Agreement and Other Agreements

 

Under the terms of an investment advisory contract, the Fund pays GI an investment advisory fee calculated at an annualized rate of 0.90% of the average daily net assets of the Fund.

 

GI has contractually agreed to waive the management fee it receives from the Subsidiary in an amount equal to the management fee paid to GI by the Subsidiary. This undertaking will continue in effect for so long as the Fund invests in the Subsidiary, and may not be terminated by GI unless GI obtains the prior approval of the Fund’s Board for such termination. Fees waived under this arrangement are not subject to reimbursement to GI. For the year ended December 31, 2023, the Fund waived $78,286 related to advisory fees in the Subsidiary.

 

GI pays operating expenses on behalf of the Trust, such as audit and accounting related services, legal services, custody, printing and mailing, among others, on a pass-through basis. Such expenses are allocated to various Funds within the complex based on relative net assets.

 

The Board has adopted separate Distribution Plans applicable to Class A and Class P shares, for which GFD and other firms that provide distribution and/or shareholder services (“Service Providers”) may receive compensation. If a Service Provider provides distribution services, the Fund will pay distribution fees to GFD at an annual rate not to exceed 0.25% of average daily net assets, pursuant to Rule 12b-1 of the 1940 Act. GFD, in turn, will pay the Service Providers out of its fees. GFD may, at its discretion, retain a portion of such payments to compensate itself for distribution services it performs.

 

The Board has adopted a separate Distribution and Shareholder Services Plan applicable to Class C shares that allows the Fund to pay annual distribution and service fees of 1.00% of the Fund’s Class C shares average daily net assets. The annual 0.25% service fee compensates a shareholder’s financial adviser for providing ongoing services to the shareholder. The annual distribution fee of 0.75% reimburses GFD for paying the shareholder’s financial adviser an ongoing sales commission. GFD advances the first year’s service and distribution fees to the financial adviser. GFD retains the service and distribution fees on accounts with no authorized dealer of record.

 

For the year ended December 31, 2023, GFD retained sales charges of $72,181 relating to sales of Class A shares of the Trust.

 

If the Fund invests in a fund that is advised by the same adviser or an affiliated adviser, the investing Fund’s adviser has agreed to waive fees at the investing fund level to the extent necessary to offset the proportionate share of any management fee paid by the Fund with respect to its investment in such affiliated fund. Fee waivers will be calculated at the investing fund level without regard to any expense cap, if any, in effect for the investing fund. Fees waived under this arrangement are not subject to reimbursement to GI. For the year ended December 31, 2023, the Fund waived $6,267 related to investments in affiliated funds.

 

38 | THE GUGGENHEIM FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT

 

 

 

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued)

 

Certain trustees and officers of the Trust are also officers of GI and/or GFD. The Trust does not compensate its officers or trustees who are officers, directors and/or employees of GI or GFD.

 

MUFG Investor Services (US), LLC (“MUIS”) acts as the Fund’s administrator, transfer agent and accounting agent. As administrator, transfer agent and accounting agent, MUIS maintains the books and records of the Fund’s securities and cash. U.S. Bank, N.A. (“U.S. Bank”) acts as the Fund’s custodian. As custodian, U.S. Bank is responsible for the custody of the Fund’s assets. For providing the aforementioned services, MUIS and U.S. Bank are entitled to receive a monthly fee equal to an annual percentage of the Fund’s average daily net assets and out of pocket expenses.

 

Note 6 – Repurchase Agreements

 

The Fund transfers uninvested cash balances into a single joint account, the daily aggregate balance of which is invested in one or more repurchase agreements collateralized by obligations of the U.S. Treasury and U.S. government agencies. The joint account includes other funds in the Guggenheim complex not covered in this report. The collateral is in the possession of the Funds’ custodian and is evaluated to ensure that its market value exceeds, at a minimum, 102% of the original face amount of the repurchase agreements. Each Fund holds a pro rata share of the collateral based on the dollar amount of the repurchase agreement entered into by each Fund.

 

 

THE GUGGENHEIM FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT | 39

 

 

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued)

 

At December 31, 2023, the repurchase agreements in the joint account were as follows:

 

Counterparty and
Terms of Agreement

 

Face
Value

   

Repurchase
Price

 

 

Collateral

 

Par
Value

   

Fair
Value

 

J.P. Morgan Securities LLC

                 

U.S. Treasury Notes

               

5.33%

                 

0.38% - 4.50%

               

Due 01/02/24

  $ 132,111,694     $ 132,170,374    

Due 03/31/24 - 02/15/33

  $ 135,741,000     $ 134,749,446  
                                     
                   

U.S. Treasury Bills

               
                   

0.00%

               
                   

Due 01/16/24 - 10/03/24

    1,900       1,857  
                                     
                   

U.S. Treasury Strip

               
                   

0.00%

               
                   

Due 11/15/30

    2,000       1,538  
                                     
                   

U.S. Treasury Bonds

               
                   

4.75% - 6.63%

               
                   

Due 02/15/27 - 11/15/43

    900       980  
                                     
                   

U.S. Treasury Floating Rate Note

               
                   

5.53%

               
                   

Due 01/31/25

    200       202  
                          135,746,000       134,754,023  

BofA Securities, Inc.

                 

U.S. Treasury Strip

               

5.35%

                 

0.00%

               

Due 01/02/24

    106,467,001       106,514,467    

Due 02/15/41

    201,313,820       96,703,107  
                                     
                   

U.S. Treasury Bond

               
                   

2.88%

               
                   

Due 05/15/49

    14,701,200       11,834,352  
                                     
                   

U.S. Treasury Note

               
                   

1.63%

               
                   

Due 08/15/29

    65,700       58,882  
                          216,080,720       108,596,341  

 

In the event of counterparty default, the Funds have the right to collect the collateral to offset losses incurred. There is potential loss to the Funds in the event the Funds are delayed or prevented from exercising their rights to dispose of the collateral securities, including the risk of a possible decline in the value of the underlying securities during the period while the Funds seek to assert their rights. GI, acting under the supervision of the Board, reviews the value of the collateral and the creditworthiness of those banks and dealers with which the Funds enter into repurchase agreements to evaluate potential risks.

 

40 | THE GUGGENHEIM FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT

 

 

 

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued)

 

Note 7 – Federal Income Tax Information

 

The Fund intends to comply with the provisions of Subchapter M of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “Internal Revenue Code”), applicable to regulated investment companies and will distribute substantially all taxable net investment income and capital gains sufficient to relieve the Fund from all, or substantially all, federal income, excise and state income taxes. Therefore, no provision for federal or state income tax or federal excise tax is required.

 

Tax positions taken or expected to be taken in the course of preparing the Fund’s tax returns are evaluated to determine whether the tax positions are “more-likely-than-not” of being sustained by the applicable tax authority. Tax positions not deemed to meet the “more-likely-than-not” threshold would be recorded as a tax benefit or expense in the current year. Management has analyzed the Fund’s tax positions taken, or to be taken, on U.S. federal income tax returns for all open tax years, and has concluded that no provision for income tax is required in the Fund’s consolidated financial statements. The Fund’s U.S. federal income tax returns are subject to examination by the Internal Revenue Service (“IRS”) for a period of three years after they are filed.

 

The Fund intends to invest up to 25% of its assets in the Subsidiary which is expected to provide the Fund with exposure to the commodities markets within the limitations of the U.S. federal income tax requirements under Subchapter M of the Internal Revenue Code. The Fund has received a private letter ruling from the IRS that concludes that the income the Fund receives from the Subsidiary will constitute qualifying income for purposes of Subchapter M of the Internal Revenue Code. The Subsidiary is classified as a corporation for U.S. federal income tax purposes. A foreign corporation, such as the Subsidiary, will generally not be subject to U.S. federal income taxation unless it is deemed to be engaged in a U.S. trade or business. If, during a taxable year, the Subsidiary’s taxable losses (and other deductible items) exceed its income and gains, the net loss will not pass through to the Fund as a deductible amount for U.S. federal income tax purposes and cannot be carried forward to reduce future income from the Subsidiary in subsequent years.

 

The tax character of distributions paid during the year ended December 31, 2023 was as follows:

 

 

 

Ordinary
Income

   

Long-Term
Capital Gain

   

Total
Distributions

 
    $ 824,064     $     $ 824,064  

 

The tax character of distributions paid during the year ended December 31, 2022 was as follows:

 

 

 

Ordinary
Income

   

Long-Term
Capital Gain

   

Total
Distributions

 
    $ 1,802,000     $     $ 1,802,000  

 

Note: For U.S. federal income tax purposes, short-term capital gain distributions are treated as ordinary income distributions.

 

 

THE GUGGENHEIM FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT | 41

 

 

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued)

 

The tax components of distributable earnings/(loss) as of December 31, 2023 were as follows:

 

 

 

Undistributed
Ordinary
Income

   

Undistributed
Long-Term
Capital Gain

   

Net Unrealized
Appreciation
(Depreciation)

   

Accumulated
Capital and
Other Losses

   

Other
Temporary
Differences

   

Total

 
    $ 1,687,508     $     $ (19,559,011 )   $ (24,287,883 )   $     $ (42,159,386 )

 

For U.S. federal income tax purposes, capital loss carryforwards represent realized losses of the Fund that may be carried forward and applied against future capital gains. The Fund is permitted to carry forward capital losses for an unlimited period and such capital loss carryforwards retain their character as either short-term or long-term capital losses. As of December 31, 2023, capital loss carryforwards for the Fund were as follows:

 

   

Unlimited

         

 

 

Short-Term

   

Long-Term

   

Total
Capital Loss
Carryforward

 
    $ (4,123,353 )   $ (20,164,530 )   $ (24,287,883 )

 

For the year ended December 31, 2023, the following capital loss carryforward amounts were utilized:

 

 

 

Utilized

 
    $ 1,358,991  

 

Net investment income and net realized gains (losses) may differ for financial statement and tax purposes because of temporary or permanent book/tax differences. These differences are primarily due to investments in subsidiaries, foreign currency gains and losses, losses deferred due to wash sales, and the “mark-to-market” of certain derivatives. To the extent these differences are permanent and would require a reclassification between Paid in Capital and Total Distributable Earnings (Loss), such reclassifications are made in the period that the differences arise. These reclassifications have no effect on net assets or NAV per share.

 

The following adjustments were made on the Fund’s Consolidated Statement of Assets and Liabilities as of December 31, 2023 for permanent book/tax differences:

 

 

 

Paid In
Capital

   

Total
Distributable
Earnings/(Loss)

 
    $ (1,637,628 )   $ 1,637,628  

 

42 | THE GUGGENHEIM FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT

 

 

 

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued)

 

At December 31, 2023, the cost of investments for U.S. federal income tax purposes, the aggregate gross unrealized appreciation for all investments for which there was an excess of value over tax cost and the aggregate gross unrealized depreciation for all investments for which there was an excess of tax cost over value, were as follows:

 

 

 

Tax
Cost

   

Tax
Unrealized
Appreciation

   

Tax
Unrealized
Depreciation

   

Net Tax
Unrealized
Appreciation/
(Depreciation)

 
    $ 92,061,267     $ 5,231,188     $ (24,790,135 )   $ (19,558,947 )

 

Note 8 – Securities Transactions

 

For the year ended December 31, 2023, the cost of purchases and proceeds from sales of investment securities, excluding government securities, short-term investments and derivatives, were as follows:

 

 

 

Purchases

   

Sales

 
    $     $  

 

The Fund is permitted to purchase or sell securities from or to certain affiliated funds under specified conditions outlined in procedures adopted by the Board. The procedures have been designed to ensure that any purchase or sale of securities by the Fund from or to another fund or portfolio that is or could be considered an affiliate by virtue of having a common investment adviser (or affiliated investment advisers), common trustees and/or common officers complies with Rule 17a-7 of the 1940 Act. Further, as defined under these procedures, each transaction is effected at the current market price. For the year ended December 31, 2023, the Fund did not engage in purchases and sales of securities pursuant to Rule 17a-7 of the 1940 Act.

 

Note 9 – Line of Credit

 

The Trust, along with other affiliated trusts, secured an uncommitted $200,000,000 line of credit from U.S. Bank, N.A. On June 5, 2023, the line of credit agreement was renewed and expires on June 3, 2024. This line of credit is reserved for emergency or temporary purposes. Borrowings, if any, under this arrangement bear interest equal to the Prime Rate, minus 2%, which shall be paid monthly, averaging 6.15% for the year ended December 31, 2023. The Fund did not have any borrowings outstanding under this agreement at December 31, 2023.

 

Note 10 – Market Risks

 

The value of, or income generated by, the investments held by the Fund are subject to the possibility of rapid and unpredictable fluctuation, and loss that may result from various factors. These factors include, among others, developments affecting individual companies, or from broader influences, including real or perceived changes in prevailing interest rates (which may change at any time based on changes in monetary policies and various market and other

 

 

THE GUGGENHEIM FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT | 43

 

 

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (concluded)

 

economic conditions), changes in inflation rates or expectations about inflation rates, adverse investor confidence or sentiment, changing economic, political (including geopolitical), social or financial market conditions, increased instability or general uncertainty, environmental disasters, governmental actions, public health emergencies (such as the spread of infectious diseases, pandemics and epidemics), debt crises, actual or threatened wars or other armed conflicts (such as the ongoing Russia-Ukraine conflict and its collateral economic and other effects, including, but not limited to, sanctions and other international trade barriers) or ratings downgrades, and other similar events, each of which may be temporary or last for extended periods. Moreover, changing economic, political, geopolitical, social, financial market or other conditions in one country or geographic region could adversely affect the value, yield and return of the investments held by the Fund in a different country, geographic region, economy, and market because of the increasingly interconnected global economies and financial markets. The duration and extent of the foregoing types of factors or conditions are highly uncertain and difficult to predict and have in the past, and may in the future, cause volatility and distress in economies and financial markets or other adverse circumstances, which may negatively affect the value of the Fund’s investments and performance of the Fund.

 

Note 11 – Subsequent Events

 

The Fund evaluated subsequent events through the date the consolidated financial statements are issued and determined there were no material events that would require adjustment to or disclosure in the Fund’s consolidated financial statements.

 

44 | THE GUGGENHEIM FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT

 

 

 

REPORT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM

 

To the Shareholders of Guggenheim Managed Futures Strategy Fund and the Board of Trustees of Rydex Series Funds

 

Opinion on the Financial Statements

 

We have audited the accompanying consolidated statement of assets and liabilities of Guggenheim Managed Futures Strategy Fund (the “Fund”) (one of the funds constituting Rydex Series Funds (the “Trust”)), including the consolidated schedule of investments, as of December 31, 2023, and the related consolidated statement of operations for the year then ended, the consolidated statements of changes in net assets for each of the two years in the period then ended, the consolidated financial highlights for each of the five years in the period then ended and the related notes (collectively referred to as the “financial statements”). In our opinion, the financial statements present fairly, in all material respects, the consolidated financial position of the Fund (one of the funds constituting Rydex Series Funds) at December 31, 2023, the consolidated results of its operations for the year then ended, the consolidated changes in its net assets for each of the two years in the period then ended and its consolidated financial highlights for each of the five years in the period then ended, in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles.

 

Basis for Opinion

 

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

 

We conducted our audits in accordance with the standards of the PCAOB. Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material misstatement, whether due to error or fraud. The Trust is not required to have, nor were we engaged to perform, an audit of the Trust’s internal control over financial reporting. As part of our audits, we are required to obtain an understanding of internal control over financial reporting, but not for the purpose of expressing an opinion on the effectiveness of the Trust’s internal control over financial reporting. Accordingly, we express no such opinion.

 

Our audits included performing procedures to assess the risks of material misstatement of the financial statements, whether due to error or fraud and performing procedures that respond to those risks. Such procedures included examining, on a test basis, evidence regarding the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. Our procedures included confirmation of securities owned as of December 31, 2023, by correspondence with the custodian, transfer agent

 

 

THE GUGGENHEIM FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT | 45

 

 

REPORT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM (concluded)

 

and brokers. Our audits also included evaluating the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall presentation of the financial statements. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.

 

 

 

We have served as the auditor of one or more Guggenheim investment companies since 1979.

 

Tysons, Virginia
February 27, 2024

 

 

46 | THE GUGGENHEIM FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT

 

 

 

 

 

OTHER INFORMATION (Unaudited)

 

 

Federal Income Tax Information

 

This information is being provided as required by the Internal Revenue Code. Amounts shown may differ from those elsewhere in the report because of differences in tax and financial reporting practice.

 

In January 2024, shareholders will be advised on IRS Form 1099 DIV or substitute 1099 DIV as to the federal tax status of the distributions received by shareholders in the calendar year 2023.

 

The Fund’s investment income (dividend income plus short-term capital gains, if any) qualifies as follows:

 

Of the taxable ordinary income distributions paid during the fiscal year ended December 31, 2023, the Fund had the corresponding percentages qualify for the reduced tax rate pursuant to the Jobs and Growth Tax Relief and Reconciliation Act of 2003 or for the dividends received deduction for corporations. See the qualified dividend income and dividend received deduction columns, respectively, in the table below.

 

 

 

Qualified
Dividend
Income

   

Dividend
Received
Deduction

 
      0.00 %     0.00 %

 

Delivery of Shareholder Reports

 

Paper copies of the Fund’s annual and semi-annual shareholder reports are not sent by mail, unless you specifically request paper copies of the reports from the Fund or from your financial intermediary. Instead, the reports are made available on a website, and you are notified by mail each time a report is posted and provided with a website link to access the report.

 

You may elect to receive all future shareholder reports in paper free of charge. If you hold shares of the Fund directly, you can inform the Fund that you wish to receive paper copies of reports by calling 800.820.0888. If you hold shares of the Fund through a financial intermediary, please contact the financial intermediary to make this election. Your election to receive reports in paper may apply to all Guggenheim funds in which you are invested and may apply to all Guggenheim funds held with your financial intermediary.

 

Tailored Shareholder Reports for Open-End Mutual Funds and Exchange-Traded Funds

 

Effective January 24, 2023, the SEC adopted rule and form amendments to require open-end mutual funds and exchange-traded funds registered on Form N-1A to transmit concise and visually engaging streamlined annual and semi-annual reports to shareholders that highlight key information. Other information, including financial statements, will no longer appear in a streamlined shareholder report but must be available online, delivered free of charge upon

 

 

THE GUGGENHEIM FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT | 47

 

 

OTHER INFORMATION (Unaudited)(concluded)

 

request, and filed on a semi-annual basis on Form N-CSR. The rule and form amendments have a compliance date of July 24, 2024. At this time, management is evaluating the impact of these amendments on the shareholder reports for the Fund.

 

Proxy Voting Information

 

A description of the policies and procedures that the Trust uses to determine how to vote proxies relating to securities held in the Fund’s portfolio is available, without charge and upon request, by calling 800.820.0888. This information is also available from the EDGAR database on the SEC’s website at https://www.sec.gov.

 

Information regarding how the Fund voted proxies relating to portfolio securities during the most recent 12-month period ended June 30 is available without charge, upon request, by calling 800.820.0888. This information is also available from the EDGAR database on the SEC’s website at https://www.sec.gov.

 

Sector Classification

 

Information in the Consolidated Schedule of Investments is categorized by sectors using sector-level Classifications defined by the Bloomberg Industry Classification System, a widely recognized industry classification system provider. The Fund’s registration statement has investment policies relating to concentration in specific sectors/industries. For purposes of these investment policies, the Fund usually classifies sectors/industries based on industry-level Classifications used by widely recognized industry classification system providers such as Bloomberg Industry Classification System, Global Industry Classification Standards and Barclays Global Classification Scheme.

 

Quarterly Portfolio Schedules Information

 

The Trust files its complete schedule of portfolio holdings with the SEC for the first and third quarters of each fiscal year as an exhibit to its reports on Form N-PORT, and for reporting periods ended prior to March 31, 2019, filed such information on Form N-Q. The Fund’s Forms N-PORT and N-Q are available on the SEC’s website at https://www.sec.gov. Copies of the portfolio holdings are also available to shareholders, without charge and upon request, by calling 800.820.0888.

 

48 | THE GUGGENHEIM FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT

 

 

 

INFORMATION ON BOARD OF TRUSTEES AND OFFICERS (Unaudited)

 

A Board of Trustees oversees the Trust, as well as other trusts of GI, in which its members have no stated term of service, and continue to serve after election until resignation. The Fund’s Statement of Additional Information includes further information about Fund Trustees and Officers, and can be obtained without charge by visiting guggenheiminvestments.com or by calling 800.820.0888.

 

Name, Address*
and Year of Birth

Position(s)
Held with
Trust

Term of Office
and Length of
Time Served**

Principal Occupation(s)
During Past Five Years

Number of
Portfolios
in Fund
Complex
Overseen

Other
Directorships Held
by Trustees***

INDEPENDENT TRUSTEES

   

Randall C. Barnes

(1951)

Trustee and Chair of the Valuation Oversight Committee

Since 2019 (Trustee)

Since 2020 (Chair of the Valuation Oversight Committee)

Current: Private Investor (2001-present).

Former: Senior Vice President and Treasurer, PepsiCo, Inc. (1993-1997); President, Pizza Hut International (1991-1993); Senior Vice President, Strategic Planning and New Business Development, PepsiCo, Inc. (1987-1990).

153

Current: Advent Convertible and Income Fund (2005-present); Purpose Investments Funds (2013-present).

Former: Guggenheim Energy & Income Fund (2015-2023); Fiduciary/Claymore Energy Infrastructure Fund (2004-2022); Guggenheim Enhanced Equity Income Fund (2005-2021); Guggenheim Credit Allocation Fund (2013-2021).

 

 

THE GUGGENHEIM FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT | 49

 

 

INFORMATION ON BOARD OF TRUSTEES AND OFFICERS (Unaudited)(continued)

 

Name, Address*
and Year of Birth

Position(s)
Held with
Trust

Term of Office
and Length of
Time Served**

Principal Occupation(s)
During Past Five Years

Number of
Portfolios
in Fund
Complex
Overseen

Other
Directorships Held
by Trustees***

INDEPENDENT TRUSTEES - continued

   

Angela Brock-Kyle

(1959)

Trustee

Since 2016

Current: Founder and Chief Executive Officer, B.O.A.R.D.S. (2013-present); Director, Mutual Fund Directors Forum (2022-present).

Former: Senior Leader, TIAA (financial services firm) (1987-2012).

152

Current: Bowhead Insurance GP, LLC (2020-present); Hunt Companies, Inc. (2019-present).

Former: Guggenheim Energy & Income Fund (2019-2023); Fiduciary/Claymore Energy Infrastructure Fund (2019-2022); Guggenheim Enhanced Equity Income Fund (2019-2021); Guggenheim Credit Allocation Fund (2019-2021); Infinity Property & Casualty Corp. (2014-2018).

 

50 | THE GUGGENHEIM FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT

 

 

 

INFORMATION ON BOARD OF TRUSTEES AND OFFICERS (Unaudited)(continued)

 

Name, Address*
and Year of Birth

Position(s)
Held with
Trust

Term of Office
and Length of
Time Served**

Principal Occupation(s)
During Past Five Years

Number of
Portfolios
in Fund
Complex
Overseen

Other
Directorships Held
by Trustees***

INDEPENDENT TRUSTEES - continued

   

Thomas F. Lydon, Jr.

(1960)

Trustee and Chair of the Contracts Review Committee

Since 2005 (Trustee)

Since 2020 (Chair of the Contracts Review Committee)

Current: President, Global Trends Investments (registered investment adviser) (1996-present); Chief Executive Officer, Lydon Media (2016-present); Vice Chairman, VettaFi, a wholly owned subsidiary of The TMX Group (financial advisor content, research, index and digital distribution provider) (2022-present).


Former: Chief Executive Officer, ETF Flows, LLC (financial advisor education and research provider) (2019-2023); Director, GDX Index Partners, LLC (index provider) (2021-2023).

152

Current: The 2023 ETF Series Trust (4) (2023-present); The 2023 ETF Series Trust II (1) (2023-present); US Global Investors, Inc. (GROW) (1995-present).

Former: Guggenheim Energy & Income Fund (2019-2023); Fiduciary/Claymore Energy Infrastructure Fund (2019-2022); Guggenheim Enhanced Equity Income Fund (2019-2021); Guggenheim Credit Allocation Fund (2019-2021); Harvest Volatility Edge Trust (3) (2017-2019).

 

 

THE GUGGENHEIM FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT | 51

 

 

INFORMATION ON BOARD OF TRUSTEES AND OFFICERS (Unaudited)(continued)

 

Name, Address*
and Year of Birth

Position(s)
Held with
Trust

Term of Office
and Length of
Time Served**

Principal Occupation(s)
During Past Five Years

Number of
Portfolios
in Fund
Complex
Overseen

Other
Directorships Held
by Trustees***

INDEPENDENT TRUSTEES - continued

   

Ronald A. Nyberg

(1953)

Trustee and Chair of the Nominating and Governance Committee

Since 2019

Current: Of Counsel, Momkus LLP (law firm) (2016-present).

Former: Partner, Nyberg & Cassioppi, LLC (law firm) (2000-2016); Executive Vice President, General Counsel, and Corporate Secretary, Van Kampen Investments (1982-1999).

153

Current: Advent Convertible and Income Fund (2003-present); PPM Funds (2) (2018-present); Endeavor Health (2012-present).

Former: Guggenheim Energy & Income Fund (2015-2023); Fiduciary/Claymore Energy Infrastructure Fund (2004-2022); Guggenheim Enhanced Equity Income Fund (2005-2021); Guggenheim Credit Allocation Fund (2013-2021); Western Asset Inflation-Linked Opportunities & Income Fund (2004-2020); Western Asset Inflation-Linked Income Fund (2003-2020).

 

52 | THE GUGGENHEIM FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT

 

 

 

INFORMATION ON BOARD OF TRUSTEES AND OFFICERS (Unaudited)(continued)

 

Name, Address*
and Year of Birth

Position(s)
Held with
Trust

Term of Office
and Length of
Time Served**

Principal Occupation(s)
During Past Five Years

Number of
Portfolios
in Fund
Complex
Overseen

Other
Directorships Held
by Trustees***

INDEPENDENT TRUSTEES - continued

   

Sandra G. Sponem

(1958)

Trustee and Chair of the Audit Committee

Since 2016 (Trustee)

Since 2019 (Chair of the Audit Committee)

Current: Retired.

Former: Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer, M.A. Mortenson-Companies, Inc. (construction and real estate development company) (2007-2017).

152

Current: SPDR Series Trust (81) (2018-present); SPDR Index Shares Funds (30) (2018-present); SSGA Active Trust (14) (2018-present).

Former: Guggenheim Energy & Income Fund (2019-2023); Fiduciary/Claymore Energy Infrastructure Fund (2019-2022); Guggenheim Enhanced Equity Income Fund (2019-2021); Guggenheim Credit Allocation Fund (2019-2021); SSGA Master Trust (1) (2018-2020).

 

 

THE GUGGENHEIM FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT | 53

 

 

INFORMATION ON BOARD OF TRUSTEES AND OFFICERS (Unaudited)(continued)

 

Name, Address*
and Year of Birth

Position(s)
Held with
Trust

Term of Office
and Length of
Time Served**

Principal Occupation(s)
During Past Five Years

Number of
Portfolios
in Fund
Complex
Overseen

Other
Directorships Held
by Trustees***

INDEPENDENT TRUSTEES - concluded

   

Ronald E. Toupin, Jr.

(1958)

Trustee, Chair of the Board and Chair of the Executive Committee

Since 2019

Current: Portfolio Consultant (2010-present); Member, Governing Council, Independent Directors Council (2013-present); Governor, Board of Governors, Investment Company Institute (2018-present).

Former: Member, Executive Committee, Independent Directors Council (2016-2018); Vice President, Manager and Portfolio Manager, Nuveen Asset Management (1998-1999); Vice President, Nuveen Investment Advisory Corp. (1992-1999); Vice President and Manager, Nuveen Unit Investment Trusts (1991-1999); and Assistant Vice President and Portfolio Manager, Nuveen Unit Investment Trusts (1988-1999), each of John Nuveen & Co., Inc. (registered broker dealer) (1982-1999).

152

Former: Guggenheim Energy & Income Fund (2015-2023); Fiduciary/Claymore Energy Infrastructure Fund (2004-2022); Guggenheim Enhanced Equity Income Fund (2005-2021); Guggenheim Credit Allocation Fund (2013-2021); Western Asset Inflation-Linked Opportunities & Income Fund (2004-2020); Western Asset Inflation-Linked Income Fund (2003-2020).

 

54 | THE GUGGENHEIM FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT

 

 

 

INFORMATION ON BOARD OF TRUSTEES AND OFFICERS (Unaudited)(continued)

 

Name, Address*
and Year of Birth

Position(s)
Held with
Trust

Term of Office
and Length of
Time Served**

Principal Occupation(s)
During Past Five Years

Number of
Portfolios
in Fund
Complex
Overseen

Other
Directorships Held
by Trustees***

INTERESTED TRUSTEE

   

Amy J. Lee****

(1961)

Trustee, Vice President and Chief Legal Officer

Since 2019

Current: Interested Trustee, certain other funds in the Fund Complex (2018-present); Chief Legal Officer, certain other funds in the Fund Complex (2014-present); Vice President, certain other funds in the Fund Complex (2007-present); Senior Managing Director, Guggenheim Investments (2012-present).

Former: President and Chief Executive Officer, certain other funds in the Fund Complex (2017-2019); Vice President, Associate General Counsel and Assistant Secretary, Security Benefit Life Insurance Company and Security Benefit Corporation (2004-2012).

152

Former: Guggenheim Energy & Income Fund (2015-2023); Fiduciary/Claymore Energy Infrastructure Fund (2018-2022); Guggenheim Enhanced Equity Income Fund (2018-2021); Guggenheim Credit Allocation Fund (2018-2021).

 

*

The business address of each Trustee is c/o Guggenheim Investments, 227 West Monroe Street, Chicago, Illinois 60606.

**

Each Trustee serves during the lifetime of the Trust or until he or she dies, resigns, has reached the mandatory retirement age, is declared incompetent by a court of appropriate jurisdiction, is removed or until his or her successor is duly elected and qualified, subject to the Trust’s Independent Trustees Retirement Policy and the Trust’s organizational documents. Time served may include time served in the respective position for certain predecessor entities of the Trust.

***

Each Trustee serves on the Boards of Trustees of Guggenheim Funds Trust, Guggenheim Variable Funds Trust, Guggenheim Strategy Funds Trust, Guggenheim Taxable Municipal Bond & Investment Grade Debt Trust, Guggenheim Strategic Opportunities Fund, Guggenheim Active Allocation Fund, Rydex Series Funds, Rydex Dynamic Funds, Rydex Variable Trust and Transparent Value Trust. Messrs. Barnes and Nyberg also serve on the Board of Trustees of Advent Convertible & Income Fund.

****

This Trustee is deemed to be an “interested person” of the Fund under the 1940 Act by reason of her position with the Fund’s Adviser and/or the parent of the Adviser.

 

 

THE GUGGENHEIM FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT | 55

 

 

INFORMATION ON BOARD OF TRUSTEES AND OFFICERS (Unaudited)(continued)

 

Name, Address*
and Year of Birth

Position(s)
Held with
Trust

Term of Office
and Length of
Time Served**

Principal Occupation(s) During Past Five Years

OFFICERS

     

Brian E. Binder

(1972)

President and Chief Executive Officer

Since 2019

Current: President, Mutual Fund Boards, Guggenheim Investments (2022-present); President and Chief Executive Officer, certain other funds in the Fund Complex (2018-present); President, Mutual Funds Boards, and Senior Managing Director, Guggenheim Funds Investment Advisors, LLC and Security Investors, LLC (2018-present); Board Member, Guggenheim Partners Investment Funds plc (2022-present); Board Member, Guggenheim Global Investments plc (2022-present); Board Member, Guggenheim Partners Fund Management (Europe) Limited (2018-present).

Former: Senior Managing Director and Chief Administrative Officer, Guggenheim Investments (2018-2022); Managing Director and President, Deutsche Funds, and Head of US Product, Trading and Fund Administration, Deutsche Asset Management (2013-2018); Managing Director, Chairman of North American Executive Committee and Head of Business Management and Consulting, Invesco Ltd. (2010-2012).

James Howley

(1972)

Chief Financial Officer, Chief Accounting Officer and Treasurer

Since 2022

Current: Managing Director, Guggenheim Investments (2004-present); Chief Financial Officer, Chief Accounting Officer, and Treasurer, certain other funds in the Fund Complex (2022-present).

Former: Assistant Treasurer, certain other funds in the Fund Complex (2006-2022); Manager, Mutual Fund Administration of Van Kampen Investments, Inc. (1996-2004).

Mark E. Mathiasen

(1978)

Secretary

Since 2017

Current: Secretary, certain other funds in the Fund Complex (2007-present); Managing Director, Guggenheim Investments (2007-present).

Glenn McWhinnie

(1969)

Assistant Treasurer

Since 2016

Current: Vice President, Guggenheim Investments (2009-present); Assistant Treasurer, certain other funds in the Fund Complex (2016-present).

Michael Megaris

(1984)

Assistant Secretary

Since 2018

Current: Assistant Secretary, certain other funds in the Fund Complex (2014-present); Managing Director, Guggenheim Investments (2012-present).

 

56 | THE GUGGENHEIM FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT

 

 

 

INFORMATION ON BOARD OF TRUSTEES AND OFFICERS (Unaudited)(continued)

 

Name, Address*
and Year of Birth

Position(s)
Held with
Trust

Term of Office
and Length of
Time Served**

Principal Occupation(s) During Past Five Years

OFFICERS - continued

   

Elisabeth Miller

(1968)

Chief Compliance Officer

Since 2012

Current: Chief Compliance Officer, certain other funds in the Fund Complex (2012-present); Senior Managing Director, Guggenheim Investments (2012-present); Senior Managing Director, Guggenheim Funds Distributors, LLC (2014-present).

Former: Chief Compliance Officer, Security Investors, LLC and Guggenheim Funds Investment Advisors, LLC (2012-2018); Chief Compliance Officer, Guggenheim

Distributors, LLC (2009-2014); Senior Manager, Security Investors, LLC (2004-2014); Senior Manager, Guggenheim Distributors, LLC (2004-2014).

Margaux Misantone

(1978)

AML Officer

Since 2017

Current: Chief Compliance Officer, Security Investors, LLC and Guggenheim Funds Investment Advisors, LLC (2018-present); AML Officer, Security Investors, LLC

and certain other funds in the Fund Complex (2017-present); Managing Director, Guggenheim Investments (2015-present).


Former: Assistant Chief Compliance Officer, Security Investors, LLC and Guggenheim Funds Investments Advisors, LLC (2015-2018).

Kimberly J. Scott

(1974)

Assistant Treasurer

Since 2016

Current: Director, Guggenheim Investments (2012-present); Assistant Treasurer, certain other funds in the Fund Complex (2012-present).

Former: Financial Reporting Manager, Invesco, Ltd. (2010-2011); Vice President/Assistant Treasurer, Mutual Fund Administration for Van Kampen Investments, Inc./Morgan Stanley Investment Management (2009-2010); Manager of Mutual Fund Administration, Van Kampen Investments, Inc./Morgan Stanley Investment Management (2005-2009).

Bryan Stone

(1979)

Vice President

Since 2019

Current: Vice President, certain other funds in the Fund Complex (2014-present); Managing Director, Guggenheim Investments (2013-present).

Former: Senior Vice President, Neuberger Berman Group LLC (2009-2013); Vice President, Morgan Stanley (2002-2009).

 

 

THE GUGGENHEIM FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT | 57

 

 

INFORMATION ON BOARD OF TRUSTEES AND OFFICERS (Unaudited)(concluded)

 

Name, Address*
and Year of Birth

Position(s)
Held with
Trust

Term of Office
and Length of
Time Served**

Principal Occupation(s) During Past Five Years

OFFICERS - concluded

   

Jon Szafran

(1989)

Assistant Treasurer

Since 2017

Current: Director, Guggenheim Investments (2017-present); Assistant Treasurer, certain other funds in the Fund Complex (2017-present).

Former: Assistant Treasurer of Henderson Global Funds and Manager of US Fund Administration, Henderson Global Investors (North America) Inc. (“HGINA”), (2017); Senior Analyst of US Fund Administration, HGINA (2014–2017); Senior Associate of Fund Administration, Cortland Capital Market Services, LLC (2013-2014); Experienced Associate, PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP (2012-2013).

 

 

*

The business address of each officer is c/o Guggenheim Investments, 227 West Monroe Street, Chicago, Illinois 60606.

**

Each officer serves an indefinite term, until his or her successor is duly elected and qualified, or until his or her earlier death, inability to serve, resignation or removal. Time served may include time served in the respective position for certain predecessor entities of the Trust.

 

58 | THE GUGGENHEIM FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT

 

 

 

GUGGENHEIM INVESTMENTS PRIVACY NOTICE (Unaudited)

 

Who We Are

 

This Privacy Notice describes the data protection practices of Guggenheim Investments. Guggenheim Investments as used herein refers to the affiliated investment management businesses of Guggenheim Partners, LLC: Guggenheim Funds Investment Advisors, LLC, Guggenheim Partners Investment Management, LLC, Guggenheim Funds Distributors, LLC, Security Investors, LLC, Guggenheim Investment Advisors (Europe) Limited, Guggenheim Real Estate, LLC, GS Gamma Advisors, LLC, Guggenheim Partners India Management, LLC, Guggenheim Partners Europe Limited, as well as the funds in the Guggenheim Funds complex (the “Funds”) (“Guggenheim Investments,” “we,” “us,” or “our”).

 

Guggenheim Partners Investment Management Holdings, LLC, located at 330 Madison Avenue, New York, New York, 10017 is the data controller for your information. The affiliates who are also controllers of certain of your information are: Guggenheim Investment Advisors (Europe) Limited, Guggenheim Partners Europe Limited, Guggenheim Partners, LLC, Guggenheim Funds Investment Advisors, LLC, Guggenheim Partners Investment Management, LLC, Guggenheim Funds Distributors, LLC and Security Investors, LLC, as well as the Funds.

 

Our Commitment to You

 

Guggenheim Investments considers your privacy our utmost concern. When you become our client or investor, you entrust us with not only your hard-earned money but also with your personal and financial information. Because we have access to your private information, we hold ourselves to the highest standards in its safekeeping and use. We strictly limit how we share your information with others, whether you are a current or former Guggenheim Investments client or investor.

 

The Information We Collect About You

 

We collect certain nonpublic personal information about you from information you provide on applications, other forms, our website, and/or from third parties including investment advisors. This information includes Social Security or other tax identification number, assets, income, tax information, retirement and estate plan information, transaction history, account balance, payment history, bank account information, marital status, family relationships, information that we collect on our website through the use of “cookies,” and other personal information that you or others provide to us. We may also collect such information through your inquiries by mail, e-mail or telephone. We may also collect customer due diligence information, as required by applicable law and regulation, through third party service providers.

 

How We Handle Your Personal Information

 

The legal basis for using your information as set out in this Privacy Notice is as follows: (a) use of your personal data is necessary to perform our obligations under any contract with you (such as a contract for us to provide financial services to you); or (b) where use of your personal data is not necessary for performance of a contract, use of your personal data is necessary for our

 

 

THE GUGGENHEIM FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT | 59

 

 

GUGGENHEIM INVESTMENTS PRIVACY NOTICE (Unaudited)(continued)

 

legitimate interests or the legitimate interests of others (for example, to enforce the legal terms governing our services, operate and market our website and other services we offer, ensure safe environments for our personnel and others, make and receive payments, prevent fraud and to know the customer to whom we are providing the services). Some processing is done to comply with applicable law.

 

In addition to the specific uses described above, we also use your information in the following manner:

 

 

We use your information in connection with servicing your accounts.

 

 

We use information to respond to your requests or questions. For example, we might use your information to respond to your customer feedback.

 

 

We use information to improve our products and services. We may use your information to make our website and products better. We may use your information to customize your experience with us.

 

 

We use information for security purposes. We may use your information to protect our company and our customers.

 

 

We use information to communicate with you. For example, we will communicate with you about your account or our relationship. We may contact you about your feedback. We might also contact you about this Privacy Notice. We may also enroll you in our email newsletter.

 

 

We use information as otherwise permitted by law, as we may notify you.

 

 

Aggregate/Anonymous Data. We may aggregate and/or anonymize any information collected through the website so that such information can no longer be linked to you or your device (“Aggregate/Anonymous Information”). We may use Aggregate/Anonymous Information for any purpose, including without limitation for research and marketing purposes, and may also share such data with any third parties, including advertisers, promotional partners, and sponsors.

 

We do not sell information about current or former clients or their accounts to third parties. Nor do we share this information, except when necessary to complete transactions at your request, to make you aware of investment products and services that we or our affiliates offer, or as permitted or required by law.

 

We provide information about you to companies and individuals not affiliated with Guggenheim Investments to complete certain transactions or account changes, or to perform services for us related to your account. For example, if you ask to transfer assets from another financial institution to Guggenheim Investments, we must provide certain information about you to that company to complete the transaction. We provide the third party with only the information necessary to carry out its responsibilities and only for that purpose. And we require these third

 

60 | THE GUGGENHEIM FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT

 

 

 

GUGGENHEIM INVESTMENTS PRIVACY NOTICE (Unaudited)(continued)

 

parties to treat your private information with the same high degree of confidentiality that we do. To alert you to other Guggenheim Investments products and services, we share your information within our family of affiliated companies. You may limit our sharing with affiliated companies as set out below. We may also share information with any successor to all or part of our business, or in connection with steps leading up to a merger or acquisition. For example, if part of our business was sold we may give customer information as part of that transaction. We may also share information about you with your consent.

 

We will release information about you if you direct us to do so, if we are compelled by law to do so, or in other circumstances as permitted by law (for example, to protect your account from fraud).

 

If you close your account(s) or become an inactive client or investor, we will continue to adhere to the privacy policies and practices described in this notice.

 

Opt-Out Provisions and Your Data Choices

 

The law allows you to “opt out” of certain kinds of information sharing with third parties. We do not share personal information about you with any third parties that triggers this opt-out right. This means YOU ARE ALREADY OPTED OUT.

 

When you are no longer our client or investor, we continue to share your information as described in this notice, and you may contact us at any time to limit our sharing by sending an email to CorporateDataPrivacy@GuggenheimPartners.com.

 

European Union Data Subjects and certain others: In addition to the choices set forth above, residents of the European Union and certain other jurisdictions have certain rights to (1) request access to or rectification or deletion of information we collect about them, (2) request a restriction on the processing of their information, (3) object to the processing of their information, or (4) request the portability of certain information. To exercise these or other rights, please contact us using the contact information below. We will consider all requests and provide our response within the time period stated by applicable law. Please note, however, that certain information may be exempt from such requests in some circumstances, which may include if we need to keep processing your information for our legitimate interests or to comply with a legal obligation. We may request you provide us with information necessary to confirm your identity before responding to your request.

 

Residents of France and certain other jurisdictions may also provide us with instructions regarding the manner in which we may continue to store, erase and share your information after your death, and where applicable, the person you have designated to exercise these rights after your death.

 

How We Protect Privacy Online

 

We take steps to protect your privacy when you use our web site – www.guggenheiminvestments.com –by using secure forms of online communication, including encryption technology, Secure Socket Layer (SSL) protocol, firewalls and user names and passwords. These safeguards vary based on the sensitivity of the information that we collect and store. However, we cannot and do not guarantee

 

 

THE GUGGENHEIM FUNDS ANNUAL REPORT | 61

 

 

GUGGENHEIM INVESTMENTS PRIVACY NOTICE (Unaudited)(concluded)

 

that these measures will prevent every unauthorized attempt to access, use, or disclose your information since despite our efforts, no Internet and/or other electronic transmissions can be completely secure. Our web site uses “http cookies”—tiny pieces of information that we ask your browser to store. We use cookies for session management and security features on the Guggenheim Investments web site. We do not use them to pull data from your hard drive, to learn your e-mail address, or to view data in cookies created by other web sites. We will not share the information in our cookies or give others access to it. See the legal information area on our web site for more details about web site security and privacy features.

 

How We Safeguard Your Personal Information and Data Retention

 

We restrict access to nonpublic personal information about you to our employees and in some cases to third parties (for example, the service providers described above) as permitted by law. We maintain strict physical, electronic and procedural safeguards that comply with federal standards to guard your nonpublic personal information.

 

We keep your information for no longer than necessary for the purposes for which it is processed. The length of time for which we retain information depends on the purposes for which we collected and use it and/or as required to comply with applicable laws. Information may persist in copies made for backup and business continuity purposes for additional time.

 

International Visitors

 

If you are not a resident of the United States, please be aware that your information may be transferred to, stored and processed in the United States where our servers are located and our databases are operated. The data protection and other laws of the United States and other countries might not be as comprehensive as those in your country.

 

In such cases, we ensure that a legal basis for such a transfer exists and that adequate protection is provided as required by applicable law, for example, by using standard contractual clauses or by transferring your data to a jurisdiction that has obtained an adequacy finding. Individuals whose data may be transferred on the basis of standard contractual clauses may contact us as described below.

 

We’ll Keep You Informed

 

If you have any questions or concerns about how we treat your personal data, we encourage you to consult with us first. You may also contact the relevant supervisory authority

 

We reserve the right to modify this policy at any time and will inform you promptly of material changes. You may access our privacy policy from our web site at www.guggenheiminvestments.com. Should you have any questions regarding our privacy policy, contact us by email at CorporateDataPrivacy@GuggenheimPartners.com.

 

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Item 2. Code of Ethics.

 

The registrant’s Board of Trustees has adopted a code of ethics that applies to the registrant’s principal executive officer and principal financial officer. No substantive amendments were approved or waivers were granted to the code of ethics during the period covered by this report. The code of ethics is filed as an exhibit to this Form N-CSR.

 

Item 3. Audit Committee Financial Expert.

 

The registrant's Board of Trustees has determined that it has at least one audit committee financial expert serving on its audit committee (the “Audit Committee”), Sandra G. Sponem.   Ms. Sponem is “independent,” meaning that she is not an “interested person” of the registrant (as that term is defined in Section 2(a)(19) of the Investment Company Act) and she does not accept any consulting, advisory, or other compensatory fee from the registrant (except in her capacity as a Board or committee member).

 

 (Under applicable securities laws, a person who is determined to be an audit committee financial expert will not be deemed an "expert" for any purpose, including without limitation for the purposes of Section 11 of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, as a result of being designated or identified as an audit committee financial expert.  The designation or identification of a person as an audit committee financial expert does not impose on such person any duties, obligations, or liabilities that are greater than the duties, obligations, and liabilities imposed on such person as a member of the Audit Committee and Board of Trustees in the absence of such designation or identification.  The designation or identification of a person as an audit committee financial expert does not affect the duties, obligations or liability of any other member of the Audit Committee or Board of Trustees.)

 

Item 4. Principal Accountant Fees and Services.

 

(a)       Audit Fees. The aggregate Audit Fees billed by the registrant’s principal accountant for professional services rendered for the audit of the annual financial statements or services that are normally provided by the accountant in connection with statutory and regulatory filings or engagements for the fiscal years ended December 31, 2023 and December 31, 2023 were $99,823 and $99,823, respectively.

 

(b)       Audit Related Fees. The aggregate Audit-Related Fees billed by the registrant’s principal accountant for assurance and related services that are reasonably related to the performance of the audit of the registrant’s financial statements and are not reported under paragraph (a) of this Item for the fiscal years ended December 31, 2023 and December 31, 2022 were $0 and $0, respectively.

 

 

The aggregate fees billed in the Reporting Periods for assurance and related services by the Auditor to the registrant’s investment adviser (not including any sub-investment adviser whose role is primarily portfolio management and is subcontracted with or overseen by another investment adviser), and any entity controlling, controlled by or under common control with the investment adviser that provides ongoing services to the registrant (“Service Affiliates”) which required pre-approval by the Audit Committee which related to the review of the transfer agent function for the fiscal years ended December 31, 2023 and December 31, 2022 were $0 and $0, respectively.

 

(c)        Tax Fees: The aggregate Tax Fees billed by the registrant’s principal accountant for professional services rendered for tax compliance, tax advice, and tax planning, including preparation of tax returns and distribution assistance, for the fiscal years ended December 31, 2023 and December 31, 2022 were $40,130 and $38,433, respectively. These services consisted of [(i) preparation of U.S. federal, state and excise tax returns; (ii) U.S. federal and state tax planning, advice and assistance regarding statutory, regulatory or administrative developments, (iii) tax advice regarding tax qualification matters and/or treatment of various financial instruments held or proposed to be acquired and (iv) review of U.S. federal excise distribution calculations].

 

(d)        All Other Fees. The aggregate All Other Fees billed by the registrant’s principal accountant for products and services provided by the principal accountant, other than the services reported in paragraphs (a) through (c) of this Item, for the fiscal years ended December 31, 2023 and December 31, 2022 were $0 and $0, respectively.

 

(e)        Audit Committee Pre-Approval Policies and Procedures.

 

(1) Audit Committee pre-approval policies and procedures:

 

To fulfill its responsibilities and duties the Audit Committee (the “Committee”) shall:

 

1.Pre-Approval Policy (Trusts). Pre-approve any engagement of the independent auditors to provide any services, other than “prohibited non-audit services,” to the Trust, including the fees and other compensation to be paid to the independent auditors (unless an exception is available under Rule 2-01 of Regulation S-X).

 

(a)The categories of services to be reviewed and considered for pre-approval include those services set forth under Section II.A.1. of the Background and Definitions for Audit Committee Charter, (collectively, “Identified Services”).

 

(b)The Committee has pre-approved Identified Services for which the estimated fees are less than $25,000.

 

 

(c)For Identified Services with estimated fees of $25,000 or more, but less than $50,000, the Chair or any member of the Committee designated by the Chair is hereby authorized to pre-approve such Identified Services on behalf of the Committee.

 

(d)For Identified Services with estimated fees of $50,000 or more, such Identified Services require pre-approval by the Committee.

 

(e)All requests for Identified Services to be provided by the independent auditor that were pre-approved by the Committee shall be submitted to the Chief Accounting Officer (“CAO”) of the Trust by the independent auditor using the pre-approval request form. The Trust’s CAO will determine whether such services are included within the list of services that have received the general pre-approval of the Committee.

 

(f)The independent auditors or the CAO of the Trust (or an officer of the Trust who reports to the CAO) shall report to the Committee at each of its regular scheduled meetings all audit, audit-related and permissible non-audit services initiated since the last such report (unless the services were contained in the initial audit plan, as previously presented to, and approved by, the Committee). The report shall include a general description of the services and projected fees, and the means by which such services were approved by the Committee (including the particular category of Identified Services under which pre-approval was obtained).

 

2.Pre-Approval Policy (Adviser or Any Control Affiliate). Pre-approve any engagement of the independent auditors, including the fees and other compensation to be paid to the independent auditors, to provide any non-audit services to the Adviser (or any “control affiliate” of the Adviser providing ongoing services to the Trust), if the engagement relates directly to the operations or financial reporting of the Trust (unless an exception is available under Rule 2-01 of Regulation S-X).

 

(a)The Chair or any member of the Committee designated by the Chair may grant the pre-approval for non-audit services to the Adviser (or any “control affiliate” of the Adviser providing ongoing services to the Trust) relating directly to the operations or financial reporting of the Trust for which the estimated fees are less than $25,000. All such delegated pre-approvals shall be presented to the Committee no later than the next regularly scheduled Committee meeting.

 

 

(b)For non-audit services to the Adviser (or any “control affiliate” of the Adviser providing ongoing services to the Trust) relating directly to the operations or financial reporting of the Trust for which the estimated fees are $25,000 or more, such services require pre-approval by the Committee.

 

a.Pre-Approval Requirements

 

i.Categories of Services to be Reviewed and Considered for Pre-Approval

 

1.     Audit Services

 

a.     Annual financial statement audits

 

b.     Seed audits (related to new product filings, as required)

 

c.     SEC and regulatory filings and consents

 

2.     Audit-Related Services

 

a.     Accounting consultations

 

b.     Fund merger/reorganization support services

 

c.     Other accounting related matters

 

d.     Agreed upon procedures reports

 

e.     Attestation reports

 

f.      Other internal control reports

 

3.     Tax Services

 

a.     Recurring tax services:

 

i.Preparation of Federal and state income tax returns, including extensions

 

ii.Preparation of calculations of taxable income, including fiscal year tax designations

 

iii.Preparation of annual Federal excise tax returns (if applicable)

 

 

iv.Preparation of calendar year excise distribution calculations

 

v.Calculation of tax equalization on an as-needed basis

 

vi.Preparation of monthly/quarterly estimates of tax undistributed position for closed-end funds

 

vii.Preparation of the estimated excise distribution calculations on an as-needed basis

 

viii.Preparation of calendar year shareholder reporting designations on Form 1099

 

ix.Preparation of quarterly Federal, state and local and franchise tax estimated tax payments on an as-needed basis

 

x.Preparation of state apportionment calculations to properly allocate Fund taxable income among the states for state tax filing purposes

 

xi.Assistance with management’s identification of passive foreign investment companies (PFICs) for tax purposes

 

b.     Permissible non-recurring tax services upon request:

 

i.Assistance with determining ownership changes which impact a Fund’s utilization of loss carryforwards

 

ii.Assistance with corporate actions and tax treatment of complex securities and structured products

 

iii.Assistance with IRS ruling requests and calculation of deficiency dividends

 

iv.Conduct training sessions for the Adviser’s internal tax resources

 

v.Assistance with Federal, state, local and international tax planning and advice regarding the tax consequences of proposed or actual transactions

 

 

vi.Tax services related to amendments to Federal, state and local returns and sales and use tax compliance

 

vii.RIC qualification reviews

 

viii.Tax distribution analysis and planning

 

ix.Tax authority examination services

 

x.Tax appeals support services

 

xi.Tax accounting methods studies

 

xii.Fund merger, reorganization and liquidation support services

 

xiii.Tax compliance, planning and advice services and related projects

 

xiv.Assistance with out of state residency status

 

xv.Provision of tax compliance services in India for Funds with direct investments in India

 

B.Pre-Approval Not Required

 

Under Section 10A(h)(i)(1)(B) of the Exchange Act and Rule 2-01 under Regulation S-X (Section (c)(7)), pre-approval of non-audit services for the Trust pursuant to Section V.B.2 is not required, if:

 

1.  the aggregate amount of all non-audit services provided to the Trust is no more than 5% of the total fees paid by the Trust to the independent auditors during the fiscal year in which the non-audit services are provided;

 

2. the services were not recognized by Trust management at the time of the engagement as non-audit services; and

 

3. such services are promptly brought to the attention of the Audit Committee by Trust management and the Committee approves them (which may be by delegation) prior to the completion of the audit.

 

 

Under Section 10A(h)(i)(1)(B) of the Exchange Act and Rule 2-01 under Regulation S-X (Section (c)(7)), pre-approval of non-audit services for the Adviser (or any affiliate of the Adviser providing ongoing services to the Trust) pursuant to Section V.B.3 is not required, if:

 

1.        the aggregate amount of all non-audit services provided is no more than 5% of the total fees paid to the Trust’s independent auditors by the Trust, the Adviser and any “control affiliate” of the Adviser providing ongoing services to the Trust during the fiscal year in which the non-audit services are provided;

 

2.        the services were not recognized by Trust management at the time of the engagement as non-audit services; and

 

3.        such services are promptly brought to the attention of the Audit Committee by Trust management and the Committee approves them (which may be by delegation) prior to the completion of the audit.

 

(2) None of the services described in each of Items 4(b) through (d) were approved by the Audit Committee pursuant to paragraph (c)(7)(i)(C) of Rule 2-01 of Regulation S-X

 

(f)         Not applicable.

 

(g)        Non-Audit Fees. The aggregate non-audit fees billed by the registrant’s accountant for the most recent fiscal year and the preceding fiscal year for services rendered to the registrant, the investment adviser, and any entity controlling, controlled by, or under common control with the investment adviser that provides ongoing services to the registrant were $40,130 and $38,433, respectively. These aggregate fees were less than the aggregate fees billed for the same periods by the registrant’s principal accountant for audit services rendered to the registrant, the investment adviser, and any entity controlling, controlled by, or under common control with the investment adviser that provides ongoing services to the registrant.

 

(h)        Auditor Independence. The registrant’s Audit Committee was provided with information relating to the provision of non-audit services by Ernst & Young, LLP to the registrant’s investment adviser (not including any sub adviser whose role is primarily portfolio management and is subcontracted with or overseen by another investment adviser), and any entity controlling, controlled by, or under common control with the investment adviser that provides ongoing services to the registrant that were not pre-approved by the Audit Committee so that a determination could be made whether the provision of such services is compatible with maintaining Ernst & Young, LLP’s independence

 

 

Item 5. Audit Committee of Listed Registrants.

 

Not applicable.

 

Item 6. Investments.

 

(a) The Schedule of Investments is included under Item 1 of this Form.

 

(b) Not applicable.

 

Item 7. Disclosure of Proxy Voting Policies and Procedures for Closed-End Management Investment Companies.

 

Not applicable.

 

Item 8. Portfolio Managers of Closed-End Management Investment Companies.

 

Not applicable.

 

Item 9. Purchases of Equity Securities by Closed-End Management Investment Company and Affiliated Purchasers.

 

Not applicable.

 

Item 10. Submission of Matters to a Vote of Security Holders.

 

The registrant does not currently have in place procedures by which shareholders may recommend nominees to the registrant’s board.

 

There have been no changes to the procedures by which shareholders may recommend nominees to the registrant’s board.

 

Item 11. Controls and Procedures.

 

(a) The registrant’s President (principal executive officer) and Treasurer (principal financial officer) have evaluated the registrant’s disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Rule 30a-3(c) under the Investment Company Act) as of a date within 90 days of this filing and have concluded that based on such evaluation as required by Rule 30a-3(b) under the Investment Company Act, that the registrant’s disclosure controls and procedures were effective as of that date in ensuring that information required to be disclosed by the registrant in this Form N-CSR was recorded, processed, summarized, and reported within the time periods specified in the Securities and Exchange Commission’s rules and forms.

 

(b) There were no changes in the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Rule 30a-3(d) under the Investment Company Act) that occurred during the period covered by this report that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting.

 

 

Item 12. Disclosure of Securities Lending Activities for Closed-End Management Investment Companies.

 

Not Applicable.

 

Item 13. Recovery of Erroneously Awarded Compensation.

 

(a) Not applicable.

 

(b) Not applicable.

 

Item 14. Exhibits.

 

(a)(1) The registrant’s code of ethics pursuant to Item 2 of Form N-CSR is attached.

 

(a)(2) Separate certifications by the President (principal executive officer) and Treasurer (principal financial officer) of the registrant as required by Rule 30a-2(a) under the Investment Company Act (17 CFR 270.30a-2(a)) are attached.

 

(a)(3) Not applicable.

 

(a)(4) Not applicable.

 

(b) A certification by the registrant’s President (principal executive officer) and Treasurer (principal financial officer) as required by Rule 30a-2(b) under the Investment Company Act (17 CFR 270.30a-2(b)) is attached.

 

 

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)

Rydex Series Funds  
     
By (Signature and Title)* /s/ Brian E. Binder  
  Brian E. Binder, President and Chief Executive Officer
     
Date March 7, 2024  

  

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 (Signature and Title)* /s/ Brian E. Binder  
  Brian E. Binder, President and Chief Executive Officer
     
Date March 7, 2024  
     
By (Signature and Title)* /s/ James Howley  
  James Howley, Chief Financial Officer, Chief Accounting Officer, and Treasurer  
   
Date March 7, 2024  

 

*Print the name and title of each signing officer under his or her signature.