N-CSRS 1 bf_smart-ncsrs.htm BRANDES FUNDS AND BRANDES SMART SEMIANNUAL REPORTS 3-31-15 bf_smart-ncsrs.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  811-08614



Brandes Investment Trust
(Exact name of registrant as specified in charter)



11988 El Camino Real, Suite 600
San Diego, CA 92130 
(Address of principal executive offices) (Zip code)



Michael Glazer
Morgan, Lewis & Bockius LLP
355 South Grand Ave., Suite 4400
Los Angeles, CA 90071-3106
(Name and address of agent for service)



800-331-2979
Registrant's telephone number, including area code



Date of fiscal year end: September 30, 2015



Date of reporting period: March 31, 2015

 
 

 

Item 1. Reports to Stockholders.

 

 
INTERNATIONAL EQUITY FUND
 
GLOBAL EQUITY FUND
 
GLOBAL EQUITY INCOME FUND
 
GLOBAL OPPORTUNITIES VALUE FUND
 
EMERGING MARKETS VALUE FUND
 
INTERNATIONAL
SMALL CAP EQUITY FUND
 
CORE PLUS FIXED INCOME FUND
 
CREDIT FOCUS YIELD FUND
 

 

 

 
SEMI-ANNUAL REPORT
 

 

 

 
For the six months ended
March 31, 2015

 
 

 

Brandes International Equity Fund


Dear Shareholder,
 
The Brandes International Equity Fund I Shares (“The Fund”) gained 1.09% during the six months ended March 31, 2015, performing in line with its benchmark, the MSCI EAFE Index, which rose 1.13% during the same period.
 
In this letter, I will examine the sector-, country- and stock-specific factors that affected the Fund’s performance and describe changes in the Fund’s composition for the period. In addition, I will discuss the current outlook for the Fund.
 
The Markets
Many equity markets worldwide recorded gains for the six-month period, which was marked by a number of country and regional themes.
 
The Japanese market advanced due, in part, to news that the country’s gross domestic product grew in the three months ended December 31, 2014 after two back-to-back quarters of contraction. The European Central Bank (ECB) raised its economic forecasts for 2015 and 2016, which was viewed as a sign of confidence that many of the region’s economies may be on the road to recovery. News of the ECB’s 1 trillion-plus (US $1.1 trillion) economic stimulus package helped push euro zone markets higher during the first quarter of 2015.
 
Elsewhere, the picture was much less rosy for Brazil, whose equity market came under pressure due to a number of macroeconomic and political concerns, including its fiscal deficit, credit rating, alleged corruption scandal and currency depreciation.
 
The Fund
Our stock selections in financials and consumer staples served as main contributors to returns during the period. Notable performers within these sectors included Japanese insurers MS&AD Insurance Group Holdings and Sompo Japan Nipponkoa Holdings, as well as food & staples retailers Tesco and Royal Ahold, which are based in the United Kingdom and the Netherlands, respectively. Tesco’s shares improved as the market welcomed the retailer’s robust holiday sales and its new management team’s strategic direction. Other positive contributors included French automaker Renault, Ireland-based construction materials company CRH and Japan’s Mitsubishi Tanabe Pharma Corp.
 
During the period, the Fund’s allocation to energy detracted the most from returns, notably positions in Brazil’s Petrobras, Italy-based Eni and Spain’s Repsol. Also hurting performance were French multi-utility GDF Suez and South Korean steel maker POSCO.
 
Another main performance detractor was Embraer, the world’s fourth-largest aircraft manufacturer, with a leading position in the duopolistic market for regional jets and a strong 20% market share in business jets. While domiciled in Brazil, the company has substantial exposure to developed markets.
 
Embraer’s shares suffered after the company announced its fourth-quarter earnings that missed analyst estimates. The market seems to be extrapolating the

 
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Brandes International Equity Fund

 
deep downturn in the global demand for business and regional jets, Embraer’s two primary businesses. There are also concerns over the recent short-term volatility in the company’s quarterly operating margins; but our analysis suggests that this is primarily the result of a temporary shift in product mix, which we believe should normalize over time.
 
We believe the current weakness in demand for regional and business jets is cyclical in nature, and we are optimistic that conditions will improve. Aging fleets should, in our view, drive demand for regional jets over the coming decade, while the business jet market seems to continue to heal from the over-supply experienced in the mid-2000s. The inventory of used business jets for sale, which serve as substitutes for new planes, has been declining relative to the total global installed base1 and is approaching what we consider normal levels. This indicates a potential increase in demand for new planes. We believe Embraer is well positioned to benefit from a recovery in its end markets as the company not only maintains a strong net-cash balance sheet, but also continues to strengthen its competitive position via a robust product development strategy.
 
Divested positions during the period were those in Mexican wireless telecom America Movil, Singapore-based Flextronics, two Japanese companies (Tokio Marine Holdings and Toyota) and a number of Europe-based holdings (U.K.-based Imperial Tobacco and media firm Sky, Germany’s Deutsche Telekom, Swedish Ericsson Telephone and Netherlands-based Unilever).
 
As we look around the globe, we continue to identify new value opportunities in emerging markets, such as the one we found in Hana Financial Group during the first quarter of 2015. Hana is the fourth-largest financial group in South Korea. Historically a retail bank with a strong position in private banking, the company has grown its asset base through a series of acquisitions, most recently acquiring a majority stake in Korea Exchange Bank, the fifth-largest South Korean bank with expertise in corporate banking and trade finance.
 
Over the past few months, concerns over the South Korean central bank’s policy rate cuts put pressure on the nation’s banks’ share prices. In Hana’s case, company-specific concerns have further weighed on its shares. While the company’s capital levels are adequate, Hana is not as overcapitalized as its Korean bank peers. The company’s net interest margins are also lower given its relatively high exposure to mortgages and large corporate customers. Additionally, the market seems skeptical of merger synergies when the full integration of Korea Exchange Bank is still a few years away. While management has been attempting to accelerate the unification between the two banks, a court ruled in favor of Korea Exchange Bank’s labor union pushing to maintain the banks as separate entities until February 2017 as per the original merger agreement.
 

1
Installed base refers to the number of units that have been sold and are being used.

 
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Brandes International Equity Fund

 
In our opinion, these challenges have been more than accounted for in Hana’s share price. The bank trades at a deep discount to its tangible book value and at single-digit multiples of cash flow and earnings — much lower than its peers. We see risks in the merger with Korea Exchange Bank, but believe cost and revenue synergies will materialize with a successful integration. While capital levels may appear lower than Korean peers, our analysis suggests they are adequate and well within global standards. The company has a good track record of managing credit risk and has relatively low exposure to construction and real estate, two areas in South Korea which have been problematic in terms of credit quality over the last few years. Above all, we believe Hana’s market price offers a favorable risk/reward opportunity for long-term investors.
 
Outlook
As of March 31, 2015, the energy sector represented the Fund’s largest relative overweight, with holdings in Russia, other European countries and Brazil. In our view, the sector continues to hold a number of attractive investment opportunities, even after accounting for the recent fall in oil prices. Our energy holdings are concentrated in the large oil & gas businesses that operate globally across many parts of the hydrocarbon value chain. Along with what we see as compelling valuations, these companies feature good cost positions, are vertically integrated, and have developed — or are in the process of developing — a geographically diverse resource base. While we note that, to the extent the current excess supply of oil continues, there is risk that our energy-related holdings underperform the market, we remain optimistic about the long-term prospects for these companies.
 
Amid the dynamic market environment, our research analysts continue to scan the globe for companies with the potential to deliver above-average returns. We believe this is the best way we can help clients pursue their long-term financial goals.
 
We are excited about the prospects for the Brandes International Equity Fund and as always, thank you for your business and continued trust.
 
Sincerely yours,
 
The Brandes International Large-Cap Investment Committee
Brandes Investment Trust
 

Amelia Morris, CFA, Luiz Sauerbronn, Jeff Germain, CFA, Brent Woods, CFA, Shingo Omura, CFA
 
 
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Brandes International Equity Fund

 
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
 
Because the values of the Fund’s investments will fluctuate with market conditions, so will the value of your investment in the Fund. You could lose money on your investment in the Fund, or the Fund could underperform other investments. The values of the Fund’s investments fluctuate in response to the activities of individual companies and general stock market and economic conditions. In addition, the performance of foreign securities depends on the political and economic environments and other overall economic conditions in the countries where the Fund invests.  Emerging country markets involve greater risk and volatility than more developed markets. Some emerging markets countries may have fixed or managed currencies that are not free-floating against the U.S. dollar. Certain of these currencies have experienced, and may experience in the future, substantial fluctuations or a steady devaluation relative to the U.S. dollar.
 
Please refer to the Schedule of Investments in the report for complete holdings information. Fund holdings, geographic allocations and/or sector allocations are subject to change at any time and are not a recommendation to buy or sell any security.
 
Cash Flow: The amount of cash generated minus the amount of cash used by a company in a given period.
 
Net Interest Margin: Interest income generated by a financial institution minus the amount of interest paid to its lenders, divided by average earning assets.
 
Operating Margin: Operating income divided by net sales; used to measure a company’s operating efficiency.
 
Tangible Book Value: Book value minus intangible assets (e.g., goodwill).
 
The foregoing reflects the thoughts and opinions of Brandes Investment Partners® exclusively and is subject to change without notice.
 
Brandes Investment Partners® is a registered trademark of Brandes Investment Partners, L.P. in the United States and Canada.
 
Must be preceded or accompanied by a prospectus.
 
Index Guide
The MSCI EAFE (Europe, Australasia, Far East) Index with net dividends measures equity market performance of developed markets in Europe, Australasia, and the Far East. One cannot invest directly in an index.
 
MSCI has not approved, reviewed or produced this report, makes no express or implied warranties or representations and is not liable whatsoever for any data in the report. You may not redistribute the MSCI data or use it as a basis for other indices or investment products.
 
The Brandes International Equity Fund is distributed by Quasar Distributors, LLC.

 
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Brandes International Equity Fund

 
The following chart compares the value of a hypothetical $100,000 investment in the Brandes International Equity Fund – Class I from March 31, 2005 to March 31, 2015 and in the Morgan Stanley Capital International EAFE Index.
 
Value of $100,000 Investment vs Morgan Stanley Capital International
EAFE (Europe, Australasia and Far East) Index (Unaudited)



 
 
Average Annual Total Return
 
Periods Ended March 31, 2015
 
One
Five
Ten
Since
 
Year
Years
Years
Inception(1)
Brandes International Equity Fund
       
Class A*
-1.27%
5.28%
4.10%
8.43%
Class A* (with maximum sales charge)
-6.95%
4.04%
3.48%
8.08%
Class C*
-2.06%
4.42%
3.29%
7.60%
Class E*
-1.47%
5.25%
4.12%
8.45%
Class I
-1.12%
5.44%
4.31%
8.67%
Morgan Stanley Capital International
       
EAFE Index
-0.92%
6.16%
4.95%
4.84%
 
(1)
The inception date is January 2, 1997.
   
*
Performance shown prior to January 31, 2011 for Class A shares reflects the performance of Class I shares adjusted to reflect Class A expenses. Performance shown prior to January 31, 2013 for Class C shares reflects the performance of Class I shares adjusted to reflect Class C expenses. Performance shown prior to October 6, 2008 for Class E shares reflects the performance of Class I shares adjusted to reflect Class E expenses.

 
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Brandes International Equity Fund

 
Performance data quoted represents past performance; past performance does not indicate future results. The investment return and principal value of an investment will fluctuate so that an investor’s shares, when redeemed, may be worth more or less than their original cost. Current performance of the Fund may be lower or higher than the performance quoted. Performance data current to the most recent month end may be obtained by calling 800-331-2979.
 
The returns shown do not reflect the deduction of taxes that a shareholder would pay on Fund distributions or the redemption of Fund shares. The Advisor has a fee waiver arrangement in place to limit the Fund’s annual operating expenses.
 
Sector Allocation as a Percentage of Total Investments as of
 
March 31, 2015 (Unaudited)
 

 
 
The sector classifications represented in the graph above and industry classifications represented in the Schedule of Investments are in accordance with Global Industry Classification Standard (GICS®), which was developed by and/or is the exclusive property of MSCI, Inc. and Standard & Poor Financial Services LLC.
 
 
6

 

Brandes Global Equity Fund

 
Dear Shareholder,
 
The Brandes Global Equity Fund I Shares gained 0.52% during the six-month period ended March 31, 2015, underperforming the MSCI World Index, which returned 3.35% in the same period.
 
In this letter, I will examine the country-, sector- and security-specific factors that affected the Fund’s performance and describe changes in the Fund’s composition for the six-month period.  I will also discuss the current outlook for the Fund.
 
The Markets
Many equity markets worldwide recorded gains following a six-month period marked by a number of country and regional themes.
 
The U.S. market remained resilient due in large part to the relative strength of the economy. However, the market rally stalled in March due to concerns over the impact of a strong U.S. dollar on profits of large U.S.-based multinational firms. The Japanese market was buoyed by positive economic news and improved investor sentiment toward Abenomics — which refers to the economic policies advocated by Prime Minister Shinzo Abe. During the period, the European Central Bank (ECB) raised its economic forecasts for 2015 and 2016, which was viewed as a sign of confidence that many of the region’s economies may be on the road to recovery. News of the ECB’s 1 trillion-plus (US $1.1 trillion) economic stimulus package helped push euro zone markets higher during the period.
 
These positive themes were somewhat offset by worries over the glacial pace of global economic growth, continued oil-price weakness and uncertainties about when the Federal Reserve will raise interest rates. Volatility in a number of emerging markets amid geopolitical tensions in certain regions also added to investor concerns.
 
The Fund
The Fund’s underperformance relative to the benchmark during the six-month period was driven primarily by investments in Brazil and the United States. At the industry level, oil gas & consumable fuels, wireless telecommunication services and multi-utilities were the primary detractors of performance on a relative basis.
 
Among the Fund’s most significant performance detractors during the period were our Brazilian holdings Petrobras and TIM Participacoes.
 
Oil & gas company Petrobras has been in the news due to a variety of issues, including ongoing kickback/bribery allegations and their ramifications for company and government officials alike. While there are risks associated with owning Petrobras, the extreme negativity toward the company has resulted in further mispricing of its stock, in our opinion. We believe this environment has created a long-term opportunity to invest in one of the world’s leading global oil companies with attractive oil assets and long-term growth prospects.

 
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Brandes Global Equity Fund

 
Additionally, a number of U.S.-based holdings detracted from performance during the period, including Chesapeake Energy, technology companies Microsoft and Western Digital, which had been strong performers in 2014, as well as Citigroup and Bank of America.
 
Chesapeake’s share price fell as natural gas prices continued to decline (down nearly 40% since November) and the company reported lower earnings and reduced capital expenditure guidance for the year. We believe, however, that natural gas prices are temporarily depressed and have the potential to recover over the long term.  Positive fundamentals for Chesapeake include its attractive land positions and assets that we believe are worth significantly more than the market has priced in at current depressed natural gas prices.
 
During the period, the Fund added a number of companies from a diverse set of countries and industries, which offer what we believe are attractive discounts to our estimates of intrinsic value: insurer American International Group (AIG); oil & gas company Apache Corp. and technology company Xilinx, all based in the United States; Brazilian jet manufacturer Embraer; and South Korea-based Hyundai Motor.
 
Embraer, a recent addition to the Fund, is the world’s fourth-largest aircraft manufacturer, with substantial exposure to both developed and emerging markets. The company designs, manufactures and markets mid-capacity passenger and corporate jets, as well as military aircraft. It also provides maintenance and repair for its global fleet. Embraer is currently the market leader in regional jets and has gained significant share in corporate jets over the past several years to become one of the leaders of that market as well. The market seems to be extrapolating the downturn in global demand for both business and regional jets, Embraer’s two primary businesses, driving the company’s share price lower in the period. Additionally, while the market has been worried about short-term volatility in quarterly operating margins, our analysis suggests that this is primarily the result of a temporary mix shift to lower margin small regional jets and weak corporate jet pricing, which should moderate over time.
 
We believe the current weakness in demand for regional and business jets is cyclical in nature, and we are optimistic that conditions will improve. Aging fleets should, in our view, drive demand for regional jets over the coming decade, while the business jet market seems to continue to heal from the over-supply experienced in the mid-2000s. The inventory of used business jets for sale, which serve as substitutes for new planes, has been declining relative to the total global installed base1 and is approaching what we consider normal levels. This indicates a potential increase in demand for new planes. We believe Embraer is well positioned to benefit from a recovery in its end markets as the company not only
 

1
Installed base refers to the number of units that have been sold and are being used.

 
8

 

Brandes Global Equity Fund

 
maintains a strong net-cash balance sheet, but also continues to strengthen its competitive position via a robust product development strategy. Above all, we hold the view that Embraer’s current share price offers an attractive margin of safety.
 
During the period, the Fund divested its positions in Japan-based Nippon Telegraph and Telephone (NTT), broadcasting firm Sky (formerly British Sky Broadcasting), Turkey-based bank Turkiye Garanti Bankasi, U.S.-based pharmaceutical firm Eli Lilly, as well as insurers Sompo Japan Nipponkoa Holdings (formerly NKSJ Holdings) and MS&AD Insurance.
 
The Fund’s largest industry overweight positions versus the benchmark include: autos — primarily in South Korea and Japan; food retailers — primarily in the United Kingdom; and pharmaceutical companies. The Fund has its largest underweights in the industrials and information technology sectors.
 
From an industry perspective, we are currently finding value in several companies in oil, gas & consumable fuels and are overweight relative to the benchmark. Moreover, we have continued to review potential additions to the Fund given the recent decline in oil prices.
 
The Fund’s most significant regional difference from the benchmark remained its U.S. underweight as the Fund’s investment team has struggled to find many undervalued companies there, following several years of a sustained market upturn that have generally pushed valuations higher. Nonetheless, we are finding pockets of value opportunities in select U.S. financial and technology companies.
 
With regard to currency, one of the most significant themes so far this year has been the continued appreciation of the U.S. dollar (USD) given quantitative easing in Europe and several initiatives to encourage inflation in Japan. While this has helped lead to strong stock performance in Europe and Japan this year, the gains for U.S.-based investors have been somewhat diminished due to the USD appreciation.
 
Our Outlook
Amid rising and declining markets, the Fund’s investment team remains focused on a disciplined, bottom-up security selection process and are willing to go wherever it can find the most attractive value opportunities.
 
At the close of the six-month period, the fundamental valuation levels of the Global Equity Fund remained more attractive than the MSCI World Index: The Fund had significantly lower price-to-book (P/B), price-to-earnings (P/E) and price-to-cash flow (P/CF) ratios and a higher dividend yield. As of March 31, 2015, the fundamentals for the Fund vs. the benchmark are as follows: P/B: 1.3x vs. 2.2x; P/E: 15.1x vs. 18.3x; P/CF: 6.8x vs. 11.2x; and dividend yield (I Shares, for the six-month period ended March 31, 2015): 3.09% vs. 2.37%.

 
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Brandes Global Equity Fund

 
As always, thank you for your business and continued trust.
 
Sincerely yours,
 
The Brandes Global Large-Cap Investment Committee
Brandes Investment Trust
 

Brent Fredberg, Kenneth Little, CFA, Brian Matthews, CFA, Ted Kim, CFA, James Brown, CFA
 

Index Guide
The MSCI World Index with net dividends is an unmanaged, free float-adjusted market capitalization weighted index that is designed to measure the equity market performance of developed markets. The MSCI World Index consists of 24 developed market country indices.  This index includes dividends and distributions net of withholding taxes, but does not reflect fees, brokerage commissions, or other expenses of investing.
 
MSCI has not approved, reviewed or produced this report, makes no express or implied warranties or representations and is not liable whatsoever for any data in the report. You may not redistribute the MSCI data or use it as a basis for other indices or investment products.
 
One cannot invest directly in an index.
 
Book Value: Assets minus liabilities. Also known as shareholders’ equity.
 
Free Cash Flow: Total cash flow from operations less capital expenditures.
 
Intrinsic Value: The actual value of a company or an asset based on an underlying perception of its true value.
 
Margin of Safety: The difference between our estimate of a business’s intrinsic value and its market price.
 
Price/Book: Price per share divided by book value per share.
 
Price/Cash Flow: Price per share divided by operating cash flow per share.
 
Price/Earnings: Price per share divided by earnings per share.

 
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Brandes Global Equity Fund

 
Yield: Annual income from the investment (dividend, interest, etc.) divided by the current market price of the investment.
 
The declaration and payment of shareholder dividends are solely at the discretion of the issuer and are subject to change at any time.
 
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
 
Because the values of the Fund’s investments will fluctuate with market conditions, so will the value of your investment in the Fund. You could lose money on your investment in the Fund, or the Fund could underperform other investments. The values of the Fund’s investments fluctuate in response to the activities of individual companies and general stock market and economic conditions. In addition, the performance of foreign securities depends on the political and economic environments and other overall economic conditions in the countries where the Fund invests. Emerging country markets involve greater risk and volatility than more developed markets. Some emerging markets countries may have fixed or managed currencies that are not free-floating against the U.S. dollar. Certain of these currencies have experienced, and may experience in the future, substantial fluctuations or a steady devaluation relative to the U.S. dollar.
 
Please refer to the Schedule of Investments in the report for complete holdings information. Fund holdings, geographic allocations and/or sector allocations are subject to change at any time and are not considered a recommendation to buy or sell any security.
 
Must be preceded or accompanied by a prospectus.
 
The foregoing reflects the thoughts and opinions of Brandes Investment Partners® exclusively and is subject to change without notice. Brandes Investment Partners® is a registered trademark of Brandes Investment Partners, L.P., in the United States and Canada.
 
The Brandes Global Equity Fund is distributed by Quasar Distributors, LLC.

 
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Brandes Global Equity Fund


The following chart compares the value of a hypothetical $100,000 investment in the Brandes Global Equity Fund – Class I from its inception (October 6, 2008) to March 31, 2015 and in the Morgan Stanley Capital International World Index.
 
Value of $100,000 Investment vs Morgan Stanley
Capital International World Index (Unaudited)
 

 
Average Annual Total Return
 
Periods Ended March 31, 2015
 
One
Three
Five
Since
 
Year
Years
Years
Inception(1)
Brandes Global Equity Fund
       
Class A*
  1.08%
 11.21%
  8.30%
  8.33%
Class A* (with maximum sales charge)
 -4.73%
   9.04%
  7.03%
  7.34%
Class C*
  0.34%
 10.41%
  7.44%
  7.48%
Class E
  1.09%
 11.23%
  8.23%
  8.33%
Class I
  1.34%
 11.50%
  8.51%
  8.55%
Morgan Stanley Capital
       
  International World Index
  6.03%
 12.19%
10.01%
10.08%
 
(1)
The inception date is October 6, 2008.
   
*
Performance shown prior to January 31, 2011 for Class A shares reflects the performance of Class I shares adjusted to reflect Class A expenses.  Performance shown prior to January 31, 2013 for Class C shares reflects the performance of Class I shares adjusted to reflect Class C expenses.

 
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Brandes Global Equity Fund

 
Performance data quoted represents past performance; past performance does not indicate future results. The investment return and principal value of an investment will fluctuate so that an investor’s shares, when redeemed, may be worth more or less than their original cost. Current performance of the Fund may be lower or higher than the performance quoted. Performance data current to the most recent month end may be obtained by calling 800-331-2979.
 
The returns shown do not reflect the deduction of taxes that a shareholder would pay on fund distributions or the redemption of fund shares. The Advisor has a fee waiver arrangement in place to limit the Fund’s annual operating expenses.
 
Sector Allocation as a Percentage of Total Investments as of
March 31, 2015 (Unaudited)
 

 

The sector classifications represented in the graph above and industry classifications represented in the Schedule of Investments are in accordance with Global Industry Classification Standard (GICS®), which was developed by and/or is the exclusive property of MSCI, Inc. and Standard & Poor Financial Services LLC.

 
13

 

Brandes Global Equity Income Fund


Dear Shareholder,
 
The Brandes Global Equity Income Fund I Shares gained 5.36% during the three-month period ended March 31, 2015, outperforming the MSCI World Index, which returned 2.31% in the same period.
 
In this letter, I will examine the country-, sector- and security-specific factors that affected the Fund’s performance and describe changes in the Fund’s composition.  I will also discuss the current outlook for the Fund.
 
The Markets
Many equity markets worldwide closed the first quarter with modest gains following a volatile period marked by a number of country and regional themes. The U.S. market remained resilient due in large part to the relative strength of the economy. However, the market rally stalled toward quarter end due to concerns over the impact of a strong U.S. dollar on profits of large U.S.-based multinational firms. The Japanese market was buoyed by positive economic news and improved investor sentiment toward Abenomics — which refers to the economic policies advocated by Prime Minister Shinzo Abe. During the quarter, the European Central Bank (ECB) raised its economic forecasts for 2015 and 2016, which was viewed as a sign of confidence that many of the region’s economies may be on the road to recovery. News of the ECB’s 1 trillion-plus (US $1.1 trillion) economic stimulus package helped push euro zone markets higher during the quarter.
 
These positive themes were somewhat offset by worries over the glacial pace of global economic growth, continued oil-price weakness and uncertainties about when the Federal Reserve will raise interest rates. Volatility in a number of emerging markets amid geopolitical tensions in certain regions also added to investor concerns.
 
The Fund
A diverse set of non-U.S. companies from a variety of industries helped boost Fund performance during the quarter.
 
The most significant contributors included France-based apparel & luxury goods maker LVMH, home improvement retailer Kingfisher plc, pharmaceutical firms Daiichi Sankyo (Japan) and Sanofi (France), Switzerland-based insurer Swiss Re AG, as well as U.K.-based food & staples retailer Tesco plc.
 
After experiencing declines in the fourth quarter of 2014, Tesco’s shares improved as the market welcomed the retailer’s robust holiday sales and its new management team’s strategic direction.
 
Other positive return contributors included two Netherlands-based companies: consumer goods manufacturer Unilever and food retailer Royal Ahold NV; and Japanese automaker Honda Motor.

 
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Brandes Global Equity Income Fund

 
Honda has benefited from the weak Japanese yen, as the company derives a majority of sales internationally. Honda continues to trade at attractive valuations, currently at a slight premium to book value.
 
Among the Fund’s most significant performance detractors for the quarter were U.S.-based holdings Philip Morris International, software maker Microsoft and pharmaceutical firm Merck & Co.
 
Additional detractors in the period included France-based multi-utility GDF Suez, Brazil-based water and waste management company SABESP, U.S.-based medical equipment manufacturer Baxter International and U.K.-domiciled oil & gas company Royal Dutch Shell plc.
 
Our Outlook
The fundamental valuation levels of the Global Equity Income Fund are more attractive than the benchmark, with lower valuations and a higher dividend yield than the MSCI World Index.
 
At quarter end, the Fund’s largest country overweight position versus the benchmark was in the United Kingdom as the investment team has continued to uncover attractive opportunities in a wide range of industries there. Additionally, the Fund had its biggest overweight allocations versus the benchmark in the pharmaceuticals and tobacco industries.
 
The Fund had its largest underweight positions in the United States, as well as in the industrials and information technology sectors.
 
With regard to currency, one of the most significant themes so far this year has been the continued appreciation of the U.S. dollar (USD) given quantitative easing in Europe and several initiatives to encourage inflation in Japan. While this has helped lead to strong stock performance in Europe and Japan this year, the gains for U.S.-based investors have been somewhat diminished due to the USD appreciation.
 
Looking ahead, we are excited about the prospects for the Global Equity Income Fund. Leveraging Brandes’ more than four decades of experience and skill navigating global markets, the Fund’s investment team is focused on seeking potentially undervalued, solid dividend-issuing companies worldwide.
 
To find these companies, we remain committed to a disciplined, Graham-and-Dodd approach to stock selection and are willing to go anywhere in the world for the most attractive opportunities.
 
 
15

 

Brandes Global Equity Income Fund

 
Thank you for your business. We appreciate the trust you have placed in us.
 
Sincerely yours,
 
The Brandes Global Large-Cap Investment Committee
Brandes Investment Trust

 

Brent Fredberg, Kenneth Little, CFA, Brian Matthews, CFA, Ted Kim, CFA, James Brown, CFA
 

Index Guide
The MSCI World Index with net dividends is an unmanaged, free float-adjusted market capitalization weighted index that is designed to measure the equity market performance of developed markets. The MSCI World Index consists of 24 developed market country indices.  This index includes dividends and distributions net of withholding taxes, but does not reflect fees, brokerage commissions, or other expenses of investing.
 
MSCI has not approved, reviewed or produced this report, makes no express or implied warranties or representations and is not liable whatsoever for any data in the report. You may not redistribute the MSCI data or use it as a basis for other indices or investment products.
 
One cannot invest directly in an index.
 
Book Value: Assets minus liabilities. Also known as shareholders’ equity.
 
Free Cash Flow: Total cash flow from operations less capital expenditures.
 
Yield: Annual income from the investment (dividend, interest, etc.) divided by the current market price of the investment.
 
The declaration and payment of shareholder dividends are solely at the discretion of the issuer and are subject to change at any time.
 
Past performance does not guarantee future results.

 
16

 

Brandes Global Equity Income Fund

 
Because the values of the Fund’s investments will fluctuate with market conditions, so will the value of your investment in the Fund. You could lose money on your investment in the Fund, or the Fund could underperform other investments. The values of the Fund’s investments fluctuate in response to the activities of individual companies and general stock market and economic conditions. In addition, the performance of foreign securities depends on the political and economic environments and other overall economic conditions in the countries where the Fund invests. Emerging country markets involve greater risk and volatility than more developed markets. Some emerging markets countries may have fixed or managed currencies that are not free-floating against the U.S. dollar. Certain of these currencies have experienced, and may experience in the future, substantial fluctuations or a steady devaluation relative to the U.S. dollar.
 
Please refer to the Schedule of Investments in the report for complete holdings information. Fund holdings, geographic allocations and/or sector allocations are subject to change at any time and are not considered a recommendation to buy or sell any security.
 
Must be preceded or accompanied by a prospectus.
 
The foregoing reflects the thoughts and opinions of Brandes Investment Partners® exclusively and is subject to change without notice. Brandes Investment Partners® is a registered trademark of Brandes Investment Partners, L.P., in the United States and Canada.
 
The Brandes Global Equity Income Fund is distributed by Quasar Distributors, LLC.

 
17

 

Brandes Global Equity Income Fund


The following chart compares the value of a hypothetical $100,000 investment in the Brandes Global Equity Income Fund – Class I from its inception (December 31, 2014) to March 31, 2015 and in the Morgan Stanley Capital International World Index.
 
Value of $100,000 Investment vs Morgan Stanley
Capital International World Index (Unaudited)
 


 
 
Total Return Periods
 
Ended March 31, 2015
 
One
Since
 
Month
Inception(1)
Brandes Global Equity Income Fund
   
Class A
-2.52%
  5.57%
Class A (with maximum sales charge)
-8.12%
 -0.50%
Class C
-2.25%
  5.57%
Class I
-2.45%
  5.36%
Morgan Stanley Capital
   
  International World Index
-1.57%
  2.31%
 
(1)
The inception date is December 31, 2014.

 
18

 

Brandes Global Equity Income Fund

 
Performance data quoted represents past performance; past performance does not indicate future results. The investment return and principal value of an investment will fluctuate so that an investor’s shares, when redeemed, may be worth more or less than their original cost. Current performance of the Fund may be lower or higher than the performance quoted. Performance data current to the most recent month end may be obtained by calling 800-331-2979.
 
The returns shown do not reflect the deduction of taxes that a shareholder would pay on fund distributions or the redemption of fund shares. The Advisor has a fee waiver arrangement in place to limit the Fund’s annual operating expenses.
 
Sector Allocation as a Percentage of Total Investments as of
March 31, 2015 (Unaudited)
 

 
 
The sector classifications represented in the graph above and industry classifications represented in the Schedule of Investments are in accordance with Global Industry Classification Standard (GICS®), which was developed by and/or is the exclusive property of MSCI, Inc. and Standard & Poor Financial Services LLC.

 
19

 

Brandes Global Opportunities Value Fund


Dear Shareholder,
 
The Brandes Global Opportunities Value Fund I Shares gained 4.34% during the three-month period ended March 31, 2015, outperforming the MSCI ACWI (All Country World) Index, which returned 2.31% in the same period.
 
In this letter, I will examine the country-, sector- and security-specific factors that affected the Fund’s performance and describe changes in the Fund’s composition.  I will also discuss the current outlook for the Fund.
 
The Markets
Many equity markets worldwide closed the first quarter with modest gains following a volatile period marked by a number of country and regional themes. The U.S. market remained resilient due in large part to the relative strength of the economy. However, the market rally stalled toward quarter end due to concerns over the impact of a strong U.S. dollar on profits of large U.S.-based multinational firms. The Japanese market was buoyed by positive economic news and improved investor sentiment toward Abenomics — which refers to the economic policies advocated by Prime Minister Shinzo Abe. During the quarter, the European Central Bank (ECB) raised its economic forecasts for 2015 and 2016, which was viewed as a sign of confidence that many of the region’s economies may be on the road to recovery. News of the ECB’s 1 trillion-plus (US $1.1 trillion) economic stimulus package helped push euro zone markets higher during the quarter.
 
On the other hand, the picture was much less rosy for Brazil, whose equity market continued to come under pressure due to a number of macroeconomic and political concerns, including its fiscal deficit, credit rating, alleged corruption scandal and currency depreciation.
 
The Fund
Notable positive contributors were U.K.-domiciled electricity provider APR Energy, Italian construction materials company Italmobiliare Spa and U.K.-based food and staples retailer Tesco, whose shares increased as the market reacted positively to the company’s robust holiday sales and the new management team’s strategic direction.
 
During the quarter, small-cap APR Energy announced extensions of agreements on several power generation contracts, including those in Australia, Argentina, Indonesia, and several countries in Africa. Additionally, the company decided to exit Libya — where it previously had suspended electricity generation due to contract issues — and reassign the assets to new opportunities. The market responded favorably to these developments, leading APR’s share price to increase. Despite the stock appreciation, however, we believe APR continues to represent an attractive investment opportunity. In addition to what we see as compelling valuation, we appreciate that the company operates in a niche industry with what we believe are attractive growth prospects. Furthermore, APR has solid asset-backing and very modest maintenance capital expenditure requirements given the company’s young fleet.

 
20

 

Brandes Global Opportunities Value Fund

 
Other performance contributors in the period included a number of the Fund’s Japan-based holdings, most notably automaker Nissan Motor and machine tools manufacturer Fuji Machine Manufacturing.
 
Main performance detractors during the quarter were the Fund’s emerging-market holdings, especially those in the economically and politically struggling nation of Brazil. Marfrig Global Foods, Embraer and wireless telecom Tim Participacoes contributed negatively to returns. Embraer is the world’s fourth-largest aircraft manufacturer, with a leading position in the duopolistic market for regional jets and a strong 20% market share in business jets. While domiciled in Brazil, the company has substantial exposure to both developed and emerging markets.
 
Embraer’s shares suffered after the company announced its fourth-quarter earnings that missed analyst estimates. The market seems to be extrapolating the deep downturn in global demand for business and regional jets, Embraer’s two primary businesses. There are also concerns over the recent short-term volatility in the company’s quarterly operating margins; but our analysis suggests that this is primarily the result of a temporary shift in product mix, which we believe should normalize over time.
 
We believe the current weakness in demand for regional and business jets is cyclical in nature, and we are optimistic that conditions will improve. Aging fleets should, in our view, drive demand for regional jets over the coming decade, while the business jet market seems to continue to heal from the over-supply experienced in the mid-2000s. The inventory of used business jets for sale, which serve as substitutes for new planes, has been declining relative to the total global installed base1 and is approaching what we consider normal levels. This indicates a potential increase in demand for new planes. We believe Embraer is well positioned to benefit from a recovery in its end markets as the company not only maintains a strong net-cash balance sheet, but also continues to strengthen its competitive position via a robust product development strategy.
 
Apart from the Fund’s emerging-market holdings, Canadian juvenile products manufacturer Dorel Industries and U.S.-based oil & gas company Chesapeake Energy weighed on performance as well. Chesapeake’s shares fell as natural gas prices continued to decline (down nearly 40% since November), and the company reported lower earnings and reduced capital expenditure guidance for 2015. We believe, however, that current natural gas prices are temporarily depressed and have the potential to recover over the long term. Positive fundamentals for Chesapeake include its attractive land positions and assets that we believe are worth significantly more than the market has priced in at current depressed natural gas prices.
 
1
Installed base refers to the number of units of that have been sold and are being used.

 
21

 

Brandes Global Opportunities Value Fund

 
Our Outlook
At Brandes, our investment process focuses on a bottom-up analysis of individual companies. As such, the Fund’s country and industry weightings are the result of our research-driven stock selection, which can — and often do — differ from those of the benchmark.
 
We are finding few undervalued companies in the United States given the sustained general market upturn in the last few years. As a result, the Fund’s underweight to the country represented its largest regional difference from the benchmark at quarter end. On the contrary, we were significantly overweight Brazil, as we believe volatility and risk aversion facing many Brazilian companies led to a divergence between their share prices and their value potential.
 
From a sector perspective, we continue to find a number of attractive investment opportunities in energy, even after accounting for the recent fall in oil prices. Our energy holdings are concentrated in the large oil & gas businesses that operate globally across many parts of the hydrocarbon value chain. Along with what we see as compelling valuations, these companies feature good cost positions, are vertically integrated, and have developed — or are in the process of developing — a geographically diverse resource base.
 
In our opinion appealing investment opportunities exist throughout the world — across the market-capitalization spectrum and during any market cycle. But, in our view, capturing those with the best potential to generate alpha requires discipline and experience. With its “go anywhere” approach, combined with our extensive experience of investing across regions and market capitalizations, we believe the Brandes Global Opportunities Value Fund is well positioned to pursue attractive long-term return potential.
 
Thank you for your business and continued trust.
 
Sincerely yours,
 
The Brandes All-Cap Investment Committee
Brandes Investment Trust
 

Gerardo Zamorano, CFA, Ralph Birchmeier, CFA, Charles Brandes, CFA, Kenneth Little, CFA, Michael Hutchens, CFA

 
22

 

Brandes Global Opportunities Value Fund

 
Index Guide
The MSCI All Country World Index with net dividends measures equity market performance of developed and emerging markets.
 
MSCI has not approved, reviewed or produced this report, makes no express or implied warranties or representations and is not liable whatsoever for any data in the report. You may not redistribute the MSCI data or use it as a basis for other indices or investment products.
 
One cannot invest directly in an index.
 
Mutual fund investing involves risk. Principal loss is possible.
 
Diversification does not assure a profit or protect against a loss in a declining market.
 
Alpha: Measures the difference between a portfolio’s actual and expected returns given its risk level as measured by its beta. A positive alpha indicates the portfolio has performed better than its beta would predict, while a negative alpha indicates a portfolio has underperformed given the expectations established by its beta.
 
Operating Margin: Operating income divided by net sales; used to measure a company’s operating efficiency.
 
The declaration and payment of shareholder dividends are solely at the discretion of the issuer and are subject to change at any time.
 
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
 
Because the values of the Fund’s investments will fluctuate with market conditions, so will the value of your investment in the Fund. You could lose money on your investment in the Fund, or the Fund could underperform other investments. The values of the Fund’s investments fluctuate in response to the activities of individual companies and general stock market and economic conditions. In addition, the performance of foreign securities depends on the political and economic environments and other overall economic conditions in the countries where the Fund invests. Emerging country markets involve greater risk and volatility than more developed markets. Some emerging markets countries may have fixed or managed currencies that are not free-floating against the U.S. dollar. Certain of these currencies have experienced, and may experience in the future, substantial fluctuations or a steady devaluation relative to the U.S. dollar.
 
Please refer to the Schedule of Investments in the report for complete holdings information. Fund holdings, geographic allocations and/or sector allocations are subject to change at any time and are not considered a recommendation to buy or sell any security.
 
Must be preceded or accompanied by a prospectus.

 
23

 

Brandes Global Opportunities Value Fund

 
The foregoing reflects the thoughts and opinions of Brandes Investment Partners® exclusively and is subject to change without notice. Brandes Investment Partners® is a registered trademark of Brandes Investment Partners, L.P., in the United States and Canada.
 
The Brandes Global Opportunities Value Fund is distributed by Quasar Distributors, LLC.
 
 

 
24

 

Brandes Global Opportunities Value Fund

 
The following chart compares the value of a hypothetical $100,000 investment in the Brandes Global Opportunities Value Fund – Class I from its inception (December 31, 2014) to March 31, 2015 and in the Morgan Stanley Capital International All Country World Index.
 
Value of $100,000 Investment vs Morgan Stanley
Capital International All Country World Index (Unaudited)
 
 
 
 
Total Return Periods
 
Ended March 31, 2015
 
One
Since
 
Month
Inception(1)
Brandes Global Opportunities Value Fund
   
Class A
-3.54%
  4.66%
Class A (with maximum sales charge)
-9.07%
 -1.36%
Class C
-3.64%
  4.36%
Class I
-3.56%
  4.34%
Morgan Stanley Capital International
   
  All Country World Index
-1.55%
  2.31%
 
(1)
The inception date is December 31, 2014.

 
25

 

Brandes Global Opportunities Value Fund

 
Performance data quoted represents past performance; past performance does not indicate future results. The investment return and principal value of an investment will fluctuate so that an investor’s shares, when redeemed, may be worth more or less than their original cost. Current performance of the Fund may be lower or higher than the performance quoted. Performance data current to the most recent month end may be obtained by calling 800-331-2979.
 
The returns shown do not reflect the deduction of taxes that a shareholder would pay on fund distributions or the redemption of fund shares. The Advisor has a fee waiver arrangement in place to limit the Fund’s annual operating expenses.
 
Sector Allocation as a Percentage of Total Investments as of
March 31, 2015 (Unaudited)
 

 
 
The sector classifications represented in the graph above and industry classifications represented in the Schedule of Investments are in accordance with Global Industry Classification Standard (GICS®), which was developed by and/or is the exclusive property of MSCI, Inc. and Standard & Poor Financial Services LLC.
 
 
26

 

Brandes Emerging Markets Value Fund


Dear Shareholder,
 
The Brandes Emerging Markets Value Fund I Shares (“The Fund”) declined 17.72% during the six months ended March 31, 2015. For the same period, the MSCI Emerging Markets Index declined 2.26%.
 
In this letter, I will examine the sector-, country- and stock-specific factors that affected the Fund’s performance and describe changes in the Fund’s composition for the six-month period. In addition, I will discuss the current outlook for the Fund.
 
The Markets
Emerging-market equities (as measured by the MSCI Emerging Markets Index) declined by over 4% during the fourth quarter of 2014, but recovered some of the loss during the first three months of 2015.
 
Investor optimism improved in the first quarter of 2015 as central banks around the world remained accommodative, cutting interest rates to boost regional economies. Unscheduled interest rate cuts — already two so far this year — by India’s central bank benefited that country’s equity market. Meanwhile, investors who had been worried about China’s slowing economic growth welcomed the aggressive stimulus of the People’s Bank of China, which also cut interest rates in addition to lowering the banks’ reserve requirements to free up more funds for lending.
 
Elsewhere, the picture was much less rosy for Brazil, whose equity market came under pressure due to a number of macroeconomic and political concerns, including its fiscal deficit, credit rating, alleged corruption scandal and currency depreciation. Against this backdrop, Brazilian equities (as represented by the MSCI Brazil Index) declined more than 25% over the past six months.
 
The Fund
The largest performance detractors during the period were the Fund’s allocations to financials (especially banks) and utilities. Russia’s Sberbank, South Korean Hana Financial Group and Banco do Brasil were among the worst performers within the financials sector, while Brazil’s water utility SABESP and India-based Reliance Infrastructure weighed heavily on returns within the utilities sector.
 
From a country perspective, all of the Fund’s holdings in the politically and economically struggling nation of Brazil declined during the period, led by Petrobras and Marfrig Global Foods.
 
The integrated oil company Petrobras has been hit hard as it sifts through the consequences of the “Car Wash” corruption scandal and a lower oil price environment, both of which started in 2014. Speculation has permeated the market about when audited financial statements for 2014 would be released, if credit ratings agencies would further downgrade the company, and if high-ranking government and corporate officials would be implicated in the ongoing investigation.

 
27

 

Brandes Emerging Markets Value Fund

 
As shareholders with a long-term view, we are closely monitoring the situation at Petrobras. The recent decline in oil prices has not been an entirely negative event for the company. One of the largest drags on its profitability has been price caps on its retail/distribution business within Brazil. Since Petrobras does not have sufficient oil refining capacity in Brazil, it is forced to import products from the open market and subsequently sell them at state-controlled prices in the local market. With high oil prices, Petrobras has been forced to import these refined oil products at significantly higher costs than what the company is able to recover “at the pump” in the local Brazilian retail market. Essentially, Petrobras has been selling at a loss to Brazilian consumers, and this has negatively affected profits by over $40 billion cumulatively over the past four years. With the drop in oil prices, any future losses in the local Brazilian retail market could be mitigated as the declining costs of the imported oil products approach their local selling price.
 
We are cognizant of the many moving parts and the unknowns surrounding Petrobras, but our conviction for its long-term positive outlook has led us to maintain our allocation to the company through this crisis. We hold the view that the issues Petrobras faces have been more than priced in, and that the risk/reward tradeoff remains attractive.
 
Despite the overall negative performance, some of the Fund’s holdings performed well during the period. Latin American agriculture company Adecoagro, Russia-based Surgutneftegas and India’s Tata Chemicals contributed positively to returns. Adecoagro’s share price increased on the heels of strong 2014 EBITDA (earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization) growth and profits.
 
During the period, the investment team executed a number of transactions for the Fund. Full sells included India-based chemical manufacturers UPL Limited and Tata Chemicals, Mexico’s wireless telecom America Movil and Panamanian Banco Latinoamericano. Additionally, the investment team initiated a position in Brazil’s Cia Brasileira de Distribuicao (CBD) during the period.
 
Founded in 1948 as a pastry shop, CBD has grown into the largest food retailer in Brazil and owns a 43% economic stake (majority voting stake) in Via Varejo, the largest consumer electronics retailer in Brazil. The company also has a stake in the newly formed e-commerce company, Cnova, which recently initiated a public offering.
 
Given the difficult macroeconomic and political climate facing Brazil, it is not surprising that we are finding value in a company such as CBD. We believe the market is over-discounting issues that are not company-, or even industry-specific. In our opinion, CBD is well positioned to navigate a tougher economic environment such as the current one in Brazil. The company has a reputation for effective cost management and has passed many of the savings onto its customers in the form of lower prices. In addition to its economies of scale, we appreciate

 
28

 

Brandes Emerging Markets Value Fund

 
that CBD derives its profitability mainly from food retailing, an industry with more defensive characteristics. Furthermore, the company has a strong, net cash balance sheet, and traded at 5x cash flow as of March 31, 2015.
 
Other additions during the quarter included Luxembourg-domiciled steel maker Ternium, Argentina-based Arcos Dorados, which is McDonald’s largest franchisee operating in 20 countries across Latin America and the Caribbean, and Chilean electric utility Enersis.
 
Outlook
The past seven months have been challenging for the Brandes Emerging Markets Value Fund. As long-term minded value investors, we are fully aware that periods of poor performance can occur, and the Fund has not been immune to such periods. Our experience from 1997, 1998 and 2002 come to mind, with some market conditions during those times analogous with today: Russian crisis; a precipitous, unexpected decline in oil price; as well as political turmoil and economic slowdown in Brazil. In our opinion, it is during difficult times that one’s resolve is tested as behavioral biases creep in and risk aversion often drives sentiment, resulting in an environment where discipline becomes paramount.
 
Moreover, volatility often sparks opportunity, and our addition of Brazil-based CBD is an example of our efforts to exploit key junctures where price and value diverge, creating potential mispricing. The Fund’s weightings to companies in Brazil comprised its largest country allocation and overweight, with our holdings there fairly well diversified. They range from highly-regulated entities such as wireless telecommunication services provider TIM Participacoes and bank Banco do Brasil, to industrial and consumer-oriented companies such as Marfrig Global Foods and globally-diversified regional jet manufacturer Embraer.
 
At the close of the period, valuations for emerging-market equities were lower than those of many other equity asset classes. In this environment, we remain confident in the efficacy of our value process in uncovering potentially mispriced emerging-market companies, and are excited about the prospects for the Brandes Emerging Markets Value Fund.

 
29

 

Brandes Emerging Markets Value Fund

 
Thank you for your trust and continued support.
 
Sincerely yours,
 
The Brandes Emerging Markets Investment Committee
Brandes Investment Trust
 

Gerardo Zamorano, CFA, Christopher Garrett, CFA, Louis Lau, CFA, Douglas Edman, CFA, Greg Rippel, CFA
 

Past performance does not guarantee future results.
 
Because the values of the Fund’s investments will fluctuate with market conditions, so will the value of your investment in the Fund. You could lose money on your investment in the Fund, or the Fund could underperform other investments. The values of the Fund’s investments fluctuate in response to the activities of individual companies and general stock market and economic conditions. In addition, the performance of foreign securities depends on the political and economic environments and other overall economic conditions in the countries where the Fund invests. Emerging country markets involve greater risk and volatility than more developed markets. Some emerging markets countries may have fixed or managed currencies that are not free-floating against the U.S. dollar. Certain of these currencies have experienced, and may experience in the future, substantial fluctuations or a steady devaluation relative to the U.S. dollar. Investments in small and medium capitalization companies tend to have limited liquidity and greater price volatility than large capitalization companies.
 
Diversification does not guarantee a profit or protect from loss in a declining market.
 
Please refer to the Schedule of Investments in the report for complete holdings information. Fund holdings, geographic allocations and/or sector allocations are subject to change at any time and are not considered a recommendation to buy or sell any security.
 
Cash Flow: The amount of cash generated minus the amount of cash used by a company in a given period.

 
30

 

Brandes Emerging Markets Value Fund

 
The foregoing reflects the thoughts and opinions of Brandes Investment Partners® exclusively and is subject to change without notice.
 
Brandes Investment Partners® is a registered trademark of Brandes Investment Partners, L.P. in the United States and Canada.
 
Must be preceded or accompanied by a prospectus.
 
Index Guide
The MSCI Emerging Markets Index with gross dividends measures equity market performance of emerging markets.
 
The MSCI Brazil Index is designed to measure the performance of the large and mid cap segments of the Brazilian market. With 70 constituents, the index covers about 85% of the Brazilian equity universe.
 
MSCI has not approved, reviewed or produced this report, makes no express or implied warranties or representations and is not liable whatsoever for any data in the report. You may not redistribute the MSCI data or use it as a basis for other indices or investment products.
 
The Brandes Emerging Markets Fund is distributed by Quasar Distributors, LLC.

 
31

 

Brandes Emerging Markets Value Fund

 
The following chart compares the value of a hypothetical $100,000 investment in the Brandes Emerging Markets Value Fund – Class I from March 31, 2005 to March 31, 2015 and in the Morgan Stanley Emerging Markets Index.
 
Value of $100,000 Investment vs Morgan Stanley
Capital Emerging Markets Index (Unaudited)
 


 
Average Annual Total Return
 
Periods Ended March 31, 2015**
 
One
Five
Ten
Since
 
Year
Years
Years
Inception(1)
Brandes Emerging Markets Value Fund
       
Class A
 -14.14%
 -0.06%
7.55%
7.45%
Class A (with maximum sales charge)
 -19.07%
 -1.24%
6.92%
7.11%
Class C*
 -14.70%
 -0.79%
6.74%
6.65%
Class I
 -13.83%
  0.18%
7.79%
7.72%
Morgan Stanley Capital International
       
  Emerging Markets Index
   0.79%
  2.08%
8.82%
6.73%
 
(1)
The inception date is August 20, 1996.
   
*
Performance shown prior to January 31, 2013 for Class C shares reflects the performance of Class I shares adjusted to reflect Class C expenses.
   
**
Prior to January 31, 2011, the Advisor managed a private investment fund with an investment objective, investment policies and strategies that were, in all material respects, equivalent to those of the Brandes Emerging Markets Fund. The performance information shown for the Class I shares for periods before January 31, 2011 is that of the private investment fund and reflects the net expenses of the private investment fund. The performance of the private investment fund prior to January 31, 2011 is based on a calculation method that is different from the standardized calculation method prescribed by the SEC. The performance information shown for the Class A shares has been adjusted to reflect the differences in the net expense ratios between the Class I and A shares. The private investment fund was not registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940 (“1940 Act”) and was not subject to certain investment limitations, diversification requirements, and other restrictions imposed by the 1940 Act and the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, which, if applicable, may have adversely affected its performance.

 
32

 

Brandes Emerging Markets Value Fund

 
Performance data quoted represents past performance; past performance does not indicate future results. The investment return and principal value of an investment will fluctuate so that an investor’s shares, when redeemed, may be worth more or less than their original cost. Current performance of the Fund may be lower or higher than the performance quoted. Performance data current to the most recent month end may be obtained by calling 800-331-2979.
 
The returns shown do not reflect the deduction of taxes that a shareholder would pay on fund distributions or the redemption of fund shares. The Advisor has a fee waiver arrangement in place to limit the Fund’s annual operating expenses.
 
Sector Allocation as a Percentage of Total Investments as of
March 31, 2015 (Unaudited)
 

The sector classifications represented in the graph above and industry classifications represented in the Schedule of Investments are in accordance with Global Industry Classification Standard (GICS®), which was developed by and/or is the exclusive property of MSCI, Inc. and Standard & Poor Financial Services LLC.

 
33

 

Brandes International Small Cap Equity Fund

 
Dear Shareholder,
 
The Brandes International Small Cap Equity Fund I Shares (“The Fund”) declined 0.30% during the six months ended March 31, 2015. For the same period, the Fund’s benchmark, the S&P Developed Ex-U.S. SmallCap Index, gained 1.72%.
 
In this letter, I will examine the sector-, country- and stock-specific factors that affected the Fund’s performance and describe changes in the Fund’s composition during the period. In addition, I will discuss the current outlook for the Fund.
 
The Markets
International small-cap equities (as measured by the S&P Developed Ex-U.S. SmallCap Index) had a difficult fourth quarter in 2014, but recovered the loss during the first three months of 2015.
 
The Japanese market advanced due, in part, to news that the country’s gross domestic product grew in the three months ended December 31, 2014 after two back-to-back quarters of contraction. The European Central Bank (ECB) raised its economic forecasts for 2015 and 2016, which was viewed as a sign of confidence that many of the region’s economies may be on the road to recovery. News of the ECB’s 1 trillion-plus (US $1.1 trillion) economic stimulus package helped push euro zone markets higher during the first quarter of 2015.
 
On the other hand, the picture was much less rosy for Brazil, whose equity market came under pressure due to a number of macroeconomic and political concerns, including its fiscal deficit, credit rating, alleged corruption scandal and currency depreciation.
 
The Fund
During the period, the Fund’s allocations to consumer discretionary, financials and consumer staples weighed on relative returns. On an individual security basis, performance detractors included Brazil’s Marfrig Global Foods, Indian electric utility provider Reliance Infrastructure, U.K.-based Spirent Communications and Hong Kong-domiciled APT Satellite Holdings.
 
In stark comparison to its strong 2014 performance, Marfrig Global Foods saw its stock decline during the first three months of 2015 due to a number of factors, including the resignation of its CEO earlier this year, negative profitability in 2014 and continued high financial leverage. Additionally, the beef market, one of Marfrig’s main segments, continues to be challenging. Despite these headwinds, we remain convinced that Marfrig offers a favorable risk/reward tradeoff. The company has, in our opinion, the capability to improve its financial leverage situation, and is trading at near book value, an indication that the market may not be giving the share price enough credit for future earnings potential.

 
34

 

Brandes International Small Cap Equity Fund

 
The biggest contributor to relative returns was our lack of exposure to energy, the worst-performing sector within the index which lost over 35% in the last six months.  Additionally, our stock selection in industrials helped performance, with notable contributors including U.K.-based construction services company Balfour Beatty and Japanese electronic machinery manufacturer Fuji Machine Manufacturing. Also performing well were Italy’s construction material company Italcementi, British retailer Debenhams and Japanese furniture retailer Otsuka Kagu. Otsuka Kagu released a mid-term strategic plan in February, which provided a positive update on its new business model, shareholder return policy and corporate governance changes. We are highly supportive of the plan as is the market, which responded favorably. We reduced our allocation to Otsuka Kagu during the first quarter of 2015 following its stock price appreciation. We hold the view that while the company continues to offer a risk/reward tradeoff, it is not as attractive as it was in the beginning of the year.
 
During the period, we executed a number of transactions within the Fund. Among them, we exited the Fund’s positions in India’s battery maker Exide Industries, Japanese San-In Godo Bank and Canada-based electronics manufacturing services company Celestica. New purchases included Greek real-estate firm Grivalia Properties, as well as Premier Foods and De la Rue, both based in the United Kingdom.
 
De la Rue is the world’s largest commercial producer of printed banknotes, polymer substrates (i.e., the special paper on which banknotes are printed) and passports. The company has been involved in the production of more than 150 national currencies.
 
The company’s shares have been under pressure in recent months given pricing and margin pressures in its banknote printing and paper businesses. Our investment thesis for De la Rue is that the company offers a time arbitrage opportunity, meaning its market price seems to reflect a short-term outlook instead of the company’s long-term prospects. We believe the pricing issues are a reflection of a medium-term misalignment between banknote paper printing capacity and demand, which — in our opinion — will eventually find balance. Until then, we expect pricing to be negatively impacted, and we have factored this scenario into our assessment of the company’s intrinsic value. The market, on the other hand, appears to be pricing this business as if the company will experience a long-term, structural stepdown in margins.
 
Market pessimism on De la Rue’s prospects offered us a chance to buy a company trading at what we see as attractive valuations. The company has a good balance sheet and has historically generated high returns on invested capital and strong cash flow. Additionally, we like De la Rue’s potential diversifying aspects, as circumstances that would normally put pressure on other companies may actually

 
35

 

Brandes International Small Cap Equity Fund

 
benefit De la Rue. These include events such as inflation/hyperinflation, regime change, currency union break-ups and state dissolution.
 
Outlook
As of March 31, 2015, consumer discretionary remained the Fund’s largest sector weighting, led by companies in the household durables industry, such as Canada-based juvenile products manufacturer Dorel Industries and Mexican homebuilder Consorcio Ara. In contrast, the energy sector continued to represent an area that offered limited value potential to us.
 
From a country perspective, Japan continued to represent the Fund’s largest country weighting, followed by the United Kingdom, where our allocation increased by about 50% in the last six months, due to — among others — the additions of Premier Foods and De la Rue mentioned above.
 
As an asset class, international small-cap equity continues to trade at a discount to its U.S. small-cap counterpart. As of March 31, 2015, the S&P Developed Ex-U.S. SmallCap Index traded at 1.6x price-to-book, compared to 2.3x for the Russell 2000 Index. In this context, the Brandes International Small Cap Equity Fund offers even more attractive valuations, at 0.8x price-to-book as of March 31, 2015 — 50% lower than its benchmark.
 
We remain convinced that the Brandes International Small Cap Equity Fund is well positioned to pursue potentially overlooked value opportunities offering attractive long-term return prospects. Thank you for your business and continued trust.
 
Sincerely yours,
 
The Brandes Small-Cap Investment Committee
Brandes Investment Trust
 

Mark Costa, CFA, Yingbin Chen, CFA, Ralph Birchmeier, CFA, Luiz Sauerbronn
 
 
36

 

Brandes International Small Cap Equity Fund

 
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
 
Market conditions may impact performance.  The performance results presented were achieved in particular market conditions which may not be repeated. Moreover, the current market volatility and uncertain regulatory environment may have a negative impact on future performance.
 
The Fund invests in foreign securities, which involve greater volatility and political, economic and currency risks and differences in accounting methods than domestic securities. Emerging country markets involve greater risk and volatility than more developed markets. Some emerging markets countries may have fixed or managed currencies that are not free-floating against the U.S. dollar. Certain of these currencies have experienced, and may experience in the future, substantial fluctuations or a steady devaluation relative to the U.S. dollar. The values of the Fund’s convertible securities are also affected by interest rates; if rates rise, the values of convertible securities may fall. Investments in small and medium capitalization companies tend to have limited liquidity and greater price volatility than investments in large capitalization companies. The Fund may invest in ETFs which are subject to additional risks that do not apply to conventional mutual funds, including the risks that the market price of an ETF’s shares may trade at a discount to its net asset value, an active secondary trading market may not develop or be maintained, or trading may be halted by the exchange on which they trade, which may impact the Fund’s ability to sell its shares.
 
Diversification does not guarantee a profit or protect from loss in a declining market.
 
Current and future portfolio holdings are subject to risk.
 
Book Value: The total value of a company’s assets that shareholders would theoretically receive if the company were liquidated.
 
Price/Book: Price per share divided by book value per share.
 
Return on invested capital: Net income minus dividends divided by total capital; used to assess a company’s efficiency at allocating the capital under its control to profitable investments.
 
Please refer to the Schedule of Investments in the report for complete holdings information. Fund holdings, geographic allocations and/or sector allocations are subject to change at any time and are not considered a recommendation to buy or sell any security.
 
The foregoing reflects the thoughts and opinions of Brandes Investment Partners® exclusively and is subject to change without notice.

 
37

 

Brandes International Small Cap Equity Fund

 
Brandes Investment Partners® is a registered trademark of Brandes Investment Partners, L.P. in the United States and Canada.
 
Must be preceded or accompanied by a prospectus.
 
Index Guide
 
The S&P Developed Ex-U.S. SmallCap Index with gross dividends measures the equity performance of small-capitalization companies from developed markets excluding the United States.
 
The Russell 2000 Index with gross dividends measures the performance of the small-capitalization segment of the U.S. equity universe. The Russell 2000 Index is a subset of the Russell 3000 Index.
 
One cannot invest directly in an index.
 
The Brandes International Small Cap Equity Fund is distributed by Quasar Distributors, LLC.

 
38

 

Brandes International Small Cap Equity Fund

 
The following chart compares the value of a hypothetical $100,000 investment in the Brandes International Small Cap Fund – Class I from March 31, 2005 to March 31, 2015 and in the S&P Developed Small Cap – Excluding U.S. Index (“S&P Developed Small Cap – Ex. U.S. Index”) for the same period.
 
Value of $100,000 Investment vs S&P Developed
Small Cap – Ex. U.S. Index (Unaudited)
 

 
 
Average Annual Total Return
 
Periods Ended March 31, 2015**
 
One
Five
Ten
Since
 
Year
Years
Years
Inception(1)
Brandes International Small Cap Fund
       
Class A
-2.00%
 10.81%
6.90%
10.31%
Class A (with maximum sales charge)
-7.64%
   9.50%
6.27%
  9.96%
Class C*
-2.70%
  9.99%
6.10%
  9.48%
Class I
-1.81%
11.06%
7.16%
10.58%
S&P Developed Small Cap
       
  Ex. U.S. Index
-2.76%
  8.53%
6.91%
  6.98%
 
(1)
The inception date is August 19, 1996.
   
*
Performance shown prior to January 31, 2013 for Class C shares reflects the performance of Class I shares adjusted to reflect Class C expenses.
   
**
Prior to February 1, 2012, the Advisor managed a private investment fund with an investment objective, investment policies and strategies that were, in all material respects, equivalent to those of the Brandes International Small Cap Fund.  The performance information shown for the Class I shares for periods before February 1, 2012 is that of the private investment fund and reflects the net expenses of the private investment fund. The performance of the private investment fund prior to February 1, 2012 is based on a calculation method that is different from the standardized calculation method prescribed by the SEC. The performance information shown for the Class A shares has been adjusted to reflect the differences in the net expense ratios between the Class I and A shares. The

 
39

 

Brandes International Small Cap Equity Fund

 
private investment fund was not registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940 (“1940 Act”) and was not subject to certain investment limitations, diversification requirements, and other restrictions imposed by the 1940 Act and the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, which, if applicable, may have adversely affected its performance.
 
Performance data quoted represents past performance; past performance does not indicate future results. The investment return and principal value of an investment will fluctuate so that an investor’s shares, when redeemed, may be worth more or less than their original cost. Current performance of the Fund may be lower or higher than the performance quoted. Performance data current to the most recent month end may be obtained by calling 800-331-2979.
 
The returns shown do not reflect the deduction of taxes that a shareholder would pay on fund distributions or the redemption of fund shares. The Advisor has a fee waiver arrangement in place to limit the Fund’s annual operating expenses.
 
Sector Allocation as a Percentage of Total Investments as of
March 31, 2015 (Unaudited)
 

 
The sector classifications represented in the graph above and industry classifications represented in the Schedule of Investments are in accordance with Global Industry Classification Standard (GICS®), which was developed by and/or is the exclusive property of MSCI, Inc. and Standard & Poor Financial Services LLC.

 
40

 

Brandes Core Plus Fixed Income Fund


Dear Shareholder,
 
The Brandes Core Plus Fixed Income Fund I Shares (“The Fund”) gained 2.62% during the six-month period ended March 31, 2015, underperforming the Barclays U.S. Aggregate Bond Index, which rose 3.43%.
 
In this letter, I will examine the sector- and security-specific factors that affected the Fund’s performance and describe changes in the Fund’s composition for the six-month period.  I will also discuss how the Fund is positioned for the future.
 
The Markets
The combination of plunging oil prices and economic weakness in emerging markets and Europe led investors to continue seeking safety in U.S. Treasuries during the period. The 10-year U.S. Treasury yield declined 57 basis points in the six months ended March 31, 2015 to close the period at 1.92%.
 
In March, the Federal Reserve updated its economic predictions, and, based largely on its downward economic forecasts, investors generally concluded that the central bank would keep short-term interest rates lower for a longer-than-expected timeframe.
 
During much of the six-month period, credit continued to flow freely to virtually any company in the market, investors continued to accept less protection in many new bond issues, money continued virtually unabated to bonds and bond funds, spreads tightened and all-in yields went dramatically lower.1
 
Elsewhere, the European Central Bank (ECB) began its own quantitative easing program that caused interest rates across Europe to hit new all-time lows. With many euro-area government bonds trading at yields close to zero — or in some regions negative levels — foreign investors appeared to show stronger preference for U.S. debt.
 
The Fund
During the period, the largest detractor from performance was the Fund’s shorter average duration than the benchmark. We manage the Fund within a duration- controlled band of plus or minus 20% of the benchmark. Throughout the six-
 

1
All-in yield means, as to any Indebtedness, the yield thereof as calculated by the Administrative Agent (which calculation shall be final, conclusive and binding on all parties), whether in the form of interest rate, margin, original issue discount, upfront fees, an Adjusted Eurodollar Rate or Base Rate floor, or otherwise, in each case incurred or payable by the Borrower generally to all Lenders; provided that original issue discount and upfront fees shall be equated to interest rate assuming a 4-year life to maturity (or, if less, the stated life to maturity at the time of the incurrence of the applicable Indebtedness); and provided, further, that “All-In Yield” shall not include arrangement fees, structuring fees and underwriting fees (regardless of whether paid in whole or in part to any or all Lenders) or other similar fees which are not paid to all Lenders of such Indebtedness. Source: http://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/1437578/000119312512433475/d379286dex1020.htm

 
41

 

Brandes Core Plus Fixed Income Fund

 
month period, we’ve maintained portfolio duration between 80% to 85% of the benchmark, as we’ve attempted to bias the Fund to perform well on a relative basis should rates start to rise.
 
The Fund’s weighting in corporate bonds was the largest positive contributor to relative performance. Within this area, we saw strong performance from securities in the utilities and industrials sectors.  Specifically within industrials, U.K.-based retailer Marks & Spencer and security monitoring firm ADT Inc. have contributed positively to returns.
 
The Fund’s underweight position versus the benchmark in the mortgage-backed security (MBS) sector also aided relative performance. The MBS sector saw negative excess returns relative to U.S. Treasury securities in the first quarter as the market has had to come to grips with supply that would not be backstopped by the Fed for the first time in a few years. The sustained rally in interest rates has exacerbated these concerns, giving way to fears that the supply of new-issue MBS could be greater this year than originally forecast, as the combination of low rates and continued improvement in consumer balance sheets could lead to strong purchase and refinance activity in the mortgage market.
 
During the six-month period, the Fund initiated three notable new positions and added to a few existing credits whose spreads drifted wider. In the fourth quarter of 2014, we purchased Tenet Healthcare bonds (8% coupon rate, maturing in August 2020 and a rating of B3/CCC+). Tenet Healthcare acquired Tenet Healthcare Vanguard Health Systems in late-2013 which increased leverage.  There has been meaningful post-merger cost cutting, has lead to growing cash flow. Additionally, the Affordable Care Act has been beneficial to the company on two fronts: 1) There has been a decline in bad debt expenses as less uninsured are flowing through Tenet hospitals and 2) Tenet is seeing growing volumes as more patients are willing to use hospitals due to having insurance.
 
Finally, we believe Tenet’s debt is well covered based on transaction values in the marketplace and the fact that the business historically has not been economically sensitive. The specific Tenet issue we purchased is the last of its high-cost debt.2  Therefore, we believe the company has strong incentive to call the bond when possible (first call date August 2015) and replace it with a lower-cost alternative.
 
We also made notable add-on purchases to existing credits: ADT Corp (3.5% coupon rate, maturing in July 2022 and a rating of Ba2/BB-) and Sappi Papier (8.375% coupon rate, maturing in July 2019 and a rating of Ba2/BB). ADT Corp was in the market with new-issue debt during the fourth quarter of 2014 to refinance existing bank debt. There was tepid demand for the new deal and it was eventually sized-down at $400 million from an initial target of $500 million and the
 

2
Cost of debt: The effective rate that a company pays on its current debt. Source: http://www.investopedia.com/terms/c/costofdebt.asp

 
42

 

Brandes Core Plus Fixed Income Fund

 
credit spread at pricing was widened 75 basis points from the initial price talk.  The noise around the new deal caused our bond to trade down and we took the opportunity to increase our weighting. The issue we purchased from Sappi Papier (South African Paper Company) is a high-coupon security with a call in June 2015. This specific security is the second-highest coupon outstanding and highest among Sappi Papier’s U.S. dollar issues. We view the issue as likely to be called this June. It is considered a first-lien paper — giving us a claim on physical plant assets.
 
In the first quarter of 2015, the Fund initiated two new positions: Tesco Plc and British Petroleum (BP). Tesco (5.50% coupon rate, maturing in November 2017 and a rating of Ba1/BB+) is a leading U.K.-based food retailer that has approximately 30% of the grocery market. The food staples & retailing industry is historically defensive in nature, but Tesco is facing increased competition from traditional grocers and discount retailers. In our view, these negative headwinds are offset by 1) scale, which allows Tesco to operate more efficiently compared to many of its competitors, 2) strong liquidity, and 3) asset coverage in the form of real estate. We believe the company’s potential longer-term margin erosion from increased competitive pressure is mitigated to a great extent by the short maturity of this security.
 
BP (3.506% coupon rate, maturing in March 2025 and a rating of A2/A) was the Fund’s first purchase in the energy sector since the dramatic selloff in the price of oil in the fourth quarter of 2014. As an integrated energy major (i.e., one of the world’s biggest oil producers), we believe BP is better positioned than many in the industry to weather the slump in oil prices. BP is able to derive revenues from segments that are less tied to the absolute price of oil such as refining and downstream operations (i.e., service stations). BP has also been more aggressive in cutting costs than many of its peers.  The company is not without its issues, which include still unresolved liabilities related to the Gulf of Mexico spill in 2010 and some exposure to Russia, but we believe BP’s healthy cash balance and strong balance sheet mitigate most of these risks.
 
Our Outlook
The market has had pockets of volatility in the period where it became more interesting in certain sectors, providing us with opportunities to add to existing positions and purchase a few new securities. Overall, however, any backup in credit spreads has been largely met with robust buying. Therefore, we remain cautious.
 
A case in point is the high-yield energy sector, where we started to see some cracks forming in the first quarter of 2015. Two companies, Quicksilver Resources and BPZ Resources, filed for bankruptcy protection. Another company, American Eagle Energy Corp. seems to be headed down the bankruptcy path after it missed the first coupon payment on a $175-million bond it issued in August last year. Think about that for a minute: A company that was able to place a $175-million debt with seemingly eager buyers less than six months ago is likely headed to chapter 11 already.

 
43

 

Brandes Core Plus Fixed Income Fund

 
According to Bloomberg, there has been $120 billion in high-yield energy debt issued over the past three years.3  Our initial review of the high-yield energy sector is that there have been a large number of marginal businesses that have had access to cheap financing principally due the insatiable desire for any yield in the market. There is a lot of leverage in the sector and we believe there is a high potential for additional missed debt-service payments and/or for significant impairment to enterprise values if oil prices stay low for a prolonged period. We suspect there will be an increasing number of stories like American Eagle Energy Corp. in the coming months.
 
If there is disruption in the market due to debt impairments in the high-yield energy sector, selling pressure in the bank loan sector, or a more general uptick in market volatility, we stand ready to redeploy our cash and liquid U.S. Treasury into additional value opportunities.
 
We hold the view that these are unprecedented times in the bond markets — requiring discipline and vigilance — and where we continue to adhere to a measured and deliberate approach to security selection while selectively looking to add mispriced yield.
 
The Fund remains biased for higher interest rates. In this environment, we have a strong preference for asset-rich credits and shorter maturities. We believe that a careful path, rooted in  Graham-and-Dodd, value-based principles, remains the most prudent approach for protecting capital and adding value to the Fund over the coming years.
 
As always, thank you for your business and the trust you have placed in us.
 
Sincerely yours,
 
The Brandes Fixed Income Investment Committee
Brandes Investment Trust
 

Timothy Doyle, CFA, Chuck Gramling, CFA, David Gilson, CFA
 

3
Bloomberg News, “Driller that Skipped Bond Coupon Said to Start Debt Talks”, 3/24/15 http://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2015-03-24/driller-that-skipped-first-bond-coupon-said-to-start-debt-talks

 
44

 

Brandes Core Plus Fixed Income Fund

 
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
 
Market conditions may impact performance.  The performance results presented were achieved in particular market conditions which may not be repeated. Moreover, the current market volatility and uncertain regulatory environment may have a negative impact on future performance.
 
International and emerging markets investing is subject to certain risks such as currency fluctuations and social and political changes, political instability, differences in financial reporting standards and less stringent regulation of securities markets; such risks may result in greater share price volatility. Emerging market countries involve greater risks, such as immature economic structures, national policies restricting investments by foreigners, and different legal systems.
 
Unlike bonds issued or guaranteed by the U.S. government or its agencies, stocks and other bonds are not backed by the full faith and credit of the United States.  Stock and bond prices will experience market fluctuations.  Please note that the value of government securities and bonds in general have an inverse relationship to interest rates.  Bonds carry the risk of default, or the risk that an issuer will be unable to make income or principal payment.  There is no assurance that private guarantors or insurers will meet their obligations. The credit quality of the investments in the portfolio is no guarantee of the safety or stability of the portfolio.  Investments in asset-backed and mortgage-backed securities include additional risks that investors should be aware of such as credit risk, prepayment risk, possible illiquidity and default, as well as increased susceptibility to adverse economic developments.
 
Please refer to the Schedule of Investments in the report for complete holdings information.  Fund holdings, geographic allocations and/or sector allocations are subject to change at any time and are not a recommendation to buy or sell any security.
 
Investment performance reflects fee waivers and/or reimbursement of expenses. In the absence of such waivers/reimbursements, total return would be reduced.
 
The Fund may hold illiquid securities which may reduce the return of the Fund because it may be unable to sell such illiquid securities at an advantageous time or price. Illiquid securities may also be difficult to value. The Fund is actively managed, and may frequently buy and sell securities. Frequent trading increases a Fund’s portfolio turnover rate and may increase transaction costs, such as brokerage commissions and taxes, which in turn could detract from the Fund’s performance.
 
The foregoing reflects the thoughts and opinions of Brandes Investment Partners® exclusively and is subject to change without notice.

 
45

 

Brandes Core Plus Fixed Income Fund

 
Brandes Investment Partners®  is a registered trademark of Brandes Investment Partners, L.P., in the United States and Canada.
 
Must be preceded or accompanied by a prospectus.
 
Index Guide
The Barclays U.S. Aggregate Bond Index is a broad-based benchmark that measures the investment grade, U.S. dollar-denominated, fixed-rate taxable bond market. This index is a total return index which reflects the price changes and interest of each bond in the index.
 
There is no assurance that a forecast will be accurate. Because of the many variables involved, an investor should not rely on forecasts without realizing their limitations.
 
Moody’s ratings (highest to lowest): Aaa, Aa, A, Baa, Ba, B, Caa, Ca, C, with numerical modifiers 1, 2, and 3. Standard and Poor’s ratings (highest to lowest): AAA, AA, A, BBB, BBB-, BB+,BB, CCC, CC, C, D, with + or – signs to show relative standings within the major ratings categories.
 
Basis point: A unit that is equal to 1/100th of 1% and is used to denote a change in a financial instrument.
 
Duration: The weighted maturity of a fixed-income investment’s cash flows, used in the estimation of the price sensitivity of fixed-income securities for a given change in interest rates.
 
Enterprise value: Market capitalization plus debt, minority interest and preferred shares, minus total cash and cash equivalents.
 
Yield: annual income from the investment (dividend, interest, etc.) divided by the current market price of the investment.
 
Cash flow: Movement of money out of or into a business.
 
The Brandes Core Plus Fixed Income Fund is distributed by Quasar Distributors, LLC.

 
46

 

Brandes Core Plus Fixed Income Fund

 
The following chart compares the value of a hypothetical $100,000 investment in the Brandes Core Plus Fixed Income Fund – Class I from its inception (December 28, 2007) to March 31 2015 and in the Barclays Capital U.S. Aggregate Index.
 
Value of $100,000 Investment vs Barclays Capital
U.S. Aggregate Index (Unaudited)
 


 
 
Average Annual Total Return
 
Periods Ended March 31, 2015
 
One
Three
Five
Since
 
Year
Years
Years
Inception(1)
Brandes Core Plus Fixed Income Fund
       
Class A*
3.92%
3.76%
5.29%
4.35%
Class A* (with maximum sales charge)
0.01%
2.46%
4.50%
3.81%
Class E*
4.03%
4.05%
5.46%
4.48%
Class I
4.18%
4.21%
5.65%
4.66%
Barclays Capital U.S. Aggregate Index
5.72%
3.10%
4.41%
4.87%
 
(1)
The inception date is December 28, 2007.
   
*
Performance shown prior to January 31, 2013 for Class A shares reflects the performance of Class I shares adjusted to reflect Class A expenses. Performance shown prior to May 28, 2008 for Class E shares reflects the performance of Class I shares adjusted to reflect Class E expenses.
 
Performance data quoted represents past performance; past performance does not indicate future results. The investment return and principal value of an investment will fluctuate so that an investor’s shares, when redeemed, may be worth more or less than their original cost. Current performance of the Fund may be lower or higher than the performance quoted. Performance data current to the most recent month end may be obtained by calling 800-331-2979.

 
47

 

Brandes Core Plus Fixed Income Fund

 
The returns shown do not reflect the deduction of taxes that a shareholder would pay on fund distributions or the redemption of Fund shares. The Advisor has a fee waiver arrangement in place to limit the Fund’s annual operating expenses.
 
Sector Allocation as a Percentage of Total Investments as of
March 31, 2015 (Unaudited)
 
 
The sector classifications represented in the graph above and industry classifications represented in the Schedule of Investments are in accordance with Global Industry Classification Standard (GICS®), which was developed by and/or is the exclusive property of MSCI, Inc. and Standard & Poor Financial Services LLC.

 
48

 

Brandes Credit Focus Yield Fund


Dear Shareholder,
 
The Brandes Credit Focus Yield Fund I Shares (“The Fund”) gained 2.25% during the six-month period ended
 
March 31, 2015, underperforming the Barclays U.S. Intermediate Credit Bond Index, which rose 2.59%.
 
In this letter, I will examine the sector- and security-specific factors that affected the Fund’s performance and describe changes in the Fund’s composition for the six-month period.  I will also discuss how the Fund is positioned for the future.
 
The Markets
The combination of plunging oil prices and economic weakness in emerging markets and Europe led investors to continue seeking safety in U.S. Treasuries during the period. The 10-year U.S. Treasury yield declined 57 basis points in the six months ended March 31, 2015 to close the period at 1.92%.
 
In March, the Federal Reserve updated its economic predictions, and, based largely on its downward economic forecasts, investors generally concluded that the central bank would keep short-term interest rates lower for a longer-than-expected timeframe.
 
During much of the six-month period, credit continued to flow freely to virtually any company in the market, investors continued to accept less protection in many new bond issues, money continued virtually unabated to bonds and bond funds, spreads tightened and all-in yields went dramatically lower.1
 
Elsewhere, the European Central Bank (ECB) began its own quantitative easing program that caused interest rates across Europe to hit new all-time lows. With many euro-area government bonds trading at yields close to zero — or in some regions negative levels — foreign investors appeared to show stronger preference for U.S. debt.
 
The Fund
During the period, the largest detractor from performance was the Fund’s shorter average duration than the benchmark. We manage the Fund within a duration-controlled band of plus or minus 20% of the benchmark. Throughout the six-
 

1
All-in yield means, as to any Indebtedness, the yield thereof as calculated by the Administrative Agent (which calculation shall be final, conclusive and binding on all parties), whether in the form of interest rate, margin, original issue discount, upfront fees, an Adjusted Eurodollar Rate or Base Rate floor, or otherwise, in each case incurred or payable by the Borrower generally to all Lenders; provided that original issue discount and upfront fees shall be equated to interest rate assuming a 4-year life to maturity (or, if less, the stated life to maturity at the time of the incurrence of the applicable Indebtedness); and provided, further, that “All-In Yield” shall not include arrangement fees, structuring fees and underwriting fees (regardless of whether paid in whole or in part to any or all Lenders) or other similar fees which are not paid to all Lenders of such Indebtedness. Source: http://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/1437578/000119312512433475/d379286dex1020.htm

 
49

 

Brandes Credit Focus Yield Fund

 
month period, we’ve maintained portfolio duration between 80% to 85% of the benchmark, as we’ve attempted to bias the Fund to perform well on a relative basis should rates start to rise.
 
The Fund’s weighting in corporate bonds was the largest positive contributor to relative performance. Within this area, we saw strong performance from securities in the utilities and industrials sectors.  Specifically within industrials, U.K.-based retailer Marks & Spencer and security monitoring firm ADT Inc. have contributed positively to returns.
 
During the six-month period, the Fund initiated three notable new positions and added to a few existing credits whose spreads drifted wider. In the fourth quarter of 2014, we purchased Tenet Healthcare bonds (8% coupon rate, maturing in August 2020 and a rating of B3/CCC+). Tenet Healthcare acquired Tenet Healthcare Vanguard Health Systems in late-2013 which increased leverage.  There has been meaningful post-merger cost cutting, which has led to growing cash flow. Additionally, the Affordable Care Act has been beneficial to the company on two fronts: 1) There has been a decline in bad debt expenses as less uninsured are flowing through Tenet hospitals and 2) Tenet is seeing growing volumes as more patients are willing to use hospitals due to having insurance.
 
Finally, we believe Tenet’s debt is well covered based on transaction values in the marketplace and the fact that the business historically has not been economically sensitive. The specific Tenet issue we purchased is the last of its high-cost debt.2  Therefore, we believe the company has strong incentive to call the bond when possible (first call date August 2015) and replace it with a lower-cost alternative.
 
We also made notable add-on purchases to existing credits: ADT Corp (3.5% coupon rate, maturing in July 2022 and a rating of Ba2/BB-) and Sappi Papier (8.375% coupon rate, maturing in July 2019 and a rating of Ba2/BB). ADT Corp was in the market with new-issue debt during the fourth quarter of 2014 to refinance existing bank debt. There was tepid demand for the new deal and it was eventually sized-down at $400 million from an initial target of $500 million and the credit spread at pricing was widened 75 basis points from the initial price talk.  The noise around the new deal caused our bond to trade down and we took the opportunity to increase our weighting. The issue we purchased from Sappi Papier (South African Paper Company) is a high-coupon security with a call in June 2015. This specific security is the second-highest coupon outstanding and highest among Sappi Papier’s U.S. dollar issues. We view the issue as likely to be called this June. It is considered a first-lien paper — giving us a claim on physical plant assets.
 

2
Cost of debt: The effective rate that a company pays on its current debt. Source: http://www.investopedia.com/terms/c/costofdebt.asp
 
 
50

 

Brandes Credit Focus Yield Fund

 
In the first quarter of 2015, the Fund initiated two new positions: Tesco Plc and British Petroleum (BP). Tesco (5.50% coupon rate, maturing in November 2017 and a rating of Ba1/BB+) is a leading U.K.-based food retailer that has approximately 30% of the grocery market. The food staples & retailing industry is historically defensive in nature, but Tesco is facing increased competition from traditional grocers and discount retailers. In our view, these negative headwinds are offset by 1) scale, which allows Tesco to operate more efficiently compared to many of its competitors, 2) strong liquidity, and 3) asset coverage in the form of real estate. We believe the company’s potential longer-term margin erosion from increased competitive pressure is mitigated to a great extent by the short maturity of this security.
 
BP (3.506% coupon rate, maturing in March 2025 and a rating of A2/A) was the Fund’s first purchase in the energy sector since the dramatic selloff in the price of oil in the fourth quarter of 2014. As an integrated energy major (i.e., one of the world’s biggest oil producers), we believe BP is better positioned than many in the industry to weather the slump in oil prices. BP is able to derive revenues from segments that are less tied to the absolute price of oil such as refining and downstream operations (i.e., service stations). BP has also been more aggressive in cutting costs than many of its peers.  The company is not without its issues, which include still unresolved liabilities related to the Gulf of Mexico spill in 2010 and some exposure to Russia, but we believe BP’s healthy cash balance and strong balance sheet mitigate most of these risks.
 
Our Outlook
The market has had pockets of volatility in the period where it became more interesting in certain sectors, providing us with opportunities to add to existing positions and purchase a few new securities. Overall, however, any backup in credit spreads has been largely met with robust buying. Therefore, we remain cautious.
 
A case in point is the high-yield energy sector, where we started to see some cracks forming in the first quarter of 2015. Two companies, Quicksilver Resources and BPZ Resources, filed for bankruptcy protection. Another company, American Eagle Energy Corp. seems to be headed down the bankruptcy path after it missed the first coupon payment on a $175-million bond it issued in August last year. Think about that for a minute: A company that was able to place a $175-million debt with seemingly eager buyers less than six months ago is likely headed to chapter 11 already.
 
According to Bloomberg, there has been $120 billion in high-yield energy debt issued over the past three years.3  Our initial review of the high-yield energy sector is that there have been a large number of marginal businesses that have had access
 

3
Bloomberg News, “Driller that Skipped Bond Coupon Said to Start Debt Talks”, 3/24/15 http://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2015-03-24/driller-that-skipped-first-bond-coupon-said-to-start-debt-talks

 
51

 

Brandes Credit Focus Yield Fund

 
to cheap financing principally due the insatiable desire for any yield in the market. There is a lot of leverage in the sector and we believe there is a high potential for additional missed debt-service payments and/or for significant impairment to enterprise values if oil prices stay low for a prolonged period. We suspect there will be an increasing number of stories like American Eagle Energy Corp. in the coming months.
 
If there is disruption in the market due to debt impairments in the high-yield energy sector, selling pressure in the bank loan sector, or a more general uptick in market volatility, we stand ready to redeploy our cash and liquid U.S. Treasury into additional value opportunities.
 
We hold the view that these are unprecedented times in the bond markets — requiring discipline and vigilance — and where we continue to adhere to a measured and deliberate approach to security selection while selectively looking to add mispriced yield.
 
The Fund remains biased for higher interest rates. In this environment, we have a strong preference for asset-rich credits and shorter maturities. We believe that a careful path, rooted in  Graham-and-Dodd, value-based principles, remains the most prudent approach for protecting capital and adding value to the Fund over the coming years.
 
As always, thank you for your business and the trust you have placed in us.
 
Sincerely yours,
 
The Brandes Fixed Income Investment Committee
Brandes Investment Trust
 

Timothy Doyle, CFA, Chuck Gramling, CFA, David Gilson, CFA

 
52

 

Brandes Credit Focus Yield Fund

 
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
 
Market conditions may impact performance.  The performance results presented were achieved in particular market conditions which may not be repeated. Moreover, the current market volatility and uncertain regulatory environment may have a negative impact on future performance.
 
International and emerging markets investing is subject to certain risks such as currency fluctuations and social and political changes, political instability, differences in financial reporting standards and less stringent regulation of securities markets; such risks may result in greater share price volatility. Emerging market countries involve greater risks, such as immature economic structures, national policies restricting investments by foreigners, and different legal systems.
 
Unlike bonds issued or guaranteed by the U.S. government or its agencies, stocks and other bonds are not backed by the full faith and credit of the United States.  Stock and bond prices will experience market fluctuations.  Please note that the value of government securities and bonds in general have an inverse relationship to interest rates.  Bonds carry the risk of default, or the risk that an issuer will be unable to make income or principal payment.  There is no assurance that private guarantors or insurers will meet their obligations. The credit quality of the investments in the portfolio is no guarantee of the safety or stability of the portfolio.  Investments in asset-backed and mortgage-backed securities include additional risks that investors should be aware of such as credit risk, prepayment risk, possible illiquidity and default, as well as increased susceptibility to adverse economic developments.
 
Please refer to the Schedule of Investments in the report for complete holdings information.  Fund holdings, geographic allocations and/or sector allocations are subject to change at any time and are not a recommendation to buy or sell any security.
 
Investment performance reflects fee waivers and/or reimbursement of expenses. In the absence of such waivers/reimbursements, total return would be reduced.
 
The Fund may hold illiquid securities which may reduce the return of the Fund because it may be unable to sell such illiquid securities at an advantageous time or price. Illiquid securities may also be difficult to value. The Fund is actively managed, and may frequently buy and sell securities. Frequent trading increases a Fund’s portfolio turnover rate and may increase transaction costs, such as brokerage commissions and taxes, which in turn could detract from the Fund’s performance.
 
The foregoing reflects the thoughts and opinions of Brandes Investment Partners® exclusively and is subject to change without notice.

 
53

 

Brandes Credit Focus Yield Fund

 
Brandes Investment Partners® is a registered trademark of Brandes Investment Partners, L.P., in the United States and Canada.
 
Must be preceded or accompanied by a prospectus.
 
Index Guide
The Barclays U.S. Intermediate Credit Bond Index measures performance of U.S. dollar-denominated U.S. Treasuries, government-related and investment-grade U.S. corporate securities that have remaining maturities of greater than one year and less than ten years. This index is a total return index which reflects the price changes and interest of each bond in the index.
 
There is no assurance that a forecast will be accurate. Because of the many variables involved, an investor should not rely on forecasts without realizing their limitations.
 
Moody’s ratings (highest to lowest): Aaa, Aa, A, Baa, Ba, B, Caa, Ca, C, with numerical modifiers 1, 2, and 3. Standard and Poor’s ratings (highest to lowest): AAA, AA, A, BBB, BBB-, BB+, BB, CCC, CC, C, D, with + or – signs to show relative standings within the major ratings categories.
 
Basis point: A unit that is equal to 1/100th of 1% and is used to denote a change in a financial instrument.
 
Duration: The weighted maturity of a fixed-income investment’s cash flows, used in the estimation of the price sensitivity of fixed-income securities for a given change in interest rates.
 
Enterprise value: Market capitalization plus debt, minority interest and preferred shares, minus total cash and cash equivalents.
 
Yield: annual income from the investment (dividend, interest, etc.) divided by the current market price of the investment.
 
Cash flow: Movement of money out of or into a business.
 
The Brandes Credit Focus Yield Fund is distributed by Quasar Distributors, LLC.

 
54

 

Brandes Credit Focus Yield Fund

 
The following chart compares the value of a hypothetical $100,000 investment in the Brandes Credit Focus Yield Fund – Class I from March 31, 2005 to March 31, 2015 as compared with the Barclays Capital U.S. Intermediate Credit Index.
 
Value of $100,000 Investment vs Barclays Capital
U.S. Intermediate Credit Index (Unaudited)
 

 
 
Average Annual Total Return
 
Periods Ended March 31, 2015*
 
One
Five
Ten
Since
 
Year
Years
Years
Inception(1)
Brandes Credit Focus Yield Fund
       
Class A*
  2.87%
5.18%
4.48%
5.86%
Class A* (with maximum sales charge)
-1.00%
4.38%
4.08%
5.59%
Class I
  3.19%
5.50%
4.77%
6.14%
Barclays Capital U.S. Intermediate
       
  Credit Index
  4.30%
4.88%
5.19%
5.97%
 
(1)
The inception date is June 29, 2000.
   
*
Performance shown prior to March 1, 2012 for Class A shares reflects the performance of Class I shares adjusted to reflect Class A expenses.
   
**
Prior to February 1, 2012, the Advisor managed a private investment fund with an investment objective, investment policies and strategies that were, in all material respects, equivalent to those of the Brandes Credit Focus Yield Fund. The performance information shown for the Class I shares for periods before February 1, 2012 is that of the private investment fund and reflects the net expenses of the private investment fund. The performance of the private investment fund prior to February 1, 2012 is based on a calculation method that is different from the standardized calculation method prescribed by the SEC. The performance information shown for the Class A shares has been adjusted to reflect the differences in the net expense ratios between the Class I and A shares. The private investment fund was not registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940 (“1940 Act”) and was not subject to certain investment limitations, diversification requirements, and other restrictions imposed by the 1940 Act and the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, which, if applicable, may have adversely affected its performance.

 
55

 

Brandes Credit Focus Yield Fund

 
Performance data quoted represents past performance; past performance does not indicate future results. The investment return and principal value of an investment will fluctuate so that an investor’s shares, when redeemed, may be worth more or less than their original cost. Current performance of the Fund may be lower or higher than the performance quoted. Performance data current to the most recent month end may be obtained by calling 800-331-2979.
 
The returns shown do not reflect the deduction of taxes that a shareholder would pay on Fund distributions or the redemption of Fund shares. The Advisor has a fee waiver arrangement in place to limit the Fund’s annual operating expenses.
 
Sector Allocation as a Percentage of Total Investments as of
March 31, 2015 (Unaudited)
 

 
The sector classifications represented in the graph above and industry classifications represented in the Schedule of Investments are in accordance with Global Industry Classification Standard (GICS®), which was developed by and/or is the exclusive property of MSCI, Inc. and Standard & Poor Financial Services LLC.

 
56

 

Brandes Investment Trust

 
Expense Example (Unaudited)
 
As a shareholder of a Fund, you incur ongoing costs, including investment advisory and administrative fees and other fund expenses. The examples below are intended to help you understand your ongoing costs (in dollars) of investing in the Funds and to compare these costs with ongoing costs of investing in other mutual funds.
 
The examples are based on an investment of $1,000 invested at the beginning of the period and held for the entire period from October 1, 2014 to March 31, 2015 (the “Period”).
 
Actual Expenses
This section provides information about actual account values and actual expenses. The “Ending Account Value” shown is derived from each Fund’s actual return. You may use the information in this section, together with the amount you invested, to estimate the expenses that you paid over the period. Simply divide your account value by $1,000 (for example, an $8,600 account value divided by $1,000 = 8.6), then multiply the result by the number given for the Fund under the heading “Expenses Paid During Period” to estimate the expenses you paid on your account during this period.
 
 
Class A
       
Expenses
 
Beginning
Ending
Annual
Paid
 
Account
Account
Expense
During
Fund
Value
Value
Ratio
the Period*
International Equity Fund
$1,000.00
$1,010.30
1.18%
$5.91
Global Equity Fund
$1,000.00
$1,003.90
1.25%
$6.25
Global Equity Income Fund
$1,002.00
$1,057.81
1.25%
$3.17
Global Opportunities Value Fund
$1,001.00
$1,047.65
1.40%
$3.54
Emerging Markets Value Fund
$1,000.00
$   821.60
1.37%
$6.22
International Small Cap Fund
$1,000.00
$   996.10
1.40%
$6.97
Core Plus Fixed Income Fund
$1,000.00
$1,026.00
0.70%
$3.54
Credit Focus Yield Fund
$1,000.00
$1,020.60
0.95%
$4.79
         
 
Class C
       
Expenses
 
Beginning
Ending
Annual
Paid
 
Account
Account
Expense
During
Fund
Value
Value
Ratio
the Period*
International Equity Fund
$1,000.00
$1,005.90
1.93%
$  9.65
Global Equity Fund
$1,000.00
$1,000.20
2.00%
$  9.97
Global Equity Income Fund
$1,002.00
$1,057.81
2.00%
$  5.08
Global Opportunities Value Fund
$1,001.00
$1,044.64
2.15%
$  5.42
Emerging Markets Value Fund
$1,000.00
$   818.70
2.11%
$  9.57
International Small Cap Fund
$1,000.00
$   992.70
2.08%
$10.33

 
57

 
 
Brandes Investment Trust
 
 
 
Class E
       
Expenses
 
Beginning
Ending
Annual
Paid
 
Account
Account
Expense
During
Fund
Value
Value
Ratio
the Period*
International Equity Fund
$1,000.00
$1,008.40
1.18%
$5.91
Global Equity Fund
$1,000.00
$1,003.80
1.25%
$6.24
Core Plus Fixed Income Fund
$1,000.00
$1,025.90
0.70%
$3.54
         
 
Class I
       
Expenses
 
Beginning
Ending
Annual
Paid
 
Account
Account
Expense
During
Fund
Value
Value
Ratio
the Period*
International Equity Fund
$1,000.00
$1,010.90
1.00%
$5.01
Global Equity Fund
$1,000.00
$1,005.20
1.00%
$5.00
Global Equity Income Fund
$1,002.00
$1,055.71
1.00%
$2.54
Global Opportunities Value Fund
$1,001.00
$1,044.44
1.15%
$2.90
Emerging Markets Value Fund
$1,000.00
$   822.80
1.12%
$5.09
International Small Cap Fund
$1,000.00
$   997.00
1.15%
$5.73
Core Plus Fixed Income Fund
$1,000.00
$1,026.20
0.50%
$2.53
Credit Focus Yield Fund
$1,000.00
$1,022.50
0.70%
$3.53
 
Hypothetical Example for Comparison Purposes
This section provides information about hypothetical account values and hypothetical expenses based on the Funds’ actual expense ratios and an assumed rate of return of 5% per year before expenses, which are not the Fund’s actual returns. The hypothetical account values and expenses may not be used to estimate the actual ending account balance or expenses you paid for the period. You may use this information to compare the ongoing costs of investing in the Funds and other mutual funds. To do so, compare this 5% hypothetical example with the 5% hypothetical examples that appear in the shareholder reports of the other mutual funds.
 
Please note that the expenses shown in the table are meant to highlight your ongoing costs only and do not reflect any transaction costs, such as sales charges (loads), redemption fees, or exchange fees. Therefore, the last column of the 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.

 
58

 
 
Brandes Investment Trust

 
 
Class A
       
Expenses
 
Beginning
Ending
Annual
Paid
 
Account
Account
Expense
During
Fund
Value
Value
Ratio
the Period*
International Equity Fund
$1,000.00
$1,019.05
1.18%
$5.94
Global Equity Fund
$1,000.00
$1,018.70
1.25%
$6.29
Global Equity Income Fund
$1,002.00
$1,020.74
1.25%
$3.12
Global Opportunities Value Fund
$1,001.00
$1,018.97
1.40%
$3.49
Emerging Markets Value Fund
$1,000.00
$1,018.10
1.37%
$6.89
International Small Cap Fund
$1,000.00
$1,017.95
1.40%
$7.04
Core Plus Fixed Income Fund
$1,000.00
$1,021.44
0.70%
$3.53
Credit Focus Yield Fund
$1,000.00
$1,020.19
0.95%
$4.78
         
 
Class C
       
Expenses
 
Beginning
Ending
Annual
Paid
 
Account
Account
Expense
During
Fund
Value
Value
Ratio
the Period*
International Equity Fund
$1,000.00
$1,015.31
1.93%
$  9.70
Global Equity Fund
$1,000.00
$1,014.96
2.00%
$10.05
Global Equity Income Fund
$1,002.00
$1,016.99
2.00%
$  4.98
Global Opportunities Value Fund
$1,001.00
$1,015.23
2.15%
$  5.34
Emerging Markets Value Fund
$1,000.00
$1,014.36
2.11%
$10.60
International Small Cap Fund
$1,000.00
$1,014.56
2.08%
$10.45
         
 
Class E
       
Expenses
 
Beginning
Ending
Annual
Paid
 
Account
Account
Expense
During
Fund
Value
Value
Ratio
the Period*
International Equity Fund
$1,000.00
$1,019.05
1.18%
$5.94
Global Equity Fund
$1,000.00
$1,018.70
1.25%
$6.29
Core Plus Fixed Income Fund
$1,000.00
$1,021.44
0.70%
$3.53

 
59

 

Brandes Investment Trust

 
 
Class I
       
Expenses
 
Beginning
Ending
Annual
Paid
 
Account
Account
Expense
During
Fund
Value
Value
Ratio
the Period*
International Equity Fund
$1,000.00
$1,019.95
1.00%
$5.04
Global Equity Fund
$1,000.00
$1,019.95
1.00%
$5.04
Global Equity Income Fund
$1,002.00
$1,021.99
1.00%
$2.50
Global Opportunities Value Fund
$1,001.00
$1,020.22
1.15%
$2.87
Emerging Markets Value Fund
$1,000.00
$1,019.35
1.12%
$5.64
International Small Cap Fund
$1,000.00
$1,019.20
1.15%
$5.79
Core Plus Fixed Income Fund
$1,000.00
$1,022.44
0.50%
$2.52
Credit Focus Yield Fund
$1,000.00
$1,021.44
0.70%
$3.53

*
Expenses are equal to the Funds’ expense ratio for the period, multiplied by the average account value over the period, multiplied by 182/365 (to reflect the one-half year period).  The Global Equity Income Fund and Global Opportunities Value Fund commenced operations on December 31, 2014.  Expenses for these two funds are equal to the Funds’ expense ratio for the period, multiplied by the average account value over the period, multiplied by 90/365.

 
60

 

Brandes International Equity Fund

SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS — March 31, 2015 (Unaudited)


Shares
     
Value
 
       
COMMON STOCKS – 89.39%
     
       
Austria – 1.57%
     
  352,810  
Erste Group
     
     
Bank AG
  $ 8,673,534  
         
Brazil – 3.91%
       
  940,000  
Banco Santander
       
     
Brasil SA – ADR
    4,145,400  
  1,223,030  
Centrais Electricas
       
     
Brasileiras SA – ADR
    2,213,684  
  751,911  
Companhia de
       
     
Saneamento Basico
    4,139,392  
  280,290  
Embraer SA – ADR
    8,618,917  
  148,934  
Tim Participacoes
       
     
SA – ADR
    2,469,326  
            21,586,719  
         
China – 0.95%
       
  403,000  
China Mobile Ltd.
    5,252,055  
         
France – 11.97%
       
  335,964  
Carrefour SA
    11,223,488  
  224,702  
Compagnie De
       
     
Saint – Gobain
    9,866,020  
  919,957  
GDF Suez
    18,162,667  
  611,487  
Orange SA
    9,820,175  
  73,100  
Renault SA
    6,639,648  
  105,935  
Sanofi
    10,461,999  
            66,173,997  
         
Hong Kong – 1.31%
       
  7,236,000  
First Pacific Co. Ltd.
    7,224,193  
         
Ireland – 3.03%
       
  337,238  
CRH Plc
    8,762,123  
  165,950  
Willis Group
       
     
Holdings Plc
    7,995,471  
            16,757,594  
         
Italy – 7.07%
       
  850,515  
ENI SpA
    14,720,778  
  2,745,912  
Intesa Sanpaolo
       
     
SpA Savings Shares
    8,528,365  
  392,226  
Italcementi Fabbriche
       
     
Riunite Cemento SpA
    3,125,459  
  4,166,774  
Telecom Italia SpA(a)
    4,878,865  
  8,304,250  
Telecom Italia SpA
       
     
Savings Shares
    7,808,586  
            39,062,053  
         
Japan – 22.61%
       
  361,200  
Canon, Inc.
    12,779,725  
  405,400  
Dai Nippon
       
     
Printing Co. Ltd.
    3,937,707  
  828,202  
Daiichi Sankyo Co. Ltd.
    13,160,872  
  418,300  
Honda Motor Co. Ltd.
    13,654,542  
  551,500  
Mitsubishi Tanabe
       
     
Pharma Corp.
    9,461,196  
  1,335,400  
Mitsubishi UFJ
       
     
Financial Group, Inc.
    8,270,684  
  523,299  
MS&AD Insurance
       
     
Group Holdings
    14,650,298  
  1,444,400  
Nissan Motor Co. Ltd.
    14,690,346  
  310,200  
Sompo Japan
       
     
Nipponkoa
       
     
Holdings, Inc.
    9,643,607  
  2,054,000  
Sumitomo Mitsui
       
     
Trust Holdings, Inc.
    8,532,471  
  120,000  
Taisho Pharmaceutical
       
     
Co. Ltd.
    8,916,277  
  144,600  
Takeda Pharmaceutical
       
     
Co. Ltd.
    7,218,129  
            124,915,854  
         
Mexico – 1.50%
       
  874,725  
Cemex SAB
       
     
de CV – ADR(a)
    8,283,646  
         
Netherlands – 2.58%
       
  1,092,805  
Aegon NV
    8,628,384  
  284,732  
Royal Ahold NV
    5,610,870  
            14,239,254  
         
Russia – 3.18%
       
  2,433,900  
Gazprom OAO
    5,790,560  
  74,200  
Lukoil OAO
    3,443,920  
  181,503  
Lukoil OAO – ADR
    8,336,433  
            17,570,913  
         
South Korea – 4.47%
       
  273,980  
Hana Financial
       
     
Group, Inc.
    7,087,181  
  44,250  
Hyundai Mobis
       
     
Co. Ltd.
    9,801,623  
  35,794  
POSCO
    7,823,423  
            24,712,227  
         
Spain – 1.57%
       
  465,215  
Repsol SA
    8,660,106  

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these Schedules of Investments.

 
61

 
 
Brandes International Equity Fund

SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS — March 31, 2015 (Unaudited) (continued)


Shares
     
Value
 
       
Switzerland – 3.41%
     
  71,820  
Swiss Re AG
  $ 6,927,611  
  636,137  
UBS Group AG
    11,928,276  
            18,855,887  
         
United Kingdom – 20.26%
       
  2,575,866  
Barclays Plc
    9,297,618  
  1,769,084  
BP Plc
    11,467,442  
  1,721,149  
G4S Plc
    7,544,496  
  837,520  
GlaxoSmithKline Plc
    19,279,577  
  1,138,320  
HSBC Holdings Plc
    9,700,064  
  2,194,700  
J. Sainsbury Plc
    8,421,940  
  1,577,879  
Kingfisher Plc
    8,902,470  
  1,281,919  
Marks & Spencer
       
     
Group Plc
    10,138,484  
  3,384,470  
Tesco Plc
    12,081,001  
  5,285,011  
WM. Morrison
       
     
Supermarkets Plc
    15,104,181  
            111,937,273  
TOTAL COMMON STOCKS
       
  (Cost $514,958,660)
  $ 493,905,305  
               
PREFERRED STOCKS – 4.44%
       
         
Brazil – 3.08%
       
  2,133,350  
Petroleo Brasileiro
       
     
SA – ADR
    12,992,102  
  262,163  
Telefonica Brasil
       
     
SA – ADR
    4,008,472  
            17,000,574  
         
Russia – 1.36%
       
  9,879,040  
Surgutneftegaz OJSC
    7,538,883  
         
TOTAL PREFERRED STOCKS
       
  (Cost $30,163,414)
  $ 24,539,457  
 
   
Principal
       
   
Amount
   
Value
 
REPURCHASE AGREEMENTS – 7.26%
           
State Street Bank and Trust Repurchase Agreement,
           
  (Dated 03/31/15), due 04/01/15, 0.00% [Collateralized
           
  by $14,815,000 Fannie Mae Bond, 2.26%, 10/17/22,
           
  (Market Value $14,839,385)] (proceeds $14,548,417)
  $ 14,548,417     $ 14,548,417  
State Street Bank and Trust Repurchase Agreement,
               
  (Dated 03/31/15), due 04/01/15, 0.00% [Collateralized
               
  by $26,240,000 Fannie Mae Bond, 2.17%, 11/07/22,
               
  (Market Value $26,095,680)] (proceeds $25,583,644)
    25,583,644       25,583,644  
TOTAL REPURCHASE AGREEMENTS (Cost $40,132,061)
          $ 40,132,061  
Total Investments (Cost $585,254,135) – 101.09%
          $ 558,576,823  
Liabilities in Excess of Other Assets – (1.09%)
            (6,014,804 )
TOTAL NET ASSETS – 100.00%
          $ 552,562,019  
 

Percentages are stated as a percent of net assets.

ADR American Depository Receipt
(a)
Non-income producing security.

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these Schedules of Investments.

 
62

 

Brandes International Equity Fund

SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS BY INDUSTRY — March 31, 2015 (Unaudited)


COMMON STOCKS
     
Aerospace & Defense
    1.56 %
Auto Components
    1.77 %
Automobiles
    6.33 %
Banks
    11.62 %
Building Products
    1.79 %
Capital Markets
    2.16 %
Commercial Services & Supplies
    2.08 %
Construction Materials
    3.65 %
Diversified Financial Services
    1.31 %
Diversified Telecommunication Services
    4.07 %
Electric Utilities
    0.40 %
Food & Staples Retailing
    9.49 %
Insurance
    8.66 %
Metals & Mining
    1.42 %
Multiline Retail
    1.83 %
Multi-Utilities
    3.29 %
Oil, Gas & Consumable Fuels
    9.49 %
Pharmaceuticals
    12.40 %
Specialty Retail
    1.61 %
Technology Hardware, Storage & Peripherals
    2.31 %
Water Utilities
    0.75 %
Wireless Telecommunication Services
    1.40 %
TOTAL COMMON STOCKS
    89.39 %
         
PREFERRED STOCKS
       
Diversified Telecommunication Services
    0.72 %
Oil, Gas & Consumable Fuels
    3.72 %
TOTAL PREFERRED STOCKS
    4.44 %
         
REPURCHASE AGREEMENTS
    7.26 %
         
TOTAL INVESTMENTS
    101.09 %
Liabilities in Excess of Other Assets
    (1.09 )%
         
TOTAL NET ASSETS
    100.00 %

The industry classifications represented in the Schedule of Investments are in accordance with Global Industry Classification Standards (GICS®), which was developed by and/or is the exclusive property of MSCI, Inc. and Standard & Poor Financial Services LLC.
 
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these Schedules of Investments.

 
63

 

Brandes Global Equity Fund

SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS — March 31, 2015 (Unaudited)

Shares
     
Value
 
       
COMMON STOCKS – 90.96%
     
       
Aerospace & Defense – 1.47%
     
  99,320  
Embraer SA
  $ 763,988  
         
Auto Components – 1.01%
       
  2,370  
Hyundai Mobis
       
     
Co. Ltd.
    524,968  
         
Automobiles – 7.60%
       
  28,700  
Honda Motor Co. Ltd.
    936,852  
  7,311  
Hyundai Motor Co.
    1,107,190  
  132,300  
Nissan Motor Co. Ltd.
    1,345,564  
  8,000  
Toyota Motor Corp.
    558,430  
            3,948,036  
         
Banks – 10.85%
       
  35,232  
Bank of America Corp.
    542,221  
  149,458  
Barclays Plc
    539,470  
  21,986  
Citigroup, Inc.
    1,132,719  
  23,760  
Erste Group Bank AG
    584,119  
  67,603  
HSBC Holdings Plc
    576,071  
  98,800  
Mitsubishi UFJ
       
     
Financial Group, Inc.
    611,909  
  9,560  
PNC Financial Services
       
     
Group, Inc.
    891,374  
  13,869  
Wells Fargo & Co.
    754,474  
            5,632,357  
         
Beverages – 1.42%
       
  7,690  
PepsiCo, Inc.
    735,318  
         
Building Products – 1.55%
       
  30,100  
Masco Corp.
    803,670  
         
Capital Markets – 5.16%
       
  21,200  
Bank Of New York
       
     
Mellon Corp.
    853,088  
  12,878  
State Street Corp.
    946,919  
  46,930  
UBS Group AG
    879,990  
            2,679,997  
         
Communications Equipment – 1.06%
       
  43,800  
LM Ericsson Telefon
       
     
AB Class B
    549,907  
         
Construction Materials – 1.97%
       
  39,432  
CRH Plc
    1,024,523  
         
Diversified Financial Services – 2.31%
       
  14,730  
Deutsche Boerse AG
    1,202,095  
               
         
Diversified Telecommunication
       
  Services – 1.58%
       
  875,400  
Telecom Italia SpA
       
     
Savings Shares
    823,149  
         
Electric Utilities – 1.12%
       
  17,280  
Exelon Corp.
    580,781  
         
Electronic Equipment, Instruments
       
  & Components – 1.73%
       
  39,530  
Corning, Inc.
    896,540  
         
Food & Staples Retailing – 6.86%
       
  18,157  
Carrefour SA
    606,568  
  144,800  
J. Sainsbury Plc
    555,655  
  27,084  
Royal Ahold NV
    533,712  
  276,980  
Tesco Plc
    988,691  
  307,400  
WM. Morrison
       
     
Supermarkets Plc
    878,527  
            3,563,153  
         
Food Products – 1.00%
       
  12,400  
Unilever NV
    518,164  
         
Health Care Providers & Services – 1.90%
       
  11,388  
Express Scripts
       
     
Holding Co.(a)
    988,137  
         
Hotels, Restaurants & Leisure – 1.57%
       
  712,500  
Genting
       
     
Malaysia Berhad
    812,951  
         
Insurance – 4.02%
       
  14,230  
American International
       
     
Group, Inc.
    779,662  
  7,100  
Swiss Re AG
    684,851  
  16,500  
Tokio Marine
       
     
Holdings, Inc.
    622,823  
            2,087,336  
         
Multiline Retail – 1.20%
       
  78,900  
Marks & Spencer
       
     
Group Plc
    624,007  
         
Multi-Utilities – 2.06%
       
  54,184  
GDF Suez
    1,069,752  
         
Oil, Gas & Consumable Fuels – 9.47%
       
  9,350  
Apache Corp.
    564,085  
  213,625  
BP Plc
    1,384,746  
  54,480  
Chesapeake
       
     
Energy Corp.
    771,437  

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these Schedules of Investments.

 
64

 

Brandes Global Equity Fund

SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS — March 31, 2015 (Unaudited) (continued)

Shares
     
Value
 
  48,000  
ENI SpA
  $ 830,788  
  169,770  
Gazprom OAO
    403,904  
  20,962  
Lukoil OAO – ADR
    962,785  
            4,917,745  
         
Pharmaceuticals – 11.59%
       
  78,900  
Daiichi Sankyo Co. Ltd.
    1,253,792  
  71,700  
GlaxoSmithKline Plc
    1,650,523  
  13,599  
Merck & Co., Inc.
    781,670  
  33,554  
Pfizer, Inc.
    1,167,344  
  11,800  
Sanofi
    1,165,352  
            6,018,681  
         
Semiconductors & Semiconductor
       
  Equipment – 1.06%
       
  13,030  
Xilinx, Inc
    551,169  
         
Software – 1.64%
       
  21,000  
Microsoft Corp.
    853,755  
         
Technology Hardware, Storage
       
  & Peripherals – 4.05%
       
  15,900  
Canon, Inc.
    562,563  
  720  
Samsung Electronics
       
     
Co. Ltd.
    933,662  
  6,680  
Western Digital Corp.
    607,947  
            2,104,172  
Tobacco – 2.09%
       
  24,790  
Imperial Tobacco
       
     
Group Plc
    1,087,440  
         
Wireless Telecommunication Services – 3.62%
       
  18,800  
America Movil
       
     
SAB de CV – ADR
    384,648  
  73,500  
China Mobile Ltd.
    957,881  
  32,300  
Tim Participacoes
       
     
SA – ADR
    535,534  
            1,878,063  
TOTAL COMMON STOCKS
       
  (Cost $41,643,555)
  $ 47,239,854  
         
PREFERRED STOCKS – 0.90%
       
         
Oil, Gas & Consumable Fuels – 0.90%
       
  76,600  
Petroleo Brasileiro
       
     
SA – ADR
  $ 466,494  
         
TOTAL PREFERRED STOCKS
       
  (Cost $965,693)
  $ 466,494  
 
   
Principal
       
   
Amount
   
Value
 
REPURCHASE AGREEMENTS – 8.52%
           
State Street Bank and Trust Repurchase Agreement, (Dated 03/31/15),
           
  due 04/01/15, 0.00% [Collateralized by $4,505,000 Fannie Mae Bond,
           
  2.26%, 10/17/22, (Market Value $4,512,415)] (proceeds $4,423,843)
  $ 4,423,843     $ 4,423,843  
TOTAL REPURCHASE AGREEMENTS (Cost $4,423,843)
          $ 4,423,843  
Total Investments (Cost $47,033,091) – 100.38%
          $ 52,130,191  
Liabilities in Excess of Other Assets – (0.38%)
            (197,555 )
TOTAL NET ASSETS – 100.00%
          $ 51,932,636  

Percentages are stated as a percent of net assets.

(a)
Non-income producing security.
ADR American Depository Receipt

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these Schedules of Investments.

 
65

 

Brandes Global Equity Fund

SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS BY COUNTRY — March 31, 2015 (Unaudited)


COMMON STOCKS
     
Austria
    1.13 %
Brazil
    2.50 %
China
    1.84 %
France
    5.47 %
Germany
    2.32 %
Ireland
    1.97 %
Italy
    3.18 %
Japan
    11.35 %
Malaysia
    1.57 %
Mexico
    0.74 %
Netherlands
    2.03 %
Russia
    2.63 %
South Korea
    4.94 %
Sweden
    1.06 %
Switzerland
    3.01 %
United Kingdom
    15.95 %
United States
    29.27 %
TOTAL COMMON STOCKS
    90.96 %
         
PREFERRED STOCKS
       
Brazil
    0.90 %
TOTAL PREFERRED STOCKS
    0.90 %
         
REPURCHASE AGREEMENTS
    8.52 %
         
TOTAL INVESTMENTS
    100.38 %
Liabilities in Excess of Other Assets
    (0.38 )%
         
TOTAL NET ASSETS
    100.00 %

The industry classifications represented in the Schedule of Investments are in accordance with Global Industry Classification Standards (GICS®), which was developed by and/or is the exclusive property of MSCI, Inc. and Standard & Poor Financial Services LLC.

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these Schedules of Investments.

 
66

 

Brandes Global Equity Income Fund

SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS — March 31, 2015 (Unaudited)


Shares
     
Value
 
       
COMMON STOCKS – 80.60%
     
       
Automobiles – 2.00%
     
  400  
Honda Motor Co. Ltd.
  $ 13,057  
         
Banks – 3.49%
       
  1,470  
HSBC Holdings Plc
    12,527  
  110  
PNC Financial Services
       
     
Group, Inc.
    10,256  
            22,783  
         
Beverages – 4.44%
       
  520  
Compania Cervecerias
       
     
Unidas SA – ADR
    10,795  
  450  
Diageo Plc
    12,436  
  60  
PepsiCo, Inc.
    5,737  
            28,968  
         
Capital Markets – 2.12%
       
  740  
UBS Group AG
    13,876  
         
Commercial Services & Supplies – 1.95%
       
  220  
Bilfinger SE
    12,716  
         
Communications Equipment – 0.90%
       
  470  
LM Ericsson Telefon
       
     
AB Class B
    5,901  
         
Construction Materials – 1.91%
       
  480  
CRH Plc
    12,471  
         
Diversified Financial Services – 2.00%
       
  160  
Deutsche Boerse AG
    13,057  
         
Electric Utilities – 3.65%
       
  1,900  
Companhia Paranaense
       
     
de Energia
    13,752  
  300  
Exelon Corp.
    10,083  
            23,835  
         
Food & Staples Retailing – 5.97%
       
  2,290  
J. Sainsbury Plc
    8,788  
  490  
Royal Ahold NV
    9,656  
  2,950  
Tesco Plc
    10,530  
  3,490  
WM. Morrison
       
     
Supermarkets Plc
    9,974  
            38,948  
         
Food Products – 1.41%
       
  220  
Unilever NV
    9,193  
         
Health Care Equipment & Supplies – 1.99%
       
  190  
Baxter International, Inc.
    13,015  
         
Insurance – 3.43%
       
  660  
Old Republic
       
     
International Corp.
    9,860  
  130  
Swiss Re AG
    12,540  
            22,400  
         
Multiline Retail – 1.43%
       
  1,180  
Marks & Spencer
       
     
Group Plc
    9,333  
         
Multi-Utilities – 2.42%
       
  800  
GDF Suez
    15,794  
         
Oil, Gas & Consumable Fuels – 10.72%
       
  2,470  
BP Plc
    16,011  
  100  
Chevron Corp.
    10,498  
  980  
ENI SpA
    16,962  
  440  
Royal Dutch Shell Plc
    13,084  
  270  
Total SA
    13,421  
            69,976  
         
Pharmaceuticals – 12.90%
       
  1,000  
Daiichi Sankyo Co. Ltd.
    15,891  
  840  
GlaxoSmithKline Plc
    19,337  
  230  
Merck & Co., Inc.
    13,220  
  460  
Pfizer, Inc.
    16,003  
  200  
Sanofi
    19,752  
            84,203  
         
Semiconductors & Semiconductor
       
  Equipment – 2.59%
       
  400  
Xilinx, Inc
    16,920  
         
Software – 2.49%
       
  400  
Microsoft Corp.
    16,262  
         
Specialty Retail – 2.08%
       
  2,410  
Kingfisher Plc
    13,597  
         
Textiles, Apparel & Luxury Goods – 2.43%
       
  90  
LVMH Moet Hennessy
       
     
Louis Vuitton SE
    15,839  
         
Tobacco – 6.76%
       
  250  
British American
       
     
Tobacco Plc
    12,946  
  350  
Imperial Tobacco
       
     
Group Plc
    15,353  
  210  
Philip Morris
       
     
International, Inc.
    15,819  
            44,118  

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these Schedules of Investments.

 
67

 

Brandes Global Equity Income Fund

SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS — March 31, 2015 (Unaudited) (continued)


Shares
     
Value
 
       
Water Utilities – 1.52%
     
  1,800  
Companhia de
     
     
Saneamento Basico
  $ 9,909  
         
TOTAL COMMON STOCKS
       
  (Cost $503,344)
  $ 526,171  
         
PREFERRED STOCKS – 7.60%
       
         
Banks – 2.53%
       
  790  
Bank of America
       
     
Corp., 4.000%
  $ 16,503  
         
Capital Markets – 5.07%
       
  830  
Goldman Sachs Group,
       
     
Inc., 3.750%
    16,625  
  780  
Morgan Stanley, 4.000%
    16,513  
            33,138  
         
TOTAL PREFERRED STOCKS
       
  (Cost $47,618)
  $ 49,641  
         
REAL ESTATE
       
  INVESTMENT TRUSTS – 1.47%
       
  320  
Outfront Media, Inc.
  $ 9,574  
         
TOTAL REAL ESTATE
       
  INVESTMENT TRUSTS
       
  (Cost $8,607)
  $ 9,574  
 
   
Principal
       
   
Amount
   
Value
 
REPURCHASE AGREEMENTS – 10.37%
           
State Street Bank and Trust Repurchase Agreement,
           
  (Dated 03/31/15), due 04/01/15, 0.00% [Collateralized
           
  by $70,000 Fannie Mae Bond, 2.26%, 10/17/22,
           
  (Market Value $70,115)] (proceeds $67,683)
  $ 67,683     $ 67,683  
TOTAL REPURCHASE AGREEMENTS (Cost $67,683)
          $ 67,683  
Total Investments (Cost $627,252) – 100.04%
          $ 653,069  
Liabilities in Excess of Other Assets – (0.04%)
            (238 )
TOTAL NET ASSETS – 100.00%
          $ 652,831  
 

Percentages are stated as a percent of net assets.

ADR American Depository Receipt

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these Schedules of Investments.

 
68

 

Brandes Global Equity Income Fund

SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS BY COUNTRY — March 31, 2015 (Unaudited)

 
COMMON STOCKS
     
Brazil
    3.62 %
Chile
    1.65 %
France
    9.93 %
Germany
    3.95 %
Ireland
    1.91 %
Italy
    2.60 %
Japan
    4.43 %
Netherlands
    2.89 %
Sweden
    0.90 %
Switzerland
    4.05 %
United Kingdom
    23.58 %
United States
    21.09 %
TOTAL COMMON STOCKS
    80.60 %
         
PREFERRED STOCKS
       
United States
    7.60 %
TOTAL PREFERRED STOCKS
    7.60 %
         
REAL ESTATE INVESTMENT TRUSTS
    1.47 %
         
REPURCHASE AGREEMENTS
    10.37 %
         
TOTAL INVESTMENTS
    100.04 %
Liabilities in Excess of Other Assets
    (0.04 )%
         
TOTAL NET ASSETS
    100.00 %

The industry classifications represented in the Schedule of Investments are in accordance with Global Industry Classification Standards (GICS®), which was developed by and/or is the exclusive property of MSCI, Inc. and Standard & Poor Financial Services LLC.

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these Schedules of Investments.

 
69

 

Brandes Global Opportunities Value Fund

SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS — March 31, 2015 (Unaudited)

 
Shares
     
Value
 
       
COMMON STOCKS – 80.80%
     
       
Aerospace & Defense – 1.94%
     
  850  
Embraer SA – ADR
  $ 26,138  
         
Auto Components – 2.52%
       
  90  
Hyundai Mobis Co. Ltd.
    19,935  
  1,000  
Tachi-s Co. Ltd.
    14,021  
            33,956  
         
Automobiles – 3.23%
       
  400  
Honda Motor Co. Ltd.
    13,057  
  3,000  
Nissan Motor Co. Ltd.
    30,512  
            43,569  
         
Banks – 7.42%
       
  830  
Bank of America Corp.
    12,774  
  3,507  
Barclays Plc
    12,659  
  520  
Citigroup, Inc.
    26,790  
  810  
Erste Group Bank AG
    19,913  
  420  
KB Financial
       
     
Group, Inc.
    14,825  
  12,180  
Sberbank of Russia
    13,134  
            100,095  
         
Commercial Services & Supplies – 3.05%
       
  7,280  
APR Energy Plc
    41,118  
         
Construction & Engineering – 3.35%
       
  7,260  
Balfour Beatty Plc
    25,858  
  400  
Chudenko Corp.
    7,785  
  1,500  
Sanki Engineering
       
     
Co. Ltd.
    11,610  
            45,253  
         
Construction Materials – 3.99%
       
  1,360  
Cemex SAB de CV –
       
     
ADR(a)
    12,879  
  400  
CRH Plc
    10,393  
  1,440  
Italmobiliare SpA
       
     
Savings Shares
    30,580  
            53,852  
         
Distributors – 1.48%
       
  570  
D’Ieteren SA
    19,992  
         
Diversified Financial Services – 3.34%
       
  20,000  
First Pacific Co. Ltd.
    19,968  
  150  
Groupe Bruxelles
       
     
Lambert SA
    12,436  
  3,600  
Haci Omer Sabanci
       
     
Holding AS
    12,696  
            45,100  
         
Diversified Telecommunication
       
  Services – 2.67%
       
  9,820  
Magyar Telekom
       
     
Telecommunications
       
     
Plc(a)
    14,477  
  22,900  
Telecom Italia SpA
       
     
Savings Shares
    21,533  
            36,010  
         
Electric Utilities – 1.94%
       
  1,900  
Companhia Paranaense
       
     
de Energia
    13,752  
  600  
Reliance Infrastructure
       
     
Ltd. – GDR
    12,477  
            26,229  
         
Electrical Equipment – 1.07%
       
  900  
Futaba Corp.
    14,469  
         
Food & Staples Retailing – 7.13%
       
  380  
Carrefour SA
    12,694  
  6,960  
J. Sainsbury Plc
    26,708  
  6,710  
Tesco Plc
    23,952  
  11,510  
WM. Morrison
       
     
Supermarkets Plc
    32,895  
            96,249  
         
Food Products – 1.71%
       
  170  
Bongrain SA
    10,594  
  9,900  
Marfrig Global
       
     
Foods SA(a)
    12,470  
            23,064  
         
Household Durables – 3.98%
       
  45,930  
Consorcio ARA
       
     
S.A.B. de C.V.(a)
    19,211  
  720  
Dorel Industries, Inc.
    19,993  
  510  
MDC Holdings, Inc.
    14,535  
            53,739  
         
Household Products – 0.78%
       
  7,680  
McBride Plc(a)
    10,567  
         
Insurance – 1.00%
       
  280  
Willis Group
       
     
Holdings Plc
    13,490  

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these Schedules of Investments.

 
70

 

Brandes Global Opportunities Value Fund

SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS — March 31, 2015 (Unaudited) (continued)


Shares
     
Value
 
       
Machinery – 3.13%
     
  1,730  
Briggs & Stratton Corp.
  $ 35,534  
  340  
China Yuchai
       
     
International Ltd.
    6,712  
            42,246  
         
Metals & Mining – 1.47%
       
  91  
POSCO
    19,890  
         
Multiline Retail – 0.93%
       
  11,320  
Debenhams Plc
    12,597  
         
Multi-Utilities – 3.06%
       
  1,300  
GDF Suez
    25,666  
  11,390  
Iren SpA
    15,590  
            41,256  
         
Oil, Gas & Consumable Fuels – 7.59%
       
  3,110  
BP Plc
    20,159  
  1,210  
Chesapeake
       
     
Energy Corp.
    17,134  
  1,200  
ENI SpA
    20,770  
  4,360  
Gazprom OAO – ADR
    20,557  
  520  
Lukoil OAO – ADR
    23,884  
            102,504  
         
Pharmaceuticals – 4.85%
       
  1,100  
Daiichi Sankyo Co. Ltd.
    17,480  
  1,190  
GlaxoSmithKline Plc
    27,394  
  980  
H. Lundbeck A/S
    20,661  
            65,535  
         
Real Estate Management
       
  & Development – 1.06%
       
  2,860  
LSL Property
       
     
Services Plc
    14,361  
         
Semiconductors & Semiconductor
       
  Equipment – 1.32%
       
  400  
Nuflare
       
     
Technology, Inc.
    17,773  
         
Technology Hardware, Storage
       
  & Peripherals – 1.34%
       
  14  
Samsung Electronics
       
     
Co. Ltd.
    18,155  
         
Textiles, Apparel & Luxury Goods – 0.80%
       
  1,600  
TSI Holdings Co. Ltd.
    10,784  
               
         
Water Utilities – 1.59%
       
  3,900  
Companhia de
       
     
Saneamento Basico
    21,470  
         
Wireless Telecommunication
       
  Services – 3.06%
       
  1,500  
China Mobile Ltd.
    19,549  
  28,820  
Sistema JSFC
    8,804  
  780  
Tim Participacoes
       
     
SA – ADR
    12,932  
            41,285  
         
TOTAL COMMON STOCKS
       
  (Cost $1,046,681)
  $ 1,090,746  
         
PREFERRED STOCKS – 5.83%
       
         
Automobiles – 2.00%
       
  270  
Hyundai Motor Co.
  $ 26,936  
         
Banks – 1.01%
       
  4,366  
Itausa – Investimentos
       
     
Itau SA
    13,693  
         
Oil, Gas & Consumable Fuels – 2.82%
       
  3,750  
Petroleo Brasileiro
       
     
SA – ADR
    22,838  
  19,900  
Surgutneftegaz OJSC
    15,186  
            38,024  
         
TOTAL PREFERRED STOCKS
       
  (Cost $81,526)
  $ 78,653  
         
REAL ESTATE
       
  INVESTMENT TRUSTS – 2.54%
       
  12,940  
Macquarie Mexico
       
     
Real Estate Management
       
     
SA de CV
  $ 20,385  
  1,020  
Merlin Properties
       
     
Socimi SA
    13,907  
         
TOTAL REAL ESTATE
       
  INVESTMENT TRUSTS
       
  (Cost $33,473)
  $ 34,292  

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these Schedules of Investments.

 
71

 

Brandes Global Opportunities Value Fund

SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS — March 31, 2015 (Unaudited) (continued)

   
Principal
       
   
Amount
   
Value
 
REPURCHASE AGREEMENTS – 7.27%
           
State Street Bank and Trust Repurchase Agreement, (Dated 03/31/15),
           
  due 04/01/15, 0.00% [Collateralized by $100,000 Fannie Mae Bond,
           
  2.26%, 10/17/22, (Market Value $100,165)] (proceeds $98,149)
  $ 98,149     $ 98,149  
TOTAL REPURCHASE AGREEMENTS (Cost $98,149)
          $ 98,149  
Total Investments (Cost $1,259,829) – 96.44%
          $ 1,301,840  
Other Assets in Excess of Liabilities – 3.56%
            48,013  
TOTAL NET ASSETS – 100.00%
          $ 1,349,853  

Percentages are stated as a percent of net assets.

ADR American Depository Receipt
GDR Global Depository Receipt
(a)
Non-income producing security.

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these Schedules of Investments.

 
72

 

Brandes Global Opportunities Value Fund
 
SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS BY COUNTRY — March 31, 2015 (Unaudited)

 
COMMON STOCKS
     
Austria
    1.47 %
Belgium
    2.40 %
Brazil
    6.43 %
Canada
    1.48 %
China
    1.95 %
Denmark
    1.53 %
France
    3.63 %
Hong Kong
    1.48 %
Hungary
    1.07 %
India
    0.92 %
Ireland
    1.77 %
Italy
    6.55 %
Japan
    10.19 %
Mexico
    2.38 %
Russia
    4.92 %
South Korea
    5.39 %
Turkey
    0.94 %
United Kingdom
    18.39 %
United States
    7.91 %
TOTAL COMMON STOCKS
    80.80 %
         
PREFERRED STOCKS
       
Brazil
    2.71 %
Russia
    1.12 %
South Korea
    2.00 %
TOTAL PREFERRED STOCKS
    5.83 %
         
REAL ESTATE INVESTMENT TRUSTS
       
Mexico
    1.51 %
Spain
    1.03 %
TOTAL REAL ESTATE INVESTMENT TRUSTS
    2.54 %
         
REPURCHASE AGREEMENTS
    7.27 %
         
TOTAL INVESTMENTS
    96.44 %
Other Assets in Excess of Liabilities
    3.56 %
TOTAL NET ASSETS
    100.00 %

The industry classifications represented in the Schedule of Investments are in accordance with Global Industry Classification Standards (GICS®), which was developed by and/or is the exclusive property of MSCI, Inc. and Standard & Poor Financial Services LLC.

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these Schedules of Investments.

 
73

 
 
Brandes Emerging Markets Value Fund

SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS — March 31, 2015 (Unaudited)


Shares
     
Value
 
       
COMMON STOCKS – 83.42%
     
       
Argentina – 1.08%
     
  2,539,532  
Arcos Dorados
     
     
Holdings, Inc.(e)
  $ 12,519,893  
         
Austria – 2.53%
       
  1,192,088  
Erste Group
       
     
Bank AG
    29,306,468  
         
Brazil – 11.72%
       
  400,956  
Banco Bradesco SA
    3,809,117  
  2,501,450  
Banco do Brasil SA
    18,034,612  
  2,445,449  
Banco Santander
       
     
Brasil SA – ADR
    10,784,430  
  6,370,578  
Centrais Electricas
       
     
Brasileiras SA – ADR
    11,530,746  
  5,487,700  
Companhia de
       
     
Saneamento Basico
    30,210,678  
  768,910  
Companhia
       
     
Paranaense
       
     
de Energia
    5,565,265  
  653,734  
Embraer SA – ADR
    20,102,321  
  19,749,111  
Marfrig Global
       
     
Foods SA(a)
    24,875,509  
  644,598  
Tim Participacoes
       
     
SA – ADR
    10,687,435  
  1,419,243  
Viver Incorporadora
       
     
e Construtora SA(a)
    35,575  
            135,635,688  
         
Chile – 1.02%
       
  728,370  
Enersis SA – ADR
    11,843,296  
         
China – 8.21%
       
  189,878,000  
Bosideng
       
     
International
       
     
Holdings Ltd.
    20,282,374  
  3,433,934  
Chaoda Modern
       
     
Agriculture
       
     
Holdings Ltd.(a)
    194,892  
  1,457,400  
China Mobile Ltd.
    18,993,411  
  159,770  
China Yuchai
       
     
International Ltd.
    3,153,860  
  16,913,000  
Dongfeng Motor
       
     
Group Co. Ltd.
    27,051,306  
  11,976,377  
Weiqiao Textile Co.
    7,032,842  
  24,613,000  
Yingde Gases
       
     
Group Co. Ltd.
    18,350,260  
            95,058,945  
         
Cyprus – 1.29%
       
  2,566,350  
Globaltrans
       
     
Investment Plc –
       
     
GDR(a)
    11,544,307  
  1,392,075  
TCS Group
       
     
Holding
       
     
Plc – GDR(a)
    3,340,980  
            14,885,287  
         
Czech Republic – 1.37%
       
  1,981,400  
Telefonica Czech
       
     
Republic AS
    15,852,189  
         
Hong Kong – 6.19%
       
  3,993,800  
Chow Tai Fook
       
     
Jewellery Group Ltd.
    4,306,382  
  21,503,899  
First Pacific Co. Ltd.
    21,468,811  
  12,615,500  
Lifestyle
       
     
International
       
     
Holdings Ltd.
    22,488,596  
  4,557,000  
Luk Fook Holdings
       
     
International Ltd.
    12,707,172  
  3,014,500  
Yue Yuen Industrial
       
     
Holdings Ltd.
    10,654,073  
            71,625,034  
         
Hungary – 3.16%
       
  1,853,803  
Chemical Works of
       
     
Gedeon Richter Plc
    25,430,037  
  7,582,204  
Magyar Telekom
       
     
Telecommunications
       
     
Plc(a)
    11,178,018  
            36,608,055  
         
India – 2.80%
       
  1,549,850  
Indian Oil
       
     
Corp. Ltd.
    9,129,767  
  3,350,998  
Reliance
       
     
Infrastructure Ltd.
    23,259,796  
            32,389,563  
         
Indonesia – 1.51%
       
  52,795,240  
PT XL Axiata Tbk
    17,541,714  
         
Luxembourg – 4.11%
       
  2,291,511  
Adecoagro SA(a)
    23,419,242  
  1,337,150  
Ternium
       
     
SA – ADR
    24,162,301  
            47,581,543  

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these Schedules of Investments.

 
74

 

Brandes Emerging Markets Value Fund

SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS — March 31, 2015 (Unaudited) (continued)


Shares
     
Value
 
       
Malaysia – 0.97%
     
  9,795,200  
Genting
     
     
Malaysia Berhad
  $ 11,176,163  
         
Mexico – 2.53%
       
  3,052,484  
Cemex SAB
       
     
de CV – ADR(a)
    28,907,023  
  4,615,026  
Desarrolladora
       
     
Homex S.A.B.
       
     
de CV(a)(b)(d)
    157,625  
  13,687,865  
Urbi Desarrollos
       
     
Urbanos SA
       
     
de CV(a)(b)(d)
    224,340  
            29,288,988  
         
Pakistan – 1.04%
       
  12,060,160  
Nishat Mills Ltd.
    12,087,961  
         
Panama – 2.20%
       
  252,580  
Copa Holdings SA
    25,503,002  
         
Russia – 8.12%
       
  5,839,078  
Gazprom
       
     
OAO – ADR
    27,531,253  
  767,810  
Lukoil OAO – ADR
    35,265,513  
  1,825,100  
Mobile
       
     
TeleSystems OJSC
    7,720,828  
  180,204,090  
RusHydro OJSC
    1,625,801  
  3,956,062  
RusHydro
       
     
OJSC – ADR
    3,797,820  
  4,141,580  
Sberbank of
       
     
Russia – ADR
    18,098,705  
            94,039,920  
         
Singapore – 0.50%
       
  916,410  
Haw Par Corp. Ltd.
    5,742,796  
         
South Korea – 14.07%
       
  907,190  
Hana Financial
       
     
Group, Inc.
    23,466,749  
  125,170  
Hyundai Mobis
       
     
Co. Ltd.
    27,725,855  
  502,470  
KB Financial
       
     
Group, Inc.
    17,736,600  
  600,510  
KIA Motors Corp.
    24,403,481  
  5,008  
Lotte Confectionery
       
     
Co. Ltd.
    8,056,186  
  132,460  
POSCO
    28,951,516  
  13,409  
Samsung Electronics
       
     
Co. Ltd.
    17,388,166  
  405,260  
Shinhan Financial
       
     
Group Co. Ltd.
    15,225,546  
            162,954,099  
         
Turkey – 6.08%
       
  3,721,730  
Akbank TAS
    10,917,793  
  4,081,492  
Aygaz AS
    14,884,859  
  2,155,730  
Haci Omer Sabanci
       
     
Holding AS
    7,602,629  
  5,969,900  
Selcuk Ecza Deposu
       
     
Ticaret ve Sanayi AS
    5,990,797  
  2,904,950  
Turkiye Garanti
       
     
Bankasi AS
    9,473,294  
  13,196,400  
Turkiye Vakiflar
       
     
Bankasi Tao
    21,537,437  
            70,406,809  
         
United Kingdom – 2.92%
       
  1,103,391  
APR Energy Plc
    6,231,975  
  5,541,410  
ITE Group Plc
    14,837,264  
  789,980  
Standard
       
     
Chartered Plc
    12,795,023  
            33,864,262  
         
TOTAL COMMON STOCKS
       
  (Cost $1,206,366,626)
  $ 965,911,675  
         
PREFERRED STOCKS – 12.31%
       
         
Brazil – 6.40%
       
  950,436  
Banco
       
     
Bradesco SA
  $ 8,823,744  
  352,090  
Companhia
       
     
Brasileira de
       
     
Distribuicao – ADR
    10,499,324  
  1,168,010  
Companhia
       
     
Paranaense de
       
     
Energia – ADR
    12,240,745  
  3,983,329  
Petroleo Brasileiro
       
     
SA – ADR
    24,258,474  
  1,196,161  
Telefonica Brasil
       
     
SA – ADR
    18,289,302  
            74,111,589  
         
Colombia – 1.50%
       
  1,927,969  
Grupo Aval Acciones
       
     
y Valores – ADR
    17,293,881  
         
Russia – 2.30%
       
  2,426,034  
Surgutneftegas
       
     
OJSC – ADR
    18,280,166  

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these Schedules of Investments.

 
75

 

Brandes Emerging Markets Value Fund

SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS — March 31, 2015 (Unaudited) (continued)


Shares
     
Value
 
  11,019,015  
Surgutneftegaz
     
     
OJSC
  $ 8,408,820  
            26,688,986  
         
South Korea – 2.11%
       
  245,183  
Hyundai Motor Co.
    24,459,949  
         
TOTAL PREFERRED STOCKS
       
  (Cost $184,471,617)
  $ 142,554,405  
         
REAL ESTATE
       
  INVESTMENT TRUSTS – 2.71%
       
         
Mexico – 2.71%
       
  13,549,580  
Macquarie Mexico
       
     
Real Estate
       
     
Management
       
     
SA de CV
  $ 21,345,686  
  4,996,723  
PLA Administradora
       
     
Industrial, S.
       
     
de R.L. de CV
    10,122,184  
         
TOTAL REAL ESTATE
       
  INVESTMENT TRUSTS
       
  (Cost $33,532,176)
  $ 31,467,870  
 
   
Principal
       
   
Amount
   
Value
 
CONVERTIBLE BONDS – 0.03%
           
             
Brazil – 0.03%
           
Viver Incorporadora e Construtora SA 2.000%, 08/06/2016(b)(c)
  $ 3,299,971     $ 330,871  
TOTAL CONVERTIBLE BONDS
               
  (Cost $1,488,955)
          $ 330,871  
                 
REPURCHASE AGREEMENTS – 2.20%
               
State Street Bank and Trust Repurchase Agreement,
               
  (Dated 03/31/15), due 04/01/15, 0.00% [Collateralized
               
  by $25,961,042 Fannie Mae Bond, 2.26%, 10/17/22,
               
  (Market Value $26,003,774)] (proceeds $25,489,447)
  $ 25,489,447     $ 25,489,447  
TOTAL REPURCHASE AGREEMENTS
               
  (Cost $25,489,447)
          $ 25,489,447  

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these Schedules of Investments.

 
76

 

Brandes Emerging Markets Value Fund

SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS — March 31, 2015 (Unaudited) (continued)


Shares
     
Value
 
       
SHORT TERM INVESTMENTS – 0.00%
     
       
Money Market Fund – 0.00%
     
  2  
Northern Institutional Treasury Portfolio, 0.010%
  $ 2  
TOTAL SHORT TERM INVESTMENTS (Cost $2)
  $ 2  
Total Investments (Cost $1,451,348,823) – 100.67%
  $ 1,165,754,270  
Liabilities in Excess of Other Assets – (0.67%)
    (7,833,845 )
TOTAL NET ASSETS – 100.00%
  $ 1,157,920,425  

Percentages are stated as a percent of net assets.

ADR American Depository Receipt
GDR Global Depository Receipt
(a)
Non-income producing security.
(b)
The prices for these securities were derived from an estimate of fair market value using methods approved by the Fund’s Board of Trustees. These securities represent $712,836 or 0.06% of the Fund’s net assets and, with the exception of Urbi Desarrollos Urbanos SA de CV, are classified as Level 2 securities.  Urbi Desarrollos SA de CV is considered a Level 3 security.  See Note 2 in the Notes to Financial Statements.
(c)
Security was purchased exempt from registration in the U.S. pursuant to Rule 144A of the Securities Act of 1933 (the “Act”) or was acquired in a private placement, and, unless registered under the Act, may only be sold to “qualified institutional buyers” (as defined in the Act) or pursuant to another exemption from registration. The market value of this security totals $330,871 which represents 0.03% of the Fund’s total net assets.
(d)
These securities have limited liquidity and represent $381,965 or 0.03% of the Fund’s net assets and, with the exception of Urbi Desarrollos Urbanos SA de CV, are classified as Level 2 securities.  Urbi Desarrollos Urbanos SA de CV is classified as a Level 3 security. See Note 2 of the Notes to Financial Statements.
(e)
All or a portion of this security is on loan. See Note 2 in the Notes to Financial Statements.

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these Schedules of Investments.

 
77

 

Brandes Emerging Markets Value Fund

SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS BY INDUSTRY — March 31, 2015 (Unaudited)


COMMON STOCKS
     
Aerospace & Defense
    1.74 %
Airlines
    2.20 %
Auto Components
    2.39 %
Automobiles
    4.44 %
Banks
    16.80 %
Chemicals
    1.58 %
Commercial Services & Supplies
    0.54 %
Construction Materials
    2.50 %
Diversified Financial Services
    2.52 %
Diversified Telecommunication Services
    3.85 %
Electric Utilities
    4.98 %
Food Products
    4.88 %
Gas Utilities
    1.28 %
Health Care Providers & Services
    0.52 %
Hotels, Restaurants & Leisure
    2.05 %
Household Durables
    0.04 %
Machinery
    0.27 %
Media
    1.28 %
Metals & Mining
    4.59 %
Multiline Retail
    1.94 %
Oil, Gas & Consumable Fuels
    6.21 %
Pharmaceuticals
    2.69 %
Road & Rail
    1.00 %
Specialty Retail
    1.47 %
Technology Hardware, Storage & Peripherals
    1.50 %
Textiles, Apparel & Luxury Goods
    4.32 %
Water Utilities
    2.61 %
Wireless Telecommunication Services
    3.23 %
TOTAL COMMON STOCKS
    83.42 %
         
PREFERRED STOCKS
       
Automobiles
    2.11 %
Banks
    2.25 %
Diversified Telecommunication Services
    1.58 %
Electric Utilities
    1.06 %
Food & Staples Retailing
    0.91 %
Oil, Gas & Consumable Fuels
    4.40 %
TOTAL PREFERRED STOCKS
    12.31 %
         
REAL ESTATE INVESTMENT TRUSTS
    2.71 %
         
CONVERTIBLE BONDS
       
Household Durables
    0.03 %
TOTAL CONVERTIBLE BONDS
    0.03 %
 
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these Schedules of Investments.

 
78

 

Brandes Emerging Markets Value Fund
 
SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS BY INDUSTRY — March 31, 2015 (Unaudited) (continued)

 
REPURCHASE AGREEMENTS
    2.20 %
         
TOTAL INVESTMENTS
    100.67 %
Liabilities in Excess of Other Assets
    (0.67 )%
         
TOTAL NET ASSETS
    100.00 %

The industry classifications represented in the Schedule of Investments are in accordance with Global Industry Classification Standards (GICS®), which was developed by and/or is the exclusive property of MSCI, Inc. and Standard & Poor Financial Services LLC.

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these Schedules of Investments.

 
79

 

Brandes International Small Cap Equity Fund

SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS — March 31, 2015 (Unaudited)


Shares
     
Value
 
       
COMMON STOCKS – 81.69%
     
       
Belgium – 2.95%
     
  601,610  
D’Ieteren SA
  $ 21,101,179  
         
Brazil – 2.17%
       
  218,600  
Companhia de
       
     
Saneamento Basico
    1,203,428  
  993,820  
Companhia Paranaense
       
     
de Energia
    7,193,133  
  5,607,324  
Marfrig Global
       
     
Foods SA(a)
    7,062,851  
  1,815,154  
Viver Incorporadora e
       
     
Construtora SA(a)
    45,499  
            15,504,911  
         
Canada – 4.14%
       
  2,640,930  
Ainsworth Lumber
       
     
Co. Ltd.(a)
    7,277,128  
  657,880  
Dorel Industries,
       
     
Inc.(a)
    18,268,240  
  7,734  
E-L Financial
       
     
Corp. Ltd.(a)
    4,030,192  
            29,575,560  
         
China – 1.61%
       
  69,390  
China Yuchai
       
     
International Ltd.
    1,369,758  
  17,217,500  
Weiqiao Textile Co.
    10,110,567  
            11,480,325  
         
Denmark – 2.13%
       
  723,242  
H. Lundbeck A/S
    15,248,279  
         
France – 1.67%
       
  191,944  
Bongrain SA
    11,961,477  
         
Germany – 0.99%
       
  79,300  
Draegerwerk
       
     
AG & Co. KGaA
    7,055,133  
         
Greece – 1.11%
       
  944,566  
Sarantis SA(a)
    7,911,840  
         
Hong Kong – 2.64%
       
  5,865,500  
APT Satellite
       
     
Holdings Ltd.
    6,648,672  
  14,564,000  
COSCO International
       
     
Holdings Ltd.
    6,784,735  
  9,857,000  
Dickson Concepts
       
     
International Ltd.
    4,259,312  
  36,670,000  
Emperor Watch &
       
     
Jewellery Ltd.
    1,207,090  
            18,899,809  
         
Hungary – 0.76%
       
  3,710,270  
Magyar Telekom
       
     
Telecommunications
       
     
Plc(a)
    5,469,843  
         
India – 2.82%
       
  170,370  
Nava Bharat
       
     
Ventures Ltd.
    484,312  
  1,559,555  
NIIT Technologies Ltd.
    8,704,725  
  1,578,000  
Reliance
       
     
Infrastructure Ltd.
    10,953,142  
            20,142,179  
         
Israel – 0.79%
       
  454,510  
Syneron
       
     
Medical Ltd.(a)
    5,626,834  
         
Italy – 6.13%
       
  421,770  
Buzzi Unicem SpA
    3,980,397  
  8,762,215  
Iren SpA
    11,993,434  
  1,482,573  
Italcementi Fabbriche
       
     
Riunite Cemento SpA
    11,813,908  
  678,454  
Italmobiliare SpA
       
     
Savings Shares
    14,407,718  
  959,777  
Natuzzi SpA – ADR(a)
    1,631,621  
            43,827,078  
         
Japan – 22.24%
       
  351,500  
Chudenko Corp.
    6,841,379  
  305,000  
Denki Kogyo Co. Ltd.
    1,447,375  
  1,009,800  
Fuji Machine
       
     
Manufacturing Co. Ltd.
    11,466,386  
  456,400  
Futaba Corp.
    7,337,256  
  550,800  
Hibiya
       
     
Engineering Ltd.
    7,272,324  
  909,100  
Hitachi Koki Co. Ltd.
    7,394,008  
  2,000,050  
Hosiden Corp.
    11,034,833  
  1,688,000  
Hyakugo Bank Ltd.
    7,827,803  
  2,400  
Kato Sangyo Co.(a)
    49,729  
  1,660,900  
Noritsu Koki Co. Ltd.
    9,622,334  
  311,700  
Nuflare
       
     
Technology, Inc.
    13,849,814  
  192,400  
Otsuka Kagu Ltd.
    2,406,303  
  1,748,300  
Sanki Engineering
       
     
Co. Ltd.
    13,531,893  

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these Schedules of Investments.

 
80

 

Brandes International Small Cap Equity Fund

SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS — March 31, 2015 (Unaudited) (continued)


Shares
     
Value
 
  1,347,600  
Tachi-s Co. Ltd.
  $ 18,894,195  
  634,000  
Tenma Corporation
    10,100,783  
  91,400  
The Okinawa Electric
       
     
Power Company, Inc.
    3,299,819  
  184,500  
Torii Pharmaceutical
       
     
Co. Ltd.
    4,920,849  
  1,104,700  
TSI Holdings Co. Ltd.
    7,445,922  
  283,700  
Tsutsumi Jewelry
       
     
Co. Ltd.
    6,969,663  
  1,839,000  
Yodogawa Steel
       
     
Works Ltd.
    7,282,001  
            158,994,669  
         
Mexico – 2.56%
       
  43,348,757  
Consorcio ARA
       
     
S.A.B. de CV(a)
    18,131,253  
  1,671,404  
Desarrolladora Homex
       
     
S.A.B. de CV(a)(b)(e)
    57,087  
  6,089,400  
Urbi Desarrollos
       
     
Urbanos SA de CV(a)(b)(e)
    99,803  
            18,288,143  
         
Philippines – 0.43%
       
  1,423,670  
First Philippine
       
     
Holdings Corp.
    3,057,609  
         
Russia – 1.23%
       
  1,189,590  
Sistema JSFC – GDR
    8,802,966  
         
Singapore – 1.16%
       
  401,610  
Flextronics
       
     
International Ltd.(a)
    5,090,407  
  476,600  
Haw Par Corp. Ltd.
    2,986,672  
  1,293,000  
HTL International
       
     
Holdings Ltd.
    240,256  
            8,317,335  
         
South Korea – 1.23%
       
  147  
Lotte Confectionery
       
     
Co. Ltd.
    236,474  
  80,251  
Samchully Co. Ltd.
    8,529,580  
            8,766,054  
         
Spain – 1.01%
       
  547,410  
Hispania Activos
       
     
Inmobiliarios SA(a)
    7,207,410  
         
Switzerland – 1.67%
       
  1,895,559  
Micronas Semiconductor
       
     
Holding AG(f)
    11,956,963  
         
Turkey – 0.68%
       
  4,822,007  
Selcuk Ecza Deposu
       
     
Ticaret ve Sanayi A.S.
    4,838,886  
         
United Kingdom – 19.57%
       
  3,759,191  
APR Energy Plc(g)
    21,231,988  
  4,376,100  
Balfour Beatty Plc
    15,586,038  
  1,822,813  
Chime
       
     
Communications Plc
    7,429,099  
  199,840  
Clarkson Plc
    6,669,930  
  1,306,325  
De La Rue Plc
    10,728,594  
  12,621,687  
Debenhams Plc
    14,046,071  
  2,976,820  
ITE Group Plc
    7,970,510  
  2,351,350  
LSL Property
       
     
Services Plc
    11,806,803  
  6,581,050  
McBride Plc(a)
    9,054,520  
  9,899,492  
Premier Foods Plc(a)
    6,224,214  
  9,381,128  
Spirent
       
     
Communications Plc
    12,104,930  
  5,961,850  
WM. Morrison
       
     
Supermarkets Plc
    17,038,538  
            139,891,235  
         
TOTAL COMMON STOCKS
       
  (Cost $597,715,915)
  $ 583,925,717  
         
PREFERRED STOCKS – 0.56%
       
         
Brazil – 0.56%
       
  378,300  
Companhia Paranaense
       
     
de Energia
  $ 3,970,814  
         
TOTAL PREFERRED STOCKS
       
  (Cost $4,579,220)
  $ 3,970,814  
         
REAL ESTATE
       
  INVESTMENT TRUSTS- 2.97%
       
         
Greece – 0.99%
       
  867,964  
Grivalia Properties
       
     
Real Estate Investment
       
     
Co. SA
  $ 7,083,498  
         
Mexico – 0.76%
       
  3,427,910  
Macquarie Mexico
       
     
Real Estate
       
     
Management SA de CV
    5,400,248  
         
Spain – 1.22%
       
  639,419  
Merlin Properties
       
     
Socimi SA
    8,717,912  
TOTAL REAL ESTATE
       
  INVESTMENT TRUSTS
       
  (Cost $21,670,939)
  $ 21,201,658  

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these Schedules of Investments.

 
81

 

Brandes International Small Cap Equity Fund

SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS — March 31, 2015 (Unaudited) (continued)

 
   
Principal
       
   
Amount
   
Value
 
CONVERTIBLE BONDS – 0.02%
           
             
Brazil – 0.02%
           
Viver Incorporadora e Construtora SA 2.000%, 08/06/2016(b)(c)
  $ 1,136,056     $ 113,906  
TOTAL CONVERTIBLE BONDS
               
  (Cost $512,591)
          $ 113,906  
                 
CORPORATE BONDS – 0.19%
               
                 
Mexico – 0.19%
               
Desarrolladora Homex S.A.B. de CV 7.500%, 09/28/2015(d)(e)
  $ 8,195,000     $ 492,519  
Urbi Desarrollos Urbanos SA de CV 8.500%, 04/19/2016(d)(e)
    8,014,000       885,547  
TOTAL CORPORATE BONDS
               
  (Cost $3,334,911)
          $ 1,378,066  
                 
REPURCHASE AGREEMENTS – 13.81%
               
State Street Bank and Trust Repurchase Agreement,
               
  (Dated 03/31/15), due 04/01/15, 0.00% [Collateralized
               
  by $99,485,000 U.S. Treasury Note, 1.50%, 02/28/19,
               
  (Market Value $100,722,096)] (proceeds $98,746,509)
  $ 98,746,509     $ 98,746,509  
TOTAL REPURCHASE AGREEMENTS (Cost $98,746,509)
          $ 98,746,509  
Total Investments (Cost $726,560,085) – 99.24%
          $ 709,336,670  
Other Assets in Excess of Liabilities – 0.76%
            5,448,182  
TOTAL NET ASSETS – 100.00%
          $ 714,784,852  

Percentages are stated as a percent of net assets.

ADR American Depository Receipt
GDR Global Depository Receipt
(a)
Non-income producing security.
(b)
The prices for these securities were derived from an estimate of fair market value using methods approved by the Fund’s Board of Trustees. These securities represent $270,796 or 0.04% of the Fund’s net assets and, with the exception of Urbi Desarrollos Urbanos SA de CV, are classified as Level 2 securities.  Urbi Desarrollos Urbanos SA de CV is considered a Level 3 security.
(c)
Security was purchased exempt from registration in the U.S. pursuant to Rule 144A of the Securities Act of 1933 (the “Act”) or was acquired in a private placement, and, unless registered under the Act, may only be sold to “qualified institutional buyers” (as defined in the Act) or pursuant to another exemption from registration. The market value of this security totals $113,906 which represents 0.02% of the Fund’s total net assets.
(d)
In default.
(e)
These securities have limited liquidity and represent $1,534,956 or 0.21% of the Fund’s net assets and, with the exception of Urbi Desarrollos Urbanos SA de CV, are classified as Level 2 securities.  Urbi Desarrollos Urbanos SA de CV is classified as a Level 3 security. See Note 2 of the Notes to Financial Statements.
(f)
Affiliated issuer.  See Note 8 in the Notes to Financial Statements.
(g)
All or a portion of this security is on loan. See Note 2 in the Notes to Financial Statements.
 
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these Schedules of Investments.

 
82

 

Brandes International Small Cap Equity Fund

SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS BY INDUSTRY — March 31, 2015 (Unaudited)


COMMON STOCKS
     
Auto Components
    2.64 %
Banks
    1.09 %
Chemicals
    1.41 %
Commercial Services & Supplies
    4.47 %
Communications Equipment
    1.90 %
Construction & Engineering
    6.05 %
Construction Materials
    4.22 %
Distributors
    2.95 %
Diversified Telecommunication Services
    1.70 %
Electric Utilities
    3.43 %
Electrical Equipment
    1.03 %
Electronic Equipment, Instruments & Components
    2.26 %
Food & Staples Retailing
    2.39 %
Food Products
    3.56 %
Gas Utilities
    1.19 %
Health Care Equipment & Supplies
    1.77 %
Health Care Providers & Services
    0.68 %
Household Durables
    5.38 %
Household Products
    1.27 %
Industrial Conglomerates
    0.07 %
Insurance
    0.56 %
Machinery
    2.83 %
Marine
    0.93 %
Media
    2.15 %
Metals & Mining
    1.02 %
Multiline Retail
    1.96 %
Multi-Utilities
    1.68 %
Paper & Forest Products
    1.02 %
Personal Products
    1.11 %
Pharmaceuticals
    3.24 %
Real Estate Management & Development
    2.66 %
Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment
    3.61 %
Software
    1.22 %
Specialty Retail
    2.08 %
Technology Hardware, Storage & Peripherals
    1.35 %
Textiles, Apparel & Luxury Goods
    2.46 %
Transportation Infrastructure
    0.95 %
Water Utilities
    0.17 %
Wireless Telecommunication Services
    1.23 %
TOTAL COMMON STOCKS
    81.69 %
         
PREFERRED STOCKS
       
Electric Utilities
    0.56 %
TOTAL PREFERRED STOCKS
    0.56 %
         
REAL ESTATE INVESTMENT TRUSTS
    2.97 %
 
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these Schedules of Investments.

 
83

 

Brandes International Small Cap Equity Fund
 
SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS BY INDUSTRY — March 31, 2015 (Unaudited) (continued)

 
CONVERTIBLE BONDS
     
Household Durables
    0.02 %
TOTAL CONVERTIBLE BONDS
    0.02 %
         
CORPORATE BONDS
       
Household Durables
    0.19 %
TOTAL CORPORATE BONDS
    0.19 %
         
REPURCHASE AGREEMENTS
    13.81 %
         
TOTAL INVESTMENTS
    99.24 %
Other Assets in Excess of Liabilities
    0.76 %
         
TOTAL NET ASSETS
    100.00 %

The industry classifications represented in the Schedule of Investments are in accordance with Global Industry Classification Standards (GICS®), which was developed by and/or is the exclusive property of MSCI, Inc. and Standard & Poor Financial Services LLC.

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these Schedules of Investments.

 
84

 

Brandes Core Plus Fixed Income Fund

SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS — March 31, 2015 (Unaudited)


   
Principal
       
   
Amount
   
Value
 
             
FEDERAL AND FEDERALLY SPONSORED CREDITS – 1.98%
           
             
Federal National Mortgage Association – 1.34%
           
  Pool MA0918, 4.000%, 12/1/2041
  $ 590,731     $ 633,118  
  Pool 934124, 5.500%, 07/1/2038
    87,307       98,244  
  Pool 634757, 5.500%, 03/1/2017
    1,715       1,803  
  Pool 254631, 5.000%, 02/1/2018
    121,680       127,865  
              861,030  
                 
Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation – 0.64%
               
  Pool G0-6018, 6.500%, 04/1/2039
    70,860       81,937  
  Pool A9-3505, 4.500%, 08/1/2040
    305,489       333,414  
              415,351  
                 
TOTAL FEDERAL AND FEDERALLY SPONSORED CREDITS
               
  (Cost $1,199,899)
          $ 1,276,381  
                 
MORTGAGE RELATED SECURITIES – 0.37%
               
                 
Collateralized Mortgage Obligations – 0.01%
               
Wells Fargo Mortgage Backed Securities Trust
               
  Series 2006-AR14, 5.957%, 10/25/2036(c)
  $ 3,835     $ 3,715  
                 
Near Prime Mortgage – 0.36%
               
Bear Stearns Alt-A Trust
               
  Series 2004-11, 0.854%, 11/25/2034
    236,542       231,481  
TOTAL MORTGAGE RELATED SECURITIES
               
  (Cost $215,964)
          $ 235,196  
                 
US GOVERNMENTS – 59.47%
               
                 
Sovereign – 59.47%
               
United States Treasury Bond
               
  4.750%, 02/15/2037
  $ 475,000     $ 668,414  
United States Treasury Note
               
  4.500%, 02/15/2016
    2,965,000       3,074,335  
  3.375%, 11/15/2019
    19,290,000       21,063,773  
  2.000%, 11/15/2021
    10,921,000       11,165,871  
  2.000%, 02/15/2023
    2,280,000       2,317,050  
TOTAL US GOVERNMENTS
               
  (Cost $37,559,197)
          $ 38,289,443  
                 
   
Shares
   
Value
 
                 
PREFERRED STOCKS – 1.91%
               
                 
Consumer Finance – 0.32%
               
Ally Financial, Inc., 8.500%
    7,800     $ 208,026  
                 
Technology Hardware – 1.59%
               
Pitney Bowes International Holdings, Inc., 6.125%(a)
    960       1,022,100  
TOTAL PREFERRED STOCKS
               
  (Cost $1,193,351)
          $ 1,230,126  

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these Schedules of Investments.

 
85

 

Brandes Core Plus Fixed Income Fund

SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS — March 31, 2015 (Unaudited) (continued)

 
   
Principal
       
   
Amount
   
Value
 
             
ASSET BACKED SECURITIES – 1.83%
           
             
Student Loan – 1.83%
           
SLM Private Credit Student Loan Trust
           
  Series 2004-B, 0.701%, 09/15/2033
  $ 300,000     $ 265,591  
  Series 2005-A, 0.581%, 12/15/2038
    400,000       357,593  
  Series 2006-A, 0.561%, 06/15/2039
    275,000       247,430  
  Series 2007-A, 0.511%, 12/15/2041
    350,000       308,568  
TOTAL ASSET BACKED SECURITIES
               
  (Cost $1,122,523)
          $ 1,179,182  
                 
CORPORATE BONDS – 29.98%
               
                 
Automobiles – 0.70%
               
Chrysler Group LLC
               
  8.250%, 06/15/2021
  $ 405,000     $ 449,190  
                 
Banks & Thrifts – 5.18%
               
Citigroup, Inc.
               
  6.125%, 11/21/2017
    385,000       427,768  
  6.875%, 03/5/2038
    76,000       105,191  
Fifth Third Bancorp
               
  8.250%, 03/1/2038
    175,000       262,590  
First Horizon National Corp.
               
  5.375%, 12/15/2015
    130,000       133,355  
JP Morgan Chase & Co.
               
  7.900%, 04/29/2049
    1,185,000       1,275,356  
Regions Financial Corp.
               
  5.750%, 06/15/2015
    595,000       600,278  
The Goldman Sachs Group, Inc.
               
  7.500%, 02/15/2019
    445,000       531,099  
              3,335,637  
                 
Building Materials – 3.14%
               
CRH America, Inc.
               
  6.000%, 09/30/2016
    350,000       373,283  
Masco Corp.
               
  6.125%, 10/3/2016
    705,000       751,248  
Mohawk Industries, Inc.
               
  6.125%, 01/15/2016
    628,000       651,894  
Owens Corning
               
  6.500%, 12/1/2016
    5,000       5,376  
USG Corp.
               
  6.300%, 11/15/2016
    230,000       240,925  
              2,022,726  

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these Schedules of Investments.

 
86

 

Brandes Core Plus Fixed Income Fund

SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS — March 31, 2015 (Unaudited) (continued)


   
Principal
       
   
Amount
   
Value
 
             
Commercial Services & Supplies – 1.12%
           
The ADT Corp.
           
  3.500%, 07/15/2022
  $ 640,000     $ 582,400  
  4.125%, 06/15/2023
    150,000       140,250  
              722,650  
                 
Diversified Financial Services – 1.23%
               
Bank of America Corp.
               
  3.750%, 07/12/2016
    395,000       407,147  
Voya Financial, Inc.
               
  5.500%, 07/15/2022
    335,000       387,125  
              794,272  
                 
Electric Utilities – 5.38%
               
Arizona Public Service Co.
               
  8.750%, 03/1/2019
    340,000       428,344  
Commonwealth Edison Co.
               
  5.900%, 03/15/2036
    175,000       229,901  
  Series 104, 5.950%, 08/15/2016
    50,000       53,270  
DPL, Inc.
               
  7.250%, 10/15/2021
    455,000       483,438  
EDP Finance BV
               
  4.900%, 10/1/2019(a)
    400,000       425,224  
FirstEnergy Corp.
               
  7.375%, 11/15/2031
    515,000       654,011  
Israel Electric Corporation Ltd.
               
  7.250%, 01/15/2019(a)
    420,000       471,450  
Nisource Finance Corp.
               
  5.250%, 09/15/2017
    285,000       311,612  
Oncor Electric Delivery Co. LLC
               
  7.000%, 09/1/2022
    315,000       403,519  
              3,460,769  
                 
Energy – 0.33%
               
Valero Energy Corp.
               
  9.375%, 03/15/2019
    170,000       212,938  
                 
Energy Equipment & Services – 0.60%
               
Transocean, Inc.
               
  4.950%, 11/15/2015
    377,000       383,597  
                 
Equipment – 0.06%
               
Continental Airlines 2007-1 Class A Pass Through Trust
               
  Series 2007-1, 5.983%, 10/19/2023
    33,024       37,193  
                 
Food & Staples Retailing – 0.58%
               
Tesco Plc
               
  5.500%, 11/15/2017(a)
    350,000       375,926  

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these Schedules of Investments.

 
87

 

Brandes Core Plus Fixed Income Fund

SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS — March 31, 2015 (Unaudited) (continued)


   
Principal
       
   
Amount
   
Value
 
             
Food, Beverage & Tobacco – 0.44%
           
Tyson Foods, Inc.
           
  6.600%, 04/1/2016
  $ 270,000     $ 284,825  
                 
Forest Products & Paper – 1.32%
               
Sappi Papier Holding GmbH
               
  8.375%, 06/15/2019(a)
    315,000       338,625  
  6.625%, 04/15/2021(a)
    485,000       508,644  
              847,269  
                 
Health Care Providers & Services – 0.78%
               
Laboratory Corp. of America Holdings
               
  3.750%, 08/23/2022
    165,000       172,253  
Tenet Healthcare Corp.
               
  8.000%, 08/1/2020
    315,000       330,750  
              503,003  
                 
Homebuilders – 2.57%
               
Centex Corp.
               
  6.500%, 05/1/2016
    130,000       136,175  
Lennar Corp.
               
  5.600%, 05/31/2015
    995,000       997,487  
Toll Brothers Finance Corp.
               
  5.150%, 05/15/2015
    340,000       340,850  
Urbi Desarrollos Urbanos SA
               
  9.500%, 01/21/2020(a)(b)(c)
    1,640,000       181,220  
              1,655,732  
                 
Independent Power and Renewable Electricity Producers – 0.42%
               
PPL Energy Supply LLC
               
  6.500%, 05/1/2018
    255,000       271,505  
                 
Insurance – 1.48%
               
American International Group, Inc.
               
  6.400%, 12/15/2020
    500,000       605,657  
CNA Financial Corp.
               
  7.350%, 11/15/2019
    160,000       192,464  
  5.875%, 08/15/2020
    135,000       156,138  
              954,259  
                 
Media – 0.48%
               
McGraw Hill Financial, Inc.
               
  5.900%, 11/15/2017
    280,000       307,925  
                 
Metals & Mining – 0.22%
               
ArcelorMittal SA
               
  5.500%, 03/1/2021
    135,000       143,437  

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these Schedules of Investments.

 
88

 

Brandes Core Plus Fixed Income Fund

SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS — March 31, 2015 (Unaudited) (continued)


   
Principal
       
   
Amount
   
Value
 
             
Oil, Gas & Consumable Fuels – 2.71%
           
Anadarko Petroleum Corp.
           
  5.950%, 09/15/2016
  $ 435,000     $ 464,052  
BP Capital Markets Plc
               
  3.506%, 03/17/2025
    385,000       392,683  
Chesapeake Energy Corp.
               
  6.625%, 08/15/2020
    370,000       382,025  
Cloud Peak Energy, Inc.
               
  6.375%, 03/15/2024
    340,000       294,100  
Kinder Morgan, Inc.
               
  7.000%, 06/15/2017
    195,000       215,092  
              1,747,952  
                 
Pharmaceutical – 0.29%
               
Valeant Pharmaceuticals International
               
  6.750%, 08/15/2018(a)
    175,000       184,406  
                 
Retail – 0.56%
               
Marks & Spencer Plc
               
  7.125%, 12/1/2037(a)
    285,000       359,577  
                 
Telecommunications – 0.39%
               
Telecom Italia Capital SA
               
  6.999%, 06/4/2018
    85,000       94,616  
Telefonica Emisiones SAU
               
  5.462%, 02/16/2021
    135,000       154,282  
              248,898  
                 
TOTAL CORPORATE BONDS
               
  (Cost $18,178,606)
          $ 19,303,686  

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these Schedules of Investments.

 
89

 

Brandes Core Plus Fixed Income Fund

SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS — March 31, 2015 (Unaudited) (continued)


   
Principal
       
   
Amount
   
Value
 
REPURCHASE AGREEMENTS – 3.25%
           
State Street Bank and Trust Repurchase Agreement,
           
  (Dated 03/31/15), due 04/01/15, 0.00% [Collateralized
           
  by $2,135,000 Fannie Mae Bond, 2.26%, 10/17/22,
           
  (Market Value $2,138,514)] (proceeds $2,092,345)
  $ 2,092,345     $ 2,092,345  
TOTAL REPURCHASE AGREEMENTS (Cost $2,092,345)
          $ 2,092,345  
Total Investments (Cost $61,561,885) – 98.79%
          $ 63,606,359  
Other Assets in Excess of Liabilities – 1.21%
            778,002  
TOTAL NET ASSETS – 100.00%
          $ 64,384,361  

Percentages are stated as a percent of net assets.

(a)
Security was purchased exempt from registration in the U.S. pursuant to Rule 144A of the Securities Act of 1933 (the “Act”) or was acquired in a private placement, and, unless registered under the Act, may only be sold to “qualified institutional buyers” (as defined in the Act) or pursuant to another exemption from registration. The market values of these securities total $3,867,172 which represents 6.01% of total net assets.
(b)
In default.
(c)
These securities have limited liquidity and represent $184,935 or 0.29% of the Fund’s net assets and are classified as Level 2 securities. See Note 2 in the Notes to Financial Statements.

The industry classifications represented in the Schedule of Investments are in accordance with Global Industry Classification Standards (GICS®), which was developed by and/or is the exclusive property of MSCI, Inc. and Standard & Poor Financial Services LLC.

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these Schedules of Investments.

 
90

 

Brandes Credit Focus Yield Fund

SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS — March 31, 2015 (Unaudited)


   
Principal
       
   
Amount
   
Value
 
             
MORTGAGE RELATED SECURITIES – 0.03%
           
             
Sub-Prime Mortgages – 0.03%
           
Structured Asset Investment Loan Trust
           
  Series A3, 0.934%, 07/25/2035
  $ 9,764     $ 9,734  
TOTAL MORTGAGE RELATED SECURITIES
               
  (Cost $9,135)
          $ 9,734  
                 
US GOVERNMENTS – 34.53%
               
                 
Sovereign – 34.53%
               
United States Treasury Note
               
  4.500%, 02/15/2016
  $ 2,120,000     $ 2,198,175  
  3.375%, 11/15/2019
    4,225,000       4,613,501  
  2.000%, 11/15/2021
    1,590,000       1,625,651  
  2.000%, 02/15/2023
    1,800,000       1,829,250  
TOTAL US GOVERNMENTS
               
  (Cost $10,109,229)
          $ 10,266,577  
                 
   
Shares
   
Value
 
                 
PREFERRED STOCKS – 3.23%
               
                 
Consumer Finance – 1.06%
               
Ally Financial, Inc., 8.500%
    11,800     $ 314,706  
                 
Technology Hardware – 2.17%
               
Pitney Bowes International Holdings, Inc., 6.125%(a)
    605       644,136  
TOTAL PREFERRED STOCKS
               
  (Cost $915,709)
          $ 958,842  
                 
   
Principal
         
   
Amount
   
Value
 
                 
ASSET BACKED SECURITIES – 0.89%
               
                 
Student Loan – 0.89%
               
SLM Private Credit Student Loan Trust
               
  Series 2007-A, 0.511%, 12/15/2041
  $ 300,000     $ 264,487  
TOTAL ASSET BACKED SECURITIES
               
  (Cost $215,939)
          $ 264,487  
                 
CORPORATE BONDS – 58.27%
               
                 
Automobiles – 1.01%
               
Chrysler Group LLC
               
  8.250%, 06/15/2021
  $ 270,000     $ 299,460  
                 
Banks & Thrifts – 11.35%
               
Citigroup, Inc.
               
  6.125%, 11/21/2017
    500,000       555,544  

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these Schedules of Investments.

 
91

 

Brandes Credit Focus Yield Fund

SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS — March 31, 2015 (Unaudited) (continued)


   
Principal
       
   
Amount
   
Value
 
Fifth Third Bancorp
           
  8.250%, 03/1/2038
  $ 65,000     $ 97,533  
First Horizon National Corp.
               
  5.375%, 12/15/2015
    230,000       235,935  
JP Morgan Chase & Co.
               
  7.900%, Perpetual
    1,140,000       1,226,925  
Regions Financial Corp.
               
  5.750%, 06/15/2015
    580,000       585,145  
The Goldman Sachs Group, Inc.
               
  7.500%, 02/15/2019
    320,000       381,914  
USB Capital IX
               
  3.500%, Perpetual
    350,000       289,625  
              3,372,621  
                 
Building Materials – 5.36%
               
CRH America, Inc.
               
  6.000%, 09/30/2016
    245,000       261,298  
Masco Corp.
               
  6.125%, 10/3/2016
    720,000       767,232  
Mohawk Industries, Inc.
               
  6.125%, 01/15/2016
    398,000       413,143  
Owens Corning
               
  6.500%, 12/1/2016
    6,000       6,451  
USG Corp.
               
  6.300%, 11/15/2016
    140,000       146,650  
              1,594,774  
                 
Commercial Services & Supplies – 1.36%
               
The ADT Corp.
               
  3.500%, 07/15/2022
    445,000       404,950  
                 
Computers & Peripherals – 2.49%
               
Apple, Inc.
               
  2.400%, 05/3/2023
    750,000       740,791  
                 
Diversified Financial Services – 3.08%
               
Bank of America Corp.
               
  3.750%, 07/12/2016
    490,000       505,068  
Voya Financial, Inc.
               
  5.500%, 07/15/2022
    355,000       410,237  
              915,305  
                 
Electric Utilities – 7.79%
               
Arizona Public Service Co.
               
  8.750%, 03/1/2019
    435,000       548,028  
Commonwealth Edison Co.
               
  Series 104, 5.950%, 08/15/2016
    110,000       117,194  
DPL, Inc.
               
  7.250%, 10/15/2021
    355,000       377,187  

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these Schedules of Investments.

 
92

 

Brandes Credit Focus Yield Fund

SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS — March 31, 2015 (Unaudited) (continued)


   
Principal
       
   
Amount
   
Value
 
FirstEnergy Corp.
           
  7.375%, 11/15/2031
  $ 380,000     $ 482,571  
Israel Electric Corporation Ltd.
               
  7.250%, 01/15/2019(a)
    505,000       566,862  
Nisource Finance Corp.
               
  5.250%, 09/15/2017
    65,000       71,070  
Oncor Electric Delivery Co. LLC
               
  7.000%, 09/1/2022
    120,000       153,722  
              2,316,634  
                 
Energy – 0.86%
               
Valero Energy Corp.
               
  9.375%, 03/15/2019
    205,000       256,778  
                 
Energy Equipment & Services – 1.96%
               
Transocean, Inc.
               
  4.950%, 11/15/2015
    572,000       582,010  
                 
Equipment – 0.31%
               
Continental Airlines 2007-1 Class A Pass Through Trust
               
  Series 2007-1, 5.983%, 10/19/2023
    82,560       92,983  
                 
Food & Staples Retailing – 0.81%
               
Tesco Plc
               
  5.500%, 11/15/2017(a)
    225,000       241,667  
                 
Food, Beverage & Tobacco – 0.71%
               
Tyson Foods, Inc.
               
  6.600%, 04/1/2016
    200,000       210,981  
                 
Forest Products & Paper – 1.94%
               
Sappi Papier Holding GmbH
               
  8.375%, 06/15/2019(a)
    200,000       215,000  
  6.625%, 04/15/2021(a)
    345,000       361,819  
              576,819  
                 
Health Care Providers & Services – 1.57%
               
Laboratory Corp. of America Holdings
               
  3.750%, 08/23/2022
    240,000       250,550  
Tenet Healthcare Corp.
               
  8.000%, 08/1/2020
    205,000       215,250  
              465,800  
                 
Homebuilders – 3.78%
               
Centex Corp.
               
  6.500%, 05/1/2016
    155,000       162,362  
Lennar Corp.
               
  5.600%, 05/31/2015
    665,000       666,662  
Toll Brothers Finance Corp.
               
  5.150%, 05/15/2015
    160,000       160,400  

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these Schedules of Investments.

 
93

 

Brandes Credit Focus Yield Fund

SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS — March 31, 2015 (Unaudited) (continued)


   
Principal
       
   
Amount
   
Value
 
Urbi Desarrollos Urbanos SA
           
  9.500%, 01/21/2020(a)(b)(c)
  $ 1,225,000     $ 135,363  
              1,124,787  
                 
Independent Power & Renewable Electricity Producers – 0.79%
               
PPL Energy Supply LLC
               
  6.500%, 05/1/2018
    220,000       234,239  
                 
Insurance – 3.40%
               
American International Group, Inc.
               
  6.400%, 12/15/2020
    485,000       587,488  
CNA Financial Corp.
               
  7.350%, 11/15/2019
    125,000       150,362  
  5.875%, 08/15/2020
    235,000       271,796  
              1,009,646  
                 
Media – 0.98%
               
McGraw Hill Financial, Inc.
               
  5.900%, 11/15/2017
    265,000       291,429  
                 
Metals & Mining – 0.86%
               
ArcelorMittal SA
               
  5.500%, 03/1/2021
    240,000       255,000  
                 
Oil, Gas & Consumable Fuels – 6.30%
               
Anadarko Petroleum Corp.
               
  5.950%, 09/15/2016
    510,000       544,061  
BP Capital Markets Plc
               
  3.506%, 03/17/2025
    265,000       270,288  
Chesapeake Energy Corp.
               
  6.625%, 08/15/2020
    545,000       562,712  
Cloud Peak Energy, Inc.
               
  6.375%, 03/15/2024
    230,000       198,950  
Kinder Morgan, Inc.
               
  7.000%, 06/15/2017
    270,000       297,821  
              1,873,832  
                 
Pharmaceutical – 0.73%
               
Valeant Pharmaceuticals International
               
  6.750%, 08/15/2018 (a)
    205,000       216,019  
                 
Telecommunications – 0.83%
               
Telecom Italia Capital SA
               
  6.999%, 06/4/2018
    140,000       155,837  
Telefonica Emisiones SAU
               
  5.462%, 02/16/2021
    80,000       91,426  
              247,263  
TOTAL CORPORATE BONDS
               
  (Cost $17,034,865)
          $ 17,323,788  

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these Schedules of Investments.

 
94

 

Brandes Credit Focus Yield Fund

SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS — March 31, 2015 (Unaudited) (continued)


   
Principal
       
   
Amount
   
Value
 
REPURCHASE AGREEMENTS – 1.97%
           
State Street Bank and Trust Repurchase Agreement,
           
  (Dated 03/31/15), due 04/01/15, 0.00% [Collateralized
           
  by $600,000 Fannie Mae Bond, 2.26%, 10/17/22,
           
  (Market Value $600,988)] (proceeds $585,212)
  $ 585,212     $ 585,212  
TOTAL REPURCHASE AGREEMENTS (Cost $585,212)
          $ 585,212  
Total Investments (Cost $28,870,089) – 98.92%
          $ 29,408,640  
Other Assets in Excess of Liabilities – 1.08%
            320,853  
TOTAL NET ASSETS – 100.00%
          $ 29,729,493  

Percentages are stated as a percent of net assets.

(a)
Security was purchased exempt from registration in the U.S. pursuant to Rule 144A of the Securities Act of 1933 (the “Act”) or was acquired in a private placement, and, unless registered under the Act, may only be sold to “qualified institutional buyers” (as defined in the Act) or pursuant to another exemption from registration. The market values of these securities total $2,380,866 which represents 8.01% of total net assets.
(b)
In default.
(c)
Security has limited liquidity and represents $135,363 or 0.46% of the Fund’s net assets and is classified as a Level 2 security. See Note 2 in the Notes to Financial Statements.

The industry classifications represented in the Schedule of Investments are in accordance with Global Industry Classification Standards (GICS®), which was developed by and/or is the exclusive property of MSCI, Inc. and Standard & Poor Financial Services LLC.

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these Schedules of Investments.
 
 
95

 

Brandes Investment Trust

STATEMENT OF ASSETS AND LIABILITIES — March 31, 2015 (Unaudited)


   
Brandes
   
Brandes
 
   
International
   
Global
 
   
Equity Fund
   
Equity Fund
 
ASSETS
           
Investment in securities, at value(1)
           
Unaffiliated issuers
  $ 558,576,823     $ 52,130,191  
Affiliated issuers
           
Foreign Currency(1)
    1,844,491       31,278  
Receivables:
               
Securities sold
           
Fund shares sold
    1,330,439       32,081  
Dividends and interest
    2,456,355       167,381  
Foreign currency spot trade
           
Tax reclaims
    487,262       18,130  
Due from Advisor
           
Prepaid expenses and other assets
    64,963       37,007  
Total Assets
    564,760,333       52,416,068  
LIABILITIES
               
Payables:
               
Securities purchased
    3,473,786       7,654  
Fund shares redeemed
    7,830,890       365,685  
Due to Advisor
    393,036       16,494  
12b-1 Fee
    37,127       9,509  
Trustee Fees
    7,518       7,515  
Dividends payable
    97,531       3,908  
Foreign Tax Withholding
    225,453       16,312  
Foreign currency spot trade payable
    908        
Accrued expenses
    132,065       56,355  
Total Liabilities
    12,198,314       483,432  
NET ASSETS
  $ 552,562,019     $ 51,932,636  
COMPONENTS OF NET ASSETS
               
Paid-in capital
  $ 647,307,216     $ 45,729,411  
Undistributed net investment income (loss)
    214,043       (7,731 )
Accumulated net realized gain (loss) on investments and foreign currency
    (68,200,511 )     1,117,978  
Net unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on:
               
Investments
    (26,678,505 )     5,097,059  
Foreign currency
    (80,224 )     (4,081 )
Total Net Assets
  $ 552,562,019     $ 51,932,636  
Net asset value, offering price and redemption proceeds per share
               
Class A Shares
               
Net Assets
  $ 13,031,569     $ 2,545,669  
Shares outstanding (unlimited shares authorized without par value)
    780,992       106,884  
Offering and redemption price
  $ 16.69     $ 23.82  
Maximum offering price per share*
  $ 17.71     $ 25.27  
Class C Shares
               
Net Assets
  $ 8,206,514     $ 1,948,827  
Shares outstanding (unlimited shares authorized without par value)
    495,134       82,296  
Offering and redemption price
  $ 16.57     $ 23.68  
Class E Shares
               
Net Assets
  $ 1,807,648     $ 252,187  
Shares outstanding (unlimited shares authorized without par value)
    108,397       10,722  
Offering and redemption price
  $ 16.68     $ 23.52  
Class I Shares
               
Net Assets
  $ 529,516,288     $ 47,185,953  
Shares outstanding (unlimited shares authorized without par value)
    31,673,651       1,972,809  
Offering and redemption price
  $ 16.72     $ 23.92  
(1)   Cost of:
               
Investments in securities
               
   Unaffiliated issuers
  $ 585,254,135     $ 47,033,091  
   Affiliated issuers
           
Foreign currency
    1,845,680       31,319  
 
*
Includes a sales load of 5.75% for the International, Global, Global Equity Income, Global Opportunities Value, Emerging Markets Value, and International Small Cap Funds and 3.75% for the Core Plus Fixed Income and Credit Focus Yield Funds.  (see Note 7 of the Notes to Financial Statements)

The accompanying notes to financial statements are an integral part of this statement.

 
96

 

Brandes Investment Trust

STATEMENT OF ASSETS AND LIABILITIES — March 31, 2015 (Unaudited) (continued)


     
Brandes
   
Brandes
   
Brandes
             
Brandes
   
Global
   
Emerging
   
International
   
Brandes
   
Brandes
 
Global Equity
   
Opportunities
   
Markets
   
Small Cap
   
Core Plus Fixed
   
Credit Focus
 
Income Fund
   
Value Fund
   
Value Fund
   
Equity Fund
   
Income Fund
   
Yield Fund
 
                                 
                                 
$ 653,069     $ 1,301,840     $ 1,165,754,270     $ 697,379,707     $ 63,606,359     $ 29,408,640  
                    11,956,963              
  244       260       224,717       1,079,270              
                                             
        12,533                          
              4,395,953       6,127,509       270,727        
  2,215       3,322       6,162,720       2,263,838       666,805       352,279  
        86       30,450       298              
  98       159       229,555       172,036              
  18,834       22,966                         1,219  
  22,502       50,761       162,506       74,877       35,567       26,899  
  696,962       1,391,927       1,176,960,171       719,054,498       64,579,458       29,789,037  
                                             
                                             
  3,821       1,644       11,886,135       2,049,467              
              4,937,298       1,075,385       126,397       23  
              880,535       597,047       960        
              257,859       105,183       536       976  
  8,424       8,424       7,519       7,513       7,518       7,515  
  82       19       130,574       18,117       1,622       1,547  
  148       328       713,680       230,258              
                                 
  31,656       31,659       226,146       186,676       58,064       49,483  
  44,131       42,074       19,039,746       4,269,646       195,097       59,544  
$ 652,831     $ 1,349,853     $ 1,157,920,425     $ 714,784,852     $ 64,384,361     $ 29,729,493  
                                             
$ 624,934     $ 1,295,620     $ 1,466,802,253     $ 731,843,708     $ 62,417,469     $ 28,869,155  
  745       163       (4,699,702 )     (10,223,368 )     (23,980 )     (17,976 )
  1,360       12,096       (18,528,888 )     10,443,682       (53,602 )     339,762  
                                             
  25,818       42,010       (285,604,406 )     (17,245,021 )     2,044,474       538,552  
  (26 )     (36 )     (48,832 )     (34,149 )            
$ 652,831     $ 1,349,853     $ 1,157,920,425     $ 714,784,852     $ 64,384,361     $ 29,729,493  
                                             
                                             
$ 100     $ 99     $ 231,028,716     $ 58,787,186     $ 2,109,744     $ 2,079,018  
  9       9       30,404,430       4,550,469       226,710       201,485  
$ 10.52     $ 10.46     $ 7.60     $ 12.92     $ 9.31     $ 10.32  
$ 11.16     $ 11.10     $ 8.06     $ 13.71     $ 9.67     $ 10.72  
                                             
$ 106     $ 104     $ 22,767,357     $ 13,517,648       N/A       N/A  
  10       10       3,017,209       1,057,997              
$ 10.52     $ 10.43     $ 7.55     $ 12.78       N/A       N/A  
                                             
  N/A       N/A       N/A       N/A     $ 1,981,709       N/A  
                          211,057        
  N/A       N/A       N/A       N/A     $ 9.39       N/A  
                                             
$ 652,625     $ 1,349,650     $ 904,124,352     $ 642,480,018     $ 60,292,908     $ 27,650,475  
  62,144       129,357       118,651,829       49,610,524       6,438,215       2,680,301  
$ 10.50     $ 10.43     $ 7.62     $ 12.95     $ 9.36     $ 10.32  
                                             
                                             
$ 627,252     $ 1,259,829     $ 1,451,348,823     $ 711,264,874     $ 61,561,885     $ 28,870,089  
                    15,295,211              
  244       260       234,570       1,100,875              

The accompanying notes to financial statements are an integral part of this statement.

 
97

 

Brandes Investment Trust

STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS — For the Six Months Ended March 31, 2015 (Unaudited)


   
Brandes
   
Brandes
 
   
International
   
Global
 
   
Equity Fund
   
Equity Fund
 
INVESTMENT INCOME
           
Income
           
Dividend income
           
Unaffiliated issuers
  $ 5,978,981     $ 557,778  
Affiliated issuers
           
Less: foreign taxes withheld
    (623,396 )     (44,473 )
Interest income
           
Less: Foreign taxes withheld
           
Income from securities lending
    55,042       2,860  
Miscellaneous Income
           
Total Income
    5,410,627       516,165  
                 
Expenses
               
Advisory fees (Note 3)
    2,096,185       204,055  
Custody fees
    33,748       3,146  
Administration fees (Note 3)
    63,026       6,319  
Insurance expense
    8,452       888  
Legal fees
    6,521       6,428  
Printing fees
    15,233       2,285  
Miscellaneous
    23,394       2,963  
Registration expense
    44,737       31,157  
Trustee fees
    19,128       19,128  
Transfer agent fees
    60,259       32,121  
12b-1 Fees – Class A
    11,970       2,940  
12b-1 Fees – Class C
    21,860       5,988  
Shareholder Service Fees – Class C
    7,287       1,996  
Shareholder Service Fees – Class E
    5,012        
Shareholder Service Fees – Class I
    126,158       11,701  
Accounting fees
    37,738       33,347  
Auditing fees
    20,537       18,191  
Organizational costs
           
Total expenses
    2,601,245       382,653  
Expense recoupment (reimbursement / waiver)
    59,481       (116,336 )
Total expenses net of recoupment / reimbursement / waiver
    2,660,726       266,317  
Net investment income
    2,749,901       249,848  
REALIZED AND UNREALIZED GAIN (LOSS) ON INVESTMENTS
               
Net realized gain (loss) on:
               
Unaffiliated Investments
    19,634,436       1,163,106  
Less: Foreign taxes withheld
           
Foreign currency transactions
    (167,655 )     (10,876 )
Net realized gain (loss)
    19,466,781       1,152,230  
Net change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on:
               
Investments
    (17,071,495 )     (1,028,764 )
Foreign currency transactions
    (85,796 )     (1,861 )
Net unrealized appreciation (depreciation)
    (17,157,291 )     (1,030,625 )
Net realized and unrealized gain (loss) on
               
  investments and foreign currency transactions
    2,309,490       121,605  
Net Increase (Decrease) in net assets resulting from operations
  $ 5,059,391     $ 371,453  

The accompanying notes to financial statements are an integral part of this statement.

 
98

 

Brandes Investment Trust

STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS — For the Six Months Ended March 31, 2015 (Unaudited) (continued)


     
Brandes
   
Brandes
   
Brandes
             
Brandes
   
Global
   
Emerging
   
International
   
Brandes
   
Brandes
 
Global Equity
   
Opportunities
   
Markets
   
Small Cap
   
Core Plus Fixed
   
Credit Focus
 
Income Fund*
   
Value Fund*
   
Value Fund
   
Equity Fund
   
Income Fund
   
Yield Fund
 
                                 
                                 
                                 
$ 4,695     $ 4,803     $ 14,207,261     $ 5,387,756     $ 15,484     $ 21,419  
                    97,876              
  (286 )     (423 )     (1,314,114 )     (507,353 )            
              12,301       3,772       777,976       443,919  
              (1,844 )     (632 )            
              72,701       22,707              
              2,368                    
  4,409       4,380       12,978,673       5,004,126       793,460       465,338  
                                             
  1,165       3,007       6,033,633       3,018,470       100,802       73,300  
  600       600       264,605       59,367       3,389       2,417  
  258       348       166,613       72,812       5,954       3,460  
  84       84       17,796       6,869       728       613  
  4,122       4,122       6,521       6,521       6,521       6,521  
  630       643       43,060       16,612       3,047       1,614  
  222       222       48,207       20,252       2,453       1,690  
  1,794       15,606       83,246       48,369       24,746       19,440  
  8,424       8,424       19,128       19,128       19,128       19,128  
  11,730       11,730       296,937       74,544       24,909       16,044  
              297,772       62,337       2,906       2,574  
              88,352       46,837       N/A       N/A  
              29,451       15,612       N/A       N/A  
  N/A       N/A       N/A       N/A       2,415       N/A  
  73       158       252,115       143,277       13,336        
  12,612       12,816       39,635       36,174       29,110       23,420  
  11,388       11,466       21,341       19,250       17,839       18,675  
  3,960       3,960                          
  57,062       73,186       7,708,412       3,666,431       257,283       188,896  
  (55,605 )     (69,545 )     (180,642 )     107,743       (109,024 )     (83,701 )
  1,457       3,641       7,527,770       3,774,174       148,259       105,195  
  2,952       739       5,450,903       1,229,952       645,201       360,143  
                                             
                                             
  2,129       12,191       (15,966,258 )     11,341,092       (20,087 )     (22,851 )
              (1,079,832 )     (361,013 )            
  (769 )     (95 )     (688,744 )     (359,482 )            
  1,360       12,096       (17,734,834 )     10,620,597       (20,087 )     (22,851 )
                                             
  25,818       42,010       (245,558,380 )     (11,596,763 )     872,325       292,114  
  (26 )     (36 )     (71,402 )     (11,913 )            
  25,792       41,974       (245,629,782 )     (11,608,676 )     872,325       292,114  
                                             
  27,152       54,070       (263,364,616 )     (988,079 )     852,238       269,263  
$ 30,104     $ 54,809     $ (257,913,713 )   $ 241,873     $ 1,497,439     $ 629,406  

*
Commenced operations on December 31, 2014.
 
The accompanying notes to financial statements are an integral part of this statement.

 
99

 

Brandes Investment Trust

STATEMENTS OF CHANGES IN NET ASSETS


   
Brandes International
   
Brandes Global
 
   
Equity Fund
   
Equity Fund
 
   
Six Months
         
Six Months
       
   
Ended
   
Year Ended
   
Ended
   
Year Ended
 
   
March 31,
   
September 30,
   
March 31,
   
September 30,
 
   
2015
   
2014
   
2015
   
2014
 
   
(Unaudited)
         
(Unaudited)
       
INCREASE (DECREASE)
                       
  IN NET ASSETS FROM:
                       
OPERATIONS
                       
Net investment income
  $ 2,749,901     $ 10,413,305     $ 249,848     $ 878,721  
Net realized gain (loss) on:
                               
Investments
    19,634,436       33,848,011       1,163,106       3,316,811  
Foreign currency transactions
    (167,655 )     18,836       (10,876 )     (4,421 )
Net unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on:
                               
Investments
    (17,071,495 )     (23,231,886 )     (1,028,764 )     80,193  
Foreign currency transactions
    (85,796 )     (98,917 )     (1,861 )     (2,210 )
Net increase (decrease) in
                               
  net assets resulting from operations
    5,059,391       20,949,349       371,453       4,269,094  
DISTRIBUTIONS TO SHAREHOLDERS
                               
From net investment income
                               
Class A
    (50,994 )     (137,511 )     (9,788 )     (17,182 )
Class C
    (11,372 )     (47,135 )     (1,900 )     (8,383 )
Class E
    (3,960 )     (582,874 )     (1,277 )     (5,218 )
Class I
    (2,554,508 )     (10,124,412 )     (223,171 )     (847,446 )
From net realized gains
                               
Class A
                (138,191 )     (10,640 )
Class C
                (95,408 )     (7,095 )
Class E
                (17,354 )     (7,646 )
Class I
                (3,049,426 )     (1,246,167 )
Decrease in net assets from distributions
    (2,620,834 )     (10,891,932 )     (3,536,515 )     (2,149,777 )
CAPITAL SHARE TRANSACTIONS
                               
Proceeds from shares sold
    132,464,192       245,338,668       10,193,178       9,757,277  
Net asset value of shares issued
                               
  on reinvestment of distributions
    2,502,516       10,383,944       3,481,601       2,123,060  
Cost of shares redeemed
    (132,385,841 )     (145,407,840 )     (7,040,013 )     (5,488,100 )
Net increase (decrease) in net assets
                               
  from capital share transactions
    2,580,867       110,314,772       6,634,766       6,392,237  
Total increase (decrease) in net assets
    5,019,424       120,372,189       3,469,704       8,511,554  
NET ASSETS
                               
Beginning of the Period
    547,542,595       427,170,406       48,462,932       39,951,378  
End of the Period
  $ 552,562,019     $ 547,542,595     $ 51,932,636     $ 48,462,932  
Undistributed net investment income (loss)
  $ 214,043     $ 84,975     $ (7,731 )   $ (21,443 )

The accompanying notes to financial statements are an integral part of this statement.

 
100

 

Brandes Investment Trust

STATEMENTS OF CHANGES IN NET ASSETS (continued)


   
Brandes
   
Brandes
             
   
Global
   
Global
             
   
Equity
   
Opportunities
   
Brandes Emerging
 
   
Income Fund
   
Value Fund
   
Markets Value Fund
 
   
Period
   
Period
   
Six Months
       
   
Ended
   
Ended
   
Ended
   
Year Ended
 
   
March 31,
   
March 31,
   
March 31,
   
September 30,
 
      2015*       2015*       2015       2014  
   
(Unaudited)
   
(Unaudited)
   
(Unaudited)
         
INCREASE (DECREASE)
                               
  IN NET ASSETS FROM:
                               
OPERATIONS
                               
Net investment income
  $ 2,952     $ 739     $ 5,450,903     $ 10,785,266  
Net realized gain (loss) on:
                               
Investments
    2,129       12,191       (17,046,090 )     35,538,876  
Foreign currency transactions
    (769 )     (95 )     (688,744 )     (827,023 )
Net unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on:
                               
Investments
    25,818       42,010       (245,558,380 )     (29,506,075 )
Foreign currency transactions
    (26 )     (36 )     (71,402 )     18,722  
Net increase (decrease) in
                               
  net assets resulting from operations
    30,104       54,809       (257,913,713 )     16,009,766  
DISTRIBUTIONS TO SHAREHOLDERS
                               
From net investment income
                               
Class A
                (1,588,313 )     (2,615,745 )
Class C
                (98,601 )     (64,361 )
Class E
    N/A       N/A       N/A       N/A  
Class I
    (2,207 )     (576 )     (7,096,774 )     (8,867,606 )
From net realized gains
                               
Class A
                (6,331,579 )     (3,436,586 )
Class C
                (637,122 )     (192,219 )
Class E
    N/A       N/A       N/A       N/A  
Class I
                (29,027,390 )     (8,404,316 )
Decrease in net assets from distributions
    (2,207 )     (576 )     (44,779,779 )     (23,580,833 )
CAPITAL SHARE TRANSACTIONS
                               
Proceeds from shares sold
    622,810       1,295,063       518,941,584       1,315,778,422  
Net asset value of shares issued
                               
  on reinvestment of distributions
    2,124       557       37,408,351       19,941,158  
Cost of shares redeemed
                (532,203,394 )     (316,393,013 )
Net increase (decrease) in net assets
                               
  from capital share transactions
    624,934       1,295,620       24,146,541       1,019,326,567  
Total increase (decrease) in net assets
    652,831       1,349,853       (278,546,951 )     1,011,755,500  
NET ASSETS
                               
Beginning of the Period
                1,436,467,376       424,711,876  
End of the Period
  $ 652,831     $ 1,349,853     $ 1,157,920,425     $ 1,436,467,376  
Undistributed net investment income (loss)
  $ 745     $ 163     $ (4,699,702 )   $ (1,366,917 )

*
Commenced operations on December 31, 2014.
 
The accompanying notes to financial statements are an integral part of this statement.
 
 
101

 

Brandes Investment Trust

STATEMENTS OF CHANGES IN NET ASSETS (continued)


   
Brandes International
   
Brandes Core Plus
   
Brandes Credit
 
   
Small Cap Equity Fund
   
Fixed Income Fund
   
Focus Yield Fund
 
   
Six Months
         
Six Months
         
Six Months
       
   
Ended
   
Year Ended
   
Ended
   
Year Ended
   
Ended
   
Year Ended
 
   
March 31,
   
September 30,
   
March 31,
   
September 30,
   
March 31,
   
September 30,
 
   
2015
   
2014
   
2015
   
2014
   
2015
   
2014
 
   
(Unaudited)
         
(Unaudited)
         
(Unaudited)
       
INCREASE (DECREASE)
                                   
  IN NET ASSETS FROM:
                                   
OPERATIONS
                                   
Net investment income
  $ 1,229,952     $ 2,090,106     $ 645,201     $ 1,070,771     $ 360,143     $ 680,279  
Net realized gain (loss) on:
                                               
Investments
    10,980,079       22,025,942       (20,087 )     268,032       (22,851 )     (31,479 )
Foreign currency
                                               
  transactions
    (359,482 )     (280,836 )                        
Net unrealized appreciation
                                               
  (depreciation) on:
                                               
Investments
    (11,596,763 )     (22,197,417 )     872,325       21,514       292,114       324,614  
Foreign currency
                                               
  transactions
    (11,913 )     (24,270 )                        
Net increase (decrease)
                                               
  in net assets resulting
                                               
  from operations
    241,873       1,613,525       1,497,439       1,360,317       629,406       973,414  
DISTRIBUTIONS TO
                                               
  SHAREHOLDERS
                                               
From net investment income
                                               
Class A
    (506,800 )     (1,329,555 )     (24,977 )     (106,126 )     (22,890 )     (80,806 )
Class C
    (134,560 )     (76,478 )     N/A       N/A       N/A       N/A  
Class E
    N/A       N/A       (20,791 )     (42,889 )     N/A       N/A  
Class I
    (6,823,699 )     (4,409,777 )     (647,111 )     (908,581 )     (353,230 )     (596,498 )
From net realized gains
                                               
Class A
    (1,474,067 )     (2,789,921 )     (11,199 )     (2,526 )     (1,319 )     (5,066 )
Class C
    (411,606 )     (158,354 )     N/A       N/A       N/A       N/A  
Class E
    N/A       N/A       (9,854 )     (2,065 )     N/A       N/A  
Class I
    (17,794,096 )     (6,063,124 )     (268,926 )     (45,217 )     (17,275 )     (30,148 )
Decrease in net assets
                                               
  from distributions
    (27,144,828 )     (14,827,209 )     (982,858 )     (1,107,404 )     (394,714 )     (712,518 )
CAPITAL SHARE
                                               
  TRANSACTIONS
                                               
Proceeds from shares sold
    307,317,916       627,248,875       22,681,230       32,926,424       310,825       2,818,032  
Net asset value of shares
                                               
  issued on reinvestment
                                               
  of distributions
    26,046,971       13,074,103       972,168       1,090,276       386,983       712,460  
Cost of shares redeemed
    (222,010,852 )     (110,973,357 )     (7,052,910 )     (19,281,897 )     (259,060 )     (4,162,393 )
Net increase (decrease) in
                                               
  net assets from capital
                                               
  share transactions
    111,354,035       529,349,621       16,600,488       14,734,803       438,748       (631,901 )
Total increase (decrease)
                                               
  in net assets
    84,451,080       516,135,937       17,115,069       14,987,716       673,440       (371,005 )
NET ASSETS
                                               
Beginning of the Period
    630,333,772       114,197,835       47,269,292       32,281,576       29,056,053       29,427,058  
End of the Period
  $ 714,784,852     $ 630,333,772     $ 64,384,361     $ 47,269,292     $ 29,729,493     $ 29,056,053  
Undistributed
                                               
  net investment
                                               
  income (loss)
  $ (10,223,368 )   $ (3,988,261 )   $ (23,980 )   $ 23,698     $ (17,976 )   $ (1,999 )

The accompanying notes to financial statements are an integral part of this statement.

 
102

 
















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103

 

Brandes Investment Trust

FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS For a capital share outstanding for the period ended:


               
Net
             
   
Net asset
         
realized and
         
Dividends
 
   
value,
   
Net
   
unrealized
   
Total from
   
from net
 
   
beginning
   
investment
   
gain/(loss) on
   
investment
   
investment
 
   
of period
   
income(5)
   
investments
   
operations
   
income
 
Brandes International Equity Fund
                             
Class A(8)
                             
  3/31/2015 (Unaudited)
  $ 16.58       0.07       0.11       0.18       (0.07 )
  9/30/14
  $ 16.03       0.33       0.56       0.89       (0.34 )
  9/30/13
  $ 13.50       0.34       3.02       3.36       (0.83 )
  9/30/12
  $ 13.00       0.38       0.76       1.14       (0.64 )
  1/31/2011(3) – 9/30/2011
  $ 15.74       0.26       (3.00 )     (2.74 )      
Class C
                                       
  3/31/2015 (Unaudited)
  $ 16.48       0.01       0.11       0.12       (0.03 )
  9/30/14
  $ 15.98       0.20       0.55       0.75       (0.25 )
  1/31/2013(3) – 9/30/2013
  $ 14.30       0.15       1.84       1.99       (0.31 )
Class E
                                       
  3/31/2015 (Unaudited)
  $ 16.56       0.07       0.09       0.16       (0.04 )
  9/30/14
  $ 16.01       0.33       0.54       0.87       (0.32 )
  9/30/13
  $ 13.48       0.33       3.03       3.36       (0.84 )
  9/30/12
  $ 12.97       0.41       0.74       1.15       (0.64 )
  9/30/11
  $ 14.91       0.37       (1.96 )     (1.59 )     (0.35 )
  9/30/10
  $ 15.24       0.33       (0.40 )     (0.07 )     (0.26 )
Class I
                                       
  3/31/2015 (Unaudited)
  $ 16.60       0.09       0.11       0.20       (0.08 )
  9/30/14
  $ 16.05       0.36       0.56       0.92       (0.37 )
  9/30/13
  $ 13.50       0.35       3.04       3.39       (0.84 )
  9/30/12
  $ 12.99       0.41       0.76       1.17       (0.66 )
  9/30/11
  $ 14.92       0.40       (1.98 )     (1.58 )     (0.35 )
  9/30/10
  $ 15.24       0.32       (0.38 )     (0.06 )     (0.26 )
 

(1)
Not annualized.
(2)
Annualized.
(3)
Commencement of operations.
(4)
After fees waived and expenses absorbed or recouped by the Advisor, where applicable.
(5)
Net investment income (loss) per share has been calculated based on average shares outstanding during the period.
(6)
The total return calculation does not reflect the sales loads that may be imposed on Class A or C shares (see Note 7 of the Notes to Financial Statements).
(7)
The Total return figure is the since inception return for the class which commenced operations on January 31, 2013.
(8)
Prior to January 31, 2013, Class A shares were known as Class S shares.

The accompanying notes to financial statements are an integral part of this statement.

 
104

 

Brandes Investment Trust

FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS For a capital share outstanding for the period ended:


                                   
Ratio of net
       
                                   
investment
       
                             
Ratio of
   
income
       
                       
Ratio of net
   
expenses (prior
   
(prior to
       
           
Net assets,
   
Ratio of
   
investment
   
to reimburse-
   
reimburse-
       
Net asset
         
end of
   
net expenses
   
income
   
ments)
   
ments) to
   
Portfolio
 
value, end
   
Total
   
period
   
to average
   
to average
   
to average
   
average
   
turnover
 
of period
   
return(6)
   
(millions)
   
net assets(4)
   
net assets(4)
   
net assets
   
net assets
   
rate
 
                                             
                                             
$ 16.69       1.03 %(1)   $ 13.1       1.18 %(2)     0.88 %(2)     1.18 %(2)     0.88 %(2)     18.75 %(1)
$ 16.58       5.47 %   $ 9.0       1.19 %     1.92 %     1.18 %     1.93 %     39.53 %
$ 16.03       26.06 %   $ 0.7       1.23 %     2.25 %     1.31 %     2.17 %     19.43 %
$ 13.50       8.94 %   $       1.40 %     2.86 %     1.45 %     2.81 %     13.47 %
$ 13.00       (17.41 )%(1)   $       1.30 %(2)     2.54 %(2)     1.30 %(2)     2.54 %(2)     4.99 %(1)
                                                             
$ 16.57       0.59 %(1)   $ 8.2       1.93 %(2)     0.12 %(2)     1.92 %(2)     0.13 %(2)     18.75 %(1)
$ 16.48       4.64 %   $ 4.3       1.93 %     1.19 %     1.93 %     1.19 %     39.53 %
$ 15.98       14.17 %(7)   $ 0.1       1.95 %(2)     1.53 %(2)     1.97 %(2)     1.51 %(2)     19.43 %(1)
                                                             
$ 16.68       0.84 %(1)   $ 1.8       1.18 %(2)     0.89 %(2)     1.18 %(2)     0.89 %(2)     18.75 %(1)
$ 16.56       5.38 %   $ 12.3       1.19 %     1.93 %     1.18 %     1.94 %     39.53 %
$ 16.01       26.15 %   $ 22.0       1.22 %     2.26 %     1.23 %     2.25 %     19.43 %
$ 13.48       9.05 %   $ 6.6       1.18 %     3.09 %     1.23 %     3.04 %     13.47 %
$ 12.97       (11.04 )%   $ 4.4       1.32 %     2.40 %     1.32 %     2.40 %     4.99 %
$ 14.91       (0.44 )%   $ 0.9       1.19 %     2.36 %     1.19 %     2.36 %     29.15 %
                                                             
$ 16.72       1.09 %(1)   $ 529.5       1.00 %(2)     1.07 %(2)     0.98 %(2)     1.09 %(2)     18.75 %(1)
$ 16.60       5.61 %   $ 521.9       1.00 %     2.12 %     0.99 %     2.13 %     39.53 %
$ 16.05       26.43 %   $ 404.4       1.03 %     2.45 %     1.15 %     2.33 %     19.43 %
$ 13.50       9.09 %   $ 352.7       1.16 %     3.11 %     1.21 %     3.06 %     13.47 %
$ 12.99       (10.95 )%   $ 454.7       1.14 %     2.58 %     1.14 %     2.58 %     4.99 %
$ 14.92       (0.37 )%   $ 771.7       1.13 %     2.19 %     1.13 %     2.19 %     29.15 %

The accompanying notes to financial statements are an integral part of this statement.

 
105

 

Brandes Investment Trust

FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS For a capital share outstanding for the period ended:


               
Net
                   
   
Net asset
         
realized and
         
Dividends
   
Dividends
 
   
value,
   
Net
   
unrealized
   
Total from
   
from net
   
from net
 
   
beginning
   
investment
   
gain/(loss) on
   
investment
   
investment
   
realized
 
   
of period
   
income(5)
   
investments
   
operations
   
income
   
gains
 
Brandes Global Equity Fund
                                   
Class A(8)
                                   
  3/31/2015 (Unaudited)
  $ 25.43       0.09       0.01       0.10       (0.09 )     (1.62 )
  9/30/14
  $ 24.20       0.43       2.00       2.43       (0.44 )     (0.76 )
  9/30/13
  $ 20.27       0.38       4.80       5.18       (0.91 )     (0.34 )
  9/30/12
  $ 19.19       0.43       2.22       2.65       (0.44 )     (1.13 )
  1/31/2011(3) – 9/30/2011
  $ 22.34       0.29       (3.44 )     (3.15 )            
Class C
                                               
  3/31/2015 (Unaudited)
  $ 25.31       0.00       0.01       0.01       (0.02 )     (1.62 )
  9/30/14
  $ 24.14       0.24       1.99       2.23       (0.30 )     (0.76 )
  1/31/2013(3) – 9/30/2013
  $ 21.21       0.15       3.12       3.27       (0.34 )      
Class E
                                               
  3/31/2015 (Unaudited)
  $ 25.16       0.09       0.01       0.10       (0.12 )     (1.62 )
  9/30/14
  $ 24.00       0.43       1.99       2.42       (0.50 )     (0.76 )
  9/30/13
  $ 20.17       0.37       4.77       5.14       (0.97 )     (0.34 )
  9/30/12
  $ 19.13       0.44       2.20       2.64       (0.47 )     (1.13 )
  9/30/11
  $ 21.73       0.51       (1.59 )     (1.08 )     (0.44 )     (1.08 )
  9/30/10
  $ 21.25       0.37       0.50       0.87       (0.39 )      
Class I
                                               
  3/31/2015 (Unaudited)
  $ 25.52       0.12       0.01       0.13       (0.11 )     (1.62 )
  9/30/14
  $ 24.26       0.50       2.00       2.50       (0.48 )     (0.76 )
  9/30/13
  $ 20.33       0.43       4.81       5.24       (0.98 )     (0.34 )
  9/30/12
  $ 19.22       0.49       2.22       2.71       (0.47 )     (1.13 )
  9/30/11
  $ 21.76       0.51       (1.53 )     (1.02 )     (0.44 )     (1.08 )
  9/30/10
  $ 21.24       0.42       0.48       0.90       (0.38 )      
 

(1)
Not annualized.
(2)
Annualized.
(3)
Commencement of operations.
(4)
After fees waived and expenses absorbed or recouped by the Advisor, where applicable.
(5)
Net investment income (loss) per share has been calculated based on average shares outstanding during the period.
(6)
The total return calculation does not reflect the sales loads that may be imposed on Class A or C shares (see Note 7 of the Notes to Financial Statements).
(7)
The Total return figure is the since inception return for the class which commenced operations on January 31, 2013.
(8)
Prior to January 31, 2013, Class A shares were known as Class S shares.

The accompanying notes to financial statements are an integral part of this statement.

 
106

 

Brandes Investment Trust

FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS For a capital share outstanding for the period ended:


                                   
Ratio of net
       
                                   
investment
       
                             
Ratio of
   
income
       
                       
Ratio of net
   
expenses (prior
   
(prior to
       
           
Net assets,
   
Ratio of
   
investment
   
to reimburse-
   
reimburse-
       
Net asset
         
end of
   
net expenses
   
income
   
ments)
   
ments) to
   
Portfolio
 
value, end
   
Total
   
period
   
to average
   
to average
   
to average
   
average
   
turnover
 
of period
   
return(6)
   
(millions)
   
net assets(4)
   
net assets(4)
   
net assets
   
net assets
   
rate
 
                                             
                                             
$ 23.82       0.39 %(1)   $ 2.5       1.25 %(2)     0.77 %(2)     1.65 %(2)     0.37 %(2)     15.19 %(1)
$ 25.43       10.18 %   $ 1.2       1.25 %     1.67 %     1.71 %     1.21 %     30.33 %
$ 24.20       26.81 %   $ 0.3       1.25 %     1.72 %     1.97 %     1.00 %     24.37 %
$ 20.27       14.38 %   $ 0.1       1.25 %     2.23 %     2.00 %     1.47 %     18.00 %
$ 19.19       (14.10 )%(1)   $       1.25 %(2)     2.05 %(2)     1.74 %(2)     1.56 %(2)     23.94 %(1)
                                                             
$ 23.68       0.02 %(1)   $ 1.9       2.00 %(2)     0.02 %(2)     2.40 %(2)     (0.38 )%(2)     15.19 %(1)
$ 25.31       9.34 %   $ 1.1       2.00 %     0.92 %     2.46 %     0.46 %     30.33 %
$ 24.14       15.55 %(7)   $ 0.1       2.00 %(2)     0.97 %(2)     2.71 %(2)     0.26 %(2)     24.37 %(1)
                                                             
$ 23.52       0.38 %(1)   $ 0.3       1.25 %(2)     0.77 %(2)     1.41 %(2)     0.61 %(2)     15.19 %(1)
$ 25.16       10.20 %   $ 0.3       1.25 %     1.68 %     1.48 %     1.45 %     30.33 %
$ 24.00       26.80 %   $ 0.2       1.25 %     1.71 %     1.76 %     1.20 %     24.37 %
$ 20.17       14.35 %   $ 0.2       1.25 %     2.23 %     1.69 %     1.78 %     18.00 %
$ 19.13       (5.80 )%   $ 0.2       1.25 %     2.05 %     1.69 %     1.62 %     23.94 %
$ 21.73       4.08 %   $ 0.1       1.20 %     1.78 %     1.41 %     1.57 %     16.87 %
                                                             
$ 23.92       0.52 %(1)   $ 47.2       1.00 %(2)     1.02 %(2)     1.46 %(2)     0.56 %(2)     15.19 %(1)
$ 25.52       10.46 %   $ 45.9       1.00 %     1.93 %     1.53 %     1.40 %     30.33 %
$ 24.26       27.12 %   $ 39.4       1.00 %     1.96 %     1.75 %     1.21 %     24.37 %
$ 20.33       14.67 %   $ 30.1       1.00 %     2.47 %     1.68 %     1.79 %     18.00 %
$ 19.22       (5.51 )%   $ 36.4       1.00 %     2.30 %     1.44 %     1.86 %     23.94 %
$ 21.76       4.28 %   $ 41.0       1.00 %     2.00 %     1.41 %     1.59 %     16.87 %

The accompanying notes to financial statements are an integral part of this statement.

 
107

 

Brandes Investment Trust

FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS For a capital share outstanding for the period ended:

 
               
Net
             
   
Net asset
         
realized and
         
Dividends
 
   
value,
   
Net
   
unrealized
   
Total from
   
from net
 
   
beginning
   
investment
   
gain/(loss) on
   
investment
   
investment
 
   
of period
   
income(5)
   
investments
   
operations
   
income
 
Brandes Global Equity Income Fund
                             
Class A
                             
  12/31/2014(3)
                             
    3/31/2015 (Unaudited)
  $ 10.00       0.05       0.51       0.56       (0.04 )
Class C
                                       
  12/31/2014(3)
                                       
    3/31/2015 (Unaudited)
  $ 10.00       0.05       0.51       0.56       (0.04 )
Class I
                                       
  12/31/2014(3)
                                       
    3/31/2015 (Unaudited)
  $ 10.00       0.05       0.49       0.54       (0.04 )
                                         
Brandes Global Opportunities Value Fund
                                       
Class A
                                       
  12/31/2014(3)
                                       
    3/31/2015 (Unaudited)
  $ 10.00       0.01       0.46       0.47       (0.01 )
Class C
                                       
  12/31/2014(3)
                                       
    3/31/2015 (Unaudited)
  $ 10.00       0.01       0.43       0.44       (0.01 )
Class I
                                       
  12/31/2014(3)
                                       
    3/31/2015 (Unaudited)
  $ 10.00       0.01       0.43       0.44       (0.01 )
 

(1)
Not annualized.
(2)
Annualized.
(3)
Commencement of operations.
(4)
After fees waived and expenses absorbed or recouped by the Advisor, where applicable.
(5)
Net investment income (loss) per share has been calculated based on average shares outstanding during the period.
(6)
The total return calculation does not reflect the sales loads that may be imposed on Class A or C shares (see Note 7 of the Notes to Financial Statements).
(7)
The Total return figure is the since inception return for the class which commenced operations on December 31, 2014.

The accompanying notes to financial statements are an integral part of this statement.

 
108

 

Brandes Investment Trust

FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS For a capital share outstanding for the period ended:


                                   
Ratio of net
       
                                   
investment
       
                             
Ratio of
   
income
       
                       
Ratio of net
   
expenses (prior
   
(prior to
       
           
Net assets,
   
Ratio of
   
investment
   
to reimburse-
   
reimburse-
       
Net asset
         
end of
   
net expenses
   
income
   
ments)
   
ments) to
   
Portfolio
 
value, end
   
Total
   
period
   
to average
   
to average
   
to average
   
average
   
turnover
 
of period
   
return(6)(7)
   
(millions)
   
net assets(2)(4)
   
net assets(2)(4)
   
net assets(2)
   
net assets(2)
   
rate(1)
 
                                             
                                             
                                             
$ 10.52       5.57 %   $       1.25 %     1.83 %     38.84 %     (35.76 )%     4.18 %
                                                             
                                                             
$ 10.52       5.57 %   $       2.00 %     1.08 %     39.59 %     (36.51 )%     4.18 %
                                                             
                                                             
$ 10.50       5.36 %   $ 0.7       1.00 %     2.03 %     38.64 %     (35.61 )%     4.18 %
                                                             
                                                             
                                                             
$ 10.46       4.66 %   $       1.40 %     0.03 %     25.32 %     (21.89 )%     7.54 %
                                                             
                                                             
$ 10.43       4.36 %   $       2.15 %     (0.72 )%     24.07 %     (22.64 )%     7.54 %
                                                             
                                                             
$ 10.43       4.34 %   $ 1.3       1.15 %     0.23 %     23.12 %     (21.74 )%     7.54 %

The accompanying notes to financial statements are an integral part of this statement.

 
109

 

Brandes Investment Trust

FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS For a capital share outstanding for the period ended:

 
               
Net
   
Net
                   
   
Net asset
         
realized and
   
increase
         
Dividends
   
Dividends
 
   
value,
   
Net
   
unrealized
   
from
   
Total from
   
from net
   
from net
 
   
beginning
   
investment
   
gain/(loss) on
   
payments
   
investment
   
investment
   
realized
 
   
of period
   
income(5)
   
investments
   
by affiliates
   
operations
   
income
   
gains
 
Brandes Emerging Markets Value Fund
                               
Class A(8)
                                         
  3/31/2015 (Unaudited)
  $ 9.56       0.03       (1.70 )           (1.67 )     (0.06 )     (0.23 )
  9/30/14
  $ 9.23       0.11       0.53             0.64       (0.10 )     (0.21 )
  9/30/13
  $ 8.96       0.11       0.59             0.70       (0.22 )     (0.21 )
  9/30/12
  $ 7.85       0.17       1.10             1.27       (0.08 )     (0.08 )
  1/31/2011(3) – 9/30/2011
  $ 10.00       0.14       (2.29 )     (9)     (2.15 )            
Class C
                                                       
  3/31/2015 (Unaudited)
  $ 9.51       0.00       (1.69 )           (1.69 )     (0.04 )     (0.23 )
  9/30/14
  $ 9.19       0.03       0.54             0.57       (0.04 )     (0.21 )
  1/31/2013(3) – 9/30/2013
  $ 9.54       0.02       (0.30 )           (0.28 )     (0.07 )      
Class I
                                                       
  3/31/2015 (Unaudited)
  $ 9.58       0.04       (1.71 )           (1.67 )     (0.06 )     (0.23 )
  9/30/14
  $ 9.24       0.13       0.54             0.67       (0.12 )     (0.21 )
  9/30/13
  $ 8.99       0.13       0.56             0.69       (0.23 )     (0.21 )
  9/30/12
  $ 7.86       0.20       1.10             1.30       (0.09 )     (0.08 )
  1/31/2011(3) – 9/30/2011
  $ 10.00       0.15       (2.29 )     (9)     (2.14 )            
                                           
Brandes International Small Cap Equity Fund
                                         
Class A(8)
                                                       
  3/31/2015 (Unaudited)
  $ 13.55       0.01       (0.09 )           (0.08 )     (0.14 )     (0.41 )
  9/30/14
  $ 13.72       0.06       1.02             1.08       (0.36 )     (0.89 )
  9/30/13
  $ 10.56       0.06       3.36             3.42       (0.14 )     (0.12 )
  1/31/2012(3) – 9/30/2012
  $ 10.00       0.10       0.46             0.56              
Class C
                                                       
  3/31/2015 (Unaudited)
  $ 13.45       (0.03 )     (0.10 )           (0.13 )     (0.13 )     (0.41 )
  9/30/14
  $ 13.68       (0.04 )     1.02             0.98       (0.32 )     (0.89 )
  1/31/2013(3) – 9/30/2013
  $ 11.90       (0.02 )     1.83             1.81       (0.03 )      
Class I
                                                       
  3/31/2015 (Unaudited)
  $ 13.58       0.03       (0.10 )           (0.07 )     (0.15 )     (0.41 )
  9/30/14
  $ 13.74       0.09       1.03             1.12       (0.39 )     (0.89 )
  9/30/13
  $ 10.56       0.09       3.37             3.46       (0.16 )     (0.12 )
  1/31/2012(3) – 9/30/2012
  $ 10.00       0.10       0.46             0.56              
 

(1)
Not annualized.
(2)
Annualized.
(3)
Commencement of operations.
(4)
After fees waived and expenses absorbed or recouped by the Advisor, where applicable.
(5)
Net investment income (loss) per share has been calculated based on average shares outstanding during the period.
(6)
The total return calculation does not reflect the sales loads that may be imposed on Class A or C shares (see Note 7 of the Notes to Financial Statements).
(7)
The Total return figure is the since inception return for the class which commenced operations on January 31, 2013.
(8)
Prior to January 31, 2013, Class A shares were known as Class S shares.
(9)
Amount is less than $0.01 per share.

The accompanying notes to financial statements are an integral part of this statement.

 
110

 

Brandes Investment Trust

FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS For a capital share outstanding for the period ended:


                                   
Ratio of net
       
                                   
investment
       
                             
Ratio of
   
income
       
                       
Ratio of net
   
expenses (prior
   
(prior to
       
           
Net assets,
   
Ratio of
   
investment
   
to reimburse-
   
reimburse-
       
Net asset
         
end of
   
net expenses
   
income
   
ments)
   
ments) to
   
Portfolio
 
value, end
   
Total
   
period
   
to average
   
to average
   
to average
   
average
   
turnover
 
of period
   
return(6)
   
(millions)
   
net assets(4)
   
net assets(4)
   
net assets
   
net assets
   
rate
 
                                             
                                             
$ 7.60       (17.84 )%(1)   $ 231.0       1.37 %(2)     0.67 %(2)     1.36 %(2)     0.68 %(2)     21.46 %(1)
$ 9.56       7.09 %   $ 266.9       1.37 %     1.10 %     1.37 %     1.10 %     22.54 %
$ 9.23       8.09 %   $ 131.7       1.37 %     1.16 %     1.46 %     1.07 %     21.74 %
$ 8.96       16.40 %   $ 68.1       1.37 %     2.03 %     1.60 %     1.79 %     28.59 %
$ 7.85       (21.50 )%(1)   $ 38.4       1.37 %(2)     2.12 %(2)     1.64 %(2)     1.85 %(2)     94.70 %(1)
                                                             
$ 7.55       (18.13 )%(1)   $ 22.8       2.11 %(2)     (0.07 )%(2)     2.11 %(2)     (0.07 )%(2)     21.46 %(1)
$ 9.51       6.38 %   $ 25.3       2.12 %     0.35 %     2.13 %     0.34 %     22.54 %
$ 9.19       (2.84 )%(7)   $ 5.3       2.12 %(2)     0.42 %(2)     2.20 %(2)     0.34 %(2)     21.74 %(1)
                                                             
$ 7.62       (17.72 )%(1)   $ 904.1       1.12 %(2)     0.92 %(2)     1.16 %(2)     0.88 %(2)     21.46 %(1)
$ 9.58       7.41 %   $ 1,144.3       1.12 %     1.34 %     1.18 %     1.28 %     22.54 %
$ 9.24       8.20 %   $ 287.7       1.12 %     1.41 %     1.26 %     1.27 %     21.74 %
$ 8.99       16.79 %   $ 134.5       1.12 %     2.26 %     1.35 %     2.03 %     28.59 %
$ 7.86       (21.40 )%(1)   $ 71.9       1.11 %(2)     2.38 %(2)     1.35 %(2)     2.14 %(2)     94.70 %(1)
                                                             
                                                             
$ 12.92       (0.39 )%(1)   $ 58.8       1.40 %(2)     0.18 %(2)     1.32 %(2)     0.26 %(2)     16.54 %(1)
$ 13.55       8.36 %   $ 50.1       1.40 %     0.42 %     1.39 %     0.43 %     24.30 %
$ 13.72       32.98 %   $ 31.2       1.40 %     0.49 %     1.68 %     0.21 %     24.45 %
$ 10.56       5.60 %(1)   $ 38.4       1.40 %(2)     1.19 %(2)     2.16 %(2)     0.43 %(2)     13.55 %(1)
                                                             
$ 12.78       (0.73 )%(1)   $ 13.5       2.08 %(2)     (0.50 )%(2)     2.07 %(2)     (0.49 )%(2)     16.54 %(1)
$ 13.45       7.60 %   $ 12.3       2.14 %     (0.32 )%     2.14 %     (0.32 )%     24.30 %
$ 13.68       15.23 %(7)   $ 1.5       2.15 %(2)     (0.25 )%(2)     2.40 %(2)     (0.50 )%(2)     24.45 %(1)
                                                             
$ 12.95       (0.30 )%(1)   $ 642.5       1.15 %(2)     0.43 %(2)     1.12 %(2)     0.46 %(2)     16.54 %(1)
$ 13.58       8.67 %   $ 567.9       1.15 %     0.67 %     1.18 %     0.64 %     24.30 %
$ 13.74       33.41 %   $ 81.5       1.15 %     0.74 %     1.48 %     0.41 %     24.45 %
$ 10.56       5.60 %(1)   $ 38.4       1.15 %(2)     1.44 %(2)     1.91 %(2)     0.68 %(2)     13.55 %(1)

The accompanying notes to financial statements are an integral part of this statement.

 
111

 
 
Brandes Investment Trust

FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS For a capital share outstanding for the period ended:


               
Net
                   
   
Net asset
         
realized and
         
Dividends
   
Dividends
 
   
value,
   
Net
   
unrealized
   
Total from
   
from net
   
from net
 
   
beginning
   
investment
   
gain/(loss) on
   
investment
   
investment
   
realized
 
   
of period
   
income(5)
   
investments
   
operations
   
income
   
gains
 
Brandes Core Plus Fixed Income Fund
                                   
Class A
                                   
  3/31/2015 (Unaudited)
  $ 9.22       0.10       0.14       0.24       (0.10 )     (0.05 )
  9/30/14
  $ 9.16       0.25       0.06       0.31       (0.24 )     (0.01 )
  1/31/2013(3) – 9/30/2013
  $ 9.43       0.20       (0.28 )     (0.08 )     (0.19 )      
Class E
                                               
  3/31/2015 (Unaudited)
  $ 9.30       0.10       0.14       0.24       (0.10 )     (0.05 )
  9/30/14
  $ 9.21       0.25       0.10       0.35       (0.25 )     (0.01 )
  9/30/13
  $ 9.61       0.30       (0.22 )     0.08       (0.36 )     (0.12 )
  9/30/12
  $ 9.36       0.38       0.50       0.88       (0.44 )     (0.19 )
  9/30/11
  $ 9.66       0.47       (0.12 )     0.35       (0.48 )     (0.17 )
  9/30/10
  $ 8.96       0.54       0.64       1.18       (0.48 )      
Class I
                                               
  3/31/2015 (Unaudited)
  $ 9.28       0.10       0.14       0.24       (0.11 )     (0.05 )
  9/30/14
  $ 9.19       0.27       0.10       0.37       (0.27 )     (0.01 )
  9/30/13
  $ 9.60       0.32       (0.23 )     0.09       (0.38 )     (0.12 )
  9/30/12
  $ 9.35       0.40       0.50       0.90       (0.46 )     (0.19 )
  9/30/11
  $ 9.65       0.49       (0.12 )     0.37       (0.50 )     (0.17 )
  9/30/10
  $ 8.95       0.56       0.64       1.20       (0.50 )      
                                                 
Brandes Credit Focus Yield Fund
                                               
Class A(8)
                                               
  3/31/2015 (Unaudited)
  $ 10.23       0.11       0.10       0.21       (0.11 )     (0.01 )
  9/30/14
  $ 10.15       0.21       0.09       0.30       (0.21 )     (0.01 )
  9/30/13
  $ 10.39       0.19       (0.17 )     0.02       (0.20 )     (0.06 )
  3/2/2012(3) – 9/30/2012
  $ 10.10       0.16       0.29       0.45       (0.16 )      
Class I
                                               
  3/31/2015 (Unaudited)
  $ 10.23       0.13       0.10       0.23       (0.13 )     (0.01 )
  9/30/14
  $ 10.15       0.23       0.09       0.32       (0.23 )     (0.01 )
  9/30/13
  $ 10.39       0.22       (0.18 )     0.04       (0.22 )     (0.06 )
  1/31/2012(3) – 9/30/2012
  $ 10.00       0.23       0.38       0.61       (0.22 )      
 

(1)
Not annualized.
(2)
Annualized.
(3)
Commencement of operations.
(4)
After fees waived and expenses absorbed or recouped by the Advisor, where applicable.
(5)
Net investment income (loss) per share has been calculated based on average shares outstanding during the period.
(6)
The total return calculation does not reflect the sales loads that may be imposed on Class A or C shares (see Note 7 of the Notes to Financial Statements).
(7)
The Total return figure is the since inception return for the class which commenced operations on January 31, 2013.
(8)
Prior to January 31, 2013, Class A shares were known as Class S shares.

The accompanying notes to financial statements are an integral part of this statement.

 
112

 

Brandes Investment Trust

FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS For a capital share outstanding for the period ended:


                                   
Ratio of net
       
                                   
investment
       
                             
Ratio of
   
income
       
                       
Ratio of net
   
expenses (prior
   
(prior to
       
           
Net assets,
   
Ratio of
   
investment
   
to reimburse-
   
reimburse-
       
Net asset
         
end of
   
net expenses
   
income
   
ments)
   
ments) to
   
Portfolio
 
value, end
   
Total
   
period
   
to average
   
to average
   
to average
   
average
   
turnover
 
of period
   
return(6)
   
(millions)
   
net assets(4)
   
net assets(4)
   
net assets
   
net assets
   
rate
 
                                             
                                             
$ 9.31       2.60 %(1)   $ 2.1       0.70 %(2)     2.06 %(2)     1.08 %(2)     1.68 %(2)     3.55 %(1)
$ 9.22       3.52 %   $ 2.1       0.70 %     2.68 %     1.33 %     2.05 %     18.63 %
$ 9.16       (0.88 )%(7)   $ 1.4       0.70 %(2)     3.23 %(2)     1.45 %(2)     2.48 %(2)     33.91 %(1)
                                                             
$ 9.39       2.59 %(1)   $ 2.0       0.70 %(2)     2.05 %(2)     1.08 %(2)     1.67 %(2)     3.55 %(1)
$ 9.30       3.86 %   $ 1.9       0.70 %     2.68 %     1.39 %     1.99 %     18.63 %
$ 9.21       0.79 %   $ 1.2       0.70 %     3.22 %     1.40 %     2.52 %     33.91 %
$ 9.61       9.85 %   $ 6.9       0.70 %     4.06 %     1.45 %     3.33 %     31.59 %
$ 9.36       3.72 %   $ 3.8       0.70 %     4.90 %     1.48 %     4.13 %     91.18 %
$ 9.66       13.47 %   $ 2.7       0.70 %     5.80 %     1.48 %     5.02 %     150.89 %
                                                             
$ 9.36       2.62 %(1)   $ 60.3       0.50 %(2)     2.26 %(2)     0.88 %(2)     1.88 %(2)     3.55 %(1)
$ 9.28       4.10 %   $ 43.3       0.50 %     2.88 %     1.20 %     2.18 %     18.63 %
$ 9.19       0.89 %   $ 29.7       0.50 %     3.43 %     1.23 %     2.70 %     33.91 %
$ 9.60       10.06 %   $ 25.3       0.50 %     4.28 %     1.23 %     3.55 %     31.59 %
$ 9.35       3.94 %   $ 23.2       0.50 %     5.11 %     1.25 %     4.36 %     91.18 %
$ 9.65       13.73 %   $ 24.8       0.50 %     6.00 %     1.25 %     5.25 %     150.89 %
                                                             
                                                             
$ 10.32       2.06 %(1)   $ 2.1       0.95 %     2.22 %     1.52 %     1.65 %     11.57 %(1)
$ 10.23       2.94 %   $ 2.0       0.95 %     2.02 %     1.50 %     1.47 %     26.17 %
$ 10.15       0.13 %   $ 4.2       0.95 %     1.84 %     1.61 %     1.18 %     23.05 %
$ 10.39       4.51 %(1)   $       0.95 %(2)     2.69 %(2)     1.05 %(2)     2.06 %(2)     162.73 %(1)
                                                             
$ 10.32       2.25 %(1)   $ 27.6       0.70 %     2.47 %     1.27 %     1.90 %     11.57 %(1)
$ 10.23       3.20 %   $ 27.1       0.70 %     2.26 %     1.26 %     1.70 %     26.17 %
$ 10.15       0.40 %   $ 25.2       0.70 %     2.09 %     1.42 %     1.37 %     23.05 %
$ 10.39       6.23 %(1)   $ 19.3       0.70 %(2)     3.39 %(2)     2.35 %(2)     1.74 %(2)     162.73 %(1)

The accompanying notes to financial statements are an integral part of this statement.

 
113

 

Brandes Investment Trust

NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Unaudited)

 
NOTE 1 − ORGANIZATION
 
The Brandes International Equity Fund (the “International Fund”), the Brandes Global Equity Fund (the “Global Fund”), the Brandes Global Equity Income Fund (the “Global Income Fund”), the Brandes Global Opportunities Value Fund (the “Global Opportunities Fund”), the Brandes Emerging Markets Value Fund (the “Emerging Markets Fund”), the Brandes International Small Cap Equity Fund (the “International Small Cap Fund”), the Brandes Core Plus Fixed Income Fund (the “Core Plus Fund”) and the Brandes Credit Focus Yield Fund (the “Credit Focus Yield Fund”) (each a “Fund” and collectively the “Funds”) are series of Brandes Investment Trust (the “Trust”). The Trust is registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940 (the “1940 Act”) as a diversified, open-end management investment company.
 
The International Fund, Global Fund, Global Income Fund, Global Opportunities Fund, Emerging Markets Fund, Credit Focus Yield Fund and International Small Cap Fund began operations on January 2, 1997, October 6, 2008, December 31, 2014, December 31, 2014, January 31, 2011, January 31, 2012 and January 31, 2012, respectively. Prior to January 31, 2011 for the Emerging Markets Fund and January 31, 2012 for the International Small Cap and Credit Focus Yield Funds, these Funds’ portfolios were managed as private investment funds with investment objectives, investment policies and strategies that were, in all material respects, equivalent to those of the Emerging Markets Fund, International Small Cap Fund and Credit Focus Yield Fund, respectively. The Core Plus Fund began operations on December 28, 2007.
 
The International Fund and Global Fund have four classes of shares: Class A, Class C, Class E and Class I. The Emerging Markets Fund, Global Income Fund, Global Opportunities Fund and International Small Cap Fund have three classes of shares: Class A, Class C and Class I. The Core Plus Fund has three classes of shares: Class A, Class E and Class I. The Credit Focus Yield Fund has two classes of shares: Class A and Class I. Prior to January 31, 2013, Class A shares were known as Class S shares for the International, Global, Emerging Markets, International Small Cap and Credit Focus Yield Funds (Class A shares have the same operating expenses as Class S shares).
 
The International Fund and Global Fund invest their assets primarily in equity securities of issuers with market capitalizations greater than $1 billion. The International, International Small Cap and Emerging Markets Funds invest their assets in securities of foreign companies, while the Global Fund, Global Income Fund and Global Opportunities Fund invests its assets in securities of foreign and domestic companies. The Core Plus Fund and Credit Focus Yield Fund invest predominantly in debt securities issued by U.S. and foreign companies and debt obligations issued or guaranteed by the U.S. Government and foreign governments and their agencies and instrumentalities.

 
114

 

Brandes Investment Trust

NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Unaudited) (continued)

 
NOTE 2 − SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES
 
The following is a summary of significant accounting policies consistently followed by the Funds. These policies are in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America.
 
A.
Repurchase Agreements. Each Fund may enter into repurchase agreements with government securities dealers recognized by the Federal Reserve Board, with member banks of the Federal Reserve System or with other brokers or dealers that meet the credit guidelines established by the Board of Trustees. Each Fund will always receive and maintain, as collateral, U.S. Government securities whose market value, including accrued interest (which is recorded in the Schedules of Investments), will be at least equal to 100% of the dollar amount invested by the Fund in each agreement, and the Fund will make payment for such securities only upon physical delivery or upon evidence of book entry transfer to the account of the Fund’s custodian. To the extent that the term of any repurchase transaction exceeds one business day, the value of the collateral is marked-to-market on a daily basis to ensure the adequacy of the collateral. Before causing a Fund to enter into a repurchase agreement with any other party, the investment advisor will determine that such party does not have any apparent risk of becoming involved in bankruptcy proceedings within the time frame contemplated by the repurchase agreement. If the seller defaults and the value of the collateral declines, or if bankruptcy proceedings are commenced with respect to the seller of the security, realization of the collateral by the Fund may be delayed or limited.
   
B.
Foreign Currency Translation and Transactions. Values of investments denominated in foreign currencies are converted into U.S. dollars using the spot market rates of exchange at the time of valuation. Purchases and sales of investments and dividend and interest income are translated into U.S. dollars using the spot market rates of exchange prevailing on the respective dates of such translations. The gain or loss resulting from changes in foreign exchange rates is included with net realized and unrealized gain or loss from investments, as appropriate. Foreign securities and currency transactions may involve certain considerations and risks not typically associated with those of domestic origin.
   
 
Foreign securities are recorded in the financial statements after translation to U.S. dollars based on the applicable exchange rate at the end of the period. The Funds report certain foreign currency-related transactions as components of realized gains or losses for financial reporting purposes, whereas such components are treated as ordinary income for federal income tax purposes.

 
115

 

Brandes Investment Trust

NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Unaudited) (continued)


C.
Delayed Delivery Securities. The Funds may purchase securities on a when issued or delayed delivery basis. “When-issued” or delayed delivery refers to securities whose terms are available and for which a market exists, but that have not been issued. For a when-issued or delayed delivery transaction, no payment is made until delivery date, which is typically longer than the normal course of settlement. When a Fund enters into an agreement to purchase securities on a when-issued or delayed delivery basis, the Fund segregates cash or liquid securities, of any type or maturity, equal in value to the Fund’s commitment. Losses may arise if the market value of the underlying securities change, if the counterparty does not perform under the contract, or if the issuer does not issue the securities due to political, economic, or other factors. The Funds did not have any open commitments on delayed delivery securities as of March 31, 2015.
   
D.
Participatory Notes. The International, Global, Global Income, Global Opportunities, Emerging Markets and International Small Cap Funds may invest in participatory notes. Participatory notes are derivative securities which are designed to provide synthetic exposure to one or more underlying securities, subject to the credit risk of the issuing financial institution.
   
 
Investments in participatory notes involve risks normally associated with a direct investment in the underlying securities. In addition, participatory notes are subject to counterparty risk, which is the risk that the broker-dealer or bank that issues the notes will not fulfill its contractual obligation to complete the transaction with the Trust. Participatory notes constitute general unsecured, unsubordinated contractual obligations of the banks or broker-dealers that issue them and generally are issued as an actual note from the financial intermediary or an equity linked warrant (commonly known as a low exercise price option). The Trust is relying on the creditworthiness of such banks or broker-dealers and has no rights under a participatory note against the issuer of the securities underlying such participatory note. The investment advisor has established guidelines for monitoring participatory note exposure for the Funds. Prior to investment in a participatory note, the investment advisor will complete an analysis of the prospective counterparties and once purchased, will continue to monitor creditworthiness on a quarterly basis. The investment advisor requires a minimum credit rating for such counterparties (as determined by rating agencies such as Moody’s, Fitch and S&P) of A.
   
 
The Funds record counterparty credit risk valuation adjustments, if material, on the participatory notes in order to appropriately reflect the credit quality of the counterparty. During the period ended March 31, 2015, the Funds did not make any counterparty credit risk valuation adjustments.


 
116

 

Brandes Investment Trust

NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Unaudited) (continued)


 
The International, Global, Global Income, Global Opportunities, Emerging Markets and International Small Cap Funds did not invest in any participatory notes at March 31, 2015.
   
E.
Security Transactions, Dividends and Distributions. Security transactions are accounted for on the trade dates. Realized gains and losses are evaluated on the bases of identified costs. Dividend income and distributions to shareholders are recorded on the ex-dividend dates. Interest is recorded on an accrual basis. Withholding taxes on foreign dividends and capital gains, which are included as a component of net investment income and realized gain (loss) on investments, respectively, have been provided for in accordance with the Trust’s understanding of the applicable country’s tax rules and rates. Each Fund’s investment income, expenses, other than class specific expenses, and realized and unrealized gains and losses are allocated daily to each class of the Fund’s shares based upon the relative net asset values of outstanding shares of each class of shares at the beginning of the day (after adjusting for the current capital shares activity of the respective class). Expenses common to the Funds’ portfolios are allocated among the Funds based upon their relative net asset values or other appropriate allocation methods. The Funds amortize premiums and accrete discounts using the constant yield method.
   
F.
Concentration of Risk. As of March 31, 2015, the International, Global, Global Income, Global Opportunities, Emerging Markets and International Small Cap Funds held a significant portion of their assets in foreign securities. Certain price and foreign exchange fluctuations as well as economic and political situations in the foreign jurisdictions could have an impact on the International, Global, Global Income, Global Opportunities, Emerging Markets and International Small Cap Funds’ net assets. The investment advisor monitors these off-balance sheet risks.
   
G.
Use of Estimates. The preparation of financial statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and revenue and expenses and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities and revenue and expenses at the date of the financial statements. Actual results could differ from those estimates.
   
H.
Securities Lending. The Funds may lend their portfolio securities to banks, brokers and dealers. Lending Fund securities exposes the Fund to risks such as the following: (i) the borrower may fail to return the loaned securities, (ii) the borrower may not be able to provide additional collateral, or (iii) the Fund may experience delays in recovery of the loaned securities or loss of rights in the collateral if the borrower fails financially.


 
117

 

Brandes Investment Trust

NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Unaudited) (continued)


 
To minimize these risks, the borrower must agree to maintain collateral with the Fund’s custodian, marked to market daily, in the form of cash and/or U.S. Government obligations, in an amount at least equal to 102% (105% in the case of loans of foreign securities not denominated in U.S. dollars) of the market value of the loaned securities.  As of March 31, 2015, the International Equity Fund, Global Equity Fund, Global Income Fund, Global Opportunities Fund, Core Plus Fund and Credit Focus Yield Fund did not have any securities on loan.  The Emerging Markets Fund and International Small Cap Fund had market values of securities loaned of $3,398,377 and $2,627,264 and received non-cash collateral for the loans of $3,466,363 and $2,800,673, respectively.  Non-cash collateral received by the Funds may not be sold or re-pledged except to satisfy a borrower default.  Therefore, non-cash collateral is not included on the Funds’ Schedule of Investments or Statement of Assets and Liabilities.
   
I.
Indemnification Obligations. Under the Trust’s organizational documents, its current and former officers and trustees are indemnified against certain liabilities arising out of the performance of their duties to the Trust. In addition, in the normal course of business, the Trust enters into contracts that contain a variety of representations and warranties and 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 that have not yet occurred or that would be covered by other parties.
   
J.
Accounting for Uncertainty in Income Taxes. Each Fund has elected to be taxed as a “regulated investment company” and intends to distribute substantially all taxable income to its shareholders and otherwise comply with the provisions of the Internal Revenue Code applicable to regulated investment companies. The Funds may be subject to a nondeductible excise tax calculated as a percentage of certain undistributed amounts of net investment income and net capital gains. The Funds intend to distribute their net investment income and capital gains as necessary to avoid this excise tax. Therefore, no provision for federal income taxes or excise taxes has been made.
   
 
The Trust has adopted financial reporting rules that require the Funds to analyze all open tax years, as defined by the applicable statute of limitations, for all major jurisdictions. Open tax years for the Funds are those that are open for exam by taxing authorities (2011 through 2014). As of March 31, 2015 the Trust has no examinations in progress.
   
 
Management has analyzed the Trust’s tax positions, and has concluded that no liability should be recorded related to uncertain tax positions expected to be taken on the tax return for the fiscal year-end September 30, 2014.

 
118

 

Brandes Investment Trust

NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Unaudited) (continued)


 
The Trust identifies its major tax jurisdictions as the U.S. Government and the State of California. The Funds are not aware of any tax positions for which it is reasonably possible that the total amounts of unrecognized tax benefits will significantly change in the next twelve months.
   
K.
Payment by Affiliate. During the fiscal year ended September 30, 2011, Brandes Investment Partners, L.P. voluntarily reimbursed the Emerging Markets Fund $5,862 relating to commissions paid by the Emerging Markets Fund to brokers for execution of certain securities transactions in relation to a redemption in kind during that period. These reimbursements have been classified on the Financial Highlights as “Net increase from payments by affiliates”.
   
L.
Fair Value Measurements. The Trust has adopted accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“US GAAP”) related to fair value accounting standards which establish a definition of fair value and set out a hierarchy for measuring fair value. These standards require additional disclosures about the various inputs and valuation techniques used to develop the measurements of fair value and a discussion of changes in valuation techniques and related inputs during the period. These inputs are summarized in the three broad levels listed below:
 
 
Level 1 — Quoted unadjusted prices for identical instruments in active markets to which the Trust has access at the date of measurement.
   
 
Level 2 — Other significant observable market inputs including quoted prices for similar instruments in active markets; quoted adjusted prices in active markets; quoted prices for identical or similar instruments in markets that are not active; and model-derived valuations in which all significant inputs and significant value drivers are observable in active markets. Level 2 inputs are those in markets for which there are few transactions, the prices are not current, little public information exists or instances where prices vary substantially over time or among broker market makers.
 
 
 
Level 3 — Significant unobservable inputs including model derived valuations in which one or more significant inputs or significant value drivers are unobservable. Unobservable inputs are those inputs that reflect the Trust’s own assumptions that market participants would use to price the asset or liability based on the best available information.
 
M.
Security Valuation. Common and preferred stocks, exchange-traded funds and financial derivative instruments, such as futures contracts and options contracts that are traded on a national securities or commodities exchange, are valued at the last reported sales price at the close of regular trading on each day the exchange is open for trading, in the case of common stocks and exchange-traded funds, or, in the case of futures contracts or options contracts, the settlement price determined by the

 
119

 

Brandes Investment Trust

NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Unaudited) (continued)


 
relevant exchange. Securities listed on the NASDAQ National Market System for which market quotations are readily available are valued using the NASDAQ Official Closing Price. To the extent these securities are actively traded and valuation adjustments are not applied, they are categorized as Level 1 of the fair value hierarchy.
   
 
Equity securities traded on an exchange for which there have been no sales on the valuation date are generally valued at the mean between last bid and ask price on such day and are categorized as Level 2 on the fair value hierarchy, or are fair valued by the Valuation Committee.
   
 
Investments in registered open-end management investment companies will be valued based upon the Net Asset Values (“NAVs”) of such investments and are categorized as Level 1 of the fair value hierarchy. Investments in privately held investment funds are valued based upon the NAVs of such investments and are categorized as Level 2 of the fair value hierarchy if significant observable inputs are used.
   
 
Valuation adjustments may be applied to certain common and preferred stocks that are solely traded on a foreign exchange to account for the market movement between the close of the foreign market and the close of the New York Stock Exchange (“NYSE”). These securities are generally valued using pricing service providers that consider the correlation of the trading patterns of the foreign securities to the intraday trading in the U.S. markets for investments. Securities using these valuation adjustments are categorized as Level 2 of the fair value hierarchy.  As of March 31, 2015, the International Fund, Global Fund, Global Income Fund, Global Opportunities Fund, Emerging Markets Fund and International Small Cap Fund had securities with market values of $448,017,726, $29,390,590, $354,039, $612,555, $497,003,306 and $322,985,315, that represent 81.08%, 56.59%, 54.23%, 45.38%, 42.92% and 45.19% of each Fund’s net assets, respectively, that were fair valued using these valuation adjustments.
   
 
Fixed income securities (other than repurchase agreements and demand notes) including corporate, convertible and municipal bonds and notes, U.S. government agencies, U.S. Treasury obligations, sovereign issues, bank loans, convertible preferred securities, fixed income securities purchased on a delayed delivery basis and non-U.S. bonds are normally valued on the basis of quotes obtained from brokers and dealers or independent pricing services or sources. Independent pricing services typically use information provided by market makers or estimates of market values obtained from yield data relating to investments or securities with similar characteristics. The service providers’ internal models use inputs that are observable such as, among other things, issuer details, interest rates, yield curves, prepayment speeds, credit
 
 
120

 

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NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Unaudited) (continued)


 
risks/spreads, default rates and quoted prices for similar assets. Securities that use similar valuation techniques and inputs as described above are categorized as Level 2 of the fair value hierarchy.
   
 
Rights that are traded on a national securities exchange are valued at the last reported sales price at the close of regular trading on each day the exchange is open.  A right is a privilege offered by a corporation to its shareholders pro rata to subscribe to a certain security at a specified price, often for a short period.  Rights may or may not be transferable.
   
 
The Funds may enter into mortgage dollar roll transactions in which the Funds sell a mortgage-backed security to a counterparty and simultaneously enter into an agreement with the same counterparty to buy back a similar security on a specific future date at a predetermined price. Risks may arise due to the delayed payment date and the potential inability of counterparties to complete the transaction. Mortgage dollar rolls are accounted for as purchase and sale transactions, which may increase a Fund’s portfolio turnover rate.
   
 
Mortgage and asset-backed securities are usually issued as separate tranches, or classes, of securities within each package of underlying securities. These securities are also normally valued by pricing service providers that use broker dealer quotations or valuation estimates from their internal pricing models. The pricing models for these securities usually consider tranche level attributes, estimated cash flows and market-based yield spreads for each tranche, and current market data and incorporate packaged, collateral performance, as available. Mortgage and asset-backed securities that use such valuation techniques and inputs are categorized as Level 2 of the fair value hierarchy.
   
 
Repurchase agreements and demand notes, for which neither vendor pricing nor market maker prices are available, are valued at amortized cost on the day of valuation, unless the Advisor determines that the use of amortized cost valuation on such day is not appropriate (in which case such instrument is fair valued in accordance with the fair value procedures of the Trust).
   
 
Certain securities may be fair valued in accordance with the fair valuation procedures approved by the Board of Trustees. The Valuation Committee is generally responsible for overseeing the day-to-day valuation processes and reports periodically to the Board. The Valuation Committee is authorized to make all necessary determinations of the fair value of portfolio securities and other assets for which market quotations are not readily available or if it is deemed that the prices obtained from brokers and dealers or independent pricing services are unreliable. Valuation methodologies used to fair value such securities in the Funds’ portfolios as
 
 
121

 

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NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Unaudited) (continued)


 
of March 31, 2015 include conversion value, correlation to similar securities and financial statement analysis. The securities fair valued by the Valuation Committee are indicated in the Schedules of Investments and are categorized as Level 2 or Level 3 of the fair value hierarchy. Certain vendor priced securities may also be considered Level 3 if significant unobservable inputs are used by the vendors.
   
 
In using fair value pricing, each Fund attempts to establish the price that it might reasonably have expected to receive upon a sale of the security at 4:00 p.m. Eastern time. Valuing securities at fair value involves greater reliance on judgment than valuation of securities based on readily available market quotations. A Fund using fair value to price securities may value those securities higher or lower than another fund using market quotations or fair value to price the same securities. Further, there can be no assurance that the Fund could obtain the fair value assigned to a security if it were to sell the security at approximately the time at which the Fund determines its net asset value.
 
The following is a summary of the level inputs used, as of March 31, 2015, involving the Funds’ assets carried at fair value. The inputs used for valuing securities may not be an indication of the risk associated with investing in those securities.
 
Description
 
Level 1
   
Level 2
   
Level 3
   
Total
 
Investments in Securities
                       
International Fund
                       
Equities
                       
Consumer Discretionary
  $     $ 63,827,113     $     $ 63,827,113  
Consumer Staples
          52,441,480             52,441,480  
Energy
    8,336,433       44,082,805             52,419,238  
Financials
    19,365,064       111,868,094             131,233,158  
Health Care
          68,498,050             68,498,050  
Industrials
    8,618,917       21,348,224             29,967,141  
Information Technology
          12,779,725             12,779,725  
Materials
    8,283,646       19,711,005             27,994,651  
Telecommunication Services
    2,469,326       27,759,680             30,229,006  
Utilities
    6,353,076       18,162,667             24,515,743  
Total Equities
    53,426,462       440,478,843             493,905,305  
Preferred Stocks
                               
Energy
    12,992,102       7,538,883             20,530,985  
Telecommunication Services
    4,008,472                   4,008,472  
Total Preferred Stocks
    17,000,574       7,538,883             24,539,457  
Repurchase Agreements
          40,132,061             40,132,061  
Total Investments in Securities
  $ 70,427,036     $ 488,149,787     $     $ 558,576,823  

 
122

 
 
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NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Unaudited) (continued)


Description
 
Level 1
   
Level 2
   
Level 3
   
Total
 
Global Fund
                       
Equities
                       
Consumer Discretionary
  $     $ 5,909,962     $     $ 5,909,962  
Consumer Staples
    735,318       5,168,757             5,904,075  
Energy
    2,298,307       2,619,438             4,917,745  
Financials
    5,900,456       5,701,329             11,601,785  
Health Care
    2,937,151       4,069,667             7,006,818  
Industrials
    1,567,658                   1,567,658  
Information Technology
    2,909,411       2,046,132             4,955,543  
Materials
          1,024,523             1,024,523  
Telecommunication Services
    920,182       1,781,030             2,701,212  
Utilities
    580,781       1,069,752             1,650,533  
Total Equities
    17,849,264       29,390,590             47,239,854  
Preferred Stocks
                               
Energy
    466,494                   466,494  
Total Preferred Stocks
    466,494                   466,494  
Repurchase Agreements
          4,423,843             4,423,843  
Total Investments in Securities
  $ 18,315,758     $ 33,814,433     $     $ 52,130,191  
                                 
Global Income Fund
                               
Equities
                               
Consumer Discretionary
  $     $ 51,825     $     $ 51,825  
Consumer Staples
    32,352       88,876             121,228  
Energy
    10,498       59,478             69,976  
Financials
    20,117       51,999             72,116  
Health Care
    42,239       54,979             97,218  
Industrials
          12,716             12,716  
Information Technology
    33,182       5,901             39,083  
Materials
          12,471             12,471  
Utilities
    33,744       15,794             49,538  
Total Equities
    172,132       354,039             526,171  
Preferred Stocks
                               
Financials
    49,641                   49,641  
Total Preferred Stocks
    49,641                   49,641  
Real Estate Investment Trusts
    9,574                   9,574  
Repurchase Agreements
          67,683             67,683  
Total Investments in Securities
  $ 231,347     $ 421,722     $     $ 653,069  

 
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NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Unaudited) (continued)


Description
 
Level 1
   
Level 2
   
Level 3
   
Total
 
Global Opportunities Fund
                       
Equities
                       
Consumer Discretionary
  $ 73,732     $ 100,907     $     $ 174,639  
Consumer Staples
    23,036       106,843             129,879  
Energy
    61,575       40,929             102,504  
Financials
    87,383       85,664             173,047  
Health Care
    20,662       44,874             65,536  
Industrials
    135,358       33,864             169,222  
Information Technology
          35,928             35,928  
Materials
    43,459       30,282             73,741  
Telecommunication Services
    27,409       62,363             89,772  
Utilities
    35,222       41,256             76,478  
Total Equities
    507,836       582,910             1,090,746  
Preferred Stocks
                               
Consumer Discretionary
          26,936             26,936  
Energy
    22,838       15,186             38,024  
Financials
    13,693                   13,693  
Total Preferred Stocks
    36,531       42,122             78,653  
Real Estate Investment Trusts
    34,292                   34,292  
Repurchase Agreements
          98,149             98,149  
Total Investments in Securities
  $ 578,659     $ 723,181     $     $ 1,301,840  
                                 
Emerging Markets Fund
                               
Equities
                               
Consumer Discretionary
  $ 72,623,361     $ 134,843,202     $ 224,340     $ 207,690,903  
Consumer Staples
    48,489,642       8,056,186             56,545,828  
Energy
    71,926,533                   71,926,533  
Financials
    75,536,654       148,061,541             223,598,195  
Health Care
    5,742,796       31,420,834             37,163,630  
Industrials
    54,991,157       11,544,307             66,535,464  
Information Technology
          17,388,166             17,388,166  
Materials
    71,419,583       28,951,516             100,371,099  
Telecommunication Services
    37,717,642       44,255,953             81,973,595  
Utilities
    62,947,805       39,770,457             102,718,262  
Total Equities
    501,395,173       464,292,162       224,340       965,911,675  
Preferred Stocks
                               
Consumer Discretionary
          24,459,949             24,459,949  
Consumer Staples
    10,499,324                   10,499,324  
Energy
    42,538,640       8,408,820             50,947,460  
Financials
    26,117,625                   26,117,625  
Telecommunication Services
    18,289,302                   18,289,302  
Utilities
    12,240,745                   12,240,745  
Total Preferred Stocks
    109,685,636       32,868,769             142,554,405  
Real Estate Investment Trusts
    31,467,870                   31,467,870  
Convertible Bonds
          330,871             330,871  
Repurchase Agreements
          25,489,447             25,489,447  
Short Term Investments
    2                   2  
Total Investments in Securities
  $ 642,548,681     $ 522,981,249     $ 224,340     $ 1,165,754,270  

 
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NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Unaudited) (continued)


Description
 
Level 1
   
Level 2
   
Level 3
   
Total
 
International Small Cap Fund
                       
Equities
                       
Consumer Discretionary
  $ 81,483,272     $ 68,352,929     $ 99,803     $ 149,936,004  
Consumer Staples
    24,029,211       35,510,432             59,539,643  
Energy
          6,784,735             6,784,735  
Financials
    23,044,405       7,827,803             30,872,208  
Health Care
    23,861,785       16,814,868             40,676,653  
Industrials
    45,342,026       64,571,840             109,913,866  
Information Technology
    25,752,095       38,436,951             64,189,046  
Materials
    21,684,846       33,177,089             54,861,935  
Telecommunication Services
    14,272,809       6,648,672             20,921,481  
Utilities
    8,396,561       37,833,585             46,230,146  
Total Equities
    267,867,010       315,958,904       99,803       583,925,717  
Preferred Stocks
                               
Utilities
    3,970,814                   3,970,814  
Total Preferred Stocks
    3,970,814                   3,970,814  
Real Estate Investment Trusts
    14,118,160       7,083,498             21,201,658  
Convertible Bonds
          113,906             113,906  
Corporate Bonds
          1,378,066             1,378,066  
Repurchase Agreements
          98,746,509             98,746,509  
Total Investments in Securities
  $ 285,955,984     $ 423,280,883     $ 99,803     $ 709,336,670  
                                 
Core Plus Fund
                               
Preferred Stocks
  $ 208,026     $ 1,022,100     $     $ 1,230,126  
Asset Backed Securities
          1,179,182             1,179,182  
Corporate Bonds
          19,303,686             19,303,686  
Government Securities
          38,289,443             38,289,443  
Mortgage Backed Securities
          1,511,577             1,511,577  
Repurchase Agreements
          2,092,345             2,092,345  
Total Investments in Securities
  $ 208,026     $ 63,398,333     $     $ 63,606,359  
                                 
Credit Focus Yield Fund
                               
Preferred Stocks
  $ 314,706     $ 644,136     $     $ 958,842  
Asset Backed Securities
          264,487             264,487  
Corporate Bonds
          17,323,788             17,323,788  
Government Securities
          10,266,577             10,266,577  
Mortgage Backed Securities
          9,734             9,734  
Repurchase Agreements
          585,212             585,212  
Total Investments in Securities
  $ 314,706     $ 29,093,934     $     $ 29,408,640  

 
125

 
 
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NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Unaudited) (continued)


Below are the transfers into or out of Levels 1 and 2 for the Funds using market values measured at the end of the reporting periods:
 
                     
Global
 
   
International
   
Global
   
Global
   
Opportunities
 
   
Fund
   
Fund
   
Income Fund
   
Value Fund
 
Transfers into Level 1
  $ 7,224,193     $     $     $  
Transfers out of Level 1
    5,610,870       533,712              
Net Transfers in/(out) of Level 1
  $ 1,613,323     $ (533,712 )   $     $  
Transfers into Level 2
  $ 5,610,870     $ 533,712     $     $  
Transfers out of Level 2
    7,224,193                    
Net Transfers in/(out) of Level 2
  $ (1,613,323 )   $ 533,712     $     $  
                                 
   
Emerging
   
International
           
Credit
 
   
Markets
   
Small Cap
   
Core Plus
   
Focus
 
   
Fund
   
Fund
   
Fund
   
Yield Fund
 
Transfers into Level 1
  $ 92,045,059     $ 46,267,680     $     $  
Transfers out of Level 1
    59,591,400       52,430,271              
Net Transfers in/(out) of Level 1
  $ 32,453,659     $ (6,162,591 )   $     $  
Transfers into Level 2
  $ 59,591,400     $ 52,430,271     $     $  
Transfers out of Level 2
    92,045,059       46,267,680              
Net Transfers in/(out) of Level 2
  $ (32,453,659 )   $ 6,162,591     $     $  
 
The transfers from Level 1 to Level 2 are due to the securities being fair valued as a result of market movements following the close of local trading and/or due to the lack of trading volume on March 31, 2015. The transfers from Level 2 to Level 1 are due to the securities no longer being fair valued as a result of trading on a stock exchange on March 31, 2015.
 
There were no Level 3 securities in the International Equity, Global Equity, Global Income, Global Opportunities, Core Plus and Credit Focus Funds at the beginning or during the periods presented.
 
Below is a reconciliation that details the activity of securities in Level 3 in the Emerging Markets and International Small Cap Funds during the period ended March 31, 2015:
 
   
Emerging
   
International
 
   
Markets Fund
   
Small Cap Fund
 
Beginning Balance – October 1, 2014
  $ 21,726,498     $  
    Purchases
           
    Sales
           
    Transfers in to level 3
    224,340       99,803  
    Transfers out of level 3
    21,726,498        
    Realized gains (losses), net
           
    Change in unrealized gains (losses)
           
Ending Balance – March 31, 2015
  $ 224,340     $ 99,803  
 
The transfer from Level 2 to Level 3 is due to the suspension of trading of the security.  The transfer from Level 3 to Level 2 is due to the security being quoted.
 
 
126

 

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NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Unaudited) (continued)


The realized and unrealized gains and losses from Level 3 transactions are included with the net realized gains and losses on investments on the Statement of Assets and Liabilities. As of March 31, 2015 the Emerging Markets Fund and International Small Cap Fund had $4,942,717 and $1,864,948 of unrealized losses from Level 3 securities, respectively.
 
The following table presents information about unobservable inputs related to the Trust’s categories of Level 3 investments as of March 31, 2015.
 
 
Fair Value
Valuation
   
 
at 3/31/15
Techniques
Unobservable Inputs
Ranges
Common Stock
$324,143
Intrinsic
Financial statement analysis
N/A
   
value
Restructuring plan
 
 
The following provides a general description of the impact of a change in an unobservable input on the fair value measurement and the interrelationship of unobservable inputs, where relevant and significant. Interrelationships may also exist between observable and unobservable inputs (for example, as interest rates rise, prepayment rates decline).
 
Common Stock
 
At regular intervals the above unobservable inputs are reviewed and compared to updated issuer information.  The factors that were considered in determining the fair value of this security, included consideration of the following:  balance sheet figures (which include the most recent estimate of assets and liabilities), restructuring framework presented by the issuer and its dilutive impact on common equity, general market conditions and other information and analysis.  If the financial condition of this company was to deteriorate the value of this common stock would be lower.
 
NOTE 3 − INVESTMENT ADVISORY FEE AND OTHER TRANSACTIONS WITH AFFILIATES
 
A. Advisor Fee. Brandes Investment Partners, L.P. (the “Advisor”) provides the Funds with investment management services under an Investment Advisory Agreement. The Advisor furnishes all investment advice, office space and certain administrative services, and provides certain personnel, needed by the Funds. As compensation for its services, the Advisor is entitled to a monthly fee.  The Advisor received a monthly fee at the annual rate of 0.80% of the first $5 billion of average daily net assets, and 0.70% of the amount of average daily net assets greater than $5 billion, of the International Fund.  The Advisor received a monthly fee at the annual rate of 0.95% of the first $2.5 billion of average daily net assets; 0.90% on average daily net assets from $2.5 billion to $5.0 billion; and 0.85% of the amount of average daily net assets greater than $5.0 billion, of the Emerging Markets Fund.  The Global Fund, Global Income Fund, Global Opportunities Fund, International Small Cap Fund, Core Plus Fund and Credit Focus Yield Fund

 
127

 

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NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Unaudited) (continued)


incurred a monthly fee at the annual rate of 0.80%, 0.80%, 0.95%, 0.95%, 0.35% and 0.50% based upon their average daily net assets, respectively.  For the six months ended March 31, 2015, the International Fund, the Global Fund, the Global Income Fund, the Global Opportunities Fund, the Emerging Markets Fund, the International Small Cap Fund, the Core Plus Fund and the Credit Focus Yield Fund incurred $2,096,185, $204,055, $1,165, $3,007, $6,033,633, $3,018,470, $100,802 and $73,300 in advisory fees, respectively.
 
Certain officers and trustees of the Trust are also officers of the Advisor.
 
The Funds are responsible for their own operating expenses. The Advisor has contractually agreed to limit each Fund’s annual operating expenses, including repayment of previous waivers, to the following percentages of the Fund’s average daily net assets attributable to the specific classes through January 31, 2016 (the “Expense Cap Agreement”):
 
Fund
Class A
Class C
Class E
Class I
International Fund
1.20%
1.95%
1.20%
1.00%
Global Fund
1.25%
2.00%
1.25%
1.00%
Global Income Fund
1.25%
2.00%
N/A
1.00%
Global Opportunities Fund
1.40%
2.15%
N/A
1.15%
Emerging Markets Fund
1.37%
2.12%
N/A
1.12%
International Small Cap Fund
1.40%
2.15%
N/A
1.15%
Core Plus Fund
0.70%
N/A
0.70%
0.50%
Credit Focus Yield Fund
0.95%
N/A
N/A
0.70%
 
Any reimbursements or fee waivers made by the Advisor to a Fund are subject to repayment by the Fund, to the extent that the Fund is able to make the repayment within its Expense Cap Agreement. Under the Expense Cap Agreement, any such repayment must be made before the end of the third full fiscal year after the fiscal year in which the related reimbursement or waiver occurred. For the six months ended March 31, 2015, the Advisor waived expenses and/or reimbursed the Funds $0, $116,336, $55,605, $69,545, $180,642, $0, $109,024 and $83,701 for the International Fund, Global Fund, Global Income Fund, Global Opportunities Fund, Emerging Markets Fund, International Small Cap Fund, Core Plus Fund and Credit Focus Yield Fund, respectively. Repayment rights expire as follows:
 
 
Potential
Potential
Potential
 
Recovery
Recovery
Recovery
 
Expiring
Expiring
Expiring
 
September 30,
September 30,
September 30,
Fund
2015
2016
2017
International Fund
$ 86,840
$458,927
$     —
Global Fund
 229,270
  255,029
243,183
Emerging Markets Fund
 378,305
  334,348
379,267
International Small Cap Fund
 218,903
  238,680
 86,310
Core Plus Fund
 156,102
  237,047
259,463
Credit Focus Yield Fund
 149,098
  198,558
170,772


 
128

 

Brandes Investment Trust

NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Unaudited) (continued)


The Advisor did not recoup any fees previously waived or reimbursed for the Global Fund, Global Income Fund, Global Opportunities Fund, Core Plus Fund and Credit Focus Yield Fund.  For the six months ended March 31, 2015, the Advisor recouped fees previously waived or reimbursed in the amounts of:
 
Fund
Class A
Class C
Class E
Class I
International Fund
$        22
$   31
$74
$59,354
Emerging Markets Fund
$ 12,494
$   —
N/A
$       —
International Small Cap Fund
$ 20,069
$ 515
N/A
$87,159
 
B. Administration Fee. U.S. Bancorp Fund Services, LLC (the “Administrator”) acts as administrator for the Funds. The Administrator prepares various federal and state regulatory filings; prepares reports and materials to be supplied to the Trustees; monitors the activities of the Funds’ custodian, transfer agent and accountant; coordinates the preparation and payment of Fund expenses; and reviews the Funds’ expense accruals. For its services, the Administrator receives an annual fee at the rate of 0.03% of the first $1 billion of the Trust’s average daily net assets and 0.02% in excess of $1 billion of the Trust’s average daily net assets, subject to a minimum of $50,000 per Fund per annum which is allocated among Funds based on their average net assets. For the six months ended March 31, 2015, the International Fund, Global Fund, Global Income Fund, Global Opportunities Fund, Emerging Markets Fund, International Small Cap Fund, Core Plus Fund and Credit Focus Yield Fund incurred $63,026, $6,319, $258, $348, $166,613, $72,812, $5,954 and $3,460 in such fees, respectively.
 
C. Distribution and Servicing Fees. Quasar Distributors, LLC (the “Distributor”), a registered broker-dealer, acts as the Funds’ principal underwriter in a continuous public offering of the Funds’ shares. The Distributor is an affiliate of the Administrator. A portion of the Funds’ distribution fees is paid by the Advisor.
 
The Trust has adopted a Distribution Plan (the “Plan”) pursuant to Rule 12b-1 under the Investment Company Act of 1940 for the Funds’ Class A and C shares. The Plan is designed to reimburse the Distributor or dealers for certain promotional and other sales related costs associated with sales of such Fund shares. Unreimbursed amounts may be carried forward and paid in a subsequent year, to the extent that total expenses under the Plan do not exceed 0.25% and 0.75% of the average daily net assets of each Fund’s Class A and C shares, respectively. During the six months ended March 31, 2015, the Funds paid to the Distributor and each dealer a monthly fee at the annual rate of 0.25% of the average daily net assets of Class A shares and 0.75% of the average daily net assets of Class C shares beneficially owned by the Distributor’s and each dealer’s existing brokerage clients. The 12b-1 Agreement may be continued in effect from year to year if such continuance is approved annually by the Board of Trustees of the Trust, including the vote of a majority of the Independent Trustees. For the six months ended March 31, 2015, the following Funds incurred expenses pursuant to the Plan:
 
 
129

 

Brandes Investment Trust

NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Unaudited) (continued)


Fund
 
Class A
   
Class C
 
International Fund
  $ 11,970     $ 21,860  
Global Fund
    2,940       5,988  
Global Income Fund
           
Global Opportunities Fund
           
Emerging Markets Fund
    297,772       88,352  
International Small Cap Fund
    62,337       46,837  
Core Plus Fund
    2,906       N/A  
Credit Focus Yield Fund
    2,574       N/A  
 
Classes C, E and I of the Funds are permitted to pay to securities broker-dealers, retirement plan sponsors and administrators, banks and their affiliates, and other institutions and service professionals with a written contract as shareholder servicing agent of the Funds, an annual fee for non-distribution sub-transfer agent and/or subaccounting services up to 0.25%, 0.25% and 0.05% of annual net assets attributable to Class C, Class E and Class I, respectively (the “Service Fee”).  For the six months ended March 31 2015, the Funds incurred the following Service Fees:
 
Fund
 
Class C
   
Class E
   
Class I
 
International Fund
  $ 7,287     $ 5,012     $ 126,158  
Global Fund
    1,996             11,701  
Global Income Fund
          N/A       73  
Global Opportunities Fund
          N/A       158  
Emerging Markets Fund
    29,451       N/A       252,115  
International Small Cap Fund
    15,612       N/A       143,277  
Core Plus Fund
    N/A       2,415       13,336  
Credit Focus Yield Fund
    N/A       N/A        
 
NOTE 4 − PURCHASES AND SALES OF SECURITIES
 
The cost of purchases and the proceeds from sales of securities, excluding short term investments, were as follows for the six months ended March 31, 2015:
 
   
U.S. Government
   
Other
 
Fund
 
Purchases
   
Sales
   
Purchases
   
Sales
 
International Fund
  $     $     $ 105,236,140     $ 93,540,536  
Global Fund
  $     $     $ 10,065,182     $ 7,027,794  
Global Income Fund
  $     $     $ 580,811     $ 23,372  
Global Opportunities Fund
  $     $     $ 1,238,171     $ 88,429  
Emerging Markets Fund
  $     $     $ 276,255,897     $ 268,490,114  
International Small Cap Fund
  $     $     $ 156,950,166     $ 94,186,115  
Core Plus Fund
  $ 12,650,934     $ 364,799     $ 5,073,897     $ 1,488,567  
Credit Focus Yield Fund
  $ 1,356,270     $ 360,511     $ 2,154,113     $ 2,716,756  
 
 
130

 

Brandes Investment Trust

NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Unaudited) (continued)

 
NOTE 5 – CAPITAL STOCK TRANSACTIONS
 
Capital stock activity for each class of shares was as follows (shares and dollar amounts in thousands):
 
   
International Fund
   
Global Fund
 
   
Six Months
               
Six Months
             
   
Ended
   
Year Ended
   
Ended
   
Year Ended
 
   
3/31/2015
   
9/30/2014
   
3/31/2015
   
9/30/2014
 
   
Shares
   
Amount
   
Shares
   
Amount
   
Shares
   
Amount
   
Shares
   
Amount
 
Shares Sold
                                               
  Class A
    403     $ 6,701       521     $ 8,960       151     $ 3,608       40     $ 1,024  
  Class C
    292       4,746       240       4,115       45       1,082       41       1,058  
  Class E
    142       2,210       867       14,641                   1       20  
  Class I
    7,308       118,808       12,643       217,623       226       5,503       297       7,655  
Issued on
                                                               
  Reinvestment
                                                               
  of Distributions
                                                               
  Class A
    3       51       8       138       6       141       1       24  
  Class C
    1       11       3       44       4       96       1       15  
  Class E
          4       33       582       1       14             10  
  Class I
    147       2,437       554       9,620       134       3,230       82       2,074  
Shares Redeemed
                                                               
  Class A
    (165 )     (2,702 )     (33 )     (557 )     (98 )     (2,332 )     (4 )     (113 )
  Class C
    (61 )     (971 )     (6 )     (95 )     (11 )     (267 )     (3 )     (68 )
  Class E
    (776 )     (12,587 )     (1,530 )     (26,412 )     (1 )     (22 )           (6 )
  Class I
    (7,217 )     (116,127 )     (6,938 )     (118,344 )     (184 )     (4,418 )     (203 )     (5,301 )
Net Increase/
                                                               
  (Decrease)
                                                               
  Resulting from
                                                               
  Fund Share
                                                               
  Transactions
    77     $ 2,581       6,362     $ 110,315       273     $ 6,635       253     $ 6,392  
 

 
131

 
 
Brandes Investment Trust

NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Unaudited) (continued)


   
Global Income Fund
   
Global Opportunities Fund
 
   
Period Ended
   
Period Ended
 
   
3/31/2015*
   
3/31/2015*
 
   
Shares
   
Amount
   
Shares
   
Amount
 
                         
Shares Sold
                       
  Class A
        $           $  
  Class C
                       
  Class E
    N/A       N/A       N/A       N/A  
  Class I
    62       623       129       1,295  
Issued on
                               
  Reinvestment
                               
  of Distributions
                               
  Class A
                       
  Class C
                       
  Class E
    N/A       N/A       N/A       N/A  
  Class I
          2             1  
Shares Redeemed
                               
  Class A
                       
  Class C
                       
  Class E
    N/A       N/A       N/A       N/A  
  Class I
                       
Net Increase
                               
  Resulting from
                               
  Fund Share
                               
  Transactions
    62     $ 625       129     $ 1,296  

*  Commenced operations on December 31, 2014.

 

 
132

 
 
Brandes Investment Trust

NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Unaudited) (continued)


   
Emerging Markets Fund
   
International Small Cap Fund
 
   
Six Months
               
Six Months
             
   
Ended
   
Year Ended
   
Ended
   
Year Ended
 
   
3/31/2015
   
9/30/2014
   
3/31/2015
   
9/30/2014
 
   
Shares
   
Amount
   
Shares
   
Amount
   
Shares
   
Amount
   
Shares
   
Amount
 
Shares Sold
                                               
  Class A
    10,661     $ 87,693       34,722     $ 341,994       2,174     $ 27,346       5,852     $ 81,558  
  Class C
    759       6,286       2,178       20,917       234       2,960       802       11,076  
  Class E
    N/A       N/A       N/A       N/A       N/A       N/A       N/A       N/A  
  Class I
    50,459       424,963       97,190       952,867       21,880       277,011       38,348       534,615  
Issued on
                                                               
  Reinvestment
                                                               
  of Distributions
                                                               
  Class A
    823       7,100       573       5,337       139       1,726       297       3,907  
  Class C
    85       729       28       253       43       533       18       234  
  Class E
    N/A       N/A       N/A       N/A       N/A       N/A       N/A       N/A  
  Class I
    3,444       29,579       1,528       14,351       1,905       23,788       672       8,933  
Shares Redeemed
                                                               
  Class A
    (8,999 )     (75,395 )     (21,646 )     (216,093 )     (1,462 )     (18,519 )     (4,726 )     (66,941 )
  Class C
    (492 )     (4,055 )     (113 )     (1,088 )     (132 )     (1,614 )     (20 )     (279 )
  Class E
    N/A       N/A       N/A       N/A       N/A       N/A       N/A       N/A  
  Class I
    (54,680 )     (452,753 )     (10,435 )     (99,211 )     (16,009 )     (201,877 )     (3,111 )     (43,753 )
Net Increase
                                                               
  Resulting from
                                                               
  Fund Share
                                                               
  Transactions
    2,060     $ 24,147       104,025     $ 1,019,327       8,772     $ 111,354       38,132     $ 529,350  
                                                                 
   
Core Plus Fund
   
Credit Focus Yield Fund
 
   
Six Months
                   
Six Months
                 
   
Ended
   
Year Ended
   
Ended
   
Year Ended
 
   
3/31/2015
   
9/30/2014
   
3/31/2015
   
9/30/2014
 
   
Shares
   
Amount
   
Shares
   
Amount
   
Shares
   
Amount
   
Shares
   
Amount
 
Shares Sold
                                                               
  Class A
    295     $ 2,733       889     $ 8,213       14     $ 144       84     $ 865  
  Class E
    20       184       106       980       N/A       N/A       N/A       N/A  
  Class I
    2,119       19,764       2,548       23,734       16       167       190       1,953  
Issued on
                                                               
  Reinvestment
                                                               
  of Distributions
                                                               
  Class A
    4       36       12       109       3       24       8       86  
  Class E
    3       29       4       41       N/A       N/A       N/A       N/A  
  Class I
    97       907       101       940       35       363       61       626  
Shares Redeemed
                                                               
  Class A
    (297 )     (2,750 )     (834 )     (7,748 )     (7 )     (74 )     (315 )     (3,249 )
  Class E
    (21 )     (196 )     (26 )     (244 )     N/A       N/A       N/A       N/A  
  Class I
    (441 )     (4,107 )     (1,218 )     (11,290 )     (18 )     (185 )     (88 )     (913 )
Net Increase
                                                               
  Resulting from
                                                               
  Fund Share
                                                               
  Transactions
    1,779     $ 16,600       1,582     $ 14,735       43     $ 439       (60 )   $ (632 )


 
133

 
 
Brandes Investment Trust

NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Unaudited) (continued)


NOTE 6 − FEDERAL INCOME TAX MATTERS
 
The Global Income and Global Opportunities Funds commenced operations on December 31, 2014 and therefore, the following September 30, 2014 tax information is not applicable for these Funds.
 
As of September 30, 2014, the components of distributable earnings on a tax basis were as follows:
 
               
Emerging
 
   
International
   
Global
   
Markets
 
   
Fund
   
Fund
   
Fund
 
Cost of investments for tax purposes
  $ 567,761,303     $ 42,000,704     $ 1,477,858,843  
Gross tax unrealized appreciation
    47,738,688       7,940,897       97,725,026  
Gross tax unrealized depreciation
    (59,484,870 )     (1,848,436 )     (143,830,099 )
Net unrealized appreciation (depreciation)
                       
  on investments and foreign currency
    (11,746,182 )     6,092,461       (46,105,073 )
Distributable ordinary income
    420,516       503,787       23,707,423  
Distributable long-term capital gains
          2,796,569       16,361,353  
Total distributable earnings
    420,516       3,300,356       40,068,776  
Other accumulated gains/(losses)
    (85,858,088 )     (24,530 )     (152,039 )
Total accumulated earnings
  $ (97,183,754 )   $ 9,368,287     $ (6,188,336 )
                         
   
International
                 
   
Small Cap
   
Core Plus
   
Credit Focus
 
   
Fund
   
Fund
   
Yield Fund
 
Cost of investments for tax purposes
  $ 651,575,271     $ 45,974,057     $ 27,964,597  
Gross tax unrealized appreciation
    39,538,278       1,600,133       951,331  
Gross tax unrealized depreciation
    (55,980,152 )     (460,433 )     (340,374 )
Net unrealized appreciation (depreciation)
                       
  on investments and foreign currency
    (16,441,874 )     1,139,700       610,957  
Distributable ordinary income
    14,505,234       23,698       6,706  
Distributable long-term capital gains
    11,858,340       288,913       16,688  
Total distributable earnings
    23,363,574       312,611       23,394  
Other accumulated gains/(losses)
    (77,601 )           (8,705 )
Total accumulated earnings
  $ 9,844,099     $ 1,452,311     $ 625,646  
 
The differences between book and tax basis distributable earnings are primarily related to foreign currency adjustments and the differences in classification of paydown gains and losses for tax purposes compared to book purposes. These differences are temporary.
 


 
134

 
 
Brandes Investment Trust

NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Unaudited) (continued)


The tax composition of dividends for the periods ended September 30, 2014 and September 30, 2013 for the Funds, were as follows:
 
               
Long Term
   
Return
 
   
Ordinary Income
   
Capital Gains
   
of Capital
 
Fund
 
2014
   
2013
   
2014
   
2013
   
2014
   
2013
 
International Fund
  $ 10,891,932     $ 22,510,115     $     $     $     $ 251,542  
Global Fund
  $ 1,036,532     $ 1,506,408     $ 1,113,245     $ 470,907     $     $  
Emerging Markets Fund
  $ 14,025,400     $ 9,388,621     $ 9,555,433     $ 2,564,709     $     $  
International Small Cap Fund
  $ 9,125,302     $ 1,497,320     $ 5,701,907     $ 59,783     $     $  
Core Plus Fund
  $ 1,057,596     $ 1,307,835     $ 49,808     $ 343,555     $     $  
Credit Focus Yield Fund
  $ 677,304     $ 678,771     $ 35,214     $ 63,200     $     $  
 
Pursuant to Internal Revenue Code Section 852(b)(3), the International Fund designated the amount necessary to reduce the earnings and profits related to net capital gains to zero for the tax year ended September 30, 2014.
 
At September 30, 2014 the Funds had capital losses expiring and capital loss carryforwards utilized as indicated below:
 
Fund
 
2018
   
Indefinite
   
Utilized
 
International Fund
  $ 29,067,216     $ 56,792,472     $ 30,494,850  
Global Fund
                 
Emerging Markets Fund
                 
International Small Cap Fund
                 
Core Plus Fund
                 
Credit Focus Yield Fund
                 
 
Reclassification of Capital Accounts. Accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America require that certain components of net assets be reclassified between financial and tax reporting. These reclassifications have no effect on net assets or net asset value per share. For the periods ended September 30, 2014, the International Fund increased undistributed net investment income/loss by $1,992,930, decreased accumulated net realized gain/loss by $1,710,111 and decreased paid in capital by $282,819, due to certain permanent book and tax differences. The Global Fund increased undistributed net investment income/loss by $1,891 and decreased accumulated net realized gain/loss by $1,891. The Emerging Markets Fund decreased undistributed net investment income/loss by $1,195,965 and, increased accumulated net realized gain/loss by $1,195,965. The International Small Cap Fund decreased undistributed net investment income/loss by $134,057 and increased accumulated net realized gain/loss by $134,057. The Core Plus Fund increased undistributed net investment income/loss by $10,523 and decreased accumulated net realized gain/loss by $10,523.  The permanent book and tax differences are primarily due to reclassification of foreign currency transactions, passive foreign investment companies (PFIC) and paydown gains and losses.
 


 
135

 
 
Brandes Investment Trust

NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Unaudited) (continued)


NOTE 7 − OFFERING PRICE PER SHARE
 
The public offering price for Class A shares is the net asset value per share plus a sales charge, which varies in accordance with the amount of the purchase up to a maximum of 5.75% for the International, Global, Global Income, Global Opportunities, Emerging Markets and International Small Cap Funds, and 3.75% for the Core Plus and Credit Focus Yield Funds. A contingent deferred sales charge (“CDSC”) of 1.00% will be deducted with respect to Class A Shares purchased without a sales load and redeemed within 12 months of purchase, unless waived, as discussed in the Prospectus. Any applicable CDSC will be 1.00% of the lesser of the original purchase price or the redemption value of the Class A Shares redeemed. Class C Shares include a 1.00% CDSC paid by redeeming shareholders within 12 months of purchase. As a result the redemption price may differ from the net asset value per share. The public offering prices for Class E and I shares are the respective net asset values. Sales charges are not an expense of the Funds and are not reflected in the financial statements of the Funds.
 
NOTE 8 – TRANSACTIONS WITH AFFILIATES
 
The following issuer was affiliated with the International Small Cap Fund as defined in Section (2)(a)(3) of the 1940 Act, as the International Small Cap Fund held 5% or more of the outstanding voting securities of the issuer during the period October 1, 2014 through March 31, 2015:
 
   
Share
               
Share
             
   
Balance At
               
Balance At
         
Value At
 
   
October 1,
               
March 31,
   
Dividend
   
March 31,
 
Issuer Name
 
2014
   
Additions
   
Reductions
   
2015
   
Income
   
2015
 
Micronas
                                   
  Semiconductor
                                   
  Holding AG
  1,779,859     115,700         1,895,559     $ 97,876     $ 11,956,963  
                            $ 97,876     $ 11,956,963  
 
NOTE 9 – RECENTLY ISSUED ACCOUNTING PRONOUNCEMENTS
 
In June 2014, the Financial Accounting Standard Board issued ASU No. 2014-11 “Repurchase-to-Maturity Transactions, Repurchase Financings, and Disclosures.” ASU No. 2014-11 makes limited changes to the accounting for repurchase agreements, clarifies when repurchase agreements and securities lending transactions should be accounted for as secured borrowings, and requires additional disclosures regarding these types of transactions. The guidance is effective for fiscal years beginning on or after December 15, 2014, and for interim periods within those fiscal years.  Management is currently evaluating the impact these changes will have on the Fund’s financial statement disclosures.
 


 
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Brandes Investment Trust

NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Unaudited) (continued)


NOTE 10 − OWNERSHIP BY AFFILIATED PARTIES
 
As of March 31, 2015, the Adviser or affiliates of the Adviser beneficially owned more than 5% of shares of the Funds as follows:
 
 
International Fund
         
 
Class E
         
Shares
8,363
         
% of Total
           
  Outstanding Shares
7.71%
         
             
 
Global Fund
       
 
Class E
Class I
       
Shares
7,107
962,899
       
% of Total
           
  Outstanding Shares
66.55%
48.83%
       
             
 
Global
 
Global
 
Income Fund
 
Opportunities Fund
 
Class A
Class C
Class I
Class A
Class C
Class I
Shares
9
10
62,144
9
10
129,357
% of Total
           
  Outstanding Shares
100.00%
100.00%
100.00%
100.00%
100.00%
100.00%
             
 
Core Plus
Credit Focus    
 
Fund
Yield Fund    
 
Class I
Class I    
Shares
1,316,848
2,541,115    
% of Total
           
  Outstanding Shares
20.51%
94.99%    
 
NOTE 11 – SUBSEQUENT EVENTS
 
In preparing these financial statements, the Trust has evaluated events and transactions for potential recognition or disclosure through the date the financial statements were available to be issued.

 


 
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Brandes Investment Trust

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION — (Unaudited)


BOARD CONSIDERATION AND CONTINUATION OF INVESTMENT ADVISORY AGREEMENT — EXISTING FUNDS
 
In November 2014, the Board of Trustees of the Trust, including the independent Trustees, unanimously approved renewal of the Investment Advisory Agreement (the “Agreement”) between the Trust and Brandes Investment Partners, L.P. (the “Advisor”) for an additional one-year term with respect to the Brandes International Equity Fund (the “International Fund”),  the Brandes Global Equity Fund (the “Global Fund”), the Brandes Emerging Markets Value Fund (the “Emerging Markets Fund”), the Brandes International Small Cap Equity Fund (the “Small Cap Fund”), the Brandes Core Plus Fixed Income Fund (the “Core Plus Fund”) and the Brandes Credit Focus Yield Fund (the “Credit Focus Fund”).  Each of the International Fund, Global Fund, Emerging Markets Fund, Small Cap Fund, Core Plus Fund and Credit Focus Fund is referred to below as a “Fund” and they are collectively referred to below as the “Funds.”
 
 
Information Reviewed
 
During the course of each year, Board members review a wide variety of materials relating to the nature, extent and quality of the services provided by the Advisor to the Funds, including reports on each Fund’s investment results, portfolio composition, portfolio trading practices, and other matters.  In addition, in connection with its annual review of the Agreement with respect to the Funds, the Board requested and reviewed supplementary information that included materials regarding the Funds’ investment results, advisory fees and expense comparisons for peer groups and categories of similar funds identified by Morningstar Associates (“Morningstar”); financial and profitability information regarding the Advisor; descriptions of various functions such as compliance monitoring and portfolio trading practices; and information about the personnel providing investment management and administrative services to the Funds.
 
 
In connection with its reviews, the Board received assistance and advice regarding legal and industry standards from counsel to the Trust and the independent Trustees.  The independent Trustees discussed the approval of the Agreement with respect to each Fund with representatives of the Advisor at two Board meetings and in private sessions with counsel at which no representatives of the Advisor were present.  In deciding to recommend approval of the Agreement with respect to each Fund, the Board and the independent Trustees did not identify any single or particular piece of information that, in isolation, was the controlling factor, and each Trustee did not necessarily attribute the same weight to each factor.  This summary describes the most important, but not all, of the factors considered by the Board and the independent Trustees.
 


 
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ADDITIONAL INFORMATION — (Unaudited) (continued)


Nature, Extent and Quality of Services
 
With respect to the nature, extent and quality of services provided by the Advisor to the Funds, the Trustees reviewed among other things the quality and depth of the Advisor’s investment management staff, its regulatory compliance procedures, the day-to-day administrative services provided by the Advisor to the Funds, and the investment results of the Funds.
 
With respect to each Fund’s investment results, the Trustees reviewed detailed information regarding a peer group of similarly managed funds selected by Morningstar Associates, all of the funds in the larger Morningstar category of funds managed with the same general style, and the Fund’s benchmark indices.  The Trustees also discussed with representatives of Morningstar the principles used in determining the Funds’ peer groups and categories, and differences in those groups from those presented by Morningstar in connection with the Trustees’ 2013 review of the Agreement.  In addition, they reviewed the results of certain Funds considered by the Advisor to be the most direct competitors to the Funds in the Funds’ marketing channels.
 
The independent Trustees noted that the investment results of the I Class shares of all of the Funds were in the first or second quartiles of their respective peer groups for most of the one-year, three-year, five-year and ten-year periods ended September 30, 2014, except for the investment results of the following: the International Fund for the five-year and ten-year periods; the Credit Focus Fund for the one-year and ten-year periods; the Global Equity Fund for the five-year period; and the Core Plus Fund for the one-year period.  They also noted that the investment results of the I Class shares of all of the Funds were above those of their respective benchmark indices, except for the International Fund for the three-year, five-year and ten-year periods; the Global Fund for the one-year, three-year, five-year and since-inception periods; the Credit Focus Fund for the one-year period; and the Core Plus Fund for the since inception period.
 
As in their past annual reviews of the Agreement with respect to the International and Global Funds, the independent Trustees noted the Advisor’s fundamental commitment to the Graham and Dodd value strategy of investment management and that the Advisor has had little style drift compared with other value managers; considered that it is not unusual for the performance of funds managed with the long-term Graham and Dodd value strategy to fall below the performance of measurement indices for some periods, and that the investment returns from value stocks were out of favor in the markets for almost five years during the ten-year periods considered (an unprecedentedly long period since 1977); and further noted that the Funds’ investment approaches are fully described in its prospectus and the Funds’ shareholders likely were willing to accept the long-term outlook associated with the Advisor’s approach.
 


 
139

 
 
Brandes Investment Trust

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION — (Unaudited) (continued)


Based on these discussions and reviews, the Trustees determined that under all the circumstances the investment results of the Funds were satisfactory.
 
 
Advisory Fees, Total Expenses, Profitability and Ancillary Benefits
 
With respect to advisory fees and total expenses of the Funds, the independent Trustees noted that:
 
 
The management fees for all of the Funds other than the International Small Cap Equity and Credit Focus Fund were below the median fees in their respective Morningstar peer groups.  The total expenses for all of the Funds other than the Credit Focus Fund, after waivers by the Advisor of expenses above stated expense caps, were at or below the median expenses of the funds in their respective Morningstar peer groups.  The independent Trustees also noted that the Advisor continues to waive any expenses over stated expense caps for the Funds.
 
 
Although the Advisor’s management fee is higher for the Funds than for its similar institutional separate accounts and, in the case of the International Fund, for other mutual funds to which the Advisor provides sub-advisory services, the Trustees noted information provided by the Advisor regarding the additional responsibilities and expenses that the Advisor incurs in sponsoring and operating the Funds.
 
 
As a result of discussion with the independent Trustees, the Advisor instituted fee breakpoints for the Emerging Markets Fund at the $2.5 billion and $5 billion asset levels.  The independent Trustees noted that although the Advisor’s fees for the Funds other than the International Fund and the Emerging Markets Fund do not have breakpoints as those Funds’ assets increase, the Advisor believes that it is premature to discuss economies of scale when it is subsidizing the Funds’ expenses.  The independent Trustees also noted that the Advisor had agreed to review the nature and extent of any economies of scale that it may realize as the Funds’ assets increase in the future and how such economies would be shared with the Funds’ shareholders.
 
In addition, the independent Trustees reviewed an analysis of the profitability to the Advisor of its relationship with the Funds and information regarding the Advisor’s financial capability to continue to provide services to the Funds in the future.  They also reviewed the methods used by the Advisor to evaluate and compensate its professional investment personnel.  Finally, they considered ancillary benefits to the Advisor as a result of its relationships with the Funds.  They noted that these were primarily related to the benefit of proprietary and third-party research provided by broker-dealers executing portfolio transactions on behalf of the Funds.
 


 
140

 
 
Brandes Investment Trust

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION — (Unaudited) (continued)


Conclusions
 
Based on their review, including consideration of each of the factors referred to above, the Board and the independent Trustees concluded that the Agreement is fair and reasonable to the Funds and their respective shareholders, that each of the factors discussed above supported renewal of the Agreement with respect to each of the Funds, and that renewal of the Agreement was in the best interests of each Fund and its shareholders.
 
 
BOARD CONSIDERATION OF INVESTMENT ADVISORY AGREEMENT — NEW FUNDS
 
In November 2014, in connection with their review of the existing Funds, the board of Trustees of the Trust, including the independent Trustees, also unanimously approved the addition of the Brandes Global Opportunities Value Fund (the “Opportunities Fund”) and the Brandes Global Equity Income Fund (the “Equity Income Fund”) to the Agreement for initial two-year terms.  Each of these funds is referred to below as a “New Fund” and they are collectively referred to below as the “New Funds.”
 
 
Nature, Extent and Quality of Services
 
The Trustees reviewed information regarding the proposed investment approach and operations of each of the New Funds and the personnel proposed to provide investment management services to each New Fund on behalf of the Advisor. The Trustees reviewed the investment results of several pooled investment accounts, and the composite results of separate accounts, managed by the Advisor with similar policies and objectives as the proposed Opportunities Fund, for three-month, year-to-date, one year and since-inception periods ended September 30, 2104.  They also reviewed the investment results of a pooled investment account managed by the Advisor with similar objectives and policies as the Equity Income Fund, for the period since the account’s organization in January 2014.  The Trustees determined that the Advisor would have the capabilities, resources and personnel necessary to manage the New Funds and would provide each New Fund with a reasonable potential for good investment results.
 
 
Advisory Fees, Total Expenses, Profitability and Ancillary Benefits  
 
With respect to advisory fees and total expenses of the New Funds, the independent Trustees noted that proposed fees for the Equity Income Fund were at the median for the funds in its Morningstar peer group and its estimated total expenses, after waivers by the Advisor of expenses above its proposed expense cap, were also at the median for its peer group.    They noted that the proposed fees for the Opportunities Fund were slightly above its peer group median (by 0.075%) but
 


 
141

 
 
Brandes Investment Trust

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION — (Unaudited) (continued)


that its estimated total expenses, after waivers by the Advisor, were only 0.02% above median.  They noted that in their initial periods of operations the New Funds would not be profitable to the Advisor and any ancillary benefits would be minimal.
 
Conclusions
 
Based on their review, including consideration of each of the factors referred to above, the Board and the independent Trustees concluded that the addition of the New Funds to the Agreement would be fair and reasonable to the New Funds and their respective shareholders.
 
 
PROXY VOTING PROCEDURES
 
The Advisor votes proxies relating to the Funds’ portfolio securities in accordance with procedures adopted by the Advisor. You may obtain a description of these procedures, free of charge, by calling toll-free 1-800-331-2979. This information is also available through the Securities and Exchange Commission’s website at http://www.sec.gov.
 
Information regarding how the Trust voted proxies relating to portfolio securities during the most recent 12-month period ended June 30 is available without charge, upon request, by calling 1-800-331-2979. This information is also available through the Securities and Exchange Commission’s website at http://www.sec.gov.
 
 
FORM N-Q DISCLOSURE
 
The Trust files the Fund’s complete schedule of portfolio holdings with the Securities and Exchange Commission for the first and third quarters of each fiscal year on Form N-Q. The Trust’s Form N-Q filings are available on the Securities and Exchange Commission’s website at http://www.sec.gov. The Trust’s Form N-Q filings may be reviewed and copied at the Commission’s Public Reference Room in Washington, D.C., and information on the operation of the Public Reference Room may be obtained by calling 1-800-SEC-0330. Information regarding the Trust’s Form N-Q filings is also available, without charge, by calling toll-free, 1-800-331-2979.
 


 
142

 
 
Brandes Investment Trust

TRUSTEES AND OFFICERS INFORMATION — (Unaudited)


The Board of Trustees is responsible for the overall management of the Trust’s business. The Board approves all significant agreements between the Trust and persons or companies furnishing services to the Trust, including the Trust’s agreements with the Advisor, Administrator, Custodian and Transfer Agent. The Board of Trustees delegates the day-to-day operations of the Trust to its officers, subject to the Funds investment objectives and policies and to general supervision by the Board. The Trust’s Statement of Additional Information includes additional information about the Trustees and is available, without charge, by calling 1-800-331-2979.
 
The Trustees and officers of the Trust, their business addresses and principal occupations during the past five years are:
 
   
Term of
     
   
Office
 
Number
Other
   
and
Principal
of Trust
Directorships/
 
Position(s)
Length
Occupation
Series
Trusteeships
Name, Address
Held with
of Time
During Past
Overseen
Held by
and Age
Trust
Served(1)
5 Years
by Trustee
Trustee
           
Independent Trustees(2)
         
           
J. Michael Gaffney, CFA
Trustee
Since
Retired.
9
None
11988 El Camino Real,
 
June
Independent
   
Suite 600
 
2004
Consultant,
   
San Diego, CA 92130
   
NATIXIS Global
   
(Age 73)
   
Asset Management,
   
     
North America from
   
     
2004 to 2011.
   
           
Jean E. Carter
Trustee
Since
Retired since 2005.
9
Bridge Builder
11988 El Camino Real,
and
April
   
Trust
Suite 600
Chairman
2008
     
San Diego, CA 92130
         
(Age 57)
         
           
Robert M. Fitzgerald, CPA
Trustee
Since
Retired.
9
Hotchkis and
(inactive)
 
April
   
Wiley Mutual
11988 El Camino Real,
 
2008
   
Funds
Suite 600
         
San Diego, CA 92130
         
(Age 63)
         
           
Craig Wainscott, CFA
Trustee
Since
Partner with The
9
None
11988 El Camino Real,
 
February
Paradigm Project
   
Suite 600
 
2012
and advisor to
   
San Diego, CA 92130
   
early-stage companies.
   
(Age 53)
         

 

 
143

 
 
Brandes Investment Trust
 
INFORMATION ABOUT TRUSTEES AND OFFICERS — (Unaudited) (continued)

 
   
Term of
     
   
Office
 
Number
Other
   
and
Principal
of Trust
Directorships/
 
Position(s)
Length
Occupation
Series
Trusteeships
Name, Address
Held with
of Time
During Past
Overseen
Held by
and Age
Trust
Served(1)
5 Years
by Trustee
Trustee
           
“Interested” Trustees(3)
         
           
Oliver Murray
Trustee
Since
Chief Executive
9
None
11988 El Camino Real,
 
February
Officer, Brandes
   
Suite 600
 
2012
Investment Partners
   
San Diego, CA 92130
   
& Co.; Managing
   
(Age 52)
   
Director − PMCS of
   
     
Brandes Investment
   
     
Partners, L.P., the
   
     
investment advisor
   
     
to the Funds
   
     
(the “Advisor”).
   
           
Jeff Busby, CFA
Trustee
Since
Executive Director
9
None
11988 El Camino Real,
and
July
of the Advisor.
   
Suite 600
President
2006
     
San Diego, CA 92130
         
(Age 54)
         
           
Officers of the Trust
         
           
Thomas M. Quinlan
Secretary
Since
Associate General
N/A
N/A
11988 El Camino Real,
 
June
Counsel of the
   
Suite 600
 
2003
Advisor.
   
San Diego, CA 92130
         
(Age 44)
         
           
Gary Iwamura, CPA
Treasurer
Since
Finance Director
N/A
N/A
11988 El Camino Real,
 
September
of the Advisor.
   
Suite 600
 
1997
     
San Diego, CA 92130
         
(Age 58)
         
           
George Stevens
Chief
Since
Director, Beacon
N/A
N/A
11988 El Camino Real,
Compliance
January
Hill Fund Services,
   
Suite 600
Officer
2010
Inc.
   
San Diego, CA 92130
         
(Age 64)
         

(1)
Trustees and officers of the Fund serve until their resignation, removal or retirement.
(2)
Not “interested persons” of the Trust as defined in the 1940 Act.
(3)
“Interested persons” of the Trust as defined in the 1940 Act by virtue of their positions with the Advisor.
 


 
144

 
 
Brandes Investment Trust

PRIVACY NOTICE


Brandes Investment Partners, L.P. and the Brandes Investment Trust collect nonpublic information about you from the following sources:
 
Information we receive about you on applications or other forms;
 
Information you give us orally; and
 
Information about your transactions with us or others.
 
We do not disclose any nonpublic personal information about our customers or former customers without the customer’s authorization, except as permitted by law or in response to inquires from governmental authorities.
 
We restrict access to your personal and account information to those personnel who need to know that information to provide products and services to you. We also may disclose that information to unaffiliated third parties (such as to brokers or custodians) only as permitted by law and only as needed for us to provide agreed services to you. We maintain physical, electronic and procedural safeguards to guard your nonpublic personal information.
 

 


 
145

 






ADVISOR
 
Brandes Investment Partners, L.P.
11988 El Camino Real, Suite 600
San Diego, CA 92130
800.331.2979

DISTRIBUTOR
 
Quasar Distributors, LLC
615 E. Michigan Street, 4th Floor
Milwaukee, WI 53202

TRANSFER AGENT
 
U.S. Bancorp Fund Services, LLC
615 E. Michigan Street, 3rd Floor
Milwaukee, WI 53202

INDEPENDENT REGISTERED
PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM
 
PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP
601 South Figueroa Street
Los Angeles, CA 90017

LEGAL COUNSEL
 
Morgan, Lewis & Bockius LLP
355 South Grand Avenue, Suite 4400
Los Angeles, CA 90071
 

This report is intended for shareholders of the Brandes International Equity Fund, the Brandes Global Equity Fund, the Brandes Global Equity Income Fund, the Brandes Global Opportunities Value Fund, the Brandes Emerging Markets Value Fund, the Brandes International Small Cap Equity Fund, the Brandes Core Plus Fixed Income Fund and the Brandes Credit Focus Yield Fund and may not be used as sales literature unless preceded or accompanied by a current prospectus.
 
Statements and other information herein are dated and are subject to change.

 
 

 



Brandes Fund cover


SEPARATELY MANAGED
ACCOUNT RESERVE TRUST








SEMI-ANNUAL REPORT

 

 

 

 

 
For the six months ended
March 31, 2015


 
 

 
 
Brandes Separately Managed Account Reserve Trust


Dear Shareholder,
 
The Brandes Separately Managed Account Reserve Trust Fund (“The Fund”) gained 3.07% during the six-month period ended March 31, 2015, underperforming the Barclays U.S. Aggregate Bond Index, which returned 3.43% in the same period.
 
In this letter, I will examine the sector- and security-specific factors that affected the Fund’s performance and describe changes in the Fund’s composition for the six-month period.  I will also discuss how the Fund is positioned for the future.
 
The Markets
The combination of plunging oil prices and economic weakness in emerging markets and Europe led investors to continue seeking safety in U.S. Treasuries during the period. The 10-year U.S. Treasury yield declined 57 basis points in the six months ended March 31, 2015 to close the period at 1.92%.
 
In March, the Federal Reserve updated its economic predictions, and, based largely on its downward economic forecasts, investors generally concluded that the central bank would keep short-term interest rates lower for a longer-than-expected timeframe.
 
During much of the six-month period, credit continued to flow freely to virtually any company in the market, investors continued to accept less protection in many new bond issues, money continued virtually unabated to bonds and bond funds, spreads tightened and all-in yields went dramatically lower.
 
Elsewhere, the European Central Bank (ECB) began its own quantitative easing program that caused interest rates across Europe to hit new all-time lows. With many euro-area government bonds trading at yields close to zero—or in some regions negative levels—foreign investors appeared to show stronger preference for U.S. debt.
 
The Fund
During the period, the largest detractor from performance was the Fund’s shorter average duration than the benchmark. We manage the Fund within a duration-controlled band of plus or minus 20% of the benchmark. Throughout the six-month period, we’ve maintained portfolio duration between 80% to 85% of the benchmark, as we’ve attempted to bias the Fund to perform well on a relative basis should rates start to rise.
 
The Fund’s weighting in corporate bonds was the largest positive contributor to relative performance. Within this area, we saw strong performance from securities in the utilities and industrials sectors.  Specifically within industrials, U.K.-based retailer Marks & Spencer and security monitoring firm ADT Inc. have contributed positively to returns.
 

 
1

 
 
Brandes Separately Managed Account Reserve Trust

 
The Fund’s underweight position versus the benchmark in the mortgage-backed security (MBS) sector also aided relative performance. The MBS sector saw negative excess returns relative to U.S. Treasury securities in the first quarter as the market has had to come to grips with supply that would not be backstopped by the Fed for the first time in a few years. The sustained rally in interest rates has exacerbated these concerns, giving way to fears that the supply of new-issue MBS could be greater this year than originally forecast, as the combination of low rates and continued improvement in consumer balance sheets could lead to strong purchase and refinance activity in the mortgage market.
 
During the six-month period, the Fund initiated three notable new positions and added to a few existing credits whose spreads drifted wider. In the fourth quarter of 2014, we purchased Tenet Healthcare bonds (8% coupon rate, maturing in August 2020 and a rating of B3/CCC+). Tenet Healthcare acquired Tenet Healthcare Vanguard Health Systems in late-2013 which increased leverage.  There has been meaningful post-merger cost cutting, which has led to growing cash flow. Additionally, the Affordable Care Act has been beneficial to the company on two fronts: 1) There has been a decline in bad debt expenses as less uninsured are flowing through Tenet hospitals and 2) Tenet is seeing growing volumes as more patients are willing to use hospitals due to having insurance.
 
Finally, we believe Tenet’s debt is well covered based on transaction values in the marketplace and the fact that the business historically has not been economically sensitive. The specific Tenet issue we purchased is the last of its high-cost debt. Therefore, we believe the company has strong incentive to call the bond when possible (first call date August 2015) and replace it with a lower-cost alternative.
 
We also made notable add-on purchases to existing credits: ADT Corp (3.5% coupon rate, maturing in July 2022 and a rating of Ba2/BB-) and Sappi Papier (8.375% coupon rate, maturing in July 2019 and a rating of Ba2/BB). ADT Corp was in the market with new-issue debt during the fourth quarter of 2014 to refinance existing bank debt. There was tepid demand for the new deal and it was eventually sized-down at $400 million from an initial target of $500 million and the credit spread at pricing was widened 75 basis points from the initial price talk.  The noise around the new deal caused our bond to trade down and we took the opportunity to increase our weighting. The issue we purchased from Sappi Papier (South African Paper Company) is a high-coupon security with a call in June 2015. This specific security is the second-highest coupon outstanding and highest among Sappi Papier’s U.S. dollar issues. We view the issue as likely to be called this June. It is considered a first-lien paper—giving us a claim on physical plant assets.
 
In the first quarter of 2015, the Fund initiated two new positions: Tesco Plc and British Petroleum (BP). Tesco (5.50% coupon rate, maturing in November 2017 and
 

 
2

 
 
Brandes Separately Managed Account Reserve Trust

 
a rating of Ba1/BB+) is a leading U.K.-based food retailer that has approximately 30% of the grocery market. The food staples & retailing industry is historically defensive in nature, but Tesco is facing increased competition from traditional grocers and discount retailers. In our view, these negative headwinds are offset by 1) scale, which allows Tesco to operate more efficiently compared to many of its competitors, 2) strong liquidity, and 3) asset coverage in the form of real estate. We believe the company’s potential longer-term margin erosion from increased competitive pressure is mitigated to a great extent by the short maturity of this security.
 
BP (3.506% coupon rate, maturing in March 2025 and a rating of A2/A) was the Fund’s first purchase in the energy sector since the dramatic selloff in the price of oil in the fourth quarter of 2014. As an integrated energy major (i.e., one of the world’s biggest oil producers), we believe BP is better positioned than many in the industry to weather the slump in oil prices. BP is able to derive revenues from segments that are less tied to the absolute price of oil such as refining and downstream operations (i.e., service stations). BP has also been more aggressive in cutting costs than many of its peers.  The company is not without its issues, which include still unresolved liabilities related to the Gulf of Mexico spill in 2010 and some exposure to Russia, but we believe BP’s healthy cash balance and strong balance sheet mitigate most of these risks.
 
Our Outlook
The market has had pockets of volatility in the period where it became more interesting in certain sectors, providing us with opportunities to add to existing positions and purchase a few new securities. Overall, however, any backup in credit spreads has been largely met with robust buying. Therefore, we remain cautious.
 
A case in point is the high-yield energy sector, where we started to see some cracks forming in the first quarter of 2015. Two companies, Quicksilver Resources and BPZ Resources, filed for bankruptcy protection. Another company, American Eagle Energy Corp. seems to be headed down the bankruptcy path after it missed the first coupon payment on a $175-million bond it issued in August last year. Think about that for a minute: A company that was able to place a $175-million debt with seemingly eager buyers less than six months ago is likely headed to chapter 11 already.
 
According to Bloomberg, there has been $120 billion in high-yield energy debt issued over the past three years.1  Our initial review of the high-yield energy sector is that there have been a large number of marginal businesses that have had access to cheap financing principally due the insatiable desire for any yield in the market. There is a
 

1
Bloomberg News, “Driller that Skipped Bond Coupon Said to Start Debt Talks”, 3/24/15 http://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2015-03-24/driller-that-skipped-first-bond-coupon-said-to-start-debt-talks
 

 
3

 
 
Brandes Separately Managed Account Reserve Trust

 
lot of leverage in the sector and we believe there is a high potential for additional missed debt-service payments and/or for significant impairment to enterprise values if oil prices stay low for a prolonged period. We suspect there will be an increasing number of stories like American Eagle Energy Corp. in the coming months.
 
If there is disruption in the market due to debt impairments in the high-yield energy sector, selling pressure in the bank loan sector, or a more general uptick in market volatility, we stand ready to redeploy our cash and liquid U.S. Treasury into additional value opportunities.
 
We hold the view that these are unprecedented times in the bond markets—requiring discipline and vigilance—and where we continue to adhere to a measured and deliberate approach to security selection while selectively looking to add mispriced yield.
 
The Fund remains biased for higher interest rates. In this environment, we have a strong preference for asset-rich credits and shorter maturities. We believe that a careful path, rooted in Graham-and-Dodd, value-based principles, remains the most prudent approach for protecting capital and adding value to the Fund over the coming years.
 
As always, thank you for your business and the trust you have placed in us.
 
Sincerely yours,
 
The Brandes Fixed Income Investment Committee
Brandes Investment Trust
 

Timothy Doyle, CFA, Chuck Gramling, CFA, David Gilson, CFA
 

Past performance does not guarantee future results.
 
Market conditions may impact performance.  The performance results presented were achieved in particular market conditions which may not be repeated. Moreover, the current market volatility and uncertain regulatory environment may have a negative impact on future performance.
 

 
4

 
 
Brandes Separately Managed Account Reserve Trust

 
International and emerging markets investing is subject to certain risks such as currency fluctuations and social and political changes, political instability, differences in financial reporting standards and less stringent regulation of securities markets; such risks may result in greater share price volatility. Emerging market countries involve greater risks, such as immature economic structures, national policies restricting investments by foreigners, and different legal systems.
 
Unlike bonds issued or guaranteed by the U.S. government or its agencies, stocks and other bonds are not backed by the full faith and credit of the United States.  Stock and bond prices will experience market fluctuations.  Please note that the value of government securities and bonds in general have an inverse relationship to interest rates.  Bonds carry the risk of default, or the risk that an issuer will be unable to make income or principal payment.  There is no assurance that private guarantors or insurers will meet their obligations. The credit quality of the investments in the portfolio is no guarantee of the safety or stability of the portfolio.  Investments in asset-backed and mortgage-backed securities include additional risks that investors should be aware of such as credit risk, prepayment risk, possible illiquidity and default, as well as increased susceptibility to adverse economic developments.
 
Please refer to the Schedule of Investments in the report for complete holdings information.  Fund holdings, geographic allocations and/or sector allocations are subject to change at any time and are not a recommendation to buy or sell any security.
 
Investment performance reflects fee waivers and/or reimbursement of expenses. In the absence of such waivers/reimbursements, total return would be reduced.
 
The Fund may hold illiquid securities which may reduce the return of the Fund because it may be unable to sell such illiquid securities at an advantageous time or price. Illiquid securities may also be difficult to value. The Fund is actively managed, and may frequently buy and sell securities. Frequent trading increases a Fund’s portfolio turnover rate and may increase transaction costs, such as brokerage commissions and taxes, which in turn could detract from the Fund’s performance.
 
The foregoing reflects the thoughts and opinions of Brandes Investment Partners® exclusively and is subject to change without notice.
 
Brandes Investment Partners® is a registered trademark of Brandes Investment Partners, L.P., in the United States and Canada.
 
Must be preceded or accompanied by a prospectus.
 

 
5

 
 
Brandes Separately Managed Account Reserve Trust

 
Index Guide:
The Barclays U.S. Aggregate Bond Index is a broad-based benchmark that measures the investment grade, U.S. dollar-denominated, fixed-rate taxable bond market. This index is a total return index which reflects the price changes and interest of each bond in the index.
 
There is no assurance that a forecast will be accurate. Because of the many variables involved, an investor should not rely on forecasts without realizing their limitations.
 
Moody’s ratings (highest to lowest): Aaa, Aa, A, Baa, Ba, B, Caa, Ca, C, with numerical modifiers 1, 2, and 3. Standard and Poor’s ratings (highest to lowest): AAA, AA, A, BBB, BBB-, BB+,BB, CCC, CC, C, D, with + or – signs to show relative standings within the major ratings categories.
 
Basis point: A unit that is equal to 1/100th of 1% and is used to denote a change in a financial instrument.
 
Duration: The weighted maturity of a fixed-income investment’s cash flows, used in the estimation of the price sensitivity of fixed-income securities for a given change in interest rates.
 
Enterprise value: Market capitalization plus debt, minority interest and preferred shares, minus total cash and cash equivalents.
 
Yield: annual income from the investment (dividend, interest, etc.) divided by the current market price of the investment
 
Cash flow: Movement of money out of or into a business.
 
The Brandes Separately Managed Account Trust Fund is distributed by Quasar Distributors, LLC.

 
 

 

 
6

 
 
Brandes Separately Managed Account Reserve Trust
 

The following chart compares the value of a hypothetical $10,000 investment in the Separately Managed Account Reserve Trust from its inception (October 3, 2005) to March 31, 2015 as compared with the Barclays Capital U.S. Aggregate Index and Barclays Capital U.S. Intermediate Credit Index.
 
Cumulative Performance of $10,000 Investment
Since Inception (Unaudited)
 

 

 
Average Annual Total Return
 
Periods Ended March 31, 2015
       
Since
 
One
Three
Five
Inception
 
Year
Years
Years
(10/3/05)
Separately Managed Account
       
  Reserve Trust
5.10%
6.87%
8.37%
6.16%
Barclays Capital
       
  U.S. Aggregate Index
5.72%
3.10%
4.41%
4.97%
Barclays Capital
       
  U.S. Intermediate Credit Index
4.30%
3.73%
4.88%
5.25%
 
Performance data quoted represents past performance; past performance does not guarantee future results. The investment return and principal value of an investment will fluctuate so that an investor’s shares, when redeemed, may be worth more or less than their original cost. Current performance of the Fund may be lower or higher than the performance quoted. Performance data current to the most recent month end may be obtained by calling 800-331-2979.
 

 
7

 
 
Brandes Separately Managed Account Reserve Trust

 
The returns shown do not reflect the deduction of taxes that a shareholder would pay on fund distributions or the redemption of fund shares. The Advisor has a fee waiver arrangement in place to limit the Fund’s annual operating expenses.
 
Sector Allocation as a Percentage of Total Investments as of
March 31, 2015 (Unaudited)
 

 
 
The sector classifications represented in the graph above and industry classifications represented in the Schedule of Investments are in accordance with Global Industry Classification Standard (GICS®), which was developed by and/or is the exclusive property of MSCI, Inc. and Standard & Poor Financial Services LLC.
 



 
8

 
 
Brandes Separately Managed Account Reserve Trust


Expense Example (Unaudited)
 
As a shareholder of the Fund, you incur ongoing costs, including investment advisory and administrative fees and other Fund expenses. The examples below are intended to help you understand your ongoing costs (in dollars) of investing in the Fund and to compare these costs with the ongoing costs of investing in other mutual funds.
 
The examples are based on an investment of $1,000 invested at the beginning of the period and held for the entire period from October 1, 2014 to March 31, 2015 (the “Period”).
 
Actual Expenses
This section provides information about actual account values and actual expenses. The “Ending Account Value” shown is derived from the Fund’s actual returns. You may use the information in this section, together with the amount you invested, to estimate the expenses that you paid over the period. Simply divide your account value by $1,000 (for example, an $8,600 account value divided by $1,000 = 8.6), then multiply the result by the number given for the Fund under the heading “Expenses Paid During Period” to estimate the expenses you paid on your account during this period.
 
       
Expenses
 
Beginning
Ending
Annual
Paid
 
Account
Account
Expense
During
Fund
Value
Value
Ratio
the Period*
Separately Managed Account
       
  Reserve Trust**
$1,000.00
$1,030.70
0.00%
$0.00



 
9

 
 
Brandes Separately Managed Account Reserve Trust

Hypothetical Example for Comparison Purposes
This section 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 you paid for the period. You may use this information to compare the ongoing costs of investing in the Fund and other mutual funds. To do so, compare this 5% hypothetical example with the 5% hypothetical examples that appear in the shareholder reports of the other mutual funds.
 
Please note that the expenses shown in the table are meant to highlight your ongoing costs only and do not reflect any transaction costs, such as sales charges (loads), redemption fees, or exchange fees. Therefore, the last column of the 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.
 
       
Expenses
 
Beginning
Ending
Annual
Paid
 
Account
Account
Expense
During
Fund
Value
Value
Ratio
the Period*
Separately Managed Account
       
  Reserve Trust**
$1,000.00
$1,024.93
0.00%
$0.00

*
 
The Fund’s expenses are equal to the Fund’s expense ratio for the period, multiplied by the average account value over the period, multiplied by 182/365 (to reflect the one half-year period).
**
 
No expenses have been charged to the SMART Fund over the period, as the SMART Fund participates in a wrap-fee program sponsored by investment advisors unaffiliated with the SMART Fund. See Note 3 to the Financial Statements.



 
10

 
 
Brandes Separately Managed Account Reserve Trust

SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS — March 31, 2015 (Unaudited)

   
Principal
       
   
Amount
   
Value
 
MORTGAGE RELATED SECURITIES – 0.17%
           
             
Collateralized Mortgage Obligations – 0.01%
           
Wells Fargo Mortgage Backed Securities Trust
           
  Series 2006-AR14, 5.957%, 10/25/2036(c)
  $ 13,339     $ 12,920  
                 
Sub-Prime Mortgages – 0.16%
               
Structured Asset Investment Loan Trust
               
  Series A3, 0.934%, 07/25/2035
    259,658       258,855  
TOTAL MORTGAGE RELATED SECURITIES
               
  (Cost $268,426)
          $ 271,775  
                 
US GOVERNMENTS – 22.79%
               
                 
Sovereign – 22.79%
               
United States Treasury Bond
               
  4.750%, 02/15/2037
  $ 1,535,000     $ 2,160,034  
United States Treasury Note
               
  3.375%, 11/15/2019
    9,320,000       10,177,002  
  2.000%, 11/15/2021
    12,465,000       12,744,490  
  2.000%, 02/15/2023
    10,775,000       10,950,094  
TOTAL US GOVERNMENTS
               
  (Cost $34,229,964)
          $ 36,031,620  
                 
   
Shares
   
Value
 
PREFERRED STOCKS – 5.47%
               
                 
Consumer Finance – 2.13%
               
Ally Financial, Inc., 8.500%
    126,200     $ 3,365,754  
                 
Technology Hardware – 3.34%
               
Pitney Bowes International Holdings, Inc., 6.125%(a)
    4,969       5,290,432  
TOTAL PREFERRED STOCKS
               
  (Cost $8,046,802)
          $ 8,656,186  
                 
   
Principal
         
   
Amount
   
Value
 
ASSET BACKED SECURITIES – 3.15%
               
                 
Student Loan – 3.15%
               
SLM Private Credit Student Loan Trust
               
  Series 2004-B, 0.701%, 09/15/2033
  $ 1,500,000     $ 1,327,955  
  Series 2005-A, 0.581%, 12/15/2038
    1,865,000       1,667,276  
  Series 2006-A, 0.561%, 06/15/2039
    2,200,000       1,979,443  
TOTAL ASSET BACKED SECURITIES
               
  (Cost $4,803,059)
          $ 4,974,674  
 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of this Schedule of Investments.

 
11

 
 
Brandes Separately Managed Account Reserve Trust
 

SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS — March 31, 2015 (Unaudited) (continued)

   
Principal
       
   
Amount
   
Value
 
CORPORATE BONDS – 67.06%
           
             
Automobiles – 1.13%
           
Chrysler Group LLC
           
  8.250%, 06/15/2021
  $ 1,615,000     $ 1,791,213  
                 
Banks & Thrifts – 9.06%
               
First Horizon National Corp.
               
  5.375%, 12/15/2015
    1,780,000       1,825,935  
JP Morgan Chase & Co.
               
  7.900%, Perpetual
    6,305,000       6,785,756  
Regions Financial Corp.
               
  5.750%, 06/15/2015
    3,890,000       3,924,504  
The Goldman Sachs Group, Inc.
               
  7.500%, 02/15/2019
    1,500,000       1,790,222  
              14,326,417  
Building Materials – 8.36%
               
CRH America, Inc.
               
  6.000%, 09/30/2016
    2,000,000       2,133,044  
Masco Corp.
               
  6.125%, 10/3/2016
    4,635,000       4,939,056  
Mohawk Industries, Inc.
               
  6.125%, 01/15/2016
    3,061,000       3,177,465  
Owens Corning
               
  6.500%, 12/1/2016
    44,000       47,307  
USG Corp.
               
  6.300%, 11/15/2016
    2,790,000       2,922,525  
              13,219,397  
Commercial Services & Supplies – 1.94%
               
The ADT Corp.
               
  3.500%, 07/15/2022
    3,370,000       3,066,700  
                 
Diversified Financial Services – 1.62%
               
Voya Financial, Inc.
               
  5.500%, 07/15/2022
    2,220,000       2,565,425  
                 
Electric Utilities – 9.90%
               
DPL, Inc.
               
  7.250%, 10/15/2021
    2,100,000       2,231,250  
EDP Finance BV
               
  4.900%, 10/1/2019(a)
    4,450,000       4,730,617  
FirstEnergy Corp.
               
  7.375%, 11/15/2031
    3,950,000       5,016,204  
Israel Electric Corporation Ltd.
               
  7.250%, 01/15/2019(a)
    3,275,000       3,676,187  
              15,654,258  
 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of this Schedule of Investments.

 
12

 
 
Brandes Separately Managed Account Reserve Trust
 

SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS — March 31, 2015 (Unaudited) (continued)

   
Principal
       
   
Amount
   
Value
 
Energy – 1.06%
           
Valero Energy Corp.
           
  9.375%, 03/15/2019
  $ 1,340,000     $ 1,678,452  
                 
Food & Staples Retailing – 1.18%
               
Tesco Plc
               
  5.500%, 11/15/2017(a)
    1,745,000       1,874,259  
                 
Food, Beverage & Tobacco – 3.08%
               
Tyson Foods, Inc.
               
  6.600%, 04/1/2016
    4,615,000       4,868,391  
                 
Forest Products & Paper – 2.59%
               
Sappi Papier Holding GmbH
               
  8.375%, 06/15/2019(a)
    1,220,000       1,311,500  
  6.625%, 04/15/2021(a)
    2,650,000       2,779,188  
              4,090,688  
Health Care Providers & Services – 1.89%
               
Laboratory Corp. of America Holdings
               
  3.750%, 08/23/2022
    1,250,000       1,304,946  
Tenet Healthcare Corp.
               
  8.000%, 08/1/2020
    1,605,000       1,685,250  
              2,990,196  
Homebuilders – 8.32%
               
Centex Corp.
               
  6.500%, 05/1/2016
    2,695,000       2,823,012  
Lennar Corp.
               
  5.600%, 05/31/2015
    5,050,000       5,062,625  
Toll Brothers Finance Corp.
               
  5.150%, 05/15/2015
    4,235,000       4,245,588  
Urbi Desarrollos Urbanos SA
               
  9.500%, 01/21/2020(a)(b)(c)
    9,235,000       1,020,468  
              13,151,693  
Insurance – 4.34%
               
American International Group, Inc.
               
  6.400%, 12/15/2020
    2,785,000       3,373,513  
CNA Financial Corp.
               
  7.350%, 11/15/2019
    1,700,000       2,044,923  
  5.875%, 08/15/2020
    1,250,000       1,445,725  
              6,864,161  
Media – 1.06%
               
McGraw Hill Financial, Inc.
               
  5.900%, 11/15/2017
    1,525,000       1,677,091  
 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of this Schedule of Investments.

 
13

 
 
Brandes Separately Managed Account Reserve Trust
 

SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS — March 31, 2015 (Unaudited) (continued)

   
Principal
       
   
Amount
   
Value
 
Metals & Mining – 0.84%
           
ArcelorMittal SA
           
  5.500%, 03/1/2021
  $ 1,255,000     $ 1,333,438  
                 
Oil, Gas & Consumable Fuels – 5.85%
               
BP Capital Markets Plc
               
  3.506%, 03/17/2025
    2,110,000       2,152,107  
Chesapeake Energy Corp.
               
  6.625%, 08/15/2020
    3,555,000       3,670,537  
Cloud Peak Energy, Inc.
               
  6.375%, 03/15/2024
    1,902,000       1,645,230  
Kinder Morgan, Inc.
               
  7.000%, 06/15/2017
    1,610,000       1,775,893  
              9,243,767  
Pharmaceutical – 0.87%
               
Valeant Pharmaceuticals International
               
  6.750%, 08/15/2018(a)
    1,300,000       1,369,875  
                 
Retail – 2.37%
               
Marks & Spencer Plc
               
  7.125%, 12/1/2037(a)
    2,975,000       3,753,474  
                 
Telecommunications – 1.60%
               
Telecom Italia Capital SA
               
  6.999%, 06/4/2018
    840,000       935,025  
Telefonica Emisiones SAU
               
  5.462%, 02/16/2021
    1,390,000       1,588,539  
              2,523,564  
TOTAL CORPORATE BONDS
               
  (Cost $98,745,402)
          $ 106,042,459  
 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of this Schedule of Investments.

 
14

 
 
Brandes Separately Managed Account Reserve Trust
 

SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS — March 31, 2015 (Unaudited) (continued)

   
Principal
       
   
Amount
   
Value
 
REPURCHASE AGREEMENTS – 0.35%
           
State Street Bank and Trust Repurchase Agreement,
           
  (Dated 03/31/15), due 04/01/15, 0.00% [Collateralized
           
  by $565,000 Fannie Mae Bond, 2.17%, 11/07/22,
           
  (Market Value $561,893)] (proceeds $546,393)
  $ 546,393     $ 546,393  
TOTAL REPURCHASE AGREEMENTS (Cost $546,393)
          $ 546,393  
Total Investments (Cost $146,640,046) – 98.99%
          $ 156,523,107  
Other Assets in Excess of Liabilities – 1.01%
            1,602,966  
TOTAL NET ASSETS – 100.00%
          $ 158,126,073  

Percentages are stated as a percent of net assets.

(a)
Securities were purchased exempt from registration in the U.S. pursuant to Rule 144A of the Securities Act of 1933 (the “Act”) or was acquired in a private placement, and, unless registered under the Act, may only be sold to “qualified institutional buyers” (as defined in the Act) or pursuant to another exemption from registration. The market values of these securities total $25,806,000 which represents 16.32% of total net assets.
(b)
In default.
(c)
These securities have limited liquidity and represent $1,033,388 or 0.65% of the Fund’s net assets and are classified as Level 2 securities. See Note 2 in the Notes to Financial Statements.

The industry classifications represented in the Schedule of Investments are in accordance with Global Industry Classification Standards (GICS®), which was developed by and/or is the exclusive property of MSCI, Inc. and Standard & Poor Financial Services LLC.




 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of this Schedule of Investments.

 
15

 
 
Brandes Separately Managed Account Reserve Trust


STATEMENT OF ASSETS AND LIABILITIES — March 31, 2015 (Unaudited)

ASSETS
     
Investments in securities, at cost
  $ 146,640,046  
Investment in securities, at value
  $ 156,523,107  
Receivables:
       
Fund shares sold
    397,695  
Dividends and interest
    2,163,725  
Total Assets
    159,084,527  
LIABILITIES
       
Payables:
       
Fund shares redeemed
    954,098  
Dividends payable
    4,356  
Total Liabilities
    958,454  
NET ASSETS
  $ 158,126,073  
COMPONENTS OF NET ASSETS
       
Paid-in capital
  $ 178,704,649  
Undistributed net investment income
    2,719  
Accumulated net realized loss on investments
    (30,464,356 )
Net unrealized appreciation on investments
    9,883,061  
Total Net Assets
  $ 158,126,073  
Net asset value, offering price and redemption proceeds per share
       
Net Assets
  $ 158,126,073  
Shares outstanding (unlimited shares authorized without par value)
    17,392,740  
Offering and redemption price
  $ 9.09  

 

 
The accompanying notes to financial statements are an integral part of this statement.

 
16

 
 
Brandes Separately Managed Account Reserve Trust

 
STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS — For the Six Months Ended March 31, 2015 (Unaudited)

INVESTMENT INCOME
     
Income
     
Dividend income
  $ 191,632  
Interest income
    3,410,019  
Total Income
    3,601,651  
Expenses (Note 3)
       
Total expenses
     
Less reimbursement / waiver
     
Total expenses net of reimbursement / waiver
     
Net investment income
    3,601,651  
REALIZED AND UNREALIZED GAIN (LOSS) ON INVESTMENTS:
       
Net realized loss on investments
    (3,103,924 )
Net change in unrealized appreciation on investments
    4,137,961  
Net realized loss and unrealized gain on investments
    1,034,037  
Net Increase in net assets resulting from operations
  $ 4,635,688  
 

 

The accompanying notes to financial statements are an integral part of this statement.

 
17

 
 
Brandes Separately Managed Account Reserve Trust

STATEMENT OF CHANGES IN NET ASSETS

   
Six Months Ended
   
Year Ended
 
   
March 31,
   
September 30,
 
   
2015
   
2014
 
   
(Unaudited)
       
INCREASE IN NET ASSETS FROM:
           
OPERATIONS
           
Net investment income
  $ 3,601,651     $ 6,712,613  
Net realized gain (loss) on investments
    (3,103,924 )     594,835  
Net change in unrealized appreciation on investments
    4,137,961       1,545,293  
Net increase in net assets
               
  resulting from operations
    4,635,688       8,852,741  
DISTRIBUTIONS TO SHAREHOLDERS
               
From net investment income
    (3,598,932 )     (6,988,855 )
Decrease in net assets from distributions
    (3,598,932 )     (6,988,855 )
CAPITAL SHARE TRANSACTIONS
               
Proceeds from shares sold
    30,348,874       39,454,142  
Net asset value of shares issued
               
  on reinvestment of distributions
    3,576,249       6,898,576  
Cost of shares redeemed
    (15,126,143 )     (36,195,560 )
Net increase in net assets
               
  from capital share transactions
    18,798,980       10,157,158  
Total increase in net assets
    19,835,736       12,021,044  
NET ASSETS
               
Beginning of the Year
    138,290,337       126,269,293  
End of the Year
  $ 158,126,073     $ 138,290,337  
Undistributed net investment income
  $ 2,719     $  


The accompanying notes to financial statements are an integral part of this statement.

 
18

 
 
Brandes Separately Managed Account Reserve Trust

FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS

   
Six Months
                               
   
Ended
   
Year Ended September 30,
 
   
March 31,
                               
   
2015
   
2014
   
2013
   
2012
   
2011
   
2010
 
   
(Unaudited)
                               
Net asset value,
                                   
  beginning of period
  $ 9.03     $ 8.89     $ 9.01     $ 8.32     $ 8.46     $ 7.46  
Income (Loss) from
                                               
  investment operations:
                                               
Net investment income(2)
    0.22       0.46       0.51       0.49       0.52       0.60  
Net realized and unrealized
                                               
  gain/(loss) on investments
    0.06       0.16       (0.12 )     0.73       (0.12 )     0.97  
Total from investment operations
    0.28       0.62       0.39       1.22       0.40       1.57  
Less dividends and distributions:
                                               
Dividends from net
                                               
  investment income
    (0.22 )     (0.48 )     (0.51 )     (0.53 )     (0.54 )     (0.57 )
Total dividends and distributions
    (0.22 )     (0.48 )     (0.51 )     (0.53 )     (0.54 )     (0.57 )
Net asset value, end of period
  $ 9.09     $ 9.03     $ 8.89     $ 9.01     $ 8.32     $ 8.46  
Total return
    3.07 %(3)     7.13 %     4.42 %     15.13 %     4.61 %     21.81 %
Net assets, end
                                               
  of period (millions)
  $ 158.1     $ 138.3     $ 126.3     $ 141.6     $ 142.4     $ 158.5  
Ratio of expenses
                                               
  to average net assets(1)
    0.00 %(4)     0.00 %     0.00 %     0.00 %     0.00 %     0.00 %
Ratio of net investment income
                                               
  to average net assets(1)
    4.76 %(4)     5.12 %     5.61 %     5.66 %     5.98 %     7.53 %
Portfolio turnover rate
    7.95 %(3)     21.61 %     28.88 %     27.44 %     56.16 %     36.90 %

(1)
Reflects the fact that no fees or expenses are incurred by the Fund.  The Fund is an integral part of “wrap-fee” programs sponsored by investment advisers and/or broker-dealers unaffiliated with the Fund or the Advisor.  Participants in these programs pay a “wrap” fee to the sponsor of the program.
(2)
Net investment income per share has been calculated based on average shares outstanding during the period.
(3)
Not annualized.
(4)
Annualized.


The accompanying notes to financial statements are an integral part of this statement.

 
19

 
 
Brandes Separately Managed Account Reserve Trust

NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Unaudited)

NOTE 1 − ORGANIZATION
 
The Separately Managed Account Reserve Trust (the “Fund”) is a series of Brandes Investment Trust (the “Trust”). The Trust is registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the “1940 Act”), as a diversified, open-end management investment company. The Fund began operations on October 3, 2005. The Fund invests its assets primarily in debt securities and seeks to maximize total return.
 
NOTE 2 − SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES
 
The following is a summary of significant accounting policies consistently followed by the Fund. These policies are in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America.
 
 
A.
Repurchase Agreements. The Fund may enter into repurchase agreements with government securities dealers recognized by the Federal Reserve Board, with member banks of the Federal Reserve System or with other brokers or dealers that meet the credit guidelines established by the Board of Trustees. The Fund will always receive and maintain, as collateral, securities whose market value, including accrued interest (which is recorded in the Schedule of Investments), will be at least equal to 100% of the dollar amount invested by the Fund in each agreement, and the Fund will make payment for such securities only upon physical delivery or upon evidence of book entry transfer to the account of the Fund’s custodian. To the extent that the term of any repurchase transaction exceeds one business day, the value of the Fund’s collateral is marked-to-market on a daily basis to ensure the adequacy of the collateral. Before causing the Fund to enter into a repurchase agreement with any other party, the investment advisor will determine that such party does not have any apparent risk of becoming involved in bankruptcy proceedings within the time frame contemplated by the repurchase agreement. If the seller defaults and the value of the collateral declines, or if bankruptcy proceedings are commenced with respect to the seller of the security, realization of the collateral by the Fund may be delayed or limited.
 
 
B.
Foreign Currency Translation and Transactions. Values of investments denominated in foreign currencies are converted into U.S. dollars using the spot market rates of exchange at the time of valuation. Purchases and sales of investments and dividend and interest income are translated into U.S. dollars using the spot market rates of exchange prevailing on the respective dates of such translations. The gain or loss resulting from changes in foreign exchange rates is included with net realized and unrealized gain or loss from investments, as appropriate. Foreign


 
20

 
 
Brandes Separately Managed Account Reserve Trust

NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Unaudited) (continued)

   
securities and currency transactions may involve certain considerations and risks not typically associated with those of domestic origin.
 
   
Foreign securities are recorded in the financial statements after translation to U.S. dollars based on the applicable exchange rate at the end of the period.  The Fund reports certain foreign currency-related transactions as components of realized gains or losses for financial reporting purposes, whereas such components are treated as ordinary income for federal income tax purposes.
 
 
C.
Delayed Delivery Securities. The Fund may purchase securities on a when-issued or delayed delivery basis. “When-issued” or delayed delivery refers to securities whose terms are available and for which a market exists, but that have not been issued. For a when-issued or delayed delivery transaction, no payment is made until delivery date, which is typically longer than the normal course of settlement. When the Fund enters into an agreement to purchase securities on a when-issued or delayed delivery basis, the Fund segregates cash or liquid securities, of any type or maturity, equal in value to the Fund’s commitment. Losses may arise if the market values of the underlying securities change, if the counterparty does not perform under the contract, or if the issuer does not issue the securities due to political, economic or other factors.  The Fund did not have any open commitments on delayed delivery securities as of March 31, 2015.
 
 
D.
Security Transactions, Dividends and Distributions. Security transactions are accounted for on the trade dates. Realized gains and losses are evaluated on the bases of identified costs. Distributions from net investment income are declared daily and paid monthly. Distributions of net realized gains, if any, are declared at least annually. Dividend income and distributions to shareholders are recorded on the ex-dividend dates. Interest is recorded on an accrual basis. The Fund amortizes premiums and accretes discounts using the constant yield method.
 
 
E.
Use of Estimates. The preparation of financial statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and revenue and expenses and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities and revenue and expenses at the date of the financial statements. Actual results could differ from those estimates.
 
 
F.
Indemnification Obligations. Under the Trust’s organizational documents, its current and former officers and trustees are indemnified against certain liabilities arising out of the performance of their duties to the Trust. In addition, in the normal course of business, the Trust enters into


 
21

 
 
Brandes Separately Managed Account Reserve Trust

NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Unaudited) (continued)

   
contracts that contain a variety of representations and warranties and 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 that have not yet occurred or that would be covered by other parties.
 
 
G.
Accounting for Uncertainty in Income Taxes. The Fund has elected to be taxed as a “regulated investment company” and intends to distribute substantially all taxable income to its shareholders and otherwise comply with the provisions of the Internal Revenue Code applicable to regulated investment companies. The Fund may be subject to a nondeductible excise tax calculated as a percentage of certain undistributed amounts of net investment income and net capital gains. The Fund intends to distribute its net investment income and capital gains as necessary to avoid this excise tax. Therefore, no provision for federal income taxes or excise taxes has been made.
 
   
The Trust has adopted financial reporting rules that require the Trust to analyze all open tax years, as defined by the applicable statute of limitations, for all major jurisdictions. Open tax years for the Fund are those that are open for exam by taxing authorities (2011 through 2014). As of March 31, 2015, the Trust has no examinations in progress.
 
   
Management has analyzed the Trust’s tax positions, and has concluded that no liability should be recorded related to uncertain tax positions expected to be taken on the tax return for the fiscal year-end September 30, 2014. The Trust identifies its major tax jurisdictions as the U.S. Government and the State of California. The Trust is not aware of any tax positions for which it is reasonably possible that the total amounts of unrecognized tax benefits will significantly change in the next twelve months.
 
 
H.
Fair Value Measurements. The Trust has adopted accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“US GAAP”) related to fair value accounting standards which establish a definition of fair value and set out a hierarchy for measuring fair value. These standards require additional disclosures about the various inputs and valuation techniques used to develop the measurements of fair value and a discussion of changes in valuation techniques and related inputs during the period. These inputs are summarized in the three broad levels listed below:
 
 
Level 1 — Quoted unadjusted prices for identical instruments in active markets to which the Trust has access at the date of measurement.
 
 
Level 2 — Other significant observable market inputs including quoted prices for similar instruments in active markets; quoted adjusted prices in


 
22

 
 
Brandes Separately Managed Account Reserve Trust

NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Unaudited) (continued)

 
active markets; quoted prices for identical or similar instruments in markets that are not active; and model-derived valuations in which all significant inputs and significant value drivers are observable in active markets. Level 2 inputs are those in markets for which there are few transactions, the prices are not current, little public information exists or instances where prices vary substantially over time or among broker market makers.
 
 
Level 3 — Significant unobservable inputs including model derived valuations in which one or more significant inputs or significant value drivers are unobservable. Unobservable inputs are those inputs that reflect the Trust’s own assumptions that market participants would use to price the asset or liability based on the best available information.
 
 
I.
Security Valuation. Bonds and other fixed-income securities (other than repurchase agreements and demand notes) are valued using the bid price on the day of the valuation provided by an independent pricing service.
 
   
Securities traded on a national securities exchange are valued at the last reported sale price at the close of regular trading on each day the exchange is open for trading. Securities listed on the NASDAQ National Market System for which market quotations are readily available are valued using the NASDAQ Official Closing Price. Securities traded on an exchange for which there have been no sales are valued at the mean between last bid and ask price on such day. Securities for which quotations are not readily available are valued at their respective fair values as determined in good faith pursuant to procedures adopted by the Board of Trustees.
 
   
Repurchase agreements and demand notes, for which neither vendor pricing nor market maker prices are available, are valued at amortized cost on the day of valuation, unless the Advisor determines that the use of amortized cost valuation on such day is not appropriate (in which case such instrument is fair valued in accordance with the fair value procedures of the Trust).
 
   
The Trust has adopted valuation procedures that allow for fair value pricing for use in appropriate circumstances. For example, such circumstances may arise when trading in a security has been halted or suspended or a security has been delisted from a national exchange, a security has not been traded for an extended period of time, or a significant event with respect to a security occurs after the close of the market or exchange on which the security principally trades and before the time the Fund calculates its own share price. If no price, or in the Advisor’s determination no price representing fair value, is provided for a security held by the Fund by an independent pricing agent, then the security will be fair valued. Thinly


 
23

 
 
Brandes Separately Managed Account Reserve Trust

NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Unaudited) (continued)

 
traded securities and certain foreign securities may be impacted more by the use of fair valuations than other securities.
 
 
In using fair value pricing, the Fund attempts to establish the price that it might reasonably have expected to receive upon a sale of the security at 4:00 p.m. Eastern time. Valuing securities at fair value involves greater reliance on judgment than valuation of securities based on readily available market quotations. When using fair value to price securities, the Fund may value those securities higher or lower than another fund using market quotations or fair value to price the same securities. Further, there can be no assurance that the Fund could obtain the fair value assigned to a security if it were to sell the security at approximately the time at which the Fund determines its net asset value.
 
 
Foreign securities are recorded in the financial statements after translation to U.S. dollars based on the applicable exchange rate at the end of the period. The Fund reports certain foreign currency-related transactions as components of realized gains or losses for financial reporting purposes, whereas such components are treated as ordinary income for federal income tax purposes.
 
 
Fixed income securities including corporate, convertible and municipal bonds and notes, U.S. government agencies, U.S. Treasury obligations, sovereign issues, bank loans, convertible preferred securities and non-U.S. bonds are normally valued on the basis of quotes obtained from brokers and dealers or independent pricing services or sources. Independent pricing services typically use information provided by market makers or estimates of market values obtained from yield data relating to investments or securities with similar characteristics. The service providers’ internal models use inputs that are observable such as, among other things, issuer details, interest rates, yield curves, prepayment speeds, credit risks/spreads, default rates and quoted prices for similar assets. Securities that use similar valuation techniques and inputs as described above are categorized as Level 2 of the fair value hierarchy.
 
 
Fixed income securities purchased on a delayed-delivery basis are typically marked to market daily until settlement at the forward settlement date.
 
 
The Fund may enter into mortgage dollar roll transactions in which the Fund sells a mortgage-backed security to a counterparty and simultaneously enters into an agreement with the same counterparty to buy back a similar security on a specific future date at a predetermined price. Risks may arise due to the delayed payment date and the potential inability of counterparties to complete the transaction. Mortgage dollar


 
24

 
 
Brandes Separately Managed Account Reserve Trust

NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Unaudited) (continued)

 
rolls are accounted for as purchase and sale transactions, which may increase the Fund’s portfolio turnover rate.
 
 
Mortgage and asset-backed securities are usually issued as separate tranches, or classes, of securities within each package of underlying securities. These securities are also normally valued by pricing service providers that use broker dealer quotations or valuation estimates from their internal pricing models. The pricing models for these securities usually consider tranche level attributes, estimated cash flows and market-based yield spreads for each tranche, current market data and packaged collateral performance, as available. Mortgage and asset-backed securities that use such valuation techniques and inputs are categorized as Level 2 of the fair value hierarchy only if there are significant observable inputs used.
 
 
Common stocks, exchange-traded fund shares and financial derivative instruments, such as futures contracts or options contracts that are traded on a national securities or commodities exchange, are valued at the last reported sales price, in the case of common stocks and exchange-traded fund shares, or, in the case of futures contracts or options contracts, the settlement price determined by the relevant exchange. To the extent these securities are actively traded and valuation adjustments are not applied, they are categorized as Level 1 of the fair value hierarchy.
 
 
Valuation adjustments may be applied to certain securities that are solely traded on a foreign exchange to account for the market movement between the close of the foreign market and the close of the New York Stock Exchange (“NYSE”). These securities are generally valued using pricing service providers that consider the correlation of the trading patterns of the foreign security to the intraday trading in the U.S. markets for investments. Securities using these valuation adjustments are categorized as Level 2 of the fair value hierarchy. None of the Fund’s securities were fair valued utilizing this method as of March 31, 2015.
 
 
Investments in registered open-end management investment companies are valued based upon the Net Asset Values (“NAVs”) of such investments and are categorized as Level 1 of the fair value hierarchy. If, on a particular day, a share price of an investment company is not readily available, such securities are fair valued in accordance with the fair value procedures of the Trust. Investments in privately held investment funds are valued based upon the NAVs of such investments and are categorized as Level 2 of the fair value hierarchy.
 
 
Certain securities may be fair valued in accordance with the fair valuation procedures approved by the Board of Trustees. The Valuation Committee is generally responsible for overseeing the day to day valuation processes


 
25

 
 
Brandes Separately Managed Account Reserve Trust

NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Unaudited) (continued)

 
and reports periodically to the Board. The Valuation Committee is authorized to make all necessary determinations of the fair value of portfolio securities and other assets for which market quotations are not readily available or if it is deemed that the prices obtained from brokers and dealers or independent pricing services are unreliable.
 
The following is a summary of the inputs used, as of March 31, 2015, involving the Fund’s assets carried at value. The inputs of methodology used for valuing securities may not be an indication of the risk associated with investing in those securities.
 
Description
 
Level 1
   
Level 2
   
Level 3
   
Total
 
Investment in Securities
                       
SMART Fund
                       
Preferred Stocks
  $ 3,365,754     $ 5,290,432     $     $ 8,656,186  
Asset Backed Securities
          4,974,674             4,974,674  
Corporate Bonds
          106,042,459             106,042,459  
Government Securities
          36,031,620             36,031,620  
Mortgage Backed Securities
          271,775             271,775  
Repurchase Agreements
          546,393             546,393  
Total Investments in Securities
  $ 3,365,754     $ 153,157,353     $     $ 156,523,107  
 
 
There were no transfers into or out of Levels 1 and 2 for the Fund during the reporting period.
 
 
There were no Level 3 securities in the Fund at the beginning or the end of the six month period ended March 31, 2015.
 
NOTE 3 − INVESTMENT ADVISORY FEE AND OTHER TRANSACTIONS WITH AFFILIATES
 
 
A.
Advisor Fee. Brandes Investment Partners, L.P. (the “Advisor”) provides the Fund with investment management services under an Investment Advisory Agreement. The Advisor receives no advisory fee or other fee from the Fund. The financial statements of the Fund reflect the fact that no fees or expenses are incurred by the Fund. It should be understood, however, that the Fund is an integral part of “wrap-fee” programs sponsored by investment advisors unaffiliated with the Fund and the Advisor. Typically, participants in these programs pay a “wrap-fee” to their investment advisors. Although the Fund does not compensate the Advisor directly for its service under the Investment Advisory Agreement, the Advisor benefits from its relationships with the sponsors of wrap-fee programs for which the Fund is an investment option.
 
   
Certain officers and Trustees of the Trust are also officers of the Advisor.


 
26

 
 
Brandes Separately Managed Account Reserve Trust

NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Unaudited) (continued)

 
B.
Administration Fee. U.S. Bancorp Fund Services, LLC (the “Administrator”) acts as administrator for the Fund. The Administrator prepares various federal and state regulatory filings; prepares reports and materials to be supplied to the Trustees; monitors the activities of the Fund’s custodian, transfer agent and accountant; coordinates the preparation and payment of Fund expenses; and prepares several Fund reports. For its services, the Administrator receives an annual fee at the rate of 0.03% of the Trust’s average daily net assets for the first $1 billion in net assets and 0.02% in excess of $1 billion of the Trust’s average daily net assets, subject to a minimum of $50,000 per series of the Trust per annum which is allocated among the series based on their average net assets. The Advisor compensates the Administrator on behalf of the Fund for the services the Administrator performs for the Fund.
 
 
C.
Distribution and Service Fees. Quasar Distributors, LLC (the “Distributor”), a registered broker-dealer, acts as the Fund’s principal underwriter in a continuous public offering of the Fund’s shares. The Distributor is an affiliate of the Administrator. All of the Fund’s distribution fees are paid by the Advisor.
 
NOTE 4 − PURCHASES AND SALES OF SECURITIES
 
The cost of purchases and the proceeds from sales of securities of the Fund, excluding short-term investments, were as follows for the six months ended March 31, 2015:
 
U.S. Government
Other
Purchases
Sales
Purchases
Sales
$15,102,014
$4,107,284
$17,339,581
$7,044,509
 
NOTE 5 − CAPITAL STOCK TRANSACTIONS
 
The Fund’s capital stock activity in shares and dollars during the six months ended March 31, 2015, and the year ended September 30, 2014, was as follows (shares and dollar amounts in thousands):
 
   
Six Months Ended
   
Year Ended
 
   
3/31/15
   
9/30/14
 
   
Shares
   
Amount
   
Shares
   
Amount
 
Shares Sold
    3,344     $ 30,349       4,348     $ 39,454  
Issued on Reinvestment of Distributions
    394       3,576       761       6,899  
Shares Redeemed
    (1,667 )     (15,126 )     (3,995 )     (36,196 )
Net Increase Resulting
                               
  from Fund Share Transactions
    2,071     $ 18,799       1,114     $ 10,157  


 
27

 
 
Brandes Separately Managed Account Reserve Trust

NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Unaudited) (continued)

NOTE 6 − FEDERAL INCOME TAX MATTERS
 
As of September 30, 2014, the Fund’s components of distributable earnings on a tax basis were as follows:
 
Cost of investments for tax purposes
  $ 133,621,693  
Gross tax unrealized appreciation
    10,209,633  
Gross tax unrealized depreciation
    (4,607,242 )
Net unrealized appreciation on investments
    5,602,391  
Distributable ordinary income
     
Distributable long-term capital gains
     
Total distributable earnings
     
Other accumulated losses
    (27,217,723 )
Total accumulated losses
  $ (21,615,332 )

The differences between book and tax basis distributable earnings are primarily related to the differences in classification of paydown gains and losses for tax purposes compared to book purposes. The difference between book and tax basis unrealized depreciation on investments and foreign currency is due primarily to timing differences resulting from wash sale transactions. These differences are temporary.
 
As of September 30, 2014, the Fund had capital losses expiring on September 30, 2017, 2018 and 2019 in the amounts of $12,139,741, $6,084,748 and $6,501,831, respectively. As of September 30, 2014, the Fund had a capital loss with an indefinite expiration in the amount of $2,491,403.
 
The tax composition of dividends for the periods ended September 30, 2014 and September 30, 2013 for the Fund were as follows:
 
   
Long Term
Return
Ordinary Income
Capital Gains
of Capital
2014
2013
2014
2013
2014
2013
$6,936,413
$7,462,478
$   —
$   —
$52,442
$   —
 
Reclassification of Capital Accounts. Accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America require that certain components of net assets be reclassified between financial and tax reporting. These reclassifications have no effect on net assets or net asset value per share. For the year ended September 30, 2014, as a result of its reclassifications the Fund’s undistributed net investment income was increased by $74,190, accumulated net realized loss was decreased by $21,748 and decreased paid in capital by $52,442.
 
In preparing these financial statements, the Trust has evaluated events and transactions for potential recognition or disclosure through the date the financial statements were available to be issued.
 


 
28

 
 
Brandes Separately Managed Account Reserve Trust

NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Unaudited) (continued)

NOTE 7 − RECENTLY ISSUED ACCOUNTING PRONOUNCEMENTS
 
In June 2014, the Financial Accounting Standard Board issued ASU No. 2014-11 “Repurchase-to-Maturity Transactions, Repurchase Financings, and Disclosures.” ASU No. 2014-11 makes limited changes to the accounting for repurchase agreements, clarifies when repurchase agreements and securities lending transactions should be accounted for as secured borrowings, and requires additional disclosures regarding these types of transactions. The guidance is effective for fiscal years beginning on or after December 15, 2014, and for interim periods within those fiscal years.  Management is currently evaluating the impact these changes will have on the Fund’s financial statement disclosures.
 

 
 


 
29

 
 
Brandes Separately Managed Account Reserve Trust

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION — (Unaudited)

BOARD CONSIDERATION AND CONTINUATION OF INVESTMENT ADVISORY AGREEMENT
 
In November 2014 the Board of Trustees of the Trust, including the independent Trustees, unanimously approved renewal of the Investment Advisory Agreement (the “Agreement”) between the Trust and Brandes Investment Partners, L.P. (the “Advisor”) with respect to the SMART Fund (the “Fund”) for an additional one-year term.
 
 
Information Reviewed
 
During the course of each year, Board members review a wide variety of materials relating to the nature, extent and quality of the services provided to the Fund by the Advisor, including reports on the Fund’s investment results, portfolio composition, portfolio trading practices, and other matters.  In addition, in connection with its annual review of the Agreement with respect to the Fund, the Board requested and reviewed supplementary information that included materials regarding the Fund’s investment results, advisory fee and expense comparisons, financial and profitability information regarding the Advisor, descriptions of various functions such as compliance monitoring and portfolio trading practices, and information about the personnel providing investment management and administrative services to the Fund.
 
In connection with its reviews, the Board received assistance and advice regarding legal and industry standards from counsel to the Trust and the independent Trustees.  The independent Trustees discussed the approval of the Agreement with respect to the Fund with representatives of the Advisor and in private sessions with counsel at which no representatives of the Advisor were present.  In deciding to recommend approval of the Agreement with respect to the Fund, the Board and the independent Trustees did not identify any single or particular piece of information that, in isolation, was the controlling factor, and each Trustee did not necessarily attribute the same weight to each factor.  This summary describes the most important, but not all, of the factors considered by the Board and the independent Trustees.
 
 
Nature, Extent and Quality of Services
 
With respect to the nature, extent and quality of services provided by the Advisor to the Fund, the Trustees reviewed among other things the quality and depth of the Advisor’s investment management staff, its regulatory compliance procedures, the day-to-day administrative services provided by the Advisor to the Fund and the investment results of the Fund.
 
The Trustees noted that the Fund’s investment results gross of fees (which are paid by the Advisor) were in the first quartile of the results of a peer group of
 


 
30

 
 
Brandes Separately Managed Account Reserve Trust

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION — (Unaudited) (continued)

funds identified by Morningstar Associates (“Morningstar”) for the one-year, three-year and five-year periods ended September 30, 2014; were in the first quartile of the larger group of funds in its Morningstar Intermediate-Term Bond Fund category for each of those periods; and were above its benchmark indices (the Barclays Capital U.S. Aggregate Index and Barclays Capital U.S. Intermediate Credit Index) for the one-year, three-year, five-year and since-inception periods ended September 30, 2014.  They concluded that the Fund’s performance was satisfactory.
 
Advisory Fees, Total Expenses, Profitability and Ancillary Benefits
 
The Trustees noted that the Fund does not incur any advisory fees or other expenses, all of which are paid by the Advisor, and as a result the Advisor’s relationship with the Fund alone is not profitable.  The Board also considered ancillary benefits to the Advisor as a result of its relationship with the Fund.  They noted that these were primarily related to the Advisor’s receipt of wrap account fees from Fund shareholders through various broker-dealer sponsors that are not affiliated with either the Fund or the Advisor, and the benefit of proprietary and third-party research provided by broker-dealers executing portfolio transactions on behalf of the Fund.
 
 
Conclusions
 
Based on their review, including consideration of each of the factors referred to above, the Board and the independent Trustees concluded that the Agreement is fair and reasonable to the Fund and its shareholders, that each of the factors discussed above supported renewal of the Agreement, and that renewal of the Agreement was in the best interests of the Fund and its shareholders.
 



 
31

 
 
Brandes Separately Managed Account Reserve Trust

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION — (Unaudited) (continued)

PROXY VOTING PROCEDURES
 
The Advisor votes proxies relating to the Funds’ portfolio securities in accordance with procedures adopted by the Advisor. You may obtain a description of these procedures, free of charge, by calling toll-free 1-800-331-2979. This information is also available through the Securities and Exchange Commission’s website at http:// www.sec.gov.
 
Information regarding how the Trust voted proxies relating to portfolio securities during the most recent 12-month period ended June 30 is available without charge, upon request, by calling 1-800-331-2979. This information is also available through the Securities and Exchange Commission’s website at http://www.sec.gov.
 
 
FORM N-Q DISCLOSURE
 
The Trust files the Fund’s complete schedule of portfolio holdings with the Securities and Exchange Commission for the first and third quarters of each fiscal year on Form N-Q. The Trust’s Form N-Q filings are available on the Securities and Exchange Commission’s website at http://www.sec.gov. The Trust’s Form N-Q filings may be reviewed and copied at the Commission’s Public Reference Room in Washington, D.C., and information on the operation of the Public Reference Room may be obtained by calling 1-800-SEC-0330. Information regarding the Trust’s Form N-Q filings is also available, without charge, by calling toll-free, 1-800-331-2979.
 






 
32

 
 
Brandes Separately Managed Account Reserve Trust

TRUSTEES AND OFFICERS INFORMATION — (Unaudited)

The Board of Trustees is responsible for the overall management of the Trust’s business. The Board approves all significant agreements between the Trust and persons or companies furnishing services to the Trust, including the Trust’s agreements with the Advisor, Administrator, Custodian and Transfer Agent. The Board of Trustees delegates the day-to-day operations of the Trust to its officers, subject to the Fund’s investment objective and policies and to general supervision by the Board. The Trust’s Statement of Additional Information includes additional information about the Trustees and is available, without charge, by calling 1-800-331-2979.
 
The Trustees and officers of the Trust, their business addresses and principal occupations during the past five years are:
 
   
Term of
     
   
Office
 
Number
Other
   
and
Principal
of Trust
Directorships/
 
Position(s)
Length
Occupation
Series
Trusteeships
Name, Address
Held with
of Time
During Past
Overseen
Held by
and Age
Trust
Served(1)
5 Years
by Trustee
Trustee
           
Independent Trustees(2)
         
           
J. Michael Gaffney, CFA
Trustee
Since
Retired.  
9
None
11988 El Camino Real,
 
June
Independent
   
Suite 600
 
2004
Consultant,
   
San Diego, CA 92130
   
NATIXIS Global
   
(Age 73)
   
Asset Management,
   
     
North America from
   
     
2004 to 2011.
   
           
Jean E. Carter
Trustee
Since
Retired since 2005.
9
Bridge Builder
11988 El Camino Real,
and
April
   
Trust
Suite 600
Chairman
2008
     
San Diego, CA 92130
         
(Age 57)
         
           
Robert M. Fitzgerald, CPA
Trustee
Since
Retired.
9
Hotchkis and
(inactive)
 
April
   
Wiley Mutual
11988 El Camino Real,
 
2008
   
Funds
Suite 600
         
San Diego, CA 92130
         
(Age 63)
         
           
Craig Wainscott, CFA
Trustee
Since
Partner with The
9
None
11988 El Camino Real,
 
February
Paradigm Project
   
Suite 600
 
2012
and advisor to
   
San Diego, CA 92130
   
early-stage companies.
   
(Age 53)
         

 

 
33

 
 
Brandes Separately Managed Account Reserve Trust
 
TRUSTEES AND OFFICERS INFORMATION — (Unaudited) (continued)

   
Term of
     
   
Office
 
Number
Other
   
and
Principal
of Trust
Directorships/
 
Position(s)
Length
Occupation
Series
Trusteeships
Name, Address
Held with
of Time
During Past
Overseen
Held by
and Age
Trust
Served(1)
5 Years
by Trustee
Trustee
           
“Interested” Trustees(3)
         
           
Oliver Murray
Trustee
Since
Chief Executive
9
None
11988 El Camino Real,
 
February
Officer, Brandes
   
Suite 600
 
2012
Investment Partners
   
San Diego, CA 92130
   
& Co.; Managing
   
(Age 52)
   
Director − PMCS of
   
     
Brandes Investment
   
     
Partners, L.P., the
   
     
investment advisor
   
     
to the Funds
   
     
(the “Advisor”).
   
           
Jeff Busby, CFA
Trustee
Since
Executive Director
9
None
11988 El Camino Real,
and
July
of the Advisor.
   
Suite 600
President
2006
     
San Diego, CA 92130
         
(Age 54)
         
           
Officers of the Trust
         
           
Thomas M. Quinlan
Secretary
Since
Associate General
N/A
N/A
11988 El Camino Real,
 
June
Counsel of the
   
Suite 600
 
2003
Advisor.
   
San Diego, CA 92130
         
(Age 44)
         
           
Gary Iwamura, CPA
Treasurer
Since
Finance Director
N/A
N/A
11988 El Camino Real,
 
September
of the Advisor.
   
Suite 600
 
1997
     
San Diego, CA 92130
         
(Age 58)
         
           
George Stevens
Chief
Since
Director, Beacon
N/A
N/A
11988 El Camino Real,
Compliance
January
Hill Fund Services,
   
Suite 600
Officer
2010
Inc.
   
San Diego, CA 92130
         
(Age 64)
         

(1)
Trustees and officers of the Fund serve until their resignation, removal or retirement.
(2)
Not “interested persons” of the Trust as defined in the 1940 Act.
(3)
“Interested persons” of the Trust as defined in the 1940 Act by virtue of their positions with the Advisor.

 


 
34

 
 
Brandes Separately Managed Account Reserve Trust

PRIVACY POLICY

Brandes Investment Partners, L.P. and the Brandes Investment Trust collect nonpublic information about you from the following sources:
 
Information we receive about you on applications or other forms;
 
Information you give us orally; and
 
Information about your transactions with us or others.
 
We do not disclose any nonpublic personal information about our customers or former customers without the customer’s authorization, except as permitted by law or in response to inquires from governmental authorities.
 
We restrict access to your personal and account information to those personnel who need to know that information to provide products and services to you. We also may disclose that information to unaffiliated third parties (such as to brokers or custodians) only as permitted by law and only as needed for us to provide agreed services to you. We maintain physical, electronic and procedural safeguards to guard your nonpublic personal information.
 


 
35

 















(This Page Intentionally Left Blank.)


















 
 

 






ADVISOR
 
Brandes Investment Partners, L.P.
11988 El Camino Real, Suite 600
San Diego, CA 92130
800.331.2979

DISTRIBUTOR
 
Quasar Distributors, LLC
615 E. Michigan Street, 4th Floor
Milwaukee, WI 53202

TRANSFER AGENT
 
U.S. Bancorp Fund Services, LLC
615 E. Michigan Street, 3rd Floor
Milwaukee, WI 53202

INDEPENDENT REGISTERED
PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM
 
PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP
601 South Figueroa Street
Los Angeles, CA 90017

LEGAL COUNSEL
 
Morgan, Lewis & Bockius LLP
355 South Grand Avenue, Suite 4400
Los Angeles, CA 90071


This report is intended for shareholders of the Brandes Separately Managed Account Reserve Trust and may not be used as sales literature unless preceded or accompanied by a current prospectus.
 
Statements and other information herein are dated and are subject to change.

 
 

 

Item 2. Code of Ethics.

Not applicable for semi-annual reports.

Item 3. Audit Committee Financial Expert.

Not applicable for semi-annual reports.

Item 4. Principal Accountant Fees and Services.

Not applicable for semi-annual reports.

Item 5. Audit Committee of Listed Registrants.

Not applicable to registrants who are not listed issuers (as defined in Rule 10A-3 under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934).

Item 6. Investments.

(a)  
Schedule of Investments is included as part of the report to shareholders filed 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 to open-end investment companies.

Item 8. Portfolio Managers of Closed-End Management Investment Companies.

Not applicable to open-end investment companies.

Item 9. Purchases of Equity Securities by Closed-End Management Investment Company and Affiliated Purchasers.

Not applicable to open-end investment companies.

Item 10. Submission of Matters to a Vote of Security Holders.

There have been no material changes to the procedures by which shareholders may recommend nominees to the registrant’s board of trustees.

Item 11. Controls and Procedures.

(a)  
The registrant’s President and Treasurer have reviewed the Registrant's disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Rule 30a-3(c) under the Investment Company Act of 1940 (the “Act”)) as of a date within 90 days of the filing of this report, as required by Rule 30a-3(b) under the Act and Rules 13a-15(b) or 15d-15(b) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934.  Based on their review, such officers have concluded that the disclosure controls and procedures are effective in ensuring that information required to be disclosed in this report is appropriately recorded, processed, summarized and reported and made known to them by others within the Registrant and by the Registrant’s service provider.

(b)  
No changes in the registrant's internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Rule 30a-3(d) under the Act) occurred during the second fiscal quarter of the period covered by this report that materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, the registrant's internal control over financial reporting.

Item 12. Exhibits.

(a)  
(1) Any code of ethics or amendment thereto, that is the subject of the disclosure required by Item 2, to the extent that the registrant intends to satisfy Item 2 requirements through filing an exhibit. 1) Incorporated by reference to the registrant’s Form N-CSR filed January 7, 2005.

(2) A separate certification for each principal executive and principal financial officer pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.  Filed herewith.

(3) Any written solicitation to purchase securities under Rule 23c-1 under the Act sent or given during the period covered by the report by or on behalf of the registrant to 10 or more persons.  Not applicable to open-end investment companies.

(b)  
Certifications pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.  Furnished herewith.

 
 

 

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)  Brandes Investment Trust                

By (Signature and Title)*    /s/ Jeff Busby
Jeff Busby, President

Date     June 1, 2015



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/ Jeff Busby
Jeff Busby, President

Date     June 1, 2015

By (Signature and Title)*    /s/ Gary Iwamura
Gary Iwamura, Treasurer

Date     June 1, 2015

* Print the name and title of each signing officer under his or her signature.