William
Blair Funds
Prospectus
William
Blair Funds
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U.S.
Equity Funds |
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Class N |
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Class I |
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Class R6 |
Growth
Fund |
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WBGSX |
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BGFIX |
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BGFRX |
Large
Cap Growth Fund |
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LCGNX |
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LCGFX |
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LCGJX |
Mid
Cap Growth Fund |
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WCGNX |
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WCGIX |
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WCGJX |
Mid
Cap Value Fund |
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— |
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WVMIX |
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WVMRX |
Small‑Mid
Cap Core Fund |
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— |
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WBCIX |
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WBCRX |
Small‑Mid
Cap Growth Fund |
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WSMNX |
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WSMDX |
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WSMRX |
Small
Cap Growth Fund |
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WBSNX |
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WBSIX |
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WBSRX |
Small
Cap Value Fund |
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WBVNX |
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ICSCX |
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WBVRX |
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Global/International
Funds |
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Class N |
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Class I |
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Class R6 |
Global
Leaders Fund |
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WGGNX |
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WGFIX |
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BGGIX |
International
Leaders Fund |
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WILNX |
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WILIX |
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WILJX |
International
Growth Fund |
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WBIGX |
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BIGIX |
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WBIRX |
Institutional
International Growth Fund (WBIIX) |
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— |
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— |
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— |
International
Small Cap Growth Fund |
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WISNX |
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WISIX |
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WIISX |
Emerging
Markets Leaders Fund |
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WELNX |
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WBELX |
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WELIX |
Emerging
Markets Growth Fund |
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WBENX |
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WBEIX |
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BIEMX |
Emerging
Markets Small Cap Growth Fund |
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WESNX |
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BESIX |
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WESJX |
China
Growth Fund |
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— |
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WICGX |
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WRCGX |
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Emerging
Markets Debt Fund |
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Class N |
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Class I |
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Class R6 |
Emerging
Markets Debt Fund |
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— |
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WEDIX |
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WEDRX |
The
U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission has not approved or disapproved these
securities or passed upon the accuracy or adequacy of this Prospectus. Any
representation to the contrary is a criminal offense.
William
Blair Funds
150
North Riverside Plaza
Chicago,
Illinois 60606
TABLE
OF CONTENTS
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i
WILLIAM
BLAIR GROWTH FUND |
SUMMARY |
INVESTMENT
OBJECTIVE: The William Blair Growth Fund
seeks long-term capital appreciation.
FEES AND
EXPENSES: This table describes the fees
and expenses that you may pay if you buy, hold and sell shares of the Fund. You
may pay other fees, such as brokerage commissions and other fees to financial
intermediaries, which are not reflected in the tables and examples
below.
Shareholder
Fees (fees paid directly
from your investment):
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Class N |
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Class I |
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Class R6 |
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Maximum
Sales Charge (Load) Imposed on Purchases |
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None |
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None |
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None |
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Redemption
Fee |
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None |
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None |
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None |
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Annual Fund Operating Expenses (expenses that
you pay each year as a percentage of the value of your investment):
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Class N |
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Class I |
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Class R6 |
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Management
Fee |
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0.75% |
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0.75% |
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0.75% |
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Distribution
(Rule 12b‑1) Fee |
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0.25% |
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None |
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None |
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Other
Expenses |
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0.21% |
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0.14% |
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0.09% |
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Total
Annual Fund Operating Expenses |
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1.21% |
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0.89% |
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0.84% |
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Fee
Waiver and/or Expense Reimbursement* |
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0.01% |
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N/A |
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N/A |
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Total
Annual Fund Operating Expenses After Fee Waiver and/or Expense
Reimbursement |
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1.20% |
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0.89% |
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0.84% |
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* |
William
Blair Investment Management, LLC (the “Adviser”) has entered into a
contractual agreement with the Fund to waive fees and/or reimburse
expenses in order to limit the Fund’s operating expenses (excluding
interest expenses, taxes, brokerage commissions, acquired fund fees and
expenses, dividend and interest expenses on short sales, other
investment-related costs and extraordinary expenses, such as litigation
and other expenses not incurred in the ordinary course of the Fund’s
business) to 1.20% of average daily net assets for Class N shares
until April 30, 2023. The Adviser may not terminate this arrangement
prior to April 30,
2023 without the approval of the Fund’s Board of
Trustees. |
Example: This example is
intended to help you compare the cost of investing in shares of the Fund with
the cost of investing in other mutual funds. The example assumes that you invest
$10,000 in the Fund for the time periods indicated and then redeem all of your
shares at the end of those periods. The example also assumes that your
investment has a 5% return each year and the Fund’s operating expenses remain
the same. The figures reflect the expense limitation for the first year.
Although your actual costs may be higher or lower, based on these assumptions
your costs would be:
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1 Year |
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3 Years |
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5 Years |
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10 Years |
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Class N |
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$122 |
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$383 |
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$664 |
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$1,465 |
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Class I |
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91 |
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284 |
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493 |
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1,096 |
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Class R6 |
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86 |
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268 |
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466 |
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1,037 |
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Portfolio
Turnover: The Fund pays
transaction costs, such as commissions, when it buys and sells securities (or
“turns over” its portfolio). A higher portfolio turnover may indicate higher
transaction costs and may result in higher taxes when Fund shares are held in a
taxable account. These costs, which are not reflected in annual
fund
1
operating
expenses or in the example, affect the Fund’s performance. During the most
recent fiscal year, the Fund’s portfolio turnover rate was 30% of the average value of its
portfolio.
PRINCIPAL INVESTMENT
STRATEGIES: The Fund invests
primarily in a diversified portfolio of equity securities, including common
stocks and other forms of equity investments (e.g., securities convertible into
common stocks), of domestic growth companies of all sizes that are expected to
exhibit quality growth characteristics. The Fund invests primarily in equity
securities issued by companies that typically have market capitalizations no
smaller than the smallest capitalized company, and no larger than the largest
capitalized company, included in the Russell 3000® Index at the time of
the Fund’s investment. Securities of companies whose market capitalizations no
longer meet this definition after purchase may continue to be held in the Fund.
To a limited extent, the Fund may also purchase stocks of companies with
business characteristics and growth prospects similar to companies in the
Russell 3000® Index, but
that may have market capitalizations outside the range of companies included in
the index.
The
Russell 3000® Index is a
widely recognized, unmanaged index that measures the performance of the 3,000
largest U.S. companies. The size of companies in the Russell 3000® Index may change with market
conditions. In addition, changes to the composition of the Russell 3000® Index can change the market
capitalization range of the companies in the index. As of March 31, 2022,
the Russell 3000® Index
included securities issued by companies that ranged in size between
$21.6 million and $2.8 trillion. The Russell 3000® Growth Index, the Fund’s
benchmark, measures the performance of Russell 3000® companies with higher
price‑to‑book ratios and higher forecasted growth
values.
In
choosing investments, the Adviser performs fundamental company analysis and
focuses on stock selection. The Adviser evaluates the extent to which a company
meets the quality growth criteria set forth below. All of the criteria are
evaluated relative to the valuation of the security. The weight given to a
particular investment criterion will depend upon the circumstances, and Fund
holdings may not meet all of the following criteria: (a) the company should
be, or should have the expectation of becoming, a significant provider in the
primary markets it serves, (b) the company should have some distinctive
attribute relative to present or potential competitors (for example, this may
take the form of proprietary products or processes, a unique distribution
system, an entrenched brand name or an especially strong financial position
relative to its competition), (c) the company should participate in an
industry expected to grow rapidly due to economic factors or technological
change or should grow through market share gains in its industry and
(d) the company should have a strong management
team.
PRINCIPAL
RISKS: The Fund’s returns will vary, and you could lose money
by investing in the Fund. The following is a summary of the
principal risks associated with an investment in the Fund.
Equity Funds
General. Because the Fund invests substantially
all of its assets in equity securities of U.S. growth companies, the primary
risk is that the value of the equity securities it holds might decrease in
response to the activities of an individual company or in response to general
market, business and economic conditions. If this occurs, the Fund’s share price
may also decrease. In addition, there is the risk that individual securities may
not perform as expected or a strategy used by the Adviser may fail to produce
its intended result.
Market Risk. The value
of the Fund’s investments may go up or down, sometimes rapidly or unpredictably.
The value of an investment may decline due to factors affecting securities
markets generally or particular industries represented in the securities
markets. The value of an investment may decline due to general market conditions
that are not specifically related to a particular company, such as real or
perceived adverse economic conditions, changes in the general outlook for
corporate earnings, changes in interest or currency rates or adverse investor
sentiment generally. Events such as war, acts of terrorism, social unrest,
natural disasters, the spread of infectious illness or other public health
threats could also significantly impact the Fund and its investments. The value
of an investment may also decline due to factors that affect a particular
industry or industries, such as labor shortages or increased production costs
and competitive conditions within an industry. During a
general
2
downturn
in the securities markets, multiple asset classes may decline in value
simultaneously. Geopolitical and other events may also disrupt securities
markets and adversely affect global economies and markets and thereby decrease
the value of the Fund’s investments.
Smaller Company
Risk. Stocks of smaller companies involve greater
risk than those of larger, more established companies. This is because smaller
companies may be in earlier stages of development, may be dependent on a small
number of products or services, may lack substantial capital reserves and/or do
not have proven track records. Smaller companies may be traded in low volumes.
This can increase volatility and increase the risk that the Fund will not be
able to sell a security on short notice at a reasonable price. The securities of
smaller companies may be more volatile and less liquid than securities of large
capitalized companies.
Share Ownership Concentration
Risk. To the extent that a significant portion of
the Fund’s shares is held by a limited number of shareholders or their
affiliates, there is a risk that the share trading activities of these
shareholders could disrupt the Fund’s investment strategies, which could have
adverse consequences for the Fund and other shareholders (e.g., by requiring the
Fund to sell investments at inopportune times or causing the Fund to maintain
larger-than-expected cash positions pending acquisition of
investments).
Style Risk. Different
investment styles (e.g., growth vs. value, quality bias, market capitalization
focus) tend to shift in and out of favor depending on market conditions and
investor sentiment, and at times when the growth investment style used by the
Adviser for the Fund is out of favor, the Fund may underperform other equity
funds that use different investment styles.
Focus Risk. To the
extent that the Fund focuses its investments in particular industries, asset
classes or sectors of the economy, any market changes affecting companies in
those industries, asset classes or sectors may impact the Fund’s
performance.
Operational and Technology
Risk. Cyber-attacks, disruptions, or failures that
affect the Fund’s service providers, counterparties, market participants, or
issuers of securities held by the Fund may adversely affect the Fund and its
shareholders, including by causing losses for the Fund or impairing Fund
operations.
The
Fund is not intended to be a complete investment program. The Fund is designed
for long-term investors.
FUND PERFORMANCE
HISTORY: The information
below provides some indication of the risks of investing in the Fund by showing
changes in the Fund’s performance from year to year and by showing how the
Fund’s average annual total returns for the periods indicated compare with those
of broad measures of market performance. The Fund’s past performance
(before and after taxes) does not necessarily indicate how it will perform in
the future. For more recent performance information, go to
www.williamblairfunds.com
or call 1‑800‑635‑2886.
Annual Total
Returns. The bar chart below provides
an illustration of how the Fund’s performance has varied in each of the last ten
calendar years for Class N shares.
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Highest Quarterly Return
25.68% (2Q20) |
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Lowest Quarterly Return
(14.33)% (4Q18) |
3
Average Annual
Total Returns (For the periods ended December 31,
2021). The table below shows returns
on a before‑tax and after‑tax basis for Class N shares and on a before‑tax
basis for Class I and Class R6 shares. After‑tax returns for
Class I and Class R6 shares will vary. After‑tax returns are
calculated using the historical highest individual federal marginal income tax
rates and do not reflect the impact of state and local taxes.
In some instances, the
“Return After Taxes on Distributions and Sale of Fund Shares” may be greater
than the “Return Before Taxes” because the investor is assumed to be able to use
the capital loss on the sale of Fund shares to offset other taxable capital
gains. Actual after‑tax returns depend on an investor’s tax
situation and may differ from those shown. After‑tax returns are not
relevant to investors who hold their Fund shares through tax‑deferred
arrangements, such as 401(k) plans or individual retirement
accounts.
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1 Year |
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5 Years |
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10 Years |
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Class N
Shares |
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Return
Before Taxes |
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22.09% |
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23.42% |
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17.39% |
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Return
After Taxes on Distributions |
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17.96% |
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18.01% |
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13.51% |
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Return
After Taxes on Distributions and Sale of Fund Shares |
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15.41% |
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17.43% |
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13.22% |
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Class I
Shares |
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Return
Before Taxes |
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22.54% |
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23.77% |
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17.75% |
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Russell
3000® Growth
Index (reflects no deduction for fees, expenses or
taxes) |
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25.85% |
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24.56% |
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19.39% |
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S&P
500®
Index (reflects no deduction for fees, expenses
or taxes) |
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28.71% |
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18.47% |
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16.55% |
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1 Year |
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Since Share Class Inception (May 2,
2019) |
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Class R6
Shares |
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Return
Before Taxes |
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22.55% |
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25.99% |
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Russell
3000® Growth
Index (reflects no deduction for fees, expenses or
taxes) |
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25.85% |
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28.71% |
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S&P
500®
Index (reflects no deduction for fees, expenses or
taxes) |
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28.71% |
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22.17% |
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MANAGEMENT:
Investment
Adviser. William Blair Investment Management, LLC
is the investment adviser of the Fund.
Portfolio
Manager(s). David Fording, a Partner of the
Adviser, manages the Fund. Mr. Fording has managed or co‑managed the Fund
since 2006.
PURCHASE
AND SALE OF FUND SHARES:
Class N Share
Purchase. The minimum initial investment for an
account generally is $2,500. The minimum subsequent investment generally is
$1,000. Certain exceptions to the minimum initial and subsequent investment
amounts may apply. See “Your Account—Class N Shares” for additional
information on eligibility requirements applicable to purchasing Class N
shares.
Class I Share
Purchase. The minimum initial investment for an
account generally is $500,000 (or any lesser amount if, in William Blair’s
opinion, the investor has adequate intent and availability of funds to reach a
future level of investment of $500,000). There is no minimum for subsequent
purchases. There is no minimum initial
4
investment
for qualified retirement plans, including, but not limited to, 401(k) plans, 457
plans, employer- sponsored 403(b) plans, defined benefit plans and other similar
accounts, or plans whereby Class I shares are held through omnibus accounts
(either at the plan level or the level of the plan administrator) and certain
other accounts. William Blair may make certain additional exceptions to the
minimum initial investment amount in its discretion. Class I shares are
only available to certain investors. See “Your Account—Class I Shares” for
additional information on the eligibility requirements and investment minimums
applicable to purchasing Class I shares.
Class R6 Share
Purchase. The minimum initial investment for an
account is $1 million (or any lesser amount if, in William Blair’s opinion,
the investor has adequate intent and availability of funds to reach a future
level of investment of $1 million). There is no minimum for subsequent
purchases. There is no minimum initial investment for qualified retirement
plans, including, but not limited to, 401(k) plans, 457 plans,
employer-sponsored 403(b) plans, defined benefit plans and other similar
accounts, or plans whereby Class R6 shares are held through omnibus
accounts (either at the plan level or the level of the plan administrator) and
certain other accounts. William Blair may make certain additional exceptions to
the minimum initial investment amount in its discretion. Class R6 shares
are only available to certain investors. See “Your Account—Class R6 Shares”
for additional information on eligibility requirements and investment minimums
applicable to purchasing Class R6 shares.
Sale. Shares of the Fund
are redeemable on any day the New York Stock Exchange is open for business by
mail, wire or telephone, depending on the elections you make in the account
application.
TAX INFORMATION: The
Fund intends to make distributions that may be taxed as ordinary income or
capital gains, unless you are investing through a tax‑advantaged investment
plan. If you are investing through a tax‑advantaged investment plan, withdrawals
from the tax‑advantaged investment plan may be subject to taxes.
PAYMENTS TO BROKER-DEALERS AND OTHER FINANCIAL
INTERMEDIARIES: If you purchase shares of the Fund
through a broker-dealer or other financial intermediary (such as a bank), the
Fund and its related companies may pay the intermediary for the sale of shares
and related services. These payments may create a conflict of interest by
influencing the broker-dealer or other intermediary and your salesperson to
recommend the Fund over another investment. Ask your salesperson or visit your
financial intermediary’s website for more information.
5
WILLIAM
BLAIR LARGE CAP GROWTH FUND |
SUMMARY |
INVESTMENT
OBJECTIVE: The William Blair Large Cap
Growth Fund seeks long-term capital appreciation.
FEES AND
EXPENSES: This table describes the fees
and expenses that you may pay if you buy, hold and sell shares of the Fund. You
may pay other fees, such as brokerage commissions and other fees to financial
intermediaries, which are not reflected in the tables and examples
below.
Shareholder
Fees (fees paid directly
from your investment):
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Class N |
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Class I |
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Class R6 |
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Maximum
Sales Charge (Load) Imposed on Purchases |
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None |
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None |
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None |
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Redemption
Fee |
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None |
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None |
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None |
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Annual Fund Operating Expenses (expenses that
you pay each year as a percentage of the value of your investment):
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Class N |
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Class I |
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Class R6 |
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Management
Fee |
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0.60% |
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0.60% |
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0.60% |
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Distribution
(Rule 12b‑1) Fee |
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0.25% |
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None |
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None |
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Other
Expenses |
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0.20% |
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0.15% |
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0.07% |
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Total
Annual Fund Operating Expenses |
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1.05% |
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0.75% |
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0.67% |
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Fee
Waiver and/or Expense Reimbursement* |
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0.15% |
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0.10% |
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0.07% |
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Total
Annual Fund Operating Expenses After Fee Waiver and/or Expense
Reimbursement |
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0.90% |
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0.65% |
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0.60% |
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* |
William
Blair Investment Management, LLC (the “Adviser”) has entered into a
contractual agreement with the Fund to waive fees and/or reimburse
expenses in order to limit the Fund’s operating expenses (excluding
interest expenses, taxes, brokerage commissions, acquired fund fees and
expenses, dividend and interest expenses on short sales, other
investment-related costs and extraordinary expenses, such as litigation
and other expenses not incurred in the ordinary course of the Fund’s
business) to 0.90%, 0.65% and 0.60% of average daily net assets for
Class N, Class I and Class R6 shares, respectively, until
April 30, 2023. The Adviser may not terminate this arrangement prior
to April 30,
2023 without the approval of the Fund’s Board of
Trustees. |
Example: This example is
intended to help you compare the cost of investing in shares of the Fund with
the cost of investing in other mutual funds. The example assumes that you invest
$10,000 in the Fund for the time periods indicated and then redeem all of your
shares at the end of those periods. The example also assumes that your
investment has a 5% return each year and the Fund’s operating expenses remain
the same. The figures reflect the expense limitation for the first year.
Although your actual costs may be higher or lower, based on these assumptions
your costs would be:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
1 Year |
|
|
3 Years |
|
|
5 Years |
|
|
10 Years |
|
Class N |
|
|
$92 |
|
|
|
$319 |
|
|
|
$565 |
|
|
|
$1,269 |
|
Class I |
|
|
66 |
|
|
|
230 |
|
|
|
407 |
|
|
|
921 |
|
Class R6 |
|
|
61 |
|
|
|
207 |
|
|
|
366 |
|
|
|
828 |
|
6
Portfolio
Turnover: The Fund pays transaction
costs, such as commissions, when it buys and sells securities (or “turns over”
its portfolio). A higher portfolio turnover may indicate higher transaction
costs and may result in higher taxes when Fund shares are held in a taxable
account. These costs, which are not reflected in annual fund operating expenses
or in the example, affect the Fund’s performance. During the most recent fiscal
year, the Fund’s portfolio turnover rate was 26% of the average value of its
portfolio.
PRINCIPAL INVESTMENT
STRATEGIES: Under normal market
conditions, the Fund invests at least 80% of its net assets (plus the amount of
any borrowings for investment purposes) in stocks of large capitalized (“large
cap”) companies. The Fund invests primarily in a portfolio of equity securities,
including common stocks and other forms of equity investments (e.g., securities
convertible into common stocks), of large cap domestic growth companies that are
expected to exhibit quality growth characteristics. For purposes of the Fund,
the Adviser considers a company to be a large cap company if it has a market
capitalization no smaller than the smallest capitalized company included in the
Russell 1000® Index at
the time of the Fund’s investment. Securities of companies whose market
capitalizations no longer meet this definition after purchase may continue to be
held in the Fund. To a limited extent, the Fund may also purchase stocks of
companies with business characteristics and growth prospects similar to large
cap companies, but that may have market capitalizations below the market
capitalization of the smallest member of the Russell 1000® Index.
The
Russell 1000® Index is a
widely recognized, unmanaged index that measures the performance of the 1,000
largest U.S. companies. The companies in the Russell 1000® Index are considered
representative of large cap companies. The size of companies in the Russell
1000® Index may change
with market conditions. In addition, changes to the composition of the Russell
1000® Index can change
the market capitalization range of the companies included in the index. As of
March 31, 2022, the Russell 1000® Index included securities
issued by companies that ranged in size between $364.7 million and $2.8
trillion. The Russell 1000® Growth Index,
the Fund’s benchmark, measures the performance of those Russell 1000 companies
with a greater-than-average growth orientation.
In
choosing investments, the Adviser performs fundamental company analysis and
focuses on stock selection. The Adviser evaluates the extent to which a company
meets the quality growth criteria set forth below. All of the criteria are
evaluated relative to the valuation of the security. The weight given to a
particular investment criterion will depend upon the circumstances, and Fund
holdings may not meet all of the following criteria: (a) the company should
be, or should have the expectation of becoming, a significant provider in the
primary markets it serves, (b) the company should have some distinctive
attribute relative to present or potential competitors (for example, this may
take the form of proprietary products or processes, a unique distribution
system, an entrenched brand name or an especially strong financial position
relative to its competition), (c) the company should participate in an
industry expected to grow rapidly due to economic factors or technological
change or should grow through market share gains in its industry and
(d) the company should have a strong management
team.
THE
FUND IS NON‑DIVERSIFIED UNDER THE INVESTMENT COMPANY ACT OF 1940, AS AMENDED,
AND MAY INVEST A LARGER PERCENTAGE OF ITS ASSETS IN FEWER ISSUERS THAN
DIVERSIFIED MUTUAL FUNDS.
PRINCIPAL
RISKS: The Fund’s returns will vary, and you could lose money
by investing in the Fund. The following is a summary of the
principal risks associated with an investment in the Fund.
Equity Funds
General. Because the Fund invests substantially
all of its assets in equity securities of large cap U.S. growth companies, the
primary risk is that the value of the equity securities it holds might decrease
in response to the activities of an individual company or in response to general
market, business and economic conditions. If this occurs, the Fund’s share price
may also decrease. In addition, there is the risk that individual securities may
not perform as expected or a strategy used by the Adviser may fail to produce
its intended result.
7
Market Risk. The value
of the Fund’s investments may go up or down, sometimes rapidly or unpredictably.
The value of an investment may decline due to factors affecting securities
markets generally or particular industries represented in the securities
markets. The value of an investment may decline due to general market conditions
that are not specifically related to a particular company, such as real or
perceived adverse economic conditions, changes in the general outlook for
corporate earnings, changes in interest or currency rates or adverse investor
sentiment generally. Events such as war, acts of terrorism, social unrest,
natural disasters, the spread of infectious illness or other public health
threats could also significantly impact the Fund and its investments. The value
of an investment may also decline due to factors that affect a particular
industry or industries, such as labor shortages or increased production costs
and competitive conditions within an industry. During a general downturn in the
securities markets, multiple asset classes may decline in value simultaneously.
Geopolitical and other events may also disrupt securities markets and adversely
affect global economies and markets and thereby decrease the value of the Fund’s
investments.
Share Ownership Concentration
Risk. To the extent that a significant portion of
the Fund’s shares is held by a limited number of shareholders or their
affiliates, there is a risk that the share trading activities of these
shareholders could disrupt the Fund’s investment strategies, which could have
adverse consequences for the Fund and other shareholders (e.g., by requiring the
Fund to sell investments at inopportune times or causing the Fund to maintain
larger-than-expected cash positions pending acquisition of
investments).
Non‑Diversification
Risk. The Fund is non‑diversified, meaning that it
is permitted to invest a larger percentage of its assets in fewer issuers than
diversified mutual funds. Thus, the Fund may be more susceptible to adverse
developments affecting any single issuer held in its portfolio, and may be more
susceptible to greater losses because of these
developments.
Style Risk. Different
investment styles (e.g., growth vs. value, quality bias, market capitalization
focus) tend to shift in and out of favor depending on market conditions and
investor sentiment, and at times when the growth investment style used by the
Adviser for the Fund is out of favor, the Fund may underperform other equity
funds that use different investment styles.
Focus Risk. To the extent that the
Fund focuses its investments in particular industries, asset classes or sectors
of the economy, any market changes affecting companies in those industries,
asset classes or sectors may impact the Fund’s
performance.
Operational and Technology
Risk. Cyber-attacks, disruptions, or failures that
affect the Fund’s service providers, counterparties, market participants, or
issuers of securities held by the Fund may adversely affect the Fund and its
shareholders, including by causing losses for the Fund or impairing Fund
operations.
The
Fund is not intended to be a complete investment program. The Fund is designed
for long-term investors.
FUND PERFORMANCE
HISTORY: The information
below provides some indication of the risks of investing in the Fund by showing
changes in the Fund’s performance from year to year and by showing how the
Fund’s average annual total returns for the periods indicated compare with those
of a broad measure of market performance. The Fund’s past performance
(before and after taxes) does not necessarily indicate how it will perform in
the future. For more recent performance information, go to
www.williamblairfunds.com
or call 1‑800‑635‑2886.
8
Annual Total Returns. The bar chart below provides
an illustration of how the Fund’s performance has varied in each of the last ten
calendar years for Class N shares.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Highest Quarterly
Return
25.58% (2Q20) |
|
Lowest Quarterly Return
(12.70)% (1Q20) |
Average Annual
Total Returns (For the periods ended December 31,
2021). The table below shows returns
on a before‑tax and after‑tax basis for Class N shares and on a before‑tax
basis for Class I and Class R6 shares. After‑tax returns for
Class I and Class R6 shares will vary. After‑tax returns are
calculated using the historical highest individual federal marginal income tax
rates and do not reflect the impact of state and local
taxes. In some instances, the
“Return After Taxes on Distributions and Sale of Fund Shares” may be greater
than the “Return Before Taxes” because the investor is assumed to be able to use
the capital loss on the sale of Fund shares to offset other taxable capital
gains. Actual after‑tax returns depend on an investor’s tax
situation and may differ from those shown. After‑tax returns are not
relevant to investors who hold their Fund shares through tax‑deferred
arrangements, such as 401(k) plans or individual retirement
accounts.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
1 Year |
|
|
5 Years |
|
|
10 Years |
|
Class N
Shares |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Return
Before Taxes |
|
|
28.03% |
|
|
|
26.66% |
|
|
|
20.40% |
|
Return
After Taxes on Distributions |
|
|
26.66% |
|
|
|
24.86% |
|
|
|
18.57% |
|
Return
After Taxes on Distributions and Sale of Fund Shares |
|
|
17.53% |
|
|
|
21.52% |
|
|
|
16.69% |
|
|
|
|
|
Class I
Shares |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Return
Before Taxes |
|
|
28.39% |
|
|
|
27.00% |
|
|
|
20.72% |
|
|
|
|
|
Russell
1000® Growth
Index (reflects no deduction for fees, expenses or
taxes) |
|
|
27.60% |
|
|
|
25.32% |
|
|
|
19.79% |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
1 Year |
|
|
Since Share Class Inception (May 2,
2019) |
|
Class R6
Shares |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Return
Before Taxes |
|
|
28.42% |
|
|
|
29.75% |
|
|
|
|
Russell
1000® Growth
Index (reflects no deduction for fees, expenses or
taxes) |
|
|
27.60% |
|
|
|
29.63% |
|
MANAGEMENT:
Investment
Adviser. William Blair Investment Management, LLC
is the investment adviser of the Fund.
Portfolio
Manager(s). James Golan, a Partner of the Adviser,
and David Ricci, a Partner of the Adviser, co‑manage the Fund. Mr. Golan
has co‑managed the Fund since 2005. Mr. Ricci has co‑managed the Fund since
2011.
9
PURCHASE
AND SALE OF FUND SHARES:
Class N Share
Purchase. The minimum initial investment for an
account generally is $2,500. The minimum subsequent investment generally is
$1,000. Certain exceptions to the minimum initial and subsequent investment
amounts may apply. See “Your Account—Class N Shares” for additional
information on eligibility requirements applicable to purchasing Class N
shares.
Class I Share
Purchase. The minimum initial investment for an
account generally is $500,000 (or any lesser amount if, in William Blair’s
opinion, the investor has adequate intent and availability of funds to reach a
future level of investment of $500,000). There is no minimum for subsequent
purchases. There is no minimum initial investment for qualified retirement
plans, including, but not limited to, 401(k) plans, 457 plans,
employer-sponsored 403(b) plans, defined benefit plans and other similar
accounts, or plans whereby Class I shares are held through omnibus accounts
(either at the plan level or the level of the plan administrator) and certain
other accounts. William Blair may make certain additional exceptions to the
minimum initial investment amount in its discretion. Class I shares are
only available to certain investors. See “Your Account—Class I Shares” for
additional information on the eligibility requirements and investment minimums
applicable to purchasing Class I shares.
Class R6 Share
Purchase. The minimum initial investment for an
account is $1 million (or any lesser amount if, in William Blair’s opinion,
the investor has adequate intent and availability of funds to reach a future
level of investment of $1 million). There is no minimum for subsequent
purchases. There is no minimum initial investment for qualified retirement
plans, including, but not limited to, 401(k) plans, 457 plans,
employer-sponsored 403(b) plans, defined benefit plans and other similar
accounts, or plans whereby Class R6 shares are held through omnibus
accounts (either at the plan level or the level of the plan administrator) and
certain other accounts. William Blair may make certain additional exceptions to
the minimum initial investment amount in its discretion. Class R6 shares
are only available to certain investors. See “Your Account—Class R6 Shares”
for additional information on eligibility requirements and investment minimums
applicable to purchasing Class R6 shares.
Sale. Shares of the Fund
are redeemable on any day the New York Stock Exchange is open for business by
mail, wire or telephone, depending on the elections you make in the account
application.
TAX INFORMATION: The
Fund intends to make distributions that may be taxed as ordinary income or
capital gains, unless you are investing through a tax‑advantaged investment
plan. If you are investing through a tax‑advantaged investment plan, withdrawals
from the tax‑advantaged investment plan may be subject to taxes.
PAYMENTS TO BROKER-DEALERS AND OTHER FINANCIAL
INTERMEDIARIES: If you purchase shares of the Fund
through a broker-dealer or other financial intermediary (such as a bank), the
Fund and its related companies may pay the intermediary for the sale of shares
and related services. These payments may create a conflict of interest by
influencing the broker-dealer or other intermediary and your salesperson to
recommend the Fund over another investment. Ask your salesperson or visit your
financial intermediary’s website for more information.
10
WILLIAM
BLAIR MID CAP GROWTH FUND |
SUMMARY
|
INVESTMENT
OBJECTIVE: The William Blair Mid Cap
Growth Fund seeks long-term capital appreciation.
FEES AND
EXPENSES: This table describes the fees
and expenses that you may pay if you buy, hold and sell shares of the Fund. You
may pay other fees, such as brokerage commissions and other fees to financial
intermediaries, which are not reflected in the tables and examples
below.
Shareholder Fees (fees paid directly from your
investment):
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Class N |
|
|
Class I |
|
|
Class R6 |
|
Maximum
Sales Charge (Load) Imposed on Purchases |
|
|
None |
|
|
|
None |
|
|
|
None |
|
Redemption
Fee |
|
|
None |
|
|
|
None |
|
|
|
None |
|
Annual Fund Operating Expenses (expenses that
you pay each year as a percentage of the value of your investment):
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Class N |
|
|
Class I |
|
|
Class R6 |
|
Management
Fee |
|
|
0.90% |
|
|
|
0.90% |
|
|
|
0.90% |
|
Distribution
(Rule 12b‑1) Fee |
|
|
0.25% |
|
|
|
None |
|
|
|
None |
|
Other
Expenses |
|
|
0.33% |
|
|
|
0.34% |
|
|
|
0.21% |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total
Annual Fund Operating Expenses |
|
|
1.48% |
|
|
|
1.24% |
|
|
|
1.11% |
|
Fee
Waiver and/or Expense Reimbursement* |
|
|
0.28% |
|
|
|
0.29% |
|
|
|
0.21% |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total
Annual Fund Operating Expenses After Fee Waiver and/or Expense
Reimbursement |
|
|
1.20% |
|
|
|
0.95% |
|
|
|
0.90% |
|
* |
William
Blair Investment Management, LLC (the “Adviser”) has entered into a
contractual agreement with the Fund to waive fees and/or reimburse
expenses in order to limit the Fund’s operating expenses (excluding
interest expenses, taxes, brokerage commissions, acquired fund fees and
expenses, dividend and interest expenses on short sales, other
investment-related costs and extraordinary expenses, such as litigation
and other expenses not incurred in the ordinary course of the Fund’s
business) to 1.20%, 0.95% and 0.90% of average daily net assets for
Class N, Class I and Class R6 shares, respectively, until
April 30, 2023. The Adviser may not terminate this arrangement prior
to April 30,
2023 without the approval of the Fund’s Board of Trustees.
|
Example: This example is
intended to help you compare the cost of investing in shares of the Fund with
the cost of investing in other mutual funds. The example assumes that you invest
$10,000 in the Fund for the time periods indicated and then redeem all of your
shares at the end of those periods. The example also assumes that your
investment has a 5% return each year and the Fund’s operating expenses remain
the same. The figures reflect the expense limitation for the first year.
Although your actual costs may be higher or lower, based on these assumptions
your costs would be:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
1 Year |
|
|
3 Years |
|
|
5 Years |
|
|
10 Years |
|
Class N |
|
|
$122 |
|
|
|
$440 |
|
|
|
$781 |
|
|
|
$1,744 |
|
Class I |
|
|
97 |
|
|
|
365 |
|
|
|
653 |
|
|
|
1,474 |
|
Class R6 |
|
|
92 |
|
|
|
332 |
|
|
|
591 |
|
|
|
1,333 |
|
11
Portfolio
Turnover: The Fund pays transaction
costs, such as commissions, when it buys and sells securities (or “turns over”
its portfolio). A higher portfolio turnover may indicate higher transaction
costs and may result in higher taxes when Fund shares are held in a taxable
account. These costs, which are not reflected in annual fund operating expenses
or in the example, affect the Fund’s performance. During the most recent fiscal
year, the Fund’s portfolio turnover rate was 47% of the average value of its
portfolio.
PRINCIPAL INVESTMENT
STRATEGIES: Under normal market
conditions, the Fund invests at least 80% of its net assets (plus the amount of
any borrowings for investment purposes) in stocks of medium capitalized (“mid
cap”) companies. The Fund invests primarily in a diversified portfolio of equity
securities, including common stocks and other forms of equity investments (e.g.,
securities convertible into common stocks), of mid cap domestic growth companies
that are expected to exhibit quality growth characteristics. For purposes of the
Fund, the Adviser considers a company to be a mid cap company if it has a market
capitalization no smaller than the smallest capitalized company, and no larger
than the largest capitalized company, included in the Russell Midcap® Index at the time of the
Fund’s investment. Securities of companies whose market capitalizations no
longer meet this definition after purchase may continue to be held in the Fund.
To a limited extent, the Fund may also purchase stocks of companies with
business characteristics and growth prospects similar to mid cap companies, but
that may have market capitalizations above the market capitalization of the
largest member, or below the market capitalization of the smallest member, of
the Russell Midcap®
Index.
The
Russell Midcap® Index
measures the performance of the 800 companies with the lowest market
capitalizations in the Russell 1000® Index. The companies in the
Russell Midcap® Index are
considered representative of mid cap companies. The size of companies in the
Russell Midcap® Index may
change with market conditions. In addition, changes to the composition of the
Russell Midcap® Index can
change the market capitalization range of companies included in the index. As of
March 31, 2022, the Russell Midcap® Index included securities
issued by companies that ranged in size between $364.7 million and
$61.3 billion. The Russell Midcap® Growth Index, the Fund’s
benchmark, measures the performance of the smallest 800 companies in the Russell
1000® Index with a
greater-than-average growth
orientation.
In
choosing investments, the Adviser performs fundamental company analysis and
focuses on stock selection. The Adviser evaluates the extent to which a company
meets the quality growth criteria set forth below. All of the criteria are
evaluated relative to the valuation of the security. The weight given to a
particular investment criterion will depend upon the circumstances, and Fund
holdings may not meet all of the following criteria: (a) the company should
be, or should have the expectation of becoming, a significant provider in the
primary markets it serves, (b) the company should have some distinctive
attribute relative to present or potential competitors (for example, this may
take the form of proprietary products or processes, a unique distribution
system, an entrenched brand name or an especially strong financial position
relative to its competition), (c) the company should participate in an
industry expected to grow rapidly due to economic factors or technological
change or should grow through market share gains in its industry and
(d) the company should have a strong management
team.
PRINCIPAL
RISKS: The Fund’s returns will vary, and you could lose money
by investing in the Fund. The following is a summary of the
principal risks associated with an investment in the Fund.
Equity Funds
General. Because the Fund invests substantially
all of its assets in equity securities of mid cap U.S. growth companies, the
primary risk is that the value of the equity securities it holds might decrease
in response to the activities of an individual company or in response to general
market, business and economic conditions. If this occurs, the Fund’s share price
may also decrease. In addition, there is the risk that individual securities may
not perform as expected or a strategy used by the Adviser may fail to produce
its intended result.
Market Risk. The value
of the Fund’s investments may go up or down, sometimes rapidly or unpredictably.
The value of an investment may decline due to factors affecting securities
markets generally or particular industries represented in the securities
markets. The value of an investment may decline due to general market
12
conditions
that are not specifically related to a particular company, such as real or
perceived adverse economic conditions, changes in the general outlook for
corporate earnings, changes in interest or currency rates or adverse investor
sentiment generally. Events such as war, acts of terrorism, social unrest,
natural disasters, the spread of infectious illness or other public health
threats could also significantly impact the Fund and its investments. The value
of an investment may also decline due to factors that affect a particular
industry or industries, such as labor shortages or increased production costs
and competitive conditions within an industry. During a general downturn in the
securities markets, multiple asset classes may decline in value simultaneously.
Geopolitical and other events may also disrupt securities markets and adversely
affect global economies and markets and thereby decrease the value of the Fund’s
investments.
Mid Cap Company
Risk. Stocks of mid cap companies involve greater
risk than those of larger, more established companies. This is because mid cap
companies may be in earlier stages of development, may be dependent on a small
number of products or services, may lack substantial capital reserves and/or do
not have proven track records. Mid cap companies may be traded in low volumes.
This can increase volatility and increase the risk that the Fund will not be
able to sell a security on short notice at a reasonable price. The securities of
mid cap companies may be more volatile and less liquid than securities of large
capitalized companies.
Share Ownership Concentration
Risk. To the extent that a significant portion of
the Fund’s shares is held by a limited number of shareholders or their
affiliates, there is a risk that the share trading activities of these
shareholders could disrupt the Fund’s investment strategies, which could have
adverse consequences for the Fund and other shareholders (e.g., by requiring the
Fund to sell investments at inopportune times or causing the Fund to maintain
larger-than-expected cash positions pending acquisition of investments).
Style Risk. Different
investment styles (e.g., growth vs. value, quality bias, market capitalization
focus) tend to shift in and out of favor depending on market conditions and
investor sentiment, and at times when the growth investment style used by the
Adviser for the Fund is out of favor, the Fund may underperform other equity
funds that use different investment styles.
Focus Risk. To the
extent that the Fund focuses its investments in particular industries, asset
classes or sectors of the economy, any market changes affecting companies in
those industries, asset classes or sectors may impact the Fund’s performance.
Operational and Technology
Risk. Cyber-attacks, disruptions, or failures that
affect the Fund’s service providers, counterparties, market participants, or
issuers of securities held by the Fund may adversely affect the Fund and its
shareholders, including by causing losses for the Fund or impairing Fund
operations.
The
Fund is not intended to be a complete investment program. The Fund is designed
for long-term investors.
FUND PERFORMANCE
HISTORY: The information
below provides some indication of the risks of investing in the Fund by showing
changes in the Fund’s performance from year to year and by showing how the
Fund’s average annual total returns for the periods indicated compare with those
of a broad measure of market performance. The Fund’s past performance
(before and after taxes) does not necessarily indicate how it will perform in
the future. For more recent performance information, go to
www.williamblairfunds.com
or call 1‑800‑635‑2886.
13
Annual Total
Returns. The bar chart below provides
an illustration of how the Fund’s performance has varied in each of the years
since the Fund started for Class N shares.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Highest Quarterly Return
23.18% (2Q20) |
|
Lowest Quarterly Return
(19.93)% (1Q20) |
Average Annual Total
Returns (For the periods
ended December 31, 2021). The table below shows returns
on a before‑tax and after‑tax basis for Class N shares and on a before‑tax
basis for Class I and Class R6 shares. After‑tax returns for
Class I and Class R6 shares will vary. After‑tax returns are
calculated using the historical highest individual federal marginal income tax
rates and do not reflect the impact of state and local taxes.
In some instances, the
“Return After Taxes on Distributions and Sale of Fund Shares” may be greater
than the “Return Before Taxes” because the investor is assumed to be able to use
the capital loss on the sale of Fund shares to offset other taxable capital
gains. Actual after‑tax returns depend on an investor’s tax
situation and may differ from those shown. After‑tax returns are not
relevant to investors who hold their Fund shares through tax‑deferred
arrangements, such as 401(k) plans or individual retirement
accounts.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
1 Year |
|
|
5 Years |
|
|
10 Years |
|
Class N
Shares |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Return
Before Taxes |
|
|
8.10% |
|
|
|
17.36% |
|
|
|
13.09% |
|
Return
After Taxes on Distributions |
|
|
6.69% |
|
|
|
14.25% |
|
|
|
10.31% |
|
Return
After Taxes on Distributions and Sale of Fund Shares |
|
|
5.35% |
|
|
|
13.17% |
|
|
|
9.94% |
|
|
|
|
|
Class I
Shares |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Return
Before Taxes |
|
|
8.38% |
|
|
|
17.66% |
|
|
|
13.38% |
|
|
|
|
|
Russell
Midcap® Growth
Index (reflects no deduction for fees, expenses or
taxes) |
|
|
12.73% |
|
|
|
19.83% |
|
|
|
16.63% |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
1 Year |
|
|
Since Share Class Inception (May 2,
2019) |
|
Class R6
Shares |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Return
Before Taxes |
|
|
8.44% |
|
|
|
16.55% |
|
|
|
|
Russell
Midcap® Growth
Index (reflects no deduction for fees, expenses or
taxes) |
|
|
12.73% |
|
|
|
21.30% |
|
MANAGEMENT:
Investment
Adviser. William Blair Investment Management, LLC
is the investment adviser of the Fund.
Portfolio
Manager(s). Daniel Crowe, a Partner of the
Adviser, and James Jones, a Partner of the Adviser, co‑manage the Fund.
Mr. Crowe has co‑managed the Fund since 2015. Mr. Jones has co‑managed
the Fund since 2019.
14
PURCHASE
AND SALE OF FUND SHARES:
Class N Share
Purchase. The minimum initial investment for an
account generally is $2,500. The minimum subsequent investment generally is
$1,000. Certain exceptions to the minimum initial and subsequent investment
amounts may apply. See “Your Account—Class N Shares” for additional
information on eligibility requirements applicable to purchasing Class N
shares.
Class I Share
Purchase. The minimum initial investment for an
account generally is $500,000 (or any lesser amount if, in William Blair’s
opinion, the investor has adequate intent and availability of funds to reach a
future level of investment of $500,000). There is no minimum for subsequent
purchases. There is no minimum initial investment for qualified retirement
plans, including, but not limited to, 401(k) plans, 457 plans,
employer-sponsored 403(b) plans, defined benefit plans and other similar
accounts, or plans whereby Class I shares are held through omnibus accounts
(either at the plan level or the level of the plan administrator) and certain
other accounts. William Blair may make certain additional exceptions to the
minimum initial investment amount in its discretion. Class I shares are
only available to certain investors. See “Your Account—Class I Shares” for
additional information on the eligibility requirements and investment minimums
applicable to purchasing Class I shares.
Class R6 Share
Purchase. The minimum initial investment for an
account is $1 million (or any lesser amount if, in William Blair’s opinion,
the investor has adequate intent and availability of funds to reach a future
level of investment of $1 million). There is no minimum for subsequent
purchases. There is no minimum initial investment for qualified retirement
plans, including, but not limited to, 401(k) plans, 457 plans,
employer-sponsored 403(b) plans, defined benefit plans and other similar
accounts, or plans whereby Class R6 shares are held through omnibus
accounts (either at the plan level or the level of the plan administrator) and
certain other accounts. William Blair may make certain additional exceptions to
the minimum initial investment amount in its discretion. Class R6 shares
are only available to certain investors. See “Your Account—Class R6 Shares”
for additional information on eligibility requirements and investment minimums
applicable to purchasing Class R6 shares.
Sale. Shares of the Fund
are redeemable on any day the New York Stock Exchange is open for business by
mail, wire or telephone, depending on the elections you make in the account
application.
TAX INFORMATION: The
Fund intends to make distributions that may be taxed as ordinary income or
capital gains, unless you are investing through a tax‑advantaged investment
plan. If you are investing through a tax‑advantaged investment plan, withdrawals
from the tax‑advantaged investment plan may be subject to taxes.
PAYMENTS TO BROKER-DEALERS AND OTHER FINANCIAL
INTERMEDIARIES: If you purchase shares of the Fund
through a broker-dealer or other financial intermediary (such as a bank), the
Fund and its related companies may pay the intermediary for the sale of shares
and related services. These payments may create a conflict of interest by
influencing the broker-dealer or other intermediary and your salesperson to
recommend the Fund over another investment. Ask your salesperson or visit your
financial intermediary’s website for more information.
15
WILLIAM
BLAIR MID CAP VALUE FUND |
SUMMARY
|
INVESTMENT
OBJECTIVE: The William Blair Mid Cap
Value Fund seeks long-term capital appreciation.
FEES AND
EXPENSES: This table describes the fees
and expenses that you may pay if you buy, hold and sell shares of the Fund. You
may pay other fees, such as brokerage commissions and other fees to financial
intermediaries, which are not reflected in the tables and examples
below.
Shareholder Fees (fees paid directly from your
investment):
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Class I |
|
|
Class R6 |
|
Maximum
Sales Charge (Load) Imposed on Purchases |
|
|
None |
|
|
|
None |
|
Redemption
Fee |
|
|
None |
|
|
|
None |
|
Annual Fund Operating Expenses (expenses that
you pay each year as a percentage of the value of your investment):
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Class I |
|
|
Class R6 |
|
Management
Fee |
|
|
0.70% |
|
|
|
0.70% |
|
Distribution
(Rule 12b‑1) Fee |
|
|
None |
|
|
|
None |
|
Other
Expenses* |
|
|
0.41% |
|
|
|
0.30% |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total
Annual Fund Operating Expenses |
|
|
1.11% |
|
|
|
1.00% |
|
Fee
Waiver and/or Expense Reimbursement** |
|
|
0.36% |
|
|
|
0.30% |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total
Annual Fund Operating Expenses After Fee Waiver and/or Expense
Reimbursement |
|
|
0.75% |
|
|
|
0.70% |
|
* |
Other Expenses are based on
estimated amounts for the current fiscal
period. |
** |
William
Blair Investment Management, LLC (the “Adviser”) has entered into a
contractual agreement with the Fund to waive fees and/or reimburse
expenses in order to limit the Fund’s operating expenses (excluding
interest expenses, taxes, brokerage commissions, acquired fund fees and
expenses, dividend and interest expenses on short sales, other
investment-related costs and extraordinary expenses, such as litigation
and other expenses not incurred in the ordinary course of the Fund’s
business) to 0.75% and 0.70% of average daily net assets for Class I
and Class R6 shares, respectively, until April 30, 2024. The
Adviser may not terminate this contractual agreement prior to
April 30,
2024 without the approval of the Fund’s Board of Trustees.
The Adviser is entitled to recoupment of previously waived fees and
reimbursed expenses for a period of three years subsequent to the Fund’s
commencement of operations to the extent that such recoupment does not
cause the annual Fund operating expenses (after the recoupment is taken
into account) to exceed both (1) the expense limit in place when such
amounts were waived or reimbursed and (2) the Fund’s current expense
limitation. |
Example: This example is
intended to help you compare the cost of investing in shares of the Fund with
the cost of investing in other mutual funds. The example assumes that you invest
$10,000 in the Fund for the time periods indicated and then redeem all of your
shares at the end of those periods. The example also assumes that your
investment has a 5% return each year and the Fund’s operating expenses remain
the same. The figures reflect the expense limitation for the first two years.
Although your actual costs may be higher or lower, based on these assumptions
your costs would be:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
1 Year |
|
|
3 Years |
|
Class I |
|
|
$77 |
|
|
|
$279 |
|
Class R6 |
|
|
72 |
|
|
|
257 |
|
16
Portfolio
Turnover: The Fund pays transaction
costs, such as commissions, when it buys and sells securities (or “turns over”
its portfolio). A higher portfolio turnover may indicate higher transaction
costs and may result in higher taxes when Fund shares are held in a taxable
account. These costs, which are not reflected in annual fund operating expenses
or in the example, affect the Fund’s performance. Because the Fund had not
commenced operations as of December 31, 2021, no portfolio turnover rate
information is available.
PRINCIPAL INVESTMENT
STRATEGIES: Under normal
circumstances, the Fund invests at least 80% of its net assets (plus the amount
of any borrowings for investment purposes) in equity securities of medium
capitalized (“mid cap”) companies. For purposes of the Fund, the Adviser
considers a company to be a mid cap company if it has a market capitalization no
smaller than the smallest capitalized company, and no larger than the largest
capitalized company, included in the Russell Midcap® Index at the time of the
Fund’s investment. Securities of companies whose market capitalizations no
longer meet this definition after purchase may continue to be held in the Fund.
To a limited extent, the Fund may also purchase stocks of companies with
business characteristics and value prospects similar to mid cap companies, but
that may have market capitalizations above the market capitalization of the
largest member of the Russell Midcap® Index. The Fund may invest
in equity securities listed on a national securities exchange or traded in the
over‑the‑counter markets. The Fund invests primarily in common stocks, but it
may also invest in other types of equity securities, including real estate
investment trusts (“REITs”) and American Depositary Receipts
(“ADRs”).
The
Russell Midcap® Index
measures the performance of the mid‑cap segment of the U.S. equity universe. The
Russell Midcap® Index is
a subset of the Russell 1000® Index. It includes
approximately 800 of the smallest securities based on a combination of their
market cap and current index membership. The Russell Midcap® Index represents
approximately 26% of the total market capitalization of the Russell 1000® companies as of March 31,
2022. The companies in the Russell Midcap® Index are considered
representative of mid cap companies. The size of companies in the Russell
Midcap® Index may change
with market conditions. In addition, changes to the composition of the Russell
Midcap® Index can change
the market capitalization range of the companies included in the index. As of
March 31, 2022, the Russell Midcap® Index included securities
issued by companies that ranged in size between $364.7 million and
$61.3 billion. The Russell Midcap® Value Index, the Fund’s
benchmark, measures the performance of those Russell Midcap companies with lower
price‑to‑book ratios and lower forecasted growth
values.
In
selecting investments for the Fund, the Adviser typically looks to invest in
companies with leading market share positions, shareholder oriented managements,
and strong balance sheet and cash flow ratios. Usually, the shares of the
companies the Adviser buys are selling at a price to earnings ratio below the
average price to earnings ratio of the stocks that comprise the Russell
Midcap® Index. In
addition, the companies selected by the Adviser usually have higher returns on
equity and capital than the average company in the Russell Midcap® Index. The Adviser screens
the Fund’s universe of potential investments to identify potentially undervalued
securities based on factors such as financial strength, earnings valuation, and
earnings quality. The Adviser further narrows the list of potential investments
through traditional fundamental security analysis, which may include interviews
with company management and a review of the assessments and opinions of outside
analysts and consultants. Securities are sold when the Adviser believes the
shares have become relatively overvalued or it finds more attractive
alternatives. The Adviser generally will not sell a security merely due to
market appreciation outside the Fund’s target capitalization range if it
believes the company has growth potential.
PRINCIPAL
RISKS: The Fund’s returns will vary, and you could lose money
by investing in the Fund. The following is a summary of the
principal risks associated with an investment in the Fund.
The
principal risks of investing in the Fund are:
Equity Funds
General. Because the Fund invests substantially
all of its assets in equity securities of U.S. mid cap value companies, the
primary risk is that the value of the equity securities it holds might decrease
in response to the activities of an individual company or in response to general
market, business and economic conditions. If this occurs, the Fund’s share price
may also decrease. In addition, there is the risk that individual securities may
not perform as expected or a strategy used by the Adviser may fail to produce
its intended result.
17
Market Risk. The value
of the Fund’s investments may go up or down, sometimes rapidly or unpredictably.
The value of an investment may decline due to factors affecting securities
markets generally or particular industries represented in the securities
markets. The value of an investment may decline due to general market conditions
that are not specifically related to a particular company, such as real or
perceived adverse economic conditions, changes in the general outlook for
corporate earnings, changes in interest or currency rates or adverse investor
sentiment generally. Events such as war, acts of terrorism, social unrest,
natural disasters, the spread of infectious illness or other public health
threats could also significantly impact the Fund and its investments. The value
of an investment may also decline due to factors that affect a particular
industry or industries, such as labor shortages or increased production costs
and competitive conditions within an industry. During a general downturn in the
securities markets, multiple asset classes may decline in value simultaneously.
Geopolitical and other events may also disrupt securities markets and adversely
affect global economies and markets and thereby decrease the value of the Fund’s
investments.
Mid Cap Company
Risk. Stocks of mid cap companies involve greater
risk than those of larger, more established companies. This is because mid cap
companies may be in earlier stages of development, may be dependent on a small
number of products or services, may lack substantial capital reserves and/or do
not have proven track records. Mid cap companies may be traded in low volumes.
This can increase volatility and increase the risk that the Fund will not be
able to sell a security on short notice at a reasonable price. The securities of
mid cap companies may be more volatile and less liquid than securities of large
capitalized companies.
REIT Risk. REITs are
pooled investment vehicles that own, and usually operate, income-producing real
estate. REITs are susceptible to the risks associated with direct ownership of
real estate, such as the following: declines in property values; increases in
property taxes, operating expenses, interest rates or competition; overbuilding;
zoning changes; and losses from casualty or condemnation. REITs typically incur
fees that are separate from those of the Fund. Accordingly, the Fund’s
shareholders will indirectly bear a proportionate share of the REITs’ operating
expenses, in addition to paying Fund expenses. REIT operating expenses are not
reflected in the fee table and example in this Prospectus.
Foreign Securities
Risk. The Fund’s investments in ADRs are subject
to foreign securities risk. ADRs are certificates evidencing ownership of shares
of a foreign issuer that are issued by depositary banks and traded on U.S.
exchanges. Although ADRs are alternatives to directly purchasing the underlying
foreign securities in their national markets and currencies, they continue to be
subject to many of the risks associated with investing directly in foreign
securities.
New Fund Risk. As a new
fund, there can be no assurance that the Fund will grow to or maintain an
economically viable size, in which case it could ultimately liquidate.
Share Ownership Concentration
Risk. To the extent that a significant portion of
the Fund’s shares is held by a limited number of shareholders or their
affiliates, there is a risk that the share trading activities of these
shareholders could disrupt the Fund’s investment strategies, which could have
adverse consequences for the Fund and other shareholders (e.g., by requiring the
Fund to sell investments at inopportune times or causing the Fund to maintain
larger-than-expected cash positions pending acquisition of investments). In
addition, separate accounts managed by the Adviser may invest in the Fund and,
therefore, the Adviser at times may have discretionary authority over a
significant portion of the assets of the Fund. In such instances, the Adviser’s
decision to make changes to or rebalance its clients’ allocations in the
separate accounts may substantially impact the Fund’s performance.
Style Risk. Different
investment styles (e.g., growth vs. value, quality bias, market capitalization
focus) tend to shift in and out of favor depending on market conditions and
investor sentiment, and at times when the value investment style used by the
Adviser for the Fund is out of favor, the Fund may underperform other equity
funds that use different investment styles.
18
Focus Risk. To the
extent that the Fund focuses its investments in particular industries, asset
classes or sectors of the economy, any market changes affecting companies in
those industries, asset classes or sectors may impact the Fund’s performance.
Operational and Technology Risk. Cyber-attacks,
disruptions, or failures that affect the Fund’s service providers,
counterparties, market participants, or issuers of securities held by the Fund
may adversely affect the Fund and its shareholders, including by causing losses
for the Fund or impairing Fund operations.
The
Fund is not intended to be a complete investment program. The Fund is designed
for long-term investors.
FUND PERFORMANCE
HISTORY: Information on the Fund’s annual total
returns and average annual total returns will be provided after the Fund has
completed a full calendar year of operations. Updated
performance information will be available on the Fund’s website at
www.williamblairfunds.com
or by calling 1‑800‑635‑2886.
MANAGEMENT:
Investment
Adviser. William Blair Investment Management, LLC
is the investment adviser of the Fund.
Portfolio
Manager(s). Matthew Fleming, CFA, an Associate of
the Adviser, and William V. Heaphy, CFA, an Associate of the Adviser, co‑manage
the Fund. Mr. Fleming and Mr. Heaphy have each co‑managed the Fund
since its inception in 2022.
PURCHASE
AND SALE OF FUND SHARES:
Class I Share
Purchase. The minimum initial investment for an
account generally is $500,000 (or any lesser amount if, in William Blair’s
opinion, the investor has adequate intent and availability of funds to reach a
future level of investment of $500,000). There is no minimum for subsequent
purchases. There is no minimum initial investment for qualified retirement
plans, including, but not limited to, 401(k) plans, 457 plans,
employer-sponsored 403(b) plans, defined benefit plans and other similar
accounts, or plans whereby Class I shares are held through omnibus accounts
(either at the plan level or the level of the plan administrator) and certain
other accounts. William Blair may make certain additional exceptions to the
minimum initial investment amount in its discretion. Class I shares are
only available to certain investors. See “Your Account—Class I Shares” for
additional information on the eligibility requirements and investment minimums
applicable to purchasing Class I shares.
Class R6 Share
Purchase.
The minimum initial investment for an account is $1 million (or any lesser
amount if, in William Blair’s opinion, the investor has adequate intent and
availability of funds to reach a future level of investment of $1 million).
There is no minimum for subsequent purchases. There is no minimum initial
investment for qualified retirement plans, including, but not limited to, 401(k)
plans, 457 plans, employer-sponsored 403(b) plans, defined benefit plans and
other similar accounts, or plans whereby Class R6 shares are held through
omnibus accounts (either at the plan level or the level of the plan
administrator) and certain other accounts. William Blair may make certain
additional exceptions to the minimum initial investment amount in its
discretion. Class R6 shares are only available to certain investors. See
“Your Account—Class R6 Shares” for additional information on eligibility
requirements and investment minimums applicable to purchasing Class R6
shares.
Sale. Shares of the Fund are
redeemable on any day the New York Stock Exchange is open for business by mail,
wire or telephone, depending on the elections you make in the account
application.
TAX INFORMATION: The
Fund intends to make distributions that may be taxed as ordinary income or
capital gains, unless you are investing through a tax‑advantaged investment
plan. If you are investing through a tax‑advantaged investment plan, withdrawals
from the tax‑advantaged investment plan may be subject to taxes.
19
PAYMENTS TO BROKER-DEALERS AND OTHER FINANCIAL
INTERMEDIARIES: If you purchase shares
of the Fund through a broker-dealer or other financial intermediary (such as a
bank), the Fund and its related companies may pay the intermediary for the sale
of shares and related services. These payments may create a conflict of interest
by influencing the broker-dealer or other intermediary and your salesperson to
recommend the Fund over another investment. Ask your salesperson or visit your
financial intermediary’s website for more information.
20
WILLIAM
BLAIR SMALL‑MID CAP CORE FUND |
SUMMARY
|
INVESTMENT
OBJECTIVE: The William Blair Small‑Mid
Cap Core Fund seeks long-term capital appreciation.
FEES AND
EXPENSES: This table describes the fees
and expenses that you may pay if you buy, hold and sell shares of the Fund. You
may pay other fees, such as brokerage commissions and other fees to financial
intermediaries, which are not reflected in the tables and examples
below.
Shareholder Fees (fees paid directly from your
investment):
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Class I |
|
|
Class R6 |
|
Maximum
Sales Charge (Load) Imposed on Purchases |
|
|
None |
|
|
|
None |
|
Redemption
Fee |
|
|
None |
|
|
|
None |
|
Annual Fund Operating Expenses (expenses that
you pay each year as a percentage of the value of your investment):
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Class I |
|
|
Class R6 |
|
Management
Fee |
|
|
0.90% |
|
|
|
0.90% |
|
Distribution
(Rule 12b‑1) Fee |
|
|
None |
|
|
|
None |
|
Other
Expenses |
|
|
0.35% |
|
|
|
0.26% |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total
Annual Fund Operating Expenses |
|
|
1.25% |
|
|
|
1.16% |
|
Fee
Waiver and/or Expense Reimbursement* |
|
|
0.30% |
|
|
|
0.26% |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total
Annual Fund Operating Expenses After Fee Waiver and/or Expense
Reimbursement |
|
|
0.95% |
|
|
|
0.90% |
|
* |
William
Blair Investment Management, LLC (the “Adviser”) has entered into a
contractual agreement with the Fund to waive fees and/or reimburse
expenses in order to limit the Fund’s operating expenses (excluding
interest expenses, taxes, brokerage commissions, acquired fund fees and
expenses, dividend and interest expenses on short sales, other
investment-related costs and extraordinary expenses, such as litigation
and other expenses not incurred in the ordinary course of the Fund’s
business) to 0.95% and 0.90% of average daily net assets for Class I
and Class R6 shares, respectively, until April 30, 2023. The
Adviser may not terminate this arrangement prior to April 30,
2023 without the approval of the Fund’s Board of Trustees.
The Adviser is entitled to recoupment of previously waived fees and
reimbursed expenses for a period of three years subsequent to the Fund’s
commencement of operations to the extent that such recoupment does not
cause the annual Fund operating expenses (after the recoupment is taken
into account) to exceed both (1) the expense limit in place when such
amounts were waived or reimbursed and (2) the Fund’s current expense
limitation.
|
Example: This example is
intended to help you compare the cost of investing in shares of the Fund with
the cost of investing in other mutual funds. The example assumes that you invest
$10,000 in the Fund for the time periods indicated and then redeem all of your
shares at the end of those periods. The example also assumes that your
investment has a 5% return each year and the Fund’s operating expenses remain
the same. The figures reflect the expense limitation for the first year.
Although your actual costs may be higher or lower, based on these assumptions
your costs would be:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
1 Year |
|
|
3 Years |
|
|
5 Years |
|
|
10 Years |
|
Class I |
|
|
$97 |
|
|
|
$367 |
|
|
|
$657 |
|
|
|
$1,485 |
|
Class R6 |
|
|
92 |
|
|
|
343 |
|
|
|
613 |
|
|
|
1,386 |
|
21
Portfolio
Turnover: The Fund pays transaction
costs, such as commissions, when it buys and sells securities (or “turns over”
its portfolio). A higher portfolio turnover may indicate higher transaction
costs and may result in higher taxes when Fund shares are held in a taxable
account. These costs, which are not reflected in annual fund operating expenses
or in the example, affect the Fund’s performance. During the most recent fiscal
year, the Fund’s portfolio turnover rate was 45% of the average value of its
portfolio.
PRINCIPAL INVESTMENT
STRATEGIES: Under normal
circumstances, the Fund invests at least 80% of its net assets (plus the amount
of any borrowings for investment purposes) in equity securities of small
capitalized (“small cap”) and medium capitalized (“mid cap”) companies. The Fund
invests in a diversified portfolio of equity securities, primarily common
stocks, of small cap and mid cap U.S. companies that the Adviser deems to be of
high quality but undervalued by the marketplace. For purposes of the Fund, the
Adviser considers a company to be a small cap or a mid cap company if it has a
market capitalization no larger than the largest capitalized company included in
the Russell Midcap® Index
at the time of the Fund’s investment. Securities of companies whose market
capitalizations no longer meet this definition after purchase may continue to be
held in the Fund. To a limited extent, the Fund may also purchase stocks of
companies with business characteristics similar to small cap and mid cap
companies, but that may have market capitalizations above the market
capitalization of the largest member of the Russell Midcap® Index.
The
Russell Midcap® Index
measures the performance of the 800 companies with the lowest market
capitalizations in the Russell 1000® Index. The size of companies
in the Russell Midcap®
Index may change with market conditions. In addition, changes to the composition
of the Russell Midcap®
Index can change the market capitalization range of companies included in the
index. As of March 31, 2022, the Russell Midcap® Index included securities
issued by companies that ranged in size between $364.7 million and
$61.3 billion. The Russell 2500TM Index, the Fund’s
benchmark, measures the performance of the 2,500 smallest companies in the
Russell 3000® Index with
a weighted average market capitalization of approximately $7.9 billion,
median capitalization of $1.6 billion and market capitalization of the
largest company at $39.3 billion as of March 31,
2022.
In
choosing investments, the Adviser performs fundamental company analysis and
focuses on stock selection. The Adviser evaluates the extent to which a company
meets the criteria set forth below. All of the criteria are evaluated relative
to the valuation of the security. The weight given to a particular investment
criterion will depend upon the circumstances, and Fund holdings may not meet all
of the following criteria: (a) the company should be, or should have the
expectation of becoming, a significant provider in the primary markets it
serves; (b) the company should have some distinctive attribute relative to
present or potential competitors (this may, for example, take the form of
proprietary products or processes, a unique distribution system, an entrenched
brand name or an especially strong financial position relative to its
competition); and (c) the company should have a strong management
team.
PRINCIPAL
RISKS: The Fund’s returns will vary, and you could lose money
by investing in the Fund. The following is a summary of the
principal risks associated with an investment in the Fund.
Equity Funds
General. Because the Fund invests substantially
all of its assets in equity securities of small cap and mid cap U.S. companies,
the primary risk is that the value of the equity securities it holds might
decrease in response to the activities of an individual company or in response
to general market, business and economic conditions. If this occurs, the Fund’s
share price may also decrease. In addition, there is the risk that individual
securities may not perform as expected or a strategy used by the Adviser may
fail to produce its intended result.
Market Risk. The value
of the Fund’s investments may go up or down, sometimes rapidly or unpredictably.
The value of an investment may decline due to factors affecting securities
markets generally or particular industries represented in the securities
markets. The value of an investment may decline due to general market conditions
that are not specifically related to a particular company, such as real or
perceived adverse economic conditions, changes in the general outlook for
corporate earnings, changes in interest or currency rates or adverse
22
investor
sentiment generally. Events such as war, acts of terrorism, social unrest,
natural disasters, the spread of infectious illness or other public health
threats could also significantly impact the Fund and its investments. The value
of an investment may also decline due to factors that affect a particular
industry or industries, such as labor shortages or increased production costs
and competitive conditions within an industry. During a general downturn in the
securities markets, multiple asset classes may decline in value simultaneously.
Geopolitical and other events may also disrupt securities markets and adversely
affect global economies and markets and thereby decrease the value of the Fund’s
investments.
Small and Mid Cap Company
Risk. Stocks of small and mid cap companies
involve greater risk than those of larger, more established companies. This is
because small and mid cap companies may be in earlier stages of development, may
be dependent on a small number of products or services, may lack substantial
capital reserves and/or do not have proven track records. Small and mid cap
companies may be traded in low volumes. This can increase volatility and
increase the risk that the Fund will not be able to sell a security on short
notice at a reasonable price. The securities of small and mid cap companies may
be more volatile and less liquid than securities of large capitalized companies.
Share Ownership Concentration
Risk. To the extent that a significant portion of
the Fund’s shares is held by a limited number of shareholders or their
affiliates, there is a risk that the share trading activities of these
shareholders could disrupt the Fund’s investment strategies, which could have
adverse consequences for the Fund and other shareholders (e.g., by requiring the
Fund to sell investments at inopportune times or causing the Fund to maintain
larger-than-expected cash positions pending acquisition of investments).
Style Risk. Different
investment styles (e.g., growth vs. value, quality bias, market capitalization
focus) tend to shift in and out of favor depending on market conditions and
investor sentiment, and at times when the investment style used by the Adviser
for the Fund is out of favor, the Fund may underperform other equity funds that
use different investment styles.
Focus Risk. To the
extent that the Fund focuses its investments in particular industries, asset
classes or sectors of the economy, any market changes affecting companies in
those industries, asset classes or sectors may impact the Fund’s performance.
Operational and Technology
Risk. Cyber-attacks, disruptions, or failures that
affect the Fund’s service providers, counterparties, market participants, or
issuers of securities held by the Fund may adversely affect the Fund and its
shareholders, including by causing losses for the Fund or impairing Fund
operations.
The
Fund is not intended to be a complete investment program and is designed for
long-term investors.
FUND PERFORMANCE
HISTORY: The information
below provides some indication of the risks of investing in the Fund by showing
changes in the Fund’s performance from year to year and by showing how the
Fund’s average annual total returns for the periods indicated compare with those
of a broad measure of market performance. The Fund’s past performance
(before and after taxes) does not necessarily indicate how it will perform in
the future. For more recent performance information, go to
www.williamblairfunds.com
or call 1‑800‑635‑2886.
23
Annual Total
Returns. The bar chart below provides
an illustration of how the Fund’s performance has varied in each of the calendar
years since the Fund started for Class I shares.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Highest Quarterly Return
28.67% (4Q20) |
|
Lowest Quarterly Return
(26.97)% (1Q20) |
Average Annual
Total Returns (For the periods ended December 31,
2021). The table below shows returns
on a before‑tax and after‑tax basis for Class I shares and on a before‑tax
basis for Class R6 shares. After‑tax returns for Class R6 shares will
vary. After‑tax returns are
calculated using the historical highest individual federal marginal income tax
rates and do not reflect the impact of state and local taxes.
In some instances, the
“Return After Taxes on Distributions and Sale of Fund Shares” may be greater
than the “Return Before Taxes” because the investor is assumed to be able to use
the capital loss on the sale of Fund shares to offset other taxable capital
gains. Actual after‑tax returns depend on an investor’s tax
situation and may differ from those shown. After‑tax returns are not
relevant to investors who hold their Fund shares through tax‑deferred
arrangements, such as 401(k) plans or individual retirement
accounts.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
1 Year |
|
|
Since Fund Inception (October 1,
2019) |
|
Class I
Shares |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Return
Before Taxes |
|
|
26.63% |
|
|
|
24.30% |
|
Return
After Taxes on Distributions |
|
|
26.63% |
|
|
|
24.29% |
|
Return
After Taxes on Distributions and Sale of Fund Shares |
|
|
15.77% |
|
|
|
19.07% |
|
|
|
|
Class R6
Shares |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Return
Before Taxes |
|
|
26.71% |
|
|
|
24.34% |
|
|
|
|
Russell
2500TM
Index (reflects no deduction for fees, expenses or
taxes) |
|
|
18.18% |
|
|
|
21.08% |
|
MANAGEMENT:
Investment
Adviser. William Blair Investment Management, LLC
is the investment adviser of the Fund.
Portfolio
Manager(s). Daniel Crowe, a Partner of the
Adviser, and Ward Sexton, a Partner of the Adviser, co‑manage the Fund. Messrs.
Crowe and Sexton have co‑managed the Fund since its inception in 2019.
PURCHASE
AND SALE OF FUND SHARES:
Class I Share
Purchase. The minimum initial investment for an
account generally is $500,000 (or any lesser amount if, in William Blair’s
opinion, the investor has adequate intent and availability of funds to reach a
future level of investment of $500,000). There is no minimum for subsequent
purchases. There is no minimum initial investment for qualified retirement
plans, including, but not limited to, 401(k) plans, 457 plans,
employer-sponsored 403(b) plans, defined benefit plans and other similar
accounts, or plans whereby Class I shares are
24
held
through omnibus accounts (either at the plan level or the level of the plan
administrator) and certain other accounts. William Blair may make certain
additional exceptions to the minimum initial investment amount in its
discretion. Class I shares are only available to certain investors. See
“Your Account—Class I Shares” for additional information on the eligibility
requirements and investment minimums applicable to purchasing Class I
shares.
Class R6 Share
Purchase. The minimum initial investment for an
account is $1 million (or any lesser amount if, in William Blair’s opinion,
the investor has adequate intent and availability of funds to reach a future
level of investment of $1 million). There is no minimum for subsequent
purchases. There is no minimum initial investment for qualified retirement
plans, including, but not limited to, 401(k) plans, 457 plans,
employer-sponsored 403(b) plans, defined benefit plans and other similar
accounts, or plans whereby Class R6 shares are held through omnibus
accounts (either at the plan level or the level of the plan administrator) and
certain other accounts. William Blair may make certain additional exceptions to
the minimum initial investment amount in its discretion. Class R6 shares
are only available to certain investors. See “Your Account—Class R6 Shares”
for additional information on eligibility requirements and investment minimums
applicable to purchasing Class R6 shares.
Sale. Shares of the Fund
are redeemable on any day the New York Stock Exchange is open for business by
mail, wire or telephone, depending on the elections you make in the account
application.
TAX INFORMATION: The
Fund intends to make distributions that may be taxed as ordinary income or
capital gains, unless you are investing through a tax‑advantaged investment
plan. If you are investing through a tax‑advantaged investment plan, withdrawals
from the tax‑advantaged investment plan may be subject to taxes.
PAYMENTS TO BROKER-DEALERS AND OTHER FINANCIAL
INTERMEDIARIES: If you purchase shares of the Fund
through a broker-dealer or other financial intermediary (such as a bank), the
Fund and its related companies may pay the intermediary for the sale of shares
and related services. These payments may create a conflict of interest by
influencing the broker-dealer or other intermediary and your salesperson to
recommend the Fund over another investment. Ask your salesperson or visit your
financial intermediary’s website for more information.
25
WILLIAM
BLAIR SMALL‑MID CAP GROWTH FUND |
SUMMARY
|
INVESTMENT
OBJECTIVE: The William Blair Small‑Mid
Cap Growth Fund seeks long-term capital appreciation.
FEES AND
EXPENSES: This table describes the fees
and expenses that you may pay if you buy, hold and sell shares of the Fund. You
may pay other fees, such as brokerage commissions and other fees to financial
intermediaries, which are not reflected in the tables and examples
below.
Shareholder Fees (fees paid directly from your
investment):
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Class N |
|
|
Class I |
|
|
Class R6 |
|
Maximum
Sales Charge (Load) Imposed on Purchases |
|
|
None |
|
|
|
None |
|
|
|
None |
|
Redemption
Fee |
|
|
None |
|
|
|
None |
|
|
|
None |
|
Annual Fund Operating Expenses (expenses that
you pay each year as a percentage of the value of your investment):
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Class N |
|
|
Class I |
|
|
Class R6 |
|
Management
Fee |
|
|
1.00% |
|
|
|
1.00% |
|
|
|
1.00% |
|
Distribution
(Rule 12b‑1) Fee |
|
|
0.25% |
|
|
|
None |
|
|
|
None |
|
Other
Expenses |
|
|
0.18% |
|
|
|
0.16% |
|
|
|
0.03% |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total
Annual Fund Operating Expenses |
|
|
1.43% |
|
|
|
1.16% |
|
|
|
1.03% |
|
Fee
Waiver and/or Expense Reimbursement* |
|
|
0.08% |
|
|
|
0.06% |
|
|
|
N/A |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total
Annual Fund Operating Expenses After Fee Waiver and/or Expense
Reimbursement |
|
|
1.35% |
|
|
|
1.10% |
|
|
|
1.03% |
|
* |
William
Blair Investment Management, LLC (the “Adviser”) has entered into a
contractual agreement with the Fund to waive fees and/or reimburse
expenses in order to limit the Fund’s operating expenses (excluding
interest expenses, taxes, brokerage commissions, acquired fund fees and
expenses, dividend and interest expenses on short sales, other
investment-related costs and extraordinary expenses, such as litigation
and other expenses not incurred in the ordinary course of the Fund’s
business) to 1.35% and 1.10% of average daily net assets for Class N
and Class I shares, respectively, until April 30, 2023. The
Adviser may not terminate this arrangement prior to April 30,
2023 without the approval of the Fund’s Board of Trustees.
|
Example: This example is
intended to help you compare the cost of investing in shares of the Fund with
the cost of investing in other mutual funds. The example assumes that you invest
$10,000 in the Fund for the time periods indicated and then redeem all of your
shares at the end of those periods. The example also assumes that your
investment has a 5% return each year and the Fund’s operating expenses remain
the same. The figures reflect the expense limitation for the first year.
Although your actual costs may be higher or lower, based on these assumptions
your costs would be:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
1 Year |
|
|
3 Years |
|
|
5 Years |
|
|
10 Years |
|
Class N |
|
|
$137 |
|
|
|
$445 |
|
|
|
$774 |
|
|
|
$1,706 |
|
Class I |
|
|
112 |
|
|
|
363 |
|
|
|
633 |
|
|
|
1,404 |
|
Class R6 |
|
|
105 |
|
|
|
328 |
|
|
|
569 |
|
|
|
1,259 |
|
Portfolio
Turnover: The Fund pays
transaction costs, such as commissions, when it buys and sells securities (or
“turns over” its portfolio). A higher portfolio turnover may indicate higher
transaction costs and may result in
26
higher taxes when Fund shares
are held in a taxable account. These costs, which are not reflected in annual
fund operating expenses or in the example, affect the Fund’s performance. During
the most recent fiscal year, the Fund’s portfolio turnover rate was
38% of the average value of its
portfolio.
PRINCIPAL INVESTMENT
STRATEGIES: Under normal market
conditions, the Fund invests at least 80% of its net assets (plus the amount of
any borrowings for investment purposes) in stocks of small capitalized (“small
cap”) and medium capitalized (“mid cap”) companies. The Fund invests primarily
in a diversified portfolio of equity securities, including common stocks and
other forms of equity investments (e.g., securities convertible into common
stocks), of small cap and mid cap domestic growth companies that are expected to
exhibit quality growth characteristics. For purposes of the Fund, the Adviser
considers a company to be a small cap or mid cap company if it has a market
capitalization no larger than the largest capitalized company included in the
Russell Midcap® Index at the time of
the Fund’s investment. Securities of companies whose market capitalizations no
longer meet this definition after purchase may continue to be held in the Fund.
To a limited extent, the Fund may also purchase stocks of companies with
business characteristics and growth prospects similar to small cap and mid cap
companies, but that may have market capitalizations above the market
capitalization of the largest member of the Russell Midcap® Index.
The
Russell Midcap® Index
measures the performance of the 800 companies with the lowest market
capitalizations in the Russell 1000® Index. The size of companies
in the Russell Midcap®
Index may change with market conditions. In addition, changes to the composition
of the Russell Midcap®
Index can change the market capitalization range of companies included in the
index. As of March 31, 2022, the Russell Midcap® Index included securities
issued by companies that ranged in size between $364.7 million and
$61.3 billion. The Russell 2500TM Growth Index, the Fund’s
benchmark, measures the performance of those Russell 2500 TM companies with higher
price‑to‑book ratios and higher forecasted growth values. The Russell 2500TM Index measures the
performance of the 2,500 smallest companies in the Russell 3000® Index with a weighted
average market capitalization of approximately $7.9 billion, median
capitalization of $1.6 billion and market capitalization of the largest
company at $ 39.3 billion as of March 31,
2022.
In
choosing investments, the Adviser performs fundamental company analysis and
focuses on stock selection. The Adviser evaluates the extent to which a company
meets the quality growth criteria set forth below. All of the criteria are
evaluated relative to the valuation of the security. The weight given to a
particular investment criterion will depend upon the circumstances, and Fund
holdings may not meet all of the following criteria: (a) the company should
be, or should have the expectation of becoming, a significant provider in the
primary markets it serves, (b) the company should have some distinctive
attribute relative to present or potential competitors (for example, this may
take the form of proprietary products or processes, a unique distribution
system, an entrenched brand name or an especially strong financial position
relative to its competition), (c) the company should participate in an
industry expected to grow rapidly due to economic factors or technological
change or should grow through market share gains in its industry and
(d) the company should have a strong management
team.
PRINCIPAL
RISKS: The Fund’s returns will vary, and you could lose money
by investing in the Fund. The following is a summary of the
principal risks associated with an investment in the Fund.
Equity Funds
General. Because the Fund invests substantially
all of its assets in equity securities of small cap and mid cap U.S. growth
companies, the primary risk is that the value of the equity securities it holds
might decrease in response to the activities of an individual company or in
response to general market, business and economic conditions. If this occurs,
the Fund’s share price may also decrease. In addition, there is the risk that
individual securities may not perform as expected or a strategy used by the
Adviser may fail to produce its intended result.
Market Risk. The value
of the Fund’s investments may go up or down, sometimes rapidly or unpredictably.
The value of an investment may decline due to factors affecting securities
markets generally or particular
27
industries
represented in the securities markets. The value of an investment may decline
due to general market conditions that are not specifically related to a
particular company, such as real or perceived adverse economic conditions,
changes in the general outlook for corporate earnings, changes in interest or
currency rates or adverse investor sentiment generally. Events such as war, acts
of terrorism, social unrest, natural disasters, the spread of infectious illness
or other public health threats could also significantly impact the Fund and its
investments. The value of an investment may also decline due to factors that
affect a particular industry or industries, such as labor shortages or increased
production costs and competitive conditions within an industry. During a general
downturn in the securities markets, multiple asset classes may decline in value
simultaneously. Geopolitical and other events may also disrupt securities
markets and adversely affect global economies and markets and thereby decrease
the value of the Fund’s investments.
Small and Mid Cap Company
Risk. Stocks of small and mid cap companies
involve greater risk than those of larger, more established companies. This is
because small and mid cap companies may be in earlier stages of development, may
be dependent on a small number of products or services, may lack substantial
capital reserves and/or do not have proven track records. Small and mid cap
companies may be traded in low volumes. This can increase volatility and
increase the risk that the Fund will not be able to sell a security on short
notice at a reasonable price. The securities of small and mid cap companies may
be more volatile and less liquid than securities of large capitalized companies.
Share Ownership Concentration
Risk. To the extent that a significant portion of
the Fund’s shares is held by a limited number of shareholders or their
affiliates, there is a risk that the share trading activities of these
shareholders could disrupt the Fund’s investment strategies, which could have
adverse consequences for the Fund and other shareholders (e.g., by requiring the
Fund to sell investments at inopportune times or causing the Fund to maintain
larger-than-expected cash positions pending acquisition of investments).
Style Risk. Different
investment styles (e.g., growth vs. value, quality bias, market capitalization
focus) tend to shift in and out of favor depending on market conditions and
investor sentiment, and at times when the growth investment style used by the
Adviser for the Fund is out of favor, the Fund may underperform other equity
funds that use different investment styles.
Focus Risk. To the
extent that the Fund focuses its investments in particular industries, asset
classes or sectors of the economy, any market changes affecting companies in
those industries, asset classes or sectors may impact the Fund’s performance.
Operational and Technology
Risk. Cyber-attacks, disruptions, or failures that
affect the Fund’s service providers, counterparties, market participants, or
issuers of securities held by the Fund may adversely affect the Fund and its
shareholders, including by causing losses for the Fund or impairing Fund
operations.
The
Fund is not intended to be a complete investment program. The Fund is designed
for long-term investors.
The Fund involves a high level of risk and may not be
appropriate for everyone. You should only consider
it for the aggressive portion of your portfolio.
FUND PERFORMANCE
HISTORY: The information
below provides some indication of the risks of investing in the Fund by showing
changes in the Fund’s performance from year to year and by showing how the
Fund’s average annual total returns for the periods indicated compare with those
of a broad measure of market performance. The Fund’s past performance
(before and after taxes) does not necessarily indicate how it will perform in
the future. For more recent performance information, go to
www.williamblairfunds.com
or call 1‑800‑635‑2886.
28
Annual Total
Returns. The bar chart below provides
an illustration of how the Fund’s performance has varied in each of the last ten
calendar years for Class N shares.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Highest Quarterly Return
26.45% (2Q20) |
|
Lowest Quarterly Return
(20.39)% (1Q20) |
Average Annual Total
Returns (For the periods
ended December 31, 2021). The table below shows returns
on a before‑tax and after‑tax basis for Class N shares and on a before‑tax
basis for Class I and Class R6 shares. After‑tax returns for
Class I and Class R6 shares will vary. After‑tax returns are
calculated using the historical highest individual federal marginal income tax
rates and do not reflect the impact of state and local taxes.
In some instances, the
“Return After Taxes on Distributions and Sale of Fund Shares” may be greater
than the “Return Before Taxes” because the investor is assumed to be able to use
the capital loss on the sale of Fund shares to offset other taxable capital
gains. Actual after‑tax returns depend on an investor’s tax
situation and may differ from those shown. After‑tax returns are not
relevant to investors who hold their Fund shares through tax‑deferred
arrangements, such as 401(k) plans or individual retirement
accounts.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
1 Year |
|
|
5 Years |
|
|
10 Years |
|
Class N
Shares |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Return
Before Taxes |
|
|
8.27% |
|
|
|
18.56% |
|
|
|
16.18% |
|
Return
After Taxes on Distributions |
|
|
5.53% |
|
|
|
16.68% |
|
|
|
14.57% |
|
Return
After Taxes on Distributions and Sale of Fund Shares |
|
|
6.22% |
|
|
|
14.62% |
|
|
|
13.17% |
|
|
|
|
|
Class I
Shares |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Return
Before Taxes |
|
|
8.56% |
|
|
|
18.86% |
|
|
|
16.46% |
|
|
|
|
|
Russell
2500TM Growth
Index (reflects no deduction for fees, expenses or
taxes) |
|
|
5.04% |
|
|
|
17.65% |
|
|
|
15.75% |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
1 Year |
|
|
Since Share Class Inception (May 2,
2019) |
|
Class R6
Shares |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Return
Before Taxes |
|
|
8.60% |
|
|
|
18.02% |
|
|
|
|
Russell
2500 TM Growth
Index (reflects no deduction for fees, expenses or
taxes) |
|
|
5.04% |
|
|
|
19.46% |
|
MANAGEMENT:
Investment
Adviser. William Blair Investment Management, LLC
is the investment adviser of the Fund.
Portfolio
Manager(s). Daniel Crowe, a Partner of the
Adviser, and James Jones, a Partner of the Adviser, co‑manage the Fund.
Mr. Crowe has co‑managed the Fund since 2015. Mr. Jones has co‑managed
the Fund since 2019.
29
PURCHASE
AND SALE OF FUND SHARES:
Class N Share
Purchase. The minimum initial investment for an
account generally is $2,500. The minimum subsequent investment generally is
$1,000. Certain exceptions to the minimum initial and subsequent investment
amounts may apply. See “Your Account—Class N Shares” for additional
information on eligibility requirements applicable to purchasing Class N
shares.
Class I Share
Purchase. The minimum initial investment for an
account generally is $500,000 (or any lesser amount if, in William Blair’s
opinion, the investor has adequate intent and availability of funds to reach a
future level of investment of $500,000). There is no minimum for subsequent
purchases. There is no minimum initial investment for qualified retirement
plans, including, but not limited to, 401(k) plans, 457 plans,
employer-sponsored 403(b) plans, defined benefit plans and other similar
accounts, or plans whereby Class I shares are held through omnibus accounts
(either at the plan level or the level of the plan administrator) and certain
other accounts. William Blair may make certain additional exceptions to the
minimum initial investment amount in its discretion. Class I shares are
only available to certain investors. See “Your Account—Class I Shares” for
additional information on the eligibility requirements and investment minimums
applicable to purchasing Class I shares.
Class R6 Share
Purchase. The minimum initial investment for an
account is $1 million (or any lesser amount if, in William Blair’s opinion,
the investor has adequate intent and availability of funds to reach a future
level of investment of $1 million). There is no minimum for subsequent
purchases. There is no minimum initial investment for qualified retirement
plans, including, but not limited to, 401(k) plans, 457 plans,
employer-sponsored 403(b) plans, defined benefit plans and other similar
accounts, or plans whereby Class R6 shares are held through omnibus
accounts (either at the plan level or the level of the plan administrator) and
certain other accounts. William Blair may make certain additional exceptions to
the minimum initial investment amount in its discretion. Class R6 shares
are only available to certain investors. See “Your Account—Class R6 Shares”
for additional information on eligibility requirements and investment minimums
applicable to purchasing Class R6 shares.
Sale. Shares of the Fund
are redeemable on any day the New York Stock Exchange is open for business by
mail, wire or telephone, depending on the elections you make in the account
application.
TAX INFORMATION: The
Fund intends to make distributions that may be taxed as ordinary income or
capital gains, unless you are investing through a tax‑advantaged investment
plan. If you are investing through a tax‑advantaged investment plan, withdrawals
from the tax‑advantaged investment plan may be subject to taxes.
PAYMENTS TO BROKER-DEALERS AND OTHER FINANCIAL
INTERMEDIARIES: If you purchase shares of the Fund
through a broker-dealer or other financial intermediary (such as a bank), the
Fund and its related companies may pay the intermediary for the sale of shares
and related services. These payments may create a conflict of interest by
influencing the broker-dealer or other intermediary and your salesperson to
recommend the Fund over another investment. Ask your salesperson or visit your
financial intermediary’s website for more information.
30
WILLIAM
BLAIR SMALL CAP GROWTH FUND |
SUMMARY
|
INVESTMENT
OBJECTIVE: The William Blair Small Cap
Growth Fund seeks long-term capital appreciation.
FEES AND
EXPENSES: This table describes the fees
and expenses that you may pay if you buy, hold and sell shares of the Fund. You
may pay other fees, such as brokerage commissions and other fees to financial
intermediaries, which are not reflected in the tables and examples
below.
Shareholder Fees (fees paid directly from your
investment):
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Class N |
|
|
Class I |
|
|
Class R6 |
|
Maximum
Sales Charge (Load) Imposed on Purchases |
|
|
None |
|
|
|
None |
|
|
|
None |
|
Redemption
Fee |
|
|
None |
|
|
|
None |
|
|
|
None |
|
Annual Fund Operating Expenses (expenses that
you pay each year as a percentage of the value of your investment):
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Class N |
|
|
Class I |
|
|
Class R6 |
|
Management
Fee |
|
|
1.10% |
|
|
|
1.10% |
|
|
|
1.10% |
|
Distribution
(Rule 12b‑1) Fee |
|
|
0.25% |
|
|
|
None |
|
|
|
None |
|
Other
Expenses |
|
|
0.21% |
|
|
|
0.15% |
|
|
|
0.06% |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total
Annual Fund Operating Expenses |
|
|
1.56% |
|
|
|
1.25% |
|
|
|
1.16% |
|
Fee
Waiver and/or Expense Reimbursement* |
|
|
0.06% |
|
|
|
N/A |
|
|
|
N/A |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total
Annual Fund Operating Expenses After Fee Waiver and/or Expense
Reimbursement |
|
|
1.50% |
|
|
|
1.25% |
|
|
|
1.16% |
|
* |
William
Blair Investment Management, LLC (the “Adviser”) has entered into a
contractual agreement with the Fund to waive fees and/or reimburse
expenses in order to limit the Fund’s operating expenses (excluding
interest expenses, taxes, brokerage commissions, acquired fund fees and
expenses, dividend and interest expenses on short sales, other
investment-related costs and extraordinary expenses, such as litigation
and other expenses not incurred in the ordinary course of the Fund’s
business) to 1.50% and 1.25% of average daily net assets for Class N
and Class I shares, respectively, until April 30, 2023. The
Adviser may not terminate this arrangement prior to April 30,
2023 without the approval of the Fund’s Board of Trustees.
|
Example: This example is
intended to help you compare the cost of investing in shares of the Fund with
the cost of investing in other mutual funds. The example assumes that you invest
$10,000 in the Fund for the time periods indicated and then redeem all of your
shares at the end of those periods. The example also assumes that your
investment has a 5% return each year and the Fund’s operating expenses remain
the same. The figures reflect the expense limitation for the first year.
Although your actual costs may be higher or lower, based on these assumptions
your costs would be:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
1 Year |
|
|
3 Years |
|
|
5 Years |
|
|
10 Years |
|
Class N |
|
|
$153 |
|
|
|
$487 |
|
|
|
$844 |
|
|
|
$1,851 |
|
Class I |
|
|
127 |
|
|
|
397 |
|
|
|
686 |
|
|
|
1,511 |
|
Class R6 |
|
|
118 |
|
|
|
368 |
|
|
|
638 |
|
|
|
1,409 |
|
Portfolio
Turnover: The Fund pays
transaction costs, such as commissions, when it buys and sells securities (or
“turns over” its portfolio). A higher portfolio turnover may indicate higher
transaction costs and may result in
31
higher taxes when Fund shares
are held in a taxable account. These costs, which are not reflected in annual
fund operating expenses or in the example, affect the Fund’s performance. During
the most recent fiscal year, the Fund’s portfolio turnover rate was
49% of the average value of its
portfolio.
PRINCIPAL INVESTMENT
STRATEGIES: Under normal market
conditions, the Fund invests at least 80% of its net assets (plus the amount of
any borrowings for investment purposes) in stocks of small capitalized (“small
cap”) companies. The Fund invests primarily in a diversified portfolio of equity
securities, including common stocks and other forms of equity investments (e.g.,
securities convertible into common stocks), of small cap domestic growth
companies that are expected to exhibit quality growth characteristics. The
Fund’s investments in small cap companies may include a significant weighting to
micro‑cap companies (which, for purposes of the Fund, are companies with market
capitalizations of $1 billion or less at the time of the Fund’s
investment). For purposes of the Fund, the Adviser considers a company to be a
small cap company if it has a market capitalization no larger than the largest
capitalized company included in the Russell 2000® Index at the time of the
Fund’s investment. Securities of companies whose market capitalizations no
longer meet this definition after purchase may continue to be held in the Fund.
To a limited extent, the Fund may also purchase stocks of companies with
business characteristics and growth prospects similar to small cap companies,
but that may have market capitalizations above the market capitalization of the
largest member of the Russell 2000® Index.
The
Russell 2000® Index is a
widely recognized, unmanaged index of common stocks that measures the
performance of the 2,000 smallest companies in the Russell 3000® Index. The companies in the
Russell 2000® Index are
considered representative of small cap companies. The size of companies in the
Russell 2000® Index may
change with market conditions. In addition, changes to the composition of the
Russell 2000® Index can
change the market capitalization range of the companies included in the index.
As of March 31, 2022, the Russell 2000® Index included securities
issued by companies that ranged in size between $21.6 million and
$14.2 billion. The Russell 2000® Growth Index, the Fund’s
benchmark, measures the performance of those Russell 2000 companies with a
greater-than-average growth
orientation.
In
choosing investments, the Adviser performs fundamental company analysis and
focuses on stock selection. The Adviser evaluates the extent to which a company
meets the quality growth criteria set forth below. All of the criteria are
evaluated relative to the valuation of the security. The weight given to a
particular investment criterion will depend upon the circumstances, and Fund
holdings may not meet all of the following criteria: (a) the company should
be, or should have the expectation of becoming, a significant provider in the
primary markets it serves, (b) the company should have some distinctive
attribute relative to present or potential competitors (for example, this may
take the form of proprietary products or processes, a unique distribution
system, an entrenched brand name or an especially strong financial position
relative to its competition), (c) the company should participate in an
industry expected to grow rapidly due to economic factors or technological
change or should grow through market share gains in its industry and
(d) the company should have a strong management
team.
PRINCIPAL
RISKS: The Fund’s returns will vary, and you could lose money
by investing in the Fund. The following is a summary of the
principal risks associated with an investment in the Fund.
Equity Funds
General. Because the Fund invests substantially
all of its assets in equity securities of small cap U.S. growth companies, the
primary risk is that the value of the equity securities it holds might decrease
in response to the activities of an individual company or in response to general
market, business and economic conditions. If this occurs, the Fund’s share price
may also decrease. In addition, there is the risk that individual securities may
not perform as expected or a strategy used by the Adviser may fail to produce
its intended result.
Market Risk. The value
of the Fund’s investments may go up or down, sometimes rapidly or unpredictably.
The value of an investment may decline due to factors affecting securities
markets generally or particular industries represented in the securities
markets. The value of an investment may decline due to general market
32
conditions
that are not specifically related to a particular company, such as real or
perceived adverse economic conditions, changes in the general outlook for
corporate earnings, changes in interest or currency rates or adverse investor
sentiment generally. Events such as war, acts of terrorism, social unrest,
natural disasters, the spread of infectious illness or other public health
threats could also significantly impact the Fund and its investments. The value
of an investment may also decline due to factors that affect a particular
industry or industries, such as labor shortages or increased production costs
and competitive conditions within an industry. During a general downturn in the
securities markets, multiple asset classes may decline in value simultaneously.
Geopolitical and other events may also disrupt securities markets and adversely
affect global economies and markets and thereby decrease the value of the Fund’s
investments.
Small and Micro Cap Company
Risk. Stocks of small and micro cap companies
involve greater risk than those of larger, more established companies. This is
because small and micro cap companies may be in earlier stages of development,
may be dependent on a small number of products or services, may lack substantial
capital reserves and/or do not have proven track records. Small and micro cap
companies may be traded in low volumes. This can increase volatility and
increase the risk that the Fund will not be able to sell a security on short
notice at a reasonable price. The securities of small and micro cap companies
may be more volatile and less liquid than securities of large capitalized
companies. For purposes of the Fund, micro cap companies are companies with
market capitalizations of $1 billion or less at the time of the Fund’s
investment.
Share Ownership Concentration
Risk. To the extent that a significant portion of
the Fund’s shares is held by a limited number of shareholders or their
affiliates, there is a risk that the share trading activities of these
shareholders could disrupt the Fund’s investment strategies, which could have
adverse consequences for the Fund and other shareholders (e.g., by requiring the
Fund to sell investments at inopportune times or causing the Fund to maintain
larger-than-expected cash positions pending acquisition of investments).
Style Risk. Different
investment styles (e.g., growth vs. value, quality bias, market capitalization
focus) tend to shift in and out of favor depending on market conditions and
investor sentiment, and at times when the growth investment style used by the
Adviser for the Fund is out of favor, the Fund may underperform other equity
funds that use different investment styles.
Focus Risk. To the
extent that the Fund focuses its investments in particular industries, asset
classes or sectors of the economy, any market changes affecting companies in
those industries, asset classes or sectors may impact the Fund’s performance.
Operational and Technology
Risk. Cyber-attacks, disruptions, or failures that
affect the Fund’s service providers, counterparties, market participants, or
issuers of securities held by the Fund may adversely affect the Fund and its
shareholders, including by causing losses for the Fund or impairing Fund
operations.
The
Fund is not intended to be a complete investment program. The Fund is designed
for long-term investors.
The Fund involves a high level of risk and may not be
appropriate for everyone. You should only consider
it for the aggressive portion of your portfolio.
FUND PERFORMANCE
HISTORY: The information
below provides some indication of the risks of investing in the Fund by showing
changes in the Fund’s performance from year to year and by showing how the
Fund’s average annual total returns for the periods indicated compare with those
of a broad measure of market performance. The Fund’s past performance
(before and after taxes) does not necessarily indicate how it will perform in
the future. For more recent performance information, go to
www.williamblairfunds.com
or call 1‑800‑635‑2886.
33
Annual Total
Returns. The bar chart below provides
an illustration of how the Fund’s performance has varied in each of the last ten
calendar years for Class N shares.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Highest Quarterly Return
29.72% (4Q20) |
|
Lowest Quarterly Return
(25.08)% (1Q20) |
Average Annual Total
Returns (For the periods
ended December 31, 2021). The table below shows returns
on a before‑tax and after‑tax basis for Class N shares and on a before‑tax
basis for Class I and Class R6 shares. After‑tax returns for
Class I and Class R6 shares will vary. After‑tax returns are
calculated using the historical highest individual federal marginal income tax
rates and do not reflect the impact of state and local taxes.
In some instances, the
“Return After Taxes on Distributions and Sale of Fund Shares” may be greater
than the “Return Before Taxes” because the investor is assumed to be able to use
the capital loss on the sale of Fund shares to offset other taxable capital
gains. Actual after‑tax returns depend on an investor’s tax
situation and may differ from those shown. After‑tax returns are not
relevant to investors who hold their Fund shares through tax‑deferred
arrangements, such as 401(k) plans or individual retirement
accounts.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
1 Year |
|
|
5 Years |
|
|
10 Years |
|
Class N
Shares |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Return
Before Taxes |
|
|
12.91% |
|
|
|
18.81% |
|
|
|
17.42% |
|
Return
After Taxes on Distributions |
|
|
7.18% |
|
|
|
15.12% |
|
|
|
13.74% |
|
Return
After Taxes on Distributions and Sale of Fund Shares |
|
|
9.95% |
|
|
|
14.17% |
|
|
|
13.08% |
|
|
|
|
|
Class I
Shares |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Return
Before Taxes |
|
|
13.22% |
|
|
|
19.11% |
|
|
|
17.71% |
|
|
|
|
|
Russell
2000® Growth
Index (reflects no deduction for fees, expenses or
taxes) |
|
|
2.83% |
|
|
|
14.53% |
|
|
|
14.14% |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
1 Year |
|
|
Since Share Class Inception (May 2,
2019) |
|
Class R6
Shares |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Return
Before Taxes |
|
|
13.31% |
|
|
|
19.69% |
|
|
|
|
Russell
2000® Growth
Index (reflects no deduction for fees, expenses or
taxes) |
|
|
2.83% |
|
|
|
16.08% |
|
MANAGEMENT:
Investment
Adviser. William Blair Investment Management, LLC
is the investment adviser of the Fund.
Portfolio Manager(s). Ward Sexton, a Partner
of the Adviser, and Mark Thompson, a Partner of the Adviser, co‑manage the Fund.
Mr. Sexton has co‑managed the Fund since 2016. Mr. Thompson has
co‑managed the Fund since 2020.
34
PURCHASE
AND SALE OF FUND SHARES:
Class N Share
Purchase. The minimum initial investment for an
account generally is $2,500. The minimum subsequent investment generally is
$1,000. Certain exceptions to the minimum initial and subsequent investment
amounts may apply. See “Your Account—Class N Shares” for additional
information on eligibility requirements applicable to purchasing Class N
shares.
Class I Share
Purchase. The minimum initial investment for an
account generally is $500,000 (or any lesser amount if, in William Blair’s
opinion, the investor has adequate intent and availability of funds to reach a
future level of investment of $500,000). There is no minimum for subsequent
purchases. There is no minimum initial investment for qualified retirement
plans, including, but not limited to, 401(k) plans, 457 plans,
employer-sponsored 403(b) plans, defined benefit plans and other similar
accounts, or plans whereby Class I shares are held through omnibus accounts
(either at the plan level or the level of the plan administrator) and certain
other accounts. William Blair may make certain additional exceptions to the
minimum initial investment amount in its discretion. Class I shares are
only available to certain investors. See “Your Account—Class I Shares” for
additional information on the eligibility requirements and investment minimums
applicable to purchasing Class I shares.
Class R6 Share
Purchase. The minimum initial investment for an
account is $1 million (or any lesser amount if, in William Blair’s opinion,
the investor has adequate intent and availability of funds to reach a future
level of investment of $1 million). There is no minimum for subsequent
purchases. There is no minimum initial investment for qualified retirement
plans, including, but not limited to, 401(k) plans, 457 plans,
employer-sponsored 403(b) plans, defined benefit plans and other similar
accounts, or plans whereby Class R6 shares are held through omnibus
accounts (either at the plan level or the level of the plan administrator) and
certain other accounts. William Blair may make certain additional exceptions to
the minimum initial investment amount in its discretion. Class R6 shares
are only available to certain investors. See “Your Account—Class R6 Shares”
for additional information on eligibility requirements and investment minimums
applicable to purchasing Class R6 shares.
Sale. Shares of the Fund
are redeemable on any day the New York Stock Exchange is open for business by
mail, wire or telephone, depending on the elections you make in the account
application.
TAX INFORMATION: The
Fund intends to make distributions that may be taxed as ordinary income or
capital gains, unless you are investing through a tax‑advantaged investment
plan. If you are investing through a tax‑advantaged investment plan, withdrawals
from the tax‑advantaged investment plan may be subject to taxes.
PAYMENTS TO BROKER-DEALERS AND OTHER FINANCIAL
INTERMEDIARIES: If you purchase shares of the Fund
through a broker-dealer or other financial intermediary (such as a bank), the
Fund and its related companies may pay the intermediary for the sale of shares
and related services. These payments may create a conflict of interest by
influencing the broker-dealer or other intermediary and your salesperson to
recommend the Fund over another investment. Ask your salesperson or visit your
financial intermediary’s website for more information.
35
WILLIAM
BLAIR SMALL CAP VALUE FUND |
SUMMARY |
INVESTMENT
OBJECTIVE: The William Blair Small Cap
Value Fund seeks long-term capital appreciation.
FEES AND
EXPENSES: This table describes the fees
and expenses that you may pay if you buy, hold and sell shares of the Fund. You
may pay other fees, such as brokerage commissions and other fees to financial
intermediaries, which are not reflected in the tables and examples
below.
Shareholder Fees (fees paid directly from your
investment):
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Class N |
|
|
Class I |
|
|
Class R6 |
|
Maximum
Sales Charge (Load) Imposed on Purchases |
|
|
None |
|
|
|
None |
|
|
|
None |
|
Redemption
Fee |
|
|
None |
|
|
|
None |
|
|
|
None |
|
Annual Fund Operating Expenses (expenses that
you pay each year as a percentage of the value of your investment):
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Class N |
|
|
Class I |
|
|
Class R6 |
|
Management
Fee |
|
|
0.75% |
|
|
|
0.75% |
|
|
|
0.75% |
|
Distribution
(Rule 12b‑1) Fee |
|
|
0.25% |
|
|
|
None |
|
|
|
None |
|
Other
Expenses |
|
|
0.26% |
|
|
|
0.07% |
|
|
|
0.03% |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total
Annual Fund Operating Expenses |
|
|
1.26% |
|
|
|
0.82% |
|
|
|
0.78% |
|
Fee
Waiver and/or Expense Reimbursement* |
|
|
0.11% |
|
|
|
N/A |
|
|
|
N/A |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total
Annual Fund Operating Expenses After Fee Waiver and/or Expense
Reimbursement |
|
|
1.15% |
|
|
|
0.82% |
|
|
|
0.78% |
|
* |
William
Blair Investment Management, LLC (the “Adviser”) has entered into a
contractual agreement with the Fund to waive fees and/or reimburse
expenses in order to limit the Fund’s operating expenses (excluding
interest expenses, taxes, brokerage commissions, acquired fund fees and
expenses, dividend and interest expenses on short sales, other
investment-related costs and extraordinary expenses, such as litigation
and other expenses not incurred in the ordinary course of the Fund’s
business) to 1.15% of average daily net assets for Class N shares
until April 30, 2023. The Adviser may not terminate this arrangement
prior to April 30,
2023 without the approval of the Fund’s Board of
Trustees. |
Example: This example is
intended to help you compare the cost of investing in shares of the Fund with
the cost of investing in other mutual funds. The example assumes that you invest
$10,000 in the Fund for the time periods indicated and then redeem all of your
shares at the end of those periods. The example also assumes that your
investment has a 5% return each year and the Fund’s operating expenses remain
the same. The figures reflect the expense limitation for the first year.
Although your actual costs may be higher or lower, based on these assumptions
your costs would be:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
1 Year |
|
|
3 Years |
|
|
5 Years |
|
|
10 Years |
|
Class N |
|
|
$117 |
|
|
|
$389 |
|
|
|
$681 |
|
|
|
$1,513 |
|
Class I |
|
|
84 |
|
|
|
262 |
|
|
|
455 |
|
|
|
1,014 |
|
Class R6 |
|
|
80 |
|
|
|
249 |
|
|
|
433 |
|
|
|
966 |
|
Portfolio
Turnover: The Fund pays
transaction costs, such as commissions, when it buys and sells securities (or
“turns over” its portfolio). A higher portfolio turnover may indicate higher
transaction costs and may result in
36
higher taxes when Fund shares
are held in a taxable account. These costs, which are not reflected in annual
fund operating expenses or in the example, affect the Fund’s performance. During
the fiscal year ended October 31, 2021, the Fund’s portfolio turnover rate
was 35% of the average value of its
portfolio. During the two months ended December 31, 2021, the Fund’s
portfolio turnover rate was 7% of the average value of its portfolio. The
portfolio turnover rates reflect both that of the ICM Small Company Portfolio
(the “Predecessor Fund”) prior to July 16, 2021, the date the Fund acquired
the assets and assumed the liabilities of the Predecessor Fund in a
reorganization (the “Reorganization”) and the portfolio turnover of the Fund
subsequent to such date.
PRINCIPAL INVESTMENT
STRATEGIES: Under normal market
conditions, the Fund invests at least 80% of its net assets (plus the amount of
any borrowings for investment purposes) in equity securities of small
capitalized (“small cap”) companies. For purposes of the Fund, the Adviser
considers a company to be a small cap company if it has a market capitalization
no larger than the largest capitalized company included in the Russell 2000® Index at the time of the
Fund’s investment. Securities of companies whose market capitalizations no
longer meet this definition after purchase may continue to be held in the Fund.
To a limited extent, the Fund may also purchase stocks of companies with
business characteristics and value prospects similar to small cap companies, but
that may have market capitalizations above the market capitalization of the
largest member of the Russell 2000® Index. The Fund may invest
in equity securities listed on a national securities exchange or traded in the
over‑the‑counter markets. The Fund invests primarily in common stocks, but it
may also invest in other types of equity securities, including real estate
investment trusts (“REITs”) and American Depositary Receipts
(“ADRs”).
The
Russell 2000® Index is a
widely recognized, unmanaged index of common stocks that measures the
performance of the 2,000 smallest companies in the Russell 3000® Index. The companies in the
Russell 2000® Index are
considered representative of small cap companies. The size of companies in the
Russell 2000® Index may
change with market conditions. In addition, changes to the composition of the
Russell 2000® Index can
change the market capitalization range of the companies included in the index.
As of March 31, 2022, the Russell 2000® Index included securities
issued by companies that ranged in size between $21.6 million and
$14.2 billion. The Russell 2000® Value Index, the Fund’s
benchmark, measures the performance of those Russell 2000 companies with lower
price‑to‑book ratios and lower forecasted growth
values.
In
selecting investments for the Fund, the Adviser typically looks to invest in
companies with leading market share positions, shareholder oriented managements,
and strong balance sheet and cash flow ratios. Usually, the shares of the
companies the Adviser buys are selling at a price to earnings ratio below the
average price to earnings ratio of the stocks that comprise the Russell 2000® Index. In addition, the
companies selected by the Adviser usually have higher returns on equity and
capital than the average company in the Russell 2000® Index. The Adviser screens
the Fund’s universe of potential investments to identify potentially undervalued
securities based on factors such as financial strength, earnings valuation, and
earnings quality. The Adviser further narrows the list of potential investments
through traditional fundamental security analysis, which may include interviews
with company management and a review of the assessments and opinions of outside
analysts and consultants. Securities are sold when the Adviser believes the
shares have become relatively overvalued or it finds more attractive
alternatives. The Adviser generally will not sell a security merely due to
market appreciation outside the Fund’s target capitalization range if it
believes the company has growth potential.
PRINCIPAL
RISKS: The Fund’s returns will vary, and you could lose money
by investing in the Fund. The following is a summary of the
principal risks associated with an investment in the
Fund.
Equity Funds
General. Because the Fund invests substantially
all of its assets in equity securities of U.S. small cap value companies, the
primary risk is that the value of the equity securities it holds might decrease
in response to the activities of an individual company or in response to general
market, business and economic conditions. If this occurs, the Fund’s share price
may also decrease. In addition, there is the risk that individual securities may
not perform as expected or a strategy used by the Adviser may fail to produce
its intended result.
37
Market Risk. The value
of the Fund’s investments may go up or down, sometimes rapidly or unpredictably.
The value of an investment may decline due to factors affecting securities
markets generally or particular industries represented in the securities
markets. The value of an investment may decline due to general market conditions
that are not specifically related to a particular company, such as real or
perceived adverse economic conditions, changes in the general outlook for
corporate earnings, changes in interest or currency rates or adverse investor
sentiment generally. Events such as war, acts of terrorism, social unrest,
natural disasters, the spread of infectious illness or other public health
threats could also significantly impact the Fund and its investments. The value
of an investment may also decline due to factors that affect a particular
industry or industries, such as labor shortages or increased production costs
and competitive conditions within an industry. During a general downturn in the
securities markets, multiple asset classes may decline in value simultaneously.
Geopolitical and other events may also disrupt securities markets and adversely
affect global economies and markets and thereby decrease the value of the Fund’s
investments.
Small and Micro Cap Company
Risk. Stocks of small and micro cap companies
involve greater risk than those of larger, more established companies. This is
because small and micro cap companies may be in earlier stages of development,
may be dependent on a small number of products or services, may lack substantial
capital reserves and/or do not have proven track records. Small and micro cap
companies may be traded in low volumes. This can increase volatility and
increase the risk that the Fund will not be able to sell a security on short
notice at a reasonable price. The securities of small and micro cap companies
may be more volatile and less liquid than securities of large capitalized
companies. For purposes of the Fund, micro cap companies are companies with
market capitalizations of $500 million or less at the time of the Fund’s
investment.
REIT Risk. REITs are
pooled investment vehicles that own, and usually operate, income-producing real
estate. REITs are susceptible to the risks associated with direct ownership of
real estate, such as the following: declines in property values; increases in
property taxes, operating expenses, interest rates or competition; overbuilding;
zoning changes; and losses from casualty or condemnation. REITs typically incur
fees that are separate from those of the Fund. Accordingly, the Fund’s
shareholders will indirectly bear a proportionate share of the REITs’ operating
expenses, in addition to paying Fund expenses. REIT operating expenses are not
reflected in the fee table and example in this
Prospectus.
Foreign Securities
Risk. The Fund’s investments in ADRs are subject
to foreign securities risk. ADRs are certificates evidencing ownership of shares
of a foreign issuer that are issued by depositary banks and traded on U.S.
exchanges. Although ADRs are alternatives to directly purchasing the underlying
foreign securities in their national markets and currencies, they continue to be
subject to many of the risks associated with investing directly in foreign
securities.
Share Ownership Concentration
Risk. To the extent that a significant portion of
the Fund’s shares is held by a limited number of shareholders or their
affiliates, there is a risk that the share trading activities of these
shareholders could disrupt the Fund’s investment strategies, which could have
adverse consequences for the Fund and other shareholders (e.g., by requiring the
Fund to sell investments at inopportune times or causing the Fund to maintain
larger-than-expected cash positions pending acquisition of
investments).
Style Risk. Different
investment styles (e.g., growth vs. value, quality bias, market capitalization
focus) tend to shift in and out of favor depending on market conditions and
investor sentiment, and at times when the value investment style used by the
Adviser for the Fund is out of favor, the Fund may underperform other equity
funds that use different investment
styles.
Portfolio Turnover Rate
Risk. Higher portfolio turnover rates involve
correspondingly higher transaction costs, which are borne directly by the Fund.
In addition, the Fund may realize significant short-term and long-term capital
gains if portfolio turnover rate is high, which will result in taxable
distributions to investors that may be greater than those made by other funds
with lower portfolio turnover
rates.
38
Focus Risk. To the
extent that the Fund focuses its investments in particular industries, asset
classes or sectors of the economy, any market changes affecting companies in
those industries, asset classes or sectors may impact the Fund’s
performance.
Operational and Technology
Risk. Cyber-attacks, disruptions, or failures that
affect the Fund’s service providers, counterparties, market participants, or
issuers of securities held by the Fund may adversely affect the Fund and its
shareholders, including by causing losses for the Fund or impairing Fund
operations.
The
Fund is not intended to be a complete investment program. The Fund is designed
for long-term investors.
The Fund involves a high level of risk and may not be
appropriate for everyone. You should only consider
it for the aggressive portion of your portfolio.
FUND PERFORMANCE
HISTORY: The information
below provides some indication of the risks of investing in the Fund by showing
changes in the Fund’s performance from year to year and by showing how the
Fund’s average annual total returns for the periods indicated compare with those
of a broad measure of market performance. The Fund’s past performance
(before and after taxes) does not necessarily indicate how it will perform in
the future. On July 16, 2021, the Fund acquired the assets
and assumed the liabilities of the Predecessor Fund, a series of The Advisors’
Inner Circle Fund. In the Reorganization, former shareholders of the Predecessor
Fund received Class I shares of the Fund. The Predecessor Fund was advised
by Investment Counselors of Maryland, LLC, which was acquired by the Adviser.
The Predecessor Fund’s (Institutional Class shares) performance and
financial history has been adopted by Class I shares of the Fund following
the Reorganization and will be used going forward from the date of the
Reorganization. The performance of Class I shares of the Fund therefore
reflects the performance of the Predecessor Fund prior to the Reorganization.
The performance of the Predecessor Fund has not been restated to reflect the
annual operating expenses of Class I shares of the Fund, which were
different than those of the Predecessor Fund. Because the Fund had different
fees and expenses than the Predecessor Fund, the Predecessor Fund would
therefore have had different performance results if it was subject to the Fund’s
fees and expenses. The Fund’s past performance (including the performance of the
Predecessor Fund), before and after taxes, is not necessarily an indication of
how the Fund will perform in the future and does not guarantee future results.
For more recent performance information, go to www.williamblairfunds.com
or call 1‑800‑635‑2886.
Annual Total
Returns. The bar chart below provides
an illustration of how the Fund’s performance has varied in each of the last ten
calendar years for Class I shares.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Highest Quarterly Return
29.75% (4Q20) |
|
Lowest Quarterly Return
(35.02)% (1Q20) |
Average Annual Total
Returns (For the periods
ended December 31, 2021). The table below shows
returns on a before‑tax and after‑tax basis for Class I shares.
After‑tax returns are
calculated using the historical highest individual federal marginal income tax
rates and do not reflect the impact of state and local taxes.
In some instances, the
“Return After Taxes on Distributions and Sale of Fund Shares” may be greater
than the “Return Before Taxes” because the investor is assumed to be able to use
the capital loss on the sale of Fund shares to offset other taxable capital
gains. Actual after‑tax returns depend on an investor’s tax
situation and may differ
39
from those shown.
After‑tax returns are not
relevant to investors who hold their Fund shares through tax‑deferred
arrangements, such as 401(k) plans or individual retirement
accounts.
Because the Predecessor Fund did not offer
share classes other than Institutional Class shares, no performance
information is shown for Class R6 or Class N shares of the Fund.
Performance information for those classes will be provided after a full calendar
year of performance history following the Reorganization is
available.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
1 Year |
|
|
5 Years |
|
|
10 Years |
|
Class I
Shares |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Return
Before Taxes |
|
|
29.49% |
|
|
|
10.33% |
|
|
|
13.03% |
|
Return
After Taxes on Distributions |
|
|
24.71% |
|
|
|
7.96% |
|
|
|
10.50% |
|
Return
After Taxes on Distributions and Sale of Fund Shares |
|
|
19.14% |
|
|
|
7.52% |
|
|
|
10.01% |
|
|
|
|
|
Russell
2000® Value
Index (reflects no
deduction for fees, expenses or taxes) |
|
|
28.27% |
|
|
|
9.07% |
|
|
|
12.03% |
|
MANAGEMENT:
Investment
Adviser. William Blair Investment Management, LLC
is the investment adviser of the Fund.
Portfolio
Manager(s). William V. Heaphy, CFA, an Associate
of the Adviser, and Gary J. Merwitz, an Associate of the Adviser, co‑manage the
Fund. Mr. Heaphy and Mr. Merwitz have each co‑managed the Fund since
2021 (and managed the Predecessor Fund since 1999 and 2004, respectively).
PURCHASE
AND SALE OF FUND SHARES:
Class N Share
Purchase. The minimum initial investment for an
account generally is $2,500. The minimum subsequent investment generally is
$1,000. Certain exceptions to the minimum initial and subsequent investment
amounts may apply. See “Your Account—Class N Shares” for additional
information on eligibility requirements applicable to purchasing Class N
shares.
Class I Share
Purchase. The minimum initial investment for an
account generally is $500,000 (or any lesser amount if, in William Blair’s
opinion, the investor has adequate intent and availability of funds to reach a
future level of investment of $500,000). There is no minimum for subsequent
purchases. There is no minimum initial investment for qualified retirement
plans, including, but not limited to, 401(k) plans, 457 plans,
employer-sponsored 403(b) plans, defined benefit plans and other similar
accounts, or plans whereby Class I shares are held through omnibus accounts
(either at the plan level or the level of the plan administrator) and certain
other accounts. William Blair may make certain additional exceptions to the
minimum initial investment amount in its discretion. Class I shares are
only available to certain investors. See “Your Account—Class I Shares” for
additional information on the eligibility requirements and investment minimums
applicable to purchasing Class I shares.
Class R6 Share
Purchase. The minimum initial investment for an
account is $1 million (or any lesser amount if, in William Blair’s
opinion, the investor has adequate intent and availability of funds to reach a
future level of investment of $1 million). There is no minimum for subsequent
purchases. There is no minimum initial investment for qualified retirement
plans, including, but not limited to, 401(k) plans, 457 plans,
employer-sponsored 403(b) plans, defined benefit plans and other similar
accounts, or plans whereby Class R6 shares are held through omnibus
accounts (either at the plan level or the level of the plan administrator) and
certain other accounts. William Blair may make certain additional exceptions to
the minimum initial investment amount in its discretion. Class R6 shares
are only available to certain investors. See “Your Account—Class R6 Shares”
for additional information on eligibility requirements and investment minimums
applicable to purchasing Class R6 shares.
40
Sale. Shares of the Fund
are redeemable on any day the New York Stock Exchange is open for business by
mail, wire or telephone, depending on the elections you make in the account
application.
TAX INFORMATION: The
Fund intends to make distributions that may be taxed as ordinary income or
capital gains, unless you are investing through a tax‑advantaged investment
plan. If you are investing through a tax‑advantaged investment plan, withdrawals
from the tax‑advantaged investment plan may be subject to taxes.
PAYMENTS TO BROKER-DEALERS AND OTHER FINANCIAL
INTERMEDIARIES: If you purchase shares of the Fund
through a broker-dealer or other financial intermediary (such as a bank), the
Fund and its related companies may pay the intermediary for the sale of shares
and related services. These payments may create a conflict of interest by
influencing the broker-dealer or other intermediary and your salesperson to
recommend the Fund over another investment. Ask your salesperson or visit your
financial intermediary’s website for more information.
41
WILLIAM
BLAIR GLOBAL LEADERS FUND |
SUMMARY
|
INVESTMENT
OBJECTIVE: The William Blair Global
Leaders Fund seeks long-term capital appreciation.
FEES AND
EXPENSES: This table describes the fees
and expenses that you may pay if you buy, hold and sell shares of the Fund. You
may pay other fees, such as brokerage commissions and other fees to financial
intermediaries, which are not reflected in the tables and examples
below.
Shareholder Fees (fees paid directly from your
investment):
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Class N |
|
|
Class I |
|
|
Class R6 |
|
Maximum
Sales Charge (Load) Imposed on Purchases |
|
|
None |
|
|
|
None |
|
|
|
None |
|
Redemption
Fee |
|
|
None |
|
|
|
None |
|
|
|
None |
|
Annual Fund Operating Expenses (expenses that
you pay each year as a percentage of the value of your investment):
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Class N |
|
|
Class I |
|
|
Class R6 |
|
Management
Fee |
|
|
0.85% |
|
|
|
0.85% |
|
|
|
0.85% |
|
Distribution
(Rule 12b‑1) Fee |
|
|
0.25% |
|
|
|
None |
|
|
|
None |
|
Other
Expenses |
|
|
0.28% |
|
|
|
0.22% |
|
|
|
0.14% |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total
Annual Fund Operating Expenses |
|
|
1.38% |
|
|
|
1.07% |
|
|
|
0.99% |
|
Fee
Waiver and/or Expense Reimbursement* |
|
|
0.23% |
|
|
|
0.17% |
|
|
|
0.14% |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total
Annual Fund Operating Expenses After Fee Waiver and/or Expense
Reimbursement |
|
|
1.15% |
|
|
|
0.90% |
|
|
|
0.85% |
|
* |
William
Blair Investment Management, LLC (the “Adviser”) has entered into a
contractual agreement with the Fund to waive fees and/or reimburse
expenses in order to limit the Fund’s operating expenses (excluding
interest expenses, taxes, brokerage commissions, acquired fund fees and
expenses, dividend and interest expenses on short sales, other
investment-related costs and extraordinary expenses, such as litigation
and other expenses not incurred in the ordinary course of the Fund’s
business) to 1.15%, 0.90% and 0.85% of average daily net assets for
Class N, Class I and Class R6 shares, respectively, until
April 30, 2023. The Adviser may not terminate this arrangement prior
to April 30,
2023 without the approval of the Fund’s Board of Trustees.
|
Example: This example is
intended to help you compare the cost of investing in shares of the Fund with
the cost of investing in other mutual funds. The example assumes that you invest
$10,000 in the Fund for the time periods indicated and then redeem all of your
shares at the end of those periods. The example also assumes that your
investment has a 5% return each year and the Fund’s operating expenses remain
the same. The figures reflect the expense limitation for the first year.
Although your actual costs may be higher or lower, based on these assumptions
your costs would be:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
1 Year |
|
|
3 Years |
|
|
5 Years |
|
|
10 Years |
|
Class N |
|
|
$117 |
|
|
|
$414 |
|
|
|
$733 |
|
|
|
$1,637 |
|
Class I |
|
|
92 |
|
|
|
323 |
|
|
|
574 |
|
|
|
1,290 |
|
Class R6 |
|
|
87 |
|
|
|
301 |
|
|
|
533 |
|
|
|
1,200 |
|
Portfolio
Turnover: The Fund pays
transaction costs, such as commissions, when it buys and sells securities (or
“turns over” its portfolio). A higher portfolio turnover may indicate higher
transaction costs and may result in
42
higher taxes when Fund shares
are held in a taxable account. These costs, which are not reflected in annual
fund operating expenses or in the example, affect the Fund’s performance. During
the most recent fiscal year, the Fund’s portfolio turnover rate was
18% of the average value of its
portfolio.
PRINCIPAL INVESTMENT
STRATEGIES: Under normal market
conditions, the Fund invests at least 80% of its total assets in a diversified
portfolio of equity securities, including common stocks and other forms of
equity investments (e.g., securities convertible into common stocks), issued by
companies of all sizes worldwide that the Adviser believes have above-average
growth, profitability and quality characteristics. The Adviser seeks investment
opportunities in companies at different stages of development, ranging from
large, well-established companies to smaller companies at earlier stages of
development, that are leaders in their country, industry or globally in terms of
products, services or execution. The Fund’s investments are normally allocated
among at least six different countries and no more than 65% of the Fund’s equity
holdings may be invested in securities of issuers in any one country at any
given time. Under normal market conditions, at least 40% of the Fund’s assets
will be invested in companies located outside the United States. Normally, the
Fund’s investments will be divided among the United States, Continental Europe,
the United Kingdom, Canada, Japan and the markets of the Pacific Basin. The Fund
may invest the greater of 30% of its net assets or twice the emerging markets
component of the MSCI All Country World Investable Market Index (IMI) (net) in
emerging markets, which include every country in the world except the United
States, Canada, Japan, Australia, New Zealand, Hong Kong, Singapore and most
Western European countries.
In
choosing investments, the Adviser performs fundamental company analysis and
focuses on stock selection. The Adviser generally seeks equity securities,
including common stocks, of companies that historically have had superior
growth, profitability and quality relative to local markets and relative to
companies within the same industry worldwide, and that are expected to continue
such performance. Such companies generally will exhibit superior business
fundamentals, including leadership in their field, quality products or services,
distinctive marketing and distribution, pricing flexibility and revenue from
products or services consumed on a steady, recurring basis. These business
characteristics should be accompanied by management that is shareholder
return-oriented and that uses conservative accounting policies. Companies with
above-average returns on equity, strong balance sheets and consistent,
above-average earnings growth will be the primary focus. Stock selection will
take into account both local and global
comparisons.
The
Adviser will vary the Fund’s sector and geographic diversification based upon
the Adviser’s ongoing evaluation of economic, market and political trends
throughout the world. In making decisions regarding country allocation, the
Adviser will consider such factors as the conditions and growth potential of
various economies and securities markets, currency exchange rates, technological
developments in the various countries and other pertinent financial, social,
national and political factors.
PRINCIPAL
RISKS: The Fund’s returns will vary, and you could lose money
by investing in the Fund. The following is a summary of the
principal risks associated with an investment in the Fund.
Equity Funds
General. Because the Fund invests substantially
all of its assets in equity securities of companies throughout the world, the
primary risk is that the value of the equity securities it holds might decrease
in response to the activities of an individual company or in response to general
market, business and economic conditions. If this occurs, the Fund’s share price
may also decrease. In addition, there is the risk that individual securities may
not perform as expected or a strategy used by the Adviser may fail to produce
its intended result.
Market Risk. The value
of the Fund’s investments may go up or down, sometimes rapidly or unpredictably.
The value of an investment may decline due to factors affecting securities
markets generally or particular industries represented in the securities
markets. The value of an investment may decline due to general market conditions
that are not specifically related to a particular company, such as real or
perceived adverse economic conditions, changes in the general outlook for
corporate earnings, changes in interest or currency rates or adverse investor
sentiment generally. Events such as war, acts of terrorism, social unrest,
natural disasters, the spread of
43
infectious
illness or other public health threats could also significantly impact the Fund
and its investments. The value of an investment may also decline due to factors
that affect a particular industry or industries, such as labor shortages or
increased production costs and competitive conditions within an industry. During
a general downturn in the securities markets, multiple asset classes may decline
in value simultaneously. Geopolitical and other events may also disrupt
securities markets and adversely affect global economies and markets and thereby
decrease the value of the Fund’s investments.
Foreign Investment
Risk. The risks of foreign investments may include
less publicly available information, less stringent investor protections and
disclosure standards, less governmental regulation and supervision of foreign
stock exchanges, brokers and issuers, share registration and custody, a lack of
uniform accounting, auditing and financial reporting standards, practices and
requirements, the possibility of expropriation, seizure or nationalization,
confiscatory taxation, limits on repatriation, adverse changes in investment or
exchange control regulations, political instability, restrictions on the flow of
international capital, imposition of foreign withholding or other taxes,
fluctuating currencies, inflation, difficulty in obtaining and enforcing
judgments against foreign entities or other adverse political, social or
diplomatic developments that could affect the Fund’s investments. Foreign
investments may be less liquid and their prices more volatile than the
securities of U.S. companies. The Fund is expected to incur operating expenses
that are higher than those of mutual funds investing exclusively in U.S. equity
securities due to the higher custodial fees associated with foreign securities
investments.
Currency Risk. The value
of the Fund’s portfolio may be affected by changes in exchange rates or control
regulations. If a local currency gains against the U.S. dollar, the value of the
security increases in U.S. dollar terms. If a local currency declines against
the U.S. dollar, the value of the security decreases in U.S. dollar terms.
Emerging Markets
Risk. Foreign investment risk is typically
magnified in emerging markets, which are the less developed and developing
nations.
Geographic Risk. To the
extent that the Fund invests a significant portion of its assets in any one
country or geographic region, the Fund will be subject to greater risk of loss
or volatility than if the Fund always maintained wide geographic diversity among
the countries and geographic regions in which it invests. Investing in any one
country or geographic region makes the Fund more vulnerable to the risks of
adverse securities markets, exchange rates and social, political, regulatory and
economic events in that one country or geographic region.
Smaller Company
Risk. Stocks of smaller companies involve greater
risk than those of larger, more established companies. This is because smaller
companies may be in earlier stages of development, may be dependent on a small
number of products or services, may lack substantial capital reserves and/or do
not have proven track records. Smaller companies may be traded in low volumes.
This can increase volatility and increase the risk that the Fund will not be
able to sell a security on short notice at a reasonable price. The securities of
smaller companies may be more volatile and less liquid than securities of large
capitalized companies.
Share Ownership Concentration
Risk. To the extent that a significant portion of
the Fund’s shares is held by a limited number of shareholders or their
affiliates, there is a risk that the share trading activities of these
shareholders could disrupt the Fund’s investment strategies, which could have
adverse consequences for the Fund and other shareholders (e.g., by requiring the
Fund to sell investments at inopportune times or causing the Fund to maintain
larger-than-expected cash positions pending acquisition of investments).
Style Risk. Different
investment styles (e.g., growth vs. value, quality bias, market capitalization
focus) tend to shift in and out of favor depending on market conditions and
investor sentiment, and at times when the investment style used by the Adviser
for the Fund is out of favor, the Fund may underperform other equity funds that
use different investment styles.
Focus Risk. To the
extent that the Fund focuses its investments in particular industries, asset
classes or sectors of the economy, any market changes affecting companies in
those industries, asset classes or sectors may impact the Fund’s performance.
44
Operational and Technology
Risk. Cyber-attacks, disruptions, or failures that
affect the Fund’s service providers, counterparties, market participants, or
issuers of securities held by the Fund may adversely affect the Fund and its
shareholders, including by causing losses for the Fund or impairing Fund
operations.
The
Fund is not intended to be a complete investment program. The Fund is designed
for long-term investors.
The Fund involves a high level of risk and may not be
appropriate for everyone. You should only consider
it for the aggressive portion of your portfolio.
FUND PERFORMANCE
HISTORY: The information
below provides some indication of the risks of investing in the Fund by showing
changes in the Fund’s performance from year to year and by showing how the
Fund’s average annual total returns for the periods indicated compare with those
of a broad measure of market performance. The Fund’s past performance
(before and after taxes) does not necessarily indicate how it will perform in
the future. For more recent performance information, go to
www.williamblairfunds.com
or call 1‑800‑635‑2886.
Annual Total
Returns. The bar chart below provides
an illustration of how the Fund’s performance has varied in each of the last ten
calendar years for Class N shares.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Highest Quarterly Return
24.59% (2Q20) |
|
Lowest Quarterly Return
(17.96)% (1Q20) |
Average Annual Total
Returns (For the periods
ended December 31, 2021). The table below shows returns
on a before‑tax and after‑tax basis for Class N shares and on a before‑tax
basis for Class I and Class R6 shares. After‑tax returns for
Class I and Class R6 shares will vary. After‑tax returns are
calculated using the historical highest individual federal marginal income tax
rates and do not reflect the impact of state and local taxes.
In some instances, the
“Return After Taxes on Distributions and Sale of Fund Shares” may be greater
than the “Return Before Taxes” because the investor is assumed to be able to use
the capital loss on the sale of Fund shares to offset other taxable capital
gains. Actual after‑tax returns depend on an investor’s tax
situation and may differ from those shown. After‑tax returns are not
relevant to investors who hold their Fund shares through tax‑deferred
arrangements, such as 401(k) plans or individual retirement
accounts.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
1 Year |
|
|
5 Years |
|
|
10 Years |
|
Class N
Shares |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Return
Before Taxes |
|
|
16.55% |
|
|
|
19.25% |
|
|
|
13.84% |
|
Return
After Taxes on Distributions |
|
|
15.02% |
|
|
|
17.17% |
|
|
|
12.70% |
|
Return
After Taxes on Distributions and Sale of Fund Shares |
|
|
10.84% |
|
|
|
15.16% |
|
|
|
11.34% |
|
|
|
|
|
Class I
Shares |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Return
Before Taxes |
|
|
16.78% |
|
|
|
19.55% |
|
|
|
14.15% |
|
|
|
|
|
MSCI All
Country World IMI (net) (reflects no deduction for fees,
expenses or taxes) |
|
|
18.22% |
|
|
|
14.12% |
|
|
|
11.84% |
|
45
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
1 Year |
|
|
5 Years |
|
|
Since Share Class Inception (December 19, 2012) |
|
Class R6
Shares |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Return
Before Taxes |
|
|
16.90% |
|
|
|
19.62% |
|
|
|
13.76% |
|
|
|
|
|
MSCI All
Country World IMI (net) (reflects no deduction for fees,
expenses or taxes) |
|
|
18.22% |
|
|
|
14.12% |
|
|
|
11.26% |
|
MANAGEMENT:
Investment
Adviser. William Blair Investment Management, LLC
is the investment adviser of the Fund.
Portfolio Manager(s). Andrew G. Flynn, a
Partner of the Adviser, Kenneth J. McAtamney, a Partner of the Adviser, and Hugo
Scott-Gall, a Partner of the Adviser, co‑manage the Fund. Mr. Flynn has
co‑managed the Fund since 2016. Mr. McAtamney has co‑managed the Fund
since 2008. Mr. Scott-Gall has co‑managed the Fund since 2021.
PURCHASE
AND SALE OF FUND SHARES:
Class N Share
Purchase. The minimum initial investment for an
account generally is $2,500. The minimum subsequent investment generally is
$1,000. Certain exceptions to the minimum initial and subsequent investment
amounts may apply. See “Your Account—Class N Shares” for additional
information on eligibility requirements applicable to purchasing Class N
shares.
Class I Share
Purchase. The minimum initial investment for an
account generally is $500,000 (or any lesser amount if, in William Blair’s
opinion, the investor has adequate intent and availability of funds to reach a
future level of investment of $500,000). There is no minimum for subsequent
purchases. There is no minimum initial investment for qualified retirement
plans, including, but not limited to, 401(k) plans, 457 plans,
employer-sponsored 403(b) plans, defined benefit plans and other similar
accounts, or plans whereby Class I shares are held through omnibus accounts
(either at the plan level or the level of the plan administrator) and certain
other accounts. William Blair may make certain additional exceptions to the
minimum initial investment amount in its discretion. Class I shares are
only available to certain investors. See “Your Account—Class I Shares” for
additional information on the eligibility requirements and investment minimums
applicable to purchasing Class I shares.
Class R6 Share
Purchase. The minimum initial investment for an
account is $1 million (or any lesser amount if, in William Blair’s opinion,
the investor has adequate intent and availability of funds to reach a future
level of investment of $1 million). There is no minimum for subsequent
purchases. There is no minimum initial investment for qualified retirement
plans, including, but not limited to, 401(k) plans, 457 plans,
employer-sponsored 403(b) plans, defined benefit plans and other similar
accounts, or plans whereby Class R6 shares are held through omnibus
accounts (either at the plan level or the level of the plan administrator) and
certain other accounts. William Blair may make certain additional exceptions to
the minimum initial investment amount in its discretion. Class R6 shares
are only available to certain investors. See “Your Account—Class R6 Shares”
for additional information on eligibility requirements and investment minimums
applicable to purchasing Class R6 shares.
Sale. Shares of the Fund
are redeemable on any day the New York Stock Exchange is open for business by
mail, wire or telephone, depending on the elections you make in the account
application.
46
TAX INFORMATION: The
Fund intends to make distributions that may be taxed as ordinary income or
capital gains, unless you are investing through a tax‑advantaged investment
plan. If you are investing through a tax‑advantaged investment plan, withdrawals
from the tax‑advantaged investment plan may be subject to taxes.
PAYMENTS TO BROKER-DEALERS AND OTHER FINANCIAL
INTERMEDIARIES: If you purchase shares of the Fund
through a broker-dealer or other financial intermediary (such as a bank), the
Fund and its related companies may pay the intermediary for the sale of shares
and related services. These payments may create a conflict of interest by
influencing the broker-dealer or other intermediary and your salesperson to
recommend the Fund over another investment. Ask your salesperson or visit your
financial intermediary’s website for more information.
47
WILLIAM
BLAIR INTERNATIONAL LEADERS FUND |
SUMMARY
|
INVESTMENT
OBJECTIVE: The William Blair
International Leaders Fund seeks long-term capital appreciation.
FEES AND
EXPENSES: This table describes the fees
and expenses that you may pay if you buy, hold and sell shares of the Fund. You
may pay other fees, such as brokerage commissions and other fees to financial
intermediaries, which are not reflected in the tables and examples
below.
Shareholder Fees (fees paid directly from your
investment):
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Class N |
|
|
Class I |
|
|
Class R6 |
|
Maximum
Sales Charge (Load) Imposed on Purchases |
|
|
None |
|
|
|
None |
|
|
|
None |
|
Redemption
Fee |
|
|
None |
|
|
|
None |
|
|
|
None |
|
Annual Fund Operating Expenses (expenses that
you pay each year as a percentage of the value of your investment):
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Class N |
|
|
Class I |
|
|
Class R6 |
|
Management
Fee |
|
|
0.85% |
|
|
|
0.85% |
|
|
|
0.85% |
|
Distribution
(Rule 12b‑1) Fee |
|
|
0.25% |
|
|
|
None |
|
|
|
None |
|
Other
Expenses |
|
|
0.20% |
|
|
|
0.14% |
|
|
|
0.06% |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total
Annual Fund Operating Expenses |
|
|
1.30% |
|
|
|
0.99% |
|
|
|
0.91% |
|
Fee
Waiver and/or Expense Reimbursement* |
|
|
0.15% |
|
|
|
0.09% |
|
|
|
0.06% |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total
Annual Fund Operating Expenses After Fee Waiver and/or Expense
Reimbursement |
|
|
1.15% |
|
|
|
0.90% |
|
|
|
0.85% |
|
* |
William
Blair Investment Management, LLC (the “Adviser”) has entered into a
contractual agreement with the Fund to waive fees and/or reimburse
expenses in order to limit the Fund’s operating expenses (excluding
interest expenses, taxes, brokerage commissions, acquired fund fees and
expenses, dividend and interest expenses on short sales, other
investment-related costs and extraordinary expenses, such as litigation
and other expenses not incurred in the ordinary course of the Fund’s
business) to 1.15%, 0.90% and 0.85% of average daily net assets for
Class N, Class I and Class R6 shares, respectively, until
April 30, 2023. The Adviser may not terminate this arrangement prior
to April 30,
2023 without the approval of the Fund’s Board of Trustees.
|
Example: This example is
intended to help you compare the cost of investing in shares of the Fund with
the cost of investing in other mutual funds. The example assumes that you invest
$10,000 in the Fund for the time periods indicated and then redeem all of your
shares at the end of those periods. The example also assumes that your
investment has a 5% return each year and the Fund’s operating expenses remain
the same. The figures reflect the expense limitation for the first year.
Although your actual costs may be higher or lower, based on these assumptions
your costs would be:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
1 Year |
|
|
3 Years |
|
|
5 Years |
|
|
10 Years |
|
Class N |
|
|
$117 |
|
|
|
$397 |
|
|
|
$699 |
|
|
|
$1,555 |
|
Class I |
|
|
92 |
|
|
|
306 |
|
|
|
538 |
|
|
|
1,205 |
|
Class R6 |
|
|
87 |
|
|
|
284 |
|
|
|
498 |
|
|
|
1,114 |
|
Portfolio
Turnover: The Fund pays
transaction costs, such as commissions, when it buys and sells securities (or
“turns over” its portfolio). A higher portfolio turnover may indicate higher
transaction costs and may result in
48
higher taxes when Fund shares
are held in a taxable account. These costs, which are not reflected in annual
fund operating expenses or in the example, affect the Fund’s performance. During
the most recent fiscal year, the Fund’s portfolio turnover rate was
18% of the average value of its
portfolio.
PRINCIPAL INVESTMENT
STRATEGIES: Under normal market
conditions, the Fund invests primarily in a diversified portfolio of equity
securities, including common stocks and other forms of equity investments (e.g.,
securities convertible into common stocks), issued by companies of all sizes
domiciled outside the U.S. that the Adviser believes have above-average growth,
profitability and quality characteristics. Under normal market conditions, the
Fund typically holds a limited number of securities (i.e., 40‑70 securities).
The Adviser seeks investment opportunities in companies at different stages of
development ranging from large, well-established companies to smaller companies
at earlier stages of development, that are leaders in their country, industry or
globally in terms of products, services or execution. The Fund’s investments are
normally allocated among at least six different countries and no more than 50%
of the Fund’s equity holdings may be invested in securities of issuers in one
country at any given time. Normally, the Fund’s investments will be divided
among Continental Europe, the United Kingdom, Canada, Japan and the markets of
the Pacific Basin. The Fund may invest the greater of 40% of its net assets or
twice the emerging markets component of the MSCI All Country World Ex‑U.S.
Investable Market Index (IMI) (net) in emerging markets, which include every
country in the world except the United States, Canada, Japan, Australia, New
Zealand, Hong Kong, Singapore and most Western European
countries.
In
choosing investments, the Adviser performs fundamental company analysis and
focuses on stock selection. The Adviser generally seeks equity securities,
including common stocks, of companies that historically have had superior
growth, profitability and quality relative to local markets and relative to
companies within the same industry worldwide, and that are expected to continue
such performance. Such companies generally will exhibit superior business
fundamentals, including leadership in their field, quality products or services,
distinctive marketing and distribution, pricing flexibility and revenue from
products or services consumed on a steady, recurring basis. These business
characteristics should be accompanied by management that is shareholder
return-oriented and that uses conservative accounting policies. Companies with
above-average returns on equity, strong balance sheets and consistent,
above-average earnings growth will be the primary focus. Stock selection will
take into account both local and global
comparisons.
The
Adviser will vary the Fund’s sector and geographic diversification based upon
the Adviser’s ongoing evaluation of economic, market and political trends
throughout the world. In making decisions regarding country allocation, the
Adviser will consider such factors as the conditions and growth potential of
various economies and securities markets, currency exchange rates, technological
developments in the various countries and other pertinent financial, social,
national and political factors.
PRINCIPAL
RISKS: The Fund’s returns will vary, and you could lose money
by investing in the Fund. The following is a summary of the
principal risks associated with an investment in the Fund.
Equity Funds
General. Because the Fund invests substantially
all of its assets in equity securities of foreign companies, the primary risk is
that the value of the equity securities it holds might decrease in response to
the activities of an individual company or in response to general market,
business and economic conditions. If this occurs, the Fund’s share price may
also decrease. In addition, there is the risk that individual securities may not
perform as expected or a strategy used by the Adviser may fail to produce its
intended result.
Market Risk. The value
of the Fund’s investments may go up or down, sometimes rapidly or unpredictably.
The value of an investment may decline due to factors affecting securities
markets generally or particular industries represented in the securities
markets. The value of an investment may decline due to general market conditions
that are not specifically related to a particular company, such as real or
perceived adverse economic conditions, changes in the general outlook for
corporate earnings, changes in interest or currency rates or adverse investor
sentiment generally. Events such as war, acts of terrorism, social unrest,
natural disasters, the spread of
49
infectious
illness or other public health threats could also significantly impact the Fund
and its investments. The value of an investment may also decline due to factors
that affect a particular industry or industries, such as labor shortages or
increased production costs and competitive conditions within an industry. During
a general downturn in the securities markets, multiple asset classes may decline
in value simultaneously. Geopolitical and other events may also disrupt
securities markets and adversely affect global economies and markets and thereby
decrease the value of the Fund’s investments.
Foreign Investment
Risk. The risks of foreign investments may include
less publicly available information, less stringent investor protections and
disclosure standards, less governmental regulation and supervision of foreign
stock exchanges, brokers and issuers, share registration and custody, a lack of
uniform accounting, auditing and financial reporting standards, practices and
requirements, the possibility of expropriation, seizure or nationalization,
confiscatory taxation, limits on repatriation, adverse changes in investment or
exchange control regulations, political instability, restrictions on the flow of
international capital, imposition of foreign withholding or other taxes,
fluctuating currencies, inflation, difficulty in obtaining and enforcing
judgments against foreign entities or other adverse political, social or
diplomatic developments that could affect the Fund’s investments. Foreign
investments may be less liquid and their prices more volatile than the
securities of U.S. companies. The Fund is expected to incur operating expenses
that are higher than those of mutual funds investing exclusively in U.S. equity
securities due to the higher custodial fees associated with foreign securities
investments.
Currency Risk. The value
of the Fund’s portfolio may be affected by changes in exchange rates or control
regulations. If a local currency gains against the U.S. dollar, the value of the
security increases in U.S. dollar terms. If a local currency declines against
the U.S. dollar, the value of the security decreases in U.S. dollar terms.
Emerging Markets
Risk. Foreign investment risk is typically
magnified in emerging markets, which are the less developed and developing
nations.
Geographic Risk. To the
extent that the Fund invests a significant portion of its assets in any one
country or geographic region, the Fund will be subject to greater risk of loss
or volatility than if the Fund always maintained wide geographic diversity among
the countries and geographic regions in which it invests. Investing in any one
country or geographic region makes the Fund more vulnerable to the risks of
adverse securities markets, exchange rates and social, political, regulatory and
economic events in that one country or geographic region.
Smaller Company
Risk. Stocks of smaller companies involve greater
risk than those of larger, more established companies. This is because smaller
companies may be in earlier stages of development, may be dependent on a small
number of products or services, may lack substantial capital reserves and/or do
not have proven track records. Smaller companies may be traded in low volumes.
This can increase volatility and increase the risk that the Fund will not be
able to sell a security on short notice at a reasonable price. The securities of
smaller companies may be more volatile and less liquid than securities of large
capitalized companies.
Share Ownership Concentration
Risk. To the extent that a significant portion of
the Fund’s shares is held by a limited number of shareholders or their
affiliates, there is a risk that the share trading activities of these
shareholders could disrupt the Fund’s investment strategies, which could have
adverse consequences for the Fund and other shareholders (e.g., by requiring the
Fund to sell investments at inopportune times or causing the Fund to maintain
larger-than-expected cash positions pending acquisition of investments).
Style Risk. Different
investment styles (e.g., growth vs. value, quality bias, market capitalization
focus) tend to shift in and out of favor depending on market conditions and
investor sentiment, and at times when the investment style used by the Adviser
for the Fund is out of favor, the Fund may underperform other equity funds that
use different investment styles.
50
Focus Risk. To the
extent that the Fund focuses its investments in particular industries, asset
classes or sectors of the economy, any market changes affecting companies in
those industries, asset classes or sectors may impact the Fund’s performance. In
addition, because the Fund may focus its investments in a limited number of
securities, its performance may be more volatile than a fund that invests in a
greater number of securities.
Operational and Technology
Risk. Cyber-attacks, disruptions, or failures that
affect the Fund’s service providers, counterparties, market participants, or
issuers of securities held by the Fund may adversely affect the Fund and its
shareholders, including by causing losses for the Fund or impairing Fund
operations.
The
Fund is not intended to be a complete investment program. The Fund is designed
for long-term investors.
The Fund involves a high level of risk and may not be
appropriate for everyone. You should only consider
it for the aggressive portion of your portfolio.
FUND PERFORMANCE
HISTORY: The information
below provides some indication of the risks of investing in the Fund by showing
changes in the Fund’s performance from year to year and by showing how the
Fund’s average annual total returns for the periods indicated compare with those
of a broad measure of market performance. The Fund’s past performance
(before and after taxes) does not necessarily indicate how it will perform in
the future. For more recent performance information, go to
www.williamblairfunds.com
or call 1‑800‑635‑2886.
Annual Total
Returns. The bar chart below provides
an illustration of how the Fund’s performance has varied in each of the calendar
years since the Fund started for Class N shares.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Highest Quarterly Return
21.43% (2Q20) |
|
Lowest Quarterly Return
(18.69)% (1Q20) |
Average Annual Total
Returns (For the periods
ended December 31, 2021). The table below shows returns
on a before‑tax and after‑tax basis for Class N shares and on a before‑tax
basis for Class I and Class R6 shares. After‑tax returns for
Class I and Class R6 shares will vary. After‑tax returns are
calculated using the historical highest individual federal marginal income tax
rates and do not reflect the impact of state and local taxes.
In some instances, the
“Return After Taxes on Distributions and Sale of Fund Shares” may be greater
than the “Return Before Taxes” because the investor is assumed to be able to use
the capital loss on the sale of Fund shares to offset other taxable capital
gains. Actual after‑tax returns depend on an investor’s tax
situation and may differ from those shown. After‑tax returns are not
relevant to investors who hold their Fund shares through tax‑deferred
arrangements, such as 401(k) plans or individual retirement
accounts.
51
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
1 Year |
|
|
5 Years |
|
|
Life of the Fund (since August 16, 2012) |
|
Class N
Shares |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Return
Before Taxes |
|
|
9.93% |
|
|
|
15.64% |
|
|
|
11.46% |
|
Return
After Taxes on Distributions |
|
|
9.24% |
|
|
|
15.14% |
|
|
|
11.08% |
|
Return
After Taxes on Distributions and Sale of Fund Shares |
|
|
6.35% |
|
|
|
12.53% |
|
|
|
9.39% |
|
|
|
|
|
Class I
Shares |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Return
Before Taxes |
|
|
10.17% |
|
|
|
15.95% |
|
|
|
11.73% |
|
|
|
|
|
MSCI All
Country World Ex‑US IMI (net) (reflects no deduction for
fees, expenses or taxes) |
|
|
8.53% |
|
|
|
9.83% |
|
|
|
7.24% |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
1 Year |
|
|
5 Years |
|
|
Since Share Class Inception (November 2, 2012) |
|
Class R6
Shares |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Return
Before Taxes |
|
|
10.22% |
|
|
|
16.01% |
|
|
|
11.83% |
|
|
|
|
|
MSCI All
Country World Ex‑US IMI (net) (reflects no deduction for
fees, expenses or taxes) |
|
|
8.53% |
|
|
|
9.83% |
|
|
|
6.98% |
|
MANAGEMENT:
Investment
Adviser. William Blair Investment Management, LLC
is the investment adviser of the Fund.
Portfolio
Manager(s). Alaina Anderson, a Partner of the
Adviser, Simon Fennell, a Partner of the Adviser, and Kenneth J. McAtamney, a
Partner of the Adviser, co‑manage the Fund. Ms. Anderson has co‑managed the
Fund since 2021. Mr. Fennell has co‑managed the Fund since 2013.
Mr. McAtamney has co‑managed the Fund since its inception in 2012.
PURCHASE
AND SALE OF FUND SHARES:
Class N Share
Purchase. The minimum initial investment for an
account generally is $2,500. The minimum subsequent investment generally is
$1,000. Certain exceptions to the minimum initial and subsequent investment
amounts may apply. See “Your Account—Class N Shares” for additional
information on eligibility requirements applicable to purchasing Class N
shares.
Class I Share
Purchase. The minimum initial investment for an
account generally is $500,000 (or any lesser amount if, in William Blair’s
opinion, the investor has adequate intent and availability of funds to reach a
future level of investment of $500,000). There is no minimum for subsequent
purchases. There is no minimum initial investment for qualified retirement
plans, including, but not limited to, 401(k) plans, 457 plans,
employer-sponsored 403(b) plans, defined benefit plans and other similar
accounts, or plans whereby Class I shares are held through omnibus accounts
(either at the plan level or the level of the plan administrator) and certain
other accounts. William Blair may make certain additional exceptions to the
minimum initial investment amount in its discretion. Class I shares are
only available to certain investors. See “Your Account—Class I Shares” for
additional information on the eligibility requirements and investment minimums
applicable to purchasing Class I shares.
52
Class R6 Share
Purchase. The minimum initial investment for an
account is $1 million (or any lesser amount if, in William Blair’s opinion,
the investor has adequate intent and availability of funds to reach a future
level of investment of $1 million). There is no minimum for subsequent
purchases. There is no minimum initial investment for qualified retirement
plans, including, but not limited to, 401(k) plans, 457 plans,
employer-sponsored 403(b) plans, defined benefit plans and other similar
accounts, or plans whereby Class R6 shares are held through omnibus
accounts (either at the plan level or the level of the plan administrator) and
certain other accounts. William Blair may make certain additional exceptions to
the minimum initial investment amount in its discretion. Class R6 shares
are only available to certain investors. See “Your Account—Class R6 Shares”
for additional information on eligibility requirements and investment minimums
applicable to purchasing Class R6 shares.
Sale. Shares of the Fund
are redeemable on any day the New York Stock Exchange is open for business by
mail, wire or telephone, depending on the elections you make in the account
application.
TAX INFORMATION: The
Fund intends to make distributions that may be taxed as ordinary income or
capital gains, unless you are investing through a tax‑advantaged investment
plan. If you are investing through a tax‑advantaged investment plan, withdrawals
from the tax‑advantaged investment plan may be subject to taxes.
PAYMENTS TO BROKER-DEALERS AND OTHER FINANCIAL
INTERMEDIARIES: If you purchase shares of the Fund
through a broker-dealer or other financial intermediary (such as a bank), the
Fund and its related companies may pay the intermediary for the sale of shares
and related services. These payments may create a conflict of interest by
influencing the broker-dealer or other intermediary and your salesperson to
recommend the Fund over another investment. Ask your salesperson or visit your
financial intermediary’s website for more information.
53
WILLIAM
BLAIR INTERNATIONAL GROWTH FUND |
SUMMARY |
INVESTMENT
OBJECTIVE: The William Blair
International Growth Fund seeks long-term capital
appreciation.
FEES AND
EXPENSES: This table describes the fees
and expenses that you may pay if you buy, hold and sell shares of the Fund. You
may pay other fees, such as brokerage commissions and other fees to financial
intermediaries, which are not reflected in the tables and examples
below.
Shareholder Fees (fees paid directly from your
investment):
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Class N |
|
|
Class I |
|
|
Class R6 |
|
Maximum
Sales Charge (Load) Imposed on Purchases |
|
|
None |
|
|
|
None |
|
|
|
None |
|
Redemption
Fee |
|
|
None |
|
|
|
None |
|
|
|
None |
|
Annual Fund Operating Expenses (expenses that
you pay each year as a percentage of the value of your investment):
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Class N |
|
|
Class I |
|
|
Class R6 |
|
Management
Fee* |
|
|
0.94% |
|
|
|
0.94% |
|
|
|
0.94% |
|
Distribution
(Rule 12b‑1) Fee |
|
|
0.25% |
|
|
|
None |
|
|
|
None |
|
Other
Expenses |
|
|
0.20% |
|
|
|
0.13% |
|
|
|
0.05% |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total
Annual Fund Operating Expenses |
|
|
1.39% |
|
|
|
1.07% |
|
|
|
0.99% |
|
Fee
Waiver and/or Expense Reimbursement** |
|
|
0.15% |
|
|
|
0.08% |
|
|
|
0.05% |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total
Annual Fund Operating Expenses After Fee Waiver and/or Expense
Reimbursement*** |
|
|
1.24% |
|
|
|
0.99% |
|
|
|
0.94% |
|
* |
The Management Fee has been
restated to reflect a reduction to 0.94% of average daily net assets
effective May 1,
2022. |
** |
William
Blair Investment Management, LLC (the “Adviser”) has entered into a
contractual agreement with the Fund to waive fees and/or reimburse
expenses in order to limit the Fund’s operating expenses (excluding
interest expenses, taxes, brokerage commissions, acquired fund fees and
expenses, dividend and interest expenses on short sales, other
investment-related costs and extraordinary expenses, such as litigation
and other expenses not incurred in the ordinary course of the Fund’s
business) to 1.24%, 0.99% and 0.94% of average daily net assets for
Class N, Class I and Class R6 shares, respectively, until
April 30, 2023. The Adviser may not terminate this arrangement prior
to April 30,
2023 without the approval of the Fund’s Board of
Trustees. |
*** |
The
Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses After Fee Waiver and/or Expense
Reimbursement does not equal the net expense ratio to average daily net
assets in the Financial Highlights section of this prospectus as a result
of a change in the management fee and contractual expense
limits. |
Example: This example is
intended to help you compare the cost of investing in shares of the Fund with
the cost of investing in other mutual funds. The example assumes that you invest
$10,000 in the Fund for the time periods indicated and then redeem all of your
shares at the end of those periods. The example also assumes that your
investment has a 5% return each year and the Fund’s operating expenses remain
the same. The figures reflect the expense limitation for the first year.
Although your actual costs may be higher or lower, based on these assumptions
your costs would be:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
1 Year |
|
|
3 Years |
|
|
5 Years |
|
|
10 Years |
|
Class N |
|
|
$126 |
|
|
|
$425 |
|
|
|
$746 |
|
|
|
$1,656 |
|
Class I |
|
|
101 |
|
|
|
332 |
|
|
|
582 |
|
|
|
1,298 |
|
Class R6 |
|
|
96 |
|
|
|
310 |
|
|
|
542 |
|
|
|
1,208 |
|
54
Portfolio
Turnover: The Fund pays transaction
costs, such as commissions, when it buys and sells securities (or “turns over”
its portfolio). A higher portfolio turnover may indicate higher transaction
costs and may result in higher taxes when Fund shares are held in a taxable
account. These costs, which are not reflected in annual fund operating expenses
or in the example, affect the Fund’s performance. During the most recent fiscal
year, the Fund’s portfolio turnover rate was 19% of the average value of its
portfolio.
PRINCIPAL INVESTMENT
STRATEGIES: Under normal market
conditions, the Fund invests at least 80% of its total assets in a diversified
portfolio of equity securities, including common stocks and other forms of
equity investments (e.g., securities convertible into common stocks), issued by
companies of all sizes domiciled outside the U.S. that the Adviser believes have
above-average growth, profitability and quality characteristics. The Adviser
seeks investment opportunities in companies at different stages of development
ranging from large, well-established companies to smaller companies at earlier
stages of development. The Fund’s investments are normally allocated among at
least six different countries and no more than 50% of the Fund’s equity holdings
may be invested in securities of issuers in one country at any given time.
Normally, the Fund’s investments will be divided among Continental Europe, the
United Kingdom, Canada, Japan and the markets of the Pacific Basin. The Fund may
invest the greater of 35% of its net assets or twice the emerging markets
component of the MSCI All Country World Ex‑U.S. Investable Market Index (IMI)
(net) in emerging markets, which include every country in the world except the
United States, Canada, Japan, Australia, New Zealand, Hong Kong, Singapore and
most Western European countries.
In
choosing investments, the Adviser performs fundamental company analysis and
focuses on stock selection. The Adviser generally seeks equity securities,
including common stocks, of companies that historically have had superior
growth, profitability and quality relative to local markets and relative to
companies within the same industry worldwide, and that are expected to continue
such performance. Such companies generally will exhibit superior business
fundamentals, including leadership in their field, quality products or services,
distinctive marketing and distribution, pricing flexibility and revenue from
products or services consumed on a steady, recurring basis. These business
characteristics should be accompanied by management that is shareholder
return-oriented and that uses conservative accounting policies. Companies with
above-average returns on equity, strong balance sheets and consistent,
above-average earnings growth will be the primary focus. Stock selection will
take into account both local and global
comparisons.
The
Adviser will vary the Fund’s sector and geographic diversification based upon
the Adviser’s ongoing evaluation of economic, market and political trends
throughout the world. In making decisions regarding country allocation, the
Adviser will consider such factors as the conditions and growth potential of
various economies and securities markets, currency exchange rates, technological
developments in the various countries and other pertinent financial, social,
national and political factors.
PRINCIPAL
RISKS: The Fund’s returns will vary, and you could lose money
by investing in the Fund. The following is a summary of the
principal risks associated with an investment in the
Fund.
Equity Funds
General. Because the Fund invests substantially
all of its assets in equity securities of foreign companies, the primary risk is
that the value of the equity securities it holds might decrease in response to
the activities of an individual company or in response to general market,
business and economic conditions. If this occurs, the Fund’s share price may
also decrease. In addition, there is the risk that individual securities may not
perform as expected or a strategy used by the Adviser may fail to produce its
intended result.
Market Risk. The value
of the Fund’s investments may go up or down, sometimes rapidly or unpredictably.
The value of an investment may decline due to factors affecting securities
markets generally or particular industries represented in the securities
markets. The value of an investment may decline due to general market conditions
that are not specifically related to a particular company, such as real or
perceived adverse economic conditions, changes in the general outlook for
corporate earnings, changes in interest or currency rates or adverse investor
sentiment generally. Events such as war, acts of terrorism, social unrest,
natural disasters, the spread of
55
infectious
illness or other public health threats could also significantly impact the Fund
and its investments. The value of an investment may also decline due to factors
that affect a particular industry or industries, such as labor shortages or
increased production costs and competitive conditions within an industry. During
a general downturn in the securities markets, multiple asset classes may decline
in value simultaneously. Geopolitical and other events may also disrupt
securities markets and adversely affect global economies and markets and thereby
decrease the value of the Fund’s
investments.
Foreign Investment
Risk. The risks of foreign investments may include
less publicly available information, less stringent investor protections and
disclosure standards, less governmental regulation and supervision of foreign
stock exchanges, brokers and issuers, share registration and custody, a lack of
uniform accounting, auditing and financial reporting standards, practices and
requirements, the possibility of expropriation, seizure or nationalization,
confiscatory taxation, limits on repatriation, adverse changes in investment or
exchange control regulations, political instability, restrictions on the flow of
international capital, imposition of foreign withholding or other taxes,
fluctuating currencies, inflation, difficulty in obtaining and enforcing
judgments against foreign entities or other adverse political, social or
diplomatic developments that could affect the Fund’s investments. Foreign
investments may be less liquid and their prices more volatile than the
securities of U.S. companies. The Fund is expected to incur operating expenses
that are higher than those of mutual funds investing exclusively in U.S. equity
securities due to the higher custodial fees associated with foreign securities
investments.
Currency Risk. The value
of the Fund’s portfolio may be affected by changes in exchange rates or control
regulations. If a local currency gains against the U.S. dollar, the value of the
security increases in U.S. dollar terms. If a local currency declines against
the U.S. dollar, the value of the security decreases in U.S. dollar
terms.
Emerging Markets
Risk. Foreign investment risk is typically
magnified in emerging markets, which are the less developed and developing
nations.
Geographic Risk. To the
extent that the Fund invests a significant portion of its assets in any one
country or geographic region, the Fund will be subject to greater risk of loss
or volatility than if the Fund always maintained wide geographic diversity among
the countries and geographic regions in which it invests. Investing in any one
country or geographic region makes the Fund more vulnerable to the risks of
adverse securities markets, exchange rates and social, political, regulatory and
economic events in that one country or geographic
region.
Smaller Company
Risk. Stocks of smaller companies involve greater
risk than those of larger, more established companies. This is because smaller
companies may be in earlier stages of development, may be dependent on a small
number of products or services, may lack substantial capital reserves and/or do
not have proven track records. Smaller companies may be traded in low volumes.
This can increase volatility and increase the risk that the Fund will not be
able to sell a security on short notice at a reasonable price. The securities of
smaller companies may be more volatile and less liquid than securities of large
capitalized companies.
Share Ownership Concentration
Risk. To the extent that a significant portion of
the Fund’s shares is held by a limited number of shareholders or their
affiliates, there is a risk that the share trading activities of these
shareholders could disrupt the Fund’s investment strategies, which could have
adverse consequences for the Fund and other shareholders (e.g., by requiring the
Fund to sell investments at inopportune times or causing the Fund to maintain
larger-than-expected cash positions pending acquisition of
investments).
Style Risk. Different
investment styles (e.g., growth vs. value, quality bias, market capitalization
focus) tend to shift in and out of favor depending on market conditions and
investor sentiment, and at times when the growth investment style used by the
Adviser for the Fund is out of favor, the Fund may underperform other equity
funds that use different investment
styles.
56
Focus Risk. To the
extent that the Fund focuses its investments in particular industries, asset
classes or sectors of the economy, any market changes affecting companies in
those industries, asset classes or sectors may impact the Fund’s
performance.
Operational and Technology
Risk. Cyber-attacks, disruptions, or failures that
affect the Fund’s service providers, counterparties, market participants, or
issuers of securities held by the Fund may adversely affect the Fund and its
shareholders, including by causing losses for the Fund or impairing Fund
operations.
The
Fund is not intended to be a complete investment program. The Fund is designed
for long-term investors.
The Fund involves a high level of risk and may not be
appropriate for everyone. You should only consider
it for the aggressive portion of your portfolio.
FUND PERFORMANCE
HISTORY: The information
below provides some indication of the risks of investing in the Fund by showing
changes in the Fund’s performance from year to year and by showing how the
Fund’s average annual total returns for the periods indicated compare with those
of a broad measure of market performance. The Fund’s past performance
(before and after taxes) does not necessarily indicate how it will perform in
the future. For more recent performance information, go to
www.williamblairfunds.com
or call 1‑800‑635‑2886.
Annual Total
Returns. The bar chart below provides
an illustration of how the Fund’s performance has varied in each of the last ten
calendar years for Class N shares.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Highest Quarterly Return
25.20% (2Q20) |
|
Lowest Quarterly Return
(19.91)% (1Q20) |
Average Annual Total
Returns (For the periods
ended December 31, 2021). The table below shows returns
on a before‑tax and after‑tax basis for Class N shares and on a before‑tax
basis for Class I and Class R6 shares. After‑tax returns for
Class I and Class R6 shares will vary. After‑tax returns are
calculated using the historical highest individual federal marginal income tax
rates and do not reflect the impact of state and local taxes.
In some instances, the
“Return After Taxes on Distributions and Sale of Fund Shares” may be greater
than the “Return Before Taxes” because the investor is assumed to be able to use
the capital loss on the sale of Fund shares to offset other taxable capital
gains. Actual after‑tax returns depend on an investor’s tax
situation and may differ from those shown. After‑tax returns are not
relevant to investors who hold their Fund shares through tax‑deferred
arrangements, such as 401(k) plans or individual retirement
accounts.
57
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
1 Year |
|
|
5 Years |
|
|
10 Years |
|
Class N
Shares |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Return
Before Taxes |
|
|
8.68% |
|
|
|
14.56% |
|
|
|
10.49% |
|
Return
After Taxes on Distributions |
|
|
5.82% |
|
|
|
13.36% |
|
|
|
9.71% |
|
Return
After Taxes on Distributions and Sale of Fund Shares |
|
|
6.96% |
|
|
|
11.50% |
|
|
|
8.49% |
|
|
|
|
|
Class I
Shares |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Return
Before Taxes |
|
|
9.01% |
|
|
|
14.90% |
|
|
|
10.82% |
|
|
|
|
|
MSCI All
Country World Ex‑U.S. IMI (net) (reflects no deduction for
fees, expenses or taxes) |
|
|
8.53% |
|
|
|
9.83% |
|
|
|
7.57% |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
1 Year |
|
|
Since Share Class Inception (May 2,
2019) |
|
Class R6
Shares |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Return
Before Taxes |
|
|
9.09% |
|
|
|
19.56% |
|
|
|
|
MSCI All
Country World Ex‑U.S. IMI (net) (reflects no deduction for fees,
expenses or taxes) |
|
|
8.53% |
|
|
|
10.14% |
|
MANAGEMENT:
Investment
Adviser. William Blair Investment Management, LLC
is the investment adviser of the Fund.
Portfolio
Manager(s). Simon Fennell, a Partner of the
Adviser, Kenneth J. McAtamney, a Partner of the Adviser, and Andrew Siepker,
CFA, a Partner of the Adviser, co‑manage the Fund. Mr. Fennell has
co‑managed the Fund since 2013. Mr. McAtamney has co‑managed the Fund since
2017. Mr. Siepker has co‑managed the Fund since 2022.
PURCHASE
AND SALE OF FUND SHARES:
Purchase. The Fund is
closed to new investors. Shares are only available to certain investors. In
certain circumstances, existing shareholders may be able to open a new Fund
account for a different share class. See “Your Account—International Growth
Fund, Institutional International Growth Fund, International Small Cap Growth
Fund and Emerging Markets Small Cap Growth Fund” for information on eligibility
requirements applicable to purchasing shares.
Sale. Shares of the Fund
are redeemable on any day the New York Stock Exchange is open for business by
mail, wire or telephone, depending on the elections you make in the account
application.
TAX INFORMATION: The
Fund intends to make distributions that may be taxed as ordinary income or
capital gains, unless you are investing through a tax‑advantaged investment
plan. If you are investing through a tax‑advantaged investment plan, withdrawals
from the tax‑advantaged investment plan may be subject to taxes.
PAYMENTS TO BROKER-DEALERS AND OTHER FINANCIAL
INTERMEDIARIES: If you purchase shares of the Fund
through a broker-dealer or other financial intermediary (such as a bank), the
Fund and its related companies may pay the intermediary for the sale of shares
and related services. These payments may create a conflict of interest by
influencing the broker-dealer or other intermediary and your salesperson to
recommend the Fund over another investment. Ask your salesperson or visit your
financial intermediary’s website for more information.
58
WILLIAM
BLAIR INSTITUTIONAL INTERNATIONAL GROWTH FUND |
SUMMARY
|
INVESTMENT
OBJECTIVE: The William Blair
Institutional International Growth Fund seeks long-term capital
appreciation.
FEES AND
EXPENSES: This table describes the fees
and expenses that you may pay if you buy, hold and sell shares of the Fund. You
may pay other fees, such as brokerage commissions and other fees to financial
intermediaries, which are not reflected in the tables and examples
below.
Shareholder Fees (fees paid directly from your
investment):
|
|
|
|
|
Maximum
Sales Charge (Load) Imposed on Purchases |
|
|
None |
|
Redemption
Fee |
|
|
None |
|
Annual Fund Operating Expenses (expenses that
you pay each year as a percentage of the value of your investment):
|
|
|
|
|
Management
Fee* |
|
|
0.94% |
|
Distribution
(Rule 12b‑1) Fee |
|
|
None |
|
Other
Expenses |
|
|
0.05% |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total
Annual Fund Operating Expenses |
|
|
0.99% |
|
Fee
Waiver and/or Expense Reimbursement** |
|
|
0.05% |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total
Annual Fund Operating Expenses After Fee Waiver and/or Expense
Reimbursement*** |
|
|
0.94% |
|
* |
The Management Fee has been
restated to reflect a reduction to 0.94% of average daily net assets
effective May 1,
2022. |
** |
William
Blair Investment Management, LLC (the “Adviser”) has entered into a
contractual agreement with the Fund to waive fees and/or reimburse
expenses in order to limit the Fund’s operating expenses (excluding
interest expenses, taxes, brokerage commissions, acquired fund fees and
expenses, dividend and interest expenses on short sales, other
investment-related costs and extraordinary expenses, such as litigation
and other expenses not incurred in the ordinary course of the Fund’s
business) to 0.94% of average daily net assets for shares until
April 30, 2023. The Adviser may not terminate this arrangement prior
to April 30,
2023 without the approval of the Fund’s Board of Trustees.
|
*** |
The
Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses After Fee Waiver and/or Expense
Reimbursement does not equal the net expense ratio to average daily net
assets in the Financial Highlights section of this prospectus as a result
of a change in the management fee and contractual expense limits.
|
Example: This example is
intended to help you compare the cost of investing in shares of the Fund with
the cost of investing in other mutual funds. The example assumes that you invest
$10,000 in the Fund for the time periods indicated and then redeem all of your
shares at the end of those periods. The example also assumes that your
investment has a 5% return each year and the Fund’s operating expenses remain
the same. The figures reflect the expense limitation for the first year.
Although your actual costs may be higher or lower, based on these assumptions
your costs would be:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
1 Year |
|
3 Years |
|
5 Years |
|
10 Years |
$96 |
|
$310 |
|
$542 |
|
$1,208 |
Portfolio
Turnover: The Fund pays transaction
costs, such as commissions, when it buys and sells securities (or “turns over”
its portfolio). A higher portfolio turnover may indicate higher transaction
costs and may result in higher taxes when Fund shares are held in a taxable
account. These costs, which are not reflected in annual fund operating expenses
or in the example, affect the Fund’s performance. During the most recent fiscal
year, the Fund’s portfolio turnover rate was 19% of the average value of its
portfolio.
59
PRINCIPAL INVESTMENT
STRATEGIES: Under normal market
conditions, the Fund invests at least 80% of its total assets in a diversified
portfolio of equity securities, including common stocks and other forms of
equity investments (e.g., securities convertible into common stocks), issued by
companies of all sizes domiciled outside the U.S. that the Adviser believes have
above-average growth, profitability and quality characteristics. The Adviser
seeks investment opportunities in companies at different stages of development
ranging from large, well-established companies to smaller companies at earlier
stages of development. The Fund’s investments are normally allocated among at
least six different countries and no more than 50% of the Fund’s equity holdings
may be invested in securities of issuers in one country at any given time.
Normally, the Fund’s investments will be divided among Continental Europe, the
United Kingdom, Canada, Japan and the markets of the Pacific Basin. The Fund may
invest the greater of 35% of its net assets or twice the emerging markets
component of the MSCI All Country World Ex‑U.S. Investable Market Index (IMI)
(net) in emerging markets, which include every country in the world except the
United States, Canada, Japan, Australia, New Zealand, Hong Kong, Singapore and
most Western European countries.
In
choosing investments, the Adviser performs fundamental company analysis and
focuses on stock selection. The Adviser generally seeks equity securities,
including common stocks, of companies that historically have had superior
growth, profitability and quality relative to local markets and relative to
companies within the same industry worldwide, and that are expected to continue
such performance. Such companies generally will exhibit superior business
fundamentals, including leadership in their field, quality products or services,
distinctive marketing and distribution, pricing flexibility and revenue from
products or services consumed on a steady, recurring basis. These business
characteristics should be accompanied by management that is shareholder
return-oriented and that uses conservative accounting policies. Companies with
above-average returns on equity, strong balance sheets and consistent,
above-average earnings growth will be the primary focus. Stock selection will
take into account both local and global comparisons.
The
Adviser will vary the Fund’s sector and geographic diversification based upon
the Adviser’s ongoing evaluation of economic, market and political trends
throughout the world. In making decisions regarding country allocation, the
Adviser will consider such factors as the conditions and growth potential of
various economies and securities markets, currency exchange rates, technological
developments in the various countries and other pertinent financial, social,
national and political factors.
PRINCIPAL
RISKS: The Fund’s returns will vary, and you could lose money
by investing in the Fund. The following is a summary of the
principal risks associated with an investment in the Fund.
Equity Funds
General. Because the Fund invests substantially
all of its assets in equity securities of foreign companies, the primary risk is
that the value of the equity securities it holds might decrease in response to
the activities of an individual company or in response to general market,
business and economic conditions. If this occurs, the Fund’s share price may
also decrease. In addition, there is the risk that individual securities may not
perform as expected or a strategy used by the Adviser may fail to produce its
intended result.
Market Risk. The value
of the Fund’s investments may go up or down, sometimes rapidly or unpredictably.
The value of an investment may decline due to factors affecting securities
markets generally or particular industries represented in the securities
markets. The value of an investment may decline due to general market conditions
that are not specifically related to a particular company, such as real or
perceived adverse economic conditions, changes in the general outlook for
corporate earnings, changes in interest or currency rates or adverse investor
sentiment generally. Events such as war, acts of terrorism, social unrest,
natural disasters, the spread of infectious illness or other public health
threats could also significantly impact the Fund and its investments. The value
of an investment may also decline due to factors that affect a particular
industry or industries, such as labor shortages or increased production costs
and competitive conditions within an industry. During a general downturn in the
securities markets, multiple asset classes may decline in value simultaneously.
Geopolitical and other events may also disrupt securities markets and adversely
affect global economies and markets and thereby decrease the value of the Fund’s
investments.
60
Foreign Investment
Risk. The risks of foreign investments may include
less publicly available information, less stringent investor protections and
disclosure standards, less governmental regulation and supervision of foreign
stock exchanges, brokers and issuers, share registration and custody, a lack of
uniform accounting, auditing and financial reporting standards, practices and
requirements, the possibility of expropriation, seizure or nationalization,
confiscatory taxation, limits on repatriation, adverse changes in investment or
exchange control regulations, political instability, restrictions on the flow of
international capital, imposition of foreign withholding or other taxes,
fluctuating currencies, inflation, difficulty in obtaining and enforcing
judgments against foreign entities or other adverse political, social or
diplomatic developments that could affect the Fund’s investments. Foreign
investments may be less liquid and their prices more volatile than the
securities of U.S. companies. The Fund is expected to incur operating expenses
that are higher than those of mutual funds investing exclusively in U.S. equity
securities due to the higher custodial fees associated with foreign securities
investments.
Currency Risk. The value
of the Fund’s portfolio may be affected by changes in exchange rates or control
regulations. If a local currency gains against the U.S. dollar, the value of the
security increases in U.S. dollar terms. If a local currency declines against
the U.S. dollar, the value of the security decreases in U.S. dollar terms.
Emerging Markets
Risk. Foreign investment risk is typically
magnified in emerging markets, which are the less developed and developing
nations.
Geographic Risk. To the
extent that the Fund invests a significant portion of its assets in any one
country or geographic region, the Fund will be subject to greater risk of loss
or volatility than if the Fund always maintained wide geographic diversity among
the countries and geographic regions in which it invests. Investing in any one
country or geographic region makes the Fund more vulnerable to the risks of
adverse securities markets, exchange rates and social, political, regulatory and
economic events in that one country or geographic region.
Smaller Company
Risk. Stocks of smaller companies involve greater
risk than those of larger, more established companies. This is because smaller
companies may be in earlier stages of development, may be dependent on a small
number of products or services, may lack substantial capital reserves and/or do
not have proven track records. Smaller companies may be traded in low volumes.
This can increase volatility and increase the risk that the Fund will not be
able to sell a security on short notice at a reasonable price. The securities of
smaller companies may be more volatile and less liquid than securities of large
capitalized companies.
Share Ownership Concentration
Risk. To the extent that a significant portion of
the Fund’s shares is held by a limited number of shareholders or their
affiliates, there is a risk that the share trading activities of these
shareholders could disrupt the Fund’s investment strategies, which could have
adverse consequences for the Fund and other shareholders (e.g., by requiring the
Fund to sell investments at inopportune times or causing the Fund to maintain
larger-than-expected cash positions pending acquisition of investments).
Style Risk. Different
investment styles (e.g., growth vs. value, quality bias, market capitalization
focus) tend to shift in and out of favor depending on market conditions and
investor sentiment, and at times when the growth investment style used by the
Adviser for the Fund is out of favor, the Fund may underperform other equity
funds that use different investment styles.
Focus Risk. To the
extent that the Fund focuses its investments in particular industries, asset
classes or sectors of the economy, any market changes affecting companies in
those industries, asset classes or sectors may impact the Fund’s performance.
Operational and Technology
Risk. Cyber-attacks, disruptions, or failures that
affect the Fund’s service providers, counterparties, market participants, or
issuers of securities held by the Fund may adversely affect the Fund and its
shareholders, including by causing losses for the Fund or impairing Fund
operations.
The
Fund is not intended to be a complete investment program. The Fund is designed
for long-term investors.
61
The Fund involves a high level of risk and may not be
appropriate for everyone. You should only consider
it for the aggressive portion of your portfolio.
FUND PERFORMANCE
HISTORY: The information
below provides some indication of the risks of investing in the Fund by showing
changes in the Fund’s performance from year to year and by showing how the
Fund’s average annual total returns for the periods indicated compare with those
of a broad measure of market performance. The Fund’s past performance
(before and after taxes) does not necessarily indicate how it will perform in
the future. For more recent performance information, go to
www.williamblairfunds.com
or call 1‑800‑635‑2886.
Annual Total
Returns. The bar chart below provides
an illustration of how the Fund’s performance has varied in each of the last ten
calendar years.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Highest Quarterly
Return
25.41% (2Q20) |
|
Lowest Quarterly
Return
(19.71)% (1Q20) |
Average Annual
Total Returns (For the periods ended December 31, 2021). The table below shows
returns on a before‑tax and after‑tax basis. After‑tax returns are
calculated using the historical highest individual federal marginal income tax
rates and do not reflect the impact of state and local taxes.
In some instances, the
“Return After Taxes on Distributions and Sale of Fund Shares” may be greater
than the “Return Before Taxes” because the investor is assumed to be able to use
the capital loss on the sale of Fund shares to offset other taxable capital
gains. Actual after‑tax returns depend on an investor’s tax
situation and may differ from those shown. After‑tax returns are not
relevant to investors who hold their Fund shares through tax‑deferred
arrangements, such as 401(k) plans or individual retirement
accounts.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
1 Year |
|
|
5 Years |
|
|
10 Years |
|
Return
Before Taxes |
|
|
9.39% |
|
|
|
15.15% |
|
|
|
11.01% |
|
Return
After Taxes on Distributions |
|
|
5.43% |
|
|
|
12.82% |
|
|
|
9.38% |
|
Return
After Taxes on Distributions and Sale of Fund Shares |
|
|
7.97% |
|
|
|
11.78% |
|
|
|
8.69% |
|
|
|
|
|
MSCI All
Country World Ex‑U.S. IMI (net) (reflects no deduction for
fees, expenses or taxes) |
|
|
8.53% |
|
|
|
9.83% |
|
|
|
7.57% |
|
MANAGEMENT:
Investment
Adviser. William Blair Investment Management, LLC
is the investment adviser of the Fund.
Portfolio
Manager(s). Simon Fennell, a Partner of the
Adviser, Kenneth J. McAtamney, a Partner of the Adviser, and Andrew Siepker,
CFA, a Partner of the Adviser, co‑manage the Fund. Mr. Fennell has
co‑managed the Fund since 2013. Mr. McAtamney has co‑managed the Fund since
2017. Mr. Siepker has co‑managed the Fund since 2022.
62
PURCHASE
AND SALE OF FUND SHARES:
Purchase. The Fund is
closed to new investors. Shares are only available to certain investors. See
“Your Account—International Growth Fund, Institutional International Growth
Fund, International Small Cap Growth Fund and Emerging Markets Small Cap Growth
Fund” for information on eligibility requirements applicable to purchasing
shares.
Sale. Shares of the Fund
are redeemable on any day the New York Stock Exchange is open for business by
mail, wire or telephone, depending on the elections you make in the account
application.
TAX INFORMATION: The
Fund intends to make distributions that may be taxed as ordinary income or
capital gains, unless you are investing through a tax‑advantaged investment
plan. If you are investing through a tax‑advantaged investment plan, withdrawals
from the tax‑advantaged investment plan may be subject to taxes.
PAYMENTS TO BROKER-DEALERS AND OTHER FINANCIAL
INTERMEDIARIES: If you purchase shares of the Fund
through a broker-dealer or other financial intermediary (such as a bank), the
Fund and its related companies may pay the intermediary for the sale of shares
and related services. These payments may create a conflict of interest by
influencing the broker-dealer or other intermediary and your salesperson to
recommend the Fund over another investment. Ask your salesperson or visit your
financial intermediary’s website for more information.
63
WILLIAM
BLAIR INTERNATIONAL SMALL CAP GROWTH FUND |
SUMMARY
|
INVESTMENT
OBJECTIVE: The William Blair
International Small Cap Growth Fund seeks long-term capital
appreciation.
FEES AND
EXPENSES: This table describes the fees
and expenses that you may pay if you buy, hold and sell shares of the Fund. You
may pay other fees, such as brokerage commissions and other fees to financial
intermediaries, which are not reflected in the tables and examples
below.
Shareholder Fees (fees paid directly from your
investment):
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Class N |
|
|
Class I |
|
|
Class R6 |
|
Maximum
Sales Charge (Load) Imposed on Purchases |
|
|
None |
|
|
|
None |
|
|
|
None |
|
Redemption
Fee |
|
|
None |
|
|
|
None |
|
|
|
None |
|
Annual Fund Operating Expenses (expenses that
you pay each year as a percentage of the value of your investment):
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Class N |
|
|
Class I |
|
|
Class R6 |
|
Management
Fee |
|
|
1.00% |
|
|
|
1.00% |
|
|
|
1.00% |
|
Distribution
(Rule 12b‑1) Fee |
|
|
0.25% |
|
|
|
None |
|
|
|
None |
|
Other
Expenses |
|
|
0.21% |
|
|
|
0.19% |
|
|
|
0.10% |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total
Annual Fund Operating Expenses |
|
|
1.46% |
|
|
|
1.19% |
|
|
|
1.10% |
|
Example: This example is
intended to help you compare the cost of investing in shares of the Fund with
the cost of investing in other mutual funds. The example assumes that you invest
$10,000 in the Fund for the time periods indicated and then redeem all of your
shares at the end of those periods. The example also assumes that your
investment has a 5% return each year and the Fund’s operating expenses remain
the same. Although your actual costs may be higher or lower, based on these
assumptions your costs would be:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
1 Year |
|
|
3 Years |
|
|
5 Years |
|
|
10 Years |
|
Class N |
|
|
$149 |
|
|
|
$462 |
|
|
|
$797 |
|
|
|
$1,746 |
|
Class I |
|
|
121 |
|
|
|
378 |
|
|
|
654 |
|
|
|
1,443 |
|
Class R6 |
|
|
112 |
|
|
|
350 |
|
|
|
606 |
|
|
|
1,340 |
|
Portfolio
Turnover: The Fund pays transaction
costs, such as commissions, when it buys and sells securities (or “turns over”
its portfolio). A higher portfolio turnover may indicate higher transaction
costs and may result in higher taxes when Fund shares are held in a taxable
account. These costs, which are not reflected in annual fund operating expenses
or in the example, affect the Fund’s performance. During the most recent fiscal
year, the Fund’s portfolio turnover rate was 52% of the average value of its
portfolio.
PRINCIPAL INVESTMENT
STRATEGIES: Under normal market
conditions, the Fund invests at least 80% of its net assets (plus the amount of
any borrowings for investment purposes) in stocks of small capitalization
(“small cap”) companies. The Fund invests primarily in a diversified portfolio
of equity securities, including common stocks and other forms of equity
investments (e.g., securities convertible into common stocks), issued by foreign
small cap companies that the Adviser believes have above-average growth,
profitability and quality characteristics. For purposes of the Fund, William
Blair Investment Management, LLC (the “Adviser”) considers a company to be a
small cap company if it has a float adjusted market capitalization at the time
of purchase of $5 billion or less. Securities of companies whose float
adjusted market capitalizations no longer meet this definition of small cap
company after purchase may continue to be held in the Fund. The Fund’s
investments are normally allocated among at least six different countries and no
more than 50% of the Fund’s
64
equity
holdings may be invested in securities of issuers in one country at any given
time. Normally, the Fund’s investments will be divided among Continental Europe,
the United Kingdom, Canada, Japan and the markets of the Pacific Basin. The Fund
may invest the greater of 35% of its net assets or twice the emerging markets
component of the MSCI All Country World Ex‑U.S. Small Cap Index (net) in
emerging markets, which include every country in the world except the United
States, Canada, Japan, Australia, New Zealand, Hong Kong, Singapore and most
Western European countries.
In
choosing investments, the Adviser performs fundamental company analysis and
focuses on stock selection. The Adviser generally seeks equity securities,
including common stocks, of companies that historically have had superior
growth, profitability and quality relative to local markets and relative to
companies within the same industry worldwide, and that are expected to continue
such performance. Such companies generally will exhibit superior business
fundamentals, including leadership in their field, quality products or services,
distinctive marketing and distribution, pricing flexibility and revenue from
products or services consumed on a steady, recurring basis. These business
characteristics should be accompanied by management that is shareholder
return-oriented and that uses conservative accounting policies. Companies with
above-average returns on equity, strong balance sheets and consistent,
above-average earnings growth will be the primary focus. Stock selection will
take into account both local and global comparisons.
The
Adviser will vary the Fund’s sector and geographic diversification based upon
the Adviser’s ongoing evaluation of economic, market and political trends
throughout the world. In making decisions regarding country allocation, the
Adviser will consider such factors as the conditions and growth potential of
various economies and securities markets, currency exchange rates, technological
developments in the various countries and other pertinent financial, social,
national and political factors.
PRINCIPAL
RISKS: The Fund’s returns will vary, and you could lose money
by investing in the Fund. The following is a summary of the
principal risks associated with an investment in the Fund.
Equity Funds
General. Because the Fund invests substantially
all of its assets in equity securities of foreign small cap companies, the
primary risk is that the value of the equity securities it holds might decrease
in response to the activities of an individual company or in response to general
market, business and economic conditions. If this occurs, the Fund’s share price
may also decrease. In addition, there is the risk that individual securities may
not perform as expected or a strategy used by the Adviser may fail to produce
its intended result.
Market Risk. The value
of the Fund’s investments may go up or down, sometimes rapidly or unpredictably.
The value of an investment may decline due to factors affecting securities
markets generally or particular industries represented in the securities
markets. The value of an investment may decline due to general market conditions
that are not specifically related to a particular company, such as real or
perceived adverse economic conditions, changes in the general outlook for
corporate earnings, changes in interest or currency rates or adverse investor
sentiment generally. Events such as war, acts of terrorism, social unrest,
natural disasters, the spread of infectious illness or other public health
threats could also significantly impact the Fund and its investments. The value
of an investment may also decline due to factors that affect a particular
industry or industries, such as labor shortages or increased production costs
and competitive conditions within an industry. During a general downturn in the
securities markets, multiple asset classes may decline in value simultaneously.
Geopolitical and other events may also disrupt securities markets and adversely
affect global economies and markets and thereby decrease the value of the Fund’s
investments.
Foreign Investment
Risk. The risks of foreign investments may include
less publicly available information, less stringent investor protections and
disclosure standards, less governmental regulation and supervision of foreign
stock exchanges, brokers and issuers, share registration and custody, a lack of
uniform accounting, auditing and financial reporting standards, practices and
requirements, the possibility of expropriation, seizure or nationalization,
confiscatory taxation, limits on repatriation, adverse changes in investment or
exchange control regulations, political instability, restrictions on the flow of
international capital, imposition of foreign
65
withholding
or other taxes, fluctuating currencies, inflation, difficulty in obtaining and
enforcing judgments against foreign entities or other adverse political, social
or diplomatic developments that could affect the Fund’s investments. Foreign
investments may be less liquid and their prices more volatile than the
securities of U.S. companies. The Fund is expected to incur operating expenses
that are higher than those of mutual funds investing exclusively in U.S. equity
securities due to the higher custodial fees associated with foreign securities
investments.
Currency Risk. The value
of the Fund’s portfolio may be affected by changes in exchange rates or control
regulations. If a local currency gains against the U.S. dollar, the value of the
security increases in U.S. dollar terms. If a local currency declines against
the U.S. dollar, the value of the security decreases in U.S. dollar terms.
Emerging Markets
Risk. Foreign investment risk is typically
magnified in emerging markets, which are the less developed and developing
nations.
Geographic Risk. To the
extent that the Fund invests a significant portion of its assets in any one
country or geographic region, the Fund will be subject to greater risk of loss
or volatility than if the Fund always maintained wide geographic diversity among
the countries and geographic regions in which it invests. Investing in any one
country or geographic region makes the Fund more vulnerable to the risks of
adverse securities markets, exchange rates and social, political, regulatory and
economic events in that one country or geographic region.
Small and Micro Cap Company
Risk. Stocks of small and micro cap companies
involve greater risk than those of larger, more established companies. This is
because small and micro cap companies may be in earlier stages of development,
may be dependent on a small number of products or services, may lack substantial
capital reserves and/or do not have proven track records. Small and micro cap
companies may be traded in low volumes. This can increase volatility and
increase the risk that the Fund will not be able to sell a security on short
notice at a reasonable price. The securities of small and micro cap companies
may be more volatile and less liquid than securities of large capitalized
companies. For purposes of the Fund, micro cap are companies with market
capitalizations of $500 million or less at the time of the Fund’s
investment.
Share Ownership Concentration
Risk. To the extent that a significant portion of
the Fund’s shares is held by a limited number of shareholders or their
affiliates, there is a risk that the share trading activities of these
shareholders could disrupt the Fund’s investment strategies, which could have
adverse consequences for the Fund and other shareholders (e.g., by requiring the
Fund to sell investments at inopportune times or causing the Fund to maintain
larger-than-expected cash positions pending acquisition of investments).
Style Risk. Different
investment styles (e.g., growth vs. value, quality bias, market capitalization
focus) tend to shift in and out of favor depending on market conditions and
investor sentiment, and at times when the growth investment style used by the
Adviser for the Fund is out of favor, the Fund may underperform other equity
funds that use different investment styles.
Liquidity
Risk. Investments that trade less frequently can
be more difficult or more costly to buy, or to sell, than more liquid or active
investments. It may not be possible to sell or otherwise dispose of illiquid
securities both at the price and within a time period deemed desirable by the
Fund.
Focus Risk. To the
extent that the Fund focuses its investments in particular industries, asset
classes or sectors of the economy, any market changes affecting companies in
those industries, asset classes or sectors may impact the Fund’s performance.
Operational and Technology
Risk. Cyber-attacks, disruptions, or failures that
affect the Fund’s service providers, counterparties, market participants, or
issuers of securities held by the Fund may adversely affect the Fund and its
shareholders, including by causing losses for the Fund or impairing Fund
operations.
The
Fund is not intended to be a complete investment program. The Fund is designed
for long-term investors.
66
The Fund involves a high level of risk and may not be
appropriate for everyone. You should only consider
it for the aggressive portion of your portfolio.
FUND PERFORMANCE
HISTORY: The information
below provides some indication of the risks of investing in the Fund by showing
changes in the Fund’s performance from year to year and by showing how the
Fund’s average annual total returns for the periods indicated compare with those
of a broad measure of market performance. The Fund’s past performance
(before and after taxes) does not necessarily indicate how it will perform in
the future. For more recent performance information, go to
www.williamblairfunds.com
or call 1‑800‑635‑2886.
Annual Total
Returns. The bar chart below provides
an illustration of how the Fund’s performance has varied in each of the last ten
calendar years for Class N shares.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Highest Quarterly
Return
29.29% (2Q20) |
|
Lowest Quarterly
Return
(25.05)% (1Q20) |
Average Annual
Total Returns (For the periods ended December 31, 2021). The table below shows returns
on a before‑tax and after‑tax basis for Class N shares and on a before‑tax
basis for Class I and Class R6 shares. After‑tax returns for
Class I and Class R6 shares will vary. After‑tax returns are
calculated using the historical highest individual federal marginal income tax
rates and do not reflect the impact of state and local taxes.
In some instances, the
“Return After Taxes on Distributions and Sale of Fund Shares” may be greater
than the “Return Before Taxes” because the investor is assumed to be able to use
the capital loss on the sale of Fund shares to offset other taxable capital
gains. Actual after‑tax returns depend on an investor’s tax
situation and may differ from those shown. After‑tax returns are not
relevant to investors who hold their Fund shares through tax‑deferred
arrangements, such as 401(k) plans or individual retirement
accounts.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
1 Year |
|
|
5 Years |
|
|
10 Years |
|
Class N
Shares |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Return
Before Taxes |
|
|
10.87% |
|
|
|
13.76% |
|
|
|
10.74% |
|
Return
After Taxes on Distributions |
|
|
6.98% |
|
|
|
11.68% |
|
|
|
9.06% |
|
Return
After Taxes on Distributions and Sale of Fund Shares |
|
|
8.87% |
|
|
|
10.57% |
|
|
|
8.38% |
|
|
|
|
|
Class I
Shares |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Return
Before Taxes |
|
|
11.17% |
|
|
|
14.10% |
|
|
|
11.06% |
|
|
|
|
|
Class R6
Shares |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Return
Before Taxes |
|
|
11.27% |
|
|
|
14.21% |
|
|
|
11.20% |
|
|
|
|
|
MSCI All
Country World Ex‑U.S. Small Cap Index (net) (reflects no
deduction for fees, expenses or taxes) |
|
|
12.93% |
|
|
|
11.21% |
|
|
|
9.46% |
|
67
MANAGEMENT:
Investment
Adviser. William Blair Investment Management, LLC
is the investment adviser of the Fund.
Portfolio
Manager(s). Simon Fennell, a Partner of the
Adviser, Andrew G. Flynn, a Partner of the Adviser, and D.J. Neiman, a Partner
of the Adviser, co‑manage the Fund. Mr. Fennell has co‑managed the Fund
since 2017. Mr. Flynn has co‑managed the Fund since 2013. Mr. Neiman
has co‑managed the Fund since 2021.
PURCHASE
AND SALE OF FUND SHARES:
Purchase. The Fund is
closed to new investors. Shares are only available to certain investors. In
certain circumstances, existing shareholders may be able to open a new Fund
account for a different share class. See “Your Account—International Growth
Fund, Institutional International Growth Fund, International Small Cap Growth
Fund and Emerging Markets Small Cap Growth Fund” for information on eligibility
requirements applicable to purchasing shares.
Sale. Shares of the Fund
are redeemable on any day the New York Stock Exchange is open for business by
mail, wire or telephone, depending on the elections you make in the account
application.
TAX INFORMATION: The
Fund intends to make distributions that may be taxed as ordinary income or
capital gains, unless you are investing through a tax‑advantaged investment
plan. If you are investing through a tax‑advantaged investment plan, withdrawals
from the tax‑advantaged investment plan may be subject to taxes.
PAYMENTS TO BROKER-DEALERS AND OTHER FINANCIAL
INTERMEDIARIES: If you purchase shares of the Fund
through a broker-dealer or other financial intermediary (such as a bank), the
Fund and its related companies may pay the intermediary for the sale of shares
and related services. These payments may create a conflict of interest by
influencing the broker-dealer or other intermediary and your salesperson to
recommend the Fund over another investment. Ask your salesperson or visit your
financial intermediary’s website for more information.
68
WILLIAM
BLAIR EMERGING MARKETS LEADERS FUND |
SUMMARY
|
INVESTMENT
OBJECTIVE: The William Blair Emerging
Markets Leaders Fund seeks long-term capital appreciation.
FEES AND
EXPENSES: This table describes the fees
and expenses that you may pay if you buy, hold and sell shares of the Fund. You
may pay other fees, such as brokerage commissions and other fees to financial
intermediaries, which are not reflected in the tables and examples
below.
Shareholder Fees (fees paid directly from your
investment):
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Class N |
|
|
Class I |
|
|
Class R6 |
|
Maximum
Sales Charge (Load) Imposed on Purchases |
|
|
None |
|
|
|
None |
|
|
|
None |
|
Redemption
Fee |
|
|
None |
|
|
|
None |
|
|
|
None |
|
Annual Fund Operating Expenses (expenses that
you pay each year as a percentage of the value of your investment):
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Class N |
|
|
Class I |
|
|
Class R6 |
|
Management
Fee* |
|
|
0.94% |
|
|
|
0.94% |
|
|
|
0.94% |
|
Distribution
(Rule 12b‑1) Fee |
|
|
0.25% |
|
|
|
None |
|
|
|
None |
|
Other
Expenses |
|
|
0.21% |
|
|
|
0.18% |
|
|
|
0.10% |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total
Annual Fund Operating Expenses |
|
|
1.40% |
|
|
|
1.12% |
|
|
|
1.04% |
|
Fee
Waiver and/or Expense Reimbursement** |
|
|
0.16% |
|
|
|
0.13% |
|
|
|
0.10% |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total
Annual Fund Operating Expenses After Fee Waiver and/or Expense
Reimbursement*** |
|
|
1.24% |
|
|
|
0.99% |
|
|
|
0.94% |
|
* |
The Management Fee has been
restated to reflect a reduction to 0.94% of average daily net assets
effective May 1,
2022. |
** |
William
Blair Investment Management, LLC (the “Adviser”) has entered into a
contractual agreement with the Fund to waive fees and/or reimburse
expenses in order to limit the Fund’s operating expenses (excluding
interest expenses, taxes, brokerage commissions, acquired fund fees and
expenses, dividend and interest expenses on short sales, other
investment-related costs and extraordinary expenses, such as litigation
and other expenses not incurred in the ordinary course of the Fund’s
business) to 1.24%, 0.99% and 0.94% of average daily net assets for
Class N, Class I and Class R6 shares, respectively, until
April 30, 2023. The Adviser may not terminate this arrangement prior
to April 30,
2023 without the approval of the Fund’s Board of Trustees.
|
*** |
The
Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses After Fee Waiver and/or Expense
Reimbursement does not equal the net expense ratio to average daily net
assets in the Financial Highlights section of this prospectus as a result
of a change in the management fee and contractual expense limits.
|
Example: This example is
intended to help you compare the cost of investing in shares of the Fund with
the cost of investing in other mutual funds. The example assumes that you invest
$10,000 in the Fund for the time periods indicated and then redeem all of your
shares at the end of those periods. The example also assumes that your
investment has a 5% return each year and the Fund’s operating expenses remain
the same. The figures
69
reflect
the expense limitation for the first year. Although your actual costs may be
higher or lower, based on these assumptions your costs would
be:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
1 Year |
|
|
3 Years |
|
|
5 Years |
|
|
10 Years |
|
Class N |
|
|
$126 |
|
|
|
$427 |
|
|
|
$751 |
|
|
|
$1,666 |
|
Class I |
|
|
101 |
|
|
|
343 |
|
|
|
604 |
|
|
|
1,352 |
|
Class R6 |
|
|
96 |
|
|
|
321 |
|
|
|
564 |
|
|
|
1,262 |
|
Portfolio
Turnover: The Fund pays transaction
costs, such as commissions, when it buys and sells securities (or “turns over”
its portfolio). A higher portfolio turnover may indicate higher transaction
costs and may result in higher taxes when Fund shares are held in a taxable
account. These costs, which are not reflected in annual fund operating expenses
or in the example, affect the Fund’s performance. During the most recent fiscal
year, the Fund’s portfolio turnover rate was 40% of the average value of its
portfolio.
PRINCIPAL INVESTMENT
STRATEGIES: Under normal market
conditions, the Fund invests at least 80% of its net assets (plus the amount of
any borrowings for investment purposes) in emerging markets securities. The Fund
invests primarily in a diversified portfolio of equity securities, including
common stocks and other forms of equity investments (e.g., securities
convertible into common stocks), issued by emerging market companies of all
sizes that the Adviser believes have above-average growth, profitability and
quality characteristics. Under normal market conditions, the Fund typically
holds a limited number of securities (i.e., 50‑80 securities). The Adviser seeks
investment opportunities in companies at different stages of development,
ranging from large, well-established companies to smaller companies at earlier
stages of development, that are leaders in their country, industry or globally
in terms of products, services or execution. Emerging market companies, for
purposes of the Fund, are companies organized under the laws of an emerging
market country or that have securities traded principally on an exchange or
over‑the‑counter in an emerging market country. Currently, emerging markets
include every country in the world except the United States, Canada, Japan,
Australia, New Zealand, Hong Kong, Singapore and most Western European
countries. The Fund’s investments are normally allocated among at least six
different countries and no more than 50% of the Fund’s equity holdings may be
invested in securities of issuers in one country at any given
time.
In
choosing investments, the Adviser performs fundamental company analysis and
focuses on stock selection. The Adviser generally seeks equity securities,
including common stocks, of emerging market companies that historically have had
superior growth, profitability and quality relative to local markets and
relative to companies within the same industry worldwide, and that are expected
to continue such performance. Such companies generally will exhibit superior
business fundamentals, including leadership in their field, quality products or
services, distinctive marketing and distribution, pricing flexibility and
revenue from products or services consumed on a steady, recurring basis. These
business characteristics should be accompanied by management that is shareholder
return-oriented and that uses conservative accounting policies. Companies with
above-average returns on equity, strong balance sheets and consistent,
above-average earnings growth at reasonable valuation levels will be the primary
focus. Stock selection will take into account both local and global comparisons.
The
Adviser will vary the Fund’s sector and geographic diversification based upon
the Adviser’s ongoing evaluation of economic, market and political trends
throughout the world. In making decisions regarding country allocation, the
Adviser will consider such factors as the conditions and growth potential of
various economies and securities markets, currency exchange rates, technological
developments in the various countries and other pertinent financial, social,
national and political factors.
PRINCIPAL
RISKS: The Fund’s returns will vary, and you could lose money
by investing in the Fund. The following is a summary of the
principal risks associated with an investment in the Fund.
Equity Funds
General. Because the Fund invests substantially
all of its assets in equity securities of emerging market companies, the primary
risk is that the value of the equity securities it holds might decrease in
response to the activities of an individual company or in response to general
market, business and economic conditions. If
70
this
occurs, the Fund’s share price may also decrease. In addition, there is the risk
that individual securities may not perform as expected or a strategy used by the
Adviser may fail to produce its intended result.
Market Risk. The value
of the Fund’s investments may go up or down, sometimes rapidly or unpredictably.
The value of an investment may decline due to factors affecting securities
markets generally or particular industries represented in the securities
markets. The value of an investment may decline due to general market conditions
that are not specifically related to a particular company, such as real or
perceived adverse economic conditions, changes in the general outlook for
corporate earnings, changes in interest or currency rates or adverse investor
sentiment generally. Events such as war, acts of terrorism, social unrest,
natural disasters, the spread of infectious illness or other public health
threats could also significantly impact the Fund and its investments. The value
of an investment may also decline due to factors that affect a particular
industry or industries, such as labor shortages or increased production costs
and competitive conditions within an industry. During a general downturn in the
securities markets, multiple asset classes may decline in value simultaneously.
Geopolitical and other events may also disrupt securities markets and adversely
affect global economies and markets and thereby decrease the value of the Fund’s
investments.
Foreign Investment
Risk. The risks of foreign investments may include
less publicly available information, less stringent investor protections and
disclosure standards, less governmental regulation and supervision of foreign
stock exchanges, brokers and issuers, share registration and custody, a lack of
uniform accounting, auditing and financial reporting standards, practices and
requirements, the possibility of expropriation, seizure or nationalization,
confiscatory taxation, limits on repatriation, adverse changes in investment or
exchange control regulations, political instability, restrictions on the flow of
international capital, imposition of foreign withholding or other taxes,
fluctuating currencies, inflation, difficulty in obtaining and enforcing
judgments against foreign entities or other adverse political, social or
diplomatic developments that could affect the Fund’s investments. Foreign
investments may be less liquid and their prices more volatile than the
securities of U.S. companies. The Fund is expected to incur operating expenses
that are higher than those of mutual funds investing exclusively in U.S. equity
securities due to the higher custodial fees associated with foreign securities
investments.
Currency Risk. The value
of the Fund’s portfolio may be affected by changes in exchange rates or control
regulations. If a local currency gains against the U.S. dollar, the value of the
security increases in U.S. dollar terms. If a local currency declines against
the U.S. dollar, the value of the security decreases in U.S. dollar terms. The
currencies of emerging market countries may experience a devaluation relative to
the U.S. dollar, and continued devaluations may adversely affect the value of
the Fund’s assets denominated in such currencies. Many emerging market countries
have experienced substantial rates of inflation for many years, and continued
inflation may adversely affect the economies and securities markets of such
countries.
Emerging Markets
Risk. Foreign investment risk is typically
magnified in emerging markets, which are the less developed and developing
nations. Many emerging market countries have experienced substantial rates of
inflation for many years, and continued inflation may adversely affect the
economies and securities markets of such countries.
Geographic Risk. To the
extent that the Fund invests a significant portion of its assets in any one
country or geographic region, the Fund will be subject to greater risk of loss
or volatility than if the Fund always maintained wide geographic diversity among
the countries and geographic regions in which it invests. Investing in any one
country or geographic region makes the Fund more vulnerable to the risks of
adverse securities markets, exchange rates and social, political, regulatory and
economic events in that one country or geographic region.
Smaller Company
Risk. Stocks of smaller companies involve greater
risk than those of larger, more established companies. This is because smaller
companies may be in earlier stages of development, may be dependent on a small
number of products or services, may lack substantial capital reserves and/or do
not have proven track records. Smaller companies may be traded in low volumes.
This can increase volatility and increase
71
the
risk that the Fund will not be able to sell a security on short notice at a
reasonable price. The securities of smaller companies may be more volatile and
less liquid than securities of large capitalized companies.
Share Ownership Concentration
Risk. To the extent that a significant portion of
the Fund’s shares is held by a limited number of shareholders or their
affiliates, there is a risk that the share trading activities of these
shareholders could disrupt the Fund’s investment strategies, which could have
adverse consequences for the Fund and other shareholders (e.g., by requiring the
Fund to sell investments at inopportune times or causing the Fund to maintain
larger-than-expected cash positions pending acquisition of investments). In
addition, separate accounts managed by the Adviser may invest in the Fund and,
therefore, the Adviser at times may have discretionary authority over a
significant portion of the assets of the Fund. In such instances, the Adviser’s
decision to make changes to or rebalance its clients’ allocations in the
separate accounts may substantially impact the Fund’s performance.
Style Risk. Different
investment styles (e.g., growth vs. value, quality bias, market capitalization
focus) tend to shift in and out of favor depending on market conditions and
investor sentiment, and at times when the investment style used by the Adviser
for the Fund is out of favor, the Fund may underperform other equity funds that
use different investment styles.
Liquidity
Risk. Investments that trade less frequently can
be more difficult or more costly to buy, or to sell, than more liquid or active
investments. It may not be possible to sell or otherwise dispose of illiquid
securities both at the price and within a time period deemed desirable by the
Fund.
Focus Risk. To the
extent that the Fund focuses its investments in particular industries, asset
classes or sectors of the economy, any market changes affecting companies in
those industries, asset classes or sectors may impact the Fund’s performance. In
addition, because the Fund may focus its investments in a limited number of
securities, its performance may be more volatile than a fund that invests in a
greater number of securities.
Operational and Technology
Risk. Cyber-attacks, disruptions, or failures that
affect the Fund’s service providers, counterparties, market participants, or
issuers of securities held by the Fund may adversely affect the Fund and its
shareholders, including by causing losses for the Fund or impairing Fund
operations.
The
Fund is not intended to be a complete investment program. The Fund is designed
for long-term investors.
The Fund involves a high level of risk and may not be
appropriate for everyone. You should only consider
it for the aggressive portion of your portfolio.
FUND PERFORMANCE
HISTORY: The information
below provides some indication of the risks of investing in the Fund by showing
changes in the Fund’s performance from year to year and by showing how the
Fund’s average annual total returns for the periods indicated compare with that
of a broad measure of market performance. The Fund’s past performance
(before and after taxes) does not necessarily indicate how it will perform in
the future. For more recent performance information, go to
www.williamblairfunds.com
or call 1‑800‑635‑2886.
72
Annual Total
Returns. The bar chart below provides
an illustration of how the Fund’s performance has varied in each of the last ten
calendar years for Class N shares.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Highest Quarterly Return
26.29% (2Q20) |
|
Lowest Quarterly Return
(24.36)% (1Q20) |
Average Annual
Total Returns (For the periods ended December 31, 2021). The table below shows returns
on a before‑tax and after‑tax basis for Class N shares and on a before‑tax
basis for Class I and Class R6 shares. After‑tax returns for
Class I and Class R6 shares will vary. After‑tax returns are
calculated using the historical highest individual federal marginal income tax
rates and do not reflect the impact of state and local taxes.
In some instances, the
“Return After Taxes on Distributions and Sale of Fund Shares” may be greater
than the “Return Before Taxes” because the investor is assumed to be able to use
the capital loss on the sale of Fund shares to offset other taxable capital
gains. Actual after‑tax returns depend on an investor’s tax
situation and may differ from those shown. After‑tax returns are not
relevant to investors who hold their Fund shares through tax‑deferred
arrangements, such as 401(k) plans or individual retirement
accounts.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
1 Year |
|
|
5 Years |
|
|
10 Years |
|
Class N
Shares |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Return
Before Taxes |
|
|
(7.69)% |
|
|
|
11.87% |
|
|
|
6.36% |
|
Return
After Taxes on Distributions |
|
|
(9.32)% |
|
|
|
10.88% |
|
|
|
5.81% |
|
Return
After Taxes on Distributions and Sale of Fund Shares |
|
|
(3.43)% |
|
|
|
9.33% |
|
|
|
5.04% |
|
|
|
|
|
Class I
Shares |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Return
Before Taxes |
|
|
(7.48)% |
|
|
|
12.15% |
|
|
|
6.65% |
|
|
|
|
|
Class R6
Shares |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Return
Before Taxes |
|
|
(7.35)% |
|
|
|
12.23% |
|
|
|
6.74% |
|
|
|
|
|
MSCI Emerging
Markets Index (net) (reflects no deduction for fees,
expenses or taxes) |
|
|
(2.54)% |
|
|
|
9.87% |
|
|
|
5.49% |
|
MANAGEMENT:
Investment
Adviser. William Blair Investment Management, LLC
is the investment adviser of the Fund.
Portfolio
Manager(s). Todd M. McClone, a Partner of the
Adviser, Kenneth J. McAtamney, a Partner of the Adviser and Hugo Scott-Gall, a
Partner of the Adviser, co‑manage the Fund. Mr. McClone has co‑managed the
Fund since its inception in 2008. Mr. McAtamney and Mr. Scott-Gall
have co‑managed the Fund since 2022.
PURCHASE
AND SALE OF FUND SHARES:
Class N Share
Purchase. The minimum initial investment for an
account generally is $2,500. The minimum subsequent investment generally is
$1,000. Certain exceptions to the minimum initial and subsequent investment
amounts may apply. See “Your Account—Class N Shares” for additional
information on eligibility requirements applicable to purchasing Class N
shares.
73
Class I Share
Purchase. The minimum initial investment for an
account generally is $500,000 (or any lesser amount if, in William Blair’s
opinion, the investor has adequate intent and availability of funds to reach a
future level of investment of $500,000). There is no minimum for subsequent
purchases. There is no minimum initial investment for qualified retirement
plans, including, but not limited to, 401(k) plans, 457 plans,
employer-sponsored 403(b) plans, defined benefit plans and other similar
accounts, or plans whereby Class I shares are held through omnibus accounts
(either at the plan level or the level of the plan administrator) and certain
other accounts. William Blair may make certain additional exceptions to the
minimum initial investment amount in its discretion. Class I shares are
only available to certain investors. See “Your Account—Class I Shares” for
additional information on the eligibility requirements and investment minimums
applicable to purchasing Class I shares.
Class R6 Share
Purchase. The minimum initial investment for an
account is $1 million (or any lesser amount if, in William Blair’s opinion,
the investor has adequate intent and availability of funds to reach a future
level of investment of $1 million). There is no minimum for subsequent
purchases. There is no minimum initial investment for qualified retirement
plans, including, but not limited to, 401(k) plans, 457 plans,
employer-sponsored 403(b) plans, defined benefit plans and other similar
accounts, or plans whereby Class R6 shares are held through omnibus
accounts (either at the plan level or the level of the plan administrator) and
certain other accounts. William Blair may make certain additional exceptions to
the minimum initial investment amount in its discretion. Class R6 shares
are only available to certain investors. See “Your Account—Class R6 Shares”
for additional information on eligibility requirements and investment minimums
applicable to purchasing Class R6 shares.
Sale. Shares of the Fund
are redeemable on any day the New York Stock Exchange is open for business by
mail, wire or telephone, depending on the elections you make in the account
application.
TAX INFORMATION: The
Fund intends to make distributions that may be taxed as ordinary income or
capital gains, unless you are investing through a tax‑advantaged investment
plan. If you are investing through a tax‑advantaged investment plan, withdrawals
from the tax‑advantaged investment plan may be subject to taxes.
PAYMENTS TO BROKER-DEALERS AND OTHER FINANCIAL
INTERMEDIARIES: If you purchase shares of the Fund
through a broker-dealer or other financial intermediary (such as a bank), the
Fund and its related companies may pay the intermediary for the sale of shares
and related services. These payments may create a conflict of interest by
influencing the broker-dealer or other intermediary and your salesperson to
recommend the Fund over another investment. Ask your salesperson or visit your
financial intermediary’s website for more information.
74
WILLIAM
BLAIR EMERGING MARKETS GROWTH FUND |
SUMMARY
|
INVESTMENT
OBJECTIVE: The William Blair Emerging
Markets Growth Fund seeks long-term capital appreciation.
FEES AND
EXPENSES: This table describes the fees
and expenses that you may pay if you buy, hold and sell shares of the Fund. You
may pay other fees, such as brokerage commissions and other fees to financial
intermediaries, which are not reflected in the tables and examples
below.
Shareholder Fees (fees paid directly from your
investment):
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Class N |
|
|
Class I |
|
|
Class R6 |
|
Maximum
Sales Charge (Load) Imposed on Purchases |
|
|
None |
|
|
|
None |
|
|
|
None |
|
Redemption
Fee |
|
|
None |
|
|
|
None |
|
|
|
None |
|
Annual Fund Operating Expenses (expenses that
you pay each year as a percentage of the value of your investment):
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Class N |
|
|
Class I |
|
|
Class R6 |
|
Management
Fee* |
|
|
0.94% |
|
|
|
0.94% |
|
|
|
0.94% |
|
Distribution
(Rule 12b‑1) Fee |
|
|
0.25% |
|
|
|
None |
|
|
|
None |
|
Other
Expenses |
|
|
0.20% |
|
|
|
0.17% |
|
|
|
0.07% |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total
Annual Fund Operating Expenses |
|
|
1.39% |
|
|
|
1.11% |
|
|
|
1.01% |
|
Fee
Waiver and/or Expense Reimbursement** |
|
|
0.15% |
|
|
|
0.12% |
|
|
|
0.07% |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total
Annual Fund Operating Expenses After Fee Waiver and/or Expense
Reimbursement*** |
|
|
1.24% |
|
|
|
0.99% |
|
|
|
0.94% |
|
* |
The Management Fee has been
restated to reflect a reduction to 0.94% of average daily net assets
effective May 1,
2022. |
** |
William
Blair Investment Management, LLC (the “Adviser”) has entered into a
contractual agreement with the Fund to waive fees and/or reimburse
expenses in order to limit the Fund’s operating expenses (excluding
interest expenses, taxes, brokerage commissions, acquired fund fees and
expenses, dividend and interest expenses on short sales, other
investment-related costs and extraordinary expenses, such as litigation
and other expenses not incurred in the ordinary course of the Fund’s
business) to 1.24%, 0.99% and 0.94% of average daily net assets for
Class N, Class I and Class R6 shares, respectively, until
April 30, 2023. The Adviser may not terminate this arrangement prior
to April 30,
2023 without the approval of the Fund’s Board of Trustees.
|
*** |
The
Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses After Fee Waiver and/or Expense
Reimbursement does not equal the net expense ratio to average daily net
assets in the Financial Highlights section of this prospectus as a result
of a change in the management fee and contractual expense limits.
|
Example: This example is
intended to help you compare the cost of investing in shares of the Fund with
the cost of investing in other mutual funds. The example assumes that you invest
$10,000 in the Fund for the time periods indicated and then redeem all of your
shares at the end of those periods. The example also assumes
that
75
your
investment has a 5% return each year and the Fund’s operating expenses remain
the same. The figures reflect the expense limitation for the first year.
Although your actual costs may be higher or lower, based on these assumptions
your costs would be:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
1 Year |
|
|
3 Years |
|
|
5 Years |
|
|
10 Years |
|
Class N |
|
|
$126 |
|
|
|
$425 |
|
|
|
$746 |
|
|
|
$1,656 |
|
Class I |
|
|
101 |
|
|
|
341 |
|
|
|
600 |
|
|
|
1,341 |
|
Class R6 |
|
|
96 |
|
|
|
315 |
|
|
|
551 |
|
|
|
1,230 |
|
Portfolio
Turnover: The Fund pays transaction
costs, such as commissions, when it buys and sells securities (or “turns over”
its portfolio). A higher portfolio turnover may indicate higher transaction
costs and may result in higher taxes when Fund shares are held in a taxable
account. These costs, which are not reflected in annual fund operating expenses
or in the example, affect the Fund’s performance. During the most recent fiscal
year, the Fund’s portfolio turnover rate was 52% of the average value of its
portfolio.
PRINCIPAL INVESTMENT
STRATEGIES: Under normal market
conditions, the Fund invests at least 80% of its net assets (plus the amount of
any borrowings for investment purposes) in emerging markets securities. The Fund
invests primarily in a diversified portfolio of equity securities, including
common stocks and other forms of equity investments (e.g., securities
convertible into common stocks), issued by emerging market companies of all
sizes that the Adviser believes have above-average growth, profitability and
quality characteristics. The Adviser seeks investment opportunities in companies
at different stages of development ranging from large, well-established
companies to smaller companies at earlier stages of development. Emerging market
companies, for purposes of the Fund, are companies organized under the laws of
an emerging market country or that have securities traded principally on an
exchange or over‑the‑counter in an emerging market country. Currently, emerging
markets include every country in the world except the United States, Canada,
Japan, Australia, New Zealand, Hong Kong, Singapore and most Western European
countries. The Fund’s investments are normally allocated among at least six
different countries and no more than 50% of the Fund’s equity holdings may be
invested in securities of issuers in one country at any given
time.
In
choosing investments, the Adviser performs fundamental company analysis and
focuses on stock selection. The Adviser generally seeks equity securities,
including common stocks, of emerging market companies that historically have had
superior growth, profitability and quality relative to local markets and
relative to companies within the same industry worldwide, and that are expected
to continue such performance. Such companies generally will exhibit superior
business fundamentals, including leadership in their field, quality products or
services, distinctive marketing and distribution, pricing flexibility and
revenue from products or services consumed on a steady, recurring basis. These
business characteristics should be accompanied by management that is shareholder
return-oriented and that uses conservative accounting policies. Companies with
above-average returns on equity, strong balance sheets and consistent,
above-average earnings growth will be the primary focus. Stock selection will
take into account both local and global comparisons.
The
Adviser will vary the Fund’s sector and geographic diversification based upon
the Adviser’s ongoing evaluation of economic, market and political trends
throughout the world. In making decisions regarding country allocation, the
Adviser will consider such factors as the conditions and growth potential of
various economies and securities markets, currency exchange rates, technological
developments in the various countries and other pertinent financial, social,
national and political factors.
PRINCIPAL
RISKS: The Fund’s returns will vary, and you could lose money
by investing in the Fund. The following is a summary of the
principal risks associated with an investment in the Fund.
Equity Funds
General. Because the Fund invests substantially
all of its assets in equity securities of emerging market companies, the primary
risk is that the value of the equity securities it holds might decrease in
response to the activities of an individual company or in response to general
market, business and economic conditions. If
76
this
occurs, the Fund’s share price may also decrease. In addition, there is the risk
that individual securities may not perform as expected or a strategy used by the
Adviser may fail to produce its intended result.
Market Risk. The value
of the Fund’s investments may go up or down, sometimes rapidly or unpredictably.
The value of an investment may decline due to factors affecting securities
markets generally or particular industries represented in the securities
markets. The value of an investment may decline due to general market conditions
that are not specifically related to a particular company, such as real or
perceived adverse economic conditions, changes in the general outlook for
corporate earnings, changes in interest or currency rates or adverse investor
sentiment generally. Events such as war, acts of terrorism, social unrest,
natural disasters, the spread of infectious illness or other public health
threats could also significantly impact the Fund and its investments. The value
of an investment may also decline due to factors that affect a particular
industry or industries, such as labor shortages or increased production costs
and competitive conditions within an industry. During a general downturn in the
securities markets, multiple asset classes may decline in value simultaneously.
Geopolitical and other events may also disrupt securities markets and adversely
affect global economies and markets and thereby decrease the value of the Fund’s
investments.
Foreign Investment
Risk. The risks of foreign investments may include
less publicly available information, less stringent investor protections and
disclosure standards, less governmental regulation and supervision of foreign
stock exchanges, brokers and issuers, share registration and custody, a lack of
uniform accounting, auditing and financial reporting standards, practices and
requirements, the possibility of expropriation, seizure or nationalization,
confiscatory taxation, limits on repatriation, adverse changes in investment or
exchange control regulations, political instability, restrictions on the flow of
international capital, imposition of foreign withholding or other taxes,
fluctuating currencies, inflation, difficulty in obtaining and enforcing
judgments against foreign entities or other adverse political, social or
diplomatic developments that could affect the Fund’s investments. Foreign
investments may be less liquid and their prices more volatile than the
securities of U.S. companies. The Fund is expected to incur operating expenses
that are higher than those of mutual funds investing exclusively in U.S. equity
securities due to the higher custodial fees associated with foreign securities
investments.
Currency Risk. The value
of the Fund’s portfolio may be affected by changes in exchange rates or control
regulations. If a local currency gains against the U.S. dollar, the value of the
security increases in U.S. dollar terms. If a local currency declines against
the U.S. dollar, the value of the security decreases in U.S. dollar terms. The
currencies of emerging market countries may experience a devaluation relative to
the U.S. dollar, and continued devaluations may adversely affect the value of
the Fund’s assets denominated in such currencies. Many emerging market countries
have experienced substantial rates of inflation for many years, and continued
inflation may adversely affect the economies and securities markets of such
countries.
Emerging Markets
Risk. Foreign investment risk is typically
magnified in emerging markets, which are the less developed and developing
nations.
Geographic Risk. To the
extent that the Fund invests a significant portion of its assets in any one
country or geographic region, the Fund will be subject to greater risk of loss
or volatility than if the Fund always maintained wide geographic diversity among
the countries and geographic regions in which it invests. Investing in any one
country or geographic region makes the Fund more vulnerable to the risks of
adverse securities markets, exchange rates and social, political, regulatory and
economic events in that one country or geographic region.
Smaller Company
Risk. Stocks of smaller companies involve greater
risk than those of larger, more established companies. This is because smaller
companies may be in earlier stages of development, may be dependent on a small
number of products or services, may lack substantial capital reserves and/or do
not have proven track records. Smaller companies may be traded in low volumes.
This can increase volatility and increase the risk that the Fund will not be
able to sell a security on short notice at a reasonable price. The securities of
smaller companies may be more volatile and less liquid than securities of large
capitalized companies.
77
Portfolio Turnover Rate
Risk. Higher portfolio turnover rates involve
correspondingly higher transaction costs, which are borne directly by the Fund.
In addition, the Fund may realize significant short-term and long-term capital
gains if portfolio turnover rate is high, which will result in taxable
distributions to investors that may be greater than those made by other funds
with lower portfolio turnover rates.
Share Ownership Concentration
Risk. To the extent that a significant portion of
the Fund’s shares is held by a limited number of shareholders or their
affiliates, there is a risk that the share trading activities of these
shareholders could disrupt the Fund’s investment strategies, which could have
adverse consequences for the Fund and other shareholders (e.g., by requiring the
Fund to sell investments at inopportune times or causing the Fund to maintain
larger-than-expected cash positions pending acquisition of investments). In
addition, separate accounts managed by the Adviser may invest in the Fund and,
therefore, the Adviser at times may have discretionary authority over a
significant portion of the assets of the Fund. In such instances, the Adviser’s
decision to make changes to or rebalance its clients’ allocations in the
separate accounts may substantially impact the Fund’s performance.
Style Risk. Different
investment styles (e.g., growth vs. value, quality bias, market capitalization
focus) tend to shift in and out of favor depending on market conditions and
investor sentiment, and at times when the growth investment style used by the
Adviser for the Fund is out of favor, the Fund may underperform other equity
funds that use different investment styles.
Liquidity
Risk. Investments that trade less frequently can
be more difficult or more costly to buy, or to sell, than more liquid or active
investments. It may not be possible to sell or otherwise dispose of illiquid
securities both at the price and within a time period deemed desirable by the
Fund.
Focus Risk. To the
extent that the Fund focuses its investments in particular industries, asset
classes or sectors of the economy, any market changes affecting companies in
those industries, asset classes or sectors may impact the Fund’s performance.
Operational and Technology
Risk. Cyber-attacks, disruptions, or failures that
affect the Fund’s service providers, counterparties, market participants, or
issuers of securities held by the Fund may adversely affect the Fund and its
shareholders, including by causing losses for the Fund or impairing Fund
operations.
The
Fund is not intended to be a complete investment program. The Fund is designed
for long-term investors.
The Fund involves a high level of risk and may not be
appropriate for everyone. You should only consider
it for the aggressive portion of your portfolio.
FUND PERFORMANCE
HISTORY: The information
below provides some indication of the risks of investing in the Fund by showing
changes in the Fund’s performance from year to year and by showing how the
Fund’s average annual total returns for the periods indicated compare with those
of a broad measure of market performance. The Fund’s past performance
(before and after taxes) does not necessarily indicate how it will perform in
the future. For more recent performance information, go to
www.williamblairfunds.com
or call 1‑800‑635‑2886.
78
Annual Total
Returns. The bar chart below provides
an illustration of how the Fund’s performance has varied in each of the last ten
calendar years for Class N shares.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Highest Quarterly Return
30.41% (2Q20) |
|
Lowest Quarterly Return
(20.85)% (1Q20) |
Average Annual
Total Returns (For the periods ended December 31, 2021). The table below shows returns
on a before‑tax and after‑tax basis for Class N shares and on a before‑tax
basis for Class I and Class R6 shares. After‑tax returns for
Class I and Class R6 shares will vary. After‑tax returns are
calculated using the historical highest individual federal marginal income tax
rates and do not reflect the impact of state and local taxes.
In some instances, the
“Return After Taxes on Distributions and Sale of Fund Shares” may be greater
than the “Return Before Taxes” because the investor is assumed to be able to use
the capital loss on the sale of Fund shares to offset other taxable capital
gains. Actual after‑tax returns depend on an investor’s tax
situation and may differ from those shown. After‑tax returns are not
relevant to investors who hold their Fund shares through tax‑deferred
arrangements, such as 401(k) plans or individual retirement
accounts.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
1 Year |
|
|
5 Years |
|
|
10 Years |
|
Class N
Shares |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Return
Before Taxes |
|
|
2.97% |
|
|
|
16.58% |
|
|
|
8.88% |
|
Return
After Taxes on Distributions |
|
|
(1.45)% |
|
|
|
14.38% |
|
|
|
7.47% |
|
Return
After Taxes on Distributions and Sale of Fund Shares |
|
|
4.82% |
|
|
|
13.06% |
|
|
|
6.89% |
|
|
|
|
|
Class I
Shares |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Return
Before Taxes |
|
|
3.25% |
|
|
|
16.88% |
|
|
|
9.16% |
|
|
|
|
|
Class R6
Shares |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Return
Before Taxes |
|
|
3.37% |
|
|
|
17.00% |
|
|
|
9.30% |
|
|
|
|
|
MSCI Emerging
Markets IMI (net) (reflects no deduction for fees, expenses
or taxes) |
|
|
(0.28)% |
|
|
|
10.06% |
|
|
|
5.71% |
|
MANAGEMENT:
Investment
Adviser. William Blair Investment Management, LLC
is the investment adviser of the Fund.
Portfolio
Manager(s). Todd M. McClone, a Partner of the
Adviser, Casey Preyss, a Partner of the Adviser, and Vivian Lin Thurston, a
Partner of the Adviser, co‑manage the Fund. Mr. McClone has co‑managed the
Fund since its inception in 2005. Mr. Preyss has co‑managed the Fund since
2015. Ms. Thurston has co‑managed the Fund since 2021.
PURCHASE
AND SALE OF FUND SHARES:
Class N Share
Purchase. The minimum initial investment for an
account generally is $2,500. The minimum subsequent investment generally is
$1,000. Certain exceptions to the minimum initial and subsequent investment
amounts may apply. See “Your Account—Class N Shares” for additional
information on eligibility requirements applicable to purchasing Class N
shares.
79
Class I Share
Purchase. The minimum initial investment for an
account generally is $500,000 (or any lesser amount if, in William Blair’s
opinion, the investor has adequate intent and availability of funds to reach a
future level of investment of $500,000). There is no minimum for subsequent
purchases. There is no minimum initial investment for qualified retirement
plans, including, but not limited to, 401(k) plans, 457 plans,
employer-sponsored 403(b) plans, defined benefit plans and other similar
accounts, or plans whereby Class I shares are held through omnibus accounts
(either at the plan level or the level of the plan administrator) and certain
other accounts. William Blair may make certain additional exceptions to the
minimum initial investment amount in its discretion. Class I shares are
only available to certain investors. See “Your Account—Class I Shares” for
additional information on the eligibility requirements and investment minimums
applicable to purchasing Class I shares.
Class R6 Share
Purchase. The minimum initial investment for an
account is $1 million (or any lesser amount if, in William Blair’s opinion,
the investor has adequate intent and availability of funds to reach a future
level of investment of $1 million). There is no minimum for subsequent
purchases. There is no minimum initial investment for qualified retirement
plans, including, but not limited to, 401(k) plans, 457 plans,
employer-sponsored 403(b) plans, defined benefit plans and other similar
accounts, or plans whereby Class R6 shares are held through omnibus
accounts (either at the plan level or the level of the plan administrator) and
certain other accounts. William Blair may make certain additional exceptions to
the minimum initial investment amount in its discretion. Class R6 shares
are only available to certain investors. See “Your Account—Class R6 Shares”
for additional information on eligibility requirements and investment minimums
applicable to purchasing Class R6 shares.
Sale. Shares of the Fund
are redeemable on any day the New York Stock Exchange is open for business by
mail, wire or telephone, depending on the elections you make in the account
application.
TAX INFORMATION: The
Fund intends to make distributions that may be taxed as ordinary income or
capital gains, unless you are investing through a tax‑advantaged investment
plan. If you are investing through a tax‑advantaged investment plan, withdrawals
from the tax‑advantaged investment plan may be subject to taxes.
PAYMENTS TO BROKER-DEALERS AND OTHER FINANCIAL
INTERMEDIARIES: If you purchase shares of the Fund
through a broker-dealer or other financial intermediary (such as a bank), the
Fund and its related companies may pay the intermediary for the sale of shares
and related services. These payments may create a conflict of interest by
influencing the broker-dealer or other intermediary and your salesperson to
recommend the Fund over another investment. Ask your salesperson or visit your
financial intermediary’s website for more information.
80
WILLIAM
BLAIR EMERGING MARKETS SMALL CAP GROWTH FUND |
SUMMARY
|
INVESTMENT
OBJECTIVE: The William Blair Emerging
Markets Small Cap Growth Fund seeks long-term capital
appreciation.
FEES AND
EXPENSES: This table describes the fees
and expenses that you may pay if you buy, hold and sell shares of the Fund. You
may pay other fees, such as brokerage commissions and other fees to financial
intermediaries, which are not reflected in the tables and examples
below.
Shareholder Fees (fees paid directly from your
investment):
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Class N |
|
|
Class I |
|
|
Class R6 |
|
Maximum
Sales Charge (Load) Imposed on Purchases |
|
|
None |
|
|
|
None |
|
|
|
None |
|
Redemption
Fee |
|
|
None |
|
|
|
None |
|
|
|
None |
|
Annual Fund Operating Expenses (expenses that
you pay each year as a percentage of the value of your investment):
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Class N |
|
|
Class I |
|
|
Class R6 |
|
Management
Fee |
|
|
1.10% |
|
|
|
1.10% |
|
|
|
1.10% |
|
Distribution
(Rule 12b‑1) Fee |
|
|
0.25% |
|
|
|
None |
|
|
|
None |
|
Other
Expenses |
|
|
0.25% |
|
|
|
0.21% |
|
|
|
0.13% |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total
Annual Fund Operating Expenses |
|
|
1.60% |
|
|
|
1.31% |
|
|
|
1.23% |
|
Fee
Waiver and/or Expense Reimbursement* |
|
|
0.05% |
|
|
|
0.01% |
|
|
|
N/A |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total
Annual Fund Operating Expenses After Fee Waiver and/or Expense
Reimbursement |
|
|
1.55% |
|
|
|
1.30% |
|
|
|
1.23% |
|
* |
William
Blair Investment Management, LLC (the “Adviser”) has entered into a
contractual agreement with the Fund to waive fees and/or reimburse
expenses in order to limit the Fund’s operating expenses (excluding
interest expenses, taxes, brokerage commissions, acquired fund fees and
expenses, dividend and interest expenses on short sales, other
investment-related costs and extraordinary expenses, such as litigation
and other expenses not incurred in the ordinary course of the Fund’s
business) to 1.55% and 1.30% of average daily net assets for
Class N and Class I shares, respectively, until
April 30, 2023. The Adviser may not terminate this arrangement prior
to April 30,
2023 without the approval of the Fund’s Board of Trustees.
|
Example: This example is
intended to help you compare the cost of investing in shares of the Fund with
the cost of investing in other mutual funds. The example assumes that you invest
$10,000 in the Fund for the time periods indicated and then redeem all of your
shares at the end of those periods. The example also assumes that your
investment has a 5% return each year and the Fund’s operating expenses remain
the same. The figures reflect the expense limitation for the first year.
Although your actual costs may be higher or lower, based on these assumptions
your costs would be:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
1 Year |
|
|
3 Years |
|
|
5 Years |
|
|
10 Years |
|
Class N |
|
|
$158 |
|
|
|
$500 |
|
|
|
$866 |
|
|
|
$1,896 |
|
Class I |
|
|
132 |
|
|
|
414 |
|
|
|
717 |
|
|
|
1,578 |
|
Class R6 |
|
|
125 |
|
|
|
390 |
|
|
|
676 |
|
|
|
1,489 |
|
Portfolio
Turnover: The Fund pays
transaction costs, such as commissions, when it buys and sells securities (or
“turns over” its portfolio). A higher portfolio turnover may indicate higher
transaction costs and may result in higher taxes when Fund shares are held in a
taxable account. These costs, which are not reflected in annual
fund
81
operating
expenses or in the example, affect the Fund’s performance. During the most
recent fiscal year, the Fund’s portfolio turnover rate was 76% of the average value of its portfolio.
PRINCIPAL INVESTMENT
STRATEGIES: Under normal market
conditions, the Fund invests at least 80% of its net assets (plus the amount of
any borrowings for investment purposes) in equity securities of emerging market
small capitalization (“small cap”) companies. The Fund invests primarily in a
diversified portfolio of equity securities, including common stocks and other
forms of equity investments (e.g., securities convertible into common stocks),
issued by emerging market small cap companies that the Adviser believes have
above average growth, profitability and quality characteristics. For purposes of
the Fund, the Adviser considers a company to be a small cap company if it has a
float adjusted market capitalization at the time of purchase no larger than the
greater of $5 billion or the largest capitalized company included in the
MSCI Emerging Markets Small Cap Index (net). Securities of companies whose float
adjusted market capitalizations no longer meet this definition of small cap
after purchase may continue to be held in the Fund. Emerging market companies,
for purposes of the Fund, are companies organized under the laws of an emerging
market country or that have securities traded principally on an exchange or
over‑the‑counter in an emerging market country. Currently, emerging markets
include every country in the world except the United States, Canada, Japan,
Australia, New Zealand, Hong Kong, Singapore and most Western European
countries. The Fund’s investments are normally allocated among at least six
different countries and no more than 50% of the Fund’s equity holdings may be
invested in securities of issuers in one country at any given
time.
In
choosing investments, the Adviser performs fundamental company analysis and
focuses on stock selection. The Adviser generally seeks equity securities,
including common stocks, of emerging market companies that historically have had
superior growth, profitability and quality relative to local markets and
relative to companies within the same industry worldwide, and that are expected
to continue such performance. Such companies generally will exhibit superior
business fundamentals, including leadership in their field, quality products or
services, distinctive marketing and distribution, pricing flexibility and
revenue from products or services consumed on a steady, recurring basis. These
business characteristics should be accompanied by management that is shareholder
return-oriented and that uses conservative accounting policies. Companies with
above-average returns on equity, strong balance sheets and consistent,
above-average earnings growth will be the primary focus. Stock selection will
take into account both local and global comparisons.
The
Adviser will vary the Fund’s sector and geographic diversification based upon
the Adviser’s ongoing evaluation of economic, market and political trends
throughout the world. In making decisions regarding country allocation, the
Adviser will consider such factors as the conditions and growth potential of
various economies and securities markets, currency exchange rates, technological
developments in the various countries and other pertinent financial, social,
national and political factors.
PRINCIPAL
RISKS: The Fund’s returns will vary, and you could lose money
by investing in the Fund. The following is a summary of the
principal risks associated with an investment in the Fund.
Equity Funds
General. Because the Fund invests substantially
all of its assets in equity securities of emerging market small cap companies,
the primary risk is that the value of the equity securities it holds might
decrease in response to the activities of an individual company or in response
to general market, business and economic conditions. If this occurs, the Fund’s
share price may also decrease. In addition, there is the risk that individual
securities may not perform as expected or a strategy used by the Adviser may
fail to produce its intended result.
Market Risk. The value
of the Fund’s investments may go up or down, sometimes rapidly or unpredictably.
The value of an investment may decline due to factors affecting securities
markets generally or particular industries represented in the securities
markets. The value of an investment may decline due to general market conditions
that are not specifically related to a particular company, such as real or
perceived adverse economic conditions, changes in the general outlook for
corporate earnings, changes in interest or currency rates or adverse investor
sentiment generally. Events such as war, acts of terrorism, social unrest,
natural disasters, the spread of
82
infectious
illness or other public health threats could also significantly impact the Fund
and its investments. The value of an investment may also decline due to factors
that affect a particular industry or industries, such as labor shortages or
increased production costs and competitive conditions within an industry. During
a general downturn in the securities markets, multiple asset classes may decline
in value simultaneously. Geopolitical and other events may also disrupt
securities markets and adversely affect global economies and markets and thereby
decrease the value of the Fund’s investments.
Foreign Investment
Risk. The risks of foreign investments may include
less publicly available information, less stringent investor protections and
disclosure standards, less governmental regulation and supervision of foreign
stock exchanges, brokers and issuers, share registration and custody, a lack of
uniform accounting, auditing and financial reporting standards, practices and
requirements, the possibility of expropriation, seizure or nationalization,
confiscatory taxation, limits on repatriation, adverse changes in investment or
exchange control regulations, political instability, restrictions on the flow of
international capital, imposition of foreign withholding or other taxes,
fluctuating currencies, inflation, difficulty in obtaining and enforcing
judgments against foreign entities or other adverse political, social or
diplomatic developments that could affect the Fund’s investments. Foreign
investments may be less liquid and their prices more volatile than the
securities of U.S. companies. The Fund is expected to incur operating expenses
that are higher than those of mutual funds investing exclusively in U.S. equity
securities due to the higher custodial fees associated with foreign securities
investments.
Currency Risk. The value
of the Fund’s portfolio may be affected by changes in exchange rates or control
regulations. If a local currency gains against the U.S. dollar, the value of the
security increases in U.S. dollar terms. If a local currency declines against
the U.S. dollar, the value of the security decreases in U.S. dollar terms. The
currencies of emerging market countries may experience a devaluation relative to
the U.S. dollar, and continued devaluations may adversely affect the value of
the Fund’s assets denominated in such currencies. Many emerging market countries
have experienced substantial rates of inflation for many years, and continued
inflation may adversely affect the economies and securities markets of such
countries.
Emerging Markets
Risk. Foreign investment risk is typically
magnified in emerging markets, which are the less developed and developing
nations. Many emerging market countries have experienced substantial rates of
inflation for many years, and continued inflation may adversely affect the
economies and securities markets of such countries.
Geographic Risk. To the
extent that the Fund invests a significant portion of its assets in any one
country or geographic region, the Fund will be subject to greater risk of loss
or volatility than if the Fund always maintained wide geographic diversity among
the countries and geographic regions in which it invests. Investing in any one
country or geographic region makes the Fund more vulnerable to the risks of
adverse securities markets, exchange rates and social, political, regulatory and
economic events in that one country or geographic region.
Small and Micro Cap Company
Risk. Stocks of small and micro cap companies
involve greater risk than those of larger, more established companies. This is
because small and micro cap companies may be in earlier stages of development,
may be dependent on a small number of products or services, may lack substantial
capital reserves and/or do not have proven track records. Small and micro cap
companies may be traded in low volumes. This can increase volatility and
increase the risk that the Fund will not be able to sell a security on short
notice at a reasonable price. The securities of small and micro cap companies
may be more volatile and less liquid than securities of large capitalized
companies. For purposes of the Fund, micro cap companies are companies with
market capitalizations of $500 million or less at the time of the Fund’s
investment.
Portfolio Turnover Rate
Risk. Higher portfolio turnover rates involve
correspondingly higher transaction costs, which are borne directly by the Fund.
In addition, the Fund may realize significant short-term and long-term capital
gains if portfolio turnover rate is high, which will result in taxable
distributions to investors that may be greater than those made by other funds
with lower portfolio turnover rates.
83
Share Ownership Concentration
Risk. To the extent that a significant portion of
the Fund’s shares is held by a limited number of shareholders or their
affiliates, there is a risk that the share trading activities of these
shareholders could disrupt the Fund’s investment strategies, which could have
adverse consequences for the Fund and other shareholders (e.g., by requiring the
Fund to sell investments at inopportune times or causing the Fund to maintain
larger-than-expected cash positions pending acquisition of investments). In
addition, separate accounts managed by the Adviser may invest in the Fund and,
therefore, the Adviser at times may have discretionary authority over a
significant portion of the assets of the Fund. In such instances, the Adviser’s
decision to make changes to or rebalance its clients’ allocations in the
separate accounts may substantially impact the Fund’s performance.
Style Risk. Different
investment styles (e.g., growth vs. value, quality bias, market capitalization
focus) tend to shift in and out of favor depending on market conditions and
investor sentiment, and at times when the growth investment style used by the
Adviser for the Fund is out of favor, the Fund may underperform other equity
funds that use different investment styles.
Liquidity
Risk. Investments that trade less frequently can
be more difficult or more costly to buy, or to sell, than more liquid or active
investments. It may not be possible to sell or otherwise dispose of illiquid
securities both at the price and within a time period deemed desirable by the
Fund.
Focus Risk. To the
extent that the Fund focuses its investments in particular industries, asset
classes or sectors of the economy, any market changes affecting companies in
those industries, asset classes or sectors may impact the Fund’s performance.
Operational and Technology
Risk. Cyber-attacks, disruptions, or failures that
affect the Fund’s service providers, counterparties, market participants, or
issuers of securities held by the Fund may adversely affect the Fund and its
shareholders, including by causing losses for the Fund or impairing Fund
operations.
The
Fund is not intended to be a complete investment program. The Fund is designed
for long-term investors.
The Fund involves a high level of risk and may not be
appropriate for everyone. You should only consider
it for the aggressive portion of your portfolio.
FUND PERFORMANCE
HISTORY: The information
below provides some indication of the risks of investing in the Fund by showing
changes in the Fund’s performance from year to year and by showing how the
Fund’s average annual total returns for the periods indicated compare with those
of a broad measure of market performance. The Fund’s past performance
(before and after taxes) does not necessarily indicate how it will perform in
the future. For more recent performance information, go to
www.williamblairfunds.com
or call 1‑800‑635‑2886.
Annual Total
Returns. The bar chart below provides
an illustration of how the Fund’s performance has varied in each of the calendar
years since the Fund started for Class N shares.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Highest Quarterly Return
27.69% (2Q20) |
|
Lowest Quarterly Return
(20.89)% (1Q20) |
84
Average Annual
Total Returns (For the periods ended December 31, 2021). The table below shows returns
on a before‑tax and after‑tax basis for Class N shares and on a before‑tax
basis for Class I and Class R6 shares. After‑tax returns for
Class I and Class R6 shares will vary. After‑tax returns are
calculated using the historical highest individual federal marginal income tax
rates and do not reflect the impact of state and local taxes.
In some instances, the
“Return After Taxes on Distributions and Sale of Fund Shares” may be greater
than the “Return Before Taxes” because the investor is assumed to be able to use
the capital loss on the sale of Fund shares to offset other taxable capital
gains. Actual after‑tax returns depend on an investor’s tax
situation and may differ from those shown. After‑tax returns are not
relevant to investors who hold their Fund shares through tax‑deferred
arrangements, such as 401(k) plans or individual retirement
accounts.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
1 Year |
|
|
5 Years |
|
|
10 Years |
|
Class N
Shares |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Return
Before Taxes |
|
|
15.23% |
|
|
|
14.45% |
|
|
|
12.02% |
|
Return
After Taxes on Distributions |
|
|
13.00% |
|
|
|
13.64% |
|
|
|
11.30% |
|
Return
After Taxes on Distributions and Sale of Fund Shares |
|
|
10.53% |
|
|
|
11.45% |
|
|
|
9.82% |
|
|
|
|
|
Class I
Shares |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Return
Before Taxes |
|
|
15.51% |
|
|
|
14.76% |
|
|
|
12.33% |
|
|
|
|
|
MSCI Emerging
Markets Small Cap Index (net) (reflects no deduction for
fees, expenses or taxes) |
|
|
18.75% |
|
|
|
11.47% |
|
|
|
7.42% |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
1 Year |
|
|
5 Years |
|
|
Since Share Class Inception (December 20, 2012) |
|
Class R6
Shares |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Return
Before Taxes |
|
|
15.58% |
|
|
|
14.84% |
|
|
|
10.34% |
|
|
|
|
|
MSCI Emerging
Markets Small Cap Index (net) (reflects no deduction for
fees, expenses or taxes) |
|
|
18.75% |
|
|
|
11.47% |
|
|
|
6.03% |
|
MANAGEMENT:
Investment
Adviser. William Blair Investment Management, LLC
is the investment adviser of the Fund.
Portfolio
Manager(s). Todd M. McClone, a Partner of the
Adviser, D.J. Neiman, a Partner of the Adviser, and Casey Preyss, a Partner of
the Adviser, co‑manage the Fund. Mr. McClone has co‑managed the Fund since
its inception in 2011. Mr. Neiman has co‑managed the Fund since 2021.
Mr. Preyss has co‑managed the Fund since 2016.
PURCHASE
AND SALE OF FUND SHARES:
Purchase. The Fund is
closed to new investors. Shares are only available to certain investors. In
certain circumstances, existing shareholders may be able to open a new Fund
account for a different share class. See “Your Account—International Growth
Fund, Institutional International Growth Fund, International Small Cap Growth
Fund and Emerging Markets Small Cap Growth Fund” for information on eligibility
requirements applicable to purchasing shares.
Sale. Shares of the Fund
are redeemable on any day the New York Stock Exchange is open for business by
mail, wire or telephone, depending on the elections you make in the account
application.
85
TAX INFORMATION: The
Fund intends to make distributions that may be taxed as ordinary income or
capital gains, unless you are investing through a tax‑advantaged investment
plan. If you are investing through a tax‑advantaged investment plan, withdrawals
from the tax‑advantaged investment plan may be subject to taxes.
PAYMENTS TO BROKER-DEALERS AND OTHER FINANCIAL
INTERMEDIARIES: If you purchase shares of the Fund
through a broker-dealer or other financial intermediary (such as a bank), the
Fund and its related companies may pay the intermediary for the sale of shares
and related services. These payments may create a conflict of interest by
influencing the broker-dealer or other intermediary and your salesperson to
recommend the Fund over another investment. Ask your salesperson or visit your
financial intermediary’s website for more information.
86
WILLIAM
BLAIR CHINA GROWTH FUND |
SUMMARY |
INVESTMENT
OBJECTIVE: The William Blair China Growth
Fund seeks long-term capital appreciation.
FEES AND
EXPENSES: This table describes the fees
and expenses that you may pay if you buy, hold and sell shares of the Fund. You
may pay other fees, such as brokerage commissions and other fees to financial
intermediaries, which are not reflected in the tables and examples
below.
Shareholder Fees (fees paid directly from your
investment):
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Class I |
|
|
Class R6 |
|
Maximum
Sales Charge (Load) Imposed on Purchases |
|
|
None |
|
|
|
None |
|
Redemption
Fee |
|
|
None |
|
|
|
None |
|
Annual Fund Operating Expenses (expenses that
you pay each year as a percentage of the value of your investment):
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Class I |
|
|
Class R6 |
|
Management
Fee* |
|
|
0.94% |
|
|
|
0.94% |
|
Distribution
(Rule 12b‑1) Fee |
|
|
None |
|
|
|
None |
|
Other
Expenses** |
|
|
3.74% |
|
|
|
3.74% |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total
Annual Fund Operating Expenses |
|
|
4.68% |
|
|
|
4.68% |
|
Fee
Waiver and/or Expense Reimbursement*** |
|
|
3.69% |
|
|
|
3.74% |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total
Annual Fund Operating Expenses After Fee Waiver and/or Expense
Reimbursement**** |
|
|
0.99% |
|
|
|
0.94% |
|
* |
The Management Fee has been
restated to reflect a reduction to 0.94% of average daily net assets
effective May 1,
2022. |
** |
Other Expenses are based on
estimated amounts for the current fiscal
year. |
*** |
William
Blair Investment Management, LLC (the “Adviser”) has entered into a
contractual agreement with the Fund to waive fees and/or reimburse
expenses in order to limit the Fund’s operating expenses (excluding
interest expenses, taxes, brokerage commissions, acquired fund fees and
expenses, dividend and interest expenses on short sales, other
investment-related costs and extraordinary expenses, such as litigation
and other expenses not incurred in the ordinary course of the Fund’s
business) to 0.99% and 0.94% of average daily net assets for Class I
and Class R6 shares, respectively, until April 30, 2023. The
Adviser may not terminate this contractual agreement prior to
April 30,
2023 without the approval of the Fund’s Board of Trustees.
The Adviser is entitled to recoupment of previously waived fees and
reimbursed expenses for a period of three years subsequent to the Fund’s
commencement of operations to the extent that such recoupment does not
cause the annual Fund operating expenses (after the recoupment is taken
into account) to exceed both (1) the expense limit in place when such
amounts were waived or reimbursed and (2) the Fund’s current expense
limitation. |
**** |
The
Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses After Fee Waiver and/or Expense
Reimbursement does not equal the net expense ratio to average daily net
assets in the Financial Highlights section of this prospectus as a result
of a change in the management fee and contractual expense
limits. |
Example: This example is
intended to help you compare the cost of investing in shares of the Fund with
the cost of investing in other mutual funds. The example assumes that you invest
$10,000 in the Fund for the time periods indicated and then redeem all of your
shares at the end of those periods. The example also assumes
that
87
your
investment has a 5% return each year and the Fund’s operating expenses remain
the same. The figures reflect the expense limitation for the first year.
Although your actual costs may be higher or lower, based on these assumptions
your costs would be:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
1 Year |
|
|
3 Years |
|
Class I |
|
|
$101 |
|
|
|
$1,078 |
|
Class R6 |
|
|
96 |
|
|
|
1,073 |
|
Portfolio
Turnover: The Fund pays transaction
costs, such as commissions, when it buys and sells securities (or “turns over”
its portfolio). A higher portfolio turnover may indicate higher transaction
costs and may result in higher taxes when Fund shares are held in a taxable
account. These costs, which are not reflected in annual fund operating expenses
or in the example, affect the Fund’s performance. For the period August 27,
2021 (commencement of operations) through December 31, 2021, the Fund’s
portfolio turnover rate was 4% of the average value of its
portfolio.
PRINCIPAL INVESTMENT STRATEGIES:
Under normal
circumstances, the Fund invests at least 80% of its net assets (plus the amount
of any borrowings for investment purposes) in securities of companies with their
principal office in the People’s Republic of China (“PRC”). For the avoidance of
doubt, the PRC shall include mainland China, Hong Kong and Macau but exclude
Taiwan. The Fund may pursue this objective through purchases of class A‑Shares
of companies listed on the Shanghai and Shenzhen Stock Exchanges, H‑Shares
listed in Hong Kong, American Depositary Receipts, Global Depositary Receipts
and dual listed securities.
The
Fund invests primarily in a portfolio of equity securities, including common
stocks and other forms of equity investments (e.g., securities convertible into
common stocks), of companies of all sizes that the Adviser believes have
above-average growth, profitability and quality characteristics. The Adviser
seeks investment opportunities in companies at different stages of development
ranging from large, well-established companies to smaller companies at earlier
stages of development.
In
choosing investments, the Adviser performs fundamental company analysis and
focuses on stock selection. The Adviser generally seeks equity securities,
including common stocks, of Chinese companies that historically have had
superior growth, profitability and quality relative to local markets and
relative to companies within the same industry worldwide, and that are expected
to continue such performance. Such companies generally will exhibit superior
business fundamentals, including leadership in their field, quality products or
services, distinctive marketing and distribution, pricing flexibility and
revenue from products or services consumed on a steady, recurring basis. These
business characteristics should be accompanied by management that is shareholder
return-oriented and that uses conservative accounting policies. Companies with
above-average returns on equity, strong balance sheets and consistent,
above-average earnings growth will be the primary focus.
As
noted above, the Fund will invest in China A‑Shares. The Fund may do so through
the Shanghai—Hong Kong and Shenzhen—Hong Kong Stock Connect Programs (“Stock
Connect”). Stock Connect is a securities trading and clearing program between
either the Shanghai Stock Exchange (“SSE”) or Shenzhen Stock Exchange (“SZSE”),
and any of the Stock Exchange of Hong Kong Limited (“SEHK”), China Securities
Depository or Clearing Corporation Limited (“ChinaClear”) and Hong Kong
Securities Clearing Company Limited (“HKSCC”). Stock Connect is designed to
permit mutual stock market access between mainland China and Hong Kong by
allowing investors to trade and settle shares on each market via their local
exchanges. Trading through Stock Connect is subject to daily quotas that limit
the maximum daily net purchases on any particular day. Accordingly, the Fund’s
direct investments in China A‑Shares may be limited by such daily quotas.
Investments in China A‑Shares may also be made through the use of the Investment
Manager’s Qualified Foreign Institutional Investor (“QFII”)
license.
THE
FUND IS NON‑DIVERSIFIED UNDER THE INVESTMENT COMPANY ACT OF 1940, AS AMENDED,
AND MAY INVEST A LARGER PERCENTAGE OF ITS ASSETS IN FEWER ISSUERS THAN
DIVERSIFIED MUTUAL FUNDS.
88
PRINCIPAL
RISKS: The Fund’s returns will vary, and you could lose money
by investing in the Fund. The following is a summary of the
principal risks associated with an investment in the Fund.
The Fund involves a high level of risk and may not be
appropriate for everyone. There can be no
assurance that the Fund’s investment objective will be achieved. The Fund is not
intended to be a complete investment program. The Fund is designed for long-term
investors.
The
principal risks of investing in the Fund (in alphabetical order after the first
six risks) are:
Chinese Investment
Risk. Because the fund focuses its investments in
China, the Fund’s performance is expected to be closely tied to social,
political, and economic conditions in China and to be more volatile than the
performance of more geographically diversified funds. Investing in Chinese
investments involves a higher degree of risk and special considerations not
typically associated with investing in other more established economies or
securities markets. The Fund’s investment exposure to China may subject the
Fund, to a greater extent than if investments were made in developed countries,
to the risks of adverse securities markets, exchange rates and social,
political, regulatory, economic, or environmental events and natural disasters
that may occur in the China region. The economy, industries, and securities and
currency markets of China are particularly vulnerable to the region’s dependence
on exports and international trade and increasing competition from Asia’s other
low‑cost emerging economies. The imposition of tariffs or other trade barriers
by the U.S. or foreign governments on exports from China may also have an
adverse impact on Chinese issuers. In addition, currency fluctuations, currency
convertibility, interest rate fluctuations and higher rates of inflation as a
result of internal social unrest or conflicts with other countries have had, and
may continue to have, negative effects on the economies and securities markets
of China. The government of the PRC exercises significant control over the
economy in mainland China and may at any time alter or discontinue economic
reforms. Hong Kong and Macau do not exercise the same level of control over
their economies as does the PRC with respect to mainland China, but changes to
their political and economic relationships with the PRC could adversely impact
the Fund’s investments in Hong Kong and Macau.
Investing Through Stock Connect
Risk. Investing in China A‑Shares through the
Stock Connect program is subject to trading, clearance, settlement, and other
procedures, which could pose risks to the Fund. Trading through Stock Connect is
subject to market-wide trading volume and market cap quota limitations, each of
which may restrict or preclude the Fund’s ability to invest in A‑Shares through
Stock Connect. A primary feature of Stock Connect is the application of the home
market’s laws and rules applicable to investors in
A‑Shares.
Therefore,
the Fund’s investments in Stock Connect A‑Shares are generally subject to PRC
securities regulations and listing rules, among other restrictions.
Additionally, restrictions on the timing of permitted trading activity in
A‑Shares, including the imposition of local holidays in either Hong Kong or
mainland China and restrictions on purchasing and selling the same security on
the same day, may subject the Fund to the risk of price fluctuations of China
A‑Shares at times when the Fund is unable to add to or exit its
position.
Equity Funds
General. Because the Fund invests substantially
all of its assets in equity securities of companies with their principal office
in the PRC, the primary risk is that the value of the equity securities it holds
might decrease in response to the activities of an individual company or in
response to general market, business and economic conditions. If this occurs,
the Fund’s share price may also decrease. In addition, there is the risk that
individual securities may not perform as expected or a strategy used by the
Adviser may fail to produce its intended result.
Foreign Investment
Risk. The risks of foreign investments may include
less publicly available information, less stringent investor protections and
disclosure standards, less governmental regulation and supervision of foreign
stock exchanges, brokers and issuers, share registration and custody, less
stringent or a lack of uniform accounting, auditing and financial reporting
standards, practices and requirements, the possibility of expropriation, seizure
or nationalization, confiscatory taxation, limits on repatriation, adverse
changes in
89
investment
or exchange control regulations, political instability, restrictions on the flow
of international capital, imposition of foreign withholding or other taxes,
fluctuating currencies, inflation, difficulty in obtaining and enforcing
judgments against foreign entities or other adverse political, social or
diplomatic developments that could affect the Fund’s investments. Foreign
investments may be less liquid and their prices more volatile than the
securities of U.S. companies. The Fund is expected to incur operating expenses
that are higher than those of mutual funds investing exclusively in U.S.
securities due to the higher custodial fees associated with foreign securities
investments.
Emerging Markets
Risk. Foreign investment risk is typically
magnified in emerging markets, which are the less developed and developing
nations.
Market Risk. The value
of the Fund’s investments may go up or down, sometimes rapidly or unpredictably.
The value of an investment may decline due to factors affecting securities
markets generally or particular industries represented in the securities
markets. The value of an investment may decline due to general market conditions
that are not specifically related to a particular company, such as real or
perceived adverse economic conditions, changes in the general outlook for
corporate earnings, changes in interest or currency rates or adverse investor
sentiment generally. Events such as war, acts of terrorism, social unrest,
natural disasters, the spread of infectious illness or other public health
threats could also significantly impact the Fund and its investments. The value
of an investment may also decline due to factors that affect a particular
industry or industries, such as labor shortages or increased production costs
and competitive conditions within an industry. During a general downturn in the
securities markets, multiple asset classes may decline in value simultaneously.
Geopolitical and other events may also disrupt securities markets and adversely
affect global economies and markets and thereby decrease the value of the Fund’s
investments.
Currency Risk. The value
of the Fund’s portfolio may be affected by changes in exchange rates or control
regulations. If a non‑U.S. currency gains against the U.S. dollar, the value of
the security increases in U.S. dollar terms. If a non‑U.S. currency declines
against the U.S. dollar, the value of the security decreases in U.S. dollar
terms.
Focus Risk. To the
extent that the Fund focuses its investments in particular industries, asset
classes or sectors of the economy, any market changes affecting companies in
those industries, asset classes or sectors may impact the Fund’s
performance.
Liquidity
Risk. Investments that trade less frequently can
be more difficult or more costly to buy, or to sell, than more liquid or active
investments. It may not be possible to sell or otherwise dispose of illiquid
securities both at the price and within a time period deemed desirable by the
Fund.
New Fund Risk. As a new
fund, there can be no assurance that the Fund will grow to or maintain an
economically viable size, in which case it could ultimately
liquidate.
Non‑Diversification
Risk. The Fund is non‑diversified, meaning that it
is permitted to invest a larger percentage of its assets in fewer issuers than
diversified mutual funds. Thus, the Fund may be more susceptible to adverse
developments affecting any single issuer held in its portfolio, and may be more
susceptible to greater losses because of these
developments.
Operational and Technology
Risk. Cyber-attacks, disruptions, or failures that
affect the Fund’s service providers, counterparties, market participants, or
issuers of securities held by the Fund may adversely affect the Fund and its
shareholders, including by causing losses for the Fund or impairing Fund
operations.
Share Ownership Concentration
Risk. To the extent that a significant portion of
the Fund’s shares is held by a limited number of shareholders or their
affiliates, there is a risk that the share trading activities of these
shareholders could disrupt the Fund’s investment strategies, which could have
adverse consequences for the Fund
90
and
other shareholders (e.g., by requiring the Fund to sell investments at
inopportune times or causing the Fund to maintain larger-than-expected cash
positions pending acquisition of investments). In addition, separate accounts
managed by the Adviser may invest in the Fund and, therefore, the Adviser at
times may have discretionary authority over a significant portion of the assets
of the Fund. In such instances, the Adviser’s decision to make changes to or
rebalance its clients’ allocations in the separate accounts may substantially
impact the Fund’s performance.
Smaller Company
Risk. Stocks of smaller companies involve greater
risk than those of larger, more established companies. This is because smaller
companies may be in earlier stages of development, may be dependent on a small
number of products or services, may lack substantial capital reserves and/or do
not have proven track records. Smaller companies may be traded in low volumes.
This can increase volatility and increase the risk that the Fund will not be
able to sell a security on short notice at a reasonable price. The securities of
smaller companies may be more volatile and less liquid than securities of large
capitalized companies.
Style Risk. Different
investment styles (e.g., growth vs. value, quality bias, market capitalization
focus) tend to shift in and out of favor depending on market conditions and
investor sentiment, and at times when the investment style used by the Adviser
for the Fund is out of favor, the Fund may underperform other equity funds that
use different investment styles.
FUND PERFORMANCE
HISTORY: Information on the Fund’s annual total
returns and average annual total returns will be provided after the Fund has
completed a full calendar year of operations. Updated
performance information will be available on the Fund’s website at
www.williamblairfunds.com
or by calling 1‑800‑635‑2886.
MANAGEMENT:
Investment
Adviser. William Blair Investment Management, LLC
is the investment adviser of the Fund.
Portfolio
Manager(s). Casey Preyss, a Partner of the
Adviser, and Vivian Lin Thurston, a Partner of the Adviser, co‑manage the Fund.
Mr. Preyss and Ms. Lin Thurston have co‑managed the Fund since its
inception in 2021.
PURCHASE
AND SALE OF FUND SHARES:
Class I Share
Purchase. The minimum initial investment for an
account generally is $500,000 (or any lesser amount if, in William Blair’s
opinion, the investor has adequate intent and availability of funds to reach a
future level of investment of $500,000). There is no minimum for subsequent
purchases. There is no minimum initial investment for qualified retirement
plans, including, but not limited to, 401(k) plans, 457 plans, employer-
sponsored 403(b) plans, defined benefit plans and other similar accounts, or
plans whereby Class I shares are held through omnibus accounts (either at
the plan level or the level of the plan administrator) and certain other
accounts. William Blair may make certain additional exceptions to the minimum
initial investment amount in its discretion. Class I shares are only
available to certain investors. See “Your Account—Class I Shares” for
additional information on the eligibility requirements and investment minimums
applicable to purchasing Class I shares.
Class R6 Share
Purchase. The minimum initial investment for an
account is $1 million (or any lesser amount if, in William Blair’s opinion,
the investor has adequate intent and availability of funds to reach a future
level of investment of $1 million). There is no minimum for subsequent
purchases. There is no minimum initial investment for qualified retirement
plans, including, but not limited to, 401(k) plans, 457 plans, employer-
sponsored 403(b) plans, defined benefit plans and other similar accounts, or
plans whereby Class R6 shares are held through omnibus accounts (either at
the plan level or the level of the plan administrator) and certain other
accounts. William Blair may make certain additional exceptions to the minimum
initial investment amount in its
91
discretion.
Class R6 shares are only available to certain investors. See “Your
Account—Class R6 Shares” for additional information on eligibility
requirements and investment minimums applicable to purchasing Class R6
shares.
Sale. Shares of the Fund
are redeemable on any day the New York Stock Exchange is open for business by
mail, wire or telephone, depending on the elections you make in the account
application.
TAX INFORMATION: The
Fund intends to make distributions that may be taxed as ordinary income or
capital gains, unless you are investing through a tax‑advantaged investment
plan. If you are investing through a tax‑advantaged investment plan, withdrawals
from the tax‑advantaged investment plan may be subject to taxes.
PAYMENTS TO BROKER-DEALERS AND OTHER FINANCIAL
INTERMEDIARIES: If you purchase shares of the Fund
through a broker-dealer or other financial intermediary (such as a bank), the
Fund and its related companies may pay the intermediary for the sale of shares
and related services. These payments may create a conflict of interest by
influencing the broker-dealer or other intermediary and your salesperson to
recommend the Fund over another investment. Ask your salesperson or visit your
financial intermediary’s website for more information.
92
WILLIAM
BLAIR EMERGING MARKETS DEBT FUND |
SUMMARY
|
INVESTMENT
OBJECTIVE: The William Blair Emerging
Markets Debt Fund seeks to provide attractive risk-adjusted returns relative to
the Fund’s benchmark through investments in hard currency denominated debt
issued in emerging market countries.
FEES AND
EXPENSES: This table describes the fees
and expenses that you may pay if you buy, hold and sell shares of the Fund. You
may pay other fees, such as brokerage commissions and other fees to financial
intermediaries, which are not reflected in the tables and examples
below.
Shareholder Fees (fees paid directly from your
investment):
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Class I |
|
|
Class R6 |
|
Maximum
Sales Charge (Load) Imposed on Purchases |
|
|
None |
|
|
|
None |
|
Redemption
Fee |
|
|
None |
|
|
|
None |
|
Annual Fund Operating Expenses (expenses that
you pay each year as a percentage of the value of your investment):
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Class I |
|
|
Class R6 |
|
Management
Fee |
|
|
0.65% |
|
|
|
0.65% |
|
Distribution
(Rule 12b‑1) Fee |
|
|
None |
|
|
|
None |
|
Other
Expenses |
|
|
0.59% |
|
|
|
0.52% |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total
Annual Fund Operating Expenses |
|
|
1.24% |
|
|
|
1.17% |
|
Fee
Waiver and/or Expense Reimbursement* |
|
|
0.54% |
|
|
|
0.52% |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total
Annual Fund Operating Expenses After Fee Waiver and/or Expense
Reimbursement |
|
|
0.70% |
|
|
|
0.65% |
|
* |
William
Blair Investment Management, LLC (the “Adviser”) has entered into a
contractual agreement with the Fund to waive fees and/or reimburse
expenses in order to limit the Fund’s operating expenses (excluding
interest expenses, taxes, brokerage commissions, acquired fund fees and
expenses, dividend and interest expenses on short sales, other
investment-related costs and extraordinary expenses, such as litigation
and other expenses not incurred in the ordinary course of the Fund’s
business) to 0.70% and 0.65% of average daily net assets for Class I
and Class R6 shares, respectively, until April 30, 2023. The
Adviser may not terminate this contractual agreement prior to
April 30,
2023 without the approval of the Fund’s Board of Trustees.
The Adviser is entitled to recoupment of previously waived fees and
reimbursed expenses for a period of three years subsequent to the Fund’s
commencement of operations to the extent that such recoupment does not
cause the annual Fund operating expenses (after the recoupment is taken
into account) to exceed both (1) the expense limit in place when such
amounts were waived or reimbursed and (2) the Fund’s current expense
limitation. |
Example: This example is
intended to help you compare the cost of investing in shares of the Fund with
the cost of investing in other mutual funds. The example assumes that you invest
$10,000 in the Fund for the time periods indicated and then redeem all of your
shares at the end of those periods. The example also assumes that your
investment has a 5% return each year and the Fund’s operating expenses remain
the same. The figures reflect the expense limitation for the first year.
Although your actual costs may be higher or lower, based on these assumptions
your costs would be:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
1 Year |
|
|
3 Years |
|
|
5 Years |
|
|
10 Years |
|
Class I |
|
|
$72 |
|
|
|
$340 |
|
|
|
$629 |
|
|
|
$1,452 |
|
Class R6 |
|
|
66 |
|
|
|
320 |
|
|
|
593 |
|
|
|
1,374 |
|
93
Portfolio
Turnover: The Fund pays transaction
costs, such as commissions, when it buys and sells securities (or “turns over”
its portfolio). A higher portfolio turnover may indicate higher transaction
costs and may result in higher taxes when Fund shares are held in a taxable
account. These costs, which are not reflected in annual fund operating expenses
or in the example, affect the Fund’s performance. For the period May 25, 2021
(commencement of operations) through December 31, 2021, the Fund’s
portfolio turnover rate was 72% of the average value of its
portfolio.
PRINCIPAL INVESTMENT
STRATEGIES: Under normal
circumstances, the Fund invests at least 80% of its net assets (plus the amount
of any borrowings for investment purposes) in debt instruments that are
economically tied to emerging market countries, which may be represented by
forwards or derivatives such as options, futures contracts or swap agreements.
Emerging markets include every country in the world except countries included in
the MSCI World Index.
Debt
securities in which the Fund invests include fixed-rate and floating-rate bonds
issued by various public (governmental) and private (corporate) issuers
(including private placements and restricted securities). The Fund invests a
significant portion of its assets in sovereign debt securities (debt securities
issued or guaranteed by foreign sovereign governments or their agencies,
authorities or political subdivisions or instrumentalities, and supranational
agencies) and debt securities of quasi-sovereign issuers (entities owned by a
sovereign government). The Fund may also invest in debt securities issued or
guaranteed by foreign corporations and foreign financial institutions. The Fund
may invest in debt securities of any credit rating, including investment grade
securities, below investment grade securities (commonly referred to as “high
yield” or “junk bonds”), and unrated securities. The Fund may invest up to a
maximum of 10% of the Fund’s net assets in distressed or defaulted debt
securities. The Fund may invest in securities of any maturity.
The
majority of the Fund’s investments are generally made in securities of issuers
based in South and Central America (including the Caribbean), Central Europe,
Eastern Europe, Asia, Africa and the Middle East. More specifically, the Fund
invests in countries where the Adviser is able to assess the specific political
and economic risks and in countries that have undertaken certain economic
reforms and reached certain growth objectives. Countries in which the Fund
invests include frontier markets (emerging markets that are early in their
development).
The
assets in which the Fund invests are denominated in the currencies of
economically developed and politically stable countries that are members of the
Organisation for Economic Co‑operation and Development (OECD). The Adviser may,
but is not required to, hedge the currency risk associated with the Fund’s
investments.
As
part of its investment strategy, the Fund may utilize derivatives, including
futures and forward contracts, swaps (including credit default swaps and total
return swaps), credit derivatives, and currency-related derivatives. Derivatives
are primarily utilized to hedge interest rate duration risk and foreign exchange
risk.
Additionally,
the Fund may maintain assets in cash, deposit, call or current accounts or
invest in short-term instruments, such as money market funds, U.S. or other
government securities, certificates of deposit, bankers’ acceptances or similar
temporary investments, to meet the expense needs of the Fund and/or to fund
withdrawals or for such other purposes as may be determined by the Adviser.
The
Fund is measured against the JPMorgan Emerging Markets Bond Index (EMBI) Global
Diversified as its primary index. The Fund is actively managed within its
objective and is not constrained by a benchmark.
THE
FUND IS NON‑DIVERSIFIED UNDER THE INVESTMENT COMPANY ACT OF 1940, AS AMENDED,
AND MAY INVEST A LARGER PERCENTAGE OF ITS ASSETS IN FEWER ISSUERS THAN
DIVERSIFIED MUTUAL FUNDS.
PRINCIPAL
RISKS: The Fund’s returns will vary, and you could lose money
by investing in the Fund. The following is a summary of the
principal risks associated with an investment in the Fund.
94
The Fund involves a high level of risk and may not be
appropriate for everyone. There can be no
assurance that the Fund’s investment objective will be achieved. The Fund is not
intended to be a complete investment program. The Fund is designed for long-term
investors.
The
principal risks of investing in the Fund (in alphabetical order after the first
six risks) are:
Market Risk. The value
of the Fund’s investments may go up or down, sometimes rapidly or unpredictably.
The value of an investment may decline due to factors affecting securities
markets generally or particular industries represented in the securities
markets. The value of an investment may decline due to general market conditions
that are not specifically related to a particular company, such as real or
perceived adverse economic conditions, changes in the general outlook for
corporate earnings, changes in interest or currency rates or adverse investor
sentiment generally. The value of an investment may also decline due to factors
that affect a particular industry or industries, such as labor shortages or
increased production costs and competitive conditions within an industry. During
a general downturn in the securities markets, multiple asset classes may decline
in value simultaneously. Geopolitical and other events may also disrupt
securities markets and adversely affect global economies and markets and thereby
decrease the value of the Fund’s investments.
Credit Risk. The value
of the Fund’s fixed income securities is subject to the ability of the issuers
of such securities to make interest payments or principal payment at maturity.
The credit ratings of issuers could change and negatively affect the Fund’s
share price or yield. The Fund’s net asset value and total return may be
adversely affected by the inability of the issuers of the Fund’s securities to
make interest payments or payment at maturity. The Fund’s investments in
obligations issued or guaranteed by U.S. Government agencies or
instrumentalities may not be backed by the full faith and credit of the United
States and may differ in the degree of support provided by the U.S. Government.
Foreign Investment Risk. The risks of foreign
investments may include less publicly available information, less stringent
investor protections and disclosure standards, less governmental regulation and
supervision of foreign stock exchanges, brokers and issuers, share registration
and custody, less stringent or a lack of uniform accounting, auditing and
financial reporting standards, practices and requirements, the possibility of
expropriation, seizure or nationalization, confiscatory taxation, limits on
repatriation, adverse changes in investment or exchange control regulations,
political instability, restrictions on the flow of international capital,
imposition of foreign withholding or other taxes, fluctuating currencies,
inflation, difficulty in obtaining and enforcing judgments against foreign
entities or other adverse political, social or diplomatic developments that
could affect the Fund’s investments. Foreign investments may be less liquid and
their prices more volatile than the securities of U.S. companies. The Fund is
expected to incur operating expenses that are higher than those of mutual funds
investing exclusively in U.S. securities due to the higher custodial fees
associated with foreign securities investments.
Emerging Markets Risk. Foreign investment risk
is typically magnified in emerging markets, which are the less developed and
developing nations. These risks are further magnified in frontier markets, which
are among the smallest and least mature investment markets.
Sovereign and Quasi-Sovereign Default
Risk. The Fund invests in securities issued by or
guaranteed by non‑U.S. sovereign governments (known as sovereign debt
securities) and in securities issued by entities that are owned or guaranteed by
non‑U.S. sovereign governments (known as quasi-sovereign debt securities). An
issuer of sovereign or quasi-sovereign debt held by the Fund, or the
governmental authorities that control the repayment of the debt, may be unable
or unwilling to repay the principal or interest when due. This may result from
political or social factors, the general economic environment of a country or
levels of foreign debt or foreign currency exchange rates.
Interest Rate
Risk. Normally, the values of fixed income
securities vary inversely with changes in prevailing interest rates. The value
of the Fund’s fixed income securities tends to decrease when interest rates rise
and tends to increase when interest rates fall. Securities with longer
maturities or durations held by the Fund are generally
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more
sensitive to interest rate changes. As such, securities with longer maturities
or durations are usually more volatile than those with shorter maturities or
durations. The negative impact on fixed income securities from rising interest
rates could be swift and significant and negatively impact the Fund’s net asset
value. A rising interest rate environment may also result in periods of
increased redemptions from fixed income funds and increased supply in the market
due to selling activity to meet redemptions. If the Fund has to liquidate
portfolio securities to meet redemptions in such an environment, it may have to
do so at disadvantageous times and prices, which could negatively impact the
Fund’s net asset value.
Aggressive Investment Technique Risk. The Fund may use
investment techniques and financial instruments that may be considered
aggressive, including but not limited to the use of futures contracts, options
on futures contracts, securities and indices, forward contracts, swap agreements
and similar instruments. Such techniques may also include taking short positions
or using other techniques that are intended to provide inverse exposure to a
particular market or other asset class, as well as leverage, which can expose
the Fund to potentially dramatic losses or gains. These techniques may expose
the Fund to potentially dramatic losses in the value of certain of its portfolio
holdings.
Counterparty and Contractual Default Risk. The Fund’s investments
in derivatives and other financial instruments that involve counterparties
subject the Fund to the risk that the counterparty could default on its
obligations under the agreement, either through the counterparty’s failure or
inability to perform its obligations or bankruptcy.
Credit Default Swap Risk. Credit default swaps
are subject to the credit risk of the underlying reference obligation and to
counterparty credit risk. If the counterparty fails to meet its obligations, the
Fund may lose money. Credit default swaps are also subject to the risk that the
Adviser will not properly assess the risk of the underlying reference
obligation. If the Fund is selling credit protection, there is a risk that a
credit event will occur and that the Fund will have to pay the counterparty. If
the Fund is buying credit protection, there is a risk that no credit event will
occur and the Fund will receive no benefit for the premium paid. Credit default
swaps may be difficult to value and may have the effect of leverage on the Fund.
Currency Risk. The value of the Fund’s
portfolio may be affected by changes in exchange rates or control regulations.
If a non‑U.S. currency gains against the U.S. dollar, the value of the security
increases in U.S. dollar terms. If a non‑U.S. currency declines against the U.S.
dollar, the value of the security decreases in U.S. dollar terms.
Derivatives Risk. Investing in
derivatives, including futures and forward contracts, swaps, credit derivatives,
and currency-related derivatives, involves investment techniques and risks
different from those associated with ordinary mutual fund securities
transactions and may involve increased transaction costs. The Fund’s investment
in derivatives may rise or fall more rapidly in value than other investments and
may reduce the Fund’s returns. Changes in the value of the derivative may not
correlate perfectly, or at all, with the underlying asset, reference rate or
index, and the Fund could lose more than the principal amount invested.
Derivatives also may be subject to certain other risks such as leveraging risk,
liquidity risk, interest rate risk, market risk, credit risk, counterparty risk,
management risk and the risk of mispricing or improper valuation. Derivatives
also may not behave as anticipated by the Fund, especially in abnormal market
conditions. The use of derivatives may increase the volatility of the Fund’s net
asset value. Derivatives may be leveraged such that a small investment in
derivative instruments can have a significant impact on the Fund’s exposure to
stock market values, interest rates, currency exchange rates or other
investments. As a result, a relatively small price movement in a derivatives
contract may cause an immediate and substantial loss or gain. It may be
difficult or impossible for the Fund to purchase or sell certain derivatives in
sufficient amounts to achieve the desired level of exposure, which may result in
a loss or may be costly to the Fund. In addition, the possible lack of a liquid
secondary market for certain derivatives and the resulting inability of the Fund
to sell or otherwise close out a derivatives position could expose the Fund to
losses and could make such derivatives more difficult for the Fund to value
accurately. Some derivatives are more sensitive to market price fluctuations and
to interest rate changes than other investments. The Fund also
96
could
suffer losses related to its derivatives positions as a result of unanticipated
market movements, which losses are potentially unlimited. The Fund also may be
exposed to losses if the counterparty in the transaction does not fulfill its
contractual obligation. In addition, derivatives traded over‑the‑counter (“OTC
derivatives”) do not benefit from the protections provided by exchanges in the
event that a counterparty is unable to fulfill its contractual obligation. Such
OTC derivatives therefore involve greater counterparty and credit risk and may
be more difficult to value than exchange-traded derivatives. When a derivative
is used as a hedge against a position that the Fund holds, any loss generated by
the derivative should generally be offset by gains on the hedged instrument, and
vice versa. While hedging can reduce or eliminate losses, it also can reduce or
eliminate gains. Hedges are sometimes subject to imperfect matching between the
derivative and the hedged investment, and there can be no assurance that the
Fund’s hedging transactions will be effective. Also, suitable derivative
transactions may not be available in all circumstances. Derivatives are subject
to fees and other costs which are not reflected in the Annual Fund Operating
Expenses table.
Derivatives
are also subject to liquidity risk. Liquidity risk is the risk that a derivative
instrument cannot be sold, closed out or replaced quickly at or very close to
its fundamental value. Generally, exchange-traded derivatives are very liquid
because the exchange clearinghouse is the counterparty of every contract. OTC
derivatives are less liquid than exchange-traded derivatives since they often
can be closed out only with the other party to the transaction. The Fund’s
ability to sell or close out a position in an instrument prior to expiration or
maturity depends on the existence of a liquid secondary market or, in the
absence of such a market, the ability and willingness of the counterparty to
enter into a transaction closing out the position. Therefore, there is no
assurance that any derivatives position can be sold or closed out at a time and
price that is favorable to the Fund.
Distressed Debt Risk. When the Fund
invests in obligations of financially troubled companies (sometimes known as
“distressed” securities), there exists the risk that the transaction involving
such debt obligations will be unsuccessful, take considerable time or will
result in a distribution of cash or a new security or obligation in exchange for
the stressed and distressed debt obligations, the value of which may be less
than the Fund’s purchase price of such debt obligations. Furthermore, if an
anticipated transaction does not occur, the Fund may be required to sell its
investment at a loss or hold its investment pending bankruptcy proceedings in
the event the issuer files for bankruptcy.
Floating and Variable Rate Securities
Risk. For floating and variable rate securities,
there may be a lag between an actual change in the underlying interest rate
benchmark and the reset time for an interest payment of such a security, which
could harm or benefit the Fund, depending on the interest rate environment or
other circumstances. In a rising interest rate environment, for example, a
floating or variable rate security that does not reset immediately would prevent
the Fund from taking full advantage of rising interest rates in a timely manner.
However, in a declining interest rate environment, the Fund may benefit from a
lag due to a security’s interest rate payment not being immediately impacted by
a decline in interest rates.
Certain
floating and variable rate securities have an interest rate floor feature, which
prevents the interest rate payable by the security from dropping below a
specified level as compared to a reference interest rate (the “reference rate”).
Such a floor protects the Fund from losses resulting from a decrease in the
reference rate below the specified level. However, if the reference rate is
below the floor, there will be a lag between a rise in the reference rate and a
rise in the interest rate payable by the security, and the Fund may not benefit
from increasing interest rates for a significant amount of time.
Geographic Risk. To the extent that the
Fund invests a significant portion of its assets in any one country or
geographic region, the Fund will be subject to greater risk of loss or
volatility than if the Fund always maintained wide geographic diversity among
the countries and geographic regions in which it invests. Investing in any one
country or geographic region makes the Fund more vulnerable to the risks of
adverse securities markets, exchange rates and social, political, regulatory and
economic events in that one country or geographic region.
High Yield Securities Risk. The Fund invests in
instruments including junk bonds and instruments that may be issued by companies
that are highly leveraged, less creditworthy or financially distressed. These
investments
97
are
considered to be speculative and are subject to greater risk of loss, greater
sensitivity to economic changes, valuation difficulties and potential
illiquidity. Such investments are subject to additional risks including
subordination to other creditors, no collateral or limited rights in collateral,
lack of a regular trading market, extended settlement periods, liquidity risks,
prepayment risks, and lack of publicly available information. Because some
instruments may have a more limited secondary market, liquidity and valuation
risk is more pronounced for the Fund than for funds that invest primarily in
other types of fixed income instruments or equity securities.
Income Risk. The income received by
the Fund may decrease as a result of a decline in interest rates.
Leverage Risk. The
Fund’s investments in derivatives or exposure to derivatives through other
investment vehicles expose the Fund to leverage inherent in such instruments.
Such leveraged investments can amplify the effects of market volatility on the
Fund’s net asset value (i.e., relatively small market movements may result in
large changes in the Fund’s net asset value) and make the Fund’s returns more
volatile. At times, the Fund’s leveraged investments may cause the Fund’s
investment exposure to exceed its net assets and could cause the Fund to
experience substantial losses, including the risk of total loss, if the market
moves against the Fund. The use of leveraged investments may also cause the Fund
to liquidate portfolio positions when it would not be advantageous to do so in
order to satisfy its obligations or to meet asset segregation requirements. The
use of leveraged investments may also cause the Fund to have higher expenses
than those of mutual funds that do not use such techniques.
LIBOR Transition
Risk. The Fund may invest in securities or
derivatives that are based on the London Interbank Offered Rate (LIBOR). LIBOR
transition risk is the risk that the transition from LIBOR to alternative
interest rate benchmarks is not orderly, occurs over various time periods or has
unintended consequences.
Liquidity Risk. Investments that trade
less frequently can be more difficult or more costly to buy, or to sell, than
more liquid or active investments. It may not be possible to sell or otherwise
dispose of illiquid securities both at the price and within a time period deemed
desirable by the Fund.
New Fund Risk. As a new
fund, there can be no assurance that the Fund will grow to or maintain an
economically viable size, in which case it could ultimately liquidate.
Non‑Diversification Risk. The Fund is
non‑diversified, meaning that it is permitted to invest a larger percentage of
its assets in fewer issuers than diversified mutual funds. Thus, the Fund may be
more susceptible to adverse developments affecting any single issuer held in its
portfolio, and may be more susceptible to greater losses because of these
developments.
Operational and Technology
Risk. Cyber-attacks, disruptions, or failures that
affect the Fund’s service providers, counterparties, market participants, or
issuers of securities held by the Fund may adversely affect the Fund and its
shareholders, including by causing losses for the Fund or impairing Fund
operations.
Private Placement Risk. Investments in private
placements may be difficult to sell at the time and at the price desired by the
Fund; companies making private placements may make less information available
than publicly offered companies; and privately placed securities are more
difficult to value than publicly traded securities. These factors may have a
negative effect on the performance of the Fund. Securities acquired through
private placements are not registered for resale in the general securities
market and may be classified as illiquid.
Regulatory Risk. Future regulatory
developments could impact the Fund’s ability to invest in certain derivatives.
It is possible that government regulation of various types of derivative
instruments, including futures, options and swap agreements, may limit or
prevent the Fund from using such instruments as a part of its investment
strategies, and could ultimately prevent the Fund from being able to achieve its
investment objective. It is impossible to predict the effects of future
legislation and regulation in this area, but the effects could be substantial
and adverse. It is possible that legislative and regulatory activity could limit
or restrict the ability of
98
the
Fund to use certain derivatives as a part of its investment strategies and could
alter, perhaps to a material extent, the nature of an investment in the Fund or
the ability of the Fund to continue to implement its investment strategies.
The
futures, options and swaps markets are subject to comprehensive statutes,
regulations, and margin requirements. In addition, the SEC, Commodity Futures
Trading Commission (“CFTC”) and the exchanges are authorized to take
extraordinary actions in the event of a market emergency, including, for
example, the implementation or reduction of speculative position limits, the
implementation of higher margin requirements, the establishment of daily price
limits and the suspension of trading. The regulation of futures, options and
swaps transactions in the United States is a changing area of law and is subject
to modification by government and judicial action.
Share Ownership Concentration Risk. To the extent that a
significant portion of the Fund’s shares is held by a limited number of
shareholders or their affiliates, there is a risk that the share trading
activities of these shareholders could disrupt the Fund’s investment strategies,
which could have adverse consequences for the Fund and other shareholders (e.g.,
by requiring the Fund to sell investments at inopportune times or causing the
Fund to maintain larger-than-expected cash positions pending acquisition of
investments). In addition, separate accounts managed by the Adviser may invest
in the Fund and, therefore, the Adviser at times may have discretionary
authority over a significant portion of the assets of the Fund. In such
instances, the Adviser’s decision to make changes to or rebalance its clients’
allocations in the separate accounts may substantially impact the Fund’s
performance.
FUND PERFORMANCE
HISTORY: Information on the Fund’s annual total
returns and average annual total returns will be provided after the Fund has
completed a full calendar year of operations. Updated
performance information will be available on the Fund’s website at
www.williamblairfunds.com
or by calling 1‑800‑635‑2886.
MANAGEMENT:
Investment
Adviser. William Blair Investment Management, LLC
is the investment adviser of the Fund.
Portfolio
Manager(s). Marcelo Assalin, a Partner of the
Adviser, and Marco Ruijer, an Associate of the Adviser, co‑manage the Fund.
Messrs. Assalin and Ruijer have co‑managed the Fund since its inception in
2021.
PURCHASE
AND SALE OF FUND SHARES:
Class I Share
Purchase. The minimum initial investment for an
account generally is $500,000 (or any lesser amount if, in William Blair’s
opinion, the investor has adequate intent and availability of funds to reach a
future level of investment of $500,000). There is no minimum for subsequent
purchases. There is no minimum initial investment for qualified retirement
plans, including, but not limited to, 401(k) plans, 457 plans,
employer-sponsored 403(b) plans, defined benefit plans and other similar
accounts, or plans whereby Class I shares are held through omnibus accounts
(either at the plan level or the level of the plan administrator) and certain
other accounts. William Blair may make certain additional exceptions to the
minimum initial investment amount in its discretion. Class I shares are
only available to certain investors. See “Your Account—Class I Shares” for
additional information on the eligibility requirements and investment minimums
applicable to purchasing Class I shares.
Class R6 Share
Purchase. The minimum initial investment for an
account is $1 million (or any lesser amount if, in William Blair’s
opinion, the investor has adequate intent and availability of funds to reach a
future level of investment of $1 million). There is no minimum for subsequent
purchases. There is no minimum initial investment for qualified retirement
plans, including, but not limited to, 401(k) plans, 457 plans,
employer-sponsored 403(b) plans, defined benefit plans and other similar
accounts, or plans whereby Class R6 shares are
99
held
through omnibus accounts (either at the plan level or the level of the plan
administrator) and certain other accounts. William Blair may make certain
additional exceptions to the minimum initial investment amount in its
discretion. Class R6 shares are only available to certain investors. See
“Your Account—Class R6 Shares” for additional information on eligibility
requirements and investment minimums applicable to purchasing Class R6
shares.
Sale. Shares of the Fund
are redeemable on any day the New York Stock Exchange is open for business by
mail, wire or telephone, depending on the elections you make in the account
application.
TAX INFORMATION: The
Fund intends to make distributions that may be taxed as ordinary income or
capital gains, unless you are investing through a tax‑advantaged investment
plan. If you are investing through a tax‑advantaged investment plan, withdrawals
from the tax‑advantaged investment plan may be subject to taxes.
PAYMENTS TO BROKER-DEALERS AND OTHER FINANCIAL
INTERMEDIARIES: If you purchase shares of the Fund
through a broker-dealer or other financial intermediary (such as a bank), the
Fund and its related companies may pay the intermediary for the sale of shares
and related services. These payments may create a conflict of interest by
influencing the broker-dealer or other intermediary and your salesperson to
recommend the Fund over another investment. Ask your salesperson or visit your
financial intermediary’s website for more information.
100
ADDITIONAL
INFORMATION REGARDING INVESTMENT OBJECTIVES AND STRATEGIES
Investment
Objectives and Strategies
The
Growth Fund, Large Cap Growth Fund, Mid Cap Growth Fund, Mid Cap Value Fund,
Small‑Mid Cap Core Fund, Small‑Mid Cap Growth Fund, Small Cap Growth Fund, Small
Cap Value Fund, Global Leaders Fund, International Leaders Fund, International
Growth Fund, Institutional International Growth Fund, International Small Cap
Growth Fund, Emerging Markets Leaders Fund, Emerging Markets Growth Fund,
Emerging Markets Small Cap Growth Fund and China Growth Fund each seek long-term
capital appreciation.
The
Emerging Markets Debt Fund seeks to provide attractive risk-adjusted returns
relative to the Fund’s benchmark through investments in hard currency
denominated debt issued in emerging market countries.
The
Summary Sections describe each Fund’s principal investment policies and
strategies intended to achieve each Fund’s investment objective. The investment
types detailed in each Fund’s Summary Section are further described in the
Investment Glossary included in this Prospectus and in the Statement of
Additional Information. For each Fund with an 80% investment policy, the Fund
will provide shareholders with at least 60 days’ notice of any changes to its
80% investment policy. In addition, each of the China Growth Fund, Emerging
Markets Debt Fund and Mid Cap Value Fund will provide shareholders with at least
60 days’ notice of any changes to its investment objective. For the avoidance of
doubt, in appropriate circumstances, synthetic instruments, such as derivatives,
and other investment companies will count toward a Fund’s 80% investment policy
if those instruments have economic characteristics similar to the other
investments included in the 80% policy.
Forward Foreign Currency
Transactions. A forward foreign currency contract
is an agreement to purchase or sell a specific currency at a specified future
date and price agreed to by the parties at the time of entering into the
contract. A Fund will not engage in forward currency contracts in which the
specified future date is more than one year from the time of entering into the
contract. A Fund will not enter into a forward currency contract if such
contract would obligate the Fund to deliver an amount of foreign currency in
excess of the value of the Fund’s securities or other assets denominated in that
currency.
The
Investment Glossary included in this Prospectus and the Statement of Additional
Information contain additional information regarding the investment types
described above.
Temporary Defensive
Position. Each Fund may significantly alter its
make‑up as a temporary defensive strategy. A defensive strategy will be employed
only if, in the judgment of the Adviser, investments in a Fund’s usual markets
or types of securities become decidedly unattractive because of current or
anticipated adverse economic, financial, political and social factors. For
temporary defensive purposes, a Fund may invest up to 100% of its assets in
other types of securities, including high-quality commercial paper, obligations
of banks and savings institutions, U.S. Government securities, government agency
securities and repurchase agreements, or it may retain funds in cash. When a
Fund is invested defensively, it may not meet its investment objective.
Use of Derivatives and ETFs for Managing Large Fund
Flows. Certain Funds may use derivative
instruments and securities of other investment companies such as exchange-traded
funds (“ETFs”) to equitize cash in situations involving large cash inflows or
anticipated large redemptions. Derivatives are financial contracts whose value
depends on, or is derived from, the value of an underlying asset, reference rate
or index. Investing in derivatives involves investment techniques and risks
different from those associated with ordinary mutual fund securities
transactions and may involve increased transaction costs. Each Fund’s investment
in derivatives may rise or fall more rapidly in value than other investments and
may reduce each Fund’s returns. Changes in the value of the derivative may not
correlate perfectly, or at all, with the underlying asset, reference rate or
index, and each Fund could lose more than the principal amount invested.
Derivatives also may be subject to certain other risks such as leveraging risk,
liquidity risk, interest rate risk, market risk, credit risk, counterparty risk,
management risk and the risk of mispricing or improper valuation. Derivatives
also may not behave as anticipated, especially in abnormal market conditions.
The use of derivatives may increase the volatility of a
101
Fund’s
net asset value. Derivatives are subject to fees and other costs which are not
reflected in the Annual Fund Operating Expenses table. Each Fund may also use
derivatives for risk management and hedging purposes, as discussed further in
the Statement of Additional Information.
The
risks of investment in other investment companies typically reflect the risk of
the types of securities in which the other investment companies invest.
Investments in ETFs are subject to the additional risk that shares of the ETF
may trade at a premium or discount to their net asset value per share. When a
Fund invests in another investment company, shareholders of the Fund bear their
proportionate share of the other investment company’s fees and expenses as well
as their share of the Fund’s fees and expenses. There may also not be an active
trading market available for shares of some ETFs. Additionally, trading of ETF
shares may be halted and ETF shares may be delisted by the listing
exchange.
Portfolio Turnover. No
Fund intends to trade portfolio securities for the purpose of realizing
short-term profits. However, each Fund will adjust its portfolio as considered
advisable in view of prevailing or anticipated market conditions and the Fund’s
investment objective, and there is no limitation on the length of time
securities must be held by the Fund prior to being sold. Portfolio turnover rate
will not be a limiting factor for a Fund. Higher portfolio turnover rates
involve correspondingly higher transaction costs, which are borne directly by a
Fund. In addition, a Fund may realize significant short-term and long-term
capital gains if portfolio turnover rate is high, which will result in taxable
distributions to investors that may be greater than those made by other funds
with lower portfolio turnover rates. Tax and transaction costs may lower a
Fund’s effective return for investors.
ESG Investing. For many
of the Funds, the Adviser’s assessment of current and prospective portfolio
holdings typically integrates an analysis of applicable environmental, social
and governance (collectively, “ESG”) factors. Typically, the ESG factors
considered by the Adviser include sustainability risks related to
(i) environmental factors such as climate change, natural resources
stewardship, and pollution and waste, (ii) social factors such as human
capital, customer well-being, supply chain management, and community relations,
and (iii) governance factors such as corporate governance and corporate
culture. The Adviser believes ESG factor integration assists the Funds’
investment teams to better understand the risks and the opportunities that may
affect the company’s business or operations. ESG factors are considered based on
criteria developed by the Adviser’s investment teams, and they are integrated
with other relevant factors to provide a holistic assessment of companies. The
Adviser seeks to ensure that the investment teams are fully aware of companies’
ESG risks and opportunities by integrating ESG factors into the investment
process in a systematic manner. The emphasis on ESG factors depends on the
importance of these factors to the relevant industry and the unique
circumstances of each company. The use of such factors and the individual
factors utilized may be changed by the Adviser without Fund shareholder
approval. Integrating ESG analysis into investment decisions requires
qualitative determinations and is often subjective by nature, and there can be
no assurance that the process utilized by the Funds or any judgment exercised by
the Adviser will reflect the beliefs or values of any particular investor.
Certain investments may be dependent on U.S. and foreign government policies,
including tax incentives and subsidies, which may change without notice.
Additionally, there is no guarantee that the Adviser’s use of ESG factors will
operate as expected when addressing positive social or environmental benefits.
The Adviser does not use ESG factors as the sole criteria to include or exclude
companies or sectors from its investable universe. Rather, when evaluating
potential benefits and risks of an investment, the Adviser focuses on ESG issues
when and to the extent that it believes ESG issues may have a significant impact
on a company’s financial performance during the Funds’ investment
horizons.
For
the Emerging Markets Debt Fund, the Adviser’s assessment of current and
prospective portfolio holdings also typically integrates an analysis of
applicable ESG factors. The Adviser believes a robust, disciplined research
process helps to uncover mispricing in emerging markets debt, and the Fund’s
investment team integrates ESG factors in a structured, quantitative, and
qualitative process that is designed to provide a holistic assessment of an
issuer’s opportunities and risks. The Adviser’s assessment of ESG factors for
emerging market debt sovereign issuers is guided by a proprietary scoring model
that incorporates data obtained from third-party vendors it deems reliable and
publicly available sources. The Adviser embeds ESG factors in its valuation
tools
102
and
relies on a multitude of factors, including scores from its proprietary
sovereign risk model, when choosing to invest in a country. When assessing ESG
risks for emerging market corporate issuers, the Adviser uses a proprietary
scorecard and takes into consideration not only whether issuers have addressed
ESG issues through policies, but also whether they have i) identified points of
improvement; ii) established concrete targets to improve them; and iii)
exhibited an ability to deliver on these targets over time. The Adviser
complements the current state analysis by incorporating a forward-looking view
on each issuer’s progress concerning ESG factors by attributing an
outlook—positive, negative or neutral—to its overall ESG score. The use of ESG
factors and the individual factors utilized may be changed by the Adviser
without Fund shareholder approval. Integrating ESG analysis into investment
decisions requires qualitative determinations and is often subjective by nature,
and there can be no assurance that the process utilized by the Fund or any
judgment exercised by the Adviser will reflect the beliefs or values of any
particular investor. Additionally, there is no guarantee that the Adviser’s use
of ESG factors will operate as expected when addressing positive social or
environmental benefits. The Adviser does not use ESG factors as the sole
criteria to include or exclude companies or sectors from its investable
universe. The Adviser does not use ESG factors as the sole criteria to include
or exclude issuers or countries from its investable universe. Rather, when
evaluating potential benefits and risks of an investment, the Adviser focuses on
ESG factors when and to the extent that it believes ESG factors may have a
significant impact on an issuer’s financial performance during the Fund’s
investment horizons.
Portfolio Holdings. A
description on the policies and procedures with respect to the disclosure of
each Fund’s portfolio securities is available in the Statement of Additional
Information.
Additional Information About the
Funds. Each Fund is a series of William Blair
Funds, an open‑end management investment company. The Adviser provides
management and investment advisory services to the Funds. This Prospectus
doesn’t tell you about every policy or risk of investing in each Fund. If you
want more information on each Fund’s allowable securities and investment
practices and the characteristics and risks of each one, you may want to request
a copy of the Statement of Additional Information (the back cover tells you how
to do this).
103
PRINCIPAL
RISKS
Each
Fund’s principal risks are summarized in the Fund’s Summary section. The
following provides additional detail about certain of those risks and additional
principal risks of each Fund.
U.S.
and Global/International Equity Funds
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Equity Funds General |
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Market |
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Style |
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Smaller Company |
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Liquidity |
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Focus |
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Valuation |
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Share Ownership Concentration |
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Non- Diversification |
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Growth
Fund |
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✓ |
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✓ |
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✓ |
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✓ |
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✓ |
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✓ |
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Large
Cap Growth Fund |
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✓ |
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✓ |
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✓ |
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✓ |
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✓ |
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Mid
Cap Growth Fund |
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✓ |
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✓ |
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✓ |
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Mid
Cap Value Fund |
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✓ |
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✓ |
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Small‑Mid
Cap Core Fund |
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✓ |
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✓ |
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✓ |
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✓ |
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✓ |
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✓ |
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Small‑Mid
Cap Growth Fund |
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✓ |
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✓ |
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✓ |
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✓ |
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✓ |
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✓ |
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Small
Cap Growth Fund |
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✓ |
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✓ |
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✓ |
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✓ |
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✓ |
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✓ |
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Small
Cap Value Fund |
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✓ |
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✓ |
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✓ |
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✓ |
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✓ |
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✓ |
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Global
Leaders Fund |
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✓ |
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✓ |
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✓ |
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International
Leaders Fund |
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✓ |
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✓ |
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✓ |
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✓ |
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✓ |
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✓ |
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✓ |
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International
Growth Fund |
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✓ |
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✓ |
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✓ |
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✓ |
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✓ |
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✓ |
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Institutional
International Growth Fund |
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✓ |
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International
Small Cap Growth Fund |
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✓ |
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Emerging
Markets Leaders Fund |
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✓ |
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✓ |
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✓ |
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✓ |
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✓ |
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✓ |
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✓ |
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✓ |
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Emerging
Markets Growth Fund |
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✓ |
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✓ |
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✓ |
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✓ |
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✓ |
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✓ |
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✓ |
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✓ |
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Emerging
Markets Small Cap Growth Fund |
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✓ |
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✓ |
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✓ |
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✓ |
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✓ |
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✓ |
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✓ |
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✓ |
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China
Growth Fund |
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✓ |
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✓ |
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✓ |
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✓ |
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✓ |
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✓ |
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✓ |
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Foreign Investment |
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Currency Risk |
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Emerging Markets |
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Geographic |
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Geopolitical |
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Derivatives |
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Operating Expenses |
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Operational and Technology |
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Portfolio Turnover Risk |
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REIT Risk |
Growth
Fund |
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✓ |
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Large
Cap Growth Fund |
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✓ |
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✓ |
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Mid
Cap Growth Fund |
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✓ |
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✓ |
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Mid
Cap Value Fund |
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✓ |
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✓ |
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✓ |
Small‑Mid
Cap Core Fund |
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✓ |
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✓ |
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Small‑Mid
Cap Growth Fund |
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✓ |
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✓ |
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Small
Cap Growth Fund |
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✓ |
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✓ |
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Small
Cap Value Fund |
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✓ |
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✓ |
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✓ |
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✓ |
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✓ |
Global
Leaders Fund |
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✓ |
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✓ |
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✓ |
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✓ |
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✓ |
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✓ |
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✓ |
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✓ |
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International
Leaders Fund |
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✓ |
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✓ |
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✓ |
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✓ |
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✓ |
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✓ |
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✓ |
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✓ |
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International
Growth Fund |
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✓ |
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✓ |
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✓ |
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✓ |
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✓ |
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✓ |
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✓ |
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✓ |
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Institutional
International Growth Fund |
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✓ |
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✓ |
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✓ |
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✓ |
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✓ |
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✓ |
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✓ |
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✓ |
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International
Small Cap Growth Fund |
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✓ |
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✓ |
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✓ |
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✓ |
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✓ |
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✓ |
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✓ |
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✓ |
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Emerging
Markets Leaders Fund |
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✓ |
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✓ |
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✓ |
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✓ |
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✓ |
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✓ |
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✓ |
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✓ |
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Emerging
Markets Growth Fund |
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✓ |
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✓ |
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✓ |
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✓ |
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✓ |
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✓ |
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✓ |
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✓ |
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✓ |
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Emerging
Markets Small Cap Growth Fund |
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✓ |
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✓ |
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✓ |
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✓ |
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✓ |
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✓ |
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✓ |
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✓ |
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✓ |
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China
Growth Fund |
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✓ |
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✓ |
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✓ |
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✓ |
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✓ |
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✓ |
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104
Emerging
Markets Debt Fund
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Market |
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Liquidity |
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Share Ownership Concentration |
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Foreign Investment |
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Emerging Markets |
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Geographic |
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Geopolitical |
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Non- Diversification |
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Credit |
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Interest Rate |
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Derivatives |
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✓ |
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✓ |
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✓ |
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✓ |
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✓ |
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✓ |
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✓ |
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✓ |
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✓ |
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✓ |
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✓ |
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Income |
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Credit Default Swap |
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Operational and Technology |
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LIBOR Transition |
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Portfolio Turnover Risk |
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Sovereign and
Quasi- Sovereign Default |
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Aggressive Investment Technique |
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Counterparty and Contractual Default |
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Currency |
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Distressed Debt |
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Floating and Variable Rate Securities |
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✓ |
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✓ |
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✓ |
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✓ |
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✓ |
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✓ |
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✓ |
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✓ |
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✓ |
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✓ |
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High Yield Securities |
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Leverage |
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New Fund |
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Private Placement |
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Regulatory |
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✓ |
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✓ |
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✓ |
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✓ |
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✓ |
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Equity Funds
General. Because each equity Fund invests
substantially all of its assets in equity securities, the primary risk is that
the value of the equity securities it holds might decrease in response to the
activities of an individual company or in response to general market, business
and economic conditions. If this occurs, a Fund’s share price may also decrease.
In addition, there is the risk that individual securities may not perform as
expected or a strategy used by the Adviser may fail to produce its intended
result.
Market Risk. The value
of the Fund’s investments may go up or down, sometimes rapidly or unpredictably.
The value of an investment may decline due to factors affecting securities
markets generally or particular industries represented in the securities
markets. The value of an investment may decline due to general market conditions
that are not specifically related to a particular company, such as real or
perceived adverse economic conditions, changes in the general outlook for
corporate earnings, changes in interest or currency rates or adverse investor
sentiment generally. Furthermore, local, regional and global events such as war,
acts of terrorism, social unrest, natural disasters, the spread of infectious
illness or other public health threats could also adversely impact issuers,
markets and economies, including in ways that cannot necessarily be foreseen.
The Fund could be negatively impacted if the value of a portfolio holding were
harmed by such political or economic conditions or events. The value of an
investment may also decline due to factors that affect a particular industry or
industries, such as labor shortages or increased production costs and
competitive conditions within an industry. During a general downturn in the
securities markets, multiple asset classes may decline in value
simultaneously.
Style Risk. Different
investment styles (e.g., growth vs. value, quality bias, market capitalization
focus) tend to shift in and out of favor depending on market conditions and
investor sentiment, and at times when the investment style used by the Adviser
for a Fund is out of favor, the Fund may underperform other equity funds that
use different investment styles.
Smaller Company
Risk. Stocks of smaller companies involve greater
risk than those of larger, more established companies. This is because smaller
companies may be in earlier stages of development, may be dependent on a small
number of products or services, may lack substantial capital reserves and/or do
not have proven track records. Smaller companies may be more adversely affected
by poor economic or market conditions, and may be traded in low volumes, which
may increase volatility and liquidity risks. From time to time, each of the
Funds that invest in small cap stocks may invest in the equity securities of
very small cap companies, often referred to as “micro‑cap” companies. For
purposes of the Funds, “micro‑cap” companies are those with market
capitalizations of $500 million or less at the time of a Fund’s investment
(except for the U.S. equity growth Funds, for which “micro‑cap” companies are
those with market capitalizations of $1 billion or less at the time of a
Fund’s investment). The considerations noted above are generally intensified for
these investments. Any convertible debentures issued by small cap companies are
likely to be lower-rated or non‑rated securities, which generally involve more
credit risk than debentures in the higher rating categories and generally
include some speculative characteristics, including uncertainties or exposure to
adverse business, financial or economic conditions that could lead to inadequate
capacity to meet timely interest and principal payments.
105
Liquidity
Risk. Investments that trade less frequently can
be more difficult or more costly to buy, or to sell, than more liquid or active
investments. It may not be possible to sell or otherwise dispose of illiquid
securities both at the price and within a time period deemed desirable by a
Fund. Securities subject to liquidity risk in which a Fund may invest include
emerging market securities, stocks of smaller companies, private placements,
Rule 144A securities, below-investment-grade securities and other securities
without an established market. Liquidity risk may be magnified for fixed income
securities in a rising interest rate environment if there is increased supply in
the market due to selling activity. If dealer capacity in fixed income markets
is insufficient for market conditions, it may further inhibit liquidity and
increase volatility in the fixed income markets.
Dislocations
in certain parts of markets are resulting in reduced liquidity for certain
investments. It is uncertain when financial markets will improve and economic
conditions will stabilize. Liquidity of financial markets may also be affected
by government intervention and political, social, health, economic or market
developments. During period of market stress, a Fund’s assets could potentially
experience significant levels of illiquidity.
Focus Risk. To the
extent that a Fund focuses its investments in particular industries, asset
classes or sectors of the economy, any market price movements, regulatory or
technological changes, or economic conditions affecting companies in those
industries, asset classes or sectors may have a significant impact on the Fund’s
performance. For example, consumer goods companies could be hurt by a rise in
unemployment or technology companies could be hurt by such factors as market
saturation, price competition and rapid obsolescence.
For
the International Leaders Fund and the Emerging Markets Leaders Fund, because
each Fund may focus its investments in a limited number of securities, its
performance may be more volatile than a fund that invests in a greater number of
securities. If securities in which these Funds invest perform poorly, the Funds
could incur greater losses than they would have had they invested in a greater
number of securities.
Valuation Risk. In
certain circumstances, portfolio securities may be valued using techniques other
than market quotations, including using fair value pricing. Portfolio securities
that are valued using such techniques may be subject to greater fluctuation in
their value from one day to the next than would be the case if market quotations
were used. In addition, there is no assurance that a Fund could sell a portfolio
security for the value established for it at any time, and it is possible that a
Fund could incur a loss because a portfolio security is sold for a lower value
than its established value.
Share Ownership Concentration
Risk. To the extent that a significant portion of
a Fund’s shares is held by a limited number of shareholders or their affiliates,
there is a risk that the share trading activities of these shareholders could
disrupt the Fund’s investment strategies, which could have adverse consequences
for the Fund and other shareholders (e.g., by requiring the Fund to sell
investments at inopportune times or causing the Fund to maintain
larger-than-expected cash positions pending acquisition of investments). In
addition, separate accounts managed by the Adviser may invest in the Emerging
Markets Leaders Fund, Emerging Markets Growth Fund, Emerging Markets Small Cap
Growth Fund and, Emerging Markets Debt Fund and, therefore, the Adviser at times
may have discretionary authority over a significant portion of the assets of a
Fund. In such instances, the Adviser’s decision to make changes to or rebalance
its clients’ allocations in the separate accounts may substantially impact the
Fund’s performance.
Non‑Diversification Risk. The Large Cap Growth
Fund, China Growth Fund and Emerging Markets Debt Fund are each non‑diversified,
meaning that they are permitted to invest a larger percentage of their
respective assets in fewer issuers than diversified mutual funds. Thus, each
Fund may be more susceptible to adverse developments affecting any single issuer
held in their respective portfolios, and may be more susceptible to greater
losses because of these developments.
Foreign Investment
Risk. The risks of investing in securities of
foreign issuers may include less publicly available information, less stringent
investor protections and disclosure standards, less governmental regulation and
supervision of foreign stock exchanges, brokers and issuers, share registration
and custody, less stringent or a
106
lack
of uniform accounting, auditing and financial reporting standards, practices and
requirements, the possibility of expropriation, seizure or nationalization,
confiscatory taxation, trade restrictions (including tariffs), limits on
repatriation, adverse changes in investment or exchange control regulations,
political instability, restrictions on the flow of international capital,
imposition of foreign withholding and other taxes, fluctuating currencies,
inflation, difficulty in obtaining and enforcing judgments against foreign
entities or other adverse political, social or diplomatic developments that
could affect a Fund’s investments. Securities of some foreign issuers are less
liquid and their prices more volatile than the securities of U.S. companies. In
addition, the time period for settlement of transactions in certain foreign
markets generally is longer than for U.S. markets.
Foreign
securities held by a Fund may be denominated in currencies other than the U.S.
dollar. Therefore, changes in foreign exchange rates will affect the value of
the securities held by a Fund either beneficially or adversely. Fluctuations in
foreign currency exchange rates will also affect the dollar value of dividends
and interest earned, gains and losses realized on the sale of securities and net
investment income and gains, if any, available for distribution to
shareholders.
Currency Risk. The value of a Fund’s
portfolio may be affected by changes in exchange rates or control regulations.
If a local currency gains against the U.S. dollar, the value of the security
increases in U.S. dollar terms. If a local currency declines against the U.S.
dollar, the value of the security decreases in U.S. dollar terms.
Emerging Markets
Risk. Foreign investment risk is typically
magnified in emerging markets, which are the less developed and developing
nations. Certain of these countries have in the past failed to recognize private
property rights and have at times nationalized and expropriated the assets of
private companies. Political, social and economic structures in many emerging
market countries may be less established than in developed countries and may
change rapidly. Such countries may also lack the social, political and economic
characteristics of more developed countries. Unanticipated political, social or
economic developments may affect the values of a Fund’s investments in emerging
market countries and the availability to a Fund of additional investments in
these countries. The legal remedies for investors in emerging markets may be
more limited than the remedies available in the U.S., and the ability of U.S.
authorities (e.g., the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) and
the U.S. Department of Justice) to bring actions against bad actors may be
limited.
The
currencies of certain emerging market countries have from time to time
experienced a steady devaluation relative to the U.S. dollar, and continued
devaluations may adversely affect the value of a Fund’s assets denominated in
such currencies. Many emerging market countries have experienced substantial
rates of inflation for many years, and continued inflation may adversely affect
the economies and securities markets of such countries.
The
small size, limited trading volume and relative inexperience of the financial
markets in these countries may make a Fund’s investments in such countries
illiquid and more volatile than investments in more developed countries. There
may be little financial or accounting information available with respect to
issuers located in these countries, and this information may not reflect the
issuer’s financial position in the same way as it would be reflected if the
financial and accounting information had been prepared in accordance with U.S.
Generally Accepted Accounting Principles. As a result, it may be difficult to
assess the value or prospects of an investment in such issuers.
The
system of share registration and custody in some emerging market countries may
create certain risks of loss (including in some cases the risk of total loss)
and a Fund may be required to establish special custodial or other arrangements
before making investments in these countries. There is an increased risk of
uninsured loss due to lost, stolen or counterfeit stock certificates or
unauthorized trading, or other fraudulent activity.
Prior
governmental approval of non‑U.S. investments may be required and foreign
investment in U.S. companies may be subject to limitation in some emerging
market countries. Foreign ownership limitations also may be imposed by the
charters of individual companies in emerging market countries to prevent, among
other concerns,
107
violation
of foreign investment limitations. Repatriation of investment income, capital
and proceeds of sales by foreign investors may require governmental registration
and/or approval in some developing countries. A Fund could be adversely affected
by delays in or a refusal to grant any required governmental registration or
approval for such repatriation.
The
economies of certain developing countries may be dependent upon international
trade and, accordingly, have been and may continue to be adversely affected by
trade barriers, exchange controls, managed adjustments in relative currency
values and other protectionist measures imposed or negotiated by the countries
with which they trade. These economies also have been and may continue to be
adversely affected by economic conditions in the countries with which they
trade.
With
respect to the Emerging Markets Debt Fund, the risks of investing in emerging
markets are further magnified in frontier markets, which may have greater
political or economic instability and may also be subject to trade barriers,
adjustments in currency values and developing or changing securities laws and
other regulations. Investments in frontier market countries generally are less
liquid and subject to greater price volatility than investments in developed
markets or emerging markets generally.
Risks of Investing in
Russia. The United States and European Union have
instituted various sanctions against Russia and certain Russian individuals,
banking entities and corporations in response to Russia’s large-scale military
invasion of Ukraine in February 2022. These sanctions and other
intergovernmental actions that may be undertaken against Russia may result in
the devaluation of Russian currency, a downgrade in the country’s credit rating,
and a decline in the value and liquidity of Russian stocks. These sanctions
could result in the immediate freeze of Russian securities, impairing the
ability of a Fund to buy, sell, receive or deliver those securities. In
addition, retaliatory action by the Russian government could involve the seizure
of assets and any such actions are likely to impair the value and liquidity of
such assets. Any or all of these potential results could harm Russia’s economy.
These sanctions, and the continued disruption of the Russian economy, could have
a negative effect on the performance of a Fund.
Risks of Investing in
China. By investing in securities or instruments
that are economically tied to the PRC, a Fund is subject to certain risks in
addition to those generally applicable to investment in foreign and emerging
markets. The PRC has had a relatively stable political environment in recent
periods, but such stability is not guaranteed to continue. A Fund’s exposure to
the PRC is also subject to certain other risks including, among others, risks
associated with (i) inefficiencies associated with inconsistent growth,
(ii) the limited operating history and relatively small size of many
companies in China, (iii) the potential for, at times significant,
government intervention in markets or the economy at large, (iv) the
uncertainty inherent in, and potential changes that could be made in respect of,
the rules and regulations of the market access programs that govern many
investments in the PRC, and (v) uncertainty in whether the PRC’s government
is committed to continuing economic reforms. In addition to these risks, the
relationship between the PRC and Hong Kong or Macau may present a risk to a
Fund’s investment in the PRC, Hong Kong, or Macau. Controls on foreign
investment in the PRC and limitations on repatriation of invested capital
present additional risks for a Fund’s investment in the PRC. Although there has
been a recent relaxation of requirements governing the repatriation of funds
under certain market access programs, it is not clear whether and how these
relaxed requirements will be implemented in practice. As a result, due to
regulatory requirements in the PRC, a Fund may be limited in its ability to
invest in securities or instruments tied to the PRC and/or may be required to
liquidate its holdings in securities or instruments tied to the PRC, including
at an inopportune time—which could result in losses for a Fund. Securities
exchanges in the PRC also typically have the right to suspend or limit trading
in any security traded on the relevant exchange. The PRC government or relevant
PRC regulators may also implement policies that may adversely affect the PRC
financial markets. Such suspensions, limitations or policies may have a negative
impact on the performance of a Fund’s investments.
108
Pursuant
to an Executive Order issued in November 2020 and subsequently amended in June
2021 (collectively, the “Order”), U.S. persons, including the Funds, are
prohibited from transacting in publicly traded securities of any “Communist
Chinese Military Company” (“CCMC”) specifically identified in the Order. The
Order is intended to prevent China from exploiting U.S. investors to finance the
development and modernization of its military. Also, in December 2020, the
Holding Foreign Companies Accountable Act (“HFCAA”) was signed into law and
requires companies publicly listed on stock exchanges in the United States to
declare they are not owned or controlled by any foreign government. Under the
HFCAA, Chinese companies listed on stock exchanges in the United States could be
de‑listed if they utilize an auditor that is not subject to inspection from the
Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (“PCAOB”). In September 2021, the
PCAOB adopted a final rule implementing the HFCAA, which prohibits foreign
companies from listing their securities on U.S. stock exchanges if these
companies do not permit oversight of the audit by the PCAOB for three
consecutive years. In addition, in December 2021, the SEC adopted final
amendments implementing the disclosure and submission requirements of
the HFCAA. The Order, HFCAA or similar future actions by the United States
government, may limit the securities in which a Fund may invest.
Variable Interest
Entities. A Fund’s investments in emerging markets
may also include investments in U.S.- or Hong Kong-listed issuers that have
entered into contractual relationships with a China-based business and/or
individuals/entities affiliated with the business structured as a variable
interest entity (“VIE”). Instead of directly owning the equity interests in a
Chinese company, the listed company has contractual arrangements with the
Chinese company, which are expected to provide the listed company with exposure
to the China-based company. These arrangements are often used because of Chinese
governmental restrictions on non‑Chinese ownership of companies in certain
industries in China. By entering into contracts with the listed company that
sells shares to U.S. investors, the China-based companies and/or related
individuals/entities indirectly raise capital from U.S. investors without
distributing ownership of the China-based companies to U.S. investors.
Even
though the listed company does not own any equity in the China-based company,
the listed company expects to exercise power over and obtain economic
rights from the China-based company based on the contractual arrangements. All
or most of the value of an investment in these companies depends on the
enforceability of the contracts between the listed company and the
China-based VIE. If the parties to the contractual arrangements do not meet
their obligations as intended or there are effects on the enforceability of
these arrangements from changes in Chinese law or practice, the listed company
may lose control over the China-based company, and investments in the listed
company’s securities may suffer significant economic losses.
The
contractual arrangements permit the listed issuer to include the financial
results of the China-based VIE as a consolidated subsidiary. The
listed company often is organized in a jurisdiction other than the United States
or China (e.g., the Cayman Islands), which likely will not have the same
disclosure, reporting, and governance requirements as the United States.
While
VIEs are a longstanding industry practice, well known to Chinese officials and
regulators, VIEs are not formally recognized under Chinese law. The Chinese
government could determine at any time and without notice that the underlying
contractual arrangements on which control of the VIE is based violate Chinese
law, which may result in a significant loss in the value of an investment in a
listed company that uses a VIE structure. Other risks associated with such
investments include the risk that a breach of the contractual agreements between
the listed company and the China-based VIE (or its officers,
directors, or Chinese equity owners) will likely be subject to Chinese law and
jurisdiction, which raises questions about whether and how the listed company or
its investors could seek recourse in the event of an adverse ruling as to its
contractual rights; and that investments in the listed company may be affected
by conflicts of interest and duties between the legal owners of the
China-based VIE and the stockholders of the listed company, which may
adversely impact the value of investments of the listed company.
109
Risks of Investing through China Stock
Connect. China A‑shares (“A‑shares”) are equity
securities of companies based in mainland China that trade on Chinese stock
exchanges such as the Shanghai Stock Exchange (“SSE”) and the Shenzhen Stock
Exchange (“SZSE”). Foreign investment in A‑shares on the SSE and SZSE has
historically not been permitted, other than through a license granted under
regulations in the People’s Republic of China known as the Qualified Foreign
Institutional Investor and Renminbi Qualified Foreign Institutional Investor
systems. Each license permits investment in A‑shares only up to a specified
quota.
Investment
in eligible A‑shares listed and traded on the SSE or the SZSE is also permitted
through the respective Shanghai-Hong Kong and Shenzhen‑Hong Kong Stock Connect
programs (together, “Stock Connect”). Stock Connect is a securities trading and
clearing links program developed by Hong Kong Exchanges and Clearing Limited
(“HKEX”), SSE, SZSE, and China Securities Depositary and Clearing Corporation
Limited (“ChinaClear”) with an aim to achieve mutual stock market access between
the People’s Republic of China and Hong Kong.
Investment
in eligible A‑shares through Stock Connect is subject to trading, clearance and
settlement procedures that could pose risks to a Fund. Stock Connect imposes
daily quota limitations, and investors may not purchase and sell the same
security on the same trading day, which may restrict a Fund’s ability to enter
into or exit trades on a timely basis. Stock Connect can operate only when the
Shanghai or Shenzhen markets, in addition to the Hong Kong market, are open for
trading and when banking services are available in both markets on the
corresponding settlement days. As such, if one or both markets are closed on a
U.S. trading day, a Fund may not be able to dispose of its A‑shares in a timely
manner, which could adversely affect Fund performance. HKEX, SSE, and SZSE each
reserve the right to suspend trading and the A‑shares market has historically
had a higher propensity for trading suspensions than many other global equity
markets. Because of the way in which A‑shares are held in Stock Connect, a Fund
may not be able to exercise the rights of a shareholder and may be limited in
their ability to pursue claims against the issuer of a security.
The
regulations of Stock Connect are relatively new and untested and are subject to
changes, which could adversely impact a Fund’s rights with respect to its
A‑shares. As Stock Connect is relatively new, there are no assurances that the
operational systems of the relevant market participants comprising the Stock
Connect program will function properly, independently or in coordination with
other participants. U.S. sanctions or other investment restrictions could
preclude a Fund from investing in certain Chinese issuers or cause a Fund to
sell investments at a disadvantageous time.
Quota Limitations. The
Stock Connect is subject to quota limitations; in particular, once the remaining
balance of the relevant quota drops to zero or the daily quota is exceeded, buy
orders will be rejected (although investors will be permitted to sell their
cross-boundary securities regardless of the quota balance). Therefore, quota
limitations may restrict a Fund’s ability to invest through the Stock Connect on
a timely basis, and the relevant Fund may not be able to effectively pursue its
investment strategy.
Legal/Beneficial
Ownership. The SSE and SZSE A‑shares in respect of
the Funds are held by the depositary/sub‑custodian in accounts in the Hong Kong
Central Clearing and Settlement System maintained by the HKSCC as central
securities depositary in Hong Kong. HKSCC in turn holds the SSE and SZSE
A‑shares, as the nominee holder, through an omnibus securities account in its
name registered with ChinaClear. The precise nature and rights of the Funds as
the beneficial owners of the SSE and SZSE A‑shares through HKSCC as nominee is
not well defined under PRC law. Because HKSCC is only a nominee holder and not
the beneficial owner of SSE or SZSE A‑shares, in the unlikely event that HKSCC
becomes subject to winding up proceedings in Hong Kong, investors should note
that SSE and SZSE A‑shares will not be regarded as part of the general assets of
HKSCC available for distribution to creditors even under mainland China law.
However, HKSCC will not be
110
obliged
to take any legal action or enter into court proceedings to enforce any rights
on behalf of investors in SSE or SZSE A‑shares in mainland China. Foreign
investors, like the Funds investing through the Stock Connect holding the SSE or
SZSE A‑shares through HKSCC, are the beneficial owners of the assets and are
therefore eligible to exercise their rights through the nominee only.
Clearing and Settlement
Risk. HKSCC and ChinaClear have established the
clearing links and each has become a participant of the other to facilitate
clearing and settlement of cross-boundary trades. For cross-boundary trades
initiated in a market, the clearing house of that market will on one hand clear
and settle with its own clearing participants, and on the other hand undertake
to fulfill the clearing and settlement obligations of its clearing participants
with the counterparty clearing house. As the national central counterparty of
the PRC’s securities market, ChinaClear operates a comprehensive network of
clearing, settlement and stock holding infrastructure. ChinaClear has
established a risk management framework and measures that are approved and
supervised by the China Securities Regulatory Commission. The chances of a
ChinaClear default are considered to be remote. In the remote event of a
ChinaClear default, HKSCC’s liabilities in SSE and SZSE A‑shares under its
market contracts with clearing participants will be limited to assisting
clearing participants in pursuing their claims against ChinaClear. HKSCC should
in good faith, seek recovery of the outstanding stocks and monies from
ChinaClear through available legal channels or through ChinaClear’s liquidation.
In that event, the relevant Fund may suffer delay in the recovery process or may
not fully recover its losses from ChinaClear.
Suspension Risk. Each
of the SEHK, SSE and SZSE reserves the right to suspend trading, if necessary,
for ensuring an orderly and fair market and that risks are managed prudently.
Consent from the relevant regulator would be sought before a suspension is
triggered. Where a suspension is effected, the Fund’s ability to access the PRC
market will be adversely affected.
Differences in Trading
Day. The Stock Connect only operates on days when
both the PRC and Hong Kong markets are open for trading and when banks in both
markets are open on the corresponding settlement days. It is therefore possible
that there are occasions when it is a normal trading day for the PRC market, but
the Funds cannot carry out any trading via the Stock Connect. The Funds may be
subject to a risk of price fluctuations during the time when the Stock Connect
is not trading as a result.
Restrictions on Selling Imposed by Front‑end
Monitoring. PRC regulations require that before an
investor sells any A‑share, there should be sufficient shares in the account;
otherwise the SSE or SZSE will reject the sell order concerned. SEHK will carry
out pre‑trade checking on sell orders of its participants (i.e., the
stockbrokers) to ensure there is no over-selling. If a Fund intends to sell
certain A‑shares it holds, it must transfer those shares to the respective
accounts of its broker(s) before the market opens on the day of selling
(“trading day”). If it fails to meet this deadline, it will not be able to sell
those shares on the trading day. Because of this requirement, a Fund may not be
able to dispose of its holdings in a timely manner.
Operational Risk. The
Stock Connect is premised on the functioning of the operational systems of the
relevant market participants. Market participants are permitted to participate
in this program subject to meeting certain information technology capability,
risk management and other requirements as may be specified by the relevant
exchange and/or clearing house. The securities regimes and legal systems of the
two markets differ significantly and market participants may need to address
issues arising from the differences on an on‑going basis. There is no assurance
that the systems of the SEHK and market participants will function properly or
will continue to be adapted to changes and developments in both markets. In the
event that the relevant systems fail to function properly, trading in both
markets through Stock Connect could be disrupted. A Fund’s ability to access the
market (and hence to pursue its investment strategy) may be adversely
affected.
111
Regulatory Risk. The
Stock Connect is a novel concept. The current regulations are relatively new and
untested and there is no certainty as to how they will be applied. In addition,
the current regulations are subject to change and there can be no assurance that
the Stock Connect will not be abolished. New regulations may be issued from time
to time by the regulators/stock exchanges in the PRC and Hong Kong in connection
with operations, legal enforcement and cross-border trades under the Stock
Connect. Funds may be adversely affected as a result of such changes.
Recalling of Eligible
Stocks. When a stock is recalled from the scope of
eligible stocks for trading via the Stock Connect, the stock can only be sold
and is restricted from being bought. This may affect the investment portfolio or
strategies of the relevant Funds, for example, if the Adviser wishes to purchase
a stock that is recalled from the scope of eligible stocks.
No Protection by Investor Compensation
Fund. Investment in SSE and SZSE A‑shares via the
Stock Connect is conducted through brokers and is subject to the risks of
default by such brokers’ in their obligations. Investments of Funds are not
covered by the Hong Kong’s Investor Compensation Fund, which has been
established to pay compensation to investors of any nationality who suffer
pecuniary losses as a result of default of a licensed intermediary or authorized
financial institution in relation to exchange-traded products in Hong Kong.
Since default matters in respect of SSE and SZSE A‑shares via Stock Connect do
not involve products listed or traded in SEHK or Hong Kong Futures Exchange
Limited, they will not be covered by the Investor Compensation Fund. Therefore,
the Funds are exposed to the risks of default of the broker(s) it engages in its
trading through the Stock Connect.
Geographic
Risk. Although the Equity Funds investing
primarily in foreign securities currently intend to maintain geographic
diversification, the Equity Funds have the flexibility to invest no more than
50% (65% for Global Leaders Fund) of their equity holdings in securities of
issuers in any one country. To the extent that an Equity Fund invests a
significant portion of its assets in any one country or geographic region, the
Fund will be subject to greater risk of loss or volatility than if the Fund
always maintained wide geographic diversity among the countries or geographic
regions in which it invests. Investing in any one country or geographic region
makes a Fund more vulnerable to the risks of adverse securities markets,
exchange rates and social, political, regulatory and economic events in that one
country or geographic region.
Geopolitical
Risk. Geopolitical and other events may disrupt
securities markets and adversely affect global economies and markets and thereby
decrease the value of a Fund’s investments. War, terrorism, economic
uncertainty, and related geopolitical events have led, and in the future may
lead, to increased short-term market volatility and may have adverse long-term
effects on U.S. and world economies and markets generally. Likewise, natural and
environmental disasters and systemic market dislocations could be highly
disruptive to economies and markets, adversely affecting individual companies
and industries, securities markets, interest rates, credit ratings, inflation,
investor sentiment, and other factors affecting the value of a Fund’s
investments. The United Kingdom (the “UK”) withdrew from the European Union (the
“EU”) in January 2020, commonly referred to as “Brexit.” Uncertainty surrounding
the consequences of Brexit could result in economic, market, and currency
instability and volatility in the UK, Europe and worldwide. Additional members
of the EU could pursue similar procedures to withdraw from the EU, increasing
the risk of such instability and volatility.
During
global market disruptions, a Fund’s exposure to the risks described elsewhere in
this Prospectus will likely increase. Market disruptions can also prevent a Fund
from implementing its investment strategies for a period of time and achieving
its investment objective. For example, a market disruption may adversely affect
the orderly functioning of the securities markets and may cause a Fund’s
derivatives counterparties to discontinue offering derivatives on some
underlying securities, reference rates, or indices, or to offer them on a more
limited basis.
Government and Regulatory
Risk. Governmental and regulatory authorities in
the United States and other countries have taken, and may in the future take,
actions intervening in the markets in which a Fund invests, and
112
in
the economy more generally. Governmental and regulatory authorities may also act
to increase the scope or burden of regulations applicable to a Fund or to the
companies in which a Fund invests. The effects of these actions on the markets
generally, and a Fund’s investment program in particular, can be uncertain and
could restrict the ability of a Fund to fully implement its investment
strategies, either generally, or with respect to certain securities, industries
or countries. For example, sanctions or other investment restrictions imposed by
governments could preclude a Fund from investing in certain issuers or cause a
Fund to sell investments at a disadvantageous time; new regulations on certain
types of companies, including new anti-trust regulations, could adversely affect
the value of certain investments held by a Fund; and new regulations promulgated
by securities regulators could increase the costs of investing in a Fund by
increasing expenses borne by the Fund in order to comply with such
regulations.
By
contrast, markets in some non‑U.S. countries historically have been subject to
little regulation or oversight by governmental or regulatory authorities, which
could heighten the risk of loss due to fraud or market failures in those
countries. For example, a foreign government’s decision not to subject companies
to uniform accounting, auditing and financial reporting standards practices, and
requirements comparable to those applicable to U.S.‑based companies could
increase the risk that accounting fraud goes undetected. The lack of
government-enforced oversight may result in investors having limited rights and
few practical remedies to pursue shareholder claims.
Furthermore,
governments, agencies or other regulatory bodies may adopt or change laws or
regulations that could adversely affect a Fund or the market value of an
instrument held by a Fund. The Adviser cannot predict the effects of any new
laws or regulation that may be implemented, and there can be no assurance that
any new laws or regulations will not adversely affect a Fund’s ability to
achieve its investment objective. For example, financial entities, such as
investment companies and investment advisers, are generally subject to extensive
government regulation that may change frequently and have significant adverse
consequences on a Fund. Similarly, investments in certain industries, sectors or
countries may also be subject to extensive regulation. Economic downturns and
political changes can trigger economic, legal, budgetary, tax, and other
regulatory changes. Regulatory changes may impact the way a Fund is regulated or
the way a Fund’s investments are regulated, affect the expenses incurred
directly by a Fund and the value of its investments, and limit and/or preclude a
Fund’s ability to pursue its investment strategy or achieve its investment
objective.
Derivatives
Risk. Investing in derivatives involves investment
techniques and risks different from those associated with ordinary mutual fund
securities transactions and may involve increased transaction costs. The Fund’s
investment in derivatives may rise or fall more rapidly in value than other
investments and may reduce the Fund’s returns. Changes in the value of the
derivative may not correlate perfectly, or at all, with the underlying asset,
reference rate or index, and the Fund could lose more than the principal amount
invested. Derivatives also may be subject to certain other risks such as
leveraging risk, liquidity risk, interest rate risk, market risk, credit risk,
counterparty risk, management risk and the risk of mispricing or improper
valuation. Derivatives also may not behave as anticipated by the Fund,
especially in abnormal market conditions. The use of derivatives may increase
the volatility of the Fund’s net asset value. Derivatives may be leveraged such
that a small investment in derivative instruments can have a significant impact
on the Fund’s exposure to stock market values, interest rates, currency exchange
rates or other investments. As a result, a relatively small price movement in a
derivatives contract may cause an immediate and substantial loss or gain. It may
be difficult or impossible for the Fund to purchase or sell certain derivatives
in sufficient amounts to achieve the desired level of exposure, which may result
in a loss or may be costly to the Fund. Some derivatives are more sensitive to
market price fluctuations and to interest rate changes than other investments.
The Fund also could suffer losses related to its derivatives positions as a
result of unanticipated market movements, which losses are potentially
unlimited. The Fund also may be exposed to losses if the counterparty in the
transaction does not fulfill its contractual obligation. In addition,
derivatives traded over‑the‑counter (“OTC derivatives”) do not benefit from the
protections provided by exchanges in the event that a counterparty is unable to
fulfill its contractual obligation. Such OTC derivatives therefore involve
greater counterparty and credit risk and may be more difficult to value than
exchange-traded derivatives. When a derivative is used as a hedge against a
position that the Fund
113
holds,
any loss generated by the derivative should generally be offset by gains on the
hedged instrument, and vice
versa.
While hedging can reduce or eliminate losses, it also can reduce or eliminate
gains. Hedges are sometimes subject to imperfect matching between the derivative
and the hedged investment, and there can be no assurance that the Fund’s hedging
transactions will be effective. Also, suitable derivative transactions may not
be available in all circumstances. Derivatives are subject to fees and other
costs which are not reflected in the Annual Fund Operating Expenses table.
Derivatives
are also subject to liquidity risk. Liquidity risk is the risk that a derivative
instrument cannot be sold, closed out or replaced quickly at or very close to
its fundamental value. Generally, exchange-traded derivatives are very liquid
because the exchange clearinghouse is the counterparty of every contract. OTC
derivatives are less liquid than exchange-traded derivatives since they often
can be closed out only with the other party to the transaction. The Fund’s
ability to sell or close out a position in an instrument prior to expiration or
maturity depends on the existence of a liquid secondary market or, in the
absence of such a market, the ability and willingness of the counterparty to
enter into a transaction closing out the position. Therefore, there is no
assurance that any derivatives position can be sold or closed out at a time and
price that is favorable to the Fund. The possible lack of a liquid secondary
market for certain derivatives and the resulting inability of the Fund to sell
or otherwise close out a derivatives position could expose the Fund to losses
and could make such derivatives more difficult for the Fund to value accurately.
In addition, if the Fund has insufficient cash to meet daily variation margin or
payment requirements, it may have to sell securities from its portfolio at a
time when it may be disadvantageous to do so.
In
October 2020, the SEC adopted a final rule related to the use of derivatives,
short sales, reverse repurchase agreements and certain other transactions by
registered investment companies. Subject to certain exceptions, and after a
transition period, the final rule requires a Fund to trade derivatives (and
other transactions that create future payment or delivery obligations) subject
to a value‑at‑risk leverage limit requirement and certain derivatives risk
management program and reporting requirements. However, subject to certain
conditions, Funds that do not invest heavily in derivatives may be deemed
limited derivatives users and would not be subject to the full requirements of
the new rule. These requirements may limit the ability of a Fund to use
derivatives, short sales, reverse repurchase agreements and similar financing
transactions as part of its investment strategies and may increase the cost of
the Funds’ investments and cost of doing business, which could adversely affect
investors. In connection with the final rule, the SEC and its staff will rescind
and withdraw applicable guidance and relief regarding asset segregation and
coverage transactions reflected in a Fund’s asset segregation and cover
practices discussed above. Compliance with the new rule will be required in
August 2022.
Operating Expenses
Risk. The Funds investing primarily in foreign
securities are expected to incur operating expenses that are higher than those
of mutual funds investing exclusively in U.S. securities because expenses such
as custodial fees related to foreign investments are usually higher than those
associated with investments in U.S. securities. The Funds sell and redeem shares
in U.S. dollars and there are costs associated with converting holdings in
foreign currencies to U.S. dollars. In addition, dividends and interest from
foreign securities may be subject to foreign withholding taxes. (For more
information, see “Your Account—Federal Income Taxes.”)
Interest Rate
Risk. Normally, the values of fixed income
securities vary inversely with changes in prevailing interest rates. The value
of a Fund’s fixed income securities tends to decrease when interest rates rise
and tends to increase when interest rates fall. Securities with longer
maturities or durations held by a Fund are generally more sensitive to interest
rate changes. As such, securities with longer maturities or durations are
usually more volatile than those with shorter maturities or durations. Very low
or negative interest rates may magnify interest rate risk for the markets as a
whole and for a Fund. A Fund’s investment in variable rate securities will
generally be less sensitive to interest rate changes, but such securities may
decline in value if their interest rates do not rise as much, or as quickly, as
interest rates in general. The negative impact on fixed income securities from
rising interest rates could be swift and significant and negatively impact the
Fund’s net asset value.
114
Interest
rates in the United States are currently near historically low levels. Certain
countries have experienced negative interest rates on certain fixed-income
instruments. Very low or negative interest rates may magnify interest rate risk.
Changing interest rates, including rates that fall below zero, may have
unpredictable effects on markets, may result in heightened market volatility and
may detract from Fund performance to the extent a Fund is exposed to such
interest rates and/or volatility.
Credit Risk. The value
of a Fund’s securities is subject to the ability of the issuers of such
securities to make interest payments or payment at maturity. Obligations that
are unrated are not necessarily of lower quality than those that are rated, but
may be less marketable. Not all securities issued or guaranteed by agencies or
instrumentalities of the U.S. Government are backed by the full faith and credit
of the United States. Such securities involve different degrees of government
backing. Some obligations issued or guaranteed by U.S. Government agencies or
instrumentalities in which a Fund may invest are backed by the full faith and
credit of the United States, such as modified pass-through certificates issued
by the Government National Mortgage Association, while others are backed
exclusively by the agency or instrumentality with limited rights of the issuer
to borrow from the U.S. Treasury. Others are backed only by the credit of the
issuer itself. While the U.S. Government may provide financial support to such
agencies or instrumentalities, no assurance can be given that it will always do
so since it is not so obligated by law.
A
Fund’s investments in below-investment-grade securities (e.g., “high yield” or
“junk” bonds) may have additional credit risk. Securities rated below BBB by a
nationally recognized statistical rating organization have speculative
characteristics and can be more vulnerable to bad economic news than investment
grade securities, which could lead to a weakened capacity to make principal and
interest payments. In some cases, below-investment-grade securities may decline
in credit quality or go into default. For a description of ratings, see Appendix
B in the Statement of Additional Information.
Mortgage-Backed/Asset-Backed Securities
Risk. The value of a Fund’s mortgage-backed or
asset-backed securities may be affected by, among other things, changes in
interest rates, factors concerning the interests in and structure of the issuer
or the originator of the mortgages, the creditworthiness of the entities that
provide any supporting letters of credit, surety bonds or other credit
enhancements or the market’s assessment of the quality of underlying assets.
During periods of rising interest rates, property owners may prepay their
mortgages more slowly than expected, resulting in slower prepayments of
mortgage-backed securities, which increases the duration of a security and may
reduce its value. When interest rates decline, property owners may prepay their
mortgages more quickly than expected. This can reduce the returns of a Fund
because the Fund may have to reinvest that money at the lower prevailing
interest rates. A Fund’s investments in other asset-backed securities are
subject to similar extension and prepayment risks as those described above for
mortgage-backed securities.
Income Risk. Income risk
is the risk that the income received by the Fund may decrease as a result of a
decline in interest rates. A Fund’s income is based on short-term interest
rates, which may fluctuate over short periods of time.
Credit Default Swap
Risk. Credit default swaps are subject to the
credit risk of the underlying reference obligation and to counterparty credit
risk. If the counterparty fails to meet its obligations, a Fund may lose money.
Credit default swaps are also subject to the risk that the Adviser will not
properly assess the risk of the underlying reference obligation. If a Fund is
selling credit protection, there is a risk that a credit event will occur and
that a Fund will have to pay the counterparty. If a Fund is buying credit
protection, there is a risk that no credit event will occur and a Fund will
receive no benefit for the premium paid. Credit default swaps may be difficult
to value and may have the effect of leverage on a Fund.
Mortgage-Backed To‑Be‑Announced (TBA) Securities
Risk. To the extent a Fund purchases or sells
mortgage-backed to‑be‑announced (TBA) securities, a Fund is subject to the risk
that the counterparty may fail to consummate the transaction, which could cause
a Fund to miss the opportunity to obtain a price or yield considered to be
advantageous. Mortgage-backed TBAs may also have a leverage-like effect on a
Fund and may cause a Fund to be more volatile.
115
Operational and Technology
Risk. Cyber-attacks, disruptions, or failures that
affect a Fund’s service providers or counterparties, issuers of securities held
by the Fund, or other market participants may adversely affect the Fund and its
shareholders, including by causing losses for the Fund or impairing Fund
operations.
Cyber-attacks
may include unauthorized attempts by third parties to improperly access, modify,
disrupt the operations of, or prevent access to the systems of a Fund’s service
providers or counterparties, issuers of securities held by the Fund or other
market participants or data within them. In addition, power or communications
outages, acts of god, information technology equipment malfunctions, operational
errors, and inaccuracies within software or data processing systems may also
disrupt business operations or impact critical data. Market events also may
trigger a volume of transactions that overloads current information technology
and communication systems and processes, impacting the ability to conduct a
Fund’s operations.
Cyber-attacks,
disruptions, or failures may adversely affect a Fund and its shareholders or
cause reputational damage and subject a Fund to regulatory fines, litigation
costs, penalties or financial losses, reimbursement or other compensation costs,
and/or additional compliance costs. For example, a Fund’s or its service
providers’ assets or sensitive or confidential information may be
misappropriated, data may be corrupted, and operations may be disrupted (e.g.,
cyber-attacks or operational failures may cause the release of private
shareholder information or confidential Fund information, interfere with the
processing of shareholder transactions, impact the ability to calculate a Fund’s
NAV, and impede trading). In addition, cyber-attacks, disruptions, or failures
involving a Fund counterparty could affect such counterparty’s ability to meet
its obligations to the Fund, which may result in losses to the Fund and its
shareholders. Similar types of operational and technology risks are also present
for issuers of securities held by a Fund, which could have material adverse
consequences for such issuers, and may cause the Fund’s investments to lose
value. Furthermore, as a result of cyber-attacks, disruptions, or failures, an
exchange or market may close or issue trading halts on specific securities or
the entire market, which may result in a Fund being, among other things, unable
to buy or sell certain securities or financial instruments or unable to
accurately price its investments.
While
a Fund and its service providers may establish business continuity and other
plans and processes that seek to address the possibility of and fallout from
cyberattacks, disruptions, or failures, there are inherent limitations in such
plans and systems, including that they do not apply to third parties, such as
Fund counterparties, issuers of securities held by a Fund, or other market
participants, as well as the possibility that certain risks have not been
identified or that unknown threats may emerge in the future and there is no
assurance that such plans and processes will address the possibility of and
fallout from cyber-attacks, disruptions, or failures. In addition, a Fund cannot
directly control any cybersecurity plans and systems put in place by its service
providers, Fund counterparties, issuers of securities held by the Fund, or other
market participants.
LIBOR Transition Risk. A
Fund may invest in securities or derivatives that are based on the London
Interbank Offered Rate (LIBOR). LIBOR transition risk is the risk that the
transition away from LIBOR to alternative interest rate benchmarks is not
orderly, occurs over various time periods or has unintended consequences. In
2017, the United Kingdom’s (“UK”) Financial Conduct Authority (“FCA”) announced
plans to discontinue supporting LIBOR and transition away from LIBOR. At the end
of 2021, certain LIBORs were discontinued, but the most widely used LIBORs may
continue to be provided on a representative basis until June 30, 2023. In
addition, in connection with supervisory guidance from U.S. regulators, some
U.S. regulated entities will cease to enter into most new LIBOR contracts after
January 1, 2022. There remains uncertainty regarding the future use of
LIBOR and the nature of any replacement rate, and any potential effects of the
transition away from LIBOR on a Fund or on certain instruments in which a Fund
invests are not known. Various financial industry groups have begun planning for
that transition and certain regulators and industry groups have taken actions to
establish alternative reference rates (e.g., the Secured Overnight Financing
Rate (“SOFR”), which measures the cost of overnight borrowings through
repurchase agreement transactions collateralized with U.S. Treasury securities
and is intended to replace U.S. dollar LIBOR). The transition process may
involve, among other things, an increase in volatility or illiquidity of markets
for instruments that currently rely on LIBOR, a reduction in the value of
certain instruments held by a Fund or a reduction in the effectiveness
of
116
related
Fund transactions such as hedges. Various pending legislation, including in the
U.S. Congress and the New York state legislature, may affect the transition of
LIBOR-based instruments as well by permitting trustees and calculation agents to
transition instruments with no LIBOR transition language to an alternative
reference rate selected by such agents. Those legislative proposals include safe
harbors from liability, which may limit the recourse a Fund may have if the
alternative reference rate does not fully compensate the Fund for the transition
of an instrument from LIBOR. It is uncertain whether such legislative proposals
will be signed into law. The effect of discontinuation of LIBOR on the Fund’s
existing investments and obligations will depend on, among other things,
(1) existing fallback provisions in individual contracts and
(2) whether, how, and when industry participants develop and widely adopt
new reference rates and fallbacks for both legacy and new products or
instruments. Any such effects, as well as other unforeseen effects, could result
in losses to a Fund.
Sovereign and Quasi-Sovereign Default
Risk. The Emerging Markets Debt Fund invests in
securities issued by or guaranteed by non‑U.S. sovereign governments (known as
sovereign debt securities) and in securities issued by entities that are owned
or guaranteed by non‑U.S. sovereign governments (known as quasi-sovereign debt
securities). An issuer of sovereign or quasi-sovereign debt held by the Fund, or
the governmental authorities that control the repayment of the debt, may be
unable or unwilling to repay the principal or interest when due, and the Fund
may have limited recourse in the event of a default. This may result from
political or social factors, the general economic environment of a country or
levels of foreign debt or foreign currency exchange rates. Quasi sovereign debt
obligations are typically less liquid and less standardized than sovereign debt
obligations.
Aggressive Investment Technique
Risk. The Emerging Markets Debt Fund may use
investment techniques and financial instruments that may be considered
aggressive, including but not limited to the use of futures contracts, options
on futures contracts, securities and indices, forward contracts, swap agreements
and similar instruments. Such techniques may also include taking short positions
or using other techniques that are intended to provide inverse exposure to a
particular market or other asset class, as well as leverage, which can expose
the Fund to potentially dramatic losses or gains. These techniques may expose
the Fund to potentially dramatic losses in the value of certain of its portfolio
holdings.
Counterparty and Contractual Default
Risk. The Emerging Markets Debt Fund’s investments
in derivatives and other financial instruments that involve counterparties
subject the Fund to the risk that the counterparty could default on its
obligations under the agreement, either through the counterparty’s failure or
inability to perform its obligations or bankruptcy. In the event of default, the
Fund could experience lengthy delays in recovering some or all of its assets as
a result of bankruptcy or other reorganization proceedings. The Fund could also
experience limited recoveries or no recovery at all, and the value of an
investment in the Fund could decline as a result. In addition, the Fund may
default under an agreement with a counterparty which could adversely affect the
Fund’s investing activities.
Floating and Variable Rate Securities
Risk. For floating and variable rate securities,
there may be a lag between an actual change in the underlying interest rate
benchmark and the reset time for an interest payment of such a security, which
could harm or benefit the Fund, depending on the interest rate environment or
other circumstances. In a rising interest rate environment, for example, a
floating or variable rate security that does not reset immediately would prevent
the Fund from taking full advantage of rising interest rates in a timely manner.
However, in a declining interest rate environment, the Fund may benefit from a
lag due to a security’s interest rate payment not being immediately impacted by
a decline in interest rates.
Certain
floating and variable rate securities have an interest rate floor feature, which
prevents the interest rate payable by the security from dropping below a
specified level as compared to a reference interest rate (the “reference rate”).
Such a floor protects the Fund from losses resulting from a decrease in the
reference rate below the specified level. However, if the reference rate is
below the floor, there will be a lag between a rise in the reference rate and a
rise in the interest rate payable by the security, and the Fund may not benefit
from increasing interest rates for a significant amount of time.
117
Private Placement
Risk. Investments in private placements may be
difficult to sell at the time and at the price desired by the Fund; companies
making private placements may make less information available than publicly
offered companies; and privately placed securities are more difficult to value
than publicly traded securities. These factors may have a negative effect on the
performance of the Fund. Securities acquired through private placements are not
registered for resale in the general securities market and may be classified as
illiquid.
High Yield Securities
Risk. The Emerging Markets Debt Fund may invest in
high yield, high risk securities (also known as junk bonds) which are considered
to be speculative. These investments may be issued by companies that are highly
leveraged, less credit-worthy or financially distressed. Non‑investment grade
debt securities can be more sensitive to short-term corporate, economic and
market developments. During periods of economic uncertainty and change, the
market price of the Fund’s investments and the Fund’s net asset value may be
volatile. Furthermore, though these investments generally provide a higher yield
than higher-rated debt securities, the high degree of risk involved in these
investments can result in substantial or total losses. These securities are
subject to greater risk of loss, greater sensitivity to economic changes,
valuation difficulties, and a potential lack of a secondary or public market for
securities. The market price of these securities can change suddenly and
unexpectedly.
Distressed Debt
Risk. When the Emerging Markets Debt Fund invests
in obligations of financially troubled issuers (sometimes known as “distressed”
securities), there exists the risk that the transaction involving such debt
obligations will be unsuccessful, take considerable time or will result in a
distribution of cash or a new security or obligation in exchange for the
stressed and distressed debt obligations, the value of which may be less than
the Fund’s purchase price of such debt obligations. Furthermore, if an
anticipated transaction does not occur, the Fund may be required to sell its
investment at a loss or hold its investment pending bankruptcy proceedings in
the event the issuer files for bankruptcy.
New Fund Risk. Investors
in each of the Mid Cap Value Fund, China Growth Fund and Emerging Markets Debt
Fund bear the risk that each Fund, respectively, may not be successful in
implementing its investment strategies, may be unable to implement certain of
its investment strategies or may fail to attract sufficient assets, any of which
could result in each Fund being liquidated and terminated at any time without
shareholder approval and at a time that may not be favorable for all
shareholders. Such a liquidation could have negative tax consequences for
shareholders.
Portfolio Turnover Rate
Risk. Higher portfolio turnover rates involve
correspondingly higher transaction costs, which are borne directly by a Fund. In
addition, a Fund may realize significant short-term and long-term capital gains
if portfolio turnover rate is high, which will result in taxable distributions
to investors that may be greater than those made by other funds with lower
portfolio turnover rates.
118
MANAGEMENT
OF THE FUNDS
Trustees, Officers and
Adviser. The Board of Trustees of the William
Blair Funds (the “Trust”) has overall management responsibility. The duties of
the Trustees and Officers of the Trust include overseeing the business affairs
of the Trust, monitoring investment activities and practices and considering
other matters concerning the Trust. The Statement of Additional Information has
the names of and additional information about the Trustees and Officers of the
Trust. Subject to the oversight of the Board of Trustees, William Blair
Investment Management, LLC (the “Adviser” or “WBIM”), 150 North Riverside Plaza,
Chicago, Illinois 60606, is responsible for providing investment advisory and
management services to the Funds, including making decisions regarding Fund
portfolio transactions, pursuant to a management agreement (the “Management
Agreement”). The Statement of Additional Information includes information on
brokerage commissions paid by the Funds in 2021, including amounts directed to
third parties to pay for third-party research. William Blair & Company,
L.L.C. is the principal underwriter and distributor of the Trust and acts as
agent of the Trust in the sale of its shares (the “Distributor” or “WBC”). WBIM
and WBC are collectively referred to herein as “William Blair.”
William
Blair was founded over 80 years ago by William McCormick Blair. As of
December 31, 2021, William Blair had over 1,878 employees including 199
partners. WBIM oversees the assets of the Trust, along with corporate pension
plans, endowments and foundations. As of December 31, 2021, WBIM managed
over $79.6 billion in equities, fixed income securities, derivatives and
cash equivalents.
The
Adviser firmly believes that clients are best served when portfolio managers are
encouraged to draw on their experience and develop new ideas. This philosophy
has helped build a hard-working, results-oriented team of 36 portfolio managers,
supported by a team of analysts. The Adviser is registered as an investment
adviser under the Investment Advisers Act of 1940.
For
the fiscal year or period, as applicable, ended December 31, 2021, each
Fund paid the Adviser an effective management fee (exclusive of any applicable
waivers / reimbursements) for services performed as a percentage of the average
daily net assets of the Fund as follows:
|
|
|
|
|
Fund |
|
Effective Rate Paid as a % of Average Daily Net Assets |
|
Growth
Fund |
|
|
0.75% |
|
Large
Cap Growth Fund |
|
|
0.60% |
|
Mid
Cap Growth Fund |
|
|
0.90% |
|
Mid
Cap Value Fund |
|
|
0.70% |
|
Small‑Mid
Cap Core Fund |
|
|
0.90% |
|
Small‑Mid
Cap Growth Fund |
|
|
1.00% |
|
Small
Cap Growth Fund |
|
|
1.10% |
|
Small
Cap Value Fund |
|
|
0.75% |
(1) |
Global
Leaders Fund |
|
|
0.85% |
|
International
Leaders Fund |
|
|
0.85% |
|
International
Growth Fund |
|
|
1.01% |
(2) |
Institutional
International Growth Fund |
|
|
0.96% |
(3) |
International
Small Cap Growth Fund |
|
|
1.00% |
|
Emerging
Markets Leaders Fund |
|
|
1.10% |
(4) |
Emerging
Markets Growth Fund |
|
|
1.10% |
(5) |
Emerging
Markets Small Cap Growth Fund |
|
|
1.10% |
|
China
Growth Fund |
|
|
1.00% |
(6) |
Emerging
Markets Debt Fund |
|
|
0.65% |
|
(1) |
For
the fiscal period beginning January 1, 2021 and ended
October 31, 2021, the Small Cap Value Fund paid the Adviser a
contractual management fee rate equal to 0.80% of the Fund’s average daily
net assets. |
119
|
Effective
November 1, 2021, the Board of Trustees approved a fiscal year end
change for the Fund from October 31 to December 31. For the two month
period beginning November 1, 2021 and ended December 31, 2021,
the Fund paid the Adviser a contractual management fee equal to 0.75% of
the Fund’s average daily net assets. |
(2) |
Effective
May 1, 2022, the management fee rate payable by the International
Growth Fund was reduced to 0.94% of the first $3 billion of the
Fund’s average daily net assets; plus 0.90% of the next $2 billion of
the Fund’s average daily net assets; plus 0.85% of the next
$5 billion of the Fund’s average daily net assets; plus 0.825% of the
next $5 billion of the Fund’s average daily net assets; plus 0.80% of
the Fund’s average daily net assets over $15 billion. For the fiscal
year ended December 31, 2021, the Fund paid the Adviser a contractual
management fee at a rate of 1.10% of the first $250 million of the
Fund’s average daily net assets; plus 1.00% of the next $2.25 billion
of the Fund’s average daily net assets; plus 0.975% of the next
$2.5 billion of the Fund’s average daily net assets; plus 0.95% of
the next $5 billion of the Fund’s average daily net assets; plus
0.925% of the next $5 billion of the Fund’s average daily net assets;
plus 0.90% of the Fund’s average daily net assets over $15 billion.
For the fiscal year ended December 31, 2021, the Fund paid the
Adviser a contractual management fee equal to 1.01% of the Fund’s average
daily net assets. |
(3) |
Effective
May 1, 2022, the management fee rate payable by the Institutional
International Growth Fund was reduced to 0.94% of the first
$1.875 billion of the Fund’s average daily net assets; plus 0.90% of
the next $625 million of the Fund’s average daily net assets; plus 0.875%
of the next $2.5 billion of the Fund’s average daily net assets; plus
0.85% of the next $5 billion of the Fund’s average daily net assets;
plus 0.825% of the next $5 billion of the Fund’s average daily net
assets; plus 0.80% of the Fund’s average daily net assets over
$15 billion. For the fiscal year ended December 31, 2021, the
Fund paid the Adviser a contractual management fee at a rate of 1.00% of
the first $500 million of the Fund’s average daily net assets; plus
0.95% of the next $500 million of the Fund’s average daily net
assets; plus 0.90% of the next $1.5 billion of the Fund’s average
daily net assets; plus 0.875% of the next $2.5 billion of the Fund’s
average daily net assets; plus 0.85% of the next $5 billion of the
Fund’s average daily net assets; plus 0.825% of the next $5 billion
of the Fund’s average daily net assets; plus 0.80% of the Fund’s average
daily net assets over $15 billion. For the fiscal year ended
December 31, 2021, the Fund paid the Adviser a contractual management
fee equal to 0.96% of the Fund’s average daily net
assets. |
(4) |
Effective
May 1, 2022, the management fee rate payable by the Emerging Markets
Leaders Fund was reduced to 0.94% of the Fund’s average daily net assets.
For the fiscal year ended December 31, 2021, the Fund paid the
Adviser a contractual management fee equal to 1.10% of the Fund’s average
daily net assets. |
(5) |
Effective
May 1, 2022, the management fee rate payable by the Emerging Markets
Growth Fund was reduced to 0.94% of the Fund’s average daily net assets.
For the fiscal year ended December 31, 2021, the Fund paid the
Adviser a contractual management fee equal to 1.10% of the Fund’s average
daily net assets. |
(6) |
Effective
May 1, 2022, the management fee rate payable by the China Growth Fund
was reduced to 0.94% of the Fund’s average daily net assets. For the
fiscal period ended December 31, 2021, the Fund paid the Adviser a
contractual management fee equal to 1.00% of the Fund’s average daily net
assets. |
Expense Waivers. The
Adviser has entered into a contractual agreement with each Fund listed below to
waive fees and/or reimburse expenses, if necessary, in order to limit the Fund’s
operating expenses (excluding interest expenses, taxes, brokerage commissions,
acquired fund fees and expenses, dividend and interest expenses on short sales,
other investment-related costs and extraordinary expenses, such as litigation
and other expenses not incurred in the ordinary course of the Fund’s business)
for each class to the levels reflected in the table below until April 30,
2023 or, with respect to the Mid Cap Value Fund, April 30, 2024. The
agreement terminates upon the earlier of April 30, 2023 (for all Funds
except the Mid Cap Value Fund), April 30, 2024 (for the Mid Cap Value Fund
only), or the termination of the Management Agreement.
120
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Class N |
|
|
Class I |
|
|
Class R6/ Institutional Fund |
|
Growth
Fund |
|
|
1.20% |
|
|
|
0.95% |
|
|
|
0.90% |
|
Large
Cap Growth Fund |
|
|
0.90% |
|
|
|
0.65% |
|
|
|
0.60% |
|
Mid
Cap Growth Fund |
|
|
1.20% |
|
|
|
0.95% |
|
|
|
0.90% |
|
Mid
Cap Value Fund(1) |
|
|
N/A |
|
|
|
0.75% |
|
|
|
0.70% |
|
Small‑Mid
Cap Core Fund(1) |
|
|
N/A |
|
|
|
0.95% |
|
|
|
0.90% |
|
Small‑Mid
Cap Growth Fund |
|
|
1.35% |
|
|
|
1.10% |
|
|
|
1.05% |
|
Small
Cap Growth Fund |
|
|
1.50% |
|
|
|
1.25% |
|
|
|
1.20% |
|
Small
Cap Value Fund |
|
|
1.15% |
|
|
|
0.89% |
|
|
|
0.85% |
|
Global
Leaders Fund |
|
|
1.15% |
|
|
|
0.90% |
|
|
|
0.85% |
|
International
Leaders Fund |
|
|
1.15% |
|
|
|
0.90% |
|
|
|
0.85% |
|
International
Growth Fund |
|
|
1.24% |
|
|
|
0.99% |
|
|
|
0.94% |
|
Institutional
International Growth Fund |
|
|
N/A |
|
|
|
N/A |
|
|
|
0.94% |
|
International
Small Cap Growth Fund |
|
|
1.55% |
|
|
|
1.30% |
|
|
|
1.25% |
|
Emerging
Markets Leaders Fund |
|
|
1.24% |
|
|
|
0.99% |
|
|
|
0.94% |
|
Emerging
Markets Growth Fund |
|
|
1.24% |
|
|
|
0.99% |
|
|
|
0.94% |
|
Emerging
Markets Small Cap Growth Fund |
|
|
1.55% |
|
|
|
1.30% |
|
|
|
1.25% |
|
China
Growth Fund(1) |
|
|
N/A |
|
|
|
0.99% |
|
|
|
0.94% |
|
Emerging
Markets Debt Fund(1) |
|
|
N/A |
|
|
|
0.70% |
|
|
|
0.65% |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(1) |
Because
of the expense limitation agreement, and the recoupment provision for the
Mid Cap Value Fund, Small‑Mid Cap Core Fund, China Growth Fund, and
Emerging Markets Debt Fund, each Fund may pay the Adviser less than the
conctractual management fee. |
With
respect to each of the Mid Cap Value Fund, Small‑Mid Cap Core Fund, China Growth
Fund, and Emerging Markets Debt Fund, the Adviser is entitled to recoupment of
previously waived fees and reimbursed expenses for a period of three years
subsequent to each Fund’s commencement of operations (March 16, 2022,
October 1, 2019, August 27, 2021, and May 25, 2021, respectively)
to the extent that such recoupment does not cause the Fund’s annual Fund
operating expenses (after the recoupment is taken into account) to exceed both
(1) the expense limit in place when such amounts were waived or reimbursed,
and (2) such Fund’s current expense limitation.
Because
of the expense limitation agreement, and the recoupment provision for the Mid
Cap Value Fund, Small‑Mid Cap Core Fund, China Growth Fund, and Emerging Markets
Debt Fund, each Fund may pay the Adviser less than the contractual management
fee.
Board Considerations of Management
Agreement. The Semi-Annual Report for the period
ending June 30, 2022 will contain a discussion regarding the factors the
Board of Trustees considered for the approval and renewal, as applicable, of the
Management Agreement for each Fund.
Additional
Information. The Trust enters into contractual
arrangements with various parties, including, among others, each Fund’s
investment adviser, custodian, transfer agent, accountants and distributor, who
provide services to each Fund. Shareholders are not parties to, or intended (or
“third-party”) beneficiaries of, any of those contractual arrangements, and
those contractual arrangements are not intended to create in any individual
shareholder or group of shareholders any right to enforce the terms of the
contractual arrangements against the service providers or to seek any remedy
under the contractual arrangements against the service providers, either
directly or on behalf of the Trust.
This
Prospectus provides information concerning the Trust and the Funds that you
should consider in determining whether to purchase shares of a Fund. Each Fund
may make changes to this information from time
121
to
time. Neither this Prospectus, the SAI or any document filed as an exhibit to
the Trust’s registration statement, is intended to, nor does it, give rise to an
agreement or contract between the Trust or any Fund and any shareholder, or give
rise to any contract or other rights in any individual shareholder, group of
shareholders or other person other than any rights conferred explicitly by
federal or state securities laws that may not be waived.
Portfolio
Management. Additional information is provided
below on each Fund’s portfolio manager(s) identified in the Summary section. The
Statement of Additional Information provides additional information about the
portfolio managers including the structure of their compensation, other accounts
they manage and their ownership of securities in the Funds.
For
each Fund that is managed by a portfolio management team, each member of the
portfolio management team has equal responsibility for the Fund’s investment
strategy, asset allocation, portfolio construction and security selection. All
portfolio managers are supported by a team of research analysts.
Alaina
Anderson, CFA, a Partner of William Blair Investment Management, LLC, has
co‑managed the International Leaders Fund since 2021. Ms. Anderson has
managed the Adviser’s International Leaders ADR strategy since 2019. Before
that, Ms. Anderson covered multiple sectors as a research analyst for the
Adviser, including the Consumer and Health Care sectors, along with her most
recent responsibilities covering real assets companies. Before joining William
Blair in 2006, she was a senior analyst in the investments department of the
MacArthur Foundation, where she provided research support for internally managed
portfolios and was involved in investment manager due diligence, selection, and
monitoring for the foundation’s U.S., non‑U.S., and hedge-fund portfolios.
Before joining the MacArthur Foundation, Alaina was an investor relations
consultant with Ashton Partners and a financial advisor with UBS PaineWebber.
She is a member of the CFA Institute and the CFA Society Chicago. Education:
B.S., Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania and an M.B.A. from the
University of Chicago’s Booth School of Business.
Marcelo
Assalin, CFA, a Partner of William Blair Investment Management, LLC, has
co‑managed the Emerging Markets Debt Fund since its inception. He is the head of
the Emerging Markets Debt team and is a portfolio manager. He is also a member
of the leadership team for William Blair Investment Management. Prior to joining
William Blair, Marcelo was the Head of Emerging Markets Debt at NN Investment
Partners (formerly ING Investment Management), a role he began in 2015.
Additionally, he was the lead portfolio manager for blended debt portfolios.
Previously, Marcelo was the lead portfolio manager for NNIP’s local currency
strategies. Before joining NNIP in 2013, he was a senior EMD portfolio manager
and then head of EM Sovereign Debt at ING IM USA (now Voya Financial). Prior to
ING IM, Marcelo was with SulAmerica Investimentos in various investment
capacities, including CIO from 2005 to 2008. He began his career as a credit
analyst at Bank Boston in Sao Paulo, covering Brazilian companies. He also has
the Chartered Financial Analyst designation. Education: B.A., Business
Administration & Accounting, Universidade de São Paulo.
Daniel
Crowe, CFA, a Partner of William Blair Investment Management, LLC, has
co‑managed the Mid Cap Growth Fund and Small‑Mid Cap Growth Fund since 2015, and
the Small‑Mid Cap Core Fund since its inception in 2019. He joined William Blair
as a research analyst in 2011. Prior to joining William Blair, he was a midcap
portfolio manager at Pyramis Global Advisors, and prior to that he was a
portfolio manager and analyst at The Boston Company/Founders Asset Management.
He began his career as a generalist analyst at Marsico Capital Management. He
has the Chartered Financial Analyst designation and is a member of the CFA
Institute and the CFA Society of Chicago. Education: B.S., Mechanical
Engineering, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign.
Simon
Fennell, a Partner of William Blair Investment Management, LLC, has co‑managed
the International Growth Fund since 2013, the Institutional International Growth
Fund since 2013, the International Leaders Fund since 2013 and the International
Small Cap Growth Fund since 2017 along with associated separate accounts and
commingled fund portfolios. He joined William Blair in 2011 as a research
analyst, also focusing on idea generation and strategy more broadly. Prior to
joining William Blair, he was a Managing Director in the Equities division at
Goldman Sachs in London and Boston, where he was responsible for institutional,
equity research
122
coverage
for European and International stocks. Previously, he was in the Corporate
Finance Group at Lehman Brothers in London and Hong Kong, working in the M&A
and Debt Capital Markets Groups. Education: M.A., University of Edinburgh;
M.B.A., Johnson Graduate School of Management, Cornell University.
Matthew
Fleming, CFA, an Associate of William Blair Investment Management, LLC, has
co-managed the Mid Cap Value Fund since its inception in 2022. Mr. Fleming
is a research analyst for the Adviser’s small- to mid-cap value equity
strategies. He focuses on the energy, utilities and industrials sectors. Before
joining William Blair in 2021, Mr. Fleming was a member of the small- to
mid-cap value equity teams at Investment Counselors of Maryland, LLC. Before
joining Investment Counselors of Maryland, LLC in 2008, Mr. Fleming was a
senior research analyst at PNC Capital Advisors/Mercantile Capital Advisors from
2004 to 2008. Before becoming a research analyst, Mr. Fleming held various
roles at GB Asset Advisors, Triumph Group, and BT Alex. Brown/Deutsche Bank AG.
He has the Chartered Financial Analyst designation. Education: B.A., Princeton
University.
Andrew
G. Flynn, a Partner of William Blair Investment Management, LLC, has co‑managed
the International Small Cap Growth Fund since 2013 and the Global Leaders Fund
since 2016 along with associated separate accounts and commingled fund
portfolios. Mr. Flynn joined the International team in 2007 and conducted
research across several sectors before becoming a portfolio manager. Prior to
joining the International team, Mr. Flynn focused on domestic Consumer and
Industrial companies at William Blair for two years. Before joining William
Blair, Mr. Flynn was employed as a Senior Equity Analyst and Portfolio
Manager at Northern Trust specializing in mid and small cap growth companies.
Prior to that he worked as a Senior Equity Analyst at Scudder Kemper Investments
and began his career at Fidelity Investments as a Research Assistant. He has the
Chartered Financial Analyst designation and is a member of the CFA Institute and
the CFA Society of Chicago. Education: B.A., Economics, University of Kansas;
M.B.A., Finance emphasis, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.
David
Fording, CFA, a Partner of William Blair Investment Management, LLC, has managed
or co‑managed the Growth Fund since 2006. He joined William Blair in November of
2005 as a co‑portfolio manager of William Blair’s Institutional All Cap Growth
strategy. He joined William Blair from TIAA-CREF Investment Management, Inc.
where he spent ten years, most recently as a co‑portfolio manager of the
TIAA-CREF Mid Cap Growth Fund Team (from 2003 to 2005). Previously, he was an
equity analyst for TIAA-CREF responsible for covering media and entertainment
stocks on a global basis. He was also a member of TIAA-CREF’s Large Cap Growth
portfolio management team from 1997 to 1999. He has the Chartered Financial
Analyst designation and is a member of the CFA Institute and the CFA Society of
Chicago. In addition, he is a Fundamentals of Sustainability Accounting
Credential holder. Education: B.A., Tufts University; M.B.A., Stern School of
Business, New York University.
James
Golan, CFA, a Partner with William Blair Investment Management, LLC, has
co‑managed the Large Cap Growth Fund since 2005. He joined William Blair in 2000
as a research analyst. In 2005, he joined the Institutional Large Cap Growth
Team as a co‑portfolio manager. Previously, he was a research analyst with
Citigroup Global Asset Management and Scudder Kemper Investments. He has the
Chartered Financial Analyst designation and is a member of the CFA Institute and
the CFA Society of Chicago. Education: B.A., DePauw University; M.B.A.,
Northwestern University Kellogg Graduate School of Management.
William
V. Heaphy, an Associate of William Blair Investment Management, LLC, has
co‑managed the Small Cap Value Fund since 2021 (and had managed the Predecessor
Fund since 1999), as well as the Mid Cap Value Fund since its inception in 2022.
Mr. Heaphy has over 27 years of investment experience. He joined William
Blair in 2021. Previously, Mr. Heaphy was a Principal at Investment
Counselors of Maryland, LLC, which he joined in 1994. He has the Chartered
Financial Analyst designation. Education: B.S., Lehigh University; J.D.,
University of Maryland.
James
Jones, CFA, a Partner of William Blair Investment Management, LLC, has
co‑managed the Small‑Mid Cap Growth Fund and the Mid Cap Growth Fund since 2019.
He joined William Blair in 2010 as a research
123
analyst
focusing on U.S. small‑cap industrials. From 2017 to 2019, he was a co‑director
of research for the U.S. Growth Equity team at William Blair. Before joining
William Blair in 2010, he was an investment analyst at Federated Investors. He
has the Chartered Financial Analyst designation and is a member of the CFA
Institute and the CFA Society of Chicago. Education: B.S., Accounting, Miami
University; M.B.A., the University of North Carolina.
Kenneth
J. McAtamney, a Partner of William Blair Investment Management, LLC, has
co‑managed the Global Leaders Fund since 2008, the International Leaders Fund
since its inception in 2012, the International Growth Fund since 2017, the
Institutional International Growth Fund since 2017 and the Emerging Markets
Leaders Fund since 2022, along with associated separate account and commingled
fund portfolios,. He joined William Blair in 2005 as an international stock
analyst. From 1997 to 2005, he was with Goldman Sachs in various capacities,
including as a Vice President representing both International and Domestic
Equities. Education: B.A., Finance, Michigan State University; M.B.A., Indiana
University.
Todd
M. McClone, a Partner of William Blair Investment Management, LLC, has
co‑managed the Emerging Markets Growth Fund since its inception in 2005, the
Emerging Markets Leaders Fund since 2008 and the Emerging Markets Small Cap
Growth Fund since its inception in 2011 along with associated separate account
and commingled fund portfolios. He has been with William Blair since 2000. From
1993 through 2000, he was a senior research analyst specializing in
international equity for Strong Capital Management. Prior to joining Strong
Capital Management, he was a Corporate Finance Research Analyst with Piper
Jaffray. At Piper Jaffray, he worked with the corporate banking financials team
on a variety of transactions including initial public offerings, mergers and
acquisitions and subordinated debt offerings, and issued fairness opinions and
conducted private company valuations. He has the Chartered Financial Analyst
designation and is a member of the CFA Institute. Education: B.B.A. and B.A.,
University of Wisconsin-Madison.
Gary
J. Merwitz, an Associate of William Blair Investment Management, LLC, has
co‑managed the Small Cap Value Fund since 2021 (and had managed the Predecessor
Fund since 2004). Mr. Merwitz has over 24 years of investment experience.
He joined William Blair in 2021. Previously, Mr. Merwitz was a Principal at
Investment Counselors of Maryland, LLC, which he joined in 2004. Education: B.S.
University of Maryland; M.B.A., Fuqua School of Business.
D.J.
Neiman, CFA, a Partner of William Blair Investment Management, LLC, has
co‑managed the Emerging Markets Small Cap Growth Fund and International Small
Cap Growth Fund since 2021. Mr. Neiman served as co‑director of research
for the global equity team from 2016 to 2021. He also was a global equity
research analyst covering large- and mid‑cap financial companies. Before joining
the Adviser in 2009, D.J. was an analyst in William Blair’s sell-side research
group, covering the financials sector with a focus on the asset-management and
advisory investment-banking industries. Previously, D.J. was a senior accountant
with William Blair Funds and a fund analyst at Scudder Kemper Investments. He is
a member of the CFA Institute and the CFA Society Chicago. Education: B.S. from
Miami University and an M.B.A., with high distinction, from the University of
Michigan’s Ross School of Business.
Casey
Preyss, a Partner of William Blair Investment Management, LLC, has co‑managed
the Emerging Markets Growth Fund since 2015, the China Growth Fund since 2021
and the Emerging Markets Small Cap Growth Fund since 2016 along with associated
separate account and commingled fund portfolios. Having joined William Blair in
2000, Mr. Preyss was previously a research analyst covering the
Industrials, IT and Resources sectors and also served as the Global Industrials
Sector Team Leader. Prior to his research responsibilities, Mr. Preyss was
a Quantitative Analyst with the team. Prior to joining William Blair,
Mr. Preyss was with Thomas White International as an International Equity
Research Sales Associate. Education: B.S. B.A., The Ohio State University;
M.B.A., University of Chicago Booth School of Business.
David
Ricci, CFA, a Partner of William Blair Investment Management, LLC, has
co‑managed the Large Cap Growth Fund since 2011. He has been with William Blair
since February 1994 when he started as a research analyst for the
Consumer/Retail sell-side research effort at William Blair. He was made group
head in June 2001.
124
Previously,
he was with Procter & Gamble, Melville, and spent 2 1/2 years as a
strategy consultant at Bain & Company. He has the Chartered Financial
Analyst designation and is a member of the CFA Institute and the CFA Society of
Chicago. Education: Sc.B., Brown University, magna cum laude; M.B.A., Harvard
Business School.
Marco
Ruijer, CFA, an Associate of William Blair Investment Management, LLC, has
co‑managed the Emerging Markets Debt Fund since its inception. He is a Hard
Currency portfolio manager on the Emerging Markets Debt team. Prior to joining
William Blair, Marco was the lead portfolio manager within the Emerging Markets
Debt team at NN Investment Partners (formerly ING Investment Management),
responsible for managing EMD Hard Currency portfolios. Before joining NNIP in
2013, Marco was a senior fund manager for EMD at Mn Services in the Netherlands
where he managed various EMD portfolios. Prior to this, he worked with the
Investment Strategy and Risk Management team. Marco began his career in 1998 as
an Investment Trainee at Mn. He also has the Chartered Financial Analyst
designation. Education: M.A., International Financial Economics, University of
Amsterdam.
Hugo
Scott-Gall, a Partner of William Blair Investment Management, LLC, has
co‑managed the Global Leaders Fund since 2021 and the Emerging Markets Leaders
Fund since 2022 along with associated separate account and commingled fund
portfolios. He also serves as co‑director of research for the global equity
team. He is also a thematic strategist. He is responsible for researching
longer-term trends affecting corporate performance and developing systematic
solutions for broad investment challenges. Before joining William Blair in 2018,
Hugo was a managing director and head of the thematic research team at Goldman
Sachs that investigated thematic changes, analyzed their effects across
industries, and sought to identify long-term structurally advantaged companies.
He produced Fortnightly Thoughts, a publication offering thematic insights, and
GS Sustain, a long- term-focused publication that sought to identify
best‑in‑breed companies. He also oversaw GS Dataworks, a team that used
alternative data to augment fundamental research. Before his move into thematic
research, Hugo was an equity research analyst covering European transportation
companies. Before Goldman Sachs, he was an equity research analyst at Fidelity
Investments.
Ward
Sexton, CFA, a Partner of William Blair Investment Management, LLC, has
co‑managed the Small Cap Growth Fund since 2016 and the Small‑Mid Cap Core Fund
since its inception in 2019. In 2001, he joined the Fund’s investment team as a
research analyst and covered Resources Financials and Consumer companies at
various points during his time as an analyst. He joined William Blair in 1999
and worked in the firm’s corporate finance group for two years. He has the
Chartered Financial Analyst designation and is a member of the CFA Institute and
the CFA Society of Chicago. Education: B.S., Finance with honors, University of
Illinois Urbana-Champaign; M.B.A., high honors, University of Chicago Booth
School of Business.
Andrew
Siepker, CFA, a Partner of William Blair Investment Management, LLC, has
co‑managed the International Growth Fund and the Institutional International
Growth Fund since 2022 along with associated separate account and commingled
fund portfolios. Mr. Siepker is also a global equity research analyst
covering industrial companies. Previously, he was a research analyst conducting
non‑U.S. consumer research and worked on William Blair’s sell-side as a research
associate focused on e‑commerce and hardline retailers. Before joining William
Blair in 2006, Mr. Siepker was a financial analyst in a finance training
program at First Data Corporation. He is a member of the CFA Institute and the
CFA Society Chicago. Education: B.S. in Finance, with high distinction, from the
University of Nebraska.
Mark
Thompson, CFA, a Partner of William Blair Investment Management, LLC, has
co‑managed the Small Cap Growth Fund since 2020. Previously, he was a research
analyst and an associate portfolio manager on William Blair’s Small Cap Growth
strategy. In Mr. Thompson’s research role, he focused on U.S. small‑cap
stocks across sectors. Before joining the firm as a research analyst in 2006, he
was a research generalist at Kidron Capital for three years. Before that, he was
a research analyst covering healthcare at American Express for two years. He has
the Chartered Financial Analyst designation and is a member of the CFA Institute
and the CFA Society Chicago. Education: B.B.A., Finance (with an emphasis on
accounting) and M.B.A. (with an emphasis on finance), University of
Iowa.
125
Vivian
Lin Thurston, CFA, a Partner of William Blair Investment Management, LLC, has
co‑managed the China Growth Fund and the Emerging Markets Growth Fund since
2021. Since 2018, Ms. Thurston has been a portfolio manager for William
Blair’s China A‑Shares Growth strategy and a global research analyst covering
Chinese equities. Previously, she was a global research analyst covering
large‑cap consumer companies for the Adviser. Before joining William Blair in
2016 Vivian was vice president and consumer sector head at Calamos Investments.
Prior to that, she was an executive director and senior investment analyst at
UBS Global Asset Management/Brinson Partners, where she was responsible for
stock selection and research for consumer sectors in the United States and
emerging markets. Vivian also held roles at Mesirow Financial, China
Agribusiness Development Trust and Investment Corporation, and Vanke. She is a
member of the CFA Institute and the CFA Society Chicago. Education: B.A. in
sociology from Peking University and an M.A. in sociology and M.S. in finance
from the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign.
Similarly
Managed Account Performance.
The
historical performance data shown below represents the actual performance of a
composite of all accounts previously managed by the Adviser with substantially
similar objectives, policies, strategies and risks as the Small‑Mid Cap Core
Fund since the composite’s inception on June 1, 2017.
The
performance shown is not that of the Small‑Mid Cap Core Fund and is provided
solely to illustrate the prior performance of the Adviser in a substantially
similar strategy and does not indicate the future performance of the Small‑Mid
Cap Core Fund. Past performance does not guarantee future results. Results may
differ because of, among other things, differences in brokerage commissions,
account expenses including management fees, the size of positions taken in
relation to account size, diversification of the account, timing of purchases
and sales and availability of cash for new investment.
Returns
include all dividends, interest, realized and unrealized gains and losses. The
performance information is presented net and gross of the Fund’s “Total Annual
Fund Operating Expenses After Fee Waiver and/or Expense Reimbursement” as
included in the “Annual Fund Operating Expenses” table in the Small‑Mid Cap Core
Fund’s summary section of this Prospectus. Account returns are calculated daily
using a time-weighted return methodology with adjustments for cash flows.
Monthly account performance is calculated by linking the daily returns. Monthly
composite returns are calculated by asset weighting individual account monthly
returns using beginning‑of‑period values. This method of calculation differs
from the SEC’s formula for a registered investment company to calculate average
annual total return.
The
performance shown below is not that of a registered investment company under the
Investment Company Act of 1940 (the “1940 Act”) and, as a result, has not been
subject to the restrictions and investment limitations imposed by the 1940 Act
and the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “Code”) (including, for
example, diversification and liquidity requirements and restrictions on
transactions with affiliates). The performance may have been adversely affected
had it been subject to (i) regulation as an investment company under the
1940 Act and the Code and/or (ii) the same expenses as the Small‑Mid Cap
Core Fund.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Average
Annual Total Returns For the Periods Ended December 31,
2021 |
|
1 Year |
|
|
3 Years |
|
|
Since Inception (June 1, 2017) |
|
SMID
Core Composite |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net
of Fees—Class I* |
|
|
27.04% |
|
|
|
24.77% |
|
|
|
16.26% |
|
Net
of Fees—Class R6* |
|
|
27.10% |
|
|
|
24.84% |
|
|
|
16.32% |
|
Gross
of Fees |
|
|
28.23% |
|
|
|
25.95% |
|
|
|
17.36% |
|
Russell
2500TM Index**
(reflects no deductions for fees, expenses or taxes) |
|
|
18.18% |
|
|
|
21.91% |
|
|
|
14.26% |
|
126
* |
The
performance information is net of the Fund’s “Total Annual Fund Operating
Expenses After Fee Waiver and/or Expense Reimbursement” as included in the
“Annual Fund Operating Expenses” table in the Small‑Mid Cap Core Fund’s
summary section of this Prospectus. |
** |
The
Russell 2500TM
Index measures the performance of the 2,500 companies with the lowest
market capitalizations in the Russell 3000®
Index. |
Custodian. The Custodian
for the Funds is State Street Bank and Trust Company, State Street Financial
Center, One Lincoln Street, Boston, Massachusetts 02111. The Custodian is
responsible for custody of portfolio securities, fund accounting and the
calculation of each Fund’s net asset value.
Transfer Agent and Dividend Paying
Agent. The Transfer Agent and Dividend Paying
Agent is DST Asset Manager Solutions, Inc. (“DST”), 2000 Crown Colony Drive,
Quincy, Massachusetts 02169-0953.
127
YOUR
ACCOUNT
CLASS
N SHARES
Class N
shares are offered to investors who acquire the shares directly through the
Distributor or through those financial intermediaries with whom the Distributor
has entered into written agreements specifically authorizing them to sell
Class N shares. Investors may hold Class N shares through a taxable
account or through certain tax‑advantaged accounts.
Minimum Investments. The
minimum initial investment for an account generally is $2,500. The minimum
subsequent investment generally is $1,000. William Blair may make exceptions to
these requirements, which are discussed below.
CLASS
I SHARES
Class I
shares are offered to investors who acquire the shares directly through the
Distributor or through those financial intermediaries with whom the Distributor
has entered into written agreements specifically authorizing them to sell
Class I shares.
Class I
shares are available for purchase by the following categories of investors who
meet the minimum investment requirements (except as noted):
|
• |
|
institutional
investors; |
|
• |
|
qualified retirement
plans, including, but not limited to, 401(k) plans, 457 plans,
employer-sponsored 403(b) plans, defined benefit plans and other similar
accounts, or plans whereby Class I shares are held through omnibus
accounts (either at the plan level or the level of the plan
administrator); |
|
• |
|
non‑qualified deferred
compensation plans (either at the plan level or the level of the plan
administrator); |
|
• |
|
investors who invest
through fee‑based advisory or brokerage programs of financial
intermediaries that have written agreements with the Distributor and
generally hold such shares through an omnibus account held at the Fund;
and |
|
• |
|
asset-based fee advisory
clients of William Blair. |
To
the extent a shareholder or group of shareholders (either directly or through an
intermediary) are not listed in the above categories but they held Class I
shares of a Fund prior to May 1, 2019, such investors are entitled to
continue to invest in Class I shares of that Fund.
Minimum Investments. The minimum initial
investment for an account generally is $500,000 (or any lesser amount if, in
William Blair’s opinion, the investor has adequate intent and availability of
funds to reach a future level of investment of $500,000). There is no minimum
for subsequent purchases.
There
is no minimum initial investment for:
|
• |
|
qualified retirement
plans, including, but not limited to 401(k) plans, 457 plans,
employer-sponsored 403(b) plans, defined benefit plans and other similar
accounts, or plans whereby Class I shares are held through omnibus
accounts (either at the plan level or the level of the plan
administrator); or |
|
• |
|
asset-based fee advisory
clients of William Blair. |
William
Blair may make certain additional exceptions to these requirements, which are
discussed below. The Funds will consider requests by holders of Class N
shares to convert such shares to Class I shares on a case by case basis,
provided eligibility requirements and relevant minimums are met.
128
CLASS
R6 SHARES
Class R6
shares are offered to investors who acquire the shares directly through the
Distributor or through those financial intermediaries with whom the Distributor
has entered into written agreements specifically authorizing them to sell
Class R6 shares.
Class R6
shares are offered to the following investors, provided that neither these
investors nor their intermediaries require a Fund to make any type of servicing
or administrative payments with respect to Class R6 shares:
|
• |
|
qualified retirement
plans, including, but not limited to, 401(k) plans, 457 plans, employer
sponsored 403(b) plans, defined benefit plans and other accounts or plans
whereby Class R6 shares are held through omnibus accounts (either at
the plan level or the level of the plan
administrator); |
|
• |
|
non‑qualified deferred
compensation plans (either at the plan level or the level of the plan
administrator); |
|
• |
|
tax‑exempt retirement
plans (e.g., Profit Sharing, 401(k), Money Purchase Pension and Defined
Benefit Plans) of William Blair and its affiliates and rollover accounts
from those plans; |
|
• |
|
Board members of the
Trust and partners and employees of William Blair and their families
purchasing directly from the Distributor; |
|
• |
|
other investment
companies; |
|
• |
|
other institutional
investors; |
|
• |
|
investors who invest
through fee‑based advisory or brokerage programs of financial
intermediaries that hold such shares through an omnibus account at the
Fund; and |
|
• |
|
certain asset-based fee
advisory clients of William Blair. |
Class R6
shares are not available to retail taxable or tax‑advantaged accounts seeking to
invest directly in the Funds outside of an omnibus account maintained by an
intermediary, except as noted above. To the extent a shareholder or group of
shareholders (either directly or through an intermediary) are not listed in the
above categories but they held Institutional Class shares of a Fund prior
to May 1, 2019, such investors are entitled to continue to invest in
Class R6 shares of that Fund. The Funds will consider requests by holders
of Class I shares to convert such shares to Class R6 shares on a case
by case basis, provided eligibility requirements and relevant minimums are
met.
Minimum Investments. The
minimum initial investment for an account is $1 million (or any lesser
amount if, in William Blair’s opinion, the investor has adequate intent and
availability of funds to reach a future level of investment of $1 million).
There is no minimum for subsequent purchases.
There
is no minimum initial investment for:
|
• |
|
qualified retirement
plans, including, but not limited to, 401(k) plans, 457 plans,
employer-sponsored 403(b) plans, defined benefit plans and other similar
accounts, or plans whereby Class R6 shares are held through omnibus
accounts (either at the plan level or the level of the plan
administrator); or |
|
• |
|
asset-based fee advisory
clients of William Blair that have aggregate account assets in excess of
$10 million with William Blair and who the Distributor has approved
for investment in Class R6 shares. |
William
Blair’s partners and employees, the Board members of the Trust and their family
members will not be subject to the minimum investment requirement. Tax‑exempt
retirement plans (Profit Sharing, 401(k), Money Purchase Pension and Defined
Benefit Plans) of William Blair and its affiliates and rollover accounts from
those plans will also be exempt from the minimum investment requirement. William
Blair may make certain additional exceptions to these requirements, which are
discussed below.
129
Share Class Minimum
Maintenance. If an account’s balance falls below
the minimum initial investment amount for that share class due to account
redemptions (and not due to market depreciation), the Funds reserve the right to
convert or redeem shares held by the account in the following manner:
|
• |
|
Class N shares may
be redeemed if the account value falls below the investment minimum for
Class N shares. |
|
• |
|
Class I shares may
be converted to Class N shares if the account value falls below the
investment minimum for Class I shares but meets the investment
minimum for Class N shares. Class I shares may be redeemed if
the account value falls below the investment minimum for Class N
shares. |
|
• |
|
Class R6 shares may
be converted to Class I shares if the account value falls below the
investment minimum for Class R6 shares but meets the investment
minimum for Class I shares. Class R6 shares may be redeemed if
the account value falls below the investment minimum for Class I
shares. |
The
applicable shareholder or intermediary will be notified prior to any such
redemption or conversion and will be allowed 60 days to make additional
investments and bring the account into compliance with the applicable investment
minimum before any conversion or redemption occurs. Any conversion will occur at
the relative net asset value of the two applicable share classes at the time of
conversion and the account value will not change as a result of the conversion,
although the number of shares held may change.
Where
a retirement plan or other financial intermediary holds Class I or
Class R6 shares on behalf of its participants or clients, shares held by
such participants or clients will be converted to Class N shares as
described above when a participant or client rolls over its accounts with the
retirement plan or financial intermediary into an individual retirement account
and such participant or client is not otherwise eligible to purchase
Class I or Class R6 shares.
A
conversion between share classes of the same Fund is generally not a taxable
event. Please consult your tax advisor for an assessment of the tax implications
of any conversion.
ADDITIONAL
INFORMATION AND EXCEPTIONS TO ELIGIBILITY AND MINIMUM INVESTMENT REQUIREMENTS
FOR CLASS N, CLASS I AND CLASS R6 SHARES
The
Distributor may accept investments that are less than the minimums set forth
above under a group payroll deduction or similar plan. Investors investing
through certain tax‑qualified retirement plans and wrap fee programs may be
subject to different, lower or no minimums. For omnibus accounts that meet the
minimum investment requirement, the Trust does not impose any minimum investment
amounts for sub‑accounts, although the firm holding the omnibus account may
impose its own minimum investment requirements. The Distributor may, in its
discretion, waive or reduce investment minimums in other circumstances.
The
Trust does not impose any sales charges in connection with purchases of
Class N, Class I or Class R6 shares, although financial
intermediaries and other institutions may charge their clients a fee in
connection with purchases for the accounts of their clients.
The
Distributor may, in its sole discretion, reject any purchase order from the
shareholder and/or intermediary involved.
ADDITIONAL
INFORMATION FOR CLASS N SHARES
Distribution
Agreement. The Trust has adopted a plan under Rule
12b‑1 of the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the “1940 Act”), that
applies only to Class N shares that provides for a fee at the annual rate
of 0.25% of each Fund’s average daily net assets attributable to Class N
shares for distribution and other services provided to shareholders of
Class N. Because 12b‑1 fees are paid out of Fund assets on an ongoing
basis, they
130
will,
over time, increase the cost of investment in Class N shares and may cost
more than other types of sales charges. As a result, long-term shareholders may
pay more than the economic equivalent of the maximum initial sales charge
permitted by FINRA.
ADDITIONAL
INFORMATION ON OTHER PAYMENTS TO FINANCIAL INTERMEDIARIES
Class N
and Class I shares of the Funds may reimburse William Blair for fees paid
on a Fund’s behalf to intermediaries such as banks, broker-dealers, financial
advisers or other financial institutions for sub‑administration, sub‑transfer
agency and other services provided to shareholders whose shares are held of
record in omnibus, other group accounts, retirement plans or accounts traded
through registered securities clearing agents. These fees may be based on the
number of subaccounts serviced or based on average net assets held in the Funds
for Class N and Class I shares.
William
Blair, out of its own resources and without additional cost to the Funds or
their shareholders, provides additional cash payments to certain intermediaries
(which may be referred to as revenue sharing). Such payments to intermediaries
are in addition to distribution fees, fees paid for sub‑administration,
sub‑transfer agency or other services paid or payable by Class N or
Class I shares of the Funds. William Blair may pay firms for
administrative, sub‑accounting or shareholder processing services and/or for
providing Class N, Class I or Class R6 shares of the Funds with
“shelf space” or access to a third-party platform, inclusion of Class N,
Class I or Class R6 shares of the Funds on preferred or recommended
sales lists, mutual fund “supermarket” platforms and other sales programs,
allowing William Blair access to an intermediary’s conferences and meetings and
other forms of marketing support. The level of payments made may be a fixed fee
or based on one or more of the following factors: current assets, number of
accounts and/or number of transactions for Class N, Class I or
Class R6 shares attributable to the intermediary or fund type or other
measure agreed to by William Blair and the intermediary. The amount of payments
is different for different intermediaries.
The
Distributor currently makes payments to intermediaries in amounts that generally
range from 0.01% to 0.15% of the assets of the Funds’ shares serviced and
maintained by the intermediary. These amounts are subject to change. Receipt of,
or the prospect of receiving, this compensation may influence the intermediary’s
recommendation of the Funds or availability of the Funds through the
intermediary. Further information on payments to third parties is included in
the Statement of Additional Information.
INTERNATIONAL
GROWTH FUND, INSTITUTIONAL INTERNATIONAL GROWTH FUND, INTERNATIONAL SMALL CAP
GROWTH FUND AND EMERGING MARKETS SMALL CAP GROWTH FUND
The
International Growth Fund, Institutional International Growth Fund,
International Small Cap Growth Fund and Emerging Markets Small Cap Growth Fund
are closed to investors, except as noted below. Unless you fit into one of the
investor categories described below, you may not invest in the
Funds.
You
may purchase Fund shares through your existing Fund account and reinvest
dividends and capital gains in the Fund if you are:
|
• |
|
A current Fund
shareholder (Fund shareholders holding Class N or Class I shares
of a Fund through qualified retirement plans, including, but not limited
to, 401(k) plans, 457 plans, employer-sponsored 403(b) plans, defined
benefit plans and other similar accounts, or plans whereby Fund shares are
held through omnibus accounts (either at the plan level or the level of
the plan administrator) may be permitted to make purchases of Class I
and Class R6 shares of the Fund, subject to meeting the respective
eligibility requirements for Class I and Class R6
shares); |
|
• |
|
An investor who has
previously entered into a letter of intent with the Fund or William Blair
prior to March 31, 2011 for International Small Cap Growth Fund or
October 31, 2013 for Emerging Markets Small Cap Growth
Fund; |
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|
• |
|
A participant in a
qualified defined contribution retirement plan that offers the Fund as an
investment option; or |
|
• |
|
A wrap fee program or
financial advisory firm charging asset-based fees with existing accounts
as of March 31, 2011 for International Small Cap Growth Fund,
October 31, 2013 for Emerging Markets Small Cap Growth Fund or
May 1, 2014 for International Growth Fund and Institutional
International Growth Fund purchasing shares on behalf of new and existing
clients. |
You
may open a new Fund account or purchase Fund shares through an existing Fund
account if you are:
|
• |
|
A client of William
Blair; or |
|
• |
|
A Board member or
Officer of William Blair Funds, a Partner or employee of William Blair and
its affiliates, or a member of the immediate family of any of these
persons. |
Except
as otherwise noted, these restrictions apply to investments made directly with
William Blair and investments made through financial institutions and/or
intermediaries. Once an account is closed, additional investments will not be
accepted unless you are one of the investors listed above. Exchanges of
Class N, Class I and Class R6 shares into the Funds from other
Funds are not permitted unless the exchange is being made into an existing Fund
account. Investors may be required to demonstrate eligibility to purchase shares
of the Funds before an investment is accepted. Management reserves the right to
(i) make additional exceptions that, in its judgment, do not adversely
affect its ability to manage the Funds, (ii) reject any investment or
refuse any exception, including those detailed above, that it believes will
adversely affect its ability to manage the Funds, and (iii) close and
re‑open the Funds to new or existing shareholders at any time.
BUYING,
SELLING AND EXCHANGING SHARES
The
information below relating to buying, selling and exchanging shares of the Funds
applies if you are transacting directly with the Funds. Shares of the Funds are
also available through certain financial intermediaries, such as a bank or a
broker-dealer (each, an “intermediary”). If you are investing through an
intermediary, you are not placing your orders directly with the Funds, and you
must follow the intermediary’s transaction procedures. Your intermediary may
impose different or additional conditions than the Funds on purchases,
redemptions and exchanges of Fund shares. These differences may include
different minimum initial (and subsequent) investment amounts, exchange
policies, fund choices, cut‑off times for investment and other trading
restrictions. Your intermediary also may impose charges for its services in
addition to the fees charged by the Funds. You should consult with your
intermediary directly for information regarding its conditions and fees for
buying, selling or exchanging shares of the Funds. The Funds are not responsible
for the failure of your intermediary to carry out its responsibilities.
HOW TO BUY SHARES (By Mail, by Wire or by
Telephone)
Purchase Price. All
Funds are sold at their public offering price, which is the net asset value per
share that is next computed after receipt of your order in proper form by the
Distributor, the Transfer Agent or a designated agent thereof. (For more
information, see “Determination of Net Asset Value.”) If you fail to pay for
your order, you will be liable for any loss to a Fund and, if you are a current
shareholder, the Fund may redeem some or all of your shares to cover such
loss.
Note: All purchases made
by check should be in U.S. dollars and made payable to William Blair Funds, or
in the case of a retirement account, the custodian or trustee of such account.
Third-party checks generally will not be accepted. When purchases are made by
check or periodic account investment, the Funds may delay sending redemption
proceeds until they determine that collected funds have been received for the
purchase of such shares, which may be up to 15 calendar days.
Purchase in Kind. You
may, subject to the approval of the Funds, purchase shares of the Funds with
securities that are eligible for purchase by the Funds (consistent with the
Funds’ investment process, goal and philosophy)
132
and
that have values that are readily ascertainable in accordance with the Funds’
valuation policies. Call the Funds at 1‑800‑742‑7272 if you would like to
purchase shares of the Funds with other securities. Such purchases may result in
the recognition of gain or loss for federal income tax purposes on the
securities transferred to the Funds.
Right to Reject Your Purchase
Order. The Trust is required to obtain, verify and
record certain information regarding the identity of shareholders. When opening
a new account, the Trust will ask for your name, address, taxpayer
identification number, date of birth and other information that identifies you.
You may also be asked to show identifying documents. Applications without this
information may not be accepted and orders may not be processed. The Trust
reserves the right to place limits on transactions in any account until the
identity of the investor is verified; refuse an investment in the Funds or
involuntarily redeem an investor’s shares and close an account in the event that
an investor’s identity is not verified; or suspend the payment of withdrawal
proceeds if it is deemed necessary to comply with anti-money laundering
regulations. The Trust and its agents will not be responsible for any loss
resulting from an investor’s delay in providing all required identifying
information or from closing an account and redeeming an investor’s shares when
an investor’s identity cannot be verified.
The
Trust is required to comply with various federal anti-money laundering laws and
regulations. As a result, the Trust may be required to “freeze” a shareholder
account if the shareholder appears to be involved in suspicious activity or if
account information matches information on government lists of known terrorists
or other suspicious persons, or the Trust may be required to transfer the
account or account proceeds to a government agency. The Trust may also be
required to reject a purchase payment, block an investor’s account and
consequently refuse to implement requests for transfers, withdrawals, surrenders
or death benefits.
Short-Term and Excessive
Trading. The Funds are designed for long-term
investors. All Funds discourage and do not accommodate short-term or excessive
trading. Such trading may present risks to other shareholders in the Funds,
including disruption of portfolio investment strategies, with potential
resulting harm to performance, and increased trading costs or Fund expenses.
Thus, such trading may negatively impact the Funds’ net asset value and result
in dilution to long-term shareholders. Short-term and excessive trading in Fund
shares can also negatively impact the Funds’ long-term performance by requiring
the Funds to maintain more assets in cash or to liquidate holdings at a
disadvantageous time. These risks may be more pronounced for the Funds investing
in securities that are susceptible to pricing arbitrage (e.g., international
securities, emerging markets securities and small cap securities).
In
an effort to protect long-term shareholders, the Board of Trustees has adopted
policies and procedures that seek to deter short-term and excessive trading and
to detect such trading activity at levels that may be detrimental to the Funds.
The Funds reserve the right to reject or restrict any purchase order (including
exchanges) from any investor for any reason, including excessive, short-term or
other abusive trading practices that may disrupt portfolio management strategies
and harm Fund performance. The Funds also reserve the right to delay delivery of
redemption proceeds up to seven days or to honor certain redemptions with
securities, rather than cash.
In
making the determination to exercise these rights, the Funds may consider an
investor’s trading history in the Funds and accounts under common ownership or
control. The Funds seek to employ reasonable measures to detect short-term and
excessive trading at levels that may be detrimental to the Funds. Accordingly,
the Adviser uses certain materiality and volume thresholds to detect short-term
or excessive trading, but otherwise seeks to apply the policies uniformly to all
shareholders, as described in more detail below.
Some
Fund shares are held through omnibus account arrangements, whereby a
broker-dealer, investment adviser, retirement plan sponsor or other financial
intermediary maintains an omnibus account with a Fund for trading on behalf of
its customers. For such accounts, the Adviser generally seeks to monitor trading
activity at the omnibus level in an attempt to identify disruptive trades using
certain thresholds. However, shareholders seeking to engage in short-term or
excessive trading may use a variety of strategies to avoid detection and,
despite the efforts of the Funds and their agents to prevent short-term or
excessive trading, there is no guarantee that the
133
Funds
or their agents will be able to identify such shareholders or curtail their
trading practices. Also, the ability of the Funds and their agents to detect and
curtail short-term and excessive trading practices may be limited by operational
systems and technological limitations. In addition, the Funds receive purchase,
exchange and redemption orders through financial intermediaries and cannot
always know or reasonably detect short-term or excessive trading that may be
facilitated by these intermediaries or by the use of omnibus account
arrangements.
Under
agreements that the Funds have entered into with intermediaries, the Funds may
request transaction information from intermediaries at any time to determine
whether there has been short-term trading by the intermediaries’ customers. The
Funds will request that the intermediary provide individual account level detail
(or participant level detail in the case of retirement plans) to the Funds at
their request. If short-term trading is detected at the individual account or
participant level, the Funds will request that the intermediary a) continue to
monitor the individual or participant, b) issue the individual or participant a
warning, or c) ban the individual or participant from making further purchases
of Fund shares. An intermediary may apply its own short-term trading policies
and procedures, which may be more or less restrictive than the Funds’ policies
and procedures. There is no assurance that the Funds’ policies will be effective
in limiting and deterring short-term and excessive trading in all
circumstances.
By Mail
Opening an Account—Class N shares
and Class I shares. To open
a new account for Class N shares or Class I shares of the Funds by
mail, make out a check for the amount of your investment, payable to “William
Blair Funds.” Complete the account application included with this Prospectus and
mail the completed application and the check to the Transfer Agent, DST Asset
Manager Solutions, Inc., P.O. Box 219137, Kansas City, Missouri
64121-9137.
Adding to an Account—Class N shares
and Class I shares. To
purchase additional Class N shares or Class I shares, make out a check
for the amount of your investment, payable to “William Blair Funds” and mail the
check, together with a letter that specifies the Fund name, the account number
and the name(s) in which the account is registered, to DST Asset Manager
Solutions, Inc., P.O. Box 219137, Kansas City, Missouri 64121‑9137.
Opening or Adding to an Account—Class R6
shares. Opening a new account or adding to an
account for Class R6 shares may only be done by wire. See “By Wire”
below.
By Wire
Opening an Account—Class N shares
and Class I shares. First,
call DST at 1‑800‑635‑2886 (in Massachusetts, 1‑800‑635‑2840) for an account
number. Then instruct your bank to wire federal funds to:
State
Street Bank and Trust Co.
ABA
# 011000028
DDA
# 99029340
Attn:
Custody & Shareholder Services
State
Street Financial Center
One
Lincoln Street
Boston,
Massachusetts 02111
Include
the name of the Fund in which you are investing, your assigned account number
and the name(s) in which the account is registered. Finally, complete the
account application, indicate the account number assigned to you by DST and mail
it to William Blair Funds, 150 North Riverside Plaza, Chicago, Illinois
60606.
134
Adding to an Account—Class N shares
and Class I shares. To add
to your account by wire, instruct your bank to wire federal funds to:
State
Street Bank and Trust Co.
ABA
# 011000028
DDA
# 99029340
Attn:
Custody & Shareholder Services
State
Street Financial Center
One
Lincoln Street
Boston,
Massachusetts 02111
In
your request, specify the name of the Fund in which you are investing, your
account number, and the name(s) in which the account is registered. To add to an
existing account by wire transfer of funds, you must have selected this option
on your account application.
Opening or Adding to an Account—Class R6
shares. First, call the Distributor at
1‑800‑742‑7272 for an account number. Then instruct your bank to wire federal
funds to:
State
Street Bank and Trust Co.
ABA
# 011000028
DDA
# 99029340
Attn:
Custody & Shareholder Services
State
Street Financial Center
One
Lincoln Street
Boston,
Massachusetts 02111
Include
the name of the Fund in which you are investing, your assigned account number
and the name(s) in which the account is registered. Finally, complete the
account application, indicate the account number assigned to you by the
Distributor and mail it to the Distributor, William Blair & Company,
L.L.C., 150 North Riverside Plaza, Chicago, Illinois 60606.
By Telephone
Opening an Account. See “By Wire.”
Adding to an
Account. Call DST at 1‑800‑635‑2886 (in
Massachusetts, 1‑800‑635‑2840). You may then pay for your new shares by wire or
by mail, except for Class R6 shares which may only be paid for by wire. To
add to an existing account by telephone, you must have selected this option on
your account application.
HOW TO SELL SHARES (By Mail, by Wire or by
Telephone)
You
can arrange to take money out of your account by selling (“redeeming”) some or
all of your shares. You may give instructions to redeem your shares by mail, by
wire or by telephone, as described below.
By Mail
To
redeem Class N shares, Class I shares or Class R6 shares by mail,
send a written redemption request signed by all account owners to DST Asset
Manager Solutions, Inc., P.O. Box 219137, Kansas City,
Missouri 64121‑9137.
135
Written redemption requests must include:
|
— |
a
letter that contains your name, your assigned account number, the Fund’s
name and the dollar amount or number of shares to be redeemed;
and |
|
— |
any
other necessary documents, such as an inheritance tax consent or evidence
of authority (for example, letters testamentary), dated not more than 60
days prior to receipt thereof by DST or the
Distributor. |
By Wire
To
redeem some or all of your shares by wire, you may contact DST by mail or
telephone, as explained herein. To redeem by
wire, you must have elected this option on your account application and
attached to the application, for Class N shares and Class I shares, a
voided, unsigned check or deposit slip for your bank account, and for
Class R6 shares, a corporate resolution authorizing those able to act on
your behalf.
By Telephone
To
redeem shares by telephone, you must have elected this option on your account
application. Contact DST at 1‑800‑635‑2886 (in Massachusetts,
1‑800‑635‑2840).
Note: Telephone
redemption requests should NOT be directed to the Trust or to the
Distributor.
Signature Guarantees. A
signature guarantee may be required to redeem Class N shares and
Class I shares in certain instances. A signature guarantee is not required
for redemptions of Class R6 shares. Signature guarantees must be obtained
from a bank that is a member of the FDIC, from a brokerage firm that is a member
of FINRA or an exchange, or from an eligible guarantor who is a member of, or a
participant in, a signature guarantee program. Your redemption request with
respect to Class N shares or Class I shares must include a signature
guarantee if any of the following situations apply:
|
— |
You
wish to redeem shares having a value of $75,000 or more in a single
transaction; |
|
— |
Your
account registration has changed; or |
|
— |
You
want a check in the amount of your redemption to be mailed to a different
address from the one on your account application (address of
record). |
Signature
guarantees, if required, must appear on the written redemption request and on
any endorsed stock certificate or stock power.
Redemption Price. The redemption price is
the net asset value next calculated after receipt of your redemption request in
proper order by the Distributor, Transfer Agent or a designated agent thereof.
The redemption price that you receive for your shares may be more or less than
the amount that you originally paid for them.
Payment for Redeemed
Shares. Payment normally will be mailed to you at
the address of record for your account by the third business day after receipt
by DST of a redemption request and any other required documentation and after
any checks in payment for your shares have cleared.
Under
normal conditions, each Fund typically expects to meet redemption requests
through the use of the Fund’s holdings of cash or cash equivalents or by selling
other Fund assets. A redemption in kind may be used as discussed below.
Delayed Proceeds. The
Trust reserves the right to delay delivery of your redemption proceeds—up to
seven days—or to honor certain redemptions with securities, rather than cash, as
described in the next section.
Redemptions In Kind. The
Trust reserves the right to make redemption payments in whole or in part in
securities or other financial assets, valued for this purpose as they are valued
in computing the net asset value for
136
the
Funds’ shares. In making a redemption payment “in kind,” a Fund will typically
distribute a pro rata portion of all securities or other financial assets,
subject to certain exclusions approved by the Board of Trustees. Shareholders
will receive cash for the portion of excluded securities and a Fund’s holdings
of cash and receivables.
Shareholders
receiving securities or other financial assets may realize a gain or loss for
federal income tax purposes as a result of the redemption, and will incur any
costs of sale, as well as the associated inconveniences. Notwithstanding the
above, each Fund is obligated to redeem shares solely in cash up to the lesser
of $250,000 or 1.00% of the net asset value of the Fund during any 90‑day period
for any one shareholder of record.
Automatic
Redemptions. The Trust reserves the right to
redeem your shares in any account that, following a redemption, is below a
specified minimum amount. Currently, the minimum for Class N shares is
$2,500 per account for regular accounts and IRAs, for Class I shares is
$500,000 per account for regular accounts and IRAs, and for Class R6 shares
is $1 million, unless the reduction in value is due solely to market
depreciation. Before the redemption is processed, you will be notified that the
value of your account has fallen below the minimum and allowed to make an
additional investment.
HOW TO EXCHANGE SHARES (By Mail or by Telephone)
Subject
to the following limitations, you may exchange Class N, Class I or
Class R6 shares of a Fund for the same class of shares of another William
Blair Fund at their relative net asset values so long as the shares to be
acquired are available for sale in your state of residence and the other William
Blair Fund is open to new investors. Shareholders who purchase Class I
shares of the Emerging Markets Leaders Fund solely because they have a brokerage
account with William Blair & Company, L.L.C. and held Class I
shares of the Fund on May 1, 2010 may only exchange their Class I
shares of the Emerging Markets Leaders Fund for Class N shares of another
Fund. Exchanges into a closed Fund are precluded unless the shareholder already
has an open account in that Fund. Exchanges will be effected by redeeming your
shares and purchasing shares of the other William Blair Fund(s) requested.
Shares of a Fund with a value in excess of $1 million acquired by exchange
from another Fund may not be exchanged thereafter until they have been owned for
15 days (the “15 Day Hold Policy”). Each Fund reserves the right to reject any
exchange order for any reason, including excessive, short-term (market-timing)
or other abusive trading practices that may disrupt portfolio management.
Exchanges will result in the recognition for federal income tax purposes of gain
or loss on the shares exchanged. You should obtain and carefully read the
prospectus of the William Blair Fund(s) you want to exchange into prior to
making an exchange. You may obtain a prospectus by calling 1‑800‑635‑2886 or by
going to the Trust’s website at williamblairfunds.com.
The
Fund will consider requests by holders of Class N shares to convert such
shares to Class I shares on a case by case basis, provided eligibility
requirements and relevant minimums are met. Class I shares of a Fund may be
exchanged for Class R6 shares of the Fund provided that your account meets
the eligibility requirements for Class R6 shares and you meet the
Class R6 investment minimums discussed above.
By Mail
You
may request an exchange of your shares by writing a letter that specifies the
Fund name, the account number and the name(s) in which the account is
registered, to William Blair Funds, Attention: Exchange Department, P.O. Box
219137, Kansas City, Missouri 64121-9137.
By Telephone
You
may also exchange your shares by telephone by completing the appropriate section
on your account application. Once your telephone authorization is on file, DST
will honor your requests to exchange shares by telephone at 1‑800‑635‑2886 (in
Massachusetts, 1‑800‑635‑2840).
137
Neither
the Trust nor DST will be liable for any loss, expense or cost arising out of
any telephone request pursuant to the telephone exchange privilege, including
any fraudulent or unauthorized request, and you will bear the risk of loss, so
long as the Trust or DST reasonably believes, based upon reasonable verification
procedures, that the telephonic instructions are genuine. The verification
procedures include (1) recording instructions, (2) requiring certain
identifying information before acting upon instructions and (3) sending
written confirmations.
DIVIDENDS
AND DISTRIBUTIONS
Income Dividends. The
Funds may earn dividends from stocks and interest from bond, money market and
other investments, as well as net short-term capital gains from sales of
securities, all of which are passed through to shareholders as income dividends
as long as expenses do not exceed income.
Capital Gain
Distributions. The Funds may realize capital gains
whenever they sell securities for a higher price than they paid for them, which
then will generally be passed through to shareholders as capital gain
distributions to the extent that a Fund’s net long-term capital gains exceed the
sum of its net short-term capital losses for such year and any capital loss
carryovers available from prior years.
As
a shareholder, you are entitled to your portion of a Fund’s net income and gains
on its investments. Each Fund passes its earnings along to you as dividends and
distributions. Each Fund’s policy is to distribute substantially all net
investment income, if any, and all realized net capital gain, if any. All
distributions of income and capital gain and any return of capital have the
effect of immediately thereafter decreasing net asset value per share. Income
dividends and capital gain distributions will be automatically reinvested in
additional shares at net asset value on the reinvestment date, unless you
specifically request otherwise (see “Shareholder Services and Account
Policies—Dividend Options”). Cash payments are made by the Dividend Paying Agent
shortly following the reinvestment date.
When
Dividends are Paid
|
— |
For
the Growth Fund, Large Cap Growth Fund, Mid Cap Growth Fund, Small‑Mid Cap
Core Fund, Small‑Mid Cap Growth Fund, Mid Cap Value Fund, Small Cap Growth
Fund, Small Cap Value Fund, Global Leaders Fund, International Leaders
Fund, International Growth Fund, Institutional International Growth Fund,
International Small Cap Growth Fund, Emerging Markets Leaders Fund,
Emerging Markets Growth Fund, Emerging Markets Small Cap Growth Fund, and
China Growth Fund, all income dividends, if any, and capital gain
distributions, if any, generally will be paid annually in December and/or
January. |
|
— |
For
the Emerging Markets Debt Fund, the Fund’s net investment income will be
declared at the close of a regular trading day on the New York Stock
Exchange, which is generally 3:00 p.m., Central time, on each day that the
Fund is open for business as a dividend to shareholders who were of record
prior to the declaration, and will be paid to shareholders monthly.
Capital gain distributions, if any, generally will be declared annually
and paid annually in December and/or
January. |
The
Funds may vary these dividend practices at any time. Income dividends and any
capital gain distributions made by the Funds will vary from year to year.
Dividends and distributions may be subject to withholding, as required by the
Internal Revenue Service (the “IRS”) (see “Your Account—Federal Income
Taxes”).
138
FEDERAL
INCOME TAXES
As
with any investment, you should consider how your investment in a Fund will be
taxed. If your account is not a tax‑advantaged account, the federal income tax
implications of your investment in a Fund include the following:
Taxes on
Distributions. Each Fund’s distributions from
current and accumulated earnings and profits are subject to federal income tax
and may also be subject to state or local taxes. Distributions may be taxable at
different tax rates depending upon the type of security and the length of time
the Fund holds the security generating the income or gain that is distributed.
Your distributions are generally taxable when they are paid, whether you take
them in cash or reinvest them in additional shares. However, dividends declared
in October, November or December to shareholders of record as of a date in one
of those months and paid before the following February 1 are treated as
having been paid on December 31 of the calendar year declared for federal
income tax purposes. After the close of each calendar year, the Funds will
inform you of the amount and nature of distributions paid.
Under
the federal income tax laws, net investment income, including interest and
dividends (other than “qualified dividend income”), and net short-term capital
gains are taxed as ordinary income. Distributions of qualified dividend income
will generally be taxed to individuals and other non‑corporate shareholders at
rates applicable to long-term capital gains, provided the Fund and the
shareholder each satisfy certain holding period and other requirements. Net
capital gain distributions are taxed at long-term capital gain rates regardless
of how long you have held your shares. It is anticipated that a portion of the
ordinary income dividends for the Growth Fund, Large Cap Growth Fund, Mid Cap
Growth Fund, Mid Cap Value Fund, Small‑Mid Cap Core Fund, Small‑Mid Cap Growth
Fund, Small Cap Growth Fund and Small Cap Value Fund will be eligible for the
dividends-received deduction available to corporate shareholders and for
treatment as qualified dividend income available to individual and other
non‑corporate shareholders. A portion of the dividends of the Global Leaders
Fund, International Leaders Fund, International Growth Fund, Institutional
International Growth Fund, International Small Cap Growth Fund, Emerging Markets
Debt Fund, Emerging Markets Leaders Fund, Emerging Markets Growth Fund and
Emerging Markets Small Cap Growth Fund may be eligible for treatment as
qualified dividend income.
Taxes on
Transactions. Redemptions of Fund shares and
exchanges for shares of other William Blair Funds are generally treated as a
sale of such shares subject to federal income taxation and possibly state and
local taxation. If the shares are held as a capital asset, then you will
recognize, subject to the discussion below, a capital gain or loss measured by
the difference between your basis in your shares and the price that you receive
when you sell (or exchange) such shares. The capital gain or loss upon a sale,
exchange or redemption of Fund shares will generally be a short-term capital
gain or loss if such shares were held for one year or less, and will be a
long-term capital gain or loss if such shares were held for more than one year.
As of the date of this Prospectus, long-term capital gains are generally taxable
to individuals and other non‑corporate shareholders at a maximum federal income
tax rate of 20%. Any loss recognized on the redemption of shares held six months
or less, however, will be treated as a long-term capital loss to the extent you
have received any long-term capital gain dividends on such shares. If you
realize a loss on the redemption or exchange of Fund shares and acquire within
30 days before or after such redemption or exchange shares of the same Fund
(including through reinvestment of dividends) or substantially identical stock
or securities, the two transactions may be subject to the “wash sale” rules of
the Code resulting in a postponement of the recognition of such loss for federal
income tax purposes. Capital losses may be subject to limitations on their use
by a shareholder.
As
of the date of the Prospectus, an additional 3.8% Medicare contribution tax is
imposed on certain net investment income (including income dividends and capital
gain distributions received from a Fund and net gains from redemptions or other
taxable dispositions of Fund shares) of U.S. individuals, estates and trusts to
the extent that such person’s “modified adjusted gross income” (in the case of
an individual) or “adjusted gross income” (in the case of an estate or trust)
exceeds a threshold amount.
139
Effect of Foreign
Taxes. Investment income received from sources
within foreign countries may be subject to foreign income taxes and other taxes,
which generally will reduce a Fund’s distributions. However, the United States
has entered into tax treaties with many foreign countries that entitle certain
investors to a reduced rate of tax or to certain exemptions from tax.
Accordingly, the Global Leaders Fund, International Leaders Fund, International
Growth Fund, Institutional International Growth Fund, International Small Cap
Growth Fund, Emerging Markets Debt Fund, Emerging Markets Leaders Fund, Emerging
Markets Growth Fund, Emerging Markets Small Cap Growth Fund and Emerging Markets
Debt Fund will attempt to operate so as to qualify for such reduced tax rates or
tax exemptions whenever practicable. Additionally, the Global Leaders Fund,
International Leaders Fund, International Growth Fund, Institutional
International Growth Fund, International Small Cap Growth Fund, Emerging Markets
Leaders Fund, Emerging Markets Growth Fund and Emerging Markets Small Cap Growth
Fund may each qualify for and may each elect to have foreign tax credits “passed
through” to its shareholders. In such event, shareholders will be required to
treat as part of the amounts distributed to them their pro rata portion of such
taxes and may claim a federal income tax credit or a deduction for such taxes,
subject to certain holding period and other limitations. No deduction for
foreign taxes may be claimed by a shareholder who does not itemize deductions on
his or her federal income tax return.
“Buying a Dividend.” If
you buy shares before a Fund deducts a distribution from its net asset value,
you will pay the full price for the shares and then receive a portion of the
price back in the form of a distribution, which may be subject to federal income
tax as described above. In addition, a Fund’s share price may, at any time,
reflect undistributed capital gains or income and unrealized appreciation, which
may result in future taxable distributions. Such distributions can occur even in
a year when a Fund has a negative return. See “Your Account—Dividends and
Distributions” for payment schedules, and call the Distributor if you have
further questions.
Tax Withholding. The
Funds may be required to withhold U.S. federal income tax currently at a rate of
24% on all distributions and redemption proceeds payable to shareholders who
fail to provide their correct taxpayer identification number, fail to make
certain required certifications or who have been notified (or when the Fund is
notified) by the IRS that they are subject to backup withholding.
The
foregoing is only intended as a brief summary of certain federal income tax
issues relating to investment in a Fund by shareholders subject to federal
income tax. Shareholders should consult their tax adviser about the application
of the provisions of the tax laws, including state and local tax laws, in light
of their particular situation before investing in a Fund.
For
a more detailed discussion of federal income taxes, see the Statement of
Additional Information.
140
SHAREHOLDER
SERVICES AND ACCOUNT POLICIES
The
Funds provide a variety of services to help you manage your account. If you are
investing through a financial intermediary, you may not have access to all of
these services. You should consult with your intermediary directly to determine
what services are available to you. Class R6 shares and the Institutional
International Growth Fund may not be available through your financial
intermediary.
Dividend Options. You
may choose to have your distributions reinvested in additional shares
automatically or paid in cash by making the appropriate election on your account
application. You may change your election at any time by providing written
notice to DST. Dividends and distributions are treated the same for federal
income tax purposes whether reinvested in additional shares or received in
cash.
1.
Automatic Dividend Reinvestment
Plan. The Funds automatically reinvest all income
dividends and capital gain distributions in additional shares at net asset value
on the reinvestment date. (For more information, see “Your Account—Dividends and
Distributions.”)
2.
Cash-Dividend
Plan. You may choose to have all of your income
dividends paid in cash and/or have your capital gain distributions paid in cash.
Any distributions you do not elect to have paid in cash will be reinvested
automatically in additional shares at net asset value.
3.
Automatic Deposit of
Dividends. You may elect to have all income
dividends and capital gain distributions automatically deposited in a previously
established bank account.
Automatic Investment
Plan. On your account application for Class N
shares or Class I shares of a Fund, you may authorize DST to automatically
withdraw an amount of money (minimum $250) from your bank account on the fifth
or twentieth day of each month. This amount will be invested in additional
shares. You may change your election at any time by providing written notice to
DST.
Systematic Withdrawal
Plan. You may establish this plan with
Class N shares or Class I shares presently held or through a new
investment, which should be at least $2,500 for Class N shares and $500,000
for Class I shares. Under this plan, you specify a dollar amount to be paid
monthly, quarterly or annually. Shares corresponding to the specified dollar
amount are automatically redeemed from your account on the fifth business day
preceding the end of the month, quarter or year. While this plan is in effect,
all income dividends and capital gain distributions on shares in your account
will be reinvested at net asset value in additional shares. There is no charge
for withdrawals, but the minimum withdrawal is $250 per month. Depending upon
the size of payments requested, and fluctuations in the net asset value of the
shares redeemed, redemptions under this plan may reduce or even exhaust your
account.
Retirement Plans and Other Plan
Accounts. The Trust may accept investments from a
variety of qualified retirement plans and other tax‑advantaged accounts,
including employee benefit plans, Individual Retirement Accounts (“IRAs”), Roth
IRAs, Simplified Employee Pension Plan IRAs (“SEP IRAs”), Savings Incentive
Match Plan for Employees IRAs (“SIMPLE IRAs”), Health Savings Accounts, Archer
Medical Savings Accounts, Coverdell Education Savings Accounts (formerly known
as education IRAs) and Solo 401(k) Plans (collectively, “Retirement Plan and
Other Plan Accounts”). Additional information concerning Retirement Plans and
Other Accounts is available from the Trust.
For
Class N shares, the minimum initial investment in a Retirement Plan and
Other Plan Account generally is $2,500 and the minimum subsequent investment
generally is $1,000. For Class I shares, there is no minimum initial
investment for a Retirement Plan and Other Plan Account and there is no minimum
for subsequent investments. Shareholders who open Retirement Plan and Other Plan
Accounts may be charged additional fees by the custodian for the plan. With
regard to Retirement Plan and Other Plan Accounts:
|
— |
participation
is voluntary; |
|
— |
you
may terminate or change a plan at any time without penalty or charge from
the Trust; |
141
|
— |
the
Funds may pay additional expenses incurred in connection with such
plans; |
|
— |
on
your account application, you may select the account type in which to
invest; |
|
— |
additional
forms and further information may be obtained by writing or calling the
Trust; |
|
— |
the
Trust reserves the right to change the minimum amounts for initial and
subsequent investments or to terminate any of the
plans; |
|
— |
the
Trust reserves the right to waive investment minimums at the discretion of
the Distributor; and |
|
— |
the
Trust requires a copy of the trust agreement when shares are to be held in
trust. |
Written
Confirmations. Each purchase, exchange or
redemption transaction is confirmed in writing to the address of record by
giving details of the purchase or redemption.
Transfer of Shares. Fund
shares may be transferred by a written request addressed to the Trust and
delivered to DST, giving the name and social security or taxpayer identification
number of the transferee and accompanied by the same signature guarantees, if
applicable, and documents as would be required for a redemption, together with
specimen signatures of all transferees.
Suspension of Offering or Rejection of Purchase
Orders. The Trust reserves the right to withdraw
all or any part of the offering made by this Prospectus, and/or the Trust or the
Distributor may reject purchase orders from an investor or an intermediary. From
time to time, the Trust may suspend the offering of shares of a Fund to new
investors. During the period of such suspension, persons who are already
shareholders of a Fund may be permitted to continue to purchase additional
shares of the Fund, to have dividends reinvested and to make redemptions. In
addition, a Fund may be liquidated and terminated at any time without
shareholder approval. Such a liquidation could have negative tax consequences
for shareholders and will cause shareholders to incur expenses of
liquidation.
Consultation With a Professional Tax Adviser is
Recommended, both because of the complexity of federal tax laws and
because various tax penalties are imposed for excess contributions to, and late
or premature distributions from, IRAs or other qualified retirement plans.
Termination of a plan shortly after its adoption may have adverse tax
consequences.
Shareholder Rights. All
shares of each Fund have equal rights with respect to dividends, assets and
liquidation of a Fund and equal, noncumulative voting rights. Noncumulative
voting rights allow the holder or holders of a majority of shares, voting
together for the election of Trustees, to elect all the Trustees. All shares of
the William Blair Funds will be voted in the aggregate, except when a separate
vote by a William Blair Fund is required under the 1940 Act. Shares are fully
paid and nonassessable when issued, are transferable without restriction, and
have no preemptive or conversion rights. Under Delaware law, the Trust is not
required to hold shareholder meetings on an annual basis. As required by law,
the Funds will, however, hold shareholder meetings when a sufficient number of
shareholders request a meeting, or as deemed desirable by the Board of Trustees,
for such purposes as electing or removing Trustees, changing fundamental
policies or approving a material amendment to the Management Agreement. (For
additional information about shareholder voting rights, see the Statement of
Additional Information.)
Householding. In order
to reduce the amount of mail you receive and to help reduce Fund expenses, the
Trust generally sends a single copy of any shareholder report and prospectus to
each household. If you do not want the mailing of these documents to be combined
with those for other members of your household, please
call 1‑800‑742‑7272.
Additional Information on Use of
Intermediaries. If you purchase, redeem, or
exchange shares through an intermediary, that intermediary may impose charges
for its services in addition to the fees charged by the Fund.
142
These
charges could reduce your yield or return. In addition, when you place orders
with an intermediary, you are not placing your orders directly with the Fund,
and you must follow the intermediary’s transaction procedures. Your intermediary
may impose different or additional conditions than the Fund on purchases,
redemptions and exchanges of Fund shares. These differences may include
different minimum initial (and subsequent) investment amounts, exchange
policies, fund choices, cut‑off times for investment and other trading
restrictions. You should consult your intermediary directly for information
regarding its conditions and fees. The Funds are not responsible for the failure
of your intermediary to carry out its responsibilities.
143
DETERMINATION
OF NET ASSET VALUE
When
and How Net Asset Value (“NAV”) is Determined
A
Fund’s net asset value is the value of its total assets minus its liabilities. A
Fund’s net asset value per share is determined by dividing the Fund’s net asset
value by the number of Fund shares outstanding.
The
net asset value per share shall be determined as of the close of regular trading
on the New York Stock Exchange (“NYSE”), which is generally 3:00 p.m., Central
time (4:00 p.m., Eastern time), on each day when the NYSE is open. A Fund does
not price its shares on days when the NYSE is closed for trading.
Quotations
of foreign securities in foreign currencies are converted into the United States
dollar equivalents at the prevailing market rates as computed by State Street
Bank and Trust Company, the Funds’ custodian. Trading in securities on exchanges
and over‑the‑counter markets in Europe and the Far East is normally completed at
various times prior to 3:00 p.m., Central time, the current closing time of the
NYSE. Trading on foreign exchanges may not take place on every day that the NYSE
is open. Conversely, trading in various foreign markets may take place on days
when the NYSE is not open and on other days when net asset value is not
calculated. Consequently, the value of the net assets held by the Global Leaders
Fund, the International Leaders Fund, the International Growth Fund, the
Institutional International Growth Fund, the International Small Cap Growth
Fund, the Emerging Markets Leaders Fund, the Emerging Markets Growth Fund and
the Emerging Markets Small Cap Growth Fund may be significantly affected on days
when shares are not available for purchase or redemption.
How
the Value of Fund Securities is Determined
U.S. Equity
Securities. The value of U.S. equity securities,
including exchange-traded funds, is determined by valuing securities traded on
national securities markets or in the over‑the‑counter markets at the last sale
price or, if applicable, the official closing price or, in the absence of a
recent sale on the date of determination, at the mean between the last reported
bid and ask prices. Investments in other investment funds which are not traded
on an exchange are valued at their respective net asset value per share.
Foreign Equity
Securities. The value of foreign equity securities
is generally determined based upon the last sale price on the foreign exchange
or market on which it is primarily traded and in the currency of that market as
of the close of the appropriate exchange or, if there have been no sales during
that day, at the mean between the last reported bid and ask prices. The Board of
Trustees has determined that the passage of time between when the foreign
exchanges or markets close and when a Fund computes its net asset value could
cause the value of foreign equity securities to no longer be representative or
accurate and, as a result, may necessitate that such securities be fair valued.
Accordingly, for foreign equity securities, a Fund may use an independent
pricing service to fair value price the security as of the close of regular
trading on the NYSE in the event of market movement occurring after the close of
regular trading on the foreign exchange or market where the security is
primarily traded. As a result, a Fund’s value for a security may be different
from the last sale price (or the mean between the last reported bid and ask
prices).
U.S. and Foreign Fixed Income
Securities. Fixed income securities are generally
valued using evaluated prices provided by an independent pricing service or, if
a price is not available, the security is valued at the last reported bid price
or mean between the last reported bid and the last reported ask (depending on
the type of security), in each case obtained by an independent pricing service.
The evaluated prices are formed using various market inputs that the pricing
service believes accurately represent the market value of a security at a
particular point in time. The pricing service determines evaluated prices for
fixed income securities using inputs including, but not limited to, recent
transaction prices, dealer quotes, transaction prices for securities with
similar characteristics, collateral characteristics, credit quality, payment
history, liquidity and market conditions. Repurchase agreements and certain
privately placed debt securities are valued at cost, which approximates fair
value.
144
Derivative
Instruments. Option contracts on securities,
currencies and other financial instruments traded on one or more exchanges are
valued at their most recent sale price on the exchange on which they are traded
most extensively. Option contracts on foreign indices are valued at the
settlement price. Futures contracts (and options and swaps thereon) are valued
at the most recent settlement price on the exchange on which they are traded
most extensively. Forward foreign currency contracts are valued on the basis of
the value of the underlying currencies at the prevailing currency exchange rate
as supplied by an independent pricing service.
Over‑the‑Counter
(“OTC”) swap contracts are valued by an independent pricing service. Depending
on the product and the terms of the transaction, the independent pricing service
may use a series of techniques, including simulation pricing models. The pricing
models use inputs that are observed from actively quoted markets such as issuer
details, indices, spreads, interest rates, yield curves, dividends and exchange
rates.
Centrally
cleared swaps listed or settled on a multilateral or trade facility platform,
such as a registered exchange, are valued at the daily settlement price
determined by the respective exchange. For centrally cleared credit default
swaps the clearing facility requires its members to provide actionable price
levels across complete term structures. These levels along with external
third-party prices are used to produce daily settlement prices.
Other Valuation
Factors. Securities, and other assets, for which a
market price is not available or is deemed unreliable (e.g., securities affected
by unusual or extraordinary events, such as natural disasters or securities
affected by market or economic events, such as bankruptcy filings), or the value
of which is affected by a significant valuation event, are valued at a fair
value as determined in good faith by, or under the direction of, the Board of
Trustees and in accordance with the Trust’s valuation procedures. The value of
fair valued securities may be different from the last sale price (or the mean
between the last reported bid and ask prices), and there is no guarantee that a
fair valued security will be sold at the price at which a Fund is carrying the
security.
145
INVESTMENT
GLOSSARY
The following glossary explains some of the types of
securities in which the Funds may invest, investment techniques they may employ,
and some of the related risks. For more information, please see other sections
of this Prospectus, including the Summary, Additional Information Regarding
Investment Objectives and Strategies, and Principal Risks, as well as the
Statement of Additional Information.
Collateralized
Obligations. Mortgage-Backed
Securities. Mortgage-backed securities are
securities that directly or indirectly represent a participation in, or are
secured by and payable from, mortgage loans secured by real property. There
currently are three basic types of mortgage-backed securities: (1) those
issued or guaranteed by the U.S. Government or one of its agencies or
instrumentalities, such as GNMA (Government National Mortgage Association), FNMA
(Federal National Mortgage Association) and FHLMC (Federal Home Loan Mortgage
Corporation); (2) those issued by private issuers that represent an
interest in or are collateralized by mortgage-backed securities issued or
guaranteed by the U.S. Government or one of its agencies or instrumentalities;
and (3) those issued by private issuers that represent an interest in or
are collateralized by whole mortgage loans or mortgage-backed securities without
a government guarantee but that usually have some form of private credit
enhancement.
The
yield characteristics of mortgage-backed securities differ from traditional debt
securities. Among the major differences are that interest and principal payments
are made more frequently, usually monthly, and that principal may be prepaid at
any time because the underlying mortgage loans generally may be prepaid at any
time. The rate of pre‑payments on underlying mortgages will affect the price and
volatility of a mortgage-backed security, and may have the effect of shortening
or extending the effective duration of the mortgage-backed security relative to
what was anticipated at the time of purchase. To the extent that unanticipated
rates of pre‑payment on underlying mortgages increase the effective duration of
a mortgage-backed security, the volatility of such mortgage-backed security can
be expected to increase.
Asset-Backed
Securities. Asset-backed securities are similar in
structure to mortgage-backed securities but represent interests in pools of
loans, leases or other receivables in place of mortgages. Asset-backed
securities are primarily issued by non‑government entities.
Corporate Debt Securities. Corporate debt
securities are fixed income securities issued by businesses. Notes, bonds,
debentures and commercial paper are the most prevalent types of corporate debt
securities. The Emerging Markets Debt Fund may also purchase interests in bank
loans made to companies. The credit risks of corporate debt securities vary
widely among issuers. In addition, the credit risk of an issuer’s debt security
may vary based on its priority for repayment. For example, higher ranking
(senior) debt securities have a higher priority than lower ranking
(subordinated) securities. This means that the issuer might not make payments on
subordinated securities while continuing to make payments on senior securities.
In addition, in the event of bankruptcy, holders of senior securities may
receive amounts otherwise payable to the holders of subordinated securities.
Some subordinated securities, such as trust preferred and capital securities
notes, also permit the issuer to defer payments under certain circumstances. For
example, insurance companies issue securities known as surplus notes that permit
the insurance company to defer any payment that would reduce its capital below
regulatory requirements.
Depositary
Receipts. American Depositary
Receipts (“ADRs”) are dollar-denominated securities issued by a U.S. bank or
trust company that represent, and may be converted into, the underlying foreign
security. European Depositary Receipts (“EDRs”) and Global Depositary Receipts
(“GDRs”) represent a similar securities arrangement but are issued by European
banks or other depositories, respectively. ADRs, EDRs and GDRs may be
denominated in a currency different from the underlying securities into which
they may be converted. Typically, ADRs, in registered form, are designed for
issuance in U.S. securities markets, and EDRs and GDRs, in bearer form, are
designed for issuance in European securities markets. Investments in depositary
receipts entail risks similar to direct investments in foreign securities. These
risks are detailed in the “Principal Risks” section above and in the Statement
of Additional Information.
146
Derivatives. As
described in the “Additional Information Regarding Investment Objectives and
Strategies” section of this Prospectus, the Global Leaders Fund, International
Leaders Fund, International Growth Fund, Institutional International Growth
Fund, International Small Cap Growth Fund, Emerging Markets Debt Fund, Emerging
Markets Leaders Fund, Emerging Markets Growth Fund, and Emerging Markets Small
Cap Growth Fund may use certain types of derivatives for hedging or risk
management purposes as well as to equitize cash in situations involving large
cash inflows or anticipated large redemptions. Derivatives are financial
contracts whose value depends on, or is derived from, the value of an underlying
asset, reference rate or index. Derivatives include options, futures, forward
contracts, swaps and related products.
Options. An
option is a contract in which the “holder” (the buyer) pays a certain amount
(“premium”) to the “writer” (the seller) to obtain the right, but not the
obligation, to buy from the writer (in a “call”) or sell to the writer (in a
“put”) a specific asset at an agreed upon price at or before a certain time. The
holder pays the premium at inception and has no further financial obligation.
The holder of an option-based derivative generally will benefit from favorable
movements in the price of the underlying asset but is not exposed to
corresponding losses due to adverse movements in the value of the underlying
asset. The writer of an option-based derivative generally will receive fees or
premiums but generally is exposed to losses due to changes in the value of the
underlying asset.
Futures. A
futures contract provides for the future sale by one party and purchase by
another party of a specified amount of a specific financial instrument, index,
security or commodity for a specified price at a designated date, time and
place. An index futures contract is an agreement pursuant to which the parties
agree to take or make delivery of an amount of cash equal to the difference
between the value of the index at the close of the last trading day of the
contract and the price at which the index futures contract was originally
written. Transaction costs are incurred when a futures contract is bought or
sold and margin deposits must be maintained. A futures contract may be satisfied
by delivery or purchase, as the case may be, of the instrument, security or
commodity or by payment of the change in the cash value of the index. More
commonly, futures contracts are closed out prior to delivery by entering into an
offsetting transaction in a matching futures contract. If the offsetting
purchase price is less than the original sale price, a Fund realizes a gain; if
it is more, a Fund realizes a loss. Conversely, if the offsetting sale price is
more than the original purchase price, a Fund realizes a gain; if it is less, a
Fund realizes a loss. The transaction costs must also be included in these
calculations. There can be no assurance, however, that a Fund will be able to
enter into an offsetting transaction with respect to a particular futures
contract at a particular time.
Forward Foreign Currency
Contracts. A forward foreign currency contract is
an agreement to purchase or sell a specific currency at a specified future date
and price agreed to by the parties at the time of entering into the contract. A
forward currency contract is either settled by physical delivery of the
commodity or tangible asset to an agreed-upon location at a future date, rolled
forward into a new forward contract or, in the case of a non‑deliverable
forward, by a cash payment at maturity. A Fund may use forward foreign currency
contracts to fix the value of certain securities it has agreed to buy or sell.
For example, when a Fund enters into a contract to purchase or sell securities
denominated in a particular foreign currency, the Fund could effectively fix the
maximum cost of those securities by purchasing or selling a forward currency
contract, for a fixed value of another currency, in the amount of foreign
currency involved in the underlying transaction. A Fund may also use forward
foreign currency contracts to hedge the value, in U.S. dollars, of securities it
currently owns. For example, if a Fund held securities denominated in a foreign
currency and anticipated a substantial decline (or increase) in the value of
that currency against the U.S. dollar, the Fund may enter into a forward
currency contract to sell (or purchase), for a fixed amount of U.S. dollars, the
amount of foreign currency approximating the value of all or a portion of the
securities held which are denominated in such foreign currency. Although forward
foreign currency contracts minimize the risk of loss resulting from a decline in
the value of the hedged currency, they also limit the potential for gain
resulting from an increase in the value of the hedged currency. The benefits of
forward foreign currency contracts to a Fund will depend on the ability of the
Adviser to accurately predict future currency exchange rates.
147
Swaps. A swap
is a customized, privately negotiated agreement that obligates two parties to
exchange a series of cash flows at specified intervals (payment dates) based
upon or calculated by reference to changes in specified process or rates
(interest rates in the case of interest rate swaps, currency exchange rates in
the case of currency swaps) for a specified amount of an underlying asset (the
“notional” principal amount). Cleared swaps are transacted through futures
commission merchants that are members of central clearinghouses with the
clearinghouse serving as a central counterparty. The swaps market was largely
unregulated prior to the enactment of the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and
Consumer Protection Act (the “Dodd-Frank Act”). Pursuant to rules promulgated
under the Dodd-Frank Act, central clearing of swap agreements is currently
required for certain market participants trading certain instruments, and
central clearing for additional instruments is expected to be implemented by
regulators until the majority of the swaps market is ultimately subject to
central clearing.
Credit Default
Swaps. A credit default swap is a contract between
a buyer and a seller of protection against a pre‑defined credit event (e.g., a
ratings downgrade or default) on an underlying reference obligation, which may
be a single debt instrument or baskets or indices of securities. Credit default
swaps are used as a means of “buying” credit protection (i.e., attempting to
mitigate the risk of default or credit quality deterioration in some portion of
a Fund’s holdings) or “selling” credit protection (i.e., attempting to gain
exposure to an underlying issuer’s credit quality characteristics without
directly investing in that issuer). A Fund may be a buyer or seller of a credit
default swap. Where a Fund is a seller of credit protection, it adds leverage to
its portfolio because the Fund is subject to investment exposure on the notional
amount of the swap which would be offset to the extent of its uncommitted cash
or cash equivalents. A Fund will only sell credit protection with respect to
securities in which it would be authorized to invest directly.
If
a Fund is a buyer of a credit default swap and no credit event occurs, a Fund
will lose its premium payment and recover nothing. However, if a Fund is a buyer
and a credit event occurs, a Fund will receive the full notional amount, or “par
value,” of the reference obligation in exchange for the reference obligation or
a payment equal to the difference in value between the full notional amount, or
“par value,” of the reference obligation and the market value of the reference
obligation. As a seller, a Fund receives a fixed rate of income reflecting the
buyer’s premium payments through the term of the contract (typically between six
months and three years), provided that there is no credit event. If a credit
event occurs, a Fund must pay the buyer the full notional amount, or “par
value,” of the reference obligation in exchange for the reference obligation or
the difference in value between the full notional amount, or “par value,” of the
reference obligation and the market value of the reference obligation. Credit
default swaps may involve greater risks than if a Fund had invested in the
reference obligation directly. In addition to the risks applicable to
derivatives generally, credit default swaps involve special risks because they
may be difficult to value and may be more susceptible to liquidity and credit
risk.
Emerging Markets. For
all Funds other than the Emerging Markets Debt Fund, emerging markets are
defined as every country in the world except the United States, Canada, Japan,
Australia, New Zealand, Hong Kong, Singapore and most Western European
countries. Emerging market companies are companies organized under the laws of
an emerging market country or having securities that are traded principally on
an exchange or over‑the‑counter in an emerging market country.
The
Emerging Markets Debt Fund defines emerging markets as every country in the
world except countries included in the MSCI World Index. Emerging market
companies are companies organized under the laws of an emerging market country
or having securities that are traded principally on an exchange or
over‑the‑counter in an emerging market country.
Floating and Variable Rate
Securities. The Emerging Markets Debt Fund may
invest in instruments having rates of interest that are adjusted periodically or
that “float” continuously or periodically according to formulae intended to
minimize fluctuation in values of the instruments (“Variable Rate Securities”).
The interest rate on a Variable Rate Security is ordinarily determined by
reference to, or is a percentage of, an objective standard such as LIBOR, a
bank’s prime rate, the 90‑day U.S. Treasury Bill rate or the rate of return on
commercial paper or bank certificates of deposit. Generally, the changes in the
interest rates on Variable Rate Securities reduce the
148
fluctuation
in the market value of such securities. Accordingly, as interest rates decrease
or increase, the potential for capital appreciation or depreciation is less than
for fixed-rate obligations. The Emerging Markets Debt Fund may invest in
Variable Rate Securities that have a demand feature entitling the Fund to resell
the securities to the issuer or a third-party at an amount approximately equal
to the principal amount thereof plus accrued interest (“Variable Rate Demand
Securities”). As is the case for other Variable Rate Securities, the interest
rate on Variable Rate Demand Securities varies according to some objective
standard intended to minimize fluctuation in the values of the instruments. Many
of these Variable Rate Demand Securities are unrated, their transfer is
restricted by the issuer and there is little if any secondary market for the
securities. Thus, any inability of the issuers of such securities to pay on
demand could adversely affect the liquidity of these securities. The Fund
determines the maturity of Variable Rate Securities in accordance with SEC
rules, which allow the Fund to consider certain of such instruments as having
maturities shorter than the maturity date on the face of the instrument if they
are guaranteed by the U.S. Government or its agencies, if they have a stated
maturity date of one year or less, or if they have demand features prior to
maturity.
Initial Public Offerings
(“IPOs”). A Fund may participate in IPOs. IPOs are
subject to high volatility and are of limited availability. A Fund’s ability to
obtain allocations of IPOs is subject to allocation by members of the
underwriting syndicate to various clients and allocation by the Adviser among
its clients. When a Fund is small in size, the Fund’s participation in IPOs may
have a magnified impact on the Fund’s performance.
Investment Grade
Securities. A security is considered to be
investment grade if it is rated in one of the highest four categories by at
least one nationally recognized statistical rating organization.
Hybrid Bonds. The
Emerging Markets Debt Fund may invest in hybrid bonds. Hybrid bonds are
securities that have debt and equity characteristics. Like other bonds, hybrid
bonds have periodic coupon payments and a stated maturity and the issuer pays
interest pre‑tax. Like equity securities, hybrid bonds fall below senior debt in
an issuer’s capital structure and have features that allow the issuer to skip
payments without defaulting.
Private Placements. A
Fund may purchase securities in private placement transactions. Investments in
private placements may be difficult to sell at the time and at the price desired
by a Fund; companies making private placements may make less information
available than publicly offered companies; and privately placed securities are
more difficult to value than publicly traded securities. These factors may have
a negative effect on the performance of a Fund. Securities acquired through
private placements are not registered for resale in the general securities
market and may be classified as illiquid.
Real Estate Investment Trusts
(“REITs”). REITs are pooled investment vehicles
that typically invest directly in real estate, in mortgages and loans
collateralized by real estate, or in a combination of the two. “Equity” REITs
invest primarily in real estate that produces income from rentals. “Mortgage”
REITs invest primarily in mortgages and derive their income from interest
payments. REITs usually specialize in a particular type of property and may
concentrate their investments in particular geographical areas. REITs issue
stocks and most REIT stocks trade on the major stock exchanges or
over‑the‑counter. Exposure to real estate markets, through securities of REITs
or other instruments, will be subject to risks of the specific properties or
property types and by default rates of borrowers or tenants. Some REITs may have
limited diversification and may be subject to risks inherent in investments in a
limited number of properties, in a narrow geographic area, or in a single
property type. Real estate is also affected by general economic conditions. When
growth is slowing, demand for property decreases and prices may decline. Rising
interest rates, which drive up mortgage and financing costs, can restrain
construction and buying and selling activity, and may reduce the appeal of real
estate investments. REITs depend generally on their ability to generate cash
flow to make distributions to shareholders or unitholders, and may be subject to
defaults by borrowers and self-liquidations. A REIT’s return may be adversely
affected when interest rates are high or rising. Distributions to shareholders
attributable to dividends received from REITs generally are taxed as ordinary
income for federal income tax purposes. In addition, the failure of a REIT to
continue to qualify as a REIT for federal income tax purposes would have an
adverse effect upon the value of an investment in that REIT.
149
Repurchase
Agreements. Repurchase agreements are instruments
under which a Fund acquires ownership of a security, and the seller, a
broker-dealer or a bank agrees to repurchase the security at a mutually agreed
upon time and price. The repurchase agreement serves to fix the yield of the
security during a Fund’s holding period. The Funds currently intend to enter
into repurchase agreements only with member banks of the Federal Reserve System
or primary dealers in U.S. Government securities and that are cleared through
the Fixed Income Clearing Corporation (“FICC”). In all cases, the Adviser must
be satisfied with the creditworthiness of the seller before entering into a
repurchase agreement. In the event of the bankruptcy or other default of the
seller of a repurchase agreement, a Fund could incur expenses and delays
enforcing its rights under the agreement, and experience a decline in the value
of the underlying securities and loss of income. The maturity of a security
subject to repurchase may exceed one year. Repurchase agreements maturing in
more than seven days, together with any securities that are restricted as to
disposition under the federal securities laws or are otherwise considered to be
illiquid, will not exceed 15% of the net assets of each Fund.
Rule 144A
Securities. Rule 144A securities are restricted
securities that can be sold to qualified institutional buyers under the
Securities Act of 1933, as amended. Investing in Rule 144A securities may
increase the illiquidity of a Fund’s investments in the event that an adequate
trading market does not exist for these securities.
Sovereign Debt. The
Emerging Markets Debt Fund may invest in sovereign debt issued by a foreign
national government. Sovereign debt is typically denominated in a currency other
than the issuing government’s domestic currency.
U.S. Government
Securities. These are fixed income obligations of
the U.S. Government and its various agencies. U.S. Government securities issued
by the U.S. Treasury (bills, notes and bonds) are backed by the full faith and
credit of the federal government. Some government securities not issued by the
U.S. Treasury also carry the U.S. Government’s full faith and credit backing on
principal or interest payments. Some securities are backed by the issuer’s right
to borrow from the U.S. Treasury, and some are backed only by the credit of the
issuing organization. All U.S. Government securities are considered highly
creditworthy. This guarantee, however, does not extend to the market prices for
such securities, which can fluctuate.
Warrants. Warrants are
securities giving the holder the right, but not the obligation, to buy the stock
of an issuer at a given price (generally higher than the value of the stock at
the time of issuance) during a specified period or perpetually. Warrants may be
acquired separately or in connection with the acquisition of securities.
Warrants do not carry with them the right to dividends or voting rights with
respect to the securities that they entitle their holder to purchase and they do
not represent any rights in the assets of the issuer. As a result, warrants may
be considered to have more speculative characteristics than certain other types
of investments. In addition, the value of a warrant does not necessarily change
with the value of the underlying securities and a warrant ceases to have value
if it is not exercised prior to its expiration date.
When-Issued and Delayed Delivery
Securities. From time to time, in the ordinary
course of business, a Fund may purchase newly issued securities appropriate for
the Fund on a “when-issued” basis, and may purchase or sell securities
appropriate for the Fund on a “delayed delivery” basis. When-issued or delayed
delivery transactions involve a commitment by a Fund to purchase or sell
particular securities, with payment and delivery to take place at a future date.
These transactions allow a Fund to lock in an attractive purchase price or yield
on a security the Fund intends to purchase. Normally, settlement occurs within
one month of the purchase or sale. During the period between purchase and
settlement, no payment is made or received by a Fund and, for delayed delivery
purchases, no interest accrues to a Fund. Because a Fund is required to set
aside cash or liquid securities at least equal in value to its commitments to
purchase when-issued or delayed delivery securities, the Adviser’s ability to
manage the Fund’s assets may be affected by such commitments. A Fund will only
make commitments to purchase securities on a when-issued or delayed delivery
basis with the intention of actually acquiring the securities, but it reserves
the right to sell them before the settlement date if it is deemed
advisable.
150
FINANCIAL
HIGHLIGHTS
The
tables below are intended to help you understand each Fund’s financial
performance for the fiscal periods presented. Certain information reflects
financial results for a single Fund share. The total return figures show what an
investor in a Fund would have earned (or lost) on an investment in the Fund
(assuming reinvestment of all dividends and distributions). The information has
been derived from the Funds’ financial statements audited by Ernst &
Young LLP, an independent registered public accounting firm, whose report, along
with the Funds’ financial statements, is included in the annual report dated
December 31, 2021, which is available upon request (see back cover). Net
investment income (loss) per share is based on the average shares outstanding
during the year.
In
connection with the Reorganization, the Small Cap Value Fund has adopted the
operating history of the Predecessor Fund for financial reporting purposes.
Therefore, the financial highlights shown below for the Fund’s fiscal periods
prior to July 16, 2021 are those of the Predecessor Fund. The information
shown below with respect to the Fund for periods prior to that date has been
derived from the Predecessor Fund’s financial statements, which have been
audited by the Predecessor Fund’s independent registered public accounting firm.
The information shown for periods ended October 31, 2021 and
December 31, 2021 has been derived from the Fund’s financial statements
audited by Ernst & Young LLP, whose report, along with the Fund’s
financial statements, is included in the Fund’s annual report dated December 31,
2021, which is available upon request. Because the Predecessor Fund did not
offer share classes other than Institutional Class shares, financial
highlights for Class R6 or Class N shares of the Fund are provided for
the fiscal period beginning July 17, 2021 (Commencement Date of
Operations).
Growth
Fund
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Class N |
|
|
|
Years Ended
December 31, |
|
|
|
2021 |
|
|
2020 |
|
|
2019 |
|
|
2018 |
|
|
2017 |
|
Net
asset value, beginning of year |
|
$ |
11.15 |
|
|
$ |
9.45 |
|
|
$ |
7.91 |
|
|
$ |
10.27 |
|
|
$ |
11.41 |
|
Income
(loss) from investment operations: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net
investment income (loss) |
|
|
(0.08 |
) |
|
|
(0.05 |
) |
|
|
(0.03 |
) |
|
|
(0.04 |
) |
|
|
(0.02 |
) |
Net
realized and unrealized gain (loss) on investments |
|
|
2.49 |
|
|
|
3.43 |
|
|
|
2.54 |
|
|
|
0.75 |
|
|
|
2.78 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total
from investment operations |
|
|
2.41 |
|
|
|
3.38 |
|
|
|
2.51 |
|
|
|
0.71 |
|
|
|
2.76 |
|
Less
distributions from: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net
investment income |
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
Net
realized gain |
|
|
1.75 |
|
|
|
1.68 |
|
|
|
0.97 |
|
|
|
3.07 |
|
|
|
3.90 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total
distributions |
|
|
1.75 |
|
|
|
1.68 |
|
|
|
0.97 |
|
|
|
3.07 |
|
|
|
3.90 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net
asset value, end of year |
|
$ |
11.81 |
|
|
$ |
11.15 |
|
|
$ |
9.45 |
|
|
$ |
7.91 |
|
|
$ |
10.27 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total
return (%) |
|
|
22.09 |
|
|
|
35.97 |
|
|
|
31.97 |
|
|
|
5.10 |
|
|
|
24.35 |
|
Ratios
to average daily net assets (%): |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Expenses,
before waivers and reimbursements |
|
|
1.21 |
|
|
|
1.26 |
|
|
|
1.24 |
|
|
|
1.22 |
|
|
|
1.20 |
|
Expenses,
net of waivers and reimbursements |
|
|
1.20 |
|
|
|
1.20 |
|
|
|
1.20 |
|
|
|
1.20 |
|
|
|
1.20 |
|
Net
investment income (loss), before waivers and reimbursements |
|
|
(0.67 |
) |
|
|
(0.55 |
) |
|
|
(0.35 |
) |
|
|
(0.36 |
) |
|
|
(0.14 |
) |
Net
investment income (loss), net of waivers and reimbursements |
|
|
(0.66 |
) |
|
|
(0.49 |
) |
|
|
(0.31 |
) |
|
|
(0.34 |
) |
|
|
(0.14 |
) |
Class N
net assets at the end of the year (in thousands) |
|
$ |
36,807 |
|
|
$ |
35,494 |
|
|
$ |
32,710 |
|
|
$ |
38,370 |
|
|
$ |
34,886 |
|
Portfolio
turnover rate (%) |
|
|
30 |
|
|
|
46 |
|
|
|
39 |
|
|
|
46 |
|
|
|
38 |
|
151
Growth
Fund
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Class I |
|
|
|
Years Ended
December 31, |
|
|
|
2021 |
|
|
2020 |
|
|
2019 |
|
|
2018 |
|
|
2017 |
|
Net
asset value, beginning of year |
|
$ |
13.64 |
|
|
$ |
11.25 |
|
|
$ |
9.25 |
|
|
$ |
11.51 |
|
|
$ |
12.39 |
|
Income
(loss) from investment operations: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net
investment income (loss) |
|
|
(0.05 |
) |
|
|
(0.03 |
) |
|
|
(0.00 |
)† |
|
|
(0.01 |
) |
|
|
0.02 |
|
Net
realized and unrealized gain (loss) on investments |
|
|
3.07 |
|
|
|
4.10 |
|
|
|
2.97 |
|
|
|
0.82 |
|
|
|
3.02 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total
from investment operations |
|
|
3.02 |
|
|
|
4.07 |
|
|
|
2.97 |
|
|
|
0.81 |
|
|
|
3.04 |
|
Less
distributions from: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net
investment income |
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
0.00 |
† |
|
|
0.02 |
|
Net
realized gain |
|
|
1.75 |
|
|
|
1.68 |
|
|
|
0.97 |
|
|
|
3.07 |
|
|
|
3.90 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total
distributions |
|
|
1.75 |
|
|
|
1.68 |
|
|
|
0.97 |
|
|
|
3.07 |
|
|
|
3.92 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net
asset value, end of year |
|
$ |
14.91 |
|
|
$ |
13.64 |
|
|
$ |
11.25 |
|
|
$ |
9.25 |
|
|
$ |
11.51 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total
return (%) |
|
|
22.54 |
|
|
|
36.35 |
|
|
|
32.32 |
|
|
|
5.42 |
|
|
|
24.64 |
|
Ratios
to average daily net assets (%): |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Expenses |
|
|
0.89 |
|
|
|
0.93 |
|
|
|
0.92 |
|
|
|
0.91 |
|
|
|
0.92 |
|
Net
investment income (loss) |
|
|
(0.35 |
) |
|
|
(0.23 |
) |
|
|
(0.03 |
) |
|
|
(0.06 |
) |
|
|
0.12 |
|
Class I
net assets at the end of the year (in thousands) |
|
$ |
293,900 |
|
|
$ |
249,716 |
|
|
$ |
220,660 |
|
|
$ |
187,306 |
|
|
$ |
318,848 |
|
Portfolio
turnover rate (%) |
|
|
30 |
|
|
|
46 |
|
|
|
39 |
|
|
|
46 |
|
|
|
38 |
|
† |
Amount
is less than $0.005 per share. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Class R6 |
|
|
|
Years
Ended December 31, |
|
|
|
2021 |
|
|
2020 |
|
|
2019(a) |
|
Net
asset value, beginning of year |
|
$ |
13.67 |
|
|
$ |
11.26 |
|
|
$ |
11.06 |
|
Income
(loss) from investment operations: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net
investment income (loss) |
|
|
(0.04 |
) |
|
|
(0.03 |
) |
|
|
(0.00 |
)† |
Net
realized and unrealized gain (loss) on investments |
|
|
3.07 |
|
|
|
4.12 |
|
|
|
1.17 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total
from investment operations |
|
|
3.03 |
|
|
|
4.09 |
|
|
|
1.17 |
|
Less
distributions from: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net
investment income |
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
Net
realized gain |
|
|
1.75 |
|
|
|
1.68 |
|
|
|
0.97 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total
distributions |
|
|
1.75 |
|
|
|
1.68 |
|
|
|
0.97 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net
asset value, end of year |
|
$ |
14.95 |
|
|
$ |
13.67 |
|
|
$ |
11.26 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total
return (%)* |
|
|
22.55 |
|
|
|
36.50 |
|
|
|
10.75 |
|
Ratios
to average daily net assets (%)**: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Expenses |
|
|
0.84 |
|
|
|
0.87 |
|
|
|
0.88 |
|
Net
investment income (loss) |
|
|
(0.29 |
) |
|
|
(0.23 |
) |
|
|
(0.06 |
) |
Class R6
net assets at the end of the year (in thousands) |
|
$ |
14,993 |
|
|
$ |
12,041 |
|
|
$ |
217 |
|
Portfolio
turnover rate (%)* |
|
|
30 |
|
|
|
46 |
|
|
|
39 |
|
(a) |
For
the period from May 2, 2019 (Commencement of Operations) to
December 31, 2019. |
* |
Rates
are not annualized for periods less than a year. |
** |
Rates
are annualized for periods less than a year. |
† |
Amount
is less than $0.005 per share. |
152
Large
Cap Growth Fund
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Class N |
|
|
|
Years Ended
December 31, |
|
|
|
2021 |
|
|
2020 |
|
|
2019 |
|
|
2018 |
|
|
2017 |
|
Net
asset value, beginning of year |
|
$ |
20.03 |
|
|
$ |
15.27 |
|
|
$ |
11.99 |
|
|
$ |
13.35 |
|
|
$ |
10.26 |
|
Income
(loss) from investment operations: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net
investment income (loss) |
|
|
(0.07 |
) |
|
|
0.01 |
|
|
|
0.00 |
† |
|
|
(0.02 |
) |
|
|
(0.02 |
) |
Net
realized and unrealized gain (loss) on investments |
|
|
5.65 |
|
|
|
5.52 |
|
|
|
4.29 |
|
|
|
0.81 |
|
|
|
3.19 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total
from investment operations |
|
|
5.58 |
|
|
|
5.53 |
|
|
|
4.29 |
|
|
|
0.79 |
|
|
|
3.17 |
|
Less
distributions from: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net
investment income |
|
|
— |
|
|
|
0.00 |
† |
|
|
0.01 |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
Net
realized gain |
|
|
1.12 |
|
|
|
0.77 |
|
|
|
1.00 |
|
|
|
2.15 |
|
|
|
0.08 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total
distributions |
|
|
1.12 |
|
|
|
0.77 |
|
|
|
1.01 |
|
|
|
2.15 |
|
|
|
0.08 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net
asset value, end of year |
|
$ |
24.49 |
|
|
$ |
20.03 |
|
|
$ |
15.27 |
|
|
$ |
11.99 |
|
|
$ |
13.35 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total
return (%) |
|
|
28.03 |
|
|
|
36.30 |
|
|
|
36.00 |
|
|
|
4.96 |
|
|
|
30.88 |
|
Ratios
to average daily net assets (%): |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Expenses,
before waivers and reimbursements |
|
|
1.05 |
|
|
|
1.09 |
|
|
|
1.12 |
|
|
|
1.21 |
|
|
|
1.19 |
|
Expenses,
net of waivers and reimbursements |
|
|
0.90 |
|
|
|
0.90 |
|
|
|
0.95 |
|
|
|
1.05 |
|
|
|
1.05 |
|
Net
investment income (loss), before waivers and reimbursements |
|
|
(0.46 |
) |
|
|
(0.15 |
) |
|
|
(0.14 |
) |
|
|
(0.33 |
) |
|
|
(0.27 |
) |
Net
investment income (loss), net of waivers and reimbursements |
|
|
(0.31 |
) |
|
|
0.04 |
|
|
|
0.03 |
|
|
|
(0.17 |
) |
|
|
(0.13 |
) |
Class N
net assets at the end of the year (in thousands) |
|
$ |
203,014 |
|
|
$ |
138,152 |
|
|
$ |
65,314 |
|
|
$ |
41,361 |
|
|
$ |
25,604 |
|
Portfolio
turnover rate (%) |
|
|
26 |
|
|
|
35 |
|
|
|
37 |
|
|
|
47 |
|
|
|
29 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Class I |
|
|
|
Years Ended
December 31, |
|
|
|
2021 |
|
|
2020 |
|
|
2019 |
|
|
2018 |
|
|
2017 |
|
Net
asset value, beginning of year |
|
$ |
21.29 |
|
|
$ |
16.19 |
|
|
$ |
12.66 |
|
|
$ |
13.97 |
|
|
$ |
10.70 |
|
Income
(loss) from investment operations: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net
investment income (loss) |
|
|
(0.02 |
) |
|
|
0.06 |
|
|
|
0.04 |
|
|
|
0.01 |
|
|
|
0.02 |
|
Net
realized and unrealized gain (loss) on investments |
|
|
6.03 |
|
|
|
5.85 |
|
|
|
4.54 |
|
|
|
0.85 |
|
|
|
3.33 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total
from investment operations |
|
|
6.01 |
|
|
|
5.91 |
|
|
|
4.58 |
|
|
|
0.86 |
|
|
|
3.35 |
|
Less
distributions from: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net
investment income |
|
|
— |
|
|
|
0.04 |
|
|
|
0.05 |
|
|
|
0.02 |
|
|
|
— |
|
Net
realized gain |
|
|
1.12 |
|
|
|
0.77 |
|
|
|
1.00 |
|
|
|
2.15 |
|
|
|
0.08 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total
distributions |
|
|
1.12 |
|
|
|
0.81 |
|
|
|
1.05 |
|
|
|
2.17 |
|
|
|
0.08 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net
asset value, end of year |
|
$ |
26.18 |
|
|
$ |
21.29 |
|
|
$ |
16.19 |
|
|
$ |
12.66 |
|
|
$ |
13.97 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total
return (%) |
|
|
28.39 |
|
|
|
36.59 |
|
|
|
36.35 |
|
|
|
5.21 |
|
|
|
31.29 |
|
Ratios
to average daily net assets (%): |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Expenses,
before waivers and reimbursements |
|
|
0.75 |
|
|
|
0.80 |
|
|
|
0.81 |
|
|
|
0.90 |
|
|
|
0.90 |
|
Expenses,
net of waivers and reimbursements |
|
|
0.65 |
|
|
|
0.65 |
|
|
|
0.70 |
|
|
|
0.80 |
|
|
|
0.80 |
|
Net
investment income (loss), before waivers and reimbursements |
|
|
(0.17 |
) |
|
|
0.16 |
|
|
|
0.16 |
|
|
|
(0.01 |
) |
|
|
0.03 |
|
Net
investment income (loss), net of waivers and reimbursements |
|
|
(0.07 |
) |
|
|
0.31 |
|
|
|
0.27 |
|
|
|
0.09 |
|
|
|
0.13 |
|
Class I
net assets at the end of the year (in thousands) |
|
$ |
669,060 |
|
|
$ |
397,370 |
|
|
$ |
236,930 |
|
|
$ |
137,599 |
|
|
$ |
177,959 |
|
Portfolio
turnover rate (%) |
|
|
26 |
|
|
|
35 |
|
|
|
37 |
|
|
|
47 |
|
|
|
29 |
|
† |
Amount
is less than $0.005 per share. |
153
Large
Cap Growth Fund
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Class R6 |
|
|
|
Years Ended
December 31, |
|
|
|
2021 |
|
|
2020 |
|
|
2019(a) |
|
Net
asset value, beginning of year |
|
$ |
21.27 |
|
|
$ |
16.17 |
|
|
$ |
15.12 |
|
Income
(loss) from investment operations: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net
investment income (loss) |
|
|
(0.00 |
)† |
|
|
0.01 |
|
|
|
0.04 |
|
Net
realized and unrealized gain (loss) on investments |
|
|
6.01 |
|
|
|
5.91 |
|
|
|
2.07 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total
from investment operations |
|
|
6.01 |
|
|
|
5.92 |
|
|
|
2.11 |
|
Less
distributions from: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net
investment income |
|
|
0.00 |
† |
|
|
0.05 |
|
|
|
0.06 |
|
Net
realized gain |
|
|
1.12 |
|
|
|
0.77 |
|
|
|
1.00 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total
distributions |
|
|
1.12 |
|
|
|
0.82 |
|
|
|
1.06 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net
asset value, end of year |
|
$ |
26.16 |
|
|
$ |
21.27 |
|
|
$ |
16.17 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total
return (%)* |
|
|
28.42 |
|
|
|
36.70 |
|
|
|
14.13 |
|
Ratios
to average daily net assets (%)**: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Expenses,
before waivers and reimbursements |
|
|
0.67 |
|
|
|
0.70 |
|
|
|
0.71 |
|
Expenses,
net of waivers and reimbursements |
|
|
0.60 |
|
|
|
0.60 |
|
|
|
0.60 |
|
Net
investment income (loss), before waivers and reimbursements |
|
|
(0.08 |
) |
|
|
(0.03 |
) |
|
|
0.22 |
|
Net
investment income (loss), net of waivers and reimbursements |
|
|
(0.01 |
) |
|
|
0.07 |
|
|
|
0.33 |
|
Class R6
net assets at the end of the year (in thousands) |
|
$ |
233,946 |
|
|
$ |
177,347 |
|
|
$ |
1,590 |
|
Portfolio
turnover rate (%)* |
|
|
26 |
|
|
|
35 |
|
|
|
37 |
|
(a) |
For
the period from May 2, 2019 (Commencement of Operations) to
December 31, 2019. |
* |
Rates
are not annualized for periods less than a year. |
** |
Rates
are annualized for periods less than a year. |
† |
Amount
is less than $0.005 per share. |
154
Mid
Cap Growth Fund
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Class N |
|
|
|
Years Ended
December 31, |
|
|
|
2021 |
|
|
2020 |
|
|
2019 |
|
|
2018 |
|
|
2017 |
|
Net
asset value, beginning of year |
|
$ |
12.89 |
|
|
$ |
10.99 |
|
|
$ |
8.87 |
|
|
$ |
10.92 |
|
|
$ |
10.69 |
|
Income
(loss) from investment operations: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net
investment income (loss) |
|
|
(0.12 |
) |
|
|
(0.08 |
) |
|
|
(0.05 |
) |
|
|
(0.06 |
) |
|
|
(0.08 |
) |
Net
realized and unrealized gain (loss) on investments |
|
|
1.13 |
|
|
|
3.01 |
|
|
|
3.22 |
|
|
|
0.03 |
|
|
|
2.29 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total
from investment operations |
|
|
1.01 |
|
|
|
2.93 |
|
|
|
3.17 |
|
|
|
(0.03 |
) |
|
|
2.21 |
|
Less
distributions from: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net
investment income |
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
Net
realized gain |
|
|
0.61 |
|
|
|
1.03 |
|
|
|
1.05 |
|
|
|
2.02 |
|
|
|
1.98 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total
distributions |
|
|
0.61 |
|
|
|
1.03 |
|
|
|
1.05 |
|
|
|
2.02 |
|
|
|
1.98 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net
asset value, end of year |
|
$ |
13.29 |
|
|
$ |
12.89 |
|
|
$ |
10.99 |
|
|
$ |
8.87 |
|
|
$ |
10.92 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total
return (%) |
|
|
8.10 |
|
|
|
26.80 |
|
|
|
36.02 |
|
|
|
(1.20 |
) |
|
|
20.88 |
|
Ratios
to average daily net assets (%): |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Expenses,
before waivers and reimbursements |
|
|
1.48 |
|
|
|
1.54 |
|
|
|
1.51 |
|
|
|
1.57 |
|
|
|
1.49 |
|
Expenses,
net of waivers and reimbursements |
|
|
1.20 |
|
|
|
1.20 |
|
|
|
1.20 |
|
|
|
1.23 |
|
|
|
1.30 |
|
Net
investment income (loss), before waivers and reimbursements |
|
|
(1.14 |
) |
|
|
(1.06 |
) |
|
|
(0.79 |
) |
|
|
(0.85 |
) |
|
|
(0.84 |
) |
Net
investment income (loss), net of waivers and reimbursements |
|
|
(0.86 |
) |
|
|
(0.72 |
) |
|
|
(0.48 |
) |
|
|
(0.51 |
) |
|
|
(0.65 |
) |
Class N
net assets at the end of the year (in thousands) |
|
$ |
5,480 |
|
|
$ |
6,074 |
|
|
$ |
5,465 |
|
|
$ |
4,944 |
|
|
$ |
6,166 |
|
Portfolio
turnover rate (%) |
|
|
47 |
|
|
|
45 |
|
|
|
43 |
|
|
|
58 |
|
|
|
59 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Class I |
|
|
|
Years Ended
December 31, |
|
|
|
2021 |
|
|
2020 |
|
|
2019 |
|
|
2018 |
|
|
2017 |
|
Net
asset value, beginning of year |
|
$ |
14.13 |
|
|
$ |
11.93 |
|
|
$ |
9.55 |
|
|
$ |
11.57 |
|
|
$ |
11.20 |
|
Income
(loss) from investment operations: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net
investment income (loss) |
|
|
(0.09 |
) |
|
|
(0.06 |
) |
|
|
(0.03 |
) |
|
|
(0.03 |
) |
|
|
(0.05 |
) |
Net
realized and unrealized gain (loss) on investments |
|
|
1.24 |
|
|
|
3.29 |
|
|
|
3.46 |
|
|
|
0.03 |
|
|
|
2.40 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total
from investment operations |
|
|
1.15 |
|
|
|
3.23 |
|
|
|
3.43 |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
2.35 |
|
Less
distributions from: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net
investment income |
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
Net
realized gain |
|
|
0.61 |
|
|
|
1.03 |
|
|
|
1.05 |
|
|
|
2.02 |
|
|
|
1.98 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total
distributions |
|
|
0.61 |
|
|
|
1.03 |
|
|
|
1.05 |
|
|
|
2.02 |
|
|
|
1.98 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net
asset value, end of year |
|
$ |
14.67 |
|
|
$ |
14.13 |
|
|
$ |
11.93 |
|
|
$ |
9.55 |
|
|
$ |
11.57 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total
return (%) |
|
|
8.38 |
|
|
|
27.21 |
|
|
|
36.17 |
|
|
|
(0.86 |
) |
|
|
21.18 |
|
Ratios
to average daily net assets (%): |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Expenses,
before waivers and reimbursements |
|
|
1.24 |
|
|
|
1.29 |
|
|
|
1.28 |
|
|
|
1.31 |
|
|
|
1.23 |
|
Expenses,
net of waivers and reimbursements |
|
|
0.95 |
|
|
|
0.95 |
|
|
|
0.95 |
|
|
|
0.98 |
|
|
|
1.05 |
|
Net
investment income (loss), before waivers and reimbursements |
|
|
(0.91 |
) |
|
|
(0.80 |
) |
|
|
(0.56 |
) |
|
|
(0.58 |
) |
|
|
(0.58 |
) |
Net
investment income (loss), net of waivers and reimbursements |
|
|
(0.62 |
) |
|
|
(0.46 |
) |
|
|
(0.23 |
) |
|
|
(0.25 |
) |
|
|
(0.40 |
) |
Class I
net assets at the end of the year (in thousands) |
|
$ |
46,694 |
|
|
$ |
77,273 |
|
|
$ |
67,936 |
|
|
$ |
51,173 |
|
|
$ |
71,369 |
|
Portfolio
turnover rate (%) |
|
|
47 |
|
|
|
45 |
|
|
|
43 |
|
|
|
58 |
|
|
|
59 |
|
155
Mid
Cap Growth Fund
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Class R6 |
|
|
|
Years Ended December 31, |
|
|
|
2021 |
|
|
2020 |
|
|
2019(a) |
|
Net
asset value, beginning of year |
|
$ |
14.14 |
|
|
$ |
11.94 |
|
|
$ |
11.93 |
|
Income
(loss) from investment operations: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net
investment income (loss) |
|
|
(0.08 |
) |
|
|
(0.06 |
) |
|
|
(0.01 |
) |
Net
realized and unrealized gain (loss) on investments |
|
|
1.24 |
|
|
|
3.29 |
|
|
|
1.07 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total
from investment operations |
|
|
1.16 |
|
|
|
3.23 |
|
|
|
1.06 |
|
Less
distributions from: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net
investment income |
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
Net
realized gain |
|
|
0.61 |
|
|
|
1.03 |
|
|
|
1.05 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total
distributions |
|
|
0.61 |
|
|
|
1.03 |
|
|
|
1.05 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net
asset value, end of year |
|
$ |
14.69 |
|
|
$ |
14.14 |
|
|
$ |
11.94 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total
return (%)* |
|
|
8.44 |
|
|
|
27.18 |
|
|
|
9.10 |
|
Ratios
to average daily net assets (%)**: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Expenses,
before waivers and reimbursements |
|
|
1.11 |
|
|
|
1.16 |
|
|
|
1.14 |
|
Expenses,
net of waivers and reimbursements |
|
|
0.90 |
|
|
|
0.90 |
|
|
|
0.90 |
|
Net
investment income (loss), before waivers and reimbursements |
|
|
(0.78 |
) |
|
|
(0.70 |
) |
|
|
(0.41 |
) |
Net
investment income (loss), net of waivers and reimbursements |
|
|
(0.57 |
) |
|
|
(0.44 |
) |
|
|
(0.17 |
) |
Class R6
net assets at the end of the year (in thousands) |
|
$ |
676 |
|
|
$ |
623 |
|
|
$ |
145 |
|
Portfolio
turnover rate (%)* |
|
|
47 |
|
|
|
45 |
|
|
|
43 |
|
(a) |
For
the period from May 2, 2019 (Commencement of Operations) to
December 31, 2019. |
* |
Rates
are not annualized for periods less than a year. |
** |
Rates
are annualized for periods less than a year. |
156
Small‑Mid
Cap Core Fund
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Class I |
|
|
|
Years Ended December 31, |
|
|
|
2021 |
|
|
2020 |
|
|
2019(a) |
|
Net
asset value, beginning of year |
|
$ |
12.88 |
|
|
$ |
10.68 |
|
|
$ |
10.00 |
|
Income
(loss) from investment operations: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net
investment income (loss) |
|
|
(0.03 |
) |
|
|
0.00 |
† |
|
|
0.02 |
|
Net
realized and unrealized gain (loss) on investments |
|
|
3.46 |
|
|
|
2.20 |
|
|
|
0.67 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total
from investment operations |
|
|
3.43 |
|
|
|
2.20 |
|
|
|
0.69 |
|
Less
distributions from: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net
investment income |
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
0.01 |
|
Net
realized gain |
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total
distributions |
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
0.01 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net
asset value, end of year |
|
$ |
16.31 |
|
|
$ |
12.88 |
|
|
$ |
10.68 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total
return (%)* |
|
|
26.63 |
|
|
|
20.60 |
|
|
|
6.87 |
|
Ratios
to average daily net assets (%)**: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Expenses,
before waivers and reimbursements |
|
|
1.25 |
|
|
|
1.22 |
|
|
|
3.92 |
|
Expenses,
net of waivers and reimbursements |
|
|
0.95 |
|
|
|
0.95 |
|
|
|
0.95 |
|
Net
investment income (loss), before waivers and reimbursements |
|
|
(0.47 |
) |
|
|
(0.27 |
) |
|
|
(2.23 |
) |
Net
investment income (loss), net of waivers and reimbursements |
|
|
(0.17 |
) |
|
|
0.00 |
|
|
|
0.74 |
|
Class I
net assets at the end of the year (in thousands) |
|
$ |
61,433 |
|
|
$ |
22,958 |
|
|
$ |
1,655 |
|
Portfolio
turnover rate (%)* |
|
|
45 |
|
|
|
244 |
|
|
|
12 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Class R6 |
|
|
|
Years Ended December 31, |
|
|
|
2021 |
|
|
2020 |
|
|
2019(a) |
|
Net
asset value, beginning of year |
|
$ |
12.88 |
|
|
$ |
10.68 |
|
|
$ |
10.00 |
|
Income
(loss) from investment operations: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net
investment income (loss) |
|
|
(0.02 |
) |
|
|
0.01 |
|
|
|
0.01 |
|
Net
realized and unrealized gain (loss) on investments |
|
|
3.46 |
|
|
|
2.19 |
|
|
|
0.68 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total
from investment operations |
|
|
3.44 |
|
|
|
2.20 |
|
|
|
0.69 |
|
Less
distributions from: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net
investment income |
|
|
— |
|
|
|
0.00 |
† |
|
|
0.01 |
|
Net
realized gain |
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total
distributions |
|
|
— |
|
|
|
0.00 |
† |
|
|
0.01 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net
asset value, end of year |
|
$ |
16.32 |
|
|
$ |
12.88 |
|
|
$ |
10.68 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total
return (%)* |
|
|
26.71 |
|
|
|
20.60 |
|
|
|
6.88 |
|
Ratios
to average daily net assets (%)**: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Expenses,
before waivers and reimbursements |
|
|
1.16 |
|
|
|
1.07 |
|
|
|
3.92 |
|
Expenses,
net of waivers and reimbursements |
|
|
0.90 |
|
|
|
0.90 |
|
|
|
0.90 |
|
Net
investment income (loss), before waivers and reimbursements |
|
|
(0.37 |
) |
|
|
(0.11 |
) |
|
|
(2.71 |
) |
Net
investment income (loss), net of waivers and reimbursements |
|
|
(0.11 |
) |
|
|
0.06 |
|
|
|
0.31 |
|
Class R6
net assets at the end of the year (in thousands) |
|
$ |
31,347 |
|
|
$ |
7,087 |
|
|
$ |
4,933 |
|
Portfolio
turnover rate (%)* |
|
|
45 |
|
|
|
244 |
|
|
|
12 |
|
(a) |
For
the period from October 1, 2019 (Commencement of Operations) to
December 31, 2019. |
* |
Rates
are not annualized for periods less than a year. |
** |
Rates
are annualized for periods less than a year. |
† |
Amount
is less than $0.005 per share. |
157
Small‑Mid
Cap Growth Fund
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Class N |
|
|
|
Years Ended
December 31, |
|
|
|
2021 |
|
|
2020 |
|
|
2019 |
|
|
2018 |
|
|
2017 |
|
Net
asset value, beginning of year |
|
$ |
32.96 |
|
|
$ |
25.41 |
|
|
$ |
20.97 |
|
|
$ |
23.36 |
|
|
$ |
19.20 |
|
Income
(loss) from investment operations: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net
investment income (loss) |
|
|
(0.36 |
) |
|
|
(0.24 |
) |
|
|
(0.20 |
) |
|
|
(0.18 |
) |
|
|
(0.16 |
) |
Net
realized and unrealized gain (loss) on investments |
|
|
2.90 |
|
|
|
8.37 |
|
|
|
6.56 |
|
|
|
(0.25 |
) |
|
|
5.62 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total
from investment operations |
|
|
2.54 |
|
|
|
8.13 |
|
|
|
6.36 |
|
|
|
(0.43 |
) |
|
|
5.46 |
|
Less
distributions from: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net
investment income |
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
Net
realized gain |
|
|
3.23 |
|
|
|
0.58 |
|
|
|
1.92 |
|
|
|
1.96 |
|
|
|
1.30 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total
distributions |
|
|
3.23 |
|
|
|
0.58 |
|
|
|
1.92 |
|
|
|
1.96 |
|
|
|
1.30 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net
asset value, end of year |
|
$ |
32.27 |
|
|
$ |
32.96 |
|
|
$ |
25.41 |
|
|
$ |
20.97 |
|
|
$ |
23.36 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total
return (%) |
|
|
8.27 |
|
|
|
32.04 |
|
|
|
30.41 |
|
|
|
(2.29 |
) |
|
|
28.57 |
|
Ratios
to average daily net assets (%): |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Expenses,
before waivers and reimbursements |
|
|
1.43 |
|
|
|
1.45 |
|
|
|
1.43 |
|
|
|
1.44 |
|
|
|
1.43 |
|
Expenses,
net of waivers and reimbursements |
|
|
1.35 |
|
|
|
1.35 |
|
|
|
1.35 |
|
|
|
1.35 |
|
|
|
1.35 |
|
Net
investment income (loss), before waivers and reimbursements |
|
|
(1.10 |
) |
|
|
(1.01 |
) |
|
|
(0.88 |
) |
|
|
(0.81 |
) |
|
|
(0.82 |
) |
Net
investment income (loss), net of waivers and reimbursements |
|
|
(1.02 |
) |
|
|
(0.91 |
) |
|
|
(0.80 |
) |
|
|
(0.72 |
) |
|
|
(0.74 |
) |
Class N
net assets at the end of the year (in thousands) |
|
$ |
232,166 |
|
|
$ |
314,572 |
|
|
$ |
334,017 |
|
|
$ |
424,865 |
|
|
$ |
228,828 |
|
Portfolio
turnover rate (%) |
|
|
38 |
|
|
|
55 |
|
|
|
56 |
|
|
|
46 |
|
|
|
64 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Class I |
|
|
|
Years Ended
December 31, |
|
|
|
2021 |
|
|
2020 |
|
|
2019 |
|
|
2018 |
|
|
2017 |
|
Net
asset value, beginning of year |
|
$ |
35.13 |
|
|
$ |
26.99 |
|
|
$ |
22.12 |
|
|
$ |
24.48 |
|
|
$ |
20.02 |
|
Income
(loss) from investment operations: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net
investment income (loss) |
|
|
(0.29 |
) |
|
|
(0.19 |
) |
|
|
(0.14 |
) |
|
|
(0.12 |
) |
|
|
(0.11 |
) |
Net
realized and unrealized gain (loss) on investments |
|
|
3.11 |
|
|
|
8.91 |
|
|
|
6.93 |
|
|
|
(0.28 |
) |
|
|
5.87 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total
from investment operations |
|
|
2.82 |
|
|
|
8.72 |
|
|
|
6.79 |
|
|
|
(0.40 |
) |
|
|
5.76 |
|
Less
distributions from: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net
investment income |
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
Net
realized gain |
|
|
3.23 |
|
|
|
0.58 |
|
|
|
1.92 |
|
|
|
1.96 |
|
|
|
1.30 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total
distributions |
|
|
3.23 |
|
|
|
0.58 |
|
|
|
1.92 |
|
|
|
1.96 |
|
|
|
1.30 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net
asset value, end of year |
|
$ |
34.72 |
|
|
$ |
35.13 |
|
|
$ |
26.99 |
|
|
$ |
22.12 |
|
|
$ |
24.48 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total
return (%) |
|
|
8.56 |
|
|
|
32.35 |
|
|
|
30.77 |
|
|
|
(2.06 |
) |
|
|
28.90 |
|
Ratios
to average daily net assets (%): |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Expenses,
before waivers and reimbursements |
|
|
1.16 |
|
|
|
1.17 |
|
|
|
1.16 |
|
|
|
1.16 |
|
|
|
1.16 |
|
Expenses,
net of waivers and reimbursements |
|
|
1.10 |
|
|
|
1.10 |
|
|
|
1.10 |
|
|
|
1.10 |
|
|
|
1.10 |
|
Net
investment income (loss), before waivers and reimbursements |
|
|
(0.83 |
) |
|
|
(0.73 |
) |
|
|
(0.59 |
) |
|
|
(0.53 |
) |
|
|
(0.55 |
) |
Net
investment income (loss), net of waivers and reimbursements |
|
|
(0.77 |
) |
|
|
(0.66 |
) |
|
|
(0.53 |
) |
|
|
(0.47 |
) |
|
|
(0.49 |
) |
Class I
net assets at the end of the year (in thousands) |
|
$ |
2,487,862 |
|
|
$ |
3,139,290 |
|
|
$ |
2,531,823 |
|
|
$ |
1,979,105 |
|
|
$ |
1,576,180 |
|
Portfolio
turnover rate (%) |
|
|
38 |
|
|
|
55 |
|
|
|
56 |
|
|
|
46 |
|
|
|
64 |
|
158
Small‑Mid
Cap Growth Fund
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Class R6 |
|
|
|
Years Ended
December 31, |
|
|
|
2021 |
|
|
2020 |
|
|
2019(a) |
|
Net
asset value, beginning of year |
|
$ |
35.18 |
|
|
$ |
27.01 |
|
|
$ |
26.76 |
|
Income
(loss) from investment operations: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net
investment income (loss) |
|
|
(0.26 |
) |
|
|
(0.17 |
) |
|
|
(0.09 |
) |
Net
realized and unrealized gain (loss) on investments |
|
|
3.10 |
|
|
|
8.92 |
|
|
|
2.26 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total
from investment operations |
|
|
2.84 |
|
|
|
8.75 |
|
|
|
2.17 |
|
Less
distributions from: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net
investment income |
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
Net
realized gain |
|
|
3.23 |
|
|
|
0.58 |
|
|
|
1.92 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total
distributions |
|
|
3.23 |
|
|
|
0.58 |
|
|
|
1.92 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net
asset value, end of year |
|
$ |
34.79 |
|
|
$ |
35.18 |
|
|
$ |
27.01 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total
return (%)* |
|
|
8.60 |
|
|
|
32.44 |
|
|
|
8.17 |
|
Ratios
to average daily net assets (%)**: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Expenses |
|
|
1.03 |
|
|
|
1.05 |
|
|
|
1.05 |
|
Net
investment income (loss) |
|
|
(0.69 |
) |
|
|
(0.61 |
) |
|
|
(0.46 |
) |
Class R6
net assets at the end of the year (in thousands) |
|
$ |
328,034 |
|
|
$ |
123,220 |
|
|
$ |
39,974 |
|
Portfolio
turnover rate (%)* |
|
|
38 |
|
|
|
55 |
|
|
|
56 |
|
(a) |
For
the period from May 2, 2019 (Commencement of Operations) to
December 31, 2019. |
* |
Rates
are not annualized for periods less than a year. |
** |
Rates
are annualized for periods less than a year. |
159
Small
Cap Growth Fund
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Class N |
|
|
|
Years Ended
December 31, |
|
|
|
2021 |
|
|
2020 |
|
|
2019 |
|
|
2018 |
|
|
2017 |
|
Net
asset value, beginning of year |
|
$ |
34.49 |
|
|
$ |
27.75 |
|
|
$ |
23.23 |
|
|
$ |
26.87 |
|
|
$ |
25.24 |
|
Income
(loss) from investment operations: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net
investment income (loss) |
|
|
(0.45 |
) |
|
|
(0.29 |
) |
|
|
(0.24 |
) |
|
|
(0.27 |
) |
|
|
(0.25 |
) |
Net
realized and unrealized gain (loss) on investments |
|
|
4.56 |
|
|
|
10.86 |
|
|
|
5.40 |
|
|
|
(0.10 |
) |
|
|
6.88 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total
from investment operations |
|
|
4.11 |
|
|
|
10.57 |
|
|
|
5.16 |
|
|
|
(0.37 |
) |
|
|
6.63 |
|
Less
distributions from: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net
investment income |
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
Net
realized gain |
|
|
6.70 |
|
|
|
3.83 |
|
|
|
0.64 |
|
|
|
3.27 |
|
|
|
5.00 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total
distributions |
|
|
6.70 |
|
|
|
3.83 |
|
|
|
0.64 |
|
|
|
3.27 |
|
|
|
5.00 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net
asset value, end of year |
|
$ |
31.90 |
|
|
$ |
34.49 |
|
|
$ |
27.75 |
|
|
$ |
23.23 |
|
|
$ |
26.87 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total
return (%) |
|
|
12.91 |
|
|
|
38.32 |
|
|
|
22.26 |
|
|
|
(2.14 |
) |
|
|
26.70 |
|
Ratios
to average daily net assets (%): |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Expenses,
before waivers and reimbursements |
|
|
1.56 |
|
|
|
1.58 |
|
|
|
1.54 |
|
|
|
1.55 |
|
|
|
1.54 |
|
Expenses,
net of waivers and reimbursements |
|
|
1.50 |
|
|
|
1.50 |
|
|
|
1.50 |
|
|
|
1.50 |
|
|
|
1.50 |
|
Net
investment income (loss), before waivers and reimbursements |
|
|
(1.24 |
) |
|
|
(1.10 |
) |
|
|
(0.92 |
) |
|
|
(0.94 |
) |
|
|
(0.93 |
) |
Net
investment income (loss), net of waivers and reimbursements |
|
|
(1.18 |
) |
|
|
(1.02 |
) |
|
|
(0.88 |
) |
|
|
(0.89 |
) |
|
|
(0.89 |
) |
Class N
net assets at the end of the year (in thousands) |
|
$ |
179,739 |
|
|
$ |
180,635 |
|
|
$ |
180,706 |
|
|
$ |
169,074 |
|
|
$ |
146,291 |
|
Portfolio
turnover rate (%) |
|
|
49 |
|
|
|
71 |
|
|
|
51 |
|
|
|
74 |
|
|
|
81 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Class I |
|
|
|
Years Ended
December 31, |
|
|
|
2021 |
|
|
2020 |
|
|
2019 |
|
|
2018 |
|
|
2017 |
|
Net
asset value, beginning of year |
|
$ |
39.36 |
|
|
$ |
31.19 |
|
|
$ |
25.99 |
|
|
$ |
29.61 |
|
|
$ |
27.34 |
|
Income
(loss) from investment operations: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net
investment income (loss) |
|
|
(0.41 |
) |
|
|
(0.24 |
) |
|
|
(0.19 |
) |
|
|
(0.21 |
) |
|
|
(0.20 |
) |
Net
realized and unrealized gain (loss) on investments |
|
|
5.27 |
|
|
|
12.24 |
|
|
|
6.03 |
|
|
|
(0.14 |
) |
|
|
7.47 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total
from investment operations |
|
|
4.86 |
|
|
|
12.00 |
|
|
|
5.84 |
|
|
|
(0.35 |
) |
|
|
7.27 |
|
Less
distributions from: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net
investment income |
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
Net
realized gain |
|
|
6.70 |
|
|
|
3.83 |
|
|
|
0.64 |
|
|
|
3.27 |
|
|
|
5.00 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total
distributions |
|
|
6.70 |
|
|
|
3.83 |
|
|
|
0.64 |
|
|
|
3.27 |
|
|
|
5.00 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net
asset value, end of year |
|
$ |
37.52 |
|
|
$ |
39.36 |
|
|
$ |
31.19 |
|
|
$ |
25.99 |
|
|
$ |
29.61 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total
return (%) |
|
|
13.22 |
|
|
|
38.68 |
|
|
|
22.51 |
|
|
|
(1.88 |
) |
|
|
26.99 |
|
Ratios
to average daily net assets (%): |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Expenses,
before waivers and reimbursements |
|
|
1.25 |
|
|
|
1.30 |
|
|
|
1.27 |
|
|
|
1.25 |
|
|
|
1.25 |
|
Expenses,
net of waivers and reimbursements |
|
|
1.25 |
|
|
|
1.25 |
|
|
|
1.25 |
|
|
|
1.25 |
|
|
|
1.25 |
|
Net
investment income (loss), before waivers and reimbursements |
|
|
(0.93 |
) |
|
|
(0.82 |
) |
|
|
(0.65 |
) |
|
|
(0.65 |
) |
|
|
(0.64 |
) |
Net
investment income (loss), net of waivers and reimbursements |
|
|
(0.93 |
) |
|
|
(0.77 |
) |
|
|
(0.63 |
) |
|
|
(0.65 |
) |
|
|
(0.64 |
) |
Class I
net assets at the end of the year (in thousands) |
|
$ |
402,629 |
|
|
$ |
390,511 |
|
|
$ |
423,881 |
|
|
$ |
410,233 |
|
|
$ |
343,119 |
|
Portfolio
turnover rate (%) |
|
|
49 |
|
|
|
71 |
|
|
|
51 |
|
|
|
74 |
|
|
|
81 |
|
160
Small
Cap Growth Fund
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Class R6 |
|
|
|
Years Ended
December 31, |
|
|
|
2021 |
|
|
2020 |
|
|
2019(a) |
|
Net
asset value, beginning of year |
|
$ |
39.40 |
|
|
$ |
31.20 |
|
|
$ |
31.00 |
|
Income
(loss) from investment operations: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net
investment income (loss) |
|
|
(0.37 |
) |
|
|
(0.23 |
) |
|
|
(0.11 |
) |
Net
realized and unrealized gain (loss) on investments |
|
|
5.27 |
|
|
|
12.26 |
|
|
|
0.95 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total
from investment operations |
|
|
4.90 |
|
|
|
12.03 |
|
|
|
0.84 |
|
Less
distributions from: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net
investment income |
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
Net
realized gain |
|
|
6.70 |
|
|
|
3.83 |
|
|
|
0.64 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total
distributions |
|
|
6.70 |
|
|
|
3.83 |
|
|
|
0.64 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net
asset value, end of year |
|
$ |
37.60 |
|
|
$ |
39.40 |
|
|
$ |
31.20 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total
return (%)* |
|
|
13.31 |
|
|
|
38.76 |
|
|
|
2.75 |
|
Ratios
to average daily net assets (%)**: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Expenses |
|
|
1.16 |
|
|
|
1.19 |
|
|
|
1.18 |
|
Net
investment income (loss) |
|
|
(0.84 |
) |
|
|
(0.71 |
) |
|
|
(0.51 |
) |
Class R6
net assets at the end of the year (in thousands) |
|
$ |
127,710 |
|
|
$ |
103,462 |
|
|
$ |
65,950 |
|
Portfolio
turnover rate (%)* |
|
|
49 |
|
|
|
71 |
|
|
|
51 |
|
(a) |
For
the period from May 2, 2019 (Commencement of Operations) to
December 31, 2019. |
* |
Rates
are not annualized for periods less than a year. |
** |
Rates
are annualized for periods less than a year. |
161
Small
Cap Value Fund
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Class N |
|
|
|
Period
Ended December 31, |
|
|
Period Ended October 31, |
|
|
|
2021(b) |
|
|
2021(a) |
|
Net
asset value, beginning of year |
|
$ |
33.49 |
|
|
$ |
32.15 |
|
Income
(loss) from investment operations: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net
investment income (loss) |
|
|
0.00 |
† |
|
|
0.05 |
|
Net
realized and unrealized gain (loss) on investments |
|
|
1.37 |
|
|
|
1.29 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total
from investment operations |
|
|
1.37 |
|
|
|
1.34 |
|
Less
distributions from: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net
investment income |
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
Net
realized gain |
|
|
1.23 |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total
distributions |
|
|
1.23 |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net
asset value, end of year |
|
$ |
33.63 |
|
|
$ |
33.49 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total
return (%)* |
|
|
4.24 |
|
|
|
4.17 |
|
Ratios
to average daily net assets (%)**: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Expenses,
before waivers and reimbursements |
|
|
1.26 |
|
|
|
1.17 |
|
Expenses,
net of waivers and reimbursements |
|
|
1.15 |
|
|
|
1.15 |
|
Net
investment income (loss), before waivers and reimbursements |
|
|
(0.05 |
) |
|
|
0.51 |
|
Net
investment income (loss), net of waivers and reimbursements |
|
|
0.06 |
|
|
|
0.53 |
|
Class N
net assets at the end of the year (in thousands) |
|
$ |
3,313 |
|
|
$ |
9,805 |
|
Portfolio
turnover rate (%)* |
|
|
7 |
|
|
|
35 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Class I |
|
|
|
Period
Ended December 31, |
|
|
Years Ended
October 31, |
|
|
|
2021(b) |
|
|
2021 |
|
|
2020 |
|
|
2019 |
|
|
2018 |
|
|
2017 |
|
Net
asset value, beginning of year |
|
$ |
33.52 |
|
|
$ |
23.79 |
|
|
$ |
28.84 |
|
|
$ |
31.53 |
|
|
$ |
35.04 |
|
|
$ |
27.27 |
|
Income
(loss) from investment operations: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net
investment income (loss) |
|
|
0.03 |
|
|
|
0.18 |
|
|
|
0.09 |
|
|
|
0.18 |
|
|
|
0.06 |
|
|
|
0.06 |
|
Net
realized and unrealized gain (loss) on investments |
|
|
1.35 |
|
|
|
12.91 |
|
|
|
(3.89 |
) |
|
|
1.59 |
|
|
|
(1.00 |
) |
|
|
8.61 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total
from investment operations |
|
|
1.38 |
|
|
|
13.09 |
|
|
|
(3.80 |
) |
|
|
1.77 |
|
|
|
(0.94 |
) |
|
|
8.67 |
|
Less
distributions from: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net
investment income |
|
|
0.09 |
|
|
|
0.11 |
|
|
|
0.07 |
|
|
|
0.15 |
|
|
|
0.09 |
|
|
|
0.03 |
|
Net
realized gain |
|
|
1.23 |
|
|
|
3.25 |
|
|
|
1.18 |
|
|
|
4.31 |
|
|
|
2.48 |
|
|
|
0.87 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total
distributions |
|
|
1.32 |
|
|
|
3.36 |
|
|
|
1.25 |
|
|
|
4.46 |
|
|
|
2.57 |
|
|
|
0.90 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net
asset value, end of year |
|
$ |
33.58 |
|
|
$ |
33.52 |
|
|
$ |
23.79 |
|
|
$ |
28.84 |
|
|
$ |
31.53 |
|
|
$ |
35.04 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total
return (%)* |
|
|
4.31 |
|
|
|
55.32 |
|
|
|
(13.91 |
) |
|
|
8.60 |
|
|
|
(3.06 |
) |
|
|
32.07 |
|
Ratios
to average daily net assets (%)**: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Expenses |
|
|
0.82 |
|
|
|
0.86 |
|
|
|
0.89 |
|
|
|
0.93 |
|
|
|
0.93 |
|
|
|
0.95 |
|
Net
investment income (loss) |
|
|
0.55 |
|
|
|
0.52 |
|
|
|
0.37 |
|
|
|
0.63 |
|
|
|
0.16 |
|
|
|
0.17 |
|
Class
I net assets at the end of the year (in thousands) |
|
$ |
1,059,157 |
|
|
$ |
1,143,150 |
|
|
$ |
1,181,409 |
|
|
$ |
908,831 |
|
|
$ |
738,558 |
|
|
$ |
768,329 |
|
Portfolio
turnover rate (%)* |
|
|
7 |
|
|
|
35 |
|
|
|
27 |
|
|
|
31 |
|
|
|
31 |
|
|
|
30 |
|
(a) |
For
the period from July 17, 2021 (Commencement of Operations) to
October 31, 2021. |
(b) |
For
the period from November 1, 2021 to December 31,
2021. |
* |
Rates
are not annualized for periods less than a year. |
** |
Rates
are annualized for periods less than a year. |
† |
Amount
is less than $0.005 per share. |
162
Small
Cap Value Fund
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Class R6 |
|
|
|
Period
Ended December 31, |
|
|
Period Ended October 31, |
|
|
|
2021(b) |
|
|
2021(a) |
|
Net
asset value, beginning of year |
|
$ |
33.53 |
|
|
$ |
32.15 |
|
Income
(loss) from investment operations: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net
investment income (loss) |
|
|
0.03 |
|
|
|
0.06 |
|
Net
realized and unrealized gain (loss) on investments |
|
|
1.35 |
|
|
|
1.32 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total
from investment operations |
|
|
1.38 |
|
|
|
1.38 |
|
Less
distributions from: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net
investment income |
|
|
0.10 |
|
|
|
— |
|
Net
realized gain |
|
|
1.23 |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total
distributions |
|
|
1.33 |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net
asset value, end of year |
|
$ |
33.58 |
|
|
$ |
33.53 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total
return (%)* |
|
|
4.33 |
|
|
|
4.26 |
|
Ratios
to average daily net assets (%)**: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Expenses |
|
|
0.78 |
|
|
|
0.78 |
|
Net
investment income (loss) |
|
|
0.59 |
|
|
|
0.64 |
|
Class R6
net assets at the end of the year (in thousands) |
|
$ |
1,006,928 |
|
|
$ |
867,272 |
|
Portfolio
turnover rate (%)* |
|
|
7 |
|
|
|
35 |
|
(a) |
For
the period from July 17, 2021 (Commencement of Operations) to
October 31, 2021. |
(b) |
For
the period from November 1, 2021 to December 31,
2021. |
* |
Rates
are not annualized for periods less than a year. |
** |
Rates
are annualized for periods less than a
year. |
163
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Class N |
|
|
|
Years Ended
December 31, |
|
|
|
2021 |
|
|
2020 |
|
|
2019 |
|
|
2018 |
|
|
2017 |
|
Net
asset value, beginning of year |
|
$ |
17.41 |
|
|
$ |
14.92 |
|
|
$ |
11.47 |
|
|
$ |
14.53 |
|
|
$ |
11.60 |
|
Income
(loss) from investment operations: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net
investment income (loss) |
|
|
(0.11 |
) |
|
|
(0.06 |
) |
|
|
0.01 |
|
|
|
0.02 |
|
|
|
0.05 |
|
Net
realized and unrealized gain (loss) on investments |
|
|
2.96 |
|
|
|
4.74 |
|
|
|
3.61 |
|
|
|
(1.12 |
) |
|
|
3.46 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total
from investment operations |
|
|
2.85 |
|
|
|
4.68 |
|
|
|
3.62 |
|
|
|
(1.10 |
) |
|
|
3.51 |
|
Less
distributions from: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net
investment income |
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
0.03 |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
0.10 |
|
Net
realized gain |
|
|
1.09 |
|
|
|
2.19 |
|
|
|
0.14 |
|
|
|
1.96 |
|
|
|
0.48 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total
distributions |
|
|
1.09 |
|
|
|
2.19 |
|
|
|
0.17 |
|
|
|
1.96 |
|
|
|
0.58 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net
asset value, end of year |
|
$ |
19.17 |
|
|
$ |
17.41 |
|
|
$ |
14.92 |
|
|
$ |
11.47 |
|
|
$ |
14.53 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total
return (%) |
|
|
16.55 |
|
|
|
31.50 |
|
|
|
31.57 |
|
|
|
(8.23 |
) |
|
|
30.31 |
|
Ratios
to average daily net assets (%): |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Expenses,
before waivers and reimbursements. |
|
|
1.38 |
|
|
|
1.45 |
|
|
|
1.39 |
|
|
|
1.47 |
|
|
|
1.63 |
|
Expenses,
net of waivers and reimbursements |
|
|
1.15 |
|
|
|
1.15 |
|
|
|
1.20 |
|
|
|
1.33 |
|
|
|
1.37 |
|
Net
investment income (loss), before waivers and reimbursements |
|
|
(0.79 |
) |
|
|
(0.67 |
) |
|
|
(0.10 |
) |
|
|
(0.01 |
) |
|
|
0.09 |
|
Net
investment income (loss), net of waivers and reimbursements |
|
|
(0.56 |
) |
|
|
(0.37 |
) |
|
|
0.09 |
|
|
|
0.13 |
|
|
|
0.35 |
|
Class N
net assets at the end of the year (in thousands) |
|
$ |
13,709 |
|
|
$ |
11,861 |
|
|
$ |
8,910 |
|
|
$ |
7,225 |
|
|
$ |
7,761 |
|
Portfolio
turnover rate (%) |
|
|
18 |
|
|
|
27 |
|
|
|
27 |
|
|
|
49 |
|
|
|
41 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Class I |
|
|
|
Years Ended
December 31, |
|
|
|
2021 |
|
|
2020 |
|
|
2019 |
|
|
2018 |
|
|
2017 |
|
Net
asset value, beginning of year |
|
$ |
17.47 |
|
|
$ |
14.93 |
|
|
$ |
11.47 |
|
|
$ |
14.56 |
|
|
$ |
11.62 |
|
Income
(loss) from investment operations: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net
investment income (loss) |
|
|
(0.06 |
) |
|
|
(0.01 |
) |
|
|
0.05 |
|
|
|
0.06 |
|
|
|
0.09 |
|
Net
realized and unrealized gain (loss) on investments |
|
|
2.96 |
|
|
|
4.74 |
|
|
|
3.61 |
|
|
|
(1.13 |
) |
|
|
3.47 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total
from investment operations |
|
|
2.90 |
|
|
|
4.73 |
|
|
|
3.66 |
|
|
|
(1.07 |
) |
|
|
3.56 |
|
Less
distributions from: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net
investment income |
|
|
— |
|
|
|
0.00 |
† |
|
|
0.06 |
|
|
|
0.06 |
|
|
|
0.14 |
|
Net
realized gain |
|
|
1.09 |
|
|
|
2.19 |
|
|
|
0.14 |
|
|
|
1.96 |
|
|
|
0.48 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total
distributions |
|
|
1.09 |
|
|
|
2.19 |
|
|
|
0.20 |
|
|
|
2.02 |
|
|
|
0.62 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net
asset value, end of year |
|
$ |
19.28 |
|
|
$ |
17.47 |
|
|
$ |
14.93 |
|
|
$ |
11.47 |
|
|
$ |
14.56 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total
return (%) |
|
|
16.78 |
|
|
|
31.86 |
|
|
|
31.96 |
|
|
|
(8.06 |
) |
|
|
30.69 |
|
Ratios
to average daily net assets (%): |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Expenses,
before waivers and reimbursements |
|
|
1.07 |
|
|
|
1.12 |
|
|
|
1.07 |
|
|
|
1.15 |
|
|
|
1.33 |
|
Expenses,
net of waivers and reimbursements |
|
|
0.90 |
|
|
|
0.90 |
|
|
|
0.95 |
|
|
|
1.07 |
|
|
|
1.07 |
|
Net
investment income (loss), before waivers and reimbursements |
|
|
(0.49 |
) |
|
|
(0.31 |
) |
|
|
0.22 |
|
|
|
0.31 |
|
|
|
0.39 |
|
Net
investment income (loss), net of waivers and reimbursements |
|
|
(0.32 |
) |
|
|
(0.09 |
) |
|
|
0.34 |
|
|
|
0.39 |
|
|
|
0.65 |
|
Class I
net assets at the end of the year (in thousands) |
|
$ |
124,488 |
|
|
$ |
107,375 |
|
|
$ |
114,666 |
|
|
$ |
83,790 |
|
|
$ |
60,067 |
|
Portfolio
turnover rate (%) |
|
|
18 |
|
|
|
27 |
|
|
|
27 |
|
|
|
49 |
|
|
|
41 |
|
† |
Amount
is less than $0.005 per share. |
164
Global
Leaders Fund
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Class R6 |
|
|
|
Years Ended
December 31, |
|
|
|
2021 |
|
|
2020 |
|
|
2019 |
|
|
2018 |
|
|
2017 |
|
Net
asset value, beginning of year |
|
$ |
17.47 |
|
|
$ |
14.93 |
|
|
$ |
11.47 |
|
|
$ |
14.56 |
|
|
$ |
11.62 |
|
Income
(loss) from investment operations: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net
investment income (loss) |
|
|
(0.05 |
) |
|
|
0.02 |
|
|
|
0.06 |
|
|
|
0.07 |
|
|
|
0.10 |
|
Net
realized and unrealized gain (loss) on investments |
|
|
2.97 |
|
|
|
4.72 |
|
|
|
3.61 |
|
|
|
(1.13 |
) |
|
|
3.47 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total
from investment operations |
|
|
2.92 |
|
|
|
4.74 |
|
|
|
3.67 |
|
|
|
(1.06 |
) |
|
|
3.57 |
|
Less
distributions from: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net
investment income |
|
|
— |
|
|
|
0.01 |
|
|
|
0.07 |
|
|
|
0.07 |
|
|
|
0.15 |
|
Net
realized gain |
|
|
1.09 |
|
|
|
2.19 |
|
|
|
0.14 |
|
|
|
1.96 |
|
|
|
0.48 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total
distributions |
|
|
1.09 |
|
|
|
2.20 |
|
|
|
0.21 |
|
|
|
2.03 |
|
|
|
0.63 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net
asset value, end of year |
|
$ |
19.30 |
|
|
$ |
17.47 |
|
|
$ |
14.93 |
|
|
$ |
11.47 |
|
|
$ |
14.56 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total
return (%) |
|
|
16.90 |
|
|
|
31.91 |
|
|
|
32.02 |
|
|
|
(7.99 |
) |
|
|
30.78 |
|
Ratios
to average daily net assets (%): |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Expenses,
before waivers and reimbursements. |
|
|
0.99 |
|
|
|
1.06 |
|
|
|
1.01 |
|
|
|
1.08 |
|
|
|
1.10 |
|
Expenses,
net of waivers and reimbursements |
|
|
0.85 |
|
|
|
0.85 |
|
|
|
0.90 |
|
|
|
1.00 |
|
|
|
1.00 |
|
Net
investment income (loss), before waivers and reimbursements |
|
|
(0.40 |
) |
|
|
(0.10 |
) |
|
|
0.32 |
|
|
|
0.39 |
|
|
|
0.65 |
|
Net
investment income (loss), net of waivers and reimbursements |
|
|
(0.26 |
) |
|
|
0.11 |
|
|
|
0.43 |
|
|
|
0.47 |
|
|
|
0.75 |
|
Class R6
net assets at the end of the year (in thousands) |
|
$ |
5,585 |
|
|
$ |
2,946 |
|
|
$ |
48,133 |
|
|
$ |
79,685 |
|
|
$ |
143,521 |
|
Portfolio
turnover rate (%) |
|
|
18 |
|
|
|
27 |
|
|
|
27 |
|
|
|
49 |
|
|
|
41 |
|
165
International
Leaders Fund
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Class N |
|
|
|
Years Ended
December 31, |
|
|
|
2021 |
|
|
2020 |
|
|
2019 |
|
|
2018 |
|
|
2017 |
|
Net
asset value, beginning of year |
|
$ |
22.69 |
|
|
$ |
18.08 |
|
|
$ |
13.80 |
|
|
$ |
16.37 |
|
|
$ |
12.88 |
|
Income
(loss) from investment operations: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net
investment income (loss) |
|
|
(0.12 |
) |
|
|
(0.04 |
) |
|
|
0.09 |
|
|
|
0.13 |
|
|
|
0.11 |
|
Net
realized and unrealized gain (loss) on investments |
|
|
2.35 |
|
|
|
4.82 |
|
|
|
4.25 |
|
|
|
(2.19 |
) |
|
|
3.70 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total
from investment operations |
|
|
2.23 |
|
|
|
4.78 |
|
|
|
4.34 |
|
|
|
(2.06 |
) |
|
|
3.81 |
|
Less
distributions from: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net
investment income |
|
|
0.00 |
† |
|
|
— |
|
|
|
0.06 |
|
|
|
0.06 |
|
|
|
0.20 |
|
Net
realized gain |
|
|
0.64 |
|
|
|
0.17 |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
0.45 |
|
|
|
0.12 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total
distributions |
|
|
0.64 |
|
|
|
0.17 |
|
|
|
0.06 |
|
|
|
0.51 |
|
|
|
0.32 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net
asset value, end of year |
|
$ |
24.28 |
|
|
$ |
22.69 |
|
|
$ |
18.08 |
|
|
$ |
13.80 |
|
|
$ |
16.37 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total
return (%) |
|
|
9.93 |
|
|
|
26.45 |
|
|
|
31.46 |
|
|
|
(12.70 |
) |
|
|
29.65 |
|
Ratios
to average daily net assets (%): |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Expenses,
before waivers and reimbursements. |
|
|
1.30 |
|
|
|
1.31 |
|
|
|
1.32 |
|
|
|
1.39 |
|
|
|
1.59 |
|
Expenses,
net of waivers and reimbursements |
|
|
1.15 |
|
|
|
1.15 |
|
|
|
1.18 |
|
|
|
1.28 |
|
|
|
1.35 |
|
Net
investment income (loss), before waivers and reimbursements |
|
|
(0.65 |
) |
|
|
(0.39 |
) |
|
|
0.44 |
|
|
|
0.70 |
|
|
|
0.48 |
|
Net
investment income (loss), net of waivers and reimbursements |
|
|
(0.50 |
) |
|
|
(0.23 |
) |
|
|
0.58 |
|
|
|
0.81 |
|
|
|
0.72 |
|
Class N
net assets at the end of the year (in thousands) |
|
$ |
47,234 |
|
|
$ |
19,586 |
|
|
$ |
11,163 |
|
|
$ |
8,715 |
|
|
$ |
9,651 |
|
Portfolio
turnover rate (%) |
|
|
18 |
|
|
|
34 |
|
|
|
20 |
|
|
|
33 |
|
|
|
41 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Class I |
|
|
|
Years Ended
December 31, |
|
|
|
2021 |
|
|
2020 |
|
|
2019 |
|
|
2018 |
|
|
2017 |
|
Net
asset value, beginning of year |
|
$ |
22.80 |
|
|
$ |
18.13 |
|
|
$ |
13.84 |
|
|
$ |
16.44 |
|
|
$ |
12.92 |
|
Income
(loss) from investment operations: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net
investment income (loss) |
|
|
(0.06 |
) |
|
|
(0.00 |
)† |
|
|
0.12 |
|
|
|
0.17 |
|
|
|
0.16 |
|
Net
realized and unrealized gain (loss) on investments |
|
|
2.36 |
|
|
|
4.85 |
|
|
|
4.27 |
|
|
|
(2.19 |
) |
|
|
3.71 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total
from investment operations |
|
|
2.30 |
|
|
|
4.85 |
|
|
|
4.39 |
|
|
|
(2.02 |
) |
|
|
3.87 |
|
Less
distributions from: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net
investment income |
|
|
0.05 |
|
|
|
0.01 |
|
|
|
0.10 |
|
|
|
0.13 |
|
|
|
0.23 |
|
Net
realized gain |
|
|
0.64 |
|
|
|
0.17 |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
0.45 |
|
|
|
0.12 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total
distributions |
|
|
0.69 |
|
|
|
0.18 |
|
|
|
0.10 |
|
|
|
0.58 |
|
|
|
0.35 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net
asset value, end of year |
|
$ |
24.41 |
|
|
$ |
22.80 |
|
|
$ |
18.13 |
|
|
$ |
13.84 |
|
|
$ |
16.44 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total
return (%) |
|
|
10.17 |
|
|
|
26.77 |
|
|
|
31.76 |
|
|
|
(12.45 |
) |
|
|
30.05 |
|
Ratios
to average daily net assets (%): |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Expenses,
before waivers and reimbursements. |
|
|
0.99 |
|
|
|
1.01 |
|
|
|
1.01 |
|
|
|
1.07 |
|
|
|
1.28 |
|
Expenses,
net of waivers and reimbursements |
|
|
0.90 |
|
|
|
0.90 |
|
|
|
0.93 |
|
|
|
1.03 |
|
|
|
1.05 |
|
Net
investment income (loss), before waivers and reimbursements |
|
|
(0.33 |
) |
|
|
(0.11 |
) |
|
|
0.64 |
|
|
|
1.02 |
|
|
|
0.86 |
|
Net
investment income (loss), net of waivers and reimbursements |
|
|
(0.24 |
) |
|
|
(0.00 |
) |
|
|
0.72 |
|
|
|
1.06 |
|
|
|
1.09 |
|
Class I
net assets at the end of the year (in thousands) |
|
$ |
591,500 |
|
|
$ |
393,596 |
|
|
$ |
181,617 |
|
|
$ |
76,382 |
|
|
$ |
60,279 |
|
Portfolio
turnover rate (%) |
|
|
18 |
|
|
|
34 |
|
|
|
20 |
|
|
|
33 |
|
|
|
41 |
|
† |
Amount
is less than $0.005 per share. |
166
International
Leaders Fund
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Class R6 |
|
|
|
Years Ended
December 31, |
|
|
|
2021 |
|
|
2020 |
|
|
2019 |
|
|
2018 |
|
|
2017 |
|
Net
asset value, beginning of year |
|
$ |
22.80 |
|
|
$ |
18.12 |
|
|
$ |
13.83 |
|
|
$ |
16.43 |
|
|
$ |
12.92 |
|
Income
(loss) from investment operations: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net
investment income (loss) |
|
|
(0.04 |
) |
|
|
0.02 |
|
|
|
0.14 |
|
|
|
0.18 |
|
|
|
0.18 |
|
Net
realized and unrealized gain (loss) on investments |
|
|
2.35 |
|
|
|
4.85 |
|
|
|
4.26 |
|
|
|
(2.19 |
) |
|
|
3.70 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total
from investment operations |
|
|
2.31 |
|
|
|
4.87 |
|
|
|
4.40 |
|
|
|
(2.01 |
) |
|
|
3.88 |
|
Less
distributions from: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net
investment income |
|
|
0.06 |
|
|
|
0.02 |
|
|
|
0.11 |
|
|
|
0.14 |
|
|
|
0.25 |
|
Net
realized gain |
|
|
0.64 |
|
|
|
0.17 |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
0.45 |
|
|
|
0.12 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total
distributions |
|
|
0.70 |
|
|
|
0.19 |
|
|
|
0.11 |
|
|
|
0.59 |
|
|
|
0.37 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net
asset value, end of year |
|
$ |
24.41 |
|
|
$ |
22.80 |
|
|
$ |
18.12 |
|
|
$ |
13.83 |
|
|
$ |
16.43 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total
return (%) |
|
|
10.22 |
|
|
|
26.88 |
|
|
|
31.83 |
|
|
|
(12.38 |
) |
|
|
30.08 |
|
Ratios
to average daily net assets (%): |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Expenses,
before waivers and reimbursements. |
|
|
0.91 |
|
|
|
0.92 |
|
|
|
0.93 |
|
|
|
0.99 |
|
|
|
1.03 |
|
Expenses,
net of waivers and reimbursements |
|
|
0.85 |
|
|
|
0.85 |
|
|
|
0.88 |
|
|
|
0.95 |
|
|
|
0.95 |
|
Net
investment income (loss), before waivers and reimbursements |
|
|
(0.24 |
) |
|
|
0.03 |
|
|
|
0.80 |
|
|
|
1.07 |
|
|
|
1.10 |
|
Net
investment income (loss), net of waivers and reimbursements |
|
|
(0.18 |
) |
|
|
0.10 |
|
|
|
0.85 |
|
|
|
1.11 |
|
|
|
1.18 |
|
Class R6
net assets at the end of the year (in thousands) |
|
$ |
667,996 |
|
|
$ |
687,171 |
|
|
$ |
461,124 |
|
|
$ |
324,902 |
|
|
$ |
308,898 |
|
Portfolio
turnover rate (%) |
|
|
18 |
|
|
|
34 |
|
|
|
20 |
|
|
|
33 |
|
|
|
41 |
|
167
International
Growth Fund
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Class N |
|
|
|
Years Ended
December 31, |
|
|
|
2021 |
|
|
2020 |
|
|
2019 |
|
|
2018 |
|
|
2017 |
|
Net
asset value, beginning of year |
|
$ |
38.75 |
|
|
$ |
29.68 |
|
|
$ |
23.04 |
|
|
$ |
30.41 |
|
|
$ |
23.86 |
|
Income
(loss) from investment operations: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net
investment income (loss) |
|
|
(0.28 |
) |
|
|
(0.16 |
) |
|
|
0.09 |
|
|
|
0.16 |
|
|
|
0.21 |
|
Net
realized and unrealized gain (loss) on investments |
|
|
3.51 |
|
|
|
9.55 |
|
|
|
6.87 |
|
|
|
(5.56 |
) |
|
|
6.73 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total
from investment operations |
|
|
3.23 |
|
|
|
9.39 |
|
|
|
6.96 |
|
|
|
(5.40 |
) |
|
|
6.94 |
|
Less
distributions from: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net
investment income |
|
|
— |
|
|
|
0.06 |
|
|
|
0.32 |
|
|
|
0.12 |
|
|
|
0.39 |
|
Net
realized gain |
|
|
4.41 |
|
|
|
0.26 |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
1.85 |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total
distributions |
|
|
4.41 |
|
|
|
0.32 |
|
|
|
0.32 |
|
|
|
1.97 |
|
|
|
0.39 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net
asset value, end of year |
|
$ |
37.57 |
|
|
$ |
38.75 |
|
|
$ |
29.68 |
|
|
$ |
23.04 |
|
|
$ |
30.41 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total
return (%) |
|
|
8.68 |
|
|
|
31.64 |
|
|
|
30.24 |
|
|
|
(18.00 |
) |
|
|
29.11 |
|
Ratios
to average daily net assets (%): |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Expenses,
before waivers and reimbursements. |
|
|
1.46 |
|
|
|
1.47 |
|
|
|
1.45 |
|
|
|
1.46 |
|
|
|
1.47 |
|
Expenses,
net of waivers and reimbursements |
|
|
1.45 |
|
|
|
1.45 |
|
|
|
1.45 |
|
|
|
1.45 |
|
|
|
1.45 |
|
Net
investment income (loss), before waivers and reimbursements |
|
|
(0.68 |
) |
|
|
(0.56 |
) |
|
|
0.34 |
|
|
|
0.54 |
|
|
|
0.76 |
|
Net
investment income (loss), net of waivers and reimbursements |
|
|
(0.67 |
) |
|
|
(0.54 |
) |
|
|
0.34 |
|
|
|
0.55 |
|
|
|
0.78 |
|
Class N
net assets at the end of the year (in thousands) |
|
$ |
293,481 |
|
|
$ |
288,976 |
|
|
$ |
494,788 |
|
|
$ |
456,533 |
|
|
$ |
763,740 |
|
Portfolio
turnover rate (%) |
|
|
19 |
|
|
|
27 |
|
|
|
34 |
|
|
|
78 |
|
|
|
82 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Class I |
|
|
|
Years Ended
December 31, |
|
|
|
2021 |
|
|
2020 |
|
|
2019 |
|
|
2018 |
|
|
2017 |
|
Net
asset value, beginning of year |
|
$ |
39.65 |
|
|
$ |
30.38 |
|
|
$ |
23.56 |
|
|
$ |
31.13 |
|
|
$ |
24.42 |
|
Income
(loss) from investment operations: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net
investment income (loss) |
|
|
(0.15 |
) |
|
|
(0.08 |
) |
|
|
0.18 |
|
|
|
0.26 |
|
|
|
0.30 |
|
Net
realized and unrealized gain (loss) on investments |
|
|
3.59 |
|
|
|
9.79 |
|
|
|
7.03 |
|
|
|
(5.70 |
) |
|
|
6.89 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total
from investment operations |
|
|
3.44 |
|
|
|
9.71 |
|
|
|
7.21 |
|
|
|
(5.44 |
) |
|
|
7.19 |
|
Less
distributions from: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net
investment income |
|
|
— |
|
|
|
0.18 |
|
|
|
0.39 |
|
|
|
0.28 |
|
|
|
0.48 |
|
Net
realized gain |
|
|
4.41 |
|
|
|
0.26 |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
1.85 |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total
distributions |
|
|
4.41 |
|
|
|
0.44 |
|
|
|
0.39 |
|
|
|
2.13 |
|
|
|
0.48 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net
asset value, end of year |
|
$ |
38.68 |
|
|
$ |
39.65 |
|
|
$ |
30.38 |
|
|
$ |
23.56 |
|
|
$ |
31.13 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total
return (%) |
|
|
9.01 |
|
|
|
31.99 |
|
|
|
30.66 |
|
|
|
(17.73 |
) |
|
|
29.49 |
|
Ratios
to average daily net assets (%): |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Expenses |
|
|
1.14 |
|
|
|
1.16 |
|
|
|
1.14 |
|
|
|
1.13 |
|
|
|
1.14 |
|
Net
investment income (loss) |
|
|
(0.36 |
) |
|
|
(0.24 |
) |
|
|
0.65 |
|
|
|
0.86 |
|
|
|
1.08 |
|
Class I
net assets at the end of the year (in thousands) |
|
$ |
1,702,775 |
|
|
$ |
1,914,460 |
|
|
$ |
1,552,355 |
|
|
$ |
1,646,811 |
|
|
$ |
2,375,326 |
|
Portfolio
turnover rate (%) |
|
|
19 |
|
|
|
27 |
|
|
|
34 |
|
|
|
78 |
|
|
|
82 |
|
168
International
Growth Fund
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Class R6 |
|
|
|
Years Ended
December 31, |
|
|
|
2021 |
|
|
2020 |
|
|
2019(a) |
|
Net
asset value, beginning of year |
|
$ |
39.66 |
|
|
$ |
30.37 |
|
|
$ |
27.56 |
|
Income
(loss) from investment operations: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net
investment income (loss) |
|
|
(0.11 |
) |
|
|
(0.07 |
) |
|
|
(0.05 |
) |
Net
realized and unrealized gain (loss) on investments |
|
|
3.58 |
|
|
|
9.83 |
|
|
|
3.27 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total
from investment operations |
|
|
3.47 |
|
|
|
9.76 |
|
|
|
3.22 |
|
Less
distributions from: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net
investment income |
|
|
— |
|
|
|
0.21 |
|
|
|
0.41 |
|
Net
realized gain |
|
|
4.41 |
|
|
|
0.26 |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total
distributions |
|
|
4.41 |
|
|
|
0.47 |
|
|
|
0.41 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net
asset value, end of year |
|
$ |
38.72 |
|
|
$ |
39.66 |
|
|
$ |
30.37 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total
return (%)* |
|
|
9.09 |
|
|
|
32.16 |
|
|
|
11.71 |
|
Ratios
to average daily net assets (%)**: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Expenses |
|
|
1.06 |
|
|
|
1.07 |
|
|
|
1.06 |
|
Net
investment income (loss) |
|
|
(0.25 |
) |
|
|
(0.23 |
) |
|
|
(0.26 |
) |
Class R6
net assets at end of year (in thousands) |
|
$ |
126,641 |
|
|
$ |
109,214 |
|
|
$ |
61,916 |
|
Portfolio
turnover rate (%)* |
|
|
19 |
|
|
|
27 |
|
|
|
34 |
|
(a) |
For
the period from May 2, 2019 (Commencement of Operations) to
December 31, 2019. |
* |
Rates
are not annualized for periods less than a year. |
** |
Rates
are annualized for periods less than a year. |
169
Institutional
International Growth Fund
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Institutional |
|
|
|
Years Ended
December 31, |
|
|
|
2021 |
|
|
2020 |
|
|
2019 |
|
|
2018 |
|
|
2017 |
|
Net
asset value, beginning of year |
|
$ |
20.37 |
|
|
$ |
17.35 |
|
|
$ |
13.40 |
|
|
$ |
18.08 |
|
|
$ |
14.55 |
|
Income
(loss) from investment operations: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net
investment income (loss) |
|
|
(0.05 |
) |
|
|
(0.01 |
) |
|
|
0.12 |
|
|
|
0.18 |
|
|
|
0.21 |
|
Net
realized and unrealized gain (loss) on investments |
|
|
1.86 |
|
|
|
5.60 |
|
|
|
4.00 |
|
|
|
(3.29 |
) |
|
|
4.07 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total
from investment operations |
|
|
1.81 |
|
|
|
5.59 |
|
|
|
4.12 |
|
|
|
(3.11 |
) |
|
|
4.28 |
|
Less
distributions from: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net
investment income |
|
|
— |
|
|
|
0.02 |
|
|
|
0.17 |
|
|
|
0.17 |
|
|
|
0.44 |
|
Net
realized gain |
|
|
3.15 |
|
|
|
2.55 |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
1.40 |
|
|
|
0.31 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total
distributions |
|
|
3.15 |
|
|
|
2.57 |
|
|
|
0.17 |
|
|
|
1.57 |
|
|
|
0.75 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net
asset value, end of year |
|
$ |
19.03 |
|
|
$ |
20.37 |
|
|
$ |
17.35 |
|
|
$ |
13.40 |
|
|
$ |
18.08 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total
return (%) |
|
|
9.39 |
|
|
|
32.47 |
|
|
|
30.75 |
|
|
|
(17.50 |
) |
|
|
29.53 |
|
Ratios
to average daily net assets (%): |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Expenses |
|
|
1.01 |
|
|
|
1.00 |
|
|
|
0.99 |
|
|
|
0.97 |
|
|
|
0.97 |
|
Net
investment income (loss) |
|
|
(0.22 |
) |
|
|
(0.04 |
) |
|
|
0.77 |
|
|
|
1.01 |
|
|
|
1.22 |
|
Net
assets at the end of the year (in thousands) |
|
$ |
1,281,843 |
|
|
$ |
1,326,482 |
|
|
$ |
1,892,911 |
|
|
$ |
1,784,435 |
|
|
$ |
2,330,299 |
|
Portfolio
turnover rate (%) |
|
|
19 |
|
|
|
31 |
|
|
|
35 |
|
|
|
82 |
|
|
|
84 |
|
170
International
Small Cap Growth Fund
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Class N |
|
|
|
Years Ended
December 31, |
|
|
|
2021 |
|
|
2020 |
|
|
2019 |
|
|
2018 |
|
|
2017 |
|
Net
asset value, beginning of year |
|
$ |
17.45 |
|
|
$ |
13.85 |
|
|
$ |
10.36 |
|
|
$ |
15.49 |
|
|
$ |
12.87 |
|
Income
(loss) from investment operations: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net
investment income (loss) |
|
|
(0.12 |
) |
|
|
(0.05 |
) |
|
|
0.05 |
|
|
|
0.04 |
|
|
|
0.12 |
|
Net
realized and unrealized gain (loss) on investments |
|
|
1.91 |
|
|
|
4.01 |
|
|
|
3.45 |
|
|
|
(3.78 |
) |
|
|
3.98 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total
from investment operations |
|
|
1.79 |
|
|
|
3.96 |
|
|
|
3.50 |
|
|
|
(3.74 |
) |
|
|
4.10 |
|
Less
distributions from: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net
investment income |
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
0.01 |
|
|
|
0.08 |
|
|
|
0.32 |
|
Net
realized gain |
|
|
2.68 |
|
|
|
0.36 |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
1.31 |
|
|
|
1.16 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total
distributions |
|
|
2.68 |
|
|
|
0.36 |
|
|
|
0.01 |
|
|
|
1.39 |
|
|
|
1.48 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net
asset value, end of year |
|
$ |
16.56 |
|
|
$ |
17.45 |
|
|
$ |
13.85 |
|
|
$ |
10.36 |
|
|
$ |
15.49 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total
return (%) |
|
|
10.87 |
|
|
|
28.68 |
|
|
|
33.81 |
|
|
|
(24.48 |
) |
|
|
32.17 |
|
Ratios
to average daily net assets (%): |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Expenses,
before waivers and reimbursements |
|
|
1.46 |
|
|
|
1.52 |
|
|
|
1.48 |
|
|
|
1.48 |
|
|
|
1.62 |
|
Expenses,
net of waivers and reimbursements |
|
|
1.46 |
|
|
|
1.52 |
|
|
|
1.48 |
|
|
|
1.48 |
|
|
|
1.47 |
|
Net
investment income (loss), before waivers and reimbursements |
|
|
(0.67 |
) |
|
|
(0.36 |
) |
|
|
0.45 |
|
|
|
0.29 |
|
|
|
0.70 |
|
Net
investment income (loss), net of waivers and reimbursements |
|
|
(0.67 |
) |
|
|
(0.36 |
) |
|
|
0.45 |
|
|
|
0.29 |
|
|
|
0.85 |
|
Class N
net assets at the end of the year (in thousands) |
|
$ |
3,540 |
|
|
$ |
3,101 |
|
|
$ |
3,650 |
|
|
$ |
3,440 |
|
|
$ |
6,275 |
|
Portfolio
turnover rate (%) |
|
|
52 |
|
|
|
63 |
|
|
|
38 |
|
|
|
88 |
|
|
|
64 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Class I |
|
|
|
Years Ended
December 31, |
|
|
|
2021 |
|
|
2020 |
|
|
2019 |
|
|
2018 |
|
|
2017 |
|
Net
asset value, beginning of year |
|
$ |
17.66 |
|
|
$ |
13.98 |
|
|
$ |
10.45 |
|
|
$ |
15.65 |
|
|
$ |
13.00 |
|
Income
(loss) from investment operations: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net
investment income (loss) |
|
|
(0.07 |
) |
|
|
(0.01 |
) |
|
|
0.09 |
|
|
|
0.09 |
|
|
|
0.14 |
|
Net
realized and unrealized gain (loss) on investments |
|
|
1.93 |
|
|
|
4.06 |
|
|
|
3.48 |
|
|
|
(3.84 |
) |
|
|
4.07 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total
from investment operations |
|
|
1.86 |
|
|
|
4.05 |
|
|
|
3.57 |
|
|
|
(3.75 |
) |
|
|
4.21 |
|
Less
distributions from: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net
investment income |
|
|
0.04 |
|
|
|
0.01 |
|
|
|
0.04 |
|
|
|
0.14 |
|
|
|
0.40 |
|
Net
realized gain |
|
|
2.68 |
|
|
|
0.36 |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
1.31 |
|
|
|
1.16 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total
distributions |
|
|
2.72 |
|
|
|
0.37 |
|
|
|
0.04 |
|
|
|
1.45 |
|
|
|
1.56 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net
asset value, end of year |
|
$ |
16.80 |
|
|
$ |
17.66 |
|
|
$ |
13.98 |
|
|
$ |
10.45 |
|
|
$ |
15.65 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total
return (%) |
|
|
11.17 |
|
|
|
29.04 |
|
|
|
34.22 |
|
|
|
(24.29 |
) |
|
|
32.70 |
|
Ratios
to average daily net assets (%): |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Expenses,
before waivers and reimbursements |
|
|
1.19 |
|
|
|
1.25 |
|
|
|
1.21 |
|
|
|
1.18 |
|
|
|
1.31 |
|
Expenses,
net of waivers and reimbursements |
|
|
1.19 |
|
|
|
1.25 |
|
|
|
1.21 |
|
|
|
1.18 |
|
|
|
1.16 |
|
Net
investment income (loss), before waivers and reimbursements |
|
|
(0.40 |
) |
|
|
(0.05 |
) |
|
|
0.75 |
|
|
|
0.60 |
|
|
|
0.77 |
|
Net
investment income (loss), net of waivers and reimbursements |
|
|
(0.40 |
) |
|
|
(0.05 |
) |
|
|
0.75 |
|
|
|
0.60 |
|
|
|
0.92 |
|
Class I
net assets at the end of the year (in thousands) |
|
$ |
136,573 |
|
|
$ |
145,283 |
|
|
$ |
142,951 |
|
|
$ |
165,451 |
|
|
$ |
338,920 |
|
Portfolio
turnover rate (%) |
|
|
52 |
|
|
|
63 |
|
|
|
38 |
|
|
|
88 |
|
|
|
64 |
|
171
International
Small Cap Growth Fund
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Class R6 |
|
|
|
Years Ended
December 31, |
|
|
|
2021 |
|
|
2020 |
|
|
2019 |
|
|
2018 |
|
|
2017 |
|
Net
asset value, beginning of year |
|
$ |
17.76 |
|
|
$ |
14.05 |
|
|
$ |
10.50 |
|
|
$ |
15.73 |
|
|
$ |
13.07 |
|
Income
(loss) from investment operations: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net
investment income (loss) |
|
|
(0.06 |
) |
|
|
0.00 |
† |
|
|
0.11 |
|
|
|
0.10 |
|
|
|
0.15 |
|
Net
realized and unrealized gain (loss) on investments |
|
|
1.95 |
|
|
|
4.09 |
|
|
|
3.49 |
|
|
|
(3.85 |
) |
|
|
4.08 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total
from investment operations |
|
|
1.89 |
|
|
|
4.09 |
|
|
|
3.60 |
|
|
|
(3.75 |
) |
|
|
4.23 |
|
Less
distributions from: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net
investment income |
|
|
0.06 |
|
|
|
0.02 |
|
|
|
0.05 |
|
|
|
0.17 |
|
|
|
0.41 |
|
Net
realized gain |
|
|
2.68 |
|
|
|
0.36 |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
1.31 |
|
|
|
1.16 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total
distributions |
|
|
2.74 |
|
|
|
0.38 |
|
|
|
0.05 |
|
|
|
1.48 |
|
|
|
1.57 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net
asset value, end of year |
|
$ |
16.91 |
|
|
$ |
17.76 |
|
|
$ |
14.05 |
|
|
$ |
10.50 |
|
|
$ |
15.73 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total
return (%) |
|
|
11.27 |
|
|
|
29.23 |
|
|
|
34.32 |
|
|
|
(24.19 |
) |
|
|
32.70 |
|
Ratios
to average daily net assets (%): |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Expenses |
|
|
1.10 |
|
|
|
1.14 |
|
|
|
1.12 |
|
|
|
1.08 |
|
|
|
1.08 |
|
Net
investment income (loss) |
|
|
(0.31 |
) |
|
|
0.02 |
|
|
|
0.86 |
|
|
|
0.67 |
|
|
|
0.99 |
|
Class R6
net assets at the end of the year (in thousands) |
|
$ |
243,398 |
|
|
$ |
188,497 |
|
|
$ |
162,465 |
|
|
$ |
171,833 |
|
|
$ |
256,558 |
|
Portfolio
turnover rate (%) |
|
|
52 |
|
|
|
63 |
|
|
|
38 |
|
|
|
88 |
|
|
|
64 |
|
† |
Amount
is less than $0.005 per share. |
172
Emerging
Markets Leaders Fund
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Class N |
|
|
|
Years Ended
December 31, |
|
|
|
2021 |
|
|
2020 |
|
|
2019 |
|
|
2018 |
|
|
2017 |
|
Net
asset value, beginning of year |
|
$ |
13.26 |
|
|
$ |
10.51 |
|
|
$ |
8.26 |
|
|
$ |
11.06 |
|
|
$ |
7.84 |
|
Income
(loss) from investment operations: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net
investment income (loss) |
|
|
(0.06 |
) |
|
|
(0.02 |
) |
|
|
0.03 |
|
|
|
0.03 |
|
|
|
0.01 |
|
Net
realized and unrealized gain (loss) on investments |
|
|
(0.98 |
) |
|
|
2.88 |
|
|
|
2.28 |
|
|
|
(1.97 |
) |
|
|
3.26 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total
from investment operations |
|
|
(1.04 |
) |
|
|
2.86 |
|
|
|
2.31 |
|
|
|
(1.94 |
) |
|
|
3.27 |
|
Less
distributions from: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net
investment income |
|
|
0.01 |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
0.04 |
|
|
|
0.07 |
|
|
|
0.05 |
|
Net
realized gain |
|
|
0.88 |
|
|
|
0.11 |
|
|
|
0.02 |
|
|
|
0.79 |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total
distributions |
|
|
0.89 |
|
|
|
0.11 |
|
|
|
0.06 |
|
|
|
0.86 |
|
|
|
0.05 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net
asset value, end of year |
|
$ |
11.33 |
|
|
$ |
13.26 |
|
|
$ |
10.51 |
|
|
$ |
8.26 |
|
|
$ |
11.06 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total
return (%) |
|
|
(7.69 |
) |
|
|
27.23 |
|
|
|
27.98 |
|
|
|
(17.73 |
) |
|
|
41.68 |
|
Ratios
to average daily net assets (%): |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Expenses,
before waivers and reimbursements |
|
|
1.56 |
|
|
|
1.63 |
|
|
|
1.62 |
|
|
|
1.60 |
|
|
|
1.62 |
|
Expenses,
net of waivers and reimbursements |
|
|
1.40 |
|
|
|
1.40 |
|
|
|
1.45 |
|
|
|
1.58 |
|
|
|
1.47 |
|
Net
investment income (loss), before waivers and reimbursements |
|
|
(0.64 |
) |
|
|
(0.45 |
) |
|
|
0.17 |
|
|
|
0.27 |
|
|
|
(0.01 |
) |
Net
investment income (loss), net of waivers and reimbursements |
|
|
(0.48 |
) |
|
|
(0.22 |
) |
|
|
0.34 |
|
|
|
0.29 |
|
|
|
0.14 |
|
Class N
net assets at the end of the year (in thousands) |
|
$ |
2,096 |
|
|
$ |
1,803 |
|
|
$ |
1,856 |
|
|
$ |
2,239 |
|
|
$ |
2,766 |
|
Portfolio
turnover rate (%) |
|
|
40 |
|
|
|
47 |
|
|
|
33 |
|
|
|
52 |
|
|
|
59 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Class I |
|
|
|
Years Ended
December 31, |
|
|
|
2021 |
|
|
2020 |
|
|
2019 |
|
|
2018 |
|
|
2017 |
|
Net
asset value, beginning of year |
|
$ |
13.28 |
|
|
$ |
10.52 |
|
|
$ |
8.27 |
|
|
$ |
11.09 |
|
|
$ |
7.87 |
|
Income
(loss) from investment operations: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net
investment income (loss) |
|
|
(0.04 |
) |
|
|
(0.00 |
)† |
|
|
0.06 |
|
|
|
0.06 |
|
|
|
0.02 |
|
Net
realized and unrealized gain (loss) on investments |
|
|
(0.98 |
) |
|
|
2.89 |
|
|
|
2.29 |
|
|
|
(1.97 |
) |
|
|
3.27 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total
from investment operations |
|
|
(1.02 |
) |
|
|
2.89 |
|
|
|
2.35 |
|
|
|
(1.91 |
) |
|
|
3.29 |
|
Less
distributions from: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net
investment income |
|
|
0.05 |
|
|
|
0.02 |
|
|
|
0.08 |
|
|
|
0.12 |
|
|
|
0.07 |
|
Net
realized gain |
|
|
0.88 |
|
|
|
0.11 |
|
|
|
0.02 |
|
|
|
0.79 |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total
distributions |
|
|
0.93 |
|
|
|
0.13 |
|
|
|
0.10 |
|
|
|
0.91 |
|
|
|
0.07 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net
asset value, end of year |
|
$ |
11.33 |
|
|
$ |
13.28 |
|
|
$ |
10.52 |
|
|
$ |
8.27 |
|
|
$ |
11.09 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total
return (%) |
|
|
(7.48 |
) |
|
|
27.52 |
|
|
|
28.36 |
|
|
|
(17.45 |
) |
|
|
41.89 |
|
Ratios
to average daily net assets (%): |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Expenses,
before waivers and reimbursements |
|
|
1.28 |
|
|
|
1.33 |
|
|
|
1.29 |
|
|
|
1.27 |
|
|
|
1.40 |
|
Expenses,
net of waivers and reimbursements |
|
|
1.15 |
|
|
|
1.15 |
|
|
|
1.20 |
|
|
|
1.27 |
|
|
|
1.25 |
|
Net
investment income (loss), before waivers and reimbursements |
|
|
(0.40 |
) |
|
|
(0.21 |
) |
|
|
0.53 |
|
|
|
0.58 |
|
|
|
0.09 |
|
Net
investment income (loss), net of waivers and reimbursements |
|
|
(0.27 |
) |
|
|
(0.03 |
) |
|
|
0.62 |
|
|
|
0.58 |
|
|
|
0.24 |
|
Class I
net assets at the end of the year (in thousands) |
|
$ |
42,750 |
|
|
$ |
62,319 |
|
|
$ |
45,090 |
|
|
$ |
34,786 |
|
|
$ |
47,666 |
|
Portfolio
turnover rate (%) |
|
|
40 |
|
|
|
47 |
|
|
|
33 |
|
|
|
52 |
|
|
|
59 |
|
† |
Amount
is less than $0.005 per share. |
173
Emerging
Markets Leaders Fund
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Class R6 |
|
|
|
Years Ended
December 31, |
|
|
|
2021 |
|
|
2020 |
|
|
2019 |
|
|
2018 |
|
|
2017 |
|
Net
asset value, beginning of year |
|
$ |
13.26 |
|
|
$ |
10.51 |
|
|
$ |
8.26 |
|
|
$ |
11.09 |
|
|
$ |
7.86 |
|
Income
(loss) from investment operations: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net
investment income (loss) |
|
|
(0.02 |
) |
|
|
0.00 |
† |
|
|
0.06 |
|
|
|
0.07 |
|
|
|
0.03 |
|
Net
realized and unrealized gain (loss) on investments |
|
|
(0.98 |
) |
|
|
2.89 |
|
|
|
2.29 |
|
|
|
(1.98 |
) |
|
|
3.28 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total
from investment operations |
|
|
(1.00 |
) |
|
|
2.89 |
|
|
|
2.35 |
|
|
|
(1.91 |
) |
|
|
3.31 |
|
Less
distributions from: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net
investment income |
|
|
0.06 |
|
|
|
0.03 |
|
|
|
0.08 |
|
|
|
0.13 |
|
|
|
0.08 |
|
Net
realized gain |
|
|
0.88 |
|
|
|
0.11 |
|
|
|
0.02 |
|
|
|
0.79 |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total
distributions |
|
|
0.94 |
|
|
|
0.14 |
|
|
|
0.10 |
|
|
|
0.92 |
|
|
|
0.08 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net
asset value, end of year |
|
$ |
11.32 |
|
|
$ |
13.26 |
|
|
$ |
10.51 |
|
|
$ |
8.26 |
|
|
$ |
11.09 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total
return (%) |
|
|
(7.35 |
) |
|
|
27.50 |
|
|
|
28.45 |
|
|
|
(17.46 |
) |
|
|
42.15 |
|
Ratios
to average daily net assets (%): |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Expenses,
before waivers and reimbursements |
|
|
1.20 |
|
|
|
1.26 |
|
|
|
1.23 |
|
|
|
1.20 |
|
|
|
1.19 |
|
Expenses,
net of waivers and reimbursements |
|
|
1.10 |
|
|
|
1.10 |
|
|
|
1.15 |
|
|
|
1.20 |
|
|
|
1.19 |
|
Net
investment income (loss), before waivers and reimbursements |
|
|
(0.26 |
) |
|
|
(0.11 |
) |
|
|
0.57 |
|
|
|
0.71 |
|
|
|
0.33 |
|
Net
investment income (loss), net of waivers and reimbursements |
|
|
(0.16 |
) |
|
|
0.05 |
|
|
|
0.65 |
|
|
|
0.71 |
|
|
|
0.33 |
|
Class R6
net assets at the end of the year (in thousands) |
|
$ |
428,839 |
|
|
$ |
198,015 |
|
|
$ |
191,337 |
|
|
$ |
161,889 |
|
|
$ |
427,480 |
|
Portfolio
turnover rate (%) |
|
|
40 |
|
|
|
47 |
|
|
|
33 |
|
|
|
52 |
|
|
|
59 |
|
† |
Amount
is less than $0.005 per share. |
174
Emerging
Markets Growth Fund
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Class N |
|
|
|
Years Ended
December 31, |
|
|
|
2021 |
|
|
2020 |
|
|
2019 |
|
|
2018 |
|
|
2017 |
|
Net
asset value, beginning of year |
|
$ |
18.42 |
|
|
$ |
13.67 |
|
|
$ |
11.14 |
|
|
$ |
16.20 |
|
|
$ |
10.99 |
|
Income
(loss) from investment operations: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net
investment income (loss) |
|
|
(0.13 |
) |
|
|
(0.09 |
) |
|
|
0.11 |
|
|
|
0.01 |
|
|
|
(0.02 |
) |
Net
realized and unrealized gain (loss) on investments |
|
|
0.62 |
|
|
|
5.60 |
|
|
|
2.98 |
|
|
|
(3.49 |
) |
|
|
5.35 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total
from investment operations |
|
|
0.49 |
|
|
|
5.51 |
|
|
|
3.09 |
|
|
|
(3.48 |
) |
|
|
5.33 |
|
Less
distributions from: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net
investment income |
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
0.16 |
|
|
|
0.11 |
|
|
|
0.12 |
|
Net
realized gain |
|
|
3.36 |
|
|
|
0.76 |
|
|
|
0.40 |
|
|
|
1.47 |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total
distributions |
|
|
3.36 |
|
|
|
0.76 |
|
|
|
0.56 |
|
|
|
1.58 |
|
|
|
0.12 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net
asset value, end of year |
|
$ |
15.55 |
|
|
$ |
18.42 |
|
|
$ |
13.67 |
|
|
$ |
11.14 |
|
|
$ |
16.20 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total
return (%) |
|
|
2.97 |
|
|
|
40.43 |
|
|
|
27.89 |
|
|
|
(21.61 |
) |
|
|
48.53 |
|
Ratios
to average daily net assets (%): |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Expenses,
before waivers and reimbursements |
|
|
1.55 |
|
|
|
1.55 |
|
|
|
1.51 |
|
|
|
1.52 |
|
|
|
1.65 |
|
Expenses,
net of waivers and reimbursements |
|
|
1.55 |
|
|
|
1.55 |
|
|
|
1.51 |
|
|
|
1.52 |
|
|
|
1.50 |
|
Net
investment income (loss), before waivers and reimbursements |
|
|
(0.65 |
) |
|
|
(0.60 |
) |
|
|
0.84 |
|
|
|
0.09 |
|
|
|
(0.29 |
) |
Net
investment income (loss), net of waivers and reimbursements |
|
|
(0.65 |
) |
|
|
(0.60 |
) |
|
|
0.84 |
|
|
|
0.09 |
|
|
|
(0.14 |
) |
Class N
net assets at the end of the year (in thousands) |
|
$ |
28,565 |
|
|
$ |
18,606 |
|
|
$ |
7,804 |
|
|
$ |
7,103 |
|
|
$ |
10,479 |
|
Portfolio
turnover rate (%) |
|
|
52 |
|
|
|
77 |
|
|
|
79 |
|
|
|
113 |
|
|
|
91 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Class I |
|
|
|
Years Ended
December 31, |
|
|
|
2021 |
|
|
2020 |
|
|
2019 |
|
|
2018 |
|
|
2017 |
|
Net
asset value, beginning of year |
|
$ |
18.66 |
|
|
$ |
13.82 |
|
|
$ |
11.25 |
|
|
$ |
16.36 |
|
|
$ |
11.10 |
|
Income
(loss) from investment operations: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net
investment income (loss) |
|
|
(0.07 |
) |
|
|
(0.05 |
) |
|
|
0.14 |
|
|
|
0.05 |
|
|
|
0.01 |
|
Net
realized and unrealized gain (loss) on investments |
|
|
0.62 |
|
|
|
5.66 |
|
|
|
3.02 |
|
|
|
(3.52 |
) |
|
|
5.40 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total
from investment operations |
|
|
0.55 |
|
|
|
5.61 |
|
|
|
3.16 |
|
|
|
(3.47 |
) |
|
|
5.41 |
|
Less
distributions from: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net
investment income |
|
|
— |
|
|
|
0.01 |
|
|
|
0.19 |
|
|
|
0.17 |
|
|
|
0.15 |
|
Net
realized gain |
|
|
3.36 |
|
|
|
0.76 |
|
|
|
0.40 |
|
|
|
1.47 |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total
distributions |
|
|
3.36 |
|
|
|
0.77 |
|
|
|
0.59 |
|
|
|
1.64 |
|
|
|
0.15 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net
asset value, end of year |
|
$ |
15.85 |
|
|
$ |
18.66 |
|
|
$ |
13.82 |
|
|
$ |
11.25 |
|
|
$ |
16.36 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total
return (%) |
|
|
3.25 |
|
|
|
40.72 |
|
|
|
28.29 |
|
|
|
(21.37 |
) |
|
|
48.83 |
|
Ratios
to average daily net assets (%): |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Expenses,
before waivers and reimbursements |
|
|
1.27 |
|
|
|
1.30 |
|
|
|
1.26 |
|
|
|
1.27 |
|
|
|
1.42 |
|
Expenses,
net of waivers and reimbursements |
|
|
1.27 |
|
|
|
1.30 |
|
|
|
1.26 |
|
|
|
1.27 |
|
|
|
1.27 |
|
Net
investment income (loss), before waivers and reimbursements |
|
|
(0.37 |
) |
|
|
(0.33 |
) |
|
|
1.06 |
|
|
|
0.34 |
|
|
|
(0.07 |
) |
Net
investment income (loss), net of waivers and reimbursements |
|
|
(0.37 |
) |
|
|
(0.33 |
) |
|
|
1.06 |
|
|
|
0.34 |
|
|
|
0.08 |
|
Class I
net assets at the end of the year (in thousands) |
|
$ |
190,985 |
|
|
$ |
113,697 |
|
|
$ |
73,496 |
|
|
$ |
79,427 |
|
|
$ |
129,481 |
|
Portfolio
turnover rate (%) |
|
|
52 |
|
|
|
77 |
|
|
|
79 |
|
|
|
113 |
|
|
|
91 |
|
175
Emerging
Markets Growth Fund
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Class R6 |
|
|
|
Years Ended
December 31, |
|
|
|
2021 |
|
|
2020 |
|
|
2019 |
|
|
2018 |
|
|
2017 |
|
Net
asset value, beginning of year |
|
$ |
18.84 |
|
|
$ |
13.94 |
|
|
$ |
11.35 |
|
|
$ |
16.49 |
|
|
$ |
11.18 |
|
Income
(loss) from investment operations: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net
investment income (loss) |
|
|
(0.05 |
) |
|
|
(0.03 |
) |
|
|
0.15 |
|
|
|
0.07 |
|
|
|
0.02 |
|
Net
realized and unrealized gain (loss) on investments |
|
|
0.63 |
|
|
|
5.71 |
|
|
|
3.04 |
|
|
|
(3.56 |
) |
|
|
5.46 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total
from investment operations |
|
|
0.58 |
|
|
|
5.68 |
|
|
|
3.19 |
|
|
|
(3.49 |
) |
|
|
5.48 |
|
Less
distributions from: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net
investment income |
|
|
0.02 |
|
|
|
0.02 |
|
|
|
0.20 |
|
|
|
0.18 |
|
|
|
0.17 |
|
Net
realized gain |
|
|
3.36 |
|
|
|
0.76 |
|
|
|
0.40 |
|
|
|
1.47 |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total
distributions |
|
|
3.38 |
|
|
|
0.78 |
|
|
|
0.60 |
|
|
|
1.65 |
|
|
|
0.17 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net
asset value, end of year |
|
$ |
16.04 |
|
|
$ |
18.84 |
|
|
$ |
13.94 |
|
|
$ |
11.35 |
|
|
$ |
16.49 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total
return (%) |
|
|
3.37 |
|
|
|
40.90 |
|
|
|
28.28 |
|
|
|
(21.29 |
) |
|
|
49.06 |
|
Ratios
to average daily net assets (%): |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Expenses |
|
|
1.17 |
|
|
|
1.20 |
|
|
|
1.19 |
|
|
|
1.19 |
|
|
|
1.17 |
|
Net
investment income (loss) |
|
|
(0.27 |
) |
|
|
(0.22 |
) |
|
|
1.17 |
|
|
|
0.46 |
|
|
|
0.17 |
|
Class R6
net assets at the end of the year (in thousands) |
|
$ |
822,288 |
|
|
$ |
1,063,433 |
|
|
$ |
708,892 |
|
|
$ |
654,441 |
|
|
$ |
1,178,853 |
|
Portfolio
turnover rate (%) |
|
|
52 |
|
|
|
77 |
|
|
|
79 |
|
|
|
113 |
|
|
|
91 |
|
176
Emerging
Markets Small Cap Growth Fund
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Class N |
|
|
|
Years Ended
December 31, |
|
|
|
2021 |
|
|
2020 |
|
|
2019 |
|
|
2018 |
|
|
2017 |
|
Net
asset value, beginning of year |
|
$ |
22.22 |
|
|
$ |
16.80 |
|
|
$ |
13.96 |
|
|
$ |
18.66 |
|
|
$ |
13.73 |
|
Income
(loss) from investment operations: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net
investment income (loss) |
|
|
(0.20 |
) |
|
|
(0.06 |
) |
|
|
0.00 |
† |
|
|
(0.02 |
) |
|
|
0.01 |
|
Net
realized and unrealized gain (loss) on investments |
|
|
3.53 |
|
|
|
5.48 |
|
|
|
2.84 |
|
|
|
(4.38 |
) |
|
|
5.46 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total
from investment operations |
|
|
3.33 |
|
|
|
5.42 |
|
|
|
2.84 |
|
|
|
(4.40 |
) |
|
|
5.47 |
|
Less
distributions from: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net
investment income |
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
0.50 |
|
Net
realized gain |
|
|
2.03 |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
0.30 |
|
|
|
0.04 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total
distributions |
|
|
2.03 |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
0.30 |
|
|
|
0.54 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net
asset value, end of year |
|
$ |
23.52 |
|
|
$ |
22.22 |
|
|
$ |
16.80 |
|
|
$ |
13.96 |
|
|
$ |
18.66 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total
return (%) |
|
|
15.23 |
|
|
|
32.26 |
|
|
|
20.34 |
|
|
|
(23.57 |
) |
|
|
40.09 |
|
Ratios
to average daily net assets (%): |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Expenses,
before waivers and reimbursements |
|
|
1.60 |
|
|
|
1.77 |
|
|
|
1.71 |
|
|
|
1.70 |
|
|
|
1.83 |
|
Expenses,
net of waivers and reimbursements |
|
|
1.55 |
|
|
|
1.55 |
|
|
|
1.55 |
|
|
|
1.58 |
|
|
|
1.64 |
|
Net
investment income (loss), before waivers and reimbursements |
|
|
(0.88 |
) |
|
|
(0.58 |
) |
|
|
(0.14 |
) |
|
|
(0.22 |
) |
|
|
(0.11 |
) |
Net
investment income (loss), net of waivers and reimbursements |
|
|
(0.83 |
) |
|
|
(0.36 |
) |
|
|
0.02 |
|
|
|
(0.10 |
) |
|
|
0.08 |
|
Class N
net assets at the end of the year (in thousands) |
|
$ |
4,262 |
|
|
$ |
3,947 |
|
|
$ |
4,025 |
|
|
$ |
8,977 |
|
|
$ |
15,082 |
|
Portfolio
turnover rate (%) |
|
|
76 |
|
|
|
119 |
|
|
|
142 |
|
|
|
187 |
|
|
|
183 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Class I |
|
|
|
Years Ended
December 31, |
|
|
|
2021 |
|
|
2020 |
|
|
2019 |
|
|
2018 |
|
|
2017 |
|
Net
asset value, beginning of year |
|
$ |
22.40 |
|
|
$ |
16.90 |
|
|
$ |
14.03 |
|
|
$ |
18.73 |
|
|
$ |
13.77 |
|
Income
(loss) from investment operations: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net
investment income (loss) |
|
|
(0.14 |
) |
|
|
(0.02 |
) |
|
|
0.04 |
|
|
|
0.03 |
|
|
|
0.08 |
|
Net
realized and unrealized gain (loss) on investments |
|
|
3.56 |
|
|
|
5.53 |
|
|
|
2.86 |
|
|
|
(4.41 |
) |
|
|
5.47 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total
from investment operations |
|
|
3.42 |
|
|
|
5.51 |
|
|
|
2.90 |
|
|
|
(4.38 |
) |
|
|
5.55 |
|
Less
distributions from: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net
investment income |
|
|
— |
|
|
|
0.01 |
|
|
|
0.03 |
|
|
|
0.02 |
|
|
|
0.55 |
|
Net
realized gain |
|
|
2.03 |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
0.30 |
|
|
|
0.04 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total
distributions |
|
|
2.03 |
|
|
|
0.01 |
|
|
|
0.03 |
|
|
|
0.32 |
|
|
|
0.59 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net
asset value, end of year |
|
$ |
23.79 |
|
|
$ |
22.40 |
|
|
$ |
16.90 |
|
|
$ |
14.03 |
|
|
$ |
18.73 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total
return (%) |
|
|
15.51 |
|
|
|
32.60 |
|
|
|
20.58 |
|
|
|
(23.31 |
) |
|
|
40.53 |
|
Ratios
to average daily net assets (%): |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Expenses,
before waivers and reimbursements |
|
|
1.31 |
|
|
|
1.45 |
|
|
|
1.40 |
|
|
|
1.38 |
|
|
|
1.50 |
|
Expenses,
net of waivers and reimbursements |
|
|
1.30 |
|
|
|
1.30 |
|
|
|
1.30 |
|
|
|
1.33 |
|
|
|
1.31 |
|
Net
investment income (loss), before waivers and reimbursements |
|
|
(0.59 |
) |
|
|
(0.25 |
) |
|
|
0.18 |
|
|
|
0.13 |
|
|
|
0.30 |
|
Net
investment income (loss), net of waivers and reimbursements |
|
|
(0.58 |
) |
|
|
(0.10 |
) |
|
|
0.28 |
|
|
|
0.18 |
|
|
|
0.49 |
|
Class I
net assets at the end of the year (in thousands) |
|
$ |
171,994 |
|
|
$ |
151,302 |
|
|
$ |
142,885 |
|
|
$ |
169,770 |
|
|
$ |
282,620 |
|
Portfolio
turnover rate (%) |
|
|
76 |
|
|
|
119 |
|
|
|
142 |
|
|
|
187 |
|
|
|
183 |
|
† |
Amount
is less than $0.005 per share. |
177
Emerging
Markets Small Cap Growth Fund
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Class R6 |
|
|
|
Years Ended
December 31, |
|
|
|
2021 |
|
|
2020 |
|
|
2019 |
|
|
2018 |
|
|
2017 |
|
Net
asset value, beginning of year |
|
$ |
22.44 |
|
|
$ |
16.93 |
|
|
$ |
14.06 |
|
|
$ |
18.76 |
|
|
$ |
13.79 |
|
Income
(loss) from investment operations: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net
investment income (loss) |
|
|
(0.12 |
) |
|
|
(0.00 |
)† |
|
|
0.05 |
|
|
|
0.05 |
|
|
|
0.10 |
|
Net
realized and unrealized gain (loss) on investments |
|
|
3.56 |
|
|
|
5.53 |
|
|
|
2.86 |
|
|
|
(4.41 |
) |
|
|
5.47 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total
from investment operations |
|
|
3.44 |
|
|
|
5.53 |
|
|
|
2.91 |
|
|
|
(4.36 |
) |
|
|
5.57 |
|
Less
distributions from: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net
investment income |
|
|
0.01 |
|
|
|
0.02 |
|
|
|
0.04 |
|
|
|
0.04 |
|
|
|
0.56 |
|
Net
realized gain |
|
|
2.03 |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
0.30 |
|
|
|
0.04 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total
distributions |
|
|
2.04 |
|
|
|
0.02 |
|
|
|
0.04 |
|
|
|
0.34 |
|
|
|
0.60 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net
asset value, end of year |
|
$ |
23.84 |
|
|
$ |
22.44 |
|
|
$ |
16.93 |
|
|
$ |
14.06 |
|
|
$ |
18.76 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total
return (%) |
|
|
15.58 |
|
|
|
32.66 |
|
|
|
20.69 |
|
|
|
(23.24 |
) |
|
|
40.62 |
|
Ratios
to average daily net assets (%): |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Expenses,
before waivers and reimbursements |
|
|
1.23 |
|
|
|
1.36 |
|
|
|
1.33 |
|
|
|
1.30 |
|
|
|
1.29 |
|
Expenses,
net of waivers and reimbursements |
|
|
1.23 |
|
|
|
1.25 |
|
|
|
1.25 |
|
|
|
1.25 |
|
|
|
1.25 |
|
Net
investment income (loss), before waivers and reimbursements |
|
|
(0.49 |
) |
|
|
(0.14 |
) |
|
|
0.27 |
|
|
|
0.22 |
|
|
|
0.53 |
|
Net
investment income (loss), net of waivers and reimbursements |
|
|
(0.49 |
) |
|
|
(0.03 |
) |
|
|
0.35 |
|
|
|
0.27 |
|
|
|
0.57 |
|
Class R6
net assets at the end of the year (in thousands) |
|
$ |
324,152 |
|
|
$ |
152,160 |
|
|
$ |
130,711 |
|
|
$ |
98,188 |
|
|
$ |
166,927 |
|
Portfolio
turnover rate (%) |
|
|
76 |
|
|
|
119 |
|
|
|
142 |
|
|
|
187 |
|
|
|
183 |
|
† |
Amount
is less than $0.005 per share. |
178
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Class I |
|
|
|
Period Ended December 31, 2021(a) |
|
Net
asset value, beginning of year |
|
$ |
10.00 |
|
Income
(loss) from investment operations: |
|
|
|
|
Net
investment income (loss) |
|
|
(0.04 |
) |
Net
realized and unrealized gain (loss) on investments |
|
|
(0.42 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
Total
from investment operations |
|
|
(0.46 |
) |
Less
distributions from: |
|
|
|
|
Net
investment income |
|
|
— |
|
Net
realized gain |
|
|
— |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total
distributions |
|
|
— |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net
asset value, end of year |
|
$ |
9.54 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total
return (%)* |
|
|
(4.40 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
Ratios
to average daily net assets (%)**: |
|
|
|
|
Expenses,
before waivers and reimbursements |
|
|
4.74 |
|
Expenses,
net of waivers and reimbursements |
|
|
1.05 |
|
Net
investment income (loss), before waivers and reimbursements |
|
|
(4.69 |
) |
Net
investment income (loss), net of waivers and reimbursements |
|
|
(1.00 |
) |
Class I
net assets at the end of the year (in thousands) |
|
$ |
5,538 |
|
Portfolio
turnover rate (%)* |
|
|
4 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Class R6 |
|
|
|
Period Ended December 31, 2021(a) |
|
Net
asset value, beginning of year |
|
$ |
10.00 |
|
Income
(loss) from investment operations: |
|
|
|
|
Net
investment income (loss) |
|
|
(0.03 |
) |
Net
realized and unrealized gain (loss) on investments |
|
|
(0.43 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
Total
from investment operations |
|
|
(0.46 |
) |
Less
distributions from: |
|
|
|
|
Net
investment income |
|
|
— |
|
Net
realized gain |
|
|
— |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total
distributions |
|
|
— |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net
asset value, end of year |
|
$ |
9.54 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total
return (%)* |
|
|
(4.40 |
) |
Ratios
to average daily net assets (%)**: |
|
|
|
|
Expenses,
before waivers and reimbursements |
|
|
4.72 |
|
Expenses,
net of waivers and reimbursements |
|
|
1.00 |
|
Net
investment income (loss), before waivers and reimbursements |
|
|
(4.61 |
) |
Net
investment income (loss), net of waivers and reimbursements |
|
|
(0.89 |
) |
Class R6
net assets at the end of the year (in thousands) |
|
$ |
1,687 |
|
Portfolio
turnover rate (%)* |
|
|
4 |
|
(a) |
For
the period from August 27, 2021 (Commencement of Operations) to
December 31, 2021. |
* |
Rates
are not annualized for periods less than a year. |
** |
Rates
are annualized for periods less than a year. |
179
Emerging
Markets Debt Fund
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Class I |
|
|
|
Period Ended December 31, 2021(a) |
|
Net
asset value, beginning of year |
|
$ |
10.00 |
|
Income
(loss) from investment operations: |
|
|
|
|
Net
investment income (loss) |
|
|
0.27 |
|
Net
realized and unrealized gain (loss) on investments |
|
|
(0.40 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
Total
from investment operations |
|
|
(0.13 |
) |
Less
distributions from: |
|
|
|
|
Net
investment income |
|
|
0.28 |
|
Net
realized gain |
|
|
— |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total
distributions |
|
|
0.28 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net
asset value, end of year |
|
$ |
9.59 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total
return (%)* |
|
|
(1.39 |
) |
Ratios
to average daily net assets (%)**: |
|
|
|
|
Expenses,
before waivers and reimbursements. |
|
|
1.24 |
|
Expenses,
net of waivers and reimbursements |
|
|
0.70 |
|
Net
investment income (loss), before waivers and reimbursements |
|
|
4.02 |
|
Net
investment income (loss), net of waivers and reimbursements |
|
|
4.56 |
|
Class I
net assets at end of year (in thousands) |
|
$ |
1,484 |
|
Portfolio
turnover rate (%)* |
|
|
72 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Class R6 |
|
|
|
Period Ended December 31, 2021(a) |
|
Net
asset value, beginning of year |
|
$ |
10.00 |
|
Income
(loss) from investment operations: |
|
|
|
|
Net
investment income (loss) |
|
|
0.28 |
|
Net
realized and unrealized gain (loss) on investments |
|
|
(0.41 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
Total
from investment operations |
|
|
(0.13 |
) |
Less
distributions from: |
|
|
|
|
Net
investment income |
|
|
0.28 |
|
Net
realized gain |
|
|
— |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total
distributions |
|
|
0.28 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net
asset value, end of year |
|
$ |
9.59 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total
return (%)* |
|
|
(1.32 |
) |
Ratios
to average daily net assets (%)**: |
|
|
|
|
Expenses,
before waivers and reimbursements. |
|
|
1.17 |
|
Expenses,
net of waivers and reimbursements |
|
|
0.65 |
|
Net
investment income (loss), before waivers and reimbursements |
|
|
4.10 |
|
Net
investment income (loss), net of waivers and reimbursements |
|
|
4.62 |
|
Class R6
net assets at end of year (in thousands) |
|
$ |
50,010 |
|
Portfolio
turnover rate (%)* |
|
|
72 |
|
(a) |
For
the period from May 25, 2021 (Commencement of Operations) to
December 31, 2021. |
* |
Rates
are not annualized for periods less than a year. |
** |
Rates
are annualized for periods less than a year. |
180
FOR
MORE INFORMATION
More
information about the Funds is available without charge, upon request, including
the following:
Semi-Annual/Annual
Reports
The
Semi-Annual and audited Annual Reports to shareholders include financial
statements, detailed performance information, portfolio holdings and statements
from the Fund managers. In the Annual Report, you will find a discussion of the
market conditions and investment strategies that the Adviser believes
significantly affected each Fund’s performance in its last fiscal year.
Statement
of Additional Information (SAI)
The
SAI contains more detailed information about the Funds. The current SAI has been
filed with the SEC and is incorporated by reference into this Prospectus, which
means that it is part of this Prospectus for legal purposes.
To
obtain information:
By
telephone
Call:
1‑800‑635‑2886
(In
Massachusetts 1‑800‑635‑2840)
By
mail
Write
to:
William
Blair Funds
150
North Riverside Plaza
Chicago,
Illinois 60606
or
DST
Asset Manager Solutions, Inc.
(the
Funds’ Transfer Agent)
P.O.
Box 219137
Kansas
City, Missouri 64121-9137
On
the Internet
Text-only
versions of Fund documents can be viewed online or downloaded from the EDGAR
Database on the SEC’s Internet site at www.sec.gov.
Reports
and other information about the Funds are available on the EDGAR database of the
SEC’s internet site at http://www.sec.gov. You may obtain copies of these
reports and other information, after paying a duplicating fee, by sending an
e‑mail request to:
[email protected].
Reports
and other information about the Funds are also available on the William Blair
Funds website at:
https://www.williamblairfunds.com/investor_services/prospectus_reports_forms.fs.
No
person has been authorized to give any information or to make any
representations not contained in this Prospectus and, if given or made, such
information or representations must not be relied upon as having been authorized
by the Trust or the Distributor. The Prospectus does not constitute an offering
by the Trust or the Distributor in any jurisdiction in which such offering may
not lawfully be made.
The
Trust’s information, including but not limited to the Prospectus, SAI,
Semi-Annual and Annual Reports and account application, can be viewed online at
www.williamblairfunds.com.
William
Blair Funds |
May 1,
2022 |
Investment
Company Act File No.: 811‑5344
181
William
Blair Funds
Prospectus
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U.S. EQUITY |
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GLOBAL/INTERNATIONAL EQUITY |
Growth
Fund |
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Global
Leaders Fund |
Large Cap
Growth Fund |
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International
Leaders Fund |
Mid Cap
Growth Fund |
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International
Growth Fund |
Mid Cap Value
Fund |
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Institutional
International Growth Fund |
Small‑Mid Cap
Core Fund |
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International
Small Cap Growth Fund |
Small-Mid Cap
Growth Fund |
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Emerging
Markets Leaders Fund |
Small Cap
Growth Fund |
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Emerging
Markets Growth Fund |
Small Cap
Value Fund |
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Emerging
Markets Small Cap Growth Fund |
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China Growth
Fund |
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EMERGING
MARKETS DEBT |
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Emerging
Markets Debt Fund |
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©William Blair &
Company, L.L.C., Distributor |
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+1 800 742 7272
williamblairfunds.com |
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150
North Riverside Plaza
Chicago,
Illinois 60606 |