N-CSRS 1 form.htm

United States

Securities and Exchange Commission

Washington, D.C. 20549

 

Form N-CSR

Certified Shareholder Report of Registered Management Investment Companies

 

 

 

 

811-21904

 

(Investment Company Act File Number)

 

 

Federated MDT Series

______________________________________________________________

 

(Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in Charter)

 

 

 

Federated Hermes Funds

4000 Ericsson Drive

Warrendale, PA 15086-7561

(Address of Principal Executive Offices)

 

 

(412) 288-1900

(Registrant's Telephone Number)

 

 

Peter J. Germain, Esquire

1001 Liberty Avenue

Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 15222-3779

(Name and Address of Agent for Service)

(Notices should be sent to the Agent for Service)

 

 

 

 

 

 

Date of Fiscal Year End: 07/31/20

 

 

Date of Reporting Period: Six months ended 01/31/20

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Item 1.Reports to Stockholders

 

 

 

 

Semi-Annual Shareholder Report
January 31, 2020
Share Class | Ticker A | QAACX C | QCACX Institutional | QIACX R6 | QKACX

Federated MDT All Cap Core Fund
Fund Established 2002

A Portfolio of Federated MDT Series
IMPORTANT NOTICE REGARDING REPORT DELIVERY
Beginning on January 1, 2021, as permitted by regulations adopted by the Securities and Exchange Commission, paper copies of the Fund's shareholder reports like this one will no longer be sent by mail, unless you specifically request paper copies of the reports from the Fund or from your financial intermediary, such as a broker-dealer or bank. Instead, the reports will be made available on a website, and you will be notified by mail each time a report is posted and provided with a website link to access the report.
If you already elected to receive shareholder reports electronically, you will not be affected by this change and you need not take any action. You may elect to receive shareholder reports and other communications from the Fund or your financial intermediary electronically by contacting your financial intermediary (such as a broker-dealer or bank); other shareholders may call the Fund at 1-800-341-7400, Option 4.
You may elect to receive all future reports in paper free of charge. You can inform the Fund or your financial intermediary that you wish to continue receiving paper copies of your shareholder reports by contacting your financial intermediary (such as a broker-dealer or bank); other shareholders may call the Fund at 1-800-341-7400, Option 4. Your election to receive reports in paper will apply to all funds held with the Fund complex or your financial intermediary.

Not FDIC Insured ■ May Lose Value ■ No Bank Guarantee

J. Christopher
Donahue
President
Federated MDT All Cap Core Fund
Letter from the President
Dear Valued Shareholder,
I am pleased to present the Semi-Annual Shareholder Report for your fund covering the period from August 1, 2019 through January 31, 2020. This report includes a complete listing of your fund's holdings, performance information and financial statements along with other important fund information.
In addition, our website, FederatedInvestors.com, offers easy access to valuable resources that include timely fund updates, economic and market insights from our investment strategists, and financial planning tools.
Thank you for investing with us. I hope you find this information useful and look forward to keeping you informed.
Sincerely,
J. Christopher Donahue, President
         


Portfolio of Investments Summary Table (unaudited)
At January 31, 2020, the Fund's index composition1 was as follows:
Sector Composition Percentage of
Total Net Assets
Information Technology 23.2%
Financials 13.9%
Health Care 13.7%
Consumer Discretionary 10.6%
Communication Services 9.6%
Industrials 8.5%
Consumer Staples 6.0%
Real Estate 4.4%
Energy 3.1%
Materials 2.7%
Utilities 2.1%
Securities Lending Collateral2 1.7%
Cash Equivalents3 1.9%
Other Assets and Liabilities—Net4 (1.4)%
TOTAL 100.0%
1 Except for Cash Equivalents and Other Assets and Liabilities, sector classifications are based upon, and individual portfolio securities are assigned to, the classifications of the Global Industry Classification Standard (GICS) except that the Adviser assigns a classification to securities not classified by the GICS and to securities for which the Adviser does not have access to the classification made by the GICS.
2 Represents cash collateral received for portfolio securities on loan that may be invested in affiliated money market funds, other money market instruments and/or repurchase agreements.
3 Cash Equivalents include any investments in money market mutual funds and/or overnight repurchase agreements other than those representing cash collateral for securities lending.
4 Assets, other than investments in securities, less liabilities. See Statement of Assets and Liabilities.
Semi-Annual Shareholder Report
1

Portfolio of Investments
January 31, 2020 (unaudited)
Shares     Value
    COMMON STOCKS—97.8%  
    Communication Services—9.6%  
4,853 1 AMC Networks, Inc. $177,571
24,694   AT&T, Inc. 928,988
9,446 1 Alphabet, Inc., Class A 13,534,040
755   Cable One, Inc. 1,286,543
16,597 1 Charter Communications, Inc. 8,588,284
20,698 1 Facebook, Inc. 4,179,133
43,653 1 MSG Networks, Inc. 663,962
16,240 1 Take-Two Interactive Software, Inc. 2,024,153
47,627   Verizon Communications, Inc. 2,830,949
    TOTAL 34,213,623
    Consumer Discretionary—10.6%  
490 1 Amazon.com, Inc. 984,273
12,149 1 American Outdoor Brands Corp. 114,444
2,888 1 AutoZone, Inc. 3,055,389
381 1 Booking Holdings, Inc. 697,440
8,596 1 Burlington Stores, Inc. 1,869,372
5,285 1 Crocs, Inc. 200,354
691   Dollar General Corp. 106,006
17,549   Dunkin' Brands Group, Inc. 1,370,401
68,505   eBay, Inc. 2,299,028
35,900   Ford Motor Co. 316,638
9,671 1 Fossil, Inc. 65,086
37,463   General Motors Co. 1,250,890
15,062   Goodyear Tire & Rubber Co. 197,764
15,827   Harley-Davidson, Inc. 528,622
2,086 1 Libbey, Inc. 2,774
39,279   Lowe's Cos., Inc. 4,565,791
5,328 1 Lululemon Athletica, Inc. 1,275,470
5,438   Nike, Inc., Class B 523,679
11,575 1 O'Reilly Automotive, Inc. 4,700,608
1,517 1 Planet Fitness, Inc. 122,558
5,153   Pulte Group, Inc. 230,081
10,652 1,2 RH 2,223,605
18,906   Starbucks Corp. 1,603,796
28,168   Target Corp. 3,119,324
Semi-Annual Shareholder Report
2

Shares     Value
    COMMON STOCKS—continued  
    Consumer Discretionary—continued  
26,258 1 Tempur Sealy International, Inc. $2,405,758
31,450   Wyndham Destinations, Inc. 1,526,269
20,429   Yum! Brands, Inc. 2,160,775
    TOTAL 37,516,195
    Consumer Staples—6.0%  
15,450   Church and Dwight, Inc. 1,146,699
40,410   Colgate-Palmolive Co. 2,981,450
700   Costco Wholesale Corp. 213,864
17,398 1 Dean Foods Co. 5,202
23,978   Estee Lauder Cos., Inc., Class A 4,679,547
7,300   Fresh Del Monte Produce, Inc. 229,074
2,606   Hershey Foods Corp. 404,373
2,069   Ingredion, Inc. 182,072
57,196   Kimberly-Clark Corp. 8,192,755
16,514   Lamb Weston Holdings, Inc. 1,507,893
5,374   PepsiCo, Inc. 763,215
2,887   Procter & Gamble Co. 359,778
8,969   Sysco Corp. 736,714
    TOTAL 21,402,636
    Energy—3.1%  
1,415 1,2 Chaparral Energy, Inc. 1,458
21,937   Chevron Corp. 2,350,330
43,030   EOG Resources, Inc. 3,137,317
16,696   HollyFrontier Corp. 749,984
3,810   Phillips 66 348,120
51,270   Valero Energy Corp. 4,322,574
    TOTAL 10,909,783
    Financials—13.9%  
1,856 1 Alleghany Corp. 1,480,457
80,989   Allstate Corp. 9,600,436
10,881   American Express Co. 1,413,115
44,404   American International Group, Inc. 2,231,745
20,560   Ameriprise Financial, Inc. 3,400,830
7,709 1 Athene Holding Ltd. 335,804
12,812   Bank of America Corp. 420,618
5,256   BlackRock, Inc. 2,771,752
13,408   Capital One Financial Corp. 1,338,118
66,976   Citigroup, Inc. 4,983,684
Semi-Annual Shareholder Report
3

Shares     Value
    COMMON STOCKS—continued  
    Financials—continued  
30,778   Citizens Financial Group, Inc. $1,147,404
2,705   Discover Financial Services 203,227
4,870   Everest Re Group Ltd. 1,346,896
29,600   Fifth Third Bancorp 842,120
12,192 1 Green Dot Corp. 366,735
18,837   Huntington Bancshares, Inc. 255,618
2,767   JPMorgan Chase & Co. 366,240
31,515   KeyCorp 589,646
2,206   LPL Investment Holdings, Inc. 203,239
1,186   MSCI, Inc., Class A 338,959
35,165   MetLife, Inc. 1,748,052
991   NASDAQ, Inc. 115,412
25,900   Navient Corp. 372,442
31,085   Popular, Inc. 1,739,517
1,810   Principal Financial Group, Inc. 95,839
17,482   Progressive Corp., OH 1,410,622
32,585   Prudential Financial, Inc. 2,967,190
6,652   Reinsurance Group of America 958,221
18,706   RenaissanceRe Holdings Ltd. 3,543,665
6,646   State Street Corp. 502,637
6,141   The Hartford Financial Services Group, Inc. 364,038
44,337 2 Zions Bancorporation, N.A. 2,016,890
    TOTAL 49,471,168
    Health Care—13.7%  
28,317 1 Alexion Pharmaceuticals, Inc. 2,814,427
1,153 1,2 Amedisys, Inc. 203,493
17,056   AmerisourceBergen Corp. 1,459,311
2,085   Amgen, Inc. 450,464
969 1 Biogen, Inc. 260,516
4,174   Bristol-Myers Squibb Co. 262,753
26,779   Cardinal Health, Inc. 1,371,352
1,878   Chemed Corp. 877,101
5,394 1 Davita, Inc. 430,819
1,911   Dentsply Sirona, Inc. 107,016
457 1 Dexcom, Inc. 110,023
15,524   Eli Lilly & Co. 2,167,771
1,272 1 Global Blood Therapeutics, Inc. 83,011
49,283   HCA Healthcare, Inc. 6,840,480
Semi-Annual Shareholder Report
4

Shares     Value
    COMMON STOCKS—continued  
    Health Care—continued  
1,055 1 IQVIA Holdings, Inc. $163,789
15,052 1 Incyte Genomics, Inc. 1,099,850
2,596 1 Intuitive Surgical, Inc. 1,453,189
14,274 1 Jazz Pharmaceuticals PLC. 2,046,178
17,153   McKesson Corp. 2,446,189
31,663   Medtronic PLC 3,655,177
12,051   Merck & Co., Inc. 1,029,637
1,156 1 Regeneron Pharmaceuticals, Inc. 390,659
5,284 1 Repligen Corp. 530,461
8,381 1 Seattle Genetics, Inc. 908,417
32,235   Stryker Corp. 6,791,914
11,228 1 Tenet Healthcare Corp. 355,254
740 1 Varian Medical Systems, Inc. 104,022
25,975 1 Vertex Pharmaceuticals, Inc. 5,897,624
33,230   Zoetis, Inc. 4,459,798
    TOTAL 48,770,695
    Industrials—8.5%  
1,845   3M Co. 292,728
9,410   AGCO Corp. 660,017
6,957   Allison Transmission Holdings, Inc. 307,499
7,456 1,2 Cimpress PLC 891,961
7,671 2 Cintas Corp. 2,139,979
19,763   Delta Air Lines, Inc. 1,101,590
5,086   Deluxe Corp. 245,145
10,058   Fluor Corp. 179,938
1,696   GATX Corp. 129,117
4,208 1 Generac Holdings, Inc. 435,907
4,277   General Dynamics Corp. 750,357
41,740   HEICO Corp. 5,110,228
21,800 1 Jet Blue Airways Corp. 432,294
1,620   Kansas City Southern Industries, Inc. 273,278
6,829   Kennametal, Inc. 213,679
5,427   Lennox International, Inc. 1,264,383
20,637   Lockheed Martin Corp. 8,835,112
785 2 Northrop Grumman Corp. 294,037
588   Parker-Hannifin Corp. 115,066
9,211   Rockwell Automation, Inc. 1,765,380
14,360 1 SPX Corp. 704,645
Semi-Annual Shareholder Report
5

Shares     Value
    COMMON STOCKS—continued  
    Industrials—continued  
3,425   SkyWest, Inc. $188,957
698 1 Teledyne Technologies, Inc. 254,812
3,706   TransUnion 339,840
8,090 1 United Airlines Holdings, Inc. 605,132
22,179   United Parcel Service, Inc. 2,295,970
1,141 1,2 United Rentals, Inc. 154,822
328   W.W. Grainger, Inc. 99,276
3,060 1 WESCO International, Inc. 148,135
    TOTAL 30,229,284
    Information Technology—23.2%  
1,473 1 Adobe, Inc. 517,229
4,811 1 Akamai Technologies, Inc. 449,107
32,728 1 Ansys, Inc. 8,978,272
22,146   Apple, Inc. 6,854,408
11,471 1 Autodesk, Inc. 2,258,066
11,375   Automatic Data Processing, Inc. 1,949,561
17,410   Booz Allen Hamilton Holding Corp. 1,358,676
1,623   CDW Corp. 211,720
72,561 1 Cadence Design Systems, Inc. 5,232,374
6,124 1 Ceridian HCM Holding, Inc. 448,828
28,909 1 Cirrus Logic, Inc. 2,220,500
10,141 1 Dell Technologies, Inc. 494,577
13,052 1 DocuSign, Inc. 1,024,713
535 1 EPAM Systems, Inc. 122,055
49,477 1 Fortinet, Inc. 5,707,667
44,378 2 HP, Inc. 946,139
5,718 1 Inphi Corp. 434,339
36,006   Intel Corp. 2,301,864
12,381   Intuit, Inc. 3,471,385
19,457   KLA Corp. 3,224,803
30,159 1 Keysight Technologies, Inc. 2,804,485
7,588   Lam Research Corp. 2,262,818
27,375   Mastercard, Inc. 8,648,858
4,678 1 Micron Technology, Inc. 248,355
32,569   Microsoft Corp. 5,544,221
7,153   NVIDIA Corp. 1,691,184
21,155   Paychex, Inc. 1,814,464
7,202 1 Paycom Software, Inc. 2,291,388
Semi-Annual Shareholder Report
6

Shares     Value
    COMMON STOCKS—continued  
    Information Technology—continued  
10,065 1 Salesforce.com, Inc. $1,834,950
4,200 1 Sanmina Corp. 133,728
4,729 1 Synopsys, Inc. 697,575
7,718   Teradyne, Inc. 509,311
11,798   Universal Display Corp. 2,078,454
27,428   Vishay Intertechnology, Inc. 556,514
11,900 1 WEX, Inc. 2,581,348
18,900   Western Union Co. 508,410
    TOTAL 82,412,346
    Materials—2.7%  
40,800   Domtar, Corp. 1,420,656
120,464   DuPont de Nemours, Inc. 6,165,348
2,699   Scotts Miracle-Gro Co. 331,275
2,892   Sherwin-Williams Co. 1,610,815
    TOTAL 9,528,094
    Real Estate—4.4%  
6,510   American Tower Corp. 1,508,627
8,656 2 Crown Castle International Corp. 1,297,015
23,904   Essex Property Trust, Inc. 7,404,503
4,637   Mid-American Apartment Communities, Inc. 636,243
1,216   ProLogis, Inc. 112,942
1,336   Realty Income Corp. 104,756
7,277   SBA Communications, Corp. 1,816,048
30,610   SL Green Realty Corp. 2,817,344
2,057   UDR, Inc. 98,551
    TOTAL 15,796,029
    Utilities—2.1%  
24,600   AES Corp. 488,556
43,908   Consolidated Edison Co. 4,127,352
30,424   Exelon Corp. 1,447,878
18,501   NiSource, Inc. 542,264
2,481 2 Pinnacle West Capital Corp. 242,369
31,946   Vistra Energy Corp. 719,424
    TOTAL 7,567,843
    TOTAL COMMON STOCKS
(IDENTIFIED COST $318,200,427)
347,817,696
    INVESTMENT COMPANIES—3.6%  
5,941,459   Federated Government Obligations Fund, Premier Shares, 1.49%3 5,941,459
Semi-Annual Shareholder Report
7

Shares     Value
    INVESTMENT COMPANIES—continued  
6,739,555   Federated Institutional Prime Value Obligations Fund, Institutional Shares, 1.71%3 $6,741,577
    TOTAL INVESTMENT COMPANIES
(IDENTIFIED COST $12,683,036)
12,683,036
    TOTAL INVESTMENT IN SECURITIES—101.4%
(IDENTIFIED COST $330,883,463)4
360,500,732
    OTHER ASSETS AND LIABILITIES - NET—(1.4)%5 (5,033,764)
    TOTAL NET ASSETS—100% $355,466,968
Affiliated fund holdings are investment companies which are managed by the Adviser or an affiliate of the Adviser. Transactions with affiliated fund holdings during the period ended January 31, 2020, were as follows:
  Federated
Government
Obligations Fund,
Premier Shares*
Federated
Institutional
Prime Value
Obligations Fund,
Institutional Shares
Total of
Affiliated
Transactions
Balance of Shares Held 7/31/2019 491,528 7,701,438 8,192,966
Purchases/Additions 24,787,590 35,388,949 60,176,539
Sales/Reductions (19,337,659) (36,350,832) (55,688,491)
Balance of Shares Held 1/31/2020 5,941,459 6,739,555 12,681,014
Value $5,941,459 $6,741,577 $12,683,036
Change in Unrealized Appreciation/Depreciation N/A $$
Net Realized Gain/(Loss) N/A $(402) $(402)
Dividend Income $10,451 $43,197 $53,648
* All or a portion of the balance/activity for the fund relates to cash collateral received on securities lending transactions.
1 Non-income-producing security.
2 All or a portion of these securities are temporarily on loan to unaffiliated broker/dealers.
3 7-day net yield.
4 Also represents cost for federal tax purposes.
5 Assets, other than investments in securities, less liabilities. See Statement of Assets and Liabilities.
Note: The categories of investments are shown as a percentage of total net assets at January 31, 2020.
Semi-Annual Shareholder Report
8

Various inputs are used in determining the value of the Fund's investments. These inputs are summarized in the three broad levels listed below:
Level 1—quoted prices in active markets for identical securities.
Level 2—other significant observable inputs (including quoted prices for similar securities, interest rates, prepayment speeds, credit risk, etc.). Also includes securities valued at amortized cost.
Level 3—significant unobservable inputs (including the Fund's own assumptions in determining the fair value of investments).
The inputs or methodology used for valuing securities are not an indication of the risk associated with investing in those securities.
As of January 31, 2020, all investments of the Fund utilized Level 1 inputs in valuing the Fund's assets carried at fair value.
See Notes which are an integral part of the Financial Statements
Semi-Annual Shareholder Report
9

Financial HighlightsClass A Shares
(For a Share Outstanding Throughout Each Period)
  Six Months
Ended
(unaudited)
1/31/2020
Year Ended July 31,
2019 2018 2017 2016 2015
Net Asset Value, Beginning of Period $29.90 $30.01 $24.95 $21.77 $22.10 $20.47
Income From Investment Operations:            
Net investment income 0.051 0.161 0.091 0.26 0.191 0.111
Net realized and unrealized gain (loss) 1.20 1.81 5.08 3.11 (0.33) 1.55
TOTAL FROM INVESTMENT OPERATIONS 1.25 1.97 5.17 3.37 (0.14) 1.66
Less Distributions:            
Distributions from net investment income (0.11) (0.07) (0.11) (0.19) (0.19) (0.03)
Distributions from net realized gain (0.84) (2.01)
TOTAL DISTRIBUTIONS (0.95) (2.08) (0.11) (0.19) (0.19) (0.03)
Net Asset Value, End of Period $30.20 $29.90 $30.01 $24.95 $21.77 $22.10
Total Return2 4.25% 7.80% 20.78% 15.56% (0.61)% 8.10%
Ratios to Average Net Assets:            
Net expenses 1.04%3 1.08% 1.36% 1.38% 1.35% 1.35%
Net investment income 0.35%3 0.57% 0.31% 0.69% 0.94% 0.51%
Expense waiver/reimbursement4 0.18%3 0.24% 0.00%5 0.00%5 0.03% 0.00%5
Supplemental Data:            
Net assets, end of period (000 omitted) $79,010 $69,221 $40,539 $33,799 $33,753 $40,433
Portfolio turnover 57% 87% 82% 77% 62% 76%
1 Per share numbers have been calculated using the average shares method.
2 Based on net asset value, which does not reflect the sales charge, redemption fee or contingent deferred sales charge, if applicable. Total returns for periods of less than one year are not annualized.
3 Computed on an annualized basis.
4 This expense decrease is reflected in both the net expense and the net investment income ratios shown above.
5 Represents less than 0.01%.
See Notes which are an integral part of the Financial Statements
Semi-Annual Shareholder Report
10

Financial HighlightsClass C Shares
(For a Share Outstanding Throughout Each Period)
  Six Months
Ended
(unaudited)
1/31/2020
Year Ended July 31,
2019 2018 2017 2016 2015
Net Asset Value, Beginning of Period $27.99 $28.37 $23.66 $20.66 $21.00 $19.57
Income From Investment Operations:            
Net investment income (loss) (0.06)1 (0.05)1 (0.11)1 (0.19) 0.031 (0.05)1
Net realized and unrealized gain (loss) 1.13 1.68 4.82 3.23 (0.33) 1.48
TOTAL FROM INVESTMENT OPERATIONS 1.07 1.63 4.71 3.04 (0.30) 1.43
Less Distributions:            
Distributions from net investment income (0.04) (0.04)
Distributions from net realized gain (0.84) (2.01)
TOTAL DISTRIBUTIONS (0.84) (2.01) (0.04) (0.04)
Net Asset Value, End of Period $28.22 $27.99 $28.37 $23.66 $20.66 $21.00
Total Return2 3.89% 6.96% 19.91% 14.72% (1.43)% 7.31%
Ratios to Average Net Assets:            
Net expenses 1.79%3 1.85% 2.09% 2.13% 2.14% 2.11%
Net investment income (loss) (0.40)%3 (0.20)% (0.41)% (0.06)% 0.15% (0.26)%
Expense waiver/reimbursement4 0.19%3 0.24% 0.00%5 0.00%5 0.00%5 0.00%5
Supplemental Data:            
Net assets, end of period (000 omitted) $34,138 $32,178 $39,625 $36,440 $36,846 $41,509
Portfolio turnover 57% 87% 82% 77% 62% 76%
1 Per share numbers have been calculated using the average shares method.
2 Based on net asset value, which does not reflect the sales charge, redemption fee or contingent deferred sales charge, if applicable. Total returns for periods of less than one year are not annualized.
3 Computed on an annualized basis.
4 This expense decrease is reflected in both the net expense and the net investment income (loss) ratios shown above.
5 Represents less than 0.01%.
See Notes which are an integral part of the Financial Statements
Semi-Annual Shareholder Report
11

Financial HighlightsInstitutional Shares
(For a Share Outstanding Throughout Each Period)
  Six Months
Ended
(unaudited)
1/31/2020
Year Ended July 31,
2019 2018 2017 2016 2015
Net Asset Value, Beginning of Period $30.29 $30.37 $25.24 $22.02 $22.37 $20.71
Income From Investment Operations:            
Net investment income 0.101 0.251 0.161 0.39 0.251 0.181
Net realized and unrealized gain (loss) 1.22 1.81 5.16 3.09 (0.34) 1.57
TOTAL FROM INVESTMENT OPERATIONS 1.32 2.06 5.32 3.48 (0.09) 1.75
Less Distributions:            
Distributions from net investment income (0.19) (0.13) (0.19) (0.26) (0.26) (0.09)
Distributions from net realized gain (0.84) (2.01)
TOTAL DISTRIBUTIONS (1.03) (2.14) (0.19) (0.26) (0.26) (0.09)
Net Asset Value, End of Period $30.58 $30.29 $30.37 $25.24 $22.02 $22.37
Total Return2 4.41% 8.08% 21.15% 15.90% (0.34)% 8.45%
Ratios to Average Net Assets:            
Net expenses 0.74%3 0.78% 1.07% 1.08% 1.07% 1.05%
Net investment income 0.65%3 0.87% 0.57% 1.01% 1.22% 0.80%
Expense waiver/reimbursement4 0.23%3 0.29% 0.00%5 0.00%5 0.00%5 0.00%5
Supplemental Data:            
Net assets, end of period (000 omitted) $233,537 $215,799 $95,290 $52,169 $65,435 $76,242
Portfolio turnover 57% 87% 82% 77% 62% 76%
1 Per share numbers have been calculated using the average shares method.
2 Based on net asset value. Total returns for periods of less than one year are not annualized.
3 Computed on an annualized basis.
4 This expense decrease is reflected in both the net expense and the net investment income ratios shown above.
5 Represents less than 0.01%.
See Notes which are an integral part of the Financial Statements
Semi-Annual Shareholder Report
12

Financial HighlightsClass R6 Shares1
(For a Share Outstanding Throughout Each Period)
  Six Months
Ended
(unaudited)
1/31/2020
Year Ended July 31,
2019 2018 2017 2016 2015
Net Asset Value, Beginning of Period $29.75 $29.89 $24.85 $21.46 $21.80 $20.25
Income From Investment Operations:            
Net investment income 0.102 0.232 0.182 0.21 0.102 0.022
Net realized and unrealized gain (loss) 1.19 1.79 5.06 3.18 (0.33) 1.53
TOTAL FROM INVESTMENT OPERATIONS 1.29 2.02 5.24 3.39 (0.23) 1.55
Less Distributions:            
Distributions from net investment income (0.19) (0.15) (0.20) (0.11)
Distributions from net realized gain (0.84) (2.01)
TOTAL DISTRIBUTIONS (1.03) (2.16) (0.20) (0.11)
Net Asset Value, End of Period $30.01 $29.75 $29.89 $24.85 $21.46 $21.80
Total Return3 4.40% 8.08% 21.17% 15.80% (1.05)% 7.65%
Ratios to Average Net Assets:            
Net expenses 0.73%4 0.81% 1.02% 1.07% 1.80% 1.76%
Net investment income 0.66%4 0.78% 0.65% 0.95% 0.49% 0.09%
Expense waiver/reimbursement5 0.17%4 0.18% 0.00%6 0.00%6 0.00%6 0.00%6
Supplemental Data:            
Net assets, end of period (000 omitted) $8,782 $9,183 $20,425 $17,363 $5,717 $6,300
Portfolio turnover 57% 87% 82% 77% 62% 76%
1 Prior to September 1, 2016, the Fund's Class R6 Shares were designated as Class R Shares.
2 Per share numbers have been calculated using the average shares method.
3 Based on net asset value. Total returns for periods of less than one year are not annualized.
4 Computed on an annualized basis.
5 This expense decrease is reflected in both the net expense and the net investment income (loss) ratios shown above.
6 Represents less than 0.01%.
See Notes which are an integral part of the Financial Statements
Semi-Annual Shareholder Report
13

Statement of Assets and Liabilities
January 31, 2020 (unaudited)
Assets:    
Investment in securities, at value including $5,454,053 of securities loaned and including $12,683,036 of investment in affiliated holdings* (identified cost $330,883,463)   $360,500,732
Income receivable   187,136
Income receivable from affiliated holdings*   9,983
Receivable for investments sold   2,520,910
Receivable for shares sold   1,157,373
TOTAL ASSETS   364,376,134
Liabilities:    
Payable for investments purchased $2,015,122  
Payable for shares redeemed 769,909  
Payable for collateral due to broker for securities lending 5,941,459  
Payable for investment adviser fees (Note 5) 5,329  
Payable for administrative fees (Note 5) 777  
Payable for distribution services fee (Note 5) 22,079  
Payable for other service fees (Notes 2 and 5) 30,999  
Accrued expenses (Note 5) 123,492  
TOTAL LIABILITIES   8,909,166
Net assets for 11,754,670 shares outstanding   $355,466,968
Net Assets Consist of:    
Paid-in capital   $323,164,496
Total distributable earnings   32,302,472
TOTAL NET ASSETS   $355,466,968
Semi-Annual Shareholder Report
14

Statement of Assets and Liabilitiescontinued
Net Asset Value, Offering Price and Redemption Proceeds Per Share    
Class A Shares:    
Net asset value per share ($79,009,501 ÷ 2,616,440 shares outstanding),
no par value, unlimited shares authorized
  $30.20
Offering price per share (100/94.50 of $30.20)   $31.96
Redemption proceeds per share   $30.20
Class C Shares:    
Net asset value per share ($34,138,256 ÷ 1,209,835 shares outstanding),
no par value, unlimited shares authorized
  $28.22
Offering price per share   $28.22
Redemption proceeds per share (99.00/100 of $28.22)   $27.94
Institutional Shares:    
Net asset value per share ($233,537,271 ÷ 7,635,792 shares outstanding),
no par value, unlimited shares authorized
  $30.58
Offering price per share   $30.58
Redemption proceeds per share   $30.58
Class R6 Shares:    
Net asset value per share ($8,781,940 ÷ 292,603 shares outstanding),
no par value, unlimited shares authorized
  $30.01
Offering price per share   $30.01
Redemption proceeds per share   $30.01
* See information listed after the Fund's Portfolio of Investments.
See Notes which are an integral part of the Financial Statements
Semi-Annual Shareholder Report
15

Statement of Operations
Six Months Ended January 31, 2020 (unaudited)
Investment Income:      
Dividends (including $43,197 received from affiliated holdings* and net of foreign taxes withheld of $1,887)     $2,350,625
Net income on securities loaned (includes $10,451 received from affiliated holdings related to cash collateral balances*) (Note 2)     11,788
TOTAL INCOME     2,362,413
Expenses:      
Investment adviser fee (Note 5)   $1,183,992  
Administrative fee (Note 5)   133,535  
Custodian fees   17,059  
Transfer agent fee (Note 2)   151,427  
Directors'/Trustees' fees (Note 5)   1,652  
Auditing fees   13,759  
Legal fees   4,835  
Portfolio accounting fees   60,063  
Distribution services fee (Note 5)   123,124  
Other service fees (Notes 2 and 5)   135,583  
Share registration costs   45,356  
Printing and postage   18,308  
Miscellaneous (Note 5)   15,021  
TOTAL EXPENSES   1,903,714  
Waiver and Reimbursements:      
Waiver/reimbursement of investment adviser fee (Note 5) $(279,914)    
Reimbursement of other operating expenses (Notes 2 and 5) (78,558)    
TOTAL WAIVER AND REIMBURSEMENTS   (358,472)  
Net expenses     1,545,242
Net investment income     817,171
Realized and Unrealized Gain (Loss) on Investments:      
Net realized gain on investments (including net realized loss of $(402) on sales of investments in affiliated holdings*)     12,168,419
Net change in unrealized appreciation of investments     1,548,301
Net realized and unrealized gain on investments     13,716,720
Change in net assets resulting from operations     $14,533,891

*
See information listed after the Fund's Portfolio of Investments.
See Notes which are an integral part of the Financial Statements
Semi-Annual Shareholder Report
16

Statement of Changes in Net Assets
  Six Months
Ended
(unaudited)
1/31/2020
Year Ended
7/31/2019
Increase (Decrease) in Net Assets    
Operations:    
Net investment income $817,171 $1,799,509
Net realized gain 12,168,419 12,196,355
Net change in unrealized appreciation/depreciation 1,548,301 7,975,426
CHANGE IN NET ASSETS RESULTING FROM OPERATIONS 14,533,891 21,971,290
Distributions to Shareholders:    
Class A Shares (2,420,345) (3,882,027)
Class C Shares (981,926) (1,891,738)
Institutional Shares (7,530,512) (12,178,410)
Class R6 Shares (293,094) (604,361)
CHANGE IN NET ASSETS RESULTING FROM DISTRIBUTIONS TO SHAREHOLDERS (11,225,877) (18,556,536)
Share Transactions:    
Proceeds from sale of shares 62,202,485 256,926,172
Proceeds from shares issued in connection with the tax-free transfer of assets from PNC Multi-Factor All Cap Fund 4,799,602
Net asset value of shares issued to shareholders in payment of distributions declared 10,177,440 17,409,881
Cost of shares redeemed (51,401,938) (147,248,399)
CHANGE IN NET ASSETS RESULTING FROM SHARE TRANSACTIONS 25,777,589 127,087,654
Change in net assets 29,085,603 130,502,408
Net Assets:    
Beginning of period 326,381,365 195,878,957
End of period $355,466,968 $326,381,365
See Notes which are an integral part of the Financial Statements
Semi-Annual Shareholder Report
17

Notes to Financial Statements
January 31, 2020 (unaudited)
1. ORGANIZATION
Federated MDT Series (the “Trust”) is registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the “Act”), as an open-end management investment company. The Trust consists of five portfolios. The financial statements included herein are only those of Federated MDT All Cap Core Fund (the “Fund”), a diversified portfolio. The financial statements of the other portfolios are presented separately. The assets of each portfolio are segregated and a shareholder's interest is limited to the portfolio in which shares are held. Each portfolio pays its own expenses. The Fund offers four classes of shares: Class A Shares, Class C Shares, Institutional Shares and Class R6 Shares. All shares of the Fund have equal rights with respect to voting, except on class-specific matters. The investment objective of the Fund is long-term capital appreciation.
On March 30, 2017, the Fund's T Share Class became effective with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), but is not yet offered for sale.
Effective August 1, 2018, an automatic conversion feature for Class C Shares was implemented. Pursuant to this automatic conversion feature, after Class C Shares have been held for ten years from the date of purchase, they will automatically convert to Class A Shares on the next monthly conversion processing date.
On November 15, 2019, the Fund acquired all of the net assets of PNC Multi-Factor All Cap Fund (the “Acquired Fund”), an open-end investment company, in a tax-free reorganization in exchange for shares of the Fund pursuant to a plan of reorganization approved by the Acquired Fund's shareholders on November 5, 2019. The purpose of the transaction was to combine two portfolios with comparable investment objectives and strategies. For financial reporting purposes, the assets received and the shares issued by the Fund were recorded at fair value; however, the cost basis of the investments received from the Acquired Fund was carried forward to align ongoing reporting of the Fund's realized gains and losses with amounts distributable to shareholders for tax purposes.
For every one share of the Acquired Fund's Class A Shares exchanged, a shareholder received 0.707 shares of the Fund's Class A Shares.
For every one share of the Acquired Fund's Class C Shares exchanged, a shareholder received 0.692 shares of the Fund's Class C Shares.
For every one share of the Acquired Fund's Class I Shares exchanged, a shareholder received 0.714 shares of the Fund's Institutional Shares.
The Fund received net assets from the Acquired Fund as the result of the tax-free reorganization as follows:
Shares of the
Fund Issued
Acquired Fund's
Net Assets
Received
Unrealized
Depreciation1
Net Assets
of the Fund
Immediately
Prior to
Combination
Net Assets
of the Fund
Immediately
After
Combination
158,091 $4,799,602 $481,958 $334,525,804 $339,325,406
1 Unrealized Depreciation is included in the Net Assets Received amount shown above.
   
Semi-Annual Shareholder Report
18

Assuming the acquisition had been completed on August 1, 2019, the beginning of the annual reporting period of the Fund, the Fund's pro forma results of operations for the six months ended January 31, 2020, were as follows:
Net investment income $837,884
Net realized and unrealized gain on investments 13,920,126
Net increase in net assets resulting from operations $14,758,010
    
Because the combined investment portfolios have been managed as a single integrated portfolio since the acquisition was completed, it is not practicable to separate the amounts of revenue and earnings of the Acquired Fund that have been included in the Fund's Statement of Operations and Statement of Changes in Net Assets as of January 31, 2020.
2. SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES
The following is a summary of significant accounting policies consistently followed by the Fund in the preparation of its financial statements. These policies are in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP).
Investment Valuation
In calculating its net asset value (NAV), the Fund generally values investments as follows:
■  Equity securities listed on an exchange or traded through a regulated market system are valued at their last reported sale price or official closing price in their principal exchange or market.
■  Shares of other mutual funds or non-exchange-traded investment companies are valued based upon their reported NAVs.
■  Fixed-income securities are fair valued using price evaluations provided by a pricing service approved by the Fund's Board of Trustees (the “Trustees”).
■  Derivative contracts listed on exchanges are valued at their reported settlement or closing price, except that options are valued at the mean of closing bid and asked quotations.
■  Over-the-counter (OTC) derivative contracts are fair valued using price evaluations provided by a pricing service approved by the Trustees.
■  For securities that are fair valued in accordance with procedures established by and under the general supervision of the Trustees, certain factors may be considered, such as: the last traded or purchase price of the security, information obtained by contacting the issuer or dealers, analysis of the issuer's financial statements or other available documents, fundamental analytical data, the nature and duration of restrictions on disposition, the movement of the market in which the security is normally traded, public trading in similar securities or derivative contracts of the issuer or comparable issuers, movement of a relevant index, or other factors including but not limited to industry changes and relevant government actions.
If any price, quotation, price evaluation or other pricing source is not readily available when the NAV is calculated, if the Fund cannot obtain price evaluations from a pricing service or from more than one dealer for an investment within a reasonable period of time as set forth in the Fund's valuation policies and procedures, or if information furnished by a pricing service, in the opinion of the valuation committee (“Valuation Committee”), is deemed not representative of the fair value of such security, the Fund uses the fair value of the investment determined in accordance with the procedures described below. There can be no assurance that the Fund could obtain the fair value assigned to an investment if it sold the investment at approximately the time at which the Fund determines its NAV per share.
Semi-Annual Shareholder Report
19

Fair Valuation Procedures
The Trustees have ultimate responsibility for determining the fair value of investments for which market quotations are not readily available. The Trustees have appointed a Valuation Committee comprised of officers of the Fund, Federated MDTA LLC (the “Adviser”), and certain of the Adviser's affiliated companies to assist in determining fair value and in overseeing the calculation of the NAV. The Trustees have also authorized the use of pricing services recommended by the Valuation Committee to provide fair value evaluations of the current value of certain investments for purposes of calculating the NAV. The Valuation Committee employs various methods for reviewing third-party pricing-service evaluations including periodic reviews of third-party pricing services' policies, procedures and valuation methods (including key inputs, methods, models and assumptions), transactional back-testing, comparisons of evaluations of different pricing services, and review of price challenges by the Adviser based on recent market activity. In the event that market quotations and price evaluations are not available for an investment, the Valuation Committee determines the fair value of the investment in accordance with procedures adopted by the Trustees. The Trustees periodically review and approve the fair valuations made by the Valuation Committee and any changes made to the procedures.
Factors considered by pricing services in evaluating an investment include the yields or prices of investments of comparable quality, coupon, maturity, call rights and other potential prepayments, terms and type, reported transactions, indications as to values from dealers and general market conditions. Some pricing services provide a single price evaluation reflecting the bid-side of the market for an investment (a “bid” evaluation). Other pricing services offer both bid evaluations and price evaluations indicative of a price between the prices bid and asked for the investment (a “mid” evaluation). The Fund normally uses bid evaluations for any U.S. Treasury and Agency securities, mortgage-backed securities and municipal securities. The Fund normally uses mid evaluations for any other types of fixed-income securities and any OTC derivative contracts. In the event that market quotations and price evaluations are not available for an investment, the fair value of the investment is determined in accordance with procedures adopted by the Trustees.
Repurchase Agreements
The Fund may invest in repurchase agreements for short-term liquidity purposes. It is the policy of the Fund to require the other party to a repurchase agreement to transfer to the Fund's custodian or sub-custodian eligible securities or cash with a market value (after transaction costs) at least equal to the repurchase price to be paid under the repurchase agreement. The eligible securities are transferred to accounts with the custodian or sub-custodian in which the Fund holds a “securities entitlement” and exercises “control” as those terms are defined in the Uniform Commercial Code. The Fund has established procedures for monitoring the market value of the transferred securities and requiring the transfer of additional eligible securities if necessary to equal at least the repurchase price. These procedures also allow the other party to require securities to be transferred from the account to the extent that their market value exceeds the repurchase price or in exchange for other eligible securities of equivalent market value.
The insolvency of the other party or other failure to repurchase the securities may delay the disposition of the underlying securities or cause the Fund to receive less than the full repurchase price. Under the terms of the repurchase agreement, any amounts received by the Fund in excess of the repurchase price and related transaction costs must be remitted to the other party.
Semi-Annual Shareholder Report
20

The Fund may enter into repurchase agreements in which eligible securities are transferred into joint trading accounts maintained by the custodian or sub-custodian for investment companies and other clients advised by the Fund's Adviser and its affiliates. The Fund will participate on a pro rata basis with the other investment companies and clients in its share of the securities transferred under such repurchase agreements and in its share of proceeds from any repurchase or other disposition of such securities.
Investment Income, Gains and Losses and Distributions
Investment transactions are accounted for on a trade-date basis. Realized gains and losses from investment transactions are recorded on an identified-cost basis. Interest income and expenses are accrued daily. Dividend income and distributions to shareholders are recorded on the ex-dividend date. Foreign dividends are recorded on the ex-dividend date or when the Fund is informed of the ex-dividend date. Distributions of net investment income, if any, are declared and paid annually. Non-cash dividends included in dividend income, if any, are recorded at fair value. Amortization/accretion of premium and discount is included in investment income. Investment income, realized and unrealized gains and losses, and certain fund-level expenses are allocated to each class based on relative average daily net assets, except that select classes will bear certain expenses unique to those classes. The detail of the total fund expense waiver and reimbursements of $358,472 is disclosed in Note 2 and Note 5. For the six months ended January 31, 2020, transfer agent fees for the Fund were as follows:
  Transfer Agent
Fees Incurred
Transfer Agent
Fees Reimbursed
Class A Shares $34,399 $(5,169)
Class C Shares 16,698 (4,014)
Institutional Shares 99,579 (69,375)
Class R6 Shares 751
TOTAL $151,427 $(78,558)
Dividends are declared separately for each class. No class has preferential dividend rights; differences in per share dividend rates are generally due to differences in separate class expenses.
Other Service Fees
The Fund may pay other service fees up to 0.25% of the average daily net assets of the Fund's Class A Shares and Class C Shares to unaffiliated financial intermediaries or to Federated Shareholder Services Company (FSSC) for providing services to shareholders and maintaining shareholder accounts. Subject to the terms described in the Expense Limitation note, FSSC may voluntarily reimburse the Fund for other service fees. For the six months ended January 31, 2020, other service fees for the Fund were as follows:
  Other Service
Fees Incurred
Class A Shares $94,542
Class C Shares 41,041
TOTAL $135,583
Semi-Annual Shareholder Report
21

Federal Taxes
It is the Fund's policy to comply with the Subchapter M provision of the Internal Revenue Code and to distribute to shareholders each year substantially all of its income. Accordingly, no provision for federal income tax is necessary. As of and during the six months ended January 31, 2020, the Fund did not have a liability for any uncertain tax positions. The Fund recognizes interest and penalties, if any, related to tax liabilities as income tax expense in the Statement of Operations. As of January 31, 2020, tax years 2016 through 2019 remain subject to examination by the Fund's major tax jurisdictions, which include the United States of America and the Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
The Fund may be subject to taxes imposed by governments of countries in which it invests. Such taxes are generally based on either income or gains earned or repatriated. The Fund accrues and applies such taxes to net investment income, net realized gains and net unrealized gains as income and/or gains are earned.
When-Issued and Delayed-Delivery Transactions
The Fund may engage in when-issued or delayed-delivery transactions. The Fund records when-issued securities on the trade date and maintains security positions such that sufficient liquid assets will be available to make payment for the securities purchased. Securities purchased on a when-issued or delayed-delivery basis are marked to market daily and begin earning interest on the settlement date. Losses may occur on these transactions due to changes in market conditions or the failure of counterparties to perform under the contract.
Securities Lending
The Fund participates in a securities lending program providing for the lending of equity securities to qualified brokers. The term of the loans within the program is one year or less. The Fund normally receives cash collateral for securities loaned that is invested in affiliated money market funds, other money market instruments and/or repurchase agreements. Investments in money market funds may include funds with a “floating” NAV that can impose redemption fees and liquidity gates, impose certain operational impediments to investing cash collateral, and, if the investee fund's NAV decreases, result in the Fund recognizing losses and being required to cover the decrease in the value of the cash collateral. Collateral is maintained at a minimum level of 100% of the market value of investments loaned, plus interest, if applicable. In accordance with the Fund's securities lending agreement, the market value of securities on loan is determined each day at the close of business and any additional collateral required to cover the value of securities on loan is delivered to the Fund on the next business day. Earnings on collateral are allocated between the borrower of the security, the securities lending agent, as a fee for its services under the program and the Fund, according to agreed-upon rates. The Fund will not have the right to vote on securities while they are on loan. However, the Fund will attempt to terminate a loan in an effort to reacquire the securities in time to vote on matters that are deemed to be material by the Adviser. There can be no assurance that the Fund will have sufficient notice of such matters to be able to terminate the loan in time to vote thereon.
Securities lending transactions are subject to Master Netting Agreements which are agreements between the Fund and its counterparties that provide for the net settlement of all transactions and collateral with the Fund, through a single payment, in the event of default or termination. Amounts presented on the Portfolio of Investments and Statement of Assets and Liabilities are not net settlement amounts but gross. As indicated below, the cash collateral received by the Fund exceeds the market value of the securities loaned reducing the net settlement amount to zero. The chart below identifies the amount of collateral received as well
Semi-Annual Shareholder Report
22

as the market value of securities on loan. Additionally, the securities lending agreement executed by the Fund includes an indemnification clause. This clause stipulates that the borrower will reimburse the Fund for any losses as a result of any failure of the borrower to return equivalent securities to the Fund.
As of January 31, 2020, securities subject to this type of arrangement and related collateral were as follows:
Market Value of
Securities Loaned
Collateral
Received
$5,454,053 $5,941,459
Other
The preparation of financial statements in conformity with GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the amounts of assets, liabilities, expenses and revenues reported in the financial statements. Actual results could differ from those estimated. The Fund applies investment company accounting and reporting guidance.
3. SHARES OF BENEFICIAL INTEREST
The following tables summarize share activity:
  Six Months Ended
1/31/2020
Year Ended
7/31/2019
Class A Shares: Shares Amount Shares Amount
Shares sold 413,926 $12,217,258 1,197,944 $35,149,177
Proceeds from shares issued in connection with the tax-free transfer of assets from PNC Multi-Factor All Cap Fund 69,799 2,108,622
Shares issued to shareholders in payment of distributions declared 75,909 2,245,757 143,909 3,662,745
Shares redeemed (258,607) (7,680,791) (377,081) (10,640,181)
NET CHANGE RESULTING FROM
CLASS A SHARE TRANSACTIONS
301,027 $8,890,846 964,772 $28,171,741
    
  Six Months Ended
1/31/2020
Year Ended
7/31/2019
Class C Shares: Shares Amount Shares Amount
Shares sold 144,693 $4,044,117 486,557 $12,740,476
Proceeds from shares issued in connection with the tax-free transfer of assets from PNC Multi-Factor All Cap Fund 5,925 167,267
Shares issued to shareholders in payment of distributions declared 32,298 888,524 73,190 1,749,965
Shares redeemed (122,526) (3,418,195) (806,777) (22,501,025)
NET CHANGE RESULTING FROM
CLASS C SHARE TRANSACTIONS
60,390 $1,681,713 (247,030) $(8,010,584)
Semi-Annual Shareholder Report
23

  Six Months Ended
1/31/2020
Year Ended
7/31/2019
Institutional Shares: Shares Amount Shares Amount
Shares sold 1,449,256 $43,816,034 6,734,928 $195,716,816
Proceeds from shares issued in connection with the tax-free transfer of assets from PNC Multi-Factor All Cap Fund 82,367 2,523,713
Shares issued to shareholders in payment of distributions declared 227,539 6,839,149 442,206 11,395,972
Shares redeemed (1,246,687) (37,518,543) (3,191,121) (90,332,398)
NET CHANGE RESULTING
FROM INSTITUTIONAL SHARE TRANSACTIONS
512,475 $15,660,353 3,986,013 $116,780,390
    
  Six Months Ended
1/31/2020
Year Ended
7/31/2019
Class R6 Shares: Shares Amount Shares Amount
Shares sold 72,081 $2,125,076 448,233 $13,319,703
Shares issued to shareholders in payment of distributions declared 6,915 204,010 23,752 601,199
Shares redeemed (95,081) (2,784,409) (846,550) (23,774,795)
NET CHANGE RESULTING FROM
CLASS R6 SHARE TRANSACTIONS
(16,085) $(455,323) (374,565) $(9,853,893)
NET CHANGE RESULTING FROM
TOTAL FUND SHARE TRANSACTIONS
857,807 $25,777,589 4,329,190 $127,087,654
4. FEDERAL TAX INFORMATION
At January 31, 2020, the cost of investments for federal tax purposes was $330,883,463. The net unrealized appreciation of investments for federal tax purposes was $29,617,269. This consists of net unrealized appreciation from investments for those securities having an excess of value over cost of $42,439,493 and net unrealized depreciation from investments for those securities having an excess of cost over value of $12,822,224.
5. INVESTMENT ADVISER FEE AND OTHER TRANSACTIONS WITH AFFILIATES
Investment Adviser Fee
The advisory agreement between the Fund and the Adviser provides for an annual fee equal to 0.70% of the Fund's average daily net assets. Prior to July 1, 2019, the annual advisory fee was 0.75% of the Fund's average daily net assets. Subject to the terms described in the Expense Limitation note, the Adviser may voluntarily choose to waive any portion of its fee and/or reimburse certain operating expenses of the Fund. For the six months ended January 31, 2020, the Adviser voluntarily waived $277,109 of its fee and voluntarily reimbursed $78,558 of transfer agent fees. The Adviser has agreed to reimburse the Fund for certain investment adviser fees as a result of transactions in other affiliated investment companies. For the six months ended January 31, 2020, the Adviser reimbursed $2,805.
Semi-Annual Shareholder Report
24

Administrative Fee
Federated Administrative Services (FAS), under the Administrative Services Agreement, provides the Fund with administrative personnel and services. For purposes of determining the appropriate rate breakpoint, “Investment Complex” is defined as all of the Federated Hermes Funds subject to a fee under the Administrative Services Agreement. The fee paid to FAS is based on the average daily net assets of the Investment Complex as specified below:
Administrative Fee Average Daily Net Assets
of the Investment Complex
0.100% on assets up to $50 billion
0.075% on assets over $50 billion
Subject to the terms described in the Expense Limitation note, FAS may voluntarily choose to waive any portion of its fee. For the six months ended January 31, 2020, the annualized fee paid to FAS was 0.079% of average daily net assets of the Fund.
In addition, FAS may charge certain out-of-pocket expenses to the Fund.
Distribution Services Fee
The Fund has adopted a Distribution Plan (the “Plan”) pursuant to Rule 12b-1 under the Act. Under the terms of the Plan, the Fund will compensate Federated Securities Corp. (FSC), the principal distributor, from the daily net assets of the Fund's Class A Shares, and Class C Shares to finance activities intended to result in the sale of these shares. The Plan provides that the Fund may incur distribution expenses at the following percentages of average daily net assets annually, to compensate FSC:
  Percentage of Average Daily
Net Assets of Class
Class A Shares 0.05%
Class C Shares 0.75%
FSC may voluntarily choose to waive any portion of its fee. For the six months ended January 31, 2020, distribution services fees for the Fund were as follows:
  Distribution Services
Fees Incurred
Class C Shares 123,124
When FSC receives fees, it may pay some or all of them to financial intermediaries whose customers purchase shares. For the six months ended January 31, 2020, FSC retained $28,222 fees paid by the Fund. For the six months ended January 31, 2020, the Fund's Class A Shares did not incur a distribution services fee; however, it may begin to incur this fee upon approval of the Trustees.
Other Service Fees
For the six months ended January 31, 2020, FSSC received $2,185 of the other service fees disclosed in Note 2.
Semi-Annual Shareholder Report
25

Sales Charges
Front-end sales charges and contingent deferred sales charges (CDSC) do not represent expenses of the Fund. They are deducted from the proceeds of sales of Fund shares prior to investment or from redemption proceeds prior to remittance, as applicable. For the six months ended January 31, 2020, FSC retained $11,191 in sales charges from the sale of Class A Shares. FSC also retained $2,117 of CDSC relating to redemptions of Class C Shares.
Expense Limitation
The Adviser and certain of its affiliates on their own initiative have agreed to waive certain amounts of their respective fees and/or reimburse expenses. Total annual fund operating expenses (excluding interest expense, extraordinary expenses and proxy-related expenses paid by the Fund, if any) paid by the Fund's Class A Shares, Class C Shares, Institutional Shares and Class R6 Shares (after the voluntary waivers and/or reimbursements) will not exceed 1.04%, 1.79%, 0.74%, and 0.73% the “Fee Limit”), respectively, up to but not including the later of (the “Termination Date”): (a) December 1, 2020; or (b) the date of the Fund's next effective Prospectus. While the Adviser and its affiliates currently do not anticipate terminating or increasing these arrangements prior to the Termination Date, these arrangements may only be terminated or the Fee Limit increased prior to the Termination Date with the agreement of the Fund's Board of Trustees.
Directors'/Trustees' and Miscellaneous Fees
Certain Officers and Trustees of the Fund are Officers and Directors or Trustees of certain of the above companies. To efficiently facilitate payment, Independent Directors'/Trustees' fees and certain expenses related to conducting meetings of the Directors/Trustees and other miscellaneous expenses are paid by an affiliate of the Adviser which in due course are reimbursed by the Fund. These expenses related to conducting meetings of the Directors/Trustees and other miscellaneous expenses may be included in Accrued and Miscellaneous Expenses on the Statement of Assets and Liabilities and Statement of Operations, respectively.
6. INVESTMENT TRANSACTIONS
Purchases and sales of investments, excluding long-term U.S. government securities and short-term obligations, for the six months ended January 31, 2020, were as follows:
Purchases $197,746,854
Sales $187,478,290
7. LINE OF CREDIT
The Fund participates with certain other Federated Hermes Funds, on a several basis, in an up to $500,000,000 unsecured, 364-day, committed, revolving line of credit (LOC) agreement. The LOC was made available to finance temporarily the repurchase or redemption of shares of the Fund, failed trades, payment of dividends, settlement of trades and for other short-term, temporary or emergency general business purposes. The Fund cannot borrow under the LOC if an inter-fund loan is outstanding. The Fund's ability to borrow under the LOC also is subject to the limitations of the Act and various conditions precedent that must be satisfied before the Fund can borrow. Loans under the LOC are charged interest at a fluctuating rate per annum equal to the highest, on any day, of (a) (i) the federal funds effective rate, (ii) the one month London Interbank Offered Rate (LIBOR), and (iii) 0.0%, plus (b) a margin. The LOC also
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requires the Fund to pay, quarterly in arrears and at maturity, its pro rata share of a commitment fee based on the amount of the lenders' commitment that has not been utilized. As of January 31, 2020, the Fund had no outstanding loans. During the six months ended January 31, 2020, the Fund did not utilize the LOC.
8. INTERFUND LENDING
Pursuant to an Exemptive Order issued by the SEC, the Fund, along with other funds advised by subsidiaries of Federated Hermes, Inc., may participate in an interfund lending program. This program provides an alternative credit facility allowing the Fund to borrow from other participating affiliated funds. As of January 31, 2020, there were no outstanding loans. During the six months ended January 31, 2020, the program was not utilized.
9. SUBSEQUENT EVENTS
An outbreak of respiratory disease caused by a novel coronavirus was first detected in China in December 2019 and subsequently spread internationally. As of the date of the issuance of these financial statements, this coronavirus has resulted in closing borders, enhanced health screenings, healthcare service preparation and delivery, quarantines, cancellations, disruptions to supply chains, workflow operations and customer activity, as well as general concern and uncertainty. The impact of this coronavirus may be short term or may last for an extended period of time and result in a substantial economic downturn. The impact of this outbreak, and other epidemics and pandemics that may arise in the future, could negatively affect the worldwide economy, as well as the economies of individual countries, individual companies (including Fund service providers) and the market in general in significant and unforeseen ways. Any such impact could adversely affect the Fund's performance.
Effective on or about June 29, 2020, the name of the Trust and Fund will change to Federated Hermes MDT Series and Federated Hermes MDT All Cap Core Fund, respectively.
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Shareholder Expense Example (unaudited)
As a shareholder of the Fund, you incur two types of costs: (1) transaction costs, including sales charges (loads) on purchase or redemption payments; and (2) ongoing costs, including management fees and to the extent applicable, distribution (12b-1) fees and/or other service fees and other Fund expenses. This Example is intended to help you to understand your ongoing costs (in dollars) of investing in the Fund and to compare these costs with the ongoing costs of investing in other mutual funds. It is based on an investment of $1,000 invested at the beginning of the period and held for the entire period from August 1, 2019 to January 31, 2020.
ACTUAL EXPENSES
The first section of the table below provides information about actual account values and actual expenses. You may use the information in this section, together with the amount you invested, to estimate the expenses that you incurred over the period. Simply divide your account value by $1,000 (for example, an $8,600 account value divided by $1,000 = 8.6), then multiply the result by the number in the first section under the heading entitled “Expenses Paid During Period” to estimate the expenses attributable to your investment during this period.
HYPOTHETICAL EXAMPLE FOR COMPARISON PURPOSES
The second section of the table below provides information about hypothetical account values and hypothetical expenses based on the Fund's actual expense ratio and an assumed rate of return of 5% per year before expenses, which is not the Fund's actual return. Thus, you should not use the hypothetical account values and expenses to estimate the actual ending account balance or your expenses for the period. Rather, these figures are required to be provided to enable you to compare the ongoing costs of investing in the Fund with other funds. To do so, compare this 5% hypothetical example with the 5% hypothetical examples that appear in the shareholder reports of the other funds.
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Please note that the expenses shown in the table are meant to highlight your ongoing costs only and do not reflect any transaction costs, such as sales charges (loads) on purchase or redemption payments. Therefore, the second section of the table is useful in comparing ongoing costs only, and will not help you determine the relative total costs of owning different funds. In addition, if these transaction costs were included, your costs would have been higher.
  Beginning
Account Value
8/1/2019
Ending
Account Value
1/31/2020
Expenses Paid
During Period1
Actual:      
Class A Shares $1,000 $1,042.80 $5.34
Class C Shares $1,000 $1,038.90 $9.17
Institutional Shares $1,000 $1,044.10 $3.80
Class R6 Shares $1,000 $1,044.00 $3.75
Hypothetical (assuming a 5% return
before expenses):
     
Class A Shares $1,000 $1,019.90 $5.28
Class C Shares $1,000 $1,016.14 $9.07
Institutional Shares $1,000 $1,021.42 $3.76
Class R6 Shares $1,000 $1,021.47 $3.71
1 Expenses are equal to the Fund's annualized net expense ratios, multiplied by the average account value over the period, multiplied by 184/366 (to reflect the one-half-year period). The annualized net expense ratios are as follows:
   
Class A Shares 1.04%
Class C Shares 1.79%
Institutional Shares 0.74%
Class R6 Shares 0.73%
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Evaluation and Approval of Advisory ContractMay 2019
Federated MDT All Cap Core Fund (the “Fund”)
At its meetings in May 2019, the Fund's Board of Trustees (the “Board”), including a majority of those Trustees who are not “interested persons” of the Fund, as defined in the Investment Company Act of 1940 (the “Independent Trustees”) reviewed and unanimously approved the continuation of the Fund's investment advisory contract for an additional one-year term. The Board's decision regarding the contract reflects the exercise of its business judgment after considering all of the information received on whether to continue the existing arrangements.
At the request of the Independent Trustees, the Fund's Chief Compliance Officer (the CCO) furnished to the Board in advance of its May 2019 meetings an independent written evaluation presenting on the topics discussed below. The Board considered the CCO's independent written evaluation (the “CCO Fee Evaluation Report”), along with other information, in evaluating the reasonableness of the Fund's management fee and in deciding to approve the continuation of the investment advisory contract. The CCO, in preparing the CCO Fee Evaluation Report, has the authority to retain consultants, experts or staff as reasonably necessary to assist in the performance of his duties, reports directly to the Board, and can be terminated only with the approval of a majority of the Independent Trustees. At the request of the Independent Trustees, the CCO Fee Evaluation Report followed the same general approach and covered the same topics as that of the report that had previously been delivered by the CCO in his capacity as “Senior Officer,” prior to the elimination of the Senior Officer position in December 2017.
The Board also considered judicial decisions concerning allegedly excessive investment advisory fees in making its decision. Using these judicial decisions as a guide, the Board observed that the following factors may be relevant to an adviser's fiduciary duty with respect to its receipt of compensation from a fund: (1) the nature and quality of the services provided by an adviser to a fund and its shareholders (including the performance of the fund, its benchmark, and comparable funds); (2) an adviser's cost of providing the services (including the profitability to an adviser of providing advisory services to a fund); (3) the extent to which an adviser may realize “economies of scale” as a fund grows larger and, if such economies of scale exist, whether they have been shared with a fund and its shareholders or the family of funds; (4) any “fall-out” financial benefits that accrue to an adviser because of its relationship with a fund (including research services received from brokers that execute fund trades and any fees paid to affiliates of an adviser for services rendered to a fund); (5) comparative fee and expense structures (including a comparison of fees paid to an adviser with those paid by similar funds both internally and externally as well as management fees charged to institutional and other advisory clients of the
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adviser for what might be viewed as like services); and (6) the extent of care, conscientiousness and independence with which the fund's board members perform their duties and their expertise (including whether they are fully informed about all facts the board deems relevant to its consideration of an adviser's services and fees). The Board noted that the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) disclosure requirements regarding the basis for the Board's approval of the Fund's investment advisory contract generally align with the factors listed above. The Board was aware of these factors and was guided by them in its review of the Fund's investment advisory contract to the extent it considered them to be appropriate and relevant, as discussed further below.
The Board considered and weighed these factors in light of its substantial accumulated experience in governing the Fund and working with Federated MDTA LLC (the “Adviser”) and its affiliates (collectively “Federated”) on matters relating to the funds advised by Federated (each, a “Federated Fund”). The Independent Trustees were assisted in their deliberations by independent legal counsel.
In addition to the extensive materials that comprise and accompany the CCO Fee Evaluation Report, the Board received detailed information about the Fund and the Federated organization throughout the year, and in connection with its May meetings at which the Board's formal approval of the advisory and subadvisory contracts occurred. In this regard, Federated provided much of this information at each regular meeting of the Board, and furnished additional information specifically in connection with the May meetings. In the months preceding the May meetings, the Board requested and reviewed written materials prepared by Federated in response to requests on behalf of the Independent Trustees encompassing a wide variety of topics. At the May meetings, in addition to meeting in separate sessions of the Independent Trustees without management present, senior management of the Adviser also met with the Independent Trustees and their counsel to discuss the materials presented and such additional matters as the Independent Trustees deemed reasonably necessary to evaluate the advisory and subadvisory contracts. Between regularly scheduled meetings, the Board also received information on particular matters as the need arose.
The Board's consideration of the investment advisory contract included review of the CCO Fee Evaluation Report, accompanying data and additional information covering the following matters, among others: the Adviser's investment philosophy, revenue, profitability, personnel and processes; investment and operating strategies; the Fund's short-term and long-term performance (in absolute terms, both on a gross basis and net of expenses, as well as in terms relative to its particular investment program and certain competitor or “peer group” funds and/or other benchmarks, as appropriate) and comments on the reasons for performance; the Fund's investment objectives; the Fund's expenses, including the advisory fee and the overall expense structure of the Fund (both in absolute terms and relative to similar and/or competing funds), with due
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regard for contractual or voluntary expense limitations; the use and allocation of brokerage commissions derived from trading the Fund's portfolio securities (if any); and the nature, quality and extent of the advisory and other services provided to the Fund by the Adviser and its affiliates. The Board also considered the preferences and expectations of Fund shareholders; the entrepreneurial and other risks assumed by the Adviser in sponsoring the Fund; the continuing state of competition in the mutual fund industry and market practices; the range of comparable fees for similar funds in the mutual fund industry; the Fund's relationship to the Federated Funds which include a comprehensive array of funds with different investment objectives, policies and strategies which are generally available for exchange without the incurrence of additional sales charges; compliance and audit reports concerning the Federated Funds and the Federated companies that service them (including communications from regulatory agencies), as well as Federated's responses to any issues raised therein; and relevant developments in the mutual fund industry and how the Federated Funds and/or Federated are responding to them. The Board's evaluation process is evolutionary. The criteria considered and the emphasis placed on relevant criteria change in recognition of changing circumstances in the mutual fund marketplace.
While mindful that courts have cautioned against giving too much weight to comparative information concerning fees charged by other advisers for managing funds with comparable investment programs, the Board has found the use of such comparisons to be relevant to its deliberations. In this regard, the Board was presented with, and considered, information regarding the contractual advisory fee rates, net advisory fee rates, total expense ratios and each element of the Fund's total expense ratio (i.e., gross and net advisory fees, custody fees, portfolio accounting fees and transfer agency fees) relative to an appropriate group of peer funds compiled by Federated using data supplied by independent fund ranking organizations (the “Peer Group”). The Board received a description of the composition and methodology used to select the Peer Group. The Board focused on comparisons with other similar mutual funds more heavily than non-mutual fund products or services because it is believed that they are more relevant. For example, other mutual funds are the products most like the Fund, in that they are readily available to Fund shareholders as alternative investment vehicles. Also, they are the type of investment vehicle, in fact, chosen and maintained by the Fund's investors. The range of their fees and expenses, therefore, appears to be a relevant indicator of what consumers have found to be reasonable in the marketplace in which the Fund competes.
The Board reviewed the contractual advisory fee rate and other expenses of the Fund and noted the position of the Fund's fee rates relative to its Peer Group. In this regard, the Board noted that the contractual advisory fee rate was above the median of the relevant Peer Group, but the Board noted the applicable waivers and reimbursements, and that the overall expense structure of the Fund remained competitive in the context of other factors considered by
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the Board. In this regard, the Board had been previously advised that, while comparisons to fund Peer Groups are relevant in judging the reasonableness of advisory fees, the Fund's quantitative focus makes fee and expense comparisons particularly difficult. Although the Fund's advisory fee was above the median of the peer range, the Peer Group of funds varied widely in their complexity, and the Board has been informed that the management of the Fund is among the more complex relative to its Peer Group. The Board considered the fact that the Adviser committed to permanently reduce fees of the Fund in an agreed upon amount, such reduction to be effective July 1, 2019.
For comparison, the CCO reviewed the fees charged by Federated for providing advisory services to products other than the Federated Funds (e.g., institutional separate accounts and third-party unaffiliated mutual funds for which Federated serves as sub-adviser) (referenced to as “Comparable Funds/Accounts”). With respect to Comparable Funds/Accounts other than third-party mutual funds, the CCO concluded that they are inherently different products. Those differences include, but are not limited to, different types of targeted investors; different applicable laws and regulations; different legal structures; different average account sizes and portfolio management techniques made necessary by different cash flows and different associated costs; and the time spent by portfolio managers and their teams, as well as personnel in the Funds Financial Services, Legal, Compliance and Risk Management departments, in reviewing securities pricing, addressing different administrative responsibilities, addressing different degrees of risk associated with management and a variety of different costs. The CCO also reviewed the differences in the nature of the services required for Federated to manage its proprietary mutual fund business versus managing a discrete pool of assets as a sub-adviser to another institution's mutual fund, and that Federated generally performs significant additional services and assumes substantially greater risks in managing the Fund and other Federated Funds than in its role as sub-adviser to an unaffiliated third-party mutual fund. The CCO did not consider the fees for providing advisory services to Comparable Funds/Accounts to be determinative in judging the appropriateness of the Federated Funds' advisory fees.
The CCO noted that the services, administrative responsibilities and risks associated with such relationships are quite different than serving as a primary adviser to a fund.
Following such evaluation, and full deliberations, the Board concluded that the fees and expenses of the Fund are reasonable and supported renewal of the Fund's investment advisory contract.
The Board considered the nature, extent and quality of the services provided to the Fund by the Adviser and the resources of the Adviser and its affiliates dedicated to the Fund. In this regard, the Board evaluated, among other things, the Adviser's personnel, experience, track record, financial resources, overall reputation and willingness to invest in personnel and infrastructure that benefit the Fund. In addition, the Board reviewed the qualifications, backgrounds and
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responsibilities of the portfolio management team primarily responsible for the day-to-day management of the Fund and the Adviser's ability and experience in attracting and retaining qualified personnel to service the Fund. The Board noted the investment research and company engagement capabilities of the Adviser and its affiliates. The Board also noted the compliance program of the Adviser and the compliance-related resources provided to the Fund by the Adviser, including the Adviser's commitment to respond to rulemaking initiatives of the SEC. The Fund's ability to deliver competitive performance when compared to its Peer Group was also deemed to be relevant by the Board as a useful indicator of how the Adviser is executing the Fund's investment program. The Adviser's ability to execute this program was one of the Board's considerations in reaching a conclusion that the nature, extent and quality of the Adviser's investment management services warrant the continuation of the investment advisory contract.
In evaluating the Fund's investment performance, the Board considered performance results in light of the Fund's investment objective, strategies and risks, as disclosed in the Fund's prospectus. The Board considered detailed investment reports on the Fund's performance that were provided to the Board throughout the year and in connection with the May meetings. The CCO also reviewed information regarding the performance of other mutual funds in the Peer Group, noting the CCO's view that comparisons to fund peer groups may be helpful, though not conclusive, in evaluating the performance of the Adviser in managing the Fund. The Board considered, in evaluating such comparisons, that in some cases there may be differences in the funds' investment objectives or investment management techniques, or the costs to implement funds, even within the same Peer Group, and that the CCO had specifically noted that the Fund's quantitative focus makes fee and expense comparisons particularly difficult as the funds in the Peer Group varied widely in their complexity, and the management of the Fund is among the more complex relative to its Peer Group.
For the one-year, three-year and five-year periods covered by the CCO Fee Evaluation Report, the Fund's performance was above the median of the relevant Peer Group. In addition, the Board was informed by the Adviser that the Fund outperformed its benchmark index for the one-year and three-year periods.
Following such evaluation, and full deliberations, the Board concluded that the performance of the Fund supported renewal of the Fund's advisory contract.
The Board also received financial information about Federated, including information regarding the compensation and ancillary (or “fall-out”) benefits Federated derived from its relationships with the Federated Funds. This information covered not only the fees under the investment advisory contracts, but also fees received by Federated's subsidiaries for providing other services to the Federated Funds under separate contracts (e.g., for serving as the Federated
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Funds' administrator and distributor). In this regard, the Board considered that certain Federated subsidiaries provide distribution and shareholder services to the Federated Funds, for which they may be compensated through distribution and servicing fees paid pursuant to Rule 12b-1 plans or otherwise. The information also detailed any indirect benefit Federated may derive from its receipt of research services from brokers who execute Federated Fund trades. In addition, the Board considered the fact that, in order for a Federated Fund to be competitive in the marketplace, the Adviser and its affiliates frequently waived fees and/or reimbursed expenses and have disclosed to Federated Fund investors and/or indicated to the Board their intention to do so in the future. Moreover, the Board receives regular reporting as to the institution, adjustment or elimination of these voluntary waivers. The Board considered Federated's previous reductions in contractual management fees to certain Federated Funds in response to the CCO's recommendations in the prior year's CCO Fee Evaluation Report.
In 2019, the Board approved a reduction of 5 basis points in the contractual advisory fee.
Federated furnished information, requested by the CCO, that reported revenues on a fund-by-fund basis and made estimates of the allocation of expenses on a fund-by-fund basis, using allocation methodologies specified by the CCO. The CCO noted that, while these cost allocation reports apply consistent allocation processes, the inherent difficulties in allocating costs continues to cause the CCO to question the precision of the process and to conclude that such reports may be unreliable, since a single change in an allocation estimate may dramatically alter the resulting estimate of cost and/or profitability of a Federated Fund and may produce unintended consequences. The allocation information, including the CCO's view that fund-by-fund estimations may be unreliable, was considered in the evaluation by the Board.
The Board and the CCO also reviewed information compiled by Federated comparing its profitability information to other publicly held fund management companies, including information regarding profitability trends over time. In this regard, the CCO concluded that Federated's profit margins did not appear to be excessive. The CCO also noted that Federated appeared financially sound, with the resources necessary to fulfill its obligations under its contracts with the Fund.
The CCO Fee Evaluation Report also discussed the notion of possible realization of “economies of scale” as a fund grows larger, the difficulties of calculating economies of scale at an individual fund level, and the extent to which potential scale benefits are shared with shareholders. In this regard, the Board considered that Federated has made significant and long-term investments in areas that support all of the Federated Funds, such as personnel and processes for the portfolio management, shareholder services, compliance, internal audit and risk management functions, as well as systems technology (including technology relating to cybersecurity) and that the benefits of these investments
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(as well as any economies of scale, should they exist) were likely to be shared with the Federated Fund family as a whole. The Board noted that Federated's investments in these areas are extensive. In addition, the Board considered that the Adviser and its affiliates have frequently waived fees and/or reimbursed expenses and that this has allowed potential economies of scale to be shared with shareholders. The Board also considered that such waivers and reimbursements can provide protection from an increase in expenses if a Federated Fund's assets decline. Federated, as it does throughout the year, and specifically in connection with the Board's review of the advisory and subadvisory contracts, furnished information relative to revenue sharing or adviser-paid fees. Federated and the CCO noted that this information should be viewed to determine if there was an incentive to either not apply breakpoints, or to apply breakpoints at higher levels, and should not be viewed to determine the appropriateness of advisory fees. The Board also noted the absence of any applicable regulatory or industry guidelines on this subject, which (as discussed in the CCO Fee Evaluation Report) is compounded by the lack of any common industry practice or general pattern with respect to structuring fund advisory fees with “breakpoints” that serve to reduce the fee as a fund attains a certain size.
The CCO stated that his observations and the information accompanying the CCO Fee Evaluation Report supported a finding by the Board that the management fee for the Fund was reasonable. Under these circumstances, no changes were recommended to, and no objection was raised to the continuation of, the Fund's investment advisory contract. The CCO also recognized that the Board's evaluation of the Federated Funds' advisory and subadvisory arrangements is a continuing and on-going process that is informed by the information that the Board requests and receives from management throughout the course of the year and, in this regard, the CCO noted certain items for future reporting to the Board or further consideration by management as the Board continues its on-going oversight of the Federated Funds.
In its decision to continue an existing investment advisory contract, the Board was mindful of the potential disruptions of the Fund's operations and various risks, uncertainties and other effects that could occur as a result of a decision to terminate or not renew an investment advisory contract. In particular, the Board recognized that many shareholders have invested in the Fund on the strength of the Adviser's industry standing and reputation and with the expectation that the Adviser will have a continuing role in providing advisory services to the Fund. Thus, the Board's approval of the investment advisory contract reflected the fact that it is the shareholders who have effectively selected the Adviser by virtue of having invested in the Fund. The Board concluded that, in light of the factors summarized above, including the nature, quality and scope of the services provided to the Fund by the Adviser and its affiliates, continuation of the investment advisory contract was appropriate.
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The Board based its decision to approve the investment advisory contract on the totality of the circumstances and relevant factors and with a view to past and future long-term considerations. Not all of the factors and considerations identified above were necessarily relevant to the Fund, nor did the Board consider any one of them to be determinative. With respect to the factors that were relevant, the Board's decision to approve the continuation of the contract reflects its view that Federated's performance and actions provided a satisfactory basis to support the decision to continue the existing arrangement.
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Voting Proxies on Fund Portfolio Securities
A description of the policies and procedures that the Fund uses to determine how to vote proxies, if any, relating to securities held in the Fund's portfolio is available, without charge and upon request, by calling 1-800-341-7400. A report on “Form N-PX” of how the Fund voted any such proxies during the most recent 12-month period ended June 30 is available via the Proxy Voting Record (Form N-PX) link associated with the Fund and share class name at www.FederatedInvestors.com/FundInformation. Form N-PX filings are also available at the SEC's website at sec.gov.
Quarterly Portfolio Schedule
Each fiscal quarter, the Fund will file with the SEC a complete schedule of its monthly portfolio holdings on “Form N-PORT.” The Fund's holdings as of the end of the third month of every fiscal quarter, as reported on Form N-PORT, will be publicly available on the SEC's website at www.sec.gov within 60 days of the end of the fiscal quarter upon filing. You may also access this information via the link to the Fund and share class name at www.FederatedInvestors.com.
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Mutual funds are not bank deposits or obligations, are not guaranteed by any bank and are not insured or guaranteed by the U.S. government, the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation, the Federal Reserve Board or any other government agency. Investment in mutual funds involves investment risk, including the possible loss of principal.
This Report is authorized for distribution to prospective investors only when preceded or accompanied by the Fund's Prospectus, which contains facts concerning its objective and policies, management fees, expenses and other information.
IMPORTANT NOTICE ABOUT FUND DOCUMENT DELIVERY    
In an effort to reduce costs and avoid duplicate mailings, the Fund(s) intend to deliver a single copy of certain documents to each household in which more than one shareholder of the Fund(s) resides (so-called “householding”), as permitted by applicable rules. The Fund's “householding” program covers its/their Prospectus and Statement of Additional Information, and supplements to each, as well as Semi-Annual and Annual Shareholder Reports and any Proxies or information statements. Shareholders must give their written consent to participate in the “householding” program. The Fund is also permitted to treat a shareholder as having given consent (“implied consent”) if (i) shareholders with the same last name, or believed to be members of the same family, reside at the same street address or receive mail at the same post office box, (ii) the Fund gives notice of its intent to “household” at least sixty (60) days before it begins “householding” and (iii) none of the shareholders in the household have notified the Fund(s) or their agent of the desire to “opt out” of “householding.” Shareholders who have granted written consent, or have been deemed to have granted implied consent, can revoke that consent and opt out of “householding” at any time: shareholders who purchased shares through an intermediary should contact their representative; other shareholders may call the Fund at 1-800-341-7400.
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Federated MDT All Cap Core Fund
Federated Hermes Funds
4000 Ericsson Drive
Warrendale, PA 15086-7561
Contact us at FederatedInvestors.com
or call 1-800-341-7400.
Federated Securities Corp., Distributor
CUSIP 31421R106
CUSIP 31421R205
CUSIP 31421R304
CUSIP 31421R718
36361 (3/20)
© 2020 Federated Hermes, Inc.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Semi-Annual Shareholder Report
January 31, 2020
Share Class | Ticker A | QABGX C | QCBGX Institutional | QIBGX R6 | QKBGX

Federated MDT Balanced Fund
Fund Established 2002

A Portfolio of Federated MDT Series
IMPORTANT NOTICE REGARDING REPORT DELIVERY
Beginning on January 1, 2021, as permitted by regulations adopted by the Securities and Exchange Commission, paper copies of the Fund's shareholder reports like this one will no longer be sent by mail, unless you specifically request paper copies of the reports from the Fund or from your financial intermediary, such as a broker-dealer or bank. Instead, the reports will be made available on a website, and you will be notified by mail each time a report is posted and provided with a website link to access the report.
If you already elected to receive shareholder reports electronically, you will not be affected by this change and you need not take any action. You may elect to receive shareholder reports and other communications from the Fund or your financial intermediary electronically by contacting your financial intermediary (such as a broker-dealer or bank); other shareholders may call the Fund at 1-800-341-7400, Option 4.
You may elect to receive all future reports in paper free of charge. You can inform the Fund or your financial intermediary that you wish to continue receiving paper copies of your shareholder reports by contacting your financial intermediary (such as a broker-dealer or bank); other shareholders may call the Fund at 1-800-341-7400, Option 4. Your election to receive reports in paper will apply to all funds held with the Fund complex or your financial intermediary.

Not FDIC Insured ■ May Lose Value ■ No Bank Guarantee

J. Christopher
Donahue
President
Federated MDT Balanced Fund
Letter from the President
Dear Valued Shareholder,
I am pleased to present the Semi-Annual Shareholder Report for your fund covering the period from August 1, 2019 through January 31, 2020. This report includes a complete listing of your fund's holdings, performance information and financial statements along with other important fund information.
In addition, our website, FederatedInvestors.com, offers easy access to valuable resources that include timely fund updates, economic and market insights from our investment strategists, and financial planning tools.
Thank you for investing with us. I hope you find this information useful and look forward to keeping you informed.
Sincerely,
J. Christopher Donahue, President
         


Portfolio of Investments Summary Tables (unaudited)
At January 31, 2020, the Fund's portfolio composition1 was as follows:
Security Type Percentage of
Total Net Assets
Domestic Equity Securities 53.9%
Corporate Debt Securities 12.0%
International Equity Securities (including International Exchange-Traded Funds) 9.1%
Federated Mortgage Core Portfolio 7.4%
U.S. Treasury Securities2 7.0%
High Yield Bond Portfolio 1.9%
Federated Project and Trade Finance Core Fund 2.0%
Commercial Mortgage-Backed Securities 1.7%
Emerging Markets Core Fund 1.5%
Federated Bank Loan Core Fund 1.1%
Mortgage-Backed Securities 0.6%
Municipal Bonds 0.0%3
Asset-Backed Securities 0.0%3
Collateralized Mortgage Obligations 0.0%3
Securities Lending Collateral4 0.4%
Derivative Contracts5 0.0%3
Cash Equivalents6 1.7%
Other Assets and Liabilities—Net7 (0.3)%
TOTAL 100.0%
1 See the Fund's Prospectus and Statement of Additional Information for a description of the types of securities in which the Fund invests. As of the date specified above, the Fund owned shares of one or more affiliated investment companies. For purposes of this table, affiliated investment companies (other than an affiliated money market mutual fund) in which the Fund invested less than 10% of its net assets, are listed individually in the table.
2 Includes U.S. Treasuries pledged as collateral to ensure the Fund is able to satisfy the obligations of its outstanding futures contracts.
3 Represents less than 0.1%.
4 Represents cash collateral received for portfolio securities on loan that may be invested in affiliated money market funds, other money market instruments and/or repurchase agreements.
5 Based upon net unrealized appreciation (depreciation) or value of the derivative contracts as applicable. Derivative contracts may consist of futures, forwards, options and swaps. The impact of a derivative contract on the Fund's performance may be larger than its unrealized appreciation (depreciation) or value may indicate. In many cases, the notional value or amount of a derivative contract may provide a better indication of the contract's significance to the portfolio. More complete information regarding the Fund's direct investments in derivative contracts, including unrealized appreciation (depreciation), value and notional values or amounts of such contracts, can be found in the table at the end of the Portfolio of Investments included in this Report.
6 Cash Equivalents include any investments in money market mutual funds and/or overnight repurchase agreements other than those representing cash collateral for securities lending.
7 Assets, other than investments in securities and derivative contracts, less liabilities. See Statement of Assets and Liabilities.
Semi-Annual Shareholder Report
1

At January 31, 2020, the Fund's sector composition8 for its equity securities (excluding exchange-traded funds) was as follows:
Sector Composition Percentage of
Equity Securities
Information Technology 23.4%
Health Care 14.2%
Financials 13.8%
Consumer Discretionary 10.5%
Communication Services 10.1%
Industrials 8.5%
Consumer Staples 7.3%
Energy 3.4%
Real Estate 3.8%
Materials 2.6%
Utilities 2.4%
TOTAL 100.0%
8 Sector classifications are based upon, and individual portfolio securities are assigned to, the classifications of the Global Industry Classification Standard (GICS) except that the Adviser assigns a classification to securities not classified by the GICS and to securities for which the Adviser does not have access to the classification made by the GICS.
Semi-Annual Shareholder Report
2

Portfolio of Investments
January 31, 2020 (unaudited)
Shares or
Principal
Amount
    Value
    COMMON STOCKS—54.8%  
    Communication Services—5.5%  
2,848   AT&T, Inc. $107,142
2,376 1 Alphabet, Inc., Class A 3,404,285
157   Cable One, Inc. 267,533
3,535 1 Charter Communications, Inc. 1,829,221
3,224   Comcast Corp., Class A 139,245
6,010 1 Facebook, Inc. 1,213,479
28,128 1 MSG Networks, Inc. 427,827
369   Omnicom Group, Inc. 27,789
3,365 1 Take-Two Interactive Software, Inc. 419,414
22,944   Verizon Communications, Inc. 1,363,791
    TOTAL 9,199,726
    Consumer Discretionary—5.8%  
250 1 Amazon.com, Inc. 502,180
668 1 AutoZone, Inc. 706,717
30 1 Booking Holdings, Inc. 54,917
2,402 1 Burlington Stores, Inc. 522,363
1,272 1 CROCs, Inc. 48,222
468   Dollar General Corp. 71,796
4,723   Dunkin' Brands Group, Inc. 368,819
12,265   eBay, Inc. 411,613
24,635   Ford Motor Co. 217,281
5,192 2 GameStop Corp. 19,937
272   Garmin Ltd. 26,370
6,532   General Motors Co. 218,103
4,741   Goodyear Tire & Rubber Co. 62,249
2,319   Harley-Davidson, Inc. 77,455
328   Home Depot, Inc. 74,817
2,435 1 Libbey, Inc. 3,239
10,457   Lowe's Cos., Inc. 1,215,522
691 1 Lululemon Athletica, Inc. 165,419
4,127   Nike, Inc., Class B 397,430
2,791 1 O'Reilly Automotive, Inc. 1,133,425
1,053   Pulte Group, Inc. 47,016
1,973 1,2 RH 411,864
Semi-Annual Shareholder Report
3

Shares or
Principal
Amount
    Value
    COMMON STOCKS—continued  
    Consumer Discretionary—continued  
293   Ross Stores, Inc. $32,872
4,068 1 Sally Beauty Holdings, Inc. 62,444
6,116   Starbucks Corp. 518,820
6,357   Target Corp. 703,974
5,107 1 Tempur Sealy International, Inc. 467,903
5,423   Tupperware Brands Corp. 33,948
9,457   Wyndham Destinations, Inc. 458,948
5,029   Yum! Brands, Inc. 531,917
1,135 1 Zumiez, Inc. 35,378
    TOTAL 9,602,958
    Consumer Staples—4.0%  
8,295   Church and Dwight, Inc. 615,655
14,629   Colgate-Palmolive Co. 1,079,328
4,726   Estee Lauder Cos., Inc., Class A 922,326
4,289   Fresh Del Monte Produce, Inc. 134,589
2,303   Hershey Foods Corp. 357,357
14,203   Kimberly-Clark Corp. 2,034,438
3,679   Lamb Weston Holdings, Inc. 335,929
5,104   PepsiCo, Inc. 724,870
1,342   Philip Morris International, Inc. 110,983
2,041   Procter & Gamble Co. 254,349
1,002   Sysco Corp. 82,304
    TOTAL 6,652,128
    Energy—1.9%  
9,355   Chevron Corp. 1,002,295
9,705   EOG Resources, Inc. 707,591
4,099   HollyFrontier Corp. 184,127
2,157   PBF Energy, Inc. 58,886
2,360   Phillips 66 215,633
10,832   Valero Energy Corp. 913,246
    TOTAL 3,081,778
    Financials—7.6%  
484 1 Alleghany Corp. 386,067
20,347   Allstate Corp. 2,411,933
2,028   American Express Co. 263,376
9,000   American International Group, Inc. 452,340
2,706   Ameriprise Financial, Inc. 447,599
Semi-Annual Shareholder Report
4

Shares or
Principal
Amount
    Value
    COMMON STOCKS—continued  
    Financials—continued  
3,264 1 Athene Holding Ltd. $142,180
787   BlackRock, Inc. 415,024
4,800   Blackstone Mortgage Trust, Inc. 183,360
2,970   Capital One Financial Corp. 296,406
405   Chubb Ltd. 61,556
14,347   Citigroup, Inc. 1,067,560
633   Citizens Financial Group, Inc. 23,598
673   Discover Financial Services 50,563
1,933   Everest Re Group Ltd. 534,610
17,862   Fifth Third Bancorp 508,174
2,766 1 Green Dot Corp. 83,201
17,749   Huntington Bancshares, Inc. 240,854
727   Intercontinental Exchange, Inc. 72,511
12,370   KeyCorp 231,443
551   LPL Investment Holdings, Inc. 50,764
400   MSCI, Inc., Class A 114,320
6,530   MetLife, Inc. 324,606
783   NASDAQ, Inc. 91,188
17,976   Navient Corp. 258,495
748   Northern Trust Corp. 73,162
261   PNC Financial Services Group 38,772
8,481   Popular, Inc. 474,597
4,412   Progressive Corp., OH 356,004
5,093   Prudential Financial, Inc. 463,769
2,248   Reinsurance Group of America 323,824
4,342   RenaissanceRe Holdings Ltd. 822,549
1,205   S&P Global, Inc. 353,945
1,700   State Street Corp. 128,571
2,948   The Hartford Financial Services Group, Inc. 174,757
926   The Travelers Cos., Inc. 121,880
12,722 2 Zions Bancorporation, N.A. 578,724
    TOTAL 12,622,282
    Health Care—7.8%  
575   AbbVie, Inc. 46,586
7,004 1 Alexion Pharmaceuticals, Inc. 696,127
3,278   AmerisourceBergen Corp. 280,466
1,155   Amgen, Inc. 249,538
Semi-Annual Shareholder Report
5

Shares or
Principal
Amount
    Value
    COMMON STOCKS—continued  
    Health Care—continued  
194 1 Biogen, Inc. $52,157
2,562   Bristol-Myers Squibb Co. 161,278
6,779   Cardinal Health, Inc. 347,153
439   Chemed Corp. 205,031
15,524 1 Community Health Systems, Inc. 66,598
1,443 1 Davita, Inc. 115,252
107 1 Edwards Lifesciences Corp. 23,525
5,790   Eli Lilly & Co. 808,516
977   Gilead Sciences, Inc. 61,746
615 1 Global Blood Therapeutics, Inc. 40,135
13,451   HCA Healthcare, Inc. 1,866,999
4,435 1 Incyte Genomics, Inc. 324,065
422 1 Insulet Corp. 81,885
497 1 Intercept Group, Inc. 45,928
617 1 Intuitive Surgical, Inc. 345,384
3,151 1 Jazz Pharmaceuticals PLC 451,696
1,243   Johnson & Johnson 185,045
3,884   McKesson Corp. 553,897
6,845   Medtronic PLC 790,187
3,710   Merck & Co., Inc. 316,982
2,796   Pfizer, Inc. 104,123
213 1 Reata Pharmaceuticals, Inc. 46,602
611 1 Regeneron Pharmaceuticals, Inc. 206,481
1,689 1 Seattle Genetics, Inc. 183,071
6,288   Stryker Corp. 1,324,882
5,773 1 Tenet Healthcare Corp. 182,658
184 1 Varian Medical Systems, Inc. 25,865
6,816 1 Vertex Pharmaceuticals, Inc. 1,547,573
418   Zimmer Biomet Holdings, Inc. 61,822
8,872   Zoetis, Inc. 1,190,711
    TOTAL 12,989,964
    Industrials—4.6%  
612   3M Co. 97,100
2,951   AGCO Corp. 206,983
11,019   Allison Transmission Holdings, Inc. 487,040
1,531 1 Cimpress PLC 183,154
2,110   Cintas Corp. 588,627
Semi-Annual Shareholder Report
6

Shares or
Principal
Amount
    Value
    COMMON STOCKS—continued  
    Industrials—continued  
3,735   Delta Air Lines, Inc. $208,189
1,162   Deluxe Corp. 56,008
1,468   General Dynamics Corp. 257,546
9,740   Heico Corp. 1,192,468
143   Honeywell International, Inc. 24,770
3,004 1 Jet Blue Airways Corp. 59,569
163   Kansas City Southern Industries, Inc. 27,496
703   Lennox International, Inc. 163,785
5,052   Lockheed Martin Corp. 2,162,862
345   Northrop Grumman Corp. 129,227
233   Parker-Hannifin Corp. 45,596
10,000   Pitney Bowes, Inc. 37,400
2,651   Rockwell Automation, Inc. 508,091
9,094 1 SPX Corp. 446,243
133 1 Teledyne Technologies, Inc. 48,553
2,738   TransUnion 251,075
5,372   United Parcel Service, Inc. 556,109
    TOTAL 7,737,891
    Information Technology—12.8%  
1,296 1 Adobe, Inc. 455,077
1,960 1 Akamai Technologies, Inc. 182,966
7,808 1 Ansys, Inc. 2,141,969
5,499   Apple, Inc. 1,701,996
2,059 1 Autodesk, Inc. 405,314
1,970   Automatic Data Processing, Inc. 337,638
1,565   Booz Allen Hamilton Holding Corp. 122,133
125   Broadcom, Inc. 38,145
1,355   CDW Corp. 176,760
18,537 1 Cadence Design Systems, Inc. 1,336,703
956 1 Ceridian HCM Holding, Inc. 70,065
5,653 1 Cirrus Logic, Inc. 434,207
3,047 1 Dell Technologies, Inc. 148,602
4,618 1 DocuSign, Inc. 362,559
251 1 EPAM Systems, Inc. 57,263
13,274 1 Fortinet, Inc. 1,531,289
8,704   HP, Inc. 185,569
2,784 1 Inphi Corp. 211,473
Semi-Annual Shareholder Report
7

Shares or
Principal
Amount
    Value
    COMMON STOCKS—continued  
    Information Technology—continued  
1,900 1,2 Insight Enterprises, Inc. $125,153
3,642   Intel Corp. 232,833
3,085   Intuit, Inc. 864,972
5,233   KLA Corp. 867,317
8,506 1 Keysight Technologies, Inc. 790,973
1,953   Lam Research Corp. 582,404
6,842   Mastercard, Inc. 2,161,662
8,084   Microsoft Corp. 1,376,139
1,522   NVIDIA Corp. 359,846
11,894   Paychex, Inc. 1,020,148
2,248 1 Paycom Software, Inc. 715,224
391 1 Paylocity Corp. 55,479
508   SS&C Technologies Holdings, Inc. 32,009
1,825 1 Salesforce.com, Inc. 332,716
7,000 1 Sanmina Corp. 222,880
1,048 1 Synopsys, Inc. 154,591
1,120   Teradyne, Inc. 73,909
2,143   Universal Display Corp. 377,532
20,792   Vishay Intertechnology, Inc. 421,870
1,666 1 WEX, Inc. 361,389
10,000   Western Union Co. 269,000
    TOTAL 21,297,774
    Materials—1.4%  
9,367   Domtar, Corp. 326,159
27,044   DuPont de Nemours, Inc. 1,384,112
453   FMC Corp. 43,302
579   Martin Marietta Materials 152,740
436   Scotts Miracle-Gro Co. 53,515
770   Sherwin-Williams Co. 428,882
    TOTAL 2,388,710
    Real Estate—2.1%  
1,650   Alexandria Real Estate Equities, Inc. 269,280
1,100   American Tower Corp. 254,914
4,200   Americold Realty Trust 144,774
1,500   Camden Property Trust 168,645
2,050   EastGroup Properties, Inc. 278,943
305   Equinix, Inc. 179,868
Semi-Annual Shareholder Report
8

Shares or
Principal
Amount
    Value
    COMMON STOCKS—continued  
    Real Estate—continued  
3,600   Equity Lifestyle Properties, Inc. $261,900
9,000   Invitation Homes, Inc. 283,230
2,900   ProLogis, Inc. 269,352
3,400   Realty Income Corp. 266,594
4,300   Rexford Industrial Realty, Inc. 207,217
6,700   STORE Capital Corp. 262,975
1,400   Sun Communities, Inc. 227,038
5,200   Terreno Realty Corp. 297,752
3,550   Weyerhaeuser Co. 102,773
    TOTAL 3,475,255
    Utilities—1.3%  
14,160   AES Corp. 281,218
10,546   Consolidated Edison Co. 991,324
16,701   Exelon Corp. 794,801
6,603   Vistra Energy Corp. 148,699
    TOTAL 2,216,042
    TOTAL COMMON STOCKS
(IDENTIFIED COST $84,154,964)
91,264,508
    ASSET-BACKED SECURITY—0.0%  
    Auto Receivables—0.0%  
$12,368   Santander Drive Auto Receivables Trust 2016-2, Class C, 2.660%, 11/15/2021
(IDENTIFIED COST $12,366)
12,374
    COLLATERALIZED MORTGAGE OBLIGATIONS—0.0%  
283 3 Bear Stearns Mortgage Securities, Inc. 1997-6, Class 1A, 6.315%, 3/25/2031 283
722   Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corp. REMIC, Series 1311, Class K, 7.000%, 7/15/2022 756
833   Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corp. REMIC, Series 1384, Class D, 7.000%, 9/15/2022 869
3,578   Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corp. REMIC, Series 2497, Class JH, 6.000%, 9/15/2032 4,010
2,621 4 Federal National Mortgage Association REMIC, Series 1993-113, Class SB, 9.749% (10-year Constant Maturity Treasury +48.285%), Maximum Rate 9.749%, 7/25/2023 2,799
815   Federal National Mortgage Association REMIC, Series 2003-35, Class UC, 3.750%, 5/25/2033 841
    TOTAL COLLATERALIZED MORTGAGE OBLIGATIONS
(IDENTIFIED COST $9,175)
9,558
Semi-Annual Shareholder Report
9

Shares or
Principal
Amount
    Value
    COMMERCIAL MORTGAGE-BACKED SECURITIES—1.7%  
    Commercial Mortgage—1.7%  
$190,000   Bank, Class A4, 3.488%, 11/15/2050 $208,593
200,000   Citigroup Commercial Mortgage Trust 2013-GC11, Class B, 3.732%, 4/10/2046 208,384
70,000   Commercial Mortgage Pass-Through Certificates 2012-CR1, Class AM, 3.912%, 5/15/2045 72,884
125,000   Commercial Mortgage Pass-Through Certificates 2012-CR1, Class B, 4.612%, 5/15/2045 130,335
200,000   Commercial Mortgage Trust 2013-CR8, Class B, 4.085%, 6/10/2046 210,579
200,000   Commercial Mortgage Trust 2014-LC17, Class B, 4.490%, 10/10/2047 217,240
300,000   Commercial Mortgage Trust 2015-DC1, Class AM, 3.724%, 2/10/2048 318,719
200,000   FREMF Mortgage Trust 2013-K25 REMIC, Class B, 3.743%, 11/25/2045 207,958
66,612   Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corp. REMIC, Series K055, Class A1, 2.263%, 4/25/2025 67,278
113,023   Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corp. REMIC, Series K504, Class A2, 2.566%, 9/25/2020 113,016
350,000   Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corp. REMIC, Series K737, Class A2, 2.530%, 10/25/2026 366,367
100,000   GS Mortgage Securities Corp. II 2012-GCJ7, Class AS, 4.085%, 5/10/2045 103,890
200,000   JPMDB Commercial Mortgage Securities Trust 2016-C4, Class A3, 3.141%, 12/15/2049 213,514
50,000   JPMDB Commercial Mortgage Securities Trust 2017-C5, Class A5, 3.693%, 3/15/2050 55,203
100,000   Morgan Stanley Capital I 2012-C4, Class AS, 3.773%, 3/15/2045 103,190
150,000   UBS-Barclays Commercial Mortgage Trust 2013-C6, Class B, 3.875%, 4/10/2046 157,402
25,000   WF-RBS Commercial Mortgage Trust 2012-C6, Class B, 4.697%, 4/15/2045 26,239
    TOTAL COMMERCIAL MORTGAGE-BACKED SECURITIES
(IDENTIFIED COST $2,710,842)
2,780,791
    CORPORATE BONDS—12.0%  
    Basic Industry - Chemicals—0.0%  
10,000   DuPont de Nemours, Inc., Sr. Unsecd. Note, 3.766%, 11/15/2020 10,151
10,000   DuPont de Nemours, Inc., Sr. Unsecd. Note, 5.319%, 11/15/2038 12,160
5,000   Sherwin-Williams Co., Sr. Unsecd. Note, 2.750%, 6/1/2022 5,119
    TOTAL 27,430
    Basic Industry - Metals & Mining—0.2%  
15,000   Anglogold Ashanti Holdings PLC, Sr. Note, 6.500%, 4/15/2040 16,985
15,000   ArcelorMittal SA, Sr. Unsecd. Note, 6.250%, 2/25/2022 16,122
Semi-Annual Shareholder Report
10

Shares or
Principal
Amount
    Value
    CORPORATE BONDS—continued  
    Basic Industry - Metals & Mining—continued  
$62,000   Carpenter Technology Corp., Sr. Unsecd. Note, 4.450%, 3/1/2023 $65,175
40,000   Carpenter Technology Corp., Sr. Unsecd. Note, 5.200%, 7/15/2021 41,085
20,000   Newcrest Finance Property Ltd., Sr. Unsecd. Note, 144A, 4.200%, 10/1/2022 21,005
100,000   Reliance Steel & Aluminum Co., Sr. Unsecd. Note, 4.500%, 4/15/2023 106,794
20,000   Southern Copper Corp., Sr. Unsecd. Note, 6.750%, 4/16/2040 27,504
    TOTAL 294,670
    Basic Industry - Paper—0.0%  
10,000   Weyerhaeuser Co., Sr. Unsecd. Note, 3.250%, 3/15/2023 10,321
20,000   Weyerhaeuser Co., Sr. Unsecd. Note, 4.700%, 3/15/2021 20,501
    TOTAL 30,822
    Capital Goods - Aerospace & Defense—0.2%  
100,000   Arconic, Inc., 5.870%, 2/23/2022 106,657
11,000   Embraer Overseas Ltd., Sr. Unsecd. Note, 144A, 5.696%, 9/16/2023 12,160
20,000   Raytheon Co., Sr. Note, 4.400%, 2/15/2020 20,015
10,000   Rockwell Collins, Inc., Sr. Unsecd. Note, 3.100%, 11/15/2021 10,211
15,000   Spirit AeroSystems, Inc., Sr. Unsecd. Note, 4.600%, 6/15/2028 15,367
40,000 4 Textron Financial Corp., Jr. Sub. Note, 144A, 3.644% (3-month USLIBOR +1.735%), 2/15/2042 32,668
50,000   Textron, Inc., Sr. Unsecd. Note, 4.000%, 3/15/2026 54,103
50,000   Textron, Inc., Sr. Unsecd. Note, 4.300%, 3/1/2024 54,029
    TOTAL 305,210
    Capital Goods - Building Materials—0.2%  
200,000   Allegion US Holdings Co., Inc., Sr. Unsecd. Note, 3.200%, 10/1/2024 209,627
80,000   Masco Corp., Sr. Unsecd. Note, 4.375%, 4/1/2026 88,646
    TOTAL 298,273
    Capital Goods - Construction Machinery—0.0%  
10,000   CNH Industrial Capital America LLC, Sr. Unsecd. Note, 4.375%, 4/5/2022 10,488
    Capital Goods - Diversified Manufacturing—0.2%  
15,000   Avery Dennison Corp., Sr. Unsecd. Note, 5.375%, 4/15/2020 15,094
30,000   General Electric Capital Corp., Sr. Unsecd. Note, Series GMTN, 3.100%, 1/9/2023 30,981
15,000   Thomas & Betts Corp., Sr. Unsecd. Note, 5.625%, 11/15/2021 16,027
200,000   Valmont Industries, Inc., 5.250%, 10/1/2054 212,172
    TOTAL 274,274
    Communications - Cable & Satellite—0.0%  
15,000   Comcast Corp., Sr. Unsecd. Note, 3.900%, 3/1/2038 17,166
Semi-Annual Shareholder Report
11

Shares or
Principal
Amount
    Value
    CORPORATE BONDS—continued  
    Communications - Cable & Satellite—continued  
$10,000   Comcast Corp., Sr. Unsecd. Note, 4.400%, 8/15/2035 $12,184
15,000   NBCUniversal Media LLC, Sr. Unsecd. Note, 4.375%, 4/1/2021 15,473
    TOTAL 44,823
    Communications - Media & Entertainment—0.0%  
30,000   Grupo Televisa S.A., Sr. Unsecd. Note, 6.125%, 1/31/2046 38,919
20,000   Omnicom Group, Inc., Sr. Unsecd. Note, 3.625%, 5/1/2022 20,807
    TOTAL 59,726
    Communications - Telecom Wireless—0.4%  
150,000   Crown Castle International Corp., Sr. Unsecd. Note, 3.700%, 6/15/2026 162,102
15,000   Crown Castle International Corp., Sr. Unsecd. Note, 4.875%, 4/15/2022 15,957
200,000   Vodafone Group PLC, Sr. Unsecd. Note, 4.250%, 9/17/2050 218,773
200,000   Vodafone Group PLC, Sr. Unsecd. Note, 4.875%, 6/19/2049 240,778
    TOTAL 637,610
    Communications - Telecom Wirelines—0.2%  
5,000   AT&T, Inc., Sr. Unsecd. Note, 4.500%, 5/15/2035 5,768
10,000   AT&T, Inc., Sr. Unsecd. Note, 5.250%, 3/1/2037 12,275
10,000   AT&T, Inc., Sr. Unsecd. Note, 5.700%, 3/1/2057 13,366
150,000   Telefonica Emisiones SAU, Sr. Unsecd. Note, 5.520%, 3/1/2049 194,305
90,000   Verizon Communications, Inc., Sr. Unsecd. Note, 4.150%, 3/15/2024 97,813
25,000   Verizon Communications, Inc., Sr. Unsecd. Note, 5.250%, 3/16/2037 32,573
    TOTAL 356,100
    Consumer Cyclical - Automotive—0.2%  
10,000   DaimlerChrysler North America Holding Corp., Company Guarantee, 8.500%, 1/18/2031 15,212
200,000   Ford Motor Credit Co. LLC, Sr. Unsecd. Note, 3.336%, 3/18/2021 202,312
160,000   General Motors Financial Co., Inc., Sr. Unsecd. Note, 3.200%, 7/6/2021 162,563
10,000   General Motors Financial Co., Inc., Sr. Unsecd. Note, 3.950%, 4/13/2024 10,556
    TOTAL 390,643
    Consumer Cyclical - Leisure—0.0%  
66,707   Football Trust V, Pass Thru Cert., 5.350%, 10/5/2020 68,168
    Consumer Cyclical - Lodging—0.0%  
20,000   American Campus Communities Operating Partnership LP, Sr. Unsecd. Note, 4.125%, 7/1/2024 21,704
30,000   Hyatt Hotels Corp., Sr. Unsecd. Note, 3.375%, 7/15/2023 31,211
    TOTAL 52,915
Semi-Annual Shareholder Report
12

Shares or
Principal
Amount
    Value
    CORPORATE BONDS—continued  
    Consumer Cyclical - Retailers—0.2%  
$50,000   Advance Auto Parts, Inc., 4.500%, 12/1/2023 $54,136
250,000   AutoZone, Inc., Sr. Unsecd. Note, 3.250%, 4/15/2025 265,628
15,000   CVS Health Corp., Sr. Unsecd. Note, 3.700%, 3/9/2023 15,741
15,000   CVS Health Corp., Sr. Unsecd. Note, 4.100%, 3/25/2025 16,329
10,000   O'Reilly Automotive, Inc., Company Guarantee, 4.875%, 1/14/2021 10,213
20,000   Under Armour, Inc., Sr. Unsecd. Note, 3.250%, 6/15/2026 19,614
10,000   WalMart, Inc., Sr. Unsecd. Note, 5.625%, 4/1/2040 14,432
    TOTAL 396,093
    Consumer Cyclical - Services—0.3%  
200,000   Alibaba Group Holding Ltd., Sr. Unsecd. Note, 2.800%, 6/6/2023 204,495
125,000   Amazon.com, Inc., Sr. Unsecd. Note, 3.800%, 12/5/2024 137,145
25,000   Cintas Corp. No. 2, Sr. Unsecd. Note, 4.300%, 6/1/2021 25,756
65,000   Expedia, Inc., Company Guarantee, 5.950%, 8/15/2020 66,390
15,000   Expedia, Inc., Sr. Unsecd. Note, 144A, 3.250%, 2/15/2030 14,818
10,000   University of Southern California, Sr. Unsecd. Note, 5.250%, 10/1/2111 15,548
70,000   Visa, Inc., Sr. Unsecd. Note, 3.150%, 12/14/2025 75,271
15,000   Visa, Inc., Sr. Unsecd. Note, 4.150%, 12/14/2035 18,397
    TOTAL 557,820
    Consumer Non-Cyclical - Food/Beverage—1.0%  
30,000   Anheuser-Busch Cos LLC/Anheuser-Busch InBev Worldwide, Inc., Sr. Unsecd. Note, 4.700%, 2/1/2036 36,157
300,000   Anheuser-Busch InBev Worldwide, Inc., Sr. Unsecd. Note, 5.550%, 1/23/2049 410,753
300,000   Danone SA, Sr. Unsecd. Note, 144A, 2.947%, 11/2/2026 314,240
140,000   Flowers Foods, Inc., Sr. Unsecd. Note, 3.500%, 10/1/2026 147,556
80,000   General Mills, Inc., Sr. Unsecd. Note, 4.700%, 4/17/2048 97,885
270,000   Heineken NV, Sr. Unsecd. Note, 144A, 3.500%, 1/29/2028 293,699
200,000   Kerry Group Financial Services, Sr. Unsecd. Note, 144A, 3.200%, 4/9/2023 206,827
4,000   Kraft Heinz Foods Co., Sr. Unsecd. Note, 2.800%, 7/2/2020 4,008
15,000   Kraft Heinz Foods Co., Sr. Unsecd. Note, 5.200%, 7/15/2045 17,053
50,000   Mead Johnson Nutrition Co., Sr. Unsecd. Note, 4.125%, 11/15/2025 55,819
    TOTAL 1,583,997
    Consumer Non-Cyclical - Health Care—0.1%  
135,000   Agilent Technologies, Inc., Sr. Unsecd. Note, 2.750%, 9/15/2029 138,626
15,000   Agilent Technologies, Inc., Sr. Unsecd. Note, 3.200%, 10/1/2022 15,442
Semi-Annual Shareholder Report
13

Shares or
Principal
Amount
    Value
    CORPORATE BONDS—continued  
    Consumer Non-Cyclical - Health Care—continued  
$10,000   Laboratory Corp. of America Holdings, Sr. Unsecd. Note, 3.750%, 8/23/2022 $10,425
    TOTAL 164,493
    Consumer Non-Cyclical - Pharmaceuticals—0.4%  
500,000   AbbVie, Inc., Sr. Unsecd. Note, 144A, 4.250%, 11/21/2049 542,766
15,000   Amgen, Inc., Sr. Unsecd. Note, 4.400%, 5/1/2045 17,388
10,000   Bristol-Myers Squibb Co., Sr. Unsecd. Note, 144A, 4.125%, 6/15/2039 12,049
15,000   Johnson & Johnson, Sr. Unsecd. Note, 3.550%, 3/1/2036 16,947
    TOTAL 589,150
    Consumer Non-Cyclical - Supermarkets—0.0%  
10,000   Kroger Co., Sr. Unsecd. Note, 4.450%, 2/1/2047 10,935
    Energy - Independent—0.3%  
250,000   Canadian Natural Resources Ltd., 3.900%, 2/1/2025 268,433
125,000   Cimarex Energy Co., Sr. Unsecd. Note, 3.900%, 5/15/2027 129,797
20,000   EQT Corp., Sr. Unsecd. Note, 3.900%, 10/1/2027 15,864
150,000   Occidental Petroleum Corp., Sr. Unsecd. Note, 2.900%, 8/15/2024 153,387
    TOTAL 567,481
    Energy - Integrated—0.5%  
135,000   BP Capital Markets America, Inc., Sr. Unsecd. Note, 3.119%, 5/4/2026 143,069
20,000   BP Capital Markets America, Inc., Sr. Unsecd. Note, 3.224%, 4/14/2024 21,065
300,000   BP Capital Markets America, Inc., Sr. Unsecd. Note, 3.937%, 9/21/2028 337,177
5,000   ConocoPhillips, Company Guarantee, 6.500%, 2/1/2039 7,419
75,000   Husky Energy, Inc., 4.000%, 4/15/2024 80,120
240,000   Husky Energy, Inc., Sr. Unsecd. Note, 4.400%, 4/15/2029 263,132
    TOTAL 851,982
    Energy - Midstream—0.7%  
20,000   Energy Transfer Operating, Sr. Unsecd. Note, 5.500%, 6/1/2027 23,017
115,000   Energy Transfer Partners LP, Sr. Unsecd. Note, 4.050%, 3/15/2025 122,057
75,000   Energy Transfer Partners LP, Sr. Unsecd. Note, 4.900%, 2/1/2024 81,273
10,000   Energy Transfer Partners LP, Sr. Unsecd. Note, 6.125%, 12/15/2045 11,597
170,000   Enterprise Products Operating LLC, Sr. Unsecd. Note, 3.950%, 2/15/2027 186,748
270,000   Enterprise Products Operating LLC, Sr. Unsecd. Note, 4.200%, 1/31/2050 291,167
10,000   Florida Gas Transmission Co. LLC, Sr. Unsecd. Note, 144A, 5.450%, 7/15/2020 10,149
Semi-Annual Shareholder Report
14

Shares or
Principal
Amount
    Value
    CORPORATE BONDS—continued  
    Energy - Midstream—continued  
$20,000   Kinder Morgan Energy Partners LP, Sr. Unsecd. Note, Series MTN, 6.950%, 1/15/2038 $26,893
40,000   MPLX LP, Sr. Unsecd. Note, 4.125%, 3/1/2027 42,436
5,000   MPLX LP, Sr. Unsecd. Note, 4.500%, 4/15/2038 5,181
225,000   MPLX LP, Sr. Unsecd. Note, 5.500%, 2/15/2049 258,121
20,000   Texas Eastern Transmission LP, Sr. Unsecd. Note, 144A, 2.800%, 10/15/2022 20,321
10,000   Western Gas Partners LP, Sr. Unsecd. Note, 4.750%, 8/15/2028 10,293
30,000   Williams Partners LP, Sr. Unsecd. Note, 4.125%, 11/15/2020 30,312
    TOTAL 1,119,565
    Energy - Oil Field Services—0.0%  
15,000   Nabors Industries, Inc., Company Guarantee, 5.000%, 9/15/2020 15,156
3,000   Nabors Industries, Inc., Sr. Unsecd. Note, 4.625%, 9/15/2021 3,007
    TOTAL 18,163
    Energy - Refining—0.1%  
15,000   HollyFrontier Corp., Sr. Unsecd. Note, 5.875%, 4/1/2026 17,082
15,000   Marathon Petroleum Corp., Sr. Unsecd. Note, 4.500%, 4/1/2048 16,409
10,000   Marathon Petroleum Corp., Sr. Unsecd. Note, 6.500%, 3/1/2041 13,420
25,000   Tesoro Corp., Sr. Unsecd. Note, 5.375%, 10/1/2022 25,253
15,000   Valero Energy Corp., Sr. Unsecd. Note, 4.350%, 6/1/2028 16,687
    TOTAL 88,851
    Financial Institution - Banking—2.5%  
74,000   American Express Co., 2.650%, 12/2/2022 75,890
250,000   American Express Credit Corp., Sr. Unsecd. Note, Series MTN, 2.250%, 5/5/2021 252,008
300,000   Bank of America Corp., Sr. Unsecd. Note, Series GMTN, 3.500%, 4/19/2026 322,938
250,000 4 Bank of America Corp., Sr. Unsecd. Note, Series MTN, 2.559% (3-month USLIBOR +0.650%), 10/1/2021 250,963
10,000   Bank of America Corp., Sr. Unsecd. Note, Series MTN, 3.499%, 5/17/2022 10,221
100,000   Bank of America Corp., Sr. Unsecd. Note, Series MTN, 5.000%, 5/13/2021 104,119
200,000   Bank of America Corp., Sub. Note, Series L, 3.950%, 4/21/2025 216,864
15,000   Bank of America Corp., Sub. Note, Series MTN, 4.200%, 8/26/2024 16,323
15,000   Bank of America Corp., Sub., Series MTN, 4.450%, 3/3/2026 16,777
20,000   Bank of New York Mellon, N.A., 3.400%, 5/15/2024 21,358
200,000   Citigroup, Inc., Sr. Unsecd. Note, 2.700%, 3/30/2021 202,405
40,000   Citigroup, Inc., Sr. Unsecd. Note, 2.876%, 7/24/2023 40,859
Semi-Annual Shareholder Report
15

Shares or
Principal
Amount
    Value
    CORPORATE BONDS—continued  
    Financial Institution - Banking—continued  
$15,000   Citigroup, Inc., Sr. Unsecd. Note, 3.142%, 1/24/2023 $15,347
250,000   Citigroup, Inc., Sr. Unsecd. Note, 3.300%, 4/27/2025 265,887
170,000   Citigroup, Inc., Sr. Unsecd. Note, 3.400%, 5/1/2026 182,492
15,000   Citigroup, Inc., Sub. Note, 4.450%, 9/29/2027 16,876
25,000   City National Corp., Sr. Unsecd. Note, 5.250%, 9/15/2020 25,552
30,000   Comerica, Inc., 3.800%, 7/22/2026 32,340
75,000   Fifth Third Bancorp, Sr. Unsecd. Note, 3.650%, 1/25/2024 79,864
40,000   Goldman Sachs Group, Inc., Sr. Unsecd. Note, 3.200%, 2/23/2023 41,509
275,000   Goldman Sachs Group, Inc., Sr. Unsecd. Note, 3.625%, 1/22/2023 289,156
150,000   Goldman Sachs Group, Inc., Sr. Unsecd. Note, 6.250%, 2/1/2041 220,275
80,000   HSBC Holdings PLC, Sr. Unsecd. Note, 5.100%, 4/5/2021 83,037
10,000 5 JPMorgan Chase & Co., Jr. Sub. Deb., Series X, 6.100%, 10/1/2024 11,041
25,000 5 JPMorgan Chase & Co., Jr. Sub. Note, Series FF, 5.000%, 8/1/2024 26,167
20,000   JPMorgan Chase & Co., Sr. Unsecd. Note, 3.559%, 4/23/2024 21,025
15,000   JPMorgan Chase & Co., Sr. Unsecd. Note, 3.882%, 7/24/2038 17,160
400,000   JPMorgan Chase & Co., Sub. Note, 3.375%, 5/1/2023 418,739
300,000   Morgan Stanley, 4.300%, 1/27/2045 367,587
120,000   Morgan Stanley, Sr. Unsecd. Note, Series GMTN, 2.500%, 4/21/2021 121,155
15,000   Morgan Stanley, Sr. Unsecd. Note, Series GMTN, 3.125%, 1/23/2023 15,569
15,000   Morgan Stanley, Sr. Unsecd. Note, Series GMTN, 4.000%, 7/23/2025 16,493
15,000   Morgan Stanley, Sub. Note, Series MTN, 4.100%, 5/22/2023 15,990
65,000   Royal Bank of Canada, Sec. Fac. Bond, 2.100%, 10/14/2020 65,153
10,000   Royal Bank of Scotland Group PLC, Sub., 6.000%, 12/19/2023 11,250
10,000   State Street Corp., Sub. Deb., 3.031%, 11/1/2034 10,372
45,000   Sumitomo Mitsui Financial Group, Inc., Sr. Unsecd. Note, 3.102%, 1/17/2023 46,685
130,000   Truist Financial Corp., Sr. Unsecd. Note, 2.900%, 3/3/2021 131,617
10,000   Wells Fargo & Co., Series MTN, 4.100%, 6/3/2026 11,022
15,000   Wells Fargo & Co., Sr. Unsecd. Note, 3.069%, 1/24/2023 15,356
10,000   Westpac Banking Corp., Sub., Series GMTN, 4.322%, 11/23/2031 10,897
    TOTAL 4,116,338
    Financial Institution - Broker/Asset Mgr/Exchange—0.1%  
80,000   Invesco Finance PLC, Sr. Unsecd. Note, 3.750%, 1/15/2026 87,665
70,000   Nuveen LLC, Sr. Unsecd. Note, 144A, 4.000%, 11/1/2028 80,157
13,000   Raymond James Financial, Inc., Sr. Unsecd. Note, 5.625%, 4/1/2024 14,871
15,000   XLIT Ltd., Sub., 4.450%, 3/31/2025 16,631
    TOTAL 199,324
Semi-Annual Shareholder Report
16

Shares or
Principal
Amount
    Value
    CORPORATE BONDS—continued  
    Financial Institution - Finance Companies—0.4%  
$170,000   AerCap Ireland Capital Ltd. / AerCap Global Aviation Trust, Sr. Unsecd. Note, 3.950%, 2/1/2022 $176,008
150,000   AerCap Ireland Capital Ltd. / AerCap Global Aviation Trust, Sr. Unsecd. Note, 4.875%, 1/16/2024 164,476
250,000   GE Capital International Funding, Inc., Sr. Unsecd. Note, 4.418%, 11/15/2035 281,960
25,000   Santander UK Group Holdings PLC, Sr. Unsecd. Note, 3.125%, 1/8/2021 25,298
    TOTAL 647,742
    Financial Institution - Insurance - Life—0.7%  
200,000   Aflac, Inc., Sr. Unsecd. Note, 3.625%, 6/15/2023 213,654
25,000   American International Group, Inc., 4.500%, 7/16/2044 29,840
35,000   American International Group, Inc., Sr. Unsecd. Note, 4.125%, 2/15/2024 37,967
125,000   American International Group, Inc., Sr. Unsecd. Note, 4.200%, 4/1/2028 140,913
10,000   Lincoln National Corp., Sr. Unsecd. Note, 4.200%, 3/15/2022 10,479
275,000   Mass Mutual Global Funding II, 144A, 2.000%, 4/15/2021 276,402
10,000   MetLife, Inc., Jr. Sub. Note, 10.750%, 8/1/2039 16,764
15,000   MetLife, Inc., Jr. Sub. Note, 6.400%, 12/15/2036 18,884
250,000   MetLife, Inc., Sr. Unsecd. Note, 3.600%, 4/10/2024 269,274
15,000   Penn Mutual Life Insurance Co., Sr. Note, 144A, 7.625%, 6/15/2040 22,713
10,000   Principal Financial Group, Inc., Sr. Unsecd. Note, 3.125%, 5/15/2023 10,399
10,000   Principal Financial Group, Inc., Sr. Unsecd. Note, 3.300%, 9/15/2022 10,380
50,000   Prudential Financial, Inc., Sr. Unsecd. Note, Series MTN, 6.200%, 11/15/2040 69,894
    TOTAL 1,127,563
    Financial Institution - Insurance - P&C—0.1%  
10,000   Berkshire Hathaway Finance Corp., Sr. Unsecd. Note, 4.200%, 8/15/2048 12,147
65,000   Nationwide Mutual Insurance Co., Sub. Note, 144A, 9.375%, 8/15/2039 116,275
    TOTAL 128,422
    Financial Institution - REIT - Apartment—0.1%  
20,000   Post Apartment Homes LP, Sr. Unsecd. Note, 3.375%, 12/1/2022 20,725
70,000   UDR, Inc., Sr. Unsecd. Note, Series MTN, 2.950%, 9/1/2026 72,917
    TOTAL 93,642
    Financial Institution - REIT - Healthcare—0.3%  
50,000   Healthcare Trust of America, 3.700%, 4/15/2023 52,145
Semi-Annual Shareholder Report
17

Shares or
Principal
Amount
    Value
    CORPORATE BONDS—continued  
    Financial Institution - REIT - Healthcare—continued  
$220,000   Healthcare Trust of America, Sr. Unsecd. Note, 3.100%, 2/15/2030 $227,091
185,000   Welltower, Inc., Sr. Unsecd. Note, 2.700%, 2/15/2027 189,647
    TOTAL 468,883
    Financial Institution - REIT - Office—0.1%  
50,000   Alexandria Real Estate Equities, Inc., Sr. Unsecd. Note, 3.900%, 6/15/2023 53,110
70,000   Alexandria Real Estate Equities, Inc., Sr. Unsecd. Note, 3.950%, 1/15/2028 77,522
    TOTAL 130,632
    Financial Institution - REIT - Other—0.1%  
105,000   WP Carey, Inc., Sr. Unsecd. Note, 3.850%, 7/15/2029 113,654
75,000   WP Carey, Inc., Sr. Unsecd. Note, 4.600%, 4/1/2024 81,397
    TOTAL 195,051
    Financial Institution - REIT - Retail—0.0%  
50,000   Kimco Realty Corp., Sr. Unsecd. Note, 3.400%, 11/1/2022 52,020
    Sovereign—0.0%  
30,000   Corp Andina De Fomento, Sr. Unsecd. Note, 4.375%, 6/15/2022 31,674
    Technology—0.6%  
10,000   Apple, Inc., 3.850%, 5/4/2043 11,621
30,000   Apple, Inc., Sr. Unsecd. Note, 2.400%, 5/3/2023 30,766
200,000   Apple, Inc., Sr. Unsecd. Note, 2.950%, 9/11/2049 204,606
20,000   Corning, Inc., Unsecd. Note, 4.750%, 3/15/2042 23,323
240,000   Diamond 1 Finance Corp./Diamond 2 Finance Corp., Sr. Secd. Note, 144A, 6.020%, 6/15/2026 280,536
125,000   Equifax, Inc., Sr. Unsecd. Note, 2.300%, 6/1/2021 125,809
53,000   Fidelity National Information Services, Inc., Sr. Unsecd. Note, 3.500%, 4/15/2023 55,690
110,000   Fiserv, Inc., Sr. Unsecd. Note, 3.500%, 7/1/2029 118,856
70,000   Hewlett Packard Enterprise Co., Sr. Unsecd. Note, 3.600%, 10/15/2020 70,775
20,000   Ingram Micro, Inc., Sr. Unsecd. Note, 5.000%, 8/10/2022 20,672
30,000   KLA Corp., Sr. Unsecd. Note, 4.125%, 11/1/2021 31,085
15,000   Microsoft Corp., Sr. Unsecd. Note, 3.450%, 8/8/2036 17,022
10,000   Verisk Analytics, Inc., Sr. Unsecd. Note, 4.125%, 9/12/2022 10,557
50,000   Verisk Analytics, Inc., Sr. Unsecd. Note, 5.500%, 6/15/2045 65,600
    TOTAL 1,066,918
    Technology Services—0.0%  
5,000   Global Payments, Inc., Sr. Unsecd. Note, 3.200%, 8/15/2029 5,252
Semi-Annual Shareholder Report
18

Shares or
Principal
Amount
    Value
    CORPORATE BONDS—continued  
    Transportation - Airlines—0.0%  
$30,000   Delta Air Lines, Inc., Sr. Unsecd. Note, 2.900%, 10/28/2024 $30,356
    Transportation - Railroads—0.2%  
50,000   Burlington Northern Santa Fe Corp., Deb., 5.750%, 5/1/2040 70,991
30,000   Kansas City Southern Industries, Inc., Sr. Unsecd. Note, 3.000%, 5/15/2023 30,978
225,000   Kansas City Southern Industries, Inc., Sr. Unsecd. Note, 3.125%, 6/1/2026 236,210
    TOTAL 338,179
    Transportation - Services—0.2%  
15,000   Enterprise Rent-A-Car USA Finance Co., Sr. Unsecd. Note, 144A, 5.625%, 3/15/2042 19,654
20,000   FedEx Corp., Sr. Unsecd. Note, 3.900%, 2/1/2035 21,163
25,000   Penske Truck Leasing Co. LP & PTL Finance Corp., Sr. Unsecd. Note, 144A, 3.650%, 7/29/2021 25,634
70,000   Ryder System, Inc., Sr. Unsecd. Note, Series MTN, 2.800%, 3/1/2022 71,228
200,000   Ryder System, Inc., Sr. Unsecd. Note, Series MTN, 3.750%, 6/9/2023 211,007
30,000   United Parcel Service, Inc., Sr. Unsecd. Note, 3.125%, 1/15/2021 30,437
    TOTAL 379,123
    Utility - Electric—1.3%  
70,000   Electricite de France SA, Note, 144A, 5.600%, 1/27/2040 93,313
300,000   Electricite de France SA, Sr. Unsecd. Note, 144A, 4.500%, 9/21/2028 342,952
140,000   Emera US Finance LP, Sr. Unsecd. Note, 4.750%, 6/15/2046 169,667
280,000   Enel Finance International NV, Sr. Unsecd. Note, 144A, 4.625%, 9/14/2025 311,584
170,000   EverSource Energy, Sr. Unsecd. Note, 3.350%, 3/15/2026 178,774
200,000   Exelon Corp., Sr. Unsecd. Note, 3.400%, 4/15/2026 214,168
100,000   Exelon Generation Co. LLC, Sr. Unsecd. Note, 4.250%, 6/15/2022 104,943
10,000   Great Plains Energy, Inc., Note, 4.850%, 6/1/2021 10,329
110,000   National Rural Utilities Cooperative Finance Corp., Sr. Sub. Note, 5.250%, 4/20/2046 121,788
25,000   National Rural Utilities Cooperative Finance Corp., Sr. Unsecd. Note, Series MTNC, 8.000%, 3/1/2032 38,740
250,000   PPL Capital Funding, Inc., Sr. Unsecd. Note, 3.100%, 5/15/2026 261,824
175,000   Southern Co., Sr. Unsecd. Note, 3.250%, 7/1/2026 186,465
10,000   TECO Finance, Inc., Company Guarantee, 5.150%, 3/15/2020 10,038
40,000   UIL Holdings Corp., Sr. Unsecd. Note, 4.625%, 10/1/2020 40,681
    TOTAL 2,085,266
    Utility - Natural Gas—0.1%  
50,000   Enbridge Energy Partners LP, Sr. Unsecd. Note, 4.200%, 9/15/2021 51,652
Semi-Annual Shareholder Report
19

Shares or
Principal
Amount
    Value
    CORPORATE BONDS—continued  
    Utility - Natural Gas—continued  
$65,000   National Fuel Gas Co., Sr. Unsecd. Note, 3.750%, 3/1/2023 $67,675
15,000   Sempra Energy, Sr. Unsecd. Note, 2.900%, 2/1/2023 15,455
5,000   TransCanada PipeLines Ltd., Sr. Unsecd. Note, 6.200%, 10/15/2037 6,661
    TOTAL 141,443
    TOTAL CORPORATE BONDS
(IDENTIFIED COST $18,352,066)
20,037,510
    MORTGAGE-BACKED SECURITIES—0.6%  
59,181   Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corp., Pool G07801, 4.000%, 10/1/2044 63,649
10,566   Federal National Mortgage Association, Pool 357761, 5.500%, 5/1/2035 11,967
1,523   Federal National Mortgage Association, Pool 728709, 5.500%, 7/1/2033 1,710
46,028   Federal National Mortgage Association, Pool 932864, 4.000%, 12/1/2040 49,547
69,389   Federal National Mortgage Association, Pool AB7859, 3.500%, 2/1/2043 73,888
53,440   Federal National Mortgage Association, Pool AD6938, 4.500%, 6/1/2040 58,455
33,862   Federal National Mortgage Association, Pool AQ0945, 3.000%, 11/1/2042 35,132
40,312   Federal National Mortgage Association, Pool AT2127, 3.000%, 4/1/2043 41,849
29,423   Federal National Mortgage Association, Pool AT7861, 3.000%, 6/1/2028 30,535
77,636   Federal National Mortgage Association, Pool BM4388, 4.000%, 8/1/2048 82,554
31,132   Federal National Mortgage Association, Pool BM5024, 3.000%, 11/1/2048 32,017
58,937   Federal National Mortgage Association, Pool BM5246, 3.500%, 11/1/2048 61,304
42,807   Federal National Mortgage Association, Pool CA0833, 3.500%, 12/1/2047 44,673
39,326   Federal National Mortgage Association, Pool CA4427, 3.000%, 10/1/2049 40,383
34,239   Federal National Mortgage Association, Pool FM0008, 3.500%, 8/1/2049 35,839
64,164   Federal National Mortgage Association, Pool FM1000, 3.000%, 4/1/2047 66,230
34,043   Federal National Mortgage Association, Pool FM1221, 3.500%, 7/1/2049 35,793
39,587   Federal National Mortgage Association, Pool MA0500, 5.000%, 8/1/2040 43,745
Semi-Annual Shareholder Report
20

Shares or
Principal
Amount
    Value
    MORTGAGE-BACKED SECURITIES—continued  
$46,135   Federal National Mortgage Association, Pool MA0666, 4.500%, 3/1/2041 $50,306
49,332   Federal National Mortgage Association, Pool MA1430, 3.000%, 5/1/2043 51,213
57,636   Federal National Mortgage Association, Pool MA2803, 2.500%, 11/1/2031 58,847
30,354   Government National Mortgage Association, Pool MA0625, 3.500%, 12/20/2042 31,908
22,942   Government National Mortgage Association, Pool MA1376, 4.000%, 10/20/2043 24,372
    TOTAL MORTGAGE-BACKED SECURITIES
(IDENTIFIED COST $993,092)
1,025,916
    U.S. TREASURIES—7.0%  
108,525 6 U.S. Treasury Inflation-Protected Notes, 0.125%, 4/15/2021 108,293
170,463   U.S. Treasury Inflation-Protected Notes, 0.125%, 1/15/2022 170,851
226,249   U.S. Treasury Inflation-Protected Notes, 0.250%, 7/15/2029 235,306
68,346   U.S. Treasury Inflation-Protected Notes, 0.375%, 7/15/2027 71,272
407,936   U.S. Treasury Inflation-Protected Notes, 0.500%, 4/15/2024 419,166
414,204   U.S. Treasury Inflation-Protected Notes, 0.625%, 4/15/2023 423,485
290,269   U.S. Treasury Inflation-Protected Notes, 0.750%, 2/15/2042 320,851
78,229   U.S. Treasury Inflation-Protected Notes, 1.000%, 2/15/2048 93,252
521,301   U.S. Treasury Inflation-Protected Notes, 1.000%, 2/15/2049 626,323
137,955   U.S. Treasury Inflation-Protected Notes, 1.375%, 2/15/2044 173,084
100,000   United States Treasury Note, 1.375%, 1/31/2022 100,094
1,400,000   United States Treasury Note, 1.500%, 11/30/2021 1,403,668
550,000   United States Treasury Note, 1.500%, 11/30/2024 554,649
175,000   United States Treasury Note, 1.500%, 1/31/2027 175,838
1,295,000   United States Treasury Note, 1.625%, 12/31/2021 1,301,918
55,000   United States Treasury Note, 1.625%, 5/15/2026 55,743
400,000   United States Treasury Note, 1.750%, 12/31/2024 408,085
100,000   United States Treasury Note, 1.750%, 12/31/2026 102,125
2,925,000   United States Treasury Note, 1.750%, 11/15/2029 2,988,487
55,000   United States Treasury Note, 1.875%, 1/31/2022 55,569
25,000   United States Treasury Note, 2.125%, 9/30/2021 25,301
120,000   United States Treasury Note, 2.250%, 3/31/2021 121,053
50,000   United States Treasury Note, 2.250%, 4/30/2024 51,912
65,000   United States Treasury Note, 2.250%, 11/15/2025 68,131
100,000   United States Treasury Bond, 2.250%, 8/15/2049 105,567
30,000   United States Treasury Note, 2.375%, 8/15/2024 31,383
125,000   United States Treasury Note, 2.375%, 4/30/2026 132,286
Semi-Annual Shareholder Report
21

Shares or
Principal
Amount
    Value
    U.S. TREASURIES—continued  
$25,000   United States Treasury Note, 2.375%, 5/15/2027 $26,629
350,000   United States Treasury Bond, 2.375%, 11/15/2049 379,558
25,000   United States Treasury Note, 2.500%, 1/31/2021 25,242
375,000   United States Treasury Note, 2.500%, 2/28/2021 378,945
65,000   United States Treasury Note, 2.500%, 8/15/2023 67,675
90,000   United States Treasury Note, 2.500%, 5/15/2024 94,397
200,000   United States Treasury Note, 2.625%, 2/15/2029 219,098
20,000   United States Treasury Note, 2.875%, 5/15/2028 22,194
50,000   United States Treasury Bond, 4.500%, 2/15/2036 69,644
    TOTAL U.S. TREASURIES
(IDENTIFIED COST $11,237,426)
11,607,074
    MUNICIPAL BOND—0.0%  
30,000   Texas State Transportation Commission—State Highway Fund, 5.178%, 4/1/2030
(IDENTIFIED COST $34,028)
37,182
    EXCHANGE-TRADED FUNDS—8.2%  
24,775   iShares Core MSCI Emerging Markets ETF 1,253,367
185,000   iShares MSCI EAFE ETF 12,483,800
    TOTAL EXCHANGE-TRADED FUNDS
(IDENTIFIED COST $13,926,098)
13,737,167
    INVESTMENT COMPANIES—16.0%  
253,091   Emerging Markets Core Fund 2,581,528
180,120   Federated Bank Loan Core Fund 1,772,384
728,398   Federated Government Obligations Fund, Premier Shares, 1.49%7 728,398
2,750,971   Federated Institutional Prime Value Obligations Fund, Institutional Shares, 1.71%7 2,751,796
1,235,521   Federated Mortgage Core Portfolio 12,281,081
371,159   Federated Project and Trade Finance Core Fund 3,310,736
515,198   High Yield Bond Portfolio 3,250,897
    TOTAL INVESTMENT COMPANIES
(IDENTIFIED COST $27,243,102)
26,676,820
    TOTAL INVESTMENT IN SECURITIES—100.3%
(IDENTIFIED COST $158,673,159)8
167,188,900
    OTHER ASSETS AND LIABILITIES - NET—(0.3)%9 (502,631)
    TOTAL NET ASSETS—100% $166,686,269
Semi-Annual Shareholder Report
22

At January 31, 2020, the Fund had the following outstanding futures contracts:
Description Number of
Contracts
Notional
Value
Expiration
Date
Value and
Unrealized
Appreciation
(Depreciation)
1United States Treasury Note 2-Year Long Futures 41 $8,870,734 March 2020 $28,248
1United States Treasury Note 5-Year Long Futures 9 $1,082,883 March 2020 $14,862
1United States Treasury Note 10-Year Long Futures 3 $394,969 March 2020 $5,493
1United States Treasury Note 10-Year Ultra Long Futures 1 $145,656 March 2020 $3,701
1United States Treasury Ultra Bond Short Futures 1 $193,687 March 2020 $(8,628)
NET UNREALIZED APPRECIATION ON FUTURES CONTRACTS $43,676
Net Unrealized Appreciation (Depreciation) on Futures Contracts is included in “Other Assets and Liabilities—Net.”
Semi-Annual Shareholder Report
23

[PAGE INTENTIONALLY LEFT BLANK]
Semi-Annual Shareholder Report
24

Affiliates Balance
of
Shares
Held
7/31/2019
Purchases/
Additions
Sales/
Reductions
Emerging Markets Core Fund 278,303 135,582 (160,794)
Federated Bank Loan Core Fund 135,857 59,248 (14,985)
Federated Government Obligations Fund, Premier Shares* 145,972 77,540,874 (76,958,448)
Federated Institutional Prime Value Obligations Fund, Institutional Shares 5,815,511 35,207,624 (38,272,164)
Federated Mortgage Core Portfolio 1,314,242 821,318 (900,039)
Federated Project and Trade Finance Core Fund 362,119 9,040
High Yield Bond Portfolio 691,626 299,238 (475,666)
TOTAL OF AFFILIATED TRANSACTIONS 8,743,630 114,072,924 (116,782,096)
Semi-Annual Shareholder Report
25

Balance
of
Shares
Held
1/31/2020
Value Change in
Unrealized
Appreciation/
Depreciation
Net
Realized
Gain/(Loss)
Dividend
Income
253,091 $2,581,528 $17,657 $28,299 $66,686
180,120 $1,772,384 $(370) $1,498 $41,889
728,398 $728,398 NA NA 13,285
2,750,971 $2,751,796 $134 $(348) 26,788
1,235,521 $12,281,081 $(77,019) $167,449 $216,469
371,159 $3,310,736 $(36,693) $$80,969
515,198 $3,250,897 $(169) $7,060 $124,891
6,034,458 $26,676,820 $(96,460) $203,958 $570,977
* All or a portion of the balance/activity for the fund relates to cash collateral received on securities lending transactions.
1 Non-income-producing security.
2 All or a portion of these securities are temporarily on loan to unaffiliated broker/dealers.
3 JPMorgan Chase & Co. has fully and unconditionally guaranteed Bear Stearns' outstanding registered debt securities.
4 Floating/variable note with current rate and current maturity or next reset date shown.
5 Perpetual Bond Security. The maturity date reflects the next call date.
6 All or a portion of this security is pledged as collateral to ensure the Fund is able to satisfy the obligations of its outstanding futures contracts.
7 7-day net yield.
8 Also represents cost for federal tax purposes.
9 Assets, other than investments in securities, less liabilities. See Statement of Assets and Liabilities.
Note: The categories of investments are shown as a percentage of total net assets at January 31, 2020.
Various inputs are used in determining the value of the Fund's investments. These inputs are summarized in the three broad levels listed below:
Level 1—quoted prices in active markets for identical securities.
Level 2—other significant observable inputs (including quoted prices for similar securities, interest rates, prepayment speeds, credit risk, etc.). Also includes securities valued at amortized cost.
Level 3—significant unobservable inputs (including the Fund's own assumptions in determining the fair value of investments).
The inputs or methodology used for valuing securities are not an indication of the risk associated with investing in those securities.
Semi-Annual Shareholder Report
26

The following is a summary of the inputs used, as of January 31, 2020, in valuing the Fund's assets carried at fair value:
Valuation Inputs        
  Level 1—
Quoted
Prices
Level 2—
Other
Significant
Observable
Inputs
Level 3—
Significant
Unobservable
Inputs
Total
Equity Securities:        
Common Stocks        
 Domestic $89,784,208 $$— $89,784,208
 International 1,480,300 1,480,300
Debt Securities:        
Asset-Backed Security 12,374 12,374
Collateralized Mortgage Obligations 9,558 9,558
Commercial Mortgage-Backed Securities 2,780,791 2,780,791
Corporate Bonds 20,037,510 20,037,510
Mortgage-Backed Securities 1,025,916 1,025,916
U.S. Treasuries 11,607,074 11,607,074
Municipal Bonds 37,182 37,182
Exchange-Traded Funds 13,737,167 13,737,167
Investment Companies1 23,366,084 26,676,820
TOTAL SECURITIES $128,367,759 $35,510,405 $— $167,188,900
Other Financial Instruments2        
Assets $52,304 $$— $52,304
Liabilities (8,628) (8,628)
TOTAL OTHER FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS $43,676 $$— $43,676
1 As permitted by U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP), the Investment Company valued at $3,310,736 is measured at fair value using the net asset value (NAV) per share practical expedient and has not been categorized in the chart above, but is included in the Total column. The amount included herein is intended to permit reconciliation of the fair value classifications to the amounts presented on the Statement of Assets and Liabilities. The price of shares redeemed of Federated Project and Trade Finance Core Fund may be determined as of the closing NAV of the fund up to twenty-four days after receipt of a shareholder redemption request.
2 Other financial instruments are futures contracts.
The following acronyms are used throughout this portfolio:
ETF —Exchange-Traded Fund
FREMF —Freddie Mac Multifamily K-Deals
GMTN —Global Medium Term Note
LIBOR —London Interbank Offered Rate
MTN —Medium Term Note
REIT —Real Estate Investment Trust
REMIC —Real Estate Mortgage Investment Conduit
See Notes which are an integral part of the Financial Statements
Semi-Annual Shareholder Report
27

Financial HighlightsClass A Shares
(For a Share Outstanding Throughout Each Period)
  Six Months
Ended
(unaudited)
1/31/2020
Year Ended July 31,
2019 2018 2017 2016 2015
Net Asset Value, Beginning of Period $18.71 $19.59 $17.74 $16.52 $16.83 $16.07
Income From Investment Operations:            
Net investment income1 0.11 0.25 0.21 0.26 0.24 0.20
Net realized and unrealized gain (loss) 0.64 0.57 1.89 1.23 (0.31) 0.74
TOTAL FROM INVESTMENT OPERATIONS 0.75 0.82 2.10 1.49 (0.07) 0.94
Less Distributions:            
Distributions from net investment income (0.24) (0.19) (0.25) (0.27) (0.24) (0.18)
Distributions from net realized gain (0.53) (1.51)
TOTAL DISTRIBUTIONS (0.77) (1.70) (0.25) (0.27) (0.24) (0.18)
Net Asset Value, End of Period $18.69 $18.71 $19.59 $17.74 $16.52 $16.83
Total Return2 4.07% 5.28% 11.91% 9.11% (0.37)% 5.89%
Ratios to Average Net Assets:            
Net expenses 1.31%3 1.31% 1.32% 1.26% 1.30% 1.30%
Net investment income 1.11%3 1.35% 1.11% 1.51% 1.51% 1.21%
Expense waiver/reimbursement4 0.05%3 0.08% 0.06% 0.15% 0.10% 0.09%
Supplemental Data:            
Net assets, end of period (000 omitted) $95,056 $84,243 $61,553 $61,405 $61,245 $62,555
Portfolio turnover 64% 92% 89% 82% 98% 89%
1 Per share numbers have been calculated using the average shares method.
2 Based on net asset value, which does not reflect the sales charge, redemption fee or contingent deferred sales charge, if applicable. Total returns for periods of less than one year are not annualized.
3 Computed on an annualized basis.
4 This expense decrease is reflected in both the net expense and the net investment income ratios shown above.
See Notes which are an integral part of the Financial Statements
Semi-Annual Shareholder Report
28

Financial HighlightsClass C Shares
(For a Share Outstanding Throughout Each Period)
  Six Months
Ended
(unaudited)
1/31/2020
Year Ended July 31,
2019 2018 2017 2016 2015
Net Asset Value, Beginning of Period $18.50 $19.31 $17.49 $16.30 $16.59 $15.84
Income From Investment Operations:            
Net investment income1 0.03 0.11 0.06 0.13 0.12 0.07
Net realized and unrealized gain (loss) 0.63 0.59 1.87 1.20 (0.31) 0.74
TOTAL FROM INVESTMENT OPERATIONS 0.66 0.70 1.93 1.33 (0.19) 0.81
Less Distributions:            
Distributions from net investment income (0.10) (0.00)2 (0.11) (0.14) (0.10) (0.06)
Distributions from net realized gain (0.53) (1.51)
TOTAL DISTRIBUTIONS (0.63) (1.51) (0.11) (0.14) (0.10) (0.06)
Net Asset Value, End of Period $18.53 $18.50 $19.31 $17.49 $16.30 $16.59
Total Return3 3.66% 4.54% 11.09% 8.23% (1.10)% 5.12%
Ratios to Average Net Assets:            
Net expenses 2.06%3 2.06% 2.07% 2.01% 2.05% 2.05%
Net investment income 0.36%3 0.60% 0.35% 0.75% 0.76% 0.45%
Expense waiver/reimbursement4 0.06%3 0.10% 0.04% 0.13% 0.08% 0.06%
Supplemental Data:            
Net assets, end of period (000 omitted) $15,863 $15,492 $27,577 $29,007 $29,152 $31,571
Portfolio turnover 64% 92% 89% 82% 98% 89%
1 Per share numbers have been calculated using the average shares method.
2 Represents less than $0.01.
3 Based on net asset value, which does not reflect the sales charge, redemption fee or contingent deferred sales charge, if applicable. Total returns for periods of less than one year are not annualized.
3 Computed on an annualized basis.
4 This expense decrease is reflected in both the net expense and the net investment income ratios shown above.
See Notes which are an integral part of the Financial Statements
Semi-Annual Shareholder Report
29

Financial HighlightsInstitutional Shares
(For a Share Outstanding Throughout Each Period)
  Six Months
Ended
(unaudited)
1/31/2020
Year Ended July 31,
2019 2018 2017 2016 2015
Net Asset Value, Beginning of Period $18.78 $19.64 $17.79 $16.57 $16.87 $16.11
Income From Investment Operations:            
Net investment income1 0.13 0.30 0.26 0.30 0.28 0.24
Net realized and unrealized gain (loss) 0.64 0.58 1.89 1.23 (0.30) 0.74
TOTAL FROM INVESTMENT OPERATIONS 0.77 0.88 2.15 1.53 (0.02) 0.98
Less Distributions:            
Distributions from net investment income (0.28) (0.23) (0.30) (0.31) (0.28) (0.22)
Distributions from net realized gain (0.53) (1.51)
TOTAL DISTRIBUTIONS (0.81) (1.74) (0.30) (0.31) (0.28) (0.22)
Net Asset Value, End of Period $18.74 $18.78 $19.64 $17.79 $16.57 $16.87
Total Return2 4.17% 5.61% 12.15% 9.36% (0.07)% 6.13%
Ratios to Average Net Assets:            
Net expenses 1.06%3 1.06% 1.07% 1.00% 1.05% 1.05%
Net investment income 1.36%3 1.62% 1.35% 1.77% 1.76% 1.46%
Expense waiver/reimbursement4 0.05%3 0.08% 0.02% 0.12% 0.05% 0.04%
Supplemental Data:            
Net assets, end of period (000 omitted) $53,101 $53,035 $54,358 $39,136 $47,757 $53,291
Portfolio turnover 64% 92% 89% 82% 98% 89%
1 Per share numbers have been calculated using the average shares method.
2 Based on net asset value. Total returns for periods of less than one year are not annualized.
3 Computed on an annualized basis.
4 This expense decrease is reflected in both the net expense and the net investment income ratios shown above.
See Notes which are an integral part of the Financial Statements
Semi-Annual Shareholder Report
30

Financial HighlightsClass R6 Shares
(For a Share Outstanding Throughout Each Period)
  Six Months
Ended
(unaudited)
1/31/2020
Year Ended July 31,
2019 2018 20171 2016 2015
Net Asset Value, Beginning of Period $18.74 $19.62 $17.76 $16.49 $16.80 $16.05
Income From Investment Operations:            
Net investment income2 0.13 0.27 0.26 0.28 0.20 0.16
Net realized and unrealized gain (loss) 0.63 0.60 1.90 1.24 (0.31) 0.74
TOTAL FROM INVESTMENT OPERATIONS 0.76 0.87 2.16 1.52 (0.11) 0.90
Less Distributions:            
Distributions from net investment income (0.28) (0.24) (0.30) (0.25) (0.20) (0.15)
Distributions from net realized gain (0.53) (1.51)
TOTAL DISTRIBUTIONS (0.81) (1.75) (0.30) (0.25) (0.20) (0.15)
Net Asset Value, End of Period $18.69 $18.74 $19.62 $17.76 $16.49 $16.80
Total Return3 4.13% 5.56% 12.24% 9.32% (0.59)% 5.61%
Ratios to Average Net Assets:            
Net expenses 1.05%4 1.05% 1.06% 1.05% 1.56% 1.56%
Net investment income 1.34%4 1.40% 1.36% 1.64% 1.27% 0.96%
Expense waiver/reimbursement5 0.01%4 0.06% 0.02% 0.06% 0.04% 0.03%
Supplemental Data:            
Net assets, end of period (000 omitted) $2,667 $3,165 $12,178 $10,439 $577 $532
Portfolio turnover 64% 92% 89% 82% 98% 89%
1 Effective September 1, 2016, the Fund's Class R Shares were redesignated as Class R6 Shares.
2 Per share numbers have been calculated using the average shares method.
3 Based on net asset value. Total returns for periods of less than one year are not annualized.
4 Computed on an annualized basis.
5 This expense decrease is reflected in both the net expense and the net investment income ratios shown above.
See Notes which are an integral part of the Financial Statements
Semi-Annual Shareholder Report
31

Statement of Assets and Liabilities
January 31, 2020 (unaudited)
Assets:    
Investment in securities, at value including $684,960 of securities loaned and $26,676,820 of investment in affiliated holdings* (identified cost $158,673,159)   $167,188,900
Cash   1,878
Income receivable   300,211
Income receivable from affiliated holdings   84,118
Receivable for investments sold   1,891,284
Receivable for shares sold   155,874
Receivable for variation margin on futures contracts   12,928
TOTAL ASSETS   169,635,193
Liabilities:    
Payable for investments purchased $1,928,242  
Payable for shares redeemed 91,735  
Payable for collateral due to broker for securities lending 728,398  
Payable to adviser (Note 5) 3,445  
Payable for administrative fees (Note 5) 361  
Payable for distribution services fee (Note 5) 10,225  
Payable for other service fees (Notes 2 and 5) 50,029  
Accrued expenses (Note 5) 136,489  
TOTAL LIABILITIES   2,948,924
Net assets for 8,918,623 shares outstanding   $166,686,269
Net Assets Consist of:    
Paid-in capital   $155,408,783
Total distributable earnings (loss)   11,277,486
TOTAL NET ASSETS   $166,686,269
Semi-Annual Shareholder Report
32

Statement of Assets and Liabilitiescontinued
Net Asset Value, Offering Price and Redemption Proceeds Per Share    
Class A Shares:    
Net asset value per share ($95,055,531 ÷ 5,086,171 shares outstanding), no par value, unlimited shares authorized   $18.69
Offering price per share (100/94.50 of $18.69)   $19.78
Redemption proceeds per share   $18.69
Class C Shares:    
Net asset value per share ($15,863,119 ÷ 856,218 shares outstanding), no par value, unlimited shares authorized   $18.53
Offering price per share   $18.53
Redemption proceeds per share (99.00/100 of $18.53)   $18.34
Institutional Shares:    
Net asset value per share ($53,100,730 ÷ 2,833,572 shares outstanding), no par value, unlimited shares authorized   $18.74
Offering price per share   $18.74
Redemption proceeds per share   $18.74
Class R6 Shares:    
Net asset value per share ($2,666,889 ÷ 142,662 shares outstanding), no par value, unlimited shares authorized   $18.69
Offering price per share   $18.69
Redemption proceeds per share   $18.69
* See information listed after the Fund's Portfolio of Investments.
See Notes which are an integral part of the Financial Statements
Semi-Annual Shareholder Report
33

Statement of Operations
Six Months Ended January 31, 2020 (unaudited)
Investment Income:      
Dividends (including $557,070 received from affiliated holdings* and net of foreign taxes withheld of $507)     $1,432,012
Interest     517,359
Net income on securities loaned (includes $13,907 earned from affiliated holdings related to cash collateral balances*)     4,311
TOTAL INCOME     1,953,682
Expenses:      
Investment adviser fee (Note 5)   $603,690  
Administrative fee (Note 5)   63,407  
Custodian fees   16,522  
Transfer agent fee (Note 2)   76,526  
Directors'/Trustees' fees (Note 5)   1,181  
Auditing fees   17,126  
Legal fees   4,835  
Portfolio accounting fees   51,931  
Distribution services fee (Note 5)   58,320  
Other service fees (Notes 2 and 5)   127,755  
Share registration costs   30,917  
Printing and postage   15,257  
Miscellaneous (Note 5)   16,173  
TOTAL EXPENSES   1,083,640  
Waiver and Reimbursements:      
Waiver/reimbursement of investment adviser fee (Note 5) $(10,420)    
Reimbursement of other operating expenses (Notes 2 and 5) (27,336)    
TOTAL WAIVER AND REIMBURSEMENTS   (37,756)  
Net expenses     1,045,884
Net investment income     $907,798
Semi-Annual Shareholder Report
34

Statement of Operationscontinued
Realized and Unrealized Gain (Loss) on Investments, Futures Contracts and Foreign Currency Transactions:      
Net realized gain on investments (including net realized gain of $203,958 on sales of investments in affiliated holdings*)     $5,556,896
Net realized gain on futures contracts     40,424
Net change in unrealized appreciation of investments (including net change in unrealized depreciation of $(96,460) on investments in affiliated holdings*)     (111,486)
Net change in unrealized appreciation/depreciation of translation of assets and liabilities in foreign currency     (27)
Net change in unrealized appreciation of futures contracts     13,904
Net realized and unrealized gain (loss) on investments, futures contracts and foreign currency transactions     5,499,711
Change in net assets resulting from operations     $6,407,509
* See information listed after the Fund's Portfolio of Investments.
See Notes which are an integral part of the Financial Statements
Semi-Annual Shareholder Report
35

Statement of Changes in Net Assets
  Six Months
Ended
(unaudited)
1/31/2020
Year Ended
7/31/2019
Increase (Decrease) in Net Assets    
Operations:    
Net investment income $907,798 $2,133,076
Net realized gain 5,597,320 7,525,854
Net change in unrealized appreciation/depreciation (97,609) (1,859,525)
CHANGE IN NET ASSETS RESULTING FROM OPERATIONS 6,407,509 7,799,405
Distributions to Shareholders:    
Class A Shares (3,813,306) (6,723,192)
Class C Shares (539,280) (1,044,348)
Institutional Shares (2,518,866) (5,847,283)
Class R6 Shares (108,342) (242,234)
CHANGE IN NET ASSETS RESULTING FROM DISTRIBUTIONS TO SHAREHOLDERS (6,979,794) (13,857,057)
Share Transactions:    
Proceeds from sale of shares 20,396,026 63,670,084
Proceeds from shares issued in connection with the tax-free transfer of assets from PNC Balanced Allocation Fund 11,298,197
Net asset value of shares issued to shareholders in payment of distributions declared 6,622,022 12,933,369
Cost of shares redeemed (26,992,868) (70,276,399)
CHANGE IN NET ASSETS RESULTING FROM SHARE TRANSACTIONS 11,323,377 6,327,054
Change in net assets 10,751,092 269,402
Net Assets:    
Beginning of period 155,935,177 155,665,775
End of period $166,686,269 $155,935,177
See Notes which are an integral part of the Financial Statements
Semi-Annual Shareholder Report
36

Notes to Financial Statements
January 31, 2020 (unaudited)
1. ORGANIZATION
Federated MDT Series (the “Trust”) is registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the “Act”), as an open-end management investment company. The Trust consists of five portfolios. The financial statements included herein are only those of Federated MDT Balanced Fund (the “Fund”), a diversified portfolio. The financial statements of the other portfolios are presented separately. The assets of each portfolio are segregated and a shareholder's interest is limited to the portfolio in which shares are held. Each portfolio pays its own expenses. The Fund offers four classes of shares: Class A Shares, Class C Shares, Institutional Shares and Class R6 Shares. All shares of the Fund have equal rights with respect to voting, except on class-specific matters. The investment objective of the Fund is the possibility of long-term growth of capital and income.
On March 30, 2017, the Fund's T Share Class became effective with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), but is not yet offered for sale.
Effective August 1, 2018, an automatic conversion feature for Class C Shares was implemented. Pursuant to this automatic conversion feature, after Class C Shares have been held for ten years from the date of purchase, they will automatically convert to Class A Shares on the next monthly conversion processing date.
On November 15, 2019, the Fund acquired all of the net assets of PNC Balanced Allocation Fund (the “Acquired Fund”), an open-end investment company, in a tax-free reorganization in exchange for shares of the Fund, pursuant to a plan of reorganization approved by the Acquired Fund's shareholders on November 5, 2019. The purpose of the transaction was to combine two portfolios with comparable investment objectives and strategies. For financial reporting purposes, assets received and shares issued by the Fund were recorded at fair value; however, the cost basis of the investments received from the Acquired Fund was carried forward to align ongoing reporting of the Fund's realized gains and losses with amounts distributable to shareholders for tax purposes.
For every one share of the Acquired Fund's Class A Shares exchanged, a shareholder received 0.616 shares of the Fund's Class A Shares.
For every one share of the Acquired Fund's Class C Shares exchanged, a shareholder received 0.609 shares of the Fund's Class C Shares.
For every one share of the Acquired Fund's Class I Shares exchanged, a shareholder received 0.610 shares of the Fund's Institutional Shares.
The Fund received net assets from the Acquired Fund as the result of the tax-free reorganization as follows:
Shares of the
Fund Issued
Acquired Fund's
Net Assets Received
Unrealized
Appreciation1
Net Assets
of the Fund
Immediately
Prior to
Combination
Net Assets
of the Fund
Immediately
After
Combination
593,132 $11,298,197 $2,170,935 $154,177,771 $165,475,968
1 Unrealized Appreciation is included in the Net Assets Received amount shown above.
Semi-Annual Shareholder Report
37

Assuming the acquisition had been completed on August 1, 2019, the beginning of the annual reporting period of the Fund, the Fund's pro forma results of operations for the six months ended January 31, 2020, were as follows:
Net investment income $975,909
Net realized and unrealized gain on investments $5,900,485
Net increase in net assets resulting from operations $6,876,394
    
Because the combined investment portfolios have been managed as a single integrated portfolio since the acquisition was completed, it is not practicable to separate the amounts of revenue and earnings of the Acquired Fund that have been included in the Fund's Statement of Operations and Statement of Changes in Net Assets as of January 31, 2020.
2. SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES
The following is a summary of significant accounting policies consistently followed by the Fund in the preparation of its financial statements. These policies are in conformity with GAAP.
Investment Valuation
In calculating its NAV, the Fund generally values investments as follows:
■  Equity securities listed on an exchange or traded through a regulated market system are valued at their last reported sale price or official closing price in their principal exchange or market.
■  Fixed-income securities are fair valued using price evaluations provided by a pricing service approved by the Fund's Board of Trustees (the “Trustees”).
■  Shares of other mutual funds or non-exchange-traded investment companies are valued based upon their reported NAVs.
■  Derivative contracts listed on exchanges are valued at their reported settlement or closing price, except that options are valued at the mean of closing bid and asked quotations.
■  Over-the-counter (OTC) derivative contracts are fair valued using price evaluations provided by a pricing service approved by the Trustees.
■  For securities that are fair valued in accordance with procedures established by and under the general supervision of the Trustees, certain factors may be considered, such as: the last traded or purchase price of the security, information obtained by contacting the issuer or dealers, analysis of the issuer's financial statements or other available documents, fundamental analytical data, the nature and duration of restrictions on disposition, the movement of the market in which the security is normally traded, public trading in similar securities or derivative contracts of the issuer or comparable issuers, movement of a relevant index, or other factors including but not limited to industry changes and relevant government actions.
If any price, quotation, price evaluation or other pricing source is not readily available when the NAV is calculated, if the Fund cannot obtain price evaluations from a pricing service or from more than one dealer for an investment within a reasonable period of time as set forth in the Fund's valuation policies and procedures, or if information furnished by a pricing service, in the opinion of the valuation committee (“Valuation Committee”), is deemed not representative of the fair value of such security, the Fund uses the fair value of the investment determined in accordance with the procedures described below. There can be no assurance that the Fund could obtain the fair value assigned to an investment if it sold the investment at approximately the time at which the Fund determines its NAV per share.
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Fair Valuation and Significant Events Procedures
The Trustees have ultimate responsibility for determining the fair value of investments for which market quotations are not readily available. The Trustees have appointed a Valuation Committee comprised of officers of the Fund, Federated MDTA LLC (the “Adviser”) and certain of the Adviser's affiliated companies to assist in determining fair value and in overseeing the calculation of the NAV. The Trustees have also authorized the use of pricing services recommended by the Valuation Committee to provide fair value evaluations of the current value of certain investments for purposes of calculating the NAV. The Valuation Committee employs various methods for reviewing third-party pricing-service evaluations including periodic reviews of third-party pricing services' policies, procedures and valuation methods (including key inputs, methods, models and assumptions), transactional back-testing, comparisons of evaluations of different pricing services, and review of price challenges by the Adviser based on recent market activity. In the event that market quotations and price evaluations are not available for an investment, the Valuation Committee determines the fair value of the investment in accordance with procedures adopted by the Trustees. The Trustees periodically review and approve the fair valuations made by the Valuation Committee and any changes made to the procedures.
Factors considered by pricing services in evaluating an investment include the yields or prices of investments of comparable quality, coupon, maturity, call rights and other potential prepayments, terms and type, reported transactions, indications as to values from dealers and general market conditions. Some pricing services provide a single price evaluation reflecting the bid-side of the market for an investment (a “bid” evaluation). Other pricing services offer both bid evaluations and price evaluations indicative of a price between the prices bid and asked for the investment (a “mid” evaluation). The Fund normally uses bid evaluations for any U.S. Treasury and Agency securities, mortgage-backed securities and municipal securities. The Fund normally uses mid evaluations for any other types of fixed-income securities and any OTC derivative contracts. In the event that market quotations and price evaluations are not available for an investment, the fair value of the investment is determined in accordance with procedures adopted by the Trustees.
The Trustees also have adopted procedures requiring an investment to be priced at its fair value whenever the Adviser determines that a significant event affecting the value of the investment has occurred between the time as of which the price of the investment would otherwise be determined and the time as of which the NAV is computed. An event is considered significant if there is both an affirmative expectation that the investment's value will change in response to the event and a reasonable basis for quantifying the resulting change in value. Examples of significant events that may occur after the close of the principal market on which a security is traded, or after the time of a price evaluation provided by a pricing service or a dealer, include:
■  With respect to securities traded principally in foreign markets, significant trends in U.S. equity markets or in the trading of foreign securities index futures contracts;
■  Political or other developments affecting the economy or markets in which an issuer conducts its operations or its securities are traded;
■  Announcements concerning matters such as acquisitions, recapitalizations, litigation developments, or a natural disaster affecting the issuer's operations or regulatory changes or market developments affecting the issuer's industry.
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The Trustees have adopted procedures whereby the Valuation Committee uses a pricing service to provide factors to update the fair value of equity securities traded principally in foreign markets from the time of the close of their respective foreign stock exchanges to the pricing time of the Fund. For other significant events, the Fund may seek to obtain more current quotations or price evaluations from alternative pricing sources. If a reliable alternative pricing source is not available, the Fund will determine the fair value of the investment in accordance with the fair valuation procedures approved by the Trustees. The Trustees have ultimate responsibility for any fair valuations made in response to a significant event.
Repurchase Agreements
The Fund may invest in repurchase agreements for short-term liquidity purposes. It is the policy of the Fund to require the other party to a repurchase agreement to transfer to the Fund's custodian or sub-custodian eligible securities or cash with a market value (after transaction costs) at least equal to the repurchase price to be paid under the repurchase agreement. The eligible securities are transferred to accounts with the custodian or sub-custodian in which the Fund holds a “securities entitlement” and exercises “control” as those terms are defined in the Uniform Commercial Code. The Fund has established procedures for monitoring the market value of the transferred securities and requiring the transfer of additional eligible securities if necessary to equal at least the repurchase price. These procedures also allow the other party to require securities to be transferred from the account to the extent that their market value exceeds the repurchase price or in exchange for other eligible securities of equivalent market value.
The insolvency of the other party or other failure to repurchase the securities may delay the disposition of the underlying securities or cause the Fund to receive less than the full repurchase price. Under the terms of the repurchase agreement, any amounts received by the Fund in excess of the repurchase price and related transaction costs must be remitted to the other party.
The Fund may enter into repurchase agreements in which eligible securities are transferred into joint trading accounts maintained by the custodian or sub-custodian for investment companies and other clients advised by the Fund's Adviser and its affiliates. The Fund will participate on a pro rata basis with the other investment companies and clients in its share of the securities transferred under such repurchase agreements and in its share of proceeds from any repurchase or other disposition of such securities.
Investment Income, Gains and Losses, Expenses and Distributions
Investment transactions are accounted for on a trade-date basis. Realized gains and losses from investment transactions are recorded on an identified-cost basis. Interest income and expenses are accrued daily. Dividend income and distributions to shareholders are recorded on the ex-dividend date. Foreign dividends are recorded on the ex-dividend date or when the Fund is informed of the ex-dividend date. Amortization/accretion of premium and discount is included in investment income. Gains and losses realized on principal payment of mortgage-backed securities (paydown gains and losses) are classified as part of investment income. Positive or negative inflation adjustments on Treasury Inflation-Protected Securities are included in interest income. Distributions of net investment income, if any, are declared and paid annually. Non-cash dividends included in dividend income, if any, are recorded at fair value.
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Investment income, realized and unrealized gains and losses, and certain fund-level expenses are allocated to each class based on relative average daily net assets, except that select classes will bear certain expenses unique to those classes. The detail of the total fund expense waiver and reimbursements of $37,756 is disclosed in various locations in this Note 2 and Note 5. For the six months ended January 31, 2020, transfer agent fees for the Fund were as follows:
  Transfer Agent
Fees Incurred
Transfer Agent
Fees Reimbursed
Class A Shares $43,694 $(15,097)
Class C Shares 8,118 (3,627)
Institutional Shares 24,098 (8,612)
Class R6 Shares 616
TOTAL $76,526 $(27,336)
Dividends are declared separately for each class. No class has preferential dividend rights; differences in per share dividend rates are generally due to differences in separate class expenses.
Other Service Fees
The Fund may pay other service fees up to 0.25% of the average daily net assets of the Fund's Class A Shares and Class C Shares to unaffiliated financial intermediaries or to Federated Shareholder Services Company (FSSC) for providing services to shareholders and maintaining shareholder accounts. Subject to the terms described in the Expense Limitation note, FSSC may voluntarily reimburse the Fund for other service fees. For the six months ended January 31, 2020, other service fees for the Fund were as follows:
  Other Service
Fees Incurred
Class A Shares $108,315
Class C Shares 19,440
TOTAL $127,755
Federal Taxes
It is the Fund's policy to comply with the Subchapter M provision of the Internal Revenue Code and to distribute to shareholders each year substantially all of its income. Accordingly, no provision for federal income tax is necessary. As of and during the six months ended January 31, 2020, the Fund did not have a liability for any uncertain tax positions. The Fund recognizes interest and penalties, if any, related to tax liabilities as income tax expense in the Statement of Operations. As of January 31, 2020, tax years 2016 through 2019 remain subject to examination by the Fund's major tax jurisdictions, which include the United States of America and the Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
The Fund may be subject to taxes imposed by governments of countries in which it invests. Such taxes are generally based on either income or gains earned or repatriated. The Fund accrues and applies such taxes to net investment income, net realized gains and net unrealized gains as income and/or gains are earned.
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When-Issued and Delayed-Delivery Transactions
The Fund may engage in when-issued or delayed-delivery transactions. The Fund records when-issued securities on the trade date and maintains security positions such that sufficient liquid assets will be available to make payment for the securities purchased. Securities purchased on a when-issued or delayed-delivery basis are marked to market daily and begin earning interest on the settlement date. Losses may occur on these transactions due to changes in market conditions or the failure of counterparties to perform under the contract.
Futures Contracts
The Fund purchases and sells financial futures contracts to manage duration and yield curve risks. Upon entering into a financial futures contract with a broker, the Fund is required to deposit with a broker, either U.S. government securities or a specified amount of cash, which is shown as due from broker in the Statement of Assets and Liabilities. Futures contracts are valued daily and unrealized gains or losses are recorded in a “variation margin” account. The Fund receives from or pays to the broker a specified amount of cash based upon changes in the variation margin account. When a contract is closed, the Fund recognizes a realized gain or loss. Futures contracts have market risks, including the risk that the change in the value of the contract may not correlate with the changes in the value of the underlying securities. There is minimal counterparty risk to the Fund since futures contracts are exchange traded and the exchange's clearinghouse, as counterparty to all exchange traded futures contracts, guarantees the futures contracts against default.
Futures contracts outstanding at period end are listed after the Fund's Portfolio of Investments.
The average notional value of long and short futures contracts held by the Fund throughout the period was $13,922,324 and $2,109,266, respectively. This is based on amounts held as of each month-end throughout the six-month period.
Restricted Securities
The Fund may purchase securities which are considered restricted. Restricted securities are securities that either: (a) cannot be offered for public sale without first being registered, or being able to take advantage of an exemption from registration, under the Securities Act of 1933; or (b) are subject to contractual restrictions on public sales. In some cases, when a security cannot be offered for public sale without first being registered, the issuer of the restricted security has agreed to register such securities for resale, at the issuer's expense, either upon demand by the Fund or in connection with another registered offering of the securities. Many such restricted securities may be resold in the secondary market in transactions exempt from registration. Restricted securities may be determined to be liquid under criteria established by the Trustees. The Fund will not incur any registration costs upon such resales. The Fund's restricted securities, like other securities, are priced in accordance with procedures established by and under the general supervision of the Trustees.
Securities Lending
The Fund participates in a securities lending program providing for the lending of equity securities to qualified brokers. The term of the loans within the program is one year or less. The Fund normally receives cash collateral for securities loaned that is invested in an affiliated money market fund or in affiliated money market funds, other money market instruments and/or repurchase agreements. Investments in money market funds may include funds with a “floating” NAV that can impose redemption fees and liquidity gates, impose certain operational impediments to investing cash collateral, and, if the investee fund's NAV
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decreases, result in the Fund recognizing losses and being required to cover the decrease in the value of the cash collateral. Collateral is maintained at a minimum level of 100% of the market value of investments loaned, plus interest, if applicable. In accordance with the Fund's securities lending agreement, the market value of securities on loan is determined each day at the close of business and any additional collateral required to cover the value of securities on loan is delivered to the Fund on the next business day. Earnings on collateral are allocated between the borrower of the security, the securities lending agent, as a fee for its services under the program and the Fund, according to agreed-upon rates. The Fund will not have the right to vote on securities while they are on loan. However, the Fund will attempt to terminate a loan in an effort to reacquire the securities in time to vote on matters that are deemed to be material by the Adviser. There can be no assurance that the Fund will have sufficient notice of such matters to be able to terminate the loan in time to vote thereon.
Securities lending transactions are subject to Master Netting Agreements which are agreements between the Fund and its counterparties that provide for the net settlement of all transactions and collateral with the Fund, through a single payment, in the event of default or termination. Amounts presented on the Portfolio of Investments and Statement of Assets and Liabilities are not net settlement amounts but gross. As indicated below, the cash collateral received by the Fund exceeds the market value of the securities loaned reducing the net settlement amount to zero. The chart below identifies the amount of collateral received as well as the market value of securities on loan. Additionally, the securities lending agreement executed by the Fund includes an indemnification clause. This clause stipulates that the borrower will reimburse the Fund for any losses as a result of any failure of the borrower to return equivalent securities to the Fund.
As of January 31, 2020, securities subject to this type of arrangement and related collateral were as follows:
Market Value of
Securities Loaned
Collateral
Received
$684,960 $728,398
Additional Disclosure Related to Derivative Instruments
Fair Value of Derivative Instruments
  Assets
  Statement of
Assets and
Liabilities
Location
Fair
Value
Derivatives not accounted for as hedging instruments under ASC Topic 815    
Interest rate contracts Receivable for
variation margin on
futures contracts
$ 43,676*
* Includes cumulative net appreciation of futures contracts as reported in the footnotes to the Portfolio of Investments. Only the current day's variation margin is reported within the Statement of Assets and Liabilities.
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The Effect of Derivative Instruments on the Statement of Operations for the Six Months Ended January 31, 2020
Amount of Realized Gain or (Loss) on Derivatives Recognized in Income
  Futures
Contracts
Interest rate contracts $40,424
    
Change in Unrealized Appreciation or (Depreciation) on Derivatives Recognized in Income
  Futures
Contracts
Interest rate contracts $13,904
Other
The preparation of financial statements in conformity with GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the amounts of assets, liabilities, expenses and revenues reported in the financial statements. Actual results could differ from those estimated. The Fund applies investment company accounting and reporting guidance.
3. SHARES OF BENEFICIAL INTEREST
The following tables summarize share activity:
  Six Months Ended
1/31/2020
Year Ended
7/31/2019
Class A Shares: Shares Amount Shares Amount
Shares sold 333,607 $6,241,615 1,017,180 $18,426,997
Conversion of Class C Shares to Class A Shares 577,227 11,313,650
Proceeds from shares issued in connection with the tax-free transfer of assets from the Acquired Fund 425,056 8,093,068
Shares issued to shareholders in payment of distributions declared 191,088 3,554,535 356,509 5,992,523
Shares redeemed (365,461) (6,846,477) (591,801) (10,713,481)
NET CHANGE RESULTING FROM CLASS A SHARE TRANSACTIONS 584,290 $11,042,741 1,359,115 $25,019,689
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  Six Months Ended
1/31/2020
Year Ended
7/31/2019
Class C Shares: Shares Amount Shares Amount
Shares sold 92,296 $1,709,660 295,829 $5,229,357
Proceeds from shares issued in connection with the tax-free transfer of assets from the Acquired Fund 24,943 468,430
Shares issued to shareholders in payment of distributions declared 26,632 488,464 54,548 903,860
Conversion of Class C Shares to Class A Shares (585,290) (11,313,650)
Shares redeemed (125,136) (2,314,137) (355,430) (6,666,352)
NET CHANGE RESULTING FROM CLASS C SHARE TRANSACTIONS 18,735 $352,417 (590,343) $(11,846,785)
    
  Six Months Ended
1/31/2020
Year Ended
7/31/2019
Institutional Shares: Shares Amount Shares Amount
Shares sold 627,401 $12,040,438 1,337,055 $24,174,708
Proceeds from shares issued in connection with the tax-free transfer of assets from the Acquired Fund 143,133 2,736,699
Shares issued to shareholders in payment of distributions declared 132,428 2,472,323 344,529 5,809,112
Shares redeemed (893,639) (16,824,808) (1,624,656) (28,538,979)
NET CHANGE RESULTING FROM INSTITUTIONAL SHARE TRANSACTIONS 9,323 $424,652 56,928 $1,444,841
    
  Six Months Ended
1/31/2020
Year Ended
7/31/2019
Class R6 Shares: Shares Amount Shares Amount
Shares sold 21,553 $404,313 235,953 $4,525,372
Shares issued to shareholders in payment of distributions declared 5,727 106,700 13,548 227,874
Shares redeemed (53,562) (1,007,446) (701,361) (13,043,937)
NET CHANGE RESULTING FROM CLASS R6 SHARE TRANSACTIONS (26,282) $(496,433) (451,860) $(8,290,691)
NET CHANGE RESULTING FROM TOTAL FUND SHARE TRANSACTIONS 586,066 $11,323,377 373,840 $6,327,054
4. FEDERAL TAX INFORMATION
At January 31, 2020, the cost of investments for federal tax purposes was $158,673,159. The net unrealized appreciation of investments for federal tax purposes was $8,559,417. This consists of net unrealized appreciation from investments for those securities having an excess of value over cost of $13,292,718 and net unrealized depreciation from investments for those securities having an excess of cost over value of $4,733,301. The amounts presented are inclusive of derivative contracts.
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At July 31, 2019, for federal income tax purposes, the Fund had $30,009 in straddle loss deferral.
5. INVESTMENT ADVISER FEE AND OTHER TRANSACTIONS WITH AFFILIATES
Investment Adviser Fee
The advisory agreement between the Fund and the Adviser provides for an annual fee equal to 0.75% of the Fund's average daily net assets. Subject to the terms described in the Expense Limitation note, the Adviser may voluntarily choose to waive any portion of its fee and/or reimburse certain operating expenses of the Fund. For the six months ended January 31, 2020, the Adviser voluntarily waived $8,504 of its fee and voluntarily reimbursed $27,336 of transfer agent fees.
The Adviser has agreed to reimburse the Fund for certain investment adviser fees as a result of transactions in other affiliated investment companies. For the six months ended January 31, 2020, the Adviser reimbursed $1,916.
Certain of the Fund's assets are managed by Federated Investment Management Company (the “Sub-Adviser”). Under the terms of a sub-advisory agreement between the Adviser and the Sub-Adviser, the Sub-Adviser receives an allocable portion of the Fund's adviser fee. The fee is paid by the Adviser out of its resources and is not an incremental Fund expense. For the six months ended January 31, 2020, the Sub-Adviser earned a fee of $74,745.
Administrative Fee
Federated Administrative Services (FAS), under the Administrative Services Agreement, provides the Fund with administrative personnel and services. For purposes of determining the appropriate rate breakpoint, “Investment Complex” is defined as all of the Federated Hermes Funds subject to a fee under the Administrative Services Agreement. The fee paid to FAS is based on the average daily net assets of the Investment Complex as specified below:
Administrative Fee Average Daily Net Assets
of the Investment Complex
0.100% on assets up to $50 billion
0.075% on assets over $50 billion
Subject to the terms described in the Expense Limitation note, FAS may voluntarily choose to waive any portion of its fee. For the six months ended January 31, 2020, the annualized fee paid to FAS was 0.079% of average daily net assets of the Fund.
In addition, FAS may charge certain out-of-pocket expenses to the Fund.
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Distribution Services Fee
The Fund has adopted a Distribution Plan (the “Plan”) pursuant to Rule 12b-1 under the Act. Under the terms of the Plan, the Fund will compensate Federated Securities Corp. (FSC), the principal distributor, from the daily net assets of the Fund's Class A Shares and Class C Shares to finance activities intended to result in the sale of these shares. The Plan provides that the Fund may incur distribution expenses at the following percentages of average daily net assets annually, to compensate FSC:
  Percentage of Average Daily
Net Assets of Class
Class A Shares 0.05%
Class C Shares 0.75%
Subject to the terms described in the Expense Limitation note, FSC may voluntarily choose to waive any portion of its fee. For the six months ended January 31, 2020, distribution services fees for the Fund were as follows:
  Distribution Services
Fees Incurred
Class C Shares $58,320
When FSC receives fees, it may pay some or all of them to financial intermediaries whose customers purchase shares. For the six months ended January 31, 2020, FSC retained $7,582 fees paid by the Fund. For the six months ended January 31, 2020, the Fund's Class A Shares did not incur a distribution services fee; however, it may begin to incur this fee upon approval of the Trustees.
Sales Charges
Front-end sales charges and contingent deferred sales charges (CDSC) do not represent expenses of the Fund. They are deducted from the proceeds of sales of Fund shares prior to investment or from redemption proceeds prior to remittance, as applicable. For the six months ended January 31, 2020, FSC retained $8,127 in sales charges from the sale of Class A Shares. FSC also retained $962 of CDSC relating to redemptions of Class C Shares.
Other Service Fees
For the six months ended January 31, 2020, FSSC received $6,784 of the other service fees disclosed in Note 2.
Expense Limitation
The Adviser and certain of its affiliates (which may include FSC, FAS and FSSC) on their own initiative have agreed to waive certain amounts of their respective fees and/or reimburse expenses. Total annual fund operating expenses (as shown in the financial highlights, excluding interest expense, extraordinary expenses and proxy-related expenses paid by the Fund, if any) paid by the Fund's Class A Shares, Class C Shares, Institutional Shares and Class R6 Shares (after the voluntary waivers and/or reimbursements) will not exceed 1.31%, 2.06%, 1.06% and 1.05% (the “Fee Limit”), respectively, up to but not including the later of (the “Termination Date”): (a) December 1, 2020 (October 1, 2020 with respect to Class R6
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Shares); or (b) the date of the Fund's next effective Prospectus. While the Adviser and its applicable affiliates currently do not anticipate terminating or increasing these arrangements prior to the Termination Date, these arrangements may only be terminated or the Fee Limit increased prior to the Termination Date with the agreement of the Trustees.
Directors'/Trustees' and Miscellaneous Fees
Certain Officers and Trustees of the Fund are Officers and Directors or Trustees of certain of the above companies. To efficiently facilitate payment, Independent Directors'/Trustees' fees and certain expenses related to conducting meetings of the Directors/Trustees and other miscellaneous expenses are paid by an affiliate of the Adviser which in due course are reimbursed by the Fund. These expenses related to conducting meetings of the Directors/Trustees and other miscellaneous expenses may be included in Accrued and Miscellaneous Expenses on the Statement of Assets and Liabilities and Statement of Operations, respectively.
6. INVESTMENT TRANSACTIONS
Purchases and sales of investments, excluding long-term U.S. government securities and short-term obligations, for the six months ended January 31, 2020, were as follows:
Purchases $79,730,093
Sales $84,503,146
7. LINE OF CREDIT
The Fund participates with certain other Federated Hermes Funds, on a several basis, in an up to $500,000,000 unsecured, 364-day, committed, revolving line of credit (LOC) agreement. The LOC was made available to finance temporarily the repurchase or redemption of shares of the Fund, failed trades, payment of dividends, settlement of trades and for other short-term, temporary or emergency general business purposes. The Fund cannot borrow under the LOC if an inter-fund loan is outstanding. The Fund's ability to borrow under the LOC also is subject to the limitations of the Act and various conditions precedent that must be satisfied before the Fund can borrow. Loans under the LOC are charged interest at a fluctuating rate per annum equal to the highest, on any day, of (a) (i) the federal funds effective rate, (ii) the one month London Interbank Offered Rate (LIBOR), and (iii) 0.0%, plus (b) a margin. The LOC also requires the Fund to pay, quarterly in arrears and at maturity, its pro rata share of a commitment fee based on the amount of the lenders' commitment that has not been utilized. As of January 31, 2020, the Fund had no outstanding loans. During the six months ended January 31, 2020, the Fund did not utilize the LOC.
8. INTERFUND LENDING
Pursuant to an Exemptive Order issued by the SEC, the Fund, along with other funds advised by subsidiaries of Federated Hermes, Inc., may participate in an interfund lending program. This program provides an alternative credit facility allowing the Fund to borrow from other participating affiliated funds. As of January 31, 2020, there were no outstanding loans. During the six months ended January 31, 2020, the program was not utilized.
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9. SUBSEQUENT EVENTs
An outbreak of respiratory disease caused by a novel coronavirus was first detected in China in December 2019 and subsequently spread internationally. As of the date of the issuance of these financial statements, this coronavirus has resulted in closing borders, enhanced health screenings, healthcare service preparation and delivery, quarantines, cancellations, disruptions to supply chains, workflow operations and customer activity, as well as general concern and uncertainty. The impact of this coronavirus may be short term or may last for an extended period of time and result in a substantial economic downturn. The impact of this outbreak, and other epidemics and pandemics that may arise in the future, could negatively affect the worldwide economy, as well as the economies of individual countries, individual companies (including Fund service providers) and the market in general in significant and unforeseen ways. Any such impact could adversely affect the Fund's performance.
Effective on or about June 29, 2020, the name of the Trust and Fund will change to Federated Hermes MDT Series and Federated Hermes MDT Balanced Fund, respectively.
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Shareholder Expense Example (unaudited)
As a shareholder of the Fund, you incur two types of costs: (1) transaction costs, including sales charges (loads) on purchase or redemption payments; and (2) ongoing costs, including management fees and to the extent applicable, distribution (12b-1) fees and/or other service fees and other Fund expenses. This Example is intended to help you to understand your ongoing costs (in dollars) of investing in the Fund and to compare these costs with the ongoing costs of investing in other mutual funds. It is based on an investment of $1,000 invested at the beginning of the period and held for the entire period from August 1, 2019 to January 31, 2020.
ACTUAL EXPENSES
The first section of the table below provides information about actual account values and actual expenses. You may use the information in this section, together with the amount you invested, to estimate the expenses that you incurred over the period. Simply divide your account value by $1,000 (for example, an $8,600 account value divided by $1,000 = 8.6), then multiply the result by the number in the first section under the heading entitled “Expenses Paid During Period” to estimate the expenses attributable to your investment during this period.
HYPOTHETICAL EXAMPLE FOR COMPARISON PURPOSES
The second section of the table below provides information about hypothetical account values and hypothetical expenses based on the Fund's actual expense ratio and an assumed rate of return of 5% per year before expenses, which is not the Fund's actual return. Thus, you should not use the hypothetical account values and expenses to estimate the actual ending account balance or your expenses for the period. Rather, these figures are required to be provided to enable you to compare the ongoing costs of investing in the Fund with other funds. To do so, compare this 5% hypothetical example with the 5% hypothetical examples that appear in the shareholder reports of the other funds.
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Please note that the expenses shown in the table are meant to highlight your ongoing costs only and do not reflect any transaction costs, such as sales charges (loads) on purchase or redemption payments. Therefore, the second section of the table is useful in comparing ongoing costs only, and will not help you determine the relative total costs of owning different funds. In addition, if these transaction costs were included, your costs would have been higher.
  Beginning
Account Value
8/1/2019
Ending
Account Value
1/31/2020
Expenses Paid
During Period1
Actual:      
Class A Shares $1,000 $1,040.70 $6.72
Class C Shares $1,000 $1,036.60 $10.55
Institutional Shares $1,000 $1,041.70 $5.44
Class R6 Shares $1,000 $1,041.30 $5.39
Hypothetical (assuming a 5% return
before expenses):
     
Class A Shares $1,000 $1,018.60 $6.65
Class C Shares $1,000 $1,014.80 $10.43
Institutional Shares $1,000 $1,019.80 $5.38
Class R6 Shares $1,000 $1,019.90 $5.33
1 Expenses are equal to the Fund's annualized net expense ratios, multiplied by the average account value over the period, multiplied by 184/366 (to reflect the one-half-year period). The annualized net expense ratios are as follows:
   
Class A Shares 1.31%
Class C Shares 2.06%
Institutional Shares 1.06%
Class R6 Shares 1.05%
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Evaluation and Approval of Advisory ContractMay 2019
Federated MDT Balanced Fund (the “Fund”)
At its meetings in May 2019, the Fund's Board of Trustees (the “Board”), including a majority of those Trustees who are not “interested persons” of the Fund, as defined in the Investment Company Act of 1940 (the “Independent Trustees”) reviewed and unanimously approved the continuation of the Fund's investment advisory and subadvisory contracts for an additional one-year term. The Board's decision regarding these contracts reflects the exercise of its business judgment after considering all of the information received on whether to continue the existing arrangements.
At the request of the Independent Trustees, the Fund's Chief Compliance Officer (the CCO) furnished to the Board in advance of its May 2019 meetings an independent written evaluation presenting on the topics discussed below. The Board considered the CCO's independent written evaluation (the “CCO Fee Evaluation Report”), along with other information, in evaluating the reasonableness of the Fund's management fee and in deciding to approve the continuation of the investment advisory and subadvisory contracts. The CCO, in preparing the CCO Fee Evaluation Report, has the authority to retain consultants, experts or staff as reasonably necessary to assist in the performance of his duties, reports directly to the Board, and can be terminated only with the approval of a majority of the Independent Trustees. At the request of the Independent Trustees, the CCO Fee Evaluation Report followed the same general approach and covered the same topics as that of the report that had previously been delivered by the CCO in his capacity as “Senior Officer,” prior to the eliminiation of the Senior Officer position in December 2017.
The Board also considered judicial decisions concerning allegedly excessive investment advisory fees in making its decision. Using these judicial decisions as a guide, the Board observed that the following factors may be relevant to an adviser's fiduciary duty with respect to its receipt of compensation from a fund: (1) the nature and quality of the services provided by an adviser to a fund and its shareholders (including the performance of the fund, its benchmark, and comparable funds); (2) an adviser's cost of providing the services (including the profitability to an adviser of providing advisory services to a fund); (3) the extent to which an adviser may realize “economies of scale” as a fund grows larger and, if such economies of scale exist, whether they have been shared with a fund and its shareholders or the family of funds; (4) any “fall-out” financial benefits that accrue to an adviser because of its relationship with a fund (including research services received from brokers that execute fund trades and any fees paid to affiliates of an adviser for services rendered to a fund); (5) comparative fee and expense structures (including a comparison of fees paid to an adviser with those paid by similar funds both internally and externally as well as management fees charged to institutional and other advisory clients of the
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adviser or its affiliates for what might be viewed as like services); and (6) the extent of care, conscientiousness and independence with which the fund's board members perform their duties and their expertise (including whether they are fully informed about all facts the board deems relevant to its consideration of an adviser's services and fees). The Board noted that the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) disclosure requirements regarding the basis for the Board's approval of the Fund's investment advisory contract generally align with the factors listed above. The Board was aware of these factors and was guided by them in its review of the Fund's investment advisory and subadvisory contracts to the extent it considered them to be appropriate and relevant, as discussed further below.
The Board considered and weighed these factors in light of its substantial accumulated experience in governing the Fund and working with Federated MDTA LLC (the “Adviser”) and its affiliates (collectively, “Federated”) on matters relating to the funds advised by Federated (each, a “Federated Fund”). The Independent Trustees were assisted in their deliberations by independent legal counsel.
In addition to the extensive materials that comprise and accompany the CCO Fee Evaluation, the Board received detailed information about the Fund and the Federated organization throughout the year, and in connection with its May meetings at which the Board's formal approval of the advisory and subadvisory contracts occurred. In this regard, Federated provided much of this information at each regular meeting of the Board, and furnished additional information specifically in connection with the May meetings. In the months preceding the May meetings, the Board requested and reviewed written materials prepared by Federated in response to requests on behalf of the Independent Trustees encompassing a wide variety of topics. At the May meetings, in addition to meeting in separates sessions of the Independent Trustees without management present, senior management of the Adviser also met with the Independent Trustees and their counsel to discuss the materials presented and such additional matters as the Independent Trustees deemed reasonably necessary to evaluate the advisory and subadvisory contracts. Between regularly scheduled meetings, the Board also received information on particular matters as the need arose.
The Board's consideration of the investment advisory and subadvisory contracts included review of the CCO Fee Evaluation Report, accompanying data and additional information covering the following matters, among others: the Adviser's and sub-adviser's investment philosophy, revenue, profitability, personnel and processes; investment and operating strategies; the Fund's short-term and long-term performance (in absolute terms, both on a gross basis and net of expenses, as well as in terms relative to its particular investment program and certain competitor or “peer group” funds and/or other benchmarks, as appropriate) and comments on the reasons for performance; the Fund's investment objectives; the Fund's expenses, including the advisory fee and the
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overall expense structure of the Fund (both in absolute terms and relative to similar and/or competing funds), with due regard for contractual or voluntary expense limitations; the use and allocation of brokerage commissions derived from trading the Fund's portfolio securities (if any); and the nature, quality and extent of the advisory and other services provided to the Fund by the Adviser and its affiliates. The Board also considered the preferences and expectations of Fund shareholders; the entrepreneurial and other risks assumed by the Adviser in sponsoring the Fund; the continuing state of competition in the mutual fund industry and market practices; the range of comparable fees for similar funds in the mutual fund industry; the Fund's relationship to the Federated Funds which include a comprehensive array of funds with different investment objectives, policies and strategies which are generally available for exchange without the incurrence of additional sales charges; compliance and audit reports concerning the Federated Funds and the Federated companies that service them (including communications from regulatory agencies), as well as Federated's responses to any issues raised therein; and relevant developments in the mutual fund industry and how the Federated Funds and/or Federated are responding to them. The Board's evaluation process is evolutionary. The criteria considered and the emphasis placed on relevant criteria change in recognition of changing circumstances in the mutual fund marketplace.
While mindful that courts have cautioned against giving too much weight to comparative information concerning fees charged by other advisers for managing funds with comparable investment programs, the Board has found the use of such comparisons to be relevant to its deliberations. In this regard, the Board was presented with, and considered, information regarding the contractual advisory fee rates, net advisory fee rates, total expense ratios and each element of the Fund's total expense ratio (i.e., gross and net advisory fees, custody fees, portfolio accounting fees and transfer agency fees) relative to an appropriate group of peer funds compiled by Federated using data supplied by independent fund ranking organizations (the “Peer Group”). The Board received a description of the composition and methodology used to select the Peer Group. The Board focused on comparisons with other similar mutual funds more heavily than non-mutual fund products or services because it is believed that they are more relevant. For example, other mutual funds are the products most like the Fund, in that they are readily available to Fund shareholders as alternative investment vehicles. Also, they are the type of investment vehicle, in fact, chosen and maintained by the Fund's investors. The range of their fees and expenses, therefore, appears to be a relevant indicator of what consumers have found to be reasonable in the marketplace in which the Fund competes.
The Board reviewed the contractual advisory fee rate, net advisory fee rate and other expenses of the Fund and noted the position of the Fund's fee rates relative to its Peer Group. In this regard, the Board noted that the contractual advisory fee rate was above the median of the relevant Peer Group, but the Board noted the applicable waivers and reimbursements, and that the overall
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expense structure of the Fund remained competitive in the context of other factors considered by the Board. In this regard, the Board had been previously advised that, while comparisons to fund Peer Groups are relevant in judging the reasonableness of advisory fees, the Fund's quantitative focus makes fee and expense comparisons particularly difficult. Although the Fund's advisory fee was above the median of the peer range, the Peer Group of funds varied widely in their complexity, and the Board has been informed that the management of the Fund is among the more complex relative to its Peer Group.
For comparison, the CCO reviewed the fees charged by Federated for providing advisory services to products other than the Federated Funds (e.g., institutional separate accounts and third-party unaffiliated mutual funds for which Federated serves as sub-adviser) (referenced to as “Comparable Funds/Accounts”). With respect to Comparable Funds/Accounts other than third-party mutual funds, the CCO concluded that they are inherently different products. Those differences include, but are not limited to, different types of targeted investors; different applicable laws and regulations; different legal structures; different average account sizes and portfolio management techniques made necessary by different cash flows and different associated costs; and the time spent by portfolio managers and their teams, as well as personnel in the Funds Financial Services, Legal, Compliance and Risk Management departments, in reviewing securities pricing, addressing different administrative responsibilities, addressing different degrees of risk associated with management and a variety of different costs. The CCO also reviewed the differences in the nature of the services required for Federated to manage its proprietary mutual fund business versus managing a discrete pool of assets as a sub-adviser to another institution's mutual fund, and that Federated generally performs significant additional services and assumes substantially greater risks in managing the Fund and other Federated Funds than in its role as sub-adviser to an unaffiliated third-party mutual fund. The CCO did not consider the fees for providing advisory services to Comparable Funds/Accounts to be determinative in judging the appropriateness of the Federated Funds' advisory fees.
Following such evaluation, and full deliberations, the Board concluded that the fees and expenses of the Fund are reasonable and supported renewal of the Fund's investment advisory and subadvisory contracts.
The Board considered the nature, extent and quality of the services provided to the Fund by the Adviser and the resources of the Adviser and its affiliates dedicated to the Fund. In this regard, the Board evaluated, among other things, the Adviser's personnel, experience, track record, financial resources, overall reputation and willingness to invest in personnel and infrastructure that benefit the Fund. In addition, the Board reviewed the qualifications, backgrounds and responsibilities of the portfolio management team primarily responsible for the day-to-day management of the Fund and the Adviser's ability and experience in attracting and retaining qualified personnel to service the Fund. The Board noted the investment research and company engagement capabilities of the
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Adviser and its affiliates. The Board also noted the compliance program of the Adviser and the compliance-related resources provided to the Fund by the Adviser, including the Adviser's commitment to respond to rulemaking initiatives of the SEC. The Fund's ability to deliver competitive performance when compared to its Peer Group was also deemed to be relevant by the Board as a useful indicator of how the Adviser is executing the Fund's investment program. The Adviser's ability to execute this program was one of the Board's considerations in reaching a conclusion that the nature, extent and quality of the Adviser's investment management services warrant the continuation of the investment advisory and subadvisory contracts.
In evaluating the Fund's investment performance, the Board considered performance results in light of the Fund's investment objective, strategies and risks, as disclosed in the Fund's prospectus. The Board considered detailed investment reports on the Fund's performance that were provided to the Board throughout the year and in connection with the May meetings. The CCO also reviewed information regarding the performance of other mutual funds in the Peer Group, noting the CCO's view that comparisons to fund peer groups may be helpful, though not conclusive, in evaluating the performance of the Adviser in managing the Fund. The Board considered, in evaluating such comparisons, that in some cases there may be differences in the funds' investment objectives or investment management techniques, or the costs to implement funds, even within the same Peer Group, and that the CCO had specifically noted that the Fund's quantitative focus makes fee and expense comparisons particularly difficult as the funds in the Peer Group varied widely in their complexity, and the management of the Fund is among the more complex relative to its Peer Group.
For the one-year, three-year and five-year periods covered by the CCO Fee Evaluation Report, the Fund's performance was above the median of the relevant Peer Group.
Following such evaluation, and full deliberations, the Board considered that the performance of the Fund supported renewal of the Fund's investment advisory and subadvisory contracts.
The Board also received financial information about Federated, including information regarding the compensation and ancillary (or “fall out”) benefits Federated derived from its relationships with the Federated Funds. This information covered not only the fees under the investment advisory contracts, but also fees received by Federated's subsidiaries for providing other services to the Federated Funds under separate contracts (e.g., for serving as the Federated Funds' administrator and distributor). In this regard, the Board considered that certain Federated subsidiaries provide distribution and shareholder services to the Federated Funds, for which they may be compensated through distribution and servicing fees paid pursuant to Rule 12b-1 plans or otherwise. The information also detailed any indirect benefit Federated may derive from its receipt of research services from brokers who execute Federated Fund trades. In
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addition, the Board considered the fact that, in order for a Federated Fund to be competitive in the marketplace, the Adviser and its affiliates frequently waived fees and/or reimbursed expenses and have disclosed to Federated Fund investors and/or indicated to the Board their intention to do so in the future. Moreover, the Board receives regular reporting as to the institution, adjustment or elimination of these voluntary waivers. The Board considered Federated's previous reduction in contractual management fees to certain Federated Funds in response to the CCO's recommendations in the prior year's CCO Fee Evaluation Report.
Federated furnished information, requested by the CCO, that reported revenues on a fund-by-fund basis and made estimates of the allocation of expenses on a fund-by-fund basis, using allocation methodologies specified by the CCO. The CCO noted that, while these cost allocation reports apply consistent allocation processes, the inherent difficulties in allocating costs continues to cause the Senior Officer to question the precision of the process and to conclude that such reports may be unreliable, since a single change in an allocation estimate may dramatically alter the resulting estimate of cost and/or profitability of a Federated Fund and may produce unintended consequences. The allocation information, including the CCO's view that fund-by-fund estimations may be unreliable, was considered in the evaluation by the Board.
The Board and the CCO also reviewed information compiled by Federated comparing its profitability information to other publicly held fund management companies, including information regarding profitability trends over time. In this regard, the CCO concluded that Federated's profit margins did not appear to be excessive. The CCO also noted that Federated appeared financially sound, with the resources necessary to fulfill its obligations under its contracts with the Fund.
The CCO Fee Evaluation Report also discussed the notion of possible realization of “economies of scale” as a fund grows larger, the difficulties of calculating economies of scale at an individual fund level, and the extent to which potential scale benefits are shared with shareholders. In this regard, the Board considered that Federated has made significant and long-term investments in areas that support all of the Federated Funds, such as personnel and processes for the portfolio management, shareholder services, compliance, internal audit and risk management functions, as well as systems technology (including technology relating to cybersecurity) and that the benefits of these investments (as well as any economies of scale, should they exist) were likely to be shared with the Federated Fund family as a whole. The Board noted that Federated's investments in these areas are extensive. In addition, the Board considered that the Adviser and its affiliates have frequently waived fees and/or reimbursed expenses and that this has allowed potential economies of scale to be shared with shareholders. The Board also considered that such waivers and reimbursements can provide protection from an increase in expenses if a Federated Fund's assets decline. Federated, as it does throughout the year, and
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specifically in connection with the Board's review of the advisory and subadvisory contracts, furnished information relative to revenue sharing or adviser-paid fees. Federated and the CCO noted that this information should be viewed to determine if there was an incentive to either not apply breakpoints, or to apply breakpoints at higher levels, and should not be viewed to determine the appropriateness of advisory fees. The Board also noted the absence of any applicable regulatory or industry guidelines on this subject, which (as discussed in the CCO Fee Evaluation Report) is compounded by the lack of any common industry practice or general pattern with respect to structuring fund advisory fees with “breakpoints” that serve to reduce the fee as a fund attains a certain size.
The CCO stated that his observations and the information accompanying the CCO Fee Evaluation Report supported a finding by the Board that the management fee for the Fund was reasonable. Under these circumstances, no changes were recommended to, and no objection was raised to, the continuation of the Fund's investment advisory and subadvisory contracts. The CCO also recognized that the Board's evaluation of the Federated Funds' advisory and subadvisory arrangements is a continuing and on-going process that is informed by the information that the Board requests and receives from management throughout the course of the year and, in this regard, the CCO noted certain items for future reporting to the Board or further consideration by management as the Board continues its on-going oversight of the Federated Funds.
In its decision to continue an existing investment advisory contract, the Board was mindful of the potential disruptions of the Fund's operations and various risks, uncertainties and other effects that could occur as a result of a decision to terminate or not renew an investment advisory contract. In particular, the Board recognized that many shareholders have invested in the Fund on the strength of the Adviser's industry standing and reputation and with the expectation that the Adviser will have a continuing role in providing advisory services to the Fund. Thus, the Board's approval of the investment advisory contract reflected the fact that it is the shareholders who have effectively selected the Adviser by virtue of having invested in the Fund. The Board concluded that, in light of the factors summarized above, including the nature, quality and scope of the services provided to the Fund by the Adviser and its affiliates, continuation of the investment advisory and subadvisory contract were appropriate.
The Board based its decision to approve the investment advisory and subadvisory contracts on the totality of the circumstances and relevant factors and with a view to past and future long-term considerations. Not all of the factors and considerations identified above were necessarily relevant to the Fund, nor did the Board consider any one of them to be determinative. With respect to the factors that were relevant, the Board's decision to approve the continuation of the contracts reflects its view that Federated's performance and actions provided a satisfactory basis to support the decision to continue the existing arrangements.
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Voting Proxies on Fund Portfolio Securities
A description of the policies and procedures that the Fund uses to determine how to vote proxies, if any, relating to securities held in the Fund's portfolio is available, without charge and upon request, by calling 1-800-341-7400. A report on “Form N-PX” of how the Fund voted any such proxies during the most recent 12-month period ended June 30 is available via the Proxy Voting Record (Form N-PX) link associated with the Fund and share class name at www.FederatedInvestors.com/FundInformation. Form N-PX filings are also available at the SEC's website at sec.gov.
Quarterly Portfolio Schedule
Each fiscal quarter, the Fund will file with the SEC a complete schedule of its monthly portfolio holdings on “Form N-PORT.” The Fund's holdings as of the end of the third month of every fiscal quarter, as reported on Form N-PORT, will be publicly available on the SEC's website at www.sec.gov within 60 days of the end of the fiscal quarter upon filing. You may also access this information via the link to the Fund and share class name at www.FederatedInvestors.com.
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Mutual funds are not bank deposits or obligations, are not guaranteed by any bank and are not insured or guaranteed by the U.S. government, the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation, the Federal Reserve Board or any other government agency. Investment in mutual funds involves investment risk, including the possible loss of principal.
This Report is authorized for distribution to prospective investors only when preceded or accompanied by the Fund's Prospectus, which contains facts concerning its objective and policies, management fees, expenses and other information.
IMPORTANT NOTICE ABOUT FUND DOCUMENT DELIVERY    
In an effort to reduce costs and avoid duplicate mailings, the Fund(s) intend to deliver a single copy of certain documents to each household in which more than one shareholder of the Fund(s) resides (so-called “householding”), as permitted by applicable rules. The Fund's “householding” program covers its/their Prospectus and Statement of Additional Information, and supplements to each, as well as Semi-Annual and Annual Shareholder Reports and any Proxies or information statements. Shareholders must give their written consent to participate in the “householding” program. The Fund is also permitted to treat a shareholder as having given consent (“implied consent”) if (i) shareholders with the same last name, or believed to be members of the same family, reside at the same street address or receive mail at the same post office box, (ii) the Fund gives notice of its intent to “household” at least sixty (60) days before it begins “householding” and (iii) none of the shareholders in the household have notified the Fund(s) or their agent of the desire to “opt out” of “householding.” Shareholders who have granted written consent, or have been deemed to have granted implied consent, can revoke that consent and opt out of “householding” at any time: shareholders who purchased shares through an intermediary should contact their representative; other shareholders may call the Fund at 1-800-341-7400.
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Federated MDT Balanced Fund
Federated Hermes Funds
4000 Ericsson Drive
Warrendale, PA 15086-7561
Contact us at FederatedInvestors.com
or call 1-800-341-7400.
Federated Securities Corp., Distributor
CUSIP 31421R841
CUSIP 31421R833
CUSIP 31421R825
CUSIP 31421R692
36354 (3/20)
© 2020 Federated Hermes, Inc.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Semi-Annual Shareholder Report
January 31, 2020
Share Class | Ticker A | QALGX B | QBLGX C | QCLGX Institutional | QILGX

Federated MDT Large Cap Growth Fund
Fund Established 2005

A Portfolio of Federated MDT Series
IMPORTANT NOTICE REGARDING REPORT DELIVERY
Beginning on January 1, 2021, as permitted by regulations adopted by the Securities and Exchange Commission, paper copies of the Fund's shareholder reports like this one will no longer be sent by mail, unless you specifically request paper copies of the reports from the Fund or from your financial intermediary, such as a broker-dealer or bank. Instead, the reports will be made available on a website, and you will be notified by mail each time a report is posted and provided with a website link to access the report.
If you already elected to receive shareholder reports electronically, you will not be affected by this change and you need not take any action. You may elect to receive shareholder reports and other communications from the Fund or your financial intermediary electronically by contacting your financial intermediary (such as a broker-dealer or bank); other shareholders may call the Fund at 1-800-341-7400, Option 4.
You may elect to receive all future reports in paper free of charge. You can inform the Fund or your financial intermediary that you wish to continue receiving paper copies of your shareholder reports by contacting your financial intermediary (such as a broker-dealer or bank); other shareholders may call the Fund at 1-800-341-7400, Option 4. Your election to receive reports in paper will apply to all funds held with the Fund complex or your financial intermediary.

Not FDIC Insured ■ May Lose Value ■ No Bank Guarantee

J. Christopher
Donahue
President
Federated MDT Large Cap Growth Fund
Letter from the President
Dear Valued Shareholder,
I am pleased to present the Semi-Annual Shareholder Report for your fund covering the period from August 1, 2019 through January 31, 2020. This report includes a complete listing of your fund's holdings, performance information and financial statements along with other important fund information.
In addition, our website, FederatedInvestors.com, offers easy access to valuable resources that include timely fund updates, economic and market insights from our investment strategists, and financial planning tools.
Thank you for investing with us. I hope you find this information useful and look forward to keeping you informed.
Sincerely,
J. Christopher Donahue, President
         


Portfolio of Investments Summary Table (unaudited)
At January 31, 2020, the Fund's sector composition1 was as follows:
Sector Composition Percentage of
Total Net Assets
Information Technology 39.6%
Consumer Discretionary 14.6%
Health Care 13.5%
Communication Services 12.6%
Industrials 7.4%
Financials 3.9%
Consumer Staples 3.5%
Materials 1.7%
Real Estate 1.3%
Securities Lending Collateral2 0.7%
Cash Equivalents3 1.9%
Other Assets and Liabilities—Net4 (0.7)%
TOTAL 100.0%
1 Except for Cash Equivalents and Other Assets and Liabilities, sector classifications are based upon, and individual portfolio securities are assigned to, the classifications of the Global Industry Classification Standard (GICS) except that the Adviser assigns a classification to securities not classified by the GICS and to securities for which the Adviser does not have access to the classification made by the GICS.
2 Represents cash collateral received for portfolio securities on loan that may be invested in affiliated money market funds, other money market instruments and/or repurchase agreements.
3 Cash Equivalents include any investments in money market mutual funds and/or overnight repurchase agreements other than those representing cash collateral for securities lending.
4 Assets, other than investments in securities, less liabilities. See Statement of Assets and Liabilities.
Semi-Annual Shareholder Report
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Portfolio of Investments
January 31, 2020 (unaudited)
Shares     Value
    COMMON STOCKS—98.1%  
    Communication Services—12.6%  
8,323 1 Alphabet, Inc., Class A $11,925,028
146   Cable One, Inc. 248,788
3,052 1 Charter Communications, Inc. 1,579,288
14,143 1 Discovery, Inc., Class A 413,824
25,484 1 Facebook, Inc. 5,145,475
70,783 1,2 MSG Networks, Inc. 1,076,609
10,794 1 Take-Two Interactive Software, Inc. 1,345,364
30,300   Verizon Communications, Inc. 1,801,032
    TOTAL 23,535,408
    Consumer Discretionary—14.6%  
4,637 1 Amazon.com, Inc. 9,314,435
847 1 AutoZone, Inc. 896,092
152 1 Booking Holdings, Inc. 278,244
4,317 1 Burlington Stores, Inc. 938,818
628   Choice Hotels International, Inc. 62,926
5,933   Dollar General Corp. 910,181
25,886   Dunkin' Brands Group, Inc. 2,021,438
7,674   eBay, Inc. 257,539
39,345   Ford Motor Co. 347,023
9,020 1 Fossil, Inc. 60,705
7,018 1,2 GNC Holdings, Inc. 15,018
28,517   Lowe's Cos., Inc. 3,314,816
2,034 1 Lululemon Athletica, Inc. 486,919
6,386   Nike, Inc., Class B 614,972
5,110 1 O'Reilly Automotive, Inc. 2,075,171
18,071   Starbucks Corp. 1,532,963
10,684 1 Tempur Sealy International, Inc. 978,868
14,685   Tupperware Brands Corp. 91,928
45,938   Wyndham Destinations, Inc. 2,229,371
6,867   Yum! Brands, Inc. 726,323
    TOTAL 27,153,750
    Consumer Staples—3.5%  
16,948   Church and Dwight, Inc. 1,257,881
4,979   Costco Wholesale Corp. 1,521,184
11,100   Estee Lauder Cos., Inc., Class A 2,166,276
Semi-Annual Shareholder Report
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Shares     Value
    COMMON STOCKS—continued  
    Consumer Staples—continued  
19,190   Flowers Foods, Inc. $413,161
1,914   Hershey Foods Corp. 296,995
589   Kimberly-Clark Corp. 84,368
4,848   PepsiCo, Inc. 688,513
1,476   Sysco Corp. 121,239
    TOTAL 6,549,617
    Financials—3.9%  
6,170   American Express Co. 801,298
27,450   Citizens Financial Group, Inc. 1,023,336
864   MSCI, Inc., Class A 246,931
11,357   Progressive Corp., OH 916,396
4,283   Prudential Financial, Inc. 390,010
14,647   RenaissanceRe Holdings Ltd. 2,774,728
3,857   S&P Global, Inc. 1,132,917
3,575 2 Waddell & Reed Financial, Inc., Class A 57,128
    TOTAL 7,342,744
    Health Care—13.5%  
5,543   AbbVie, Inc. 449,094
18,821 1 Alexion Pharmaceuticals, Inc. 1,870,619
15,350   AmerisourceBergen Corp. 1,313,346
4,173   Amgen, Inc. 901,577
1,517   Chemed Corp. 708,500
560 1 Dexcom, Inc. 134,820
3,405 1 Edwards Lifesciences Corp. 748,623
10,355   Eli Lilly & Co. 1,445,972
25,169   HCA Healthcare, Inc. 3,493,457
1,159 1,2 Hologic, Inc. 62,030
6,008 1 Incyte Genomics, Inc. 439,005
584 1 Insulet Corp. 113,319
3,176 1 Intuitive Surgical, Inc. 1,777,861
5,876 1 Jazz Pharmaceuticals PLC 842,325
18,902   Merck & Co., Inc. 1,614,987
2,123 1 Seattle Genetics, Inc. 230,112
15,653   Stryker Corp. 3,298,087
387 1 Varian Medical Systems, Inc. 54,401
563 1 Veeva Systems, Inc. 82,541
13,706 1 Vertex Pharmaceuticals, Inc. 3,111,947
Semi-Annual Shareholder Report
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Shares     Value
    COMMON STOCKS—continued  
    Health Care—continued  
19,062   Zoetis, Inc. $2,558,311
    TOTAL 25,250,934
    Industrials—7.4%  
2,496   Alaska Air Group, Inc. 161,217
4,046   Cintas Corp. 1,128,713
27,528   HEICO Corp. 3,370,253
21,697 1 Jet Blue Airways Corp. 430,251
26,409   KAR Auction Services, Inc. 555,117
10,048   Lockheed Martin Corp. 4,301,750
1,275   Northrop Grumman Corp. 477,577
44,180   Pitney Bowes, Inc. 165,233
6,033   R.R. Donnelley & Sons Co. 14,479
5,922   Rockwell Automation, Inc. 1,135,010
12,517   TransUnion 1,147,809
6,011   United Parcel Service, Inc. 622,259
1,458 1,2 United Rentals, Inc. 197,836
    TOTAL 13,707,504
    Information Technology—39.6%  
7,044 1 Adobe, Inc. 2,473,430
7,861 1 Akamai Technologies, Inc. 733,824
18,950 1 Ansys, Inc. 5,198,554
47,815   Apple, Inc. 14,799,221
1,932 1 Autodesk, Inc. 380,314
577   Automatic Data Processing, Inc. 98,892
1,882   Booz Allen Hamilton Holding Corp. 146,871
2,680   CDW Corp. 349,606
53,797 1 Cadence Design Systems, Inc. 3,879,302
798 1 Ceridian HCM Holding, Inc. 58,485
1,991 1 Dell Technologies, Inc. 97,101
10,283 1 DocuSign, Inc. 807,318
1,809 1 EPAM Systems, Inc. 412,705
2,038 1 F5 Networks, Inc. 248,881
31,245 1 Fortinet, Inc. 3,604,423
9,217   Intuit, Inc. 2,584,262
13,108   KLA Corp. 2,172,520
24,076 1 Keysight Technologies, Inc. 2,238,827
4,504   Lam Research Corp. 1,343,138
702 1 Manhattan Associates, Inc. 59,993
Semi-Annual Shareholder Report
4

Shares     Value
    COMMON STOCKS—continued  
    Information Technology—continued  
25,062   Mastercard, Inc. $7,918,088
72,538   Microsoft Corp. 12,348,144
4,574   NVIDIA Corp. 1,081,431
21,867   Paychex, Inc. 1,875,533
4,013 1 Paycom Software, Inc. 1,276,776
828 1 Paylocity Corp. 117,485
11,213 1 Salesforce.com, Inc. 2,044,242
9,807   Teradyne, Inc. 647,164
10,199   Universal Display Corp. 1,796,758
7,092 1 WEX, Inc. 1,538,397
61,068   Western Union Co. 1,642,729
    TOTAL 73,974,414
    Materials—1.7%  
2,216   Grace (W.R.) & Co. 149,270
8,564   Scotts Miracle-Gro Co. 1,051,145
3,260   Sherwin-Williams Co. 1,815,787
1,601   Vulcan Materials Co. 226,750
    TOTAL 3,242,952
    Real Estate—1.3%  
627   Lamar Advertising Co. 58,192
9,168   SBA Communications Corp. 2,287,966
    TOTAL 2,346,158
    TOTAL COMMON STOCKS
(IDENTIFIED COST $148,900,367)
183,103,481
    INVESTMENT COMPANIES—2.6%  
1,328,793   Federated Government Obligations Fund, Premier Shares, 1.49%3 1,328,793
3,580,001   Federated Institutional Prime Value Obligations Fund, Institutional Shares, 1.71%3 3,581,075
    TOTAL INVESTMENT COMPANIES
(IDENTIFIED COST $4,909,779)
4,909,868
    TOTAL INVESTMENT IN SECURITIES—100.7%
(IDENTIFIED COST $153,810,146)4
188,013,349
    OTHER ASSETS AND LIABILITIES - NET—(0.7)%5 (1,380,908)
    TOTAL NET ASSETS—100% $186,632,441
Semi-Annual Shareholder Report
5

Affiliated fund holdings are investment companies which are managed by the Adviser or an affiliate of the Adviser. Transactions with affiliated fund holdings during the period ended January 31, 2020, were as follows:
  Federated
Government
Obligations Fund,
Premier Shares*
Federated
Institutional
Prime Value
Obligations Fund,
Institutional Shares
Total
Affiliated
Transactions
Balance of Shares Held 7/31/2019 145,725 2,521,943 2,667,668
Purchases/Additions 6,379,641 22,508,565 28,888,206
Sales/Reductions (5,196,573) (21,450,507) (26,647,080)
Balance of Shares Held 1/31/2020 1,328,793 3,580,001 4,908,794
Value $1,328,793 $3,581,075 $4,909,868
Change in Unrealized Appreciation/Depreciation N/A $(499) $(499)
Net Realized Gain/(Loss) N/A $293 $293
Dividend Income $3,506 $18,143 $21,649
* All or a portion of the balance/activity for the fund relates to cash collateral received on securities lending transactions.
1 Non-income-producing security.
2 All or a portion of these securities are temporarily on loan to unaffiliated broker/dealers.
3 7-day net yield.
4 Also represents cost for federal tax purposes.
5 Assets, other than investments in securities, less liabilities. See Statement of Assets and Liabilities.
Note: The categories of investments are shown as a percentage of total net assets at January 31, 2020.
Various inputs are used in determining the value of the Fund's investments. These inputs are summarized in the three broad levels listed below:
Level 1—quoted prices in active markets for identical securities.
Level 2—other significant observable inputs (including quoted prices for similar securities, interest rates, prepayment speeds, credit risk, etc.). Also includes securities valued at amortized cost.
Level 3—significant unobservable inputs (including the Fund's own assumptions in determining the fair value of investments).
The inputs or methodology used for valuing securities are not an indication of the risk associated with investing in those securities.
As of January 31, 2020, all investments of the Fund utilized Level 1 inputs in valuing the Fund's assets carried at fair value.
See Notes which are an integral part of the Financial Statements
Semi-Annual Shareholder Report
6

Financial HighlightsClass A Shares
(For a Share Outstanding Throughout Each Period)
  Six Months
Ended
(unaudited)
1/31/2020
Year Ended July 31,
2019 2018 2017 2016 2015
Net Asset Value, Beginning of Period $20.81 $20.66 $17.46 $15.18 $17.64 $16.15
Income From Investment Operations:            
Net investment income (loss)1 (0.03) (0.05) (0.07) 0.01 0.04 0.02
Net realized and unrealized gain (loss) 1.64 2.01 4.67 2.36 (0.70) 1.47
TOTAL FROM INVESTMENT OPERATIONS 1.61 1.96 4.60 2.37 (0.66) 1.49
Less Distributions:            
Distributions from net realized gain (1.11) (1.81) (1.40) (0.09) (1.80)
Net Asset Value, End of Period $21.31 $20.81 $20.66 $17.46 $15.18 $17.64
Total Return2 8.05% 11.28% 27.38% 15.66% (3.62)% 9.23%
Ratios to Average Net Assets:            
Net expenses 1.25%3 1.48% 1.52% 1.52% 1.50% 1.50%
Net investment income (loss) (0.29)%3 (0.27)% (0.38)% 0.02% 0.28% 0.13%
Expense waiver/reimbursement4 0.18%3 0.00%5 0.02% 0.08% 0.07% 0.03%
Supplemental Data:            
Net assets, end of period (000 omitted) $81,547 $67,513 $59,355 $49,794 $45,661 $55,033
Portfolio turnover 98% 97% 104% 104% 69% 91%
1 Per share numbers have been calculated using the average shares method.
2 Based on net asset value, which does not reflect the sales charge, redemption fee or contingent deferred sales charge, if applicable. Total returns for periods of less than one year are not annualized.
3 Computed on an annualized basis.
4 This expense decrease is reflected in both the net expense and the net investment income (loss) ratios shown above.
5 Represents less than 0.01%.
See Notes which are an integral part of the Financial Statements
Semi-Annual Shareholder Report
7

Financial HighlightsClass B Shares
(For a Share Outstanding Throughout Each Period)
  Six Months
Ended
(unaudited)
1/31/2020
Year Ended July 31,
2019 2018 2017 2016 2015
Net Asset Value, Beginning of Period $18.66 $18.85 $16.16 $14.16 $16.71 $15.41
Income From Investment Operations:            
Net investment income (loss)1 (0.10) (0.18) (0.20) (0.11) (0.07) (0.11)
Net realized and unrealized gain (loss) 1.46 1.80 4.29 2.20 (0.68) 1.41
TOTAL FROM INVESTMENT OPERATIONS 1.36 1.62 4.09 2.09 (0.75) 1.30
Less Distributions:            
Distributions from net realized gain (1.11) (1.81) (1.40) (0.09) (1.80)
Net Asset Value, End of Period $18.91 $18.66 $18.85 $16.16 $14.16 $16.71
Total Return2 7.63% 10.51% 26.38% 14.81% (4.41)% 8.44%
Ratios to Average Net Assets:            
Net expenses 2.02%3 2.23% 2.27% 2.27% 2.25% 2.25%
Net investment income (loss) (1.06)%3 (1.02)% (1.13)% (0.71)% (0.49)% (0.65)%
Expense waiver/reimbursement4 0.16%3 0.00%5 0.02% 0.08% 0.08% 0.03%
Supplemental Data:            
Net assets, end of period (000 omitted) $11,725 $12,612 $14,432 $13,654 $14,925 $16,175
Portfolio turnover 98% 97% 104% 104% 69% 91%
1 Per share numbers have been calculated using the average shares method.
2 Based on net asset value, which does not reflect the sales charge, redemption fee or contingent deferred sales charge, if applicable. Total returns for periods of less than one year are not annualized.
3 Computed on an annualized basis.
4 This expense decrease is reflected in both the net expense and the net investment income (loss) ratios shown above.
5 Represents less than 0.01%.
See Notes which are an integral part of the Financial Statements
Semi-Annual Shareholder Report
8

Financial HighlightsClass C Shares
(For a Share Outstanding Throughout Each Period)
  Six Months
Ended
(unaudited)
1/31/2020
Year Ended July 31,
2019 2018 2017 2016 2015
Net Asset Value, Beginning of Period $18.10 $18.35 $15.76 $13.81 $16.34 $15.07
Income From Investment Operations:            
Net investment income (loss)1 (0.10) (0.18) (0.19) (0.11) (0.06) (0.10)
Net realized and unrealized gain (loss) 1.42 1.74 4.18 2.15 (0.67) 1.37
TOTAL FROM INVESTMENT OPERATIONS 1.32 1.56 3.99 2.04 (0.73) 1.27
Less Distributions:            
Distributions from net realized gain (1.11) (1.81) (1.40) (0.09) (1.80)
Net Asset Value, End of Period $18.31 $18.10 $18.35 $15.76 $13.81 $16.34
Total Return2 7.64% 10.46% 26.42% 14.82% (4.39)% 8.43%
Ratios to Average Net Assets:            
Net expenses 2.01%3 2.23% 2.27% 2.27% 2.25% 2.25%
Net investment income (loss) (1.05)%3 (1.03)% (1.13)% (0.72)% (0.46)% (0.63)%
Expense waiver/reimbursement4 0.17%3 0.00%5 0.02% 0.08% 0.07% 0.03%
Supplemental Data:            
Net assets, end of period (000 omitted) $13,205 $12,445 $10,685 $9,672 $10,052 $12,904
Portfolio turnover 98% 97% 104% 104% 69% 91%
1 Per share numbers have been calculated using the average shares method.
2 Based on net asset value, which does not reflect the sales charge, redemption fee or contingent deferred sales charge, if applicable. Total returns for periods of less than one year are not annualized.
3 Computed on an annualized basis.
4 This expense decrease is reflected in both the net expense and the net investment income (loss) ratios shown above.
5 Represents less than 0.01%.
See Notes which are an integral part of the Financial Statements
Semi-Annual Shareholder Report
9

Financial HighlightsInstitutional Shares
(For a Share Outstanding Throughout Each Period)
  Six Months
Ended
(unaudited)
1/31/2020
Year Ended July 31,
2019 2018 2017 2016 2015
Net Asset Value, Beginning of Period $21.83 $21.52 $18.10 $15.69 $18.13 $16.55
Income From Investment Operations:            
Net investment income (loss)1 0.01 (0.01) (0.03) 0.05 0.08 0.07
Net realized and unrealized gain (loss) 1.71 2.13 4.85 2.45 (0.72) 1.51
TOTAL FROM INVESTMENT OPERATIONS 1.72 2.12 4.82 2.50 (0.64) 1.58
Less Distributions:            
Distributions from net realized gain (1.11) (1.81) (1.40) (0.09) (1.80)
Net Asset Value, End of Period $22.44 $21.83 $21.52 $18.10 $15.69 $18.13
Total Return2 8.18% 11.59% 27.65% 15.98% (3.40)% 9.55%
Ratios to Average Net Assets:            
Net expenses 0.91%3 1.22% 1.27% 1.27% 1.25% 1.25%
Net investment income (loss) 0.09%3 (0.04)% (0.14)% 0.27% 0.52% 0.37%
Expense waiver/reimbursement4 0.25%3 0.00%5 0.02% 0.08% 0.07% 0.03%
Supplemental Data:            
Net assets, end of period (000 omitted) $80,156 $37,076 $11,966 $7,649 $7,469 $7,888
Portfolio turnover 98% 97% 104% 104% 69% 91%
1 Per share numbers have been calculated using the average shares method.
2 Based on net asset value. Total returns for periods of less than one year are not annualized.
3 Computed on an annualized basis.
4 This expense decrease is reflected in both the net expense and the net investment income (loss) ratios shown above.
5 Represents less than 0.01%.
See Notes which are an integral part of the Financial Statements
Semi-Annual Shareholder Report
10

Statement of Assets and Liabilities
January 31, 2020 (unaudited)
Assets:    
Investment in securities, at value including $1,281,957 of securities loaned and $4,909,868 of investment in affiliated holdings* (identified cost $153,810,146)   $188,013,349
Income receivable   89,605
Income receivable from affiliated holdings   4,927
Receivable for investments sold   662,773
Receivable for shares sold   79,491
TOTAL ASSETS   188,850,145
Liabilities:    
Payable for investments purchased $571,688  
Payable for shares redeemed 135,537  
Payable for collateral due to broker for securities lending 1,328,793  
Payable for investment adviser fee (Note 5) 1,799  
Payable for administrative fee (Note 5) 407  
Payable for portfolio accounting fees 52,165  
Payable for distribution services fee (Note 5) 16,142  
Payable for other service fees (Notes 2 and 5) 39,371  
Accrued expenses (Note 5) 71,802  
TOTAL LIABILITIES   2,217,704
Net assets for 8,739,409 shares outstanding   $186,632,441
Net Assets Consist of:    
Paid-in capital   $140,592,638
Total distributable earnings (loss)   46,039,803
TOTAL NET ASSETS   $186,632,441
Semi-Annual Shareholder Report
11

Statement of Assets and Liabilitiescontinued
Net Asset Value, Offering Price and Redemption Proceeds Per Share:    
Class A Shares:    
Net asset value per share ($81,547,021 ÷ 3,826,341 shares outstanding), no par value, unlimited shares authorized   $21.31
Offering price per share (100/94.50 of $21.31)   $22.55
Redemption proceeds per share   $21.31
Class B Shares:    
Net asset value per share ($11,724,926 ÷ 620,015 shares outstanding), no par value, unlimited shares authorized   $18.91
Offering price per share   $18.91
Redemption proceeds per share (94.50/100 of $18.91)   $17.87
Class C Shares:    
Net asset value per share ($13,204,943 ÷ 721,024 shares outstanding), no par value, unlimited shares authorized   $18.31
Offering price per share   $18.31
Redemption proceeds per share (99.00/100 of $18.31)   $18.13
Institutional Shares:    
Net asset value per share ($80,155,551 ÷ 3,572,029 shares outstanding), no par value, unlimited shares authorized   $22.44
Offering price per share   $22.44
Redemption proceeds per share   $22.44
* See information listed after the Fund's Portfolio of Investments.
See Notes which are an integral part of the Financial Statements
Semi-Annual Shareholder Report
12

Statement of Operations
Six Months Ended January 31, 2020 (unaudited)
Investment Income:      
Dividends (including $18,143 received from an affiliated holding*)     $735,354
Net income on securities loaned (includes $3,506 received from an affiliated holding related to cash collateral balances*) (Note 2)     1,309
TOTAL INCOME     736,663
Expenses:      
Investment adviser fee (Note 5)   $566,727  
Administrative fee (Note 5)   59,694  
Custodian fees   9,967  
Transfer agent fee   114,487  
Directors'/Trustees' fees (Note 5)   1,079  
Auditing fees   13,842  
Legal fees   4,835  
Portfolio accounting fees   46,573  
Distribution services fee (Note 5)   92,488  
Other service fees (Notes 2 and 5)   121,724  
Share registration costs   35,969  
Printing and postage   16,386  
Miscellaneous (Note 5)   14,252  
TOTAL EXPENSES   1,098,023  
Waiver/reimbursement of investment adviser fee (Note 5)   (152,636)  
Net expenses     945,387
Net investment income (loss)     (208,724)
Realized and Unrealized Gain (Loss) on Investments:      
Net realized gain on investments (including net realized gain of $293 on sales of investments in an affiliated holding*)     12,112,921
Net change in unrealized appreciation of investments (including net change in unrealized appreciation of $(499) on investments in an affiliated holding*)     1,667,141
Net realized and unrealized gain (loss) on investments     13,780,062
Change in net assets resulting from operations     $13,571,338
* See information listed after the Fund's Portfolio of Investments.
See Notes which are an integral part of the Financial Statements
Semi-Annual Shareholder Report
13

Statement of Changes in Net Assets
  Six Months
Ended
(unaudited)
1/31/2020
Year Ended
7/31/2019
Increase (Decrease) in Net Assets    
Operations:    
Net investment income (loss) $(208,724) $(426,359)
Net realized gain 12,112,921 9,852,764
Net change in unrealized appreciation/depreciation 1,667,141 3,316,789
CHANGE IN NET ASSETS RESULTING FROM OPERATIONS 13,571,338 12,743,194
Distributions to Shareholders:    
Class A Shares (4,102,840) (5,477,815)
Class B Shares (700,438) (1,293,241)
Class C Shares (770,197) (969,378)
Institutional Shares (3,849,963) (1,895,731)
CHANGE IN NET ASSETS RESULTING FROM DISTRIBUTIONS TO SHAREHOLDERS (9,423,438) (9,636,165)
Share Transactions:    
Proceeds from sale of shares 10,879,405 50,787,953
Proceeds from shares issued in connection with the tax-free transfer of assets from PNC Multi-Factor Large Cap Growth Fund 101,740,899
Net asset value of shares issued to shareholders in payment of distributions declared 8,888,859 9,069,033
Cost of shares redeemed (68,669,907) (29,755,658)
CHANGE IN NET ASSETS RESULTING FROM SHARE TRANSACTIONS 52,839,256 30,101,328
Change in net assets 56,987,156 33,208,357
Net Assets:    
Beginning of period 129,645,285 96,436,928
End of period $186,632,441 $129,645,285
See Notes which are an integral part of the Financial Statements
Semi-Annual Shareholder Report
14

Notes to Financial Statements
January 31, 2020 (unaudited)
1. ORGANIZATION
Federated MDT Series (the “Trust”) is registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the “Act”), as an open-end management investment company. The Trust consists of five portfolios. The financial statements included herein are only those of Federated MDT Large Cap Growth Fund (the “Fund”), a diversified portfolio. The financial statements of the other portfolios are presented separately. The assets of each portfolio are segregated and a shareholder's interest is limited to the portfolio in which shares are held. Each portfolio pays its own expenses. The Fund offers four classes of shares: Class A Shares, Class B Shares, Class C Shares and Institutional Shares. All shares of the Fund have equal rights with respect to voting, except on class-specific matters. The investment objective of the Fund is long-term capital appreciation.
On March 30, 2017, the Fund's T Share Class became effective with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), but is not yet offered for sale.
Effective August 1, 2018, an automatic conversion feature for Class C Shares was implemented. Pursuant to this automatic conversion feature, after Class C Shares have been held for ten years from the date of purchase, they will automatically convert to Class A Shares on the next monthly conversion processing date.
On November 15, 2019, the Fund acquired all of the net assets of PNC Multi-Factor Large Cap Growth Fund (the “Acquired Fund”), an open-end investment company, in a tax-free reorganization in exchange for shares of the Fund, pursuant to a plan of reorganization approved by the Acquired Fund shareholders on November 5, 2019. The purpose of the transaction was to combine two portfolios with comparable investment objectives and strategies. For financial reporting purposes, assets received and shares issued by the Fund were recorded at fair value; however, the cost basis of the investments received from the Acquired Fund was carried forward to align ongoing reporting of the Fund's realized gains and losses with amounts distributable to shareholders for tax purposes.
For every one share of the Acquired Fund's Class A Shares exchanged, a shareholder received 1.586 shares of the Fund's Class A Shares.
For every one share of the Acquired Fund's Class C Shares exchanged, a shareholder received 1.581 shares of the Fund's Class C Shares.
For every one share of the Acquired Fund's Class I Shares exchanged, a shareholder received 1.545 shares of the Fund's Institutional Shares.
The Fund received net assets from the Acquired Fund as the result of the tax-free reorganization as follows:
Shares of the
Fund Issued
Acquired Fund's
Net Assets Received
Unrealized
Appreciation1
Net Assets
of the Fund
Immediately
Prior to
Combination
Net Assets
of the Fund
Immediately
After
Combination
4,605,196 $101,740,899 $9,990,130 $117,706,237 $219,447,136
1 Unrealized Appreciation is included in the Net Assets Received amount shown above.
Semi-Annual Shareholder Report
15

Assuming the acquisition had been completed on August 1, 2019, the beginning of the annual reporting period of the Fund, the Fund's pro forma results of operations for the six months ended January 31, 2020, were as follows:
Net investment income $49,692
Net realized and unrealized gain on investments 16,681,380
Net increase in net assets resulting from operations $16,731,072
Because the combined investment portfolios have been managed as a single integrated portfolio since the acquisition was completed, it is not practicable to separate the amounts of revenue and earnings of the Acquired Fund that have been included in the Fund's Statement of Operations and Statement of Change in Net Assets as of January 31, 2020.
2. SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES
The following is a summary of significant accounting policies consistently followed by the Fund in the preparation of its financial statements. These policies are in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP).
Investment Valuation
In calculating its net asset value (NAV), the Fund generally values investments as follows:
■  Equity securities listed on an exchange or traded through a regulated market system are valued at their last reported sale price or official closing price in their principal exchange or market.
■  Shares of other mutual funds or non-exchange-traded investment companies are valued based upon their reported NAVs.
■  Fixed-income securities are fair valued using price evaluations provided by a pricing service approved by the Fund's Board of Trustees (the “Trustees”).
■  Derivative contracts listed on exchanges are valued at their reported settlement or closing price, except that options are valued at the mean of closing bid and asked quotations.
■  Over-the-counter (OTC) derivative contracts are fair valued using price evaluations provided by a pricing service approved by the Trustees.
■  For securities that are fair valued in accordance with procedures established by and under the general supervision of the Trustees, certain factors may be considered, such as: the last traded or purchase price of the security, information obtained by contacting the issuer or dealers, analysis of the issuer's financial statements or other available documents, fundamental analytical data, the nature and duration of restrictions on disposition, the movement of the market in which the security is normally traded, public trading in similar securities or derivative contracts of the issuer or comparable issuers, movement of a relevant index, or other factors including but not limited to industry changes and relevant government actions.
If any price, quotation, price evaluation or other pricing source is not readily available when the NAV is calculated, if the Fund cannot obtain price evaluations from a pricing service or from more than one dealer for an investment within a reasonable period of time as set forth in the Fund's valuation policies and procedures, or if information furnished by a pricing service, in the opinion of the valuation committee (“Valuation Committee”), is deemed not representative of the fair value of such security, the Fund uses the fair value of the investment determined in accordance with the procedures described below. There can be no assurance that the Fund could obtain the fair value assigned to an investment if it sold the investment at approximately the time at which the Fund determines its NAV per share.
Semi-Annual Shareholder Report
16

Fair Valuation Procedures
The Trustees have ultimate responsibility for determining the fair value of investments for which market quotations are not readily available. The Trustees have appointed a Valuation Committee comprised of officers of the Fund, Federated MDTA LLC (the “Adviser”) and certain of the Adviser's affiliated companies to assist in determining fair value and in overseeing the calculation of the NAV. The Trustees have also authorized the use of pricing services recommended by the Valuation Committee to provide fair value evaluations of the current value of certain investments for purposes of calculating the NAV. The Valuation Committee employs various methods for reviewing third-party pricing-service evaluations including periodic reviews of third-party pricing services' policies, procedures and valuation methods (including key inputs, methods, models and assumptions), transactional back-testing, comparisons of evaluations of different pricing services, and review of price challenges by the Adviser based on recent market activity. In the event that market quotations and price evaluations are not available for an investment, the Valuation Committee determines the fair value of the investment in accordance with procedures adopted by the Trustees. The Trustees periodically review and approve the fair valuations made by the Valuation Committee and any changes made to the procedures.
Factors considered by pricing services in evaluating an investment include the yields or prices of investments of comparable quality, coupon, maturity, call rights and other potential prepayments, terms and type, reported transactions, indications as to values from dealers and general market conditions. Some pricing services provide a single price evaluation reflecting the bid-side of the market for an investment (a “bid” evaluation). Other pricing services offer both bid evaluations and price evaluations indicative of a price between the prices bid and asked for the investment (a “mid” evaluation). The Fund normally uses bid evaluations for any U.S. Treasury and Agency securities, mortgage-backed securities and municipal securities. The Fund normally uses mid evaluations for any other types of fixed-income securities and any OTC derivative contracts. In the event that market quotations and price evaluations are not available for an investment, the fair value of the investment is determined in accordance with procedures adopted by the Trustees.
Repurchase Agreements
The Fund may invest in repurchase agreements for short-term liquidity purposes. It is the policy of the Fund to require the other party to a repurchase agreement to transfer to the Fund's custodian or sub-custodian eligible securities or cash with a market value (after transaction costs) at least equal to the repurchase price to be paid under the repurchase agreement. The eligible securities are transferred to accounts with the custodian or sub-custodian in which the Fund holds a “securities entitlement” and exercises “control” as those terms are defined in the Uniform Commercial Code. The Fund has established procedures for monitoring the market value of the transferred securities and requiring the transfer of additional eligible securities if necessary to equal at least the repurchase price. These procedures also allow the other party to require securities to be transferred from the account to the extent that their market value exceeds the repurchase price or in exchange for other eligible securities of equivalent market value.
The insolvency of the other party or other failure to repurchase the securities may delay the disposition of the underlying securities or cause the Fund to receive less than the full repurchase price. Under the terms of the repurchase agreement, any amounts received by the Fund in excess of the repurchase price and related transaction costs must be remitted to the other party.
Semi-Annual Shareholder Report
17

The Fund may enter into repurchase agreements in which eligible securities are transferred into joint trading accounts maintained by the custodian or sub-custodian for investment companies and other clients advised by the Fund's Adviser and its affiliates. The Fund will participate on a pro rata basis with the other investment companies and clients in its share of the securities transferred under such repurchase agreements and in its share of proceeds from any repurchase or other disposition of such securities.
Investment Income, Gains and Losses, Expenses and Distributions
Investment transactions are accounted for on a trade-date basis. Realized gains and losses from investment transactions are recorded on an identified-cost basis. Interest income and expenses are accrued daily. Dividend income and distributions to shareholders are recorded on the ex-dividend date. Foreign dividends are recorded on the ex-dividend date or when the Fund is informed of the ex-dividend date. Distributions of net investment income, if any, are declared and paid annually. Non-cash dividends included in dividend income, if any, are recorded at fair value. Amortization/accretion of premium and discount is included in investment income. Investment income, realized and unrealized gains and losses, and certain fund-level expenses are allocated to each class based on relative average daily net assets, except that select classes will bear certain expenses unique to those classes. The detail of the total fund expense waiver and reimbursement of $152,636 is disclosed in Note 5.
Dividends are declared separately for each class. No class has preferential dividend rights; differences in per share dividend rates are generally due to differences in separate class expenses.
Other Service Fees
The Fund may pay other service fees up to 0.25% of the average daily net assets of the Fund's Class A Shares, Class B Shares and Class C Shares to unaffiliated financial intermediaries or to Federated Shareholder Services Company (FSSC) for providing services to shareholders and maintaining shareholder accounts. Subject to the terms described in the Expense Limitation note, FSSC may voluntarily reimburse the Fund for other service fees. For the six months ended January 31, 2020, other service fees for the Fund were as follows:
  Other Service
Fees Incurred
Class A Shares $90,894
Class B Shares 15,102
Class C Shares 15,728
TOTAL $121,724
Federal Taxes
It is the Fund's policy to comply with the Subchapter M provision of the Internal Revenue Code and to distribute to shareholders each year substantially all of its income. Accordingly, no provision for federal income tax is necessary. As of and during the six months ended January 31, 2020, the Fund did not have a liability for any uncertain tax positions. The Fund recognizes interest and penalties, if any, related to tax liabilities as income tax expense in the Statement of Operations. As of January 31, 2020, tax years 2016 through 2019 remain subject to examination by the Fund's major tax jurisdictions, which include the United States of America and the Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
Semi-Annual Shareholder Report
18

When-Issued and Delayed-Delivery Transactions
The Fund may engage in when-issued or delayed-delivery transactions. The Fund records when-issued securities on the trade date and maintains security positions such that sufficient liquid assets will be available to make payment for the securities purchased. Securities purchased on a when-issued or delayed-delivery basis are marked to market daily and begin earning interest on the settlement date. Losses may occur on these transactions due to changes in market conditions or the failure of counterparties to perform under the contract.
Securities Lending
The Fund participates in a securities lending program providing for the lending of equity securities to qualified brokers. The term of the loans within the program is one year or less. The Fund normally receives cash collateral for securities loaned that may be invested in affiliated money market funds, other money market instruments and/or repurchase agreements. Investments in money market funds may include funds with a “floating” NAV that can impose redemption fees and liquidity gates, impose certain operational impediments to investing cash collateral, and, if the investee fund's NAV decreases, result in the Fund recognizing losses and being required to cover the decrease in the value of the cash collateral. Collateral is maintained at a minimum level of 100% of the market value of investments loaned, plus interest, if applicable. In accordance with the Fund's securities lending agreement, the market value of securities on loan is determined each day at the close of business and any additional collateral required to cover the value of securities on loan is delivered to the Fund on the next business day. Earnings on collateral are allocated between the borrower of the security, the securities lending agent, as a fee for its services under the program and the Fund, according to agreed-upon rates. The Fund will not have the right to vote on securities while they are on loan. However, the Fund will attempt to terminate a loan in an effort to reacquire the securities in time to vote on matters that are deemed to be material by the Adviser. There can be no assurance that the Fund will have sufficient notice of such matters to be able to terminate the loan in time to vote thereon.
Securities lending transactions are subject to Master Netting Agreements which are agreements between the Fund and its counterparties that provide for the net settlement of all transactions and collateral with the Fund, through a single payment, in the event of default or termination. Amounts presented on the Portfolio of Investments and Statement of Assets and Liabilities are not net settlement amounts but gross. As indicated below, the cash collateral received by the Fund exceeds the market value of the securities loaned reducing the net settlement amount to zero. The chart below identifies the amount of collateral received as well as the market value of securities on loan. Additionally, the securities lending agreement executed by the Fund includes an indemnification clause. This clause stipulates that the borrower will reimburse the Fund for any losses as a result of any failure of the borrower to return equivalent securities to the Fund.
As of January 31, 2020, securities subject to this type of arrangement and related collateral were as follows:
Market Value of
Securities Loaned
Collateral
Received
$1,281,957 $1,328,793
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Other
The preparation of financial statements in conformity with GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the amounts of assets, liabilities, expenses and revenues reported in the financial statements. Actual results could differ from those estimated. The Fund applies investment company accounting and reporting guidance.
3. SHARES OF BENEFICIAL INTEREST
The following tables summarize share activity:
  Six Months Ended
1/31/2020
Year Ended
7/31/2019
Class A Shares: Shares Amount Shares Amount
Shares sold 200,932 $4,141,623 656,472 $13,105,404
Proceeds from shares issued in connection with the tax-free transfer of assets from the Acquired Fund 703,729 14,926,094
Shares issued to shareholders in payment of distributions declared 185,136 3,734,190 287,970 4,964,605
Shares redeemed (507,769) (10,606,596) (573,201) (11,287,981)
NET CHANGE RESULTING FROM
CLASS A SHARE TRANSACTIONS
582,028 $12,195,311 371,241 $6,782,028
    
  Six Months Ended
1/31/2020
Year Ended
7/31/2019
Class B Shares: Shares Amount Shares Amount
Shares sold 1,981 $36,708 15,474 $275,427
Shares issued to shareholders in payment of distributions declared 38,249 685,430 81,777 1,269,989
Shares redeemed (96,266) (1,779,785) (186,625) (3,266,416)
NET CHANGE RESULTING FROM
CLASS B SHARE TRANSACTIONS
(56,036) $(1,057,647) (89,374) $(1,721,000)
    
  Six Months Ended
1/31/2020
Year Ended
7/31/2019
Class C Shares: Shares Amount Shares Amount
Shares sold 53,024 $950,974 287,106 $4,940,359
Proceeds from shares issued in connection with the tax-free transfer of assets from the Acquired Fund 18,359 337,996
Shares issued to shareholders in payment of distributions declared 43,943 762,414 64,160 966,884
Shares redeemed (81,798) (1,475,336) (245,939) (4,453,354)
NET CHANGE RESULTING FROM
CLASS C SHARE TRANSACTIONS
33,528 $576,048 105,327 $1,453,889
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  Six Months Ended
1/31/2020
Year Ended
7/31/2019
Institutional Shares: Shares Amount Shares Amount
Shares sold 262,387 $5,750,100 1,564,212 $32,466,763
Proceeds from shares issued in connection with the tax-free transfer of assets from the Acquired Fund 3,883,108 86,476,809
Shares issued to shareholders in payment of distributions declared 174,603 3,706,825 103,408 1,867,555
Shares redeemed (2,446,717) (54,808,190) (524,974) (10,747,907)
NET CHANGE RESULTING FROM
INSTITUTIONAL SHARE TRANSACTIONS
1,873,381 $41,125,544 1,142,646 $23,586,411
NET CHANGE RESULTING FROM
TOTAL FUND SHARE TRANSACTIONS
2,432,901 $52,839,256 1,529,840 $30,101,328
4. FEDERAL TAX INFORMATION
At January 31, 2020, the cost of investments for federal tax purposes was $153,810,146. The net unrealized appreciation of investments for federal tax purposes was $34,203,203. This consists of net unrealized appreciation from investments for those securities having an excess of value over cost of $36,957,036 and net unrealized depreciation from investments for those securities having an excess of cost over value of $2,753,833.
5. INVESTMENT ADVISER FEE AND OTHER TRANSACTIONS WITH AFFILIATES
Investment Adviser Fee
The advisory agreement between the Fund and the Adviser provides for an annual fee equal to 0.75% of the Fund's average daily net assets. Subject to the terms described in the Expense Limitation note, the Adviser may voluntarily choose to waive any portion of its fee. For the six months ended January 31, 2020, the Adviser voluntarily waived $151,616 of its fee. The Adviser has agreed to reimburse the Fund for certain investment adviser fees as a result of transactions in other affiliated investment companies. For the six months ended January 31, 2020, the Adviser reimbursed $1,020.
Administrative Fee
Federated Administrative Services (FAS), under the Administrative Services Agreement, provides the Fund with administrative personnel and services. For purposes of determining the appropriate rate breakpoint, “Investment Complex” is defined as all of the Federated Hermes Funds subject to a fee under the Administrative Services Agreement. The fee paid to FAS is based on the average daily net assets of the Investment Complex as specified below:
Administrative Fee Average Daily Net Assets
of the Investment Complex
0.100% on assets up to $50 billion
0.075% on assets over $50 billion
Subject to the terms described in the Expense Limitation note, FAS may voluntarily choose to waive any portion of its fee. For the six months ended January 31, 2020, the annualized fee paid to FAS was 0.079% of average daily net assets of the Fund.
In addition, FAS may charge certain out-of-pocket expenses to the Fund.
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Distribution Services Fee
The Fund has adopted a Distribution Plan (the “Plan”) pursuant to Rule 12b-1 under the Act. Under the terms of the Plan, the Fund will compensate Federated Securities Corp. (FSC), the principal distributor, from the daily net assets of the Fund's Class A Shares, Class B Shares and Class C Shares to finance activities intended to result in the sale of these shares. The Plan provides that the Fund may incur distribution expenses at the following percentages of average daily net assets annually, to compensate FSC:
  Percentage of Average Daily
Net Assets of Class
Class A Shares 0.05%
Class B Shares 0.75%
Class C Shares 0.75%
Subject to the terms described in the Expense Limitation note, FSC may voluntarily choose to waive any portion of its fee. For the six months ended January 31, 2020, distribution services fees for the Fund were as follows:
  Distribution Services
Fees Incurred
Class B Shares $45,306
Class C Shares 47,182
TOTAL $92,488
When FSC receives fees, it may pay some or all of them to financial intermediaries whose customers purchase shares. For the six months ended January 31, 2020, FSC retained $55,553 of fees paid by the Fund. For the six months ended January 31, 2020, the Fund's Class A Shares did not incur a distribution services fee; however, it may begin to incur this fee upon approval of the Trustees.
Other Service Fees
For the six months ended January 31, 2020, FSSC received $22,999 of the other service fees disclosed in Note 2.
Sales Charges
Front-end sales charges and contingent deferred sales charges (CDSC) do not represent expenses of the Fund. They are deducted from the proceeds of sales of Fund shares prior to investment or from redemption proceeds prior to remittance, as applicable. For the six months ended January 31, 2020, FSC retained $4,174 in sales charges from the sale of Class A Shares. FSC also retained $10,454 and $564 of CDSC relating to redemptions of Class B Shares and Class C Shares, respectively.
Expense Limitation
The Adviser and certain of its affiliates (which may include FSC, FAS and FSSC) on their own initiative have agreed to waive certain amounts of their respective fees and/or reimburse expenses. Effective November 18, 2019, total annual fund operating expenses (as shown in the financial highlights, excluding, interest expenses, extraordinary expenses and proxy-related expenses paid by the Fund, if any) paid by the Fund's Class A Shares, Class B Shares, Class C Shares and Institutional Shares (after the voluntary waivers and/or reimbursements) will not exceed 0.99%, 1.74%, 1.74% and 0.74% (the “Fee Limit”), respectively, up to but not including
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the later of (the “Termination Date”): (a) December 1, 2020; or (b) the date of the Fund's next effective Prospectus. Prior to November 18, 2019, the Fee Limits disclosed above for the referenced share classes were 1.51%, 2.26%, 2.26% and 1.26%, respectively. While the Adviser and its applicable affiliates currently do not anticipate terminating or increasing these arrangements prior to the Termination Date, these arrangements may only be terminated or the Fee Limit increased prior to the Termination Date with the agreement of the Trustees.
Directors'/Trustees' and Miscellaneous Fees
Certain Officers and Trustees of the Fund are Officers and Directors or Trustees of certain of the above companies. To efficiently facilitate payment, Independent Directors'/Trustees' fees and certain expenses related to conducting meetings of the Directors/Trustees and other miscellaneous expenses are paid by an affiliate of the Adviser which in due course are reimbursed by the Fund. These expenses related to conducting meetings of the Directors/Trustees and other miscellaneous expenses may be included in Accrued and Miscellaneous Expenses on the Statement of Assets and Liabilities and Statement of Operations, respectively.
6. INVESTMENT TRANSACTIONS
Purchases and sales of investments, excluding long-term U.S. government securities and short-term obligations, for the six months ended January 31, 2020, were as follows:
Purchases $133,470,517
Sales $191,050,281
7. CONCENTRATION OF RISK
The Fund may invest a portion of its assets in securities of companies that are deemed by the
Fund's management to be classified in similar business sectors. Economic developments may
have an effect on the liquidity and volatility of the portfolio securities.
8. LINE OF CREDIT
The Fund participates with certain other Federated Hermes Funds, on a several basis, in an up to $500,000,000 unsecured, 364-day, committed, revolving line of credit (LOC) agreement. The LOC was made available to finance temporarily the repurchase or redemption of shares of the Fund, failed trades, payment of dividends, settlement of trades and for other short-term, temporary or emergency general business purposes. The Fund cannot borrow under the LOC if an inter-fund loan is outstanding. The Fund's ability to borrow under the LOC also is subject to the limitations of the Act and various conditions precedent that must be satisfied before the Fund can borrow. Loans under the LOC are charged interest at a fluctuating rate per annum equal to the highest, on any day, of (a) (i) the federal funds effective rate, (ii) the one month London Interbank Offered Rate (LIBOR), and (iii) 0.0%, plus (b) a margin. The LOC also requires the Fund to pay, quarterly in arrears and at maturity, its pro rata share of a commitment fee based on the amount of the lenders' commitment that has not been utilized. As of January 31, 2020, the Fund had no outstanding loans. During the six months ended January 31, 2020, the Fund did not utilize the LOC.
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9. INTERFUND LENDING
Pursuant to an Exemptive Order issued by the SEC, the Fund, along with other funds advised by subsidiaries of Federated Hermes, Inc., may participate in an interfund lending program. This program provides an alternative credit facility allowing the Fund to borrow from other participating affiliated funds. As of January 31, 2020, there were no outstanding loans. During the six months ended January 31, 2020, the program was not utilized.
10. SUBSEQUENT EVENTS
An outbreak of respiratory disease caused by a novel coronavirus was first detected in China in December 2019 and subsequently spread internationally. As of the date of the issuance of these financial statements, this coronavirus has resulted in closing borders, enhanced health screenings, healthcare service preparation and delivery, quarantines, cancellations, disruptions to supply chains, workflow operations and customer activity, as well as general concern and uncertainty. The impact of this coronavirus may be short term or may last for an extended period of time and result in a substantial economic downturn. The impact of this outbreak, and other epidemics and pandemics that may arise in the future, could negatively affect the worldwide economy, as well as the economies of individual countries, individual companies (including Fund service providers) and the market in general in significant and unforeseen ways. Any such impact could adversely affect the Fund's performance.
Effective on or about June 29, 2020, the name of the Trust and Fund will change to Federated Hermes MDT Series and Federated Hermes MDT Large Cap Growth Fund, respectively.
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Shareholder Expense Example (unaudited)
As a shareholder of the Fund, you incur two types of costs: (1) transaction costs, including sales charges (loads) on purchase or redemption payments; and (2) ongoing costs, including management fees and to the extent applicable, distribution (12b-1) fees and/or other service fees and other Fund expenses. This Example is intended to help you to understand your ongoing costs (in dollars) of investing in the Fund and to compare these costs with the ongoing costs of investing in other mutual funds. It is based on an investment of $1,000 invested at the beginning of the period and held for the entire period from August 1, 2019 to January 31, 2020.
ACTUAL EXPENSES
The first section of the table below provides information about actual account values and actual expenses. You may use the information in this section, together with the amount you invested, to estimate the expenses that you incurred over the period. Simply divide your account value by $1,000 (for example, an $8,600 account value divided by $1,000 = 8.6), then multiply the result by the number in the first section under the heading entitled “Expenses Paid During Period” to estimate the expenses attributable to your investment during this period.
HYPOTHETICAL EXAMPLE FOR COMPARISON PURPOSES
The second section of the table below provides information about hypothetical account values and hypothetical expenses based on the Fund's actual expense ratio and an assumed rate of return of 5% per year before expenses, which is not the Fund's actual return. Thus, you should not use the hypothetical account values and expenses to estimate the actual ending account balance or your expenses for the period. Rather, these figures are required to be provided to enable you to compare the ongoing costs of investing in the Fund with other funds. To do so, compare this 5% hypothetical example with the 5% hypothetical examples that appear in the shareholder reports of the other funds.
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Please note that the expenses shown in the table are meant to highlight your ongoing costs only and do not reflect any transaction costs, such as sales charges (loads) on purchase or redemption payments. Therefore, the second section of the table is useful in comparing ongoing costs only, and will not help you determine the relative total costs of owning different funds. In addition, if these transaction costs were included, your costs would have been higher.
  Beginning
Account Value
8/1/2019
Ending
Account Value
1/31/2020
Expenses Paid
During Period1
Actual:      
Class A Shares $1,000 $1,080.50 $6.542
Class B Shares $1,000 $1,076.90 $10.553
Class C Shares $1,000 $1,076.40 $10.494
Institutional Shares $1,000 $1,081.80 $4.765
Hypothetical (assuming a 5% return
before expenses):
     
Class A Shares $1,000 $1,018.80 $6.342
Class B Shares $1,000 $1,014.90 $10.233
Class C Shares $1,000 $1,015.00 $10.184
Institutional Shares $1,000 $1,020.50 $4.625
1 Expenses are equal to the Fund's annualized net expense ratios, multiplied by the average account value over the period, multiplied by 184/366 (to reflect the one-half-year period). The annualized net expense ratios are as follows:
   
Class A Shares 1.25%
Class B Shares 2.02%
Class C Shares 2.01%
Institutional Shares 0.91%
2 Actual and Hypothetical expenses paid during the period utilizing the Fund's Class A Shares current Fee Limit of 0.99% (as reflected in the Notes to Financial Statements, Note 5 under Expense Limitation), multiplied by the average account value over the period, multiplied by 184/366 (to reflect expenses paid as if they had been in effect throughout the most recent one-half-year period) would be $5.18 and $5.03, respectively.
3 Actual and Hypothetical expenses paid during the period utilizing the Fund's Class B Shares current Fee Limit of 1.74% (as reflected in the Notes to Financial Statements, Note 5 under Expense Limitation), multiplied by the average account value over the period, multiplied by 184/366 (to reflect expenses paid as if they had been in effect throughout the most recent one-half-year period) would be $9.08 and $8.82, respectively.
4 Actual and Hypothetical expenses paid during the period utilizing the Fund's Class C Shares current Fee Limit of 1.74% (as reflected in the Notes to Financial Statements, Note 5 under Expense Limitation), multiplied by the average account value over the period, multiplied by 184/366 (to reflect expenses paid as if they had been in effect throughout the most recent one-half-year period) would be $9.08 and $8.82, respectively.
5 Actual and Hypothetical expenses paid during the period utilizing the Fund's Institutional Shares current Fee Limit of 0.74% (as reflected in the Notes to Financial Statements, Note 5 under Expense Limitation), multiplied by the average account value over the period, multiplied by 184/366 (to reflect expenses paid as if they had been in effect throughout the most recent one-half-year period) would be $3.87 and $3.76, respectively.
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Evaluation and Approval of Advisory ContractMay 2019
Federated MDT Large Cap Growth Fund (the “Fund”)
At its meetings in May 2019, the Fund's Board of Trustees (the “Board”), including a majority of those Trustees who are not “interested persons” of the Fund, as defined in the Investment Company Act of 1940 (the “Independent Trustees”) reviewed and unanimously approved the continuation of the Fund's investment advisory contract for an additional one-year term. The Board's decision regarding the contract reflects the exercise of its business judgment after considering all of the information received on whether to continue the existing arrangements.
At the request of the Independent Trustees, the Fund's Chief Compliance Officer (the CCO) furnished to the Board in advance of its May 2019 meetings an independent written evaluation presenting on the topics discussed below. The Board considered the CCO's independent written evaluation (the “CCO Fee Evaluation Report”), along with other information, in evaluating the reasonableness of the Fund's management fee and in deciding to approve the continuation of the investment advisory contract. The CCO, in preparing the CCO Fee Evaluation Report, has the authority to retain consultants, experts or staff as reasonably necessary to assist in the performance of his duties, reports directly to the Board, and can be terminated only with the approval of a majority of the Independent Trustees. At the request of the Independent Trustees, the CCO Fee Evaluation Report followed the same general approach and covered the same topics as that of the report that had previously been delivered by the CCO in his capacity as “Senior Officer,” prior to the elimination of the Senior Officer position in December 2017.
The Board also considered judicial decisions concerning allegedly excessive investment advisory fees in making its decision. Using these judicial decisions as a guide, the Board observed that the following factors may be relevant to an adviser's fiduciary duty with respect to its receipt of compensation from a fund: (1) the nature and quality of the services provided by an adviser to a fund and its shareholders (including the performance of the fund, its benchmark, and comparable funds); (2) an adviser's cost of providing the services (including the profitability to an adviser of providing advisory services to a fund); (3) the extent to which an adviser may realize “economies of scale” as a fund grows larger and, if such economies of scale exist, whether they have been shared with a fund and its shareholders or the family of funds; (4) any “fall-out” financial benefits that accrue to an adviser because of its relationship with a fund (including research services received from brokers that execute fund trades and any fees paid to affiliates of an adviser for services rendered to a fund); (5) comparative fee and expense structures (including a comparison of fees paid to an adviser with those paid by similar funds both internally and externally as well as management fees charged to institutional and other advisory clients of the
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adviser for what might be viewed as like services); and (6) the extent of care, conscientiousness and independence with which the fund's board members perform their duties and their expertise (including whether they are fully informed about all facts the board deems relevant to its consideration of an adviser's services and fees). The Board noted that the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) disclosure requirements regarding the basis for the Board's approval of the Fund's investment advisory contract generally align with the factors listed above. The Board was aware of these factors and was guided by them in its review of the Fund's investment advisory contract to the extent it considered them to be appropriate and relevant, as discussed further below.
The Board considered and weighed these factors in light of its substantial accumulated experience in governing the Fund and working with Federated MDTA LLC (the “Adviser”) and its affiliates (collectively “Federated”) on matters relating to the funds advised by Federated (each, a “Federated Fund”). The Independent Trustees were assisted in their deliberations by independent legal counsel.
In addition to the extensive materials that comprise and accompany the CCO Fee Evaluation Report, the Board received detailed information about the Fund and the Federated organization throughout the year, and in connection with its May meetings at which the Board's formal approval of the advisory and subadvisory contracts occurred. In this regard, Federated provided much of this information at each regular meeting of the Board, and furnished additional information specifically in connection with the May meetings. In the months preceding the May meetings, the Board requested and reviewed written materials prepared by Federated in response to requests on behalf of the Independent Trustees encompassing a wide variety of topics. At the May meetings, in addition to meeting in separate sessions of the Independent Trustees without management present, senior management of the Adviser also met with the Independent Trustees and their counsel to discuss the materials presented and such additional matters as the Independent Trustees deemed reasonably necessary to evaluate the advisory and subadvisory contracts. Between regularly scheduled meetings, the Board also received information on particular matters as the need arose.
The Board's consideration of the investment advisory contract included review of the CCO Fee Evaluation Report, accompanying data and additional information covering the following matters, among others: the Adviser's investment philosophy, revenue, profitability, personnel and processes; investment and operating strategies; the Fund's short-term and long-term performance (in absolute terms, both on a gross basis and net of expenses, as well as in terms relative to its particular investment program and certain competitor or “peer group” funds and/or other benchmarks, as appropriate) and comments on the reasons for performance; the Fund's investment objectives; the Fund's expenses, including the advisory fee and the overall expense structure of the Fund (both in absolute terms and relative to similar and/or competing funds), with due
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regard for contractual or voluntary expense limitations; the use and allocation of brokerage commissions derived from trading the Fund's portfolio securities (if any); and the nature, quality and extent of the advisory and other services provided to the Fund by the Adviser and its affiliates. The Board also considered the preferences and expectations of Fund shareholders; the entrepreneurial and other risks assumed by the Adviser in sponsoring the Fund; the continuing state of competition in the mutual fund industry and market practices; the range of comparable fees for similar funds in the mutual fund industry; the Fund's relationship to the Federated Funds which include a comprehensive array of funds with different investment objectives, policies and strategies which are generally available for exchange without the incurrence of additional sales charges; compliance and audit reports concerning the Federated Funds and the Federated companies that service them (including communications from regulatory agencies), as well as Federated's responses to any issues raised therein; and relevant developments in the mutual fund industry and how the Federated Funds and/or Federated are responding to them. The Board's evaluation process is evolutionary. The criteria considered and the emphasis placed on relevant criteria change in recognition of changing circumstances in the mutual fund marketplace.
While mindful that courts have cautioned against giving too much weight to comparative information concerning fees charged by other advisers for managing funds with comparable investment programs, the Board has found the use of such comparisons to be relevant to its deliberations. In this regard, the Board was presented with, and considered, information regarding the contractual advisory fee rates, net advisory fee rates, total expense ratios and each element of the Fund's total expense ratio (i.e., gross and net advisory fees, custody fees, portfolio accounting fees and transfer agency fees) relative to an appropriate group of peer funds compiled by Federated using data supplied by independent fund ranking organizations (the “Peer Group”). The Board received a description of the composition and methodology used to select the Peer Group. The Board focused on comparisons with other similar mutual funds more heavily than non-mutual fund products or services because it is believed that they are more relevant. For example, other mutual funds are the products most like the Fund, in that they are readily available to Fund shareholders as alternative investment vehicles. Also, they are the type of investment vehicle, in fact, chosen and maintained by the Fund's investors. The range of their fees and expenses, therefore, appears to be a relevant indicator of what consumers have found to be reasonable in the marketplace in which the Fund competes.
The Board reviewed the contractual advisory fee rate, net advisory fee rate and other expenses of the Fund and noted the position of the Fund's fee rates relative to its Peer Group. In this regard, the Board noted that the contractual advisory fee rate was above the median of the relevant Peer Group, but the Board noted the applicable waivers and reimbursements, and that the overall expense structure of the Fund remained competitive in the context of other
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factors considered by the Board. In this regard, the Board had been previously advised that, while comparisons to fund Peer Groups are relevant in judging the reasonableness of advisory fees, the Fund's quantitative focus makes fee and expense comparisons particularly difficult. Although the Fund's advisory fee was above the median of the peer range, the Peer Group of funds varied widely in their complexity, and the Board has been informed that the management of the Fund is among the more complex relative to its Peer Group.
For comparison, the CCO reviewed the fees charged by Federated for providing advisory services to products other than the Federated Funds (e.g., institutional separate accounts and third-party unaffiliated mutual funds for which Federated serves as sub-adviser) (referenced to as “Comparable Funds/Accounts”). With respect to Comparable Funds/Accounts other than third-party mutual funds, the CCO concluded that they are inherently different products. Those differences include, but are not limited to, different types of targeted investors; different applicable laws and regulations; different legal structures; different average account sizes and portfolio management techniques made necessary by different cash flows and different associated costs; and the time spent by portfolio managers and their teams, as well as personnel in the Funds Financial Services, Legal, Compliance and Risk Management departments, in reviewing securities pricing, addressing different administrative responsibilities, addressing different degrees of risk associated with management and a variety of different costs. The CCO also reviewed the differences in the nature of the services required for Federated to manage its proprietary mutual fund business versus managing a discrete pool of assets as a sub-adviser to another institution's mutual fund, and that Federated generally performs significant additional services and assumes substantially greater risks in managing the Fund and other Federated Funds than in its role as sub-adviser to an unaffiliated third-party mutual fund. The CCO did not consider the fees for providing advisory services to Comparable Funds/Accounts to be determinative in judging the appropriateness of the Federated Funds' advisory fees.
The CCO noted that the services, administrative responsibilities and risks associated with such relationships are quite different than serving as a primary adviser to a fund.
Following such evaluation, and full deliberations, the Board concluded that the fees and expenses of the Fund are reasonable and supported renewal of the Fund's investment advisory contract.
The Board considered the nature, extent and quality of the services provided to the Fund by the Adviser and the resources of the Adviser and its affiliates dedicated to the Fund. In this regard, the Board evaluated, among other things, the Adviser's personnel, experience, track record, financial resources, overall reputation and willingness to invest in personnel and infrastructure that benefit the Fund. In addition, the Board reviewed the qualifications, backgrounds and responsibilities of the portfolio management team primarily responsible for the day-to-day management of the Fund and the Adviser's ability and experience in
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attracting and retaining qualified personnel to service the Fund. The Board noted the investment research and company engagement capabilities of the Adviser and its affiliates. The Board also noted the compliance program of the Adviser and the compliance-related resources provided to the Fund by the Adviser, including the Adviser's commitment to respond to rulemaking initiatives of the SEC. The Fund's ability to deliver competitive performance when compared to its Peer Group was also deemed to be relevant by the Board as a useful indicator of how the Adviser is executing the Fund's investment program. The Adviser's ability to execute this program was one of the Board's considerations in reaching a conclusion that the nature, extent and quality of the Adviser's investment management services warrant the continuation of the investment advisory contract.
In evaluating the Fund's investment performance, the Board considered performance results in light of the Fund's investment objective, strategies and risks, as disclosed in the Fund's prospectus. The Board considered detailed investment reports on the Fund's performance that were provided to the Board throughout the year and in connection with the May meetings. The CCO also reviewed information regarding the performance of other mutual funds in the Peer Group, noting the CCO's view that comparisons to fund peer groups may be helpful, though not conclusive, in evaluating the performance of the Adviser in managing the Fund. The Board considered, in evaluating such comparisons, that in some cases there may be differences in the funds' investment objectives or investment management techniques, or the costs to implement funds, even within the same Peer Group, and that the CCO had specifically noted that the Fund's quantitative focus makes fee and expense comparisons particularly difficult as the funds in the Peer Group varied widely in their complexity, and the management of the Fund is among the more complex relative to its Peer Group.
For the one-year, three-year and five-year periods covered by the CCO Fee Evaluation Report, the Fund's performance was above the median of the relevant Peer Group. In addition, the Board was informed by the Adviser that the Fund outperformed its benchmark index for the one-year period.
Following such evaluation, and full deliberations, the Board concluded that the performance of the Fund supported renewal of the Fund's advisory contract.
The Board also received financial information about Federated, including information regarding the compensation and ancillary (or “fall-out”) benefits Federated derived from its relationships with the Federated Funds. This information covered not only the fees under the investment advisory contracts, but also fees received by Federated's subsidiaries for providing other services to the Federated Funds under separate contracts (e.g., for serving as the Federated Funds' administrator and distributor). In this regard, the Board considered that certain Federated subsidiaries provide distribution and shareholder services to the Federated Funds, for which they may be compensated through distribution
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and servicing fees paid pursuant to Rule 12b-1 plans or otherwise. The information also detailed any indirect benefit Federated may derive from its receipt of research services from brokers who execute Federated Fund trades. In addition, the Board considered the fact that, in order for a Federated Fund to be competitive in the marketplace, the Adviser and its affiliates frequently waived fees and/or reimbursed expenses and have disclosed to Federated Fund investors and/or indicated to the Board their intention to do so in the future. Moreover, the Board receives regular reporting as to the institution, adjustment or elimination of these voluntary waivers. The Board considered Federated's previous reductions in contractual management fees to certain Federated Funds in response to the CCO's recommendations in the prior year's CCO Fee Evaluation Report.
Federated furnished information, requested by the CCO, that reported revenues on a fund-by-fund basis and made estimates of the allocation of expenses on a fund-by-fund basis, using allocation methodologies specified by the CCO. The CCO noted that, while these cost allocation reports apply consistent allocation processes, the inherent difficulties in allocating costs continues to cause the CCO to question the precision of the process and to conclude that such reports may be unreliable, since a single change in an allocation estimate may dramatically alter the resulting estimate of cost and/or profitability of a Federated Fund and may produce unintended consequences. The allocation information, including the CCO's view that fund-by-fund estimations may be unreliable, was considered in the evaluation by the Board.
The Board and the CCO also reviewed information compiled by Federated comparing its profitability information to other publicly held fund management companies, including information regarding profitability trends over time. In this regard, the CCO concluded that Federated's profit margins did not appear to be excessive. The CCO also noted that Federated appeared financially sound, with the resources necessary to fulfill its obligations under its contracts with the Fund.
The CCO Fee Evaluation Report also discussed the notion of possible realization of “economies of scale” as a fund grows larger, the difficulties of calculating economies of scale at an individual fund level, and the extent to which potential scale benefits are shared with shareholders. In this regard, the Board considered that Federated has made significant and long-term investments in areas that support all of the Federated Funds, such as personnel and processes for the portfolio management, shareholder services, compliance, internal audit and risk management functions, as well as systems technology (including technology relating to cybersecurity) and that the benefits of these investments (as well as any economies of scale, should they exist) were likely to be shared with the Federated Fund family as a whole. The Board noted that Federated's investments in these areas are extensive. In addition, the Board considered that the Adviser and its affiliates have frequently waived fees and/or reimbursed expenses and that this has allowed potential economies of scale to be shared
Semi-Annual Shareholder Report
32

with shareholders. The Board also considered that such waivers and reimbursements can provide protection from an increase in expenses if a Federated Fund's assets decline. Federated, as it does throughout the year, and specifically in connection with the Board's review of the advisory and subadvisory contracts, furnished information relative to revenue sharing or adviser-paid fees. Federated and the CCO noted that this information should be viewed to determine if there was an incentive to either not apply breakpoints, or to apply breakpoints at higher levels, and should not be viewed to determine the appropriateness of advisory fees. The Board also noted the absence of any applicable regulatory or industry guidelines on this subject, which (as discussed in the CCO Fee Evaluation Report) is compounded by the lack of any common industry practice or general pattern with respect to structuring fund advisory fees with “breakpoints” that serve to reduce the fee as a fund attains a certain size.
The CCO stated that his observations and the information accompanying the CCO Fee Evaluation Report supported a finding by the Board that the management fee for the Fund was reasonable. Under these circumstances, no changes were recommended to, and no objection was raised to the continuation of, the Fund's investment advisory contract. The CCO also recognized that the Board's evaluation of the Federated Funds' advisory and subadvisory arrangements is a continuing and on-going process that is informed by the information that the Board requests and receives from management throughout the course of the year and, in this regard, the CCO noted certain items for future reporting to the Board or further consideration by management as the Board continues its on-going oversight of the Federated Funds.
In its decision to continue an existing investment advisory contract, the Board was mindful of the potential disruptions of the Fund's operations and various risks, uncertainties and other effects that could occur as a result of a decision to terminate or not renew an investment advisory contract. In particular, the Board recognized that many shareholders have invested in the Fund on the strength of the Adviser's industry standing and reputation and with the expectation that the Adviser will have a continuing role in providing advisory services to the Fund. Thus, the Board's approval of the investment advisory contract reflected the fact that it is the shareholders who have effectively selected the Adviser by virtue of having invested in the Fund. The Board concluded that, in light of the factors summarized above, including the nature, quality and scope of the services provided to the Fund by the Adviser and its affiliates, continuation of the investment advisory contract was appropriate.
Semi-Annual Shareholder Report
33

The Board based its decision to approve the investment advisory contract on the totality of the circumstances and relevant factors and with a view to past and future long-term considerations. Not all of the factors and considerations identified above were necessarily relevant to the Fund, nor did the Board consider any one of them to be determinative. With respect to the factors that were relevant, the Board's decision to approve the continuation of the contract reflects its view that Federated's performance and actions provided a satisfactory basis to support the decision to continue the existing arrangement.
Semi-Annual Shareholder Report
34

Voting Proxies on Fund Portfolio Securities
A description of the policies and procedures that the Fund uses to determine how to vote proxies, if any, relating to securities held in the Fund's portfolio is available, without charge and upon request, by calling 1-800-341-7400. A report on “Form N-PX” of how the Fund voted any such proxies during the most recent 12-month period ended June 30 is available via the Proxy Voting Record (Form N-PX) link associated with the Fund and share class name at www.FederatedInvestors.com/FundInformation. Form N-PX filings are also available at the SEC's website at sec.gov.
Quarterly Portfolio Schedule
Each fiscal quarter, the Fund will file with the SEC a complete schedule of its monthly portfolio holdings on “Form N-PORT.” The Fund's holdings as of the end of the third month of every fiscal quarter, as reported on Form N-PORT, will be publicly available on the SEC's website at www.sec.gov within 60 days of the end of the fiscal quarter upon filing. You may also access this information via the link to the Fund and share class name at www.FederatedInvestors.com.
Semi-Annual Shareholder Report
35

Mutual funds are not bank deposits or obligations, are not guaranteed by any bank and are not insured or guaranteed by the U.S. government, the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation, the Federal Reserve Board or any other government agency. Investment in mutual funds involves investment risk, including the possible loss of principal.
This Report is authorized for distribution to prospective investors only when preceded or accompanied by the Fund's Prospectus, which contains facts concerning its objective and policies, management fees, expenses and other information.
IMPORTANT NOTICE ABOUT FUND DOCUMENT DELIVERY    
In an effort to reduce costs and avoid duplicate mailings, the Fund(s) intend to deliver a single copy of certain documents to each household in which more than one shareholder of the Fund(s) resides (so-called “householding”), as permitted by applicable rules. The Fund's “householding” program covers its/their Prospectus and Statement of Additional Information, and supplements to each, as well as Semi-Annual and Annual Shareholder Reports and any Proxies or information statements. Shareholders must give their written consent to participate in the “householding” program. The Fund is also permitted to treat a shareholder as having given consent (“implied consent”) if (i) shareholders with the same last name, or believed to be members of the same family, reside at the same street address or receive mail at the same post office box, (ii) the Fund gives notice of its intent to “household” at least sixty (60) days before it begins “householding” and (iii) none of the shareholders in the household have notified the Fund(s) or their agent of the desire to “opt out” of “householding.” Shareholders who have granted written consent, or have been deemed to have granted implied consent, can revoke that consent and opt out of “householding” at any time: shareholders who purchased shares through an intermediary should contact their representative; other shareholders may call the Fund at 1-800-341-7400.
Semi-Annual Shareholder Report
36

Federated MDT Large Cap Growth Fund
Federated Hermes Funds
4000 Ericsson Drive
Warrendale, PA 15086-7561
Contact us at FederatedInvestors.com
or call 1-800-341-7400.
Federated Securities Corp., Distributor
CUSIP 31421R700
CUSIP 31421R684
CUSIP 31421R809
CUSIP 31421R882
36353 (3/20)
© 2020 Federated Hermes, Inc.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Semi-Annual Shareholder Report
January 31, 2020
Share Class | Ticker A | QASCX C | QCSCX Institutional | QISCX R6 | QLSCX

Federated MDT Small Cap Core Fund
Fund Established 2005

A Portfolio of Federated MDT Series
IMPORTANT NOTICE REGARDING REPORT DELIVERY
Beginning on January 1, 2021, as permitted by regulations adopted by the Securities and Exchange Commission, paper copies of the Fund's shareholder reports like this one will no longer be sent by mail, unless you specifically request paper copies of the reports from the Fund or from your financial intermediary, such as a broker-dealer or bank. Instead, the reports will be made available on a website, and you will be notified by mail each time a report is posted and provided with a website link to access the report.
If you already elected to receive shareholder reports electronically, you will not be affected by this change and you need not take any action. You may elect to receive shareholder reports and other communications from the Fund or your financial intermediary electronically by contacting your financial intermediary (such as a broker-dealer or bank); other shareholders may call the Fund at 1-800-341-7400, Option 4.
You may elect to receive all future reports in paper free of charge. You can inform the Fund or your financial intermediary that you wish to continue receiving paper copies of your shareholder reports by contacting your financial intermediary (such as a broker-dealer or bank); other shareholders may call the Fund at 1-800-341-7400, Option 4. Your election to receive reports in paper will apply to all funds held with the Fund complex or your financial intermediary.

Not FDIC Insured ■ May Lose Value ■ No Bank Guarantee

J. Christopher
Donahue
President
Federated MDT Small Cap Core Fund
Letter from the President
Dear Valued Shareholder,
I am pleased to present the Semi-Annual Shareholder Report for your fund covering the period from August 1, 2019 through January 31, 2020. This report includes a complete listing of your fund's holdings, performance information and financial statements along with other important fund information.
In addition, our website, FederatedInvestors.com, offers easy access to valuable resources that include timely fund updates, economic and market insights from our investment strategists, and financial planning tools.
Thank you for investing with us. I hope you find this information useful and look forward to keeping you informed.
Sincerely,
J. Christopher Donahue, President
         


Portfolio of Investments Summary Table (unaudited)
At January 31, 2020, the Fund's sector composition1 was as follows:
Sector Composition Percentage of
Total Net Assets
Financials 18.5%
Health Care 16.2%
Industrials 15.4%
Information Technology 14.1%
Consumer Discretionary 12.1%
Real Estate 9.0%
Energy 3.2%
Materials 2.8%
Utilities 2.7%
Consumer Staples 2.4%
Communication Services 2.0%
Securities Lending Collateral2 8.8%
Cash Equivalents3 1.3%
Other Assets and Liabilities—Net4 (8.5)%
TOTAL 100.0%
1 Except for Securities Lending Collateral, Cash Equivalents and Other Assets and Liabilities, sector classifications are based upon, and individual portfolio securities are assigned to, the classifications of the Global Industry Classification Standard (GICS) except that the Adviser assigns a classification to securities not classified by the GICS and to securities for which the Adviser does not have access to the classification made by the GICS.
2 Represents cash collateral received for portfolio securities on loan that may be invested in affiliated money market funds, other money market instruments and/or repurchase agreements.
3 Cash Equivalents include any investments in money market mutual funds and/or overnight repurchase agreements other than those representing cash collateral for securities lending.
4 Assets, other than investments in securities, less liabilities. See Statement of Assets and Liabilities.
Semi-Annual Shareholder Report
1

Portfolio of Investments
January 31, 2020 (unaudited)
Shares     Value
    COMMON STOCKS—98.4%  
    Communication Services—2.0%  
465,193 1 Cars.com, Inc. $5,428,802
49,375   Cogent Communications Holdings, Inc. 3,502,169
234,651   Emerald Expositions Events, Inc. 2,447,410
35,158 1,2 EverQuote, Inc. 1,289,947
921,801 1,2 Frontier Communications Corp. 508,558
118,298 1 Imax Corp. 1,956,649
50,855 1 Intelsat SA 173,416
15,271 2 Meredith Corp. 458,893
104,440   National CineMedia, Inc. 770,767
205,211   Tegna, Inc. 3,468,066
    TOTAL 20,004,677
    Consumer Discretionary—12.1%  
61,738 1 Asbury Automotive Group, Inc. 5,954,630
155,190 1 Beazer Homes USA, Inc. 2,133,862
63,397 1,2 Boot Barn Holdings, Inc. 2,660,772
3,383 1 Cavco Industries, Inc. 757,860
79,825 1 Cooper-Standard Holding, Inc. 2,116,959
177,672 1 CROCs, Inc. 6,735,545
28,059 1,2 Deckers Outdoor Corp. 5,356,744
437,113 1 Everi Holdings, Inc. 5,463,912
9,276 1,2 Francesca's Holdings Corp. 70,869
47,714 1,2 GameStop Corp. 183,222
34,796   Group 1 Automotive, Inc. 3,506,393
53,416 1,2 Hibbett Sports, Inc. 1,323,648
17,915 1 Installed Building Products, Inc. 1,328,039
56,095 1,2 iRobot Corp. 2,639,270
84,905   Jack in the Box, Inc. 6,940,984
306,115   KB HOME 11,494,618
223,255 1,2 K12, Inc. 3,603,336
56,861 2 Lithia Motors, Inc., Class A 7,712,626
53,923 1 Meritage Corp. 3,826,376
51,629 1,2 RH 10,777,554
183,289   Rent-A-Center, Inc. 5,339,209
17,709 1 Sally Beauty Holdings, Inc. 271,833
313,734 1,2 SeaWorld Entertainment, Inc. 10,811,274
Semi-Annual Shareholder Report
2

Shares     Value
    COMMON STOCKS—continued  
    Consumer Discretionary—continued  
15,581 2 Shoe Carnival, Inc. $558,735
7,233 1 Sleep Number Corp. 373,150
34,902   Steven Madden Ltd. 1,345,821
320,092 1 TRI Pointe Group, Inc. 5,204,696
28,224 1 Taylor Morrison Home Corp. 730,437
3,161 1 TopBuild Corp. 361,966
198,827 2 Tupperware Brands Corp. 1,244,657
88,902 2 Wingstop, Inc. 8,247,439
24,284 1,2 YETI Holdings, Inc. 882,966
    TOTAL 119,959,402
    Consumer Staples—2.4%  
4,470   Coca-Cola Bottling Co. 1,210,521
193,295 1 Darling Ingredients, Inc. 5,244,093
207,039 1 elf Beauty, Inc. 3,246,371
12,278 1 Freshpet, Inc. 772,041
84,776   Ingles Markets, Inc., Class A 3,534,311
122,321 1 Performance Food Group Co. 6,335,005
57,664   Universal Corp. 3,064,842
    TOTAL 23,407,184
    Energy—3.2%  
126,584 2 Arch Coal, Inc. 6,522,873
223,924 1,2 CONSOL Energy, Inc. 1,820,502
8,677   CVR Energy, Inc. 300,311
1,088,948 1,2 Denbury Resources, Inc. 1,072,614
19,137 1 Dorian LPG Ltd. 251,077
137,328 1 Gulf Island Fabrication, Inc. 700,373
347,467 1,2 Key Energy Services, Inc. 39,959
20,668 1 Mammoth Energy Services, Inc. 29,349
198,159 1 Newpark Resources, Inc. 990,795
280,475 1,2 Noble Corp. PLC 226,568
446,702 1 Oil States International, Inc. 4,815,448
317,711 2 Peabody Energy Corp. 2,147,726
145,578 2 RPC, Inc. 659,468
154,116 1,2 Renewable Energy Group, Inc. 4,050,168
136,294 2 Scorpio Tankers, Inc. 3,181,102
297,044 1,2 Seadrill Ltd. 406,950
74,639   Teekay Tankers Ltd., Class A 1,215,869
Semi-Annual Shareholder Report
3

Shares     Value
    COMMON STOCKS—continued  
    Energy—continued  
714,053 1,2 Whiting Petroleum Corp. $3,241,801
    TOTAL 31,672,953
    Financials—18.5%  
40,603   1st Source Corp. 1,916,056
162,512   American Equity Investment Life Holding Co. 4,291,942
45,611 2 BancFirst Corp. 2,636,316
147,224   BancorpSouth Bank 4,206,190
149,927   Employers Holdings, Inc. 6,394,387
38,145 1 Enova International, Inc. 955,914
190,813   Essent Group Ltd. 9,466,233
282,143 1,2 Ezcorp, Inc., Class A 1,754,929
45,108   Financial Institutions, Inc. 1,389,777
263,548   First Bancorp, Inc. 9,350,683
813,870   First BanCorp. 7,544,575
195,182   First Defiance Financial Corp. 5,736,399
34,672   First Foundation, Inc. 572,088
54,873   First Guaranty Bancshares, Inc. 987,714
28,026   First Midwest Bancorp, Inc. 558,838
483,764   Fulton Financial Corp. 7,967,593
351,900 1 Green Dot Corp. 10,585,152
88,842   Hancock Whitney Corp. 3,530,581
7,494   Heartland Financial USA, Inc. 366,532
14,639   Hilltop Holdings, Inc. 331,427
111,652   Hometrust Bancshares, Inc. 2,961,011
14,978   Horace Mann Educators Corp. 644,204
818,682   Investors Bancorp, Inc. 9,893,772
46,482   Kinsale Capital Group, Inc. 5,309,174
209,976   MGIC Investment Corp. 2,895,569
199,779   Meridian Bancorp, Inc. 3,594,024
208,933 1 NMI Holdings, Inc. 6,669,141
87,804   National Bank Holdings Corp. 2,862,410
529,976   National General Holdings Corp. 11,537,577
792,986   New York Mortgage Trust, Inc. 5,035,461
27,724 1,2 Nicolet Bankshares, Inc. 1,958,701
195,739   OceanFirst Financial Corp. 4,552,889
47,529 1,2 PRA Group, Inc. 1,680,625
28,144   Pacific Premier Bancorp, Inc. 838,691
31,418 1 Palomar Holdings, Inc. 1,679,292
Semi-Annual Shareholder Report
4

Shares     Value
    COMMON STOCKS—continued  
    Financials—continued  
151,383   Peapack-Gladstone Financial Corp. $4,424,925
95,205   Pennymac Financial Services, Inc. 3,210,313
116,351   QCR Holdings, Inc. 4,782,026
21,309 2 RLI Corp. 1,981,950
188,074   Radian Group, Inc. 4,605,932
6,221 1 Regional Management Corp. 171,389
9,189   Renasant Corp. 293,405
11,044   Republic Bancorp, Inc. 462,744
40,711   Selective Insurance Group, Inc. 2,697,104
28,262   Simmons 1st National Corp., Class A 677,723
76,322   Stifel Financial Corp. 4,937,270
48,596   TriCo Bancshares 1,768,894
83,862   UMB Financial Corp. 5,573,469
234,265   Waterstone Financial, Inc. 4,097,295
126,327   Western New England Bancorp, Inc. 1,134,416
    TOTAL 183,474,722
    Health Care—16.2%  
316,392 1,2 Acorda Therapeutics, Inc. 642,276
66,205 1,3 Adeptus Health, Inc., Class A 0
77,070 1,2 Aimmune Therapeutics, Inc. 2,393,024
761,927 1 Akorn, Inc. 1,165,748
67,500 1,2 Alphatec Holdings, Inc. 469,800
12,280 1 Amedisys, Inc. 2,167,297
5,507 1 Applied Therapeutics, Inc. 288,952
27,378 1 Arvinas, Inc. 1,326,738
462,838 1 Assertio Therapeutics, Inc. 495,237
7,559 1 AtriCure, Inc. 294,045
5,265 1,2 Axsome Therapeutics, Inc. 457,107
4,079 1 Bioxcel Therapeutics, Inc. 67,589
128,735 2 CONMED Corp. 13,089,775
10,779 1 Cardiovascular Systems, Inc. 489,259
8,239 1 ChemoCentryx, Inc. 349,498
87,076 1 Collegium Pharmaceutical, Inc. 1,751,534
18,664 1 Cue Biopharma, Inc. 283,133
33,099 1 Cutera, Inc. 932,730
84,850 1 Deciphera Pharmaceuticals, Inc. 5,314,155
112,965 1 Dicerna Pharmaceuticals, Inc. 2,230,494
144,784 1,2 Epizyme, Inc. 3,030,329
Semi-Annual Shareholder Report
5

Shares     Value
    COMMON STOCKS—continued  
    Health Care—continued  
10,768 1,2 Evofem Biosciences, Inc. $53,302
85,350 1 Global Blood Therapeutics, Inc. 5,569,941
40,970 1 Globus Medical, Inc. 2,141,912
25,558 1 GlycoMimetics, Inc. 109,388
11,986 1 Haemonetics Corp. 1,287,177
67,089 1,2 Immunogen, Inc. 316,996
124,576 1 Immunomedics, Inc. 2,313,376
74,108 1 Inogen, Inc. 3,280,761
22,866 1,2 Intercept Group, Inc. 2,113,047
259,709 1,2 Ironwood Pharmaceuticals, Inc. 3,137,285
52,332 1 Jounce Therapeutics, Inc. 329,168
304,501 1,2 Karyopharm Therapeutics, Inc. 4,917,691
33,392 1,2 Lannett Co., Inc. 271,811
45,644   LeMaitre Vascular, Inc. 1,642,499
735,997 1,2 Mallinckrodt PLC 3,378,226
190,471 1 Medpace Holdings, Inc. 16,294,794
39,541 1 Momenta Pharmaceuticals, Inc. 1,147,480
20,191 1 Natera, Inc. 706,887
98,773 1 NeoGenomics, Inc. 3,183,454
31,362 1 Nevro Corp. 4,168,323
41,000 1 NuVasive, Inc. 3,161,920
5,330 1 Omnicell, Inc. 433,222
92,317   Owens & Minor, Inc. 577,904
21,686 1 PTC Therapeutics, Inc. 1,116,829
5,267 1 Principia Biopharma, Inc. 277,308
334,755 1,2 Puma Biotechnology, Inc. 2,631,174
115,870 1 R1 RCM, Inc. 1,448,375
11,180 1 Radius Health, Inc. 196,321
14,090 1,2 Reata Pharmaceuticals, Inc. 3,082,751
96,753 1 Recro Pharma, Inc. 1,595,457
151,211 1 Repligen Corp. 15,180,072
12,545 1,2 Rocket Pharmaceuticals, Inc. 256,922
305,306 1 Select Medical Holdings Corp. 6,973,189
110,006 1,2 Surgery Partners, Inc. 1,855,801
78,862 1 Syneos Health, Inc. 4,838,972
41,774 1,2 Teladoc, Inc. 4,248,834
288,714 1 Tenet Healthcare Corp. 9,134,911
159,033 1,2 Tg Therapeutics, Inc. 2,259,859
Semi-Annual Shareholder Report
6

Shares     Value
    COMMON STOCKS—continued  
    Health Care—continued  
57,435 1 Theravance Biopharma, Inc. $1,601,288
5,083 1 Turning Point Therapeutics, Inc. 297,356
18,167 1 Vanda Pharmaceuticals, Inc. 231,629
52,218 1,2 Viking Therapeutics, Inc. 327,929
406,876 1 Voyager Therapeutics, Inc. 4,487,842
11,535 1 Xencor, Inc. 391,498
    TOTAL 160,209,601
    Industrials—15.4%  
198,843   Acco Brands Corp. 1,718,004
52,062 1 Aerovironment, Inc. 3,467,850
283,809   Arcosa, Inc. 12,416,644
368,863 1 Atkore International Group, Inc. 14,643,861
145,581 1 Builders Firstsource, Inc. 3,609,681
218,403 1 CECO Environmental Corp. 1,659,863
96,584 1 Casella Waste Systems, Inc. 4,944,135
76,893 1,2 Cimpress PLC 9,198,710
284,514   Costamare, Inc. 2,256,196
95,367   Deluxe Corp. 4,596,689
119,704 1 Echo Global Logistics, Inc. 2,319,863
68,801   Emcor Group, Inc. 5,653,378
170,238 2 Exponent, Inc. 12,388,219
35,876 1 FTI Consulting, Inc. 4,307,273
96,427   Federal Signal Corp. 3,101,092
4,556   Forward Air Corp. 298,190
269,319 1 Foundation Building Materials, Inc. 4,801,958
257,497 1 GMS, Inc. 6,880,320
75,512 1 Generac Holdings, Inc. 7,822,288
4,569 1 Gibraltar Industries, Inc. 249,102
194,424 1 Great Lakes Dredge & Dock Corp. 2,035,619
13,608   HEICO Corp. 1,666,027
65,449   Hawaiian Holdings, Inc. 1,824,718
87,041   Heidrick & Struggles International, Inc. 2,473,705
93,202   Hurco Co., Inc. 2,917,223
63,092 1 Mastec, Inc. 3,643,563
8,459   Maxar Technologies, Inc. 135,006
22,720 1 Mercury Systems, Inc. 1,743,760
42,747   Miller Herman, Inc. 1,652,172
32,647 1 Now, Inc. 326,796
Semi-Annual Shareholder Report
7

Shares     Value
    COMMON STOCKS—continued  
    Industrials—continued  
239,730   Rexnord Corp. $7,827,184
76,138   Rush Enterprises, Inc. 3,273,934
66,508 1 SPX Corp. 3,263,548
27,127 1,2 Saia, Inc. 2,362,762
67,098 2 SkyWest, Inc. 3,701,797
148,944   Spartan Motors, Inc. 2,532,048
160,259 1 Titan Machinery, Inc. 1,956,762
73,313   Triton International Ltd. 2,752,903
    TOTAL 152,422,843
    Information Technology—14.1%  
8,098 1 ACI Worldwide, Inc. 278,976
15,084 1 Ambarella, Inc. 892,068
7,908 2 Blackbaud, Inc. 619,434
5,353 1 Bottomline Technologies, Inc. 286,921
25,279 1 CACI International, Inc., Class A 6,760,616
197,284 1,2 Cardtronics, Inc. 8,877,780
10,746 1 Ciena Corp. 437,040
207,879 1 Cirrus Logic, Inc. 15,967,186
69,568 1 Commvault Systems, Inc. 3,131,951
222,838 1 Conduent, Inc. 953,747
153,555 1 Cornerstone OnDemand, Inc. 9,029,034
85,681 1 Diebold Nixdorf, Inc. 986,188
87,570 1,2 Digital Turbine, Inc. 546,437
21,548 1 Envestnet, Inc. 1,699,491
131,299   Evertec, Inc. 4,407,707
85,728 1 Evo Payments, Inc. 2,375,523
132,843 1 FormFactor, Inc. 3,362,256
124,316 1 Inphi Corp. 9,443,043
55,305 1 Insight Enterprises, Inc. 3,642,940
48,219 1 Itron, Inc. 3,941,903
96,529 1,2 j2 Global, Inc. 9,253,270
56,639 1 Kimball Electronics, Inc. 916,419
54,486 1 MA-COM Technology Solutions Holdings, Inc. 1,548,492
259,088 1 Model N, Inc. 8,080,955
21,739 1 NeoPhotonics Corp. 165,869
209,799 1,2 Netgear, Inc. 5,396,030
17,002 1 OSI Systems, Inc. 1,471,353
20,676 1 Paylocity Corp. 2,933,718
Semi-Annual Shareholder Report
8

Shares     Value
    COMMON STOCKS—continued  
    Information Technology—continued  
269,596 1,2 Perficient, Inc. $13,398,921
3,953   Power Integrations, Inc. 386,090
3,852 1 Qualys, Inc. 330,270
214,183 1 SPS Commerce, Inc. 12,172,020
34,606 1 Secureworks Corp. 544,352
57,730 1,2 ShotSpotter, Inc. 1,584,689
13,802 1,2 Stratasys, Inc. 248,160
49,130 1 Synaptics, Inc. 3,276,480
30,331 1 Ultra Clean Holdings, Inc. 697,916
    TOTAL 140,045,245
    Materials—2.8%  
12,814 1 AdvanSix, Inc. 239,878
231,959 1,2 Allegheny Technologies, Inc. 4,001,293
21,286   Carpenter Technology Corp. 845,906
192,936   Commercial Metals Corp. 3,964,835
81,368 1,2 Forterra, Inc. 1,053,716
24,578 2 Fuller (H.B.) Co. 1,135,749
57,560   Haynes International, Inc. 1,543,184
3,423   Kaiser Aluminum Corp. 342,813
15,363 1 Koppers Holdings, Inc. 482,091
111,999   Myers Industries, Inc. 1,812,144
17,570 1 Ryerson Holding Corp. 180,092
163,555   Schnitzer Steel Industries, Inc., Class A 2,629,964
192,143   Trinseo SA 5,518,347
5,290 1 UFP Technologies, Inc. 246,673
236,370 1 Verso Corp. 3,982,834
    TOTAL 27,979,519
    Real Estate—9.0%  
9,637   Agree Realty Corp. 731,737
71,630 2 American Finance Trust, Inc. 929,041
30,047   Armada Hoffler Properties, Inc. 551,062
151,631   City Office REIT, Inc. 2,050,051
383,131 2 Easterly Government Properties, Inc. 9,275,602
105,431   EastGroup Properties, Inc. 14,345,996
17,605   Essential Properties Realty Trust, Inc. 486,074
290,275   First Industrial Realty Trust 12,394,743
68,793   Gladstone Commercial Corp. 1,466,667
179,636   Healthcare Realty Trust, Inc. 6,477,674
Semi-Annual Shareholder Report
9

Shares     Value
    COMMON STOCKS—continued  
    Real Estate—continued  
553,705   Independence Realty Trust $8,122,852
17,986   Kite Realty Group Trust 309,359
238,933   Newmark Group, Inc. 2,812,241
31,641   NexPoint Residential Trust, Inc. 1,544,081
172,418 2 QTS Realty Trust, Inc. 9,807,136
8,349   RMR Group, Inc./The 384,638
37,449   Retail Opportunity Investments Corp. 620,530
211,798   Rexford Industrial Realty, Inc. 10,206,546
86,958   STAG Industrial, Inc. 2,803,526
5,823   Terreno Realty Corp. 333,425
160,470 2 Urban Edge Properties 2,951,043
    TOTAL 88,604,024
    Utilities—2.7%  
24,647   Avista Corp. 1,253,300
189,474 2 Clearway Energy, Inc. 3,920,217
320,529   Portland General Electric Co. 19,712,533
123,722 2 TerraForm Power, Inc. 2,238,131
    TOTAL 27,124,181
    TOTAL COMMON STOCKS
(IDENTIFIED COST $958,002,461)
974,904,351
    INVESTMENT COMPANIES—10.1%  
35,727,726   Federated Government Obligations Fund, Premier Shares, 1.49%4 35,727,726
64,018,176   Federated Institutional Prime Value Obligations Fund,
Institutional Shares, 1.71%4
64,037,382
    TOTAL INVESTMENT COMPANIES
(IDENTIFIED COST $99,765,976)
99,765,108
    TOTAL INVESTMENT IN SECURITIES—108.5%
(IDENTIFIED COST $1,057,768,437)5
1,074,669,459
    OTHER ASSETS AND LIABILITIES - NET—(8.5)%6 (84,232,319)
    TOTAL NET ASSETS—100% $990,437,140
Semi-Annual Shareholder Report
10

An affiliated company is a company in which the Fund, alone or in combination with other funds, has ownership of at least 5% of the voting shares. Transactions with affiliated companies during the period ended January 31, 2020, were as follows:
Affiliate Balance
of Shares
Held
7/31/2019
Purchases/
Additions
Sales/
Reductions
Information Technology:      
ShotSpotter, Inc. 69,933 (12,203)
Semi-Annual Shareholder Report
11

Balance
of Shares
Held
1/31/2020
Value Change in
Unrealized
Appreciation/
Depreciation
Net
Realized
Gain/(Loss)
Dividend
Income
         
57,730 $1,584,689 $397,137 $37,602 $—
Affiliated fund holdings are investment companies which are managed by the Adviser or an affiliate of the Adviser. Transactions with affiliated fund holdings during the period ended January 31, 2020, were as follows:
  Federated
Government
Obligations Fund,
Premier Shares*
Federated
Institutional
Prime Value
Obligations Fund,
Institutional Shares*
Total of
Affiliated
Transactions
Balance of Shares Held 7/31/2019 37,415,748 84,083,002 121,498,750
Purchases/Additions 170,656,764 349,175,675 519,832,439
Sales/Reductions (172,344,786) (369,240,501) (541,585,287)
Balance of Shares Held 1/31/2020 35,727,726 64,018,176 99,745,902
Value $35,727,726 $64,037,382 $99,765,108
Change in Unrealized Appreciation/Depreciation N/A $(3,118) $(3,118)
Net Realized Gain/(Loss) N/A $1,081 $1,081
Dividend Income $360,066 $725,842 $1,085,908
* All or a portion of the balance/activity for the fund relates to cash collateral received on securities lending transactions.
1 Non-income-producing security.
2 All or a portion of these securities are temporarily on loan to unaffiliated broker/dealers.
3 Market quotations and price evaluations are not available. Fair value determined using significant unobservable inputs in accordance with procedures established by and under the general supervision of the Fund's Board of Trustees (the "Trustees").
4 7-day net yield.
5 Also represents cost for federal tax purposes.
6 Assets, other than investments in securities, less liabilities. See Statement of Assets and Liabilities.
Note: The categories of investments are shown as a percentage of total net assets at January 31, 2020.
Semi-Annual Shareholder Report
12

Various inputs are used in determining the value of the Fund's investments. These inputs are summarized in the three broad levels listed below:
Level 1—quoted prices in active markets for identical securities.
Level 2—other significant observable inputs (including quoted prices for similar securities, interest rates, prepayment speeds, credit risk, etc.). Also includes securities valued at amortized cost.
Level 3—significant unobservable inputs (including the Fund's own assumptions in determining the fair value of investments).
The inputs or methodology used for valuing securities are not an indication of the risk associated with investing in those securities.
The following is a summary of the inputs used, as of January 31, 2020, in valuing the Fund's assets carried at fair value:
Valuation Inputs        
  Level 1—
Quoted
Prices
Level 2—
Other
Significant
Observable
Inputs
Level 3—
Significant
Unobservable
Inputs
Total
Equity Securities:        
Common Stocks        
 Domestic $923,302,809 $— $0 $923,302,809
 International 51,601,542 51,601,542
Investment Companies 99,765,108 99,765,108
TOTAL SECURITIES $1,074,669,459 $— $0 $1,074,669,459
The following acronym is used throughout this portfolio:
REIT —Real Estate Investment Trust
See Notes which are an integral part of the Financial Statements
Semi-Annual Shareholder Report
13

Financial HighlightsClass A Shares
(For a Share Outstanding Throughout Each Period)
  Six Months
Ended
(unaudited)
1/31/2020
Year Ended July 31,
2019 2018 2017 2016 2015
Net Asset Value, Beginning of Period $18.87 $21.19 $18.69 $15.08 $15.66 $15.07
Income From Investment Operations:            
Net investment income (loss)1 0.02 0.01 (0.01) (0.02) 0.03 (0.05)
Net realized and unrealized gain (loss) (0.17) (1.70) 3.38 3.78 1.02 1.57
TOTAL FROM INVESTMENT OPERATIONS (0.15) (1.69) 3.37 3.76 1.05 1.52
Less Distributions:            
Distributions from net investment income (0.04)
Distributions from net realized gain (0.63) (0.87) (0.15) (1.63) (0.93)
TOTAL DISTRIBUTIONS (0.04) (0.63) (0.87) (0.15) (1.63) (0.93)
Net Asset Value, End of Period $18.68 $18.87 $21.19 $18.69 $15.08 $15.66
Total Return2 (0.80)% (7.69)% 18.49% 24.97% 7.90% 10.22%
Ratios to Average Net Assets:            
Net expenses 1.13%3 1.13% 1.14% 1.14% 1.13% 1.48%
Net investment income (loss) 0.21%3 0.07% (0.06)% (0.13)% 0.19% (0.35)%
Expense waiver/reimbursement4 0.18%3 0.22% 0.37% 0.55% 1.10% 0.76%
Supplemental Data:            
Net assets, end of period (000 omitted) $102,014 $68,546 $74,396 $37,031 $13,035 $7,160
Portfolio turnover 79% 121% 88% 91% 189% 166%
1 Per share numbers have been calculated using the average shares method.
2 Based on net asset value, which does not reflect the sales charge, redemption fee or contingent deferred sales charge, if applicable. Total returns for periods of less than one year are not annualized.
3 Computed on an annualized basis.
4 This expense decrease is reflected in both the net expense and the net investment income (loss) ratios shown above.
See Notes which are an integral part of the Financial Statements
Semi-Annual Shareholder Report
14

Financial HighlightsClass C Shares
(For a Share Outstanding Throughout Each Period)
  Six Months
Ended
(unaudited)
1/31/2020
Year Ended July 31,
2019 2018 2017 2016 2015
Net Asset Value, Beginning of Period $16.58 $18.84 $16.83 $13.70 $14.48 $14.10
Income From Investment Operations:            
Net investment income (loss)1 (0.05) (0.12) (0.14) (0.14) (0.07) (0.16)
Net realized and unrealized gain (loss) (0.15) (1.51) 3.02 3.42 0.92 1.47
TOTAL FROM INVESTMENT OPERATIONS (0.20) (1.63) 2.88 3.28 0.85 1.31
Less Distributions:            
Distributions from net investment income
Distributions from net realized gain (0.63) (0.87) (0.15) (1.63) (0.93)
TOTAL DISTRIBUTIONS (0.63) (0.87) (0.15) (1.63) (0.93)
Net Asset Value, End of Period $16.38 $16.58 $18.84 $16.83 $13.70 $14.48
Total Return2 (1.21)% (8.35)% 17.60% 23.98% 7.12% 9.41%
Ratios to Average Net Assets:            
Net expenses 1.88%3 1.88% 1.89% 1.89% 1.88% 2.28%
Net investment income (loss) (0.55)%3 (0.69)% (0.81)% (0.89)% (0.56)% (1.11)%
Expense waiver/reimbursement4 0.22%3 0.28% 0.38% 0.57% 1.11% 0.72%
Supplemental Data:            
Net assets, end of period (000 omitted) $30,737 $28,411 $30,072 $15,223 $3,422 $3,031
Portfolio turnover 79% 121% 88% 91% 189% 166%
1 Per share numbers have been calculated using the average shares method.
2 Based on net asset value, which does not reflect the sales charge, redemption fee or contingent deferred sales charge, if applicable. Total returns for periods of less than one year are not annualized.
3 Computed on an annualized basis.
4 This expense decrease is reflected in both the net expense and the net investment income (loss) ratios shown above.
See Notes which are an integral part of the Financial Statements
Semi-Annual Shareholder Report
15

Financial HighlightsInstitutional Shares
(For a Share Outstanding Throughout Each Period)
  Six Months
Ended
(unaudited)
1/31/2020
Year Ended July 31,
2019 2018 2017 2016 2015
Net Asset Value, Beginning of Period $19.59 $21.94 $19.30 $15.54 $16.04 $15.38
Income From Investment Operations:            
Net investment income (loss)1 0.04 0.06 0.03 0.02 0.06 (0.02)
Net realized and unrealized gain (loss) (0.18) (1.76) 3.50 3.90 1.07 1.61
TOTAL FROM INVESTMENT OPERATIONS (0.14) (1.70) 3.53 3.92 1.13 1.59
Less Distributions:            
Distributions from net investment income (0.07) (0.02) (0.02)
Distributions from net realized gain (0.63) (0.87) (0.16) (1.63) (0.93)
TOTAL DISTRIBUTIONS (0.07) (0.65) (0.89) (0.16) (1.63) (0.93)
Net Asset Value, End of Period $19.38 $19.59 $21.94 $19.30 $15.54 $16.04
Total Return2 (0.71)% (7.45)% 18.78% 25.24% 8.24% 10.48%
Ratios to Average Net Assets:            
Net expenses 0.88%3 0.88% 0.89% 0.89% 0.88% 1.26%
Net investment income (loss) 0.45%3 0.31% 0.13% 0.10% 0.43% (0.11)%
Expense waiver/reimbursement4 0.17%3 0.22% 0.34% 0.53% 1.11% 0.74%
Supplemental Data:            
Net assets, end of period (000 omitted) $801,250 $842,221 $708,805 $179,219 $24,529 $20,504
Portfolio turnover 79% 121% 88% 91% 189% 166%
1 Per share numbers have been calculated using the average shares method.
2 Based on net asset value. Total returns for periods of less than one year are not annualized.
3 Computed on an annualized basis.
4 This expense decrease is reflected in both the net expense and the net investment income (loss) ratios shown above.
See Notes which are an integral part of the Financial Statements
Semi-Annual Shareholder Report
16

Financial HighlightsClass R6 Shares
(For a Share Outstanding Throughout Each Period)
  Six Months
Ended
(unaudited)
1/31/2020
Year Ended July 31, Period
Ended
7/31/20161
2019 2018 2017
Net Asset Value, Beginning of Period $19.59 $21.94 $19.30 $15.54 $13.88
Income From Investment Operations:          
Net investment income (loss)2 0.04 0.06 0.02 0.01 (0.01)
Net realized and unrealized gain (loss) (0.17) (1.76) 3.51 3.91 1.67
TOTAL FROM INVESTMENT OPERATIONS (0.13) (1.70) 3.53 3.92 1.66
Less Distributions:          
Distributions from net investment income (0.07) (0.02) (0.02)
Distributions from net realized gain (0.63) (0.87) (0.16)
TOTAL DISTRIBUTIONS (0.07) (0.65) (0.89) (0.16)
Net Asset Value, End of Period $19.39 $19.59 $21.94 $19.30 $15.54
Total Return3 (0.66)% (7.45)% 18.78% 25.24% 11.96%
Ratios to Average Net Assets:          
Net expenses 0.87%4 0.87% 0.88% 0.88% 0.87%4
Net investment income (loss) 0.45%4 0.32% 0.08% 0.04% (0.04)%4
Expense waiver/reimbursement5 0.06%4 0.12% 0.26% 0.41% 0.97%4
Supplemental Data:          
Net assets, end of period (000 omitted) $56,437 $33,753 $13,374 $1,017 $06
Portfolio turnover 79% 121% 88% 91% 189%7
1 Reflects operations for the period from June 29, 2016 (date of initial investment) to July 31, 2016.
2 Per share numbers have been calculated using the average shares method.
3 Based on net asset value. Total returns for periods of less than one year are not annualized.
4 Computed on an annualized basis.
5 This expense decrease is reflected in both the net expense and the net investment income (loss) ratios shown above.
6 Represents less than $1,000.
7 Portfolio turnover is calculated at the Fund level. Percentage indicated was calculated for the year ended July 31, 2016.
See Notes which are an integral part of the Financial Statements
Semi-Annual Shareholder Report
17

Statement of Assets and Liabilities
January 31, 2020 (unaudited)
Assets:    
Investment in securities, at value including $81,135,919 of securities loaned, $99,765,108 of investment in affiliated holdings* and $1,584,689 of investment in an affiliated company* (identified cost $1,057,768,437)   $1,074,669,459
Cash   193
Income receivable   130,667
Income receivable from affiliated holdings   18,751
Receivable for investments sold   9,830,125
Receivable for shares sold   1,373,273
TOTAL ASSETS   1,086,022,468
Liabilities:    
Payable for investments purchased $4,656,137  
Payable for shares redeemed 3,642,661  
Payable for collateral due to broker for securities lending 86,847,726  
Payable for investment adviser fee (Note 5) 20,291  
Payable for administrative fee (Note 5) 1,827  
Payable for distribution services fee (Note 5) 20,462  
Payable for other service fees (Notes 2 and 5) 60,883  
Accrued expenses (Note 5) 335,341  
TOTAL LIABILITIES   95,585,328
Net assets for 51,590,613 shares outstanding   $990,437,140
Net Assets Consist of:    
Paid-in capital   $942,720,541
Total distributable earnings (loss)   47,716,599
TOTAL NET ASSETS   $990,437,140
Semi-Annual Shareholder Report
18

Statement of Assets and Liabilitiescontinued
Net Asset Value, Offering Price and Redemption Proceeds Per Share    
Class A Shares:    
Net asset value per share ($102,013,743 ÷ 5,462,324 shares outstanding), no par value, unlimited shares authorized   $18.68
Offering price per share (100/94.50 of $18.68)   $19.77
Redemption proceeds per share   $18.68
Class C Shares:    
Net asset value per share ($30,736,892 ÷ 1,876,223 shares outstanding), no par value, unlimited shares authorized   $16.38
Offering price per share   $16.38
Redemption proceeds per share (99.00/100 of $16.38)   $16.22
Institutional Shares:    
Net asset value per share ($801,249,789 ÷ 41,341,050 shares outstanding), no par value, unlimited shares authorized   $19.38
Offering price per share   $19.38
Redemption proceeds per share   $19.38
Class R6 Shares:    
Net asset value per share ($56,436,716 ÷ 2,911,016 shares outstanding), no par value, unlimited shares authorized   $19.39
Offering price per share   $19.39
Redemption proceeds per share   $19.39
* See information listed after the Fund's Portfolio of Investments.
See Notes which are an integral part of the Financial Statements
Semi-Annual Shareholder Report
19

Statement of Operations
Six Months Ended January 31, 2020 (unaudited)
Investment Income:      
Dividends (including $103,805 received from an affiliated holding* and net of foreign taxes withheld of $5,977)     $5,852,250
Net income on securities loaned (includes $982,103 earned from affiliated holdings related to cash collateral balances*) (Note 2)     646,812
TOTAL INCOME     6,499,062
Expenses:      
Investment adviser fee (Note 5)   $3,891,175  
Administrative fee (Note 5)   383,920  
Custodian fees   30,725  
Transfer agent fee (Note 2)   585,557  
Directors'/Trustees' fees (Note 5)   3,487  
Auditing fees   14,212  
Legal fees   4,835  
Portfolio accounting fees   78,771  
Distribution services fee (Note 5)   108,896  
Other service fees (Notes 2 and 5)   139,214  
Share registration costs   53,125  
Printing and postage   35,631  
Miscellaneous (Note 5)   20,156  
TOTAL EXPENSES   5,349,704  
Waiver and Reimbursements:      
Waiver/reimbursement of investment adviser fee (Note 5) $(317,717)    
Reimbursement of other operating expenses (Notes 2 and 5) (481,629)    
TOTAL WAIVER AND REIMBURSEMENTS   (799,346)  
Net expenses     4,550,358
Net investment income     1,948,704
Realized and Unrealized Gain (Loss) on Investments:      
Net realized gain on investments (including net realized gain of $38,683 on sales of investments in an affiliated company and holding*)     53,203,056
Net change in unrealized appreciation of investments (including net change in unrealized appreciation of $394,019 on investments in an affiliated company and holding*)     (61,442,979)
Net realized and unrealized gain (loss) on investments     (8,239,923)
Change in net assets resulting from operations     $(6,291,219)
* See information listed after the Fund's Portfolio of Investments.
See Notes which are an integral part of the Financial Statements
Semi-Annual Shareholder Report
20

Statement of Changes in Net Assets
  Six Months
Ended
(unaudited)
1/31/2020
Year Ended
7/31/2019
Increase (Decrease) in Net Assets    
Operations:    
Net investment income $1,948,704 $2,379,523
Net realized gain (loss) 53,203,056 (6,860,147)
Net change in unrealized appreciation/depreciation (61,442,979) (64,875,679)
CHANGE IN NET ASSETS RESULTING FROM OPERATIONS (6,291,219) (69,356,303)
Distributions to Shareholders:    
Class A Shares (241,559) (2,316,631)
Class C Shares (1,156,337)
Institutional Shares (3,139,873) (24,309,562)
Class R6 Shares (217,595) (927,672)
CHANGE IN NET ASSETS RESULTING FROM DISTRIBUTIONS TO SHAREHOLDERS (3,599,027) (28,710,202)
Share Transactions:    
Proceeds from sale of shares 181,574,914 662,037,597
Proceeds from shares issued in connection with the tax-free transfer of assets from the Acquired Funds 244,171,911
Net asset value of shares issued to shareholders in payment of distributions declared 3,176,105 26,997,492
Cost of shares redeemed (401,527,102) (444,684,151)
CHANGE IN NET ASSETS RESULTING FROM SHARE TRANSACTIONS 27,395,828 244,350,938
Change in net assets 17,505,582 146,284,433
Net Assets:    
Beginning of period 972,931,558 826,647,125
End of period $990,437,140 $972,931,558
See Notes which are an integral part of the Financial Statements
Semi-Annual Shareholder Report
21

Notes to Financial Statements
January 31, 2020 (unaudited)
1. ORGANIZATION
Federated MDT Series (the “Trust”) is registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the “Act”), as an open-end management investment company. The Trust consists of five portfolios. The financial statements included herein are only those of Federated MDT Small Cap Core Fund (the “Fund”), a diversified portfolio. The financial statements of the other portfolios are presented separately. The assets of each portfolio are segregated and a shareholder's interest is limited to the portfolio in which shares are held. Each portfolio pays its own expenses. The Fund offers four classes of shares: Class A Shares, Class C Shares, Institutional Shares and Class R6 Shares. All shares of the Fund have equal rights with respect to voting, except on class-specific matters. The investment objective of the Fund is long-term capital appreciation.
On March 30, 2017, the Fund's T Share Class became effective with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), but is not yet offered for sale.
Effective August 1, 2018, an automatic conversion feature for Class C Shares was implemented. Pursuant to this automatic conversion feature, after Class C Shares have been held for ten years from the date of purchase, they will automatically convert to Class A Shares on the next monthly conversion processing date.
On November 15, 2019, the Fund acquired all of the net assets of PNC Multi-Factor Small Cap Core Fund, PNC Multi-Factor Small Cap Value Fund, and PNC Small Cap Fund (each an “Acquired Fund” or collectively, the “Acquired Funds”), each an open-end investment company, in a tax-free reorganization in exchange for shares of the Fund, pursuant to a plan of reorganization approved by each Acquired Funds' shareholders on November 5, 2019. The purpose of the transaction was to combine portfolios with comparable investment objectives and strategies. For financial reporting purposes, assets received and shares issued by the Fund were recorded at fair value; however, the cost basis of the investments received from the Acquired Funds was carried forward to align ongoing reporting of the Fund's realized gains and losses with amounts distributable to shareholders for tax purposes.
For every one share of the Acquired Fund Share Class exchanged, a shareholder received the following shares of the Fund:
PNC Fund Share Class
Exchanged
Fund Shares
Received
Multi-Factor Small Cap Core Fund A 1.172 Class A Shares
  C 1.333 Class C Shares
  I 1.137 Institutional Shares
  R6 1.135 Class R6 Shares
Multi-Factor Small Cap Value Fund A 1.042 Class A Shares
  C 1.039 Class C Shares
  I 1.102 Institutional Shares
Small Cap Fund A 0.494 Class A Shares
  C 0.391 Class C Shares
  I 0.529 Institutional Shares
Semi-Annual Shareholder Report
22

The Fund received net assets from the Acquired Funds as the result of the tax-free reorganization as follows:
Shares of the
Fund Issued
Acquired Funds'
Net Assets Received
Unrealized
Appreciation1
Net Assets
of the Fund
Immediately
Prior to
Combination
Net Assets
of the Fund
Immediately
After
Combination
12,798,626 $244,171,911 $71,610,835 $881,235,561 $1,125,407,472
1 Unrealized Appreciation is included in Acquired Fund Net Assets Received amount shown above.
   
Assuming the acquisition had been completed on August 1, 2019, the beginning of the annual reporting period of the Fund, the Fund's pro forma results of operations for the six-months ended January 31, 2020, were as follows:
Net investment income $2,304,567
Net realized and unrealized gain on investments 20,396,427
Net increase in net assets resulting from operations $22,700,994
    
Because the combined investment portfolios have been managed as a single integrated portfolio since the acquisition was completed, it is not practicable to separate the amounts of revenue and earnings of the Acquired Funds that have been included in the Fund's Statement of Operations and Statement of Change in Net Assets as of January 31, 2020.
2. SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES
The following is a summary of significant accounting policies consistently followed by the Fund in the preparation of its financial statements. These policies are in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP).
Investment Valuation
In calculating its net asset value (NAV), the Fund generally values investments as follows:
■  Equity securities listed on an exchange or traded through a regulated market system are valued at their last reported sale price or official closing price in their principal exchange or market.
■  Shares of other mutual funds or non-exchange-traded investment companies are valued based upon their reported NAVs.
■  Fixed-income securities are fair valued using price evaluations provided by a pricing service approved by the Trustees.
■  Derivative contracts listed on exchanges are valued at their reported settlement or closing price, except that options are valued at the mean of closing bid and asked quotations.
■  Over-the-counter (OTC) derivative contracts are fair valued using price evaluations provided by a pricing service approved by the Trustees.
■  For securities that are fair valued in accordance with procedures established by and under the general supervision of the Trustees, certain factors may be considered, such as: the last traded or purchase price of the security, information obtained by contacting the issuer or dealers, analysis of the issuer's financial statements or other available documents, fundamental analytical data, the nature and duration of restrictions on disposition, the movement of the market in which the security is normally traded, public trading in similar
Semi-Annual Shareholder Report
23

  securities or derivative contracts of the issuer or comparable issuers, movement of a relevant index, or other factors including but not limited to industry changes and relevant government actions.
If any price, quotation, price evaluation or other pricing source is not readily available when the NAV is calculated, if the Fund cannot obtain price evaluations from a pricing service or from more than one dealer for an investment within a reasonable period of time as set forth in the Fund's valuation policies and procedures, or if information furnished by a pricing service, in the opinion of the valuation committee (“Valuation Committee”), is deemed not representative of the fair value of such security, the Fund uses the fair value of the investment determined in accordance with the procedures described below. There can be no assurance that the Fund could obtain the fair value assigned to an investment if it sold the investment at approximately the time at which the Fund determines its NAV per share.
Fair Valuation Procedures
The Trustees have ultimate responsibility for determining the fair value of investments for which market quotations are not readily available. The Trustees have appointed a Valuation Committee comprised of officers of the Fund, Federated MDTA LLC (the “Adviser”), and certain of the Adviser's affiliated companies to assist in determining fair value and in overseeing the calculation of the NAV. The Trustees have also authorized the use of pricing services recommended by the Valuation Committee to provide fair value evaluations of the current value of certain investments for purposes of calculating the NAV. The Valuation Committee employs various methods for reviewing third-party pricing-service evaluations including periodic reviews of third-party pricing services' policies, procedures and valuation methods (including key inputs, methods, models and assumptions), transactional back-testing, comparisons of evaluations of different pricing services, and review of price challenges by the Adviser based on recent market activity. In the event that market quotations and price evaluations are not available for an investment, the Valuation Committee determines the fair value of the investment in accordance with procedures adopted by the Trustees. The Trustees periodically review and approve the fair valuations made by the Valuation Committee and any changes made to the procedures.
Factors considered by pricing services in evaluating an investment include the yields or prices of investments of comparable quality, coupon, maturity, call rights and other potential prepayments, terms and type, reported transactions, indications as to values from dealers and general market conditions. Some pricing services provide a single price evaluation reflecting the bid-side of the market for an investment (a “bid” evaluation). Other pricing services offer both bid evaluations and price evaluations indicative of a price between the prices bid and asked for the investment (a “mid” evaluation). The Fund normally uses bid evaluations for any U.S. Treasury and Agency securities, mortgage-backed securities and municipal securities. The Fund normally uses mid evaluations for any other types of fixed-income securities and any OTC derivative contracts. In the event that market quotations and price evaluations are not available for an investment, the fair value of the investment is determined in accordance with procedures adopted by the Trustees.
Repurchase Agreements
The Fund may invest in repurchase agreements for short-term liquidity purposes. It is the policy of the Fund to require the other party to a repurchase agreement to transfer to the Fund's custodian or sub-custodian eligible securities or cash with a market value (after transaction costs) at least equal to the repurchase price to be paid under the repurchase
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agreement. The eligible securities are transferred to accounts with the custodian or sub-custodian in which the Fund holds a “securities entitlement” and exercises “control” as those terms are defined in the Uniform Commercial Code. The Fund has established procedures for monitoring the market value of the transferred securities and requiring the transfer of additional eligible securities if necessary to equal at least the repurchase price. These procedures also allow the other party to require securities to be transferred from the account to the extent that their market value exceeds the repurchase price or in exchange for other eligible securities of equivalent market value.
The insolvency of the other party or other failure to repurchase the securities may delay the disposition of the underlying securities or cause the Fund to receive less than the full repurchase price. Under the terms of the repurchase agreement, any amounts received by the Fund in excess of the repurchase price and related transaction costs must be remitted to the other party.
The Fund may enter into repurchase agreements in which eligible securities are transferred into joint trading accounts maintained by the custodian or sub-custodian for investment companies and other clients advised by the Fund's Adviser and its affiliates. The Fund will participate on a pro rata basis with the other investment companies and clients in its share of the securities transferred under such repurchase agreements and in its share of proceeds from any repurchase or other disposition of such securities.
Investment Income, Gains and Losses, Expenses and Distributions
Investment transactions are accounted for on a trade-date basis. Realized gains and losses from investment transactions are recorded on an identified-cost basis. Interest income and expenses are accrued daily. Dividend income and distributions to shareholders are recorded on the ex-dividend date. Foreign dividends are recorded on the ex-dividend date or when the Fund is informed of the ex-dividend date. Distributions of net investment income, if any, are declared and paid annually. Non-cash dividends included in dividend income, if any, are recorded at fair value. Amortization/accretion of premium and discount is included in investment income. Investment income, realized and unrealized gains and losses, and certain fund-level expenses are allocated to each class based on relative average daily net assets, except that select classes will bear certain expenses unique to those classes. The detail of the total fund expense waiver and reimbursements of $799,346 is disclosed in this Note 2 and Note 5. For the six months ended January 31, 2020, transfer agent fees for the Fund were as follows:
  Transfer Agent
Fees Incurred
Transfer Agent
Fees Reimbursed
Class A Shares $58,441 $(49,371)
Class C Shares 25,467 (21,941)
Institutional Shares 498,968 (410,317)
Class R6 Shares 2,681
TOTAL $585,557 $(481,629)
Dividends are declared separately for each class. No class has preferential dividend rights; differences in per share dividend rates are generally due to differences in separate class expenses.
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Other Service Fees
The Fund may pay other service fees up to 0.25% of the average daily net assets of the Fund's Class A Shares and Class C Shares to unaffiliated financial intermediaries or to Federated Shareholder Services Company (FSSC) for providing services to shareholders and maintaining shareholder accounts. Subject to the terms described in the Expense Limitation note, FSSC may voluntarily reimburse the Fund for other service fees. For the six months ended January 31, 2020, other service fees for the Fund were as follows:
  Other Service
Fees Incurred
Class A Shares $103,279
Class C Shares 35,935
TOTAL $139,214
Federal Taxes
It is the Fund's policy to comply with the Subchapter M provision of the Internal Revenue Code and to distribute to shareholders each year substantially all of its income. Accordingly, no provision for federal income tax is necessary. As of and during the six months ended January 31, 2020, the Fund did not have a liability for any uncertain tax positions. The Fund recognizes interest and penalties, if any, related to tax liabilities as income tax expense in the Statement of Operations. As of January 31, 2020, tax years 2016 through 2019 remain subject to examination by the Fund's major tax jurisdictions, which include the United States of America and the Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
The Fund may be subject to taxes imposed by governments of countries in which it invests. Such taxes are generally based on either income or gains earned or repatriated. The Fund accrues and applies such taxes to net investment income, net realized gains and net unrealized gains as income and/or gains are earned.
When-Issued and Delayed-Delivery Transactions
The Fund may engage in when-issued or delayed-delivery transactions. The Fund records when-issued securities on the trade date and maintains security positions such that sufficient liquid assets will be available to make payment for the securities purchased. Securities purchased on a when-issued or delayed-delivery basis are marked to market daily and begin earning interest on the settlement date. Losses may occur on these transactions due to changes in market conditions or the failure of counterparties to perform under the contract.
Securities Lending
The Fund participates in a securities lending program providing for the lending of equity securities to qualified brokers. The term of the loans within the program is one year or less. The Fund normally receives cash collateral for securities loaned that may be invested in affiliated money market funds, other money market instruments and/or repurchase agreements. Investments in money market funds may include funds with a “floating” NAV that can impose redemption fees and liquidity gates, impose certain operational impediments to investing cash collateral, and, if the investee fund's NAV decreases, result in the Fund recognizing losses and being required to cover the decrease in the value of the cash collateral. Collateral is maintained at a minimum level of 100% of the market value of investments loaned, plus interest, if applicable. In accordance with the Fund's securities lending agreement, the market value of securities on loan is determined each day at the close of business and any additional collateral required to cover the value of securities on loan is delivered to the Fund
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on the next business day. Earnings on collateral are allocated between the borrower of the security, the securities lending agent, as a fee for its services under the program and the Fund, according to agreed-upon rates. The Fund will not have the right to vote on securities while they are on loan. However, the Fund will attempt to terminate a loan in an effort to reacquire the securities in time to vote on matters that are deemed to be material by the Adviser. There can be no assurance that the Fund will have sufficient notice of such matters to be able to terminate the loan in time to vote thereon.
Securities lending transactions are subject to Master Netting Agreements which are agreements between the Fund and its counterparties that provide for the net settlement of all transactions and collateral with the Fund, through a single payment, in the event of default or termination. Amounts presented on the Portfolio of Investments and Statement of Assets and Liabilities are not net settlement amount but gross. As indicated below, the cash collateral received by the Fund exceeds the market value of the securities loaned reducing the net settlement amount to zero. The chart below identifies the amount of collateral received as well as the market value of securities on loan. Additionally, the securities lending agreement executed by the Fund includes an indemnification clause. This clause stipulates that the borrower will reimburse the Fund for any losses as a result of any failure of the borrower to return equivalent securities to the Fund.
As of January 31, 2020, securities subject to this type of arrangement and related collateral were as follows:
Market Value of
Securities Loaned
Collateral
Received
$81,135,919 $86,847,726
Other
The preparation of financial statements in conformity with GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the amounts of assets, liabilities, expenses and revenues reported in the financial statements. Actual results could differ from those estimated. The Fund applies investment company accounting and reporting guidance.
3. SHARES OF BENEFICIAL INTEREST
The following tables summarize share activity:
  Six Months Ended
1/31/2020
Year Ended
7/31/2019
Class A Shares: Shares Amount Shares Amount
Shares sold 488,448 $9,134,900 1,917,717 $36,807,080
Proceeds from shares issued in connection with the tax-free transfer of assets from the Acquired Funds 3,213,962 59,940,394
Shares issued to shareholders in payment of distributions declared 11,235 216,722 130,070 2,238,511
Shares redeemed (1,883,881) (35,291,898) (1,926,776) (36,450,543)
NET CHANGE RESULTING FROM CLASS A SHARE TRANSACTIONS 1,829,764 $34,000,118 121,011 $2,595,048
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  Six Months Ended
1/31/2020
Year Ended
7/31/2019
Class C Shares: Shares Amount Shares Amount
Shares sold 101,178 $1,666,257 816,518 $14,448,516
Proceeds from shares issued in connection with the tax-free transfer of assets from the Acquired Funds 474,115 7,751,772
Shares issued to shareholders in payment of distributions declared 69,154 1,050,441
Shares redeemed (412,672) (6,764,782) (768,042) (12,785,661)
NET CHANGE RESULTING FROM CLASS C SHARE TRANSACTIONS 162,621 $2,653,247 117,630 $2,713,296
    
  Six Months Ended
1/31/2020
Year Ended
7/31/2019
Institutional Shares: Shares Amount Shares Amount
Shares sold 7,767,166 $150,633,224 29,605,182 $578,572,031
Proceeds from shares issued in connection with the tax-free transfer of assets from the Acquired Funds 8,269,174 160,173,907
Shares issued to shareholders in payment of distributions declared 140,422 2,809,864 1,278,403 22,792,305
Shares redeemed (17,828,850) (345,695,004) (20,198,281) (386,462,699)
NET CHANGE RESULTING FROM INSTITUTIONAL SHARE TRANSACTIONS (1,652,088) $(32,078,009) 10,685,304 $214,901,637
    
  Six Months Ended
1/31/2020
Year Ended
7/31/2019
Class R6 Shares: Shares Amount Shares Amount
Shares sold 1,042,198 $20,140,533 1,525,579 $32,209,970
Proceeds from shares issued in connection with the tax-free transfer of assets from the Acquired Funds 841,375 16,305,838
Shares issued to shareholders in payment of distributions declared 7,469 149,519 51,362 916,235
Shares redeemed (702,641) (13,775,418) (463,823) (8,985,248)
NET CHANGE RESULTING FROM CLASS R6 SHARE TRANSACTIONS 1,188,401 $22,820,472 1,113,118 $24,140,957
NET CHANGE RESULTING FROM TOTAL FUND SHARE TRANSACTIONS 1,528,698 $27,395,828 12,037,063 $244,350,938
4. FEDERAL TAX INFORMATION
At January 31, 2020, the cost of investments for federal tax purposes was $1,057,768,437. The net unrealized appreciation of investments for federal tax purposes was $16,901,022. This consists of net unrealized appreciation from investments for those securities having an excess of value over cost of $107,866,966 and net unrealized depreciation from investments for those securities having an excess of cost over value of $90,965,944.
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Under current tax rules, capital losses on securities transactions and foreign currency losses realized after October 31 may be deferred, in whole or in part, and treated as occurring on the first day of the following fiscal year. As of July 31, 2019, for federal income tax purposes, post October losses of $16,883,740 were deferred to August 1, 2019.
5. INVESTMENT ADVISER FEE AND OTHER TRANSACTIONS WITH AFFILIATES
Investment Adviser Fee
The advisory agreement between the Fund and the Adviser provides for an annual fee equal to 0.80% of the Fund's average daily net assets. Prior to July 1, 2019, the annual advisory fee was 0.85% of the Fund's average daily net assets. Subject to the terms described in the Expense Limitation note, the Adviser may voluntarily choose to waive any portion of its fee and/or reimburse certain operating expenses of the Fund. For the six months ended January 31, 2020, the Adviser voluntarily waived $280,394 of its fee and voluntarily reimbursed $481,629 of transfer agent fees. The Adviser has agreed to reimburse the Fund for certain investment adviser fees as a result of transactions in other affiliated investment companies. For the six months ended January 31, 2020, the Adviser reimbursed $37,323.
Administrative Fee
Federated Administrative Services (FAS), under the Administrative Services Agreement, provides the Fund with administrative personnel and services. For purposes of determining the appropriate rate breakpoint, “Investment Complex” is defined as all of the Federated Hermes Funds subject to a fee under the Administrative Services Agreement. The fee paid to FAS is based on the average daily net assets of the Investment Complex as specified below:
Administrative Fee Average Daily Net Assets
of the Investment Complex
0.100% on assets up to $50 billion
0.075% on assets over $50 billion
Subject to the terms described in the Expense Limitation note, FAS may voluntarily choose to waive any portion of its fee. For the six months ended January 31, 2020, the annualized fee paid to FAS was 0.079% of average daily net assets of the Fund.
In addition, FAS may charge certain out-of-pocket expenses to the Fund.
Distribution Services Fee
The Fund has adopted a Distribution Plan (the “Plan”) pursuant to Rule 12b-1 under the Act. Under the terms of the Plan, the Fund will compensate Federated Securities Corp. (FSC), the principal distributor, from the daily net assets of the Fund's Class A Shares and Class C Shares to finance activities intended to result in the sale of these shares. The Plan provides that the Fund may incur distribution expenses at the following percentages of average daily net assets annually, to compensate FSC:
  Percentage of Average Daily
Net Assets of Class
Class A Shares 0.05%
Class C Shares 0.75%
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Subject to the terms described in the Expense Limitation note, FSC may voluntarily choose to waive any portion of its fee. For the six months ended January 31, 2020, distribution services fees for the Fund were as follows:
  Distribution Services
Fees Incurred
Class C Shares $108,896
When FSC receives fees, it may pay some or all of them to financial intermediaries whose customers purchase shares.
For the six months ended January 31, 2020, FSC retained $34,192 of fees paid by the Fund. For the six months ended January 31, 2020, the Fund's Class A Shares did not incur a distribution services fee; however, it may begin to incur this fee upon approval of the Trustees.
Other Service Fees
For the six months ended January 31, 2020, FSSC received $879 of the other service fees disclosed in Note 2.
Sales Charges
Front-end sales charges and contingent deferred sales charges (CDSC) do not represent expenses of the Fund. They are deducted from the proceeds of sales of Fund shares prior to investment or from redemption proceeds prior to remittance, as applicable. For the six months ended January 31, 2020, FSC retained $1,705 in sales charges from the sale of Class A Shares. FSC also retained $138 and $1,319 of CDSC relating to redemptions of Class A Shares and Class C Shares, respectively.
Expense Limitation
The Adviser and certain of its affiliates (which may include FSC, FAS and FSSC) on their own initiative have agreed to waive certain amounts of their respective fees and/or reimburse expenses. Total annual fund operating expenses (as shown in the financial highlights, excluding interest expense, extraordinary expenses and proxy-related expenses paid by the Fund, if any) paid by the Fund's Class A Shares, Class C Shares, Institutional Shares and Class R6 Shares (after the voluntary waivers and/or reimbursements) will not exceed 1.13%, 1.88%, 0.88% and 0.87% (the “Fee Limit”), respectively, up to but not including the later of (the “Termination Date”): (a) December 1, 2020; or (b) the date of the Fund's next effective Prospectus. While the Adviser and its applicable affiliates currently do not anticipate terminating or increasing these arrangements prior to the Termination Date, these arrangements may only be terminated or the Fee Limit increased prior to the Termination Date with the agreement of the Trustees.
Directors'/Trustees' and Miscellaneous Fees
Certain Officers and Trustees of the Fund are Officers and Directors or Trustees of certain of the above companies. To efficiently facilitate payment, Independent Directors'/Trustees' fees and certain expenses related to conducting meetings of the Directors/Trustees and other miscellaneous expenses are paid by an affiliate of the Adviser which in due course are reimbursed by the Fund. These expenses related to conducting meetings of the Directors/Trustees and other miscellaneous expenses may be included in Accrued and Miscellaneous Expenses on the Statement of Assets and Liabilities and Statement of Operations, respectively.
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6. INVESTMENT TRANSACTIONS
Purchases and sales of investments, excluding long-term U.S. government securities and short-term obligations, for the six months ended January 31, 2020, were as follows:
Purchases $738,114,077
Sales $931,727,818
7. LINE OF CREDIT
The Fund participates with certain other Federated Hermes Funds, on a several basis, in an up to $500,000,000 unsecured, 364-day, committed, revolving line of credit (LOC) agreement. The LOC was made available to finance temporarily the repurchase or redemption of shares of the Fund, failed trades, payment of dividends, settlement of trades and for other short-term, temporary or emergency general business purposes. The Fund cannot borrow under the LOC if an inter-fund loan is outstanding. The Fund's ability to borrow under the LOC also is subject to the limitations of the Act and various conditions precedent that must be satisfied before the Fund can borrow. Loans under the LOC are charged interest at a fluctuating rate per annum equal to the highest, on any day, of (a) (i) the federal funds effective rate, (ii) the one month London Interbank Offered Rate (LIBOR), and (iii) 0.0%, plus (b) a margin. The LOC also requires the Fund to pay, quarterly in arrears and at maturity, its pro rata share of a commitment fee based on the amount of the lenders' commitment that has not been utilized. As of January 31, 2020, the Fund had no outstanding loans. During the six months ended January 31, 2020, the Fund did not utilize the LOC.
8. INTERFUND LENDING
Pursuant to an Exemptive Order issued by the SEC, the Fund, along with other funds advised by subsidiaries of Federated Hermes, Inc., may participate in an interfund lending program. This program provides an alternative credit facility allowing the Fund to borrow from other participating affiliated funds. As of January 31, 2020, there were no outstanding loans. During the six months ended January 31, 2020, the program was not utilized.
9. SUBSEQUENT EVENTs
An outbreak of respiratory disease caused by a novel coronavirus was first detected in China in December 2019 and subsequently spread internationally. As of the date of the issuance of these financial statements, this coronavirus has resulted in closing borders, enhanced health screenings, healthcare service preparation and delivery, quarantines, cancellations, disruptions to supply chains, workflow operations and customer activity, as well as general concern and uncertainty. The impact of this coronavirus may be short term or may last for an extended period of time and result in a substantial economic downturn. The impact of this outbreak, and other epidemics and pandemics that may arise in the future, could negatively affect the worldwide economy, as well as the economies of individual countries, individual companies (including Fund service providers) and the market in general in significant and unforeseen ways. Any such impact could adversely affect the Fund's performance.
Effective on or about June 29, 2020, the name of the Trust and Fund will change to Federated Hermes MDT Series and Federated Hermes MDT Small Cap Core Fund, respectively.
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Shareholder Expense Example (unaudited)
As a shareholder of the Fund, you incur two types of costs: (1) transaction costs, including sales charges (loads) on purchase or redemption payments; and (2) ongoing costs, including management fees and to the extent applicable, distribution (12b-1) fees and/or other service fees and other Fund expenses. This Example is intended to help you to understand your ongoing costs (in dollars) of investing in the Fund and to compare these costs with the ongoing costs of investing in other mutual funds. It is based on an investment of $1,000 invested at the beginning of the period and held for the entire period from August 1, 2019 to January 31, 2020.
ACTUAL EXPENSES
The first section of the table below provides information about actual account values and actual expenses. You may use the information in this section, together with the amount you invested, to estimate the expenses that you incurred over the period. Simply divide your account value by $1,000 (for example, an $8,600 account value divided by $1,000 = 8.6), then multiply the result by the number in the first section under the heading entitled “Expenses Paid During Period” to estimate the expenses attributable to your investment during this period.
HYPOTHETICAL EXAMPLE FOR COMPARISON PURPOSES
The second section of the table below provides information about hypothetical account values and hypothetical expenses based on the Fund's actual expense ratio and an assumed rate of return of 5% per year before expenses, which is not the Fund's actual return. Thus, you should not use the hypothetical account values and expenses to estimate the actual ending account balance or your expenses for the period. Rather, these figures are required to be provided to enable you to compare the ongoing costs of investing in the Fund with other funds. To do so, compare this 5% hypothetical example with the 5% hypothetical examples that appear in the shareholder reports of the other funds.
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Please note that the expenses shown in the table are meant to highlight your ongoing costs only and do not reflect any transaction costs, such as sales charges (loads) on purchase or redemption payments. Therefore, the second section of the table is useful in comparing ongoing costs only, and will not help you determine the relative total costs of owning different funds. In addition, if these transaction costs were included, your costs would have been higher.
  Beginning
Account Value
8/1/2019
Ending
Account Value
1/31/2020
Expenses Paid
During Period1
Actual:      
Class A Shares $1,000 $992.00 $5.66
Class C Shares $1,000 $987.90 $9.39
Institutional Shares $1,000 $992.90 $4.41
Class R6 Shares $1,000 $993.40 $4.36
Hypothetical (assuming a 5% return
before expenses):
     
Class A Shares $1,000 $1,019.40 $5.74
Class C Shares $1,000 $1,015.60 $9.53
Institutional Shares $1,000 $1,020.70 $4.47
Class R6 Shares $1,000 $1,020.70 $4.42
1 Expenses are equal to the Fund's annualized net expense ratios, multiplied by the average account value over the period, multiplied by 184/366 (to reflect the one-half-year period). The annualized net expense ratios are as follows:
   
Class A Shares 1.13%
Class C Shares 1.88%
Institutional Shares 0.88%
Class R6 Shares 0.87%
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Evaluation and Approval of Advisory ContractMay 2019
Federated MDT Small Cap Core Fund (the “Fund”)
At its meetings in May 2019, the Fund's Board of Trustees (the “Board”), including a majority of those Trustees who are not “interested persons” of the Fund, as defined in the Investment Company Act of 1940 (the “Independent Trustees”) reviewed and unanimously approved the continuation of the Fund's investment advisory contract for an additional one-year term. The Board's decision regarding the contract reflects the exercise of its business judgment after considering all of the information received on whether to continue the existing arrangements.
At the request of the Independent Trustees, the Fund's Chief Compliance Officer (the CCO) furnished to the Board in advance of its May 2019 meetings an independent written evaluation presenting on the topics discussed below. The Board considered the CCO's independent written evaluation (the “CCO Fee Evaluation Report”), along with other information, in evaluating the reasonableness of the Fund's management fee and in deciding to approve the continuation of the investment advisory contract. The CCO, in preparing the CCO Fee Evaluation Report, has the authority to retain consultants, experts or staff as reasonably necessary to assist in the performance of his duties, reports directly to the Board, and can be terminated only with the approval of a majority of the Independent Trustees. At the request of the Independent Trustees, the CCO Fee Evaluation Report followed the same general approach and covered the same topics as that of the report that had previously been delivered by the CCO in his capacity as “Senior Officer,” prior to the elimination of the Senior Officer position in December 2017.
The Board also considered judicial decisions concerning allegedly excessive investment advisory fees in making its decision. Using these judicial decisions as a guide, the Board observed that the following factors may be relevant to an adviser's fiduciary duty with respect to its receipt of compensation from a fund: (1) the nature and quality of the services provided by an adviser to a fund and its shareholders (including the performance of the fund, its benchmark, and comparable funds); (2) an adviser's cost of providing the services (including the profitability to an adviser of providing advisory services to a fund); (3) the extent to which an adviser may realize “economies of scale” as a fund grows larger and, if such economies of scale exist, whether they have been shared with a fund and its shareholders or the family of funds; (4) any “fall-out” financial benefits that accrue to an adviser because of its relationship with a fund (including research services received from brokers that execute fund trades and any fees paid to affiliates of an adviser for services rendered to a fund); (5) comparative fee and expense structures (including a comparison of fees paid to an adviser with those paid by similar funds both internally and externally as well as management fees charged to institutional and other advisory clients of the
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adviser for what might be viewed as like services); and (6) the extent of care, conscientiousness and independence with which the fund's board members perform their duties and their expertise (including whether they are fully informed about all facts the board deems relevant to its consideration of an adviser's services and fees). The Board noted that the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) disclosure requirements regarding the basis for the Board's approval of the Fund's investment advisory contract generally align with the factors listed above. The Board was aware of these factors and was guided by them in its review of the Fund's investment advisory contract to the extent it considered them to be appropriate and relevant, as discussed further below.
The Board considered and weighed these factors in light of its substantial accumulated experience in governing the Fund and working with Federated MDTA LLC (the “Adviser”) and its affiliates (collectively “Federated”) on matters relating to the funds advised by Federated (each, a “Federated Fund”). The Independent Trustees were assisted in their deliberations by independent legal counsel.
In addition to the extensive materials that comprise and accompany the CCO Fee Evaluation Report, the Board received detailed information about the Fund and the Federated organization throughout the year, and in connection with its May meetings at which the Board's formal approval of the advisory and subadvisory contracts occurred. In this regard, Federated provided much of this information at each regular meeting of the Board, and furnished additional information specifically in connection with the May meetings. In the months preceding the May meetings, the Board requested and reviewed written materials prepared by Federated in response to requests on behalf of the Independent Trustees encompassing a wide variety of topics. At the May meetings, in addition to meeting in separate sessions of the Independent Trustees without management present, senior management of the Adviser also met with the Independent Trustees and their counsel to discuss the materials presented and such additional matters as the Independent Trustees deemed reasonably necessary to evaluate the advisory and subadvisory contracts. Between regularly scheduled meetings, the Board also received information on particular matters as the need arose.
The Board's consideration of the investment advisory contract included review of the CCO Fee Evaluation Report, accompanying data and additional information covering the following matters, among others: the Adviser's investment philosophy, revenue, profitability, personnel and processes; investment and operating strategies; the Fund's short-term and long-term performance (in absolute terms, both on a gross basis and net of expenses, as well as in terms relative to its particular investment program and certain competitor or “peer group” funds and/or other benchmarks, as appropriate) and comments on the reasons for performance; the Fund's investment objectives; the Fund's expenses, including the advisory fee and the overall expense structure of the Fund (both in absolute terms and relative to similar and/or competing funds), with due
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regard for contractual or voluntary expense limitations; the use and allocation of brokerage commissions derived from trading the Fund's portfolio securities (if any); and the nature, quality and extent of the advisory and other services provided to the Fund by the Adviser and its affiliates. The Board also considered the preferences and expectations of Fund shareholders; the entrepreneurial and other risks assumed by the Adviser in sponsoring the Fund; the continuing state of competition in the mutual fund industry and market practices; the range of comparable fees for similar funds in the mutual fund industry; the Fund's relationship to the Federated Funds which include a comprehensive array of funds with different investment objectives, policies and strategies which are generally available for exchange without the incurrence of additional sales charges; compliance and audit reports concerning the Federated Funds and the Federated companies that service them (including communications from regulatory agencies), as well as Federated's responses to any issues raised therein; and relevant developments in the mutual fund industry and how the Federated Funds and/or Federated are responding to them. The Board's evaluation process is evolutionary. The criteria considered and the emphasis placed on relevant criteria change in recognition of changing circumstances in the mutual fund marketplace.
While mindful that courts have cautioned against giving too much weight to comparative information concerning fees charged by other advisers for managing funds with comparable investment programs, the Board has found the use of such comparisons to be relevant to its deliberations. In this regard, the Board was presented with, and considered, information regarding the contractual advisory fee rates, net advisory fee rates, total expense ratios and each element of the Fund's total expense ratio (i.e., gross and net advisory fees, custody fees, portfolio accounting fees and transfer agency fees) relative to an appropriate group of peer funds compiled by Federated using data supplied by independent fund ranking organizations (the “Peer Group”). The Board received a description of the composition and methodology used to select the Peer Group. The Board focused on comparisons with other similar mutual funds more heavily than non-mutual fund products or services because it is believed that they are more relevant. For example, other mutual funds are the products most like the Fund, in that they are readily available to Fund shareholders as alternative investment vehicles. Also, they are the type of investment vehicle, in fact, chosen and maintained by the Fund's investors. The range of their fees and expenses, therefore, appears to be a relevant indicator of what consumers have found to be reasonable in the marketplace in which the Fund competes.
The Board reviewed the contractual advisory fee rate, net advisory fee rate and other expenses of the Fund and noted the position of the Fund's fee rates relative to its Peer Group. In this regard, the Board noted that the contractual advisory fee rate was below the median of the relevant Peer Group and the
Semi-Annual Shareholder Report
36

Board was satisfied that the overall expense structure of the Fund remained competitive. The Board considered the fact that the Adviser committed to permanently reduce fees of the Fund in an agreed upon amount, such reduction to be effective July 1, 2019.
For comparison, the CCO reviewed the fees charged by Federated for providing advisory services to products other than the Federated Funds (e.g., institutional separate accounts and third-party unaffiliated mutual funds for which Federated serves as sub-adviser) (referenced to as “Comparable Funds/Accounts”). With respect to Comparable Funds/Accounts other than third-party mutual funds, the CCO concluded that they are inherently different products. Those differences include, but are not limited to, different types of targeted investors; different applicable laws and regulations; different legal structures; different average account sizes and portfolio management techniques made necessary by different cash flows and different associated costs; and the time spent by portfolio managers and their teams, as well as personnel in the Funds Financial Services, Legal, Compliance and Risk Management departments, in reviewing securities pricing, addressing different administrative responsibilities, addressing different degrees of risk associated with management and a variety of different costs. The CCO also reviewed the differences in the nature of the services required for Federated to manage its proprietary mutual fund business versus managing a discrete pool of assets as a sub-adviser to another institution's mutual fund, and that Federated generally performs significant additional services and assumes substantially greater risks in managing the Fund and other Federated Funds than in its role as sub-adviser to an unaffiliated third-party mutual fund. The CCO did not consider the fees for providing advisory services to Comparable Funds/Accounts to be determinative in judging the appropriateness of the Federated Funds' advisory fees.
The CCO noted that the services, administrative responsibilities and risks associated with such relationships are quite different than serving as a primary adviser to a fund.
Following such evaluation, and full deliberations, the Board concluded that the fees and expenses of the Fund are reasonable and supported renewal of the Fund's investment advisory contract.
The Board considered the nature, extent and quality of the services provided to the Fund by the Adviser and the resources of the Adviser and its affiliates dedicated to the Fund. In this regard, the Board evaluated, among other things, the Adviser's personnel, experience, track record, financial resources, overall reputation and willingness to invest in personnel and infrastructure that benefit the Fund. In addition, the Board reviewed the qualifications, backgrounds and responsibilities of the portfolio management team primarily responsible for the day-to-day management of the Fund and the Adviser's ability and experience in attracting and retaining qualified personnel to service the Fund. The Board noted the investment research and company engagement capabilities of the Adviser and its affiliates. The Board also noted the compliance program of the
Semi-Annual Shareholder Report
37

Adviser and the compliance-related resources provided to the Fund by the Adviser, including the Adviser's commitment to respond to rulemaking initiatives of the SEC. The Fund's ability to deliver competitive performance when compared to its Peer Group was also deemed to be relevant by the Board as a useful indicator of how the Adviser is executing the Fund's investment program. The Adviser's ability to execute this program was one of the Board's considerations in reaching a conclusion that the nature, extent and quality of the Adviser's investment management services warrant the continuation of the investment advisory contract.
In evaluating the Fund's investment performance, the Board considered performance results in light of the Fund's investment objective, strategies and risks, as disclosed in the Fund's prospectus. The Board considered detailed investment reports on the Fund's performance that were provided to the Board throughout the year and in connection with the May meetings. The CCO also reviewed information regarding the performance of other mutual funds in the Peer Group, noting the CCO's view that comparisons to fund peer groups may be helpful, though not conclusive, in evaluating the performance of the Adviser in managing the Fund. The Board considered, in evaluating such comparisons, that in some cases there may be differences in the funds' investment objectives or investment management techniques, or the costs to implement funds, even within the same Peer Group, and that the CCO had specifically noted that the Fund's quantitative focus makes fee and expense comparisons particularly difficult as the funds in the Peer Group varied widely in their complexity, and the management of the Fund is among the more complex relative to its Peer Group.
For the one-year, three-year and five-year periods covered by the CCO Fee Evaluation Report, the Fund's performance was above the median of the relevant Peer Group. In addition, the Board was informed by the Adviser that the Fund outperformed its benchmark index for the three-year and five-year periods.
Following such evaluation, and full deliberations, the Board concluded that the performance of the Fund supported renewal of the Fund's advisory contract.
The Board also received financial information about Federated, including information regarding the compensation and ancillary (or “fall-out”) benefits Federated derived from its relationships with the Federated Funds. This information covered not only the fees under the investment advisory contracts, but also fees received by Federated's subsidiaries for providing other services to the Federated Funds under separate contracts (e.g., for serving as the Federated Funds' administrator and distributor). In this regard, the Board considered that certain Federated subsidiaries provide distribution and shareholder services to the Federated Funds, for which they may be compensated through distribution and servicing fees paid pursuant to Rule 12b-1 plans or otherwise. The information also detailed any indirect benefit Federated may derive from its
Semi-Annual Shareholder Report
38

receipt of research services from brokers who execute Federated Fund trades. In addition, the Board considered the fact that, in order for a Federated Fund to be competitive in the marketplace, the Adviser and its affiliates frequently waived fees and/or reimbursed expenses and have disclosed to Federated Fund investors and/or indicated to the Board their intention to do so in the future. Moreover, the Board receives regular reporting as to the institution, adjustment or elimination of these voluntary waivers. The Board considered Federated's previous reductions in contractual management fees to certain Federated Funds in response to the CCO's recommendations in the prior year's CCO Fee Evaluation Report.
In 2016, the Board approved a reduction of 16 basis points in the contractual advisory fee. In 2018, the Board approved a reduction of 14 basis points in the contractual advisory fee. This change was intended to more closely align the contractual fee with the net fee actually charged after the imposition of applicable voluntary waivers. In 2019, the Board approved a further reduction of 5 basis points in the contractual advisory fee.
Federated furnished information, requested by the CCO, that reported revenues on a fund-by-fund basis and made estimates of the allocation of expenses on a fund-by-fund basis, using allocation methodologies specified by the CCO. The CCO noted that, while these cost allocation reports apply consistent allocation processes, the inherent difficulties in allocating costs continues to cause the CCO to question the precision of the process and to conclude that such reports may be unreliable, since a single change in an allocation estimate may dramatically alter the resulting estimate of cost and/or profitability of a Federated Fund and may produce unintended consequences. The allocation information, including the CCO's view that fund-by-fund estimations may be unreliable, was considered in the evaluation by the Board.
The Board and the CCO also reviewed information compiled by Federated comparing its profitability information to other publicly held fund management companies, including information regarding profitability trends over time. In this regard, the CCO concluded that Federated's profit margins did not appear to be excessive. The CCO also noted that Federated appeared financially sound, with the resources necessary to fulfill its obligations under its contracts with the Fund.
The CCO Fee Evaluation Report also discussed the notion of possible realization of “economies of scale” as a fund grows larger, the difficulties of calculating economies of scale at an individual fund level, and the extent to which potential scale benefits are shared with shareholders. In this regard, the Board considered that Federated has made significant and long-term investments in areas that support all of the Federated Funds, such as personnel and processes for the portfolio management, shareholder services, compliance, internal audit and risk management functions, as well as systems technology (including technology relating to cybersecurity) and that the benefits of these investments (as well as any economies of scale, should they exist) were likely to be shared
Semi-Annual Shareholder Report
39

with the Federated Fund family as a whole. The Board noted that Federated's investments in these areas are extensive. In addition, the Board considered that the Adviser and its affiliates have frequently waived fees and/or reimbursed expenses and that this has allowed potential economies of scale to be shared with shareholders. The Board also considered that such waivers and reimbursements can provide protection from an increase in expenses if a Federated Fund's assets decline. Federated, as it does throughout the year, and specifically in connection with the Board's review of the advisory and subadvisory contracts, furnished information relative to revenue sharing or adviser-paid fees. Federated and the CCO noted that this information should be viewed to determine if there was an incentive to either not apply breakpoints, or to apply breakpoints at higher levels, and should not be viewed to determine the appropriateness of advisory fees. The Board also noted the absence of any applicable regulatory or industry guidelines on this subject, which (as discussed in the CCO Fee Evaluation Report) is compounded by the lack of any common industry practice or general pattern with respect to structuring fund advisory fees with “breakpoints” that serve to reduce the fee as a fund attains a certain size.
The CCO stated that his observations and the information accompanying the CCO Fee Evaluation Report supported a finding by the Board that the management fee for the Fund was reasonable. Under these circumstances, no changes were recommended to, and no objection was raised to the continuation of, the Fund's investment advisory contract. The CCO also recognized that the Board's evaluation of the Federated Funds' advisory and subadvisory arrangements is a continuing and on-going process that is informed by the information that the Board requests and receives from management throughout the course of the year and, in this regard, the CCO noted certain items for future reporting to the Board or further consideration by management as the Board continues its on-going oversight of the Federated Funds.
In its decision to continue an existing investment advisory contract, the Board was mindful of the potential disruptions of the Fund's operations and various risks, uncertainties and other effects that could occur as a result of a decision to terminate or not renew an investment advisory contract. In particular, the Board recognized that many shareholders have invested in the Fund on the strength of the Adviser's industry standing and reputation and with the expectation that the Adviser will have a continuing role in providing advisory services to the Fund. Thus, the Board's approval of the investment advisory contract reflected the fact that it is the shareholders who have effectively selected the Adviser by virtue of having invested in the Fund. The Board concluded that, in light of the factors summarized above, including the nature, quality and scope of the services provided to the Fund by the Adviser and its affiliates, continuation of the investment advisory contract was appropriate.
Semi-Annual Shareholder Report
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The Board based its decision to approve the investment advisory contract on the totality of the circumstances and relevant factors and with a view to past and future long-term considerations. Not all of the factors and considerations identified above were necessarily relevant to the Fund, nor did the Board consider any one of them to be determinative. With respect to the factors that were relevant, the Board's decision to approve the continuation of the contract reflects its view that Federated's performance and actions provided a satisfactory basis to support the decision to continue the existing arrangement.
Semi-Annual Shareholder Report
41

Voting Proxies on Fund Portfolio Securities
A description of the policies and procedures that the Fund uses to determine how to vote proxies, if any, relating to securities held in the Fund's portfolio is available, without charge and upon request, by calling 1-800-341-7400. A report on “Form N-PX” of how the Fund voted any such proxies during the most recent 12-month period ended June 30 is available via the Proxy Voting Record (Form N-PX) link associated with the Fund and share class name at www.FederatedInvestors.com/FundInformation. Form N-PX filings are also available at the SEC's website at sec.gov.
Quarterly Portfolio Schedule
Each fiscal quarter, the Fund will file with the SEC a complete schedule of its monthly portfolio holdings on “Form N-PORT.” The Fund's holdings as of the end of the third month of every fiscal quarter, as reported on Form N-PORT, will be publicly available on the SEC's website at www.sec.gov within 60 days of the end of the fiscal quarter upon filing. You may also access this information via the link to the Fund and share class name at www.FederatedInvestors.com.
Semi-Annual Shareholder Report
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Mutual funds are not bank deposits or obligations, are not guaranteed by any bank and are not insured or guaranteed by the U.S. government, the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation, the Federal Reserve Board or any other government agency. Investment in mutual funds involves investment risk, including the possible loss of principal.
This Report is authorized for distribution to prospective investors only when preceded or accompanied by the Fund's Prospectus, which contains facts concerning its objective and policies, management fees, expenses and other information.
IMPORTANT NOTICE ABOUT FUND DOCUMENT DELIVERY    
In an effort to reduce costs and avoid duplicate mailings, the Fund(s) intend to deliver a single copy of certain documents to each household in which more than one shareholder of the Fund(s) resides (so-called “householding”), as permitted by applicable rules. The Fund's “householding” program covers its/their Prospectus and Statement of Additional Information, and supplements to each, as well as Semi-Annual and Annual Shareholder Reports and any Proxies or information statements. Shareholders must give their written consent to participate in the “householding” program. The Fund is also permitted to treat a shareholder as having given consent (“implied consent”) if (i) shareholders with the same last name, or believed to be members of the same family, reside at the same street address or receive mail at the same post office box, (ii) the Fund gives notice of its intent to “household” at least sixty (60) days before it begins “householding” and (iii) none of the shareholders in the household have notified the Fund(s) or their agent of the desire to “opt out” of “householding.” Shareholders who have granted written consent, or have been deemed to have granted implied consent, can revoke that consent and opt out of “householding” at any time: shareholders who purchased shares through an intermediary should contact their representative; other shareholders may call the Fund at 1-800-341-7400.
Semi-Annual Shareholder Report
43

Federated MDT Small Cap Core Fund
Federated Hermes Funds
4000 Ericsson Drive
Warrendale, PA 15086-7561
Contact us at FederatedInvestors.com
or call 1-800-341-7400.
Federated Securities Corp., Distributor
CUSIP 31421R817
CUSIP 31421R791
CUSIP 31421R783
CUSIP 31421R627
36359 (3/20)
© 2020 Federated Hermes, Inc.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Semi-Annual Shareholder Report
January 31, 2020
Share Class | Ticker A | QASGX C | QCSGX Institutional | QISGX
  R6 | QLSGX    

Federated MDT Small Cap Growth Fund
Fund Established 2005

A Portfolio of Federated MDT Series
IMPORTANT NOTICE REGARDING REPORT DELIVERY
Beginning on January 1, 2021, as permitted by regulations adopted by the Securities and Exchange Commission, paper copies of the Fund's shareholder reports like this one will no longer be sent by mail, unless you specifically request paper copies of the reports from the Fund or from your financial intermediary, such as a broker-dealer or bank. Instead, the reports will be made available on a website, and you will be notified by mail each time a report is posted and provided with a website link to access the report.
If you already elected to receive shareholder reports electronically, you will not be affected by this change and you need not take any action. You may elect to receive shareholder reports and other communications from the Fund or your financial intermediary electronically by contacting your financial intermediary (such as a broker-dealer or bank); other shareholders may call the Fund at 1-800-341-7400, Option 4.
You may elect to receive all future reports in paper free of charge. You can inform the Fund or your financial intermediary that you wish to continue receiving paper copies of your shareholder reports by contacting your financial intermediary (such as a broker-dealer or bank); other shareholders may call the Fund at 1-800-341-7400, Option 4. Your election to receive reports in paper will apply to all funds held with the Fund complex or your financial intermediary.

Not FDIC Insured ■ May Lose Value ■ No Bank Guarantee

J. Christopher
Donahue
President
Federated MDT Small Cap Growth Fund
Letter from the President
Dear Valued Shareholder,
I am pleased to present the Semi-Annual Shareholder Report for your fund covering the period from August 1, 2019 through January 31, 2020. This report includes a complete listing of your fund's holdings, performance information and financial statements along with other important fund information.
In addition, our website, FederatedInvestors.com, offers easy access to valuable resources that include timely fund updates, economic and market insights from our investment strategists, and financial planning tools.
Thank you for investing with us. I hope you find this information useful and look forward to keeping you informed.
Sincerely,
J. Christopher Donahue, President
         


Portfolio of Investments Summary Table (unaudited)
At January 31, 2020, the Fund's sector composition1 was as follows:
Sector Composition Percentage of
Total Net Assets
Health Care 27.8%
Industrials 18.8%
Information Technology 18.4%
Consumer Discretionary 13.6%
Financials 7.0%
Real Estate 5.6%
Materials 2.2%
Communication Services 2.1%
Consumer Staples 2.0%
Energy 0.8%
Utilities 0.2%
Securities Lending Collateral2 9.7%
Cash Equivalents3 1.3%
Other Assets and Liabilities—Net4 (9.5)%
TOTAL 100.0%
1 Except for Cash Equivalents and Other Assets and Liabilities, sector classifications are based upon, and individual portfolio securities are assigned to, the classifications of the Global Industry Classification Standard (GICS) except that the Adviser assigns a classification to securities not classified by the GICS and to securities for which the Adviser does not have access to the classification made by the GICS.
2 Represents cash collateral received for portfolio securities on loan that may be invested in affiliated money market funds, other money market instruments and/or repurchase agreements.
3 Cash Equivalents include any investments in money market mutual funds and/or overnight repurchase agreements other than those representing cash collateral for securities lending.
4 Assets, other than investments in securities, less liabilities. See Statement of Assets and Liabilities.
Semi-Annual Shareholder Report
1

Portfolio of Investments
January 31, 2020 (unaudited)
Shares     Value
    COMMON STOCKS—98.5%  
    Communication Services—2.1%  
167,369 1 Cogent Communications Holdings, Inc. $11,871,483
46,124 1,2 EverQuote, Inc. 1,692,290
176,359 2 Imax Corp. 2,916,978
94,664 1 Meredith Corp. 2,844,653
9,856 2 TechTarget, Inc. 250,244
    TOTAL 19,575,648
    Consumer Discretionary—13.6%  
98,174 2 Asbury Automotive Group, Inc. 9,468,882
74,707 2 Boot Barn Holdings, Inc. 3,135,453
7,478 1 Brinker International, Inc. 319,236
282,317 2 CROCs, Inc. 10,702,637
82,508 2 Deckers Outdoor Corp. 15,751,602
237,293 2 Denny's Corp. 4,857,388
471,728 2 Everi Holdings, Inc. 5,896,600
72,881 2 Installed Building Products, Inc. 5,402,668
125,996 1,2 iRobot Corp. 5,928,112
9,008   Johnson Outdoors, Inc., Class A 708,029
60,887   Lithia Motors, Inc., Class A 8,258,713
64,249   M.D.C. Holdings, Inc. 2,707,453
85,833 2 MarineMax, Inc. 1,710,652
28,059 2 Perdoceo Education Corp. 498,889
263,481   Rent-A-Center, Inc. 7,675,201
20,531 2 Scientific Games Corp. 509,990
359,874 1,2 SeaWorld Entertainment, Inc. 12,401,258
66,861 2 Sleep Number Corp. 3,449,359
71,112   Steven Madden Ltd. 2,742,079
47,156 2 TopBuild Corp. 5,399,833
158,723 1 Wingstop, Inc. 14,724,733
129,835 1,2 YETI Holdings, Inc. 4,720,801
    TOTAL 126,969,568
    Consumer Staples—2.0%  
11,966 1 Coca-Cola Bottling Co. 3,240,512
111,332 2 elf Beauty, Inc. 1,745,686
57,547 2 Freshpet, Inc. 3,618,555
10,322   J&J Snack Foods Corp. 1,711,801
Semi-Annual Shareholder Report
2

Shares     Value
    COMMON STOCKS—continued  
    Consumer Staples—continued  
5,354   MGP Ingredients, Inc. $182,357
126,958 2 Performance Food Group Co. 6,575,155
2,971   Sanfilippo (John B. & Sons), Inc. 250,455
2,243 2 The Boston Beer Co., Inc., Class A 799,360
71,869   Vector Group Ltd. 944,359
    TOTAL 19,068,240
    Energy—0.8%  
232,373 2 CONSOL Energy, Inc. 1,889,193
95,920 1 CVR Energy, Inc. 3,319,791
852,888 1,2 Denbury Resources, Inc. 840,095
66,610 2 Par Petroleum Corp. 1,340,193
    TOTAL 7,389,272
    Financials—7.0%  
5,919 2 Atlantic Capital Bancshares, Inc. 111,692
94,055 2 Enova International, Inc. 2,357,018
206,578   Essent Group Ltd. 10,248,335
50,361 1 FB Financial Corp. 1,795,370
343,951 2 Green Dot Corp. 10,346,046
40,460   Guaranty Bancshares, Inc. 1,238,076
86,140   Kinsale Capital Group, Inc. 9,838,911
47,578 1 Lakeland Financial Corp. 2,257,100
255,404 2 NMI Holdings, Inc. 8,152,496
71,439   National Bank Holdings Corp. 2,328,911
528,021 1 National General Holdings Corp. 11,495,017
28,658 2 Palomar Holdings, Inc. 1,531,770
49,106   Selective Insurance Group, Inc. 3,253,272
9,625   Wesbanco, Inc. 318,780
    TOTAL 65,272,794
    Health Care—27.8%  
3,327 2 Acceleron Pharma, Inc. 302,025
65,606 1,2 Acer Therapeutics, Inc. 249,303
32,817 1,2 Addus Homecare Corp. 3,095,956
51,904 2,3 Adeptus Health, Inc. 0
132,303 1,2 Aimmune Therapeutics, Inc. 4,108,008
42,468 2 Alphatec Holdings, Inc. 295,577
28,151 1,2 Amedisys, Inc. 4,968,370
272,232 1,2 Amneal Pharmaceuticals, Inc. 1,222,322
33,466 1,2 Applied Therapeutics, Inc. 1,755,961
Semi-Annual Shareholder Report
3

Shares     Value
    COMMON STOCKS—continued  
    Health Care—continued  
77,536 2 Arena Pharmaceuticals, Inc. $3,542,620
76,066 2 Arvinas, Inc. 3,686,158
230,803 2 Assertio Therapeutics, Inc. 246,959
22,116 1,2 AtriCure, Inc. 860,312
16,873 1,2 Axsome Therapeutics, Inc. 1,464,914
5,675 2 Bioxcel Therapeutics, Inc. 94,035
140,335   CONMED Corp. 14,269,263
48,919 2 Cardiovascular Systems, Inc. 2,220,433
3,829 2 Catalyst Pharmaceutical Partners, Inc. 15,737
13,946 2 ChemoCentryx, Inc. 591,589
127,396 2 Collegium Pharmaceutical, Inc. 2,562,571
57,526 2 Cue Biopharma, Inc. 872,669
27,220 2 Cutera, Inc. 767,060
97,946 2 Cymabay Therapeutics, Inc. 150,837
137,730 1,2 Deciphera Pharmaceuticals, Inc. 8,626,030
232,175 2 Dicerna Pharmaceuticals, Inc. 4,584,295
166,400 1,2 Epizyme, Inc. 3,482,752
73,175 1,2 Evofem Biosciences, Inc. 362,216
69,780 1,2 Flexion Therapeutics, Inc. 1,222,546
157,896 1,2 Global Blood Therapeutics, Inc. 10,304,293
129,710 2 Globus Medical, Inc. 6,781,239
63,040 2 GlycoMimetics, Inc. 269,811
49,451 2 Haemonetics Corp. 5,310,543
203,445 2 Halozyme Therapeutics, Inc. 3,861,386
110,368 1,2 Immunogen, Inc. 521,489
292,994 1,2 Immunomedics, Inc. 5,440,899
117,116 2 Inogen, Inc. 5,184,725
34,560 1,2 Inovalon Holdings, Inc. 700,186
26,417 2 Integer Holdings Corp. 2,256,012
44,079 1,2 Intercept Group, Inc. 4,073,340
460,745 1,2 Ironwood Pharmaceuticals, Inc. 5,565,800
87,971 1,2 Kadmon Holdings, Inc. 403,787
444,517 1,2 Karyopharm Therapeutics, Inc. 7,178,950
10,300 2 LHC Group, Inc. 1,501,225
122,863   LeMaitre Vascular, Inc. 4,421,225
17,150 2 MacroGenics, Inc. 158,638
258,216 2 Medpace Holdings, Inc. 22,090,379
25,494 2 Molecular Templates, Inc., Class THL 380,880
Semi-Annual Shareholder Report
4

Shares     Value
    COMMON STOCKS—continued  
    Health Care—continued  
84,359 2 Momenta Pharmaceuticals, Inc. $2,448,098
56,566 2 Natera, Inc. 1,980,376
4,056   National Healthcare Corp. 340,380
171,032 2 NeoGenomics, Inc. 5,512,361
6,364 2 Neuronetics, Inc. 23,101
55,566 2 Nevro Corp. 7,385,277
94,315 2 NuVasive, Inc. 7,273,573
6,561 2 Omnicell, Inc. 533,278
9,595 1,2 Orthofix Medical, Inc. 415,080
26,510 2 PDL BioPharma, Inc. 87,218
29,280 2 PTC Therapeutics, Inc. 1,507,920
9,990 2 Principia Biopharma, Inc. 525,973
434,773 1,2 Puma Biotechnology, Inc. 3,417,316
351,556 2 R1 RCM, Inc. 4,394,450
110,920 2 Radius Health, Inc. 1,947,755
9,577 2 Reata Pharmaceuticals, Inc. 2,095,352
311,588 2 Recro Pharma, Inc. 5,138,086
189,355 2 Repligen Corp. 19,009,348
51,728 1,2 Rocket Pharmaceuticals, Inc. 1,059,389
473,236 2 Select Medical Holdings Corp. 10,808,710
24,554   Simulations Plus, Inc. 799,969
4,198 2 Tandem Diabetes Care, Inc. 319,216
88,483 1,2 Teladoc, Inc. 8,999,606
343,787 2 Tenet Healthcare Corp. 10,877,421
87,380 1,2 Tg Therapeutics, Inc. 1,241,670
4,830 2 The Joint Corp. 80,661
78,611 2 Theravance Biopharma, Inc. 2,191,675
9,295 2 Turning Point Therapeutics, Inc. 543,757
79,250 2 Vanda Pharmaceuticals, Inc. 1,010,437
16,956 2 Verrica Pharmaceuticals, Inc. 246,032
476,071 2 Voyager Therapeutics, Inc. 5,251,063
    TOTAL 259,489,873
    Industrials—18.8%  
117,527 1,2 Aerovironment, Inc. 7,828,473
19,519   Albany International Corp., Class A 1,361,841
6,921   Allegiant Travel Co. 1,163,005
28,679   Astec Industries, Inc. 1,182,722
473,619 2 Atkore International Group, Inc. 18,802,674
Semi-Annual Shareholder Report
5

Shares     Value
    COMMON STOCKS—continued  
    Industrials—continued  
433,369 2 Builders Firstsource, Inc. $10,745,384
125,093 2 Casella Waste Systems, Inc. 6,403,511
96,757 1,2 Cimpress PLC 11,575,040
11,402   Comfort Systems USA, Inc. 529,053
108,990 2 Commercial Vehicle Group, Inc. 543,860
80,446   Deluxe Corp. 3,877,497
163,237 2 Echo Global Logistics, Inc. 3,163,533
114,193   Emcor Group, Inc. 9,383,239
277,609 1 Exponent, Inc. 20,201,607
172,970 1 Federal Signal Corp. 5,562,715
8,538   Forward Air Corp. 558,812
9,985 2 Franklin Covey Co. 317,523
325,506 2 GMS, Inc. 8,697,520
149,453 2 Generac Holdings, Inc. 15,481,836
168,512   Heidrick & Struggles International, Inc. 4,789,111
24,663   MSA Safety, Inc. 3,344,303
50,407   Marten Transport Ltd. 1,046,449
147,455 2 Mastec, Inc. 8,515,526
66,574 1,2 Mercury Systems, Inc. 5,109,555
83,986   Miller Herman, Inc. 3,246,059
18,906   Mueller Industries, Inc. 551,488
11,935 2 Radiant Logistics, Inc. 57,646
93,870   Rush Enterprises, Inc. 4,036,410
101,151 2 SPX Corp. 4,963,480
26,378 2 Saia, Inc. 2,297,524
49,409 2 Siteone Landscape Supply, Inc. 4,770,439
109,506   Spartan Motors, Inc. 1,861,602
20,013 2 Taser International, Inc. 1,537,199
206,986 1,2 Upwork, Inc. 1,900,131
    TOTAL 175,406,767
    Information Technology—18.4%  
88,948 2 ACI Worldwide, Inc. 3,064,259
6,660 2 Alarm.com Holdings, Inc. 292,574
44,837 2 Ambarella, Inc. 2,651,660
2,344 2 AppFolio, Inc. 308,095
20,889 1 Blackbaud, Inc. 1,636,235
20,770 2 Bottomline Technologies, Inc. 1,113,272
265,409 1,2 Cardtronics, Inc. 11,943,405
Semi-Annual Shareholder Report
6

Shares     Value
    COMMON STOCKS—continued  
    Information Technology—continued  
26,820 2 Ciena Corp. $1,090,769
32,865 1,2 Coda Octopus Group, Inc. 206,721
136,670 2 Commvault Systems, Inc. 6,152,883
224,179 2 Cornerstone OnDemand, Inc. 13,181,725
71,073 2 Diebold Nixdorf, Inc. 818,050
177,220 1,2 Digital Turbine, Inc. 1,105,853
3,966 2 Envestnet, Inc. 312,798
300,422   Evertec, Inc. 10,085,167
128,659 2 Evo Payments, Inc. 3,565,141
51,421 2 Exela Technologies, Inc. 19,314
8,271 2 Exlservice Holding, Inc. 604,693
79,968 1,2 Five9, Inc. 5,736,105
13,676 2 I3 Verticals, Inc. 441,598
178,480 1,2 Inphi Corp. 13,557,341
65,864 1,2 Insight Enterprises, Inc. 4,338,462
15,534 1,2 Intelligent Systems Corp. 659,418
111,296 2 Itron, Inc. 9,098,448
120,526 1,2 j2 Global, Inc. 11,553,622
355,251 2 Model N, Inc. 11,080,279
51,917 2 OSI Systems, Inc. 4,492,897
39,547 2 Paylocity Corp. 5,611,324
408,365 1,2 Perficient, Inc. 20,295,740
43,074   Power Integrations, Inc. 4,207,038
18,535 1 Progress Software Corp. 836,485
79,642 2 Qualys, Inc. 6,828,505
208,090 2 SPS Commerce, Inc. 11,825,755
30,827 1,2 SVMK, Inc. 544,097
96,425 1,2 ShotSpotter, Inc. 2,646,866
20,281 2 Unisys Corp. 196,928
20,199 2 Viavi Solutions, Inc. 284,806
    TOTAL 172,388,328
    Materials—2.2%  
5,049 1 Compass Minerals International, Inc. 292,287
176,631 1,2 Forterra, Inc. 2,287,371
107,983 1 Fuller (H.B.) Co. 4,989,894
41,244   Kaiser Aluminum Corp. 4,130,587
20,987 2 Koppers Holdings, Inc. 658,572
227,295   Myers Industries, Inc. 3,677,633
Semi-Annual Shareholder Report
7

Shares     Value
    COMMON STOCKS—continued  
    Materials—continued  
86,100 2,3 Rentech, Inc. $0
124,673 2 Ryerson Holding Corp. 1,277,898
99,636   Trinseo SA 2,861,546
    TOTAL 20,175,788
    Real Estate—5.6%  
50,034   American Assets Trust, Inc. 2,279,549
157,893   EastGroup Properties, Inc. 21,484,500
39,447   National Health Investors, Inc. 3,328,538
37,501   National Storage Affiliates Trust 1,280,659
232,999   Newmark Group, Inc. 2,742,398
68,147   NexPoint Residential Trust, Inc. 3,325,574
267,204 1 QTS Realty Trust, Inc. 15,198,564
37,578   RMR Group, Inc./The 1,731,218
18,779   Urstadt Biddle Properties, Inc., Class A 425,720
47,847   Whitestone Project 626,796
    TOTAL 52,423,516
    Utilities—0.2%  
124,867   TerraForm Power, Inc. 2,258,844
    TOTAL COMMON STOCKS
(IDENTIFIED COST $855,380,868)
920,418,638
    INVESTMENT COMPANIES—11.0%  
35,232,745   Federated Government Obligations Fund, Premier Shares, 1.49%4 35,232,745
67,619,832   Federated Institutional Prime Value Obligations Fund, Institutional Shares, 1.71%4 67,640,117
    TOTAL INVESTMENT COMPANIES
(IDENTIFIED COST $102,872,519)
102,872,862
    TOTAL INVESTMENT IN SECURITIES—109.5%
(IDENTIFIED COST $958,253,387)5
1,023,291,500
    OTHER ASSETS AND LIABILITIES - NET—(9.5)%6 (88,973,185)
    TOTAL NET ASSETS—100% $934,318,315
Semi-Annual Shareholder Report
8

An affiliated company is a company in which the Fund, alone or in combination with other funds, has ownership of at least 5% of the voting shares. Transactions with affiliated companies during the period ended January 31, 2020, were as follows:
  ShotSpotter, Inc.
Information Technology  
Balance of Shares Held 7/31/2019
Purchases/Additions 101,939
Sales/Reductions (5,514)
Balance of Shares Held 1/31/2020 96,425
Value $2,646,866
Change in Unrealized
Appreciation/Depreciation
$642,009
Net Realized Gain/(Loss) $9,934
Dividend Income $
Affiliated fund holdings are investment companies which are managed by the Adviser or an affiliate of the Adviser. Transactions with affiliated fund holdings during the period ended January 31, 2020, were as follows:
  Federated
Government
Obligations Fund,
Premier Shares*
Federated
Institutional
Prime Value
Obligations Fund,
Institutional Shares*
Total
Affiliated
Transactions
Balance of Shares Held 7/31/2019 34,589,446 67,411,680 102,001,126
Purchases/Additions 160,971,917 300,967,150 461,939,067
Sales/Reductions (160,328,618) (300,758,998) (461,087,616)
Balance of Shares Held 1/31/2020 35,232,745 67,619,832 102,852,577
Value $35,232,745 $67,640,117 $102,872,862
Change in Unrealized
Appreciation/Depreciation
N/A $(4,489) $(4,489)
Net Realized Gain/(Loss) N/A $3,910 $3,910
Dividend Income $326,114 $ 601,917 $928,031
* All or a portion of the balance/activity for the fund relates to cash collateral received on securities lending transactions.
1 All or a portion of these securities are temporarily on loan to unaffiliated broker/dealers.
2 Non-income-producing security.
3 Market quotations and price evaluations are not available. Fair value determined using significant unobservable inputs in accordance with procedures established by and under the general supervision of the Fund's Board of Trustees (the “Trustees”).
4 7-day net yield.
Semi-Annual Shareholder Report
9

5 Also represents cost for federal tax purposes.
6 Assets, other than investments in securities, less liabilities. See Statement of Assets and Liabilities.
Note: The categories of investments are shown as a percentage of total net assets at January 31, 2020.
Various inputs are used in determining the value of the Fund's investments. These inputs are summarized in the three broad levels listed below:
Level 1—quoted prices in active markets for identical securities.
Level 2—other significant observable inputs (including quoted prices for similar securities, interest rates, prepayment speeds, credit risk, etc.). Also includes securities valued at amortized cost.
Level 3—significant unobservable inputs (including the Fund's own assumptions in determining the fair value of investments).
The inputs or methodology used for valuing securities are not an indication of the risk associated with investing in those securities.
The following is a summary of the inputs used, as of January 31, 2020, in valuing the Fund's assets carried at fair value:
Valuation Inputs        
  Level 1—
Quoted
Prices
Level 2—
Other
Significant
Observable
Inputs
Level 3—
Significant
Unobservable
Inputs
Total
Equity Securities:        
Common Stocks        
 Domestic $898,758,431 $— $0 $898,758,431
 International 21,660,207 21,660,207
Investment Companies 102,872,862 102,872,862
TOTAL SECURITIES $1,023,291,500 $— $0 $1,023,291,500
See Notes which are an integral part of the Financial Statements
Semi-Annual Shareholder Report
10

Financial HighlightsClass A Shares
(For a Share Outstanding Throughout Each Period)
  Six Months
Ended
(unaudited)
1/31/2020
Year Ended July 31,
2019 2018 2017 2016 2015
Net Asset Value, Beginning of Period $23.30 $25.67 $21.89 $17.66 $20.49 $17.39
Income From Investment Operations:            
Net investment income (loss) (0.03)1 (0.08)1 (0.11)1 (0.08)1 (0.06)1 (0.12)1
Net realized and unrealized gain (loss) 0.20 (0.84) 5.09 4.63 0.32 3.22
TOTAL FROM INVESTMENT OPERATIONS 0.17 (0.92) 4.98 4.55 0.26 3.10
Less Distributions:            
Distributions from net realized gain (1.45) (1.20) (0.32) (3.09)
Net Asset Value, End of Period $23.47 $23.30 $25.67 $21.89 $17.66 $20.49
Total Return2 0.73% (2.83)% 23.50% 26.00% 2.30% 17.83%
Ratios to Average Net Assets:            
Net expenses 1.13%3 1.13% 1.14% 1.15% 1.13% 1.54%
Net investment income (loss) (0.27)%3 (0.36)% (0.48)% (0.39)% (0.34)% (0.66)%
Expense waiver/reimbursement4 0.25%3 0.29% 0.44% 0.70% 1.00% 0.61%
Supplemental Data:            
Net assets, end of period (000 omitted) $105,006 $82,170 $82,953 $47,681 $29,707 $32,136
Portfolio turnover 86% 142% 129% 118% 198% 121%
1 Per share numbers have been calculated using the average shares method.
2 Based on net asset value, which does not reflect the sales charge, redemption fee or contingent deferred sales charge, if applicable. Total returns for periods of less than one year are not annualized.
3 Computed on an annualized basis.
4 This expense decrease is reflected in both the net expense and the net investment income (loss) ratios shown above.
See Notes which are an integral part of the Financial Statements
Semi-Annual Shareholder Report
11

Financial HighlightsClass C Shares
(For a Share Outstanding Throughout Each Period)
  Six Months
Ended
(unaudited)
1/31/2020
Year Ended July 31,
2019 2018 2017 2016 2015
Net Asset Value, Beginning of Period $20.32 $22.77 $19.69 $16.03 $19.03 $16.27
Income From Investment Operations:            
Net investment income (loss) (0.10)1 (0.23)1 (0.26)1 (0.21)1 (0.17)1 (0.25)1
Net realized and unrealized gain (loss) 0.18 (0.77) 4.54 4.19 0.26 3.01
TOTAL FROM INVESTMENT OPERATIONS 0.08 (1.00) 4.28 3.98 0.09 2.76
Less Distributions:            
Distributions from net realized gain (1.45) (1.20) (0.32) (3.09)
Net Asset Value, End of Period $20.40 $20.32 $22.77 $19.69 $16.03 $19.03
Total Return2 0.39% (3.58)% 22.54% 25.08% 1.51% 16.96%
Ratios to Average Net Assets:            
Net expenses 1.88%3 1.88% 1.89% 1.90% 1.88% 2.31%
Net investment income (loss) (1.03)%3 (1.12)% (1.23)% (1.15)% (1.09)% (1.44)%
Expense waiver/reimbursement4 0.21%3 0.29% 0.41% 0.66% 1.00% 0.59%
Supplemental Data:            
Net assets, end of period (000 omitted) $21,163 $22,639 $18,008 $10,007 $3,941 $3,571
Portfolio turnover 86% 142% 129% 118% 198% 121%
1 Per share numbers have been calculated using the average shares method.
2 Based on net asset value, which does not reflect the sales charge, redemption fee or contingent deferred sales charge, if applicable. Total returns for periods of less than one year are not annualized.
3 Computed on an annualized basis.
4 This expense decrease is reflected in both the net expense and the net investment income (loss) ratios shown above.
See Notes which are an integral part of the Financial Statements
Semi-Annual Shareholder Report
12

Financial HighlightsInstitutional Shares
(For a Share Outstanding Throughout Each Period)
  Six Months
Ended
(unaudited)
1/31/2020
Year Ended July 31,
2019 2018 2017 2016 2015
Net Asset Value, Beginning of Period $24.37 $26.71 $22.67 $18.24 $21.01 $17.79
Income From Investment Operations:            
Net investment income (loss) (0.00)1,2 (0.02)1 (0.06)1 (0.03)1 (0.02)1 (0.08)1
Net realized and unrealized gain (loss) 0.21 (0.87) 5.30 4.78 0.34 3.30
TOTAL FROM INVESTMENT OPERATIONS 0.21 (0.89) 5.24 4.75 0.32 3.22
Less Distributions:            
Distributions from net realized gain (1.45) (1.20) (0.32) (3.09)
Net Asset Value, End of Period $24.58 $24.37 $26.71 $22.67 $18.24 $21.01
Total Return3 0.86% (2.60)% 23.85% 26.27% 2.56% 18.10%
Ratios to Average Net Assets:            
Net expenses 0.88%4 0.88% 0.89% 0.90% 0.88% 1.30%
Net investment income (loss) (0.03)%4 (0.10)% (0.25)% (0.15)% (0.09)% (0.43)%
Expense waiver/reimbursement5 0.18%4 0.25% 0.41% 0.63% 0.99% 0.60%
Supplemental Data:            
Net assets, end of period (000 omitted) $482,685 $455,597 $364,248 $112,742 $43,337 $36,706
Portfolio turnover 86% 142% 129% 118% 198% 121%
1 Per share numbers have been calculated using the average shares method.
2 Represents less than $0.01.
3 Based on net asset value. Total returns for periods of less than one year are not annualized.
4 Computed on an annualized basis.
5 This expense decrease is reflected in both the net expense and the net investment income (loss) ratios shown above.
See Notes which are an integral part of the Financial Statements
Semi-Annual Shareholder Report
13

Financial HighlightsClass R6 Shares
(For a Share Outstanding Throughout Each Period)
  Six Months
Ended
(unaudited)
1/31/2020
Year Ended July 31, Period
Ended
7/31/20161
2019 2018 2017
Net Asset Value, Beginning of Period $24.36 $26.70 $22.67 $18.24 $16.25
Income From Investment Operations:          
Net investment income (loss) (0.00)2,3 (0.02)2 (0.06)2 (0.01)2 (0.07)2
Net realized and unrealized gain (loss) 0.23 (0.87) 5.29 4.76 2.06
TOTAL FROM INVESTMENT OPERATIONS 0.23 (0.89) 5.23 4.75 1.99
Less Distributions:          
Distributions from net realized gain (1.45) (1.20) (0.32)
Net Asset Value, End of Period $24.59 $24.36 $26.70 $22.67 $18.24
Total Return4 0.94% (2.60)% 23.81% 26.27% 12.25%
Ratios to Average Net Assets:          
Net expenses 0.87%5 0.87% 0.88% 0.88% 0.87%5
Net investment income (loss) (0.03)%5 (0.07)% (0.24)% (0.04)% (0.41)%5
Expense waiver/reimbursement6 0.08%5 0.15% 0.30% 0.42% 0.66%5
Supplemental Data:          
Net assets, end of period (000 omitted) $325,465 $333,059 $89,307 $24,795 $07
Portfolio turnover 86% 142% 129% 118% 198%8
1 Reflects operations for the period from June 29, 2016 (date of initial investment) to July 31, 2016.
2 Per share numbers have been calculated using the average shares method.
3 Represents less than $0.01.
4 Based on net asset value. Total returns for periods of less than one year are not annualized.
5 Computed on an annualized basis.
6 This expense decrease is reflected in both the net expense and the net investment income (loss) ratios shown above.
7 Represents less than $1,000.
8 Portfolio turnover is calculated at the Fund level. Percentage indicated was calculated for the year ended July 31, 2016.
See Notes which are an integral part of the Financial Statements
Semi-Annual Shareholder Report
14

Statement of Assets and Liabilities
January 31, 2020 (unaudited)
Assets:    
Investment in securities, at value including $85,543,278 of securities loaned and including $102,872,862 of investment in affiliated holdings* (identified cost $958,253,387)   $1,023,291,500
Cash   138
Income receivable   79,087
Income receivable from an affiliated holding   19,899
Receivable for investments sold   10,986,182
Receivable for shares sold   921,469
TOTAL ASSETS   1,035,298,275
Liabilities:    
Payable for investments purchased $6,408,512  
Payable for shares redeemed 3,747,062  
Payable for collateral due to broker for securities lending 90,421,745  
Payable to adviser (Note 5) 18,925  
Payable for administrative fees (Note 5) 1,701  
Payable for distribution services fee (Note 5) 14,036  
Payable for other service fees (Notes 2 and 5) 59,379  
Accrued expenses (Note 5) 308,600  
TOTAL LIABILITIES   100,979,960
Net assets for 38,386,083 shares outstanding   $934,318,315
Net Assets Consist of:    
Paid-in capital   $858,122,063
Total distributable earnings (loss)   76,196,252
TOTAL NET ASSETS   $934,318,315
Semi-Annual Shareholder Report
15

Statement of Assets and Liabilitiescontinued
Net Asset Value, Offering Price and Redemption Proceeds Per Share    
Class A Shares:    
Net asset value per share ($105,005,559 ÷ 4,474,214 shares outstanding), no par value, unlimited shares authorized   $23.47
Offering price per share (100/94.50 of $23.47)   $24.84
Redemption proceeds per share   $23.47
Class C Shares:    
Net asset value per share ($21,162,934 ÷ 1,037,442 shares outstanding), no par value, unlimited shares authorized   $20.40
Offering price per share   $20.40
Redemption proceeds per share (99.00/100 of $20.40)   $20.20
Institutional Shares:    
Net asset value per share ($482,685,273 ÷ 19,637,654 shares outstanding), no par value, unlimited shares authorized   $24.58
Offering price per share   $24.58
Redemption proceeds per share   $24.58
Class R6 Shares:    
Net asset value per share ($325,464,549 ÷ 13,236,773 shares outstanding), no par value, unlimited shares authorized   $24.59
Offering price per share   $24.59
Redemption proceeds per share   $24.59
* See information listed after the Fund's Portfolio of Investments.
See Notes which are an integral part of the Financial Statements
Semi-Annual Shareholder Report
16

Statement of Operations
Six Months Ended January 31, 2020 (unaudited)
Investment Income:      
Dividends (including $124,171 received from an affiliated holding* and net of foreign taxes withheld of $56)     $3,368,860
Net income on securities loaned (includes $803,860 earned from affiliated holdings related to cash collateral balances*) (Note 2)     571,794
TOTAL INCOME     3,940,654
Expenses:      
Investment adviser fee (Note 5)   $3,702,201  
Administrative fee (Note 5)   364,917  
Custodian fees   32,060  
Transfer agent fee   473,465  
Directors'/Trustees' fees (Note 5)   3,299  
Auditing fees   13,842  
Legal fees   4,835  
Portfolio accounting fees   78,104  
Distribution services fee (Note 5)   78,952  
Other service fees (Notes 2 and 5)   138,990  
Share registration costs   48,985  
Printing and postage   37,436  
Miscellaneous (Note 5)   18,501  
TOTAL EXPENSES   4,995,587  
Waiver and Reimbursements:      
Waiver/reimbursement of investment adviser fee (Note 5) $(358,718)    
Reimbursement of other operating expenses (Notes 2 and 5) (339,927)    
TOTAL WAIVER AND REIMBURSEMENTS   (698,645)  
Net expenses     4,296,942
Net investment income (loss)     (356,288)
Realized and Unrealized Gain (Loss) on Investments:      
Net realized gain on investments (including net realized gain of $3,910 on sales of investments in an affiliated holding*)     18,262,895
Net change in unrealized appreciation of investments (including net change in unrealized appreciation of $(4,489) on investments in an affiliated holding*)     (6,662,325)
Net realized and unrealized gain (loss) on investments     11,600,570
Change in net assets resulting from operations     $11,244,282
* See information listed after the Fund's Portfolio of Investments.
See Notes which are an integral part of the Financial Statements
Semi-Annual Shareholder Report
17

Statement of Changes in Net Assets
  Six Months
Ended
(unaudited)
1/31/2020
Year Ended
7/31/2019
Increase (Decrease) in Net Assets    
Operations:    
Net investment income (loss) $(356,288) $(1,133,718)
Net realized gain 18,262,895 2,812,140
Net change in unrealized appreciation/depreciation (6,662,325) (10,118,739)
CHANGE IN NET ASSETS RESULTING FROM OPERATIONS 11,244,282 (8,440,317)
Distributions to Shareholders:    
Class A Shares (4,694,682)
Class C Shares (1,802,870)
Institutional Shares (21,193,835)
Class R6 Shares (10,244,004)
CHANGE IN NET ASSETS RESULTING FROM DISTRIBUTIONS TO SHAREHOLDERS (37,935,391)
Share Transactions:    
Proceeds from sale of shares 165,176,403 662,802,599
Proceeds from shares issued in connection with the tax-free transfer of assets from PNC Multi-Factor Small Cap Growth Fund 102,652,108
Net asset value of shares issued to shareholders in payment of distributions declared 32,928,721
Cost of shares redeemed (238,219,743) (310,406,395)
CHANGE IN NET ASSETS RESULTING FROM SHARE TRANSACTIONS 29,608,768 385,324,925
Change in net assets 40,853,050 338,949,217
Net Assets:    
Beginning of period 893,465,265 554,516,048
End of period $934,318,315 $893,465,265
See Notes which are an integral part of the Financial Statements
Semi-Annual Shareholder Report
18

Notes to Financial Statements
January 31, 2020 (unaudited)
1. ORGANIZATION
Federated MDT Series (the “Trust”) is registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the “Act”), as an open-end management investment company. The Trust consists of five portfolios. The financial statements included herein are only those of Federated MDT Small Cap Growth Fund (the “Fund”), a diversified portfolio. The financial statements of the other portfolios are presented separately. The assets of each portfolio are segregated and a shareholder's interest is limited to the portfolio in which shares are held. Each portfolio pays its own expenses. The Fund offers four classes of shares: Class A Shares, Class C Shares, Institutional Shares and Class R6 Shares. All shares of the Fund have equal rights with respect to voting, except on class-specific matters. The investment objective of the Fund is long-term capital appreciation.
On March 30, 2017, the Fund's T Share Class became effective with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), but is not yet offered for sale.
Effective August 1, 2018, an automatic conversion feature for Class C Shares was implemented. Pursuant to this automatic conversion feature, after Class C Shares have been held for ten years from the date of purchase, they will automatically convert to Class A Shares on the next monthly conversion processing date.
On November 15, 2019, the Fund acquired all of the net assets of PNC Multi-Factor Small Cap Growth Fund (the “Acquired Fund”), an open-end investment company, in a tax-free reorganization in exchange for shares of the Fund, pursuant to a plan of reorganization approved by the Acquired Fund's shareholders on November 5, 2019. The purpose of the transaction was to combine two portfolios with comparable investment objectives and strategies. For financial reporting purposes, assets received and shares issued by the Fund were recorded at fair value; however, the cost basis of the investments received from the Acquired Fund was carried forward to align ongoing reporting of the Fund's realized gains and losses with amounts distributable to shareholders for tax purposes.
For every one share of the Acquired Fund's Class A Shares exchanged, a shareholder received 0.896 shares of the Fund's Class A Shares.
For every one share of the Acquired Fund's Class C Shares exchanged, a shareholder received 0.971 shares of the Fund's Class C Shares.
For every one share of the Acquired Fund's Class I Shares exchanged, a shareholder received 0.883 shares of the Fund's Institutional Shares.
For every one share of the Acquired Fund's Class R6 Shares exchanged, a shareholder received 0.883 shares of the Fund's R6 Shares.
Semi-Annual Shareholder Report
19

The Fund received net assets from the Acquired Fund as the result of the tax-free reorganization as follows:
Shares of the
Fund Issued
Acquired Fund's
Net Assets Received
Unrealized
Appreciation1
Net Assets
of the Fund
Immediately
Prior to
Combination
Net Assets
of the Fund
Immediately
After
Combination
4,360,352 $102,652,108 $20,727,223 $897,256,665 $999,908,773
1 Unrealized Appreciation is included in the Net Assets Received amount shown above.
   
Assuming the acquisition had been completed on August 1, 2019, the beginning of the annual reporting period of the Fund, the Fund's pro forma results of operations for the six months ended January 31, 2020, were as follows:
Net investment income (loss) $(324,682)
Net realized and unrealized gain on investments $15,133,143
Net increase in net assets resulting from operations $14,808,461
    
Because the combined investment portfolios have been managed as a single integrated portfolio since the acquisition was completed, it is not practicable to separate the amounts of revenue and earnings of the Acquired Fund that have been included in the Fund's Statement of Operations and Statement of Changes in Net Assets as of January 31, 2020.
2. SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES
The following is a summary of significant accounting policies consistently followed by the Fund in the preparation of its financial statements. These policies are in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP).
Investment Valuation
In calculating its net asset value (NAV), the Fund generally values investments as follows:
■  Equity securities listed on an exchange or traded through a regulated market system are valued at their last reported sale price or official closing price in their principal exchange or market.
■  Shares of other mutual funds or non-exchange-traded investment companies are valued based upon their reported NAVs.
■  Fixed-income securities are fair valued using price evaluations provided by a pricing service approved by the Trustees.
■  Derivative contracts listed on exchanges are valued at their reported settlement or closing price, except that options are valued at the mean of closing bid and asked quotations.
■  Over-the-counter (OTC) derivative contracts are fair valued using price evaluations provided by a pricing service approved by the Trustees.
Semi-Annual Shareholder Report
20

■  For securities that are fair valued in accordance with procedures established by and under the general supervision of the Trustees, certain factors may be considered, such as: the last traded or purchase price of the security, information obtained by contacting the issuer or dealers, analysis of the issuer's financial statements or other available documents, fundamental analytical data, the nature and duration of restrictions on disposition, the movement of the market in which the security is normally traded, public trading in similar securities or derivative contracts of the issuer or comparable issuers, movement of a relevant index, or other factors including but not limited to industry changes and relevant government actions.
If any price, quotation, price evaluation or other pricing source is not readily available when the NAV is calculated, if the Fund cannot obtain price evaluations from a pricing service or from more than one dealer for an investment within a reasonable period of time as set forth in the Fund's valuation policies and procedures, or if information furnished by a pricing service, in the opinion of the valuation committee (“Valuation Committee”), is deemed not representative of the fair value of such security, the Fund uses the fair value of the investment determined in accordance with the procedures described below. There can be no assurance that the Fund could obtain the fair value assigned to an investment if it sold the investment at approximately the time at which the Fund determines its NAV per share.
Fair Valuation Procedures
The Trustees have ultimate responsibility for determining the fair value of investments for which market quotations are not readily available. The Trustees have appointed a Valuation Committee comprised of officers of the Fund, Federated MDTA LLC (the “Adviser”), and certain of the Adviser's affiliated companies to assist in determining fair value and in overseeing the calculation of the NAV. The Trustees have also authorized the use of pricing services recommended by the Valuation Committee to provide fair value evaluations of the current value of certain investments for purposes of calculating the NAV. The Valuation Committee employs various methods for reviewing third-party pricing-service evaluations including periodic reviews of third-party pricing services' policies, procedures and valuation methods (including key inputs, methods, models and assumptions), transactional back-testing, comparisons of evaluations of different pricing services, and review of price challenges by the Adviser based on recent market activity. In the event that market quotations and price evaluations are not available for an investment, the Valuation Committee determines the fair value of the investment in accordance with procedures adopted by the Trustees. The Trustees periodically review and approve the fair valuations made by the Valuation Committee and any changes made to the procedures.
Factors considered by pricing services in evaluating an investment include the yields or prices of investments of comparable quality, coupon, maturity, call rights and other potential prepayments, terms and type, reported transactions, indications as to values from dealers and general market conditions. Some pricing services provide a single price evaluation reflecting the bid-side of the market for an investment (a “bid” evaluation). Other pricing services offer both bid evaluations and price evaluations indicative of a price between the prices bid and asked for the investment (a “mid” evaluation). The Fund normally uses bid evaluations for any U.S. Treasury and Agency securities, mortgage-backed securities and municipal securities. The Fund normally uses mid evaluations for any other types of fixed-income securities and any OTC derivative contracts. In the event that market quotations and price evaluations are not available for an investment, the fair value of the investment is determined in accordance with procedures adopted by the Trustees.
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Repurchase Agreements
The Fund may invest in repurchase agreements for short-term liquidity purposes. It is the policy of the Fund to require the other party to a repurchase agreement to transfer to the Fund's custodian or sub-custodian eligible securities or cash with a market value (after transaction costs) at least equal to the repurchase price to be paid under the repurchase agreement. The eligible securities are transferred to accounts with the custodian or sub-custodian in which the Fund holds a “securities entitlement” and exercises “control” as those terms are defined in the Uniform Commercial Code. The Fund has established procedures for monitoring the market value of the transferred securities and requiring the transfer of additional eligible securities if necessary to equal at least the repurchase price. These procedures also allow the other party to require securities to be transferred from the account to the extent that their market value exceeds the repurchase price or in exchange for other eligible securities of equivalent market value.
The insolvency of the other party or other failure to repurchase the securities may delay the disposition of the underlying securities or cause the Fund to receive less than the full repurchase price. Under the terms of the repurchase agreement, any amounts received by the Fund in excess of the repurchase price and related transaction costs must be remitted to the other party.
The Fund may enter into repurchase agreements in which eligible securities are transferred into joint trading accounts maintained by the custodian or sub-custodian for investment companies and other clients advised by the Fund's Adviser and its affiliates. The Fund will participate on a pro rata basis with the other investment companies and clients in its share of the securities transferred under such repurchase agreements and in its share of proceeds from any repurchase or other disposition of such securities.
Investment Income, Gains and Losses, Expenses and Distributions
Investment transactions are accounted for on a trade-date basis. Realized gains and losses from investment transactions are recorded on an identified-cost basis. Interest income and expenses are accrued daily. Dividend income and distributions to shareholders are recorded on the ex-dividend date. Distributions of net investment income, if any, are declared and paid annually. Non-cash dividends included in dividend income, if any, are recorded at fair value. Amortization/accretion of premium and discount is included in investment income. Investment income, realized and unrealized gains and losses, and certain fund-level expenses are allocated to each class based on relative average daily net assets, except that select classes will bear certain expenses unique to those classes. The detail of the total fund expense waiver and reimbursements of $698,645 is disclosed in various locations in this Note 2 and Note 5. For the six months ended January 31, 2020, transfer agent fees for the Fund were as follows:
  Transfer Agent
Fees Incurred
Transfer Agent
Fees Reimbursed
Class A Shares $94,277 $(79,340)
Class C Shares 18,143 (14,451)
Institutional Shares 324,293 (246,136)
Class R6 Shares 36,752
TOTAL $473,465 $(339,927)
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Dividends are declared separately for each class. No class has preferential dividend rights; differences in per share dividend rates are generally due to differences in separate class expenses.
Other Service Fees
The Fund may pay other service fees up to 0.25% of the average daily net assets of the Fund's Class A Shares and Class C Shares to financial intermediaries or to Federated Shareholder Services Company (FSSC) for providing services to shareholders and maintaining shareholder accounts. Subject to the terms described in the Expense Limitation note, FSSC may voluntarily reimburse the Fund for other service fees. For the six months ended January 31, 2020, other service fees for the Fund were as follows:
  Other Service
Fees Incurred
Class A Shares $112,975
Class C Shares 26,015
TOTAL $138,990
Federal Taxes
It is the Fund's policy to comply with the Subchapter M provision of the Internal Revenue Code and to distribute to shareholders each year substantially all of its income. Accordingly, no provision for federal income tax is necessary. As of and during the six months ended January 31, 2020, the Fund did not have a liability for any uncertain tax positions. The Fund recognizes interest and penalties, if any, related to tax liabilities as income tax expense in the Statement of Operations. As of January 31, 2020, tax years 2016 through 2019 remain subject to examination by the Fund's major tax jurisdictions, which include the United States of America and the Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
When-Issued and Delayed-Delivery Transactions
The Fund may engage in when-issued or delayed-delivery transactions. The Fund records when-issued securities on the trade date and maintains security positions such that sufficient liquid assets will be available to make payment for the securities purchased. Securities purchased on a when-issued or delayed-delivery basis are marked to market daily and begin earning interest on the settlement date. Losses may occur on these transactions due to changes in market conditions or the failure of counterparties to perform under the contract.
Securities Lending
The Fund participates in a securities lending program providing for the lending of equity securities to qualified brokers. The term of the loans within the program is one year or less. The Fund normally receives cash collateral for securities loaned that may be invested in affiliated money market funds, other money market instruments and/or repurchase agreements. Investments in money market funds may include funds with a “floating” NAV that can impose redemption fees and liquidity gates, impose certain operational impediments to investing cash collateral, and, if the investee fund's NAV decreases, result in the Fund recognizing losses and being required to cover the decrease in the value of the cash collateral. Collateral is maintained at a minimum level of 100% of the market value of investments loaned, plus interest, if applicable. In accordance with the Fund's securities lending agreement, the market value of securities on loan is determined each day at the close of business and any additional collateral required to cover the value of securities on loan is delivered to the Fund
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on the next business day. Earnings on collateral are allocated between the borrower of the security, the securities lending agent, as a fee for its services under the program and the Fund, according to agreed-upon rates. The Fund will not have the right to vote on securities while they are on loan. However, the Fund will attempt to terminate a loan in an effort to reacquire the securities in time to vote on matters that are deemed to be material by the Adviser. There can be no assurance that the Fund will have sufficient notice of such matters to be able to terminate the loan in time to vote thereon.
Securities lending transactions are subject to Master Netting Agreements which are agreements between the Fund and its counterparties that provide for the net settlement of all transactions and collateral with the Fund, through a single payment, in the event of default or termination. Amounts presented on the Portfolio of Investments and Statement of Assets and Liabilities are not net settlement amounts but gross. As indicated below, the cash collateral received by the Fund exceeds the market value of the securities loaned reducing the net settlement amount to zero. The chart below identifies the amount of collateral received as well as the market value of securities on loan. Additionally, the securities lending agreement executed by the Fund includes an indemnification clause. This clause stipulates that the borrower will reimburse the Fund for any losses as a result of any failure of the borrower to return equivalent securities to the Fund.
As of January 31, 2020, securities subject to this type of arrangement and related collateral were as follows:
Market Value of
Securities Loaned
Collateral
Received
$85,543,278 $90,421,745
Other
The preparation of financial statements in conformity with GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the amounts of assets, liabilities, expenses and revenues reported in the financial statements. Actual results could differ from those estimated. The Fund applies investment company accounting and reporting guidance.
3. SHARES OF BENEFICIAL INTEREST
The following tables summarize share activity:
  Six Months Ended
1/31/2020
Year Ended
7/31/2019
Class A Shares: Shares Amount Shares Amount
Shares sold 291,338 $6,628,502 1,528,971 $35,808,747
Proceeds from shares issued in connection with the tax-free transfer of assets from the Acquired Fund 1,446,327 33,251,055
Shares issued to shareholders in payment of distributions declared 206,833 4,264,901
Shares redeemed (790,740) (18,230,469) (1,439,941) (34,081,411)
NET CHANGE RESULTING FROM CLASS A SHARE TRANSACTIONS 946,925 $21,649,088 295,863 $5,992,237
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  Six Months Ended
1/31/2020
Year Ended
7/31/2019
Class C Shares: Shares Amount Shares Amount
Shares sold 59,137 $1,184,448 861,349 $19,805,308
Proceeds from shares issued in connection with the tax-free transfer of assets from the Acquired Fund 182,602 3,655,701
Shares issued to shareholders in payment of distributions declared 84,088 1,519,470
Shares redeemed (318,234) (6,310,365) (622,248) (12,775,267)
NET CHANGE RESULTING FROM CLASS C SHARE TRANSACTIONS (76,495) $(1,470,216) 323,189 $8,549,511
    
  Six Months Ended
1/31/2020
Year Ended
7/31/2019
Institutional Shares: Shares Amount Shares Amount
Shares sold 4,631,835 $110,397,412 13,009,742 $313,124,900
Proceeds from shares issued in connection with the tax-free transfer of assets from the Acquired Fund 2,548,202 61,335,218
Shares issued to shareholders in payment of distributions declared 906,635 19,519,847
Shares redeemed (6,240,630) (151,534,625) (8,855,829) (217,649,803)
NET CHANGE RESULTING FROM INSTITUTIONAL SHARE TRANSACTIONS 939,407 $20,198,005 5,060,548 $114,994,944
    
  Six Months Ended
1/31/2020
Year Ended
7/31/2019
Class R6 Shares: Shares Amount Shares Amount
Shares sold 1,967,025 $46,966,041 11,880,605 $294,063,644
Proceeds from shares issued in connection with the tax-free transfer of assets from the Acquired Fund 183,221 4,410,134
Shares issued to shareholders in payment of distributions declared 354,134 7,624,503
Shares redeemed (2,584,647) (62,144,284) (1,908,361) (45,899,914)
NET CHANGE RESULTING FROM CLASS R6 SHARE TRANSACTIONS (434,401) $(10,768,109) 10,326,378 $255,788,233
NET CHANGE RESULTING FROM TOTAL FUND SHARE TRANSACTIONS 1,375,436 $29,608,768 16,005,978 $385,324,925
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4. FEDERAL TAX INFORMATION
At January 31, 2020, the cost of investments for federal tax purposes was $958,253,387. The net unrealized appreciation of investments for federal tax purposes was $65,038,113. This consists of net unrealized appreciation from investments for those securities having an excess of value over cost of $112,790,411 and net unrealized depreciation from investments for those securities having an excess of cost over value of $47,752,298.
Under current tax rules, capital losses on securities transactions and foreign currency losses realized after October 31 and a late-year ordinary loss may be deferred, in whole or in part, and treated as occurring on the first day of the following fiscal year. As of July 31, 2019, for federal income tax purposes, post October losses of $1,434,499 and a late year ordinary loss of $658,953 were deferred to August 1, 2019.
5. INVESTMENT ADVISER FEE AND OTHER TRANSACTIONS WITH AFFILIATES
Investment Adviser Fee
The advisory agreement between the Fund and the Adviser provides for an annual fee equal to 0.80% of the Fund's average daily net assets. Subject to the terms described in the Expense Limitation note, the Adviser may voluntarily choose to waive any portion of its fee and/or reimburse certain operating expenses of the Fund. For the six months ended January 31, 2020, the Adviser voluntarily waived $326,515 of its fee and voluntarily reimbursed $339,927 of transfer agent fees.
The Adviser has agreed to reimburse the Fund for certain investment adviser fees as a result of transactions in other affiliated investment companies. For the six months ended January 31, 2020, the Adviser reimbursed $32,203.
Administrative Fee
Federated Administrative Services (FAS), under the Administrative Services Agreement, provides the Fund with administrative personnel and services. For purposes of determining the appropriate rate breakpoint, “Investment Complex” is defined as all of the Federated Hermes Funds subject to a fee under the Administrative Services Agreement. The fee paid to FAS is based on the average daily net assets of the Investment Complex as specified below:
Administrative Fee Average Daily Net Assets
of the Investment Complex
0.100% on assets up to $50 billion
0.075% on assets over $50 billion
Subject to the terms described in the Expense Limitation note, FAS may voluntarily choose to waive any portion of its fee. For the six months ended January 31, 2020, the annualized fee paid to FAS was 0.079% of average daily net assets of the Fund.
In addition, FAS may charge certain out-of-pocket expenses to the Fund.
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Distribution Services Fee
The Fund has adopted a Distribution Plan (the “Plan”) pursuant to Rule 12b-1 under the Act. Under the terms of the Plan, the Fund will compensate Federated Securities Corp. (FSC), the principal distributor, from the daily net assets of the Fund's Class A Shares and Class C Shares to finance activities intended to result in the sale of these shares. The Plan provides that the Fund may incur distribution expenses at the following percentages of average daily net assets annually, to compensate FSC:
  Percentage of Average Daily
Net Assets of Class
Class A Shares 0.05%
Class C Shares 0.75%
Subject to the terms described in the Expense Limitation note, FSC may voluntarily choose to waive any portion of its fee. For the six months ended January 31, 2020, distribution services fees for the Fund were as follows:
  Distribution Services
Fees Incurred
Class C Shares $78,952
For the six months ended January 31, 2020, FSC retained $12,861 fees paid by the Fund.
When FSC receives fees, it may pay some or all of them to financial intermediaries whose customers purchase shares. For the six months ended January 31, 2020, the Fund's Class A Shares did not incur a distribution services fee; however, it may begin to incur this fee upon approval of the Trustees.
Sales Charges
Front-end sales charges and contingent deferred sales charges (CDSC) do not represent expenses of the Fund. They are deducted from the proceeds of sales of Fund shares prior to investment or from redemption proceeds prior to remittance, as applicable. For the six months ended January 31, 2020, FSC retained $947 in sales charges from the sale of Class A Shares. FSC also retained $635 of CDSC relating to redemptions of Class C Shares.
Other Service Fees
For the six months ended January 31, 2020, FSSC received $5,118 of the other service fees disclosed in Note 2.
Expense Limitation
The Adviser and certain of its affiliates (which may include FSC, FAS and FSSC) on their own initiative have agreed to waive certain amounts of their respective fees and/or reimburse expenses. Total annual fund operating expenses (as shown in the financial highlights, excluding interest expense, extraordinary expenses and proxy-related expenses paid by the Fund, if any) paid by the Fund's Class A Shares, Class C Shares, Institutional Shares and Class R6 Shares (after the voluntary waivers and/or reimbursements) will not exceed 1.13%, 1.88%, 0.88% and 0.87% (the “Fee Limit”), respectively, up to but not including the later of (the “Termination Date”): (a) December 1, 2020; or (b) the date of the Fund's next effective
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Prospectus. While the Adviser and its applicable affiliates currently do not anticipate terminating or increasing these arrangements prior to the Termination Date, these arrangements may only be terminated or the Fee Limit increased prior to the Termination Date with the agreement of the Trustees.
Directors'/Trustees' and Miscellaneous Fees
Certain Officers and Trustees of the Fund are Officers and Directors or Trustees of certain of the above companies. To efficiently facilitate payment, Independent Directors'/Trustees' fees and certain expenses related to conducting meetings of the Directors/Trustees and other miscellaneous expenses are paid by an affiliate of the Adviser which in due course are reimbursed by the Fund. These expenses related to conducting meetings of the Directors/Trustees and other miscellaneous expenses may be included in Accrued and Miscellaneous Expenses on the Statement of Assets and Liabilities and Statement of Operations, respectively.
6. INVESTMENT TRANSACTIONS
Purchases and sales of investments, excluding long-term U.S. government securities and short-term obligations, for the six months ended January 31, 2020, were as follows:
Purchases $770,093,193
Sales $835,808,874
7. CONCENTRATION OF RISK
The Fund may invest a portion of its assets in securities of companies that are deemed by the Fund's management to be classified in similar business sectors. Economic developments may have an effect on the liquidity and volatility of the portfolio securities.
8. LINE OF CREDIT
The Fund participates with certain other Federated Hermes Funds, on a several basis, in an up to $500,000,000 unsecured, 364-day, committed, revolving line of credit (LOC) agreement. The LOC was made available to finance temporarily the repurchase or redemption of shares of the Fund, failed trades, payment of dividends, settlement of trades and for other short-term, temporary or emergency general business purposes. The Fund cannot borrow under the LOC if an inter-fund loan is outstanding. The Fund's ability to borrow under the LOC also is subject to the limitations of the Act and various conditions precedent that must be satisfied before the Fund can borrow. Loans under the LOC are charged interest at a fluctuating rate per annum equal to the highest, on any day, of (a) (i) the federal funds effective rate, (ii) the one month London Interbank Offered Rate (LIBOR), and (iii) 0.0%, plus (b) a margin. The LOC also requires the Fund to pay, quarterly in arrears and at maturity, its pro rata share of a commitment fee based on the amount of the lenders' commitment that has not been utilized. As of January 31, 2020, the Fund had no outstanding loans. During the six months ended January 31, 2020, the Fund did not utilize the LOC.
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9. INTERFUND LENDING
Pursuant to an Exemptive Order issued by the SEC, the Fund, along with other funds advised by subsidiaries of Federated Hermes, Inc., may participate in an interfund lending program. This program provides an alternative credit facility allowing the Fund to borrow from other participating affiliated funds. As of January 31, 2020, there were no outstanding loans. During the six months ended January 31, 2020, the program was not utilized.
10. SUBSEQUENT EVENTs
An outbreak of respiratory disease caused by a novel coronavirus was first detected in China in December 2019 and subsequently spread internationally. As of the date of the issuance of these financial statements, this coronavirus has resulted in closing borders, enhanced health screenings, healthcare service preparation and delivery, quarantines, cancellations, disruptions to supply chains, workflow operations and customer activity, as well as general concern and uncertainty. The impact of this coronavirus may be short term or may last for an extended period of time and result in a substantial economic downturn. The impact of this outbreak, and other epidemics and pandemics that may arise in the future, could negatively affect the worldwide economy, as well as the economies of individual countries, individual companies (including Fund service providers) and the market in general in significant and unforeseen ways. Any such impact could adversely affect the Fund's performance.
Effective on or about June 29, 2020, the name of the Trust and Fund will change to Federated Hermes MDT Series and Federated Hermes MDT Small Cap Growth Fund, respectively.
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Shareholder Expense Example (unaudited)
As a shareholder of the Fund, you incur two types of costs: (1) transaction costs, including sales charges (loads) on purchase or redemption payments; and (2) ongoing costs, including management fees and to the extent applicable, distribution (12b-1) fees and/or other service fees and other Fund expenses. This Example is intended to help you to understand your ongoing costs (in dollars) of investing in the Fund and to compare these costs with the ongoing costs of investing in other mutual funds. It is based on an investment of $1,000 invested at the beginning of the period and held for the entire period from August 1, 2019 to January 31, 2020.
ACTUAL EXPENSES
The first section of the table below provides information about actual account values and actual expenses. You may use the information in this section, together with the amount you invested, to estimate the expenses that you incurred over the period. Simply divide your account value by $1,000 (for example, an $8,600 account value divided by $1,000 = 8.6), then multiply the result by the number in the first section under the heading entitled “Expenses Paid During Period” to estimate the expenses attributable to your investment during this period.
HYPOTHETICAL EXAMPLE FOR COMPARISON PURPOSES
The second section of the table below provides information about hypothetical account values and hypothetical expenses based on the Fund's actual expense ratio and an assumed rate of return of 5% per year before expenses, which is not the Fund's actual return. Thus, you should not use the hypothetical account values and expenses to estimate the actual ending account balance or your expenses for the period. Rather, these figures are required to be provided to enable you to compare the ongoing costs of investing in the Fund with other funds. To do so, compare this 5% hypothetical example with the 5% hypothetical examples that appear in the shareholder reports of the other funds.
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Please note that the expenses shown in the table are meant to highlight your ongoing costs only and do not reflect any transaction costs, such as sales charges (loads) on purchase or redemption payments. Therefore, the second section of the table is useful in comparing ongoing costs only, and will not help you determine the relative total costs of owning different funds. In addition, if these transaction costs were included, your costs would have been higher.
  Beginning
Account Value
8/1/2019
Ending
Account Value
1/31/2020
Expenses Paid
During Period1
Actual:      
Class A Shares $1,000 $1,007.30 $5.70
Class C Shares $1,000 $1,003.90 $9.47
Institutional Shares $1,000 $1,008.60 $4.44
Class R6 Shares $1,000 $1,009.40 $4.39
Hypothetical (assuming a 5% return
before expenses):
     
Class A Shares $1,000 $1,019.50 $5.74
Class C Shares $1,000 $1,015.70 $9.53
Institutional Shares $1,000 $1,020.70 $4.47
Class R6 Shares $1,000 $1,020.80 $4.42
1 Expenses are equal to the Fund's annualized net expense ratios, multiplied by the average account value over the period, multiplied by 184/366 (to reflect the one-half-year period). The annualized net expense ratios are as follows:
   
Class A Shares 1.13%
Class C Shares 1.88%
Institutional Shares 0.88%
Class R6 Shares 0.87%
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Evaluation and Approval of Advisory ContractMay 2019
Federated MDT Small Cap Growth Fund (the “Fund”)
At its meetings in May 2019, the Fund's Board of Trustees (the “Board”), including a majority of those Trustees who are not “interested persons” of the Fund, as defined in the Investment Company Act of 1940 (the “Independent Trustees”) reviewed and unanimously approved the continuation of the Fund's investment advisory contract for an additional one-year term. The Board's decision regarding the contract reflects the exercise of its business judgment after considering all of the information received on whether to continue the existing arrangements.
At the request of the Independent Trustees, the Fund's Chief Compliance Officer (the CCO) furnished to the Board in advance of its May 2019 meetings an independent written evaluation presenting on the topics discussed below. The Board considered the CCO's independent written evaluation (the “CCO Fee Evaluation Report”), along with other information, in evaluating the reasonableness of the Fund's management fee and in deciding to approve the continuation of the investment advisory contract. The CCO, in preparing the CCO Fee Evaluation Report, has the authority to retain consultants, experts or staff as reasonably necessary to assist in the performance of his duties, reports directly to the Board, and can be terminated only with the approval of a majority of the Independent Trustees. At the request of the Independent Trustees, the CCO Fee Evaluation Report followed the same general approach and covered the same topics as that of the report that had previously been delivered by the CCO in his capacity as “Senior Officer,” prior to the elimination of the Senior Officer position in December 2017.
The Board also considered judicial decisions concerning allegedly excessive investment advisory fees in making its decision. Using these judicial decisions as a guide, the Board observed that the following factors may be relevant to an adviser's fiduciary duty with respect to its receipt of compensation from a fund: (1) the nature and quality of the services provided by an adviser to a fund and its shareholders (including the performance of the fund, its benchmark, and comparable funds); (2) an adviser's cost of providing the services (including the profitability to an adviser of providing advisory services to a fund); (3) the extent to which an adviser may realize “economies of scale” as a fund grows larger and, if such economies of scale exist, whether they have been shared with a fund and its shareholders or the family of funds; (4) any “fall-out” financial benefits that accrue to an adviser because of its relationship with a fund (including research services received from brokers that execute fund trades and any fees paid to affiliates of an adviser for services rendered to a fund); (5) comparative fee and expense structures (including a comparison of fees paid to an adviser with those paid by similar funds both internally and externally as well as management fees charged to institutional and other advisory clients of the
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adviser for what might be viewed as like services); and (6) the extent of care, conscientiousness and independence with which the fund's board members perform their duties and their expertise (including whether they are fully informed about all facts the board deems relevant to its consideration of an adviser's services and fees). The Board noted that the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) disclosure requirements regarding the basis for the Board's approval of the Fund's investment advisory contract generally align with the factors listed above. The Board was aware of these factors and was guided by them in its review of the Fund's investment advisory contract to the extent it considered them to be appropriate and relevant, as discussed further below.
The Board considered and weighed these factors in light of its substantial accumulated experience in governing the Fund and working with Federated MDTA LLC (the “Adviser”) and its affiliates (collectively “Federated”) on matters relating to the funds advised by Federated (each, a “Federated Fund”). The Independent Trustees were assisted in their deliberations by independent legal counsel.
In addition to the extensive materials that comprise and accompany the CCO Fee Evaluation Report, the Board received detailed information about the Fund and the Federated organization throughout the year, and in connection with its May meetings at which the Board's formal approval of the advisory and subadvisory contracts occurred. In this regard, Federated provided much of this information at each regular meeting of the Board, and furnished additional information specifically in connection with the May meetings. In the months preceding the May meetings, the Board requested and reviewed written materials prepared by Federated in response to requests on behalf of the Independent Trustees encompassing a wide variety of topics. At the May meetings, in addition to meeting in separate sessions of the Independent Trustees without management present, senior management of the Adviser also met with the Independent Trustees and their counsel to discuss the materials presented and such additional matters as the Independent Trustees deemed reasonably necessary to evaluate the advisory and subadvisory contracts. Between regularly scheduled meetings, the Board also received information on particular matters as the need arose.
The Board's consideration of the investment advisory contract included review of the CCO Fee Evaluation Report, accompanying data and additional information covering the following matters, among others: the Adviser's investment philosophy, revenue, profitability, personnel and processes; investment and operating strategies; the Fund's short-term and long-term performance (in absolute terms, both on a gross basis and net of expenses, as well as in terms relative to its particular investment program and certain competitor or “peer group” funds and/or other benchmarks, as appropriate) and comments on the reasons for performance; the Fund's investment objectives; the Fund's expenses, including the advisory fee and the overall expense structure of the Fund (both in absolute terms and relative to similar and/or competing funds), with due
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regard for contractual or voluntary expense limitations; the use and allocation of brokerage commissions derived from trading the Fund's portfolio securities (if any); and the nature, quality and extent of the advisory and other services provided to the Fund by the Adviser and its affiliates. The Board also considered the preferences and expectations of Fund shareholders; the entrepreneurial and other risks assumed by the Adviser in sponsoring the Fund; the continuing state of competition in the mutual fund industry and market practices; the range of comparable fees for similar funds in the mutual fund industry; the Fund's relationship to the Federated Funds which include a comprehensive array of funds with different investment objectives, policies and strategies which are generally available for exchange without the incurrence of additional sales charges; compliance and audit reports concerning the Federated Funds and the Federated companies that service them (including communications from regulatory agencies), as well as Federated's responses to any issues raised therein; and relevant developments in the mutual fund industry and how the Federated Funds and/or Federated are responding to them. The Board's evaluation process is evolutionary. The criteria considered and the emphasis placed on relevant criteria change in recognition of changing circumstances in the mutual fund marketplace.
While mindful that courts have cautioned against giving too much weight to comparative information concerning fees charged by other advisers for managing funds with comparable investment programs, the Board has found the use of such comparisons to be relevant to its deliberations. In this regard, the Board was presented with, and considered, information regarding the contractual advisory fee rates, net advisory fee rates, total expense ratios and each element of the Fund's total expense ratio (i.e., gross and net advisory fees, custody fees, portfolio accounting fees and transfer agency fees) relative to an appropriate group of peer funds compiled by Federated using data supplied by independent fund ranking organizations (the “Peer Group”). The Board received a description of the composition and methodology used to select the Peer Group. The Board focused on comparisons with other similar mutual funds more heavily than non-mutual fund products or services because it is believed that they are more relevant. For example, other mutual funds are the products most like the Fund, in that they are readily available to Fund shareholders as alternative investment vehicles. Also, they are the type of investment vehicle, in fact, chosen and maintained by the Fund's investors. The range of their fees and expenses, therefore, appears to be a relevant indicator of what consumers have found to be reasonable in the marketplace in which the Fund competes.
The Board reviewed the contractual advisory fee rate, net advisory fee rate and other expenses of the Fund and noted the position of the Fund's fee rates relative to its Peer Group. In this regard, the Board noted that the contractual advisory fee rate was above the median of the relevant Peer Group, but the Board noted the applicable waivers and reimbursements, and that the overall expense structure of the Fund remained competitive in the context of other
Semi-Annual Shareholder Report
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factors considered by the Board. In this regard, the Board had been previously advised that, while comparisons to fund Peer Groups are relevant in judging the reasonableness of advisory fees, the Fund's quantitative focus makes fee and expense comparisons particularly difficult. Although the Fund's advisory fee was above the median of the peer range, the Peer Group of funds varied widely in their complexity, and the Board has been informed that the management of the Fund is among the more complex relative to its Peer Group. The Board considered the fact that the Adviser committed to permanently reduce fees of the Fund in an agreed upon amount, such reduction to be effective July 1, 2019.
For comparison, the CCO reviewed the fees charged by Federated for providing advisory services to products other than the Federated Funds (e.g., institutional separate accounts and third-party unaffiliated mutual funds for which Federated serves as sub-adviser) (referenced to as “Comparable Funds/Accounts”). With respect to Comparable Funds/Accounts other than third-party mutual funds, the CCO concluded that they are inherently different products. Those differences include, but are not limited to, different types of targeted investors; different applicable laws and regulations; different legal structures; different average account sizes and portfolio management techniques made necessary by different cash flows and different associated costs; and the time spent by portfolio managers and their teams, as well as personnel in the Funds Financial Services, Legal, Compliance and Risk Management departments, in reviewing securities pricing, addressing different administrative responsibilities, addressing different degrees of risk associated with management and a variety of different costs. The CCO also reviewed the differences in the nature of the services required for Federated to manage its proprietary mutual fund business versus managing a discrete pool of assets as a sub-adviser to another institution's mutual fund, and that Federated generally performs significant additional services and assumes substantially greater risks in managing the Fund and other Federated Funds than in its role as sub-adviser to an unaffiliated third-party mutual fund. The CCO did not consider the fees for providing advisory services to Comparable Funds/Accounts to be determinative in judging the appropriateness of the Federated Funds' advisory fees.
The CCO noted that the services, administrative responsibilities and risks associated with such relationships are quite different than serving as a primary adviser to a fund.
Following such evaluation, and full deliberations, the Board concluded that the fees and expenses of the Fund are reasonable and supported renewal of the Fund's investment advisory contract.
The Board considered the nature, extent and quality of the services provided to the Fund by the Adviser and the resources of the Adviser and its affiliates dedicated to the Fund. In this regard, the Board evaluated, among other things, the Adviser's personnel, experience, track record, financial resources, overall reputation and willingness to invest in personnel and infrastructure that benefit the Fund. In addition, the Board reviewed the qualifications, backgrounds and
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responsibilities of the portfolio management team primarily responsible for the day-to-day management of the Fund and the Adviser's ability and experience in attracting and retaining qualified personnel to service the Fund. The Board noted the investment research and company engagement capabilities of the Adviser and its affiliates. The Board also noted the compliance program of the Adviser and the compliance-related resources provided to the Fund by the Adviser, including the Adviser's commitment to respond to rulemaking initiatives of the SEC. The Fund's ability to deliver competitive performance when compared to its Peer Group was also deemed to be relevant by the Board as a useful indicator of how the Adviser is executing the Fund's investment program. The Adviser's ability to execute this program was one of the Board's considerations in reaching a conclusion that the nature, extent and quality of the Adviser's investment management services warrant the continuation of the investment advisory contract.
In evaluating the Fund's investment performance, the Board considered performance results in light of the Fund's investment objective, strategies and risks, as disclosed in the Fund's prospectus. The Board considered detailed investment reports on the Fund's performance that were provided to the Board throughout the year and in connection with the May meetings. The CCO also reviewed information regarding the performance of other mutual funds in the Peer Group, noting the CCO's view that comparisons to fund peer groups may be helpful, though not conclusive, in evaluating the performance of the Adviser in managing the Fund. The Board considered, in evaluating such comparisons, that in some cases there may be differences in the funds' investment objectives or investment management techniques, or the costs to implement funds, even within the same Peer Group, and that the CCO had specifically noted that the Fund's quantitative focus makes fee and expense comparisons particularly difficult as the funds in the Peer Group varied widely in their complexity, and the management of the Fund is among the more complex relative to its Peer Group.
For the periods covered by the CCO Fee Evaluation Report, the Fund's performance for the three-year and five-year periods was above the median of the relevant Peer Group, and the Fund's performance fell below the median of the relevant Peer Group for the one-year period. In addition, the Board was informed by the Adviser that the Fund outperformed its benchmark index for the one-year, three-year and five-year periods. The Board discussed the Fund's performance with the Adviser and recognized the efforts being taken by the Adviser in the context of other factors considered relevant by the Board.
Following such evaluation, and full deliberations, the Board concluded that the performance of the Fund supported renewal of the Fund's advisory contract.
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The Board also received financial information about Federated, including information regarding the compensation and ancillary (or “fall-out”) benefits Federated derived from its relationships with the Federated Funds. This information covered not only the fees under the investment advisory contracts, but also fees received by Federated's subsidiaries for providing other services to the Federated Funds under separate contracts (e.g., for serving as the Federated Funds' administrator and distributor). In this regard, the Board considered that certain Federated subsidiaries provide distribution and shareholder services to the Federated Funds, for which they may be compensated through distribution and servicing fees paid pursuant to Rule 12b-1 plans or otherwise. The information also detailed any indirect benefit Federated may derive from its receipt of research services from brokers who execute Federated Fund trades. In addition, the Board considered the fact that, in order for a Federated Fund to be competitive in the marketplace, the Adviser and its affiliates frequently waived fees and/or reimbursed expenses and have disclosed to Federated Fund investors and/or indicated to the Board their intention to do so in the future. Moreover, the Board receives regular reporting as to the institution, adjustment or elimination of these voluntary waivers. The Board considered Federated's previous reductions in contractual management fees to certain Federated Funds in response to the CCO's recommendations in the prior year's CCO Fee Evaluation Report.
In 2016, the Board approved a reduction of 16 basis points in the contractual advisory fee. In 2018, the Board approved a reduction of 14 basis points in the contractual advisory fee. This change was intended to more closely align the contractual fee with the net fee actually charged after the imposition of applicable voluntary waivers. In 2019, the Board approved a further reduction of 5 basis points in the contractual advisory fee.
Federated furnished information, requested by the CCO, that reported revenues on a fund-by-fund basis and made estimates of the allocation of expenses on a fund-by-fund basis, using allocation methodologies specified by the CCO. The CCO noted that, while these cost allocation reports apply consistent allocation processes, the inherent difficulties in allocating costs continues to cause the CCO to question the precision of the process and to conclude that such reports may be unreliable, since a single change in an allocation estimate may dramatically alter the resulting estimate of cost and/or profitability of a Federated Fund and may produce unintended consequences. The allocation information, including the CCO's view that fund-by-fund estimations may be unreliable, was considered in the evaluation by the Board.
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The Board and the CCO also reviewed information compiled by Federated comparing its profitability information to other publicly held fund management companies, including information regarding profitability trends over time. In this regard, the CCO concluded that Federated's profit margins did not appear to be excessive. The CCO also noted that Federated appeared financially sound, with the resources necessary to fulfill its obligations under its contracts with the Fund.
The CCO Fee Evaluation Report also discussed the notion of possible realization of “economies of scale” as a fund grows larger, the difficulties of calculating economies of scale at an individual fund level, and the extent to which potential scale benefits are shared with shareholders. In this regard, the Board considered that Federated has made significant and long-term investments in areas that support all of the Federated Funds, such as personnel and processes for the portfolio management, shareholder services, compliance, internal audit and risk management functions, as well as systems technology (including technology relating to cybersecurity) and that the benefits of these investments (as well as any economies of scale, should they exist) were likely to be shared with the Federated Fund family as a whole. The Board noted that Federated's investments in these areas are extensive. In addition, the Board considered that the Adviser and its affiliates have frequently waived fees and/or reimbursed expenses and that this has allowed potential economies of scale to be shared with shareholders. The Board also considered that such waivers and reimbursements can provide protection from an increase in expenses if a Federated Fund's assets decline. Federated, as it does throughout the year, and specifically in connection with the Board's review of the advisory and subadvisory contracts, furnished information relative to revenue sharing or adviser-paid fees. Federated and the CCO noted that this information should be viewed to determine if there was an incentive to either not apply breakpoints, or to apply breakpoints at higher levels, and should not be viewed to determine the appropriateness of advisory fees. The Board also noted the absence of any applicable regulatory or industry guidelines on this subject, which (as discussed in the CCO Fee Evaluation Report) is compounded by the lack of any common industry practice or general pattern with respect to structuring fund advisory fees with “breakpoints” that serve to reduce the fee as a fund attains a certain size.
The CCO stated that his observations and the information accompanying the CCO Fee Evaluation Report supported a finding by the Board that the management fee for the Fund was reasonable. Under these circumstances, no changes were recommended to, and no objection was raised to the continuation of, the Fund's investment advisory contract. The CCO also recognized that the Board's evaluation of the Federated Funds' advisory and subadvisory arrangements is a continuing and on-going process that is informed by the
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information that the Board requests and receives from management throughout the course of the year and, in this regard, the CCO noted certain items for future reporting to the Board or further consideration by management as the Board continues its on-going oversight of the Federated Funds.
In its decision to continue an existing investment advisory contract, the Board was mindful of the potential disruptions of the Fund's operations and various risks, uncertainties and other effects that could occur as a result of a decision to terminate or not renew an investment advisory contract. In particular, the Board recognized that many shareholders have invested in the Fund on the strength of the Adviser's industry standing and reputation and with the expectation that the Adviser will have a continuing role in providing advisory services to the Fund. Thus, the Board's approval of the investment advisory contract reflected the fact that it is the shareholders who have effectively selected the Adviser by virtue of having invested in the Fund. The Board concluded that, in light of the factors summarized above, including the nature, quality and scope of the services provided to the Fund by the Adviser and its affiliates, continuation of the investment advisory contract was appropriate.
The Board based its decision to approve the investment advisory contract on the totality of the circumstances and relevant factors and with a view to past and future long-term considerations. Not all of the factors and considerations identified above were necessarily relevant to the Fund, nor did the Board consider any one of them to be determinative. With respect to the factors that were relevant, the Board's decision to approve the continuation of the contract reflects its view that Federated's performance and actions provided a satisfactory basis to support the decision to continue the existing arrangement.
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Voting Proxies on Fund Portfolio Securities
A description of the policies and procedures that the Fund uses to determine how to vote proxies, if any, relating to securities held in the Fund's portfolio is available, without charge and upon request, by calling 1-800-341-7400. A report on “Form N-PX” of how the Fund voted any such proxies during the most recent 12-month period ended June 30 is available via the Proxy Voting Record (Form N-PX) link associated with the Fund and share class name at www.FederatedInvestors.com/FundInformation. Form N-PX filings are also available at the SEC's website at sec.gov.
Quarterly Portfolio Schedule
Each fiscal quarter, the Fund will file with the SEC a complete schedule of its monthly portfolio holdings on “Form N-PORT.” The Fund's holdings as of the end of the third month of every fiscal quarter, as reported on Form N-PORT, will be publicly available on the SEC's website at www.sec.gov within 60 days of the end of the fiscal quarter upon filing. You may also access this information via the link to the Fund and share class name at www.FederatedInvestors.com.
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Mutual funds are not bank deposits or obligations, are not guaranteed by any bank and are not insured or guaranteed by the U.S. government, the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation, the Federal Reserve Board or any other government agency. Investment in mutual funds involves investment risk, including the possible loss of principal.
This Report is authorized for distribution to prospective investors only when preceded or accompanied by the Fund's Prospectus, which contains facts concerning its objective and policies, management fees, expenses and other information.
IMPORTANT NOTICE ABOUT FUND DOCUMENT DELIVERY    
In an effort to reduce costs and avoid duplicate mailings, the Fund(s) intend to deliver a single copy of certain documents to each household in which more than one shareholder of the Fund(s) resides (so-called “householding”), as permitted by applicable rules. The Fund's “householding” program covers its/their Prospectus and Statement of Additional Information, and supplements to each, as well as Semi-Annual and Annual Shareholder Reports and any Proxies or information statements. Shareholders must give their written consent to participate in the “householding” program. The Fund is also permitted to treat a shareholder as having given consent (“implied consent”) if (i) shareholders with the same last name, or believed to be members of the same family, reside at the same street address or receive mail at the same post office box, (ii) the Fund gives notice of its intent to “household” at least sixty (60) days before it begins “householding” and (iii) none of the shareholders in the household have notified the Fund(s) or their agent of the desire to “opt out” of “householding.” Shareholders who have granted written consent, or have been deemed to have granted implied consent, can revoke that consent and opt out of “householding” at any time: shareholders who purchased shares through an intermediary should contact their representative; other shareholders may call the Fund at 1-800-341-7400.
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Federated MDT Small Cap Growth Fund
Federated Hermes Funds
4000 Ericsson Drive
Warrendale, PA 15086-7561
Contact us at FederatedInvestors.com
or call 1-800-341-7400.
Federated Securities Corp., Distributor
CUSIP 31421R775
CUSIP 31421R767
CUSIP 31421R759
CUSIP 31421R619
36367 (3/20)
© 2020 Federated Hermes, Inc.

 

 

 

Item 2.Code of Ethics

 

Not Applicable

Item 3.Audit Committee Financial Expert

 

Not Applicable

Item 4.Principal Accountant Fees and Services

 

Not Applicable

 

Item 5.Audit Committee of Listed Registrants

 

Not Applicable

 

Item 6.Schedule of Investments

 

(a) The registrant’s Schedule of Investments is included as part of the Report to Stockholders filed under Item 1 of this form.

 

(b) Not Applicable; Fund had no divestments during the reporting period covered since the previous Form N-CSR filing.

 

Item 7.Disclosure of Proxy Voting Policies and Procedures for Closed-End Management Investment Companies

 

Not Applicable

 

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

 

Not Applicable

 

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

 

Not Applicable

 

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

 

No Changes to Report

 

Item 11.Controls and Procedures

 

(a) The registrant’s President and Treasurer have concluded that the

registrant’s disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in rule 30a-3(c) under the Act) are effective in design and operation and are sufficient to form the basis of the certifications required by Rule 30a-(2) under the Act, based on their evaluation of these disclosure controls and procedures within 90 days of the filing date of this report on Form N-CSR.

 

(b) There were no changes in the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting (as defined in rule 30a-3(d) under the Act) during the registrant’s most recent fiscal half-year (the registrant’s second fiscal half-year in the case of an annual report) that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting.

 

Item 12.Disclosure of Securities Lending Activities for Closed-End Management Investment Companies

 

Not Applicable

 

Item 13.Exhibits

 

(a)(1) Code of Ethics- Not Applicable to this Report.

 

(a)(2) Certifications of Principal Executive Officer and Principal Financial Officer.

 

(a)(3) Not Applicable.

 

(b) Certifications pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

SIGNATURES

 

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

 

Registrant Federated MDT Series

 

By /S/ Lori A. Hensler

 

Lori A. Hensler

Principal Financial Officer

 

Date March 23, 2020

 

 

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and the Investment Company Act of 1940, this report has been signed below by the following persons on behalf of the registrant and in the capacities and on the dates indicated.

 

 

By /S/ J. Christopher Donahue

 

J. Christopher Donahue

Principal Executive Officer

 

Date March 23, 2020

 

 

By /S/ Lori A. Hensler

 

Lori A. Hensler

Principal Financial Officer

 

Date March 23, 2020